Dairy News 256 2011 by Rural News Group

Fonterra milk flows 15% higher than last season Page 4

october 11, 2011 Issue 256

www.dairynews.co.nz

lending a helping hand

fast and furious

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Page 28

Visting farm helpers

Broadband helps profit

Time to pay? “The public see that charging for water may have flow-on effects to fresh water use and quality” – Ken Hughey PAGEs 10-12

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Dairy News // October 11, 2011

news

Farmers on same TAF page – Spierings SUDESH KISSUN

Politicians unveil ag policies

Waikato’s first robotic farm

Feed pusher churns dollars

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News........................................................... 3-21 Opinion.....................................................22-24 Agribusiness............................................25-28 Management.......................................... 30-38 Animal Health.........................................40-46 Hay & Silage............................................. 47-51 Machinery & Products...........................52-58

NEW FONTERRA chief executive Theo Spierings says stability of the co-op is crucial. As the co-op grapples with a share trading plan for its 10,500 members, Spierings is backing TAF (trading among farmers).

shares among themselves instead of redeeming them from the co-op. But shareholders are concerned about the ownership of shares that would be held in a Fonterra shareholders fund. The dividend-earning component of those shares would be purchasable by investors. Fonterra

Fonterra’s new chief executive Theo Spierings addresses farmers in Invercargill last month.

“Nobody is debating why TAF is needed. But we need to work out how it works and that people feel comfortable with it.” Spierings attended four farmer shareholder meetings last month: Stratford, Te Awamutu, Ashburton and Invercargill. About 250 farmers attended each meeting. The meetings were among 50 held to update shareholders on TAF. Spierings believes all Fonterra farmers are on the same page on why TAF is needed. But questions remain among farmers on how it will work. “Nobody is debating why TAF is needed,” he told Dairy News. “But we need to work out how it works and that people feel comfortable with it.” The plan allows Fonterra farmers to trade

says TAF would protect capital washing out of the co-op. Spierings says it’s highly unusual for a coop to have unprotected capital. “You find it nowhere in the world. Normally equity of the co-op is protected. People come in and deliver milk and when they leave they take their milk, not the equity. That’s what I’m used to.” In his four meetings last month with farmer shareholders he found every shareholder understanding the need for equity control and stability. “Nobody wants instability in an already unstable world. Stability is what everyone wants.” No one approached

him about another vote on TAF, he says. While it is a matter for the board to decide, he points out no one is debating why TAF is needed. “Therefore speculation on a second vote is irrelevant.” Spierings says many farmers were happy with the co-op’s 2010-11 results. Fonterra announced a record payout, before retentions, of $8.25/ kgMS. After tax profit rose 13% to $771m on record $19.9b revenues. Spierings says farmers are proud of their

co-op. He was amazed at the depth of knowledge among shareholders. “I was amazed to see how well informed they are

on financial and economic issues. “And it was good to meet some in the co-op family face-to-face.”

On the road THEO SPIERINGS has been visiting Fonterra plants and offices around the country. This week he will be in Edendale, Invercargill and Clandeboye, Canterbury. His first overseas visit as Fonterra chief executive will be to the Australian brands businesses in the coming weeks, and later North America, Southeast Asia and China. Next year he will visit the Middle East and Sri Lanka.

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Dairy News // October 11, 2011

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Fonterra milk flows up by 13% SUDESH KISSUN

FONTERRA’S RECORD

milk flow this season is a good start but it’s early days, says new chief executive Theo Spierings. A volatile global economy and the weather may have the final say on whether 2011-12 is another record year for the co-op. Spierings, who took up his post last month, says it’s hard to predict how the dairy market will play out. Whether the higher milk flow translates into financial rewards remains to be seen, he told Dairy News. Fonterra collected a record 1.34 billion kgMS of raw milk last season, 5% higher than the prior season. Now daily milk collection is up at least 13% on last year. A good autumn and a reasonable winter country-wide is boosting milk yield. However Spierings cautions we are only four months into the season.”If the weather turns different, that could affect milk production.” Then, there is the worsening global financial situation. Dairy prices look stable; Fonterra’s GobalDairyTrade (GDT) price index fell 1.6% last week. “Whereas other

financial and commodity markets are highly volatile, the milk market has not been affected. That’s good news but we never know how it will develop,” he says. Spierings is predicting more volatility. “What’s happening on the EU and US markets is scary. The markets are always the first indication of emotion and volatility and it’s the best forecast of what’s going to come”. But the co-op should not “moan about things which we can’t control,” he says. Its task is to make the right portfolio choices and optimise plants as more milk arrives from farms. Spierings points to Fonterra’s strong position in the global dairy market, helpful in buffering the co-op against volatility. “We must maintain our strength; we might need it if there is more volatility. Our width of products puts us in a strong position.” Fonterra managing director trade and operations Gary Romano says it is too early in the season to make changes to total milk forecasts, but a wave of milk is coming earlier than forecasted. “The extra milk vol-

umes are putting pressure on the milk collection, manufacturing and the supply chain, but weather during the remainder of the season could see this change again. “We know some of our farmers are experiencing disruptions and we are doing everything we can to minimise the impact on their operations and have a number of contingencies in place to manage the milk flow.”

Fonterra chief executive Theo Spierings (centre) with co-op director John Wilson (right) at shareholder Garry Reymer’s farm in Cambridge.

Farmers manage season well PETER BURKE

DAIRYNZ’S CHRIS Murphy says dairy farmers are coping much better with the unpredictable climatic conditions than they have in the past. He told Dairy News that despite the conditions this year, farmers had still maintained or improved cow condition. “The fact that they’ve been using supplements strategically to fill those feed deficits is an example of this. This and other factors are all contributing to the record production that we are seeing on a lot of farms.” Murphy says the feedback he’s getting is a lot of farmers are still feeding supplements and needed to do so

through September while things growth was pretty variable. ‘bounced around’. He says there “Pasture quality is up comis some reluctance by them to ing into October and in fact we stop feeding supplements al- are seeing some phenomenal together until they energy levels in are convinced that pasture, particularly the pasture growth in Waikato, so that’s rates are fixed and having a substantial heading in the right impact on producdirection. tion,” he says. September was Murphy backs quite a challenging Fonterra’s view that month for some remilk production is gions particularly Chris Murphy much higher than those in the North last year. “There are Island that got snow says Mur- multiple factors contributing to phy. “Places like Taranaki that that. One is the pasture quality, were not used to these climatic and whilst growth rates have conditions. It was also reason- fluctuated, this recent rains and ably dry so that was a blessing the much warmer conditions in one way in that it made for means that we will be seeing good pasture utilisation, but growth rates of 60 plus in many equally it meant that pasture regions. I think the average pas-

ture cover is certainly higher than the previous season.” He also notes that cow condition is generally better than last year by virtue of that kinder autumn. But while the news on farm is good, Murphy says dairy farmers are having to cope with criticism about their operations off-farm. Ongoing negative reports in the mainstream media about the environmental damage that dairy farming is doing is causing concern to farmers. Meanwhile DNZ is working hard with regional councils and the broader community, especially in those regions where there problems, to resolve issues. But he concedes that if people throw enough mud, some of it will stick.

Dairy News // October 11, 2011

news

Co-op keeps TAF cards close to the chest ANDREW SWALLOW

AFTER 49 SHAREHOLDER meetings, and at least two smaller meetings with those raising questions about TAF (trading among farmers), Fonterra still cannot say whether it will reconsider the proposal that legal title transfers to a custodian. That transfer of legal title is at the heart of concerns raised initially by a group of Canterbury shareholders, but now being echoed nationwide. The Canterbury group has had legal advice that such a move could open the cooperative up to outside investor influence which in the longrun could erode suppliers’ interests. Asked whether, in light of the feedback from last week’s meetings, the board would now reconsider the shift in share title to a custodian, a spokesman said the board and man-

agement wanted another face-to-face meeting with the Canterbury group. “The board and management’s first priority is to talk with the people involved so we can get a clear understanding of their concerns,” Dairy News was told. Similarly, it was too early to say whether a second shareholder-wide vote would be considered. A petition from the Canterbury region calling for that was received last week at Fonterra’s head office. Campaign instigator Eddie Glass, Methven, says he’s still not convinced why the transfer of title to the custodian is necessary, or that it will keep the cooperative secure from outside control. In light of unsatisfactory answers to date on those points, he feels the second vote is needed as a safeguard. Another question he says hasn’t been answered is what TAF is go-

ing to cost to administer, and who is going to foot that bill. “Presumably it will be Fonterra,” he told Dairy News. “I’d like to know what they’ve spent on this so far and what’s the ongoing expense going to be in terms of the amount budgeted for.” Fonterra confirmed it will bear the costs of administering TAF but it is too early to say what they will be. Glass says besides the local petition calling for a second vote, he knows of similar documents circulating in Southland and Taranaki, and he’s been contacted by a supplier in Edgecombe, Bay of Plenty, keen to collate support there. “And we’re getting phonecalls about this all the time. I had one today from Taranaki and last night one from near Tauranga.” In Taranaki, former Federated Farmers dairy representative and

‘Share value under threat’ ANDREW SWALLOW

AS FONTERRA shareholders’ questions about TAF intensify, Murray Beach, Marlborough, has his own take on what the end game will be. He believes it will pull the share value down, and in so doing, reduce the redemption risk. “The only way to keep people from leaving is to slash the share price to $1.50 or $2. That’s the cold hard fact of it,” he told Dairy News.

“I told them [the board] back in 2002 to keep the share price low and give the young fellas a chance to get onto farms, rather than keep pushing it higher.” He has farms at Havelock and Rye Valley supplying Fonterra, of which he became a shareholder via Marlborough Cheese and Kiwi Dairies. He voted against TAF. Few shareholders realised the free hand they were dealing directors with that vote, he believes. With a third farm in Westland,

supplying the Hokitika-based cooperative, he says its fixed $1.50 share structure “is a much better system.” “My view is we should wipe trading among farmers, and keep all the ownership and rights. That way we can milk the cows and sleep easy.” A spokesman for Fonterra told Dairy News the suggestion TAF is designed to bring the share price down is ridiculous as the directors of any company have to act in the best interests of the company and Fonterra’s directors do exactly that.

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Fonterra shareholders at a meeting in Invercargill last week.

Cooperatives Association member Caroline Gilbert has put her hand up to co-ordinate a second vote petition, but she told Dairy News suppliers are reluctant to sign at this stage. “The general feeling is one of concern about what is going on and people want clarification. They are prepared to put their names to it if need be but at this stage it’s a case of ‘wait and see’. Management did say [at the recent shareholder meetings] they would look at it and come back to us.” Calling a second vote wouldn’t be a good look for the cooperative, it’s felt, so it’s the back-up plan if concerns aren’t allayed, she says. “To my mind one of the stumbling blocks is the feeling we are being railroaded into what’s best for Fonterra the company, as opposed to what’s best for Fonterra the cooperative, and the cooperative’s members.” In Northland, Murray Walden says judging by the questions at the Kaitaia shareholder meeting, there’s definitely concern among shareholders about the change to TAF that the share title transfer represents. He says he voted against the original version of TAF, not because he was against it, but because of the lack of detail that was provided at the time. He was not happy to accept that without there being an opportunity for a second vote, consequently he’s

supportive of calls for one. Walden, a third-generation dairy farmer who would like to see his grandchildren be the fifth generation farming, says Fonterra has been built on inter-generational dividends and returns. If TAF isn’t right “it could all slip through our fingers in a courtroom in a few years,” he warns. “At the moment it all comes down to the Shareholders Council and I made my concerns well known to our council member at the meeting.” Golden Bay supplier Sue Brown echoes the concern about lack of detail and unforeseen circumstances. “There are things that we didn’t expect to happen with DIRA that are now happening and we’re not happy about.” It’s important there is “respectful, internal debate,” on the way forward with TAF, she says. “That’s part of being a cooperative. It’s not a themand-us situation. It’s making sure we’ve got this right.” Geoff Heaps, Edendale, attended three shareholder meetings to gauge the feeling in the far South. Gore and Balclutha were “small meetings where you could ask questions and there was good debate” but Invercargill was a much bigger gathering, and new chief executive Theo Spierings was the focus. “It wasn’t the place to answer any of the hard questions.”

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Dairy News // October 11, 2011

news

Good farm stories not mothballed, say Greens

The Green’s Good Farm Stories website has not been updated in well over a year.

ANDREW SWALLOW

GREEN PARTY agriculture spokesman Kevin Hague says the Good Farm Stories initiative launched by Jeanette Fitzsimmons in 2009 is alive, though it hasn’t been updated in well over a year. “The site hasn’t been mothballed,” he told Dairy News. “It is still seen as important and will be added to as time permits.” Hague says the party continues to direct people to the website which features 19 farm profiles from across the country. “We certainly do want to add more stories but the reality is that we don’t have the resources to work on everything all the time.” A project planned for this year exploring resilience in rural communities, and sharing the success stories which would have included collecting new good farm stories at the same time, has had to be shelved until 2012. “It didn’t happen in 2011 because the person who was organising the

project left and couldn’t be replaced in time. So there definitely are more additions [to Good Farm Stories] planned.” Hague says he does highlight good farm practice where possible, though with many portfolios to manage he “can’t be as active on farming” as he would be with only one or two portfolios on his plate. “An essential part of our stance on farming is to emphasise that many farmers are doing good, even great things. We believe it’s unfortunate that these ‘good farmers’ are tarnished by the poor performance of others, so drawing attention to good practice is important. “The bottom line, however, is that, overall, indicators like freshwater quality continue to show deterioration, so criticism of the environmental performance of the industry as a whole is legitimate.” Hague says www. goodfarmstories.org.nz is easy enough to find using the search function on the Green Party website, but accepts a link to the site from the party site front page would help.

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Ten vye for board seats TEN CANDIDATES have been confirmed for three Fonterra board seats up for election. Sitting directors Jim van der Poel and John Monaghan are seeking reelection. Northland farmer Greg Gent is retiring. The candidates include Maurice Hardie, who unsuccessfully contested a seat last year. Others are Grant Cochrane, David Macleod, Trevor Hamilton, Jan Marten Kingma, Lachie Cameron, Ken Hames and Gray Baldwin. All candidates have been interviewed by an assessment panel headed by independent chairman, John Loughlin. He was joined by two members appointed by the Fonterra board: John Wilson and Bill Falconer, and two appointed by the Shareholders Council: Simon Couper and independent Elizabeth Hickey. The panel interviewed candidates last month. Its assessment and profiles of the candidates will be sent to Fonterra shareholders with the voting papers on October 20. Fonterra shareholders also have the opportunity to meet director candidates and ask questions at meetings scheduled for October 31 to November 4.

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Dairy News // October 11, 2011

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Talking politics: from left, Damien O’Connor (Labour), Kevin Hague (Greens), Don Nicolson (Act) and Agriculture Minister David Carter (National).

Politicians unveil ag policies PETER BURKE

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a politician more than being invited to speak; nothing bores the ‘man in the street’ more than having to listen. The political parties’ agriculture spokesmen last week took their turns on the rostrum, invited by the Institute of Agricultural and Horticultural Science. The seminar heard Minister of Agriculture David Carter, Labour’s Damien O’Connor, the Greens’ Kevin Hague and ACT’s Don Nicholson take set questions and it was open forum. Agricultural policy: don’t expect too many surprises. The Nats will essentially give you more of the same, Labour signals an early start to

the ETS, the Greens are against further intensive agriculture and Act looks like regurgitating Fed Farmers ‘old’ policies. O’Connor says New Zealand has two main competitive advantages: sunshine and rain. But to exploit these natural advantage agriculture attract the best people into every level. “If we continue to see people leaving this country with a great education and talents then we will not realise the potential we have to take the industry forward.” Urgently sort water policy so there is certainty of supply and efficient utilisation, he says. Hague says that while increasing exports is important to the economy, the present direction is wrong.

“What we are trying to do is to export large quantities of raw product and compete largely on price. A successful strategy would be to look for niche markets for products such as organics.” The present strategy focused on intensive farming practices has real physical limits; it will cause massive environmental degradation. Nicolson believes New Zealand has to develop a ‘can-do culture’. “The farming sector has to flourish on science innovation but not innovation that’s based on pseudo science.” He wants proper economic and environmental education. Nicolson called for freedom for farmers to farm and voiced concern that farmers’ individuality is being stolen by bu-

reaucratic regulation. He wants local government and the RMA reformed. Carter sees science as the key to a successful economy and says New Zealand is not training enough young people into science. “That starts right back in our compulsory education system. There needs to be a far better focus there on kids learning about science. From what I see now I’m not sure many will take up a career in science.” Food security is the world’s biggest challenge, Carter says. New Zealand has positioned itself well, recogised as a producer of high quality food. Priorities include more emphasis on environmental science and sustainability. And biosecurity is critical.

Scientists, farmers need to talk A COMPLETE disconnect exists between farmers and scientists, says the president of the Institute of Agricultural and Horticultural Science (NZIAHS). Associate professor Jon Hickford of Lincoln University last week told Dairy News at an institute seminar in Wellington of the urgent need for a relationship to be re-established. The whole agricultural industry has been turned into a combative exercise, he says. “Normality will come back on the land when we get the scientist, the farmer, the farmer politician together all talking the same issues in the same room. You can’t drive that from Wellington. But you have to create an environment in which

the farmer and the scientist especially can sit down and talk regularly and have an open discussion about what’s important and what’s not.” Hickford also calls for removal from scientists of the pressure of a profit imperative so they can give neutral information, and for farmers to start trusting scientists and realise they are working for the public good – not just for the benefit of their research institute. Hickford likes the Irish model (Teagasc) whereby research and farmer advisory services are part of the same organisation. But that model risks developing a large bureaucracy. Negative comments about farm-

ing are turning off young people from going into agricultural science, Hickford says. Yet it offers great career opportunities. Scientists’ low salaries are another problem. “Many scientists now look at industry and say ‘I should be out there too’. Science career structures are indefinite, science salaries are low relative to other professions and frankly you can’t sell that to kids.” Lack of funding for science is another well known problem. An urgent need exists to invest strategically in new areas such as environmental and animal welfare if New Zealand is to retain its competitive advantage.

Dairy News // October 11, 2011

news

Algae turns greedy for phosphorus from effluent

PETER BURKE

MASSEY SCIENTISTS

have been granted $745,000 over three years to develop technology of potentially huge benefit to dairying – the removal and recycling of phosphorous from effluent. Professor Andy Shilton, School of Engineering and Advanced Technology, and his team have the grant from the Marsden Fund managed by the Royal Society. The fund is designed to allow researchers to do ‘blue sky’, innovative, long term science in particular areas. Phosphorus is of critical strategic importance to New Zealand agriculture and to farming systems around the world, Shilton says. “It’s a fundamental element and there is no substitute as there is for, say, fossil fuels. To see its strategic importance just consider how hard it is to get a free trade agreement with the US, but Morocco has one. It also has the largest world reserves of phosphate.” Conversely, says Shilton, a lot of money is spent trying work out how to get phosphorous out of our effluent discharges to waterways. “A common way of removing it is to use

chemicals and ‘lock’ the phosphate up. But chemicals are increasingly expensive and the phosphate captured is hard to recycle. Alternatively, billions of dollars are being invested into building processes that use bacteria to suck up phosphate.” But Shilton and his team, Dr Nicola Powell from Massey and Dr April Gu, based in the US, believe there is another way. “We have found that algae in the simple waste treatment ponds used extensively throughout rural New Zealand can also suck up large quantities of phosphorus from waste water and store it. One of the great things here is that the phosphorus stored inside the algal cells is quite stable which makes it easier to recycle than the bacterial alternative.” Internationally, achieving phosphorus removal and recycling from effluent is a huge challenge with many universities worldwide competing to refine the bacterial based technology. Much work remains to be done before a new process can be rolled out in full scale application. “For this novel algalbased alternative we have the international lead and this Marsden grant gives

us the chance to lay the engineering foundation of a new environmental biotechnology developed

in New Zealand. “Don’t worry about oil: there are substitutes; that’s the least of our

concerns. The big issue is how much food is available. To make that food our farms need phos-

phate, and for phosphate there is no substitute once we have let it all be flushed out to sea.”

