Rural News 22 October 2019

MANAGEMENT

MACHINERY & PRODUCTS

NEWS

Goat report’s conclusion confusing – critic. PAGE 19

He rakes, bales and wraps in one. PAGE 30

Fake meat no threat to the real thing.

PAGE 10

TO ALL FARMERS, FOR ALL FARMERS OCTOBER 22, 2019: ISSUE 687

www.ruralnews.co.nz

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MANAGEMENT

MACHINERY & PRODUCTS

NEWS

Goat report’s conclusion confusing – critic. PAGE 19

He rakes, bales and wraps in one. PAGE 30

Fake meat no threat to the real thing.

PAGE 10

TO ALL FARMERS, FOR ALL FARMERS OCTOBER 22, 2019: ISSUE 687

www.ruralnews.co.nz

Watchdog or lapdog?

SUDESH KISSUN sudeshk@ruralnews.co.nz

MORE Fonterra farmers are joining the call for an independent review of the co-op’s shareholders council.

But two farmer resolutions on the council’s future role as a shareholder watchdog are opposed by Fonterra’s board and the council. The board is asking farmers to vote against both proposals.

The two resolutions, to be voted at the co-op’s annual meeting in Invercargill next month, were filed separately: one by Lumsden farmer Tony Paterson and another by Waikato farmers led by Trevor Simpson, Jim Cotman, Mark Peters and Malcolm Lumsden.

Paterson’s resolution calls for an independent review of the council immediately after the AGM on November 7.

The Waikato farmers want a change in the way the council monitors the coop’s performance. They want a performance committee of councillors and independent experts who would report twice yearly to all shareholders.

Fonterra’s board and the council are opposing both resolutions, on the grounds that the council has already announced an internal review.

But the Fonterra farmers point out that the council only announced its review after the two resolutions were filed before the deadline for AGM remits.

Simpson says his group supports Paterson’s resolution calling for an independent review: he isn’t surprised by the board’s and council’s stance on their resolution.

NIGEL MALTHUS

Not happy: Waikato-based Fonterra farmers Trevor Simpson, Jim Cotman, and Mark Peters are asking shareholders to back two resolutions at next month’s annual meeting calling for an independent review of the Shareholders Council.

“Our position is that we don’t want just any review – we want an independent review. At the end of the day the council’s internal review falls short of what shareholders want,” he told Rural News.

“The difference is that the council wants to hold another internal review and shareholders want an independent review.”

Paterson said farmer response to his remit has been “very positive”.

He’s happy for farmers to support both resolutions.

“I don’t know why the board and council fear an independent review.

Let the shareholders decide what they want.”

Simpson says their resolution was drawn up after consultation with farmers in Waikato. The group also met Fonterra chairman John Monaghan two months ago to give him a headsup on their resolution.

He says some farmer shareholders believe the council has failed to perform its duty as a “watchdog” for shareholders.

“No business can audit itself. Shareholders no longer want Fonterra directors, staff or their own shareholders telling them about Fonterra’s perfor-

mance.

“Such information, with the best will, is received with a degree of scepticism. The time has arrived for us to mature sufficiently to want to hear the view on Fonterra’s performance from outside our ranks: in other words, some good ongoing independent analysis and informed views on the performance.”

Simpson is urging farmers to support both resolutions and send a clear signal to the board and council that farmers want things to change in the performance monitoring of their co-op.

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BOVIS NUMBERS’ BIG DROP

We’re here for the good of the country.

THE MINISTRY for Primary Industries (MPI) is welcoming a huge drop in the number of farms under active surveillance for Mycoplasma bovis.

The most recent figures show just 327 properties under active surveillance versus 589 just a week earlier.

The number has consistently been at least 500 – and as high as 640 – since the so-called surge in May. MPI says the 40% drop is due to several reasons, firstly that many farms have recently completed surveillance and been found clear.

It adds that farms are also starting to get through sampling and testing quicker, due to the changes in sampling requirements to only one negative round for most management groups.

MPI also claims a new data management system is providing more timely and accurate reporting.

The total number of confirmed infected properties now stands at 195 – with 176 cleared and 19 still active. 310 farms are now under a notice of direction.

MPI says it has slaughtered 117,591 animals and paid out compensation of $98.6 million from 1156 claims either completed or partly paid from 1486 claims received so far.

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RURAL NEWS // OCTOBER 22, 2019

NEWS 3 ISSUE 687

www.ruralnews.co.nz

A big future ahead SUDESH KISSUN sudeshk@ruralnews.co.nz

NEWS ��������������������������������������1-15 AGRIBUSINESS ����������������16-18 MANAGEMENT ���������������������� 19 HOUND, EDNA ���������������������� 20 CONTACTS ����������������������������� 20 OPINION ��������������������������� 20-23 MARKETS ������������������������� 24-25 ANIMAL HEALTH ������������26-27 MACHINERY AND PRODUCTS ���������������������� 28-30 RURAL TRADER �������������� 31-32

AGE HASN’T been a barrier for young vegetable grower of the year Austin Singh Purewal.

The 18-year old has managed a lot in his horticulture career already: he won HortNZ’s Pukekohe regional competition in May and scooped the national title in Tauranga two weeks ago, becoming Young Grower of the Year.

Purewal also holds a NCEA L3 in agriculture/horticulture, a GrowSafe Certificate and an approved handler certification.

And to top it, following his regional success, Purewal was offered a role in the T&G Global key accounts team, supporting sales to supermarkets and connecting growers with customers.

Purewal told Rural News that growing up on the family farm in Pukekohe

Young vegetable grower of the year Austin Singh Purewal.

provided an ideal foundation. Support from his dad and elder brother was also a key factor.

“Without them I wouldn’t be half the person I am today,” he said.

Purewal hopes to use his win to

explore new opportunities in the industry and build experience and knowledge.

He gave the competition his best shot and winning the national title is a great honour.

“It’s almost like another job, to be honest… it takes up a lot of your time if you are dedicated to it.

“If you put a lot of effort in, you get lots out of it. From meeting new people to opening up my mind to opportunities within the industry, that’s what I wanted to get out of the competition. I didn’t necessarily want to win. I wanted to come out of it with more opportunities.”

Throughout the leadership panel and speech events, Purewal voiced his views on the importance of diversity and encouraging young people into roles in the industry. He hoped that by entering he has shown his peers they can also achieve great things in the industry.

HortNZ chief executive Mike Chapman said competitions like these are essential because they highlight horticulture as a vibrant career for young people.

Nothing wrong with this water!

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A NEW endurance event is starting in Canterbury courtesy of a dairy farmer’s irrigation lake.

The OxMan will include a variety of events based from the Spark family farm near Oxford.

Farm owners Geoff and Rochelle Spark, at Eyrewell, started building an irrigation lake on their Poyntz Rd property in 2010.

Geoff, a keen triathlete, says they always wanted the lake to double as a recreational area for their family and community.

The lake was also designed to tick environmental boxes: it’s surrounded by riparian planting, increasing biodi-

Phone: 09-307 0399 Fax: 09-307 0122 POSTAL ADDRESS PO Box 331100, Takapuna, Auckland 0740 Published by: Rural News Group Printed by: Ovato Print CONTACTS Editorial: editor@ruralnews.co.nz Advertising material: davef@ruralnews.co.nz Rural News online: www.ruralnews.co.nz Subscriptions: subsrndn@ruralnews.co.nz ABC audited circulation 79,553 as at 31.03.2019

Geoff and Rochelle Spark with irrigation lake in background.

versity and habitat for native birds.

At 500m long and 120m wide it is ample for kayaking, water-skiing and swimming.

Oxman event director John Newsom says Canterbury lacks suitable swimming venues but the irrigation lake in North Canterbury is near

perfect. It allows for a safe, smooth two lap swim in freshwater direct from the nearby Waimakarari River.

“We have issues finding clean, open-water swim venues in Canterbury and equally roads that are quiet enough directly next to these water spaces,” he told Rural News. “This

lake and race site tick both these boxes. The triathlon community is excited about this new venue and event.”

The bike course will head towards Oxford, with the long-distance event carrying on completing three loops around Coopers Creek and View Hill before returning to Eyrewell for the final leg.

“The bike course offers a nice challenge with a gentle grind up to Oxford, a few small bumps around Coopers Creek then a downhill finish.

Most importantly the roads are not too busy with traffic,” Newsom said.

The final run leg would be a mix of shingle tracks and sealed roads in and around the race site.

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RURAL NEWS // OCTOBER 22, 2019

4 NEWS

Will it be E can or E can’t?

NIGEL MALTHUS

REGIONAL COUNCILS won’t have scope to be anything other than “unpopular policemen” if the discussion document on freshwater goes through the way the Government is proposing, says a newly elected Canterbury regional councillor (Ecan).

In the recent local body elections, Ian Mackenzie topped the poll in the council’s Mid-Canterbury constituency.

Mackenzie brought an impressive CV to a region where politics are domi-

nated by water, environment and land use.

He has farmed in the Ashburton District for 40 years, served on the national board of Federated Farmers as environment and water spokesman, and on the Land and Water Forum.

He was on the national objectives framework reference group which made recommendations to the then Minister for the Environment Amy Adams for the first National Policy Statement on Fresh Water.

“Some of what I hope to be able to achieve will

Newly-elected councillor Ian Mackenzie.

depend on the outcomes of this discussion document on fresh water,” he told Rural News.

“If that goes through

democratically elected Canterbury Regional Council since 2010.

The council was replaced by Government appointed commissioners for two terms, then in 2016 seven councillors were elected and joined by a number of commissioners in a transitional council.

Of the seven councillors elected in 2016, five sought re-election this year and four have been successful.

Re-elected were the deputy chair Peter Scott, an arable farmer from Pleasant Point represent-

the way the Government is proposing then there’s not much scope for the regional councils to be anything other than an unpopular policeman – which is not why I put my name forward as a candidate.

“But assuming the Government sees sense and we get some sensible outcomes more in line with the first NPS on freshwater then there’s quite a lot of scope,” he said.

Mackenzie’s election helps bolster a strong farming sector representation on the first fully

ing the South Canterbury constituency; Leeston dairy farmer John Sunckell in Mid-Canterbury; and Cust farmer and veterinarian Claire McKay in North Canterbury.

Sunckell says he is happy to have been reelected.

“You don’t know how people see you and how they view your first term, so I’m really pleased to be back.”

Sunckell was impressed by some in the new line-up.

“There’s some really strong people with good education and back-

grounds in water and science and governance so that’s a positive.”

Another with strong farming connections is Darfield farm environment consultant Megan Hands, who has been elected to one of the mostly urban Christchurch constituencies.

Hands is from a Hawkes Bay farming family and grew up on a dairy farm in Manawatu before studying at Lincoln and now runs her own consultancy, LandSavvy. @rural_news facebook.com/ruralnews

Fingers crossed as Brexit looms PETER BURKE peterb@ruralnews.co.nz

“LET’S JUST say things aren’t getting any clearer.”

That’s the view of Beef + Lamb NZ’s European regional director Ben O’Brien on where things are with Brexit.

He told Rural News he’s confident the NZ meat industry is ready for whatever might happen as the deadline looms for the UK to leave the EU. Brexit is scheduled to occur on October 31 – Halloween.

“I think we had a dress rehearsal on March 29 – the day Britain was

originally scheduled to the leave – and my fingers are crossed in my office in Brussels that things will work smoothly without too much disruption,” O’Brien said.

“We are not expecting too much disruption at the ports and also the companies will manage their ends to some extent. Some may take the view that they will avoid the first few weeks of Brexit to give them more certainty of getting product through customs.”

O’Brien believes Brexit is likely to happen at the end of October.

He says lamb consumption and the sale of lamb to the EU and UK have declined, with NZ filling just over two

thirds of its quota there.

“We are seeing declining consumption overall and, of course, we are seeing a lot less product going into the EU, largely due to the opportunities for NZ in China. That is a good situation for us and for the European sheep meat producers. It means Ben O’Brien we are sending our higher quality cuts and our lesser cuts are going to other markets.”

He says if Brexit had occurred ten years ago, when NZ was much more reliant on the EU market, the situa-

tion would have been different.

In the past, Irish sheep farmers have protested about NZ lamb exports to Europe. But O’Brien points out that the Irish sheep industry is small – average flock size is about 100 breeding ewes – and most sheep farmers have jobs off farm.

He says NZ exports complement Irish and UK sheep farmers’ exports and ensure lamb is on supermarket shelves all the time.

