Farmers Weekly NZ April 1 2019

Meat sellers target California Vol 18 No 12, April 1, 2019

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Closeburn Station manager Grant McMaster says his dogs have a lot more energy with Black Hawk

Working dogs are the untiring foot soldiers for New Zealand farmers, covering hundreds of kilometres of tough country every year. Thankfully, there is a food specially developed for them, that meets their needs, a high quality, high energy diet keeps them healthy and performing at their peak like the canine heroes they are.

Black Hawk® Working Dog food is available to New Zealand working dogs through rural Veterinary Clinics.

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A Massey university study estimated that NZ working dogs can work at least an average of 3 hours every day, covering 21 kilometres and reaching speeds up to 44kph.

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Black Hawk’s high protein levels help maintain and develop muscles and aid with tissue repair.

Quality fats deliver a sustained energy release for the long days spent in the field.

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Closeburn Station manager, Grant McMaster, was one of the first farmers in the country to fuel his dog team with Black Hawk Working Dog food.

The tough Central Otago country provides plenty of daily challenge to two huntaways and three heading dogs.

Dealing regularly with a strong minded Perendale flock over 2000ha requires a focused and fit dog team.

“It is pretty much all up and down around here, and the dogs need a lot of energy to get through their day.

We are also on the cold side of Lake Wakatipu, so the need to be well fed is even greater to keep up their energy levels.”

Grant’s team are treated like athletic canines, well housed in draft free insulated kennels, complete with coats to keep them warm in the cold months.

Grant used to fed his dogs a traditional diet that included some home kill and cereal based dog biscuits.

McMaster’s working dogs “But I found with Black Hawk the dogs had a lot more energy. They were able to keep their work rate up better through the day, on country as steep as a hen’s face.”

He also noticed they kept a much better muscle condition through the year.

“And I found you don’t need to feed a lot to meet their needs, it must be because it has all the right stuff in it.

I have been very impressed with Black Hawk and have kept up with it.”

See the results for yourself on workingfarmdogs.co.nz

5 Just being there is enough Vol 18 No 11, April 1, 2019

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Incl GST

One giant leap Neal Wallace

F

neal.wallace@globalhq.co.nz

OOD producers now face challenges similar to those pioneer space explorers faced 50 years ago, Rabobank chairman Wiebe Draijer says.

By 2050 the world’s population will reach 10 billion but to farmers he recently visited in Australia facing drought, extreme flooding and the rural-urban divide the scale of feeding them appears comparable to the task scientists and engineers of the Apollo 11 mission faced.

“It seems we are heading for a perfect storm,” he told 900 farmers and 400 sector leaders at the bank’s Farm2Fork summit in Sydney.

On the one hand we have the world population heading for 10 billion in 30 years, climate change effects, issues of depleted soil and nutritional problems among consumers.

“We appear to be running towards a perfect storm and we wonder where we are going to get our food.”

But like the Apollo mission, food producers will find answers and history has shown they have the upper hand.

“If you own the food supply you own the key to the future,” he says.

There has been an agricultural revolution in the last 40 years but another is needed for the

next 40 years in food production, nutrition, waste and resilience.

To feed 10 billion people based on today’s production system will require four planet Earths so we must look at how we operate with one.

Sustainable production systems in New Zealand, Australia and his own country of the Netherlands provide a blueprint for how that can be done while those who use environmentally degrading methods need help, he said.

With two billion people worldwide considered obese and an equivalent number not having enough to eat the world needs to address its eating patterns and diet.

Similarly, a third of all food produced in the world is wasted so that must be reduced.

Research shows for every $1 invested in reducing waste the payback is $14.

The global food system needs stable and resilient production systems, pricing and predictability,” Draijer says.

“These are the levers we need to collectively pull and if we do we can fly to the moon.”

Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation senior principal scientist Stefan Hajkowicz said there are seven global megatrends and food producers need to be as close to the centre as they can.

The megatrends are getting more from less, planetary pushback or climate change, the Silk Highway, staying forever

Having a field day

DEMO: South Island Field Days committee members, from left, Henry Williams, Andrew Stewart and Tim Wilson with fodder beet in the demonstration area.

young, digital immersion, porous boundaries ad great expectations.

As the world population grows so will demand for protein but that food needs to be sustainably produced in a low-carbon environment. The effects of climate change will accelerate from 2030, he warned.

But done correctly, the rewards are great.

Ten years ago China ate very few bananas but since the free-trade agreement with Australia it has become a major consumer.

Markets want quality, boutique food with strong provenance and NZ is doing a better job of fulfilling those markets than Australia, he said.

And it should get easier with major gains being made in artificial intelligence technology to the point where machines can identify and remove weeds in crops, eliminating the need for chemicals.

Farmers now do 19% of their learning after the age of 21 but that will increase to 41% as new

technology is introduced.

Much of farmers’ knowledge will be creative and strategic with machines likely to perform routine and repetitive tasks.

But Hajkowicz says artificial intelligence will not replace all aspects of farming life because human interaction is still crucial.

Neal Wallace attended the Farm2Fork conference as a guest of Rabobank.

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NEWS

WEATHER OVERVIEW Monday kicks off with rain across parts of New Zealand as the last remnants of what was Cyclone Trevor merge with a Tasman Sea cold front to create an area of rain and low pressure. There’s a large high building over Tasmania that will quickly push this wet weather off our shores on Tuesday then this high tracks across NZ for the rest of this week. The departing high is enormous but this incoming high isn’t so solid so that means easterlies will continue across northern NZ with a few showers in Northland while westerlies around Fiordland and Westland will push some rain and showers there. The high lasts until the weekend then another rain band from the Tasman Sea moves in.

4 Beef and lamb campaign chases

conscious foodies

Up to 16 million conscious foodies in California are the target of a major new beef and lamb marketing project.

Hopes of China trade deals �������������������������������������������� 5 Crop work went like clockwork ������������������������������������� 8 Not all will get Rugby World Cup ��������������������������������� 15

Newsmaker ������������������������������������������������������26 New Thinking ��������������������������������������������������27 Opinion ������������������������������������������������������������28

Pasture Growth Index Above normal Near normal Below normal

7-DAY TRENDS

Wind

Rain Rain crosses the North Island today (Monday) - good luck for those who need it. That rain clears away on Tuesday with a mainly dry week ahead. Rain returns this Saturday to the West Coast then the North Island on Sunday.

Temperature A bit more variety in the temperatures now that we’re in April but this week isn’t very dramatic with a slight cool moving up NZ on Monday and Tuesday and average for much of the week then warmer than average this weekend.

ON FARM STORY

NZX PASTURE GROWTH INDEX – Next 15 days

Warmer, humid, sub-tropical northerlies give way to cooler, drier, south westers on Monday and Tuesday nationwide. Light winds for many this week but those easterlies continue blowing across the upper North Island. Warmer sub-tropical northerlies again this weekend.

Highlights/ Extremes Two chances of rain in the North Island this week, today (Monday) and again this Sunday. It’s the best chance we’ve seen this year for rain.

14-DAY OUTLOOK

Pasture growth should be on the jump this week in almost all regions thanks to recent rain and more rain coming. While the totals might not be grand for everyone the moisture coupled with higher-than-normal soil temperatures and many warmer-than-average days means pasture growth might rocket in the weeks ahead. Even dry areas like Manawatu, Waikato and Auckland should all get a positive swing in growth. One negative is facial eczema spore counts are now also rocketing.

SOIL MOISTvURE INDEX – 28/03/2019

32 One thing leads to another A Northland farming couple have completed their pathway of progression but still have plenty to do.

REGULARS Real Estate �������������������������������������������������34-46 Employment ����������������������������������������������������47 Classifieds ��������������������������������������������������������48 Livestock ����������������������������������������������������49-51 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: $968. Need help now? You can talk to someone who understands the pressures of farming by phoning your local Rural Support Trust on 0800 787 254.

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For more weather information go to farmersweekly.co.nz/weather

LEGAL TALK with Barbara McDermott Cattle stray onto highway causing $273,000 damage – who pays?

