Fonterra welcomes Govt approval. PAGE 3 MOVING DAY
Be prepared for the big day. PAGE 26
Turn to page 1 MAY 3, 2022 ISSUE 493 // www.dairynews.co.nz
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Fonterra welcomes Govt approval. PAGE 3 MOVING DAY
BREEDING EXCELLENCE
Famility tradition lives on. PAGE 19
Be prepared for the big day. PAGE 26
MAY 3, 2022 ISSUE 493 // www.dairynews.co.nz
PAYOUT TURNS SOUR Dairy goat farmers are fighting to survive as milk payouts slumps 30% . PAGE 5
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DAIRY NEWS MAY 3, 2022
NEWS // 3
State sets conditions for co-op restructure SUDESH KISSUN sudeshk@ruralnews.co.nz
Plantain to the rescue. PG.04
Top cow fetches $27,500. PG.21
Kicking lameness into touch. PG.24
NEWS ������������������������������������������������������3-14 AGRIBUSINESS ������������������������������������ 15 OPINION ���������������������������������������������� 16-17 MANAGEMENT ��������������������������������18-19 ANIMAL HEALTH ��������������������������� 20-21 MACHINERY & PRODUCTS ���������������������������������������22-24 MOVING DAY ���������������������������������� 25-29
THE GOVERNMENT is aiming to address a number of risks created by Fonterra’s capital restructure. While the Government has agreed to progress enabling legislation for Fonterra’s capital structure changes, Jarden head of research Arie Dekker says it has flagged a number of concerns. These include impacts on contestability of milk supply; a suppressed share price in the restricted farmers-only market; higher prices for farmers’ milk could flow through to NZ consumers; and value will be eroded for unit holders in the unit fund (Fonterra Shareholders Fund). “Having looked at various options, the Government has decided to support the capital restructuring and amend the Dairy Industry Restructuring Act (DIRA) to specifically enable the unit fund to remain partially delinked on a permanent basis. “For Fonterra, we consider this is an important step forward.” Dekker points out that in light of the risks that have been identified around contestability for farmers’ milk supply and its impact on value creation for the wider dairy industry, the Government has agreed existing DIRA regulatory settings should be strengthened to reduce these risks. “These fall into three buckets, with industry consultation being sought on them. The consultation is
Arie Dekker, Jarden
not seeking comment on the capital restructure or other regulatory or alternative Government responses to the co-op’s capital restructuring.” Dekker says Fonterra was likely to readily accept two of the three proposed responses from the Government. “These changes to DIRA appear to seek to address some of the broad concerns that have been levelled at the capital structure changes. “The Government is proposing to make amendments to support liquidity in the farmers-only market by requiring a market maker to maintain a range of minimum bid/ask spreads in the market, and
require Fonterra to ensure independent financial markets (broker/ other) research and analysis of its performance are easily accessible to farmers. “There is acknowledgement that even at sufficient levels of liquidity in the farmers-only market, there would still be a structured restrictedmarket discount. “The Government is also suggesting Fonterra maintain and publish a dividend and retentions policy, with this aimed at helping address the concern that the establishment of a farmers-only share market will see a substantially lower share price, which could artificially increase the attractiveness
of shares to new or expanding dairy farmers.” Fonterra chairman Peter McBride acknowledged Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor and MPI for “the constructive process to date and their work to develop proposed amendments to DIRA that support the flexible shareholding structure”. “The Government’s aspirations for our industry are well aligned to the co-op’s,” McBride says. “We all want a high performing dairy industry, and a successful and innovative Fonterra is central to that. “A strong Fonterra can lead the TO PAGE 4
DAIRY NEWS MAY 3, 2022
4 // NEWS
Plantain can reduce N leaching TRIALS ARE showing
that plantain has the potential to reduce nitrate leaching by more than 20%, says David Burger, DairyNZ general manager sustainable dairy. He made the comments after visiting the Tararua Plantain Project last week with Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor. The project is a DairyNZ-led project working with partner organisations, local farmers and the local community to improve water quality. It supports farmers in adopting plantain on their farms, testing the benefits in local pastures and sharing the lessons with other farmers. Project partners are DairyNZ, Agricom, MPI, Fonterra and Nestlé. Delivery partners include AgResearch, Horizons and Massey University. Burger says plantain in pastures is showing great promise to improve waterways by reducing nitrate leaching. “This project has community at its heart as it seeks environmental
WATER PROJECT THE TARARUA Plantain Project water quality day was held last week at Norsewood. DairyNZ says the day was about sharing dairy farmers’ contribution to improving water quality and hearing from others including iwi on how the whole community can play a role. Invitees include Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor, Tararua District Mayor Tracey Collis, DairyNZ, Mavis Mullins (project chair and part of the local hapu), hapu representative Hone Morris, Horizons WQ scientist, Mike Patterson.
DairyNZ’s Francesca Bennett with plantain.
improvements,” he says. Burger says farmers involved in the project care about their local waterways and have improved their streams already through their own ongoing farm actions. “It aims to ensure the
dairy sector continues as an economic pillar within the local community. Plantain is a potential solution New Zealand wide.” The project has so far attracted 66 dairy farms in the Tararua District in
Wairarapa. It is likely more farms will adopt plantain this autumn (2022), though the numbers are yet to be confirmed. Burger says these farmers are incorporating plantain on their farms
and helping scientists assess the benefits and practice change needed. “We aim to have 118 farms involved in this project. Monitoring programmes have been set up by DairyNZ on several participating
Tararua dairy farms to measure plantain productivity and report on Tararua water quality. “The Tararua Plantain Project builds on the findings of a DairyNZled cross-sector research programme, forages for
reduced nitrate leaching. “This programme showed plantain has the potential to reduce nitrate leaching by more than 20%.” @dairy_news facebook.com/dairynews
GOVT SETS CONDITIONS FOR CAPITAL RESTRUCTURE FROM PAGE 3
industry, building New Zealand provenance, lifting the bar on environmental performance and ensuring sustainable returns for all New Zealand dairy farmers. “A flexible shareholding model will help our co-op maintain a sustainable milk supply. “A globally competitive co-op of
scale is in everyone’s best interests.” McBride says the Government has signalled that while regulatory changes will not be in place by 1 June, it expects the amendments to DIRA to progress through Parliament this year. “We are preparing to implement the flexible shareholding structure as soon as possible. Share compliance obligations will remain on hold until
at least six months after the effective date for the new structure.” O’Connor says the Government is proposing a set of amendments to DIRA that strike a balance between recognising the shareholders’ mandate for change and enabling the successful function of the wider dairy sector. “The benefits of a high-performing and efficient Fonterra flow through
its near 10,000 farmer-shareholders to our rural communities and across New Zealand’s economy. “The Fonterra cooperative is a key part of New Zealand’s world-leading dairy industry and a major export earner for our economy, sending product to over 130 countries.” Around 95% of all dairy milk produced in New Zealand is exported,
with export revenues of approximately $19.1 billion a year. It accounts for 35% of New Zealand’s total merchandise exports and around 3.1% of GDP. The industry employs around 49,000 people. “The success of our dairy sector and the broader primary industries will underpin our economic recovery from Covid-19,” O’Connor said.
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DAIRY NEWS MAY 3, 2022
NEWS // 5
Payout slump puts dairy goat sector in turmoil SUDESH KISSUN sudeshk@ruralnews.co.nz
NEW ZEALAND’S
fledgling dairy goat industry is in turmoil. Milk payout has slumped 30% over the past three years, forcing some dairy goat farmers to sell up. One large dairy goat farm in the Waikato was sold recently. The former owner has put 641 Saanen breed milking goats up for sale on Trade Me. When contacted by Dairy News, the goat owner said the payout had “crashed through the roof” after infant formula sales dropped in China. The infant formula market in China has been changing. Updated regulations governing the manufacture of infant formula in China, which has increased trust in domestically produced products, along with a falling birth rate, have led to a drop in demand for imported infant formula. Covid-19 had only accelerated changes that had been taking place over the last two-to-three years. Sales of infant formula through the ‘Daigou’ channel – cross border trading by visitors and
Milk payout has slumped 30% over the past three years, forcing some dairy goat farmers to sell up.
international students from China – have also dried up over the past three years. Waikato farmer Kevin Schuler, who milks cows, goats and sheep on adjoining properties, says dairy goat farmers are facing a tough time. Schuler says everyone is working hard on farm, at the company level (NZ
Dairy Goat Co-operative), and at board level. He referred Dairy News to the co-operative for comments. NZDGC chief executive David Hemara told Dairy News that the cooperative was currently meeting, and updating shareholders on market conditions. Hemara says NZDGC
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hasn’t “historically publicly announced or commented on our annual payout”. “We haven’t completed our current trading year or announced a final season payout to shareholders.” Taranaki based former dairy goat breeding consultant, Debbie Crump believes the industry has
“gone to hell in a hand cart”. Crump told Dairy News that she has seen smaller, independent commercial producers of dairy goat products, crippled by red tape and horrendous cost of compliance. “Many have only been able to keep their heads above water via the export of excess animals.
“There have been larger commercial producers who have also shared that they have felt the pinch of reduced quotas and lower payouts, combined with rising costs of production and compliance.” Crump claims that from the 90s where a robust, youthful industry saw breeders and early
commercial herds working together, there is now a massive disconnect between players. The genetic quality of dairy goats today, compared to back then, has gone downhill big time, she says. “There needs to be an independent body of properly qualified individuals, who can identify the wants and needs across the industry spectrum, and develop an evaluation system along with collating information that can then be fed back to industry players at all levels, for positive improvement in the national herd. “This organisation must be totally independent of any dairy cow organisation, breed association, supply chain, import/export or semen company to be truly non biased and independent in its role. “There is a desperate need for qualified new blood: a lot of dead wood in positions of power at various levels. “Too many chiefs and not enough Indians along with a distinct lack of foresight and vision for the future, are all contributing to holding any marked progress across the board, back.”
