Dairy Exporter March 2018 sneak peek

Learn, grow, excel

Split Calving Capturing winter premiums

MARCH 2018

$12 incl GST

WINNER

$12

Future Influences:

Fertiliser

Dairy Exporter | www.nzfarmlife.co.nz | March 2018

Equity partnerships: A joint approach 1

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2

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Dairy Exporter | www.nzfarmlife.co.nz | March 2018

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Dairy Exporter | www.nzfarmlife.co.nz | March 2018

3

CONTENTS

LONGER MILKING, EFFICIENT FEEDING 58

ONLINE 10

Dairy Exporter’s online presence

MILKING PLATFORM 11

Thomas Chatfield: Sitting watching the summer rain

12

Frances Coles: Searching for the sweet spot

13

Sam Sherrard: Is $10,000-a-week justified?

UPFRONT 14

Ninety-day trials: Taking a chance on workers

17

Learning from the Beingmate saga

18

Southern Pastures: Joint ventures for more value

20

Market view: Should we be selling more to China?

MAKING THE SWITCH 64

SPONSORED CONTENT 24

Anmum: Balancing a toddler’s diet

BUSINESS

4

26

Power of the partnership

30

Expert Eye: People make equity partnerships work

32

Equity partnerships: Profit and trust essential

34

Boost your business by benchmarking

36

Southern Pastures: Sustainable business

SMARTER FERT ON THE WAY 40

Dairy Exporter | www.nzfarmlife.co.nz | March 2018

SYSTEMS – FERTILISER

OPPORTUNITY WHERE PINES ONCE STOOD 76

40

Smarter fert on the way

42

Outgrowing the need for urea

43

Calling time on nitrogen

44

New fert product gets thumbs up

46

Smartfert and forget

48

Soil tests straight to HawkEye

49

Connect the dots for answers

50

Savings show the way forward

53

Getting your mind around plantain

55

Fat of the land

SPECIAL REPORT – SPLIT CALVING

Special Report

58

Longer milking, efficient feeding

64

Making the switch

Split Calving

70

Check before making the change

72

A check on cow feeding

and Spring

ENVIRONMENT

Autumn

74

Environmental future of fertiliser

STOCK 76

Opportunity where pines once stood

80

Selecting for health traits

81

Slow start to herd sales

83

What’s new in mammary research?

84

Vet Voice: M. bovis – a new disease and a new challenge

SPLIT CALVING 58 58 Longer milking, efficient feeding 64 Making the switch

70 Check before making the change 72 A check on cow feeding

Dairy Exporter | www.nzfarmlife.co.nz | March 2018

YOUNG COUNTRY 86

Living the dream

89

Settling migrant staff into your team

90

Writing his own story

55

COLUMNS 92 Research Wrap: Plantain retention 88 Farm Gear: Telehandlers – That extra reach 96 Dairy 101: Keeping the nasties at bay

DAIRY SOLUTIONS

LIVING THE DREAM 86 Dairy Exporter | www.nzfarmlife.co.nz | March 2018

98

Maximum shatter, minimum disturbance

99

Sensors capture urine impact

100

DIRECTORY PROPERTY

104

5

DAIRY DIARY MARCH March 15 – Southern Dairy Hub Field Day runs between 10.30am and 1pm with an update on the farm and science projects. More?

Visit www.dairynz.co.nz/events March 15-17 – Central Districts Field Days at Manfeild Park in Feilding.

More? Visit www.cdfielddays.co.nz March 21 – The Waikato demonstration dairy farm, Owl Farm, holds a focus day. More? Visit www.owlfarm.co.nz March 21-23 – West Coast Monitor Farm field days kick off in Buller on March 21, followed by Greymouth on March 22 and Kowhitirangi on March 23. Each field day runs from 10.45am to 1pm and a BBQ lunch is provided. More? Visit www.dairynz.co.nz and go to Top SI/West Coast March 22-23 – Our Land, Our People is the theme for this year’s Dairy Women’s Network conference at the Energy Events Centre in Rotorua.

Keynote speakers for the two-day conference include CEO Agribusiness

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with Milk New Zealand, Justine Kidd; Founder of Eat My Lunch, Lisa King and cerebral palsy athlete and entrepreneur Cam Calkoen. More?

Visit www.dwn.co.nz March 25-27 – The South Island Agricultural Field Days at Kirwee in Canterbury. More? Visit www.siafd.co.nz March 27-28 – MobileTECH is one of New Zealand’s largest events focusing on agritech, where technology leaders, developers and early adopters gather to exchange ideas and discuss new technology. The event is being at the Distinction Rotorua Hotel and Conference Centre and covers areas such as rural connectivity, mobile hardware, big data, aerial drones, online software, M2M, remote sensors and cloud platforms. More? Visit www.connexevents.com/mobiletech March 31 – Last day to enter Dairy Business of the Year 2018 which judges farmers on their financial and environmental performance, plus people management. The awards night will be held on June 21 in New Plymouth. For online entries and further details, visit www.dboy.co.nz

APRIL April 5 – Marton Tiller Talk field day is an opportunity for farmers outside the Tiller Talk project to ask questions of the host farmers and agronomists as well as tips around autumn pasture management. More?

Visit www.dairynz.co.nz/events/lower-ni/marton-tiller-talk-field-day-april April 17-19 – Innovation in irrigation practice and water management is the drawcard for Irrigation New Zealand’s annual conference which is

ONE SOURCE

being held in Central Otago. The two-day conference in Alexandra looks at the issues impacting on irrigation including environmental bottom lines, water use efficiency requirements, and changes in the allocation and management of water which have all led to innovations in irrigation practice and water management. Tours will look at the diverse range of irrigated land uses in the region. To view the full programme and to register, visit www.irrigationnz.co.nz

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6

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Dairy Exporter | www.nzfarmlife.co.nz | March 2018

Editor’s note

A new look…

O

ver the course of 93 years things change and evolve and publishing is no different. We all need to change to remain relevant and doing the same old thing leads to obsolescence. We have partially embraced the digital age, and will be doing more of this, but never fear, after 93 years we remain a fiercely print-focused magazine. But every publication needs to have the odd tweak to make it look fresh, stylish and on-trend.

We’ve have asked for and listened to your feedback and we hope you enjoy the changes we have made to your favourite dairy subscription magazine. You said it takes too long to read so we have reduced the number of words on a page, used bigger pictures, more white space and spread out the features more. (Maybe we could have just sent you all $2-shop glasses!).

Our designer, Jo has scoured through other popular magazines and has come up with the latest trends – more white space, new fonts, new section headings, more spread-out layout, easier on the eye, more enjoyable read.

We are excited by it, let us know what you think. Email me at Jackie.harrigan@nzfarmlife.co.nz or leave a message on our FB NZ Dairy Exporter page.

It’s been a big week in the media – the Farmers Weekly is being sold from NZX Agri ownership, probably to another media company and Fairfax is closing or selling 28 small titles, including NZ Farmer and NZ Dairy Farmer.

That is a lot of uncertainty and for our part we want to reassure our loyal readers that we are here for the long haul – we’ve been here for 93 years and have a lot more to come yet. That’s why we are committed to staying relevant and credible in our content and modern in our look and readability.

As things change in any sector, this month’s special report touches on the evolution of some farmers to split calving and winter milking.

Capturing winter premiums is an enticing opportunity, but feed supplies and infrastructural needs must be in place. Read about how some farmers are doing it (P52).

We take a look into the future of fertiliser as part of an ongoing special series on Future Influences.

Plants that fix their own nitrogen, controlled-release fertilisers and smart technologies for mapping and applying fertiliser are all on the horizon, hopefully, in time to save money and nutrient pollution from overuse.

Dairy Exporter | www.nzfarmlife.co.nz | March 2018

• Profiles of all regional DIA winners • Mycoplasma bovis What’s happening at farm level.

• Attracting new staff

Jackie

NZ Dairy Exporter

Sneak Peak Next Issue:

@YoungDairyED

@DairyExporterNZ

7

Word in your ear DAIRY STOCK PERFORMANCE

Mitigating the effects of rising labour costs and tightening immigration New Zealand’s dairy industry has been feeling the effects of an aging population and urban drift for some time now.

