Rural News 4 June 2024

not just the large quartz halogen headlamp, oversize carry racks, front disc brake, quality o-ring chain, dual side stands, clutch lock, large comfy seat and oversize mudflaps that make the DR200SE NZ’s most popular. It’s that it was developed in Whanganui and manufactured in Japan specifically for Kiwi farmers. That’s pretty sweet.

DGC’s road to recovery

presence and opportunities for growth.

A NEW leadership team and a revamped manufacturing strategy is in place to help Hamilton-based Dairy Goat Co-operative navigate challenges in one of its key export markets, China.

In recent weeks, the farmer-owned co-operative has appointed a new chairman, Rene Burri, and chief executive Alastair Hulbert. Its product mix is also changing: while DGC will continue manufacturing goat milk infant formula, it is also diversifying into bulk ingredient sales.

Farmer shareholders are backing the new strategy and unanimously agreed to reduce their milk supply by 35% for the coming season to help the co-op navigate through the challenges.

Hulbert, an experienced chief executive with a record of leading significant change, told Rural News that DGC remains an impressive business.

He says the co-op is an industry leader with diversified global market

“Although things have recently been tough for DGC and its shareholders, it remains a strong viable business despite having to navigate the current challenges.”

DGC has faced several headwinds since Covid-19, particularly with the China market due to disruptions in the Daigou sales channel and a delay in the formal China SAMR market access registration.

But Hulbert points out that despite these setbacks, the overall global market footprint remains strong with export sales of goat milk infant formula to approximately 30 countries – most of which are performing as expected.

He’s confident that DGC will lift its financial performance in the coming years.

“While this situation is challenging for shareholders, DGC is on track

to meet our significant F24 ingredient sales target and have a pipeline of new opportunities which will help improve company performance in years to come,” he says.

“We expect to see an improvement in profitability and payout in the 2024/25 season and further recovery over the next few seasons.”

Hulbert says the drop in infant formula sales and consequent shift in product mix have affected the co-op’s

profitability and in turn its milk payout to farmers.

At a special shareholder meeting last month, the DGC board announced that the current season’s forecast milk payout will remain at $11/kgMS.

While the revised payout is lower than previous years, Hulbert says DGC maintains a strong balance sheet and a strategic plan focused on recovery and growth.

Regulations pile up

THE PLETHORA of regulations are the biggest challenge for Ohakune commercial growers Steph and Bruce Rollison. The couple have been growing Brussels sprouts and parsnip in Ohakune for 25 years and say they are now spending more time in their office dealing with existing regulations and planning to deal with new ones that keep appearing. Full story p 6.

He thanked shareholders for agreeing to reduce their milk supply, saying this will allow DGC to meet sales demand and preserve returns.

“Although the reduction in volume is challenging for farmer profitability, shareholders voted unanimously in favour of this proposal,” he notes.

Before the special shareholders meeting, former DGC chair Campbell Storey stepped down. Shareholders appointed former Fonterra executive Graham Stuart as his replacement on the board. While Storey was a farmer-elected director, shareholders backed a board recommendation to appoint Stuart, an independent director, to replace him. Shareholders also appointed Richard Cookson as deputy chair.

Burri, first elected to the DGC board in 2021, and his family run their dairy goat farm just out of Te Aroha, milking around 600 goats.

“As a dairy goat farmer, I am well aware of how challenging the current climate is for our farmers,” he told Rural News

“The DGC board are fully focused on returning company performance to more sustainable levels.”

Rabobank ’s Good D eeds Competition is back!

Are you involved with a project that’s making a positive impact in your local rural community? Whether your local sports club needs a lick of paint, or your community hall needs a makeover, we’d love to hear from you! Your project could receive $5,000 cash and a day’s labour from the teams at Rabobank and The Country radio show to help bring your community initiative to life. We’re committed to helping rural communities thrive, Entries can be submitted at rabobank.co.nz/good-deeds Entries close 30 June 2024. T&C's apply.

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Meat co-op chairman admits capital raise timing

going forward’.

THE ALLIANCE Group probably won’t know until mid-way through next season how successful it is in seeking a capital injection from supplying farmers to maintain its 100% farmer-owned co-operative status.

The company’s board last month announced its need to raise somewhere between $100 million and $150 million, saying it had approved an increase in the number of shares required to be held, from 12 to 16 per stock unit killed – an increase of $4 per head deduction per stock unit.

Since then, the company has been selling the scheme to farmers, in a series of in-person meetings and online Q&As. Livestock reps have also been taking to farmers directly.

Board chair Mark Wynne said farmers are hurting and it was not a good time for a capital raise.

“The timing sucks,” he admitted.

The meetings have so far reached “a few hundred” of some 5000 shareholders.

Speaking to Rural News from Beijing where he was on an in-market visit, Wynne said farmers at the meetings wanted to know ‘how did we get here and what’s going to be different

His impression was that about 80% appear to agree to support the co-oper ative, while 20% “want to go away and have a bit of a think.”

How well farmer shareholders respond remains to be seen.

“We won’t really see the effect of that until probably the middle of next season because this season is largely done,” he said.

Those who don’t support the plan “will send their signal by shifting stock to alternative processors.”

Meanwhile, Alliance emphasises that the money won’t all come from farmers.

Wynne said the co-operative has already made about 150 redundancies, a few from the plants but the vast majority from head office.

It had also reduced working cap ital through minimising inventory, accelerating payments from custom ers offshore, cutting costs and reduc ing capital expenditure.

Wynne, who took over the chair when Murray Taggart retired in April, said the co-operative’s situa tion wasn’t “new news.”

“If you look at it from a share holders equity point of view and look back to 2017 we had about 70% shareholders’ equity.

B+LNZ backs PCE findings

+ LAMB NZ has welcomed most of the recommendations in the latest report by the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment (PCE) relating to land use change.

Chair Kate Acland says the case studies show that existing and expected environment-related policies and rules, if left unchanged, could lead to a significant decline in the sheep and beef sector.

In his report, the PCE, Simon Upton says for too long the issue of land use change has been relegated to the ‘too-hard’ basket and it’s now time to confront some of the difficult questions regarding this.

He says while afforestation should continue, it should be in a way that is better suited to the landscape. He adds that national-level regulations that impact on land use change do

not consider the differences of NZ landscapes and their communities.

He says at present land owners are the main decision makers when it comes to land use change, but argues that catchment groups provide a way for willing land users to learn from each other

Acland says B+LNZ supports the PCE’s concerns about the impact of NZ’s current policy settings around

December, the co-operative’s bankers had already indicated a need to address

What then “pushed it along a bit” was that in January they had to notify the bankers that one of its covenants was likely to be breached in February due to abnormal weather patterns’

“So obviously that was reneThey had moved quickly since

forestry offsetting in the ETS.  She says the PCE modelling shows a high risk that major areas of productive farms will continue to be converted into forestry for carbon credits under current policy settings. Acland says they also support the PCE’s recommendation for a ‘catchment based approach’ to environmental rules.

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NIGEL MALTHUS

Alliance board chair Mark Wynne admits that farmers are hurting and it was not a good time for a capital raise.

Stop closing rural banks!

good access,” O’Brien says.

RURAL WOMEN New Zealand (RWNZ) says closure of bank branches and an increasing reliance on digital solutions are leaving rural businesses and farmers without support.

At a primary production select committee hearing last month, RWNZ chief executive Gabrielle O’Brien said there was an overemphasis on apps and digital tools as a way of resolving some of the issues that have arisen out of branch closures.

“Unfortunately, although these are very good and although there is support for continuing to develop those, it does need to be supported by good connectivity and

“We understand that the world is moving on and changing, and bank branches are closing, it’s going to look different in the future. We’re not saying that it might look different, but what we’re advocating for is more physical presence of the banks in rural areas whether that is through hubs, whether that is through some kind of mobile service, and whether that is through physical branches, but we don’t think we’re there yet,” she explains.

In its submission, RWNZ states that getting approval for agriculturebased lending required access to bankers with rural lending experience who can provide accurate advice and information

about criteria and conditions.

“The reduction in branch locations and opening hours means rural people are being compelled to rely on using their banks free-

phone number instead,” the submission states.

“The lack of an ongoing relationship impacts the consistency of lending criteria and processes being applied and inhibits staff from being

forthcoming about any changing requirements. This is not the case for urban customers who can meet with their same ‘relationship manager’ in the local office.”

Meanwhile, RWNZ

connectivity spokesperson and board member Claire Williamson told the committee that while many claim that everyone has access to the same technology, “that’s not the case”.

“We’ve got people in our membership who have to run down the road in order to get connectivity and that doesn’t work when you’re trying to get into a banking app or trying to do two-factor authentication,” Williamson says.

However, in its submission to the committee, Bank of New Zealand (BNZ) says location has not proven to be a barrier to meeting its agribusiness customer needs.

The bank claims its local Corporate Agribusiness Client Directors can travel to their customers’

POLITICIANS, FARMERS TUSSLE RAISES $300,000

FARMERS AND politicians clashed on the sports field in Gisborne recently and helped raise $300,000 for Cyclone Gabrielle victims.

The rugby and netball games, organised by Federated Farmers, were played at the famous Ngatapa Sports Club in memory of the late Parekura Horomia. Funds raised will go directly to local farmers still refencing their properties and recov-

ering from Cyclone Gabrielle.

One of the event organisers, Federated Farmers meat & wool chair Toby Williams, says the event “was the very best of rural New Zealand”.

“The sun was shining, the whole community turned up and helped out, and we raised a huge sum of money for a great cause.”

The event raised almost $300,000 in cash donations and when you com-

bine that with the value of the tractor we gave away and vouchers for the runners-up, there’s half a million dollars going into the local farming community,” Williams says.

The Federated Farmers rugby team lost 20-12 to the Parliamentary side in what was described as an incredibly competitive and physical game. But the farmers had their revenge on the netball court, beating

the visiting Parliamentary side 33-16.

Williams says the rugby match wasn’t just a bunch of old boys and politicians running around the park.

“There were definitely a few ringins on the Parliamentary side, with bodyguards, security officers and former professional players all lining up and running the ball hard into contact. You’ve got to give it to the politicians though. Agriculture Minister

location to discuss their business needs and to understand the local conditions.

“The bankers are empowered with delegated authority to make any lending decisions while on their customers’ premises,” the bank says.

It says that in addition to this service, BNZ has 102 branches, 178 Smart ATM locations and is participating in regional banking hubs, which are currently being piloted in seven small towns.

“While the volume of over-the-counter transactions in BNZ’s branches has fallen significantly, for most customers BNZ’s online banking tools are an accessible and convenient way to do their everyday banking.”

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Todd McClay is a pretty handy player in the backline, pulling off a man of the match performance.

“It turns out Todd’s not just quick to cut red tape for farmers. He’s pretty quick down the right wing too. Labour MP Peeni Henare was like a rampaging bull every time he got his hands on the ball, and former Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor was a real menace at the breakdown.”

JESSICA MARSHALL jessica@ruralnews.co.nz

RWNZ chief executive Gabrielle O’Brien

‘Clip board’ council out of touch

COMMERCIAL

GROWER Bruce Rollison says he’s spending a lot of time dealing with existing regulations and planning to deal with new ones that keep appearing.

A former Horizons Regional councillor, Rollison has a very clear understanding of what’s required to achieve quality environmental standards, but at the same time allow growers to do their job and not be led down blind alleyways by out of touch bureaucrats.

The Ohakune vegetable grower and his wife Steph say many of the people making regulations have no expertise

and no sense of what is practical. He says that he spends much of his time trying to educate such people.

For example, says Bruce he needed a water take to wash vegetables

so they could send clean product to market. But the council indicated they would make it harder to get a consent.

“I pointed out, if we end up having to send dirty vegetables to the

market, it will cost more to transport them. I told them if you wash vegetables in the city that dirt will go down into wastewater treatment plants as opposed to it being retained on farm and

VEGETABLE TURN OFF

STEPH ROLLISON says one of the problems that they and other growers are facing is that consumers are buying less fresh vegetables.

She says this harks back to media reports which have continually told people vegetables are too expensive. This is not the case now, she says, but the message has not through to consumers that vegetables are now very reasonably priced.

Much of the shortage and high prices came about last year because of the devastating rains and cyclones which destroyed crops; with reduced supply, prices naturally rose.

“So, with all this negative publicity, price has become a factor because consumers have been told it is a factor,

spread on the paddocks,” he says.

The Rollinsons say councils should be encouraging resource consents rather that looking at taking them away or reducing them. They say the regulatory systems seem to overlap and should be streamlined. They say the councils don’t seem to understand that they don’t have an HR department or a science department.

and in the supermarket, people are now just buying the ‘specials’. So, unless your product is a special, in many cases consumers won’t buy it,” she says.

