Dairy News 5 April 2022

Groundswell rebuffs PM’s invite. PAGE 3

PASSION FOR JERSEYS

Oldest family-owned studs PAGE 22

DREAMS COME TRUE

IHC scheme turns 40 PAGE 10

APRIL 5, 2022 ISSUE 491 // www.dairynews.co.nz

THIRD TIME LUCKY! Waikato/BoP FMG Young Farmer of the Year Chris Poole, wife Emma Dangen and son Beau . PAGE 8

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DAIRY NEWS APRIL 5, 2022

NEWS // 3

Use your voting rights!

SUDESH KISSUN sudeshk@ruralnews.co.nz

Fieldays sticking to new dates. PG.11

Choosing the right milk replacer. PG.16

Power of beef genetics. PG.25

NEWS ������������������������������������������������������ 3-12 OPINION ���������������������������������������������� 14-15 MANAGEMENT ��������������������������������������16 ANIMAL HEALTH �����������������������������������17 MACHINERY & PRODUCTS ����������������������������������������������18 MATING ����������������������������������������������� 19-28

FARMERS UNHAPPY with the leadership of industry-good bodies should exercise their voting rights during director elections, says Federated Farmers president Andrew Hoggard.

He says boycotting a meeting with the Prime Minister because of issues with levy-paying bodies isn’t the right thing to do.

“We don’t get an audience with the PM every day,” he told Dairy News.

“I think it’s better to attend the meeting and take the opportunity to air your grievances.”

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern met – virtually – with agriculture industry leaders for 45 minutes late last week. Hoggard was also on the online Zoom call.

Ardern had also invited Groundswell, an organisation set up to organise national protests over regulations targeting the rural sector.

But Groundswell refused to attend, saying it expected a one-on-one meeting with the PM. Hoggard says the meeting ended up as a gathering of heads of industry bodies making up the He Waka Eke Noa primary sector climate action partnership.

Groundswell NZ co-founder Bryce McKenzie says it wants to meet Ardern and discuss “the impact of unworkable government policies on farmers and growers in New Zealand”.

“Groundswell NZ requested a meeting with the Prime Minister to discuss these unworkable policies, the Groundswell NZ alternatives,

Groundswell now claims to be NZ’s largest organisation in terms of subscribed grassroots farmers, growers, and supporters.

and the failure in representation of farmers and growers by the established industry bodies.

“The Prime Minister offered to let us sit in on her meeting with the very establishment organisations that have failed to represent farmers’ concerns, ensuring they would be present to shield the PM from our criticisms of them and the Government.”

McKenzie says their request for a meeting without the “failing establishment bodies” was declined.

“All too often these industry bodies have stopped representing farmers to the Government and instead are now representing the Government to farmers,” claims

McKenzie.

“Groundswell NZ is now publicly repeating its request to meet with the Prime Minister, without the Government’s pet lobby groups.

We’ll meet anywhere, anytime, but not for a pantomime pretending to represent grassroots farmers.”

He also claimed that Groundswell was NZ’s largest organisation in terms of subscribed grassroots farmers, growers, and supporters.

“The Prime Minister should meet with us for a discussion – not pigeonhole us with the establishment industry body lobbyists,” he says.

Hoggard says the Feds are not getting into a contest with anyone

on membership numbers.

“I mean, the number of likes you get on a Facebook posting doesn’t mean you have so many members.”

Hoggard says Federated Farmers’ executive, including himself, are coming up for re-election later this year.

“If people want to stand, then go for your life and put your name up,” he says.

“The same goes for levy-paying bodies. They hold director elections every year and there’s nothing stopping anyone from standing.

“The problem is that these director elections garner very little interest – only 20% of eligible voters take part,” Hoggard says.

DAIRY NEWS APRIL 5, 2022

4 // NEWS

Fewer ‘For Sale’ signs as milk prices reach record levels JESSICA MARSHALL jessica@ruralnews.co.nz

FARM SALES have dropped in the three months to February 2022, according to data released by the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ).

There were 36 fewer farm sales in the threemonth period to February 2022, marking a 7.6% drop from the three months to February 2022.

REINZ rural spokesman Brian Peacocke says there are numerous factors for this easing, particularly supply

High income levels mean property owners tend to hold onto their farms, says REINZ’s Brian Peacocke.

and demand “The income levels are quite high, particularly in dairy they are improving, so in those scenarios property owners tend to hold onto their farms,” Peacocke told Peacocke says another factor is the increasing amount of due diligence required by banks to purchase a farm.

He says potential buyers need “a good case” to get funding from the bank to purchase a farm.

A third reason for the drop, Peacocke says, is the time of the year.

“We tend to get a little bit of an easing as we get into the second half of the

year,” he says.

Overall, the median price per hectare for all farms sold in the three months to February 2022 was $30,130, up 17.4% on the figure recorded for the three months ended February 2021.

However, for dairy farms – which accounted for 24% of all sales in the three months to February 2022 – the median sales price per hectare was $41,300.

The REINZ Dairy Farm Price Index decreased 0.5% in the three months to February 2022 compared to the three months to January 2022.

TECH A GAME CHANGER FOR CO-OP FONTERRA’S LATEST piece of technology could be a gamechanger and the co-operative says it’s already playing a key part in its strategic choices.

The MinION device is made by Oxford Nanopore Technologies and utilises Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS), the same technology used to test for Covid-19, says Fonterra principal scientist Shalome Bassett.

“It does this by measuring changes in the electrical current as the DNA passes through a special pore, or opening in the device,” Bassett told Dairy News.

The device is able to generate long pieces of DNA sequence, or ‘long read’ sequencing.

“We use our MinION data in com-

bination with ‘short read’ sequencing data which is generated from a different type of sequencing machine (Illumina).

“This ensures that we don’t have any gaps (or missing information) in our genomes and gives us a better understanding of what our dairy cultures can, or potentially can, do.”

Bassett says Fonterra has utilised WGS for over 20 years since the co-op sequences the first of its two current commercialised probiotic strains.

“Back then whole genome sequencing came with a price tag of over a million dollars and took over a year to do,” she says However, with advancements in sequencing technologies over that

Fonterra principal scientist Shalome Bassett.

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time, Bassett says, Fonterra can now perform WGS for hundreds of dollars and have the DNA results available in a matter of hours with a full genome assembled in days.

She says the co-op started developing in-house WGS capabilities with the short-read (Illumina) sequencing.

“And now with the addition of MinION, we’ve been able to extend our suite of sequencing technologies to include long read sequencing as well.”

She says the technology will be used across the co-op, for food safety and quality as well as probiotic discovery.

“Whole genome sequencing has now become a core capability that will help us to drive our strategy to

lead in innovation and science.”

Bassett says that innovations like the MinION device are critical to Fonterra’s ability to realise its sustainability goals.

“For example, the use of MinION has played an important role in our Kowbucha programme which is looking to use probiotics as a natural way to reduce the methane produced by cows and lower New Zealand’s carbon emissions,” says Bassett.

“It’s also helping us to further unlock the secrets of our dairy culture collection, which is one of the largest in the world, so that we can bring new probiotic strains to market… much faster than ever before,” says Bassett.

– Jessica Marshall

DAIRY NEWS APRIL 5, 2022

NEWS // 5

Speciality butter comes home SUDESH KISSUN sudeshk@ruralnews.co.nz

SPECIALITY BUTTER

made from New Zealand grass-fed milk is now available locally after sales success in the US over the past two years.

The Lewis Road Creamery (LRC) butter is made from milk sourced only from farms owned by the parent company Southern Pastures and meets stringent and independently audited 10 Star certified values that cover grassfed, free-range, animal welfare, human welfare, GMO-free, PKEfree, environmental sustainability, and climate change mitigation criteria.

In 2020, the butter became the first, and remains the only, New Zealand dairy product to be stocked US-wide by Whole Foods, owned by Amazon.

“The reality is that it costs a lot to farm the way that we do.”

It is one of the most expensive butter available in the US where a 227g pat retails around NZ$10. However, the recommended retail price in NZ is $7.49.

The butter is produced at Fonterra’s Morrinsville plant.

Southern Pastures and LRC executive chairman Prem Maan told Dairy News that people often ask when they will be able to buy “the best butter in the world locally”.

“We’ve done our best to make the butter as affordable as possible and we hope Kiwis will enjoy butter made at home from grass-fed milk.”

Maan says the LRC butter has better taste and colour because it’s free of GMO products and imported feed.

Maan says the lower

price for NZ consumers is to acknowledge the butter’s local provenance and the reduced transport costs of selling it here at home.

