Farmers want Overseer fixed. PAGE 3 CHAMPION CHEESEMAKERS
PREPARING FOR MATING Animal condition PAGE 29
Happy to remain small PAGE 12
AUGUST 17, 2021
ISSUE 477 // www.dairynews.co.nz
A TRAIL OF WRECKAGE
Buller farmers, like Amy Hamilton, are picking up the pieces after a ‘code red’ flood. PAGES 4-5
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DAIRY NEWS AUGUST 17, 2021
NEWS // 3
Fix Overseer! SUDESH KISSUN sudeshk@ruralnews.co.nz
Gold rush on the West Coast. PG.06
Merlo goes greener. PG.23
Magnesium supply low. PG.30
NEWS ������������������������������������������������������3-15 OPINION ���������������������������������������������� 16-17 AGRIBUSINESS ������������������������������������18 MANAGEMENT �������������������������������� 19-21 ANIMAL HEALTH ��������������������������������� 22 MACHINERY & PRODUCTS �������������������������������������� 23-24 MATING ����������������������������������������������� 25-31
FIX OVERSEER! That’s the message from farmers following a scathing Government review into the nutrient management tool’s efficacy. DairyNZ says it endorses further redevelopment of Overseer to continue its role helping optimise farm systems to protect water quality, farm viability and economy. Federated Farmers wants Overseer fixed and is ready to be involved in talks about its future. Federated Farmers environment spokesperson Chris Allen says the report “basically says Overseer should never have been used for anything other than general on-farm nutrient use management.” The Government is promising to support the development of a next generation Overseer alongside a suite of tools to help in the management and estimation of on-farm nutrient loss DairyNZ strategy and investment leader Dr David Burger says sciencebased management and modelling reviews, such as the recent Government report into Overseer, helps improve nutrient management for the environment and farm businesses. “Overseer is vital in helping farmers, the sector and councils understand farm management, particularly nutrient and greenhouse gas losses to the environment. “Therefore, we must have a high level of confidence in it as a tool. “It’s pleasing Government is committed to supporting Overseer and a re-development, while
Farmers wants Overseer fixed and is ready to be involved in talks about its future.
looking at other tools to improve nutrient management and on-farm outcomes.” Burger said DairyNZ research shows nitrate leaching measurements from farm system experiments are generally well-aligned with Overseer predictions where actual climate data has been used on dairy land. “Along with this on-farm science, DairyNZ has contributed to improvements to the Overseer model, such as including plantain and updating the wetland and riparian modules. Our research and experience with farmers tells us Overseer is an important tool for helping dairy farmers manage nitrogen and reduce losses from farms.” But Federated Farmers, which has been fighting against the use of Overseer by councils to define regulations for nutrient management on
farm for more than a decade, questions its accuracy. Allen says despite their protests for almost two decades, it is estimated more than 6000 farmers are strictly regulated by Overseer and another 5000 must do Farm Environment Plans with Overseer nutrient budgets. This includes drystock, dairy, horticulture, arable and other farmers. “All farmers and growers need answers so they have confidence in the way they continue to operate their farms, knowing what they do will have the outcomes they want.” Environment Minister David Parker says despite its shortcomings Overseer has been a useful tool to build awareness and influence practices to manage nutrient loss at the farm and catchment level. “There is a robust body of independently peer-reviewed knowledge
on nitrogen mitigation options that sits alongside Overseer. “Farmers have used Overseer, alongside advice, to improve practices and freshwater outcomes. We encourage farmers to continue their vital efforts to reduce nutrient losses.” Overseer is jointly owned by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), the Fertiliser Association of New Zealand (FANZ) and AgResearch Limited. Overseer Limited chief executive Caroline Read remains confident in OverseerFM and looks forward to its further development and improvement: response to peer review panel report Read claims OverseerFM is proven in its ability to support farmers and growers make more informed decisions about their farming practices
DAIRY NEWS AUGUST 17, 2021
4 // NEWS
‘Code red’ flood leaves trail of destruction in Buller RED-STICKERED HOUSE
NIGEL MALTHUS
TALK TO Westport folk about the big flood of mid-July and all agree it was worse than the historic flood of 1926. “We’ve always heard the stories of the hundred-year flood in 1926. It’s always in the back of your mind,” said dairy farmer John Reedy. “And I wouldn’t say we weren’t prepared for it, but it was bigger than we thought it would be. Way bigger than we thought it would be.” The Reedy farm is one of several mostly dairy farms bordering the Buller River just downstream of the Lower Buller Gorge.
John Reedy Snr surveys the silt standing on the family dairy farm bordering the Buller River.
When the river rose to unprecedented levels from extremely heavy rain across the northern South Island in mid-July, many of them suffered wide-
spread flood damage. However, stock losses appear to be minimal apart from one farm, 40km upstream at the top of the gorge, which
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is believed to have lost almost an entire herd after they were caught by rapidly rising water with no route to escape. Reedy, whose farm is on the north side of the river between the bottom of the gorge and the town of Westport, said it was both good warnings but also a little good luck which saw him weather the storm with no losses among his herd of nearly 300 cows. He said some of last season’s calves were moved out to a runoff block a couple of days before the flood, simply because they’d run out of grass. Also, the flood peak came in daylight on the Saturday so they were able to see that the high ground they would normally put the cows on to keep them safe from floodwater wouldn’t be enough this time. Instead, Reedy gave the herd a feed on the road outside the farm then put them in the cowshed yard. There, they had to stand in water for about six or seven hours, but he was able to quickly get them back on grass when the water receded. “It goes away quick here.” The main damage to the farm was to fencing, some washed-out races and silted pasture. “I’ve got good friends, and three or four good farming friends rocked up and helped rebuild the fences here.” They lost no machinery apart from four water
ELSEWHERE ON the property, John Reedy Junior’s house got about half a metre of water through it and it now stands unliveable and awaiting repair. Whiteware, floor coverings, kitchen units and the lower sections of all the wallboards have all been stripped out and dumped. Meanwhile, the town itself has suffered many flooded homes, now red- and yellow-stickered. The authorities had responded to the 1926 flood by building stop banks and an overflow channel
which crosses the Reedy property and was intended to take pressure of the town by carrying overflow from the Buller into the Orowaiti River and then to the Orowaiti lagoon on the north side of the town. While the bypass appears to have worked as intended, scouring out the channel across the Reedy farm, the volume of water was such that the town was caught in a pincer with floodwater pouring in from both the Orowaiti lagoon and the Buller River.
The Reedys on a washed-out flood channel under the railway line which cuts though their land.
Despite a lot of help cleaning up from neighbours, debris still clogs many fences on the Reedy farm, bordering the Buller River just out of Westport.
pumps, and are now calving and milking, although Reedy expects to have lost a little production. If the flood had come after calving had begun it would have been much harder, he says. “I couldn’t see us not losing stock because we would have had the mobs split into calving mobs and it would have been a lot harder to manage, so we’re pretty lucky in that respect.”
He has already moved to remediate pasture damage, with urea spread by helicopter across the whole farm, and grass seed on the worst silted areas. “It will come away when the conditions are right. We’ve had good, warm weather since,” said Reedy. His father, John Reedy snr, who lives in retirement on a small block at the town end of the farm,
said there was “heaps” of warning, with a Code Red advisory for two days prior. On the Friday he watched the water rise all day then went to bed thinking he’s seen the worst of it. “Got up five o’clock Saturday morning, stuck my head out the door, and thought ‘what the hell’s that?’ “We could hear the river roaring its guts out.”
DAIRY NEWS AUGUST 17, 2021
NEWS // 5
Flood sets a new record NIGEL MALTHUS
TWO HIGHER river
terraces have been “the saving grace” of the Hamilton family dairy farm which borders the floodprone Buller River, says the matriarch of the family, 75-year-old Joan Hamilton. The July flood set a new record with the river running about 12.5m above normal, beating the previous high of 11.8m, adds daughter Amy. Even so, the farm suffered no stock losses. “You wouldn’t be able to have a farm without the terraces,” says Joan. The 87ha farm, which Joan’s late husband Bruce bought about 50 years ago, forms a long strip down the southern side of the river, opposite the town of Westport, and both above and below the main highway bridge into the town. The farm, which Amy
More than a week after the huge flood, the yards and dairy shed of the Hamilton family-owned farm on the south bank of Buller region remain covered in silt.
ran from 2011 to the 2017 season and is now leased to another local couple, featured in a widely-published photo taken at the height of the flood. It showed a large modern
Claas tractor sitting in floodwater near the dairy shed with water almost to the top of its wheels. On the day Dairy News visited, the water had receded but thick
silt coated the shed and yards. Some machinery was damaged and it was unclear whether the milking season could begin on time. Joan Hamilton
describes the flood as “unbelievable,” especially at a point where water pushed through a stock underpass under the main road to Cape Foulwind, filling the concrete chan-
nel all the way to the top and scouring a deep gully out of the race. “It was gushing out and it was just an incredible current coming through.
“And when it had gone down there were all these stones everywhere that had come through with it from the river.” She’s grateful for the help of local Rural Support Trust, particularly with clearing and patching several kilometres of fencing. “It doesn’t look too bad now but there was a hell of a lot of debris.” Conservation-minded, Joan Hamilton ran a couple of plant nurseries for many years, providing many thousands of plants for the community and for mining remediation. A section of the Kawatiri Coastal Trail, a 55km walking and cycling track being developed eventually to connect Westport with Charleston, runs along the farm’s river frontage. Some of that has been lost to the flood and it may be out of action for some time. @dairy_news facebook.com/dairynews
FEED SUPPORT AVAILABLE FLOOD-AFFECTED FARMERS in the South Island are being encouraged to make use of livestock feed support services funded by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI). Widespread flooding across the Canterbury, West Coast, Tasman and Marlborough areas this winter has damaged pasture and caused losses to supplementary feed. Since June, MPI has boosted feed support services and allocated more than $4.7 million for recovery grants, technical advice and wellbeing
support. “Several of these regions had been battling long-term drought prior to the floods which have put further pressure on feed supplies heading into calving and lambing,” said MPI’s director of Rural Communities and Farming Support Nick Story. “We have ramped up support for farmers, including funding recovery coordinators and establishing a dedicated fund to help clear flood debris from paddocks in Canterbury.” DairyNZ’s South Island manager Tony Finch is urging farmers to plan
their feed requirements. “Having a clear feed plan will be vital for many farmers to get through the next few months, identifying feed requirements to minimise animal welfare issues through a critical part of the seasonal calendar,” “The service supports farmers to calculate their feed demand and supply, investigate options to fill feed gaps and proactively make decisions. In some cases, dairy farmers may have to lease out cows in order to reduce feed demand and get through the
season. The important thing is that decisions are made early. Getting your plan down on paper can help give you peace of mind and provide clear direction.” The Feed Planning Service can help farmers do a snapshot feed plan for the rest of winter and spring in as little as 20 minutes. MPI’s director of animal health and welfare and veterinarian Chris Rodwell said grazing pasture coated with silt can cause animal health issues and careful management is
needed. “We know that animals can develop a range of poor health conditions from silt. “Farmers are facing challenging conditions and we really encourage everyone who has concerns about the health of their animals to seek advice from their veterinarian.” To get help from the Feed Planning Service, or to list or source feed or grazing through the Feed Coordination Service, farmers are encouraged to call 0800 FARMING (0800 327 646).
