Rural News 14 March 2023

TO ALL FARMERS, FOR ALL FARMERS

Remit causes beef

DAIRY FARMERS are fuming over a remit that wants Beef + Lamb New Zealand to prioritise advocacy work for the sheep and beef sector.

The remit, filed by chairman of Farmers 4 Positive Change, Rick Burke, wants B+LNZ’s advocacy position “taken from a sheep and beef sector standpoint”.

During any advocacy negotiations, if there’s perceived or actual conflict between the two sectors, the remit wants B+LNZ to declare the conflict.

The remit will be voted on at B+LNZ’s annual meeting in New Plymouth on March 30.

Federated Farmers dairy section chair Richard McIntyre told Rural News the remit is quite remarkable. He says if the remit is passed and B+LNZ only advocates for sheep and beef farmers,

No access!

then dairy farmers should no longer be required to pay a levy to them.

Dairy farmers pay a levy to B+LNZ on every head of cattle sent to meat companies.

“It would be unreasonable for us to continue to pay a levy to an organisation that, in some circumstances, will be actively advocating against our interests,” McIntyre told Rural News

He says gone are the days when a single agriculture sector should advo-

cate alone.

“These days it’s all about collaboration, understanding each other’s perspectives and working together towards a fair solution for all farmers.”

McIntrye says that what Federated Farmers does.

“We have meat and wool, dairy and arable councils but we get together and find a resolution that is fair and reasonable across all sectors,” he explains.

“It would be far better for our levy

money to go to organisations that advocate with consideration for our interests and put research into issues facing dairy farmers, such as alternative pathways for non-replacement calves and dairy beef integration.”

But Burke, a Katikati sheep and beef farmer, told Rural News that he’s not sure “why the dairy boys are unhappy, because the payback from their levies are massive, particularly in terms of B+LNZ’s market access work for their cull cows”.

He also points out the work B+LNZ is doing around the ‘no bobby calves’ campaign, dairy beef integration program and third party dairy support like heifer grazing, wintered non-lactation dairy cow grazing and breeding bulls.

“The issue is, the allocation of dairy levy funds collected have never been defined clearly, they just go into a pool of funds collected by B+LNZ.

“In recent times, dairy have had overwhelming advocacy support within DairyNZ, Fonterra, and even Federated Farmers, whereas the sheep and beef sector has no organisation giving them 100% advocacy support.”

Burke believes B+LNZ has the ability to define where the dairy levy is allocated, by separating out the proportion of dairy beef levy income – and not utilise this for any advocacy work on behalf of the dairy industry.

The remaining dairy beef levy can be reallocated into in-market access, research and development, farmer extension and research, people development and insights as per the status quo, he adds.

Testy AGM expected – See page 4

SUDESH KISSUN sudeshk@ruralnews.co.nz

Unless road access, capable of taking stock trucks, is restored to farmers in cyclone ravaged areas within six weeks there will be massive longterm problems. Beef+Lamb NZ’s chief executive Sam McIvor says famers are rightly concerned about the state of roading infrastructure in rural areas – such as State Highway 25 on the Coromandel – he wants this fixed and farmers given some accurate

timelines as

to when this will be done. – See full story page 3.

PHOTO CREDIT: NZ TRANSPORT AGENCY.

Clock ticking on roading

PETER BURKE peterb@ruralnews.co.nz

SAM MCIVOR says unless road access, capable of taking stock trucks, is restored to farmers in cyclone ravaged areas within six weeks there will be massive long term problems.

Beef+Lamb NZ’s chief executive told Rural News that famers are rightly concerned about the state of roading infrastructure in rural areas. He wants this fixed and farmers given some accurate timelines as to when this will be done.

McIvor says unless this is done soon, farmers face huge problems getting stock to processing plants and stock sales, which has big implications for them coming into the winter. He says the roads also need to be fixed so that heavy machinery can be brought on to farms to repair tracks and cart in materials for repairing fences and stock yards, which have been damaged.

“Government – both central and local – need to pull out all the stops to make this happen.”

McIvor says there is a multiplicity of tasks that need to be performed on farms – such as shearing and dealing with animal health issues. Flystrike, toxo and other animal welfare issues are now coming to the fore, McIvor adds. He says access and repaired infrastructure is needed to get shearers to farms. He acknowledges that work is being done to erect Bailey bridges to get access for light vehicles such as utes, but says access for large trucks is critical.

“We rapidly need to get the right people with the right machinery into the right places.”

He says while feed covers on the East Coast are good at the moment, this is the time of the year when farmers start to destock their farms and plan for the winter. McIvor says NZ prides itself as being a first world

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PEOPLE FIRST

MCIVOR SAYS BLNZ’s main role has been gathering information about the devastation and passing this onto government to build a case for special assistance.

He told Rural News that this hasn’t been easy because many farms and communities are still isolated. BLNZ are supporting communities by bringing people together to give each other mutual support.

McIvor says everyone responds differently to these situations, with some taking time to get over the shock of the disaster, while others are making lists to start the repair work.

FILTHY FORESTRY

MCIVOR SAYS he’s shocked by the damage caused by forestry slash throughout the East Coast.

He says people have lost their homes because of slash-laden flooding. McIvor says the slash issue is a disgrace and the damage it has caused to roads, bridges, houses, farms, orchards and people is unacceptable.

He has accused the Government of essentially turning a blind eye to the slash problems and metaphorically sweeping the issue under the carpet.

McIvor has seen first-hand the devastation caused by forestry slash. He’s seen the beautiful pastures at Tolaga Bay and other areas north of

country and one of the pillars of that is having quality, resilient road access, power and communications.

“My message to government is, if you are serious about all New Zealand-

Gisborne covered in forestry debris, which has knocked out fences, bridges and farm buildings. With the slash has come silt, which will be time consuming and costly to restore.

“One farmer told me it would cost at least $3,000 a hectare to restore his pasture,” he told Rural News. “Another told me he’d recently bought a high value property growing high value crops, with all the necessary infrastructure, and that this has all been wiped out. He’s not sure when he can get back in business.”

McIvor says in the future things must change and insists the Ministerial Inquiry must prevent this from ever happening again.

ers, then you need to invest in infrastructure that is resilient and reliable,” he told Rural News. “Because for too long it has been out of sight and out of mind.”

“Others are starting to look at their farm system and saying, if there are going to be more weather events like this, how might they build farming systems that better manage the risk,” he explains. “Things like buying a generator or a Starlink phone.”

Sam McIvor says there is also emphasis on strengthening community hubs.

PRIORITISE ROADS

FEDERATED FARMERS president Andrew Hoggard says the Government must make rural roads a priority.

“The Government needs to rapidly re-prioritise its road funding policies and ensure that people in rural areas are not left stranded for weeks on end,” he says. “Some of the roads are not fit for purpose.”

Hoggard says if people in rural areas don’t have options to get to and from their properties, it becomes a very tricky situation.

Beef+Lamb NZ’s chief executive Sam McIvor says famers are rightly concerned about the state of roading infrastructure in rural areas and need accurate timelines as to when these will be fixed.

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Testy time expected at B+LNZ annual meeting

With the B+LNZ annual meeting documentation currently hitting farmer’s mailboxes, claims are being made that with the unprecedented number of farmerproposed remits the organisation has become disconnected from its grassroots levy payers.

David Anderson reports.

Jane Smith is one of those proposers and says the suite of farmer-remits demonstrates the level of discontent from farmers.

“With nine farmerproposed remits on the table, this is an unprecedented come-to-Jesus moment for the levy organisation,” she tells Rural News

“At best, B+LNZ has been naïve in their approach to advocacy and disingenuous in its offhand approach to taking farmer-raised concerns seriously. When the Farmer Council Environmental Reference was recently put under a code of conduct not allowing them to oppose B+LNZ decisions in public, it became crystal clear that B+LNZ is an organisation under poor governance,” Smith claims.

Many farmers Rural News has spoken to are concerned that current B+LNZ farmer directors have too much of a corporate lens when advocating and not a ‘real-life farmer’ approach or a passion for fighting for the future of modest

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The nine remits range from a demand to immediately exit He Waka Eka Noa, an independent review of B+LNZ advocacy, clarity on ‘weighted levy voting’ implications, asking for clarity on the role of the Farmer Council and a request for unrelenting advocacy for the sheep and beef sector in the first instance.

Smith says responses by B+LNZ to the farmer remits appear to largely agree with the remits, but seem to signal an intent to simply “push on” with the status quo.

“Many of us have battled against Beef + Lamb over the past two years asking them to take a stronger, more focused stance on regulation hitting farmers,” she adds. “One such example was the closed-door, flawed design of He Waka Eka Noa, and the subsequent entrenched defence using an ETS justification.

“Tinkering around the edges does not alter those fundamental flaws. Have no doubt, the HWEN proposal was just as bad as the Gov-

ernment version of the proposal and both will escalate and accelerate the loss of farming land.”

Smith believes that B+LNZ, under its current leadership regime, risks losing support of all activities unless it acknowledges that its advocacy arm is not ‘fit for purpose’.

“B+LNZ’s extension programmes are highly valuable and ‘Beef + Lamb Genetics’ is a world-leading powerhouse of information,” she says. “However, unless it can show more courageous leadership in their advocacy (or exit it completely) then the

entire levy organisation is doomed.

Smith believes B+LNZ needs to decide which side of the legislative ledger they sit.

“How effective can it be at confronting the Government on unworkable regulation, yet at the same time having its hand out for government funding like the upcoming ‘Integrated Farm Plan’ slush fund?” she asks.

“Is B+LNZ a messenger for farmers to the Government or a messenger to farmers for the Government?”

Smith says levypayers have been calling for a review of farmer advo-

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cacy for nearly three years now.

“We cannot afford any more PR spin or re-shuffling of the deckchairs. If we continue on the trajectory towards losing one million sheep and beef stock units/ year from our livestock sector, then there will be no levy money at all – just government handouts”.

The B+LNZ AGM will be held in New Plymouth on March 30th. All remit proposers have indicated they will be speaking to their remits, with many raising concern about the allocation of only 1.5 hours for the entire meeting

NORTH OTAGO farmer

North Otago farmer Jane Smith is urging farmers to vote in the upcoming B+LNZ elections.

Hort sector hit hard!

PETER BURKE peterb@ruralnews.co.nz

“WE’RE NOT in a good place and some growers will have to just walk away from their land.”

That’s how the HortNZ chair Barry O’Neil describes the position of his sector, following the destruction wrought by Cyclone Gabrielle and other weather events that preceded it.

O’Neil told Rural News there are growers who have lost complete orchards and/or crops. He says there are growers who still have crops or fruit but are uncertain if they can get in to harvest it.

“This is one of the more significant events to impact horticulture

and it’s very widespread.

Whether you are in Dargaville or Hawke’s Bay, Tairawhiti or Coromandel, it’s quite devastat-

ing.”

O’Neil says the lucky ones will be able to get back up on their feet next season, but for the others

the damage is so great that it’s unlikely they will ever be able to work that land again. He says, in some cases, all the top

soil has been washed away and it’s down to bare rock; in other cases the land is covered in up to two metres of silt.

DAIRY PRICES STATIC AS SEASON NEARS END

WITH LESS than three months left in the 2022-23 season, the window for farmgate milk prices to lift is closing.

Chinese buyers seem to be in no rush to buy dairy products after the lifting of Covid restrictions, dampening expectations of price rises.

Westpac senior agricultural economist Nathan Penny says to date over 2023, global dairy prices have effectively been treading water.

Overall prices have fallen 2% since the start of the year, while whole milk

powder (WMP) prices have increased by 0.7%. Last week’s Global Dairy Trade auction saw WMP price rise 0.2% to US$3277/metric tonne.

Penny says the result was marginally below expectations.

“We had pencilled in a 1% WMP price lift ahead of the auction, while the futures market was pointing to a rise of nearly 2%.

“As we have mentioned previously, we expect global dairy prices to rise over coming months as the Chinese

economic recovery gains further momentum.

“However, for now, dairy buyers appear in no rush to bid prices higher.”

Penny says this contrasts with meat prices for example which have seen a noticeable uptick in prices for products where China is a key market, for example, mutton.

One explanation may be an overhang of stocks. Penny notes that if this is the case, then prices should

“In both those cases you are not going to be able to replant and some growers will have walk away from their land.”

O’Neil reckons for those who believe they can re-establish orchards where all the trees are destroyed, it will take between five to six years before they get a commercial crop. He says the cost of doing this is huge, even after they may have spent up to $40,000 just cleaning up the damage.

O’Neil estimates that re-establishment costs range from between $180,000 to $200,000 per hectare. However, for growers who are looking for a speciality PVR – trees covered by plant variety rights – he says you can add another $50,000 on to that.

still pick up over time as the demand lift will eventually lead to a rundown in these stocks.

“Nonetheless, we had anticipated that prices would be showing clearer signs of lifting by this stage of the season.

“Indeed, we are nearing the end of the season and therefore the window for prices to lift is closing.”

Penny now sees downside risks to their 2022/23 milk price forecast of $8.75/kgMS.

There is also the question of getting root stock and O’Neil points out that normally growers order this two years in advance and pay a deposit. He says growers affected by the cyclone can’t afford to wait that long, hence HortNZ is talking to government about assistance packages.

