Rural News 14 February 2023

TO ALL FARMERS, FOR ALL FARMERS

Plantain the answer?

NEW RESEARCH has found that feeding cows the leafy herb plantain can reduce nitrogen leaching from dairy farms by 20 to 60%.

Results from the DairyNZ-led Plantain Potency and Practice (PPP) Programme, unveiled last week, show that using Ecotain plantain in pasture can significantly reduce nitrogen entering waterways.

Farm trials at Massey University and initial results from a trial at Lincoln University are showing similar trends.

The trials are part of the nationwide PPP research and development programme that partners with dairy farmers, industry and government.

DairyNZ chief executive Dr Tim Mackle describes the results as “exciting”.

“We now have robust scientific evidence that Ecotain plantain is an effective solution to help dairy farmers further reduce farm footprint and continue playing their part in improving water quality,” Mackle says.

“Plantain can bring significant benefits to local waterways and communities – we all want healthy freshwater to swim and play in, and dairy farmers can confidently use Ecotain plantain on-farm to support that.”

The $22 million seven-year PPP Programme is funded by DairyNZ, by the Government through the Ministry for Primary Industries’ Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures fund, PGG

Wrightson Seeds and Fonterra, working with six additional research and delivery partners.

The programme uses Ecotain environmental plantain from Agricom because it has proven effectiveness. An evaluation system is available to assess the environmental benefits of all plantain cultivars sold by a range of providers.

At the Massey University farm trial, scientists are measuring nitrogen leaching from paddocks grazed by 80 dairy cows. After two years, the trial

results have shown reduced nitrogen leaching by 20 to 60% in perennial ryegrass and clover pastures containing 30 to 50% Ecotain plantain.

The results are compared to traditional perennial ryegrass and clover paddocks (the most common pasture types in New Zealand). There was no difference in milk production between the plantain and control pastures in the trial.

The amount of reduced nitrogen leaching depends on the quantity of plantain in the pasture, the soil type,

Three ways to healthier soil

climate and farm system. The Massey University trial will continue for a further two years.

Initial results from the programme’s Lincoln University study in Canterbury, on lighter soils under irrigation, show similar trends to the Massey University trial, with a 38-50% reduction in nitrogen leaching from pasture containing 24% Ecotain plantain. More data is being collected to confirm these results.

Massey University’s Peter Kemp and his team have been researching the

effects of plantain over several years and the experimental plots were established at the university in 2019.

“The four-year trial has had incredible success so far and our trial site allows the results to be directly transferable to current farming systems in New Zealand,” he says.

“Importantly for farmers, transition to plantain pastures results in no loss of production, while simultaneously reducing nitrogen leaching significantly from farms into freshwater.”

ISSUE 769 www.ruralnews.co.nz

Resetting the relationship

PETER BURKE peterb@ruralnews.co.nz

NATIONAL’S AGRICULTURE spokesperson says his absolute priority, if his party gets into power, is to get rid of what he calls the ‘punitive model’ of engagement between government and farmers.

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Todd Muller told Rural News he believes this model is as a result of a culture set by Environment Minister David Parker and Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor. He says the farming sector faces a tsunami of regulations, most of which have come from the pen or mind of Parker, and that O’Connor hasn’t been able to push back around the Cabinet table.

Muller also wants to see a re-set of the relationship between the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and the farming community. He has huge expectations of the Ministry for the Environment (MFE) as well – even if he didn’t have responsibility for that department.

He wants MPI to build greater trust with farmers in actions and not just words. “I’ll be asking MPI to sit down with farmers and with councils to say which of these regulations aren’t working,” Muller says.

“Certainly, we have heard examples of the winter grazing regs in Southland and SNA’s (significant natural areas) that don’t work from a sheep and beef perspective. We will then ensure that tweaks are made so the regulations work at a catchment and community level.”

Muller also wants a re-set on cli-

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Todd Muller says if National gets into government he will get rid of the ‘punitive model’ of engagement between government and farmers.

PEN PUSHING FARMERS

ANOTHER ISSUE that Todd Muller wants to crack is the ‘crazy system’ whereby farmers are required to enter data from their farm separately into up to ten different databases.

He says in an era when there is a push for efficiency, and some smart technology around, what’s happening is completely ridiculous.

“It’s turning farmers into pen pushers and preventing them from working the land. It is an absolute bugger’s muddle that needs to be sorted out and quickly.”

Muller says he would put the acid on MPI to drive this, but not build the system and tell farmers what to do. He says any system has to be done in collaboration with the ag sector and not imposed on them.

“I will have a different set of priorities and expectations to those of Parker and O’Connor.”

mate change, with much improved partnership arrangements between the Crown and the agriculture sector. He says there is no walking away from dealing with climate change issues and NZ is going to have to measure the impact of methane at farm level.

“Our customers and consumers are demanding of the whole of the NZ agriculture sector ongoing provenance that we are the best food producers in the world,” he explains.

“Part of that is an expectation that as leader we look for solutions in that animal protein space – particularly in regard to methane – which don’t exist at the moment. I also want to hear from the likes of Fonterra and Silver Fern Farms to give voice to those consumers’ expectations so that farmers understand that this is not just some sort of government-driven process.”

Muller believes where the sector landed with He Waka Eke Noa was a great starting point, but says the Government went completely off the trail and came back with something that was unworkable. “Understandably, the ag sector told them in no uncertain terms that it was completely unworkable.”

He says better systems and innovation are needed to resolve the challenges around climate, but, “Labour’s approach is all around tax first and then find out how to measure second”.

“I think they have got it all around the wrong way. I believe the principles that He Waka Eke Noa is built on is what we need. The aim must be to have a system which incentivises the right behaviour.”

PROUDLY

Young seeks mood for change

for change.

FORMER SOUTHLAND

Federated Farmers chair and high country farmer Geoffrey Young wants to topple Beef+Lamb NZ chair Andrew Morrison.

Young is standing against Morrison for the southern South Island directorship on the board of directors of Beef+Lamb NZ (BLNZ). He says he was asked by senior members of the farming sector last October if he would put his name forward.

Young has already received the backing of influential rural lobby Group Groundswell NZ, which has encouraged its members in the southern ward to vote for him.

“To get meaningful change, we need Geoffrey elected,” the lobby group told supporters in an email on January 10.

Young is not bothered that he is challenging the incumbent chair and says it is always better to have differing opinions and options for voters to choose from. He believes there appears to be a mood amongst farmers

“If the incumbent chairman was voted from the board, I think it would send a very strong message to the other board members that farmers were not happy with their performance, particularly around advocacy,” he told Rural News. “They need to communicate and listen more to grassroots farmers to articulate very clearly to government what farmers are feeling and how they want to be represented.”

Young was the former president of Southland Federated Farmers. In 2020, he called on farmers to boycott Essential Freshwater regulations, which at the time upset both Environment Minister David Parker and Green Party MP Eugenie Sage.

Young also stood for the Southland district mayoralty in the local body elections last year, finishing in second place behind Rob Scott.

He concedes that his standing for election is both a direct challenge to Andrew Morrison and

WEIGHTED VOTE

BLNZ DIRECTOR elections and remits are based on weighted livestock numbers for each farm – and not one farm one vote.

“No single farming entity holds a large enough proportion of stock numbers to influence decisionmaking,” claims BLNZ chief operating officer Cros Spooner.

“The livestock numbers declared by the ten largest farming businesses on the BLNZ database equate to 3 to 4% of total sheep, beef and dairy cow numbers.

Crooner says BLNZ has seen little difference in the outcomes of one for one and weighted votes over the years.

HOW IT WORKS

BEEF+LAMB NZ’S board is made up of six elected farmers representing three electorates in the North Island and three electorates in the South Island.

Each year two directors retire by rotation, with the southern South Island ward and Eastern North Island ward up for election this year.

Farmers are eligible to vote if they own 250 sheep, 50 beef cattle or 100 dairy cattle. They will already be on the BLNZ electoral roll if they have previously received referendum and annual meeting material from BLNZ. They will receive voting papers in the mail between 14 and 20 February.

For those farmers who are not on the on the electoral roll, they can register any time before midday on 21 March and they’ll receive an email from Electionz.com enabling them to vote online (voting closes 2pm 22 March).

Farmers who have questions or want to check you’re on the roll, call 0800 233 352 or email enquiries@beeflambnz.com

from BLNZ. Firstly, they have often been out of step with our other two main rural advocates, namely Fed Farmers and DNZ (DairyNZ). The advocacy side of these three organisations needs a review and we need to have a totally united voice when dealing with this or any incoming government,” Young told Rural News

He believes that more work needs to be done behind the scenes to achieve better outcomes.

trying to comply with the reductions this government is aiming for. It smacks of double dipping in my mind when there is no viable mitigation measures.”

Asked, if he’s elected, could he work with current board members and staff who have all set the current path BLNZ has travelled, Young is adamant that he can.

Beef+Lamb NZ.

“Beef and Lamb do a great job in all their core business, but while their profile and advocacy has been to the forefront in the past few years, many farmers believe they have

lacked enough pushback on many government regulations and unity with our other two main rural voices,” Young claims.

He believes grassroots farmers are hugely

disappointed with the advocacy work that Beef+Lamb has carried out in recent years.

“There are many examples of where farmers have felt disappointed with results

“Probably HWEN would be top of the list most farmers are concerned about. The best thing about it is, the process has been held up for so long and enabled farmers to be kept out of the ETS, that we may get a total reset on carbon emissions over the coming couple of years,” Young adds.

“I am totally opposed to paying a tax on methane as well as

“There is no doubt I can work with anyone in farmer advocacy and I’m prepared to listen to all views,” he told Rural News

“If elected, I think the board would certainly have to modify their collective stance on many of our important issues farmers are facing. I don’t foresee any problems working with other board members and will make my views very clear as I’m sure other board members will.”

DAVID ANDERSON

Geoff Young believes there appears to be a mood amongst farmers for change.

Hard times ahead for the country’s kiwifruit growers

THE COUNTRY’S green and organic green kiwifruit growers are facing very low returns for the 2022 season and – in some cases – no income at all for the 2023 season.

This is due to the amount of poor quality fruit from 2022 and those growers who had their crops damaged, or in some cases entirely wiped out, by the frost in October.

This all came to a head a few weeks ago when Zespri announced it was suspending progress payments to growers in February because of the high amount of poor quality fruit from the 2022 season. The kiwifruit company also says it’s had claims about poor quality fruit from overseas buyers that hadn’t been earlier accounted for.

Last season’s poor fruit quality has been put down to a number of reasons, including the lack of experienced harvest staff which saw fruit get damaged along the supply chain.

NZ Kiwifruit Growers (NZKGI) chief executive Colin Bond told

FROST BITE

STILL UNKNOWN, at this stage, is the full effect of last October’s frost.

There is talk of some fruit on vines with abnormal shapes. Bond says in a matter of a few weeks they hope to get a more accurate handle on size of the losses.

Zespri has said it could result in the loss of 20% of the season’s crop.

