Dairy News 16 February 2021

get it Milk-Ready for the next milking. tergents will help you to make sure eady to extract, transport, cool and st quality milk.

0800 222 228 delaval.com

RMA soon to become history. PAGE 4

Keep your system

MILK- READY Don’t just clean your system Make sure you get it Milk-Ready for the next milking.

Our range of detergents will help you to make sure your system is ready to extract, transport, cool and store the highest quality milk.

FEBRUARY 16, 2021 ISSUE 464 // www.dairynews.co.nz

BOUTIQUE BUTTER BOOM Consumer habits PAGE 13

0800 222 228 delaval.com

Turn to page 1

RMA soon to become history. PAGE 4 BOUTIQUE BUTTER BOOM Consumer habits PAGE 13

FEBRUARY 16, 2021 ISSUE 464 // www.dairynews.co.nz

RATING BOOST

Fonterra strategy gets a tick PAGE 9

WHITE GOLD RUSH Global consumers continue to show a lot of love for grass-fed milk products and New Zealand is in a sweet spot to deliver - Tom Bailey, senior vice president Southern Pastures Ltd PAGE 3

Keep your system

MILK- READY Don’t just clean your system

B&DEL0487

Make sure you get it Milk-Ready for the next milking.

Our range of detergents will help you to make sure your system is ready to extract, transport, cool and store the highest quality milk.

0800 222 228 delaval.com

RAV-16FEB-DN

Keep more N in the soil, lose less to the air.

N-Protect

®

Cert TM

Optimise your nutrient efficiency.

N-Protect reduces the amount of N lost to the atmosphere as greenhouse gas emissions, keeping more N in the soil for plant uptake, and reducing environmental impacts.

Meaning you can apply less, meet your autumn feed needs, and be better placed to farm within new nitrogen limits.

Enabling smarter farming for a better New Zealand®

Grow your investment. Talk to your agri manager, Customer Centre, or order on HawkEye.

0800 100 123 ravensdown.co.nz

DAIRY NEWS FEBRUARY 16, 2021

NEWS // 3

NZ dairy enjoys pole position “People are willing to pay extra for better quality, more interesting food from trusted brands with an authentic and traceable story.”

SUDESH KISSUN sudeshk@ruralnews.co.nz

New chair for climate change envoys.

PG.06

Arla eyes $1b online sales target. PG.12

Taking heat out of cooling milk. PG.20

NEWS ������������������������������������������������������ 3-12 AGRIBUSINESS ������������������������������������ 13 OPINION ���������������������������������������������� 14-15 MANAGEMENT �������������������������������� 16-17 ANIMAL HEALTH ����������������������������18-19 MILK COOLING ������������������������������ 20-23 MACHINERY & PRODUCTS �������������������������������������� 24-25

NEW ZEALAND remains in pole position to benefit from the premium food trend, says dairy expert Tom Bailey.

The NZ provenance story is incredibly important for dairy exporters as they cash in on growing demand for clean and green milk products.

Bailey, who recently joined Southern Pastures as its new senior vice president and general manager post farmgate operations, told Dairy News that the premium food trend isn’t going away.

“People are willing to pay extra for better quality, more interesting food from trusted brands with an authentic and traceable story,” he says.

“The general NZ story around food is spot on with the clean, green, sustainable attributes, which consumers want.

“This is particularly so for dairy with studies confirming New Zealand dairy has the smallest carbon footprint globally.”

Bailey says a company like Southern Pastures is able to command the highest prices offshore by taking the New Zealand provenance story even further with its comprehensive 10 Star Certified Values programme.

“Having a transparent and rigorous audited process like this is where

Tom Bailey, Southern Pastures, says the premium food trend isn’t going away.

the opportunity lies.

“We’re seeing consumers really focus on environmental impact of food production and expect they will eventually want to measure the carbon footprint of their products. This is where individual brands within the New Zealand provenance story can really begin to stand out.”

Bailey, who was a RaboResearch senior dairy analyst based in the US before taking up his new role, says Covid has emphasised health and wellness from many angles. “Dairy demand has come roaring back as

people seek natural nutrition and go back to basics; simple, uncomplicated, familiar and trusted food,” he says.

There are specific examples of this on a national scale. In the US, the Federal Government has bought massive amounts of dairy as part of its food support programs.

Chinese demand has also been very strong.

Bailey says the Chinese Government has emphasised the health benefits of milk and there are reports that fluid milk demand is pumping.

“As a result, the Chinese dairy processors do not have excess milk to dry (which they normally would) because fluid demand has been so strong,” he says.

“This has helped bolster NZ exports, as we can meet growing demand and also backfill where domestic Chinese manufacturers are missing.

“Furthermore, NZ ingredients remain at a substantial premium relative to the global markets due to many factors: grass-fed is better, many brands require Fonterra specifications for label requirements, and NZ has a great working relationship with key importing markets such as China.”

Bailey believes dairy’s outlook is solid at this stage, “which is somewhat tough to fathom as we are genuinely in the midst of a global catastrophe, high unemployment rates (6.7% in the US vs. 3-4% preCovid), relentless pandemic, restaurants remain closed etc”.

“But global commodities remain strong, from oil to grains, and dairy is riding the wave with them.”

DAIRY NEWS FEBRUARY 16, 2021

4 // NEWS

Zooming in on FEPs PETER BURKE peterb@ruralnews.co.nz

MORE THAN 400 people participated in a day long real and virtual workshop last week on farm environment plans (FEP’s) organised by Massey University’s Farmed Landscapes Research Centre (FLRC).

Normally the FLRC workshop runs over three days, but this year because of Covid, the organisers decided to go with a one day event with a single theme – FEP’s.

About fifty participants came to the workshop at Massey’s Palmerston

North campus while more than 350, including several speakers joined in via zoom.

FEP’s are a tool that has been developed to help farmers recognise on-farm environmental risks and set out a programme to manage those risks. The FEP is unique to an individual farm and the level of complexity of the plan depends on the farm system.

Professor Chris Anderson who heads up the research centre says FEP’s are a huge issue now with big problems such as water and soil quality uppermost in farmers’ minds. He says

Chris Anderson

there is a strong association between dairying and FEP’s because dairy is quite visible. He says the FEP’s are becoming a major tool for dealing with environmental issues. Speakers and participants at the workshop included scientists from

Massey, CRIs, regional councils, farm consultants and fertiliser reps.

Anderson says it was great having more than 400 people wanting to know more about these plans.

“We got to a larger audience than we usually do and picked up people who don’t normally come to these workshops. For example we had professionals in the legal space and banks that don’t normally engage with us.

The event went well and we quickly overcame the odd technical hitch and we will get better over time. We are confident that what we are doing

is working well and the scope is to do it more often,” he says.

Anderson says as the demand for more FEP’s grows, Massey University through his research group has a big role to play in thought leadership and promoting discussion to solve some of the challenges.

“As a research organisation we don’t want to take sides. We are not involved in accreditation or auditing of the plans but we are involved in discussion, training and good science that will underpin the plans,” he says. @dairy_news facebook.com/dairynews

EFFLUENT PONDS

8000m3

• Rolls up to 15m wide, therefore fewer joins which means less risk, faster installation and shorter good weather window required.

• Design assistance and volume calculations available.

• Material warranty from global company - Firestone Building Products.

• Nationwide Firestone trained and accredited installation contractors.

• Future proof - dependable performance, 50 year life expectancy even when exposed, 20 year Firestone material warranty.

• Over 120 million square meters installed worldwide.

• 30 years in the NZ lining business.

For your nearest installation contractor call

0800 109 093

Authorised importer and distributor of Firestone Building Products

or 021 280 7266

Email: vaughan@cosio.co.nz

7400m3

www.cosio.co.nz

• Ideal for Cattle Troughs • High Flow • Side/Bottom Mount • Detatch to Clean • Compact/Robust

• Ideal for Small/Low Demand Troughs • Low Flow • Above/Below Water Mount • Built in Check-Valve

0800 JOBE VALVES jobevalves.com

FINALLY, THE RMA IS GOING IT SEEMS like there are few tears being shed around the country about the news that the RMA is to be scrapped and replaced by three new separate Acts.

Instead of one, 800 page Act designed to achieve sustainable management, there will be three new Acts.

The Natural and Built Environments Act (NBA) to provide for land use and environmental regulation, is in effect is the primary replacement for the RMA. As well there will be the Strategic Planning Act (SPA) to integrate with other legislation relevant to development, and require long-term regional spatial strategies and the Climate Change Adaptation Act (CAA) to address complex issues associated with managed retreat and funding and financing adaptation.

The broad consensus for many years has been that the RMA in its present form is not working and tinkering with it make it right simply doesn’t work.

Environment Minister David Parker says urban areas are struggling to keep pace with population growth and the need for affordable housing, water quality is deteriorating, biodiversity is diminishing and there is an urgent need to reduce carbon emissions and adapt to climate change.

“The new laws will improve the natural environment, enable more development within environmental limits, provide an effective role for Māori, and improve housing supply and affordability. Planning processes will be simplified and costs and times reduced,” he says.

Other key changes include stronger national direction and one single combined plan per region.

This some commentators suggest may spark a major and timely review of local government, given the role that local authorities play in the resource management space.

The 30 year-old RMA is one of the largest and most complex pieces of legislation on Parliament’s books and while it has been given the inevitable and popular death sentence, it will take time to unravel and pass the new laws and make them operational.

In theory the government hopes to have the NBA and SPA in parliament and the NBA passed by the end of 2022, but many experts believe it will take several more years before the new legislation to become fully operative. – Peter Burke

• Ideal for Compartment Troughs/Tanks • High Flow • Top Mount • Detach to Clean • Compact/Robust

DAIRY NEWS FEBRUARY 16, 2021

NEWS // 5

Fonterra says it owns 29 farms around its factories to irrigate with excess water from manufacturing plants.

‘Ghost farms’ actually used to grow crops using factory water FONTERRA SAYS it is looking

at the most responsible ways to take care of any excess water from manufacturing processes.

The co-operative says it cares about the environment and the communities in which it operates.

In a statement posted on its website, the co-op says it is always looking for ways to improve, and one area that’s always a focus for them is water. The co-op came under fire last week after media reports that a Cambridge couple Neville and Denise Ross discovered higher than acceptable levels of nitrates in their bore drinking water. The couple live near Fonterra’s Buxton Farm, which had been used to irrigate wastewater from the company’s Hautapu factory a few kilometres away.

Fonterra says it owns 29 farms for the primary purpose of nutri-

ent management. Water coming from manufacturing plants is irrigated on these farms.

The co-op says each manufacturing site has different requirements in relation to water treatment and meeting its own regional limits and environmental standards.

“When managed well, we can use the treated water from our factories to help grow grass and other crops such as hemp.

“We can then harvest these crops for worthwhile uses such as making animal feed. This provides us with a nice circular model for nutrient management.

“This is the model we have in place in Hautapu where we’ve been operating a ‘cut and carry’ farm for a couple of years.”

The co-op rejects the term ‘ghost farm’ used by some media.

K U B O TA M 5 S E R I E S

“You may have heard these referred to as ‘ghost farms’, as there aren’t any cows on them – but that’s not a real term,” it says.

“It’s actually that we’ve created an alternative use for this land, which enables us to grow crops, using water from our sites to provide the nutrients required for them to grow well.”

It says the treatment processes are designed to ensure the impacts on the environment are acceptable and remain within the limits set by regional councils.

But Fonterra says it is looking at improving its operations to fit with the changing landscape.

“As the land-use around our factories has changed over time and is starting to become more residential, it’s important we change our approach to nitrogen management too.

“We’re looking for ways to improve our operations to fit with the changing landscape. This is why we want to invest over the next 5 to 10 years to upgrade our waste water treatment facilities at our Hautapu, Edgecumbe, Whareroa, Maungaturoto, Te Awamutu, Longburn, Reporoa, Kapuni and Clandeboye sites.

“In the meantime, in Hautapu we’re constantly monitoring levels.

When we do become aware of cases that come close to the limits, we help by offering to install filters on residents’ water supplies.

“Safe drinking water is a serious issue and it’s important to understand the science on this topic. We work closely with the regulators and science providers to ensure our wastewater operations meet the needs of the environment and the community around them.”

Proud Sponsors of Central Plateau Dairy Awards

Need a heavy duty, trouble free, effluent pump for your farm? ient · Robust, reliable, effic · Cost effective range · Suitable for a wide of applications d before? · Had a different bran No problem. t up Brackets to suit any se

Experience the Numedic difference FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL P: 0800 686 334 | +64 7 347 9974 E: info@numedic.co.nz W: www.numedic.co.nz

M5

POWER TO

SERIES 93-110HP

P ER FO RM

WHATEVER THE TASK THE M5 WILL GET IT DONE.