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Once Brexit is settled, the focus for NZ will shift to concluding an FTA with the EU. Negotiations are already well advanced, but the change in the shape of the EU parliament with strong green and conservative elements and a smaller centrist grouping may change that.

O’Brien says the new EU parliament may be a bit more protectionist.

“But I think there is strong support at the political level – on both sides – and that a FTA between NZ and the EU is not just about trade, it’s about a whole lot of other things as well.”

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RURAL NEWS // OCTOBER 22, 2019

NEWS 5

Peters accused of pulling wool over growers’ eyes commercial building.”

Journeaux and Rogers add that the Government is pressuring farmers to comply with a raft of environmental compliance issues, mostly with unrealistic deadlines.

“So we feel it is only right and consistent that you play your part by supporting the sheep industry and using our quality, home grown,

PAM TIPA pamelat@ruralnews.co.nz

WHAT HAPPENED to the New Zealand First policy of favouring wool in Government procurement contracts?

Two Waimarino district sheep and beef farmers, Donna Journeaux and Cathy Rogers, are asking the question but are not getting any answers Their letter to Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters has been circulating on social media sites. But they’ve had the run-around getting any answers from Peters or any Government ministers.

“We are writing to you concerning your pre-election statements about putting woollen insulation and carpet in state houses and Parliament offices,” they wrote to Peters.

“We believe that if the Government is sin-

Neither Winston Peters or Damien O’Connor have replied to the letter.

cere in their quest to save the planet they would be supporting our sheep industry and using environmentally friendly woollen products as opposed to synthetic products.

“Not only is wool a superior, sustainable, environmentally friendly product, it also has the benefits of absorbing toxins, doesn’t give

off static and is flame retardant, durable and hard wearing, unlike the commonly used synthetic carpets which are toxic and an environmental hazard to dispose of due to their chemical content.”

The letter points out that synthetic carpets are widely used because they are cheaper than woollen carpets, but that cheap

plastic/synthetic products, in whatever form, are hugely damaging to the environment.

“We believe the Government should set an example to our nation and the rest of the world by supporting our sheep industry and use only woollen insulation and carpets in all future renovations and new builds, Parliament offices and

BEEF PLANT SETS RECORD ALLIANCE GROUP’S Pukeuri plant, just north of Oamaru, processed its highest ever number of cattle during the 2018-19 season.

At least 71,000 cattle were processed at Pukeuri during the beef season, which finished on September 30, a record for the plant.

The Pukeuri result follows Alliance’s Mataura plant setting a cattle

processing record last season.

Chief executive David Surveyor said the record resulted from hard work and commitment by the Pukeuri team and farmers supporting the co-op.

He says Alliance Group is benefiting from strong demand for its beef from China and wider Asia.

Surveyor says the company

has invested heavily in the Pukeuri plant in recent years, including safety improvements and reconfiguring the plant’s beef primary process to enable increased throughputs.

At its peak, the plant employs at least 900 people. @rural_news facebook.com/ruralnews

environmentally, sustainable woollen products and set an example to the rest of the world [in being] genuine about your concerns for the environment.”

Journeaux and Rogers also wrote in a similar vein to other Government ministers. They have received only an automated reply from Peter’s office, an acknowledgement of receipt

from Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor’s office, and the office of Climate Change Minister James Shaw said it was passing the letter to the office of Economic Development Minister Phil Twyford.

Meanwhile, Peter’s office declined to comment to Rural News but said a reply will be sent to Journeaux and Rogers “in due course”.

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RURAL NEWS // OCTOBER 22, 2019

6 NEWS

Sheep and beef doing its bit PAM TIPA pamelat@ruralnews.co.nz

NO INCREASE in stock numbers in the sheep and beef sector is anticipated as the industry moves towards carbon neutrality, says Beef + Lamb NZ head of nutrition Fiona Windle.

She told the Climate Change and Business Conference in Auckland this month that the sector is very clear on where it is heading on the environment.

“We acknowledge it is very much a journey and a stepwise process to bring all the farms on board. By 2021 all 11,000 farms should have an environmental plan in place,” she said.

Half of these have been achieved already.

She says carbon neutrality will be achieved by a combination of factors including improved tech-

nology, advanced animal genetics and improved on farm practices she told the conference, organised by the Environmental Defence Society.

“A big chunk of that is a reduction in sheep numbers. In the 1990s numbers were at 50 million. That is now down to 27 million. So that is a huge chunk of the emissions pie and we are not planning to increase livestock numbers at this point.

“Another factor on carbon sequestration is that we have quantified the trees on our sheep and beef properties.

There are currently 1.4 million hectares of native forest on our farms as well as 180,000ha in pines,” Windle explained.

“That needs to be factored into the equation when we look at our whole emissions profile. We are just currently

Rural News 420FM1_Testimonial Oct Ad.indd 1

quantifying how much of our other emissions will be offset or sequestered by those trees. It is looking to be well over half.”

Questions have been raised about whether the sector could convert some land to crops to support the growing plant protein sector.

“We have had that measured. AsureQuality quantified it and 7%

of our land that is currently growing beef and sheep could be converted.

But the majority of that is already in [some form of] plant growing. It is all about that right land purpose,” Windle said.

She says the sheep sector is a true value added story. While sheep numbers have been reducing since 1990 the value of export lamb has

doubled in that time.

“So it’s a very efficient system and that has been recognised on the world stage.”

Windle says the wider sector employs 80,000 people.

“A strong component of that is as our rural communities.

“And as a reminder about our production of beef and lamb: we aren’t increasing production at this point so we now feed 40 million people around the world. That is about 0.5% of the global population.

“We’re not going to increase production so we won’t increase emissions anymore.

“There is a huge, growing demand for grass-fed beef. So there’s an opportunity for our product particularly in the US where we have opened up more markets in California.”

BEEFING UP MEAT SECTOR BEEF UP, sheep down, is the simple message from Beef + Lamb NZ’s latest data on the state of the national sheep flock and beef herd.

The report shows that in the last year beef cattle numbers are up by 2.6% (or 97,000 head) nationwide. Of this total 3.8 million, just over one million are breeding cows or heifers.

The biggest increase in beef numbers was in the South Island – up 4.6% while the North Island was up 1.8%. Most of the increase in beef numbers in the South Island was in Otago and Southland, while the East Coast and Taranaki/Manawatu were the main contributors to the rise in cattle numbers in the North Island.

Despite beef cattle numbers being up, surprisingly the number of breeding cows declined in the last year by 1.4%. But against the national trend there was an increase in Otago. BLNZ predicts calving percentages for the current season will be in line with those of 2018.

In sheep, a minuscule increase of 0.4% in the national flock is due to greater hogget numbers which rose 3.4% to 9.55m. Set against that was a drop of 1.1% in the number of breeding ewes (16.97m) held on farms.

BLNZ says it has been a great season for lambs: the tally is down 570,000 or 2.4% on last season.

The North Island lamb crop is expected to drop by 1.8% and the South Island crop by 3%.

RURAL NEWS // OCTOBER 22, 2019

NEWS 7

Farmer confidence sunk by policy uncertainty - report PETER BURKE peterb@ruralnews.co.nz

MEAT AND dairy prices are strong and horticulture is leaping ahead, yet farmer and business confidence in the primary sector remains low – especially dairy.

That’s the picture painted in the latest ANZ Bank Agri Focus report.

Its key message is that somehow NZ has been able to get good prices for its products despite the global economic slowdown.

The bank’s agricultural economist Susan Kilsby says prices on the international market are still strong. Meat returns are largely underpinned by China demand to fill the gap created by its shortage of pork.

Better prices and the low NZ dollar are boosting returns to farmers, she says.

“Lamb and mutton prices are at record levels at the moment and beef

ANZ rural economist Susan Kilsby.

prices aren’t too far behind,” Kilsby told Rural News.

“But not a lot of stock is going through the processors at this time of

the year. The lower dollar is due to the weakness of the global economy. But the good news for NZ is that its products seem unaffected by this and are

fetching good prices.”

China is the key to this, strongly demanding beef, mutton and lamb.

Kilsby says the beef going to China is reducing the quantity going to the US, which has traditionally taken meat for the hamburger trade. These two strong markets are contributing to prices holding up well.

“There is strong demand in China for mutton and poorer lamb cuts. This has pushed up the price for culled ewes here and is underpinning lamb prices.”

Kilsby doesn’t see the demand from China disappearing anytime soon and predicts ongoing demand for our beef.

ANZ also has a positive outlook on the dairy sector and so has revised its forecast milk payout up by 15 cents to $7.15/kgMS. But despite this, confidence in the dairy sector is the lowest it’s been for 20 years or more, she says. The cause is the uncertainty dairy farmers are facing over environmental regulations.

“Despite the national policy statement by the Government there is still uncertainty on how the actual rules will impact individual farmers at the regional council level,” she explained.

“The industry is well aware there is change ahead, but is still working through what this will mean for farmers and their business.”

Kilsby concedes that high debt levels in the dairy industry are also an issue. She says some banks are now requiring farmers to repay some principal on their loans, in contrast to interest only payments for some time.

Meanwhile the strong growth horticulture has seen in recent years is expected to continue -- in exports of apples, SunGold kiwifruit (sales up on last season) and growing international appetite for avocados.

“Consumers worldwide seem to love avocados, but the challenge for our industry is to supply the demand,” Kilsby said

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RURAL NEWS // OCTOBER 22, 2019

NEWS 9

Awards showcase the best of farming When van Polanen looks back 10 years on their dairy farm, she says if they hadn’t made changes they probably wouldn’t be farming today.

“This has been on everything from breeding changes, science innovation, environmental changes – whether through regulation or growing awareness – and rapid changes to irrigation methods in the Canterbury region.”

She says every generation could probably look back at their farming career and make a tally of changes. But those changes are now coming quicker.

“There’s a lot happening out there and the awards are one good way to share these stories and for farmers to

PAM TIPA pamelat@ruralnews.co.nz

FARMERS AND growers need to rattle their dags for this year’s Ballance Farm Environment Awards (BFEA), with entries closing on October 31.

Now more than ever, it is important that farmers and growers share their positive stories with others, says Joanne van Polanen, chair of the New Zealand Farm Environment Trust, which manages the BFEA. “Entering the awards helps share stories with other farmers and growers on how they have managed and implemented changes,” van Polanen told Rural News. “It also allows them to share stories so the wider community can learn about the significant changes farmers and growers are continuously making for their businesses to remain sustainable.”

decide where they can implement changes.”

Farmers and growers at every stage of their journey should share their stories, she says.

“Time and time again we have heard how much entrants valued the experience -- the enriching knowledge from the judges, the opportunity to meet and share ideas with peers, and to have the opportunity to share positive rural stories with wider NZ.” Van Polanen says it is rewarding to share your story with people who have an interest and an opportunity to benchmark where their business sits environmentally and on social responsibility, good business practices and sustainable profitability.

NZFET chair Joanne van Polanen.

“Entrants will receive feedback through discussion on the day of the visit and a written feedback report and they get the opportunity to celebrate their regions’ farmers and growers on the regional awards evening. It is a positive evening where everyone shares in the success.”

The BFEA runs in 11 regions NZwide, promoting sustainable farming and growing.

The judges take a holistic approach to the feedback by evaluating every aspect of the farming/growing business from environmental management, productivity and profitability through to family and community involvement.

Provided they give their consent, farmers and growers can be nominated by others to enter the awards as part of a new initiative by the NZ Farm Environment Trust. www.nzfeatrust.org.nz

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RURAL NEWS // OCTOBER 22, 2019

10 NEWS

Fake meat no threat to real thing PAM TIPA pamelat@ruralnews.co.nz

ALTERNATIVE PROTEINS are not seen as a threat to the red meat industry, says Beef + Lamb NZ head nutritionist Fiona Windle.

Windle, who oversees health and nutrition in the domestic marketing team of the NZ beef and sheep sector, says the NZ meat industry is aiming at quality over quantity as our grass-fed sustainably produced meat will be the product of choice for nutrition conscious consumers.

“Our industry currently feeds about 40 million people globally, but with a growing population we can’t feed every-

“We anticipate that perhaps consumers will not pay for a sustainable product in the future.

They will expect it as a minimum standard so we need to look beyond sustainability.”

one with our grass-fed meat.”

Surveys of NZers show there is a growing interest in changing diet from one that includes animal products or meat to one that reduces meat over time or eliminates it.

