Rural News 20 June 2023

TO ALL FARMERS, FOR ALL FARMERS

Farmers back Nat’s plan

NATIONAL’S PLAN to delay agriculture’s inclusion in an emissions trading scheme has been applauded by farmers. DairyNZ says it’s a step in the right direction while Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) says the policy is closely aligned with its position.

Federated Farmers gave the plan ‘five stars’. However, forest owners aren’t happy with its proposed forest planting restrictions.

National says it plans to give farmers the tools they need to reduce emissions – such as gene edited crops, feed and livestock – by lifting the effective ban on gene editing and genetic modification technologies. It wants a fair

and sustainable pricing system for onfarm agricultural emissions by 2030 that reduces emissions without sending production overseas. An independent board will be established to implement the pricing system.

National leader Christopher Luxon told Rural News that what his party has put forward is “practical and common sense”. He says initially National sup-

ported He Waka Eke Noa but claims the government “blew it up and killed it”.

Luxon says National has talked to the farming sector and asked them what a practical and pragmatic way was. He says NZ farmers are among the most efficient farmers in the world and are the backbone of our economy.

“So, the question of killing off our

herds and moving that production that feed 40 million people overseas to less emission efficient farmers doesn’t make sense,” Luxon adds. “It doesn’t solve global greenhouse gas emissions, but it destroys the livelihood of our farmers and our economy.”

“We’re really pleased to see the National Party are making commitments to put in place solutions that will work for farmers,” Federated Farmers acting president Wayne Langford says. “It shows that they’ve been listening to farmers’ concerns.”

B+LNZ chair Katie Acland says it has also been advocating for the focus to be on establishing a robust and credible measurement and reporting system for agricultural emissions that works for farmers.

“So, we are pleased the National Party has listened to our perspective and insights on how farmers can best play their role in addressing climate change.

“Farmers have sent us a clear message that they are unhappy with the pricing proposal that the He Waka Eke Noa Primary Sector Climate Action Partnership put to Government last year.”

DairyNZ chair Jim van der Poel says putting farming into the Emissions Trading Scheme will deliver poor outcomes for farmers.

“Both technology and targets are an important part of getting a system right and ensuring agriculture plays its part. Pricing was looked at to facilitate the necessary behaviour change. Pricing will only achieve outcomes if cost-effective tools and technology are available.”

TOUCHING BASE: The UK’s special trade envoy to NZ, David Mundell was one of the many people National Party leader Christopher Luxon met with on the first day at Fieldays. Luxon told Rural News that he’s been to the event many times and is always impressed with the innovation on show. He was heading away on Thursday and back on Friday when he was going to take time to visit a number of the stands. Luxon says he wants the mindset changed around farming saying farmers should be deeply valued and not treated as villains.

SUDESH KISSUN sudeshk@ruralnews.co.nz

Political fieldays

PETER BURKE peterb@ruralnews.co.nz

FOR THE first time in decades, the National Fieldays at Mystery Creek was a political playground.

Normally, the organisers of the event hope for fine weather and lots of farmers. However, this year the same could be said for at least three of the political parties – ACT, Labour and National - who turned out in

numbers to court the rural vote. The Greens appeared to have kept a low profile, probably recognizing converting farmers to the ‘green’ ideology was a bit of a lost cause. But Groundswell were out in force.

The political ‘suits’, many from the cities – resplendent in their new, polished red bands – prowled the streets of the vast Mystery Creek site hoping to engage with farmers and rural people to garner their support in what promises to be a very tight election.

The key message that the three parties in question were keen to push was the issue of how the country should deal with agricultural emissions.

National fronted footed this earlier in the week by declaring they would scrap HWEN and give the farmers until 2030 to sort out the problems relating to dealing with emissions – a move that has been largely endorsed by farmer lobby groups.

On Thursday, ACT released its ag policy with the headline that farmers have faced a torrid six years under

Labour and an avalanche of regulation and red tape. Their message was to demand that agricultural emissions be measured accurately and a promise to shift responsibility for farm plans from the Wellington bureaucrats to regional councils.

At the same time, PM Chris Hipkins had meetings planned with farming leaders to try and get HWEN back on track and to try and lure them away from National’s attractive proposition of effectively pausing the process.

This year’s Fieldays also saw a lot of events focusing on trade and the cur-

rent global marketing prospects. The European Union ran a seminar on the NZ/EU FTA, which is working its way through the bureaucracy in Brussels to final sign-off and the UK also ran a similar event. In this case, they had at their seminar the UK’s special trade envoy MP David Mundell who gave insights into the opportunities available to New Zealand as a result of the FTA.

All this aside, the weather for the Fieldays was at its best – frosty in the morning and fine during the day. As Rural News went to press, it was not

possible to get a hand on numbers attending, but on the first day – at least – there appeared to be a reasonable turn-out.

What is unclear is the effect of having two events close together –with the last event in November 2022. For farmers affected by cyclones Hale and Gabrielle and other events, the chances of them coming along and spending up were probably not great – no matter how good the deals might have been. Most are having to spend what cash they might have on fixing fences and other infrastructure.

The key message that the three parties in question were keen to push was the issue of how the country should deal with agricultural emissions.

PM Chris Hipkins pictured at the Massey University Fieldays site along with Paul Kenyon and Ray Goer.

A good year but outlook hazy

SOME GOOD news –albeit temporary for primary exports.

MPI’s latest Situation and Outlook report for Primary Industries (SOPI) shows that food and fibre exports will hit a record $56.2 billion dollars to the year ended 30 June 2023 – an increase of 6% on 2022.

Leading the way is the dairy sector with revenue from that sector set to increase by 14% to reach $25.1 billion for the yeardespite a slight decline in milk production.

Conversely meat and wool export revenue is expected to decrease 3% to $11.9 billion for the year to 30 June 2023 – due to key meat export prices falling with the global costof-living crisis straining household budgets and COVID-19 challenges in China. This trend is set to continue for the next four years. MPI says the lower export prices are expected to be partially offset by higher production and export volumes for beef, lamb and mutton.

Export revenue from

FERT PRICES BEGIN TO EASE

CASH-STRAPPED FARMERS are getting relief through a major drop in the price of key farm input – fertiliser.

Last week, both major fertiliser traders and farmer co-operatives, Ballance and Ravensdown dropped prices of its main offerings.

Ballance wrote to farmers announcing “significant” reductions - urea dropping by $100/tonne to $880/tonne, SustaiN down by $100 to $929/tonne. SuperN also drops by $100/t to $910/t.

Ravensdown also dropped its urea price by $100 to $889/t, N-Protect, from $1,038 to $938 and Granular Potassium Chloride – from $1,539 to $1,230/t.

Ballance chief executive Mark Wynne told Rural News that while globally fertiliser supply has kept up with expected demand, farmers are now using less fertiliser due to high prices.

“So, the market is doing a correction – continuing to decline back towards long-run averages,” he says. “They are not there yet but they a lot closer than they have been over the last 12 months.”

Wynne describes Ballance’s fertiliser sales over the past year as a “game of two halves”. Spring sales were robust with prices still climbing but demand over autumn reduced significantly.

Wynne puts this down to several factors – rising input prices and finance costs, softening of farm returns for both meat and dairy sectors and good grass growth.

horticulture is expected to increase 2% to $6.9 billion, driven by the large wine vintage of 2022 offsetting lower production and exports of kiwifruit, apples, avocados and vegetables.

However, that’s where the good news stops because growth in export revenue for 2024 until 2027 will remain pretty much static.

Not surprisingly horticulture, which has been hit by frosts and floods, will be going through a rebuilding phase –

although some kiwifruit growers expect to back in serious production in the next season.