“We believe that New Zealanders with discerning palates and with an interest in genuine sustainability will support us, knowing that we are investing back into our land, soil and water.”

Southern Pastures owns and operates 20 farms in Waikato and Canterbury.

“The reality is that it costs a lot to farm the way that we do,” says Maan.

“For example, at least 34c of every pat of butter is directly related to environmental sustainability and climate change mitigation costs incurred onfarm, and these are just 2

Southern Pastures and Lewis Road Creamery executive chairman Prem Maan says they’ve done their best to make the butter as affordable as possible.

of our 10 values in our 10 Star Certified Values program.”

Southern Pastures’ cows are fed a 99% grass and forage-based diet which is GMO free – the default position in NZ where it is still illegal to grow GMO crops.

The diet is PKE-free,

a decision the company says will preserve global biodiversity, reduce its carbon footprint, and also to provide the healthiest dairy possible.

“We don’t feed our cows cheap imported feed to pump up milk production when we have low seasonal grass growth.

“So, we invest in growing, storing and feedingout a proper locally grown forage-based diet, as we believe that is one of the requirements for sustainable farming,” says Maan.

Southern Pastures is also investing heavily in native plantings, soil sequestration of carbon

and other greenhouse gas mitigation initiatives.

Maan says this is part of a strategy to have the portfolio of farms strive to achieve carbon-neutral – and eventual climatepositive status – through farming practices, rather than simply buying carbon credits generated through planting exotic mono-culture forests on productive land.

“In the US we’ve been able to command our premium due to these sustainability measures, and also the exceptional quality of the butter and its nutritional profile – for example, its high Omega 3 to Omega 6 beneficial ratio,” says Maan.

He says the butter has been endorsed in the US by top chefs and celebrities.

Sale of the butter in the US has been increasing despite a drop in category sales.

NAIT levy decision deferred A DECISION on proposed increases to National Animal Identification and Tracing (NAIT) levies has been deferred until next month.

The NAIT board says this will allow for a comprehensive review of feedback received during a public consultation that ended on February 25.

Most submitters opposed the proposed funding increase to improve the traceability system.

A total of 147 submissions were made with a mix of submitters, including levy payers, primary sector groups and collection agents.

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levies, the overall sentiment from the submissions is a reluctant acceptance of the need to increase funding to improve the system, and that NAIT Ltd needs to deliver on their commitments to create a user-friendly and effective system.

NAIT is part of OSPRI, a body that works with farming organisations to

manage animal diseases.

OSPRI head of traceability Kevin Forward says it is determined to get better at listening to the farmers and industries.

“The purpose of this consultation was to hear and consider the feedback from levy payers before making any decisions,” he says.

“Based on feedback, the NAIT board has decided to defer the decision on increasing levies to further consider the submissions received.

“I believe this shows our commitment to genuinely engage with levy payers on the proposal.” @dairy_news facebook.com/dairynews

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DAIRY NEWS APRIL 5, 2022

NEWS // 7

Farmers feed the needy “We have been overwhelmed by the amount of support and donations we have received.”

SUDESH KISSUN sudeshk@ruralnews.co.nz

MEAT THE Need, a charity backed by

meat and dairy farmers, is expanding and needs more workers.

The charity organisation’s mission is to ensure no one in New Zealand goes hungry.

They do this by taking livestock donations from farmers and turning this into mince meat, which is then donated to food banks across New Zealand.

Meat the Need operations manager Sarah Gagliardi says since launching during the first lockdown in 2020, they have provided 667,000 meals of mince to families in need. Recently, the charity launched Feed Out, where donated milk is sent to food banks across Waikato and the Central Plateau.

Feed Out has seen 92,000 milk meals donated so far and will soon be taken to a national scale.

Gagliardi says Meat the Need and Feed Out has some pretty big goals.

“To help them achieve these goals, we’re about to launch their very own

Meat the Need co-founder Wayne Langford.

‘Champion’ programme.

“This is an opportunity for people across the country to become involved with Meat the Need, drive donations and most importantly, help fill the fridges and freezers of their local food banks.

“One Champion who finds five donations from farmers could help feed their local food bank for an entire year.

“Meat the Need is really excited about launching this programme and would love to hear from anyone who is

interested in being a Champion.”

Meat the Need co-founder and Golden Bay farmer Wayne Langford says the support from farmers so far has been incredible.

“We have been overwhelmed by the amount of support and donations we have received.

“Together, these contributions are making incredible differences to the lives of New Zealanders and showcases the amazing generosity of farmers,” he says.

Meanwhile Fonterra farmers can

now use their Farm Source dollars to three charities including Meat the Need.

This follows a suggestion by Fonterra supplier Micha Johansen who farms in Eketahuna.

Farm Source says when times are tough, it’s farmer owners who dig in to support each other and their communities.

“That’s what being part of a co-op is all about. Right now, many in the communities we live and work in could do with some of that help.”

Farm Source says Johansen’s idea was brilliant and it has now introduced Farm Source Charitable Giving where reward dollars can be donated to three charities close to the co-op, Meat the Need, New Zealand Food Network and The Rural Support Trust. @dairy_news

Supply chain pain THE ONGOING impact on global supply chains is affecting all industries, including the print industry.

As a result of disruptions to paper supply chains, which have played havoc with the availability of the bulk paper stocks used by printers, Rural News Group’s regular paper stocks are in extremely short supply.

To get through the current paper pinch, we’ll be using the best paper stocks available on the day, so you will see some variation in the paper we print your Rural News and Dairy News on.

Of course, we’re not the only ones in this boat: most businesses working in agribusiness and other industries have experienced delays and shortages of raw materials, components and products.

We appreciate your understanding as we work through this and look forward – as does everyone – to the tailend of the pandemic!

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DAIRY NEWS APRIL 5, 2022

8 // NEWS

Third time lucky!

SUDESH KISSUN sudeshk@ruralnews.co.nz

WAIKATO FARMER

Chris Poole is feeling lucky.

In his third attempt, he won the Waikato Bay of Plenty FMG Young Farmer of the Year.

With calving underway on his 200ha Pirongia farm, Poole is taking out time to prepare for the grand final, to be held in Whangarei early July.

And he may have a ‘secret weapon’ that could help his chances at the threeday grand final event.

Poole’s wife Emma Dangen was an FMG

Young Farmer of the Year Grand Finalist in 2019 and he’s hoping to pick her brains.

“Sheep is definitely a weakness for me being a dairy farmer,” he says.

“I’ll be doing a bit of study with Emma, she’ll have tips for me I’m sure, having done it herself.”

In between being a dairy farmer and calf rearer, Poole also works with Connecterra, a new Artificial Intelligence platform in the NZ market.

Poole is excited for the next step and Grand Final preparation.

“That was my third go at a regional final so I was pretty keen to win it

which was good to finally do,” he said.

“I got pretty lucky in the quiz I think, went a bit bold on some questions and luckily they came my way.”

Poole milks 720 Kiwi cross breed cows on the family farm. Calving is done twice a year, in autumn and spring.

Growing up on the family dairy farm in Taranaki, Poole says milking cows was the only job on his mind. After finishing university in 2016, he did just that.

“I was always keen on dairy farming; that’s what I wanted to do,” he says.

“It’s definitely the right

HIGH STAKES NEW ZEALAND Young Farmers Chief Executive Lynda Coppersmith says the stakes for 2022 are incredibly high, being the third contest season impacted by the global pandemic.

Entries for FMG Young Farmer of the Year were up 30% this year despite the uncertainty of Covid.

Coppersmith says this is credit to all the amazing volunteers, members, sponsors and staff who put this contest together.

“My gratitude for everyone’s efforts extends beyond words and I am really proud to see how everyone has worked together to deliver another

season, to pivot and adapt to new challenges, including the red light framework.

“The calibre of competitors at each regional final is the highest I have seen it and is an extraordinary showcase of the skills and knowledge needed to be involved in the primary industries in this day and age.

“Our competitors represent the full diversity of the primary industries – the array of opportunities available – and goes to show that New Zealand Young Farmers’ members really are the best and brightest.”

Waikato/Bay of Plenty FMG Young Farmer of the Year Chris Poole with wife Emma Dangen and six-week old son Beau.

job for me. Some aspects of dairying have become challenging but I have no regrets.”

Poole points out that some of the challenges weren’t around five to ten years ago.

Looming state-sponsored regulations on

environment and sustainability and the widening rural-urban divide are just some of them.

“Back in the day, city dwellers knew farmers but these days, city people have little idea of what goes on in farms.

“They are swayed what

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others think and negative stories in media.