A truck driver driving a truck and trailer unit on a dark night collides with black cattle that had escaped their paddock and wandered onto the highway. The truck hits the animals, careers across the road and the truck and trailer overturns. A crane is needed to right the truck and trailer. Extensive repairs to the truck and trailer cost $273,256.32. The cattle have strayed 400 metres from their paddock, down a small slope, across a narrow river bed, through a double gate way and down a drive way to get to the highway where the crash occurs.

Who bears the cost of the truck repairs?

The trucking company sues the farmer whose stock had escaped. To succeed the trucking company must prove on the balance of probabilities that the farmer was negligent – that the farmer failed to ensure the cattle were adequately fenced off and secured. The trucking company must also prove the farmer’s negligence caused the loss.

Section 5 of the Animals Law Reform Act 1989 provides that, in determining a person’s liability for negligence for damage caused by an animal straying onto the highway, consideration must be given to:

(a) The common practice in the locality in relation to fencing and the taking of measures to prevent animals from straying; and (b) Measures taken to warn users of the highway of the likely presence of animals.

Extensive evidence was given when the court heard this case including expert evidence by a fencing contractor about common practice in the area and whether the farmer’s gates and fencing conformed to common practice in the locality. Expert evidence was also given by an Associate Professor and a local farmer as to whether the cattle could have jumped the fence.

After a detailed consideration of the evidence the judge found the cattle had been secured in their paddock by a single strand of hot wire across the gate way and the trucking company had proved on the balance of probabilities that the farmer had breached their duty of care and had not adequately secured the cattle to prevent them from wandering onto the road.

The judge then considered the farmer’s claim that the negligence of the trucking company had contributed to the damage.zUnder the Contributory Negligence

www.nwm.co.nz

Act 1947 the judge could place some responsibility for the damage onto the trucking company if it had been negligent. The farmer claimed the trucking company was negligent because the driver had sight in only one eye, he was illegally using his mobile phone at the time of the crash and he was speeding.

The judge did not accept these factors contributed to the damage. The truck driver was complying with the terms of his licence and there was no evidence to show the excess speed or the use of the mobile phone made any difference to the outcome. The farmer was therefore ordered to pay the cost of the repairs.

Insurance companies fight it out Although the case is between the trucking company and the farmer, the trucking company’s insurance company would have brought the claim and the farmer’s insurance company would have been defending the claim under the farmer’s public liability policy. In the end it’s the public liability insurance that bears the cost – a salutary lesson that those insurance premiums can be worth paying.

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Source: WeatherWatch.co.nz

News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 1, 2019

3

Cut shows Westland’s dilemma Hugh Stringleman hugh.stringleman@globalhq.co.nz WESTLAND Milk has cut its payout forecast for this season by 20c, to $5.80-$6/kg milksolids, highlighting the case for a sale of the dairy co-operative to Chinese owners.

Chairman Pete Morrison said the reasons for the downgrade include a budgeted growth in infant and toddler nutrition products that will not be met in the fourth quarter.

“We have increased production of infant and toddler nutrition by 29% and budgeted to increase sales by 52% but can now only forecast 34%.

“This situation reinforces Westland’s need to have better and more direct sales channels and to reduce our reliance on third-party distributors,” he said.

The proposal to sell Westland

to a subsidiary of Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group will bring a strong route to market as one of the world’s leading dairy producers, he said.

The downgrade of 20c/kg reflected potentially unrealised earnings of $12.5 million based on last season’s milk supply of 63m kilos.

Infant and toddler nutrition accounted for about 15% of last year’s total tonnage of dairy products. Westland director and Federated Farmers president Katie Milne said the milk price forecast downgrade is unfortunate and certainly not intended to influence farmers’ thoughts about the proposed sale.

“We haven’t been able to deliver a competitive milk price again this year because the budgeted sales of infant and toddler nutrition won’t be met,” she said.

“The directors are putting

ILLUSTRATION: Westland’s farmgate milk price cut show the need to sell the co-operative, chairman Pete Morrison says.

forward a very good deal that leaves no-one behind and delivers a competitive milk price for 10 years.”

Westland had very few options because of high debt and low resilience to further shocks, dairy industry commentator

Keith Woodford said. It had been in a spiral of low payouts and retentions while still trying to expand and build.

“The directors wouldn’t have agreed to this if they felt they had other options.

“The Westland position holds lessons for other co-operatives and highlights the long lags between bad decisions and their outcomes.”

Woodford will write further on his views in a forthcoming column in Farmers Weekly.

A Westland spokesman said the meetings of shareholders after the proposal announcement were well attended because of a high level of interest among farmers and the discussions were robust and fair.

The meetings were only the start of a lot of very detailed information that would flow to shareholders, he said.

Honey industry to miss out on funding FAILING to vote for a commodity levy has left the honey sector and strong wool as the only primary sectors without a levy fund to back research into production and marketing.

And Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor has told honey industry heads the sector needs to rustle up greater unity if it is to address the major issues, ranging from bee health to marketing, it faces.

Beekeepers voted strongly last month not to support a commodity levy to fund industry research and development, with only 23% in favour. It required 50% support to get over the line.

The levy would have cost beekeepers 10c a kilo of honey and the overall cost was based

PROBLEMS: The honey industry now relies on voluntary funding but lacks unity, Apiculture New Zealand chief executive Karin Kos says.

on average production of 750kg a year or less than $100 a beekeeping business.

Apiculture NZ chief executive Karin Kos and chairman Bruce Wills met O’Connor after the vote.

“As we advised the minister a no vote for the commodity

levy means we do not have the investment fund needed nor the collective focus that is characteristic of other primary industries in identifying, deciding and actioning priorities,” Wills said.

Kos said the honey sector, with its long tail of small producers

lacks the horsepower to address issues like varroa resistance in hives or how best to promote monofloral honeys other than manuka. Those honeys could have at least the same potential as manuka but resources are not there to develop them.

“We have dropped the ball there.”

The levy was always a challenge and suffered by the vote coinciding with a slide in honey prices in the new year.

The levy of about $75 a producer was expected to raise about $2 million.

“It was not a lot but it was a good start,” Kos said.

More critically, having the levy in place put the industry in a good position to ask the Government for industry research and development funding.

“This just makes it so much

harder to access those funds.

“We see all other primary sector groups going to the Government and getting funds.

“For example, we are not able to access the Sustainable Farming Fund.

“We now depend on voluntary funding but that unity is not there.

“It is tough out there. The industry needs to be united and identify what we can do and be able to go to the Government.

“We have some big issues, including bee health and the developing problem of resistance to varroa treatment. The nonmanuka monofloral story is the other big one.”

Kos said it is possible for the industry to take a second vote on the levy.

“The feedback has been to not to leave it too long before we go back.”

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4

News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 1, 2019

B+L chases conscious consumers Alan Williams alan.williams@globalhq.co.nz UP TO 16 million conscious foodies in California are the target of a major new beef and lamb marketing project.

The aim is to make New Zealand top-of-mind for a group passionate about the idea of grassfed red meat and wanting to know where it comes from.

After months of research Taste Pure Nature was launched in California on March 20 and straight away there were 151 automatic pick-ups on the multi-media release, providing potentially millions of potential impressions among individual consumers, Beef + Lamb NZ market development general manager Nick Beeby said.

“That’s a very good start for us and we’ve had feedback from our companies saying that customers have called to ask about the programme.

“It’s an extremely exciting time but the hard work starts now.”

Beeby and NZ meat processor partners are confident about the prospects there despite starting at a point where Americans know little about NZ. The country’s image is positive but weak in relation to red meat, Beeby said.

There’s awareness but little knowledge. About $4 million will be spent this year trying to change that.

In a video starring a small group

of conscious foodies one said her thoughts of NZ were “koala bears and funny-talking people”.

However, others talked of open land and stock grazing on pasture in light mist (courtesy of Lord of the Rings).

Anzco sales general manager Rick Walker believes there will be pretty quick growth from Taste Pure Nature.

“I’m absolutely confident.”

Anzco, Alliance and Silver Fern Farms are shareholder in the NZ Lamb Company, one of five NZ companies licensed for the programme.