This was partially off-set by higher immigration which brought skilled and highly skilled labour into the country, many of which helped fill labour shortages on dairy farms around the country. However, the new government’s introduction of increased minimum and skilled labour wage, coupled with the proposed reduction in immigration numbers and changes to visa requirements, are predicted to have wide reaching consequences for New Zealand’s dairy industry and regional communities.

With these changes it is predicted that there will be a huge shift to robotic and AI technology. That technology is already here for dairy farms. From modular dairy automation systems to full robotic milking systems there are options for investment to reduce labour costs, the effects of labour shortages and mitigate risks associated with language and skill levels.

Increasing minimum and skilled labour wage With the minimum wage set to rise to $20 per hour by 2021 and the compensation for skilled immigrant labour rising in line with this, labour costs are set to increase significantly for dairy farmers.

Modular automation enables farmers to reduce labour units by reducing once manual tasks such as drafting.

Providing the ability to set drafts, and instructions for treatments, withholding, feeding etc online, from anywhere also frees management from the shed, making better use of the resources that you have.

3529TT01

Tightening labour market

New Zealand citizens or permanent residents. In Southland alone there are an estimated 1400 migrants working in the dairy industry. They've brought with them 1000 spouses and 1550 children.

Not only are proposed changes set to reduce the number of temporary visas issued to migrant workers, they are also set to affect those already here. For immigrants who have been in New Zealand for less than five years they will potentially have to leave the country if they do not meet pay and skills criteria.

“Automation is proven to improve safety, reduce manual inputs, improve staff and third-party communication and eliminate risks from staff mistakes.”

As with recent report on teacher shortages forcing schools to take on applicants they wouldn’t have otherwise considered, this could well become the reality for the dairy industry should these proposed changes come into effect.

Automation that provides clear, in-shed instruction to staff helps combat issues with staff that aren’t as well trained and/or have language barriers. EID eliminates the need for note taking and gives far greater accuracy of information. The use of universal technology such as apps for drafting and making notes on animals from anywhere on farm also reduces labour inputs and risk.

Managing risk – labour costs, labour shortage, language and skill levels

Migrant workers have become an essential part of New Zealand's dairy sector, filling labour and skill shortages.

Health and Safety, disease outbreaks such as the current Myoplasmabovine disease along with staff and your own mistakes are yet more clear arguments for automation in the dairy.

Dairy farms employ hundreds of migrant workers. It's estimated that 15 per cent of all dairy farm employees aren't

Each of these carry significant cost and business risk should mistakes occur.

Disputes and inaccuracy with third party

8 Weighing

& EID

Pasture Management

Dairy Automation

Automation functions like autodrafting can effectively remove one labour unit. Reducing the reliance on staff and saving on labour costs.

Automation includes large, in-shed display screens use colour coding and audible beeps to convey instructions to workers reducing errors and removing need for management to be constantly present in-shed.

suppliers like your AB technician, vet or milk company can be time consuming and costly.

Automation is proven to improve safety, reduce manual inputs, improve staff and third-party communication and eliminate risks from staff mistakes.

Don’t wait until labour costs and shortages bite in your area. Take control and improve your operations at the same time.

To find out more how dairy automation could help you get ahead of these issues and deliver real return to you bottom-line, get in touch with your local Tru-Test dairy specialist today.

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| March 2018

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NEW ZEALAND

Learn, grow, excel

ONLINE New Zealand Dairy Exporter’s online presence is an added dimension to your magazine. Through digital media, we share a selection of stories and photographs from the magazine. Here we share a selection of just some of what you can enjoy.

MEET OUR CONTRIBUTORS:

NZ Dairy Exporter is published

by NZ Farm Life Media PO Box 218, Feilding 4740, Toll free 0800 224 782, www.nzfarmlife.co.nz Dairy Exporter Editor Jackie Harrigan P: 06 280 3165, M: 027 359 7781 jackie.harrigan@nzfarmlife.co.nz Deputy editor Sheryl Brown, P: 021 239 1633 sheryl.brown@nzfarmlife.co.nz Lead sub-editor: Andy Maciver, P: 06 280 3166

The landscape for dairy farming is changing and has launched Marilyn and Gray Baldwin on a journey to make considerable changes to their Waikato dairy farm. Their operation features in our video on the NZ Dairy Exporter Facebook.

The answer’s on your docket The answer to the amount of nitrogen being excreted in cows’ urine could already be on farmers’ milk dockets, CRV Ambreed head of research and development Phil Beatson says.

More: Look out for industry reaction to the relationship between milk urea (MU) and urinary nitrogen (UN) levels, NZ Dairy Exporter April 2018.

Connect with us online: www.nzfarmlife.co.nz

NZ Dairy Exporter

@DairyExporterNZ NZ Dairy Exporter

Sign up to our monthly newsletter www.nzfarmlife.co.nz/e-newsletter

10

Reporters Glenys Christian, P: 027 434 7803 glenys.christian@nzx.com

Auckland-based Glenys Christian, Editor-at-large

Anne Hardie, P: 027 540 3635 verbatim@xtra.co.nz

A chance comment, in a United Kingdom newsroom 40 years ago while on my OE, about Kiwis knowing about farming, has seen me spend a lot of my time since finding my way up farm driveways to interviews, workshops and field days.

Since then I’ve worked in Wellington, while completing agricultural extramural units at Massey, and Auckland. Along the way I’ve edited two publications that don’t exist anymore: Straight Furrow and Growing Today, and two that most definitely do, the New Zealand Herald (where I was agricultural editor for 11 years) and, of course, NZ Dairy Exporter.

Since leaving that editor’s chair in 2014 I’ve spent much more time getting out onfarm all over the upper North Island, the part of the job I have always most enjoyed.

I still live in Auckland but I’m often not there much of the week with work trips, a bach out of Matakana and a partner who lives on Great Barrier Island. Competition between us is hot for the trophy snapper which he lays claims to by dint of living there for 30 years but I keep maintaining has my name on it.

Anne Lee, P: 021 413 346 anne.lee@nzfarmlife.co.nz Karen Trebilcock, P: 03 489 8083 ak.trebilcock@xtra.co.nz Senior designer: Joanne Hannam Junior designer: Cassandra Cleland Partnerships Managers: Janine Gray Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty P: 027 890 0015 janine.gray@nzfarmlife.co.nz Tony Leggett Lower North Island, South Island, P: 027 474 6093 tony.leggett@nzfarmlife.co.nz Subscriptions: www.nzfarmlife.co.nz subs@nzfarmlife.co.nz P: 0800 2AG SUB (224 782) Printing & Distribution: Printers: PMP, New Zealand Distributors: Gordon & Gotch (NZ) ISSN 2230-2697 (Print) ISSN 2230-3057 (Online)

Email: glenys.christian@nzx.com Mobile: 027 434 7803 Dairy Exporter | www.nzfarmlife.co.nz | March 2018

Sitting watching the summer rain On his Bay of Plenty farm, Thomas Chatfield reflects on the contrasting weather of the recent summer, with months of drought followed by deluge.

MILKING PLATFORM COLUMN

The rain has came back.

S

itting here on yet another rainy which revealed a 13% empty rate from summer day in the Bay of Plenty, a 12-week all-AI mating – we used shortit’s been a funny couple of months gestation semen for the last six weeks, so since my last piece. are expecting around an 11-week calving.

We received a decent amount While this result was far from perfect, of rain at the start of December and plants it was still a decent improvement on that were stressed from a long, wet winter/ the back of 18% last season, and a firm spring period, followed by a short but step in the right direction. The other big sharp dry period, went to seed with all achievement was shifting the median their energy. calving date forward. I haven’t got the All of a sudden, I had surplus low-quality full results back from the vets yet, but the grass, which, combined with reducing quick calculations done on the day suggest palm kernel allocation to we have made a good just 1kg per cow, led to a improvement here.

Hopefully if the real slump in production Another way the team weather plays ball we and I tried to set ourselves from mid-December and on through January. up for next season was should have a decent Seed heads have to sit down for a frank, amount of quality now been replaced by open, no-judgement feed to work with paddocks full of summer brainstorming session next season. grass, and weeds and (not something I ever production continue to liked doing at school) reflect this. to identify any missed opportunities The season feels like it has now shifted this season and uncover ways we could gears looking towards next season and improve moving forward. making sure all our preparation is in place As with all things farming, there isn’t a to correct the wrong steps taken this year. simple answer to everything and there are First thing ticked off the list was mating. always compromises; but by doing this, We pregnancy tested at the end of January, we at least have something tangible to help make decisions for next season. It has also been great to get the staff thinking and promoting ideas – it has kept them involved in the process and hopefully encouraged them to take ownership in the farm as a result.

