Dairy News 13 April 2021 by Rural News Group

Flat GDT prices is good news. PAGE 3

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Beautician-turned dairy farmer PAGE 20

Milk price lifts morale PAGE 15

APRIL 13, 2021 ISSUE 468 // www.dairynews.co.nz

A3 AIMS TO BE NO 1 A small group of New Zealand organic farmers launch new dairy brand, hopeful that it will become a household name. PAGE 5

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DAIRY NEWS APRIL 13, 2021

NEWS // 3

Flat dairy prices is good news SUDESH KISSUN sudeshk@ruralnews.co.nz

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NEWS ��3-14 AGRIBUSINESS �� 15 OPINION �� 16-17 MANAGEMENT ��18-20 ANIMAL HEALTH ��21-22 MACHINERY & PRODUCTS �� 23-25 MATING �� 26-31

DAIRY PRICES at last week’s

Global Dairy Trade auction remained largely unchanged but the news remains positive for New Zealand dairy farmers. Large price gains in recent GDT auctions remain intact and buyers from South Asian region, outside China, are buying more of our products. Westpac senior agri economist Nathan Penny says the results cements the big price gains over March: whole milk powder prices, unchanged last week, are now up 28% over 2021. Looking back to 2020, WMP prices now sit 44% higher than as at the same auction last year. Penny notes that five out of seven products posted price gains at last week’s auction. Butter milk powder (BMP) prices led the way jumping 17.6%, cheddar and butter posted solid gains of around 2%, while anhydrous milk fat and skim milk powder price nudged higher 0.8% and 0.6%, respectively. Penny says the result is consistent with its 2020-21 milk price forecast of $7.90/kgMS. However, he notes upside risks to the 2021-22 forecast of $7.25/kgMS. “This upside risk reflects the extent of the recent auction price surge and the pullback in the

RaboResearch’s Emma Higgins says last week’s GDT result should be read as a good result for NZ dairy farmers.

New Zealand dollar against the US dollar over the last few weeks,” he says. RaboResearch senior analyst Emma Higgins says the GDT result should be read as a good result for NZ dairy farmers. She notes that WMP prices have remained static in the face of more powder being available to buyers on the GDT than usual for this time of the year. Demand from China remains steady and while some buyers might have taken a step back in the face of

high prices, buying appetite is still much stronger than in previous auctions for this time of the year. As a region, China bought the majority of the dairy on offer at last week’s auction as usual. “The interesting part is that while the total volume of dairy products bought was less than last month, the volumes were significantly higher compared to the first auction in April 2020 (Covid-19 impacted perhaps) and also April 2018 and April 2017,” says Higgins. “Again, this is a pretty good result

given the powder volumes available.” ASB economist Nat Keall notes that the GDT results were more bullish than the futures market had been anticipating. “Given the lofty highs prices have already reached, this is another strong result,” says Keall. With the longer-dated contracts still trading at high levels, it’s a sign that prices have a bit of momentum into the next season, says Keall. “Recent price gains have been led by strong demand from China, but this auction saw other regions return to the party. “With stockpiles not keeping up with rising consumption, and shipping fears continuing to weigh, the North Asia region (a proxy for China) has dominated recent auctions, driving April’s price gains. “This auction saw Chinese buyers take their foot off the accelerator, but other regions (particularly South East Asia and Oceania) stepped into the breach, keeping prices supported. “The auction suggests aggressive Chinese purchasing is likely to ease further, at least in the near term.” This may result in prices easing a bit over the next auctions. Still, strong post-pandemic global demand and softer Northern Hemisphere production should keep prices from falling too far. ASB is retaining its $7.60 forecast for the 20/21 season, and $7.30 opening forecast for 2021/22.

DAIRY NEWS APRIL 13, 2021

4 // NEWS

Kiwi dairy – world’s most emissions efficient FONTERRA SAYS New Zealand dairy farmers are among the most carbonefficient dairy producers in the world. It points out that the emissions intensity of the co-op’s NZ dairy production is approximately one third of the global average. In its submission to the Climate Change Commission, Fonterra states that a litre of milk produced in New Zealand creates 0.91kg of CO2 emissions – compared to the global average of 2.5kg of CO2 emissions. This efficiency has

come through New Zealand’s pastoral farming system, significant research and investment, and our farmers’ willingness to continually adapt and improve their farming practices, it says. Over the last 25 years, New Zealand farmers have reduced the intensity of their on-farm biological emissions by about 20%. “These biological emissions include methane and nitrous oxide that are produced by ruminant animals, like cows, and to a lesser extent from onfarm use of fertilisers,” it says.

Over the last 25 years, New Zealand farmers have reduced the intensity of their on-farm biological emissions by about 20%, says Fonterra.

Being a farmer owned co-operative, Fonterra says its role is to support farmer shareholders, while acknowledging the autonomy of their farming businesses. “For many years our farmers have reduced the impact of their businesses on the environment and an example of this activity is that now 98% of waterways on their farms are fenced.” As part of its commitment to reducing the impact of farming on the environment, the cooperative employs 40 full time Sustainable Dairy

Advisors who create industry-leading Farm Environment Plans for its farmers. All Fonterra farmers will have a Farm Environment Plan by 2025. Currently 43% of farmers have a plan, which is an increase from 23% in 2019, and 12% in 2018. Fonterra says the Farm Environment Plans are the primary advisory mechanism for supporting farmers to identify and achieve good farming practices. “These will play a core role for providing farm-

ers with advice on good farming practice actions that the Commission has anticipated as being required to meet the emissions reductions and subsequent carbon budgets” In October 2020, every co-operative farmer received a farm specific

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COMMITTED CO-OP FONTERRA HAS reiterated its commitment to the He Waka Eke Noa Joint Action on Climate Change Partnership. The targeted milestones of the partnership strongly align with the support Fonterra currently providing its farmers, like Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reports and Farm Environment Plans. Fonterra believes that the He Waka Eke Noa partnership provides the agricultural sector with the right forum to consider how best emissions reductions can be achieved and supported by all farmers and growers across all land uses. Fonterra says it is an active participant within the emissions reporting, farm planning and extension work-streams. W “It should be noted that as farms are complex biophysical systems, each of these potential actions should be viewed as part of the toolbox for farmers to select and implement within a Farm Environment Plan that is specific for their faming situation.”

The co-op supports the mandatory use of Farm Environment Plans across all farm systems as they are a critical tool to enable on-farm change. “We have long been proactive in establishing systems and developing the support capability and capacity for the rollout of Farm Environment Plans with our farmers. “We are committed to working collaboratively to find a solution to Farm Environment Plan data collection, integration and distribution. “We have committed to working with the Local Government New Zealand Regional Sector and others to find an integrated solution for our plans which would allow local and central Government to get access to the information they require. “We are also seeking to work with the Government to ensure that the mandatory use of plans includes appropriate minimum standards; that plans are regularly updated and audited; and that they are delivered by appropriately qualified people.”

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DAIRY NEWS APRIL 13, 2021

NEWS // 5

Organic farmers launch own brand of A3 milk sudeshk@ruralnews.co.nz

A SMALL group of

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retailers. Other consumer dairy products are also in the pipeline. Fulcher says there is great interest from local and overseas customers in A3 milk, including milk powder and infant nutrition products. “Customers are showing great interest because we are delivering organic milk from A2/A2 cows with the USDA organic certification. “This offers complete traceability and gives great confidence to our customers.” ODH collects milk daily from its farmer base, stretching from Northland to Wairarapa. About 20% of the milk is turned into milk powders and nutritional products, which are processed at Waikato Innovation Park in Ruakura. These are generally exported to Australia and Asia, with some New

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pleased to see Ours Truly come to life,” he says. Ours Truly A3 organic milk is available in 1-litre sustainable bottles, costing $4.25 and dispatched in packs of two. Orders can be made online: chilled and ready to drink milk can arrive at a customer’s doorstep on a weekly, biweekly or four weekly basis. Fulcher says the milk is currently available in Auckland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty with plans to expand its reach. All packaging is either fully recyclable or reusable. Talks are also underway with selected

together last month to witness the launch of Ours Truly. “Our farmers always wanted to see our own brand, so they were very

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gives confidence to farmers who have experienced “yo-yo-ing payouts” in the years before forming their own company. Fonterra announced a $10-plus payout last season for its organic farmers.

effort put in by ODH farmers. It takes three years to get farms certified organic to the rigorous USDA NOP standard. While ODH doesn’t make its milk payout public, Fulcher says is it growing consistently and

Zealand customers now coming on stream. ODH also has partnerships with boutique fresh milk consumer brand Lewis Road Creamery and iwi-owned processor Waiū Dairy in Kawerau. Fulcher applauds the

North Island organic farmers has launched a new dairy brand, hopeful that one day it will become a household name. Called ‘Ours Truly’, its first product is ‘A3’ – fresh, full cream milk, delivered via door-to-door subscription. Milk comes from 30 farms making up the Organic Dairy Hub Co-op, the only New Zealand milk producer that is 100% farmer-owned and only produces organic milk. Launched last month, Ours Truly’s trademarked A3 milk has A2 Betacasein and is certified under US Department of Agriculture’s National Organic Programme (NOP) standards. Organic Dairy Hub (ODH) chief executive Clay Fulcher says there is a growing demand for organic A2 milk products around the world. “Our A3 milk gives customers milk from A2/A2 cows produced on organic farms certified under some of the most stringent standards in the world,” he told Dairy News. “The USDA-NOP doesn’t allow for any syn-

thetic chemical use or treatments on farm. “Our A3 milk is free from nasties and tastes the way milk should taste.” Fulcher, a former Fonterra sales executive, joined ODH two years ago with a brief to trademark a brand that truly represented the Hub. The coop’s farmers came

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6 // NEWS

No strangers to cows, awards THE 2021 Central Plateau Share Farmer of the Year, Andrea and Blair Muggeridge are no strangers to either the dairy industry or winning

awards. They won the region’s farm manager of the year title in 2013. Both grew up on dairy farms and love working with cows.

While Andrea chose a path of hotel management and sales for a time, Blair has been farming since leaving school, with a break to complete a build-

ing apprenticeship. Andrea joined Blair on the farm when their son Braxton (9) was born, and now Fletcher (6) and Aaliyah (4) also enjoy the

farming lifestyle. “We wanted the same life for our kids as we had,” they say. “We love the freedom farming brings, the aniCentral Plateau’s top share farmers, Andrea and Blair Muggeridge.

mals, the building of relationships with our team and the overall running of a business.” The couple wish they could change public perception of farmers, especially around the subject of polluting waterways. “Dairy farming is more of a lifestyle than a normal job. We are pas-

Awards to gain some perspective on the next step for his family and identify areas to improve. He also grew up on a dairy farm and was always helping out from a young age. “I attended Taratahi Agricultural Training Centre in 2000 and then began work on a 300-cow

The couple wish they could change public perception of farmers, especially around the subject of polluting waterways.

