Dairy News 27 March 2012

Theo Spierings wants to lift Kiwis’ perception of Fonterra. Page 4

best woman in dairying Barbara Kuriger bags title Page 5

No bull

Jersey’s dream team Page 23

march 27, 2012 Issue 265 // www.dairynews.co.nz

code of disrespect Are stakeholders taking the new effluent standards and code seriously? PAGE 3

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Dairy News march 27, 2012

news // 3

Effluent code snag SUDESH KISSUN

THE DAIRY industry is working hard but strug-

gling to implement its much-heralded effluent code of practice and design standards, says irrigation industry stalwart Stuart Reid.

He says he meets farmers who incorrectly perceive the standards as “bells and whistles”, and who may therefore ask designers for a lower level of design.

Milk for schools rolled out.

PG.15

Slow take off; the effluent standards and code are not being taken seriously by all stakeholders.

Mulched kikuyu offers better options.

PG.28

Taking to the sky to boost pasture.

PG.41

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Reid says the code, unless completely accepted by farmers, and particularly implemented at regional council level, could “sit on the shelf gathering dust” and be infrequently used.

“We now have excellent standards, but voluntary uptake is undermining the intention to get everybody in step. That’s a shame,” he told Dairy News.

But Irrigation New Zealand chief executive Andrew Curtis believes it’s a bit “early for doom and gloom merchants” to start jumping on a scheme that is well received by the industry, councils, milk supply companies and farmers.

The scheme has been live only since February 27, now has five accredited companies and we’re already seeing strong support, he says.

“A number of companies have contacted us expressing an interest in working through the next round of the accreditation programme, with applications due June 1. There is also strong inter-

est from farmers in effluent system design accreditation. DairyNZ and Irrigation New Zealand have spoken with farmers about it at effluent expos in Christchurch and Hamilton.

“Farmers are looking for ‘safe hands’ when designing systems and the system gives them confidence those companies who have passed through it are capable designers. The accredited companies have gone through a rigorous assessment process and committed to providing quality designs for farmers.”

The standard, and the code of practice, approved after two years development by representatives of the dairy and effluent services industries, and regional councils, provide criteria for measuring the adequacy of farm dairy effluent systems. The code guides designers in developing effluent systems fit for purpose.

But though industry stakeholders are committed to implementing the new standards, farmers are not legally required to.

Reid says a big problem of this voluntary aspect is that design companies will ‘feel the heat’ to drop their standards just to get a contract.

“If a farmer says he doesn’t want to go through ‘all that palaver’, and wants only the barest minimum, then the supplier comes under pressure to provide this minimum-and-far from-desirable level of design so as not to lose the job to someone else.

“There will be huge temptation to compromise our intended good practice just to get the account.

Yes, the farmer probably now takes responsibility

for choosing the shortcuts, but the designer may go along with him just to get the money. If this happens the integrity of standards will been undermined.”

The failure of regional councils to endorse the standards Stuart Reid is also a nuisance, Reid says. Presently, each council has its own set of effluent management rules with wide differences. Nationwide adoption of the industry standards would give clarity and direction.

“At present many Taranaki farmers can put all their mostly treated effluent into a stream at low cost, while in Southland the same farmer has to stand up to intense scrutiny. There is an unfair ‘cost of farming’ advantage to the Taranaki bloke – a penalty to the Southlander.”

Reid says councils should consider the standards a “godsend”. They’ve been rescued from the “regulation” dilemma, he says.

“Farmers often accuse councils of being good at telling them what they can’t do, and they accuse them of being not so hot at telling them what they ought to do. Now the dairy industry itself has set its own high standards, why shouldn’t the council direct them and expect them to meet and live up to them. It even saves them from going down the path of regulation.”

Poo fight will continue FORMER FEDERATED Farmers Dairy chairman Lachlan McKenzie, who was involved in setting up the code of practice, says some regional councils are not playing ball.

“Some councils are good but some are not ready to endorse the code and standards,” he told Dairy News. McKenzie says if the code was ticked off by all councils, it

would make things easier.

“Farmers are spending up to $120,000 on systems only to be told by the councils they are not compliant.

“We need the councils to come out and say they endorse the Lachlan McKenzie standards. Otherwise the fight dairy farmers have with some bad councils will continue.”

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Dairy News march 27, 2012

4 // news

‘Greedy’ tag disturbs Fonterra – Spierings pam tipa

CHANGING NEW Zea-

landers’ perception of Fonterra is a key strategy of chief executive Theo Spierings.

He told the Dairy Womens Network conference last week in Rotorua that the co-op was seen as greedy and opportunistic.

“We have great strength and great opportunity but media [portrayal of] Fonterra is kind of disturbing... Fonterra is not feeding the nation, we are ruining the environment, polluting, and we

are seen as being greedy and taking the wealth off the country and not sharing it.

“We have to change that [perception of us being an occupier] to a kind of stewardship,” grabbing opportunities for the future and also “changing our attitudes and how we are perceived.”

After outlining his global and marketing strategy, Spierings later said his problem with Fonterra was that it may be doing well, “but there’s kinda no pride.”

Milk for Schools, which last week started with

a Northland trial, was intended to build pride and “maintain the right to grow.”

“We need to be seen as a co-op that cares – to change that [perception] from occupiers of New Zealand to being stewards.

We have to connect back to our people.”

It started with Milk in Schools because children were turning away from milk and turning to Coke. Different initiatives are being put forward on water and hygiene to “bring pride back to our country.”

Fonterra is “almost too big for the country,” Spier-

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ings says. “What the All Blacks do well we want to improve on.

“With the All Blacks there was a sense of ownership by the whole country; the country did not have a financial stake in the All Blacks but it did have an emotional one.

“The general public looks at dairy farming as a lot of money going to a few.”

He does not believe in sharing Fonterra’s capital base with the country, but an emotional base. “There are lot of ways of sharing wealth without touching equity.”

A member of the audience asked how he proposed to take the shareholder base with the company under this strategy. “How will you get the people here energised to get that emotional ownership?” she asked.

Spierings said Fonterra needed to connect with central and local government and the community.

But the co-op first needed to clearly work out where it wanted to make a difference in the community – rather than ad hoc involvement – then get the shareholders onside.

He says a Sky broadcast this week will be part of a phased communication plan. Every month or two another deeper level would be released, phased so shareholders can digest it, with lots of examples. There will be

Theo Spierings flanked by Barbara Kuriger and Michlle Wilson at the conference.

discussion about what to do in nutrition, water and hygiene.

Another audience member said although farmers accepted they needed to do Milk in Schools for social responsibility, they still thought

the public should accept it was coming out of their profit.

Spierings said Fonterra found while setting up the pilot scheme in Northland they connected with a lot of farmers.

“It’s not charity; our

farmers are part of the country. We have to be important players in the country.

“We were losing consumption over the whole country... we are losing our children, we have to do something.”

Men at work The site for another raw milk intake silo is prepared at Fonterra’s Darfield development.

Three already in place take half a million litres each and will supply the 15t/ hour dryer one, on schedule for commissioning from June. “It will be running on milk mid August,” says South Island operations manager Robert Spurway. Work on a second, 30t/hour dryer, the world’s biggest, is due to start in weeks.

More pictures and detail in Dairy News sister paper, Rural News, next week.

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Dairy News march 27, 2012

dairy womens network conference // 5

Top dairywoman vows to help PAM TIPA

GROWING PEOPLE

is foremost for Taranaki farmer Barbara Kuriger, named first-ever Dairy Woman of the Year. She received the award last week at the Dairy Womens Network conference in Rotorua.

“I like to see people come forward and grow,” she told Dairy News. Her prize, a 12-month Women in Leadership programme run by Global Women, will enable her to “learn and grow myself and take other women with me.”

“I also think the gap between urban and rural must be closed. This will enable me to work with

urban mentors as well and cross-pollinate ideas.”

She says the value in the $27,000 Women in Leadership course would be in what she learned and who she did the course with.

Kuriger told the conference dinner it was “amazing”, and she thanked the Dairy Womens Network which she said was “growing and growing” which was evident in the partnerships it was forming. “This award is your award and I’ll share as much as I can of it with you.”

A Taranaki farmer with her husband, their business has expanded to involve all their children in equity partnerships.

She is a director of

DairyNZ and AgITO, and recently Young Farmers, a member of the Nuffield Scholarship panel and a selector for the New Zealand Dairy Undergraduate Scheme.

DWN chairwoman Michelle Wilson says Kuriger told judges “anybody could do what I do,” that she needs a toolbox of knowledge and wants to surround herself with like-minded people.

She believes in building bridges and growing people which brings a commonality in industries across New Zealand communities and globally.

The Dairy Woman of the Year prize is sponsored by Fonterra.

Fonterra director

Nicola Shadbolt told the conference dinner the Women in Leadership programme run by Global Women was launched in 2009 and was working to expand the international impact of women leaders.

“We want to develop opportunities for women and mentor emerging leaders, and that’s how the Women in Leadership programme evolved,” she says. Global Women is committed to developing the next generation of women leaders in New Zealand.

Women in Leadership urges participants to develop themselves over a 12-month period. They have unprecedented access to mentors

Inaugural Dairy Woman of the Year winner Barbara Kuriger with DWN chairwoman Michelle Wilson after receiving her award.

from Global Women business leaders.

Six finalists were named in the awards, including Barbara Kuriger, Katrina Knowles and

Shona Glentworth - all from Taranaki – and Raelyn Lourie of Westland, Justine Dalton of Hawkes Bay and Mandi McLeod of Waikato.

The judging panel included the Dairy Women’s Network chair, and representatives of DairyNZ, Fonterra and Global Women.

RD1 chief’s rise to the top RD1 chief executive Sarah Kennedy spoke about lessons learnt in her colourful career.

PAM TIPA

SARAH KENNEDY’S

colourful path to becoming RD1’s chief executive saw her once standing in a Kelly Tarlton tank with her arm inside a dying bronze whaler’s uterus, helping to birth 20 baby sharks.

She told the story last Wednesday as the opening speaker at the Dairy Womens Network conference in Rotorua.

Asked to speak on her ‘Journey Into Industry Leadership,’ she charted the course from her early years as a vet to her varied executive positions in the agri and food industries including general manager at NRM Ltd, business

manager with Tegel Foods Ltd and chief executive officer with Healtheries Goods Ltd. Kennedy started as a vet after training at Massey University, practising for four years – two in New Zealand and two in the UK. She had a “marvellous” time and made many friends but says in those days it was hard to

specialise: there were not enough vets around.

“So after about a thousand of cases of itch, bite, scratch or allergy on ‘Smoky’ there was not a lot left to think or say,” she says.

Kennedy then joined Goodman Fielder Wattie, specialising in aquaculture – salmon in New Zealand and shrimps in Noumea.

It was a radical departure from veterinary science, and at same time she was asked to be the vet for Kelly Tarlton’s.

“I told them I knew little but as they rightly said. ‘I knew more than anything else in New Zealand and that wasn’t very much’.”

She found the first lateral vein in a shark, took tumours out of snappers’ eyes and treated washedup turtles.

She also birthed the 20 bronze whalers standing in a wetsuit with her head just above the water.

She had a rash up her arms for weeks afterwards as a shark’s skin is like sandpaper.

She moved on to NRM

key lessons ■■

Seek out new learning.

■■

Don’t be afraid to take risks sometimes.

■■

Age is nothing – a state of mind.

■■

There are no hormones in chicken.

■■

Not all people are leaders, you need to learn these skills.

■■

Self confidence – get it and keep it.

■■

Enjoy what you do but do not let it define you.

where she was marketing and sales manager and eventually general manager. They were the first brand to differentiate foods and her sales team were the first in New Zealand to get laptops; they “looked like sewing machines”and cost about $20,000.

Her staff were all aged

mid-50s to 60s and people asked if she had “recruited at the bowling club”, but they had a winning culture and she learnt “age is nothing”.

She went on to become business manager with Tegel, then, at 34, became chief executive of Healtheries.

After taking time out,

she went on to do a Sloane fellowship at MIT, Boston – a “year-long boot camp” with 85 men and just 15 women. Then, wanting to return to New Zealand, she began talking to Fonterra, the only company she wanted to work for because it is New Zealand owned, international and important to our economy. This took her back to her first love – agriculture.

Kennedy reminded the conference their group represents one of the most important sectors in the New Zealand economy.

“I am talking to a group of highly influential businesswomen.

“You are all highly influential and professional businesswomen.”

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Dairy News march 27, 2012

6 // dairy womens network conference

Problem common to cows and women pam tipa

A ‘WOMEN’S problem’ common

among cows cannot be ignored, and not only at-risk cows should be checked, a Dairy Womens Network workshop heard last week.

Dairy women donned plastic gloves and aprons for a close-up look at endometritis symptoms in cows’ uterus brought to the ‘Be Clean and Cycle Madly’ workshop.

Some thought it was about bicycling, but it was actually about

infection in the lining of the uterus which – as in women – can cause problems with fertility.

Kim Kelly, a veterinary technical advisor with MSD Animal Health, who ran the workshop, said after calving every cow has some bacterial contamination in the uterus. Most clear it naturally but 10-20% will not and develop the chronic infection of the uterus called endometrisis. It results in reduced conception, increased time to conceive, prolong calving and decreased productivity.

A number of factors affect atrisk cows including assisted calvings, dead calves, and cows that have borne twins, but Kelly emphasised the whole herd should be checked because at least 50% of the cows that develop endometritis are not at risk. Nor will all at-risk cows develop it.

One Whakatane dairy farmer said it was the best workshop she had attended – hands-on and relevant. Checking all cows, rather than just at-risk ones, was new information for her and the presence of pus

was easy to check using the Metricheck device shown at the workshop. Any cows showing pus could then be treated with penicillin.

One woman who had checked all the cows this year, rather than the at-risk ones, found 22% more than usual were infected.

Lynda Homer, South Island territory manager for MSD Animal Health, demonstrates the Metricheck which checks for pus in cows’ uterus, at the Be Clean and Cycle Madly workshop.

Below: Kim Kelly, a veterinarian technical advisor with MSD Animal Health, who took the Be Clean and Cycle Madly workshop, with cows uterus and fallopian tubes - an interesting pre-lunch demonstration.

Dairy Womens Network representatives with guest speaker Dr Susan Macken (centre), a director with BNZ. From left are, chairwoman of DNZ, Michelle Wilson, Convenor of the conference committee, Gail Mitchell, conference support, Jo Sanford and DWN CEO Sarah Speight. The conference this year had a record attendance with 360 registered on day one and 350 and day two, says Speight. This was up from 319 last year.

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BALLANCE AGRI-NUTRIENTS says it plans to open a $3.5 million service centre at Gisborne on July 1.

This will service customers between Wairoa and East Cape. Customers of Ballance subsidiary Altum will also benefit, with their orders to be processed and despatched from the new purpose-build site.

The company is offering better access, faster turnaround and the ability to store a greater range of bulk products on site. The centre will offer improved mixing and blending services to the region. The design is intended for convenience and it can easily be replicated in other regions.