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DAIRY NEWS MAY 3, 2022
NEWS // 7
Tricky season for Naki farmers PETER BURKE peterb@ruralnews.co.nz
IT’S BEEN a very challenging season for Taranaki dairy farmers, according to local DairyNZ consulting officer, Ashley Primrose. She says farmers are describing the season as one where they are just keeping their heads above water. She says it’s been quite hard for them in terms of the unusually slow pasture grass growth which has seen some farmers taking up to a month later than normal to reach balance date. Primrose says this was not the best way to start the season. “As a result of the inconsistent pasture growth, not as much supplement – especially silage – was made as might have
Taranaki farmers say slow pasture growth and bad weather have hampered milk production. Inset: DairyNZ consulting officer Ashley Primrose.
been expected,” she told Dairy News. “We have had periods of dry, which is pretty uncharacteristic for Taranaki, and then we had some massive rainfall events. The heavy downpour at Waitangi weekend was followed by another big rainfall event the following weekend with a result there was quite a bit of damage to farms around the coast,” she
says. Primrose says what was unusual was that the whole of the province was affected by the weather events. She says, for example, Midhurst, which is known for its rainfall, suffered an unusually dry spell in January. “The summer was odd,” she says. The heavy rain did a lot of damage around rivers with some ripar-
ian plantings washed away and bridges and culverts damaged. Primrose says some crops that were planted in February were damaged and some maize crops were affected by wind. Covers around the province are a bit of a mixed bag, she says. She notes that some farmers started feeding out supplements that had been earmarked for winter use.
“This is a bit of a worry but people seem to have recognised this and have been buying in extra feed to make up that which they have used. Hopefully everyone has recognised the need to have sufficient supplements to last them through winter and have done something about this,” she says.
Primrose says there has been quite a lot of chat about the price of supplements for next season – especially the likes of PKE. Despite the challenges around pasture growth, it appears that like most farmers around the country, few Taranaki farmers have dried off their herds and are milking on. This
maybe because of the wait to get cull cows into the works. Primrose says the waiting time has been as long as six weeks. “Some have managed to get stock away and DairyNZ has been encouraging people to make sure they had stock booked in ahead of time. But people have definitely had to hold onto stock longer than they would have liked,” she says. DairyNZ has also been encouraging farmers to get their cows condition scored and it would appear that across the board the scores are somewhere between four and four point five. “Our key message to farmers is to make sure they have got feed for winter and into early spring before the grass starts to grow again and just keeping their cows in good condition,” she says.
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DAIRY NEWS MAY 3, 2022
8 // NEWS
Farm workers’ salary, perks rising JESSICA MARSHALL jessica@ruralnews.co.nz
FEDERATED FARMERS president Andrew
Hoggard says recent findings from a Rabobank report are another reason why New Zealanders should consider a career in agriculture. The 2022 Federated Farmers – Rabobank Farm Salaries Remuneration Summary Report found salaries across on-farm positions were up by a weighted average of 14% since 2020, with the mean salary rising to $63,931. The report collates the results of a remuneration
survey conducted across late 2021 and early 2022. Dairy salaries, in particular, increased by an average of 15%, the report found. The report also looks at Total Package Values, which factor in employment benefits such as food and vehicle use, workers’ length of service, accommodation costs and weekly hours worked. “Our survey shows that on top of wages adding in other factors that make up the total value of remuneration packages for farm staff, such as accommodation, meat, firewood and KiwiSaver, there’s several
Federated Farmers president Andrew Hoggard says there are solid pay packages available for farm workers.
thousand dollars of extra value to workers across all the sectors,” Hoggard says.
He says that in towns and cities, large chunks of workers’ income go towards accommodation
Market solid despite drop in farm sales RECENT DATA released
by the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ) showed a drop in farm sales for the three months ended March
2022 compared to the same period last year. There were 395 farm sales in the three months to March 2022, down 10.6% on the three
costs. “But in our dairy sector 75% of employers provide accommodation for staff… with the aver-
age accommodation cost per week being $157-$187.” “So as well as job security in a sector that has ploughed ahead through tough Covid times as the engine room of our economy, plus the satisfaction of working outdoors and growing quality food for families here and in scores of other countries, the survey makes clear there are solid pay packages available,” Hoggard says. Rabobank chief executive Todd Charteris says the strong growth of remuneration rates is encouraging given the contribution the sector has made to the country’s
economy in recent years. “The food and agri sector has been the shining light of the New Zealand economy since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, and it’s promising to see those working in the sector are now receiving significantly higher salaries than they were two years ago,” Charteris says. “For the sector to continue to flourish, it’s essential it is viewed as an attractive place to work. And competitive remuneration is a key ingredient that will help entice school leavers and other workers into on-farm roles.”
While the March 2022 data reflects an easing of farm sales, total sales are still well ahead of the March 2020 numbers.
months ended March 2021. In the year to March 2022, 69 more farms were sold compared to the year to March 2021, with 37.3%
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more dairy farms sold and 24.4% fewer dairy support farms sold. On a price per kgMS basis the median sales price was $35.27/kgMS for the three months ended March 2022, compared to $32.63/kgMS for the three months ended February 2022. The median price per hectare for all farms sold in the three months to March 2022 was $29,795 compared to $25,915 recorded for three months
ended March 2021, up 15%. REINZ rural spokesman Brian Peacocke says that while the March 2022 data reflects an easing, total farm sales are still well ahead of the March 2020 numbers. “Climatic conditions around the country dominate discussions with variable rainfall in Northland, very dry in the Waikato, wet and cold in Hawke’s Bay, unseasonably damp in Canterbury,
and drought conditions in lower Otago and Southland,” Peacocke says. “Production has suffered or responded accordingly which is a frustration for those impacted negatively given the indications of a record price for the dairy payout, strong prices for beef and lamb, and extremely bright prospects for income in the horticulture sector.” One thing to watch out for, Peacocke says,
is the cautioning rises in the Official Cash Rate, the consequential rises in interest rates, rises in the cost of production including wage increases, all of which is exacerbated by the increases in the cost of fuel. Peacocke says that despite this, the lifting of Covid restrictions and the prospect of offshore travel again on the horizon, morale in the rural sector seems to be good. – Jessica Marshall
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DAIRY NEWS MAY 3, 2022
NEWS // 9
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Michael Kiernan will talk about his lucerne crop at the field day this week.
Flexible milking, soil health to feature at SMASH field day a wee bit lower, so it’ll be good to see him here, just to get a bit of an insight.” Michael has been in New Zealand for 14 years, but is originally from Ireland. He fell in love with New Zealand after being persuaded to visit by a couple of Kiwis he worked with in the UK. “We flew into Christchurch and drove down the West Coast and I thought, ‘Oh, this is an amazing place’. Then we got to Invercargill, went out for a meal with these guys, went onto their farm, and they offered me a job. “My grandparents were dairy farmers, so I’ve always been around farming. I tried a trade, as an electrician. I did enjoy it, but I enjoyed farming more. I’ve always liked farming – the outdoors and the lifestyle, and the Kiwi system. “Like in the UK, the stress. I was on a high-input system in the UK, and so I was milking twice daily, and you’d be in the cowshed for eight hours of that day, probably more. You’re milking all year round, you’re feeding all year round, you’re mating all year round. I couldn’t believe it when I got to New Zealand. “The weather is a lot better than in Ireland. The two countries are fairly similar, apart from the weather, you’ve definitely got better summers in New Zealand. And look, I wouldn’t say laid back, but you’ve definitely got more time to do more lifestyle stuff.” Michael is a believer in the value of attending industry events, where he learns new techniques, tips and tricks to try out on farm. He also values the opportunity to network with other farmers, which can be especially beneficial if conditions on farm are challenging. “It’s good to realise that you’re not the only one that’s got no grass, and it is good to hear other people and get their opinions too. “Nobody has the same system. You’ll pick up ideas, take them back home, and try something new. It could be something really simple but really useful.” To find out more about the SMASH field day at Michael’s farm, and to register, go to the SMASH website at www. smallerherds.co.nz.
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MICHAEL KIERNAN’S lucerne crop was a godsend in the dry Southland summer this season. Attendees at the upcoming Smaller Milk and Supply Herds (SMASH) field day near Glenham this week are going to hear all about it, his zero bobby policy, and how the rest of his system operates. Alongside Michael, expert industry speakers Paul Edwards (DairyNZ) and Doug Edmeades (soil scientist) are going to delve into the pros and cons of flexible milking and how you can get the most out of your soil to support pasture growth. Michael has spent his last seven seasons sharemilking 180 Friesian cows on Dean and Sarah Rabbidge’s 72ha farm and has used 10-in-7 the last two seasons. He trialled it as a tool for managing the dry summer conditions on farm and after talking to friends about their experiences using it. “This is our second season doing 10-in7,” says Michael. ”I could’ve done 16 hours, but I just don’t like it. It doesn’t suit our farm and our paddock sizes. 10-in-7 is perfect; our bigger paddocks do for the once a day, it actually suits our system really well.” He does note its impact on production, and he sees a spike in his SCC, but believes the pluses outweigh the minuses for him. “They reckon you drop production by 3% I think,” says Michael. “But you’ve got your shed cost, your labour saving – you’ve got to think of your own personal time too. Like those once a day milkings in the weekends, they’re pretty handy.” DairyNZ has carried out extensive research on flexible milking options. At Michael’s field day, Paul Edwards is going to talk about the options, their impacts on production, profitability, and SCC, and how farmers can determine which milking interval is most suited to their operation. Michael is also looking forward to hearing from Doug Edmeades who has had a long and notable career as a soil scientist. “It’ll be interesting because we’ve got three different soil types on farm and it’s not a steep farm, but it’s hilly, and so you can have 3,000 cover at the top, 1,500 at the bottom, and our potassium levels are
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DAIRY NEWS MAY 3, 2022
10 // NEWS
WMP prices hit ‘tipping point’ SUDESH KISSUN sudeshk@ruralnews.co.nz
THE COUNTRY’S
second largest milk processor believes the tipping point for whole milk powder (WMP) pricing has been reached. WMP prices have fallen US$500/tonne over the past two months: the last three auctions on Global Dairy Trade (GDT) saw WMP prices drop. Much of the downturn in prices has been attributed to another Omicron wave in China. Open Country Dairy chief executive Steve Koekemoer noted that China’s WMP buying activity was down significantly at 31%, which is the lowest for a number of years. “With China moving Shanghai, a city of 26 million people, into full Covid lockdown, I expect there will be some shortterm uncertainty on the demand side,” he says. “You can imagine the disruptions with restaurants closing, takeaways shut, all foodservice
Open Country Dairy chief executive Steve Koekemoer says that China’s WMP buying activity was down significantly.
