Dairy News 11 September 2018

Farmer seeks compo from calf supplier. PAGE 3 BREAKING NEW GROUND NZYF’s female CEO PAGE 21

ONFARM PROCESSING Orbiter enters dairy space PAGE 20

SEPTEMBER 11, 2018 ISSUE 408 // www.dairynews.co.nz

+4.4

kg

INVEST $1 GET $4.07 BACK3

Pioneer Maize Silage: Quality, low cost feed Grown on farm

Bought in

(in the stack) Average maize silage cost grown on farm.

28-34c (in the stack) Average maize silage cost bought in.

Bought in PKE price landed on farm 38c/kgDM.3

High performance, cost-effective.

Pioneer maize produces high yields and this means plenty of feed at a cost-effective price. It’s a great low cost alternative that can easily be added into any feed plan.

For more information please call 0800 746 633 or visit us at www.pioneer.nz.

PioneerÂŽ brand 2018-2019 Maize for Silage catalogue. See pages 29-30 for full costs and assumptions.

Typical price for maize silage (in the stack) based on the last three seasons. Price may vary between regions and seasons.

3 Based on spot market pricing week starting 30 July, 2018.

1 2

2

Farmer seeks compo from calf supplier. PAGE 3 BREAKING NEW GROUND

NZYF’s female CEO PAGE 21

ONFARM PROCESSING Orbiter enters dairy space PAGE 20

SEPTEMBER 11, 2018 ISSUE 408 // www.dairynews.co.nz

ETS BLACK HOLE?

$$$?

“We can’t expect the average dairy farmer in 2050 to face a year emissions cost in the vicinity of $231,800 – Tim Mackle, DairyNZ. PAGE 5

WIN

The 2019 Suzuki Kingquad 500xp with

See page 39 of this publication for details

RAV-1SEP-DN

Fast track your pasture growth Express® gibberellic acid

781 29

%

+

Kg DM/Ha

Control

N 20Kg/Ha

33

+

64

% +

Express® 20g/Ha + Widespread® 1000

%

Express® 20g/Ha + Widespread® 1000 + N 20Kg/Ha

Shortages in your feed wedge can occur during spring.

Research shows that combining Express with nitrogen will give you greater pasture growth.

Boost your dry matter production during the cooler periods with Express, the water soluble form of gibberellic acid.

Get the most out of your pasture this coming season. Order Express today.

0800 100 123 ravensdown.co.nz Smarter farming for a better New Zealand®

RAV-1SEP-DN

DAIRY NEWS SEPTEMBER 11, 2018

NEWS // 3

Court action for M.bovis compo NIGEL MALTHUS

Alternative dairy focus. PG.10

Milk flows through new plant. PG.22

Multi-one for many tasks. PG.36

NEWS ������������������������������������������������������ 3-17 OPINION ����������������������������������������������18-19 AGRIBUSINESS ����������������������������� 20-21 MANAGEMENT �������������������������������22-25 ANIMAL HEALTH ���������������������������26-27 EFFLUENT & WATER ������������������28-34 MACHINERY & PRODUCTS ��������������������������������������35-38

SOUTHLAND BEEF farmer Ben Walling says he is suing Southern Centre Dairies owner Alfons Zeestraten over the spread of the cattle disease Mycoplasma bovis.

Walling has told Dairy News that he believes Zeestraten knowingly gave him infected animals. He has served notice through his lawyers that he intends to seek damages “for anything MPI doesn’t cover, plus punitive losses and stress”.

Meanwhile, Southern Centre Dairies and Zeestraten have been charged by the Ministry for Primary Industries over the importation of farm machinery in January 2017.

MPI and Chapman Tripp lawyers, acting for Zeestraten, both confirm that those charges do not relate to M.bovis. Chapman Tripp has not responded to a request for comment on the Walling claim.

Walling and his partner Sarah Flintoft run a calf rearing and finishing business at Lumsden.

Their property was declared an infected place in January. They are now clear of the disease and looking to rebuild, but say they may now convert a block to dairying, to become self-sufficient in calves and less susceptible to future disease incursions.

Walling traces his M.bovis infection to a mob of 61 calves he received from Zeestraten on October 24, 2017.

He believes Zeestraten would then

Ben Walling and Sarah Flintoft’s daughter Grace with animals yet to be culled on their M.bovisinfected farm at Lumsden.

have known of his M.bovis infection, even though it was not officially confirmed until December.

Walling said many of the mob were “crook” the day they arrived at his farm, and nine were dead by the next day. He kept the rest in the belief they may have had rotavirus or similar but by December they were still not responding to treatment and other calves were also ill.

When rumours reached him that M.bovis was in the district, Walling said he rang all his neighbours and warned them that “we have all the symptoms and they’re dying”. He voluntarily put the farm into lockdown even before it was officially listed as an infected property on January 12.

Although able to keep some bulls on a separate block, they ended up

having to kill all their calves -- about 1550 -- including 400 shot on the property, “which at this stage MPI is backing away from paying us for,” said Walling.

About 186 R2 bulls were also killed on the property.

Walling’s usual practice was to buy in about 1500 calves a year, sell half at 100-120kg and continue to rear the rest to two or three years old. This year they were aiming to rear about 2000 calves and keep about 1000.

They also normally winter graze 3500 - 6000 dairy cows but this year could only graze about 3000, on a separate block, because of the lockdown. Walling said they had so far received about $555,000, one quarter of the compensation they are expecting.

He said he did not believe MPI should “willy-nilly” throw public money around -- in some cases to people who were ripping off the system -- but it was ridiculous to still be waiting eight months later.

“They value your stock, they count your stock and put a valuation figure on it. They should be able to write a cheque there and then.”

Meanwhile, Walling said they had a 228ha block consented for dairy about three years ago, to give themselves a choice for the future. Now they had no choice but to go ahead with the conversion -- finance permitting – to become self-contained in the supply of calves.

He had been reluctant because he preferred beef and drystock farming, whereas dairying meant loading up with more staff.

DAIRY NEWS SEPTEMBER 11, 2018

4 // PRODUCTIVITY COMMISSION’S REPORT

Farmers need not be scared by report PETER BURKE peterb@ruralnews.co.nz

THE CHAIRMAN of

the Productivity Commission, Murray Sherwin, says farmers should not be scared by his organisation’s latest report on how New Zealand can achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

The commission last week released a 624-page report on the subject, drawing a mixed reaction from the agriculture sector, including dairy.

It’s hardly bedtime read-

Murray Sherwin

ing and while it’s rich in data and well laid-out, it is complex and challenging for laypeople to digest so much information and form an opinion.

The key message is that land use will have to change substantially if NZ is to transition to a low emissions economy by 2050. It notes that between 1990 and 2015 agricultural emissions rose by 16%, largely due to dairying, intensification of farming and the use of synthetic fertilisers. Emissions from dairying specifically rose by 130% and dairy’s share of total agricultural emissions in this period rose from 23% to 50%, to some degree reflecting the rise in cow numbers.

The report suggests that farmers’ ability to reduce emissions behind the farmgate is limited and it underlines reduced stocking rates, which effectively means reducing cows numbers. But this shouldn’t reduce production or profitability, the report says.

It also says that

switching from twice-aday to once-a-day milking is a mitigation option.

The report notes that under the current science funding model, spending on agricultural emissions mitigation is uncertain and small at about $16 million annually. @dairy_news facebook.com/dairynews

LAND-USE CHANGE HIGH ON AGENDA – SHERWIN PRODUCTIVITY COMMISSION chairman Murray Sherwin

says the report was commissioned by the Government to find efficient ways to reduce emissions and so meet its goal and commitment to climate change in the Paris Agreement.

Clearly land-use change is high on the agenda, as is examining the relative profitabilities of different land classes. Forestry is a key option, says Sherwin.

“You would expect most of that shift in afforestation to come at the expense of [some] but not all of the marginal sheep and beef country; that’s the [land] that is more remote, lower in productivity therefore more likely to move under higher carbon prices.

“Not all of it will be plantation forestry and not all will be intended for production; some of it will be indigenous reforestation -- land that is too remote and not suitable for harvesting.”

Sherwin says the commission is

not advocating a straight-out reduction in dairy cow numbers.

“That doesn’t come out in the report; in fact we say explicitly that dairying is relatively highly productive and profitable relative to sheep and beef. So you wouldn’t expect much land to go out of dairying into anything else, so there is no great impact there.

“However dairying and all agriculture under our recommendations would come into an emissions pricing regime and we have discussed a couple of options there.

“The number Federated Farmers gave the other day -- that this will cost the average dairy farmer $230,000 a year -- is nonsense. In fact if it’s $2300 a year at this stage I would be surprised.”

Sherwin says the eventual outcome will largely depend on how farmers choose to react in an emissions pricing regime. Dairying has been reducing its emissions intensity over time anyway, he says.

“That’s partly genetics, different

feed and management regimes and that will continue.”

Sherwin says splitting out methane from nitrous oxides will benefit farmers. Putting a price on that will mean nitrogen based fertilisers will rise in cost and farmers will find themselves incentivised strongly to think carefully about how they use nitrogen fertilisers and manage effluent.

Other options being talked about are a vaccine for methane and plant species such as plantain.

“The message we’re getting from the scientists is ‘don’t expect a methane vaccine anytime soon’.

Plantain for sure, in that it enables farmers to use less nitrogen fertiliser and get a better pick-up of nitrogen.”

Sherwin says the road to lower emissions will not require a handbrake on farming, but that road will encourage and incentivise farmers to go in a different directions and people will be there to help them.

L-TIE

INSU BAYCO

THE LATEST TOOL IN THE FIGHT AGAINST M.BOVIS

Use the M-STOP 1m Outrigger either side of the fence line to meet MPI’s 2m buffer zone

Patent No. 745179 BAYCO INSUL-TIE Insulated strut for managing dips, rises or snow loading

• Meets MPI’s 2m buffer zone guideline • 7mm Dia Galvanised Spring Steel • UV stablised insulated coupling • Wear resistant DURA-TOP eyelet Available from

1 METRE 1 METRE 2 METRES - MPI recommended buffer zone

DAIRY NEWS SEPTEMBER 11, 2018

PRODUCTIVITY COMMISSION’S REPORT // 5

Emissions prices should carry an incentive DAIRYNZ SAYS emissions prices suggested by the Productivity Commission would heavily affect NZ farming if the sector faced a full emissions price under the Emissions Trading Scheme.

DairyNZ believes sustainable dairy farming has a critical role to play in NZ’s prosperity and wellbeing.

Chief executive Tim Mackle says farmers intend to farm within environmental limits, including climate change commitments.

The commission’s final report ‘Low Emissions Economy’, released last week, suggests that over the next 30 years NZ’s

emissions price should rise to at least $75/tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent, and possibly to over $200/t.

“We can’t expect the average dairy farmer in 2050 to face a yearly emissions cost in the vicinity of $231,800,” says Mackle.

“Emissions prices need to incentivise best environmental practices.

But at these prices, without a split gas approach or the availability of methane reducing technology, we would be unfairly penalising NZ farmers.”

Although no decision has been made on agriculture moving into the Emissions Trading

THE PRICE OF ETS ■■

The average herd size in NZ is 414 cows. The emissions price per farm would vary depending on herd number and environmental initiatives underway.

■■

If agriculture enters the Emissions Trading Scheme the Government has committed to a transition period during which agriculture would receive a 95% free allocation, meaning farmers would only pay 5% of the emissions price.

■■

During the transition period of 95% free allocation, the emissions price at $75/tonne works out to $10.50/cow, and up to $28/cow for an emissions price of $200/t if all gases were included in the ETS. This would cost the average farmer $12,170 and $32,500 per year, respectively. A price of $200/t and no free allocation could cost an average farmer about $231,800/year.

Tim Mackle

Scheme, Mackle says a transition period for the sector is essential for any low emissions pathway the Government decides to take.

“There needs to be a fair and stable transition for the sector while a methane vaccine or inhibitor is developed,” says Mackle.

“We know there needs to be continued and significant government/ industry funding for this to occur within the next 30 years.”

The commission

also recommended the Government increase its yearly funding for research into methane mitigation technologies to a level that better reflects the potential value of successful outcomes.

“Measures like planting trees and riparian margins will help,” says Mackle. “But even with a significant focus on forestry planting we wouldn’t see the required decrease in agricultural emissions without methane reducing technologies or significant land-use changes.”

He says the dairy sector will meet this challenge, hence its spending for many years on R&D and informing farmers.

“But it needs to be workable and the settings need to be right. The devil is in the detail, and we need to take the time to understand this 600-page report.

CAUTIOUS SUPPORT DAIRYNZ SUPPORTS the direc-

tion of the Productivity Commission’s report, says chief executive Tim Mackle.

But a lot depends on having funding to do R&D to provide tools for farmers to meet the report’s objective.

Mackle says he likes the commission’s advocacy for a long transition period and its noting the difference between methane gas and nitrous oxide gases.

Any move to cut cow numbers would need to be carefully considered, he says.

An arbitrary cut would be wrong, but the theory of fewer cows for no change in milk production and a lighter environmental footprint would be fine. But he

cautions that reducing cow numbers may have economic and social impacts on rural communities.

He says addressing the issue of greenhouse gas emissions has benefits for NZ in selling to high value markets.

“It will enhance the premium for our food and that’s good. It will underpin the whole value proposition of NZ food so there are good reasons to go down this track.”

But Mackle acknowledges that the 624-page report is complex, detailed and full of technical terms. DairyNZ is now producing a summary document in lay language to make it accessible to dairy farmers. – Peter Burke

MIXED VIEWS FEDERATED FARMERS says while the report has many positive aspects, some recommendations will cause disquiet among farmers.

The report’s 620 pages, 173 findings and 78 recommendations make it a doorstop, but it deserves careful scrutiny, says Feds climate change spokesman Andrew Hoggard.

He is worried about the recommendation that plantation forest would need to increase by 1.3 million and 2.8m ha, most of which is now used for sheep and beef farming.

“Up to 2.8m ha more in forestry is about one fifth of all current land in agriculture (about 14m ha). That sort of land-use change would devastate many rural communities in terms of job opportunities and sustaining the social and economic fabric of small towns,” says Hoggard.

He says the NZ pasture system is among the most productive for animal nutrition, notably dairy.

“For example, our greenhouse gas emission per litre of milk is half to one third of the global average.”

Hoggard says the federation is pleased the commission has recognised the “strong” case for boosting funding for research on mitigations farmers could adopt to reduce emissions.

“Help keep our milk clean this season!

Beat the threat of thermodurics with Silclear Fittings and Tubing. It’s guaranteed not to perish – you won’t be disappointed.”

Genuine product ex UK

ORDER NOW FOR NEW SEASON

Call Free: 0800 92 92 98

WHAT’S IN A DRUM? Not all Glyphosates are Created equal Roundup ULTRA® MAX is the most powerful liquid Roundup ever. It has a high 570g of glyphosate loading which leaves less room in the drum for the very important surfactant required to drive performance. After many years of trials and testing a powerful new generation surfactant called Transorb II was developed which delivers improved performance at a lower % in the drum.

NOT JUST A SALES STORY. It’s SCIENCE. Roundup® and Roundup Ultra® are registered trademarks of Monsanto Technologies LLC used under licences by Sinochem International Australia Pty Ltd

DAIRY NEWS SEPTEMBER 11, 2018

6 // NEWS

M.bovis confirmed on 37 farms NIGEL MALTHUS

THIRTY SEVEN farms were known at the end of August to be infected with Mycoplasma bovis, says the Ministry of Primary Industries.

Eight are in the North Island and 29 in the South; 21 are beef farms, 14 dairy and two are “others”.

Including those infected farms, 58 farms are now listed as restricted places (RP).

Notices of direction (NODs), which restrict some movement of stock from farms and are usually applied to farms where test results are pending, are in place on 190 properties.

A Biosecurity NZ map of the M.bovis spread indicates that only the Bay of

FIRST NORTHLAND CASE BIOSECURITY NZ has confirmed a property in Northland has tested positive for M.bovis.

Although several farms in the region are under a notice of direction (NOD) – usually applied to farms where test results are pending -- it’s the first time the disease has been confirmed in Northland.

Two weeks ago the Tasman district was found to have an infected farm -- the region’s first.

Northland’s infected property is a drystock beef farm. It was identified by tracing animal movements from known infected farms. It is now under a ‘restricted place’ notice under the Biosecurity Act 1993 -- in quarantine lockdown which restricts the movement of animals and other risk goods on and off the farm.

Biosecurity NZ is not publicly naming the farm but neighbours who share a boundary with it have been notified. It says the risk to neighbouring farms is very low.

All infected groups of cattle on the farm will ultimately be culled.

Plenty and Marlborough remain free of the disease, with neither RP notices nor NODs in force.

Taranaki and the South Island’s West Coast have farms under NODs but as yet no confirmed infection. MPI says 70 - 80% of NOD farms do not go on to prove infected.

Meanwhile, MPI says the eradication programme continues, with 30 farms now cleaned and depopulated, and free to resume operation with new stock.

MPI is telling farmers to check that they have robust biosecurity practices.

Simple steps farmers can take include: • carefully consider the disease status of new stock before animals are bought or moved • ensure visitors clean and disinfect their equipment, clothing and footwear upon arrival at your farm • ensure boundary fences are secure and prevent nose-to-nose contact with neighbouring stock • provide young calves with special protection, allowing only essential people in the calf shed.

A map of the Mycoplasma bovis spread indicates that only the Bay of Plenty and Marlborough remain free of the disease.

