Will Fonterra cap the milk price? PAGE 3
REST IN PEACE Tribute to a top vet PAGE 15
POWER BOOST
PFG joins forces with Fliegl PAGE 26
NOVEMBER 9, 2021 ISSUE 483 // www.dairynews.co.nz
TOP NOTCH FARMER “A builder can close up the gate or close up the site, and walk away for two months and it’s the same when they go back. But we can’t do that, not for one day ” – Rebecca Miller, Canterbury. PAGE 6
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DAIRY NEWS NOVEMBER 9, 2021
NEWS // 3
Could Fonterra cap soaring milk price? SUDESH KISSUN sudeshk@ruralnews.co.nz
RAMPANT DAIRY prices may Social media star. PG.12
Irish out of luck? PG.16
Sheep milking pioneer. PG.17
NEWS ������������������������������������������������������3-13 OPINION ���������������������������������������������� 14-15 AGRIBUSINESS ������������������������������������16 MANAGEMENT ���������������������������������17-18 ANIMAL HEALTH ���������������������������19-20 DAIRY GOATS & SHEEP �������������21-24 MACHINERY & PRODUCTS �������������������������������������� 25-26
force Fonterra to cap its farm-gate milk price for this season, according to Westpac senior agri economist Nathan Penny. He believes an $8.50/kgMS mik price “is getting towards the upper limit of what Fonterra can pay”. Fonterra also has a substantial consumer business and raw milk is part of the cost of production for consumer products. Penny says the higher the milk price the harder it becomes for Fonterra’s consumer businesses. “In that sense, Fonterra could cap the milk price to prevent losses in these other businesses,” he says. He also points out that Fonterra has limited processing capacity for its various products. “In 2013/14 for example, we saw that Fonterra was constrained in product mix choices and therefore not fully able to take advantage of very high whole milk powder prices over that season.” Fonterra last month narrowed its forecast farm-gate milk price range to $7.25 to $8.25, with a mid-point of $8/kgMS and issued an earnings guidance of 25-40c/share for its value added business. Fonterra’s director central portfolio management Bruce Turner told Dairy News that the co-operative remains comfortable with its earnings guidance.
Westpac’s Nathan Penny says the milk price is getting towards the upper limit of what Fonterra can pay.
“While the increase in milk price can put pressure on our input costs, we remain comfortable with our current 2021/22 earnings guidance range of 25-40c/share. “Regarding processing capacity, as we move through peak milk pro-
duction months we get more flexibility, which in turn aids product mix decisions,” says Turner. Westpac is forecasting a milk price of $8.50/kgMS for the season; ASB believes the milk price will top $8.75. If achieved, it will surpass the
record milk price of $8.40 in 2013-14. Last week’s Global Dairy Trade auction recorded price rises for six of the seven products on offer. Whole milk powder prices rose 2.7%, its fourth increase in the last five auctions. The jump in prices builds on gains over September and October. Overall, WMP prices have lifted 10% since August and sit 30% or more above year ago levels. Penny notes that taking a longerterm perspective, prices are around 20% above their five year average. He expects that ongoing weakness in global dairy production will continue to underpin global dairy prices. New Zealand dairy production over September was down 4% compared to September 2020.
IMPRESSIVE GAINS ASB ECONOMIST Nat Keall says the continued gains in GDT prices are impressive. “The GDT price index is still gaining at a time when it’s already circa 25% above the long-run average,” he says. Keall says that while production outlook is improving somewhat, demand is robust. “NZ spring production got off to a slow start, underpinned by mixed pasture growing conditions – cold, wet and relatively low light,” he says. However, climatic conditions
and grass growth for the next two months look positive. “This suggests that production should be positive over November and December,” he says. But Keall says securing product remains a focus for buyers. “All WMP contracts gained ground at this auction, but the larger gains were for the latterdated contracts, indicating buyers are still prepared to pay a premium to secure product well into the latter part of the season – and it’s not just the
Chinese buyers. “The WMP futures market doesn’t expect to see prices moderate much for the remainder of the season, hovering near US$3,900/MT.” Keall remains happy with their record $8.75/kgMS forecast for the season. “Even with a gradual ramping up in production, we expect the global dairy demand and supply balance over the remainder of the season will remain favourable for producers.”
DAIRY NEWS NOVEMBER 9, 2021
4 // NEWS
Fonterra’s plan to unlock value in probiotic strains SUDESH KISSUN sudeshk@ruralnews.co.nz
FONTERRA IS partnering with a worldrenowned biotechnology expert to unlock the benefits of the co-operative’s probiotic strains. The collaboration announced last week with VitaKey Inc and its cofounder Dr Robert Langer will add more value to New Zealand milk, says Judith Swales, chief executive for Fonterra’s Asia Pacific region. Swales says Fonterra doesn’t expect milk volumes to grow in the coming years therefore it’s important to “maximise value from every drop of milk”. The collaboration is part of Fonterra’s long-
“Because the nutrients are encapsulated and highly targeted, it also means we can use less milk in our production, making our milk go further while reducing food waste.” term strategy and ambition to be a leader in dairy innovation and nutrition science. Fonterra expects the first products in the market within five years. Swales says Fonterra has a long and proud heritage of dairy innovation, pioneering many world firsts and, increasingly, new solutions which aim to help people live healthier and longer lives. The co-op’s Research and Development Centre is home to one of the largest dairy culture libraries in the world,
containing more than 40,000 strains. Two of these strains, LactoB 001 and BifidoB 019, address key health concerns such as digestive issues and immunity and are recognised as being in the top five global probiotics. Swales says by partnering with VitaKey, they aim to “make nature better” by combining the goodness of New Zealand milk with VitaKey’s technology. “In this way, we can really drive our Active Living business by appeal-
Judith Swales, Fonterra says the co-op doesn’t expect milk volumes to grow in the coming years therefore it’s important to “maximise value from every drop of milk”.
ing to the growing health and wellness consumer segment that desire the maximum functional benefits from food and are motivated by scientific credibility.
“Because the nutrients are encapsulated and highly targeted, it also means we can use less milk in our production, making our milk go further while reducing food
Hurrell’s first overseas trip in two years FONTERRA CHIEF executive Miles
Hurrell has been on his first overseas trip in nearly two years. The co-op confirmed that Hurrell was in Europe and the Middle East on a two-week visit to meet customers and staff. A Fonterra spokesperson says it’s been nearly two years since Hurrell has been able to get out and see offshore customers and employees. “With 95% of our product exported and half our employees outside NZ, it’s important he gets to see some of them face to face.”
The trip included a visit to Fonterra’s Amsterdam office where its chief executive officer for Europe, Middle East and Africa Kelvin Wickham is based. On October 29 Hurrell was in Brussels to meet with European Dairy Association president Giuseppe Ambrosi. The EDA says the meeting discussed the Dairy Product Environmental Footprint, a project measuring the emission footprint of dairy products. Fonterra is one of the six dairy companies involved in the project. Fonterra has confirmed that Hurrell will isolate at home upon his return.
Miles Hurrell
waste,” says Swales. VitaKey specialises in precision delivery of nutrition – an emerging area of research that seeks to deliver the right nutrients, in the right amount, to the right part of the body at the right time. Co-founded by Langer, the VitaKey delivery technology platform for nutrients is based on technology licensed from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and developed at the Langer Lab, the largest academic biomedical engineering lab in the world. Utilising VitaKey’s proprietary technology and customised solutions, Fonterra is looking to design dairy products that incorporate targeted and time-controlled release of specific dairy nutrients,
starting with probiotics, in a way that locks in the freshness for longer and allows the nutrients to be more active and beneficial in the body. Langer’s vision for Fonterra and VitaKey working together is “to do something that really can change the world, rather than something incremental.” He is excited to collaborate with Fonterra to help further unlock dairy’s nutrition. “The Covid pandemic has underscored the need for solutions to enhance health and wellness and boost the immunity of men, women and children at every stage of life. We believe that good nutritious food can help people of all ages lead healthier lives,” says Langer.
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NEWS // 5
1500 overseas workers needed! Lewis. “The Government needs to commit to acting now so we can access the people we need for next season.” DWN chief executive Jules Benton says the current workforce shortage is creating high levels of stress for farming families. “Farming families need assurance they will be able to fill vacant roles. “Levels of physical and mental fatigue are not sustainable and as a
THE DAIRY sector
needs 1500 overseas workers next year. At the same time, it is also asking the Government to allow overseas workers to quarantine in separate housing on farms. Dairy sector partners – DairyNZ, Federated Farmers and Dairy Women’s Network – are asking for changes to be made to class exceptions by Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor. Obtaining MIQ spaces for overseas workers has hindered the arrival of workers urgently needed to milk cows and manage animals. DairyNZ chief executive Dr Tim Mackle says severely limiting the dairy sector’s access to international labour is creating unacceptable levels of stress for farmers and their teams. “This presents some risks to animal welfare and limits dairy’s future
sector we are hugely concerned about the wellbeing of our people. “Farmers are uniquely positioned to be able to offer new international workers safe home quarantine in rural areas, taking the pressure off MIQ facilities.” The organisations are seeking a meeting with O’Connor. Farmers are hopeful of getting overseas workers in before the calving season starts in July.
The border processes Government used this year were hugely frustrating for farmers.
productivity at a time when our contribution to New Zealand is critical for our wider economy,” says Mackle. In a recent joint DairyNZ and Federated Farmers survey half of dairy farmers reported they were short-staffed. The request comes as New Zealand unemployment rates fell to 3.4% to equal the lowest level
seen since 2007, shortly before the worst effects of the Global Financial Crisis hit the economy. “We are seeing many core sectors facing challenges filling vacancies due to low unemployment rates,” says Mackle. “We know from our recent farmer survey that 87% of farmers made changes to appeal to local employees, with farmers
reporting improved rosters, reduced hours, flexible milking schedules and increased salaries. “However, we still have a significant workforce shortage and that’s why we need to reintroduce international staff to help fill some of the gap.” Federated Farmers immigration spokesperson Chris Lewis says farmers need certainty
they will be able to access international workers for next year. “The border processes Government used this year were hugely frustrating for farmers. If our borders do remain closed, we need processes streamlined to provide farmers with confidence they can recruit staff and get them into New Zealand much faster,” says
committed to playing its part to reduce global methane levels by 30% by 2030. Global methane does need to reduce and the dairy sector will do its fair share to reduce emissions alongside all sectors, says DairyNZ chief executive Tim Mackle.