grinding to a halt. “This will force their domestic processors to channel their milk into WMP production as a safe haven and put pressure on imports.” Koekemoer believes globally the overall supply/demand fundamentals still support strong milk prices. “I don’t see any reason for a significant downside,” he says. “For NZ, we now have drought conditions in the South Island, and the EU is struggling with considerable energy and feed costs, which is restricting
further supply response.” Open Country continues to be selective in its product mix. Koekemoer says Open Country’s focus is on the cheese portfolio due to its higher returns. “Although we have more flexibility in the shoulders of the season, we still have to produce some WMP through our driers. “Looking at the product mix and milk availability, we are still comfortable with our current settlement forecast,” he says. Open Country pays its
suppliers in full four times a year. For milk supplied from February to May this year, Open Country suppliers will be paid between a record $10.35 to $10.65/kgMS. However, for milk supplied between June and September this year, suppliers can expect a range of $9.60 to $9.90. Koekemoer says it’s important for the company to manage the volatility resulting from China’s Covid response and any impact from the Ukraine crisis. “Flexibility will be key next season – how quickly we can
FMG Young Farmer title finalists react to changing product demand. “Fortunately, we have built this capability into the business, which gives us confidence in our competitiveness.” Westpac senior agri economist Nathan Penny expects the weakness in dairy prices to be temporary. Penny notes that the experience in other countries is that Omicron waves eventually pass. “Some lockdown restrictions in China are already scheduled to lift,” he says. He says the 4.4% drop in WMP prices and 4.2% drop in skim milk powder (SMP) prices in the last GDT auction weren’t unexpected. Immediately prior to the auction, the futures market had indicated a 4% fall in WMP prices. China is New Zealand’s key dairy market and lockdowns have impacted several major cities. Penny says, with this in mind, it’s not surprising that dairy demand and auction prices have taken a hit.
FOUR DAIRY farmers are among the seven final-
ists vying for the FMG Young Farmer of the Year title. Waikato/Bay of Plenty’s Chris Poole, Tasman’s Jonny Brown, Otago/Southland’s Alex Field and Taranaki/Manawatu’s David Reesby will compete for the top title later this year. For Waikato/Bay of Plenty’s Chris Poole, age 27, the competition is something of a family affair as his wife, Emma Dangen, was an FMG Young Farmer of the Year Grand Finalist in 2019. Poole will also be competing against his brotherin-law, Tim Dangen, a sheep/beef farmer, in the 2022 Grand Final. Tasman’s Jonny Brown manages a dairy farm for Dairy Holdings Ltd, which milks 1,300 cows, and has spent his career rising through the ranks of the industry. Since graduating from Lincoln University with a Bachelor of Agricultural Commerce and Land Valuation, the father of two has worked in contract milking and farm management mainly around the Canterbury region. For Alex Field of Otago Southland, this marks the second time he has made it to the Grand Final. Three years ago, in 2019, Field competed in the Grand Final, winning the award for outstanding leadership skills. Taranaki Manawatu farmer David Reesby was named a grand finalist towards the end of March. Reesby is second in charge at his family’s dairy farm near Oroua. New Zealand Young Farmers chief executive Lynda Coppersmith has called the event series todate a success. The grand final event is scheduled to be held in Whangarei from the 7th to the 9th July. – Jessica Marshall
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DAIRY NEWS MAY 3, 2022
NEWS // 11
Recovery on the West Coast PETER BURKE peterb@ruralnews.co.nz
DAIRY FARMERS in the Buller region of the South Island are at last making progress getting their properties up and running following the devastating floods that hit them in February. The president of West Coast Federated Farmers, Bede O’Connor, whose farm was among the worst hit, says things are now starting to look positive with grass growing and a spell of good weather. He told Dairy News that farmers have been able to repair some of the damage and get new grass seed in. But he says some other jobs such as repairing damage around creeks will take longer. “In my own case we are back up and grazing about 70% of the farm that got flooded in the first week of February and the last 30% of that land should come in before the end of May. “We are down on cow num-
bers and we have milked once a day all year,” he says. O’Connor says a mini drought in March pushed a few farms a bit in terms of feed but he says since then there has been some rain. O’Connor says as long as they don’t get a wet autumn, things will be okay. He adds that some farmers won’t have normal amounts of baleage going into winter because they simply haven’t been able to make this due to the various adverse weather events. “Some feed will likely be brought in from Canterbury, but this is something that happens from time to time and is seen as an option for West Coast farmers. “You must remember we had a very wet spring so a lot of people haven’t made the amount of baleage that they would normally make, but hopefully they have been able to make some later in the season,” he says. O’Connor says there is no sign yet that farmers are drying off their cows. He says the farmgate milk price is good, there
is more feed around and he notes that farmers will hold off making any decision on drying off until the middle of May. “I haven’t heard of anyone drying off yet,” he says. Getting cull cows into the works this year is a bigger challenge than normal, according to O’Connor. He says with the way the delays are going, it’s possible that some culls will be held on farm until possibly the end of June. He says the effect of this is to create a hole in the feed budget. “I have talked to a couple of stock agents who are working to see how they can help where people are really in trouble, but they can only do so much with limited killing capacity,” he says. O’Connor says Covid has been on the West Coast for at least a month and he says this is having an impact. He says it’s a matter of waiting and seeing what might happen. He says a lot of farmers are staying on farm and being very careful about how they go about their business.
The February flood left many dairy farms and infrastructure badly damaged.
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DAIRY NEWS MAY 3, 2022
12 // NEWS
Enough product in stock for autumn – Ballance SUDESH KISSUN sudeshk@ruralnews.co.nz
FARM NUTRIENT supplier Ballance is managing the knock-on effects of Covid and the Ukraine war to maintain surety of supply for farmers and growers. The co-operative says it has enough product for autumn and is managing to keep up with demand. However, Ballance general manager sales Jason Minkhorst says the recent global price increases are on the back of two years of high prices. “Just as we finally saw fertiliser prices start to drop, the Ukraine invasion has, unfortunately, seen prices rebound,” he told Dairy News. Russia’s invasion of
Ukraine made a bad situation worse. “Although we are far from Europe, the impacts of this war are being felt here in New Zealand, particularly as the sanctions have bitten. “This is in the form of increased costs of fuel and in our case, fertiliser.” Minkhorst says Ballance had anticipated this disruption. “We have been focused on surety of supply for autumn, ensuring our farmers have the feed required for animals going into winter, particularly as we knew the meat companies would be disrupted by Covid and farmers are left with additional animals on farm as we go into winter.” Russia is the largest exporter of fertiliser in
Farm nutrients manufacturer Ballance says it has enough product in stock for autumn.
the world and also supplies a significant percentage of Europe’s energy needs. In addition, Belarus’ exports of potassium are disrupted because of its support for Russia. Collectively Russia and
Belarus account for 40% of global potassium supply. As the war and sanctions progressed, there was a rise in fertiliser prices, particularly nitrogen and potassium. Minkhorst points
out that global nitrogen prices rose to US$1,000/t and this excludes freight and local distribution costs. Ballance was not adversely impacted in the short to medium term as it does not source fin-
ished or raw materials directly from Russia, Belarus or Ukraine. “However, we are managing the knock-on, so that we can maintain surety of supply for our farmers and growers. “Our focus is help-
ing farmers through this autumn, but we are also very aware of the impacts of the cost of fertiliser for the coming spring. We will be watching this closely over winter. “As a cooperative we have being trying to help buffer our farmers from these global price movements. “In fact we recently reduced the price of nitrogen specifically to help our farmers with their feed requirements for autumn. “This is particularly important given that many regions have been very dry, and Southland is now in drought conditions. “The point of this price drop was to help our farmers and growers set themselves up for winter.”