@dairy_news facebook.com/dairynews

No. 4928

DAIRY NEWS SEPTEMBER 11, 2018

NEWS // 7

Cattle to parade Canterbury show NIGEL MALTHUS

NEW ZEALAND’S big-

gest annual A&P show will go ahead with cattle classes on November 14 - 16 despite the threat of spreading Mycoplasma bovis.

But there will be no calf classes, and new measures will be taken to prevent infection spreading.

The Canterbury A&P Association (CAPA) has released a list of protocols to bolster biosecurity for the show. Junior classes will be on, but only with yearling animals, not calves.

Even the simple act of the judges draping the winners’ ribbons over winning cattle is to be banned. Instead, they will pass the ribbons to their handlers, and they will be banned from touching animals’ heads or muzzles.

Other measures in the show ring include a strict 2m space between parading animals and a one-way traffic system between the ring and the cattle pavilion.

In the pavilion, empty pens and plywood panels will create buffers and barriers between animals from different herds.

There will be separate dairy and beef washing bays, each run on a roster system and rigorously disinfected.

Extra staff will be on hand to manage cattle, with strict requirements for proper paperwork and no late entries accepted.

The show vice-president, North Canterbury cattle breeder Chris Herbert, said there had been no known infections from nose-to-nose contact between neighbouring herds so the actual risk of transmission was extremely low.

The new protocols are to give exhibitors confidence to attend.

“I’ve had exhibitors ring me since that information went out and they’ve said ‘we weren’t planning on coming but if you’re going to put these protocols in place, actually it will be OK. We will come’.”

The banned calf classes usually attracted only 10

MORE SCOPE FOR AWARD ENTRIES JUST THREE weeks before entries open for the 2018 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards (NZDIA), the organisers have announced changes.

Visa criteria for the dairy trainee and dairy manager categories have changed: entrants are now eligible to enter if they hold a valid New Zealand work visa at time of entry and at each stage of judging, and have been employed full-time for two years on a NZ dairy farm when entries open.

“This reflects the multicultural landscape of dairy employees,” says NZDIA general manager Chris Keeping. “We’re excited by these changes and intrigued to see who will enter because of them.”

Organisers have also removed the qualifications clause in the dairy trainee category, whereby a potential entrant is not allowed to have completed an NZQA Level 5 or higher qualification in any field of study.

“These changes acknowledge the awards programme as a learning platform where people can learn and grow personally and professionally,” says Keeping. We don’t want to cut out a large chunk of potential dairy trainee entrants just because of previous study.”

Entries will open on October 1 and close on November 16. To enter go to www.dairyindustryawards.co.nz from October 1.

- 15 entries. Herbert said they were often handreared pets and lifestylers’ animals, and it was “just too hard” to be sure of their histories.

Beef cows with calves at foot will be allowed.

Herbert said he does not expect cattle numbers this year to “break any records” but Canterbury is usually NZ’s biggest cattle show and he expects that to hold good.

Entries are now open.

Visitors will see cattle but no calves at this year’s show.

ARE YOU MEETING YOUR NAIT REQUIREMENTS?

These five fundamental steps support effective livestock traceability:

1. REGISTER WITH NAIT 2. REGISTER YOUR LOCATION 3. TAG AND REGISTER YOUR ANIMALS 4. RECORD AND CONFIRM ANIMAL MOVEMENTS 5. KEEP YOUR NAIT ACCOUNT UP-TO-DATE

NAIT is an OSPRI programme

ospri.co.nz

0800 482 463

DAIRY NEWS SEPTEMBER 11, 2018

8 // NEWS

Payout under threat PAM TIPA pamelat@ruralnews.co.nz

WITH DAIRY prices

Whole milk powder price slipped to US$2821/tonne.

down nearly 13% below levels of a year ago, this adds to the downside risk to Fonterra’s newly minted $6.75/kgMS milk price forecast, says BNZ senior economist Doug Steel.

In fact downside risk is

PREGNANCIES AND FERTILITY DRIVE PROFITABILITY ON FARM.

building for its own $6.60/ kgMS forecast, he says.

“Prices may need to improve a little to achieve a milk price in the mid6s, depending on how the NZD performs.

“To us, Fonterra’s forecast implies a) higher prices over the remainder of the season or b) the co-op is achieving a lower effective FX rate than we are assuming or c) the

co-op is achieving better prices for some sales than those received via GDT. “There is still a long way to go in the season, but downside risks loom.

Another round of US tariffs on Chinese goods would not help sentiment nor would any further easing in Chinese and global growth indicators.

“On the positive side, expanding global milk

World Wide Sires recognizes the importance of Sire Conception Rate (SCR) and the impact it can have on our customers’ breeding programs.

We deliver industry-leading fertility with the highest average SCR; and more active sires over +1.0, +2.0 and +3.0 SCR than any other global AI company.

production seems to be slowing amid pressure on feed supplies. And a falling NZD is offering material support to NZ denominated prices.”

The overall price index was down 0.7% at last week’s Global Dairy Trade auction -- a bit disappointing when the market had been looking for something like a 2% gain, says Steel.

Whole milk powder (WMP) underperformed, slipping 2.2% to an average US$2821/tonne. This is a bit further below the RBNZ’s US$3000/t medium term view.

Skim milk powder rose by 2.2%, pushing average selling prices back above US$2000/t, although the increase was not as much as expected.

“Still it is good to see this product make some price headway as the EU reduces its massive stockpile,” says Steel. “Cheese prices lifted 4.2%, while fats generally undershot expectations. Butter prices fell 2.8%.”

Offered WMP vol-

umes were up 29% from the previous event as NZ milk production lifts with grass growth into spring.

Overall volume sold rose 21.1% from the previous event to be up 15.9% on a year ago.

ASB’s senior rural economist Nathan Penny says the modest overall decline last week fits with the price weakness we normally see at this time of the year.

“Looking beyond seasonal factors, global dairy markets appear largely balanced. NZ production is set to lift this season, albeit moderately: we expect a 2% lift this season compared to last.

“However, dry weather offshore means exports from other producers are likely to be more scarce than usual over coming months. Meanwhile, global demand is mixed, but overall remains relatively positive.”

ASB is sticking with its 2018-19 milk price forecast of $6.50/kgMS but continues to note downside risks.

Scholarship for china

What are the Sire Conception Rates for the sires you are using this spring?

Experience the Difference.

Sire Conception Rate (SCR) measures the fertility of all bulls, foreign and domestic, who have been used on the U.S. dairy cattle population. It utilizes pregnancy data confirmed by veterinarians and is independently analyzed by CDCB, the same organization that creates the U.S. sire summaries.

A RECIPIENT of two DairyNZ scholarships, Caitlyn Poole, is in China on a new scholarship – a Prime Minister’s Scholarship for Asia.

The scholarship is offered for study anywhere in Asia to strengthen understanding of other cultures and develop international skills.

Poole, a student of Mandarin, is interested in China’s potential as an export market for NZ. She grew up on a dairy farm, hearing about China.

“I’m honoured to have this opportunity,” she said.

“Success in China is built on relationships: it’s important to be able to communicate and understand how people in China work and do business.”

A key aim of the Prime Minister’s Scholarship for Asia is to strengthen NZ’s ability to engage with key Asian trading partners.

Poole (24) studied Mandarin at university in NZ. In China she will first do an intensive sixweek language course and will then study Mandarin at Chengdu University 30-40 hours a week for six months.

Chengdu is an inland city in south-west China with 14 million people. “It will be great to immerse myself in the culture and to mingle with Chinese students,” says Poole. She will be flatting with a young Chinese woman close to the university. Poole grew up in rural South Taranaki then Te Awamutu. She went to school at Sacred Heart Girls’ College in Hamilton then Massey University on two DairyNZ scholarships -- first an undergraduate degree in agricultural science, second a master’s degree in animal science on the association between supplementary feeding and the post-grazing residual.

DAIRY NEWS SEPTEMBER 11, 2018

NEWS // 9

US/China trade wars pose risk

ASPIRING DIRECTORS URGED TO MOVE DAIRY FARMERS eyeing a role on

PETER BURKE peterb@ruralnews.co.nz

THE US trade war with

China poses a risk for New Zealand, says ANZ’s chief economist, Sharon Zollner.

Speaking at a business forum last week on the Kapiti Coast, she said the risk for NZ is how much the trade war impacts on the Chinese economy.

A possible problem for NZ would be its effects on people’s incomes and their ability to pay for farm products.

And this is occurring at the same time as the Chinese economy is slowing, Zollner says.

“Their authorities have lots of levers they can pull that other countries don’t have, but we are now seeing them loosening up on monetary policy in allowing more lending, and on fiscal policy.

“And they have made a tax cut, so that will support their economy in the near term.

“That is the glasshalf-full view; the glasshalf-empty view is ‘what are they seeing in their economy that they are trying to offset? and what does that mean for NZ?” Zollner says in trade terms NZ is more tied to the hip of China than ever before. She says

Sharon Zollner, ANZ chief economist.

while other markets in Asia are opening up, China remains the most important one for NZ. She points to dairying’s many challenges – M.bovis, the weather and fluctuations in dairy prices, and she notes the fall in last week’s GDT

was the ninth in the last twelve auctions.

“So I guess you can call that a trend,” she says.

A huge challenge facing the dairy industry in the long term will be meeting the Productivity Commission’s proposed low emission regime, Zollner says. With the whole agricultural model set to change, including a reduction in cows, that will make for interesting times.

“The dream is sustainable and profitable but there is a lot of road between here and there,” she says. @dairy_news facebook.com/dairynews

DairyNZ’s board have until Friday, September 14, to get their nominations in.

This year one farmer director will be elected -- an opportunity for dairy farmers with governance and leadership experience to get involved.

The director elected this year will join four other farmer-elected directors and three board-appointed directors on the DairyNZ board.

Nominations are also being taken for one farmer to join the directors’ remuneration committee, which considers and recommends remuneration for directors each year.

Returning officer Anthony Morton, of Electionz, is urging farmers intending to submit nominations to do so early.

“Dairy farmer levy payers have a few days left to get their nominations in, to fill these two important positions with DairyNZ,” said Morton.

“I’d encourage them to complete and submit their nomination forms as soon as possible, to ensure they can be processed in time.”

All farmers paying a levy on milksolids to DairyNZ are eligible to stand for the board or the directors’ remuneration committee.

Candidate nominations close at noon Friday, September 14. Voting opens for dairy farmer levy payers on October 1, with results announced at the DairyNZ annual meeting on October 31.

DAIRY NEWS SEPTEMBER 11, 2018

10 // NEWS

Alternative dairy focus for SOE PETER BURKE peterb@ruralnews.co.nz

THE CHIEF executive of

Pamu Farms of NZ (formerly Landcorp) says producers of alternative dairy

Pamu Farms chief executive Steven Carden.

foods made from organic cow milk, sheep milk and deer milk need to evolve in how they farm and what they produce.

Steven Carden says Pamu’s focus on these opportunities is expected

to make a growing contribution to the business over time.

Especially the company is pleased that core premiums from milk increased by over $1 million on last year, due partly to a focus on organic, grass-fed and winter-milk dairy.

“This is an exciting time to be in the dairy industry,” Carden says.

The Government will get a $5 million dividend from Pamu for the year ended June 30, 2018.

The company declared a net profit after tax of $34.2 million – down $17.7m (34%) largely due to smaller gains from biological assets (forestry and livestock) and a higher tax liability.

The result has been helped by a rise in prices achieved by core dairy and livestock businesses, and an ongoing move

into premium products to “transition Pāmu beyond commodity products which fluctuate greatly in price,” Carden says.

“For example, positioning Pāmu’s products to align with growing consumer demand for ‘alternative’ dairy foods is hard work but we’re starting to see the results.”

Recognising the huge potential for alternative dairy, Pāmu recently launched Pāmu deer milk, which won a Grass Roots Innovation Award at Fieldays 2018 and is getting positive reviews from the food trade.

“Innovation within and beyond the farmgate means we are operating beyond our traditional farming model that requires sustained investment in our people and their wellbeing. It also means diversifying our income streams,” he says.

EXCITING TIMES

EPRINEX MEANS MORE MILK. ®

It’s not a theory. It’s a fact. EPRINEX® has been scientifically engineered to be the fastest acting, most potent broad spectrum pour on available for lactating dairy cows.

Analysis of more than 80 trials shows a consistent increase in milk productivity and improved reproductive performance. +

With over 20 years of trusted performance gains worldwide, choose Eprinex for your herd and expect better returns than any other drench. Backed up by science to deliver an expected 7.41kg MS/cow more.

So for reliable productivity returns on your stock and peace of mind this season, talk to your local vet about the scientific benefits of treating with EPRINEX - NZ’s most trusted pour on. +

(McPherson et al (2001) NZVJ 49 (3) 106-110)

P R O U D LY A V A I L A B L E F R O M Y O U R L O C A L V E T E R I N A R Y C L I N I C .

Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health New Zealand Limited. Level 3, 2 Osterley Way, Manukau, Auckland, New Zealand.

EPRINEX® is a registered trademark of Boehringer Ingelheim Group. Registered pursuant to the ACVM Act 1997 | No. A7191 | ©Copyright 2018 Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health New Zealand Limited. All rights reserved. NZ-17-BAH-148.

STEVEN CARDEN says this is an exciting time to be in the dairy sector with its challenges and changes, including Pamu’s objective of reducing its environmental footprint.

Huge innovation is taking place in the dairy industry and many opportunities exist for people to participate.

“We are getting our organic dairy into SE Asian markets, connecting with these consumers and building a value proposition around the clean, environmentally friendly, government-owned safe food which Pamu can provide to Chinese consumers,” Carden says.

Pamu has in the past talked about scaling back its dairying depending largely on where its dairy farms are located.

For example, on farms in Canterbury, where there are environmental issues, it will look at alternative land uses, e.g. alternative crops; overall Carden forsees a gradual decline in cow numbers “We are pushing hard into regenerative, biologicals and organics, but I don’t see us re-converting dairy farms to other uses unless there is an easy way of retrofitting a dairy shed so that it’s suitable for, say, sheepmilking.”

Greenhouse gas emissions are key to Pamu’s thinking about how to become a carbon neutral organisation. Climate change and its impacts are seen as likely to hit Pamu severely sooner than anticipated.

“Climate shifts in the northern hemisphere are a precursor to what we will see in the south.

So part of our strategy is directed at preparing our business to deal with this,” he says.

DOLOMITE NZ’s finest BioGro certified Mg fertiliser For a delivered price call... 0800 436 566

DAIRY NEWS SEPTEMBER 11, 2018

NEWS // 11

Andrew Hoggard

Emissions report: keep it simple, say farmers PETER BURKE peterb@ruralnews.co.nz

GIVE US a “simple one-on-one” guide to the issue of climate change, says Federated Farmers vice-president and climate change spokesman Andrew Hoggard.

His plea follows the recent release of a 44-page report by the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment on how New Zealand could deal with greenhouse gas emissions.

A key finding is that if NZ’s emissions of livestock methane were held steady at 2016 levels, then within about ten years the amount of methane in the atmosphere from that source would level off.

However, the warming effect of that methane would continue to increase at a gradually declining rate for at least a century.

The report noted that if NZ wished to ensure that methane from livestock caused no extra contribution to warming beyond the current level, emissions would need to be reduced by at least 10-22% below 2016 levels by 2050, and by 20-27% by 2100.

Hoggard says the take-home message for him is that there is a helluva lot of uncertain science out there.

“You have similar reports on methane

by Professor Dave Frame of Victoria University who teamed up with people from Oxford University; this says greenhouse gasses from agriculture just need to stabilise. So we have a variance here, with one report saying ‘stabilise’ and another saying ‘20 - 22 % reduction’.

“The one big positive is it doesn’t say we have to go to net zero which is option three, which supposedly a lot of people in government, and others, favour.”

Hoggard says clarity is needed on whether or not there needs to be a reduction.

He admits the latest report is very technical and “a few people who know some of the words throw them about and the rest of us feel ignorant because we don’t understand what they are talking about”.

“It would be useful to have a simple guide to explain the issues in laymen’s terms or at least in a simpler language, not such technical jargon.

“One of the things learned in university was that when you do put some of this technical stuff in simple laymen’s terms it proves you actually know the subject.

Often when people use technical language it means they are reciting it from a textbook.”

HOGGARD OPTIMISTIC ANDREW HOGGARD says Fonterra is taking a cautious approach in dropping the farmgate milk price to $6.75/kgMS, partly because of the levels of milk production in other countries.

But he doubts some of the countries will be able to maintain their present levels, especially in Europe.

“The drought has hit them hard and on social media I see stories of [European] farmers having fed out all their baleage and hay. I’m not sure

how they will get through winter, so I would question whether they are going to be able hold up their production come winter,” he says.

Hoggard says unless the Europeans have secret supplies of feed they are not mentioning on social media they will have problems.

Fonterra’s financial position has him, as a shareholder, wondering what is going on.

“You have a whole bunch of questions but hopefully they are moving forward,” he says.

DAIRY NEWS SEPTEMBER 11, 2018

12 // NEWS

DATE September 14

Cheese top-up for world’s pizza global foodservice, Susan Cassidy, says the new plant will double the site’s production of mozzarella.

“Globally more people are eating meals out of home, in restaurants and on the go, and the global foodservice market is predicted to be worth US$3 trillion by 2021.

Our foodservice business Anchor Food Professionals is still experiencing strong growth and this new expansion supports our growth.”

The global reseach firm Euromonitor says demand for western food in China has helped double pizza sales from US$1.5 billion in 2010 to US$3.5b in 2015.

Timaru District mayor Damon Odey applauds the Clandeboye work as underlining the district as a major food hub and as “a growing exporter to the rest of the world”.

