BULLETIN ISSUE 21: 2018 22: Spring Summer 2018
A MESSAGE FROM TONY EGAN I was joking with my Uncle the other day about who was better at reading financial accounts. He being the old bull can spot the smallest variance in numbers and then knows the answer. I, being the young bull, suggested that it is better to focus on creating the future than dwelling on the past. This is a debate we have around this time every year, with audited accounts and shareholder meetings taking place to reflect on the season just finished. At the same time, we face the challenge of ramping up production for the new season ahead, establishing our position and stealing the march on our competitors. The old bull seems to be happier than normal this year, as our 25th season was not only a milestone, but it was notable for our performance with more than 50,000 MT of beef and offal products shipped and 221,989 cattle and 111,824 calves processed. In turn, the Greenlea Foundation got a record slice of support for work in
GENE EDITING: IS IT RIGHT FOR NEW ZEALAND?
All living organisms have genetic material that determines their identity and how certain features and traits are expressed. Deoxyribonucleic acid, more commonly known as DNA, is the molecule that contains all this genetic information. While inheritance is an extremely complex process, DNA molecules are actually only composed of four nucleotides and some associated proteins. The four nucleotides are: cytosine (C), adenine (A), guanine (G) and thymine (T). How these nucleotides sequence and pair up determines the genetic makeup of the organism. Genotype is the gene sequence
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the community, the staff got a bonus and shareholders a dividend … surely happy days! But true to form the old bull spotted claims were up a bit, that the dry summer had made it tough on our farmer suppliers, and that certain markets were flat … clearly, more work needed to be done! So as usual, the young bull and his team stopped the boasting and went back to work to prove themselves yet again. In the certain knowledge that none of us is bigger than the game and that young or old we need to play as ‘One Team’ to succeed in a tough industry. Ahead of us we have emerging challenges such as cyber security, plant based protein, healthy rivers, animal welfare, climate change and our new friend M bovis. Behind us we have a tradition of never giving up, so our motivated team of 450 individuals will be relentless when it comes to innovation and uncompromising when it comes to excellence, and just like our predecessors, we will prevail. Not that we would admit it….but we have learnt a thing or two from the old bull, and we still scheme to beat him … eventually!
while phenotype is how the particular sequence is expressed. For example, one individual might have A-T-C-GG-A (genotype) and express blond hair (phenotype) while another might have A-C-T-G-A-A (genotype) and have brown hair (phenotype). This example is hugely oversimplified but provides a starting point for understanding genetics. Continued on page 3...
WHAT THE HECK IS ‘BLOCKCHAIN’? You have probably heard the term ‘blockchain’, but if you are like most people, you have absolutely no idea what it is. We were certainly in that camp until approached recently by our bankers at ASB. Greenlea recently joined forces with ASB Bank and VerifyUnion to pilot a “blockchain” style electronic documentation (eDocs) process. The partnership successfully launched this country’s first bank blockchain single trade window on November 1. All the relevant documents relating to the trade were able to be uploaded, shared and updated within the secure platform which saves time for all those involved in the supply chain – from ASB, Greenlea, the shipping company to Maritime New Zealand and other government agencies. Also involved in the test was insurer, Vero, whose marine insurance division is one of the leading export insurers in New Zealand, and ProDoc, New Zealand’ s leading export documentation processing company. Blockchain is simply a growing list of records. Each
record is a block and each block has a timestamp and a link to a previous block. Each ‘user’ can only edit the ‘blocks’ that they ‘own’. The blockchain process verifies the origin and movement of product from source to customer. “Having a secure blockchain platform to conduct business not only reduces the time New Zealand exporters will need to spend on documentation throughout the trade process, as Jack Vollebregt CFO of Greenlea explains, it also reduces the risks of fraud and cyber security threats.”
MUDGEY’S COLUMN Not one to look back often, but I can’t help but think ‘what a Spring!’ it promised plenty but never really delivered. (A little bit like some meat processors); the only exception were parts of the east coast who enjoyed a good early start but are certainly in need of a bit of rain now! I also think we might be making progress on M.Bovis with five or six clients removed from the NOD status in the past couple of weeks. It’s one of those issues I hope we are all wiser about – can’t really point the finger in any one direction as cattle move so freely around all corners of the country you just have to have been bloody unlucky to have ended up being affected. It has created opportunities with store replacement cattle being very buyable for a period of time. An old guy in Wairarapa once told me ‘no-one ever went broke taking a profit!’ Some of the margins in trading cattle over the last six weeks have certainly been great banking. Also, plenty of opportunities to extend that land holding with good numbers of farms coming on the market in recent times.
