NEWS
ANIMAL HEALTH
Sheep and beef hit the sweet spot. PAGE 9
Pressure on to cut N use.
PAGE 21
NEWS Chathams aim to wean off diesel reliance PAGE 12
TO ALL FARMERS, FOR ALL FARMERS MARCH 15, 2022: ISSUE 746
www.ruralnews.co.nz
Got a spare $200K? PETER BURKE peterb@ruralnews.co.nz
AS THE reality begins to kick in for farmers about the costs for mitigating agricultural greenhouse gas emissions, one farmer has told Rural News he could face a $200,000 bill in the future, unless he gets carbon credits for the trees planted on his farm. Former Meat and Wool NZ director Tom Mandeno, who has served in several high profile leadership roles in the primary sector over many years, runs a 670 hectare sheep and beef property,
near Port Waikato, on the west coast of the North Island. He says it would be very hard to find an extra $200,000 in his farming operation to pay such a bill. To that end, Mandeno has put forward a remit to the Beef+Lamb NZ (B+LNZ) annual meeting being held on March 24. The remit calls for B+LNZ to support the inclusion of established trees as vegetation sequestration offsets, to be included in the greenhouse gas emissions calculation required for farm environment plans. “If a pine tree can sequester carbon,
surely a poplar or oak tree or a native trees – such as kauri and rimu and other native trees that people have fenced off on their farms – should also be included,” he told Rural News. “These trees are sequestering carbon and the farmers are not getting any credit, which I think is unfair.” Mandeno says when he became aware of the GHG emissions issue and how it might impact on his farm he sought the professional help of B+LNZ’s Hamilton-based extension manager, Maria Shanks. She looked over his property, did the calculations,
and found that the farm was emitting 2,497 tonnes of carbon. However, what staggered Mandeno the most was that despite all the native trees and other plantings – such as poplar poles and willows – on his farm, he is only entitled to a credit of just 17 tonnes. “On that basis we face a potential bill of $200k for carbon,” he says. Mandeno says this figure is based on the cost of carbon being set at the rate of $100 per tonne.
He says it is presently valued at $85 a tonne, but he expects this to rise in the coming years. He realises that initially the cost of carbon will be discounted but says this won’t last forever and, from a budgeting point of view, the $100 a tonne figure is realistic. “That being the case, a lot of farmers will face very challenging times trying to meet that cost. I don’t know how we are going to be able to pay for this,” he says. “It seems we are the only country in the world that is charging farmers emissions in this way.”
FLUFFY DREAMS Hawkes Bay wool broker and enthusiastic wool promoter Philippa Wright has set up a new venture – making wool pillows. As well as running her wool broking business, Wright has a joint venture company in the USA called the Natural Wool Company. It uses NZ wool to create high-value, environmentally-sustainable wool products for the US market. This includes pillows filled with specially-processed wool called knops or pearls. The pillows were only sold in the USA and are not available in NZ, because it was too expensive to import them here. However, last year an amazing set of circumstances unfolded, which has seen the pillows now become available locally. She says the venture is all part of her ongoing promotion to gain greater recognition for wool. See full story page 7
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RURAL NEWS // MARCH 15, 2022
NEWS 3 ISSUE 746
www.ruralnews.co.nz
Milk continues to cream it SUDESH KISSUN sudeshk@ruralnews.co.nz
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ECONOMISTS ARE ruling out two straight seasons of a record farmgate milk price. Buoyant dairy prices are raising prospects of another solid milk price next season but it’s unlikely to top this season’s bumper price, they say. ASB is forecasting a whopping $9.20/kgMS forecast opening price for the 2022-23 season. “Our opener was actually a little lower, but we revised it up in the aftermath of the invasion of Ukraine,” ASB economist Nat Keall told Rural News. Keall doesn’t think the next season will necessarily wind up stronger than the current one. “But we do expect another very high milk price. Our current forecasts for the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons would see the highest and secondhighest milk prices on record, respectively.” He expects prices to hold onto all of their gains, and perhaps head higher in the near term. “Global supply remains tight, and the situation in Ukraine is unlikely to help efforts by overseas producers to boost production, given it’s likely to
Buoyant dairy prices are raising prospects of another solid milk price next season.
disrupt the flow, and raise the cost, of the ‘three f’s’: fuel, feed and fertiliser.” Keall says the last handful of Global Dairy Trade auction results suggest that demand is still looking pretty robust. “We do expect prices to moderate as the year wears on, but a sharp correction looks unlikely at present.” BNZ senior economist Doug Steel agrees that next season will bring another strong milk price. “But where we land is anyone’s guess. We’re trying to forecast 15
months down the track; it’s hard to figure out what will happen in five days,” he told Rural News. BNZ is forecasting an opening milk price of $8.90/kgMS for next season. Steel says farmers should expect market volatility. “They should be keeping costs under control and hunker down. Continue doing what you are doing. “It’s difficult to say how things will play out.” He says, in previous cycles, prices came down quickly after rising to
record levels. With less milk globally, it is hard to predict what happens this time. Westpac is forecasting an $8.50/ kgMS opening forecast for the next season and senior agri economist Nathan Penny expects prices to moderate over the next 12-15 months. “We still expect prices to moderate over the season as global dairy supply eventually rebounds, nonetheless prices for the season as a whole are likely to average higher than we previously expected,” says Penny.
Published by: Rural News Group Printed by: Inkwise NZ Ltd
More questions than answers
CONTACTS Editorial: editor@ruralnews.co.nz Advertising material: davef@ruralnews.co.nz
FORMER MEAT and Wool NZ director Tom Mandeno believes despite the roadshow meetings organised by B+LNZ and DairyNZ on the He Waka Eke Noa (HWEN) proposals farmers find it all pretty complicated. He says the meeting he attended posed more questions than answers and he still doesn’t have a clear pic-
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ture of what the answer should be in terms of how the scheme should be funded. “Like many others, [I] don’t think the legislation is practical and there hasn’t been enough discussion on it to satisfy farmers,” he told Rural News. Mandeno says, as someone who’s
farmed the land for many years, he wants the next generation to come onto the land – in this case his two daughters and their families. “It would be lovely for the land to handed down to them and have it continuing to produce what it produces now – or even better – with younger people bringing new ideas,”
He says. “But I also want it to be sufficiently viable so that they can make it work.” Mandeno says the challenge for him and other farmers is whether the Government is prepared to soften its ideological stance and allow farming in NZ to be profitable and sustainable. – Peter Burke
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RURAL NEWS // MARCH 15, 2022
4 NEWS
UK trade deal an excellent outcome for ag sector THE RATIFICATION PROCESS
PETER BURKE peterb@ruralnews.co.nz
HIGH PRAISE for the recently signed free trade agreement (FTA) between the UK and NZ has come from one of the country’s most experienced former politicians in the trade policy area. Sir Lockwood Smith has told Rural News the FTA is an excellent agreement. He believes it is better than many NZ farmer organisations expected and will have long term strategic value for the country. He describes it as probably one of the most advanced trading agreements in the world. Smith was a former trade and agriculture minister in the 1990s and went on to become NZ’s High Commissioner in
WHILE THE FTA has been signed by the respective countries, it still has to be ratified by their parliaments. In the case of NZ this is a relatively simple process. Smith says it will go to the Foreign Affairs and Trade select committee who will report back to parliament and then it will be voted on. “The risks of it not being ratified are nil,” says Sir Lockwood. But the UK the process is more complicated. Firstly, it will be scrutinised by the Former trade and agriculture minister Lockwood Smith believes the UK FTA is better than many NZ farmer organisations expected.
London between 2013 and 2017. “I don’t think anyone could have asked for a better agreement. NZ has gone from having a total quota for beef in the UK of about 400 tonnes, to a situation where we now have the prospect of free
and open trade with no tariffs, after a period of time,” he says. “Likewise, with lamb we have had all this concern around Brexit about the splitting of the quota between the UK and the EU. Now, instead of all that hassle, in a few years’
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ultimately benefit them, as it did NZ farmers. He is now a member of the UK Trade and Agriculture Commission (TAC), which initially had a role of pointing out to farmers throughout the UK and Northern Ireland the value of freeing up trade. Smith is the only non-UK member on the TAC, which is made up of agricultural experts whose role now is to scrutinise FTAs to ensure they comply with UK standards on animal welfare, plant and animal health, the environment and trade law and policy.
LOCKWOOD SMITH believes that one of the reasons the FTA is so good and was negotiated so quickly is that the UK wants to gain membership of the CPTPP (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans Pacific Partnership). He says having FTAs with existing members – Australia and NZ – provides leverage for this to happen. Smith had personally talked to Boris Johnson, before
he became Prime Minister, and also some of his colleagues and says they could all see the value of the CPTPP to Britain. “Boris could see that it was strategically one of the smartest things they could do after Brexit,” Smith told Rural News. “He and his colleagues could see that it was an exciting strategic play for the UK and critical to their aspiration to become global Britain again.”
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around beef and lamb were absolutely necessary because UK farmers were never going to agree to an immediate opening up of their market. The agreement also has clauses on what are known as ‘equivalents’, meaning that both countries recognise their standards are of the same high quality, but the way of achieving this may be different and that this is okay. He says the FTA includes a forward looking chapter on the environment, which includes climate change, water quality and deforestation. There are also chapters in
TAC to make sure it complies with UK standards. However, Smith believes that the prospect of UK membership of CPTPP will be an incentive to get the deal approved in a timely way. Meanwhile, he says the FTA with the EU – which is currently being negotiated – is going to be much more challenging. Smith’s not expecting an outcome like that with the UK and says this is because the EU is inherently protectionist and internally focused.
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RURAL NEWS // MARCH 15, 2022
NEWS 5
Alternative to ‘flawed’ HWEN options STILL NO RESPONSE FROM PM
DAVID ANDERSON
GROUNDSWELL SAYS it has developed an alternative to the proposed He Waka Eke Noa (HWEN) options to tackle on-farm emissions. The rural lobby says farmers have not warmed to HWEN’s ‘exorbitantly expensive’ scheme that it claims is littered with unintended consequences and unanswered questions. “We can’t support a punitive emissions pricing scheme that would see farmers paying up to $600 million per year for a negligible reduction in emissions,” the group says. The levy industry bodies’ Primary Industry Climate Action Group – or He Waka Eke Noa (HWEN) – has conducted a round of farmer meetings around the country offering three options: an on-farm levy, a processor levy and the Government fallback option of putting the ag sector in the ETS. However, Groundswell says the HWEN pricing options have shifted from incentivising farmers to uptake new technology and management tools, to a broad-based tax on farming. “The pricing options currently proposed will
PRIME MINISTER Jacinda Ardern is still refusing to meet with Groundswell despite numerous attempts by the group to contact her. In a letter to members, the group says despite writing – again – to Ardern in February, “…to have a common-sense conversation about environmental regulations and our alternative policy framework”, it has “heard nothing back since the automatic reply”. Meanwhile, in the same letter, Groundswell has told members that Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor’s response to its concerns around emissions pricing and the ute tax has left it unimpressed.