“We welcome the vote of confidence Fonterra has made in our community.

More people are seeing the appeal of provincial New Zealand. People can move to Timaru District and get unmatched job, housing and lifestyle options.”

Agriculture and the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) seminar, Wellington

The day-long event will look at how do we enable farmers to respond to ETS? www.agscience.org.nz

September 25

October 3

Smaller Milk and Supply Herds (SMASH) field day, Kawakawa

Australasian Dairy Science Symposium, Palmerston North

Vet Neil Chesterton will speak on lameness management and Paul Addison, Nufarm, will talk on how to manage weeds on farm. 10am start, morning tea and lunch will be provided. www.smallerherds.co.nz Rural crime is on the rise. NZ Police and rural insurer FMG will talks about procedures that need to be in place to prevent thefts. 10am start. www.smallerherds.co.nz The 8th Australasian Dairy Science Symposium has the theme “Dairy Science for Profitable and Sustainable Farming”, and keynote speakers from Europe and the Australasian region will focus on identifying challenges, and developing solutions, to dairying in 2030. www.adss2018.co.nz

Tell the dairy farming community about your event through the Dairy Diary.

Email event info to editor@ruralnews.co.nz

LIC STARTS DAILY TESTING

60 DAY

KINGQUAD

SALE FROM 1 AUGUST

DETAILS

Smaller Milk and Supply Herds (SMASH) field day, Rotorua

November 21-23 FONTERRA’S CLANDEBOYE site in Timaru is now the southern hemisphere’s largest producer of natural mozzarella cheese.

A secret recipe enables the co-op to make its Clandeboye mozzarella in hours rather than months – the time traditional mozzarella takes.

The Clandeboye plant last week fired up its third new mozzarella line, making enough to top about half a billion pizzas a year.

Cheese from Clandeboye is destined for pizzas worldwide. The co-op’s cheese tops about 50% of the pizzas in China, a fast growing market.

Fonterra chief operating officer global operations Robert Spurway says the new plant shows the co-op’s ambition to move more milk into value add products to get “more value from every drop of milk”.

“The new mozarella plant and recent expansion of our Darfield site enables us to produce more higher returning products.”

Fonterra general manager marketing

EVENT

LIC IS introducing daily testing of bull semen to combat the threat of the Mycoplasma bovis disease.

This is one of a raft of new measures that LIC has put in place to reassure its 10,000 farmer customers during this mating season.

From last Monday, each semen collection from LIC’s bulls, which artificially inseminate up to 80% of the national dairy herd, will be tested for M.bovis and results will be confirmed before semen is distributed to farmers.

Although MPI says the risk of transmitting M.bovis from semen is low, chief executive Wayne McNee says LIC is not taking anything for granted.

“Based on our testing and strict animal management to date, we’re confident our bulls are clear of M.bovis. We have tested over 5000 samples from our bulls dating back to January 2017, and the disease has not been detected.”

“However, we know the risk of infection is a still a top concern for

farmers and we want to take all measures possible to safeguard our bulls and help protect the national herd.”

The PCR test is highly sensitive and will detect if M.bovis is present in the semen. LIC is spending about $800,000 to manage any risk of transmission of M.bovis and is absorbing the cost.

The daily testing will be implemented for the peak mating season when AI technicians will inseminate at least 100,000 cows per day.

1⁄3 1⁄3 1⁄3 DEPOSIT

IN 12 MONTHS

IN 24 MONTHS

DAIRY NEWS SEPTEMBER 11, 2018

NEWS // 13

Britain could crash out of EU peterb@ruralnews.co.nz

THERE IS now a 50:50

FINTAN O’TOOLE says while NZ is not top of the agenda in Ireland regarding Brexit, people are aware of what happened to NZ when Britain joined the EEC (Common Market) in 1973. They remember how NZ was suddenly abandoned and how things moved against us.

“This is a reminder from history that you can’t make assumptions

solution to the insoluble problem of the border between the Irish Republic and Northern Ireland.

May has tried to get a deal, but the latest response from Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief negotiator is that her plan to avoid a hard border is an “invitation to fraud”.

“The pro-Brexit people don’t care and never thought about it.

The Irish border is soft and porous, O’Toole says.

The 27 nations of the EU have just 137 crossing points between their countries. Yet there are 208 ‘official’ crossing points between Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic (in the south) and 100s more unofficial crossing points.

O’Toole says Ireland will suffer hugely under Brexit. Already the mushroom industry in Ire-

land has gone bust and farmers are being badly hit because of the fall in the value of the British pound. And although people may think the Irish economy has gone hightech and multinational, like NZ’s it still depends on land-based industry, chiefly farming.

“It’s still very much founded on the beef and dairy industry and all the spin-offs from those in high quality food. The main market for smallmedium Irish food companies is and always has been the UK. That’s the geography and the history.

They are going to take a real hammering.

“Nowadays a lot of the agricultural industries are cross-border. Most of the milk produced in Northern Ireland is processed in the south and they then export it to the north.”

Irish Times columnist Fintan O’Toole.

Enquire about our all NEW Chlorinator

Auto Inline Liquid Dispenser

Water Flow Indicator

Dispenses chemicals and minerals into a water supply Check Valve

Outlet

ig

hV

i s ib

i l it y F l o w I n d

ica

ti

on

people.

“They are trying to create and capture a strange kind of English identity, but they are not rational. They really think it’s worth closing down the British car industry, closing down the aerospace industry with the loss of 65,000 jobs, having a food crisis -all those sorts of things.

They think it’s worth it and that’s the ideological reason,” he said.

O’Toole claims that some supporters of Brexit have cynically moved the headquarters of their own business operations to Ireland because they can see the problems looming in Britain.

He says the fundamental stumbling block to Britain doing an exit deal with the EU is its inability to come up with a practical, politically acceptable

about what your markets are and how they will continue in the future.”

The prospect of Brexit dismays and distresses O’Toole. He is fond of England and the English and says relations between the two countries are the best they have been for centuries. The visit of Queen Elizabeth in 2011 was a high point in building the relationship, he says.

Quick Release Couplings

Pressure Release

No Flow Control Valves

Particle Filter

E a s y A d ju

Mast available in various lengths

Three models available st m

Flow (Flourescence Visible)

Benefits Inlet

e

nt

chance Britain will crash out of the European Union without any sort of deal concluded, says a recognised Irish commentator.

Fintan O’Toole, an Irish Times columnist and winner of awards for writing on Brexit, visited New Zealand last week on a brief speaking tour.

He told the Irish Business Network in Auckland that with no substantive progress being made in the UK’s negotiations with the EU, a no-deal exit by Britain is on the cards.

He described Brexit as a “lazy fantasy, politically reckless and stupid” and always susceptible to failure. But though Theresa May is not an impressive person or leader, says O’Toole, he doesn’t believe anyone else in the Tory Party could do a better job.

At the core of the problem is a resurgence of “English nationalism” akin to ‘Trumpism’ in the US, he said, accusing leading Brexiteers such as Boris Johnson as playing games with the English

THE NZ CONNECTION

H

PETER BURKE

• • • • • • •

Reduce water loss Locate leaks with ease Saves time and labour costs Positive indication day and night Easy to install Stainless steel construction Designed and manufactured in NZ

Can Handle • • • • • • •

Suction Tube

Zinc Magnesium Copper Salt Bloat oil Minerals Chemicals

Ideal for:

Benefits

• • • •

• • • • • • •

Animal health remedies General water treatments Wash system detergents Horticultural chemicals

Reduces labour costs Easy to install Operates using water flow Any pressure from 10 – 210 PSI Competitively priced Made from high quality materials Designed and manufactured in NZ

Features: • Water driven – no power required • Non-contact indication – no seals to wear • Designed for minimal maintenance • Available in packs of 2, 3 & 5 units Several sizes and mast lengths available

Singh’s Engineering Services 66-68 Mahana Rd, Hamilton, Ph/Fax 07-849 3108 www.setech.co.nz or your local dairy equipment dealer

THE CLOCK IS TICKING… OFFER AVAILABLE 1 AUGUST – 30 SEPTEMBER OR WHILE STOCKS LAST. OFFER APPLIES TO ALL KINGQUAD 400, 500 AND 750 MODELS. FULL DETAILS AVAILABLE AT WWW.SUZUKI.CO.NZ/60-DAY-SALE

DAIRY NEWS SEPTEMBER 11, 2018

14 // WORLD

Oz farmer forced to sell stock JEANETTE SEVERS

Australian farmer Chris Nixon has fed out his total storage of 5000 tonnes of dry matter and continues to buy hay and grain.

WITH FEED costs

almost doubling, one drought-stricken Australian dairy farmer has been

deciding regularly to sell livestock. He would like the government to provide rate relief for farmers affected by drought.

Chris and Helen Nixon, with farms in the

MULTIMIN® + Cu

Orbost district and Cann River in East Gippsland, Victoria own an Angus beef and two dairy herds.

As well as hay, he has fed out 5000 tonnes of silage.

But the fodder price has increased from A$350 to A$660/tonne.

In late August, they sold most of their remaining Angus cows, steers and heifers, retaining a core breeding herd. Nixon expects to sell dairy cows in September.

“We have a plan that we instigate early: when it comes in dry we start earmarking cattle to sell,” Nixon said.

Weaning began before Christmas and 200 cows were sold in June this year. In August, 11mo Angus steers and heifers were sold. The steers average $780, weighing under 300kg; the heifers returned an average $630.

“I prefer the Angus cattle gone, even though we’d normally retain the steers to grow out. We weaned early with the idea that if it rains we’ll have pasture,” Nixon said.

“If it rains we can grow a heap of silage and feed the 500 cows in the milking herd at Orbost.

“But we don’t have the pasture and we’ve fed out 5000 tonnes of dry matter. We put the silage away in a bunker for conditions like this but it’s all gone.

“We’re well into our second year of trying to build a feed wedge and it’s not happening. The next decision will be to sell 150 dairy cows. We need to gear up production.”

The notable Angus herd now numbers 100 cows and 110 of the best heifers.

The farm’s rate bill is expected to be $45,000.

“Give us rate relief, that’s a substantial amount of money,” Nixon said. “Some farmers in the Orbost district would have rate bills above $100,000.”

He called on state and federal governments to develop drought and water policies that work for farmers.

“Farmers are expected to look after the triple bottom line, but it’s got to be a two-way conversation,” Nixon said.

“The problem with drought policy is no one focuses on drought until it happens.”

Farmers make a list

An injection of Multimin® + Cu one month prior to mating is proven to enhance the reproductive performance of your cows and heifers.

Assists with ovulation, oestrus and conception.

International and local trials have demonstrated earlier conception in treated animals.1,2 3.4 to 4.1 times ROI.1

IN YOUR DAIRY cattlE. nz.virbac.com/betterwithmultimin

ACVM No. A9374. 1. Hawkins D, DCV Newsletter March 2007. 2. Mitchel et al, Trace Elements in Animal Production Systems 2008.

A GROUP of Victorian farmers in the East Gippsland and Wellington shires have listed actions they believe will make a difference if the 2018 spring fails and the region remains dry.

Their suggestions are based on freeing up working capital and recognising and valuing the infrastructure they have already installed to manage the drought over the last 18 months.

Also on the list is rate relief and reimbursement of fodder and freight costs already paid.

“It’s no use asking for subsidies to buy fodder and freight; that will only push prices up,” said Ensay beef breeder Barry Newcomen.

Victoria’s Agriculture Minister, Jaala Pulford, agreed. “The economic analysis we’ve done has shown subsidising freight and fodder pushes costs up,” she said.

Accountability and transparency was also important to the farming group. “Everyone will have receipts to prove what they have spent,” Newcomen said. The suggestion to reimburse some portion of infrastructure costs was viewed favourably. As was lobbying for additional extension services for farmerled groups and recognising the value of education.

– Jeanette Severs

Q. Is it time to take stock and breed stock?

There’s always room for improvement.

A.

If you’re considering a change to your mating plan to lower biosecurity risks then LIC has plenty of options to support your goals.

From our Premier Sires® Forward Pack to A2/A2, Alpha® bulls, easy calve beef options and Short Gestation genetics.

KingSt_486_DN_C

Find out whether a no bull strategy could be right for you by calling your LIC rep today.

lic.co.nz/nobull

DAIRY NEWS SEPTEMBER 11, 2018

16 // WORLD

An A$9/kgMS forecast for O STEVE SPENCER

AS YOU read this, the

factors affecting the outlook for global commodity markets are finely balanced, with much swinging on the weather – so there’s nothing new.

Europe has been baking: heat has clipped milk output, crops wither and silage reserves for winter appear depleted in several regions.

On the flipside, things in New Zealand look great for a cracking season -- so far -- as an El Nino builds.

Commodity markets are positive but cautious; for starters there is pressure for continued release of the SMP mountain from European government sheds, butter markets are fragile as buyers push back on high prices,

and the trade dispute between President Trump and the Chinese government is worsening.

With all this in play, and Australia’s tough production conditions, it is easy to stay glued to the short term. Who even has the bandwidth to think past 2020? Besides, whenever there’s a discussion about the ‘positive dairy story in the long-term’, a lot of people disengage.

The short-term is so complex, there is little point, right?

Well, that won’t work for long. Investors, customers, your next generation and a lot of others with large stakes in your milk game want to know.

Firstly, reflect on how we got here; what happened to the value of milk over the past 15 years?

While the rollercoaster of milk prices

was extreme at times, the trendline over that time has lifted at nearly 3% per annum over that period – more than CPI. Farm input and overhead costs rose faster, which has made productivity a necessity for protecting margins and building wealth.

Some profound things changed over 15 years to support that trendline, despite the EU, US and NZ pumping out a combined extra 3bn L of milk each year. China emerged as a large (risky) dairy import market, and a large population in South East Asia became dairy consumers. Trade relations became more liberal through multilateral and bilateral deals, improving access and affordability for new consumers.

Importantly, the EU and US all but stopped export

Trade tensions between President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping are worsening.

subsidies.

Today, looking ‘big and long’, many things are in play, but most are quite different from the influencers in the past. What

will the world look like by 2030?

We decided to try answering that question.

Let’s beam out there to find out.

■■

Imagine 2030: Growing milk output got much harder in the last two decades as the community pushed back against the impact

■■

of dairy farming on the environment.

NZ ran into barriers to the expansion of dairy; farmland values stayed flat for a decade to

ADVERTORIAL

SEE SUCCESS IN CIDR TREATMENTS With calving now in full swing it’s time to start thinking ahead to mating. Planning ahead is essential for a successful mating period so we need to start preparing now.

One way to tighten calving patterns and get more days in milk is to treat non-cyclers with a CIDR® programme. Treating these cows early provides the best return on investment compared to waiting for them to start cycling on their own, often many weeks later.

By tail painting your herd 35 days before mating and recording heats, you can have a very good idea of the number of non-cycling cows in your herd before mating starts.

A large scale Waikato trial of reproductive treatments for anoestrus cows has proven the economics of using CIDR® Cattle Inserts to improve herd reproductive performance at the start of the mating period. The trial involved

2,222 non-cycling cows in the Waikato, from 12 herds averaging 510 head that were due to begin mating in early October.

Non-cyclers treated with a CIDR® program had significantly higher first service conception rates than untreated non-cyclers and non-cyclers treated with the OvSynch program. CIDR® treatment of non-cyclers has a positive return on investment, and the nett profit increases with higher milk price payouts.

This is mainly because a CIDR® program advances the conception date of non-cyclers by 10-16 days, meaning they calve earlier next season, delivering a benefit between $80-$128/ cow before treatment and feed costs.

Non-cyclers are best prevented by proactive management of body condition, feed, calving spread and other factors that impact fertility.

However, those changes need to be made well

Zoetis New Zealand Limited. Tel: 0800 ZOETIS (963 847). CIDR is a registered trademark of InterAg. ACVM No. A4559.

in advance of mating start date, and some of those factors are difficult to control every year.

When you need to treat non-cyclers, evidence shows that CIDR® treatment of non-cyclers before the planned start of mating is the most cost effective option. CIDR® treatment buys you 10-16 days extra milk for next season, improves calving spread and is cost effective even in a low pay-out year. Talk to your vet early about planning your repro programme for this season.

For more information download the CIDR® Return on Investment Calculator from the App Store or Google Play to see what this means for your farm.

DAIRY NEWS SEPTEMBER 11, 2018

WORLD // 17

Oz in 2030?

■■

■■

■■

2020 before the industry remade its future, intensifying and digging deeper for productivity as the land area in dairy shrank. That made it even more exposed to volatility but output has grown slowly.

European governments cracked down on the impact on the environment using some novel devices. Well-reported pressures on the Dutch industry in the previous decade took years of adjustment, but governments in other regions face ongoing vigilance by their communities to reduce dairy’s footprint. The CAP remains but is purely about innovative environmental management.

Large-scale, highly productive US farms steadily grew in the face of similar pressures to run strictly closed systems. Smaller family units continud to exit dairy at more than 2000 per year.

The US has become the biggest exporter of milk solids, but delays in innovating and the damage to relationships in the turbulent Trump era took time to fix.

600 million middleclass consumers in the Asean-6 nations now drive strong import demand, while household incomes in China are still growing 8% per annum as a result of the drift to cities and to better jobs. Large supermarkets and fast food chains continue to roll out, putting a wider range of

■■

■■

■■

■■

■■

■■

dairy foods in front of a larger number of people.

Russia came back to the global market after Putin’s protracted demise and a more accommodating approach ensued.

Dairy drinks and foods have weathered tougher competition from synthetic alternatives and substitutes as ‘flexitarian’ consumers seek diversity in their delivered, dial-up diets but a small segment remain highly sensitive to the use of any animals in food production.