The others are smaller beef exporters First Light and Angus Pure and lamb exporters Adkins Ranch and Coastal Spring Lamb.

The bigger players can work through NZ Lamb Co, now selling beef as well as lamb, but can also develop the concept for their own brands around the world.

That will be Anzco’s longerterm plan but it is 100% behind the Lamb Co’s conscious foodie business, Walker said.

There’s already imported, grassfed premium beef being sold well in California and throughout the United States but most of it is from Australia.

Chilled beef sales from there are about 21 times NZ levels and sheep meat sales more than double.

“They’ve taken better advantage of it,” Walker said.

“Our industry has done a poor job over the last 10 years but

10-11 April 2019

Horncastle Arena | Christchurch

EDUCATION: The Taste Pure Nature promotion in California aims to improve knowledge of New Zealand and its products, Beef + Lamb New Zealand market development general manager Nick Beeby says.

they’ve made a good story.

“We’re in catch-up mode to compete against them and we’ve got a true point of difference and a stronger story.”

Beeby said that showed out in Taste Pure Nature research where California consumers’ view of Australia is of big cities and deserts against the misty, openspace NZ pasture.

That plays well with consumers’ desire for animals to be raised gently and lead happier, healthier lives.

When NZ’s farming systems were explained to the target groups they described them as organic.

“To others, our normal is profound,” he said in a presentation to B+LNZ’s annual meeting.

The campaign also highlights the Farm Assurance Programme and B+LNZ’s environment strategy. Research shows California’s conscious foodies care where their meat comes from, look beyond price and reject the US factory-farming model, are mindful of the environment and

care about animal welfare.

Origin of food is very important.

“NZ sheep and beef farmers raise their livestock incredibly well but we’re not in the considerationset of these people. They’re not thinking about NZ, they don’t know about us and we have to make that connection.”

B+LNZ will digitally track the promotion to provide real-time information on what is working and what isn’t,to allow the programme to be adapted and refocused.

Conscious foodies are heavily influenced by digital channels, notably food websites and bloggers who focus on natural foods.

Taste Pure Nature will use digital sites to raise awareness of NZ, work to create a preference for NZ red meat and increase purchases of product.

Promotions will be designed to have an impact on the target group and not wasted on people who don’t care. There is a wee bit of knowledge about NZ lamb but no-one knows NZ-beef, Beeby said.

A lot of NZ beef is blended with US product in the vast hamburger trade but it isn’t labelled NZ. Taste Pure Nature is not just about the high value cuts like French rack, fillet and rib eye but will focus on getting higher value from all tiers of product.

Foodies will often be looking for convenience foods in shops and supermarkets, especially on week nights, but that doesn’t mean low value, he said.

The project is not timed to coincide with market doubts in Britain and Europe because of Brexit.

“Diversity in markets is a key for us and it’s helpful to be doing this now,” Beeby said.

British retailers have discounted NZ lamb to a level where it would be relatively challenging to move it up in price to an appropriate level.

The US and China are really important markets and the conscious foodies promotion will be expanded if the California programme is a success, with Shanghai a likely next location.

News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 1, 2019

5

Hopes of China trade deals low Nigel Stirling nigel.g.stirling@gmail.com THE chances of significant gains for agricultural exports from Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s long-awaited first visit to China are being downplayed even before her plane touches the tarmac.

Such top-level visits yielded breakthroughs under the last government, including a commitment from President Xi Jinping to former Prime Minister John Key to grant access for chilled meat when he visited Beijing three years ago.

However, the arguably less supine approach to its dealings with China by Ardern’s Government, culminating last November in its hitting the pause button on tech giant Huawei’s involvement in the roll-out of the new 5G mobile network because of national security concerns, has raised tensions between the two countries.

The former trade negotiator Charles Finny said there has been scant contact between senior ministers and officials from the two countries in recent months and Ardern’s visit is a chance to reset the relationship.

“There has been agreement to this visit and that is success enough,” he said.

Speculation of increased tension has been fuelled by reports from a handful of secondtier exporters of unexplained hold-ups for their products at the Chinese border since the start of this year.

Officially the delays have been attributed to the recent reorganisation of China’s border authorities but the Government’s agricultural trade envoy Mike Petersen expects Ardern use her meeting on Monday with President Xi and Premier Li Keqiang to seek further reassurances.

“I am sure they will be raised and I am sure there will be messaging at the highest level about how China and NZ will treat each other and respect each other.”

However, beyond nailing down existing trade there was zero

expectation of any breakthroughs in negotiations to upgrade the 2008 free-trade agreement.

Certainly, the dairy industry appears to have given up all hope for the early removal of tariffs slicing $100m annually off milk powder receipts. While their early removal was a top priority under National, the Labour-led Government seems content to run down the clock till their scheduled expiry in 2022 and 2024.

“When (Trade Minister) David Parker was up there last year he announced that it was pretty unlikely that there would be any significant market access breakthroughs from the FTA upgrade and we have tended to understand that is where things lie on that one,” an industry insider said.

A spokesman for Parker said the Government has not announced the tariffs are off the table but noted NZ will have the best access to the Chinese market of any dairy exporting country when they expire in five years’ time.

“The upgrade won’t change this,” he said.

Sources said the Government is unlikely to publicly reveal it is giving up on the dairy tariffs’ early removal because to do so would mean discarding negotiating leverage with the Chinese.

One source said it is possible NZ could still use the dairy tariffs as negotiating coin in other parts of the upgrade talks, such as streamlining rules of origin documentation and regulatory requirements for exporters using e-commerce platforms to sell their products to China.

While not part of the upgrade negotiations meat exporters are anxious to see improved access for chilled meat, which began with a trial of just 10 plants in the middle of 2017.

While the trial carried on for those plants, negotiations between officials to have more added have come to a standstill.

Meat industry sources last week had not received any notification of announcements ahead of Ardern’s trip as would be normal if they were due to be made.

FIRST VISIT: There are no expectations of a breakthrough to improve the terms of trading with China on Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s visit there.

Silver Fern Farms chief executive Simon Limmer said a failure to tidy up longstanding problems with China, such as general listings for plants and full access for offals, is costing the industry millions of dollars a year even before chilled access is considered.

“We hope the issue of red meat access into the market will be raised as Silver Fern Farms and other companies in the industry are waiting on approvals to export a variety of products from plants across the country.

“Should documentation for these further plants be approved we will have a greater ability to send product to the highest paying market.

“Silver Fern Farms alone will benefit by nearly $20 million a year through the additional value we would receive so the gains are significant.”

MORE:

Meat companies help mosque victims FOUR meat processors and the Meat Industry Association are to launch a charitable trust for farmers to give to people affected by the mosque attacks in Christchurch.

Farmers sending their stock to Alliance, Silver Fern Farms, Affco and Anzco can nominate either a number of animals or a sum of money from the sale of stock with the proceeds being paid directly to the Meat Industry Association Halal Community Response Trust.

Money will be distributed to the Our People, Our City Fund, part of the Christchurch Foundation.

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Association chief executive Tim Ritchie said the Muslim community plays a vital and significant role in the meat industry, allowing exports to be certified as Halal.

“A number of our people working in our sector lost friends and family in the attack and this is one way we can show our support.

“Many farmers donated generously in the same way to events such as the Canterbury earthquakes and we expect many farmers will want to make a contribution to those affected.”

Strautmann Hopkins Email: strautmann@hopkinsfarming.co.nz Website: www.strautmann.co.nz

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News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 1, 2019

7

BREATHTAKING: The White Rock Station team is busy weaning and drafting calves last Monday.

Weaners are down in price Hugh Stringleman hugh.stringleman@globalhq.co.nz WEANERS sold in North Island sale yards over the past month have been back $50 to $200 a head on prices paid in autumn last year, which was one out of the box.

Prolonged dry weather since Christmas has reduced the appetite of buyers and some of the normal restockers from hilly regions like the King Country and the Central Plateau are either absent from the big fairs or more selective.

“Slaughter values for the finished products have also come back $100 a head so that reduced what buyers were willing to pay for weaners,” PGG Wrightson livestock area manager Neil

Common said in Hawke’s Bay. The tops of the fairs reached over $1100 a head for bulls or steers with the favoured breeding.