“We have to remember that this is profitable industry and the growers that have been impacted have had strong balance sheets,” O’Neil told Rural News “For some, it’s a long road back to normality. But if they are supported they will get there and be profitable again for their own businesses, the region, the community and that nation.”

In contrast, he remains bullish on the prospects for the 2023/24 season: the bank is forecasting an opening milk price of $10/kgMS.

Last month, Fonterra reduced its forecast milk price range: from $8.50 - $9.50/kgMS, to $8.20 - $8.80/kgMS, with a midpoint of $8.50.

The co-op also updated its forecast milk collections for the 2022/23 season to 1,465 million kgMS, down from its previous forecast of 1,480 million kgMS. – Sudesh Kissun

HortNZ chair Barry O’Neil believes some growers will have to walk away from their land.

“ CLAAS gear is reliable and the service team is always there when we need them.”

Market trends crucial – O’Connor

PETER BURKE peterb@ruralnews.co.nz

LOOK FOR market trends, rather than market signals.

That was the key message from Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor speaking at the recent Agricultural Climate Change conference in the capital.

O’Connor says the reality is that market trends give a longer term view and give producers and marketers more advanced warning of what consumers are looking for, and NZ has to be on the ball, ready to change.

In his opening remarks to the conference, O’Connor made reference to the changes and disruption which are now a part of daily life

in the primary sector. He noted the impacts of cli-

mate change, proof of which he says is evident

in particular by the disastrous trail of damage

MORE MONEY FOR CYCLONE CLEAN-UP

AN ADDITIONAL $26 million has been made available for farmers and growers to clean up their land damaged by Cyclone Gabrielle. This is in addition to the earlier announced $25 million.

Minister of Agriculture Damien O’Connor says, as at last week, 2,846 applications for grants under the scheme had been made and more than $17.4 million paid out. He says the priority is helping rural communities to get back on their feet as quickly as possible.

“Farmers, growers, whenua Māori owners and other rural businesses drive the economies of the regions affected by Cyclone Gabrielle.”

O’Connor says it’s important they have access to help now to protect future production, for example, enabling remediation around tree bases to save vital trees and vines, clearing silt to improve farm access, and making repairs to stock water systems, culverts and fencing.

Applications for the clean-up grants are open until 20 March 2023. However, those in hard-to-reach areas can apply up until April 3. Farmers and growers who have already received MPI clean-up grants are not eligible to apply again.

– Peter Burke

caused by Cyclone Gabrielle.

“With few exceptions, most people now recognise that climate change is a reality and that we as humans have contributed to it.”

O’Connor claims concerns around climate change are driving consumer preferences and this also includes some of the big multi-nationals such as Nestle, which buy our products. He says they have committed to eliminate emissions from their supply chain and says he’s not too sure how they will apply that to their individual suppliers such as NZ.

“But clearly those sort of signals show there are some… risks emerging and we may face

some barriers,” O’Connor added.

“I can tell you that, having negotiated the UK and EU FTAs, for the most part, people don’t necessarily want our products. We can only feed about 40 million people, so our contribution to global food security is not huge in quantum, but in technology, yes, we can play a bigger part.”

O’Connor says NZ has to be at the forefront of food safety, quality, premiumisation and marketing.

He says, at the moment, NZ is not facing any trade barriers in relation to its emissions status, but we ignore the risks at our peril and to future generations.

Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor claims concerns around climate change are driving international consumer preferences.

Doing nothing is not an option NZ farmers warned

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A WARNING for people who say all NZ has to do is argue that it is not causing any more global warming than it currently does: That argument won’t cut it with the rest of the world, according to the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, Simon Upton.

Speaking at the recent Agricultural Climate Change conference in Wellington, Upton told the 300 delegates that under the Paris Agreement, NZ has an international obligation to do as much as it can to keep the 1.5 °C global goal within reach. He says it’s not a credible negotiating position to say that our largest contribution to warming is off limits when we have the option to reduce it.

“Neither should we be tempted by the argument that since we’re a little country it doesn’t make sense for us to develop the technologies needed to solve the world’s problems and that we should instead be a fast follower,” he added. “We have more skin in this game than others and we have serious research capacity.”

Upton says NZ has long congratulated itself on its productivity and resourcefulness, and logic leads to the conclusion that we have to tackle this problem head on. He says there is pure self interest in this because NZ has an interest in continuing to sell products to high income markets where consumers are taking an increasing interest in the emissions footprint of their food and drink.

“Being able to show that New Zealand products are associated with the lowest possible emissions will be essential if we are to continue to be a preferred supplier.”

Upton agrees with the Climate Change Commission and the Government that having targets to reduce warming from methane to below the current level is justified.

IN TERMS of reducing emissions per animal, Upton says in the dairy sector, changing management practices can deliver moderate reductions.

He claims promising new mitigation technologies are in the pipeline, including methane and nitrification inhibitors, breeding low-emission sheep and cattle, lowemission feeds and feed additives – as well as the Holy Grail, a methane vaccine.

Upton adds that while each of these mitigation technologies are all at different stages of development, each has its own particular set of challenges and barriers to overcome before it can be widely implemented in a NZ context.

“But it is clear that without accelerated progress on some of these technical fixes, the only way we will meet our 2050 methane target will be through very large reductions in stocking rates.”

However, he believes that the current target of a 24–47% reduction by 2050 is so wide a range that the scale of transformation expected from the primary sector is very unclear. If the 2050 methane target is updated, he would encourage the Government to choose a narrower target range.

Upton says to meet any emissions target, there’s a need to build a solid consensus about how this is best progressed.

He says reductions in emissions from livestock can be achieved through a combination of two strategies: The first is reducing livestock numbers through lower stocking rates per hectare and land use change. The other option is reducing emissions per animal, through changes in management practices and the uptake of new on-farm mitigation tech-

According to Upton, even in the absence of a price on biological emissions, we are seeing land use change driven by an insatiable demand for carbon offsets as the NZ

“As many of you know, I have expressed grave doubts about our reliance on forestry offsets as a way of meeting emissions targets for fossil carbon dioxide. We should wean ourselves off this option.”

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Simon Upton says the argument that NZ is not causing any more global warming than it currently does won’t cut it with the rest of the world.

PETER BURKE peterb@ruralnews.co.nz

RMA reforms not popular

JESSICA MARSHALL jessica@ruralnews.co.nz

IT’S A resounding ‘no’ to the first two laws in the Government’s Resource Management Act (RMA) reform package.

That’s if submissions to the Environment Committee are anything to go by.

The first draft of the Natural and Built Environment Bill (NBEB) was released in July 2021, but wasn’t introduced to the Parliament floor until November last year. At that point, it was accompanied by the Spatial Planning Bill (SPB) which is also in the committee phase.

However, two other parts of the reform package are yet to be seen by those making submissions – the Climate Adaptation Bill and the National Planning Frame-

work (NPF).

The Ministry for the Environment says the NPF will provide direction for regional spatial strategies, set policies and standards for construction and development activities, set natural environment limits relating to water, and set targets for development within those environmental limits.

It’s claimed by many submitters that without seeing the full package, it’s difficult to gain a clear picture of what the reforms will look like.

In its submission to the committee, Beef

+ Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) said it could not provide a full analysis of either the NBEB or the SPB without the NPF.

“Without that detail, without additional time to consider the Bills, and in the absence of the Cli-

mate Adaptation Bill, B+LNZ is concerned that it is unable to provide a full analysis of the impact of the reforms on farmers,” the submission reads.

B+LNZ also claims that at a high level, the Bills will not create a resource management

system that can improve system efficiency and effectiveness while reducing complexity.

“Substantial amounts of litigation will be required for the Bills to be properly understood and implemented, with both public and parties covering the costs of

that.”

It is a sentiment that is repeated again and again, in submission after submission.

The Meat Industry Association (MIA) says it welcomes a system that not only protects the environment, but also gives confidence to busi-

nesses to make long-term investment decisions and operate in their communities.

“While we welcome working towards a more efficient and effective resource management system that deals with the problems of the existing one, we are not confident that the Bills will achieve this as they are currently presented.”

The levy body says it is concerned about the uncertainty the Bills introduce, especially because it isn’t clear how all three components –the NBEB, the SPB, and the yet-to-be introduced Climate Adaptation Bill – will work together as a whole.

“The sequencing of consultation and release of the components of the proposed system means it is very difficult to understand how it all

fits together as a coherent whole,” the submission reads.

“Given the significant changes being proposed, it would have made some sense to consult on the entirety of [the] package. This would have provided the opportunity to consider the system as a whole, rather than the somewhat piecemeal approach taken.” Meanwhile, Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) said that while the levy body supports the need for RMA reform, there needs to be more buy-in from stakeholders.

“As it stands, there is still considerable uncertainty around how the [NBEB] and [SPB] will be implemented, especially since a draft National Planning Framework (NPF) has not been released.”

Environment Minister David Parker’s proposed RMA amendments are not proving to be popular.

Cut the red tape – Feds

FEDERATED FARM-

ERS says it is pleased that Horizons Regional Council (Manawatu-Whanganui) has recognised the need to get work done on farm by empowering them to fix infrastructure without getting consents.

“Common sense, rather than red tape and costs, is what will speed the recovery of the food and fibre sector in cyclone-hit districts,” Feds Tararua president Sally Dryland says.

Horizons had earlier posted advice about only allowing “like for like” replacement of culverts without consent, but advocacy from Dryland resulted in a quick policy U-turn.

The council’s advice now is that, where infrastructure such as farm bridges and culverts had been damaged or destroyed, these can be replaced without the need for resource consent on the basis they are repaired or reinstated on a like for like basis. Culverts can also be replaced at a bigger size.

Dryland said that it’s all about building back better and smarter. “Why would you replace a culvert with the same sized one if it’s just been washed away? No one wants to replace infrastructure with something

that is destined to fail again in the next weather event.”

Up until last year, farmers were empowered to put in things like a culvert without needing a consent.

“That’s what’s needed to speed the recovery,” Dryland said. “Let’s not stop the right thing from happening because a ticket collector with a clipboard hasn’t been onto the farm to see.”

Meanwhile, Federated Farmers NZ president Andrew Hoggard has asked Environment Minister David Parker to promptly amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) to enable cyclone-affected farmers and growers to undertake remedial work that may be in breach of district or regional regulatory requirements, along similar lines to that provided to farmers following the Hurunui/ Kaikōura earthquakes. Such works became a permitted activity, with modified notification requirements.

While the RMA provides some relief from normal requirements during and immediately following emergencies/ adverse events, Hoggard said this will not cover all the urgent work that needs to be undertaken to restore farmers’ and growers’ operations.

“That legislation in the wake of the earthquakes was very helpful. Given the severity of the impact of the cyclones, with devastation to the land

that appears to exceed that of the Christchurch earthquakes, the usual time-consuming RMA processes will impede progress.”

LEO ARGENT

Fed Farmers president Andrew Hoggard is asking Environment Minister David Parker to promptly amend the RMA to enable cycloneaffected farmers and growers to undertake remedial work.

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Apple horror in Hawkes Bay

PETER BURKE

peterb@ruralnews.co.nz

MASSIVE PROBLEMS

lie ahead for one of NZ’s major apple growing regions

Nearly half of Hawke’s Bays apple orchards have been damaged, some critically by cyclone Gabrielle.

This has prompted the Apples and Pears NZ

to write to government ministers asking for special help to get one of the biggest industries and employers in the Bay back on its feet again.

Chair of Apple and

ters

Rural News

ellite imagery and verified

those orchards that have been completely submerged and/or have deep silt and there is significant tree death in those blocks. The general wisdom is that those category two blocks are not viable for any development as there is no crop there to harvest. These two categories make come to 25% of the 47%,” he says.

because apples that have been underwater won’t store and will rot. He says there is also a problem with tree deaths caused by water and silt lying about the trees.

destroyed – nothing there “Category

Punter says the remainder of the damaged crops referred to as category three consist of orchards that are still workable but might have had water through them. He says that is a problem

Punter told Rural News that it’s still early to get an accurate estimate of what impact cyclone Gabrielle will have on apple export returns from Hawke’s Bay. This he says because they are still unsure about what actual varieties of apples are affected because some are worth more than others.

“So, as you can see there is still quite a big job ahead,” he says.

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Former Fed aims for parliament

FORMER FEDERATED

Farmers Meat and Wool chair Miles Anderson has been selected as the National Party candidate for the Waitaki electorate.

The fifth of eleven children, Anderson was educated at the local Southburn primary school, then at St Kevin’s College boarding school in Oamaru. In 1992 he became involved with a group of local farmers establishing a business scanning livestock for pregnancies in the central South Island, with eventual expansion into South Australia.

Taking over the 220 hectare family farm in Southburn from his father in 2004, Anderson runs 1,500 sheep and about 20 beef cattle, with 10-80 hectares dedicated to cereal crops.

Before entering politics some of Anderson’s former roles included the aforementioned chair of Federated Farmers Meat and Wool sector – formerly Meat and Fibre. Anderson had it renamed to boost wool’s profile in New Zealand.