FINALISTS HEAD TO NATIONAL AWARDS THE 32 finalists representing 11 regions in the 2022 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards have been found. The national winners will be announced at a black tie awards dinner at Te Pae in Christchurch on Saturday May 14, after the finalists complete a final round of judging. The finalists will compete for a total prize pool worth around $200,000 and the honour of winning either the 2022 New Zealand Share Farmer of the Year, 2022 New Zealand Dairy Manager of the Year or the 2022 New Zealand Dairy Trainee
of the year title. General Manager Robin Congdon says the 32 finalists from 11 regions are the cream of the crop from all the entries received. “It was fantastic to attend the regional dinners and feel the excitement of the wins and see the journey each finalist has taken, both professionally and personally,” says Congdon. “We’re thrilled these dinners were able to proceed and the live-streaming on Facebook was well-received. “The Awards promote best practice
and celebrate all entrants and finalists. It’s not just about winning, it’s a programme of learning, connecting and personal and professional growth.” This year, due to entrant withdrawals in the Share Farmer category in Hawke’s Bay/Wairarapa and Manawatū, organisers trialled a benchmarking system in these two regions which allowed entrants to complete the programme and be placed accordingly. Places were determined by the overall score achieved, which was
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then benchmarked against the scores for places across all the regions and this resulted in a first and third place for Hawke’s Bay/Wairarapa and a runner-up for Manawatū. Congdon says there was a mix of gender, age, farming experience and career backgrounds amongst the regional finalists, along with 18 finalists who were on a work visa – six in the Dairy Trainee category, 11 in the Dairy Manager category and one in the Share Farmer category. “We are looking forward to celebrating success and best practice
in the dairy industry at our Gala Dinner in May at the brand-new Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre, and judging by the number of tickets sold already, many people feel the same” The New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards are supported by national sponsors DeLaval, Ecolab, Federated Farmers, Fonterra, Honda, LIC, Meridian and Ravensdown, along with industry partners DairyNZ and MediaWorks. @dairy_news facebook.com/dairynews
DAIRY NEWS MAY 3, 2022
NEWS // 13
Ensure workers return to the farm sober! establishing that a workplace does not tolerate drug and alcohol use on the job. markd@ruralnews.co.nz Creating a robust policy can be a minefield so it might pay to seek the advice of ATTRACTING INDUSTRIOUS and an employment law firm specialising in reliable workers to the rural sector has substance-use policy or use the services been an increasingly difficult task for of an accredited drug testing company that farmers, growers and contractors for many uses a law firm to oversee such an important component. An effective policy also years. needs regular reviews and In many cases, they got updates to reflect the everthe people they needed by changing legislative environbringing skilled staff from ment and terminology. overseas to work in key roles Also, any employer that during the seasonal growing has large machinery or liveand harvesting periods. stock operations should get Unfortunately, March professional advice on edu2020 dealt a further blow cating and drug screening with the arrival of Covidemployees. A regular test19, followed by Delta and ing programme, whether more recently Omicron. The ongoing pandemic and sub- Glenn Dobson of The Drug it’s urine, hair, or oral fluid collection, detects a range sequent lockdowns brought Detection Agency. of drugs including cannabis, with them rising levels of drug and alcohol use, meaning employ- prescription pain killers, methampheters have the added worry of wondering amine and synthetic drugs. Dobson also comments, “An added if some employees are really fit for work. The issue of workers returning to benefit of workplace drug and alcohol work fit for duty is now a real issue in all testing is it can change lives by helping safety-sensitive industries, and the farm- people get the support they need. Dismissing employees is expensive, while ing industry is no different. Glenn Dobson of The Drug Detection hiring and training new staff takes also Agency says, “identifying ‘at risk’ workers takes time and more money. Rehabilitaare vitally important if you can’t afford tion can be an important option, especially productivity loss, injured livestock, and for good people with difficult problems, particularly while the sector has a severe importantly, injured workers”. According to WorkSafe, agriculture has workforce shortage”. Lastly, substance abuse monitoring particularly high fatality and injury rates: during 2021 to early 2022, there were should be complemented by ongoing eduseven deaths, and 129 injuries that resulted cation and training, particularly to help managers and supervisors identify any in more than a week away from work. Dealing with employees who are under new or recurring risks amongst the workthe influence can be tricky situation for force, but also to reinforce to employees many farmers, but a robust drug and alco- what is acceptable in the working envihol policy within any business will create ronment. an overall culture of safety, by firmly www.tdda.com MARK DANIEL
DAIRY NEWS MAY 3, 2022
14 // WORLD NEWS
Arla joins trials to reduce emissions SUDESH KISSUN sudeshk@ruralnews.co.nz
EUROPEAN DAIRY co-
operative Arla Foods has become the second global milk processor to trial the
methane-reducing feed additive Bovaer. The large-scale onfarm pilot will involve 10,000 dairy cows across three European countries. Bovaer - made by global science company
Royal DSM - claims to reduce methane emissions by 30%. Last month FreislandCampina announced it will be trialling Bovaer on 200 of its shareholder farms.
Fonterra has been trialling Bovaer on some of its Waikato shareholder farms for nearly two years. Arla Foods says 40% total emissions from its shareholder farms come from their cows’
The trial will involve 10,000 cows owned by Arla farmers in three countries.
digestion of feed. The co-op says its farmer owners are among the most climate efficient dairy producers in the world with an average CO2e emission of 1,15kg per kg of raw milk. They are committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in this decade, and in line with Arla Foods ambitious sustainability targets across its value chain. Bovaer will be trialled across more than
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pledged to make a difference at the UN Climate Change Conference, COP26, a few months ago. He says the recent IPCC report on the impact of climate change tells us there’s no time to lose when it comes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. “Transforming livestock farming will be key to this and forward-thinking companies like Arla Foods are already working hard on sustainable dairy.
“Transforming livestock farming will be key to this and forward-thinking companies like Arla Foods are already working hard on sustainable dairy.”
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50 farms in Denmark, Sweden and Germany. “Climate change requires urgent action, and we believe that dairy is part of the solution,” says Arla executive vice president and head of agriculture and sustainability, Hanne Sondergaard. “The results from our initial trials with Bovaer at both a research facility and one of our Danish farms are very promising. “Together with DSM, we are now gaining practical on-farm experience by applying the feed additive in one of its largest pilot programmes to date, and one of Arla’s biggest climate projects overall, with 10,000 cows. “This is a great example of innovative scientific solutions and actions we are taking to create a sustainable and resilient future for dairy and I am excited to see how far this will take us,” he says. DSM vice president of Bovaer, Mark van Nieuwland, points out that leaders of more than 100 countries recognise the urgency of cutting methane emissions as they
“Through our scientific innovation and collaboration, we can help achieve a sizeable reduction in emissions by changing the feed that animals eat every day and in doing so, support the health of animals, people and planet,” he says. Bovaer is a feed additive for cows and other ruminants. DSM has researched and developed this additive over 10 years and extensively tested in 14 countries around the world. Bovaer is available for sale in the EU, Brazil, Chile, and Australia. In the EU, it is the first ever approved feed additive with environmental impact, confirming its impact on methane emissions and its safety for animals, consumers and the environment. It works by suppressing the enzyme that triggers methane production in a cow’s digestive system. It takes effect immediately, is safely broken down into compounds already naturally present in a cow’s stomach and is scientifically proven to not affect the milk quality.
DAIRY NEWS MAY 3, 2022
AGRIBUSINESS // 15
Tunnel houses to teach children food production RABOBANK HAS
donated tunnel houses to eight primary schools from across the Southland region as part of an initiative to help educate about growing food, sustainability and reducing waste. With the help of local Rabobank staff, the fivemetre long tunnel houses were installed at the schools during March and early April. Primary schools across Southland were asked to apply to receive a tunnel house in October last year. The selected schools were Heddon Bush, Takitimu, Balfour, Riverton, Heriot, Mossburn, Waikaka and Lochiel. Those schools will also receive a composting bin,
compost and seedlings. The idea for the initiative came from Rabobank’s Southland agribusiness manager Michael McHutchon and was submitted by the Rabobank Southland team as part of a staff competition linked to the launch of the bank’s Rabo Community Fund – set up to support rural and regional communities across New Zealand and Australia. The tunnel house initiative was selected as the competition winner in October last year and the Southland team awarded the necessary funding to execute the project. Rabo Community Fund governing committee member Jody
Students from Heddon Bush school in front of their new tunnel house.
McCullough, based in Invercargill, said the local team were thrilled to see the initiative come to fruition. “Food production is such a significant part of Southland and New Zea-
STATE HELP FOR COAL PROJECT RAVENSDOWN IS getting govern-
ment co-funding to install a biomass combustor at its Dipton lime quarry. Locally supplied wood fuel will replace coal in the lime-drying process – an important part of preparing the naturally occurring soil conditioner for use by Southland farmers and growers. The co-operative’s commitment is being matched by funding through the Government Investment in Decarbonising Industry (GIDI) Fund. The funding agreement with EECA (Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority) commits Ravensdown to savings of at least 1,107 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per annum, reducing Ravensdown’s direct carbon footprint by almost 10%. According to EECA, process heat accounts for over a quarter of New Zealand’s energy-related emissions, presenting a huge opportunity for businesses to take a lead in climate change mitigation. The GIDI Fund is part of the government’s Covid Response and Recovery Fund, established to drive economic stimulus and job creation through decarbonisation projects. The project contributes to Ravensdown’s commitment to eliminate coal use by 2030 and is the outcome of comprehensive study to ensure that the most appropriate renewable fuel has been selected for this particular site and activity. Ravensdown chief executive Garry
Diack thanked the Government for its support. “The intense interest in GIDI from all parts of the manufacturing economy shows how important the fund has been in driving the climate change response. Ravensdown is thrilled to receive this support in order to greatly advance progress on our plan to phase out coal across the business.” National quarries manager Richard Millar explained that the conversion will have secondary benefits for the local area. “Heat from burning coal is currently used to dry lime on site before it is distributed to customers’ farms. We’re particularly excited to have Niagara Wood Fuels on board as a local supplier for the biomass. By sourcing the fuel from the surrounding area, the idea is to contribute to the local economy and reinvest in community development. “The heat source is an essential part of our production, and it has to work reliably in all conditions. Knowing that we can continue to meet farmers needs while removing our biggest source of emissions at the quarry is a major step forward.” Ravensdown lime is used on farm to improve fertility by reducing acidity. Along with reducing transport emissions, drying the lime helps it to be spread more evenly as a powder over grazing areas. @dairy_news facebook.com/dairynews
land’s economy and we wanted to look at ways we could help schools to increase interest and understanding of this topic,” she said. “Each of the schools has different ideas on how
they will use the tunnel houses, with some looking at growing produce to donate to students and their families and others looking to provide further learning opportunities by selling surplus produce
through a school market day.” Heddon Bush school teacher Sarah Guise said students at the school were rapt their school was one of the those selected to receive a new tunnel house. “As an Enviroschool, we have a strong environmental focus, and, as part of this, a small group of our students are tasked with developing the school’s sustainability vision,” she said. “When the students developed this vision early last year, a tunnel house was one of the items on their wish list, so the Rabobank opportunity came at a perfect time for us.
“We were quick to register our interest and the kids were absolutely stoked when I passed on the news that our school was one the lucky winners.” Guise said the students were really excited when the tunnel house was delivered by Rabobank staff in early April and they’d already come up with a number of great ideas for how it could be utilised. “The school has a piece of QE2 covenant land close by that’s been used over the years to plant natives and we’ll now use the tunnel house for planting out or growing native seedlings for use in riparian plantings,” she said.