Supply chain development manager Neil Miller says the move from Crawford Road to Aerodrome Road just outside Gisborne puts the service centre closer to its customers and is easier to access. “Customers, spreaders and carriers will have better access to the service centre.”

A bigger site has also enabled Ballance to upgrade its fertiliser delivery capability. “We can fill orders more quickly, up to three times faster than we could at the former site.”

The new centre will have two blenders, each capable of processing 2.5 tonnes of fertiliser per minute. Twin blenders also allow double blending of specific mixes. “We will be able to blend and screen twice, which means a more homogenous product ensuring an even application of all nutrients,” Miller says.

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Dairy News march 27, 2012

news // 9

Prices fall as demand softens ANDREW SWALLOW

GLOBAL DAIRY mar-

kets last week broke out of a seven-month stable stretch in a move labelled “material and meaningful” by one leading analyst.

Fonterra’s GlobalDairyTrade weighted index was down 4.5%, with every commodity down, in almost every position: the exception was skimmed milk powder for April shipment – the only commodity offered for that period – which was up 1.1%.

Milk protein concentrate (MPC) plummeted 15%, rennet casein 12.9%, cheddar 11.3% and anhydrous milk fat 9.5%. Whole milk powder slipped 2.6% to average US$3316, while

skimmed milk powder eased 2% to average US$3125.

“This one is meaningful and material,” BNZ economist Doug Steel told Dairy News. “Meaningful in that it wasn’t driven by movements in the US dollar or New Zealand dollar: both were pretty much where they were at the last auction, which means it’s a genuine drop in dairy markets; and material in that the market had been in a relatively stable, 5% range since August. It’s now dropped below that range and those demand and supply pressures are taking hold.”

In the case of demand, it’s reducing in line with slowing global GDP growth, notably China where last year the econ-

omy grew at 8.9%, down from 9.2%, and the first economic figures for this year are “even softer”, notes Steel.

“In a large part that is by the design of the authorities... the question is at what point will it level out. They’ve lowered their growth target from

Doug Steel

8% to 7.5%.”

Meanwhile global milk

supply has “ramped up” in response to recent firm prices.

“You get the sense the milk supply is still coming.

The February numbers in the US were very strong, even after accounting for the extra day; likewise in the EU and Australia.”

With New Zealand’s

production pumping through autumn, Steel’s feeling is “there’s a bit more downside.”

Consequently forecasts for next season will be lower than Fonterra’s recently revised forecast for this season, says Steel. “But what the figure will be is pie-in-the-sky

at this stage.”

Fonterra shaved 15c/ kgMS off its 2011/12 milk price forecast earlier this month to $6.35/kgMS, leaving the dividend profit forecast at 40-50c/kgMS. The first forecast for the coming season is typically made in late May by Fonterra.

DRY COW THERAPIES ARE LIKE A FARMER AND HIS UTE.

New entries GDT’S NEXT event, April 3, includes Arla and Murray Goulburn for the first time.

Arla, a Danish, Swedish and German dairy farmer-owned cooperative with factories in 14 countries and sales offices in 20 more, will offer skim milk powder, while Autralian co-op Murray Goulburn will offer lactose, a new product for the platform.

GDT says with existing platform members Fonterra and Dairy America it now offers product from all major dairy exporting regions: Europe, America, Australia, and New Zealand, with three sellers of skim milk powder deepening liquidity.

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Abundant grass has slashed demand for maize silage and palm kernel expeller (PKE) meal, forcing discounting and, in the case of maize, carry-through of crops to grain.

Federated Farmers maize growers’ committee chairman, Colin MacKinnon, told Dairy News many growers face break-even or worse returns this year, and fewer will be prepared to plant in future.

“It will be virtually impossible to keep the [maize] grain industry going at current prices and if we become dependent on imports, the [dairy farmers] could find they are paying a hell of a lot more.”

While usually two-thirds of the maize crop goes as silage, and a third as grain, MacKinnon estimates about 30% of the silage area will be taken through to grain this year, making it more like a 50/50 split.

The reason is dairy farmers didn’t want the feed because they had plenty of grass. Meanwhile, PKE importers are suffering a similar slump in demand, and discounting to clear stocks.

The combined effect is the price offered to growers for maize grain has crashed from $420/t to $360/t, with cartage and drying costs – likely to be considerable this season – to come off that.

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Dairy News march 27, 2012

10 // news

1200 storm claims lodged in Taranaki peter burke

INSURANCE CLAIMS persist in

Taranaki after two major storms hit the province in three weeks. The first extensively damaged dairy farms around Waverley and Patea, and one last week hit farmers in the north of the province.

FMG chief executive Chris Black told Dairy News that 1200 claims have been lodged as of last week and they keep coming. Staff have visited about 600 clients to assess damage. Some rebuilding is beginning but much cleanup work remains to be done, especially fallen shelter belts that have blocked tracks and damaged fences.

The clean-up of trees will take heavy machinery and time, Black says.

“There’s also quite a bit of corrugated iron in paddocks.”

He says FMG is getting claims from all around the North Island because of the floods and high winds of the past week – from Northland, Wairarapa, East Coast and Waikato.

“Most of this is for farm buildings and dwellings damaged by the wind rather than flooding.”

Meanwhile Federated Farmers and DairyNZ, trying to help farmers when the big storm struck three weeks ago, say one of the biggest problems was communications when the power was cut.

Craig McBeth, DairyNZ, says it was pointless referring people to their website, or telephoning them, because there

was no power. In the end they had to rely on news media to relay their key messages.

Derek Gibson, Feds, says they had similar problems. But the storm has raised farmers’ awareness of the need for contingency plans for such events.

Small generators able to power pumps for watering stock are affordable to most farmers, he says. Not so large generators for running dairy sheds.

“It can cost up to $25,000 for a gen-

Hay with no barn: A Taranaki hay barn destroyed by the recent storm.

erator that will run all the infrastructure on a dairy farm. One to run just a shed would cost about $12,000.”

McBeth and Gibson urge farmers to

work with friends and neighbours to share equipment and plan to deal with major events, especially during the first day or so.

Floods wreak havoc in Northland SEVERE

RAIN in Northland delayed tanker pickups, forcing milk spillage, and caused millions of dollars damage to roads and farmland.

An average of 200mm of rain fell there from Sunday, March 18 to last Tuesday morning, says Metservice – equivalent to three months of rain in 36 hours.

Meteorologists and civil defence leaders feared Northland would get a second dose of heavy rain, but the front moved further down the country.

Flood waters and slips blocked at least 50 roads; SH12 and SH1 were among the roads closed.

Far North District Council spokes-

man Richard Edmonson says flood damage may cost the council $3.5 m to $4 m dollars. “This event was up there with the flooding in 2007 or the water we got in 2011.”

Fonterra on March 20 halted scheduled milk pickups from all Northland because of safety concerns, resuming them in a limited capacity last Tues-

day. The co-op had been able to collect milk from all but eight farms by Wednesday; only a handful were forced to dump milk.

Hikurangi farmer Ben Smith says the damage to farms in that area is likely to cost $49 million to repair in pasture regeneration alone.

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12 // news

Farm sales recovering Andrew swallow

THE RURAL real estate market

is seeing a sustained recovery in turnover and price, judging by the latest figures from the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand.

But rural market spokesman Brian Peacocke, Waikato, says business still isn’t back to normal.

“It’s increased over the past three months but from a very low base.... There’s still a decided air of caution out there, among purchasers in particular,” he told Dairy News.

Sales are going through where both parties’ expectations are realistic. Where there’s a sticking point, it’s generally because vendor expectations still haven’t adjusted to lower market values, he adds.

Grazing properties topped the turnover table for the three months ended February, making up over half the 351 farms sold.

That volume is 72% up on the same period a year previously, though the median value was only a whis-

Inputs skew the numbers PEACOCKE SAYS the REINZ no longer quotes dairy farm values in dollars/kgMS produced because the figures are too skewed by the level of inputs used.

“If a high level of inputs are used to boost production that can bring the price [per kgMS produced] well down, so you get a distortion of the value.”

ker up at $21,641/ha, compared to $21,266/ha. To February 2010 the median was $19,188/ha.

Dairy farms accounted for 61 sales at a median of $34,223/ha, down from $36,687/ha across 50 sales a year previously. In 2010 the figures were $31,203/ha on 34 sales.

Peacocke says it’s impossible to say how many grazing or other non-dairy properties are being bought with the intention of conversion but notes 50-70 South Island farms are expected to convert this year.

However, one recent cropping farm sale in Canterbury, completed too late to be included in February’s figures, indicates that

in places cropping farmers are fighting back, going through at $42,000/ha.

“If you converted that to dairy you’d be looking at $60,000/ha.

That’s well ahead of what you could buy an established dairy farm for in the area.”

Fonterra’s 15c/kg payout forecast cut earlier this month will have little impact on the market, he believes, as it was “not unexpected.”

“I think most people are relatively comfortable with where it’s at and the payout’s coming from a relatively high base.”

With most farms having a good season, increased produc-

tion largely compensates for the lower price in any case, he adds.

“There is a degree of wariness that this might be the start of further reductions, but a lot will depend on the [2012-13] payout forecast announcement in May. “Most people are budgeting conservatively now; that may be at $6/kgMS instead of $6.20/kgMS.” As for where the buying interest is coming from, Peacocke says the “predominant buyer is always the family farm interest.”

However, there’s an increase in investor interest, driven by a motivation to find a safe haven for money, rather than realising a high rate of return.

“Corporate-type buyers are reasonably active too.”

A $29 million, 898ha dairy farm sale in Southland went to such a buyer, he notes.

Overseas interest continues, particularly in the lower half of the South. Some is from ex-pats looking to come home, and there’s continued interest from Europe.

“People seem to gloss over that and isolate the Crafar deal.”

Exercise tests FMD footing Peter burke

A MAJOR exercise last week simulated a foot-andmouth disease (FMD) outbreak, testing the authorities responsible should such an event occur.

Taurus 2012 involved the Ministry for Primary Industries, police, defence, customs, labour, the Reserve Bank and the Treasury.

The scenario and exercise were the work of an independent group Andrew Coleman – ‘Exercise Control’ – and not even MPI’s assistant director-general Andrew Coleman, who oversees biosecurity, knew of the scenario when Dairy News spoke to him as the exercise began.

A control centre at MPI’s Wellington office gathered information regularly to simulate a ‘live’ event and test systems.

“The areas of planning intelligence will be fully tested,” Coleman said. “And in conjunction with Taurus 2012 our regional staff will test local issues in relation to FMD. As well, industry will test some aspects of farm management and transportation including saleyard processes.”

The exercise involved fictitious countries and the tesing of New Zealand’s ability to effectively relay correct messages about the incident to trading partners.

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Dairy News march 27, 2012

news // 13

Water science made simpler Peter Burke

THE SCIENCE on fresh

water quality is confusing and complex, says Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment Jan Wright.

Speaking to Dairy News at the launch of Water Quality in New Zealand – Understanding the Science, she said her report gives decision makers and the public a better understanding of the science, “not an analysis of water policy or water management.”

People are confused about what science is right and what is not. “I hope that people reading this report [can] interact with science experts [to] ask better questions, understand the advice and test the advice they’re given.”

Wright describes the 90-page document as a ‘guide’ to fresh water quality science, but not a complete reference work on the subject.

“Water quality science is complicated, much is unknown and often the devil is in the detail,” she says. The report has a focus of ‘cause and effect’ and explores some of the historical reasons for today’s problems. It says the major causes of pollution are pathogens, nutrients and sediments.

Wright says she tends to agree with scientist Clive Howard-Williams that sediment is the biggest problem. While the report doesn’t says so specifically, it isn’t hard to deduce that most sediment problems arose during the opening up of marginal lands in the 1960s and 1970s, subsidised by taxpayers’ money. Bush burning that exposed steep hillsides is now a major cause of erosion and sediment in rivers.

“Sheep farming gave us the erosion which gave us the phosphorous and dairy farming is now giving us the nitrogen [chiefly as] urine from stock – dairy cows… in river catchments. Sheep and beef are higher up in the catchment and when they put urine on the ground it’s drier up there so it’s probably just going to help the grass grow.”

Wright jokes that the biggest problem with cows is they urinate in one place. “If only we could teach them to move around when they urinate, it would help. I understand bulls do this, but not cows.”

But Wright is quick to say her report is not a ‘blame’ document, rather it is to help people decide about water quality. They should not use the excuse

Case study – the Manawatu River THE REPORT contains an interesting case study on the much maligned Manawatu River, unique in being the only one whose headwaters is on the eastern side of the ranges but which flows to the west coast.

The report traces the history of pollution in the river including the effects of early flax milling at Foxton and meat processing plants near the top of the catchment. In early days the Manawatu River was a dumping ground for waste.

Wright says the Manawatu River was chosen as the case study because of the availability of long term data and recent publicity about the state of the river – described as the worst river in the western world.

“We say at the end of the chapter that it’s not. It’s pretty bad at some times of the year but we quote the scientist who did the study – Dr Roger Young – that led to that publicity. We quote him as saying it’s not the worst river in the western world.”

The report says the state of the river today is not the fault of one group – rather a combination of all “compounding on top of each other.”

of asking for more science as a means of delaying their decision making.

“It’s important to pick out how much science we need to make the decisions we need to make. If you gather more information and it doesn’t change the decisions you’re making, then you’re

going too far.”

Listening to dairy farmers about fresh water quality science must be a priority, Wright says. “You can sit in Wellington and devise solutions [but] when you go out to a farm it can be quite different; and a lot of this is farm specific,” she says.

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Dairy News march 27, 2012

news // 15

Milkman knocks at school doors Pam tipa

AS A tropical storm raged outside, speakers at the launch of Fonterra’s Milk for Schools scheme last Monday paid tribute to the dairy farmers making it possible.

Torrential rain hammered the roof of Manaia View School, Whangarei, during the launch, as Chris Farrelly, chief executive of Manaia Health, thanked the 10,500 Fonterra farmers.

“They are out in the rain today working to produce this food, not only for the world but for our children,” he said. “Neither tropical storm nor rains will stop the milkman.”

Kelvin Wickham, Fonterra group director supplier and external relations, says the farmers are out there every day pro-

ducing milk and supporting the co-op in Milk for Schools. Wickham stood in for chief executive Theo Spierings, unable to attend because of the weather.

Fonterra has been “overwhelmed by the response”, not expecting the support it got from schools, parents, teachers and community, Wickham says.

“It’s a huge exercise in logistics,” he said of the pilot scheme in 112 of Northland’s 133 primary schools, providing a 250ml Tetra Pak of milk to 10,000 children each day. Fonterra has given a fridge to each school and will collect the packs for recycling.

Farrelly earlier said he was proud to be part of Whangarei and Northland but the area also had poverty, inequity and injustice. Not everyone there had enough to eat

every day.

“We live in a land of milk and honey; we were asking ‘can’t we share that milk and honey?’

“Our voices spoke, Fonterra listened – it listened deeply, then acted.

This gesture is quite stupendous, the historic day we bring back milk to schools.”

To the children he said all of them dreamed of being “an All Black, a Silver Fern, the prime minister or even chief executive of Fonterra”.

“Part of that dream is to drink milk every day.”

