Rural News 20 April 2021

ANIMAL HEALTH

MACHINERY & PRODUCTS

NEWS

Warning for wintering ewes on fodder beet. PAGE 21

Save money and moisture!

Sleepness night pays off for final Ahu field day.

PAGE 12-13

PAGE 24

TO ALL FARMERS, FOR ALL FARMERS APRIL 20, 2021: ISSUE 724

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Govt kills $500m trade DAVID ANDERSON

GOVERNMENT MOVES to end New Zealand’s live export trade will shut down a $500 million-a year business – as well as diminish farmers’ selling options and profitability.

That’s the belief of people involved in the country’s

lucrative livestock live export trade.

They also warn of a potential backlash from NZ’s most important trading partner, China – where the bulk of our live export trade goes to.

David Hayman, managing director of Waikato-based live export company Genetic Development NZ, describes the Government’s

decision as one that is aiming for short-term political kudos.

“It is both morally and practically an unjustified decision,” he says.

Hayman dismisses the figures used to depict the industry’s annual earnings as out-of-date and off a low base.

He says the $54 million used was based on the 2018-19 figures, when the live

export sector was at a low.

“Around 110,000 cattle were exported last year and the value of that trade was well in excess of $300 million,” he adds. “Orders for this year look like 150,000 head at a value nearing $500 million.”

Hayman also warns that the move may also have major consequences for

Dry as!

Banks Peninsula sheep and beef farmer Mark Hutchinson says the current 18-monthplus dry spell is the worst he’s seen in 30 years of farming. Like other farmers around the country experiencing the dry, Hutchinson is having to cut stocking rates and bring in feed, while watching lambing percentages and liveweights fall. According to NIWA there is no area of New Zealand currently classed as being in drought. Its latest drought index map confirms that most of the east of both islands is dry or very dry, with extremely dry patches around East Cape, Hurunui, Banks Peninsula and Otago.

– See more pages 5 and 6.

NZ’s $20 billion annual trade relationship with China.

“We have had a fair indication that there will be a response from China.”

South Island-based livestock broker Peter Walsh told Rural News there was very little that could be done about the move as “the Government makes the rules”. Walsh’s South Canterbury-based company, Peter Walsh and Associates, is the South Island’s largest independent, livestock broking company and has seen huge growth in the live export business in the past few years.

He says that ban will have a big impact on NZ’s farmers and the country’s livestock sector.

“It will be a tremendous blow to farmers in New Zealand as an alternative option for selling livestock,” Walsh adds. “Less selling options ultimately means less profit.”

Meanwhile, Hayman concedes the industry has suffered from constant misinformation fed to the public by “alarmists” from groups like SAFE and Greenpeace. “As an industry we need to do a better job of explaining the way the trade is done and the high standards we adhere to,” he adds.

Hayman says claims made by critics of the trade – that animals suffered and there were high deaths rates – are not supported by the facts. “We do a worldclass job and deliver 99.9% of the animals in good condition, with a loss rate similar to those on NZ farms.”

Walsh agrees and says the ships animals travel on from NZ are very professional, well manned with high veterinary support.

• Live export ban - page 4

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RURAL NEWS // APRIL 20, 2021

NEWS 3 ISSUE 724

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No land - no food!

PETER BURKE peterb@ruralnews.co.nz

NEWS ��������������������������������������1-13 MARKETS ���������������������������14-15 HOUND, EDNA ����������������������� 16 CONTACTS ������������������������������ 16 OPINION �����������������������������16-18 MANAGEMENT ��������������� 19-20 ANIMAL HEALTH ������������ 21-23 MACHINERY AND PRODUCTS ���������������������� 24-26 RURAL TRADER ��������������26-27

HEAD OFFICE Top Floor, 29 Northcroft Street, Takapuna, Auckland 0622 Phone: 09-307 0399 Fax: 09-307 0122 POSTAL ADDRESS PO Box 331100, Takapuna, Auckland 0740 Published by: Rural News Group Printed by: Inkwise NZ Ltd CONTACTS Editorial: editor@ruralnews.co.nz Advertising material: davef@ruralnews.co.nz Rural News online: www.ruralnews.co.nz Subscriptions: subsrndn@ruralnews.co.nz ABC audited circulation 79,553 as at 31.03.2019

DEALING WITH climate change and population growth have been singled out as two key factors that will determine land use in New Zealand.

Secretary for the Environment, Vicky Robertson, says how these issues are managed and the choices made by people will shape the landscape for future generations. Her comments came at the release of a document – Our Land 2021 – produced jointly by the Ministry for the Environment and Statistics NZ and based on the theme: Land use change and Intensification.

The report explores these issues and points to some of the drivers.

For example, it states that what food people eat and where they live will have an impact on the environment.

Consumer preferences – both here and in our export markets – are part of this.

Robertson notes that the rising NZ population is major factor.

“Population growth has a significant impact on our land including our highly productive land that is vital for growing vegetables and fruit. Increasing amounts of this land is being lost to urban expansion and lifestyle blocks,” she told Rural News.

“Continuing to grow food in the volumes and quality we have come to expect, depends on the availability of land and quality of the soil. Once highly productive land has been built on, we can’t use it for production.”

Robertson points out that in just under 20 years the area of highly productive land that has been lost to housing has increased by 54%. She says if this trend continues, the supply of food such as vegetables is likely to become even more expensive – unless other alternatives are found.

The report also notes that land taken

Secretary for the Environment Vicky Robertson says for NZ to continue to grow food in the expected volumes and quality depends on land availability and soil quality.

for rural residential has also doubled during this period.

The report goes on to say that the land used for agriculture has been decreasing since 2002. It says between 2017 and 2019 it fell by 2%. In terms of

dairying, the report notes the increase in cow numbers and the greater use of irrigation especially for dairy farming.

The report also touches on the implications of this and suggests that taking water for irrigation has the

greatest potential to reduce river flows across the country, to affect aquifers and ultimately ecosystems.

“What we point to is the rate of change in dairy, but we don’t make a judgement,” Robertson says.

BANANAS IN SOUTHLAND? VICKY ROBERTSON says climate change is going to become increasingly important to all New Zealanders.

She says we are seeing the impact of this with more extreme weather events and that some places in NZ will get hotter and drier, while others will get wetter.

“The things we are growing on the land will need to change in response to that and the rate of change is one thing I don’t think we have really thought about,” Robertson told Rural News.

“Farming has been adapting for many years, but the question is: what is that rate of change over time?”

Robertson points to some obvious changes such as kiwifruit being grown in areas that were never considered several years ago.

Some crops are having to move south to colder climates and plant breeders are working on new varieties of horticultural crops that are better suited to warmer conditions.

The report also states that climate change will lengthen the growing season in NZ. It also points to the social issues associated with land use change and highlights the fact that, for example, when Southland changed from sheep

and beef to dairy farming, it affected employment with a move from meat processing to dairy production.

Finally, the report emphasises the connectedness of land to well-being.

The importance of land as a place to live, a source of food, income, culture and recreation. It also notes that Māori see the environmental systems as indivisible from themselves and their culture.

But for all the data in the report, Robertson admits there are still gaps in the data – in particular around soil. The question she says needs to be asked is, what about soil health.

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RURAL NEWS // APRIL 20, 2021

4 NEWS

Live exports dead in water PETER BURKE

TWO YEAR TRANSITION

peterb@ruralnews.co.nz

DAMIEN O’CONNOR says he appreciates that there is an existing live export trade and that some people have made a significant investment in it.

This is why there is a two year maximum transition period, so that people can wind down the trade and adjust their operations.

“This a complex process to unwind, so the final exact length of the transition period will be determined pending further advice from MPI,” O’Connor added. “I have also asked them (MPI) to provide advice on possible improvements to animals on ships during the transition period.”

O’Connor accepts that during the transition period there is a risk, but says everything possible will be done to mitigate any such risks.

He claims the transition period will give those farmers affected by the ban time to adjust their operations and work out what to do with animals they are currently sending overseas.

O’Connor noted that the shipment of livestock by air (a very miniscule number) is not affected by the ban because he claims the travel times are shorter and generally the animals are well looked after.

Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor fronting at a media conference last week to announce the Government’s impending ban on live animal exports.

stop.

“Over recent years, we have seen some reports that many of the ships carrying livestock are not designed for live exports and where condi-

tions have led to adverse welfare outcomes,” he claimed. “The fact is that once animals leave NZ by sea, we have very little ability to ensure their wellbeing before they

reach their destination and that is an unacceptable risk for us.”

O’Connor claims at the heart of the decision is upholding NZ’s reputation for high standards

in animal welfare. He says “we must stay ahead of the curve in a world where animal welfare is under increasing scrutiny.”

He says the Chinese

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CONCERNS ABOUT the threat posed to New Zealand’s trading reputation by live animal exports from this country have led to a move to shut down the trade.

Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor gave this as the main reason for the Government’s decision to ban all livestock exports from NZ, within two years, at an announcement last week.

He says live cattle exports from NZ has been a feature of the country’s farming system for a long time and despite banning exports of livestock for slaughter in 2008, problems had not gone away.

Figures show that the number of cows exported overseas – mainly to China – since 2010 has risen from just over 26,000 to over 113,000 last year.

O’Connor says a number of reviews have been conducted into this trade, including one following the sinking of the Gulf Livestock 2 in 2020.

He says the independent National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee recommended the trade

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government was advised about the decision before the public announcement – as was Australia. But O’Connor emphasised that the issue was about animal welfare and not China.

“As an industry, across the sector, we are moving from volume to value and this area of animal welfare is one we have to move on to ensure we are fully compliant – not just on farm but in any trans-

port issue,” O’Connor added.

“I recognise the importance of our trade relationships with our international partners and we’re committed to working with them as we transition away from the shipment of livestock.

We have an opportunity to boost trade through our cutting-edge scientific work into dairy cow genetics and germplasm use.”

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RURAL NEWS // APRIL 20, 2021

NEWS 5

Drought’s back with interest Many parts of the east coast of the North Island – especially from Wairoa down to Central Hawkes Bay – are in a crisis state with a severe autumn drought. Peter Burke drove through the area last week and reports that streams and springs are drying up and sheep in some places are struggling to find anything green.

DRIVING SOUTH from Gisborne, pastures are a real mixed bag – some good, some just okay and others looking scruffy and terrible.

In some cases, brown, not green, is the dominant colour and on closer inspection the ground is bare – with sheep moving restlessly across hillsides desperately looking for tucker.

AgFirst consultant Lochie MacGillivray told

Rural News the situation for many farmers is bad with soil moisture levels where they were a year ago when there was major drought. He says there has been about 20mm of rain, but to get things back to anywhere near normal, at least 50mm is needed and the chances of that happening is, at best, about 50%.

“Some of the farmers are telling me their stock won’t bounce back

because the soil moisture is well below stress point.

Farmax growth models are predicting 5kg growth rates in 10 day’s time, but that is pretty low for this time of the year and we’d be hoping to do 20kg. So, what we are seeing is a quarter of normal growth rates.”

MacGillivray says farmers have also been telling him that some of the springs are running really low and

haven’t really got back to where they were before last year’s drought. He says, at one stage there were potentially problems with a lack of stock water. However, with winter approaching this is becoming less of an issue.

“But the water tables are really low and streams are low and slowing right down,” he adds.

Despite the drought, MacGillivray reckons stock is in quite good

condition and farmers are destocking but not panicking. He says, typically, they may draft at say 42kg, but many are now drafting at around 38kg.

MacGillivray says much has been learned by farmers with the past and present drought and one of the take-home messages is that farmers have to ‘wire in’ plans to deal with the horrible autumns that appear to be here to stay.

TB ISSUES EMERGE LOCHIE MACGILLIVRAY told Rural News a major problem that has also emerged is a group of about 15 farms in the north west of Hawkes Bay, around the Napier Taupo road, having a serious TB problem.

“They are store stock people and are not able to move animals,” he explains. “The regulations for Ospri are different to what happens under Lochie MacGillivray M. bovis – so there is no compensation for them not being able to move their stock.”

MacGillivray says the local Rural Advisory Group has discussed the issue and is looking at finding a way to help the affected farmers. He says MPI is also aware of the problem.

NEW

RURAL NEWS // APRIL 20, 2021

6 NEWS

The ‘worst’ in 30 years of farming!