DAIRY NEWS MAY 3, 2022
16 // OPINION RUMINATING
EDITORIAL
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MILKING IT... No prosecution?
Face mask wins award
Milk move turns Don’t bully sour cheese lovers!
A NORTH Canterbury cow sanctuary that was investigated following animal welfare concerns seems to have escaped prosecution. Milking It understands the Ministry for Primary Industries won’t be taking owner Jasmine Hubber to court. Hubber was 17 when she opened Til the Cows Come Home near Cust in July 2017 to provide a safe haven for rescued farm animals. At one stage, she had about 200 cows across six grazing sites. Many of them were sick or injured bobby calves or retired dairy cows, which were saved from slaughter. But MPI had to step in after concerns were raised about the state of the animals.
A FACE mask for cows that neutralises the climateheating gas methane in their belches has won a UK design award from Prince Charles and designer Sir Jony Ive. Students from the Royal College of Art (RCA) were tasked with designing projects that reverse the damage humans are doing to the climate and nature. Out of 125 submissions, four teams of RCA students and alumni have been chosen as the winners of the inaugural Terra Carta Design Lab competition, receiving £50,000 in funding to help further develop their ideas. Among the four winning designs was a harness for cattle to convert their methane emissions into CO2 and water vapour in real time, created by design group Zelp (Zero Emissions Livestock Project).
GREEK YOGHURT maker Chobani is pulling out of its ultra-filtered milk business just three months after its launch. “We have come to the tough conclusion that it does not make sense for Chobani to be in the Dairy Milk business at this time,” the company said. The milk was among the latest products introduced by Chobani as it moves beyond its signature Greek yogurt to grow sales and evolve into a total food company. After several years of introducing new products to the market under the Chobani name, the company is making what so far is an unusual move – pulling a high-profile offering it only recently launched.
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EUROPEAN DAIRT giant Arla Foods claim young people in the UK are being bullied for eating dairy products. The co-operative has launched a “don’t cancel the cow” campaign in the UK to counter this. Arla claims that its research shows that 34% of people living in the UK make dietary choices “based purely on information from social media”. It claims almost half of Gen Z respondents are “ashamed to order dairy in public in front of their peers” and while 70% of Gen Z-ers would like to keep eating dairy, an “alarming” 57% plan to take dairy out of their diets in the next year.
A RECENT report on remuneration for farm workers shows the great strides dairy farmers have made over the years. In the past the dairy sector has faced criticism for overworking and underpaying migrant workers. Not any more, according to the 2022 Federated Farmers - Rabobank Farm Salaries Remuneration Summary Report. The survey, carried out by independent firm Research First, is based on responses from 729 employers/farm sector businesses of all sizes, covering a total of more than 2,200 employees. It found salaries across on-farm positions were up by a weighted average of 14% since 2020, with the mean salary rising to $63,931. Dairy sector salaries increased by an average of 15%. The dairy operations manager role – the most senior dairy position – recorded the largest salary increase of all the surveyed on-farm positions, jumping by 27% from two years ago to a mean of $107,593. Rabobank notes that this is the highest average salary of all the surveyed roles and reflects the significant responsibility that comes with this role, which includes managing the farm’s physical performance and budget as well as negotiating with a host of farm supply companies. In addition to data and trend analysis for salaries across a number of on-farm roles, the report also provides a range of other information relating to on-farm positions, including Total Package Values (which factor in other employment benefits such as food and vehicle use), workers’ length of service, accommodation costs and weekly hours worked. Rabobank says it was encouraging to see remuneration for on-farm roles growing strongly, given the huge contribution the sector had made to the country’s broader economy in recent years. The food and agri sector has been the shining light of the New Zealand economy since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, and it’s promising to see those working in the sector are now receiving significantly higher salaries than they were two years ago. However, for the sector to continue to flourish, it’s essential it is viewed as an attractive place to work. And competitive remuneration is a key ingredient that will help to entice school leavers and other workers into on-farm roles. The survey shows that on top of wages, other factors make up the total value of remuneration packages for farm staff, such as accommodation, meat, firewood and KiwiSaver. That’s several thousand dollars of extra value to workers across all the sectors. The dairy sector can no longer be criticised for not paying its workers enough. Hopefully, this means more job enquiries from locals to milk and look after cows.
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WAIKATO SALES REPRESENTATIVE: Lisa Wise .......................................................Ph 027-369 9218 lisaw@ruralnews.co.nz WELLINGTON SALES REPRESENTATIVE: Ron Mackay ................................................... Ph 021-453 914 ronm@ruralnews.co.nz
DAIRY NEWS MAY 3, 2022
OPINION // 17
Stop restricting food production PETER BUCKLEY
UNDER THE Paris Accord on climate change, Article 2 (b) states: The aim of the agreement is to have a stronger response to the danger of climate change; it seeks to enhance the implementation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change through: (a) Holding the increase in the global
to measure and price onfarm emissions. My question to this government and other governments around the world twisting words to limit food production to achieve an unsustainable goal while making a food shortage for the world; why are they not taking into account Article 2 (b) of the Paris Accord? Why aren’t DairyNZ, Beef + Lamb, and other sectors saying to the
New Zealand produces and exports enough food to feed 40 million people and we are acknowledged worldwide as one of the most environmentally secure producers around the globe. average temperature to well below 2 °C above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels, recognising that this would significantly reduce the risks and impacts of climate change; (b) Increasing the ability to adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change and foster climate resilience and low greenhouse gas emissions development, in a manner that does not threaten food production; (c) Making finance flows consistent with a pathway towards low greenhouse gas emissions and climate-resilient development. The Minister for Climate Change James Shaw at the COP 26 conference in Glasgow said there was no new methane cuts involved in joining global pledge, but the Government’s primary tool to reduce agricultural methane is a pricing scheme slated to take effect in 2025, in a partnership with the farming industry, called He Waka Eke Noa. It creates a system
respective governments and ministries to take notice of article 2 (b) of the Paris Accord? The Paris Accord is very clear that protecting food production does not mention only for developing Countries. In fact article 2(b) did specifically only apply to developing countries then they would be will be worse off (possible famine) if we restrict food production in any way. New Zealand produces and exports enough food to feed 40 million people and we are acknowledged worldwide as one of the most environmentally secure producers around the globe. If we reduce our production then the shortfall from such reductions will be taken up by other countries that may not have the same environmental standards and this may not only have an effect on food supplies for other countries but also may cause an overall global increase in GHG emissions. Our sector representative bodies such as Dairy NZ, Beef + Lamb, and other sectors should be
lobby government and the individual ministries to take notice of article 2 (b) of the Paris Accord and protect our ability to produce food? • Peter Buckley is co-chairman of the Primary Land Users Group (PLUG)
New Zealand joined with more than 105 countries to launch the Global Methane Pledge at COP26 in Glasgow five months ago.
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DAIRY NEWS MAY 3, 2022
18 // MANAGEMENT
Growing a maize crop is environmentally sound OVER THE last decade
there has been an increasing national emphasis on measuring and mitigating the environmental impacts of food production systems. While some systems have been studied extensively (e.g. dairy), others have been studied a lot less. Maize systems fitted into this category and there were two questions that needed answering. These were: What is the nitrogen (N) loss to water associated with a maize system? Using the He Waka Eke Noa parameters, what are the greenhouse gas
(GHG) emissions associated with maize systems? In the last month or so, two papers published by my colleagues have sought to answer both of these questions and to provide some surety to farmers that growing a maize crop is environmentally sustainable.
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Nitrogen loss to water In 2018, my colleague Dr Rowland Tsimba1 and his Research Team began a series of experiments seeking to quantify N-loss to water from maize silage systems. Barrel lysimeters and an array of suction cups placed at soil depths of 70cm and 120cm were used to measure N-loss from a replicated plot trial. The trial grew maize in summer and during winter, some plots were planted in an annual ryegrass catch crop, while some plots were left fallow as a control. The average amount of N lost during the 2019/20 and 2020/21 seasons from each treatment was measured and the results are summarised in Table 1. Values with a different letter are significantly different (P<0.05) There are two things that this trial shows clearly. A maize crop followed by a winter catch crop loses very little nitrateN while losses are higher with winter fallow (no crop) systems. Because it is a deep rooting crop, sampling depth is important when measuring N-loss under maize. Nitrogen loss measured at 70cm was almost three times higher than N-loss measured at 120cm. Greenhouse gas emissions Data was collected from 20 maize grow-
Growing a maize crop is environmentally sustainable.
ers (grain and silage) from Northland to Canterbury OverseerFM was used to model annual GHG emissions (CO2e) for each farm for the 2020/2021 season2. There were a wide range of sys-
Leaching losses (kg N/ha) Sampling depth (cm)
Control (fallow)
Annual ryegrass
70
119.2a
5.93c
120
41.6b
2.18c
Table 2. Modelled annual GHG emissions (kg CO2e/ha) from a range of maize growing systems across New Zealand during 2020-2021.
Crop Maize grain (n=8) Maize silage (n=12)
tems modelled, with some farms operating a winter fallow (no crop) and others growing a catch crop which was then harvested for silage. Some systems used livestock to graze a winter crop or newly established permanent pasture over winter. A summary of the results can be seen in Table 2 The modelling showed a big range in annual GHG emissions from maize systems (1,114 to 6,135 kg CO2e/ha). In systems without livestock, most emissions were
Yield (average)
Yield (range)
GHG (kg CO2e/ha)
GHG (range) (kg CO2e/ha)
14.6 t/ha
10.8-18.0 t/ha
2,036
1,114-2,873
21.1 tDM/ha
15.0-26.8 tDM/ha
3,120
1,512-6,135
associated with N fertiliser use. However, in systems with livestock, emissions were driven higher by methane from animal wintering. Farms wintering animals had emission levels two to three times higher than those which didn’t. Some take home messages for maize growers were: ■ Know your number. Use one of the available tools to calculate the GHG loss for your farm. ■ Make sure your nitro-
■
Account for livestock. If you want to reduce GHG losses from your farm, consider winter management options which do not include livestock. Alternatively take into consideration the GHG cost of animals as well as other potential co-benefits from livestock grazing when comparing gross margins and calculating grazing charges. • Ian Williams is a Pioneer forage specialist. Contact him at i.williams@ genetic.co.nz
gen application rate is appropriate. Set realistic paddock yield expectations for your maize crop and consider paddock history and soil available nitrogen levels before determining crop nitrogen inputs. Consider the form, rate and timing of N application. Incorporate urea or apply it prior to rain where possible. Alternatively consider the cost: benefit of using ureasecoated N products.