“We know that 7% of NZers are flexitarian. We are not afraid of

that shift,” Windle told a Climate Change and Business Conference in Auckland.

“People are looking at meat more closely -where it is sourced from and how it is produced. It is a great opportunity for us to showcase how that meat is produced in NZ which the world loves.

Beef + Lamb head nutritionist Fiona Windle.

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But we take for granted how good our meat is here in NZ. “We can’t shy away from the fact that we know a lot of people are shifting away from meat.

But when they do choose to eat it they will be sourcing our more nutritious, grass-fed sustainable [product].”

Windle says the narrative of meat produced naturally and sustainably is where we want to position ourselves.

But she warns that we can’t sit on our hands and think we have sustainability in the bag.

“We anticipate that perhaps consumers will not pay for a sustainable product in the future.

They will expect it as a minimum standard so we need to look beyond sus-

tainability.”

Windle says diet plays an important part in environmental footprint but you have to look at the true impacts. Figures from a French study show a footprint reduction of 3-6% for a vegan.

“People think ‘I’m going to be a vegan, I’m going to save the world and have a huge impact’.

I just want to put a perspective that it does have an impact but it is small,” said Windle.

“In America some modelling has demonstrated that if the whole of America went vegan tomorrow the reduction in emissions would be 2.6%. So yes there is a reduction but it is often inflated in discussions.”

Windle says you can’t substitute the nutrition found in animal foods.

“You can’t just look at greenhouse gases alone; you have to look at the full picture of a nutrient adequacy and density in our foods.”

She pointed out that while some plant based products are healthy they don’t meet daily nutrient requirements. For instance, with peanut butter you need to eat four times the amount of calories than red meat to get the same protein.

“It is not as simple as saying ‘I’m going to stop eating the animal products and just eat plant foods’…. You need to eat a lot more of them to get the nutrient adequacy.”

Windle says eating more calories is another form of food waste.

RURAL NEWS // OCTOBER 22, 2019

NEWS 11

NZ profile raised at Irish ploughing PETER BURKE peterb@ruralnews.co.nz

PLENTY OF opportunities exist for New Zealand to sell more product to Ireland, says NZ’s ambassador there.

Brad Burgess told Rural News at the National Ploughing Championships in Ireland recently that NZ’s exports to Ireland are now about $120 million.

And he sees good opportunities for NZ to sell products and services to Irish farmers who face challenges similar to their counterparts in NZ. Burgess says the fact that the two countries have pasture based agriculture focused on dealing with environmental problems opens the door for NZ agritech companies to provide solutions to Irish farmers.

“Forty nine percent of our emissions are on farm and in Ireland’s case it’s 33%, which is unique in the developed world, even though we are leading carbon efficient producers,” he explained.

“The challenge is how can we work together to reduce that carbon footprint? We have companies... that can provide solutions for those challenges and enable them to connect with partners and build business oppor-

tunities with Ireland. This would reinforce to policy makers and leaders in Ireland the synergies and opportunities of partnering up with NZ companies.”

Burgess believes the NZ/Irish political relationship is very strong and now reinforced by both countries having set up embassies. He says the two countries have long collaborated in the agricultural sector and have similar views on research.

“It’s a close relationship,” he said.

NZ had a high profile at the Irish National Ploughing Championships this year with its own stand supporting NZ companies exhibiting. The NZ embassy site hosted NZ agritech companies looking for business in Ireland.

Callaghan Innovation business advisor Shane Dooley says they brought 24 companies to Ireland and the UK aiming to give them opportunity to see the market and explore channels for getting on farm. This also enabled them to discover similarities and differences and to look for opportunities.

“This is all about discovery, exploration, relationships and generally developing closer bonds.

Ireland and NZ are a

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RURAL NEWS // OCTOBER 22, 2019

12 NEWS

New farm envoy to push ‘Team NZ’ PAM TIPA pamelat@ruralnews.co.nz

TARANAKI FARMER Mel Poulton was announced, this month, as the successor to New Zealand’s special agricultural trade envoy Mike Petersen.

Over the next three months, in preparation for taking over his role on January 1, she will work with Petersen coming to grips with the role.

“First and foremost, this role is about bringing the voice of food producers to the table,” Poulton told Rural News.

“I grew up in agri and together with my husband we are producing food and fibre, most of which, like the large majority of NZ’s primary industry products, is exported to many different markets around the world.

“I’ve had a number

of experiences offshore at global meetings where the practical knowledge, experience and authority of an actual food producer, or farmer as some would say, has had a real impact on the conversations and debate.”

Poulton says it is difficult to comment much on her new role yet, other than to praise the work Petersen has done for NZ in the role.

“His relentless positivity and tireless effort really is admirable. I don’t start officially until January, so I’ve got three months to work with Mike, learn the ropes and get up to speed so I can continue building on the platform he’s set.

“I look forward to working with all the people involved in this role across the industry and internationally. We’re

Mel Poulton takes up her role on January 1.

all in this together and I’ll be just one part of a big team.”

Asked to comment

on challenges facing NZ, particularly in view of the current trading environment, Poulton says

broadly speaking both in NZ and worldwide there is significant change taking place.

“No-one really knows where it’s all going to land,” she said.

“What we do know is

that change is constant. It always has been. We can look back at the change we’ve all been part of and have confidence that we embraced opportunities, we’ve adapted, we’ve created solutions and we will continue to do this.”

She says navigating our way through change needs everyone to positively and constructively contribute solutions.

“From our food producers all the way through the industry, including Government ministries and our trade staff here in NZ and offshore.

“We’re all part of the NZ Team and it’s going to take everyone playing their part in working together to navigate our way through change and capture the opportunities that arise.” @rural_news facebook.com/ruralnews

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RURAL NEWS // OCTOBER 22, 2019

NEWS 13 FORMER NUFFIELD SCHOLAR A ‘HANDS-ON’ FARMER POULTON IS hands-on with husband Mike on an intergenerational Taranaki family sheep and beef farm that has been in Mike’s family for about 100 years.

They are stewards of 1011ha, consisting of mostly medium to hard hill country, and they have a 28ha block down the road which is all flat and used for finishing stock, she says.

In a Nuffield Scholarship she was awarded in 2014 Poulton “set out to understand the export of NZ expertise with regard to trade”.

“Food producers and the primary industry invest a lot of money in developing knowledge, science, technology and solutions to the challenges and opportunities we face in our farming systems.”

Her study tour touched on international science collaboration, offshore investments in farming systems from different countries including NZ, trade negotiations and global policy with the UNFAO and WTO. She also looked a little at intellectual property and how we value

it, and she explored completely different farming systems such as Tilapia fish farming -- an American investment in Colombia.

“I wanted to maximise the opportunity as a Nuffield scholar to get into places and spaces that I otherwise didn’t think I was ever going to get a chance to look at.

So while I was travelling I took a broad look at as much as I possibly could. This was a great approach for learning.”

She travelled widely in South America and Latin America, the USA, Europe and Israel and visited at least 10 countries in her scholarship year.

Poulton is a member of the Global Farmer Network which she says is amplifying the voice of farmers and food producers on the global stage, promoting trade, science and technology and other issues important to food producers.

“Along with other folk in NZ I’ve been contributing to some of the global conversations on issues where I can bring a NZ perspective.”

New deer boss A 14-YEAR veteran of Deer Industry New Zealand (DINZ), Innes Moffat, has been appointed chief executive.

DINZ chair Ian Walker says the board ran an external recruitment process that attracted strong candidates from inside and outside the deer farming industry.

“After considering all applicants the board made the unanimous decision that Moffat was the best candidate for the job.”

Born and raised on a South Otago sheep and cattle farm, Moffat joined DINZ in 2005 as venison marketing services manager. This followed several years with the former Meat and Wool NZ, including a four-year stint in Brussels as market manager continental Europe.

More recently, he has

New Deer Industry NZ chief executive Innes Moffat

been manager of the deer industry’s Primary Growth Partnership programme, Passion 2 Profit.

“Innes’ knowledge of the

whole deer farming value chain, from the grassroots to the marketing of our premium products, is a huge asset to the industry, espe-

cially when paired with his skills as a manager,” said Walker.

Moffat says he plans to assess the staffing needs of DINZ with a view to filling the vacancy left by his appointment as chief executive.

He says DINZ benefits from the solid connections it has with its deer farming and marketing partners, as well as strong governance from across the industry.

“The food producing sector in New Zealand is facing challenges, but the deer industry has great products and we have shown the capacity to respond and adapt to changing circumstances.”

Moffat replaces former chief executive Dan Coup who is now chief executive of the QE II National Trust. @rural_news facebook.com/ruralnews

RURAL NEWS // OCTOBER 22, 2019

14 NEWS

Potential shake-up of GE restrictions PAM TIPA pamelat@ruralnews.co.nz

CURRENT RESTRICTIONS on genetic modification regulation in New Zealand could be reviewed if National were to form the next government.

The party says it will be ready to go out and consult on a proposed review of the legislation and our current regulations if elected.

National leader Simon Bridges says if NZ is serious about tackling climate change that will require biotech answers.

“If we want to be more efficient and productive in our various sectors in the economy -- from farmland to horticulture through to precision engineering and high tech -- then moving this way is the right thing,” he told Rural

News at the launch of the policy in Auckland this month.

“We have signalled and asked for feedback on whether we should update and modernise the area of biotechnology,” Bridges said.

Dr Parmjeet Parmar, the National Party’s spokesman for research, science and innovation, says Plant and Food has worked on improving the taste of a variety of red apple which also has red flesh, but under present legislation on biotechnology the scientists can’t taste test that apple.

She says the organisation had to apply in the United States to taste the apple. Plant and Food developed an apple that tastes like an apple. But after that was done the scientists could not taste that apple in NZ. They had to apply to the US to

National Party leader Simon Bridges and Parmjeet Parmar launched the new policy last week.

taste it.

Parmar claims this shows why NZ’s Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) Act 1996 needs a revision.

Parmar says the current Act itself allows “caution progress” but when scientists reach the step of field trials, they go

out of NZ because they find it too difficult under the HSNO Act. “But using those techniques, how many years does it take for you to know that apples will be exactly what you think?

The apple tree has to grow, you need to get apples on that.”

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Parmar says using new types of biotechnology in gene editing such as Crispr can precisely and quickly make the changes.

“You are making exactly the same changes as natural selection, which is actually mutating it. But you don’t care about the genotype, you care about the phenotype -- the traits you are looking for.

“With Crispr, if you know the genome sequence you can go in there and make exactly the same kind of changes.

You know for sure the trait you are looking for will be expressed.”

But Crispr is classed as genetic modification under our current legis-

lation. Another example is a high metabolisable energy ryegrass, developed by AgResearch, which has been very promising in controlled conditions for reducing methane emissions in livestock. It also looks promising for reducing greenhouse gases and nitrate leaching.

“So who would not want that grass? But when AgResearch came to the stage of field trials they had to go to the US because they didn’t want to be working under the HSNO Act,” Parmar explained.

“This doesn’t mean they bypass NZ, because if it is successful there they will have trials in NZ

in our climate and on our soils.

“But we have pushed the time out when we could benefit from that research by at least five to 10 years.”

Parmar says both examples she used are from Crown Research Institutes (CRIs).

“This is because this is a very expensive field of work. Our CRIs, universities and other research institutes have access to Government funding.

“NZ’s biotech research is very small not only because of funding reasons but also because of the HSNO Act. If CRIs can’t be bothered dealing with the HSNO Act why would small private companies?”

Speaking on October 8, Parmar said that on that day Australia had implemented its policy change in regard to gene editing.

“So what is stopping our biotech companies from moving to Australia?” she asked. “This is a high value sector.

“The work happening in this field is being vetted for intellectual property rights everywhere in the world. This is a field that requires highly skilled workers,” she said.

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RURAL NEWS // OCTOBER 22, 2019

NEWS 15

A resource not a pest A CONSERVATION and hunting lobby has criticised a call by Environment Canterbury for more funding to prevent a national plague of wallabies.

Laurie Collins, of Sporting Hunters Outdoor Trust, a conservation and hunting advocacy, has accused bureaucracies and some extreme environmentalists – such as Forest and Bird – of suffering from ‘pest panic phobia’.

His criticism follows recent calls by Forest and Bird for the Government to urgently fund wallaby extermination before they reach “plague proportions”.