The average bulk of mediumto-heavy weaner bulls and steers were traded about $3.30-$4/kg live weight and heifers were down in a range $2.80-$3.30c.

The best prices consistently were paid at Rangiuru on March 13, where Hereford bulls topped $4/kg and reached a high of $1180.

Bulls averaged $1030 at that sale.

In Northland the Kaikohe fairs culminating on March 20 produced the best results for vendors, Carrfields Livestock agent Tim Williamson said.

“The quality of Kaikohe weaners was very good and the visitors from further south had worked

out what they wanted.

“But in general both local buyers and those from south of Auckland were quite selective during the weaner fair season because of the widespread dry conditions.

“Steers took the biggest thump, down $200 from last year’s exceptional prices, and heifers were not hit quite as bad, down $100 on average.

“Smaller heifers were left on the cows and vendors retained more calves on-farm to bring out when it does rain.”

Among the trends Williamson and his colleagues noticed were greater Angus heifer demand as farmers sought to rebuild their breeding herds and perhaps fewer Charolais-cross.

“The exotic-cross heavy bulls at Broadwood still sold well to buyers who seek them every year.”

Further south PGG Wrightson sheep and beef representative Neil Lyons, Waikato, said strong buying power resulted in total clearances as farmers looked to the future of beef demand.

“Sure, it has been very dry but that hasn’t stopped the purchasing because of the need for replacements.”

Commons thought the numbers of exotic calves were down slightly and they were harder to sell and 15-20c/kg lower in price, which is the case most years.

Hawke’s Bay was dry but nothing out of the ordinary but the out-of-district buyers were not so numerous.

“The normal annual drafts came out, with the usual breeding, but vendors may hold back lighter calves in next week’s round of sales now they know the new values.”

At Feilding on March 21 the tops were lighter traditional steers around $4/kg while the rest made about $3.70-$3.75/kg.

AgriHQ livestock analyst Suz Bremner said weaner prices across the North Island were down $50 to $200 a head on last year.

But to be fair, 2017-2018 prices were exceptional, being the highest since 2015, she said.

Attention focuses this week on East Coast weaners fairs at Matawhero and Wairoa and South Island calf sales occupy sale yards during April.

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News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 1, 2019

ClearTech an effluent game-changer Alan Williams alan.williams@globalhq.co.nz RAVENSDOWN says its new ClearTech dairy effluent treatment system will allow two-thirds of the water used to wash farm milking yards each day to be recycled.

It removes up to 99% of E coli and phosphorus from the raw effluent water and cuts nitrogen concentration by about 70%.

ClearTech’s promise, based on Lincoln University dairy farm results, convinced the judges at the South Island Agricultural Field Days to make Ravensdown the Agri Innovation Award winner.

“It’s a privilege for us to achieve this and the culmination of our partnership with Lincoln,” Ravensdown’s ClearTech product manager Carl Ahlfeld said.

“We’re all excited. There’s been a lot of work and a lot of study, including three published papers on this.”

“We think it is a game-changer for dairy farm effluent inputs.”

The treated water can be reused in washing yards after a change in rules by the Ministry for Primary Industries. The approval still does not apply to the milking parlour and equipment, which still require fresh water.

As well as the pilot plant at Lincoln a ClearTech system is being installed at LIC’s innovation farm in Hamilton.

Ahlfeld is scoping dairy farms in Canterbury and is confident of signing-up business soon.

The system costs just under $90,000 to install.

The raw effluent, which is 99% water, is transferred to a second tank in which a coagulant works to tie up the phosphate, turning it into a slow-release form of phosphorus. After a two-to-threehour process the clarified water is transferred out for reuse and the residue can be emptied into the farm storage pond.

The Lincoln experience since May last year shows the treated effluent can be applied to land in irrigation and is less likely to cause adverse environmental impacts on water quality than spreading untreated effluent.

ClearTech is especially useful in the high-risk, low-demand period of August to November and when there is higher soil saturation in April and May, Ravensdown says.

In a research paper Lincoln professors and ClearTech science leaders Keith Cameron and Hong Di said an average 70 litres of water a day is used per cow to

MEMBER: Carl Ahlfeld is part of the team that won the Innovators Award.

wash down the infrastructure after milking so a 400-cow farm uses an average 28,000 litres a day or 7.5 million litres over a milking season.

Public concern about wateruse efficiency created an urgent need to find ways to reduce those volumes, they said.

The Lincoln farm had 555 cows generating about 58,000 litres of effluent a day. They found the ClearTech system was can clarify two 27,000-litre tanks a day so with two runs it can treat over 90% of all effluent produced there.

Ahlfeld said a lot of the equipment used in ClearTech can

be bought off the shelf so scale can be built-up quickly.

“But it’s new tech and we will want to dot the is and cross the ts before we scale up.”

The judges described the ClearTech system as truly innovative and said it will enhance New Zealand’s clean, green image.

Crop work went like clockwork CROPPING demonstrations across cultivation, drilling, harvesting, balage and silage proceeded without a hitch at the South Island Agricultural Field Days at Kirwee in Canterbury.

Twelve or so hectares can sound like a lot of land area but with several different crops being grown on adjacent strips and some machinery being 10 metres wide there’s not a lot of margin for error.

It helps that each crop and activity is worked at separate times but there’s still a lot of planning and a lot of people to organise.

“There’s a lot of crops in and you need give them all enough room but we’re getting through without too much challenge,” coordinator Andrew Stewart said.

“The high point has been the amount of support we’ve had,

with every company represented, and we’ve had two machines, for drilling and silage, which are brand new for New Zealand.”

Stewart started out driving machinery at the field days and this is his first year coordinating the cropping feature, the biggest agricultural field day demonstration in NZ. The zones include about 3ha of barley stubble for cultivation and drilling, 2ha of fodder beet, 2ha of maize, 4ha of grass and 1ha of lucerne for harvest.

“With all that’s going on you think you can rapidly be running out of land but we work on doing a third of the crops on each of the three days.”

A silent auction to sell the silage and bales was held across the three days, with proceeds going to Farmstrong. Direct-drilling of crops was a feature of the display as more farmers step away from heavy cultivation, with machines that can dispense two or three

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BIG MACHINE: Cropping demonstrations proceeded without a hitch at the South Island Agricultural Field Days at Kirwee in Canterbury.

different fertilisers with the seed, Stewart said.

In a difficult summer with very little rain in the post-Christmas period, the field days was helped greatly by the loan of an irrigation pivot to keep the crops growing, often beyond the normal growing period to keep it available for the demonstrations. With good planning at planting time and in the management since all the crops were presented in excellent condition.

Among the interested spectators at the fodder beet lifting were Gore partners Chloe Goble and Erik Smak, who operate a contracting business in Southland and Otago.

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Alan Williams alan.williams@globalhq.co.nz

As pressure goes on farmers to move away from winter pasturegrazing dairy cows in the years ahead fodder beet will become more and more important, Smak said.

Their company, Better Beet, specialises in separating the beet bulb and the green leaves so the bulbs can be stored for lengthy periods and fed out as required.

The Kirwee demonstrations had two types of fodder beet lifting, one taking out the bulbs and green tops together, the system used for immediate feeding-out on farm, and the other separating the tops and bulbs. The bulbs are collected and stored for later feeding-out while the tops are spread and mulched back into the soil.

The same applies to different

types of maize used in the demonstrations, with two supply companies involved.

That all means there can be some good-natured competition on the day, Stewart said.

Though he admits to not being expert on fodder beet, his day job as a dairy farmer gives him some connection to the cropping role.

“I’m keen on the maize and silage. We do all of that ourselves on the farm.”

He hasn’t been milking many cows lately though, leaving that to wife Rachel while he was busy with the field days. There will be a few more days of that while the Kirwee site is cleared of buildings, tents, and machinery and put back into farming mode till the next big event in 2021.

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10 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 1, 2019

Dairy industry tells EU ‘hard cheese’ Nigel Stirling nigel.g.stirling@gmail.com

STOP IT: If the European Union gets its way Kiwi firms won’t be allowed to use some common names for their cheeses.