Andy Shilton

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New DNZ field staff head DAIRYNZ HAS appointed Craig McBeth to head its team of regional field consulting officers and events management staff, effective October 17. He replaces Chris Murphy – from Victoria – who is taking up a senior team role in Dairy Australia, based in Melbourne, responsible for investment in farm productivity. McBeth has worked 20 years in rural banking, primarily with ASB, where for three years he was general manager. McBeth, BAgrSc, Massey University, started in 1986 at the Rural Bank, Te Kuiti. He sees DairyNZ as “critical to the success of the dairy sector, with great people committed to securing and enhancing the profitability, sustainability, and competitiveness of dairying.” Clearly the industry faces many challenges, he says. Murphy was complimented on his work at DairyNZ. General manager development and extension David McCall says they have “been lucky to have him”.

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Dairy News // October 11, 2011

news A survey by Lincoln University finds support for a levy on water used for irrigation.

‘Pay for irrigated water’ PETER BURKE

AT LEAST half respondents to a survey on the environment say commercial users, including farmers, should pay for water for irrigation. The survey by Lincoln

University’s faculty of environment, society and design shows a majority believe that, because water has commercial value, those using it should pay. The survey of 2000 people randomly chosen is done every two years.

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The survey shows farming as the main perceived cause of all damage to freshwater, but Hughey says he doesn’t believe the survey singles out farmers. He says it’s just unfortunate there is a focus by the public on the importance of fresh water. “In terms of fresh water, it’s not farmers who are causing damage to fresh water streams and lakes because we know that the state of urban rivers and streams isn’t good either and our survey picks up that as well. But again it’s probably not too surprising people are seeing farmers as the major cause of the damage to fresh water because there are far more lowland streams on farmland than there are in the urban environment.” Hughey says one thing that comes out in the survey is there is no urban/ rural divide on the issues

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the resource is improving and we’re not seeing that. “Sooner or later people will expect to see the state of fresh water improving and they are not seeing that with lowland streams. That sort of concern should be a little alarming to farmers,” he says. Hughey says whether you like it or not, the ‘dirty dairying’ campaign has been one of the most successful public awareness campaigns run in New Zealand for the last 10 years. He says the mainstream media have also been focusing on fresh water quality. “People in New Zealand see fresh water is an incredibly important part of what they think about the wellbeing of the country. They swim and fish in our lakes and they value those resources highly so it’s not at all surprising that it’s remained in focus,” he says.

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and irrespective of where people come from their views are the same. “One of things we’ve recorded in the survey time and time again is that people think the management of New Zealand natural resources is improving in all six surveys we’ve run. But if management is improving over time one would expect to see the state of

“Sooner or later people will expect to see the state of fresh water improving and they are not seeing that with lowland streams. That sort of concern should be a little alarming to farmers.”

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Professor Ken Hughey, responsible for the survey, says the public see the abstracted use of water as having a value. “They see that by putting a charge on the water it will hopefully change people’s behaviour with respect to its use, and this may have flow-on effects to other matters relating to fresh water use and quality.”

25/08/11 3:15 PM

THE PUBLIC wants action by farmers says Ken Hughey. With farming becoming more profitable again people want to see farmers fence off streams and have good riparian management. They want to see not just good nutrient budgets, but the nutrient budget managed and put into place. “The only way they are going to see that is either through audited self management or through environmental monitoring by regional councils and maybe by farmers. “They want to see a demonstrable change in the outcomes. “I don’t think people will be satisfied with the ‘trust me we know what we are doing’ approach. They want to see the results and they want to see it demonstrated through measurable indicators.”

Dairy News // October 11, 2011

news

Refining farming with science PETER BURKE

FEDERATED FARMERS

vice president William Rolleston says there needs to be a better scientific understanding of water and nutrient flows in catchments so that farmers and regulators can be better informed in their decision making. Speaking at a seminar organised by the Institute of Agricultural and Horticultural Science, Rolleston also focused on the value of water, saying it was both an opportunity and to some degree an ‘Achilles heel.’ Farmers see water storage as an enabler to improve production whereas many environmentalists see it as a means to further intensification of farming, he says. “Despite being our most precious asset water is only now being realised as a vital asset. Today 95% of irrigation takes place on the central

Canterbury Plains and while central pivots are vastly more efficient than flood irrigation that was once used, the pivots are much more visible. “But to put irrigation into perspective, the combined water intake from all rivers in New Zealand is only marginally larger than the amount of water used for one hydro scheme.” Rolleston says science is needed to deliver the commercial means of optimising the efficient use of this resource and by helping everyone to deal positively with the outcomes of its use. Federated Farmers has three science priorities, Rolleston says: “Increasing productivity, increasing the value for products – not just existing products, but also new ones – and reducing our environmental footprint.”

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It’s important to have a science system that allows excellence to flourish. And though it’s dangerous to try and predict the winners there is a need to identify gaps in our knowledge. Clearly water and nutrient man-

agement are two areas, he says. “We don’t want to look at trying to pick what will the next new game in town. But if there is an issue we must address it from a scientific point of view

to either mitigate it or show it is not the problem people think it is.” Farmers are innovative people good at taking up science, Rolleston says. There business is complex – managing multiple inputs and live-

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Dairy News // October 11, 2011

news

‘Don’t blame only dairy for water woes’ A CALL for a standardised method of reporting freshwater quality is being welcomed by DairyNZ. It stems from an audit of four regional councils’ management of freshwater quality released last month by the auditor-general. DairyNZ chief executive Tim Mackle says the dairy industry is acutely aware of its contribution to water quality issues and recognises the need to work closely with central and local government to address the issues. But standard measures for reporting water quality must start with a clear definition of the values our water quality is being managed for, he says.

“We often see technical reports covering a range of physical and chemical indicators, including those presented in the auditor-general’s report. Some indicators may be going up, others down and some are unchanged.” A picture of overall water quality often then comes down to individual interpretation, he says. “For example, if nitrates are increasing and phosphates are decreasing does this mean water quality is improving or deteriorating? The fact is we don’t know unless we link the water quality indicators back to the actual values the community wants protected. If

a waterway is valued for swimming, then we can monitor the appropriate indicators rather than just a grab-bag of potentially meaningless chemistry tests.” This matters because water quality monitoring is hugely expensive for ratepayers, but poor policy making based on inappropriate interpretation of water quality monitoring results is potentially much more damaging. “Failing to measure the right indicators may allow irreversible damage to the environment, but misinterpreting indicators may also drive policy changes that severely restrict regional

economic growth without solving the environmental problem.” Mackle says DairyNZ encourages “understanding what the community wants – what it wants protected or enhanced. [Then we would] support the development of effective and efficient policies that would enable that to happen.” The auditor-general’s report focuses strongly on dairy and managing freshwater challenges for regional councils, he says. “Dealing with dairy is a useful example for reviewing regional council performance, but we all contribute to the loss of waterway values. Intensive and extensive

Fresh water quality management is not only dairy’s responsibility.

farming, forestry, fishing, hydro dams, towns and cities all contribute to the loss of the things we value in our waterways. “If we focus only on dairying, when the issue’s much wider than that, we’re not going to get the outcomes the community wants or needs. You could have dairy farmers improving their performance – and that’s something we’re serious about achieving – but if

you’ve got a city council breaching effluent discharge rules, that’s not something the dairy industry can do anything about.” Collaboration between dairy industry and councils is increasing and already starting to bring environmental benefits (e.g. a collaborative approach to effluent noncompliance in Canterbury has seen significant non-compliance fall from

19% in 2008-09 to 8% in 2009-10). “DairyNZ, and its industry partners, are working closely with the regional councils to help improve freshwater quality. The challenges the councils face in managing this are immense, and we will continue to work with them to achieve the best possible outcomes for dairy farmers and the community as a whole,” says Mackle.

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“I am concerned the OAG didn’t look at central government policies, didn’t look at Canterbury, didn’t look at point source issues, but above all, didn’t look at regional council monitoring of urban water quality or stormwater.” That’s a lot of didn’t, given the auditor-general report’s title. “Given we have the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Ministry for the Environment (MfE), I think farmers will be confused as to why the OAG has waded into water.” But Horizons chief executive Michael McCartney is pleased with the findings and accepting of the recommendations Waikato Regional Council chairman Peter Buckley says the auditor-general’s comments on Waikato water quality highlight the issues the council has been working to address.

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Dairy News // October 11, 2011

news

World school milk day missed ANDREW SWALLOW

AN INTERNATIONAL

day celebrated in 30 countries to promote milk consumption in schools isn’t on the agenda of New Zealand’s dairy industry, or the relevant ministries, it seems. September 28 was the 12th World School Milk Day, a United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation scheme launched in 2000 and

regularly recognised in countries such as the UK, Australia, and Canada. The day is used to promote the nutritional importance of drinking milk to children in a fun and educational way. But the benefits for the individual, and by default the dairy industry, go way beyond childhood, as the FAO observes in a background paper on the initiative. “Children represent an important market, not only because they drink

UK milk dance FOR WORLD School Milk Day last year the UK

Dairy Council commissioned a “milk shake” dance by break-dance star Akai Osei, which featured on a dedicated web-site. Prizes were available for schools uploading their own dances and the site received 3000 visits with entries from all over the UK. Educational resources and downloads were also available. This year MPs stood in as milk monitors serving milk to kids across the country. A survey conducted in recognition of the day found 75% of 1000 youngsters aged 6-10, and 15-18, consider drinking milk to be cool.

India farm plan still on – Fonterra FONTERRA IS still looking at the feasibility of largescale dairy farming in India despite authorities rejecting a joint venture partner’s proposal. It says fertiliser co-op Iffco is still in discussions with regulators. “Fonterra, Iffco and Global Dairy Health are still working on the feasibility of large-scale dairy farming in India,” the co-op told Dairy News. However, Iffco’s proposal to set up an integrated dairy project in its Kisan special economic zone in Nellore District, Andhra Pradesh, has been rejected by authorities. According to Press Trust of India, Iffco will be knocking on the doors of the Ministry of Commerce to reconsider the decision. Question sent to Iffco were not answered when this edition went to press. The news agency says the decision could hamper the $267 million project Iffco’s Kisan SEZ entails an investment of about $1.3billion and will be spread over 1000ha. The SEZ will undertake activities related to producing agricultural and milk products. According to PTI, authorities rejected the proposal as it “was not in conformity with the SEZ Act and Rules”. An unnamed official quoted in PTI says Iffco had conveyed to authorities that it may not avail of SEZ benefits until the project reaches milk volume of 500,000L/day. Iffco has already sought government permission to import 3000 cows from New Zealand in the first phase. With the import of cows, the milk yield is projected to be around 100,000L/day, which is insufficient to set up milk plant. Iffco wants to sell milk and other products like butter and cheese under the Iffco brand. The company plans to sell its dairy products in domestic and foreign markets.

more milk per head than adults, but also because dietary habits established in childhood persist into adult life. Thus, children who drink milk and consume dairy products regularly will continue to do so as adults.” The paper says milk “is an out-right winner

when its nutritional role in children’s diets is compared to carbonated drinks” and points out it is seen “in a positive light by both policy makers and parents.” Government funded school milk was phased out in New Zealand in the 1970s, says the FAO.

The Ministry of Education told Dairy News any such programme now would have to be at the discretion of individual school’s management. The Ministry of Health has a Fruit in Schools programme funding fresh fruit for 120 primary schools in

high needs areas, but no parallel scheme for milk. Dairy NZ says promotion of milk is not in its mandate. Fonterra does supply milk to some schools twice a week through its Kick Start breakfast programme, but that appears to be it.

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Chico chicory lifting milk production and lamb growth rates The use of Chico chicory as a summer crop is no longer an alternative to traditional options, but rather the first choice for many farmers. Chico chicory is a high yielding, high quality leafy chicory, with strong summer and autumn growth making it ideal as a specialist, high quality multi-graze summer crop for high livestock performance systems. Chico is an extremely valuable summersafe grazing crop. It shows fast establishment, rapid re-growth, strong insect resistance and good drought tolerance. Its one metre long tap root enables Chico to keep growing through dry periods to provide high quality feed when grass and other forage crops struggle. Chicory contains high levels of metabolisable energy, digestibility, soluble sugars and protein. For dairy farmers, this means milk production can be maximized through summer and autumn. For sheep farmers, it means the ability to finish lambs faster, and to higher live weights.

Chico milk production lift impresses Te Awamutu dairy farmers Graeme and Jocelyn Bayly have been using Chico chicory for the past three seasons now and have been very impressed with it as a summer forage. “Our milk solids have gone up significantly since we have had Chico in our farming system. The cows seem to find it very palatable too.” Graeme said. “Having the Chico in the system makes management easy. The cows go straight from the milking shed to the Chico and after breakfast, we put them onto the grass. It couldn’t be much easier than that. After grazing it bolts back – it’s an amazing plant.” Graeme exclaimed. “Chico has safe-guarded our summers. It allows us to keep on a long round over the summer. Because of this, we do not put as much pressure on our pasture, and as a result, the ryegrass seems to be able to persist better.” Chico outperforms in Alliance lamb live weight gain trials The performance of Chico chicory was highlighted by two lamb live weight gain trials that were jointly conducted this autumn by Alliance and Cropmark Seeds. From February to April lambs were ad-lib fed at two South Island trial sites (in Cust, Canterbury and Gore, Southland). Chico supported stocking rates up to six times higher than rape, old pasture and swedes, yet the Chico lambs at both sites still recorded the highest liveweight gains. At the harsh, dryland Cust site, the Chico lambs grew 154gms/head/day, while those

on pasture averaged 141gms/head/day, and those on rape just 82gms/hd/day. At Gore, the Chico mob made 371gms/head/day, followed by swedes at 364gms, Ultra enhanced ryegrass at 350gms and old pasture at 296gms. Steve Eagle, the farm manager of Wairangomai Station in the South Wairarapa has seen the results of Chico as a lamb finishing feed for himself, saying “We sowed 36 hectares of Chico last spring as a summer finishing crop. The lambs were being weighed

every two weeks, with an average weight gain of 3 kilograms per lamb being recorded. Our lamb contracts may have been a lot harder to meet, and our turnover down without Chico. Instead, we were able to turn over approximately 6000 lambs, which is very good for around here.” With the high prices being paid for lambs and a high dairy payout, choosing the right summer feed is critical. It looks like Chico chicory might well be just that feed.

“Our milk solids have gone up significantly since we have had Chico in our farming system. It’s an amazing plant.” For summer feed, there is nothing better than Chico chicory – the perfect summer feed.

Graeme and Jocelyn Bayly, Te Awaumutu

Chico’s metre long tap root is able to mine soil moisture and minerals from deep within the soil profile, providing insurance against summer drought. Its leaf is succulent, high in energy and minerals, and is very palatable to livestock. Chico is “rocket fuel” for livestock. Chico won’t cause grass staggers or facial eczema, and is resistant to insect pests such as diamond back moth and white butterfly. Livestock adjust quickly to Chico. For a summer-safe, multi-graze summer crop, providing flexible grazing management, there is nothing better than Chico chicory.

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Dairy News // October 11, 2011

news

A passion for automation SUDESH KISSUN

WAIKATO FARMER

John Fisher has always been passionate about automation. When it was time to re-fence his 80ha rectangular farm in Cambridge, he went to DairyNZ’s Jenny Jago, who was leading its greenfield project on robotic milking. Fisher was ‘hooked’ and in 2006 he went to Australia to study a robotic milking operation. After “waiting for the right time”, Fisher in March this year moved into robotic milking, running four DeLaval machines 24/7 on his farm milking 327 cows. He is the first Waikato farmer to operate robotic

milkers. Last month a Smaller Milk and Supply Herds (SMASH) technology field day was held at his farm. But pioneering an automatic milking system (AMS) hasn’t been all plain sailing. One of the biggest challenges is motivating cows to come to shed. During the first few weeks he had to come to the farm at 11pm and chase cows into the shed for milking. This improved in time. He has set up his farms in three equal blocks, “like three different farms,” he says. “This means the cows are motivated to come to the shed to then move on to a new paddock at nine

hour intervals.” Dual races allow direction of cows to different paddocks. Currently about 80% of the cows do this on their own; the others need to be brought from the paddock. Cows are able to be sorted and drafted as they enter the yard: colostrum cows to one particular robotic milker diverting milk and mastitis cows to a holding pen to be treated. The cows are fed 1kgDM/day in the dairy. Switching to automation has lowered labour costs. Fisher has one worker compared to two before AMS was introduced. And AMS has also resulted in “more happy cows… in the best

The Fisher farm • 80 ha flat rectangular farm, four robotic milking systems operating 24/7 milking 327 cows. • One of only five automated milking systems in New Zealand. Only seasonal farm, others are split calving. • Began using AMS in March 2011. This is the first calving season in the new system. • $1.5 million set-up cost. John Fisher is Waikato’s first robotic farm operator.

condition they have ever been.” Fisher has spent $1.5m million on the AMS with each robotic milker costing $250,000. He expects the machines to last 15 years although computer software upgrades may be needed every three years. There is potential for many add-on features in AMS – activity meters, conductivity measures and somatic cell counters. “Technology is improving and moving ahead all the time.”

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NEW ZEALAND dairying has been slow to take up automation, says DairyNZ’s Jenny Jago. Automated milking systems was introduced here in 2008 and only five farms have embraced the technology. Jago says about 10,000 farms operate the AMS, in 20 countries, mostly Europe. Denmark leads with 30% of its cows on robotic milking. In the EU, 40% of new milking is done by robots. A majority of EU farms using robotic milking are smaller farmers with cows housed, fed concentrates, milked three times a day and having long lactations. Jago says there is now a move to using AMS on pasture based grazing systems in Australia, Ireland and New Zealand. “The question for New Zealand farmers is how they should use this technology. It’s so different from countries for which this technology was originally developed.” Cows waiting to be milked by robots on John Fisher’s farm.

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Dairy News // October 11, 2011

news

Awards to showcase industry talent EFFLUENT COMPLIANCE and animal wel-

New Zealand Dairy Awards chairman Matthew Richards (right), Trust chairwoman Barbara Kuriger (left) with 2011 Sharemilkers of the Year Jason and Lisa Suisted at the launch.

fare are major issues facing the dairy sector, says DairyNZ chief executive

Tim Mackle. Speaking last month at the launch of the New Zealand Dairy Awards at Gordonton, Mackle

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says consumers have high expectations. And though “good results” have been achieved in sustainability in the past three years, farmers need to do more. With a general election looming, farmers will be used as a political football by politicians after the green vote, Mackle warns. So the annual dairy awards is important in showcasing industry talent and progress on sustainability. Entries in the Sharemilker/Equity Farmer, Farm Manager and Dairy Trainee competitions will be accepted online from November 1 at www. dairyindustryawards. co.nz. The national final will be held in Auckland on May 12. Awards executive committee chair Matthew Richards says it aims to change some urban perceptions of the country’s dairy farmers and the dairy industry. “We want Auckland and the rest of the country to witness the bright, talented and well presented individuals working hard on this country’s dairy farms to drive the industry forward as the global leader it is. “Many of our winners have gone on to leadership roles in the industry and we expect many current winners will be the industry’s future leaders,” Richards, a Southland

dairy farmer, says. The 2012 awards were launched on the Gordonton farm, near Hamilton, where 2011 New Zealand Sharemilker/Equity Farmers of the Year Jason and Lisa Suisted farm. Jason Suisted says they first entered to “stand out from the pack” when applying for sharemilking positions. They have gained considerably more. “We didn’t know then how much we would learn about ourselves and our business. We’ve been able to fine tune some of our farm systems and the awards allowed us to work side by side, highlighting the strengths we both bring to the business.” Suisted says the awards challenged them and forced them to take a brutal and critical look at their business, with “immense bnefits.” Richards says changes to the 2011 awards, in particular enabling equity farmers to enter the sharemilker contest and restricting the age group in the dairy trainee contest, had been well received. “One of our equity farmer entrants won one of the 12 regional competitions and restricting the age had the effect of increasing the standard and making the contest tighter within the dairy trainee competition.”