Forest and Bird central North Island regional manager Rebecca Stirnemann claims wallabies could spread over a third of New Zealand within the next 50 years unless they are killed in large numbers.

However, Collins, who was for many years

involved in wild animal work with the NZ Forest Service, rabbit boards and regional bodies, says Forest and Bird’s culture is wrong, wasteful and impractical.

“Too often Forest and Bird sees the solution as drenching the countryside with poison and thereby ignoring prudent, practical management.”

Collins said wallabies were introduced to NZ in the 1870s – almost 200 years ago.

He claims their spread from the South Island liberation point at Waimate had been “very gradual and slow”.

Collins said he doubts the accuracy of Forest and Bird’s claim that “wallabies have already been sighted in fresh territories in Auckland, Northland, Hawke’s Bay, Gisborne, Wellington, Marlborough, Southland and the West Coast”.

He believes any wild animal should be treated as a resource.

“If numbers are considered too high there should be a harvest and where possible utilisation of the carcases.”

Collins says kangaroo meat is considered a dining delicacy and so should wallaby.

“It is wasteful and immoral in a world crying

out for food in the face of steadily climbing human numbers, to leave carcases to rot,” he said.

He says another use could be pet food manufacture.

“Pet food manufacture using possums was done successfully some years ago by a Bay of Plenty

factory, but export markets collapsed when Japanese authorities learned of NZ’s 1080 poison spreading,” Collins said.

“It is simply a matter of having a constructive attitude instead of a mindless, unscientific dogma of hate and cruelty.”

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It is no doubt acting on calls from action groups to address the average annual death toll of 16.

Assistant Treasurer Michael Sukker said: “The new safety standard aims to address the high risk of rollovers, with quad bikes being the main cause of fatalities in Australia by unregulated products.”

Quads will also be required to carry new labelling indicating stability test results and the risk of rollover; and machine systems for brakes, suspension and throttle will need to meet US and European standards.

Several manufacturers are opposed to the fitment of CPDs, arguing that safety data shows they can increase issues and limit a rider’s ability to ride ‘actively’ – a key to safe use of such machines. The manufacturers also say a high quality safety helmet and a ban on children and passengers on machines would more effectively reduce deaths and serious injuries.

Previously, Yamaha Motor Australia said it would be forced to stop sales of quads if such devices were made mandatory. It said the science behind the idea was flawed and selective.

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RURAL NEWS // OCTOBER 22, 2019

16 AGRIBUSINESS

Long-serving wool man honoured A LONG-SERVING champion of New Zealand wool has been awarded the International Wool Trade Cooperation Award.

John Dawson received the award at the 31st Nanjing Wool Market Convention at Qufu in Shandong province, China.

Dawson is chief executive of New Zealand Wool Services International and chair of the National Council of New Zealand Wool Interests.

He was one of six global wool industry leaders to receive the award and the only NZer. Recipients were all influential leaders who have furthered relations between the Chinese wool industry and the western world.

“No one from New Zealand has received this award before now, so I

John Dawson

see it as a wonderful accolade for our wool sector,” said Dawson.

The award also recognises Dawson’s long association with the Chinese wool industry.

“I made my first wool-related trip to China in 1979 as a trainee cadet,” he said.

“Since then I’ve been

back three or four times a year to facilitate bilateral trade between China and NZ and to sell hundreds of thousands of tonnes of NZ wool.

“I’ve watched China turn into a global wool powerhouse. I’m proud to have played a part in fostering relations between our countries and helping to position the NZ wool industry as a beneficiary of China’s growth.”

In the 2018-19 season NZ exported 43,443 clean tonnes of wool to China –

48% of its total wool exports.

Dawson’s award comes hard on the heels of Hawkes Bay wool merchant Philippa Wright being made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to the wool industry and sustainability.

Among other contributions, Wright’s award acknowledged her active role in the Campaign for Wool, a global initiative highlighting wool’s eco-friendly and durable properties.

PGF BOOST FOR NORTHLAND WATER PROJECT A MULTI-MILLION dollar project investigating potential Kaipara and Far North water storage and use options has reached an important planning stage.

Two initial studies, co-funded by the Northland Regional Council (NRC) and the Government, have so far identified about 6300ha with potential.

The project has received $18.5 million from the Provincial Growth Fund.

Some land may suit conversion to high value horticulture in Kaipara, and there is 1600ha south of Kaikohe and 1700ha to the west of Lake Omapere, Hokianga.

With a secure water supply, the early signs are that horticulture and supporting industry could ultimately create hundreds of jobs and boost Northland’s economy by tens of millions annually.

NRC is leading the project with the Far North and Kaipara district councils and Northland Inc. NRC chief executive Malcolm Nicolson says the prefeasibility stage has a budget of up to $3m.

Major landholders are being contacted to gather information on key points including possible uses for water given the local soil types, land profile and climate, he says.

“Another important consideration is, if water was available would people use it and what for?

Key to this is what the ‘on farm costs’ might be, as while these would be relatively small for something like a market garden, they could run to hundreds of thousands of dollars per hectare for kiwifruit or avocado,” he said.

In addition to assessing water user/grower demand, the latest work will also look at where and how water could be collected, stored and distributed.

“Northland has a lot of water but not always at the right time and a lot of it comes at once. This project is about collecting water and making it available when it’s needed.”

By late March next year officials should have a much better idea which, if any, of the areas could be progressed.

A separate advisory group has also been set up to advise on cultural, community, farming/growing and environmental matters.

Group members include Horticulture NZ, Irrigation NZ, Federated Farmers, iwi and hapu from Kaipara and Mid-North, Department of Conservation and Fish and Game NZ. Community and landowner representatives have also been selected.

“While some of the Provincial Growth Fund funding will be spent on the feasibility and commitment phases, the remainder is to be made available as a loan for construction should viable water storage and distribution networks be identified,” said Nicholson. – Pam Tipa

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RURAL NEWS // OCTOBER 22, 2019

18 AGRIBUSINESS

Online livestock platform relaunched PAM TIPA pamelat@ruralnews.co.nz

AN ONLINE stock trading platform was relaunched last week (Oct 14) to open up its national livestock marketplace to the whole industry.

Managing director of StockX Jason Roebuck says the platform is now open to all – from farmers to agents and processors.

“It allows them to trade anytime, anywhere through a safe secure online auction marketplace,” he told Rural News.

StockX has been operating since 2015, but Roebuck says the system was previously open tender with farmer to farmer or farmer to processor trading. Livestock agents were only able to buy.

“We are moving to a full marketplace which is open to all players and it is auction based trading.”

Roebuck says they have had significant interest from agencies wanting a digital channel for both their business and to customers. They wanted to be sellers on the StockX platform.

StockX decided to redesign the platform from the ground up.

“The relaunch is a revision and an extension of the marketplace to include everyone and moving from the open tender based trading to auction based trading.”

Roebuck says agencies are offered a platform for growth and a digital channel to add to the mix of the sale and purchase opportunities for their clients.

“We are allowing

CUTS – POWE R AFFO

U CAN YO

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farmers to continue to be able to trade directly if they wish to. That means they can sell and buy on their own account. And the same is maintained for processors.”

They can all trade in a safe and secure manner online through some proven transaction processes.

StockX has followed established structures

on presenting auctions online.

“We have drawn inspiration from all of the leading marketplace or platform based online businesses and taken some learnings and observations from that and matched that to what customer needs are within New Zealand.”

They have wrapped their “own little bit of magic

around that”.

“When you are a buyer you can rely on the fact that what is described within the auction listing is what will be delivered by the seller. For the seller it is a quick easy and convenient way to manage your online selling process.”

The platform lists descriptions and there are photos, videos and

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the capacity to add other documents or information.

“They might be, for example, NAIT EID tags, they could be weights and measurements or animal health treatment information that may come from another system or provider, genetic history etc.” The buyer gets depth of information and confidence in what they have bought.

“The seller is warranting they will deliver that to you.”

They have had no defaults on transactions in four years of operation.

“We know with certainty the use of a trust account prior to delivery is a very robust and accepted process and is becoming increasingly understood by the market. Certainly it is quicker.”

Online trading offers biosecurity benefits.

“Stock only move once. They move directly from the sellers’ properties to the purchasers so you don’t have extended times for them on trucks, going to saleyards, standing around in saleyards then waiting for trucking out.”

That is also good for animal welfare and environmental outcomes.

Roebuck says for agency businesses it allows them to have an online transaction capacity that sits alongside their business.

“We have done a lot of work with agency businesses in getting them upskilled and providing them with co-branded marketing material. They get a full suite of back office transactional capac-

ities. On the back of the platform each agency business can manage all of its agents and all of its own activity on our marketplace at any one time.

“Each agent gets an opportunity to have a profile where they can aggregate all of the sale listings that they may have at any one time and that aggregates back up for the agency business itself. So effectively it provides them a digital book for selling.”

StockX is trying to connect the entire marketplace in one place.

Roebuck claims it is complementary, not competition with agency businesses. Buyers through StockX can have the same access to the marketplace as everyone else.

“They have got customised alerts they can set up. If they are living in Otago and want to know when store lambs were being culled from North Canterbury they can set up some customised alerts.

“Any time a listing that matches their criteria hits our marketplace they will be alerted. So it can do a whole lot of work for you rather than you doing a lot of searching. Given it is open 24/7 through 365 days it is doing all that work in real time on an automated basis. You don’t have to stop and haul through a long list of listings to find what you are looking for.

“There’s a heap of functionality that we have designed and developed that advantages both buyers and sellers alike and increases their chances to trade effectively.”

“We chose to run with Optimise because the cost savings were obvious and this really helped cashflow. A winwin because the farm, including the stock responded really well too!”

RURAL NEWS // OCTOBER 22, 2019

MANAGEMENT 19

Goat report’s conclusion confusing – critic A report on the NZ goat industry aimed at charting the future for domestic and export goat products has dismayed long-time industry expert Garrick Batten. In the second of two articles, he outlines the issues he has with the report.

THE MASSEY University 2017 Goat Industry Report to Federated Farmers, funded by AgMardt, was to ‘determine current value of domestic and exported NZ goat products and explore possible future products and their target markets’.

However, its grab-bag of aged references from limited and incomplete sources and unsubstantiated opinions was mixed into computer models.

That has produced misinformation for false conclusions with scattered relevance.

This article attempts to translate the report for an industry with a bright and promising future when based on reality.

MEAT Meat is the end product of all farmed goats on any livestock farm. Current goat schedule prices without grading issues are more profitable than beef and mutton.

Unfortunately, this report’s section is the most misleading. Goats’

multi-benefits get only one small paragraph.

Garrick Batten has a long professional and However, practical career in all goat sectors. He has goats imporwritten extensively, including several goat tantly groom books. The latest is Big Buck$ for Pastoral pasture Farmers, written specially for livestock like cattle, farmers new to commercial goat farming. enhance https://www.copypress.co.nz/real-nz-books/ clover content to 49-62kg at eight months improve pasture feed to produce an average quality, and eat pasture multi-sex carcase of 25kg and scrub weeds; the from impossible growth report did not mention rates under commertheir major thistle target. cial pastoral conditions.

Pugging is not an issue Forecasting a future only and they do not need from Boer goats priorifencing from waterways Boer genetics or the tises them over all other like cattle. inflated, confusing and goats producing meat However, the Boer conflicting production – although the export Goat Breeders Associafigures in this report. market does not. There tion members of nowFIBRE are clear and profitdefunct Meat Goat NZ Cashmere has seven able market opportuniInc drove the report to comments in the report ties for typical carcases promote their breed. It – yet it quotes a 2011 from low-cost feral-based reference that it is too was based on about 2400 Boer does farmed by now stock in existing pastolabourious to harvest. ral conditions. Both local 23 members producing In fact, over 200 000 and export markets seek an estimated 4% of the goats were shorn in 1990 our carcases without difannual kill. for 34 tonnes at $33.20 ferentiating breed, age, It assessed current per kg. So it damned sex, condition or weight and potential producthe current opportunity, above 8kg. tion of all Boer multiple driven by NZ Cashmere Current schedule kids of 30kg average livewith an established chain weight at six months, and increases do not need from farm-to-garment,

urgently needing more fibre to replace Chinese imports (www.nzcashmere.com).

The report also confuses mohair text, tables

– despite 30 years of providing it. Unknown farmers’ concern about goat control is no longer a problem with farmed goats and electric fencing.

and conclusions. There are either 9370 or 10081 goats with unrealistic average all-ages carcase weight of 25kg. These are producing either 3 or 4 kg mohair each, for confused local and export use by either 200, 110 or 100 Angora goat farmers.