Meanwhile, Bond says the labour problems of the past won’t be so great with backpackers already in the country picking summerfruit, who will be available for the kiwifruit harvest.

Rural News that growers had been expecting to get at least $6.00 a tray for their fruit. However, he says this now seems unlikely.

Bond says ideally growers would hope to

get $7.00 per tray, but to go below $6.00 will be hugely challenging.

“This will mean that an increased number of green kiwifruit growers will be making a loss on the 2022 harvest.”

Zespri has been holding meetings with growers to explain the situation and chief executive Dan Mathieson flew in from his base in Singapore to front these meetings. Bond says the reaction was mixed with disappointment and – in some cases – anger at the late notice of the news.

“If you were a green grower and you were relying on those payments to pay your February bills, that will be hard,” he told Rural News

“Growers have some challenging months ahead as they figure out how they are going to cover the costs from this cur-

rent harvest. For a lot of them, they will also have been impacted by the frost – so they are not expecting a great 2023 season either.”

Bond says NZKGI is waiting to see what Zespri will say about future payments so they can get a clear picture of the problem. He says once this is known they will approach the banks and brief them on what is happening across the industry.

Bond believes this will save individual orchardists having to do this themselves. However, he adds that growers will have to work out their own financial position with their bankers.

“Over the last five to six years the banks, as well as growers, have done well out of the kiwifruit industry,” he adds. “So, it’s important that the banks put an umbrella over the sector during these rainy times because good times will come again and we’d like them to be a part of that journey.”

Bond is urging growers who are facing hardship to seek support and says the Rural Support Trust is there waiting to help.

FLOODS ADD TO KIWIFRUIT WOES

FOR KIWIFRUIT growers in parts of the upper North Island it was a case of watching small streams suddenly becoming raging rivers, with water rising two or three metres high and engulfing entire orchards.

NZKGI chief executive Colin Bonds says growers who’ve lived on their orchards for decades told him they have never seen anything like this before. He told Rural News the recent heavy downpours impacted kiwifruit crops across all of the growing regions in the North Island – including Northland, South Auckland/Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Tairāwhiti.

He says Hawkes Bay got off unscathed and Nelson is having a good season.

Bond believes the damage was very isolated but some orchardists got hit badly. In some cases, the water was over the canopy of the fruit and in other instances orchardists lost all their infrastructure with posts and their crop washed away.

Other growers had water lying several feet deep in their orchards for several days and that this may pose problems in coming years.

“We are concerned about the consequence [for] plant health, which may not be seen until the next season or the season after,” he explains. “They talk about oxygen starvation, which means if the soil is too wet or there is too much surface water then the plant risks oxygen starvation.”

Bond says some growers were able to pump water from their sodden orchards into a stream or drain, while others didn’t have that option and time will tell what effect this will have. For those whose crops were completely ruined, it will take at least three years to get these up and running again.

However, while the damage was extreme on some properties, Bond says the overall loss will be marginal in terms of the national crop.

PETER BURKE peterb@ruralnews.co.nz

NZ Kiwifruit Growers chief executive Colin Bond says a number of green kiwifruit growers will be making a loss on the 2022 harvest.

Better days ahead?

SUDESH KISSUN sudeshk@ruralnews.co.nz

DAIRY PRICES

rebounded at last week’s Global Dairy Trade (GDT) auction, after three consecutive drops, raising hopes of better days ahead.

The price of whole milk powder (WMP), which Fonterra uses as the benchmark to set its farmgate milk price, rose a solid 3.2% to US$3,329/ metric tonne.

While still way off the US$4,757/MT mark reached one year ago, stronger demand in China for dairy products is a good omen for the coming months.

Westpac senior agri economist Nathan Penny says the likely catalyst for the price rise is rebound-

ing Chinese demand.

“This rebound stems from the lifting of China’s Covid Zero policy,” he says.

“With Chinese consumers now largely free to move about and return to restaurants, cafes and bakeries, we anticipated that products like butter would benefit most from looser Covid restrictions.”

Butter, a key ingredient in food service products, posted the largest price rise.

Penny says over the coming months, he expects prices to gain further momentum as Chinese demand continues to rebound.

“For example, we forecast the Chinese economy to grow by 6% over calendar 2023 from 3.5%

in 2022 and for strengthening household spending to be a key driver of economic growth over the year.”

Despite the price rebound, it’s still too early to see a shift in the forecast milk price.

Penny says the price rise in last week’s GDT is consistent with their 2022/23 milk price forecast of $8.75/kgMS.

ANZ has meanwhile slashed its forecast milk price for the season by 25c to $8.50/kgMS; the lower end of Fonterra’s latest price guidance of $8.50 to $9.50/kgMS.

The bank’s agriculture economist Susan Kilsby notes that dairy prices have been quite weak this summer, compared to recent years.

But she expects prices

will steadily improve from here.

Last week’s positive GDT result “will help to

instil some confidence in the market”.

“We are forecasting a modest improvement in

dairy prices across the remainder of the 2022-23 season,” she says.

While demand from

China may be improving, a big domestic WMP stockpile may stand in the way of global price rises.

“WMP prices are highly dependent on demand from China. While demand from the Chinese market appears to be improving, it does not appear that this market is short of stock at present.”

The strengthening New Zealand dollar will also have a say on future dairy prices.

Kilsby also notes that exchange rates have been largely unfavourable for farmgate prices.

“While we expect dairy commodity prices to gradually recover, we also expect the NZD to appreciate further.”

FARMER CONFIDENCE IN ECONOMY HITS AN ALL-TIME LOW

NZ FARMER confidence in the general economic state of the country has hit an all-time low.

This is according to a just-published survey by Federated Farmers, which shows that two thirds of the 1,100 respondents consider the current economic conditions to be bad. That’s 17.4 points worse than the survey in July last year and the lowest level of confidence expressed in the

27

biannual Farm Confidence surveys

Feds has conducted since 2009.

What’s more, 81.8% of farmer respondents expect economic conditions to get worse over the next 12 months. At the same time, 67% expect their profitability and production to decline in the coming year.

Asked to rate their greatest concerns, farmers stated climate change and ETS policy as number one. This

is followed by debt, interest rates and banks and in third place regulation and overtaking input costs, which slipped to fourth spot.

In terms of sectors, meat and wool farmers were the most pessimistic, with dairy in a distant second place.

In terms of the regions, perception of the general economic situation, farmers in Taranaki-Manawatu and the East Coast of the North Island were

the most pessimistic.

Federated Farmers president Andrew Hoggard says it’s not just inflation and rising farm input costs. He says it’s also the wave of reform, regulation, red tape and costs that is swamping the sector. “Just one example – the proposed replacement resource management legislation. It took 30 years for the existing RMA and amendments to swell to a bloated

and tortuous 800-plus pages. The call was for something simpler, less cumbersome and costly, but the proposed new legislation is just as lengthy.”

The Feds survey found that the four highest priorities farmers want the Government to address are: Fiscal Policy; Economy & Business Environment; Regulation & Compliance Costs; and Supporting Agriculture & Exporters.

Westpac senior agri economist Nathan Penny says the likely catalyst for the price rise is rebounding Chinese demand.

Food safety concerns in wake of flooding

IN THE aftermath of recent flooding, which struck Auckland, the Coromandel, the Waikato and the Bay of Plenty late last month, food safety concerns have been raised.

New Zealand Food Safety (NZFS) says the flooding has created significant food safety risks.

“The floodwaters that have inundated growers’ properties may have been contaminated by a variety of hazards, the sources of which may not be immediately apparent. These hazards are a food safety risk and can cause illness,” NZFS deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle told Rural News

He says these hazards include sewage, animal excrement and leaks from home septic tanks, resulting in unsafe bacteria, viruses, and parasites; dead animals and decaying plants; chemical contaminants like pesticides, heavy metals, and petroleum products; and physical contaminants like glass and debris.

Arbuckle says NZFS’s advice is that if a farm has been flooded with potentially contaminated water, and not just pooling rainwater, the impacted fruit should not be harvested or consumed and should be destroyed.

“If the fruit or vegetable has not been directly affected by floodwaters, meaning that the edible parts of the crops have not been submerged by floodwaters or have not been in contact with splashing floodwater,

growers should conduct a risk assessment to consider how the produce can be safely harvested and whether it is safe to be consumed,” he adds.

“Produce that has been damaged only by rain, and which has not come into contact with any floodwater, should be safe to consume.”

Meanwhile, Nick Story, Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) director of rural communities and farming support says financial support is available to those impacted by the floods. This includes the $200,000 announced by the Ministers of Agriculture and Rural Communities at the beginning of the month.

“MPI, councils, other relevant government agencies, Māori primary sector and industry organisations are meeting regularly to discuss next steps.”

He says Rural Support Trusts in the impacted areas will take a lead role in coordinating assistance.

“As well as recovery coordination, the Rural Support Trust help serve communities with wellbeing support, including organising local events and arranging recovery facilitators who work oneto-one with farmers and growers,” Story told Rural News

“We will continue to work closely with sector groups on-the-ground and assess conditions. If there is further need for help, then we will consider what further assistance government can provide.”

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JESSICA MARSHALL jessica@ruralnews.co.nz

Vegetable growers in Pukekohe were hit hard by the recent flooding. Onions, spinach, broccoli and carrots are the crops hardest hit as flood water swamped paddocks like this one in Pukekohe.

IF HIGHER PRODUCTION IS YOUR END GOAL… THEN LOOK TO THE START TO ENSURE YOU ACHIEVE IT.

RMA reforms questioned

JESSICA MARSHALL jessica@ruralnews.co.nz

THE FIRST two bills in the RMA reform package simply are not good enough.

That’s the perspective of IrrigationNZ chief executive Vanessa Winning. She says that, in its

current form, the Natural Built Environment Bill (NBEB) – which at the time Rural News went to print was before select committee – lacks sufficient detail to make it workable.

Reforms to the Resource Management Act (RMA) have been on

the cards for a while, with the full reform package finally unveiled in February 2021. The first draft of the NBEB was released in July that year. Meanwhile, late last year, the NBEB and the Spatial Planning Bill (SPB) – which makes up another part of the reform package – were

introduced to Parliament in November 2022.

“For implementation of the NBEB to be successful, it needs to be simplified with limits and targets removed from the overarching bill and instead outlined through the National Planning Framework and current

notified processes,” Winning says.

The National Planning Framework is another piece of the RMA reform package. It is designed, according to the Ministry for the Environment, to provide direction for regional spatial strategies and National Built Envi-

ronment plans.

She says that the four pieces of legislation set to replace the RMA need to be developed and consulted on together, “so we can see how they work as one and remove duplication and confusion”.

Additionally, Winning claims the two bills before Parliament – the NBEB and the SPB – will hold the development of water infrastructure back.

“This development needs to be supported by long-term water allocation consents – the NBEB is suggesting consents be cut short to 10 years maximum. This will prohibit water storage or investment in water capture,” she told Rural News.

“Water availability is critical for food production, to mitigate floods, to augment streams in droughts, and to ensure biodiversity. Water capture and storage supports the systems outcomes of the NBEB – yet it has not been enabled by the Bill.”

