Farmers Weekly NZ September 10 2018

Ballance in surplus Vol 17 No 36, September 10, 2018

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7 Support for M bovis farmers Vol 17 No 36, September 10, 2018

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ABOUR hungry farmers and primary industry employers face stiff competition for school leavers with regional unemployment below 5%, secondary school teachers are warning.

Mid Canterbury’s unemployment rate is 2%, creating a competitive job market with school leavers having multiple offers and attractive wages and employment conditions, Ashburton College principal Ross Preece said.

So the days of farmers offering youth rates or minimum wages and expecting them to work 50hour weeks are gone.

“Why would a young up-andcoming 17 or 18-year-old choose that industry when they have options for another job with better pay and conditions?”

Young people also look at the level of support an employer offers.

Preece said a local farmer employing a former college pupil who speaks English as a second language is helping with English lessons and driving lessons, an example of the support young people look for.

Many school leavers who live on the farm where they work still want the security of being part of a family and eating home-cooked meals rather than fending for themselves, possibly for the first time.

“It’s about making a young person feel welcome, part of a

team. If you don’t, there is another employer out there who will,” Preece said.

Alice Jeffries, a student studying agriculture at St Peter’s, Cambridge, wants to one day own and run a farm and she wants a farm job where she can get those skills and knowledge.

“I expect a farm employer to be able to provide me with a stable and permanent job. Also, a farm employer that teaches me and furthers my knowledge of running and managing a farm business.

“Also, someone who is invested in my growth and development as a farmer and person in the agriculture sector.”

She is considering attending university to study agricultural commerce or science before a career in the farm service sector then a return to farm work and hopefully ownership.

Feilding High School agriculture teacher John Beech said many young people are equally as passionate as farmers about the industry and the lifestyle.

“It is their passion, their interest and they want to demonstrate their skills.”

But that does not mean they don’t want to be looked after and valued by their employer.

Ashburton College agriculture head Steve Millichamp said while the college has support from Ashburton Grain and Seed Merchant’s Association through scholarships and work experience, more teaching resources would help.

The primary sector is up against some well organised competition for the interest of school leavers.

Once a year Ashburton automotive companies pool

KEEN: Feilding High School teacher John Beech, left, and farm manager Martin Orange, with students, from left, Mollie Wray, Brayden Kauri and Daniel Howe.

Photo: Aaron Davies

It’s about making a young person feel welcome, part of a team.

Ross Preece Ashburton College together to open their doors and show the career they can offer school leavers.

Millichamp said his son

experienced a contrast in employment conditions.

During his pre-Lincoln University practical year he worked on a dairy farm and left absolutely shattered by the long hours and restricted lifestyle.

On graduating he worked on a large Southland sheep and beef station where he was provided with cooked meals and a work schedule that allowed him a social life and the chance to play sport.

Millichamp said farmers are trying to provide a working environment suited to school leavers.

An Ashburton dairy farm milking once a day as the herd dried off offered to host students for work experience.

Two pupils a day for 12 days took up the offer with the farmer arranging transport to and from his farm.

Millichamp said school leavers need time off to catch up with friends and play sport.

“It’s got to be sustainable.”

Parents also needed to view farming qualifications as trade standard, comparable to building, plumbing or electrical apprenticeships.

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NEWS

WEATHER OVERVIEW

7 MPI funds farmer welfare support Mid Canterbury farmers affected by Mycoplasma bovis have a new support line through a dedicated welfare team.

Fonterra starts financial recovery ���������������������������������� 4 UK farmers resigned to post-Brexit change ��������������� 14

Newsmaker ������������������������������������������������������28 New Thinking ��������������������������������������������������29

An area of low pressure will track over the upper North Island to kick off this week but the precise tracking of the narrow but heavy rain is harder to lock in. Roughly, the upper half of the North Island should monitor the low but, hopefully, it won’t cause many issues. There is a chance rain could return to Hawke’s Bay on Tuesday but it might also remain further north. It’s one to watch.

Meanwhile, more high pressure continues over the South Island, bringing settled weather. A slight lift in temperatures should reduce the risk of heavy frosts with many frosts disappearing this week. It is generally a dry week with a little patchy rain this weekend. Westerlies are likely to return to New Zealand next week.

Pasture Growth Index Above normal Near normal Below normal

7-DAY TRENDS

Rain Many regions are heading into a fairly dry week but the low tracking over northern NZ might produce some rain on Monday and Tuesday in the northern half of the North Island.

Some rain or showers this weekend in both islands.

Opinion ������������������������������������������������������������30 World �����������������������������������������������������������36-67

ON FARM STORY

NZX PASTURE GROWTH INDEX – Next 15 days

Temperature With lighter winds and clearer skies in many regions the nights will be cool but the days mild. Coolest nights in the South Island but frosts might fade out or be restricted to more alpine areas. Milder by late week/weekend.

Wind Much lighter winds this week in the North Island but there might be a period of east to southeast winds early in the week. A slight west to southwest wind for the South Island on Thursday. Westerly winds are likely next week.

For further information on the NZX PGI visit www.agrihq.co.nz/pgi

Highlights/ Extremes Keep an eye on the low tracking over the upper half of the North Island on Monday and Tuesday. There might a small but intense area of heavy rain that tracks by – it’s one to watch.

14-DAY OUTLOOK

By the middle of September the eastern side of the North Island will get more cool, southerly winds. That will limit pasture growth but the drier weather elsewhere coupled with more sunshine will be a positive. In September each week gains an extra 20 minutes of sunlight so that’s critical to boosting pasture growth. It’s been frosty in the South Island lately but frosts look less likely or will be lighter this week, with milder nights coming for a time.

SOIL MOISTURE INDEX – 07/09/2018

34 Feeding and breeding vital A desire not to be anchored to machinery led Mike and Vicki Cottrell to try something new. They headed for the hills and have spent a quarter-century running sheep and cattle on medium to steep back country near Taihape.

REGULARS Real Estate �������������������������������������������������39-44 Employment ����������������������������������������������������45 Classifieds ��������������������������������������������������45-46 Livestock ����������������������������������������������������46-51 Markets �������������������������������������������������������52-56 GlobalHQ is a farming family owned business that donates 1% of advertising revenue to the Rural Support Trust. Thanks to our Farmers Weekly and Dairy Farmer advertisers this week: $1222. Need help now?

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Source: WeatherWatch.co.nz

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Connecting with your mates is a massive part of keeping well, whether you’re farming or playing rugby. Sharing the ups and downs of life helps you keep things in perspective and recharge your batteries. So whether it’s hunting, fishing or just playing some sport, make sure you catch up with your mates regularly.

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News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – September 10, 2018

3

U-turn gives dam green light THE controversial Waimea dam has the green light to proceed after Tasman District Council reversed a vote made only 10 days ago, pushing the dam over the line by 9-5.

The vote on August 28 was 8-6 against the project.

But the decision has one of the earlier dissenting councillors, who now supports the project, putting the project on notice.

Dana Wensley is demanding greater transparency and accuracy than she maintains it has had in the past.

The Richmond councillor said her initial vote against the project was prompted more by concerns over the processes behind it than the dam project itself.

“For me it came down to trusting the advisers we have got.

“This is a project that has been shrouded in secrecy and bullying and was going to be derailed.

“But when I dug down into it, it has come down to it being a vote for the region’s water security.”

Controversy has dogged the project in recent years with community concerns strong about the continual rise in the project’s cost.

The latest estimates in July put the dam’s cost near $100 million after a whopping $26m was added in July.

Wensley said it is now up to the council to step up and try to restore community trust in the project and the council itself.

Any other unwanted surprises about the project not only jeopardise the dam but her standing as a councillor who voted for it.

“We went out to consultation too early on this project, leading to an undercooked dam costing and an overcooked plan B. If the facts are wrong from here on I will be seeking heads to roll.”

There have also been some shifts in the funding structure of the dam that helped gain greater council support.

The revised funding includes

$10m from an unnamed investor.

The earlier cost blowout of $23m has been sheeted home to irrigators, with them contributing to 75% of the servicing costs for the increase. A small increase in water charges for urban water users will also be incurred.

And the interest-free term for a $10m Crown Irrigation Investment loan has been pushed out from 10 to 20 years.

We need to invest in water storage to allow for the increased horticultural production which the Government wants to see in the future.

Andrew Curtis Irrigation NZ The decision was welcomed by Irrigation NZ, with it being hailed as a cost effective way to provide regional water security for urban, business and rural water users.

Chief executive Andrew Curtis said the Productivity

Commission report released last week highlighted the need to shift to horticultural production in transition to a lower-carbon economy.

“We need to invest in water storage to allow for the increased horticultural production which the Government wants to see in the future,” he said.

But dam opponent Brian Halstead of Waimea Irrigators and Water Users group said the project still has some significant hoops to jump through before it can become a reality.

“The environmental challenges of this project have not been fully accounted for, including nutrient losses arising from more intensive land use through irrigation.

“The ability of this project to also be capable of recharging waterways to any significant level also remains up for debate – it has not been 100% confirmed it will recharge these aquifers.”

The dam is to have almost a third of its capacity retained for helping maintain stream flows in the region.

“I think those two points will be big ones that us and other groups are likely to challenge the dam project on in the Environment Court. It is still a long way to go on this yet.”

WARNING: Tasman councillor Dana Wensley is backing the Waimea dam but has put its backers on notice she wants no more secrecy or surprises.

SAFETY NET: The Waimea dam is a cost-effective way to provide water supply security for urban, business and rural users, Irrigation New Zealand chief executive Andrew Curtis says.

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FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – September 10, 2018

Fonterra starts financial recovery Hugh Stringleman hugh.stringleman@globalhq.co.nz FONTERRA will make its first guidance on earnings and dividends for the 2019 financial year when it wraps up the downbeat 2018 financial year on Thursday.

Farmers and investors will be expecting at least 45c a share, or about $700 million net earnings in the new financial year, compared with 25-30c in the year ended July 31.

Chairman John Monaghan and interim chief executive officer Miles Hurrell disclosed bad news in early August of a considerable dividend downgrade ahead of the official results.

The interim dividend of 10c will likely be the only one to be paid, severely short-changing the yield for investors in the Fonterra Shareholders Fund and providing an inadequate return on supply share capital for farmers.

The early August news included a milk price trim of 5c/kg to $6.70 followed by a late-August

downwards revision of 25c to $6.75 in this season’s forecast.

Both farmgate milk price numbers are good for farmers but they hold down Fonterra’s ability to make good margins and profits on added-value products, which now account for more than 40% of milksolids processing.

The FSF share price has fallen from $6.50 to $5, a capital loss of more than $200,000 for the average-sized dairy farm.

Having cleared the decks Monaghan and Hurrell will be keen to find some positive indicators ahead.

In that category Hurrell last week released news of a small first-half profit made by Fonterra’s major investment vehicle in

China, Beingmate Baby and Child.

It posted a net profit of NZ$1.9m, nearly $84m better than the same period last year.

In March Fonterra took a $405m write-down in the value of its Beingmate stake, plus a $28m share of 2017 operating losses.

It was the second year of major losses for Beingmate after Fonterra spent $700m buying 18.8% of the Chinese infant formula producer and dairy goods distributor.

Along with the $160m payment to Danone following arbitration on the damages from the 2013 botulism scare recall, Fonterra booked a $348m loss in 2018 first half trading.

Second-half earnings appear to have been positive, judging by the earnings guidance maintained of 25-30c a share for the full year.

But in August it said high ingredients costs mean margins on consumer and food service products are down and competition made it difficult to lift wholesale prices.

Forsyth Barr equities analyst

GOOD NEWS: Fonterra chairman John Monaghan and chief executive Miles Hurrell will be keen to find some positive indicators in the co-op’s financial results.

Chelsea Leadbetter predicted about $400m net profit, followed by a substantial improvement to $650m in FY2019.

Since the beginning of this year the FSF share price has fallen from $6.50 to $5, a capital loss of more than $200,000 for the averagesized dairy farm.

On taking office Hurrell said Fonterra has to ensure its results deliver on promises to stakeholders.

The 2018 results and related announcements will be the beginning of a long road back to Fonterra profitability and reliability.

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FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – September 10, 2018

5

Make jobs attractive to youth Neal Wallace neal.wallace@globalhq.co.nz FARMERS need to change their approach to employment conditions to encourage more people to work for them, Federated Farmers employment spokesman Chris Lewis says.

Low regional unemployment is making staff recruitment more challenging but there are already fewer people choosing agricultural careers.

To be competitive farmers need to consider more than just pay but also rosters, hours of work, housing, the workplace environment, pressure of the job and ensure they meet their legal payroll and time-recording obligations.

“We’ve just got to move with the modern times.”

Employees also consider other factors such as distance to town, the quality of the local school, internet access and jobs for spouses.

“As frustrating as it is for an employer, you can’t argue with that.”

So far 45 people have signed up for dairy apprenticeships run by the federation and Primary ITO with numbers expected to increase in the coming weeks.

Migrants have filled a void with about 2000 working on farms but there is no certainty access to them will continue, Lewis said.

St Peters, Cambridge, principal Dale Burden said young people want to be actively involved and engaged when working.

But they don’t want the same job forever. They want it to be flexible and provide intrinsic benefits over and above their salary.

To attract urban employees the sector needs to promote the fact it offers more careers than starting the day at 4am to milk cows.

He wants to see the industry provide greater resources to

schools. It will benefit because schools have a captive audience.

Just as parents question the suitability of schools when footage of school yard fights airs on social media, young people question farming as a career when footage emerges of animal abuse or environmental degradation.

If we are not campaigning to attract those students we are not going to fill these shortages.

Leeann Morgan Young Farmers Several teachers noted some pupils have preconceived views, such as fertiliser being harmful to the environment and that farm ownership might not be achievable.

Just as social media can reveal information about prospective employees it is also used to spread employees’ views of employers.

More than a third of New Zealand’s secondary school students live in Auckland, which makes it a logical focus for promotion of primary sector careers.

Young Farmers has been running a series of nationwide projects promoting the sector from career expos to arranging speakers to talk to classes and farm visits.

But its school engagement manager Leeann Morgan said given the population of Auckland and demand for workers it makes sense for the city to be a key focus.

“If we are not campaigning to attract those students we are not going to fill these shortages.”

Results of the nationwide

DO BETTER: Farmers have to offer more than good pay and meet their employment obligations, Federated Farmers spokesman Chris Lewis says.

programme could still be some way off given projects are targeting children as young as years seven and eight.

Promoting primary industry careers is part of the Red Meat Profit Partnership programme and involves 209 urban and rural schools.

Morgan said the project has been running a year and involves more than just promoting on-farm jobs as there are labour shortages and opportunities throughout the supply chain.

Companies partnering the project provide speakers from a variety of industries to talk to students and included two tertiary-qualified, West Auckland Young Farmers members and

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address were astounded to learn Fonterra owns the Tip Top brand and the associated link to farming and the various career opportunities.

Another avenue is to encourage more urban pupils to compete in the TeenAg competition.

Organisers have been teaming rural and urban pupils together to compete and recently a team of a South Auckland girl and a student from Northland won an event.

The South Auckland girl has gone on to study law and agribusiness at Waikato University.

With funding for the Red Meat Profit Partnership to end in 2020 Morgan hopes the industry will see value and continue to fund it.

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contestants in the Young Farmer of the Year contest.

The programme also allows pupils from schools in six cities to visit and experience farms, orchards and vineyards.

There has been plenty of interest from Auckland schools and visits to sheep and beef farms are linked to curriculum work on genetics and other topics, Morgan said.

While on a farm the pupils have been hands-on including drenching and drafting sheep.

A further theme has been to talk about the sector in terms of food production then breaking it down into its various segments and job components.

Morgan said students in one

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News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – September 10, 2018

7

MPI funds farmer welfare support Annette Scott annettescott@globalhq.co.nz MID Canterbury farmers affected

by Mycoplasma bovis have a new support line through a dedicated welfare team.

With Ashburton District having one of the highest incidence rates of M bovis restricted properties, the Ministry for Primary Industries under its official response programme has come up with funding to enable the welfare support.

The funding comes through the new arm of the Mid Canterbury Rural Support Trust and under its umbrella local woman Angela Cushnie has been employed as welfare coordinator.

Cushnie’s appointment is part time and she has a team of three trained facilitators working alongside her.

All four are paid employees and less than four weeks into the role Cushnie said the support is being well received.

“There is huge support from the trust and we are aware that poor communications have been a challenge for farmers and a key part of what we are here for is to communicate with farmers – to let them know they are not alone on their journey and there is welfare support available.

“I am the first person farmers will make contact with and it’s my role to assess the need of the farmer and their wider farming business.

“Once a farm is put under a Notice of Direction then we reach out to them, making contact following notification from MPI. “We’re touching base with the farmer and it may well be that they have a strong support network around them but it’s about them knowing we are here.

“Others with not such strong support around them are the ones we work quite closely with.”

Since the welfare team set up

in mid-August it has touched base with 60 farms.

“In many cases farmers are finding the process particularly stressful through their inability to run their farm as they otherwise would. Then stress and anxiety take over.

“We can offer options and give guidance and MPI is providing us with the tools and lots of pathways to get successful outcomes.”

Cushnie said a key part of the welfare team’s work is about building relationships.

MPI is providing us with the tools and lots of pathways to get successful outcomes.

Angela Cushnie Rural Support “Farmers need to know they can trust us and once that trust is established they open up.”

It’s not just farmers under restricted notice who might need welfare support.

From farmers battling for compensation, struggling with cashflow, the culling of animals and repopulating farms to farmers who fear they might be next, the welfare support is available to everyone.

“Everyone just needs to know that we are here and we can help.

We’ve got a wide variety of skills and information to share.”

Community support has been amazing and the response from people who have made contact has been overwhelmingly positive.

“The trust here has established systems in place and has clearly got the respect of the community.

Thirteen months into the M

bovis response a lot has been learned about the disease as MPI slowly unravels its complexities.

“There are a lot of positives happening and answers are more readily available now than they were earlier on,” Cushnie said.

She grew up in rural Mid Canterbury and over the past 20 years has worked with local businesses and organisations in marketing and communication.

Mid Canterbury Federated Farmers dairy chairman Chris Ford said Cushnie is the right person for the job.

“It’s a matter of farmers having the confidence to pick up the phone and give her a call.”

Ford applauded MPI for its support.

“It’s wonderful that MPI has recognised that these organisations do need support and come up with funding – long may it last.”

Ashburton IP farmer Frank Peters said he and his family are hugely grateful for the support they have received from the local community.

“And we can’t speak more highly of the RST. “Only someone who has gone through this knows what it feels like and we are happy to talk to them.”

Peters is one of a small group of farmers now meeting MPI officials in Wellington to help untangle the complexities and inconsistencies of the response.

He is keen for farmers to keep him abreast of their issues so he can take feedback to the table. The next meeting is on September 21.

“Hopefully by ironing out the problems, the next day a disease comes along the farmer can avoid the sheer hell and we can make the process much more user-friendly,” Peters said.

NEED HELP:

Call Angela Cushnie, 0800 787 254.

DIRECTOR: As the first point of contact for the new welfare team Angela Cushnie’s role is to co-ordinate the welfare response facilitators and get them to where they need to be.

Photo: Annette Scott

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FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – September 10, 2018

Disease poses no risk in north Hugh Stringleman hugh.stringleman@globalhq.co.nz NORTHLAND cattle farmers were reassured Mycoplasma bovis poses no risk to a well-run farm, Federated Farmers provincial president John Blackwell says.

AT EASE: Farmers took comfort from what they heard at a Dargaville Mycoplasma bovis meeting and know there is much less to worry about new, Kaipara Mayor and cattle farmer Dr Jason Smith says.

To me that says we have to be vigilant and have good farm biosecurity.

John Blackwood Federated Farmers Ministry for Primary Industries officials briefed about 120 farmers in Dargaville last week following the province’s first confirmed disease find.

Blackwell said MPI said M bovis has not moved across farm boundaries, the confirmed means of transmission being cattle movements, suckling or animalto-animal contacts.

“To me that says we have to be vigilant and have good farm biosecurity.

“Most North Island cases have been traced back to movements of Friesian bulls.”

Kaipara District Mayor and Hereford breeder Jason Smith, who moderated the meeting, said MPI provided reassurance about new testing methods, the large numbers of staff involved and the degree of containment already achieved in the eradication effort.

“The shadow of the risk (of spread) has got smaller since we first heard from MPI here

in Northland back in June.”

Dargaville veterinarian Brian Lowe said the infected farm was east of the town in Kaipara District and the outbreak was traced back to 50 Friesian bulls bought from Waikato but born in Canterbury.

The farm had been quarantined, those animals would be culled and there could be no off-farm transfer of the disease.

“Farmers took comfort from what they heard and there is much less to be concerned about now,” Smith’s said.

MPI had maintained its stance against disclosing where the farm was and who was affected, which became less of an issue to people who attended as the meeting went on.

Blackwell said the onus is on

farmers to discharge their Nait obligations and not take risks such as buying cattle from outside Northland or taking penicillin milk from a dairy farm to a beef farm to feed calves.

“Although its has been a shock to get one infected property in the north it is good we have a low number of properties under assessment or notice of direction.”

It’s still business as usual at southern feedlot Annette Scott annettescott@globalhq.co.nz IT’S business as usual for farmers supplying cattle to Anzco’s Five Star feedlot, where 44 cattle tested positive for Mycoplasma bovis.

All activity is proceeding under the direction of the Ministry for Primary Industries

M bovis response, Anzco livestock and agribusiness general manager Grant Bunting said.

Cattle are still going onto the feedlot and compost is still going out.

“We are operating under MPI restriction so everything we do has to be done with a permit but we can still take in

cattle and so no farmers under contract are impacted at this stage.

“Maize growers who take our compost can still do that as anything going to an arable operation has no limitation so long as it’s not grazing animals.

“But again, it’s all being done under permit as we are being

treated no different to any other farm.”

No decision has yet been made on a depopulation process or the ongoing cleaning and disinfectant of the feedlot.

“We did have sheep grazing here but, while they posed no risk, a permit was approved to remove them.”

Ascertaining just what

level of transmission the now quarantined 44 cattle might have had with the 14,000 other cattle in the feedlot is ongoing.

“Of course, potentially, they are a risk having been in close proximity with other pens of cattle.”

The feedlot cattle are slaughtered at Anzco’s Canterbury plant, 10km away.

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News

10 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – September 10, 2018

Milk price faces downward risk THE sixth price index fall of the past seven Global Dairy Trade auctions has prompted analysts to warn dairy farmers Fonterra’s recently trimmed $6.75/kg milksolids forecast might not be sustainable.

The price index lost 0.7% and now sits at its lowest level in almost two years.

Average price movements for different dairy commodities included a 2.8% fall in butter, a 2.2% drop in whole milk powder, a 2.2% rise in skim milk powder and a 4.2% rise in cheddar.

The 13% decline in the market over the past three months has been attributed to a variety of supply and demand factors, chief among them the seasonal buildup to peak milk production in New Zealand.

Buyers seem to assume NZ output will rebound this spring after two poor years.

“An expectation of softer dairy prices over the second half of 2018 has underpinned our $6.50 milk price forecast for some time,” Westpac senior economist Anne Boniface said.

“We continue to view even Fonterra’s revised $6.75 forecast as too optimistic and it appears wary of the prospect of further downgrades, advising farmers to

budget with caution.

“Similarly, the NZX milk price futures have also been falling and are now predicting a $6.47 milk price, down from $6.90 at the start of the season.”

Boniface said the bank’s forecast incorporates WMP prices at US$2800/tonne and some further weakness in fat prices.

We continue to view even Fonterra’s revised $6.75 forecast as too optimistic.

Anne Boniface Westpac Historically, 12% of NZ’s annual milk production comes in September and by the end of the month the year will be 20% fulfilled.

Collections in June and July ran 8% higher than last season.

In the four months from September to December NZ will produce half of its annual 1.85 billion kilos of milksolids, 95% of which will be exported in processed products.

“Anecdotally, farmers in many regions are happy with current pasture conditions in contrast to the soggy conditions of this time last year,” Boniface said.

Fears of an El Nino climate effect during summer, with above-normal temperatures, dry conditions in the east and wet in the west, are uppermost in farmers’ minds.

The usual remedy for lower pasture availability, imported palm kernel, is now less attractive because of Fonterra’s financial penalties.

ASB senior rural economist Nathan Penny called the latest GDT price declines a seasonal drift downwards that fits the price weakness normally seen at this time of the year.

Global supply and demand seem largely balanced and NZ production is going to lift moderately, about 2% year-onyear.

Penny thought dairy product availability from other producing countries is being affected by dry weather and demand factors are mixed but overall relatively positive.

Milk production in June for both the European Union countries and the United States was up 1% compared with June 2017 while

NORMAL: Dairy prices usually drift down at this time of year, ASB rural economist Nathan Penny says.

the 12-month running total is plus 3% in the EU and plus 1% in the US. Exports from both regions have increased significantly over the

past 12 months, up 330,000 tonnes or 7% from the EU and 190,000 tonnes or 9% from the US. NZ exports about 3m tonnes annually.

News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – September 10, 2018

Jones goes in to bat for rural customers

THOSE DAYS ARE GONE: New Zealand is well past the days of rural areas being isolated from the internet, Wireless Internet Service Providers Association spokesman Ernie Newman says.

Neal Wallace neal.wallace@globalhq.co.nz REGIONAL Economic Development Minister Shane Jones is seeking details on whether banks can operate in regional hubs and if Kiwibank can replace branches being closed.

He waded into the issue of banks closing provincial branches saying the predominantly Australian-owned institutions make huge profits from New Zealand so owe it to the regions to retain a presence.

Having met Reserve Bank Governor Adrian Orr to discuss the issue last week, Jones said it appears it cannot compel trading banks to retain branches.

But he has asked Finance Minister Grant Robertson to consider the issue as part of the Government’s Monetary Policy Inquiry, whether that could be as a hub service or linked to public sector services somehow.

He is also seeking a briefing from Kiwibank about whether it could fill the void left by the four main banks, saying it was created to disrupt the hold of the Australian-owned banks.

Jones rejected claims he is harking back to the cart-and-horse days and ignoring the fact most people do their banking by phone or over the internet.

“I am more interest in the fact banks are withdrawing from regional areas despite making billions of dollars in profits.

“They should be sharing some of that upside and maintaining services in regional parts of NZ.” Jones acknowledged previous governments invested in extending internet and cell phone services to rural areas but said regional branches still attract significant patronage.

The NZ Bankers’ Association acting chief executive Antony Buick-Constable said nationally in the last five years 70% fewer people used branches, opting instead to use online, mobile and telephone banking.

“They’re voting with their feet and that’s why some branches have been closed or reduced hours.”

But Jones said not all rural areas have adequate access to the internet.

In 2017 Crown Infrastructure Partners calculated 90,000 rural households and business could not access broadband at speeds of at least 20Mbs. Starting this year it has contracted the rollout of enhanced broadband for 74,000 rural households and businesses with completion now scheduled for 2021.

So far mobile coverage has been improved on 1000km of highway and to 100 tourist destinations.

Wireless Internet Service Providers Association spokesman Ernie Newman said there has been significant progress improving rural connectivity but there are still gaps.

“We are way past the stage of rural NZ being isolated from the internet.”

Many rural areas have broadband access comparable with central city fibre.

ARE YOU MEETING YOUR NAIT REQUIREMENTS?

These five fundamental steps support effective livestock traceability:

1. REGISTER WITH NAIT 2. REGISTER YOUR LOCATION 3. TAG AND REGISTER YOUR ANIMALS 4. RECORD AND CONFIRM ANIMAL MOVEMENTS 5. KEEP YOUR NAIT ACCOUNT UP-TO-DATE

Contact us Editor: Bryan Gibson Twitter: farmersweeklynz Email: farmers.weekly@globalhq.co.nz Free phone: 0800 85 25 80 DDI: 06 323 1519

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12 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – September 10, 2018

Swine fever poses real threat Annette Scott annettescott@globalhq.co.nz THE threat of African swine fever wiping out New Zealand’s commercial pig population is very real, NZ Pork chairman Eric Roy says.

The deadly disease sweeping across the globe has made it into several of the 25 countries from which NZ imports pig meat, including more recently 10 European countries and China.

“The disease is moving quite rapidly from countries where we import pork and right now we are very concerned.

“This disease will have a very, very serious impact if it comes to NZ in any way, shape or form.”

Roy said it could mean culling the entire NZ pig population, crippling the $750 million industry.

African swine fever would have a bigger impact in NZ than the cattle disease Mycoplasma bovis.

It was first reported in Lithuania in 2014 and was rapidly followed by outbreaks in Poland, Latvia and Estonia.

It has since hit 10 European countries and has now reached China, home to more than half the world’s pig population.

NZ imports pork from China.

“This disease is spreading and we have similar biosecurity protocols to Europe and it’s not stopping it there,” Roy said.

NZ is importing 65% of its pork meat from 25 countries, including China, Poland and Estonia.

While pork imported from countries with African swine fever has to be treated to inactivate the disease it is not foolproof.