GMOs and synthetic dairy lookalikes are mainstream for a growing segment of the market after the nutjuice fad was seen off by a well-managed campaign funded by the dairy sector highlighting the ludicrous amounts of water used in growing almonds, peas, macadamias and other nuts.

Milk value kept climbing despite each new niche and product differentiation quickly becoming ‘commodity’. The commodity value of milk trended past $9/kgMS this year, but wild gyrations in annual milk prices haven’t gone away as weather kept causing fluctuations in milk supply.

As a result, at least half of the dairy farmers in Australia use milk price hedging tools linked to downstream customers to protect and smooth out the effects on their gross incomes.

The Australian dairy

sector remains a niche player, importing commodities but exporting high-value consumer goods into small highend markets.

Sounds fun. Who’s up for it?

• Steve Spencer is a director of Australian food consultancy Freshagenda.

Drought is affecting milk production in Australia and Europe.

You can’t control the weather.

But you can control the weeds.

Bad weather, busy schedules and other unforeseen issues can delay spraying. And in farming, delays are always stressful.

Alleviate the pressure with Adama’s fodder beet programme. Designed to be as flexible as it is safe, it offers a range of solutions for a wide spectrum of weeds, growth stage and weed pressure.

Thanks to GOLTIX®, GOLTIX UNO, ETHOSAT® and RIFLE® you’ll be able to adjust your approach as and when you need to, staying on top of weeds regardless of what else is going on.

Take control! Specify Adama when purchasing your fodder beet products.

HC AGR0229_DN

Supermarkets are putting a wider range of dairy products before more consumers.

harveycameron.nz AGR0152

Simply. Grow. Together. www.adama.com Registered pursuant to the ACVM Act 1997 No. P7241, P8475, P8582, P8169. See www.foodsafety.govt.nz for registration conditions. Approved pursuant to the HSNO Act 1996. Approval numbers HSR000535, HSR100598, HSR100751, HSR000826. See www.epa.govt.nz for approval controls. Adama, Goltix, Ethosat and Rifle are registered trademarks of an Adama Group Company.

DAIRY NEWS SEPTEMBER 11, 2018

18 // OPINION RUMINATING

EDITORIAL

A jolly fine read

MILKING IT...

Timely telling of Trade, not aid our story US PRESIDENT Donald FISH AND Game NZ’s continuing attacks on water quality on farms prompted a Southland farmer to take to Twitter.

“Trees to plant -$2464; digger -- $2352; creating a wetland with and for future generations $priceless; but then being told by Fish and Game that farmers don’t do anything...?” tweeted Dean Rabbidge.

He showed photos of a digger creating a wetland and listed the types of trees to be planted and their cost.

This is exactly what the industry needs: farmers showing their good work for Kiwis and all to see.

Trump’s trade tiff with China has hit American farmers in the pocket as China’s retaliatory tariffs on US exports start to bite.

Soybean farmers are the hardest-hit. China usually buys 60% of US soybean exports, but Reuters reports China is largely out of the market since it implemented tariffs in retaliation for Trump’s tariffs on Chinese goods.

The result? The US Department of Agriculture has announced a US$12 billion aid package for all farmers, with $4.7b of it in direct payments to offset losses in the trade war. US$3.6b will go to soybean farmers. Republicans who favour free trade are dour about the welfare.

The Illinois Soybean Growers vice-chairman Doug Schroeder told Reuters, “Short-term aid does not create long-term stability.

Producers need trade, not aid.”

Fake milk ALMOND MILK, if we can call it milk, is being touted as the next-best thing to cow milk. But a closer look at almond milk cartons reveal that many bigcompany almond milks contain only have a small handful of almond-derived liquid.

Almonds are good for protein, fibre (when the skin is left on), healthy fats, vitamin A, manganese and magnesium. But you need enough of them to make a difference.

A standard serving of whole nuts in the US, the home of almonds, is regarded as 23 nuts. No-one is going to get anything like that in a glass of almond milk.

Aussie farmers cry help DROUGHT-STRICKEN DAIRY farmers in Australia are turning to consumers for support.

The Queensland Dairy Farmers’ Organisation is calling on Australians to support an A10 cent/L milk levy to help farmers struggling with the drought and skyrocketing fodder costs.

At least 21,000 people have signed a petition so far, declaring their support.

The farmers hope strong consumer support will pressure the Australian supermarket duopoly -- Coles and Woolworths -- to raise the price of milk to A$1.10/L and pass the extra 10c back to farmers via the processors.

Wouldn’t it be easier for processors to return an extra 10c to farmers and then claw back the money from the supermarkets? Or are the two supermarket chains too powerful for the processors, including Fonterra?

NO ONE could ever accuse the Productivity Commission of not being productive. A 624-page report is a serious piece of work and if its 78 recommendations were adopted by the Government it would set New Zealand on the road to being a net zero emissions nation by 2050 -- an admirable goal.

So the report should not be seen as another lump of legislation in the making, but rather as suggesting policies and actions that hopefully would benefit the economy, in particular the goal of selling more value add primary products to discerning consumers.

Food provenance is growing in importance for NZ, making it necessary -- not optional -- that we develop and adopt genuinely sustainable means of producing our agricultural products. NZ embracing a credible emissions trading scheme will be another part of the story our marketers must be able to tell consumers; this message will resonate with many of them.

Reading the report is not for the faint-hearted, the scientifically illiterate or people with a limited attention span. Even turning over 624 pages, plus some summary documents and a media release, is a challenge in itself.

The report is well laid out, has lots of graphics and its content is clearly expressed. Scientists and policy wonks will be as excited in reading this as are the folks who can’t wait to get their hands on daily newspapers and weekly magazines.

And here is real substance that will lead to positive action.

The report could do with a laypersons’ guide to its content; that would help get its message out to farmers and others.

As it is, there’s a risk that different groups or individuals will produce their own synopses, with potential for misinterpretation and error.

Never mind; scientists and policy wonks and all those folks in the street (and insomniacs) – should get their copy now.

GOT SOMETHING ON YOUR MIND? GOT SOMETHING on your mind about the latest issues affecting our dairy industry? Put your pen to paper or your fingers to your keyboard, and let our readers know what you think.

Contact us by either post or email. Don’t forget to put your name and address. Note: Letters may be edited.

POST TO: LETTER TO THE EDITOR PO BOX 331100, TAKAPUNA, AUCKLAND 0740 OR EMAIL: dairynews@ruralnews.co.nz

Head Office: Top Floor, 29 Northcroft St, Takapuna, Auckland 0622 Phone 09-307 0399. Fax 09-307 0122 Postal Address: Published by: Printed by: Contacts: Advertising material: Rural News on-line: Subscriptions:

PO Box 331100, Takapuna, Auckland 0740 Rural News Group PMP Print Editorial: sudeshk@ruralnews.co.nz davef@ruralnews.co.nz www.ruralnews.co.nz subsrndn@ruralnews.co.nz

ABC audited circulation 27,023 as at 31/03/2018

ISSN 1175-463X

Publisher: General Manager: Editor: Sub Editor: Machinery Editor: Reporters:

Brian Hight ...................... Ph 09-307 0399 Adam Fricker ................... Ph 09-913 9632 Sudesh Kissun ................ Ph 09-913 9627 Neil Keating .................... Ph 09-913 9628 Mark Daniel...................... Ph 07-824 1190 Peter Burke....................... Ph 06-362 6319 Pamela Tipa ..................... Ph 021-842 220 Nigel Malthus .............. Ph 021-164 4258 Subscriptions: Julie Beech ...................... Ph 09-307 0399 Production: Dave Ferguson ............... Ph 09-913 9633 Becky Williams ................ Ph 09-913 9634 Digital Strategist: Jessica Wilson ................. Ph 09-913 9621

Dairy News is published by Rural News Group Limited. All editorial copy and photographs are subject to copyright and may not be reproduced without prior written permission of the publisher. Opinions or comments expressed within this publication are not necessarily those of the staff, management or directors of Rural News Group Limited.

NATIONAL SALES MANAGER: Stephen Pollard...................Ph 09-913 9637, 021-963 166 stephenp@ruralnews.co.nz WAIKATO: Ted Darley ............................Ph 07-854 6292, 021-832 505 ted@ruralnews.co.nz WELLINGTON: Ron Mackay .........................Ph 04-234 6239, 021-453 914 ronm@ruralnews.co.nz SOUTH ISLAND: Kaye Sutherland .............. Ph 03-337 3828, 021-221 1994 kayes@ruralnews.co.nz

DAIRY NEWS SEPTEMBER 11, 2018

OPINION // 19

Are your cows lying down enough?

HELEN THODAY

WE ALL know how important it is to

get eight hours sleep, and while cows have different sleep patterns from us, they do need to spend a similar amount of time lying down.

But wet weather like we’ve been experiencing in some parts of the country can make lying down understandably less appealing.

For those of you using stand-off pads to protect your pasture, DairyNZ and AgResearch developed a simple test you can do with your gumboots and an online calculator to identify when it’s getting too damp and requires maintenance.

Research has found that when the moisture content of a stand-off pad’s surface reaches 75%, cows will stop lying down.

The Stand-off pad gumboot test and Tipping point calculator are both available on the DairyNZ website.

We tested the tools with farmers to ensure they made the grade. North Waikato farmer Phillip Buckthought and his contract milkers Brett and Bridget Dewar were among those to

trial them.

Phillip, who has three stand-off pads on his Paeroa farm, tested the Tipping point calculator.

“It gives a really good idea of when you need to top your pad up with fresh wood chip,” he says.

“We have found post peel by far the best option, and it’s very important to scratch up when spreading it. As the old saying goes, ‘attention to detail’ is vital.”

Brett, Bridget and their staff trialed the gumboot test. Bridget went on the pads every day, and staff members once a week, to check with their gumboots how slushy or dry the pads were.

“The gumboot test gave us an earlier indication of whether we needed to give a stand-off pad a rest for a couple of days or a few weeks.

“With the new information we rested one pad for a couple of days whereas before we would have kept using it. Doing it this way is better for the cows because they lie down more on the stand-off pad and less in the paddock – which is what you want,” Bridget says.

As part of the trial, they monitored

Phillip Buckthought and Bridget Dewar on one of their stand off pads. Inset: Helen Thoday.

for a week how long the cows lay down on the stand-off pads and in the field.

The cows were on the pads from 3pm to 9am and on pasture for six hours.

“We learnt you have to watch the cows when they go out to the paddock.

If they lie down it means they’re not resting on the pad enough.

“They should be eating when they’re in the paddock not lying down,” Bridget says.

“The gumboot test should be stan-

dard practice. It’s brilliant.”

For more information on managing stand-off pads, visit dairynz/standoff-pads.

• Helen Thoday is DairyNZ animal care team manager.

$16,495 INCLUDES ROOF + WIPER READY GLASS SCREEN

44 HP

ON DEMAND TRUE ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE (AWD)

VERSATRAC TURF MODE

IRS WITH 25.4CM OF TRAVEL

DUMP BOX CAPACITY - 227KG TOWING CAPACITY 680KG

SEAT BELT INTERLOCK

SPEED KEY READY

ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING

ENGINE BRAKING SYSTEM & ACTIVE DESCENT CONTROL (ADC)

HEAVY DUTY FEATURES

1/3

UPFRONT

1/3

IN 12 MONTHS

1/3

IN 24 MONTHS

4.99% P.A. OVER 24 MONTHS

Offers end 31/12/18 or while stocks last. Not valid with any other offer. Offers only available at participating Polaris Dealers. Finance is subject to credit approval, fees, terms and conditions apply. Based on a 24 month Finance Contract. Available on Polaris Ranger, ATV, ACE and General models only. Finance is offered by Gilrose Finance Company Limited and De Lage Landen Pty Limited.

DAIRY NEWS SEPTEMBER 11, 2018

20 // AGRIBUSINESS

Onfarm processing now a reality SUDESH KISSUN sudeshk@ruralnews.co.nz

A DUTCH farm can now process and sell its own milk to consumers, thanks to a Lely Orbiter.

Global dairy automation company Lely last week launched the Lely Orbiter, which draws milk from Lely milking robots, cools it and bottles it for consumption.

The Orbiter has been working on the Dobbelhoeve farm in Udenhout, the Netherlands for the last eight months.

From this week, the Dobbelhoeve farm and Lely are introducing a

novel milk product for consumers in the Netherlands: Mijn Melk.

Mijn Melk, processed by the Lely Orbiter, offers consumers a milk whose taste is traceable to specific cow families.

Dutch consumers can buy Mijn Milk from supermarkets this week.

Lely says it partnered with VME Engineering (part of the Niras group) to develop the Orbiter.

The company plans in the coming year to install a few Orbiter systems to assess direct processing in combination with robotic milking The Orbiter automatic milk processor works 24/7

Lely hopes its Orbiter will become a feature of robotic farms around the world.

and achieves high food safety standards.

Lely says the system processes milk directly from the milking robots to the bottle. The Orbiter concept offers new oppor-

tunities for farmers to market their own milk, support their sustainable future and to meet the demands of increasingly discerning consumers.

Lely chief executive

Alexander van der Lely says the new system will offer farmers a smart way to produce fair, direct, and pure dairy products and to increase the value of their milk.

HOOK A REEL TYRE DEAL Free rod and reel set when you buy 2 or more selected Bridgestone or Firestone radial tractor tyres.* Buy 2 tyres and get a Shimano Baitrunner 4000 OC Combo rod and reel.

Valued at $249.99.*

“This onfarm dairy processor matches the high quality standards of large industrial-scale processors.

“The quality and taste of milk are safeguarded, because direct onfarm processing is much faster and offers a shorter route from cow to consumer.

“This system can process the milk of small batches of cows separately, offering the farmer flexibility and efficiency.

Consumers will be able to trace the dairy products back to individual cow family level.”

The company’s aim is for farmers to increase their milk income, increase revenue from milk by adding more

value, shorten the route to the consumer and choose to market the milk themselves.

The Orbiter system will get milk directly from two to four Lely Astronaut milking robots and has been especially designed to handle a low flow of milk. This enables the system to start processing the milk fast, directly after milking, by cooling it down to 4 degrees Celsius.

The continuously automated plant ensures a large capacity. The closed set-up of the system, and its few processing steps and little time between milking and processing, guarantees milk quality and food safety, Lely says.

PUREST FORM Buy 4 tyres and get a Shimano Baitrunner 12000 D Combo rod and reel.

Valued at $349.99.*

Visit your nearest store bridgestonetyres.co.nz/stores or bridgestonetyres.co.nz/reeldeal for more information. *Products include Performer 70, Performer 85, MaxiTraction, and VT Tractor.

Promotion available from September 1 to October 31st. Terms and conditions apply. See website for details.

THE ORBITER system enables different taste experiences for consumers by offering dairy products in their purest form, says Lely.

The taste and ingredients of milk will vary according to cow breed, lactation phase, diet, the changing seasons and the choices made in processing.

With the Orbiter, the farmer chooses to process milk from any selected group of cows, with the end product and consumer in mind.

Fewer steps from farm to consumer assure freshness and pure taste, Lely says.

RUGBY WORLD CUP 2019™ • Starters Tour – RWC Opening Ceremony & match, New Zealand v South Africa, Ireland v Scotland • Quarter-finals to the final – Hosted Tours and No Frills Packages • Semi-finals to the final – Hosted Tours and No Frills Packages • Build your own tour, flexible options and more!

Call us today at 04 891 1026 to discuss everything Rugby World Cup™ and Japan related or visit www.bcdsport.co.nz/rwc2019 for full details and to book online!

TM © Rugby World Cup Limited 2015. All rights reserved.

DAIRY NEWS SEPTEMBER 11, 2018

AGRIBUSINESS // 21

First woman head for NZ Young Farmers AGRIBUSINESS LEADER Lynda Copper-

smith has been appointed the first woman chief executive of NZ Young Farmers, from October 1.

Coppersmith (48) is currently a senior account manager with the accounting software company MYOB in Christchurch.

“The more woman chief executives we have the better; diversity is important,” she says.

“If the primary industries are to meet growth targets, they must connect with young women.”

“I’m hoping my appointment and having Ash-Leigh chairing our board will send a positive signal to women about our sector,” she says.

She has spent the past

six years in management positions at MYOB. Prior to that she worked for DairyNZ, was a business development manager for LIC and an area manager for Fonterra in Timaru.

“Lynda has great relationship building skills, excellent business acumen and experience dealing with grassroots farmer issues,” said NZ Young Farmers board chair AshLeigh Campbell.

“That will stand her in good stead working with our membership and the organisation’s other key stakeholders.”

Coppersmith is married with two teenage children. Her daughter Sophie attends Christchurch Girls’ High School and has friends in the school’s TeenAg club

which is run by NZ Young Farmers.

Outside of work, Coppersmith likes to travel and study.

“We’ve spent a bit of time travelling through

Southeast Asia and we’ve lived in Australia,” she says.

Coppersmith is completing an MBA through the University of Canterbury.

NZYF chief executive Lynda Coppersmith.

Change is in the ear!

COUNCIL CALLS FOR ENTRIES

SOURCING MAIZE GENETICS FROM MORE INTERNATIONAL COMPANIES THAN ANYONE ELSE IN NZ

NOMINATIONS ARE open for the 2018 Fonterra

Change is a great thing.

It gives you options. But to make a change, you need reasons. So why Corson Maize?

The answer is that we have more reasons than ever before. We’ve made some changes and now provide maize genetics from more international companies than anyone else in NZ. Whether you grow maize for silage or for grain we have the hybrid choice for you. We’re a nationwide team and we’re passionate about delivering you an outstanding range of hybrids; one that now includes hybrids from Pacific Seeds.