DAIRY NEWS AUGUST 17, 2021
6 // NEWS
Special gold rush project set to start on the West Coast PETER BURKE peterb@ruralnews.co.nz
WESTLAND MILK
Products is about to start a pretty special gold rush aimed at increasing the Chinese-owned dairy company’s profitability. Chief executive Richard Wyeth says ‘Project Gold Rush’ is all about upgrading and doubling the capacity of its butter operation from 20,000 tonnes to 40,000 tonnes. He says a major benefit of having Yili as the parent company of Westland is that they are prepared to invest capital in the company – in this case $40 million. “It’s a very exciting project not only for the company but the whole of the West Coast. “There are obviously a lot of contractors going into Hokitika… putting money into the economy, which is fantastic. We have sold the old butter churn and installed two new churns. We are looking forward to having these commissioned in late August and being in commercial production early September,” he told Dairy News. Wyeth says they won’t immediately be running the butter plant to
Westland is doubling the capacity of its butter operation from 20,000 tonnes to 40,000 tonnes.
full capacity and says he expects it will take about two years for sales to build up. Its Westgold brand is sold in more than 20 countries around the world, including the US, Japan and China. The company has focused on telling consumers about the unique environment of the West Coast with its grass fed farming systems and the farming families which have operated in the area over many generations. Westland has also won awards for its butter, including its Westgold salted butter taking out the title for cham-
“Dairy has a bigger impact on the coast than it does in any other region in NZ simply because of the amount of money that comes into the area relative to any other industry.” pion overall butter at the prestigious New Zealand Champions of Cheese awards in 2019. According to Richard Wyeth, this latest move by Westland will have a significant impact on the economy of the region. “Dairy has a bigger impact on the coast than it does in any other region in NZ simply because of
the amount of money that comes into the area relative to any other industry,” he says. Wyeth says last season’s payout was good and prospects for this season are also positive. But he warns that the projected $8/kgMS payout may fall given the trend of recent GDT auctions. He says his number
one goal as CEO is to make sure that Westland performs well financially. In a recent roadshow he made this clear to the company’s 400 suppliers. “I told them my role is to get the business performing where it needs to be and they were receptive of that message. They are pretty resilient and are looking forward to seeing the company perform well,” he says. Wyeth says the first milk collections have now begun and, despite some challenges with the weather leading up to calving, he is hopeful of a good season.
Westland chief executive Richard Wyeth with the new scooter.
SCOOTER TO AID FLOOD VICTIMS VICTIMS OF the recent West Coast floods are set to benefit from a surprise win by Westland. CEO Richard Wyeth says the company won a beautiful red Vespa scooter as part of a promotion with one of their suppliers, Office Max. “Nestlé had a promotion that if you bought coffee through Office Max, you went into the draw to win a scooter, and by chance we won this. So I decided it would be a good idea to auction that off and give the proceeds to the Buller mayoral flood relief fund,” he says. Wyeth says it was a small thing but a chance to do something for a community that has been badly hit by the floods. The auction closes after Dairy News goes to press but the result will be up on our website.
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DAIRY NEWS AUGUST 17, 2021
NEWS // 7
Tight entry criteria PETER BURKE peterb@ruralnews.co.nz
SHEEP MILK producer Spring Sheep Dairy has expanded its farmer supplier base by over 30% this season. This number sounds huge but in fact the actual numbers tell a different story. According to CEO and founder of the company, Scottie Chapman, they have added five new farmer suppliers, bringing the total number to just fourteen, all of whom are based in the upper central North Island. Chapman says they are limited in the number of
new suppliers they can take on, which is essentially based on projected market demand. But it is more than a numbers game for this small, successful company. Chapman says the vetting process for new suppliers is very thorough. “At our farm open day last year we had 600 people show up. These days’ farmers bring along their farm advisor, accountant and bankers with them,” he told Dairy News. “In the end we had 45 formal applications to Spring Sheep and we accepted just five. We knew we only needed five
suppliers and were in the fortunate position where we could cherry pick the best suppliers and those who align with our values,” he says. Chapman says the company is all about branded products and taking these through to market. He says they want to work with partners
who agree with that and have the same ideals and cultural values they do. He says new suppliers also need sheep with the right genetics to make sure they can run a profitable operation. Many of the farms that are converting to sheep milking are too small to make a living from cows.
Scottie Chapman
TARGET MARKET SCOTTIE CHAPMAN worked in Asia for many years, including a five years stint with Zespri in Japan, and says he much admires the philosophy and strategy of that company. He says during his time there they had growers coming up who understood what Zespri was doing, and who found out what they needed to do on their properties to deliver what Zespri needed. “That link between suppliers and market is critical and it is something that agriculture in NZ doesn’t do well. Zespri has done it incredibly well in horticulture and that is something we are trying to replicate here with sheep milk,” he says. To that end, Spring Sheep Dairy is producing products at the top end of the range. Their flag ship product is the infant formula followon aimed at infants between the age of six to twelve months. They also have other infant formulas and a range of nutritional products. “Our target market is Asian mothers who have children up to 10 years of age,” he says. The infant formula is sold online and the others a mixture of online and retail. They are sold across a range of markets including Taiwan, Malaysia, Vietnam and China where their sales manager is now based. Chapman says the market is challenging in the Covid environment. He says for businessas-usual, Zoom meetings are fine, but when it comes to new products and innovation, faceto-face meetings are important. In terms of the market, he says demand for high-value sheep and goat milk products is booming, but there is pressure on the cheaper products. “There is growth in the premium and super premium infant formula products, which is where we are positioned, so we are pretty happy. But some of the cheaper sheep milk products coming out of Europe are inconsistent and some don’t even live up to the infant formula standard grade,” he says. Chapman says his company puts a huge amount of resource to recruiting top quality people to develop their products. He notes that the Waikato has more dairy nutritional plants than anywhere else in the world. “In the case of infant formula, customers know when they buy our product that it is absolutely going to be up to spec’. While people don’t like paying more, it’s very simple – you pay for quality or you deal with the repercussions, and with something like infant formula you don’t take risks,” he says.
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DAIRY NEWS AUGUST 17, 2021
8 // NEWS
Payout under threat? SUDESH KISSUN sudeshk@ruralnews.co.nz
THE FORECAST $8/
kgMS milk price for this season is under threat. This month’s 1% drop in the Global Dairy Trade (GDT) index was the 8th consecutive fall since end of April. The flagship Whole Milk Powder is the main product under the pump, dropping almost 4%. WMP average prices have landed just shy of US$3,600/tonne – back in line with prices seen in February this year. Westpac has responded to the latest GDT result by dropping its 2021-22 season milk price forecast by 25c to $7.75/kgMS. While Rabobank is sticking with its $8 milk price forecast for the time being, it is hint-
ing about a revision. RaboResearch dairy analyst Emma Higgins says its forecast farmgate milk price is at a “wobbly” $8/kgMS for the 2021/22 season – but the ‘wobbles’ are certainly gathering speed. Westpac senior agri economist Nathan Penny says fundamental developments over recent months have been negative for its milk price forecast. Firstly, NZ production was very strong over the autumn months with production up roughly 10% on the same time last year. Production for the season as a whole was up 2.7% on the prior season. “Indeed, farmers certainly made hay while the sun was still shining,” says Penny. “In practical terms, farmers eked out as much production as they could
Westpac senior agri economist Nathan Penny says fundamental developments over recent months have been negative for its milk price forecast.
over the autumn months in order to cash in on the very high milk price on offer. That often meant that farmers supplemented pasture with other feeds
and dried off cows later than they usually would. “The late season flush certainly caught us unawares.” Penny notes that WMP prices have fallen more
than 12% since March, coincidentally from the time when New Zealand production started cranking up. He adds that given the sheer magnitude of the extra milk in market, it’s not altogether surprising that whole milk powder prices have yet to find a bottom. More recently, this price correction has been reinforced by Delta variant concerns. “These concerns have raised the risk that the global economic recovery may stall or come in fits and starts,” Penny told Dairy News. “That may see global dairy demand ease from its giddy highs earlier in the year. From here, we expect prices will continue to drift lower through the winter. Then over spring, we expect
dairy prices to hold at SUPPLY DOWN, PRICES UP healthy levels.” RABORESEARCH’S EMMA Higgins notes that this month’s weak whole milk powder result was extremely interesting. She says this was because for the second time in one month, Fonterra dropped the amount of dairy product available at coming GDT Events. WMP volumes were scaled back by a significant 20,000 tonnes (spread across GDT auctions over the coming months). SMP was also pared back by 6,000 tonnes, while AMF offerings were lowered by 750 tonnes for GDT events over upcoming auctions. Higgins says these changes now mean that the next few GDT Events will have the lowest volumes of WMP available for this time of the year since 2016 – at a time when historically both product on the GDT and in the milking sheds are ramping up. Chinese buyers were still very much present at this GDT auction – but evidently wanting to pay lower prices, she notes. “While this was the lowest absolute volume of product Chinese buyers have procured for this time of the year since 2017,” Higgins says. “They still purchased two-thirds of the WMP available. SEA/Oceania buyers took home around one quarter of available WMP.”