As part of the Meat and Wool group some of his accomplishments included amendments to the Crimes Act, introducing harsher penalties for stock rustling and collaboration with the Stock and Station Agents Asso-

ciation New Zealand to bring in code of practice for stock and station agents.

Outside of Federated Farmers, Anderson is part of Pareora Catchment Group Inc, a group of landowners instigating programmes to improve the catchment’s water quality and maintaining habitats for native species to leave a legacy for the next generations to work on, as well as spearheading an Environment Court challenge against Transpower in Waimate, setting a standard for the rest of the country for landowners’ property rights.

Although Waitaki is generally considered a strong blue holdout, Anderson says that he would be a fool to take it for granted.

“I’m going to get out and make myself known to the electorate, articulate the policy differences between the parties and talk about the economic direction New Zealand is going in,” he told Rural News. “If I’m fortunate enough to win in October, I’ll be fighting for issues that are not only specific to the rural electorate, but to Waitaki as a whole.”

Anderson says that Waitaki’s wide range of sectors – agriculture, tourism, mining etc – was “awe-inspiring”.

“I want to make sure

this electorate gets heard and the next generation can have the opportunities I had to forge their own lives without government interference.”

Although Anderson is confident National will win the election in October, he says either way he will be fighting for the people of Waitaki.

“If I was to win this electorate and Labour forms the government, I would still fight for all the electorate’s community and individual issues. I really believe it’ll be a complete basket case in 3 years if we get another 3 years of a Labour government,” he says. “Local decisions that used to be made here are getting dragged up to Wellington; politicians believe they know better than locals who deal with these issues on a daily basis.”

After being selected as National’s candidate in February, Anderson says that one of the main things he wants to get done is get the best team together.

“I’m really excited that we’ve got a very good team lined up behind our campaign for the next 8 months,” he proudly says. “You need comms, a campaign chair, a diary manager, social media guru, a kick my butt if I’m not doing things right person. I trust all the people I’ve brought together.”

Home on the range; Miles Anderson on his property overlooking his sheep. SUZUKI.CO.NZ

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App to help cyclone recovery

CLOUD FARMER –

the business behind the eponymous farm management software app – has just launched a free Flood Recovery app designed to help farms affected by Cyclone Gabrielle.

A free cloud-based information storage app, the Flood Recovery app has a range of features that aim to make tracking and recovering from recent flooding a much easier task. These include tools like recording animal health, attaching photos and insurance documentation, holding receipts and quotes required for MPI grants, managing staff commu-

nications, accessing the National Feed Co-ordination Service and registering for Farmy Army assistance.

Gretchen King, managing director of Cloud Farmer, explains why this is such an important project for the team.

“Our family farm, near Porangahau, got away relatively unscathed with minor damages, but ever since the cyclone we’ve been busy helping friends and neighbours with the clean-up,” she says.

“My heart is aching for farmers in the region who have lost hundreds of hectares, stock and so much worse. We wanted to do something productive to help farmers, the

way we know best.”

The Flood Recovery app will initially be available for an initial period of 3 months, which could be extended if farmers need it for longer while they navigate insurance claims. When finished with the app, farmers will be able to export their data in one file for future reference.

Katie McCabe, business manager for Cloud Farmer, said the company understands that the support farmers need at this time is not just going to be around storing information.

She says that’s why it has made sure the Flood Recovery app includes important well-being tools to give farmers

access to mental health support and the right contacts.

“We were already noticing the decline in farmer optimism following a tough season,” McCabe adds.

“It’s not isolated to the Hawke’s Bay, as we have seen floods across the North Island and the opposite challenge of drought down south.

“We want to encourage farmers to reach out for help if they are struggling with their thoughts. That’s why we feel an important part of the app is making it easy to get in touch with mental wellbeing support if you are in need.”

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ery app includes important information from Federated Farmers and support services like Farmstrong, Rural Support Trust and mental health support agencies, as well as key contact information.

Just like the Cloud Farmer app, information

can be added to the Flood Recovery app when you are offline.

Farmers will be able to sign up for the app free of charge at www.cloudfarmer.app, while existing Cloud Farmer customers can access the app through the menu on their home screen.

“Our family farm, near Porangahau, got away relatively unscathed with minor damages, but ever since the cyclone we’ve been busy helping friends and neighbours with the clean-up.”

A free Flood Recovery app has been designed to help farms affected by Cyclone Gabrielle.

DON’T LET SUCCESS OR FAILURE COME DOWN TO THE WIRE.

Work with farmers, not against them – expert

GREENHOUSE GAS science communicator Dr Frank Mitloehner says the New Zealand Government must work with farmers to achieve climate goals, not against them.

Mitloehner is a professor at the Department of Animal Science at the University California, Davis. He specialises in measurements and mitigation of greenhouse gases and was recently in New Zealand on a trip funded by Beef+Lamb New Zealand.

B+LNZ has been calling on the Government to review New Zealand’s methane targets based on adopting a warming approach. It wants it to start to report on the warming impact of different gases, as well as total volume of emissions ahead of its review of methane targets in 2024.

During his time in New Zealand, Mitloehner met with farmers, scientists working to reduce agricultural emissions, Government officials and MPs. He also gave public lectures at Lincoln and Victoria universities.

B+LNZ chief executive Sam McIvor says Mitloehner’s visit proved invaluable in building understanding of the different impact gases are having on climate change.

“One of the objectives of the visit was to

continue to build understanding of the science of methane as a short-lived gas and to encourage a focus on warming when setting methane targets,” he says.

In his lectures and meetings with government officials and MPs, Mitloehner explained that methane only needs to be reduced and does not need to go to zero. He said targets for agricultural sectors across the world should aim to be climate neutrality, not carbon zero.

He explained that because methane is a short-lived gas, it does not add additional warming if it is reducing. Mitloehner says if methane is

reduced sharply enough, it can reverse previous warming. However, carbon dioxide has to get to zero to not add additional warming and to be negative to reverse previous warming.

Mitloehner’s lectures also covered his work with Californian farmers to reduce their agricultural emissions and how agriculture can be part of a climate solution. California has a target of a 40% reduction in methane emissions from manure by 2030 and an objective to start to reduce enteric methane emissions once viable technologies are available.

Methane emissions from manure makes up

nearly half of livestock methane emissions in California, while enteric methane emissions represent the rest. Manure emissions are created by California’s feedlot systems that collect the manure in effluent ponds.

In New Zealand nearly all of the methane emissions from agricultural production are enteric, created by belching. In California, enteric methane is not counted towards emissions reduction targets.

McIvor concedes that while the technologies currently being used in California are not suited to New Zealand, the principle of what Mitloehner says is very relevant.

“A price should not be the primary mechanism to reduce emissions,” he says. “California has successfully reduced its methane emissions through using incentives to farmers to use new methane reducing technologies, rather than putting a price on emissions.

“Dr Mitloehner’s strong message to the Government was that it needs to work with farmers and not against them, and that a carrot approach was much more effective than the stick.”

McIvor says the Government has been intent on putting a price on agricultural emissions after initially wanting to put agriculture into the Emission Trading Scheme (ETS), which would have

been incredibly damaging.

“Working with other agricultural organisations we have been successful in keeping agriculture out

of the ETS, but the quid pro quo was that agriculture had to come up with an alternative pricing framework.”

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“Dr Mitloehner’s strong message to the Government was that it needs to work with farmers and not against them, and that a carrot approach was much more effective than the stick.”

Frank Mitloehner’s key message to the Government is that it needs to work with farmers and not against them.

Covid adds to rural NZ’s stress

ACCORDING TO the recently released Te Hiringa Mahara Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission report, the impact of Covid-19 has added additional stress to the wellbeing of rural communities in New Zealand.

Around 16% of the country’s population live in rural areas and around 35% in total live outside of large urban areas, with higher figures for Māori. The Covid-19 pandemic has had large impacts on these communities, exacerbating preexisting challenges across healthcare services as well as highlighting and compounding stress farmers and growers were already experiencing.

Te Hiringa Mahara director of wellbeing

system leadership and insights Dr Filipo Katavake-McGrath said the geographies, economies and cultures of rural communities present challenges to mental health and wellbeing outcomes.

“This is particularly true with respect to isolation and connectivity, workforce challenges in the economy and health services and uncertainty in rural economies.”

Poor connectivity meant more people were struggling to get help, advice and support; with older people even less likely to be online, the closure of social hubs such as schools and libraries during lockdowns also had large impacts on communities.

McGrath says the report highlights the

challenges presented to the rural community by these issues and with a higher rural population rural issues were disproportionately

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affecting Māori.

“It is important to remember that life has not ‘returned to normal’ and the need for support has not

gone away. On a positive note, connectedness and belonging have helped people in rural communities stay positive over the Covid-

19 pandemic. Strong local connections are a source of strength and support; and this is highlighted in rural Māori and Pacific communities.”

During lockdowns, iwi, marae, community hubs and communities banded together to support one another; share information, food and resources and reduce some of the worst psychosocial impacts of the pandemic.

“By working together, and engaging with government agencies and resources, rural communities have taken practical action to protect and support themselves. To keep the momentum going, we call for greater involvement of rural communities (particularly rural Māori) in planning and decisionmaking and better understanding of the diverse needs, challenges and experiences of rural communities.”

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FMG MEMBER DIRECTOR NOMINATIONS ARE OPEN.

FMG MEMBERS

Like many Kiwi farmers and growers, FMG’s legacy goes back a long way. We’ve been around for over a century through rural New Zealand’s highs and lows, and we’re in it for the long-haul.

If you’re an FMG member then you have an opportunity to play a closer part in this legacy–and are entitled to stand for election to FMG’s Board of Directors*.

Our Directors play a critical role in supporting FMG’s continued growth, as well as its core purpose of helping to build strong and prosperous rural communities.

If you’re interested, read on and head to www.fmg.co.nz/news to see if you meet the criteria needed.

CRITERIA

FMG’s Constitution and Director Member Election & Special Director Appointment Policy (the Policy) require that a third of all Member Directors retire by rotation at each year’s AGM. This year Tony Cleland and Murray Taggart are due to retire by rotation.

While Murray will be seeking re-election, Tony will be stepping down from the Board after 16 years of service to the Mutual. This means there are two Director positions, with one being contested by a current Director.

We’re here for the good of the country.

The FMG Board would like to acknowledge Tony’s significant contribution. Having Tony’s wealth of business knowledge and experience was invaluable in supporting FMG’s growth over the last 16 years and we wish him well.

MORE INFORMATION

If you would like to stand for FMG’s Board of Directors, please head to FMG’s website. Here you’ll find all the information you need, including The Policy, which sets out the criteria for the evaluation of Member Director candidates, including current Directors. Applications to stand for election close on Wednesday, 26 April.

FMG’S ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

FMG’s 2023 Annual General Meeting will be held on Friday, 25 August 2023 at the Harvest Hotel, Cromwell, Central Otago (6 Barry Avenue). FMG members will receive further details on this closer to the time, along with Member Election voting packs.

*More detail can be found on www.fmg.co.nz/ news or by contacting FMG’s General Counsel Lisa Murray lisa.murray@fmg.co.nz

Connectedness and belonging helped people in rural communities stay positive over the Covid-19 pandemic.

Beyond the floods!

Dairy COMMODITY MAR-

KETS have traversed softer ground for 2023, and this is now reflected in Fonterra’s new forecast farmgate midpoint of NZ$ 8.50/kgMS.

Since peaking in Q2 2022, commodity prices have been losing momentum. Average commodity prices have fallen between 20% to 30% from their mid 2022

peaks, depending on the product. The weaker fundamentals are expected to keep a lid on any major price recovery in the near term, with Chinese imports remaining cautious alongside broader demand rationing in other markets.

RaboResearch has also lowered its forecast to NZ$ 8.50/kgMS for the full 2022/23 season. However, we think upside

price potential remains possible, with China anticipated to show more buying interest from Q2 2023.

Beef RABORESEARCH

ANTICIPATES that the beef schedule will hold around current pricing levels in March, but there is potential upside.

The North Island bull price held at NZ$ 6.65/kg

cwt through January and February, which is NZc 52 above the five year aver-

0800 327 629 – makeaghgplan.farmax.co.nz

Balance sustainability and profitability

The amount of change facing farmers is unprecedented. A new age of farming is here. It’s the way New Zealand’s farming community bands together when the going gets tough that will never change. Recent events leave us in no doubt the climate is changing. Regardless of where you stand on the issue, the topic is not going away. Policy and regulation will continue to respond to the demands of our international markets to reduce the environmental impact of the food and fibre we produce. That’s just a fact.

All farmers are required to have a written plan to measure and manage their greenhouse gas emissions by 1 January 2025.This is where Farmax enters the conversation.

FARMAX is a farm modelling and decision support tool developed for pastoral farmers in New Zealand. The tool allows you to build a model of your own unique farm system and use it to record actual farm performance data,

forecast future expectations and investigate unlimited scenarios for potential changes to your farm system.

One of these scenarios can be for GHG emissions.

How would it feel if you could test different scenarios relating to your farm’s GHG emissions before making them? The answer we usually get is “a whole lot more ***ing comfortable”.