“In school most students don’t know about dairying, which is quite sad.”

Poole says he enjoys every minute spent on the farm. The strong payout is also pleasing but inflation is rising.

Rising feed, freight and fuel prices are taking some of the gloss off the high payout, he says.

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But he will still recommend dairying to any young person.

“There’s scope for clear progress with hard work,” he says.

“Talk to someone who has been through the ranks,” he says.

Poole says he’s ready to mentor young people keen on making a career out of dairying. @dairy_news facebook.com/dairynews

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NEWS // 9

Drought, Covid setting up a perfect storm down South SUPPLY CHAIN WOES

PETER BURKE peterb@ruralnews.co.nz

THERE ARE concerns

that some Southland dairy farmers are yielding to the temptation of this season’s high pay out by milking on despite the fact that the region is in the midst of a major drought.

DairyNZ’s South Island head of consulting officers, Tony Finch, says the drought is now getting quite serious and extends right across the region.

He says some of the older farmers have told him this is one of the most prolonged dry spells they have experienced. And he adds that some farmers are using feed reserves to keep milking.

“What is setting this up for the perfect storm is the fact that you have processing delays as a consequence of Covid, which means that people waiting anywhere from six to ten weeks to get stock away. That means there are more mouths to feed and when you are pushing on milking, some farmers’ feed supplies are becoming very tight,” he told Dairy News.

Finch says with the very high milk price, there is a real temptation to push on a little further into the season. But he says the last thing that’s needed is for people to

Southland is facing one of its worst droughts, according to some farmers. PHOTO: ANIEKA TEMPLER.

jeopardise next season by eating too far into feed reserves or affecting pasture cover – and most importantly, animal health. He says there is a risk that cow body condition scores will start to suffer.

“In this situation the temptation to keep milking and produce what is essentially ‘marginal milk’ has to be seen in the context of buying in expensive feed. There is a supply and demand issue here: when feed becomes

scarce the price goes up, so if people are buying up feed to try and push the season out, they need to look seriously at the economics of such a strategy,” he says.

According to Finch grass growth rates in Southland are non-existent at the moment, but on the positive side, soil temperatures are good so with some good rain there will be an autumn flush. But he says, even if this happens, the region will still be in catch-up

mode to get farms ready for next season. He says some farmers have acted quickly by getting stock off their farms early, having a good feed budget and adopting management practices to mitigate some of the effects of the drought and Covid.

“This involves going to once-a-day or sixteen hour milking, drying off early calvers and those whose BCS is somewhat marginal. We would encourage people to start thinking about these

options now.

“Also with Covid moving south, the delay in getting their cull cows into the works is likely to get worse. If they haven’t got them booked they need to do it now otherwise they will be carrying animals additional to their needs a lot longer,” he says.

Finch says the advice from DairyNZ is that farmers should take account of where they are now and where they are heading.

FEDERATED FARMERS’ Bernadette Hunt says getting stock killed at the works is a real mission due to Covid.

She says it’s not only the fact that staff in processing plants are affected by Covid, it’s because others through the whole supply chain are affected.

“Farmers are regularly having space that has been booked cancelled – sometimes at the very last minute. This is because there is a crucial department or person that suddenly has become positive and the works may have to make a quick decision. Some people are having their stock pickup cancelled just fifteen minutes before it’s due to be picked up and that’s pretty challenging. It is also horrendously challenging for the trucking industry because it makes it very difficult for them to plan their day, let alone their week,” she says.

Hunt says all farmers in the region are finding themselves stuck with stock and nowhere to send it. She’s hearing multiple cases of farmers feeding out their winter crops because they have got no choice. She points out this will have some serious knock-on effects going into winter. There are reports of some stock being taken to Canterbury for grazing where surprisingly there is plenty of feed.

Feds Southland Meat and Wool chair, Dean Ramage, who owns a dairy farm as well as a sheep and beef property, says the lack of rain in the region is staggering. He says he’s stocked on the basis of having 100mm of rain a month.

When Dairy News spoke to him last week, he’d had just 2mm of rain in March.

“So when you put that on top of a dry February, January and December and an average November, it’s compounded pretty quickly. The catchment of the River Mokoreta that I am near is at an 80 year low,” he says.

Ramage says with little rain in the last three months, pasture growth is poor and time is running out as they are now into April; from here on it’s going to be hard to catch up.

He blames the high pay-out which has encouraged some farmers to ‘milk on regardless’ and what he describes as the ‘government’s shit house attitude’ towards not letting RSE workers in.

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DAIRY NEWS APRIL 5, 2022

10 // NEWS

Farmers help keep Karen’s milking dream alive!

DAIRY FARMERS are keeping a dream alive for Karen Chapman, who grew up on a dairy farm in the small Waikato settlement of Otaua and has only ever wanted to milk cows.

Karen has been supported by a network of dairy farmers in and around Pukekohe, many of them participants in the IHC Calf & Rural Scheme fundraising scheme, who raise animals and donate the proceeds to IHC. This year, the IHC Calf & Rural Scheme marks its 40th anniversary by celebrating all the farmers who have made lives better for people

with intellectual disabilities in their communities. Over those 40 years, the scheme has raised $40 million.

Karen’s dream looked pretty hopeless because her Dad Noel Chapman, a sharemilker, died while she was still a teenager and she and her mum Olive shifted into Pukekohe. Then in a double tragedy, her mother died suddenly too, and Karen moved into IHC residential care.

But local farmers, once they knew of her love of dairy farming, welcomed Karen into their milking sheds.

Karen has milked all over the northern Karen Chapman has been supported by a network of dairy farmers.

40 YRS OF FUNDRAISING IHC NATIONAL fundraising manager Greg Millar says the IHC Calf & Rural Scheme gives IHC an important connection to the rural sector and has evolved along with changes to the sector over 40 years, particularly as smaller farms and local relationships have given way to larger dairy units.

Legendary All Black Sir Colin Meads, a Waikato beef farmer and staunch supporter of the Calf Scheme, encouraged beef and sheep farmers to get involved too.

“He first threw his weight behind IHC when he stopped playing rugby, and we were privileged to have had the backing of the big man from 1974 for more than 40 years until his death in

2017,” says Greg.

More than 10,000 dairy farmers have supported their communities over many years through this unique fundraiser.

And as technology advanced on to farms, farmers began profiling their favourite cows and best milkers on Twitter and can now donate virtual animals along with the real ones.

“We are incredibly grateful to the many farmers who have supported us over the years – some of them down through generations,” Greg Millar says.

“We’re also enormously thankful for the partnerships with our sponsors – PGG Wrightson who has been with us from the start and VW who provides us with Amarok vehicles

and is matching donations from the public, dollar for dollar, this week. Go to the IHC Calf & Rural Scheme webpage to make your donation.”

The work done by IHC and funded by donations is critically important and can’t happen without them. This includes work with families of children with intellectual disabilities, community support provided by nearly 30 local IHC associations, our strong advocacy voice, a library providing resources to families around the country, a volunteer friendship programme, a national art competition for people with intellectual disability, and support for a national kapa haka programme.

Waikato and South Auckland districts. A long-time family friend, Glen Lee, has driven her around the farms for as long as anyone can remember. Karen says she is “a good friend to me, I have known her for a long, long time”.

Glen would call farmers to see if Karen could visit. “It seemed to work best with the Goodwrights.”

Karen used to milk for Syd and Jenny Goodwright. These days their son Tom farms the home farm and Karen milks for their daughter Becky

Payne and her husband Mike on their farm not far away. Another sister Hannah farms close by too with her husband Trevor Turner. All of them are donors to the IHC Calf & Rural Scheme and know Karen well.

Syd and Jenny have been donating calves – real and virtual – to the Calf Scheme for more than 30 years, and for half of that time Jenny has worked as a canvasser for the scheme, visiting around 50 local farmers each season to encourage them to pledge calves.

“I am really lucky

because I have got a lot of farmers in the district like me who want to keep supporting the Calf Scheme.

How lucky are we that we have had four children and 15 grandchildren who have no disabilities,” Jenny says.

Karen says she used to help her dad milk around 100 Friesian-Jersey-cross cows after school. Now she is milking cows on farms with bigger herds and more complex and automated rotary cow sheds.

“I have been doing it for a long time now,” she says

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DAIRY NEWS APRIL 5, 2022

NEWS // 11

Fieldays sticking to new dates MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz

WHILE THE easing of

the Covid traffic light settings last week will allow more people to attend outdoor events and raise the indoor limit to 200 people, it’s a case of too little, too late for National Fieldays.