However, he wants farmers to know the pledge doesn’t mean dairy farming emissions need to reduce by 30%, and wants the Government to acknowledge this. “New Zealand dairy is already the world’s most emissions-efficient dairy milk producer, and dairy farmers are continuing
their work on-farm to reduce emissions,” says Mackle. “Methane is derived from the energy, agriculture and waste sectors, and the pledge focuses on reducing methane from fossil fuels. New Zealand already has a robust 2030 methane target for agriculture in the Zero Carbon Act. The dairy sector and agri-
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DAIRY NEWS NOVEMBER 9, 2021
6 // NEWS
No stranger to accolades NIGEL MALTHUS
TO BE named as a final-
ist in this year’s Champion Canterbury Awards is “mind-blowing, exciting and its own phenomenal reward,” says a South Canterbury dairy farmer who is already no stranger to a number of accolades and achievements. Rebecca Miller, who farms with her husband Brent at Ealing, just north of the Rangitata River, has been nominated in the Emerging Leader category but has already made a significant mark on the industry. The Federated Farmers sharemilkers chair for Mid-Canterbury and vicechair nationally, she is also active with the Dairy Womens Network, having established the local group. The Millers were finalists in the Employee Development category of MPI’s Good Employer awards this year, while Rebecca was also a finalist in the Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year. They also benchmark their business annually with the Dairy Business of the Year (DBOY), as a means of ensuring they are keeping in line with the industry, and to “apply pressure where we need to.” They have come away with eight DBOY awards
in two years. Miller says it is recognising the need to “connect people’s hearts” that has allowed them to develop one of the highest performing dairy businesses in Canterbury, if not New Zealand. “My ‘why’ is to actually build the rapport between people and environment.” The Millers milk 2,600 cows across two properties. They have been on their home farm, River Terrace Dairy (1,150 cows), since it was converted in 2015 and this year have stepped up to take an equity stake in the property. They are now in their third season contract milking on Ealing Pastures (1,450 cows). Miller says Ealing pastures was an older farm with half the team having already been there 16 years when they took over, and it was a challenge setting up a new team to their preferred management system. They subscribe to a theory of management called Teal – characterised by self-organisation and self-management. Everyone has the ability to make decisions, she says. “A Teal organisation structure is more like ‘everyone’s the boss’. So they all take ownership over their roles. It’s very
Rebecca Miller farms with her husband Brent at Ealing, just north of the Rangitata River.
flatlined. There’s no hierarchy. “If the cows need to be moved at a certain time, they can do that and make that decision themselves.” It means there’s no “skill gap” when the manager or anyone else is away for any reason, she says. They have six staff on Ealing Pastures and four at River Terrace. In the day-to-day running, Rebecca Miller’s main role is admin, also calf-rearing in season, but
she makes a point of joining the farm walks. “We farm walk twice week because what you can measure you can manage, mitigate and monitor. “Identifying the things that move the boat faster – that residual is very important.” She also emphasises preparedness and planning for repairs, tools and maintenance and making sure consumables are always in stock, especially in these days of Covid uncertainties in supply
chains. “We want to keep that boat moving as fast as possible at all times.” Raised on a North Island dairy farm, Miller went into graphic design and marketing, mainly in travel and tourism, but returned to farming after she met her husband in 1997. “For us, it’s very important that we take care of our people. And our people stay with us because they feel safe. Their well-being is taken care of and it’s not just
themselves – it’s their family.” It is important because dairying is 24/7, 365 days a year, she says. “A builder can close up the gate or close up the site, and walk away for two months and it’s the same when they go back. But we can’t do that. Not for one day.” The Millers place so much importance on interpersonal relationships and respect for their staff that that have trademarked the term “Farmily” to describe their
business, and they readily recruit from within their staff families. “We don’t just go out to advertise. We ask within our teams, because they’ve been together for so long, who do you know, out there, that could work with us?” She has also started writing a book with the working title ‘Embrace the Intangible’, because of her belief that the most important things are those that cannot be bought. “It’s about connecting people’s hearts and actually growing that heart connection because it’s the intangible.” Miller has also taken a leadership and governance course where she learned the importance of going “toe-to-toe” with others to break barriers and allow a two-way conversation to develop. “So that’s what we want to do. We want to go toe-to-toe with other farmers, other people within industries, and allow ourselves to be vulnerable and human and genuine. “How do you grow? How do you become real if not exposing some of yourself? “I think it does come down to a relationships, It does come down to being honest, having that integrity and being who you are.”
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DAIRY NEWS NOVEMBER 9, 2021
NEWS // 7
Rural retailer flags Covidrelated supply chain issues JESSICA MARSHALL jessica@ruralnews.co.nz
SUPPLY CHAIN issues
continue to be an ongoing issue for rural service provider Farmlands. The co-operative released its annual results last week, reporting an $8.1 million profit on the back of $2.7 billion in turnover and $1.1 billion in revenue. Farmlands shareholders, totalling over 75,000 nationwide, received $94.2 million in monthly rebates, discounts and loyalty redemptions over the course of the year. Chair Rob Hewett called the result “a pass mark and a little more.”
“Our co-operative generally reacted well to supply chain issues caused by Covid-19 and managed stocks to ensure availability when products were needed. We strive to continue to do this in these unprecedented times,” Hewett says. Kevin Cooney, the company’s chief operating officer – who was acting chief executive during the financial year – told Dairy News that the supply chain issues caused largely by the advent of Covid-19 will continue to be an issue for the foreseeable future. “It is an issue, and it’s one that’s not easy to resolve,” Cooney says. He says this is being
Kevin Cooney, Farmlands chief operating officer says supply chain issues caused largely by the advent of Covid-19 will continue to be an issue for the foreseeable future.
seen in the increased prices for fertiliser and fuel in particular, but also in longer lead times for accessibility to key products. “It’s also impacting the
availability of key products.” What that means for Farmlands customers, Cooney says, is that they need to start planning ahead.
He says that, overall, the results released last week were positive. “It’s positive to have a profitable outcome, particularly when you consider that we are still transforming the business,” he says. Cooney describes this transformation programme, nicknamed Braveheart, as “a big challenge” for the company and one that it can do better at. The key aim of the transformation is to get back to having clarity in the core business, and to deliver that more effectively. “It’s all about getting the right products at the right price to the right
place or location for our customers,” he says. “That transformation is working, but while the foundations are in place, focus is needed.” He adds that one of the biggest challenges for the company have been its efforts to lean in and continue to be relevant in the face of big change. “That’s about asking what role do we play in that change and looking at our shareholders and asking how do we support them?” Farmlands new chief executive Tanya Houghton says the results provide an impetus for stronger results for the 2022 financial year. “There have been
plenty of exciting new innovations over the past year. We have a new online shop and our e-commerce platform has come a long way in a short space of time. This is vital, especially during lockdowns,” Houghton says. “We have built our plan for this year around three things: safe and engaged people, unbeatable customer experience that earns trusted partner status with our customers, and delivering our budget. “Farmlands has a committed team that want to bring more benefits direct to those that choose us to be their preferred provider.”
SI FARMS FETCHING TOP PRICES DAIRY FARMS in the South Island are fetching over $50,000/ ha, a sign that the sector is rebounding. Sales in excess of $50,000 per hectare for farms in North, Central and Mid Canterbury, were recorded in October, with others pending at similar values. Tim Gallagher, PGG Wrightson Real Estate, Ashburton believes the dairy market is rebounding towards all time high levels. Gallagher recently sold a 298ha farm located between Ashburton and Geraldine for over $50,000/ha. “This property is based on a
hybrid calving system with productivity through long days-inmilk. Management of the 1100 cow farm is aided by a stall barn and a loafing barn, which enhance both production and environmental sustainability. “Market response to the property was excellent. We received five offers within two weeks, and had the farm under contract quickly, to the satisfaction of both vendor and purchaser, though clearly leaving unmet demand from the offers that were not successful,” says Gallagher. Dairy listings are up almost
300% on the same time last year. The recent upgrade to Fonterra’s milk price forecast and banks’ appetite to support the primary sector rising are helping sales. “Our vendors are reacting to those signals, in some cases after several years of waiting for the right time to exit. Based on completed recent sales and ongoing negotiations on current listings, that time has arrived: dairy property values are firm at levels close to the market’s all-time peak, previously reached in 2013,” says PGG Wrightson Real Estate’s Calvin Leen.
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DAIRY NEWS NOVEMBER 9, 2021
8 // NEWS
Pathway to farm leadership JESSICA MARSHALL jessica@ruralnews.co.nz
A GROUP of Canter-
bury-based dairy farmers are proposing a graduate programme to help young people into the dairy industry. Kim Grayling, liaison officer for Grassroots Dairy Graduate Management Programme, says the perception of the industry isn’t helping make it seem suitable or appealing to university graduates. “Rural professional jobs such as banking, fertiliser reps appear more glamorous to a student when a car, phone and uniform are part of the salary package, while dairying remains unattractive due to perceived poor pay, work/life balance and stigma around
dairying.” Grayling says the programme, to run next year, seeks to challenge those perceptions, and demonstrate that for graduates who are ambitious and hardworking, the dairy industry can provide considerable rewards. She says that for some it could provide the opportunity to become their own boss and participate in dairying leadership roles within a short amount of time. She says a recent Federated Farmers/DairyNZ Farm Confidence Survey showed that 48% of respondents found it harder to recruit skilled and motivated staff. “Continued immigration restrictions from the pandemic are still exacerbating the problem, although some limited border exemptions have
A group of farmers plan a graduate programme to help young people into the industry.
been allowed for ‘essential’ highly skilled workers.” Grayling says that estimates from DairyNZ put the shortage at approximately 2,000 to 4,000 workers. Additionally, Grayling says it is widely accepted that on farm dairy leaders
are lacking in the industry. The programme itself seeks to have successful farmers mentor graduates in order to show that whilst there are essential tasks to be undertaken, continued focus on the big picture can lead to great rewards.