Groundswell motivated thousands of farmers to protest against new government regulations last year and is now advocating an alternative to tackle on-farm emissions.
allow the Government of the day to tax farmers at a price level of their choosing,” Groundswell spokesman Steve Cranston told Rural News. “If these options proceed, He Waka Eke Noa emissions pricing will not be based on agriculture’s effect on climate, but
rather to achieve arbitrary government targets, which have no basis in science.” Groundswell says the consultation process has been flawed and has stuck rigidly to predetermined outcomes. “HWEN gave the appearance of consult-
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ing farmers with the formation of a Farmer Reference Group and a pre-consultation feedback opportunity, however, valuable feedback from farmers was brushed off.” Cranston says Groundswell’s alternative solution will achieve the sector’s expected emis-
sion reductions at a fraction of the cost. “Our integrated Environmental Policy and Action Framework proposes immediate action to build on what farmers are already doing to address emissions,” Cranston explains. “Recognising the current lack of alternatives to addressing emissions, we propose that the agriculture sector adopt a short-term research fund to develop credible emissions reduction alternatives within the He Waka Eke Noa framework.” He says these funding options include utilising the existing industry group levy structure. “This would be followed by a more com-
“You won’t be surprised to hear that he runs the same lines we’ve come to expect from this Government, blaming farmers for greenhouse gas emissions and pointing to He Waka Eke Noa as somehow being the complete solution.” Groundswell says in regard to the ute tax, O’Connor claims to understand the concerns around a limited range of suitable low emissions vehicles, “…but his only defence of the Government hitting the pockets of farmers and other Kiwis with the ute tax is that they ‘expect the market to respond and technology to develop quickly’.” It concludes that “…the Government expects us to just take our lumps”.
prehensive emissions scheme, which would be developed to subsidise and incentivise new management and technology uptake.” Cranston believes this would allow time for the sector to investigate and test viable solutions. “By setting price signals on emissions without establishing credible, workable options to reduce emissions, He Waka Eke Noa is forcing farmers and growers to reduce stocking rates and productivity,” he adds. “Since foreign, less carbon-efficient agriculture sectors would just fill the gap New Zealand agriculture would leave, the price signals would lead to an increase in
global emissions.” Cranston says under the Groundswell proposal, levy bodies (including DairyNZ and Beef + Lamb) will take a leading role alongside other governmental organisations in investigating the most efficient pathways to achieving emissions reductions, while maintaining productivity and reasonable profitability. “Modelling shows a significant majority of emissions reductions will be achieved through research and new technology. “All emissions-related revenue gathering should be focused where it will achieve the most.” More: http://www. savefarming.nz/
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RURAL NEWS // MARCH 15, 2022
6 NEWS
Use it or lose it dairy farmers warned! SUDESH KISSUN sudeshk@ruralnews.co.nz
DAIRY FARMERS are being urged to put in applications for muchneeded overseas workers for the upcoming calving season. The Government has granted border exceptions for 500 dairy farm workers, farm assistants, herd managers and assistant farm managers and their families. So far, 200 places have been snapped up by farmers. However, Federated Farmers immigration spokesman Chris Lewis says farmers need to get their applications in through DairyNZ quickly. He says, if the remaining 300 places are snapped up quickly, then the sector can go back to the Government seeking border exceptions for the remaining 1200 workers urgently needed on farms. “If it takes two months for farmers to take the 300 slots left, then it will hard for us to advocate to the Government for more overseas workers before calving,” he told Rural News. “Our message to farmers who need overseas workers is that this is a call for action – use it or
“Our message to farmers who need overseas workers is that this is a call for action – use it or lose it. Let’s exhaust the 300 available slots within two weeks.”
lose it. Let’s exhaust the 300 available slots within two weeks.” Lewis says his phone has been running hot over the past few weeks as farmers deal with resignation notices from March 1 and organise staffing for the new season. The basic requirement for an overseas farm assistant is that the person must be paid a minimum of $28/hour. Farmers must also provide accommodation. The 500 workers and their families don’t need to self-isolate. The first 200 workers and their families will also be eligible to apply for residency. Lewis expects dairy workers from all over the world to
Federated Farmers immigration spokesman Chris Lewis says farmers need to get their applications in through DairyNZ quickly.
apply for jobs in NZ. He says the pay rates may put some farmers off but overseas workers are urgently needed. “We have to use the 300 border exceptions available or lose it,” he says. “If we don’t use it, it will make us look stupid; we’ve been whinging about the need for overseas workers for the past two years.” @rural_news facebook.com/ruralnews
APPLY NOW DAIRYNZ CHIEF executive Tim Mackle says farmers who want farm assistants on board for calving are encouraged to apply now for one of the 300 spaces. He warns that there is no guarantee there will be another opportunity to recruit international workers before calving. “With workers no longer required to isolate or stay in MIQ and no cap on the number of farm assistants within that 300, we expect stronger
interest from farmers using the class exception pathway,” he says. DairyNZ says the Government’s decision to allow just 300 more international dairy farm workers into New Zealand doesn’t do enough to help resolve the sector’s significant staff shortage. In November, the dairy sector requested government allow 1500 dairy workers into New Zealand in 2022 – but only 300 spots have been granted.
Mackle says the Government’s decision is a bitter disappointment for many under-pressure dairy farmers who are anxiously facing yet another season critically short-staffed. “We have really appreciated the continued support of Minister O’Connor and also MPI who have advocated on this important issue for almost two years – but it would seem some of their colleagues in Government just aren’t listening and farmers are frustrated by that.”
RURAL NEWS // MARCH 15, 2022
NEWS 7
Pillow talk takes action PETER BURKE peterb@ruralnews.co.nz
A CALL from her daughter prompted well-known Hawkes Bay wool broker and enthusiastic wool promoter Philippa Wright to set up a new venture – making wool pillows. Wright’s love and passion for wool is in her DNA. Her father was a wool buyer in the South Island. Therefore, it wasn’t surprising when she followed in his footsteps and set up her own wool-broking business in Waipukurau in central Hawkes Bay.
As well as running her wool broking business, Wright has a joint venture company in the USA called the Natural Wool Company. It uses NZ wool to create high-value, environmentally-sustainable wool products for the US market. This includes pillows filled with specially-processed wool called knops or pearls. Wright says the pillows were only sold in the USA and are not available in NZ because it is too expensive to import them here. However, last year, an amaz-
ing set of circumstances unfolded, which has seen the pillows now become available locally. “My daughter, who lives in Queenstown and has a holiday home business there, asked me if I could get some of these US-made pillows for. She is trying to create an environment in her homes by using sustainable NZ products,” Wright told Rural News. “It was too expensive to get them sent over to NZ. But I knew someone in Christchurch who actually produces these knops and he supplied
FOR THE HIGH END PHILIPPA WRIGHT says the wool pillows are a premium product because they are expensive to produce and range in price from $100 to $150. However, the price has been no barrier to demand for the product. With very little promotion, since her company started manufacturing the pillows late last year, sales are well over the one thousand mark. Demand has been from throughout the country, but especially from Auckland. “I am genuinely astonished at the demand and the stunning feedback we are receiving,” she told Rural News. Currently, Wright’s existing staff at her wool store in Waipukurau are manufacturing the pillows by hand – essentially stuffing the wool into the pillow cases. But in time, as the marketing efforts ramp up and demand increases, she concedes that additional machinery may be needed. Wright says before Christmas they
were flat out producing pillows, but demand quietened down in January – which just happened to be the busy time for the main wool operation. “The staff genuinely love producing the pillows because they see it as a real positive activity and something we can show our growers that we are doing our bit and trying to find a way to increase the value of their wool,” she adds. “I am not saying that Wright Wool pillows are going to change the market, but it is another form of educating the consumer about the benefits and value of wool.” Wright says the venture with pillows is all part of that ongoing promotion to gain greater recognition for wool. “We have really got to reach for the stars and put wool where it should be as a high end fibre that is going to last and meets the highest environmental standards.”
During manufacturing to produce the filling for the pillows a crimp is placed in the wool, which gives it permanent bounce.
her with some to make just a few pillows.” Wright’s daughter, Rebecca, came back extolling the qualities of the wool-filled pillows. Then, a few days later while giving her regular update on wool on the local radio station, Wright mentioned that she was starting to manufacture the wool pillows in NZ and half-jokingly said that if people rang
her company that day they could a buy pillows for a special price. “I thought that I would hardly get any reaction. However, when I got back to the store the staff said: ‘What on earth did you say on the radio?’,” she explains. “The phone had not stopped ringing. So, we had to scurry around very quickly and organise the wool and pillow covers.
Then we thought maybe there is a business here (in NZ) – so that’s how it started.” Wright believes the secret to the success of the pillows is the manufacturing process of the wool. She has formed a partnership with Joma Wools to produce the filling for the pillows. Its process puts a crimp in the wool, which gives it permanent bounce.
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Wright says NZ wools, unlike says those in the UK, don’t have a very high bulk but the Joma process creates this by crimping the wool. “What I find amazing with wools processed in this way is that you can sit on them (the pillows) all day and they will quickly bounce back,” she says. @rural_news facebook.com/ruralnews
RURAL NEWS // MARCH 15, 2022
8 NEWS
Keep the champagne on ice for now DAVID ANDERSON
WHILE THERE are predictions that NZ’s farming sector could be in for a bumper year on the prices front, there’s a warning to ‘put the cham-
0
pagne on ice’. “While many sectors are tipped for record commodity prices once more in 2022,” warns Rabobank NZ analyst Emma Higgins, “rocketing input costs and
crimped production in some regions will not translate into new benchmark profits.” She adds that exporters will need to navigate high shipping costs and challenging logistics to
get product to market to secure profitable returns for New Zealand farmers. Higgins points out that costs of farm inputs are likely to remain elevated over the year. However, she says there are
Rabobank analyst Emma Higgins warns that rocketing input costs and crimped production in some regions will not translate into new benchmark profits.
signals of improvement with urea prices easing from record prices levels. “We see some possibility of a further decline – albeit slow – in urea prices over the next six months.” Meanwhile, Higgins believes any improved cash flow from profitable seasons is important for helping shape the NZ ag sector’s response to more challenging times ahead. “Pressure on NZ agriculture to contribute to the broader climate and environmental cause continue,” she adds. “Now is the time to hold a broader discussion on future land use, farming systems and the role of technology in New Zea-
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EMMA HIGGINS says farmers seeking greater clarity on fresh water, climate change, and biodiversity regulations in 2021 were left wanting. “The complexity of these issues has only deepened, and the challenge of creating a coherent and pansectoral regulatory framework has grown considerably,” she adds. “Regulatory milestones for farmers to be aware of in 2022 include a final decision on an emissions pricing mechanism for agriculture’s GHG emissions and the announcement of the Government’s first emissions budget, which will set the pathway for meeting 2050 targets.” Higgins says the emissions budget will be hugely important because it will set out the policies and strategies to reduce GHG emissions in New Zealand in line with the 2030 and 2050 targets. “Of particular interest is whether the Government will revise current policy settings that strongly incentivises the planting of pine trees over natives, in order to achieve the scale and form of afforestation as recommended by the Climate Change Commission.” She says the coming year will still include a certain level of uncertainty.