MPI estimates the total cost of cyclone Gabrielle to between $2 billion and $2.4 billion including asset damage as well as crop loss. The report devotes a whole section to the effects of the cyclone setting out the well aired effect this has had on farmers, growers, processors and the market.

The report also notes that global economy is

slowing down but poised for recovery. It says the world economy proved to be more resilient to the shocks arising from Russia’s conflict with Ukraine while that labour market remains tight but shows signs of easing.

Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor says the $56.2 billion figure is $1.2 billion dollars more this year than had been predicted. He says NZ has been through a pretty tough time with inflationary pressures and notes there is unlikely to be the

same growth in the year ahead.

O’Connor says a focus in the report of what is described as ‘hyper traceability’ – identifying more precisely what’s happening in the marketplace. He says there are expectations both from the supermarkets and the consumers, who are now using a QR code to find out exactly where their products are coming from, and that the primary sector needs to be aware of the implications of this.

“On top of this some farmers had tax to pay for the former season: all this put farmers into a squeeze, so many have buttoned off fertiliser consumption.

“But you can’t do this forever, especially if you have high producing systems,” says Wynne.

With prices coming back towards long term trends, Wynne is confident that fertiliser demand will start to climb again.

Ravensdown chief executive Garry Diack told Rural News that fertiliser usage had dropped on average 30% across the globe. Ravensdown’s sales had dropped “plus or minus 20%”.

He also says that the drop in global demand has led to prices coming down.

Diack remains worried that Brazil and China, who are out of the market, could return soon and prices could rise again. – Sudesh Kissun

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Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor concedes there is unlikely to be the same growth for primary sector returns in the year ahead.

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Biosecurity and trade top priorities

equality and for the first time, gene editing made its debut in the top 10.

THE NEED for worldclass biosecurity remains the highest priority for agriculture industry leaders.

This is according to 2023 KPMG Agribusiness Agenda report (The Agenda) released last week at the Fieldays. For the 13th consecutive year, rural sector leaders are concerned not only about incursions but the country’s ability to have a “match-fit, on standby army” ready to respond.

KPMG’s global head of agribusiness Ian Proudfoot notes that after a relatively benign year in respect of incursions, the issue did not feature prominently in discussions.

“Although foot and mouth disease has advanced in Asia Pacific, with an outbreak occurring in Indonesia, biosecurity was only raised during two roundtables,” he adds.

“The point was made that as the impacts of climate change increase, we must recognise that extreme weather events and new temperature norms create conditions for pests and diseases to arrive and become established across the country. Recognising biosecurity

as the highest priority suggests leaders understand the risks; however, we need to be careful not to pay lip service to the threat but take practical steps to ensure we are prepared and ready to respond when an incursion occurs.

Proudfoot says the strain that recent weather events have placed on civil defence systems was highlighted, as was the importance of the informal community army in responding to

such emergencies.

“The question was posed whether we have a match-fit, on standby army ready to respond, with the need to be clear on their role should we experience a biosecurity incursion.”

The second highest priority for leaders is the need for free trade agreements.

This is a change from last year when leaders’ conversations hardly mentioned markets and consumers, with most

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issues raised focused on domestic matters.

Proudfoot notes that there was significantly more discussion on trade this year, with the subject being raised in each roundtable. Much of the discussion revolved around the changing nature of international trade and concerns that we are over-exposed to the Chinese market.

He says concerns were also expressed around the new ways trading partners are introducing

constraints on free trade. For instance, through the implementation of behind-the-border nontariff barriers – including measures such as potential cross border adjustment mechanisms to impose carbon taxes on imported products with higher footprints than local equivalents.

“While the new FTAs signed with the UK and EU are welcomed, the point was made that the new agreements are unlikely to make a big

difference for many sectors,” Proudfoot says.

“Some contributors expressed a view that there is a better opportunity for us to grow trade through refreshing existing agreements to ensure we maintain preferential access and minimise informal non-tariff barriers rather than seeking new agreements.”

Other high listed priorities include the need for better immigration settings, broadband

Proudfoot says the need to discuss gene editing has been a background issue in The Agenda for the last few years.

“Concerns have grown that failing to have the debate puts the industry at risk of irreversibly falling behind competitors. The issue, however, has only now made its debut in the top 10.”

The other new entries into the top 10 relate to accelerating investment in rural infrastructure and maximising the sustainable use of the oceans.

Proudfoot says it’s been another challenging report to write because so much is happening but no clear pathways forward.

“Amongst the many current sector leader roundtables we held, it was clear to me that the leaders believe that there is significant anxiety about what the future holds across the sector and concern about whether the sector and their organisations have the resources, capabilities and skills ready to respond to what lies ahead.”

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SUDESH KISSUN sudeshk@ruralnews.co.nz

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Ian Proudfoot, KPMG global head of agribusiness (right) at the report launch in Hamilton last week.

Plans for controversial Canterbury feedlot on hold

A CANTERBURY farmer’s plan to establish an industrial-scale composting barn feedlot on Banks Peninsula is off the table – for now.

Farmer Brent Thomas, trading as Wongan Hills Limited, proposed to build four large composting barns housing up to 2200 cattle for the export Wagyu beef market, on his farm in Kaituna Valley. The site is only a few kilometres upstream of the environmentally sensitive Te Waihora/ Lake Ellesmere.

Thomas had received Christchurch City Council consent for the barns in November 2021.

Although public notification was not mandatory, Environment Canterbury then called for public submissions into its environmental consents, mainly on the grounds of the valley’s possible flood risk.

With 128 submission received mostly against the development, the proposal was due to go to a public hearing next month.

However, Thomas has now withdrawn the application, revealing that

he has similar plans at another site, which he will now concentrate on.

“Wongan Hills Ltd have formally withdrawn the ECAN application for Land Use and Air Discharge consents associated with the proposed

feed barns in Kaituna Valley - for the interim,” he said in a press release.

“With consents already being held for an alternative site elsewhere, ongoing time delays mean that the alternative site will now be developed first, with the Kaituna site potentially revisited in the future.”

Thomas told Rural News the other site was in central Canterbury, of similar size and fully consented, but he gave no further detail.

In his statement, Thomas says Wongan Hills considers that the range of environmental effects actually at issue for the Kaituna proposal were narrow and would have favoured granting the consent. However, he conceded that the hearing process would be potentially protracted and expensive.

“In this regard, Wongan Hills considers that the RMA is not

serving our productive sector (and stakeholders) well. Innovative projects are facing significant challenges and barriers to even get out of the starting gates,” Thomas added.

“The RMA reform that is in process needs to urgently ensure the productive sector can get on with the job of innovating and creating environmental and economic solutions that will serve the wider community and economy.”

Wongan Hills also welcomed recent remarks from the chair of the Climate Change Commission, Dr Rod Carr, that Feed Barns were an innovative environmental farming system.

“It is Wongan Hills’ view that these types of barns will play an important role in the future in managing environmental and emission issues currently being grappled with by the industry.”

BURNING OK

THE GOVERNMENT has agreed to a temporary law change that will enable rural Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti landowners dealing with cyclone and flood debris to burn mixed waste so they can replant and return their land to productivity.

The plan is for the law to come into effect no later than June 27 and continue until mid-December.

Environment Minister David Parker says some farmers and horticulturalists, especially in Hawke’s Bay, are under huge stress dealing with the fallout from the severe weather. He says many have huge piles of waste, including materials like treated timber and plastics that are not allowed to be burned.

Thomas’ statement added that both ECan and Christchurch City Council senior leadership “have not been at all helpful in this process and in fact have at times been obstructive and seem to have a systemic culture of saying ‘No’ rather than ‘How can we’”.

