Dairy News 7 February 2023

We’re here to help!

SUDESH KISSUN sudeshk@ruralnews co nz

WE ARE with you every step of the way.

That’s the message from new Group Director of Fonterra Farm Source, Anne Douglas.

Speaking to Dairy News two months after taking over the role, Douglas says her team is here to help Fonterra farmers, who are facing rising farm input costs and regulatory challenges.

“Our team is passionate to get alongside and supporting our farmers and making sure they do the best they can do,” she says.

“Our job is to understand their challenges, find solutions and create tools so that our farmers can continue to operate efficiently and profitably.”

Farm Source runs 66 stores throughout the country and has a team of sustainability and farm management experts providing everyday advice to farmers.

Douglas says both the stores and team of experts go hand-in-hand.

“We have a wide range of experts, alongside the retail offering: both are so important in this day and age.

“I think one cannot exist without the other: farmers just don’t want to only buy a product anymore.”

Douglas says their job is help make farmers’ businesses work effectively and supporting them to achieve their aspirations.

In her interactions with farmers, Douglas says she finds rising input costs are their “real challenge”.

She points out that Farm Source is also under pressure with input costs rising on average 15% across

PASSIONATE ABOUT DAIRY

ANN DOUGLAS says while she’s not a dairy farmer, she is passionate about the dairy sector. She has worked at Fonterra for eight years.

Her grandfathers were both dairy farmers and she can trace back her family roots to Northern Ireland where they still farm on the family land bought in the 1600s.

“So, I still feel very connected to the land and the sector and am very passionate about dairy farming.”

the board.

“We find there’s a material shift across the board and this is having an impact on products farmers are buying.”

Douglas doesn’t expect the situation to change anytime soon.

“Our belief is that will continue

take some sting out.

“We are also trying as much as possible to swallow costs; we are sourcing products from where we’re getting best deals.”

She says solutions put in place during the Covid-19 pandemic to deal with logistics issues are also working for Farm Source today.

Douglas believes labour shortages and looming regulatory changes are also on top of the mind of farmers.

for some time.”

She points out that Farm Source has been working in this challenging environment for some years.

“We’re putting lot of effort into how we run our operations efficiently, whom we’re partnering with and de-risking the supply end: all to

On the bobby calves issue, Douglas says the co-op went out to farmers earlier and have been working with them prepare for changes kicking in from June this year.

“I know the issue is getting media headlines but that’s not something on top of the mind of our farmers.”

Japanese chefs love NZ butter PG.09

Pasture partners work wonders PG.21

Ayrshire scoops top prize. PG.14

New Farm Source director Anne Douglas

Anchor global brand grows stronger and better

SUDESH KISSUN sudeshk@ruralnews

WHAT STARTED

little Waikato butter fac tory in 1886 is now Fon terra’s largest global consumer brand.

Anchor, the best known dairy brand for New Zealand con sumers, also reigns supreme around the world.

Anchor accounts for a $1.2 billion in global revenue for the co-oper ative. It’s on shelves in over 80 countries, repre sented by over 600 prod ucts playing across six dairy categories.

It’s the number one butter in China, the most loved dairy brand in Sri Lanka, a market leader in Malaysia and the Middle East and has a massive global food service busi ness to its name.

In NZ, two out of three families in New Zealand have bought products have been sold. About 80% of the

country’s branded fresh milk in supermarket chill ers bears the brand’s iconic stamp and is NZ’s number one most trusted brand across milk, butter, and cheese.

Last month new Anchor innova tions hit the Malaysia and General Man ager for Global Anchor Brand

Brent Whelan

News that

TAPPING INTO DEMAND

IN THAILAND, Fonterra has launched two new Anchor products – Anchor Actif-Fiber and Anchor Beaute. It was developed in an exclusive innovation partnership with 7-Eleven, have just hit 14,000 stores across Thailand.

Brent Whelan says both beverages combine the best of New Zealand dairy and Fonterra science to deliver functional nutrition on the go, tapping into Thai consumers desire for wellbeing and convenience with a great-tasting ready-to-drink format targeting gut health and beauty.

“Actif-Fiber is fortified with exactly that – fibre – to aid digestion and immunity, while Beaute is loaded with zinc and collagen

that add a little something for an inside-out kind of glow.”

Whelan says for a global brand like Anchor, it’s about trying new things, leveraging deep market intimacy, and innovating for relevance to consumers in all corners of the world.

“It’s not a one size fits all approach and taking the effort to really understand the consumer is paying off for Anchor.

“It’s about delivering scale, efficiency and impact globally while enabling our brands and markets to respond more readily - and swiftly - to local consumer needs and preferences.

“It’s exactly what Anchor has sought to nail in South East Asia with its latest innovations.”

“Consumers are seek ing healthier, natural, and

powder, and more than ever, they’ve started to care where that nutrition comes from,” says Whelan.

In Malaysia and Philippines, Anchor has launched Protein+, a delicious high-protein milk drink, and Milk & Grain, a filling milk drink with added fibre and multigrain that supports overall digestive wellness.

Whelan says it’s a clever play on “premiumisation”, blending nature and nutrition science to deliver dairy protein in an affordable way.

At the same time, Fonterra farmers get more value for every drop of their NZ milk, he adds.

Whelan says consumers in South East Asia are seeking healthier, natu-

ral, and more nutritional alternatives to base milk powder.

“And more than ever, they’ve started to care where that nutrition comes from.

“Our new innovations combine the best of New Zealand dairy and Fonterra science to deliver functional nutrition on the go.”

FOOD ASSISTANCE

FONTERRA HAS donated 76 pallets of cheese, yoghurt, and milk, equivalent to almost a quarter million dairy servings for Auckland flood victims.

The New Zealand Food Network delivered some of this direct to the larger Auckland based food hubs and evacuation sites.

Network chief executive Gavin Findlay says with hundreds of Aucklanders displaced by the flooding, the donation of quality dairy products and will go a long way to ensuring many of those affected have access to good nutritious food.

“Once again, our great partners at Fonterra are

helping us get food to where it’s needed most.”

“Fonterra’s quick response to this emergency shows their commitment to doing good together for the sake of our communities and reinforces the pride we have in having them on the NZFN team.

“We are getting the rest out to other charities (in and out of Auckland) that are supporting our flood impacted communities.

“Fonterra also went one step further by offering us volunteer support to help sort, pack and redistribute the other emergency donations coming through our Auckland warehouse.”

When dairy will chat with ‘Chippy’

DAIRYNZ CHAIR

Jim

van der Poel says he’s looking forward to meeting the new Prime Minister Chris Hipkins in the coming weeks to brief him on the issues facing the dairy sector.

He says he realises that Hipkins has got a lot on at the moment with the floods in the upper North Island and a new cabinet to deal with other high priority issues. But he says once things settle down, he’d like to meet the new PM and get to know him because in the past the sector has had very little to do with him.

Van der Poel says this is because none of the new PM’s previous portfolios were close to the industry.

“We haven’t had a lot to do with him and him with us, so we need to start working together and constructively building up that relationship,” he told Dairy News

“We want to have good relations with whoever is in government to make sure that any policy that comes out is practical and makes sense and allows farmers to get on with the job,” he says.

UNCERTAINTY PREVAILS

JIM VAN der Poel says uncertainty in the dairy industry is causing farmers to think twice before investing big time in the sector.

He says while the banks are offering money to invest in the sector, farmers are taking quite a cautious approach. He says this is because

Among the topics van der Poel says he wants to raise with Hipkins is the He Waka Eke Noa (HWEN) which he says is

of several things such as the shortage of labour, government legislation and the milk price coming down.

“As a result, there is a real reluctance among farmers to borrow that extra money,” he says.

Van der Poel says that is a reflection of things at the mo-

to make sure that getting this right will be a priority for the new PM.