Studies showed every one of Northland’s 13 decile 1 and 2 schools had to provide food to its students daily, and all except

Fonterra’s Kelvin Wickham and Manaia View School students Ginnye Shelford and Anaya Wakelin at the Milk for Schools launch.

three of its decile 3 and 4 schools did so. It should not be the schools’ job to feed children but was part of the “cycle of poverty”.

He said Spierings is a “courageous, visionary

man” who saw something had to be done and would have been “gutted” not to be at the Milk for Schools launch.

Manaia View School principal Leanne Otene

says growing children aged two years and older need to drink at least two or three glasses of milk a day.

Nutrition is a key focus area for the school which runs many initiatives

and has won Gold Heart awards for promoting good nutrition every year since 2004.

“Now the school will be not only a water-only school but a water-andmilk-only school,” she says.

Milk monitors will deliver at 9am; the children will have it on their desks and be encouraged to drink it in the morning session then recycle the cartons. The children have been learning about the nutritive value of milk.

Spierings says the co-op will monitor the pilot for three terms and intends a nationwide start in 2013 “to get more Kiwis drinking more milk, and this starts with our kids.”

Fonterra is still accepting registrations for the pilot. For details or to register a school visit www.fonterramilkforschools.com.

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Dairy News march 27, 2012

16 // news

Reform will lift rural voice peter burke

RURAL COMMUNITIES will be better rep-

resented on local councils as part of a major reform package announced last week by former Local Government Minister Nick Smith.

The Government intends to make councils focus on core business and less on peripherals. It wants them to be more fiscally responsible and to strengthen governance.

A taskforce will drive efficiencies, aiming to reduce rates. A new system will monitor councils’ finan-

cial performance and help sort out problems – in extreme cases appointing commissioners to run them.

Before his resignation, over an ACC letter he wrote for a Nick Smith friend, Smith

told Dairy News that rural communities are poorly represented on councils because of rigid rules about the size of voting

wards. These at present have to be virtually the same size, hindering fair representation.

“We intend to amend the Local Electoral Act to give councils and the Local Government Commission greater flexibility in determining the makeup of their councils

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Top service at low cost NATIONAL’S REFORMS have been heralded for some time and they are predictable.

Former Local Government Minister Nick Smith says, in Better Local Government, that the purpose of councils is now to “provide good quality local infrastructure, public services and regulatory functions at the least possible cost to households and businesses.”

This is from the previous wording about “social, economic, environmental and cultural wellbeing” which Smith says is ‘politically correct’.

Rural areas have not been exempt the problems facing local government across the nation, he says.

“The last decade has seen significant rate increases in most rural districts and substantial increases in debt levels. The importance for those rural areas is getting a better handle on costs and pulling those rate and debt increases back to more prudent levels.”

Rural councils have a challenge providing roads but otherwise provide fewer “other services” such as reticulated water and sewerage.

“Rural roading tends to be less expensive for land than, for instance, in urban areas…. There are unique challenges for rural councils, this package will help them deal those.”

Longstanding claims by farmers that they pay a disproportionate share of rates compared with urban dwellers has to be looked at alongside the cost of councils providing and maintaining local roads, says Smith.

“I don’t have a strong view that somehow farmers are paying an unfair share of the overall rates burden. [But] all rates have gone up too much over the past decade.”

Also under review is councils’ bureaucratic ways of financial reporting and planning. Smith wants the new ‘Efficiency Taskforce’ to simplify these.

and the rural boundaries to ensure rural areas get a fairer deal.”

Flaws now bedevil the present legislation which sets the size of wards, Smith says.

“The present formula in rural areas… cuts across rural communities of interests and [those] communities have had a raw deal out of that. The changes… will make it easier for councils – in their representation review every five years – and the Local Government Commission to make ward boundaries in rural areas better match communities of interests and give rural communities a fairer voice.”

Of particular interest to farmers is a law change making it easier to form Unitary Authorities (UAs) or combine existing regional councils and territorial local authorities into single entities. UAs already exist in Gisborne and Nelson/Marlborough;

the new Auckland Council is also a UA. “The government does not view bigger as better, but we view ‘simpler as better’,” Smith says.

“Having two tiers of local government – regional councils and territorial local authorities (TLAs) – adds cost and complexity to local government.

That’s why we’re making it easier to form unitary authorities.”

But Smith acknowledges that with large river systems this can be difficult and he says while the Local Government Commission should lean towards the formation of UAs, it must satisfy itself that any new entity can manage water allocation and flood management.

The Government also plans to reform the RMA via a second parliamentary bill later this year. He says councils commonly complain central government forces them to make more regulations.

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Dairy News march 27, 2012

18 // world

Fonterra helps floodhit suppliers in Oz sudesh kissun

FONTERRA IS helping floodaffected suppliers in NSW and Victoria, offering interest-free advances and on-farm advice.

Though the flood waters continue to recede, there’s still a lot of water in paddocks, the co-op says.

“The good news is the waters are receding. Right now, we are helping flood-affected farmers in the region to recover. We were sorry to see the severity of the damage and want to make sure our farmers get back on their feet as quickly as possible.”

Safety has been the co-op’s priority during the floods. Staff, their families and farmer suppliers in the affected areas are said to be safe.

Fonterra closed its factory at Wagga Wagga, southwest of Sydney after an evacuation order was issued at the height of the floods

A flooded farm in northern Victoria earlier this month.

on March 6. But the water peaked lower than expected and did not harm the plant, which reopened the next day and is now fully operational.

“During the height of the floods, milk from our farmers in this region was collected and transported to Stanhope for processing. Now all milk is being processed back at Wagga Wagga.”

All milk had been collected from

suppliers in the affected areas of Wagga Wagga and Northern Victoria, but 30 farmers were hit by the floods, having very wet pastures.

“We have worked closely with Murray Dairy and Dairy Australia on options for relief and support for affected farmers.”

The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) has declared parts of NSW and Victoria as a catastrophe. The declaration covers the

SealesWinslow r e c n la a B e g a il S Maize

NSW Riverina, NSW Central West and northern Victoria, where thousands of people were forced out of their homes by floods.

ICA chief executive Rob Whelan says the declaration required an insurance taskforce to ensure policyholders got the help they might need as quickly.

“There have so far been fewer than 4000 claims, however we expect numbers to increase.”

in brief Oz dairy levy approved AUSTRALIAN DAIRY farmers have voted to increase their Dairy Australia levy by 10%.

The Dairy Service Levy funds a range of industry services including on-farm research and development into pasture productivity, cow productivity, management of grains and farm systems. Other services include industry protection and promotion, issues management, market analysis, health and nutrition research and initiatives to attract, retain and develop people in the supply chain.

Dairy Australia Chairman and Bega dairy farmer Max Roberts says the result of the vote was a positive step.

The results, announced this month, show 60.13% of the total votes supported a 10% rise.

Just over 6% voted in favour of a 15% increase, while 40% voted for the no levy option.

Dutch dairy co-op eyes Asia DUTCH DAIRY co-op Royal FrieslandCampina NV has secured a controlling stake in Philippine dairy company Alaska Milk Corp.

Members of the founding Uytengsu clan have sold their controlling stake in Alaska Milk to the co-op for $US302 million.

FrieslandCampina now owns 69% of Alaska Milk and plans a tender offer to buy the remaining shares.

The co-op says the acquisition will strengthen its position in Asia, a strategic growth area for dairy.

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Dairy News march 27, 2012

20 // OPINION Ruminating

EDITORIAL

Time to stop the blame game

milking it...

The coming backlash

A TELLING line in a Dairy News report on local government reform says former minister Nick Smith is concerned that bureaucracy (also read political correctness) hobbling local councils discourages well-qualified people from working in the sector.

How many of our sons and daughters, nephews and nieces are aiming for careers in local government? Do we have data on such ambition.

Given the challenge local government presents, and its importance, it deserves more promotion.

But first the sector needs a ‘dose of salts’.

Cheese foodies go crackers

HUNDREDS OF cultured spectators last month nibbled on cheese and crackers, waiting patiently for an hour as dozens of judges deliberated before naming a Dutch Vermeer the

world’s best cheese.

What was once a low-key industry affair noticed only by a handful of spectators and reporters is now a musthave for those looking to get their gouda on.

The World Champion Cheese Contest sold all 400 tickets in the first year they were offered; the artisan cheese competition has become another way for foodies to outdo one another in the pursuit of local, sustainable and handcrafted fare.

Land troubles Thai-style

IMAGINE OUR interest in a Bangkok Post editorial headed ‘Stop this land xenophobia’.

Said the newspaper, “It’s increasingly difficult for Thais to own a piece of land... but completely wrong to blame foreigners for Thailand’s inequitable land ownership problem and land grabbing.”

One third of Thai land is now owned by foreigners, an ombudsman said mid-March. Legal loopholes, e.g. marriages and nominees, and corruption facilitate proxy ownership.

Farmers “struggle with landlessness and not having enough land to till.” Thais are becoming tenant farmers, says the country’s Agriculture and Co-ops Ministry.

History shows the inevitability of the stronger conquering the weaker, these days with cash.

Negotiable, however, are: first, the pace and arrangement of the takeover; second, the belief that a humane worldview will win the day.

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‘Jocko’ did his best

DAIRY COWS around the world are mourning the death of ‘Jocko’, ranked the world’s third most-potent breeding bull, who died of natural causes leaving 400,000 offspring.

Jocko Besne had an industrious 17-year career donating 1.7 million sperm straws used in France and abroad to keep alive the Prim’Holstein cattle strain, the main strain of black-and-white milking cow in France.

“An international star from the Prim’Holstein breed, this bull rose to become an unquestionable reference and ranked third globally in use,” said Creavia, the French farming co-op that raised the beast.

The organisation says he could have spawned 300,000-400,000 offspring. Officially he is credited as having fathered a mere 161,888 cattle in 21 countries; not all nations have kept records.

“In France alone, Jocko Besne’s daughters are present in 23,370 farms,” Creavia says.

THE PARLIAMENTARY Commissioner for Environment, Jan Wright, must be congratulated for her latest report on water quality.

The report rightly steers clear of the ‘blame game’. Instead, she says the science on fresh water quality is confusing and complex.

While she believes the excuse of asking for more science should not be a means of delaying decision making, her report emphasises building a whole-picture understanding of the issues.

More importantly, she says listening to dairy farmers about fresh water quality science must be a priority.

Too often we see agriculture – in particular dairy farmers – under fire for not doing enough to prevent pollution of rivers and streams. The critics must realise there is plenty of change happening in the dairy industry.

Between council policing and penalties, and best-practice incentives and education provided by the likes of DairyNZ and Fonterra, the industry is rapidly cleaning up its act.

Contrary to what the Greens say, if farmers had their heads in the sand, we wouldn’t have seen the reduction in consent non-compliance observable last year throughout the country.

That is not to say some farmers couldn’t do better. There is no room in dairying for farmers who ignore regulations or consent conditions and contribute to water pollution.

All farmers want is a scientific approach to cleaning up our rivers and environment.

We must understand the causes and sources to find effective solutions. All New Zealanders can start with the simple, cost-effective mitigation steps available to put in place expediently.

Federated Farmers is right in saying science holds the key to improving New Zealand’s water quality, without placing undue restraints on our agricultural production capacity. The PCE’s report supports the stance of farmers – including Federated Farmers – in proactively, and scientifically, cleaning up waterways.

We agree deteriorating water quality needs to be addressed.

The cost of doing nothing is too high.

However, as the report says, the responsibility for cleaning up our rivers and lakes rests on all New Zealanders, not just dairy farmers.

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Dairy News march 27, 2012

opinion // 21

Joining the dots to China trade TRADE MINISTER Tim Groser recently addressed the North Harbour China Business Panel in Auckland. He spoke about foreign investment, a sensitive issue for most New Zealanders.

Here are excerpts from his speech.

OBVIOUSLY I will stay clear of the specific issue of the Crafar Farms, since once again this is before the Government and the courts.

Trade and investment are increasingly linked in today’s global supply chain. It is inconceivable that this vast expansion of China-NZ trade links

lion and invest in start-up companies in both countries, with a particular focus on the green, biotech and creative sectors.

That is a fantastic development and if we can succeed in completing an Economic Cooperation Agreement with Chinese Taipei, this will complement trade liberalisa-

“Trade and investment are increasingly linked in today’s global supply chain.” would not be accompanied by a major expansion of Chinese investment in New Zealand and vice versa. If you look at the stock of foreign investment in New Zealand it is Australia, Britain and the US that dominate. Why? Because these countries have been our major economic partners. This will change in line with the radical shifts in New Zealand trading partners. It needs to change.

It won’t just be China.

Get ready for significant investments from India and Indonesia. This will happen. I was delighted that this week the New Zealand Venture Investment Fund and Taiwan’s National Development Fund signed an arrangement to established strategic cooperation on joint investments in venture capital funds. They will collect up to US$170 mil-

tion in exactly the way we would want.

Why do we welcome foreign investment?

Because it helps New Zealand – end of story.

The Prime Minister quoted a recent study concluding that overseas investment in New Zealand lifted national income by about $5billion between 1996 and 2006.

That is an estimate of the return to New Zealand from overseas – crucially over and above the cost of paying interest and dividends on that investment.

China is going to be the most important economy in the world and the only argument is whether it is in 10, 15 or 20 years. That is not much more than a blip in New Zealand’s history, let alone China’s.

We have the foundation stones in place: an excellent political relationship and a compre-

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hensive FTA that is now well into its work.

We added in 2009 a comprehensive FTA with the separate customs territory of Hong Kong. I

hope we will add a similar agreement to the third and separate WTO customs territory of Chinese Taipei – known outside trade policy circles as Taiwan.

This negotiation, known as the ECA or Economic Cooperation Agreement, is being conducted strictly within the framework of our long-standing

One China policy. Taiwan is a significant part of the greater Chinese economy with massive investment and trading links with the mainland.

If we can achieve this – and I am confident we can – New Zealand will be the only country, other than China itself, to have a trading platform that puts the

three dots in the Chinese economic triangle together. That will be some strategic achievement for a country of our size.

Tim Groser

Dairy News march 27, 2012

22 // agribusiness

Waikato winners keep it simple THE 2012 Waikato Sharemilker/

Equity Farmer of the Year, Barry and Nicky McTamney, take the next step in their dairy farming career in June when they enter an equity partnership.

The couple won the top award and collected $15,000 in prizes at the recent Waikato Dairy Industry Awards.

The other big winners were Thomas White, who won the Waikato Farm Manager of the Year title, and Mark Jacobs, the 2012 Waikato Dairy Trainee of the Year.

Barry and Nicky are currently 50% sharemilking 275 cows for the MacLennan Family Trust on an 82ha farm near Otorohanga.

In June they will become equity partners and managers of a 500-cow farm at Maihiihi and they plan to buy it outright within 10 years.

They say a key to their success is keeping it simple.

“Simple, repeatable systems provide consistent performance in the face of climatic and economic volatility. Thorough recording and monitoring enables informed decisions to be made early, versus reactions to be made too early or too late or not at all.

“And while we run a simple system, our focus on getting the basics right has provided our business with added income streams.”