NOW AVAIL ABLE IN A NEW NON-CABIN VERSION. CONTACT YOUR LOCAL KUBOTA DEALER TO FIND OUT MORE. KUBOTA.CO.NZ

M5-1 ROPS

DAIRY NEWS FEBRUARY 16, 2021

6 // NEWS

New chair for climate change envoys AWARD-WINNING DAIRY farmer Fraser

McGougan has been appointed chair of the DairyNZ Climate Change Ambassadors.

Climate Change Ambassadors are leaders for climate change action on dairy farms. They help communicate the challenges and opportunities dairy farmers face in playing their part to address climate change, alongside the rest of New Zealand.

“The 13 ambassadors are leading dairy farmers who run their farms sustainably and profitably, while being committed to reducing on-farm greenhouse gas emissions,” says DairyNZ strategy and investment leader Dr David Burger.

“The ambassadors work to raise awareness and mobilise change for the benefit of the environment, farmers and New

YOUR AMBASSADORS Fraser McGougan, chair – Bay of Plenty George Moss, vice chair – Waikato Andrew Booth – Northland Earle Wright – North Auckland Graeme Barr – Waikato Melissa Slattery – Waikato Trish Rankin – Taranaki Aidan Bichan – Wairarapa Vern Brasell – Wairarapa Ash-Leigh Campbell – Canterbury Phill Everest – Canterbury Louise Cook – Southland Steve Smith – Southland

Zealand.”

McGougan (42) from Whakatane said he was looking forward to leading the ambassadors to engage with farmers, communities and decisionmakers, and to provide a farmer voice at national level. He has been a Climate Change Ambassador since 2018.

“Farmers want to be part of the climate change

solution,” said McGougan.

“Our role as Climate Change Ambassadors includes helping farmers understand the changes they can make on their farm to reduce emissions and improve water quality, while maintaining or even increasing profitability.

“There is no one-sizefits-all approach and small incremental changes on

Fraser McGougan is the new chair of the DairyNZ Climate Change Ambassadors.

individual farms add up to big changes nationally.”

McGougan said now is a critical time in the national conversation about emissions reductions, with the Climate Change Commission

announcing draft carbon budgets on how New Zealand can meet its climate change obligations.

Research by AgResearch has confirmed New Zealand dairy is already the world’s lowest

emissions producer of milk. But there is more to be done to maintain our competitive advantage and do the right thing by the environment and New Zealanders, said McGougan.

New scientific developments will be important in supporting farmers to continue to address climate change, and investment in R&D and support from the government were crucial, he said.

McGougan is a fourthgeneration farmer – Willowvale Farm has been in the McGougan family for 120 years. He and his wife Katherine have 430 cows on 143 hectares.

Among a number of awards, the couple won the Bay of Plenty Ballance Farm Environment Awards Supreme Award in 2019. They have three children, Emily, Isaac and Liam.

The McGougans have fenced all their waterways, matched their stocking rate to what the land can sustainably carry and decreased their imported feed.

The Climate Change Ambassadors group was created in 2018 under the Dairy Action for Climate Change. New members have been appointed this year to maintain the diversity of the group, with a mix of locations, farm systems and experience.

The five new ambassadors appointed to the Climate Change Ambassadors are: Waikato farmers Melissa Slattery (Dairy Environment Leaders chair) and Graeme Barr, Southland farmer Steve Smith, and Canterbury farmers Ash-leigh Campbell and Phill Everest. @dairy_news facebook.com/dairynews

SPECIAL REPORTS

EFFLUENT & WATER

Water and effluent can be both a valuable resource and a headache, depending on how they are managed.

This special report will examine the latest technology available for efficient water and effluent management.

To be in this special report contact your advertising representative now to promote your products and/or service to all NZ dairy farmers and sharemilkers.

Contact your closest Sales Representative

Auckland

Stephen Pollard............ Ph 021 963 166

Waikato

Ted Darley ................... Ph 021-832 505

Wellington

Ron Mackay ................ Ph 021-453 914

Christchurch

Kaye Sutherland ........ Ph 021-221 1994

FEATURE: BOOKING DEADLINE: MATERIAL REQUIRED:

16 MARCH

3 MARCH 9 MARCH

DAIRY NEWS FEBRUARY 16, 2021

NEWS // 7

Easy, efficient systems driving profit simple, profitable farming operation with an efficient Jersey herd is helping Zach Mounsey to grow his dairying business.

Zach, who sharemilks 400 Jersey cows on 133ha at Te Kawa near Otorohanga, was the most profitable Waikato 50/50 sharemilker in Dairybase for 2018.

He credits his success to a focus on efficiency, cost management, and getting a return on every dollar spent. “In every aspect of the business, I’m trying to maximise returns. This approach informs everything from breed choice and milking intervals, to feed inputs and infrastructure.”

With Zach’s background, his discipline around financial management should come as no surprise.

Having held finance and economist roles at Fonterra and DairyNZ respectively, he now works as the general manager of milk supply for Happy Valley Nutrition.

Zach, whose success in dairy has been six generations in the making, has been involved in the farm from a young age. After graduating, he bought into the family business as an equity partner and was instrumental in the move from a Friesian-cross herd to Jerseys.

“It was a no brainer – the contour and soil structure of the farm we were on at the time was suited to a smaller animal. The Jersey herd we looked at was doing similar production to our Friesian-cross animals, on a once-a-day system with a lower maintenance feed requirement,” says Zach.

In 2016, Zach bought the herd and went sharemilking on the family farm south of Otorohanga before moving to the current farm at Te Kawa last season.

The simple, low input system keeps labour costs low with a farm manager employed to support the day to day running of the business and an extra labour unit utilised over calving and mating.

“The herd is oncea-day for the first three weeks of the season to take the pressure off over the peak of calving.

We then move to twicea-day before transitioning to 16-hour milkings in November at the end of AB and back to once-aday in December for the remainder of the season.”

The herd averages an impressive 86% six-weekin-calf rate and around a 5% empty rate from an 11-week mating comprising five weeks of AB and 6-weeks with Jersey or easy calving beef bulls.

Even more impressive is the fact that no intervention is used to achieve these results.

“Jerseys are particularly fertile with the shortest calving to first service interval. Being once-aday also helps with fertility as our cows have less pressure on them and maintain good condition throughout the season.”

Zach selects high BW Jersey bulls from CRV with a focus on strong udders, good liveweight, stature and milk composition. “Production averages around 350kg MS per cow and inputs are limited to 150 tonnes of maize with a small amount of hay and silage made on-farm and brought in from a runoff. Jerseys are highly efficient converters of feed to milksolids and give the best return on a per kilogram of dry matter basis.”

Zach describes the herd as low maintenance with very few animal health issues. “We have very few cases of lameness or mastitis, and our somatic cell count typically averages less than 150,000 for the season.”

The herd’s outstanding health and reproductive performance also results in savings on young stock.

“We average 18% replacements because of our low empty rate and having little need to cull on health traits, which means we have lower rearing and grazing costs than many,” says Zach.

Zach says he is focused on growing the business, and looks at opportunities as they

arise. The recent purchase of 28 hectares next door to the farm will provide the flexibility and security of growing maize and silage, with the option to winter cows if needed.

“I’m always looking

at ways to refine and simplify the farm business.

The purchase of the additional land means that we are insulated from fluctuations in feed prices, and we can double our inputs for roughly the same cost

spent on feed at present,” says Zach.

One thing’s for sure – the future of any farming business will be built around simple, profitable systems – and of course, the Jersey cow.

Zach Mounsey on his farm.

Give seed the best possible start.

Seed protection boosted with three micronutrients.

Combining a systemic insecticide, a contact fungicide, and three important micronutrients (zinc, manganese and molybdenum), the Superstrike® grass seed treatment delivers a high level of seedling protection and helps boost early plant growth – giving seeds the best possible start.

Protect your seed, protect your future.

PWS 2101

A FOCUS on creating a

TA L K TO YOUR LOCAL S EED S UPPL IER AB OUT S UPERS T RIKE ® G RASS S EED T REAT M ENT OR V IS IT W W W. S E E DT R E AT M E N T. CO. N Z

®

DAIRY NEWS FEBRUARY 16, 2021

8 // NEWS

Holgate to head Rabobank’s sustainable business unit RABOBANK HAS

appointed Blake Holgate as head of sustainable business development to help grow its focus on sustainability.

In the newly-created role, Holgate will help the bank’s clients position themselves to best manage increasing environmental, societal and market risk as well as seizing opportunities created by a scarcity of resources and a growing global population.

Based in Dunedin, Holgate has been with Rabobank since 2013, most recently as the sustainability and animal proteins analyst within the bank’s RaboResearch Food and Agribusiness team.

Announcing the appointment, Rabobank New Zealand chief executive Todd Charteris said Holgate was well suited to take up the new position given his wide sector knowledge and industry experience.

“Growing up on a beef

and sheep property in South Otago, Blake has a deep understanding of the New Zealand’s agricultural sector. His practical knowledge and extensive research skills, combined with the strong relationships he has developed with key stakeholders from across New Zealand’s major agricultural industries, make him the ideal candidate to take the bank’s sustainability strategy to the next level,” he said. ”In his time with Rabobank, Blake has also proven himself to be an excellent communicator and he possesses a breadth of skills and experience that will be extremely valuable to our clients and the business overall.”

Charteris said Holgate’s appointment would allow the bank to further build its capability in the sustainability space.

“With our agribusiness focus, Rabobank is acutely aware of the

market forces and regulatory changes related to sustainability that are impacting our clients and we’re committed to helping them to understand and address the resulting challenges,” he said.

“This support includes making policy submissions to government — which incorporate our views and those of our clients on legislation and regulation affecting the sector — as we as providing clients with indepth reports examining issues linked to sustainable farming. We’ve also recently developed a new approach to help our clients build a detailed snapshot of the non-financial performance of their business which includes collection of information relating to their agronomic, environmental, and social and workplace performance.

“Blake’s appointment will allow us to place increased focus on these existing sustainability ini-

RARING TO GO BLAKE HOLGATE said he was excited to move into the new role.

“The pressure facing New Zealand food producers from both consumers and regulators is creating significant challenges, but the strength of New Zealand farmers and growers has always been their ability to turn challenges like these into opportunities,” he said.

“It’s exciting to be moving into a position where I get to work with clients and an industry focused on delivering practices and innovations that will further strengthen New Zealand’s global reputation as efficient producers of high quality, sustainable food products.”

Holgate holds a MBA from Otago University and prior to joining Rabobank, practised as an environmental lawyer.

Blake Holgate says he is excited to move into the new role.

tiatives and ensure we’re effectively advocating for our clients and providing them with meaningful information that helps guide their business decisions.”

In addition, Charteris said Holgate would play a pivotal role in Rabobank’s efforts to develop additional products and services aimed at helping clients businesses be

more commercially and environmentally sustainable.

“We expect to see the market for sustainable finance — finance specifically used for activities which produce a verifiable positive impact on the environment or society — to grow strongly over coming years and Blake will play a lead role in identifying new oppor-

tunities for the bank and our clients in this area,” he said.

“He’ll also work closely with KiwiHarvest — our new national food rescue charity partner — to help address food waste issues within New Zealand’s food and agribusiness supply chain.”

As part of the new role, Holgate would join a wider global sustainabil-

ity team with members located across the Rabobank network.

“As a global food and agribusiness banking specialist, Rabobank has partners and clients at every step in the global food and agribusiness supply chain and is committed to working with participants across the agricultural industry to facilitate a sustainable food system.”

DAIRY WOMEN CELEBRATE VOLUNTEERS JESSICA MARHSALL jessica@ruralnews.co.nz

FOR THE second year in a row,

Dairy Women’s Network will give out its Regional Leader of the Year award with support from rural insurance company Farmers Mutual Group (FMG).

The organisation says the award is a celebration of the role of DWN’s grass roots volunteers in connecting

with rural women, the wider community and the dairy industry.

“These women are an integral part of DWN, leading, organising and hosting events that encourage learning and connection,” says DWN chief executive Jules Benton.

“Many of them are also pillars in their communities – from holding positions on school boards, to acting as points of contact and support for other farmers,” Benton says.

She says the organisation’s

regional leaders are the key to the success of their commitment to the building of vibrant and prosperous communities.

“It’s important that the time these women contribute to their regions, and to building and maintaining community relationships, is acknowledged.”

Benton says that FMG’s sponsorship of the award is a natural fit.

“To have them recognise the value of our volunteer regional leaders at

grass roots is just fantastic for everyone involved.”

FMG’s chief client officer Andrea Brunner says organisations like DWN play an important role in the fabric of rural communities.