■
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DAIRY NEWS MAY 3, 2022
MANAGEMENT // 19
Joy’s legacy lives on! LAWRENCE SATHERLEY’S mother Joy was an
NZDE SUCCESS
incredible woman, by anyone’s reckoning. She had only been married to her husband, Arthur, for three months before he was called to serve in World War II. She expected him to be gone for around 12 months; instead, he was gone for five years. Peace was declared while he was making his way home. But Joy Satherley didn’t dwell on the adversities of life while he was away. She took her earnings from her work in a milk bar and from hosting dances for returned troops and saved enough to buy a herd of 25 cows. “We have always been very proud of her for that,” Lawrence says. When Arthur returned, he was balloted a settlement farm for his service and Joyclas Friesians was born. Today, Arthur’s granddaughter Anna and husband Robbie are at the helm, steering the stud to success once more, with a number of notable cows taking the spotlight. Arthur purchased his first pedigree Holstein Friesians in 1960, laying the foundation of the ‘Joyclas’ herd – named for Joy, Christopher, Lawrence, Arthur, and Satherley. Joyclas has an impressive show record, winning the 1978 Royal Show Champion female with Manganui Achilles Gail EX, and the 1993
DESPITE JOYCLAS’ excellent show record, the last time the stud won a Champion Holstein title was in 1993. At the 2022 NZ Dairy Event, Joyclas showed three in-milk cows and one entry in partnership with Semex’s Isaac Kelsen. “Isaac has been a really big part of our success,” Robbie says. “His support to get back into showing has been awesome.” They hoped Moo would continue her success of 2021, having won the four-year-old class – but she far exceeded those expectations. She won the titles of 2022 NZDE Supreme All Breeds Champion Cow, 2022 NZDE Holstein Friesian Supreme Champion Cow, 2022 Holstein Friesian North Island Supreme Champion Cow, and all the classes Joyclas Stud sharemilkers Robbie & Anna James with children Ella, Isabel and Charlie.
Farm Facts: ■
Owners: Lawrence & Judi Satherley
■
Sharemilkers: Robbie & Anna James
■
Location: Palmerston North
■
Farm size: 150 hectares effective Cows: 300 cows (60 registered Holstein Friesian)
■
■
Production: 420 kgMS/cow
■
Stud name: Joyclas
Royal Champion female with Joyclas Star Quantas, amongst many other prizes over the years. At age 17 Lawrence purchased his first farm for $24,000. His parents bought a second farm and the two properties were joined together. “I went straight into farming, and I still love cows as much as I did then,” Lawrence says.
He bought five pedigree cows and supplied the local town milk supply. Although his milk had a very respectable 3.5% fat content, farmers were remunerated on volume – and Holstein Friesian cows delivered the volume. Lawrence, who has a long history serving both the Holstein Friesian breed and the New
Zealand dairy industry, says the breed has many advantages. “Once you get into Holstein Friesians, that’s it,” he says. “There is something special about them. And socially, too… we have met so many Holstein Friesian breeders in New Zealand and overseas that would gladly offer us a bed for the night. They are very hospitable.” Lawrence and Judi went on to have three children – Anna, Rick and Kerry. When the children were young, Lawrence and Judi were avid showers of cattle. “We would attend eight shows a year in our area,” Lawrence says. “We
that preceded these titles. Moo’s success belies her humble beginnings: she was chosen by Robbie in 2016 as a calf for the 18-month-old Charlie. “Our two older girls had Calf Club calves, and Charlie didn’t want to miss out,” Robbie says. “I chose what I thought was a nice calf for him to look after and jump all over. “When asked what he wanted to call the calf, all he could say was ‘moo’ – so ‘Moo’ it was.” To their surprise, Moo classified as Excellent in 2020, and did well in the Holstein Friesian New ZealandSemex Ltd On-Farm competition. They showed her as a four-year-old, doing well at the Stratford A&P Show.
a dairy farmer, although they sold before Robbie was born, and he held school holiday farming jobs. Robbie and Anna attended their first NZ Dairy Event together in 2009 and were blown away by the animals and the camaraderie between farmers. “That was really the catalyst for us,” Robbie says. “I didn’t want to get to 40 and have regrets. I worked at Lucky Hollow Stud for two years, just to make sure that was really what I wanted – and it was.” The couple, who have three children – Ella, Isabel and Charlie – moved home in 2014, getting stuck into cow records and registering a few cattle. “We managed to find a
won every prize there was to be won, I think.” Once Lawrence stepped back from the farm, Rick and Kerry stepped forward. But over time both left to develop their own sheep and beef farms. During this time, Anna’s husband Robbie – a builder by trade – had been considering whether he might want to become a dairy farmer. Lawrence suggested Robbie go farming for two years and if he wanted to continue, they would look at the couple coming home to farm. “After two years they were keener than ever,” Lawrence says. “They love it, the kids love it, and I’m so proud of what they have achieved.” Robbie wasn’t all new to farming. His father was
few cows that linked back to Manganui Achilles Gail EX,” Robbie says. “We went to sales each year to build a good base to breed from. We’ve done some ET work as well, to help speed along genetic gain.” Today, Robbie and Anna milk 300 cows on 150ha, plus lease blocks. Around 60 cows are registered Holstein Friesians, and around 60-80 heifer calves are born annually. In the 2020/21 year, Joyclas had an average of 205kg protein at 3.6% and 242kg fat at 4.3% fat (5,686L milk). Robbie says they have some nice Delaberge Salt and Gen-I-Beq Sammy daughters in the herd, one of which is Joyclas Sammy Moo S3F EX – the overwhelming winner of the 2022 NZ Dairy Event.
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DAIRY NEWS MAY 3, 2022
20 // ANIMAL HEALTH
Discovery Project keeps on giving A JOINT venture between Holstein Friesian NZ and LIC is going strong 18 years after it was established with another six Holstein Friesian bulls being accepted into the LIC Sire Proving Scheme for the 2022-23 season. The Discovery Project, which genomically screens up to 300 of New Zealand’s best Holstein Friesian heifers every year, aims to support the opportunity for breeders to develop top cow families and breed bulls for the AI industry. Using advanced breeding technologies such as genomic testing, Embryo Transfer (ET) and Invitro Embryo Production (IVP), the Discovery Project selects the best heifers of potential bull-dam standard early on in their lives, allowing all breeders the opportunity to have
their pedigree Holstein Friesian bulls recognised by the industry. Between 2013-2020, Discovery Project teams have delivered a total of 73 sires into LIC’s Sire Proving Programme, with five of these sires going on to graduate into LIC’s Premier Sires teams and be marketed. Discovery Project Committee Chair Wayne Taylor says pre2004, HFNZ was able to nominate five pedigree Holstein Friesian bulls annually to enter the LIC Sire Proving Scheme. One of those bulls was Athol Famous Prefect, the first Holstein Friesian bull to exceed 700,000 lifetime inseminations, and the winner of the Mahoe Trophy in 1985. Improved technology led to the establishment of the Discovery Project in 2004, identifying top
The Discovery Project helps breeders develop top cow families and breed bulls for the AI industry.
genetic females within a nucleus herd situation.
“With the advent of genomic testing tools, the
Discovery Project moved from first-calving two-
year-olds to yearling heifers in order to fast-track selection,” Wayne says. “We were able to identify and capture new genetics earlier than ever before.” Wayne says thanks to the Discovery Project, animals that would have been overlooked 10-15 years ago - ‘outliers’ - are now being selected based on their genomic merit, rather than BW alone. “It has opened up the field that way,” Wayne says. “All members have the opportunity to nominate a heifer, not just the mainstream bull breeders. “It allows us to make the most of the genetics within our herd book.” Any heifer calves born within the Discovery Project are free from any breeding restriction with LIC and can be nominated and screened in the hope they will be eligible
to re-populate the programme. The Discovery Project has also shown success with contract mating, with a number of Discovery Project heifers from previous years’ teams still being contract mated today. From the 2014 Discovery Project team, Hillsview Mega Pea S3F and Tronnoco B Sulana-ET have been consecutively contract mated from 2016-2022; as has MAH HDF Starstruck-ET S3F, from the 2015 team. From the 2017 team, five cows have been contracted mated consecutively from 2018-2022. Wayne says these cows are good examples of the Discovery Project presenting opportunities for exceptional cow families to shine. @dairy_news facebook.com/dairynews
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DAIRY NEWS MAY 3, 2022
ANIMAL HEALTH / BREEDING // 21
Top cow fetches $27,500! “The sale was such a huge event. And, we had so much backing from everyone from all over the country in terms of buying.”