There are a wide range of opportunities to alter the GHG profile and production on farm and a range of areas that are available to be explored, in essence these are:

• Reducing the total dry matter consumed on farm

• Improving the efficiency of pasture and crop production

• Matching feed demand with pasture growth and utilisation

• Improving the management of livestock effluent

• Capturing and storing

carbon in vegetation

Not only can FARMAX calculate your number, but you can start to pull together a farm plan and identify potential opportunities within your farm business to reduce GHG emissions.

Every farm is different, biologically, climatically and socially, and the opportunities for your farm business may be relatively simple changes to farm management practices or require more significant input. FARMAX can help you understand the status quo and model potential changes and impacts on the farm performance profitability and GHG profile.

Some farmers use FARMAX themselves but many choose to work with their farm consultant to unlock its power and tap in to their experience. From there, you decide on the best path forward for you and your farm business and document a plan to meet your goals and objectives.

age price.

The suspension of Brazilian beef exports

may provide some pricing support for New Zealand beef exports, but it

depends on two things: how long the suspension lasts and how quickly

reported high beef inventories in China are worked through.

Although there are reported high beef inventory levels in China, we do not think it is cause for concern.

Demand for New Zealand beef from China continued to grow through 2022 New Zealand export volumes grew 5%, and the average export price lifted 27% YOY (or NZD 2.00/ kg FOB).

Sheepmeat

EXPORT PRICES have

been picking up, but lamb is not out of the woods yet. The South Island lamb price stabilised through February at around NZ$ 6.60/kg cwt.

We anticipate that there could be some further downside for the lamb schedule through March as more lambs come forward for processing. Farmers have been holding lambs longer to capitalise on good feed levels by adding a few extra kilograms to compensate for softer schedule prices.

However, the combined effect of lambs

being held longer, plus Southland and Otago being very dry, is that we can see a large number of store lambs and prime lambs hitting the market in March. Processing capacity is not currently an issue in the South Island, but with more lambs likely to come forward in March, a few more cents could come out of schedules.

Farm inputs

THE FERTILISER market is currently stuck in a stalemate between buyers and sellers.

The downward price

trend is continuing (except for potash) and offers are struggling to find markets. The reason for this is the uncertainty, or caution, about how prices will behave after the spring buying period kicks off in the Northern Hemisphere and volumes start rolling again.

For early 2023, the supply-and-demand seesaw is favouring global stocks of fertilisers, as companies’ 2022 performance reports confirm.

The input prices doldrum, however, may not last too long, as evidenced by agrochemicals. Since prices peaked in late 2021, they have shown a gradual reduction, and some are now stabilised, such as the Chinese glyphosate 62% concentration reference, which dropped by over 40%.

For this input, the price has been hovering around the same mark –NZ$ 5,700/tonne –for the last four months.

Interest and exchange rates

THE DEVASTATING impacts of Cyclone

Gabrielle should have implications for monetary policy going forward.

The RBNZ says inflation is likely to spike in the short term, but it is too early to tell what the full effects may be. Rabobank maintains its view of a further 50 bps hike in April, followed by 25 bps in May.

The NZD lost more than two cents against

the US Dollar in February to be trading around the 0.6240 level.

The story here is not so much weakness on the part of the NZD, but rather strength for the USD, which has been bid up by FX traders who are betting that the US Federal Reserve will need to increase rates further, and hold them higher than was previously anticipated.

We see NZD/USD recovering to 0.66 on a twelve-month view.

Fix rural roads now!

‘FIX THE rural roads now’ is the essence of the message to government – both central and local – from B+LNZ chief executive Sam McIvor and other rural leaders.

This is not a time for procrastination, navel gazing or commissioning lengthy reports, holding endless meetings between officials, board members and ticking off the political correctness manual.

Years of mismanagement by not prioritising the country’s rural roads has led to the present crisis. Silly little city cycle ways, light rail to Auckland airport and a few other ‘nice to haves’ are supposedly vote winning, but not vital projects. Hearing the Greens grizzle about climate change responses remaining the priority in the short term while the roads are still a mess beggars belief.

As McIvor has rightly pointed out, a crisis is looming if things don’t get fixed in the next few weeks. As a first world country we pride ourselves on having food security. But this is not just about producing food, it’s about getting it to consumers. We see every night on television the broken roads in northern and eastern regions of the country, which has made this nigh on impossible for weeks now.

If rural roads aren’t fixed, sheep and cattle won’t get to meat processing plants. This will affect exports and local food supplies and put people out of work. The same applies in the horticulture sector. So, if roads aren’t fixed, supermarket shelves will become emptier and export returns will be down. It’s as simple as that!

To be fair, the Government has been quick to act in respect of providing valuable financial assistance to farmers and orchardists to clear the carnage caused by ‘filthy forestry’ practices. This issue is one the Government also needs be blunt and decisive about and sort out once and for all.

Forestry is a significant export earner, but right now it has wrecked other primary sector industries on a scale rarely seen before. People are rightly demanding that forestry companies front up with a few billion dollars to compensate farmers and orchardists for the damage they caused, rather than making the poor old taxpayer front for their actions.

The cyclone crisis is far from over and it will be how the recovery is handled that will be the defining factor. Unless farmers and horticulturalist get real certainty about fixing roads and infrastructure, and when it will be done to meet their needs, they will rightly feel aggrieved.

So, fix the bloody rural roads now!

THE HOUND

Tough meeting?

Your old mate reckons it could be a rather confronting AGM on March 30 for Beef+Lamb when its board has to front an unprecedented number of farmer remits (9). These all appear to be asking B+LNZ to stand up for farmers. It will also be interesting to see if current chair Andrew Morrison is re-elected or knocked out by challenger Geoff Young. One particular point of interest is that Remit 9 (asking for B+LNZ to advocate for sheep and beef farming in the first instance, instead of being wined and dined by dairy), was somehow “missed off” the agenda. Apparently this remit will now be discussed by the board in their “own time”. A mate of yours truly suggests that perhaps farmer accusations of B+LNZ becoming ‘more and more like a socialist government department every day’ aren’t so outlandish after all?

Sound familiar?

This old mutt notes that the lack of fruit and veges is not isolated to just here in good old Godzone. Apparently British supermarkets are also currently facing a shortage of fresh fruit and vegetables after bad weather in Europe and North Africa ruined harvests and disrupted travel routes. This comes on top of skyhigh energy rates for local farmers, making it uneconomic for them to grow out of season produce in glasshouses. Britain traditionally relies on imports of around 90% of lettuces and 95% for tomatoes during winter. The shortage has led to several supermarkets rationing certain salad products to shoppers, including peppers, cucumbers and tomatoes. Meanwhile, UK Environment Secretary Therese Coffey has got into strife for suggesting that British families eat home-grown seasonal vegetables, such as turnips, while other vegetables remained in short supply.

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

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

Campbell curse?

The Hound notes that NZ Rural Land Co recently announced a $5.3m profit for the year ended Dec 31 2022, down a staggering $31.2m from the $36.5m profit it recorded six months earlier. The company owns 11,710 hectares of rural land in New Zealand, which is tenanted on long-term leases. It claims to “generate shareholder value through a combination of asset value appreciation and cash flows from its long-term leases”. Interestingly, this result was announced at the same time as NZ Rural Land Co’s chair Rob Campbell was being sacked from his government-appointed roles for his anti-National party rants. Despite Campbell being chair of the company, there was no comment from the chair about the declining company profit or poor result. Your old mate wonders, is NZ Rural Land Co is trying to distance itself from the current curse of Campbell?

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

A bit fishy!

A mate flew from Auckland to Nelson a couple of weeks ago to participate in an annual fishing and imbibing competition in the Marlborough Sounds. As usual, it was a great success – including the fishing. Our hero packaged a couple of boxes of fish to bring back home. All labelled correctly, he waited at the Auckland baggage carousel; his luggage came along but no boxes of fish. After waiting, he enquired at the bag counter and was advised to look at a door as sometimes these packages were left there. It was suggested he leave his address and they’d courier the fish to him if they were ever found. Getting a little hot under the collar, our mate asked where the police desk was so he could report the fish boxes missing or stolen. Shortly, a trolley arrived with the said two boxes of fish. Perhaps, some mutts thought they were in for a free feed.

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“Should I include all the stock we’ve taken in since the cyclone?”

Credits expose advocacy failure

WHY DO our rural industry group leaders (Beef+Lamb & DairyNZ), continue to mislead farmers over sequestration credits?

The simple answer is that the promise of sequestration credits was a key marketing ploy to deceive farmers into supporting the emissions pricing proposal developed by the industry group partnership, He Waka Eke Noa (HWEN).

When our industry groups offered to help the Government come up with a better emissions tax option than the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), they developed a dual strategy to garner farmer support.

The first part of the strategy was to continually reinforce how bad the alternative (ETS) was, through a campaign of fear. ‘You wouldn’t want to be in the ETS’ was repeated ad nauseam in print and radio media.

The second part of the strategy was to exaggerate the merits of their own proposal, downplay or completely ignore the downsides, and throw in a sweetener in the form of sequestration credits, which could be used to offset the emissions tax bill.

However, this is where honesty went out the window as our industry groups became desperate to obtain farmer support, and the HWEN consultation process turned into a slick marketing campaign, rather than genuine consultation.

Farmers should get full sequestration credits was the sales pitch – riparian planting, native bush, shelter belts, woodlots. But we weren’t told of the fine print that meant most vegetation on farms would not be eligible for credits.

In my private capacity, I have undertaken hundreds of riparian plantings for farmers over the past 20 years. Few, if any, will be eligible for credits. Similarly with native bush on farms – most of this is pre 1990 of which some may be eligible for minor ‘additionality’ credits resulting from ‘active ecological management’.

Another catch is it must be stock excluded, which means most of the native vegetation on farms pre 1990 is ineligible.

There are many exotic plantings on farms in the form of shelterbelts, trees, and small blocks. Most of these are pre1990, therefore also not eligible for credits. Only small, exotic plantings that don’t meet the ETS criteria (less than 1 hectare, 30 metres wide and 30% canopy cover) and post 1990 may be eligible for credits. However, the Government has thus far rightly rejected these for being too small and administratively cost ineffective.

Our industry leaders were outraged about the Government’s position on sequestration. But the truth is that it was our industry groups that designed and agreed to the fine print that penalises early adopters and knocks out most vegetation on farms from receiving credits.

The Government’s announcement prior to Christmas was a reconfirmation of what they had previously agreed to and generally aligned with what our industry groups/ HWEN proposed.

The promise of full sequestration credits under HWEN in the future is a red herring and a lie. Both the Government and industry groups have agreed to criteria like ‘additionality’, which knocks out most vegetation on farms being eligible.

Maybe the biggest hope is for native vegetation on farms to receive substantial credits for all values, not just sequestration in a revamped ETS. This was something the Government committed to follow up on when we raised it at our recent meeting with the (former) Prime Minister and ministers.

The emissions pricing and sequestration debacle has exposed major failings in our national advocacy voice. We can no longer have confidence in our industry leaders to provide full and accurate information on policies and regulations that directly impact farmers.

Our industry groups need to decide whether they are independent, faithful advocates of grassroots farmers. Or agents helping the Government roll out their policy agenda.

The sequestration credits debacle proves they can’t be both and a major revamp of farmer

advocacy is well

• Jamie McFadden is Groundswell NZ’s environmental spokesperson.

JAMIE M c FADDEN

Help farmers bounce back

MONEY DONATED

to the Farmers Adverse Events Trust Cyclone Gabrielle appeal will directly help the farmers and growers hit hardest by flooding, silt and slips.

It’s paying for supplies and fuel for cross country and helicopter missions to stranded families, as well as for fencing and stock water reticulation gear, some of which will be installed by Farmy Army volunteers.

Getting fences back up is critical for livestock

feed management. Clearing internal farm roads of debris and restoring water troughs helps farming families get back on their feet; restoring the production that is the economic lifeblood of so many rural districts.

We’ll be looking to support the efforts of the many hundreds of Farmy Army volunteers who are generously donating their time and skills.

The Farmers Adverse Events Trust was set up by Federated Farmers in 1998. It is independent of the federation and works

to provide relief and assistance to farmers and farming families subject to loss as a consequence

Field Days Special

of adverse natural events. As a charitable trust,

donations qualify for tax credits.

Our trustees donate their time and expertise and our annual administration costs, which are less than 1% of income, are already covered. That means every cent of the nearly $200,000 we have received through our Cyclone Gabrielle Givealittle page so far will go towards helping farmers and growers. We are extremely grateful to our fellow farmers and members of the public who have given so generously.

The devastation

wrought by Cyclone Gabrielle has been crippling. Our Federated Farmers elected leaders in provinces such as the Hawke’s Bay, GisborneWairoa and Northland have a very good handle on the priority needs. We are in close contact with them to ensure this generous support is deployed in a timely and effective manner.

To donate, go to www. farmersadverseevents. co.nz

• William Rolleston is chair of Farmers Adverse Events Trust

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

WHERE ARE THEY?

I wish to express my serious concerns that the representative groups such as Federated Farmers, Irrigation NZ, Beef + Lamb NZ and Horticulture NZ appear not to be directly involved in the Water Users group taking a case to the Court of Appeal over ownership and/or control of use rights to and of fresh water.