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Dairy News // October 11, 2011

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Milk output set to rise in Ireland PETER BURKE

IRISH DAIRY farmers have been held in a production ‘vice’ by the EU. For 30 years the amount

of milk a farmer can produce has been capped by the EU but this is about to change. During a recent visit to Ireland this reporter stayed on two quite dif-

ferent dairy farms. Tom Garvey, in his early 60s, has farmed all his life. He farms near a small town called Ventry on the Dingle Peninsular in the southwest,

Tom Garvey with his cows.

arguably one of the most beautiful parts of Ireland. Here the coastline is rugged, the Atlantic Ocean swirling and breaking on steep sea cliffs. Garvey’s fields are divided mainly by dry stone walls characteristic of the west of Ireland. The nearest town of any significance is Tralee, famous for the annual Rose of Tralee Festival and a song of that title. Garvey runs 50 cows and some sheep on his 40ha overlooking Dingle Bay. He has some flat land on which he runs his cows; his sheep graze high up on Eagle Mountain at the back of his farm. His six-aside

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The Dingle Peninsular in southwest Ireland.

herringbone dairy shed is made of stone, as are his barns. Garvey is your typical Irish dairy farmer and by New Zealand standards runs a basic operation. His wife Joan runs a successful bed-andbreakfast to supplement their income. B&B’s are popular in Ireland, especially here on the ‘tourist trail’. The lifting of the cap on dairying won’t mean much to Garvey and he’s not looking to take advantage of the change. By 2015 he’ll retire from farming, eligible for the pension. “My son is an engineer and there is no way he’s going to come back and manage this farm. I’ll be happy to retire and not have the daily routine of milking cows.” But though a Kiwi used to large-scale dairy farms may see Garvey’s operation as small, there is nothing primitive about the way he farms. The dairy shed is clear and he has a good animal health programme to mitigate against mastitis. His pastures look good and are high producing. Contrast the Garvey situation with that of Enda Crowley on the shores of Bantry Bay in nearby County Cork. Aged mid-30s, he has

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taken over running the farm from his father Johnny, a sometime visitor to New Zealand and probably a distant relation of Taranaki rugby great Kieran Crowley. Johnny’s wife Dympna runs a B&B in the original farm house – stunning views and visitors thronging to the sights of this beautiful region. The towns of Bantry and nearby Glengarriff are tourist meccas. Crowley, his wife Joan and three young children, represent the new breed of Irish dairy farmers: people with a mission who can’t wait to see the milk cap lifted and take advantage of increasing production. His dairy shed is similar in size and design to Garvey’s and it’s hard to say which has the best view. Crowley has 40ha but leases a further 12ha where he runs 45 cows plus replacements, feeds calves and grows silage. His cows are an interesting breed – mainly Jersey with some Norwegian Red and Holstein. The Norwegian Red is common in the genetics used in Irish herds. For Crowley 2015 can’t come soon enough. “I will increase my cow numbers to at least 60 and possibly 70 so I can

increase production and make this farm more profitable.” Meanwhile he’s busy building his farming knowledge at discussion groups organised by Teagasc: an Irish government-sponsored research and advisory service like DairyNZ) and he gets one-on-one advice from a Teagasc farm advisor. “The advice from Teagasc is invaluable in helping me look at ways of improving production. It’s about looking at fertiliser use, getting soil samples and making sure the land is grazed so that production is maximized.” While 45 cows – or even 70 – may not seem many, they generate a fair income for the family. The milk is taken to a nearby plant for processing into cheese and whole milk powder. And some goes to make Ireland’s popular Bailey’s Irish Cream. With Ireland now back to the reality of investing in agriculture, young farmers such as Crowley are key to the success of the industry. He and others like him will play a huge role in reviving the Celtic tiger that’s now on life support. As in New Zealand, the Irish dairy industry is seen as the economic saviour.

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Dairy News // October 11, 2011

world

Dutch co-op seeks grass-fed milk

FrieslandCampina says there is demand for more grass-fed milk products.

DUTCH DAIRY coop FrieslandCampina will spend $79 million annually to encourage outdoor grazing for its

dairy herds. Under the new scheme, to run from 2012-14, co-op farmers using outdoor grazing will qualify for a supple-

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mentary pasture milk payout. FrieslandCampina says it plans to market more dairy products based on Dutch milk from pasture-grazed cows. The initiative will form part of the dairy company’s sustainability agenda. Under the plan, dairy farmers who graze their herds outdoors for at least six hours a day, 120 days a year, will qualify for a supplement of 87c/100kg of milk. Currently, member dairy farmers who pasture-graze their herds receive 8c/100kg of milk. For a dairy farm producing 600,000kg of milk a year, this will increase the annual supplement for milk from pasture-fed cows from $525 to $5250. The increased supplement is chiefly intended to compensate farmers for the time and extra work they have to invest in grazing their cows outdoors, it says. FrieslandCampina chief executive Cees ’t Hart says the scheme will form part of its broad sustainability agenda. “It is our response to the considerable demand among Dutch consumers to preserve our typical Dutch landscape with cows grazing on green pastures. Supermarkets are also showing a growing interest in maintaining outdoor grazing. It’s now up to us, our members, our customers and ultimately the consumer, to turn this initiative into a success.” In addition to outdoor grazing, the other themes in FrieslandCampina’s programme for sustainable dairy farming are: energy and climate, reuse

of minerals, maintaining nature and biodiversity, animal health and welfare. The sustainability programme for the dairy sector forms part of FrieslandCampina’s route2020 strategy. The co-op is also expanding its range of Dutch dairy products with a pasture milk guarantee. This will enable customers and consumers to make a well-informed choice which fits in well with their demand for more sustainably produced food. FrieslandCampina has been marketing pasture-fed milk since 2007. This includes daily fresh dairy products under the Campina and Campina Boerenland (organic dairy) labels. However, the co-op will be charging more for a pasturefed milk guarantee. “The increase in the outdoor grazing supplement and the extra costs involved in the separate collection and processing of pasture-fed milk means FrieslandCampina will be charging a higher price for products with a pasture-fed milk guarantee,” it says. “By choosing these products, consumers will help to keep dairy herds in the Dutch landscape, a classic image of Holland which is highly valued by the public.” Research by the market research agency TNS NIPO has found 75% of Dutch consumers feel outdoor grazing is a vital part of sustainable dairy farming. When asked why they thought cows should be fed outdoors during the pasture-grazing season, 93% responded that it was healthier for them.

in brief UK milk price war THE BIGGEST UK supermarket, Tesco, has launched a price campaign which puts fresh milk on the shelf for the equivalent of $1.15/litre, only a whisker more than Coles’ controversial $A1/litre loss leader in Australia. The move is part of Tesco’s ‘Big Price Drop’ on 3000 essential items such as milk, pasta, fresh fruit and vegetables. It simplifies promotions with fewer multi-buys, particularly in fresh foods, as these encourage waste.

Dairy News // October 11, 2011

world

The Irish dairy industry is also striving for better sustainability. Inset: Joe Collins.

Sustainability tops EU dairy agenda PETER BURKE

THE ISSUE of sustainability in the dairy industry is becoming very important in the market place says a senior executive of the Irish Dairy Board (IDB) Joe Collins, managing director of the IDB’s dairy trading and ingredients division told Dairy News, during this reporter’s recent trip there, that consumers want to know if the animals producing the products they are buying have been well treated. “They are asking about how the cows are handled and why is butter so yellow. We explain that’s because the cows are out on grass. They also want to know how the food is produced and how many miles it has travelled to market. There is no doubt urban consumers are influencing farming practices.” Very strict rules now apply in Europe to deal with environmental issues, Collins says. Meanwhile the IDB and Fonterra are working together and there is less competition between the two countries than many years ago. “The IDB has good relationships with Fonterra. We do business together and there is contact between the two organisations at a senior level.” This is due in part to the seasonality balance between the two countries. When the New Zealand milk flow is reaching its peak, Irish production is tapering off. A big issue for the Irish dairy industry is the lifting of a milk quota on Irish production, due to come off in 2015. The quota, in force since 1984, was to eliminate ‘milk lakes’ in the European Union (EU) caused by 1970s subsidies that encouraged farmers to produce more milk than was needed. But with the lifting of the cap in 2015, it’s predicted Irish milk production will increase 50% by 2020, though the increase is off a low base. This will see production lift from about 5.5 billion litres per year to 8.2 billion. Collins says the cap has caused problems for the Irish dairy industry, not least a drop in cow numbers. “If you needed, say, 100 cows in 1984 to fill your quota, with improvements in genetics and grassland management, animal husbandry and animal health, the chanc-

es are your yield would have improved by 30% so you only needed 70 cows to fill your quota.” Collins foresees an increase in Irish cow numbers, but only in certain parts of Ireland can this happen – mainly in the south-east where the land is good enough for dairying. Some farmers running beef will convert to dairying. Extra production resulting from lifting the milk cap is unlikely to have much effect on New Zealand, Collins says. Ireland’s main markets are Europe, especially Germany for cheese and the US. The Irish are also likely to continue developing markets in Africa, building on success in selling whole milk powder. The IDB has sold some branded products to China, but in small quantities. “We see you guys have a preferential arrangement with China which means lower duty for your exports. But we also recognise the value of developing markets. We notice that in the developing markets there is more money than in developed markets. For us cheese will offer opportunities in developed markets whereas it will be WMP in the developing markets. “One thing making us smile sometimes is the developed world wants to eat eastern style food – Chinese and the like – whereas the developing world wants western style food.”

Irish dairy industry • 1,027,000 dairy cows. • Average dairy herd size 60 cows. • Total agricultural exports $16 billion. • Dairying 29% of agricultural exports. • 80% of dairy exports to Europe (including UK). • Prominent Irish brand: Kerrygold. • Annual milk production 5.173 billion litres.

Dairy News // October 11, 2011

opinion Ruminating

Editorial

Lifting dairy’s image

milking it... You can now wear milk WE KNOW about the usual fabrics used for garments – cotton, linen, etc. Then there came clothes from materials never thought of – garbage bags, toilet paper, you name it. Now comes a fabric made from liquid milk! Milk fabric is created by a German biologistcum-fashion designer, Anke Domaske. She and her team have found a way to convert sour milk into the most environmentally friendly wearables. They first got rid of the liquid from milk,

then extracted a protein which usually solidifies. This was later ground into threads to create the fabric. She says milk has a very silky feel which makes it extremely special. And since it’s a bit like silk it gives brilliant ‘drapes’. But it’s cheaper than silk and hence affordable. Domaske came up with milk clothes because of the liquid’s ecofriendly existence and, unlike silk, no pesticides are used in milk production.

Flying cows

NORTH DAKOTA cows by the hundreds are headed overseas to Kazakhstan this month. It’s a major boost to the state’s export market. Fourteen flights will take off from the Fargo Jet Center over the next few weeks with 195 cows on board each. For the first time the jet center is working with Korean Airlines and a Boeing 747-400 to transport the cattle. Darren Hall, of Fargo Jet Center, says Kazakhstan authorities toured the world and found these cows in Bismarck that really fitted what they were looking for. The cows will help boost the country’s dairy industry.

Don’t get between mum and calf TWO FRENZIED cow attacks in the North Island have sparked calls to take care around the hormonal beasts during calving season. A 64-year-old man was last month pinned to the ground, stomped and headbutted by a cow on a Coromandel farm, just two hours after a 47-year-old woman was attacked by a cow on a Dannevirke dairy farm. Both were flown to hos-

Marching order sought for parade WHETHER IT’S military marches or Orange Order demonstrations, it’s not often the Northern Ireland political groups DUP and Sinn Fein share the same view on a parade. But the political foes have formed a surprising coalition backing a move to give the goahead for a contentious parade next year. The Cow Parade, one of the world’s biggest and most popular public art exhibitions, will see dozens of life-size plastic painted cows placed at differ-

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pital for treatment. The man had tied up the cow’s back legs to deliver its calf when it broke free and launched its attack. Federated Farmers dairy vice chairman Robin Barkla says people needed to be more vigilant at calving season. “The beast’s a bit hormonal and a bit confused and the maternity instinct kicks in. It’s a very strong instinct. Don’t get between mum and the calf.”

IT’S EASY to rubbish surveys and simply say the questions asked gave the answers the surveyor wanted. Or that the sample size was too small, or that it was biased to one section of the community or another, or some other demographic factor. No doubt there will be critics of the latest Lincoln University survey of perceptions of the environment because it has some messages some people don’t want to hear. In essence it says the public perceive intensive lowland farming is damaging streams and lakes. It also says commercial users should pay for water. The survey mirrors other surveys. But the perception is the reality and farmers should not rubbish this survey. They should instead devote their efforts to changing the perceptions. Sadly campaigns such as ‘Dirty Dairying’ have gained a huge head of steam, and cows and the farmers who manage these creatures are seen as ‘evil people’ harming the environment. There are two answers: first, farmers must clean up their act and not give the critics the opportunity to sling the brown stuff at them. It’s a problem that a significant number – though a minority – of farmers are not complying with the Clean Streams Accord. This minority must be brought into line by their peers and told ‘shape up or ship out’ – or be severely penalised by councils, Fonterra or whoever. But farming leaders and the sector as a whole must realise the Lincoln Survey fairly reflects public opinion. So they had best aggressively ‘front foot’ the issue, not just occasionally put out a media release or make a speech. The approach until now has been piecemeal and ‘under the radar’. There needs to be a high profile campaign to explain the economic value of dairy farming, what the industry is doing to mitigate the problems and to get the mainstream media on board. Farmers, farming leaders and scientists need to unite and start singing the same song – very, very loudly. – Peter Burke

ISSN 1175-463X

ent locations across Belfast and Londonderry. But, at a cost of $61,000 to ratepayers in Belfast, it sparked controversy when raised at Belfast City Hall this week. Longstanding UUP man Bob Stoker slammed the exhibit as a “waste of money” and claimed councillors would be branded “silly moos” if they agreed to release the funding and stage the show. “We are talking about $61,000 in today’s climate,” he told the council.

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Dairy News // October 11, 2011

opinion

Efficiency gains and sustainable dairying MIKE SCARSBROOK

SUSTAINABLE GROWTH of the dairy

industry is achievable if farmers can demonstrate they are efficient users of natural resources and continually improve their practices to meet community expectations. The growth of the dairy industry over the last 20 years has been a great success story

working with policy makers to define these policies. Our challenge is to ensure that the methods used by regional councils to control farmer activities are effective and efficient. For example, the industry is arguing against the imposition of N-loss targets for dairy farmers in the Manawatu-Wanganui region. Improvements in nu-

The growth of the dairy industry over the last 20 years has been a great success story for New Zealand, but this growth has been associated with growing concerns over increasing nutrient levels in waterways draining agricultural land. for New Zealand, but this growth has been associated with growing concerns over increasing nutrient levels (particularly nitrogen) in waterways draining agricultural land. At the national scale, dairying accounts for 7-8% of land area, but contributes nearly 40% of all the nitrogen in our waterways. In some circumstances elevated levels of nutrients, along with other contaminants (faecal bacteria and sediments) has reduced the quality of water for various uses (recreation, fishing). The New Zealand public has a high level of awareness of these water quality issues, though not always a clear understanding of who shares the blame. The continued growth of dairying is coming under increasing scrutiny from regional councils, which are tasked with controlling the use of land for the purpose of maintaining and enhancing water quality. Regional councils are imposing, or considering imposing, much tighter controls on dairy farming activities through their regional plans. A farmer’s ‘licence to operate’ and the industry’s ‘mandate to grow’ are intimately linked to the policy and plans of the regional councils. DairyNZ, Fonterra and Federated Farmers are

trient use efficiency provide the dairy industry with the most advantageous means of meeting community expectations for reduced environmental footprint and keeping regulatory control of dairying to a minimum. All else being equal, a farm that increases nutrient use efficiency will increase productivity and reduce nutrient losses to the environment. When these gains are accumulated across farms in a catchment, significant benefits for water quality can accrue. One of the most important features of farms showing continual improvements in nutrient use efficiency is the adoption of nutrient management plans (NMP), delivered by fertiliser companies. These plans are tailored for each farm and provide a strong knowledge base for making better use of nutrient inputs in the production system. However, these plans will only be of value if the farmer takes ownership of them. Farmers need to set production targets and challenge their fertiliser representatives to come up with NMP that meets this production target at lowest cost (financially and environmentally). Sustainable growth of the dairy industry will be maintained if it can be shown that farmers are efficient users of natural resources and are

continually improving their practices to meet community expectations. The industry challenge to individual farmers is to release this potential by

making the farm business as efficient as possible. • Mike Scarsbrook is DairyNZ team leader for sustainability nutrient efficiency

Mike Scarsbrook, DairyNZ

Dairy News // October 11, 2011

letters

Dairy sector doing its bit YOUR CORRESPONDENT John Lancashire ‘Dairy sector dragging the chain’ (Dairy News, September 27) is wrong on many points. He talks of a $4 million public relations campaign. The annual budget for our Go Dairy campaign is $1.3m, which pales in comparison with money spent

by government departments or major retailers. At no time has anyone from DairyNZ ever expressed confusion as to why the dairy industry has the image it has (in some quarters). We are keenly aware of the issues we face, and are working to address them on many fronts. On the cost of our en-

vironmental footprint, the industry is investing millions of dollars in research to mitigate dairy farming’s impact on the environment, as well as working with farmers every day to ensure their farming practices are as environmentally and financially sustainable as possible. To suggest the dairy

industry has been lax in applying principles of plant and animal genetics to get liveweight gains is nonsense. These gains have been realised, in the form of higher per cow milk production. No DairyNZ person ever said the industry couldn’t tolerate a reduction in stocking

rates. In fact, farmers, through their DairyNZ levy, are funding research on exactly that, through the Pastoral 21 consortium. The trial on this, said by Lancashire to be starting shortly, began three months ago. Tim Mackle Chief executive DairyNZ

Overstocking does not help IT IS pleasing that at last someone as influential as John Lancashire (Dairy News, September 27) and others are doing something about the atrociously low milk production of most New Zealand cows, which is costing dairy farmers small fortunes in losses simply because of over-stocking, causing under-feeding and financial losses. Unfortunately, animal breeding companies have been one of the causes. Their sales people, hiding behind the title ‘consultants’ have gone onto farms galore and, without looking at the farms and figures, have said, “You need more urea and more cows.” Why do they do this? Because more cows means more semen sales and more herd testing.