THE LEGACY Sale, dedicated to
family and destined to give back, has done just that. The Singh family united April 22 at Lawwal Holsteins to host a sale of 50 elite individuals picked from the heart of its 1,000-cow milking herd in the Waikato. While the sale averaged $7,207 with a top price of $27,500, the focus was equally on family, community, industry, and the Singh family’s decision to honour its late patriarch, Aman. The family donated 10% of the sale proceeds to the Heart Foundation NZ (5%) and the Waikato Hauraki Coromandel Rural Support Trust (5%). Combined with items which were auctioned off on the day, $34,500 will be distributed to the chosen charities. The vendors estimated more than 800 people attended to enjoy the sale, have some time off their farms and to see first-hand the family’s freestall barn innovation, which was initiated by Aman, his wife, Daljit, together with their son, Arjun, in 2018. With mature cows now cracking 1,043 kgMS, and two-year-olds producing up to 935 kgMS, they are pro-
The top price was $27,500 and it was paid for Lot 3 (pictured) by Tony and Serena Jenkins, Huntly. PHOTO: SCOTT ANDERSON VISUALS
jected to average 730 kgMS per cow this season. Arjun Singh said the day exceeded their expectations. “We’re so lucky to have a good family and a good team around us that it just made it so easy,” Arjun said. “We had family here every day over the last two weeks helping get everything set
up. It was bang on, I think. Everything went to plan. Our sponsors said they had a lot of foot traffic and met some new people as they showcased what they do for us.” When the sale kicked into gear, the vendors were ready. The top price was $27,500 and it was paid for Lot 3 by Tony and Serena
Jenkins (Huntly) for Lawwal Lambda Loana-ET. The Lambda granddaughter to the 2018 World Dairy Expo Grand Champion, Jacobs L’authority Loana EX97 was in hot demand. “I didn’t think we’d get over $20,000 for the top price,” Arjun said. “I was getting a few smiles from my sisters, so that was quite good. That’s
the first feeling I’ve had like that in a while, so it was awesome.” Sale manager Dean Malcolm and auctioneer Selwyn Donald said it was nothing more than the family deserved. “Everyone they have supported, supported them back,” Dean said. “The sale was such a huge event. And, we had so much backing from everyone from all over the country in terms of buying. “Lawwal covered all the bases. They had beautiful, imported pedigrees, they had BWs [Breeding Worth], they had fresh milk, and it all added up to a really a great sale from start to finish. “And, for the two charities, it was a huge gesture. I think the Singh family really needs to be commended for the tone they’ve set.”
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DAIRY NEWS MAY 3, 2022
22 // MACHINERY & PRODUCTS
TAMA reports sales growth but challenges lie ahead MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz
IT LOOKS like 2022 will be a repeat of the previous year, with Tractor and Machinery Association (TAMA) president Kyle Baxter seeing first-hand how stronger commodity prices are giving farmers and rural contractors the confidence to invest in new equipment. With many machines already on order, customers are also gearing up for the next spring and summer campaign, driving high demand for the latest technology. Thankfully, the flow of equipment into New Zealand has increased dramatically – welcome relief for those needing new equipment, which is being put straight to work on arrival. TAMA reports that overall tractor sales are up more than 25% for the year to date, compared to 2021, which was already a 19% increase on 2020, with the trend looking to continue on the back of strong confidence in the agri-sector. Reporting consistent increases across all horsepower sectors, standouts
Amazone’s new Centaya-C harrowmounted seed drills.
DRILL DELIVERS PRECISION SEEDING Tractor and Machinery Association (TAMA) president Kyle Baxter says stronger commodity prices are giving farmers and rural contractors the confidence to invest in new equipment.
include a 20% increase in the sub-40hp sector, a 27% rise in 40-100hp tractors and a 30%+ increase in the 100-150hp group, predominantly used in the dairy segment. Regionally, performance in dairy areas such as Northland, Waikato, Taranaki, and Southland, have experienced significant growth, while areas focused on horticulture such as the Bay of Plenty, Hawkes Bay and Nelson are experiencing strong commodity prices, said to be driving buyer confidence. While increased commodity prices are welcomed by many producers, it also comes with a sting in the tail. Con-
tinued agri-commodity growth has seen a corresponding increase in costs and availability in most areas of the manufacturing and supply chain. Raw materials, labour, fuel and ocean shipping costs have all increased dramatically, resulting in a flow-on affect that increases the cost of goods being delivered to New Zealand. Already many TAMA member companies are turning their thoughts to business beyond 2022, as they confirm production slots for equipment expected to arrive in early-mid 2023, ensuring that supply continues to meet demand. Continued inbound and outbound chal-
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lenges are also impacting the TAMA members who are importers, exporters, and retailers, while global manufacturing constraints are a reality, as plants continue to work through local Covid restrictions and constraints in component supply. These all contribute to major disruption of the smooth flow of equipment into New Zealand. Ongoing border restrictions have also left many TAMA members short-staffed, putting increased pressure on individual members, staff, and their customers as they grapple with the strong demand for, and growing deliveries of, equipment.
3.5 and 4 metres, Amazone’s new Centaya-C harrow-mounted seed drills are said to allow precise seed metering and exact depth placement at operating speeds of up to 12 km/h. It comes with either RoTeC pro single-disc coulters or TwinTeC double-disc coulters on 12.5 or 15cm row spacings. A 2,000-litre twin-chamber hopper allows different combinations and application rates of seeds, fertiliser or other inputs to be sown in a single pass. Infinitely adjustable electric metering units allow precise application rates of 0.5 to 400 kg/ha. RoTeC utilises a proven ‘single shot’ process, where the two inputs – for example, fertiliser and seed – are individually metered and then conveyed to a single-entry point via a shared conveying system. By comparison, TwinTeC is a two-shot process whereby the two inputs are individually metered and conveyed to different entry points via separate conveyors. The main hopper can be divided
70/30 or 60/40, to suit a combination of seed and fertiliser requirements, while also offering a large opening for easy filling and access to the hopper and metering units via the loading platform. Meanwhile, an optional storage compartment is available for additional bags of seed and the drill can be equipped with a quick-emptying device for fast seed change-over. The SmartCenter control panel is used for calibration and establishing machine settings, while the metering system is controlled via the AMAZONE AmaTron 4 terminal inside the cabin. The unit can be easily connected to other AMAZONE tillage implements, such as the KE rotary harrows or the KG rotary cultivators, via the QuickLink quick coupling system and can also be used in conjunction with the GreenDrill 200 for the simultaneous sowing of catch crops or fine seeds. This combination allows a third material to be applied to the soil surface via baffle plates, with seed fed directly from the 200-litre mounted hopper.
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DAIRY NEWS MAY 3, 2022
MACHINERY & PRODUCTS // 23
Pigtail welcomes farmer feedback Amazone’s system does not require the same row to be planted each year, rather each row is managed separately through the growing season.
SINGLE ROW CONCEPT DELIVERS RESULTS WHILE CONTROLLED Traffic Farming (CTF) has
become increasingly popular over the last decade, German company Amazone is looking to take things further, by placing an emphasis on individual rows. CTF requires the tractor to move along pre-determined wheelings from planting and growing, before a harvester moves in and uses the same tracks. Throughout the season, any implements like cultivators, drills or sprayers also travel in the same ‘roadways’, operating at working widths or multiples of the desired settings. In many cases, those wheelings are carried over for use in the following growing season. Amazone’s system does not require the same row to be planted each year, rather each row is managed separately through the growing season. Developed in collaboration with a German manufacturer of specialised hoes and an agricultural services co-op, the former, Schmotzer Hacktechnik, was purchase by Amazone in 2019 in response to the need to reduce chemical inputs to achieve better environmental outcomes, and to the increasing cost of agrichemicals. This latter consideration has become even more relevant with the arrival of Covid-19, production delays and burgeoning shipping costs. Recently awarded an Agri-future Concept Award by the DLG (German Agricultural Society), the development sees a plant establishment system that considers each row to be a separate crop within the paddock. Crops are planted at a uniform 50cm spacing, with grain in double rows, including a 25cm offset for a positive crop rotation effect. The system is said to deliver optimal yield potential and maximum efficiency in the use of all inputs. The technique also allows growers to plant a “companion crop” between the rows, said to offer benefits including reduced moisture evaporation and soil erosion. Amazone goes one step further by suggesting that the companion crop will eventually become an essential part of the process, by adding to the photosanitary support of the main crop as well as creating soil fertility and biodiversity. In other Amazone news, the company that was formed in 1883 and employs 2000 people over nine production sites announced a new sales record for its 2021 financial year, hitting a turnover of €655m, exceeding the previous year’s result by 22%, that had already beaten 2019 by 15%. Directors attributed the increase in sales to the continuous product developments of its extensive product range and rising demand for high performing machinery that can improve productivity and help reduce operating costs. – Mark Daniel
MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz
NEW ZEALAND engi-
neering firm Strainrite has been manufacturing its own pigtail standards for many decades, working closely with farmers to design and produce standards that are free of the faults farmers say are often found in cheaper, imported brands. Farmer, engineer and owner of Strainrite, Maurice Wooster, says feedback received by the company suggests that one of the main problems amongst other pigtail post brands continues to be the foot bending, or breaking shafts. “At Strainrite, we press-form the foot into a shallow ‘U’ shape, so that the edges curl downwards when it’s trodden in. These edges, or sides, give it superior strength without adding any additional weight. Each foot is also machine presscrimped on to the shaft, which makes the join much stronger than if it was just welded on, says
Farmer, engineer and owner of Strainrite, Maurice Wooster. Left: Farmers praise the strength and ground-hold of Strainrite’s uniquely-designed foot, which features throughout its pigtail post range.
Wooster. We’re the only ones who do both things. Some other manufactur-
ers use flat bar or wire section feet, but they aren’t as effective.”
Mark Mulholland, a dairy farmer in Darfield, agrees, commenting, “the foot on some of the opposition standards breaks off when you’re pushing them in. “The Strainrite standards have a more robust foot which stands up to a fair bit of abuse”. “It also provides better ground-hold because the ‘U’ shape compresses the earth as it goes in,” explains Wooster. “Just like cleats do on a tractor wheel. That means that our standards don’t fall out, even when
they’re bent.” Strainrite uses hotdipping in its galvanising process, that Wooster says provides corrosion protection that adheres better and gives a thicker coating than other alternatives such as zinc-plating, which may only last one to two years. Farmer feedback also identified sun damage to plastic insulators and fittings as another factor in pigtail standard failure. Strainrite responded by UV stabilising all plastic throughout its pigtail posts range.