Winning says IrrigationNZ’s belief is that certain infrastructure classes have been cherry picked in the Bill, something she describes as ‘dangerous’ because we do not yet know what the country’s future needs will be.

“All infrastructure

must be considered on merits and measured against the system outcomes. If need be, water infrastructure should be able to be fast-tracked or have a consenting pathway if weather means that we need water security ASAP.”

She adds this is not a provision that has been made in the current draft of the Bill.

“Yet, we note there are consenting pathways for solar power, for example, but not localised hydroelectricity which would be a natural by-product of water capture and storage.”

Winning says all limits and targets should be removed from the overarching framework and, instead, set at a local or national level through consultation and then outlined in the National Planning Framework.

“At a time when a changing climate poses such significant risk to lives and livelihoods, when food affordability – particularly fresh fruit and vegetables – is really biting, practical, longterm water management should be considered critical to New Zealand’s future and enabled by the legislation which replaces the RMA.”

“All infrastructure must be considered on merits and measured against the system outcomes.”

Irrigation NZ’s Vanessa Winning is highly critical of the proposed RMA changes.

Dairy boss to sign off after 15 years

PETER BURKE peterb@ruralnews.co.nz

THE MAN who’s played a leading role in the dairy industry for more than one-anda-half decades will step down at the end of June.

Tim Mackle, chief executive of DairyNZ and before that CEO of Dexcel, says he has mixed emotions about leaving his current role. However, he believes it’s a good time to go despite the mixed emotions about his decision.

Mackle believes announcing his decision now will allow the DairyNZ board to recruit a successor and ensure a smooth transition.

“I feel extremely privileged and proud to have had the opportunity to lead and help develop DairyNZ on behalf of our farmer owners/members. Right from our formation in 2007, to today, I’m proud of the many achievements we have delivered.”

Mackle says the dairy sector continues to go through challenging times and it’s

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

crucial that it continues to work together to find ways that add the most value to farmers. He also feels optimistic about future opportunities for dairy and the wider NZ primary sector.

DairyNZ Chair Jim van der Poel says Mackle has made a huge contribution to both DairyNZ and to dairy farmers, by helping dairy farmers navigate challenges they have faced and continue to face.

“We’re fortunate to have had Tim at DairyNZ through many challenging periods.  He has played a key role in developing the R&D programme and the development of our science-based policy and advocacy function.  He has been a strong leader and advocate for dairy.”

Van der Poel added that because of Mackle’s strong passionate leadership he has made a significant contribution to the wider dairy and primary sectors, through his influence on various boards, steering groups, and committees.

“That puts us at DairyNZ in a great position to continue to deliver more for farmers and New Zealand.”

WHY TAX FARMERS?

WE CAN all accept that fossil fuel companies are mining, digging up and adding additional carbon that last thousands of years into our atmosphere. Fossil fuels and the consumers of these products should rightly be taxed.

But why should farmers who (while depositing some residual carbon into our soils as organic matter) are merely recycling and reusing existing carbon (nine years as methane) be taxed at all?

Farmers are, after all, producing our essential food and more efficiently than anyone in the entire world, while China is still opening new coal-fired power stations.

I think in an agricultural export driven economy, this is such a vital question deserving of your front page.

How would local government areas fare with 20% of sheep and beef farmers gone?

Dave Stanton, Geraldine

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After 15 years in charge, Tim Mackle will leave his role at DairyNZ in June.

Zespri set for big reset

ZESPRI’S IS looking at everything that has gone wrong in the kiwifruit sector in the past two years, with the goal now to get things on track for 2024.

Chief executive Dan Mathieson says the impact of the devastating frost late last year will see a significant drop in this season’s crop. He told Rural News this will be between 10% and 20% but likely closer to 20% with some growers losing their entire crop.

Mathieson says, as a result, Zespri is expecting the export volume to be about the same as last season. It was expected to be higher in 2023 with extra fruit coming on stream. He adds that if all goes well, volumes will pick up in 2024 because these plants are already in the ground.

The frost event compounded the problems of the previous season, which saw a significant drop in fruit quality and drew concerns about the fruit from some of NZ’s major markets. Mathieson says a major outbreak of Covid-19 hit at the peak of the 2022 harvest and with a major labour shortage, a lot of fruit was physically damaged in the whole supply chain – including the picking and post-harvest operations.

“You need good people right cross the

supply chain to make our industry work well and ensure that we are deliv-

ering that great quality fruit through to our customers and consumers,”

he told Rural News “We just did not have the people in 2022 to

make that happen. What you are seeing is a combination of all of that flow-

ing through to returns. But the good news is the Government has increased the RSE cap and more backpackers are returning, which is fantastic.”

Mathieson says the other bright spot is that fact that many of the people who worked in the sector for the first time last year will be back again and hopefully they will be more experienced.

However, he warns that it’s not just a case of focusing entirely on the harvesting of the fruit; he says Zespri is stepping back and doing a complete reset of the industry. This includes the

whole supply chain and questioning whether the present incentives driving the outcomes required, which is the production of early and high quality fruit that can be stored throughout the season.

“You can’t waste a good crisis, so we are also looking at our quality auditing structure as well how many people we need at different parts of the supply chain to ensure that poor quality fruit is prevented from getting offshore,” Mathieson adds.

“We are also looking at our offshore operations and seeing how we can be more transparent with the data. We can drive that accountability back to the post-harvest and growers to ensure they are getting the right signals to improve quality. So, we are making changes right across the supply chain.”

Mathieson says climate change is having an impact on the sector and they are looking at ways of dealing with this.

He adds that there are also some of the applications going onto the fruit that are causing adverse outcomes and they are having a look at that as well.

Zespri is hopeful that this season’s crop will be of higher quality than last year. But he adds that it is going to have to be carefully managed right though the supply chain.

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PETER BURKE peterb@ruralnews.co.nz

One bright spot is that that many of the people who worked in the kiwifruit sector for the first-time last year will be back again this year and will be more experienced.

Zespri chief executive Dan Mathieson says the impact of the devastating frost late last year will see a significant drop in this season’s crop.

Lincoln student on fertile ground

that the future of New Zealand is in very capable hands,” Diacks says.

Georgia

LINCOLN UNIVERSITY student

Higinbottom has been announced as the 2023 Ravensdown’s Hugh Williams Memorial scholar.

Heading into her second year at Lincoln University, her focus is on completing the next three years at Lincoln and getting involved in student life.

This year she will be

serving as treasurer for the Lincoln Uni Young Farmers Club, will be involved with the Lincoln Uni Hunting Club and hopes to play hockey.

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

Higinbottom grew up on a Tinui sheep and beef farm in the Wairarapa and is currently working on a dairy farm in Springston for her degree’s practical component.

“They encouraged me and gave me enough room to give things a go, always happy to teach and explain things on the farm to me,” she explains about her background.

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

Ravensdown chief executive Garry Diack says it was Higinbottom’s clear thinking and great attitude that made her a stand-out for this year’s scholarship panellists.

“At a time when we’re facing immense societal pressure and disruption, it gives me confidence

“As a pipeline of leaders come through the ranks who can help farmers get the most out of innovation and technology as they navigate the evolving challenges of farming.”

Higinbottom is keeping her career options open, but she knows her future will involve helping NZ farmers one way or another.

“Last year at uni we spent a lot of time in the lab, and it’s been interesting to be involved in the science of farming,” she explains. “While I don’t necessarily want to be a scientist or go into farming straight out of university, I can definitely see myself somewhere in the middle.”

Higinbottom says that while New Zealand farmers are world leaders when it comes to sustainability, innovation and the use of technology, she’s also keen to travel abroad, learning about different cultures and ways of farming around the world.

She particularly wants to learn to relate lab research and outcomes back to Kiwi farmers and communities in a relevant, practical way.

“I would love to go to Australia and work on one of those big outback stations.

I’m intrigued to see the massive scale of farming in America, too.”

Speaking about her experiences at university and on farm, Higinbottom says she has learnt much more than she was expecting.

“I’ve been really fortunate that my bosses and manager don’t just ask

me to do things. They’re taking the time to explain the reasons why things are done a certain way and make sure I get to do a variety of jobs.”

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

FLRC a success, again

MAKING SCIENCE

accessible was one of the main features of Massey University’s annual Farmed Landscape Research Centre’s (FLRC) annual workshop.

This took place at the Palmerston North campus last week, with more than 200 people attending the event in person – along with many others who joined online.

FLRC director, Professor Chris Anderson says the aim of this year’s workshop was to promote robust discussions based on the theme of the event – Diverse Solutions.

More than 70 speakers took part in the workshop, including a Danish expert in catchment management Simon

Rosendahl Bjorholm. Other keynote speakers included Jacqueline Rowarth of Lincoln University, John Roche of MPI and Richard McDowell of

AgResearch.

Anderson says having overseas speakers helps enrich NZ science and develop valuable international contacts.

“Having overseas speakers gives us a different perspective and a chance to reflect on challenges overseas,” he told Rural News

“We are looking at lessons from Europe because that is a critical export market for NZ. We need to be cognisant of what the trends and

expectations are from our partners. That helps us develop new ideas on how we can deliver diverse solution.”

Topics covered at the FLRC event included diverse solutions for greenhouse gases, carbon, water, animals and soils and pasture. The way the programme is run could easily be described as ‘speed dating science’, with all but the keynote presentations limited in length to just ten

minutes. However, while short, the presentations widened the scope of workshop giving participants plenty of information to digest and reflect on.

A feature of FLRC this year was the participants were given the option of attending in person or going on-line. Anderson says in changing times many people don’t want to or cannot travel and the online option has proved very popular.

PETER BURKE

“We are looking at lessons from Europe because that is a critical export market for NZ. We need to be cognisant of what the trends and expectations are from our partners. That helps us develop new ideas on how we can deliver diverse solution.”

FLRC director Chris Anderson says the aim of this year’s workshop was to promote robust discussions.

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Southland farmers ‘well prepared’ for winter grazing this year

SOUTHLAND FARM-

ERS are well set up for winter grazing this season, according to Federated Farmers official Jason Herrick.

He made the comments after accompanying Environment

Southland officials on surveillance flights last month.

“What was seen from the air is farmers are well set up for winter with articulate attention to critical source and waterway protection,” Herrick told Rural News

However, he points out that the dry weather facing the region means farmers are planting fewer crops for this winter.

“What was very apparent to me on the flight over western and northern Southland was how dry it was and the apparent lack of crop planted,” Herrick explained.

“On that particular flight, we never saw any crops in paddocks and any paddock setups that were of concern. I guess those concerns come on the flight over eastern southland the next day.”

However, he adds that if farmers have sound management practices

and don’t bring attention to themselves, the winter should go smoothly.

Herrick, a junior vice president of Federated Farmers Southland, is also its winter grazing spokesperson.

Winter grazing involves the confinement of large numbers of stock to small feeding areas planted with annual forage crops.