So if you haven’t already experienced Corson Maize hybrids, why not make a change?

FREE WINTER FEED SEED BUY 10 BAGS OF CORSON MAIZE SEED & 1 BAG OF WINTER STAR II & GET 1 BAG OF WINTER STAR II FREE*

A TEAM THAT LIVES AND BREATHES MAIZE

MULTI-YEAR INDEPENDENT MAIZE PERFORMANCE TRIAL SUCCESS

HYBRIDS NOW AVAILABLE THROUGH CORSON MAIZE

* Up to a maximum of 10 free bags. Terms and conditions apply. Ask in store or visit corsonmaize.co.nz for details.

PWS 1890

shareholders council elections.

This year elections are being held for shareholder councillors in 10 wards.

Seven of the 10 retiring directors have offered themselves up for re-election. However, three councillors -- Kevin Monks, Waipa; Jessie Chan-Dorman, Central Canterbury; and Ivan Lines, western Southland are retiring from the council.

Nominations for all wards close at midday on Thursday, September 20.

The council has 25 councillors -- all Fonterra farmers elected in 25 wards nationwide.

Acting like a cornerstone shareholder, the council’s functions include the guardianship of the co-operative principles and being a soundingboard for the co-op’s board on matters that impact on farming businesses; monitoring and reporting on the performance of the co-op against specified targets and its strategy; and representing the collective views of farmer shareholders to the board and ensuring we have an informed and connected farmer base.

Nominations are also being called for two positions on the directors’ remuneration committee; sitting members David Gasquoine and Stephen Silcock are retiring by rotation and have offered themselves for re-election.

Candidates must satisfy eligibility requirements in order to be elected, and further procedural requirements are specified in the election rules.

Nomination papers and candidate handbooks will be available by phoning the election helpline on free phone 0800 666 034 or emailing iro@electionz.com

Contact your rural retailer or a Corson Maize Agronomist on 0800 4 MAIZE (62493) or visit www.corsonmaize.co.nz

DAIRY NEWS SEPTEMBER 11, 2018

22 // MANAGEMENT

Gore’s nutrition plant starts NIGEL MALTHUS

AFTER EIGHT years

hard work, Mataura Valley Milk’s new $240 million nutrition plant at McNab, near Gore, has begun production on schedule, accepting its first milk from its farmer suppliers

on August 20.

The plant opened with general manager Bernard May and founding director Ian Tulloch partnering in a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Tulloch said it was satisfying to see the plant open after eight years of hard work by a lot of

people.

“It’s having a big impact on the district. It’s exciting times.”

MVM’s major shareholder, the China Animal Husbandry Group (CAHG), have been good partners in the project, Tulloch said.

A group of local busi-

nessmen and farmers including Tulloch, a former district mayor (also known as ‘Inky’ to generations of motor-racing fans), had worked for several years to set up a locally based milk processor; then the project took flight with major CAHG investment in 2016.

Staff at the official opening of the Mataura Valley Milk plant.

LONGER LASTING PROTECTION WITH CYDECTIN

®

35

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

INCREASE IN PRODUCTION With parasites controlled for longer, farmers can rely on Cydectin Pour-On to increase milk production.

0

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

The plant was designed as the first in Australasia to be certified to USFDA standards.

It is expected to process about 500,000L of whole milk a day, producing about 30,000 tonnes of infant formula a year at full capacity, with 80-85% exported. It will have about 65 full-time employees.

China Animal Husbandry Group is among the largest of China’s SOEs in the agriculture sector. Hamilton-based BODCO, itself partly owned by CAHG, also has a small shareholding in Mataura Valley Milk, and will handle the canning of some of MVM’s product.

Bernard May thanked the people who have contributed to the company’s vision taking another step towards reality.

“It’s a proud day for our team and everyone involved in developing what we believe will be the world’s best nutrition business,” he said.

“We’re very happy with the spread of suppliers and their proximity to the nutrition plant.”

Phill, Alet and Jimmy Gerritsen, who farm in the nearby Waikaka Valley, said being shareholder suppliers to MVM felt like being part of a family.

“We work hard to produce the best pos-

sible product and to be fairly rewarded for that is important,” Jimmy said.

“Obviously for Gore as well there’s a lot of people coming in and a lot of money being spent here,” Alet said.

Rosie and Malcolm McIntosh, who also farm in the Waikaka Valley, said they were delighted to be supplying their milk to a high-value processing plant.

“We did a fair bit of homework and looked at the plant, and that it was going to be at the high end of the nutritional formula market.

They wanted good milk and we have good milk, so it made sense,” Malcolm said.

They saw MVM employing the best people and implementing the best technology and processes and knew their milk would be in good hands.

Demand for quality nutrition worldwide is growing fast and NZ is in an excellent position to produce and export high quality nutritional products, he said.

May said MVM has been dealing with significant international nutritional customers from the start and will be producing product from day one.

“We’re delivering what we said we would and customers are on board.”

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

CALCULATE YOUR POTENTIAL RETURNS USING CYDECTIN POUR-ON AT WWW.CYDECTIN.CO.NZ Zoetis New Zealand Limited. Tel: 0800 963 847; www.zoetis.co.nz. CYDECTIN is a registered trade mark of Zoetis Inc or its subsidiaries. ACVM No. A6203.

Waikaka Valley farmers Jimmy, Alet and Phill Gerristen, who supply Mataura Valley.

DAIRY NEWS SEPTEMBER 11, 2018

MANAGEMENT // 23

New fat index prompts fresh look at profits Kg MS/ha KIM ROBINSON

Profit $/ha

15/16

16/17

17/18

15/16

16/17

17/18

A NEW three year trial

Grass only farm

870

965

893

787

2761

2470

by the Northland Dairy Development Trust (NDDT) is looking at options for farmers to manage the fat evaluation index (FEI) in a variable climate.

It follows a recently completed imported feed trial at the Northland Agricultural Research

Cropping farm

1049

1053

887

433

2300

1928

PKE farm

1028

1118

1128

733

2887

3224

only farmlet and cropping farmlet) with a third farmlet importing PKE to fill feed deficits (PKE farmlet).

Production and profit were measured on each of the 28ha farmlets and during the first two seasons the pasture only farmlet matched the PKE farmlet for profit despite lower production. However a wet spring in the third year had a huge impact and the pasture only farmlet finished the season with much lower production and profit than the PKE farmlet.

Farm (NARF) in Dargaville. This looked at how farmers could reduce their reliance on imported feed by comparing two farmlets using only homegrown feed (pasture

FEI Index THE FAT Evaluation Index has been developed by Fonterra to monitor the likely effect of PKE feeding on the composition and manufacturing properties of milkfat produced on farm. Farmers receive an FEI classification for each consignment of milk, based on a rolling six day average screening test. If this result is over a certain threshold, the milk will be tested via a more accurate method and demerit grades may be applied.

The cropping farmlet struggled, needing 20-25% of the farm in crops (maize, turnips and fodder beet) and had the lowest profit in all three years, highlighting the cost of losing ground to growing crops on the milking platform.

The table above shows the milksolids production and profit for each of the farmlets.These results confirmed that inputs of PKE can be very profitable during short periods of feed deficit. Strict decision rules are followed to get high responses to the supplement (over 100g MS/kg DM of PKE).

Cows on the grass-only farm.

The introduction of a fat evaluation index (FEI) this season by Fonterra is likely to restrict PKE feeding, and farmers are considering either cutting PKE out of their systems or feeding more expensive supplements during times of high demand.

The new NARF trial looks at the profitability of these strategies under another three-farmlet comparison.

The 84ha farm has been randomly split again into three 28ha farmlets of similar soils and pas-

tures. The pasture only farm has 2.7c/ha and can only feed pasture silage made on farm. The PKE only farm has 3.1c/ha and can feed PKE to fill deficits as long as FEI is acceptable. The PKE plus farm also has 3.1c/ha but can buy other supplements to add to the PKE if FEI levels are limiting.

The pasture only and PKE only farms will test other options and impacts of managing feed supply shortages such as OAD milking, early culling, drying off, etc. The PKE

plus farm will compare using other imported supplements such as soya hulls or DDG to fill feed gaps. The system trial allows all costs to be captured and the extra labour and capital requirements of each system will be included in the analysis.

For more details or to follow the regular trial updates go to www.nddt. nz or follow NDDT on Facebook.

• Kim Robinson is Northland Dairy Development Trust coordinator and farm consultant.

Environment, animal welfare and profit...have it all! performance ✓ Environmental Utilising on/off grazing can lead to reduced soil pugging and compaction, decreased N leaching and a reduction in overgrazing

Animal welfare

animals with a shelter choice limits the impact of heat, cold and ✓ Providing rain & improves calving survival rates.

Profit

✓ See the new and improved design. More loafing space, increased effluent storage and a stronger roof. Ask the farmer why they picked HerdHomes® shelters and see for yourself how it is working out.

0800 HERDHOMES (0800 437 346) www.herdhomes.co.nz

Farmers are growing more grass and utilising supplementary feeds far more efficiently when fully using a HerdHomes Shelter—this is leading to higher productivity and profit.

Autumn / Winter HerdHomes® shelters users throughout New Zealand continue to talk to us about the benefits they get throughout the autumn and winter. It allows for users to manage pasture residuals and round lengths with ease.

Drying off is based on calving date as all stock are wintered at home where putting on a condition score is simple

NZ Patent Numbers: 521150, 544190, 550635, 545042. Further patents pending. International Patent Numbers: 2003267874, 03748807.9. Further patents pending

DAIRY NEWS SEPTEMBER 11, 2018

24 // MANAGEMENT

Are your c PAM TIPA pamelat@ruralnews.co.nz

IF FARMERS feel winter

hasn’t gone as well as it could have and sometimes the cows were in deep mud, then now is a good time to review

DairyNZ is urging farmers to come to them for winter crop management tips.

THE NAIT ACT HAS CHANGED WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW You may have heard some changes have been made to the NAIT Act. The changes fix some shortcomings in the old law – some of which became apparent during the Mycoplasma bovis response. Remembering, the NAIT online system is used for tracing the movement of animals in the event of a food safety or disease incident.

We want to be clear about some of the main changes: BEFORE THE CHANGES

NOW

Is NAIT important for tracing the spread of cattle diseases like Mycoplasma bovis?

Yes

Yes

Is it important for responding to possible future diseases like Foot and Mouth Disease?

Yes

Yes

Can NAIT officers enter a farm to check NAIT compliance?

Yes

Yes

Do NAIT officers have to identify themselves?

Yes

Yes

Do NAIT officers need to let you know before they come onto your property?

Yes

Yes

Can officers search a farmer’s house or any other living quarters on the farm without a search warrant?

No

No

Is it clear what evidence they can collect (for example copies of an ASD form, or photos of animals without NAIT tags)?

No

Yes

Is it an offence to move cattle to a NAIT registered location and not record the movement?

Yes

Yes

Is it an offence to move cattle to a non-NAIT registered location and not record the movement?

No

Yes

Remember - anyone in charge of cattle or deer must comply

MPB0056

with their NAIT obligations and keep their animal movement records up to date. The rules apply whether you have one animal or 1000.

For more information visit www.mpi.govt.nz/NAIT

their wintering plans, says DairyNZ animal care team leader Helen Thoday.

September is when contractors will come out and drill for the next year, Thoday told Dairy News.

“If your contractor is about to come out, have a chat to your DairyNZ consultant or your vet.

Maybe think about which paddock you are going to drill. There might be a better one with better soil types and better shelter,” she advises.

DairyNZ’s website or consultants are good for information on management of winter cropping, she says. Farmers would once have gone to their seed companies or agronomy groups for such information on how to grow crops.

“It would be great if farmers could consider us for the management of the crop. We would be keen for farmers to come to us for that information.”

Thoday says farmers may not believe DairyNZ has this knowledge because it may not be their source of information on growing the crop.

Not so.

“We have a Cows on Crop section online.”

She says DairyNZ has for years shared information on how to manage dairy cows and young stocks on crops. It knows most farmers get DairyNZ’s messages and have animal care at the heart of their businesses.

“We feel these excessive mud situations are not the norm... that there can be too much mud, and no farmers want this.

Having the understanding of how to resolve it is where we can help.”

DairyNZ’s information is based on extensive research in Southland.

“We have information and advice on our website that all dairy farmers are encouraged to access to help alleviate concerns about cows in mud.

“Putting cows on crops over winter is a longstanding practice for providing high energy feed to all livestock over winter -not just dairy cows.

“Deer, sheep, the beef sector and the dairy sector all utilise cropping as a winter feed source when grass growth is slow, or in the South Island when it doesn’t grow at all over winter.

“We all understand and want animals living outdoors to express their natural behaviour but there are challenges to livestock being outdoors over winter.... We know weather changes daily and in some parts of New Zealand it feels like you can get four seasons in one day.

“The soil type and topography of the paddocks the cattle are on also changes as the cattle move across them. When the weather and soil type come together to give a mud risk – i.e. heavier soils, wetter areas with

CONSUMERS ALSO HAVE A SAY PEOPLE OVERSEAS have a growing interest in the practices behind their food, says Thoday.

“I don’t think New Zealand is being singled out and I don’t think the NZ dairy industry is being singled out,” she says.

“I think this is a genuine passion. We are all interested in where our food comes from and the practices that the food producers operate under are the best they can be and that someone is looking out and checking that those practices are good.

“In the modern world, the public and advocacy groups and governments also have a part to play in upholding the rules and regulations.

It’s not just the rules and regulations now, it is the public and groups that advocate for what they are passionate about.

“I don’t think NZ is any different from anywhere else in that respect in the western world.”

DAIRY NEWS SEPTEMBER 11, 2018

MANAGEMENT // 25

cows in deep mud?

“Putting cows on crops over winter is a long-standing practice for providing high energy feed to all livestock over winter – not just dairy cows.” else to lie other then in deep mud.

“Cows love lying down, it is a big driver for them more than any other type of livestock. It is important farmers offer them somewhere dry and comfortable to lie. And wet conditions cause their hooves to get soft, making them more prone to lameness.

“Also the mud will be cold and wet and we all want to avoid that because if it gets on the main part of their body they will get a bit colder when the weather turns.

Just as when our mothers told us to dry our hair before we went outside or we would catch a cold, so we want animals to be as dry as possible.

“Farmers who have thought this through -- ‘is there anywhere I can take them?’ – are probably on farms that have some offpaddock facility, whether that is a barn or a standoff pad. That is the reality for some farmers.

“Some farmers’ cattle will go somewhere else for winter because the farm is too wet. They go off to the grazier.”

The solution to more profit is right under your feet.

Investing in a new Tru-Test plate meter has given Otorohanga dairy farmer Carl Watkins an accurate tool to assist his grazing management.

Carl is contract milking 450 cows in a family operation and recently bringing two farms together, building a new cow shed and implementing new systems meant he was looking for a way to gather information about pasture covers and feed wedges, and make the right decisions.

“It means I can be as strategic as possible in feed allocation and use that information in feed budgets and forecasting how we are tracking, to stick to our spring rotation plan.”

Carl purchased a Tru-Test EC-09 Plate Meter about a month ago and has already completed two fortnightly farm walks using his new tool. “It’s certainly given me growth rates. I’m trying to keep covers around 2400 heading into calving, so it’s already proving its weight in gold.”

The plate meter means Carl can make decisions about where cows are heading next and feed allocation in terms of dry matter and square meters. Using information collected, he is able to predict average growth rates.

Find out more at tru-test.com

“All I have to do is concentrate on walking the paddock and read the meter at the end – it’s pretty simple. It’s given me an accurate tool for my grazing management…I have no regrets.”

Like Carl, using a Tru-Test plate meter allows you to accurately measure and monitor how much grass is growing on your farm at all times, and then act decisively.

This simple tool makes the job of measuring and monitoring pasture covers quick and easy – but adds significant value to your bottom line.

Our plate meters enable you to monitor pasture growth, calculate pasture and dry matter. This helps you to create effective feed budgets and make decisions on-farm with confidence.

Know exactly how much feed you have over your whole farm, calculate the necessary cover levels and see ahead of time when you may be running into a feed deficit or surplus.

The ability to clearly see the bigger feed picture on your farm allows you to take action quickly. This means you can make decisions, whether it is offloading stock or buying in feed in a deficit, or taking advantage of an opportunity to purchase and finish extra stock in a surplus.

When wet weather sets in, farmers need to move their stock to a dry area of the farm.

our pasture management software to make feed budgeting quick, easy and accurate.

For those wanting the option to integrate with other farm software, the EC-20 Plate Meter equipped with Bluetooth® is accurate and robust for measuring pasture cover in grass paddocks. Complete with Android App for easy use and data management, the App displays covers and will download paddocks and upload covers to Agrinet and FarmIQ. Created using high quality materials, our plate meters are reliable and adjustable, to suit your preferences.

Talk to your trusted retailer today about the right Tru-Test plate meter for you.

Electronic Bluetooth® Plate Meter

EC-20

There is a tool for every farmer. We offer three plate meter tools, ranging from basic electronic readers to Bluetooth capable models, which include software and tools for accurate grass measurement and management.

Use an electronic plate meter to automatically record readings and calculate pasture cover, combine it with

Got any questions?

Let’s talk 0800 TRU-TEST (878 837)

TRACTA60895_DN

wet weather combined – farmers need to move their cattle to another area of the farm that is dry. Then the cows have a dry lying area and shelter as well.

“That is what farmers should do if the weather is against them, particularly in an area of a paddock that could end up excessively muddy.”