The next thing on the list to start getting sorted for next season are our pastures.

Results of a team As a result of two brainstorming session. very challenging wet Dairy Exporter | www.nzfarmlife.co.nz | March 2018

winter/springs on consecutive years, our pasture is really struggling, with few rye grass plants and lots of thin and open pastures.

My farm owner and I drove around the farm and ranked paddocks into one of five groups – paddocks that needed nothing, paddocks that needed thickening with a direct drill perennial rye grass, paddocks coming out of a crop into permanent pasture possibly needing contouring, paddocks for maize next season and paddocks for maize/crop in two years.

Each of the different groups will get a different treatment and we will start this as soon as possible, so we don’t have too much out at any one time. Hopefully if the weather plays ball we should have a decent amount of quality feed to work with next season. All in all, it’s been bloody tough this season. Beginning on a new farm with new staff is always going to be challenging, but add a wet winter and things got real interesting. But, like most farmers, I’m pretty optimistic next season can be much better than the current one.

In the meantime, we will keep ourselves busy with all the jobs that get put on the back-burner during calving and mating and maybe sneak out in the boat from time to time.

11

MILKING PLATFORM

The Coles family take some well-deserved time away from their dairying business.

COLUMN

Searching for the sweet spot Getting the work/life balance right is a fluid state of being, as South Canterbury’s Frances Coles has discovered.

D

airy farming is a hard business. Unlike other professions, you don’t have the luxury of getting to leave the paperwork on your desk until the morning or shut the door to customers at 5pm.

We give a lot of ourselves – to our stock, our properties, our teams and our communities. Sometimes without a lot of thanks.

Work/life balance is a term bandied about a lot over the years, and when I was younger I naively thought it was a case of getting to a magic ratio of work hours to fun time.

I just had to make it to the magic number and stay there.

However, I’ve learnt that leading a balanced life is more of a fluid state of being, depending on a range of factors. What’s your stage of life? What other commitments do you have outside of work? How full is your tank, health-wise? Do you have a good level of physical and mental reserves to call on or have you been under the hammer for some time?

We have a busy few months ahead of

us in our business. This week we’ll be joining many of the other regions around the country who have already been part of the industry-wide testing programme for Mycoplasma bovis, sending away two samples within a fortnight to be collated with a bulk milk test by our dairy company.

We have changes afoot at our equity partnership farm with a contract milker coming on board next season, so there are preparations to be made for handing over many aspects of the farm management to them and seeing our current staff into good quality jobs.

We’re hard at work getting the second of our farms accredited under Synlait’s Lead With Pride programme, which recognises best practice farming with a premium on our milk payments.

There’s herd testing to be done, culling decisions to be made, feed budgets to be managed for the autumn and winter.

Plenty to keep us busy.

The most exciting preparations though are related to taking possession of another farm on June 1. This has been purchased

There’s herd testing to be done, culling decisions to be made, feed budgets to be managed for the autumn and winter.

Plenty to keep us busy.

12

by a group of people we first became involved with six years ago after one of those casual conversations over a beer on a summer’s evening with a good friend.

He was looking to invest a little money in some way, seeking to get ahead faster than wages alone would allow. We Strike up a Twitter had some capital conversation with from an investment Frances @ coming free soon, ColesFrances and before long we had a number of other couples interested in pooling our resources and experience to do something bigger together.

With a mix of farming, rural banking, fertiliser and administrative backgrounds pooled together with our cash, we secured a 50:50 sharemilking job in North Otago and set about working hard to improve production on the farm, trade excess stock and grow the group’s farming experience.

Some shareholders have chosen to move on and a few new ones are coming on board for our next step, but that’s the beauty of the company – nobody has a shareholding large enough to put the whole venture at risk if they leave and it’s set up with high equity levels so we’re well-placed to take on new opportunities as they arise.

There’s already talk of onfarm working bees and everyone’s really excited about the prospect of land ownership.

So the reserve levels could potentially drop in the coming months, but Aaron and I will be sure to squeeze in plenty of downtime too, ensuring we keep our lives as close to the elusive sweet spot

as possible.

Dairy Exporter | www.nzfarmlife.co.nz | March 2018

$10,000-a-week salary justified?

What do those at the top of an industrygood organisation do to justify a hefty salary?

King Country farmer Sam Sherrard ponders fair earnings.

Above: Anyone want a puppy?

T

he rain came back for most but not until the lack of it had given many a scare and some a very challenging time indeed.

I hope those worst affected are well on their way to recovery.

The calves are weaned, so to fill in the spare time we have been rearing another class of stock.

An unplanned encounter with a neighbour’s working dog left poor ‘Pup’ in the family way. Once the litter had arrived ‘Pup’ was moved into a calf shed that had to be reassembled for the new guests. Puppies, did you know, are great and puppies are cute. Does anyone want a puppy? Anyone, Anyone?

While the puppy market has been front of mind of late, perhaps more important to our fortunes is the dairy cow market.

Last year I attended a session presented

by Malcom Ellis the precis being: we have reached peak cow.

What appears to be happening is a big gap opening between quality stock with good levels of recording, and lesser-quality stock that may be unrecorded.

Despite some opinion, the cost of recording and limited herd testing is quite low and if you find you have to sell during a down time the costs of not doing it can be very high indeed.

Before Christmas talk was of the changes to the minimum wage in New Zealand and the effect on dairy viability. One group who you won’t find down at the thrift shop though are those who lead our important research organisations.

Let me be clear I am a big fan of DairyNZ and the work they do around promoting new and existing science, advocating for farmers and the fantastic support they provide during crisis events.

However, when the CEO of an ‘industry good’ group is paid in excess of $10,000 a week to run an organisation with guaranteed funding and no competition, this leaves one wondering: does the leader need any more and how do farm owners and sharemilkers get value from such a high-priced leader?

One group who you won’t find down at the thrift shop though are those who lead our important research organisations.

It is also worth mentioning that the charity, Dairy Women’s Network, which received $450,000 (2016-17) of DairyNZ/ levy funding, spent $449,000 on salaries last year. How much of this was for the CEO was not immediately clear.

It is not just those at the top who do very well out of DairyNZ – the few near the top also do very nicely thank you very much.

Dairy Exporter | www.nzfarmlife.co.nz | March 2018

Last year pay rises of close to 5% were granted to the directors. I was interested MILKING to find out PLATFORM what pay rise COLUMN the researchers, consulting officers and technicians who do the work were given this year, but no answer was forthcoming from DairyNZ’s twitter account.

This is an issue that exercises me, I may be in the minority however if voter participation in the DairyNZ elections are anything to go by.

One of the unseen downsides of integrating into a farming community is being asked to help stack hay.

So it was that on a very warm Wednesday afternoon I found myself searching out a long-sleeved shirt, jeans and gloves. The warm memories of collecting hay in the Manawatu came flooding back. Despite these I still turned out to help.

This operation was a far cry from the 6x4 trailer behind a Holden and the carry tray of an International B250. Modern equipment was available and even with a reasonable cart 450 bales were stacked in daylight and hours before the forecast rain arrived.

I fear my behaviour at the drinks and spread afterwards was not bad enough to

be excused next year.

13

INSIGHT

UPFRONT

EMPLOYMENT

If farming is not for them, workers subject to a 90-day trial can leave without any detrimental effect to their future references.

Taking a chance on workers The 90-day trial period when hiring new staff stays in the Employment Relations Amendment Bill, designed to restore key minimum standards and protections for employees.The Bill was introduced to Parliament on January 29 and referred to the Education and Workforce Select Committee. Public submissions close on March 30 and the committee is scheduled to report back by August 1. Bob Edlin reports on hiring experiences which suggest dairy farmers are unlikely to be pressing for 90-day work trials to be scrapped. airy farm leaders welcomed the Government’s decision to maintain the 90-day work trial clause for small to medium-sized businesses in the Employment Relations Amendment Bill. Among their reasons, a non-performing employee on a farm with few employees heaps a greater burden on the farm owner, sharemilker or contract milker and other staff.