NO ‘OFFICIAL’ DROUGHT

NIGEL MALTHUS

BANKS PENINSULA’S big dry is not yet an official drought, but it has “so far” cost sheep and beef farmer Mark Hutchinson somewhere in six figures.

Even if the rain returns next year, the loss “will probably still have a 2 in front of it rather than a 1,” he told Rural News.

“You don’t want to work things like that out, sometimes.”

Hutchinson farms about 1,000ha of rugged windswept land on the isolated south side of the peninsula, where there is nothing but ocean between him and Antarctica and the best radio reception is from Timaru. It’s the farm he grew up on, but he has never seen it this dry in the 30-odd years he has been farming it in his own right.

“It’s been building for near to two years, you’d have to say, and we’ve really hit the wall now.”

Like others on the peninsula, Hutchinson is having to cut stocking rates and bring in feed, while watching lamb-

WHILE THERE is no area of New Zealand currently classed as being in drought, a recent NIWA (National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research) drought index map confirms that most of the east of both islands is dry or very dry, with extremely dry patches around East Cape, Hurunui, Banks Peninsula and Otago.

NIWA meteorologist Tristan Meyers says much of Canterbury is classed as being a “hot spot” – which is close to going into drought.

“It’s defined as when you have a soil moisture deficit of less than 110mm and a soil moisture anomaly [deviation from seasonal average] of less than minus 20mm and so a lot of the Canterbury region I identified as basically becoming a hotspot because it just looks quite dry there.”

NIWA’s seasonal climate outlook suggests little relief for the eastern South Island for the next few months, although the outlook for the North Island appears slightly better.

Banks Peninsula farmer Mark Hutchinson says the current 18-month-plus dry spell is the worst he’s seen.

ing percentages and liveweights fall.

On the day Rural News visits, Hutchinson had sent 35 cows to slaughter and had a mob of 80 young cows in the yard waiting to be trucked to grazing off-farm.

Hutchinson expects to keep about 30 fewer

calves this winter than he had planned and may have to send them away for grazing as well.

He says he was lucky enough to get 70mm of rain between Christmas and New Year, which gave a “fresh pick” for three or four weeks and allowed his cattle to put on a

bit of condition, but his calves are still 40-50kg lighter than normal.

“Because the spring was so tight, so tough, the cows never milked properly,” says Hutchinson.

Lambing percentages have also suffered.

Hutchinson says 70mm

or more rain would freshen the land up but it is now too late to get any bulk feed before spring.

Rex Gebbie, manager of Little River-based Banks Peninsula Transport, says they are busy with their own fleet.

He also has a couple of extra trucks from associ-

ated company Ellesmere Transport, both bringing feed into the peninsula and taking stock out for grazing or slaughter.

He says the situation for farmers is very bad and it’s getting harder to source feed.

“I sourced a whole lot but it’s starting to run out, so we have to go further afield.

“Darfield’s as far as I’m going so far, and Rakaia, but we’re going to

be sourcing it further the way things are going.”

Some farmers are booking two or three units a day and it was getting harder to meet demand.

“We’re bringing in barley – not hay because we can’t find any bloody hay – but baleage like it’s going out of fashion, whatever I can lay my hands on. I’m sort of sourcing it for everybody.”

CHANGES WANTED TO STOCK EXCLUSION RULES BEEF + LAMB New Zealand wants changes made to the stock exclusion regulations the Government introduced in August 2020 – specifically the low-slope map.

“Our position has been clear all along – we want the inaccurate low-

slope map to be deleted and replaced with a general rule that regional councils would be empowered to give effect to,” BLNZ chief executive Sam McIvor says.

The Government’s current low slope map identifies thousands of

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hectares of steep land as low slope which therefore is required to be fenced. “Tinkering around the edges of the unworkable and inaccurate national-scale map won’t get the right outcomes – we need regional approaches.”

McIvor says the Government’s decision to support an industry-led Intensive Winter Grazing (IWG) module to farm plans in the coming year and to delay the implementation of the winter grazing rules shows that arbitrary rules are not the right

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RURAL NEWS // APRIL 20, 2021

NEWS 7

Synlait hits troubled waters SUDESH KISSUN sudeshk@ruralnews.co.nz

DAIRY INDUSTRY darling Synlait has hit troubled waters lately and its latest captain is baling out.

Last week, Synlait announced that chief executive Leon Clement, a former Fonterra executive, will leave at the end of this month. He only joined Synlait in September 2018.

Investment adviser Grant Davies says Synlait’s shareholders will hope that the appointment of former boss John Penno as interim chief executive will steady the ship.

He says Penno, a cofounder and former chief executive of the troubled Canterbury milk processor, will be expected to rebuild momentum after a line of issues plaguing the listed company.

Davies, of investment advisory firm Hamilton Hindin Greene, says unfortunately for Clement the last three years have been difficult for Synlait.

“Synlait’s reliance on a2 Milk Company, which is facing issues of its own, did not make an easy road,” Davies told Rural News.

“They hedged themselves to a successful horse at the time.”

In 2016, Synlait announced a five-year exclusive supply rights deal with a2 Milk for infant formula: the deal was extended to 2023 with Synlait boosting production capacity to supply an increased volume of products.

However, the onset of Covid-19 and resulting travel bans decimated a2’s Daigou channel sales – where products are bought in Australia and New Zealand by resellers, who then ship them into China to sell to customers there.

Earlier this year, Synlait announced earnings downgrades on the back of consumer-packaged infant formula volumes

forecast to be 35% lower than last year.

The milk processor’s share price has taken a beating, down from over $10/share two years ago to $3.43 last week. However, Davies says, despite its woes, Synlait remains a company with good quality assets.

“It also has good quality products and reasonably supportive bankers and John Penno is back to steady the ship.”

Davies says shareholders, including China’s Bright Dairy (39%) and a2 Milk (19.8%) would have been disappointed with the poor run in recent years.

But they were due to issues outside the company’s control.

“They have no control over a2 Milk and what happens around Covid,” he says.

Davies gave credit to Clement for some achievements at Synlait, including getting the Pokeno plant, south of Auckland, up and running.

“To his credit he got that across the line,” he says.

In a NZX release, company chairman Graeme Milne said the board accepted Clement’s resignation “with regret”.

Milne says Clement had overseen major achievements at the milk processor.

“It also recognises the substantial impact that Covid-19 has had on Synlait and the difficult challenge this would present to any management team.

“Leon has been an authentic and transformational leader. He has successfully repositioned Synlait’s purpose, ambition, and strategy to make us a more diversified and sustainable company.”

The NZX release listed Clement’s achievements which included refreshing the company strategy, achieving a record $1 billion in revenue in 2019 and purchasing Dairyworks to extend Synlait’s consumer foods strategy.

Clement says it has

been a privilege to lead Synlait.

“It has been an intensive period of change and growth and I am proud of our achievements. Synlait

has an amazing team that is making a positive and sustainable impact in the areas we operate.” @rural_news facebook.com/ruralnews

Synlait chief executive Leon Clement will leave the troubled company at the end of April.

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RURAL NEWS // APRIL 20, 2021

8 NEWS

China dominates meat exports THE COUNTRY’S red meat sector exports continued to hold up during February reaching $906.7 million, analysis from the Meat Industry Association (MIA) shows.

The New Zealand meat sector body says the overall value of exports in February 2021 was the same as February 2020.

However, it points to major shifts in the destinations for products – with exports to China increasing 124% year-onyear, but dropping for most other markets.

MIA says this highlights the New Zealand red meat sector’s diverse market strategy.

“Twelve months ago, we witnessed the early impact of Covid-19 in China and the industry moved decisively to shift New Zealand beef and lamb products to other markets in line with where the demand was,” MIA chief executive Sirma Karapeeva says.

“Ultimately, the February 2021 results show

a return to more recent ‘business as usual’ levels of demand with ongoing high volumes to China and steady exports to other markets as we come into the peak of the processing season.”

During February 2021, NZ’s overall beef export volume of 47,467 tonnes was the highest for this month in more than 20 years.

Karapeeva says this was partly supply-driven, with high numbers of steer and heifer sent for processing in later January and early February, coupled with demand from China.

Meanwhile, the overall volume of sheepmeat exports also increased by 10%, with the 28,080 tonnes sent to China – the highest monthly export to that market.

China remains the biggest market for NZ sheepmeat, followed by the UK and US. Volumes of sheepmeat exports to the US rose by 8% to 2,959 tonnes.

China remains the biggest market for NZ sheepmeat - credit Kieran Scott.

Karapeeva says it’s encouraging to see signs of an increase in food service sector demand in the United States, particularly for frozen racks.

“That can be attributed to the ongoing roll-

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out of the Covid-19 vaccination programme there.”

NZ red meat exports to Australia in February increased by 6% to a value of $16.7m. While the majority of New Zea-

land meat exports to Australia are co-products, beef exports rose by 172% compared to February 2020, to 508 tonnes. This is put down to Australia currently undergoing a major herd rebuilding

phase with significantly reduced cattle processing in that country.

In the meantime, Karapeeva says the MIA is continuing to monitor supply chain issues caused by Covid-19.

“This is an area of growing concern with port-related issues both at home and overseas,” she adds. “Many of our members are seeing shipping delays and increased costs.”

RURAL NEWS // APRIL 20, 2021

NEWS 9

SFF claims fourth year of profit is proof of strategy working DAVID ANDERSON

MEAT PROCESSOR and exporter Silver Fern Farms Co-operative (SFF) claims its $32.4 million profit for the 2020 financial year – its fourth year in a row in the black – proves its strategy is working.

Meanwhile SFF’s parent company, Silver Fern Farms Limited, which the co-op jointly owns with Chinesebased Shanghai Maling Aquarius, reported a net profit after tax of $65.4m for the same period, its second strongest result of the past decade.

These profits came off the back of total revenue of $2.5 billion earned by the company during the year.

SFF courted controversy in 2016 when its shareholders overwhelmingly supported Shanghai Maling’s $261 million bid for a 50% stake in the company, which came into effect in January 2017.

SFF chair Richard Young says the financial result achieved by the co-op and its JV parent (Silver Fern Farms Limited) for 2020 is down to the skill and expertise of its people.

Chief executive Simon Limmer says SFF’s financial performance in 2020 showed the company’s growing resilience and sustainability of returns.

“We are now showing four years of sustained profitability,” he says.

“This is the level of financial performance required to provide an appropriate return on investment to our shareholders and enables us to continue investing in infrastructure, systems and the capabilities necessary to execute our market focused strategy.”

Young says the 2020 result follows closely behind the previous year’s performance, which was its strongest financial result in the past decade.

“It is a special achievement given the wide range of constraints the company was under throughout the year.”

He adds that as of 31 December 2020, SFF remained debt free and had cash on hand of $22.3m, with total shareholder equity of $327.4m.

“We are pleased to be in a strong financial position where we are able to continue to provide returns to our shareholders.”

The co-op also declared a distribution of $8.1m SILVER FERN Farms Co-operative (SFF) result for in dividends 2020: and ‘patronage ●● Net profit after tax $32.4m (FY2019: $35.1m) reward’. This ●● No debt, cash and short-term deposits of means eligible $22.3m shareholders ●● Total Shareholder Equity of $327.4m (FY2019 will receive a $304m) 100% imputed ●● Dividend and patronage reward for sharedividend holders of $8.1m of 5.5 cents ●● A dividend of 5.5 cents per share to all ordinary per share to and rebate shareholders all ordinary ●● A patronage reward of 5.7 cents per share to and rebate shareholders based on supply during 2020. shareholders. Meanwhile, a patronage reward was robust enough to withstand the global disof 5.7 cents per share will ruption caused by Covidbe paid to shareholders 19. based on supply during “We have the finan2020. The payment date cial stability to execute for both is April 28. our market-focused Plate Limmer praised the to Pasture strategy,” efforts of both SFF’s Limmer added. farmers and staff during “It has enabled us to the year. develop our people, sup“Despite all that disport our farmer suppliruption, we have witers and our communities, nessed character and and feed New Zealanders resilience throughout and the world with susour Silver Fern Farms tainable, naturally delicommunity, from oncious red meat.” farm right through to SFF’s annual report our partners in market. has been available since The way we worked as a 14 April, ahead of the team, continuously findco-op’s annual meeting solutions and looking ing being held in Duneout for each other was din and via livestream on key to our performance SFF chief executive Simon Limmer says the company April 29. in 2020.” now has the level of financial performance required to provide an appropriate return on investment for He says the results @rural_news shareholders. proved that the company facebook.com/ruralnews

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RURAL NEWS // APRIL 20, 2021

10 NEWS

Desperate hort sector DAVID ANDERSON

HORTICULTURAL EXPORTERS, growers, food companies and industry leaders are pleading for the Government to make a plan to allow Pacific Island seasonal workers to return later this year.

