BULLETIN As most of you are aware Greenlea is a partner in the Red Meat Profit Partnership (RMPP). The RMPP is a primary growth partnership with the Ministry for Primary Industries, and the ultimate goal of all the various projects within the programme is increased profit behind the farm gate. The other partners include ANZ, Rabobank, Beef + Lamb, Alliance, ANZCO, Silver Fern Farms, Blue Sky Meats, and Progressive. One of the projects is the creation of an electronic ASD. This online platform will allow suppliers to create and submit an ASD from anywhere via a computer, tablet or mobile. Smart technology will enable the system to “know” who you are when you log in, and therefore, enter relevant details such as your name and address. Obviously, a fully paperless system is years away as some areas have poor coverage. However, having an electronic option will be appealing to many. Greenlea has been hosting the first trial of this new system with several of our suppliers. Several of our suppliers are also involved with us in pilot programmes to test new methods and innovations. The pilots include projects around cropping programmes, software guided decision-making, comparisons of feeding regimes, and genetics. One of our pilot farms is profiled in this issue of the Bulletin.
ISSUE 11 : Autumn 2016 ISSUE 11 : Autumn 2016
Photo: Fairfax Media NZ/The Press Graham and Diana Smith are Greenlea suppliers who answered the call to join the Red Meat Profit Partnership pilot farm project last year. The various projects are intended to test new ideas, methods and technologies to drive greater production and profitability. The Smiths started bull farming on their 200 hectare Taniwha Farm about 10 years ago. They carry up to 450 Friesian bulls on their property and were early adopters of electronic ear tagging purely as a management tool. Both autumn and spring born bulls are brought in each year at 100 kgs. Graham has always been interested in the genetics of his dairy-originated animals. He has long hypothesised that a dairy bull that produces top quality daughters might also produce top quality sons for use in the bull beef industry. Using genetic data and meat quality data as well as management data collected by the Smiths, Graham’s ideas will be thoroughly tested. Optimal age and weight for slaughter as a function of meat quality will also be studied. Ultimately, the aim is to lift the value of bull meat through cooperation between the farmer and the processor.
Mark your calendar for June 15-18 and visit Greenlea at Fieldays! We will be in our same site as last year … F53 … and we will again be offering our popular midday beef tasting for the first 250 people through our green door. Our forequarter and hindquarter carcass breakdown demonstrations were also popular and will return this year. This year you can also have a peak in the fridge at the various cuts we offer both in New Zealand and overseas. See you there!
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MARKET NEWS
San Jolly, the owner of Productive Nutrition, is a livestock nutrition expert based in Australia. She has considerable experience in advising farmers in all matters related to feeding and supplementing cattle and sheep. She recently visited New Zealand as a guest of the Red Meat Profit Partnership. The main purpose of her visit was to discuss feeding during a drought (something she has considerable experience with given her location in Australia) … and of course, given Murphy’s Law when she arrived in Hawkes Bay all it did was rain! Regardless, she sat down one evening for a conference call which is available on YouTube for those who are interested. During the 50 minute conversation with Beef + Lamb’s Senior Extension Manager, Aaron Meikle, she discussed the pros and cons of various pastures and supplements including plantain, plantain/clover mix, kukuyu, lucerne, PKE, oats and lupin. Her key message was “quality not quantity drives production”. She stresses the importance of sampling and testing to know exactly the metabolisable energy (ME) of any feed as well as any possible deficiencies. “If you don’t measure it, you can’t manage it!” To listen to the full presentation go to www.youtube.com and search for ‘San Jolly Productive Nutrition’.
There was a dream start to 2016 where the United States market prices lifted steadily through January and February adding value to all cattle types. This improvement however was based on reduced supply volumes from Australia rather than an increase in demand from the market. Unfortunately, once the calendar ticked over into March there was a sudden and sharp reduction in bid prices from US importers and end-users. As we sit it is still uncertain as to where the market will head, as the perceived increase in supply in March from both New Zealand and Australia is unlikely to meet the expectations of those attempting to push the market down. Greenlea has attempted to offset some of these concerns by investing in sophisticated chemical lean (CL) testing equipment to maximise market options. In Asia, despite reported weakness in China this market continues to grow as a major factor in the NZ beef export scene and one that cannot be ignored. As with most export markets the key is in finding customers with whom you can build a mutual trust and share information to benefit business for both parties. We have five good customers established in this market with all invested in the value chain.