“Feeling connected within one’s industry and community is one of the recognised ways to maintaining wellbeing which is why we’re supporting the Regional Leader of the Year Award,” Brunner says.

“We wish all nominees the best

of luck.”

Nominees must be a member of the DWN Regional Leader programme, she must encompass the values of DWN, viewed as a go to connection in her community, and must demonstrate leadership in her community.

Nominations close on 21 February. The winner will be announced at an Awards Dinner at the Allflex and DWN2021 Step Up Together Taupo conference.

Leading the way in Effluent Monitoring MONITORING SOLUTIONS INCLUDING: ➤ Effluent monitoring, fail safe systems and solutions ➤ Valve control ➤ Greenwash, transfer control ➤ Kline monitoring ➤ Travelling irrigator monitoring

❱ TIM

➤ ➤ ➤ ➤ ➤ ➤

Centre pivot monitoring Tank level and flow monitoring Milk vat monitoring Weather stations Electric fence monitoring Flow meter monitoring

❱ KIM

❱ PIM

➤ ➤ ➤ ➤ ➤ ➤

Soil Moisture Sump Monitoring Text alerts Computer graphing software Phone app Auto drafting controller

❱ GIM

A:73 Deveron St, Invercargill 9810 ❙ P: 03-218 2515 ❙ E: service@especs.co.nz ❙ w: electronic-specialists.co.nz

Farmtrenz is a division of

DAIRY NEWS FEBRUARY 16, 2021

NEWS // 9

Fonterra says work done to improve its balance sheet over the last few years is paying off.

Debt reduction strategy gets tick of approval SUDESH KISSUN sudeshk@ruralnews.co.nz

FONTERRA’S STRATEGIC review follow-

ing two years of financial losses has received a tick of approval from ratings agency Fitch.

This month Fitch Ratings revised the co-operative’s outlook to stable from negative and reaffirmed its ‘A’ rating.

In a statement to NZX, Fonterra chief financial officer Marc Rivers says the improved outlook rating reflects the co-op’s progress following a strategic review.

“In particular, the work we’ve done to improve our balance sheet over the last few years,” he says.

Fitch says its key rating drivers included significant progress the co-op made refocusing on its core New Zealand dairy business.

“This has helped the co-operative retain its defensive traits, which previously underpinned the rating.

“Fonterra can pass on global dairy-price and foreign-exchange movements to farmers in its global ingredient business, and benefits from resilient profit margins in the consumer and foodservice business when dairy prices are low.

These reduce profit volatility and maintain its leverage metrics.”

Fonterra has been

FARM DEBT

“Milking is enjoyable, relaxed and easy on both the cows and milkers.“

ON FARM debt, Fitch says it expects farm leverage, measured by the level of borrowings by farmers/milk-solids production, to remain above the historical average over the next few years.

“However, farmers are likely to continue being able to service debt, helped by industry bodies, which have worked with the farmers to achieve cost savings, as well as the sustained recovery of global dairy prices from their record lows in FY16,” it says.

Fonterra is owned by 10,000 farmer shareholders.

divesting non-core foreign assets and implemented a number of cost-cutting measures in its core business to address its profit volatility.

In 2019, it sold iconic ice cream maker Tip Top to Froneri, a joint venture between Nestle and PAI Partners for $380 million. Last year it offloaded stakes in DFE Pharma and Foodspring for $623 million.

This financial year the co-op hopes to complete the sale of China Farms for $555m.

Fitch notes that Fonterra’s completed asset sales are in line with its target to reduce gross debt by $1 billion.

As a result, leverage declined to 1.7x in financial year 2020 (FY19: 2.2x) and Fitch expects leverage to remain

Dave Davis - WAIKATO 44 a-side iXPRESS4+ Herringbone Parlour Milking 330 Friesian Cross cows in just over an hour, Dave says milking should be an enjoyable experience for both operators and cows - with a balance between getting cows milked efficiently and back to pasture quicker, while not overloading his staff.

Fonterra chief financial officer Marc Rivers.

around this level over the medium term.

Fitch has not included any potential divestments in its base case but notes that Fonterra continues to sell off its stake in Beingmate, while DPA Brazil remains under strategic review and may also be sold.

On Covid’s impact on Fonterra, Fitch says the pandemic and civil unrest in markets such as Hong Kong and Chile had some impact on Fonterra’s busi-

ness in FY20.

But Fitch expects the impact on Fonterra’s core ingredient business to be limited, as global dairy sales remain resilient.

“Fonterra’s consumer and food-service division may, however, recover slowly, as the hospitality sector across many markets remains dampened by the restrictions to manage the pandemic,” it says. @dairy_news facebook.com/dairynews

To achieve this, Dave’s iXPRESS4+ parlour features iNTELARM+ swing over arms and the new iCR+ intelligent cluster removers. Proving an invaluable duo, with a-symmetrical cup alignment and optimum milk-out of each and every cow.

Need straight-forward milking performance like Dave? Call us to book your on-farm consult today – 0800 GEA FARM. gea.com Driving dairy efficiencies?

We can help.

DAIRY NEWS FEBRUARY 16, 2021

10 // NEWS

DairyNZ sets the record straight PETER BURKE peterb@ruralnews.co.nz

DAIRYNZ HAS

launched a major public information programme to give farmers an accurate assessment of the Climate Change Commissions report and exactly what it will mean for them.

Since the report was published about a fortnight ago, there is inaccurate information being circulated by some media commentators and other organisations and individuals.

DairyNZ has already put out several media statements, and in a newsletter put out to farmers it says farmers should go to the DairyNZ website to get the correct information. One of the key myths being widely spread is that the Commission is proposing a target of reducing stock numbers by 15%. This is not correct according to the chairman of CCC Rod Carr.

“There has been a bit of focus claiming the commission had set a target for reducing flocks and herds and the numbers of animals. That’s not a target we are setting.

We are saying that with land-use change, the deintensification as a result of the water regulations and some of the opportunities to get more production from the residual 85% of flocks means that we will be able to produce as much milk and meat as we produce today but with fewer animals. That raises the question, do few fewer animals create more methane so you don’t really get the reduction. The answer is, this does not appear to be the

for consultation with case,” he says.

FUNDING FOR SCIENCE submissions closing This is backed up in on March 14.

DairyNZ’s statement DairyNZ has to its farmers in which SPEAKING TO Dairy News, Rod Carr broadband initiative is resourced stated that it will it says ‘if stock numclaims there is a number of ways and prioritised so that farmers have be making a subbers were to be reduced that the agriculture sector can access to data and information to mission on behalf this would not be a blanreduce emissions and some are support decision making and the of the industry and ket rule across all farms already being done. ability to practise precision agriculsays it will support Such things as breeding animals ture,” he says. and would more likely with traits which they see them A view incidentally that DairyNZ individual farmbe driven by some farmproduce less emissions and develstrongly supports. ers choosing to convert to ers to prepare their oping grasses and crops that do Carr also suggests that priorities own submissions. horticulture’. the same. for science funding may need to It is working Again DairyNZ and He says sheep industry has been be made to ensure climate change Carr are on the same very good at this and the dairy related science is undertaken to page about the issue of industry needs to do more meet the emissions targets. whether farmer are in this regard.

“We need to make sure that if being picked on by There is talk of we have good science we roll it out. the Commission. things such as the There is temptation for the science The industry development of community to be looking for the methane inhibinext best thing whereas we know good organisators and vaccines the real benefits come when the tion says that and other last good thing is adopted widely. all New Zeatechnologies It’s not only publicising the science, landers are that could reduce it’s about having people out there being asked emissions, but with farmers, getting mud on their to reduce Carr adds these boots and working out specific their carbon are not yet availsolutions for individual farms,” he footprint able. The Comsays. and that mission is placThere is considerable mention dairy farming significant in the report about the need for the ers are not emphasis on the ag sector to embrace the changes development proposed and notes that unless the only and adoption they do there could be resistance ones being of technology from consumers to products that asked to but Carr has a don’t have a low carbon footprint. change. caveat on that.

Alternatively Carr warns that Carr “We must countries that we export to may says agriensure that impose restrictions on such prodculture the rural ucts.

Climate Change Commission has a chairman Rod Carr. large role to play “But the devil is always back and questions from in reducour farmers to help frame in the detail and we are with sector partners such nications going in the ing emissions and farmits submission. Once we going through the report through the detail of the coming weeks. as Beef+Lamb NZ and ing needs to become with a fine toothcomb and have these we will try and Commission’s report. He DairyNZ chief execFederated Farmers to get even more efficient. He answer these in a special will push back firmly on says at a high level they utive Tim Mackle says alignment on key issues says while improvements webinar we will be holdpoints we disagree with. are comfortable with the they are still working and keep strong commuhave been made in the We also want to get feed- ing on March 4,” he says report. last decades, more can happen.

COMPLEX POLICY “I think the ask of agriculture is similar to all New Zealanders, is that OVERALL TIM Mackle says based approach is ambitious practice changes on-farm, to reduce to net zero. it is ambitious and realisit is encouraging to see the and challenging for all of New along with introducing Farm He says DairyNZ invests tic,” he says. recommendations to Govern- Zealand and farming is no Environment Plans. We will around $1 million a year into The nearly 200 page ment to focus on R&D and ruexception. continue to push into this and climate change emissions report provides a roadral broadband as solutions to “We will be looking at what leverage science and techreduction research, mainly map for how NZ will support agriculture to reduce this advice could mean for nology to support us on the through the Pastoral Greenachieve the target of net emissions. dairy farmers and how the journey,” he says house Gas Research Consorzero emissions by 2050 He says climate policy is Government will partner to Mackle says DairyNZ weltium, and works closely with covering all sectors of the incredibly complex and scisupport our sector through comes the acknowledgement the New Zealand Agricultural NZ economy – not just ence sits at its core. He says this transition. Our farmers of a split gas approach and Greenhouse Gas Research the Commission’s sciencehave already started making that methane does not need Centre (NZAGRC). agriculture. This is a draft report and this is now up

PERFECT FOR TAIL CLIPPING Search ‘Xplorer Tail Clipper’ on YouTube

Heiniger New Zealand | (03) 349 8282 | www.heiniger.co.nz

XPLORER

Cordless Clipper • 10.8V for smooth & powerful trimming • Up to 120 min run time on Li-Ion battery • Ergonomic shape with slim soft-feel grip • Solid yet light at only 990 grams • Improves animal hygiene & shed safety

DAIRY NEWS FEBRUARY 16, 2021

NEWS // 11

Malcolm Bailey (inset) wants UK to honour its commitments in the NZ-UK free trade agreement.

UK warned to honour FTA commitments PETER BURKE

THE MORE THE MERRIER

peterb@ruralnews.co.nz

PLANS FOR the United

Kingdom to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) have come with a warning from New Zealand dairy companies.

Dairy Companies of New Zealand (DCANZ) chairman Malcolm Bailey says while he welcomes the intent of the UK to join the group, he wants the NZ government to send a strong message to the UK about how it must honour its commitment to freeing up global trade.

He says before being admitted to the CPTTP, as the first nation outside the trans-pacific region to benefit from it, the UK must fully embrace free trade. He wants actions, not just words.

Bailey says the UK’s application to join CPTPP is another great sign of its interest in advancing global trade liberalisation.

But he says the real test of UK trade leadership comes from how it honours its existing commitments and what it is prepared to put on the table in negotiations.

“Despite the UK’s strong statements of ambition, including for a high quality UK-NZ

TRADE AND Export Growth Minister, Damien O’Connor, says New Zealand has always supported the expansion of the CPTPP by those willing to meet the agreement’s high quality and says it’s good to see that the UK intends to take the formal step shortly to start this process.

He says the challenges facing the global trade and economic environment have been compounded by Covid-19.

“NZ sees the CPTPP objective of maintaining and growing open, rules-based trade, as more important than ever. We believe the CPTPP can provide leadership in our region and beyond to drive postCovid economic and trade recovery.

The UK’s move to join the CPTPP

FTA, we are yet to see it remedy concerns about diminished quota access following Brexit, and we have detected hesitancy on its part to bringing real liberalisation to the FTA negotiating table. A voiding a disconnect between intent and action is important if current and potential trade negotiating partners are to have confidence in the UK’s stated ambitions,” he says.

Bailey says the NZ dairy sector is placing priority on the UK-NZ FTA agreeing to an end point of comprehensive tariff elimination for all dairy products. He says this would put New Zealand dairy exporters on par

underlines the agreement’s importance in this regard,” he says.

O’Connor says, to start this process, the UK needs to present a letter to New Zealand, as Depositary for the CPTPP, formally expressing its interest in joining the 11 member trade agreement. Under CPTPP guidelines, the next step will be for all CPTPP members to discuss the United Kingdom’s request, and establish a working group to negotiate UK accession to the Agreement.