At a media conference held in Hawke’s Bay last week, sector representa-

tives called on the Government and Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi to develop a plan that would allow more Pacific Island workers into the country in the year ahead.

They want to avoid the devastating impact that is happening to the current season’s crops as the labour shortage hits crisis point with fruit with harvesting is at its

peak.

Due to the labour shortage, thousands of tonnes of fruit has been left on trees and the apple industry alone is already predicting losses upwards of $600 million, with the national crop forecasts down 14% on 2020.

Small orchardist and exporter, Bruce Mitchell – whose family has been

orcharding for over five decades – left six blocks of Royal Gala apples on the trees this season as he couldn’t get anyone to harvest them.

“It’s so devastating to see the best gala apples I’ve grown just rot on the ground because we didn’t have anyone to pick them,” he explained.

“I was desperate and did everything I could to find

people to harvest the apples. On the day we started, I was expecting 20 pickers but only two people turned up so we physically couldn’t pick 40% of the gala crop.”

Mitchell is among hundreds of small to large orchardists and exporters who have either left export quality fruit on the trees or have compromised quality as the (Left to right) Alan Pollard, Paul Paynter, Bruce Mackay, Bruce Mitchell, John Bostock, Craig Hickson, Harry Masterson are pleading with the Government to develop a plan allow more Pacific Islander workers in next year.

fruit hasn’t been picked at the optimal time.

New Zealand Apples

and Pears chief executive Alan Pollard says he’s aware of leases not being

WARNINGS IGNORED BACK IN March, Paul Paynter told Rural News that Hawkes Bay multi-million dollar apple industry was facing a crisis because there were not enough people available to pick the apple crop.

He described the situation as an “impending crisis” and warned that unless they got sufficient pickers, there was a serious chance that $100 million worth of apples won’t be picked this season.

Paynter told Rural News that that 20% of his fruit will not be picked. “It’s been traumatic here and you can drive down the road and you can see a Royal Gala block that hasn’t been picked and it doesn’t look like it’s going to be picked,” he said. “We need another 140 pickers in the next week or so and I have no idea where we are going to find them.”

Paynter pointed out that the apple industry was worth more than half a billion dollars to the Hawkes Bay economy. He warned that with upwards of 20% of this season’s crop not being picked it will have a huge impact on the region. “If the crop isn’t being picked, and wages are not going into the community, the whole regional economy will suffer financially.”

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RURAL NEWS // APRIL 20, 2021

NEWS 11

demands govt action Mackay says the company even had to sell one of its corn crops elsewhere as it was unable to process it.

Yummy Fruit owner, Paul Paynter, says his harvested crop will be down 25% due to the labour shortage.

His company have left

renewed, blocks being pulled out and not being replaced and new tree orders being cancelled.

Last November, the heads of NZ Apples and Pears, NZ Kiwifruit Growers Inc, Summerfruit NZ, NZ Wine, Horticulture NZ, along with the chair of NZ Master Contractors, made a submission to Government for the return of RSE (Recognised Seasonal Employer) workers to New Zealand. Their submission indicated potential direct losses of up to $1.1 billion and a labour deficit of 11,000 workers across the horticulture and wine sectors in March 2021.

“Now that the harvest is at its peak, these labour shortages are a reality and we are seeing devastating consequences for many growers and exporters, including a serious impact on mental health and resilience,” Pollard said.

“We cannot have a repeat of what has occurred this season. We

estimate that we need at least 21 weeks from a government decision to the time that the workers need to be deployed – so there is real urgency to find a workable alternative solution.”

Meanwhile, Watties’ agriculture manager Bruce Mackay says his company relies on locals, backpackers and those with seasonal work permits for seasonal work in the factories, but this season the labour pool has been stretched thin and far.

Watties Hastings factory has been up to 50 people short each day.

“We have been shutting down production lines to redeploy staff and keep other lines running and processing half the bins of some crops in a day that we usually would,” Mackay explained.

He added that this backlog, created by the slow throughputs, has meant the season has been pushed out, with a real risk to quality.

apples on the trees and been very short of staff in the packhouse.

John Bostock – the country’s largest organic apple grower and exporter – pointed out that Bostock New Zealand had gone all out and run massive recruitment

campaigns to try and recruit New Zealanders to work, but the people just aren’t there.

“No matter how hard we’ve tried, we have struggled to recruit New Zealanders to our cropping fields, orchards and packhouses. We cannot

continue like this. The impact endured this season was avoidable and foreseeable. We cannot get through another season without the certainty of labour.”

The group is calling on the Government to announce a plan for the

return of RSE workers from Covid Free Pacific Island countries and work with the sector to allow more Pacific Island Workers into New Zealand.

“We urgently need a plan for 2022 to avoid the carnage we have seen this season.”

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NATS BACK CALL NATIONAL HAS called on the Government to move faster on a Pacific bubble Horticulture spokesperson David Bennett says his party supports the call by Hawke’s Bay orchardists and businesses to open a travel bubble with the Pacific Islands.

“Growers and processors have good reason to be frustrated at the Government for not acting fast enough.

The Minister of Agriculture recently confirmed he has not prepared any papers for Cabinet this year relating to a Pacific bubble, despite calls from the sector.”

Bennet accused Damien O’Connor of ignoring horticulturalists pleas.

“Once again, horticulturalists will be left in a situation where any attempt to help will be too late and limited in effect,” he added. “We’ve already seen substantial losses this season. It’s imperative that the Government acts now for next season.”

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RURAL NEWS // APRIL 20, 2021

12 NEWS

Sleepless night pays off About 200 people came along for a field day last week at Tunapahore B2A Incorporation, located at Torere – about a 30 minute drive from Opotiki. This was last of the field days held by the finalists in this year’s Ahuwhenua Trophy for dairy.

Peter Burke reports…

JACK MIHAERE says he had a sleepless night preparing for the field day.

However, the Tunapahore B2A Incorporation chairman was delighted

with the large turnout and not surprised at how many people came along.

Mihaere says the day involved a lot of work by a lot of people and singles

out his sister Repeka as a key person in organising the event.

The farm, the marae and church at Torere are located right on the coast

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actual farm.

The property consists of 400.83ha of land, but the actual milking platform is 132ha running 385 cows that produce 125,940 kgMS. Other land is leased for maize silage production.

In July 2008, a 5.54ha kiwifruit orchard was purchased by the incorporation and now consists mainly

Last minute decision JACK MIHAERA says it was a last minute decision to enter the competition.

He and others from the incorporation were attending a field day, last year, at Matapihi for a finalist of the Ahuwhenua Trophy competition for horticulture.

“We were thinking about entering and when we saw what Ngai Tukairangi had done, we decided we would have a go,” he adds. “We only had four days to put in their entry and are very pleased we did.”

Tunapahore B2A Incorporation chairman Jack Mihaere was delighted with the large turnout that came along to their field day last week.

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with stunning vistas of the sea, including Whakaari/White Island in the distance.

The hills, which rise steeply from the narrow coastal strip, are covered in a mix of native trees and commercial forestry.

All along the coast there are pockets of kiwifruit, which are slowly replac-

ing maize crops.

The beauty of the setting drew many positive comments from the farmers, rural professionals, agribusiness leaders and government officials who attended the day. The guests were welcomed

on to the Torere Marae by local Kaumatua and Mihaere. Later they listened to presentations by the committee of management, advisors and farm staff, and then taken by bus a few kilometres down the road to see the

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NEWS 13

for final Ahu field day

The farm’s current manager Janet Poihipi is regarded as an absolute asset to the incorporation.

wards. The orchard consistently produces great fruit and is one of the top producers for both EastPack and Zespri. The incorporation also has shares in Whakatohea Mussels (Opotiki) Limited, Fonterra, Zespri, Ballance, Farmlands and EastPack Limited.

During the 1930s–1950s, Tunapahore B2 was a dairy and drystock unit, but when the milker died in a car accident, the management decided to sell the dairy herd with the land leased to surrounding land owners. Later, it reverted back to being a dairy farm, but – as Mihaere explained – they struck a crisis in 2018 when their sharemilker suddenly left.

“In the space of six weeks we had to buy a herd, find a manager

lute asset to the incorporation.

She concedes, in terms of the actual field day, she did little by way of organising but admits being nervous about how it might run.

“I just carried on with the farm work as usual.

The farm is my pride and joy,” Poihipi says.

“I started off as relief milker in 2005 and then worked my way up to be the 2IC. “When the previous sharemilker left they employed a new manager from the Waikato, but he got quite sick and I ended up doing his and my job, which was really quite hard. I love the work and the cows – they are my babies and when they hear my voice they just come, so I don’t need to use the backing gate.”

and a milker and all the equipment to run the farm and somehow we managed to do this,” he told the crowd. “We had to buy cows from all around the region, but we did it.”

However, it quickly became evident that they needed to buy in extra feed to keep the cows in good condition and they found later that their empty cow rate was 31%.

“We realised we needed help and we have solved the problem by feeding our cows better and now we have got the empty rate down to about 12%.”

The farm’s current manager is Janet Poihipi, who has worked for a number of years on the farm under previous sharemilkers and is regarded as an abso-

Ahuwhenua Trophy Management Committee chair Kingi Smiler says the farm’s diversification programme shows the business acumen of Tunapahore B2A Incorporation.

POSITIVELY SHOWCASING MAORI AGRIBUSINESS AHUWHENUA TROPHY Management Committee, which runs the competition, chair Kingi Smiler says the field day at Tunapahore B2A Incorporation was excellent and shows the tremendous effort the incorporation has put into making a success of their land.

He says the committee of management, which run the operation, are part of an Eastern Bay of Plenty Maori dairy cluster.

This is a DairyNZ/MPI initiative that provides a learning network and access to resources and professional support.

Smiler says the diversification

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programme being undertaken by the incorporation shows the vision and the business acumen of Tunapahore B2A Incorporation. He believes this – and the field days at the other two finalist farms – have done an excellent job in positively showcasing Māori agribusiness to both fellow Māori and the wider rural sector.

“This year we have quite a diverse group of finalists in the competition and there is significant emphasis on their environmental practices,” Smiler adds.

“We are also seeing with a couple of the finalists coming through a

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development phase, where they are starting to optimise their farms a lot better and also train their own people. I think that is real strength of this year’s competition.”

Smiler says Maori are making a major contribution to the economy and that recognition of this will come over time.

He believes the real issue is that as long as the people and the communities are doing well, that’s acceptable and this is showing through in the competition.

The winner of the Ahuwhenua Trophy for dairy will be held in New Plymouth on May 14.

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RURAL NEWS // APRIL 20, 2021

global agribusiness research analysts sharing market outlooks

14 MARKETS & TRENDS

Rabobank supports clients from farm to fork in

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farmers to connect Content supplied by Rabobank - Growing New Zealand Together with worldwide , a Better

Lower dollar firms outlook Dairy

MILK FLOW strength is a result of welcome rainfall in the middle of March, in combination with weak production comparables for last year.

We anticipate New Zealand milk collection

for the current 2020/21 season (ending 31 May 2021) to land between the vicinity of 1% to 1.5% higher than the prior period.

Attention is focused on the Northern Hemisphere flush in

With farmers turning their minds to the new season’s budgets, opening forecasts from processors for the new season (beginning 1 June 2021) are eagerly anticipated. the coming months.

Rabobank forecasts a 1.1% increase in milk production across the Big 7 dairy producing regions in 2021.

This is a decrease compared to the 1.6% YOY increase in 2020 and represents a modest tightening of supply.

With farmers turning their minds to the new season’s budgets, opening forecasts from processors for the new season (beginning 1 June 2021) are eagerly anticipated.

At this stage, market fundamentals support

another profitable milk price but with the re-emergence of more volatile pricing signals, it’s likely that there will be an element of conservatism in opening ranges.

Minimal farmgate price movements – a feature of 2021 thus far – continued into March.

As at the end of March, the AgriHQ North Island bull price was NZ$ 5.00/ kg cwt, with the AgriHQ South Island bull price sitting fractionally lower at NZ$ 4.50/kg cwt.