Some at Ruakura have added ‘more cows per hectare’. They did a trial of seven cows per hectare, much to Environment Waikato’s disgust. During Ruakura’s good days (1991) they wrote that if the stocking rate is decreased, production per cow will increase by even greater amounts than those used in my ‘Dairy cow numbers for max profit’ computer program (www.grazinginfo.com). In a dairy farm discussion group in 1957 at Gordonton my production per cow and per hectare was the highest of the peat group. Two ex-Ruakura technicians had the highest stocking rate and the lowest per cow and per hectare production, which meant the lowest profit. Few know that it costs $1500 to keep a cow for a year, so reducing a 380-cow herd to 330, as done by Brendan and Tania Fernyhough, increased the profit by $75,000 and reduced effluent costs and pasture damage in wet and dry weather. Applying the optimum amount of 6 t lime/ha decreased weeds and increased clover and overall pasture and therefore milk production. Doing all the things good farmers do – as described at www.farmingprofits.info – increases profits and, as a bonus, the somatic cell count drops from the typical 200,000 to half or less. Evidence of the above is in the 80 testimonials [on the ‘farmingprofits’ website]. Most acknowledge that reducing cow numbers by 10% or more increased production and profit. Vaughan Jones Hamilton

Dairy News // October 11, 2011

agribusiness

Green shoots grow Farmlands’ profits RURAL SERVICE trader Farmlands is confident despite the threat of more global financial woes, seeing green shoots of confidence and prosperity in New Zealand’s rural sector. Announcing a record profit last month, Farmlands chief executive Peter Ellis noted most producers were more confident during the last 12 months. “This time last year I was hopeful – with the onset of spring and greater stability in the New Zealand economy – confidence would return to the agricultural sector. I’m pleased to confirm there is cautious optimism out there, reflected in our annual results.” For the year ending June 30, 2011 Farmlands’ annual turnover increased 22% over the previous year to $683 million. Pre-tax profits before loyalty rebates increased 63% to $5.8m. Rebates to members increased 23% to $44.2m and shareholder numbers jumped 5% to 27,000. Year-end loyalty rebates increased 65% to $5.3 million. Ellis says underpinning these figures was growth in Farmlands retail

Optimism in the dairy sector has helped boost Farmlands’ results.

business of 25%, or 19% on a samestore basis, after removing the impact of the two new stores in Putararu and Opunake which opened during the year. He is pragmatic about the challenges Farmlands, farmers and others in the rural sector face, so in a pre-

cautionary move has made provision for bad and doubtful debts. There is also an increasing focus on driving efficiencies into the processes and systems that support Farmlands business activities. “We believe that is vital to support the sustainability of the business in

a rural merchandise market that will continue to consolidate, resulting in a smaller number of larger players.” Farmlands plans to become a larger retailer, with three more stores set to open in the next six months, taking the total to 47. It will open at Inglewood in January. “So after

Helensville, Huntly and Inglewood are up and running there are only three more locations in our pipeline to complete our target of 50 stores by the end of 2012, to deliver geographic coverage of the North Island.” Farmlands board chairman Lachie Johnstone is heartened by the trading year’s robust results, saying a longterm strategic approach has been critical to success. “A little over three years ago we set some targets. We believed the sector faced further consolidation, and ignoring the opportunity to take part in this activity we risked becoming irrelevant. [The company] had the benefit of a structure and platform to enable it to become the market leader it is today.” Johnstone and Ellis also attribute much of the company’s success to its people at the grassroots level: 500 staff. “Despite continuing turmoil in many of the economies in the Northern Hemisphere, I hope that the green shoots of increasing confidence and prosperity will continue to develop across the New Zealand primary sector,” Ellis says.

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Dairy News // October 11, 2011

agribusiness

LIC, CRV AmBreed to swap bull genotypes Waikato Regional Council land transport policy programme manager Bill McMaster, senior transport planner Isy Kennedy and Norm Barker with the award.

Effluent plan wins award WAIKATO REGIONAL Council has won an award for its work in reducing the amount of stock effluent being discharged onto the region’s roads. The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in New Zealand (CILT) award was made last month in Auckland to the council’s transport committee chairman Norm Barker. The annual CILT award is for excellence in supply chain management/logistics/transport implementations and practice. WRC won it for its truck effluent strategy 2010-16. WRC has worked closely with road users to deal with stock truck effluent. “The discharge of stock effluent from trucks has been an issue on Waikato roads for many years and poses road safety, environmental and health problems. “The strategy’s content was developed last year and has since been widely accepted and acknowledged throughout the country. It contains seven policies and 23 actions, but achieving the vision of zero effluent discharge onto Waikato roads by 2020 requires a collaborative effort by all.” The council is working with the regional stock truck effluent working group, in particular the New Zealand Transport Agency, to establish at least 10 effluent disposal sites over 10 years. Council staff have also developed rating options for consideration in the 2012-22 long term plan. The public will then get to make submissions on any proposal to use regional rating for stock truck effluent disposal facilities. Effluent spillage can cause traffic crashes if it make roads slippery or spatter on to windscreens. Discharge is also a health hazard for cyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians, and causes smelly and unsightly pollution on highways and road sides. Uncontrolled discharges of effluent can cause environmental problems if the effluent enters waterways.

in brief Quality trainers FOUR NEW agricultural training providers have been awarded the training-quality mark AgExcel, bringing to eight the polytechnics so accredited, says the AgITO AgExcel evaluator, Andrew Donohue. The four are Waiariki Polytechnic, Waikato Institute of Technology (WINTEC), Bay of Plenty Polytechnic and Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT). AgExcel rewards “superior quality agricultural training... bridging the gap between basic quality assurance standards and training and education that meet industry best-practice requirements.” The quality mark is endorsed by AgITO’s industry partner DairyNZ. Says Donohue, “AgExcel is surpassing our expectations.”

DAIRY HERD improvement players LIC and CRV AmBreed have agreed to share their proprietary genotypes of elite bulls – HolsteinFriesian and Jersey. The swapping will allow both to further improve their genomic predictions, the companies say, and evidence of the importance of genomic selection to the dairy industry. This will generate larger genotype reference populations for both companies, and enable more accurate predictions of sire performance than has been possible before. Genomic selected bulls are rapidly gaining market share in all developed dairy markets and, given that genetic gain is the single biggest contributor to on-farm

productivity improvement, they intend keeping New Zealand up to speed. LIC chief executive Mark Dewdney says it has invested heavily in genomics for many years. It was one of the first AI companies in the world to launch genomic selected teams of elite sires, which are generating faster rates of genetic gain for farmers. The larger reference population created by this agreement with CRV AmBreed provides a platform for even more accurate predictions of elite dairy sires at an early age, and complements investments in genomics, Dewdney says. “[Both companies] will continue to genotype our own bulls and market the best, but this agreement

with CRV AmBreed… will take the whole industry forward.” CRV AmBreed managing director Angus Haslett says it recognises the importance of genomics to maintain New Zealand’s global competitiveness. His company seeks a large as possible gain from genomic technology within a time and cost that is feasible. This agreement with LIC is a significant step towards this, he says. “CRV AmBreed will continue to invest heavily in genomic technology in order to deliver the genetic, and therefore economic, gain New Zealand dairy farmers require. Sensible collaborations such as this one… will make our dairy industry stronger.”

Dairy News // October 11, 2011

agribusiness

Faster internet tipped to boost farm profit HIGH SPEED broadband in more rural areas will increase farm productivity and profits, says LIC. The Government’s

Rob Ford

$285 million rural broadband roll-out during the next six years has been lauded for its potential to help schools and hospitals. Less acknowledged is its helpfulness to farmers, says LIC general manager farm systems Rob Ford. “Real-time information is critical to on-farm decision making; highspeed broadband in more rural areas is key to that.” The co-op is taking a role in the Government’s plans, with Ford on the advisory board assessing the needs of the rural people it will affect most. He says farmers are collecting ever more data about animals and land

every day, mostly recording this electronically. “They see their animals every day, they know their land and their pasture, but how they use this information is most important... that’s how important decisions are made. “Access to their farm information at the right time and place is imperative for right decisions; rural broadband is critical to that.” For example, the LIC Minda herd management system, for recording animal details and events on-farm (e.g. calving), is used by most dairy farmers. Protrack automation systems and drafting,

Faster broadband can lead to bigger profits on farm, says LIC.

released 2003, is highly sought after by farmers. Ford says LIC probably has the highest internet contact rate with farmers in New Zealand. “At busy times of the year farmers access their

track ‘n’ Save Fed up with costly over-ordering? At PTNZ we calculate our customers total fertiliser needs to within 20kg per paddock. Then our live mapping feature prevents accidental overspreading. Together, these two PTNZ services are saving our customers thousands of dollars every year. We also automatically create a permanent online record of all fertiliser usage and proof of accurate placement. Farmers can also keep paperwork to a minimum by creating their own online map and filing system.

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Minda records and sync with LIC via the internet at least once a day to send and receive updates; slow speeds can [make this] time-consuming and trying.” And many farmers’ use of these services to full capacity is hindered by their remote location and inadequate broadband access. High-speed and wireless broadband will change this, says Ford. It will allow more farmers to use this technology on computer, smartphone or a tablet. “It unlocks potential many farmers [can’t] consider, either because they

cannot get the internet, or they only have access to slow dial-up. It’s one thing to have management information in the farm office, but another when it’s delivered in the farm dairy or on the farm where and when it’s needed.” LIC constantly develops new products and fine-tunes current ones. More broadband will allow these products to go online, Ford says. “Gone are the days when farmers would be sent screeds of information in the post – most going unread and unused because it was too much and took too long. Now

web hosting presents farmers with more enriched information... easier to interpret and use. “That will get better with web hosting; [data] will be more real-time, with dramatically faster update speeds so information can sent more regularly. “And they’ll be able to access that information from any computer with an internet connection... valuable given how many different types of ownership structures we see on farms; there can be lots of people involved in the business.”

Minda Milk to pick top cows LIC IS developing Minda from its current form as herd management software to a full farm management system, fulfilling its vision of being an essential partner on farm and in food supply chains. Minda Milk is first and due for release soon. Web-based, it will provide better information and data from latest herd testing results. Says Ford, “Minda Milk will allow customers to see quickly which are their top performing cows, and should be culled. “These important decisions can be

incredibly costly for a farmer, whether they mistakenly cull a top performer or keep a low performer.” Also new, Minda Land & Feed will allow farmers to record information that has, for many, been kept in their head. “More than cows, and milking them morning and night, are [the] many external and internal conditions that can affect productivity every day, and need to be factored into every decision. “High-speed broadband is vital to the success of these products.”

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Dairy News // October 11, 2011

management

‘Glad we entered dairy awards’ “We found it to be a positive and inspiring experience.” THE SNOWDON family entered the Ballance Farm Environment Awards to find out how their Rerewhakaaitu dairy farming operation stood up in terms of sustainability. They were pleased they did. “We found it to be a positive and inspiring experience,” says Kerry Snowdon, who runs 155ha (effective) ‘Y Wory’ Farm with the help of wife Lea and their son and farm manager, Brad. The ‘Y Wory’ name was coined when the Snowdons first bought the farm. “We had a lot of debt but you just have to get on with life and not worry about it.” Improving the long-term sustainability of the farm has been a key focus for the Snowdons in recent years, especially with the district suffering consecutive seasons of drought. Two years ago the family was asked to enter the Bay of Plenty Ballance Farm Environment Awards by friends who had also been involved

Kerry, Lea and Brad Snowdon.

in the competition. Snowdon says they were initially reluctant “to stick our heads up”. “We weren’t really sure what to expect,” he says. But the opportunity to benchmark the farm proved a motivating factor. “Every farm is different, so until you become involved in something like this it’s really hard to get a gauge

on just how sustainable your farming business is.” Snowdon says the family’s concerns about being judged were quickly dispelled. “The judges were great. It was more like a discussion group than an interview. We really enjoyed showing the judges the farm and ex-

changing ideas with them.” He says feedback from the judges was positive and reassuring. “It was great to find out that we were on the right track, and that has motivated us to do even more.” The Snowdons won the Ballance Nutrient Management Award and received a certificate “for being the best rookies” in the 2010 competition. They entered again in 2011, winning the LIC Dairy Farm Award. “That was a real buzz. We weren’t gunning for any prizes. “We just wanted to support the competition and learn as much as we could.” He says the awards are great for the dairy industry because they highlight the positive things many farmers are doing to protect the environment. And other farmers should not be afraid to “give the awards a crack”. “The benefits are definitely there. It’s a great opportunity to mix with like-minded farmers, pick up information and swap ideas.” • Entries for the 2012 Bay of Plenty Ballance Farm Environment Awards close October 14.

All about making farm more sustainable CANTERBURY FARMERS Alan and Sharron

Davie-Martin didn’t enter the Ballance Farm Environment Awards for the prizes, but to improve sustainability on their farm. The former Northlanders shifted to Canterbury six years ago and now farm a 141ha (effective) dairy unit west of Culverden. Alan says they have always tried to farm in an environmentally-friendly manner. Like the majority of dairy farmers, he is aware of the need to promote a good image of New Zealand dairying to urban New Zealanders and overseas consumers. “I don’t think we are doing anything special.

But wherever possible we’ve tried to reinvest in improving the farm and making it more sustainable”. Some of the original trees on the farm were removed to accommodate irrigation systems, but Davie-Martins have planted new trees to shade and shelter livestock and improve the aesthetic appeal of the farm. They have also spent a lot on a farm effluent disposal system. “Farm effluent is a major resource, and the interest cost of the capital used for this system has been met by fertiliser savings.” The Davie-Martins entered the Canterbury BFEA in 2010 because

they wanted to get an outside view of their operation and see how it compared with other farms. “It was our first time in the awards, so we didn’t really know what to expect,” says Alan. But the judging process was a relatively relaxed “two-way dialogue”. “We were able to learn a lot from the judges. They had some good ideas to share with us.” The judges were impressed with the DavieMartin farm, awarding it the LIC Dairy Farm award. Alan says they came out of the competition feeling reassured they were heading in the right direction on sustainability. “It was about trying

to enhance our knowledge and find out how we could do things better.” They enjoyed the contact with similarly enthusiastic and like-minded farmers. “It’s a great competition because it’s not just dairy farmer against dairy farmer. “There were a whole lot of other farming types involved and it was great to chew the fat with other sectors of the rural community.” •Entries for the 2012 Canterbury Ballance Farm Environment Awards close on October 17, 2011. More information from Nicola Hunt, regional co-ordinator, tel. (03) 314 9586 or email Nicola.Hunt@ ecan.govt.nz

Alan and Sharron Davie-Martin.

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Dairy News // October 11, 2011

management

More options for dairy automation DAIRY FARMERS looking for in-shed automation now have the choice of more accessible options for getting started, says Radian Technology, the manufacturer of MilkHub. The company’s dairy-shed automation and management modules allow more functions to be added as desired. Radian Technology managing director Ross Nilson says since MilkHub was first developed the advantages of a flexible modular system have become more apparent. “We have installed systems throughout

the country and we’ve learned that no two sheds, hardware set-ups or farmer management styles are the same. The challenge for dairy automation is to meet each farmer’s unique requirements so they achieve greater efficiency and improved productivity at a realistic price.” The MilkHub system is designed so any chosen components work seamlessly together. Entry level configurations start with a manual three-way pneumatic drafting gate operated by a push button controller. Automatic drafting

starts with the addition of an in-race EID reader plus the MilkHub online management platform. The automatic combination enables drafts to be set from in-shed or online and is proving “an affordable and flexible entry point into technology led improvements,” the company says. Additional modules include in-shed broadcast screens displaying real time information for every cow from in-bail cow ID; in-line sensors for monitoring mastitis predictions, milk yield, cleaning and plant performance; walk-

over weigh scales; and in-bail feed controller for customised feeding programmes. Mid Canterbury dairy farmer Tim Lovett says the building block approach of MilkHub suited his development at Brackleigh Farm. “The advantage was doing it out of cashflow over the last four years. We started with a drafting gate, then added sensors, keypads, feed controller and recently the broadcast screens. We plan to add weigh scales next. “The main tool we use is the mastitis detec-

tion, although the broadcast screens changed everything as all the staff can now see what the cows are doing and treat them straight away.” Modularity makes it easier to meet the varied requirements of different management structures, the company says. “At one end of the

scale MilkHub provides a solution for sharemilkers wanting to invest in system improvements for shed efficiency and productivity. At the other end, it is ideal for multifarm businesses requiring different set-ups on different properties with central management.” A recent MilkHub/

CRV AmBreed partnership will enable entry and viewing of key breeding data plus access to the National Dairy Database. Even at entry level, this information flow combined with automatic drafting and weigh scale data benefits the tracking of breeding programmes.

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first herd test I was pleasantly surprised” Entwisle says. A qualified herd testing technician does the service. The technician makes the sample process efficient and simple and helps with the set-up and pack-down process. “I didn’t have to organise an extra labour unit to help with herd test, and the entire process was much easier and less labour intensive than previous herd tests,” Entwisle said. The service has been com-

Dairy workers in Tim Lovett’s rotary parlour use a keypad and pullcord to set alerts, actions and treatments for individual cows.

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CRV AMBREED says an increasing number of farmers are discovering how easy it is to use CRV AmBreed herd testing. The company has kicked off its herd testing season. Peter Entwisle, operating two farms in Cambridge, is one client who has given CRV AmBreed’s herd testing service the tick. “I always perceived CRV AmBreed’s herd testing to be a bit behind the times and slowed things down in the shed, but after my

mended in a recent audit to ensure it is up to national herd testing standards, says CRV AmBreed. “The audit was carried out on a newly trained technician who passed with flying colours. The auditor agreed with our clients that CRV AmBreed offers a high quality service. “ “Herd testing reports and their effect on breeding values play a huge part in making the farm more effective, efficient and profitable. The information obtained from a herd test is a fundamental tool in making sound breeding plans, supporting culling decisions and providing the data needed to evaluate the profitability of additional feeds or preventative treatments such as dry cow therapy. “It’s easy to see that herd testing has huge benefits. CRV AmBreed understands farmers want herd testing offering accurate and credible data and impacting as little as possible on their daily business.”

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Dairy News // October 11, 2011

management

BoP effluent guide launched A NEW guide for managing farm dairy effluent on Bay of Plenty farms is out. Specifically tailored to the region’s farming environment, it has the blessing of the Bay of Plenty Dairy Stakeholders Group – a working party with representatives

from the regional council and dairy organisations. DairyNZ regional leader for Bay of Plenty Sharon Morrell says the resource is part of a collaborative industry-wide approach to getting more workable information to Bay of Plenty farmers.

“Our aim is to give farmers consistent advice and provide tools so that they can benefit from the nutrient value of effluent and make long-term cost savings. The ‘Guide to Managing Farm Dairy Effluent’, which covers a wide range of topics,

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from collection and storage to setting up an irrigation system, is a good place to start,” she says. The resource is one of many the Bay of Plenty Dairy Stakeholders Group is using to provide tailored advice and information to the region’s dairy farmers. The regional group formed two years ago to provide collective leadership on farm management practices. The group is made up of dairy farmers (including Federated Farmers and members of the Rotorua Catchment Farmer Collective), DairyNZ, Fonterra, Open Country Dairy, AgResearch and Bay of Plenty Regional Council. “It is clear that as an industry everyone wants to see an improvement in dairy farm compliance. We are fortunate that within the Bay of Plenty we have committed rural professionals from across the industry prioritising this goal,” says Morrell. Regional Council

pollution prevention team leader Steve Pickles says the guideline was one of many projects that had come about as a result of more collaborative thinking within the region. “This is just one example of the collective work underway in our region. The Bay of Plenty Dairy Stakeholders Group are also considering what we can do to improve wider farming issues such as nutrient management, land use and water sustainability,” he says. “This group provides a great platform for creating the best tools and resources most useful to our farmers. As a group we can filter information and provide genuine expertise specific to our farmers’ needs and concerns.” • The effluent management guide is available online at dairynz.co.nz, and farmers wanting advice on farm management practices can contact DairyNZ on 0800 4 DAIRYNZ.