NZ launched trade negotiations with the UK in June 2020.

“Both sides see conclusion of a high quality, comprehensive and future-focused FTA as a valuable stepping stone towards the UK joining the CPTPP,” he says.

with European exporters in terms of the level of market access they have had into the UK market for nearly 50 years. He notes that the UK has reconfirmed its ability to provide full liberalisation on dairy through its recently concluded bilateral trade agreement with the EU. “The UK, as a major economy forging its own independent trade policy, has a unique opportunity to set the tone of global trade policy at this crucial moment.

The world needs frictionless trade to support Covid-19 pandemic response and economic recovery, and as protectionism threatens

to rear its ugly head in other countries’ Covid19 responses, unequivocal leadership from the UK would give the global economy much needed confidence,” he says.

Bailey says the UK needs to convert its statements of commitment to leadership in global trade liberalisation to meaningful action.

The UK is New Zealand’s sixth largest trading partner, with two way trade of almost $6 billion in 2019. The CPTPP is an 11-member trade agreement involving New Zealand, Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam.

Straight-forward performance For an affordable herringbone parlour, configured to suit your farming system, choose GEA‘s re-engineered iXPRESS4+.

If you’re looking to build new or retrofit an existing shed, you’re probably looking for an efficient and comfortable shed that provides low-fuss performance day-in, day-out.

Designed and manufactured in NZ, with the iXPRESS4+ you can milk more cows, with fewer operators, in less time!

With perfectly a-symmetrical cluster alignment, plus a clean and thorough milkout, it’s completely unbeatable in its class and totally affordable!

Need straight-forward performance like this? We can help, call 0800 GEA FARM. gea.com Driving dairy efficiencies?

We can help.

DAIRY NEWS FEBRUARY 16, 2021

12 // WORLD NEWS

Arla eyeing $1b online sales SUDESH KISSUN sudeshk@ruralnews.co.nz

EUROPEAN COOPERATIVE Arla is fast

tracking plans to become the trading bloc’s dairy

market leader for e-commerce as more consumers shop online in a Covidriddled world.

One of the world’s top 10 dairy processors, Arla aims to double its sales via its customers’ online

platforms to over 1 billion dollars (NZ$) across Europe.

Having witnessed a rapid growth in its e-commerce sales during the pandemic, with growth doubling in many key

markets during 2020, Arla is now harnessing this development, as lockeddown consumers continue to seek out household brands such as Arla and Lurpak during their online shopping.

Arla aims to double its sales via its customers’ online platforms to over 1 billion dollars across Europe.

CLEANER, CLEARER, EASIER TO READ. THE SHARPEST PRINTING BY A COUNTRY MILE. TO ALL FARMERS FOR ALL FARMERS AGRIBUSINESS

MANAGEMENT

NEWS

Sheep milk demand soars.

Precision tech helps farmer get it right. PAGE 31

State of the art accommodation opens at BoP kiwifruit orchard.

PAGE 7

PAGE 21

Farmers welcome sale of loss-making China Farms. PAGE 3 NEW CHAIR COMPACT ALLR0UNDER Coull takes reigns PAGE 16

Krone baler PAGE 32

TO ALL FARMERS, FOR ALL FARMERS OCTOBER 20, 2020: ISSUE 712

www.ruralnews.co.nz OCTOBER 13, 2020

Payout lifts

ISSUE 457 // www.dairynews.co.nz

GOOD NEWS PETER BURKE

SUDESH KISSUN sudeshk@ruralnews.co.nz

THE FORECAST milk payout for this season has gone up by 40c and Fonterra farmers can thank Chinese consumers.

The co-operative last week announced a new range of $6.30 to $7.30/kgMS with a new midpoint of $6.80/kgMS. The revised forecast comes just a month after Fonterra announced its annual results.

BNZ senior economist Doug Steel told Rural News that he’s not surprised by Fonterra’s announcement, as “underlying tones” in the dairy markets have been improving in recent weeks.

In the latest Global Dairy Trade (GDT) auction, the price of flagship whole milk powder price topped US$3,000/metric tonne. The New Zea-

land dollar has also stabilised.

Steel says a stable NZ dollar and strong demand for WMP normally provides upward pressure on the payout.

However, he says the wide range of Fonterra’s forecast payout means “anything could still happen”.

“There’s a wide range of possible outcomes, we are seeing so much

Crisis looms Growers are warning of looming “significant price rises” for fruits and vegetables thanks to the Government’s refusal to allow overseas workers into the country for harvesting and packhouse duties.

Pukekohe’s Hira Bhana and Co Ltd say their business grows a lot of spring crops and needs overseas labour to supplement permanent workers like Taniela Vaioleti, (pictured) who was helping harvest lettuce on one of their farms last week. Growers fear that unharvested crops will lead to shortages and price hikes.

Full story page 6.

Buy a kids bike

get $200 FREE!

Offer ends 31 December 2020, or while stocks last.

uncertainty lingering around...anything could still happen, but for now we are seeing better prices.”

Steel says New Zealand’s close attachment to China, especially in terms of selling them dairy products, is paying dividends.

“They were first in, first out of Covid and the strong demand for

WMP there gives us hope going forward.”

Fonterra chief executive Miles Hurrell says the stronger 2020-21 milk price forecast is largely being driven by improved demand in China. He says at a $6.80 milk price, more than $10 billion would flow into regional New Zealand.

The farmer-owned cooperative is supercharging its existing e-commerce plans 3-5 years ahead of schedule, increasing investments in its online presence, extending the number of expert e-commerce employees across the sales and marketing organisation in the UK, Denmark, Sweden, Germany, the Netherlands and Finland and aims to double the retail sales ambition.

“We have a clear goal of becoming dairy market leader for e-commerce in Europe and continuing to be a preferred partner for our customers,” says executive vice president and chief commercial officer for Arla Europe, Peter Giørtz Carlsen.

“E-commerce was on the rise in Europe before the Covid-19 crisis and we had been preparing on the technological side and with our customers for some time.

“The pandemic has rapidly changed behaviours towards online channels and this shift represents an opportunity for us to push our e-commerce ambitions forward in the innovation pipe-

line and the work is well under way,” says Carlsen.

Arla’s ability to fast track its e-commerce plans is partly due to the success of the transformation and cost-savings programme Calcium, as this has ensured that the cooperative is able to shift gears in a very agile way and reinvest in the business to boost online sales across Europe. The expanded new e-commerce acceleration team will focus on data analysis, driving online campaigns and visual content to make it easy for the online shopper to find Arla’s household products.

It says as the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic is again limiting movement across the globe, grocery shopping online, including fresh food items such as dairy, is becoming a longerterm change in consumer behaviours.

With the new e-commerce strategy Arla has set an ambitious goal to have 10% of all retail sales across core European markets come from e-commerce. @dairy_news facebook.com/dairynews

peterb@ruralnews.co.nz

NEW ZEALAND’S sheep and beef farms are already close to being carbon neutral and Beef+Lamb NZ believes this strengthens calls for the formal recognition of on-farm sequestration.

A study led by Dr Bradley Case at Auckland University of Technology (AUT) estimates the woody vegetation on New Zealand sheep and beef farms is offsetting between 63 and 118% of their on-farm agricultural emissions.

B+LNZ chief insight officer Jeremy Baker says the study was initiated as a result of a report last year, which showed that there were about 1.4 million hectares of woody vegetation on sheep and beef farms.

He says they wanted to understand how much of that was still sequestering carbon and at what level.

“The problem with the ETS scheme is that it is based on planting pines and is very much for the short term and gives a quick hit for carbon sequestration,” he says. “Whereas natives take a lot longer to sequester because they are slower growing but they are there for a longer period and they are also biologically and ecologically more secure.”

Report author Bradley Case says there is a strong case for farmers to get credit for the sequestration happening on their farms.

– See more page 5

SUZUKI.CO.NZ

$200 FREE DEALER DOLLARS on selected kids bikes Purchase any kids bike and score $200 Dealer Dollars to spend on anything you like in-store. A good reason to get the kids outdoors or buy early for Xmas.

ONLINE TRADE

DREAM TEAM, DREAM RESULTS Tatua chairman Stephen Allen, chief executive Brendhan Greaney attribute record result in a challenging year to hardworking staff.

PAGE 4

0.9%

P.A.

KUBOTA’S MGX

T H E TA S K MASTER

FINANCE FOR 36 MONTHS* across the MGX Series FINANCE PROVIDED BY

UDC FINANCE LIMITED

SEE YOUR NEAREST DEALER TODAY! Offer applies to JR80, DR-Z125L, LT-Z50 and LT-Z90.

*This finance offer from UDC Finance Limited is only available to eligible business applicants on loans with a term of up to 36 months. The 0.9% p.a. interest rate is fixed for the term of the loan and is only available with a minimum 20% deposit and applies to new MGX Series models UDC Finance credit criteria, fees, terms and conditions apply. The finance offer are valid to 31/102020.

kubota.co.nz

www.ruralnews.co.nz www.dairynews.co.nz

EVERY YEAR Arla engages with consumers 600 million times on its own digital platforms such as websites and social media.

That is more than 1.6 million times every single day of the year. With the new investments and strategy for e-commerce Arla wants to create even easier access to Arla’s products by collaborating closer with European e-retailers to ensure that fresh dairy products such as milk, yoghurt, butter and cheese are visible on the online grocery shop shelves.

An example of this is the Click&Cook service in Denmark and Sweden. When consumers look up a recipe, they can click on a Click&Cook button and it automatically fills the online grocery basket with the needed ingredients.

At the moment, one of Arla’s biggest markets for e-commerce is the UK, where 17% of total retail sales come through e-commerce channels.

DAIRY NEWS FEBRUARY 16, 2021

AGRIBUSINESS // 13

Better butter set to boom Beset by food fads and bad science, butter’s reputation is enjoying a sustained resurgence. Southern Pasture’s new senior vice president and general manager of post farmgate operations Tom Bailey explains why boutique butter is set to boom.

THERE’S NO doubt butter is back. Since 2014, global demand for butter has increased at around 7% per annum. Prices have hit multiple new highs and dairy farmers in key markets are turning to Jersey cows for their higher fat milk. It marks the reversal of a trend long driven by poor health advice and cheap convenience.

Butter’s boom to bust to boom Up until the 1930s, butter enjoyed a stellar reputation as a nutritious staple in Western diets.

Dairy farming and butter production were generally family-run artisanal practices using grass-fed milk.

Margarine was hardly in the picture. Made from beef tallow and other odds and ends, consumption of this greasy spread was also limited in the US by taxes associated with the federal margarine act.

It took a global war to knock butter from its perch.

Exporting butter from the US to Europe during war time became too costly, inefficient, and risky. So, food scientists sought to make sub-

stitutes. Margarine was reformulated with vegetable fats instead of beef tallow. The improved flavor and simplified supply chain made it a more convenient option to feed soldiers overseas. Soon after World War Two, the US federal margarine act was repealed, reducing prices, and so began the shift

Tom Bailey

Butter producers who can provide authentic and traceable proof of very high grass and very low carbon will put themselves in pole position.

instead consumed vast amounts of artificially hydrogenated trans-fats in

“Prices have hit multiple new highs and dairy farmers in key markets are turning to Jersey cows for their higher fat milk.” from butter to margarine.

To drive down the cost of production, dairy cows in the US were shifted to a cheaper grain-fed diet and the golden hue of grassfed butter faded along with demand.

In the 1950s, an antifat trend delivered a second blow to butter. In 1958, prominent scientist Ancel Keys made the front page of Time magazine claiming saturated fats clogged arteries and caused heart disease. Few disputed his research and for the next five decades consumers turned away from natural fats and

margarine.

The early 90s took the anti-fat movement further, with the claim that “fat makes you fat” regardless of its composition. The low fat-diet was born, and consumers turned to fat-free sugars and carbs which started the slow demise of margarine.

In the early 2000s there was a significant shift back to natural foods, underscored by the discovery that Ancel Keys had cherry picked his data to fit his conclusions back in 1958. Time magazine proclaimed an end to the

war on fat in 2014 by putting butter on its cover.

A systematic meta-analysis of literature has added to a growing body of research that low-fat diets are misguided. The study shows that butter might even protect against type 2 diabetes.

Golden glow The trend back to butter has continued, with steady growth in demand starting to hit a steeper curve, in part thanks to locked-down Covid consumers spending more time in the kitchen.

Pre-pandemic, trends such as the keto diet, the carnivore diet, and natural food diets also supported demand. From grain-fed to organic butters, consumers are now faced with a huge amount of choice, and they are increasingly well informed about which butter is better.