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sionate about achieving our goals, not only personally but also for the farm.” The couple have faced challenges along the way including reconfiguring the Golden Springs farm in their first year and learning how to build a team that follows the same culture. The Muggeridges are proud of achieving equity partnership and their successful business with excellent overall production, and are excited about the future of the dairy industry. “We would like our farm to be a multi-generation business which will enable us to support our children in their future business endeavours.” The couple are equity partners with Trevor and Harriet Hamilton, on the Golden Springs 285ha Reporoa property, milking 1,080 cows. They won $14,399 in prizes and five merit awards. The other big regional winners were Mark Rivers, who was named Dairy Manager of the Year, and Tayla Flight, who took out the Dairy Trainee of the Year. Rivers, a former Contiki bus driver in Europe and New Zealand who says he entered the

farm which grew to 500 cows the next season. “I left the industry for 12 years and worked in the tourism industry as a Contiki bus driver in Europe and New Zealand,” Rivers explains. “I came back to the dairy industry in 2016 as I enjoy working outdoors and doing the variety of jobs needed to be a farmer.” Rivers lives with his partner Monique and their children Bodhi (3) and Thea (1) on Brett and Karen Sterritt’s 98ha 400cow Atiamuri property where he works as farm manager. Flight, is a second-time entrant who has maintained the connections she made from her first time entering. “I’ve had job offers and being an entrant has been a topic brought up by various employers, as a standout attribute on my CV.” She is farm manager for Jared Seymour milking 220 cows on his Atiamuri farm. “I’ve always wanted a job where I’m happy. I love animals and get to hang out with 220 cows and my dog every single day. If they’re happy, I’m happy,” says Flight. @dairy_news facebook.com/dairynews

DAIRY NEWS APRIL 13, 2021

NEWS // 7

15,500 submissions on climate change THE CLIMATE Change

Commission has received over 15,500 public submissions on its first draft advice to the Government. This exceeds the 15,000 submissions made in 2018 on the Zero Carbon Bill, which included the establishment of the commission. Submissions closed on March 31. Commission chief executive Jo Hendy says the submissions will strengthen the commission’s advice. “The level of constructive feedback we have received will ensure the commission’s advice to government on the direction of its emissions reduction plan and recommended emissions budgets are enduring and practical. “As an independent crown entity, our role is to provide the advice, but

COAL NOT IN CO-OP’S PLAN FONTERRA HAS told the Climate Change Commission says it has been working on its transition to renewable energy for some time. Despite some “practical constraints”, the co-operative says it will get out of coal. Nine of its 29 sites use coal and chief operating officer Fraser Whineray says there’s been a lot of progress over the last few years to get the co-op to a position where it can make this commitment. “With customers in more than 140 countries we have global insights and long-term trends supporting these actions, which have

Fonterra says it has been working on its transition to renewable energy for some time.

the Government must develop the detailed strategy and take action. Once we have handed over the advice, the ball is in its court.” Many of the responses, for example from repre-

sentative groups, have bundled submissions on behalf of large numbers of members. In some cases, single emails included template submissions from hundreds or even thousands of people.

“A lot of organisations with a very keen interest in the transition to a low emissions future for Aotearoa have gone to great efforts to encourage their members to have their say and coordinate those

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responses. We are very grateful for the work that has gone into these submissions,” Hendy said. The commission must deliver its final package of advice to the Government by May 31 and within 10 working days Minister of Climate Change James Shaw must table the

been in progress for some time,” he says. Conversion or replacement of existing coal boilers to renewable energy is a significant, logistical, technical and financial undertaking. “We’ve built a lot of capability in-house and with partners in New Zealand and internationally and this provides us with comfort that solutions are sustainable. “It’s important to us that New Zealand continues to be at the forefront of sustainable food production – and getting out of coal is one way we can help with this,” Whineray says.

advice in Parliament. Hendy says the commission has received very positive feedback on its consultation process and extraordinary interest and engagement in its work. During the consultation phase, the commission team held or attended around 200 events and

talked with an estimated 4,000 people. “We learnt a lot through the consultation phase and one of the things we’re seeing as we go through the submissions is a lot of consistency with what we heard across Aotearoa during our consultation.”

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DAIRY NEWS APRIL 13, 2021

8 // NEWS

Nothing to hide, everything SOUTHLAND’S JON

Pemberton is pleased to be part of a water quality and greenhouse gases project that’ll benefit all farmers. “Being part of this project means we’re out there with our pants down and we can’t hide from the truth.” Jon’s talking about the Communities of Practice (COP) project, which began in July 2019. Led by DairyNZ, the project is helping Otago and Southland farmers improve their water quality and reduce their emissions footprints. While separate from research being done at the Southern Dairy Hub, the COP project is adding another dimen-

sion to ongoing Hub research by enabling calculation of the ■■ greenhouse gas ■■ footprints of the ■■ four current farm ■■ systems. That’s why Jon ■■ and wife Birgit ■■ don’t mind putting ■■ their farm in the spotlight. “It’s okay by me because this project is levy-funded and aimed at benefitting all farmers. We knew that when we signed up for it.” Now in their sixth season on their Brydone farm, Jon and Birgit milk 380 Friesian cows on 139ha (plus 100ha across two leased support blocks

DairyNZ senior scientist Dawn Dalley catches up with Jon as part of the COP project.

Farm facts Name: Jon and Birgit Pemberton Position: Farm owner-operators Location: Brydone, east Southland Farm size: 139ha (effective) plus two leased blocks (total 100ha) Herd size: 380 cows (Friesian) Farm system: 5 Production: 220,000 kgMS/year (2019/20 season)

for wintering and young stock), with the help of their two team members. Before getting on board the COP project, Jon had already been involved in the Southern Dairy Hub, spending three years on the trust that initially set it up in 2014/15. He was keen to

The team; from left farm workers John Clearwater and Andrew Barton with Birgit and Jon (and their dog, Jed).

get involved in the COP project. “We’re a System 5 farm, which isn’t typical for a New Zealand farm. I really wanted to find out about what impact we were having on the environment. I also wanted to get skilled up into what’s coming our way with environmental regulations and policy, and find out what changes are achievable. Having the access to the modelling from DairyNZ through this project gives us an idea of that.” Now well into its second year, the COP project is specifically targeted at protecting water

quality and better understanding greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) from systems in Otago and Southland. It also aims to pinpoint any knowledge gaps and future research opportunities for the region. DairyNZ senior scientist and COP project leader Dawn Dalley says that, although led by DairyNZ, the project includes valuable input from AgResearch’s GHG and sediment research expertise. The other three monitor farms are in northern Southland, west Otago, and Taieri. All are farmer owner-operated, except for the west Otago

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farm, run by sharemilkers. The farms cover a wide range of farm systems, topography and landscapes, with contrasting vulnerabilities related to slope, soil type and wetness. Each has its own ‘Community of Practice’, made up of a group of eight to fifteen farmers and rural professionals attached to each farm, who have an interest in achieving improved environmental outcomes for the region. Regular meetings take place for each of the four farms, and their whole systems are analysed, alongside feed quality analysis, environmen-

DAIRY NEWS APRIL 13, 2021

NEWS // 9

to gain for farmers ONE OF the key outcomes the project team wants to see alongside the water quality gains, is an increase in farmer understanding of GHGs and their GHG footprint. The project will also inform the framework of He Waka Eke Noa. For the Pembertons, it’s the action on the ground that will show the project’s full value. “Projects like this one and Step Change show real inputs and outputs off-farm,” says Jon. “It’s about having confidence in the modelling, so we can turn around the unintended consequences of intensive land use. It doesn’t matter whether you’re running a System 1 lowinput farm or a System 5 high-input farm – a good farmer will make it happen. “There is a lot of debt in our industry that could potentially limit options for system change or affect the rate of pace to keep up with new national policies. We certainly have our fair share of debt on this farm, so we hope using our business to illustrate where the opportunities and challenges are will help the dairy sector and wider New Zealand stay relevant. “There are also plenty of other young couples in our position, and it’s nice to be able to see a way forward. We want to help other people see that there’s light at the end of the tunnel, that they can keep their business tracking along. If this project can give people the tools, knowledge and skills they need to catch up, that’s great.”

tal risk assessment and financial benchmarking. Farmax and Overseer models were set up to model current practice and alternative scenarios, with baseline information collected in DairyNZ’s DairyBase. As well as the water quality and emissions focus, the project also looks at monitor farms in terms of their financial and farm systems performance. This was great forward-thinking, says Dawn, as it means the COP project aligns well with DairyNZ’s Step Change project. “Step Change is focused on dairy farmers nationwide,” says Dalley. “It was launched after the COP project began, but the two initiatives match up almost exactly – both addressing nutrient loss to water, GHGs and financials. For both, the regional team are integral to delivery.” While the COP project is separate, it complements research at the Southern Dairy Hub. Dawn says the Hub provides a foundation that “allows us to record all the information necessary to get the methodology right, with really robust data and control, and a good understanding of the

systems”. “For instance, for the calculation of the GHGs that AgResearch is going to do, we’ll be using the Hub’s approach to pilot that. That will also help extend the reach of the farm systems research at the Hub, and enable possible mitigations to be tested across a wider range of farm systems on commercially operating farms. “For now, though, the main focus of this project is to get the modelling right for each of its four monitor farms,” says Dalley. “Then, when the Southland targets/limits are finally set, the learnings will provide the tools, resources and approach farmers can use to put things into action, taking into account the limits.” Dalley says having the linkages with the SDH and farmer reference group has given the project team the insights they needed around what those farmers have and what they need, and what’s needed in the development in the project itself. Jon says there are a couple additional bonuses he’s noted too. “Farmers are getting someone come onto the farm and pick holes in the system, which is great. It confirms

where we’re going and gives us more confidence in moving forward.” “Not only that, you get free access to two analysts and three well-respected scientists – where else can you get that to this degree? That access to the experts and their knowledge is really awesome.”

“It’s also been great working with Dawn Dalley and the team, including the AgResearch scientists. “I feel this project is going to give us more tools to work with, and to understand how New Zealand farming might be in 10 years’ time.” Story – DairyNZ

Southland farmer Jon Pemberton doesn’t mind putting his farm on the spotlight.

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DAIRY NEWS APRIL 13, 2021

10 // NEWS

Tanker drivers roped in for fundraiser MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz

FONTERRA’S PAHIATUA and Longburn-

based tanker operators have proven the benefits

of pulling together – quite literally – by hauling their trucks by hand for charity. The tanker pull was one of three team events dreamed up by shift team manager Michael Woodfield who wanted to

raise the stakes for their Cancer Society Relay for Life fundraiser. Teams of four had to complete the three challenges, including pulling a truck for 50 metres, eating dry Weet-Bix and

reversing a truck and trailer around a 90-degree angle corner. The tasks were timed and judged and were carried out at the depots at around 6am before the drivers went out for their daily milk runs. Raising money for Relay for Life every second year, Michael wanted to up the ante, and it worked, more than doubling their usual fundraising total, this year pulling in almost $3,000 between the depots and the local Fonterra manufacturing sites. Michael explains that he was compelled to really give their Cancer Society fundraiser a boost this year because “the last 10 funerals I’ve been to have been because

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of cancer. It’s an awful disease and it affects everyone in some way.” It was a tight competition, but Longburn depot’s Blue Shift took out the number one title and Red Shift from rival depot Pahiatua came in at a close second. A trophy’s been donated by Longburn manufacturing site. It’s hoped with an official prize to fight for, the challenge will become a more regular feature, proving a little inter-depot rivalry can also do great things for a great cause.