THE dairy industry is digging its heels in over the European Union’s attempts to seize dozens of cheese names for the exclusive use of its own producers. The EU has long sought to use its free-trade agreements to extend its system of Geographical Indications (GIs) and its trade talks with NZ have been no exception.

As part of the talks the European Commission has given NZ negotiators a list of 179 food names

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and hundreds more wine and spirit names linked to European places it says should be given legal protection over and above that provided by this country’s own system of GIs protecting names of wines and spirits introduced several years ago.

In an unusual move the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade last month, some eight months after negotiations started, asked for NZ producers to notify it of any objections to the EU proposals.

In a joint submission the Dairy Companies Association and the Specialist Cheesemakers Association registered their objections to 29 of the 59 dairy product (56 cheese, one cream and two types of butter) names the EU is claiming as GIs in the trade talks.

The submission said it had no problem with the legitimate use of GIs to protect products and methods of production uniquely linked to specific place names. However, the European system of GIs goes beyond that and is being used to claim generic names such as feta and parmesan, long used by producers in NZ and around the world for the exclusive use of its own dairy industry.

“We have grown increasingly concerned that GI frameworks are being extended and misused beyond their original intent to unfairly monopolise longstanding, commonly used product names in global production,” it said.

By bending to the EU’s demands and accepting its system of GIs the NZ Government would be jeopardising significant investments made by the country’s dairy companies over many years in packaging, branding and processing assets.

The industry is also not convinced the Europeans would not use such an opportunity to claim more commonly-used names such as cheddar and edam, which make up a far greater proportion of NZ’s cheese revenue worth $1.8b in 2017.

Recognising the EU’s list of GIs would also make it harder for NZ to oppose restrictions on the use of the same names in export markets where the EU has also been able to secure free-trade deals, which outlawed the use of those names by non-European producers.

However, the submission said should NZ accept the EU’s demands to get a free-trade deal over the line then clear rules will be needed to limit the damage to local cheese-makers.

They include restricting protections for European producers to compound names such as Brie de Meaux and Parmigiano Reggiano but allowing local producers to continue using their generic names of brie and parmesan, respectively, for example.

GIs should also apply only to dairy products produced and supplied locally and not to NZ’s exports. Dairy industry representatives have previously said they will have to think hard about giving up some of their longstanding opposition to GIs if that is matched by an offer by the EU to open up its heavily-protected markets to NZ exports.

However, the most recent offer by the EU failed to do that.

A sale of two halves

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Alan Williams alan.williams@globalhq.co.nz LAMBS’ wool and good style second-shear crossbred wool sold strongly at Thursday’s Napier sale but business was slow elsewhere.

It was a struggle to push buyers along for highcolour fleece and oddments, PGG Wrightson’s North Island auctioneer Steve Fussell said.

He described it as a sale of two halves. The passin rate was 4%.

Sales, all by micron, price per kg/clean: Full wool (good-to-average colour) 33, $5.25/kg; 37, $3.08, down 11c. Crossbred second-shear: 33, 2-to-3 inches, $3.86/kg; 35, 3-to-4 inches, $3.25; 2-to-3 inches, $3.25; 37, 3-to-4 inches, $2.76; 39, 3-to-4 inches, $2.76; 2-to-3 inches, $2.88, up 1c. Lambs’ wool: 28, 2-to-3 inches, $7.32; 29, 2-to-3 inches, $5.94, down 11c; 32, 2-to-4 inches, $4.66.

News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 1, 2019

11

Wood-boring beetle found here Richard Rennie richard.rennie@globalhq.co.nz A BEETLE that attacks fruit, plantation trees and timber has been found around Auckland.

Biosecurity New Zealand is sifting through data on the woodboring ambrosia beetle.

It was identified in late February and is now established at five sites around Auckland.

It is possible it has been here for two years, Biosecurity NZ surveillance and incursion manager Brendan Gould said.

“We have a number of targeted surveillance programmes to identify high-risk pests like fruit flies, which were also recently detected, but we also have highrisk site surveillance programmes operating, looking at anything that is out of the ordinary.

“This was picked up by one of our inspectors at a site in Blockhouse Bay.” Regarded as a serious pest overseas, the beetle is comfortable in a range of broad leaf plants including horticultural crops like avocados. It is also a vector for spreading assorted fungal diseases in those crops.

Gould understands overseas growers have had only limited success controlling the beetle

because it burrows into trees.

“Once inside, under the bark any spray treatment is not as effective.”

The tell-tale signs for the beetle are the protrusions of frass or compacted sawdust it expels while burrowing.

That looks like toothpicks on the tree’s surface, caused by the beetles tunnelling through the wood.

The beetle is known to attack more than 100 species in over 40 plant families.

Its preferred hosts are hardwoods but common fruit trees including plums, avocados, peaches and pears can be susceptible.

While not considered a conifer pest it is known to attack other plantation tree species including eucalyptus, acacia and casuarina.

The greatest risk to plantation timber might lie in its ability to cause serious damage to stored lumber through mass colonisation of wood before processing.

Dieback in living trees is also common.

Horticulture NZ chief executive Mike Chapman said is that it is at least visible to the naked eye, unlike Psa in kiwifruit.

“We are waiting to see what Biosecurity NZ finds in terms of

UNWELCOME: The recently discovered Ambrosia beetle.

how extensive the beetle’s spread is.

“But thanks to the GovernmentIndustry Agreement for Biosecurity there is now a good means for all parties to share information on a pest like this and

pool our resources to deal with it.”

The beetle is native to tropical and subtropical east Asia and Gould said given the extent of its spread around the Auckland sites NZ is proving to offer suitable conditions for it to thrive.

“It is definitely there and it is definitely established.”

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News

12 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 1, 2019

More fresh milk flying to China Richard Rennie richard.rennie@globalhq.co.nz

MOVING UP:Theland has increased air freight capacity and is increasing its volume of fresh milk for China from 40,000 to 100,000 litres a week, marketing director Zhijun Yan says.

NEW Zealand is proving a key source for airfreighted fresh milk as Chinese consumers continue to move up the food value chain adding fresh, chilled dairy products to their diets.

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Subsidiaries of Theland and Oravida have established solid beachheads over several years in the high-value, fresh milk supermarket sector.

They have leveraged off New Zealand’s grassfed, free-range reputation and are using increasing capacity on air links to China.

Theland gets milk from the North Island farms its NZ associated company Theland Farm Groups owns.

In total the operation has 29 farms milking about 30,000 cows across the country.

They include farms previously owned by the Crafar family through the central North Island and properties in the South Island including farms previously owned by Synlait.

Both Oravida’s and Theland’s milk is processed at the Green Valley plant at Mangatawhiri, south of Auckland.

Theland marketing director Zhijun Yan said the company has secured increased air-freight capacity through East China Airlines and Air NZ as volumes built, to the point the company now supplies 40,000 litres a week, largely into Shanghai from Auckland.

Delivery has been smoothed significantly recently as the three-day clearance time in China was reduced to only one day, thanks to customs and quality inspections now authorised to be completed in Auckland.

The company was the first to be accredited with customs clearance in NZ for Chinese export of fresh milk.

“We remain confident we have more than enough supply to source this market and are working on increasing our volumes to 100,000 litres of milk each week,” he said.

Research confirms the company’s optimism about the fresh milk market with a Governmentsponsored survey last year finding 76% of respondents’ first choice for fresh product availability was milk.

China imports about 30% of its dairy products with the National Dairy Development plan maintaining China should be aiming to be at least 70% self-sufficient.

As a high-cost, fractured farm sector the government has been focusing on greater consolidation of the nation’s many small farms, pushing for large-scale, 5000-cow plus operations.

Theland’s point of difference is the company’s cow-per-acre free-range pasture farm source for the milk.

Focus has also been on increasing the quantities of fresh, pasteurised milk available to the population.

Once arrived in China the milk will have a further eight days storage life left on the supermarket shelf.

Zhijun Yan said the company’s sales are typically split 50:50 between supermarket sales and online purchases.