Southland farmers have come under fire from environment lobbyists for poor winter grazing practices, prompting the Government to introduce new regulations that gives farmers three pathways for winter grazing.

The first pathway allows for grazing if it complies with national environmental standards for freshwater. The

second pathway, which is currently unavailable, requires a “freshwater farm plan” to be submitted to show grazing won’t worsen water conditions.

The third will see farmers pay for resource consent through their regional council. In some cases, it could cost at least $1,000.

Environment Southland undertakes routine intensive winter grazing inspections. Its cultiva-

tion flights involve flying over areas of Southland to check paddocks in preparation for winter grazing.

Staff look for crops that have little or no buffering from waterways, are on steep slopes and crops planted within critical source areas that need careful management. ES staff will also be driving around the region, completing roadside inspections in coming weeks.

Environment Southland general manager catchment integration

Paul Hulse says its main priority is to help farmers comply with the winter grazing rules in the National Environmental Standards for Freshwater that come into effect on 1 May. These rules mean farmers may need a consent or to be granted a deemed permitted activity.

“We appreciate the

hard work farmers have already put in this year to prepare for winter,” Hulse says. “Our flights have shown careful planning has gone into cultivation across the region and that puts farmers in a good position before animals go onto crop.

“There are only a handful of properties which will be followed up with as a result of the cultivation flights.”

Following the flights

and roadside assessments, land sustainability and compliance teams will determine the manner in which they follow up directly with farmers who have paddocks identified at risk.

“While we are pleased to see how well prepared farmers are, there is always the need to remain vigilant as we can never be sure what weather winter will bring,” Hulse says.

SUDESH KISSUN sudeshk@ruralnews.co.nz

“What was very apparent to me on the flight over western and northern Southland was how dry it was and the apparent lack of crop planted.”

South Fed Farmers vice president Jason Herrick believe farmers in the region are well set up for winter grazing this year.

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Increasing costs causing a rethink in dairy land

RISING COSTS such as fertiliser, fuel and labour and an overall tightening of profitability is forcing dairy farmers to take a ‘more considered approach’ to their businesses.

ANZ bank agricultural economist Susan Kilsby says these factors are impacting more on intensive dairy operations rather than sheep and beef farms.

She says for some farmers’ interest rates have gone up pretty dramatically depending on their overall financial position. However, Kilsby adds that in the past few years when times have been good, farmers have paid down debt and these individuals are probably in a better position than otherwise would be the case.

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

Kilsby is noticing that farmers are looking closely at their farm businesses and making tweaks to improve their profitability. She says a

lot are pretty exhausted because of the extra work they have had to do during Covid because of labour shortages.

She adds that others are making some changes to their systems by doing such things as milking once a day or three times every two days.

“Definitely some change but nothing dramatic. Some are trying to

become a little bit more self-sufficient and therefore not grazing stock out as much as they used to,” Kilsby says. “A few more farms in the Canterbury region are looking at a little more cropping on farm or leasing out paddocks to commercial growers.”

She believes part of this change is in response to labour shortages but

also in response to reducing nutrient emission levels.

Meanwhile, DairyNZ chairman Jim van der Poel says uncertainty in the dairy industry is causing farmers to think twice before investing. He says while the banks are offering money to invest in the sector, farmers are taking quite a cautious approach.

He says this is because of a number of things such as the shortage of labour, government legislation and the milk price coming down.

“As a result, there is a real reluctance among farmers to borrow that extra money,” he told Rural News Van der Poel says that is a reflection of things at the moment with con-

fidence quite low and people are worried about what the future may hold. He says costs have gone up, the last two GDT’s haven’t been positive and there is still a labour shortage. He says in the last three years farmers have had to work harder than they would have liked.

“It would appear that they are taking stock,

sitting back for a while and seeing how things play out, including what actions the Chris Hipkins’ government might take in the coming months,” he says.

C o m b i C l a m p S t o c k H a n d l i n g E q u i p m e n t p r o m o t e s u s e r - f r i e n d l y o p e r a t i o n s w i t h i n c r e d i b l e e f f i c i e n c y a n d r e l i a b i l i t y C o n t r o l l e d , m a n u a l o p e r a t i o n o f o u r S h e e p H a n d l e r , a n d a u t o m a t i c c a t c h i n g f o r C a t t l e , e n a b l e m o r e t i m e t o b e s p e n t s a f e l y m a n a g i n g e a c h t a s k . P r e v i o u s b o d y - a c h i n g a n d r i s k y t a s k s a r e n o w q u i c k l y a c c o m p l i s h e d

“Definitely some change but nothing dramatic. Some are trying to become a little bit more selfsufficient and therefore not grazing stock out as much as they used to. A few more farms in the Canterbury region are looking at a little more cropping on farm or leasing out paddocks to commercial growers.”

Susan Kilsby says while farm gate milk prices are still reasonable, profit margins are being squeezed pretty quickly.

V i s i t u s a t N o r t h l a n d F i e l d D a y s S i t e G 2 0

Back to the future for MPI?

THE COMPLEXITY of farming and horticulture – and a desire to better connect generally with people on the land – has prompted MPI to put its own staff in gumboots and establish a strong presence in regions.

Known as On Farm Support (OFS), the initiative is headed up by Dr John Roche who is also the Ministry for Primary Industries’ chief science advisor. He told Rural News that the aim is to have 40 staff in the regions by next month and over time increase it to 90.

The original MAF advisory service was discontinued in the late 1980s and with it went the independent advice to farmers and growers, as well as a direct link between the people on the land and the policy makers in Wellington.

Interestingly, a country which has a similar primary sector profile to NZ, Ireland, has continued with a farm advisory service called Teagasc, which comes under that country’s Department of Agriculture.

Roche, who is Irish, says the new OFS is a bit like the service Teagasc offers, but it will be much smaller. Teagasc employs about 1,100 staff based at 55 locations around Ireland. However, not all its 1,100 staff are employed as farm advisors, with

WHO WILL BE OFS STAFF?

ROCHE SAYS in selecting staff he’s gone for people with big brains and small egos.

He says one of the criteria in selecting OFS regional managers has been to employ people who live in the region in which they are appointed.

He believes by doing this they will already have good networks and understand the issues and can therefore provide better help and intel back to MPI.

“We have got people who are currently dairy farmers and some who have trained as lawyers so we have a really heterogenous group of people, which is quite exciting,” Roche told Rural News

“We will obviously put them through training so that they will know what the basic inputs are into a farm plan, but we are not looking at them to do farm plans. Rather having conversations with farmers about what goes in to a farm plan and what they will need to do and connecting them with the people who can deliver those plans for them.”

Roche says his staff are there to give independent advice to farmers and growers and to be a part of the very successful primary sector. “Don’t be afraid of us – we’re there to help,” he says.

some involved in training and other duties.

“Our way of working will be different,” says Roche. “Rather than organising discussion groups and facilitating these, what we are keen to do is to use the great services provided by the industry groups such as DairyNZ, B+LNZ, HortNZ and private consultants to connect with them and see where extra support is needed. Our role will be about facilitation, collaboration and building on the resources that

already exist and filling in gaps where necessary.”

He says OFS will produce a separate plan for each region, which recognises that each one has different challenges and opportunities. He says it won’t be the case of a plan generated in Wellington being imposed on regions.

According to Roche, MPI’s move to establish OFS is recognition that the farming and commercial growing scene is now more complex than ever.

“With new market demands, regulatory changes, not to mention the almost constant significant adverse climatic events which are occurring,” he explains.

“For example, Alice Ritchie from the big UK supermarket chain Tesco’s recently told a conference that the key message from markets is they are demanding sustainability credentials. So, it’s not just a case of government making up rules for the sake of it.”

Roches adds that

another factor which comes through in social research is that approximately 40% of farmers and growers have never sought advice from anywhere. He says in a changing world, most people will need help and advice to deal with change.

Roche says the staff at OFS will connect with local communities and gather intel that can be passed back to policy makers in MPI and other government agencies –as well as politicians –to ensure there is better decision making.

“The other thing we can offer is that we are connected into the science system, because I am head of science at MPI as well as OFS.

“I will use both of my positions to make sure that farmers and growers are getting independent evidence-based advice.

“I will be looking to connect them with the science institutions and universities where applicable.”

“Our way of working will be different. Rather than organising discussion groups and facilitating these, what we are keen to do is to use the great services provided by the industry groups such as DairyNZ, B+LNZ, HortNZ and private consultants to connect with them and see where extra support is needed.”

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Sticky trans-Tasman battle

THE TRANS-TASMAN

battle for naming rights for mānuka honey continues as – after an initial withdrawal – Kiwi honey advocates have filed for a replacement application in the UK and EU.

The Australian Manuka Honey Association (AMHA) welcomed the initial withdrawal of legal proceedings in the UK and Europe by New Zealand’s Manuka Honey Appellation Society (MHAS). This would leave them free to sell their produce in those jurisdictions under the globally recognised “Manuka” name.

Tom Walters, a New

Zealand based AMHA member and former member of New Zealand’s United Manuka Factor (UMF), is unimpressed by the latest move by MHAS.

“As a Kiwi, I believe the debate around who may use the name mānuka honey is detrimental to the New Zealand industry and of no benefit whatsoever to NZ beekeepers nor the industry as a whole in its current context,” he told Rural News

The international manuka honey market is forecast to be worth $1.27 billion in annual trade by 2027. Australia produces between 20,000-30,000 tonnes per year, at an

estimated value of A$147 million per annum.

AMHA chairman Paul Callander says with growing demand for the product both for consumption and use in medicinal and wellbeing products, greater certainty in the UK and Europe allows Australian manuka growers to enjoy their share of this demand.

He told Rural News that the mānuka tree is also native to the southeastern coasts of Australia and scientific analysis at the University of Sunshine Coast has shown no physical or chemical difference between honey produced from either country. He says the call for a legal protection for

RURAL NEWS

New Zealand honey alone is hard to understand from an Australian perspective.

“If you can trademark a descriptive term like manuka, what else can you trademark?” Callander asks. “What impact does that have as a precedent? Our position is that it’s not in any country’s interest to do that.”

New Zealand’s sole justification for the name mānuka looks sketchy. The first recorded use of the term “manuka honey” (no macron) in fact dates from an Adelaide newspaper in 1927. In fact, until 1839, New Zealand had no native honeybees. While, even prior to European settlement, there had been honey producing bees in Australia; meaning Australian manuka honey most likely predates New Zealand honey.

MHAS discontinued its High Court

appeal in the UK and EU just before Christmas, meaning the Intellectual Property Office’s (IPO) previous rejections of MHAS’s application to trademark the words “manuka honey” would stand.

However, that did not last long. Just two days later, MHAS filed another application, claiming its earlier withdrawal was “for technical reasons.”

Callander and Walters feel the Australian manuka industry has been making efforts to reach out to the New Zealand industry for collaboration. However, they claim the New Zealand industry has been “combative and underhanded” in its attempts to shut Australia out of the UK and EU markets.

Callander believes that as the native home of manuka, both New Zealand and Australia must work together to boost

manuka’s prestige worldwide and protect customers from fraudulent product.