It identifies an issue of not enough industry information – despite historical breed society records and only two fibre outlets. A lack of new farmers’ understanding was also noted

The report’s only answer was future speculation for this declining sector.

None of these are reasons for not using existing knowledge for the opportunity now to farm 35 kg Angora goats each clipping $50-plus – compared with sheep and wool.

MILK The report’s section about a major NZ farming success is the most confusing. The only identified future issue is lack of information, despite also noting high somatic

About Garrick Batten

cell counts. Ignored are high housing, machinery and operating costs for the cut-and-carry system for quoted farm-gate $17 per kg MS from 800 litre does over average 220 days lactations. However, the sector has a sound and profitable future based on Asian markets for powder, infant formula and UHT milk currently produced by the large and successful co-op and five other significant processors – all supplied by large herds.

The report attempts to promote a future for cheese production based on current estimated 10 small and artisan herds, using questionable figures and an irrational assumption. It does not mention onerous regulatory costs, high set-up capital costs for production and processing, or competition from subsidised imports.

Or the scale necessary to commercially produce economical cheeses.

The report did not mention current profitability raising surplus doe kids for sale locally and export. Conflicting comments resolved nothing about a major issue raising surplus buck kids constrained by high feed and processing costs.

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RURAL NEWS // OCTOBER 22, 2019

20 OPINION EDITORIAL

Independence necessary NEWS THAT a group of Fonterra farmers want an independent review of the Fonterra shareholders council, following the co-op’s many financial debacles, may well be the beginning of the end of its ‘lapdog’ reputation.

Ever since Fonterra’s inception and the creation of the supposed shareholder ‘watchdog’, the shareholders council has been seen as little more than a toothless body which just rubberstamps the co-op’s decisions and acts as a glorified training ground for future directors. That impression has been furthered by the fact that the current chair – and his predecessor — were both former chairmen of the shareholders council.

A resolution for Fonterra’s upcoming annual general meeting, to be held at Invercargill on November 7, wants the independent review to be conducted “immediately post” the 2019 annual meeting.

Lumsden dairy farmer Tony Paterson, the mover of the resolution, wants the review to look at how the council can be “a more effective cornerstone shareholder”. It will also consider if the current model is working for farmers and is there a better model.

Patterson believes Fonterra’s performance is below par and that more effective monitoring by the shareholders council could have prevented the co-op’s slide into red.

However, after the motion of resolution was filed with Fonterra, the shareholders council suddenly announced an ‘internal review’. In an email to farmer shareholders on October 1, council chair Duncan Coull said the council’s review will look at its structure and functions under Fonterra’s constitution.

“We have heard the criticisms and frustrations and have been reflecting on them,” he wrote.

Sorry? The shareholders council’s answer is to conduct its own ‘internal review’ of its functions? You have to be kidding.

As Tony Paterson rightly says, a review “should be independent, not one conducted by the council”.

Fonterra shareholders must be given the opportunity to decide whether the council is fit for purpose and farmers should strongly back the resolution for an independent review.

As the oft-quoted saying goes: ‘The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result’.

It is time Fonterra farmers put a stop the shareholder council’s latest burst of insanity.

RURALNEWS TO ALL FARMERS, FOR ALL FARMERS

HEAD OFFICE POSTAL ADDRESS: PO Box 331100, Takapuna, Auckland 0740 PUBLISHER: Brian Hight ......................................... Ph 09 307 0399 GENERAL MANAGER: Adam Fricker ....................................... Ph 09 913 9632 CONSULTING EDITOR: David Anderson .................................. Ph 09 307 0399 davida@ruralnews.co.nz

“I can’t get him away from the gate – he thinks we’re getting a new MARE!”

Want to share your opinion or gossip with the Hound?

Send your emails to: hound@ruralnews.co.nz

THE HOUND Utu?

Bitchy

Told ya!

How come?

YOUR OLD mate notes that the former ‘junior staffer’ who was ‘let go’ by the Nats after the Christchurch shooting has now joined the farming haters at Bitch & Complain (Fish & Game) as a spin doctor. Unfortunately, it seems the aforementioned former junior staffer has decided to impart his utu on the Nats and its rural support base by ramping up his new employer’s antifarming stance. In fact, one could say that since he came on board, the whingers at Bitch & Complain have got even more strident. It appears the fishing outfit’s new dark arts master has taken his political learnings with him and is not letting the facts get in the way of telling his employer’s anti-farming stories.

THE HOUND reckons Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor must be starting to feel the pressure, given that his years of ‘talking the talk’ in Opposition is failing to match his ‘walking the walk’ in Government.

O’Connor did himself few favours when he told a Southland farmer meeting on planned freshwater changes to “get over it” when he was told that the proposed Government policies are destroying farmer equity. Meanwhile, when the Nat’s ag spokesman Todd Muller took O’Connor to task for his “get over it” remark, O’Connor’s bitchy response was to accuse Muller – a former Fonterra executive – of single handedly destroying the dairy co-op. Your canine crusader suggests that, in line with O’Connor’s weird logic, Muller – who was also an executive at Zespri – should be feted for creating the huge wealth which the kiwifruit growers are now enjoying.

AS POINTED out in this column a while back, a new special agricultural trade envoy (SATE) has now been appointed to replace Mike Petersen and take over the role at the start of next year. By all accounts, the appointment of Tararua farmer Mel Poulton as the new SATE is seen as a good move.

However, as reported earlier by the Hound, Poulton’s appointment by ‘good mates’ Trade Minister David Parker and Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor has left one of the latter’s other ‘good mates’ rather disappointed and dejected. Your canine crusader has been told, by sources close to the process, that all the boot licking and sycophancy of O’Connor by his favoured candidate and mate came to nought due to the bootlicker being male, pale and stale. Unfortunately, he did not fit with the Government’s diversity policy so the job went to Poulton.

This old mutt is somewhat conflicted over the $3 billion Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) overseen by the king of pork barrel politics – Shane ‘Porn free’ Jones. The idea of regional development in provincial NZ is a good one, but one has to question the motives of Jones, who is probably the most pompous, selfaggrandising, pretentious windbag to ever hold a ministerial warrant.

He was recently busted trying to bully forestry industry people into voting for NZ First if they wanted continued Government support.

So, it prompts the question why the Gisborne vegetable business Leaderbrand is getting a sweetheart $15 million loan from PGF. Yes, Leaderbrand is a successful business that has been around for 40 years, so why is it unable to get a bank loan? Or is this just another dodgy political move by Jones – using taxpayer funds?

PRODUCTION: Dave Ferguson ........................Ph 09 913 9633 davef@ruralnews.co.nz Becky Williams ........................Ph 09 913 9634 beckyw@ruralnews.co.nz REPORTERS: Sudesh Kissun ....................... Ph 09 913 9627 Pamela Tipa ............................ Ph 021 842 220 Peter Burke .............................Ph 06 362 6319 Nigel Malthus ...................... Ph 021 164 4258 MACHINERY EDITOR: Mark Daniel ............................. Ph 021 906 723 or 07 824 1190 SUB-EDITOR: Neil Keating ............................Ph 09 913 9628

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WAIKATO SALES REPRESENTATIVE: Ted Darley .......... Ph 07 854 6292/021 832 505 ted@ruralnews.co.nz

SOUTH ISLAND SALES REPRESENTATIVE: Kaye Sutherland Ph 03 337 3828/021 221 1994 kayes@ruralnews.co.nz

ABC audited circulation 79,553 as at 31/03/2019

DIGITAL STRATEGIST: Jessica Wilson ........................ Ph 09 913 9621

Rural News is published by Rural News Group Ltd. All editorial copy and photographs are subject to copyright and may not be reproduced without prior written permission of the publisher. Opinions or comments expressed within this publication are not necessarily those of staff, management or directors of Rural News Group Ltd.

RURAL NEWS // OCTOBER 22, 2019

OPINION 21

40 years and 800 studies prove safety MARK ROSS

GLYPHOSATE IS used in New Zealand by farmers, councils and home gardeners.

It has recorded more than 40 years of safe use and has been the subject of over 800 studies, all of which have confirmed its safety.

The herbicide offers effective and safe weed control, is low-volatility and degrades quickly in soil. It continues to be rigorously tested by regulators in NZ and worldwide, with over 160 countries approving its safe use.

At the heart of the hype that questions the safety of the herbicide is a misleading classification by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) made in 2015. IARC classifies substances using terms such

as ‘possibly’ or ‘probably’ carcinogenic to define the potential hazard of a substance. This has led to several everyday products – including coffee, bacon and talcum powder, being categorised as ‘possibly carcinogenic’. But the IARC report is not a risk assessment; it is the type and extent of human exposure that determines the actual risk.

IARC’s classification is misleading and has caused a great deal of unnecessary concern amongst the public.

Among the four World Health Organization (WHO) agencies which have evaluated the safety of glyphosate, the IARC is the only one to find an association between glyphosate and carcinogenicity.

The WHO’s experts from the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization

(FAO) released assessments concluding that glyphosate is ‘unlikely to pose a carcinogenic risk to humans from exposure through the diet’.

The WHO’s International Programme on Chemical Safety and Joint FAO/ WHO Meeting on Pesticide Residues (JMPR) found that glyphosate is not carcinogenic.

Assessments by the European Food Safety Authority, an independent agency funded by the European Union, also concluded that glyphosate is ‘unlikely to pose a carcinogenic hazard to humans’.

More than four years after reaching its opinion, IARC is an outlier, as leading pesticide regulators worldwide continue to conclude that glyphosate is not carcinogenic and that glyphosate-based herbicides are safe when

Agcarm’s Mark Ross

used as directed.

The discrepancy is because the IARC only identifies potential cancer hazards and bases its classification on a small selection of available data on the herbicides. The joint FAO and WHO assessment uses a much wider data set to assess the health risk to consumers from dietary

exposure to pesticide residues in food.

The World Health Organisation said that the ‘IARC reviews published studies to identify potential cancer hazards.

It does not estimate the level of risk to the population associated with exposure to the hazard’.

That’s a very important distinction. The

IARC report is not a risk assessment. Actual risk is determined by the type and extent of human exposure.

In August of 2016, NZ’s Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) commissioned a review of the evidence relating to glyphosate and carcinogenicity and concluded that glyphosate is unlikely to be genotoxic or carcinogenic. The regulator deems it safe when used according to label instructions.

Following from this, in 2018 the EPA stated that ‘there is no change to the science behind our current position, which is that products containing glyphosate remain safe to use when you follow the instructions on the product label’.

As with any chemical product, users of herbicides should consult the

product label before use.

The label contains safety precautions and guidance.

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) tests residues from commonly used agrichemicals. The food safety regulator confirms that the NZ diet is safe and that contaminants are very low - far below levels that would be a food safety risk – and mostly occur naturally.

Conclusions about a matter as important as our health must be non biased, thorough and based on quality evidence based science that adheres to internationally recognised standards.

• Mark Ross is chief executive of Agcarm the industry association of companies which manufacture, distribute and sell animal health and crop protection products

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says you’re serious.

RURAL NEWS // OCTOBER 22, 2019

22 OPINION NICE TO HEAR A DIFFERENT VIEW WHAT A refreshing change to read Dr Doug Edmeade’s opinion titled ‘Zero debate on climate change’. (Rural News, Sept 10). Given that few, if any, mainstream papers publish anything that challenges anthropologically driven climate change I congratulate you.

I agree with Doug that ‘climate deniers’, or more appropriately ‘climate scep-

tics’, have been denied access to the media to present a balance on what causes climate to change.

The Romans grew grapes in the north of England, and there was the medieval warming period (circa 1300s) during which temperatures were calculated to be 3-4 degrees warmer than now. No anthropological contributions in those days.

Parliament is phenomena soon to vote on which the the Zero Carbon sun, moon Bill which will or any other lock in reducof the thoutions of CO2 and sands of CH4 by 2050. components What should contribute to Doug Edmeades really concern us the climate. all is that this Bill assumes The climate is complex that any climate change and extremely difficult is caused by humans. to reproduce in a model.

It ignores any natural Despite this, the Greens

have pushed for (and been supported in) the ‘human caused global warming’ argument focusing on one fractionally small part – CO2, insisting that humanproduced CO2 is the sole cause of climate change.