NEW FROM Dr Bert Quin
Fact 2. Once you have Olsen P levels that are more than a thi egy, focusing on our ress on its operational FONTERRA SAYS environment. and what’s response – manufacturits global customers are Fact 3. If you want to build up your soilstrengths P in an environmenta ing decarbonisation plan within our control,” the seeking products perinceived a sustained fashionandfor plants. water treatment and co-op says. to be more envi“The strategy efficiency ronmentally friendly. Fact 4. There is nothing to upgrades. lose and everything to refresh gain. RPR-b recognises increasing It is also increasing And customers are (sulphur 90) is far more efficient than the excess sulphate in s consumer expectations R&D to look for solusnubbing suppliers who Fact 5. Following 1-4 above greatlyaround reduce P run-off and environmentions for the will on-farm do not meet their sushuge amounts of money! tal performance and the methane challenge. tainability requirements. increase in alternatives It also continues to “There are increasing Fact 6. It is nonsensical to give in to pressure to install expen available to them. support and recognise expectations from cusidea of their long-term effectiveness and“Itmaintenance costs, also acknowledges farmers in managing tomers and consumers Fact in any case simple fenced-off wide grass ripa the fast pace of change their sustainability per- 3-metre about7. where their food in people’s nutrition formance through the comes from and the bacterial and sediment losses. Neither will have any significa environmental impact it Co-operative Difference consumption trends.” strips can be harvested in summer to beThe fedco-operative out, to improve is framework. leaves,” Fonterra says. FactThe8.co-operaIn a nutshell, for“Broadly, maintenance levels any genuine alsoPmaintaining a diverthese chal- of sified portfolio in marlenges will be responded tive made the comsituations or low rainfall, use a blend of RPR and high-analysi ketsuse around the world. by staying on strat- urea, ments9. while Fact Forresponding N, rathertothan granular prilled urea, spr to questions from the cut in half with big savings. Fonterra Co-operative STRATEGY GETS A KICK Fact 10.which Potash Council, repre- is more efficient, and must less likely to caus sents its shareholders. annual amount you FONTERRA are usingSHAREHOLDERS now. Easy toaremix with your pri strongly The council released For more info, email Bert Quin on bert.quin@quinfe backing the co-operative’s new strategy to its quarterly update to
Bert Quin DrDrBert Quin
Fact 1. The overuse of soluble P fertiliser is by far the largest cause of P run-off an Fact 2. Once you have Olsen P levels that are more than a third of the P retention environment. Fact 3. If you want to build up your soil P in an environmentally-protective way, in a sustained fashion for plants. Fact 4. There is nothing to lose and everything to gain. RPR-based fertilisers are e (sulphur 90) is far more efficient than the excess sulphate in super. Fact 5. Following 1-4 above will greatly reduce P run-off and leaching. This shou huge amounts of money! Fact 6. It is nonsensical to give in to pressure to install expensive mitigations rip idea of their long-term effectiveness and maintenance costs, and before you hav Fact 7. in any case simple fenced-off 3-metre wide grass riparian strips are essen bacterial and sediment losses. Neither will have any significant long-term benefi strips can be harvested in summer to be fed out, to improve P and N cycling. Fact 8. In a nutshell, for maintenance of P levels any genuine RPR (not an RPR/Bo situations or low rainfall, use a blend of RPR and high-analysis soluble P. Fact 9. For N, rather than granular urea, use prilled urea, sprayed immediately p cut in half with big savings. Fact 10. Potash is more efficient, and must less likely to cause metabolic problem annual amount you are using now. Easy to mix with your prilled urea. Leaching o For more info, email Bert Quin on bert.quin@quinfert.co.nz, or phone
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“We expect our programme will provide graduates with a unique skill set and professional network which will fast track them into management roles then self employment, if they choose to continue their career in the dairy sector,” says Grayling.
gramme aims to expose graduates to the management and ownership decisions and aspects of a dairy business from week one. Currently, six farmers are prepped and ready to take on graduates taking on the programme in 2022 and Grayling says the programme hopes to find high calibre applicants for each farmer. “We are very conscious that we want to do this right the first time so we have decided to cap it at six graduates to six employers for the 2022 intake,” she says. She adds that while the programme isn’t seeking additional employers at the moment, they think a successful 2022 programme will lead to the expansion of network farms in the future.
members last month. The nine-page report looks at Fonterra’s performance and also contained Fonterra’s board’s response to three questions from the council. One of the questions related to new and emerging challenges facing Fonterra and how the co-operative is handling these challenges. Fonterra says it is making continued prog-
enhance the value of New Zealand milk. The Fonterra Co-operative Council wrote to the board in September commending it for the recent progress. “Our research indicates that 82% of our members are more comfortable with the overall direction of our co-op than they were two to three years ago,” the letter says. “Complementing that data, we have accumulated considerable feedback that members are very supportive of the transformation in culture they have perceived within Fonterra. “Our members have indicated they are comfortable with the new strategic focus on enhancing the value of New Zealand milk.”
DAIRY NEWS NOVEMBER 9, 2021
NEWS // 9
Covid blamed for funding woes SUDESH KISSUN sudeshk@ruralnews.co.nz
COVID IS being blamed
for delaying the construction of Waikato’s newest milk plant. Happy Valley Nutrition (HVN) says it has been unable to secure funding for the new plant as a result of disruption caused by the pandemic. The company had hoped to commission the new plant at Otorohanga in 2023. In a filing with the Australian Stock Exchange two weeks ago, HVN says it is continuing discussions with a range of parties to secure the debt and equity funding required to commence the main construction programme. “Given the current Covid-19 related business disruptions, the com-
An artist’s impression of the proposed new Happy Valley Nutrition plant at Otorohanga.
pany believes it is unlikely to secure the necessary equity financing within the timeframe as planned. “As a result, the company has decided to delay the commencement of the facility construction until
sufficient capital has been raised.” A 6ha site is being prepared for the new plant that will produce high value specialty dairy ingredient powders for export markets.
The project has been in the pipeline for several years as HVN sought resource consents and funding. Covid has also affected earthworks at the site. The Otorohanga region has been under
Level 3 lockdown and earthworks have been temporarily suspended. The company hopes earthworks will be completed in the coming months. HVN plans to develop
a single dryer facility with the site master-planned to allow for the addition of an extra drier as well as a blending and canning plant. The company recently signed a third conditional
supply agreement with a respected European multi-national distributor of dairy products for the supply of nutritional milk powders and anhydrous milk fat (AMF). As a result, 34% of the spray drying plant’s production total capacity and 50% of AMF production capacity has now been committed, it says. HVN chief executive Greg Wood says its strategy of offering manufacturing capability that caters for a range of milk and ingredient types to align with customer formulation needs, at a costeffective price point, is resonating with a range of potential customers. “We are able to offer this product-mix capability through innovative design and modelling of the plant, which is not typically available on existing infrastructure.”
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DAIRY NEWS NOVEMBER 9, 2021
10 // NEWS
Vaccines mandatory for awards ORGANISERS OF the Ballance Farm Environment Awards say this year’s programme will proceed despite interruptions caused by Covid. All entrants and judges will need to be fully vaccinated. The New Zealand Farm Environment Trust, which runs the BFEA, says even with the disruptions caused by the changes to alert levels in Auckland, Northland and Waikato the awards have received “a pleasing number of entrants across the country”. However, it says there will be some adjustments to ensure the safety of all involved. “Our regional committees have worked hard with the farmers and growers in their communities to ensure a worthwhile and rewarding programme can be completed,” says Joanne van Polanen, trust chair. “It is more important than ever that the great initiatives and work being done by farmers and growers is being celebrated and shared with others.” The BFEA programme has been slightly adapted to make it safer and less onerous
Covid Protection Framework, for entrants given the curit is the trust’s policy that all rent Covid-19 situation. BFEA entrants are required This includes the requireto be vaccinated. ment for all judges and “We hope that entrants entrants to be vaccinated will appreciate that this deciand one round of judging sion is in the best interests of being used to complete the all involved. full judging process, thus “Through our regional limiting the amount of connetworks, partners, sponsors tact between entrants and and entrants across the counthe judging panels. try, we have a large number of “Whilst we have had people involved in the awards to change our usual pro- Joanne van Polanen and we need to ensure we are cesses in an effort to keep our people and participants safe, we have running a safe programme for all.” New to the 2021/2022 awards procarefully planned and adapted our usual practices to ensure that judging is still gramme is the Catchment Group Award thorough and complete and entrants will that recognises the efforts of a rural comstill receive the valuable feedback that munity group working together to improve makes entering the awards so worth- water quality in local rivers, streams, lakes and wetlands. while,” says van Polanen. While entries for the standard awards She says while organisers respect that individuals have the right to choose programme are now closed, the BFEA whether or not to be vaccinated, the com- regional groups continue to work with munity nature of the programme includ- NZ Landcare Trust to encourage catching awards functions and field day events ment groups to enter this new award, with means that to align with the Government’s entries closing at the end of November.
Always on target
COVID HINDERS CEO SEARCH FARMER CO-OPERATIVE LIC says its search for a new
chief executive has been impacted by current restrictions imposed by Covid-19. It has made an acting appointment: chief financial officer David Hazlehurst takes over as acting chief executive on December 1. Chairman Murray King says the board has made good progress with the recruitment. “We have been impressed by a number of high calibre applicants, however Covid-19 restrictions have impeded our ability to complete this process, so as an interim measure we are appointing David Hazlehurst in an acting capacity.” Hazlehurst joined LIC in 2019. Prior to that he was chief financial officer for Zespri and before that held various senior finance management roles with NZ Steel, Lion Nathan, Oxygen Business Solutions and Fonterra (in NZ and Germany). King says appointing a chief executive is one of the most important jobs of a board. “So, we will take the time to get it right. We know the co-op will be in good hands with David in the meantime.” Current chief executive Wayne McNee steps down on November 30 after nearly nine years in the role. King says the board is grateful that Hazlehurst has agreed to assist when McNee ends his tenure. “We wish Wayne all the very best with his future endeavours. The last eight years with Wayne have been a big eight years for LIC. He has led the business through a period of significant growth and transformation, and he leaves the co-op in good shape.”
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DAIRY NEWS NOVEMBER 9, 2021
NEWS // 11
Hefty fines for failure to register NAIT animals A DARGAVILLE farmer who failed to register 500 animals under the National Animal Identification and Tracing (NAIT) scheme has been fined $14,000. Cameron Lloyd Banicevich (46), who runs beef and dairy herds, was sentenced in a reserved decision at the Dargaville District Court last month on one charge under the NAIT Act following an MPI prosecution. The Court released the decision last week. Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) regional manager animal welfare and NAIT compliance, Brendon Mikkelsen, says it is critical that people in charge of NAIT animals register them in the system. “Just putting NAIT tags on the animals is not enough. We take the situation very seriously. “Our ability to track and trace cattle and deer through the NAIT system is a critical factor in managing biosecurity threats which could have a devastating impact on New Zealand’s agricultural sector.” In December 2019, the
Government increased the penalty for failing to register NAIT animals tenfold, meaning the maximum fine was increased from $10,000 to $100,000. In July 2020 Banicevich received an infringement for not registering 68 animals. By August, he had been contacted by a NAIT officer and at that stage had only one animal registered. Following an onfarm census, he had registered 729 animals by the end of September. Meanwhile, another Dargaville farmer was also sentenced earlier this month for not registering 386 cattle under the NAIT Act. Beef farmer Athol Ross Freidrich (63) was fined $8,550 in the Dargaville District Court, after earlier pleading guilty to three charges under the NAIT Act. The court released the decision last week. Despite being reminded of his obligations under the NAIT system and being sent educational material, MPI found that between 5 August, 2019 and 21 February 2020, 386 unreg-
istered cattle had been moved to meat processing facilities, sale yards and private NAIT locations.