There are two parts to the cows-in-mud story: whether they have had to walk through mud to access their feed and/ or whether they are permanently in deep mud, Thoday says.

“Neither of those is what farmers want so it is important to either offer stock somewhere else to feed where they don’t have to walk through mud or offer them somewhere

DAIRY NEWS SEPTEMBER 11, 2018

26 // ANIMAL HEALTH

Decoding your milk urea SEVERAL YEARS

back, milk processors provided new information on Milk Urea Nitrogen (MUN). While some farmers understand the test, the implications of the test and how to manipulate it, there are still many who don’t so here goes.

To understand this, it is important to understand the process of how urea ends up in milk.

The cow ingests feed containing ‘Rumen Degradable Protein’ (RDP) that is broken down by the rumen microbes.

From fermentation of RDP by the rumen bugs two ‘by-products’ are produced ammo-

nia gas and growth of more microbes (protein from feed is incorporated into the microbes and is known as ‘Microbial

Protein’(MCP)). Healthy high producing cows are the result of producing more MCP and less ammonia gas out of their RDP intake.

The relative proportion of ammonia produced versus growth of more microbes depends largely on the availability of energy to microbes in the form of starch and sugar. This is because the rumen microbes need a readily available source of

energy to multiply. This is similar to the supply of raw materials (protein) to a building site (the rumen) and having sufficient wages (energy) to pay the work force (rumen bugs) to build a wall (microbial protein). Insufficient wages (energy) = less active workers (rumen bugs) & more ‘wastage’ (ammonia gas). See figure 1.

Ammonia gas produced in the rumen is

absorbed and transported to the liver and converted into urea. Energy and additional protein is required to do this and can contribute to excessive weight loss seen post calving (similar to the Atkins diet).

Urea is removed by the kidneys and leaves the body as urine. This contributes to ‘leeching’ of nitrogen into the environment.

Urea levels build in

Figure 1

RDP (from diet) ➜(fermentation)➜ ammonia gas + MCP Less amonia gas / more MCP when starch and sugar are plentiful More ammonia gas / less MCP when starch and sugar less available the blood when rate of production exceeds the rate of removal by the kidneys which ultimately ends up in the milk.

Therefore MUN levels rise when RDP increases without adequate increases in starch and sugar; This is often the case when cows grazing areas are increased and starch/ sugars are absent or limited (all grass systems); Often levels exceed 40 mg/dL. MUN tends to be lower when either there is insufficient protein or an abundant supply of starch/sugars in the diet.

In summary, this means MUN can be

This article is brought to you by

PURCHASE 8 X 500MLS OF NEXEPRIN MICROJECT & WE’LL GIVE YOU AN OLEO-MAC GS650 CHAINSAW WITH A 20" BAR*

GREAT CATTLE PARASITE CONTROL NOW COMES IN A REALLY SMALL DOSE...

New Nexeprin MICROJECT... the micro-revolution is here!

• Unique combination of eprinomectin and vitamin E • Low 1ml per 100kg dose rate • Nil milk withholding • Delivers up to 200% more eprinomectin into the blood when compared to eprinomectin pour-on formulations • Short 14 day meat withholding

(RRP $1499)

or GS720

GS650 NEXEPRIN® and MICROJECT™ are registered trademarks of Alleva Animal Health Limited, NEXEPRIN MICROJET™ is registered under the ACVM Act 1997, No. A10854. *Free chainsaws avaiable while stocks last.

manipulated by changing the nutrient profile of the cows’ diet. Being aware of this and making good decisions to balance RDP and sugar/ starch components in the diet will mean more milk, less weight loss and less nitrogen leeching into the environment = win, win, win!

For further advice contact your feed representative, nutritionist or veterinarian.

• Greg Jarratt is a vet and director of Matamata Veterinary Services

PURCHASE 12 X 500MLS OF NEXEPRIN MICROJECT & WE’LL GIVE YOU AN OLEO-MAC GS720 CHAINSAW WITH A 24" BAR* (RRP $1799)

DAIRY NEWS SEPTEMBER 11, 2018

ANIMAL HEALTH // 27

New welfare rules: best to check PAM TIPA pamelat@ruralnews.co.nz

WITH NEW animal welfare regulations coming into effect on October 1, even if you already think you are doing the right thing it’s best to check, says Ministry for Primary Industries director for animal health and welfare, Dr Chris Rodwell.

The 45 new regulations cover a range of species and activities including stock transport and farm husbandry.

“With under a month to go until these new regulations come into effect, we want to encourage people responsible for any type of animal to check they are up to date in how they are looking after them,” says Rodwell.

“Our team has been working with industry and sector groups to raise awareness of the regulations and ensure people understand and can meet their responsibilities.

“Most New Zealanders already care for their animals well, so if you’re already doing the right thing you won’t see a lot of change.

“The majority of the regulations reflect existing standards, but there are a few that set new rules and requirements, such as prohibiting the tail docking of cows and dogs.”

One of the main changes is that the new regulations will make it easier for MPI and the SPCA to take action against animal mistreatment.

“These regulations will allow us to better respond to lower levels of offending and target specific behaviours that need to change.

“For example, if people allow their animal’s horns to become ingrown, they can be fined $500. We will continue to prosecute the worst offenders under the Animal Welfare Act.” In developing the regulations, current science, good practice, and the

views of submitters were taken into consideration.

The main changes pertaining the dairy industry are: Stock transport: stock must be fit for trucking and animals with injured or diseased udders cannot be trucked. This includes a necrotic udder, an udder that has a discharge other than milk, an udder that shows signs of inflammation (such as being red, hot or swollen) and an udder with a lesion that is bleeding or dis-

of traction with a moving vehicle, motorised winch or any other device that does not allow for the quick release of tension for the purposes of calving cows. Fines range from $3000 to $15000.

Castration:w hen castrating or shortening the scrotum of a bull over the age of six months, pain relief must be used (for any method of castration). If high-tension bands are used to castrate an animal, local anaesthetic must be used for pain

New animal welfare regulations come into effect on October 1.

Pain relief is required for dehorning animals of all ages.

charging without a veterinary certificate. This can attract fines from $1500 for an individual to $7500 for a corporate body.

Tail docking: a farmer must not shorten or remove the tail of any cattle beast. A conviction can attract fines from $3000 for an individual to $15,000 for a corporate body. A farmer has a defence to a prosecution if they were required to urgently dock the tail because of an accidental tail injury in order to prevent excessive bleeding or further injury to the beast. Tail docking can also be done under certain circumstances under veterinary supervision with pain relief.

Assisting calving cows: no use

relief at any age (note that high-tension bands are not standard castration rubber rings). There are also restrictions on who can do a castration. Fines range from $3000 to $15000.

Disbudding: pain relief must be authorised by a veterinarian at all ages of an animal (from October 2019). There are restrictions on who can carry out the procedures. Fines from $3000 to $15000.

Dehorning: pain relief authorised by a veterinarian required at all ages (from October 2019). Fines range from $5000 to $25,000 www.mpi.govt.nz/animalregs @dairy_news facebook.com/dairynews

TDC Monensin 150

Increase your cow’s milk protein and all the other benefits that monesin gives for a similar price per cow as bloat oils.

Why wouldn’t you use TDC Monesin 150?

Available in 20, 60 and 100 Lts from selective rural merchants

ASK NOW FOR THE SPECIAL OFFER IN SEPTEMBER OR WHILE STOCKS LAST

BUY 100 Lts GET A 20Lt FREE

The Drench Company Limited Phone

0800 11 88 88

Registered ACVM No. A11280

DAIRY NEWS SEPTEMBER 11, 2018

28 // EFFLUENT & WATER

Fencing waterways offers lots of benefits FENCING WATERWAYS protects fresh-

water from nutrients, effluent and sediment by excluding stock and creating a buffer between water and the land.

Fencing will help to maintain and improve water quality and create a habitat for birds and freshwater species.

Waterway fencing needs to be far enough back to allow for movement/flooding of the waterway.

Start by mapping your waterways and create a fencing plan. Consider the overall layout of your farm; along with protecting waterways, new fencing can improve grazing management and stock control; plan out fence lines and crossing points.

The area between the fence and waterway will slow runoff to ensure as much bacteria, phosphorus and sediment as possible is filtered out before entering the waterway.

Choose your fence setback depending on how you are going to manage the area. There are four main ways to manage your riparian areas as outlined below. All have the benefit of stock exclusion and reducing phosphorous and sediment from entering waterways.

Additional benefits and limitations for each option are listed below to help you decide on the fence setback that will best suit your needs.

With a grass filter strip between fence and waterway, additional benefits are low cost and small loss of grazing land.

However, there are limitations; weed control is required, there is no shading of stream and there is minimal habitat for bird and aquatic life. There is also minimal bank stabilisation without deeper rooted vegetation

With low planting between fence and waterway, there are many benefits: stream bank stability, small loss of grazing land, you can make use of sprays targeted to broadleaf species, it helps control weed growth and there is shade and cover

for fish and insect life.

Limitations are that weed control is required and there is minimal habitat for birdlife.

With full planting between fence and waterway you will have reduced drain maintenance and an attractive asset for your

farm. It provides shade and keeps water cool and there is increased habitat for birds.

But it comes with higher costs, larger loss of grazing land, weed control for at least two to three years.

• Article source: DairyNZ

FENCING IN FLOOD-PRONE AREAS ■■

Use fewer upright posts and less wire; this way less debris will catch on the fence. Do not use netting as it will trap debris.

■■

Fasten wires to the downstream, back side of posts to allow the staples to pop and the wire to drop rather than pulling out the posts and strainers if there’s a flood.

■■

Use unbarbed staples so wires can pop off more easily.

■■

Erect fences parallel with the way the stream floods so the fence does not collect debris.

■■

Set fences further back where active erosion is occurring.

■■

Construct separate ‘blow-out’ sections across flood channels.

SUPA Phone

Built rugged to last for many years

www.alpinepacific.co.nz

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.

Water conservation and reducing effluent waste are major environmental issues impacting on all farming operations. It pays to look at options to keep these to a minimum.

• Regular (1.4m) or Jumbo (2m)

0800 72 72 73

✔ ✔ ✔ ✔

Time Saver: Water Saver: Power Saver: Effort Saver:

Reduces hosing time to a few minutes Save up to two thirds water usage Slashes washdown pumping costs Easy to use, irrespective of shape or size of yard

EASY TO OPERATE

AVAILABLE THROUGH ALL FARM SUPPLY COMPANIES USED BY 1000’S OF NZ FARMERS FOR OVER 20 YEARS!

DAIRY NEWS SEPTEMBER 11, 2018

EFFLUENT & WATER // 29

First the fence, then the planting USING THE right plants and techniques will make the most of riparian planting and give you value for money by getting it right first time.

Planting fenced riparian areas further benefits the environment as plants function like a sieve, helping to filter out sediment and nutrients before they enter waterways.

Riparian plants help prevent land erosion and increase the habitat for native wildlife.

Once you have decided on a fence setback, the next step is deciding what to plant, where and at what spacing.

In the riparian margin between the waterway and fence, there can be

up to three zones of plant types.

Planting the upper and lower banks will improve water quality more than using a grass strip alone.

Download your region’s riparian guide to view the table of riparian plants best suited to your region.

A grass strip at least 1m wide should be left between all fences and waterways to help filter sediment, phosphorus and faecal bacteria from runoff before it reaches the water. The grass strip will also prevent plants from tripping electric wires or being grazed if the lower banks will be planted.

The upper bank zone is on higher ground but may

still be partially flooded every couple of years. Use flaxes, grasses, shrubs or trees which provide shade and shelter.

The lower bank zone is prone to flooding so

plants need to be tolerant of waterlogging. Use plants such as sedges and rushes, which are well rooted and can survive many days under water.

• Article: DairyNZ

IT’S ALL ABOUT YOU! YOUR FARM, YOUR FUTURE.

TACKLE WEEDS KEEPING ON top of weeds is crucial in the first five years to establish a healthy riparian area.

The most effective maintenance option is to combine the following protective and active maintenance methods: Surround each plant with at least a 30-40cm diameter biodegradable weed mat, mulch or old wool carpet to suppress weed growth.

Avoid using plain wood chips around the plant as these will strip all the nitrogen out of the soil, causing the plant to yellow off and die.

Stake each plant for easy location and brush-cut, hand weed or carefully spray with a glyphosate-based herbicide twice a year.

If spraying, follow product guidelines; desired plants are usually sensitive to herbicides.

Greg and Carolyn Alexander’s farm, at the base of Mount Taranaki, gets a yearly rainfall of 3193mm. When it came to upgrading their effluent system, typical storage calculations were 1.1 million Litres for their 325 cow farm! When Greg and Carolyn discovered Presco and the Prosump, the Prosump’s deep vertical walls and dished floor immediately reduced that requirement by 156,000 litres. At Presco, we believe in doing something once and doing it right.

Intent on the very best solution, we designed the Prosump cover!

The cover installed on the Alexander’s Prosump reduced original storage requirements by 27% which meant pumping 1,025,000 Litres less per annum that would otherwise have been extra rainfall captured.

S UP E

IO

R Q UA L

Y IT

R

For us at Presco, it’s all about you, your farm and your future. We provide tailored solutions to meet your specific needs be it a cover in high rainfall areas or 3.6m extra deep Prosump walls to reduce the footprint and fit your Prosump into a tight spot. If you are in a difficult spot or just looking for a storage solution that will last you a lifetime, search the Prosump online, or call us on 0800 77 37 26.

INVEST FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS Visit www.prescoinfrastructure.co.nz or call us on 0800 773 726 to book your FREE onsite consultation.

•

Precast panel construction sumps from 58,000 to 8,000,000 litre plus.

•

Can be installed above ground or in ground and on all soil types.

•

150mm thick high-strength reinforced concrete construction.

•

Extra deep design for increased efficiency in storage and stirring.

•

Registered Engineered Design.

•

•

Panel joins feature a unique 3 stage seal.

•

Watertight check and guarantee provided prior to handover.

Systems designed to comply with both Dairy Company and Regional Council requirements and the FDE code of practice.

DAIRY NEWS SEPTEMBER 11, 2018

30 // EFFLUENT & WATER

KEEP STOCK OFF STOPBANKS FARMERS SHOULD be wary

of grazing stock on stopbanks, says Bay of Plenty Regional Council.

Spokeswoman Kirsty Brown says the council manages and maintains 352km of stopbanks to protect people, property and livelihoods.

Wet soil and heavy animals can weaken and damage these flood defence systems.

“During winter it is common sense to keep cattle off the stopbanks as much as possible to prevent the pugging and damage.

“Most farmers and lifestyle block owners know this and manage their stock accordingly, but recent cases of severe damage has occurred on these vital community-owned assets.

“Good grass cover on a stopbank helps to ‘knit together’ the

soil structure underneath, so churned up ground is not just a surface problem, it can cause much greater issues. A weakened area can have a disastrous effect on surrounding properties and potentially the wider community.”

It is an offence to damage stopbanks, and landowners can be held liable for any damage.

Minor offences will bring writ-

ten and verbal warnings; serious offences could bring abatement notices, fines and prosecution.

“Our rivers and drainage staff keep an eye on our stopbanks to ensure farmers are doing the right thing. There is too much at stake to risk flood damage to the properties and surrounding communities,” Brown says. @dairy_news facebook.com/dairynews

Liquid fert applied to leaves prevents leaching NIGEL MALTHUS

WE MAKE THE SOLUTION THIS SIMPLE With Growsmart ® Precision VRI, FieldNET® remote management and Zimmatic® irrigation systems, your Zimmatic dealer will deliver a “single box” irrigation solution – the only fully integrated solution on the market.

Growsmart Precision VRI is the world’s first true variable rate irrigation system, and it’s the most advanced precision irrigation solution available. The fully integrated system, managed through FieldNET, provides unparalleled ease-of-use. And with the support of your Zimmatic dealer backed by Lindsay you can rest assured you’re working with the most experienced precision irrigation specialists globally.

Having one point of contact makes upgrading and maintaining your irrigation system seamless, so you can spend less time in the field, giving you more time for what matters.

CALL YOUR LOCAL ZIMMATIC® DEALER TO MAKE IRRIGATION CHILD’S PLAY! ZIMMATIC, FIELDNET AND GROWSMART ARE REGISTERED TRADEMARKS OF THE LINDSAY CORPORATION. © 2017 LINDSAY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

0800 438 627 growsmartvri.com

FARMERS’ INTEREST in using liquid fertilisers instead of the more mainstream solid granules is hotting up, says John Barnes, general manager of Fertiliser NZ, Richmond, Nelson.

The company specialises in liquid fertilisers for spray application directly to the leaf. Foliar application means fertiliser is absorbed directly, without soil leaching losses, says Barnes.

The market is changing, he says.

“Pick up any newspaper anywhere in the country and you find somebody saying something about environmental issues. We can solve 95% of them without any problem.”

Barnes said he has 25 years experience of the liquid fertiliser industry, running Fertiliser NZ since 2004.

The company manufactures its own products, largely based on fish meal John Barnes, Fertiliser NZ and seaweed. Some seaweed is imported but fish meal can come from “just about any port in NZ,” said Barnes.

It sells NZ-wide from the Richmond office and a branch in Southland, and is exporting to Vietnam.

Barnes said he is not “anti-solids” and the company has some solid fertiliser product. However, solid fertiliser granules go into the ground and must be turned into plant-available material before being absorbed through the roots.

“If it’s sprayed on the leaf, it’s in the leaf within minutes and the plant will be using that tomorrow to grow.

So it’s a short-cut.”

Leaching equals loss, says Barnes.