The product is on the shelf in top end Shanghai supermarket Ole’ for 69 yuan, NZ$14.80.

Usual consumer use is to simply drink the milk straight and the use of fresh milk as an addition to tea or coffee is significantly less than in countries like NZ. The company has built a trading relationship with giant online retail company Alibaba and improved distribution networks mean same-day delivery is guaranteed.

Theland has worked with AsureQuality and Chinese authorities to develop a full traceability system to ensure a transparent delivery process.

It also sells UHT milk and while the fresh milk might be drunk with breakfast, UHT will often sit in children’s lunch boxes for school.

A suite of videos about Theland’s production and farms has played a big part in giving consumers an insight to the pasture-based, free-range nature of NZ dairy systems as the milk’s source.

News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 1, 2019

13

Nait getting tougher with farmers Neal Wallace neal.wallace@globalhq.co.nz THE softly-softly encouragement of farmers to update their Nait details is coming to an end with 70,000 farmers still to do it.

Nait head Kevin Forward says 23,000 farmers and people in charge of animals (Picas) registered by the March 31 deadline and while Nait will still work with farmers to update their data they should not delay doing so.

He describes the response to date as good but Nait will now shift to a graduated response for those still to register.

“In the second half of the year the response from Ospri and Nait will be stronger.”

Registering farms and animals is a legal requirement but it is also about farmers looking after their industry if faced with a disease outbreak. Re-registration was a recommendation in a report last year by a technical advisory group established after problems tracking dairy cattle as part of the Mycoplasma bovis response.

“This is the largest change management process to happen since the Nait system was introduced,” he says.

Five extension officers have been employed to educate and aid farmers having problems with reregistration. They will visit farmers having problems or showing some irregularities or non-compliance.

Nait staff have been attending field days around the country and were to have a heavy presence at the South Island and National Fieldays. As a last resort Ministry for Primary Industries enforcement staff can prosecute farmers who show a disregard for the scheme and fail to fulfill their legal requirements.

Since the Mycoplasma bovis outbreak the number of stock

MISSING: Nait head Kevin Forward says 23,000 farmers have updated Nait details but 70,000 are yet to do so.

movements registered through Nait has increased 20%.

“There are a lot more animal registrations.

“Farmers are a lot more aware of the need to tag and record movements,” he says.

Interaction with farmers reveals

much less resistance to the scheme.

“They are keen to understand what their obligations are and what they need to do to meet their obligations and to make the scheme work.”

Nait’s next focus will be on

improving data and compliance for the tagging, registration and recording of animal movements. There have been issues with the software farmers use to lodge their map and he urged those having issues to contact the call centre.

At National Fieldays Nait hopes to display a new interface system farmers will use to interact with the website and which will be released later in the year. Nine regional focus groups are being established to work with the designers on the system.

New dairy channels signed up

TOO WET: Heavy rain disrupted farmers and milk processing on the West Coast.

Westland milk pick-up resumes THE five Westland Milk Cooperative suppliers from south of the washed-out Waiho Bridge are having their milk collected by tankers from Invercargill.

The milk is being processed in Southland.

Another five or so south

Westland farmers whose collections were disrupted by the torrential rain last week are now back on the supply run, Westland communications manager Steve Attwood said.

The Hokitika processing factory is also operating normally after

initial disruption when two of the plant’s dryers were briefly out of operation because of flooding in the lower areas of the plant.

The southern areas bore the brunt of the heavy rain that moved up the coast. - Alan Williams

warehouse in Shanghai and Hugh Stringleman hugh.stringleman@globalhq.co.nz recently signed a similar agreement with French dairy giant Danone.

OPEN Country Dairy will QEX also announced an sell its organic whole milk agreement with the Hong powder directly to Chinese Kong-owned Swisse Wellness consumers using the listed health foods and supplements QEX Logistics company as a company to put the organic distributer. infant formula brand Biostime The powder has been through the same channels to produced at OCD’s Awarua China. plant in Southland using Meanwhile, Global milk from a group of certified Dairy Trade has signed up organic suppliers since Dairy Farmers of America, November. the world’s largest dairy The major producer is processor, to the online GDT Aquila Sustainable Farming, owned by a German investment Marketplace 24/7 trading platform. fund, that has six farms and DFA will offer whole and 5500 cows supplying Awarua. skim milk powders, sweet whey Auckland-based QEX assists powder, non-fat dry milk, milk with packaging, storage, protein concentrate, cheese customs clearance and delivery and anhydrous milk fat. of New Zealand and Australian The director of the Fonterraproducts to Chinese consumers owned GDT, Eric Hansen, and facilitates the daigou said it now has 15 sellers, 400 channel of individual shopping registered buyers and more agents when needed. than 8500 listings.

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News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 1, 2019

15

Not all will get Rugby World Cup Neal Wallace neal.wallace@globalhq.co.nz IT’S estimated 40% of rural households will miss watching live matches at September’s Rugby World Cup to be streamed via the internet by Spark Sport.

Crown Infrastructure Partners (CIP), which is overseeing the national roll-out of fast broadband, estimates 40,000 rural households will not have access to ultrafast broadband (UFB) when the Rugby World Cup kicks off.

However, its latest expansion plans will deliver UFB to 84,000 rural households and business by 2022 with download speeds of 20 Mbps (megabytes a second), fast enough to stream world cup matches or to watch You Tube.

Some cup matches will be screened on Television NZ but Spark Sport says viewers will need a minimum download speed of 15Mbps for smart television or 6Mbps for mobile or tablet.

There is an alternative.

Wireless Internet Service Providers Association (WISPA) spokesman Ernie Newman says his members are installing new radio sites daily in rural areas the big telecommunications providers are avoiding because of cost.

This will leave about 40,000 not yet covered under Rural Broadband Initiative 2 by kick-off.

Crown Infrastructure Partners

He could not say how many new rural households will have access to the wireless services by September but his 27 members are adding new towers daily.

They take one or two days to install.

AS GOOD AS: Wireless broadband is as good as city dwellers get with fibre, Wireless Internet Service Providers Association spokesman Ernie Newman says.

Viewers tap into a signal bounced between towers but to access that signal farmhouses need an uninterrupted line of sight to the nearest transmission tower.

“It’s as good as you will get in a city with fibre,” he says.

Towers cost a few thousand dollars but the quality of signal can be compromised by weather or too many people using it at once.

Engineers are working to ensure high-interest events such as the Rugby World Cup can handle heavy demand.

Newman says NZ is doing a better job expanding the internet’s rural footprint than Australia and Britain, which is struggling to roll it out in cities let alone the countryside.

A CIP spokeswoman estimates the latest UFB roll-out will allow up to 41,000 rural households and

businesses to access improved broadband by the time of the Rugby World Cup though some will have to access it via another service such as wireless.

“This will leave about 40,000 not yet covered under Rural Broadband Initiative 2 by kickoff.”

A Spark spokesman says if UFB viewers are happy with the quality of a You Tube video or a Lightbox programme played at peak viewing time from 8pm to 9pm they should receive a quality picture during the World Cup. Spark Sport is also offering a 30-day free trial which to let customers to see if their connection is adequate.

“It’s also worth noting that the quality of your streaming experience is determined by a number of factors, including your

broadband connection, your modem, where in the house it is located and the device you use to watch streaming content,” a Spark Sport spokesman says.

Viewers who cannot access UFB can investigate upgrading their connection if it is a slow ADSL or connecting to a wireless or copper broadband connection.

Television NZ will show some games, a mix of live and delayed, but exactly which matches will be announced next month.

In 2017 CIP assessed 90,000 rural households and businesses as unable to access broadband speeds of at least 20Mbps download.

The Rural Broadband Initiative 2, started in 2018, aims to provide enhanced broadband to 84,000 of those homes and businesses, including partnering with some mobile operators and improving mobile coverage to

1400km of state highways and 168 tourism sites by 2022.

Rolling out the UFB project nationally has cost $1.782 billion and will provide infrastructure to 86% of the population when completed in December 2022.

CIP estimates the completed RBI will give 99% of the population access to UFB. While broadband infrastructure is being rolled out to rural areas, sources say getting it to the homes can be costly.