“We know some forms of processing and freezing do not sterilise the pork material from carrying it. That’s part of why it’s spreading so swiftly from country to country.”

NZ Pork has asked the Ministry for Primary Industries and BiosecurityNZ to step up surveillance of the spread of the disease and consider more stringent controls, especially in respect to affected countries from where NZ imports pork.

“We have asked the ministry to

DRASTIC: Mass culls of pigs have been necessary in countries where African swine fever has been found.

all pig keepers and the public must their facilities and procedures do in Europe traced to a half-eaten ensure pigs are not fed catering everything possible to prevent the sausage left behind after a waste, kitchen scraps or pork spread of the disease,” O’Connor roadside picnic. products. said.

Food waste also poses a risk Feeding of meat products African swine fever is a highly to wild pigs, which is a major including swill, kitchen scraps and contagious haemorrhagic disease problem in Europe. catering waste to wild boar or feral of pigs, warthogs, European wild The disease can be passed on pigs is also illegal. boar and American wild pigs. through infected meat. It can All pig keepers should ensure It is characterised by high fever, survive for years in frozen carcases visitors have not had recent loss of appetite, haemorrhages in and spread from clothing, boots contact with affected regions the skin and internal organs and and soil.

Eric Roy and anybody returning from an death in two to 10 days.

Most notifications of African NZ Pork affected country should avoid There are neither vaccines swine fever to the World contact with domestic pigs, nor cures so it has serious socioOrganisation for Animal Health whether in commercial holdings economic consequences in have declared the source of or smallholdings and areas affected countries. the outbreak to be unknown or check all protocols and be sure with feral pigs or wild boar until According to the European Food inconclusive. we are as secure as we can be they are confident they have no Safety Authority humans are not Roy acknowledges the pork given there’s significant spread of contaminated clothing, footwear susceptible to the disease. industry has, over time, entered the disease in China and Eastern or equipment.

In Britain authorities have rules a lot of battles around disease Europe. protection.

“Entire herds will have to be “We stepped up and got culled if it gets here. We want them in line. This appears to protection, it’s that simple. be another serous risk and we “There’s enough evidence out want that closed off.” there now that African swine fever Biosecurity Minister can spread into other countries season’s lambs’ wool was also Alan Williams Damien O’Connor confirmed and we, for certain, don’t want to strongly sought. alan.williams@globalhq.co.nz he’s had an approach from join those countries.”

Buying came from across the NZ Pork in respect to African So far this year NZ has imported board representing British, West WOOL prices made another step swine fever. about 50,000 kilograms of pork European, Middle Eastern, Indian, forward at Thursday’s Napier sale, He has since had a verbal products from China. building on the gains of a fortnight Chinese and Australian interests briefing from MPI officials on This is of real concern to the as well as domestic carpet mill earlier. import controls. industry knowing the African Sales (in microns, price/kg After a disappointing start to “I have asked officials to swine fever virus might not have clean): full wool: 32 micron, the season prices have lifted in contact countries who supply been inactivated through the $4.47kg/clean; 33, $4.16: 34, $3.70; the last few weeks and strong pork to NZ to ensure they are treatment process, Roy said.

35, $3.69; 36, $3.53, 37, $3.56, up wools in the 35-37 microns range taking every step to make sure He cited at least one outbreak 5c. were up by another 4% to 5%, Cross-bred Second-shear: 33 PGG Wrightson’s North Island micron, 3 to 4 inches, $4.23, up auctioneer Steven Fussell said.

19c; 2 to 3 inches, $3.89, up 18c; Second-shear wools were 35, 3 to 4 inches, $3.65; 37, 3 to 4 mostly up by similar margins on a inches, $3.42, up 2c; 2 to 3 inches, fortnight earlier with good style 2 $3.38, up 21c; to 3 inch fibre length ahead about 39, 3 to 5 inches, $3.43, up 11c; 7%.

3 to 4 inches, $3.39, up 18c; 2 to 3 Fussell reported strong Massey University has shown inches, $3.02, down 15c. The passcompetition for finer hogget that lambs with a 3mm thick skin in rate was 4.5%. wools and a small offering of last

This disease is spreading and we have similar biosecurity protocols to Europe and it’s not stopping it there.

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14 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – September 10, 2018

UK farmers resigned to post-Brexit change

DICEY: Dealing with the British on Brexit issues is like a game of chance, New Zealand’s red meat sector representative Jeff Grant says.

Neal Wallace neal.wallace@globalhq.co.nz NEW Zealand’s most valuable sheep meat market could be thrown into disarray unless agreement can be reached in coming weeks for the United Kingdom’s orderly exit from the European Union.

Two key deadlines are looming for agreement to be met so the UK can exit as planned at 11am on March 29, 2019, followed by a two-year transition, NZ red meat sector London representative Jeff

THE NAIT ACT HAS CHANGED WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW You may have heard some changes have been made to the NAIT Act. The changes fix some shortcomings in the old law – some of which became apparent during the Mycoplasma bovis response. Remembering, the NAIT online system is used for tracing the movement of animals in the event of a food safety or disease incident.

We want to be clear about some of the main changes: BEFORE THE CHANGES

NOW

Is NAIT important for tracing the spread of cattle diseases like Mycoplasma bovis?

Yes

Yes

Is it important for responding to possible future diseases like Foot and Mouth Disease?

Yes

Yes

Can NAIT officers enter a farm to check NAIT compliance?

Yes

Yes

Do NAIT officers have to identify themselves?

Yes

Yes

Do NAIT officers need to let you know before they come onto your property?

Yes

Yes

Can officers search a farmer’s house or any other living quarters on the farm without a search warrant?

No

No

Is it clear what evidence they can collect (for example copies of an ASD form, or photos of animals without NAIT tags)?

No

Yes

Is it an offence to move cattle to a NAIT registered location and not record the movement?

Yes

Yes

Is it an offence to move cattle to a non-NAIT registered location and not record the movement?

No

Yes

Remember - anyone in charge of cattle or deer must comply

MPB0056

with their NAIT obligations and keep their animal movement records up to date. The rules apply whether you have one animal or 1000.

For more information visit www.mpi.govt.nz/NAIT

Grant, who is monitoring the Brexit negotiations, said.

That is looking increasingly uncertain, which Grant fears could mean disruption to our 228,000 tonne EU sheep meat quota.

It has been proposed NZ’s quota be evenly split between the UK and EU, preventing exporters from easily shifting product to the most valuable and receptive markets.

“While it doesn’t sound like a big issue it is very significant for NZ,” he said.

“As a small country we have stuck to the rules of the World Trade Organisation and we do have an agreement to send product to the 28 countries in the European Union in any volume up to our quota limit.”

The EU and UK, which sought to change the rules, have sent the quota issue to the WTO for a ruling.

Each year UK farmers export 65,000 tonnes of sheep meat to Europe, which has crossed seamlessly into Europe, but should customs borders and tariffs be imposed that meat might stay in the UK, disrupting the market.

Given the possibility of that greater market pressure and obstacles for UK lamb exports to Europe, British farm leaders are supportive of NZ retaining flexible management of its quota.

Europe takes most of the UK’s exports and the UK Food and Beverage Association has warned establishing customs border processing and inspection, trucks will be backed up from Dover to London within 12 hours.

Similarly, controls will have to be erected on each of the 275 roads that cross the IrelandNorthern Ireland border, affecting the 70,000 people who cross it daily.

For the exit to be orderly, or what has been termed soft, a timeline has to be met to ensure the UK has the correct legislation and systems in place.

Failure to meet the key dates will result in a hard landing or worse, a no deal, creating uncertainty about what will happen.

The first key date is October 18 when EU ministers hold a European summit at which it is intended to confirm agreed exit terms.

A fall-back summit has been planned for December 13 if the two sides still want to try to reach agreement.

Also, in December the UK government needs to vote on the withdrawal treaty and pass an implementation bill in time for the exit date.

But Grant said the ruling Conservative government is split over Brexit details so there is no guarantee it has the numbers to pass the legislation.

Given the scale and volume of Brexit issues facing political leaders it has been difficult getting access to political leaders though Ministry for Primary Industries and Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade officials have worked well pressing NZ’s case.

“I do feel it is like a game of snakes and ladders.

You roll a dice and try to find the right person,” he said.

UK farmers accept Brexit will result in changes to the $8 billion Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) and have been keen to learn about NZ’s experience from the 1980s.

The UK government has said there will not be any change until 2022 but then all bets are off.

It has also said it intends to use public funds for public good, a statement Grant said is open to interpretation.

A Health and Harmony document produced in February by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said CAP dictated how the UK farmed and grew food but it has meant a deterioration to the environment and held back productivity.

Grant said farmers are resigned to changes meaning a greater focus on the environment and countryside access.

“I get the impression that this time things will change.”

News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – September 10, 2018

15

All bulls go in annual sale

SPEAK UP: Te Atarangi Angus vendor Chris Biddles giving his pep talk before the sale, backed by PGG Wrightson agents Bernie McGahan, left, Cam Heggie and Chris Fyfe.

PLEASED: Agent Bruce Orr, left, with Nicki and Mel Story, of Tolaga Bay, who bought the highest-price bull at the Te Atarangi Angus yearling bull sale at Te Kopuru, Pouto Peninsula, Northland.

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and one added at late notice.

Hugh Stringleman Top price paid was $6700 hugh.stringleman@globalhq.co.nz for Te Atarangi Reality N002 by Mel and Nicki Story, Ratanui ANGUS yearling bulls sold Angus, at Tolaga Bay, East readily to mostly Northland Coast. dairy farmers at the 30th He was by Matauri Reality annual Te Atarangi Angus onfarm sale for vendors Chris and 839 out of Te Atarangi Ange Karren Biddles at Te Kopuru on and had very short gestation length EBV and low birth the Pouto Peninsula. weight followed by good The average price paid was $3400 for a full clearance of 106 growth figures.

Reality has figures in the top bulls, 10 more than last year.

1% for Australasia.

Chris Biddles said last Mel Story said stud stock year’s high average of $3700 agent Bruce Orr bought him a prompted him to offer more bulls this year so everyone who Te Atarangi yearling bull last year and he was back for more wanted to buy in the lower price range had an opportunity this year, with the long drive that entailed, despite having and that was accomplished. much more work to do at home after damage by flooding in early June.

Beef + Lamb Head auctioneer Cam New Zealand tell us Heggie, PGG Wrightson, said there are more beef the demand for yearling Angus cattle females around, bulls has increased and some buyers found it easier to pay after a long decline the prevailing yearling prices in the national herd, rather than the two-year-old so we will need more bull prices.

“Beef + Lamb New Zealand bulls. tell us there are more beef cattle females around, after a long decline in the national Cam Heggie herd, so we will need more PGG Wrightson bulls.”

Second-highest price was $5700 paid by John Marchant of Maramarua, north Waikato A handful sold at the for a Rennylea K163-sired bull lowest price of $2200 late in and he also paid $5500 for the catalogue and the same another bull by the same sire. number at the next-highest Richard Kidd, of Helensville, price of $2500. also paid $5700 twice for a Biddles said beforehand that Rennylea F266-sired bull and a any bull that failed to meet the Matauri Reality 839-sired bull. reserve would be considerably Te Atarangi has had repeated more expensive if bought success in the annual Steak privately afterwards. Buyers of Origin awards, including also get an extra year of service Producer of the Decade. duties because yearling bulls It was the first Angus stud can be used for mating from 14 in NZ to sell yearling bulls at months. an annual sale and its primary All 106 offered were sold objectives are ease of calving through the ring after two in and heifer mating. the catalogue were scratched

News

16 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – September 10, 2018

Daunting report puts trees first Richard Rennie richard.rennie@globalhq.co.nz A LANDSCAPE full of daunting challenges for the primary sector as New Zealand transitions to a zero carbon economy has been painted in a Productivity Commission report of Biblical proportions.

While by no means confined to agriculture the Low Emissions Economy report studying steps to zero carbon by 2050 puts agriculture at the sharp end of the main policy shifts its authors cover.

It calls for major land use change to increase forestry and horticulture.

The effect of reducing livestock numbers and replacing them with trees would boost new forestry area by 1.3 million to 2.8m hectares of new plantings by 2050.

That amount compares to the 1.7m hectares already in exotic plantings and has some in the sector questioning whether it is possible.

The extra trees are an effort to boost forestry from the 30% of emissions it absorbs now, to nearer 50%.

The authors point to marginal sheep and beef country as the main source of land for trees and maintain it is less than the 3m hectares lost to the pastoral sector between 1990 and 2015.

However, that loss included

significant tracts of land taken out of high country farming and into the Conservation Department estate.

The movement of about 45,000ha to 90,000ha a year into new forestry puts the Government’s goal of 50,000ha a year at the lower end of the commission’s suggestion.

But levels up to 90,000ha are described as feasible, based on past land use changes and planting levels achieved in the 1990s.

Taking 2m hectares for forestry, the average area based on the report’s modelling, would capture almost a quarter of NZ’s sheep and beef pastoral area.

Federated Farmers climate change spokesman Andrew Hoggard said the loss of that area would devastate rural communities in terms of jobs and maintaining social fabric in small, rural towns.

The report acknowledges the plan depends on the availability of suitable land and the profitability of planting it.

But some industry observers said even at the Government’s lower end of 50,000ha a year, land supply might start to get tight in as soon as three years.

The report foresees another 1m hectares heading into horticulture including cropping, with some dairy land changing use.

But DairyNZ economist

Matthew Newman challenged the loss of what could largely be better quality dairy country to horticulture.

“We do not see big changes in the 4.8m cow population we have unless, of course, there are some big regulatory changes to make that happen.”

He believes seeking an extra 250,000 hectares for horticulture could be plausible but 1m hectares is extremely high.

He also questions the willingness of pastoral farmers to make the significant shift to horticulture.

To incentivise a shift in land use, carbon values are cited as a key motivator and the report estimates a shift to as high as $200 a tonne by 2050 will be necessary.

However, DairyNZ chief executive Tim Mackle said rather than incentivising better practice such a rise would push gas costs for the average dairy farm to $230,000 a year if no free allocation is offered.

But those figures have raised the ire of the Productivity Commission chairman Murray Sherwin. The commission has labelled the assumptions used in DairyNZ’s calculations as misleading.

For farmers to incur the $230,000 annual cost, an emissions price of $200 a tonne would have to be in place immediately and there would

RURAL RUIN: The loss of millions of hectares of sheep and beef farms to forestry will devastate rural communities, jobs and the social fabric, Federated Farmers climate change spokesman Andrew Hoggard says.

have been no progress in reducing annual farm emissions.

Both methane and nitrous oxide would also face the same emissions price as carbon, something looking unlikely after the report’s findings.

The commission has modelled costs based on several assumptions.

At its lowest end with a 95% free methane/nitrous oxide allocation, a dairy farmer’s annual cost would be $1400 a year today.

The 2030 scenario with a 90% methane allocation and 65% free nitrous oxide allocation and a price of $50 a tonne on the gases, along with a 5% reduction in emissions, has a cost of $8492 a year.

The highest annual figure would be in 2050. It is modelled on methane getting a 75% free allocation, and the gas having a

cost of $200 a tonne, and average farm emissions are down by 20%.

The cost would then be $82,000 a year.

Should the Government maintain its 95% free transition allocation that cost would be $32,500 a year.

The report also deals with methane, a major contributing greenhouse gas that has a significantly shorter life of only 12 years compared to centuries for carbon dioxide.

Being a shorter-lived gas it should not be required to be reduced to zero, unlike carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide.

NZ’s unique gas profile, with its dominance of livestock-generated methane provides an opportunity for a unique solution, splitting long-term and short-term gases with an explicit target for methane reduction over a fixed period.

More climate change options are now available THE Productivity Commission’s report on a low emission economy is a comprehensive, open and valuable resource for kick-starting sensible policy around dealing with climate change, former climate change ambassador Professor Adrian Macey says.

Macey, now at Victoria

University, said a key take-away from the report is recognition methane has to be unbundled from other gases when dealing with its reduction.

“If you accept the need to deal with methane differently then all sorts of options start to present themselves including a separate basket of gases, possibly a

methane quota or separate pricing of methane outside the Emissions Trading Scheme.”

It also opens up opportunities to identify where methane emissions are greatest in the primary sector and address them accordingly.

Dairying contributes about 50% of agricultural emissions compared to 18% from the beef

sector and 30% from sheep.

Dairy’s share has doubled in the past 25 years while sheep’s almost halved.

“So do we have to make dairy responsible for the increase? There are equity issues there to examine within the pastoral sector.”

He is pleased with the level of primary sector understanding that

now exists about methane being different to other gases, praising Federated Farmers climate change spokesman Andrew Hoggard for his grasp of the issue.

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News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – September 10, 2018

17

Plants do better than animals WINNERS

Forestry A forestry area of up to 2.8 million hectares suggested by the Productivity Commission will require doubling the Government’s new planting rate of 50,000 hectares a year.

Forest Owners Association president Peter Weir said that has been achieved only once, in 1994.

That goal would then have to be maintained for three decades to achieve the 2.8m hectares.

It would require a carbon price with a realistic price-setting system, high enough to encourage a shift from existing land uses.

The report’s escalated price, of up to $200 a tonne of carbon by 2050, is realistic to achieve that.

But such vast afforestation will require whole catchments to be converted to trees to reach the target, he said.

Horticulture Whether horticulture can win from any policy to encourage Continued from previous page “Now the primary sector understands it, that obliges the Government to be very explicit about how it is going to deal with the issue and who pays for the methane.”

He is also pleased to see a

more crops and orchards depends on getting several critical areas aligned, Horticulture New Zealand natural resources and environment manager Michelle Sands says.

“There is a lot of pressure on vegetable production in NZ already, with areas around Pukekohe under particular pressure.

“But it is difficult to expand out of areas like that due to regulatory controls in Waikato, Manawatu and Canterbury preventing land use change.”

facilitate development of such crops. At present when flow rates in rivers drop water can still be taken for livestock. Consideration would have to be given in future to allowing water be taken to maintain root systems in crop trees.

“With progressive, careful planning and joint partnerships we could achieve that area but it will have to be over time.

“There are factors modelling to date has not looked at including water use and nutrient losses under horticultural cropping in catchments.”

LOSERS

It is feasible some dairy land could be used, with dairy farmers running more mixed operations, leasing land for potato growing, for example.

Orchards with higher-value export crops are a realistic option to lower carbon emissions and she believes a million hectares is not an unrealistic area to fill with a variety of higher-earning crops.

“But you will have to think about how you manage catchments in the future to

Sheep and beef The report suggests almost 2m hectares of marginal sheep and beef country be put in trees. That could slice almost a quarter off existing pastoral land area for the sector.

However, Beef + Lamb NZ insight officer Jeremy Baker said any further decline in stock numbers is less likely, with sheep numbers plateauing and beef cattle numbers levelling off.

B+LNZ expects numbers to stabilise, particularly with strong price signals for both sheep and beef internationally.

With a 50% reduction in sheep and 23% drop in cattle since 1990 the sector has already reduced

recognition methane does not have to be reduced to zero, a claim some have made with all gases bundled into the ETS. “So no government is going to ride roughshod over this and has to accept methane does not warm significantly.

“It is not a get out of jail card

for the sector. It does not mean you would not want to reduce methane, just not to zero.”

He believes NZ has a unique opportunity to establish a world leading methane/gas market that would have significant intellectual property claims attached.

“One thing that has also not

carbon emissions by more than 30% on 1990 levels.

“We accept there is more scope on sheep and beef farms for additional planting of native and exotic forestry but this needs to be driven by accurate economic information so farmers can be confident in investment decisions they are making on their land.”

The sector already has 1.4m hectares of native forest on farmland sequestering carbon.

B+LNZ is concerned the report focuses too closely on reducing gas emissions without acknowledging that area and the 180,000 hectares of exotic planting on farms.

4.8m after a slight decline over the dairy downturn and are unlikely to decline further.

He also questions how plausible such a shift out of cows to crop and horticulture is.

About 80% of NZ’s horticultural-arable land area is arable and that is in turn dependent on livestock for the crop consumption.

“So if you remove the livestock, suddenly you don’t need that arable crop. Therefore, the increased land area not in crop for livestock will have to be the higher-value horticulture and it will have to be significant but they are also crops that can’t always be grown everywhere you remove livestock.”

The dairy sector also stands to face a hit from higher carbon prices required to incentivise land use shifts.

Estimates are that without a transition arrangement an average dairy farm could face an annual carbon bill of $230,000 if carbon prices hit $200 a tonne.

Dairy The commission suggests about 1m hectares of land will also need to go from livestock to horticulture and crops and a portion of it is likely to come from better suited dairy land.

But DairyNZ economist Matthew Newman expects cow numbers have stabilised at about

been recognised that widely is that reducing methane can actually have a cooling effect.

“So it could create the opportunity in a well-designed market for farmers who do reduce methane to receive a credit for that action. It is the equivalent of sequestering carbon.”

Macey believes the report better informs NZ and the quality of the 1000-plus submissions makes for a valuable resource.

“I think it will be well received by the Government. It gives ministers a few more options than they have had presented to them before now.”

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News

18 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – September 10, 2018

Foreign investors’ absence dulls market Alan Williams alan.williams@globalhq.co.nz CORPORATE farmer Rural Equities says foreign investors are virtually excluded from the farm market, leaving property values subdued.

Their absence means very limited liquidity in the market for large-scale properties, REL executive chairman David Cushing said.

Increasing environmental requirements are also a factor.

The group’s farms reduced in value overall year-on-year.

However, the company is selling two South Canterbury farms, with settlement in April next year, and the proceeds of more than $9 million are above book value.

Rural Equities reported an operating profit before interest and tax of $5.03m for the year ended June 30, marginally higher than the $4.99m a year earlier.

It has dairy, sheep and beef and arable farms. The dairy farms are directly farmed while most of the others are leased out.

Firm prices were achieved for milk, sheep and beef in what was described as a satisfactory result.

After including non-operating items the total comprehensive income for the year was $4.45m,

• • • • •

Firm prices were achieved for milk, sheep and beef in what was described as a satisfactory result.

BAD MOVE: The exclusion of foreign investors has subdued land values, Rural Equities says.

down from $8.98m a year earlier.

That figure was driven by property value gains of $4.3m but in the latest year values reduced by $1.5m, Cushing said.

The reduction was more than

offset by an increase of $3.09m in its shareholding in New South Wales farming group Webster, Australia’s biggest walnut producer, which also farms cotton and organic sheep as well as

having substantial irrigation and water interests.

Rural Equities has more than $200m of assets and has very low debt.

At balance date the net asset

backing of the shares was $5.79, a rise of 8c on a year earlier.

The shares are seldom traded on the Unlisted market, where they trade at a discount to the asset backing, with latest sales at $4.75. The directors announced a share buyback of up to 650,000 shares at $4.90.

The offer will provide shareholders contemplating selling their shares the ability to sell at a premium to the market price, without paying brokerage fees, Cushing said.

The buyback is expected to close on October 19. Shares owned on October 26 will qualify for a 5c a share dividend paid on November 7.

Last year Rural Equities said it was considering making investments outside the rural sector and possibly outside New Zealand. Cushing said no possible investments met the directors’ criteria so far but the process is continuing.

News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – September 10, 2018

19

AMBASSADORS: Katey Craig and David Ingham – representatives of Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s sheep industry ambassador programme aimed at building international relationships with sheep industries worldwide.

LambEx shows kiwis the future Annette Scott annettescott@globalhq.co.nz HOME from the 2018 LambEx conference in Perth, Beef + Lamb New Zealand-sponsored sheep industry ambassadors Katey Craig and David Ingham are firing hot.

The young generation farmers are excited to share their lessons with fellow farmers and looking forward to being a part of their home country hosting LambEx 2019.

While in Australia the pair also visited several farms to study new systems on a road trip from Melbourne to Adelaide.

They shared sheep industry experiences and learnt from other LambEx ambassadors from Australia and America.

It was an unreal experience, an opportunity to learn and share so much, they said.

They found in some ways NZ is ahead but in others they learned a lot to bring back to the sheep industry here.

With a thirst for knowledge and specific interest in technology Ingham is especially keen to advance the use of EID tagging in maternal mob selection.

“We visited a Merino farm running 10,000 ewes and here they had really embraced EID and were using it to get results.

“In five years NZ may be heading down this path with the whole need to know where animals are, who’s moving what

between farms, marketing ability and biosecurity.

“While we can relate to every individual animal on our farm, how long it has been here, what it has eaten – once it can be tracked through the chain at the works these future technologies will be a big turning point for NZ,” Ingham said.

A shepherd on the 9300 hectare Linnburn Station in Central Otago, Ingham’s skills and interest in technology and analysing production data are a key part of his job.

He was also blown away at the LambEx attendance.

“It was quite mind-blowing to see 1000 farmers sit down in the same room together and that’s a real credit to the organisers in presenting such an interesting programme.”

The advancing technologies aligned with some of the work Ingham has been involved with on Linnburn, where they have been establishing lucerne with novel cover crops such as sunflowers, sorghum and buckwheat and using the mixes for finishing stock.

With a real interest in agronomy, livestock nutrition and technology the unconventional crops have been fascinating, made more interesting by the fact all 10,000 ewes and hoggets on Linnburn have EID tags, which means they can analyse the impact the crops are having on growth rates and performance.

Ingham was also instrumental in getting the farm set up on FarmIQ and with such a large flock of recorded sheep the management team has been using the farm management software to its full potential.

This was a good training ground that helped me develop the skills I need to progress through the industry.

Katey Craig B+LNZ ambassador “Part of the attraction of the job is the willingness of the owners and management team to challenge the status quo and try new management techniques and the (LambEx) experience has given me a lot more knowledge of what can be done,” he said.

Learning about new technologies and developments and gaining an understanding of the factors that will shape the future of the sheep industry both in NZ and overseas was the highlight of the trip for Craig, who has her own career path well mapped out.

Passionate about the sheep industry she grew up on her

grandparents’ sheep and beef farm near Stratford and after leaving school went to Otiwhiti Training Farm as a cadet.

“This was a good training ground that helped me develop the skills I need to progress through the industry.”

After graduation she was employed on the station as a shepherd when she won the honour of representing NZ at the World Young Shepherds competition in France in 2014.

At 25 years of age she is now a full time shearer earning the dollars she needs to sustain the running of the 200ha sheep and beef farm she leases at Te Popo in Taranaki.

Home from LambEx she is now also lambing the 1000 ewes she runs on the property, along with the 40 Hereford-Friesian weaner cattle she reared herself.

While she is 18 months into the three-year lease on the property she has a clear aspiration for farm ownership.

“I am hopeful in the next three years I will own my own property.

“I’m shearing as well as farming as that’s the best way to make money and give me capital to buy the stock and get the bank in behind,” Craig said.

What she learned in Australia will play a key part in how she plans to move ahead in her own business while also sharing her knowledge with the wider NZ sheep industry.

“All the farm visits, processing

company and the conference were very inspiring and what we are doing here in NZ is the beginnings of where we can get too and it was a real opportunity to actually see what results can be gained through innovation and advancing technologies.

“While I am basic farming at this stage because I have to keep to a very tight budget, it’s where I want to be going and where the NZ sheep industry needs to be going so this was a real insight into how and where we can go.

“It really is quite an exciting future for the NZ sheep industry and I’m looking forward to being a part of that future.”

While it sounds like a juggling act keeping everything running, Craig takes it all in her stride.

“To fit it all in I do have to be organised as far as the farm and shearing is concerned but it’s what I love and it will all be worth it when I get my own property.”

B+LNZ international trade manager Esther Guy-Meakin said the sheep industry ambassador programme is an important mechanism for building relationships with other industries.

“Strong relationships with farmers and industry leaders from NZ’s key trading partners are really important.

“We are really proud to have these two talented young farmers represent our sheep industry overseas.”

News

20 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – September 10, 2018

Alliance rebrands as food company ALLIANCE Group is marking the next stage in its transition to a food and solutions company with the launch of a new corporate identity ahead of the co-operative’s annual farmer roadshow.

While the name does not change the new branding focuses on the strong connection that Alliance, New Zealand’s only 100% farmer-owned major red meat co-operative, has with its farmer shareholders.

It reflects the growing demand from consumers who want to be directly connected to the farm and know where their food comes from.

Chief executive David Surveyor said the new corporate identity celebrates the co-operative’s history and highlights its evolution from its beginnings 70 years ago.

“The company was established by a group of like-minded farmers who saw that unity and common

purpose were strengths and owning greater parts of the value chain made absolute sense.

“Today, we continue that by expanding this vision even further.

“Over the last three years we have been evolving.

We are not just a great livestock processor but also a world-class food and solutions co-operative.

David Surveyor Alliance “We are not just a great livestock processor but also a world-class food and solutions co-operative.

“We are leveraging our farmer relationships and processing expertise and connecting more

directly to consumers.

“That’s why we chose the farm gate because the in-built A is a simple, effective representation of the direct from farmer to consumer philosophy.

“It is symbolic of the incredible hard work of farmers and our people, environmental sustainability, farming practices and skill that go into all of our produce.