“People in charge of NAIT animals need to understand that placing a NAIT tag on an animal
is only half the job. The other half is the linking of the individual animal to their tag by register-
ing them into the NAIT system. If this is not done the management of biosecurity threats such as M.
bovis, through the tracing of animal movements, is compromised,” Mikkelsen says.
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South Waikato has unveiled its new brand. Olam Food Ingredients (ofi) says its new identity taps into themes and colors which reflect its ability to drive innovation in all areas of its business. The company is an offshoot of Singapore-based conglomerate Olam Foods. It has started work on a new milk plant at Tokoroa. Ofi chief executive Ananthraman Shekhar says the new brand reflects the supply chain heritage of Olam but equally signals its exciting aspirations for the future. “We are innovating across all areas of our business, right from plant to palate.” The first stage of the greenfield project on an 11ha site in Tokoroa involves construction of a spray dryer facility. Additional facilities will be added over time. The new plant will initially make wholemilk powders, with a focus on high-spec, customised powders for its global customers.
MPI says it’s critical that people in charge of NAIT animals register them in the system.
*Baron Market Data Q2 2020.
DAIRY NEWS NOVEMBER 9, 2021
12 // NEWS
Waikato farmer makes a splash on social media JESSICA MARSHALL jessica@ruralnews.co.nz
SOCIAL MEDIA has
proven to be a great tool for Waikato farmer Andrew Macky. Macky, who spoke at a recent Small Milk and Supply Herds (SMASH) online event hosted on YouTube and Facebook, runs a YouTube and Instagram account, The Once a Day Farmer where he posts videos and photos of life on a Kiwi dairy farm to a global audience. The Waikato farmer is based on his family’s farm near Te Awamutu. The farm, milking once-a-day, is based on 100ha of land, and milks 320 cows.
“I get a real kick out of it,” he says of his social media accounts. “I’ve seen other dairy farmers around the world doing it, but nobody here was that into it.” Macky has a fairly global reach, with 3463 Instagram followers from South America and the United Kingdom as well as New Zealand. His YouTube account has approximately 10,600 subscribers. “I got into it about a year ago now, and I try and post two videos a week on YouTube to try and keep subscribers and content rolling. “I’d seen other dairy farmers around the world doing it on YouTube and I found some of it quite
Waikato farmer Andrew Macky says he gets “a real kick” out of his social media accounts.
interesting, but nobody was really that big into it here in New Zealand,” he
says. Macky says he thought there was a gap in the
market there because “I’d say we have one of the best farming systems
in the world, having all of our cows outside the whole year and limited infrastructure compared to what they have”. “So, I thought I’d give it a go; I had nothing to lose so I bought a camera and started filming.” He says there’s scope for other farmers to get involved in social media, but it’s difficult to get into it and with little reward. “I’m only really just scratching the surface at the moment.” However, Macky says the feedback he has received on his videos and posts has been great. “They love it. I get a lot of farmers commenting on the once-a-day system.”
He says that while most of his following comes from the UK and Ireland, there are a fair few South Americans who respond to his videos with questions about things like labour issues and running a low-cost system. “But it’s cool hearing from just so many people that like them, obviously, some people don’t and it’s very far and few between.” He thinks his point of difference from other farmers who are popular on social media is the combination of the oncea-day milking system he uses and that he milks Jersey cows. @dairy_news facebook.com/dairynews
WE-9002845AE
DAIRY NEWS NOVEMBER 9, 2021
NEWS // 13
Farmers seek Govt backing DAIRY FARMERS want the Government to work more closely with the sector. Views of 425 farmers, collected as part of DairyNZ’s ‘View from the Cowshed’ survey, show they are getting fed up of regulatory changes coming from the Government. DairyNZ chief executive Tim Mackle says it’s critical the Government work more closely with farmers to support investment in research and development, so farmers can continue working to reduce their environmental footprint while maintaining profitability. “This year’s survey indicates farmers are making on-farm changes to improve their environmental management and their workplaces, but are feeling under pressure from constant regulatory changes,” says Mackle. “We want to see more focus on ensuring regulations are fair, practical and don’t overburden farmers with too many different requirements.”
DairyNZ chief executive Tim Mackle says farmers are feeling the pressure of constant regulatory changes.
Matamata dairy farmer Sam Owen, pictured with his family, believes a combination of things are causing mental health issues in rural communities.
Dairy is New Zealand’s leading export sector, employs 50,000 Kiwis and is forecast to contribute over $40 billion to economy this year. Mackle says it’s important for our country’s success that farmers are supported to keep contributing to New Zealand. Of those farmers surveyed, 57% said changing Government regulations are causing them stress, with 55% also saying perception of
dairy farmers by the public and in media was also keeping them up at night. A further 67% of farmers feel there isn’t enough support for farmers dealing with mental health issues. Positively, the survey revealed 70% of farmers surveyed have a Farm Environment Plan – a key tool farmers use to identify and manage environmental risks through adopting good farming practices.
TEN WAYS TO HELP 1. Slow down the speed and scale of regulatory change farmers are facing Farmers know a shift is needed but there is too much at once, and it’s uncoordinated. Farmers are feeling overloaded. 2. Help the sector overcome our workforce challenges Supporting clear pathways into dairy jobs for local and international workers. 3. Actively partner with farmers and rural communities Support farming communities to drive change behind the farm gate that will lead to better environmental outcomes when it comes to the climate, water quality and biodiversity. 4. Set a clear strategy for R&D We need a good strategy that is properly resourced to help us tackle the big challenges we face as a country. Science is the solution to many of our challenges. 5. Proudly champion our world-leading split gas approach internationally Advocate for split gas and the exploration of alternative metrics like GWP* that better reflect the warming impact of methane. 6. Invest significantly in improved digital connectivity Our rural communities don’t have adequate broadband or mobile coverage. This is an enabler that will unlock multiple benefits for our sector. 7. Give farmers certainty and rule out DIN Categorically rule out consideration of a national bottom line for Dissolved Inorganic Nitrogen (DIN). There are better ways to achieve the freshwater outcomes we all want. 8. Work with us on biosecurity Work with industry to prioritise implementing recommendations from the independent review of M. bovis, address essential system gaps and work with industry to enable a streamlined, efficient model for biosecurity readiness and responses. 9. Remove the ute tax Exempt farmers from the ‘ute tax’ until low emission alternatives are readily available in New Zealand that are fit-for-purpose on farm. 10. Rework the National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity In consultation with farmers, ensure the NPS will meet our biodiversity objectives, while also working for landowners.
“Dairy farmers are operating in a complex environment and managing a lot of challenges. Around half previously reported being shortstaffed and 45% don’t have the internet ser-
vice they need to efficiently run farm operations,” says Mackle. In the past two years, the Government has proposed changes to policy on freshwater management, wintering, climate change, biodiversity and vehicle taxes which would all significantly impact on farmers.
These issues may have contributed to 32% of farmers saying they feel less positive about farming than 12 months ago – despite strong milk prices. Only 17% reported they felt more positive. Matamata dairy farmer Sam Owen says there isn’t one cause of mental health issues in
rural communities. “It’s a combination of things like the labour market, changing regulations and negative media. Most people can cope with one thing, but when there are lots of things coming at you at once, it can push you over the edge.” DairyNZ has compiled ten recommendations to address farmer concerns. The organisation will issue a copy of The View from the Cowshed report to all members of Parliament and request meetings to discuss the findings. “We know these issues aren’t going to go away overnight, but making these ten changes would make a real difference to the lives and wellbeing of rural New Zealanders,” Mackle says.
DAIRY NEWS NOVEMBER 9, 2021
14 // OPINION RUMINATING
EDITORIAL
Taking our message global
MILKING IT... Not so green
No challengers!
Lab-grown fad
SO THE ‘COP26’ climate talkfest in Glasgow got off to a strong start by declaring yet another ‘climate emergency’, starting as they meant to go on – by blowing hot air. Empty pledges, and attacks on farmers, followed. In case the world didn’t understand the hypocrisy of – in the age of video conferencing – flying 25,000 people around the globe to attend COP26, the US President Joe Biden made it crystal clear by arriving in a cavalcade of some 20 huge vehicles, many of them flown in for the occasion. Housing some of the COP26 officials were two massive diesel-powered cruise liners docked nearby. Many of the ‘VIPs’ were shuttled to the venue in EVs. So many EVs, in fact, that there weren’t enough charging stations for them – a problem solved by rolling in diesel generators. You can’t make this stuff up.
WHILE NO official statement has come yet from Fonterra Co-operative Council, Milking It understands that for the first time ever, there are only three candidates for board elections. And they are sitting directors – chairman Peter McBride, John Nichols and Leonie Guiney – all retiring by rotation and seeking re-election. With three vacancies and three candidates, an election will still need to take place as rules stipulate that a candidate must get at least 50.01% of the votes to be elected. But with no one challenging the status quo, it seems farmer shareholders are happy with the direction of their co-op. This also bodes well for the capital structure revamp, spearheaded by McBride. It will need 75% support from voting farmers at the co-op’s AGM next month to pass.
IN A classic case of promising big and delivering little, lab-grown ‘meat’ startup, Upside Foods, formerly Memphis Meats, has lost two key employees in recent weeks – co-founder Nicholas Genovese and vice president KC Carswell – as skepticism about the business model grows. This is a company whose investors include billionaires Bill Gates and Richard Branson and raised US$200 million in 2016 on the promise of delivering lab-grown meat by 2021. It is still awaiting US regulatory approval. Milking It suspects the hype around lab-grown protein may prove to have been a lot of hot air!