He says it would be disappointing if this was

ment, with confidence is quite low and people are worried about what the future may hold.

He says costs have gone up, the last two GDTs haven’t been positive and there is still a labour shortage. He says in the last three years farmers have had to work harder than

sorted out given the three years of work that has gone into working this through. He says he also wants the new Hipkins

they would have liked.

“It would appear that they are taking stock, sitting back for a while and seeing how things play out including what actions the Chris Hipkins government might take in the coming months,” he says.

@dairy_news facebook.com/dairynews

government to be aware of the uncertainty farmers are facing because of the huge volume of legislation that is being thrust

upon them. He says some of the legislation simply doesn’t make sense and is impractical.

“We want assur-

ances that any legislation changes make sense, are coordinated and that the Government works with industry to sort out the issues. We see ourselves as part of the solution whosever the government is to make sure that we are all trying to achieve the same things,” he says.

Van der Poel says the other issue he wants to take up with Hipkins is that of the immigration settings. He says the dairy and other industries don’t have enough people in the country to do the work if the economy is to go forward.

He says the dairy sector needs people to fill a variety of roles and says immigration settings are pivotal to this happening.

SUPERCHARGED

Shogun NEA12 ryegrass

The rockstar hybrid now upgraded to NEA12, giving 8% more yield for greater animal performance.

“We see ourselves as part of the solution whosever the government is to make sure that we are all trying to achieve the same things.”

DairyNZ chair Jim van der Poel is looking forward to meeting new Prime Minister Chris Hipkins in the coming weeks.

Farmers cautious as input costs remain elevated

DAIRY FARMERS are taking a ‘more considerate approach’ to their businesses, according to the ANZ bank’s agricultural economist, Susan Kilsby.

She says this is in response to a tightening of profitability on farms with costs such as fertiliser, fuel and labour rising. Susan Kilsby says these factors impact more on intensive dairy operations than sheep and beef farms.

She says for some farmers interest rates have gone up dramatically depending on their overall financial position. Kilsby says in the past few years when times have been

good, farmers have paid down debt and these individuals are probably in a better position than otherwise would be the case.

“Farm gate milk prices are still reasonable, but that margin is being squeezed pretty quickly in some cases,” she says.

Kilsby like other commentators in the dairy sector is noticing that farmers are looking closely at their farm businesses and making tweaks to improve their profitability.

She says a lot are exhausted because of the extra work they have had to do during Covid because of labour shortages. She says others are making some changes to their systems by doing such things as milking

once a day or three times every two days.

“Definitely some change but nothing dra-

matic. Some are trying to become a little bit more self-sufficient and therefore not grazing stock out

as much as they used to. A few more farms in the Canterbury region are looking at a little more

cropping on farm or leasing out paddocks to commercial growers,” she says.

Kilsby says part of this change is in response to labour shortages but also in response to reducing nutrient emission levels.

She says looking at the season to date it will be hard for farmers whose production was down in the spring to pick it up now even though there is very good grass growth in most regions in the North Island.

Susan Kilsby says parts of the South Island are starting to dry out and while it hasn’t reached the stage where farmers are quitting stock there is a bit of a feed pinch.

“The North Island should have pretty good autumn production, but it might be more modest in the South Island,” she says.

NO SIGN OF A PRICE REBOUND

DAIRY PRICES are showing little sign of a rebound, says BNZ senior economist Doug Steel. He notes that dairy prices have extended their decline over the past month or so.

Steel made the comment as the bank shaved 30c off its forecast milk

uary GDT auction saw overall prices easing by a slim 0.1%.

Steel says there is a hint of price stabilisation, but little sign of any rebound.

“And the result was arguably a bit worse than it looked given there was no obvious boost to these US dollar

prices since early December sees us nudge down our 2022/23 milk price forecast to $8.60.

“This is from the $8.90 that we had stuck to since first putting it on the board back in February last year despite significant volatility in the marketplace: market expectations had pushed up toward $10.70 at one point over that period.

“This is not a particularly big adjustment in the scheme of things, but it is nonetheless a downward shift. We will have no hesitation in revising back up if international

prices dictate, but we feel that forecast error risks are currently better balanced around a somewhat lower point forecast.’

BNZ says there’s more chance that the 2022/23 milk price finishes in the bottom half of Fonterra’s current $8.50 to $9.50 range than in the top half.

“But there is much changing overseas that could quickly change this assessment,” says Steel.

“There is still a fair amount of the season to run yet.

“A $8.60 milk price would still be

high compared to history.

“But not quite as strong as it looks once higher costs are considered, although strong retro payments from the previous season will be supportive for many.

And, at least for shared up Fonterra farmers, the co-op recently lifted earnings guidance and suggested it may do so again if positive earnings conditions extend. That would help offset some of the forecast decline from last season’s $9.30 milk price.”

@dairy_news

facebook com/dairynews

PETER BURKE peterb@ruralnews co nz

ANZ agricultural economist Susan Kilsby says high input costs impact more on intensive dairy operations than sheep and beef farms.

“When you get to the sixth or seventh week of mating, you’re starting to get a little over it, which I’m sure contributes to the empty rate. CowManager doesn’t allow you to do that. It just keeps telling you the cows.”

MPI ‘took right steps’

the transmission routes occurring in Wakanui with any certainty and says it’s possible these may never be known.

INDEPENDENT

AN

review into the Mycoplasma bovis (M.bovis) infection at Wakanui in Mid-Canterbury, shows the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) took the appropriate steps to remove infection in the area

The review was commissioned by MPI, DairyNZ and B+LNZ last year after it became apparent that infection was circulating in a small geographical area despite the use of disease control measures, which have proven successful in other areas around NZ.

The review, carried out by epidemiologist Dr John Happold, could not confirm the sources of infection in Wakanui but says that the area has been unique to other parts of NZ which have experienced the M. bovis infection.

Happold believes the unusually high amount of infection on the Five Star Beef feedlot could have allowed for airborne transmission – something that is highly unlikely to have occurred in other areas of NZ.

MPI’s M Bovis programme director, Simon Andrews says Wakanui had a large, concentrated, and dynamic population of infected animals within the local feedlot.

He says there was also a small cluster of other confirmed properties, most of which have paddocks adjacent to the feedlot.

He says the reviewer was not able to determine

“What we do know is, eradication is not dependent on knowing the transmission route. What is important is that we remove the infection from the area which is exactly what we’re doing. “

As part of the review, Happold also looked at a range of transmission routes including mechanical vectors such as birds and flies, manure, effluent, and groundwater. He concluded infection is unlikely to have occurred via these routes. In his report, Happold supported the depopulation plan for Five Star Beef and the use of a Controlled Area Notice (CAN).

Andrew says the eradication effort continues to make good progress and that the high-risk area of the CAN is now free of cattle and the CAN is on track to be lifted in midMarch.

He says it’s expected all current Confirmed Properties are likely to be cleared within the first half of this year.

“While the job is far from over, we are as close to moving to the next phase of the eradication as we have ever been and the collective effort from farmers, industry and Programme staff has helped us get to where we are today,” he says.

The Mycoplasma bovis Eradication Programme began in May 2018 and is jointly funded by Government (68%) and DairyNZ and Beef + Lamb New Zealand (32%).

Just over 3 million tests have been completed, $234 million has been paid out in 2838 claims and 180,872 cows have been culled.

A review into the Mycoplasma bovis infection at Wakanui in MidCanterbury, shows the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) took the appropriate steps to remove infection in the area.

Farm prices steady – REINZ

JESSICA MARSHALL jessica@ruralnews co nz

RECENT DATA from the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ) shows that the prices of dairy farms could be on the rise.

For the three months ended December 2022, the median sale price per hectare for dairy farms was $44,060, compared to $43,160 for the three months ended November 2022.