DAIRY NEWS AUGUST 17, 2021
NEWS // 9
ENSURE THEY REACH THEIR PEAK POTENTIAL
Dairying ‘playing its part’ to tackle climate change DAIRY FARMERS are playing their part in tackling climate change alongside all other sectors. That’s the view of DairyNZ chief executive Tim Mackle, commenting on a new UN climate change report. The IPCC’s Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) summarises the latest climate change science from around the world. It outlines recommendations including that more must be done to meet the global target of limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The report endorses New Zealand’s split gas approach, which recognises the difference between biogenic methane and long-lived gases. It confirms that that biogenic methane does not need to be reduced to net zero and recognises New Zealand’s leader- Tim Mackle ship in its split gas approach. “New Zealand is world-leading by legislating a split gas target in the Zero Carbon Act. This recognises methane is a shortlived gas and requires a different target to the long-lived carbon dioxide,” Mackle explains. “Farmers are making changes to measure, manage and reduce emissions, including changes to farm practice, as well as adopting new technologies and solutions as they become available.” He says DairyNZ, along with other partners, is investing millions in researching options – such as a methanogen vaccine and inhibitors, selective breeding of low methane animals, low methane forages, genetics research, reducing nitrous oxide and leaching, and technology uptake. “Our sector is doing a huge amount of work to support farmers with practice changes too.” Mackle says dairy farmers are leading the way in understanding their emissions profile through Farm Environment Plans – 3400 are complete now and all dairy farmers will have a plan by 2025. “Dairy farmers are also extensively
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planting native trees on farms or through catchment groups, that act to store carbon (sequestration),” he adds. “New Zealand’s agricultural emissions have stabilised and improving farming practices see us 25% more emissions efficient at producing dairy compared to 1990.” Mackle says this has been achieved through the hard work, commitment and investment by our farmers. “We want to preserve New Zealand dairy farmers’ position as the most sustainable in the world with our pasture-based, high quality, safe and nutritious dairy products.” He points to the dairy sector involvement in He Waka Eke Noa (HWEN), a climate change partnership between the primary sector, Government and Māori, supporting farmers and growers to measure, manage and reduce emissions. HWEN will include farmers and growers being incentivised to take action through an appropriate pricing mechanism by 2025. “The dairy sector also wants to work in partnership with the Government to deliver a clear long-term science strategy that will focus our joint efforts and ensure funding is directed to the right places. This must be an urgent priority.” However, Mackle says investment in rural digital connectivity is needed to enable farmers to have better reporting and rapid uptake of new technologies to drive down emissions. “We need access to as many tools as we can to meet this challenge. There are currently significant barriers to getting methane reducing technology in the hands of farmers,” he adds. “These include regulatory barriers and lack of research facilities which prevent New Zealand from developing technology that is fit-for-purpose for our pasturebased systems.”
KEY FACTS
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New Zealand dairy is responsible for 0.039% of total global emissions. Globally, methane accounts for 17% of global warming and biogenic methane from livestock is 7% of that. Methane has a much shorter atmospheric lifespan but is more powerful at trapping heat. CO2 also plays a big role. It accounts for 74% of global warming and can stay in the atmosphere for 1000 years. Agriculture alone won’t deliver reducing NZ’s total emissions without everyone reducing their emissions. Dairy sector partners are working
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under the strategy Dairy Tomorrow to achieve New Zealand’s target to reduce methane by 10% by 2030. DairyNZ invests into climate change emissions reduction research, mainly through the Pastoral Greenhouse Gas Research Consortium, and works closely with the New Zealand Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research Centre (NZAGRC) and with MPI. DairyNZ launched its nationwide Step Change programme in 2019, supporting farmers to reduce emissions and improve water quality – while running successful businesses.
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DAIRY NEWS AUGUST 17, 2021
10 // NEWS
Zero Carbon Act could cost Waikato farms $5,200/year JESSICA MARSHALL jessica@ruralnews.co.nz
A WAIPA-BASED char-
tered accountant says the average Waikato dairy farm could incur a $5,200/ year cost when the Zero Carbon Act comes into force in 2025. Jarrod Godfrey, associate partner at Findex Waikato, is encouraging farmers to be proactive and budget for compliance with the new greenhouse gas (GHG) emission regulations. He says the Government’s target of a 10% reduction in agricultural GHG emissions by 2030 means the sector needs to have a form of pricing system for agricultural GHG emissions by 2025.
“We don’t know what that pricing system looks like just yet, but we do know what the current version of the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) looks like. If you use the ETS as a guide for what the agricultural system might look like, then you can take steps now to quantify that potential cost to your farming business,” Godfrey says. Under an ETS-type system, farmers might have the option to physically reduce GHG emissions by 10%, purchase carbon credits from a market to achieve a similar result, or a mixture of both. All three options have costs associated to them. Godfrey says that a reduction in GHG emis-
Farmers are being urged to be proactive and budget for compliance with the new greenhouse gas (GHG) emission regulations.
sions could be achieved by reducing stock numbers, planting trees on farm, or a farm system change, among other options. However, he says, the financial impact of these options varies significantly.
“Purchasing carbon credits to achieve that 10% reduction might be the other option, something which can be quantified more easily using the current price of carbon credits as a guide.” He says that for an
average 130ha Waikato dairy farm, peak milking 365 cows under a Dairy NZ System 3, GHG emissions could be close to eight tonnes per ha. Multiplied by an average effective area of 130ha, this means estimated
GHG emissions of 1,040 tonnes. “Farmers are generally more conservative in nature, but also very proactive in managing risk in their farming business. We’re starting to see some take steps now to budget
‘Built To Last Longer’
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for the medium-term cash impact of that 10% reduction. At $50 per tonne, that would be $5,200 per year for a standard 130ha Waikato dairy farm,” says Godfrey. He adds that having knowledge of that number now is helping farmers prepare for the future, getting them prepared now for when the pricing system for agricultural GHG emissions is announced in 2025. He recommends using the tools already available through Dairy NZ and He Waka Eke Noa, including GHG emissions calculators. “Taking steps now to estimate that number will help farmers understand the potential impact on their business – and ultimately rest a little easier.”
DAIRY NEWS AUGUST 17, 2021
NEWS // 11
South’s first winter grazing contract JESSICA MARSHALL jessica@ruralnews.co.nz
ENVIRONMENT SOUTHLAND has
granted its first winter grazing consent under the new National Environmental Standards for Freshwater. The consent was granted to Dairy Holdings Limited with a series of conditions to ensure the best outcomes for water quality. Dairy Holdings chief executive Colin Glass says there were a number of reasons to get the consent process dealt with early. “It was important to get ahead,” Glass told Dairy News, due to the fact that Dairy Holdings has a number of farms. “We know that this gives our operation a degree of certainty for the future. “We were taking one for the team,” he says regarding being the first. “We pushed back along the way on certain things,” but he thinks that both Dairy Holdings and Environment Southland got everything they needed out of the process. “My best advice is to embrace that change is happening, get in early and don’t leave it till the last minute.” Environment Southland acting consents manager Bruce Halligan says Glass was planning ahead and getting in early, in spite of the deferral of
new national rules until 2022. “We’ve had three consent applications in, specifically for intensive winter grazing. It’s great to see farmers looking at their practices and the rules that apply and preparing for the future.” The council says it is focused on working with the rural community to understand and support good decisions around winter grazing practices because intensive winter grazing can have a significant impact on Southland’s water quality if not done well. “To support farmers making decisions for cultivation and winter grazing next year, we have developed a series of online tools,” Halligan says. The Environment Southland website now features a cultivation and intensive winter grazing mapping tool; a checklist to see whether resource consent is required; and an online resource consent application process. “The map tool allows farmers and landowners to easily identify the optimum paddock for their intensive winter grazing activities,” says Halligan. “Getting a resource consent application in now will ensure farmers are well prepared to meet the new rules requirements when they take legal effect in May 2022 and will provide more certainty for future farm
management and planning.” Previously, intensive winter grazing has not required resource consent. However, the proposed Southland Water and Land Plan and the
National Environmental Standards for Freshwater state the activity is permitted if farmers can meet a list of criteria. If the criteria cannot be met, a resource consent will be required.
Dairy Holdings chief executive Colin Glass says there were a number of reasons to get the consent process dealt with early.
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DAIRY NEWS AUGUST 17, 2021
12 // NEWS
Champions happy to remain small artisan cheesemakers SUDESH KISSUN sudeshk@ruralnews.co.nz
NEW ZEALAND’S 2021
champion cheesemakers prefer to remain a small artisan family business. Annie and Geoff Nieuwenhuis have been running Nieuwenhuis Farmstead Cheese in Hawke’s Bay since 2018. The operation is simple – about 60 goats are milked daily and their milk is turned into delicious cheeses within 30 minutes of milking. At the NZ Speciality Cheese Association awards earlier this year, they claimed the top award after 300-plus cheeses from 35 companies were judged by 32 experts across a tightly contested field. Annie told Dairy News that their dream was to enjoy goat farming and to be able to craft amazing cheeses. To receive the top accolade was overwhelming and humbling, she says. The couple were inspired by former winners, the late John and J eanne van Kuyk of Aroh a Organic Goat Cheese. They won the top award in 2016. “They were our inspiration, incredible people who love their goats,” she says. Annie says while they aspired to win a medal at the NZ Cheese Awards,
TEAMWORK ANNIE AND Geoff Nieuwenhuis met while studying science at Massey University. They settled for a rural lifestyle in the beautiful Hawke’s Bay region. For thirty years, Annie worked as a veterinarian while Geoff raised their five children and farmed the land. Annie brings her expertise in animal care and husbandry to ensure the goats are happy and healthy. Geoff’s background in horticulture and farming is well suited for maintaining the right feed for the goats. Together they’ve embarked on a new venture to make the best quality cheese from their own goat’s milk.
they never thought of winning the champion cheesemaker title. The Nieuwenhuis used to rear up to 500 dairy beef calves every year and have a passion for rearing and looking after animals. Their foray into goat farming began in 2010 after travelling through Europe with family, exploring cheesemaking and farmstead operations there. Annie says goats are special pets and great animals to rear. Their farm, on Waikareao Road, runs 60 goats and for eight months of the year, about 60 litres of milk a day is turned into 6kg of cheeses. The cheesemaking operation is a twoperson show. “Technically, we have zero staff. Staff get paid and not sure if we pay anyone,” says Annie. “Geoff and I work
seven days a week and our children help us out when home from university.” Eight varieties of Nieuwenhuis Farmstead Cheese are sold at Hawke’s Bay Farmers market, restaurants and boutique food stores. “We want to stay as we are – small artisan producer, hands-on, consciously crafting our cheese from paddock to plate, connecting directly with our customers,” says Annie. “Our secret is simple: our girls produce fresh, sweet, glorious milk which is turned into cheese within 30 minutes of milking. We just guide the milk along, balancing science and the art of letting the milk express itself into delectable cheeses,” says Annie. Master Judge for the awards Jason Tarrant says the ability of a relatively small artisan producer to
2021 New Zealand Champion Cheesemakers, Annie and Geoff Nieuwenhuis prefer to remain a small artisan family business.
claim the top award was testament to New Zealand cheese industry’s growing diversity and skill. “It is no small feat being up against some big players with more capital and plant to achieve this,” Tarrant said. He says the NZ cheese industry was developing in a way similar to the beer industry, with craft beer akin to artisan cheesemakers creating some diverse and interesting cheese types.
Annie Nieuwenhuis says goats are special pets and great animals to rear.