Earlier in the March, Fieldays organisers announced the postponement of the normal June date and a move to late November/early December. The five-and-a-halfmonth delay was chosen “to give all attendees, exhibitors and shareholders involved some breathing room and confidence during these uncertain times,” said chief executive Peter Nation.

Much of the decision to shift to the end of the year was due to logistics, namely people and product, with the event needing around

The National Fieldays will run towards the end of this year despite the Government easing Covid restrictions from this month.

13,000 contractors on site from mid-April to build the “small town” that becomes Fieldays.

The global supply chain was also cited as a major factor with Fieldays suggesting many manufacturers had greatly reduced stock levels, leading to

issues fulfilling existing orders let alone finding goods to display or landing new innovations in time for the event.

The relaxation of restrictions from March 26 still leaves the event in a difficult position, just because of the significant

numbers attending and the mix of outdoor and indoor sites.

“For us, the relaxation of the traffic light settings has very little impact on our decision to push the

event out to late November,” said Nation.

“We understand the Government’s cautious approach, but in our main building, exhibitor staff alone will exceed the 200-

person limit. We were holding out for as long as we could for a change to the orange traffic light level, but it doesn’t look like that’s happening any time soon.”

Some exhibitors have shown a lack of enthusiasm for the new date because it clashes with the grass harvest and mating seasons, and it means only a six month gap between the 2022 and 2023 events. However, Nation says he isn’t expecting this year’s event to be any different to the last, saying, “in fact it might be even bigger”.

So, fingers crossed that the end of the year is the right move. Pack the sunblock, shorts and jandals and get in early to snap up those Christmas presents; the wife or partner will be thrilled when they open their presents on Christmas morning to find a new milking apron.

Fieldays 2022 will now run from Wednesday 30th November to Saturday December 3rd @dairy_news facebook.com/dairynews

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DAIRY NEWS APRIL 5, 2022

12 // NEWS

Rankin named new DWN chair TARANAKI FARMER

Trish Rankin is the new chair of Dairy Women’s Network.

Rankin, the 2019 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year, says the elevation to the role of chair is “a privilege” she is looking forward to.

She replaces Karen Forlong, who will remain on the board in a new role as chair support.

Rankin is looking forward to working with Forlong over the coming months to learn more about the role.

“Governing an organisation that has a strong vision to enable transformation change in dairy businesses is so crucial in enabling the dairy industry to thrive,” she says.

Rankin says the DWN has played a big role in her life as a dairy farmer.

Over the years, Rankin has valued her membership with DWN in building her knowledge, skills and friendships. She recognises the wide reach of the organisation and the opportunities available for members and industry partners to come together to empower people in the dairying and agriculture sector.

Forlong says it has been a humbling privilege to be the chair for the last two and a half years.

She says her new role will allow her to pass her knowledge onto Rankin and still have a voice around the board table to support the DWN.

Taranaki farmer Trish Rankin is the new chair of Dairy Womens Network.

FONTERRA’S DREAMERY RUN IN INDIA OVER FONTERRA HAS pulled the plug on its joint venture in India.

Fonterra Future Dairy was launched in 2018 as a 50:50 joint venture between the co-operative and Future Consumer Ltd. It launched a range of consumer products made from Indian milk and distributed Anchor Food Professionals products for the foodservice sector.

Fonterra chief executive for the Asia Pacific region Judith Swales says the last few years have been challenging for the joint venture with Covid disrupting to the Indian market.

Swales says despite this the joint venture has delivered some important initiatives, including the launch of the Dreamery brand. She says the brand received positive feedback from consumers.

Future Consumer is the fast

moving consumer goods (FMCG) arm of the Future Group. According to media reports out of India, the debt-laden company was told by regulators to sell 200 of its 1,700 retail outlets.

Fonterra’s exit from the joint venture is unlikely to impact its balance sheet. “The co-op entered the joint venture as a capital-light way to test the Indian market, which has a large dairy consuming population but restrictive trade access for New Zealand dairy,” says Swales.

“We will continue to have a presence in India through Anchor Food Professionals and our Ingredients business, and will explore opportunities to grow access for our New Zealand milk as they come up.”

The 22 people employed by the joint venture will receive appropriate entitlements, says Swales.

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DAIRY NEWS APRIL 5, 2022

14 // OPINION RUMINATING

EDITORIAL

Crunch time!

MILKING IT...

Police inaction A BOY racer has been charged over the Fonterra milk tanker vandalism and pouring milk across the road in Waikato, but more police action is needed.

Boy racers are a deeprooted problem in rural Waikato; the intersection of Stokes Road and Orini Road, just north of Hamilton where the incident took place, is a regular weekend haunt for boy racers.

One farmer told media that large groups of boy racers frequently parked up at the intersection near his farm during the early hours of the weekend and caused major disruption.

Farmers no longer kept their cows in the paddocks near the road at the weekend, as bottles had been thrown at stock and the damage that was done to fences meant there was a risk stock could get loose.

The police should be on the case now: waiting for weeks, like they did at the Parliament grounds a month ago, isn’t an option here.

Cows cooking up storm

Three Waters saga

More of the same

THE RECENT storm and floods that hit Gisborne and surrounding areas is because New Zealand has too many cows?

Yes, that’s what Greenpace is claiming. The environment lobby, with a serial habit of blaming dairying for all the world’s problems, wants the Government to put an end to intensive industrial dairying.

If you’re wondering how your cows were responsible for the recent Gisborne floods, Greenpeace has this explanation: “New Zealand’s dependence on synthetic nitrogen fertiliser and too many cows is cooking the climate, and that is leading to climate floods like the one now impacting the people of Gisborne.”

THE THREE Waters reform is turning into another headache for the Government.

The $3.5 million advertising campaign, which seems to blame regional councils for the poor state of national water infrastructure, hasn’t been of much help.

A working group recommended major changes to the proposal but the Government isn’t too keen on most of them.

For the rural sector, the major concerns are that all the current water assets owned by individual councils around the country will be taken over by of these four new entities, while the governance of these will allow little or no real local input.

With the Government lagging in latest opinion polls, the Three Waters saga is one less headache the Beehive’s ninth floor could do without.

THE FERTILE ground of the plant-milk business continues to sprout new options, such as pistachio, pea, and even potato milk.

It seems if you can grow it, you can make milk out of it. But it comes at a cost to the environment.

Boston-based Walter Willett, professor of epidemiology and nutrition at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health says plant-based milks are all made the same way: nuts, beans, or grains are ground into pulp, strained, and combined with water.

He says plant-based milks are considered ‘greener’ than dairy and emit fewer greenhouse gases during production.

However, growing some of these plants and making them into milk requires great quantities of water.

Most plant-based milks are low-calorie. On average, though, these milk products cost more than dairy.

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WE ARE approaching the business end of the He Waka Eke Noa (HWEN) - Primary Sector Climate Action Partnership consultations.

Yet things are far from clear for many stakeholders.

Over 7,000 farmers have made their views known on options for emissions pricing. These are challenging issues and farmers have some strong views.

The HWEN secretariat acknowledges that “a lot of thoughtful comments” have been made. These are now being considered.

There are three options on the table: a farm-level levy, a processor-level hybrid levy or joining an Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS).

It’s clear some farmers are not prepared to embrace any of the options on the table.

Some farmers would prefer the status quo, or a different approach that would not cost farmers anything.

Many farmers expect a low-cost emissions management scheme that promotes NZ farming’s low climate impact to consumers.

They point out that Kiwi farmers should not be punished for being among the most efficient producers in the world.

The HWEN secretariat says it is considering all suggestions put in front of them.

However, it points out that the reality is that they have to work within the legal requirements and timeframe the Government has set.

The HWEN secretariat has to recommend a credible emissions pricing system by the end of May, or the Government will include agriculture in the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS).

One clear theme coming through is a large amount of concern about the potential impact of any levy on the financial viability of farming.

No decision has been made on how much the levy would be, but HWEN hears that farmers want a voice in price setting and revenue recycling decisions.

The other issue is that not all farmers are happy with their representatives on HWEN. Dairy News understands that Groundswell is preparing a fourth option. It is working closely with other farmer groups that have made submissions to HWEN. The agriculture sector needs to put a submission to the Government by May 31.

Whatever HWEN decides, it must ensure that it has the backing of farmers, whom they represent.

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DAIRY NEWS APRIL 5, 2022

OPINION // 15

2023 poll will be ‘crucial’ PETER BUCKLEY

NEXT YEAR will be the most important election year that we will have ever faced. You will need to think about what we have had, what we have now and what you want for the future.