However, this marks a decrease in the past 12 months, with the median price having hit $44,310 per hectare for the three months ended December 2021.

There were also fewer farm sales in the year to December 2022, with 15.2% fewer dairy farms and 18.7% fewer dairy

support farms sold when compared to the year to December 2021.

It’s not all doom and gloom, says Shane O’Brien, rural spokesman at REINZ, as the lower number of sales may be down to something as simple as a lower number of listings.

“A late spring and a wet October across a number of regions saw a delay in the release of many listings with a healthy number of farms under offer (but not sold) at year end may flow through in sales records in early 2023,” O’Brien says.

He says increased environmental compliance has required greater preparation by sellers and has meant more due diligence by buyers, thus pushing out traditional selling times.

“Also, the increase in direct farm costs coupled with the near doubling of interest rates has brought a degree of caution to the market from buyers as

they fully consider land purchase decisions with no evidence in a decrease on farm inflation or interest costs going into 2023,” O’Brien says.

He says that additionally, an uncertain political environment has added another dynamic to farm purchasing decisions, with many opting for a “wait

and see approach”.

Another issue at play, O’Brien says, is continued interest in farming for forestry.

“The continued inter-

est in farmland for forestry and carbon conversion remains strong despite some changes in the purchaser’s obligations and the Overseas Investment Office (OIO) is still a market driver in some regions with good, well-developed dairy farms or dairy support land continuing to be keenly sought after by local buyers in the stronger dairying regions of Southland and Waikato.”

SPECIAL REPORTS MILK COOLING

Milk cooling affects milk quality. The quicker the milk is cooled after milking, the better the quality when it is collected from the farm.

The Ministry for Primary Industries has introduced new milk cooling standards. The new rules now apply to all converted farms.

To be in this special report contact your advertising representative now to promote your products and/or service to all NZ dairy farmers and sharemilkers.

Contact your closest Sales Representative

FEATURE: 21 FEBRUARY

BOOKING DEADLINE: 8 FEBRUARY

MATERIAL REQUIRED: 14 FEBRUARY

It’s not all doom and gloom, as the lower number of sales may be down to something as simple as a lower number of listings.

environmental compliance has required greater preparation by sellers and has meant more due diligence by buyers, thus pushing out traditional selling times of farms.

Japanese chefs love Fonterra’s grass-fed butter

has long been a strong protein ingredient market for Fonterra.

A BAKING competition, dubbed Fonterra Grand Prix, is helping New Zealand grass-fed butter spread its market share in Japan.

Run by the co-operative, it involves Japanese chefs producing unique recipes and creations using Anchor butter, Anchor Food Professionals and NZMP brands.

New Zealand is Japan’s largest source of butter outside of the country itself.

The competition begins with recipe examinations in the first round and culminates in the final on-site baking presentations to decide three award winners for each of the bakery and confectionery categories. Well-known professional chefs who have won global culinary competitions judge the contest.

Under the competition rules, winners must commercialise their creations within 12 months of clinching an award.

Creations from 2019 and 2020 competitions are already being sold in retail stores, hotels and bakeries owned by the chefs. No competitions were held over the past two years due to Covid.

Recently seven winning chefs were in New Zealand to see first-hand to look at our pasture-based dairy industry.

The team visited a Taranaki dairy farm and Fonterra’s Whareroa plant to grassfed butter being made at the cutting-edge production facility.

The group also put on a cooking demonstration at Fonterra head office for chief operating officer Fraser Whineray and staff.

Whineray thanked the chefs for helping promote NZ grass-fed butter in Japan.

“We are very privileged to have you visit our facilities; please take your experiences back to Japan and share with Japanese consumers your wonderful using sustainably produced grass-fed NZ butter.”

Whineray told Dairy News that Japan

“With an ageing society keen to enjoy their sunset years, the market is strong for advanced proteins used in many healthy ageing and sports nutrition applications.

“This trend is set to continue particularly as Japanese continue to consume more Western-type food.

“At the same time, Japan’s domestic milk production is forecast to decrease over the long term. This combined with easing market access for NZ dairy, means there are plenty of good opportunities for further long-term growth.”

Whineray says the Japanese consumer too is becoming more aware of the value of grass-fed, sustainable dairy.

“So, that too plays into our favour,” he says.

Fonterra’s North Asia team member Masataka Matsuyama, who accompanied the Japanese chefs on their visit, says the baking competition is all about promoting New Zealand grass-fed dairy products.

Matsuyama points out that while New Zealanders are familiar with the fact that dairy cows here graze outside on grass, for much of the world including Japan, grassfed dairy is rare.

“Promoting awareness and maximising the value gained from New Zealand sustainable pasture raised dairy farming is core to our strategy,” he says.

“Our world-leading processing technology also means our butters perform consistently in specialist applications.

“Take for example our pastry butters which have specific milk fat fractions to improve handling and deliver up to 20% more rise compared to standard butter.”

Matsuyama says the aim of the tour was to show them how dairy cows are farmed in New Zealand, outdoors eating fresh grass and raising them and processing their milk in a sustainable way.

“We want the winners to become NZ grass-fed ‘ambassadors’ for the Japanese market.”

SUDESH KISSUN sudeshk@ruralnews co nz

Visiting Japanese chefs on a Taranaki dairy farm last month.

Oz footy player who also loves milking cows

SHELLEY SCOTT is a professional Australian rules footballer who plays for the Geelong Cats in the AFL Women’s competition.

When Scott isn’t kicking goals and making tackles on the field, she can be found working on her family’s 100-hectare dairy farm just outside of Colac in the Western Districts of Victoria.

Juggling her football career and responsibilities on farm was difficult, especially when Scott was travelling across the country for interstate games, until she discovered Allflex’s Dairy Monitoring System.

Using the system, she can improve the reproduction and profitability of her dairy herd by monitoring important aspects such as heats, calv-

ing rates, adverse health events and overall rumi-

RECENT AND continuing weather conditions across Australia will have a lasting impact on feed supplies for the country’s dairy industry.

In light of possible feed availability and cost impacts, dairy farmers are looking at considering the importance of improving efficiencies and the profitability of their dairy farms.

Dairy is one of Australia’s most important rural industries, contributing A$3 billion to the Australian economy each year and employing over 42,000 local workers.

nation. She can open her Allflex application on her

Feed conversion efficiency and early intervention for unwell or underperforming cows are important aspects in ensuring efficient milk production and consistent supply of milk products for Australian households and export markets.

Heat detection along with early detection of sickness and disease in cows via rumination data is key to the successful management of a dairy herd.

This allows dairy farmers to make informed and timely decisions which leads to greater productivity, profitability, and milk

mobile device while she is at training or travelling on

the bus to her next game to see up-to-the-minute

yield on farm. Cow monitoring systems, such as the Allflex Dairy Monitoring System allows farmers to monitor important aspects of a cow’s health, such as fertility and rumination via real-time data that is captured by collars or ear tags worn by cows.

The system’s main benefit is that it helps farmers manage their dairy herds more effectively so they can focus their time on other important aspects of their business and their lives.

Allflex sales lead, Clancy Jordan identifies that there are a variety

data for all her cows with a few flicks of her finger.

“I am able to check on all my cows through the Allflex app and alert someone back home if any are in need of attention.”

“The system has been excellent, particularly for times when I’m at football and travelling interstate for games around calving time.

“Having access to realtime data on how my cows are tracking has made me a better farm manager.”

One of the main benefits of the system is that Scott can run her dairy farm with less help. Instead of finding a herd manager while she is away, Shelley can keep an eye on things through her Allflex system.

“The Allflex app is

of ways Australian dairy farmers can improve performance on their farm, however, it’s important to remember that farmers farm in different ways throughout different regions of Australia.