It should be noted CO2 makes up barely 4% of the total greenhouse gases of which the atmosphere is composed. Water vapour

makes up 95% of the greenhouse gases, but is completely ignored (thankfully).

Let’s put this into greater perspective. The combined total of CH4, CO2 and NO2 is a staggering 0.0362% of the total atmosphere and

CO2 is 4% of this.

So you have to ask yourself is that worth risking the $28 billion that the NZ Institute of Economic Research estimates it will cost us to achieve the Green’s targets?

Andrew Oakley Hamilton

ALL HOT AIR AOTEAROA, THE land of the long white cloud: a country of differing nationalities and cultures striving to do their bit to help make New Zealand a wonderful country to live in.

It is despicable that under this MMP system we have a portion of MPs who hold ministerial portfolios unelected by the population at large. This is not a democracy, it is a socialistic dictatorship.

Until two years ago this country, even under Helen Clark’s leadership, was a nation to be proud of. What has happened now is a divided nation of hatred and distrust between town and country.

We have a left-wing coalition government determined to destroy the fabric of society as we have known it for the last 180 years.

Farming contributes 60% of GDP and provides a living for many people employed in the service industries supporting small towns up and down the country.

Lange claimed farming was a sunset industry in the 1980s, but how wrong he was, and now we have leftwingers trashing the industry again.

Their callous actions are having far reaching effects on the morale and wellbeing of hard-working, dedicated farmers and their families.

Talk about a government being fair to all walks of life in NZ is far-fetched and unethical, callous and unjust.

People who spend their livelihoods in farming do it not only for the lifestyle, but also to ensure their properties have been nurtured and the soil and environment are left in good condition for future generations.

The political rhetoric on climate change attacking farmers and a deliberate intention to destroy farming as we know it defy the imagination.

Is there no feeling for these families who are dedicated, hard working people?

A bigger threat to this planet is over-population and nuclear wars.

Allan Andrews Ashburton (Former president South Canterbury Federated Farmers 1996-2002)

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RURAL NEWS // OCTOBER 22, 2019

OPINION 23

Shonky work scuppers safety RECENT NEWS that roll bars will be mandatory on quads in Australia within 24 months prompts the question: what’s going to happen in New Zealand?

WorkSafe will likely push for a similar solution, given that their stance is to take a lead from the Aussie cousins.

Quizzed earlier this year about endorsing two specific crush prevention devices (CPDs) sold in NZ, agricultural lead Al McCone said WorkSafe had not approved or endorsed any CPDs. “We have recommended to ACC two CPDs suitable for subsidy, based on information provided to Victoria and New South Wales for their subsidy schemes,” he said.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary defines ‘endorse’, ‘approve’ or ‘recommend’ as amount-

CRUSHA’S COMMENT

Mark Daniel

ing to the same thing.

Also fit for purpose are ‘confirm’, ‘approval’, ‘favourable’, ‘consider satisfactory’ and ‘suggest’.

So how can WorkSafe’s ‘recommendation’ make sense given that there is no standard for such a structure? Could a farmer or landowner with a pipe bender or welder make an evening DIY foray and produce the goods?

Anyway, Rural News is yet to see any independent tests that con-

firm that such a device is effective and, importantly, safe.

Individuals who have fitted CPDs will of course sing their praises, but should they be mandatory? We should be heeding the concerns of quad manufacturers who

loadings imposed on these fitments in rollovers exceed those stated maximums and bring into question the suitability of those mounting points for CPDs. Of course, manufacturers offer alternative vehicles, such as UTVs, if a safety struc-

say their machines are not suitable for CPDs. Indeed, safety stickers fitted to the machines clearly give maximum load ratings for rear carriers and tow-bars – both areas where these devices are mounted.

Surely, the dynamic

RIES LOADER COMBO

RM SE DEUTZ-FAHR AGROFA

ture is deemed necessary.

Time and time again, global research shows that wearing a good quality helmet, prohibiting youngsters and passengers, and providing initial and ongoing training most effectively save lives. But generational

change will ultimately have the greatest effect, with young farmers much more aware of the issues and solutions.

The difficulty of convincing oldies that a fresh attitude can have positive results showed up on a radio talkback show last week.

A South Island farmer told the host: “I have a CPD, but it’s in the back of the shed at the moment because I changed machines a few weeks ago and haven’t got around to fitting it yet.” Then he added: “You’ll never get me to wear a safety helmet.”

It’s time for WorkSafe to ‘recommend’ proof that helmets and passenger prohibition prevent serious injury and save lives.

It’s not a ‘maybe’ that such moves improve safety, it’s a fact.

H THE

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RURAL NEWS // OCTOBER 22, 2019

Rabobank supports clients from farm to fork in

global agribusiness research analysts sharing market outlooks

24 MARKETS & TRENDS

40

COUNTRIES

100 000

12630

farmers to connect Content supplied by Rabobank – Grow with the bank farmers for farmers with by worldwide , founded

ASF having a global impact WHILE CHINA’S outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF) has garnered most of the attention, recent outbreaks in South Korea, the Philippines and Timor-Leste, and ongoing situations in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar and North Korea, confirm the disease is an expanding, whole-of-Asia challenge.

Record price levels in China signal how challenging the issue is going to be to resolve.

Trade data, supported by market intelligence, shows that China’s pork imports are rising.

Despite these increases – and our expectation for further increases in pork flows to Asia – the region will be structurally short of pork in 2019 and 2020.

Poultry will play a bigger role, as consumption shifts to other spe-

measures increase substantially, an ASF vaccine is widely available, export flows increase materially, and other protein supplies increase structurally.

China

cies and to plant-based proteins to fill the gap.

Growing pork exports and rising prices will challenge exporters in all regions to find an appropriate balance between increasing production,

chasing high prices for exports, and supporting local customers.

We anticipate relatively unstable market conditions over the coming three to five years, until biosecurity

We expect China’s pork meat output to drop by 25% in 2019.

The scale of the decline expected in China in 2019 is unprecedented.

This could lead to even lower production in the first half of 2020. This will have effects that last into the coming years.

Declining production and the physical shortage of pork have continued to push up pork prices in China and prices for other proteins, through September. Further price rises should be expected.

Both import volumes and prices have been

rising in China in recent months. We expect further increases into Q4,

which has typically seen the strongest flows.

Q3 and Q4 19 import

levels are expected to rise, as local supply tightens and as festivals in China create additional demand.

To achieve this increased flow, at prices that are manageable in China, we believe the US and Canada will need to contribute more materially to China’s imports.

Brazil also has scope to increase its exports to China.

Vietnam ASF is most obvious in Vietnam over 5m pigs, or 18% of the herd, have been lost since February.

We expect over 7m pigs (including 1m sows) to be lost by year-end, representing 25% of the total herd.

2019 hog production is expected to drop by 20% YOY or 0.55m metric tons cwt.

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Rabobank supports clients from farm to fork in

40

RURAL NEWS // OCTOBER 22, 2019

COUNTRIES

Content supplied by Rabobank – Grow with the bank founded by farmers for farmers

Rest of Asia

ASF outbreaks have been reported in the Philippines, resulting in the loss of about 15,000 hogs (the national herd is 12.8m head).

In South Korea, eight ASF outbreaks have now been reported, with over

ASF is equally concerning elsewhere. We remain very concerned about the spread of ASF in the Philippines and South Korea, as well as the threat to Thailand.

Since September 9, 12

Rural News

10,000 pigs lost. Local media suggests the numbers of affected pigs could be five times this number.

Europe The ASF outbreak situation in eastern Europe remains a concern, while the situation in Belgium is more positive. Ongoing outbreaks in Romania and Bulgaria hamper expansion potential.

Pork exports increased strongly in July for all major exporters.

Spain (+55% YOY) has taken the lead from Germany (+43% YOY) as the main exporter to mainland China for the period

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Jan-Jul 2019.

Total EU production is down 1.3% YOY for 1H 2019, but 2H production could yet deliver a small positive for the full year.

Growth in Spain is strong. The sow herd will likely grow to 2.55m animals (+2% YOY), considering historical dynamics.

However, production expansion is not possible in the Netherlands due to environmental constraints. Germany faces similar restrictions

MARKETS & TRENDS 25

through July, with sig-

nificant growth in China

offset by weakness in other key markets A strong dollar and disruptive trade policies continue to dampen trade, combined with increased competition from Canada after its ban on exports to China Trade relations remain a key driver of growth with the upcoming vote on USMCA and ongoing negotiations with key markets in Japan and China.

US US pork export volumes were up 2% YOY

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Over the last 5 years ewes (including 2ths) have scanned between 190% and 216% despite droughts.

GROWTH RATE Over the same period weaning weights (adj. 100 days) have exceeded 36kg from a lambing % consistently above 150%. & SURVIVAL COMMENTS: • All sheep DNA and SIL recorded.

• No crops are grown and no supplements are fed.

• Ram hoggets have been eye muscle scanned since 1996.

• All ewe hoggets are mated.

• Breeding programme places a heavy emphasis on worm resilience – lambs drenched only once prior to autumn.

• Scored for dags and feet shape. DNA rated for footrot and cold tolerance.

• We take an uncompromising approach – sheep must constantly measure up.

We aim to breed superior Romneys that produce the most from the least input.

Glenview Romneys & South Suffolks GEOFF & BARB CROKER Longbush, RD 4, Masterton email: bob_barb@slingshot.co.nz www.glenviewromneys.co.nz Phone 06-372 7820

RURAL NEWS // OCTOBER 22, 2019

26 ANIMAL HEALTH Dairy welfare code revamped THE CODE of welfare for dairy cattle has been amended to address behavioural needs and off-paddock systems, says the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC).

The new standards will take effect on October 31.

NAWAC chair Dr Gwyneth Verkerk says the amendment sets out new standards to ensure people working with dairy cattle meet their animals’ behavioural needs and adopt high levels of

care when keeping dairy cattle in off-paddock facilities, including feed-pads, stand-off pads, wintering pads, and loose-housed and free-stall barns.

“It is very important that dairy cattle can lie down and rest in all management systems, including on pasture, on crops, and in offpaddock facilities,” Verkerk said.

“Dairy cattle like to lie down where it is comfortable and dry.

They refuse to lie down on hard, wet or muddy ground and can

become stressed as a result.”

She says keeping cows off paddock, especially in the long term, can present risks to animal welfare and the new standards address this.

Dairy cattle kept in off-paddock facilities beyond three days must now be provided with a well-drained lying area with a compressible soft surface or bedding and shelter. NAWAC also wants dairy cattle which are housed long-term to have access

to outdoors, but says affected farmers should be given time to comply.

“The Minister of Agriculture has agreed to delayed provisions for outdoor access and his officials will be working with us to determine how to implement these,” Verkerk said.

She says the change is aimed at encouraging people responsible for the welfare of dairy cattle to adopt the highest standards of husbandry, care and handling.

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The seven-chapter book is based on a New Zealand Veterinary Association’s 2019 publication ‘Ectoparasites of Sheep in NZ and their Control’. The new book is compiled by Beef + Lamb NZ, The NZ Merino Company Ltd and the sheep and beef BLNZ’s Aaron Meikle. cattle vet branch of the NZ Veterinary Association.

Managing Flystrike and Lice describes the flies and lice, their lifecycles, the many treatment options and chemical application methods. It also touches on dealing with chemical resistance, disposing of chemical treatments safely and properly and preventing lice and flystrike.

Farmer case studies are numerous as are illustrations and easy-to-read tables.

Decision trees for preventing and treating blowfly strike and lice infestation are dealt with up front and there is a handy, instant tool for dealing with ectoparasite problems.

Aaron Meikle, BLNZ product development manager, says this is the first such guide book in 20 years and much has changed in that time, in the species of fly affecting sheep and the chemical options available to farmers.

He says 2-10% of the national flock is affected by flystrike every year, with hefty effects economically, environmentally and on animal welfare.

Meikle says farmers spend at least $15 million annually on sheep dip alone, then add the productivity losses associated with flystrike and lice infestations.

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RURAL NEWS // OCTOBER 22, 2019

ANIMAL HEALTH 27

NAIT keeps NZ produce tops – farmer If you’re selling or leasing bulls this spring, understand the risks and know the animal’s history of movements and health, says Manawatu beef farmer Richard Morrison.

BULLS TEND to be moved around a lot, so it is essential all their movements are recorded and confirmed by the sender and receiver in the NAIT online system, within 48 hours of the bull relocating.