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RURAL NEWS // MARCH 15, 2022
NEWS 9
Sheep and beef hits sweet spot DAVID ANDERSON
THE OUTLOOK for global sheepmeat and beef trade is positive for the 2021-22 season, according to Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s (B+LNZ) latest mid-season update. While this is encouraging for on-farm returns, there is also a real danger that growing inflationary pressures will see costs of farm inputs rise substantially and erode profits. The report says the fundamentals in key markets are solid, with demand projected to continue to exceed supply. “Strong demand from the US and China has underpinned record highs in the first quarter of the season for both sheepmeat and beef returns,” says B+LNZ’s chief economist Andrew
Burtt. “And a tightening of global beef supply has added fuel to the global beef market.” Total combined sheepmeat and beef export receipts for the 2021-22 season are forecast to lift 11% on 2020-21 to $9.6 billion and be 21% higher than the five-year average. Red meat export returns reached record highs in the first quarter of the season. “The positive market sentiment is supported by the outlook for the NZ dollar, which is favourable for NZ exporters,” Burt says. “A greater proportion of the strong prices in New Zealand’s export markets is expected to flow into farm-gate returns.” Despite this optimistic view, B+LNZ warns that the global red meat trade faces several key
B+LNZ’s latest mid-season update says the fundamentals in key red meat markets are solid, with demand projected to continue to exceed supply.
challenges in 2022. These include ongoing pandemic uncertainty, continuing supply chain disruption – including high freight costs – the impact of tightening monetary policy in key markets on consumer
demand and the sensitivity of agricultural trade to geopolitical tensions. “Inflationary pressure is, however, causing on-farm costs to lift sharply, eroding the benefit of higher farm-
gate returns,” Burt adds. Farm profit before tax is forecast to lift 29% in 2021-22 to an average $116,200 per farm (inflation-adjusted). “This increase is positive for farmers and is an improvement
on lower profitability levels in 2020-21,” he explains. “However, inflationary pressure is causing on-farm costs to lift sharply, eroding the benefit of higher farmgate returns.” B+LNZ is expecting
farm expenditure to increase 4.5%, with increased costs across most categories on farm and a sharp lift in fertiliser prices. “While farm-gate prices for sheep and cattle boost profitability,” Burt explains. “Farmers are wary about the impact of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 on processor space and their ability to move livestock off-farm when finished, as well as the possibility of holding livestock for longer and needing additional feed.” Meanwhile, the update also highlights how farmers remain concerned about the speed of increasing environmental regulation and the encroachment of carbon forestry businesses changing the landscape of rural communities.
EDUCATION IMPORTANT TO COMPLIANCE LOOKING BACK on his tenure as chief executive of Environment Southland (ES), Rob Phillips says education has played a ‘real part’ in the relationship between council and farmers. He says this has been especially prevalent in the regional council’s compliance activities. “If you look at what we’re doing around intensive winter grazing – our rural community and the region has done really well in terms of changing
our wintering practices, and that’s happened really quickly,” Phillips told Rural News. The winter grazing regulations came into effect in Southland three years ago. “We’ve seen a real significant shift in improvement and that’s through us working with industry and farmer groups to do that. “That hasn’t happened on its own,” he says, adding that there is still work to be done.
“Farmers have changed their ways of wintering in a voluntary way,” Phillips adds. “A lot of the changes happened just by us working with the rural community.” Last month, ES announced its staff would be heading out into the community to identify potential winter grazing risks to help farmers prepare for the upcoming season. The council, supported by DairyNZ and Beef+Lamb New Zealand, says it’s looking specifically at
cultivated forage and crop paddocks from the air and by land, to identify areas that may pose issues for water quality in winter. The council’s land sustainability team will follow up directly with farmers identified with higher risk paddocks to ensure there is a plan in place and to offer advice on managing the issues that could arise from these paddocks. ES says poor intensive winter grazing practices can cause signifi-
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cant damage to Southland’s freshwater quality through sediment and effluent runoff leading to nitrogen, phosphorus and bacteria to waterways. It can also affect soil structure and health, and in some cases animal welfare. Phillips retires from the role of ES chief executive in May 2022. – Jessica Marshall @rural_news
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RURAL NEWS // MARCH 15, 2022
10 NEWS
GET IT DONE RIGHT The forestry lobby believes Australia’s support for plantation forestry sharply contrasts with the increasingly restrictive measures being promised by NZ’s government.
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AUSTRALIA’S SUPPORT of plantation forestry sharply contrasts with the increasingly restrictive measures being promised in New Zealand by our government, claims the NZ Forest Owners Association. The organisation points to Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s visit to Tasmania in February, where he announced an AU$86 million package for forestry in the island state. Morrison called forestry a ‘critical national treasure’, and said future supply is needed for future generations with global demand for timber products expected to quadruple by 2050. President of the New Zealand Forest Owners Association Phil Taylor says the New Zealand industry is not seeking
the type of financial support being delivered in Australia. “Basically, all we want to do is get on with growing trees and responding to strong local and international demand. Our problem is a sequence of messages from the Government on new rules to restrict forest expansion.” He is referring to reports that the Government is planning to put a stop to the right to convert a whole farm to forestry. Taylor says if there is a problem with carbon farming – planting trees to absorb carbon from pollution, reimbursed by the Emissions Trading Scheme – that should be treated separately. “Not by threatening to change the rules relating to production forestry.” “A modest expansion of the exotic plantation estate is vital to provide
enough carbon sequestration for the Government to budget for a carbon zero economy by 2050,” Taylor claims. “The right signals have to be sent to farmers and other landowners to ensure this happens and these are not the signals we are getting.” He echoes the expectations of Australia’s government for a huge increase in wood demand. “It’s already happening with biofuels. “Our industry is going to struggle to just meet the demand from New Zealand dairy processors to deliver enough wood material for heating powder driers as the processors move out of burning coal.” Taylor believes that NZ should be leading in producing these products, not adopting policies, which would result in having to import them.
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A PROPOSAL to better manage carbon farming could see plantings of exotic forests like radiata pine excluded from the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). Forestry Minister Stuart Nash and Climate Change Minister James Shaw recently released a public discussion document to better manage afforestation. “The Government wants to encourage afforestation to help meet our climate change targets, offset carbon emissions, and also to help farmers, landowners and investors diversify their income streams,” Nash says. “We want to balance the risks created by new permanent exotic forests which are not intended for harvest. We have a window to build safeguards into the system, prior to a new ETS framework coming into force on 1 January 2023.” From 2023, under current rules, a new permanent forest category of the ETS would allow both exotic and indigenous forests to be registered in the ETS and
earn New Zealand Units (NZU). The NZU price has more than doubled over the past year, from around $35 in late 2020 to over $80 in February 2022. However, the Government is a now proposing to exclude exotic species from the permanent forest category. “We want to encourage the right tree, in the right place, for the right reason. We intend to balance the need for afforestation with wider needs of local communities, regional economies and the environment,” Nash says. “Permanent exotic forests like radiata pine have potential environmental and ecological risks and a relatively short lifespan compared to well-managed mixed indigenous forests.” Nash says later in the year, the Government will consult on proposals which could give local councils more powers to decide under the Resource Management Act where exotic forests are planted.
RURAL NEWS // MARCH 15, 2022
NEWS 11
Climate commision explains advice JESSICA MARSHALL jessica@ruralnews.co.nz
THE CLIMATE Change Commission has detailed the advice it will provide to the Government regarding emissions trading in June this year. In a Zoom session in late February, principal analyst Chris Holland and project lead Sally Garden told attendees that there were two parts to the advice. The first is an assessment of farmer readiness for farm-level emissions pricing systems, named the Agriculture Progress Assessment – one of the two proposals being put to farmers by the He Waka Eke Noa climate action partnership. Garden says the first part of this assessment is to look at how the primary sector is meeting its commitments under the
in developing an alternative system for pricing agricultural emissions outside the emissions
Turning the Sods
WELL KNOWN soil scientist and sometimes controversial columnist Doug Edmeades is launching his second book. The latest tome is called Turning the Sods and is a compilation of his best columns written since 2014. Edmeades says that he still gets a lot of posA collection itive feedback – of columns in some cases Dr Doug Edmeades, ONZM about columns that are several years old. “Some readers have urged me, ‘Don’t give up now, we need you more than ever before’,” he explains. “This stimulated me to consider publishing a compilation of these columns. This book is the result.” Turning the Sods is comprised of 108 columns and is presented in several distinct themes. These include: ‘philosophical considerations,’ ‘science’ and the ‘management of science,’ the ‘pastoral sector,’ ‘climate change,’ water quality – as well as the dangers of extreme ‘environmentalism’ such as ‘Regenerative Agriculture.’ Jock Allison, a fellow agricultural scientist, in his forward to the book, says it is a valuable technical contribution to pastoral agriculture in New Zealand. “It is a mine of information for farmers and agriculturalists.” In recommending the book, Allison suggests that there should be a copy of it on the desk or bedside table of all farmers, agricultural professionals and students. The book can be ordered online at: enquiries@ agKnowledge.co.nz for $35 plus postage.
He says that, currently, assistance has only been defined as financial assistance to farmers. “The key questions which ministers have asked us to answer are really around whether assistance will be required overall and then who might need assistance,” he says.
The Commission is due to provide its advice regarding the Agriculture Progress Assessment to the Government on June 30. The financial assistance advice is due by 30 April 2022. The Government will make its decisions regarding farm emissions pricing by 30 December 2022.
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is a very valuable technical contribution to pastoral agricultu aland. Doug Edmeades’ collection re of columns in the agricultural many years contain a mine of information, particularly armer, but also for all agricultu for the ralists.
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n in plain english, with a sprinklin g from the English classics, and ot too many technical terms, optimize this. Not a diagram just the principles of plant nutrition or an url for a website to be seen. dly reommend this book to all. able of all farmers, agricultu There should be a copy on the desk ral professionals and students. ’ son, PhD, ONZM, FNZIPIM
trading scheme.” The other part of the advice the Commission will provide is the Agri-
cultural Assistance Project, which Holland says will see it advise government as to what types of assistance will be required by farmers. “Essentially… whether farmers should be receiving some kind of rebate on the emissions costs that they pay,” says Holland.
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Edmeades MSc (Hons), Ph D, Dip. Management. ONZM s educated at Auckland and Canterbur y Universities. In 1976 he fulfilled d ambition and joined the staff a at the Ruakura Agricultural Research . By 1990 he was the National Centre, Science 0 scientists and 40 science technician Leader (Soils and Fertiliser) with a s. In 1997 he left institutional science, uncomfortable with the increasing commercialisation and the increasing gap between sciencepoliticisation of science and and the farmer. To address this he established his own company, agKnowledge Ltd, to provide independent advice to fertilisers and related services. farmers and consultants on Doug is fearlessly outspoken on and farming, frequently arguing matters to do with science be asserted. He continues to that the voice of science must write peer-reviewed papers on the management of soil fertility, of fertilisers and science policy. the agronomic effectiveness ‘Fertiliser Review’ is now in His bi-annual publication the its 22nd year and is widely read ed. He is a regular guest on Jamie MacKay’s popular radio programm ng Show. e,
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Zero Carbon Act. “We have to make an assessment of whether those are on track to be met,” she says. The commitments include all farms having a documented annual total of greenhouse gas emissions by December 2022. “Those milestones are sort of the building blocks for preparing farmers for emissions pricing,” she says. “We’ll be assessing whether we think that those have been met, but also whether there’s evidence that the commitments… are on track to be met.” Another part is assessing progress towards farmers being ready to start complying with their reporting obligations. “That’s really looking at making an assessment of the progress that the He Waka Eke Noa sector partnership has made
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12 NEWS
Chathams aiming to wean off diesel reliance CATHY STRONG
THE RISING cost of diesel on the Chatham Islands is threatening the profitability of the island’s main economy of farming and fishing. Diesel powers town electricity, but that covers only half the island. The remaining farms supply their own power, which has traditionally been diesel generators. Chatham Islands Enterprise Trust chief executive Noel Brown says electricity costs four times more than it does on mainland New Zealand. He believes the Chathams punches above its weight, but diesel adds huge overhead costs, and he says “business here is hurting”. “Chathams has the highest gross domestic product per head of population in the country, and produces the best blue cod in the world, sells world class crayfish to China, and exports high quality lamb and beef.” Sixth-generation Islander, Denis Prendeville says it’s a race against time to change to a sustainable electricity source. “Something has to happen or people won’t be able to turn on their lights,” he adds.