It is inconceivable that these important organisations are not directly involved in this case. Every farmer is an industrial user of water, whether they are a grain or livestock user, as is every fruit grower, golf course, hydroponic grower et al.

The Green Party have already indicated they support a levy of 10c per cubic metre. Water takes are already metered so it is a simple matter of imposing a charge. Please note the charge for carbon discharge is already agreed to and will be applied soon.

There is no other issue, despite the plethora of regulations being foisted upon rural communities that ranks aside the Iwi claim to fresh water – courtesy of the Treaty of Waitangi. Regional councils appear to have caved into unelected singular interests (Maori) being represented on regional councils so the threat is very real.

There may well have to be financial trade-offs by rural interests to support this case. But as someone once said; needs must when the devil drives.

Your call, people.

Gerry Eckhoff, Letts Gully , Alexandra

WILLIAM ROLLESTON

The Farmers Adverse Events Trust provides relief and assistance to farmers and farming families subject to loss as a consequence of adverse natural events.

Careful what you wish for!

THE GENIE is well and truly out of the bottle.

Damien O’Connor, the Minister for Agriculture, has proudly informed the nation that MPI, through the Sustainable Farming Fund (SFF), has committed funding for 12 projects to investigate various aspects of regenerative agriculture (RA).

These projects are calculated to cost $57.6m, with about 70% coming from the taxpayer. This funding will be rolled out over a number of years; the longest project will run for 7 years.

As the story goes, once released, the genie, often the harbinger of bad news, cannot be readily put back. Or, I should say in this case, will only be recaptured after causing considerable damage to the farming sector.

Why so cautious?

Over the past millennium, New Zealand scientists have conducted much scientific research and accumulated much wisdom in the field of animal and pasture production, agronomy and soil science. One of the features of sound science is that it is predictive.

So, based on our accumulated scientific knowledge, I am going to make a prediction: RA will have no beneficial effects on soil, pasture and animal production, and quality, relative to conventional agricultural practices. It will only reduce GHGs in proportion to the associated decline in the number of animals.

I will assume that the current crop of experi-

ments, as proposed in these 12 projects, will be planned, undertaken, analysed and reported, all applying the normal protocols used in scientific experiments, and will be conducted by suitably qualified and experienced scientists and science technicians.

Further, I will assume that the experiments are conducted over a sufficient length of time to allow the results to find their full expression. I add this qualification because one of the planks of RA is that no chemical fertilisers are required.

It is easy to prove that no fertiliser is required in the short term if you begin with an already fertile soil. There are likely to be other time-dependant variables inherent in these experiments for which the same qualification applies. I reckon I am on safe ground. In fact, I think I am being abundantly cautious. Because, based on emerging evidence, it is more likely than not that RA will have negative effects on farm productivity. I did try to warn you that not all genies are benign.

We now have the

the first year, operating profit was down 24% on the RA farmlet.

So, what are we to make of the genie’s offering? If my prediction based on past science is correct and that the emerging evidence is repeated, we are on a $57m hiding to nothing.

It will be senseless to use RA as our leading marketing message when we learn that it is simply conventional agriculture in drag. When we learn that under RA we will have no effect on climate change by sequestering more soil carbon. When we demonstrate that

multi-species pastures are not more productive and do not improve animal health, welfare and quality relative to conventional agriculture. What will happen if farmers, or indeed the nation, goes broke clutching to the romantic RA dream. Remember Sri

ALL

Lanka’s experiment with organic farming! It reduces to a matter: be careful what you ask for!

• Doug Edmeades is managing director agKnowledge Ltd, which offers independent and scientific advice to the farmer.

results from two recent surveys. The Australian data (over a 10-year period) showed that the return on investment was about 4% on the conventional farms and only 1% on the RA farms. This difference was due to the lower production on the RA farms. Similar results have come from a NZ survey comparing 8 conventional farms with 8 paired RA farms over a 4-year period. In short, while there was no difference in farm gross expenses, gross farm revenue was higher (+39%) on the conventional farms.

These survey results are consistent with emerging on-farm experience. My mind turns to the Southland couple who were early RA adopters: They readily embraced the promises offered by RA, only to find that their farm “fell to bits” after a couple of years. The likely reason for this was that the soil fertility became exhausted.

Align farms, in Canterbury, are running a comparison of Conventional versus RA on their Clearview dairy farm, near Ashburton. Initial results are not encouraging. In

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DOUG EDMEADES

Doug Edmeades

As the

goes, once released, the genie, often the harbinger of bad news, cannot be readily put back.

RBNZ defends rate hikes

low and stable inflation expectations.”

THE RESERVE Bank is defending its decision to hike interest rates, which is piling more cost pressures on the farming community.

A RBNZ spokesperson told Rural News that the bank understands that higher interest rates add another cost to farmers repaying debt. This is also likely to lead to a higher exchange rate than otherwise, which will reduce exporters’ returns.

“However, higher interest rates now will lead to lower general inflation in the future,” he says.

The bank notes that high and variable inflation makes it harder for businesses and households to plan and to know where best to

direct any investment.

“Unexpected changes in inflation also arbitrarily affect relative outcomes for savers and borrowers throughout New Zealand.

“The higher cost of living is particularly challenging for people earning low or fixed incomes, as it erodes purchasing power and is essentially a pay cut and a tax on savings.

“Given the economic costs of inflation, the best contribution monetary policy can make to the New Zealand econ-

omy is to ensure inflation returns to being low and stable.

“In addition, holding interest rates lower today may mean that interest rates need to be increased even further in the future to control inflation.”

Speaking at the NZ Economics Forum at University of Waikato this month, Reserve Bank Governor Adrian Orr noted that its monetary policy tools are limited. He says there are long and uncertain lags between what they do

with interest rates and the inflation outcomes.

Meanwhile, economic shocks are just that, Orr added.

“For example, in my short time as Governor of the Reserve Bank we have endured Covid-19, the

impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and now the severe weather events impacting many parts of the North Island.

“These events have led to historically significant fluctuations in output, employment, and

inflation. RBNZ does not determine the economic context we operate in.

“Instead, we react to the economic context with a clear purpose –aiming for price stability – thus building on a reputation for delivering

Orr says RBNZ is tacking into the inflation headwinds right now by raising interest rates at times of severe capacity constraints in the economy and high inflation.

Recently, the Official Cash Rate was raised from 4.25% to 4.75%. Orr says the OCR still needs to increase.

“While there are early signs of price pressures easing, core consumer price inflation remains too high, employment is still beyond its maximum sustainable level, and near-term inflation expectations remain elevated. Low and stable inflation is a necessary outcome for economic wellbeing in the longer term. Inflation is no one’s friend. Inflation makes people poorer.”

A friend who’s there when the weather ’s not so fair

Our agribusiness managers are with you for the long haul

Rabobank is a specialist agribusiness bank That means the challenges that you’re facing as a farmer are our challenges as well. Our agribusiness managers and other specialists are available to talk with you face-to-face and can help you get to where you want to be.

SUDESH KISSUN sudeshk@ruralnews.co.nz

“Given the economic costs of inflation, the best contribution monetary policy can make to the New Zealand economy is to ensure inflation returns to being low and stable.”

Reserve Bank Governor Adrian Orr.

Farming embedded in dairy winner’s DNA

SUDESH KISSUN sudeshk@ruralnews.co.nz

WAIKATO SHARE

farmer Aleisha Broomfield has gone one better than her effort last year to win the regional Share Farmer of the Year award.

Broomfield, 33, was runner-up in the same category last year and is the first sole female winner in the category.

She told Rural News that working on judges’ feedback from last year’s competition and brainstorming different ideas got her over the line this year.

“My weakest areas last year were around environment/sustainability and health & safety and I won both those merit awards this year,” she says.

Broomfield, born and raised on a dairy farm in Patetonga, says farming is in her DNA. Her grandfather, father and mother are all dairy farmers.

The former DairyNZ consulting officer and Primary ITO tutor says her favourite part of farming is the cows.

“I absolutely love the cows: they are my girls,” she told Rural News. “I’ve always wanted

to be a farmer and give future children the rural upbringing that I had.”

Broomfield says she really enjoys working with the animals, in particular growing exceptional youngstock.

“Having happy, healthy cows that have low somatic cell counts and high in-calf and production results.”

She also identifies a traditionally stressful time on-farm as her favourite – calving.

“It’s also important for me to continually develop, so I have been doing a lot of training which helps improve the business and keeps you motivated.”

Broomfield is proud that she is a sharemilker in her own right, with an 82% 6-week in-calf rate and 52,000 SCC.

The last month has been exciting for her and partner James Courtman: the couple have bought their first farm.

Broomfield says they are excited to be moving into the farm at Springdale on June 1.

“It’s our first family farm and we are excited,” she says. “James and I have both worked really hard in our own busi-

nesses to get to where we are today. Purchasing our own dairy property has

been a goal for both of us for a long time.

“Anyone who knows

either of us will know that there will be lots of vigorous debate on farm

– particularly about what colour cow we are going to milk.”

Broomfield believes the strengths of her business lie in proven on-farm performance regarding cows and pastures.

“I have a genuine passion for all things farm-

ing, particularly pasture management which allows us to get good performance at a lower cost than others,” she adds.

“Excellent cost control in the business as well as personally has allowed me to make strong profits year-on-year and build equity.”

“My weakest areas last year were around environment/ sustainability and health & safety and I won both those merit awards this year.”

Waikato dairy farmer and the region’s Share Farmer of the Year winner Aleshia Broomfield.

Waikato farms attract worldwide workforce

SUDESH KISSUN sudeshk@ruralnews.co.nz

AT WESTMORLAND

Estate Ltd’s three dairy farm offices in the Waikato hang large world maps.

Map pins show the countries represented among Westmorland’s 12-members strong team. It also acts as a visual prompt to think globally, as this is where their quality milk goes to.

The list is impressive: UK, Germany, Belgium, Chile, Uruguay, Argentina, Philippines, New Zealand and Ukraine.

Owners David and Sue Fish believe that the business is only as good as

their team.

Attracting the right people and providing them with a great working environment has been the foundation of the business’ success.

Sue says the busi-

ness focus has been to spend plenty of time at the recruitment stage to find the right people to fit their team.

A focus on people’s well-being and their ‘team first’ mentality, backed by strong social media presence, means there’s no shortage of people willing to join their team.

Sue told Rural News that she believes there is a global pool of skilled and dedicated people waiting to be tapped into coming and working on NZ dairy farms.

“It’s all about trying to make our business attractive to everyone,” she says.

“Yes, it has become hard to get people in NZ and from around the world, but there are those who want to come and experience the dairy industry.”

Westmorland has been an Immigration NZ accredited employer for four years.

Sue says for them it’s been looking at what they can do as an employer to attract good people.

“Why should someone opt to work on our dairy farm as opposed to a different industry down the road?”

One of their latest recruits is a German mechanical engineer. He had never milked cows before but loves the job and environment.

Operations manager Dries Verrycken, from Belgium, believes it’s about picking people with the right attitude and also about offering them the right, training, working environment and support.

Verrycken says most employers focus on skills when recruiting.

“But that’s something you can train; it’s always hard to find all things in one person.

“For us, it’s about finding the best fit, personalities that we can

work with.

“We can then teach them how to milk cows or drive a tractor,” he adds.

He says some of their team members bring other skills from their previous occupations which come in handy on farm. The business has people with backgrounds in vet nursing, economics, agronomy, animal science, nursing, business production, vet, psychology, payroll, mechanic, agricultural, and more.

Recruitment is done mostly online and on social media platforms. This is spearheaded by Verrycken’s wife and human resources manager, Paola.

Westmorland Estate is made up of three dairy farms, all situated within Waitoa.

Verrycken says they work as a team.

“We are three separate farms but at the end of the day there’s one big team.

“We work together: if there’s a man down on one farm, then a member from another farm steps in to help.”

The hard work of the team is given due recognition. Every month an employee of the month is announced – going to a someone with can do attitude, proactive, will go the extra mile and takes pride of his or her work place.

And an annual performance awards event is held.

This event is to celebrate the team and how their hard work contributes to the success of Westmorland Estate Ltd and the wider dairy industry.

Last week the whole Westmorland team gathered in Matamata for the event, which is supported by industry stakeholders.

Westmorland Estate Ltd owners Sue and David Fish with operations manager Dries Verrycken.

TRACTA_SUZ65438_REPOWER_RN

Cyclone brings health challenges

BEEF + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) is reminding farmers to protect their families and livestock as cases of Salmonella and Leptospirosis rise in the wake of Cyclone Gabrielle.

Leptospirosis sits in the kidneys and genital tract of infected animals. People who come into contact with an infected animal’s urine are most at risk of contracting the disease. However, the bacteria can also live in soil and water contaminated with animal urine – such as puddles around water troughs –and is often seen after flood events.

Common leptospirosis symptoms include headaches, flu-like symptoms and muscle and gut pain starting within 2-14 days of bacterial exposure but can present in a number of ways. Without treatment leptospirosis can advance into Weil’s disease, symptoms of which include jaundice, bleeding, meningitis

and multiple organ failure. It is estimated that one million people are infected with leptospirosis worldwide, with 59,000 deaths.