“Whether it is nutritional, agronomic, management or technological performance solutions, Australian dairy farmers tend to be at the cutting edge, in a country that has no shortage of environmental or commercial challenges to throw our way,” Jordan explains.

When it comes to Allflex Dairy Monitoring, the system provides

great, you can look up any particular cow to check their performance and away you go. Based on my experience this year, I’ll be able to use my reports to fine-tune the cows’ feed, particularly over the months of calving to increase performance and efficiency.

“I’d encourage all dairy farmers to consider using the Allflex Dairy Monitoring System to improve the performance, profitability and management of their farm.

“The Allflex System has been a great investment. When comparing high performance sport with high performance in dairy cows, I find it’s always the one-percenters that make the difference, and the Allflex System helps me get the one-percenters right.”

accurate information around the reproductive performance of the cows in a herd. Whether that be detecting heats, non-cycling and irregular heat cows and also pregnancy probability.

“The Allflex System takes the pressure off throughout the calving period. And I am finding that more and more of our farmers find the health monitoring benefits and the nutrition insights being a significant contributor to the return on investment,” Jordan says.

@dairy_news facebook com/dairynews

When Shelley Scott isn’t playing professional Australian rules football, she can be found working on her family’s 100-hectare dairy farm just outside of Colac in Victoria.

Fonterra goodness for the people

AS THE Christmas season in New Zealand was coming into full swing, employees at Fonterra’s manufacturing sites were dedicated to delivering dairy goodness to tables across the globe.

But it didn’t stop there for the team at Fonterra’s Darfield site, who were also hard at work giving back to their local community – picking up where they left off during Covid.

Last year after the Covid-19 lockdown lifted, Tim Toulson, Fonterra Darfield mechanical team lead, and the maintenance team were met with great appreciation when they delivered food boxes to elderly people living alone in Darfield. So they decided to do it again for Christmas.

“We knew a lot of people were doing it tough out there during

Covid so I really wanted to encourage the team to start thinking about others and what they could do to help them,” says Toulson.

“The feedback from the community was amazing. There was a heap of posts on the local Facebook page, and we even received thank you letters from those we helped. And we thought Christmas would be the perfect time to start that initiative up again.”

In the lead up to Christmas, around 25 employees from the maintenance team packed 60 food boxes with items for an early Christmas meal, as well as some extra nonperishable food items.

After packing the boxes, the team went out in the community to distribute it themselves and connect with those elderly people.

Ronel Beukes, who leads the Fonterra regional Hapori programme for Canterbury, says that after Covid

there was a real appetite from the team at the Darfield site to be personally involved in community work and events. And

as 2022 started to come to an end, the food parcels weren’t the only thing the staff participated in.

Throughout December

the Darfield Hapori team, alongside the Darfield Transport team, organised an educational milk tanker roadshow to con-

nect with schools in the region. They visited seven schools, where the tanker operator (driver) shared what they do on a daily basis.

And in November, the Fonterra Darfield team spent their Saturday morning with the Oxford Land Search & Rescue team. The team stopped by their annual LandSAR Incident Management Team refresher training course, to provide the search teams with some food to take along when they departed on their search.

“We thought a lot of our contractors and staff would be part of initiatives like this one, and that’s why we thought it would be great to show our support. It was also just a fantastic way to connect with the community in general,” said Beukes.

The Darfield Maintenance & Hapori Programme teams with the Christmas food boxes packed and ready to be delivered.

MILKING IT...

It was rain!

LIVES WERE lost, houses destroyed and infrastructure crippled in Auckland last week and all Greenpeace can do is to blame New Zealand’s dairy sector

While government agencies and people were busy protecting lives and property from floods, Greenpeace was calling for a reduction in cow numbers claiming that intensive dairying is causing climate change

Sorry greenies, you are way off target It was the sheer volume of rainfall, coupled with poor investment in infrastructure that put many streets and neighbourhoods under water

And no amount of Greenpeace propaganda will change that!

Be kind

FARMERS ARE calling for orderliness and patience on roads this summer: particularly in some South Island districts where arable farmers in the middle of harvesting

Federated Farmers is urging motorists and the operators of agricultural machinery to show each other some care and understanding

Unlike the raindrenched North Island, the golden weather in South Island is both a bonus and a race to get crops in before Mother Nature switches moods

During harvest, combine harvesters, large tractors towing implements and other oversize agricultural vehicles often use public roads to move between different parts of the farm and between farms So please be kind out there

Super cows

CHINESE SCIENTISTS can now claim to breed ‘super cows’

Scientists with the Northwest A&F University successfully saw the births of three cloned cows with highly desired traits in Northwest China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region recently

This marks the first successful effort by Chinese scientists to collect, restore and conserve the germplasm resource of “super cows” in China with the somatic cell nuclear transfer method and efficiently reproduce them These are super cows, capable of producing 18 tons of milk a year and over 100 tons of milk in a lifetime

The plan is for China to concentrate and preserve in an economically feasible way the very best cows in the country, and it is a success in the country’s efforts to revitalise its agricultural sector with vital seed and breeder animals

M.bovis relief

THE LATEST independent review into Mycoplasma bovis outbreak will be a relief for farmers.

The country remains on track to eradicate the disease, first confirmed in our country in 2018.

The Ministry for Primary Industries expects all current confirmed properties are likely to be cleared within the first half of this year.

While the job is far from over, it notes that we are as close to moving to the next phase of the eradication as we have ever been.

And this is due to the collective effort from farmers, industry and programme staff.

Money talk

AUSTRALIA’S BID to reduce the methane emissions of cow burps has got the backing of some of the world’s richest men Perth-based start-up Rumin8 is working on a dietary supplement - synthetically replicated from red seaweed - which stops the creation of the gas

The company recently announced that it had raised A$12m in a funding round led by Breakthrough Energy Ventures, which Bill Gates founded in 2015

The investment firm is also backed by Amazon chief executive Jeff Bezos, and Chinese entrepreneur and Alibaba co-founder Jack Ma University studies have shown that feeding cows seaweed could significantly cut their methane emissions

The Mycoplasma bovis Eradication Programme began in May 2018 and is jointly funded by Government (68%) and DairyNZ and Beef + Lamb New Zealand (32%). Just over 3 million tests have been completed, $234 million has been paid out in 2838 claims and 180,872 cows have been culled.

The latest review was ordered by MPI, DairyNZ and Beef & Lamb New Zealand in mid-2022 after it became apparent infection was circulating in a small geographical area in South Canterbury despite the use of disease control measures.

The outbreak centres carried out by epidemiologist Dr John Happold, looked at the large ANZCO Fivestar Feedlot, which can house 19,000 cattle at any one time.

In May last year, the feedlot was the last remaining property with M bovis, but more properties began to test positive, resulting in MPI putting a controlled area notice (CAN) around the feedlot and nearby farms.

The high-risk area – CAN- is now free of cattle and the CAN is on track to be lifted in mid-March. MPI expects all current confirmed properties are likely to be cleared within the first half of this year.

Happold was not able to determine the transmission routes occurring in Wakanui with any certainty, and it’s possible these may never be known.

However, MPI points out that eradication is not dependent on knowing the transmission route. What is important is removing the infection from the area which is exactly what the MPI is doing.

Going forward, the M.bovis programme is likely to be run by Ospri. Public consultation on this is proposed to take place in late 2023.

Ospri manages the TBfree programme (to eradicate bovine tuberculosis) and the National Animal Identification and Trading (NAIT) programme. The NAIT system provides key information on the location and movement of cattle for both the M. bovis and TBfree programmes.