All moving animals must go with a completed animal status declaration form (ASD). This is necessary for evaluating the bull’s TB status and movement history.

“Know your customers too, their NAIT number and their onfarm biosecurity,” said Morrison.

Richard and his brother William host spring bull auctions

on their property, selling about 250 Hereford bulls to customers from around New Zealand.

They assign stock agents as their PICA delegates who ensure all NAIT transactions are recorded from their property and at the bull’s new location, even if it is only for a couple of months.

Their 1430 ha Marton property is two beef and sheep farms. They chose to register both farms as one NAIT location as permitted, being within a 10km radius of one another.

“We are aware this decision exposes both businesses to more neigh-

bouring properties with bigger boundaries to manage, but that’s a risk we’re willing to accept and mitigate,” Morrison said.

Bull breeders have a unique risk profile, being subject to intense testing for bovine TB, theileria, bovis virus diarrhoea (BVD) and parasites.

Morrison does not doubt the importance of livestock traceability.

“It comes with the territory. You’re always wary of minimising disease risks particularly in this current climate of Mycoplasma bovis. When sending bulls out, you want to avoid multiplying

Manawatu beef farmer Richard Morrison.

a potential issue.

“We’ve had good clients and friends asking to temporarily lease a bull.

But we aren’t willing to act ad hoc and expose ourselves to risk, creating dire implications for everyone.”

Morrison believes farmers could do more when managing bull movements, with the uncertainty over bulls being sourced from multiple locations and stock agents.

Beef farmers send-

ing service bulls to dairy farms for mating must always record the movements in the NAIT system. And the dairy farmers are responsible for confirming the movement in their NAIT accounts, even if they use an information provider such as Minda in the first instance.

The dairy farmer then becomes the PICA farmer for the service bull and must record future movements off their property in NAIT, to ensure effec-

tive traceability and disease management.

“There’s a big overlap with beef and dairy farmers when leasing heifer grazers or bulls for mating,” he said.

Still, the importance of good biosecurity practices onfarm is resonating with most farmers and key to that is an effective animal tracing system.

“I don’t think farmers have appreciated NAIT until now,” Morrison said. “We can see the benefits after the Myco-

plasma bovis outbreak.

“As food producers and sellers, it is in our interests to support NAIT and improve the accuracy of information held in the system.”

He says it provides a platform to leverage and pitch our products overseas and to the top end of the market.

“There’s the provenance aspect too, our story, unique to NZ. We can’t claim to have these values without a traceability system like NAIT.”

NEW DEHORNING AND DISBUDDING RULES IN PLACE NEW RULES took effect on October 1 requiring people working with cattle to use local anaesthetic when dehorning and disbudding.

“Removing horns or horn buds is necessary on the farm to keep animals safe from each other, as well as for human safety,” explained veterinarian and MPI’s director animal health and welfare Chris Rodwell.

But these new regulations highlight that horn removal is painful and those

doing it need to reduce any pain animals experience.

“Veterinarians and industry organisations have been encouraging the use of pain relief for many years and we know a lot of people are already using it,” Rodwell said.

“The new rules will bring everyone up to the same standard and improve the welfare of cattle, by making it clear that local anaesthetic, prescribed by a New Zealand veterinarian, must

New rules came into force on October 1.

be used and applied correctly.”

The new rules apply to all cattle

regardless of age.

MPI warns that failure to abide by the new requirements effective October 1 is a criminal offence. A prosecution could result in a criminal conviction and fine under the new regulations.

“If you’re not already using local anaesthetic, talk to your veterinarian about training and the supply of local anaesthetic,” said Rodwell.

“Whether they’re beef or dairy,

whether you have 2000 cows or just two friendly steers on your lifestyle block – make sure you’re up to speed with the new requirements.”

He says the same applies if people are buying calves to rear or finishing spring calving.

MPI says it developed these new regulations with veterinarians, the livestock sector, the national animal welfare advisory committee and SPCA.

RURAL NEWS // OCTOBER 22, 2019

28 MACHINERY & PRODUCTS

Jaguar flagship coming soon MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz

CLAAS HAS added a flagship to its self-propelled harvester range for 2020 -- the Jaguar 990 with several updates and new features.

These include the addition to the whole Jaguar range of the latest Cebis touchscreen-based control concept. Also, the Jaguar 900 will have a more powerful Stage V engine, a new additive system, a 42-knife chopping cylinder and dynamic steering.

The new Jaguar 990 is powered by a 925hp MAN V12, 24L engine. A similar 850hp version will also be used in the Jaguar 980.

The Jaguar 900 ranges will have the new touchscreen Cebis terminal, giving the operator fast and easy access to all machine functions. Depending on preference, the operator has four options for setting up and adjusting the Jaguar, including a simple tap on the touchscreen

and seven settings that can be programmed as favourites and accessed by rocker switches on the CMotion control lever. Alternatively the operator can access the Cebis rotary/push switch and pushbutton or make direct adjustment via switches in the armrest.

The new armrest and CMotion control lever make it possible to adjust the machine on the move from the joystick using favourite settings.

For example, this includes the roller crop press, spout up and down, stop rock sensitivity, cruise control, stubble height, horn and partial working width.

Also new for 2020 is the availability of dynamic steering on the Jaguar 900, which allows the operator to reduce the number of turns from lock to lock. A t up to 10km/h the operator needs only 1.25 turns of the wheel to go from full left lock to full right. From 10 to 20km/h the steering wheel

turns required are increased. From 20km/h, for driving safely at higher speeds the full number of steering wheel turns is available again.

A new option for Jaguar 990/980/970 models is the 42-blade V-Max chopping, giving a cutting frequency of 25,200 cuts/min. A number of blades can be removed to deliver high throughput -- providing chop lengths from 3.5 to 12.5mm or when a longer chop length is required in grass or for ‘shredlage’.

A new hydraulic precompression system is also standard in all Jaguar 900 models.

This system acts on preprogrammed characteristics using hydraulic rams with pressure reservoirs to automatically adjust the precompression pressure applied in order to accommodate different crops and changes in the thickness of the crop flow.

This ensures that a uniformly high level of chop quality is maintained even in difficult conditions.

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Claas has updated its range of Orbis maize headers.

New Orbis 450 header lighter – less wear-prone CLAAS HAS updated its range of Orbis maize headers, adding the Orbis 450 which shares many features initially introduced on the larger Orbis 600SD and 750 units.

With a 4.5m working width, the unit incorporates the new tilting frame concept and redesigned T panels which help reduce weight and increase wear resistance.

Newly designed fingers ahead of the knives ensure low-loss crop collection and have points which can be removed for harvesting laid maize. The new knives have a crescent-shaped blade which delivers top cutting quality in all crops.

The central crop feeding tower rotors have been repositioned to improve crop flow and angled forward to aid crop feed.

They are also spaced wider, so increasing the feed channel to allow crop to be fed into the full width of the feed rollers and chopping cylinder. Augers at the edge of the Orbis help feed the crop into the header in poor conditions. These are driven hydraulically.

The new roller pendulum frame concept has lifted the crop flow to the

centre of the Jaguar’s precompression rollers, improving crop even at full oscillation in uneven fields. The frame also handles the weight of the unit better and allows adjustment of the mounting angle, to regulate the header angle when the machine is travelling over softer ground.

The new frame also helps provide a shallower cutting angle, giving the benefit of a much shorter stubble height, allowing crops to be cut at less than 100mm stubble height if required.

Under the header, newly designed modular T-panels support the drive train and the discs.

The T-panels are press hardened and rounded, dimensionally stable, wear resistant and protect the transmission elements against wear and structural loads.

For road transport, the new Orbis 450 rapidly folds down to just 3.0m, offering an unhindered view, and an integrated communication module transmits data from the front attachment to the forage harvester. This saves Jaguar settings for subsequent use, even if removed then reattached. – Mark Daniel

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RURAL NEWS // OCTOBER 22, 2019

MACHINERY & PRODUCTS 29

Sidekick maybe cream of the crop MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz

RURAL NEWS reported on the launch of Kubota’s RTV X850 in the last issue, and now we’ve spent a week with the new sport/utility on Waikato dairy farms.

To recall, the X850 has a twin cylinder, watercooled Subaru engine pushing out 48hp and it can hit a top speed just short of 70km/h.

First impressions: the machine has a superior build with quality materials, good fit and finish and substantial chassis components capped by a beefy bullbar up front.

The machine we tested had a few extras including glass front and rear screens, a moulded plastic roof and an electrically activated tipping load bed.

Stepping into the

cockpit is via moulded plastic half-doors opened by a simple latch on the inner face. Seating is deep and comfortable, with the ideal driving position aided by the adjustable steering column and a wheel that is straight across its bottom edge.

Inertia-reel seatbelts ensure occupant safety.

The right side seat tips forward to reveal a useful storage bin, although it needs a fixing to prevent it opening forwards when reversing fast.

Start-up is in neutral using the main key, with the engine starting easily and settling to an even tickover. This point is important, as trying to select forward or reverse before the tickover has settled will result in a distinct ‘grinding’.

A conventional handbrake sits next to the driver’s left thigh, with

Kubota’s RTV X850 is a well thought out package.

a warning buzzer -- it mimics a strangled cat -ensuring no-one drives off with the handbrake still set. Acceleration is smooth and linear, easily controlled by the gas pedal and, if required, the unit will quickly hit its 68km/h maximum.

The driveline works

well, using a maintenance free CVT setup with a centrifugal clutch that keeps the heavy duty drive belts under tension, so minimising slippage.

The unit also acts as a shock absorber and works in union with a one way sprag clutch to give downhill engine braking.

Ride quality on the road and smooth surfaces is smooth and comfortable, with the all-round independent suspension using dual A-arms, coil springs and solid anti-roll bar to soak up bumps and imperfections well.

On rougher terrain, 2- or 4-wheel drive is

selected by a lever next to the right heel. And if it gets really tough find the diff lock located behind the left heel and engaged tractor style. In these kinds of conditions, the machine’s 799kg kerb weight also seems to help ride quality, effectively preloading the suspension and eliminating too much rebound damping.

Steering is by electrically assisted power steering which assists most at low speeds then decreases as the speed increases. This point came up for mention by the domestic manager who said “it’s easier to steer than my sports car”.

On that theme, our demo unit was fitted with an optional electrical tipping system on the rear load tray. This also proved to be a great hit with the DM, who used it to move compost in the

garden and return with firewood.

Towing farm trailers and calf feeders proved easy with plenty of power, leaving this tester wondering why some competitive machines are up to 90hp -- surely just a recipe for high fuel costs.

As expected of such a well thought out package, a central display gives all the important data including seat belt and park brake alarms, and 4-wheel drive and diff lock status.

Anything not to like?

Maybe the throttle position when trying to maintain a low throttle opening when driving cows down the farm race. And the difficulty of cleaning all the nooks and crannies after a few days work. But that’s not exclusive to Kubota. @rural_news facebook.com/ruralnews

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RURAL NEWS // OCTOBER 22, 2019

30 MACHINERY & PRODUCTS

He rakes, bales and wraps in one RETIRED DAIRY farmer Joe Macfarlane runs a contracting business east of Hamilton servicing dairy farmers and the increasing number of lifestyle blocks over a 20km radius.

He specialises in silage and hay in round and conventional packages with a focus on high quality. This is reflected by his own property where he takes up to five cuts each season, producing leafy, high value bales.

For the 2019-20 season a pair of new arrivals will make raking, baling and wrapping a one-man task.

Hay and silage contrator Joe Macfarlane has new additions to his arsenal this season.

Said Macfarlane: “Over the last few sea-

sons I’ve been working closer to home because

using conventional setups I was spending so

U VAL NBEA UE TAB !

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much time on the road heading back and forth to swap from mowers to rakes to balers.”

Using his Massey Ferguson MF 5612 Dyna-6 tractor as the prime mover he rakes with a front mounted Agronic WR 600 twin rotor rake and bales and wraps with a Welger RPC 245 Tornado combo at the rear.

The tractor’s engine has had a little tweaking and now puts out 94kW (125hp) so has plenty of power to run the combo, he says.

Of interest is the front mounted rake, already familiar to Macfarlane who had personally imported a smaller model a few years ago.

This machine is carried on the tractor’s front linkage, with a chain connection to the top link position allowing good ground adaptation. Height control is by a robust castor wheel assembly in each corner, easily adjusted with spacer washers.