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DAIRY NEWS AUGUST 17, 2021
NEWS // 13
Top global dairy brand SUDESH KISSUN sudeshk@ruralnews.co.nz
CHINESE COMPANY
Yili, which has a sizeable presence in New Zealand, has been chosen as the world’s most valuable dairy brand. According to global branding company, Brand Finance, Yili posted an 11% increase in brand value this year to US$9.6 billion and pulling even further ahead of previous sector leader Danone (up 5% to US$8.2 billion) in second place. Yili also claims second spot behind Nestlé in the Brand Finance Food 100 2021 ranking. The Brand Finance
Food & Drink 2021 Report says Yili has boasted strong sales growth, up 13% year-on-year, and the long-term forecast for the brand looks positive. “The dairy giant has once again been striving towards new products and optimisation, bolstered by innovation and long-standing R&D investment. “This paired with further expansion into new territories across Asia and overseas, has supported the brand’s strong growth.” Yili owns two milk processing plants in New Zealand – the Oceania Dairy plant in South Canterbury was set up in 2013 and two years ago
OZ DAIRY SUMMIT CANNED THE GROWING Covid-19 outbreak in Australia has forced the postponement of Australian Dairy Conference scheduled for Hobart in February 2022. Lingering lockdowns and travel restrictions between states led the ADC board to make the difficult move this week, says president and Tasmanian farmer Ben Geard. He says the decision was a hard one but the board deemed the outcome to be the most responsible course of action given the current climate. “I think we have all been quietly hoping for some miraculous fix but the reality is we are currently facing a very similar scenario as we did 12 months ago, in regard to the impacts of Covid, and the position of ADC has always been only to proceed if we have absolute confidence we can do so. “We would love nothing more than to bring ADC delegates to Hobart in February, however the risk and financial implications for us as a not-for-profit organisation are significant and would have a considerable impact on the viability of our organisation and our ability to deliver our premier event into the future,” he said. “This week in particular has demonstrated the immediacy and volatility surrounding Covid and the impacts on communities, and one that can happen almost instantaneously. “The board looks forward to delivering an event when it is safe and appropriate. We know many ADC regulars will be disappointed, but it means we will all be even more eager to get together when we have the best opportunity to do so.”
it bought Westland Milk in Hokitika from farmer shareholders. Yili’s product range in NZ includes butter, milk powders, ingredients and milk. The Brand Finance Food & Drink 2021 report also includes the Dairy Portfolio ranking – which splits the brand value
related to dairy brands from the wider food portfolios – as dairy brands represent a large proportion of the food portfolios’ brand value and often are responsible for movement within the overall ranking. Yili has the fourth most valuable dairy portfolio, with a total
brand value of US$9.6 billion, an impressive performance given that Asian dairy brands have traditionally been outperformed by their international counterparts. Lactalis has overtaken last year’s leader, Nestlé, with a combined brand value of US$11.4 billion.
Yili owns Oceania Dairy and Westland Milk in New Zealand.
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DAIRY NEWS AUGUST 17, 2021
14 // NEWS
Foodbanks seek 1m litres of milk SUDESH KISSUN sudeshk@ruralnews.co.nz
FOODBANKS AROUND the country
could soon be handing out two-litre packs of milk with each food parcel. Farmer-founded charity Feed Out general manager and Golden Bay farmer, Wayne Langford, says the charity is in talks with milk processors. Last month, Maoriowned milk processor Miraka processed over 20,000 litres of
farmer-donated milk for distribution across Central Plateau and Wairarapa. Langford told Dairy News that Miraka is the first milk processor to donate to the charity. “This was our first processing run with Miraka, so up until now we haven’t handed out any milk products,” he says. Feed Out is part of Meat the Need Charity, founded by farmers Langford and Siobhan O’Malley. The Meat the Need
scheme’s goal is to put a minced meat pack in each of the 500,000 food parcels given out in New Zealand. Langford says Feed Out’s plan is to include milk in every food parcel. “We would like to eventually do this with milk, with at least two litres, so we will be looking for at least 1 million litres when we go national. We are in discussions with other processors and these discussions take time. “We hope to have the option of donating
to ‘Feed Out’ open to all dairy farmers, no matter which processor they supply. It’s very cool that farmers are now donating valuable protein meals for both breakfast and dinners.” Grant Jackson, Miraka’s general manager of milk supply, says Feed Out is an opportunity for the Miraka farm and factory whānau to make a direct impact on their local community. “When Wayne contacted us about getting involved, we jumped at the chance.
Miraka’s Grant Jackson (left), Feed Out donor Huiarau Farm’s Lisa Kearins, and Feed Out’s Wayne Langford celebrate the first production of milk, destined for Taupō district foodbanks.
“Our famers are a pretty caring bunch and were quick to come on board with the programme, as were Tetrapak and Visy Board, who have donated the packaging. For us it’s a way for us to show manaakitanga and to give something back.” Langford says reaching production with Miraka was a significant milestone. “We export over 95%
of our milk, and yet there are still families going hungry right here in New Zealand. “That seems crazy. Feed Out provides a way for farmers to help meet this need. We’ve been blown away by the support of Miraka and their supply farmers. This donation has far exceeded our expectations, and will be a huge help to those who need it most,” says Langford.
Notice of Election - DairyNZ Board of Directors - DairyNZ Directors Remuneration Invitation for 2021 candidate nominations – two positions available In October, two elections will take place for one farmer-elected director for the Board of DairyNZ Incorporated and a second election for one member of DairyNZ’s Directors Remuneration Committee. Registered levy-paying dairy farmers are invited to nominate candidates to fill these two positions. All farmers paying a levy on milksolids to DairyNZ are eligible to stand for either election. An information pack outlining desired criteria and nomination requirements for the position can be obtained from the Returning Officer. Nominations must be received by the Returning Officer by 12 noon on Friday, 3 September 2021. Elections If more than one candidate is nominated an election will be carried out by internet voting using the STV (single transferable vote) voting method. Votes will be weighted by annual milksolids production. Voting credentials will be emailed to all registered DairyNZ levy payers on 20 September 2021, with voting closing at 12 noon on Tuesday, 19 October 2021. The DairyNZ Annual General Meeting will be held in Hawera on Wednesday, 20 October 2021. Election results will be announced at the meeting. For further details contact the Returning Officer below. Anthony Morton Returning Officer – DairyNZ Incorporated 0800 666 935 iro@electionz.com
DAIRY NEWS AUGUST 17, 2021
NEWS // 15
DTS looking beyond farm milk vats MANUFACTURER OF on-farm stainless
steel milk vats, DTS, has unveiled a new growth strategy, eyeing new domestic and export markets. After being active in the dairy industry for the past 40 years, DTS chief executive Gavin Thwaites says the company is actively pursuing an “unshackling” growth strategy. Thwaites says the business aims to make on-
time Toyota Production System Leader. Food, chemical and pharmaceutical processors and manufacturers from around New Zealand are expected to join the Masterclass to learn from the international expert, look behind the scenes at the DTS site and share ideas. “DTS does not have a mortgage on all the good ideas,” says Thwaites. “For us, the role of host site is exciting. We
“Our core capabilities are designing and engineering food-grade vats.” farm milk vats less than 40% percent of the business mix within three years by leveraging its strengths and diversifying into new markets. “Our core capabilities are designing and engineering food-grade vats,” says Thwaites. “We are very good at what we do. Our manufacturing strengths have synergies with the wine industry, brewing and other areas of food-processing.” DTS is investigating markets in Australia and South America, and while not food-related, the company has already moved into on-farm fuel tanks manufacture for agricultural services and heavy machinery operators in New Zealand. Thwaite says a second company-wide focus is simply “being better”. As part of continuous improvement, DTS is inviting manufacturers, suppliers, potential customers and even competitors through the door in the coming weeks. The company’s South Taranaki manufacturing plant is earmarked as the focus of the prestigious ‘2021 New Zealand Lean Masterclass’ site tour on September 1. Both the factory and manufacturing process will be reviewed by Lean Sensei and Kaizen Leader, Akinori Hyodo, a long-
hope to draw on the experience of practitioners in other areas, innovate and adapt, and we welcome our competitors to join us. We are continually improving. From the point where we are today, we want to be streaks ahead in a few months’ time.” Selection as the host site has been years in the making. Vicky Hall, manufacturing engineer for DTS and qualified Lean Champion, attended a Lean Masterclass several years ago and saw potential in the different ways Lean could be adopted in production at DTS. A major impact of the diversification strategy and continued lean focus is to halt the cyclic hiring of staff, upskill current staff and steadily build jobs for the local community. Currently 27 staff work at the Normanby site operating on a 10-hour four day working week and running the only Australasian laser pillow plate welder around the clock. Immediate plans are for DTS to increase production through waste elimination and flexible assembly lines while maintaining its staffing levels. Beyond that, the future looks even brighter. Thwaites says they can see the “ripple of excitement through the business” as they introduce
new production lines. “There is now a high degree of optimism,” he says.
DTS is taking its core strength of designing and engineering food-grade vats beyond dairy farms.
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DAIRY NEWS AUGUST 17, 2021
16 // OPINION RUMINATING
EDITORIAL
Farmers are doing their share
MILKING IT... Teenage fury
Tariffs backfire
Spud ‘milk’?
CLIMATE ACTIVIST Greta Thunberg’s recent tweet about New Zealanders’ greenhouse gas emissions has gone down like a lead balloon. Thunberg shared a Guardian article titled “Emissions from cows on New Zealand dairy farms reach record levels”, highlighting a quote that pointed out NZ’s emissions. The reaction to the anxious activist’s lecturing tone was swift and brutal. “NZ accounts for less than one tenth of 1% of global CO2 emissions per year. Tackle the big polluters first. Even if you get NZ to cut ALL of its emissions, this will cut 0.0009% of global emissions,” said one respondent. “You’re welcome to come visit our farmers and their world-leading emissions efficient practices that feed 40 million people. Just make sure you leave any alternative energy sources (banned), biotechnologies (banned) or access to international emissions reductions (banned) at the border,” said another.
NEW ZEALAND, and in particular Fonterra, has come under scrutiny in Sri Lanka for taking home the lion’s share of the country’s spend on imported powdered milk. Attempting to ‘fix’ things, successive Sri Lankan governments have tried to boost local milk production and raise tariffs to stem the US$370 million spent annually on milk powders. The law of unintended consequences prevailed and Sri Lanka now has a milk powder shortage. So Fonterra may have the last laugh. Sri Lankan Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa is looking at reducing the taxes imposed on imported powdered milk to arrest the shortage currently prevailing in market. This could mean more Fonterra milk powder heading to Sri Lanka. The island nation’s milk production is still only around 40% of the total requirement meaning it has to import 60% of its requirements.