Publisher: Brian Hight Ph 09-307 0399

General Manager: Adam Fricker Ph 021-842 226

Editor: Sudesh Kissun Ph 021-963 177

Machinery Editor: Mark Daniel Ph 021-906 723 markd@ruralnews.co.nz

Reporters: Peter Burke Ph 021-224 2184 peterb@ruralnews.co.nz

Subscriptions: Julie Beech

021-190 3144

AUCKLAND SALES REPRESENTATIVE: Stephen Pollard Ph 021-963 166 stephenp@ruralnews.co.nz

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

SOUTH ISLAND SALES REPRESENTATIVE: Kaye Sutherland Ph 021-221 1994 kayes@ruralnews.co.nz

Stop undermining rural NZ!

ACT agriculture spokesman Mark Cameron last week wrote to new Prime Minister Chris Hipkins calling for a rethink on agricultural emissions pricing Here’s his letter:

“I WRITE asking you to consider the financial and regulatory burden that agricultural emissions pricing will place upon growers and producers in New Zealand.

As I am sure you are aware, growers and producers are facing an increasingly challenging economic environment.

In the last financial year alone on-farm inflation in New Zealand has increased by 10.2%.

Prices for fuel, fertiliser, and vehicular repairs and maintenance increased by 54.3%, 23%, and 10.4% respectively

last financial year.

On top of increasing production costs, farmers face the added challenge of responding to a range of regulatory pressures such as intensive winter grazing, significant natural areas, and freshwater regulations.

This is no small undertaking considering the current global economic climate.

The seemingly unrelenting pressure of unworkable regulations and high operating costs has already taken its toll on farmers, with farmer confidence in New Zea-

Same message

SATISFYING, BUT not at all surprising, that the messages from agriculture sector groups to new Prime Minister Chris Hipkins were more or less entirely in tune.

When the Governor-General signed the warrant confirming him as our 41st prime minister, Feds released a statement urging that the policy “reset” Hipkins had talked about should centre on slowing down the legislative rush and prioritising things that will help families and businesses prosper. As it happened, that same day Beef + Lamb NZ and the Meat Industry Association released a policy manifesto that B+LNZ chair Andrew Morrison said should be “compulsory early reading” for the new PM.

In all honesty, if you’d asked any farmer or grower to sit down and write a government action wish list, it would likely look very similar. There is utter exasperation, anger too, with rushed and poorly-consulted on blanket regulations that hamper, rather than help, our environmental and production challenges.

The replacement resource management legislation is shaping up as a dog that will add costs, cumbersome compliance and drawn-out arguments rather than reduce them.

The Feds, B+LNZ and the Meat Industry Assocviation (MIA) highlighted frustration around migrant worker restrictions, the non-science-based methane targets and the pitfalls of the ‘Fair Pay’ Agreements and blanket pine planting.

One we didn’t mention but I’m glad that Beef + Lamb did – the NPSIB. “We strongly urge the Government to pause the National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity and work with industry on a narrower definition of Significant Natural Area (SNA) that protects our precious biodiversity,” B+LNZ said.

“The Government also urgently needs to carry out an assessment of the cumulative impact of all these policies.

“We’d like to see a pause on any new regulations like biodiversity and RMA reform until this review has been done.” Exactly: the date is now set for the general election – October 14. The ball’s in your court! – Andrew

Hoggard

land sinking to an all-time recorded low.

For Government to place additional regulatory and financial burden upon growers and producers now is nonsensical.

If agricultural emissions pricing is implemented many may be forced out of the industry, rural com-

munities will suffer, and mental health may be further impacted.

You have just seen the impact of regulations on the poultry industry: a nationwide shortage of eggs and rising prices for families trying to buy one of the most affordable and healthy sources

of protein.

How would you like to see an impact like that imposed upon the entire agricultural sector? In these challenging times the Government needs to stop imposing additional costs upon farmers which will only force production offshore to less-efficient

competitors.

Subsequently, I implore you to adopt ACT’s policy of tying agricultural emissions pricing to that of New Zealand’s five major trading partners, ensuring a level playing field for growers and producers in New Zealand.”

Act agriculture spokesman Mark Cameron.

Ayrshire scoops top prize

YOUNG FARMER

Joanna Fowlie and her three-year-old Ayrshire

Raetea Rubicon Debbie (Debbie) took out the All Breeds Supreme Exhibit award at the New Zealand Dairy Event held at Manfield Park, Feilding last month.

This is just the second time in the history of this event that an Ayrshire has taken out this award.

Growing up in a farming environment, Fowlie always knew that she would one day be on the farm full-time.

“When I left school Mum said ‘go to Uni, do something different and see where life takes you’, but farming was always my passion, my go to and I love it,” Fowlie told Dairy News.

The Fowlie family farm at Matamata, milking around 300 pedigree Jersey cows with a couple of Ayrshires and Holsteins.

Fowlie manages the day-to-day running of the farm with her Mum Heather, and Dad Stu does all the tractor and maintenance work.

Raetea Rubicon Debbie, bred by Shelley and Pat Schnirger, was just a ‘by chance’ purchase at the Waikato Next Generation Sale in 2019, a platform which allows young people to buy calves.

Debbie was advertised as a very quiet natured animal being a dream to

BREEDER HONOURED

RESPECTED NATIONALLY and around the world, Manawatu Jersey Breeder, Richard Gibson, received a distinguished outstanding achievement and service award at the New Zealand Dairy Event in Feilding last week for his contribution to the New Zealand Dairy Stud Stock Industry.

Gibson is well known in NZ and around the world for his keen eye for a good dairy animal.

Born in Hawera, growing up

halter, train, and photograph, who is well balanced on a good set of

on a farm, Gibson was destined to breed Jersey Cows.

He joined Jersey New Zealand in 1971 and represented Taranaki on the Jersey NZ Board from 1993-1999.

He joined the World Jersey Cattle Bureau in 1999 and served for several years, being their Vice President at one point.

He and his family moved to the Manawatu in 2000 and established Thornton Park Jersey Stud.

legs and carries herself well. That year, it was an

His most famous cow was Merrifields Brigs Opal who was four times Supreme Champion Jersey, Champion All Breeds and Reserve Champion on three occasions and was voted cow of the Century for Jersey New Zealand.

Many people and organisations, including the NZ Dairy Event of which he is a founding committee member, have prospered from his assistance and guidance.

online photo sale so there were no physical animals to look at.

“I was not intending on buying as I had the money saved up for some-

thing else,” says Fowlie.

“Debbie was passed in at the sale for $800 and I spoke to the auctioneer at the time, Brian Robinson, asking if she was still available. He said yes and I was able to buy her for $850.”

She picked Debbie up, took her home, grew her and she came out as a yearling to the Waikato A & P show 2020, where she won four ribbons, taking out the Reserve Champion Ayrshire Junior Female and the Reserve North Island Champion Ayrshire Junior Female. This was just the

beginning of what was to come with a second placing as a senior yearling Ayrshire at the NZ Dairy Event in 2021 followed by a multitude of awards in 2022 including Reserve Champion Cow in the Youth Show and Reserve Intermediate in-milk Ayrshire Champion.

She also won the futurity two-year-old class, which is designed for those animals purchased in the sale and later was the overall futurity winner.

In the lead up to this year’s NZ Dairy Event, Fowlie says their show cows were put on a programme where they start re-learning and getting ready for the next event.

“They have such a good memory,” she says.

“As soon as they have a halter on, they are in show mode.”

Their diet is changed from pasture to hay along with a feed supplement ration.

Closer to the show the cows are fed twice a day and during show week, three times per day, which basically gets them ‘show ready, cleans them off and makes them stand out.

Behind the scenes, there is a team of people who work day and night shifts during show week to ensure that the cows always have someone with them.

Fowlie is now looking forward to the next Waikato A & P show in October and she is planning on flushing Debbie next season.

• High Flow

•

•

• Compact/Robust

• Inlets Upto 50mm

• Avoids Starting & Stopping of Pump When Tank is Filling

Joanna Fowlie and her three-year-old champion Ayrshire Raetea Rubicon Debbie (Debbie).