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What public consultation? SO MUCH for public consultation! Did Cabinet sign off the Three Waters mandate four days before the summary of submissions for and against was completed? One former Mayor of Christchurch thinks so. He claims Cabinet papers recommending the decision were signed off on October 18. Four days later, the summary of submissions from local government were completed and sent to the minister’s office. It was never anything but a done deal, despite the promises of proper consultation, he says. Just gives weight to the perception that all the Government decisions are made by a small group on the ninth floor of the Beehive without any real input from outside.
DAIRY FARMERS are hoping that the world gets a glimpse of the unique split gas approach being taken by New Zealand to reduce agriculture emissions. They are hoping that Climate Change Minister James Shaw will go into bat for Kiwi dairy farmers and the world-leading split gas approach at the UN climate change conference, COP26. New Zealand has a good story to tell: we are the world’s lowest emissions dairy milk producer. On the global scene, NZ is a small contributor to global emissions. And to do better, NZ aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from both long-lived gases (carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide) and short-lived gases (biogenic methane). A split gas approach highlights the difference between short and long-lived gases and their individual impact on warming. Methane is the main greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide. It has a higher heat-trapping potential than carbon dioxide but breaks down in the atmosphere faster – meaning that cutting methane emissions can have a rapid impact on reining in global warming. Just days into the 13-day conference, world leaders pledged to cut methane emission levels by 30% by 2030. But the Global Methane Pledge is missing three of the top-five emitters: China, Russia and India. New Zealand dairy farmers want COP26 to go further. DairyNZ wants to see an international agreement on split gas, because although methane does have an impact on shortterm warming – and certainly shouldn’t increase – keeping global warming under 1.5C is dependent on reducing longlived gases. DairyNZ chief executive Tim Mackle says reducing carbon dioxide determines the overall level of warming and the speed. “We want to see other nations also legislating specific methane targets, and follow New Zealand’s lead.” New Zealand’s dairy sector is leading the world on climate change mitigations, while running successful businesses. “Being the lowest emissions producer of milk is no accident – it’s the result of a lot of hard work by dairy farmers.” And Mackle wants to see James Shaw make this point in Glasgow: NZ farmers are world leaders when it comes producing milk products with low emission footprint. But whether this message is heard in Glasgow or drowned out by the 400 private jets that have flown leaders, dignitaries and their officials to the talkfest remains to be seen.
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DAIRY NEWS NOVEMBER 9, 2021
OPINION / OBITUARY // 15
An amazing life as a vet COLIN HARVEY
GRAHAM WALLACE,
one the country’s oldest veterinary surgeons, passed away on October 29 in Auckland after a very long, active life of 96 years and short battle with cancer. Graham’s early life was in Auckland where he attended Auckland Grammar School. He started a BAgrSc degree at Massey College in 1945 but was enticed that year to veterinary study by the dearth of veterinarians needed after the War under the Veterinary Services Council Club System. The Bursary was funded equally between the Wool Board, Dairy Board and Meat Board and driven by Alan Leslie, a Hawera vet who Graham regarded as the father of the profession. The bursary was for study in Sydney as this was before the Massey Vet School began in 1963. Graham began for Sydney in 1945, shortly before VE and VJ Days, and he had to get to Sydney on the original Wahine avoiding a German raider still sinking ships in the Tasman. Graduating in 1949 and then marrying Joy Gemmell, he joined the Veterinary Club system as demanded by his Bursary and, after as practising student under Gordon Yockney at Papakura, had sole charge at Maungaturoto with 400 farmers and 20,000 cows that saw seven days a week from 6am to midnight for three months engrossed in difficult calvings and metabolic diseases. In 1952 Graham was enticed back to a quieter life in Auckland with the then Department of Agriculture (now MPI) for Tuberculosis and Brucellosis control plus quarantine. The highlight of that era was in 1959 being selected to represent New Zealand at a WHO seminar on zoonoses in Japan. Promotion in the department would have
meant a shift to Wellington and after soul searching with an established family in Auckland, he decided to take up an offer from the Wellcome Foundation under the Cooper name. Thus 1960 to 1987 enabled Graham to concentrate on his interest in microbiology and a change of philosophy from cure to prevention. For over 20 years he led the vaccine production laboratory at Otahuhu, Auckland. Wellcome were then leaders in animal vaccine manufacture. The Auckland Wellcome unit achieved a world first in the combination of a Pulpy Kidney vaccine (PK) with a tetanus antitoxin to give PK/ Antitet for use on lambs at docking, unique to New Zealand. They also made, over 50 years ago, the first multicomponent clostridial vaccine with a 16 week passive immunity claim (ewe to lamb) called Multine 5. Graham led the development of the first leptospira vaccine (Leptavoid) along with inactivated salmonella (Salvexin) as opposed to attenuated overseas products. The unit also made the first campylobacter vaccine (Campylovexin). In 1975 Graham was elected to NZVA on which he served until 1984, with 1981 and much of 1982 as president. In early 1984, Duncan MacIntyre, the Minister of Agriculture, asked vets to take the cost of the discipline rather than the taxpayer, so Graham, with Ken Thomson and Bill Manktelow, drafted The New Zealand College of Veterinarians Bill, 1984. After the merger of the Wellcome and TVL businesses, Graham retired in 1987 but remained a consultant to Wellcome and technical adviser to Ancare. He maintained an active interest in the agricultural industry until his death, regularly commenting on industry affairs. He was a widower for over 13 years with two
adult children (son and daughter), three grandchildren and two great grandchildren. He was also Glendowie Bowling Club president and
Probus Club president. • Colin Harvey is a businessman and former owner of Ancare. @dairy_news facebook.com/dairynews
Graham Wallace, one the country’s oldest veterinary surgeons, passed away recently.
1961 - 2021
YEARS
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DAIRY NEWS NOVEMBER 9, 2021
16 // AGRIBUSINESS
It’s not always the luck of the Irish MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz
WHILE THE annual Irish
Ploughing Championships (The Ploughing), normally held in September, has been cancelled for the second time because of Covid, one key aspect of the event – innovation awards – has taken place remotely. Featuring a wide range of entries and unique ideas, often by hands-on farmers seeking solutions for day to day problems, as usual the imagination and solutions and development offered some real benefits. Brandon Bioscience took out the overall 2021 Innovation Award for its work centred around the efficient use of nitrogen fertiliser. That work involved creating a granular, mineral-based nitrogenous fertilisers coated with the PSI 362, precision engineered, seaweed-derived (Ascophyllum nodosum) biomolecules to allow more efficient use of N by crops, with yields maintained, despite using up to 25% less fertiliser. Centred around plant bio-stimulation, with the industry predicted to grow to €8 billion by 2027, the Terra range of fertilisers induces signalling to the crop to take up more of the 70%
The Terra range of fertilisers induces signalling to the crop to take up more of the 70% of applied nitrogen that is normally unavailable to the crop in traditional fertilisers.
of applied nitrogen that is normally unavailable to the crop in traditional fertilisers. Extensively tested over the last five years, in grass and arable crops, the product was launched to the Irish market in 2021, with the intention to develop sales in Europe and beyond, featuring the incorporation of PSI 362 technology to enable a 20% reduction of nitrogen fertiliser usage across all sectors of agriculture. Moving to a more practical idea, the Crush Mate is a unique handling device designed to restrict the sideways movement of smaller breeds or younger animals in traditional crush or racebased handling systems. Typically used for
procedures such as freeze branding, insemination or drenching, Crush Mate is also said to be beneficial to introducing young heifers to the practical use of robotic milking systems. Mounted on the left or right side of a crush or race, the overall width can be adjusted to suit the size of the animal, helping to keep procedures safe, while also saving time by stopping an animal from fidgeting. The brainchild of dairy farmer Seamus Dunne and developed over a 10-year period with numerous prototypes, the device successfully took out the On-Farm Innovation Award-Alfie Cox Founders Perpetual Trophy. (www.crushmate. ie)
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At the other end of the spectrum, the winner of the UCD Lyons Agritech Award, Fodder Box, with the dimensions of an oversized shipping container is said to be the equivalent of 40 acres of land, which can grow around 1 tonne of fresh fodder daily. Hydro Fodder is said to replace grain feed at a ratio of 2:1, so 2 tons of Hydro Fodder replaces 1 ton of grain feed, representing a significant yearly cost saving. At an estimated cost of €60,000, and requiring just seed, water and electricity, with a commitment of one hours labour a day for harvesting, cleaning and re-seeding, the hydroponic fodder system
is said to deliver many benefits. These include better digestive efficiency, reduced production of methane and ammonia, alongside increased weight gains, immunity and fertility in ruminants and mon-gastric animals. On the environmental front, the system helps to conserve land, does away with the need to use fertiliser and any potential leaching, while also helping to protect water quality. Fodder Box uses a drip and spray irrigation system, UV water filtration and a proprietary LED lighting system, with typical running costs of only €5 per day. @dairy_news
Fert co-op back as sponsor ORGANSERS OF the national dairy awards have retained another key sponsor. Ravensdown has renewed its sponsorship of the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards (NZDIA) for another two years. NZDIA general manager Robin Congdon says the farmer-owned co-operative brings a particular style to their sponsorship. “They care deeply about farmers and this is obvious through the Relief Milking Fund and that they want to be involved with education and development of farmers’ businesses and careers,” says Congdon. “With this level of industry support we are confident the awards will continue to celebrate and showcase best practice within the New Zealand dairy industry.” It’s been a mixed bag result for NZDIA on the sponsorship front. In June long-time national sponsor Westpac decided to part ways. However, DeLaval and Ravensdown are sticking with the NZDIA. Ravensdown acting general manager of customer relationships Gary Bowick says the co-operative remains absolutely committed to the awards. “The very deliberate process of celebrating success and raising the bar is one of the key reasons why the dairy sector is one of the most carbonefficient, community-minded and connected in the world. “As a co-operative, Ravensdown is all about community and our long-term sponsor partnerships like NZDIA reflect a commitment to those established farmers of today as well as the next generation of farming leaders. “Like every dairy leader who ever entered or considers entering, Ravensdown is positive while always looking for better ways to do the job. “That ‘hunger for better’ drives us and we see it mirrored in every aspect of the NZDIA community.” Entries to the 2022 NZDIA continue to be accepted online until December 1. Sponsors include DeLaval, Ecolab, Federated Farmers, Fonterra, Honda, LIC, Meridian Energy, and Ravensdown, along with industry partner DairyNZ. The 2022 National Awards Dinner will be returning to Christchurch for the first time since 2008 and will be held at Te Pae on May 14.