The trading range for prices has remained largely benign since mid-December, in stark contrast to the sharp decline experienced during the same period last season, with prices in both Islands continuing to sit slightly below their five-year average.

Across the ditch, a combination of widespread rain and low livestock inventory has resulted in Australian producers holding on to stock longer and even causing saleyard numbers to drop to their lowest levels in over 10 years.

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North Island Bull Price

Beef

RABORESEARCH EXPECTS farmgate prices to hold steady during April, with the reduced competition from Australia and a weaker exchange rate at the end of March helping to provide a firm pricing floor.

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RURAL NEWS // APRIL 20, 2021

MARKETS & TRENDS 15

COUNTRIES

Content supplied by Rabobank - Growing a Better New Zealand Together supply period and some procurement pressure builds.

We anticipate steady demand from our key trading partner, China -particularly in light of lower supply volumes from Australia.

Fertiliser

herd rebuild continues, the resulting reduced competition in export markets will prove helpful for farmgate returns over the coming months.

RaboResearch expects a revival of foodservice sales in the second half of this year, as vaccination programmes continue to roll out, helping to boost overall farmgate returns for producers.

Sheepmeat

WE EXPECT the continued demand from key markets,

in combination with seasonal tightening of supply to see prices firm through April 2021.

Farmgate prices eased further over the last month, in line with farmers seasonally offloading stock. As of the end of March 2021, AgriHQ prices in the North Island averaged NZ$ 6.55/kg cwt (-6% YOY) while South Island lamb averaged NZ$ 6.25/ kg cwt (-8% YOY).

Demand for sheepmeat from China continues to remain robust. New Zealand

shipments of lamb to China were significantly higher in February 2021 compared to the year prior, which was materially impacted by the outbreak of Covid19. A recent weaker Kiwi cross will further support export returns, with the NZ$ below USc70 as at the end of March 2021.

RaboResearch sees some upside potential for farmgate returns over the coming months.

We think prices have some upside to come as we move through into the seasonally-tighter

GLOBAL FERTILISER markets continue to be gripped by what can only be described as a perfect storm. We expect that global prices will begin to subside in April, initially for urea, before phosphates follow later

in Q2.

For local farmers acquiring phosphate, relief will be too late for this season. Global phosphate prices have increased most significantly – most global phosphate benchmarks have now nearly doubled (in US$ terms) compared to 12 months ago.

DAP ex US Gulf has now increased some 45% this year. In the face of global higher prices, and higher freight rates, local farmers can expect to pay higher prices for urea this season.

We do expect global prices will ease from April to June, but this may be too late for this importing period.

Foreign exchange THE NZ$ weakened against the US$ during March. Having opened the month at USc72.7 it closed just below USc70 on March 30.

Much of the movement can be attributed to the strength of the US$, which rose against many currencies – with the US$ broad index up almost 3% for the

month.

The USD was pushed higher on the approval of more stimulus spending, rising vaccination rates and encouraging early economic data for March.

Congress passed the USD 1.9 trillion stimulus bill on March 11 – freeing up the government to inject funds worth around 8.5% of the size of the economy into the economy. This in turn led the Federal Open Market Committee to upgrade their 2021 forecasts for both economic growth (to 6.5%) and inflation (to 2.4%). Rabobank is less convinced than the market about the prospects for an inflation overshoot and early rate hike.

And with commodity prices expected to remain firm, we expect that NZ$ to avoid major downside from here. RaboResearch expects the NZ$ to tap in at USc74 by Q1 2022. @rural_news facebook.com/ruralnews

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RURAL NEWS // APRIL 20, 2021

16 OPINION EDITORIAL

EDNA

Political expendiency MOVES BY the Government to end New Zealand’s live export trade is more about politics than ethics.

Sure, it argues that the trade “does not uphold New Zealand’s reputation for high standards of animal welfare” and that is does not fit with the country’s “social conscience”. But that is just – to coin a phrase used by Gulf War veteran General Norman Schwarzkopf – bovine scatology.

These claims do not marry with the actual facts. The reality is that the Government is shutting down a legitimate a $500 million trade because it polls well to ban it. The screaming skulls from the likes of SAFE, Greenpeace and other so-called animal activist groups have got in the Government’s ear and won them over by feeding constant, unchallenged misinformation about the live export trade to the public.

David Hayman, spokesman for Animal Genetics Trade Association, is right on the money when he describes the Government’s decision as one that is aiming for short-term political kudos.

Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor’s mealy-mouthed concession that the decision “will affect some farmers, exporters and importers…”

Claims made by critics of the trade that animals suffer and there are high deaths rates are not borne out by the facts. Transportation of animals from New Zealand is governed by the strictest animal welfare standards in the world.

The welfare of each travelling animal is independently verified by vets on behalf of Ministry for Primary Industries, with 99.9% of animals arriving at their destinations in healthy condition.

South Island-based livestock broker Peter Walsh, who has vast experience in the trade, says the ships animals travel from NZ on are professionally run and well manned with high veterinary support. Even O’Connor concedes, “improvements had been made to the practice over recent years”.

Unfortunately, the live export trade has suffered from constant misinformation fed to the public by the likes of SAFE and Greenpeace and the Government has listened to them.

Hayman sums it up correctly when he says, “This is an ill-informed, massively consequential decision for the nation, to earn short-term political brownie points from a few activists.”

Sad, but true. That’s political expediency for you.

RURALNEWS TO ALL FARMERS, FOR ALL FARMERS

HEAD OFFICE POSTAL ADDRESS: PO Box 331100, Takapuna, Auckland 0740 PUBLISHER: Brian Hight ......................................... Ph 09 307 0399 GENERAL MANAGER: Adam Fricker ....................................... Ph 021-842 226 CONSULTING EDITOR: David Anderson .................................. Ph 09 307 0399 davida@ruralnews.co.nz

“Drought doesn’t bother me – I fish for the sport, not a feed!”

Want to share your opinion or gossip with the Hound?

Send your emails to: hound@ruralnews.co.nz

THE HOUND P!ss off!

PR-101

20 pieces of silver?

Green washing!

THE HOUND was intrigued to read about a project that NZ scientists are working on to reduce greenhouse gases (GHG) produced from sheep by encouraging the animals to empty their bladders at night! Apparently, the GHG nitrous oxide is created when large amounts of nitrogen enter the soil and one of the biggest sources of nitrogen is animal urine. The scientists found that 60% of the nitrogen in the animals’ urine came during the 12 hours following a big meal and believe that shifting sheep to a new paddock late in the afternoon could result in more nitrogen entering the soil at night, when it is cooler. That’s because soil bugs produce 10 to 40% more nitrous oxide in hot, summery conditions, so this has the potential to reduce the amount of nitrous oxide being produced by sheep.

Perhaps farmers will soon be potty training their sheep in an effort to reduce their GHG emissions!

THIS OLD mutt reckons that Fonterra must be learning its PR tricks from the Government. Since time immemorial, governments who want to bury bad news, release it late on the eve of a holiday or long weekend. So, accordingly, Fonterra announced that it had finally sold its disastrous investment in its China Farms with a media release sent out at 4.26pm on Easter Thursday eve – when most news organisations around the country had already broken up for the Easter Weekend.

And the spinning didn’t stop there. Despite everyone knowing the dairy co-op’s ‘investment’ in its Chinese farms have been a complete financial and practical cluster, chief executive Miles Hurrell uttered this bull manure: “Fonterra has contributed to the development of the Chinese dairy industry by establishing these farms and we’re pleased to now hand ownership over to Youran for the next phase of development”.

A MATE of the Hound reckons he’s not surprised the recent announcement the Government is ‘partnering’ with Lincoln-based company Leaft Foods on a $20 million R&D programme in the alternative protein sector. He suggests that Leaft Foods founder John Penno, who made all his money setting up Canterbury dairy company Synlait and pimping it off the overseas interests, may finally be getting rewarded for helping sell the Government’s deeply contentious and unpopular freshwater regulations to farmers up and down the country a year or so back. Your canine crusader’s derisive colleague believes this is all the more galling considering Penno’s company probably did more to increase Canterbury’s dairy cow numbers and degradation of the region’s water quality than anything else in the past 20 years.

YOUR OLD mate is not surprised to learn that Hollywood director James Cameron’s big claims to convert his Wairarapa properties into organic veggie farms have fallen short. Apparently, hundreds of cows are now understood to be grazing on his farms. Cameron owns more than 1,500 hectares of land in South Wairarapa and has been outspoken about the need for NZ to move away from livestock agriculture to curb carbon emissions. However, locals say he’s not walking the talk, with his plans for crop farming giving way to more lucrative dairy grazing.

Cameron and his wife Suzy Amis Cameron spoke two years ago at a Just Transitions energy summit in Taranaki, where they touted the benefits of moving New Zealand away from animal products.

However, those words are starting to sound like a bunch of hot air now with cattle grazing in their paddocks.

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RURAL NEWS // APRIL 20, 2021

OPINION 17

Real knowledge comes with time I am more balanced and well-seasoned in life, I’ve learnt differently. I’m very happy to take the back seat now and listen … and it always works out so much better!

Take care out there and God Bless.

• To contact Colin Millar email: farmerschaplain@ ruralnews.co.nz @rural_news facebook.com/ruralnews

Running the flag got me up close and personal to the action.

FARMER’S CHAPLAIN

Colin Miller

life. Change is certainly not always pleasant, but it is inevitable. I note today though with sport, there is one thing that definitely has not changed. All the sideline experts, all the armchair and lazy-boy critics are still with us in spades! Running the flag as I mentioned, got me up close and personal with some of it – more than enough to dissuade me from ever being a ref. Well done refs if you happen to be reading this, I salute you!

I wonder though, why aren’t these experts reffing if they know so much? Surely they should be playing or coaching our winning teams, don’t you think?

Actually, come to think about it, much of life is like this regardless of what you do. Knowit-alls seem to pop up all through life.

In the farming sector we have plenty of them!

Advisors, bureaucrats, and multiple experts abound. Many of these have little or no actual farming experience, and sometimes even less life experience! Yet they know all about what we should be doing on the farm!

Wouldn’t it be fun to actually get them on the job in wet cattleyards, drafting off the calves from some rather toey cows! Of course, in today’s offended world I would never actually do that, but surely I’m allowed the thought?

When it comes to my faith and my walk with the Lord, too often in my younger days I thought I was the expert.

I reckoned I knew a whole lot more than I actually did! Now that

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ALWAYS HAVING a bit of a soft spot for the underdog, I have to admit I enjoyed seeing the Highlanders get one back on the Crusaders.

After the rather tough week they had, the experts and sports pundits seemed to think it was all over for the Highlanders, certainly for that particular game anyway. Surprise, surprise, the underdogs stood up and pulled it off.

Back in my school days, many, many sunsets ago, I played a lot of sport.

I continued with that as much as I could after finishing school. Later, when our family came along, there was all the Saturday children’s sport through the winter months. For a number of years, our church had a Rugby League Club, with a team in our city comp’ as well. That was very interesting, to say the least!

So, I have put in some serious hours with sport.

From playing myself, supporting and watching our children, to running the flag as a ‘touchie’ for soccer, rugby and league – plus all the live TV stuff we’ve watched over many years!

As you well know, there have been many changes, and not just to the rule books either.

Cricket had to adjust to the 50 overs game, then the T20. Yes, The Gentleman’s Game has come through some real turmoil to get to where it is today. Like me, some of you will remember Kerry Packer’s World Series Cricket.

After watching Sir Peter Blake and Team New Zealand win the America’s Cup, back in 1995 and 2000, whoever would have thought we would see what we have just seen a few weeks ago in Auckland, with the amazing foiling yachts?

Rugby too has changed; just watch some old footage from yesteryear if you need some evidence.

Opinions will always be divided when it comes to change. That’s just

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RURAL NEWS // APRIL 20, 2021

18 OPINION - LETTERS NOT SO WOOLLY IDEAS AT PRESENT, wool sold by auction is done without the farmer’s voice.

This often includes messy arrangements in woolsheds, plus the cost of transport to wool store and the cost of auction.

In order to streamline the system: [1] Cut the auction system.

[2] Use latest technology camera, loaned to farmer by

local shearing agent. This can illustrate processing from table to woolpress to cover visual appearance and length.

Can a core test be done by a different method?

All this information sent to H.Q. plus the exact wool I.D. [3] Utilising this information, the wool buyer establishes a suitable price for manufacture or export.