Planting green on display

PLANTING GREEN, a developing trend here and overseas where growers plant directly into a green crop, will be demonstrated at the Foundation for Arable Research (FAR) premier maize field day near Hamilton this month.

Advances in maize planter technologies now make it potentially possible to successfully plant maize directly into a living or recently terminated cover crop, FAR’s senior maize researcher David Densley says.

“You need to have a fitfor-purpose maize planter to plant green successfully and ensure uniform seeding depth and seed spacing is achieved.

“We will test the planter to its limits, particularly with the bigger biomass crop, and generate a conversation.”

Field day details

Some equipment on the maize planter being demonstrated on February 14 at FAR’s Northern Crop Research Site at Tamahere near Hamilton, is commercially available but not widely used by contractors.

As the demonstration is out-of-season, the green crops being used are not typical, Densley says. Maize will be planted into forage sorghum with a higher biomass, a smaller

sorghum crop and plantain.

“The reason a small but increasing number of farmers are trying this is to maximise living root days. This can increase soil organic matter, reduce the risk of soil nitrogen loss because of

fewer days with bare soil and lower soil evaporation rates by shading the soil. The shaded soil can also reduce maize herbicide inputs. Mother Nature doesn’t intend for soil to be sitting idle.”

When planting green, a roller crimper may be

used on the cover crop or it may be left standing. Planting directly into a green crop using no-till contrasts with the conventional practice of cultivating before planting maize.

The field day is also a chance to hear visit-

ing maize expert, University of Illinois Professor of Crop Physiology, Fred Below, who is keynote speaker. Below is one of the researchers and authors responsible for the “seven wonders of the maize yield world”, the top seven list of management factors that each year can have a positive impact on maize yield.

The considerable gap between the average yield produced by most growers and record yields shows the opportunity to increase maize yield through enhanced crop management, he says.

Densley says the opportunity to come and listen to Below “is probably once in a lifetime”.

Below has two presentations on the day; the morning keynote address is on emerging trends in maize production in the

United States and the last presentation on the day will discuss the latest maize research findings and why this will likely have an influence on maize production practices in the future.

Densley says that with increasing fertiliser costs and environmental requirements, it’s an opportune time to hear the latest research results.

Other speakers include FAR researcher Dirk Wallace on nitrogen use efficiency in maize, AgResearch scientist Trevor James on cover crops for weed management, Densley on precision agriculture for maize productivity and quality and FAR’s technology manager Chris Smith on sensor technology.  FAR’s Abie Horrocks will discuss long-term crop establishment.

Cover crop for planting green demonstration.

Bridging the gap between science and farming

SECOND YEAR Lincoln

University student Georgia Higginbottom is the 2023 recipient of Ravensdown’s Hugh Williams Memorial Scholarship.

The Bachelor of Agricultural Science student is keeping her career options open, but she knows her future will involve helping Kiwi farmers. “Last year at Uni we spent a lot of time in the lab, and it’s been really interesting to be involved in the science of farming,” she says. “While I don’t necessarily want to be a scientist or go into farming straight out of University, I can definitely see myself somewhere in the middle.

“I’d like to be able to relate Ag research and lab outcomes back to farmers in a way that’s relevant and practical to them so that New Zealand agriculture can continue to change and adapt to meet the needs of our consumers, the environment and our rural communities,” she says.

Garry Diack, Ravensdown chief executive, says Higginbottom’s clear thinking and great attitude made her a clear stand-out for scholarship panellists.

“At a time when we’re

facing immense societal pressure and disruption, it’s never been as important to have a pipeline of leaders who can help farmers get the most out of innovation and technologies as they navigate the evolving challenges of farming,” he says.

“With young lead-

ers like Georgia coming through the ranks, it gives me confidence that the future of New Zealand is in very capable hands.”

At age 19, Higginbottom has a fair amount of agricultural experience under her belt. Growing up on a Tinui sheep and beef farm in the Wair-

arapa, some of her fondest childhood memories involve helping her mum and dad.

“As a kid, I really enjoyed getting out on the farm, I’m fortunate to have hardworking parents who encouraged me and gave me enough room to give things a go,” she says.

“Dad was always happy to teach and explain things on the farm to me. It was awesome to get the cows in on the horses, and docking was always one of my favourite times of the year. I guess I always knew I wanted to be part of the agriculture sector in some way.”

Higginbottom says she knows New Zealand farmers are world leaders when it comes to sustainability and the use of technology, but she’s also keen to learn more about different ways of farming around the world.

“I want to travel at some stage, I’m keen to learn about different cultures and farming practices overseas and I’m interested to understand some of the aspects we might be able to take away and apply here,” she says.

“I would love to go to Australia and work on one of those big outback stations. The scale of farming in America is just massive so I’m intrigued to see that too. But for now, my focus is on the next couple of years here at Lincoln.

“This summer I’ve been working for Ross and Cara Minson just out of Springston. As part of the practical component of my degree, I need to work for 10 weeks on a dairy farm and it’s been

awesome. I’ve learnt so much more than I was expecting to.

“I’ve been really fortunate that my bosses and manager don’t just ask me to do things, they’re taking the time to explain the reasons why things are done a certain way and make sure I get to do a variety of jobs.”

Heading into 2023 her focus is on completing the next three years at Lincoln, getting involved in student life, indulging her passion for the outdoors and seeing more of the South Island with the Lincoln Uni Hunting Club.

“As well as getting on with my studies, this year I’m hoping to play hockey and get away on a few trips with the Lincoln Uni Young Farmers Club. This year I’ll be treasurer of the club and I’m looking forward to developing the skills needed for this role.

“Thankfully the Hugh Williams Scholarship means I can worry less about my own finances, with fees for my second year now 50% covered.”

“I’d like to be able to relate ag research and lab outcomes back to farmers in a way that’s relevant and practical to them.”

Georgia Higginbottom is the 2023 recipient of Ravensdown’s Hugh Williams Memorial Scholarship.

Second time’s a charm for junior judging star

Do you know if your feed Find out at the

2023 JUNIOR cattle judging superstar

Annie Gill didn’t let nerves get in the way of her success at the NZ Dairy Event last month.

Gill scooped both the Holstein Friesian NZ Junior Judging Competition and the NZ Dairy Breeds Federation World Wide Sires All Breeds Junior Judging Competition.

“To be honest, going into it my teeth were chattering,” Gill says.

“But at the end of the day, I know what a good cow is.”

The Waikato dairy farmer, 21, won the 2023 Pitcairn’s Trophy, presented to the winner of the Holstein Friesian section of the Junior Breed Judging Competition, with a near-perfect score of 74 out of 75.

The junior judges judged animals in one class, placing them and explaining their reasoning behind their decisions. A panel of overjudges placed the same class, and points were awarded to the junior judges for the accuracy of their choices, as well as their reasons and ringcraft.

The overjudges of this section were Warren Ferguson (Ōtorohanga), Selwyn Donald (Feilding), and Bradley Parkes (Taranaki).

The first two place-getters from the Holstein Friesian, Ayrshire and Jersey breed competitions then progressed to the NZ Dairy Breeds Federation WWS All Breeds Junior Judging Competition and judged an all-breeds class of animals.

Gill took out the WWS All Breeds title on points. The overjudges in the All Breeds competition were Craig Robertson (Canterbury), Selwyn Donald (Feilding) and Andrew Thomson (Waiuku).

She says she watched the Ayrshire and

Jersey competitions before she competed in the Holstein Friesian competition, which calmed her nerves a little.

“I’m confident I know what a good cow looks like, although it does come down to personal opinion as well,” she says

“All three overjudges spoke to me in the Holstein Friesian ring, and two scored me 75/75 as I had the exact same reasonings behind my decisions as they did.”