A comparison of internet plans for rural users is difficult because each offers different plans but a search shows wireless, depending on speed and capacity, ranging from $70 to $200 a month and broadband from $70 to $170 a month.

Most charge an installation fee, some a monthly management fee and an extra fee if users exceed their package limit.

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16 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 1, 2019

Dividend unlikely on weak result Hugh Stringleman hugh.stringleman@globalhq.co.nz EQUITIES analysts don’t expect Fonterra to pay a dividend this financial year after its weak firsthalf results, setbacks in key parts of the business and the root-andbranch company reviews under way.

After Fonterra released its firsthalf results for the 2019 financial year three brokers issued notes to their investor clients.

The common themes were lack of confidence in the ongoing disclosure of figures and concern the dairy company’s own recovery targets might not be met.

Over the past 12 months Fonterra Shareholders Fund (FSF) units and their linked Fonterra Co-operative Group supply shares (FCG) have lost 25% in value, down from $5.75 to $4.25.

Craigs Investment Partners was tough on the stock, downgrading the FSF units to sell and reducing the target price to $4 from $4.95.

“A key concern for us against this backdrop is the material full-year downgrade recently issued most likely reflects stronger competition emerging across a range of Fonterra’s core businesses,” Craigs said.

The weak results were not so much from adverse stream returns but underperforming businesses in Australian ingredients and Latin America and Asian consumer and food service.

To make Fonterra’s targets

for the full financial year the consumer and food service division in the second half has to achieve 10% more EBIT than 2HFY2018 and boost sales by 13% Forsyth Barr analysts said it is difficult to have confidence in Fonterra’s near-term outlook.

Fonterra is on a pathway to simplification.

Arie Dekker First NZ Capital

“The first-half results were unsurprisingly weak after the company issued an earnings downgrade at the end of February,” analysts Chelsea Leadbetter and Matt Dunn said.

“The broad strategic review under way has a wide range of potential outcomes.”

They forecast about $200m for net profit in FY2019, after deducting the $126m currency conversion impact of the sale of Corporacion Inlaca in Venezuela.

Craigs, Forsyth Barr and First NZ Capital did not pencil in a dividend yield from FSF units this financial year.

The company said an interim dividend will not be paid and directors will review the year-

VISIBILITY: Fonterra must be more open, First New Zealand Capital research head Arie Dekker says.

end dividend after the results are known.

FNZC research head Arie Dekker said the first-half results show 2019 will be another disappointing year for Fonterra.

But the strategic and asset portfolio reviews are necessary to get a better understanding of where Fonterra is going and the case for investment in it.

Dekker repeated his call for more visibility on Fonterra’s unallocated cost base, its longer-

term capital needs and how it will remain competitive for milk supply in NZ, with its big stainless steel asset base.

Above all, Fonterra has to be realistic about its capability and DNA, having destroyed significant value over the past five years by investing away from its core base without the capital structure necessary to withstand bumps along the way.

Even if Fonterra was can achieve the top end of its 15c-25c/share

earnings guidance that will be only half of the company’s peak performance 10 years ago, despite a period of significant investment in the business.

Dekker didn’t expect a lot of detail about the portfolio review in the interim results.

He is confident Fonterra is on a path to simplifying its businesses and is realistic about the time frames for the implementation of review decisions.

“Once FSF forms a view on what it will look like we expect capital structure and long-term competitiveness for NZ milk to move into focus.”

Craigs unattributed note said Fonterra’s leaders were boxed into a corner over their need to reduce debt by at least $800 million on balance date, pull the debt-todebt-plus-equity ratio down to the top of desired range of 40-45% and avoid a ratings downgrade.

Fortunately, it seems the planned sale of half of DFE Pharma will provide the majority contribution to the $800m.

“But Fonterra will lose around $50m a year from affiliate earnings and it will be giving up an attractive growth business with stronger value-add margins.”

Craigs also highlighted the poor consumer and food service earnings in the first half, $134m EBIT, down $59m from 1HFY2018.

It said the combination of competitive pressures was concerning.

Fixed milk price details released THE new fixed milk price (FMP) option will be offered to Fonterra farmers for the first time on June 10 and 11, after the early June Global Dairy Trade auction.

The new scheme will operate monthly for up to seven months in the initial season, June to December in 2019-20, followed by three 2021 pre-season opportunities in March to May.

It’s a tool to help you manage some of the risk you face from unpredictable global milk prices.

Fonterra

Farmers can apply to fix up to 50% of their estimated supply for the season at a price determined by the NZX milk price futures contract over three futures trading days following the GDT auction.

The average daily settlement futures price over those three days

will then have a 10c/kg service fee deducted.

The progressive nature of the FMP monthly offers mean farmers can scale up or down their committed quantities as the season progresses, Fonterra said.

“It’s a tool to help you manage some of the risk you face from unpredictable global milk prices,” a booklet sent in March to all suppliers said.

A graph showed the changes in the Fonterra farmgate milk price forecasts during the past five seasons, varying between $4 and $7 within season and between seasons.

Fonterra will offer a minimum of a million kilograms of milksolids each month and if farmers’ applications exceed that quantity all applicants will be scaled back.

The offers will be larger at the start of a season, from June to September, and Fonterra will announce each offer quantity at the beginning of the GDT week.

A graph in the booklet indicated up to 10-15m kilograms could be offered in the early months of the season. Fonterra has elected to cap the total FMP volume for

USEFUL: Fonterra suggests farmers can use fixed milk prices to cover labour, interest and supplementary feed costs.

a season at 5% of its total supply, expected to be 75m kilograms from 1500m total this season.

The offer price will be published late on Friday in the week of the first GDT auction each month, after the relevant milk futures market price adjustment.

Farmers will then have the weekend to decide to apply and for what quantity, using the purpose-built section on the Farm Source website.

Excluded are Fonterra directors and people associated with them, sharemilkers and contract milkers and certified organic milk contract holders.

Fonterra said FMPs will help lock in longer-term contracts with key customers at set prices that will attract an extra premium for doing so.

That will then flow to the co-operative’s bottom line, to be returned to farmers and unit holders as dividend.

The booklet also explains how monthly milk payments will work for FMP volumes.

If the FMP is above the farmgate milk price then payments will be on the advance rate schedule, followed by the top-up in the October retro.

If the FMP is lower than the

farmgate price then payments will stop once the adjusted base advance rate has been reached.

Fonterra suggests farmers might use FMPs to cover their fixed labour and interest costs or perhaps an anticipated supplementary feed cost to grow milk production.

Farmers were advised to take advice from their rural professionals before applying for FMPs. The obligation to supply the FMP quantity might result in compensation liability for any shortfall, Fonterra warned.

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18 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 1, 2019

Sculpture entries pouring in LATE entries are pouring in for the Rural Sculpture Awards, the winners of which will be announced on April 6 in Manawatu. Entrants competing for $15,000 in prize money came from the South Island, Auckland and across the lower North Island.

Organisers say the combination of their having bought the festival date forward three weeks from last year and the whole of New Zealand having been in mourning mean sculptors have been caught out and they have extended the acceptance deadline.

Festival marketing coordinator Steve Easthope expects to see some inspiring art statements this year.

It’s only the second time the awards have been held and this year prize money has been increased from $10,000 to $15,000. People are entering both traditional realism and abstract contemporary works.

Organiser Stewart Morton says “ It’s pretty much the last big family rural outing of the summer in Manawatu and it’s a rain or shine one.”

Local schools, church groups and charity organisations have

RURAL VORTEX: Sharleen Gamble grew up on a farm in North Canterbury and created this sculpture from her home base in Hawke’s Bay. This work called Vortex is made of recycled rusting steel, wire and fence batons. It describes her interpretation of water movement.

taken up an offer of free stalls to bake, make and grow for the festival.

“It’s planned as a real showcase of local hospitality and talent as well as featuring

quality crafters from the lower North Island.

“Northern Manawatu has everything crossed for fine weather for that first Saturday of April when the Rural Sculpture

Awards will be judged at Kimbolton Domain.