We have had two years of the current Government so far, dominated by Covid, with lockdowns, mandates, inflation and tight controls on what you could or couldn’t do. This year it looks like Covid

our natural environment and also to grow our economic base.

It is critical that government ensures the ability for business to prosper (economics) as this is the only way that we will be able to fund the other two legs of the stool (social and environmental).

With the potential of shortages of food and fuel across the whole world because of the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, we need to look at what government needs to do to enable us to have

Do we continue to produce food as at present or accept that our lifestyle will have to change as a result of the current Government’s climate change policies? along with the impact of climate change policies will continue to play a big part on all the aspects of life for New Zealanders.

We also need to be aware of the Ukraine conflict with Russia and the potential impact of this conflict on our way of life, and be aware of China’s desire to dominate the world and the impact these will have on New Zealand into the future.

We need a government that has the capability to be able to adapt to a changing world and promote New Zealand as one of the leading countries around the globe.

Government policy should be compared to a three legged stool, where the three legs of the stool represent the balance between social, environmental and economic direction. Overall the most important mission for the next government is to restore the balance between the three legs of the stool (social, environmental and economic) by restoring the need for balance and evidence-based public policy.

There is a need for evidence-based policies (including cost-benefit) that achieve good social policy outcomes, protect

the lifestyle that New Zealanders are used to.

Do we continue to produce food as at present or accept that our lifestyle will have to change as a result of the current Government’s climate change policies?

Or, do we change the policies in relation to food production to ensure that we are able to produce the maximum amount of food possible (as allowed for in the Paris Accord), whilst still maintaining our environment as at present?

A question we should be asking is: How much climate change policy or biodiversity is too much?

For example, is funding for biodiversity protection more important than well-funded children’s oncology or education?

Any new government needs to allow the rural sectors to develop environmentally sustainable and economically viable production methods that will comply with New Zealand’s requirements under international agreements. The government will need to develop national environmental standards for agriculture that are based on current rural productive land, not a pristine conserva-

tion estate.

So you should study the party’s policies before voting but you should be also looking at the policies that PLUG has devel-

oped and asking questions of the parties about why don’t they adopt them.

• Peter Buckley is a member of the Primary Land User Group (PLUG)

Waikato farmer and Primary Land User Group executive Peter Buckley says the next general elections will be crucial.

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DAIRY NEWS APRIL 5, 2022

16 // MANAGEMENT

Choosing the right milk replacer for calves ANIMAL NUTRITIONIST Natalie Chrystal is

urging farmers to choose the right milk replacer for calves this season.

Chrystal claims that when a product is cheap, there is generally a reason.

“You get what you pay for,” she says.

“Many milk replacers are produced using raw materials which were initially intended for human consumption but didn’t make the grade and they are often less digestible than one would expect.

“Ultimately, this means less growth in your calves.

And, more often than not, while the cost per bag is lower, the cost per calf is higher.

“Choosing a milk replacer which is specifically formulated to provide calves with the energy, amino acids, vitamins and minerals that they require for the very best start to life and which is backed by science and innovation should be your first consideration.”

She also cautions farmers about only going by what’s on the label.

Most milk replacers will specify the protein content on the bag.

But Chrystal says that this doesn’t tell you much about how much of that protein or fat the young animal can utilise for growth, and more isn’t

always better.

“The manufacturing process for many milk powders can damage the proteins present, making these less digestible – even though the protein content doesn’t change.

This is often the case for milk powders diverted from the more valuable human food market.”

Careful selection of fat sources used in a milk replacer, combined with manufacturing technologies which increase fat digestibility in the young animal, are a much more important consideration than the fat level declared on the bag.

Chrystal recommends choosing a milk replacer which contains highly digestible fat sources like milk fat, palm fat and coconut oil and one where the fat is homogenised – small fat molecules are easily digestible.

She adds that not all calf milk replacer (CMR) powders are formulated the same or made from the same ingredients. In some cases, the same brand will even differ from batch to batch, which is not ideal for a young animal.

“The source of ingredients and the manufacturing processes for milk replacers both play significant roles in digestibility,” she says.

“Digestibility is key; it

Choose a milk replacer which contains highly digestible fat sources, says animal nutritionist Natalie Chrystal.

BACKED BY SCIENCE TARANAKI DAIRY farmer LeAnne Blakelock changed her feeding system for calves last year.

From twice a day feeding with a premium whey powder to adlib feeding with Sprayfo Delta energised calf milk and then Sprayfo Blue Premium.

Sprayfo milk replacers are made in the Netherlands by Trouw Nutrition with high quality dairy proteins and vegetable fats, homogenised and spray-dried (a manufacturing process unique to Sprayfo).

Blakelock says she chose Sprayfo for the science behind it.

“I like the transparency. You know exactly how Sprayfo is made and what’s in it.”

Having done the tail-end of one season and then a full season with Sprayfo, she is well pleased with the performance of her calves and the cost-effectiveness of the product.

“With Sprayfo, we reared better calves with fewer losses” she says.

ensures the animal gets the most out of the feed, providing them with the protein and energy they need to grow.”

AgriVantage South Island business manager Cheryl Farrar agrees.

“Farmers pay good money for genetics, so why wouldn’t they give those calves the very best start? By this I mean quality colostrum, consistently good quality milk, good biosecurity and housing.

“With nutrition being

an obvious investment, think about the phrase ‘you are what you eat’.

“Feeding calves cheap, standard quality milk replacer will likely result in less growth pre-weaning, less resistance to disease, more losses.

“Whereas, feeding your calves more, quality milk will increase growth rates, improve future robustness and optimise organ development which leads to improved long term productivity.”

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DAIRY NEWS APRIL 5, 2022

ANIMAL HEALTH // 17

Time to focus on breeding goals breeding objectives.

Mark’s goal is to have purebred Holstein Friesians from American bloodlines, and is using Semex and World Wide Sires bulls to achieve this.

“We used Progenesis Dartagnan, son of SeagullBay Supersire-ET, over the whole herd last year,” Mark says.

However, the backbone of the herd is Mainstream Manifold.

“David Mayo from Semex advised us to use Mainstream Manifold until we could no more, which has proved to be great advice,” Mark says.

“Some of these cows peak at 50 litres/day each year; one Manifold daughter peaked at an average of 54 litres over eight days.”

Average production across the herd is 500kgMS/cow, and in addition to type and tem-

OTOROHANGA DAIRY farmer Mark

Sanson admits he gets cow envy when he drives past the Waikato farm of a fellow Holstein Friesian breeder – but it won’t be long until his own herd is the subject of many an admiring glance.

Milking 440 cows on 280ha in South Waikato, Mark and wife Jann own Longridge Farm, a family farm that was originally 84ha.

The formerly crossbred herd is swiftly becoming a purebred Holstein Friesian herd, with all young stock now third and fourth generation Holstein Friesian.

“We have purchased cows over the years as we have grown which has slowed the achievement of our breeding goals, but it has been necessary to get the cow numbers we need,” Mark says.

“Now is the time that we can really start focusing on achieving our breeding objectives.”

Mark’s parents purchased the farm from his grandparents in 1974; Mark worked on the farm after he finished school and started sharemilking for his parents in 2000.

“When I started sharemilking, I bought the cows from Mum and Dad, which were Ambreed and Wrightson Breeding Services,” he says.

“It was a first-cross Friesian herd.”

Mark and Jann then purchased the 107ha farm from his parents in 2013, adding more parcels of land to the farm over time.

“When Fonterra shares peaked, we sold the shares and went to Open Coun-

South Waikato farmers Mark and Jann Sanson milk cows that are swiftly becoming a purebred Holstein Friesian herd.

try Dairy, which proved to be a great move,” Mark says. “We were able to purchase a 70ha runoff three kilometres up the road to run our young stock, and the following year we purchased the neighbouring property of 45ha which we had been leasing.

“Today, we also lease 64ha of family land alongside our own dairy platform.”

The Sansons employ one fulltime staff member and one relief milker. Jann also works on farm in addition to her work in an accountant’s office.

The farm is system 4, with the feed pad operational for around nine months of the year.

Mark and Jann grow 40ha of maize on farm

annually which allows them to 50/50 split calve in autumn and spring. By split calving they can take advantage of the winter milk premium offered by Open Country Dairy; it also means that any cows that don’t get in calf the first time get a ‘second chance’ when mating comes around again.

“If they don’t get in calf, the big cows just keep on milking,” Mark says.

“We’re not sending anything to the works.”

The Sansons currently rear 100 replacements annually and rear all bulls and beef to sell.

While heifers are mated to low-birthweight Hereford bulls, the rest of the herd is bred with a focus on Holstein Friesian

perament, the Sansons prioritise good feet and udder traits.