WATER & EFFLUENT STORAGE

► Storage from 50,000 up to 5,000,000 Litres ► Suitable for water, effluent, milk products, chemicals and more ► Minimal site preparation, no concrete required

FOR TOUGH NZ CONDITIONS

► Fast on site installation ► 15 warranty, 25 year design life

Call 0800 255 222 Online www.kliptank.com Email info@kliptank.com

As any baker knows, the key indicator of quality is colour. This instinctive preference for a golden hue is increasingly supported by studies.

Cows eating mainly grass produce a deep yellow butter that is rich in betacarotenes. These are converted by the human body into the important nutri-

ent Vitamin A. Grass-fed butter is also higher in vitamin K2 and contains 500% more CLAs (conjugated linoleic acid) than grain fed butter. Numerous studies have indicated that CLAs can help prevent certain chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and even certain cancers.

Moreover, fat composition within grass-fed butter shows higher levels of good omega 3 fats than a grain-fed product. For cows on a very high grassfed diet, such as those on

a Southern Pastures farm eating a consistent 96% grass diet, the ratio of omega 3 fats to omega 6 is a world-beating 1:1. Sold under the Lewis Road Brand, the butter now commands the highest price of any export butter currently sold by Whole Foods in the United States.

What’s next?

Consumers are now starting to want more information about the carbon footprint of their food. New Zealand is well positioned to answer that, with new studies showing we have the most efficient on farm dairy emissions of all major milk producing countries. Butter producers who can provide authentic and traceable proof of very high grass and very low carbon will put themselves in pole position.

DAIRY NEWS FEBRUARY 16, 2021

14 // OPINION RUMINATING

EDITORIAL

Anxious times

MILKING IT...

Flawed crusade GREENPEACE CONTINUES to use flawed arguments to advance its crusade against our dairy industry.

At a time when global consumers are clamouring for healthy grass-fed milk products (e.g. butter), and willing to pay a premium, Greenpeace is continuing its senseless campaign.

This time, the lobby group wants the Government to phase out synthetic nitrogen fertiliser, maliciously calling it one of the key drivers of industrial dairying, over two years.

Used wisely, this is a fundamental tool used to grow food for the world.

Do they really want to disrupt the dairy industry and send the country’s economy crashing in the process?

RMA hopes high

Nothing beats milk

LAST WEEK’S announcement by the Government that it would replace the Resource Management Act (RMA) with new legislation has raised the hopes of anti-dairying lobbyists like Greenpeace.

It wants any new law that replaces the dysfunctional RMA to protect environmental bottom lines “in a way that the RMA failed to”, and it wants any new regulation to effectively strangle dairying.

“That means stopping nitrate pollution entering freshwater from milk processing and too many cows,” says the activist group.

Conveniently, Greenpeace again turns a blind eye to the pollution caused by urban dwellers – like sewage water seeping onto beaches around Auckland, and burst pipes spewing raw sewage into Wellington harbour.

Their agenda seems less about a cleaner environment and more about being anti-farmer.

IMMUNE SYSTEM support and disease prevention are top of mind for Americans stuck at home during Covid lockdowns and in a cycle of inactivity – led by excess time in front of computer, smartphone and television screens.

The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB) has partnered with researchers at the University of California at Davis (UC Davis) Food for Health Institute to help consumers better understand the impact of real milk on the body to help counter deterioration.

Real milk, when consumed as part of a healthy eating pattern, has been scientifically proven to help protect bones and muscles, and is a natural source of immune-boosting nutrients like Vitamin A, Vitamin D and protein.

The nutrients in milk and dairy foods work together to produce unique health benefits that are hard to reproduce.

“Just because a liquid is white does not mean it is nutritionally similar to real milk,” states Dr. Bruce German, Director of the UC Davis Food for Health Institute.

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 Inkwise NZ Ltd Editorial: sudeshk@ruralnews.co.nz davef@ruralnews.co.nz www.ruralnews.co.nz subsrndn@ruralnews.co.nz

ABC audited circulation 26,510 as at 31/3/2019

ISSN 1175-463X

Bad week IT’S BEEN a bad week for Fonterra.

Firstly, they were accused of dumping nitrates onto its farms dotted around manufacturing sites.

Then came the news that 170,000 litres of skim milk spilled into the Tasman Sea from its Whareroa plant in Taranaki.

The leak left globules of fat dispersed along the foreshore of Ohawe and Waihi beaches, near Hāwera.

In a similar mishap in 2008, the dairy giant spilt 110,000 litres of skim milk into the ocean from the same plant.

In a statement, Fonterra says a valve fault caused milk to overwhelm the plant’s wastewater system, which released milk into the waste water drain instead of it reaching its intended location in another milk silo.

THE RECENT Climate Change Commission discussion document has made many farmers anxious.

Quite rightly, they are keen to know what’s in store for them and DairyNZ has been fielding calls from farmers.

The Climate Change Commission was formed alongside work to set the country’s climate targets (including biogenic methane targets). The establishment of the commission is legislated under the Zero Carbon Act 2019 and its main purpose is to provide evidence-based advice on climate issues.

Under the Act, the commission is required to deliver advice on setting emissions budgets across the entire economy to government. This advice has implications for all sectors of the economy, including farming.

The draft advice released by the commission also sent rumour mills into overdrive. One ‘recommendation’ bandied about is that the advice calls for a 15% reduction in cow numbers.

DairyNZ confirms that this isn’t a recommendation made by the commission – although they did model this as a possibility in the future.

What the commission has actually recommended is the Government introduce policies that will reduce barriers to conversion to lower emission land uses. If stock numbers were to reduce, this would not be a blanket rule across all farms and would be more likely to be driven by some farmers choosing to convert to other land uses like horticulture.

Land use change, for example, from dairy to horticulture on flatter and more productive land, could reduce biogenic emissions per hectare. However, it could also cause water quality to deteriorate due to the increased use of fertiliser, and consequential nitrogen and phosphorus losses.

Nutrient losses would vary depending on the crop, the site, weather conditions, the soils’ physical and chemical properties, and how the land is managed. Increasing the area of horticulture could also increase water demand. The commission says that in light of the physical impacts of climate change, this increased need for water would need to be weighed up when considering converting to horticulture as a climate action.

The report also talks about pushing harder to get solutions from science and technology something farmers have been pushing for too.

The commission has opened public consultation on this draft advice for six weeks, from 1st February to 14th March 2021. It will then consider any submissions on the draft advice and finalise advice to the Government by 30 June, 2021.

The commission says every New Zealander will need to play his or her role to help the country combat climate change.

Farmers are ready to play their part.

Publisher: General Manager: Editor: Machinery Editor:

Brian Hight ...................... Ph 09-307 0399 Adam Fricker ................... Ph 021-842 226 Sudesh Kissun ................ Ph 021-963 177 Mark Daniel...................... Ph 021-906 723 markd@ruralnews.co.nz Reporters: Peter Burke.....................Ph 021-224 2184 peterb@ruralnews.co.nz

Subscriptions: Julie Beech ....................Ph 021-190 3144 Production: Dave Ferguson .............Ph 027-272 5372 Becky Williams ..............Ph 021-100 4831 Digital Strategist: Jessica Marshall ..........Ph 021 0232 6446

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.

AUCKLAND SALES REPRESENTATIVE: Stephen Pollard............................................. Ph 021-963 166 stephenp@ruralnews.co.nz WAIKATO SALES REPRESENTATIVE: Ted Darley ...................................................... Ph 021-832 505 ted@ruralnews.co.nz WELLINGTON SALES REPRESENTATIVE: Ron Mackay ................................................... Ph 021-453 914 ronm@ruralnews.co.nz SOUTH ISLAND SALES REPRESENTATIVE: Kaye Sutherland .........................................Ph 021-221 1994 kayes@ruralnews.co.nz

DAIRY NEWS FEBRUARY 16, 2021

OPINION // 15

Tackling climate change ANDY LOADER

IS IT time to take a deep

breath and stop to consider the whole climate change debate on a global scale rather than just based on New Zealand’s commitments under the Paris Accord?

We should also consider how we measure the climate change impacts on the environment and move from a per capita basis to one where impact is measured against production outcomes, as this

our agricultural production and its impacts.

Fact: The large majority of our agricultural production is exported all over the globe and used to feed many other countries populations.

Fact: Most other nations that we are measured against have significantly larger population bases and lower production figures which means that their per capita impact is measured much lower than NZ’s, which is not a true reflection of the direct impacts that

cases, be producing a similar product with much higher levels of impact on the environment than the NZ producers were.

So the net environmental impact on a global scale is that by cutting back production, NZ is actually contributing to worsening the effects of climate change rather

Like Team New Zealand, dairy farmers must innovate to keep ahead of global competition.

We all know how important clover is in any pastoral farming system.

Superstrike® clover seed treatment protects plants when they need it most. Superstrike® includes pesticide and nutrient additives, helping maximise plant establishment and early plant growth - giving seeds the best possible start.

Protect your seed, protect your future.

Talk to your local seed supplier about Superstrike® clover or visit www.seedtreatment.co.nz

® PWS 2102

their agricultural production has on the global environment in relation to climate change.

Fact: If the environmental impact from agricultural production was measured by comparison of impact against production quantity then the NZ agricultural industry would be seen as far ahead of the rest of the world in relation to this measure.

This is not an excuse to say that we should not have to do anything to reduce our impacts on climate change as we have committed to doing so and rightly should support that commitment with direct action.

My problem with the current situation is that if, as has been suggested in the climate change report, we take all of the actions proposed, we will likely end up with a reduction in our total production outputs and therefore have less product to export.

This reduction in outputs/exports will not in itself have much of a direct effect in reducing the impacts on climate change. Yes it will have some beneficial effects on the total.

What will actually happen is that as NZ exports decrease, the market will find other suppliers around the globe to replace that decrease in NZ export production. Those other suppliers will, in nearly all

reduction in impact.

• Andy Loader is Co-chairman, Primary Land Users Group (P.L.U.G) www.plug4growth.co.nz

Give seed the best possible start.

We should consider the part that NZ can play in the whole global impact in relation to climate change. will give a truer picture of the direct impacts on the environment from agricultural production on a global scale.

In last week’s Rural News, Waikato farmer George Moss likened the position New Zealand farmers find themselves in to Team New Zealand in the America’s Cup: “Yes, we are the holders of the cup now, but if we don’t keep innovating and be smart, our competitors will take it off us.”

It’s a great analogy.

We should consider the part that NZ can play in the whole global impact in relation to climate change.

Fact: In the global scheme of things NZ plays a very small part in controlling the direct impacts on climate change.

Fact: Agriculture has a direct impact on the environment and contributes to climate change issues.

Fact: NZ can improve and lower its level of impact through changes to our methods of agricultural production.

Fact: The level of reduction in direct impact that NZ will make through those changes is extremely small in relation to global measures.

Fact: The measurement of NZ’s direct impact on climate change is significantly overstated when measured on a per capita basis as it is now, due to our very low population levels compared to

than improving it.

Maybe if viewed on a global scale we should take a slower path to reduction in impact and maintain our current levels of production, which will have the effect of preventing an increase in environmental effects outside our borders whilst still implementing a

DAIRY NEWS FEBRUARY 16, 2021

16 // MANAGEMENT

Pasture-based farming helps keep carbon footprint low just hard graft from the co-op’s farmers and solutions like Kowbucha, seaweed and feed additives are being investigated for potential breakthroughs in reducing emissions from cows. Fonterra has also teamed up with Nestlé and DairyNZ to expand a promising plantain trial to help improve waterways and reduce on-farm greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

The report from AgResearch, commissioned by DairyNZ compares New Zealand with 17 other countries. It confirms our footprint is 70% lower than the global average and 46% lower than the average of other countries in the study, which includes all major milk producers.

FONTERRA SAYS

new analysis showing New Zealand dairy farms having the lowest carbon footprint in the world is a result of the country’s unique pasture-based farming.

Fonterra director of on-farm excellence, Charlotte Rutherford, says it also reflects the hard graft of the co-operative’s farmer shareholders.

“Which as an employee of the co-op makes me feel pretty proud,” says Rutherford.

“We’ve seen consumers become increasingly interested in the carbon footprint of their products, and today’s report confirms we’re well placed to meet people’s desire for food that’s kinder to the planet.

“We know more needs to be done to keep improving and we’re up for the challenge.”

Innovation is a key part of the co-op’s strat-

egy and it has multiple partnerships to develop the tools and solutions needed to support farmers, particularly in areas where they face tough

their emissions profiles,” she says.

“Last year, all our farmers received a greenhouse gas emission report specific to their farms.

challenges, such as reducing methane emissions.