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INNOVATION MAKING a difference to irrigation and water management are to be rewarded by the industry’s national body. Irrigation New Zealand (INZ) and Aqualinc will this month open nominations for the second biennial ‘Innovation in Irrigation’ award, intended to showcase inventions, ideas, systems, or gadgets coming out of the sector. The award celebrates, encourages and promotes innovation and the benefit of irrigation for communities, INZ says. “INZ is looking to recognise and reward initiatives in irrigation, and wider community benefits as a result of irrigation,” IrrigationNZ business manager Chris Coughlan says. The 2012 award will be run with the association’s biennial conference. Nominations open October 20 for irrigators, schemes, water user and environmental groups, industry, university students and researchers. They close February 1. Finalists’ entries will be showcased and the winner chosen April 2-4 at the IrrigationNZ conference at Timaru. To be eligible the innovation must clearly have impacted irrigation in New Zealand during the past five years, though it may have been evolving before then. Chris Coughlan says irrigation is often portrayed as a negative activity despite huge benefits to community, economy and the environment. “This award allows the industry to showcase its steps to improve and deliver on the wider community demands for efficient use of water and consideration for the environment. So if you have quietly been working away, or know of someone who has, on a good idea and believe recognition is deserved, now is the time to enter.” The inaugural award in 2010 was won by Precision Irrigation, Fielding.

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Confidence in a drum

Dairy News // October 11, 2011

management

Better tailored effluent systems for farmers THE FARM dairy effluent (FDE) design codes of practice and standards are helping suppliers design better tailored effluent systems for farmers.

member Brian Ebert, owner-operator of Farm Supplies Ltd. “The design, documentation and ground work beforehand is much

“We are all in the same boat. The councils are backing it, which means we are all working to one set of guidelines.” Effluent systems going in on farms will be better tailored to farmer needs thanks to the new effluent code of practice and design standards. The upfront planning and design of effluent systems has stepped up a notch since the code’s introduction in February, says New Zealand Milking and Pumping Trade Association (MPTA)

more in-depth than it ever was before the code was introduced,” says Ebert. The FDE codes now mean a full design plan is necessary in order to quote for an effluent system. “It is a much more comprehensive approach than before, covering soil types, weather patterns, transpiration rate, restric-

tions on application rate and time, and effluent storage,” says Ebert. “Now we have to gather all that information before we do a design.” A design also establishes the correct performance parameters. Equipment selection is also much more critical now. “A lot of suppliers will be learning new systems and looking for new equipment – not just bolting in the usual kit – we’re developing systems which are fit-for-purpose and designating a specific performance range for that system.” Ebert says there should be a lot of happy farmers as a result of the design and system performance planning before

the system is installed. “It has to be good for our industry, this is more aligned to the way councils look at things and that’s very important,” says Ebert. “We are now all in the same boat. To make it work, the code had to be a practical set of guidelines, which I think we’ve got,” says Ebert. “The councils are backing it, which means we’re all working to one set of guidelines. We’ve got consistency for all providers.” Ebert says in the next few months, many dairy farmers will see how vital the code really is. “However the whole aim of the code is to keep nutrients in the root zone, which means watching

The new effluent codes of practice and standards mean better tailored solutions for farmers.

the conditions – that’s the management aspect of effluent systems, which is so important,” says Ebert. “Farmers are really

interested in doing things right and this is where the code is helpful. We need to be shining examples with our effluent

management, just like we are with our hygiene standards.”- DairyNZ Inside Dairy October issue

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Dairy News // October 11, 2011

management

Green cleaning cuts power costs AUSTRALIAN DAIRY

farmer Steve Ronalds expects to save at least $A3200 in annual energy costs after installing Green Cleaning – a new system to clean milking machines that saves energy, water and chemicals. Ronalds, who farms in Gippsland, is one of the first farmers in the world to have a commercial Green Cleaning system installed at his Jindivick farm. Early tests indicate savings in electricity for heating water of 74%, water savings of 42% and an estimated reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of 44 tonnes annually. He expects the unit to pay for itself in about eight years, but with rising power costs and futher refinements to the system, this could be sooner. Ronalds and business partner Andrew Ronalds operate two dairy farms at Jindivick in West Gippsland under the business name Dairy Cropping Australia. He has been farming for nearly 20 years and is the fourth generation farmer on the 140ha farm he and Andrew lease from his parents. They have a split calving herd of 70% Jersey and 30% Holstein cows, peaking at 400 milkers. The recently build cow shed is a herringbone 20 aside double-up with rapid exit gates. Green Cleaning systems operate at lower temperatures, re-use the wash solutions and utilise energy efficient principles to deliver substantial operating cost savings for farmers. The potential water savings, allowing Ronalds to make the best use of his high quality water, was a key driver towards installing the new technology. Rain water is collected and stored on farm but can run short in drier years. Power savings, and therefore cost savings, was the other reason Ronalds decided to install the system. “If the price of the units is reasonable, the payback period should be quite quick, and will justify the capital outlay of the business,” he says. The fully automated system was supplied by

GEA Farm Technologies and was commissioned in February. The system comprises three purpose-built, fully insulated 750 litre plastic storage tanks to separately store the rinse water, alkaline detergent and the acid sanitiser solutions. A controller, chemical dosing system, water supply and pipework to connect the tanks to the wash line are the other components. The system uses a heat recovery unit and is designed to utilise waste heat from the refrigeration system. The heat is recovered in a separate 450l tank which can heat water to around 50 degrees C during each milking. This water is used as source water for the rinse tank, to re-circulate and heat the stored alkaline solution, and to top up the hot water service. Green Cleaning systems operate at much lower temperatures than conventional hot wash systems. The primary source of water heating for machine cleaning is the heat re-capture unit, with the conventional hot water service available for back-up if required. Excellent insulation and energy efficient design minimises standing heat losses. The detergent concentrations are automatically monitored and the tanks are dosed with chemicals and topped up with rain water as required. The system only needs a small daily volume (about 700-800 litres) of good quality, clean water for the pre-rinse and to top-up the cleaning solutions. An early analysis revealed the amount of electricity used for heating water has been reduced by 74%. Ronalds has also noticed a significant reduction in the time it takes to cool his milk since the system was installed. On hotter days the cooling time is being reduced from 1 ½ hours to an hour. This bonus saving is being delivered by the heat recovery unit (on the refrigeration system). The volume of water Ronalds uses for cleaning the plant has been reduced by 42%, saving the farm 0.33ml of good quality water per year. Greenhouse gas emis-

sions will be reduced in line with the energy savings. Ronalds and his milk company rep, Dale Lang, from United Dairy Power, have been keeping a close eye on milk quality during the start up phase. Although

some adjustments are still being made to the chemicals, the plant has been cleaning well and the milk quality has remained in the premium band. This is expected after every milking as the system uses a consistent regime.

“With increasing electricity prices and inconsistent water availability through the seasons, this technology makes sense. Dairy Cropping Australia is always looking to make savings where we can and improve overall business efficiency.”

Australian farmer, Steve Ronalds expects to save $A3200 in annual energy costs with his new milking machine cleaning unit.

Dairy News // October 11, 2011

management

Efficient irrigation made easier THE ART of good irrigation has been highlighted in two new booklets, recently released by DairyNZ.

As new technology improves the way dairy farmers irrigate, the demand on water resources nationally and regionally

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Guide to Good Irrigation – part 1 has been developed as a practical guide for farm staff and managers operating irrigation systems on a daily basis Guide to Good Irrigation – part 2 is for farm owners and managers to make them aware of their responsibilities as water users inside and outside the farm gate. Both guides include links to useful tools and irrigation resources. For further information, visit the DairyNZ website dairynz.co.nz/ irrigation or Irrigation NZ irrigationnz. co.nz

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Copies are available from dairynz.co.nz/ publicationsandtools. Alternatively, contact your local consulting officer or the Farmer Information Service ph 0800 4 DairyNZ (0800 4 324 7969).

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also continues to grow – making water efficient practices on-farm more relevant than ever, says DairyNZ developer Steve Lee. “Many dairy farmers currently use differing irrigation systems – from centre pivots to border dyke and rotary boom technologies,” says Lee. “The challenge is ensuring all these systems maximise the amount of dry matter grown, while using as little water as possible, which means managing all aspects of the irrigation system.” Guide to Good Irrigation – parts 1 and 2 were developed by DairyNZ to help dairy farmers fine-tune their irrigation and help with daily operation. “Good irrigation optimises the use of water, reduces costs, maximises pasture growth and makes day-to-day management simpler for staff,” says Lee. “The guides have been developed to help make irrigation simpler onfarm, while using water resources efficiently.” The South Island contains around 80% of the total irrigated land in New Zealand, with Canterbury and North Otago making up the majority of that area. “As a key region for irrigation, we’re making

sure the new guides get out to all dairy farms in Canterbury and North Otago, for farm staff and managers for the upcoming irrigation season,” says Lee. “Use the guide to look at how well your system is running, where improvements can be made and how you can use water more effectively. We are seeing some great cost savings and improved water applications by farmers carrying out evaluations of the irrigation systems.” A Dunsandel farmer improved his distribution uniformity on three rotary boom irrigations from 0.74 to 0.92 (1.0 means the whole area under the irrigator receives exactly the same amount of water). The same farm made energy savings of around $11,000 in one year by finishing irrigation runs sooner through the use of soil moisture monitoring and utilising night rates. To irrigate well, farm staff and managers need a sound knowledge of how soil and plant types, climate and the irrigation system’s capability influence a farm’s irrigation requirements. Managing a number of other factors, such as timing, volume and system type are also important. – DairyNZ

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Donaghys is holding a national Roadshow of LessN Fielddays to update and educate all in the agricultural industry on the benefits of Donaghys LessN. The fielddays are a must for anyone interested in growing more grass, using less nitrogen and saving money.

Dates and locations for the fielddays are as follows: October

Friday 14th 11.00 a.m. South Wairarapa WorkingMens Club Main Street South GREYTOWN

Tuesday 11th 11.00 a.m. Warren and Sue Gill Sandstone Farms - Gill Family 547 Lepper Road Dairy Supply No. 26135 INGLEWOOD 7.00 p.m. TET Multi Sports Centre 65 Portia St STRATFORD

Thursday 20th 12.00 noon George and Sue Bruce 231 Walton Road Dairy Supply No. 76994 WALTON Wednesday 26th 12.00pm Andrew Grey Pupu Valley Farms Pupu Valley Road Dairy Supply No. 30190 TAKAKA

Wednesday 12th 11.00 a.m. Andrew Meuli Alpen Rose Farms Ltd Tempsky Road Dairy Supply No. 41916 MATAPU 7.00 p.m. Waverley Racing Club WAVERLEY

Thursday 3rd 11.00 a.m. Harry Schatt Sharlands Road TE PARITA 7.30 p.m. Springston Hotel 156 Leeston Road SPRINGSTON Wednesday 16th 11.00 a.m. St Andrews Hotel Main Road ST ANDREWS Thursday 17th 11.30 a.m. Waitaki Bridge Hall State Highway 1 WAITAKI BRIDGE

Thursday 27th 12.00pm Karl Hannah Totara Flat, Ahura Dairy Supply No. 480 WEST COAST

Thursday 13th 11.00 a.m. Grant Barber Himatangi Station 637 SH1 Dairy Supply No. 26223 HIMATANGI 7.00 p.m. Pahiatua Fire Brigade Hall Tui Street PAHIATUA

7.30 p.m. Speights Ale House 245 Burnett Street ASHBURTON

Thursday 24th 11.00 a.m. Allan Leahy Festive Fields 22 Riversdale-Waikaia Road Dairy Supply No.33060 RIVERSDALE 7.30 p.m. The Top Pub WINTON

November Wednesday 2nd 11.00 a.m. Arjien Schouten Schouten Farms 2024 South Eyre Road Dairy Supply No. 37728 WEST EYRETON

Donaghys LessN – researched in one of New Zealand’s largest ever nitrogen response studies Donaghys LessN Independent Trial Results

Donaghys LessN® has undergone extensive trials and research to evaluate its performance on New Zealand farms.

Average daily dry matter production of four different N input systems 70

60 50

40 30 20 10 0 No Urea

Urea @ 40Kg/ha

Urea @ 80Kg/ha

Urea @ 40Kg/ha +LessN

Twenty Eight of these trials have been independent trials, conducted by leading Crown Research Institute’s, Universities and private researchers.

Trial results are an average of 21 trials conducted within New Zealand from Autumn 2007 – Autumn 2011. Average trial length was 24 days. Urea 40kg/ha treatment was only included in 14 trials. Seven trials which showed no nitrogen response have not been included in the above graph.

Research results show the benefits of the addition of LessN to dissolved urea.

For lasting benefits to your pasture contact your local Donaghys Territory Manager on 0800 942 006, your rural supplier or visit www.LessN.co.nz

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Since 2007 Donaghys LessN® has been evaluated in 67 trials throughout New Zealand, making the research into LessN one of the largest nitrogen response studies ever conducted in New Zealand

Dairy News // October 11, 2011

animal health

Risks from new BNP disease Bovine neonatal pancytopaenia (BNP or bleeding calf syndrome) is a disease seen for the first time in New Zealand. Mark Bryan, Vet South, with assistance from Wayne Clough, Pfizer and Richard Laven, Massey University provide diagnosis, management and advice. BNP WAS diagnosed for the first time in New Zealand in August 2011. Initial reports were of the disease being reported on three farms, two in the North Island and one in the South Island. These three cases involved six calves. By the end of August there were five farms with cases and eight affected calves. BNP emerged in Europe over the past few years and is strongly associated with previous vaccination of the dam with PregSure. However, BNP is rare in Europe; only 4943 cases have been diagnosed after vaccination with PregSure, with total sales of the vaccine approaching 14 million (4 cases per 10 000 doses). The great majority of affected farms in Europe have

had fewer than 10 cases (most <5); very rarely up to 5% of the calf crop has been affected. So BNP is a rare disease even at the farm level. Clinically, calves with BNP may present as weak or ataxic, or recumbent. They are usually identified around two weeks of age and always less than four weeks of age. They are often anaemic, pyrexic, and unresponsive to antibiotic or NSAID therapy. They may have melaena, or bleeding from injuries or ear tagging. Live calves may be diagnosed by blood sample and smear. Post mortem reveals significant haemorrhage and internal bleeding and bruising. A bone marrow smear is diagnostic. The disease is not contagious.

Although morbidity is low, mortality is very high. A calf can be diagnosed with BNP if it fulfils the following criteria; • Multiple internal and external haemorrhages • Thrombocytopenia • Leucocytopenia • Bone marrow depletion • 4 weeks in age Diagnostic Approach to suspect BNP calves Criteria for inclusion: four weeks old and consistent clinical signs (multiple internal and external haemorrhages, anaemia, lethargy, petechiation, bleeding from orifices and sometimes skin, death). Key samples needed are whole blood ante mortem, bone marrow smear cytology, Bone

marrow histology (sternum/rib/long bone) and range of other samples to be held in case BNP is ruled out. For a live calf, before euthanasia, clinical examination findings and serum and EDTA bloods samples are needed. After euthanasia get bone marrow first, remove a section of bone. Also squeeze bubbly marrow fluid onto several slides – avoid making the smear too thick as it will be difficult to interpret. Take bone marrow sample and fix it for histology – take this from the sternum/ rib or metaphysis of one of the long bones (sample the RED tissue, not the white tissue). Standard suite of fresh and fixed tissues to be held in case it is not BNP For a dead calf, post

mortem examination findings and carry out bone marrow biopsy. Standard suite of fresh and fixed tissues to be held in case it is not BNP. Although anthrax is highly unusual clinically, in dead calves care must be taken to rule it out. Whilst it has not been diagnosed in New Zealand since 1954, given its highly contagious nature it would make sense to rule this out before diving into a post mortem. Pathogenesis and BNP research The initial studies which linked BNP and PregSure were epidemiological; i.e. they showed that vaccination with PregSure was associated with a higher risk of BNP. That does not mean that there was clear and conclusive evidence

that PregSure caused BNP – there was no clear theory as to how that had happened, and the link was weak – as discussed above < 5 cases per 10 000 doses. However, the link between colostrum intake and BNP is clear and strong – if calves are prevented from suckling and are not fed colostrum artificially, BNP does not develop – and more recent research has shown how the disease is mediated. Vaccination with PregSure leads to the production of alloreactive antibodies which bind to the surface of blood cells. These antibodies are not produced by other BVD vaccines, so their production seems to be PregSure specific. In most animals, the level

of alloreactive antibodies is very low, but in some animals, those which have produced In BNP-affected calves, large amounts of alloreactive antibodies are produced. It is these antibodies which are almost certainly responsible for the clinical signs seen in affected calves. The evidence now is fairly clear that vaccination with PregSure is the key factor in the development of BNP. Further questions remain, such as why does PregSure induce these alloantibodies, what are the key characteristics of these high responders, and why have German levels of disease been much higher than in the UK and so far NZ (even when vaccine use has been accounted for).

After BNP has been diagnosed... ONCE BNP has been diagnosed, because treatment is largely pointless, the farmer will need appropriate advice. Because disease appears to be triggered by ingestion of colostrum, it is tempting to attempt to seek alternative colostrum sources. It is important to stress to clients that BNP even on affected farms is rare, so the risks associated with inadequate or no colostral intake vastly outweigh the relatively insignificant risks of developing BNP. Many more calves die because of inadequate colostrum intake in one year on an average New Zealand dairy farm than are likely to die of BNP in a year, so altering colostrum practices is not recommended. It is appropriate to seek to contact clients who have used PregSure, to

inform them properly and also advise them to look out for any suspect cases. This will reduce the potential for misinformation and panic from various sources. It makes sense to initially target farms that have recently used PregSure, and work backwards. It also makes sense to target those farms which have used PregSure over a number of years, rather than one single year. There will almost certainly be a shortage of BVD vaccine in New Zealand this year because of this. MSD Animal Health is doing its best to source as much Bovilis as possible, but given the demand (from Europe as well as NZ) they will be under pressure. Pfizer has requested that all stock be returned to them, and the ACVM has now suspended the license of PregSure. The ques-

tion remains how to control BVD with limited stocks of vaccine. Although PregSure could be used in bulls entirely safely, the loss of the licence means that such use cannot be recommended; so it may be best to vaccinate bulls with Viracare, as

fetal protection is not an issue, and use the remaining Bovilis vaccine in heifers and cows where fetal protection is essential. The key issue with the loss of PregSure, and the subsequent reduced availability of BVD vaccine, is that for many herds, the risks and costs of BVD will far outweigh the risk of BNP, so the greatest impact of BNP may actually be an indirect one in increasing losses from BVD rather than through the direct loss of calves with the disease. This argument is also important in regard to why a vaccine with a known association was used in 2010: the risk from BVD is many magnitudes higher than the risk from BNP. It is highly likely that under New Zealand farming systems, cases of BNP have gone undiagnosed.

Given that over half of calves born are not reared, there may well be some calves that were sent on the bobby truck before developing BNP. There may be some heifer calves that did not receive adequate colostrum which would otherwise have developed BNP. There may well be some calves reared that developed BNP and died but were either not noticed, or not treated, or whose their disease was put down to something else. There may also be dead induced calves that would have been at risk. Thus, BNP may have been present last season; and it may also still be found in the 2012 season, despite precautions in vaccinating with PregSure. There is much more to be learnt about BNP. Article sourced from Dairy Cattle Vets Newsletter September issue.

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Dairy News // October 11, 2011

animal health

Mastitis training yields result A DROP in the somatic cell count (SCC) of milk from sharemilker Kerrin Luond’s cows shows the benefit of his training in mastitis management, says AgITO, whose course he attended earlier this year.

management with the farm owner Ian Armstrong in March. “Ian and I read about the course and we both ended up going along,” he says. The two workshop series was developed by AgITO to help farm-

been able to pass on to the staff some of the things I’ve learned,” Luond says. “It helps if you can prove it to them and explain why you should do things.” The mastitis management course is part of AgITO’s package of milk

quality learning programmes that aim to increase farm profitability through improved milk quality and production. It is aimed at supervisors who can influence how mastitis is dealt with: managers, sharemilkers and owners.