[4] After the price is confirmed, the wool is sent direct to an agreed destination.

These ideas would provide considerable cost savings to farmers.

Could this project be developed?

I’d be very interested to hear other farmers’ views.

David Blackley, R.D.7 Te Puke, Bay of Plenty.

TO ALL FARMERS. FOR ALL FARMERS. www.ruralnewsgroup.co.nz

ADVOCATE DEFENDS REGEN AG DR EDMEADES, because you are a scientist we expect you to follow the scientific method of objectively exploring the boundaries of our soil science knowledge and properly rebutting assertions. Despite involving major science players in NZ agriculture, you insist that the recent Reg Ag White Paper is ‘junk science.’ Please define your term? Do you mean ‘tobacco science’ paid for by private industry? Or assertions with NO factual scientific basis? Or do you simply mean science that doesn’t agree with your limited view of soil function?

You didn’t properly rebut any of the statements from the White Paper. You simply said the paper is “nonsense… rubbish...pseudo-science.”

So, New Zealand’s agriculture, environment and farmer welfare are in such great shape that we have no need to explore different approaches to premium quality, ecosystem restoration or farmer profit and happiness?

Using your chemically dominated approach for decades, our soils have collapsed, our yields have plateaued and our farmers are sicker. It’s time for a new ecological paradigm for farming. Maybe we need to expand our farming view to include all of the organisms and forces in our farm systems, not just focusing on soil chemistry, chemicals and weather.

Please remember traditional science manners. Either prove that there are no problems with NZ agriculture using your approach, or specifically rebut the assertions from the Regen Ag White Paper with current, valid, neutrallyreviewed, holistic science. Or come to the table with an open mind to learn what we know and what we want farmers to benefit from.

Phyllis Tichinin Retired farmer and ag consultant, Hawkes Bay

I’M A HAPPY PEASANT!

RURAL NEWS TO ALL FARMERS, FOR ALL FARMERS

HORTNEWS

DOUG (EDMEADES, opinion piece Rural News, March 32), you have an identity and everyone jumps when you tell them how high.

I am ‘no one’. I work 24/7 on the land and have done so all my life. I have farmed through the industrial farming revolution, seen my stock suffer and cried when I ran out of feed for them and money to buy it. Some 423kg milkfat per cow was achieved buying synthetic fertiliser, tonnes of urea, antibiotics, maize silage, machinery, paying huge vet bills and watching the soil dying before my eyes.

Science-driven agriculture has got us to where we are now, sick and tired.

Now, I have no vet bills, use no antibiotics, have healthy, sweet smelling, glossy animals and a living, vibrant soil.

Who cares if we farm like peasants again?

We are happy, connected to our environment, extremely healthy and our four-legged family thank us daily!

Janette Perrett RD1, Hikurangi Northland

RURAL NEWS // APRIL 20, 2021

MANAGEMENT 19

A focus on pasture resilience PASTURE RESILIENCE will be the key theme of this year’s Pasture Symposium, which is being held in the Waikato during May. Organising committee chair David Chapman says the event will arguably feature the best range of speakers on this topic ever brought together in NZ, who will share their observations and latest findings at the one-off Resilient Pastures Symposium (RPS).

He says it’s no coincidence that the presenters align so closely with what he describes as commonly-voiced suggestions about the future of NZ grassland farming.

“It’s all about the soil and/or the farm system. That’s where the answers lie.”

Chapman, principal scientist at DairyNZ, says speakers were not invited to the RPS solely on basis of this theme – but there’s a notable overlap.

Included in the programme, for example, are presentations from two Northland farmers who are “passionate pasture people”. Both Allister McCahon and Murray Jagger will share their experiences and thoughts about where to next for Northland pastures.

Meanwhile, the RPS will also feature two climate change and agronomy/systems experts from Australia. Sydney University’s Professor Yani Garcia and Dr Brendan Cullen, University of Melbourne, will draw parallels between Australia and NZ. Speakers covering trends and prospects on this side of the Tasman include NZ environment and climate change researchers Liz Keller, GNS Science; MPI’s Gerald Rhys; and Cecile de Klien and Sarah Mansfield from AgResearch.

NZ soils experts Waikato

University’s Louis Schipper, and AgResearch’s David Houlbrooke and Mark Shepherd will talk about management of soil fertility, soil structure and soil carbon for pasture resilience. Their soils presentations will be backed up by practitioners Warwick Catto of Ballance Agri-nutrients and Ants Roberts from Ravensdown.

Agronomy and farm systems researchers Massey University’s Danny Donaghy, Lincoln University’s Derek Moot and David Stevens from AgResearch will dissect systems options. Other speakers to feature include pasture-focused farmers like Corrigan Sowman from Golden Bay, alongside consultants Jeremy Savage, Macfarlane Rural Business; Chris Lewis, BakerAg; and Phil Journeaux, AgFirst.

The symposium will wrap up with a workshop session, to distil what farmers, industry leaders and scientists identify as critical directions for future pasture research and development.

NZ Grassland Association president Warren King, senior scientist at AgResearch, notes that a collaborative group approach to tackling pasture persistence at the end of the NZGA’s 2011 symposium led to significant new pasture R&D and industry-led initiatives, including the influential DairyNZ Forage Value Index.

“Clear directions are sought from the RPS because the urgency for answers is increasing as the effects of climate change and environmental regulations intensify,” he says.

The RPS is being held by the NZ Grassland Association.

Register online at www.grassland.org.nz. @rural_news facebook.com/ruralnews

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RURAL NEWS // APRIL 20, 2021

20 MANAGEMENT

The Bruce District Action Group is transitioning to a selffunded group now that the Red Meat Profit Partnership has ended – PHOTO BY JOANNE CUTTANCE.

Otago Action Group keen to carry on THE OTAGO-BASED Bruce District Action Group is transitioning to a self-funded group now that the Red Meat Profit Partnership (RMPP) has ended.

The group wants to ensure its members can continue to build on the gains they have made. Group facilitator, Abacus Bio farm consultant Simon Glennie, said the seven group members had originally been part of a farmer discussion group, before switch-

ing to become an RMPP Action Group with a business focus.

“This group had already been working together so had a lot of confidence and trust,” he says.

The group undertook the RMPP Taking Ownership of Your Financials programme with farm accountant Lawrence Field early on.

“That really set us up well to get things going.

We also looked at every member’s animal health

property market and what investing on farm looks like,” Glennie says.

“These are cornerstone topics and some of our members are looking at investing in residential property as a strategic move. They have welldeveloped farms and are looking at ways of managing succession without splitting the farm.”

Bruce District group member Nigel Woodhead farms 2,600 breeding ewes, 750 hoggets and 60 Friesian bulls on

costs, as a group. They all brought all their costs in, right down to the last drench. It required real commitment among members to do that and we went through them all and compared them across the group, and that worked very well.”

The group also made a visit to the ANZ corporate office in Dunedin.

“ANZ had some of their corporate banking team go through commercial property purchasing, the residential

400ha (320ha effective) at Lovells Flat, near Balclutha.

“The attraction of moving to the action group model was the ability to bring in experts,” he says. “That has been great, being able to work with experts in a small group and to ask questions on really detailed stuff that is specific to us and our farm businesses.”

Woodhead says the peer-to-peer learning is also huge.

“I’m the second

youngest in the group and I’ve only been farming on my own account for five years and I’ve studied at Lincoln, but some of the group have 20 or more years’ experience running their own farm businesses.”

He says that he regularly incorporates learnings taken from the Action Group into his day to day farming.

“I haven’t made massive policy changes but I make a lot of little tweaks as a result of what

I’ve learned through the group.”

Glennie says the group began discussing transitioning to self-funding at their last meeting.

“They see they are getting good value out of it and are happy to continue funding it. We had already done an exercise around what they put into the group versus what they got out of it and that was very positive.” @rural_news facebook.com/ruralnews

Care needed flushing ewes on lucerne FARMERS CONSIDERING using lucerne as a flushing feed going into ewe mating should be cautious, especially if the weather has been wet and warm.

Lincoln University’s Professor Derrick Moot says warm, wet weather is conducive to the development of fungal infections in lucerne crops.

The plant responds to these infections by producing coumestrol, an oestrogenic compound which suppresses ovulation – particularly in young sheep.

While ewes can be flushed on lucerne, Moot says ewes should be removed 1–14 days before they go to the ram. They can be returned to

the crop immediately after they have been mated.

Moot says the weather conditions, which increase the risk of elevated coumestrol levels in lucerne, usually means there is plenty of grass available and this should be the first option as a feed over mating.

From a flock perspective, the

mixed-age ewes are less susceptible to increased coumestrol levels than ewe lambs.

Where there is limited pasture available, he suggests keeping the ewe hoggets on lucerne while the mixedage ewes are mated and then swapping them around – provided the ewe hoggets are off the lucerne 10–14 days

before they go to the ram.

Moot says there is no quick test available to analyse coumestrol levels, but ewe lambs can be used as the canary in the mine. If, after grazing lucerne, ewe lambs develop pronounced udders and/or teat elongation then coumestrol levels will be elevated.

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RURAL NEWS // APRIL 20, 2021

ANIMAL HEALTH 21

Warnings for wintering ewes on fodder beet NIGEL MALTHUS

SHEEP FARMERS adopting fodder beet for winter grazing are being warned that it could result in serious under-nutrition in multiple-bearing ewes.

A newly-published AgResearch study found that feeding twin-bearing ewes on fodder beet results in poorer body condition for both ewes and lambs and double the usual neonatal lamb mortality.

The researchers had expected some detrimental effects on the lambs, but say the effects on the ewes came as a surprise.

The study was done in 2017 by a team from AgResearch’s Grasslands Research Centre, Palmerston North, funded

by AgResearch’s Strategic Science Investment Fund and Beef + Lamb New Zealand. It compared two mobs, one fed fodder beet and another, ryegrass. Hay was freely

available to both groups to provide extra fibre.

In their published conclusions, the author’s note that fodder beet provides a cost-effective feed option in times of pasture shortages.

“However, the results of this study provide for the first time in the literature, the data to support the recommendation that fodder beet should be avoided as the main feed source for multiple-bearing ewes in mid-late pregnancy.”

AgResearch Senior Scientist Dr Sue McCoard told Rural News there was a lot of interest in fodder beet in ruminant systems, because it has a high dry matter yield, relatively low cost compared to other supplements.

She adds that it also gives flexibility – especially when grass supply may be limited in winter.

However, the research showed that fodder beetfed ewes displayed lower

growth rates, lower body weights and poorer body condition scores than the ryegrass-fed ewes.

A number of fodder beet ewes sacrificed and autopsied prior to lambing and showed lower fat and muscle, suggesting they were drawing off their reserves to meet the demands of pregnancy.

“When you put all of those measurements together, they’re basically saying that those ewes were subject to under nutrition compared to the ryegrass ewes.”

McCoard explained that fodder beet has a high dry matter yield, very high sugar content – “great for providing lots of energy” – but low protein and low fibre. She says a lack of what’s known as neutral detergent fibre (NDF) is believed to impact the ability to digest sugars.

“It could be that these ewes are having difficulty in utilising that energy

Pregnant ewes feeding on fodder beet during an AgResearch study comparing outcomes with a conventional ryegrass regime.

SUPPLIED/AgResearch

just because they are not getting enough fibre and that was despite the fact that we gave them free access to hay as a fibre source.”

McCord says the researchers had expected some protein deprivation in the lambs but, based on the nutritional content, they thought

there would be sufficient energy and protein for the ewes to maintain condition.

“But we actually saw a much bigger effect on the

ewes than we had anticipated and we didn’t plan on that at all, so it was quite surprising for us.” @rural_news facebook.com/ruralnews

THE CONVENIENCE OF TWO TREATMENTS IN ONE INJECTION

LAMB SURVIVAL KIT tive effects on production in both the twin-bearing ewes and their lambs when feeding this diet so we should be careful about how we’re feeding it.

“More importantly, what can we put alongside this crop to actually address the nutritional deficit in this diet, to be able to reduce those negative impacts?”

She says the number and bodyweight of lambs weaned per ewe is a primary determinant of profitability in commercial lamb production, and the biggest cost to a farmer is feed. Optimising the use of that feed resource is essential.

Over the last couple of decades there had been a really strong push to improve lambing percentage as a strategy to improve productivity but also to reduce environmental footprint.

“We know that survival and growth are two of the biggest levers that we can use to lower the emissions intensity on our farms.