“There’s an English company that grows manuka and we’ve been asked to sell plants to a Middle Eastern company, but we’ve said no,” he told Rural News. “If you start growing it all over the world you lose control of quality.”

Callander adds that although the AMHA had initially wanted collaboration with New Zealand mānuka growers, the reapplication in the IPO’s is undermining trust amongst Australian growers.

He also stated that the AMHA is ready and willing to contest the application and has been receiving legal advice and financial support from the government.

Rural News was unable to reach either MHAS or UMF for comment.

The trans-Tasman battle for naming rights for mānuka honey continues in the EU and UK markets.

The Australian Manuka Honey Association believes NZ and Australia should work together to boost manuka’s prestige worldwide.

Adapt and thrive

BY THE time Auckland mayor Wayne Brown made the symbolic act of declaring a ‘state of emergency’ during recent flooding, the actual emergency response – everyone from council and emergency services to citizens helping each other – had been underway for hours. Nobody was sitting on their hands waiting for a sign from on high.

Similarly, NZ’s farming industry, facing a raft of challenges, is not sitting back waiting for others to determine their fate. The pages of this issue of Rural News are full of examples of the myriad ways that ‘NZ Ag’ – everyone from research bodies, to farmers are helping themselves and others – is adapting.

The resilience of the entire industry is on display here. In the face of headwinds from markets, the climate, and artificial restraints (government red tape).

Stories in this issue outline how research is underway to find low-cost ways to reduce runoff of phosphorus and sediment; and to more accurately forecast the impact of climate change on pasture growth, so that modelling more accurately predicts the impact on productivity.

The Plant Breeding and Research Association is improving farmer access to information about pasture genetics – a key tool for farm adaptation.

The machinery section shows how manufacturers are busy innovating to reduce on-farm emissions and boost efficiency.

MPI is also busy, via its chief scientist Dr John Roche, building a modern version of the farm advisory service, called On Farm Support. Other articles explain some of the ways farmers and growers are responding to higher interest rates and input costs, or to labour shortages. Nobody is sitting around waiting for help from Wellington or anywhere else; the industry is adapting and finding a way through.

Strong demand for sites at the coming round of regional field days – Northland (March 2-4), Central Districts (March 16-18) and Kirwee (March 29-31) – and supporting marketing campaigns suggest the ag service & supply side of the industry is positive about the year. It is ready to get properly back into gear after years of supply and shipping constraints. Field days organisers, forced to cancel under Covid lockdowns and take the loss on the chin, are hopeful farmers will turn out in force to these events.

As always, farming finds a way. As one writer in this issue says, “Unless eating goes out of fashion, NZ farmers’ place in the future is assured”.

THE HOUND

Woke milk

A mate of the Hound’s reckons that while the princess of wokeness (former PM Ardern) may have left the building, the country’s largest dairy co-op is fully ensconced with her style. He points to a recent advertisement where Fonterra was looking for a top new spin doctor to massage the dairy company’s messages to farmers. The advert calling for interested parties stated: “Whanaungatanga, our Co-operative spirit gives us all a common strength and purpose.

Manaakitanga is how we care for all our people who are at the heart of what we do... Kaitiakitanga ensures we take care of the land. Whakaohooho constantly inspires ourselves … Come join our whānau.

You, me, Us Together Tātou tātou.”

Stone the crows, a number of flummoxed suppliers asked yours truly, “Is Fonterra a farmer dairy co-op or another politically-correct government department?” Good question.

Oh, really?

Your old mate hears that recent claims made by Wairarapa MP and newly installed local government minister Kieran McNulty that it’s too unsafe to hold and publicise mobile clinics around his electorate, may not be all the facts behind their demise. Word around the electorate is that McNulty’s fervent backing of unpopular government policies such as 3 Waters and methane taxes on farmers, as well his weird boast in Parliament that he is a ‘proud socialist’, actually meant that no one wanted, or could be bothered, to come and visit him. Apparently his mobile clinics were about as popular with the punters as his push for fart taxes. It seems the wee man with a huge ego is not as popular around his Wairarapa electorate as he keeps telling himself he is in his full length mirror every day!

PRODUCTION: Dave Ferguson Ph 027 272 5372 davef@ruralnews.co.nz

Becky Williams Ph 021 100 4381 beckyw@ruralnews.co.nz

Tosser!

Your canine crusader understands it is very early into 2023 but he may well have already found his ‘2023 Dick of the Year’. As people know, Auckland – and other parts of the country – were dealing with horrific flooding late last month. Undoubtedly, the city of sails recently-elected mayor did himself few favours early on, but it’s not Wayne Brown who wins the aforementioned title. This in fact goes to the head of communications for Greenpeace NZ – Nick Young. This absolute knob spent the better part of the peak of the flooding taking to social media and blaming farmers and dairy cows for the disaster that was hitting Auckland. Sure, we can talk about climate change and raise issues that might be causing it. However, in the middle of an event when houses are being destroyed, lives being lost and people needing help, it was extremely tacky and a dick move.

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Te hort?

The Hound understands there has been quite a bit of unrest in the hort sector over the naming of a recent strategy, aimed at growing NZ hort export to $12b by 3035. Things have got so bad that Hort NZ chief executive Nadine Tunley sent a recent message to growers defending the report’s title: Aotearoa Horticulture Action Plan. “I have received some mixed feedback on the use of Aotearoa in the action plan’s title,” Tunley wrote. “The choice of title was made by the Government, which initiated the plan that has been completed by our industry, working with Māori… and others with an interest in advancing our industry.” She went on to try and further placate (rather unsuccessfully in this old mutt’s view) with this final claim: “… there is increasing emphasis on the use of te reo Māori as part of the Government’s responsibilities under the Treaty of Waitangi.”

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“They were right Edna – it still looks like a pig, now what party does that mean we should vote for?”

Farmer resilience will be tested

PERHAPS CAPTAIN

Bligh’s infamous line, “the beatings will continue until morale improves”, best summed up the mood of New Zealand’s weary agribusiness sector at Fieldays last year.

While there are good things happening for farmers, there are significant headwinds to navigate for New Zealand’s most critical sector heading into 2023. This includes well-publicised rising costs, market and

of fast and easy money for home loans and may do more if they revisit their stalled capital overlay changes.

Now rising interest rates are piling on additional pressure.

The resulting uncertainty in outlook means that within this capitalintensive industry, investment becomes limited, retarding development and – ultimately – productivity.

Without question, the Government’s apparent reluctance to let work-

there is a shortage of protein through southeast Asia. Over the next 4-5 years, we are well placed to meet this demand.

Supporting this, dairy futures look solid for the next three years, however, they recently slipped under $9, which needs to be watched.

Finally, for those

who consider agribusiness a ‘sunset industry’, unless eating goes out of fashion, the New Zealand farmer’s place in the future is assured. We’re still here, despite being beaten up year after year. We are still the best in the world with strong demand for our products. And we

have a wonderful story to tell.

regulatory uncertainties and the familiar ever more acute problem of labour shortages.

While I’d love to be more upbeat, the uncomfortable reality is that we face headwinds – some of which are self-inflicted and some external. But wherever they are coming from, there are strengthening undercurrents holding the sector back.

While there is an inordinate international focus on the Ukraine situation, the big story for New Zealand lies elsewhere. China is our story because China pays our bills. If we look at that country, it is still struggling with its own internal issues, from still strictly enforcing Covid restrictions through to confidence in its own economy.

From far away to close to home, farmers face multiple artificial constraints impacting their productivity and performance. Local politics and regulation are causing uncertainty, with issues such as He Wake Eke Noa and other environmental laws combined with bewildering immigration settings causing headaches.

Access to capital has been a long-running challenge for the sector. Labour’s OIO changes dried up the supply of foreign capital. The RBNZ screwed the scrum against business and agricultural lending in favour

ers in is the most serious source of frustration. Every time they say they are listening, they are fixing immigration, our clients tell us: ‘we can’t get [people] through, but we have to readvertise the job’.

Something is going on that isn’t being said: this is a known problem with a known solution, but the workers needed are being kept out.

Beyond productivity and frustration, a lack of staff is in fact a health and safety issue as farmers are overworked.

I don’t think many in Wellington appreciate this fact.

Yet, despite these challenges, most farmers are still paying tax as profitable operators. This attests to incredible resilience in the face of substantial artificial constraints – along with the general difficulties associated with rendering land productive.

There is a lot to be positive about in terms of farm performance. They are paying debt down and if the Government wasn’t so tough on beating up our industry, we probably would have had three or four of the best years in recent memory. Yes, farmers are resilient, but that resilience is being tested.

Looking ahead, we are still the cleanest, most efficient producer of protein in the world, and

HAYDEN DILLON

• Hayden Dillon is Findex managing partner for the Waikato.

Something is going on that isn’t being said: this is a known problem with a known solution, but the workers needed are being kept out.

Hayden Dillion says NZ’s agriculture sector has significant headwinds to navigate in the year ahead.

Forestry, slash and farming!

a farming perspective”. He is wrong, again!

FORESTRY MINIS -

TER Stuart Nash recently chose Wairoa, one of the epicentres of conversion of farms to forests, to justify current policy and explain why an inquiry into forestry slash was not needed.

He claimed that to meet our international obligations, current policy, supported by both major parties, relies on planting trees to remove CO2 via the ETS (Emissions Trading Scheme). This is short-sighted and leaves the problem for our children to solve.

The PCE (Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment) says that under the current plan, the area required for tree-planting would be over 5 million ha by 2075. That means we would lose all non-tussock sheep and beef land that is not already covered in woody vegetation.

The “really productive land” that Nash does not want to see planted

is class 1-4 land, which is predominantly cropping and dairy. Class 5-7 land is hill country, mainly sheep and beef farms. Nash seeks to justify afforestation of Class 5-7 land by saying: “There’s five million tonnes of silt pouring into Hawke’s Bay every day from erosion.”

We would all like to see less sediment in the Bay, but Nash has his facts wrong. NIWA’s sediment model shows that under pre-human vegetation a bit under six million tonnes per year (not per day) of sediment went into Hawkes Bay. This compares with a bit over eight million tonnes per year today. The main

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reason we have increased sediment flow out to sea is because we have made physical changes to our landscape.

By creating flood banks and opening river mouths we have stopped the process which deposited sediment on flood plains rather than it being taken out to sea. We are now unable to reverse this without endangering our cities, infrastructure and horticulture.

Deforestation and the repeated burning that occurred from the mid-1300s onward created bare land and a lot of landslides (just like recently clear-felled forests do today). These generated sediment at the time, but also filled in valley bottoms and created unstable deposits of soil that will continue to be re-eroded by streams during every large rain

event for decades, possibly centuries, to come.

We can seek to slow this process, but these physical change to our landscape cannot be undone, even by planting trees. Improved farming techniques after WWII do not involve repeated burning.

Nash maintains that inappropriate land clearance occurred after the 1980s. In Wairoa, he is wrong. Locally, a lot of pasture was converted to forestry in the 1990s. StatsNZ figures show the area of pasture in Wairoa decreased by a further

SHEEP JETTER

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12% between 2002 and 2017.