The couple, who hold a Bachelor of Applied Science in Forestry and Agricul-

ture (Barry) and Diploma in Veterinary Nursing (Nicky), have worked their way up the industry for 10 years. They say the awards reinforce goals and the steps needed to achieve these goals.

Te Awamutu lower order sharemilkers Hamish and Katie Flett placed second in the Waikato Sharemilker/ Equity Farmer of the Year contest, winning $8500 in prizes, and Te Awamutu equity farm managers James Kinston and Jennie Macky were third, winning $4500.

The Dairy Industry Awards are sponsored

by Westpac, DairyNZ, Ecolab, Federated Farmers, Fonterra, Honda Motorcycles NZ, LIC, Barry and Nicky McTamney Meridian Energy, Ravensdown, RD1 and AgITO. Thomas White, is contract milk- back from the judges on my strengths ing 390 cows for his parents, Philip and weaknesses.”

He says a strength is farming on a and Maree White, on their 112ha Putaruru farm. He won $10,000 in cash and good farm, in a good district and community. “Another key strength is being prizes.

It was the first time White (23) had able to work together as a family to entered. “I entered for the opportunity achieve our individual personal and to benchmark myself and to get feed- business goals.”

White, who has a Diploma in Agriculture, says he plans to progress through sharemilking to farm ownership.

Pukeatua contract milkers Nathan and Vanessa McCluskie gained second in the farm manager contest, winning $5100 in prizes.

Third place went to Andrew Sather-

ley, a Waharoa farm manager. He won $1500 in prizes.

It has been a goal of Jacobs, to enter the dairy awards for the past two years. This year he entered and won, taking home $5500 in prizes.

“I primarily entered the competition to gauge my skills against my peers, gain important and helpful industry connections and for the experience of competing.”

Jacobs (25) is herd manager on a 400-cow farm owned by Sir Patrick Hogan at Cambridge.

He has been dairy farming for four years and is currently studying with AgITO to improve his skills and knowledge.

He plans to continue studying towards a Bachelor of Agriculture while progressing to become general manager on a high input, large scale dairy farm.

“In the short term I would like to work overseas and gain some perspective on how dairy farms are run and how dairy farming is perceived around the globe.”

Waihou farm assistant Ben Schnackenberg (25) was second in the Waikato dairy trainee contest and Cambridge farm assistant, Mike Shaw (22) was third. They won $800 and $450 respectively.

Barry and Nicky McTamney will host a field day on April 3.

Dairy News march 27, 2012

agribusiness // 23

Young Jersey sires to the fore JERSEY NEW ZEALAND, releasing its 2012 Jersey Genes team, says this year’s young Jersey sires are “unparalleled”.

Jersey Genes, a sire proving joint venture between Jersey New Zealand and CRV Ambreed, has for 19 years achieved a graduation rate of 1.38 bulls per year.

Jersey Genes sires are nominated by breeders and, for the first time this year, are also sourced from the new JerseyGenome elite heifer programme.

Jersey New Zealand members prove these bulls in their herds and they are included in CRV Ambreed’s commercial Progeny Test programme.

CRV Ambreed marketing manager Peter Berney says JerseyGenome and Jersey Genes are benefitting from CRV’s genomic selection technology, and they show the success of the technology.

“This data added by genomic selection allows us to look at more bulls (or in the case of Jer-

seyGenome, heifers) and select the best,” he says.

“And it’s working. The latest graduate of the Jersey Genes programme, Pukeroa TGM Manzello, is not only a Jersey Genes bull, but was also marketed by CRV Ambreed as an InSire bull. His strong daughter proof is evidence that we’ve got this right.”

DNA information will be shown this year alongside traditional parental average information for each sire in the Jersey Genes catalogue. This will give farmers and breeders all the information they need to make “great decisions,” says Berney. CRV Ambreed is also publishing individual genomic information on its own InSire bull range in the forthcoming Dairy Sires Catalogue. Jersey New Zealand general manager Jenny Taylor says its members have driven the programme’s success.

“Clients… have acknowledged its merit and proactively used it within their own herds.”

The 2012 Jersey Genes lineup is strongly influenced by Okura Lika Murmur S3J, a 2010 graduate. Among the breed’s best transmitters for pro-

tein, Murmur is said to be consistently turning out daughters with high production, low somatic cells, good fertility and longevity. Five of the seven 2012

Jersey Genes young sires are Murmur sons.

These sires are available as a team and individually to Jersey NZ members.

Latest graduate Pukeroa TGM Manzello.

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The top calves were offered at a community auction where the trust offered a bottle of Hororata Whisky to the highest bidder. All proceeds went to the trust.

Synlait Farms chief executive Juliet Maclean says getting involved with the Hororata Community Trust makes sense. Businesses, individuals and infrastructure in the district were affected by the earthquakes so the company is encouraging the trust and supporting rebuilding.

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Dairy News march 27, 2012

24 // management

Growing pasture after maize crop MANY FARMERS have

found it difficult to establish high-yielding, persistent pastures in recent years. There are significant advantages to establishing pasture after a maize silage crop. Problem weeds can be sprayed out twice – in the spring before maize establishment and in the autumn prior to regrassing. Growing maize also removes the normal feed source for pasture pests such as black beetle, Argentine stem weevil, pasture nematodes and grass grub. This interrupts their breeding cycle and reduces insect pressure on seedling plants during the pasture renewal process.

Cropping prior to pasture renewal also reduces the carryover of older, loweryielding ryegrasses.

The key steps to ensure you successfully establish a high-yielding pasture after maize silage harvest

include: Choose the right maturity maize hybrid.

Maize hybrids require a varying amount of time to go from planting to silage harvest. Select a hybrid that will be off early enough to allow timely regrassing. The ideal regrassing date varies by district, season and soil type. Late March to late April is generally ideal for re-grassing except in the South Island where pasture needs to be planted by mid-March. If for any reason silage harvest is delayed consider planting a winter crop (especially a large-seeded crop like oats or triticale) or annual ryegrass. These will be easier to establish under cool soil conditions than slower growing pasture species (e.g. clover).

Approximate days from planting to harvest for Pioneer® brand maize hybrids

are published in the Pioneer® brand ‘Maize for Silage’ catalogue each year.

If you would like to receive a complimentary copy please call us toll-free on the number below.

Order pasture seed.

Decide which ryegrass endophyte level you require based on the insect protection and animal health ratings. Next, consider whether you want an early or late heading and a diploid or tetraploid cultivar. Discuss cultivar, pasture mix and seed treatment options with your local merchant or

seed company representative. Ensure all seed you purchase is certified for germination, purity and endophyte levels.

Spray out weeds. As soon as the maize crop is harvested, walk the paddock looking for weeds.

Where necessary spray out the whole paddock or spot spray with glyphosate. The application rate will depend on the type of weeds present. Contact your merchant or herbicide company representative for paddock-specific advice.

Soil test and apply the appropriate fertiliser.

In a six-month growing period, a maize silage crop can produce double the annual drymatter yield of permanent pasture.

For this reason maize has a high requirement for nutrients, especially nitrogen and potassium. The type and amount of fer-

tiliser required for successful pasture establishment will vary depending on the soil nutrient status prior to maize cropping, the type and amount of fertiliser applied to the maize and the crop yield.

Soil testing and applying the appropriate fertiliser prior to pasture establishment will help ensure your new pasture does not run out of nutrients.

Drill pasture seed into the maize stubble. Unless the paddock is particularly rough it is unnecessary to cultivate after maize silage harvest. Cultivating the paddock a second time costs money. It also tends to bring up sizeable balls of maize roots which

Growing maize removes the normal feed source for pasture pests.

require time to decompose before pasture seed can easily be drilled into the paddock.

Use recommended seeding rates. There is no evidence to suggest higher seeding rates will improve pasture establishment.

High rates of ryegrass seed reduce the competitiveness and therefore the establishment of slower establishing species (e.g. white clover).

Growing maize is an integral part of a pas-

ture renewal programme.

Choosing the correct maize hybrid, controlling weeds after maize silage harvest, applying appropriate fertiliser nutrients for the new pasture and drilling quality seed into the maize stubble at recommended seeding rates will help ensure your pasture establishment is successful.

• Ian Williams is Pioneer forage specialist. Contact him at iwilliams@genetics. co.nz 746 633)

Dairy News march 27, 2012

management // 25

Diversity motivates top sharemilkers give us another view.”

The Fowlers say they enjoy Bay of Plenty Sharemilker/Equity Farmer of the Year, Richard and goal-setting. “Having both come from strategic backgrounds prior Amy Fowler, thrive on diversity.

The couple this month won the to hands-on dairy farming, we top award and $14,000 in cash and know the importance of having prizes. Grant Clark won the Farm direction and targets to achieve.

Manager of the Year title and Bran- We enjoy doing the hard yards and don Law the 2012 Bay of Plenty the sense of satisfaction when we Dairy Trainee of the Year. All three achieve targets.”

Long term they plan to buy the winners work on family farms. family farm within 10 Fowlers say they years; short term they enjoy dairy farming for want to expand their its “fantastic lifestyle sharemilking business, with a young family, by either growing the allowing us to enjoy family farm or buying work and play off the another farm while farm and on.” retaining their current Now in their fifth position. season, they 50% shareThey also are busy milk 345 cows for Rich- Grant Clark off-farm: Richard was ard’s parents, John and Linda Fowler, on 115ha at Te Puke. national president of New Zealand Richard was formerly opera- Young Farmers for two years until tions manager for Landcorp and July 2011 and Amy completed two Amy worked for Sport Bay of Plenty marathons last year.

Te Puke lower order sharebefore starting their family.

They have twice before con- milker Rob Bryan gained second tested the awards, keen to have in the contest winning $7150 in an outsider’s view of their perfor- prizes, and Tony and Aimee Parton, mance. “We are looking forward also lower order sharemilking at Te to using the feedback from having Puke, were third winning $5250.

Clark won the Bay of Plenty entered previously to improve certain parts of our business and pre- Farm Manager of the Year title and senting again to the judges who can collected $6800 in cash and prizes.

THE WINNERS of the 2012

It was his first time, aiming to prove milker. “I enjoy the informato himself he deserved to be in his tion and mentoring available to position. “I now know I’m on the young people in the industry and right track to improve the farm’s I like researching information and new ideas to maxperformance.” imise production by He now milks 450 making better use of cows for his father, the resources available Bernie Clark, and aims on our farm.” to be sharemilking He plans to be man1000 cows in or around aging a larger dairy farm Waimana within six within two years and years. use the traditional dairy Te Puke farm man- Brandon Law pathway to achieve his ager Joshua Wadsworth gained second in the farm long term goal of farm ownership.

Te Puke herd manager Scott manager contest, winning $3600, and Galatea farm manager Shaun Wilks was second in the dairy Bicknell was third, winning $1800 trainee contest, winning $650 in prizes and Whakatane herd manin prizes.

In his first full season dairy ager Thomas Blackett gained third, farming, Whakatane 19-year-old winning $350.

All three winners will now comfarm assistant Law has won the 2012 Bay of Plenty Dairy Trainee pete for the New Zealand Shareof the Year title and $5300 in prizes. milker/Equity Farmer of the Year, “I was encouraged by my par- New Zealand Farm Manager of ents and employers, Alan and the Year and New Zealand Dairy Wendy Law, to enter and… I Trainee of the Year titles and a prize thought it would be a great oppor- pool of nearly $140,000 in Aucktunity to meet some new people land on May 12.

Richard and Amy Fowler, will and get a feeling of where I am in the industry compared to other host a field day on March 29, while Clark, will host a field day on the trainees.”

Law has always wanted to be a Waimana farm he manages on dairy farmer and while at school April 5. worked casually and as a relief www.dairyindustryawards.co.nz.

Richard and Amy Fowler

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Cream of the crop in Bay of plenty Dairy Trainee Merit Award ■■

AgITO Farming Knowledge Merit Award – Keith Wise.

Sharemilker/Equity Farmer Merit Awards

■■

■■

BlackmanSpargo Legal Audit Award – Rob Bryan.

Honda Farm Safety and Health Award – Rob Bryan.

■■

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DairyNZ Human Resources Award – Rob Bryan.

LIC Recording and Productivity Award – Mark and Nika Booker.

■■

Meridian Energy Farm Environment Award – Braden & Leanne Calder.

■■

Ravensdown Pasture Performance Award – Tony & Aimee Parton.

■■

Westpac Business Performance Award – Richard & Amy Fowler.

Farm Manager Merit Awards ■■

■■

■■

DairyNZ Human Resource Management Award – Brett Grindrod.

■■

Ecolab Farm Dairy Hygiene Award – Tony & Aimee Parton.

RD1 Farm Management Award – Josh Wadsworth.

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Federated Farmers of New Zealand Leadership Award – Richard and Amy Fowler.

Westpac Financial Planning and Management Award – Shaun Bicknell.

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KEEPING IT COOL When silage heats it loses nutrients which could have been used to produce milk. The Pioneer速 brand inoculant range includes proven products that reduce silage heating and deliver more milk for every tonne of maize ensiled.

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www.pioneer.co.nz or 0800 PIONEER 0800 746 633 Pioneer速 brand products are provided subject to the terms and conditions of purchasing, which are part of the labeling and purchase documents. 速, TM, SM , Trademarks and service marks of Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.

Dairy News march 27, 2012

management // 27

Good planning lifts milk yield vivienne haldane

A NEW property and bigger pasture

and herd sizes are challenging Norsewood dairy farmers Craig and Brenda Blatchford.

The 50/50 sharemilkers, who relocated in June 2011, are having a bumper season; townies may grumble about the wet summer, but for Blatchfords it’s been a kick start.

“The locals say this is one of the best farms in the district – good contour, free draining and well-established shelter belts,” says Craig.

The couple previously milked 370 cows as sharemilkers in Woodville, now they’re doing 590 on the 225ha farm.

The previous pastures of Moata grass had run out, so resowing and making land productive was one of the first things to be done. “The farm had only 160-170 ha of productive land with 30ha in rubbishy grass. In spring we grazed off and direct-drilled that and also put in 20ha of turnips and both came on stream in the new year. “ Silage was made from another 10ha.

These improvements will ensure plenty of feed for the herd going into winter and form part of the larger goal of achieving better percentages across the herd. “Our contract is to run a maximum of 650; we aim to achieve more productivity per cow, rather than further increasing the herd.”

Keeping the herd at this number fits with the size of the existing milking shed and the distance the herd has to cover to reach it. The back paddock is 2.5km from the shed, contributing to herd lameness. To alleviate this Craig will look at having the second herd (including lame cows) in for milking once a day.

Three workers do two mobs twice a day – two milking and the other to bring in the second herd. The first herd then has to go over to the other block. “That takes time because of the distance they need to walk.”

When races become too puggy a temporary race is made beside the main one

Current management ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■

Staff: 2 full-time and 2 casual.

40-a-side shed, 500 cow yard.

590 cows in herds of 330 mixed age, 200 heifers and lighter cows and 60 lame.

Milk solids/cow/day 1.3kgMS Rotation length 24.

Average pasture cover (kgDM/ha) 2100.