Luond’s AgITO training adviser Michelle Taylor says, “Kerrin looks to improve productivity where he can and is proactive in passing on knowledge to staff. He has found mastitis management useful and has improved the way

“Our cell count is lower; it’s at least 100,000 less now,” Luond says. “It was about 280,000 and it’s now down to 150,000.” Currently sharemilking 1000 cows near Opunake, Luond’s background is in dairy farming. “I was brought up on a farm. My dad owned a dairy farm just round the corner from where we are now and eventually I went farming myself. Farming is

Kerrin Luond

my main passion. I enjoy it and you have to do what you enjoy. “I did a stint in the freezing works and then came back to farming. I had two years as a 2IC and then went sharemilking.” Luond has gained many qualifications through AgITO and has long advocated upskilling through training. “I started training with AgITO in the 90s and I’m now finishing off my diploma,” he says. Luond will graduate with his National Diploma in Agribusiness Management (Level 5) once he has finished the property report component of the qualification. He attended mastits

ers write plans that are practical and successful at decreasing clinical mastitis and somatic cell counts. The workshops are tutored by vets and made up of theory training and practical sessions. At workshop one, participants learn the theory behind mastitis and visit a farm to learn how to recognise key risk factors and develop a mastitis management action plan. They then assess the mastitis risk of their own herd and come back to workshop two to discuss and gain ideas to improve their mastitis action plan for implementation on their own farm. Luond was keen to attend the course because he anticipated it would help with the farm’s somatic cell count. “We struggle with our cell count here and we thought there must be a better way to do things. We wanted to up skill. The course was good, I got a few tips out of it and the tutor was awesome.” He has since changed the way they do some of the things in the shed since attending the course, including having staff ‘paddle’ every cow to test for mastitis before milk goes into the vat. “We maintain the teat sprayer so it continually goes now and newly calved cows are sprayed before their first milking,” he says. They have rethought their dry cow strategy on the farm and are trying to do things in a more cost effective way. “I’ve

BETTLE9197B

“We struggle with our cell count here and we thought there must be a better way to do things.”

Still The Best

some things are done on farm due to what he’s learned.” Now a property owner in Northland, Luond is hoping his own skills will take him further. “I want to buy another farm one day or get into an equity situation with a

large herd,” he says. But before that he is looking forward to how this season plays out. “Last year was a record year and this year is looking like it’s going to be better,” he says.

Tel. 0800 691 111 www.agito.ac.nz.

Dairy News // October 11, 2011

animal health

New walk through head bail prevents injuries New WOPA walk-through cattle crush.

Let’s face it... hoof trimming is part of good herd management. However, there are safe ways and unsafe ways to do it! Recently we heard of a situation where a farmer had a cow tied up to a gate for trimming. The cow kicked out and well... the rest is history as you can see above....

FRED HOEKSTRA

THE WOPA walkthrough treatment crush was originally developed to increase safety and efficiency whenever a cow needed to be treated individually. Today, by using modern, advanced techniques, a high quality, durable yet economical product has been developed to minimise lameness and its costs in cattle herds. WOPA are constantly looking for ways to improve their cattlehandling equipment. The crush is built extra sturdy for a long working life and designed to need a minimal

Farmer suffers NASTY cut to the hand REASONS WHY A GROWING NUMBER OF FARMERS CHOOSE TO TRIM HOOVES THE SAFEST WAY USING THE SPECIALISED WOPA CRUSH Winchable front brisket strap with quick release clip featuring geared safety winch.

Secure front opening head bail that locks in place and foot activated quick release.

amount of maintenance. The standard SA0026 model comes complete with a walk through head bail, treated thick wooden floor, wide brisket (belly) strap with quick release clip, back leg strap also with a quick release clip, front foot support blocks and two safety winches that are equipped with 2:1 reductions. The head bail is constructed in such a way that the cow can not injure herself. Should a cow go down she cannot

choke herself due to the straight-through design of the head bail. The lever to open the head bail is operated fully from the back for speed and ease of operation and taking the handler out of the cow’s exit path, preventing the risk of injury. The new head bail design has also taken the front step away so the cow is able to walk through without any hindrance. Because the front gate has no limit, the cow can walk out the crush easily with no obstacles.

Due to the fact the front gate has a variable catch position and opens in the middle, large and small cows, with or without horns, can be caught. The gate mechanism is fully closed from the rear of the crush automatically. A new option – a patented, spring-loaded back bar – allows the cow to stand with more

stability, and because of the constant pressure, the back leg is held better. The new crush will be on display at Veehof head office from November 2011. View a video of it operating on our website. • Fred Hoekstra is managing director of Veehof Dairy Services Ltd. Tel. 0800 833 463 www.veehof.co.nz

Incorrect grain feeders harmful WHEN WAS the last time you calibrated your grain feeders in the dairy? One of the often unforeseen problems with feeding grains to dairy cows is not so much the variation in energy and protein between each type and variety but rather the variation in actual weight to volume between each load delivered to the silo. Mark Freeman of the Tasmanian Institute of Agricultural Research (TIAR) Dairy Centre in Australia says grain is usually bought by weight (for example, 30 tonne of grain is delivered). “It is also usually fed by weight, where the cows receive 14kg dry matter (DM) of pasture per cow per day, for example, and we want them to have intakes of 18kg DM/ cow/day, so 4kg DM of grain is fed in the dairy to supplement the diet. “However, grain varies in size and density – not just between

types of grain, like wheat and oats, but also between batches of the same type of grain due to variety, climatic conditions and soil fertility. This means that the same weight of grain that differs in size and/or density will occupy a different area.” Freeman said this could mean a 20 tonne silo might hold 20 tonne of wheat but only 19 tonne of oats because of the different size of the grain. It could even mean the same silo could hold 20 tonne of one type of wheat but 22 tonne of a denser variety. “This is important because when you look at your grain delivery system in the dairy, it generally also works on a volume rather than a weight basis. A set volume of grain is stored in a container and released when a cord or button is pressed or an augur will run for a set time dispensing a certain

volume of grain.” To address this difference in weight per volume, grain density and weight is measured as kilograms per hectolitre. Freeman said measurements of grain samples during last season has shown there can be differences of up to 40% in hectolitre weights between different batches of grain. “In practical terms this means that if you are not regularly calibrating the grain feeders, they could be delivering 40% more or less than what you have set them for. You may have set the grain feeders to deliver 3kg of grain per milking but they could be delivering anywhere from 1.8kg or 4.2 kg if they haven’t been calibrated to the different densities of the grains. “This can have implications on milk yield, with a drop in production as cows are being fed less than target.

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Dairy News // October 11, 2011

nutrition / animal health

Feeding for fertility DAVID BEEVER

THE LINKS between nutrition, body score condition (BSC), animal health and performance are well recognised, as outlined in ‘Nutrition and BSC’ (Dairy News August 30). When cows lose excessive BSC in early lactation, short term gains in milk yield can easily be lost with increased health and fertility issues. And as the article suggests, providing additional feed to correct for increased BSC loss isn’t a ‘one size fits all solution’, often resulting in more milk with no notable improvements in BSC, health or fertility.

tant; careful feeding of starchy type feeds can impact positively on fertility, whilst responses to fat supplements have been variable, some reporting improved fertility, others noting only increased milk. As the article suggests, extra protein is not recommended with pasture fed cows, as this can increase BSC loss as cows try to produce more milk, with associated negative effects on fertility, and there are no reports where extra protein has been beneficial. So how best can we manage the situation? If you start in early lactation it’s all too late. Cows need to calve down in at BSC 5.0, and most

“Careful feeding of starchy type feeds can impact positively on fertility.” Excessive BSC loss in early lactation is best avoided, but this is not simply all about genetics, as the article suggests, and perhaps it’s time to focus on improving nutritional management during and prior to the dry period. Over-fat cows, seen in many herds, eat less and generally lose more body condition after calving, and associated metabolic changes (e.g. insulin resistance) can lead to increased fertility issues. Meanwhile under-conditioned cows at calving are a major management challenge: how to get them to milk whilst avoiding further loss of BSC. Minimisation or at least control of BSC loss in early lactation should be a management priority for all dairy farmers, and studies in Ireland have shown clear benefits of supplementary feeding at this time on BSC and fertility. But the magnitude of this affect seems to be affected by cow BSC at calving. Where cows have calved underconditioned, BSC and fertility improvements due to early lactation supplementation can be expected. In contrast, cows in better BSC at calving are less likely to show such gains. Concentrate supplement type is also impor-

importantly should arrive at this BSC at drying off, noting that the dry period is not a time to add or remove BSC. This means things need to start much earlier, needing to think about the next lactation as soon as the cows have re-bred. Don’t let them milk away all of their BSC and when too much BCS is being lost, providing a nutritional intervention (i.e. supplementation) can work to achieve that drying off BSC of 5.0. Then the challenge is to maintain that BSC through to calving, but as grass supply and availability start to fail this can be hard to achieve. That’s where the Keenan Controlled Energy: Hi Fiber system offers a cheap, proven and highly effective feeding strategy to manage dry cows and minimise BSC loss after calving. A mixed ration of cereal straw, silage and minimal concentrates (plus a good quality dry cow mineral) fed with restricted pasture significantly reduces animal health issues at calving (fewer milk fevers, calving difficulties and retained membranes) improves post-calving appetites, reduces BSC loss after calving and improves reproductive activity, all seen in grass based systems in Ireland

and New Zealand. Once such gains are achieved, don’t throw them away by turning cows abruptly onto 100% pasture without continuing some supplementary feeding, if you want to avoid other health issues, including ketosis and

displaced abomasums. Sick cows, erratic intakes, lower milk yields and increased BSC add to management hassles and quickly reduce farm profits. • Professor David Beever is a nutrition advisor with Keenan.

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Dairy News // October 11, 2011

animal health/nutrition

Dairy survey gives food for thought AUSTRALIAN DAIRY

cows are eating more grain/concentrate supplements despite better pasture conditions, according to a new Dairy Australia report. The average grain/ concentrate feeding rate Litres per cow per year

6483

6310 5011

their cows more grains/ concentrates than those aged over 40. On average, larger herds were fed higher rates than smaller herds, although all herd sizes recorded slight increases. Slightly more than

6828

7071

5301

TMR (System 5)

Feeding system and impact on milk production.

Hybrid (System 4)

PMR (System 3)

Mod-High bail

(System 2)

Low bail (System 1)

Pasture only

(System 1)

9000 8000 7000 6000 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 0

on Australian dairy farms in 2010-11 increased 2% on the previous year, from 1.58 to 1.66 tonnes/ cow/year, according to the 2011 dairy feeding update. This continues a long-term trend. Younger farmers fed

half (54%) of farmers nationally chose to graze their herds and feed more than 1 tonne grain/concentrates in the dairy bail (feeding system 2; see diagram). This resulted in an average 6310 litres and 476kgMS/cow. While farmers using partial mixed, hybrid and total mixed ration feeding systems (feeding systems 3, 4 and 5) totalled only 18% of farmers nationally, they produced 26% of total annual milk production. The dairy industry’s total feed grain requirement was around 2.5m tonnes per year. Steve Little, Grains2Milk, says farmers continue to prefer to spot-buy their grain/concentrates

Australian cows are eating more supplements, a survey has found.

as required. “However, more farmers with 300+cow herds used forward contracts – up to 26%, compared with 15% the previous period. Among extralarge herds (500+ cows), the proportion was 36%, up from 21% in 2009/10.” More farmers bought grain/concentrates directly from a stockfeed mill and fodder directly from a farmer; fewer bought through a merchant or trader. Nationally, 65% of farmers implemented a transition feeding pro-

gram pre-calving. However, only half of these used an approach which might provide cows with all the nutritional components of an integrated transition diet, and well over half did not feed the transition diet for long enough to gain the full cow health, fertility and milk production benefits. On-farm capital investment in feed systems was unchanged from 2009/10 at 10% of respondents, with the number intending to invest in the next 12 months also

very similar to last year. The study, prepared by Dairy Australia’s Grains2Milk program, provides an overview of current market conditions and a snapshot of on-farm dairy feeding management practices. It used information from Dairy Australia’s Dairy 2011 Situation & Outlook report and 2011 National Dairy Farmer Survey. Read the free report at http://www.dairyaustralia.com.au/Animalsfeed-and-environment/ Feeding-and-nutrition/ Latest-feed-news.aspx

Dairy News // October 11, 2011

animal health

Use antibiotics wisely FRED HOEKSTRA

ARE YOU a druggy? I mean are you using too many antibiotics on your cows. It is not a good idea to reach out for drugs as soon as you see a lame cow. I know that some of you do that. Lame cows hardly ever need antibiotics. Even when you trim a cow and you see some pus coming out of the wound you often don’t need penicillin. On the other hand there are cases that only antibiotics can fix. So what is the difference? Let’s have another look at the autonomy of the foot. Around all the live tissue outside a body grows the skin. The function of the skin is to be a barrier between the outside world and the live tissue inside the body. Most of the skin grows hair but at the bottom of the feet this skin grows the horny tissue that we call “claw”. When we trim a cow’s foot and we see some pus coming out it is more likely that it comes from the outside of the skin (corium). In this case it is still a superficial infection and the corium is still doing that part of its job properly. It just isn’t growing horn. However, if the bacteria manage to get through the corium then you have an issue that requires antibiotics. In these cases the foot would be swollen up and warm. Your veterinarian can advise you which antibiotics to use. There is a big difference between an infection in the interdigital space (foot rot) and an infection in just one claw, which often enters into the claw at the white line in the heel area. Different types of antibiotics should be used. Cows that have only a superficial infection just need a proper trim. The idea is to remove as much weight as possible from that claw so as to allow the air to dry the wound out; if it is not possible to create enough height difference naturally then you can glue a claw block to the healthy claw to remove all the weight off the sore one. In these cases Penicillin won’t help, potentially making things worse and even put you at risk. Let me explain. If penicillin is used a lot then the bacteria begin to build up a resistance to it, especially when the course isn’t finished and cows are getting only half the doses that they need. With these new immune bacteria we now have a super bug. People can get infected by these bacteria and if that happens what are the doctors going to use to get rid of it? The usual antibiotics don’t work anymore. You may think that this is a bit far-fetched. Well

it is already happening. You would have heard of the supper bug in the hospitals. Scientists believe that the MRSA (staphylococcal aureus) bacterium is being spread by farm staff as well as in hospitals. This just shows that we need to be much more careful with the use of antibiotics and we do have a huge responsibility to the public. Only use it when you really need it. • Fred Hoekstra is managing director Veehof Dairy Services.

Lame cows hardly ever need antibiotics, says Veehof Dairy Services.

in brief AUSTRALIAN CHARITY Vets Beyond Borders (VBB) says World Animal Day serves as an important reminder of the ways in which animals enrich human lives. World Animal Day was started in 1931 at a convention of ecologists in Florence as a way of highlighting endangered species. October 4 was chosen as World Animal Day as it is the Feast Day of St Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals. Fast forward to 2011 and it is now used to promote all kinds of animal life, celebrated with events internationally. VBB’s executive officer, Jenny O’Donnell, is hoping World Animal Day will encourage more Australians to donate to organisations such as VBB to highlight the increasingly relevant connection between animal and human health. “Remember that when animals are well cared for, so are the people who share their lives,” she says.

Tuesday, 24th August, 2.56am When it comes to accurately identifying calves, it doesn’t matter whether it’s raining, whether it’s 2.56am, whether it’s the back paddock or whether you’re fast asleep. GeneMark will get it right, every time. GeneMark is the most accurate, convenient and cost-effective way to record your calves’ identities. Take the sample when it suits you, and get ready to take advantage of the improved genetic reports in MINDA to drive your herd’s performance. To ﬁnd out how GeneMark can save you time, hassle and cost, call 0800 436 362.

BETTLE9060

Looking after animals

Dairy News // October 11, 2011

animal health/nutrition

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SOUTHLAND DAIRY farmer Alfons the year, and two years ago they bought Zeestraten keeps a close eye on the three feed pushers. inputs and outputs of his operation. The Juno automatically drives itself The numbers tell him his feed pushers around the feeding alley by following boosted milk production and cut costs the feeding rail. It contains a 500kg conso much that they paid for themselves in crete block that gives it the mass necesa year. Zeestraten uses Lely Juno feed sary to push the forage towards the rail pushers. without disturbing the cows. The Zeestraten family and their 11 It needs no extra gear, and the Zeesstaff milk 2000 tratens did not have cows on three to modify their “Not only does it place barns to accomfarms near Winton. Each farm the silage in front of the modate theirs. “We carries about 650 have programmed cows around the clock, the Juno to make cows. Two of the farms have rotary it encourages them to 16 passes in 24 milking sheds, one hours. It runs off a eat more because it has 12 volt battery, and has a herringbone shed, and all have a a sound they recognise.” after every pass it wintering barn. returns to its char“The cows are ger. indoors for about 90 days a year,” Zees“We have even programmed it so traten says. “During that time we pre- twice a day it parks itself outside the pare a silage mix for them, and we use barn. This allows the silage wagon to the Juno pusher to ensure they have ac- enter the barn to unload the feed. If the cess to feed at all times. tractor driver needs to feed out at a dif“We programme the feed pusher to ferent time we can manually steer walk make a circuit every 90 minutes. With- the Juno or steer it by remote control out out the Juno we would either have to of the way.” move the feed by hand or with a tractor With the Lely Juno, cows receive an and implement. equal mixture day and night. Because it “Not only does it place the silage in constantly makes passes, low ranking front of the cows around the clock, it cows can also access fresh feed after encourages them to eat more because it high ranking cows have eaten their rahas a sound they recognise. When they tion. consume more they produce more, so The Zeestratens grow their own grass we gain through both lower costs and and a small amount of cereal for pit sihigher output.” lage. They supplement it with grain and Zeestraten and wife Gea came to minerals to prepare the cows’ winter raSouthland from Holland 13 years ago tion. specifically to go dairy farming. Today Since adding the feed pusher to the two of their children, Stefan (21) and Su- operation, the Zeestratens’ cows have sanne (19), work in the family business raised production by about 0.1kgMS/ while youngest son Leon (10) is still at day. Zeestraten estimates this at an extra school. 10kgMS/cow. From a dairy background, the ZeesMultiplied by 650 cows over the 90 tratens have adopted some European days they are in the barns, and add in techniques. They use free stall barns the savings in labour, fuel, and machine to maintain the health and production time, and the numbers show each Juno of their herd during the coldest part of paid for itself in a year.

Dairy News // October 11, 2011

hay & silage

Aim high, start well, pay attention THE IMPORTANCE of pasture silage – a major supplementary feed – is twofold: 1. It facilitates the removal of pasture surplus to the herd’s immediate needs, enabling the provision of higher quality pasture in late spring/ early summer. 2. It provides a good quality feed supplement for summer/autumn milk production and autumn body condition score (BCS) gain. Making high quality pasture silage should not be difficult, but it must be viewed as an investment in supplementary feed rather than a “necessary evil” to manage pasture.