“We’ve made really good efficiency gains. The sheep and beef sector is leading the way in that regard and optimising feed use and animal performance is just another way that we can help contribute to that. Optimising the feed to the animal requires knowledge like that generated in the study.”

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IN THE lambs, the most striking difference between the two groups was the lower survival rates – 29% mortality in the fodder beet lambs compared to 12% for the ryegrass group.

The fodder beet lambs had lower birth weights and lower growth rates, and twice as many had trouble thermoregulating, which is a function of brown fat deposits accumulated in utero.

While the study did not directly measure lactation, McCoard said the lamb performance deficits could have come from undernourishment in utero negatively impacting their capacity to grow, during suckling as a result of altered lactation performance of the ewes, or a combination of the two.

McCoard told Rural News the study was one in a suite of studies now underway evaluating the effect of early life nutrition on lifetime performance in ruminants. She says fodder beet still looks good on paper and could be a really good feeding option for other classes of livestock.

“I wouldn’t be using these numbers to say you will likely get this on your farm, because every farm will be different,” McCord adds. “Every environment will be different. But what it does point out is that we do seem to have some nega-

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RURAL NEWS // APRIL 20, 2021

22 ANIMAL HEALTH

Keeping FE at bay FACIAL ECZEMA (FE) is caused by spores of a fungus growing on the litter in the base of the sward.

These release a toxin which attacks the liver. It is a serious disease that affects sheep and cattle and can be fatal.

Your losses will be much greater than they

t Ve

appear. FE, when no symptoms are visible, can reduce lifetime productivity by up to 25%.

There are practical ways in which you can reduce your losses.

Farmer should use two or three methods together.

Breeding for increased tolerance to FE should be your first line of defence.

nightly to reduce liver damage. For large numbers, you can spray zinc on pasture.

Quit stock early, build up feed reserves, and aim for light rotational grazing. Most vet clinics have a spore counting service. If one is not available, get together with other farmers and organ-

Buying FE-tolerant rams will make a great difference in only a few years, but you have to be consistent in only bringing tolerant rams into your flock.

You can give all or part of your flock a zinc bolus, which lasts six weeks, or dose with zinc oxide weekly or fort-

Breeding for increased tolerance to FE should be the first line of defence.

ise a spore counting service (persuade your vet clinic to offer the service, hire someone to do the counts).

Spore counts will help you identify the safer parts of the farm (the shady, windy places).

Fungicide sprayed before the onset of FE season will reduce spore counts for five to six weeks.

Use these pastures for your replacement ewe lambs and hoggets.

Aim to be lightly stocked through the danger

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period.

Neighbouring farmers should get together to share knowledge and hear advisers. Don’t relax precautions too soon—a few cool nights or heavy rain doesn’t mean danger has passed.

Once spore counts rise, pastures remain toxic until the spores disappear. Faecal spore counting offers a method of determining how much challenge has occurred to the animals.

Ensure growth rates, production and reproduction performance are optimum.

Convenient supplementation - quick to use injection or slow release capsules.

Tested and proven in NZ conditions.

Only available from participating vet clinics.

Know the danger periods and at risk pastures » Be vigilant during danger periods—January to May in most years. » Identify danger to animals from spore counts—on farm or local. » Use historical records to identify most at risk paddocks.

Breeding animals for FE tolerance is a medium to long term strategy that: » Underpins other protective measures. » Can achieve significant tolerance in 5-10 years if managed well. » Requires consistent use of rams bred from tested and certified sires, from breeders using Ramguard.

Protecting animals with zinc: » Has a prophylactic effect in animals for FE protection. » Can be administered to sheep and cattle as a zinc oxide bolus or drench. » Is also effective if sprayed on pasture animals that are grazing. » Can be administered to cattle via the water supply.

Management during danger periods: » Use alternative crops such as chicory. » Practice lax grazing to avoid the toxic spores concentrated in the base of the sward. » Identify “safe” pasture from historical records and pasture spore counting Source: Beef+Lamb NZ’s ‘Facing up to facial eczema’ booklet

*See in store for terms and conditions. Bayer Copper Capsules, Coppermax™ and Flexidine™ are Restricted Veterinary Medicines (RVM).

Only available under veterinary authorisation. Face-Guard and Coppermax are trade marks of Elanco. Prolaject, Flexidine and Selovin are registered trade marks of Elanco. Bayer Copper Capsules, Coppermax™, Flexidine™, Face-Guard™, Prolaject™ and Selovin™ are registered under the ACVM Act 1997.

Pr ola jec t Fle xid ine

Ba y Ca er C ps op ule pe s r

Elanco and the diagonal bar logo are trade marks of Elanco or it’s affiliates. Elanco New Zealand, 106 Wiri Station Road, Manukau, Auckland 2104. www.elanco.com | 0800 446 121. © 2021 Elanco. 6293_83403.

Read us until the cows come home!

www.ruralnews.co.nz

RURAL NEWS // APRIL 20, 2021

ANIMAL HEALTH 23

Mats put cow comfort to the fore MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz

RUBBER MATTING for cow comfort is well established in the northern hemisphere, where dairy herds can be housed for up to 180 days during the winter.

The benefits of mats are currently gaining traction in New Zealand, not so much for housing, but in stand-off areas, feed pads, collecting yards and entry and exit points to the milking shed.

Hex Mats, marketed

by Taranaki-based ACR Agri, are a 24mm thick, natural rubber compound. They are supplied in 1.8m x 1.2m interlocking modules, featuring a hexagonal pattern on the upper surface with a studded lower surface.

This is said to increase the cushioning effect, while also allowing drain-

age of any moisture.

The product is claimed to offer several benefits. These include a cushioning effect, grip that gives animals confidence, reduces lameness and provides insulation – compared to barren concrete.

Ponderosa Farms sits to the south-west of the city fringes of Hamilton, and is run by Henry and Nicky Hendricks, whose family emigrated to New Zealand from Holland in 1980. Running to 69ha in total, with 63ha effective, the property carries 320 dairy cows, with 60 incalf heifers, 60 yearlings and seven working bulls on a nearby 25ha run-off block.

Working to a mantra of “cow time, not farmer time”, the Hendricks are familiar with the concept of rubber matting, and already using a 230-place

Farmer Henry Hendricks (right), with ACR Group’s Richard Morgan, says the mats are easy to keep clean with a tractor scraper.

cubicle barn to house a large portion of their herd. However, they still wanted to improve the comfort of the remaining 100 animals that spent time in the feeding barn/ stand-off area.

The 400 square metre area is used all-year round, as the farm is situated on the peat soils to

the south-west of the city.

The stand-off comes into its own in periods of wet weather and subsequent poor ground conditions, when animals can spend up to 20 hours each day in the barn Thinking ahead, the couple were also aware of likelihood of increasing animal welfare standards

being imposed by MPI and wanted to get ahead of the game. So, they cut a deal with ACR to supply the product, which they installed themselves using farm labour.

“Once we got onto it, we laid the original 400 square metres of product, with just two people over three days,” Henry Hen-

dricks told Rural News.

“Fitting the job in around our usual daily routine and, of course, the routine of the cows.”

He says it quickly became apparent that the cows appreciated the comfort delivered by the product over the concrete.

Hendricks also noted that cows that were close to calving – which typically waited until they were turned out to a paddock, before getting on with the job – were happy to calve down on the rubber matting, with mothers and calves quickly up onto to their feet.

Hendricks also notes that any cows that succumbed to post-calving milk fever, also appeared to appreciate the grip given by the rubber surface. They were able to get to their feet quickly,

Protect your farm and your family from Salmonella

Salmonella is widespread on New Zealand dairy farms and cases are increasing nationwide1.

Striking without warning and spreading quickly, Salmonella can pass from your stock to the ones you care about most.

Vaccinate today to reduce the destructive impact of an outbreak.

SALVEXIN®+B. NEW ZEALAND’S ONLY SALMONELLA VACCINE FOR SHEEP AND CATTLE AVAILABLE ONLY UNDER VETERINARY AUTHORISATION. ACVM No: A7886. Schering-Plough Animal Health Ltd. Ph: 0800 800 543. www.msd-animal-health.co.nz NZ-SAL-201200001 ©2020 Intervet International B.V. All Rights Reserved. 1. Surveillance. Vols 41-47, No. 3, September 2014-2020

unlike previously on the concrete, “when some cows needed to be moved out to a nearby paddock to gain enough confidence and grip to get back onto their feet.”

“Without a doubt, the installation, although a big investment, which should easily have a life span of 20 years, has been money well spent,” he adds. “The product was easy to install, delivers tangible benefits to the comfort of the animals and is easy to keep clean with a tractor scraper, as we don’t have an infinite supply of water for flushing.”

In fact, the Hendricks are so impressed by the matting that they have installed more product in other high traffic areas of the yard and on the approach to the milking shed. www.acragri.co.nz

RURAL NEWS // APRIL 20, 2021

24 MACHINERY & PRODUCTS

Save money and moisture!

MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz

WITH FARMERS and contractors looking to reduce crop establishment costs, the arrival of increasingly accurate GPS and a range of specialised implements, may make ‘recreational’ cultivation a thing of the past.

Experts suggest that excessive cultivation is damaging soil structure, often bringing poor subsoils up into the growing levels.

There is also the impact caused by loss of moisture and fine soils to the wind. Add to that the cost of our cultivator metal and high fuel costs, then new techniques are sure to be adopted in the coming years?

Strip Tilling is a technique that allows minimal soil disturbance, reducing

Tulloch Farm Machines offers the Strebel SAG 16 Strip Tillage System for establishing maize and fodder beet crops.

cultivation costs by only cultivating a narrow band of soil where the crop is going to be established.

It leaves the ground between rows unmoved and brings land back into

production much more quickly.

Masterton-based importer and distributor Tulloch Farm Machines offers the Strebel SAG 16 Strip Tillage System,

aimed at establishing maize and fodder beet crops throughout New Zealand.

The machine that takes the outward form of a rotary cultivator, but

underneath, the traditional rotor is replaced by a unit that carries a series of “milling units” that only cultivate a band of ground where the crop is to be established.

With an overall width of 3m, the machine can be configured to prepare four rows at 75cm or six rows at 50cm spacing.

Ahead of each of the rows is a subsoiler leg that can operate at depths of up to 25cm. This breaks up any plough pan, before passing soil to the rotor, which can operate to 15cm working depth for breaking down into a finer seedbed.

Rear of the milling heads, an infinitely adjustable packer system sees sectional units behind each of the four or six rotors. These reconsolidate the ground, leaving a level surface for subsequent operations.

The lateral extremities of the main rotor housing feature extended side panels to create a definitive edge for the worked strips.

Manufactured using Hardox steel for durability and an extended working life, power input is 1,000rpm. It has a cam-clutch overload protection set-up, with a 4-speed main gearbox and a gear-driven, lateral oil bath drive to the main rotor. Speed adjustment via the main gearbox allows operators to quickly adjust rotor speeds to ground conditions or required forward speed.

As an option, a Cat2/3 rear three-point linkage can be used to carry a precision planter. Or the installation of a frontmounted hopper can be specified to incorporate fertiliser into the prepared tillage strip ahead of the rotor. www.tulloch.co.nz @rural_news facebook.com/ruralnews

QUALITY YOU CAN RELY ON • Heavy duty braked • Deck heights 600mm & 725mm • 18mm single piece tread deck • 2x3 metre deck plus fold down head board • 22 tie down points

DT 20 FLAT DECK

AS SEEN AT RECENT FIELD DAYS

BALE FEEDERS • Feeds any size bale • Self loading • Feeds bailage, haw, straw

SHEEP CONVEYORS

“Designed by a Farmer for Farmers” New Mobile Feeder

• Low power draw • Variable speed • Ask about different trailer options

WOOD SPLITTERS • Built strong with double skinned main beam • 50mm back plate and dished wedge • 2-stage hydraulic pump coupled to a 9.5hp Kohler motor

PHONE 0800 4 AGBITS | 0800 4 242 487 WEBSITE www.agbits.co.nz

Ph Stuart 0274-387 528 or 06-370 1329 124 Lincoln Road, Masterton E: daytech@wise.net.nz W: www.daytech.co.nz LEADERS ON FARM MACHINERY DESIGN

RURAL NEWS // APRIL 20, 2021

MACHINERY & PRODUCTS 25

Kubota’s new autumn offerings MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz

KUBOTA, WHICH is gaining traction in the agricultural sector with an ever-broadening portfolio, has announced some additions for autumn.