“Something has to happen or people won’t be able to turn on their lights.”
All of the island depends on diesel – farms, fishing, town electricity. The price is up, as well as oil being unsustainable.” Prendeville worked 23 years for Department of Conservation. He says farmers who have installed solar systems are happy with them and that it has saved them money over using diesel. Several locals told Rural News that if the ship carrying diesel to the island every few months is delayed, they run out of diesel before the next shipment, businesses stop or farms go manual. Farmer and deputy mayor Greg Horlor says both the council and Chatham Islands Enterprise Trust are well aware of the need to diversify soon. He pointed out a wind monitor station on the south coast of the island that is testing possible wind power sites. He explains that one of
Rangitikei Tech’s Doug Spicer says the Chathams should set up a system for properties to have electricity 24/7, and the price of diesel increasingly means solar.
Sixth-generation islander, Denis Prendeville says it’s a race against time to change to a sustainable electricity source.
the problems is positioning the wind turbines to avoid any migratory paths of indigenous birds. Chatham Islands Enterprise Trust has produced a plan to shift to a more stable and environmentally friendly electricity source and sent it to MBIE in a bid for $8 million funding. The Regional Strategic Partnership Fund was set up only last May, so too early to say what types of projects get funding. However, MBIE told Rural News, “Alternative power projects are encouraged under the RSPF as part of the wider goal of building New Zealand’s climate resilience”. Brown says the cost
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of power on the island is four-times what is paid on mainland NZ. It’s $1 a unit, compared to the MBIE calculation of an average 22-cents on the mainland (excluding line charges). He says an experiment with wind power several years ago failed, mainly because the company went out of business. “We are looking at a completely different type of wind turbine. They have been well proven in other parts of New Zealand. Environmentalist Prendeville says wind power might be better than solar in the long term “but we need a solution now”.
WIND VS SOLAR RANGITIKEI TECH has been building solar power systems for farms on the Chathams for 16 years, setting up about 30 to 40 systems. Owner Doug Spicer says the Chathams should set up a system for properties to have electricity 24/7, and the price of diesel increasingly means solar. He adds that some farms may have the diesel generator on only at breakfast or tea time, which means there are problems with refrigeration, keeping things cold and with communication. He calculates that the payback for setting up a solar system is three years. Unlike homes in NZ that are also on the national grid, the Chatham off-grid properties need to invest in the solar panels, batteries, inverters, etc. “But solar has changed a lot over the years. They are much bigger, cheaper, and last longer,” he says. His newer solar systems can go 20 to
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30 years without maintenance, unlike the older panels. Rangitikei Tech provides both wind and solar power systems, and Spicer says there are problems with both modes in trying to service such a small population like the Chathams. He says the Chathams have a huge advantage as they have a massive amount of wind, but wind turbines are very high maintenance. He says while wind turbines works well in Europe where the wind is constant, the Chathams often get strong wind gusts, “and the wind turbines don’t do well with turbulence”. On the other hand, Spicer points out the drawback of solar is that “the Chathams in the winter knows it can get fog weeks on end,” which affects solar power, he says. Spicer reckons they’d need to customise an electricity system that uses the best of each source.
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RURAL NEWS // MARCH 15, 2022
NEWS 13
Growers plan for Omicron SUDESH KISSUN sudeshk@ruralnews.co.nz
VEGETABLE GROWERS in South Auckland are bracing Omicron and making contingency plans to deal with the fallout. Pukekohe Vegetable Growers Association (PVGA) president Kylie Faulkner says growers are looking at possible scenarios and how they may deal with it. “There is no simple answer and all no businesses plans would be the same,” she told Rural News. “This may mean issues with supply at the time of an outbreak or possibly further down the track – like impact of possibly not being able to plant seedlings.” Faulkner says like
“There is no simple answer and all no businesses plans would be the same.” other growers, PVGA members are also feeling the brunt of Covid. “Covid has caused additional pressure on all primary producers. For members it is around managing the safety of our staff, working in bubbles, pressures of working in lockdowns and border controls in and out of Auckland. “We are now entering our third year of this.” On top of Covid, labour shortage remains an ongoing issue. “I don’t see this getting any better, any time soon,” says Faulkner.
Potatoes NZ says it is following government guidelines and sharing all relevant information such as planning for infection on farm, where to find RATs and critical worker registration with its members. PNZ spokeswoman Gemma Carroll says so far there have been no reports of any major disruption in the potato sector. She says harvesting is continuing. “We hope there are no disruptions. Time will tell,” she told Rural News. She says the last
Pukekohe Vegetable Growers Association president Kylie Faulkner says growers are looking at possible scenarios and how they may deal with it.
spring and summer delivered a mixed bag of weather; a couple of rain events challenged growers in Horowhenua and
Canterbury. In Pukekohe, south of Auckland, early crops were hit by wind, but pre-spring moisture was
good. Then in late November-December the big dry has hit, says Carroll. “Irrigation is gener-
ally very challenging, with growers needing to constantly move equipment from paddock to paddock. “The blocks here are smaller and the terrain too undulating, for pivots. Irrigation guns are a highly inefficient use of water but they’re about all the industry use here at present.’ In Canterbury a huge deluge before Christmas meant some disruption for late plantings and some crop loss. “The big rain affected the normal petiole range and this has meant unrestricted canopy growth. “Canterbury is lucky to have irrigation schemes. The otherwise dry weather has been managed with irrigation,” she says.
TOUGH GOING FOR HORTICULTURE! PETER BURKE peterb@ruralnews.co.nz
IT’S A tough time to be in horticulture, according to Rockit Apples chief executive Mark O’Donnell. He cites the various impacts of Covid-19, which includes labour shortages, rising input costs and logistics as being problem areas. O’Donnell says while labour costs are high, so are chemical costs and the cost of setting up new orchards. Rockit put in 200 hectares of new plantings last year and plans to do the same this year – mainly in Hawkes Bay and Gisborne where the apples mature early and provide an opportunity to get fruit into market ahead
of the main crop. However, O’Donnell says with plantings increasing, so is the race on for greater automation. He says the company will be installing more automation in the off-season. “As we grow 40% more fruit year on year it’s hard to get 40% more staff so automation has to be the option,” he told Rural News. Not unexpectedly, Covid – in particular the arrival of Omicron – has brought new challenges and required new systems to handle harvesting, packing and marketing. O’Donnell says a lot of careful planning has to go into how best to do this and ensure the safety of staff and the viability of the business.
“There are a lot of requirements around vaccination and non-vaccination and in order to access RSE workers, whom we need, they have to be in vaccinated bubbles. So, there is a lot of planning going on to ensure we achieve that and keep workers safe as promised.” O’Donnell says while all staff employed in packhouses or visiting these facilities have to be double vaccinated, staff working in orchards don’t have to be because it is outside. He says all meetings of staff employed in orchards also have to be held outside. He says it’s quite a task making sure are where they should be at all times. O’Donnell says in terms of recruit-
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ing staff they are ahead of where they were last year. “What is different is that we are actually seeing a higher quality of person looking for orchard work,” he told Rural News. “I suspect there are a lot of people forced out of vaccinate mandated jobs and are available to pick in orchards. They could be teachers and nurses and people like that who wouldn’t normally be available for this type of work.” Like other some other primary sector companies, the initial RATs that Rockit ordered were ‘diverted’ and O’Donnell says that nearly spelt disaster for the company. However, it had made contingency plans. He
says, quite by chance, they were able to get some other RATs and have a larger order coming in March, which he hopes will not be grabbed by the Government. Overall, O’Donnell is positive about the future and says, in the case of his company, there is strong demand for a premium product. He says the big worry is inflation in markets such as China, which could impact on returns to growers. He says the apple sector is going to have to develop partnerships with China, like Zespri and Fonterra have. “The days of China being happy with global companies coming in and selling product and leaving probably won’t be maintainable long term.”
RURAL NEWS // MARCH 15, 2022
global agribusiness research analysts sharing market outlooks
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Rains set up autumn Dairy
THE MILK supply situation in several key export regions continues to deteriorate. The latest milk production data releases in the United States and New Zealand have been below Rabo-
bank expectations set in December 2021. New Zealand milk production was down 6.1% YOY in January 2022, while US milk flows also took a hit of 1.6% YOY in January 2022. The market will be watching closely
New Zealand milk supply over the shoulder of the season in a tight global market. In late February, Fonterra lifted its farmgate milk price forecast range for the 2021/22 season to NZ$ 9.30/kgMS to $9.90/kgMS. This is now a record milk price forecast for New Zealand farmers.
Beef
A CONTRACTING US cattle inventory is supporting global beef prices. On 1 January, total US cattle numbers had decreased 2% in 2021 to 91.9m head. Continued drought conditions and mounting input costs of feed and fertiliser are expected by RaboResearch to drive a further contraction of total cattle numbers in 2022. Despite the increase in
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demand. However, the schedule is likely to face increased downward pressure from processing delays associated with Covid-19.
Sheepmeat
THE RECORD sheepmeat prices have continued into early 2022. The South Island lamb schedule was NZ$ 8.25/kg cwt in the last week of February – $1.88/kg cwt ahead of the five-year average price for the same week. Strong consumer demand
and lower global sheepmeat availability continues to underpin strong export earnings. Sheepmeat export earnings were up +17% YOY in December 2021, despite volumes being back -10% YOY for December (compared to very high exports in December 2020). Demand from China and the US remains steady. However, shipping logistics continue to present difficulties getting product to the US and the
UK. Recent widespread rain alleviated pressure on lamb backlogs. The national lamb kill for the 2022 season was -7% behind YOY at 22 January (week 16) due to processing delays and a challenging season climatically. RaboResearch anticipates the South Island lamb price will remain elevated above the five-year average through early autumn. Covid-related processing challenges could put downward pressure on the schedule
through autumn.
Farm inputs
RUSSIA’S INVASION of Ukraine has put a major dent in the likelihood of local urea prices significantly declining ahead of the autumn and spring application period. We now expect global urea prices will increase again to levels just below the November peak for the next couple of months, before tapering once again by mid-year. Fertiliser markets are likely to
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MARKETS & TRENDS 15 be impacted by the crisis in three ways: 1. Export capacity: Russia itself is a major exporter of fertilisers, especially of ammonium nitrate. Although we are yet to see any official sanctions on fertilisers, the impact of other sanctions, such as the removal of Russian Banks from the SWIFT payments system, is highly likely to reduce the ability of importers to purchase products. 2. Port Access: Many ports across the Black Sea region are now closed. Shipping lines are also avoiding Baltic ports due to the high war insurance premiums and the risk ships may get stuck in the region. 3. Gas Supply: The Nord Stream 2 pipeline has been halted and EU gas prices again have escalated. Russia typically supplies about one third of the EU’s natural gas. Given natural gas is the main feedstock for urea, high natural gas prices
may elevate urea prices once again.