Healthy, well-grown animals are more likely to spread Leptospirosis to people through their urine, posing a risk during milking, calving, lambing, shearing, or slaughtering and

processing stock.

“All mammals can be infected by Leptospirosis and we’re currently seeing an increased number of cases in dogs,” says B+LNZ’s senior advisor for biosecurity and animal welfare Will Halliday.

Meanwhile, Halliday says cases of Salmonella hindmarsh, a strand of the salmonella bacteria

most often found in the guts of sheep and cattle, are also on the rise.

Though normally benign, in situations of high stress – such as abrupt change of feed, wet weather or rough transportation – it can advance into the disease salmonellosis. The symptoms range from general lethargy and loss of appetite through

to severe diarrhoea, dehydration and even death.

Halliday told Rural News that when farmers are dealing with livestock, living or dead, hygiene will be of the utmost importance in dealing with these diseases.

“Wear protective clothing and cover open wounds, wash your hands and change clothes before

having a meal to try reduce what is on your hands or in your clothes from getting into your mouth or nose.”

In human cases of salmonellosis symptoms commonly show up within 12-72 hours and may include abdominal fevers and cramps, diarrhoea and vomiting typically lasting anywhere from 2-10 days.

NEW RESOURCE FOR MANAGING WORMS IN CALVES

FARMERS GRAZING dairy heifers are being encouraged to download a new factsheet to help them manage worms.

The Beef + Lamb New Zealandfunded Wormwise programme has developed the fact sheet to support farmers and their staff with internal parasite management in calves from

the pre-weaning stage until their first winter.

“Worm larval challenge and drench resistant parasites are a common underlying cause of poor performance in heifer rearing systems,” says Dr Ginny Dodunski, experienced veterinarian and manager of the Wormwise programme.

“The fact sheet outlines the basics of the worm life cycle and the effects of parasites on young cattle and introduces concepts around offering lower worm challenge grazing to young stock, with tools to mitigate and reduce the risk of drench resistance.”

Dodunski says this is about recognising that practice change does not

always come from the top down.

“Sometimes it’s staff asking questions about something they have read or seen that starts a conversation about how things could be improved.”

Wormwise aims to help farmers and their advisors to manage worms sustainably. It brings together indus-

Salmonella bacteria quickly multiplies in warm, wet conditions so refrigerating foodstuffs will provide the best defence against bacterial growth.

If refrigeration is not available, frequent hand washing with soap and making sure food is cooked thoroughly and washed beforehand (in previously boiled water) will help to minimise spread.

Halliday says that the best form of prevention of Salmonella and Leptospirosis is for farmers to vaccinate their animals to stop people getting sick, prevent infections and reduce stock loss.

“Vet clinics in the region are up running, so farmers shouldn’t hesitate to organise vaccinations.”

In cases of human infections, antibiotics applied early can frequently stop symptoms evolving. People are advised that if they come down with leptospirosis or salmonellosis to consult a doctor.

@rural_news

try experts to manage and integrate research work, education, communication and extension services for the benefit of farmers, vets, key influencers and retailers.

The fact sheet can be downloaded from the Wormwise website.

@rural_news facebook.com/ruralnews

The best form of prevention of Salmonella and Leptospirosis is for farmers to vaccinate their animals.

PHOTO: PAUL SUTHERLAND PHOTOGRAPHY

Collars a smart move for a happy healthy herd

TRU-TEST ACTIVE Collars have proven to be a game changer for many Australian and New Zea-

land farms since launching earlier this year.

With a suite of other smart technology prod-

ucts to follow close on their collars, Datamars Livestock claims it is leading the way to help

farmers work smarter.

Barry Flynn milks a 620-strong Friesian herd on 195ha. The farm man-

ADVERTORIAL

Amazing result for ill-thrift calves

VETERINARIAN Kelly Andrews from Te Awamutu recommends Tracesure capsules following “amazing results” after treating a mob of calves whose prognosis looked grim.

“190 calves were moved to grazing whereby 3 died and 19 were identified with ill-thrift losing 0.3kg/c/d. With half of these on a fatal path due to a confirmed diagnosis of Yersiniosis and Theileriosis the calves were mob separated with ill-thrift calves being offered meal supplementation, antibiotic and anti-inflammatory treatment and a Tracesure capsule”.

30 days later Kelly says the calves were unrecognisable and gaining 1kg/c/d vs gains of 0.45kg/c/d for the mob not given the bolus. The farmer requested the other mob also get Tracesure after seeing the results.

Tracesure is a controlled-release capsule that provides 6 months supply of Iodine, Selenium and Cobalt in an accurate and reliable daily amount.

Think of it as like putting a dosing pump system inside the calf. Tracesure can be used in combination with Copasure capsules to provide copper at the same time. It appeals to many farmers because the capsule takes the guesswork out of bodyweight/dose rate calculations. Trace mineral supplementation can be done once, accurately and forgotten about for 6 months.

Optimise health, fertility and productivity

Says Andrews “We get continual great feedback from our graziers on how well weaned calves transition when Tracesure is used in newly weaned calves off to grazing. Calves and young stock transition to their new environments with less risk of Yersinia, less ill-thrift, recover faster from illness and provide some incredible mating results to name a few of the benefits seen. We routinely use the capsules at the end of the zinc treatment period, enabling young stock to replenish vital trace element stores as they head into winter when such elements become generally less available from pasture, as soil temperatures drop”. Results speak for themselves and Andrews sees Tracesure/Copasure as an indispensable tool to optimise health, growth and fertility of weaned young stock leading up to mating.

Tracesure and Copasure are available from your local veterinarian.

ager, originally from County Cavan in Ireland, is slowly building up numbers on the Cavendish Partnership farm –an ex-forestry block just outside Mt Somers.

“We are building up the soil profile and the cows are producing lots of milk. The first year we hit our breeding target. But last year, didn’t go our way,” he explains.

“This year, we wanted to explore how we could improve our breeding. One key strategy for doing that was collars.”

After looking at his options, Flynn ran with Tru-Test Automated Heat Monitoring with Active Collars from Datamars Livestock.

“From an Irish point of view, I am very aware of wearables,” he adds. “Many farms back home are using collars and the research behind this is extremely good.”

Flynn says the way he and farm owner Rob Turney thought about it was, ‘there was no point in fighting technology’.

“We might as well be innovative and understand it as early as we can to gain that couple of percent which is key.”

He says the collars have been a great success.

“Our return rate at that first 21 days was extremely good.

“We have seen a very steady fall off in those numbers of cows coming back on heat, which is a very good sign.

“We can see from the data that we are inseminating them at the right time, not too early or late, and the cows are holding on to the pregnancy.”

Flynn adds they have also found that the collar data has been a real help for younger animals.

“One weakness of the industry is that cows fall out of the system far too early and we are not getting our cows back in calf

as early as we should.”

He says the data from the collars is giving the herd every bit of health advantage.

“We are asking a cow to calve down in August and demanding her to get back in calf by the first week in November. It is not giving the animal that much time to heal and recover.

“With these collars, we are doing our best to ensure as few cows are falling out of the system as possible. Going forward that’s our goal –sustainability.”

All the cow behaviour data, as well as heat and health insights, are integrated through the Datamars Data Livestock Cloud Software. Flynn sees all this via the phone app.

Flynn says another benefit with collars is how they help free-up staff.

“It’s a massive thing for us. This year has been hard, but we haven’t required someone on the vet stand. With collars, you are saving a unit because you don’t need a second person in the shed.

“That makes a huge difference. I am saving two hours of every day.”

Head of Datamars Livestock Smart Farming for Australasia Verne Atmore is pleased with the results farmers have seen with their Active Collar Tag. But he is quick to point out it’s just the start.

“We’re excited to now have our new automated Walk Over Weighing systems for sale in Australia. The solutions include the Flexi Mobile 4000C for in-paddock automated weighing and the Dairy WOW 4000C for in-shed daily herd weighing.”

• More: agdata@trutest.com or visit www. dairyfarmingmadebetter. com

Farm manager Barry Flynn reckons the data from the collars is giving his herd every bit of health advantage.

4 essential trace elements and 6 months of peace of mind for young to adult cattle and deer.

Te Awamutu veterinarian Kelly Andrews

Xerion hits a quarter century

course, led it to create a model of its own that became the MB Trac.

cylinder Perkins 1306-9TA in both variants.

GERMAN MANUFACTURERS have always had a belief that tractors should be multi-purpose vehicles.

The only real divergence was those set up for field work and those for haulage. The latter saw the adoption of four wheeled trailers with turntables, said to be better suited to the task –a thought still held today.

The Claas Huckepack, built between 1957 and 1960, was a tool carrier produced to work large areas of root crops. This was at a time when Claas was also leading the field in combine harvesters.

During the late 1960s the company was working on a new hydrostatic transmission called HSG, which was installed in a dual-purpose tractor/truck test rig. Over time, a distribution agreement with Daimler-Benz was proposed for the new tractor, which in due

The HSG tractor project was shelved in 1972— but not forgotten. In 1978, HSG was renamed Project 207, and heralded the birth of Xerion. Despite internal company enthusiasm, it took until 1993 for the concept to be made public by Claas and it became available for purchase in 1997 with the Xerion 3000.

At its heart, lay the HM-8 infinitely variable transmission. This drives the permanently engaged equal sized wheels, showcasing the development work started in 1968 and featuring the novel option of a revolving cab. Until then, reverse drive tractors spun the seat to face a rear-mounted duplicate set of controls.

Developed with a 200hp engine from MAN, the first production models saw a power jump to 250 and 300hp for the Xerion 2500 and 3000 respectively – using a six-

When AGCO bought the Challenger rubbertracked business from Caterpillar in 2001, Claas was left with Xerion as its only prime mover. This eventually led to the purchase of Renault’s tractor division in 2003.

The Xerion saw a major facelift in 2004, which saw a ZF transmission replace the company’s own unit, alongside the use of Caterpillar engines signalling the 335hp Xerion 3300 and 364hp Xerion 3800.

Around the same time, the Saddle Trac option saw the cabin sit above the engine, clearing the rear ‘deck’ of the tractor. This allowed the fitting of fully-mounted slurry tanks with sprayers or the installation of a fifthwheel coupling to tow larger trailers.

This second generation Xerion endured until 2013, but was also joined by Gen 3 in 2009, with the arrival of Xerion 4000

and 5000 with 449hp and 487hp outputs. This was achieved by swapping the Cat C9 engine with a Cat C13, still a six cylinder, but with 12.5L displace-

ment rather than the smaller 8.8L.

In 2014, Xerion 4000 and 5000 were given a Mercedes Benz OM 471 LA engine. This brought

power increases that saw the 5000 delivering 509hp, the 4500 at 480hp and the 4200, arriving with 458hp.

Today, the range offers

three power levels, each with three cab options and the availability of triangular crawler tracks (Trac TS) on the two larger models.

MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz

knives per auger. Molasses and mineral intake tubes for dietary requirements with front facing conveyor with side shift. Teaser rollers placed at door to break up clumps.

JD adds grain sensing option

NEW ZEALAND’S broadacre farmers are now able to access a complete picture of profitability with the launch of John Deere’s HarvestLab 3000 Grain Sensing on S700 Series Combines. The machine was originally introduced to the forage industry in 2007 as HarvestLab, then upgraded to HarvestLab 3000 in 2017.

Now the systems sensor capabilities have been extended for use in the grains sector. This offers

the ability to continuously measure and monitor protein, starch, oil and moisture values in wheat, barley or canola during real time during harvesting. The data can be viewed in the cab, or in John Deere Operations Center™. This allows farmers to make critical marketing and management decisions before the grain has left the field.

HarvestLab 3000 offers customers new-level insights into the quality of their crop and input effectiveness. It is available as a field kit, having undergone two years’ worth of testing with Aus-

tralian farmers.

“Currently, most farmers usually assess samples of grain with a stationary protein analyser back in the shed,” explains John Deere Precision Ag Manager, Benji Blevin.

“HarvestLab 3000, will offer a complete map of grain quality, which can be overlaid with a yield map. Farmers can see exactly what parts of their paddocks are producing the highest quality grain.

They will also be able to utilise HarvestLab 3000 to plan future fertiliser programs based on how successfully nutrients were

converted into yield, protein, starch, or oil.”

The technology works as the combine moves through the paddock, with a motor-driven auger pushing grain past the HarvestLab 3000’s near-infrared sensor. Together with the StarFire™ receiver, site-specific data is generated on the Generation 4 Display and sent to Operations Center via JDLink™.

HavestLab 3000 is available to order from April for easy integration into 2018 or later S700 Series Combines, before the 2023 harvest season.

FOLLOWING THE announcement in early January that the dealership agreement between CNH Industrial and Norwood had ended, the Palmerston North headquartered company says it is entering into a consultation process with staff and dealerships for a realignment of its business strategy in 2023.

“We need to revisit our business strategies and growth plans. These were put in place last year and a lot has happened since then,” says Tim Myers, Norwood chief executive. “We are reviewing what this realignment means for Norwood and our network, alongside consulting with our staff on some proposed changes.”