“Our farmers produce quality, free-range, grass-fed natural lamb, beef and venison in beautiful environments where the animals are a reflection of the way they are farmed.

Alliance is determined to lead the world with an increasingly differentiated portfolio of lamb, beef and venison branded products, Surveyor said.

“World-class produce starts from the farm.

“Alliance is about taking NZ’s best farmers’ produce to global markets.

“Servicing this sector along with premium retail requires integrated sales, marketing, processing and distribution.

“It also means truly understanding the end customer, chefs and the entire service chain along the way.

“We are also committed to embracing innovation across the value chain from on-farm practice, traceability, processing techniques and engaging our customers.”

The annual roadshow begins in Cheviot on September 24 and ends in Akaroa on October 26.

Shareholders, suppliers, rural professionals and anyone interested in the co-operative is invited to attend.

“Our job is to ensure a strong connection between farmers and families from all over the world that choose our food.

“The key is using our strengths, our unique produce from this unique land and matching it to the needs of consumers around the world.

“Consumers want to know the provenance of their food and the values of the people behind their meal.

“They want to know what makes our produce different and worthy of their investment.”

Alliance is investing in the global food services sector, which demands the differentiated needs of chefs are recognised and catered for, he said.

Zespri profit to take big jump this season It expects to pay a dividend $1.35 to $1.40 a share, up from 76 cents last season.

“This season is about delivering growth in volume while sustaining as much value as we can and our teams are working hard to make this happen,” Zespri chief executive Dan Mathieson said.

“Market conditions have been quite challenging with higher volumes of low-priced fruit in many markets.

“However, the season has a

way to go and we are building momentum through our marketing campaigns to stay on track, drive sales and sustain our run rates,” he said.

The kiwifruit industry has rebounded after developing new varieties resistant to Psa bacteria, which was discovered in New Zealand in 2010 and severely affected the industry.

Zespri expects green kiwifruit to return $5.47 a tray in the 201819 season, down from $6.71 last season, while the

average per-hectare return is forecast to increase to a new record of $64,455 from $59,981.

The Zespri organic green variety is forecast to return $8.67 a tray, down from $8.93, with the average return per hectare lifting to $69,663 from $52,375.

Its sweeter green variety, known as Green14, is forecast to return $6.85 a tray, up from $5.61 last season, with the average return per hectare lifting to $43,876 from $38,937.

SunGold fruit will return $10.28 a tray, up from $10.07 last season, with the average return per hectare rising to $138,973 from $114,345, it said.

Zespri shares last traded at $7.95, having changed hands between $6.35 and $9.25 over the past year.

The shares began trading on the USX trading platform in February 2016 but can be owned only by growers.

– BusinessDesk

FW 94154 09/18 120 x 265mm

ZESPRI Group, the country’s kiwifruit export marketing body, expects profit to surge higher in the coming year as it grows volumes and seeks to maintain values in challenging markets with higher volumes of lowpriced fruit.

The Mount Maunganui company reaffirmed its forecast for net profit of between $175 million and $180m in the year ending March 31, 2019, up from $101.8m last financial year.

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FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – September 10, 2018

21

Reverend provides buying power Tim Fulton timfulton050@gmail.com THE social enterprise Reverend Craig Dixon inspired in Christchurch 30 years ago is spreading nationwide, spurred by demand for healthy, affordable food.

His FoodTogether group in Canterbury is retailing bags of fruit and vegetables bought wholesale for a third of supermarket prices.

The community hubs connected to the fruit and veg co-op buy about $1.3m of produce a year.

Buying about seven tonnes of produce weekly for 1200 weekly packs FoodTogether is a minnow compared to the supermarkets at the top of New Zealand’s food pyramid.

But the network is sharp on price.

In a price-check by one of the FoodTogether hubs in early September a standard $15 pack compared to $43 for an equivalent serving of fruit and vegetables from a Canterbury supermarket, Dixon said.

“We’re not undercutting as much as we were in the early days and I suspect that’s because supermarkets are sharpening their pencils a little bit and maybe reacting a little bit to what we were doing.”

Dixon is ever-present at MG Marketing sales, competing on a strict budget against supermarkets and other buyers for a range of seasonal produce.

FoodTogether’s members include incorporated societies, non-profit trusts and churches.

The centres are individually organised and funded but secure their food from the Healthy Life Trust, which Dixon started and chairs.

The co-op approach works so well other community groups are replicating it in Auckland, Wellington, Dunedin, Whangarei and smaller North Island centres.

It is a different approach to food rescue, he said.

“We don’t give it away.

“We believe that a hand up is better than a handout.

“It doesn’t create dependency and it allows people to be part of the solution.

“If we give people produce and they throw it away, they’ve lost nothing. If they throw away what we give they’re throwing

IN CHARGE: Hope Community Trust manager Sally Rossiter with the boxes of fruit and vegetables.

Photos: Tim Fulton

FOUNDER: Reverend Craig Dixon founded FoodTogether 30 years ago and still chairs the group as well as being its wholesale buyer.

away some of their money so they tend to be more focused on what happens to the produce.”

FoodTogether packs are usually delivered to the eight Canterbury hubs at 8am on a Wednesday morning and packed over the next hour.

“Then over the next couple of hours people come and pick it up and it’s gone.

“It’s fresh, so we can do a deal with MG and take produce that others may not and we get that at a discount price so it’s swings and roundabouts.”

The eight hubs now include the

rural North Canterbury towns of Oxford and Rangiora. They keep an open mind on who really needs the goods.

“We say ‘come and be part of it’. Some people might turn up in a flash car and that’s no problem ... who knows what they’re doing with it. They may have extended family who they’re trying to help out.”

Dixon has a vital role as wholesale buyer.

“It’s a bit of a challenge because a marketer or a retailer will go in and just buy bulk and hope they can sell it on and they discount what they can’t sell whereas I go in with a set number; the orders that I’ve got and a set amount of money and I’ve got to match both.”

Dixon recently bought commercial grade kumara from the North Island at a discount to the Christchurch shop price of about $10kg.

“They’re slightly split but it eats the same when it’s chopped up so we did supply kumara to our hubs this week.”

Seasonal availability dictates what Dixon buys and when.

Courgette is almost unaffordable at the moment, for instance, because it has to be imported from Australia.

But there can be surprises, like strawberries.

A supermarket might decide not to take a risk on a strawberry order, fearing a loss if they go unsold in their short shelf-life.

FoodTogether buys, packs and

ALL THERE: Hope Community Trust volunteer Ian Robinson checks the fruit and veg packs.

delivers on the same day so it can take chances.

A $15 pack of fruit and veg is unlikely to meet anyone’s whole need so FoodTogether isn’t really competing with big retailers, Dixon said.

In fact, supermarkets benefit when people buying fast food can now afford healthy produce and other supermarket items.

It doesn’t create dependency and it allows people to be part of the solution.

Rev Craig Dixon After the 2010-11 Canterbury earthquakes the Christ Church Cathedral Anglican diocese gave Dixon a green light to deliver produce to wherever it was needed in quake-hit Canterbury.

At that time a number of areas in eastern Christchurch had no supermarkets and Dixon’s church worked with the Canterbury District Health Board’s community and public health service to create new networks.

Demand peaked at more than 3000 food packs a week, making FoodTogether one of MG’s five largest customers in Canterbury.

Every hub looks after its own freight costs and general overheads but all benefit from an

overarching exemption from the Ministry for Primary Industries allowing them to sell food to the public.

The exemption saves each group about $3000 for MPI registration, Dixon said.

“We’ve very low risk so we’ve developed operating guidelines, health and safety and food handling procedures.

“We sent them to MPI and they said ‘yip’.”

Dixon started FoodTogether’s forerunner in the late 1980s, supplying fruit and vegetables from St Aidan’s in the Christchurch suburb of Bryndwr, about 500 metres from where former Prime Minister John Key once went to primary school.

It was quite a deprived area with high-density state housing and people weren’t necessarily eating particularly well.

Then, as now, people found fruit and vegetables quite pricey.

The church on the corner of Aorangi Terrace and Brookside Terrace worked with a nearby owner of a fruit and vegetable shop who agreed to buy wholesale produce and forward it to the church at the same price.

Dixon and volunteers would pack it in the church hall every Wednesday and sell it for $6 at no profit. Up to 180 families a week picked up packs.

“It was a good way to introduce people to new produce too, like avocado. We would include recipes and have a little shop there too.”

News

22 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – September 10, 2018

Cherry on top of Otago’s riches First it was gold that brought prosperity to Central Otago then farming, horticulture and tourism. More recently wine has boosted the economy but now cherries could be the region’s next boom industry. Neal Wallace reports on the reasons millions of dollars are being invested in orchards.

M

ALCOLM Little is unequivocal in predicting financial returns from the cherry industry could reach those achieved from kiwifruit.

As a former Agribusiness manager with SBS Bank, Little said he can view accounts from various industries and the net returns from cherries stand out.

An orchardist for 18 years he is now a grower-director with Central Otago company Pure Pac, based in Cromwell, which grows, packs, markets and exports the fruit for eight growers between Bannockburn and Queensbury.

“We represent cherry block owners in a co-operative type of agreement and we have got together to get economies of scale by marketing our own brands into China.”

Pure Pac oversees a fully integrated supply chain from orchard to market, selling cherries overseas under the Pure Gold and Gold Reserve brands and domestically as Pure Otago.

Based on yields of 15 tonnes a hectare and selling through their integrated supply chain Pure Pac growers can achieve net returns similar to kiwifruit.

“If it’s not there, it’s a close second.”

New cherry orchards are being planted in Central Otago,

including a block of nearly 40ha for overseas investors.

Grapes and trees of other summer fruit varieties have been ripped out and replaced by cherries.

Last year Pure Pac built and operated its own pack house.

Little said while the six-week harvest season is short, making timely access to a pack house vital, growers also want to share in the profits of the packing process and have control over the sale and marketing of their fruit.

Growth is stymied by a twoyear wait for seedling trees and six to seven years before peak production while a shortage of orchard managers and skilled key staff is a hurdle deterring foreign investors.

Similarly, cherries cannot be stored like apples or kiwifruit, reducing the cost and risk of having storage facilities but meaning supply lines must be exact.

NZ cherries have several benefits over those from Chile, its much larger southern hemisphere rival.

The NZ fruit is later maturing, meaning it ripens perfectly for the Chinese New Year and the tradition of giving.

“I get calls all the time asking ‘Can you supply me cherries?’”

Pure Pac will produce about 700 tonnes of cherries this year rising

READY: The first step on the road to market.

Photo: Horticulture NZ

GOLD: Valuable fruit.

SOLID: Clyde cherry grower Kevin Paulin says the influx of new investment to the industry is based on commercial factors not speculation.

to 1200 tonnes in about five years.

Suitable Central Otago land is in demand and competing with grapes.

Bare land suited to cherry growing can cost $100,000 a

hectare and existing cherry orchards $500,000/ha.

PGG Wrightson Real Estate Cromwell manager Neil Bulling said land prices have been at these levels for several years.

There is plenty of demand but few properties for sale.

A top producing 4ha cherry orchard sold about four years ago for $500,000/ha.

Bulling said the market is also

Photo: Horticulture NZ

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FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – September 10, 2018

WINTER DORMANT: Cherry trees on a Bannockburn orchard.

tempered by the delays in getting trees, pack housing, experienced orchard managers and export markets.

Bare land suited to cherries also needs water.

Third generation Clyde orchardists Kevin and Ray Paulin have shown faith in the industry by constructing a large glasshouse, also an insurance policy to protect their cherry crop.

The structure with a retractable roof covers 2.8ha and will protect 5000 cherry trees to be planted this year.

Kevin Paulin said to complement the financial

investment in the structure, which he declined to reveal, the brothers are introducing a new, early maturing cherry variety that will be ready for picking three weeks earlier than other varieties.

It will extend the orchard’s three to four-week season to two and a half months, making it a niche supplier.

The climate-controlled glasshouse investment is all about managing risk.

“Cherries are an incredibly high-risk crop. Weather can play havoc.”

The Paulins grow 100ha of

BIG LEAP: The 2.8ha climate-controlled glasshouse being built on the Paulin family’s Clyde cherry orchard in Central Otago.

23

INSURANCE: The glasshouse will provide weather protection and help the early season ripening of 5000 cherry trees.

cherries, peaches, apricots and nectarines but cherries make up 40% of their production.

They harvest about 300 tonnes of cherries and at the peak of the harvest they can employ 120 pickers, a mix of international backpackers, students, recognised seasonal employees and locals.

Once picked and packed, cherries are trucked to a freight forwarder’s yard in Christchurch

and flown to markets in China or Taiwan, arriving three days after harvest.

Paulin’s grandfather started the orchard in 1921 and during the 1980s there was a flurry of corporate investment in cherry orchards, encouraged by tax advantages.

Investment since then has been driven by commercial considerations.

I get calls all the time asking ‘Can you supply me cherries?’

Malcolm Little Grower

Demand in Asia is rampant ASIA’S insatiable appetite for cherries continues to grow.

Export values increased 30% to $68 million from 2015 to 2016 with $66m coming from Asian markets.

In 2006 exports were worth just $5m.

According to the Horticulture New Zealand Fresh Facts, domestic sales contribute a further $15m.

Nationally, in 2016 the 88 cherry growers managed 645ha of orchards and produced 5284 tonnes of fruit, a massive increase of 3662 tonnes on 2006.

Central Otago accounts for 90% of NZ cherry exports.

A report last March by management consulting firm Coriolis rated cherries as one of NZ’s four most promising export

products with potential to triple returns.

It noted that in 2016 NZ cherries averaged $18 a kg, a 285% premium over the average world price. In 2006 the average price was $6 a kilogram.

Central Otago cherries last season were selling for $25 a kilo.

Compound annual growth in demand from 2006 to 2016 was 130% in China, 32% in Thailand, 19% in Taiwan and 12% in South Korea.

Coriolis said demand for cherries is rampant in mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan and NZ fruit benefits from being of high quality and from a trusted producer.

There is a threat of increased supplies out of Chile where fruit quality is improving and issues getting enough labour and

freight space at the harvest peak.

And there are opportunities to improve prices by supplying gift packs, dried and glace products, fruit sauces, jams, leather, nonalcoholic beverages, flavoured liqueurs and chocolates.

Value would be enhanced by improved management of direct and online sales, consolidating and increasing the scale of pack house operations, leveraging existing expertise in orchard management and improving cool-chain management.

Coriolis also forecast gains from better targeting of high-value Asian customers, extending seasonal supply through new varieties, technology and geography and better product differentiation as kiwifruit and apple growers have done.

News

24 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – September 10, 2018

Ballance to reinvest its extra cash FOR the first time in four years Ballance Agri-Nutrients has surplus earnings to reinvest in the business after the rebate payment to farmer shareholders.

The fertiliser co-operative has confirmed a bottom-line profit of $9.19 million for the year ended May 31.

The rebate took $56.8m though only $39.4m was paid in cash with the balance allocated for new shares, further helping the cash position, the annual report said.

The last time it was in profit after rebate and tax was in 2014 when $6.09m was posted. Losses were recorded in 2015 ($14.8m), 2016 ($18.09m) and 2017 ($2.79m).

Ballance lifted its gross trading

profit before rebate and tax by 25% to $71.3m, from $56.8m a year earlier, though the rebate was held steady at $45/tonne.

Chief executive Mark Wynne signalled earlier a bottom-line surplus would be posted.

Revenue rose 2.6% to $826m and the increase in volumes terms was 1.5% to 1.64m tonnes.

Wynne and chairman David Peacocke said sustainability is very much front of mind for the group’s customers.

“We are putting our minds to how we can help farmers 10 years from now and starting work on those solutions today.”

Sentiment among farmers and growers is encouragingly positive now but the regulatory landscape is changing with potential for increasing competition in the fertiliser market. Both require

LOOKING AHEAD: Ballance Agri-Nutrients is already working on ways to help farmers 10 years from now, chief executive Mark Wynne says.

forward thinking and increased agility.

Farmers’ sustainability focus and the regulatory constraints will further drive demand for smarter products such as the premium nitrogen products SustaiN and PhasedN, the MyBallance digital farm-mapping online platform and the Spreadsmart technology for aerial fertiliser applications.

Another product, developed with AgResearch and due for rollout this financial year, is designed to improve the efficiency of

KEEP AN EYE OUT

nitrogen on pastoral farms.

A PGP programme product, Mitigator, was launched to provide hot-spot mapping for the four key farm contaminants – nitrogen, phosphorus, sediment and E coli.

“We are always asking what customers want from us and most of all they want their co-operative to help them get ready for the future of farming.

“We pay a lot of attention to what we are doing today while also keeping an eye

for Dairy Farmer in your letterbox from September 3rd.

This month our theme is Cropping and Pasture Renewal with a special feature on Better Bulls Better Calves, ensuring you’re making the right purchasing decisions for your herd.

Our On Farm Story this month features Hollie Wham & Owen Clegg, 2018 Taranaki Dairy Industry Awards Share Farmer of the Year title winners as we take a look at their winning recipe.

on the horizon so that if the landscape changes we’re there with the answers about how to keep farming sustainably and profitably.”

At balance date, Ballance had total assets of $574.6m, including shareholders’ equity of $437m.

That is a very strong equity ratio of 76% after the rebate provision.

Inventories were $166m, up from$139.7m.

Operating cashflow for the year was $38.2m, down from $83m a year earlier.

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News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – September 10, 2018

25

Deal opens gate for innovators Richard Rennie richard.rennie@globalhq.co.nz THE twin tyrannies of distance and lack of capital will be diminished for New Zealand agritech firms in coming years should a new partnership with a major United States food company prove successful.

Agritech NZ, a new collective of agritech interests working to better integrate new technology into farming systems, has formalised a partnership with giant US produce company Western Growers to help accelerate the rate of tech uptake in the sector in both countries.

Western Growers is the largest fresh produce firm in the US, supplying the country with more than half its nuts, vegetables and fruit and almost half its organic produce.

Agritech NZ chief executive Peter Wren-Hilton said a recent visit to California by NZ agritech executives highlighted the value such a partnership can deliver.

“What we were struck with the most was the scale of production in the US with some farms typically over 4000ha in size. One Washington state apple orchard produced more apples than NZ’s entire crop.”

However, the trip also highlighted areas of weakness in the US agri sector where NZ agritech can help.

“Waste is a big issue. We visited a watermelon farm where a third of the crop was not picked because the male melons have too many pips in them and consumers will not eat them.”

The other issue shared more closely with NZ farmers and growers is the labour shortage, not helped by President Donald Trump’s policies on Mexican migrants.

“The economy has also improved in Mexico, meaning there have been more workers heading back home to work, further tightening up the labour

WORTH IT: The American collective Farm 2050, which New Zealand is the first country to partner, can deliver big benefits to kiwi tech firms, Rezare Systems head Andrew Cooke says.

supply in a sector almost completely reliant upon migrant labour.”

But agricultural software development company Rezare Systems head Andrew Cooke said a lesser publicised aspect of the agreement could deliver even greater benefits for NZ tech firms.

NZ start-ups have typically had a real struggle with capitalraising.

Andrew Cooke Rezare Systems “NZ has also signed up as the first country partner to Farm 2050 and this will be of real interest to start-up companies from NZ.” Farm 2050 is an agri-tech collective founded by Google

WE CAN HELP: Despite its scale United States agriculture has weaknesses where New Zealand tech companies can help, Agritech NZ chief executive Peter Wren-Hilton says.

head Eric Schmidt eight years ago to address looming global food demands.

Other partners in the collective include heavy hitting agri firms like DuPont, Trimble and AgCo. “NZ start-ups have typically had a real struggle with capital-raising.

“For our company we are more interested in how companies execute their ideas but it is really hard to execute an idea when you don’t have the cash. Farm 2050 will help with that.”

He suspects the Western Growers agreement will hold more benefits for orchard and horticulture operators than for the pastoral sector.

“Organisations we work with in Bay of Plenty will be particularly interested in this.”

Wren-Hilton said the 2050 group recognises NZ’s greatest challenge is getting access to capital and the struggle to get good ideas commercialised.

Having access to the capital such big players provide and the scale of Western Growers’ research trials in the offseason offers a major opportunity for small NZ firms to springboard into the large and diverse markets in the US. Wren-Hilton said he was unfamiliar with a recent World University Rankings survey that

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had NZ’s main three agri focused universities Lincoln, Waikato and Massey languishing in global rankings between 270 and 332 in the world for farming and forestry.

“All I would say is based on our capacity through Crown research institutes and universities we do extremely well in terms of research. Commercialising that is more debatable.”

He was heartened to hear Western Growers’ head of science and technology Hank Giclas say he believes NZ has the edge over the US crop industry when it comes to robotics.

“Robotics is a key area we are both interested in so just as a concept one of the things we are talking about doing is setting up a robotics academy or something along those lines,” Giclas said.

“To actually hear the science head of the US’s largest grower acknowledge that says a lot about our sector,” Wren-Hilton said.

Like the US the NZ horticultural sector is experiencing major labour shortages and several companies including Robotics Plus in Bay of Plenty are well advanced on developing robotic solutions.

Connecting NZ innovators with US producers and agritech companies through the Western Growers Centre for Innovation and Technology in California will provide an opportunity to cross pollinate ideas and processes.

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News

26 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – September 10, 2018

Decision music to farmers’ ears Annette Scott annettescott@globalhq.co.nz THE decision of the Primary Production Select Committee to reinstate cured meats in the Consumers’ Right to Know (Country of Origin of Food) Bill is cause for celebration in the commercial pork industry, New Zealand Pork chairman Eric Roy says.

In its recommendation to Parliament to pass the Bill the committee made special mention of cured pork products, which “naturally is exciting for commercial pig farmers in this country”, he said.

It said “We have decided to specifically incorporate cured pork products within the definition of this Bill to provide certainty to consumers that these products would be approved under the tests in this Bill.”

That was music to pig farmers ears, Roy said.

Public interest in the Bill was strong as consumers and politicians expressed concern products like bacon and ham, more than 80% of them imported, were not included in the committee’s interim report released in July.

Greens MP and Bill sponsor

Gareth Hughes was particularly vocal in his support for the pork industry’s position on including cured meats.

“As we’ve slowly ratcheted up our animal welfare standards in the pork industry their sales have declined and we’re seeing a massive increase in imports of really low-quality animal welfare pork,” Hughes said.

“That’s a double whammy for them.”

Based on the momentum the Bill appears to be gathering, NZ Pork is confident a more comprehensive country of origin labelling food standard is a strong likelihood in the near future.

“This will mean consumers are

able to make an informed choice about the food they choose to buy for their families, which is likely to have real benefits for the industry,” Roy said.

According to NZ Pork’s consumer research Kiwis want to buy pork born and raised in NZ but often find labels confusing.

While the Bill still needs the support of Parliament and a new consumer standard will take time to develop and implement, the industry is already paying close attention to how pork products are being labelled.

NZ Pork is also working closely with the supply chain to ensure packaging is not incorrect or potentially misleading.

Although country of origin labelling is not yet mandatory the Fair Trading Act does require any claims made about the origin of a product not be misleading or deceptive.

In July the Commerce Commission released a fact sheet highlighting the rules around labelling.

While it was not possible to set out a precise formula prescribing exactly what products can be called NZ-made, for a food item the consideration should be where the essential character of the food is created.

The commission’s test of that is not based on a technical description, cost analysis or tariff definition but whether such a claim is likely to mislead consumers, Roy said.

One of the examples given by the commission in the July fact sheet was for ham and bacon.

It highlighted incidents where local companies were given formal warnings by the commission for misleading labels on pork.

According to a summary of the cases the traders had implied by statements on the labels their ham and bacon were produced in NZ. However, a significant amount of the pork used in the products was imported, making the claims likely to mislead consumers.

Roy said thanks to the vigilance of both farmers and consumers, NZ Pork has identified some products labelled in a similar way.

In the first instance the organisation took that up directly with the retailer and asked that the labels be corrected or the product removed.

If the situation continues it is also clear the industry can seek help from the commission, he said.

“Overall, the NZ supply chain has been quick to recognise the

Overall, the New Zealand supply chain has been quick to recognise the significant benefits of supporting the local industry as a way to create a point of difference.

Eric Roy NZ Pork significant benefits of supporting the local industry as a way to create a point of difference, build consumer loyalty and reflect the demand for quality, freshness and farming practices underpinned by the Born and Raised in NZ PigCare trustmark.

To ensure current and future consumer trading standards are met, NZ Pork will be working closely with the supply chain and developing a range of review processes to ensure country of origin labels and claims are correct.

MORE: NEWSMAKER

P28

Deer milk hits spot as Food Awards finalist PAMU’S deer milk is on the awards stage again as a finalist in two categories in this year’s New Zealand Food Awards.

The awards have been a highlight of the food sector for over 30 years and aim to demonstrate innovation, creativity and excellence in the food industry.

Pamu chief executive Steve Carden said deer milk’s nomination in both the Primary Sector Award and the Novel Food and Beverage Award is further confirmation the groundbreaking product has a bright future.

“With its unique composition

of fat and protein deer milk is mainly used in luxury desserts, however, some chefs are pushing boundaries by creating savoury dishes.

Feedback has been uniformly positive. We’d love to see deer milk as a permanent fixture on the NZ culinary scene as a testament to how Kiwi chefs can lead the world in culinary innovation,” Carden said.

Pamu’s deer milk won an Innovation Award at the 2018 Fieldays.

“Deer milk is one of the ways that Pamu is investing in innovation with like-minded

partners to create new foods and alternatives for people.

Today’s nomination is further encouragement for us to keep looking at new ways to drive added value from non-traditional farming.

“These are exciting times in the agriculture sector,” Carden said.

Following the launch for the world-first product earlier this year with a chefs’ tasting in Auckland, deer milk is appearing on the menus in top Auckland restaurants as well as some of Wellington’s best restaurants including Logan Brown, Charlie Noble and Chameleon.

The new product was also showcased at a series of special events during Wellington on a Plate.

The three special dining evenings were held in conjunction with Melbourne chef Frank Camorra of MoVida.

The deer milk made its debut in a creme caramel, cardamom and burnt Seville orange helado.

Deer milk was launched to selected Australian chefs in Sydney this month and will be launched to Melbourne chefs later in the month.

Winners of the Food Awards will be named on October 17.

NEW: Deer milk is one of the ways Pamu is investing in innovation, chief executive Steve Carden says.

News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – September 10, 2018

27

Nait reforms are now under way Neal Wallace neal.wallace@globalhq.co.nz REFORMS to the animal traceability process should give farmers clarity and a better understanding of what is expected of them, Ospri chief executive Michelle Edge says.

All 38 recommendations made after the 20-month review of the National Animal Identification and Traceability programme (Nait) are being introduced.

There were 23 operational recommendations but the rest require legislation to be passed

by Parliament before being implemented.

They include strengthening compliance, a role involving Nait but with enforcement by Ministry for Primary Industry inspectors who investigate and prosecute.

Predominantly the registration of animals and animal movement are the two areas of priority.

Michelle Edge Ospri

More than 300 letters have been sent to farmers questioning noncompliance with Nait, of which 65% were amicably resolved, she said.

The rest are being investigated

by MPI staff and so far this year 39 infringement notices have been issued.

The most common noncompliance is not registering animals or not moving animals in the allotted 48 hours.

“Predominantly the registration

of animals and animal movement are the two areas of priority.”

Ospri’s relationship with MPI is working well and is necessary to achieve economies of scale and efficiency because MPI has the investigative resources, Edge said.

Its powers have been strengthened with the addition of search and surveillance authority for MPI staff investigating Nait non-compliance.

Other operational improvements being introduced vary from accrediting recording devices to having an online process to clarify for farmers whether Nait numbers are required for multiple farms.

“This change enhances adherence to the 10km radius rule in the Nait Act and was applied in the system earlier in the year in preparation for Moving Day to mitigate any potential risks to the current disease response effort,” she said.

Also included are improvements in the Nait registration process for farmers and the introduction of standards required of sale yards and meat processors.

That had been a confusing area and the changes should clarify responsibilities.

“We are looking to achieve clarity around these activities on behalf of farmers and to update farmers to make it easier to be compliant.”

Further changes are being made to how farmers record animal movements online, new processes for uploading animals with radio frequency identification tags and recording animals that are impractical to tag or have lost their tags.

Details of the changes are available on the Ospri website and include videos, online tutorials and fact sheets.

In addition, all people in charge of Nait animals (Picas)

will be emailed and posted a guide to understanding their Nait obligations as part of their registration or re-registration process.

Edge’s message to farmers is that Ospri is evolving and making improvements but they take time.

She also urges farmers to have their say in the consultation process over the regulatory changes the Government proposes making.

News England is introducing a new traceability programme for livestock is an example of how systems are evolving.

Edge said England operates a paper system where animals have a book that moves with them.

It details health, disease and movement histories.

Discussions are now under way to introduce an online system like Nait.

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WE’RE ON IT: Nait is adopting all operational recommendations made as a result of the system review, chief executive Michelle Edge says.