FARMERS WANT the Government to open available space in managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ) to bring in much-needed workers for the primary industries. Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins estimates that the Australian quarantine-free travel bubble will free up 1,000 to 1,300 beds in MIQ a fortnight. “MIQ spacing has been continually quoted as a barrier for getting the workers we need. With more beds becoming available, it should now allow those with agricultural skills to enter the country,” Federated Farmers immigration spokesperson Chris Lewis says. “With continued low unemployment and the majority of available workers remaining in the urban centres, all of the primary industries are crying out for labour.” Farm Source, a leading job website for the dairy industry, currently lists over 1,100 vacancies on farm, far higher than the usual number for this time of year, Lewis notes.

DAIRY NEWS APRIL 13, 2021

NEWS // 11

Three co-op tankers in the hunt to carry white gold markd@ruralnews.co.nz

A FAMILIAR sight on our roads, Fonterra’s milk tankers provide the vital link in getting the “white gold” off dairy farms and into the nation’s milk factories. With a nationwide fleet of around 475 trucks and trailers combinations – each with a combined value of $700,000 – cumulatively covering 93 million kilometres annually, the logistics of operating such a large fleet is not taken lightly. With a replacement policy that typically sees the truck chassis’ moved out at seven years, with trailers good for about twenty years or so, the company is always looking to replace the current hardware with newer versions. With an eye to efficiency, collection capacity, manoeuvrability, fuel consumption and sustainability, a battle to be the next preferred trailer unit is currently underway. With a target to increase milk collection productivity by 8-10%, the result will be reduced kilometres, less fuel consumption, fewer tankers on the road and a reduction on the co-operative’s impact on the environment. Three designs are being tested on New Zea-

decision on which of the trailers has performed the best and will be safest for our operators and communities.”

“Over the next 12 months these three trailers will undergo testing, collecting data to make an informed

MARK DANIEL

Futureproof your Farm Effluent Management Three new milk trailer designs, next to the current model on the left, are being tested on New Zealand’s roads this season.

land’s roads this season, collecting specific operational data and driver feedback to see which performs best. The current, classic tanker offers a capacity of up to 15,000 litres, whereas the three new designs are two metres longer and can hold up to 21,000 litres. One is the brainchild of one of the co-operative’s own tanker drivers, while the others are designed and built by transport engineering companies, Domett and Longveld. Reporoa-based Fonterra driver Bill Groves has been dreaming up his trailer for the past seven years and is proud to see it finally on the road, having been supported throughout the design

and build phase by his employers. Bill says it’s been a “really cool journey to be a part of and just being able to be here right now is awesome”. “Fonterra has treated me like family, and I am so proud to be a part of this team.” The Groves trailer is the first of its design, with a patent pending, and draws on Bill’s experience in a previous life driving a logging truck. It features twin, double axle assemblies with an interconnecting pole coupling for good maneuverability and safety when entering and exiting a corner. A more oval shape allows the tank to be mounted lower, thereby increasing stability. Domett’s Generation

4 Trailer also incorporates a more oval shaped tank, meaning it can be mounted lower in the chassis making it more stable, while incorporating three integral baffles to reduce surge when part loaded. A clever steering system sees the two rear wheels steer with the front of the vehicle, aiding maneuverability. The Longveld design has a space-age look, with an elliptical tank that is said to be stronger, more stable, and therefore safer, with the added benefit of the shape making tanks easier to clean. Fonterra’s general manager transport logistics Barry McCollsays the company wanted a trailer which could carry more milk but also incorporate improved manoeuvrability

on tighter tracks. “We are currently trialling the trailers around the North Island because there are a lot of older farms with tanker tracks that were built for smaller trucks. “This isn’t so much of an issue in the South Island, as a lot of the dairy farms are relatively new and have good access for our vehicles.” McColl’s first impressions of the three designs is positive. “Bill’s is quite radical and different from the other two, which are really variants of what we have currently. It’s certainly given us something to compare over the next year, with driver feedback being a key indicator of how well the trailers have performed.”

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DAIRY NEWS APRIL 13, 2021

12 // NEWS

Changing feeding times can reduce emissions NEW RESEARCH

headed by Lincoln University finds that delaying when animals are fed means they will urinate at night in colder temperatures. The cooler tempera-

tures mean less nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas, is produced from the nitrogen in the urine. Co-author Dr Jim Gibbs, senior lecturer at Lincoln University in livestock health and produc-

tion, said understanding the relationship between time of feeding and subsequent nitrogen excretion may lead to better farm management strategies to reduce greenhouse gas output.

“Animals fed in both the morning and afternoon excreted approximately 60% of their urine volume and total urea within 12 hours of being offered fresh feed. “This work suggests

that shifting animals to new pasture late afternoon would result in more urinary nitrogen being deposited at night when lower ambient temperatures should lead to reduced volatilisation

Unleashing Potential

Dr Jim Gibbs, Lincoln University.

and lower N2O production.” “This is good news for the dairy industry, as South Island farmers already use evening shifts for fresh feed, to better judge pasture use in daylight hours. This work shows the value of evalu-

ating management of the whole production system to improve farming outcomes.” The work was funded by the Ministry of Primary Industries Sustainable Land Management and Climate Change (SLMACC) Fund.

LIVESTOCK TRADING BOOMING

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THE LIVESTOCK trading industry in New Zealand is stronger than ever thanks to the innovation and resilience which came to the fore during the pandemic, according to an industry veteran. With more than 40 years behind him in the stock and station industry, NZ Farmers Livestock general manager livestock Bill Sweeney says the pandemic halted livestock sales “for a very short time, but the innovation and resilience which then came through have made it stronger than it’s ever been.” The strength Sweeney speaks of relates to farmers’ ability to trade stock even when the country is locked down. “We had been working on a hybrid auction platform before the country went into lockdown on 25 March, 2020,” Sweeney says. “The pandemic simply meant we put the pedal down and got the MyLivestock platform refined and released two weeks later so farmers could resume trading.” He says in the year since the lockdown, farmers have become familiar with the choice which now exists for livestock trading. “Where before they might only attend and bid at the local yards, now they can bid at livestock auctions across New Zealand. That has seen a diversity and vibrancy which never existed before. “Store cattle prices are currently pretty steady and holding. The biggest issue is the drought which hit some areas harder than others. “The shipping of beef overseas has certainly held schedules but with recent rain and slightly cooler days, we are starting to see some grass growth which should see the store market increase. Once prime numbers and boner cow numbers lessen – which I believe is starting to happen – we should see a lift in values here. “The dairy prices are stagnant due to supply and demand, albeit the milk payout is looking good. With some farms going out of dairying it is putting pressure on the number of cows to pick from and this is holding values to lower levels. “Farm sales are happening and the sale of stock – both on-farm and at the yards - has certainly helped our numbers compared to last dairy season. The works have caught up with any backlog and processing times are not too bad at the moment.”

DAIRY NEWS APRIL 13, 2021

NEWS // 13

Winning recipe for soil health NORTHLAND DAIRY

farmer David Cole will tell you there is no better sight than a green paddock full of black and white cows. On his family’s Te Maire farm, which traces its history back 105 years, those green paddocks may also contain bright yellow sunflowers, peas winding themselves up stems of sorghum, or faba beans drilled directly into sandy paddocks, and buckwheat added to release phosphate tied up in the soil. “I’m a big fan of the idea that different plants can do different things to your soil without having to get into a tractor and burn diesel,” says David. He has been “dipping his toes” in regenerative farming practices over the last two seasons on the family’s 220 hectare farm and 40 hectare run-off. While the farm is not fully regenerative, he is now an advocate of what regenerative practices can do for farming soils.

“We experimented last year with a paddock that we call the duck pond, for obvious reasons. We had tried everything with it. I had done a lot of reading on sunflowers and millet and their ability to break up tight soil, so we planted that mix in the paddock and the results were amazing.” The sunflowers and millet broke up the soil and it is now one of the best paddocks on their farm. The crop they cut from the paddock was mixed with molasses and a bit of baleage for their Holstein Friesian herd, which thrived on the high protein mix. “The product that we took off to feed the cows was incredible. If you were growing that you would never grow maize to feed to your cows again,” says David. David and Karen average 400 kgMS per cow from their Autumn calving herd and David says it was the hot dry Northland

summers they have experienced in recent years that made them realise the yield they were getting from their maize was too low and it was proving too expensive. “I started doing a lot of reading and the regenerative approach seemed to make a lot of sense.” Now they make up to 1,000 bales of baleage both from traditional pasture and from paddocks they are regenerating using their newfound crops. This season they added peas to their regenerating paddocks to increase nitrogen in the ground and sorghum because the peas yield better with something to climb. Buckwheat was added to release acids into the soil and free up phosphate to also help with growing better crops. “It’s not a fully regenerative system because the cows aren’t feeding directly off it. We cut the crop then let the paddock

Northland farmer David Cole believes regenerative farming makes a lot of sense.

go back to grass once the other plants have done their job to restore and rejuvenate the soils.” David says the result-

ing hay and baleage yield a high protein crop however which his cows absolutely love. “Protein is very expen-

sive to bring in. In the past we have brought DDG meal, but we’ve found the sunflowers can replace that and we’re hoping by adding the faba beans and the peas into the hay, we’ll eventually be free of having to bring any protein in the farm gate,” says David. David is the fourth generation of his family to run the farm with its pedigree Holstein Friesian herd which can trace most of its genetics back to Pukeroro. In the days well before AI, his grandfather Colwyn used to go to the Pukeroro sale in his Bedford every year and buy a cow and bull and bring them home. That was where the herd started. When AI was introduced the family continued to use Pukeroro bulls. He describes them as

cows that “know how to milk” and over the generations he and wife Karen have managed to breed out their tendency to kick in the shed. The couple are milking 200 cows this season, slightly lower than their normal 225. David says they have been fully autumn calving since 1990, when they realised the Northland weather didn’t work for their operation. They dry off on December 24 and the cows are out for about eight weeks. “We calve in March now. It’s a bit counterintuitive because it’s very dry up here around that time, but it gets us into mating well before the shortest day of the year and we find our cows get in-calf easier if it’s before the shortest day.”

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Sunflower has done an amazing job breaking up tight soil on the farm.

GOOD FERTILITY them. “We are trying to get to a live weight of around 600kg with good fertility. We’re not after extreme production because it’s very hard to do in Northland, unless you’re bringing a feed truck in the gate all year round,” says David. The couple have tried to increase production in previous seasons, spending up to $200,000 on feed, but David says it made very little difference to their bottom line. And while they used to dabble in raising beef, David and Karen now sell off any excess calves and use the land to make their crops. “You have to accept it for what it is up here, it’s not an easy environment to farm in,” says David.