Pre-grazing clover-(kgDM/ha) 2400.

Grazing residuals- (kgDM/ha) 1600.

N used this season to date 70.

Grass allocation per cow (kgDM) 11.

Supplements/cow (kgDM) turnips and baleage.

Challenges: races, soil fertility on new block, pasture species.

until it dries out. “Fortunately the soil is free draining which makes it easier to manage the pasture.”

With a larger proportion of the 225ha in grass (160ha previously) Blatchfords hope to see some changes early in the first part of production from spring to Christmas, “The farm will end up having 140-150ha of new grass for next year; that’s a big difference.”

More ground and more productive pasture species on it give them

confidence productivity will increase.

“When we arrived, cover was a bit low and we compensated for that with hay, but it’s not the same as having more grass.”

In winter, half the herd go off-farm Craig and Brenda Blatchford are optimistic about dairy farming in for grazing – to their 384ha farm at Norsewood.

Ballance and to a block nearby – and come back late July. “That takes the pressure off the dairy farm and we can by seven weeks. Brenda rears 150 AI comfortably winter what’s left. We calve replacement calves.” over 8-10 weeks with the bulk done The Blatchfords changed from

sheep-and-beef to dairy 17 years ago, retaining the Ballance farm.

“It’s a far better financial return.”

BCS – do it now BODY CONDITION scoring (BCS)

decisions made now will impact next year’s performance, farmers were told during a recent DairyNZ farm field day at Norsewood.

DairyNZ consulting officer for Hawkes Bay/Northern Manawatu, Sean McCarthy, told farmers visiting Blatchford’s farm that they must act now to assess their herds’ BCS and devise a plan to ensure cows reach BCS targets at calving time. This forms the basis of milk production, reproduction and animal health, he says.

The visiting farmers took part in a practical field exercise to better understand what is required.

“Decisions made now will impact on next season’s performance,”

DairyNZ’s Sean McCarthy (left) explains what to look for in the BCS booklet.

McCarthy said.

Farmers scoring their herds must ensure they leave themselves enough time to achieve the minimum score of

5 for mature cows and 5.5 for first and second calvers and this can easily be calculated.

“This is one of the few times of

the year you can have a real impact on BCS,” McCarthy said. “If your cow was 3.5 BCS today, you need a dry period of 130 days to get to 5 BCS if feeding pasture only during the dry period, and 100 days if you include a high quality supplement.”

All this information is available in the DairyNZ BCS reference guide.

How these targets are reached is up to the individual farmer. “In the Blatchfords’ case, they will put all the young and lighter cows on oncea-day milking now, they will individually score all the herd, look at their calving date and then make decisions about drying off based on those two pieces of information.”

Others may condition score the herd as a whole.

Dairy News march 27, 2012

28 // animal health/feed

Mulched kikuyu offers better options – study GARETH GILLAT

KIKUYU-BASED PASTURES could

NARF science officer Kate Wynn and NARF farm consultant Rod Hodgson at the field day.

provide more feed more reliably than ryegrass pastures in Northland if they were managed

properly, according to interim results from work due for completion at the end of this season on a Northland research farm.

A four-year study at the Northland Agricultural Research Farm (NARF)

“We’ve learned more about mastitis in the past two springs than in the previous ten years.”

When James Machin took over as herd manager on a South Otago property in March 2010, he knew his work was cut out for him. The previous sharemilker hadn’t been aggressive enough with early detection and treatment of mastitis cases, and the BTSCC’s were up around 380,000.

James attacked the problem in the spring of 2010, but the bulk tank cell count was 800,000 at the first pick-up. Challenges with the treatment used and environmental conditions just weren’t bringing the problem under control.

At a dry period seminar hosted by Clutha Vets, James heard about whole-herd treatment with Cepravin®. The turnaround has been stunning. By late October 2011 the cell counts were around 100,000. Milk production was up 23 per cent on last season.

Says James,”I’ve learned more about mastitis in the past two springs than in the previous ten years! We’ll definitely be sticking with the Cepravin – there’s no question about it.”

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compared a ryegrassbased system, a mulched kikuyu-based system and a non mulched-kikuyu system on three separate plots.

Results from the survey so far indicate that not only has the mulched kikuyu system worked better in drought years, it also out-performs rye pastures in good seasons such as that enjoyed by farmers in the 2010-11 year.

Cows on the mulched kikuyu farm produced 1087kgMS in the 200809 season, 1054kgMS in 2009-10, 1230kgMS in 2010-11 and a forecast 1320kgMS in 2011-12.

This is compared to 1174kgMS, 984kgMS, 1100kgMS and 1100 kgMS on the ryegrass farmlet and 1054kgMS, 999kgMS, 1150kgMS and 1150kgMS on the non-mulched kikuyu farm during the same period.

NARF consultant Rod Hodgson says once managed properly kikuyu can be a consistent highproducing system in the north.

than those on the other two systems.

To maintain pasture quality and ensure cows got a good standard of feed Italian ryegrasses were undersown into mulched kikuyu pastures and oversown onto nonmulched kikuyu paddocks.

Italian rye grass was selected because of its growing cycle and its hardiness compared to other pasture types.

“You wouldn’t use anything other than the true Italian ryegrasses – no anglos and no Perenials,” Hodgson says.

However, palm kernel and extensive regrassing policies come at a cost. In the current season regrassing and feed costs sat at $1125/ ha for the ryegrass farm compared to $1910/ha for the mulched kikuyu and $1555 for the un-mulched kikuyu farm.

Even with higher costs worked in, the mulched kikuyu farm was more profitable than the ryegrass farm by $535/ha, and this difference was more

Not only has the mulched kikuyu system worked better in drought years, it also out performs rye pastures in good seasons.

“The difference was marked especially in the 09-10 and 10-11 seasons when the north was going through those two droughts,” he says.

Farm managers also fed palm kernel to cows on all farmlets to ensure animals were in good condition at mating and calving time and, according to NARF farm science manager Kate Wynn, cows on the kikuyu ended up eating more.

In fact, in the 201112 season, cows on the mulched pastures consumed 870kgDM of palm kernel, while cows on the non-mulched kikuyu pastures ate 910kgDM and cows on the ryegrass 650kgDM. In fact, cows on the mulched kikuyu farmlet ate 2000kgDM/year more

marked in drought years where it made $1000 more a hectare than the ryegrass farm.

Hodgson says contractors have done all machinery work on the farm due to the size of the farmlets and the nature of the farm. “Larger operators who can justify the purchase of larger implements could bring those regrassing costs right down.”

With kikuyu growth dropping off in early autumn and ryegrass not picking up until late autumn, Hodgson says crops, especially plantain and chickory that grew well in late summer-early autumn would be a good addition to the system. “A crop like chickory or plantain would really make this system hum” .

Dairy News march 27, 2012

feed/animal health // 29

Match the crop to conditions GARETH GILLAT

FARMERS LOOKING

for an autumn crop should try to match the crop to the season, says Agricom product development specialist Allister Moorhead.

Moorhead discussed the relative merits of chicory, turnips and plantain on March 14 during a farm field day run by the Northland Dairy Development Trust.

The venue was the Northland Agricultural Research Farm (NARF).

While turnips had been popular in Waikato and other dairying regions, Moorhead advised farmers to consider other crops to best match the climatic

conditions they expected and stock management changes they planned to make.

He says chicory has come into its own in the last five years especially in Waikato as drier climatic conditions lead to turnips not lasting beyond February. “It quickly became the right species for Waikato for the weather conditions.”

Chicory gives exactly the same amount of standing feed as turnips and can be grazed two, four or even six times before being exhausted.

“It has become a popular six-month crop, sown in October/November and then either sprayed out in April or May, or combined

Attendees at the NARF field day guess the growing time of the chicory crop.

into pasture for another 12 months depending on conditions and the farmer’s intentions.”

But he warns the crop must be planted early enough as chicory requires warm, relatively moist conditions for a good strike rate.

This message was repeated by NARF consultant Rod Hodgson who labeled their experiment with chicory a partial financial failure.

A chicory crop was planted early November on the rye grass farmlet for summer supplementary

feed but they were only able to graze cows on the crop twice by March.

“The number of grazings you get defines how profitable a crop is,” says Hodgson. “To get the most out of a chicory crop you need at least four grazings,” he says.

Change to livestock ear tagging FARMERS WILL no longer be

required to place Animal Health Board (AHB) approved secondary ear tags on cattle and deer once the NAIT scheme comes into effect. The change to ear tagging requirements will take effect from July 1 for cattle and March 1, 2013 for deer. NAIT scheme RFID tags will then be the only ones compulsory for livestock. But existing official ear tags should not be removed from older stock.

Farmers may still choose to use other tags for management reasons. Those who use industry tracing systems such as LIC Minda or CRV Ambreed should ask their usual sources how the change affects them.

The AHB will work with NAIT to maintain its ability to trace and identify suspected or confirmed bovine tuberculosis (TB)

Animal Health Board ear tags are being phased out.

“This change in tagging requiements will reduce animal ID costs.”

– Nick Hancox infected cattle and deer.

“This change in tagging requirements will reduce animal ID costs and bring the AHB system in line with the NAIT

scheme,” says operational policy manager Nick Hancox.

“However, we cannot afford to jeopardise the gains made in managing TB, especially when the

NAIT scheme starts. So farmers need to be compliant as early as possible.”

From July 1 farmers may continue buying linked ear tag sets comprising an electronic NAIT tag and a matching secondary tag.

This will allow them to identify animals by sight rather than using an electronic tag reader.

“NAIT [will] work with the AHB to streamline systems and minimise hassle for farmers,” says NAIT chief executive Russell Burnard. “We’re pleased with the AHB’s decision as it gives choice to farmers and lowers the mandatory costs they face once NAIT comes into effect.

“What’s important now is for farmers to make sure they understand their NAIT obligations and what they need to do to be ready ahead of time.”

To be profitable chicory and plantain needs to be grazed about every 20 days.

Hodgson says the soil was too wet in October to even consider putting chicory in and this was the main reason for the failure of the crop.

Chicory is a harder crop to manage in wetter, heavier soils like those common in Northland for this reason and plantain may be a better alternative, Moorhead says.

“Chicory likes light freedraining soil and suits most parts around the East Coast.”

Regardless of whether chicory or plantain is planted Moorhead says farmers still need some

form of nitrogen fixing.

He recommends mixing in red clover as it was able to compete with the crop for space unlike the white clover which tends to grow lower to the ground. If no clover is used then 300400kg/ha of urea will make up for the lack of nitrogen fixing.

Moorhead characterises plantain and chicory as multifunctional crops. Turnips are strategic.

“With chicory you must decide whether to spray it out or let it continue,” says Moorhead.

“With turnips there isn’t that decision; they are strategic and have a long lifespan in dairy for that reason.”

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Dairy News march 27, 2012

30 // animal health

Is FE robbing your heifers blind?

ANDREW OAKLEY

FACIAL ECZEMA has

always been a risk for dairy replacements but over many years in most regions of the North Island, where the disease has been significant, lack of liveweight gain can be associated with FE. A research study which monitored the performance of cows for ten years following the major 1989 FE outbreak showed affected heifer replacements had a 9% higher cull rate over the next ten years.

FE causes liver bile duct damage which could be the fundamental reason for loss of animal performance. Many farmers

think FE is a skin disease.

A rule-of-thumb is if you identify 5% of the herd with skin lesions, then at least 35% of the herd will have suffered significant liver damage which may compromise its function.

Heifers exposed to FE without zinc protection risk liver damage which will compromise liveweight gain and lead to underweight animals (see Graph 1 and 2 attached).

Animals that come up short of generally accepted DairyNZ rearing weight targets do not get in calf as well as protected animals, and do not produce as much milk in their first lactation. Many also fail to get back in calf at the end of their first lactation which adds up to a

The individual weights of a mob of heifers in May. They had been challenged by FE earlier in the year. The mob average was not much below the 408kg target but there is a significant tail end and it is these heifers that will have reduced lifetime performance issues.

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huge cost to the industry.

Timing is critical to maximise the effect of any FE preventive technique.

Agrifeeds’ SporeWatch is a simple system for onfarm spore count monitoring. In conjunction with a regular animal weighing

shareholders as the July 1 start-up nears.

General manager farm systems, Rob Ford, says the co-op is keeping it simple for shareholders and reducing added burdens from the new legislation.

“NAIT will add extra work to an already busy week.

We want to keep it as simple as possible [so] we have registered as an information provider to make NAIT compliance easier.

“The majority of LIC shareholders are already on track to compliance because almost

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Have you had any problems with underweight heifers? Could there be an FE link to those problems? www.thetimecapsule.co.nz

quate protection from sporidesmin especially when the FE challenge is high. The issue with water treatment effectiveness is that some animals may not drink sufficient amounts of water, and therefore varying amounts

of zinc, to be adequately protected. The risks are that they drink less water on rainy days (less zinc) or they get water from alternative water sources (no zinc).

• Andrew Oakley is technical manager, Agrifeeds NZ Ltd.

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The effects of exposing heifer calves to FE and the subsequent loss of liveweight gain.

management programme (ideally monthly to pick up any weight loss issues), the tool is designed to help the farmer better understand and manage the risks and production impacts associated with facial eczema on the own farm.

Our company’s Time Capsule zinc bolus is the best proven FE preventative treatment option available for replacement dairy calves and heifers.

The Time Capsule slowly, but continuously, releases a controlled amount of zinc oxide to the rumen each day for four weeks irrespective of the spore challenge on the pasture.

Water treatments with an in-line zinc dispenser do not guarantee every animal is receiving ade-

94% of the tag birth packs sold last year are NAIT-compliant and a large number are already recording animal movements in Minda.

“Being an information provider means they can continue to record this information in Minda and we’ll do the rest.”

Alternatively, farmers will be required to register all animals and record all tagging and on/off-farm movements with NAIT directly.

The co-op has since 2005 sold at least four million NAIT compliant electronic ID tags. Ford says this is largely because farmers can see the value in their tags and that they are more than just a number for identification and records.

“A tag... opens [farmers] to a database of information about that animal including breeding, genetics, births and production, and farm automation products such as Protrack.”

LIC is making necessary changes to the back end of Minda to allow automatic information transfers to NAIT. Farmers will be invited to ‘opt-in’ to have LIC as their information provider, on the LIC website, from May. Minda mobile puts the farmer in complete control of his farm.

Dairy News march 27, 2012

genetics / animal health // 31

The billion dollar scheme IMAGINE A dairy industry without artificial breeding (AB). But back in the 1950s AB was revolutionary.

A new book, The Billion Dollar Scheme, launched this month at LIC, celebrates the history and impact of artificial breeding on the dairy industry, marking 50 years of the LIC Sire Proving Scheme.

Research into AB began in New Zealand in the 1930s but not until 1950 was a commercial service introduced – then the rate of uptake by Kiwi farmers was extraordinary, says LIC chief executive Mark Dewdney. In that first year, 3603 cows were inseminated. Within seven years this had grown to 252,000 cows and it kept on growing until today when about 3.3 million cows are artificially inseminated.