“One of the keys to helping guide farmers to continuously improve is ensuring they understand

It’s a very practical step toward helping New Zealand meet climate change commitments.”

But finding a solution requires more than

STUDY GRANT OPENS DOORS MASSEY UNIVERSITY student

Sophie Ridd is this year’s recipient of Ravensdown’s Hugh Williams Memorial Scholarship.

Sophie, 19, is about to start her second year of study towards a Bachelor of Agricultural Science at Massey University’s Palmerston North campus. She says the scholarship will reduce her financial burden and open up new opportunities for her to pursue tertiary study at higher levels.

“I am absolutely stoked to receive this support as it will enable me to pursue my passion even further.”

Sophie was encouraged to apply for the Hugh Williams Memorial Scholar-

$17,995

ship by her parents, John and Jenni.

The family are long-time Ravensdown shareholders and run an arable farm, along with sheep and beef finishing and winter dairy grazing, just north of Feilding.

Growing up, Sophie would regularly help her parents out on their farm. She says that is what led to her passion for agriculture.

“Mum and Dad are huge advocates for the agricultural industry. Growing up on the family farm taught me the virtue of hard work and kindled my interest in the science behind modern farm management.”

Agriculture touches on all aspects

570 HEAVY DUTY ADC

INC GST

$26,995

12

7

11 2

SAVE $1,000

9 8

5 10

6 1 4

Fitted with optional Polaris Accessories

1. Steel half doors #AUST510 2. Tip out front screen #2881784 3. Matte black six’r alloy rims #1521507-521 4. Pro Armor attack tyres #5415613 5. Canvas seat covers #P772Q 6. Front brushguard #2879973

INC GST

FREE FARM KIT VALUED AT $3,250 INC GST

Sophie says that while she is in the early stages of tertiary study, she has already found an area of particular interest. “Coming from a crop farming background, I am really interested in learning more about how the nutritional profiles of crops affect stock development and growth.”

Whatever she specialises in, Sophie is confident her future is with the agricultural industry.

“The pace of change in New Zealand’s agricultural sector is incredible. Many of the jobs of tomorrow will come from innovations and breakthroughs from this country’s leading farmers and scientists today. I cannot

XP 1000 HD EPS ADC 1 6

$27,995

4 5 2

7

FARM KIT INCLUDES: Poly Roof (#2882911), Fixed Glass Screen (#2889030), Wiper Kit (#2883974), Rear Poly Panel (#2883773) and Draw Bar (#2875320)

3

ACCESSORY IDEAS 7. Polysport roof #2883236 8. Cargo max system #2882177 9. Rear poly panel #2879812 10. Rear brushguard #2879972 11. Pro Armor 25cm dual row light bar #2882075 12. Work beacon led light #2883265

Fitted with optional Polaris Accessories

1. Poly Sport Roof #2882911 2. Tip Out Windscreen #2889031 3. Front Hood Storage Rack #2882690 4. 33” Single Row Light Bar - 6300 Lumens #2882077 5. Windscreen Wiper Kit #2883974

wait to start my career and make a positive difference.”

The Hugh Williams Memorial Scholarship provides the recipient with $5,000 per year for each year of a student’s undergraduate study in agriculture or horticulture disciplines at Lincoln or Massey University. The recipient will also be offered the opportunity for paid holiday work at Ravensdown if available.

The scholarship was founded to commemorate the late Hugh Williams, who was a Ravensdown director from 1987 to 2000. Applications for next year’s scholarship are due by 3 December 2021.

HD EPS ADC

INC GST

3.99% FINANCE P.A.

7

5 6

4

$2,000 FREE ACCESSORIES^ 3

3.99% FINANCE P.A.+

$1,000 FREE ACCESSORIES^

3.99% FINANCE P.A.+

of Sophie’s life. Aside from being raised on a farm and studying agricultural science at university, she is also a keen competitor in cattle shows.

Last year, Sophie was a reserve for the NZ Future Beef Team at the World Hereford Conference, and this year she will be heading down to Oxford to take part in the National Royal A&P Society competition.

“I’ve really enjoyed getting into cattle showing. I like the discipline as it teaches you how to interact, groom and control an animal, while also working on your own personal presentation. It’s a very grounding experience.”

1

+

3

2

8 9

ACCESSORY IDEAS 6. Glass Rear Panel #2879013 7. Poly Doors Crank Window #2882561 8. 2,041Kg Pro Hd Winch #2882711 9. Rock Sliders With Step #2882530

Fitted with optional Polaris Accessories

ACCESSORY IDEAS

1. Glass tip out screen #2889031 2. Bull bar and side rail kit #AUST548 3. Poly half door #2882559 4. Tip down Headache rack #2881531

5. Premium poly sport roof #2882912 6. Poly rear panel #2883773 7. Pro Armor 81cm single-row light bar #2884299

*Offer ends 28/2/21 or while stocks last. Offer only available at participating Polaris Dealers. Not valid with any other offer. Excludes fleet clients. ^Accessories offer only valid with the purchase of a new Ranger 570 HD EPS ADC and Ranger Diesel HD EPS ADC. +Finance offer is only available on selected models and excludes youth models. GST registered customers only. 24-month term contract. Fees and conditions apply (normal lending criteria applies) Finance is provided by Polaris Finance, a program operated by De Lage Landen Limited Company No 135515.

0800 440 290 | www.polarisnewzealand.com |

/PolarisNZ |

/polarisorv_nz

DAIRY NEWS FEBRUARY 16, 2021

MANAGEMENT // 17

Oz stockfeed trader expands into NZ LEADING AUSTRALIAN food exporter SunRice is expanding into New Zealand with the purchase of Ingham’s dairy nutrition business.

The $11.5 million deal that includes a feed mill in Hamilton and direct-tofarm and packaged business should be finalised by the end of next month.

The deal gives SunRice subsidiary CopRice ownership of dairy and calf feed products under the Top Cow and Top Calf brands.

CopRice is a major provider of stockfeed and companion animal products in eastern Australia.

The company says the strategic acquisition will expand its operational footprint into New Zealand for the first time, building on its existing export business. It follows the August 2020 acquisition of the dairy and beef business of Riverbank Stockfeeds, which has enabled CopRice to strengthen its position in the Victorian beef and dairy market.

SunRice Group chairman Laurie Arthur says the expansion is part of its 2022 growth strategy.

“This is a significant and strategic acquisition for CopRice that will see it expand its operational footprint and

CopRice, a major provider of stockfeed in eastern Australia is expanding its operational footprint into New Zealand for the first time.

expertise into the New Zealand dairy market for the first time,” says Arthur.

“The acquisition will see CopRice take its deep dairy nutrition expertise to one of the world’s largest dairy production countries, building on our existing export business into New Zealand by adding local production capability.”

SunRice has made a number of

recent investments in the CopRice business in Australia.

Arthur says this includes repurposing the former Coleambally SunRice mill in New South Wales, the acquisition of Riverbank Stockfeeds’ dairy and beef business in Victoria, and investment in its Wangaratta site, Victoria to reconfigure it into a manufacturer of companion animal products.

“These investments are expected to deliver benefits from financial year 2022. Aside from this investment, we are actively exploring other strategic and organic growth opportunities for SunRice aligned to our 2022 Growth Strategy.”

CopRice general manager Peter McKinney says the Ingham feed business investment in Hamilton will take

CopRice’s 40-plus years of dairy nutrition expertise to the New Zealand market.

“It will build on the success we have already had there with our packaged dog and horse range sold into the agricultural retail market.

“The acquisition will build on our existing relationships with strategic agricultural retail customers through being able to expand the range of packaged products to new species, especially in the key packaged calf market.”

The Ingham feed business recorded revenue of $25 million in the full year ended June 27, 2020. CopRice expects to generate synergies from introducing its expertise in NZ. The SunRice Group is a major Australian branded food company and one of the world’s largest rice food companies, with approximately 2000 employees across multiple businesses.

With more than 30 major brands in around 50 countries across the world, its operations and assets span Australia, New Zealand, the Middle East, the United States, Papua New Guinea, the Pacific Islands and Asia.

The 70-year old business has annual revenues of $1.13 billion.

0% FINANCE* EARLY ORDER OFFERS NOW ON

ZERO IN ON OUR HAY RANGE MF TL-V VERTICAL-FOLD MOWERS

MF TD SERIES TEDDERS

MF RK SERIES RAKES

MF 1840 SMALL SQUARE BALER

Massey Ferguson hay and forage equipment offers something for everyone; from our range of square and round balers to our extensive offering of mowers, windrowers, tedders and rakes. Whatever the crop or the job get it done with high quality hay and forage equipment from Massey Ferguson.

CONTACT YOUR LOCAL MASSEY FERGUSON DEALER TODAY *Offer ends March 31, 2021, while stocks last. Finance with an interest rate of 0% p.a. available on Chattel Mortgage agreement based on 1/3 cash deposit, 1/3 after six months and 1/3 after 12 months OR minimum 30% cash deposit, the GST component repaid in the fourth month and monthly repayments in arrears over a 12 month term. Fees and lending conditions apply to approved GST number holders, who use the equipment for business purposes. Finance is approved by AGCO Finance Pty Ltd, GST number 88-831-861.

MASSEYFERGUSON.CO.NZ | FREECALL 0800 825 872

A world of experience. Working with you.

DAIRY NEWS FEBRUARY 16, 2021

18 // ANIMAL HEALTH

Case for Jersey genetics has never been stronger MICHELLE GOOD

BREEDING AND genetics are a long-term game and it’s three years from the time we make the choice around which straw or bull to use, until we really know whether it’s been a smart decision. So, it’s understandable that most farmers are thinking ahead when it comes to their breeding.

In a recent Jersey Advantage survey, 60% of respondents said they were planning to make breed changes to their herd over the next five years, with over half of those planning to increase their use of Jersey genetics.

FREE DE UPGRA T R MA RUBBE -BAR OR W

It’s not surprising.

With the resurgence of fat prices, the popularity of A2 milk, the growth in once-a-day (OAD) and variable milking routines, warmer temperatures and an increasing focus on efficiency and environmental footprint, the Jersey breed is well placed to meet the challenges of the future.

Jersey bulls currently hold 25/30 spots on the All Breeds Ranking of Active Sires (RAS) list which ranks bulls on their Breeding Worth (BW).

BW is a measure of an animal’s ability to breed profitable replacements and the Jersey breed’s BW advantage is a reflection of several factors.

Breeding Worth is made up of eight traits – fat, protein, milk volume, liveweight, fertility, somatic cell count (SCC), residual survival and body condition score (BCS). Of those traits, Jerseys, on average, rate the best for fertility, SCC and BCS. Jerseys have lower protein and fat breeding values but when milk volume and liveweight are taken into account they are the most efficient dairy breed.

In fact, studies show that Jerseys produce around 9% more milksolids per kilogram of dry matter eaten than Friesians.

The fat renaissance and the increase in variant component ratio – the value of fat relative to

In a recent Jersey Advantage survey, 60% of respondents said they were planning to make breed changes to their herd over the next five years, with over half of those planning to increase their use of Jersey genetics.

protein – has also helped Jerseys by increasing the economic value of the fat component which feeds into BW. The VCR used for BW is calculated on a five-year rolling average, and is currently 1:16 meaning that fat is 16% more valuable than protein.

There has been a fundamental shift in the consumer perception of fat and associated products which makes it likely that higher fat prices are here to stay.

But even if the value of fat were to reduce to 75% of the value of protein, Jerseys would still be the dominant breed on the RAS list.

Fertility is another area of advantage for Jerseys which have been shown to mature earlier and have the shortest calving to first service interval of the dairy breeds. This means they recover and cycle quicker post-calving, supporting higher submission rates and less intervention.

Jerseys also rate better for body condition score which is important because lost condition needs to be restored through either additional feed or a longer dry period than that required for an animal of a higher condition score.

Jerseys have a higher prevalence of A2 genes

which helps farmers breed towards an A2 herd and the benefits that come with that such as milk premiums and increased demand for surplus stock.

Of the top 25 Jersey bulls on the Ranking of Active Sires (RAS) list 84% are A2/A2 compared to just 36% of the top 25 Friesian bulls.

As summer approaches many farmers will start to reassess milking intervals and make plans around managing heat stress.

These are both areas where Jersey’s excel.

The efficiency of Jerseys in a twice-a-day system translates to OAD milking regimes.

In addition to this Jerseys have also been found to experience lower levels of udder breakdown under OAD systems because of their higher milk concentration.