Exchange rates
THE NZ$ at USc 0.67 is close to early February values. Although we forecast a rise towards NZ$/US$ 0.71 on a threemonth view, this could be thrown out of kilter if geopolitical news worsens and the safe-haven US$ finds additional support. With escalation in Ukraine, the NZ$ could suffer from safe-haven
US$ finding more support. RBNZ forecasts the CPI to peak at 6.6% YOY in Q1, before softening towards the end of the year at 4.1% YOY. So far, the NZ$ has risen rather in response to the tone of the RBNZ policy meeting in late February. The NZ central bank has been marked out as one of the most hawkish – supportive of the raising of interest rates to fight inflation. @rural_news facebook.com/ruralnews
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RURAL NEWS // MARCH 15, 2022
16 OPINION EDITORIAL
EDNA
Not so fast... PREDICTIONS THAT NZ’s farming sector is in for a bumper year need to be put into context. While many primary sectors – including dairy, horticulture and red meat – are experiencing record commodity prices, a number of factors are leading to some even bigger cost increases, which will mean less on-farm profitability. As Rabobank NZ’s analyst Emma Higgins recently opined, “Rocketing input costs and crimped production in some regions will not translate into new benchmark profits”. This is due to a number of reasons: the ongoing impact of Covid, the war in the Ukraine, growing inflation and the imposition of government-imposed regulations – to name just a few. Covid has already led to huge logistical logjams, raising costs and reducing our ability to export products. The current wave of Omicron is impacting on workplaces, with meat processing plants, dairy factories, farms and orchards – already struggling for labour – now at serious risk of not being able to harvest or process product. Mr Putin’s maniacal desire to recreate the old Soviet Union has not only rained disaster on the innocent people of the Ukraine, but also led to huge increases in global fertiliser and oil prices – both major farm input costs. Meanwhile, the Ardern government’s myopic desire to handicap the country’s biggest export sector (that will pay off the huge debts it has run up during Covid) with more regulation and feel-good environmental policies is only going to add to growing on-farm costs. All of this means that the price of farm inputs is likely to remain elevated for the foreseeable future, with any lift in commodity prices eaten away by the rapacious beast that is inflation. Farmers face greater regulation and costs for fresh water, climate change and biodiversity policies that the Government is about to introduce. While still unclear, back of the envelope calculations put the cost for the average farmer’s GHG emissions alone at $7,000 a year – and quickly growing every year after that. This cost will come from every farmer’s bottom-line – and that is just the beginning. So, it’s great that commodity prices are at high levels, but as Higgins has warned, don’t pop the champagne corks just yet!
RURALNEWS TO ALL FARMERS, FOR ALL FARMERS
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“Look – the label said it was grass seed, the bloke who sold it to me said it was grass seed, how was I supposed to know it was GRASS seed?”
Want to share your opinion or gossip with the Hound? Send your emails to: hound@ruralnews.co.nz
THE HOUND Big bucks
Taking the Mick?
Bully boys
Tree rort!
This old mutt reckons the anti-vax protestors – who camped out on Parliament’s lawns for the best part of a month – must have had some pretty wealthy funders. He has come to this conclusion because when the Police Commissioner (Andy ‘Cuddles’ Coster) finally decided that being woke was not shifting the unruly mob and decided to get his troops to move them on with a bit of force, many of the protestors appeared to be washing (which by the look of most of them, they had not done for a week or two) their faces with milk to nullify the effects of pepper spray the police used. This was on the very same day that the GDT hit a record US$4,757 a tonne for wholemilk powder, which means the anti-mandate lot were really crying over spilt milk and that would have cost them a pretty penny or two.
Your old mate suggests with the way things are currently going and record milk prices, the shiny suits at Fonterra should be the last people in need of a government subsidy. However, it appears the brains trust at Gumboot castle (Fonterra HQ) seem only too happy to take advantage of the current Government’s folly and generosity with the taxpayers’ chequebook. This comes in the wake of news that the dairy co-op put its hand out for some of the $6.5 million in taxpayer funding for electric vehicles the Government is dishing out. Apparently, Fonterra is using the ‘subsidy’ to trial a 46 tonne electric milk tanker at its Waitoa milk plant. One would have thought that if an independent, future-thinking, industry-leading company like Fonterra thought that electric milk tankers were really the way of the future, they’d pay for it themselves. But then again, who is going to turn down free money?
The Hound hears that it’s not all happiness and light in the world of the Climate Action Partnership – or as it has oh-so politically correctly called itself – Ha Waka Eke Noa (HWEN). While the HWEN gravy train rumbles on with its current farce of farmer ‘consultations’ (rubber stamping) – with limited numbers allowed to attend thanks to the current red-light settings – it appears she’s not a happy home behind the scenes. Rumours are that at least four of the nongovernment partners are very concerned about the narrowing down of the two HWEN options (with the token hybrid option being described by one as “the worst of both worlds”). However, in true ag industry mafia style power playing, these discontented voices have been silenced by a certain large dairy processor, who apparently has told the dissenters to sit back down on the mat, cross their legs and keep quiet.
Your canine crusader reckons we should all be more aware of the latest environmental scam – those companies who say they are planting trees in an effort to mitigate any environmental damage their current business practice is doing. A couple of recent examples are one major building company saying it will plant 30,000 trees ‘to offset’ carbon produced for its latest construction development and a windscreen company that is advertising the fact it will plant a tree for every windscreen it replaces. Have these businesses not heard of carbon farming and the hugely negative impact it is having on our landscape with monoculture forests infesting and taking over good farmland up and down the country? Let alone the mass destruction of jobs and communities these new plantations are having on rural communities. Is tree planting the new greenwashing?
PRODUCTION: Dave Ferguson ...................... Ph 027 272 5372 davef@ruralnews.co.nz Becky Williams .......................Ph 021 100 4381 beckyw@ruralnews.co.nz REPORTERS: Sudesh Kissun ........................ Ph 021 963 177 sudeshk@ruralnews.co.nz Peter Burke ........................... Ph 021 224 2184 peterb@ruralnews.co.nz MACHINERY EDITOR: Mark Daniel ............................. Ph 021 906 723 markd@ruralnews.co.nz
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WAIKATO SALES REPRESENTATIVE: Lisa Wise .................................. Ph 027 369 9218 lisaw@ruralnews.co.nz
SOUTH ISLAND SALES REPRESENTATIVE: Kaye Sutherland ....................... Ph 021 221 1994 kayes@ruralnews.co.nz
ABC audited circulation 79,553 as at 31/03/2019
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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 // MARCH 15, 2022
OPINION 17
No out for NZ farming! THE 2015 Paris Accord on the ‘need for an effective and progressive response to the urgent threat of climate change’, recognised the fundamental priority of safeguarding food security and ending hunger. The often-paraphrased Article 2.1.b suggests that countries should do everything they can to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) without compromising food production. In a world with an increasing population, this makes sense. But it isn’t an ‘out’ for New Zealand. Even though we produce low GHG per kilogram of milksolids and meat on average, there is a range in efficiency. By identifying factors causing the range, we can do better. This was what the Paris Accord was about. The introductory statements in the Paris Accord recognise ‘that sustainable lifestyles and sustainable patterns of consumption and production, with developed country Parties taking the lead, play an important role in addressing climate change’. New Zealand is a developed country with significant expertise in animal and pasture management and the research that supports that management. The New Zealand Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research Centre (NZAGRC) leads the Global Research Alliance focussed on ruminant methane. The goal of the NZAGRC is to help farmers move to a lower emissions future by developing cost-effective options for reducing onfarm GHG emissions. Note the terms ‘lower emissions’ and ‘cost effective’. There are no statements from NZAGRC about reducing animal numbers. Nor did the Climate Change Commission report state that reduced animal numbers would be required – although it did indicate that a reduction would be the outcome in the trends of land use change (through afforestation, urban sprawl, and increased areas under kiwifruit and avocados, for instance).
Our leadership position and contribution to the global efforts can be through ongoing improvements to an already good performance.
COMMENT
Jacqueline Rowarth NZAGRC-funded research considers the practical implications, including potential impact on animal production impacts. Reducing food production is not the global goal. It isn’t New Zealand’s goal, either. Our leadership position and contribution to the global efforts can be through ongoing improvements to an already good performance. Within any sector, some farmers are able to produce milksolids or meat for fewer GHG than others. The preliminary data from Fonterra’s research on GHG per kg of milk solids spanned from 6.5 to above 14, with a peak at approximately 9. The difference appears to be herd breeding worth and quality of feed (often including inputs other than grass to improve quality), as well as general herd management. Work by AgResearch on life cycle analysis of meat, which included transport to Europe, showed a range of 7.3kg GHG per kg of liveweight to 14.1. The lower figures were associated with dairy beef and the higher figure with hill country production. Identifying why there are differences is enabling change. The Primary Sector Climate Action Partnership (also called He Waka Eke Noa or HWEN) has been focussed on how to enable farmers and growers to move towards a lower emissions future, maintain financial viability and be seen to be playing their part for New Zealand. An increasing number of trade deals require New Zealand to be showing progress towards commitments. Large customers such as Nestle and McDonalds have already declared their zero carbon goals and
expect their suppliers to assist. Meanwhile, New Zealand society expects us to be doing our bit
– the ‘social licence to operate’ is important. The HWEN Partnership has the complexities
of societal expectation, science, economics and financial viability, as well as the Paris Accord, in its
conversations with the Climate Change Commission. Nobody thinks reducing food production is a good idea globally, but even in New Zealand we can do better. All farmers can know their GHG number and talk to rural professionals about man-
agement changes and technological advances that might be appropriate. • Dr Jacqueline Rowarth, Adjunct Professor Lincoln University, is a director of DairyNZ and Ravensdown. The analysis and conclusions above are her own. jsrowarth@gmail.com
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RURAL NEWS // MARCH 15, 2022
18 OPINION
Pamu bites back at critic Landcorp (Pāmu) chair Warren Parker believes ‘The Hound’ – a frequent critic of the state farmer – would do a better service if he reached out for information rather than lambasting Pāmu. Here, he takes the opportunity to put forward some points… WE DO not mind being held to account. Indeed, Pāmu is required as a State Owned Enterprise (SOE) to perform comparably
to private sector peers. For our livestock farms, we undertake comparative analyses with B+LNZ to assess how we are going. (For dairy we use
DairyNZ and BakerAg). While we have comparisons including Molesworth Station (181,192ha) we think, because of the unique requirements of
this property, that a fairer comparison is with the remaining 59 sheep and beef cattle (and, for quite a few, also deer) farms. Collectively, these
comprise 154,883ha (115,612 effective hectares) and are spread from Northland to Southland. On a stock unit basis, the properties run 43% sheep, 49% cattle (including dairy beef) and 8% deer. Our land quality is poorer than the average B+LNZ comparator and Pamu chairman Warren Parker.
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this is reflected in a lower capital value and pasture grown (our pasture records and Farmax modelling indicate 30-35% less than the national average). Pāmu farms on average are larger (1,959ha vs 584ha) and more extensive. Our return on capital for these farms was 4.5%; gross revenue similar ($1,092 vs $1,138/ eff ha) and farm working expenses lower ($528 vs $820/eff ha). Lambing percentage at 134% from 284,000 ewes was marginally better and lamb, rising two year cattle and deer carcass weights (18 vs 19; 312 vs 312; 56 vs 58kg, respectively) were on par with industry. Comparative analyses are one indicator of performance but have limitations (every farm has different resources, climate and people). We therefore cross-check performance through farm systems modelling using Farmax and other tools to calculate a ‘bottomup’ estimate of potential performance for every property, which we can then compare with actual results. These analyses show where each farm can improve and as such, all farms have priority areas to focus on to lift performance – for some it may be pasture management, for others it might be genetic improvement or a change in stock policy. Our shareholding ministers and farming leaders expect Pāmu to explore new technologies, practices and farming systems that will address both current (e.g. water quality) and emerging challenges (e.g. the social license for bobby calves). That also means in some cases we take on more risk and may forgo returns relative to a ‘busi-
ness as usual’ farming operation. Hence our trialling of a bobby-free dairy system on an irrigated Canterbury farm, a compost barn for wintering dairy cows near Balclutha to reduce leaching and the impacts of winter grazing, and breeding of low methane sheep and hair sheep. Running a farming operation in a Department of Conservation Recreation Reserve presents unique challenges, which Molesworth farm manager Jim Ward and his team handle with aplomb. We are taking steps to increase the sharing of information from our farm trials – such as through field days (three are planned this year), hosting farm discussion groups and media articles. These visits confirm Pāmu is at the forefront of health & safety and making good progress on environmental stewardship. The pride our farm teams take in presenting and maintaining farm assets and livestock stands out. And, in areas where have a particular set of challenges to tackle, we actively seek the input of experts – farmers, consultants and veterinarians – to gain their insights on where we can improve or redesign our systems. While it is ok to be satirical to make a point, it does not remove the obligation to do this in a fair and informed way. We are more than happy to share our information and aspirations. Better still, much more value is to be gained for readers by sharing our experience and lessons with fellow farmers and vice versa, especially as we face into some gnarly issues over the coming decade.