“It’s easy to breeze over those numbers but think for a minute about the mindshift which accompanied it,” Dewdney says.

“Farmers were asked to go from the tried but not always true bull, to a straw of semen.

“They were asked to trust that semen could be diluted yet still be fertile.

Proof of the Proving scheme LIC’S SIRE Proving Scheme reflects on the rich heritage of visionary and capable scientists and farmers, says LIC chairman Stuart Bay. Speaking at the book launch, he noted it was no accident the 1939 Herd Improvement Plan has delivered more than could have ever been foreseen.

Under the stewardship of Sir Arthur Ward, former director of Herd Improvement and then as general manager of the Dairy Board, it had a far reaching goal to improve the net incomes of dairy farmers. The delivery of high value genetics was seen as the major solution to improving the national herd, he says.

It was “a master stroke” when Ward plucked from relative obscurity a schoolteacher named Olive Castle with an honours degree in mathematics. He hired her to help him realise the vision in the mission statement.

Holding them accountable were such astute farming leaders as R. Alan Candy. Castle was the first in the world to suggest a breeding scheme moving away from the less reliable daughter-dam comparisons to contemporary herd mate comparisons and this became accepted practice worldwide. Ward also appointed Dr Pat Shannon as a youthful research officer working alongside Castle.

“The Scheme has enabled annual selection of ‘the elite from the best’ akin to All Blacks selection from the Super 15 teams,” says Bay.

LIC Sire Proving Scheme began in 1961.

The book records what can be achieved through collaboration and closeness to dairy farmers – the secret of LIC’s success over 100 years, Dewdney says.

“Delivering good for the industry is an essential by-product of everything

we do.” For 50 years the LIC Sire Proving Scheme has made $17 billion dollars for the New Zealand economy.

Dewdney says during each of those years LIC has spent millions of dollars on a scheme that benefits every dairy farm – “one of the best examples of industry good and

a legacy for future generations of dairy farmers.”

LIC communications manager Clare Bayly wrote the book. Those present at the launch included primary production select committee chairman Shane Ardern, National, and deputy chairman Damien O’Connor, Labour.

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They were asked to trust that this new technology would improve their herds. And it did.”

Farmers responded positively because the concept and the potential were sold to them by people who understood the industry. They were farmers’ people, Dewdney says.

But having the technology to distribute semen from elite bulls demanded a scheme which would identify the elite from the ordinary, and a distribution system to ensure all farmers, no matter where they were located, could have access to the same elite animals.

Jim Dougherty, a Hawke’s Bay dairy farmer, first came up with the idea of a ‘sire proving scheme’.

The idea was picked up by the Wellington-Hawke’s Bay Livestock Improvement Association and the challenge to make it happen was put into the capable hands of people such as Pat Shannon, Olive Castle and Brian Curson.

“The rest, as they say, is history, and for the first time the story of the LIC Sire Proving Scheme, and artificial breeding, has been developed into the publication we celebrate today,” says Dewdney. The

28/2/11 2:57:12 PM

Dairy News march 27, 2012

32 // effluent & water management

Plan the job STUART REID

IT’S ALL about three

words: plan the job.

A National Bank spokesman at the recent Waikato Effluent Expo covered the subject of borrowing for new manure systems and the long term value of such systems. He indicated that if the system was properly designed and installed to a high standard from a good plan, then the system would add value to a farm and that his bank could be sympathetic to lending for such schemes.

He noted that one day, when a farmer wants to sell up, the intending buyer would look at the farm’s dairy manure handling system and immediately reduce his offer by the amount of money required to upgrade the

system. Hence the advice – plan the job.

Disposal Farmers will be hugely tempted to design a system which just “disposes safely” of liquid manure rather than one that uses it as a production tool for grass growth. Be careful in choosing which of the two systems you will install because it will affect production, hazard management, staff morale and pasture health.

Process You may stroll around effluent expositions seduced by the equipment on display. You ‘feel’ you need this pump, or this screen or this irrigator or that control device.

Few of you have an overall, integrated plan for your manure system. You may think you simply assemble a collection of mechanical elements and then

try to make them work as a system without calculations or consistent thought. But you’ll need a power of luck to get a good outcome. Surely you don’t invest $200,000 without a plan, or do you? Let’s go through the proper process.

The first small step in the design of a good manure irrigation system is to review your soil type, topography and annual soil moisture trends so you can choose the way you will irrigate. Everything is worked back from this decision. (The Massey pond calculator weighs all of these considerations against each other. Dig deep into the irrigation section and understand what it means to not irrigate in winter, or to irrigate quickly over larger areas from early summer.

Work with someone who

really understands the calculator and the data that goes into it – but use it!

It helps you make many decisions.)

The above is only the start. Your own industry has excellent written guidelines for you to follow. We’ve put together the Dairy Industry Standard and Codes of Practice that take you right through the journey to a good ending. If it bewilders you, then get a good consultant to guide you through it. Many farmers still think they have the skills to do the whole thing unaided.

Dream on.

Regional councils This whole manure business would be greatly clarified if all regional councils endorsed the new industry standard and used it as a benchmark for judging a farm’s manure irrigation scheme.

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Getting the design of your effluent irrigation system is the key.

I know they fear farmers’ wrath over regulation, and they would have to change the ‘permitted activity’ clause so that manure systems became a ‘consented activity’.

This would allow oversight of a farmer’s design so that it met or exceeded good sense guidelines.

When you applied for a consent for manure irrigation, they would compare your application with the industry standard and tick off, say, the ten critical performance points. If a farm could not meet the industry standard, consent would be denied until the farm measured up.

By judging an application against this standard, the council would be showing the farmetr what they wanted. This would save the farmer from ‘burning his fingers’ on inadequate systems that did not mea-

sure up. Use the standard.

Salesmen There are salesmen out there selling equipment with such abysmal knowledge of the engineering involved in proper manure system design that they shouldn’t be let anywhere near a farmer. Such a salesman may see a farmer is confused, and may then try to assure such a sales ‘prospect’ that he has the solution to his problem.

You are trying to create a system that spreads dilute manure correctly and you should consider everything – from the wash-down process to stone traps, storage, pumps and pipelines to the irrigator. Start your design at the irrigator and work back to create a ‘system’ – a group of linked interacting elements that work together

to achieve a desired goal.

Each element of this system must be selected for the work it has to do.

When the system is at full stretch it may have choke points that bring it close to failure, and it might even need standby capacity for surges that cause ‘choke’.

Many salesmen do not understand the need for calculations that size system components according to rainfall, wash water volumes and rates, flood wash surges, pressure, solids and sludge volumes, etc.

They should be able to show you that the equipment they offer can perform the task you require of it. If it doesn’t do that job (you should define it properly) then send it back as ‘unfit for purpose’.

• Stuart Reid is managing director of Spitfire Irrigation.

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Dairy News march 27, 2012

QUALITY THAT’S PROVEN

effluent & water management // 33

from 30 years of reliable service 3,000 farmers cannot be wrong

Role model farm wins award A ‘POTENTIAL’ model dairy farm, Walden Farms Oruaiti Ltd, has been named supreme winner of the 2012 Northland Ballance Farm Environment Awards.

Walden Farms Oruaiti is owned

by Murray and Liz Walden and sharemilked by their son Clive and his wife Jorja.

The Waldens took their prize on March 21 at a Ballance Farm Environment Awards (BFEA) ceremony.

They also collected the LIC Dairy Farm Award.

Their 420ha property near Mangonui milks 425 cows and is said to achieve excellent production and to provide a role model for environmental management in the Doubtless Bay catchment.

The farm had once been a dairy unit, but when the Waldens bought it in 2005 it was a beef farm. They began converting it back to dairying in 2008.

BFEA judges described the farm as a well-planned, developing property and noted the strategic use of “well spent” capital to re-engineer the dairy, upgrade the effluent system, install feed and stand-off pads, feed bunkers and good stock handling facilities.

Since taking over, the Waldens have worked hard on environmental

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enhancement and protection, including fencing streams, native bush and wetlands. Half of the farm borders the Oruaiti Stream, which flows into Doubtless Bay, and the protection of this waterway has been a top priority.

Soil structure is carefully maintained and plantings on the Mangonui clay hills minimise the risk of erosion.

Judges noted the time, effort and cost that has gone into this work.

Considerable thought also went into planning the farm conversion.

The Waldens made good use of rural professionals and compiled a comprehensive manual to assist with farm management.

“Any weaknesses in the business have been identified and measures

put in place to reduce risk,” the judges say.

The Waldens emphasise staff training and improvement. Judges also noted their sound understanding of pasture management and focus on health and safety. They were also impressed with the family’s desire to learn.

“Enthusiasm, energy and hunger for knowledge were evident and have gone a long way in the development.”

The Waldens are seen as a cohesive family unit with three generations on the farm providing mutual business and social support. As well as being 50:50 sharemilkers, Clive and Jorja are equity partners in the business.

Low-pressure gun fires savings USING THE Briggs PW100 rotary boom irrigator to spray

effluent saves money, says manufacturer Rainer Irrigation.

It says the PW100 low pressure gun can operate using Class B underground mainline and using lower-powered pumps than conventional high pressure guns. This cuts running costs.

Its features include a proven turbine and gearbox and it is a one-man operation that can pull up to 320m of 125mm irrigation hose.

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The average dairy farmer takes about 30 minutes to hose the yard after milking and uses between 10,000 and 20,000 litres of water.

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“This covers a large area for a minimum shifting time of about 40 minutes,” the company says.

“The turbine and gearbox used to power the gun has been used in 100 Briggs liner irrigators for many years and proves a reliable positive drive.”

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Dairy News march 27, 2012

34 // effluent & water management

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reminders for dairy farmers on pond irrigation seems to be working.

Supporting the ‘Keep it Low’ message are cartoons (in adverts in leading rural publications); ex-All Black prop, television sport commentator, radio personality and farmer Richard Loe on RadioLive; and the Prize Pond competition. To enter this contest farmers should send a picture of their compliant and low pond (see dairynz.co.nz/ prizepond) and the farmer with the best looking pond wins a catered barbecue, hosted by Richard Loe. The photos must arrive at keepitlow@dairynz.co.nz before March 30.

These images will be used to highlight best practice ponds for the industry. Pond markers – magnetic dials for refrigerator door or dairy shed – are available from DairyNZ by email.

Donna Corbin, environmental extension specialist in the south of the South Island, says it’s working, “We’ve met farmers at the effluent expos who think the markers and the cartoons, and how we’re tackling the issue, are awesome.

“While on visits, farmers mention it without being prompted. It’s a great way to discuss issues. One conversation that started on the ‘Keep it low’ campaign recently turned quickly to analysing pond capacity and broader pond questions. People have heard the radio ads and seen the rural paper stories.

“And while there’s not queues of people wanting to talk about pond depths, when we do it’s good feedback, and farmers find the pond magnets useful as a reminder to keep an eye on the effluent pond storage level.”

Logan Bowler, environmental extension specialist for the lower North Island agrees the pond markers are a popular tool for farm visits and workshops. “We have one DairyNZ consulting officer who is in danger of giving all of our stock of the magnets away to farms she visits.”

Trevor Foley, environmental extension specialist in the north of the North Island says he is sure one of his farmers will win the Prize Pond competition, “They’re right behind it here.”

Dairy News march 27, 2012

effluent & water management // 35

Days of dredging sludge over SUDESH KISSUN

TWO YEARS ago North Waikato farmer Mark Bon realised he had a problem when the farm irrigator stopped pumping effluent to paddocks.

The effluent pond had accumulated a 1m-deep sludge and Bon had to hire an excavator to dig out the muck and load it onto a tipping trailer for spreading over the farm. About the same time a salesman called into the Bons’ 93ha 200-cow farm at Mercer with Biomagic Impact effluent treatment.

It’s a waste treatment that enables naturally occurring bacteria to digest waste aerobically resulting in fast waste breakdown with a lot less odour being produced, the

company says. There’s also a benefit to pasture.

The aerobically digested liquid waste on the paddocks results in increased grass or plant growth with the grass being much more nutritious for the animals.

Bon has noticed benefits since he started using Biomagic. The days of dredging sludge from the pond floor are over.

“It’s awful stuff. It stinks and turns the grass black and even the cows

“A clear stream of water rather than green slushy stuff comes out of the pipes.”

“It was the best thing that has ever happened to me,” Bon told Dairy News.

He applies 4L of the product per month and lets the bacteria do the work. The pond surface bubbles away and you can see the pond turning over as waste is broken down.

Bon says now there is no need for a pond stirrer.”The pond stirrer I bought at the 2009 Fielddays is sitting in the shed.”

at s us lday e e e i S al F 37 on 35-C i t Na ite C S

were put off by it.” Now, there’s no stink and cows happily eat pasture irrigated by Biomagic. Handling the treated effluent is also easy.

“Ask anybody who deals with effluent pipes: raw effluent has an awful stink. Getting the smell off your hands is a tough job.

Now, there’s no smell.

And a clear stream of water rather than green slushy stuff comes out

BUCKTONS MUCK SPREADER

of the pipes.”

Another advantage, says Bon, is that pasture can be eaten by cows 3-4 days after application. A small experiment on his farm, where small paddocks were treated with raw effluent and Biomagic treated effluent, gave it the tick, he says. “Grass sprayed with aerobically digested effluent tends to grow faster.

Really, it’s a no brainer.

The pond produces virtually no odour, there is faster and

Mark and Robyn Bon (left) Biomagic at work in the effluent pond (above).

to pump out.

“Grass sprayed with aerobically digested effluent tends to grow faster with improved nutrient

complete breakdown of solids and it’s much easier

content and most importantly, my cows enjoy munching it.”

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Dairy News march 27, 2012

36 // effluent & water management

Managing effluent in winter SUE EDMONDS

THE COMPLEXITIES

of winter management of building standoff pads, feed pads, or shelters, and the implications for effluent management, can be daunting for farmers, says Chris Glassey, DairyNZ. Recently a group of Waikato farmers spent a day on Bruce Sinclair’s farm at Richmond Downs, finding out the differences in construction, usage and cost of the various options.

These days, at least in the Waikato Regional Council area, all standoff areas to be used more than three hours at a time

must be sealed. So using races or pads overlaid with post peelings and woodchips for overnight standing now requires a sealed base and good drainage to effluent storage.

They also require regular cleaning and resurfacing, to enable cows to lie down for their required 8-13 hours a day. If this is not possible or comfortable, they will lie down rather than eat when feed or pasture is offered.

Creating a feedpad requires detailed consideration of slope, washdown, feed delivery and effluent catchment. The Sinclair farm had recently installed one and had

found it complex, so much so that they had called in QConz to assist. An uncovered feedpad must be 25m from the nearest milk line, and if covered must be 45m away.

Sinclair described the final system, built for 400 cows. In what had been a gully, after much spoil shifting they now had a 60m sloping pad leading off the main race. This had two troughs, cleaned by a flood wash system using water pumped from the nearby 2.5 million litre lined pond. The water is first pumped to a tank on a knoll and then washed down once a day.

At the end of the pad is a concrete drainage ditch,

which flows through 300mm pipes into either of two sludge ponds.