The feedlot’s consent withdrawal has been welcomed by the Little River Eco-Collective, which spearheaded opposition to the proposal.

Spokesman Donald Matheson called it a victory for the environment and the community, and good news “for the residents of Kaituna Valley, for the health of Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere and for animal welfare”.

Matheson claims Kaituna was not a suitable site because there would be a significant effect on the lake if anything went wrong.

He added that the intensification of cattle farming was also inconsistent with government and local government attempts to reduce methane emissions, which are a potent greenhouse gas.

“This sends a signal that industrial farming has to do its homework and must take account of fragile environments and the wishes of communities.”

@rural_news facebook

“Therefore, we propose reclassifying the burning of mixed waste piles from a prohibited to a permitted activity, subject to standards overseen by councils. People will still need to comply with Fire and Emergency New Zealand requirements.”

Parker says the debris puts growers at risk of missing the June/July growing season, creating further threats to livelihoods already put at risk by severe weather damage.

The Hawke’s Bay Regional Council says it welcome the Government’s move and will work closely with farmers and growers to ensure they understand the conditions that apply with the temporary law change. – Peter Burke

The Five Star Beef feedlot on the coast at Wakanui, near Ashburton.

Aussie suppliers cream it

FONTERRA IS paying Australian farmers $1.50/ kgMS more than its New Zealand suppliers, but the co-operative’s farmer shareholders aren’t fazed.

A shrinking milk pool in Australia is forcing major processors, including Fonterra, to outbid each other and secure farmer suppliers for the new season.

Last month, Fonterra Australia announced an opening weighted average milk price for the 2023/24 season of A$8.65/kgMS. That’s NZ$9.50/kgMS. For NZ suppliers, the co-op last month opened with a margin of $7.25 to $8.25, and a mid-point of $8/ kgMS.

Federated Farmers dairy section chair Richard McIntyre says NZ dairy farmers would love to have a higher milk price, but they are aware that milk price is affected by a processor’s product mix and the market the product is sold into.

“We see this between NZ processors, but the distinction is particularly evident between NZ and Australian processors,” he told Rural News

“Australia’s milk production is largely consumed internally, whereas the vast majority of New Zealand’s milk is exported.”

Australia’s milk pool is shrinking, causing higher domestic prices.

“It’s good to see Australian dairy farmers getting a strong milk price, especially after the eightyear supermarket price war saw their milk heavily discounted and the resulting poor returns causing many farmers to sell up,” says McIntyre.

Australia’s year-onyear national raw milk production volumes are decreasing, down to 8.5 billion litres in 2021-

22, and forecast to fall slightly below 8 billion litres for the 2022-23 season. The new season, which started June 1, is expected to record another fall of up to 4%, lowering the national milk yield to 7.8 billion litres.

Fonterra’s main rivals in Australia are offering higher farmgate milk price: Bega Cheese has opened with A$8.80/kgMS and Canadian dairy giant Saputo A$9.05/kgMS.

Fonterra Farm Source group director Anne Douglas told Rural News that New Zealand and Australia are very different markets, and their milk prices are calculated in different ways.

“In New Zealand, the farmgate milk price is particularly influenced by GDT prices,” she explained. “Around 95% of New Zealand’s milk is exported and our product mix is different. For example, whole milk powder and skim milk powder are key drivers of our New Zealand milk price.”

Australia is predominantly a domestic market, with around 75% of Australia’s production sold locally, while their product mix is more weighted to consumer products like cheese and butter.

“This bias means that there is often a lag or disconnect between global commodity values and local farmgate milk prices in Australia,” Douglas says.

Key drivers for the current Australian farmgate milk price include Fonterra Australia’s ability to capture strong commodity prices for its cheese contracts in the first half of the year, while demand for its domestic brands and products remains strong.

“The role of our Australian business is to pay a competitive milk price

and return a dividend back to New Zealand,” says Douglas.

On whether Fonterra has faced a backlash from NZ farmers, Douglas says

“our farmer facing teams are well briefed about this and continue to keep farmers informed”.

SUDESH KISSUN sudeshk@ruralnews.co.nz

“Around 95% of New Zealand’s milk is exported and our product mix is different.”

Young wahine ‘Grace’s’ title

GRACE REHU, 21 – a leading hand for Turners and Growers in Puketapu, Hawke’s Bay – is the winner of the 2023 Ahuwhenua Young Māori Grower competition.

The competition is held in conjunction with the main Ahuwhenua event and the winner was announced before the same audience of more than 900 people.

The other two finalists in the competition were 30 year old Alix Te Kere, who is the health and safety advisor for Rockit Management Services, and Erica Henare, who’s the pipfruit and kiwifruit manager at Kono, near Motueka.

This is the first time in the history of the competition that three wāhine Māori have been selected

as finalists. To mark this special occasion, each of the finalists received $5,000 each from Te Tumu Paeroa in addition to their other prizes.

Te Hāmua Nikora, the Pou Tikanga, Te Tumu Paeroa, who announced the winner, explained that Dr Charlotte Severne, the Māori Trustee and chief executive of Te Tumu Paeroa, who was unable to be present at the function, has a very special place in her heart for other wāhine.

“The way we see it at Te Tumu Paeroa is that

if we help this younger generation, particularly the women in this business, then they are going to do better for the land. When the land is healthy, the people are healthy,” he says.

Rehu says being part of the competition was an amazing experience and opportunity. She said she could never have done it without the support of the two other finalists by her side. Rehu admits she was pushed into entering the competition without really knowing what was involved.

Aaron Hunt, one of the judges, says the industry is in good hands with these three wāhine toa. As part of the judging process, the finalists attended an intensive

three-day study tour designed to provide a range of insights, inspiration, and experiences across the horticultural sector. This included a trip to Zespri, a visit to

Matakana Island to see Whai Orchard, a kiwifruit operation, Opure ra Trust an avocado orchard, and a berry orchard which is a joint venture with five Māori Trusts.

“All three finalists are amazing. The growth in them over the course of the judging programme was phenomenal,” Hunt says.

“They were all taken out of their comfort zone over the course of the study tour, but all of them took in absolutely everything.”

He added that Rehu demonstrated the three values of the judging criteria: Manaakitanga – looking after others, Whānaungatanga – engagement, and Mana Motuhake – being authentic. She was well supported by the other two finalists, her partner, her whānau and her employer throughout her Ahuwhenua journey.

“Although Grace is only 21, clearly age is not a barrier to her maturity.”

• ‘Ahuwhenua Trophy winners – page 18

Grace Rehu demonstrated the three values of the judging criteria: Manaakitanga – looking after others, Whānaungatanga – engagement, and Mana Motuhake – being authentic.

Grace Rehu says being part of the competition was an amazing experience and opportunity.

PHOTO: ALPHAPIX PHOTOGRAPHY.

Don’t forget the Wairarapa!

PETER

PARTS OF Wairarapa are still recovering from a year of wet weather and storms – including Cyclones Hale and Gabrielle.

Ed Harrison of Baker Ag says it’s been an accumulation effect from a wet winter 12 months ago through to the recent cyclones, which have badly impacted some hill country and coastal areas of the region.

He told Rural News the hot spots of damage are around the township of Tinui with damage down to Homewood and Glenburn.

Harrison says the big problem has been slips on hill country farms, which have predictably taken out infrastructure such as fences, culverts, floodgates and tracks.

“With fences down there is a problem with stock retention and animals pushing though to paddocks they shouldn’t be in. It also makes grazing management very dif-

ficult and affects feed allocation, meaning it is hard to hold feed for the spring if paddocks are not stock proof,” he says.