It is worth noting that in the east of both islands, most de-forestation actually occurred prior to pastoral farming. Before the first grazing stock arrived, the HB landscape was mainly fern with some dryer areas, such as Maraekakaho, in native grasses. The only sizable area of bush away from the ranges was around Dannevirke.

Nash’s other justification for planting farmland is that, “Most… is completely uneconomic from

The Economic Farm Service collects data on farms every year for government. They survey what they call “N.I. Hard hill country”, along with seven other classes of land. Many Wairoa farms fall into this category. It has consistently shown a greater rate of return than other classes on more expensive land. Until the introduction of the ETS distorted the land market, it also outperformed forestry on all but the very worst land.

Nash’s solution to the forestry slash problem is to “support a review of transitioning more land into permanent forestry, as opposed to harvested forest”.

For Wairoa, this will mean not just reducing local employment but almost totally eliminating it. After initial planting, permanent forests produce no jobs in silviculture, logging or further processing.

It is the ETS that is causing sheep farms to be planted in pine. The effects are wider than loss of employment in areas such as Wairoa. Permanent forests will make a few forest owners rich,

and yet leave the rest of our population with no export income from our hills and a lower standard of living.

Worldwide it is projected that 1.4 billion people will be protein deficient by 2050. Removing NZ sheep and beef to plant trees will only increase this number.

I am all for fighting global warming, otherwise extremes of weather with increased damage to the land and infrastructure will become increasingly frequent.

However, recent data from the PCE shows no reduced warming from most sectors in NZ. The one exception is the sheep sector. Climate policy should be directed at those sectors that produce the most warming; fossil fuels, followed by dairy.

Instead, policy is eliminating the one sector that has actually reduced warming since 1990. It is the ETS that has to change.

• Dave Read and Judy Bogaard have been farming Waiau Station, near Frasertown in northern Hawke’s Bay. The 1213ha property is steep – mainly class six and seven – East Coast hill country

Dave Read says justification for planting farmland in trees is that it’s completely uneconomic from a farming perspective is wrong.

By creating flood banks and opening river mouths we have stopped the process which deposited sediment on flood plains rather than it being taken out to sea.

Keeping phosphorous out of waterways

short period of time.

MASSEY UNIVERSITY has come up with a simple and cost effective way of stopping sediment and phosphorous getting into rivers and lakes.

Professor Chris Anderson demonstrated the solution at Fieldays, using a model to show how it’s done. It involves creating a bund or small wall at the bottom of a slope where water off a hillside flows.

For example, this could be at the bottom of a gully where there isn’t a stream.

He says the model gives the impression of a small creek, but in reality this is not the case.

Rather, Anderson says it’s a depression where heavy rain water flows but it is not permanently wet and water just soaks away over a

“The aim is to show in simple terms that one of the big problems when we lose soil from our landscapes in NZ is that this sediment also contains phosphorous,” he explains.

“The aim of this project is to slow the passage of that sediment rich water from its point of loss to the rivers. By creating a bund that contains the sediment, we also prevent the phosphorous going into the waterways making these much cleaner.”

Anderson says the ‘containment bund’ detains the rain water for a short period only – maybe three days – and then it drains away leaving the sediment behind. He says the good news for farmers is that because it is just a bund and not a dam, farmers don’t need to get a consent.

Anderson adds that because the water contained in the bund is only there for a few days, there is also no need to fence the area.

“When the water behind the bund dries out, the sediment that is left behind can be grassed over or a cover crop planted and nutrients left behind can be used to good effect.”

He says the idea is not new, but Massey University has been promoting it because it provides a simple and effective solution to a significant problem. Anderson says a catchment group of farmers in Rotorua have been using this approach as part of a project to better understand landscapes and improve environmental outcomes.

He says the good news is that the system meets all the requirements of the Government’s water regulations and is simple to implement.

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Massey University’s Chris Anderson demonstrating a simple way and cost-effective way of stopping sediment and phosphorous getting into rivers and lakes.

Welch’s in Mangatawhiri, 8,000 wet tonnes of maize silage annually.

Minimising disease challenges

THE MAIN sheep health problems that cause loss of weight and death are facial eczema (FE), worms and pneumonia.

These challenges can be greatly reduced by appropriate management. In this piece we will deal with facial eczema (FE) and with pneumonia and worms at a later stage as they are more complex.

Facial eczema or FE is the result of grazing animals ingesting grass where toxic spores are present. These spores carry the toxin Sporidesmin, which is produced by the fungi Pithomyces chartaram.

Like other fungi, mushrooms for example, these are always present and only develop when environmental conditions are favourable. These conditions are when night-time temperatures exceed 12 degrees for several nights, associated with high humidity and moisture. Drizzly rain from the north is an ideal precursor to humidity.

It is believed that when night-time temperatures are above 16 degrees, spore numbers will increase greatly. Traditional ryegrass-dominant pastures have proved to be very toxic, while crops, paspalum, straight clover, chicory and plantain are a much safer option. Kikuyu is considered safe, although the debris below grazing level can be toxic.

During January the fungi will be present, but spore numbers are not normally at dangerous levels. Generally, I have found that when spore numbers are increasing rapidly by the end of January, we may have a serious challenge in the next two to four months.

Low spore numbers in early February generally indicate a season of low challenge. Incidentally, in my area, we have not had a serious challenge for more than a decade.

Gribbles Veterinary monitors levels of spores each week in FE-prone areas which can be found on their website. This infor-

mation I have found extremely helpful.

The first clinical signs of FE are animals seeking shade and shaking their heads. Ears will feel warmer and will soon become swollen, as will other parts of the head. This indicates liver damage. These clinical signs are the result of ingesting spores three weeks earlier.

These clinical signs are only the tip of the iceberg as many animals show no signs but will have severe liver damage.

When you see the first signs, it is too late to take action – the damage is irreversible.

However, scientists have found that FE does not kill animals. They die because the disease inhibits the animal’s mechanisms to block the ultraviolet radiation from the sun, hence why animals seek shade for pain relief.

In my district, John Lane was a top sheep farmer who had a lovely property on the shores of the Kaipara Harbour, which was a hot spot for FE. Each week from 1 January he would drench all of his sheep with zinc oxide mixed with water. Inevitably he would have some sheep that were severely affected. In

his woolshed he has a very dark area that had access to grass. These sheep hide themselves in almost total darkness then emerge to graze all night. After three to four weeks they would semi recover to a point where they could be sent to the works.

Wool will protect the body from these ultraviolet rays, so never shear before or at a time of FE challenge.

Reg Keogh, a top scientist from Grasslands, spent two summers in my region investigating the causes of pneumonia. He had also researched FE and was very knowl-

edgeable as a result. He believed that the fungi that produced the toxic spores was more prolific in areas high in nitrogen. So, never apply nitrogen after winter.

Our replacement ewe lambs are the most valuable sheep on our farms – apart from our serviced sires. They are also more susceptible to FE because they are very selective in their grazing.

Put a mob of lambs in a lush paddock and after several days, you will see small areas – less than half a square metre – that have been grazed while surrounding pasture is ungrazed. In time,

these ‘pockets’ will continue to be favoured until they reach almost ground level. I have always wondered why.

Reg explained that these small areas where urine was deposited in previous grazing. Urine, he explained, was rich in nitrogen and the grass was sweeter in these pockets and, as outlined earlier, is favourable for spore development. Grazing the same paddock with ewes, they would graze the whole paddock.

The FE fungi, like most fungi, are at high levels in low lying sheltered areas where heavy dews keep the pasture and the underlying debris moist late into the morning. This is a major disadvantage of planting shelter belts and hedgerows – especially in low lying areas. Conversely, the safest areas are those exposed to high winds – especially if they are facing south. Higher altitude areas are also less favourable for fungi development.

Of course, if you have used rams with a high degree of tolerance to FE over several generations, you can be more relaxed as your flock will cope with normal challenges. However, some FE counts have reached 3 million – at this level it would be a severe test even for the most tolerant flocks.

• Gordon Levet is a longtime Northland sheep farmer and ram breeder.

GORDON LEVET

The main sheep health problems that cause loss of weight and death are facial eczema (FE), worms and pneumonia.

Fertiliser Silos

Grain & Meal Silos

Portable Hoppers

Breaking new ground!

While the auto industry seems to release new electric or hybrid vehicles almost weekly, agriculture appears to have been left behind. However, a recent visit to Arizona as a guest of CNH Industrial gave Rural News machinery editor Mark Daniel the impression that’s all about to change.

THOSE WITH a penchant for heavy metal will know that New Holland has already led the way in the alternative power stakes.

The T6 Methane Power tractor uses compressed natural gas as the power source. Delivering 145hp rated and 180hp maximum power, alongside 740Nm torque, the tractor is said to offer 30% lower running costs and 98% less particulate matter than a typical diesel engine.

Meanwhile, its CO2 emissions are 11% lower than fossil-based natural gas and 80% lower than when using bio-methane from waste. Yet, the machine is still capable of running for a full 8 hours under constant heavy loads.

A visit to Phoenix, Arizona gave a glimpse into the future at the event entitled “Breaking New Ground”, where

Rural News and a select group of journalists from around the globe were the first to set eyes on the New Holland T7 Methane Power LNG prototype tractor.

Based around a New Holland T7 long wheelbase unit with Auto Command transmission, the tractor offers 270hp maximum output. It is powered by liquified natural gas (LNG) stored in a series of sealed pressurised tanks, which is cryogenically cooled to keep the methane as a liquid at -162 degrees centigrade.

The prototype tractor uses the same 6.75litre, six-cylinder block as the conventional T7.270. However, it has upgraded piston rings and a modified cylinder head with liquid gas injectors and spark plugs suitable for the liquified natural gas.

Said to offer diesel-like performance, the innova-

tive tractor is equipped with the Horizon Ultra cab and the latest suite of PLM technology the incorporation of the LNG fuel source. This helps deliver a reduction in drive-by noise levels to only 66dBA, making it the quietest tractor in the marketplace.

Offering much the same environmental benefits of its T6 cousin, the T7.270 LNG prototype does away with the multiple storage vessels and pipework of the T6, needed for compressed methane. However, probably more importantly, it has around four times the energy density.

By comparison with a conventional diesel engine, that typically has an energy density of 38.6 megajoules/litre, the T7 LNG is rated at 22.2megajoules/litre. In practice, this means that it should run for around twice the time of the T6

Methane unit.

Also on show were the fruits of CNH Industrial collaboration with The Monarch Tractor Company of California: The new T4 Electric Power Utility Tractor uses a single electric motor of 75hp to deliver a continuous power output of 40hp and a 120hp peak with around 440Nm

torque. It is said to be able to run for a full day on a single charge, and a one-hour recharge time is available from a DC fast charger.

The T4 Electric is claimed to reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 53 metric tonnes annually, with typical cost savings of US$18,000 each year.