Ensure young stock become future high producers, through improved health, growth and energy at: BOE 1149

DAVID AND Karen Cole mainly use bulls with Seagull-Bay SupersireET featuring strongly in their herd. They aim for a live weight of around 600kg and cows that have good fertility. They were also impressed with Supersire’s son, the now deceased Welcome SS Peterpan-ET, that produced two crops of daughters for them. They have also used Top Deck KO Pierre, a bull produced as part of the Holstein Friesian/CRV Genetic Leaders programme, and Maple Wood Brewmaster to give a bit more size and volume to their herd. This year they were looking forward to seeing what Melarry Josuper Frazzled-ET and Woodcrest King Doc would throw for

futureproducers.co.nz

PROUDLY AVAILABLE FROM YOUR LOCAL PARTICIPATING VETERINARY CLINIC

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DAIRY NEWS APRIL 13, 2021

14 // NEWS

More grass, more milk

CHINA FARMS FINALLY SOLD

FONTERRA COLLECTED

more milk in February thanks to better pasture growth in most parts of the country. The co-operative collected 136.5 million kgMS, 2.3% higher than the same month last season. It says February saw a generally settled end to summer across the country, but with some bouts of wet and windy weather. “Other than the far north of the North Island and Fiordland in the South Island, the whole country was sunnier than average for the time of the year. “In regions that had rainfall with that warm weather, good pasture growth resulted.” North Island milk collection for the month reached 73.9 million kgMS, 5.9% higher than February last season. Northland experienced well above average rainfall, going some way to alleviating the very dry conditions that region had been experiencing throughout summer.

AFTER YEARS of losses, Fon-

Fonterra says February saw a generally settled end to summer across the country, with cows producing more milk.

South Island milk collection was 62.6 million kgMS, 1.7% behind February last season. It says higher than average temperatures with favourable growing conditions across much of the South Island led to better than average collections. “While these were down

on February last season, South Island collections in February 2020 were among the strongest in recent seasons.” However, in Australia the co-op’s milk collection continues to dip. It collected 7.2 million kgMS, a 5.8% decrease on February last season.

“Lower herd numbers combined with increased consumption of lower quality home-grown fodder instead of supplementary feed are continuing to impact milk production growth across Australia.” Fonterra’s season-to-date collections in Australia are down 1.8% on last year.

terra’s two wholly owned China farming hubs in Ying and Yutian have been sold. The $552 million deal is an important milestone for Fonterra following its strategic refresh. The co-operative announced in October 2020 the sale of the farms to Inner Mongolia Youran Dairy Co, subject to anti-trust clearance and other regulatory approvals in China. Fonterra says those approvals have now been received. The co-op poured around a billion dollars into the farms. However, the farms failed to provide a return to farmer shareholders. Fonterra chief executive Miles Hurrell says the co-op has contributed to the development of the Chinese dairy industry by establishing these farms. “We’re pleased to now hand ownership over to Youran for the next phase of development.

“The China market is fast moving and inspires us to keep innovating. Our China team will now continue with their focus on creating value from our New Zealand farmers’ milk through new products, applications and close partnerships with our customers. “As we’ve seen from our recent FY21 interim financial results, our China business is performing very well, underpinned by strong demand for New Zealand dairy driven by our team on the ground. “With these foundations, we are well placed to continue to grow our Greater China Foodservice, Consumer and Ingredients businesses,” says Hurrell. The completion of the sale of Fonterra’s 85% interest in its Hangu farm to minority shareholder Beijing Sanyuan Venture Capital Co is progressing and is expected to be completed this financial year.

SPECIAL REPORTS

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The Dairy Goat and Dairy Sheep industry is a high-value and fast-growing niche within the dairy scene. Some serious players have entered this industry, producing quality goat’s and sheep milk and taking high-end nutritional products to market. With many similarities at the farm end to traditonal dairying, opportunity exists for dairy service and supply businesses to develop new revenue streams.

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

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DAIRY NEWS APRIL 13, 2021

AGRIBUSINESS // 15

Soaring milk prices keep farmer confidence high SUDESH KISSUN sudeshk@ruralnews.co.nz

FARMER CONFIDENCE is

soaring. Put it down to the recent spike in prices for New Zealand dairy products. According to the latest Rabobank Rural Confidence Survey, farmer sentiment is now sitting at its highest level since early 2018. The second successive lift in farmer sentiment – coming on a rise in the last quarter of 2020 – pushes overall net confidence back into positive territory — with more of the country’s farmers now optimistic than pessimistic about prospects for the wider agri economy. This snaps a run of ten consecutive surveys with net negative results. The latest survey — completed earlier this month — found net farmer confidence rose sharply to +10%, up from -23% recorded in early December last year. The number of farmers expecting conditions in the agricultural economy to improve in the coming 12 months had risen to 29% (up from 16% last quarter) while there were fewer farmers expecting conditions to worsen (19% from 39% previously). The number of farmers expecting the performance of the agricultural economy to stay the same rose slightly

from 49% (from 44% previously). Rabobank New Zealand chief executive Todd Charteris says farmers across all sector groups were now more buoyant about the outlook for the agri economy, with both dairy farmers and sheep and beef farmers significantly more optimistic than last quarter. “Rising commodity prices were the key factor cited by farmers now holding an optimistic view of the year ahead with this no surprise given the strong upward movement in dairy commodity prices we’ve seen since our last survey,” he says. Over the course of the year, dairy commodity prices have shot up over 20% on Global Dairy Trade platform. The survey kicked off just after the bumper 15% average price rise in early March. The survey was also conducted after Fonterra lifted the midpoint for its pay-out forecast for the current season to $7.60/kgMS – the second rise in as many months. While the improved dairy outlook is the chief contributor to improved expectations for the broader agri economy, encouraging news for sheep and beef farmers have also helped. Among the one in five farmers now expecting the agricultural economy to worsen, the survey found government

policies were still the major concern – with this cited by two-thirds of those with a negative outlook. In line with the results for the broader agri economy, the survey found pastoral farmers

were significantly more confident about the prospects for their own farm performance over the next 12 months. “Well over a third of dairy farmers are now expecting their own farm

business performance to improve, while the number of dairy farmers expecting performance to worsen fell to just eight per cent,” notes Charteris. @dairy_news facebook.com/dairynews

Rabobank chief executive Todd Charteris.

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INVESTMENTS ON THE RISE THE SURVEY found farm business investment intentions were marginally higher than in the last quarter, with 25% of farmers now planning to increase investment over the next year and only 12% expecting investment to decrease. “Dairy farmers recorded the most notable jump in investment intentions with three in ten now looking to increase investment, while there was also a small lift in investment intentions among sheep and beef farmers,” says Charteris. “While growers’ investment intentions fell from the previous survey, horticulturalists continue to hold the strongest investment plans of all sector groups with a more than a third looking to increase investment in the next 12 months.”

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DAIRY NEWS APRIL 13, 2021

16 // OPINION RUMINATING

EDITORIAL

Farmers are waiting

MILKING IT... Conspiracy cranks

No fooling around

Cows to stay home

IF WE needed further proof that the Outdoors Party has drifted away from being about hunting & fishing and is now the home of every conspiracy theory known to man, look no further than its recent statements about the Covid vaccine. Now, Milking It acknowledges our Government’s vaccine roll-out has been slow, but the efficacy of and need for a Covid vaccination programme is now beyond question. Not so, say the Outdoorspeople. Their calls for more testing might sound reasonable to some, but no amount of testing will satisfy their anti-vaxxer beliefs, which are revealed in their statement: “The Outdoors Party advocates for educating and empowering people to enhance their own immunity and using established therapies with proven health benefits. One of the most obvious is Vitamin D which you get from sunshine.” Let’s be clear, anyone that thinks sunshine will protect them from Covid, has already spent way too long out in the sun.

THE NON-PERFORMING China Farms have always been a source of headaches for Fonterra. For years, the loss-making billion-dollar investment has prompted farmer shareholders to question the logic behind owning the farms and cows. And that’s why the coop was keen to officially part ways with the farms without any fanfare. A media release announcing completion of the sale was issued by Fonterra at 4.20pm Thursday, on the eve of Easter holidays. Milking It notes that the date of the release was April 1st but Fonterra could fool no one. It was a disastrous investment and farmer shareholders would be glad to see the back the China Farms.

ELEVEN COWS from Auckland’s Cornwall Park will no longer be exported to Mongolia to participate in a breeding programme. It follows a backlash from animal welfare organisations and members of the public who say live export is “inhumane”. Cornwall Park management says it has reviewed its decision to support the breeding programme. Live exports of cows came under scrutiny last year when live export ship Gulf Livestock 1 capsized and sank off the coast of China. The tragedy saw 5,867 New Zealand cows drown and 41 crew members, including two New Zealanders, lost at sea. For nearly two years, MPI has been reviewing the controversial live export trade, which resumed after improvements to animal welfare standards were made.

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Oat dear! OAT ‘MILK’ is facing a crisis of sorts. A viral tweet calling it “super sugar grain juice” is worrying oat milk lovers. The tweet based on an article from an expert in marketing, states that natural sugars in oat milks can affect your blood sugar more than a can of Coke. But anti-dairy campaigners have been quick to defend oat milk. While oat milk does contain a type of sugar your body absorbs more quickly, there’s no need to panic about your oat milk latte, let alone your oatmeal, they say. The complaint about oat milk is that is contains several grams of added sugar on the label. That’s despite the ingredients list showing nothing but oats, oil, salt, and vitamins. The sugar is the natural result of processing the oats. Enzymes added during production break down the natural oat starches into sugar, creating the sweet taste people expect from oat milk.

FROM NEXT week, two-way quarantine-free travel kicks in between New Zealand and Australia. The trans-Tasman bubble is estimated to free up 1,000 to 1,300 rooms per fortnight within MIQ facilities in NZ. The Government plans to keep roughly 500 spaces free in case they are needed following an outbreak. Some facilities will be closed as they are only suitable for those coming from low-risk countries. For months, the primary sector, including our dairy farmers, has been pleading for more MIQ rooms to bring in migrant workers sorely needed on farms. The Government has passed some limited border exceptions for agricultural machinery operators, veterinarians, sheep shearers, animal pregnancy scanners and some skilled dairy staff to date. However, these limited exceptions aren’t going to go very far with the number of workers needed across the primary industries now and in the coming months. MIQ space has been continually cited as a barrier for getting the workers we need. But with the trans-Tasman bubble freeing up so many rooms, the Government has a great opportunity to put its money where its mouth is. Since the first lockdown over a year ago, the Government has applauded farmers and the agriculture sector in general for helping keep our economic wheels turning. With more beds becoming available, the Government should now allow those with agricultural skills to enter the country. Federated Farmers rightly points out that with continued low unemployment and the majority of available workers remaining in the urban centres, all of the primary industries are crying out for labour. Farm Source, a leading job website for the dairy industry, currently lists over 1,100 vacancies on farm, far higher than the usual number for this time of year. All of the primary industries have been working hard to attract and upskill Kiwis to work on farms, but unfortunately these initiatives don’t address the immediate labour problem. Farmers need people in our fields, orchards and cow sheds. Federated Farmers has asked the Government to allow 500 skilled dairy staff into New Zealand for the new milking season. The farmer lobby carried out a survey in March and results showed that 49% of dairy farmer respondents were currently short-staffed; 46% had vacancies unfilled for more than three months; and nearly a quarter had been unable to fill a gap on their team for more than six months. The Government should not miss this opportunity to help farmers in desperate need of overseas labour. The lack of MIQ rooms is no longer an issue. Farmers are waiting.