Annie credited 2023 International Dairy Week Holstein Friesian judge Warren Ferguson of Ferdon Genetics with giving her valuable guidance, which she carried with her into both competitions.

“I spend a lot of time at Ferdon because my animals are housed there,” she says.

“Warren always explains what he is doing and why he is doing it, including his judging decisions.”

Gill was runner up in the NZ Dairy Breeds Federation WWS All Breeds Junior Judging Competition in 2022, and hadn’t planned to enter again; however, some encouragement from Holstein Friesian NZ president Doug Courtman changed her mind.

Gill has seen multiple industry successes in recent years: she came runner up in the 2021 Dairy Trainee of the Year and the 2022 Dairy Industry Awards and won the Waikato region of the New Zealand Young Farmers stock judging competition before moving on to win the national title in 2022. Gill was also the 2023 NZ Dairy Event Young Leader Champion and 2023 NZ Dairy Event Young Handlers 18 Years and Over Champion.

Gill is dairy farming full time, working as a herd manager of 800 cows for Dan Bryce

2023 junior cattle judging superstar Annie Gill didn’t let nerves get in the way of her success at the NZ Dairy Event last month.

Halter teams up with LIC

MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews

WORKING ON the premise that everything that happens on farm exists to manage the cow, Halter claims to remove the need for fences, gates and even the farm dog, allowing the farmer to manage everything remotely, saving time and improving productivity.

Each cow is fitted with a solar powered collar that in turn is coupled to an application that monitors the cow’s location, physical condition and pasture conditions.

Recently, the tech company has partnered with farmer-owned coop erative LIC to allow data flow between the Halter app and MINDA, saving farmers’ time and creating a seamless interface.

The Halter platform now sends highly accurate heat alerts to the MINDA app, LIC’s cloud-based herd management system, allowing farmers to sched ule drafts within MINDA for on-heat cows.

In addition, Halter also allows farmers to gain access to some of their herd’s MINDA data via the Halter app, includ ing calving date, mating sire ID and body condi tion score, providing them with an overall picture of herd performance, health and fertility to help them

make more informed decisions on farm.

Halter chief executive officer Craig Piggott notes the integration is indicative of Halter’s rapid pace of innovation and the

partners who share a vision to support farming communities.

“We are on a path to an ecosystem where we connect partners to farmers to help drive business success. This LIC integration is the beginning of that journey.”

@dairy_news

facebook com/dairynews

co nz

“Integrating Halter into MINDA is something farmers have asked for, and we’ve responded.”

Halter chief executive officer Craig Piggott says his goal has been to make farmers’ working lives better. Inset: Each cow is fitted with a solar powered collar that in turn is coupled to an application that monitors the cow’s location, physical condition and pasture conditions.

Feed barn robot ‘boosts yield’

with a variety of forage types that need to be mixed and made available to cows 24 hours/day.

BUILDING ON its launch back in 2018, DeLaval has launched a new OptiDuo feed pushing robot, with a claim that using this technology can add up to three litres/ cow/day.

To back that claim,

The latest model also allows the farmer the option of feeding concentrates, via an integral dispenser that can be filled while the machine is charging, allowing concentrates to be fed out and recorded throughout

OptiDuos in the work place has been collated to demonstrate time and labour savings made by users, but it has also showed multiple improvements in cow health.

“Constantly refreshing feed in feed barns or pads encourages cows to eat more, resulting in a more stable rumen and increased milk production,” says DeLaval feeding specialist Ludo Bols.

“OptiDuo will run up to 10 times a day and customers tell us that it appears to be stimulus for the animals to eat, because on every occasion, they return to the fence to eat more.”

The OptiDuo remixes forage, “freshening” the feed to make it more palatable and reduce waste. Featuring a layout that incorporates a twin-spiralled rotating auger and adaptive drive function the machine can work

incarnation of OptiDuo features an impact-resistant engineering thermoplastic cover made from acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) – a product often used in motor vehicle production. On the control front, updated software collects more data that in turn is shared using DeLaval’s operating system.

The company notes that farmers with milking robots have reported that cow flow and robot visits have also improved with OptiDuo.

“On farms that have chosen to invest in milking robots, we have seen milk yields increase by up to three litres of milk/ cow/day,” Bols says.

“For those who have invested, OptiDuo has provided improved cow health, farm profitability, operational efficiency and milk yield.”

The OptiDuo makes feed more palatable for cows and reduces waste.

The first OptiDuo was launched in 2018.

MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews co nz

Eco silage cover is ‘a game changer’

cover over the farm’s 25m by 12m silage pit, housing 100 tonnes of grass silage.

HAWERA DAIRY

farmer Erwin Hebler believes his new Firestone Eco Silage Cover is a game changer.

In November last year

Hebler, with the help of two staff, installed the

He recalls that it was a windy day but putting the cover on “was a breeze”.

“It was blowing gale, but we put it up without much hassle,” he told Dairy News

Hebler, who milks 400 cows, says the biggest

DRAINAGE AND SOIL AERATION PAY BIG DIVIDENDS

Don’t put good fertiliser on compacted soil which can’t absorb it. If your soil can’t support 15cm root growth and good worm population check for compaction. You could need aeration. In dollar terms, what would 20% production increase mean to your yearly turnover?

YOUR GREATEST ASSET IS THE SOIL YOU FARM. DON’T DESTROY IT!

change he noticed is that that he uses fewer tyres to cover the silage stack600 compared to just a handful now.

“At first, I was a bit nervous and ended up using tyres around the parameter perimeter but now I realise I don’t need to use those many tyres.

“I’m only using tyres

around the joins overlaps now.”

Hebler says the Firestone Eco Silage Cover helps keep silage losses to a minimum and is resistant to Pukeko and rat damage.

It has a 10-year warranty and there is no need for annual recycling of silage cover.

“It’s very durable and we can walk on it without risk of damage: and any damaged portion can be easily fixed with a patch.

“There is also better air tightness resulting in less damage to silage quality.”

Firestone Building Products, recently bought by Holcim, has been selling its premium synthetic rubber membrane liners into the silage market in Europe for several years, predominantly in France.

Cosio Industries, authorised agents and distributors of Firestone

Building Products for New Zealand, has been distributing the premium lining membranes to the dairy effluent sector in NZ for over ten years.

Cosio Industries lining category manager Vaughan Podbielski says it was a logical step to release the product range into the silage market.

He says there are numerous key similarities and benefits for the NZ market when compared to the overseas market.

“Whereas most traditional silage covers have a thickness of ~120150 microns with a life expectancy of 12 months and are considered single use and need to be disposed of correctly, another indirect cost, Firestone Eco Silage Covers are ~1140 microns thick and come with a guarantee of 10 years but are expected to last well beyond this.”

He says Firestone Eco Silage Covers are chemically inert and the ability to re-use them for more than ten years makes them an extremely sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative.

“While traditional silage covers can be collected and recycled through several service providers, this is not as environmentally friendly as not having to recycle in the first place due to the cost and carbon requires collection and recycling.”

He notes that some of the plastic products collected in NZ for recycling are actually sent offshore for recycling processing. Re-usable Eco Silage Covers can be reused for 10+ years.

“One of the biggest advantages is the significant time and labour saving of adding and removing tyres since far fewer tyres are required

on Firestone Eco Silage Covers.

“Due to the heavier weight of the membrane, tyres or sandbags are only required on the edges and overlaps. No more throwing of water filled tyres and no more damage to silage covers from throwing tyres on the pile late at night.”

Podbielski says the flexibility and elasticity of the rubber membrane (comparable to a tractor tube) ensures it confirms exceptionally well to the silage pile as the silage settles over time.

“This creates an excellent seal accelerating fermentation which reduces spoilage, improves silage quality, and reduces secondary fermentation.