Despite there being some river flats on farm – the 64ha leased from Mark’s family - the cows have some way to walk, with cow races running along the farm’s ridgelines.

“The farm is quite rolling to steep farmland, and it is one kilometre from one end of the boundary to the cowshed,” Mark says.

In addition to udder capacity, good udder ligament support is crucial.

“We have had issues in the past with cows losing udder strength,” Mark says. “Thankfully we have managed to improve that trait over time and all our young cows have been lasting. If you feed them well, you want them to put the milk out the other end in litres.”

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NEW DAIRY based off the litres of milk they produce, via EID.” Mark says their aim is to keep paying down debt to eventually become debt-free, while continuing to achieve their breeding goals.

“When I look in the paddock, I like to see good, big cows,” he says.

“When we drive past Waipiri Holsteins I think man, I wish our cows looked like their cows; but happily, we are now seeing cows like that.

“The young stock is definitely demonstrating the improvement in breeding coming through.”

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MARK AND Jann’s big cows are performing so well as their preferred ‘type’ that they have had to replace their dairy.

“The farm had a 30-bail rotary dairy, but the cows were too big for it – they kept breaking the drives underneath,” Mark says.

“We went to a DeLaval 24-aside parallel dairy, which is highly automated: it monitors litres as the cows go through the shed, it has auto-drafting; it monitors everything on the cow.

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DAIRY NEWS APRIL 5, 2022

18 // MACHINERY & PRODUCTS

The new layout results in less material sitting on the paddles, says Keenan.

New MechFiber+ range more durable, efficient MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz

SET TO replace the original Keenan MechFiber range by the middle of the year, the new MechFiber+ is said to improve mixing quality and consistency.

Re-shaped paddle castellations in the new MechFiber+ models have a rounded top section that, combined with an increased rake angle, cre-

ates more material movement in the chamber.

The new layout results in less material sitting on the paddles, says Keenen, improving the tumbling action with the added benefit of reduced friction. The company also expects less wear to the machine’s mixing chamber and a reduction in the machine’s power requirement.

A new exterior design features moulded black front covers, a more user-friendly, collapsible tubular steel

rear ladder said to be less prone to damage, while lights have been added to the feed-out door.

Options include a wider door for increased feed-out speeds, corrosion resistant mudguards, the new fourth generation controller, feed management app and Intouch dashboard.

The new controller now includes key visual mechanical telematics such as an oil level indicator, temperature sensor, chain tension status indicator and feed-out door status indicators.

LATEST STORIES EVERY DAY www.dairynews.co.nz

CHASSIS-MOUNTED DRIBBLE BAR EFFECTIVE USE of farm effluents

has never been so popular due to the meteoric rise of synthetic fertilisers prices over the past few months.

As the adoption of controlled effluent application increases, Irish manufacturer Hi-Spec Engineering has developed a new chassis-mounted dribble bar to extend the existing range of slurry equipment.

Weighing in at 520kg and offering a working width of 7.5m, the new dribble bar is equipped with 30 flat hose outlets, spaced 25cm apart, fed by a Hi-

Spec distributor with integrated stone trap.

The fully galvanised frame folds into a compact 2.55m-wide profile for transport: each support arm features a spring-loaded, break-back mechanism to prevent damage in the event of collision with an immoveable object.

Control is via one double-acting remote valve that operates through a diverter control to change between lifting/lowering the arms and operating the distributor and gate valve. www.gaz.co.nz

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DAIRY NEWS APRIL 5, 2022

MATING // 19

William Morrison

Bobbies must enter a value stream – co-op SUDESH KISSUN

QUIET BULLS

sudeshk@ruralnews.co.nz

A FONTERRA directive that non-replacement calves from supplying farms enter a value stream from next year is a bold move, says William Morrison, Morrison Farming.

He says while the cooperative must be commended for the move, they will need support from the industry to eliminate euthanisation of calves on farm.

“There will need to be support from all in the industry, regardless of whether the output is higher value dairy-beef animals or better bobby calves,” Morrison told Dairy News.

“Fonterra have shown leadership and the value chain – the meat companies, the beef bull breeders, the rearers and growers – need to have options that work for dairy farmers.”

Last month, Fonterra group director Farm Source, Richard Allen, informed farmers that from June 1 2023, they must ensure all their nonreplacement calves enter a value stream – beef, calfveal or petfood.

“We understand sale options in parts of New Zealand are currently limited, which is why we’re actively collaborating with the wider industry, investing in R&D and exploring long-term solutions such as dairy-beef partnerships and opportunities,” says Allen.

“While the majority

EZICALVE BULL breeding business was established 70 years ago by Morrison and Cranstone families.

The company’s focus has always been high calving ease for calves that grow fast and can finish before their second winter.

William Morrison says genetic selection for shorter gestation length has become more important.

He says Ezicalve bulls are used in all regions of New Zealand.

“All Ezicalve bulls are guaranteed quiet. Dairy farmers benefit by promoting these calves are sired by Ezicalve bulls and this is always well recognised by the market,” he says.

of farmers won’t need to alter their current practices as a result of this change, we know that for some it will be a challenge.

“This is why we are letting you know about this change one season before it comes into effect, allowing time to assess options and plan any changes to current management practices, including for those with autumn-calving herds.”

Allen says the co-op is proud that Fonterra farmers are already world leaders when it comes to animal wellbeing.

“As part of our strategic choice to lead in sustainability, Fonterra places a strong emphasis on calf wellbeing and a big part of this is ensuring that all dairy calves have a useful life,” Allen told farmers.

Morrison says Fonterra’s policy is a step toward “no bobbies”.

He says while this step alone probably doesn’t do much for NZ’s sustainability credentials. It does indicate to dairy farmers,

meat companies and bull suppliers where they are heading.

“With ever increasing consumer scrutinisation, the dairy company who can hold their hand up and say ‘no bobbies’ will have a big opportunity in the highest quality, highest value markets.

“The ones that can’t could be left behind.”

Morrison notes that there are many dairy farmers who have successfully moved to no bobbies.

He says consumer perceptions and market signals would indicate that the opportunity is for companies, who can hold their hand up and say the same.

“Their opportunity is the social license to do business in the highest range of high value markets.

“Back on-farm, improving four-day-old calf sales, or dairy-beef weaner sales, by using Ezicalve bulls, is a good option,” Morrison told Dairy News.

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DAIRY NEWS APRIL 5, 2022

MATING // 21

Maintain first calvers’ body condition, reduce wastage DAIRY FARMERS

are being encouraged to maintain the body condition of their rising threeyear-olds as first-time calvers to help secure their longevity in the herd and maximise profitability.

PGG Wrightson technical expert in ruminant nutrition Laura Pattie told a recent a farmer webinar that prioritising rising three-year-olds for a second season is crucial to minimising wastage in terms of empty cows and lost milk production.

This begins at calving time and throughout the season.

“One of the biggest areas of wastage in our dairy industry is our rising three-year-olds, our first calvers, that are not getting pregnant again after their first season.

“If we can set them up better by prioritising their nutrition now and maintaining their body condition, we aim to have less wastage on farm,” says Pattie.

“Good heifer management is all about increasing profitability. We want to maximise their production, not only just in their first lactation, but throughout their entire lifetime of production.”

While good heifer management is important, Pattie says farmers should be checking the body condition scores of all their

animals ahead of calving to ensure they have enough reserves for the coming calving season.

“Do your calculations to work out the best scenarios for your herd.

What’s it going to look like to keep production at a certain level now? How much condition can you add and how many kilos of feed do you need to do that?” says Laura.

She references DairyNZ’s Facts and Figures book, which can help calculate how much feed is required to maintain production in a herd through to the end of the season and add condition if needed.

She says with the forecast payout looking good, dairy farmers might consider investing in more feed.

“Marginal profit gains of even 70 cents extra per cow per day can make a big difference. If you have 74 days of milking left to go and 200 or 300 cows, you’re looking at another $10,000 and up to $15,000 in income.”

Industry standard body condition score for mixed-aged cows is 5.0, and for first or second calvers 5.5 for calving time “When animals reach their BCS targets there is less risk of uterine infections, fewer metabolic issues, improved production, and better reproduction results. If cows are in

PGG Wrightson technical expert in ruminant nutrition Laura Pattie.

good health and recover well from calving, this also shortens the period between calving and the following season’s mating.

“As a rule of thumb, we want no more than 15 percent of the herd above or below these targets. Then we’ve got a nice uniform herd, which is important to the efficiency of the overall farm system.