Jerseys also cope better in the warm, humid summer conditions. DairyNZ research shows that when air temperature is greater than 21ºC and relative humidity is greater than 70%, Friesians and crossbreeds begin to reduce their feed intake, and milk production is compromised. Jerseys are more tolerant of heat, with production losses insignificant until 25ºC. The size of Jerseys and the relative stocking rate

compared to a Friesian animal is often cause for pushback to using more Jersey genetics, but the liveweight gap has been steadily reducing over the past 15 years. Since 1995 sire proving data shows that Jersey liveweight has increased by around 30kgs while Friesian liveweight has decreased by around 15kg. The closing of the liveweight gap means that increasing the use of Jersey genes in your herd does not necessarily mean more cows need to be milked.

The case for Jersey genetics extends beyond just your AB decisions, to the use of Jersey sires for natural mating.

Jersey bulls are used extensively in yearling matings for their ease of calving and shorter calving to first service interval.

For those chasing extra genetic gain, the use of high BW recorded Jersey bulls over yearlings can be a good way of generating extra replacements out of your highest genetic merit animals without the additional work and cost that comes with a heifer synchrony programme.

Jersey bulls used to tail the herd can also provide a range of benefits.

It’s common place to hear of situations where a mix of Jersey and beef bulls have been used to tail AB,

only to find that come calving the majority of the calves born are Jersey sired. The work rate and robustness of Jersey bulls is second to none. As with heifer matings - quality high BW, recorded bulls are available and can generate additional replacement calves if AB doesn’t go to plan.

While the downside of Jersey bulls is the potential for more bobby calves, there is increasing interest in Jersey beef and an acknowledgment that coat colour and markings alone are a poor indicator of calf growth rates and profitability in finishing systems.

All in all, there are many reasons to use Jersey genetics in your herd.

Ultimately one of the challenges of farming is predicting and adapting to an ever-changing industry, but making decisions with efficiency, profitability and sustainability in mind is a good starting place.

If you’ve ever considered using Jersey genetics in your herd, now is the time to do it.

The case for Jersey genetics has never been stronger.

• Michelle Good is promotions committee chair at Jersey Advantage. This article first appeared in Getting the Basics Right 2021 edition.

DAIRY NEWS FEBRUARY 16, 2021

ANIMAL HEALTH // 19

A winning formula for good cows A WAIKATO dairy farming couple have proven they’re at the top their game, taking out two prestigious titles at New Zealand’s largest cattle showing event.

Tom and Francesca Bennett, Te Hau Holsteins, had both the best Holstein Friesian cow at New Zealand Dairy Event and Tom also took out the World Wide Sires, All Breeds Junior Judging Competition.

The family was also named Premier Holstein Friesian Exhibitor.

“It was awesome, I did the Pitcairns Trophy judging competition at the Waikato Show and came second, but Dairy Event was my first really big judging competition to win,” says Tom. Cattle judges undergo rigorous training to ensure they can not only pick a good animal but that can also justify their reasonings behind it. Tom says that was the most challenging aspect of the competition.

“You have all these senior judges around the ring, and I have never been one for public speaking. I know in myself what I think is a good cow but articulating that can be difficult.”

The Bennett’s obviously know the winning formula for a good animal however, as their six year old cow won both the Supreme Holstein Friesian Championship and the All Breeds Senior In-Milk Reserve Champion.

Francesca says Te Hau Windbrook Cleo EX was ten years in the making.

“We weren’t even sure if she was going

to make Dairy Event after she calved in April with a large set of twins that knocked her back a bit.”

Francesca was given Cleo’s dam, Tronnoco Talent Carla, as a 21st present by her mother Linda.

“Mum bought Carla at the Canterbury Collection sale, we showed her a bit, and she did really well,” says Fran.

Francesca wanted to breed from her and really liked the look of Semex’s Gillette Windbrook after winning a Holstein Friesian Scholarship to Canada and attending the Semex Walk of Fame where she was helping look after a Windbrook cow that she particularly liked.

“I managed to persuade mum to use him but after three years and three attempts Carla had only produced bull calves.”

“We decided the only way to get a heifer was to flush her, out of the six embryos she produced, we got one heifer, which was Cleo.”

Francesca says she wasn’t much as a calf but as she has developed, she’s become truly special.

“We took her to NZ Dairy Event as a two-year-old and got Reserve Intermediate Holstein Friesian Champion and Reserve Intermediate All Breeds Champion. She also won the national Semex on Farm final and photo competition that year.

That’s when we thought we’re on to a real winner. That was incredible for us. She has just got better and better since then.”

LATEST STORIES EVERY DAY www.ruralnewsgroup.co.nz

DAIRY NEWS FEBRUARY 16, 2021

20 // MILK COOLING

Taking the heat out of milk cooling FOR SOUTHLAND

dairy farmers Ferdinand Vries and Stacey Young, running an environmentally friendly operation has become top priority in recent years.

When it came to upgrading their milk cooling system, they wanted a unit that was not only reliable and cost-effective but also energy efficient.

“We went with the

GEA aquaCHILL because we were sure it was the most efficient unit out there,” says Ferdinand.

“It’s a very efficient unit; at the end of milking the unit turns off, milk

Southland dairy farmers Ferdinand Vries and Stacey Young say when it came to upgrading their milk cooling system, they wanted a unit that was not only reliable and cost-effective but also energy efficient.

goes in at 4ºC, you don’t have to worry about it.”

The GEA aquaCHILL is a cooling system that can snap chill milk to 4ºC while significantly reducing energy consump-

Farm facts ❱❱ Herd size: 400 cows peaking at 12,000L of milk per day ❱❱ Farm size: 150ha total ❱❱ Location: Invercargill, Southland, New Zealand

Milk chilling compliance solutions from as little as $3000

Complian ce not cost y might much as ou as you think

hangers c x e t a e h e t raps to pla stems, From vat w mart snap-chilling sy s m to turn-key lution to get your far so we have a alk to us today!

T compliant. @cools

| Email: info 3 3 5 5 5 5 274

:0

Call Paddy

coolsense.co.nz

49 0006

8 | Phone: 07 z .n o .c e s en

❱❱ Milking parlour: 28-unit herringbone parlour

tion. Designed to only run during milking, no additional power is required between milkings to offset losses from systems using thermal storage. It also includes unique energy saving features, helping to lower the overall current draw of the unit to reduce power consumption and monthly costs.

The duo agrees the aquaCHILL is a costeffective option.

“If milk flow isn’t as high as what you think it would be, the unit cuts down to 50% running – the power drawn is actually very little compared to your normal, standard vat refrigeration unit,” says Ferdinand.

Stacey points out that they have already noticed a reduction in power consumption after running the aquaCHILL for two months. “So far, we are looking at roughly $200 a month in power saving, so we are quite happy with that.”

“We are getting 700 litres of hot water every milking out of the unit, so it is a massive power saving on the water heating side of it,” Ferdinand adds. With the changing milk cooling regulations from Fonterra, GEA’s aquaCHILL comes with the invaluable advantage of not having to worry about meeting requirements, with the ability to be tailored to meet both current and future cooling standards – easily.

“Milk is our source of income and we need to protect it and make sure it’s getting picked up. The

best insurance policy was putting in the snap chiller – it’s income protection insurance.”

“The main benefit is absolute peace of mind.

When the shed is turned off, the milk is down to temperature – there’s no worrying about whether the plate cooler was working or if the well water was cold enough. When we finish milking, the milk is chilled, and they can pick it up any time they want.

“We were never not making it, but it was always a struggle. Now with the aquaCHILL it’s no worry at all, the milk is always under 6ºC - no matter what.”

The install experience with GEA’s service partner, Nind Dairy Services, was hassle-free with little disruption to the farm’s daily operation.

“As per usual, Nind is very efficient, quick – in and out – done over two days between milkings.

The second day was only maybe an hour just to finish off and go over how to operate it then we were into it. There was pretty much no interruption to us, which was ideal.

“Knowing how well the aquaCHILL works and how efficient it is, I wish we had put it in 10 years ago.”

Running in tandem with your vat, the aquaCHILL is designed to help farmers meet cooling standards with a simple ‘plug and play’ solution that can be retrofitted to work with any system, existing or new.

DAIRY NEWS FEBRUARY 16, 2021

MILK COOLING // 21

Refrigeration is crucial in milking shed REFRIGERATION IS a key element in ensuring milk is cooled and stored at the correct temperature and there are a range a range of products and solutions for dairy farms of varying sizes.

Here are some solutions and their advantages: ICE BANKS Ice Bank solutions are ideal for herds of up to 600 cows but can also be sized for larger numbers.

The unit manufactures ice between milkings with little or no impact on electricity supply. A small footprint means the Ice Bank can easily be accommodated in existing dairy parlours.

Milk enters the milk vat at the industry standard, generally around 6°C (42.8°F).

Advantages are: ■■ Small footprint easily installed on the majority of farms ■■ Ice made between milkings avoiding any impact on power supply ■■ Minimum water requirement so ideal for farms with limited water supply

WATER CHILLERS Water chilling is suitable for all dairy farms. The size of the unit and volume of the water tank determines how long it takes to bring the water in the tank down to the recommended temperature (often around 6°C (42.8 °F) enabling milk to enter the milk vat at around 9°C (48.2°F).

The chiller on the milk vat then reduces and maintains the milk temperature to the industry standard, generally between 4°C and 6°C (39.2°F and 42.8°F).

Advantages: ■■ Suited to all size farms ■■ Operates between milkings so minimum or no impact on electricity supply ■■ Units can be fitted to existing storage tanks on farm SNAP CHILLING Glycol Snap Chilling is ideal for large, continuous 24/7 operations. The unit is powered by inverter technology enabling it to ramp up to match loading and delivering power savings of up to 40% over standard compressors. Glycol chilling can also be sup-

plied with standard technology.

Advantages: ■■ Power savings of up to 40% over standard compressors ■■ Reliably and efficiently chills milk to 6°C (42.8 °F) before it enters the milk vat ■■ Low milk entry temperature ■■ Sizes to suit all farms VAT CHILLING Milk vat chilling is a cost effective option for farms whose milk is collected every other day.

It chills milk once it is in the milk vat and can be easily retrofitted into existing dairy parlours between milkings.

Advantages: ■■ Inverter compressors and electronic valves ensure precise load matching and maximum energy efficiency ■■ Ideal for upgrades to existing units on the farm milk vat ■■ Enables efficient chilling of milk in the vat meeting industry standard cooling regulations @dairy_news facebook.com/dairynews

GET SOCIAL WITH DAIRY NEWS Join the conversation - follow us at @Dairy_News

facebook.com/dairynews

0

%

FINANCE*

WHEN YOU PURCHASE ANY

Ensure your milk is snap chilled, with GEA’s aquaCHILL. • • • •

Plug and play system saving you time and money Ability to snap chill to 4°C Hot water recovery** Class leading energy efficiency (EER)***

For a free milk cooling consultation call 0800 GEA FARM.

Terms & Conditions: *0% pa for 12 months, or ^2% pa for 24 months.

25% deposit required. Offer available on GEA aquaCHILL snap chiller unit, including installation and valid until 28 February 2021 or while stock lasts.

Finance provided by De Lage Landen Limited (company no 1355515) and available for business purposes only on Hire Purchase Agreements. Credit approval, fees, terms and conditions apply. **Subject to milk flow and water quality. ***When compared to water or ice bank systems.

Driving dairy efficiencies?

We can help.

DAIRY NEWS FEBRUARY 16, 2021

22 // MILK COOLING

Meeting milk cooling rules THE MINISTRY for Primary Industries New Zealand Code of Practice for the design and operation of Farm Dairies introduced new milk cooling standards over two years ago.

The rules apply have been applied to all farms since June 2018.

The rules state that raw milk must: a) be cooled to 10°C or below within four hours of the commencement of

milking; and b) be cooled to 6°C or below within the sooner of: i) six hours from the commencement of milking, or ii) two hours from the completion of milking; and c) be held at or below 6°C without freezing until collection or the next milking; and d) must not exceed 10°C during subsequent

Farmers are urged to check the performance of current plate heat exchangers in their milking sheds.

Your Dairy Refrigeration Specialists - servicing North Canterbury to Oamaru

local agents for VARICOOL systems • vat wraps snap chilling • DX units • free consultations FOR TOTAL MILK COOLING COMPLIANCE TALK TO OUR FRIENDLY TEAM TODAY!

www.dairycool.co.nz

24 HOUR FAULTS SERVICE: 0 3 FRIDGE 7 sales: 027 33 44 365 or lee@dairycool.co.nz

milkings.

In situations where there is continuous or extended milking, such as automated milking systems, the milk must enter the bulk milk tank at 6°C or below. “Continuous or extended milking” is defined as milking for six hours or longer from the time that milk first enters any bulk milk tank.

DairyNZ urges farm-

ers to check the performance of current plate heat exchanger.