Steph says the consumption of fresh vegetables now appears to be lower than it was during the days of Covid-19. She says they often do specials with supermarkets and this is planned well in advance. She says the reality is they are around 25% cheaper than they were a year ago.

Bruce says the other issue that is off-putting to consumers is product is sold on a dollar per kilo basis. He notes for example Brussels sprouts may look expensive at $14/kg, but people need to buy only a fraction of that amount for a meal, hence they are not expensive.

“We don’t need the environmental police coming around with a clip board, watching us and ticking off something Steph has already ticked off,” says Bruce. He says the industry is not attracting any new entrants because there are barriers, such as the price of land, and even existing large growers are finding succession planning hard because their children want to be lawyers and accountants

NEW BOARD MEMBER

RABOBANK’S REGIONAL manager for Australia and New Zealand, Mark Wiessing, is joining the bank’s NZ board.

He replaces Lara Yocarini, who is stepping down after more than three years on the Rabobank New Zealand board.

Subject to regulatory approval, Yocarini has taken up a new role as chief executive officer of Rabobank’s global asset finance subsidiary De Lage Landen (DLL). She will also be a member of Rabobank’s managing board. Wiessing has more than 30

rather than working the land.

“I can honestly see a day when the industry might be covered by just four or five corporate growers,” says Bruce.

He says he’s very frustrated with the regional council and says they don’t appear to have “read the tea leaves” about the proposed government changes to the RMA and are carrying on as if nothing is happening.

years’ international experience in the financial sector, including postings in South America, Africa, Asia and Eastern Europe.

He joined Rabobank in 2006 and was regional manager South America and chief executive officer for Brazil for eight years prior to his appointment as regional manager for Rabobank Australia and New Zealand in May 2023.

Before joining Rabobank, Wiessing held roles with other leading financial institutions, including Standard Bank of South Africa, Citibank and ING.

ZESPRI’S UP AND DOWN RESULTS

UP AND down but not too bad in the circumstances That’s one way of describing Zespri’s final result for the 2023-24 season.

Despite all the challenges, including weather, Zespri’s global kiwifruit sales for the year were 2% up on the previous season to $3.99 billion, reflecting improved fruit quality and strong pricing secured throughout the season. This result was good considering that the actual number of trays of kiwifruit sold was down 10.5% to 164.2 million trays compared with 183.5 million sold in the previous season.

Zespri’s net profit after tax was $173.3 million, down from $238.7

million in 2022/23, mainly driven it says by reduced licence revenue. In terms of grower returns, those who fared best were those with Zespri green, Zespri green 14 and SunGold with their returns per hectare up on the previous season. However organic green and organic SunGold were down. Zespri ruby Red was almost on a par with the previous season.

Zespri chief executive Dan Mathieson says the results reflect the industry effort to lift fruit quality, along with strong consumer demand for Zespri Kiwifruit, which he says is encouraging.

- Peter Burke

Bruce Rollinson says councils should be encouraging resource consents rather than looking at taking them away or reducing them.

Mediation scheme used by banks ‘as another big stick’

THE FARM Debt Mediation Scheme proved a hot topic at a recent primary production select committee hearing looking into rural bank lending.

The scheme was introduced in 2019 under the Farm Debt Mediation Act and has been fully operational until July 2020.

It was designed to help distressed farmers by providing an independent, constructive and timely process for farmers to work through their debt issues and meet an agreement.

Under the scheme, secured creditors are required to offer medi-

ation to farmers and primary production businesses when they default on payments.

New Zealand Agri Brokers (NZAB) founder and director Scott Wishart says that while the scheme is a framework that has the potential to be an opportunity for farmers and banks to engage in topics surrounding debt earlier, “the banks are using it as another big stick”.

He says the issues surrounding the scheme are not one-sided.

“There are many farmers who are not of a change mindset and who do not want to engage positively in the solutions that are required,” Wis-

hart told the select committee.

He says that farm-

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moment they don’t”.

“Ultimately, I think a lot of bankers and the

banks themselves find it difficult to start to have the hard conversations early because ultimately they worry that the farmer might leave or go to another bank or some other adverse outcome and I guess the way banks are geared up to deal with farmers that arrive into distress, the first time the farmer’s actually aware of the severity of the situation is when someone in a suit and tie turns up.”

Meanwhile, Federated Farmers commerce and competition spokesperson Richard McIntyre told the committee that when the scheme was first introduced, it was loosely modeled on the Australian scheme but

it hasn’t proven to be as successful as the Australian version.

“What we’re hearing is that the Farm Debt Mediation Scheme as it’s been rolled out in New Zealand has been useful but it has not been as successful as the Australian scheme, I guess for various reasons,” he says.

“So we’d be interested in looking at that further and understanding what’s working, what’s not. Are there any outcomes or any systemic things that we could change to make it better? Because the intent behind it is really, really, really good, we’ve just got to make sure we get the outcome.”

JESSICA MARSHALL

jessica@ruralnews.co.nz

New Zealand Agri Brokers (NZAB) founder and director Scott Wishart claims the banks are using the farm debt mediation scheme as ‘another big stick’.

All smiles after Ahuwhenua trifecta

A DAIRY farm owned by one of the largest Māori dairying farming operations in the country has won the prestigious Ahuwhenua Trophy for the top Māori dairy farm for 2024.

There was great jubilation when Kingi Smiler, the chair of Wairarapa Moana ki Pouakani Incorporation (WMI), was presented with the trophy by the Minister for Māori Development Tama Potaka at a gala dinner held in Hamilton recently. For Smiler it was a special moment as he has connections to the past two winners (for sheep and beef and horticulture) of this prestigious trophy.

The function was attended by 860 people, which included the Prime Minister and Finance Minister Nicola Willis, the Māori King along with diplomats from the United Kingdom, Ireland, the European Union and Canada. There were representatives of central and local government, agribusiness leaders,

sponsors of the awards, previous winners and whānau from all the finalists.

WMI consists of 12 dairy units across 4300ha, plus three dairy support units. But it entered just one of these in the competition - Farm 4 and this was the winning farm. The property has a milking platform of 300ha, milking 980 cows and producing 416,000 kgMS. All up, WMI produce about five million kilograms of milk-solids from

their 12,000 cow herd and are the largest supplier to milk processor Miraka Ltd.

The other finalist in the competition was Whakatohea Māori Board whose farm is near the Eastern Bay of Plenty township of Opotiki.

Tama Potaka described the Ahuwhenua Trophy as the most prestigious award in Māori farming that acknowledges and celebrates business excellence in NZ’s important pastoral

and horticultural sectors.

He says for Māori, the award is a demonstration of success and pride, but also a demonstration of identity which is inextricably linked into land, seas, forests mountains and rivers.

“What we saw at the awards night was an expression of identity,” he says.

Smiler says that after winning the competition he was both elated and relieved and added it was a tough competition

Wairarapa Moana ki Pouakani Incorporation (WMI) representatives with the Ahuwhenua trophy.

being up against Whakatohera. He says he takes a lot of pride out of winning the award because it shows the reward for all at WMI.

“Personally I like the challenge which requires us to work hard and it’s really good that our teams work together well and have managed to achieve this award,” he says.

For Finance Minister Nicola Willis, it was her first experience of attending the awards evening

and she loved it, saying it was wonderful to see the dairy industry celebrated in this way. She says she was particularly impressed with the finalists in the Young Māori Farmer competition.

“The Māori economy is huge and has been growing very fast and is of massive potential. It’s grown from $16 billion to $70 billion in only 20 years and is making a huge difference to the whole of the economy of the country,” she says.

YOUNG MĀORI FARMER WINNER

AS PART of the gala dinner the winner of the Ahuwhenua Young Māori Farmer for dairy was also announced.

Spontaneous haka and waiata greeted the news that 29 yearold Ben Purua, a farm manager at Waimakariri Lands Ltd, near Tirau was the 2024 winner. This the second time he has entered the competition, but missed out three years ago.

The announcement was made by Dr Charlotte Severne, the Māori Trustee and chief executive of Te Tumu Paeroa. As well as presenting Ben Purua with the trophy she also gave each of the three finalists a $7,500 scholarship to be used to help them develop their careers. The other two finalists were Hannah Speakman and Shayden Gardiner.

Cautious opening forecast from co-op

FONTERRA SAYS milk supply and demand remains finely balanced as it starts with a cautious opening forecast milk price for the new season.

The co-operative’s opening forecast range of $7.25-$8.75/kgMS, with a midpoint of $8/kgMS, is around 40c lower than what most banks are forecasting.

Fonterra chief executive Miles Hurrell says that while milk supply and demand dynamics remain finely balanced, China import volumes have also not yet recovered to historic levels.

“Given the early point in the season, the uncertainty in the outlook and ongoing risk of volatility in global markets, we are starting the season with a cautious approach,” says Hurrell.

For the season that has just ended, Fonterra narrowed the range to $7.70 to $7.90/kgMS, with a midpoint of $7.80/kgMS. And a strong performance from its food service and consumer channels allowed Fonterra to lift its earnings range to 60-70c/share, up from

50-65c/share.

The co-op also delivered its third quarter (Q3) results last week, recording profit after tax from continuing operations of over $1 billion, up $20m on the previous year.

Hurrell says the result is driven by continued strong earnings across all three of the co-op’s product channels.

He says foodservice and consumer channels in particular had a strong third quarter with a lift in earnings compared to the same time last year.

“Fonterra’s sales volumes were up slightly on last year by 38kMT, or 1%, due to higher sales volumes in our foodservice and consumer channels.

“We also saw price relativities ease over the quarter, and we anticipate them to narrow further in Q4 as they return to more historic levels.

“Gross margins remain strong across all three channels as our inmarket teams continue to drive pricing and volume. Foodservice and consumer volumes are up 4%

and 7% respectively year on year, with margins consistent with Q2.” Gross earnings of $1.44 billion reflected improved performance in foodservice and consumer, with ingredients down year-on-year following record highs in FY23.

“Our increased earnings range assumes softer earnings in Q4 due to the seasonality of our milk collections, the higher cost of inputs in the foodservice and consumer channels, and the impact of the investments in modernising our IT systems.

“Across Fonterra, operating expenses are up due to inflation, upfront costs of driving efficiency improvements and increased IT spend. Historically, some of this IT spend would have been treated as capex and capitalised on the balance sheet.

“We are heading into year-end with a strong balance sheet, with Fonterra’s underlying performance and lower debt position helping to further reduce our financing costs.”

Zero cases of M. bovis, again

IN CASE you missed it: for the second time in the history of the programme to eradicate Mycoplasma bovis from New Zealand, the country currently has zero confirmed cases.

It is a milestone already reached once before, announced in August last year by the then Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor.

To be fair to O’Connor, he warned then that more cases may yet come to light – and a case then popped up on a Selwyn farm in September, and a second nearby in December.

However, those two farms have since been cleared, and confirmed cases are again back to zero, albeit this time without the Ministeriallevel fanfare.

The last two public updates for the M. bovis Eradication Programme, one released on March 20 and the next on May 9, record no confirmed cases at least since late March. Figures for bulk milk tank testing and slaughterhouse testing

also show many thousands of tests with no confirmed cases. The number of properties under Active Surveillance also dropped from 35 to 25 over that period.

The Eradication Programme has been contracted out from MPI to disease management agency OSPRI since November.

OSPRI’s general manager for Disease Control, Planning and Integration, Simon Andrew, agreed that the result is a milestone but emphasised the need for ongoing surveil-

lance through the bulk milk and slaughterhouse testing.

“So, we try not to get ahead of ourselves, because we are six years into a ten-year journey and we are making really good progress against that.”

Andrew said the bulk milk testing covers every commercial dairy farm across the country.

“It does give us a high degree of confidence that the disease isn’t widespread. We do continue to pick up bulk tank milk detects and we’ll con-

LONG, COMPLEX PROCESS

THE DEPOPULATION and repopulation of ANZCO Food’s Five Star Beef feedlot, as part of the M. bovis eradication programme, was a long and complex project, says ANZCO CEO Peter Conley.

The feedlot, at Wakanui on the mid-Canterbury coast, was the only confirmed infected property in the country for a period around May 2022, before a resurgence of infections in the district forced MPI to declare it a special Controlled Area in October that year.

Depopulation of the feedlot had been delayed in part because of its unique place in New Zealand agriculture. Taking beef animals from all over the country, finishing them on grain and sending them only for slaughter, it was considered a high risk for reinfection while M. bovis remained elsewhere, but a low risk for infecting others. There would also be a significant ripple effect through its grain and other suppliers while it was out of operation.