“Since the thick durable membrane is synthetic rubber, it can be walked on easily without the risk of slipping or damaging the cover.”

SUDESH KISSUN sudeshk@ruralnews co

Eco Silage Covers can be reused for over 10 years.

Firestone has been selling its premium synthetic rubber membrane liners into the silage market in Europe for several years, predominantly in France.

Pasture partners work wonders

with a great ryegrass, the results are eye-popping.

WHAT IF you could lift milk production by 8% in one go, just by altering one piece of your system to make the whole thing function better?

No change to cow numbers; no extra inputs; everything else stays the same, but from one year to the next, performance takes off.

Now, in place of cows, think ryegrass. Could one thing be altered that would make such a big difference? As Barenbrug pasture systems manager Blair Cotching explains, the answer is yes.

It’s all to do with the amazing world of ryegrass endophytes, where a great marriage between microscopic fungi and their host plant can work wonders, he says.

For organisms so tiny they’re invisible to the naked eye, endophytes are super powerful.

Hidden inside ryegrass, they’re nature’s insect repellent, discouraging predators and helping grass persist and perform for longer.

“That was all well and good, until scientists discovered the original wild ryegrass endophyte is not great for animal health,” Cotching says.

“So began the challenge that continues to this day – finding better endophytes for animals, without losing that natural pest protection.”

New Zealand leads the world in this research. It’s complex, exciting and for Barenbrug, an obsession.

“For 35 years, we’ve worked to discover new endophytes; test them for insect protection and animal health; match them up with the right ryegrass and make them available to help farmers get more out of their pastures,” he says.

There’s no rushing this work. It’s painfully slow, and the company has experienced many more dead-ends, frustrations, and failures than successes, Cotching says.

So why does it keep trying? Because when a great endophyte gels

“Pairing our newest endophyte NEA12 with Shogun hybrid ryegrass, for example, created a super-charged pasture that grows 8% more than Shogun with its original endophyte NEA.

“On average, genetic gain in ryegrass advances at about 1% a year. So, getting the right marriage between endophyte and ryegrass in this case gave the same gain as eight years of plant breeding, in one hit.”

Picture a tripod. One leg is the ryegrass itself. The second is the endophyte. The third is the way they work as a team. One weak leg, and the tripod falls.

Of all the things Barenbrug has learned about endophyte recently, this is the most important.

“The more we research endophytes, the more we realise that the marriage between endophytes and their host ryegrass is as important as each is individually,” Blair says. “Simply combining a great endophyte and a great ryegrass does not guarantee a great result.”

Researchers must make sure they get along. The same endophyte can pair up beautifully with one ryegrass but rub another completely the wrong way. The only way to find compatibility is to mix and match, then test different combinations, over multiple years, and locations.

Successful combinations are rare and finding them is a massive numbers game.

Since releasing its first endophyte in 1999, the company has identified, isolated, and genotyped over 400 individual endophytes. Only a handful have proved worthy of release, creating powerful synergies with Barenbrug ryegrasses.

“We’re not trying to make farmers’ lives complicated by releasing new endophytes. But creating the best possible pastures increasingly requires great endophyte/ ryegrass partnerships.

And you can’t achieve these using just one endophyte,” says Cotching.

Shogun NEA12 is available this autumn.

@dairy_news facebook com/dairynews

EVERY STEP OF THE WAY

KATHY DAVIS

A dream marriage –Shogun hybrid ryegrass and NEA12 endophyte.

Merging mower gets upgrade

THE EASYCUT B 950 Collect is a non-conditioning mower with 450mm merger augers, said to be ideal for tall crops such as ryegrass, or more delicate crops such as lucerne, that may usually cause blockages or damage when put through a conditioner mower.

First introduced to the market five years ago, this lightweight and compact mower has been recently revamped by the German manufacturer to enhance versatility.

Offering 9.45 metres mowing width, the main improvements

include an ISOBUS compatible terminal allowing the operator to control and adjust the shape of the swath being delivered behind the machine, alongside the option to independently lift or lower the mower units.

At the rear of the mower units, the hoods behind the augers open and close hydraulically allowing a choice of three delivery modes, including swathing, independent swathing or no swathing.

The heavy-duty auger units are powered by a right-angle gearbox to revolve at a consistent speed of 750rpm, giving optimal conditions for maximum efficiency and productivity. Mounted closely behind the cutter bars, they can feed large vol-

umes of crop in a consistent flow to the centre of the combination, forming a well-shaped and uniform swath for following harvester or baler.

The EasyCut B 950 Collect is fitted with hardened wear-skids as standard, that also serve to help to reduce ground pressure, while protecting the cutter bar and the sward.

Other useful upgrades include a lever on the nearside guard that allows the mower hood to be lifted for improved maintenance access, but also increases the space between the mower and the tractor, making for easier access to the tractor linkage during hitching or removal.

GERMAN MANUFACTURER

Horsch has introduced the new Leeb FT front tank, that mounts to a tractor’s 3-point linkage and offers additional spraying capacity

Available in 1,200 litre and 1,800 litre capacities, the Leeb 1.2 FT and 1.8 FT complement the brand’s recently launched Leeb CS rear-mounted sprayer, but will obviously also work with other brands of sprayer.

Designed with compact dimensions and an optimised centre of gravity, when combined with the rear CS unit, the combination offers up to 4,000 litres of spraying capacity in a highly flexible and manoeuvrable format. The FT uses a standard coupling triangle to ensure short set-up times and easy

handling without the need to manually couple hydraulic lines.

The FT Basic can also be used as an additional water tank with a 2” suction line towards the rear of the tank, without agitator and cleaning, and can be combined with all trailed Leeb models.

The higher specification Leeb FT Pro is completely integrated into the software and the water circuit of the Leeb CS and features its own agitator and cleaning.

Featuring ISOBUS control with an intuitive interface, the Leeb FT has lighting integrated in the front tank and an optional camera system for a better overview of the space in front of the machine. – Mark Daniel

• Easy to repair

• Environmentally friendly

• Superior airtightness

• Self-extinguishing

• Rolls up to 15m wide, therefore fewer joins which means less risk, faster installation and shorter good weather window required.

• Design assistance and volume calculations available.

• Material warranty from global company - Firestone Building Products.

For your nearest installation contractor call 0800 109 093 or 021 280 7266

• Nationwide Firestone trained and accredited installation contractors.

• Reusable: guaranteed for 10 years, GeoSmart EPDM greatly reduces the production of plastic waste

• Future proof - dependable performance, 50 year life expectancy even when exposed, 20 year Firestone material warranty

• Over 120 million square meters installed worldwide.

• 30 years in the NZ lining business.

Krone EasyCut is

FALCO POWER HARROW

• 110-220 horsepower

• 4m-5m working widths

• Case hardened gears

• Minimal gears reduce friction lowering fuel consumption

• Robust, reliable and light-weight

• Reinforced bearing configuration

• Cage or packer roller options

STRENGTH, RELIABILITY and easy maintenance

DM RAPIDO POWER HARROW

• 120-180 horsepower

• 3m-3.5m working widths

• Packer and cage roller options

• Multispeed gearbox

• 25cm spacing among rotors allows more rotors

UNIVERSAL PNEUMATIC SEEDER

The APV can be fitted to a range of power harrows, hoes, roller drills and weeders offering a cost effective means of establishing crops with reduced cultivation passes.

4 Models Available:

• From 120-800 litre capacity Electric and hydraulic options

• Ideal for small seed sowing at low rates

East Coast Farming Expo

22-23 February 2023

Wairoa A&P Showgrounds

Connecting East Coast Farmers East

Two days of exhibits, demonstrations & seminars for East Coast & Hawke’s Bay sheep & beef farmers

Tickets available online or at the gate

eastcoastexpo.co.nz