“If herds are too far above these scores, they tend to reduce their dry matter intake post-calving which affects milk production and increases the risk of ketosis. The same applies for cows well below those scores, who won’t have enough reserves to maintain milk production.”

Pattie stresses the importance of looking at cow condition and not just weight.

“Condition really is about that layer of squish-

iness on her, which means we can then get an idea of what sort of reserves she

has to support her performance and her health.”

DairyNZ runs the Body Condition Scoring Certified Assessor Programme and Pattie recommends farmers consider getting an independent person to assess their herds.

“When we see our cows every day, it can be hard to be honest with ourselves about where they’re actually at. Contracting the services of a certified assessor will give you an objective and reliable measure of your herd’s body condition to help you make better

decisions.

“It’s all about maximising dry-matter intake and working out how many kilograms of dry-matter each animal needs to be performing at the level we want, while not losing condition,” says Laura.

She also encourages farmers to monitor NDF (neutral detergent fibre) levels and pasture utilization. This is particularly important in late summer when pasture has suffered heat stress and NDF levels are not as good, or in winter when pasture utilisation might be lower.

This is because high NDF levels can limit dry matter intakes and herd performance.

Access to plenty of clean water and salt is also crucial along with adding magnesium and calcium which will have been mined from herds during pregnancy.

“We’re not just feeding to keep the milk pumping,” says Pattie.

“We want to manage our cows’ condition as well to ensure they stay in our herd as productive animals for many seasons to come.”

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DAIRY NEWS APRIL 5, 2022

22 // MATING

A passion for the Jersey breed THE HORN family’s Kuku and Allandale Jersey Studs are the oldest

3 YR

Jersey studs owned by one family in New Zealand, Peter Horn recall-

ing his great-grandfather started the Kuku Stud in 1914.

Five generations on, great-great-granddaughter Letitia Horn is continu-

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Peter Horn’s (right) great-grandfather started the Kuku Stud in 1914: five generations on, great-great-granddaughter Letitia Horn is continuing the family tradtion.

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ing the family tradition – and passion for the Jersey breed.

“The origins of the herd are New Zealand bred sires from the country’s top Jersey studs,” Peter says.

“We began to dabble in North American genetics when the protein payout was introduced in the 1980s and used the bulls ValleyStream Duncan Dynamo and ValleyStream J.I.S Juno.

“Our cows were good at the time, but we wanted more milk.”

The farm is 78 hectares of river-silt flats near Feilding, 45 hectares under irrigation. All stock are grazed on the farm – cows, young stock, bulls and the odd carryover.

Peter has made a lifelong study of bloodlines and knew that the right bulls would lift per cow production without costing type.

“Around 10 years ago World Wide Sires’ breeding consultant, Jeremy Gloyn, put me onto a bull called Tbone.

“Tbone daughters are very high type commercial cows which have excelled for us both onfarm in the show ring. Last year we won the Premier Jersey Breeder Award at the Dairy Event. Tbone daughters are good size with beautiful bone and are free milking cows.

“I bought every straw I could get of that bull – around 800 – and got around 150 daughters.

Tbone was an exceptional bull and he turned the herd around for production. Valentino was also a good bull that I used.

“Tbone daughters are very high type commercial cows which have excelled for us both onfarm in the show ring.

Last year we won the Premier Jersey Breeder Award at the Dairy Event.

Tbone daughters are good size with beautiful bone and are free milking cows. They have beautiful udders and correct teat placement.

“That’s the thing with

North American genetics – you are selecting bulls from the largest database of proven and DNA proven elite dairy bulls in the world. Juno and Tbone are just two examples but these two sires, alone, turned our herd around. Their legacy is evident in the herd we have today and will continue to influence the herd into the future.”

Today, the 225 Kuku and Allandale Jersey cows average 560kgMS/cow which positions the herd in the top six registered jersey herds in New Zealand. “They are very good hardworking cows with looks and production,” Peter says.

DAIRY NEWS APRIL 5, 2022

MATING // 23

First Light’s Wagyu business has been operating since 2011 and is looking to add more dairy farmers to its scheme.

Why dairy beef value chains are important WITH PRESSURE growing on the farming industry to minimise wastage, reduce omissions and develop sustainable practices, many dairy farmers are now proactively looking for opportunities to optimise their herd and derive complementary income through involvement in a dairy beef value chain, says First Light Wagyu.

First Light’s Wagyu business has been operating since 2011 and is looking to add more dairy farmers to its established value chain of dairy farmers, calf rearers, store farmers and grazers, and finishing farmers.

It says interested dairy farmers will be those that want to be linked to a premium market for their product, and who seek multi-year arrangements. Interested in farming some of their dairy beef progeny on, they want the assurance that their progeny will be purchased when ready.

“While this role had been contracted out to LIC for the past few years, First Light – a key player in the premium beef sector – is now offering dairy farmers the chance to build a direct relationship with them,” it says.

This will enable a full value chain to operate from genetics to consumer providing marketing, product integrity and price advantages.

Traditionally dairy farmers have been offered either 7-day old calf or 95kg weaned contracts. Being part of the First Light value chain opens new doors for farmers with 8-month, 15-20 month and breed to finish options, as well as access to market pool returns giving farmers multiple choices and the flexibility to meet their needs and optimise their farm operations.

It says this opportunity is open to new farmers, as well as existing First Light dairy farm suppliers.

The range of contracts offered means the dairy farmer can choose to breed more of their herd with First Light across the range of options and

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make First Light Wagyu their preferred beef breed across their herd.

First Light will supply insemination straws directly for breeding Wagyu X Dairy calves. The semen will arrive in banks for inserting by the farmer’s AI technician. First Light will provide both the technical and on farm calf support, and all communication will be direct with First Light, who believe that face-to-face, boots on the ground communication is key to a successful dairy beef value chain.

“Communication aside, for most farmers, income assurance is top of mind,” says First Light.

“Knowing the projected income for the upcoming season is critical to a farm’s operations and herd management plans.”

The market for First Light Wagyu beef is set three years in advance and as a result, First Light’s pricing and demand is locked in well prior to mating.

First Light says its value chain is also unique within the dairy beef sector given it is for mixed sex progeny, with a preference for progeny from cross-bred cows (F6 to F12).

This provides a bonus for dairy farmers in ensuring they are not left with unwanted heifer calves or off-

colour calves that have been historically of little or no value.

A Wagyu calf is generally smaller than other beef breeds which typically means easier calving and less stress on the cow and the farmer.

Duncan and Nicky Anderson from Culvenden believe they have found the right fit for their farming business.

“After having problems with traditional beef breeds, First Light Black Wagyu have been a success for our dairy cows, enabling them to calve with ease and recover well,” the Andersons says.

“Decreasing wastage with more progeny in a value-add stream has also enhanced returns within our business. We enjoy being involved with an organisation who have built a niche market and who value us as suppliers.”

Many of First Light’s existing dairy farmer suppliers are using Wagyu as part of a sexed semen programme, where the best genetic merit cows are selected for producing heifer replacements, and the balance of the herd is mated with Wagyu and potentially a follow up beef breed.

0800 4 Wagyu (0800 4 92498) @dairy_news facebook.com/dairynews

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DAIRY NEWS APRIL 5, 2022

24 // MATING

Using genomics for genetic gain USING DNA to identify

the unique make-up of a dairy cow will become an increasingly powerful tool for dairy farmers as they look to fast-track the genetic gain of their herds, says new CRV myDNA product manager Anna Morrow.

The potential for farmers to use DNA to breed

healthier more efficient cows faster is exciting says Anna, who started in her new role at the end of March.

“Farmers can improve their results by using genomics to select better animals in their herd and by using the technology to make more informed breeding decisions,” says

Anna.

The technology is becoming increasingly accessible and, in the future, could help farmers respond to challenges such as reducing their environmental footprint.

“More farmers are DNA testing their young stock which will allow them to better predict

the performance of their cows over a lifetime. Currently traits such as polled [without horns] are available, and in the future, we could predict other traits such as low methane.”

The practical application of genetics and its potential to solve problems is what encouraged Anna to switch from neu-

roscience to genetics at the University of Otago.

“Every living thing has DNA. It tells you everything about that animal or plant, how it grows, develops and functions.

Genomics is a really new technology, there is still so much to learn.”

Anna’s unique blend of on-farm experience and

The potential for farmers to use DNA to breed healthier, more efficient cows faster is exciting, says CRV myDNA product manager Anna Morrow (inset).

knowledge of the complex world of genetics will help in her role managing and developing CRV’s DNA testing service.