Conley says the depopulation and repopulation took more than two years to plan and nearly three years

in total.

“There were some big dairy operations that also went through the depopulation process as part of New Zealand’s eradication programme, but Five Star Beef would have been one of the largest and more complex.”

He said it was an integrated part of a much bigger part of ANZCO Foods’ supply chain for the niche product – from procurement of cattle and feed through to processing and in-market customers.

Conley said ANZCO worked collaboratively with MPI to ensure it

tinue to see a bit of that particularly in cows drying off this month, in autumn, and autumn calving. And then we see it again in spring as well.

“Detects aren’t an indication or confirmation of infection. They simply indicate that antibodies are present, and we do follow-up testing on those.”

However, Andrew says there were no detects at all in April.

Meanwhile the figures show a slight increase in the number of farms under Notice of Direction, up from two to eight, but Andrew said there could be a number of reasons for that. A NOD might be used to direct a farmer to carry out testing of his animals. While most farmers were generally supportive, “in some cases, we do need to use legal instruments to direct animals to be tested.”

Andrew says the zero infection achievement is an opportunity to reflect on the programme’s impact, particularly on those farmers who had to go through.

was done in the most efficient and cost-effective way.

Going through the same decontamination process as other farms, it was depopulated by the end of 2022, with cattle being brought back on site in late March 2023 and processing of finished animals resuming in July.

“As a result we were out of the market for around six months, and during this time we maintained relationships with contracted growers and cattle suppliers so we could get back up and running as quickly, and as smoothly, as possible,” said Conley.

Despite the disruption, ANZCO has bucked the trend among major meat processors by declaring a net profit before tax of $60.9 million for the year to December 31 – in contrast to losses by the Alliance Group and Silver Fern Farms.

However, Conley said the depopulation had a significant impact on Five Star Beef’s employees and business, along with ANZCO’s other associated businesses and the wider community.

NIGEL MALTHUS

Simon Andrew, Ospri

Peter Conley, Anzco

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Cyclone rebuild delivers sweet results

FOLLOWING THE devastation of Cyclone Gabrielle, ANZ says it has seen a strong response from regional businesses seeking to reinvest in their operations.

Since the cyclone hit in February 2023, almost 270 businesses in Northland and Hawke’s Bay have borrowed over $50 million in low interest Business Regrowth Loans from the bank.

The sum is in addition to the $260 million ANZ has lent to over 90 businesses as part of the North Island Weather Events Loan Guarantee Scheme.

“It’s a testament to the kind of businesses we have in our regions –resilient and absolutely determined to succeed, even when they’re up against it,” says ANZ New Zealand chief executive Antonia Watson.

“Our low interest Business Regrowth Loan has helped remove some of the cost barriers that can delay investment, and this has given businesses the confidence they needed to rebuild.”

Hillside Honey, headquartered in Maungaturoto, 45 kilometres south of Whangarei, was among those which took up the loan.

When the cyclone’s fast-rising floodwaters and storm tide hit, owner Benji Raumaewa had to act quickly to try to save the 200 hives he had on a nearby site.

“The water was coming up fast, rising up through the creek, and by the time we got there it was knee-deep,” he says.

“It was too late - water had gone right through the hives and washed quite a few away. The honey was contaminated

- so that was gone - but we also lost the future production from those hives.”

His tractor was also washed into the floodwaters, destroying the engine – a “really rough” setback to the business which Raumaewa had built up from almost nothing.

“When we started out in 2015, I had ten beehives, an old rusty Hilux

and we were working out of the garage at home – we had grown that to about a thousand hives.”

In response to the damage and loss of hives, Hillside Honey took out a low interest ANZ Business Regrowth Loan.

Raumaeewa used the funds to rebuild hive numbers, while also making the processing plant more resilient to extreme weather.

“To do that I knew we’d require some additional funding so we could continue on the next season,” Raumaewa says.

“We were driving a forklift through the mud and it was a nightmare trying to get the honey loaded when it was raining.

“We did a little bit of concrete work and some work on the build-

ings, which helps us to be more self-reliant and resilient.”

For Raumaewa and his team, the investment’s benefits have been immediate.

“We’re pushing more boxes through the extraction plant each day, and we’re finding that production has gone up, and that’s making us more profitable,” he says.

“Getting that additional lending when we did has helped set us up for the future.”

With the honey industry aiming to double honey exports by 2030to be worth more than $1 billion a year - Raumaewa is determined Hillside Honey will be part of the action.

Cuts to manuka honey imports tariffs, the result of the NZ-EU Free Trade Agreement coming into force on May 1st, will

immediately boost the manuka honey industry by $3.5 million dollars a year.

“We sell some of the finest natural products to the world, so we should be doing everything we can to support our producers and exporters to help them get ahead,” Antonia says.

Although Hillside Honey currently sells most of its honey in bulk to exporters, Raumaewa is exploring the idea of packing and exporting honey under its own brand.

“You can’t find this honey anywhere else in the world and that’s something that’s really special to New Zealand.

“Someday I want to be able to fly in somewhere overseas and see Hillside Honey on the shelves – that’s always been a dream of mine.”

Flooded hives at Hillside Honey at Maungaturoto during Cyclone Gabrielle last year. Inset; Benji Raumaewa

Tool advising orchard spray times wins innovation gong

WEATHER SENSORS

A FORECAST model telling orchardists and their contractors when it is a good time to apply spray won an innovation award at the recent Hawke’s Bay Primary Sector Awards.

The Spray Forecast, which combines weather data, regulatory limits and in-orchard measurements to assess optimum versus poor times to apply orchard/crop spray, is now used by over 1100 growers.

Developer Dr Mark Bart, who heads weather forecasting and data company Metris, says he’s created a hyperlocal forecast model for orchardists, viticulturists, vegetable growers and their contractors to inform when it is a good time to apply spray, and when there is high risk and therefore a poor decision.

“It sounds simple, but what’s special about it is that it takes high resolution weather forecast information, orchard level measurement data from our weather station sensor network and integrates it all with a grower’s local council regulations to set parameters that help growers make good calls,” Bart told Rural News.

“We leverage cloudcomputing infrastruc-

DR MARK Bart started Metris seven years ago, setting up a network of professional scientific-quality weather sensors that are now across the country from Northland to Central Otago.

He says they run and maintain this as a fully-serviced data network.

“We’re collecting thousands of weather measurements and soil moisture and temperature measurements every hour. Our growers lease data off us and they can see it in real-time on their computer or phone,” he says.

“We wanted to make it easier for a grower to get soil moisture and temperature data in real-time and see it on the same dash that shows their rainfall, their irrigation, as well as their frost alerts, disease pressure alerts and other growing conditions on their orchard.

“They never have to worry about calibrating the station, fixing it, keeping the spiders out or sorting out soil moisture probes. We do all of that so that we can be sure the data we give them on their growing situation is as accurate as we can make it.”

The data is audited daily to make sure everything is working and the data is accurate and also to plan engineering maintenance.

Bart says they use the data to make daily weather forecasts and frost forecasting hyper-local and accurate so they can closely match forecasts to orchard and vineyard locations.

“We also use the network data to provide information on specific disease risks, irrigation decisions and to calculate information that growers need like growing degree days and chill units. We also serve up a range of specific data to help people plan new orchard development.”

ture to spread the cost and risk. Metris developed software which we use to bid on supercomputer time at the right time and at the lowest cost. We then run this model in the cloud. This means our forecast product is high resolution (for orchard level accuracy),

timely and cost effective for growers.

“It’s used by over 1100 people every day now as we offer this as part of our daily weather forecast service for our clients nationwide.”

Bart says the company was thrilled to win the Bayleys Innovation Award

after the work that went into developing this service.

He notes that crop protection is a huge cost to all growers costing

over $50,000 per application for a large grower.

It’s the second or third biggest cost to growers after labour and interest charges.

So, putting it on without wasting it, or when it can be most effective, is a big factor in decision making, says Bart.

“Our growers are aware that town is encroaching on traditional growing areas, which is a risk they have to manage as they also work to produce highquality food.

“They’re also aware of the need to look after themselves and their staff, so need to know where any spray is going, and need to have a way of making good calls around timing.

“Society is pushing back against spray and insisting on spray reduction. Another critical reason is for growers to meet their GAP requirements, they are

very aware this is the customer wanting assurance for the consumer, and it supports market access to premium markets.”

Bart is pleased with the uptake of the technology.

“It’s been excellent with over 1100 growers using it daily – sometimes several times a day. It’s had broad appeal.

“We’re seeing orchard managers and viticulturists from New Zealand’s largest well-known food and wine brands right through to smaller family-owned orchardists using this and their feedback around how it’s helped them has been great. The key feedback has been around its simplicity for staff to understand it, its timeliness and its accuracy.”

Developer Dr Mark Bart has created a hyper-local forecast model for orchardists, viticulturists, vegetable growers and their contractors to inform when it is a good time to apply spray.

Metris has a network of professional scientific-quality weather sensors across the country from Northland to Central Otago.

MPI supports journey from farm to global markets

Visitors to the Ministry for Primary Industries’ Fieldays site will be able to explore the journey of New Zealand’s primary sector products from our farms, orchards, and forests to our global markets.

MPI works to help create a strong and sustainable future for our rural communities and to support best practice as the food and fibre sector strives to achieve its ambitions for growth and prosperity.

To help support our farmers, producers and growers, MPI staff will be at Fieldays to explain the wide range of services available to them – including On Farm Support, farm advisory services, Māori agribusiness, animal welfare advice, and information about on-farm verification and stock assessments.

Exports of primary industry products are critical to New Zealand‘s economy, and MPI helps food and fibre producers to maintain the quality and reputation needed to compete on the global stage. That in turn supports export growth.

Our export advisers will be on-site to help make it easier for farmers and growers understand

MPI will showcase innovation and best practice for farmers and growers, highlight its support services, and promote an agile and diverse workforce at Fieldays

export requirements and chart new pathways to send their products to international markets.

The latest Situation and Outlook for Primary Industries (SOPI) report will provide an update on the export performance of the food and fibre sector – and the road ahead.

Fieldays is also the ultimate platform to highlight cutting-edge innovation across the food and fi-

bre sector, and MPI collaborates with a wide range of industry partners to develop new products and technological solutions to drive growth in the primary sector.

A particular focus of MPI’s Fieldays site this year will be showcasing the growth opportunities and innovations under way to further energise New Zealand’s strong-wool sector.

From carpets and throws to

Science for Farmers site to showcase world-leading innovation

A one-stop shop showcasing some of New Zealand’s best science and innovation to help boost on-farm profitability, protect the environ ment, and reduce agricultural greenhouse gas emissions will be at National Fieldays 2024.

The ‘Science for Farmers’ site is a new collaboration between the Ministry for Primary Industries’ (MPI) On Farm Support service and research partners AgResearch, AgriZeroNZ, LIC, Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research, Massey University, and the New Zealand Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research Centre (NZAGRC).

MPI’s On Farm Support director and chief science adviser, Dr John Roche, says the initiative aims to bet ter connect scientists and researchers with farmers and growers on the ground.

“The Science for Farmers site will enable farmers and growers to learn firsthand about the science helping New Zealand’s agricultural sector to become even more efficient and adapt to change,” Dr Roche says.

“It will have interactive features giving farmers more information about practical actions that can be taken now to reduce on-farm emissions. Importantly, it will provide details about tools and technology being developed

AgResearch.

“An exhibit hosted by AgriZeroNZ and NZAGRC will share information on what’s coming next, with future potential tools and the research pathways behind successful, adoptable emission reduction options, environmental stewardship, and the latest research investments.

“Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research is also part of the site and will give farmers and growers practical

On-Farm support director and chief science adviser Dr John Roche.

felt toys, building materials and even cosmetics, the immense potential and versatility of wool will be on show with case studies from industry organisations such as Bremworth and Wisewool.

Protecting our environment, our economy, and our way of life is also crucial for helping to strengthen our country’s future. Biosecurity is everyone’s responsibility, and we all have a role to

play in keeping harmful pests and diseases out of New Zealand.

As part of this, Biosecurity New Zealand will have an interactive display to show Fieldays visitors – and particularly the younger ones – the best practices to help protect New Zealand’s future wellbeing.

Animal welfare will also be a focus, with visitors to MPI’s Fieldays site invited to take part in another interactive display that will highlight what they can do to protect their animals from weather-related problems and heat or cold stress.

Interactive displays from New Zealand Food Safety will highlight best practice on how people can keep themselves and their whanau safe.

Visitors can also learn about the forestry sector from multiple organisations and companies under one roof at the Fieldays Forestry Hub, backed by Te Uru Rākau –New Zealand Forest Service. The hub is a dedicated space giving visitors the chance to explore the many facets and range of opportunities within forestry and wood processing.