RURAL NEWS // MARCH 15, 2022
AGRIBUSINESS 19
Wairoa going the hort way PETER BURKE peterb@ruralnews.co.nz
A PROGRAMME to lift the productivity of Māoriowned land around the northern Hawke’s Bay town of Wairoa has been given an additional $440,000 by the Government. The money from the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is to be used by the Wairoa Horticultural Hub to convert mostly Maori-owned land into high-value horticultural crops – mainly apples. The Hub has already received $875,000 from the Provincial Growth Fund and a loan of $1.4 million to develop the project. It has also been supported by the Hawkes Bay Regional Council and the local Wairoa Council. The Hub is being
MPI is helping fund the Wairoa Horticultural Hub to convert mostly Maori-owned land into high-value horticultural crops.
coordinated by Tatau Tauta o te Wairoa trust. Its chairman Leon Symes told Rural News that the potential growth for horticulture in the region is huge. He says until recently
the main employer in the town was the meat works, but by developing horticulture it will manage risk better and provide incentives for people to come back to Wairoa and work.
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Symes says the role of his trust is to act as the broker to help Maori entities who own land, much of which is running sheep and beef, to look at the opportunities that horticulture offers
and get their operations underway. “At present, only 225 hectares in the district are used for horticulture. Our ultimate goal is to increase this to 900 hectares,” he says
One property, owned by the Maori-owned Ohuia Incorporation is already on board and growing apples on its 18 hectare block, which is seen as model that other Māori entities can emulate. Symes says they want to get ahead of the curve and, as well as generating better returns on the land, they also want to focus on environmental outcomes and avoid any pollution of waterways. He says they want to go beyond just growing apples and develop postharvest facilities such as packhouses. Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor claims the Government investment will enable landowners to get onthe-ground support to identify suitable parcels of land to be sustainably
developed into horticulture. “It’s part of a longterm vision to harness the full benefits of the Wairoa district’s soils, water and climate which has the capacity to become a premier horticulture region,” he says. “A key driver for the Wairoa project is to convert enough land to justify the establishment of post-harvest cool store and processing facilities.” O’Connor says the project will not only provide muchneeded employment opportunities, but also increase social and economic outcomes for the whole Wairoa district. It’s anticipated the trees will start producing fruit within three years and reach full production in five to seven years.
RURAL NEWS // MARCH 15, 2022
20 MANAGEMENT
Aiming to demystify Overseer A SOUTHLAND independent farm consultant, Mo Topham, says ‘demystifying’ OverseerFM for farmers is key to its successful use. “In my job, the main use is for consent applications, farm environment plans and year end budget updates,” she explains. “There can be frustrations among farmers in trying to understand how the model works. My job is to demystify that and explain why their numbers may go up or down, when we make changes. If I can do that, it puts the farmer in control of the model and the outcome.” Topham, who specialises in preparing farm nutrient budgets and farm systems, says ensuring the modelling and numbers are fed into the
system correctly is also critical. “Unfortunately, sometimes the information entered into Overseer doesn’t reflect the farm system 100%. This can lead to distrust in the system as farmers may get different outcomes from different sources; one might say their farm is compliant and another may not. A simple example of this is one modeller entering supplements as dry weight and another as wet weight.” She emphasises that it is important to understand how the tool works and to input the information in the way that Overseer is asking for it. “I always sit down with the farmer and go through everything. I come from a farming background and I understand farmers’ language
Southland farm consultant Mo Topham says ensuring the modelling and numbers are fed into the system correctly is critical.
and, if something doesn’t sound quite right, I’ll make sure I ask the right questions, so we input the right information.” Topham formerly
worked in event facilitation for DairyNZ. Then she did a stint as a farm systems consultant in the dairy industry before getting the opportunity to be
mentored into nutrient budget, consent and compliance consulting. “I loved it and didn’t look back. I have been doing that for four years
and using Overseer professionally for about five years,” she explains. “I was first introduced to the tool about ten years ago, at university, where
we used it for creating fertiliser plans as well as in other courses I took.” Topham says the university work involved a cursory look at nitrogen leaching losses. “Now when I use Overseer, the loss numbers are what’s significant for me. For the consent applications, we are aiming to develop a robust future farm system that has a lower environmental impact than the current land use.” She admits to not being the biggest fan of OverseerFM when it first came out but has come around to its benefits. “I don’t like change and in my work perfection is the minimum standard. I was worried with the new version I might not notice a mistake. Now, however, I’m a big fan.”
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RURAL NEWS // MARCH 15, 2022
MANAGEMENT 21 Are you hitting your target market?
For advice, contact your local sales consultant Auckland
Stephen Pollard ....... Ph 021-963 166
Waikato
Lisa Wise ............... Ph 027-369 9218
Wellington
Ron Mackay ............ Ph 021-453 914
Christchurch Kaye Sutherland .... Ph 021-221 1994 ■ BREAKING NEWS
HEADER Ferist et quati aut pedici te vollab imod quamet atur soleniet quiatibu. PAGE 15
■ MACHINERY REVIEWS
■ MANAGEMENT STORIES HEADER
■ AND MUCH MORE...
Ferist et quati aut pedici te vollab imod quamet atur soleniet quiatibu. PAGE 23
HEADER Ferist et quati aut pedici te vollab imod quamet atur soleniet quiatibu.
RURALNEWS
PAGE 24
TO ALL FARMERS, FOR ALL FARMERS
Farmers are wanting to change their fertiliser programmes to lower both their N footprint and costs.
WORK IT OUT
Turning the Sods A collection of columns
Dr Doug Edmeades, ONZM
➠
supply to farms coming onto the N-Boost system.” DONAGHYS HAVE an online nitrogen mitigate the impact of these large urea He says, at its peak use calculator for dairy farmers to see price rises so they can close out the year ‘This book is a very valuabaround 7% of dairy farmle in New Zealand. Doug Edmeatechnical contribution to pastoral agriculture des’ how the N-Boost system could work on and achieve budgets,” Silva says.press over many years contain a collection of columns in the agricultural mine of inform ers were regular users ation, particu livestock farmer, but also for larly for the all agriculturalists. their farms. “Cost-control and production ‘Itare top is written in plain englishof the N-Boost system. , with a sprinkling from the Englis humour. Not too many techni h classic s, and cal terms, just the principles The calculator shows the N-Boost of mind for dairy farmers. They will andlook of plant nutrition how to optimize this. Not a diagra m or an url for a websit However, that number e to be seen. ‘I unreservedly reommend this system cuts urea costs while maintaining to options that don’t sacrifice producor bedside table of all farmer book to all. There should be a copy on the desk s, tapered when urea agricultural profess ionals the and studen ts.’ Dr Jock Allison production, providing a total financial tion. The N-Boost system is a proven tool, PhD, ONZM, FNZIPIM price crashed to around benefit of $130,000 p.a. on the average to help you reduce your N applications $500 per tonne. farm size of 233ha applying 129kg of to cut costs without costing dry matter But Silva adds now nitrogen to their pasture. production.” with the lift in urea “Farmers will be working with their Last Side Publishing Ltd The online calculator is located at: Hamilton, prices, demand isNew rapZealand ISBN 978-0-473-60885-9 accountants, their bank and advisors to www.n-boost.com idly heading back towards previous levels. While supply chain which Donaghys supply “And they’re finding impact of high urea pricdisruptions have seen ferto farmers. they can cut their urea ing and regulations on N tiliser prices across the The company says it bill and protect their dry come together. board lift, N-Boost is not has seen a lift of more matter production.” “The result has been impacted to the same than 85% in N-Boost N-Boost is a patented a wave of dairy farmers extent. formulation that contains sales this season. turning to foliar applica“The majority of raw “We’ve ramped adenine compounds and tions of urea.” materials are made in up our production of amino acids. It is sprayed Silva says that farmNew Zealand, so there’s N-Boost to keep up with onto pasture by conveners using N-Boost can limited risk of it running this growth,” Silva says. tional boom sprayer after cut back their application out, or not being available “Additional mixing stamixing it with dissolved rates to get under the when a farmer needs it.” tions are on order to urea in a mixing station, N-cap.
Dr Doug Edmeades
RECORD UREA prices, coupled with nutrient cap regulations, have seen more dairy farmers wanting to change their fertiliser programmes to lower their nitrogen footprint and costs. That’s the view of Donaghys managing director Jeremy Silva, who says his company is working at capacity to keep up with renewed demand for its N-Boost nitrogen booster product. Silva claims that Donaghys N-Boost helps maintain production, while lowering urea application. “It’s one of the few options out there that can help farmers maintain or lift production off lower nitrogen inputs,” he says. “We’ve seen the dual
Turning the Sods
Pressure to cut N use
Dr D C Edmeades MSc (Hons) , Ph D, Dip. Management. ONZM Doug was educated at Auckla nd childhood ambition and joined and Canterbury Universities. In 1976 he fulfilled a the staff at the Ruakura Agricu ltural Research Centre, Hamilton. By 1990 he was the Nation staff of 20 scientists and 40 science al Science Leader (Soils and Fertiliser) with a technicians. In 1997 he left institutional science , uncom fortable with the increasing commercialisation and the increasing gap between sciencepoliticisation of science and this he established his own compaand the farmer. To address ny, agKnowledge Ltd, to provide independent advice to fertilisers and related services. farmers and consultants on Doug is fearlessly outspoken on and farming, frequently arguing matters to do with science be asserted. He continues to that the voice of science must write peer-reviewed papers on the management of soil fertility , of fertilisers and science policy. the agronomic effectiveness His bi-annual publication the ‘Fertiliser and respected. He is a regular Review’ is now in its 22nd year and is widely read guest on Jamie MacKay’s popula The Farming Show. r radio programme,
To purchase your copy please email enquiries@agknowledge.co.nz
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RURAL NEWS // MARCH 15, 2022
22 ANIMAL HEALTH
Book killing space now! PETER BURKE peterb@ruralnews.co.nz
LIVESTOCK FARMERS are being urged to plan ahead for possible meat
processing disruption due to Covid-19. The expectation of some farmers that they can ring up a buyer at short notice and have
animals collected quickly and taken to the processing works is unrealistic at the moment. The chair of the Animal Welfare Forum
Lindsay Burton says with Omicron in the community, there is a high degree of uncertainty around the availability of a labour force in process-
ANIMAL WELFARE ISSUES MEANWHILE, THE Forum is also reminding farmers to ensure their stock are fit for transport. “Animal welfare during transport should remain a focus. Transport is stressful, and it is important that animals are prepared well for the journey,” says Burton. “Lactating cows, in particular, need careful preparation and management. Stand them off pasture for 4-12 hours before transport, and provide water and dry feed, supplemented with calcium (lime flour).” Burton says farmers need to be aware of where their stock are going, especially as Covid-19 may mean they’re transported to different processing plants than usual.