Harrison says despite these challenges, a lot of good work has been done to reinstate fences. But he says with tracks washed out there is a problem of access to parts of farms to check on stock and to repair fences.

Adding to the woes and frustration of farmers is that many repaired tracks last winter, but with Cyclones Hale and Gabrielle these tracks have been washed away again.

“There is nothing more dissatisfying that having work just completed being washed away again, so that’s been a big frustration,” Harrison says.

While the hill country has been hit hard with slips and washouts, down on some of the flats, there is a covering of silt. Harrison says while this looks atrocious, it is in fact quite easy to fix and recovery has been quite

INCREDI- ‘BULL’ GENEROSITY!

KOHUNUI STATION owners Todd and Donna Oliver are putting up an original painting of an Angus bull for auction at their 2023 bull sale.

Funds raised from the sale of the painting will be donated to help with the Cyclone Gabrielle recovery.

This original art piece was painted by Coromandel based artist Mary James, who previously lived and worked at Kohunui. It will be framed in a rustic Totara frame and will also be on display at the Tangihau bull sale.

The Olivers say they were inspired to help out with the cyclone recovery after watching Kiwi war hero and Victoria Cross recipient Willie Apiata on TV, who has raised $220,000 for cyclone-impacted communities.

Apiata has urged New Zealanders to remember the isolated East Coast communities, who are now more isolated than ever following the impact of Cyclone Gabrielle. “This is a really good cause and that’s what it is all about – our people,” he says. The money raised from the auction of the Angus bull painting will go to the Tairawhiti Emergency Management Fund.

good.

However, he says getting grass to grow on the steep and badly damaged hill country is another thing and the cost of investing in this can be marginal.

You’re walking a paddock, thinking about today’s tasks, or planning for the season ahead. What’s on your mind may be new cropping or pasture options, updating your animal health plan, how to add five percent to your weaning weights, or what feed supplements to choose.

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Slips on Wairarapa hill country farms have taken out infrastructure such as fences, culverts, floodgates and tracks. PIC CREDIT: ED HARRISON – BAKER AG.

Funds raised from the sale of the painting will be donated to help with the Cyclone Gabrielle recovery.

Students given a taste of the country

urban medicine cannot necessarily be attributed to rural.

THIRTEEN NEW Zealand tertiary students have travelled across the country for Hauora Taiwhenua’s (Rural Health Network) first rural school visits programme of 2023.

Split into two groups of seven and six visiting the Coromandel and West Coast respectively. The volunteer-led programme visited four health providers and 13 schools over the course of four days, building valuable knowledge and life experiences of the rural healthcare scene.

Speaking to Rural News, Greymouth GP and pioneering figure in the Rural Immersion Programme for medical students

Dr Greville Wood says what is assumed about

“The students went up to our practice and Westport where they have the GP and hospital as part of one building,” he told Rural News

Auckland University Paramedicine student Bethany Joy Hines, who has been on two West Coast trips in the last two years, says the area reminds her of her hometown of Kaikoura.

“My decision to go into paramedicine was because of the people and diversity in the job that I get… no two days are ever the same,” she told Rural News

“Rural healthcare and communities come together and look at people’s health as a whole [in] a kind of holistic view which I really like.

I think that that’s some-

thing that often gets missed in urban areas.”

The Rural Health Careers Promotion pro-

gramme is crucial to Hauora Taiwhenua’s efforts to address New Zealand’s chronic lack of

rural health professionals. Hauora Taiwhenua chief executive Dr Grant Davidson says the general practice workforce crisis in New Zealand was worsening.

“In fact, have stopped calling it a crisis and are referring to it as an emergency. While we currently rely on international doctors to fill the gaps in our rural workforce, the longterm solution is to train more doctors, nurses and other health professionals here in New Zealand and prepare and encourage them to work in our rural areas.”

Wood credits Greymouth’s early initiation into such rural training programs for its relatively superior staffing situation, such as having yearround physios.

“These programs are critical to the survival of medicine in New Zea-

land,” he told Rural News

“Many urban origin students love it and these programmes interest urban origin students to go rural.”

Wood additionally points out that the main predictor of whether you work in rural or urban depends on where you had your primary schooling, but says universities ask where you went to high school.

“Many of our rural students don’t have the teachers to teach them what they need so they go to boarding schools, so then they tick urban and are not counted as rural.”

The goal of the programme, with its emphasis on hands-on experience through interactive workshops, is to address barriers such as distance, travel and isolation which rural students face when con-

sidering health as a study and career option while inspiring them to consider various tertiary health education disciplines.

Although the difficulties and stress faced by rural health workers is common knowledge, that has not deterred Hines.

“There are a lot of challenges, but without people putting their hands up and saying ‘I’m prepared to do this’, things won’t change,” she says.

“One of the best things I experienced while I was there [Greymouth] was just how eager a lot of the young people were to learn about opportunities available to them in high school, seeing their faces light up and get excited about being able to participate in the activities that we had.”

There are approximately 150,000 hectares of native forest eligible to be registered in the ETS right now that are not currently registered. That is $90 million per year in carbon credits landowners are missing out on.

Al technology is better at identifying areas of native forest eligible for the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme than other methods which gives customers a better shot at a $90 million annual opportunity.

CarbonCrop CEO Jo Blundell says the company·s technology is better at finding which natives are eligible than other methods. The additional carbon revenue achieved with the help of Al could be hugely significant to farmers, forest and land owners.

"Our technology means we can successfully take on the trickiest of native forests, which means natives that were not previously accepted into the ETS can now get another look in, and landowners with some native forest registered could actually have more than they think," she says.

"Native forests currently only make up 17% of the total forested area registered under the ETS. CarbonCrop believes the effectiveness of its Al for measuring and registering native forests can help address the deficit.

CarbonCrop's machine learning, aerial imagery and remote sensing technology can distinguish between trees and pasture, and recognise the heights, ages and species of tree eligible for the ETS.

"Native forests can be a real asset in catchment protection terms which has been obvious of late. Our Al tech allows farmers and other landholders to unlock more revenue from carbon credits. This ultimately incentivises the restoration and protection of native forests - which, in turn, incentivises more carbon getting sucked out of the atmosphere. This is a tailwind for our catchment health and zero emissions targets."

"Some landowners, who registered forests early in the life cycle of the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), may still not be aware that technology has moved on and that highly accurate and verified forest assessments can now be conducted virtually - using Al to detect even subtle variations in the growth patterns," Ms Blundell says.

CarbonCrop can conduct the whole registration process remotely without needing a site visit with its time, cost and health & safety considerations.

"There is no upfront fee for landholders to benefit from the Al technology. Our business model is based on a modest success fee - we don't get paid unless our customers do. With the upfront risk of registering a native first removed, and technology on their side, our customers have a much higher likelihood and proportion of forest accepted under the ETS. They have a bigger slice of the $90 million per year pie," says Jo Blundell.

Free land assessment requests are available at Carboncrop's website www.carboncrop.nz

Hauora Taiwhenua (Rural Health Network) chief executive Dr Grant Davidson.

NZ shearers welcome in the UK

MUCH LIKE New Zealand contractors who need northern hemisphere operators to help with the grass, maize and cereal harvests, the United Kingdom is in need of those with prowess on the handpiece to help take the fleeces off that country’s 15 million sheep.

The National Association of Agricultural Contractors (NAAC) has recently announced that international sheep shearers have been granted a special concession to enter the UK this year.