MPI site: PD44 Forestry hub: Site G80

Finding your place in food and fibre

The food and fibre sector powers New Zealand’s economy, with export revenue hitting more than $57.4 billion last year.

At the heart of that success is an agile and diverse workforce working to help drive growth and build new momentum.

MPI is once again supporting the Fieldays team this year to deliver the Careers and Education Hub at Mystery Creek, to highlight the wide range of job opportunities available throughout the primary sector.

The Fieldays Careers and Education Hub is a place for school and tertiary students, job seekers and visitors to discover food and fibre career pathways and to help them consider options for joining a thriving and essential part of New Zealand’s economy.

Presentations and interactive displays from a range of education providers and sector groups – including Fonterra – will showcase career pathways for all those interested in finding their place within New Zealand’s primary sectors.

The Careers and Education Hub will help visitors explore employment opportunities – from on-farm roles, science and technology, and animal welfare, to business management, marketing, and research and development.

tips to increase soil carbon and build resilience to climate change such as small plantings of diverse trees.”

An interactive display at the site, delivered by On Farm Support regional advisers, will also help farmers understand what their emissions are today and steps they could take going forward to reduce them.

Science for Farmers: Site F29

Events planned include panel discussions highlighting opportunities and experiences for women within the primary industries, and talks speaking to the potential of youth in New Zealand’s food and fibre sector to help propel our products into global markets.

Visitors to Mystery Creek will also be able to use the Fieldays Careers and Education Trail on the Fieldays App to explore more information about opportunities from exhibitors across the wider site.

Careers hub: Site E30

Tech future proofs hort operation

A COUPLE of challenging years has not stopped one of the country’s leading commercial growers from investing in state-ofthe-art technology.

This comes in the form of a new machine to harvest lettuce, spinach and other leafy green crops used to in salads in ready-to-use consumer packs.

The aim of adopting this new technology is to improve their environmental footprint but at the same time, not compromise their goal of being a cost-effective business.

Leaderbrand, which has its main operation in Gisborne plus sites in Pukekohe, Matamata and Canterbury, is trialling the electric harvester in its mega (11ha) glasshouse near Gisborne.

Tairawhiti has experienced some of the heaviest rainfall in

its history. Leaderbrand chief executive, Richard Burke, says in the last calendar year they got 2100mm of rain.

It’s not just one year of heavy rain – it’s been multiple years, and this made it difficult to grow crops in the saturated soil and to get them to market with major road closures.

One of the reasons Leaderbrand built its state-of-the-art glasshouse was to allow them to keep up the continuous rotation of crops without being at the mercy of the weather. They survive as a business, according to Burke, by producing high-quality, fresh and affordable products, and it’s this

mantra that drives their business.

“We are trying to get between six and nine rotations a year as opposed to two or three,” he says.

There are many different challenges growing indoors, but Burke says dealing with such things as disease in a glasshouse is easy because you have

a lot more control. However, if you get it wrong, it goes wrong across your whole crop.

Burke says, in the glasshouse, instead of spraying the residue of a crop and then ploughing it back into the ground, they burn it off with a special machine which controls the disease problem better than spraying.

BATTERY POWERED HELPING HAND

LEADERBRAND HAD traditionally harvested its leafy green packaged salad crop in a unique way. They grow them in rows and a machine cuts the leaves and then comes back weeks later and repeats the cut.

But in the glasshouse the company is trialling a new battery-powered harvesting machine. Richard Burke says they started looking at electric vehicles some years ago and decided to trial such a machine under glass where the environment is dust, rain and mud free.

“For us it was a bit of sneak peek into the future to see how they worked and get used to working them, because you need to operate them to work out how to get the best out of them. Essentially, we have replaced diesel with electric and if you asked us now if it was a good or bad idea, the jury is still out,” he says.

However, Burke says the more time they spend with them, the more comfortable they feel with them, and they certainly provide a nice, quiet working environment. He says there are also some advantages with the chase trailers that take the cut lettuce of spinach and stack it. He says technology is important, but adds that it must be cost effective and fit with the Leaderbrand ethos which is to provide cost-effective food for Kiwis. He says one cannot ignore the benefits of electricity in terms of what it means to the environment and chasing that ideal is good, as long the benefits stack up. Burke says consumers who pick up a bag of salad in the supermarket aren’t thinking about whether the producer has electric tractors or not.

POSITIVE CHANGES PLEASE KIWIFRUIT GROWERS

NEW ZEALAND Kiwifruit Growers

Incorporation (NZKGI) says there is a need to get a range of government policy settings right for the sector to expand.

Chief executive Colin Bond says the good news on this front is the positive attitude to change as articulated by the new coalition Government.

He says he’s had talks with Agriculture Minister Todd McClay and Nicola Grigg, the Associate Minister of Agriculture with special responsi-

bility for horticulture.

Bond says the kiwifruit industry has a product the world wants, and the challenge is being able to meet that demand. He says that means getting settings right around infrastructure, be that ports, roading access to water, labour, agri chemicals and land use.

“These are important policy settings we need to get right so that we can optimise the opportunity, not just for kiwifruit but also the wider economy.

“We are finding the current government very receptive to our thoughts and listening to us, with the result we think there is a strong alignment of goals,” he says.

Bond says the kiwifruit sector has a product for which there is global demand and which can expand, and the coalition Government has an aspiration to grow exports. He says the two goals fit hand in glove; the challenge now is to remove barriers to fast growth.

The appointment of Grigg as the

Minister of Horticulture has gone down well with NZKGI and Bond says they see this as recognition of the role that horticulture plays now, and what it can do in the future.

“The appointment of Minister Grigg is a reflection of the opportunity that horticulture offers to the NZ economy,” he says.

Climate change is an issue Bond says grower members are tuned into. He says there is increasing awareness of changing climate and growers are looking for solutions, such as

different cultivars or growing in different regions. He says moving to grow in new regions may sound easy, but there are significant issues which make this difficult.

He says the big one is getting sufficient orchards in a region to justify the cost of expensive post-harvest facilities.

“This is an area for discussion but quite difficult to achieve without significant investment,” he says.

Leaderbrand manager glasshouse operation, Billy Stackhouse (left) and chief executive Richard Burke with the electric harvester.

Applications open for bank graduate programme

APPLICATIONS FOR the 2025 intake of the Rabobank New Zealand Graduate Programme are now open.

The 18 month-long programme offers university graduates with an interest in agri banking the opportunity to begin their careers, says Rabobank.

Six graduates from around the country will be selected for the programme, where they will gain experience and be given career development support, within the bank’s country banking division.

Announcing the opening of appli-

cations, Rabobank New Zealand general manager for country banking Bruce Weir says the bank officially launched its Graduate Programme in 2021 and more than 35 graduates had now been employed as part of the programme.

“As a food and agri banking specialist, Rabobank is well aware of the need to continue to attract energetic and talented young people into roles across the agri sector,” he says.

“Alongside our client council network, we have a really strong focus on creating more pathways for young

people within the industry, and the Graduate Programme is one of the key initiatives we undertake to support this objective,” he says.

Applications for the programme close on Wednesday 19 June 2024 and the new intake of graduates will begin the programme early next year.

According to Weir, up to 15 graduates will be shortlisted for the six positions on offer and, for the first time, all short-listed candidates will be invited to attend a one-day in-person assessment session in Rabobank’s Wellington office.

“The day will provide graduates with a unique opportunity to showcase their energy, skills and capabilities, meet staff from several teams across the bank, and to get a feel for what it’s like working for a specialist agri bank,” he says.

“It will also allow us to evaluate graduate competencies and help ensure we’re selecting the graduates who are the best cultural fit for the bank.”

One of the 2023 intake of graduates, Max Robertson, says the programme had provided him with the

opportunity to live and work in different parts of the country and gain experience across a range of agricultural industries.

“My first rotation was in the New Plymouth office, and going out into the regions and to somewhere I hadn’t been before was a bit daunting at first,” he said.

“But it provided me with a real foothold to start successfully within the bank and ensured I was put outside my comfort zone.”

Cultivating produce and people

jessica@ruralnews.co.nz

THE TEAM behind two-

time Outstanding Food Producer Award winner Hamlin Road Farm says it is extremely proud to be recognised for its sustainable practices.

In April, the farm was named BYD Auto New Zealand Sustainability Champion, having first won the award in 2021.

Hamlin Road Farm is part of Pathways Health Ltd, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) and provider of mental health and addiction services, funded by Health New Zealand to provide transitional employment skills and NZQA training for tangata whai ora (people seeking health) in the Counties Manukau area.

Pathways team coach, Sarah Hewitt, says the team is proud for the farm’s sustainability practices to be recognised, adding that the awards

sponsor, BYD also made the award meaningful, because the company’s corporate social responsibility policy fits Hamlin Road Farm’s values.

“This was the award we really wanted to win as sustainability influences our actions, it’s front of mind in everything that we do,” Hewitt told Rural News

The farm was set up in collaboration with the

local community who met to see what the need was in the Papakura area, and it was discussed that organic eggs and produce was an option.

“From there the farm flourished, expanding as we grew our business and revenue creating more gardens, tunnel houses and propagation houses which in turn lead to being able to support more people in our ser-

vices,” Hewitt says.

“As a recovery focused organisation, our inspirational purpose is that we support people to live full lives, hopeful and connected to what matters to them,” she says.

“At Hamlin Road Farm, we support our tangata whai ora to pathway into open employment or further their studies. The majority of staff at the farm are

peers, we work alongside our people role modelling, supporting and coaching them on their recovery journey.  Our tangata whai ora leave with new confidence, skills and qualifications setting them up to connect and contribute back to their local community.”

Hewitt says that since winning the award in 2021, Hamlin Road Farm

made significant changes in response to extreme weather conditions and climate change.

“It was great to be recognised for this,” she says. “We have focused on effective drainage, planted Kahikatea trees for enhanced water absorption, storage and carbon sequestration, expanded our native gardens fostering biomass and sustenance for bees and birds, introduced two goats and a lamb for organic weed management, started transitioning from petrol to electric weedeaters to name a few.”

Hewitt says that organic certification and sustainability go hand in hand with the work the team at Hamlin Road Farm do.

“We are certified Asurequality so there is consumer confidence that we are following organic and sustainable practices and standards,” she says.

“At Hamlin Road Farm we collaborate with nature to produce outstanding and ethically grown produce, consciously choosing to not use any permitted organic chemicals.

“We grow seasonally, practice companion planting and crop rotation, focus on enhancing soil fertility and nutrition and are increasing developing our own seed bank,” Hewitt says, adding that Hamlin Road Farm only sells within its local community.

“We are regulars at both Parnell and Clevedon Farmers Markets, have a roadside stall and have our own web store all to lessen our carbon footprint.

“All of this is some of the impact we are making on not only our business sustainability but for food security for our local community,” she says.

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JESSICA MARSHALL

The Hamlin Road Farm team is proud of their sustainability credentials.

Doing trade beyond China

IS THE gloss coming off China’s status as the number one export market for New Zealand primary exports?

Last week, the US overtook China as New Zealand’s largest red meat market for April. It was a significant development because China has consistently been New Zealand’s largest meat market since July 2018, except for February 2020 when there was a significant drop at the start of the Covid pandemic.

It’s not only in red meat that China is our biggest market. China is the number one market for our dairy, accounting for nearly one-third of our dairy exports. When it comes to NZ log exports, China accounts for 89% of our total exports.

Speaking at the recent China Business Summit in Auckland, both Prime Minister Chris Luxon and Trade Minister Todd McClay spoke about the ‘China and….’ approach.

China remains a critical element in the Government’s strategy to double export value. With tariff free access for all New Zealand goods into China, and a burgeoning services trade, the economic relationship between the two countries continues to flourish. After all, we were the first country to sign a free trade agreement with China.

But as McClay points out, while NZ remains fundamentally committed to developing trade and economic relations with China, it is also vital that the country works to spread exposure across many markets, pursuing diversification and working hard to open as many doors as possible worldwide.

China’s economic slowdown has caused pain for some NZ exporters. Since Covid, China’s economy has failed to fire on all cylinders, although its economy grew a respectable 5.2% last year.

This underlines the importance of having a diversified export strategy. Such an approach is paying dividends for the red meat sector.

The Government knows that while China will remain a significant market, it must also be committed to a dynamic and energetic approach to the rest of the world and it’s rightly looking to the Middle East and India as potential trading partners.

“Last

time we went I spent the day kicking so many tyres I had to buy a new pair of boots!”