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DAIRY NEWS NOVEMBER 9, 2021
MANAGEMENT // 17
Canterbury’s sheep milking pioneers NIGEL MALTHUS
BREEDING THE best dairy sheep for South Island conditions while developing the markets and processing capacity to support others into the industry are the twin goals of Canterbury sheep milking pioneers Matt and Tracey Jones. They have been milking sheep only since 2019 but are already selling their own cheeses under the Jones Family Farm brand and are about to add fresh bottled milk to the range. They are also forging ahead with expansion plans. As processors, they already collect milk from five other sheep milk producers and hope one day to service the whole South Island. Meanwhile, their Sabelle brand range of sheep milk-based skin and body care products has won a place among the finalists of this year’s prestigious Champion Canterbury Awards. Matt and Tracey’s farm and small processing factory are near Kirwee, on the main road from Christchurch to the West Coast. They began milking sheep only in August 2019, and only in February this year held an open day on the farm as a way of publicly introducing themselves to the industry. Matt Jones, who is also the man behind converting the former Winchmore Research Station
A before-and-after photo of a pair of the Jones’ milking sheep show two of the desirable breeding traits they are striving for - a good udder conformation and easy-care bare undersides. Matt and Tracey Jones with their milking flock on their farm at Kirwee, in Canterbury.
GENETIC GAINS A SURVEY conducted just before Covid counted 22 farms in New Zealand milking sheep, with animals averaging 57kg milk solids from 220 litres in a lactation period. Matt Jones now has animals through embryo importation whose dams have done 180MS and 1000l a lactation. “That’s the significant growth and potential that we’ve actually got as an industry, because we are starting from a really low base of genetics.”
near Ashburton into an agriculture training institute in 2019, says dairy sheep are 50% to 70% better for the environment than “our bovine friends.” The February open day attracted about 300 people, many of them sheep and arable farmers looking for alternative opportunities or industry people wanting to just
With another sheep-milking pioneer, Keith Neylon of Blue River Dairy, Southland, the Joneses are looking at setting up a farmer’s coop to help give others a start in the industry. “The genetic base was very small. Our ability to really stretch those genetics and develop the animals is really high,” says Jones. “And New Zealand farmers are a really good at grass-feeding animals, driving production, and cost-effective farming.”
see what was going on, he says. “And about a third were dairy farmers who were looking at alternatives because they are starting to get restricted in the way that they intensively farm their operations.” The Joneses run about 600 ewes on a 48ha milking platform with about another 300ha providing
feed support. They operate a hybrid system with pastures of predominantly lucerne, red clover, or a clover, plantains and chicory mix, plus a daily ration mix of lucerne silage with added grains and minerals. They start lambing the main herd on July 25, and separate the lambs at four days. The lambs go onto
ad-lib milk from automatic feeders (which mix milk from powder on demand and serve it warm) until about 20 to 25 days, with muesli and lucerne silage also available to them. Milking is currently twice a day through a herringbone shed with 12 sets of cups a side. “We have in-line meters and monitor the ID tags, to measure performance every day, because this is sort of a pilot farm that we operate here,” says Jones. “Everything’s always been fully recorded for the last 10 years, but it wasn’t until February this year that we put our hand up and said to everybody what we were doing, on a public basis.” Jones is putting a lot of work into breeding “that South Island animal that can handle our environment.”
“It’s got to have good feet, it’s got to be able to walk. It’s got to have a long lactation. It’s got to handle the climate and give us a lamb-and-a-half or a lamb-and-three-quarters. We don’t want triplets and quads all the time.” He says New Zealand’s milking sheep stock has come from a very small base of East Friesians – just nine ewes and six rams that arrived in 1996. He says East Friesians are a soft breed with soft feet. But he has been importing embryos and semen from Europe to improve the stock. He has used Lacaunes from Southern France – the breed most commonly used for roquefort cheese production – and has also turned to a breed from the Pyrenees called Manech tête rousse. “That comes off the mountains, so it’s a lot hardier. It’s a little bit
smaller and it milks extremely well. “But the East Friesian is the engine room and we need to build an animal around that. “So the Lacaune gives us some really nice udder conformation, good teat placement, fast letdown during milking. But it is a soft animal, it’s not born with much wool, has feet issues as an East Friesian does. “So the Manech is starting to give us some hardiness and a bit of vigour in handling the different weather conditions and extremes that we have.” The breeding effort is already bearing fruit. Jones says his flock is very young, made up of 40% to 45% hoggets, 40% second lactation, and the rest mixed-age ewes. But the hoggets are already out-milking the old ewes. “That’s just genetics. Really we’re starting to move that needle.”
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DAIRY NEWS NOVEMBER 9, 2021
18 // MANAGEMENT
Why it’s never too late to plant REPORTS ARE coming in from across the country indicating the cold and wet spring has meant many farmers and contractors planting crops are behind with their planting schedule. This is especially true when you compare it with the previous two seasons, where a drier-than-normal winter was followed by a relatively dry spring. Whenever we get wet springs, we seem to get the same question…. “It is now mid-November, is it too late to plant my maize silage?” And like it seems is true for most important things in life, the answer is, “It depends”. So, before I seek to answer this question, let me cover off a few points that will help frame the answer for you. When it is too risky to plant small seeds, you can usually plant maize Unlike the seed of many crops including brassicas and chicory, maize seed is large. This makes it very resilient to weather fluctuations resulting in a wide planting window. In fact, in New Zealand maize silage crops can be planted into December and still produce reasonable yields. In seasons where brassica crops establishment has failed and the re-planting window for brassicas has closed, maize silage is often planted as a substitute.
Maize is a warm weather tolerant plant Maize has a different way of producing sugars to grow compared to most other crop species (e.g. turnips). This biological advantage combined with a deep root system means that during the summer months, maize silage can produce up to three times more dry matter than many other plants that like cooler conditions. Also, because maize growth is largely driven by temperature, planting later in spring means that there is more heat available and the warmer it gets, the faster it grows. Maize roots travel deep into the soil to get water We used to say that maize roots can grow up to two thirds the height of the plant. Work by the Pioneer research team showed that maize roots can grow much deeper than that. Maize roots were recorded growing to deeper than 3.5 m allowing them to aggressively scavenge water and nutrients. Maize has a wide range
Maize seeds are large and are very resilient to weather fluctuations resulting in a wide planting window.
of maturities which give increased flexibility to the farmer The length of time it takes for maize plant to go from planting to a harvested crop is determined by two main factors. These are hybrid maturity and temperature. You cannot control weather (e.g., temperature), but you can control the hybrid you plant. The Pioneer line-up includes hybrids that require relatively small amounts of heat to reach maturity right through to hybrids needing a lot of heat to get them to harvest. This gives the grower a huge
amount of choice in terms of target planting and harvesting dates. There has been New Zealand research done looking at this very question As part of his PhD, my colleague Rowland Tsimba looked at the impact of weather on the ideal planting date for different maize maturities. He found that the planting window for each hybrid was far wider than we first thought. He also found that as you plant maize outside of the ideal window, yield does decline. However historically we didn’t know how
much yield was lost with later planting. Rowland developed a model to predict potential yield loss due to delayed planting. So given the above, is late November or early December too late to plant maize? Rowland’s research showed there was a big variation between seasons and regions. However, his modelling work also showed that provided the right hybrid maturity was selected, maize planted in late November in the Northland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty or Manawatu had ≥90% chance of successfully reaching
silage maturity and yield between 85% and 94% of its maximum yield potential. Rowland and his team conducted some research where they compared maize planted on the 20th of October and the 20th of November. Despite a month’s difference in planting date, there was only a 15-day difference to silking and the difference was just over a week at silage harvest time. So, from a maize development or yield perspective, late November is not too late to plant maize. If you need to plant any later than that, con-
tact your local Pioneer area manager and they will be able to get someone to run the model for you to help you make an informed decision. Lastly, it isn’t all just about maize. When considering things at a farm level, you do need to consider any impact later planting may have on other important farm activities particularly regrassing. Choosing the right hybrid to ensure you get your pasture in on time is important. • Ian Williams is a Pioneer forage specialist. Contact him at iwilliams@genetic. co.nz.
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DAIRY NEWS NOVEMBER 9, 2021
ANIMAL HEALTH // 19
Jerseys shine in large Waikato business IN JIM and Debra Kirkham’s Waikato-
based farming operation, Jerseys are outperforming the other breeds, claims Jersey Advantage New Zealand. The 582-cow Jersey herd, which is part of the wider Kirkham group, outperformed both their Friesian and crossbreed counterparts across a range of key performance indicators including production per hectare, production per cow, and farm working expenses. The Jersey herd averaged 465 kgMS/ cow – well over 100% of their liveweight - and 2068 kgMS/ha. That was 4% higher than the Friesian herd and 11% higher than the crossbreed herd on a per cow basis, according to Jersey Advantage. On a per hectare basis the Jersey’s performance was even more impressive at 7% higher than the Friesian herd and 20% higher than the crossbred herd. The Kirkham’s farming business consists of four dairy farms milking over 2700 cows in total, as well as a calf rearing and grazing unit. Within the wider operation are three dairy farms all located in a close radius, 10km south of Te Awamutu. “The cluster of three farms are within a stone’s throw of each other. They are run under the same management and feed systems, with comparable contour and pasture growth which puts us in a unique position of being able to make these comparisons,” says Brad Eyre, operations manager. Brad, the Kirkham’s nephew, joined the business 13 years ago, starting as a contract milker before progressing to operations manager in 2016. Brad admits that when he started with the Kirkham Group, he was not in favour of maintaining the Jersey herd. “When I first came to the farm I wanted to cross the Jersey herd,” says Brad. However, that didn’t eventuate and now the group have a Jersey herd (Pepi
Jersey Advantage claim Jerseys are outperforming other breeds at one large farming business in Waikato.