Since 2011, the NAAC says it has worked closely with the Home Office to develop a scheme to encourage non-visa national shearers from overseas –particularly from New Zealand and Australia – to come for a short, limited period to ensure that sheep are shorn on time.

“We are relieved that the concession has been extended, as we expect shearers to enter the UK within days,” says NAAC chief executive Jill Hewitt.

“We have relied on the input of overseas shearers to ensure that sheep can be shorn within the necessary time scale and to

IN BRIEF

high animal welfare standards. It is a relief that post-Covid we can now welcome back our team of overseas shearers to support UK contractors and farmers.”

Non-visa nationals will be able to travel to the UK, between 1 April and 30 June and will only be allowed to stay for a three-month maximum period. This means they would be required to leave the UK by 30 September.

Overseas shearers arriving in the UK in 2023 must satisfy an immigration officer they are there temporarily to be employed as a sheep shearer. The NAAC says it can assist its members with the necessary paperwork to smooth the entry process and is requesting that it be notified of all shearers visiting the UK to provide rapid assistance if any issues arise at customs.

Specific entry requirements include that the applicant is genuinely seeking entry to undertake employment or provide services as a sheep shearer. They must also supply an appropriate contract of employment and be able to maintain and accommodate themselves without recourse to public funds.   www.naac.co.uk

NEW ECO FARM LOAN

Westpac has launched a new sustainable loan for farming.

Westpac NZ chief executive Catherine McGrath says the new Sustainable Farm Loan is the first loan in NZ to accelerate sustainability across all aspects of farming and covers all term debt associated with the farm.

“We’re keen to encourage increased focus on farm management, waterway biodiversity and nutrient improvements on the farm, and understanding and managing agricultural emissions.”

McGrath says the bank has worked with AsureQuality to ensure that the Westpac Sustainable Farm Standard is robust and equivalent to all applicable aspects of the industry-agreed Sustainable Agriculture Finance Initiative guidance.

The UK says it needs NZ shearers to help take the fleeces off that country’s 15 million sheep.

MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz

Dead and buried?

TO PARAPHRASE the Monty Python dead parrot sketch, it looks as though the much maligned and deeply unpopular He Waka Eke Noa (HWEN) agricultural emissions plan has: … ‘… passed on! Is no more! Has ceased to be! Expired and gone to meet its maker! Bereft of life, it rests in peace!’

HWEN was already on shaky ground with delays meaning it would struggle to be legislated before the election. This was on top of recent reports surfacing of a breakdown in negotiations between the Government and farming groups on a final deal.

The National Party released its agricultural emissions policy last week, which shows it has backed away from the current HWEN plan and will instead introduce a new way to get collective agreement around farm emissions. It would scrap HWEN and give the farmers until 2030 to sort out the problems relating to dealing with emissions – a move that has been largely endorsed by farmer lobby groups.

Key parts of National’s policy include giving farmers the tools they need to reduce emissions – including recognising on-farm sequestration, measuring farm-level emissions by 2025 and updating biotech rules; keeping agriculture out of the ETS but implementing a fair and sustainable pricing system for on-farm agricultural emissions by 2030; and establishing an independent board – with a power of veto retained by the Ministers of Climate Change and Agriculture –to implement the pricing system.

National will also limit the conversion of productive farmland to forestry for carbon farming purposes to protect local communities and food production, as well as promising to review the methane targets.

Meanwhile, despite not having met with agriculture sector leaders since becoming PM Chris Hipkins – and a coterie of ministerial colleagues – met up with farming leaders at last week’s Fieldays to try and get HWEN back on track and lure them away from National’s attractive proposition for dealing with agriculture emissions.

However, one would bet – from the flack farm sector leaders have taken over their meek interactions with Government over HWEN in recent years – they are likely to nod politely and wait for the outcome election before committing hare kari.

Ironically, despite the stumbling block of getting agreement on-farm emissions, the latest Stats NZ figures show that farmers are on track to achieve a 10% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 without needing a pricing mechanism.

If HWEN is dead – not many in the sector will be “pining” about its demise!

“I know we’re not sheep farmers, but a crutching-docking cradle could be handy when we’re visited by woke politicians not sure of their gender.”

THE HOUND

Heads to roll?

Your old mate reckons with the looming failure of He Waka Eke Noa (HWEN) it’s not only the Government that should take the fall. He suggests the leadership of industry bodies – particularly Beef+Lamb NZ and DairyNZ –should seriously consider their futures. Both organisations’ leadership and advocacy on behalf of farmers has been poor throughout the whole process. They failed to get farmers on board, acquiesced to the Government time after time and consistently failed to push back on the sector’s behalf. Former B+LNZ chair Andrew Morrison lost his job when farmers voted him out – due to the HWEN debacle. Many dairy farmers now believe it is appropriate that DairyNZ chair Jim van der Poel should fall on his sword as he has been at the forefront of pushing the deeply unpopular HWEN.

Clear as mud

Following Beef+Lamb NZ’s rather testy annual meeting – and the ousting of former chair Andrew Morrison – the organisation decided to go on a charm offensive in an effort to get farmers back onside. It has run a number of farmer meetings around the country to get feedback on key issues – including the widely unpopular HWEN. However, B+LNZ’s new ‘open and transparent’ mode appears to be about as murky as Michael Wood’s share portfolio, with media banned from attending the meetings. B+LNZ claims banning media from the meetings would encourage farmers to be more ‘open’ about their concerns. However, as one appalled farmer told yours truly, the ban made B+LNZ “more like the Freemasons by the day”. He believes the reason media attendance was thwarted was because it would have recorded and reported the real discussion.

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

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

Jobless!

The Hound shed a tear (crocodile) on hearing about the looming redundancy of perennial antifarming critic ‘Dr’ Mike Joy. Joy is being made redundant as part of a move by Victoria University’s proposed cost-cutting restructure. Joy moved from Massey University five years ago to join Victoria’s Institute for Governance and Policy Studies as a senior research fellow. Joy said it was “gutting” to have been made redundant. The Hound suggests Joy now knows how the country’s dairy farmers feel after his years of constant carping and blaming them for all the problems in the country’s waterways. In the meantime, he recommends reading the book The Joy of Job Loss, which is described as an “inspirational true story on how to find meaning and opportunity in a sudden job loss”.

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

Elon tax?

This old mutt suggests farmers and tradies will be delighted to learn that the exorbitant ute tax they are now paying is helping wealthy Aucklanders buy subsidised Teslas. According to the latest figures, the Government’s controversial ‘clean car discount’ scheme has seen buyers of 9730 Teslas getting a combined total of $83m in rebates from the scheme – averaging about $8500 a car. Meanwhile, a regional breakdown of these sales shows that many of the suburbs where these cars are registered are well-known for their wealth. The clean car discount scheme works by giving refunds of up to $8625 off the price of the cleanest new EVs when they are first registered and is paid for by slapping a $5175 fee on utes. It appears the country’s ute buyers are subsidising the owner of Tesla – the world’s richest person – Elon Musk to the tune of $30 million a year.

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Beware of political promises!

I AM on the email list for Groundswell NZ and enjoy receiving their updates.

I want to take the opportunity to thank them for raising their voices and fighting for farming in this great country of ours. Well done Groundswell Team!

We are officially in our winter months now, as from the first of June. The shortest day of the year is just up ahead of us, which means our daylight minutes will slowly start to ramp-up again. As usual, winter will clip on by as things start to brighten up.

Soon enough, up and down our country, people will be saying “spring is in the air”. Having lived through many seasons, picking up on the changes that come with that is not so difficult. The wild daffodils at our place are always a bit of a giveaway.

I think spring is my

favourite season. Even the birds seem much happier and filled with new ‘get-up-and-go’.