THE HOUND

Fieldays ‘focus’

THE ANNUAL Fieldays at Mystery Creek next week should inject some much-needed energy into the agribusiness sector, however, a mate of the Hound questions whether the organisers truly understand that most of the exhibitors are hoping to see farmers – not just all-and-sundry –coming through the turnstiles. One of the many recent press releases from Fieldays focused on the heartwarming memories a few regular visitors had of coming back every year. Not a single working farmer was included in the story. Instead we had: a former Aucklander now living in Wellington; and a retired farmer from South Africa. No disrespect to the thousands of townies and school kids that attend, they no doubt add a lot of tin to the gate takings, but the event should surely be focused on connecting farmers with those providing the products and services they need to farm.

Not so super

FARMERS IN the Rodney district, nearly an hour north of Auckland, are reaching breaking point having to deal with the ‘super-city’ council, who some farmers regard as out of touch with the realities of rural life and overly officious. “The rules and costs imposed on us for the most basic developments are prohibitive,” one Wellsford farmer told the canine crusader. “They’re unnecessary and arbitrary rules, all the extra costs sheet back to the landowners and it’s just not worth trying to develop anything.” There were plenty of warnings that bringing a rural district under the super-city umbrella wouldn’t work. In 2009, then-Rodney Mayor Penny Webster was unhappy with the boundary and representation changes. She said Rodney would be poorly represented on the proposed council, with only one or two councillors. Time to secede?

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

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

Bankers!

AT A recent speaking engagement, Brendan Lindsay, cashed-out founder of Sistema Plastics opined that in his experience “banks are real fair-weather friends”. Maybe when you’re sitting on a $600 million pile, you can afford to risk upsetting the lending set, but more than a few farmers seem to agree with the sentiment. In the latest Federated Farmers bank survey they added a new question: ‘Do you think New Zealand banks are presently demonstrating a positive commitment to support farming through difficult periods of high interest rates?’ Feds’ Richard McIntyre says it’s “incredibly disappointing” that only one in five farmers responded with a ‘yes’ to that question. “At a time when farmers are really struggling, I would have hoped to see our banks stepping up to help, but instead they seem to be tightening the screws.”

Want to share your opinion or gossip with the Hound? Send your emails to: hound@ruralnews.co.nz

A low bar!

IF THE old saying that ‘political leaders are the reflection of our society’ is true, we need to have a good hard look at ourselves. The bar seems to be set depressingly low to get into Parliament and the list of fairly average behaviour by sitting MPs is long. Most recently we have National MP David MacLeod failing to declare $168,335 in donations – similar to former transport minister, Labour’s Michael Wood, ‘forgetting’ to sell his airport shares. Many of the holier-than-thou Green MPs have disgraced themselves recently: Julie-Anne Genter, Darlene Tana and, of course, Golriz. The list goes on. And let’s not forget the economic mess left behind by Grant Robertson and friends. To paraphrase Thomas Jefferson, ‘The politicians you elect are the politicians you deserve’.

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A surplus of experts but a famine for true wisdom

IT SURELY seems to me that in today’s world experts abound. I hear or see the word attached to someone regularly in the media, all too flippantly in my opinion.

Whilst there is obviously a famine for true wisdom, there remains a surplus of experts. To question an expert today, especially if they hold influence with the political class, will line you up for all kinds of nasties.

They seem to pop up pretty much everywhere.

The financial world has many, science has them in abundance, the medical world too, and yes, they’re in the farming sector, to name just a few. Oops, I better not forget one of the most common ones today: all the climate change experts. One of my favourites, for sure!

But the science is settled, many say. Yeah right!

Older medical books abound, that told us the human appendix had no function. It was well on its way to disappearing altogether… an evolutionary left-over. So say some encyclopedias. And yep, I learned that in biology at school too. But, sur-

prise, surprise, they were all wrong.

Now, was that disinformation or misinformation I got taught in class? I have been alive long enough to witness many such mistakes. I agree all humans will make mistakes – that’s a given. Even top sports people have what some may call a brain-fade from time to time. Simple catches get dropped, simple returns get hit into the net. Nobody gets everything right 100% of the time. I get that! But to get the same thing wrong continually; I think it shows something is going on that we may not be privy to.

Of late I have given some thought to what I consider would make a great book title: ‘Headline

It’s

News From Yesteryear’. There certainly would be no shortage of material to choose from!

Here are some samples taken from the internationally reputed TIME magazine front covers: 1973 - The Big Freeze; 1977 - The Big Freeze; 2001 - Global warming; and 2006 - Be Worried. Be Very Worried. (Yep, more spin on global warming)

Here’s one from the AP: ‘UN Predicts Disaster if Global Warming Not Checked’. The date you, may wonder? June 29, 1989.

And the opening paragraph – “A Senior U.N. environmentalist official says entire nations could be wiped off the face of the Earth by rising sea levels if the global warming trend is not reversed by the year 2000.”

Hmmmm. That was 35 years ago. Last I checked, we were all still here!

And finally, from yet another climate expert at the UN Climate Conference in Copenhagen – 2009 I believe – ‘The Artic Sea may be nearly ice-free in summer as early as 2014’.

It surely puzzles me why people even consider these experts to be credible witnesses.

If I had a financial adviser that was consistently wrong over 50% of the time, I am sure you would counsel me to go find someone else! Why continue with the losses? You can do better, you would argue.

The same would be true for a doctor, or a dentist. With the dentist, my advice would be to make the change ASAP,

“I have been around long enough to know the truth can easily defend itself, without the need to censor any opposing lies.”

while you still have some teeth left!

I have been around long enough to know the truth can easily defend itself, without the need to censor any opposing lies. Truth never fears the court of public opinion. However, lies fear the truth greatly and will shout it down, or censor it, by any means possible. The difference is stark! And yes, the One I trust the most is the One who has never lied to me. Take care and God bless.

To contact Colin: farmerschaplain@ ruralnews.co.nz

FARMER’S CHAPLAIN Colin Miller

puzzling why people even consider some climate change experts to be credible witnesses.

Cows ‘prefer eating hay on pasture during winter’

DAIRY COWS managed in winter on pasture, with hay bales, spent more time ruminating and lying in postures suggesting greater comfort than those on kale crops, newly published research has found.

Cows managed on pasture with hay also had higher skin temperatures and cleaner coats. The results suggest the greater opportunities for thermal comfort on pasture with hay may be due to both increased rumination activities and a more insulated lying area.

AgResearch scientists joined with colleagues from Massey University in carrying out the study on NZ dairy farms with 80 Friesian cross-bred (Friesian and Jersey), nonlactating and pregnant cows, in the winter of 2022.

The published research states: “In countries with pasture-based dairy systems and relatively cold winters, such as New Zealand, it is common to manage pregnant, nonlactating cows on forage crop paddocks rather than pasture due to slow pasture growth rates. Wintering dairy cattle on grazed crops can compromise welfare

if wet and muddy underfoot conditions occur, which can reduce lying.

This study investigated behavioural and physiological indicators of welfare of cows under 2 wintering practices: cows managed on and grazed kale crop, and cows managed on pasture with baled hay.”

AgResearch senior scientist Karin Schütz says the research was the first of its kind to show cows were warmer in a hay bale grazing system than forage crops.

“Our research has shown that bale grazing systems can provide cows with several welfare benefits and help them conserve energy and maintain normal body temperature,” Schütz says.

“The diet of pasture and hay promotes rumination throughout the day and night which helps with thermoregulation when the weather is cold. The hay litter left from the hay bales gives the cows an insulated and soft surface to lie down

“Our research has shown that bale grazing systems can provide cows with several welfare benefits and help them conserve energy and maintain normal body temperature.”

and rest on, which we know cows prefer.

This surface also helps with keeping the coat clean, which will also help with thermoregulation.

“Research like this

adds to the knowledge available to our farmers, vets, rural professionals and farmer groups as decisions are made about how best to manage stock through those challenging winter months. As

we deal with the environmental challenges around winter grazing, it is important we keep animal health and welfare considerations top of mind as well.”

Research into these different wintering systems has also demonstrated environmental benefits, in addition to those for the animals.

AgResearch senior scientist Ross Monaghan says environmental benefits observed in trials included greater opportunity to capture uri-

nary nitrogen in the hay bale system, and therefore less nutrient loss, as well as less mud and soil damage.

The research into animal behaviour/welfare in different systems received funding from the Ministry for Primary Industries’ Sustainable Land Management and Climate Change (SLMACC) fund, and AgResearch.

For the full study, visit https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/ S0022030224007586

Cows managed on pasture with hay also had higher skin temperatures and cleaner coats, according to the study.

JUNE 12-15,

The wait is almost over!

WITH THE 56th running of the National Fieldays just over a week away, Mystery Creek is transforming into a large village, as home to over a thousand exhibitors from the 12th to 15th June.

Given the testing times of New Zealand’s current economy, Fieldays chief executive Peter Nation is optimistic, but also realistic when he says, “I don’t think it will be a record year for sales” while also noting that while a number of companies have dropped out of this year’s event, the vehicle and farm machinery areas are full, with a number of product launches scheduled.

Tractor and Machinery Association president Jaiden Drought is reported as saying, “buyers are taking a wait and see approach to spending” but was predicting that Fieldays should see good pricing and keen interest rate deals. He also noted that while year-to-date sales to April were down by 24%, the month itself was showing a 3.4% rise.

As part of the event, once again a major emphasis is being placed on getting away from the farm for one or more days, meeting friends and swapping a few stories. Businesses of course will get the chance to show some new products or ideas, reinforce the message about existing offer-

THE FORESTRY Hub returns to Fieldays for its third consecutive year, showcasing how trees and wood are transforming New Zealand.

Visitors will be able to explore more than 25 forestry-centric exhibits within the Hub, site G80 at Fieldays.

The forestry simulator will be back again this year, immersing job seekers into a virtual reality where they can experience what it’s like to operate machinery in a forest and explore the diverse range of careers the sector has to offer.

Other attractions will include displays of innovative uses of wood, forestry machinery, the latest in forestry robotics, and a roving tractor called GOVOR.

Crown Research Institute Scion will be on site demonstrating their

ings or systems and close a few deals.

3D printer using forest-based biomaterials to print pinecones that visitors can take home. Visitors can speak with scientists about how they create renewable biomaterials and how these are turned into structures and objects using smart manufacturing processes.

Plenty will be on offer for families. Nature enthusiasts will be able to exercise their tree identification skills in the What Tree? challenge, and children wanting to try their hand at growing a tree will be able to take home a seedling.

A series of presentations across the four days will further enhance the learning experience of visitors to the Hub. Topics will range from planting alternative and native tree species, predator free initiatives, biodiversity within forests, wood processing and

several trade delegations, with Nation noting that between those visiting

the burgeoning ‘bioeconomy’. Visitors will get to speak to a range of representatives from small- and large-scale forest growing companies, wood processors, farm foresters, scientists, and not-for-profit groups, who will all be in attendance to answer questions and provide more information on forestry and wood processing in New Zealand.

The Fieldays Forestry Hub has been an ongoing collaboration between New Zealand Forest Service, Forest Growers Levy Trust, Scion, New Zealand Farm Forestry Association, and the New Zealand Forest Owners Association since 2021.

Forest Growers Levy Trust chief executive Dr Elizabeth Heeg says the annual event is not just about the sector engaging with the com-

delegates and overseasbased manufacturers, around 45 countries will be represented.

Maintaining the focus on individual and industry wellbeing, the Health and Wellbeing Hub will be complemented with the new Advocacy Hub, a project in collaboration with Federated Farmers. The Hub will bring together under one roof multiple rural organisations who are advocating for farmers and their interests, including the Feds, NZ Young Farmers, Groundswell, The Rural Women’s’ Network and Future Farmers.

Nation says it’s great to be able to deliver a Fieldays purpose of advancing agriculture through education and collaboration.

“We know it’s tough out there this year, so it’s never been more important for farmers to be heard and to have advocates that will amplify their voice.”

Alongside the new exhibit, existing Hubs cover Careers and Education, Forestry, Digital Futures and Sustainability, while the Innovations Centre brings together the clever minds of academia and the practically of farmers.

This year’s Innovation Awards will see 64 entrants fighting over a prize pool of more than $70,000, split over three categories, including Prototype, Early Stage and Growth and Scale Awards.

munity, it’s an opportunity to raise awareness of the important role forestry and wood processing holds for future New Zealand.

“Forestry and wood processing offers so much value to rural communities,” Heeg says.

“Our forests provide safe habitats for biodiversity, lessen the effects of climate change, and generate important economic activity, including thousands of jobs.

“The emergence of wood-based biofuels and added-value wood products will accelerate that path to a more sustainable future.