“Farmers nationwide should be prepared for their animals to have extended journeys, or for collection times to change,” he adds. Burton says the good news, at present, is that the feed situation on farm is good with recent rains over much of the country and warmer weather that has resulted in better pasture covers. “We are not that concerned about the feed situation at present, but we are monitoring the situation,” he adds. “People need to make sure that they have feed on hand and recognise that if stock are to be picked up they must be fed and kept in good condition.” Burton says the key message to farmers is to get up to speed with
the developing situation and have a contingency plan because no-one quite knows what might happen. “Everyone across the supply chain – farmers, veterinarians, transporters, stock agents, saleyard operators and processors – has a role to play in protecting the welfare of animals.” More Information on the rules for stock transport can be found here: www.mpi.govt.nz/animalregs More information about the forum can be found here: https:// www.mpi.govt.nz/animals/animalwelfare/safeguarding-our-animalssafeguarding-our-reputation/ working-collaboratively-with-thelivestock-industry/
Farmers are being urged to plan ahead for possible meat processing disruption due to Covid-19.
ing plants. He says even before the recent omicron outbreak, the industry was 5,500 workers short and the situation has the potential to get worse. The Farm to Processor Animal Welfare Forum – a grouping of various industries related to livestock farming – says it is critical that farmers
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book space at meat processors well in advance. It is also warning farmers to be prepared to potentially hold stock on farm for longer. “We have seen overseas the disruption that Omicron can cause to supply chains – particularly meat processing,” says Burton. He adds that it is important that farmers talk to their stock agents, processors and transporters if they aren’t already, and have a plan for what they need to do if they have to hold onto stock for longer. “Make sure you consider this in your feed planning and talk to your levy body or a farm adviser if you need support.”
Burton says the Forum has concerns especially about dairy farmers who, in many cases, don’t have an ongoing relationship with a processor. He urges them to start planning, if they haven’t already done so, for delays in getting their cull cows into the works. “Typically, the waiting time for killing space would be about two weeks – but in the present environment it could be anywhere between six and eight weeks,” Burton explains. “So, farmers have to have contingency plans in place. The processors don’t know what number of their workforce will be unable to work at any given time and that is where the concern is – uncertainty.”
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RURAL NEWS // MARCH 15, 2022
ANIMAL HEALTH 23
Smart tags help farmers to track cows’ health remotely A PAIR of Massey University students have developed game-changing technology that helps dairy farmers monitor their cow health remotely. Engineering and PhD students Tyrel Glass and Baden Parr’s have set up an agri-tech start-up company called Protag, which has now raised $1m from investors. This funding will be used to fast-track the development of their company’s smart ear tag sensors, which transmit crucial health and location data to dairy farmers within seconds. Protag’s small, internet-enabled device clips onto a cow’s ear. This allows farmers to continuously monitor the animal’s health, grazing and breeding habits. Machine learning is used to process data from the device’s temperature, movement and location sensors. This helps farmers map animal behavioural patterns and detect the early onset of illnesses in real time. The funds were raised from a variety of sponsors including Finistere, OurCrowd, Fonterra, Sprout and Callaghan. Protag co-founder Tyrel Glass says the company’s small, lightweight device is 100-times more power-efficient than other GPS-based devices, which use bulkier battery packs.
“We see a future where every farmer has detailed information on the health and wellbeing of every animal,” he explains. “The power of remote sensing in animal health is huge.” Protag is the gateway into this data, providing advanced analytics for each animal that can map the whole story of the cow, and at an accessible price point for all farmers. Fellow co-founder Baden Parr adds that mastitis, lameness (leg and foot pain), and reproduction issues are the main ailments dairy cattle face. “By detecting these early, Protag paves the way for more sustainable farming and improved animal welfare.” The newly raised funds will be used to accelerate the company’s product development and validation in preparation for large scale trials. These are planned for later this year, with several expressions of interest generated from farmers in Waikato and the South Island. The company has its immediate sights on the New Zealand market, where a farmer’s average dairy herd is 440 cows. However, Ireland and Brazil have also been identified as potential future markets.
Associate Professor in Computer Engineering and PhD supervisor of both students, Fakhrul Alam, says they have created potentially gamechanging technology for the agri-tech industry. “Their engineering smarts, combining cutting-edge remote sensing technology and artificial intelligence, will bring crucial insights to dairy farmers.”
ProTag founders, Tyrel Glass and Baden Parr.
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RURAL NEWS // MARCH 15, 2022
24 MACHINERY & PRODUCTS
All black warriors offers plenty MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz
DEUTZ-FAHR IMPORTER, distributor and retailer Power Farming has recently released details of the new Warrior versions of the popular 6, 7, 8 and 9 series tractor models. Initially the focus will be on the high-spec 8 and 9 series TTV units, but customers can indent other models in the Warrior configuration allyear-round. It features an iconic all black exterior colour scheme which is carried through into the cabin with a black, embossed floor mat. It also has a golden bonnet-mounted Warrior badge, a chromeshielded exhaust stack and full LED lighting package that adds contrast to the dark, black livery. In the cabin is a leather upholstered, swivel action, Grammer XXL seat, which incorporates its own heating and air-conditioning system to ensure maximum operator comfort on the coldest or hottest days. Externally, the highspecification, high-output hydraulics systems include hydraulic top links. Meanwhile, the LED lighting package includes LED headlights and illuminated rear panels for external hitch/PTO controls, with additional lighting strips illuminating the controls on the rear mudguards.
The new Deutz-Fahr Warrior series tractor models feature an iconic all black exterior colour scheme, which is carried through into the cabin.
Both the standard (familiar Deutz green) and Warrior 8280 TTV and 9340 TTV tractors feature several high-specification accessories fitted as standard. A front linkage and PTO system operates in the same manner as the rear system and features position control via an integrated potentiometer. Up front, dry exter-
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five pairs of rear remote valves. These tractors feature Trelleborg or Michelin tyres as standard with integrated factory-supplied over-dimension marker panel kits. A pneumatically-suspended cabin automatically adjusts to the operator’s weight and works in conjunction with the automated cli-
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and distance as triggers, alongside the ability to do automated headland turns. New units are also TIM capable, where two-way communication between tractor and implement provides a new level of ISOBUS integration. Xtend allows operators to use a tablet as an additional in-cabin screen, access remote
support and it integrates with Deutz-Fahr’s connected farming systems package. Other features include unlocked services to Omnistar HP/G2 or the latest Starpoint correction services (when purchased with GPS), unlocked for section and rate control, with up to 200 individual sections. www.powerfarming.co.nz
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RURAL NEWS // MARCH 15, 2022
MACHINERY & PRODUCTS 25
Spray equipment specialist hits the half century “Croplands has a long history of delivering practical solutions for farmers, stemming right back to the development of the Cropliner.”
MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz
A SPRAY equipment company, founded in Rotorua and now exporting products to the world, is celebrating its 50th year of operations. Croplands Equipment, founded by Miles Deck in 1972, developed the Cropliner air blast sprayer in response to New Zealand’s horticultural boom. It has become one of the most popular sprayer brands on the market. The company services the horticulture, viticulture, arable, compact and home garden sectors in Australasia and beyond. Croplands general manager Sean Mulvaney says Deck’s initial motivation for producing the Cropliner sprayer was
Croplands general manager Sean Mulvaney says the company has a long history of delivering practical solutions for farmers.
to create a machine specifically designed for NZ conditions. He believes that imported sprayers at the time were just not up to the mark. “Croplands has a long history of deliver-
ing practical solutions for farmers, stemming right back to the development of the Cropliner,” he told Rural News. “We pride ourselves on being resourceful and adaptable in meeting the needs of
our customers; something Miles instilled in the company from day one and that continues today, with the strong family values that marked our beginning 50 years ago.” Owned by Nufarm
since 1988, Croplands Quantum Mist sprayers were another example of cutting-edge technology being developed to meet local needs. These sprayers use axial-driven hydraulic fans to create
a turbulence among the leaves of vines or trees and this produces unrivalled coverage. Mulvaney says the collaboration with Nufarm – and long-standing relationships with PGG Wrightson and Fruitfed Supplies – means customers receive the best possible support from purchase right through to application in the field, with a major focus on chemical stewardship. “This means customers don’t just buy the sprayer, but also get the best advice in nozzle
selection and best practice spray application.” To celebrate its 50th year, Cropliner is expanding its Australian operation based in Adelaide and will release several new products later in the year. “We will continue to partner with farmers across New Zealand and the world to bring them the equipment they need to be profitable and productive,” Mulvaney adds. “Key to that will be our strong relationships with our dealer network.” www.croplands.co.nz
SUN AND SAND NO BOTHER VALTRA TRACTORS usually hit the headlines for their cold-weather performance – not surprising given these machines are manufactured in Finland. However, one of the company’s N-Series units has recently been seen basking in the searing heat of a Saudi Arabian desert. The N155 has been playing an important support role in the Extreme-E race series, where two dozen electric SUVs are competing for the title. Equipped with an array of winches, a front-end loader and oversized dual tyres front and rear, the tractor’s workload includes scooping up rocks and boulders, towing the generators used to recharge racing car batteries, and using pallet tines to move ancillary vehicles. The Extreme-E series is designed to raise awareness for climate change, alongside showcasing the performance and benefits of low-carbon vehicles, by racing electrically-powered vehicles in remote locations. All championship cars are based on a fully electric SUV called Odyssey 21, which has a peak output of 550hp and can power the 1.7 tonne vehicles from 0-100km/h in 4.5 seconds. This race calendar kicked off on the UK’s south coast just before Christmas, with the remaining events scheduled for Sardinia in May, Chile in September and Uruguay in November. – Mark Daniel
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RURAL NEWS // MARCH 15, 2022
26 MACHINERY & PRODUCTS
100th Jaguar TT produced MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz
HARVESTING SPECIALIST Claas has only taken a little over three years to produce its 100th Jaguar
Terra Trac-equipped harvester, which was first previewed as a prototype at Agritechnica 2017 before its commercial launch in late-2018, The milestone Jaguar
Claas is the first manufacturer to offer a dedicated rubber-track system on a self-propelled forage harvester.
990 machine left the assembly line at the Harsewinkel factory destined for a customer in North America, where the flagship model accounts for more than 90% of the Terra Trac machines sold in the region. In an industry where tracks are becoming increasingly popular in all types of prime movers and harvesters, Claas is the first manufacturer to offer a dedicated rubber-track system on a self-propelled forage harvester. The company has units available for its 960 (653hp) and 990 (925hp) models. The “tracks with everything” mantra within the agricultural sector appears to be wellfounded, given increasing machine weights and a concern over damage to soil structure. These are problems that can be mitigated by reducing ground pressure. Well-versed in the use of rubber tracks after fitting such units to its Mega combine ranges and through its joint venture with Caterpillar for Challenger prime movers, Claas has long been a champion of nurturing the soil by looking at opportunities to replace wheels with tracks. In the case of the Jaguar TT, this was originally conceived to offer the benefits of low
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ground pressure to European farmers wishing to cut grass early or maize later in the year. The concept has also found favour in America, where the machine’s ability to cut maize on wet ground without forming deep ruts is greatly valued. Customers in that region also point out the benefits of the smooth riding characteristics of Terra Trac-equipped machines when these move over ground that has been watered by central irrigation pivots. In these situations, the pivots tend to leave concentric circles of ruts, which the tracked foragers tend to ‘float’ over. In the past, track machines have been criticised for scuffing the soil during headland turns. On grassland, this damages the sward, reduces growth and encourages weed infestation. However, Claas has overcome this issue by developing a lifting system that pushes down on the central rollers. This results in the lifting of the track ends away from the ground and minimising any damage to the turf.