This can mean the difference between having weekends off and holidays or not.

There is a huge risk in hiring someone who turns out to be a poor performer, Federated Farmers Sharemilkers’ Section Chairperson Richard McIntyre says.

“It’s hard to get it right every time.

“Often there are people who you think will fit quite well but – for one reason or another – might be a risk.”

A 90-day trial also enables a farmer to take a punt and give job opportunities to someone whose CV might raise concerns – a criminal record, for example.

“The big advantage is that it allows you

D

14

to take a chance on someone,” McIntyre says.

“There are big numbers of people who struggle to get jobs because employers are reluctant to take a chance on them.

“If we took the provision out, there would be a hell of a lot more people who don’t get jobs.”

But he acknowledges that when he has interviewed prospective employees, the first question asked of him typically is whether the job will last more than three months.

“I do think the 90-day trial clause is open to abuse where people can be used just as seasonal workers during calving,” he says.

Jacqui Hahn, Federated Farmers Waikato Dairy chairperson, says the reasons and

process to be followed before a termination are the same in any employment contract.

But under the 90-day clause, the reason for dismissal need not be recorded on an employee’s references.

“We just say it didn’t work out and hopefully the worker learns from the experience and goes forward from there,” Hahn says.

An Otago sharemilker says the 90-day trial clause enables him and his wife “to avoid burning ourselves out” as small business owners and to give work to someone who otherwise might not have been hired because of doubts about their suitability.

Mathew, Hahn and McIntyre share their experiences in this feature…

‘I do think the 90-day trial clause is open to abuse where people can be used just as seasonal workers during calving.’

Dairy Exporter | www.nzfarmlife.co.nz | March 2018

Mathew and his wife (they preferred not to give their full names) milk 550 cows as sharemilkers in Otago. They first employed someone for a trial period to fill a mid-season vacancy as 2IC. Without the 90-day trial clause, Mathew says: “it’s highly likely at that time of year we would have pushed through to the end of the season ourselves rather than employ someone mid-season who we weren’t 100% sure on”.

Three weeks into the contract, it became obvious the working arrangement wasn’t working for the sharemilking couple and they invoked the 90-day trial clause.

Next time they recruited for the job, they found the right person, “so the ability to use the 90-day trial was very important to us in being able to continue running our business to a high standard rather than trying to do everything ourselves with no days off”.

They explained to the first appointee what the 90-day trial was all about before employing him. “He understood this and was happy to be employed on that basis.”

They were aware he had a record of shortterm employment, but he had plenty of dairy experience, too.

It was hard to find someone for the job mid-season, “and we thought at least he

would know how to run the cow shed and shift stock”.

He could. But the contract also listed performance expectations rooted in the couple’s determination to set high standards in running a model farm.

Three weeks later they sat down with him and asked how he thought he was going.

His opinion was at significant variance from their expectations. Both parties accordingly agreed to a parting of the ways.

Among Mathew’s complaints, his staffer wouldn’t wear a helmet when operating an ATV and “working around the farm, he was a bit rough around the edges”.

The crunch came when he was left in charge to allow Mathew and his wife to go to town one day. Returning earlier than expected, around 3.30-4pm, they noticed the cows had been milked.When they phoned him from the cowshed to ask how the milking was going, he told them it was going well – he was half-way through milking.

“He automatically lost our trust,” Mathew says.

Next day they had their chat. His advice to other farmers: Do due diligence, ask for references, check with the referees and ask around to try to find referees besides those listed on the CV.

FEED SYSTEMS SINCE 1962 FEED SYSTEMS SINCE 1962

Richard McIntyre with his wife Emma, milks 450 cows and rears around 600 calves a year in the Horowhenua region.

For several years he didn’t include a 90-day trial clause in employment contracts because he was concerned at the lack of security this provides for employees.

“A worker doesn’t just lose a job – they lose their house as well,” he says.

But in the past season he included a 90-day trial clause to employ a 2IC. He is pleased he did.

He checked the prospective employee’s references and made other checks to satisfy himself the candidate could step up to 2IC from a farm job he had held for five years.

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“Within six weeks we got into calving and it would appear the step-up in responsibility and expectation was proving to be a real challenge,” McIntyre says.

“It was a very stressful time for us because we needed someone who could run the cowshed, monitor animal health and all that sort of stuff when we were busy with the calves, the springers and other things.

“But this wasn’t happening. I felt I had to be everywhere at once and it made things more challenging in a very difficult year.”

McIntyre was becoming frustrated because he believed the running of the farm was being severely compromised.

“We had to have someone who betterfitted what we needed,” he says.

He was constantly telling his employee what had to be done to improve his performance.

“They weren’t enjoying it and I wasn’t enjoying having to tell them all the time what had to be done and putting up with a standard I wasn’t happy with. This didn’t fit within the job description.”

McIntyre says invoking the 90-day trial clause was one of the hardest decisions he has made because he understood the turmoil this would cause the employee’s family.

“We did it at a time when I knew there would still be a demand for staff during calving,” he says.

“As things turned out, this person went for a job interview two days later and was asked if they could leave our farm earlier. Within seven days they were in a new position on a new farm.”

This was in a different region where family ties were among the advantages for the worker and the McIntyres didn’t have to go through a long process around performance management when the pressures of calving required the problem be fixed quickly.

“We spent a lot time with the worker and at the end of the day it was good for both parties.”

Essentially, McIntyre acknowledges his farm was not the right fit for this person who would be much better off elsewhere, “in a position that better reflected their attitude and abilities, where they were celebrated as an employee rather than tolerated”.

His advice to other farmers: “It’s a privilege to have this clause there and we must be sure we don’t abuse it – but it also can be applied to call time early to the benefit of both parties.”

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Jacqui Hahn is a partner of Hahn Trading Ltd, milking 1400 cows on three dairy units near Te Kuiti with about eight staff.

“We take on a lot of people new to the industry,” she says.

“We don’t have much choice, with the labour market as it is.

“We find the 90-day trial arrangement quite useful.

“For us it’s a two-way street. If farming is not for them, they can leave without any detrimental effect to their future references or anything like that.”

The employment of a staffer was terminated in one case because he failed to turn up to work for a week without good reason and – Hahn says – “there should be no confusion about our expectations about when they are supposed to be here”.

In another case, an employee’s trainability was far below the level suggested by the references provided when he was employed.

Personality clashes with other staff were among the consequences.

“When other staff start coming to you to say ‘it’s him or us’ you don’t have much choice,” Hahn says.

“If staff are not good at turning up to work and are unable to do their job and are unable to learn, resulting in friction with other staff, you have to take action.”

Hahn mentions another incident, which posed a safety issue to her children and to co-workers with whom

an employee was sharing housing.

This involved sexual behaviour that came to light after he started work.

For the Hahn enterprise, getting the right staff is a lot about personality and how people gel with each other.

The person involved in the trainability issue has gone on to do well, Hahn says.

“They just needed to go to a training facility for extra help” and “we were in talks with their parents.”

Because the staffers in these cases would have been dismissed regardless of whether there was a 90-day trial arrangement, “we felt quite secure in our decisions – our expectations are well documented at the time of a job interview”.

Her advice to other farmers: “Think of it as a two-way street. The clause is there for the new employee as much as it is for you and if you see it that way, then you are pretty right.”

But using the 90-day trial and dismissing an employee at the end of it instead of hiring them on a fixed-term contract “is asking for trouble”.

A worker doesn’t just lose a job – they lose their house as well.’

Dairy Exporter | www.nzfarmlife.co.nz | March 2018

Southern Pastures executive director Graham Mourie and executive chairman Prem Maan at the Mamaku South farm, near Tokoroa.

BUSINESS CORPORATE FARMING Words by: Kate Robinson Photos by: Stephen Barker

Sustainable business Southern Pastures is New Zealand’s largest institutional dairy farmland fund with clusters of farms in South Waikato and Canterbury.

Kate Robinson reports on their firm conviction about the potential for premium dairy products from New Zealand’s free-range grass-fed dairy farming systems and how sustainability is the key to creating value and ensuring long term economic performance.

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Dairy Exporter | www.nzfarmlife.co.nz | March 2018

S

outhern Pastures has teamed up with some big names in recent months, earning them a significant amount of ‘air time’ in media across the country.