THERE’S A new ‘milk’ in town – ‘potato milk’ – adding to the list of liquids trying to claim the moniker ‘milk’. While a powdered version has been available for some time, a Swedish concern, Veg of Lund, is using a formula based on research by Professor Eva Tornberg of Lund University to produce a white, milky liquid under the brand name Dug. It will be marketed as vegan-friendly and free from allergens such as lactose, gluten and nuts. It’s apparently also low in sugar and saturated fats and has added calcium, vitamin D and folic acid. It is also said to produce less carbon dioxide than dairy farming, use about half the land it takes to grow the equivalent amount of oats used for ‘oat milk’ and use 56 times less water than the all-time environmental disaster, almond ‘milk’.
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Battle for workers A BATTLE for the dwindling pool of farm workers is brewing between NZ and our Aussie ‘mates’. As peak lambing and calving seasons approach, farmers from across the ditch are aiming to poach our workers – with the official backing of their Government. To subsidise the plundering of workers, the Australian Government is offering up to AU$2,000 in relocation assistance to Kiwi workers and those with valid work visas to move across the ditch and work on farms in regional areas. In Victoria, this payment rises with a AU$2,430 bonus for eight weeks of work. Southland Federated Farmers sharemilker chairman Jason Herrick said these incentives, coupled with quicker pathways to family reunification were causing immigrant farmworkers to depart for either Australia or Canada. Just what our labour constrained economy needs. Thanks cobbers!
THE UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has delivered a sobering assessment of our planet’s future. And like after most major climate change reports, the blowtorch is put on the New Zealand dairy industry to do more. Farmers are required by the Government to reduce methane emissions by 10% from 2017 levels by 2030. And to deliver on the Zero Carbon Act commitments there’s a lot of work underway to help farmers reduce emissions, through He Waka Eke Noa – a partnership between the primary sector, government and Māori. DairyNZ, with many other partners, is investing millions researching different farm system options, such as feed types and use, improved fertiliser and effluent use, and options for on-farm sequestration of carbon. No doubt the IPCC report paints a gloomy picture. However, as Federated Farmers points out, the IPCC gives recognition to an area of science that Feds has been advancing for several years: the current standard metric for measuring the global warming impact of methane is flawed. The reductions in livestock methane required to ensure no additional warming impact are in the order of 0.3% per annum, much lower than the net zero figure for long lived GHGs, and much lower than the targets the Government has set. The report makes it clear New Zealand was right to show global leadership when opting to split long and short-lived GHG targets. As is also clear from the report, the science on stable methane emissions is sound. It is simply misleading to portray agriculture to be almost half of NZ’s warming given that 80% of agricultural emissions are short-lived biogenic methane. Biogenic methane only needs to slightly reduce to be zero carbon equivalent, and that has been the case in New Zealand for well over a decade. Therefore, it’s unfair, scientifically flawed and economically illogical, to call on our farmers to make drastic methane cuts to buy time for carbon dioxide reductions to happen. The dairy sector also wants to work in partnership with the Government to deliver a clear, long-term science strategy that will focus joint efforts and ensure funding is directed to the right places. However, the Government must play its part. Investment in rural digital connectivity is needed to enable farmers to have better reporting and rapid uptake of new technologies to help drive down emissions. Farmers need access to as many tools as they can to meet this challenge. However, there are currently significant barriers to getting methanereducing technology in the hands of farmers.
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DAIRY NEWS AUGUST 17, 2021
OPINION // 17
The recent flooding event in Canterbury is an example of where the politicians could have planned to prevent these types of events turning into disasters of this magnitude.
Have policies in place now to protect farms from weather events PETER BUCKLEY
I DON’T doubt the climate is chang-
ing as it always has and that all the current policies and plans the politicians want to implement aren’t going to fix their concerns. As usual, we continue to see flooding, weather bombs, fires affecting not only New Zealand but the world. Why don’t these politicians think how can we support our people, communities, towns cities at the local level to adapt to the ever changing climate? The recent flooding event in Canterbury is an example of where the politicians could have planned to prevent these types of events turning into disasters of this magnitude. These flooding events involve extremely heavy, short duration rainfall draining into the rivers that flow through these regions. Before we constrained the rivers, the braided river systems meandered over these flood plains and deposited materials that built up the areas that we can now use today for urban expansion and food production. To allow us to develop our communities, we built stop banks to
prevent the rivers from naturally changing course. While doing this instead of looking further ahead and considering the climatic effects, councils/government instead put constraints in place that do not allow adaptation. For example, it’s either not possible or profitable to get resource consent to extract aggregate out of the rivers, so we are seeing the beds of the rivers becoming infilled and in some cases the beds are higher than the land around them. This natural infilling of the river beds has now become a part of the cause of the flooding from major rainfall events due to the inability of the water to spread over a greater area and dissipate its forces across a much wider area. What is needed is to have policies and plans put in place to protect the cities, towns and farmland from the effects that weather events are having on us now, and not wait for the future when we will have been forced out of our homes or off the land due to flooding effects. Recently the chief executive officer of MINEX (extractive industries representative body), Wayne Scott, was shown on television talking
about aggregate supplies and he was saying that there is a shortage in the available supply. A beneficial outcome from allowing the dredging of the river channels is that we get a source of top quality aggregates which urban NZ is built on, whilst also protecting the surrounding land from flooding effects, and we have less of a scar on the environment than from a static quarry site. The current review of the RMA should include provisions to allow for management of the effects of these weather events by dredging the river channels to ensure the rivers stay within their current banks. We need good support from central, regional and local government now to allow communities to be able to be safe now, not in 50 to 60 years. If these agencies allowed common sense to prevail and not let bureaucracy take hold, we might’ve not had the damage that is being done! We should learn from the mistakes of the past and not make the same ones again, apply common sense and use the latest engineering modelling to alleviate these problems. • Peter Buckley is co-chair of Primary Land Users Group (PLUG)
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DAIRY NEWS AUGUST 17, 2021
18 // AGRIBUSINESS
On-farm plastic recycling boom increase the number of recycled products we offer in New Zealand beyond our current range. Visit our website plasback.co.nz to see what is available. “Recycling is not an easy market to be in, but it is encouraging to see more and more companies realise they must provide their customers a way to dispose of their waste responsibly.”
ON-FARM PLASTICS
recycler Plasback says its hard work over the last 15 years is now paying off. Plasback’s new commercial manager Neal Shaw says it has done a lot of hard work over the past 15 years to establish its on-farm collection scheme and develop a network of companies that can recycle silage wrap and other farm plastics. “Plasback’s time has now come. The volume of plastic we are recycling is growing dramatically. It is heartening to see the farming community make such a major effort to recycle its waste,” he says. “There is a lot more awareness of the need for sustainable product stewardship. The Ministry for the Environment has conducted a review of the sector, and we are working through how can
Shaw will work with Plasback’s existing commercial manager, Chris Hartshorne, for a transition period of at least six months. He will then lead the company forward as it grows to recover ever larger volumes of waste plastic, introduces new products made from recycled plastic, and adapts to the government’s latest regulations on product
stewardship. Shaw brings a wealth of experience in the agricultural industry including many years in rural retail as well as working with government as the head of the efforts to eradicate Mycoplasma bovis. He became national operations manager for AsureQuality Ltd, which had the contract with the Ministry for Primary Industries to respond to
the M. bovis outbreak. “AsureQuality had the role of dealing with the disease through testing and placing controls on infected properties. We got the rates of the disease down to a level where MPI is now handling the operational delivery on its own.” After he left AsureQuality, Shaw took a short break from work before he joined Plasback.
New Plasback commercial manager Neal Shaw.
move in the direction they want to go. “We are wary of a levy -based system because it can result in all customers paying for a service, even if their product is not collected. We want to ensure that any costs passed on to customers are fair and reasonable.”
Shaw says Plasback is expanding and improving its collection services. It is working with companies that supply agricultural products other than silage wrap to recycle their waste, and it is in discussions with companies in other industries as well. “We also want to
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Lely regional sales manager Paul Gilling and farm management support advisor Briar Loveridge presenting at the Dairy Women’s Network Step Up Together Taupo Conference earlier this year.
DWN/LELY PARTNERSHIP DAIRY WOMEN’S Network is joining forces with robotics company Lely to raise awareness about milking cows automatically. Farmers interested in introducing robotics to the cowshed in the coming years need to plan for certain requirements and DWN says the partnership creates opportunities for dairy farmers around the country to learn more about the standards they need to meet and new technology as it becomes available to the industry, through its events and workshops. Automation and big data are the focus for Lely, while practical events and connection with dairy
farmers are the focus for DWN. Combining these two focuses through a formalised partnership opens up another aspect of technology for farmers to explore – one that complements the existing technology of companies like Allflex and the knowledge hubs that are already provided, says DWN chief executive Jules Benton. “We’re proud to welcome Lely to the DWN family of partners. Like us, they are driven to meet the demands of the industry and make our farmers’ lives easier,” says Benton. “Our work happens to intersect at the growing of farmers’ knowl-
edge and we are certain that our members will get a lot of value out of this new partnership.” Lely Centre manager, Lawrence Holden, is looking forward to seeing the relationship between the two organisations develop to suit the changing needs of the primary industries sector. “We are excited to see what the future of the industry looks like as more DWN members discover Lely and the opportunities for on-farm robotics.” Lely’s goal is to link all data available on milking, feeding and breeding, enabling farmers to make the right decisions and work even more efficiently.