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the touch of a button. And being hydraulically driven means it can all be controlled from the comfort of your cab. Engineered tough and built tough, the Giltrap WideTrac’s internally reinforced 4, 6 and 8 tonne plastic-moulded bins sit on a hot-dipped galvanised steel frame for years of trouble-free ownership. So what would you expect to pay for all this? Be pleasantly surprised. Visit your local dealer. For more information go to giltrapag.co.nz or call us on 07 873 4199.
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THE ONGOING impact on global supply chains is affecting all industries, including the print industry. As a result of disruptions to paper supply chains, which have played havoc with the availability of the bulk paper stocks used by printers, Rural News Group’s regular paper stocks are in extremely short supply. To get through the current paper pinch, we’ll be using the best paper stocks available on the day, so you will see some variation in the paper we print your Rural News and Dairy News on. Of course, we’re not the only ones in this boat: most businesses working in agribusiness and other industries have experienced delays and shortages of raw materials, components and products. We appreciate your understanding as we work through this and look forward – as does everyone – to the tailend of the pandemic!
RURAL NEWS // MARCH 15, 2022
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LEGGINGS
Fleece Collar
LACE UP valued at $320
Acid Resistant Durable Seams
valued at $230
9am-5pm
$20
valued at $160
JACKET
PHONE
in stock now
free shipping
CULVERT PIPES
New Zealand’s CHEAPEST Culvert Pipes! FREE joiners supplied on request. • Lightweight, easy to install • Made from polyethylene
Check out our NEW website www.mckeeplastics.co.nz
SIZES SELLING OUT FAST New Zealand owned & operated
sizes: BOOTS 5 - 13 (NZ)
RAINWEAR XS - 4XL
Phone
06 323 4181
or
0800 625 826 for your nearest stockist
Joiners supplied FREE with culvert pipes
The Perfect Widget!
Hansen Products IBC Tank Fittings are designed specifically to fit threads on IBC Tanks ACME x BSPT
60mm x 50mm
75mm x 50mm
www.hansenproducts.co.nz
Buttress x BSPT
60mm x 50mm
100mm x 80mm
GREAT DEALS ON KUBOTA EQUIPMENT
A G R I C U LT U R E | 2 0 2 2
*SCAN TO VIEW THE FULL CATALOGUE
| KUBOTA.CO.NZ
M SERIES
A MAGNIFICENT LINE UP
Read more on pages 2-3
*Purchase any Kubota M Series tractor to enter the draw for your chance to Win an Ultimate days Fishing trip for two with NZ celebrity Matt Watson. (OFFER EXCLUDES MX5200)
Every entry receives a Stoney Creek Thermotough Kubota branded jacket valued at $430 RRP.
*SCAN TO VIEW THE FULL TERMS & CONDITIONS
M SERIES
A MAGNIFICENT LINE UP
GET IN TOUCH WITH YOUR LOCAL DEALER TODAY
02 03
WIN WITH M SERIES | KUBOTA
5
5
Y E A RS
Y E A RS
**
**
IN STOCK
NOW!
PROVIDED BY UDC FINANCE LIMITED
PROVIDED BY UDC FINANCE LIMITED ACROSS THE M SERIES RANGE **Terms and conditions on page 5 of the full Autumn catalogue (see QR code on front cover)
0800 582 682 | KUBOTA.CO.NZ
2
SPECIALISTS IN
SEEDING & TILLAGE
^
PROVIDED BY UDC LIMITED ACROSS THE GREAT PL AINS RANGE
VIEW THE FULL GREAT PLAINS RANGE CATALOGUE
NTA607-2 SPARTAN NO-TILL AIR DRILL
MOUNTED NO-TILL DRILL 1.7m to 2.9m working width
SPARTAN AIR DRILL 6m or 9m working width
GREATPLAINSAUSTRALIA.COM.AU
TRAILED NO TILL DRILL 1.7m to 6.1m working width
MIN-TILL DRILL 1.3m to 6.1m working width
BROADCAST SEEDER 2.2m to 3.3m working width
TRAILED MIN-TILL DRILL 2.4m to 4m working width
MAX CHISEL 3.5m to 7.3m working width
TURBOMAX DISC CULTIVATOR 3m to 12m working width
SUB SOILER 3m to 6.1m working width
* This finance offer from UDC Finance Limited is only available to eligible business applicants on loans with a term of up to 36 months. The 3.5% p.a. interest rate is fixed for the term of the loan and is only available with a minimum 20% deposit and applies to new Great Plains models. UDC Finance credit criteria, fees, terms and conditions apply. The finance offer is valid to 30/06/2022. ^Two year standard warranty on Great Plains includes parts and labour in year 1. Year 2 covers parts only. The offer ends 30/06/22.
GET IN TOUCH WITH YOUR LOCAL DEALER TODAY
04 12
& G E N E R ATO R S
RTV-X1120
GREAT PLAINS, UTILITY VEHICLES & GENERATORS | KUBOTA
UTILITY VEHICLES
055
RTV-520
RTV-520
RTV-X DIESEL Powerful 3-cylinder liquid-cooled diesel engines have a wellearned reputation for dependable performance even in the harshest terrains Multi-disc wet brakes provide longer brake life, while responsive hydrostatic power steering gives you the control you need to tame any terrain An easy-to-operate lever activates this hydraulic bed-lift system Hydrostatic transmission keeps you in control during descents with engine-assisted deceleration
Quiet, smooth and reliable Kubota liquid-cooled, 2-cylinder petrol engine The new 5-link rear suspension system makes travelling over uneven terrain simple by improving handling and comfort. Hydrostatic transmission that keeps you in control during descents with engine-assisted deceleration Selectable 2WD or 4WD with diff lock
KD5500, GL 9000D-AU-B, SQ 3200B-AU-B & KJ-T300-50
GENERATOR RANGE KJ & SQ Series for industrial applications
Range of outputs with KD Series offering 5.5 kVa & GL Series 6 with 8.8 kVa
KJ Series features V00 & V03 series diesel engine with output of 13.8 to 33.0 kVa.
GL Series New Auto Start Controller (digital option only) features a large backlit screen to clearly display operator information
SQ Series features waterproof recessed button receptacles and Auto Start Controller with large back lit screen
0800 582 682 | KUBOTA.CO.NZ
KUBOTA.CO.NZ
KD & GL Series offer compact models for fast and reliable power
PERFORMANCE MATCHED
ATTACHMENTS
WITH LAND PRIDE
BX & B SERIES OFFER Receive $250 credit towards the purchase of Land Pride performance matched attachments for your new Kubota BX & B Series tractor. Credit must be used at the time of purchasing the tractor.
L, MX & M SERIES OFFER Receive $500 credit towards the purchase of Land Pride performance matched attachments for your new Kubota L, MX or M Series tractor. Credit must be used at the time of purchasing the tractor.
VIEW THE LAND PRIDE CATALOGUE NOW
BX2680 WITH LAND PRIDE RB1560 REAR BLADE
POST HOLE DIGGER Linkage or front end loader mount
BROADCAST SEEDERS 1.3m - 2.2m seeding width
BOX SCRAPER 1.2m - 2.1m working width
LANDSCAPE RAKE 1.2m - 2.4m working width
REAR BLADES 1.2m - 2.4m working width
ROTARY CUTTER 1.2m - 3m working width
FOLDING ROTARY CUTTER 3.6m - 6.1m working width
QUICK HITCH Cat 1 or Cat 2 hitch
GRADING SCRAPER 1.2m to 2.4m working width
DISC HARROW 1.2m to 2.4m working width
SEED BED ROLLER Linkage or trailed 1.8m working width
MOULDBOARD PLOUGH 1 or 2 furrow 20-60hp
^BX & B Series offer: Receive $250 credit towards the purchase of Land Pride performance matched attachments for your new BX or B series tractor. Credit must be used at the time of purchasing the tractor. Choose from slashers, Seeders, Landscape Rakes, Rear Blades, Grading Scrapers, Box Scrapers, Quick Hitches, Mouldboard Ploughs, Post Hole Diggers, Disc Harrows, and Seed Bed Rollers. Offer expires 30/06/22 or while stock lasts. L, MX & M Series offer: Receive $500 credit towards the purchase of Land Pride performance matched attachments for your new Kubota L, MX or M series tractor. Credit must be used at the time of purchasing the tractor. Choose from slashers, Seeders, Landscape Rakes, Rear Blades, Grading Scrapers, Box Scrapers, Quick Hitches, Mouldboard Ploughs, Post Hole Diggers, Disc Harrows, and Seed Bed Rollers. Offer expires 30/06/22 or while stock lasts.
GET IN TOUCH WITH YOUR LOCAL DEALER TODAY
C O M PACT R A N G E
B2601 TRACTOR, LA434 LOADER & BH70 BACKHOE
B SERIES 23 - 32HP COMPACT TRACTOR
L SERIES 32 - 57HP MID-SIZED TRACTOR
MX5200 SERIES 51HP FARM TRACTOR
0800 582 682 | KUBOTA.CO.NZ
KUBOTA.CO.NZ
BX SERIES 18 - 26HP SUB COMPACT TRACTOR
LAND PRIDE & TRACTORS | KUBOTA GREAT PLAINS
T R ACTO R S
Kubota’s compact Tractor range offer impressive power, versatility and comfort. Powered by Kubota’s reliable diesel engines, each model is engineered to take on any task with efficiency and high performance.
06 12 07 7
08
U & KX SERIES AND SVL & SSV SERIES | KUBOTA
U & KX SERIES
E XCAVATO R S U SERIES 1.7 TONNE TO 5.5 TONNE ZERO-TAIL SWING EXCAVATORS All Kubota excavators are driven by the world-renowned powerful Kubota engine Available in canopy and cab models with enhanced ergonomics designed for operator comfort Amazing manoeuvrability with zero-tail swing to meet every operator’s needs Best-in-class breakout performance while maintaining fast and smooth operation
PROVIDED BY UDC FINANCE LIMITED
PROVIDED BY UDC FINANCE ACROSS THE KX & U SERIES RANGE
U27-4
KX SERIES CONVENTIONAL SWING EXCAVATORS Extensive KX Series lineup with models from 0.8 tonne all the way to 8.2 tonne Conventional swing ensures excellent stability and safety Spacious cab models with enhanced ergonomics designed for operator comfort All-round versatility with exceptional breakout force
SV L & S SV
SERIES
Kubota’s next generation of compact wheeled and tracked loaders set the standard in unbeatable performance and productivity. With exceptional lifting capacity and bucket breakout force, Kubota’s SSV & SVL Series are engineered to handle the toughest jobs.
SVL97-2
* This finance offer from UDC Finance Limited is only available to eligible business applicants on loans with a term of up to 36 months. The 0.45% p.a. interest rate is fixed for the term of the loan and is only available with a minimum 20% deposit and applies to new KX, U, SSV & SVL Series models. UDC Finance credit criteria, fees, terms and conditions apply. The finance offer is valid to 30/06/2022.
| 0800 582 682 | KUBOTA.CO.NZ
KUBOTA.CO.NZ
SSV65
KX080-3S