Until now, the company has kept a pretty low profile. Driven by aspirations to change the way dairy products are produced in New Zealand, Southern Pastures wants to share its vision and sustainable farming philosophy in the hope others will follow.

Southern Pastures LP is NZ’s largest institutional dairy farmland fund. While it sources most of its capital funding from European pension (superannuation) fund investors, the operation is entirely Kiwicontrolled and managed.

‘While our commitment to protect, nurture and improve our environment is at the core of what we do, we don’t see any conflict between promoting sustainability and maximising economic returns.’

Southern Pastures was started in 2008 by the company’s executive chairman Prem Maan and his long-standing colleague, Phillip Wight.

It was officially established in 2009 when former All Black captain Graham Mourie and Taari Nicholas joined Maan and Wright as co-founders and executive directors. In 2012, Mourie’s business partner Mark Bridges also joined the team.

In addition, the Southern Pastures farm investment committee boasts well-known names in dairying and agribusiness John Dawson, John Storey and Stuart Ford.

Southern Pastures’ executive chairman Prem Maan.

Between them, they bring international skills and experience from economics, accountancy and soil science, to farming, investment and asset management.

What they all have in common are their values and ambitions to deliver the finest quality milk using sustainable farming methods.

“From day one, Southern Pastures has had a firm conviction about the potential of premium dairy products from New Zealand’s free-range, grass-fed dairy farming systems,” Prem Maan says.

“While our commitment to protect, nurture and improve our environment is at the core of what we do, we don’t see any conflict between promoting sustainability and maximising economic returns. In fact, we’re convinced that sustainability is actually the key to creating value and long term economic performance.”

Southern Pastures has invested in and operates 19 dairy operations in NZ, with 10 in the South Waikato and nine in Canterbury. It is here they have embedded sustainable farming and business practices they hope others will follow.

Palm kernel policy Southern Pastures was created on the health virtues of grass-fed milk and it’s a scientific fact that palm kernel changes the chemical composition of milk, Prem says.

However, because Southern Pastures farms had sharemilkers who ran their own businesses, it was difficult for the company to impose its rules from day one.

KEY FACTS Total number of dairy farms Total land area Total number of cows Largest Herd size & location

Smallest herd size & location Total kgMS No. of farm staff

19 6368 Hectares (4983 effective) 15,300 cows 1350 cows, Kenburn – Rakaia, Canterbury 420 cows, Miromiro, Atiamuri, Tokoroa 7,100,000kg of milk solids 80 FTE

Dairy Exporter | www.nzfarmlife.co.nz | March 2018

“So we laid out a clear message to our farmer partners that we saw a future in which we would use no palm kernel.

“To enable this to happen, we invested heavily in onfarm infrastructure, such as feed pads, so they could use alternative feeds like silage, efficiently. This has been particularly important during the recent dry weather. How to feed cows during a drought without palm kernel will become a major issue for many dairy farmers.

“We also requested proposals from suppliers to provide us with palm kernel from certified sustainable sources, which I am pleased to say we were able to achieve.”

Southern Pastures’ use of palm kernel is reducing. One of its farms in the South Waikato is being converted to organic and palm kernel will not be used. It is also being completely removed from all the company’s Canterbury farms from the 2018/19 season.

Climate change Southern Pastures sees its farms as a tool for reducing climate change.

“We incorporate smart soil management to enhance carbon retention as we build more productive soils,” Prem says.

“Our techniques include low tillage, riparian planting along all waterways and on steeper, non-productive land, improving soil biology and optimising our carbon and nutrient management practices in step with leading edge science.

“In addition, we are also commissioning an onfarm measurement of our carbon status to try to understand how to better measure and improve this in the future.”

Southern Pastures has adopted water management practices designed to lessen and, as far as possible, eliminate the environmental impact of dairying on waterways.

“On farms where we have irrigation, we use modern spray irrigation, in-soil moisture sensors and variable-rate irrigators to minimise water usage.

“Using tools like these, we have found we can increase pasture production by 17% without utilising any more water – significantly reducing the water footprint of the milk we produce.”

Southern Pastures stipulates waterways are to be 100% fenced off.

“We invest heavily in riparian plantings and boundaries, effluent storage and, where they are needed, stand-off areas for livestock to preserve pasture and soil in wet conditions.

“We have an active programme in place to retire steep hills to native regeneration 37

and to create wetlands and permanent reserves.

“We are continuously looking for new ways of testing promising research and in this regard are trialling miscanthus grass in conjunction with Lincoln University and dung beetles together with Landcare Research and Dr. Shaun Forgie of Dung Beetle Innovations.”

Southern Pastures has also introduced three synergistic species of earthworms on to all its South Waikato farms to promote good soil health. The farms, which were all converted from forestry, had high soil acidity with no earthworms.

“It seems to be a forgotten fact that earthworms aren’t naturally occurring.

They were introduced by European settlers,” Prem says.

Bees are one of Prem’s passions and he says another part of Southern Pastures’ sustainability drive.

“Bee colonies around the world are dying from disease, overwork and pesticide. It’s important to save them because they’re helpful for pastoral and critical for other types of farming. There is a view that humanity could not survive without bees,” he says.

“We house beehives on our farms and use a patented honey harvesting system that Southern Pastures itself invested in 38

called Revolutionary Beekeeping. Unlike traditional beekeeping, our hives are never moved, which allows us to have permanent bee populations which lowers the risk of spreading disease. The honey is harvested on-site making it completely traceable so consumers know exactly what farm it came from.”

Animal welfare Like most NZ dairy farmers, Southern Pastures loves its cows, and its team aims to sustain the highest animal welfare practices.

“We recognise that cows are sentient beings and they deserve humane treatment. In order to get high-quality production you need well-fed, healthy animals. Our success is built on well-fed cows that are well cared for in a natural free-range environment.”

From its inception, before it was the norm, Southern Pastures has had a policy of no tail dockings and no inductions and has built calf-loading facilities on all its properties that allow for gentle handling of calves.

“As far as we are aware, we are also the only significant entity in NZ that has a specific policy of not participating in the live animal export trade.”

Southern Pastures is also hot on the non-

therapeutic use of antibiotics.

“We recognise that the routine, nontherapeutic use of antibiotics in livestock production is a major risk to public health,” Prem says. “We are trialling innovative systems to reduce antibiotic use, such as spraying cows’ teats with peppermint to prevent mastitis, with the intention of eradicating non-therapeutic use in the longer term.

“Southern Pastures is the only NZ organisation to have signalled its conviction by signing the comprehensive Global Investor Statement on Antibiotic Stewardship.”

On the topic of Mycoplasma bovis, Prem says Southern Pastures’ only real risk of infection would be through grazing.

“We’re putting measures in place to reduce the risk of M Bovis infecting our herds, such as investing in 135km of double fencing on our South Island farms.

Our farmer partners will also be attending the Fonterra/MPI meetings to collect milktesting kits and learn about what other steps we can take to reduce the risk.”

Growing future farmers Sustainability includes the people who do the farming.

“The survival of the NZ dairy industry is entirely dependent on ensuring the next

Dairy Exporter | www.nzfarmlife.co.nz | March 2018

TOP: A new effluent pond with Kinleith Mill in the distance. TOP RIGHT: Manako Farm dairy at South Mamaku. BELOW: Southern Pastures has invested heavily in infrastructure to make their properties sustainable. LEFT: Bees, earthworms and dungbeetles are all welcomed on Southern Pastures farms. BOTTOM RIGHT: Providing staff with a path to ownership gives them opportunities for career progression.

generation of farmers comes through,” Prem says.

“It is becoming more and more difficult for young people to own a farm, but it’s still important for them to have some skin in the game.

“Providing staff with a path to ownership gives them opportunities for career progression within Southern Pastures and builds a sense of pride in what they do.”

Prem believes all Southern Pastures’ farmer partners deserve a fair crack at owning farms, which he says also helps deepen Kiwi participation in the primary sector.

“We operate a minority equity scheme, supporting our farmers into ownership stakes in the land they farm and/or the herds they milk.

“We also provide support to our sharemilking staff to enable them to continue on their farms in difficult times, like we’ve experienced in recent lowpayout years.

“We have also created opportunities for some of our sharemilkers to transfer to equity partners, like Brian and Sheryl on our Manako Farm near Tokoroa.