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DAIRY NEWS APRIL 13, 2021

OPINION // 17

Time to plan tree planting BALA TIKKISETTY

WITH WINTER not

too far away, this is the time for planning for tree planting. Planting a shelterbelt is an option for some livestock farmers to reduce the adverse effects of inclement weather. Whether it is hot or cold, climatic conditions may lower productivity by reduced grazing periods and therefore reduced feed intake. Windy conditions enhance the loss of moisture from both soil and pastures and this results in reduction in overall dry matter growth. The traditional view is that shelterbelts help to reduce evaporation of soil moisture and transpiration from the grass. Live shelter is particularly helpful in drought or prolonged dry spells. In addition to environmental benefits such as soil erosion control, shelter can have complementary effects by achieving multiple goals for both the landowner and the environment. Shelter trees can be a haven for birds, give shelter for homes, buildings and stock yards, be aesthetically pleasing and increase the tree species in an area. This is one of the greatest ways of increasing biodiversity. Shelter can also screen noise and reduce odours associated with livestock operations. The use of native plants, particularly those naturally occurring in the area, help to preserve the local character and provide forage for bees. Strategic planting is likely to be more worthwhile than blanket planting and because of the long term commitment, a careful decision should be made. Shelter is most effective when sited at right angles to the prevailing wind. If eastwest shelterbelts are required they should include deciduous species to lessen the winter

shading of pastures. Practical experience has shown clearly that belts of medium porosity (about 50 per cent) produce a much more even wind flow over a much wider area. Good porosity can be achieved by correct species choice and subsequent management. When porosity is low, the wind profile is changed; turbulence occurs at a factor of about five times the shelter height [see the graphic]. The longer the windbreak, the better the protection. Short plantings have a disproportionate edge effect, where wind slips around the ends reducing the area of protection. Gaps in a shelterbelt cause the wind to funnel through at excessive speed. This can happen where there are missing trees or when there is a draughty space at ground level. Height of the shelter directly influences the area of wind reduction on the leeward and windward side. Tall shelter gives the most economic protection as the area protected is directly related to the height of the windbreak. These days, people regularly ask us for some information for carbon farming. Any tree species (other than those grown mainly for fruit or nuts) can be used in carbon farming, so long as they reach at least 5 metres in height and the forest after 12 years has: at least 30% tree canopy cover an average width of at least 30 metres an area of 1 hectare or more. Fast growing trees like radiata pine and Douglas fir planted in closed canopy forests are the most profitable for carbon forestry because they store (sequester) the most carbon in the shortest time. Species that have other attributes (biodiversity, speciality timbers, amenity, etc) may be included in a carbon

forest. Space-planted willows or poplars can be part of a carbon forest, but their carbon yield will be low. • Bala Tikkisetty is a

sustainable agriculture advisor (technical) at Waikato Regional Council. Contact him on bala. tikkisetty@waikatoregion. govt.nz or 0800 800 401.

Planting a shelterbelt is an option for some livestock farmers to reduce the adverse effects of inclement weather.

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DAIRY NEWS APRIL 13, 2021

18 // MANAGEMENT

Field days showcase the rise It’s that time of the year when the country’s top Maori dairy farms claim the spotlight as part of the prestigious Ahuwhenua Trophy competition to determine the winner of this annual event. For the last two weeks field days have been held at two of the three farms in the competition and as Dairy News goes to press, a third one is taking place. A FIELD day at Tatai-

whetu Trust’s organic dairy farm in the Rūātoki Valley south of Whakatane just before Easter attracted of more than 180 visitors including a number of VIPs. Tataiwhetu Trust is one of three finalists in this year’s prestigious Ahuwhenua Trophy for the top Māori dairy farm. Guests at the field day included the Minister of Agriculture, Damien O’Connor, the Minister for Māori Development, Willie Jackson, and the Associate Minister for Agriculture, Meka Whaitiri. Also present were rural professionals,

central and local government officials, and farmers from throughout the Bay of Plenty. The visitors were welcomed on to the Tauarau Marae by local Māori dignitaries including the chairman of the Tataiwhetu Trust, Paki Nikora. After the welcome and a series of presentations, guests were taken on a brief tour of the farm. Tataiwhetu is an organic dairy farm milking once a day and their herd of 432 kiwi cross cows produce 129,140 kgMS. They also carry 188 replacement stock on their two support blocks. Kingi Smiler, chairman

of the Ahuwhenua Trophy Management Committee praised Tataiwhetu Trust for their field day. He says organising this event and completing all the other tasks associated with entering the competition requires significant effort and commitment on the part of Trust members and staff. Kingi says they did an excellent job showcasing the rise and rise of Māori dairy farming and hopes that other Māori farmers will take note of this and consider entering their farms in the competition in future years. “It is great to see Māori farms in the East-

Kingi Smiler

ern Bay of Plenty come to the fore in the Ahuwhenua Trophy competition. They are answering the call of Sir Apirana Ngata and Lord Bledisloe from 88 years ago to create better farms that serve their whānau well financially while at the same time enhancing the environment,” he says. O’Connor says it was great to get out of Wellington and spend a day seeing yet another exam-

ple of excellence in Māori farming. He says the field day at Tataiwhetu Trust’s organic dairy farm shows the vision and the positive steps Māori are taking to gain ownership of their lands and to develop them so that they are both profitable and sustainable. He says they along with the other finalists in the dairy competition, Pouarua Farms and Tunapahore B2A Incorporation, are living the

vision of Sir Apirana Ngata and Lord Bledisloe by developing their lands to their potential and becoming role models for others. “The government and I personally recognise the huge contribution that Māori agri business makes to the New Zealand economy and for leadership that it shows in the sustainability space. It aligns with our ‘Fit For a Better World’ roadmap. “By doing this, Māori

farmers are making a significant contribution to enhancing the provenance of our products internationally. It is especially great to see more Māori product brands appearing in our overseas markets,” he says. O’Connor says the primary sector needs to go not only from volume, but also volume to values. He says consumers now days are looking for healthy nutritional food products that are proven to be sustainably produced. “They’re inherently interested in the values with which food and fibre is produced. Māori farmers are well placed to meet the expectations of these consumers,” he says. A field day for the third finalist - Tunapahore B2A Incorporation - will be held on Thursday. The national winner will be announced at a dinner in New Plymouth on Friday May 14.

A DIRECTOR’S VIEW RICK BRADDOCK has been a foundation director of Pouaua Farms. He says it’s great to see Maori farming in such a responsible way and adopting such high sustainable practices including caring for staff. He says there is a good culture in the company and they have done things to make the

business attractive for staff. “We want a list of people wanting to work for us, not people wanting to leave us,” he says. While the company is looking at diversification with this goes a focus on the customer says Braddock. He believes consumers are concerned about the

food from a nutritional point of view and also the provenance of that food. “To that end we have set aside an area of the platform to supply Lewis Road Creamery with A 2 Jersey milk and that is currently in our owns bottles on supermarket shelves in Auckland,” he says.

DAIRY NEWS APRIL 13, 2021

MANAGEMENT // 19

and rise of Maori farming Another finalist POUARUA FARMS is

one of the other finalists in this year’s competition. It’s the largest single dairy platform in the Hauraki region with a 2,200ha platform comprising ten farms: nine dairy units and one drystock unit. A total of 4,600 cows are milked and approximately 1.65M kgMS is produced on the farms. The properties are jointly owned by Ngāti Maru, Ngāti Paoa, Ngāti Tamaterā, Ngāti Tara Tokanui and Te Patukirikiri and were bought back from the government as part of a treaty settlement buyback scheme. The farms are now fully operated by the iwi owners under a limited partnership arrangement with a board

of highly experienced directors. The farms are typical of the region – flat and featureless with peaty soils which dry out in summer and which requires careful management. There has been considerable capital investment on the farms with an emphasis on both the milking platform and the environment. This includes a large riparian planting programme and the recent construction of a new 54 bale rotary dairy shed on Farm A where the field was held. More than 160 people attended their field day where they heard presentations from the directors and staff of Pouarua. They were then taken on a brief farm tour to see some of

the developments. Pouarua Farms chief executive, Jenna Smith, says it was a huge task to pull the day together but says everyone from directors, senior managers and farm staff worked well together. She says the feedback from the day was positive with people interested in some of the wider innovations taking place on the farms. She says the land is very delicate and susceptible to environmental pressure and so they have come up

An aerial view of the Pouara Farm in Hauraki.

with a vision – healthier food for a better life. “That is that not necessarily all dairy because it may not be right to continue in dairy and so

we are looking at other options for the land. For example, we are pretty heavily down the line on a blueberry orchard and have retired some land

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HAPPY STAFF MONIKA TAMIHANA was brought up on a sheep and beef farm near Taumaranui, but is now making a career in the dairy industry. She says her passion is in the dairy industry and enjoys the cow much more than chasing around a farm after a sheep. She has also found a way of making the cows happy in the dairy shed. “I sing to them – usually hip hop or metallic rock which they love,” she says. Another happy staff member is John Davy who is acting manager on A Farm. He’s spent a lifetime in the farming industry – mainly dairy and has worked at Pouarua farmers for eight years. He says the farmers are well maintained and is full of praise for the development of the farms and the way staff on them are looked after. “The brand new shed it is absolutely fantastic and is the most safety conscious shed I have ever worked in. It is built to look after the people who work in it,” he says.

that we will use to graze beef cattle on when we have the feed to spare. We are also growing maize to sell,” she says. Jenna Smith says deal-

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DAIRY NEWS APRIL 13, 2021

20 // MANAGEMENT

Passion for dairy JESSICA MARSHALL jessica@ruralnews.co.nz

A BEAUTY therapist who turned to dairy farming has won the DairyNZ Good Boss competition. The Good Boss competition asked farmers to say what a good boss meant

to them. Tyla Ireland was excited to become a beauty therapist when she graduated high school, giving others the opportunity to feel confident in their appearances, but found there weren’t many opportunities available for new graduates. “I decided to look at

short-term calf-rearing opportunities, which was when I was lucky to be approached for a full-time position on farm.” She says, having been brought up on a dairy farm, she knew what it meant to work on a farm, but never realised it would be her career call-

ing as well. “Working on farm is such a great lifestyle. I never get tired of driving through the paddocks and seeing the cows and nature, especially in springtime with new calves running around,” she says. Two years later, Ire-

land works as a herd manager on a 490-cow dairy farm in Otorohonga, while also studying at Primary ITO to upskill and gain more knowledge in dairy farming. She says the mentorship provided by her employers has been very important to her.