These have plastic weeping walls at their far ends, allowing only green water into the main pond. The pond doesn’t crust, and the water can be used over and over for cleaning the pad.

Grant Wills is now completing a third Herd Home on his farm because he’s found them so successful, he says.

“Our cows are now 50kg heavier, our empty rate has reduced from 7% to 3.5% and we are getting more milk”.

He now calves in the Home, which has made the morning collections,

Sludge pond and weeping wall.

Onshore pump with warning lights.

separations and recording simpler, less exhausting and quicker. He admits

the cost of initial installation was greater than for either standoff or

feedpads, but insists his return on investment was about 22%.

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Dairy News march 27, 2012

effluent & water management // 37

Guidelines on building an effluent pond

K-Line Effluent TM

For efficient effluent disposal

WHEN MAKING the decision to install a new farm dairy

effluent storage pond, there are a number of things to be considered. DairyNZ’s Farm Dairy Effluent (FDE) Systems provides guidelines to farmers planning to build an effluent pond.

The booklet aims to help farmers through the process and various factors to consider when building a new effluent pond including planning, working with consultants and contractors, and design options.

The value of a good storage pond Farm dairy effluent (FDE) ponds provide temporary storage of effluent, when soil conditions are not suitable for irrigation. Having a well designed and constructed pond will save you time and money.

A well designed and managed pond will provide: ■■ Peace of mind.

■■ Increased flexibility – you can determine when to irrigate at a time that suits.

■■ More effective utilisation of nutrients and water.

■■ Reduced risk of effluent non-compliance.

■■ Environmental protection.

When designing a pond there are three key things you want: ■■ 1. A sealed pond to avoid leakage to groundwater ■■ 2. A well designed structure that also allows for ongoing operation and maintenance, and is appropriately sized for the volume of effluent produced now and in the foreseeable future.

■■ 3. A pond that meets regional and district council and

Follow the industry guidelines on pond design.

Building Act requirements.

The practice note for pond design and construction: “Institution of Professional Engineers New Zealand (IPENZ) provides practice notes for FDE pond design and construction. These notes have been developed to provide industry standards and guidance for the construction of new effluent storage ponds. It is recommended that those involved with the technical design and construction of dairy effluent storage ponds have a thorough understanding of the full practice note for effluent pond construction.”

To see a copy of the full practice note for effluent pond design and construction: Tel. 0800 4 324 7969 www.dairynz.co.nz

Using the right person for the job USING THE right person for the job is critical to getting a good pond. Designing and constructing FDE ponds is a technical job and requires specialist knowledge.

Design It is recommended you get a suitably qualified person to design your pond. This will provide assurance that: ■■ The investment in your pond will be appropriate for your farm and your farming system.

■■

The pond will comply with regional council requirements.

■■

The pond is designed with an understanding of the current research and best technology options available.

■■

The pond will meet the design requirements set out in the Practice Note.

■■

Construction Earthworks contractors and equipment/service suppliers may both be involved at different stages of the construction process, e.g. excavation, liner installation.

■■

Do they have farmer or industry professional references or testimonials?

■■

Are they acceptable to the person signing off the work?

Contracts Having a suitable contract in place before design or construction begins is critical to ensure that both parties are clear about what to expect. A written contract will protect your interests and set out your rights and obligations. It also gives your engineer/contractor an incentive to get things right first time.

When discussing contracts with different parties make sure the following areas are covered: ■■ Have the roles and responsibilities of farmer, contractor and engineer clearly defined before construction work commences.

■■

Clearly define who subcontractors are directly working for – the contractor, the engineer or yourself?

■■

Contract between farmers and engineers/consultants

■■

The scope of the services to be provided should be clearly recorded and agreed so there is full understanding by all parties from the outset.

■■

When choosing who to use, consider the following:

■■

Are they experienced in building effluent ponds?

■■

Do they have experience in the type of pond and liner you want?

■■

The following elements should be included in the scope of work:

■■

Do they offer a warranty and/or certification of work?

■■

Evaluation of the existing system (if applicable).

■■

Do they have experience working with your specific regional council rules?

■■

Identify improvement options/advise good practice systems.

■■

Survey and geotechnical investigations.

■■

Design.

■■

Tendering and tender evaluation/recommendation.

■■

Construction supervision.

■■

Certification and reporting.

■■

Operations and maintenance.

■■

Payment.

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The best way to determine pond size is by using the ‘Dairy Effluent Storage Calculator’ (DESC).

Get an effluent specialist or refer to the back page in this book for people who can help do the calculation for you.

When using the DESC, take the following into consideration: ■■ Local rainfall variability: coverage of rain-gauge sites in the calculator is patchy in some regions.

■■

There is some variation in the amount of storage that different regional councils require. It is recommended that sizing be based on DESC recommendations rather than a council minimum storage requirement where the latter gives a lesser volume.

■■

The DESC determines pond volume and does not allow for freeboard or sludge accumulation volume.

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Dairy News march 27, 2012

38 // effluent & water management

Effluent Expo looks a fixture DAIRY FARMERS

flocked last month to the annual Effluent Expo at Mystery Creek, Hamilton.

At least 500 are said to have attended, viewing at least 40 exhibitor sites, says the organiser, Waikato Regional Council, and sponsor DairyNZ. Only 25 exhibitors attended last year.

This year’s expo was promoted more widely in South Auckland and Bay of Plenty, and in Waikato.

Pork industry exhibitors also showed their wares.

“It’s great to see so many farmers from various sectors coming to see and hear about better ways to manage their farm effluent,” says organiser Kate Ody, an agriculture advisor at the regional council.

The day featured a range of seminars presented by industry experts

Kate Ody

on effluent issues.

Presenter David Houlbrooke, AgResearch, says he calculates the nutrient value of farm dairy effluent at $1.80/m3, meaning many thousands of dollars worth of nutrients were available for spreading on farms for promoting pasture growth.

Effluent applications needs managing so that nutrients stay in the root zone, Houlebrooke says.

Effluent systems – includ-

ing storage capacity – that deliver the correct amount of nutrients at the right time are crucial. And different soil types are critical in determining how fast nutrients go through the soil.

The regional council’s on-farm programme manager, Natasha Hayward, told her seminar audience about increased community and iwi concern about direct effluent discharges to waterways, so the council encourages farmers to quit the practice. The council now gives directdischarge consents only under strict conditions, and promotes effluent spreading on land.

“Land application does not require a consent as long as farmers follow our permitted activity rules,” Hayward says.

DairyNZ project man-

Effluent Expo visitors mingle with exhibitors.

ager for effluent services, Dr Theresa Wilson, says farmers attended to get advice on upgrading efflu-

Connect with the Next Generation.

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“Being able to put farmers in touch with the four newly accredited effluent system design companies was a big plus, and our farmer guides to

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DairyNZ consulting officer Wayne Berry told farmers ‘smart’ water-use practices could help optimise water use and create

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less effluent. Improved stock handling practices could reduce the amount of effluent produced.

Ody says the continuing success of the expo suggests another event will be held next year.

Dairy News march 27, 2012

effluent & water management // 39

Retaining value at the plant base EFFLUENT MUST be delivered right to the base of a plant where it’s of most value, says machinery supplier Farmgard.

The company says its Irish-made Abbey Equipment trailing shoe technology does that by being able to flex 1m over its 6m unit width to allow for undulating country. The range includes the maker’s super tanker and trailing shoe.

The company reports “good numbers” of super tanker sales in New Zealand and enthusiastic feedback. Features include “unique” spread pattern, faster filling time and engineered strength.

Irish farmers using the trailing shoe technology

are said to report extra regrowth and no intention to revert to conventional spreading methods, Farmgard says.

“Farmers are growing more grass because of the way the slurry is applied as the nitrogen is being retained. Rule of thumb is if you can smell it it’s being wasted. Research centres throughout Ireland claim Abbey as the leader in this tanker/trailing shoe technology,” Farmgard says.

All trailing shoe specifications can be fitted to the tankers to any level required.

Results of the trailing shoe include: ■■ Grass leaf is not smeared by the slurry.

■■ Faster pasture

■■

regrowth as the nutrients are getting to the base of the plant.

More windows of opportunity for spreading, e.g. it can be spread in dry conditions.

■■ ■■

■■

Greatly reduces odour.

Faster turnaround with the cows getting back onto the paddock quicker.

Reduce fertiliser costs.

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A RECENTLY developed monitor for travelling irrigators enables dairy farmers to reduce the risk of misapplying effluent.

TracMap’s model TMi28 monitor continually keeps watch on whether an irrigator is moving – from the time the pump is switched on. If it detects the irrigator is moving too slowly, it activates an alert and the pump is shut down, stopping the application, and a text can be sent alerting the farmer to the irrigator problem.

The system also records, via an on-board GPS, where the irrigator has been moving. This data is sent via the cellular network, and is available for the farmer to view over the internet via their secure login.

He may also see on Google Earth where the irrigator has not been over a set period of time.

This information is critical for compliance with regional councils’ rules, for planning irrigator shifts, and for determining nutrient applications from the effluent for factoring into a farm’s overall fertiliser plan.

TracMap national sales manager Lance Nuttall says the company has “become expert in assisting farms achieve productivity gains when applying fertiliser and spraying to land.”

“If the farmer has a TracMap system for spreading or spraying, the information captured from both systems can be combined under one login, so that all applications to a farm can be recorded.”

Tel. 0800 87 22 62 www.tracmap.co.nz

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Dairy News march 27, 2012

40 // effluent & water management

First for accredited design companies FOUR COMPANIES

Four companies have passed the industry’s new farm dairy effluent system design accreditation programme.

are now accredited as designers of farm dairy effluent systems: AgFirst, Opus International Consultants, WaterForce and Hi-Tech Enviro Solutions.

The accreditation

scheme, managed by IrrigationNZ, was developed with investment from DairyNZ and with industry partners IrrigationNZ and the New Zealand Milking and Pumping Trades Association (NZMPTA). It

aims to give farmers confidence in the quality of design advice they receive from providers of effluent system services.

IrrigationNZ chief executive Andrew Curtis says the process is thorough and the four accredited companies presented good designs and processes for assessment.

“The standard accredited companies have to meet is high and is set out in the FDE Design Standards and Code of Practice.

“They put their work to a panel of experts for assessment of their competence and we are confident they will provide a high level of service to their clients.

“There is also a heavy emphasis on displaying

that they have skills in such as effluent characterisation and block allocation, soil and climate considerations, understanding regulations and legislation, hydraulic design, pond storage requirements and nutrient management. They also have to show they can integrate this information into a farm system and provide a high standard of service.”

NZMPTA backs the scheme because its members want to demonstrate to their clients they can design systems that optimise the nutrients in effluent and can meet regulatory requirements.

“We congratulate the companies that have achieved accreditation status,” it says.

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Dairy News march 27, 2012

machinery & products // 41

Canadians stand by processor TONY HOPKINSON

HERE’S A rare beast: a money-back performance guarantee on a dairy Joel Huberdeau

feed processor. Local distributor Tulloch Farm Machines makes this offer on behalf of its Canadian principal Supreme International Ltd, Alberta.

Supreme’s certificate says, among other details, “if the Supreme processor does not perform as our factory staff told you it would – based on our

understanding of your requirements as per your completed ‘performance guarantee questionnaire’ – Supreme International Ltd will refund your total purchase price. It is of no advantage to Supreme International to sell a piece of equipment that you are not satisfied with.”

Says Supreme’s offshore manager Joel Huberdeau, “We’re the first and, I believe, the only large machinery company to offer this kind of guarantee.”

All Supreme mixers – pull types, truck mounted and stationary – use vertical integrators, Huberdeau says. “We were the first in North America to use vertical mixers and now there are 30-35 different manufacturers in North America and 80-90 worldwide using this method.”

Drone mapping feed efficiency RESEARCHERS AT

Massey University’s Centre for Precision Agriculture have taken to the sky to find data to help farmers map pasture and increase efficiency.

They have tested a remote-controlled ‘hexacopter’ that flys above

farmland to map it for growth and other variables.

The device – made

by Australian company Aerobot – carries a camera that takes timelapse photographs during flights, plus video footage and infrared images.

Centre director Professor Ian Yule says the hexacopter has been tested on a number of projects.

“We used it to gather infrared photos for a restricted grazing trial at our No.4 dairy farm. The to page 43

to page 42

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Dairy News march 27, 2012

42 // machinery & products

Drive quad, irrigator over this gate BERNARD LILBURN

SMALLER PADDOCKS for better graz-

ing management mean farmers must open and shut more gates, especially on dairy farms.

Here’s a solution to that problem, with the potential to save lots of time, and wear-andtear on humans and quads.

The ROG (ride over) gate is exactly that. It comes in four sizes from 2m to 2.3m, the whole assembly galva-

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nised for longevity.

The gate mounts on a frame between two strainers. You simply drive the quad up to the gate and push it, the gate will fold down in front of the quad, then once you’re over it springs back to its upright position.

The bottom bar of the frame has two ramps for the quad to ride over so the whole operation is smooth.

Accessible from both sides, it adds versatility to any farming operation.

If you want to remove or open the gate to shift stock, you simply flick a

lever and lift the gate out of its slots.

The argument that stock will ‘learn’ to open a gate is open for discussion. ROG company owner Phillip McDonald says “when a gate is down it resembles a cattlestop – a visual and physical barrier to animals.”

Another use for the ROG setup is where travelling irrigators pass through a fence. A ROG can be installed to save wear and tear on fences.

The units come in kitset form, and are easy to install. www.thewrangler.co.nz

Canadians stand by processor from page 41

The company says it has proven vertical integration is best for mixing all foodstuffs, especially forages. Its machines continue mixing for threefive minutes after the last ingredient is added to ensure the first and last animal gets the same ration.

All machines have weigh scales and food inputs are measured in 1kg increments.

The range includes 12 wheeled and truckmounted models and stationary feeders driven

by PTO, diesel or petrol motors or by mains electricity.

Models can have left, right, centre and rear discharge, with or without drop chutes. The trailed units are all PTO driven and the truck models from 18cu/m capacity are hydrostatically driven.

With 95% of its production exported, Supreme’s quality and efficiency are seen as accepted worldwide.

The company’s biggest unit is on a 10,000animal feed lot.

Tel. 0800 88 55 624 www.tulloch.co.nz

Ground breaking new side engine design gives you more visibility, and the largest cab on the market gives you more space and more comfort.

The smallest turning circle in its class means you travel less distance giving you more time to load or unload.

The proportional servo joystick is a joy to use and Ride Control enhances transport speeds reducing shocks to the machine and operator.

And the more the heat rises on the oustide the cooler you’ll be on the inside thanks to the improved cooling capacity reducing heat transfer to the cab.

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Dairy News march 27, 2012

machinery & products // 43

Birds deterred from nesting in tractors BERNARD LILBURN

TRACTOR FIRES

caused by nesting birds take a regular toll of farmers’ gear. Birds want somewhere warm and dry to nest, and since many modern tractors are turbocharged there can be intense heat under a bonnet, therefore attractive for nesting but a greater fire risk.

This reporter has a friend who took delivery of a brand new tractor at 10am, put it straight to work, stopped for lunch, and by 2pm it was a smouldering wreck.