Newsmaker

28 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – September 10, 2018

Pig farmers face big challenges Former Southland MP Eric Roy has taken up the reins to lead the New Zealand pork industry through new challenges. He talked to Annette Scott about the road ahead for commercial pig farmers.

J

UST one month into his reign as chairman of New Zealand Pork Eric Roy describes the future of the industry as an interesting challenge.

It’s not a leadership role he envisaged taking but when approached he had an interesting take on why he should perhaps accept it.

One of two Governmentappointed members on the NZ Pork board, Roy was initially approached by Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor to take up a seat as a Government member.

“It’s not something I sought but when Damien approached me I thought a young man, at 70 years of age, I may need a new challenge so I don’t get cabin fever,” Roy said.

At the first meeting of the new board last month Roy was elected by fellow directors.

“I am feeling quite humbled but honoured, however, I did put an ultimatum.

“I said let me do it for one year and we will see if we are still all happy and see where we go from there.

“I am enthusiastically looking forward to the challenges and making this board relevant to getting better returns for pig farmers.”

The former National MP from Southland brings a wealth of experience to the chair as the industry-good body positions itself to face key challenges for NZ’s commercial pig farming industry.

Roy, a six-term MP for the Awarua and Invercargill seats, has spent many decades working in the rural sector.

During his time in Parliament he chaired the Primary Production Select Committee, heading the rewrite of NZ’s fisheries laws in what was a world-first in sustainable management.

Over the course of a long farming career Roy and his family have bought and developed eight farms.

He now manages a deer, sheep, cattle and dairy support farming company, Glynore Farms, which owns properties at Te Anau, southern Southland, and Central Otago.

He is also a director of NZ Functional Foods and a past director of Landcorp.

His Government appointment as an independent director of NZ Pork comes at a time when the local industry, that is almost entirely focused on the domestic market, faces significant challenges.

“This is a dynamic local sector, which, through its own leadership, is supporting the positive development of NZ’s farming standards and practices in terms of biosecurity, animal welfare, the environment and country of origin labelling,” Roy said.

He cited the pork industry’s PigCare programme, developed over the past 10 years and implemented last year, as industry-leading.

PigCare is the only independently verified, whole-ofindustry standard in NZ. The accreditation programme, developed by Massey University with the support of vets, pig farmers, NZ Pork and MPI, complements the country’s high animal welfare standards by also focusing on the care, knowledge, expertise, experience and commitment of farmers to provide for the health and wellbeing of the farmed pigs in their care.

But Roy said the industry is under constant pressure from the rapid growth of imported products now sourced from more than 25 countries. About 60% of pork eaten in NZ is now imported.

“Most of which come from countries that produce pig meat using systems and practices

Most of which come from countries that produce pig meat using systems and practices that would be illegal under NZ’s welfare standards.

Eric Roy NZ Pork

KNOWLEDGE: NZ Pork’s new chairman Eric Roy has decades of rural experience.

that would be illegal under NZ’s welfare standards.”

Roy said the board, with three of the five directors new faces, recognises the myriad of challenges the local industry faces – some that are unique and others it shares with the wider primary sector.

A sixth director is yet to be named by the Government.

“There’s no doubt about the ongoing challenges around protein that all meat sectors are yet to face and pork is no exception.

“In my view NZ pork is a good product and it’s well placed to face the challenges with environment and animal welfare standards that would stand the scrutiny anywhere in the world.

“From building relationships throughout the supply chain and with consumers while continually demonstrating the

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value of the PigCare programme and trustmark to ensuring a great eating experience for born and raised in NZ products, all the while combating the rise of imports, we recognise there is a lot to be done to support our farmers,” Roy said.

“We believe there is a strong future for the industry in producing high-quality food for Kiwi families in a way that provides high standards of care for both our animals and the environment.”

While acknowledging it will be a big challenge to move pork up the value chain PigCare is one leg up for the industry.

New country of origin label legislation, expected by the end of the year, is another leg up for commercial pig farmers.

“What we need to do is keep promoting and getting it recognised because it’s only been

around about a year so we have a lot of work still to do to completely embrace the retail sector.”

The imported pig meat challenge is governed by World Trade Organisation rules and that’s the unfair factor for NZ Pork, Roy said.

“So, realistically we have to concentrate on our own industry’s stand-alone unique trustmark and fully embrace local retail and consumers and we have the tool to do that in PigCare.”

The decision by the Primary Production Select Committee to reinstate cured meats into the Consumers’ Right to Know (Country of Origin Food) Bill is cause for celebration in the commercial pork industry.

“That is the second huge leg up for NZ pig farmers and I’m expecting that will be passed by the end of the year and we will be well ready to utilise that opportunity to its best advantage.”

Farmers have elected two new directors to the NZ Pork board – South Canterbury pig farmer Helen Andrews and Southern Pork managing director Jason Palmer from Dunsandel.

Roy said Andrews and Palmer represent the next generation of farming.

“It’s great to see younger farmers bringing new ideas, energy and enthusiasm to their leadership roles as we work towards realising the opportunities of the future.

“We were unanimous at our first board meeting on what our pathway should be and now we have to focus on the work streams and strategies to achieve the results.”

New thinking

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – September 10, 2018

29

EASY AS: Koru Diagnostics’ mastitis test is a simple procedure similar to a human pregnancy detection kit, chief executive Rhys McKinlay says.

Quick test cures farmers’ woes A Palmerston North start-up company has developed a test that will help dairy farmers deal with the headache of mastitis quickly and more accurately than they have in the past. Richard Rennie spoke to the test developers about what it means for daily farm operations, animal health and making life easier when it comes to dealing with one of the industry’s most persistent animal health issues.

E

VERY year the New Zealand dairy industry foots a $300 million bill for mastitis treatment and production losses and the need to responsibly manage antibiotics to reduce resistance means the pressure is on farmers to get smarter about how they approach the problem.

Koru Diagnostics recently closed its first funding round to help commercialise cost-effective laboratory and cow-side tests for mastitis infection that will provide the runway to its commercial launch next spring.

Most farmers will take an educated guess or simply treat the cow with whatever antibiotic they have at hand and it may not always be the best treatment for that particular infection.

Rhys McKinlay Koru Diagnostics Chief executive Rhys McKinlay said it is indicative of the test’s ability to help identify a common problem that investors engaged readily, so much so the offer was heavily over-subscribed, providing the company with a war chest to get its product to market.

The company intends to launch its laboratory-based highthroughput test but appreciates

farmer interest in an on-farm test will be high.

The highest rate of mastitis infections usually coincides with the most intense, busy period on a dairy farm in spring. Traditional tests require several days to culture the bacteria to determine the most likely cause of infection.

In NZ the bacteria are usually either Streptococcus uberis or Staphylococcus aureus.

“Rather than wait almost a week for a lab result most farmers will take an educated guess or simply treat the cow with whatever antibiotic they have at hand and it may not always be the best treatment for that particular infection.”

The Koru test can deliver a result specifying which bacteria the cow is infected within 10 minutes, almost 24 hours faster than the nearest rival and a full five days quicker than lab culture results.

Rather than trying to detect the bacteria itself the technology identifies biomarkers specific to S uberis or S aureus bacteria.

Biomarkers are the naturally occurring molecules associated with a specific cell type.

“Staph aureus can be a particularly elusive bacteria to detect and some culture-based and DNA technologies can struggle to pick up a positive result.

“We don’t have to rely on growing or detecting the actual bacteria to positively identify the likely cause of the infection.”

Being able to quickly identify the bacteria, particularly S aureus, should make for smarter and more specific antibiotic selection to deal with it.

That is an area receiving greater scrutiny as antibiotic resistance awareness crosses into the veterinary sphere.

The Veterinary Association has set a goal that NZ will not need antibiotics for maintenance of animal health and welfare by 2030.

“Early and accurate identification of the causal agent and appropriate treatment aligns well with the move towards more judicious use of antibiotics.”

McKinlay said the test has attracted strong interest from commercial companies with an eye on how it will help maintain antibiotic effectiveness and keep use sustainable.

Farmers have provided a good

test platform for the technology and some modifications on which bacteria it can identify will be required for use in the northern hemisphere.

The physical appearance of the hand-held test remains to be determined once commercial partners have had input into the final design.

“It’s similar to a human pregnancy test with simple, visual indicators confirming which bacteria are causing the infection.”

McKinlay sees potential for the intellectual property to be applied across diagnostic tools for identifying human diseases and in animal and human vaccines.

He agrees having an outwardly simple solution to a big problem has helped the company with its funding round.

He also attributes success to date to Palmerston North based BCC, a specialist business development organisation for NZ start-ups in agriculture and agritech.

“They have been brilliant for us. They helped us with forming the company, appointing a strong board, refining our investment pitch, building investment interest in our business and they managed the capital raise itself.

We were really fortunate to have had the benefit of their collective experience and guidance right from the start.”

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Opinion

30 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – September 10, 2018

EDITORIAL Bosses need more modern attitudes

T

HE farm has traditionally been a pretty enticing workplace for many young people. The chance to work outdoors, often in stunning scenery, and use practical, problem-solving and physical skills can be just the ticket after five years of text book frustration at high school.

But farming can be tough. The hours are demanding, the wind can be cold and the friends can be distant. Dragging yourself out of bed before the birds have even thought about singing day after day can get old quickly.

So it seems young people are turning more and more to other trades that offer good pay and hours that afford them a social life. Unemployment is low in many but not all regions and people have choices.

As one high school principal says “Why would a young up-and-coming 17 or 18-year-old choose that industry when they have options for another job with better pay?” So what’s the solution?

Well, apart from better pay, providing an environment that’s happy and healthy is a great start. A roster that gives someone the time to play sport, see family and friends and recover and relax is a must. A supportive work environment where guidance is given and opinions are valued is also a good idea.

This isn’t about coddling young people. It’s about recognising societal and workforce changes and to attract good people, farming needs to change too.

Schools are starting to teach pupils land-based skills that will complement the business, economics, civics and literacy skills they already gain.

There are institutions like Taratahi, Massey and Lincoln that can further that education.

But if that first job or even the second isn’t much fun, all that training might be lost to our industry. With tens of thousands of workers required in the next few years to help grow the primary industries we need to get this right.

The future of our industry and our communities depend on it.

Bryan Gibson

LETTERS

Media madness leads to Labour DURING last year’s general election campaign we saw Winston Peters’ abrasive attitude to the news media, presumably because of their speculation etc rather than just reporting the news.

He is wise to be cautious and the best proof of this is the end result of that election process.

National secured the largest share of the vote. Labour was second and NZ First and Greens both just made it over the threshold into Parliament.

On election night Sir Bill English was pleased with National’s vote share and naturally expected he would be leading the next government. Labour was still talking up its chances.

Peters assumed the position of kingmaker. We all know the end result because we are living with it.

One concern with MMP is that you can end up with the tail wagging the dog. In this case the tail chose which dog.

There is an argument that this is because of a vote for change. That argument could be true only if those three parties had come to a publicly announced agreement before we cast our votes.

I almost voted for Mark Patterson of NZ First in the belief he would be an asset to a National-led coalition. I still think so. As it is, I am pleased he is there to moderate some of the extreme views of the coalition.

So, how did we get to this position? Because the press kept predicting Peters to be the kingmaker. Most people including other politicians seemed to accept that as the case. Common sense would say the party with the most votes must get first choice

to form a government with support in whatever form it can arrange. Courtesy and the votes say the first approach should be to the next highest polling party. Some think Labour would never come to an agreement with National, either to form a coalition, support it with confidence and supply from outside government or any other possibility.

If any party cannot accept it did not win the election and come to an agreement, does it have the maturity to run the country (certainly not the right)?

At the next election if one party does not have a clear majority I would expect the highest polling party to announce it will start negotiations with the other parties from next highest polling down.

If there is disagreement

over what should happen that is when the governorgeneral should step in and see democracy is upheld. I believe my views would be supported by the majority backed up by a poll soon after the election which shows National first, Labour second (despite the Jacinda effect) with neither NZ First or the Greens making the threshold for Parliament.

This shows we really do have a coalition of the losers.

Mark Whelan Gore

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Opinion

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – September 10, 2018

31

Tree scheme will cause disaster Rob Butcher

S

HANE Jones and Horizons (the Manawatu-Wanganui Regional Council) are planning to plant millions of exotic pine trees on erosion-prone land.

I believe this will be an ecological disaster and beg them to consider my findings. I am retired on my Whanganui lifestyle block.

The surrounding hills were planted about 70 years ago with exotic pine trees.

I managed to get many of these unstable and dangerous trees felled and cleared before I developed the property. But, still, many pine trees that remained have hampered my efforts to restore the block to an ecologically stable and natural landscape.

Pinus radiata is the most common of the exotic pine species. It sheds massive quantities of toxic debris as pine needles, cones and pollen that

smothers all other fauna except its own seedlings.

The pollen, which is unattractive to bees, travels a great distance and causes major problems to water systems.

Radiata seedlings quickly outgrow other species, even gorse, and in six months can be a metre high on inaccessible hill faces.

Pine timber when harvested rots very quickly unless treated with an anti-fungal insecticide solution immediately.

It must then be treated with even more dangerous chemicals if it is being used for fencing or building material.

Exotic pine trees 45m high now screen many hilltops causing loss of vision and life-giving winter sun. Fire is a natural cycle for these trees in their native habitat and they can actually create fire hazards to remove their opposition.

Many older trees carry unstable, high, heavy branches making them dangerous and expensive to fell.

THIS WORKS: Flaxes planted four years ago have stopped any further erosion of this hill face.

Pulpit

The

Their roots can travel large distances and form jacking pads that can destroy concrete foundations weighing several tonnes.

Radiata pine trees have a way of storing water in their branches to dry out surrounding land and kill off other fauna. I have experienced this phenomena but it is also confirmed in The Living Planet.

Old dying pine trees on fragile land leave 10cm diameter roots that have penetrated down 10m into the subsoil.

They quickly rot to channel storm water into the subsoil, which can cause major slips taking out whole hillsides.

This happened on my block several years ago, taking out a native forest and depositing the topsoil in the Whanganui River.

These are some of the dark sides I have experienced with these northern imports.

Hundreds of millions of years of natural evolution designed native coniferous trees specifically for our unique island continent. They include rimu, totara, kahikatea, miro and others. These podocarps have many advantages over exotic pines, like their ability to bear fruit

NO GOOD: Retired engineer, conservationist and farmer Rob Butcher bemoans our fixation with pine trees.

We must urgently set up systems to remove these trees from our environment.

that feed our native fauna.

These, plus of course our own kauri and other native plants and trees, have evolved erosion prevention abilities for our soils in our climate.

Also, in my 18 years bush farming experience, native landscapes are not a fire hazard like pine trees are.

Our early governments decided to replace our native trees with exotic pine trees, against nature and documented scientific advice.

Now, 150 years later we have this increasing damage to our environment, flora and fauna.

I believe we must urgently set up systems to remove these trees from our environment and control areas where they are planted.

Your View Got a view on some aspect of farming you would like to get across?

The Pulpit offers readers the chance to have their say. nzfarmersweekly@nzx.com Phone 06 323 1519

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Opinion

32 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – September 10, 2018

One report good, one not so much Alternative View

Alan Emerson

WE’VE had two reports regarding global warming over the last 10 days.

One I viewed with some credibility the other with little.

The report from Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment Simon Upton about the impact of global warming from New Zealand’s livestock methane emissions did, in my view, come from a pre-ordained position.

It said we need to reduce methane emissions by somewhere between 10% and 20% from 2016 levels, which is arguable.

It also presumes nothing can be done to stop cows burping.

We know the Dutch have developed a treatment to reduce the methane from cows but it has to be ingested daily, making it impractical here.

Our scientists are working on other treatments including types of grass and the genetic make-up of the cow.

The issue is that if you do reduce the methane emissions from a cow that reduction

is translated into greater productivity so spending money on methane mitigation is a nobrainer.

I would have thought DairyNZ would have been a lot more connected than its website suggests. It needs the input of a good agricultural scientist, preferably at board level.

A problem with methane is compounded by the measurement system used.

For example, the Global Warming Potential (GWP) takes a 100-year view. It is harsher on methane than the alternative Global Temperature Change Potential (GTP).

The GTP gives a considerably lower weight to methane than the GWP. I’m also critical of Upton’s approach, which is probably what you get when you appoint an ex politician with qualifications in English literature, music, law and political philosophy to a specialist scientific position.

I’d also question why the report wasn’t developed by an organisation like NIWA. I was surprised there is no reference about how CO2 emissions lead to warming.

That means the report fails to present the rest of the context for our climate policy.

In addition, the framing of the report and Upton’s foreword suggest some enthusiasm for justifying stringent methane emissions reductions. His

FALSE START: Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment Simon Upton appears to have started from a point of trying to justify stringent methane emissions reductions.

approach was described as combative.

In July Oxford University published a paper called Climate Metrics for Ruminant Livestock. It is well worth the read and totally ignored by Upton It says the conventional GWP can be misleading when applied to methane emissions, particularly when they are being reduced.

Other points included the fact

constant methane emissions cause little extra warming while every tonne of CO2 emitted causes about the same amount of warming whenever it occurs.

By comparison I thought the Productivity Commission’s report into a low-emissions economy released early last week was considerably more reasoned and more soundly argued than Upton’s.

As you’d expect there were points I agreed with and those I didn’t.

It wants long-term gases such as CO2 and nitrous oxide to be included in the ETS. Methane will have a separate emissions pricing scheme to incentivise reduction.

It is an approach I support along with the extra funding into methane mitigation the report recommends.

It wants a lot more land in trees, a fifth of all the land now in agriculture, plus a reform of the Emissions Trading Scheme and strong encouragement for electric vehicles.

It also wants land diversified to horticulture and cropping.

My concerns are that if you curb food production it will be transferred to another country with a higher carbon footprint, thus exacerbating global warming.

We’d be effectively exporting our global warming.

Electric vehicles are fine but if lots of people buy them we’ll need to increase electricity generation considerably. How will we do that?

The technology of electric vehicles makes them unsuitable for isolated rural areas and they don’t pay fuel tax or road user charges. If everyone drives electric cars who’ll pay for roads?

Will we ever see electric heavy haul trucks and tractors?

Having more horticulture and cropping is great but they’ll need water. Will the Government change its policy to encourage irrigation?

Planting millions of hectares of forests is great for carbon mitigation but will those trees be harvested? If they are then the fix is short term.

In addition, turning all that land into forestry will devastate rural communities and employment.

The issue is that every part of our economy has an effect on global warming and it is important to consider the entirety of the problem, as the commission largely does.

Farmers are responsible citizens and guardians of the land both now and for the future. We will react to any credible evidence we’re given.

Finally, I’m impressed with the reasoned and rational approach of Green Party co-leader James Shaw. I’ll be watching from here with interest.

Your View Alan Emerson is a semi-retired Wairarapa farmer and businessman: dath-emerson@wizbiz.net.nz

Farmers, line up for your weekly beating From the Ridge

Steve Wyn-Harris

IT’S like there is a big stick in a cupboard that they bring out every week to give farmers and farming a good whack. Well that’s how it feels now anyway.

Three weeks ago Radio New Zealand’s Checkpoint spent all week giving feedlots, and the Five Star one in particular, a decent beating after SAFE provided it with drone footage.

We saw well fed cattle standing in clean conditions but SAFE saw animal cruelty.

If you burrow down into the SAFE website you find its real agenda is veganism.

They should come clean on what their actual motivations are.

Veganism is a personal lifestyle choice folk are more than entitled to choose but I object to that organisation trying to ram it down other people’s throats.

Then, two weeks ago, the report put out by Parliamentary

Commissioner for the Environment Simon Upton again emphasised the impact methane from livestock is having on this country’s contribution to global warming.

It seems the report took a pragmatic approach to the problem facing us but still signals big cuts and changes will be required.

Last week’s stick was the release of a report by the Productivity Commission.

Murray Sherwin is the chairman with an economics background and many of us came across him when he was director-general of MAF so, he knows our sector well and hopefully has an affinity for it.

Given its name, one might think it would be holding the sheep and beef sector up as poster boys and girls given we have had some of the best productivity gains of any sector in the country.

But its name is somewhat misleading.

The commission considers whether laws, policies, regulations and institutions best support the wellbeing of New Zealanders, which is quite a different matter.

Its principal purpose is to provide advice to the Government on improving productivity in a way that is directed to supporting

the overall well-being of New Zealanders, having regard to a wide range of communities of interest and population groups in NZ society.

It’s not hard to see there is a degree of tension when considering how it might view what we do.

We strive hard to be productive and profitable, generating exports to allow this country to remain a first-world country but in doing so, given we work within nature, we have environmental impacts.

A main driver of wellbeing, though, is being comfortably off and able to provide food, shelter and some fun for your family so being economically viable and robust should remain a high priority for the commission.

Its report looks at how we will get to become a low-emission economy by 2050.

Not surprisingly, it recommends a shift away from using fossil fuels to electricity to power the transport fleet and industry. If much of this extra electricity is to come from new hydro sources, good luck on getting the dams in place.

It recommends substantial afforestation rates for the next 30 years, like what we were planting at our peak in 1994 – 100,000

PICKED ON: Sheep and beef farmers have achieved record profits and cut emissions in half while those from dairy have doubled.

hectares a year.

It points the finger at sheep and beef land for this.

Two million hectares going into trees is a quarter of the land farmed by sheep and beef.

It is asking our sector to do the heavy lifting on behalf of other sectors with some significant social and economic impacts and disruptions.

It overlooks the record profitability of the sector and that we have already cut our own emissions by nearly half while dairy has doubled.

Recent modelling has shown that sheep and beef farms with 2025 hectares of forestry and other plantings for every 1000 stock units offset their emissions.

Many are already doing this and maybe this approach at farm

level will offset our own outputs but won’t assist other sectors mitigating theirs.

However, the commission is recommending changes to the ETS and forecasting a large lift in the carbon market prices and afforestation on harder country might become attractive.

In fact, it is already happening.

We will have to get used to the scrutiny we are under and get our heads around the big changes ahead of us.

But there will be opportunities for us as well so we need to dwell on those aspects.

Your View Steve Wyn-Harris is a Central Hawke’s Bay sheep and beef farmer. swyn@xtra.co.nz

Opinion

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – September 10, 2018

33

MPI needs new thinking Keith Woodford

IT APPEARS the Ministry for Primary Industries is desperately in need of both new thinking and more transparency.

It seems that it has a culture and internal power relationships aligned with the military and police backgrounds of its top-level managers.

MPI is also impacted by what I perceive as the dominant thinking from within the overarching State Services Commission that top-level people trained in management do not need technical knowledge in the fields they are responsible for.

MPI is led by a former major general, its director-general Martyn Dunne. The Mycoplasma bovis response team is led by former policeman Geoff Gwyn.

Biosecurity NZ head Roger Smith has no science qualifications. The next MPI boss will be transferring from being Corrections chief executive.

This situation means MPI’s leaders may lack the skills to question the meaning of information they get so lack ability to provide genuine leadership. As long as they accept the advice and pass it on upwards then they have apparently done their duty.

My criticism here is not of people but of the system. Square pegs don’t fit in round holes and round pegs don’t fit in square holes.

However, those at the top do need to be held accountable.

This situation has developed gradually over the last 40 or so years.

When I started my own career in the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry our leaders were technically qualified people.

As such, they would question information they got from the field. Debate on important matters was encouraged. Their key role was to lead, with day to day management being a subordinate function.

As a boy, I recall that my own father, who rose to be the chief telecommunications engineer in Government, would meet regularly with ministers such as Tom Shand and Rob Muldoon – not that he always enjoyed the rambunctious meetings with the latter. There were no managers to filter the information.

There is an argument that MPI’s responsibilities are too diverse.

Trade-related matters may be better dealt with by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Biosecurity and food safety have common science fundamentals and could run alongside each other in their own ministry.

Science and systems would run

in parallel but separate from enforcement.

That would leave a much smaller MPI to deal with broader industry matters affecting agriculture, forestry and fisheries.

It should be led by someone with a professional education in the unique features of biological industries.

Weaknesses in biosecurity have been evident for many years.

I recall being invited to a Wellington workshop 10 years ago, set up by the government, to advise on primary industry research priorities. The overwhelming message from the assembled industry leaders was that the greatest industry risks related to biosecurity.

Scratching beneath the surface it became evident it was not necessarily more sophisticated research that was needed but systems and expertise in government to prevent and manage incursions.

The record shows that has not been achieved.

Since then biosecurity appears to have been a saga of crashes.

The most spectacular was the importation of the Psa bacteria in kiwifruit pollen and the anthers that support the pollen. MPI was found liable in the High Court earlier this year because it failed kiwifruit growers in its duty of care. That ruling is now under appeal on the basis of legal technicalities.

Regardless of the final outcome, a key issue was that a lack of historic evidence as to Psa being present in pollen was subsequently interpreted as meaning that there was minimal risk.

Weaknesses in biosecurity have been evident for many years.

That was a very basic error.

Any expert on horticultural disease would have heard loud warning bells on learning of the importation, with the pollen imported from China where the disease is endemic, with a valid import permit but without any inspection or quarantine.

MPI has also come under criticism for its handling of the parasite Bonamia ostreae in farmed oysters, which spread from Marlborough to Stewart Island, with 10 Marlborough farms and 14 Stewart Island farms being culled. Compensation remains a vexatious issue and there are some very unhappy people.

I am also in contact with the victim of another biosecurity misadventure who is still seeking compensation five years later.

Dunne has had a crack at me twice in recent months over my articles on Mycoplasma bovis.

In Farmers Weekly on August 20 he wrote a rejoinder accusing

ATTENTION: Martyn Dunne took issue with Keith Woodford’s views on the Mycoplasma bovis eradication programme.

me of hearsay and unfounded speculation.

I can assure both Dunne and my readers that I do not use hearsay – I always go to the original source before publishing. However, I do on occasions have to protect those sources.

In fact, Dunne’s criticisms of me used three of the oldest tricks in the book.

One of these is called ad hominem or attacking the man rather than the ball. It is the classic approach when the facts of the matter cannot be refuted.

The second trick was to use correct information but do so in a way that is misleading. So Dunne stated MPI has paid nearly 70% of the assessed claims. He did not address the issue of nearly 200 submitted claims struggling though the assessment process.

The third trick was to incorrectly state my position – it is called the straw man ploy.

A false target was set up, of MPI being deliberately slow, which was then attacked.

A problem with authoritarian institutions is that they cannot abide either uncertainty or perceived failure.

It takes away from their perceived status.

Yet, when dealing with complex situations like M bovis, there are always going to be many uncertainties that must be considered. Strong leadership is not necessarily wise leadership.

MPI has published three reports from the Technical Advisory Group (TAG). But according to MPI information I have seen, the group has met five times.

as being clean without extensive Can we have the reports of interrogation of the owners about the other two meetings? Can the history of all animals, not only we also have the information sale animals, on the source farm.

MPI supplied to the TAG? That I know of sales where full supplied information is important disclosures, including previous because the TAG is spread around NODs, are not being given. the world and its members are prisoners of the information supplied electronically to them by Your View MPI. If eradication should fail then Keith Woodford was Professor of farm management and agribusiness the TAG appears to have been set at Lincoln University for 15 years to up beautifully to take some of the 2015. He is now principal consultant blame with MPI saying “we took at AgriFood Systems. He can be the advice of the experts”. contacted at kbwoodford@gmail.com No-one knows whether eradication will be successful.

However, some of us who are following the evidence remain highly sceptical that the disease farmersweeklyjobs.co.nz supposedly arrived no earlier than the Agribusiness end of 2015.

Analyst We are also Farm Manager highly sceptical whether all 225 Genetic Manager farms that have Manager been taken off Operations Managers Notice of Direction Sales Manager and Restricted Shepherd Place status are Shepherd/General genuinely free of Tractor/Truck/ the organism.

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The Braided Trail

On Farm Story

34 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – September 10, 2018

Feeding and breeding vital A desire not to be anchored to machinery led Mike and Vicki Cottrell to try something new. They headed for the hills and have spent a quarter-century running sheep and cattle on medium to steep back country near Taihape. They told fellow Rangitikei farmer Andrew Stewart about facing the on and off farm challenges of the farming life.

V

ENTURE southeast from Taihape and you come across the farming community of Omatane.

It is here that clean, green hills are punctuated with river chasms and rim rocks. In the distance Mt Ruapehu provides a stunning but sometimes chilly backdrop.

Loosely translated from the Maori dictionary, Omatane means a fleeing man.

But for Mike Cottrell and wife Vicki Omatane represents more of a homecoming than a place they have run from after moving to the area 26 years ago.

The Cottrells farm 610 effective hectares in two blocks separated by a mere kilometre at the boundary and connected by a quiet country road that is more like a private lane.

It is about as different as you could get from their previous farm on the North Canterbury plains.

Mike admits he was not into the machinery needed on the mixed cropping and finishing farm and the thought of spending the rest of his career sitting in tractors ate away at him. He longed to find a strong hill country farm where he could run sheep and cattle and pursue his real passion with stock.

They looked far and wide for suitable farms and finally stumbled across a block near Taihape. They did their research thoroughly, talked to family and friends in the district and took the plunge to move to Omatane with their children Anna, James and Libby.