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“My managers have provided the appropriate resources to further my skills, which really helped with my growth and progression on farm. This includes providing feedback on my work and how I could improve in different areas.” Ireland explains that having a good boss has made a big difference in her career change, helping her settle into her new job. “I have been lucky to

have had great experiences since starting in the sector. My bosses have all supported my learning and progress, and encouraged me to take on more responsibility,” says Ireland. “Getting up early every morning isn’t always easy, but when you are in a great work environment you don’t even consider snoozing that 4.30am alarm, you are just excited to go and work with your team.”

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DAIRYNZ SAYS next month’s Farmers’ Forum will provide farmers with insights into practical solutions to help farmers sustain on-farm success. The one-day forum, themed around ‘Sustaining success – strategies for New Zealand dairy farmers to continue leading the world’, is being held on April 29 at Claudelands Event Centre in Hamilton. Southland farmers will be able to attend a version of the forum, held at Ascot Park Hotel in Invercargill, featuring a livestream of keynote speakers and local workshops also on 29 April. DairyNZ chief executive Dr Tim Mackle says the forum is a great opportunity for farmers to hear from a range of speakers about challenges and opportunities facing the sector. “We are lucky to have some excellent keynote speakers lined up, including leading New Zealand economist Cameron Bagrie and author and television presenter Michelle Dickinson.” Bagrie will give an overview of current and future economic trends and how they will impact farmers. Dickinson, aka Nanogirl, will discuss the role of innovation, science and technology in meeting challenges and creating practical solutions. “The forum provides the chance for farmers to connect and take home exciting new ideas to apply on-farm to boost their productivity and sustainability,” says Mackle. “New Zealand dairy farmers can be proud of what they have achieved, but the forum provides a chance to have discussions on how we can retain our leading position.”

DAIRY NEWS APRIL 13, 2021

ANIMAL HEALTH // 21 Dean Malcolm, Bluechip Marketing is surpised by the interest among young people.

Buzz building around sale – organiser THE ENERGY building among the indus-

try’s young people in the lead-up to the autumn harvest sale has already proven to sale organisers that they did the right thing by instigating it. Up to 60 live lots and embryos will sell in an evening sale run by Dean Malcolm, Bluechip Marketing and his team at the Cambridge Raceway on April 22. The Australian cowman/cattle photographer – who has settled in New Zealand – is a former co-owner of Australia’s well-regarded Bluechip Genetics. His decision to make New Zealand his home came at a time when marketing and cattle photography work – usually sourced by Kiwi breeders out of Australia – would have been shut down with Covid-19. Bluechip Genetics was premier breeder at International Dairy Week in Australia nine out of ten years, during which time it led the way in sale marketing and averages – with prices peaking at A$101,000 for a three-month-old calf. “There has been so much support [for the sale], that it’s been energising at all levels,” he says Malcolm. “What’s really struck me is the excitement among the young people who want to be there, and who want to be involved. It’s great for New Zealand’s future.

“We’ve deliberately planned for it to be held in the school holidays, and we have a lot of youth coming to help. I think the interest is coming because this is new, it’s different, it’s all the breeds, and it’s catering for everyone interested in genetics, or making money from genetics.” He says it is no accident there is no high Breeding Worth (BW) cattle listed in the catalogue. Malcolm says BW is a New Zealand index which – unlike genomics – is not recognised internationally. It makes it a limited yardstick from his perspective. “I’m not saying BW is wrong. It’s just not our market. And, when we talk about type, we’re talking about functional type, and that’s what the world wants. We want a beautiful, functional dairy cow which will last for a long time. “And, there is no shame in getting up and milking beautiful cows.” He says the focus for the autumn harvest sale has been on cow families, high profile international sires, and performance. There are two online selling mediums involved – Australia’s Elite Livestock Auctions [elitelivestockauctions.com.au] – and, NZ Farmers Livestock [mylivestock. co.nz – click on ‘live auction’].

TB update ACCORDING TO OSPR there are currently 17 herds with a TB-infected status in the Hawke’s Bay TB Response area, of which eight have completed a first clear whole herd test. Of these herds with clear first tests, at least half are expected to achieve confirmed clear status at their next test. For infected status herds to return to a clear status, two clear whole herd tests are required no less than six months apart. These tests may include an additional blood test for part of or the whole herd. Cattle or deer over the age of three months being moved from a property within the Movement Control Area require a clear TB test within 60 days prior to movement. OSPRI says 245,059 individual animals have been tested in the Movement Control Area since November 2019 and 609 pre-movement tests have been completed since February 2020. In the wider North Island Region there are currently three infected herds in the Waikato Region, one in the Bay of Plenty Region and one in the Wellington Region.

DAIRY NEWS APRIL 13, 2021

22 // ANIMAL HEALTH

Winter grazing contracts must be in place THE WINTER Grazing Action Group (WGAG) is stressing to farmers the importance of having

grazing contracts in place for the coming season. WGAG chair Lindsay Burton said the group was

keen to emphasise the need for grazing contracts for livestock when grazed off farm to make sure

health, nutrition and welfare needs are understood and managed, especially during periods of greater

Farmers are being urged to have grazing contracts in place for this winter.

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risk like winter. “With a clear plan in place and a contract to back it up, the issues that come up with grazing and the welfare of livestock through the winter are just that much easier to

Milton Munro, technical team manager for PGG Wrightson and member of the action group, echoes these sentiments. “Caring for stock during winter is really

“Where animals are intensively managed within the farm operation, the same detailed requirements must be present in the farm management plan.” manage,” Burton said. “Where animals are intensively managed within the farm operation, the same detailed requirements must be present in the farm management plan.” A guide to help farmers with wintering practices is available on the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) website, and outlines seven key short-term outcomes: ■■ ensuring animals give birth in the right environment ■■ being prepared for all weather conditions ■■ making sure animals can easily access acceptable drinking water ■■ planning for successful winter feeding ■■ providing animals with a comfortable lying down place ■■ working together to care for animals during winter, and ■■ finding opportunities to improve. “Factoring that kind of thinking into a grazing contract goes a long way towards ensuring animal health and welfare are properly looked after,” says Burton. “Many farmers have already been proactive in making changes to their wintering systems and the hope is that by having written contracts or farm plans in place, that momentum can continue.”

important, which is why PGG Wrightson has updated our winter grazing contracts so that the key outcomes identified by the Action Group will be met,” he says. “Our livestock staff who assist farmers with finding off-farm grazing are stressing the importance of good communication between both parties early on, along with the importance of planning for changing weather conditions, when required, to ensure all stock are well cared for and a plan is in place for any animals that need extra attention.” The group was set up by Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor last year in response to a report from the Winter Grazing Taskforce, which made 11 recommendations to help ensure that animal welfare became a key part of all winter grazing decisions in the pastoral supply chain. He said the action group’s job was to recommend ways to improve animal welfare following what he called, “a lot of concern about managing winter grazing for cattle, sheep, and deer across the country”. The group’s 15 members represent industry organisations, government, vets, farmers, and other rural professionals. It is supported in its work by MPI.

DAIRY NEWS APRIL 13, 2021

MACHINERY & PRODUCTS // 23

Let the good times (un)roll MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz

MOUNTED BALE

unrollers are popular on New Zealand farms, with one Kiwi-owned manufacturer claiming to have figured out what works best for farmers, and why. Hustler Equipment, celebrating its 60th year, uses an exhaustive process that starts with an idea, moves to building a machine, which is then handed to farmers to use and test in real world conditions. User feedback results in tweaks and adjustments to produce the ideal configuration – a process the company

Hustler has used farmer feedback to develop the cradle shape of their Unrolla range bale unrollers.

used to develop the cradle shape of their Unrolla range bale unrollers. The shape of the cradle was designed to deal with perfectly shaped bales, while also allowing for

crops or conditions that might misshape some bales. A single-piece thermoformed floor made from polyethylene is said to reduce bale drag by up to 30%, while durable bis-

alloy steel sprockets and covered drive shafts eliminate crop wrapping on any drive components. Bale weights have grown substantially over the last decade, so

the Unrolla LX105 has a substantial subframe, 12,000lb roller chains and 40mm x 40mm box-section galvanised feedbars. Aimed at users wishing to feed 50 to 800

bales per annum, with weights of up to 1000kg, the machine requires one double-acting hydraulic outlet with an available flow rate of 30 to 60 litres per minute. A single lever control system allows fine adjustment of feed rate and easy selection of left or righthanded discharge. From a practical point of view, Hustler Unrolla’s are fitted with an automatic hands-free connection and disconnection system called Snaplox, allowing users to disconnect the cradle, load a bale from an adjacent stack, then reconnect without leaving their tractor or hanging out the window to pull a rope.

‘YOUNIVERSE’ FAIR NEW HOLLAND is set to hold a

“Youniverse” digital fair, a 10-day online event, next month where farmers and prospective customers can “meet” with some of the company’s specialists and explore the “New Holland world”. The event runs from April 9 to April 18, registration is free, and it will feature a “live” event on April 12th, hosted by Carlo Lambro, New Holland Brand President, on the dedicated Youniverse TV channel. Announcing this virtual fair, the company said “visitors” can check out its products and latest innovations through a series of virtual landscapes. Talking it up in advance, the manufacturer says the fair will be “much more than a live streaming event or showroom”, claiming it

will “offer an immersive, infotainment experience”. The firm says visitors will be able to see a selection of products in an “immersive farm setting”, accessing a wide range of multimedia content, 3D simulations and full details on the machines. The “immersive farm environment” will showcase more than 20 machines, and New Holland’s latest introductions.

These will include the Big Baler 1290 Packer model; the CH7.70 Crossover Harvesting combine; the T6160 Dynamic Command tractor; new W170D wheel loaders, and the new implement ranges. Also, in this area will be the record-holding CR10.90 Revelation combine, the T7.315 HD tractor, and the T6.180 Methane Power tractor, which enters the New Holland range later in the year.

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DAIRY NEWS APRIL 13, 2021

24 // MACHINERY & PRODUCTS

Border control without a passport MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz

CULTIVATION, SEEDING and fertiliser appli-

cation specialist Amazone claims its new AutoTS spreading system can increase yields along the borders of the paddock by up to 17%. Accurate, tailored fertiliser application plays a critical role in reducing costs and protecting the environment. The proven disc-integrated system uses shortened blades for more accurate, flexible spreading along borders, allowing settings to be adjusted to a specific spreading

situation, such as a crop edge, boundary or water course, from the tractor cab. CLAAS Harvest Centre product specialist – Amazone, Steve Gorman, says “for example, if a paddock borders onto land with a similar crop, 100 per cent of the application rate can be spread right up to the edge of the field using the side spreading function. If the paddock borders a road or public footpath, the boundary spreading function reduces the maximum throwing distance and prevents fertiliser from being thrown across the border.” Large-scale field trials conducted over several

Accurate, tailored fertiliser application plays a critical role in reducing costs and protecting the environment.

years have compared the performance of AutoTS system to conventional

border spreading techniques under real-time, practical conditions.