MUDGEY’S COLUMN Well, a month into autumn and the weather still seems like summer with mid 20 degree days and the need for a little more rain. But don’t worry it will cool off soon enough … unlike the weaner calf markets this season with all sorts of record prices being achieved. Great to see the guys who have hung onto beef cows being rewarded so well. Unfortunately, some of those taking them home could be waiting awhile for a return. Dairy farmer suppliers have been dealt another blow with prices dropping further, but fortunately cull cow prices are holding up so returns for this part of their business is a little brighter. We understand just how difficult it is out there, so if we can be of assistance, keep talking to your local buyer. Perhaps on-selling
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lighter cows to fatten or empty heifers to weight gain could all earn a little extra revenue? Those with a few autumn calves could mother them onto an in-milk cull to generate a bit of winter income. It might seem a long way away, but start thinking about rearing a few spring calves. The way weaners have sold, milk in a calf looks like better value than milk in a vat. The next couple of months will see a steady but manageable flow of dairy cows into the system. Fingers crossed that a bit less product will flow into the market place from our Aussie neighbours and also from New Zealand as we might not see the normal seasonal big reductions. In the meantime, tighten those belts, start saving a bit of winter feed, and we will look forward to seeing you all again at Fieldays.
MUDG
EY
The Greenlea Foundation Trust continues its commitment to supporting the community; and therefore, supporting those who support us. The trustees of the Foundation meet annually to determine future gifting. The Foundation routinely supports a number of worthwhile organisations such as KidsCan, The Salvation Army, Enrich+, St John’s and Mobility Assistance Dogs. The Foundation also takes an interest in supporting young people with a future in
agribusiness through their support of The St Paul’s Centre of Excellence for Agricultural Science and Business, Northland College Agricultural Development as well as a number of scholarships for students with financial need. Several one-off donations were granted this year including the Cambridge Rotary for an outdoor fitness park.
Greenlea Premier Meats Ltd recently entered two teams in the Taupo Great Lake Relay. The teams were composed of staff members, staff partners, friends and contractors. This year was the fourth year that Greenlea has participated in this great event. Both teams finished in 19 hours and 10 minutes. The team’s bright green t-shirts represented Greenlea’s continuing support of the Taupo-area rescue helicopter.
Bobby calf signups now online. Hard to believe, but calving is just around the corner. Online registration for the 2016 season is now available on our website. See www.greenlea.co.nz for details.
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Photo credit: Conrad Smith
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according to acc statistics, every year 5 people die and 850 PEOPLE ARE INJURED ON FARMS while RIDING QUAD BIKES
JAN – feb 2016 Across all bases
MISSIONS
In the past two months Philips Search & Rescue Trust rescue helicopters have attended six quad bike related incidents. These sobering statistics are a reminder that without a rescue helicopter service in your local area, available 365 days, 24/7, the death rate could be a lot higher.
EMERGENCY AMBULANCE: 100 Police/sar: 86 INTER-HOSPITAL TRANSFERS: 26
So if you had an incident on your farm, who would decide if the rescue helicopter was dispatched? The diagram below will give you a clear understanding of what happens once the emergency services are alerted. Donate now to ensure your local rescue helicopter is available in your hour of need rescue.org.nz
NEW ZEALAND RESCUE HELICOPTERS
There are several steps involved that may lead to your rescue helicopter being dispatched to an incident or emergency
DISPATCH PROCESS 03 Information collected
The CCC gathers information to determine what emergency services are required based on location and injury. They may decide to send the rescue helicopter if time is critical, the location is remote or accessibilty is compromised NB: Your local rescue helicopter cannot make the decision to dispatch itself
02
04 rescue helicopter is dispatched
The pilots and crew are paged and will then respond to the call out
05
Dial 111
You or someone at the scene dials 111 and describes the situation to the CCC (Clinical Control Centre)
FLY TO SCENE
The rescue helicopter is own with the required specialists on board directly to the scene. This means the patients can be treated at the scene and en-route to the hospital
EMERGENCY CALL
01
06
Incident/Emergency
You are invovled in or are witness to an incident or emergency that requires emergency medical attention or urgent transport to a medical facility
Return to facility
111
The patient is airlifted to the most appropriate facility determind by injury, attending medics and CCC protocol NB: Your rescue helicopter does not decide which facility the patient is taken to
Philips Search & Rescue Trust
rescuehelicoptertrust
@Rescue_PSRT
february 2016
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