The recently introduced M5-1 ROPS Series, available in standard or narrow configurations, should prove useful to those enterprises with height restrictions or a need to operate in enclosed spaces or on uneven surfaces.

It is powered by a 3.8 litre engine, offering 93 or 103hp, at an engine speed of 2,400rpm. The tractor has a synchronised, sixspeed transmission with three ranges and offering 36 speeds, which is said to offer a speed for any eventuality.

The operator station sees a flat floor layout, making access and dismounting easy. Meanwhile, the shorter stance of the tractor allows its driver to keep in close contact with colleagues who might be working close by, according to GM marketing for Australia and New Zealand, Mal-

colm Owens.

Another new addition to the Kubota range is the RTV 520 Utility vehicle. This machine draws on the tried and tested RTV 500, with a bold new look, increased suspension travel via a 5-link rear suspension package and an increase in engine capacity.

Featuring a hydrostatic transmission, the vehicle benefits from precise speed control and engine-braking while travelling on downhill inclines. Offering a choice of 2WD, 4WD and difflock, the new model uses a new water-cooled, twin cylinder engine. With output of 17.4hp, the new machine is as quiet as the previous model, with noise levels at the operator station kept to 83dBA. Elsewhere in the range is the R540 compact wheeled loader, which replaces the R065 mode.

The new model includes new features such as a redesigned cabin, multifunction joystick and increased load.

Its designers have paid special attention to operator comfort and machine stability and its 51hp

engine meets Tier 4 final emission regulations.

“Additional space and a simple design helps to deliver better overall visibility in both the cabin and canopy formats,”

Owens adds. “While the new pilot-controlled joystick and its integrated auxiliary valve switch helps create a smoother operational experience.” www.kubota.co.nz

THE LONGER WHEELBASE AND STABILITY OF CLAAS TRACTORS MAKE THE JOB EASY ” JAMES COCHRANE Wanaka

DRIVERS CAN DO LONG DAYS AND FEEL FRESH THE NEXT DAY ” GERALD MCKERCHAR Ashburton

KEEPING UP WITH DRIVER AWARDED A silver innovation medal at Agritechnica 2011, prior to its introduction in 2012, John Deere’s Machine Sync has enabled a combine harvester to take control and guide a tractor and trailer travelling alongside during grain tank unloading.

The same technology is now also available on self-propelled forage harvesters and tractors. Using the global navigation satellite system (GNNS) based synchronization, data can be exchanged on the move – allowing automatic control of direction and speed of tractors and trailers.

This innovation could also prove extra useful to the operator’s trailed vegetable harvesters. JD believes trailed potato, carrot and vegetable harvester operators will really benefit from the technology, especially during night-time operations and long working days.

Machine Sync is also said to help deliver significant assistance and productivity gains during planting. Machine Sync requires JDLink telematics, a StarFire satellite receiver and a Gen4 Premium display with automation activation. While retro-fitting of all these elements is possible, the company suggests most customers fit the required technology ex-factory when ordering new tractors or selfpropelled units. – Mark Daniel

Kubota’s new RTV 520 utility vehicle comes with a bold new look, increased suspension and an increase in engine capacity.

I COULDN’T IMAGINE FARMING WITHOUT MY CLAAS TRACTOR ” TIM GORTON Feilding

When discussing their CLAAS tractors, farmers across New Zealand all agreed that the features in their tractors increased production and reduced the time to get jobs done.

This ultimately led to ‘freeing up their time’ to get on with other important things.

To watch the full testimonials of CLAAS tractor owners and operators, or for more information about how a CLAAS tractor can make your life easier, visit our website. *CLAAS Harvest Centre warranty service terms and conditions apply. Full cover factory warranty with no excess valid for 3 years or 3,000 hours; whichever comes first. Offer valid until 30/06/2021.

For your local dealer go to: claasharvestcentre.com 0800 4 CLAAS

POWER, TECHNOLOGY AND COMFORT TO MAKE LIFE EASIER

Competitive finance available

*

RURAL NEWS // APRIL 20, 2021

26 MACHNERY & PRODUCTS / RURAL TRADER

Connected support helps keep contractor working MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz

WITH A diverse customer base scattered throughout North Canterbury, the reliability of the equipment used by farming contractor Rotherham Machinery Group (RMG) underpins the success of the business.

RMG services 20 farms in the region, which means manager, John Ranford, always needs the peace of mind that his machinery fleet is working to full capacity. This is what drew him to the John Deere Connected Support system.

“There are a lot of moving parts to this business, so it’s essential each of the elements are operating smoothly,” he explains.

Connected Support is a suite of digital tools linking farmers

John Ranford says the peace of mind that his machinery fleet is working to full capacity is what drew him to John Deere’s Connected Support system.

and contractors with their dealership, allowing technicians to monitor machinery performance and remotely provide

vital back-up support. In RMG’s case, Drummond and Etheridge, Rolleston, can deliver integrated support to RMG’s John

a-half away from our local dealer, it’s much more efficient for them to be able to see how the machine is running remotely and take action straight away,” Ranford says.

Based near Culverden, the season comes to a peak for RMG in spring

Deere 750A six-metre direct drill, a 6155M and three John Deere 7R 210s.

“Given we are based about an hour-and-

Call for delivery options

when there is the overlap between drilling for specialist seeds for winter crops, and silage and baling are in full swing.

Throughout the rest of the year, its services include fertilising, spraying, land clearing and development, mowing, mulching and ploughing.

JD’s Service ADVISOR Remote, allows technicians to analyse machine information instantly from any location, rather than a mechanic needing to visit a farm to diagnose a problem.

It also enables them to bring the correct parts or specialist tools if there is a need for a visit.

For Ranford, one of the best indicators that the business is performing well is when the yard is empty. He is also comforted by the knowledge that unexpected issues can be avoided with John Deere Expert Alerts.

This is a Connected Support tool that notifies dealers of any potential machine issues that can occur before it becomes symptomatic, maximising

uptime.

The dealer can also actively monitor machine Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) to determine the best resolution to keep his machines at optimal capacity. On one occasion, the RMG team received a call when they were discing on a steep slope, advising them to check the engine oil level in the tractor.

Ranford says John Deere AutoTrac has proven invaluable, by ensuring consistency, no matter who is behind the wheel, with the high precision assisted steering system meaning operators can focus more on the task at hand, and the implements in the ground.

The mobile app also means Ranford can stay informed of the whereabouts of his machine operators, alongside the locations of the machines.

The latter assists with regular maintenance tasks, with technicians able to see any machines nearby that require maintenance or upgrades.

Quadbar introduces the new

FLEXIBAR

735

$

+GST

BEST QUALITY | BEST Price | BEST ADVICE BEST QUALITY | BEST Price | BEST ADVICE

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WATER TANKS, PUMPS FILTRATION DEVAN CALPEDA • PURETEC • OASIS CLEARWATER DEVAN •• PROMAX PROMAX • •CALPEDA • PURETEC •& OASIS CLEARWATER

• The joint facilitates some sideways flexibility before locking and becoming more of a traditional crush protection device

DEVAN •TANKS, RX • CALPEDA • AQUA • OASIS CLEARWATER WATER PUMPS & FILTRATION

DEVAN • PROMAX • CALPEDA • •PURETEC • OASIS CLEARWATER P: 326 8888 www.thetankguy.co.nz P:0508 0508 326 8888 • www.thetankguy.co.nz A: A: 30 30 Turners RoadRoad – Feilding Turners – Feilding

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more water & BUFFALO BOOTS! 175% crack resistant

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ZIP STRIP quick lacing

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STEEL TOE X (with Scuff Guard)

STEEL TOE X (with Scuff Guard)

PLAIN TOE (without Scuff Guard) Colour = Dark Brown Buffalo Leather

STEEL TOE (without Scuff Guard)

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• The top section of the Flexibar can also be easily removed for transportation inside a vehicle.

For a Quadbar, call me, Stuart Davidson, owner of Quadbar NZ. Phone: 021-182 8115 Email: sales@quadbar.co.nz or for more info go to www.quadbar.co.nz

SLIP ON

LACE UP

• In the event of a rearwards flip there is negligible movement from the flexible joint

Recommended

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ACC subsidy available

FLEXISKIN MAX

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100% Waterproof

in stock ENDS 31now MAY

BIB OVERALLS

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valued at $160 M, L, XL, XXL sizes arrive June

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Fleece Collar Hood Visor Flexible

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LEGGINGS

S, M, L, XL, XXL sizes arrive June

sizes: BOOTS 5 - 13 (NZ)

RAINWEAR XS - 4XL

RURAL NEWS // APRIL 20, 2021

RURAL TRADER 27 FLY OR LICE PROBLEMS? The magic eye sheepjetter since 1989

Quality construction and options • Get the contractors choice

Citrus Cleaner Concentrate Moss Killer Super Strength Moss Killer Hard Surface Dairy Shed, Smokhouse, Butchery and Fishing Boat Cleaner

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07 573 8512 | dipping@electrodip.co.nz – www.electrodip.com

CRAIGCO SENSOR JET • Robust construction • Auto shut gate • Total 20 jets • Lambs only 5 jets • Side jets for lice • Adjustable V panels • Davey Twin Impellor Pump • 6.5 or 9.0hp motors

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Click on ‘enter promo code’ at checkout type ‘summer 2021’ and then lock ‘apply to redeem the discount.

Rubber Safety Matting

*Discount applies exclusively for lifestock block owners and the rural sector. Promo expires 30th of April 2021

• ATV Carrier Mats • Exit/Entry Areas • Calf Trailers • Horse Floats & Trucks • Weigh Platforms • Bale Mats • Comfort Mats for Wet & Dry Areas • Utility Deck Matting

Phone: 0800 80 8570

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NZ’s finest BioGro certified Mg fertiliser For a delivered price call...

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THE STANLEY LUNCH BOX durable, with huge capacity for a hearty lunch

Stock Whips The Stanley Flask has been keeping coffee hot around the clock since 1913

WE’RE KNOCKING THE GST OFF ALL OUR OUTBACK OIL SKINS AND STANLEY PRODUCTS ü Huge 9.5kW output. ü Made in Japan since 1991.

Grow vegetables all year round Very affordable and easy to install New Zealand designed and made 40 years producing tunnel houses Range of models sized from 2m - 10m t/f

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ONE STOP WATER SHOP 300mm x 6 metre .......................... $410 400mm x 6 metre .......................... $515 500mm x 6 metre .......................... $690 600mm x 6 metre .......................... $925 800mm x 6 metre ........................ $1399 1000mm x 6 metre ...................... $2175 1200mm x 6 metre ...................... $3475 ALL PRICES INCLUDE G.S.T.

0800 379 247 www.avonheating.co.nz

CULVERT PIPES

New Zealand’s CHEAPEST Culvert Pipes!

FREE joiners supplied on request.

• Lightweight, easy to install • Made from polyethylene

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Phone

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or

0800 625 826 for your nearest stockist

Joiners supplied FREE with culvert pipes

YAMAHA

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FIND YOUR LOCAL DEALER AT:

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*Promotion available between 1/03/21 to 30/04/21 on new Wolverine X2 units (YXE850PB) through participating authorised Yamaha dealers while stocks last. Each eligible unit sold will receive a $1,000 ex GST Yamaha accessories credit, on units warranty registered on or before 30/04/21. See your participating authorised Yamaha dealership for details. *FINANCE DISCLAIMER: Promotion available between 1/01/21 to 31/03/21 on new farm vehicles (AG125, AG200, TTR230/A, TW200, XT250, YFM350FA, YFM450FB, YFM450FB/P, YFM700FA, YFM700FB/P, YXC700P, YXE850PBL, YXE850PK, YXF850, YXM700, YXE1000PSEM, YXF1000PSEM), through participating authorised Yamaha dealers while stocks last. Offer available for specified models, and warranty registered on or before 31/03/21. Zero deposit; zero repayments for the first 12 months and 4.95% p.a. fixed interest rate on a 36 month loan term. Asset backed commercial applicants only with NZBN registered for minimum of 1 year. Maximum amount financed is $35,000 and applies to AG125, AG200, TTR230/A, TW200, XT250, YFM350FA, YFM450FB, YFM450FB/P, YFM700FA, YFM700FB/P, YXC700P, YXE850PBL, YXE850PK, YXF850, YXM700, YXE1000PSEM, YXF1000PSEM. Offer available from January 1, 2021 to March 31, 2021 with final settlement date of April 30, 2021. Credit criteria, fees, charges and conditions apply including an application fee of $325, $10 PPSR fee and a dealer administration fee. Finance to approved applicants by Yamaha Motor Finance New Zealand Ltd. (YMF) NZBN 9429036270798 FSP 9622. At participating Yamaha dealerships while stocks last. Information provided is general only and does not take into account your particular objectives, financial situation and needs.