Comparing calcium ammonium nitrate being spread at 24 metres, over

three separate passes, the average yield of the five-metre border treated

using a conventional border spreading system was only 68% of the main body of the paddock. This increased to 85% when using the Amazone AutoTS system. Gorman says this improvement can really add up in small or irregular-shaped fields because they have a higher proportion of border area. The value generated by the AutoTS system, compared to conventional border spreading systems, can be estimated using an Amazone’s online calculator at www.amazone. net/border-spreading-calculator. @dairy_news facebook.com/dairynews

COW COLLAR WITH A RANGE OF BENEFITS THE POTENTIAL for positive envi-

ronmental impacts, improved animal health awareness, and on farm financial gains was what drew the judges of the South Island Agricultural Field Days Agri Magic Smart Farming Award to Halter Cow Collars. The judging panel of three industry experts were impressed with the collars, which they say demonstrated an ability to integrate quickly into a dairy farming system and offer benefits to multiple layers of farming practices. “The ability to tell a cow that bad weather was coming, sending it to the feed pad and ensure it has both shelter and wasn’t having a negative impact on the grass cover or the ability to keep it out of waterways was

Halter Cow Collars offer benefits to multiple layers of farming practices.

something that really impressed us,” said judge Neil Baxter. “There’s a handful of other collars on the market that can indicate that a cow has poor health or other issues, but to have a range of benefits is quite unique.”

Baxter also mentioned that the collar’s ability to offer significant value to the purchaser from day one was the reason it rose above the competition. “There were some great entries this year. But some of them are still

finding their place in the market. Whereas the Halter Cow Collars are a real success story, they finished runners up in this competition two years ago, so it’s great to see they’re continuing to develop and add value to the dairy industry,” said Baxter.

“To win this Agri Magic Smart Farming award is great recognition for the hard work that goes in each day from our team and it’s pleasing to understand how the judges valued what Halter offers,’ says Halter chief executive Craig Piggott. “Our business is looking at the next area to expand into which is a major reason we will be at the South Island Agricultural Field Days. “We’re really looking forward to meeting with farmers down South this week and chatting about how Halter could help to drive their on-farm performance.” Halter picked up $1,500 as its main prize while Canterbury company Grounded collected $500 for claiming second place.

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DAIRY NEWS APRIL 13, 2021

MACHINERY & PRODUCTS // 25

Electric bike maker plans to be on every NZ farm MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz

KIWI ECO-TECH pioneer UBCO is hoping for increased sales of it utility electric bikes across New Zealand farms, thanks to funding from the government backed Carbn Group. Carbn Group was established to accelerate low emissions investment in New Zealand. Its partnership with UBCO to provide asset finance for a new subscription service model might help fast-track UBCO chief executive Timothy Allan’s vision to have an UBCO on every farm in New Zealand. The prospect represents a $1.4 billion per year opportunity for the global company. Instead of buying an EV outright, UBCO’s subscription model means users can pay a fixed monthly fee of around $300 per month covering the bike, battery and servicing while UBCO retains ownership and stewardship of the product. “Subscription means

Waikato farmer Grant Coombes says he loves his UBCO.

low upfront costs, and it includes servicing and maintenance so there are no unplanned costs. It’s basically a no hassle way of running a bike or a fleet of bikes. And the bikes are a more sustainable transport option, both during use and at the end of life,” says Allan. With an estimated 350,000 unregistered motorbikes and ATV’s on New Zealand’s rural properties, Allan says an

UBCO on every farm in NZ would make a significant improvement to the carbon footprint, and subscription opens the opportunity for wider spread ownership. One such farmer leading the sustainable farming transition is Grant Coombes, who has owned a fleet of UBCO 2X2s for the past five years. Having started out as sharemilkers, Grant and his wife Kyly moved into ownership in 2002 and

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currently have interests in a number of properties in central and western Waikato. Having run numerous two-wheeled motorcycles and ATV’s for many years, Coombes was aware of relatively high running costs, alongside health and safety issues with staff on the latter and the problem of storing and handling petrol on-farm. Jumping in with both feet in 2015, he bought seven UBCO bikes in 2015 and quickly became a convert, praising their light weight, quietness and cool running, alongAn UBCO 2x2 on a dairy farm.

side the ease of riding and two-wheel drive via the individual wheel motors. Typically travelling around 20km each day, he calculates that running costs amount to around $1.50 a week each, with the machine charged every night and still running on their original batteries. On the downside, Coombes finds that in some situations he would like a little more acceleration, the ride can be a little harsh and the load carrying capacity offered by an ATV could be useful at certain times. Having recently signed up for four 2021 Work Bike models using the subscription service, Grant notes that the idea of a fixed cost of ownership appealed, with the maintenance costs, of which there have been very little over the last six years, passing to UBCO. The agreement also ensures replacement machines if there is any extended breakdown and the end of life disposal or recycling cost falls to the supplier.

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DAIRY NEWS APRIL 13, 2021

26 // MATING

It all comes down to good bulls GOOD BULL management means running adequate numbers of bulls with the herd, reducing their stress, and handling bulls to minimise the risk of injury to people and animals. Having enough bulls when cows are likely to be on heat is important in ensuring good reproductive performance. The number of bulls required will depend on the number of cows or yearling heifers likely to come on heat while the bulls are with the group. Run one yearling bull per 20 yearling heifers at all times to cover the poorer performance of yearling bulls. Ensure there are always at least two sexually active bulls running with each mob throughout the mating period. Bulls are typically run with yearling heifers on an all-in basis. A few extra bulls should be available in case any need to be replaced. The ratio should be about one bull to 15-20 heifers. If you are using heat synchrony, and returns will occur when bulls are running, you need to estimate the minimum number of bulls running with cattle during this period (using one bull per 10 non-pregnant cows). Alternatively, recommence heat detection and AB for three or four days,

WHEN CHOOSING BULLS: ■■

■■

Before bulls arrive on farm they need to be kept in good body condition.

starting 19 days after the previously synchronised inseminations. To make sure bulls are sexually mature and able to serve, bulls need to be well grown. By the time a bull reaches 14–15 months, they should have achieved 50% of their mature weight. This should increase to 85% by two years of age. To maintain the health of bulls and all other animals, ensure that bulls receive the same vaccination programme as the heifers and cows. Develop a drenching programme with your vet as well. Before bulls arrive on farm they need to be kept in good body condition, particularly in the three months prior to their mating start date. Several weeks before the bulls will be used, make any required diet changes

to ensure bulls are not too fat or too thin. They should be in body condition score 4.5 to 5.5 prior to mating. Body condition score bulls well before mating to give you time to make diet changes. Consider veterinary examination of bulls at least a month before the bulls start work. Examinations range from a simple physical exam, to a serving ability test, or a full assessment of semen quality. Good bull management will ensure bulls are well adjusted to their environment before mating and have been through a biosecurity quarantine. Bulls should be moved to the farm between two to three months and ten days before they are required for work. Split the bulls into teams for rotating (half resting, half work-

ing) to reduce fighting. On arrival: ■■ check for any injuries that may have occurred during transport ■■ quarantine for 10 days and observe for any disease or walking defects ■■ trim hooves if necessary ■■ walk among them observing for any individuals showing aggression or ‘stalking’ behaviour, especially Jersey bulls – they may not be suitable to run with the milking herd. Bull management during mating When bulls are running with the herd, you can take several steps to increase bull activity and reduce health risks. Regularly observe bulls serving to ensure they are serving correctly. Immediately remove bulls that

Select bulls from a bull rearer or leasing service with a reputation of growing and delivering healthy bulls. Query what disease exposure bulls may have had like Thieleria or BVD. Insist on bulls certified free of M. bovis TB, BVD, IBR and EBL, and blood test negative for Johne’s Disease. Insist on bulls certified fully vaccinated for leptospirosis and BVD. They must have been vaccinated twice initially, four weeks apart and then boosted with a single shot annually for each of these diseases.

■■

Use bulls that are no more than three years old. Older bulls can be temperamental, difficult to manage and are more likely to have injuries to the penis, back or legs. They increase the risk of injury to both the cattle and to the people working with them.

■■

Choose virgin bulls whenever possible as they are less likely to introduce venereal diseases to the herd; but avoid using bulls that are less than 15 months old. If using

are unable to serve properly and replace them with more capable bulls. Monitor bulls for lameness each day. Remove lame bulls immediately and replace with healthy bulls. If bulls go lame or get sick they will need to be replaced for the rest of mating. Infections, antibiotic treatment, and elevated temperatures effect sperm production for 30+ days making them ineffective for use.

non-virgin bulls, discuss testing for the venereal diseases, Trichomoniasis and Campylobacter with your vet. ■■

Use bulls that are likely to minimise the number of calvings requiring assistance, especially with the heifers.

■■

Select bulls ideally from the same mob. This will reduce fighting when they are with the herd. Otherwise the bulls need to arrive earlier to establish their social order well before mating start date.

■■

Exclude fully horned bulls and those with deformed feet.

■■

Select bulls of similar size to the cows or heifers to be mated. If bulls are substantially heavier than the cows or heifers (e.g. >100kg heavier) then injuries to both bulls and cows are more likely.

■■

Observe bulls serving tall cows; ensure they are able to serve correctly. Also observe larger bulls serving cows. If the cows collapse under the weight, find lighter bulls.

Do not allow bulls to enter the concrete milking yard with the milking herd as concrete can cause excessive hoof wear and lameness. To further reduce the risk of bull lameness and injury to bulls, cows and farm staff – train bulls to remain in the paddock when cows are brought to milkings. Identify bulls with reflective tape or some other means for easy location of bulls in the dark. It usu-

ally takes just two to three days to train bulls to hang back and let the cows go down the race. In larger herds, there may be too many bulls hiding among too many cows to draft out in the paddock or race. The only alternative is to draft at the dairy shed. In this case, allow for extra bulls to replace those who go lame or stop cows moving on the race. Article- DairyNZ

DAIRY NEWS APRIL 13, 2021

MATING // 27

One size does not fit all SOUTH ISLAND dairy farmers’ attitudes towards breeding are rapidly changing, with cow performance data driving sire selection in an effort to maximise the value of herd progeny. CRV South Island sales manager Perry Davis says it’s no longer a case of one size fits all, with trends showing more farmers demanding sexed semen and genetic solutions to help minimise the environmental footprint of their herd. “In the past, many farmers ordered semen based on what they did the previous year,” he says. “Now we are having discussions based on what farmers’ herd recording data is telling us about groups of animals in their herd and how we can make breeding decisions that will increase the value of their progeny. It’s a trend we’re seeing in the South Island and nationwide. “As a result, many farmers are now considering a wider range of options for their breeding programme, such as sexed semen, low milk urea nitrogen sires, polled sires and alternative dairy beef breeds.” Perry says this approach isn’t new to CRV. In fact, the company is well-known for specialising in a nominated breeding style, where farmers and their consultants select a team of sires to meet their breeding goals, rather than using general teams of sires for the whole or part of the herd. “CRV has proposed the use of innovative genetic solutions for many years,” says Perry. “Adding cow performance data to the mix means farmers can make better decisions about which cows they want to breed from. “Farmers have always

Trends show more farmers demanding sexed semen and genetic solutions to help minimise the environmental footprint of their herd.

valued what we call the CRV ‘herd walk’. It’s about getting our gumboots on and being amongst the cows, talking about what makes the farmer proud, who their top performers are and what they want to improve on. “We are taking this personal service to the next level and looking at what a farmer’s herd recording data is telling

CRV South Island sales manager Perry Davis

us, so we know exactly who the top performers are. These are the cows you want to breed your heifer progeny from.” Perry says CRV’s new herd recording and management tool myHERD is proving a valuable platform on which to base these discussions. It was launched to CRV herd recording users in 2020. “The myHERD reporting dashboard can be customised, so farmers can see at a glance how their herd is performing,” says Perry. “We can bring this information up on a tablet or mobile phone when we’re out in the paddock and help the farmer make breeding decisions there and then based on hard data.” Farmers learnt more about myHERD at last month’s South Island Field Days. CRV managing director, James Smallwood, joined Perry and his South Island sales team for the event.