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DAIRY NEWS AUGUST 17, 2021
MANAGEMENT // 19
National project offers hope in war against weeds group. “Biocontrol has the potential to provide a longer-term solution at a time when more registered herbicides are being restricted by our export trading countries, weeds are becoming resistant to herbicides, and New Zealand society is demanding more environmentally friendly farming practices.” The project has three workstreams. These are to: ■ advance biocontrol programmes for several high-priority weeds ■ monitor weed reduction in matured biocontrol programmes on productive land ■ develop a partnership
Phil McKenzie at McKenzie covenant Mt Hamilton - PHOTO GUY SALMON
for sustaining investment in weed biocontrol. The project will focus on Sydney golden wattle (Acacia longifolia), Chilean needle grass (Nassella neesiana), old man’s beard (Clematis vitalba),
woolly nightshade (Solanum mauritianum), Chilean flame creeper (Tropaeolum speciosum), and yellow flag iris (Iris pseudacorus). By completion, the project aims to secure Environmental Protection
Authority approval for the release of new biocontrol agents for at least three of these six weed species. “Weeds are a major threat to New Zealand’s natural and productive ecosystems, and they’re costly to control,” says
McKenzie. “Through this project we aim to safeguard our environment and save landowners and councils money by finding smarter ways to reduce herbicides and the labour needed for weed control. “Although biocontrol is expensive upfront to develop, collaborative cost-sharing models will make the development stage affordable – and the long-term benefits make it well worthwhile. “We’ve got 15 regional councils co-investing in the project too, which enables regional priorities to be accounted for in selecting weeds to work on.” “Biocontrol can be
a long-term, cost-effective and sustainable weed management solution,” says Steve Penno, MPI’s Director Investment Programmes. “By pooling our research efforts across multiple development streams, including adopting what’s worked in previous biocontrol programmes, we’ll be able to accelerate progress considerably. “Farmers need more effective tools to manage these invasive weeds. To be able to eradicate or at least substantially reduce some of our most persistent weeds would be a huge win.” @dairy_news facebook.com/dairynews
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DAIRY NEWS AUGUST 17, 2021
20 // MANAGEMENT
Take back control of your soil health GLOBAL SOIL analysts CropX is urging farmers to take back control of their soil health before regulations dry them out. With new regulations around nitrogen usage looming, the company is challenging farmers to take back control when it comes to the environmental sustainability of their farms, using new technology. CropX provides water irrigation management solutions using their own patented soil sensors, which are used by farmers and growers globally to measure soil moisture, temperature and the electric conductivity of the soil. Now the company is using its existing soil sensors to develop a new method of tracking insights around nitrogen movement through the soil profile. It says this
allows farmers and growers to immediately understand the impact their on-farm decisions, such as fertiliser application, irrigation and pasture species choices, have on nitrogen movement through the soil. “Providing actual data to farmers is now more crucial than ever, with new regulations around nitrogen usage being introduced around the country”, says Eitan Dan, CropX’s New Zealand general manager. Over the next five years, regional councils across the country will be implementing requirements to reduce nitrogen leached from farms into the future. Therefore, it is vital that farmers have access to the right information today, so they can start implementing any required step-changes tomorrow.
CropX New Zealand general manager, Eitan Dan.
“Our new technology provides farmers with real-time information and data, allowing them to link the changes in soil water nitrogen concentrations to the activities they are undertaking,” says Dan. “From there they can fine tune their systems to achieve better
environmental outcomes.” The company says it did extensive research to develop the new solution, which assesses the levels of key nutrients in the soil. These nutrients are available for either plant growth or potentially at risk of leaching from the soil.
“Farmers are always trying to ensure their pasture has the right amount of water and nutrients available as they grow through to maturity,” says Dan. “ We know that if too much fertiliser is put on before the plant needs it, the excess dissolves and is leached, if we don’t put fertiliser on soon enough then crop growth is stalled from limited nutrients, and if we don’t put enough water on, even if there are adequate nutrients, crop growth is limited”. CropX says its solution provides insights for farmers to make proactive management decisions about their crops’ optimal growth at the right time, without risking leaching. It says while modelling systems to understand the impact farming systems and on-
farm practices have on nitrogen moving through the soil have been in place for some time, the ability to measure actual data, in real-time, is new for New Zealand farmers. Farmers traditionally use Overseer, which provides estimates of the amount of nitrogen lost from their system via leaching on an annualised basis. Nitrogen leaching estimates are based on historical farm inputs along with long-term averages and although it is a sophisticated model, it was not designed to support farmers with on-farm decision making. The limitation of this method is that it is a once-a-year number and gives no insight into how a farmer could tactically change their farming practices day-to-day to improve the actual nitrogen lost. Dan says nitrogen
pollution of waterways from agricultural activity is something farmers are addressing. However, at the moment they are mostly operating in the dark, he says. “This problem is not just limited to dairy, but also horticulture and even to some extent dry stock farming – to maintain their consent to farm, all farmers must reduce the amount of nitrogen leached from their farm systems to the mandated levels. “What is most important is that farmers have the confidence to rapidly make changes on their farms, based on actual, real-time data. “Farmers need to know that changes are having the desired outcomes, because without this, there will be reluctance by the majority to quickly adopt new practices.”
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DAIRY NEWS AUGUST 17, 2021
MANAGEMENT // 21
Growing concern over herbicide resistance Kiwi dairy farmers take health and safety seriously.
Improving on-farm health and safety A NEW DairyNZ and ACC project is looking at improving the health and safety of farmers by reducing the occurrence of sprains and strains onfarm. The Reducing Sprains and Strains project is designed to develop solutions which support a sector-wide reduction in sprains and strains by 2030. DairyNZ general manager farm performance Sharon Morrell says looking after their people is a priority for many farmers throughout the country, but issues often arise particularly during busy periods. Sprains and strains represent around 40% of
dairy farm injuries, with the highest risk period occurring between August and October. “This coincides with peak calving on most farms, where we often see increased working hours and fatigue,” says Morrell. This project has been made possible through $900,000 of co-funding by the ACC’s Workplace Injury Prevention programme, supported by a $150,000 investment by dairy farmers through the DairyNZ levy. “We are grateful for the ACC funding, as it will allow us to identify potential solutions to reduce sprains and strains, helping improve the wellbeing of our farmers – employ-
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ers and employees,” says Morrell. “This project is exciting as it works towards improving our workplaces which will have positive outcomes for all farmers, supporting the sector to attract and retain staff. “Our goal is to work with farmers to understand the causes of sprains and strains, potential solutions and drivers of change, to develop solutions that fit with their farming practices. This will then benefit other areas of the business, including farm productivity.”
ACC workplace safety injury prevention manager Virginia BurtonKonia says ACC welcomes the opportunity to provide grants to organisations such as DairyNZ to lead initiatives aimed at improving workplace injury rates. “Reducing the rate of injuries in the dairy sector would have a positive impact on the wellbeing of people working in the sector, and a safe and well workforce means more productive businesses.” The project will use expertise from global audit company, QCONZ for project delivery.
HERBICIDE RESISTANCE is emerging as a serious and growing threat to New Zealand’s food production, with recent surveys by scientists finding half or more of arable farms in some regions have weeds resistant to commonly used herbicides. AgResearch scientists, who are carrying out the first systematic approach to surveying for herbicide-resistant weeds in arable crops with funding from the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment, say the results they are seeing are often many times the levels of resistance that had been expected. In addition, new resistant weed species are also being brought forward, or discovered by the AgResearch scientists working alongside the Foundation for Arable Research (FAR) and the Bragato Research Institute, as part of the Managing Herbicide Resistance programme which began in 2018. Herbicide-resistant weeds were first detected in New Zealand in 1979, but until recently reporting of herbicide resistance has largely been ad hoc and left to growers and rural professionals to recognise and alert researchers. AgResearch senior scientist Dr Trevor James, who spoke last week at the NZ Plant Protection Society’s annual conference in Napier, says the survey findings are a wake-up call and should be focusing efforts to manage the threat of herbicide resistance.
“The issue is that as this resistance grows, so too does the costs and impacts on farmers and crop production in New Zealand. “We firstly need to understand the full scope of the problem across New Zealand, the mechanisms involved in the resistance, how the resistance is passed through the generations of these plants, and then we need to look at strategies to address it and slow the development of the resistance,” James says. “At present, there are limited alternatives to many of these herbicides that the weeds are evolving resistance to, and that is an area that also deserves attention and investment in the research.” In 2019, a survey took seeds from 48 randomly selected arable farms in central Canterbury and weeds resistant to Group A and B herbicides were identified from a quarter of those farms. Further surveying across arable farms in Southland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty found at least 50% had weeds resistant to Group A and/or B herbicides, with glyphosate being a problem in vineyards. The highest risk weeds were pasture-related grasses. Common resistant weed species being identified by the researchers include ryegrass, wild oats and chickweed, as well as first time finds of resistant sow thistle (puha), summer grass, prairie grass and lesser canary grass.
DAIRY NEWS AUGUST 17, 2021
22 // ANIMAL HEALTH
Repeat win for Taranaki breeders A TARANAKI couple, who breed top Jersey bulls for CRV, have won a prestigious award for the second year running. Bruce and Margaret Sim are leaving an impressive legacy in the national herd by again winning the Jersey NZ JT Thwaites Sire of the Season award. It is the first time in the history of Jersey NZ that a breeder has won the prestigious title two years in a row. The Sim’s winning sire for 2021 is Glen Leith Quigley ET S2J and follows on from their 2020 winner Glen Leith and Quiz S2J. The Sims retired from dairy farming this year, leasing out their 54-hectare Okato farm and selling their herd to dairy farmers around New Zealand. However, the couple’s Jersey breeding legacy will continue with many of the
herd sold with contract mating agreements in place with breeding companies, including CRV. The Sims also have a further two Jersey bulls, bred through CRV, yet to make their mark. “We’re really pleased to have won the award twice, but we also still have two more bulls from the same cow family that are also going through the sire proving scheme with CRV. So, we’re hoping that Quigley won’t be the last winner,” Bruce says. The winning sires descend from the successful ‘Qla’ cow family. The two additional sires, being marketed by CRV this season as genomic InSires, are Glen Leith OL Quinella and Glen Leith Triple Quartet. These bulls are still awaiting their daughter proofs to see if they too will become proven sires like
Winning sire Glen Leith Quigley ET S2J.
Quigley and Quiz. “My father and grandfather were all involved in breeding, so it is in our blood,” Bruce explains. “We found a newspaper clipping showing that my
grandfather sold a bull at the Okato bull fair in 1924, nearly 100 years ago.” CRV sire analyst Jenna O’Sullivan says it is a pleasure working with the Sims “These awards are
recognition of the quality of their herd. To win one JT Thwaites Sire of the Season is impressive, but to take it out two years in a row is outstanding. CRV is delighted to
work alongside them in delivering these top sires to the New Zealand dairy market.” O’Sullivan says these sires are an excellent example of the standard
the company is setting. She adds that with strong CRV Health and CRV Efficiency scores can be certain to breed cows that will become top performers in the herd in the future. Jersey New Zealand genetics convenor Steve Ireland says for the Sims to win the award two years in a row is an amazing result. The award measures the genetic merit of all four-year-old Jersey bulls with first lactation twoyear-old daughters. Ireland says sires had to meet a series of rigorous standards, which involved assessing their daughters milking in the national herd. The award also recognises sires who have the potential to significantly influence the quality of cows within dairy herds across New Zealand.