Oaks), a Friesian herd (Allen Oaks) and crossbreed herd (Oakwood) as part of their home cluster at Tokanui, with a further dairy farm at Waiterimu, milking crossbreed cows. The three central farms are stocked at a similar liveweight per hectare and have the same inputs including maize, palm kernel, kiwifruit, and grass silage. While Jersey’s efficiency is well proven, it is sometimes argued that the per animal costs associated with a higher stocking rate can offset the advantage. This is something that the Kirkham’s figures challenge. “Pepi Oaks has the lowest farm working expenses of all three farms in the cluster at $4.37/kgMS,” says Brad. The other two farms in the cluster
have farm working expenses of $4.86 (Friesian herd) and $4.77 (crossbreed herd). So, what sets the Jersey herd apart? Jim believes that the quality of the herd has something to do with it but also puts the success of his Jerseys down to the efficiency of the breed and their suitability to their system 4 operation. “Pepi Oaks sits comfortably within the top 5% of New Zealand herds for both breeding worth and production worth and was established by my father back in 1975 so there is a lot of history behind it.” Jim’s Dad came to Te Mawhai in 1960 and originally milked shorthorns but after an outbreak of TB had to cull
his herd, replacing it with Jerseys. “Dad purchased a line of heifers from Hodable Farms who were the first people in New Zealand to do artificial breeding.” “It was a good line of stock and we continued the practice of artificially breeding yearlings, something we have done with all our herds.” The combination of Premier Sires and AB mating yearlings for 30 years has helped to drive genetic gain. Pepi Oaks have a breeding worth (BW) of 194 and a production worth (PW) of 220, while Allen Oaks (Friesian) has a breeding worth of 110 and production worth of 124, and Oakwood (crossbreed) a breeding worth of 127 and production worth of 140.
The same approach to mating is taken with all three herds – with four weeks of AB followed by 4 weeks running bulls, and finishing with two weeks of short gestation semen. This year the farms will use sexed semen for the first two weeks of AB over the top 25% BW cows and put the bottom 20% to beef. So, are there plans to convert to all Jersey? For now, the group is happy to have a foot in each camp when it comes to their breeding. “These things tend to be cyclical, but right now we are very happy with the performance of our Jersey herd,” says Brad. “My grandad will certainly be happy I didn’t cross the Jerseys.”
DAIRY NEWS NOVEMBER 9, 2021
20 // ANIMAL HEALTH
TB slaughter levy trimmed FARMERS ARE now paying a smaller TB slaughter levy. From October 1, the TB differential slaughter levy (DSL) for dairy cattle has dropped by $1 to $9 per head. Beef animals are now levied at $5.50 reduced from $6.30. The levy has been in place since August 2016. Ospri says the TB levy rate was amended as a result of the wider review, as part of an agreement between the livestock industries (beef, dairy and deer) and government. The new TB levy rates take into account the different financial contributions to the TBfree programme intended to be made over the life of the plan by the dairy and beef industries. It is managed by assigning the correct
KE Y TIPS Keep your NAIT ac count up to date. This includes recording movements on an d off your property and reviewing anim al production type for any livestock being consigned to slaug hter. ■ If finishing dairy animals as be ef, the production type mu st always be upda ted in the NAIT system 62 days before se nding to slaughter; othe rwise the animals will be charged the dairy levy. ■ For untagg ed animals, the me at processors will use the prima ry farm level (NAIT number) production type for charging the TB sla ughter levy. ■
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For unregistered an imals, the meat processors will us e the tag level pro duction type for charging the TB slaughter lev y. TB slaughter levy has come down for dairy farmers.
animal production types in the NAIT system. Account holders can assign their required production type, dairy or beef, which determines what levy is charged at the time of slaughter.
When farmers are tagging and registering their animals, they select the correct production type for their livestock in the NAIT system. When purchasing animals, farmers need to
make sure animal production types are correct after the movement onto their property is confirmed. If an animal’s production type is dairy when it is sent to slaugh-
ter, the farmer will be charged the dairy levy for that animal. If the production type of the animal is changed from dairy to beef – and stayed on a beef farm for more than
62 days – the farmer will be charged the beef levy. When buying animals on a regular basis, a livestock agent or information provider might help with updating the produc-
tion types of animals. For untagged animals, meat processors use the primary farm level (NAIT number) production type to determine what levy rate should be charged.
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DAIRY NEWS NOVEMBER 9, 2021
DAIRY GOATS & SHEEP // 21
Liver function key to performance CHRIS BALEMI
WHEN PEOPLE think of liver function, they usually have a very vague concept around the filtering and cleansing of blood. The liver performs this particular function, but it also does many other things. The liver is one of the most complex of all the body’s organs, and it is no different when it comes to goats. Performing numerous important functions for the body, below we have listed just a few of the more key functions of the liver. Key functions of the liver: ■ The production of bile - bile clears waste products. ■ Produces many of the essential blood proteins - among them are albumin, ferritin, and cholesterol. ■ Creates lipoproteins that transport fats throughout the body. ■ Controls energy - the liver rapidly converts glucose to glycogen (storage), and then rapidly converts glycogen back to glucose as the body cells require energy. ■ Regulates amino acids - these are the building blocks of protein within the blood and are involved in regulating (storing and releasing) minerals such as iron and copper among others, in the haemoglobin. ■ Converts excess ammonia to urea - urea being a waste byproduct of protein digestion. ■ Clears environmental toxins from the blood - these are commonly feed-based toxins, which include a variety of aflatoxins, mycotoxins, and ergot toxins. ■ Detects and clears bacteria and viruses that arrive from the gut. ■ Regulates blood clotting. ■ Clears bilirubin - this is a byproduct of red blood cell breakdown, which are constantly being recycled and reformed. These are just a few of the key processes of the liver. They are significant in controlling health and energy levels in the body. Moreover, each process is reliant on a healthy and fully functional liver. One of the most overlooked roles of the liver is the fact that it is the single most important organ for metabolising, releasing, and controlling energy production. Energy production of course happens at the cell level. The gatekeeper The liver could be considered a gatekeeper between the body and the environment. Even with the best diet, this organ works constantly to ensure the body has sufficient energy, while at the same time ensuring toxins are excluded as much as possible from other key organs and tissues. The liver suffers the stress connected to
METHYL DONORS The amino acids (methionine, choline and betaine), along with vitamins B12 and folate have been shown to have a positive effect on fatty liver disease in both humans and animals. A number of studies have shown that feeding higher levels of methionine, choline, betaine, and B12 can increase energy levels, support reproduction, and help mediate the effects of fatty liver disease in ruminants. In the body these amino acids are normally supplied and absorbed from bypass protein. Bacteria that have digested crude protein within the rumen, and then themselves been destroyed by the abomasum, are digested in the intestinal system. Simply supplying additional amino acids to the rumen is very inefficient, because rumen bacteria will digest them and convert them to ammonia – meaning only very small amounts of these amino acids will ever reach the intestine intact. When supplementing a ruminant with amino acids in order to insure they reach the intestine intact, they must be fed in a protected form. The best form of protection is to encapsulate the amino acids in rumen-stable fat coating, as this coating is robust enough to withstand the harsh rumen environment. Once in the intestine, the fat coating is quickly broken down and the amino acid is absorbed to the blood and carried to the liver.
its job of detoxifying and eliminating toxins and free radicals produced as a byproduct of energy production, as well as feed-based toxins and manmade chemical toxins. Liver function and health As this organ plays such a key role in energy production, it’s no surprise that metabolic diseases such as ketosis in ruminants can be so affected by poor liver function. Over-conditioning goats during the previous lactation, and during the period leading up to kidding is particularly problematic. Issues that ultimately lead to fatty liver disease can often go unnoticed in goats until it’s too late. For instance, a goat that is fully fed for production throughout the last lactation can easily become over-fat leading up to kidding. As the majority of the fat on a goat is internally stored, it may go unnoticed until it is too late. Over conditioning of goats has become such an issue that some overseas goat farmers have even resorted to milking their goats right through to the next kidding in order to keep condition levels in check. A healthy liver is all about balance Like the rest of the body, the liver requires a number of key nutrients
to function at an optimal level. The liver is unique among body organs in that it has capacity to regenerate cells, particularly when under challenge. Even when a liver is functioning normally, some liver cell damage will be constantly occurring. Key minerals & vitamins to support a milking goat’s liver function: Magnesium – helps with release of toxins in the blood allowing the liver to do its job more effectively. Copper – involved in anti-oxidation, reducing byproducts of energy metabolism, one of the most important functions of the liver. Zinc – plays a role in liver health through the regeneration of cells, as well as in anti-oxidation. Selenium – along with iodine, is involved in thyroid hormone production, as well as cell regeneration. Iodine – production of thyroid hormones, the liver is important in further synthesising these hormones. Vitamins such as B12 and B2 are important in methionine synthesis. Of course, many other vitamins and minerals will be important, but most should be present in the diet in sufficient quantity. • Chris Balemi is managing director, Agvance Nutrition Limited
“We milk 600 ewes in just 1 hour with this shed.“ Rhys Darby - WAIKATO 42 a-side GEA SR Rapid Exit swing-over parlour. Converting an obsolete herringbone 36 a-side shed back in June 2020, Rhys and the Darby family have added another string to their bow, with significantly less capital outlay – hoping to pay back their new install in just 3 years. Having built 2 dairy cow sheds with GEA in the past, Rhys says “GEA equipment lasts and works really well, with what we want”. Rhys enjoys the quickest and most efficient way of milking sheep, incorporating in-shed feeding and TopFlow S clusters for ultimate cluster alignment and a quick milking-out process. Each milking row is in, and then out in just 5 minutes - with it just taking 30 seconds to exit the stall, thanks to our Rapid Exit Stalling. Need breaking ground technology like Rhys? Watch his video and then call us for your free on-farm consult! 0800 GEA FARM Driving dairy efficiencies? We can help.
DAIRY NEWS NOVEMBER 9, 2021
22 // DAIRY GOATS & SHEEP
Diversification helps improve Sheep milking is a growing industry in New Zealand with a 50% increase in sheep milk producers between 2019 and 2021. Cited as sustainable and good for the environment, farmers and scientists see sheep dairy farming as a solution to reducing nitrogen (N) leaching and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. At the same time, sheep milk has a unique compositional and nutritional profile that makes it an ideal food source. CLEAN AND green, quality farming systems, being environmentally friendly and profitable and innovation are all the things that enable New Zealand products to fetch a premium worldwide. While sheep milk provides an opportunity for diversification, New Zealand is taking a very pragmatic approach – using research to endorse the sustainable reputation of New Zealand sheep milk products in international markets. The industry is working hard to improve efficiencies, reduce costs and focus on sustainability, namely soil and water
KEY POINTS ■
Milking 600 ewes in just over an hour, with 2 operators
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Converted an obsolete 36 a-side herringbone dairy parlour into a 42 a-side sheep milking parlour
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Goal to pay back the installation in just 3 years
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•30 second exit times per row, thanks to GEA’s Rapid Exit gates
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Swing over cluster set-up with GEA TopFlow S clusters
integrity, product traceability, nutrient-dense pastures and increased output. NZ Crown Research Institute, AgResearch, has been heavily involved with Sheep Milk NZ to determine the environmental footprint of sheep dairy-
ing with a specific focus on N leaching and GHG emissions. N leaching is the loss of nitrate as water drains through the soil profile, moving out of the range of plant rooting systems. It is recognised worldwide as an environmen-
Sheep milking has a smaller emissions footprint.
tal and economic concern. In New Zealand, agricultural systems have been identified as a significant contaminant source to underlying groundwater and surface water bodies. Nitrogen can also be lost via gaseous admissions
(e.g. nitrous oxide) to the atmosphere. Studies in 2017 and 2018 looked at N leaching on farms near Taupo in the North Island and Telford in the South Island. There was 50% more pasture growth and N
cycling in the sheep treatment compared to cow farms. They attributed this to less compaction of the soil and more even spread of urine. Urinary N extraction (kg/ha) was 50 percent less for sheep than cows too.