“While dairy farming is these days more of a business-based model, people are still our most important asset. Looking after

our people and reinforcing our reputation as a preferred employer and partner of choice is paramount if we want to attract the right talent to our business and keep them.”

Removing the boundaries Southern Pastures invests in opening walking access for the public.

“In NZ it is not mandatory or commonplace to allow access to private property. However, we see the provision of access as another opportunity to deliver enduring benefits to our local communities.

“It’s also a great way to educate the public and demonstrate to them the good work we’re doing to look after the environment and be socially responsible.”

After consulting with the Walking Access Commission, Southern Pastures has created walking access rights to the public across many of its properties for recreational purposes.

“For example, we have opened up public passage beside the Rakaia and Ashburton Rivers by creating an esplanade reserve along with an entry pathway, and facilitated the granting of access rights to the Mokaihaha Ecological Area in the South Waikato.”

Dairy Exporter | www.nzfarmlife.co.nz | March 2018

Ethics and responsibility Southern Pastures is a signatory to the UN Principles of Responsible Investment as well as to the Farmland Principles to which a sub-group of the institutional investor signatories also adheres. Southern Pastures was recognised by the Responsible Investment Association of Australasia [RIAA] in 2016 and again in 2017 as one of only three managers in NZ – and the only one involved in farmland and agriculture – to be at the leading edge of environmental, social and governance [ESG] policies and practices. Southern Pastures has no plans at this stage to expand its farming operation into other regions.

“We are happy with the farms we have in the South Waikato and Canterbury,” Prem says.

“Our focus over the next 10 years will be on consolidating the business. This means working with Fonterra in South Waikato, and with Lewis Road and Westland in Canterbury to sell fully traceable dairy products from our sustainable farms.

“Hopefully we’ll have the pleasure of welcoming other like-minded farmers on our journey.”

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58 Longer milking, efficient feeding 64 Making the switch DairyExporter Exporter | | www.nzfarmlife.co.nz www.nzfarmlife.co.nz | | March March2018 2018 Dairy

70 Check before making the change 72 A check on cow feeding 57

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SPECIAL REPORT | SPLIT CALVING

Longer milking, efficient feeding

After running a split-calving system for 20 years the Hewlett family moved to an extended lactation system. Glenys Christian reports. Photos by Malcolm Pullman

N

orthland dairy farmer, Graeme Hewlett, often talked about how an English exchange student once mentioned 500-day milking to him.

But it wasn’t until his son, Logan, came home to sharemilk on their Mata farm that the idea turned into reality.

“We were running a DairyNZ System 4 operation and often drying the cows off when they were still doing good production,” Logan says.

He looked into Australian information on extended lactation systems and went across the Tasman to visit one of the most prominent researchers there, whose advice was not to move the whole herd over at once.

“But when the time came to inseminate the

58

cows it was a case of do it now or wait another six months,” Logan says.

Mata, So they took the plunge four years ago, with Whangarei the following months being “quite a nervous time”.

And to add some insurance he enlisted the help of nutritionist, Trish Lewis, to make sure the herd was getting enough protein.

“Otherwise they run to fat,” he says.

The farm had been running a split-calving system for the past 20 years with one herd calving on March 20 and the second on July 20.

“It wasn’t easy as the incentives are better now,” Logan says.

“But there was the benefit of being able to bring carryover cows from one herd into the other.”

Dairy Exporter | www.nzfarmlife.co.nz | March 2018

LEFT: We do well on Fonterra’s capacity adjustment charge because we produce a lot of milk in the shoulders of the season,’ Logan Hewlett says.

Key points Location: Mata, south of Whangarei Owners: Graeme and Shirley Hewlett Lower-order sharemilkers: Logan and Michelle Hewlett Area:170 hectares (144ha effective), 22ha nearby runoff for young stock grazing leased 75ha runoff at One Tree Point Herd: 460 Friesian-Friesian-cross, Breeding Worth (BW): 97/45, Production Worth (PW) 129/67, 99 percent recorded ancestry Production: 2016/17 230,000 kilograms of milksolids (MS), target for 2017/18 260,000kg MS Supplements: 650 tonnes maize silage grown on leased runoff, 400-500t of palm kernel, dried distillers’ grain (DDG), canola or cottonseed depending on price Dairy: 32-bail rotary with in-dairy feeding system.

Average FWE (last 6 years): $4.59 Average FEW for the 3 years of extended lactation: $4.46 The average lactation length for their 460 cows, milked on 144 effective hectares, is now 480 days and in their first extended milking period they averaged 750kg of milksolids (MS) each.

“Some cows hit the 480 days with no problems at all, but some get to 360 and start to put on body condition so we’re trying to breed that out.”

Their replacement rate is about 22% with concentration on culling for production as well as high somatic cell counts, to deal with an ongoing issue.

“I’m trying to annihilate it this year.”

With milking for 18 months, one season in three will deliver higher milk production of around 260,000kg MS while the following two are likely to average about 245,000kg MS. Last year they hit only 230,000kg MS.

Dairy Exporter | www.nzfarmlife.co.nz | March 2018

“That was disappointing, but it was a tough season,” he says.

“It’s all about efficiency and dialling the right amount of feed in. It’s a delicate balance because you have to keep milking.”

The cows, split into two herds, receive 650 tonnes of maize silage a year, all grown on a leased runoff of 75 hectares just further north at One Tree Point. The crop was grown on the home farm until a few years ago with harvests of 18t/ha. But making the switch to the runoff, which had previously been used to graze their young stock, now sees that boosted to an average of 25t/ha.

From 400-500t of palm kernel is used along with varying amounts of dried distillers grain (DDG), canola and cottonseed depending on the price on the day, which Logan

59

tracks carefully. Palm kernel inputs may come back a bit in the coming season as Fonterra’s Fat Evaluation Index (FEI) demerit points system is introduced in September.

“In winter it can be a bit hard to manage because you’ve got to be sure the cows are getting enough protein,” he says.

From 20 to 120 grams of urea per cow per day will also be added to the mix, which Logan has included all this season. He also keeps a very close eye on trace mineral inputs at crucial times of the year.

“We really look after the cows and there don’t appear to be any animal health issues.”

Under what’s now a DairyNZ System 5 operation the herds are fed on an uncovered feed pad, concreted 15 years ago, which can comfortably hold 300 cows. A J F Stoll mixer wagon was bought three years ago with molasses sometimes also added into the mix. Maize grain is fed to the cows through the in-dairy feeding system in the 32-bail rotary which is 35 years old.

“It’s in good nick,” Logan says.

“There’s no Protrack so that’s on the list.”

Without milk metering they herd test six times a year.

“You really want a cow doing 650kg MS at 305 days milking,” he says.

“That’s the trigger point.”

‘It’s all about efficiency and dialling the right amount of feed in. It’s a delicate balance because you have to keep milking.’

The herd average is sitting at about 580kg at that time with 870kg MS over a full lactation of 480 days. But the highest producers can achieve from 1000kg up to 1300kg.

“It’s improving every year.”

Extended lactation does mean long hours milking totalling eight and a half hours a day at the peak. One herd will leave their paddock fitted with a Battlatch at 4am to come up to the dairy, followed by the second herd. Then afternoon milking begins at 2.30pm.

Through summer milking runs from 5 to 8.30am then from 2.30 to 4.30pm.

“I’ve moved the afternoon milking forward by half an hour as the milk volumes increased so we were always finished by 6pm,” he says.

He’s helped by a 2IC, who lives onfarm, and they’re due to be joined by a Filipino worker who will live on a neighbouring property.

“We do well on Fonterra’s capacity adjustment charge because we produce a lot of milk in the shoulders of the season, helped by our long tail-off from peak,” he says.

“But the downside is we are more vulnerable to lower payouts.”

Cows when they are dried off are usually around body condition score (BCS) 5 to 6.

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Dairy Exporter | www.nzfarmlife.co.nz | March 2018

Four things to think about

ABOVE: The 32-bail rotary, which is 35 years old, is ‘in good nick’.

LEFT: The herds are fed on an uncovered feed pad, concreted 15 years ago.

ABOVE: Supplements of 400-500t of palm kernel, dried distillers’ grain (DDG), canola or cottonseed depending on price.

LEFT: Logan Hewlett in a paddock of chicory. About 38ha of chicory has been grown this summer.