It urges farmers to consult their milk company to determine if the current system will meet the new milk chilling requirements. All dairy processors have tools to assess their suppliers’ vats chilling potential.

“If your current plate heat exchanger and refrigeration unit combination are not capable of meeting the new milk cooling regulations you may need to consider a secondary cooling option.

“These can involve a large capital outlay and long payback period but may come with the benefit of heat recovery, enabling you to save on hot water costs. Carefully evaluate all options to ensure the system is fit for purpose without over capitalising.”

Dairy Automation Control Solutions

Solids Damage k l i M r e w o L lk Cooling i M e v o r p m I

IS YOUR MILK $195 USUALLY LESS THAN $500 H H SUPPLIED AND FITTED COOLING MARGINAL? + GST each

MILKFLOW

CHILLBOOST If your chiller can cool your milk within two hours of completion of milking but your blend temperature is marginal then all you may need is a CSL Chillboost

ROTARY LOBE PUMP Combined with the CSL Milkflow Controller, the CSL Lobe Pump accommodates the large wash volumes required in today’s dairy sheds without compromising milk quality.

The CSL Milkflow Milk Pump Controller improves returns by reducing milk solids damage and optimising primary cooling.

Not the answer for everyone but will assist even if other cooling shortcomings exist.

Proven in the field by over 700 installed nationwide.

ntroller for vacuum system o C c a v i r a V s

REDUCE SHED POWER COSTS DRAMATICALLY!

• Separate dedicated milk and wash program to optimise process when milking including goats and sheep • Proven to reduce SCC • Easily installed between milkings The only system designed specifically to retrofit to • Up to 40% power savings across whole shed usage all vacuum pump types including water ring.

0800 10 7006 www.corkillsystems.co.nz

DAIRY NEWS FEBRUARY 16, 2021

MILK COOLING // 23

Keep records of vat temperature FARMERS MUST

assess the milk cooling systems on a regular basis to ensure it meets requirements set out by the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI).

It says dairy operators must have records to confirm that milk cooling requirements are being met to confirm the capability of milk cooling equipment.

“Milk cooling performance should be monitored monthly, but as a minimum must be monitored and recorded about the time of expected peak milk production and in February,” it says.

Each performance check must cover at least two consecutive milkings, and the records must include the temperature of milk in each bulk milk tank immediately prior to the start of milking.

The time milking starts and ends, temperature of milk in the bulk milk tank at the completion of milk-

ing and the time that the milk is confirmed to meet the requirements of new milking regulations must also be recorded.

MPI says temperature measurements and recording can be accomplished using any of the following: electronic monitoring system, a chart recorder, a “tiny tag” or similar temperature logging device, manual measurements using an electronic thermometer or any other equivalent method.

The accuracy of the temperature measurement device must be known as the data collected is an official record, it says.

Action must be taken to correct milk cooling performance should the information collected show that milk is not being cooled within the required parameters.

In such cases the milk cooling performance checks described above must be repeated to con-

DISPOSAL OF MILK THERE MUST be a procedure in place for the disposal of milk, says MPI. For a variety of reasons processors may not always be able to collect milk.

Farmers can face prosecution, under the Resource Management Act 1991, if they discharge milk directly into water or if they allow milk to flow into water.

“Milk is a potent pollutant, being 1000 times more potent than farm dairy effluent. As such, intrusion into waterways will have a serious impact.”

Farmers should check with their regional authority before disposing of milk onto land.

NOW READ IT ONLINE READING THE PAPER ONLINE HAS NEVER BEEN EASIER

firm compliance with the milk cooling requirements.

Milk that has not been cooled in accordance with milk cooling regula-

tions must be withheld from supply, unless the milk has been assessed and confirmed as fit for intended purpose by the dairy company.

Dairy operators must have records to confirm that milk cooling requirements are being met.

Can you afford not T H G I R IT in your toO invest D milk cooling?

Over 200

Packo Ice Banks Installed nationwide

Dairy Cooling Solutions have the cooling equipment to help you comply with the milk cooling regulations.

WHY A DCS MILK COOLING SYSTEM IS THE BEST INVESTMENT IN YOUR FARM European design and quality - Over 50 years experience in developing milk cooling tanks and one of Europe’s leading Dairy Cooling Systems producers for the needs of farmers around the world – from Mexico to Japan, from Russia to South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.

Energy Saving with Packo Ice Builders (PIB’s) – thanks to the ice energy store build-up during night time hours, a smaller refrigeration unit can be installed, plus the potential savings of off-peak power rates.

Water Saving with PIB’s – bore water pre-cooling is not necessary with the correctly sized PIB. This is ideal for drought prone regions or where water supplies are restricted.

Improved Milk quality through Snap Chilling = potentially a higher return adding PROFITS to the farm.

For 30yrs Eurotec has been supplying the NZ Refrigeration Industry with leading Global Brands. The only NZ supplier of this technology providing nationwide coverage and After Sales Support with branches in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch with over 30 Approved Refrigeration Installers throughout the country from Invercargill to Whangarei.

Check out the DCS website www.dairycoolingsolutions.nz or talk to your refrigeration contractor to find out how you can comply with the new milk cooling regulations.

PIB 25-160

Testimonials See what Dairy Farmers have to say about how this technology has changed their milk processing. www.dairycoolingsolutions.nz/testimonials

■ BREAKING NEWS ■ MACHINERY REVIEWS ■ MARKETS & TRENDS ■ MANAGEMENT STORIES ■ COMPETITIONS

PIB 230 - 370

■ AND MUCH MORE...

All the latest stories and more at www.dairynews.co.nz

Find us on Facebook /DairyCoolingSolutions

Dairy Cooling Solutions

Tradition meets Technology www.dairycoolingsolutions.nz

DAIRY NEWS FEBRUARY 16, 2021

24 // MACHINERY & PRODUCTS

Fifth generation Valtra A series set for delivery The new Valtra A series tractors see a range of new transmission options that will appeal to those looking for a compact workhorse.

Inset: Other notable features include the selectable AutoTraction control system.

MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz

RECENTLY RELEASED in Europe,

with expected delivery yet to be confirmed for New Zealand, the new Valtra A series tractors see a range of new transmission options that will get those looking for a compact workhorse.

Making way for the fifth generation of A series, the outgoing A4 tractors were always popular for livestock operations, resulting in more than half the production supplied with factory-fitted front-end loaders.

This fact has not been missed by the new A5’s designers who have focused on introducing powershift transmission options and an upgraded armrest control system usually seen on the company’s larger hp ranges.

At the heart of the tractor, the A5 series retains the three-cylinder, 3.3 litre AgcoPower engine in the three smallest models, while the four larger tractors in the

seven-model range get the 4.4 litre, 4-cylinder engine from the same camp.

Horsepower output remains the same for the 3-cylinders, but the 4.4 litre units each gain 5hp over the outgoing A4 series. Both engine formats meet the latest Stage 5 emission regulations using a combination

of DPF and SCR technology, with service intervals pushed out to 600 hours.

Like its predecessor, the A5 is offered in three different wheelbases, with three smallest measuring in at 2250mm, the middle pair is stretched to 2430mm and the two largest models are fitted with a 2500mm chassis.

COMPRIMA PLUS BALER SERIES Invest in longevity and quality.

Invest in the best.

A basic 12F/12R speed GL transmission is the base unit choice for all models, while a twostep powershift HiTech 2 set up, offering 24F/24R speeds is now available on all the three-cylinder models. Elsewhere the mid-range A105 and A115 get the choice of three gearbox options, with the

base 12F/12R GL, a 16F/16R HiTech 4, powershift and a 32F/32R speed creeper set up that can get down to 100m/ hour. The HiTech 4 unit is controlled

The Comprima Plus balers utilise stronger components to combat extreme conditions and are compact, high-capacity and all-round machines for all crops.

• • • • •

electronically, while all models incorporate a F/R shuttle with an integrated handbrake.

Other notable features include the selectable AutoTraction control system, redesigned engine hood and wheels and the main power isolation switch incorporated into the ignition switch. Options include rear fender PTO control on the HiTech 4 models and the Valtra Connect remote monitoring system.

Semi-variable or fully variable bale chamber Low maintenance Novogrip belt and slat elevator XCut Cutting System Massive cut/feed rotor made from Hardox steel.

Are you hitting your target market?

Contact your local sales representative for more information Auckland

Stephen Pollard ....... Ph 021-963 166

Waikato

Ted Darley ................ Ph 021-832 505

Wellington

Ron Mackay ............ Ph 021-453 914

Christchurch Kaye Sutherland .... Ph 021-221 1994 ■ BREAKING NEWS ■ MACHINERY REVIEWS Pictured: Comprima CF 155 XC Plus and Comprima CV 150 XC Plus

For more information call us on 06 370 0390 www.tulloch.nz Dealers located nationwide

■ MANAGEMENT STORIES

www.dairynews.co.nz ■ AND MUCH MORE...

DAIRY NEWS FEBRUARY 16, 2021

MACHINERY & PRODUCTS // 25

Loaded with more grunt A NEW ultra-compact wheeled loader from JCB offers double the power of the current model.

The JCB 403 Plus delivers the same dimensions and layout of the current 403 Smart Power but features a 50hp engine and 60L/min hydraulic system to tackle more demanding work, meaning it packs a punch in tight yards, small buildings or other restricted locations.

Measuring 1.10m on narrow tyres, the JCB 403 Plus packs in a 1.7L engine is fitted with the JCB Autostop system, to shut down the engine if left idling for a time, to avoid unnecessary fuel use.

The model’s hydrostatic transmission is available in 20km/h or 30km/h versions, matched to a 60L/min hydraulic gear pump that provides oil for the articulated chassis steering, lift arms

and front-end attachments. An auxiliary circuit for attachments, can also provide constant flow to drive a hydraulic motor, controlled using a lever valve or optional electric control on the loader’s joystick.

Lift arm sizes include the standard version, with a load-over height of 2.6m, or an extended option, which takes loadover height to 2.8m, so is better suited for stacking and loading.

Daily checks are said to be quick and easy, via a one-piece hood that opens rearwards to give access to the air filter, battery, fluid reservoirs and electrical systems.

Together with the cooling system, these components are all protected by a cast counterweight.

A new towing option is available with clevis and 50mm ball hitches, both with a capacity of 750kg.

Tyre options include narrow fitments to reduce overall width, which can also be “flipped” for a wider stance, alongside a wider choice of agricultural tread patterns and sizes for better traction.

The JCB 403 Plus delivers the same dimensions and layout of the current 403 Smart Power but has more grunt.

MULTIPLUS FEEDER

FORAGE WAGON

EXCEPTIONAL DESIGN, PRECISE CONTROL, BUILT TO LAST, AND THE BIGGEST FEED RANGE AROUND.

TRAILED BALE FEEDER

SLR FEEDER

GEARING UP FOR SURGE IN DEMAND

LINKAGE BALE FEEDER

BALE BUGGY

Strong demand for New Zealand’s biggest feed range means you’re going to have to get in quick for guaranteed delivery. Order today.

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT GILTRAPAG.CO.NZ OR CALL US ON 0800 804 458.

TRACTA_GIL63667_NZ_FR_DN

JCB HAS announced a huge recruitment drive for factory workers at its UK production sites to “gear up for a surge in production”.

The British machinery manufacturer has revealed it will be recruiting more than 400 additional UK shop floor employees in anticipation of an expected increase in demand. In addition, the company is also offering permanent contracts to up to 300 existing agency employees, including welders, fabricators and CNC machinists.

In a statement, the manufacturer said, “The market for equipment has rebounded sharply after the severe impact of the Covid-19 pandemic in the European spring of 2020, which halted production at JCB factories around the world. In March 2020 our orders dramatically disappeared overnight when the Covid-19 pandemic took hold.

“It has taken more than six months for the business to recover to production levels we last saw prior to March 2020. The new year has started well, with forecasts predicting a continued solid recovery, with strong demand from mainland Europe and North America.”

Feed & furniture

All-in-one has always made sense.

Hay bales, they’re not just for feed. They make pretty good seats and the occasional rugby stand. Finding multiple uses for the same thing has always been our way and the same practicality is true with your LIC herd test. While you’re checking their BW and PW, you may as well do an animal health test. From a drop of milk*, we can check for the possibility of Johnes disease, BVD and Staph aureus. Tests that can help you identify health problems in your herd early.

You could call it a convenient, all-in-one solution. And that doesn’t just make sense, that makes good farming practice.

Ask your Agri Manager about booking an all-in-one herd test today, or visit lic.co.nz/dropofmilk *A minimum 20ml sample is required to carry out health tests from herd test milk samples.

KINGST_1245_DN_A

There's always room for improvement