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DAIRY NEWS MAY 3, 2022
24 // MACHINERY & PRODUCTS
Kicking lameness into touch MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz
LAMENESS IN dairy
cows can have a significant effect on a businesses’ bottom line, with vets suggesting that each case has a cost implication of $400-500, made up of increased labour, vet bills, drugs and of course lost production. The new Te Pari Classic Hoof Handler has been designed specifically with dairy farmers in mind by offering excellent access for hoof paring, but also providing safe, easy access to the head, neck and body of the cow for other vet tasks. At the rear of the unit, an innovative adjustable height hoof bar provides the operator with a firm support for trimming the rear hooves, while a
belly strap comfortably holds the cow safely for work on the front hooves, in combination with integral heavy-duty hoof blocks. The hoof blocks are height-adjustable to accommodate different size cattle, as well as delivering better comfort for the operator, while also featuring a locking strap to keep the leg securely in place. Integral heavy-duty winches feature gearing to make lifting the animal’s legs easy, while also incorporating a non-slip return system to allow proportional adjustments and a controlled release back to the ground. An optional rear belly strap is also available to offer greater support of the animal and increased safety for the operator. Looking at the crush
Featuring a heavy-duty construction, using hot dip galvanised Australian steel, the Hoof Handling Crush incorporates the Te Pari Classic C1000 Head Bail used across the company’s range of crushes, with the benefits of wide opening doors, quiet operation, a simple locking system and a neck yoke for complete restraint and safety. Designed and built by Te Pari in NZ for NZ dairy farmers, attention to detail at the design and manufacturing stages, means routine or remedial hoof work is safer and easier for farm staff or visiting professionals, with the added benefits of getting cows back on their feet sooner and maintaining peak milk production.
The new Te Pari Classic Hoof Handler offers excellent access for hoof paring and safe, easy access to the head, neck and body of the cow for other vet tasks.
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for general use, 6 individual side access gates offer
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‘BUILT TO LAST LONGER’
BvL Mixer Wagons are built tougher so they last longer
It’s that simple! North Island - Gerry Clare 021 245 4471 South Island - Jethro Boakes 021 513 368 20221701 BvL final.indd 1
www.webbline.co.nz 17/01/2022 9:22:34 am
DAIRY NEWS MAY 3, 2022
MOVING DAY // 25
Stock must be fit to travel No visible wounds, bleeding, disease, deformity or infection ■ No ingrown or recently removed horns ■ Cancer eye lesions must be confined to the eye, smaller than 2cm and not bleeding or discharging. ■ Able to bear weight evenly on all four limbs The right Body Condition Score – BCS 3 or greater. Cows with BCS below 3 can only be transported to better grazing, not to saleyards or slaughter, and vet advice is recommended. It is also recommended that farmers stand stock off green feed for at least four hours, but for no more than 12 hours. A grazed-out paddock or stand-off pad are better options because concrete surfaces can contribute to tender feet and aren’t good for lying. Continue feeding silage, hay or straw during stand-off, especially for lactating cows or prior to long-distance journeys. DairyNZ says farmers must ensure all stock have access to water prior to loading. “Many farmers have plumbed in a basic water trough at the yards that can be filled while the yards are in use. Remember, this will be their last chance to eat and they won’t get a drink until they arrive,” it says. ■
Lactating cows need extra calcium, in addition to extra magnesium, on the day of transport. The extra calcium could be given as an oral drench,
extra allowance of a calcium-enriched meal, or a slurry poured over dry feed. @dairy_news facebook.com/dairynews
Moving house? We can’t help unpack or cat wrangle.
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KEEPING RECORDS ALL MOVEMENTS of cattle and deer between NAIT locations must be recorded in NAIT within 48 hours of them leaving one property and arriving at a new property. The Person in Charge of Animals (PICA) sending the animals is responsible for recording a sending movement in NAIT. The PICA receiving the animals is responsible for recording a receiving movement. All animal movements between NAIT locations must be recorded, even if: there has been no change of ownership — for example, you move them for grazing or mating the animals are exempt from tagging. All movements of NAIT animals to and from a registered NAIT location must be recorded in NAIT within 48 hours of the animals leaving a property or arriving at a new location.
Animal welfare should be a top concern during Moving Day.
When you move house and get Farmside at your new address, you don’t just get great rural broadband; you get award-winning^ service too. Our Timaru-based team will get your broadband connection working quickly, giving you one less thing to worry about. Powered by
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*Offer is only available to new Farmside RBI customers, signing up to a 120gb or 200gb RBI Wireless Broadband plan, for a 24 month term. See https://www.farmside.co.nz/wireless for eligible plans. 2 months free: only applies to the standard monthly plan charge. Applied when your broadband becomes active and will appear on your first or second bill. Will be debited back if plan is downgraded during the first 6 months of the term or terminated before the end of the term. Early Disconnection Fees apply see https://www.farmside.co.nz/terms. Rural Wireless Broadband and 4G not available everywhere. Connection not guaranteed. Additional charges may apply for Managed Installations & additional travel. For more information call Farmside on 0800 32 76 74. Farmside will supply required equipment. $15 modem postage and handling fee applies. Modem required to be returned at customer’s cost if plan is terminated within 12 months of 24 month term. Offer available until 31 July 2022, unless Farmside, in its sole discretion chooses to extend it. This offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other Farmside promotions. Farmside’s Standard, Broadband and Terms and Conditions apply see https://www.farmside.co.nz/terms. ^Winner of the 2020 Broadband Compare Awards for Best Rural Service Provider.
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MOVING DAY is the busiest time of the year for livestock movements. Animal welfare and good biosecurity practices, including complying with traceability requirements, are critical over this period. Both DairyNZ and OSPRI urge farmers to follow advice. “When NAIT compliance is compromised, our traceability system is threatened, and we run the risk of having a system that will not perform in the event of another disease outbreak,” says OSPRI. “We ask that farmers read and understand their requirements as we embark on the Moving Day period.” DairyNZ advices that cull cows be sent to a processing facility nearby. “Minimising transport time and distance is better for the cow and you, because risk of injury or going down increases with time and distance. “Only transport cows that are not likely to give birth during the journey or within 24 hours of arriving at the destination: if within four weeks of calving date, travel should be less than two hours.” Farmers must make sure that animals are fit for transport by checking for the following: ■ No signs of ill health
DAIRY NEWS MAY 3, 2022
26 // MOVING DAY
Don’t forget to take the internet IT’S COMING around
quickly again: Moving Day. June 1 symbolises new beginnings in the dairy
industry, effectively heralding the start of a new dairy season. It’s at this time of year that around
5,000 individuals from dairy farming families, plus contract milkers and employees, shift to new
farms across New Zealand. Moving Day,on June 1 symbolises new As those the move beginnings in the dairy industry. know all too well, Moving Day could more accurately be described as Moving Week. There’s so much for farmers, their families and staff to organise – even beyond the movement of cattle and equipment from farm to farm. Moving Day is full of chal-
ing customer numbers tell a story of growth based upon solid, reliable service. Farmside counts around 21,000 rural-based customers, and a large percentage of those are dairy farmers. The company claims to now hold the title of New Zealand’s
“Customers say they can get hold of us quickly, and they like that we know where they are and understand their lifestyle.”
“The collars were picking up on heats that even with my trained eye, I’d never have picked up.” Barry Flynn | Farm Manager 620 Friesians on 195Ha, Methven, Canterbury
Work smarter Now even inexperienced staff can make informed decisions using data collected around the clock, 24/7.
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Better health management Receive alerts about changes in behaviour that signal a potential health concern, often before the cow presents with any visual signs of illness.
Receive accurate, timely updates on your cows’ reproductive status. Reduce instances of silent heats and heat detection fatigue.
Find out more at dairy.farmingmadebetter.com
Let’s talk. 0800 243 282
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The extra eyes and brains you’ve always wished you had around the farm.
lenges without adding patchy internet into the mix. So rural broadband provider Farmside is doing its bit, taking some of the stress out by making it easier for farmers to take their internet with them. “We’re helping to make things as easy as possible because that’s something we can do,” says Farmside sales manager, Rosaria Weir. Get your internet move sorted well in advance of Moving Day, she recommends. “It’s a good idea to organise things now – talk to us about your move, the sooner the better.” This Moving Day season, Farmside is helping farmers to either transfer their internet service or move to a new provider. For those who are not with Farmside yet, they’re offering a free, two-month connection from April 1 until June 30, 2022. The same deal offered around Moving Day 2021 saw 1,200 new customers sign up. Another 500 customers had their relocation fee waived by Farmside – the company even covered the cost of a technician going on site to do setup if the farmers couldn’t take their modem with them on Moving Day. Farmside says its thriv-
leading rural broadband provider. Weir puts this down to their Timarubased call centre team who are dedicated to serving rural New Zealanders country wide. “Customers say they can get hold of us quickly, and they like that we know where they are and understand their lifestyle,” says Weir. “They know they’re dealing with a Kiwi who can help them out – and they appreciate that.” Farmside’s partnerships with Farmlands, Farm Source, Ruralco and PGG Wrightson mean customers can charge their internet to their supply account – streamlining their bill payments. Like many Kiwis in office-based jobs, COVID19 has meant Farmside staff have been working from home since February this year. But a planned move back into the office will take place just before the dairying community needs their help to settle into their new surroundings. Weir says Farmside always looks forward to relieving farmers of as much stress as possible – particularly at hectic times like Moving Day. For more information about Farmside connectivity options, delivered in association with Vodafone NZ, please visit: www. farmside.co.nz.
With Moving Day on the way, we are encouraging Farmers to do their bit to maintain the integrity of our biosecurity system.
Moving with the herd?
Moving farm without the herd?
1 Create a new NAIT location number. 2 Create a movement within 48 hours of moving. 3 Deactivate the old NAIT location number. Register any new grazing blocks you are in charge of and record movements in NAIT for any animals sold or sent away to grazing.
If you have followed all of the instructions to update your NAIT details and are still struggling, our Support Centre is geared up to assist you. Call 0800 482 463
Complete and sign a PICA change form at your current NAIT location and make sure you become the registered PICA if you are moving to another farm.
For more Moving Day information see
OSPRI.co.nz NAIT is an OSPRI programme
Failure to comply with NAIT obligations may result in fines or prosecution issued by the Ministry for Primary Industries. For more information about your obligations as a PICA, please visit our website ospri.co.nz.
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