The objective in making silage is to preserve as many of the original nutrients as possible. In practice, however: • The silage is often not made at the optimal time. This reduces the pasture quality advantage and the value of the silage as a supplementary feed. • Poor attention is often paid to the silage making process. This increases fermentation losses and reduces the value of the silage as a supplementary feed. The important points in making high quality silage will be discussed. • What is silage? When grass is cut and left in a heap, it rots! Silage making is the process of “pickling” pasture to reduce the pH (acidity) to a level that stops mi-

Figure 1: Sequence of events that occur when air enters the silage stack. Silage exposed to air

➔ Dormant yeast that degrade lactic acid are revived

➔ “Heating” – yeast degrade lactic acid to CO 2 , and water

➔ Number of yeasts increase in the silage mass

➔ pH of silage increases

➔ Moulds and aerobic bacteria are revived

➔ Spoilage

No magic needed PASTURE CUT for silage must be high quality. It doesn’t improve in quality after it has been turned into silage. To achieve high quality silage: Areas identified for silage must be closed early (preferably before balance date). Grazing residuals should be 1,500 kg DM or less in these paddocks. Heavily pugged paddocks should be rolled to avoid soil contamination of the silage. • Harvesting, compacting and covering of the stack must be done quickly to reduce spoilage. • Inoculants may improve the fermentation process, but will not turn poor quality grass into good silage. Not all inoculants work the same. Ask to see the research results that show the inoculants improve silage quality and/or animal production. • Attention to detail is required when feeding out to minimise losses both at the stack and in the paddock/feed pad.

crobial activity (stops the feed “rotting”). This is achieved through compacting the pasture and covering with plastic to exclude air, while microorganisms “burn” the sugars in the grass to produce lactic and acetic acid. When enough of these acids are produced, no further breakdown of the pasture occurs. The micro-organisms can be either naturally present in the grass or added in the form of inoculants. A high pH in silage indicates inefficient fermentation, possibly resulting from: • low pasture sugar content • high pasture N content • excessive soil contamination • not compacting the stack sufficiently

• not covering the stack quickly and thoroughly • not using sufficient tyres to hold down the plastic • not checking for damage to the plastic regularly • not controlling vermin, cats, birds that damage the plastic covering. If the silage is exposed to air (e.g. torn plastic), a chain reaction occurs that reduces silage quality. Yeasts that cannot grow without air become active once more and break down the acids in the silage (“heating”). This causes the pH to rise, allowing the bacteria that were suppressed at low pH to grow once more. These bacteria use the energy and protein in the pasture, causing massive spoilage. These silages can also have a high

Kevin MacDonald

Phillipa Hedley

John Roche

concentration of butyric acid, which reduces palatability and dry matter intake and, if fed in early lactation, increases the risk of ketosis. Most silage analyses provide you with indicators of how well the pasture was fermented. Key things to take note of include: • Dry matter (DM%) Pasture that has a DM% below 25% is more difficult to ensile well and will lose nutrients through effluent loss. Pasture with a DM% above 35% is more

difficult to compact (especially if not precision chopped) and generally takes longer for the pH to drop. • pH This is an indicator of how well the fermentation process has gone. A high pH (>4.5) generally indicates that air was not excluded properly. • Ammonia-N (NH3-N) This is an indicator of how much protein has been broken down by bacteria. In well preserved silage, NH3-N should be less than 10%. • Lactic acid (% DM or

% total acid) Is an indicator of how successful the fermentation was, how successful your choice of inoculant was, and how palatable the silage will be. In pasture silage, total acids can be 2-10% DM. Ideally silages will be 5-7% total acid of which more than 50% is lactic acid. • Butyric acid (% DM or % total acid) This is an indicator of secondary fermentation and soil contamination. Air has either not been excluded from the stack

To page 48

Figure 2: Effect of date of last grazing before making silage, on the percentage of ryegrass plants with seed heads before silage making. The earlier the pasture is closed for silage, the longer the period of closure before significant loss of quality from seed heads. Percent of ryegrass tillers flowering

KEVIN MACDONALD, PHILLIPA HEDLEY & JOHN ROCHE

90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0

◆ 11 Sep ■ 25 Sep ▲ 16 Oct

▲ ▲ ■ ▲

▲

▲ ■

▲

◆ ■ ◆

▲ ■ ■ ▲ 0

■ ■ ▲ 20

■

■ 40

Days after last grazing

◆ 60

Dairy News // October 11, 2011

hay & silage

Quality: how you get it – in practice RUBBISH IN, rubbish out – it’s an old rule. The pasture you put into a stack cannot improve in quality. Therefore, it is important to ensure the pasture to be ensiled is as high quality as possible. The drive for higher

silage yields/ha to reduce the cost/t DM of making pit or stack silage has often been used as an excuse for ensiling “overgrown” pasture (i.e. pasture that has been growing for too long since its last grazing).

New Zealand data indicate that pasture quality does not decline between 10 to 40 days after grazing in early spring. Wrenn and Mudford reported that with later closure of the paddock, pasture quality declined

earlier due to increased seed head emergence. Therefore, they recommended earlier rather than later closure. Their data from Waikato and Taranaki indicate that silage can be made six to seven weeks Balance date

Silage area

Grazing area

➔

Grazing area

➔

Figure 3: Schematic of grazing rotation before balance date.

Nitrogen and close for silage

after closing without major loss in quality when the final grazing was in the two weeks before balance date. When the silage area was closed two to four weeks after balance date, there was a significant drop in pasture quality within three weeks of closing because of seed head emergence In addition to the closing date effect on silage quality, Wrenn and Mudford also noted an effect of post-grazing residuals before closing. Their data indicated that for every extra 100 kg DM/ ha increase in grazing residual in the grazing before closing for silage, pasture should be closed

for 1.4 days less. Therefore, if postgrazing residuals were 1,500 kg DM/ha (3.5- 4.0 cm) in a proposed silage paddock in early September, the optimum closure period is six weeks. If, in comparison, there is a residual of 1800 kg DM/ ha, the pasture should be cut after five weeks to optimise yield and quality. If the decision to make silage is delayed, such that paddocks are not closed until early October, and the post-grazing residual is 1,800 kg DM/ ha, pasture quality will start to decline after 15 days and the resultant silage quality will be poor.

These results mean that you can have your cake and eat it too (i.e. have high yields of silage of high quality), as long as the silage is made early (approximately four to five weeks after balance date - when pasture growth exceeds herd demand). Earlier than this and the risk of underfeeding the herd is increased; later than this and pasture will be “heading” during silage making, with quality of pasture to be ensiled declining as rotation length increases. In addition, a dry November-December period will reduce pasture recovery.

Aim high, start well From page 47

or the plastic has become ripped. The pasture ensiled was contaminated with soil (pugged paddock not rolled), providing clostridial bacteria that convert sugars to butyric acid. Butyric acid should be less than 1% DM. • Why is silage quality important? Silage is used to feed both lactating and dry cows during times of pasture deficit or to increase BCS gain while building pasture cover in the autumn. Therefore, it must be of the highest possible quality. DairyNZ data suggest that increasing silage quality by 2.3 MJ ME/ kg DM increases milksolids production by 13, 17 and 41% in spring, summer and autumn, respectively4. As is recommended for all feeds, the value of silage as a supplement must be based on its quality (i.e. its ME energy content). Quality is all about energy, the wrong acids reduce palatability. • Should you be making my silage in bales or in a stack/pit? Pasture silage can be made either in a field stack, a pit/concrete bunker (on top of the ground) or as bales. Provided the quality of the material going into the silage is the same and proper attention is paid to covering the pasture and ensuring no air enters the stack after covering, pasture silage quality should be the same from either stack/pit or baled silage. The decision to make bales or stack/pit silage depends on the farm system, the method of feeding silage and infrastructure for silage storage. • Baled silage allows flexibility – the ability to remove small crops of pasture when desired and the ability to store and feed it in multiple locations. This method generally suits situations when there is only small surplus and to reduce the risk of creating a deficit the paddocks are only shut for up to a week longer

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than the grazing rotation. As the pasture crop is often lighter, silage quality can be greater and regrowth recovery is generally faster. If the baled pasture is not chopped further, utilisation of the silage can be greater when fed in the paddock. • Stack/pit silage can also be fed in locations on farm, and is cheaper than baled silage provided the yield of pasture ensiled is greater than 30 t DM/ha or the silage goes to an existing pit. • Pit/bunker silage does not offer flexibility in storage, but, when properly used, reduces wastage relative to stack silage. Pit silage is easier to compact and, therefore, expel air. The disadvantage, however, is the need for greater capital investment. The stack/pit must be filled, compacted and covered quickly to exclude air and allow the ‘pickling’ process to start. Any delay in this process will compromise the quality of the silage. If making silage is going to take more than one day, do not leave a stack or pit uncovered at night. A plastic cover should be pulled over the stack/pit each night and weighed down on the edges with tyres. This will reduce respiration losses and prevent spoilage. Are there advantages to precision chopping? Modern mowers, balers and forage harvesters facilitate chopping pasture to 3-5 cm (i.e. precision chopped). Precision chopping pasture for silage provides an advantage in stack compaction and, therefore, silage quality, provided other factors important in silage making are followed (e.g. high quality, clean pasture at 25-35% DM). It is particularly useful when the pasture is greater than 30% DM. There is significant evidence in sheep and dairy cattle that DM intake of precision chopped silage is greater than “flail chopped” silage.

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Dairy News // October 11, 2011

hay & silage

Plan for a surplus Failing to plan, is planning to fail! Though pasture silage is the conservation of “surplus pasture” during peak pasture growth, maximising yield of high quality pasture silage requires that this surplus is expected and its removal planned months in advance. This is particularly important when pit or stack silage is being made. If pasture silage is only planned when pre-grazing mass exceeds the desired amount for the milking herd and then closed for a period to maximise yield before harvesting, the silage is often made 50-60 days after balance date; quality of the material being ensiled in such situations is generally poor (ME<10.5 MJ/kg DM and crude protein <15%)7. Alternatively, if harvested immediately on recognising the surplus, yield/ha is low and the cost of the silage may be expensive relative to other supplements. To ensure that silage is made at the correct time to maximize yield and quality: • The area available for silage must be calculated. • The contractor must be booked to ensure availability when required. • Decisions have to be made about additives. Area to close for silage The amount of farm area that can be taken out for silage on an average year is equal to: 100 x (Pasture growth rate – (Stocking rate x Cow pasture intake). Pasture growth rate For example, if peak growth rate is 75 kg DM/ ha/day, stocking rate is three cows/ha and cows are expected to eat 17 kg DM/ day, the area available for silage on an average year is: 100 x (75 – (3 x 17)) = 32% In comparison, if peak growth rate is 60 kg DM/ ha/day and stocking rate is three cows/ha, only 15% of the farm area can be closed for silage. In reality, you want to close less than what is theoretically possible, allowing some additional pasture for the herd in case growth rates are not as high as average, but being prepared to remove additional areas strategically as baleage. Planning the sur-

plus: Ideally, the silage area should be scheduled into the winter/spring grazing plan (e.g. spring rotation planner) so that it is grazed in the month before balance date (See Figure 3). Doing this recognises there will be a surplus of pasture at the end of the second round. However, by doing it in this way, the silage ground will be closed and fertilised one to two weeks before balance date, ensuring that silage can be made four to five weeks after balance date. Apply 40-50 kg N/ha to three-quarters of the silage ground and 30 kg N/ha to the remaining quarter. This allows you to utilize this quarter of the silage area for grazing if you need to. To inoculate or not When a crop is ensiled, the bacteria naturally present turn sugars into acids. To aid this process, inoculants are applied to increase the population of “desirable” bacteria, thereby ensuring a more rapid reduction in pH and speeding up the ‘pickling’ process. However, this is not always the case. Inoculants are not all the same. They differ in their effectiveness and other factors (i.e. pasture quality, weather, management) influence their effectiveness. Minimising losses Field losses can be minimised by ensuring the paddocks chosen for silage are the largest paddocks, to minimise machinery turning, rectangular shaped, to avoid more corner losses than necessary, and that water troughs and other obstacles (e.g. electricity pylons) can be easily avoided. Cows and older heifers can be used to graze the headland areas to minimise field losses. Even in the best conditions these losses will be 5-10% of the pasture available. Losses in the stack can be minimised by: • Reducing the length of time that the cut material is exposed to air • Ensuring the stack is well packed (tractor tyre grip marks) and covered with plastic promptly • Ensuring that the entire stack is covered in tyres (tyre to tyre touching) to hold the cover in place. Even with perfect diligence, 5-10% of DM will

be lost during ensiling. If not careful, losses can be greater than 25%. • Kevin Macdonald, DairyNZ senior scientist sarm systems; Phillipa Hedley, DairyNZ seveloper, productivity; John Roche, principal scientist animal science. This article, used with permission, first appeared in DairyNZ’s ‘Technical Series’, September 2011, complete with references to the research cited. These are available online at www.dairynz. co.nz

Figure 4. A hypothetical timeline of the silage making process. Note area and paddock choice decisions are made six months before the silage is made. April

May

June

July

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Balance date Calculate area to be closed for silage Decide on paddocks Plan spring grazing so that silage paddocks are grazed two to six weeks before balance date Close area for silage Fertiliser for silage Book contractor for six weeks Investigate inoculant options Cut silage Silage available for feeding out

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Dairy News // October 11, 2011

hay & silage

‘More grass conserved, regrowth faster’ optional attachment to the mowers. “Farmers comment on the lack of waste with this system. Regrowth is also faster and a lot more even.” Sandblasting the mowers’ chassis and finishing with Siloxane two-pack paint has been a “plus” in the harsh farm environment. The key to fast regrowth of topped grass is a clean cut. This is best achieved at a blade tip speed of about 300km/h. Only disc and drum mowers are capable of this blade speed. “The other point that makes a big difference is

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rapid decomposition of the toppings. The secret to getting toppings or cuttings decomposing quickly is to leave them loose and open to the elements. “For example, when a lawn has been left too long uncut, then mown without a catcher, the mown grass rolls into balls and the moisture is retained in the clumps, slowing the breakdown process. “If the toppings are heavy, the grass under-

A spring-loaded top link system helps the mower follow ground contours.

neath can die off. Unfortunately, traditional toppers often have a similar clumping-and-rolling effect on the toppings, which is far from ideal.” Maxam says its MXL250 model closely follows all terrain, “achieving a flat, clean cut in all conditions”. The full spread from

A GOOD grass mower leaves any grass in a position to dry and wilt quickly to the correct dry matter (DM), retaining the maximum metabolic energy (ME), says Maxam. The Maxam mower, with the Wilter spreader, leaves a carpet of conditioned grass right across the paddock, lightly fluffed up for maximum exposure to the sun and warm breeze. These elements suck excess moisture from the grass and secure valuable nutrients on which stock thrive. The tossing action of the Wilter spreader throws the heavier grasses further than the shorter lengths so they land on top, getting more exposure to the elements. This ensures an even wilt, right through the sward.

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helps the mower follow ground contours and gives lift to the front of the mower, minimising wear and helping it clearing obstacles. Once the mower is fitted to the tractor, the top link is lengthened to push against the spring so the system is preloaded.

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From the Wilter the crop is tossed sideways so it does not roll and knot, which also aids the wilting and drying process. Maxam mowers are designed and manufactured to suit New Zealand farms, and

grass harvesting techniques. Ideal for mowing grass for forage crops, the Maxam has an edge when it comes to pre-cutting or topping grass for cows to eat directly, the company says. The low, clean-cut and tidy row ensures no wastage and can prevent bloat, and the cows increase their milk production eating the wilted grass, which has increased sugar levels over uncut grass. The topped grass is then in an ideal state for re-growing. Four models are available; 3300 (3.3m), 2500 (2.5m), 2130 (2.1m) and the MXL250 (2.5m).

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MINIMAL WASTE of freshly topped grass results from Maxam mowers’ ability to leave the cut grass either in rows, or to spread it out wide, says Maxam Machinery, Palmerston North. “Many dairy farmers now cut the grass several hours before it is fed out to the cows,” a spokesman says.” This minimises risk of bloat and raises the sugar content of the cut grass, providing cows with more metabolisable energy.” Maxam mowers suit this task by being able to leave the grass in rows, or spread it fully by means of the Wilter, an

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Dairy News // October 11, 2011

hay & silage

‘Super-compost’ achieves aim HUMATE HAS lifted maize yield to a record high on a King Country farm, reports supplier NZ Humates, Mt Maunganui.

district and 50% higher than the expected norm. Another impressive yield on the Voyce’s property was that of newer variety

Volumes much smaller than compost are required and it can be blended with any fertiliser for simple and cost effective application Humates as a ‘supercompost’ applied in the base fertiliser dressing. The company says Fertco customers Graeme and Ellie Voyce, Piopio, recently won the Pioneer Maize for Grain Yield award for greatest yield in the 38P05 variety. NZ Humates says the yield of 15.2 tonne/ ha – with moisture of 21.6% -- is an outstanding yield for the cooler

growing period. Also, because miroa ash soils have a high phosphate retention the dical suffers less from soil lock up. NZ Humates says humate is super-concentrated compost whose effect in improving fertiliser efficiency and soil physical

P9400, which yielded 17.2 tonne/ha. The area on which the maize was grown is predominantly miroa ash soil, used for maize grain for the past five years. Voyce applied humate at 100kg/ha with dicalcic phosphate and potash. Their Fertco rep says the farm used dicalcic phosphate because it gives a sustained release of phosphate over the

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nutrients such as potash and nitrogen and fewer nutrients are lost through leaching or volatilisation.” Humate is also said to add organic material lost in cropping, improving water holding capacity and biological activity.

Soil tested, used lime to alter the PH to 6.0. Base fertiliser: 200kg/ha Dical8, 100kg/ha humate,100kg/ha muriate of potash. Starter fertiliser: 200kg/ha 12, 10, 10. Side dressing fertiliser: 100kg/ ha of urea humate mix at 4-leaf stage.