Anna grew up on a farm in Gordonton, near Hamilton, and has worked as a relief milker. After university she worked as an embryologist where she created embryos to help provide the top bulls of the future. She then started at CRV last year coordinating the delivery of myDNA before being promoted to manager.

Anna encourages farmers to jump on board with DNA technology to ensure they have access to the best future genetic solutions.

“CRV’s myDNA uses technology that is futureproofed. We use a highdensity chip that can capture the unique DNA points to detect genetic variation in cows and as we learn more about those points the predic-

tions will become more powerful.”

NZAEL’s intention to include genotypes into its evaluation system by December 2022 further highlights the industry’s shift towards genomics.

“It’s fascinating seeing genetic technology being used to strengthen the agriculture sector and allowing farmers to achieve genetic gain faster.

“It’s great being a part of that and I can’t wait to see where we head to next,” says Anna.

“Looking overseas to farmers in Netherlands and other parts of Europe, they already select based on genomic information alone and more farmers will start doing that in New Zealand. Now is the time to get young stock in the system – once tested you can track those animals for life.”

• For more information on myDNA visit crv4all.co.nz

DAIRY NEWS APRIL 5, 2022

MATING // 25

Dairy farmers need to make informed decisions about the non-replacement genetics they choose to use over their cows, says B+LNZ.

The power of beef genetics NOW INTO its seventh year, the Beef+Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) Genetics Dairy Beef Progeny Test (DBPT) continues to create value for both the beef industry and the dairy industry, by identifying and enabling the widespread use of superior bulls for use over dairy cows.

B+LNZ Genetics’ general manager Dan Brier says the aim is to offer easy calving and short gestation length genetics to dairy farmers while finishers still benefit from fast-finishing animals with superior carcase attributes.

The majority of this country’s export beef is derived from the dairy industry and improving the quality of this beef benefits both industries by generating more value at every stage of the supply chain, while reducing calf wastage in the dairy industry.

“Dairy farmers are an important part of B+LNZ and the Dairy Beef Progeny Test generates the information dairy farmers need to make informed decisions about the non-replacement genetics they choose to use over their cows,” he says.

“We entered into partnership with LIC (which helps fund the test) a couple of years ago to ensure that dairy farmers have access to the best bulls coming through the progeny test.”

The DBPT began at Limestone Downs in

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SUMMARY OF RESULTS A SUMMARY of measurements recorded on calves born into the DBPT at Renown: 2018-born calves were ultrasound-scanned for carcass traits before processing between October 2020 and March 2021.

The majority of cattle (97.6%) graded P2 and 38% of heifers and 24% of steers reached reserve grade under Silver Fern Farms’ BeefEQ standard. The weights of all the calves were recorded at 200, 400 and 600 days.

2019-born calves were processed between October 2021 and March 2022. Data from this cohort is currently being analysed and results will be presented in the June 2022 report.

2020-born calves have been run

Heat & health drafting

in four groups since weaning (two groups of heifers and two groups of steers). A 200, 400 and 600-day weight has been measured on this cohort of progeny.

This cohort will be processed from Spring 2022.

The first report on 2021-born calves will be released later this month.

The report will cover calving traits (including birth weight, calving ease and gestation length) and age at weaning. All calves have been DNAsampled and parentage profiling is complete.

Mating to generate the 2022-born cohort was completed in November, with calving predicted to start around 21July.

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2015, where Hereford and Angus bulls with a range of Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) were tested in a dairy herd to determine how well the progeny performance matched the EBV of the sire.

The EBVs proved to be a good predictor of performance in the dairy beef system, and in 2017, the second stage of the DBPT was established at Pāmu’s Renown farm at Wairakei Estate.

Today, the programme tests the performance of bulls (of any breed) with EBVs that indicate they are likely to be excellent bulls for dairy beef systems.

Calves are reared under commercial conditions and finished at Pāmu’s Orakonui farm at Wairakei Estate.

Bulls tested to

date have not caused significant calving difficulty in the crossbred cows they were mated to, indicating that there is a substantial pool of bulls available that could be used with confidence over dairy cows.

It is important to use beef bulls with data (EBVs) where possible to ensure there is less risk of calving problems.

A PhD student who looked at the dairyfarm impacts of using beef bulls in the Dairy Beef Progeny Test at Limestone Downs reported no effect on milk production or rebreeding performance for cows that calved to different beef bulls.

On over 125 bulls ­- tested between 2016 and 2020 - the genetic effect on gestation length was a range of 13.5 days.

Shorter gestation has the potential to add value for dairy farmers, especially when the bulls are used later in the mating period.

A shorter gestation will bring a late calver back towards the mean calving date, increasing her chance of conception the following season and more days in milk.

When the calves from those bulls were grown out, the 600-day weight recorded for their progeny had a range of 68kg.

Dan says if the bulls were restricted to a 282day gestation period or less, the range in 600-day weight was 61kg.

“This indicates that there is huge opportunity to improve the growth potential of dairy beef calves without having to compromise on calving ease or gestational length.”

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DAIRY NEWS APRIL 5, 2022

26 // MATING

Breeding better cows faster CRV SAYS it is now offering innovative sexed semen technology to New Zealand dairy farmers.

It is collaborating with US animal breeding

science company Genus IntelliGen Technologies and giving farmers access to high quality sexed semen to accelerate the genetic gains of

their herd. CRV recently officially opened its new sexed semen processing facility at its Bellevue production and logistics site in Waikato.

It is equipped with IntelliGen Technology, the only commercial laserablation semen sexing technology available in key global markets.

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The extra eyes and brains you’ve always wished you had around the farm.

This cuttingedge technology has successfully inseminated millions of cattle around the world, CRV claims.

CRV managing director James Smallwood says IntelliGen Technology’s process for developing sexed bovine genetics is gentler on the sperm cells than traditional sexed semen processes.

“This cutting-edge technology does not subject semen cells to the high pressures, electric currents and shear forces that are used in the traditional sexed semen technology, which reduces stress on the cells as they are processed.

“The innovative technology we’ll be using at Bellevue means we can provide farmers with a high-quality sexed product to help them maximise their profitability and achieve genetic gains faster and in a more efficient way.”

The new facility will enable CRV to meet the growing demand from New Zealand farmers and overseas markets for its sexed semen, which has tripled since last season.

The rise in demand is a result of dairy farmers looking to accelerate their herds’ genetic gain and reduce bobby calf numbers, which is an increasingly important factor as they consider animal welfare.

Smallwood says dairy farmers need tailored genetic solutions to unlock the potential of their farm business and maximise profitability.

“We call it ‘precision breeding’.

“This approach means we are helping farmers select the right mix of sexed semen, conventional semen and dairy beef sires to breed better replacements, higher value dairy beef calves and reduce the number of bobby calves.

“We’ve seen demand for sexed straws continue to grow year on year. For herds with good fertility management, using sexed semen from the very best bulls on your best cows is the most effective and fastest way to get ahead.”

Sexed semen is available from a selection of CRV’s best New Zealand and imported bulls, including the company’s stars, such as Scotch, Koromiko and Nucleus. The bulls available are the company’s highest indexing bulls, recognising that farmers want quality replacements from their best cows.

“If farmers make the decision to use sexed semen, they’re actually committing to those genetics being in the herd for eight years, because they are unlikely to get a bobby calf.

“The resulting heifer calves will be the future of their herd. So, it makes sense to spend time selecting the right genetics.

“One of the benefits of our frozen sexed semen is that farmers get exactly the sire they order and can manage their mating allocation on the day.”

CRV’s new facility is EU certified which, for the first time, will allow the company to increase exports to the growing grass-fed genetics market in Europe with sexed semen.

“Fulfilling demand for sexed semen from New Zealand farmers will always be our priority,” says Smallwood.

“But the opportunity to export our genetics will help grow our business.

That means we can keep investing in solving what matters for farmers by helping them breed healthier more efficient cows.” @dairy_news facebook.com/dairynews

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Extraordinary detail.

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2022 Genetics Catalogue. Out now.

The LIC 2022 Genetics Catalogue is a must read for all farmers looking to breed better herds and achieve improvements in dairy and beef.

Inside the 156 pages you’ll find a large selection of of LIC’s best genomically-selected bulls, along with dozens of Daughter Proven options.

This unbeatable selection of bulls makes up an impressive array of Premier Sires® teams, together with the individual selections who prefer to nominate their own.

Like last year, we expect strong demand during the peak of the AB season, so make sure you don’t miss out by booking early or talk to your local Agri Manager, today.

Keep an eye out for the catalogue in your mailbox or download the PDF by going to lic.co.nz

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There's always room for improvement