Well, it’s now very obvious we are in another ‘election season’. Like I just referred to above, if you have lived through a few, it really is not hard to recognise!

The major parties, in conjunction with their ever compliant ‘leaders’, will all be trying to outpromise each other. Who can come up with the most attractive promises?

It does kind of remind me of Santa Claus, with his bottomless bag of lollies. Now if you stop for a moment and think about it, that really is a fitting comparison. While Santa may provide a lot of fun, and momentary distractions for many, the facts are he just isn’t real! He and his reindeer simply cannot get right around the world in one night! He may well promise to, but it’s just not going to happen.

It is all a con that most of us, especially those from the business world, happily ride along with. But nobody ever seems to stop and ask who actually pays for all his lollies? Of course, as always in the Government’s case – like it or not – it’s ‘we the people’ who pay for all the freebies.

Yes, election year promises abound; they go hand-in-hand with the season we are in. With political promises, they are simply vote-catchers. There never seems to be any sort of accountability for the keeping of those promises. The puzzling thing is that people even take them seriously.

Broken election promises… let’s not even

attempt to make a list – I’d need many more pages than my word space allows!

This is where government spin doctors come in to play. These wellpaid bureaucrats have all the ‘answers’ for what didn’t happen and why they’re not spreading disinformation.

To acknowledge you made a mistake, you got it wrong… I would very happily accept that, and respect you for it. I’m sure many Kiwi’s would do the same. Humans are humans after all. But to hand it over to these masters of spin to cleverly cover your tracks? I have totally zero respect for that! How about you?

Later this year, all of us will have the opportunity to cast our vote. In my formative years I heard the words think before you speak many times over! Good advice of course. Well how about, think before you vote? Again, that’s top advice.

Like many others, I regularly read a book full of promises. Real ones, I mean! In all my years, I have drawn wonderful inner-strength from these promises so many times. Both in the worst of times, and in the very best of times, the book has always been my first go-to. God Bless.

Email: farmerschaplain@ ruralnews.co.nz

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Winter finally arrives

Dairy

FONTERRA’S OPEN-

ING milk price forecast of NZ$ 8.00/kgMS for the 2023/24 season was broadly in line with Rabobank’s expectations (NZ$ 8.20/kgMS).

A farmgate milk price forecast around these levels means dairy farm profitability will remain a real challenge for many dairy farmers over the coming season. Global

milk production is still growing - but is losing steam. Signs of weakening dairy demand are spreading across some markets.

The cumulative effects of high food price inflation over the past 24 months, in most cases significantly higher than salary growth, along with slowing economic activity in 2023 (under tight monetary conditions) have

translated into slower dairy demand in developed and emerging markets.

Beef

THE STORE CATTLE

MARKET has gone from strength to strength, supported by a bank of feed across the country.

In the North Island, average store cattle prices in May were 8.33% higher compared to last year,

with the price of R1 Friesian bulls lifting 16.42% (or 56c) year-on-year to NZD 3.90kg lwt.

Total beef export volumes in April increased 6% year-on-year, with

equal volumes of beef exported to China and the US. Improved Chinese demand and very strong US consumer demand has provided pricing ten-

sion. RaboResearch anticipates beef schedules through winter will track 2022 pricing. Strong US wholesale demand and a recovering Chinese foodservice sector will provide

price support. However, high current inventory levels in China are something to watch.

Sheepmeat

THE SUPPLY of lambs to the slaughter board in New Zealand has been slow throughout May –but it is starting to pick up.  Farmers have been holding onto lambs for longer due to plentiful amounts of feed onfarm. Retaining lambs for longer has enabled farmers to achieve heavier weights and the margins needed.

In May, the average store lamb price was 7% higher month-on-month. As a percentage of the schedule, South Island store lamb prices averaged 51% of the schedule in May - the ratio was 44% in May 2022.

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RaboResearch anticipates that the lamb schedule will continue to slowly improve through winter.

The ongoing repairs to boundary fences damaged during Cyclone Gabrielle will soon enable farmers in Hawkes Bay to bring their lambs in to count - filling data gaps with respect to how many lambs are still out there.

Fertiliser

NITROGEN PRICES are back on the downward trend following the natural gas bearish correction and finishing of the bulk of the crop area in the USA.

The May hiccup is gone, and for phosphate and potash the story remains the same: global oversupply or feeble demand. The current situation for natural gas sources is in much better shape than 6 months ago for European manufacturers.

The storages are at high levels, around 60%

of their capacity, for this moment of the year that has a weaker demand and there are attempts to expand Russian imports by vessels via the Baltic Sea.

This is leading the market correction and bearish forecast until October.

The situation may look like solved for now, but plant curtailments are in place.

Around 8% of global urea exports are moth-

balled due to energy price hikes, compared to 2021 figures. The recovery in

fertiliser affordability is clear and unquestionable but not enough, so far, to

put application rates on pre-covid and pre-Black Sea shocks levels.

Currency and interest rates

THE RBNZ increased the OCR by 25bps to 5.5% in May, in line with Rabobank’s forecast.

Pleasingly, the RBNZ also indicated that this was likely to be the last hike in the cycle.

The New Zealand dollar was sold off sharply as traders again found themselves incorrectly positioned ahead of an RBNZ decision.

The currency has been under pressure because

of the weakening outlook for the economy and the deteriorating trade balance but may now have found a near-term floor as data showed the trade balance swung to surplus in April.

On the negative side, goods trade is expected to remain under pressure in the months ahead as prices and volumes for some of New Zealand’s key commodity exports continue to face headwinds.

The after-effects of the Auckland floods and Cyclone Gabrielle are also still working their way through the economy, with government investment spending picking up in the short term to replace the capital stock destroyed by these events.

We expect that this will present a short-term boost to inflation, but that price growth will fall quickly toward the end of this year.

Maori agriculture’s big night!

PETER BURKE peterb@ruralnews.co.nz

THERE WERE jubilant scenes as Wi Pere Trust, based near Gisborne, was declared the winner of this year’s Ahuwhenua Trophy for the top Māori horticultural enterprise.

This is the second time in a row that Wi Pere has won this prestigious trophy; last year they won it for their sheep and beef operation. The announcement was made by the Minister for Māori Development, Willie Jackson, at the Ahuwhenua awards dinner in Tauranga, attended by over 900 people. As the announcement was made, Wi Pere whānau came on stage to join in the celebrations, where Trudy Meredith – trustee and granddaughter of Wi Pere, the

founder of the trust –received the coveted Ahuwhenua Trophy.

Jackson told the gathering that these awards are always a very special occasion, which sees whānau come together and have a great evening. He says the achievements

of Māori have long been underrated.

“While there are many other problems in the country, it seems quite ironic that the Māori economy is going through the roof and is worth up to $80 billion.”

Meredith says winning the Ahuwhenua Trophy was absolutely wonderful. She says her legs were shaking when she went on stage to receive the trophy and her ancestor, Wi Pere, would have been amazed at the Trust winning the Ahuwhenua Trophy for the second year in a row.

Whiritoa Orchards learned so much from each other since being named finalists earlier in the year.

“I thought we had gaps in our business where Ngāi Tukairangi and MIL, Whiritoa Orchards had many strengths – so everybody’s taken lessons back from each other.”

AHUWHENUA BOOK LAUNCHED

ANOTHER FEATURE of the Ahuwhenua awards dinner was the launching of a book about the history of the trophy tracing its 90 year history.

This book is a revised version of the book on the trophy published 10 years ago and updates how the competition has evolved since then. In the forward to the book, former chair of the committee which organises the competition, Kingi Smiler, says the Ahuwhenua Trophy was born out of necessity in 1933.