My glass is always half full, if the right farm comes up, have a look, work with your agent and bankers, run the numbers a bit more, scale usually stacks up. One thing we all need to get on board with is the NZFAP (New Zealand Farm Assurance Programme). Yes, this is real and needs to be completed ASAP and eventually for all species of livestock. We must remember the next step in the chain is from your farm paddock to somebody’s plate; sure, a little truck ride, a wash and vacuum packing in-between before it’s eaten. Those eating it need to know it’s safe. Won’t be too long and NZFAP will be like a Driver’s License or a Food Handler’s Certificate, without it, you won’t be able to operate. Like all things of the past, get in early, it never gets any easier and the rules are bound to toughen up. Now, on a brighter note, as you sit down to read this the ham is probably in the fridge, the Christmas tree is up with hopefully lots of gifts beneath it. Rest assured, it will rain one day soon, NZ will almost close down for ten days over Christmas/New Year – it always does! My prediction is a few cattle early February might just be worth the money. So, if you have a bit of grass, shade and plenty of water, hang on to a few for the early Autumn period. On behalf of all the Greenlea livestock team, thanks for supporting us, have a great Christmas and New Year period…… eat plenty, drink just enough, plenty of hugs for all and travel safe.
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MAKE CHRISTMAS
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Enter the code MERRY to receive a 10% discount*
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*Orders must be placed before the 14th December 2018
GENE EDITING: IS IT RIGHT FOR NEW ZEALAND? Continued from page 1 While the discovery of the DNA double helix is disputed, James Watson and Francis Crick were the first to publish an article in the scientific journal Nature in 1953. Despite not understanding the molecular structure, Gregor Mendel is known as the father of modern genetics with his experiments on inheritance in pea plants in the mid-1800s. Mendel was the first to use the terms ‘dominant’ and ‘recessive’ to refer to expression of traits. The significance of Mendel’s work was not recognised for more than three decades. Charles Darwin’s theories of evolution, which occurred during the same period as Mendel, also contributed significantly to the understanding of modern genetics. Published in 1859, On the Origin of Species described environmental selective pressure on organisms. Fast forward almost two hundred years and science has
advanced the ability to genetically sequence organisms and to alter that sequence to produce a desired phenotype. The most significant breakthrough has been the use of CRISPR technology to precisely integrate a gene into an organism’s DNA. This process is known as gene editing. Unlike Mendel, who had to rely on natural processes to produce a desired trait in an organism, CRISPR technology can change a trait instantly and permanently. Debate exists about whether gene editing should be considered genetic modification. Currently, the USA has ruled that it isn’t, while the high court in Europe has ruled that it is. Currently in New Zealand, no genetically modified plants can be grown outside of laboratory containment. In the next article, we debate whether New Zealand should allow the use of gene editing technology in plants and animals.
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FREE GIFT WITH DONATION BIGGER, FASTER FLEET COMING TO OUR SKIES Keep an eye on the skies above you over the next 12 months as a new fleet of twin-engine BK117 rescue helicopters are phased in. For the Greenlea Rescue Helicopter that operates in the Central Plateau and surrounding regions, this will mean a considerably faster machine than the incumbent single-engine helicopter. More importantly, patients can expect a quicker response time and access to treatment sooner. Not only will the fleet have more room for clinical staff to provide comprehensive care to patients on board, these bigger, better, faster rescue helicopters will have dedicated teams of full time pilots, crew, advanced paramedics and medical staff manning them around the clock, 365 days of the year.
COMING SOON Summer 2019 - Greenlea Rescue Helicopter Base Open Day Join us for a fabulous family event offering the opportunity to get up close and personal with your rescue helicopter and crew. Follow Philips Search & Rescue Trust on Facebook for more event details.
Christmas is a time for giving. So, with every $100 donation you make to your rescue helicopter this November or December, we’ll gift you a model helicopter valued at $35 in return. It could be you, or your loved ones that need us over the Christmas holiday season. Your support ensures that the rescue helicopter is available to everyone in your community. Donate today at www.rescue.org.nz Terms and conditions apply. See our website for more details.
254
Missions in 2018
ANNual operating costs
50%
of funding comes from government contracts
Thank you to Greenlea Premier Meats and their farmers for continuing to support the lifesaving service of the Greenlea Rescue Helicopter.
Discover more and donate today at www.rescue.org.nz
Average cost per mission
Over $1.1 million
The Greenlea Rescue Helicopter is dedicated to serving the central North Island community 24/7, 365 days of the year. You’re helping us touch the lives of many people.
$7,800
50%
of funding comes from community support