“There is a lot to celebrate about our sector and Fieldays is the perfect opportunity to show the public how we are strengthening our nation’s future.”

New Zealand Forest Service director of forestry engagement and advice Alex Wilson says forestry and wood processing are diverse and dynamic, and have a critical role to play in the future of New Zealand.

“The sector is a key exporter for New Zealand and a major contributor to regional economies and employment.

“Forests are also important in our response to climate change and the transition to a low-emissions future.

“At Fieldays this year and on behalf of sector representatives, we are all really excited about the opportunity to have conversations with rural landowners about the many benefits of planting trees on their land.”

The international fla-

vour of the event is also important and confirmed by pre-approved visa for

MARK DANIEL

Fieldays chief executive Peter Nation says it’s

...WITH BRANDT'S FORMIDABLE LINEUP.

We invite you to experience superior machines, unparalleled service and dedicated support. Together, lets cultivate success and do better.

App links farm to the fleet

GLOBAL MACHINERY

manufacturers Case IH and New Holland have unveiled the FieldOps app, a new all-in-one mobile and web solution purposefully designed for farmers and contractors to connect, view and manage their operation of a multi-branded fleet at any time, from any location.

The FieldOps portals provide real-time access to agronomic, machine, and operational data, connecting users to their machines, fields, teams and partners and empowering them with actionable insights.

Driven by the digitisation of agriculture, connected machines allow farmers to access vehicles

and productive operations, while also allowing dealers additional access to better service machines to minimise downtime and maximise operational efficiency.

Addressing severe limitations for those in remote areas of the globe in connecting with their machines or operations, Case IH and New Holland has taken a significant step in enhancing connectivity options for operators via a strategic collaboration with Intelsat, a renowned leader in satellite communications for more than 60 years. This means that operators, regardless of location, can fully utilise the functionalities of FieldOps with consistent and reliable internet access.

Key features of FieldOps include Data Visu-

access to real-time agronomic data and machine insights, including precise location and duty status, current machine parameters, estimated job completion time, 24-hour history, and more.

Machine Analytics proactively monitor machine health and quickly spots high-priority issues while staying informed with customised notifications. Data can also be viewed for any specific field over individual seasons and years, enhancing operational efficiency. Remote Viewing of the In-Cab Display allows external machine monitoring leading to easier coordination with operators and the ability to suggest alternative machine settings.

FieldOps centralises tools from the respective AFS Connect and MyPLM

capital equipment, is trusted by New Zealand farmers, contractors and shearers to get the job done safely and efficiently.

Because we care about your safetywhile working.

single streamlined management solution, using data from farm operations, even for those with multi-branded fleets.

“Agriculture is changing rapidly, and farmers are increasingly asking

With industry leading safety features, the #1 selling and most

woolpress helps to keep you and your workers safe in the shed. The TPW Xpress now comes with the new indicator with audible and visible alarms that let you know when you’re approaching the target weight.

Watch our equipment in action!

us to support them with simple solutions for complex problems,” New Holland brand president Carlo Lambro said. FieldOps was created thanks to our customers’ feedback, prioritising simplic-

ity and intuitiveness of the interface. It enables farmers to improve their efficiency and profitability, whether they’re investing in a new fleet or adding automation to their existing machines.”

FieldOps mobile and web apps are currently in the final stages of development and testing, with a full release expected later in the year.

ABBEY TO SHOWCASE SLURRY TANKERS, DIET FEEDERS, SPREADERS

ABBEY MACHINERY specialises in innovative farm equipment to help increase productivity and complement sustainable agricultural practices, working closely with its customers to understand the challenges their customers face and develop solutions.

ety of solid or liquid manures. Complementing the slurry tanker range are Low Emission Slurry applicators (LESS) such as the Agri Pro trailing shoe, Band Spreader and Premium Plus Trailing shoe which are available in a range of sizes.

On the feeding front, upgrades have been added to the Abbey Diet Feeder including the power shift gearbox and NIR feed sensor capabilities.

Evo Shearing Plant

The world’s leading shearers trust the #1 selling shearing plant in the world, winner of multiple WorkSafe awards. The Evo delivers industry leading safety features, impressive performance and superb reliability

Backease Hoist Industry professionals trust the versatile, compact and cost effective TPW Backease Hoist to safely lift loads of

The company’s extensive slurry tanker range includes Standard, Recess Premium and Premium Plus, Tandem and Tridem models. Multi Spreaders precisely spread broiler manure, compost, mulch, semi-solids, slurry, and factory waste with consistent results regardless of material, while side spreaders ranging from 6 to 15.5 cubic yards can handle a wide vari-

Plus Range Diet Feeders have added an upgraded 22mm thick auger, the 2810 digital weight Indicator with wireless communication to mobile device and in-cab control, a fully galvanised viewing

handypiece

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

■ Variable speed from 2600-3500 rpm.

■ Latest brushless motor technology means minimal heat build up

■ 1400gms means 100200gms lighter than standard handpiece.

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

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

Phone us now for FREE FREIGHT

platform, new style feed out arm, rounded mudguards, wider tray for minimum spillage and door wedges for an even feed out. The power shift gearbox allows lower horsepower or older tractors to be considered to power large feeders, offering potential fuel savings, the opportunity to reduce maintenance costs and feeding times, along with a reduction in noise levels. NIR feed sensors, installed in the tub of the feed mixer, offer real time analysis of quality and mix homogeneity, functions said to be exclusive available to Abbey customers.

www.abbeymachinery.com or visit site number D73, D71, D69, D67

MARK DANIEL

Abbey Agri Pro trailing shoe spreaders will be part of the display at Fieldays.

Make sure to turn up for your free cancer check

MELANOMA NEW Zealand will once again be at Fieldays next week, providing education and free skin cancer spot checks.

The charity will be joining a wide range of health providers and rural support networks located at the Fieldays Health & Wellbeing Hub.

“Sharing these lifesaving messages with rural New Zealanders is at the heart of Melanoma New Zealand’s partnership with FMG,” says Melanoma New Zealand chief executive Andrea Newland.

“Heightening the awareness in New Zealand’s rural communities of how to protect your skin when outdoors, and

the importance of having regular skin checks, will save lives.”

New Zealand has one of the worst rates of melanoma in the world.

More than 6000 people are diagnosed with melanoma in New Zealand each year, and almost 300 will die from it. However, the good news is that if melanoma is recognised and treated early enough, it is almost always curable.

“At Fieldays last year, Melanoma New Zealand’s Nurse Educators saw 610 people for spot checks and found 53 suspicious lesions, including 14 suspected melanomas,” says Newland.

“The location of our

site outside the Health Hub draws a crowd, so we typically have a constant stream of people making the most of the

FIELDAYS

opportunity to have a spot check and learn life-saving advice about the importance of early detection and prevention

of melanoma.”

Melanoma New Zealand’s rural partner, FMG, will have a member of its team on site to help welcome and coordinate spot check registrations over the four days.

Since the partnership began in 2021, FMG and Melanoma New Zealand have teamed up to provide spot checks and education in rural communities across New Zealand. Dubbed the “FMG Spot Check Roadie”, so far this year, the Roadie has visited several key events in the rural calendar, including the Southern Districts, Central Districts and Northland Field Days, New Zealand Shearing Championships,

the East Coast Farming Expo and the Shepherdess Muster. Those events saw Melanoma New Zealand’s Nurse Educators perform 852 spot checks and identify 162 suspicious lesions, including 42 suspected melanomas.

The Roadie is also featured in FMG’s latest television advertisement.

Spot checks are a way for Melanoma New Zealand to engage in conversation about the importance of early detection, but a diagnosis is not provided. Melanoma New Zealand recommends that people have a regular, full-body skin check by a GP, dermatologist, surgeon, or plastic surgeon.

If Melanoma New Zealand Nurse Educators find any suspicious lesions during Fieldays, they will refer the person to their GP or other specialist. If people are unable to be seen on the day, they can book a free online consultation with one of Melanoma New Zealand’s Nurse Educators.

Melanoma New Zealand is a charity that relies on individual donations, corporate sponsorships and grants for funding. Anyone wishing to support Melanoma New Zealand can donate at www.melanoma.org.nz/ donate or phone the Melanoma NZ office on 0800 463 526.

Melanoma New Zealand’s Spot Check Van featuring in FMGs latest television advertising.

Short rotation forestry could lower fossil fuel dependency

A TWO-YEAR research project has shed light on the promising opportunities for regional New Zealand to adopt short rotation forestry (SRF) for bioenergy production.

The findings are said to show that leveraging short rotation for-

estry will not only diversify regional economies, but also contribute to sustainable land management and generate environmental benefits as New Zealand looks for ways to meet its netzero emissions targets by 2050.

Silviculture and forest carbon scientist Alan Jones says Scion’s modelling shows that short rotation forestry as a feedstock for bioenergy has the potential to replace 6% of New Zealand’s annual fossil fuel demand from less than

1% of the land area.

“We’ve built on research from a decade ago and assessed the feasibility of rapidly upscaling bioenergy production from forests. We’ve found there are regions wellsuited to short rotation forestry which provides a real opportunity for communities to transform their economic base and reshape New Zealand’s energy future.”

A key outcome from Scion’s research is a ‘how to’ guide for short rotation forestry targeting landowners, forest investors, and government agencies. It not only outlines the feasibility of SRF but also identifies specific regions most suitable for it in New Zealand.

Scion’s research recommends that short rotation forestry should be

established on lower value land (Land Use Capability Class 5-7) in locations where transport distances to processing locations can be minimised. Regions highlighted include the Central North Island, Northland, the East Coast and Otago.

The ideal species for short rotation forestry is Pinus radiata, owing to its rapid growth rates and high degree of adaptability and disease resistance in a range of growing locations. Other options include Eucalyptus fastigata and Eucalyptus regnans for their potential to rapidly yield large volumes of woody biomass from young age trees. Trees are generally planted in dense stands and managed to intensify rates of wood production

for renewable energy, such as wood pellets, torrefied briquettes or liquid biofuels for marine and aviation sectors.

SRF is a forestry practice that involves growing and harvesting trees on a short rotation cycle which, according to Scion’s modelling, would ideally be between 12 and 18 years for the production of wood biomass. This is considerably shorter than the conventional 28-year harvesting cycle.

One of the key advantages of SRF is its ability to provide a steady supply of biomass for energy production on relatively economically marginal land, with plantations harvested multiple times. Additionally, SRF can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by displacing

fossil fuels and promoting carbon sequestration in the form of sustainably harvested living trees.

Scion’s research responds to signals from the Climate Change Commission that indicate the rising importance of bioenergy from forests in the coming decade.

It also presents owners of low production grazing land on steeper hill country with alternative options to maximise productive capacity and increase economic viability.

Several challenges could impede the future widespread adoption of SRF in New Zealand – primarily low value of bioenergy feedstock under present market conditions. Considerations such as land costs and transportation distances further complicate the potential adoption of SRF bioenergy nationally. To address these challenges, Scion’s analysis proposes integrating the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) carbon value of standing trees in SRF plantations into their economic assessment, which provides additional incentives for investment.

Jones says the guide provides a glimpse of what could be possible in the future for short rotation forestry as a vehicle to scale up bioenergy production.

Integrated bioenergy portfolio leader Dr Paul Bennett and scientist Alan Jones.

Korean tractor making its mark

models from 25 to 50hp.

TYM TRACTORS (TongYang Moolsan Co) was established in 1951 and over the ensuing years hit many milestones.

It became the first Korean tractor brand to be exported to Central America in 1980, supplied cotton harvester parts to John Deere in 1987 and exported its TS3840 model to Iseki Japan in 1993.

Here in New Zealand the brand has flown under the radar, but has always been the quiet achiever and over 15 years has steadily built a reputation as a premium product. Offering a wide range of models, peaking at 130hp, the greatest effort and subsequent success has been concentrated on compact

The smallest tractor in the TYM range, the TS25, is particularly suited to applications requiring lightweight and compact dimensions. Featuring world renowned Yanmar engines delivering 25hp with good fuel economy, the TS25 weighs in at 75kg more than its competitors, while also offering bigger hydraulic flow (25l/min) and more 3-point linkage lift capacity at 600kg. Equipped with a 2-stage hydrostatic transmission with cruise control, the tractor also features wet disc brakes as standard.

Suited to those wanting something bigger than the TS25 but not as physically large as the T393 model, the TS265 runs to 26.5hp and offers a larger tractor feel. Power is provided by a 3-cylin-

der TYM diesel, again mated to a 2-speed HST transmission, tipping the scales at 865kg and offer 700kg lift capacity at the rear linkage.