At this stage, Norwood is proposing to close or consolidate a small number of dealerships and use the hub and spoke model that is operating successfully at other Norwood sites. This model allows field sales and service staff to work remotely with workshop service and parts supply support from a dealership a little further away.

Norwood is also proposing to reduce staff numbers at some dealerships and at its national support office. The company says some roles may be disestablished as the business adjusts; others may be vacancies that will not be filled.

“Our staff have had an extremely unsettling start to the year, so our priority is to focus on their wellbeing and to support those who are directly affected,” Myers says.

The exact number of dealerships and staff impacted will be confirmed after the consultation process has finished. Norwood currently has a network of 25 dealerships and employs 470 staff nationwide.

The HarvestLab 3000 Grain Sensing on JD’s S700 Series Combines offers the ability to continuously measure and monitor protein, starch, oil and moisture values.

Meeting growing demand

MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz

INDIAN TYRE manufacturer BKT has plans to make 600,000 tonnes of tyres each year from 2026, when annual turnover is forecast to hit US$2 billion.

Already on a roll, BKT’s business has increased by 49% over the pre-pandemic period and expansion at the company’s prestigious Bhuj production plant in India will play a major role in increasing tyre numbers.

When the first tyres rolled off the production line in 2012, the Bhuj site covered 123ha. With more than US$500m invested over the ensuing years, the site has grown in stages to its current size of 258ha in 2022. Expansion plans mean it will expand even further to hit 323ha by the end of 2023.

The ambitious expansion plans means a major increase in staff numbers from the 4,776

The expansion will also include a dedicated rubber track manufacturing plant, alongside space for six different test tracks.

people employed at the end of 2022. Meanwhile, the extra footprint being planned is needed to install the new machines needed to increase the volumes. These have risen from 92 tonnes a day in 2015 to the best-ever, 436 tonnes a day by the end of the 2022 year. The expansion will also include a dedicated rubber track manufacturing plant, alongside space for six different test tracks. These will include circuits for performance tests on a variety of different surfaces in dry and wet conditions. These will offer the ability to measure parameters such as traction, handling, comfort and soil compaction.

A further strategic choice at the Bhuj site

CYCLONE DONATION

THE BRANDT Group of Companies has announced that they have partnered with John Deere and Waratah to make a $160,000 donation to the New Zealand Red Cross.

The contribution will be used to support emergency management agencies on the frontline of North Island to help with clean-up and repair efforts, underway since Cyclone Gabrielle in February.

“The damage caused by Cyclone Gabrielle has directly impacted our customers, our employees and the communities they call home,” says Brandt chief executive, Shaun Semple. “We are eager to do whatever we can to support them through our participation in the North Island recovery effort.”

Luke Chandler, managing director of John Deere Limited – Australia & New Zealand, says it is important to Deere and Waratah that members of affected communities know that they have their back.

“We are proud to stand strong with the people of New Zealand during this very difficult time.”

Brandt has 17 branch locations across the North Island serving hundreds of local customers who are actively working on the recovery effort. In addition to the financial support, Brandt has also put a significant amount of equipment to work, including numerous tractor and labour donations in cooperation with local citizens working to restore essential services as quickly as possible.

“Kiwis are a tough, resilient people who will ultimately rise above this tragedy,” Semple adds. “We will do whatever we can to support rebuilding and recovery efforts. We are grateful for the support of North Islanders over the years and are honoured to step up in this time of need.”

Brandt’s Cyclone Gabrielle donation is being made via Brandt’s ‘Thanks A Billion’ philanthropic program.

2017. This has led to a current total annual production of 165,600 tonnes of the essential tyre component.

been in step with demand.

was to invest in its own carbon black plant, which came into operation in

“People have asked me if all this was really necessary, so much in such a short time?” explains Rajiv Poddar, joint managing director at BKT.

“Growth has always

And we see global tyre demand growing, with no signs of it slowing down over the next five years. The journey we started out on at Bhuj in 2012 was never a return journey, but one to prepare ourselves to discover the future.”

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DAYS Back with a vengeance!

THE BIENNIAL South Island Agricultural Field Days (SIAFD) returns to the Canterbury town of Kirwee at the end of this month.

Organisers are promising another great show despite logistics and other challenges.

Event chair Hayden Dorman says they have about 520 exhibitors lined up – a little more than last time – and have also sold a few more sites, with a number of exhibitors choosing to boost their presence by taking more than one.

There would again be a big emphasis on machinery demonstrations, which is how the field days started and is something they concentrate on doing well, he adds.

The event will run from March 29 to 31.

Run in odd-numbered years alternating with the Southern Field Days at Waimumu in Southland, SIAFD has managed to dodge Covid, while Waimumu was forced to cancel last year because of the pandemic.

But supply chain issues are still having an effect.

Dorman says it was a challenge two years ago for exhibitors to make sure they had enough product to put on show. He says it seems to be worse now because of Covid’s continuing strain on logistics.

“I know that two years ago a lot of the stuff that was on site was already sold, especially machinery.”

SIAFD is proud to be a grassroots event run by farmers and for farmers, with few paid helpers and almost everything done by the volunteer com-

mittee.

Dorman says their show is “like chalk and cheese” compared to some of the bigger, professionally run events that aim for a broader appeal, such as Mystery Creek.

“We might only get 25,000 people through the gate but we know that they’re farmers.”

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Speaking to Rural News a few weeks out from the event Dorman noted that the big marquees and displays had yet to start trickling in, and some of the machinery won’t come until they’ve appeared at the Central District Field Days at Feilding (March 16-18).

But he said there had already been several volunteer working bees pre-

paring for the event, including marking out the sites.

“It’s all volunteers,” he says. “We’ll have working bees every weekend between now and the event.”

He paid tribute to the volunteers, noting that they all have other commitments, such as arable farmers busy with harvest at this time of year.

Dorman also paid tribute to the many volunteer groups that make sure the event itself runs smoothly by managing tasks such as manning the gates, marshalling car parking and collecting rubbish. They try to get as many local organisations involved as possible, ranging from local schools and sports clubs to service clubs.

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. •

South Island Agricultural Field Days organisers are promising another great event with

exhibitors lined up to attend from March 29-31.

38 44 50

A family affair

THE SOUTH Island Agricultural Field Days is a family affair for brothers Andrew and Nathan Stewart.

Both have been on the organising committee for SIAFD since 2013, with Andrew running the machinery demonstrations since 2017.

“The machinery demonstrations are what makes us different from anyone else, really,” he told Rural News. “We’re the only ones who provide that, to that scale anyway.”

Stewart says it is useful for farmers not just to watch the demonstrations but also to get up close, walk around and see what the gear looks like afterwards.

Stewart admits it has been “a bit slower this

year” signing up machinery demonstrators. However, he still expects a similar turnout to 2021 with about 40 different machines in operation.

There would be a

number of different cultivators and ploughs, one or two maize harvesters and a few different types of round balers, rakes and mowers.

As in previous years,

SMALL BEGINNINGS

SIAFD STARTED in the 1950s as machinery demonstrations on a leased site at Lincoln.

However, the event has been held at Kirwee since they bought the site before the 2015 event.

SIAFD event chair Hayden Dorman says Kirwee is well-drained land on a shingle base.

It “gets a bit slithery on top” when wet but not like the Lincoln site, which was heavy land “where you just keep sinking.”

The group initially bought 40ha at Kirwee then another 40ha, so there is room for expansion and

development, but Dorman says they have yet to decide what direction to go.

There is little infrastructure on site apart from an office, a small machinery shed, basic toilet blocks, tracks, water and power.

Power lines and outlets are strategically placed across the exhibition space but with no connection to the national grid, as that would incur a daily connection fee. Instead, six or eight temporary generators are brought in to power it up at show time.

Dorman told Rural News that further developments for the site are “on our radar” but will have to

they have chosen crops for the demonstrations in consultation with farmers and machinery suppliers to make sure they are relevant to current trends.

There is about 2ha of maize for harvesting, about 4ha of grass (with some red clover through it) for mowing and baling. There is also about 4ha of barley which will be harvested to stubble before the event, for use in the cultivation demonstrations.

Stewart says seed companies offered them three different cultivars of maize.

“That’s a bit of a new one for us,” he told Rural News. “Two strips were planted mid-October and the third in the first week of December and it will be interesting for people to see how they’ve grown.”

be carefully chosen.

Because the site is leased to a neighbouring farmer between shows, it’s not like there are other events to help pay for development, he explains.

“If we spend a lot of money we’ve got to look at what sort of return we get from that.

“We can build something that’s worth a million bucks but are we getting a return from it?

“We do need something but we just have to decide how much we’re willing to spend, so we’ve got to make up our minds sooner rather than later because prices of things don’t keep going down.”

NIGEL MALTHUS

Andrew Stewart has been running the machinery demonstrations at SIAFD since 2017.

New models have arrived for the smaller lawn with a smaller

It’s all about the gear

Zealand.

A COUPLE of the machines that will be on show at the 2023 SIAFD have effectively already done their live demonstration.

These have been used for planting out the maize that will used by other machines in harvesting at the event.

Ashburton-based EuroAgri brought a Lemken combination consisting of an Azurit precision planter and Solitair seed wagon to the site in midOctober to plant out two of the three varieties of maize.

Product specialist Eliot Schofield says EuroAgri is the sole South Island distributor for Lemken, a German brand with a 243 year history. He says R&D on the Azurit line has been done in New

“New Zealand has some of the most varying conditions in the world,” Schofield told Rural News

The planter features what is called DeltaRow technology, in which each row effectively becomes two close rows, with seeds set in a zig-zag pattern and with the fertiliser band between them.

Commenting on the logistics of getting machines to customers, Schofield says it’s still quite difficult.

“But getting into the country isn’t the hard part now, it’s build slots.”

With gear being purchased all over the world and the continuing knockon effects of Covid, some machines are 12 or even 18 months away between ordering and coming out of the factory, he says.

Then, they are 12

weeks on the water before they get here.

Schofield says freight costs have “pretty much tripled” on what they were three years ago.

NIGEL MALTHUS

Machinery demonstration at the 2019 South Island Agricultural Field Days at Kirwee.

SIFD chairman Hayden Dorman reviews the layout at the Kirwee field days site.

New face at Power Farming

WELL KNOWN motor industry face Tom Ruddenklau has been appointed as chief of the Morrinsville-headquartered, Power Farming Group.

Brought up on a beef and sheep farm at Dipton in Southland – famous for also being the home of former Prime Minister Bill English – Ruddenklau’s interest in things mechanical started when he helped in his father’s secondary contracting business. After university, a young Ruddenklau took up positions in the motor industry in the UK, before returning to New Zealand to lead brands

such as Hyundai and Volkswagen. During that time, he was instrumental in establishing the sponsorship package with the iconic Country Calendar programme that endures to this day.

“Joining the Power Farming Group has fulfilled an underlying desire to get back to my rural roots and the engine room of the nation,” he says. “What could be a better job than leading the largest pri-

vately-owned importer, distributor and retailer in the Southern Hemisphere and be there to see that business develop in a time of complex regulatory changes?”

Initially, Ruddenklau will take the time to understand a business that is obviously in good health, with operations in New Zealand, Australia and the US. He notes that PFG is very focused on its people, typified by its joint venture retail opera-

tions throughout NZ.

“Our JV’s are built around committed individuals who have some skin in the game,” he adds. “Rural business is undoubtedly built around people, complemented by great products and supported by 5-star back up when the do-do hits the fan.”

Ruddenklau told Rural News that the PFG stable houses some great brands sourced from around the world, including UK brand JCB. He says these will support its latest venture, Power Farming Construction, which will give the company the ability to fill the farm shed even more.

MARK DANIEL

Tom Ruddenklau has taken up the role as chief executive of Power Farming.

“Joining the Power Farming Group has fulfilled an underlying desire to get back to my rural roots and the engine room of the nation.”

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 Rotow-

iper TR series is a case in point. It is proving to be very successful, featuring ease of operation with simple height adjustment, 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 trans-

porting or storage, without tools, and stainless steel covers throughout to give the machine a quality appearance. However, more importantly, this also delivers durability 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.

www.rotowiper.com

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

AGRICULTURAL FIELD

DAYS - KIRWEESITE M375

A handy piece

tery charge.

AFTER MANY hours of brainstorming, trouble shooting and trialling, David Short “married” a traditional Lister handpiece with a direct drive brushless motor attached to the rear to create the Handypiece.

This is a portable shearing and tail trimming tool, available at a reasonable price, with no mains power required.

Slim to hold and familiar for anyone who has ever used a hand piece before, the unit allows users to keep on top of problems like fly strike, keeping animal health to the optimum. Offering variable speed from 2,600 – 3,500rpm, Handypiece can crutch between 300400 sheep from one bat-

For dagging, crutching and trimming cows’ tails, the unit is typically at a mid-speed of 2,800 rpm. Those requiring a finer cut while shearing can wind the speed up to the 3,500rpm maximum.

The machine also allows alpaca shearers to use a traditional handpiece that is slim to hold but has the ability to reduce the speed to that of a clipper.

Handypiece also can be customised for left handed users or configured with the power cord out of the middle of the motor, by right and lefthanded users.