“You can put on one-third of what you would normally put on the ground and get the same result. Leaching means you’re losing something and if you put it on the leaf you’re losing nothing. It goes into the leaf and it’s used by the plant. It doesn’t touch the ground so you won’t lose it.”

Fertiliser NZ has close links with spraying machine manufacturer Tow And Farm, in whose newsletter Tow and Fert Times Barnes recently wrote that pressure is growing from the public and the Government to clean up waterways.

While the public focus is on ‘dirty dairying’, the real change will come in nutrient limits, which is not just a dairying issue, Barnes wrote.

“Yes, there is cost involved, but changing from granular application of fertiliser -- nitrogen specifically -- to applying fertiliser to the leaf of the grass is the obvious thing to do.”

DAIRY NEWS SEPTEMBER 11, 2018

EFFLUENT & WATER // 31

Plant, eat and get the essential oils for the skin DAIRYNZ AND NIWA are jointly looking for riparian plant options that not only benefit the environment, but lend themselves to fodder for stock, food for humans, and even pharmaceutical making.

Thousands of dairy farmers have extensively planted riparian strips to protect and enhance waterways, in line with the Sustainable Dairying: Water Accord, says DairyNZ environment manager Aslan Wright-Stow.

He is urging farmers to keep planting as the researchers search out farm environment and economic and social gains.

those same nutrients “We’re looking at difcan be retained on the ferent types of vegetafarm by practical hartion that farmers can use vesting techniques.” to improve water quality Partly they are and retain a degree of inspired by hill counfarm productivity from try farmers who often riparian areas, which will prune willows or popencourage larger setlars, planted to stabilise backs from waterways,” erosion prone land, to says Wright-Stow. feed their stock during “One part of the drought. study is to quantify the Aslan Wright-Stow, Wright-Stow says performance of tree spe- DairyNZ. productive riparian plantcies to intercept nutrients from greater depths than grasses, or ing for fodder is just one option the other shallow rooting plants, and how research will explore, plus fibre, food

and beverages, pharmaceutical products, essential oils and dyes.

The joint project between DairyNZ and NIWA is the first of its kind in NZ. “This is new territory for NZ. Research overseas has been generally to investigate bioenergy rather than fodder production,” says Wright-Stow.

The project will also look at the best harvesting techniques to cut and carry the vegetation.

“To be effective, harvesting systems must be efficient but not damage the plant or disturb the soil,” says WrightStow.

NIWA aquatic rehabilitation leader

Dr Fleur Matheson says the research agencies and local farmer groups will work together, “essentially to ensure the research gives practical advice that is workable onfarm”.

The three-year project, starting late September, is co-funded by the Sustainable Farming Fund (SFF). It was one of 15 new projects recently added to the 28 already confirmed in the 2017 funding round.

The SFF funds applied research and projects led by farmers, growers or foresters. @dairy_news facebook.com/dairynews

GOOD SYSTEM, RIGHT APPLICATION GOOD EFFLUENT

management combines a well-designed effluent system with processes that ensure the collected effluent is applied to pasture in the right amount at the right time.

Good effluent management saves fertiliser, improves soil condition, prevents animal health issues and supports compliance with council rules or resource consents.

The key to good decisionmaking is understanding the soil water deficit; this is essential to prevent

ponding and run-off and to avoid applying effluent to saturated soils.

Soil water deficit is the amount of water (ie effluent) that can be applied to soil before it reaches field capacity (which refers to the amount of water held in the soil after excess water has drained away). If effluent is added at field capacity it will likely result in ponding, runoff or leaching.

The average dairy cow produces about $25 of nutrients annually as farm

PEACE OF MIND HAVING WELL-DESIGNED and constructed storage facilities will save you time and money. The key is good planning and working with the right people.

The benefits of a well-designed storage system: ■■ Peace of mind ■■

Increased flexibility in irrigating

■■

Effective use of nutrients and water

■■

Reduced risk of effluent non-compliance

■■

Environmental protection.

dairy effluent (FDE). For a 400 cow dairy herd this represents about $10,000 of nutrients annually.

Using these FDE nutrients effectively cuts the fertiliser bill.

The DairyNZ farm

dairy effluent spreading calculator (as an app or Excel spreadsheet) allows farmers to easily calculate nutrient loadings and application rates for dairy effluent based on several customisable inputs. This means that farmers can more precisely manage the application of their effluent nutrients.

Spreading effluent solids requires specialist machinery that suits the type of effluent being spread.

If a contractor is spreading your effluent

EFFLUENT PONDS

(solids or liquids) use the form in the compliance toolkit to maximise communication between farmer and spreading contractor.

Keeping on top of

maintenance tasks for irrigation application equipment is essential for good performance and many farmers like to keep a regular check on their application depths and rates.

Dairy effluent solutions!

The Irrigator everyone wants!

BUILDING PRODUCTS • Roll widths from 3m up • to Rolls uptherefore to 15m wide, 15m, fewer joins, therefore risk therefore fewerless joins, which and faster equals lessinstallation, risk and faster reducing digger hire costs. installation saving you • Design assistance digger hire costs. and volume calculations • available.

Design assistance and volume calculations • Material warranty from aavailable. global company – Building from a • Firestone Material warranty Products. global company – Firestone • Compliant with IPENZ Building Products.

Practice Note 21

• Nationwide Firestone • Nationwide Firestone trained trained and accredited installation contractors. installation contractors.

Futureproof – dependable • • Futureproof – dependable performance, year performance, 5050 year lifelife expectancy even when expectancy even when exposed, 20 year Firestone exposed, 20 year Firestone material warranty. material warranty.

• Over 120 million • Over 120metres millioninstalled square square metres installed worldwide. worldwide.

Cosio Industries years • • Cosio Industries 3030 years inin the NZ lining business. the NZ lining business.

or 021 280 7266

Email: vaughan@cosio.co.nz www.cosio.co.nz

ADCAM 750 LD Travelling Irrigator • Lower depths • Proven design • Evenspread application

FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL

0800 686 334

For your nearest installation contractor call

0800 109 093

NEW LOW DEPTH!

Numedic Ltd, 70 Riri Street, Rotorua, New Zealand P: +64 7 347 9974 F: +64 7 347 9975 E: info@numedic.co.nz W: www.numedic.co.nz Authorised importer and distributor of Firestone Building Products

THE BENEFITS OF 100% NATURAL GYPSUM

Gypsum application is a standard practice worldwide for addressing the build up of sodium in soils, including soils receiving waste waters.

Gypsum is one of those rare materials that performs in all categories of soil treatment: an amendment, conditioner and fertiliser.

How Does Gypsum Work?

It is useful in the transition period in dairy cows 2 – 4 weeks pre & post calving, and can be used as an anionic salt to counteract the effects that high potassium & sodium concentrations have on increasing hypocalcemia.

Gypsum is hydrated calcium sulphate. Calcium from gypsum replaces sodium in the soil. The sulphate allows the sodium to be effectively leached out of the soil. The soil then has more ability to flocculate and form stable aggregates to improve drainage and soil quality.

Gypsum, a readily available form of calcium, is 100 times more soluble than lime and is more suitable for the digestive system during this period.

Gypsum in fertilising Soil tests throughout New Zealand shows sulphur deficiency is wide spread.

Although often overlooked, sulphur is needed in at least equal quantities to phosphorus. Many responses in crops are sulphur due to the sulphate radical (SO4‑‑).

• Readily dissociates into free calcium ions (Ca++) and sulphate ions (SO4‑‑), major elements in plant nutrition • Has an approximately neutral pH and can be used in heavy applications without causing undue alkalinity in soils

Gypsum in water savings • Promotes water infiltration, retention and conservation • Allows water to penetrate the soil without forming puddles or water logging • Conserves water by stretching intervals between irrigations • Tests show that farmland treated with gypsum requires up to 33% less water than soils without recent gypsum application

Na+ Na+ Ca++ leached CaSO4 + Soil Cation Exchange  Soil Cation Exchange + Na2SO4

Gypsum in soil conditioning • Breaks up soils compacted by sodium and clay, and compounded by farm animals and machinery • Reduces cracking and compaction following irrigation and retards soil crusting • Allows soil to dry more quickly after rain or irrigation so that it may be worked sooner • Decreases energy requirements for tillage • Binds organic matter to soil and checks soil erosion • Enhances friendly bacterial action and discourages plant diseases related to poor soil aeration • Conditioned soil allows for deeper, healthier root development and water penetration

Gypsum in amendment • Displaces sodium binding clay soils • Reduces high soil aluminium levels • Suppresses the soil acidification effects of growing crops and the prolonged use of acidifying fertilisers

For more about Natural Gypsum and soil stabilisation visit gypsum.co.nz 00527 - Gyspum - DairyNews June 02.indd 1

20/06/18 6:21 PM

DAIRY NEWS SEPTEMBER 11, 2018

EFFLUENT & WATER // 33

Are you ready to withstand a big dry? imal feed but can’t go without water.

When dry conditions are on the horizon, you have to be forward thinking. We looked at how to plan EUROPEAN SCIENTISTS are to have enough supplementary feed, forecasting that the next four years as well as whether we could reduce could be unusually warm. stock before the peak drought period Here in New Zealand, NIWA Sciwhen we had the least feed on entists say the likelihood of hot hand. conditions rises when global “If higher global We were lucky to have part mean temperatures are higher; temperatures also impact of the farm irrigated, and we but NZ’s climate is also influhad to be careful how we used enced by prevailing wind pat- NZ we could be looking at our limited water allocation. terns. hotter El Nino conditions The drought in Australia Growing conditions on than normal.” continues to impact on farmfarms are very different ers very severely. Warmer depending on whether we have a La Niña or El Niño weather pattern. ers who know a hot season is ahead weather will throw up challenges La Nina brings wet weather with need to budget their water use. Veg- for our farmers, however NZ has the more storms to eastern NZ, while El etables, fruit and grains require reg- benefit of being relatively water rich Nino brings hot dry weather partic- ular watering as part of their growth compared to Australia. In our east ularly to east coast regions, and very cycle, while grass is more drought coast regions, irrigation is widely resistant and can cope with longer used and plays an important role in often droughts. helping us weather hot spells.

If higher global temperatures gaps between watering.

Large scale water storage, like the While most of NZ’s vegetables, also impact NZ we could be looking at hotter El Niño conditions than fruit, grapes and cereal crops are Waimea Dam and the Hurunui Water normal, which will affect our farmers grown with irrigation, most sheep project, benefit farmers and urban and our food production. If you’re a and beef farms don’t have irrigation communities.

A look at Australia shows that a home gardener the changes will also and about 75% of dairy farms are not lack of water has wider impacts on irrigated. affect you.

My family farmed through many the whole economy. We need to Warmer weather can mean a longer growing season, so it can be years of drought in Australia, with maintain NZ’s competitive advangood for growing fruit and vegeta- much of our farm not having access tage as an agricultural economy and bles -- if they get enough water at to irrigation. During summer, tem- ensure we can continue to produce the right time. When temperatures peratures were often in the 40s. food through all types of weather.

Steve Breneger, formerly a NSW are warmer the rate of evapotrans- When the temperature soars, water piration is higher, so water demands becomes the most critical issue on farmer, educates farmers and growincrease. And if there is less rain than the farm. That includes keeping stock ers in irrigation efficiency. usual due to the weather pattern, this supplied with drinking water: they @dairy_news can survive for quite a while on minalso creates the need for water. facebook.com/dairynews STEVE BRENEGER

Too much heat is harmful to crops which stop growing at about 32 degrees C, but they can recover with water or cooler temperatures.

During hot weather, irrigation systems can struggle to keep up with watering requirements. Farm-

During hot weather irrigation systems can struggle to keep up with watering requirements.

QUALITY WATER IS IMPORTANT FORSI are specialists in customised treatment systems for all types of water quality issues.

WE OFFER CUSTOMISED SOLUTIONS FOR THE REMOVAL OF: ● Iron, Manganese, Arsenic, Turbidity Removal ● Water Clarification systems ● Car wash recycling systems ● Irrigation Filtration ● Solids Separation ● Waste water recycling ● Effluent Recycling Systems ● pH Correction

Forsi Innovations Ltd | 14 Waihou Street | Matamata | Ph 07 880 9479 | Fax 07 880 9486 | www.forsi.co.nz

• Text warnings if pump shuts down

TRAVELLING IRRIGATOR MONITOR Call for a free demo 0800 872 262 or for more info visit www.tracmap.com

• Start/stop control by text message • Solar panel keeps the battery charged • Coverage map and shift history for nutrient application & summary reporting

Make compliance easy Better environmental outcomes

DAIRY NEWS SEPTEMBER 11, 2018

34 // EFFLUENT & WATER Numedic Adcam 750 irrigator fitted with boom support bracket and braid.

Liner Systems for Dairy Effluent and Irrigation Ponds • Utilise your existing site • Control contamination and gas • Cost competitive • Proven performance • Reliable seam testing • Full QA Report • 20-year Material Warranty Freephone: 0800 454 646

E: info@contaiment.co.nz www.containment.co.nz

Irrigator to achieve low-depth application EFFLUENT SPECIALIST Numedic says small

but important improvements to its Adcam travelling irrigators enable these to meet the environmental councils’ rules.

A new winch drum and cam assembly design enables the Numedic range of Adcam 750 irrigators to achieve even lower application depths.

“Depths of 5mm and

DOES YOUR FARM HAVE A MOOPOO PROBLEM? New Zealand Wide Dealer Network

Travelling & Raingun Irrigators

In-Line Effluent Filters

www.williamsirrigation.com

Pontoons

Pumps & Stirrers

Riser & Zero-0-Loss Hydrants

0800 4 EFFLUENT (0800 4 33358)

“All farmers are looking at better and more sustainable ways to apply their effluent to pasture.” below are now achievable” says Peter Reid, Numedic. “All farmers are looking at better and more sustainable ways to apply their effluent to pasture.”

The slowest speed has been removed and other faster speeds are now achievable. The improvements can be retrofitted to an existing Numedic irrigator. The company says it is always looking at innovative ways to improve its product line.

All new irrigators are now fitted with a boom support bracket that supports the cam and riser assembly while the irrigator is being moved. This improvement is inexpensive.

And synthetic braid is available to replace traditional wire rope. The braid is the same strength as wire rope but has high flex-fatigue resistance, resists wear and stretches little.

“You can eliminate the damage caused by kinking and overall it is a much easier product to use and lasts a lot longer” says Reid.

Numedic says customers who have converted to braid would not return to wire rope. Both the boom support bracket and the braid can be fitted to existing Numedic Adcam irrigators.

Tel. 0800686334 or email info@numedic. co.nz

When reliability really matters...

THE GREEN EFFLUENT PUMP With over 1,000 pumps sold since 2010!

0800 825 846 www.pumpandvalve.com

MACHINERY & PRODUCTS // 35

RB for knockout rounds markd@ruralnews.co.nz

WITH AGCO buying the grassland division of Lely in 2017, it was a sure bet Massey Ferguson would launch a new round baler range taking the best from the Welger stable and building on MF’s long history in such products.

The new RB series, resplendent in MF red, is already available in Europe in Fendt natural green. It comes in a range of variable-chamber machines for the Australasian market, with several patented changes that come from both camps, but it still has familiar features recognisable by Welger fans.

The range offers a choice of two balers -the RB 2160V and RB

Massey Ferguson’s RB variable baler.

2180V, making bales of 0.9 to 1.6m and 0.9 to 1.8m diameter, respectively.

The Xtracut versions of the same machines have chopping units with options of 13, 17 or 25 knives. The chopping unit sees a helically designed

rotor pushing crop across the hydraulically controlled knives; in the case of the 17 or 25 knife setups these can be used as single or double banks to adjust the chop length.

Overload protection is offered by the well-known

Hydroflex control, first seen in the Welger camp, that allows the lower part of the feed channel to drop and reduce the risk of blockages. In auto-mode this happens if small lumps are present, but in the case of a major

blockage the system can be lowered manually to get things going again.

Ahead of the chopper unit a range of pickup sizes, dependent on model, range from 2.00 through 2.25 to 2.4 metre working widths, with all-

important tine-to-tine distances of 1.60, 1.86 or 2.2m respectively; all sizes use camless 5-bar layouts, said to allow higher speeds and quiet operation.

The driveline has a Powersplit gearbox for optimum power distribution, and automated chain lubrication helps prolong chain life and reduce maintenance.

In the 1.23m wide bale chamber, four endless belts form the bale, using a patented sliding tailgate and two additional rollers to quickly form the bale core.

Mechanical tailgate latches work with a constant pressure system -- two heavy-duty coils springs -- to achieve even density all through the baling process, helping to bale at pressures up to 180 bar.

THER TRACTOR

U BUY ANO O Y IF D N A R H A -F TZ DEMO A DEU

E IM T R U O Y E S R U WE’LL REIMB

The machines come standard with the Varionet system that netwraps finished bales, and twine binding can be specified as an optional extra.

Productive days are the fruit of the RB’s easy loading system and its ability to carry up to three rolls of net, allowing quick changeover.

Control is by the E-Link system that gives a good view of all the machine functions. An E-Link Pro version uses integrated ISOBUS technology to offer a larger, brighter screen, with a broader range of information that includes customer, farm and field information for future reference.

A range of tyre options means machines can be shod to suit all type of tasks and terrain.