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DAIRY NEWS APRIL 13, 2021

28 // MATING

Empty rate stubbornly high? WITH PREGNANCY

scans mostly completed, farmers are being handed their reproduction `report cards’ for last season’s mating. Many will be looking to improve this year and reduce empty rates that are dragging down profitability. With the higher payout, farmers are keen to explore new approaches that can deliver stronger reproductive results while improving the quality of life for the team. Assuming nutrition, health and animal management is under control, if your operation is inseminating cows for six weeks or more while suffering a stubbornly high empty rate, consideration might be given to the risk of reinseminating pregnant cows because of poor heat detection calls. It’s well known that as herds have grown, so has the heat detection challenge. Thanks to M. bovis and other factors, farmers are breeding longer. Throw adverse conditions into the mix, or staff changes and there’s little surprise that heat detection accuracy can become highly variable. Sometimes answers to present challenges are in the past. It’s accepted science that re-insemination of pregnant cows results in losses in the order of 50-80% of pregnancies. It’s worth knowing that 30 years ago, Weaver and others showed that deliberately re-inseminating into the uterine

Many farmers will be looking to reduce empty rates that are dragging down profitability.

body within 12-24 days of the initial insemination reduced pregnancy rate from 41% within the control group of cows to only 4% in the study group – a tenfold factor. Progressive Dairy recently published an article titled `A different look at pregnancy loss’ noting that accurate heat detection is fundamental. In fact, research showed up to 20% of cows inseminated on study farms were not actually in heat. Most heat detection methods suffer from high false positive rates, requiring highly-skilled people putting in the hours or are based on fundamentally less reliable secondary signs of heat. These false positives are reflected in the farm numbers. When coupled with fatigue, stress, staff changes, adverse weather and trees, the situation can quickly become challenging with tailpaint or patches.

DO YOUR HOMEWORK AS MOST balanced articles about technology adoption attest, do your homework and talk with other farmers to ensure you achieve a solid and early return on your heat detection dollar. Consider if there is an obvious next step to lift your results that does not require capex or multi-year lock in. Don’t be afraid to ask for hard evidence, such as real farm results or copies of any science articles behind any claims made. Some accuracy claims rely on studies involving as few as 18 cows and even then, the object of the research might actually relate to a different factor that doesn’t

Hard on the heels of calving, heat detection fatigue leads to poor decision making. Many farmers suggest it’s the constant `line-call’ decisions that particularly wears them down. It’s difficult to step away for a break, because everyone is painfully aware that prof-

really interest you. Make sure you talk to as many other farmers as possible about their experiences before committing to anything new, discuss actual numbers if they’re willing. In the end, you need to be certain you really will see valuable benefits that genuinely make life better. Definitely look hard at false positive rates, in light of the research on embryonic loss from re-inseminations and investigate accuracy; not just around success in identifying heats, but also the timing of when the heats are called. This matters, because accurately timed alerts

itability is riding on the mating result. Here in New Zealand with the advent of M. bovis, many farms have lengthened artificial breeding in an effort to reduce the need for bull cover coming to farm. Some farms are clocking up as many as 13 weeks of

and inseminations increase conception rate, which means more cows pregnant to the first cycle and more milk in the vat, sooner. Accuracy in heat detection shows up in key farm records over subsequent seasons. Mating comprises many moving parts and there are no silver bullets. There are many potential reasons for high empty rates, but it is worth contemplating if your heat detection practices and other pressures are resulting in the re-insemination of pregnant cows. This may be a significant factor in the reproductive results for your farm.

artificial breeding, increasing the risk of embryonic loss through re-insemination over the second and subsequent cycles of breeding. For all of that wellintentioned effort and investment, mistakes are costly and can be difficult to pinpoint in farm

metrics. It’s frustrating to achieve a solid threeweek submission rate, an agreeable six-week in-calf rate, go on to invest in extended artificial breeding to chase the gains, yet still suffer a high empty rate. It can seem like “the harder we try, the worse it gets” as one

farmer recently put it. As humans, we can suffer a bias toward action when doing nothing would have delivered better results. Most will realise that on top of blown pregnancies, inaccurate heat detection lowers production, increases breeding costs, decreases conception rate, increases calving spread and can lead to the early loss of perfectly good cows from the herd. If this all seems sadly familiar, heat detection accuracy may bear greater scrutiny. Before calving rolls around, refresh your heat detection knowledge. Look hard at the tools you use and consider lifting the accuracy of your heat detection approaches to help create and safeguard those early pregnancies that puts milk in your vat one or more cycles earlier. In addition to tail paint and stick on aides, there are now researchvalidated accurate tools available at similar outlay to patches, which don’t require software training, installation or skill to interpret. Some methods are now accurate enough to excel at detecting silent or quiet cows in heat, meaning they pay for the investment on that basis alone almost straight away. Investing in better tools can further allow heat detection to be shared around the team avoiding burn out. Nobody likes getting up early every day, week after week. @dairy_news facebook.com/dairynews

DAIRY NEWS APRIL 13, 2021

MATING // 29

Rakaia farmer Hayden Dorman with his World Wide Sires rep Pete Phillips.

Farmer’s decision to breed non-index, high input and production pays off HAYDEN DORMAN and Jessie

Chan came onto the Rakaia farm as lower order sharemilkers in 2009. Within two years they had purchased the herd and now lease the farm. “When we bought the cows they were a mix of European and North American genetics. In deciding our future breeding strategy we considered two options – to go completely non index, high input/high production or, as most sharemilkers do, breed for index as your cows are your only asset,” Hayden said. “There are pros and cons for both approaches but we decided to go down the route of North American high/input high/output.” Hayden had experience of North American genetics having grown up on his parents’ farm which milked an all-American Jersey herd. “The 400 hectare farm is 100% self-contained; we graze all cows, young stock and heifers and grow the majority of supplements – maize, silage, lucerne, barley and peas. We’re 80% pasture – grass is the basis of the

diet – even though we are feeding up to two tonnes of supplement. “We operate a closed herd with no animals grazed out or bought in – and were doing that before M. bovis became an issue for the industry. The devastation that disease caused so many farmers convinced us we’d done the right thing in being a closed herd. “We milk 850 Holstein Friesian/ Jersey cows split calving in autumn and spring and which produce, on average, between 570 and 620kgMS/ cow. “We are 100% AI. We haven’t used bulls for six or seven years. We AI twice a day for ten weeks straight in spring and five weeks in autumn. Last year we put collars on the cows and that’s made AI a lot easier. The collars have helped identify silent or short heats which can be common amongst high producing Holstein Friesians. “We produce according to the incentives provided by the industry so at this point (mid 2020-2021 season)

we are looking to increase spring calving and reduce autumn calving, simply because of payout. “At the end of the day production comes down to what you feed the cows – you can get any cow to produce 700 kgMS but a lot, particularly New Zealand genetics, won’t last for many lactations. We need high producing cows which last, and we are getting that. Their udders don’t drop off after two lactations. “We participate in WWS’ Mate programme which enables you to select a team of bulls which offset any weaknesses and maximise the strengths of the herd. “It takes the guess-work out of it and we see the benefits at every calving and as heifers come into the herd. We generally select around five to six bulls – 60% genomic and 40% proven. “We are after high producing good commercial cows which last. Our ideal cow is around 600kg, good temperament, strong with capacity, fertile and high producing.”

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DAIRY NEWS APRIL 13, 2021

30 // MATING

Watson to head global council THE GENERAL manager of New Zealand’s largest dairy breed association has been appointed the first woman president of the World Holstein Friesian Federation (WHFF) Council. Cherilyn Watson has been general manager of Holstein Friesian NZ for 17 years and has been the Oceania representative on the World Holstein Friesian Federation Council since 2016. The Federation is responsible for improving, promoting and developing the Holstein Friesian breed around the word. Holstein Friesian NZ President, Hennie Verwaayen, said Watson’s appointment as presi-

dent was recognition of how far the breed society had come in New Zealand and proof that New Zealand was producing some of the best leaders in the field.

mental in securing funding and is leading the development of a new $1 million project, backed the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), to develop an informa-

“For a little country at the bottom of the world I think Cherilyn’s appointment shows we can and are footing it with the best in the dairy industry.” “For a little country at the bottom of the world I think Cherilyn’s appointment shows we can and are footing it with the best in the dairy industry.” Watson was instru-

tion system to shape the genetics powering New Zealand’s dairy sector. The Breed Society and Traits other than Production (TOP) solution to Dairy Industry Good Animal Database

(DIGAD) is being jointly developed by New Zealand’s independent, notfor-profit dairy cattle breed societies lead by Holstein Friesian NZ. She is also on the Industry Genetics Steering Group looking at access to data and genotypes across the NZ dairy industry. She sits on the Breed Association Working Group of ICAR, an international committee setting standards for animal recording, and is secretary of the NZ Dairy Breeds Federation. Watson is also serves on the TOP Advisory Committee which steers the development and implementation of TOP traits in New Zealand.

Cherilyn Watson is the new president of World Holstein Friesian Federation (WHFF) Council.

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Watson said she was honoured to accept the role and is looking forward to working with the WHFF Council and members to lead the Federation through an everchanging world from the global pandemic to the environmental challenges facing all dairy farmers. “New Zealand farmers are facing similar issues to dairy farmers around the world, from managing our social licence to operate, to addressing environmental challenges. I’m looking forward to working with the council and continuing to both facilitate discussion and help

address those challenges.” Watson said one of the biggest challenges currently facing the New Zealand dairy industry was the development of genomics and the ownership of genomic information for the national herd. “Overseas the development of genomic testing has already led to more structured breeding decisions about the type of cows farmers both want and need to breed. In New Zealand we haven’t quite got there yet because there is currently no one industry good source of genomic data.” Watson takes over

from Jos Buiting, the Netherlands, who will remain as a Federation Council member. Exiting the role, he highlighted the work of the Federation in recording breeding traits and genetics. He says the Federation was uniquely positioned to co-operate on a worldwide scale to improve efficiency of dairy herds and help address challenges from CO2 emissions to phosphate, nitrogen and access to water resources. He said he looked forward to continuing to work as council member and with Watson as the new president.

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