Being a traditional handpiece, it takes all standard combs and cutters of any brand the user prefers. www.handypiece.co.nz

Handlers make life easier

THE REGULAR use of sheep handlers and cattle crushes for carrying out animal health programmes has helped reduce costs and drive production efficiency.

The Combi Clamp Sheep Handler and Heavy-Duty Cattle Crushes promote less stress and more efficiency, while also considering animal welfare – values in the forefront of the mind of the man ufacturer.

The Combi Clamp Sheep Han dler is manually operated. It uses

the operator’s body weight, applied to a pressure plate, for routine animal welfare tasks. At the same time, it reduces physical demands – allowing increased precision in tasks like vaccinating. In addition, unlike some emerging solutions, sheep are always kept on their feet.

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Equipme nt is built with superior strength and reliability. With automatic catching of polled and horned animals, as well as controlled release and doors that automatically reset, ready to catch the next animal. Must be seen to be believed!

of simplicity, safety and efficiency have been applied to the HeavyDuty Cattle Crushes.

Split and top-access gates promote access and drafting options. Meanwhile, the Auto Head Yoke, offers stress-free, automatic catching of polled or horned animals. When working alone, the auto-

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AT S.I. FIELD DAYS SITE 821

“Providing New Zealand Farmers With Robust and Adaptable Solutions for 100 Years”.

The Combi Clamp Sheep Handler was designed with the principles of simplicity, versatility and efficiency in the forefront of our minds. The manual operation significantly reduces the physical demands of working with Sheep and increases the precision and appeal of many animal health treatments such as dagging, drenching, weighing, vaccinating, capsuling and foot trimming.

SOUTH ISLAND

All ready to go at SI field days

THE SHEDS have been built, the marquees are up and now the 600plus exhibitors are busily dressing their sites.

All this, as New Zealand’s oldest and largest regional agricultural field days transforms an 80ha site in the outskirts of Christchurch into a satellite village for this month’s South Island Agricultural Field Days.

Just minutes from the centre of Kirwee, 21 of the 80 hectares is now starting to resemble a small agricultural town, with numerous banks, primary industry supply stores and some of the latest innovations in the farming and primary sectors all set to display their wares.

Organisers are expecting between 20,000 to

30,000 people through the gates over the threeday event – running from March 29-31. They say with the large array of exhibitors this year, there’s something for everyone.

With a further 11ha of irrigated land planted in barley, lucerne and other crops, machinery exhibitors from all over New Zealand have the oppor-

tunity to showcase their latest equipment starting with cultivation equipment, which leads into hay and silage demonstrations and other types of machinery later in the day.

SI Fieldays started as a machinery sale 70 years ago as a fundraiser for the local Young Farmers Club and still has a distinct focus on machinery

and demonstrations. Organisers are hoping that this year’s field days will also be used as an opportunity for farmers and agricultural workers to get off site and cele-

$100K FOR FARMSTRONG!

LAST YEAR’S National Fieldays saw Norwood chief executive Tim Myers present Farmstrong with a cheque for $106,925.

It is the largest single donation made to Farmstrong and was raised during Norwood’s fourth annual golf event held last year. The Norwood Charity Golf Tournament is now a major funding contributor to

Farmstrong, having raised a total $300,925 since 2019. Myers says it was brought about by the desire to address mental wellbeing, the idea being to get people off farm to relax.

“We’re privileged to represent a network that is invested in making a difference to mental wellbeing in the agricultural sector and rec-

ognises the incredible mahi that Farmstrong do to achieve that,” he added.

Planning is already underway for the 2023 Norwood Charity Golf Tournament, which will be held on 17 May at the Wairakei Golf + Sanctuary.

@rural_news

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brate their wins.

“The South Island Agricultural Field Days is the perfect place to meet and talk to like-minded people, share ideas and discuss challenges you

might be having. “It’s an opportunity to find out where other people are at and take some of those thoughts and ideas back to your business.”

SIFD organisers are expecting between 20,000 to 30,000 people through the gates over the three-day event –running from March 29-31.

Taking on climate change

MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz

WHILE THE subject of water never seems very far from the agricultural news, it always seems to be about the extremes of too little or too much.

In the case of the

former, many scientists around the world are looking to find alternative crops to deal with climate change.

In the US, the Colorado River, a major source of water for crops, had been running at lower levels. This is thanks to a

27-year drought, resulting in the seven US states and Mexico – that rely on the river – promising more water than is available, causing chronic overuse.

When an official shortage was declared last year, it triggered major

water cuts in the central Arizona county that caused some farmers to look for more water-efficient crops.

Will Thelander, a third-generation farmer, is testing a crop called guayule (pronounced “wy-oo-lee”). This a des-

ert-adapted shrub that can be used for several products, but most notably as a natural rubber for tyres. Most importantly, it requires around half the water of cotton, alfalfa and corn crops typically grown in the area.

A native of the Chihuahuan Desert, as well as requiring less water, once established, the plant doesn’t require any insecticides or inter-row cultivation. This means it limits chemical use and helps retain soil carbon.

As a measure of water requirements, US farmers typically measure water using acre-feet, which is the amount of water required to cover one acre of land, one foot deep. One acre-foot is about 325,851 gallons.

Guayule requires about 2.5 acre-feet of water over 12 months. This is said to be about two times less water than crops like corn, which

requires 4.5 acre-feet over four months and alfalfa for animal feed, which needs 6 acre-feet over about eight months.

Guayule is also said to provide other environmental co-benefits, with excellent pest resistance. So much so, that plantings next to less resistant species such as cotton are being encouraged to “soak up” infestations. The plant also acts as a nursery, attracting and potentially supplying important pollinators alongside  predatory insects and  parasitoids, to the rest of the agriculture system.

Guayule is a perennial crop, meaning it’s harvested once every two years, and doesn’t require any replanting once established. This means a reduction in the number of tractors needed and the amount of carbon pulled out of the soil.

Guayule has caught the attention of indus-

tries that are also looking for more sustainable materials. Research is being supported by tyre manufacturers, most notably Bridgestone, who are looking to diversify its natural rubber supply chain. Most of the company’s natural rubber comes from Hevea rubber trees in southeast Asia, which are seen to be vulnerable because of changing farmer trends and world conflicts.

The company notes that the new crop will need more processing than Hevea-sourced rubber.

However, it believes that developing a manufacturing process out of guayule would help mitigate the reliance on a less reliable source.

Currently growing 300 acres of guayule, Bridgestone hopes to ramp up production to 2,000 acres by 2024, and eventually have 25,000 acres in production by 2027.

Guayule is a desert-adapted shrub that can be used for several products, but most notably as a natural rubber for tyres.

John Pio - 027 640 3582 enquiries@strautmann.co.nz

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

New transport carriage for large furrow presses

between jobs can be a little difficult.

FURROW PRESSES can be useful for tilth breakdown, soil consolidation and moisture conservation.

This is particularly true when working against the clock and not having enough time available for the weather to do its job. However, because of their weight, moving

Lemken, the plough specialist, is now introducing a new trailer for its VarioPack furrow press. This allows the even larger furrow presses, used with six-furrow or larger mounted and semi-mounted ploughs, to be easily transported by road.

The VarioPack trailer is suitable for double

RAM HITS 20K!

IN A market dominated by utes, Ram Trucks Australia has just put the finishing touches on its 20,000th right-hand drive pick-up.

In this case, a flagship TRX model, sporting a 6.2 litre V-8 Hemi, finished in an eye-catching Hydro Blue.

It marks the 10th anniversary of the relationship between RAM and the Ateco Group, the world’s only authorised manufacturer of right-hand drive RAMs that began in 2013. Each pickup arrives from the United States into RAM’s Melbourne manufacturing facility, where they are converted to righthand drive for the Australian and New Zealand markets.

furrow presses with 70 or 90cm rings. It is coupled to the tractor via a cross shaft, has a transport width of 2.8m and is approved for speeds of up to 40 km/h – meaning presses can be quickly and easily transported to the paddock.

Switched hydraulically from its transport to the working position from the cab, the arms of the VarioPack can be adjusted

“RAM is one of our best known and strongest brands in the USA, so we are really proud to see it here in Australia,” said Carl Smiley, chief operating officer, India & Asia Pacific at Stellantis.

“The Ateco Group are great partners to have in this project – the quality of right-hand drive trucks is testament to the teamwork between those on the ground here in Australia and those back in the US.”

The Australian operation has been recently ramped-up to meet a record demand. This saw here in New Zealand 27 units sold in January, to bring the total to 1,170 right-hand units of North American muscle currently on NZ roads.

and in length. This allows the

vertically,

MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz

laterally

machine to be adapted to any conditions, ensuring

reliable capture on slopes and to be run close to the plough to minimise side draft.

Lemken has introduced a new trailer for its VarioPack furrow press that allows the even larger furrow presses to be easily transported by road.

SEE US AT SOUTH ISLAND FIELD DAYS - SITE M172

See

Timber system improves grain drying

MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz

THERE WILL be many advocates for different methods of crop drying, but the aim of on-floor

crop drying is to get a totally uniform airflow across the whole floor.

As air will take the path of least resistance, in some systems dead zones can occur as a wider spac-

ing between the vents encourages the air to go straight up and out. This leaves a triangular “dead zone” between the vents with little to no drying, leading to the likely rejec-

tion of the crop.

By contrast, the closely spaced (178mm) vent meshes on Flach and Le-Roy (FLR) timber floors will achieve very even drying as air is forced sideways before it goes upwards. FLR timber floor meshes are recessed below the timber level, which means there is no contact between vehicle tyres and the meshes.

This removes the tendency to push grain or seed into the vents and block them, which creates problems with uni

form drying. Additionally, recessed meshes also mean less damage from stones or foreign objects stuck in tyre treads; a well- known problem with level-floor vents.

The FLR timber floor system features a layout that sees the main airduct running down the side of the floor, allowing users to direct airflow to any part of the floor by simply closing the trapdoors in an area not required. This allows the user to easily dry a part of the floor or dry more than one crop at a time

on the same floor, which gives maximum versatility.

By contrast, systems which have the airduct running along the back of the floor, means the whole of that lateral run must be covered with crop before the fan(s) can be started, giving much less flexibility.

A FLR timber floor only requires a flat and level concrete base and is easy to maintain and repair if needed. It is quick, simple and cheap to replace a damaged timber board if necessary.

Richard Flach of Flach & Le-Roy Ltd, UK, has spent several decades installing timber drive-on drying floors, as well as associated specialist boxstore onion and garlic drying systems in various countries around the world.

Having studied agricultural engineering, he began his ventilation career in 1984 designing airflow and ventilation systems for the agricultural industry.

Speak with Richard at Gough Agritech’s site, 662 and 663.

FLR timber floors achieve even drying as air is forced sideways before it goes upwards.

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 single-

lever 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.

FROM THE COMPANY THAT UNDERSTANDS MEAL FEEDING

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

MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz

Bale feeder built for a hard life

construction, clever engineering and a long working life.

or square bales.

MCINTOSH OF Palmerston North has a reputation for building feed equipment with a robust

The company’s Double Bale Feeder builds on this reputation and offers the ability to deal with round

From a practical point of view, one of the worst traits of a “normal” bale feeder is the tendency to run over the feed it has just delivered. In the case

of the McIntosh Double Bale feeder, a 315mm overhang from the tyre edge to the outside of the bale feeder frame means that delivered feed is never “run over” and pushed into the ground and wasted. This represents a huge cost saving, particularly when operating in wet conditions.

The construction layout sees two box sections running through the bale cradle to increase overall strength, while also lowering the overall loading height and centre of gravity, promoting stability and safe use on hillsides or sloping ground.

A choice of wheel settings enhances safe operation on difficult terrain, and

buyers have the option of fitting larger tyres.

Standard equipment features 11.5 x 15.3 tyres, a detail that helps to reduce rolling resistance, making towing easier in poor conditions, with the option of increasing the footprint by fitting 400/60x15.5 tyres for poor conditions.

At the rear, an overdimensioned lifting arm can deal with the heaviest bales, while also offering the ability to carry a second bale to the feeding area. The design features twin lift rams which gently lower the bale onto the unrolling cradle and help prevent damage to the feeder bars.

The unrolling cradle

uses a zinc-plated, 12,000lb-rated chain, with slow running shafts utilising bronze bushes for resistance to silage juice and a greater service life.

Unloading slats are manufactured from 8mm steel with integral teeth to promote bale rotation by increasing the contact area, while in the cradle, aggression pins restrict bale movement to encourage the teeth to pull the bale apart.

The large hydraulic motor comes with a 1 ¼ shaft and heavy-duty key. From a practical point of view the machine includes a rubbish bin, and a chequer-plated platform on the drawbar a-frame to allow the user

to safely remove the film and net wrap.

Practical options include a third central tine for the rear lifting forks, said to be useful for dealing with soft or mis-shaped bales, while for those handling square bales, lateral extensions, each carrying an extra tine, ensure positive lifting onto the cradle. If handling chopped bales, users can specify front and rear infill panels to stop material being lost before it heads up the discharge conveyor. In addition to the lateral extensions, those feeding squares might also option the machine with siderails for the bale cradle.

McIntosh’s double bale feeder offers the ability to deal with round or square bales.