Smiler says Māori had had their best land confiscated by trickery, treachery and other dubious means and says in many instances were left with land that even today is very challenging. He says some Māori farms in hill country areas are disproportionately disadvantaged.

been a difficult year from most growers and farmers in the primary sector, but especially hard for all the finalists in the competition. She says a combination and accumulation of events such as frosts, floods and other unseasonal conditions created major problems for all the entrants.

Kingi Smiler says Lord Bledisloe and Sir Apirana Ngata – who both inaugurated the competition – saw the need to encourage Māori to develop their lands for the betterment of their people. He says over 90 years, the country has endured many challenges.

However, despite all the adversity over the years, the competition has continued to grow and remained relevant to the time and is now regarded as one of the most prestigious events on the agricultural calendar.

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Meredith says it had been a very strong competition and they and their competitors Ngāi Tukairangi and MIL

Meredith was delighted to learn about the level of support they had in the district. She says their win is important and means a lot for the people of Tairawhiti because of what it has gone through.

Nukuhia Hadfield, chair of the Ahuwhenua Trophy Management Committee, says it has

Hadfield says despite this adversity, all the finalists remained in the competition and put together exceptionally good field days to showcase their respective orchards.

“I would not like to have been a judge in these circumstances, but I’m certainly full praise to Wi Pere Trust for being judged the winner,” she

added. “I have seen their property and they are very worthy winners. But having said that, all the finalists have once again demonstrated the strength and excellence of Māori horticulture.”

The Ahuwhenua Trophy is the most prestigious award for excellence in Māori farming and horticulture. It was inaugurated 90 years ago by Sir Apirana Ngata and the

Governor General at the time, Lord Bledisloe.

The objective was –and still is – to encourage Māori farmers to improve their land and their overall farming position, with an emphasis on sustainability. On a three-year rotational basis, Māori compete for the trophy in the sheep and beef, horticulture and dairy sectors.

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“While there are many other problems in the country, it seems quite ironic that the Māori economy is going through the roof and is worth up to $80 billion.”

Winners are grinners: (left to right) Dave Samuels TPK, Kingi Smiler, Willie Jackson, Trudy Meredith and Jo Luxton at the presentation of the Ahuwhenua Trophy.

PHOTO: ALPHAPIX PHOTOGRAPHY

More N available than thought

PAUL HUNTER farms

240ha of well-drained Mairoa ash soils at Mulroy Farm, situated south of Te Awamutu in the Waikato.

Cropping centres around 180ha of forage maize that when harvested reverts to annual ryegrass, red clover or annual ryegrass-clover mix, with the latter established by strip tilling. Having grown maize, initially for grain, since the 1960s, this was the cultivation regime until 2017. This followed the “conventional” ploughing route, followed by a power harrow to establish a seedbed.

Since 2018, strip tillage has been the preferred method for all maize crops, although one trial paddock has been strip-

tilled since 2013. Having chosen the strip-tilling route, Hunter says he saw many benefits, not including reduced cultivation costs, less run-off in adverse weather events and retention of organic matter in the soil profile.

Part of the ‘Growers Leading Change Project’ established by The Foundation for Arable Research (FAR) and the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) in late 2020, Mulroy Farm became one of four Pathfinder farms in October 2022. The aim of the programme is testing new innovation and techniques, aided by the FAR research team.

Currently, a trial is under way to look at nitrogen-use efficiency in maize growing, with an emphasis on residual N post-harvest and usage

over the growing season.

Deep N post-harvest sampling showed residues that ranged from 23 kg/ ha to 117 kg/ha – with an average reading 60 kg/ha over the test area.

Looking at the establishment regime, pre-

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planting designated maize paddocks are sprayed off, followed by the installation of the cultivated areas where maize will be planted, using an American-built, 8-row, Soil Warrior Unit. Drilling is carried out using a John

Deere planter equipped with Precision Planting Technology. This allows variable rate planting with seed rates from 85,000 to 110,000 seeds per ha, based on historical data and remote sensing.

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During the trial, three nitrogen application rates were undertaken, using 210kg Sustain N/ha, a variable rate application that ranged from 200 to 285 kg/ha, with the final option at 420kg Sustain N/ha.

At three key stages during the growing season, Optimum Soil Adjusted Vegetation Indexes (OSAVI) indexes were recorded via drones, although visually there were no obvious signs to differentiate the three fertiliser regimes.

However, at harvest in March 2023, analysis of starch, sugars, ADF and NDF threw up some interesting findings. On average, the area applied with 420 kgN/ha showed 3% lower dry matter and the variable rate area delivered the highest yield at 29 tonnes / ha. This compared to 26.5

and 27.8 tonnes/ha in the other areas.

The lowest starch percentage was in the variably applied area, although it also offered the highest starch yield per hectare.

Comparing fertiliser costs per tonne of Dry Matter, the 219 kg/ ha application rate saw an average cost of $10.50/ tonne DM, the variable rate area at $11.80/tonne and the 420 kg/ha area the highest at $21.80 per tonne DM (all figures were based on a Sustain N cost of $1,380/tonneJune 2022).

In summary, the initial stages of the trial suggest that growers should make greater use of Deep N testing pre-establishment. In doing so they will get a better idea of residual N and the ability to adjust total N use over the growing season.

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Paul Hunter says he’s seen many benefits from strip tilling including reduced cultivation costs.

Australian researchers aiming to improve sheep AI

RESEARCHERS AT the University of Queensland are investigating ways to lift the low success rate of artificial insemination (AI) in sheep.

They believe this would improve wool and meat yields, sustainability and enhance animal welfare.

Lecturer in Veterinary Reproduction at UQ’s School of Veterinary Science, Dr Taylor Pini, says artificial insemination of sheep was notoriously difficult, resulting in pregnancy rates below 30%.

“Unlike most domesticated species, we can’t achieve high pregnancy rates using frozen semen due to the peculiar anatomy of the sheep’s cervix,” she explains.

“This research will specifically look at the biochemical interactions between previously frozen sperm and the cells within the sheep’s cervix.”

Pini says if they figure out what’s going wrong in the normal physiological interaction, they hope to identify biological pathways to intervene and improve pregnancy success rates.

She adds that more reliable AI in sheep would

lead to rapid production gains as producers gain access to elite male genetics without the biosecurity risks involved in moving rams.

“Alongside improvements in traits like wool and meat yields, AI would also allow for the selection of animals that have a reduced climate impact and an enhanced capacity to cope with the changing climate,” Pini adds.

“Making artificial breeding technologies more accessible for producers would be huge for the industry.”

Only around 5% of sheep in Australia are bred using artificial insemination, compared to the Australian dairy industry which boasts rates of 85%.

Pini says in the dairy industry, AI has allowed for rapid genetic improvements in cows while the sheep industry has been restricted to much slower progress through natural mating.

“Existing insemination methods haven’t evolved in more than 40 years, highlighting the need for fresh new ideas with both commercial and animal welfare interests front of mind.”

This research is sup-

ported by a grant from Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) as part of the Science and Innovation Awards for Young People in Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

AWI chief executive John Roberts says genetic gain is fundamental to breeding resilient, productive sheep and driving a sustainable industry.

“Accelerating this through effective, lowcost cervical AI would be a major breakthrough for the Australian wool industry,” he says.

DISEASE OUTBREAK CAUSES CONCERN

BEEF+LAMB NZ is advising farmers in Southland, Taihape and Hawke’s Bay to be on the lookout for diarrhoea and sudden death in their ewes as reported cases of Salmonella Hindmarsh rise.