Having farmed through some tough years in Canterbury during the 1980s, the Cottrells hoped for an easier ride in the North Island.

The move to medium to steep hill country was a tough learning curve but ultimately a very rewarding one.

The local community embraced them as their own, always willing to lend a hand or offer advice in times of need. In true Taihape tradition that is still the case today with a scattering of community halls providing a strong focus for farming families.

Mike might be a traditional stockman at heart but he is not afraid to throw out the rulebook and try new things.

A chance conversation with a bank manager in 2009 led to a totally new concept of share farming that is still going strong today.

Ross Humphrey, from Brookfield Romney stud near Feilding, was looking for a satellite farm to expose some of his stud ewes to solid hill country and also expand his flock size. The two put their heads together and came up with a plan, with no formal agreement, and the relationship is still going strong today.

THE STOCK: Some of the R2 heifers that were artificially inseminated this year and their new born calves.

PRODUCTION: Ready to lamb ewes on the Kawhatau Valley block.

It provides the Cottrells with a stable revenue stream, improved returns from the finished lambs and exposure to top-class Romney genetics.

Mike treats the extra ewes just the same as his own flock and takes great pride in feeding them well. His simple mantra for all stock is “feeding and breeding” and the results are clear to see scattered across the green hills.

Last year they docked 150% in the stud mob, a result consistent with their main flock of 2400 ewes.

The satellite flock does mean extra work at various times. Lambs have to be tagged at docking, meaning each lamb must be confirmed as being re-mothered with its ewe. But with multiple sets of satellite yards around the

farm Mike takes his time to ensure all data captured is as accurate as possible.

Mike has also branched out with his cattle breeding programme this year.

Faced with the prospect of stumping up for a new sire bull he consulted Martin Walshe from Hunterville Vets about the prospect of using artificial insemination (AI) in the beef herd for the first time. The cost of insemination for one round proved to be competitive with buying a bull and with semen from a low birthweight sire and the prospect of a compact calving period he decided to give it a go in 59 first calving heifers.

While it is early days with calving this year Mike was pleased

OUT AND ABOUT: Mike and Josh out on the Omatane farm.

For me it is normally a gut feeling backed by due diligence.

Mike Cottrell

with the results and confident in his decision to think outside the box.

Another crucial decision this year was to employ stock manager Josh Hooper. Although only four months into his new role Josh has settled in well and become a vital part of the Cottrells’ farming operation. He has also

On Farm Story

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – September 10, 2018

THE PEOPLE: Stock manager Josh Hooper, left, Mike and Vicki Cottrell.

freed Mike and Vicki up to tackle more important jobs such as farm management and visiting grandchildren in the South Island.

Underpinning their successful farming operation are some key ingredients that are easily transferable to other farms.

Mike’s “feeding and breeding” underpins everything and he feels if he gets those two spot on, the rest will fall into place relatively easily.

Sure, there are challenges of farming in their district with increasingly dry summers, facial eczema and other disease challenges and a reliance on natural water sources but the positives far outweigh any negatives and they have never regretted moving the family north.

“I think we were very fortunate with the property that we bought.

It is good, strong, papa hill country and I think it is the best

property we could have bought,” Mike said.

Another example of thinking outside the square is the use of helicopter cropping on some of their hill country. Mike is constantly frustrated by people referring to this type of cropping as “spray and pray”.

“The truth is we analyse what we are doing probably more than any other type of cropping because if you don’t, you don’t get the results.”

Plantain and clover mixes have been sown over 18 hectares of hill country divided into three blocks, making a rotation easier.

This heli-cropping complements the small area of cultivable land that has also been sown with plantain and clover, mainly for finishing stock over summer.

Although he is a lateral thinker Mike paid homage to the others

Photos: Andrew Stewart

who have helped them along the way.

Bank managers, vets, consultants, neighbours and family have all provided important information to aid him with his decision-making and he is grateful for the support network they have created.

And while it might seem he is one to chase an idea, it is only after some deep analysis has been done.

“For me it is normally a gut feeling backed by due diligence.

“Any form of farming has its challenges and every season is different. It’s a matter of being well informed, and making informed decisions about what you do. It’s important to have a good team around you that you rely on, trust and get good information from,” he said.

Despite having a clearly sharp and analytical mind Mike has

been living with a mild case of multiple sclerosis (MS) since 1997.

He began losing his hearing, the feeling down one side of his body and experienced electric shocks in his neck.

Despite multiple tests and hospital visits Mike remained undiagnosed and worried about what was happening to his body.

Vicki stepped up more to help on the farm but one fateful day had an accident that left her needing an emergency evacuation. Mike flew in the rescue helicopter beside his wife with no thoughts about his own condition.

But on arriving at Palmerston North hospital a trauma nurse took one look at the way he was walking and thought MS was likely causing him his medical problems.

Unknown to Mike and Vicki she conferred with Vicki’s father,

CHAMPING: Muddied but ready to go. Let me at them boss.

NATURE: Deep river gorges and pockets of bush punctuate the Omatane area.

35

who was also a GP, and following further testing and an MRI Mike was confirmed as having MS. Although the news shocked them both it went a long way to easing the mental stress of not knowing what was ailing him.

“It’s the unknown that’s the biggest fear. Once you know what you are dealing with you know a lot more about what’s happening to you and you can deal with it,” he said.

Vicki spent eight weeks in hospital recovering from her injuries and though she wishes it never happened she is thankful they finally got to the bottom of what was affecting her husband.

Luckily, Mike’s MS has been mild so far and apart from two more serious episodes he has enjoyed good health.

“We’ve been very grateful that it has only been as mild as it is,” Vicki said.

“We just hope that Mike stays as fit and healthy as he currently is so he can continue farming and doing what he loves.”

They are also very thankful they took an income protection insurance policy before he was diagnosed because it relieved the financial pressure that came with his diagnosis.

The children have grown up and left the family nest. They are all following their own careers and none plans on returning to run the family farm but they still call Omatane home.

But for Mike and Vicki that doesn’t matter.

Having already moved regions once they are comfortable they might again one day if they decide to. For the immediate future their heads and hearts are entrenched in the Omatane and greater Taihape communities they call home.

>> Video link: bit.ly/OFScottrell

World

36 THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – September 10, 2018

WE DON’T NEED YOU: Homegrown product is now available whenever it is needed, lessening the need for lamb imported from New Zealand, British producers say.

Brits have year-round lambs BRITISH sheep farmers have risen to the challenge of making lamb available all-year-round, with imports from New Zealand now less important for maintaining a consistent supply.

The Livestock Auctioneers’ Association has highlighted the good number of lambs now available throughout the year, with farmers adapting practices to meet demand at the live sales ring.

Association chairman John Brereton said he has seen a dramatic change in supply of lambs during his career.

“We used to see very few lambs and old season lambs from

British farmers have risen to the challenge with homegrown product available whenever needed.

John Brereton Livestock Ausstioneers’ Assn January to April, whereas now numbers continue to be available most weeks.

“British farmers have risen to the challenge with homegrown product available whenever needed.”

Farmers are aware of fluctuations – with early lamb still in demand over the Easter period – and opportunities around the Muslim festivals.

“In the past multiples have felt it necessary to import lamb, particularly from NZ, to ensure they had a continuous supply at all times.

“Changes to family practices now ensure they have availability of British lamb all-year-round.

And he added the live sales ring gives a competitive selling

environment and advice on marketing lambs.

It came as the industry headed into Love Lamb Week, a campaign to raise awareness of lamb meats’ seasonality, sustainability and nutrition.

However, Welsh farmers warned of a potential glut, with lambs for the autumn market potentially finishing earlier in September because of improved grass growth, as well as additional feed over the summer months.

But other factors could balance out the risk of a surge in numbers, which has the potential to cause headaches for processors later in the year.

Hybu Cig Cymru industry development and relations manager John Richards said, given the difficult weather conditions during lambing and the lack of rain in the first half of summer it was an unusually difficult year to project supply patterns for the sheep industry.

“Some farmers will have decided to introduce supplementary feed, which could mean some lambs are finished sooner.”

However, that was varied across each area of Wales and the picture was far from clear, he said.

UK Farmers Guardian

Laboratory meat is the way to go THE British government should be actively encouraged to invest in lab-grown meat to secure a more sustainable food source for the nation, a think tank report from the Adam Smith Institute says.

Researcher Jamie Hollywood and Adam Smith Institute president Madsen Pirie said lab-grown meat offers a cleaner, healthier and cheaper alternative to traditional meat and is also less harmful to the environment.

They estimated the demand for meat and drink will increase by 70% by 2050 and lab-grown or cultured meat could mean a cut in agricultural greenhouse gas emissions of 78-96% while using 99% less land.

Five years ago the cost of a burger made with meat grown in a lab stood at $250,000 but the price has dropped to just £8 With farming using up to 70% of antibiotics critical to medical use in humans cultured meat has

the potential to solve the looming antibiotic resistance crisis.

Cultured meat also will reduce cases of food poisoning, such as campylobacter from chicken, because, unlike on farms, growth takes place under controlled conditions Cultured meat will help lower the risk of zoonotic infection transmitted to humans via animals.

And some animals endangered or deemed at risk could have meat generated from their cells to provide up-market diners with more exotic dishes Their report, Don’t Have a Cow Man: The Prospects for Lab Grown Meat, predicts the commercialisation of lab-grown meat is likely to happen within five years as the cost of producing a cultured meat burger has fallen to ab out £8 apiece.

“With an ever-growing global demand for meat and the mounting environmental

concerns around sustaining agricultural practices, cultured meat is a welcome and positive innovation that can and no doubt will revolutionise the food industry,” it said.

It explains lab-grown meat is produced by extracting stem cells from animals, such as a cow, then growing and multiplying them in a lab to create an edible meat.

The report said scientists have not yet fully mastered how to grow the cells to form the same texture as real meat.

But once the obstacles are overcome cultured meat production could create meat identical to traditionally grown meat.

Researchers said the production and consumption of lab-grown meat will be opposed by farmers and some environmental campaigners on the grounds it is not natural.

On August 28 Missouri became

the first United States state to pass a bill banning the use of the word meat to describe lab-grown meat.

Under the ruling food manufacturers in the state are now banned from marketing products from lab-grown meat or meat substitutes as meat.

The bill was passed following a petition filed to the US government by the US Cattlemen’s Association over the legal definition of terms such as meat and beef.

The association argued the legal definition of meat must be reserved for foods produced only from a living, reared and exercised animal.

In Britain the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board published a report in July exploring the rise of plant-based products and the implications for meat and dairy.

It includes a section on cultured meat grown from cells.

The AHDB report said “Proponents argue it is a largely cruelty-free and more environmentally sustainable method of producing proteins.

“Thus far, the process has been successful in growing a mincetype substance that could limit the applications.

“However, plans are in place to develop this more widely.”

The report said Tyson Foods, one of the largest food processors in the US, has funded Future Meat Technologies to invest in research in cultured meat.

But the AHDB said the bigger limitation is that it is not yet economic to produce, with costs per kilo in the thousands of dollars.

“Future Meat Technologies has claimed it can bring prices down from around $800/kg to as little as $8/kg for its cell-cultured meat in six to eight months,” the AHDB report said.

UK Farmers Weekly

World

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – September 10, 2018

37

English Nait makes big promises ENGLISH livestock interests are uniting in an attempt to convince sceptical farmers of the benefits of sharing more data with a new traceability system.

As the winter and spring discussion group and conference season gears up a co-ordinated campaign of action will try to convince farmers uniting online movement systems and adding new features will help fight disease and slash the need for mountains of paper documentation.

The programme is the gateway to delivering productivity improvements and enabling a new domestic support policy for the livestock sector.

John Royle National Farmers Union The first parts of the new system are likely to launch no sooner than the end of 2019 because work on the software, to be done in a partnership between the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Agriculture and Horticulture

Development Board has not yet begun.

The new system will definitely be used to notify movements of livestock on and off holdings, which is required by law, but is also expected to add a significant number of other functions over time such as EID cattle tagging and the simplified sharing of medicine and health data.

Defra has agreed in principle to work on the statutory side of the project while the AHDB will work on the remainder, meaning levy payers are likely to be partfunding future developments.

A final, more formal agreement between them is likely to be signed later this year.

Defra and AHDB are two components of the Traceability Design User Group (TDUG), which includes representatives of all livestock farmer groups, auctioneers and meat processors.

National Farmers Union chief livestock adviser John Royle said “The programme is the gateway to delivering productivity improvements and enabling a new domestic support policy for the livestock sector.”

TDUG has been meeting twicemonthly since March 2017 and has finally come to complete agreement on the project’s ambitions but is yet to start serious work on putting them into

WOW: England’s planned real-time, digital, accurate and comprehensive multi-species livestock tracing and information system will allow quicker and more effective disease responses, Britain’s chief veterinary officer Christine Middlemiss says.

practice, meaning concrete details on what the system will be like for users are so far frustratingly scant.

Work on separate but compatible multi-species systems is already under way in Scotland and Northern Ireland and a spokesman for Welsh rural affairs cabinet secretary Lesley Griffiths said a decision will be made soon on whether Wales will join the English programme or develop its own.

TDUG members acknowledge they have a long way to go to convince some farmers of the benefits of a system that is being designed with the potential to include more production data but are determined to sell the project on its merits rather than force through changes.

That could include the ability to attach medicine records or TB data to animal movement

Chain bans single calf pens

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agrievents RMPP Action Network – Facilitator training courses For rural professionals or farmers looking to run an Action Group under RMPP Action Network. No course fees. Register at www.actionnetwork.co.nz/training Lead Facilitator workshops • Hawkes Bay 20 & 21 September • East Coast/Gisborne 16 & 17 October • Wellington 4 & 5 December • Christchurch 7 & 8 December Action Network Fundamentals & Extension Design workshops • Hamilton 19 & 20 September • Whangarei 9 & 10 October • Hawke’s Bay 17 & 18 October • Invercargill 24 & 25 October • East Coast/Gisborne 13 & 14 November • Christchurch 12 & 13 December For more info contact info@actionnetwork.co.nz

NO GO: British dairy farmers supplying supermarket chain Tesco can no longer keep calves in individual pens following pressure from animal rights activists.

with either approach.

Lambert Leonard and May Farm Vets’ Den Leonard said there are challenges and potential benefits from rearing calves in pairs.

Infectious diseases could be a problem but Leonard pointed to research showing rearing in pairs improves growth rates and performance and diminishes some behaviour that could be interpreted as representing stress.

“These may be the reasons why some milk buyers are insisting on this practice on their supplier farms,” he said.

“Many farmers have invested in single pen set ups, mainly used for a few days after birth, reflecting sound research in terms of disease resistance.

“These systems often have successful outcomes so sudden alterations in milk buyer requirements can seem unnecessary.”

A Tesco spokesperson said “In consultation with members of the Tesco dairy groups and leading veterinary advisers we have updated the Tesco livestock code of practice to require all calves to be reared in pairs.

“This change is in line with the latest scientific evidence showing calves reared in pairs perform and socialise into adulthood better than those reared in single pens.”

UK Farmers Guardian

Thursday 27/09/18 Rural Business Network Effective Industry Collaboration for Environmental Gains Rebecca Hyde Venue: Barge Showgrounds Events Centre, Whangarei Time: 5:30pm - 7:30pm Website: https://my.youngfarmers.co.nz/rbn/events Wednesday 17/10-18 & Thursday 18/10/18 NZGSTA Annual Conference and Book Launch For members and associates of the NZGSTA Venue: The Crowne Plaza Hotel, Cnr Colombo & Armagh Sts. Website: https://www.nzgsta.co.nz/nzgsta-conference-2018/ You can register online or for more information contact Tricia.radford@seedindustrynz.co.nz Wednesday 31/10/18 Rural Business Network Positioning for a very different future – Dr Warren Parker Venue: Barge Showgrounds Events Centre, Whangarei Time: 5:30pm - 7:30pm Website: https://my.youngfarmers.co.nz/rbn/events

LK0085515©

BRITISH supermarket chain Tesco has come under fire from dairy farmers following accusations it is letting animal rights activists rather than science dictate its calf rearing policy.

The retailer recently updated its policy for the Tesco Sustainable Dairy Group to state calves must be reared with at least one other from birth, with rearing in individual pens permitted only on veterinary advice.

Activists have been critical of rearing calves individually, accusing producers of running calf battery farms.

Cheshire dairy farmer and Farmers Guardian In Your Field writer Phil Latham believes the rule change is nonsense and keeping calves in individual pens, within sight of each other, allows farmers to measure their appetite and colostrum intake.

“We individually rear.

“When we know they are happy they go in together,” he said.

“This is just activist pressure leading to stupid decisions.”

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) could not state definitively whether putting calves together from birth or from an early age is preferable but said good management is key

records to improve the confidence of farmer and food chain buyers.

Other benefits could include helping with nationwide eradication programmes for diseases such as BVD or Johne’s disease as well as dealing with outbreaks of serious threats such as foot and mouth disease.

UK chief veterinary officer Christine Middlemiss said “A real-time, digital, accurate and comprehensive multi-species livestock information service will enable us all to be quicker and more effective in our disease responses.

“The government will be able to make better-informed, riskbased decisions and be more proportionate in action on exotic disease.”

The TDUG has six priority outcomes.

They are to facilitate international and domestic trade in meat and livestock products, secure and build consumer confidence, enable effective disease control and response, support supply chain efficiency and farm productivity, aid animal health and welfare and underpin a practical system that is easy to use and engages users by adding value for them.

UK Farmers Weekly

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AgriHQ is now under the new ownership of GlobalHQ, the same company that brings you your favourite ag titles Farmers Weekly, Dairy Farmer and video series OnFarm Story.

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Whakamaru 548 Mcdonald Road

Ready for the next generation For over half a century on this 200ha (more or less subject to survey) dairy farm, the owner has developed this property ready for the next generation. The farm peak milks 585 cows with an average production over the previous 3 years of 204,000ms. A 40ASHB dairy with an in shed feeding system is situated in the middle of the farm making this an easy walk for the cows. Effluent is spread over approximately 40ha. There is also a grey water system in place at the dairy. The water system is supplied via a single bore with 40mm PVC trenched around the farm in a ring with 32mm to troughs. Approximately 250 calves are reared each year. Whakamaru is known as a great farming district with a close knit community. The farm is only a 45 minute drive to Taupo or a 10 minute drive to the village.

Price by Negotiation View by appointment Stan Sickler 021 275 7826 stan.sickler@bayleys.co.nz WESTERMAN REALTY LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

bayleys.co.nz/2650933

Oruanui 1443 Poihipi Road

Kinloch view farm

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On every level this 175 hectare (more or less) property will exceed expectations located just 14km from Taupo town centre. Mountain and lake views add an aesthetic value, along with the 51 hectares (more or less) of trees made up of 41 ha native and 10 ha exotics, all fenced and pruned. Not only does this property fatten stock to very good weights, the current owners are also members of the Taupo Beef brand. The property currently winters 420 cattle approximately - made up of R1yr and R2yr beef cattle and includes approximately 90 dairy heifers per annum. There are extra cattle purchased as the grass growth allows. We believe the property has a “twist” for the next owner to exploit… You may choose to farm, future development or a potential tourist opportunity - just to name a few!

Auction (unless sold prior) 5pm, Fri 19 Oct 2018 Level 1, 38 Roberts Street, Taupo View 11.30am-1.30pm Thu 20 Sep & Thu 27 Sep or by appointment Stan Sickler 021 275 7826 stan.sickler@bayleys.co.nz

bayleys.co.nz/2651162

WESTERMAN REALTY LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

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bayleys.co.nz

NEW LISTING

Boundary lines are indicative only

One and two bedroom units

Morningside 34-38 Tarewa Road

Aranga 66 Proud Road Entry level dairy farm Set up just north of Dargaville, the opportunity has come up to purchase a tidy entry level dairy farm. Containing 92 hectares with approximately 88 hectares effective. The farm is made up of mixed contour, with strong volcanic soil, great re-grassing programme and is subdivided in to 54 paddocks with water being reticulated to all paddocks. The dairy farm historically has produced 40,047kgMS with a three year average of 34,417kgMS. Farm infrastructure includes a tidy 16 ASHB cowshed with good concrete yarding, three bay implement shed, round hay barn and square hay barn. Effluent is a two pond system and consented to discharge. The property includes a three bedroom home with open plan living. A tidy first farm that lends to multiple options.

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Tender (unless sold prior) Closing 4pm, Thu 11 Oct 2018 84 Walton St, Whangarei View by appointment Catherine Stewart 027 356 5031 catherine.stewart@bayleys.co.nz MACKYS REAL ESTATE LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

Whangarei Central Holiday Park Regardless of the economic climate, this opportunity is a winner. A full information pack and financials are available to genuinely interested parties. The location is superb, an easy walk to the city centre and on a major arterial route. Very neat and tidy as first impressions count. There is room to develop further if you wish to this already successful and well received Holiday Park. If people are your passion, this is a tremendous and viable lifestyle. Current owners are heading off travelling and are keen to get started.

View the video at vimeo.com/273621382. Enquire today.

Asking Price $1,490,000 + GST (if any) View by appointment Penny Kempton 027 434 3803 penny.kempton@bayleys.co.nz Beth Tweedie 021 526 966 beth.tweedie@bayleys.co.nz MACKYS REAL ESTATE LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

bayleys.co.nz/1051003

bayleys.co.nz/1020214

Waimate 3840 Waimate Highway

Pipiroa 179 Buchanan Road

A great dairy opportunity

Large scale Waikato dairy farm, great improvements

Hill Dairy is a 323ha dairy unit situated on the downs. It has had a history of carrying up to 1,000 cows and annual milk solids of up to 341,551kgMS from its irrigated downland pastures. There is a budgeted return for the 2018/19 season of 288,000kgMS from approximately 850 cows, which sets the basis from which to grow this attractive, low-cost dairy farm, providing plenty of upside for a potential purchaser. Infrastructure includes a 40-bail rotary dairy, calf-rearing facilities, an array of ancillary buildings and two homes. An easy-contour dairy farm with plentiful low-cost water and over 150ha of recently renovated pastures, well-located and in a well-regarded dairy farming area.

bayleys.co.nz/558133

bayleys.co.nz

For Sale

by Deadline Private Treaty 4pm, Thu 27 Sep 2018 All offers to Ken McKenzie, RSM Law, 17 Strathallan St, Timaru 7910 View by appointment Ben Turner 027 530 1400 ben.turner@bayleys.co.nz Mike Adamson 027 221 1909 Peter Foley 021 754 737 WHALAN AND PARTNERS LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

This dairy operation of 175ha (more or less) is comprised of 4 titles which will leave the new owner with options around potential subdivision. The farm runs on a low System 2 model with 620-630 cows having been milked through the 44 ASHB over the past three years, producing an average of 164,000kgMS supplying Fonterra. In addition is an extensive range of farm improvements and four homes. Situated in a great rural community, under 90km drive north will find you at Auckland Airport with an equidistant drive south taking you to Hamilton. Plus with a boat ramp 1km from the farm, you could be onto your first snapper in five minutes.

bayleys.co.nz/814828

For Sale

by Deadline Private Treaty (unless sold prior)

4pm, Thu 11 Oct 2018 96 Ulster Street, Hamilton View 11am-12pm Wed 12 Sep, Wed 19 Sep & Wed 26 Sep Karl Davis 027 496 4633 karl.davis@bayleys.co.nz Lee Carter 027 696 5781 lee.carter@bayleys.co.nz SUCCESS REALTY LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

Real Estate

FARMERS WEEKLY – September 10, 2018

Manahune – Breeding and Finishing 8 7 0 G l e n m a r k D r i ve , N o r t h C a n t e r b u r y

For Sale by Auction

farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate 0800 85 25 80

A rare opportunity to purchase an outstanding property in an excellent location.

Situated just 65km north of Christchurch, Manahune is a superior and versatile 379.3472 hectare breeding and finishing unit. With a great balance of terrain, this fertile farm consistently produces some of Canterbury’s finest prime lambs. This year’s flock of 4,100 crossbred ewes scanned 180%. Quality improvements include a four-stand RB woolshed complex and a full range of farm buildings. Two well-maintained and modernised homes set in large established grounds complete the picture.

2pm, Thurs 4 Oct 2018 at 3 Deans Ave, Christchurch

Ben Turner 027 530 1400 ben.turner@bayleys.co.nz

Peter Crean 027 434 4002 PCrean@pggwrightson.co.nz

bayleys.co.nz/558070 pggwre.co.nz/CHR28642

Mick Sidey 027 229 8888

Mark Clyne 027 531 2964

Whalan and Partners Ltd, Bayleys, Licensed under the REA Act 2008

PGG Wrightson Real Estate Limited, Licensed under the REA Act 2008

#1

RURAL REAL ESTATE BRAND

NEW VIEWING LISTING FINAL

NEW VIEWING LISTING FINAL

SOLD

NEW VIEWING LISTING FINAL

SOLD

SOLD

FENCE?

Waimate 166 Ryans Road Prime dairy with low-cost water Ryans Road Dairy is a 287ha freehold dairy farm close to Waimate with a border-dyke irrigation system. Currently leasing an adjoining 40ha milking platform, it milks approximately 1,100 cows, producing around 500,000kgMS including winter milk, supplying Oceania Glenavy Milk Company. Supporting infrastructure includes a 70-bail rotary dairy, calf rearing sheds, four-bay implement shed, manager’s home and staff accommodation. Good subdivision and an excellent lane system provide access to the centrally located dairy shed. Stock water supply reticulation, shelterbelts and a consented effluent system with 30 days storage, all contribute to the production success of this property.

For Sale

by Deadline Private Treaty 4pm, Thu 27 Sep 2018 All offers to Ken McKenzie, RSM Law, 17 Strathallan Street, Timaru 7910 View by appointment Ben Turner 027 530 1400 ben.turner@bayleys.co.nz Peter Foley 021 754 737 Mike Adamson 027 221 1909

bayleys.co.nz/558094

WHALAN AND PARTNERS LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

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farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate 0800 85 25 80

Real Estate

FARMERS WEEKLY – September 10, 2018

Accelerating success.

Reach more people - better results faster.

colliers.co.nz

Accelerating success.

Reach more people - better results faster.

colliers.co.nz

Real Estate

FARMERS WEEKLY – September 10, 2018

farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate 0800 85 25 80

43

$5 0,0 00

Op en to W ho les PAR ale CE L /E lig S ibl eI nv es to rs

silverfinsyndications.nz

HALL’S PORTFOLIO Two strategically located industrial logistics sites: > Outstanding 2.1 hectare Takanini property > Centrally located 1.2 hectare Waikato property

PROJECTED PRE-TAX CASH RETURN

✓ Long term leases (12 & 15 yrs)

guaranteed by Hall’s Group Ltd

✓ Fixed annual rental growth ✓ Future expansion potential

(with mid-term review to market)

(PROJECTED TO 31/3/20)

To register your interest and to receive a copy of the Information Memorandum contact: CHARLIE OSCROFT on 021 824 564, charlie.oscroft@colliers.com or call KRIS ONGLEY on 09 358 9870.

Colliers International Ltd. Licensed under the REAA 2008

This offer is limited to persons who are wholesale investors for the purposes of the offer in terms of clause 3(2) or 3(3)(a) of Schedule 1 of the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013. No indication of interest will involve an obligation or commitment to acquire interests. The 8% p.a. projected pre-tax return until 31 March 2020 is a projection only. The actual returns paid may differ. This investment is subject to risk, and is not guaranteed. Investors are advised to read the Information Memorandum, and seek independent financial advice.

INVEST IN A SUCCESS STORY – CHICKENS Equity Group Opportunity RURAL Office 0800 FOR LAND

Property Brokers Limited Licensed REAA 2008

Agricultural contracting business

Located at South Head Road, near Helensville, Auckland, on 17.9 hectares of flat land (two titles) is this large scale Broiler Meat Chicken farm. Comprising of 10 large sheds, 8 being built since 2000 and another two in 2013. A total of 21,704 square metres of shedding, with two four-bedroom homes and one two-bedroom home.

BY NEGOTIATION

richardw@pb.co.nz

pb.co.nz

This operation will ideally suit a family or an equity group who want a solid investment, returning strong yearly net returns. The management team have indicated a desire to stay after the sale.

For Further Information on this Property and Investment: Contact: Kevin Newsome 0274 425178 Licensed REAA 2008

www.realty365.co.nz

LK0094192©

WEB ID WGC62473 MARTON 265 Waimutu Road View By Appointment Started over 36 years ago, this well established business has expanded and now provides a diverse range of agricultural work, specialising in grass and Heather Kubiak arable work and also features a produce trading arm to Mobile 027 231 4363 the operation. The business features a comprehensive Office 06 281 3031 heather.kubiak@pb.co.nz range of machinery equipment and plant, with all being presented in excellent condition. The option is there to continue operating out of the existing yard Richard White under a lease arrangement. The yard is expansive and Mobile 027 442 6171 Office 06 281 3720 features five large buildings.