BIG 1080 DUMP AT MOLESWORTH HAS recently completed a 1080 aerial operation on New Zealand’s biggest farm, Molesworth Station. Ospri says there is more planned possum control later this year, as part of a wider plan to eradicate TB from Molesworth cattle and deer herds by 2026. The farm is the focus of a 9-year programme of targeted possum control and wildlife surveillance, begin-
OSPRI
ning in the winter of 2017. Molesworth Station is New Zealand’s biggest farm at 180,787 hectare. It is part of a vast, mountainous landscape in the northern South Island high country. It’s one of the last large-farmed areas where possums and other sources of bovine TB are still being brought under intensive control. The property was originally excluded from the official pest control
programme under previous National Pest Management Strategies that were initially focussed on the reduction of infected herds. Between 2011 and 2016 the TB programme focussed on keeping infected herd numbers as low as possible while proving TB freedom was possible in large scale possum habitat. During this period, Molesworth Station entered into a 50/50 partnership arrangement with the TBfree
New Zealand to undertake local wild animal control on the station. The targeted control work has achieved significant reductions in the number of TB infected animals within the herd. Ospri says with the plan to eradicate TB from NZ by 2055, it is essential to implement a substantial TB management programme for the Marlborough/Canterbury high country to achieve this eradication goal. In addition to the programme on
Molesworth Station, extensive work is being undertaken within the Clarence Reserve to the north east OSPRI has worked in partnership with Landcare Research to determine the relative effectiveness of aerial 1080 baiting strategies to reduce both possum abundance and TB levels in wildlife in high country landscape on Molesworth Station. @dairy_news facebook.com/dairynews
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DAIRY NEWS AUGUST 17, 2021
MACHINERY & PRODUCTS // 23
Merlo goes a shade greener MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz
OBVIOUSLY NOT
wishing to get left behind by some of its competitors, Italian manufacturer Merlo is planning to add to its green-liveried telehandler range with another set of green credentials in the shape of an all-new, all-electric
battery-powered Merlo e-Worker model. The new e-Worker has a 2,500kg capacity, 4.8m maximum lift height and a 60hp power output which, at an average 6kW/h consumption, translates into a working span of eight hours. The new model will be built in two versions, a two-wheel drive 25.5-60 and the fourwheel drive 25.5-90.
Turning to how it works, the machine’s battery powers the hydraulic pump for arm movements while motors power its traction and movement. Suitable for on-road and off-road applications, the manufacturer claims that the e-Worker has a “distinct edge when working in enclosed environments” such as herdhomes, grain stores,
The all-electric battery-powered Merlo e-Worker.
stables or environments where low noise and zero
emissions are a requirement. The machine meets all active regulations for frontal tipping prevention, offers maximum driver comfort and visibility thanks to its easy entry 785mm wide cab, with its compact stance offering exceptional maneuverability and handling in tight spaces. In other news, the patriarch of Merlo is
showing no signs of slowing down yet, moreover promising a raft of “new innovations” in the coming months. Founder of the telehandler manufacturing company, Italian engineer Amilcare Merlo, was recently conferred with an Honorary Degree in Mechanical Engineering by the Polytechnic of Turin in a ceremony held to coincide with his 86th
birthday. Speaking after the event, the octogenarian inventor talked about “incredible things” as he forecasted a future of “new inventions”, while also advising the students present, to whom he dedicated his degree, to “dare all the possibilities” and cautioning that “those who don’t dare never achieve anything”.
NEW MODELS IN BELT MERGER RANGE KUHN HAS unveiled two new models in its belt merger range, to meet the increasing demand of customers looking to harvest impurity-free forage while reducing the operating costs. The new Merge Maxx 760 and 1090 units are designed with the same versatility that makes the Merge Maxx 950, allowing central or side delivery that can be changed at any time to suit conditions. The 760 model is equipped
with two 2.75m-width pick-ups, so covers up 5.5m in side-delivery mode, while in the central-delivery format, the working width increases to 7.5m. The machine uses twin double-acting hydraulic valves and a control terminal to manage belt reversal and individual lifting and lowering of pickup units. The larger Merge Maxx 1090 uses the same main structure as the current 950 model and reaches a working width of 11m in the cen-
tral delivery position. When both 4.4m pick-ups are positioned for side-delivery, the raking width covers 8.80m (side windrow not included). As greater volumes of forage are carried on the conveyor belt, the side transit channel of the Merge Maxx 1090 has been enlarged. The same AT 10 control terminal from the 950 model, with two double acting valves, is used to control this machine.
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As its name suggests, the Sumo Trio consists of 3 parts to help develop and create an ideal seed bed in all soil conditions. First stage: Staggered row of subsoiler legs with a maximum working depth of 400mm. (both hydraulic and shear pin protection systems available)
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Leading row of adjustable individually suspended discs allow minimum disturbance on the pasture surface. Hydraulic Subsoiler legs with working depths from 100-350mm to suit all types of compaction layer depths with quick change points. Rear flat packer roller with scrapers to leave an aerated consolidated level finish across the full working width.
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DAIRY NEWS AUGUST 17, 2021
24 // MACHINERY & PRODUCTS
Raising the safety game MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz
AN EVOLUTION of
ATV and quad rollover protection, the AR quad safety bar uses compressed gas and an electronic control system to offer fully automated, pneumatic roll-over protection – with full deployment in less than 250 milliseconds. As well as offering
The manufacturer claims that the device will stop the machine rolling beyond 90 degrees from vertical, preventing a full rollover, while at the same time reducing any consequential damage. ‘active’ protection, the system also uses positional sensors to deliver passive information to the rider, using visual and
audible signals to alert that the machine is reaching a stage where stability is about to be compromised.
The quad safety bar uses compressed gas and an electronic control system to offer fully automated, pneumatic roll-over protection. Below left: Triangular tubular structure mounted to the rear carrier and the tow-bar.
The protective structure is a triangular tubular structure mounted to the rear carrier and the towbar, that in normal use sits lower than the rider, so does not raise the machine’s centre of gravity. If activated, the structure telescopes vertically and laterally, locking out mechanically at full extension and creating a ‘safe zone’ under the machine. The manufacturer claims that the device will stop the machine rolling beyond 90 degrees from vertical, preventing a full rollover, while at the same
time reducing any consequential damage. Built by Spanish manufacturer Air Rops, the system is said to be compatible with most ATVs with independent suspension and meets regulatory standards, being certified by SGS, CE-marked and type approved by external notified bodies. The overall design also meets OECD standards for agricultural tractors and ISO 3471 for machines with a mass of 300 to 5,000kg. @dairy_news facebook.com/dairynews
SWADRO RAKE The low maintenance and nimble KRONE Swadro produces exceptionally consistent windrows while working at high rates and offers great lift-out heights. • The swaged tine arms show no signs of wear even after prolonged use. • Working width from 6.4m to 9.3m.
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New Holland updates app NEW HOLLAND has announced the first major
update of 2021 for the MyPLM Connect Farm desktop platform and mobile app, which includes support for prescriptions, tillage and large square balers, new layer visualisations and machine utilisation maps. With the latest update to the app, users have access to field information when they select a map from the main map screen and with a few taps, can now view field-specific data, such as activity layers, scouting observations and soil zone data. Field and vehicle-specific data is also more accessible, with complete field and vehicle lists. Users of large square balers will now be able to view the imported data and display activity layers, while also being able to select the specific bale drop location. Once selected, a pin will show the location of each bale within the field. The user can view individual bales and specific details by clicking on the pin for the given bale. Displayed information for each bale includes wet/dry weight, moisture percentage, density, capacity and flakes per bale. On the harvesting front, NutriSense, a system that provides detailed agronomic data collected by New Holland CR, CX7 and CX8 combines and FR forage harvesters, is now integrated in the MyPLM Connect portal, allowing users to visualise crop nutrient data, collected by their machines, on an interface in the Connect Farm app. Awarded a silver medal in the digital French SIMA 2021 innovation awards, NutriSense collects detailed crop moisture, starch, crude protein, fibre, ash and crude fat content data. Visit www.MyNewHolland.com or www. newholland.co.nz
DAIRY NEWS AUGUST 17, 2021
MATING // 25
Easy reading of silent heats MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz
THE TAILPAINTER heat detection
tool is now complemented by the Daisy Paint tail paint range, which made its debut at the 2021 National Fieldays. A vibrant, water-based and non-toxic paint available in four colours, the paint is formulated for ease of use and with a bright pigment for easy reading of silent heats. “We are delighted to offer New Zealand farmers a complete heat detection solution,” says co-founder Liam O’Keeffe. “Covid has left farmers with less available labour so an easy-to-use tool that cuts down labour time and maximises herd production is more necessary now than ever.” The Tailpainter also helps farmers by supporting block breeding and increasing herd productivity, by consolidating the calving season into a period of as close as possible to 6 weeks. This helps maximise the production of milk and calves from their herd, with each cow producing a calf and maximising milking production pretty much on a cycle of exactly every 12 months. Key to achieving this 12-month cycle
is effective heat detection practice, with every cycle missed extending the 365-day target. Closing this gap with effective heat detection, together with the correct timing of AI using top genetics, the elimination of stock bulls and ensuring best practice in nutrition management, represents a significant increased profit opportunity for the New Zealand Farmer. “We are delighted with the feedback from our existing customers who are realising real benefits, including ease and speed of tail paint application. The difference is the farmer now spends his time observing cows and not on strenuous tail painting, resulting in improved heat detection and more compact calving,” adds Liam O’Keeffe. “The real trick here is to ensure that the paint quality is always in good condition before the cow leaves the parlour topping up the paint regularly. This routine removes any guessing from heat detection; the paint has to be in good condition at all times during the breeding season and therefore also allows for detection for so called non-cyclers – i.e. any cows that are not ovulating. “We have farmers milking up to 1,000 cows down to herds of 50 cows, who were aware of the labour-intensive job and often hazardous job of tail painting.
Effective Heat Detection
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DAIRY NEWS AUGUST 17, 2021
MATING // 27
Missing profits from absent heats THIS MATING season
your objective will be to get as many cows incalf, as early as possible. Genetic gain and empties aside, missing a cycle can feel like pouring three weeks of milk down the drain. `Silent’ or `quiet’ heats are where cows cycle but do not appear to show visible heat behaviour. Missing these quiet heats is a frustrating lost opportunity that drags down profitability. And profit is what buffers increasing farm costs, pays down debt and helps to form a hedge against future industry downturns. This month, Federated Farmers reported that a quarter of farms are breaking even, with 8% making a loss. With mating now approaching, it’s almost that time when you’ll be wondering how to successfully AB silent or quiet cows that are likely to get missed by your team. You’ve incurred all the costs of running your operation and will be keen to put any missing value back on the table if you can readily do so. Studies show that silent heats can be more than 10% of the herd and that there are many contributing factors. DairyNZ states that 70-80% of cows will not have a visible heat at the first cycle after calving, late-calvers showing quieter heats until their hormones also
gear up. Even with premating heats behind you, and late calvers managed, what challenges might you anticipate from silent heat this mating season? Cows evolved with hormone-driven `heats’ as a herd behaviour. The primary signs of heat are well-covered elsewhere by DairyNZ and others. Cows don’t need to examine tail paint or receive an alert to know when other cows in their herd are cycling. As far as cows are concerned, silent heats don’t exist. Herd mates are either cycling, or not. On the other hand, farmers need to accurately identify the sexual `heat’ behaviour to AB at the best moment to improve odds of conception, especially when investing in higher-merit straws or sexed semen. For strongly bulling cows, that’s easily achieved. For quieter heats on sneaky cows, it can be almost impossible for humans, usually because our heat detection methods don’t capture enough of this sexual behaviour between the cows. While heat detection aids have come a long way, they are of absolutely no use with non-cycling cows. There simply isn’t any heat to detect. Out of interest, analysis of 5,800 cows in eight US herds showed almost a quarter of lactating Holstein cows were not actually cycling.
