high prices good for the environment Paying more for food makes a lot of sense for planet. page 24
treating grass like dollars Farming hill country is never easy but it looks that way at Opouahi Station. page 26
Rural NEWS to all farmers, for all farmers
july 3, 2012: Issue 518
Time to move on
p e t e r bu r k e SU DESH KISSU N
IT’S CRUNCH time for farmers this week with NAIT. If farmers want to send animals to a sale, a meat processing plant or another farm they must be NAIT registered and the animals must have NAIT tags otherwise they will face problems and additional costs. NAIT chief executive Russell Burnard told Rural News at least 30,000 farmers have registered and he’s pleased with this result during what he describes as the “interim period”. About 60% of these are commercial farmers and about 40% lifestylers. “From 1 July it was mandatory to register and so we are still encouraging people to register. They must do it before the first movement of any stock otherwise it may make that movement difficult. The response is more positive than expected but it’s human nature to delay to the last minute.” Burnard says as of now it is a legal requirement that animals going to a sale, a meat processor or another farm must be NAIT tagged. The only exceptions are bobby calves or ‘dangerous’ animals. “They can still send their stock to the sale yard without tags, but they will probably face a fee at the saleyards before the animals are moved on.” In farm-to-farm movement it is up to the honesty of farmers to act within the law.
People who believe India is the answer to NZ’s growing dairy exports need to think again.
page 12
www.ruralnews.co.nz
NAIT now operative
india not the answer
TIME TO move on: that’s the message from dairy industry leaders after last week’s Fonterra TAF (trading among farmers) vote. Primary Industries Minister David Carter says Fonterra and its farmers must shift focus from the co-op’s capital structure. “After many years of debate and focus, the majority have spoken and hopefully all shareholders will accept the outcome,” he told Rural News.
“I implore shareholders to move forward and concentrate on other issues. Fonterra has huge opportunities in New Zealand and overseas. Now capital structure has been sorted out, Fonterra should be allowed to pursue those opportunities.” The resolution on TAF was passed with 66.45% support of milksolids producers. Farmers supplying 85% of the co-op’s milksolids voted – a record turnout. Voting in the dairy industry is based on milksolids production. Carter believes there is a clear man-
date for TAF to proceed. “As a politician if I receive 66% of the votes, I will regard that as a very clear mandate.” He played down reports of a possible legal challenge against TAF. “I haven’t heard of possible legal challenge.... That would be an unfortunate development.” Former Federated Farmers Dairy chairman Lachlan McKenzie says people are looking at the legal ramifications of last week’s vote. No legal challenge is planned yet but McKenzie says “evidence” is being collected. “We will present our evidence to
lawyers who will decide whether it’s worth a shot. No one is yet talking about a legal challenge but if I were a Fonterra director I would be very worried.” However, Feds Dairy chairman Willy Leferink believes the time for fighting is over. Although Leferink says you could make a case on the milksolids vote, everyone had a chance to vote. He is unhappy some farmers did not vote. “I think it’s time to accept we had a decision and to move on. I think there are bigger fish to fry and far more important issues.” Fonterra chairman Henry van der Heyden says voting has always been on a milksolids basis. Farmers supplying two-thirds of the milksolids have agreed to move forward with TAF and that must be accepted. But he’s willing to reach out to farmers who voted against TAF. “I’m willing to meet them and get everyone behind TAF.” Van der Heyden was pleased with the record voter turnout. “Now we can move forward with this important evolution in our capital structure.”
All eyes on taf Fonterra directors Sir Ralph Norris and John Waller chat with shareholder, King Country/Taranaki MP and Primary Production Select Committee chair Shane Ardern at the TAF meeting at the Claudelands Events Centre, Hamilton last week.
THE FORMULA FOR FASTER FINISHING
QUALITY THAT DELIVERS BIG
inghamfeeds.co.nz
TRACTA39437-A
Ingham TopCalf Formula range gives your calves the perfect balance of energy, protein, fibre, vitamins and minerals to help them hit their target weights sooner. Scientifically developed for New Zealand feeding systems, TopCalf is a blend of high quality cereal grains and protein meals that will promote early rumen development and lean tissue growth. With a great balance of nutrients in every mouthful, you couldn’t give your calves a better start. Call us to find out more or to arrange an on farm visit – 0800 650 505.