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Organic stamp ORGANIC CERTIFICATION is expected soon for the BioMagic Ltd soil conditioner EFX, the company says. The product was launched here last year. EFX contains nutrients and 90 trace elements sufficient to sustain the biology for at least a year, BioMagic says. The nutrients include bacillus aerobic bacteria, several fungi, actinomycetes and other aerobic organisms – molasses, fish, kelp, humic acid and fulvic acid. Corn, potatoes and kiwifruit are said to be doing well as a result of the product. And DOC is trialling it in treatment of diseased kauri trees. EFX turns soil aerobic and it is expected the phytofura disease threatening the kauri will be eliminated because phytofura requires anaerobic conditions. BioMagic says EFX reduces magnesium biologically, ‘balances’ soil and biologically reduces contaminants such as copper or salt. ‘It rapidly restores soil biology eradicated by over use of chemical fertilisers.” As a soil conditioner it will “biologically release fertiliser to plants.” “EFX is extremely economical and in most cases only 1 L/ha is required. It is easy to apply and can be used as a foliar spray, applied any time of year.” It converts organic matter into plant available nutrients, creating healthy soil and maintaining soil moisture and oxygen levels. Users are said to report increases in health and new growth of citrus trees and larger crops, and sweeter tasting fruit, cauliflowers, broccoli and cabbages. Peter Bennett, Te Puke, last year used EFX on a horse paddock where the pasture “quickly turned dark green with good grass and clover growth. The horse manure broke down faster than previously and soon disappeared.” And citrus grower Jatinder Singh is reported to have used EFX on citrus trees which “had not put on new growth for two years, but within a few weeks of applying EFX had new shoots. We had the biggest ever crop of sweet fruit.”

properties are similar to compost. “But volumes much smaller than compost are required and it can be blended with any fertiliser for simple and cost effective application. “The high cation exchange capacity of humate means it holds onto

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Dairy News // October 11, 2011

machinery & products

‘Better calves for less work’ ‘BETTER CALVES and less work: what could be bet- about the value of automatic calf feeding. His Calm ter than that? asks Winton, Southland, dairy farmer Vario was delivered and installed in August by Lely Chris Kenel. Helping achieve that aim is his new Lely Center Invercargill. Calm Vario automatic calf feeder, says Lely. The feed is dispensed at four feeding stations at The farm was converted in 2001 from sheep to the same time. It feeds up to 180 calves with only one dairy. It is mostly a self supporting unit, with cows automatic calf feeder with an integrated and efficient and many of the young self cleaning system. stock wintered on the “The first night after installation Says Kenel, “I wanted farm. the calves feeding better 12 of the 25 calves had learned Half of the herd is and I think the calf feeder Friesian and the other how to drink by themselves.” is the correct and most half Brown Swiss, an exreliable option for me. It otic breed in New Zealand. Milking goes year-round guarantees the optimal growth and development of my with 90% spring calving and 10% in autumn. The calves as well. My calves can go and feed themselves winter milking cows are housed on straw bedding in whenever they wish. a wintering barn built in 2003. “At the moment we are feeding 170 calves with the Most of the cultivation work for winter feed and Calm and not a single one ever gets sick”. silage harvesting is done by a crew headed by Kenel. Calves quickly learn the system – that their allocaComing from a European background he knew tion is limited, and they quickly adopt a greater meal/

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roughage intake in their diet as a result. “I was surprised how quickly calves pick up how to get their milk. And they become accustomed to the automatic feeder and the noises it makes. “The first night after installation I put 25 calves in the shed with the feeder and next morning 12 of the 25 calves had learned how to drink by themselves. The other calves we pushed just once, and after that they all began going back to drink on their own”. The feeder gives to the farmer the flexibility to check the performance of the calves whenever he wants. As soon as a calf enters a milk station, it is recognised by its National Identification and Tracing electronic transponder and the machine decides if it is allowed to drink, and how much. It then mixes individual rations of warm milk; the amount allocated is depending on a feeding plan and the age of the calves so different ages can be fed differently at the same time. A hand-held terminal on the Calm has a large data display. Kenel likes the amount of information he can get from the system. “If a calf is getting sick or when she’s sucking less than normal, it will show me on the screen so I can check directly. I can detect early to see if there is something wrong. Better calves and less work are the main advantages for me.” Tel. 07 850 4050 www.lely.com

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Dairy News // October 11, 2011

machinery & products

Teat spray a ‘given’ in new dairy TONY HOPKINSON

the irrigators. Frog believes he gets about $50,000 of fertiliser annually and has no need to apply phosphate,

PIERRE LE Lievre is just into his first season with a new 25-aside herringbone farm dairy with “all the bells and whistles.” He is a 50:50 sharemilker on the Edgecumbe property owned by his father (see below) known to the locals as ‘Frog’ and the farm has been in the family since 1919. The farm is flat, fully developed, centrally raced and classed as being “just above Pierre Le Lievre, high tide.” The Edgecumbe ocean is 5km in a direct line from the farm. After the potassium or magnesium. Edgecumbe earthquake He does regular soil tests, of 1987 the land shifted uses a little nitrogen and enough to cause some only applies lime every drainage issues. three years. It supplies the FonAs part of the new terra Edgecumbe dairy dairy Le Lievre has infactory and is on seasonal stalled a combined Wetit supply. It takes whey teat sprayer and Swatit from the factory for eight fly sprayer. months of the year. This “With the mastitis first goes to the comproblem we believed it pany’s own farm then was paramount we teat surplus is reticulated to sprayed the cows after other adjacent farms. every milking as a simple At the factory the step to protect the cows cream, casein, alcohol from infection.” and lactose has been He intends to use the removed and the whey fly spray when needed is spread from a traveland on those days he will ling irrigator. Fonterra not use the teat sprayer. maintains the pumps, The machines work off delivery lines and shift To page 54

Three generations in Edgecumbe THE ORIGINAL 91ha of the Le Lievre farm at Edgecumbe has been in the family since 1919. “My father paid the deposit at Labour Weekend that year and now a third generation – my son Pierre Le Lievre – is running the home property,” said owner of the farm ‘Frog’ Le Lievre. Frog can trace his ancestry back to the original French set-

tlement at Akaroa first settled in 1838. The first Le Lievre was a French whaler Francois Le Lievre who spent the summer 1837-38 there before returning to France and returning with 60 settlers in 1840 to the original settlement. A painting of him hangs in the lounge of the homestead. Jules Le Lievre an All Black in

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1962 also features in the family tree. Frog bought 40ha from his father in 1959 and the balance in 1966. He and wife Zoe bought another 91ha across the road and ran them as two separate units initially with two of their sons running them. He still owns both with one son Pierre running the original farm and the other with con-

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tract milkers. They also have an adjacent 40ha on which he runs young stock and rears 80 Jersey bulls which are sold at 14 months for use as service bulls. Both farms are centrally raced with no part of either farm more than 20 minutes from the respective dairy sheds. Both farms are using Wetit and Swatit teat and fly spay units.

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Dairy News // October 11, 2011

machinery & products

Manure plant points to energy ‘neutrality’ FIVE INSTALLATIONS

of a new manure-refining system are due to be started next year in the Netherlands, says Lely. The project is a joint venture with Green Energy Technologies (GET) The systems, called AgriMoDEM, are developed by GET.

Lely says the ‘big picture’ here is ‘lifecycleneutral’ operations on dairy farms – all part of ‘sustainable applications.’ The company sees this as a logical step beyond products with a “proven long life span and lowest possible energy consumption.”

“Lely now also goes for complete business concepts that ensure energy-neutral operations in the farming sector,” the company says. It reported in April that it would take over servicing of this system. Now, the joint-venture plan is for GET and Lely

to develop the system into a market-ready product to be sold and maintained under the Lely brand and through its distribution channels. Testing and further development is under way. AgriMoDEM “has potential to be a major solution to manure issues,”

Lely says. “Fermentation is gaining ground, for reducing emissions and to allow farmers to become autonomous in energy production.” It allows manure refining without delay, and so cutting greenhouse gases to a “minimal” level. The system can reprocess

Save Power and Lower SCC Count!

biogas into a “natural gas-quality” product. It collects methane-rich biogas for farm gas supply, for electricity generation or for sale off-farm. The system seperates nitrogen, potassium and phosphate, the latter usable by the farmer as a concentrate with nitrogen. On good soil types, a production of 20,000 litres of milk per hectare can be achieved without having to discharge manure, Lely says.

GET co-founder Henk Harkema, is said to admire Lely’s “professionalism and passion” – pointing to “successful innovation.” Lely Group chief executive Alexander van der Lely says GET’s approach “fits perfectly with Lely’s portfolio.” “We’re confident of a new development with this system. And it will make the agricultural sector more sustainable, profitable and enjoyable.”

Entreprenuer and equity partner Green Energy Technologies (GET) is the brainchild of Techno Invent BV and RL Participaties BV. Techno Invent, described by Lely as an ‘entreprenuerial inventor’, works in environmental fields, especially sustainable energy. Its speciality is R&D and implementing pilot and demo projects. RL Participaties is an equity partner with 20 years in waste management

www.get-technologies.com “Maree and I would like to let you know how pleased we are with our Varivac. Not only does it save power, but as you promised it dramatically reduced our SCC. Prior to installing the Varivac we were grading at every pickup for SCC (the kind of stress parents of young children can do without in spring). I have enclosed a copy of our Fonterra SCC graph clearly showing the day the Varivac was fitted. We now average 130,000 SCC and life is good. We would not hesitate to recommend Varivac to anyone else in our situation.

Teat spray a ‘given’ The farm had serious Somatic Cell Count figures and mastitis problems. We installed a Varivac vacuum control system and the problems are now gone. Quite simply it works.

From page 53

Steven Robb, Dairy Farmer, Morrinsville, NZ

Best wishes and thanks again”

Hamish & Maree Tong 06 272 6349

We have had many years of high SSC. In fact, since putting in a new milking plant 10 years ago and no one being able to fix the problem and having culled heavily because of this we didn’t know where to turn next. We saw the article on Varivac and decided to give it a go. Well, we are delighted with the results. Proof is in the graph taken off Fence-post. Our SSC compared with the company average. Coupled with the added power savings we couldn’t be more pleased. Thanks Varivac

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the same electronics and storage tank and compressor/pump. When building the new shed he was able to bury all the hosing and electric cables to protect them from damage. The sprayer is in the exit race through which all animals pass as they leave the shed each milking and must pass over the spray. The sprayer is connected underground to a compressor and liquid holding tank. The success of the system is the magic eye monitoring system. This ensures every animal’s speed and position is calculated and the spray stop/ start position is controlled. It reacts to fast cows and waits for hesitant cows so it effectively

sprays the teat areas of all cows. “I’ve watched the spray working and I am sure all teats are being sprayed adequately,” concluded Le Lievre

Tel. 0800 493 848 www.wetit.com

Dairy News // October 11, 2011

machinery & products

Willing, able and free FARM HELPERS in New Zealand (FIHNZ) in 1994 began bringing together visitors to farms who wanted to help, in exchange for meals, a bed and some work. It’s going strong: last count was 350 farms – and growing. Visitors are treated like members of the family and generally work for up to five hours a day. “We take about 1000 overseas visitors a year from 25 countries that New Zealand has a reciprocal system with,” says coordinator Warwick Grady who runs FHINZ with his wife Heather. Once a visitor has applied and been issued with a working holiday visa they also receive an IRD number which means they can take paid work. A $25 booklet lists the scheme’s farms, updated monthly since some farms drop out for short or long periods for varied reasons. “If we are contacted from overseas we post them a booklet but if they leave it till the last moment we can email the complete book so they can start to contact the farms.” Visitors are required to contact the farms a few days before arriving, by post, telephone, fax

or email, to tell the hosts 24 hours before arrival and to tell them how long they would like to stay. Farmers wishing to join the organisation can do so at no cost. Visitors must have a current booklet and there are simple rules regarding smoking, alcohol, toll calls, etc. Work may include cooking, housework, gardening and farm work. Matt and his sister Rachel Andres from upstate New York travelling with college friend Margii Driscoll from Idaho had been in New Zealand three weeks when interviewed by Dairy News. They were on their second farm stay. They are variously qualified in communications, psychology, special education and social services, and enjoying a ‘gap’ year before starting work at home. All were on their first visit to New Zealand. Says Rachel, “Where we live the geography is similar to here. This is beautiful and green, and the people are friendly with offers to help” Matt: “We are out of a city and are loving the great scenery and the hills.” Margii: “Arriving during the Rugby World Cup is a bonus as everyone is enjoying the atmosphere

it is generating.” Another student travelling separately at the same farm was French woman Sarah Fatni from Bordeaux. She is at university studying agriculture and hopes to specialise in genetic selection.

Tel. 06 354 1104 www.fhinz.co.nz

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Dairy News // October 11, 2011

machinery & products

Logical set to spread width FRENCH FERTILISER spreader maker Sulky, working in a recently opened plant, has launched three models, reports the New Zealand distributor. The new DPX mounted spreaders are DPX18 (width 9-18m, capacity 1500kg), DPX24 (12-24m, 2100kg) and DPX28 (12-28m, 2800kg); this latter model is offered with Vision WPB (on-board continuous weighing). But wait, there’s more, Sulky says. Even larger are the X12-44 spreaders (the X36 and X44 – 36m and 44m) and the Polyvrac XT trailed spreaders (capacity 7200 L and 9500 L, up to 44 m wide). A notable feature is precise spreading width control: the feed chutes accurately regulate the width by modifying the point where the fertiliser drops onto the discs, says Sulky. So the operator need never change cogs, plates or vanes, even when spreading late during a season. One result is constant flow “practically to the last kilogram of product.” For horizontal distribution, “multi-overlapping is achieved via graduated spreading vanes of different lengths.” Moderate, constant rotation speed, even at the machine’s maximum working width, ensures granules are projected in accordance with their physical characteristics, an essential point for accurate ground distribution, Sulky says. The desired working width can be set logically using the “continuously” adjustable SULKY chutes; the working width is increased by increasing the setting in the graduated quadrant and vice versa. And a device called Tribord (an option on the DPX18 and DPX24) is controlled electrically from the driver’s cab, ensuring minimal waste when spreading at the edge of a plot.

Tel. 06 356 4920 www.sulky.co.nz

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Dairy News // October 11, 2011

machinery & products

Shocked no longer ANY FARMER who’s ever had a belt off a farm gate inadvertently connected to an electric fence will appreciate a Tru-Test product designed to stop such shocking

experiences. Tru-Test Group has designed an adjustable hinge with a non-conductive nylon insert that insulates the gate, preventing current from an adjacent electric fence electrifying the gate. The company says the insert also gives a perfect fit and a better bearing surface to reduce wear, while the two-bolt one-piece design increases clamping and limits unwanted gate movements. The new hinge prevents gates from coming off the gudgeon, saving farmers from having to lift and drag them open – as well as from getting an unwelcome shock. The hinge is being rolled out to new Hayes and Cyclone farm gates and is also sold separately. Tel. 0800 878 837 www.tru-test.com

‘Can you do it tomorrow’ BRUCE PHILIP will monitor your farm for a read-out of the amount of dry matter (DM) in individual paddocks and in total. The program suits all grass based farming systems. “I’ve been a dairy farmer for many years and know the time pressures they face at different times of the year,” Philip says. Farmers must have

an accurate picture of DM on their farms as they make decisions re feeding to avoid stressing stock while trying to maximise production. On-farm Philip drives over each paddock on an ATV towing a C-Dax pasture meter. A GPS system linked to the meter records paddock numbers and results. On second and subsequent readings of the paddocks

Bruce Philip

he follows the same patterns to prevent variations in results.

“Most farmers have their own scale maps of their property so recording data with their own paddock identification helps them to comprehend the information.” Data collected during each visit is downloaded then emailed or posted to the client.

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DID YOU hear the one about the Irish farmer who decided to buy a sporty Italian motor? Dairy News reporter Peter Burke took this photograph in south-west Ireland during a recent visit. Fair to say, the farm was a thriving, productive unit. And the farmer keeps within the speed limit.

LATEST STORIES EVERY DAY www.dairynews.co.nz

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Dairy News // October 11, 2011

motoring

Ranger new ‘from the ground up’ FORD’S NEW Ranger – designed “from the ground up” – is in the showrooms in 2WD and 4WD, developed to meet the needs of New Zealand ute and light truck customers, the company says. Managing director Neale Hill says the creation and design of the new Ranger “involved an Australian-based, four-year development programme, involving almost 500 engineers from around the Ford world.” “It also involved exhaustive testing in some of the world’s harshest operating environments. The result: capable, comfortable, powerful, fuel-efficient and with outstanding safety features. It has been designed, engineered and produced to be a leader in its segment.”

New Zealand customers will select from three cab styles, body styles

and drive configurations. Three cab styles will be available: double cab

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Super cab (two conventional doors; two rear panel doors): no B-pillar, giving easy access behind the front seats. Single cab (two doors) on special order from early 2012. Body styles: well side and cab-chassis. A new 3.2 L Duratorq TDCi 5-cylinder turbodiesel engine, with a maximum torque of 470 Nm and power rated at 147 kW, will power the line-up in New Zealand (a 2.2 litre Duratorq TDCi engine will be available from special order only, and only in the single cab 2WD XL cab-chassis model from early 2012). For the first time, turbo-diesel Ranger models will be available with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic

Ford’s Ranger (seen here in Wildtrack variant) is the product of a design and engineering team exceeding 500 members.

transmission to provide reduced engine rpm and extend driving range on long highway trips or in city traffic. And 2WD and 4WD in the Hi-Rider variant (low-rider variant only available from special order, and only in the single cab 2WD XL cab-chassis model from early 2012). Convenient electronic shift “on-the-fly” (ESOF) is fitted to all 4WD models and allows the driver to move between high-range 2WD, high-range 4WD and low-range 4WD using only a centre consolemounted switch. For maximum traction

in off-road conditions, an electronic locking rear differential is fitted to all Wildtrak, XLT and XL 4WD models as standard equipment. Safety features include dynamic stability control with roll-over mitigation, hill launch assist, traction control; load adaptive control; and trailer sway control; anti-lock brakes, electronic brake-force distribution (EBD) and emergency brake assist. Driver and front passenger airbags, and front seat side airbags and curtain airbags, will be standard on all models. Prices start at $34,690 for the single cab model.

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Contents

2011 Spring Land Production guide available in-store now! Spray Out 04-05

g land Sprin Spring 2011 ctionction produ produ land

Brassica 06-13

Your ultimate guide to crops, pastures, sprays and fertilisers.

Cereals 14-19

Maize 20-27

This year’s Spring Land Production guide is packed with quality products and sound technical advice for all your pasture and cropping requirements. Pasture 28-39

Brushweeds 40-41

Adjuvants 42-44

The PGG Wrightson team can also help you choose the right products for the best results in the months ahead. Fertiliser 45-47

Expert advice on: Spray Out 04-05 Brassica 06-13 Cereals 14-19 Maize 20-27

Pasture 28-39 Brushweeds 40-41 Adjuvants 42-44 Fertiliser 45-47 Land Production Planner 48-51

Land Production Planner 48-51

Visit your local store or talk to your Technical Field Representative today. Index 52

Contact Information Back Cover

Fertiliser

T-MAX™

Roundup TRANSORB®

Li-1000™

36M28 Silage CRM 103

Getting soil fertility right is a key starting point towards maximising crop and pasture potential. A different programme is required depending on your soil type, crop type and pasture management style. Discuss your pasture and cropping plans with PGG Wrightson to maximise performance and yield with Ballance AgriNutrients fertiliser products.

A selective herbicide for the control of annual and perennial broadleaf weeds in fodder brassicas. TMAX provides good control of many brassica weeds not controlled by older herbicides. Trials have shown that crops treated with TMAX yield higher than those without a herbicide application. Not for use in brassica seed production crops.

The first herbicide of choice when spraying out pasture or crop residuals. With a quick turnaround of 3 days from spraying to cultivating or grazing, Roundup TRANSORB speeds up the renewal process and has the added benefit of a shorter rainfast period than most other glyphosates.

A high performance penetrating surfactant to optimise systemic and translaminar products whilst reducing drift. An excellent partner to glyphosate, sulphonyl urea and phenoxy products. It has no storage problems, pH or handling restrictions and no acidic smell. Not recommended for brushweed products where an organosilicone is preferred.

Another high yielding proven performer throughout the North Island. In Northern areas an excellent option if growing on farm to allow a slightly later planting or a slightly earlier harvest prior to planting pasture.

Power Paks

Roustabout®

Atranex WG®

Hunter Leaf Turnip

Goliath

At PGG Wrightson we have a range of pasture packs that will suit almost any situation, ranging from an intensive dairy farm system in the Northern North Island to an extensive sheep and beef farm system in the Southern South Island. These are ideal for those situations where you need your pasture mix at short notice.

For selective weed control of annual grasses and many broadleaf weeds in maize and sweetcorn. An excellent high strength pre-emergence option providing some peace of mind during early establishment when combined with atrazine. Monitor for weeds that may escape as post emergence herbicides are needed more regularly than they are used.

Residual herbicide for the control of certain broadleaf weeds in maize, sweetcorn, linseed and established lucerne. A high strength granule with good compatibility qualities. This product aids in the weed spectrum when mixed with Roustabout.

Hunter is a quick-growing, leafy turnip, with minimal bulb development and is best suited to multiple grazings. Hunter was selected for vigorous regrowth, resulting in a variety with fast recovery from grazing and excellent ability to yield in the second, third and sometimes fourth regrowth cycles.

Goliath is a new generation rape x kale interspecies cross. It is a high yielding multigraze giant rape with a potential yield of 10,500kg DM/ha. Goliath is a multi-purpose forage rape with excellent summer/autumn/ early winter feed with superior regrowth potential.

Registered pursuant to the ACVM Act 1997 No. P7050

Registered pursuant to the ACVM Act 1997 No. P7231

Registered pursuant to the ACVM Act 1997 No. P7464

Registered pursuant to the ACVM Act 1997 No. P4288

Receive one entry for every tonne of Ballance Agri-Nutrients fertiliser purchased.*

to be won

*Open to PGG Wrightson account holders only. Receive one entry for every tonne of Ballance Agri-Nutrients fertiliser purchased and uplifted between 1 September and 31 December 2011. A minimum of five tonnes must be purchased and uplifted during the promotional period to qualify. Excludes Lime and Gypsum fertilisers. Six North Island prizes and six South Island prizes to be won. For full terms and conditions see www.pggwrightson.co.nz