UP TO

5

YEARS

MARK DANIEL

AGRO CARE

WARRANTY

Try out a Deutz-Fahr and, as we understand how valuable your time is, we’re willing to reimburse you for your time if you purchase a different brand of tractor – that’s how much we believe in our range of tractors. We’re confident once you’ve driven our reliable range of tractors with excellent features you won’t want anything else.

fin

Call your local Power Farming dealer today to find out more and organise a time and place to demonstrate a Deutz-Fahr tractor.

ance rate

3.75

%

VAILABLE A S N O TI P O E C N A N FI GREAT

te

fin

ance ra

0800 801 888 | deutztractors.co.nz | Fb deutzNZ

FA601DN

n

DAIRY NEWS SEPTEMBER 11, 2018

Terms and conditions and normal lending criteria apply. Prices valid until 30/09/18 or while stocks/offer last. * Finance rate of 3.75% is based on 30% plus total GST deposit or/and use trade-in, then 36 monthly payments. ** Terms and conditions apply. Go to deutztractors.co.nz/trydeutz for detailed terms and conditions. Contact your local dealership for more information.

O N E N AM E COV E R S I T A L L

DAIRY NEWS SEPTEMBER 11, 2018

36 // MACHINERY & PRODUCTS

Multi-one for muli-taskers MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz

JACKS MACHINERY

Multi-one in action.

of Whakatane, a retailer

of tractors and machinery since 1970, is New Zealand distributor of an interesting range of minihandlers from Italy.

The popularity of

GEAR UP FOR

HAY SEASON MF MOWERS • • • • • •

Available in 2.42 m to 9.3 m cutting widths Front mount, rear mount and butterfly options Professional series mowers Quickchange blade system DriveGuard cutter bar protection Low horsepower required

MF TEDDERS • • • • •

Available in a range of raking widths from 5.2 m to 10.2 m Strong galvanised spring steel tyne arms Super C tynes 9.5 mm tested for over 200,000 impacts without damage Enclosed rotor heads protecting components from dirt and dust 4, 6, 8 and 10 rotor options

MF RAKES • • • • •

Working widths from 3.6 m to 12.5 m 1, 2 and 4 rotor options Unique tyne arm mounting for perfect fit and reduced wear ‘Jet effect’ protects tynes when lowering rotors to the ground Patented fully cardanic rotor suspension for optimum ground contouring

MF BALERS • • • • •

Consistent high bale density Tandem axle and cutter options Excellent productivity on all four models Highly efficient drive system Reduced power requirement means low running costs

CONTACT YOUR LOCAL MASSEY FERGUSON DEALER TODAY

ENGINEERED TO LAST

MASSEYFERGUSON.CO.NZ | FREECALL 0800 825 872

A world of experience. Working with you for 60 years.

A world of experience. Working with you for 60 years.

this type of machine has grown over the last few years, driven by demand for a versatile machine that can do many tasks but without the size constraints of larger machines.

Steve Jacks, managing director of Jacks Machinery, says the Multi-one range has features that should appeal to NZ users.

The range will include the series 4 machine of 20hp, offering 1020kg lift capacity and a 2.75m lift height, through twelve different models to a series 10 machine (2700kg and 3.21m) statistics.

Special sizes or specifications can be supplied on indent.

Alongside the base machines, the versatility of the concept is expanded with the availability of up 170 different attachments to service a wide range of industries besides agriculture.

Those attachments include grabs, buckets, bag lifters and scrapers

for agriculture; equestrian users might make use of levellers, mowers, sweepers or vacuum devices.

With the manoeuvrability of a skid-steer unit and the ability of a small digger, the units offer advantages of greater lift capacity, greater lift height and precise load placement from the telescopic boom and pivoting chassis layout, without ground damage in sensitive areas.

Interestingly, the configuration of machines sees central articulation; that is nothing new but, dependent on model, the operator station can be on the front or rear.

The front mounted station should suit operators looking for better load visibility.

All machines have hydraulically activated implement locking systems, and Jacks machinery also offers a quick-attach adapter plate to use an existing eurohitch or Bobcat attachments.

Keeping stock in check LIVESTOCK FENCING is said to be made easy by the world’s first commercial ‘virtual fencing’ launched in May. e-Shepherd Virtual Fencing, from agri-tech start up company Agersens of Melbourne Australia, allows the creation of a virtual fence with the benefits of a traditional fence for dairy or beef animals, and it allows remote monitoring, mustering and movement of cattle using any smart device.

The system uses animal training software developed in 2005 by the Australian Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Canberra.

It uses a GPS-enabled and solar powered smart collar to train the animals to stay within the boundary created. Animals take guidance from an audio cue that becomes an electric pulse if they move outside a designated area. If they continue to stray the pulse continues until the animal moves back inside the boundary.

Local market orders come first, although the unit is not saleable in some Australian states because of current animal welfare regulations.

Benefits of the system – apart from lower fencing costs -- include optimised grazing by automating rotational, cell or strip grazing regimes; and it prevents overgrazing.

The system can exclude animals from, say, waterways or riparian plantings, and it can slowly muster animals to a collection point over time.

DAIRY NEWS SEPTEMBER 11, 2018

MACHINERY & PRODUCTS // 37

Fencing keeps Lemken buys an noses apart eye to the future THE PROBLEM of

Mycoplasma bovis points up the need for better farm biosecurity measures, helped admirably by Strainrite Fencing Systems’ new M-Stop 1 metre outrigger system.

MPI advises that a key vector in the spread of the disease is animal-toanimal contact, particularly across boundary fence-lines of adjoining properties. A 1m exclusion area on each side of a boundary is recommended; this creates a 2m exclusion zone that should prevent nose-tonose contact each side of the fence.

Strainrite’s system suits boundary fences in flat and undulating coun-

Strainrite outrigger

try.

The Outrigger has a 7mm diameter, galvanised spring steel shaft that carries a patented, NZ-made Dura-tip eyelet; it has no moving parts and resists wear from wire movement.

It’s easy to install, requiring a 3mm pilot

hole drilled to 50mm depth to take the Outrigger pin; the rod is then fixed to the post with a staple to resist twisting.

On undulating ground, says Strainrite, use BaycoInsul-ties for strut bracing, to prevent the wire pulling the Outrigger up or down. www.strainrite.co.nz

THE GERMAN cultivation and seeding specialist Lemken has bought the Dutch company Skeketee – part of its plan to promote mechanical weeding, given the pressure growing on the use of weedkillers.

Lemken managing director Anthony van der Ley comments, “the acceptance of chemical crop care agents is decreasing among farmers and the broader society”.

“There are also issues with resistance to currently available chemicals… besides the growing problem of ever tightening regulation of product use.”

Skeketee, founded

in 1936, is best known for its mechanical weed control gear, cameraassisted machine control, and its Rumpstad cultivation division that produces front-mounted, swing-over furrow

presses and ploughs.

The proprietary camera technology allows operators to precisely remove weeds from between rows and plants, providing a good alternative to chemical

spraying.

Lemken employs about 50 staff at its Stad aan’t Haringvliet base.

It will retain existing staff and expanding existing production facilities.

EAT GR ING RK NS WO ANIO P 46 COM CE 19 N SI

SMART, RELIABLE & HARDWORKING. Chat to your local dealership or visit www.sammachinery.co.nz Why go for a SAM?

* Extreme reliability and super tough construction * Smart design with easy operation and maintenance * Fast spare-parts servicing and technical support

IS ZETOR STAGING A COMEBACK? THE ZETOR tractor is not a common

sight on New Zealand’s farms, but Dairy News suspects there may still be a few out there earning their keep.

Zetors first appeared in the mid 1950s and by 1969 were being advertised and sold by Motor Lines in Takanini. It took the business seven years to sell its first 1000 tractors, then three years more to hit the 2000 mark.

In the late 1980s distribution passed to CB Norwood Distributors, before Doug MacFarlane in Hamilton stepped up to the plate in 1992. The history from then is scarce, but Stu Macfarlane says they supported the brand with parts long afterwards.

In Europe, the brand’s enjoying a revival, following a return in 2015 to its original production base at Brno, Czech Republic. It had gone to ZTS Martin in Slovenia for about 20 years, during which the Zetor name disappeared.

The recently launched Crystal HD

model resurrects a name that first appeared in 1968. It will be remembered for its utilitarian design and a cab larger than most Kiwi baches of the day.

The new Crystal HD, in 150 or 170 designations, has the latest Deutz 6-cylinder 6.1L engine delivering 150 or 171 hp, in turn mated to a 30 forward/30 reverse speed ECO transmission already used in Zetor’s existing Forterra range.

The transmission has a power-shuttle design with 3-stage powershift and delivers 40km/h at only 1750rpm, hence the ECO monika.

A six-post suspended cab sits 10cm higher than previous models’, offering improved visibility, and the tractors get the obligatory multi-function control panel, a new dashboard and improved ergonomics.

At the rear, electronic linkage controls take care of the 8.5 tonne lift capacity. Now it needs only a new distributor in NZ. – Mark Daniel

* SAM Fertiliser Spreaders Organic options also available

* SAM Feed Wagons Side or centre-feed

Ph 0800 726 726

* SAM Hydraulic Trailers

* SAM Quick Hitches

Follow us on facebook /@newsfromSAM

DAIRY NEWS SEPTEMBER 11, 2018

38 // MACHINERY & PRODUCTS

Cruiser offers an all-in package MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz

THE NEBULA blue ute parked on the drive looks the part, but is it up to the undertaking the rigours of a week in cowcountry Waikato?

The answer of course is ‘yes’.This is a Hilux, bred for this type of life, not for kerb climbing or puddle jumping.

This example, one of 33 in the range, is the flagship SR5 Cruiser-Double Cab that replaces the outgoing SR5 Limited.

Styled to look a tad

Toyota’s new Hilux Cruiser.

FEED SYSTEMS SINCE 1962

Supreme quality stainless steel feed trays / Exceptional back-up support / Easy to use and maintain First class installations / Robust construction / Skiold Disc Mills Grain Holding Silos / Utility Augers / Mobile Auger

SLURRY TANKERS

LK0080053©

DAIRY FEED SYSTEMS

more aggressive, the Cruiser can also be bought as a 2WD PreRunner, so city folk are still catered for.

Meanwhile the ‘hardened’ look is done in Kiwi style – a black hexagonal grille, a revised bumper, 18-inch black alloys, black door mirrors and handles, a black rear bumper and Cruiser decals.

Powered by the wellknown 1GD-FTV, 2.8L turbo diesel pushing out 130kw and 450Nm torque, the cruiser is no rocketship but it gets the job done. It has a choice of ECO or power modes, with the latter sharpening up the throttle response and making progress quicker.

The peach in the package is its 6-speed automatic transmission that is silky smooth and changes ratios without hesitation, and you get little perception that anything is happening.

Add to this a rotary switch for a choice of 2WD-High, 4WD-High and 4WD-Low drive modes, plus a locking rear diff, then all terrain is easy to traverse.

In the cabin, the perforated black upholstery has plush leather accents, and butts are kept toasty in the front by seat heaters.

The seating position is firm and supportive, and a commanding driving position and good visibility are easy to achieve with plenty of seat adjustment and a tilt-and-telescope steering column.

A new instrument clus-

ter has new tacho and speedo dials, and a new welcome display when the start button is pushed.

Standard equipment comes in a vast list: seven airbags, satnav, LED headlights, daytime running lights and spotlights, climate air conditioning and a useful rear-view camera to cover parking and hitching up with ease.

On the road the vehicle is quiet and refined, with little noise or vibration, no doubt because of the re-worked real leaf spring suspension. Driving throws up no surprises.

Nicely weighted steering keeps you heading in the direction you intended, and if you do hit the gas in the twisty stuff everything stays under control.

A comprehensive safety package is built into this work-hard /play-hard vehicle: stability control, traction control and ABS speak for themselves, and electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, hill start and descent, and trailer sway control functions all play their part.

What’s not to like?

Perhaps the integration of the touch screen display; that looks an afterthought, but that’s a minor grumble when the real question should be ‘would you buy one?’ The response is likely to be ‘why wouldn’t you? given that the Toyota driveaway price is about $57,000, much better value than the other brand’s flagships. @dairy_news facebook.com/dairynews

FROM

$14,900+GST MUCK SIDE SLINGER

XCEL 1250 MUCK SPREADER

DIET FEEDERS

V16 SINGLE AUGER/T27 TWIN AUGER 20mm thick augers with 12 knives per auger.

Molasses and mineral intake tubes for dietary requirements with front facing conveyor with side shift. Teaser rollers placed at door to break up clumps. 2 speed main gearboxes.

Full chassis for strength.

NORTH ISLAND www.gaz.co.nz Call Jarred L’Amie | 07 823 3765 | 027 203 5022 CAMBRIDGE | OTOROHANGA | ROTORUA

MADE IN IRELAND SOUTH ISLAND www.cochranes.co.nz Call Alastair Robertson | 03 324 3791 | 027 435 2642 AMBERLEY | LEESTON | ASHBURTON | TIMARU | OAMARU

• • • • • •

600kg towing capacity (up from 450kg) new engine and transmission updated powersteering gas front shocks all new frame and steering geometry updated rear suspension and braking system

FOR ALL KIWI FARMERS

Enter online or by post. Go to www.ruralnewsgroup.co.nz/win-a-new-ride

Enter online or by post. Go to www.dairynews.co.nz/win-a-new-ride

s

✂

Or fill in this form and post it to: Dairy News, Win a Suzuki Kingquad competition, PO Box 331-100, Auckland 0740

Q: What publication did you see this promotion in?

Answer: ..........................................................................................................................

Name: ..............................................................................................................................

Address: ........................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................... Phone: ......................................................

Email: ...............................................................................................................................

Terms and Conditions: Information on how to enter the competition forms part of these terms and conditions. Entry in to the Win a Suzuki Kingquad competition is deemed acceptance of these terms and conditions. Entry is open to all New Zealand residents except for employees of Rural News Group and their immediate family. Each entrant may enter more than once. To be valid, each entry must contain the correct answers as determined by the Rural News Group. The competition opens on Monday August 6, 2018 and closes Friday November 2, 2018 at 11pm. The prize winner will be drawn on Monday November 5, 2018 and will be contacted by phone and email by Wednesday November 7, 2018. The winner will be announced via email by Friday November 9, 2018.The promoter’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered in to. By accepting the prize, the prize winner consents to the promoter using his/her details, photographs and recording of the prize acceptance for promotional and media publicity purposes. There is one prize of a Suzuki Kingquad 500 XE ATV. The winner may be required to pick up their prize from their nearest Suzuki dealer. The prize is valued at $16,995. The prize is not transferable or redeemable for cash. All insurance and any on-road costs are at the winner’s expense. All entries become the property of the promoter. The promoter is Rural News Group, First Floor, Bayleys Building, 29 Northcroft St, Takapuna, Auckland 0622

SEEDING MUSTERING FIREFIGHTING WE’RE BUILT FOR FARMING SERVICING HARVESTING SOWING REFUELLING FEEDING DRENCHING YEAR FENCING 5 SPRAYING $11,299 TOWING TRANSPORTING IRRIGATING REPAIRING WE’RE BUILT FOR NEW ZEALAND OUTLANDER 450 PRO

TRI-MODE DYNAMIC POWER STEERING (DPS)

CLASS LEADING CARGO CAPACITY 163kg

EXCLUSIVE LIMITING SPEED KEY

WARRANTY*

CLASS LEADING HORSEPOWER 38HP

NOW FROM

INC. RETAIL PROMOTION - EX. GST

CLASS LEADING FUEL CAPACITY 20.5L

CLASS LEADING 6 PLY TYRES

CLASS LEADING GROUND CLEARANCE 292mm

Additional 5% off for Terms and conditions apply.

Farmlands *cardholders

OFFER ENDS 31ST OCTOBER OR WHILE STOCKS LAST!

CALL 0800 444 475 OR VISIT WWW.NZ.BRP.COM/OFF-ROAD/ FOR MORE INFORMATION © 2018 Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP). All rights reserved. ®, ™ and the BRP logo are trademarks of BRP or its affiliates.

Always ride responsibly and safely. Always wear protective gear & approved helmet.

BRP reserves the right to change the promotion at any time.*Terms and conditions apply.

+$1079/ha

more milk when you invest in Pioneer® + brand products new maize hybrids

P9127

P0362

P1477W

South Island, Lower North Island, Taranaki & Waikato

Lower North Island, Taranaki & Waikato

Northland, Waikato & Bay of Plenty

$1,043/ha more when + compared to 38V12 in 27 trials.

$779/ha more when compared + to P0021 in 25 trials.

$1,731/ha more when compared + to P1758 in 13 trials.

6 of the best leading Pioneer maize hybrids.

P8000

P8805

P9400

Widely grown, versatile southerner.

Popular from Northland to Canterbury

Stands tall - delivers silage and grain big time.

P9911

P0640

P0891

Top yielding, high energy, drought buster.

Leaf disease champion delivers yield stability.

Safe and secure.

Pack your paddock, then the bunker.

+

Hybrid comparison data is based on a milksolids response rate of 100 gMS/kgDM and a milk payout of $7/kgMS. Based on a total of 65 comparisons with an average yield advantage of 1542 kgDM/ha. Source: Pioneer brand products New Zealand Research Programme.

Pioneer® brand products are provided subject to the terms and conditions of purchase, which are part of the labelling and purchase documents. ®, TM, SM , Trademarks and service marks of DuPont, Pioneer or their respective owners.

Time to start lifting your beet?

Order your Strube Gellert Sugar Beet now for Spring 2018.

German genetics bought to you by Genetic Technologies Limited – the team behind Pioneer® brand seeds.

• Low bolting incidence.

• Uniform, so easy to lift.

• Poncho Beta® treated – allows for protection from pests and even germination.

For more information call 0800 746 633. ©2018, Genetic Technologies Limited. No part of this publication can be reproduced without prior written consent from Genetic Technologies Limited.