The midrange T393, runs

a three cylinder 39.5hp Yanmar engine, mated to a threestage hydrostatic unit. Weighing in at 1390kg, lift capacity is 1200kg, with a hydraulic flow rate of 42 l/min.

The biggest brother, the T503, 50hp runs a quality 4-cylinder, 50hp Perkins engine, the 3-stage hydrostatic transmission and features

independent 540/1000 PTO, 1503kg lift and 57 litre oil flow, with a 1920kg tare weight. All models are standard with a hydrostatic transmission, with dual pedal operation for forward and reverse - easy as driving an automatic car - and available with frontend loader options. While the two smaller models are available as open platform, ROPs units, the larger T393 and T503 are available in both cabin and platform options. Visit agtek.co.nz or site number G56 & G58.

The midrange T393, runs a three cylinder 39.5hp Yanmar engine, mated to a three-stage hydrostatic unit.

Let good times roll!

ROLLERS HAVE had a place on the farm for more than 200 years.

Initially used for ‘flattening’ uneven ground, in the last century they’ve been used for pre- and post-drilling consolidation to ensure good seed to soil contact and reduced moisture loss.

Danish company Dalbo, formed in the mid-1960s, has formed an excellent reputation, not least for its extensive range of conventional and system roller offerings.

Imported by Cochranes of Canterbury and distributed throughout the North Island by Giltrap Agrizone, the Dalbo MaxiRoll is offered in working widths from 4.5 to 9.5 metres, although the focus is on

the 530 and 630 models.

Described by the manufacturer as a 3-point system, the roller is constructed around a heavyduty 150mm by 100mm steel frame carried on 400-60R 15.5 tyres. Each of the roller ‘gangs’ is suspended under the frame with the patented

DuoFlex-system, ensuring that each roller section works independently, allowed by slots in the hydraulic cylinder attachment points to deliver optimal contact across the full working width. Meanwhile, the hydraulic cylinders, working in conjunction with heavy-duty

spring assemblies create downward pressure and weight transfer of at least 500kg per metre, while also allowing the rollers to closely follow changing round contours.

Taking a closer look, the roller sections are made up of 55cm, patented Snowflake rings

assembled between alternating breaker rings. The Snowflake name is derived from the integral spoke design within each ring, said to be like that of a snowflake crystal, with the radial spokes lining up with the high points of the roller circumference.

The design is said to be six times stronger than earlier designs of Cambridge rings, meaning that Snowflake rings are covered by a six-year warranty.

Elsewhere in the construction, roller assemblies are carried on 60mm diameter, chrome/ molybdenum steel axles, supported with by heavyduty greaseable bearings. The option of rubber, suspended bearings are said to give a cushioning effect and help prolong the working life of the assemblies.

The system configuration of the rollers sees the fitment of a hydraulically adjusted cracker board ahead of the rollers, featuring 80mm wide spring steel legs fitted with 100 x 12mm curved blades or clod crackers, to break clods and level

the surface ahead of the rollers. The working angle of the tines is adjusted via turnbuckles, while in operation depth is controlled hydraulically, via a parallel swinging link suspension set-up.

Offering a transport width of only 2.5m, the Models 530 and 630 weigh in at 3205 and 4050kg respectively, when fitted with Snowflake rings (109 and 129 pieces), meaning a horsepower requirement of 90 or 100hp.

Standard equipment includes a parking jack, a road lighting kit, while operation requires one double and one single acting remote for the base machine and an additional remote for the cracker boards. Visit www.gaz.co.nz

@rural_news facebook.com/ruralnews

MARK DANIEL

The Dalbo MaxiRoll is offered in working widths from 4.5 to 9.5 metres.

28 NZ NATIONAL FIELDAYS

Connecting campus to community

MASSEY UNIVER-

SITY is returning to the National Fieldays next week with a new site, focusing on communityrelevant collaborative research in the food and agriculture sectors.

The university says its presence at Fieldays over the last five decades has been dedicated to driving real change for New Zealand by sharing research, innovation and pathways to educate the next generation of global leaders in the food and fibre sector.

“With our 2024 stand, we aim to bring our research beyond the university’s borders to connect and collaborate with Fieldays visitors,” it says.

“Featuring two ongoing research projects, visitors will not only engage with the most recent findings and see research take place in real time, but will be encouraged to participate in research relevant to themselves and their communities.”

It says providing this collaborative space allows the opportunity to demystify the science research process and ensures its work remains relevant, impactful and accessible.

The university will be at Mystery Creek Pavilion (site PE51) from June 12-15.

Here’s a taste of what will be offer at the university’s stand:

Revealing the role of sensory science in consumer acceptance: Did you know that the shape of chocolate can impact

URBAN/RURAL DIVIDE

IDENTIFYING AS rural, urban or a combination of both is a personal and complex matter for New Zealanders, says Massey University.

These identities not only relate to a geographic sense of place but also reflect diverse connections in one’s life.

Exploring how these identities intersect and challenge the narrative of the rural-urban divide is a key goal of the Diverse Experience of Farming project, a collaboration between the College of Sciences and College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Massey.

The project aims to build a comprehensive understanding of attitudes toward farming in New Zealand and what shapes perceptions of and trust in farming sectors.

The project will be a feature exhibition, presenting current results collected from 2022 and 2023. The results showed the value of fostering dialogue within local and context-based industry events, so

how it melts in your mouth and alters your taste experience? Or that where you choose to eat

by bringing the research to Fieldays, the conversation can continue.

Visitors will be encouraged to get involved, prompted by several questions that will allow them to share their thoughts and perspectives, contributing to the ongoing discussion.

By uncovering public perceptions of farming and identifying points of difference and connection, this research serves as a catalyst for change. It will generate new ideas to strengthen the connection between farmers and diverse publics, enhancing social licence to operate.

The research has already revealed that the perceived deep divide between the urban and rural public doesn’t reflect reality, with New Zealanders across all regions, genders, ages and ethnicities finding value in our farming sector. Instead, a more complex and rich diversity of opinion about farming is being uncovered.

ice cream can affect how much you enjoy it?

That is the realm of sensory and consumer

STRIKE FLIES

science and it plays a crucial role in the marketplace. Consumer acceptance is the single

best predictor of success or failure with a new food product. With current data showing 80% of new food products fail, it is the mission of Massey’s Food Experience and Sensory Testing (Feast) Laboratory to make a difference and enable the voice of the consumer to have a lead role in new innovations in agrifood.

The Feast Laboratory, located on its Manawatū campus, also has the most advanced range of tools for digitally immersing consumers in relevant food consumption scenarios in New Zealand, and they’re bringing a slice of their state-of-theart food technology and expertise to Fieldays.

A team from Feast will be on site to demonstrate how they investigate consumer perception of food products by encouraging audience participation in an active research proj-

PANEL SESSION

UNIVERSITY ALUMNA Dr Maheeka Weerawarna will feature on MPI’s Opportunity Grows Here panel session, which highlights young female leaders within the food and fibre sector.

Weerawarna is a research scientist at Fonterra, where she leads projects in consumer and sensory science and manages sensory data alignment. She began her journey with Massey as a Feast intern, before pursuing her PhD studies, exploring how consumers experience products through the whole consumption experience as opposed to just one bite or sip.

After completing her PhD in 2021, she took on a new role as a Postdoctoral Researcher on the Future Food Catalyst project, where she investigated barriers and motivations to consumers of plant-based alternatives to animal-based foods.

She is known for her passion for food design and combining sensory and food chemistry worlds, often spending her free time in the kitchen coming up with new food creations.

To learn more about Weerawarna’s role and her expertise, check out the panel at Fieldays on Thursday 13 June at 11:15am at site E30.

ect. Visitors will have the chance to eat chocolate in the name of science and report on their chocolate experience.

Visitors will also have the chance to experience a mixed reality environment through a mixed reality headset, which provides multi-sensory experiences. Participants’ experiences will be displayed in real-time on the screen at the stand, showcasing how the Feast team uses technology to simulate real-life environments for sensory science research.

Professor Joanne Hort, the Fonterra Riddet Chair in Consumer and Sensory Science who established Feast, says she’s excited to share the fascinating world of sensory and

consumer science with Fieldays audiences, as it’s a key stage of the farmto-fork pipeline.

“Attending Fieldays is a great way to celebrate nearly six years of research capability for Feast and to show people how important sensory science is. The relationship between an individual and their foods is very emotive and complex. We’re programmed to be rewarded for eating food, so if it’s not rewarding, we’ll reject it. Sensory science holds the key to consumer acceptance, and it’s all about working with consumers to shape the future of food innovation and create products that truly connect with their preferences and expectations.”

Massey University is returning to the Fieldays next week with a new site.

Cereal harvest yields up 4%

A RECENT report from the Agricultural Industry Marketing Initiative (AIMI) highlighted the findings of a survey of New Zealand cereal growers, looking at the size of the 2024 harvest of wheat, barley and oats, divided into milling, malting or feed crops.

The report also looked at sales channels, storage status, carry-over stocks from the 2023 harvest and sowing intentions for the autumn/winter campaign of 2024.

Based on a reporting date of 1st April 2024, overall, harvest yields, averaged of the six crops, were up 4%, from a similar number of hectares (-0.4%), with a net result that saw total tonnages was up 3% compared to last season.

Of the farms surveyed, the 2024 harvest of milling wheat was 100% completed by 1 April, with feed wheat sat at 99.7% complete, malting barley 99%, feed barley 93%, milling oats 89% and feed oats 78% complete by the survey date.

Carry-over stocks (both sold and unsold) of feed wheat and feed barley were higher than in the previous three years, while unsold stocks on hand of last year’s feed wheat and feed barley crops were 2.1% and 2.5% of the 2023 harvest tonnages, respectively.

Stocks of unsold feed wheat from the current harvest are up 46%

on unsold stocks at the same time last year, while unsold stocks of feed barley are up 6% as compared to last year. Unsold stocks of milling wheat are up 7%, while unsold stocks of malting barley are down 11%.

Going forward, autumn or winter sowings of feed wheat are predicted to be down 1900 hectares compared to a year ago, with feed barley autumn/winter sowings likely to be down by around 2700ha. Milling wheat autumn/winter sowings may be down by 1000ha, malting barley up by 200ha, milling oats down by 170ha, and feed oats up by 540 ha.

However, these predictions are based mostly on intentions as over all six crops, only 1.2%, which was all feed wheat, had been sown by 1 April 2024.

Looking at the 2023/24 campaign, the weather was generally dry, although some regions experienced above average rainfall events which resulted in redrilling some autumn and spring sown crops, with those later spring crops producing lower yields.

Despite the dry conditions, many crops yielded better than expected and harvest conditions were excellent across many regions. The exception was parts of Southland where frequent rainfall resulted in a prolonged harvest, while several hail events damaged crops near the foothills in Mid Canterbury.

Growers sowing in autumn and winter have reported good conditions, although there have been delays due to the dry conditions in South Canter-

bury and wet conditions in parts of Southland. Read the full report at www.far.org.nz/resources/ aimi-cereals-survey-to1-april-2024

MARK DANIEL

Despite the dry conditions, many crops yielded better than expected and harvest conditions were excellent across many regions.

30

NATIONAL FIELDAYS

Rugby star turns brand ambassador

ANIMAL HEALTH company Virbac is teaming up with rugby star and farmer Scott Barrett.

The lock will be a brand ambassador for Virbac’s trace element Multimin.

Virbac says Barrett, although better known for his time spent within the painted lines of a 100 metre paddock, has the rural upbringing and farming background to make him the ideal brand ambassador.

Known for his 60+ test caps and leading role in his team’s domestic championship wins over the years, farming is in Barrett’s blood, hailing from a strong farming pedigree on the windy southern coast of Taranaki. As secondgeneration dairy farmers in the region, the Barrett family farm was converted into a dairy

operation around 17 years ago. As well as occasionally pitching in on the farm when visiting home, Scott now has his own share in a 180ha dairy operation on the Taranaki coast.

As a leading professional athlete and farming enthusiast, Barrett says he’s dedicated to ensuring the highest performance from his team –both under the lights on the 100-metre field and

his team of 420 cows on the fields of Taranaki.

Virbac is delighted and honoured that Scott has agreed to align himself with the Multimin brand, says Multimin product manager Katie Turner.

“Like Multimin, the

formidable forward personifies the brand’s ‘performance ready’ positioning. With a leading mentality, Scott is a wellrespected and top performing New Zealander, proven to deliver results when representing his

country at the highest of levels,” says Turner.

Multimin is a multimineral trace element injection for cattle, sheep and deer, trusted by vets and proven by local and international research, and the company says for

close to 20 years it has been improving the performance of livestock across the country.