The tractor, ultimately available in New Holland blue or Case IH maroon, is equipped with Monarch’s autonomous driving features, guided by sensors and surround-view cameras. This combines to offer remote, driverless operation, while detecting and avoiding obstacles and offering the Shadow/

Follow Me function. Silent in operation, it is well suited to enclosed environments such as dairy units, orchards and vineyards.

The T4 Electric can also be synchronised with several other similar tractors within a property, allowing a single operator to manage up to eight units.

Are “ ”

hitting Let the results speak for themselves.

target

Plus balers.

Phenix rises from the ashes

With the debate about reducing the reliance on agrochemical raging on, many manufacturers are looking to control weeds by mechanical means. Kverneland looks to be the latest company to hedge its bets, with the 100% purchase of BC Technique of France, which sells the Phenix Agrosystem brand. Mark Daniel reports.

PHENIX AGROSYSTEM

is a producer of tine harrows, inter-row cultivators, rotary hoes and guidance interfaces.

Its Helios rotary hoe is designed to take out weeds above seed depth. It was originally designed and developed for the organic sector, but more recently the company has moved towards mainstream agriculture as restrictions on herbicides become more stringent, particularly in Europe.

With numerous companies operating in the sector, the French business does seem to have a point of difference. It offers two camera-guided “interface” units, which sit between the tractor and the mechanical hoe to guide the implement down the rows independently of the tractor.

The guidance system can be used in conjunction with any brand of implement. Named Lynx and X-Green the system removes the need to invest in a separate system for each machine being used, although they will still require their own camera systems.

The company also reports that the purchase also allows Kverneland access to a 400ha pilot tillage farm for machine development in the Bourgogne region of central France. This is where Phenix Agrosystem implements are designed and tested over a wide variety of soil types and conditions – a valuable resource for its new parent company.

In other Kverneland news, accuracy and precision continue to evolve for the company’s extensive range of iXter A and

technology to be able to deliver greater precision and consistent boom control at higher forward speeds.

JCB LOADALL OWNERS

B mounted alongside the T3, T4 and T6 iXtrack trailed models.

Three new optional features include SpotSpray, the introduction of a 25cm nozzle spacing option; and the next generation Boom Guide ProActive boom height control.

SpotSpray technology is an extension of the company’s variable rate application maps, used on seed drills and fertiliser spreaders with task control, so will apply to sprayers that are equipped with iXspray software, using the iXflow Air/iXflow E individual nozzle control.

SpotSpray uses treatment maps that are preloaded into the control terminal to instruct the sprayer to automatically control individual nozzles through the SpotSpray software and GPS, to apply the correct product doses to the pre-defined areas.

Operators can define areas such as weed infestations, wet spots, areas of non-germination or parts of a paddock with known soil problems. As a result, spray costs can be reduced, but also protecting healthy crops from unnecessary blanket applications.

The introduction of a 25cm nozzle spacing option alongside lower boom heights can be achieved to further reduce spray drift to a minimum.

Working at a reduced boom height of 30cm instead of 50cm, has been made possible with the latest generation of Boom Guide ProActive ultrasonic boom control. This uses advanced sensor

We talked to JCB LOADALL owners across NZ about how it impacts their operation. Here’s what they said...

“ WE NEED THE JCB ALL DAY LONG. IN FACT WE DON’T NEED ONE - WE NEED THREE.”

HEW DALRYMPLE Waitatapia

“YOU DON’T REALISE HOW MUCH BETTER HAVING A JCB TELEHANDLER IS UNTIL YOU’VE GOT ONE! ”

When it comes to a JCB LOADALL, farmers across New Zealand who own one (or more) universally agree on one thing - that they couldn’t imagine running their business without one!

To watch the full testimonials of JCB LOADALL owners and operators, or for more information about how a JCB LOADALL can make your operation more efficient, visit our website.

FOR VIDEOS, TESTIMONIALS AND OTHER INFORMATION GO TO: JCBAGRICULTURE.CO.NZ YOU’LL WONDER HOW YOU FARMED WITHOUT IT.

Kverneland has recently purchased Phenix Agrosystem a producer of tine harrows, inter-row cultivators, rotary hoes and guidance interfaces.

THOMAS KERSHAW T Kershaw Contracting, Greytown

Farming, Bulls

Made in NZ BA Pumps

Made in New Zealand is a feature that looks at the wealth of design and manufacturing ability we have in New Zealand, producing productive and cost-effective products for the agricultural sector. This week, we take a closer look at BA Pumps and Sprayers, catching up with directors, Mark, Penny and Guy Rendle.

Q - When was the company founded, by whom and why?

In 1989 Mark, Penny and Guy Rendle identified a need for rugged, high quality, New Zealand-designed and made pumps and sprayers to meet increasing diversity in land use. Originally known as Bertolini Australasia, BA Pumps and Sprayers has grown from this concept to become New Zealand’s leader in pumps and sprayers.

Q - Where are you located and how many people are employed?

We have a fabrication and assembly facility in Cambridge, New Zealand employing 45 people. This is complemented by BA Group Australia, which

has an assembly facility in Geelong, near Melbourne, employing 25 people –including the national sales team.

Q - What are your key products and which markets do they serve?

We offer spraying solutions for dairy farmers, arable farmers, viticulture, horticulture, silviculture businesses across all geographic regions of New Zealand.

Our relationship with Bertolini Italy has allowed us to bring in the best Italian and German pump technology and develop spraying products for the New Zealand market. This has resulted in a range of products that can help farmers and growers apply crop pro-

tectants effectively, efficiently and safely.

Q - Are your products unique? If so, what are the key benefits or selling points?

Much of our success has come from a commitment to researching the unique New Zealand land use markets.

Using this information, we develop and manufacture products that meet, and often surpass, the expectations of our customers. This uncompromising strategy has given us a true edge in the rural marketplace.

Q - Looking at an everevolving market, what changes have you made over the last few years, or will you make?

As a New Zealand

company, we are born with Kiwi ingenuity that keeps us ever changing. As our business grows, we’ve changed our systems and processes to improve efficiencies across the company. On the product side, we have our own R&D team and partner with other spraying technology experts, such as TeeJet Nozzles and Smart-Apply, to develop products that agricultural and horticultural businesses can use as they become larger and face increased demands and legislation.

Q - What has been the company’s greatest success since its formation?

Growing from a company employing four people to one employing over 70 people here, in New Zealand and Australia.

Q - If you were approached by someone looking to start a business, what would be your three key pieces of advice?

Passion – You need to be passionate about what you are doing. If you don’t have the passion you won’t have the drive to make the business a success. Perseverance –It’s not easy starting a business and there will be things that won’t go your way so keep trying. And, finally, don’t give up!!

Proven beyond doubt!

“I

Third time lucky!

For the past week, the organising committee has been digging trenches to drain water logged fields.

DARGAVILLE DAIRY farmer and Northland

Field Days president, John Phillips is confident he’ll be third time lucky.

Since Phillips took over the presidency in December 2020, the popular event has been cancelled twice in a row – in 2021 and 2022, thanks to Covid restrictions imposed by the Government.

The cancellations have hit the North Field Days Association hard: run by a group of volunteers with one paid staff, the organisation has endured two years of no income while still meeting running costs.

With the days of Covid well behind them, Phillips believes next month’s 37th Northland Field Days will signal a return to the “good old days”.

The three-day event at Dargavile is shaping up to be an extravaganza.

Phillips and his team of volunteers are meeting every week as final touches are being made to the showground.

He told Rural News that unlike previous years, they are facing a new challenge - rain.

“Normally we are in drought here at this time of the year,” he says.

“In 2019 and 2020 we had to cart water to the field days because of water shortage.

“But this year there’s been too much rain, farmers have lost a lot of maize crop and there’s still water on some paddocks.”

The field days site hasn’t been spared either.

Phillips says a spell of sunny days will do the trick.

“We need sunny weather to dry the ground so that we can mow the grass and start mark ing the sites and we are confident of having the site ready to go come March 2nd.”

Phillips acknowledges that the past few years have been tough on everyone but the field days will be a great opportunity to get back into the groove.

“In 2021, we were three days out from the event when the Government changed the alert levels and we had to cancel.

“All the marquees were up, trucks had brought in a lot of machin ery and stock from as far south as Palmerston North, exhibitors sites were well developed, traffic control all arranged, rubbish collection organ ised – we were so ready to go!”

With the return of the field days this year, Phillips wants everyone to put their support behind the event.

“We want people through the gates, to back the exhibitors and businesses that sup port us,” he says.

“We’re putting together a great event for three days; there will be things for the whole family to enjoy.

“So, my message to everyone is to come out and support us and our exhibitors.”

Preapproval is now a lot easier with online tools that can give a definitive answer within a few minutes. Preapproval can also be granted by answering a few simple questions over the phone, which makes the process simple and straightforward.

Northland Field Days president John Phillips is confident the event will go ahead this year after Covid cancellations of the previous two shows.

Record number of exhibitors signed up for 2023 show

SUDESH KISSUN sudeshk@ruralnews.co.nz

ORGANISERS OF the Northland Field Days have signed up a record 300 exhibitors for the three-day event next month.

Just a few spaces are left at the Dargaville showground as the event returns after a two-year hiatus, thanks to Covid.

Field Days coordina-

tor Luciana Schwarz says interest from the business community has been very strong and the event is shaping up to be a funfilled event for the whole family.

The Fencing Contractors Association New Zealand (FCANZ), the industry organisation that supports and benefits the fencing industry of New Zealand, will run fencing

handypiece

■ Ideal for shearing sheep, alpacas, goats and cow tails.

■ Variable speed from 2600-3500 rpm.

■ Latest brushless motor technology means minimal heat build up

■ 1400gms means 100-200gms lighter than standard handpiece.

■ At 2800 rpm the 12-volt lithium battery will crutch 300-400 sheep or trim 400-500 cow tails.

■ Tough alloy switch box with auto rest fuse for overload or lockup –clips to belt.

ENTRY FEE

ADULTS VISITING the Northland Field Days this year will pay $13 per entry.

Chidren under five are free, and 5-16 yrs will pay $5. A family pass- consisting of two adults and two children- will fork out $30.

Organisers say their operating costs have gone up on average between 15 and 20% compared to previous years. For ticket infomation please visit northlandfielddays.co.nz.

demonstrations and competition during the show.

Schwarz says the event will be very important for the fencing sector in the area.

There will also be plenty of food: three food courts will operate during the show.

For the children, there will be little truck rides, bouncy castles, pony rides, merry-go-around and animal shows.

Caro’s Crazy Critters mobile farm, from Umawera, will be at the show.

Schwarz says children can experience a range of animals first hand.

“They can get up close and personal with pets, both domestic and farm animals.”

The animals have

been hand raised to enjoy human interactions and they live for spending time with children.

The 2023 Sheep Dog Trials will also be held at the field days. Entries for this event close February 20. According to NZ Sheep Dog Trial Association, there are usually four events at each trial: the Long Head, the Short Head and Yard, the Zig-Zag Huntaway and the Straight Huntaway events.