The studies also showed differences in the N leaching rate between low and high rainfall years and soil type. Light pumice soils had higher rates of N leaching than heavier clay soils. AgResearch has
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DAIRY NEWS NOVEMBER 9, 2021
DAIRY GOATS & SHEEP // 23
emissions profile stressed that these were preliminary findings and that further testing was needed. To address GHG emissions, the other major environmental challenge for farmers in New Zealand, AgResearch compared two cow systems with five sheep dairy systems. It showed that dry matter intake (production intensity) was the key driver of GHG emissions. And, whilst emissions per kg milk solids were similar, with a significantly higher return per hectare from sheep dairying, less intensification and reducing farm GHG emissions is possible. Fresh water is another important environmental issue for New Zealand. With livestock intensification and the need for high-producing pastures, farmers have resorted to using large amounts of fertiliser. Increased amounts of nitrate have ended up in waterways. Dry, hot summers result in an increase of algal blooms, which affect oxygen variability and creates oxygen extremes. Low and high oxygen extremes are lethal to life in the waterways. New Zealand scientists believe that if sheep milk has a smaller footprint on water quality than traditional New Zealand dairying, then the time is right for diversification.
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Rhys Darby has switched to milking sheep due to increasing environmental pressure on traditional dairying.
HAPPY CONVERT NEW ZEALAND farmer Rhys Darby is a recent convert to sheep milking – switching due to the increasing environmental pressure on traditional dairy. With GEA’s support, he has successfully converted a 36-a-side herringbone traditional dairy parlor into a 42-a-side sheep milking parlor with rapid exit stalling. With clever stalling and cluster solutions, they milk in half the time that other farms do. Rhys set up his sheep milking operation in June 2020 on the family dairy farm, west of Huntly in the Waikato. Starting out with 600 ewes, he has plans to expand to a flock of
1200 and pay back the new installation in just 3 years. Rhys utilises the TopFlow S Cluster – the latest generation of sheep cluster. Maximising ease of use and considerable time savings at cups-on, the TopFlow S is practical and gentle for the animal, while providing an uninterrupted, smooth milk flow that comes without the use of a claw. In-shed feeding and automated plant wash technology further contributes to better efficiency in Rhys’ shed. “We get excellent throughput, roughly five minutes per row. So, we’re milking 600 ewes in just over an hour.”
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Cost-effectively retrofit an existing shed to dairy sheep milking, without even breaking ground. Our milking systems are specifically engineered right here in New Zealand, with the added advantage of our global GEA expertise. Plus, all systems are customised to suit the NZ milking environment and of course, your farm. With market-leading solutions for retrofit conversions - either double-up or swing-over, we know how to get you more bang for less buck. Converting to sheep milking doesn't have to mean breaking dirt on a greenfield. If you have an existing plant, we can help convert it. 0800 GEA FARM
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DAIRY NEWS NOVEMBER 9, 2021
24 // DAIRY GOATS & SHEEP
Yili has bought a major stake in Chinese goat milk formula maker Ausnutria.
Yili’s move in China’s goat formula market CHINESE DAIRY giant Yili has bought
a stake in the country’s goat milk formula maker Ausnutria. Through a subsidiary Yili now owns nearly 35% of the company and becomes its largest shareholder. The deal is one of the biggest in the Chinese dairy industry in recent years. The partnership will strengthen Yili’s leadership in milk formula and facilitate the company’s entry into the nutrition products market. Infant formula featuring high growth rate and high value is a category that Yili will focus on. As one of the leaders in the infant formula market, Ausnutria has seized the opportunity offered by goat milk and emerged as an international dairy company covering infant formula, nutrition products, and other product categories. Kabrita, Ausnutria’s goat milk formula brand, has become a flagship product in China’s infant formula market. According to Nielson, Ausnutria has
had a share of over 60% in China’s market of imported goat milk formula for three consecutive years since 2018 and topped the world in total sales of goat milk formula. Pan Gang, chairman of Yili Group, said at the signing ceremony that as the two enterprises have much in common. “Yili recognizes the values, strategic layout, and the core team of Ausnutria. “In the years to come, Yili will bring into full play its strengths in terms of company size, brand building, channels and industrial chain to enable Ausnutria’s sound development over the long term. “The cooperation is expected to form synergy and blaze new trails in the fields of milk powder, dairy products, and other health food.” Yan Weibin, chairman of Ausnutria, says a strategic investor like Yili will not only create synergy along the industrial chain but also empower Ausnutria in terms of management and strategic planning.
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DAIRY NEWS NOVEMBER 9, 2021
MACHINERY & PRODUCTS // 25
Disco 4400 takes a wider cut INTERNATIONAL HARVESTING special-
ists Claas has increased its offering in the mounted mower arena with the new Disco Contour 4400. With a 4.2 metre working width, when paired with a 3m frontmounted unit, the duo can cover 7m working width, without the complexities or weight of a rear mounted “butterfly” set up. Taking many of the elements of its smaller
siblings, including the Maxi-Cut mower bed, Active Float suspension and a hydraulic, nonstop collision protection system, the design also features a central pivot point above the machine’s centre of gravity using a coil spring and vibration dampers. A pair of pivot arms at right angles to the direction of travel give excellent ground adaptation qualities, while oil displaced by the collisionprevention system moves
The new Disco Contour 4400.
to the suspension ram to create lift when an obsta-
cle is encountered. To reduce transport
height – a potential problem for a 4.2 metre cut-
ter-bar – the Claas vector folding arrangement sees the mower fold beyond vertical to 120 degrees, via an extension to the breakback ram, to a height of only 4m. The system also reduces load on the front axle by 50%, makes it easier to get into paddocks and removes the issue of “tail swing” seen on large mowers that fold rearwards behind the tractor. To overcome the issue of a 4m wide
swath, favourable in dry conditions but less so in the wet, the mower can be specified with a double swath laying configuration that works by placing extra swath drums on the fourth and fifth discs, resulting in one narrow and one wider swath. The format should prove useful when operating on wet ground as it avoids the crop being driven over and presents a greater surface area for drying compared to one single swath.
Since its launch in 1991 Väderstad has sold almost 28,000 machines to farmers worldwide.
30 YEARS AND COUNTING! VÄDERSTAD, ONE of the world’s
leading companies in tillage, seeding and planting, celebrates the 30th anniversary of the Rapid seed drill, that since its launch in 1991 Väderstad has sold almost 28,000 machines to farmers worldwide.
Featuring unique seed coulters and an ingenious seed depth control system, the original Rapid was developed to work in all soil conditions and undertake several operations at once. Nicknamed the universal or ‘Jeep’
of seed drills within the company, one of the major reasons for its success was the fact that it carried out seedbed preparation, levelling, drilling, and reconsolidation in one pass, while at the same time offering a reliable seeding result at a high
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working speed. Behind the seed coulters, the large packer wheels have become a real trademark of the Rapid, creating good seed-to-soil contact even in tougher soils. The offset of the packer wheels
sees every second wheel moved 190 mm rearwards on a separate axle, to offer lower vibration, higher drilling precision and a reduction of up to 25% in draught requirement. @dairy_news facebook.com/dairynews
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For more information call us on 06 370 0390 www.tulloch.nz Dealers located nationwide
DAIRY NEWS NOVEMBER 9, 2021
26 // MACHINERY & PRODUCTS
Fliegl boosts PFG fire power “Trailers now provide a realistic alternative, offering greater flexibility.”
MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz
POWER FARMING has announced its partnership with Fliegl Agrartechnik of Germany, manufacturers of an innovative, highquality range of trailers, muck spreaders and slurry tankers. Based to the east of Munich, close to the Austrian border, Fliegl has already seen some success in New Zealand with a previous small-scale importer and a factory backed operation in Otago for the last two years. The move to the Power Farming Group as the importer and distributor is sure to give the brand much greater traction. Like Power Farming, Fliegl is a family-owned company. It offers a range of transport solutions including trailers, muck
Fliegl is a family-owned company, offering a range of transport solutions including trailers, muck spreaders and slurry tankers.
spreaders and slurry tankers, the latter the bestseller in the home market. Of interest is the company’s range of ASW push off trailers that enables up to five times faster unloading and, through
compression during loading, up to 60% more capacity depending on the material being carried. Benefits of the system also include a much lower centre of gravity and far greater stability and safety
when compared to a conventional tipping trailer. Additionally, the trailers can be used for multitasking, with the standard rear door easily swapped for a grain discharge or muck spreading assembly.
Dedicated ADS muck spreaders, with capacities of 10-20 tonnes, also include push-off technology, ensuring an even feed to the spreading unit, a clean loading area when spreading is com-
plete, while the underfloor remains clean, unlike the conventional scraper floors. As an option, the ADS spreader can be retrofitted with a heavy duty back door to convert the spreader for use as a transport trailer. Fliegl offers a full range of vacuum tank slurry tankers from 8000 to 27,500 litres, configured for splash plate, trailing shoe or direct injection techniques, with options for GPS, proof of placement and quantity data Graeme Leigh, Power Farming general manager-machinery, says that over the last decade the NZ farm transport arena has changed considerably, from its typical reliance
on trucks. “Trailers now provide a realistic alternative, offering greater flexibility, alongside a reduction in soil compaction with the use of large tyre equipment,” says Leigh. “We have also seen the arrival and uptake of highspeed, high-horsepower tractors, while farm waste and effluent management has become a standalone industry. The extensive Fliegl range provides innovative and versatile solutions that allows us to help farmers meet the mounting demands, particularly as environmental pressures become more onerous” www.powerfarming. co.nz
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