BELOW: Shut the gate: Logan Hewlett.

Dairy Exporter | www.nzfarmlife.co.nz | March 2018

Extended lactation farming “is not just a coasting system,” Logan Hewlett says.

He believes there are four areas dairy farmers need to think about very carefully before contemplating the move.

• Do you have the facilities, such as dairy, feedpad and feeding system, to milk year-round?

• Is your breed of cow suitable to milk on for extended periods? He believes F11 to F13 Friesians are ideal.

• Is you staffing adequate? If you’ve already got a winter milk system under way there won’t need to be many changes, he believes, apart from there being four calvings every three years as opposed to six. But there’s much more time spent in the dairy milking.

• You must be able to grow and maintain as much quality grass and summer crops as possible so there’s not such a need to rely on feeding supplements.

“Only if it’s bone dry will we give them supplements,” he says.

Usually they will follow the milking mobs around eating the pasture they leave behind.

With high fertility levels they only put on about 150 units of straight nitrogen a year in bulk applications to capture the main grass growth periods. Ammo 31 or 36 will usually go on twice in the winter on the advice of farm consultant, Nico Mouton.

They have a 35ha effluent area where a travelling irrigator and pods are used on chicory during the summer. Effluent solids are spread on the rest of the farm with a solids spreader.

Kikuyu paddocks will be mulched in autumn and Logan will top any other paddocks which require it from October through to summer. He hopes their cropping regime will see remaining kikuyu work its way out of their pastures.

About 38ha of chicory has been grown this summer to feed the two milking herds but will be reduced to 20ha for the next two years of his three-year cycle. It’s been used for the last five years after it was first tried alongside turnips.

“We used to struggle to get 9t/ha with the turnips,” he says.

A late crop where there were issues with fungi causing light sensitivity problems for the cows was the final nail in the coffin.

“I thought it was facial eczema at first, and I had noticed that there was a drop in milk quality when the cows moved from chicory on to turnips,” he says.

While chicory doesn’t provide a great deal more drymatter its high protein levels are a big benefit in their pasture renovation programme which covers the whole farm every five years. And when it’s sprayed out just in case there isn’t as much regrowth as he would like he will include some of his perennial mix, chosen because of the highest star ratings in DairyNZ’s forage value index (FVI).

“Its long roots are tapping down into a whole different level of the soil,” he says.

Logan wasn’t immediately attracted home to the farm after finishing school. He completed a diesel mechanic’s

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Dairy Exporter | www.nzfarmlife.co.nz | March 2018

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PROPERTY MANAWATU

Opportunity ahead near Linton ubstantial development has been carried out on a 222-hectare dairy farm for sale near Linton and new owners will be able to reap the full benefits with increased production.

The farm which is just 12km from Palmerston North and an easy commute to Massey University, is milking 380 cows off 140 ha and has a three-year production average of 126,738kg milksolids (MS), with a forecast for this season of 143,420kg MS. The plan has been to increase the herd size next season to 435 cows on 160ha to capture the benefits of the development that has taken place during the past six years. Dean File from Bayleys says the 54bail dairy was built in 2015 and a new 240 square metre house was built in 2014 as part of development of the farm.

Lanes, fences and water lines have all been upgraded and an extensive pasture renewal programme has been undertaken.

“The owners have other farming interests they wish to pursue and it’s now time for someone to focus on production, with a real opportunity to lift it. The herd has been a fairly average herd to start with and they’re just starting to reap the rewards. For someone new coming on to the farm, all the big-ticket items like cow shed, house and water lines are all done.

“There’s also a covered feedpad that was already on the farm when the current owners took it over. They haven’t fully utilised it, but there’s big opportunities there for someone.”

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Good flats on two terraces combine with a mix of rolling to easy hill country that can be largely included in the milking platform or can continue as support areas.

File says the size of the property enables a new owner to create a fully self-contained unit.

The redevelopment of lanes, fences, water lines and troughs has been well planned to provide good flow across the farm, with all tracks radiating from the centrally-located dairy. That has all the latest technology incorporated with the Tru Test Milk Hub automated system.

Adjacent to the dairy is the large, covered feedpad which File says is impressive, measuring 130 metres by 30m with a concrete base, steel framing and pipework, plus externally loaded feed bins.

Other farm amenities are numerous, from two implement sheds and a haybarn, to calf sheds, a woolshed, a disused 50-bail herringbone dairy, concrete silage bunker and palm kernel bin.

The well-laid out new home with four bedrooms, open-planned living and

separate lounge is low maintenance and located just off the tanker track, near the entrance to the property. Further accommodation is provided in a second four-bedroom home as well as an extensively renovated three-bedroom bach.

“This is an excellent opportunity for those looking for a good-sized dairy unit that can be operated in a fully self-contained manner or is capable of increasing both milking platform and production growth in the future.

“The current owners have completed a significant development project during their ownership and the vast improvements are extremely visible and a true credit to their hard work and passion.

The farm is in great shape for the new owners to walk in and put their stamp on it or simply carry on in the existing manner.”

Offers for the farm close on March 21.

To view the property, visit www.bayleys. co.nz/3100098 and for further information contact Dean File on 021 544 364, Andrew Bonnor on 027 941 7630.

Dairy Exporter | www.nzfarmlife.co.nz | March 2018

PROPERTY SOUTH AUCKLAND

Retirement beckons for sellers near Pukekohe I

says the farm is ripe for a youngergeneration farmer to step in and lift production, with the potential for a partner to earn another income in Auckland by stepping on the train in Pukekohe and having an easy commute to the city.

“It’s an ideal situation for an owneroperator whose partner can get off-farm work and that is highly advantageous to the family income. I’ve got a couple of clients with partners working in Auckland and one of them can only get their specialty work in Auckland.”

The farm has been run as part of a 127ha block, milking 440 Jersey cows last season for a production of 122,410kg milksolids through the 28-aside herringbone dairy.

Apart from the small amount of palm kernel, the farm with the help of a nearby

DAIRY, CROPPING, BEEF?

VENDORS ARE RETIRING

• Situated south of Whanganui is this 175 ha farming opportunity.

• Features a 20 aside herringbone dairy and 300 cow yard with adjacent feed pad.

• The herd is split calving and milked all year round supplying Open Country.

• Exceptional bore water supplies water to stock troughs, dairy and houses.

• Large machinery shed, large silage bunker • There are two three bedroom family homes set in their own treed surrounds.

• Your chance to buy this farm with a flexible takeover date and take advantages of the coming season, current RV $3 mil • Call Les to inspect, asking $2,995,000.

Sallan Realty

Dairy Exporter | www.nzfarmlife.co.nz | March 2018

lease block has produced all its own supplements, while most of the cows have been wintered off the milking platform.

“All the flat Aka Aka area is dairy country with some of the highest-producing dairying in the South Auckland area. It grows very, very well through summer with a lot of grass – there’s no need to irrigate to grow grass here.”

Farm amenities cater for implements, hay, workshop and palm kernel, while two homes provide accommodation. The main home is a near-new three-bedroom house while the second is a one-bedroom cottage that was completely renovated a year ago.

The farm will be tendered on March 22. To view the farm, visit www.pggwre.co.nz/PUK27235 and for further information contact Adrian van Mil on 027 473 3632.

Google ‘Sallan Realty’ Your Farm Sales Specialist

• Well laid out 185 acre dairy farm situated in the heart of the Manawatu.

• There is a lovely art deco homestead with great views over the property.

• Modern 18 aside herringbone dairy with in bale feed system. Very nice feed pad along with good calf and milking sheds.

• Effluent and water systems have been upgraded and are consented for intensive agriculture.

• Our Vendors have been in retirement mode for the last few seasons and currently milk up to 160 cows and carry all replacements on farm.

• Your chance to own this self contained unit.

• Priced to sell at $2,200,000 plus GST Call Les to inspect.

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t’s the best of both worlds when you can own your dairy farm on high-producing land and be within commuting distance of the country’s major city for a partner to earn off-farm income.

Nestled between Pukekohe and Waiuku in the established dairy farming area of Aka Aka, the 100-hectare farm is for sale as its owners retire after 49 years milking their Jersey herd on the land.

The farm spreads over flat contour that grows ample pasture throughout summer without the need for irrigation on its river silt soils.