Heading dogs (silent working dogs, evolved in NZ from border collies) compete in the heading events, and huntaways (evolved in NZ from border collies and various barking sheep dog breeds) compete in the huntaway events.

Making a return to the Field Days will be lawn mower racing, an up and coming sport where

people race with their modified lawnmowers around a track enclosed by tyres.

For the elderly mobility scooters will be available to move around the showground.

Schwarz says the organising committee is working hard to deliver an exciting event.

She says families are looking forward to an enjoyable day out at the showground after a lapse of two years.

“We are urging people to come out and support the businesses and the committee that’s done all the work.

“We’ve done the groundwork. The icing on the cake will be people turning up and enjoying themselves and supporting our exhibitors.

“There will be plenty going on to keep everyone happy.”

Northland Field Days organisers have signed up a record 300 exhibitors for this year’s event.

Benefits in reducing soil compaction

increasing production in grassland and arable operations.

REDUCING SOIL compaction has been recognised for many years as an efficient method of

While there are many products in the marketplace, key design features can have a major effect

on efficiency, horsepower requirements, output and ultimately, the final surface finish.

The James Soil Aerator was designed and built to overcome compac-

tion in heavy soils. This is evidenced by surface ponding after rainfall, shallow root systems and restricted plant growth or output.

The five-leg aerator is

a linkage-mounted design. It is centred around a heavy-duty frame for durability with inherent weight to aid penetration in difficult conditions. Operating to a working depth of 23cm. The initial lifting and subsequent “wave” effect creates a vertical slot and horizontal fissures, creating drainage, oxygenation and deeper root systems.

The process also promotes the release of “locked” minerals that are typically unavailable because of a lack of oxygen. MAF trials in Southland showed that “aerated” paddocks on average produced 21.7% more dry matter over a 15-month period.

Up front, individual disc assemblies’ slice through the surface and shallow root systems to allow easy entry for the aerator leg. This also reduces surface damage to the sward.

Each of the five legs, manufactured from highgrade carbon steels, are inclined slightly forwards

The process also promotes the release of “locked” minerals that are typically unavailable because of a lack of oxygen. MAF trials in Southland showed that “aerated” paddocks on average produced 21.7% more dry matter over a 15-month period.

to aid penetration and “pull” the machine into the ground. Each leg is also fitted with an adjustable and replaceable shin to prevent excessive wear to the main part of the leg.

At the base of the leg, a heavy-duty “frog” assembly carries a replaceable point that creates the initial “lift” and initiates the “wave effect”. This creates ground shatter and allows working depths of up to 25cm.

Integral to the machine is a hydraulic auto-reset system that removes the problem of overload and the

frustratingly time-consuming issue of broken shear bolts. Importantly, the system can be easily adjusted to suit prevailing conditions— such as rock burdens or sub-surface timber. At the same time, it also acts as a shock absorber system for the aerator and the tractor rear linkage.

At the rear of the machine, a full width smooth roller and scraper assembly serves to level any surface imperfections. This ensures that pastures or paddocks can be returned as quickly to onward production. www.james-engineeering. co.nz

MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz

The James Soil Aerator is designed and built to overcome compaction in heavy soils.

John Pio - 027 640 3582

Mel Roberts - 027 432 3031 Stephen Workman - 021 884 909 Brad McLeod - 021 570 112

No need to grapple with slash again!

attachment came from Moutere Logging M3

WITH THE current issues of forestry ‘slash’ continuing to be a major problem in high rainfall events, a new take on an old method to deal with the forestry waste is set to help Kiwi logging crews better manage skid sites and landings, which could in turn increase productivity.

The locally developed Falcon Slash Grapple Rake fits around two of the most common sizes of Ensign grapple. An independent study shows it can reduce the laborious task by as much as one hour a day, while improving safety and environmental outcomes.

The idea for the new

Crew manager Steve Johnson, who was frustrated with existing methods of managing slash and debris on their sites.

“I was up on the skid for three hours one evening moving slash for management purposes and thought ‘there’s got to be a better way’ as I continued to pick up small loads,” he explains.

The Grapple Rake consists of a one-piece spring lock system to attach to either side of a standard Ensign grapple, commonly used for loading. It can grab huge amounts of slash in one go, which can then be precisely placed in a designated area.

During the design

phase, three key points were considered. Firstly, it needed to be quick to attach and remove. Sec-

ondly, it needed to have minimal maintenance and accessories, with no additional plumbing. Third

and finally, it needed to be able to still be used for logs – jobs such as loading or sorting – if needed.

“Clearing slash from skids and landings can be a real headache,” says Darrin Barr of DC Equipment, the company behind Falcon Forestry Equipment products.

“It can slow down operations and make them unsafe if you don’t keep on top of it. More importantly, it needs dealing with in an environmentally responsible manner, ensuring it doesn’t end up in waterways or impede access.

Simply pushing it over the edge of a slope might not be the best way to deal with it.”

DC Equipment has designed two versions, working in conjunction with a local engineering company; one to fit the Ensign 1530 and a larger

model to fit the Ensign 1730 – weighing 1,100kg and 1,200kg respectively, in addition to the weight of the grapple.

Fitting or removing from the host grapple takes around three minutes.

The versatility of the Falcon Slash Grapple Rake has been highlighted due to its ability to augment an existing Ensign Rotating Grapple. Along with its ease of use, both aspects grabbed a lot of attention at the recent Rotorua Forestry Show.

The company notes that operators of other grapple brands should get in touch, with a view to including ongoing development to fit these units. www.falconforestryequipment.com

Users will dig upgraded excavator

KUBOTA NEW Zealand has recently added to its product line the new U10-5 excavator that will replace the existing K008-3.

The new machine has been updated with a range of new features, particularly on the operator platform. A zero-tail swing machine designed to operate safely in the tightest of spaces, complemented by hydraulic controls and variable track width, means

there’s not many jobs the U10-5 can’t get to.

The U10-5 features hydraulic control levers, positioned to the sides of the seat for a better, more relaxed operator working experience. This ensures operator comfort and reduced operator fatigue.

With a focus on safety, it has an engine safety start system that prevents starting when the levers are lowered. This means there is no unexpected excavator or attachment movement at start-up.

Hydraulically adjustable track width from 750mm to 990mm allows navigation in tight spaces, using a simple singlelever operation.

For operating in areas with restricted height, a newly designed front foldable Roll-Over-Protection-System (ROPS) allows the U10-5 to fit under doorways or low-hanging branches. Returning the ROPS back

to the working position is simple and provides protection for the operator.

Weighing in at 1.2 tonnes, the machine has 10.3hp maximum output, a bucket breakout force of 1,060kg and is easy to tow behind suitable vehicles

Carrying over features from the K008-3, the U10-5 still includes the TPSS Track Pattern Selection System and twospeed travel pedal. This allows users to switch between high and low speeds.

Servicing is achieved via a fully opening engine cover, while the hydraulic service port pipes are conveniently located for easy maintenance.

The new ultra-compact excavator features a modern exterior design as in the current range as well as a new LED boom work light to extend the working day.

– Mark Daniel

Weeds all wiped out

OVER THE years, Ashburton-based Rotowiper has followed one main objective: to design and manufacture an effective, cost-efficient method of controlling/eradicating weed infestation in pasture and crops.

Receiving positive feedback from farmers and growers around the world, the company has achieved its main objective. However, recently it has been developing new formats to meet individual conditions in different markets around the globe.

The new Rotowiper TR series is a case in point. It is proving to be very successful, featuring ease of operation with simple height adjust-

ment, delivered by a new single heavy-duty ratchet assembly. Likewise, the roller drive engagement is actioned with a simple spring-loaded pin, meaning the machine can be quickly disengaged for transport or re-engaged once back in the paddock.

Other features include a drawbar that can be raised vertically for transporting or storage, without tools, and stainless steel covers throughout to give the machine a quality appearance. However, more importantly, this also delivers dura-

bility and improves the machine’s longevity.

A redesign of the frame features larger box section steel, and a “box” style frame layout, both resulting in superior strength and durability. Heavy-duty stub axles are equipped with

high-speed bearings to help endure the rigours of high-speed road travel road travel alongside the punishment delivered on unmade farm tracks and large acreages. For those using ATV or UTV style towing vehicles, the chemical tank

has now been repositioned from the drawbar to above the application roller. This has removed weight transfer from the rear of the vehicles, while also allowing a levelling device to be fitted – if required.

Rotowiper is able to offer a bespoke production and configuration service.

The company recently completed its largest machine to date, offering a 24-metre working width and one metre clearance under the application roller. Comprising seven individual roller

sections, the machine was developed for a Canterbury contractor who was dealing with bolters in the increasingly popular fodder beet crops being grown.

The machine’s layout allows excellent ground contouring over the full working width. By using a combination of hydraulic and electronic control, it quickly moves on from its original intended use by also dealing with other weeds such as Californian thistles.

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Receiving positive feedback from farmers and growers around the world, the company has achieved its main objective.

The new Rotowiper TR machine’s layout allows excellent ground contouring over the full working width.

Bigger and better than ever!

THE NORTHLAND Field Days started life in 1985 at the Dargaville racecourse as a project run by the Dargaville Jaycees, and regardless of the pouring rain, it was a roaring success with some 80 exhibitors!

Thirty eight years later it is now Northland’s largest annual agricultural event to promote and increase public awareness of agriculture products and produce within New Zealand’s primary and secondary industries.

In 1986 permanent power was added to 60 sites, which provided a welcome facility for exhibitors. After a period of economic downturn, 1990 had a huge increase in attendance of both exhibitors and visitors. The increase has continued each year resulting in the event becoming the

largest in Northland.

In 2006 the land where the Northland Field Days is held now, was purchased by the society, and is now home to the annual event. In 2009, with much appreciated help from the neighbouring properties, the road was sealed to help keep the dust down, making it a smoother journey into the site.

Since 2009, through grant funding and other financial assistance, the Northland Field Days has been able to continually maintain the existing facilities. It has upgraded electrical requirements, installed one permanent toilet block, supplemented by another mobile toilet block. Also, the administration centre has moved from a tiny 6m x 4m office building into a brand new (and

much larger) office building, which was mainly built by Northland Field Days committee members.

The Northland Field Days committee aims is to retain the true “field days” atmosphere while also ensuring exhibitors

and the general public have a safe and comfortable experience at the event.

Over time, the organ-

isation has evolved, becoming an incorporated society, registered with NZ Charities Commission and – as a not-

for-profit organisation – annually provides community grants for scholarships, research etc aimed at reinvesting back into the rural sector. While the event eventually outgrew the Dargaville Jaycees, the entire event is still organised by a group of volunteers, supported by one staff member in the office. Wherever possible, non-profit volunteer community groups are invited to be part of the event, which has become a major source of fundraising for some of these groups.

Northland Field Days’ mission is, “To become the leading regional field days in New Zealand and to host a world class agricultural event each year” and its motto is to remain being “The Friendly Field Days”.

After 38 years, the Northland Field Days is now the region’s largest annual agricultural event.