Generally, New Zealand dairy herds have higher fertility than those in the US, however. On the cow behaviour side of the equation, the number of cows cycling without showing strong
“
`Silent’ or `quiet’ heats are where cows cycle but do not appear to show visible heat behaviour.
heats can be impacted by management factors that can affect their ability to express normal heat behaviour. Nutrition and energy relative to seasonal conditions, feet and leg TO PAGE 28
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DAIRY NEWS AUGUST 17, 2021
28 // MATING
Missing profits from absent heats FROM PAGE 27
problems, lameness, slippery footing, and heat stress being more obvious examples. With regard to successful detection of this cow behaviour, the sensitivity of heat detection methods and skill level of the operator are key factors for accurately calling quieter heats. How many cows display insufficient heat behaviour for humans to notice? A well-known, large 2014 study by Dr Paul Fricke and several other leading researchers demonstrates that even a combination of heat patches and activity monitors completely missed 10% of cows that were confirmed as having cycled during the study period. Clearly the opportunity to identify a further 10% of cycling cows
would have significant impact on profitability for those operations. But it’s often human nature to avoid digging into data and attempting to quantify what might be getting missed. Failing to look further can be expensive. At a minimum you might examine `noncycling’ data and consider how many cows join this group simply because of limits in heat detection and recording tools, or limitations in your team’s ability to get the most out of these tools. Discuss this data with your team regularly throughout mating and look hard at how submissions have converted to conceptions in previous seasons. Think about which groups of cows are at greatest risk of being missed and discuss how making more detailed records might help.
With greater confidence in your heat detection efforts, there is also a stronger case for timely vet intervention where cows have not been recorded on heat during the expected period. The sooner cows cycle normally, the better. When considering quieter heats, available detection methods function quite differently and have different sensitivity levels. Paint, patches, and rumpmounted devices rely upon primary heat behaviour, whereas activity monitors rely on pedometry and a range of other secondary signs of heat. Researchers suggest that the highest sensitivity is achieved through accurate monitoring of primary heat signs. Where cycling cows are not exhibiting enough of the heat behaviour
that farmers are trying to capture with heat detectors, we either accept the financial implications from missing these cows or; seek out heat detec-
tion with greater sensitivity, capable of capturing additional behavioural `signal’ between cows. It’s the cows that have evolved to know
the status of herd mates, not us. To pick up quieter heats, we’re looking to measure more subtle sexual behaviour between animals without driving
up `false positive’ alerts. With sexual behaviour, it’s the interactions that matter, not what each individual cow is doing on their own.
ALL ABOUT CONCEPTION RATE MOST HEAT detection methods require experience and skill to operate. New Zealand is going into mating with a record half of all farmers surveyed in July by Federated Farmers’ stating that it has become harder to recruit skilled and motivated staff. This is the highest level of concern since the survey started. Tail paint and stick-on patches require interpretation, often resulting in one person taking responsibility for weeks of heat detection. More complex approaches to heat detection require investment in staff training time until they are capable of interpreting multiple streams of data to then make
critical AB decisions. So even the most highly experienced people will miss heats, typically because of the sensitivity of the tools they use. Quiet cycling cows won’t behave in ways that rub tail paint or patches, nor reach thresholds to trigger an activity monitor alert. To be fair on operators, herd size has increased over time, so even the best operators can’t afford much attention for each cow. The proof of your heat detection approach is conception rate. Accurately identifying as many heats as possible without false positives is the first challenge. The second challenge is to get the timing right – that too
is reflected in higher conception rates. Getting cows in-calf as soon as possible is the entire point after all. If calling “50/50” cows accurately is where heat detection earns it’s keep by reducing decision-making stress, then identifying quiet heats and getting them in-calf is the icing on the cake. In the end, heat detection is a practical balance of cost outlay that makes sense for your operation long-term, through high and low pay outs and the ability of your team to use these tools with ease. Shifting this balance to go after more quiet heats is well worth considering as we head into mating.
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DAIRY NEWS AUGUST 17, 2021
MATING // 29
The health and efficiency of the rumen directly impacts how well the cow performs through the challenges of mating and reproduction.
Preparing your herd for coming mating season CHRIS BALEMI
AS WE head into the latter half of the year, many farmers will be starting to think about mating season for their cows. It’s no secret that animals in peak condition will achieve the best results during this time, but sometimes it can be a challenge to get them there. Often the primary challenge is to ensure that the animal is receiving the correct mix of nutrients required to balance out their diet. All feed management and supplementation in dairy cattle should be targeted at maintaining healthy rumen performance. The rumen, along with the reticulum and the omasum, are the fore stomachs of ruminant animals. These compartments are designed to mix, regurgitate and then ferment and digest fibrous materials such as grass and silages, and more recently grainbased concentrates. The management of minerals and vitamins during this time is an important key to the successful mating and reproduction results of your cows. The health and efficiency of the rumen directly impacts how well the cow performs through the challenges of mating and reproduction.
A cow with suboptimal rumen performance will be at much higher risk of being an empty cow at the end of the season. Successful management of nutrition across the whole season will ensure effective herd reproductive performance, and healthy rumen function is key to the success of every milestone the cow must achieve throughout the season. Along with nutrients that are absorbed directly across the ruminal wall, the massive number of bacteria created during the process of rumination are a major nutrient source for ruminants. The bacteria is digested further down the gastrointestinal tract, supplying the all-important bypass protein requirements. Along with balanced nutrition, the other most important issue around rumen performance is maintaining stable rumen pH diets throughout lactation, especially as these can often lack in the lead up to mating season. To ensure good mating performance, diets need to be formulated to balance rumen pH. This may require higher levels of quality fibre, rumen buffers, or a combination of both. The period of mating should also be considered as the months leading up to mating as well as the first
trimester of the pregnancy. Any lack of nutrition or imbalance in rumen pH during this period will potentially compromise the pregnancy. Regularly checking the body condition score to ensure that your cows have enough energy during this time is crucial. Dropping by more than 1 condition score during mating season can mean the difference in successful or unsuccessful conception rate for your herd. Two ways to ensure this doesn’t happen is to either increase the energy supply available to your cows with supplementary feeds and paddock rotation, or to decrease their energy demand by going to a oncea-day milking. Improving the reproductive performance of your cows will no doubt make a significant impact to the management of your farm. Though every farm is different and requires a slightly different plan for mating season, one thing remains the same across the board – the nutrition requirements of your cows. Getting this right and effectively managing your herd’s nutrition throughout mating season is a logical and effective way to help bolster reproductive success for your farm. • Chris Balemi is managing director of Agvance Nutrition Limited
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DAIRY NEWS AUGUST 17, 2021
30 // MATING
Magnesium supply low DAIRY FARMERS are facing a tight supply of magnesium due to Covid19 related shipping delays. DairyNZ general manager farm performance Sharon Morrell says shipping woes have caused disruption for some magnesium supply into New Zealand. Retailers of magnesium, DairyNZ, NZ Veterinary Association and Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) have met to better understand the extent of the disruption. Morrell says they are working together to ensure animal health and welfare needs can be addressed. “Supplies of magne-
TIPS TO MANAGE USE Pre Calving ■ Re-calculate requirements for each mob regularly
Animal health and welfare is a top priority as the dairy sector experiences dwindling magnesium supply.
sium are tight across all suppliers across the country but there is a plan in place to manage critical animal health needs,” she says. “A number of shipments are due this month, and we anticipate this will ease the supply situation.” Animal health and wel-
fare is a top priority for everyone in this sector and farmers are being urged to continue talking to their retailers about their specific needs. Morrell is also urging farmers to manage their magnesium stocks well. “Share any excess with
others, talk to retailers about specific needs and check with your vet or farm consultant before implementing major changes to your normal plan, or if there are animal health issues on farm that are different to a usual season.”
■
Use actual requirements, not higher ‘precautionary’ rates
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Instead of dusting, mix magnesium oxide into a slurry and apply on top of supplement
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Drench magnesium oxide with water; this is the most efficient method of supplementation
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Use magnesium oxide as part of a blended feed ration
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Combine water treatment with pasture or feed application to reduce dosage of both magnesium chloride and magnesium oxide
■
Identify higher risk cows in your herd and focus supplementation on them e.g.:recently calved older cows, higher producers, cows with a history of milk fever, and cows that have experienced difficult calvings
■
The highest risk period for milk fever is in the 48 hours after calving
■
Keep supplementing springers daily
Post calving Use a starter drench in the first 48 hours
■ ■
In some cases, lime flour can be added to feed, but veterinary advice should be sought first.
REDUCING THE RISK OF MILK FEVER Dairy bull open day
MAGNESIUM PLAYS a vital role in
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the prevention of milk fever. It is essential for the efficient absorption and resorption of calcium. Supplementation with magnesium has the largest effect on decreasing the incidence of milk fever. Supplementing with magnesium for two to three weeks pre-calving will reduce the risk of milk fever. However it does not build up a store of magnesium, and continued supplementation will be required during early lactation. Milk fever increases the risk of other metabolic diseases and infections, such as ketosis and metritis, and approximately 5 percent of downer cows do not recover. The dairy cow obtains calcium from her diet or from stores in her bones.
Although there are substantial amounts of calcium available from these sources, the absorption from the intestines, or resorption from bone, is under tight hormonal control and is affected by other minerals (e.g. phosphorus and magnesium) and vitamins (e.g. vitamin D). With the onset of lactation, and production of colostrum, the cow’s requirement for calcium increases substantially (400% increase in a day). To meet these calcium requirements, the cow must increase both the absorption and resorption processes. Any factors that interfere with these processes mean the cow cannot meet the increased demand for calcium, and this results in lowered blood calcium concentration and milk fever.
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