Containing a patented formulation of zinc, selenium, manganese and copper (as well as a formulation without copper,

Multimin Copper Free), Virbac says it has been proven to enhance immunity and improve reproductive performance.

Barrett says growing up on a dairy farm, he always had an interest in the land and working with animals.

“This passion drew me to Lincoln University where I gained a Bachelor of Agriculture before my rugby career took off. I am excited to be partnering with Multimin, a brand who like me, is striving for high performance” says Barrett.

“We are very excited to have the opportunity to connect New Zealand vets and farmers alike with one of our nations sporting icons,” says Turner. In his role as brand ambassador Barrett will feature in a national media campaign and promotional events.

Rugby star and Taranaki dairy farmer Scott Barrett is now a brand ambassador for Multimin.

Founder’s legacy of durable, time-saving products lives on

WHEN WILFRED Giltrap founded Giltrap Engineering in 1959, he laid the building blocks for a business that represents clever, durable and time-saving products with a loyal following in New Zealand and beyond.

The company says developing solutions that are constructed with attention to detail, a key principle of the business is listening to end users, to understand what works, what needs improvement and, also thinking about whether there is different way of doing things more efficiently.

In the case of farm trailers, Giltrap trailers range from 5 to 20 tonnes in a conventional format or 17 to 25 tonnes in their construction series. Following a common theme throughout, conventional units have a low deck

height, a steep tipping angle to quickly discharge loads and a single ram to help resist body twisting, with 35mm, treated tongue and groove flooring for durability and an extended working life.

Following the policy

of continual development and evolution, Fieldays at Mystery Creek will be the showcase for the release of the new Giltrap GT Series trailers.

Offered in 6, 8 and 10 tonne capacities, a larger deck size offers up to 15%

more capacity than the previous models, newly designed side boards offer a slam shut and self-

locking with new heavyduty latches.

At the rear of the trailer, a new free standing tailgate system allows the sides to be removed separately, with the option of a side hinging tailgate as a bolt-on unit that can also be retro-fitted later without modification.

Additionally, a hydraulically released tailgate can be fitted as an option when new, or retro fitted as required. Up front, once again the headboard can be easily removed to deal with longer loads.

Ease of operation is ensured with a 54-degree tipping angle, achieved with 4-stage rams on the 6 and 8 tonne models, along with a 5-stage set-up on the 10 tonners.

Once again locally produced Giltrap trailers have raised the bar to levels that some imports fail to achieve, delivering over-engineered and tried and tested designs, meeting local conditions and supported at the end of the phone, building on the legacy that Wilfred set in stone over 65 years ago.

MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz

The Fieldays at Mystery Creek will be the showcase for the release of the new Giltrap GT Series trailers.

Major upgrade for tractor series

GERMAN COMPANY

Deutz-Fahr has broadened its 6-cylinder product offering, adopting many features from large frame 7 and 8 series siblings.

Showcased on the Power Farming site, the new 6170, 6190 and 6230 models are set to deliver the biggest swath of updates since its market release back in 2013. The trio are all available with the proven 5 range, 6 stage semi powershift transmission from ZF, or in the case of the two larger models, are also available with SDF’s new in-house, compound TTV Transmission, that already features in the larger 7 and 8 Series.

Power is provided by a Deutz AG 6.1 litre 6-cylinder engine, homologated

as a tier 3a variant for the Australasian market, removing the need to use AdBlue or DPF aftertreatment systems, while delivering a long, flat torque curve that results in lower engine speeds with ample power for transport applications. Fuel capacity has increased to 405 litres for all models, ensuring a full day’s work without the need for refuelling.

As the engine is designed to run hotter and cleaner to meet emission standards, a cooling package revision features larger dimensions, but still retains a cantilever style radiator stack that swings out for easy cleaning and maintenance. In addition, an optional air outlet plumbed to the tractor’s pneumatic system can be used for blowing out dust and debris whilst

in the field. This is further complemented by an electro-viscous fan to optimise airflow and cooling capacity of the powertrain.

Taking a closer look at the transmission options, the semi-powershift ver-

sion features an electronically controlled, 5 range, 6 stage powershift with good overlap between ranges and a wide range of speeds in the 5-17km/h key working range.

The configuration removes the need to

work between ranges, offering a range with 6 steps of uninterrupted power in each range. This is particularly important when working on hill country or under heavy load where a range change will result in lack of momentum. In addition, auto-shift modes, either within ranges or through the entire transmission range, mean transport operations can be performed with ease.

The new com-

To Give A ‘Better Use Of Water’

We connect your water meter data with climate, soil moisture to give a real basis to irrigate or use water with:

• The right amount

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Clients use us because

• Good Value... cost effective data

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pound TTV transmission, first showcased in the 8280TTV, consists of two high pressure hydrostatic units and a stepped planetary gearbox that provides seamless and consistent power delivery. The two drive ratios are shifted automatically and seamlessly without operator input, while the design of the transmission ensures minimum power loss through the driveline. The cabin interior has been upgraded with an improved airconditioning system for better air circulation with new fans and intake vanes and higher airflows to enhance operator comfort. The iMonitor is also updated with new operating software, bringing with it ease of use and Improvements to ISOBUS integration and logging of job data logging.

• Uncomplicated presentation giving simple farm management decisions

• Nationwide service and backup

• We are well established being the leading provider of water measuring systems

• Equipment is reliable land well proven to perform

• We support you in your audit and environmental reporting

MARK DANIEL

Deutz-Fahr’s the new 6170, 6190 and 6230 models are set to deliver the biggest swath of updates since its market release back in 2013.

Latest technologies from EU tractor manufacturers

be designed accordingly,” says Walker.

LANDPOWER IS heading to Mystery Creek to showcase the latest Claas Harvest Centre European technologies from manufacturers, including Claas, JCB, and Amazone.

Manufacturing more than 60 tractors across twelve series, the Claas ARION 410 and 430 models are suitable for a wide range of applications in a compact form, without being weighed down by unnecessary features. “A long wheelbase and even weight distribution ensure a high degree of tractive power, stability and comfort,” says product manager for tractors, Kevin Walker.

“It’s compact and manoeuvrable which is perfect for tight spaces, thanks to a reduced overall height, without limiting space and comfort in the cab.”

The mid-range Arion 620C is a fuelefficient tractor that comes with all the essentials, retaining the familiar Claas comfort concept with 4-point cab suspension and the option of the factory-fitted Flex Pilot joystick controls integrated into the tractor. “Entering and leaving the cab frequently while working in the yard and

The Axion 960 Terra Trac version is the first half-track tractor with full suspension and features a 6-cylinder 8.7litre FPT engine, while offering up to eight spool valves and 220 l/min hydraulic capacity. “Terra Trac provides low ground pressure to preserve your soil and its oscillating motion keeps the track parallel to the ground whatever the working conditions or weight distribution, retaining the driving characteristics of a wheeled tractor,” says Walker.

Also on display, the Jaguar 970 Forage Harvester makes use of a new MAN S6 engine with 790hp, continuously variable front attachment drive, hydraulic precompression, enhanced crop flow systems, reinforced feeder housing, AUTO FILL automatic rear overloading and side loading, dynamic steering, and reconfigured running gear.

A variety of options include Cemos Auto Performance and Cemos Auto Crop Protection, combining to maintain the engine speed set by the operator and adjusts the engine output and ground speed in accordance with the volume of crop harvested. This is claimed to reduce fuel consumption by up to 12.4% and increase the area output of the harvester

MARK DANIEL

Landpower will be showcasing the latest Claas Harvest Centre European technologies from manufacturers, including Claas, JCB, and Amazone.

full support and parts backup.

“We listen to the different markets and our team is passionate about the equipment ranges we

support, and work closely with producers, ultimately with a focus on producing food as productively and cost-efficiently as possible,” says general manager Sam Abbott, who hails from

Canterbury. Abbott says Waringa Distribution, part of a diversified farming group, had been looking to further grow and expand into New Zealand, but this had been ham-

pered by global supply chain conditions in recent years. However, it recently appointed Chris Tricker to lead its operations in New Zealand and has established freight, assembly, warehousing and parts distribution locations in both the North and South islands. Tricker has extensive experience in machinery sales, farm contracting and farming in the UK and, since 2007, here in New Zealand. More recently he relocated to Marlborough and has been involved in sales and operations management, consulting and contracting.

Waringa Distribution is the exclusive distributor for Agri-Spread fertiliser and muck spreaders, Gregoire Besson tillage and soil structuring equipment, Highline rock handling and hay bale processing equipment, and Broughan Engineering trailers in New Zealand.

It anticipates growth in the grain growing sector, driven by its Geringhoff header fronts and Elmer’s chaser bins that also form part of its lineup.

Exhibiting for the first time at Fieldays, Tricker says the durable AgriSpread spreaders were well known for high specification and advanced precision that would increasingly be required to limit any environmental impact from applications.

He went on to note that the Gregoire Besson range would be a particular target for contractors to manage and incorporate trash as part of growing maize and under-sown forage crops on dairy properties, with the manufacturer’s semimounted plough, disc harrow and one-pass finisher machines are expected to be especially popular for these operations.

Visit waringa.co.nz.

Waringa Distribution head of NZ operations, Chris Tricker (left) and general manager Sam Abbott.

AgriSpread Hydraulic Drive Precision Isobus Fertiliser and Lime Spreader, distributed by Waringa.

ALREADY WELL known for its silage wagons, tip trailers and an extensive range of bale feeders, McIntosh Farm

Machinery has expanded its product offering with their first dual purpose machine, the Combi Pro.

Offering the ability to feed clamped silages, fodder beet and both round and square bales, the Combi Pro will be offered in four models with 14.3, 16.9, 17.8 and 20.9 cubic metre capacities. Developed using a modular construction technique, the capacities are achieved by using a 2100 or 2480mm wide and a standard or 1200mm longer body.

As is the case with all the Mcintosh products, strength is always a key consideration, with Brett McIntosh commenting, “We build with a mindset of strength and reliability – then we wonder what it weighs”.

That build quality features a 5mm thick medium tensile steel floor and a rear door pulled forwards on 13mm floors chains, rather than

a single hydraulic ram seen in some competing designs.

“This means there is less of a step down onto the cross conveyor, which can result in blockages,” says Brett. “But more importantly, it means that the door stays aligned within the body as it is pulled from either side, rather than a centrallymounted ram that can result in major distortion of the door’s extremities.”

The layout also means that the floor area is smooth with no risk of

product leakage or jamming from stones.

Product is brought forward onto a 1500mm wide cross conveyor, featuring 3-inch, 12,000lb rated, zinc-plated roller chains. In turn, material is passed to the vertical discharge conveyor, that is set under the cross conveyor. At the discharge point, a cleverly engineered, angled extension, ensures material is ‘thrown’ away from the side of the wagon, to deliver into troughs or onto feed pads, with the added benefit of being

able to deliver material over fence boundaries or hot wires.

In the vertical position the extension is no wider than the main arm, folding in tight for transport, but when the main conveyor arm is lowered to the 45 degrees position, the extension arm is 600mm wider, enabling product to be placed over a fence line. Anything shorter will see product dropped on the fence.

“While some other brands have fixed curved conveyor ends to try and get over fences, the design makes the machines over 3.1m wide, making road travel dangerous when vehicles come from the other direction. Our design sees the conveyor extension fold vertically for travelling on the farm and road work.”

adjusted to suit individual circumstances.

The elevator travels from the vertical park position to 18 degrees from the ground, so offering an arc of travel of 72 degrees, much greater than the more typical 45 degrees of movement.

Brett comments,

This extension arm can be particularly useful in wet conditions because the rig does not have to travel over ground that might already be pugged by stock and of course, removes the need to get the tractor and feeder through gateways and the encircling mob. In addition, a mechanically adjusted linkage controls the angle of the conveyor tip, allowing it to be

With maintenance in mind, the discharge conveyor is supported by twin hydraulic cylinders, delivering smooth operation, while also resisting any twisting forcers, while also incorporating a self-tensioning mechanism for the roller chains for constant tension. Additionally, bronze bushes are used in the floor shaft, while greasing is taken care of from the side of the machine for all key areas, including the tandem axle assemblies. A four-cell weighing system is complemented by an easily viewed display panel, while a redesign of the drawbar area has resulted in cleaner lines, making tight turns, particularly on feed pads, much easier.

Bolt-on side panels offer increased rigidity and durability, while also making replacement of any badly damaged panels much easier. Standard equipment includes LED lighting, flashing rear lights, hazard marker panels and a rubbish bin for plastics, netting or string removed from bales.

The conveyor extension folds vertically for easier travelling on the farm and road.

McIntosh Combi Pro makes feeding over the fence easy.

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