This operation has a top management team in place and who have always achieved high standards in the industry. The farm is contracted to Tegel Foods Ltd, supplying close to 400,000 Meat Chicken to the market and is set up with all the latest technology which efficiently operates the sheds. Chicken farming has proven reliable over the last 40-50 years, with an expansion of 7% year-on-year. The last recession period 2008-2013 also proved chicken farming robust and reliable with incomes increasing.

Positive points for Investors, are: Strong tenant, 15 year grower’s Agreement, monthly payments, robust income structure with CPI adjustments yearly, positive reports for consuming chicken meat, (Google ‘The coming global domination of chicken’).

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farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate 0800 85 25 80

Real Estate

FARMERS WEEKLY – September 10, 2018

New Zealand’s leading rural real estate company RURAL | LIFESTYLE | RESIDENTIAL

OPEN DAY

Prime Blocks - Blue Chip Location Delivering a rich diversity of lifestyle and country environment close to Hamilton and Cambridge, this unique package has multi-purchase options.

Comprising three separate titles, including a 6.41ha block with a character villa, a 4ha block and home, and 6.52ha bare block, there are opportunities to buy collectively, individually or in combo. The fertile soil creates productive land for farming, horticulture or horses, while various sheds and garaging provide excellent infrastructure for home-based businesses and trades.

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pggwre.co.nz/HAM28795

Tamahere TENDER Plus GST (if any) (Unless Sold By Private Treaty) Closes 3pm, Thurs 27 September VIEW 2.-3.pm, Thursday 13, 20, Sunday 16 & 23 September

Russell Thomas M 020 4004 0360

russell.thomas@pggwrightson.co.nz

PGG Wrightson Real Estate Limited, licensed under REAA 2008

Blueberry It, Maize It, Bank It! Holland Road This is a "one off" opportunity to procure a special slice of blue chip property comprising of 42 ha (more or less) of bare land in an excellent location. There are so many options here including specialist horticulture, i.e. blueberries, maize production, dairy support with the added value of location within minutes to the fast growing Hamilton City.

Contour is 100% flat and consisting of condensed peat soils, 32 paddocks with central lane. Water is via bore with town supply at gate (not used currently). pggwre.co.nz/MAT28641

Eureka AUCTION Plus GST (if any) (Unless Sold Prior) 11.00am, Wednesday 26 September PGGWRE, 87 Duke St, Cambridge VIEW 1.30-2.30pm, Monday 10 & 17 September

Trevor Kenny M 021 791 643

trevor.kenny@pggwrightson.co.nz

pggwre.co.nz

SPRING 2018 PROPERTY PULL-OUT

We’ve got you covered

The Spring Property Pull-Out feature will be running through all issues of Farmers Weekly in October. Book a campaign of three or more advertisements in October and get a complimentary editorial on your property in one of our pull-out specials.

We’re very proud that Farmers Weekly remains committed to the Real Estate industry, and that we have been the most read rural publication for more than a decade.

Give your advertising campaign the edge with an advert on farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate

For more information on real estate advertising contact Shirley Howard on 06 323 0760 or email: shirley.howard@globalhq.co.nz. *Terms and conditions apply.

©2107RE-SPHP

Talk to your agent now and make sure you are in the paper that more farmers read.

Employment

Classifieds

Shepherd

SHEPHERD GENERAL

Applications are invited for the position of Shepherd at Broomfield Estate located 6km northwest of Amberley and 40km northwest of Christchurch. The property has an area of 1090 hectares supporting 9000 stock units intensive sheep and cattle grazing.

HEAD SHEPHERD TIROA E TRUST (Tiroa Station) Tiroa Station is a 3200ha effective property situated in Benneydale, 35 minutes from Te Kuiti and part of the Tiroa Te Hape group of farms covering 7300ha. The station winters 32,000 stock units made up of a high performing breeding ewe flock and breeding cow herd.

Under a long term ownership structure, the property is considered to be fully developed with an excellent range of improvements including a three bedroom house. Primary and secondary school bus is available.

We have a position for a Head Shepherd to join our team. The successful applicant would require 4-5 good working dogs and have had experience with handling large numbers of stock. You will need to have excellent stockmanship, clear written and oral communication, and be able to work both independently and in a team environment including the ability to manage staff.

Applicant must be suitably experienced in intensive pastoral farming including feed budgeting and stock weight/condition assessment. The applicant will be computer literate and capable of achieving financial and production targets set by Manager and advisors.

Competitive salary will be paid commensurate with experience.

Please contact Wayne Fraser 07 878 4815 or email tiroa@tiroatehape.maori.nz for further information or a copy of the job application and description.

LK0094092©

LK0094223©

Applicants for this position should have NZ residency or a valid NZ work visa.

Applications close Friday 14th September 2018

FLY OR LICE problem?

Electrodip - The magic eye sheepjetter since 1989 with unique self adjusting sides.

Incredible chemical and time savings with proven effectiveness.

Phone 07 573 8512 w w w. e l e c t r o d i p . c o m

For TIMAHANGA STATION, approximately 70km from town.

We are a 10,000ha High Country station located on the Gentle Annie road between Taihape and Hastings, running Corriedale sheep and Angus cows.

We require a Shepherd with good kind stock sense and stockmanship to work in a team environment.

General farm work is also a requirement of the job.

This job would suit someone with a minimum of three working dogs under good command.

The majority of stock work is done on horse so own saddle is required.

ANIMAL HEALTH

A current drivers licence is also a requirement.

Single accommodation is provided, with meals (lunch and dinner) being supplied at the station Cookhouse.

Applicants for this position should have NZ residency or a valid NZ work visa.

Please phone Alan Roberts (evenings) in the 1st instance on 06 388 0405

ANIMAL SUPPLEMENTS

Genetics Manager - Australia This established family owned and operated farm has one of the leading Wagyu herds in Australia, specialising in breeding bulls and marketing our genetics for both domestic and international sales. Covering approximately 5000 acres, within a 75-minute drive to either Brisbane city or the Gold Coast, our location and culture makes us the perfect employer for candidates seeking family orientated working lifestyle.

BOARD OBSERVER

THE COMPANY Dairy Holdings Limited is a New Zealand owned, progressive corporate dairy farmer that operates throughout the South Island. The Company owns 59 dairy farms and owns or leases 16 grazing blocks and dry stock blocks.

GORSE AND THISTLE SPRAYING. Experience teams with mist blowers, hand pumps and gun and hose. No job too big.

Camp out teams. Phone Dave 06 375 8032.

Skills and Experience Your experience with the latest advances in genetic and genomic analysis together with concentrated breeding skills needs to be at a high level.

You must possess an ability to lead and motivate the people around you to achieve a profitable and sustainable farm, whilst still maintain an active hands-on approach.

You will need to have a good knowledge and ability in the sale and marketing of not only genetics but cattle as they go hand in hand, while specific Wagyu knowledge is desirable, it is not essential as long as there is an ability and desire to quickly learn about our unique bred.

LK0094239©

→ Have a strong connection with rural New Zealand → Have already initiated a career path of governance, through personal development or a smaller role eg, a Board of Trustees → Demonstrated the ability to adhere to strict confidentiality → Early in their governance career → Ideally be South Island based EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST TO: Please email your application letter and CV to: Board Observer jan@dairyholdings.co.nz All applications will be treated confidentially Applications close 4pm on 21st September 2018

Benefits and Rewards

RUN OFF

YOUR FEET? Turn to Farmers Weekly first for your employment advertising needs Phone Debbie Brown 0800 85 25 80 or email classifieds@globalhq.co.nz

LK0094241©

SKILLS REQUIRED

www.farmersweeklyjobs.co.nz

THE ROLE Dairy Holdings Limited is inviting applications for the position of Board Observer.

The Dairy Holdings Limited Board consists of five directors; three shareholders, and two nonshareholders one of whom is the independent Chair.

Dairy Holdings Limited recognises capable rural governors are crucial to the success of rural New Zealand, and the first step into a role is the most difficult.

In 2017 we commenced this programme with good success and wish to continue to provide the opportunity.

All direct costs associated with the role will be paid by Dairy Holdings Limited, but no remuneration will be paid. The term of the appointment is 18 months.

As part of our sustainable approach we grow the majority of our own feed, so knowledge in cropping is desired. You will work closely with our cattle manager to ensure the smooth running of the farm and overall success of the business.

If you are looking for the opportunity to become part of a family run company and would like to find out more about this opportunity send your resume to: admin@lereve-group.com

CONTRACTORS

Ag jobs at your fingertips

Reporting directly to the owner your responsibilities will include a fundamental focus attributed to the development, management and growth of our genetics program. The position will entail both working as part of a dedicated team and working alone on a regular basis, performing all tasks necessary to achieve success. This is not a desk job, and so requires a person who is not afraid of hard physical work.

This is a long-term appointment so stability and good references are a prerequisite.

www.gibb-gro.co.nz GROWTH PROMOTANT $5.85 per hectare + GST delivered Brian Mace 0274 389 822 07 571 0336 brianmace@xtra.co.nz

Personal Development Opportunity

About the Role

For your commitment and abilities, you can expect to be rewarded with: • A remuneration package based on your experience • An autonomous working environment • A role that provides a variety of duties and responsibilities • A rotating roster providing every first and second weekend off • Accommodation available by negotiation (package can include a 3-bedroom home) • A bonus scheme based on performance and bottom line profitability

APPLE CIDER VINEGAR, GARLIC & HONEY. 200L - $450 or 1000L - $2000 excl. with FREE DELIVERY from Black Type Minerals Ltd www.blacktypeminerals. co.nz

ATTENTION FARMERS

About the Company

As the Genetics Manager you will demonstrate: • Extensive experience in AI and embryo flushing • Specific Wagyu experience is desirable but not essential when paired with genetics experience and ability to learn about our Wagyu cattle • Prior industry related marketing experience • Solid business acumen including but not limited to budgets management and intimidated to advances computer skills • Good communication, organisation and effective time management skills are a must!

• Willingness to work with a small specialised team • A hands-on approach and be a natural achiever

CRAIGCO SHEEP JETTERS. Sensor Jet. Deal to fly and Lice now. Guaranteed performance.

Unbeatable pricing.

Phone 06 835 6863. www.craigcojetters.com

www.drench.co.nz farmer owned, very competitive prices. Phone 0800 4 DRENCH (437 362).

LK0094248©

“Broomfield Estate”

Applications including CV and the name of two referees should be forwarded by 21 September 2018 to: John J Ryan, Registered Valuer/Farm Consultant, No 2 RD, Christchurch 7672 Email: ryanjj@xtra.co.nz

ANIMAL HANDLING

DOGS FOR SALE HEADING PUP, 6 month old. Huntaway, 4 month old. Ready to start training.

Phone 06 388 0212.

10-MONTH OLD b&T Kelpie. Stud papers and full breeding papers available.’Illawarra Liz’.

Keen to work. Would suit cattle. Phone 07 777 9013.

13-MONTH HEADING dog.

Fully broken. Strong, good command, suitable for station with trial potential.

Phone Nolan Timmins. 06 862 7543.

3-YEAR-OLD Heading bitch.

Under good command. Very easy to work. Kind with sheep and works cattle well. $3000.

Phone Mark Porter 07 825 4423.

80 DOGS! Guaranteed, 45 day trial. Deliver South/North Island. www.youtube.com/user/ mikehughesworkingdog/ videos 07 315 5553.

BLUE MERLE, Huntaway, cattle-dog pup, 7 months old, $500. Taupo 021 050 8273.

TWO BEARDIE BITCH pups. $400+GST. Instinctive workers of sheep and cattle. Phone Peter Gane. Stratford. 06 762 2621.

DOGS WANTED 12 MONTHS TO 5½-yearold Heading dogs and Huntaways wanted. Phone 022 698 8195.

BUYING SOUTH AND North Islands. No trial or breeding required.

No one buys or pays more! www.youtube.com/user/ mikehughesworkingdog/ videos 07 315 5553.

FARM MAPPING YOUR FARM MAPPED showing paddock sizes.

Priced from $600 for 100ha. Phone 0800 433 855. farmmapping.co.nz

FERTILISER DOLOMITE, NZ’s finest Magnesium fertiliser.

Bio-Gro certified, bulk or bagged. 0800 436 566.

FORESTRY WANTED

NATIVE FOREST FOR MILLING also Macrocarpa and Red Gum, New Zealand wide.

We can arrange permits and plans. Also after milled timber to purchase.

NEW ZEALAND NATIVE TIMBER SUPPLIERS (WGTN) LIMITED 04 293 2097 Richard.

GOATS WANTED GOATS WANTED. All weights. All breeds.

Prompt service. Payment on pick up. My on farm prices will not be beaten.

Phone David Hutchings 07 895 8845 or 0274 519 249. Feral goats mustered on a 50/50 share basis.

GOATS. 40 YEARS experience mustering feral cattle and feral goats anywhere in NZ. 50% owner (no costs).

50% musterer (all costs).

Phone Kerry Coulter 027 494 4194.

GRASS SEED TAMA GRASS SEEDS for sale. Excellent test. Buy direct from grower at $1.50 per kg plus GST. Phone 027 721 0838.

HORTICULTURE NZ KELP. FRESH, wild ocean harvested giant kelp.

The world’s richest source of natural iodine. Dried and milled for use in agriculture and horticulture. Growth promotant / stock health food. As seen on Country Calendar. Orders to: 03 322 6115 or info@nzkelp.co.nz

PROPERTY WANTED HOUSE FOR REMOVAL wanted.

North Island.

Phone 021 0274 5654.

PUMPS HIGH PRESSURE WATER PUMPS, suitable on high headlifts.

Low energy usage for single/3-phase motors, waterwheel and turbine drives. Low maintenance costs and easy to service. Enquiries phone 04 526 4415, email sales@hydra-cell.co.nz

WANTED TO BUY SAWN SHED TIMBER including Black Maire.

Matai, Totara and Rimu etc. Also buying salvaged native logs.

Phone Richard Uren. NZ Native Timber Supplies. Phone 027 688 2954.

WEED SPRAYING BOOM SPRAY. Broad acre, brush weed control, total vegetation. Hilux gun and hose units x 2 and mist blowers for gorse, broome, blackberry control.

Covering Lower North Island. Phone 06 375 8660 or 021 396 447, email kingbilly718@gmail.com

46

Classifieds

Livestock

VETMARKER

LAMB DOCKING / TAILING CHUTE

LK0093733©

With automatic release and spray system. www.vetmarker.co.nz 0800 DOCKER (362 537)

Check out our website and let results speak for themselves www.aotearoastockman.com

Ph: 027 959 4166

The feral deer population has increased to levels seen in the 1950’s resulting in reduced winter feed for farmer’s stock, and damage to juvenile trees for forest owners.

johnnyanderin2017@gmail.com maiexperiencejohnnygray

LK0094024©

Working alongside Crusader Meats

• Buy • Lease • Service • Compliance

100kg weaner bulls – CK 500 Jersey cows & 200 in-calf Jersey heifers for June 2019 Delivery. Must have good figures – CK 400kg+ Friesian bulls – RS 430-500kg traditional beef or exotic steers – RS

Do you have something to sell?

POSITION WANTED

STOCK FOR SALE

Advertise in Farmers Weekly

SHEEP AND/OR BEEF

Due to Station sale we are actively seeking a new position.

OAD herd. 200 in-milk, predominantly Xbred cows. BW 60, PW 100, Waikato – CK 55 x 180kg Angus/Friesian heifers – RS 60 x 280kg Angus/Friesian heifers – RS

• 11 years management experience • Extensive pasture/supplement experience • Proven prime stock production • Confident stockman • Full range of farm business skills which include farm hospitality experience, farm stay, glamping and private walks

100 x 280kg ave. R1 Friesian bulls – RS 22 x 430 kg ave. Kiwicross bulls – RS Aaron Clapperton 027 496 7410 Richard Seavill 021 169 8276 / 07 825 4984 Chris Smith 027 496 7413 / 06 756 8968 Chris Kyle 027 496 7412 / 07 883 7412 Bryce Young 027 496 7411

Office 07 823 4559 BYLLIVESTOCK.CO.NZ byllivestock

Call Debbie

LK0094191©

For further information contact: Graham 06 307 8989 ggpage79@gmail.com

Selling 20 Angus x SPECKLE PARK Cross yearling bulls

For further details visit www.korakospecklepark.co.nz or contact Bill Flowerday – Tauranga bilanwen@farmside.co.nz Phone 027 272 4361

HAVE A SALE COMING UP?

Call Nigel

0800 85 25 80 livestock@globalhq.co.nz

STOCK WANTED

LK0093488©

Call 0800 FUELCON 0800 383 5266

Aaron Clapperton 027 496 7410 aaron@byl.co.nz

CLASSIFIEDS ADVERTISING

LK0093715©

‘Fuel Storage Solutions’

Genuine surplus to requirement.

Herd production 2,848kg/ha, 626kg/ms/cow Great line of heifers to suit medium to high input farm systems.

Asking price $1,200 + GST

Office 07 823 4559 BYLLIVESTOCK.CO.NZ byllivestock

FOR SALE

Fuelcon Tank Manufacturing

24 x WWS bred Friesian yearlings

0800 85 25 80

YEARLING BULL SALE RESULTS

Farmers Weekly will be launching the Yearling Bull Sale results from the 27th September Contact Nigel on 06 323 0761, 027 602 4925 or livestock@globalhq.co.nz to sign up or feature your sale results and receive weekly updates today.

farmersweekly.co.nz

classifieds@globalhq.co.nz

WANTED

HERD OWNING SHAREMILKING POSITION Established contract milkers seeking a long term (5-10 year +) herd owning sharemilking opportunity for the 19/20 dairy season and beyond.

Experience with large herds (1000 cows) and all irrigation types on flat to steep contour. Currently owning the following G3 DNA profiled animals:

420 mixed age cows BW110 PW130

258 R1 heifers BW144 PW143 (To be mated to AI in October)

SALE

100 x 2018 born heifer calves BW150 PW145

Able to be sold; if there is a requirement to purchase the existing herd

Approved finance to purchase further animals and machinery to the requirements of a 700-1100+ cow farm.

University educated, and having grown up on farms, after five years with our current employers we’re looking to partner with established farm owners.

Lease/other

opportunities

Contact: Blake 021 278 8550 (evenings) or email blakeharvie@outlook.com

LK0094198©

Equity Partnership/Farm considered.

1st Speckle Park Yearling Bull

3rd October 2018, 11.30am 55 Settlement Road, Cambridge Auctioneer

Register interest

Kelly Higgins | 0276002374 Farm Source

Derek Hayward | 0272 266686 derek.premier@farmside.co.nz

2353FW

Contact Lance McNicholas 027 294 7504

Account of

DM Harris Farms, Morrinsville

LK0094173©

McNicholas Aviation Limited is a helicopter deer recovery operator based in Opotiki. The aerial operation can selectively cull your feral deer population and pay a royalty. If required we can also seek and destroy any resident feral goat population.

Specialists in mustering Wild Goats, Cattle, Horses and Sheep across New Zealand

LK0094249©

(from private blocks)

LIVESTOCK ADVERTISING

JOHNNY GRAY

LK0092991©

PURCHASING FERAL DEER

Livestock

FARMERS WEEKLY – September 10, 2018

Spring Bull Sale

Northland Herds

FRIDAY 5th OCTOBER 2018 1pm, on-farm Fairlie

180 In-Milk Xbreds BW88 PW108 RA80% Long 38 year history. Calving complete.

Strong uddered, 430ms, System 3 $1850

Bulls For Heifer Mating

Waikato/Southern North Island Herds

ANGUS BULLS

th ber 2018 Tuesday 18 Septem m

at 12 noon on far ands Waitangi, Bay of Isl

50 2yr Angus Bulls

Top picks included from leading bloodlines

All bulls tested clear for EBL and BVD and vaccinated

58 x BW50 PW68, 33 x BW70 PW93, 66 x BW83 PW107

Vendor: D S Giddings 03 685 8027 www.meadowslea.co.nz

www.waitangiangus.co.nz

12 noon, Tuesday September 25th

On-farm auction, Marton

WILLIAM MORRISON 027 640 1166 RICHARD MORRISON 021 626 513 ardofarm@xtra.co.nz

Auctioneers: PGW John McCone 027 229 9375

www.ezicalve.co.nz

6% purchasing commission to all other companies

PARADISE VALLEY M U R R AY G R E YS

Enquiries and Inspection Welcomed: Please contact John & Joss Bayly, Waitangi Angus Ph 09 402 7552, Bay of Islands Email jbayly@xtra.co.nz

100 YEARLING BULLS 30 TWO-YEAR-OLD BULLS

Featuring Low birth weights with calving ease, suitable for both Beef and Dairy Strong NZ Bloodlines with powerful maternal & fertility traits and exceptional rib & rump fats

September Calvers 3 Lines available, F/FX/J

www.carrfieldslivestock.co.nz

THE CHOICE IS

Offering:

60 1yr Angus Bulls

Contact Webby: 027 801 8057

cialists Our ease of calving spe

Top 10% breed – Calving Ease, Short Gest, Low Birth Wt, Days to Calve, Scrotal, Milk, Rib and Rump Fat

RANUI

HILL COUNTRY BORN AND BRED

ANGUS

Safe Traceable Bulls

LK0093945©

88 YEARLING

(BLNZ Dairy Beef Progeny Test July 2018)

Selected for mating Cows and Heifers LK0093967©

900 Xbreds BW70 PW89 RA87% Mated to suit Owned 25 years (LIC). Strong udders throughout the herd. System 2, 380 ms/cow. G3 profiled the last 7yrs. Wairarapa $POA

BREEDING HIGHLY MARKETABLE CALVES

Meadowslea F540 - ranked 3rd for Short Gestation

LK0094196©

480 Frsns BW100 PW116 RA99%. Mated to suit 40 years history. Big Strong cows on system 5.

580 ms/cow. BOP. $POA

Annual Sale

Safe Traceable Bulls

260 Xbreds BW99 PW125 RA100% Mated to suit Farm sold, 10yrs LIC breeding. 5 weeks AB, 367ms/ cow. Low SCC. Excellent Xbred herd $2000 Contact Kaneo: 027 286 9279 490 F/FX cows BW88 PW114 RA98% DTC 20/7 Top S/M herd owned 33 years with 200 identified A2A2 cows. Good strong Frsn cows milked on very wet property. 270 x 2-3yrs, 330 ms/cow, Low SCC. Waikato. $2200

Angus

47

MEADOWSLEA ANGUS

SALE TALK

Feeling off colour Peter had gone to see his doctor who commented on Peter’s, extraordinarily ruddy complexion.

‘I’ve got high blood pressure, Doc. It comes from my family,’ laughed Peter.

‘Does it come from your mother’s side or your father’s?’ inquired his doctor showing interest.

‘Nope, neither,’ Peter replied, ‘I get it from my wife’s family.’

‘Oh, come on now Peter, that’s not possible,’ interjected his doctor, ‘How could your wife’s family possibly give you high blood pressure?’

Peter sighed, ‘You wanna meet ‘em sometime, Doc!’

livestock@globalhq.co.nz – 0800 85 25 80

YEARLING BULL & HEIFER SALE 12 noon Tuesday, 11th September, 2018 Karamu, 662 Rangitatau East Rd, Wanganui

YEARLING BULL & HEIFER SALE

ON OFFER: 30 yearling bulls • 35 yearling heifers

12 noon Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Karamu, 662 Rangitatau East Rd, Wanganui ENQUIRIES

Bulls For Heifer Mating

YEARLING BULL SALE

On farm 18th September 2018 Paradise Valley Murray Greys 375 Turitea Rd, RD 3, Otorohanga

27TH ANNUAL SALE

Andy Transom • M: 027 596 5142 Vium Mostert • M: 027 473 5856

Ken Roberts 027 591 8042

INQUIRIES TO: Lin Johnstone Lindsay Johnstone 06 342 9833 06 342 9795 W & K AGENTS Blair Robinson Don Newland 027 491 9974 027 242 4878

LIVESTOCK ADVERTISING

THURSDAY 20 SEPT – 12 NOON

30 TWO-YEAR BULLS 130 YEARLING BULLS

Advertise your stock sales in Farmers Weekly LK0093922©

www.ezicalve.co.nz

 TB status C10  Vet inspected

 Quiet temperament

FORDELL, WANGANUI

MIKE CRANSTONE 06 342 7721• 027 218 0123 crannyandcath@outlook.com

PGG WRIGHTSON AGENTS:  All cattle BVD & EBL tested  All cattle electric fence trainedStewart 027 280 2688 Callum

LK0093857©

RIVERTON HEREFORDS

TO:

On offer: Lindsay Johnstone 027 445 3211 25 yearling bulls Lin Johnstone 027 445 3213 Mike Phillips • M: 027 404 594330 yearling heifers, which will be sold in lots

Nigel 0800 85 25 80 • farmersweekly.co.nz

TOTARANUI YEARLING BULL SALE 103 BULLS

Tuesday 18 September, midday on farm

KAIRAUMATI POLLED HEREFORDS SALE 20TH SEPTEMBER 2018 12.30pm – 68 NGATAIPUA RD, TURUA, THAMES

Totaranui Angus sale bulls avg Angus Pure index Self replacing index Birthweight EBV heifer bulls

+147 +127 +2.5

National avg +126 +108 +4.3

www.totaranuistud.co.nz Email for a catalogue: bulls@totaranuistud.co.nz

Daimien & Tally 06 376 8400 Pierre Syben 027 625 9977 Mark Crooks, PGW 027 590 1452 Chris McBride, Carrfields 027 565 1145

24 YEARLING BULLS 24 RSG 2-YEAR BULLS 6 TOP BREEDING HEIFERS Contact Roy or Kaye Ward 021 128 7174 Dave Stuart 027 224 1049 Cam Heggie 027 501 8182

Bulls born and bred on the top of the Coromandel

LK0089276©

LK0094174©

• BVD tested and vaccinated • C10 status • Carcase scanned

Livestock

FARMERS WEEKLY – September 10, 2018

Glen R Angus

PINE PARK RAMS

Annual Bull Sale

FE Coopworth FE Romney x Coop Texel x Coopworth Suffolk Suftex Texel x Poll Dorset

IN MILK FRIESIAN & CROSSBRED HERD TUESDAY 18TH SEPTEMBER - 11.30AM START On A/c Owen & Kirsty Hannah For the convenience of clients the sale will be held at the Morrinsville Dairy Complex Featuring: 73 x Well grown Friesian & Crossbred In Milk Heifers 39 x Strong Friesian & Crossbred MA Cows BW44 PW63 RA90% BW’s to 170 PW’s to 316

Call Peter Heddell on 027 436 1388

111 YEARSNA MAUNGAgHHerIefords 111 Years Breedin

ULL SALE YEATHRLING B PM 28 SEPT 2018 AT 12

Catalogues are available on the website: MyLiveStock.co.nz

handypiece

All enquiries welcome Agent/Auctioneer in charge: Darryl Houghton Ph 027 451 5315 email: darryl.houghton@nzfll.co.nz

■ Ideal for shearing sheep, alpacas, goats and cow tails ■ Variable speed from 2400-3500 rpm ■ Latest brushless motor technology means minimal heat build up ■ 1400gms means 100-200gms lighter than standard handpiece ■ At 2700 rpm the 12-volt lithium battery will crutch up to 300-400 sheep, 400-500 cow tails ■ Tough alloy switch box with auto reset fuse for overload or lockup – clips to belt

KAURI DOWNS ANGUS

2ND ANNUAL 1YR BULL SALE

Dirty jobs made easy!

Wednesday 26th September 2018 12:30pm On farm: 468 Waihi-Whangamata Rd, Waihi • 24 Top 1-year Angus Bulls • 1 x 4-year Angus sire (Storthoaks bred) Key traits, calving ease/below breed average birth weight/short gestation, with good growth & ideal for Heifer mating.

Angus Pure Endorsed.

For Catalogues and enquiries: Phone Vendor Dave Fogarty 027 2066 931 or 07 884 5774

Prepare for the new season

LK0094242©

LK0094236©

Open Day to view bulls: Tuesday September 18 from 1.00-3.00pm Sandown 445 Deans Road, SH 72, Darfield

Edward Sherriff 06 327 659, 021 704 778

View in action go to www.handypiece.co.nz

Free call 0800 474 327 LK0093861©

Monday October 1 – 1.30pm

SIL Carcass Scanned • FE Testing

t os le re m iab he s ar s ld v r i or ul e W erf lipp w c po ed e sp

34 Rugged 2-year-old Bulls

This is an outstanding opportunity to purchase genuine in milk cows as this is our clients complete spring calved portion of their herd as they go to all autumn calving. They are predominately Samen and Ambreed bred, are very well grown and are showing excellent dairy type and conformation. Calving commenced on the 18th August so will be producing at their peak on sale day. They are TB C10, EBL free, M Bovis not detected, BVD milk tested no PI’s and are Lepto inoculated annually.