AUTUMN / WINTER 2021

HARD WORK

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0800 333 734 CERVUSEQUIPMENT.CO.NZ Gisborne | Feilding | Hastings | Rotorua | Stratford | Te Puke Waipapa | Waipukurau | Whangarei

5 SERIES

BORN TO GET THE JOB DONE! The John Deere 5 Series Tractors range in horsepower from 55 to 125 and with 3 levels of specification, there is sure to be a tractor to take on your toughest jobs.

5E - Deliver high-quality

performance and dependability in a value-minded solution.

5M - Designed with additional

comfort, innovation and convenience in mind to take on the long days ahead.

5R - Combines the best features

and jam packs them into an advanced solution you’d normally find in a large row-crop tractor.

5075E CAB • 55 kW (75 hp) • PowerTech™ M 2.9L Engine • 12F/12R transmission with left-hand PowrReverser™ • 4-wheel-drive • 540 & 540E PTO

STARTING FROM:

*

$45,000 EXCL GST

NON-CAB OPTION AVAILABLE ASK FOR PRICING

5050E

5055E

5093E

5100M

• 37.3 kW (49.6 hp) • 2.9L PowerTech™ 3-Cyl Tier 3 engine • Standard 9F/3R Top Shaft Synchronised (TSS) Transmission • Category 2, 3-point hitch, 2,000 kg maximum lift capacity (at ball joint) • 540 Standard and 540 Economy Power Take Off (PTO)

• 41 kW (55 hp) • John Deere PowerTech™ M 2.9L engine • 12F/12R transmission with left-hand PowrReverser™ • Choice between 2-wheeldrive and 4-wheel-drive version • 540 & 540E PTO

• 69 kW (93 hp) John Deere engine with four-wheel drive • 12F/12R transmission, with left-hand PowrReverser™ • Comfortable, climate controlled cab • 540 RPM PTO with Economy mode

• 75 kW (100 hp) • John Deere Power Tech Diesel engine • Choose from 12F/4R, 16F/16R, and 32F/16R transmission options • Choose climate controlled cab, fixed open station

6 SERIES

VARIETY. FLEXIBILITY. PERFORMANCE. The John Deere 6 Series Tractors range from 90 to 250 hp, you won’t find a more versatile tractor jam packed with comfort, power and industry leading technology.

6E - These no-nonsense machines are built to take on just about any utility job you’ve got on the farm, roadside or worksite.

6M - An all-rounder that brings you 6R - State-of-the-art, integrated all the versatile capabilities you need plus quality, strength & reliability.

technologies, exceptional all-round visibility, user-friendly control interfaces and CommandARM™.

6140M CAB • 104 kW (140 hp) • PowerTech™ E 6.8L Diesel Engine • Choice of five transmission options • Triple Link Suspension (TLS) plus MFWD axle • Full Frame design, 2.765 mm wheelbase

STARTING FROM:

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*

6090M

6100M

6155M

6195M

• 66 kW (90 hp) rated power (ECE-R120) • 81 kW (110 hp) rated power (ECE-R120) with IPM • 4.5L engine with 4 cylinders • 5.7 t and 2,400 mm wheelbase

• 66 kW (90 hp) rated power (ECE-R120) • 81 kW (110 hp) rated power (ECE-R120) with IPM • 4.5L engine with 4 cylinders • 5.7 t and 2,400 mm wheelbase

• 116 kW (155 hp) • PowerTech™ E (Tier 2) / PowerTech PVS 6.8L (FT4) • Category 3N/3, 3-point hitch • MFWD with optional TLS™ Plus • OOS (FT4 only)/ CommandView™ Cab

• 143 kW (195 hp) • PowerTech™ E (Tier 2) / PowerTech PSS 6.8L (FT4) • Category 3N/3, 3-point hitch • MFWD with optional TLS™ Plus • CommandView™ Cab

7 SERIES

RUGGED, YET NIMBLE! 7R TRACTORS - With seven models ranging from 210 to 350 engine hp, a refined cab, plus integrated intelligence and high power-density, the redesigned 7R Tractors are the multi-functional and multi-talented large hp tractors with the performance and reliability you need to take your row-crop, livestock, or dairy operations forward.

7R 230 • 172 kW (230 hp) • Integrated intelligence with AutoTrac™, StarFire™ receiver and more • Choice of e23™ PowerShift or Infinitely Variable Transmission (IVT™) • Three cab and visibility packages available to customise your tractor • Industry-leading power transfer with Cat 4 HD drawbar for heavier implements

7R 250

7R 290

7R 310

• 187 kW (250 hp) • Integrated intelligence with AutoTrac™, StarFire™ receiver and more • Choice of e23™ PowerShift or Infinitely Variable Transmission (IVT™) • Three cab and visibility packages available to customise your tractor • Industry-leading power transfer with Cat 4 HD drawbar for heavier implements

• 216 kW (290 hp) • Integrated intelligence with AutoTrac™, StarFire™ receiver and more • Choice of e23™ PowerShift or Infinitely Variable Transmission (IVT™) • Three cab and visibility packages available to customise your tractor • Industry-leading power transfer with Cat 4 HD drawbar for heavier implements

• 231 kW (310 hp) • Integrated intelligence with AutoTrac™, StarFire™ receiver and more • Choice of e23™ PowerShift or Infinitely Variable Transmission (IVT™) • Three cab and visibility packages available to customise your tractor • Industry-leading power transfer with Cat 4 HD drawbar for heavier implements

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nd

s or with

8 SERIES

CHAMPIONS IN THE FIELD! 8R, 8RT & 8RX TRACTORS - The newly redesigned 8 Series Tractors are available in three configurations – wheels, two-tracks and the game-changing four-track 8RX Tractors. All with the most spacious, comfortable cab ever offered. The next leap forward in brains, brawn and beauty in a 230 to 410 hp tractor.

8R 310 • 231 kW (310 hp) • John Deere PowerTech™ 9.0L engine • Choice of 16-speed PowerShift with APS, e23™ PowerShift, or Infinitely Variable Transmission (IVT™) • Independent Link Suspension (ILS™) • Our most spacious, comfortable cab yet

8R 250

8RT 340

8RX 370

• 187 kW (250 hp) • John Deere PowerTech™ 9.0L engine • Choice of 16-speed PowerShift with APS, e23™ PowerShift, or Infinitely Variable Transmission (IVT™) • Independent Link Suspension (ILS™) • Our most spacious, comfortable cab yet

• 254 kW (340 hp) • Two-track tractor • John Deere PowerTech™ 9.0L engine • Choice of e23™ PowerShift, or Infinitely Variable Transmission (IVT™) • Our most spacious, comfortable cab yet

• 276 kW (370 hp) • Four-track tractor • John Deere PowerTech™ 9.0L engine • Choice of e23™ PowerShift or Infinitely Variable Transmission (IVT™) • Our most spacious, comfortable cab yet

DISTANCE IS NO LONG A BARRIER WITH JOHN DEERE CONNECTED SUPPORT! Service ADVISORTM Remote

Expert Alerts

Remote Display Access

Remotely analyse Diagnostic Trouble codes in real time so your dealer can send the right technician, with the right parts and tools, to get the job done quickly.

Predict certain potential failures before they occur, minimising downtime and maximising productivity.

Remote assistance with setup, performance optimisation or troubleshooting.

To learn more about the John Deere Connected Support tools visit: bit.ly/JDConnectedSupport

DUNCAN & GILTRAP IMPLEMENTS TO HELP YOU GET THE JOB DONE.

DUNCAN AG - Helping farmers produce some of the world’s highest yielding pasture for all stock grazing

applications – delivering improved milk output, greater returns from sheep and beef, and improved crop yields.

ECO SEEDER

RENOVATOR MK4

The smallest drill in the Renovator range packs in all the great features of it’s bigger brothers.

This is the perfect drill for a farmer who wants high quality reliability on a smaller budget.

The Renovator MK4 is the premium gravity box drill in the range. Featuring 125mm, 150mm or 175mm row spacings, the MK4 can be configured for a wide range of jobs.

STARTING FROM:

STARTING FROM:

*

$25,000 EXCL GST

$59,500 EXCL GST

*

GILTRAP - The feed range is comprised of Bale Feeders, Forage Wagons and Mulitplus Feeders. Together these will put your nutrition plan into action.

G2 BALE FEEDER

FORAGE WAGONS

Designed to feed out all types of round bales, the G2 Bale Feeder will also handle a few square bales when you need to, including silage and hay.

Ranging in size from 9 to 25 cubic capacity, with precise feed control, remote weighing and a robust design these wagons will handle all feed types.

PRICE:

*

$7,500 EXCL GST

STARTING FROM:

$41,500 EXCL GST

*

^Duncan and Giltrip equipment not available at our Bay of Plenty locations.

will

ons.

LEMKEN

HELPING YOUR SOIL BREATHE! LEMKEN - Soil cultivation implements for optimal preparation for sowing, sowing technology for establishing a sound foundation for high yields and crop protection implements for protecting crops effectively and gently.

SOLITAIR 9 DRILL & ZIRKON 8 POWER HARROW COMBOS Whether in conventional or conservation tillage: a drill combination from the Solitair range is always a good choice. These implements offer not only high precision and efficacy. Available in a wide range of models, these drills ensure optimal reconsolidation in any soil type!

LEMKEN’S versatile Solitair 9 pneumatic seed drill is available as a mounted rigid, folding or semi-mounted folding version in working widths of 3 to 6 metres. Combine this with the Zirkon 8 power harrow and you have a match made in heaven. The Zirkon 8 is designed for maximum continuous loads for both conventional and conservation tillage. The active tools of the Zirkon 8 produce an intensive mixing and crumbling effect to about 15 cm working depth and thus prepare an optimal seedbed in virtually all soil conditions.

POWER HARROW & DRILL COMBOS AVAILABLE: • Zirkon 8/300 & mounted Solitair 9/300-DS 125 - 3 meter • Zirkon 12/500 & mounted Solitair 9/500-DS 125 - 5 meter • Zirkon 12/600 & mounted Solitair 9/600-DS 125 - 6 meter

STARTING FROM:

$81,000 EXCL GST

*

MOUNTED EUROPAL 5 3+1 N 90 The mounted EurOpal ploughs with two to seven furrows stand out through their excellent stability and low weight. They are easy to tow and therefore extremely economical to use. The OptiQuick adjustment centre allows the front furrow width and traction point to be adjusted independently for optimal ploughing without lateral pull.

STARTING FROM:

$31,314 EXCL GST

*

NEW TO CERVUS EQUIPMENT

KRAMER TELEHANDLERS

MASSIVE INTRODUCTORY SPECIALS - LIMITED TIME ONLY

KT407

DEMO ONE TODAY!

4.0 tonne payload and its compact dimensions of 2.30 m width and 2.31 m height make the KT407 a true all-rounder on any agricultural operation. The many options allow this telehandler to adapt to the most diverse application areas in agriculture. Technically speaking, the KT407 convinces with a 136 hp-strong engine and its high hydraulic performance of 140 L/min.

CALL US FOR A QUOTE

KT457

Lift capacity of 4.5 tonne and a stacking height of 7 m. The high torque, agile ecospeed drive system offers enormous performance reserves and also masters difficult conditions without a problem. The small outside turning radius thanks to the all-wheel steering and the fast loading cycles increase efficiency on site, even when space is limited.

0800 333 734 CERVUSEQUIPMENT.CO.NZ *All prices listed are GST exclusive unless otherwise stated. Some products, options, attachments or accessories may not be available.

Images are for illustrative purposes only and may show features or attachments not included in the price. Implements and attachments are sold separately. Products, specifications and availability are subject to change without notice. The engine horsepower and torque information are provided by the engine manufacturer to be used for comparison purposes only. Actual operating horsepower and torque will be less. Refer to the engine manufacturer’s website for additional information. If not amended or withdrawn earlier, the promotion expires on 31st August 2021.