B+LNZ’s senior advisor animal welfare and biosecurity Will Halliday is recommending that farmers be on guard for signs of the deadly disease, which is likely to be caused by weather-related stress.

He says vets in Taihape and Hawke’s Bay are reporting an increased frequency of significant outbreaks of Salmonella Hindmarsh in mixed-age ewes, but there are also reported outbreaks in Southland.

Salmonella Hindmarsh is trig-

gered by stress-induced changes to the gut bacteria allowing salmonella to proliferate in the gut. Large numbers of bacteria are passed in the faeces contaminating pasture and acting as a source of infection for other sheep. In most cases, carrier sheep are the source of the infection.

Halliday says some ewes die before they develop any clinical signs, so the first sign of a problem might be the discovery of dead ewes.

“Some will have evidence of khaki-coloured watery scour. Clinical signs include depression, lethargy, not eating and mild to severe diarrhoea. Affected ewes may die within 24–48 hours.”

Halliday says a vaccine is avail-

able for the prevention of the disease, but farmers need to seek advice from their vet about the best management strategies for their specific operation. He adds that it is important to remember that Salmonella Hindmarsh is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can be passed to humans and cause illness.

“Washing hands thoroughly after handling livestock and wearing protective clothing can help stop the transmission of this nasty disease.”

Halliday encourages farmers seeing any signs of diarrhoea or sudden death in their ewes to call their vet and put a management plan in place to prevent further losses.

Taylor Pini says artificial insemination of sheep is notoriously difficult, resulting in pregnancy rates below 30%.

Farmers are being urged to be on lookout for diarrhoea and sudden death in their ewes as reported cases of Salmonella Hindmarsh rise.

2023 returning to normal levels

MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz

WHILE TRACTOR deliveries for the year-to-date April 2023 showing a 28% reduction compared to the same period in 2022 seems dramatic, a closer look provides a clearer picture into the market dynamics.

For the same period in 2022, tractor deliveries were greatly inflated from the combined effects of manufacturing delays and

global supply chain constraints. That means a large numbers of tractors were delivered 3 to 6 months later than originally intended.

Geographically, the North and South Islands have seen a marked difference in deliveries. The North has been affected by an extremely unsettled summer and the effects of Cyclone Gabrielle, resulting in a reduction of 32% in tractor deliveries.

It has also seen the typi-

cally higher volumes of orchard and horticulture tractors included in the yearly numbers severely constrained.

In the South, the overall reduction in deliveries has tracked to a more modest 18%. Most southern regions have experienced favourable summer weather patterns, delivering good crop growth and yields.

Overall, most ag dealerships are currently reporting strong demand

SDF hitting the high notes

TRACTOR AND harvester manufacturer Same Deutz Fahr (SDF) closed 2022 with unprecedented growth in revenues and earnings.

This was despite volatile and unpredictable global scenarios – including the war in Ukraine – the availability of components and increasing energy costs.

Revenues generated by the sale of 40,207 tractors and harvesting machines, totalled €1,803 million, a growth of 22% - over the €1,481 million for 2021. This was 42% over the €1,268 million Euros achieved in 2019, the year before the Covid pandemic.

Earnings also hit an all-time high in 2022, reaching €199 million Euros or 11.1% - compared with 10.8% for 2021.

The company notes that the significant growth in turnover seen in 2022 is a consequence of the group’s focus on more technologically advanced tractors and greater penetration into non-EU markets, which now represents 37% of total sales.

Major technological upgrades to the existing range and the launch of new models in the high power segment have contributed substantially to the 24% in the average value of tractors sold. This is only partly attributable to higher sale prices driven by inflation (+10%), while in parallel with this production

volumes also increased by 5%.

During the 2022 market year, SDF further consolidated its presence with the acquisition of a majority stake in VitiBot. The French company specialised in electric robotics and auto-guidance systems for vineyard applications.

During the same period, the company grew its workforce to 1462 in Italy (+9%) and 4462 globally (+7%). In 2022, €60 million was invested in research and development.

This represents a 3.3% of group revenues – focused on new products, digitalisation and new technologies for precision farming.

Looking at SDF’s markets, in Europe, revenues reached €1,132 million (+16% over 2021). Meanwhile, in China, market presence of the DEUTZ-FAHR brand has been further strengthened with the introduction of new mid-range models (50-90 HP) and more models up to 200hp. This helped to produce a 44% increase in sales over 2021, and revenues of €151 million.

In other non-European markets –such as Australia, New Zealand and North America – where import and distribution is overseen by the Morrinsville-based Power Farming Group, turnover reached a total of 326 million Euros, up 30% over 2021.

– Mark Daniel

for spring deliveries of tractors and equipment.

This means that despite

the year-to-date reduction, the market is tracking above average and the

overall result for the year is still looking favourable.

TAMA president

Kyle Baxter reports that imports of ag equipment are still sitting at 8 to 12 months lead times. He says many member companies are planning beyond 2023 and striving to confirm production slots, for arrivals to NZ landing in early-mid 2024, whichever way the market trends.

“I’m seeing and hearing first-hand that the flow of equipment into New Zealand has increased, which in turns provides customers with product from dealer stock,” Baxter explains. “This offers a welcome relief for customers who are requiring new equipment to go to work straight away.”

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TAMA president Kyle Baxter says imports of ag equipment are still sitting at 8 to 12 months lead times.

Tractor and harvester manufacturer Same Deutz Fahr says it closed 2022 with unprecedented growth in revenues and earnings.

Norwood to celebrate 75 years

PALMERSTON NORTH

headquartered Norwood celebrates its 75-year anniversary in 2023, with events planned for staff and customers.

“A 75-year anniversary is an incredible achievement for any business and the support of our staff and customers has helped us reach this milestone,” says Tim Myers, Norwood chief executive.

Back in 1948, the first shipment of Ferguson TEA20 tractors and implements were assembled in the Palmerston North A&P Showgrounds and a retail network was established.

In 1958, the business

became the sole NZ distributor for Massey Ferguson. Then in 1960 it expanded into industrial and construction machinery. A decade later, the Norwood network has expanded to 10 retail dealerships, two assembly plants and encompassed 44 independently owned dealerships – including the locations in the Cook Islands.

After its acquisition by

Dalgety Ltd in 1978, the business moved its head office from Lower Hutt to Palmerston North.

Over the ensuing years, it added the Kubota and Sperry New Holland brands to it expanding portfolio. In 1987, the Norwood business was purchased by the European Zuellig Group and in 1993, relinquished the MF franchise and added FiatAgri to its offerings.

In the late 1990s, the Agricultural Equipment Division was formed, bringing on board brands such as Vaderstad, Sulky, and Breviglieri, followed by Ferrari in 2000 and Kuhn Farm Machinery in 2007.

Other key events included the launch of the Precision Ag Division, to focus on technological advances in 2013; and during 2018-19, the bringing together of the previously separate wholesale and retail parts of the business.

At around the same time, Norwood was one of the first companies to sign the Biosecurity Pledge, helping to play a bigger role in protecting agriculture in New Zealand.

In 2023, Norwood relinquished the New Holland and Horsch brands and expanded its KUHN distribution network.

“This is certainly a time for reflection. It is also a time for looking ahead to opportunities that Sir Charles and Sir Walter Norwood could never have imagined 75 years ago,” Myer says.

“Norwood’s commitment to New Zealand farmers and growers is one thing that has remained the same in a constantly changing industry.

“Our focus on doing everything we can to keep farmers moving has stood the test of time and will see us here for years to come.”

MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz

Norwood celebrates its 75-year anniversary in 2023, with events planned for staff and customers.

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