During his lunch break birds had started a nest – enough to ignite and destroy the new machine.

Here’s a way to counter this problem: entrepreneurs Brian and Diane Bate, BBM Enterprises, saw a niche and have developed and now market three items targeting nuisance pests around machines and buildings.

The Bird Buster is a bird deterrent alarm system that stops birds nesting or roosting by means of an audible sound annoying to birds. It is, says Brian, “easy to install,

and not only stops nesting, but also the mess created by bird droppings on expensive machinery”. The shed alarm costs $545+GST. Their tractor alarm mounts under the bonnet, drawing power from the battery to run an unpleasant audible alarm. This unit will keep the birds away from tractor, header, bailer or any motorised machine. At $355+GST it is cheap insurance.

Another of BBM Enterprises’ pest deterrents is the Rodent Alarm, rat and mouse repeller, solar powered and simply pushed into the ground outside the building you wish to protect. One unit will service about 600m2 so multiple units will be required for larger sheds, usually placed at the corners or points of vermin entry.

These emit an audible squeak intermittently.

Diane Bate reports one customer had “problems with rabbits devouring the vegetable garden, until they used a Rodent Alarm.

No more problems, until one night they shifted it, and in the morning the garden had been decimated again.” The unit costs $75+GST.

Drone mapping feed efficiency from page 41

aim was to visualise the location of cow pats and their proximity and distribution to the drainage collector. The infrared camera is excellent for that.”

It has also been used to map maize quality at a farm in Bulls.

To gain this data an expert pilot is required, and Matthew Irwin, a researcher at the Institute of Natural Resources, has been perfecting the craft.

The carbon-fibre hexacopter, which can fold down into a suitcase, can lift 1.5kg for nine minutes before its batteries need to be changed. It is fitted with GPS that can hold it at a location or allow for a programmed flight path.

Irwin says the hexacopter is able to map an area at a better resolution and faster than traditional aerial photography. Its flexibility and speed of imagery acquirement are its main strengths.

The hexacopter was on display at Central Districts Field Days.

Tel. 06 3574288

www.birdbuster.co.nz Diane and Brian Bate

Dairy News march 27, 2012

44 // machinery & products

Sunshine helps pack field days THREE DAYS of sun-

shine netted thousands of visitors to the Central Districts Field Days 2012, the organisers say.

From March 15-17 farmers, their families and other visitors descended on Feilding’s Manfeild Park no matter the weather.

Despite blustery winds on Thursday people came out in droves to visit the 541 sites spread across the racecourse.

Events manager Cheryl Riddell was pleased with the numbers attending from across the region from Taranaki to Wellington and Hawkes Bay. “We had 38,910 people through our gates during the three days, more than last year.”

And the field days general manager Craig Chapman says on Saturday people came from farther

away. “I talked to someone who had made the trip from Waiuku. We’re pleased with that.”

Roger Fielder, Feilding, won the draw prize of a Suzuki quad and Brent Smith trailer filled with farm and home related prizes.

Riddell drew the name of New Plymouth resident Bryce Ballantine to win the goody basket from the Tastes of Central Districts marquee.

This was the first year of Tastes of Central Districts and several stall holders who attended were happy with the number of sales and enquiries they fielded during the event.

Tony and Janet Johnson representing Prenzel were so happy with the results they want to return next year.

“We would do this again,” Johnson said.

“One woman came in and knew exactly what she wanted. She spent $300.”

Ms Riddell said there were 112 new exhibitors and many more who have returned to the Central Districts Field Days after being away for some time, one of these being Westpac.

Palmerston North’s Westpac rural manager Dave Hutchison said he and other rural managers were busy connecting with their customers and potential customers at their stall.

“It has been five years since we have come out to Central Districts Field Days,” Mr Hutchison said.

“Our customers are glad that we’re back. Our tent’s been full in the last two days. They’re coming to talk about growing their businesses.”

Axeman Jason Wynyard hacks a log section during the Stihl event on Saturday morning.

Westpac Palmerston North senior rural manager Dave Hutchison at the top of the tower popular with adults and children.

Keenan Mixer Wagon Does It Best!

Keenan’s unique mixing and presentation of feed not only releases more energy by better rumen digestion, supplements are fully utilised too. A Keenan ration is best described as a “bird’s nest” threaded with goodness.

Just like other farmers, you might find with a Keenan Mixer Wagon you’ll feed less while still increasing production. Check out our website to find out more.

To reduce expensive feed waste and improve profit, call Keenan’s product specialists on 0800 453 3626.

Serious about Fencing!

More electric fence options, it just gets easier!

Multi Wire Tread-In Posts

Get upto date news www.dairynews.co.nz

* Unique angled clip prevents unintentional tape detachment * Unique foot wedge design provides superior holding performance * Heavy duty, UV resistant polymer

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Dairy News march 27, 2012

machinery & products // 45

Bales soundly held by frame BERNARD LILBURN

A SUBSTANTIAL side frame on McIntosh Bro’s new 3

point linkage-mounted bale feeder reliably contains the round and big square bales this machine is designed to handle.

Its tines regulate the flow of hay off the bale, so it doesn’t come off in huge chunks.

Another feature is adjustable ‘aggression pins’ – offset and located in the bottom of the feeder. These have the job of ripping or releasing hay off hard or tightly packed bales.

The chains and drive are the same as on the maker’s ordinary model bale feeders. These are substantial in con-

In time for break feeding TONY HOPKINSON

struction and easy to maintain and lubricate.

The feeder weighs about 600kg and will handle baleage and hay. www.mcintoshmachinery.co.nz

Reliable Accurate Hard Working You told uS You wanted hard-workinG, hardwearinG, Spreader equipment with reliable and predictable SpreadinG capabilitieS. we liStened and paid extra attention to enGineerinG lonG laStinG, eaSY-to-uSe equipment For Your conditionS.

FerT Spreader

JUST IN time for break feeding during late Fert Spreader Our new range of trailed fertiliser spreaders give you accurate spread pattern with precision rate control. The 3mm corrosion resistant stainless steel bin spreaders will last for years, and the 850mm wide rubber belt handles more products, so you can spread almost anything you Slurry Spreader

can think of!

Slurry Spreader The slurry spreader M-Series has

Giltrap SpreaderS

been designed to save you money on fertiliser costs and waste disposal.

Its low maintenance vacuum pump efficiently handles day to day duty cycles and has been individually pressure tested to twice the recommend working pressure, guaranteeing you build quality

Freephone:

0800 804 458

www.giltrapag.co.nz

and safety in the field.

C e l e b r aT i n g 5 0 y e a r S w o r k i n g w i T h n e w Z e a l a n d F a r m e r S

GIL9317

autumn and winter is this new release from Taragate, called the Auto Fencer, seen at Central Districts Field Days.

Bolted to the front frame on a quad, it can carry electric fence reels and many standards, and also spades, shovels and tools.

The Auto Fencer can lay out one reel of tape as the quad moves forward and with a further attachment can lay out two or three reels. Meanwhile the standards can be treaded in or collected from the quad seat.

It is fully galvanised and the spring loaded clamp makes the load secure.

Also new was Taragate’s end insulators made from polycarbonate.

“Previous insulators made from glass filled material grew lichen and moss, which led to power leakage,” says part-owner Kerry Powell.

Also, the glass-based insulators would deteriorate over time, becoming brittle, and the wire guides would break off.

The new equipment is available New Zealandwide from Taragate dealers.

Tel. 07 843 3859

GIL 9317 Australian Press Ad Slurry Fert Spreader_390x265_ƒ.indd 1

25/08/11 3:15 PM

Dairy News march 27, 2012

46 // motoring

Facelift boosts ute’s appeal SSYANGYONG HAS given its A200S

NEW

Fortima

Variable round baler

EasyFlow pickup

Actyon Ute a much needed and deserved facelift.

A much more attractive front has been grafted on and, to be fair, the vehicle now, with its ‘family’ face, looks much better and no more the ugly duckling of the ute market.

Still with the 2L diesel motor, producing 114kW and 360Nm torque, it is not overly endowed with power, but compared to Toyota’s 3L diesel, producing only 126kW and 343Nm, this little engine gives it a run for your money.

Remember, with a diesel it’s the torque (twisting force) not power that gives the performance.

Available with a 6-speed manual or auto transmission, this ute is right up with the

rest in its technology and equipment.

The face lifted Actyon is comprehensively equipped with features and gear.

Standard features include ESP, hill start assist, 16 inch alloys, manual air conditioning, air bags, Bluetooth, heated seats, cruise control and CD MP3 with audio auxiliary.

There are two levels of trim, and in the top of the line SPR model the extra features run to full leather trim, driver and passenger electric seats, 18 inch alloy wheels, climate air conditioning, auto rain sensing wipers, auto headlights and reversing sensors.

This is comprehensive kit and good value at $47,990 incl. GST. At the Central Districts Field Days a smartly camo-equipped model held pride of place on the stand.

Diesel save wins award in US CASE IH says its Diesel Saver auto-

ORDER NOW AND SAVE!  EasyFlow camless pickup: allows quiet running and less wear and tear saving service and maintenance costs.  Multicut system: new cutting rotor gives a superior quality cut making bales that are easy to break up and spread.  Variable chamber: for higher density silage bales or up to 1.8m bales in hay and straw.

For pricing & brochure call now For technology that works!

0800 88 55 624 www.tulloch.co.nz

matic productivity management (APM) system won the 2011 Rain Bird Engineering Concept of the Year award.

Presented annually by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE), this award recognised senior project engineer Yangming Hou and the Diesel Saver system for its fuel savings.

“Our Diesel Saver system automatically adjusts the gear setting and engine speed to the most fuel-efficient mode for a given load,” says Tom Dean, manager, Case IH high horsepower tractor marketing.

“That can provide up to a 25% improvement in fuel economy and power performance, even in changing field conditions.”

LATEST STORIES EVERY DAY www.dairynews.co.nz

EFFORTLESS EFFLUENT STORAGE HerdHomes® Shelters built in effluent system captures and stores valuable nutrients, eliminating the need for hosing down, pumping, scraping or daily effluent disposal.

The future of productive farming www.herdhomes.co.nz

M +64 21 706 848 P +64 7 857 0528 www.herdhomes.co.nz

NZ Patent No 521150 & 544190, 550635, 545042 International Patents 2003267874, 03748807.9 Further patents pending

Tow and Fert slurry fertiliser applicator ticks all boxes Designed with simplicity in mind The Tow and Fert was designed for tool-less maintenance and cleaning. Every fitting can be removed in the paddock using the robust ‘cam-lock’ hardware. This means, for whatever reason, you need to clear a blockage - you can do it down the back paddock of your farm.

Nozzles that offer different application rates can be switched on-the-fly giving you full flexibility of your requirements.

The Tow and Fert is “NOT just-another-sprayer”, George Freeman of Metalform emphasises. It provides every farmer the freedom and independence they need when it comes to managing their fertiliser and animal health programme effectively.

With the ability to mix and apply nearly every type of fine particle fertilisers, liquid fertilisers, bio fertilisers, humates, animal health products and weed control products - the Tow and Fert is no toy!

Metalform of Dannevirke, New Zealand have been developing fertiliser application products for over 30 years from fine particle slurry applicators for helicopters to particle grinders for ground spread trucks. The newest addition after 4 years of R&D, is the versatile Tow and Fert Multi 800. Don’t be fooled by the size of the Multi 800. To put it in perspective, one load can cover up to 10 hectares with a typical 50 kg/ha of Urea - in just over half an hour.

Everything about the Tow and Fert is simple - from planning and executing your desired mixture through to cleaning and maintaining the machine with no tools. It is designed so that any employee can quickly learn how to operate and utilise all the features of the Tow and Fert without any hassle.

The most important thing about the Tow and Fert is the cost benefits you can achieve in your fertiliser programme, by being able to manage the exact amount of product going on your pastures and applying it when you want rather than waiting for contractors to do large areas.

Free up your tractor and use a 4WD ute! The Tow and Fert being used to apply Fine Lime.

Cost benefits are immediate With great results emerging, the Tow and Fert customers are reporting paybacks on their Tow and Fert of fewer than 12 months. When this is coupled with Metalform’s easy financing option, owning the Tow and Fert and removing the cost of a 3rd party to apply fertiliser and saving on actual fertiliser amounts - can often make this a cash flow positive purchase making the decision a real no-brainer.

The Tow and Fert’s multi role ability means you will be saving money in fertiliser, application costs, timely application of animal health trace elements, application of herbicides (thistle, dock spray etc) while simultaneously applying lime, urea etc.

Coupled with the specifically designed software package

by Metalform, the Tow and Fert is so easy to use. The software programme lets you choose the product combination you wish to apply, rate per hectare and estimated speed of travel and the program will give you exactly the amount of product and water required. This eliminates all guess work of your mixtures.

Loading the Tow and Fert from a silo is easy!

Notice how every plant has guaranteed droplet cover across the entire 18 metre swath.

The ability to quickly and easily apply zinc to treat a facial eczema out-break, gives an obvious cost saving in vet costs and lost production. Zinc is one of the many animal health products that can be applied with the Tow and Fert.

Handling urea is easy with a loading bin - 500kg is easily mixed into the Tow and Fert patented pre-mixer A versatile machine Imagine being able to apply all products related to nitrogen (urea and gibberellic products), animal health products (mag oxide, fine lime, selenium, copper, iodine and zinc), fine particle fertiliser (including phosphorus, potassium and sulphur), liquid fertilisers (seaweed and fish based products) and soil conditioning products (humates) all whenever you want to and the amount you need to.

The Tow and Fert has made this possible.

Now, if you need to do a light cover of mag-oxide before you bring the cows into the paddock - you can! If you require a small dose of weed spray mixed with nitrogen after the cows have been in the paddock - you can!

Not only can it mix and apply products for your pasture, the potential uses are endless. “I use it for mixing up my whole milk powder to feed the calves” says Mark Warren of Oamaru who milks 1500 cows.

With the ability to self fill out of a creek, David Miller of Pokeno who milks 650 cows was happy to tell us, “During this dry season up in the north, I’ve been spraying out water onto my row of trees along my drive and pumping water into my supply tank thanks to the Tow and Fert” .

After analysing your soil and herbage tests, you may find that different paddocks require different nutrients. With the Tow and Fert, it is easy to blend a custom mix for each area and change it at different times of the year - try doing this with your bulk spreader.

In summary The Tow and Fert offers flexibility in your busy schedule to apply products you know and want, in a timely and effective manner. Don’t wait until you have 60 hectares to spray and call in a Helicopter - get the Tow and Fert so you can mix and apply any product at any time.

Like being in control? If you like the concept behind slurry, dissolved or bio fertilisers but want to know how many kg/ha of nutrient you are getting on your pastures and want to guarantee timely applications then call Metalform on 06 374 7043 or freephone 0508 747 040 to organise a no-obligation demonstration of the Tow and Fert. Then you can make your own mind up!

Visit www.towandfarm.com to find out more or watch the video.

Apply liquid suspended Magnesium oxide with the Tow and Fert with an even 18 metre cover

速