LK0093719©

livestock@globalhq.co.nz – 0800 85 25 80

LK0094186©

Selling Agents Brent Bougen 027 210 4698 Cam Heggie 027 501 8182 NZFL Stud Stock PGGW Genetics

Email: dave@handypiece.co.nz

2nd Annual Bull Sale Lynrich Jersey’s

Bred/Reared/Grazed on our own property Richard & Christine Lansdaal & Family 200 Luck at Last Road, Karapiro,Cambridge

12 September 2018 - 12pm 71 LOTS OF OFFER n 39 Purebred registered Herefords yearling bulls n 16 Purebred Speckle Park yearling bulls n 12 Speckle Park / Hereford yearling bulls n 4 x 4 Elite Speckle Park Embryo packages

MAUNGAHINA HEREFORDS

45 Maungahina Road, RD 6, Masterton 5886 Mark McKenzie P 06 378 6896 M 027 415 8696

GOING GOING GONE! Have you got a sale coming up?

Advertise in Farmers Weekly To advertise Phone Nigel 0800 85 25 80 or email livestock@globalhq.co.nz

BullsEye Sale - 20th September 2018 13th Annual Service Bull Sale - Undercover

11am Start - Concludes 2pm approx 300 McDonald Mine Road Signposted from Huntly Bridge 520 BULLS COMPRISING: 11.00am Beef Bulls 35 x R3 PB Virgin Hereford 66 x R2 PB Virgin Angus 27 x R2 WF & Beefx

135 x R2 PB Virgin Hereford 28 x R2 PB Red Devon 7 x R2 Belted Galloway

On offer are: 50 Elite R1 Jersey Bulls, G3 profiled-BW’s 164-210.

A2A2 tested. Registration on request 110 R1 Jersey Bulls, Fully recorded, G3 profiled BW’s 100-183 Everyone of these low risk bulls are out of the Lynrich Jersey Herd BW160 PW181 (2nd in NZ) The Elite bulls will be sold first by Jersey Marketing The Grade bulls will then be sold by NZ FarmersLivestock

All bulls are TB tested (Herd Status C10, EBL Free) BVD tested negative and double vaccinated.

(Vet Certs available on the day) Lepto vaccinated.

Delivery will be every Wednesday with prior arrangement until th 10th October 2018.

Bulls staying on the property will be at purchasers risk.

The sale is under cover and a light luncheon provided.

1pm (approx.) Dairy Bulls 75 x R3 Jersey 70 x R2 Jersey 36 x R2 Virgin Friesian 20 x R2 Virgin Ayrshire 22 x R2 Rec Virgin Friesian/Xbred Vendors: David & Fiona MacKenzie - 027 431 2279 Agent in Charge: Bill Sweeney - 027 451 5310 David and Fiona have nasal sample tested a percentage of bulls from every mob being offered for sale to the recommendations of their Veterinary practice. All results being M-Bovis not detected.

Our Vendors stand behind their bulls, if there is an issue with a bull on arrival you can swap the bull or be fully refunded. Delivery every Monday until 29th October 2018 View photos of the bulls on MyLiveStock.co.nz Pick what you want, delivery when you want and pay when you want via Bull Plan!

Catalogue available on MyLiveStock.co.nz Enquiries to: Richard & Christine - 027 353 5693 Ollie Carruthers - NZFLL - 027 451 5312 Ross Riddell - JMS - 027 211 1112

LK0093497©

48

Livestock

FARMERS WEEKLY – September 10, 2018

SIL EWES or EWES and LAMBS R2 YR STEERS 400-500kgs

R2 YR ANG & XBRED HEIFERS

R1 & R2 YR FRIES BULLS

R1 YR ANG & ANG X STEERS 230-280kg

www.dyerlivestock.co.nz

Ross Dyer 0274 333 381 A Financing Solution For Your Farm E info@rdlfinance.co.nz

Rockhill Jerseys

49

KAYJAY ANGUS

A choice offering of 60 in milk high index jersey cows comprising of: • 47 R3 cows BW 140, PW 126 • 16 mixed age Jersey cows BW 100, PW 105 • 75% of all stock are A2/A2

LK0094167©

STOCK REQUIRED

livestock@globalhq.co.nz – 0800 85 25 80

These cows become available from end of September.

31 BULLS SUITED TO HEIFERS & COWS 28 HEIFERS READY FOR MATING ANNUAL YEARLING BULL & HEIFER SALE

Closed system.

FRIDAY 21 September at 12.30pm

Contact Bruce ph 027 441 0924

ENQUIRIES & VIEWING WELCOME • For CATALOGUES or to join our MAILING LIST Contact: Neil & Joan Kjestrup 06 372 2838 or Rod & Sam Kjestrup 06 372 7533 kayjaycattleco@outlook.com

Your source for PGG Wrightson livestock and farming listings Key: Dairy

57th ANNUAL NATIONAL HOLSTEIN FRIESIAN BULL SALE

PROGRESSIVE LIVESTOCK LTD

Enquiries to: Brian Robinson Livestock Ltd Brian Robinson 0272 410 051 Selwyn Donald 0274 378 375 Neil McDonald 0272 188 904 Kevin Hart 0272 915 575 PGG Wrightson Andrew Reyland – 0272 237 092

PRELIMINARY NOTICE COMPLETE HERD DISPERSAL

A/C Monowai Farms (Neja Trust) Tuesday 25th September 2018, 11am Start 430 Pickering Road, RD 3, Hamilton Comprising 182 Inmilk Frsn/ Frsn X Cows BW 115, PW 142, RA 99% Currently producing 2.3 M/S on system 3 last season, avg 563 M/S at factory includes 6 cows with contracts.

Cows show excellent confirmation production up to 8564 M/S, BW’s up to 453, 50% of herd descending from Dawn Farm. Has no livestock bordering its boundaries.

Herd test figures available. EBL Free, BVD negative, H/B Shed.

Catalogues available.

Enquiries to: Agent – Chris Ryan 0272 431 078 Agent – Andrew Reyland 0272 237 092 Vendor – Alan & Linda Powell 021 406 693

A/C M G Muir Wednesday 19th September 2018, 11.30am Morrinsville Saleyards Comprising 150 Inmilk Ayrshire/ Ayrshire x Cows Fully recorded, BVD tested, EBL free, TB C10.

Change of farming practice, milked on steep coastal country on Manukau Peninsula. Shift very well.

Catalogues available after herd tests. Further details to follow.

Enquiries to: Colin Saunderson – 0274 936 524

YEARLING BULL SALES Contact your local Genetics Specialist for advice on your next yearling bull purchase, or visit: pggwrightson.co.nz/yearlingsales

Enquiries to Dean Evans – 0272 431 092

LK0094140©

www.progressivelivestock.co.nz

Other

OUTSTANDING HIGH BW INMILK FRSN FRSN X CLEARING SALE

Friday 14th September, 11.30am Start Gordonton Rd, Taupiri, DN 72122 A/C R & A Van Damn Comprising 230 Inmilk Frsn/ Frsn x Jsy Cows BW 76, PW 100, RA 80% Young herd, 150 cows 2yr/ 3yr & 4yrs Herd tested on 2nd/3rd Sept. Catalogues available after herd test.

TB C10, EBL Free, BVD Negative, MBovis milk tested negative. Further details to follow.

17-Born Friesian Yearling Heifers Domestic Order $1200.00 End September Delivery Contact Rob Blincoe 027 677 8969 Greg Collins 027 481 9772

Sheep

INMILK HERD DISPERSAL SALE

WANTED

Tuesday 18th September 2018, 10.30am Start Venue: Te Awamutu Saleyards, Paterangi Rd, Te Awamutu A high production backed offering.

Comprising: 22 Holstein Friesian Yearling Bulls 9 Holstein Friesian 15-20 month Bulls 45 Holstein Friesian 2 year Bulls 76 total from TB clear herds, all BVD tested/ vaccinated and from Mbovis negative milk tested herds.

The offering is very well bred from high production and outstanding conformation herds. The top BW is 211 with dam records up to 1293kgs MS and 17640 litres of milk.

All bulls are fully recorded, many are DNA profiled and are worthy of keeping heifers from for replacements. All bulls are LIC transferable. Catalogues giving all details are available from the auctioneers View online at agonline.co.nz or www.brianrobinsonlivestock.com

Beef

Freephone 0800 10 22 76 | www.pggwrightson.co.nz

Helping grow the country

Do you want to get A-‛head’?

At the right price, you can have his body as well.

Waidale Rams Romneys, South Downs, and South Suffolks

Tenth Annual On Farm Helmsman Ram Sale in conjunction with Agonline.co.nz

2pm Wednesday 28 November 2018, 1306 Mt Cass Rd, Waipara For more information 03 6148388 or 0274427746 ike@waidalerams.co.nz or www.waidalerams.co.nz

50

livestock@globalhq.co.nz – 0800 85 25 80

Livestock

FARMERS WEEKLY – September 10, 2018

ISOLA HEREFORDS FOR SALE

TE WHANGA ANGUS calving ease sires www.borthwick.co.nz

23 Registered Yearling Bulls

SALE MONDAY 18 SEPT 10.00

61 stud, plus 29 commercial performance recorded yearlings,

Ring us for a catalogue Jason Coffey, Manager 691 Te Kopi Rd, RD4, Masterton P. 06 372 77 20 M. 0274 570 526

LK0094103©

Why wouldn’t we use Te Whanga Angus, they offer extra value through higher growth rates and angus premiums, plus the calving ease, low birth weight and short gestation that we know is so reliable.

Stu Weatherstone 2800 dairy cow farmer, South Wairarapa

ALL ENQUIRIES PH: Nick Murdoch: 021 0269 6635 Dianne Murdoch: 021 419 297 Franklin, South Auckland

• Isola is a CLOSED HERD and has NO trading stock • LOW BIRTH WEIGHT and SHORT GESTATION • Well grown yearlings that are easy to handle • Calving ease • Whiteface advantage to maximise calf sales • BVD + EBL tested and vaccinated • TB status C10 • EBV’s available

Waitawheta Angus WAITAWHETA ANGUS HAVE BEEN SELLING YEARLING ANGUS BULLS BY AUCTION FOR OVER 30 YEARS. 32 YEARLING BULLS SELECTED FOR YEARLING HEIFER MATING FROM A TOP CALVING EASE HERD.

54th Annual Hereford Bull Sale Wednesday 26th September, 12noon

32 ANGUS 1YR BULLS

ON FARM - LUNCHEON PROVIDED • 660 Ngaroma Rd, 26km off SH3, Sth East of Te Awamutu.

25 TOP YEARLING BULLS & 70 2-YEAR OLD BULLS

Sound bulls with exceptional temperament - Full EBV details in catalogue.

Bulls for Beef & Dairy - Selection of Short Gestation & Low Birth weights available.

Free delivery 80kms.

ON FARM ANNUAL 1YR ANGUS BULL SALE

86A THAMES ROAD PAEROA. 19TH SEPTEMBER - 12PM Contact: Alistair & Pat Sharpe 07 863 7954 or 021 054 7862 Kevin Fathers 0272 799 800 - Brent Bougen 027 210 4698

Celebrating 75 years of breeding quality Herefords

KELVIN & CYNTHIA PORT • P: 07 872 2628 • M: 022 648 2417 • E: kcport@gmail.com ROBERT & MARIAN PORT • P: 07 872 2715

AUCTIONS 11TH ANNUAL QUALITY IN-MILK AUCTION HIGH INDEXED DAIRY COWS

ma

s pla o c My

te

vi Bo

es sT

ar

le dC

On Farm Bull Sale – 26th September 2018 at Midday 175 2 yr old Performance Recorded Hereford Bulls Catalogues are available late August from: John and Liz McKerchar, Shrimpton's Hill Herefords Cave, South Canterbury | Ph 03 6143759 | Email shrimptons@farmside.co.nz Web www.shrimptonshillherefords.co.nz

For enquiries please contact:

Matt Gibbs, PGG Wrightson 027 555 2307 Jim Hazlett, Hazlett Rural Limited 027 462 0128 Callum Dunnett, Carrfields 027 587 0131 Snow Buckley, Peter Walsh and Associates 027 561 4652 Mick Withers, Rural Livestock Ltd 027 473 0817 Peter Jackson, NZ Farmers Livestock Ltd

A/C WASHER & CO LTD DATE: Tuesday 18th September 2018 LOCATION: The Bull Shop, Cnr Koru & Main Roads, Oakura TIME: 11:00am (under cover)

A/C FINCH CONTRACTING DATE: Thursday 20th September 2018 ADDRESS: 972 Paterangi Road, Te Awamutu TIME: 11.30am (under cover)

COMPRISING OF:

COMPRISING OF:

•

100 x Jersey yearling bulls

•

80 x Jersey 2 year heifer/herd bulls

• • •

AUCTION DETAILS: •

All bulls BVD tested clear and vaccinated

•

•

Guarantee bulls held in care and delivered in good health or replaced or refunded

•

•

All bulls reared by Washer & Co are sourced from their own herds and 2 other closed herds as 4 day old calves

•

Washer & Co realise the importance of Mycobovis Plasma and endeavour to ensure all aspects are covered to prevent any spread of the disease

•

PAYMENT TERMS: 20 October 2018.

Delivery no later than 12th October 2018.

Free delivery in Taranaki if taken by Friday 21st September.

•

FARM SOURCE LIVESTOCK AGENT: Sheldon Keech 027 222 7920 or vendors 0800 285 544

180 x Friesian & FriesianX in-milk cows BW 111, PW 166, r/a 100% 40% Friesian, 40% Friesian x, 20% Jersey BW up to 192, PW up to 403

DETAILS:

•

•

TB C10, EBL free, BVD clear, MycoBovis not detected in 4 x tests completed Milked in H/B shed, herd tested, all in-milk, calved from Mid-May 2018 onwards All cows unmated and in great condition for spring mattings All cows sound in all quarters, and vendor will guarantee this Traceability of all cows from Mycoplasma Bovis free farmsinformation available

PAYMENT TERMS: 12 days from auction date. Delivery on auction day or within days.

FARM SOURCE LIVESTOCK AGENTS: Ben Deroles 027 702 4196

0800 548 339 | nzfarmsource.co.nz/livestock

EARN FARM SOURCE REWARD DOLLARS ON ALL FARM SOURCE LIVESTOCK PURCHASES & SALES* T&Cs apply. See nzfarmsource.co.nz/rewards

*

LK0093833©

OWNER REARED JERSEY SERVICE BULL SALE

Livestock

FARMERS WEEKLY – September 10, 2018

livestock@globalhq.co.nz – 0800 85 25 80

10yr

Stokman / Heather Dell Sale Selling - 85 Yearling Angus Bulls 35 18mth Commercial Angus Heifers Wednesday 19 September 2018 - 1pm NEW!!!!!! - Sale at Farm 1708 Te Kopia Road Waikite Valley Rotorua

Your Angus Bull Source Average EBV’s on our Sale Bulls Calv Ease Gestation Lgth Birth Weight 400 Day 600 Day Self Replacing Angus Pure

+1.3 -5.5 +2.2 +85 +108 +146 +165

NZ Breed Average +.0 -3.9 +4.3 +77 +106 +108 +127

Call for a catalogue or view on www.angusnz.com

* Well grown - suitable for heifers or cows * Excellent temperments * BVD Tested and vaccinated * C10 status - EBV recorded * Stokman Bulls - Fertility and semen tested - i 50K tested for enhanced EBVs

PGG Wrightson Cam Heggie 027 501 8182 Mark & Sherrie Stokman Neil Heather Sam Wright 027 443 0905 161 Hossack Rd Ext Paradise Valley Road Pete Henderson 027 475 4895 Rotorua Rotorua Steve Wattum 027 493 4484 07 3332446 • 0276404028 027 421 4050 • 07 357 2142 Central Livestock: mtkiwi@farmside.co.nz neil-heather@xtra.co.nz Shane Scott 027 495 6031

10 Yr CLOSED

HEREFORD

+ No

51

Trad i

ng

HERD & FARM

7th Annual Bull Sale - Monday 24th September 2018

1358 Buckland Road - Cambridge - Undercover - 12 Noon

45 Grass fed Hereford Yearling Bulls - Approx 460kg l/w ave. Suitable for cows.

BW & LW provided, TB C10, EBL Free, BVD Negative & Lepto 7in1 Double vaccinated Bred for medium birth weight, calving ease and temperament.

All bull purchasers enter a draw for 2 x lots of 30 native trees from Cambrilea Riparian Services. Light luncheon & drinks provided. Signposted from Mobil Karapiro. SH1 FOR FURTHER DETAILS CONTACT: VENDORS: HELEN & CHARLIE LEA - 07 827 6868 OR 021 833 221. info@ratanuifarm.co.nz BRENT BOUGEN - 027 210 4698 GARETH PRICE - 0274 777 310 ANDREW FINDLAY - 027 273 4808

Hillcroft Est. 1960

Annual Spring Bull Sale

More bull for your buck!

Hillcroft bulls: born and bred on our closed breeding unit. No bulls have been leased.

20 ANGUS YEARLINGS

Rangatira 13-4 Sire of 1 & 2 yr olds

26 HEREFORD 2 YR OLDS Sires:

Selected for heifer mating

• Ardo Prophet 2329. Top 5% Hereford prime and dairy maternal. Top 10% NZ calving ease, NZ carcaseweight • Riverton Lochie 1320. Top 5% C ease

93 ANGUS 2 YR OLDS

Lot 2 - Sire Stern 358

Lot 5 - Sire Rangatira 13-50

Lot 11 Rangatira 13-50

Enquiries welcome – call for a catalogue or view online www.angusnz.com or FB hillcroftangus Malcolm & Fraser Crawford: Matahuru Rd, Ohinewai Malcolm Phone 07 828 5709; Fraser Phone 07 828 5755, 0272 85 95 87

LIVESTOCK ADVERTISING Advertise your stock sales in Farmers Weekly Kokonga East Road, off Waikaretu Valley Road, RD5 Tuakau Kokonga Farm is approximately 40 minutes from Ngaruawahia, 50 minutes from Mercer, Rangiriri and Huntly via Glen Murray.

farmersweekly.co.nz

OVER 1,000 HEREFORD BULLS

For Sale Now! Protect your farm, buy safe & buy registered Hereford Bulls visit: www.herefords.co.nz for a list of bulls & sale dates

LK0094020©

On bull farm: 820 Waiterimu Road, Ohinewai • Monday 17th September 11.30am

MARKET SNAPSHOT

52

Market Snapshot brought to you by the AgriHQ analysts.

Suz Bremner

Rachel Agnew

Mel Croad

Cattle

Reece Brick

Sheep

BEEF

Deer

SHEEP MEAT

VENISON

Last week

Prior week

Last year

NI Steer (300kg)

5.95

5.90

5.60

NI lamb (17kg)

8.55

8.45

7.00

NI stag (60kg)

11.30

11.30

9.60

NI Bull (300kg)

5.50

5.50

5.50

NI mutton (20kg)

5.30

5.30

4.20

SI stag (60kg)

11.40

11.40

9.60

NI Cow (200kg)

4.50

4.60

4.40

SI lamb (17kg)

8.30

8.25

6.90

SI Steer (300kg)

5.80

5.80

5.30

SI mutton (20kg)

5.25

5.30

4.15

SI Bull (300kg)

5.30

5.30

5.00

Export markets (NZ$/kg)

SI Cow (200kg)

4.50

4.50

4.20

UK CKT leg

8.81

8.71

8.66

US imported 95CL bull

6.63

6.66

6.63

US domestic 90CL cow

6.93

6.93

6.99

Slaughter price (NZ$/kg)

Last week Prior week

Last year

6.0

$/kg CW

$/kg CW

South Island lamb slaughter price

Oct

Dec

Feb

Apr

Jun

2016-17

Aug 2017-18

$/kg CW

WOOL

5-yr ave

2016-17

Aug 2017-18

Last week

Prior week

Last year

Coarse crossbred ind.

3.34

3.29

3.05

37 micron ewe

3.50

3.50

30 micron lamb

Dairy

$/tonne

$/kg MS

6.0

Apr-18

Jun-18 Sept. 19

Aug-18

DAIRY FUTURES (US$/T) Nearby contract

Last price*

-

-

523

523

477

3.20

Super

304

304

303

3.85

DAP

753

753

702

400 380 360

7.66

Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Corporation Ltd

14.79

16.44

11.92

Auckland International Airport Limited

6.88

7.20

6.11

Meridian Energy Limited

3.22

3.30

2.75

Spark New Zealand Limited

3.89

4.04

3.28

Ryman Healthcare Limited

13.30

14.09

10.27

Fletcher Building Limited

6.20

7.96

5.74

Mercury NZ Limited (NS)

3.34

3.45

3.08

5.54

5.96

5.15

3.43

2.86

Aug-17

Oct-17

Dec-17

Feb-18

Apr-18

Jun-18

Aug-18

Listed Agri Shares

Close

YTD High

YTD Low

440

The a2 Milk Company Limited

11.880

14.620

7.660

420

Comvita Limited

5.650

9.210

5.590

400

Delegat Group Limited

10.830

11.000

7.510

Foley Family Wines Limited

1.480

1.610

1.400

380

Fonterra Shareholders' Fund (NS)

4.980

6.660

4.800

360

Livestock Improvement Corporation Ltd (NS)

0.700

3.000

0.700

New Zealand King Salmon Investments Ltd

2.680

2.990

1.840

PGG Wrightson Limited

0.630

0.720

0.560

Sanford Limited (NS)

7.680

8.500

7.350

Scales Corporation Limited

4.690

5.000

4.350

SeaDragon Limited

0.003

0.006

0.003

Seeka Limited

6.100

7.010

5.800

Synlait Milk Limited (NS)

12.750

13.530

6.260

T&G Global Limited

3.100

3.300

3.080

2070

1995

AMF

5330

5500

5675

Butter

4305

4340

4975

340

Milk Price

6.70

6.70

6.74

320

$/tonne

2035

Aug-17

* price as at close of business on Thursday

5pm, close of market, Thursday

Company

SMP

Oct-17

Dec-17

Feb-18

Apr-18

Jun-18

Aug-18

WAIKATO PALM KERNEL 350 300

$/tonne

US$/t

YTD Low

3.21

2960

2750

14.62

Contact Energy Limited

2825

2850

YTD High

11.88

Air New Zealand Limited (NS)

2790

2950

Close

The a2 Milk Company Limited

320

WMP

3050

Company

340

vs 4 weeks ago

WMP FUTURES - VS FOUR WEEKS AGO

NZ average (NZ$/t)

Top 10 by Market Cap

CANTERBURY FEED BARLEY Prior week

Fertiliser Urea

420 6.5

Feb-18 Sept. 18

Aug 2017-18

Last year

440

Dec-17

Jun

Prior week

CANTERBURY FEED WHEAT

7.0

Oct-17

Apr 2016-17

Last week

Grain

Data provided by

MILK PRICE FUTURES

5.5

Feb

FERTILISER

(NZ$/kg) Jun

Dec

5.5

4.5

Apr

Oct

5-yr ave

5.0

Feb

8 6

5-yr ave

Dec

9

6.5

4.5

Oct

10

7

7.5

5.5

4.0

South Island stag slaughter price

11

8.5

South Island steer slaughter price

8

12

4.5

6.0

9

6

5.0

4.0

10

7

5.5

4.5

$/kg CW

North Island lamb slaughter price

6.5

5.5

Last year

North Island stag slaughter price

12

7.5

$/kg CW

North Island steer slaughter price

Last week Prior week

11

Export markets (NZ$/kg) 8.5

Slaughter price (NZ$/kg)

$/kg CW

Slaughter price (NZ$/kg)

Ingrid Usherwood

Tegel Group Holdings Limited

1.130

1.240

0.810

S&P/NZX Primary Sector Equity

17188

17682

14417

S&P/NZX 50 Index

9102

9363

8059

S&P/NZX 10 Index

8792

9212

7640

250

Sep

Oct Nov Latest price

Dec Jan 4 weeks ago

Feb

200

Aug-17

S&P/FW PRIMARY SECTOR EQUITY

Oct-17

Dec-17

Feb-18

Apr-18

Jun-18

Aug-18

17188

S&P/NZX 50 INDEX

9102

S&P/NZX 10 INDEX

8792

53

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – September 10, 2018 SI SLAUGHTER MUTTON

NI SLAUGHTER STEER

SI SLAUGHTER LAMB

($/KG)

($/KG)

PRIME HEREFORD-CROSS STEERS, 545-600KG, AT CANTERBURY PARK

($/KG)

($/KG LW)

5.25

5.95

8.55

3.20

First spring fair for Matawhero S

DON’T STOP HERE...

If you love the information you get from these pages, you will love AgriHQ’s livestock reports.

PRING fair action came to Matawhero last Tuesday where nearly 1300 traditional and exotic cattle were in attendance. Short term steers and Angus bulls sold to high demand but an oversupply of one-year heifers meant selective bidding.

Dollar Watch

LivestockEye

We create transparency for the industry with these independent, objective reports providing full sale results and informed commentary covering 10 saleyards across NZ that are emailed directly after the sale.

ON SHOW: Two of the bulls up for sale at last week’s Te Atarangi sale.

Photo: Hugh Stringleman

The top level for two-year steers was $3.07/kg, though most of the trading for beef-cross occurred in a $2.80-$2.90/ kg range. A special entry of purebred Hereford bulls made good value at $1480, $3.38/kg, while the best of the beef heifers made $2.85/kg. A larger portion were dairy-cross and traded at $2.65$2.70/kg.

Long term cattle are not on buyer’s orders and medium beef and dairy-beef yearling steers were good shopping at $3.10-$3.25/kg. The bull pens were mixed in breed and quality with the better types making $2.85-$3.00/kg, though FriesianJersey were well off the pace at $2.30$2.40/kg. Lighter heifers sold for $2.95$3.30/kg and lesser sorts, $2.65/kg.

The cow market was more resilient

This Prior Last NZD vs EXPECT the dollar to move week week year lower still over the next year with USD 0.6654 0.6636 0.7209 potential for a short-term spike EUR 0.5693 0.5745 0.6039 higher, Westpac Bank strategist AUD 0.9163 0.9153 0.9086 Imre Speizer says.

He’s calling weakness on GBP 0.5103 0.5182 0.5556 all the major crosses. Markets Correct as of 9am last Friday are driven by a strong United States economy and currency and Speizer expects a US$0.64 rate for the kiwi by year-end, pushing lower into mid-next year. There’s a chance of a short-term spike because of the record short trading positions in the kiwi. A potential catalyst that could force investors out of those bets would be a strong GDP reading on September 20. The dollar could lift to 0.68 before moving lower again.

Answering questions after a speech on Friday, Reserve Bank governor Adrian Orr said the NZ economy is in pretty good shape, an indication the OCR could stay where it is for a long time yet, Speizer said.

The NZ dollar has broken lower against the euro in recent weeks as the European Central Bank moves closer to ending its money-printing programme by year-end, with €0.55 a target figure. He believes the kiwi could push lower to £0.50 and possibly lower but Brexit issues remain the main influence on sterling, despite two rate hikes by the Bank of England.

The yen’s safe-haven status will attract funds in any trade-war related risk aversion and a stronger Australian economy could push the kiwi to A$0.89 by year-end.

Alan Williams

than other sections though prices did still ease. Heavy types sold for $2.00-$2.12/kg, and medium, $1.80-$1.90/kg.

AUCKLAND AUCKLAND The PUKEKOHE yards found strong competition throughout the lines offered from both locals and large-scale buyers.

Large numbers of off-types are finding much more limited interest, with the difference between these and well-bred cattle much wider than usual.

Good 2-year steers were bought at $3.02-$3.25/kg, falling to $2.75-$3.16/kg for plainer types. Prime and 2-year store heifers were very similar to each other at $2.92-$3.17/kg.

Livestock Insight

Every week, we explain the context of the current market situation, drivers which are impacting the livestock markets and what to expect in the coming week.

Continued page 54

Sharemarket briefing IT WAS a roller coaster for markets last week as heightened worries over international trade conflicts curbed investor appetite. South Africa entered a recession for the first time in nine years, sparking fears over emerging markets. Investors flocked to the safe haven United States dollar, causing the kiwi dollar to fall to its lowest since February 2016.

The Australian economy expanded by 0.9% for the quarter ending June, up 3.4% for the year. The growth exceeded economists’ expectations of 0.7% and 2.8%. The annual growth rate was the sharpest since September 2012, when the mining boom reached its peak.

A sharp sell-off in US tech pushed the Nasdaq Composite and S&P 500 lower on Wednesday after Twitter chief executive Jack Dorsey and Facebook chief executive Sheryl Sandberg testified to Congress, addressing online election meddling and how to stop abuse on social platforms. Investors also braced for another round of trade negotiations between the US and Canada, following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau comments the country would not bow to US requests.

Emerging market shares fell broadly as investors fretted over the dire state of the Argentine and Turkish economies.

Market commentary provided by Craigs Investment Partners

Livestock Outlook

For those who want to see and understand forecasting, this monthly report projects farmer operating prices six months ahead and supports these prices with analysis of supply/demand, procurement factors, key export markets and exchange rate effects.

INDEPENDENT • OBJECTIVE TRUSTED • WORTHY Discover how we can help you keep up to date with market conditions.

agrihq.co.nz 0800 85 25 80

2476AGHQ

NORTHLAND NORTHLAND The second of the grown fairs at WELLSFORD offered up the expected number of cattle last Monday, and the market followed a steady to upwards trend for the beef-Friesian dominant offering.