Designed to produce a swath to suit the following machine, the rotor spacing is adjusted hydraulically.

It was set up during our visit to easily clear two 3.2m cut and conditioned swathes.

The rotor design sees hydraulically driven, inner drum assemblies, carrying multiple nylon/polyamide plastic rods to form the

swath.

During Rural News’ visit the combination was travelling well at 8-10km/ h, producing about 40 solid, well shaped bales per hour, each weighing 700-750kg, Mcfarlane said.

“There’s a lot going on [in the combination], but with the tractor’s sloping hood, a very good touch screen control box for the baler/wrapper and four cameras overseeing the operation it’s getting easier to use,” he said.

“The only thing I’m looking at getting hold of is a kit to use the rake on the front loader, which will make things easier in some of the tighter lifestyle properties.”

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Two 230 volt and four 400 volt models with UDOR ceramic plunger pump & low rpm 4 pole (1440 rpm) motor for extended service life.

HURRICANE PTO WATERBLASTER/ SPRAYER 250 or 600 litre tank, 540 rpm gearbox. New UDOR 3000 psi 35L/min pump.

Blast, spray and drain clean!

AES SPRAYPACK 250 & 600 250 and 600 litre tanks, galvanised frame.

HD quick release, PTO shaft, 53L/min spray pump, 25m hose & hand gun, optional 6 metre boom.

UDOR High quality Italian diaphragm pumps.

From 17L/min to 240L/min.

E PHON T 290 psi to O H FOR S 580 psi PRICE

3 FOR THE PRICE OF 1!

SPRAY BOOMS 4.5 6 & 8m metre spray booms, horizontal fold, stainless steel lines and non-drip low drift nozzles.

SAVE $$$

HOSE REELS 100 or 150m SPRAY HOSE 25, 50, or 100m coils

Contact AES direct or your local AES dealer FREEPHONE 0508 78 78 78 46 Sir William Ave, East Tamaki, Auckland www.aesblasters.co.nz

Silotite and Silotite Pro Stretch film has been independently tested.

INDEPENDENT TESTING GUARANTEES WRAP QUALITY MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz

SILAGE WRAP’S key role in baleage production for winter feed has manufacturers pushing the boundaries of polymer production.

But they haven’t all been buying the best technology to extrude silage wrap that is longer, stronger and stretch and puncture resistant.

So to verify its film wrap quality, the Berry/bpi group has had its Silotite range of silage wrap tested by an independent certifier.

Silotite and Silotite Pro stretch films, imported to New Zealand by Agpac, now bear the P-mark awarded by the Swedish government’s SP Technical Research Institute.

The P-mark logo confirms that Silotite films have been independently assessed and quality tested, with a focus on raw materials and manufacturing processes. It also shows the manufacturer is subject to ongoing random inspections and product sampling, says Agpac general manager Chris Dawson.

“When extruding polyethylene films

it is possible to produce thinner stretch films which can be sold in longer rolls, sometimes resulting in thinner, not better film,” he said.

He says silage contractors should be cautious about the claims manufacturers make about their products and if they’re unsure should rely on an independent guarantee. In the case of P-mark certification this includes tensile strength, stretch, cling, UV resistance, impact resistance and airtightness. Each roll of Silotite film is guaranteed to have the stated length, thickness and width, and to achieve 70% pre-stretch when wrapping bales.

“Contractors who upgrade their wrappers with cogs which can prestretch the film to 70% have a real advantage because they can wrap more bales per roll of film,” said Dawson.

“But few films sold today on extra long rolls can withstand this degree of stretch.”

Silotite Pro is available in 1650m and 1950m roll lengths, with patented plastic sleeve packaging that can be recycled with used film -- no need to dispose of cardboard boxes.

RURAL NEWS // OCTOBER 22, 2019

TRAVEL / RURAL TRADER 31 ADVERTORIAL

All eyes on Japan! but has adapted to modern production and management techniques.

Rice is the most important crop in Japan and tends to be planted on the best land.

Other crops include soybeans, wheat, barley, tea and a large variety of fruit and vegetables.

Although livestock farming isn’t as prevalent, Japan is worldfamous for delicious Kobe beef and it’s a real treat to enjoy this on the BBQ at a wagyu cattle farm on tour! Seafood is also big business with Japan being the largest fish-eating nation in the world and Tokyo’s lively market is a feast for the eyes.

Japan is an important trade partner as we currently export around NZ$3B worth of produce to Japan including cheese, kiwifruit, beef, timber and aluminium.

We import a similar value from Japan, mostly vehicles and electronics.

There are significant

culture and scenic highlights in the Land of the Rising Sun! Flights, tipping and most meals are included and you’ll be well looked after by a guide who speaks the lingo.

Japanese people are welcoming to visitors and they especially turn it in for Kiwis, particularly with sharing a newfound success in rugby!

Discover Japan in May/June 2020 www. farmtofarm.co.nz

tourism and education ties between our two countries.

For exporters, it’s worth paying attention to a country with the second largest number of millionaire households in the world!

Farm To Farm’s escorted tour is great way for rural New Zealanders to experience intriguing Japan.

From ultra-modern Tokyo to more traditional Kyoto, you’ll enjoy the vibrant food

Global Tours for Farmers

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Global travel l Escorted group tours l Exclusive experiences Connect with farming colleagues l Trusted for over 30 years

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QUADBAR “I have no doubt that if I did not have a Quadbar fitted, my accident would have been fatal!” – Rozel Farms

READING THE PAPER ONLINE HAS NEVER BEEN EASIER Breaking news Management Animal health Agribusiness Machinery & Products reviews ❱❱ Competitions... and much more

“The Quadbar saved our employee from significant injuries.” – Colin van der Geest

HEADER Ferist et quati aut pedici te vollab imod quamet atur soleniet quiatibu. PAGE 15

PHONE

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HEADER Ferist et quati aut pedici te vollab imod quamet atur soleniet quiatibu. PAGE 23

RURALNEWS

HEADER Ferist et quati aut pedici te vollab imod quamet atur soleniet quiatibu.

PAGE 24

600 500 400 300 200 100 0

QUADBAR 5 YEAR SURVEY

NUMBER OF QUADBARS 479

TO ALL FARMERS, FOR ALL FARMERS

www.ruralnews.co.nz

LACE UP

SLIP ON

STEEL TOE X (with Scuff Guard)

STEEL TOE X (with Scuff Guard)

sizes 7, 11 & 12 arrive Nov

sizes 6 & 7 arrive Nov

PLAIN TOE (without Scuff Guard)

STEEL TOE (without Scuff Guard)

Other sizes in stock now!

PLAIN TOE (without Scuff Guard)

sizes 7 &13 arrive Nov

earthwalk.co.nz

CHEQUES

61

NUMBER OF DEATHS 0

order all sizes now

valued at $280

valued at $320

ROLLOVERS

ENDS 5 NOV - WHILE STOCKS LAST!

$115

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ONLINE

+GST delivered

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by Worksafe.

ACC subsidy available

For a Quadbar, call me, Stuart Davidson, owner of Quadbar NZ, on 021-182 8115. Email sales@quadbar.co.nz or for more info go to www.quadbar.co.nz

BUFFALO BOOTS - spring sale!

Earthwalk Buffalo Boots have thick buffalo hide uppers which is 175% more crack and water resistant than normal leather.

The nitrile rubber outsole won’t crack, split or break down in soil. And it is traditionally stitched to the leather upper so it won’t fall off. To make extra sure of this - the stitching goes all the way through the tread.

The Lace Up boot offers superb ankle support on hill country, and a calfskin tongue & collar for great internal comfort. The Slip On boots are ideal for any work application.

Sizes sell out quickly over Spring/ Summer - so please order early.

595

$

Proven beyo nd do ubt!

Read us until the cows come home!

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AUSTRALIA RN 100 x 187mm 10/19

RIGHT NOW the Brave Blossoms are impressing at the Rugby World Cup and the Japanese people (127 million of them!) are doing a great job hosting fans from all over the world – despite the challenges of Mother Nature.

Even if you’ve not yet been yourself, you may have heard about Japan’s superior customer service – it’s true.

Almost wherever you go throughout Japan the people are polite, surroundings are clean and you are often made to feel very important!

Farm To Farm Tours has been running tours to Japan to give rural Kiwis a taste of this scenic and culturally rich country. As well as taking in vibrant cities, we also get off the beaten track to meet people in the regions – which make for a particularly memorable experience.

Japanese agriculture is steeped in tradition,

all sizes arrive Nov

sizes 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12 & 13 arrive Nov

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Buffalo Leather - Dark Brown 175% more crack resistant Leather Traditional Stitched on soles Wide Fit Nitrile Rubber Outsole Heavy Duty Elastic Sides (Slip On) Outsole won’t Crack or Split Calfskin Tongue & Collar (Lace Up) Deep Tread

sizes: 6 - 13 (NZ)

please add $12 freight per order

RURAL NEWS // OCTOBER 22, 2019

FLY OR LICE PROBLEMS? The magic eye sheepjetter since 1989

Quality construction and options • Get the contractors choice

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Featuring...

• Incredible chemical economy • Amazing ease 1500+ per hour • Unique self adjusting sides • Environmentally and user friendly • Automatically activated • Proven effective on lice as well as fly • Compatible with all dip chemicals • Accurate, effective application

07 573 8512 | dipping@electrodip.co.nz – www.electrodip.com

CRAIGCO SENSOR JET • Robust construction • Auto shut gate • Total 20 jets • Lambs only 5 jets • Side jets for lice • Adjustable V panels • Davey Twin Impellor Pump • 6.5 or 9.0hp motors

DOLOMITE

NZ’s finest BioGro certified Mg fertiliser For a delivered price call...

0800 436 566

SHEEP JETTERS SINCE 1992

WILTSHIRE & SHIRE®

LOW INPUT – MEAT RAMS FOR SALE

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Quality Greenhouses

GUARANTEED PERFORMANCE QUICK TO SETUP – EASY TO USE – JOB DONE

PH 06-835 6863 • MOB 021-061 1800 JETTER VIDEO: www.craigcojetters.com

POSSUM & RAT EXTINCTION 225% possum catch increase using toxins 30% trap catch increase when used with lure

A U T O M AT I C

• Nest boxes - manual or automated • Feed & Drinking • Plastic egg trays

• Easy assembly • Strong and durable

Rubber Safety Matting

QUALITY PRODUCTS MADE IN EUROPE OR BY PPP

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ONE STOP WATER SHOP 300mm x 6 metre .......................... $410 400mm x 6 metre .......................... $515 500mm x 6 metre .......................... $690 600mm x 6 metre .......................... $925 800mm x 6 metre ........................ $1399 1000mm x 6 metre ...................... $2175 1200mm x 6 metre ...................... $3475 ALL PRICES INCLUDE G.S.T.

CULVERT PIPES

New Zealand’s CHEAPEST Culvert Pipes!

FREE joiners supplied on request.

• Lightweight, easy to install • Made from polyethylene

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Phone

0800 625 826 for your nearest stockist

Joiners supplied FREE with culvert pipes

Together, Creating the Best Soil and Feed on Earth

A new chapter in sustainable farming It’s better for the environment

It’s compatible to blend with other fertilisers

With the spotlight on phosphate loss and its impact on the environment, it’s immensely rewarding for us to know we can help farmers and growers reduce phosphate loss by up to 75%.

You love products that work well together. That’s why we designed SurePhos to be compatible with the other fertilisers you use on your farm, so you can add phosphate when you need it.

Greater weather flexiblity

It’s granular, so it’s easy to spread evenly and accurately

It rains a lot here in New Zealand. That’s why we designed SurePhos, a stabilised phosphate to suit our conditions. You can apply SurePhos in a greater range of weather conditions, without the risk that rain will wash the nutrients away.

SurePhos is a granular product so it’s easy to spread evenly and accurately to apply phosphate exactly where you need it.

It’s less water soluble, so it lasts longer

It has been independently tested by AgResearch

Our soils need phosphate.

The trick is getting it to stay in the soil and not wash away.

SurePhos is less water soluble, so it stays in the soil for longer.

SurePhos has been independently tested by AgResearch.

Reduce your phosphate loss by up to 75% with SurePhos It’s a fact that New Zealand soils are deficient in phosphate and sulphate.

To find out how you can reduce your phosphate loss by up to 75% by applying SurePhos, speak to your local Nutrient Specialist or contact our Customer Services team.

For the love of the land

ballance.co.nz | 0800 222 090