Managers have overseen the day-to-day running in recent years, using a simple system with only a little palm kernel bought in each year.

Adrian van Mil from PGG Wrightson

LES CAIN 0274 420 582

Licensed Agent REAA 2008

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PROPERTY WAIKATO

Keeping it simple at

Morrinsville

51-hectare dairy unit for sale north of Morrinsville is an affordable option to step into farm ownership, or alternatively, a project to further develop.

It’s a simple dairy unit milking 160 cows for a production last season of 47,393kg milksolids that is easy to run.

“There’s not a lot of first-farm opportunities out there,” Lee Carter from Bayleys says. “And this is very affordable for first-farm buyers. Or it could be bought for dairy support where they’re getting good dairy land for support block price.”

A

‘This is very affordable for first-farm buyers. Or it could be bought for dairy support where they’re getting good dairy land for support block price.’

of silage last year. A further 100 bales of silage was bought in to feed to the herd.

Paddocks have had the benefit of 10 to 12 tonnes of Dairy Pasture Boost 6 annually which is applied in two dressings. Added to that, effluent is distributed over 12ha via a travelling irrigator.

The 1970s three-bedroom home is an attractive, spacious house surrounded by mature trees and situated well back from the road in an slightly elevated position to enjoy views over the farm.

Location is one of the farm’s attractions, Carter says, as Patetonga is a rural community midway between Ngatea and Morrinsville. Motorcross and speedway facilities are nearby for racing enthusiasts, plus there’s a popular cafe and convenience store handy to the farm.

The farm will be auctioned on March 15.

To view the property, visit www.bayleys. co.nz/813713 and for more information contact Lee Carter on 027 696 5781 or Karl Davis on 0508 83 83 83.

Flat-to-rolling contour flows out from the 13-aside herringbone dairy with its 160-cow yard. An older, disused dairy with a lean to is a handy facility and the farm has a three-bay implement shed, plus a functional set of yards and loading race.

As well as milking the Jersey-Friesiancross herd, the farm produced 70 bales

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Dairy Exporter | www.nzfarmlife.co.nz | March 2018

March Events

W

IT

Z H D A I RY N

CONSULTING OFFICERS – CONTACT DETAILS

Milksmart in action 2018

Northland Regional Leader

Chris Neill

027 499 9021

If you weren’t able to get to any of the Milksmart in action 2018 events during February and

Far North

Denise Knop

027 807 9686

Lower Northland

Mark Forsyth

021 242 5719

Whangarei West

Chris Neill

027 499 9021

March, visit dairynz.co.nz/milksmart to read more about the Milksmart host farmers and how they saved, on average, 45 minutes per milking.

Protect your farm There are some simple steps you can take to reduce the risk of diseases, weeds or pests entering, spreading, or leaving your farm. Check out dairynz.co.nz/biosecurity for more information.

North Waikato Regional Leader

Phil Irvine

027 483 9820

South Auckland

Jamie Haultain

027 486 4344

Hamilton North

Jaimee Morgan

021 245 8055

Matamata/Kereone

Frank Portegys

027 807 9685

Morrinsville/Paeroa

Euan Lock

027 293 4401

Hauraki Plains/Coromandel

Annabelle Smart

021 242 2127

Regional Leader

Wade Bell

027 285 9273

Te Awamutu

Stephen Canton

027 475 0918

Otorohanga

Michael Booth

027 513 7201

South Waikato

Kirsty Dickins

027 483 2205

Regional Leader

Sharon Morrell

0274 922 907

Consulting Officer, Special Projects

Wilma Foster

021 246 2147

Central BOP (Te Puke, Rotorua)

Kevin McKinley

027 288 8238

Eastern BOP (Whakatane, Opotiki)

Ross Bishop

027 563 1785

Central Plateau (Reporoa, Taupo)

Colin Grainger-Allen

021 225 8345

Katikati, Galatea, Waikite/Ngakuru

Jordyn Crouch

021 619 071

South Waikato

Find out what’s on near you For information on all the dairy industry events happening in your area, visit dairyevents.co.nz

What can you do to have great people asking to work for you?

People Expos are back in 2018 and bringing in the experts to tackle the big issues 9:30 am – 2 pm, lunch provided.

Dunsandel – Thursday 22 March Waikato – Tuesday 10 April Stratford – Wednesday 11 April

Bay of Plenty

Taranaki Acting Regional Leader

Simon Sankey

021 228 3446

South Taranaki

Ryan Orchard

021 246 5663

Bay of Plenty – Tuesday 1 May

Central Taranaki

Sarah Payne

027 704 5562

Register now at dairynz.co.nz/peopleexpo

Coastal Taranaki

Anna Arends

021 270 0074

North Taranaki

Lauren McEldowney

027 593 4122

Regional Leader

James Muwunganirwa

027 499 9020

Horowhenua/Wanganui/South Taranaki/Southern and Coastal Manawatu

Scott Cameron

027 702 3760

Discussion Groups Interested in farm systems, reproduction, progression, pasture management, budgeting, people management, or milking smarter? We hold a range of different discussion groups on specialist areas of interest as well as other topical field days and road shows around the country. Find

Lower North Island

Wairarapa/Tararua

Abby Scott

021 244 3428

Hawke's Bay

Gray Beagley

021 286 4346

out what’s on near you at dairynz.co.nz/events or phone your local consulting officer.

Central/Northern Manawatu/Rangitikei

Jo Back

021 222 9023

Looking to renovate?

Top of South Island/Westland

The Forage Value Index (FVI) lists for perennial, 12 month and winter feed ryegrass cultivars have been updated using the latest results from the National Forage Variety Trial. If you are looking to renovate your pasture this year look to the FVI for how cultivars of ryegrass have performed in your region. Visit dairynz.co.nz/fvi

Change of Address If you’ve shifted farm or changed your supply company, make sure you’ll still receive your copy of Inside Dairy – visit dairynz.co.nz/address and let us know your new details.

Regional Leader

Wade Bell

027 285 9273

Nelson/Marlborough

Mark Shadwick

021 287 7057

West Coast

Angela Leslie

021 277 2894

Canterbury/North Otago Regional Leader

Virginia Serra

021 932 515

North Canterbury

Teaghan Lourie

021 246 2775

Central Canterbury

Natalia Benquet

021 287 7059

Mid Canterbury

Stuart Moorhouse

027 513 7200

South Canterbury

Virginia Serra

021 932 515

North Otago

Trevor Gee

021 227 6476

Southland/South Otago Regional Leader

Richard Kyte

021 246 3166

South Otago

Mark Olsen-Vetland

021 615 051

Central/North Western Southland

Nicole E Hammond

West Otago/North Eastern Southland Liam Carey

0800 Dairy 4 DairyNZ (0800 4 324 7969) I dairynz.co.nz Exporter | www.nzfarmlife.co.nz | March 2018

021 240 8529 027 474 3258

Eastern Southland

Nathan Nelson

021 225 6931

Western Southland

Teresa Anderson

027 702 2219

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BETTER RETURNS ® WITH CYDECTIN DAYS PROTECTION Cydectin Pour-On delivers exceptional broad spectrum control for longer against important roundworms in cattle, including Ostertagia ostertagi for 35 days.

INCREASE IN PRODUCTION1 With parasites controlled for longer, cows treated with Cydectin Pour-On produced an average of 4% more milk.

WITHHOLDING PERIODS Cydectin Pour-On offers greater flexibility with NIL meat, milk and bobby calf withholding periods.

35 4

%

NIL

With 35 days protection against Ostertagia ostertagi, Cydectin Pour-On kills worms for longer. This Autumn, use Cydectin Pour-On to free your herd from parasites for longer, improving the health and live weight of your stock and all with the added flexibility of NIL withholding periods.

CALCULATE YOUR POTENTIAL RETURNS USING CYDECTIN POUR-ON AT WWW.CYDECTIN.CO.NZ Zoetis New Zealand Limited. Tel: 0800 650 277; www.zoetis.co.nz. CYDECTIN is a registered trademark of Zoetis. ACVM No. A6203. January 2018. CT2152. 1. A.W. Murphy; The effect of treatment with Moxidectin, a long-acting endectocide, on milk production in lactating dairy cows. World Buiatrics Congress Sydney 1998.

ZOE0031KSMDE

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Dairy Exporter | www.nzfarmlife.co.nz | March 2018