Two-year Hereford-Friesian steers, 500-554kg, lifted to $2.94-$3.03/kg, and a line of six very heavy steers, 660kg, sold for $2000 at $3.03/kg. Any other lines to push past the $3.00/kg mark were longer term types of quality. Angus-Friesian and Hereford-cross, 413-489kg, ranged from $2.93-$2.98/kg, though the breeds parted company there as lesser Hereford-cross, 398-411kg, made $2.66/kg, but 356-362kg Angus-Friesian earned $2.98-$3.02/kg.

In a similar fashion the heifer market improved and a couple of lines managed to hit $3.00/kg, including Hereford & Angus-Hereford, 528kg, and CharolaisFriesian, 330kg. Beef-Friesian, 356-436kg, sold for a consistent $2.83-$2.92/kg, while Angus-cross, 375-392kg, dropped to $2.58-$2.59/kg.

An unusually cold and wet late winter/ early spring for Northland has meant any early spring growth has been virtually non-existent, and it is keeping a lid on the cattle markets at KAIKOHE. It was a harder day at the office last Wednesday where 600 head went under the hammer, with limited interest for lesser bred lines in particular, PGG Wrightson agent Vaughan Vujcich reported.

Markets

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Small yearling heifers were making $3.05-$3.33/kg, $790-$900 whereas top weaner steers, 190kg, sold for $760, $4.03/ kg.

Boner cows were spread across $1.64$2.34/kg, with a single 555kg bull making $2.81/kg.

COUNTIES COUNTIES Demand for heavier store steers was very strong at TUAKAU last Thursday, Chris Elliott of PGG Wrightson reported.

The yarding of 470-head drew a good bench of buyers, with extra power coming from King Country and Waikato.

Prices for steers in the 450-530kg range lifted by10c/kg, with most selling at $3.11$3.27/kg. The market for 300-420kg steers wasn’t quite as buoyant. Most lots in this range fetched $3.00-$3.15/kg, $940-$1125.

However 200-280kg steers sold well, trading at $800-$1060. Weaner HerefordFriesian steers, 120kg, made $650 and 129kg Murray Grey, $575.

Exotic bulls, 430kg, earned $3.06/kg, $1320, and Angus, 275kg, $3.19/kg, $880.

A line of Hereford-Friesian autumn-born weaner bulls, 119-135kg, fetched $625$660.

In the heifer section, a nice line of Charolais, 350kg, made $3.15/kg, with other heifers in the 300-400kg range making $2.80-$3.00/kg. Good HerefordFriesian weaners, 205kg, sold at $760 and 190kg, $690. Autumn-born HerefordFriesian, 114-127kg, made $590-$615.

About 330 cattle were presented at last Wednesday’s prime sale. The steer market eased slightly, with good-medium types trading at $3.06-$3.18/kg and lighter $2.92-$3.06/kg. Quality in the heifer section was good. Heavy beef heifers sold at $3.00-$3.15/kg, medium $2.88-$3.00/ kg and lighter beef heifers $2.60-$2.85/kg.

Dairy-type heifers made $2.20-$2.60/kg and empty Charolais cows, 662kg, $2.58/ kg. Other beef cows fetched $2.18-$2.46/ kg. A small offering of dairy cows sold well. Well-covered Friesian returned $2.10-$2.39/kg, medium $1.80-$2.08/ kg, and lighter boners $1.40-$1.75/kg.

A handful of Hereford and Angus bulls earned $2.80-$3.01/kg.

Heavy prime lambs traded at $172$222 at last Monday’s sheep sale. Medium lambs made $148-$170, and lighter types $130-$148. Store lambs were in short supply, selling for $100-$130. The ewe market remained firm. Heavy ewes earned $150-$189 and medium $120$150. Lighter ewes sold from $80. About 700 ewes and lambs were yarded.

WAIKATO A sizeable decrease in prime cattle options at FRANKTON appeared to make little difference to this market. The better 465-650kg steers were bought at $3.07$3.18/kg, dropping back to $2.89-$3.04/kg for second-cut 520-590kg lines. Medium prime beef heifers varied across $2.99$3.08/kg, though a single 555kg Angus pen gave the steers a run for their money at $3.16/kg.

Some 430-525kg boner cows sold to an unchanged $2.07-$2.11/kg.

Stability carried into the 2-year offering.

Lines of note were some 365-430kg Hereford-Friesian steers at $3.08-$3.16/ kg and 360kg Hereford-Friesian heifers which were $3.07-$3.10.

One-year steers at least matched what was made a week ago. They were mainly sold in two cuts; 265-310kg HerefordFriesian and traditional pens were $3.26$3.41/kg, $910-$985, whereas 295-345kg beef-cross lines sold at $2.84-$2.96/ kg, $880-$980. Two pens of heavy beefFriesians heifers were a highlight, topping nearly all of the steers at $1060-$1090, $3.05-$3.22/kg. Otherwise 185-245kg Angus and Hereford-Friesian heifers were around the $3.24-$3.49/kg level. A large selection of Friesian bulls, 255-285kg, were bought at $850-$905, $3.16-$3.32/kg.

Quality made all the difference in the autumn-born weaners. Good 100-110kg Hereford-Friesian bulls were $570-$630, while 155-180kg steers made $705-$725.

Off-type bulls and heifers were usually $400-$500.

BAY OF PLENTY BAY OF PLENTY It was a bit too wet through RANGIURU’s buyer catchment, stopping further price increases. Some nice 370460kg Hereford-Friesians were a feature of the 2-year steers, but these were down a little on expectations at $2.97-$3.06/ kg. Angus-Hereford and Hereford-cross 2-year heifers, 395-440kg, commanded $2.87-$3.03/kg.

A flat rate of $3.15-$3.33/kg covered the majority of the yearling steers, specifically 200-260kg beef-cross lines. The lighterend were mainly bought on a per head basis, regularly around $670-$710. It was very common for 190-220kg Herefordcross and Hereford-Friesian heifers to make $650-$690, mainly $3.31-$3.44/kg. A few 230-250kg heifers were at $720-$800,

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Autumn-born weaners were mixed, though some 140kg Hereford-Friesians did make $580.

Lower quality kept the prime section down. Beef-Friesian steers, 505-525kg, were $3.06-$3.10/kg, while 485-500kg Charolais-cross heifers all made $1485$1520, $2.99-$3.14/kg. Boner cows were mainly light lines, with 335-445kg dairy types all making $1.81-$1.92/kg.

TARANAKI TARANAKI Another large selection of store cattle at TARANAKI were very strong, especially off-types. Well-bred 2-year steers were exceptionally firm, as 475-530kg beefFriesian lines sold for $3.36-$3.39/kg.

Even the 325-370kg lines were in demand, often selling at $3.46-$3.65/kg, while even the least appealing steers basically all managed to break $3.00/kg.

Two-year heifers were a bit more mixed, though the better 425-455kg HerefordFriesian lines gave a good indicator of demand at $2.91-$2.99/kg.

Yearling beef-cross steers, 190-260kg, were all at the flat rate of $780-$865, with a varied of 265-285kg dairy-cross autumnborn yearlings all at $800-$810. One-year beef-cross heifers were often $690-$755.

Autumn-born weaners came in limited numbers, with the highlight a pen of 170kg Simmental-cross bulls at $710, $4.18/kg.

Prime cattle are beginning supported by firming schedules, especially local trade. This was obvious in the 500-560kg Hereford-cross heifers which claimed $3.04-$3.08/kg. A few run of the mill 405-470kg dairy cows met expectations at $1.98-$2.06/kg.

POVERTY BAY POVERTY BAY The MATAWHERO cattle fair was mainly successful but it really depend on

what vendors offered. Short-term steers sold very well in spite of all the rain of late. Two-year traditional and Herefordcross steers, 435-500kg, found new homes at $3.26-$3.43/kg, but top dollar went to a line of 490kg Devon-Hereford’s at an exceptional $3.53/kg, $1730.

A very large line-up of mainly traditional 2-year bulls sold at very solid prices. The majority were 430-580kg, selling at $3.17-$3.23/kg, though a line of 500kg Herefords did make $3.40/kg, $1700.

Three lines 195-215kg traditional steers were $760-$800, $3.71-$3.92/kg, while 320kg Angus and Hereford-Friesians were $1040-$1060, $3.25-$3.31/kg. Results were otherwise very mixed.

The nearly 500 yearling heifers appeared a few too many. There were some solid results within this section though. Purebred Angus’s, 230-260kg, presented in big lines were $790-$860, $3.31-$3.43/kg, while some 250-265kg Hereford’s sold very well at $900-$1000, $3.60-$3.77/kg. Everything else was mainly 180-230kg beef-cross types which could only fetch $2.96-$3.26/kg or sometimes less.

A few 1-year Angus-cross bulls, 195255kg, ended the day’s proceedings on a strong note, making $3.67-$3.90/kg. Two big pens of 180-220kg Friesian bulls were bought on per head budgets at $690-$710.

In contrast to a big cattle sale sheep numbers were virtually non-existent at MATAWHERO last Friday, with a grand total of 55 penned.

No store lambs were penned, though a few new season lambs did come in with their mothers and sold for $89 all counted.

The top pen of prime lambs were male and fetched $211, with eight ewe lambs making $192. Most other lines made $179-$182, while store and prime ewes started at $111 and sold up to $148.

HAWKE’S BAY HAWKE’S BAY It was a polar opposite week weather wise at STORTFORD LODGE last week, with a beautiful spring day on the Monday and heavy rain with bitter temperatures on Wednesday.

Only a handful of heifers were on offer last Monday and all 450-560kg traded at $2.90-$2.96/kg.

With the cattle sorted in no time, buyers quickly focused their attention on the sheep pens. A total of 4,417 lambs were yarded and the market had a softer tone. Very heavy male and ram lambs were solid at $200.50-$222, with top ewe lambs matching at $203-$218.

The next cut were heavy types and all sections eased to $170-$204. Good to heavy males softened to $162-$169, as did mixed sex at $157.50-$167. Medium-good to good ewe lambs were back at $151$176.

Just over 1200 ewes were penned and this market also eased, with the exception of 17 very heavy mixed age ewes that lifted to $204-$215. The balance of very heavy types softened to $180-$183.50, while heavy ewes were steady at $170$176, but medium-good to good types eased to $138-$145. Medium and lightmedium ewes also softened at $107-$122, while light ewes managed $80-$90. Twotooth and two to four-tooth ewes traded at $91-$121.

Few lines were yarded through all classes of store cattle last Wednesday.

A small line of 2-year 400kg traditional steers claimed $2.99/kg, while 435kg Angus heifers were even lower at $2.81/ kg. Some 395kg Friesian and Friesiancross bulls sold for $2.63/kg.

It was marginally easier going in the yearling steers as all 230-245kg lines went for $3.82-$3.92/kg, $900-$940. The heifers were sticky but a single line of 225kg Herefords made $790, $3.50/kg. Quality was largely absent in the 1-year bulls,

Markets

with the only line of significance some 235kg Friesians which made a reasonable $3.33/kg, $775.

In-calf Angus cows, 475-540kg, were bought around works value as they made $1100-$1200, $2.22$2.32/kg.

It was a short and sharp affair in the sheep yards too. Male and wether lambs were few and far between. These sold in two cuts; mediums made $145.50-$166.50 and heavies were at $177-$192.

Ewe lambs were a bit hit and miss, with some unshorn lines making a clear discount on the rest. Generally though mediums were $135-$163 the heavier cuts $169-$176.

Two good SIL lines, one carrying twins, found new homes at $209$215, with a single small RWR line making a respectable $196.

MANAWATU MANAWATU A cold bleak day greeted buyers at RONGOTEA last Wednesday but again there was a good selection of younger cattle penned, New Zealand Farmers Livestock agent Darryl Harwood reported.

Two-year steer prices were solid for limited numbers as all breeds 410-510kg made $2.80-$2.84/kg.

Jersey bulls, 355kg, returned $2.06/ kg and good quality HerefordFriesian heifers, 315-325kg, $2.76$2.83/kg.

A larger entry of 15-month Hereford-Friesian heifers made good value as 257-265kg sold up to $875, though lesser quality crossbred of heavier weight only managed $550.

Buyers were selective through a larger one-year section. Steers sold to $430-$620, while a bigger entry of heifers had Hereford-Friesian, 148-215kg, making $595-$700.

Bulls of same breeding and 165kg made $635, though heavier Friesian, 175kg, dropped to $460.

Lesser sorts traded at $350-$490.

The weaner pens featured bulls and heifers and Hereford-Friesian was the popular choice, with bulls making $300-$580, and heifers, $400. Friesian bulls, 140kg, fetched $600, and White Galloway, 127kg, $450.

Feeder calf prices mainly eased and good Friesian bulls made $90-$175 and small, $60-$80.

Hereford-Friesian sold for $60$205, and heifers of same breeding $60-$180. Red Poll heifers earned $100-$200.

Ewes with lambs-at-foot made $65-$80 all counted, and mixed sex lambs, $120.

Cow numbers crept up at FEILDING, while three opportunities to buy lambs last week meant a reduced yarding at Monday’s sale.

Ewe lamb entries were notably down and there was a softer tone to all sections, especially for medium types. Heavier types traded at $194-$230 but fewer buyers ventured forward for medium and heavy lambs and prices eased $6-$7. Heavy mixed sex traded at $180-$191, and medium $165-$179.

The inclusion of wet-dries lifted ewe numbers and buying was easier. Lighter end ewes sold for $105-$133, and good up to heavy, $136-$175. Two lines of two-four tooth’s sold for $151-$163.

Extra buyers came for the extra cattle and boner prices lifted. The Friesian cows were in excellent order and in three price brackets,

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – September 10, 2018 with 579-595kg achieving $2.42$2.50/kg, 470-550kg, $2.36-$2.38/ kg, and 440-461kg, $2.20-$2.28/ kg. Beef-Friesian cows were lighter types and that was reflected in their prices of $2.16-$2.20/kg, though one line of 506kg AngusFriesian managed $2.42/kg.

A good buying bench was in attendance for the feeder calf sale and results were mostly positive.

Good Friesian bulls made $185$250, and medium $100-$140.

Hereford-Friesian sold to $220$295 and medium $150-$180, while Angus-cross ranged from $120 up to $210. Good HerefordFriesian heifers earned $150-$200 and medium, $90-$130, while Angus-cross sold for $80-$145.

With the season marching on there was a noted easing in prices for Friesian bulls at MANFIELD PARK last Thursday. Medium beefFriesian calves in both the bull and heifer section also proved to be good buying, though good lines sold to recent levels.

Good Friesian bulls made $90$130, with medium types earning $50-$75. Hereford-Friesian bulls sold to $215-$275, with Simmental-cross in the mix at $230. Medium Hereford-Friesian and Simmental-cross sold for $100-$160, while the better AngusFriesian made $140-$185, and medium $90-$110.

Hereford-Friesian heifers sold to $150-$190 for the top lines, while medium types made $50-$100.

Angus-cross earned $50-$105.

More than twice as many hoggets came in for the 2nd FEILDING hogget fair as last year, but this proved too many as prices fell.

In a historical context there were still astronomical prices paid, especially through the heavier males. The seven heaviest pens were all bought at $219-$229, but were back around $20/hd on three weeks ago. The rest of the very heavy males were usually $184$218, whereas standard heavy hoggets were $174.50-$193.

There was a fall of $20-$23/ hd through the ewe hoggets of all weights too. Top lines made $190-$191, heavy types were $150$180.50 and the mediums sold at $120-$151.

The FEILDING sale yards felt almost eerie as reduced volumes of both sheep and cattle were penned last Friday.

The hogget fair stole the limelight from the sheep and as a result sales either side of it lacked numbers, though none more so than Friday’s sheep sale. Just over 1000 store lambs were penned, but they covered a wide spread of weights. One very heavy line of cryptorchids sold to $208, but most other males earned $138$157. Interest was limited for mixed sex and prices eased. The bulk sat in a $126-$149 range with lighter types earning $97-$116.

The ewe lamb section was more consistent and all bar two lines sold for $132-$146, with $125 for the last two completing the sale.

Ewes with lambs-at-foot also reduced in number and the market had a softer tone. One line of good ewes did manage $128 all counted, but prices of $102-$108 were more common.

Cattle numbers were also reduced, with two-years in particular noted for their absence, though buyers were treated to

solid volumes of traditional and beef-Friesian yearling cattle.

Two-year Hereford-Friesian steers, 445-540kg, made steady returns at $3.30/kg, and a line of Angus heifers, 408kg, earned $3.04/kg. Friesian bulls, 487-540kg, sold very well at $3.16-$3.20/kg.

Yearling Angus steers softened on recent levels as 274-286kg made $1040-$1105, $3.80-$3.86/kg. A big entry of Angus-Friesian, 323355kg, were consistently priced at $3.49-$3.56/kg, putting $1130$1238 on their heads. Traditional heifers made a good premium over beef-Friesian as 271kg returned $3.30/kg, compared to similar weight of beef-Friesian at $3.10$3.19/kg. Friesian bulls, 239-287kg, eased to $3.34-$3.39/kg, while a consignment of autumn-born Angus-Friesian weaner heifers sold as one line and at 122kg returned $590.

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CANTERBURY CANTERBURY A small prime cattle sale at CANTERBURY PARK was supplemented by a few store cattle, bought forward by the worsening on-farm conditions.

Traditional 2-year steers were short on numbers but big on interest, making an impressive $3.23-$3.33/kg for 400-450kg.

Beef-cross types, 375-475kg, were at a clear discount though, ranging across $2.95-$3.08/kg. A couple lines of 370-430kg HerefordFriesian heifers weren’t far off the steers at $2.87-$2.98/kg.

Decent yearlings sold near to expectations, but off-types registered very little interest. All 245-290kg beef-cross steers were $2.97-$3.11/kg, but 220-275kg Friesians could only muster $460$630, $2.02-$2.33/kg. Heifers were mostly 230-270kg beef-cross lines which made $705-$835, $3.03$3.20/kg. The bulk of beef-cross bulls were below $2.10/kg, with quite a few passed in too.

The prime section stayed strong.

Traditional and exotic steers, 555-690kg, made $3.16-$3.26/ kg. Beef-cross, 470-715kg, were frequently $3.06-$3.18/kg, though occasionally fell lower. Decent forward store steers, 500-560kg, were at a small premium of $3.25$3.33/kg.

Some 500-570kg Charolais-cross claimed poll position in the heifers at $3.14-$3.18/kg. Otherwise 450kg plus traditional and beef-cross lines sold for $2.95-$3.05/kg or occasionally a little more.

A few light traditional cows met expectations with 460-520kg at $1.94-$2.07/kg.

The sheep sale was very small.

Store lamb at least reached similar

levels to a week ago as all the better lambs were $159-$161, but otherwise this section was too small to draw any conclusions.

The prime lambs held their ground week-on-week. A variety of heavy lines claimed $210-$224, whereas good types were $195$205, mediums $180-$190 and the remainder mainly at least $170.

The scarcity of prime ewes pushed these up by around $5/hd.

Heavies were mainly $200-$250, but the odd ewe was chased as high as $270. Otherwise the core of the sale settled around $160-$200..

Prime lambs kept the sheep section alive at COALGATE last Thursday, while store cattle numbers lifted for the first larger spring sale.

Very heavy prime lambs eased and half of the section sold for $190-$217, with the balance steady at $161-$189.

Most of the 340 store lambs traded at $135-$159 on a firm market, while a smaller yarding of ewes had a bit more quality. The top pen sold for $223, though most traded at $151-$199.

Special entries of mainly Hereford-Friesian yearlings drew a bigger crowd to the cattle pens and the market met expectations.

Two-year numbers were low but had quality as a small line of 430kg Angus steers made $3.23/kg, while Hereford-Friesian, 390-428kg, earned $2.99-$3.04/kg.

Through the autumn-born and one-year steer and heifer pens Hereford-Friesian accounted for 95% of the cattle. Autumn-born steers could be split into two price ranges as 391-472kg made $2.89-$2.97/kg, and 348-408kg, $3.06-$3.16/kg. Heifers from the same camp and 354-386kg sold for $3.07-$3.12/kg.

For yearling steers $800-$960 was very common for 245-308kg, though heifers were more variable as heavier types, 283-294kg, lifted to $855-$890, while medium types, 210-263kg, traded at $650-$750.

One big line of 22 at 260kg did manage $820.

Friesian bulls also featured though sold to limited interest.

One line of 30 made $750, $2.71/ kg, while 213-238kg earned $540$625.

The prime section continued its steadily increasing run with some lines of beef steers selling as high as $3.22-$3.30/kg, and heifers, $3.14-$3.20/kg.

SOUTH CANTERBURY SOUTH CANTERBURY A steady flow of store lambs continued to hit the yards at TEMUKA as bigger consignments fill the pens. Last week it was the turn of 1400 shorn Merino wethers which accounted for over half the offering. Sold in five lines the heavy lines made $147.50-$168, and the balance, $119-$138.50.

A consignment of good to heavy halfbred lambs sold for $146-$180.

A lesser quality entry of prime lambs eased the market $5 and just over 700 head traded at $190$220, with the remainder earning $160-$189.

The ewe market had a very familiar feel to it with similar numbers, regular buyer dominance and in turn prices. The majority traded at $131 and better, with two small lines making $264.

The cattle pens had a softer tone with nearly all sections easing, though only marginally.

55

Prices of $3.00-$3.06/kg was still achieved on the best yielding lines of beef and beef-cross steers.

Very heavy Friesian, 645-745kg, managed to sell for $2.95-$3.04/ kg, while second cuts of Herefordcross, 404-525kg, returned $2.84$2.93/kg.

Angus heifers traded at $2.93$2.98/kg, and Hereford-cross, 490-606kg, $2.86-$2.94/kg.

Beef cows held value for a nice line up of Angus and Simmentalcross, 608-650kg, which sold for $2.28-$2.30/kg.

Boner cows and heifers eased despite relatively low numbers.

Friesian cows sold over a very tight range as 484kg through to 910kg all made $1.91-$2.04/kg. Friesian heifers, 495-580kg, eased to $2.65$2.73/kg.

OTAGO OTAGO The market made a good start to spring at BALCLUTHA last Wednesday, continuing the strong theme set, PGG Wrightson agent Alex Horn reported.

A feature line of annual draft ewes with lambs-at-foot sold exceptionally well at $122 all counted. Store lambs posted results similar to the previous week as the top lines made $145$156 and medium, $135-$145. Tail end lambs sold for $109-$120.

Prime numbers reduced across both sections which meant a firm tone to the market as demand remained the same. Heavy lambs made $170-$192, medium $160$170 and lighter, $150-$160. Prime ewes did not hit the $200 mark with the top lines making $170$180, but the remaining pens were firm at $140-$170 and $110-$130 for medium and lighter types.

Lower condition ewes sold for $90-$100.

SOUTHLAND SOUTHLAND A large yarding of store cattle at LORNEVILLE were the main area of note on the day, selling to a sound market. Two-year Herefordcross steers, 410kg, were $2.91/kg, while 380kg Friesians made $2.82/ kg. Some 1-year Angus-Hereford heifers, 290-310kg, had a solid sale at $1000-$1030, $3.32-$3.45/ kg, while 250-270kg Friesian bulls made $670-$800, $2.68-$2.96/kg.

Other 200kg beef-cross steers were $3.27/kg, with 160-230kg beefcross heifers sitting at $450-$590, $2.57-$2.81/kg.

Feeders calves did well too.

Good Hereford-cross bulls made $175-$245, dropping to $140-$160 for equivalent heifers.

A small but firm prime cattle auction was held. Heifers were split three ways, 450-460kg made $2.90-$2.95/kg, 350-400kg were $2.60-$2.70/kg, while a line of 390kg dairy heifers sold for $2.20/ kg. It was the same story for the cows – 500kg plus were $2.10$2.15/kg, 450-500kg made $1.90$2.00/kg, with 370-430kg around $1.70/kg.

Good prime lambs were at $180-$200, mediums $165-$178 rounded out by some lighter pens at $150-$164. Ewes peaked at $160-$190 for the heavies, but $140-$158 covered the mediums and $120-$138 was made for all but the tail-enders.

The better store lines claimed $140-$155, mid-range types were $130-$138 and $115-$125 was paid for the rest. Ewes with lambs-atfoot remained firm at $110-$124.

Markets

56 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – September 10, 2018 NI SLAUGHTER COW

SI SLAUGHTER STEER

SI SLAUGHTER LAMB

($/KG)

($/KG)

TWO-YEAR ANGUS BULLS, 430520KG, AT MATAWHERO CATTLE FAIR

($/KG)

($/KG)

4.50

5.80

8.30

3.21

hoggets at Feilding Hogget Fair

Beef solid but bumpy Alan Williams alan.williams@globalhq.co.nz

A

N EXPECTED surge in United States domestic beef supply hasn’t occurred yet but continuing drought in many important grazing states means it is still coming.

Strong beef pricing has also helped the market as many farmers sent animals away for processing earlier and lighter than usual, Rabobank’s New Zealand animal proteins analyst Blake Holgate said.

“The good pricing meant they could forgo some weight and this has helped to lower the overall volumes from where they might have been.”

US supply rose 3% during the first half of the year but had been expected to be considerably higher because of the drought impact in states housing about half the US herd.

Strong corn production levels had taken pressure off feedlots with most of the pressure on pasture farmers.

The reduced increase has been a positive for NZ farmers because prices have remained very solid at a time when exports have risen 8% from last October to June.

The increase is largely in extra bull processing brought about by the greater dairy calving levels encouraged by the buoyant prices of the last three to four years.

Part of the supply growth is from animals culled because of Mycoplasma bovis and it

LOOK EAST: Long-term gains in selling export beef are likely to come in China, Rabobank animal proteins analyst Blake Holgate says.

is also a risk to the trend of higher dairy calf breeding because of caution about movement of stock onto properties, Holgate said.

As at late July 32,000 cattle from infected properties had been culled under the Government programme, with indications another 152,000 could be taken out over the next two years.

Aside from that, latewinter-September is the low period for beef supply so prices remain very firm because of procurement competition between processors.

As the new export season gets under way in October and supply volumes pick-up

into year-end there is the potential for prices to come under pressure as world supply affects global prices.

If the NZ dollar continues falling in value against the US dollar it will cushion some of the in-market price impact.

The booming US economy is also boosting protein consumption with confident consumers taking up a lot of the higher production, not only of beef but also pork and poultry.

Beef benefits as consumers move up the value chain.

Holgate said total US domestic protein consumption is about 100kg a year, up 1kg on 2011, and

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expected to rise another kilo next year.

“That’s quite a lift and is soaking up a fair bit of the higher supply.”

However, the higher production means the US will need to increase exports across all the protein types and that could drive global beef prices lower.

The US trade war with China has stalled export growth into that market, even though volumes had already been quite low.

The US and Australia have been increasing shipments to Japan and South Korea as those economies improve.

“That is soaking up a lot of beef exports and while our exports to those countries are not increasing, that trade helps us in China.”

NZ’s exports to China had been 33% higher than the previous year as demand there increased but local supply is reducing.

Holgate said Japan and South Korea are mature beef markets with higher demand because of their economic recovery.

The increased demand in China is more of a structural change as people move up the protein value chain, making better long-term gains more likely.

China is the world’s biggest pork market and the recent incidence of African swine fever there will affect domestic production and probably lead to more importing of all meat proteins.

NZ’s very good food safety record will help beef demand.

wether lambs at Temuka

It was a golden season for lambs IT IS safe to say that with the second hogget fair held at Feilding on Wednesday September 5 we have broken the back of the old season lamb market and what a golden season it has been.

Suz Bremner It is now a waiting game to AgriHQ Analyst see when decent volumes of new season lambs will hit the floor, which is generally around the end of October.

But for now, a quick look back over the season that has been makes for pleasing reading. No one predicted we would see prices go to record levels but as the year unfolded and all the ducks lined up, buyer budgets and demand kept growing.

From early May at Feilding prices started climbing and hit a record high but with most large-scale buyers full up the market buttoned off for a few weeks. It then bounced back with a vengeance from early July and May’s levels were overtaken through July and August. Average sale prices jumped from about $125 a head in May up to $160 and while some of that can be attributed to the lambs growing, the biggest influence was easily the increase in demand and budgets.

As the prices went up more vendors started sitting up and taking notice, with many jumping on the bandwagon. But the extra numbers did not bring prices down as schedules just kept climbing and it has been only in the last few weeks prices for longer-term lambs have started trending down as the risk of teeth becomes an issue.

To date at Feilding just shy of 510,000 store lambs have been yarded this year. The only year since 2012 that even came close was 2013 when drought forced 540,000 to market (to date also).

The bulk of them were traded through March/ April, whereas prices this year dictated volume and entries to sale steadily increased as the prices trended upwards. The previous four years to 2018 have offered up 406,000 to 455,000 store lambs so it just goes to show how persuading a few extra dollars in the pocket can be. suz.bremner@globalhq.co.nz

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