The programme includes live demonstrations of heritage crafts and two all-day small group challenges – one very physical and one intellectual.

Anyone wanting one-off outdoor sculpture should plan to bring a ute.

Paula Allen Rural Sculpture Awards

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Morton expects the leader boards to be hotly contested and fun.

Trustee Paula Allen says “Submitted work is very varied.

The contestants are asked to create something that celebrates their relationship to the NZ landscape and this year both recycled and new materials are included in the brief.”

There will be textile art, landscape photography and quilts exhibited in large marquees as well as the sculpture competition displays.

“It’s a by-invitation exhibition and we hope people will support local talent in a practical way by buying work, taking it home and hanging it on the wall.

“Anyone wanting one-off outdoor sculpture should plan to bring a ute. These are one of a kind pieces from both emerging and established sculptors and our experience last year was that some artists could have sold the same piece three times over.”

Trustee Scott Wilson says pony rides, petting farms, art activities and wool jumps are just some of the things planned to keep children and teens busy. “Everyone is catered for.

You can come and look at and spend on high end art and craft or you can mooch around, enjoy a venison burger, a beer or a coffee and let the kids have a go at a lot of free or gold coin activities.”

MORE:

www.ruralart.nz or call Paula Allen 027 246 4000

New tool for M bovis risk Alan Williams alan.williams@globalhq.co.nz VETS have developed a new online tool to help dairy farmers assess Mycoplasma bovis risk in cattle.

The Dairy Risk Assessment is an online questionnaire to help farmers make informed decisions about managing risk and reduce possible spread of the disease, Veterinary Association chief veterinary officer Helen Beattie said.

Farmers will work with their vet, who will record farm management practices known to be a biosecurity risk, and the assessment tool will then calculate the M bovis risk assessment score and give a risk rating of low,

moderate or high. The information includes findings from reports by the Ministry for Primary Industries.

Stock movement is a key risk factor for M bovis spread and the online assessment will help decisionmaking on buying a herd or moving cattle on or off the farm, Beattie said.

Now is a critical stage in the season when farmers are considering buying or selling herds, sharemilkers might be looking to move to new contracts and managers are also thinking about their jobs for next season.

The assessment tool was developed by veterinary group XLVets and has been through nearly a year of testing across the country, she said.

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20 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 1, 2019

CONCERNED: The Government must understand biotech is vital to the future of the economy, BiotechNZ executive director Zahra Champion says.

HIDDEN WEALTH: A lot of potential solutions for global farming challenges are locked up in Crown research institutes and universities, AgritechNZ executive director Peter Wren-Hilton says.

Biotech, ailing area in economy Luke Chivers

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NEW Zealand lacks a biotech strategy and that could seriously affect the country’s economy, BiotechNZ executive director Dr Zahra Champion says.

The global biotechnology market is expected to reach more than US$727 billion in six years and the NZ biotech investment market could soon be worth US$7.1b. But NZ, though it used to, does not now have a biotech strategy.

“For a country so reliant on the primary export sector we need to build a worldclass biotech-agritech ecosystem,” Champion said.

“Our Government must understand it is vital to the future of our economy.”

Five years ago almost no one knew what agritech or biotech was but today agricultural technology – from vertical farming and data science to farm drones – is a hot topic in investor circles.

The Investment Corporation of Dubai alone just dropped US$203 million into agritech investments, another US$200m came from the Japanese holding behemoth SoftBank and dedicated venture capital funds are zeroing in on the sector’s potential.

In 2017 total investment was more than US$1.5b – a new record for the sector and one that is setting the stage for rapid growth.

AgritechNZ executive director Peter Wren-Hilton said the local agritech market is coming of age.

“NZ is a great test market for addressing global farming challenges such as nutrient management and cleaning waterways, dealing with labour shortages and producing healthier food.Yet more needs to be done to help Kiwi agritech companies go global faster.”

There is a wealth of potential solutions for global markets locked up in Crown research institutes and universities, he said.

“Potentially, with better incentive structures and better connections with smart global capital, NZ could accelerate the conversion of this intellectual property

LOOKING AHEAD: Land-based industries will not flourish without new ideas, Callaghan Innovation agritech group manager Simon Yarrow says.

into value for the local economy.”

And a clear, national strategy could assist. Champion wants to strategically reposition and restructure the direction for NZ to build an agritech ecosystem.

“Many of the new technologies in agriculture are from our BiotechNZ group,” she said.

“These include companies like A2 Corporation which has developed systems that improved protein in Anchor milk.

AgResearch in Lincoln is producing grass that grows 50% faster and is more resistant to drought.

“Look at the work Indigo has developed that will significantly reduce emissions from agriculture by increasing pasturefed milk and meat production. We need to nurture more companies like that,” Champion said.

The NZ biotech sector is protected by intellectual property rights, strict regulatory guidelines and a highly-skilled workforce.

“It is one of the few manufacturing sectors that cannot be easily eroded by lower cost economies,” Champion added.

“We don’t want to fall behind.

“It is time for a more strategic, allof-government approach and a shared national strategy.”

Callaghan Innovation agritech group manager Simon Yarrow agrees the global agritech sector is heating up and NZ needs to keep pace.

“There is no denying our economy’s roots in agriculture run deep but our landbased industries will not flourish without continued innovation.

“Ten years ago there was no significant venture capital going into agritech – but now we’re seeing that change for two reasons: one, because there’s huge opportunity to take technology from other industries and apply them to agriculture and two, we have this global increase in population and wealth that’s driving the need for greater food production.”

The Government appears to be showing initial interest. In February a new Rural Innovation Lab was launched with support from the Provincial Growth Fund, among others, aiming to tackle some of the most pressing problems facing NZ agriculture over the next 10 years.

The lab was founded to help ManawatuWanganui farmers access and understand the latest technology available to create a more efficient and environmentally sustainable primary sector.

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22 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 1, 2019

Govt says no despite ag’s gas support Neal Wallace neal.wallace@globalhq.co.nz THE Government says it won’t adopt Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment Simon Upton’s suggestion of changing the Emission Trading Scheme despite universal support from agriculture groups. Upton suggested different policies to deal with gases produced by animals and those coming from fossil fuel use.

And the focus should be on eliminating emissions from fossil fuels rather than storing carbon in forests. When Upton’s report was released Climate Change Minister James Shaw immediately ruled

out treating carbon dioxide from fossil fuels differently to other greenhouse gases saying to do so will create policy uncertainty for emitters and the forestry sector.

The narrowing window of opportunity to keep global warming within 1.5C necessitates using trees to offset greenhouse gas emissions, Shaw said.

Upton’s proposals would necessitate further changes to the ETS, which Shaw says is about to be altered following five years of consultation and reviews.

The most significant change is the introduction of a sinking lid on total allowable emissions, a lid that will be lowered every five years. The tenor of Upton’s

People want to do more but ...

MOST people want to do more about climate change – both collectively and individually.

More than 80% of New Zealanders, including businesses, believe climate change is happening, 88% want companies to do more and 76% want the Government to do more, an Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority survey found.

And 79% say they could do more.

“It’s heartening to see so many New Zealanders are already very much on board with the need to reduce our climate change emissions,” authority chief executive Andrew Caseley said.

“Energy use makes up 40% of NZ’s total greenhouse gas emissions and modern

technologies such as LED lighting, heat pumps and electric vehicles can make a big impact on our emissions.

‘Energy use is an area where New Zealanders can, right now, choose options that will reduce our carbon emissions and they are smart investments that save people money over time and can improve quality of life.’

But barriers to greater action exist with 30% of people believing reducing their environmental impact will affect their quality of life while 62% of businesses think taking action will increase their costs.

MORE: On cutting emissions at www.energywise.govt.nz or eecabusiness.govt.nz

RAPT: Federated Farmers is delighted Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment Simon Upton recognises the difference between long and short lived greenhouse gases, vice-president Andrew Hoggard says.

recommendations supports that of Myles Allen, a professor of geosystem science at Oxford University, who says as methane is a short-lived gas that should be treated separately carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide.

If that happened New Zealand farmers might need to make only small annual reductions in methane to stop it contributing to global warming.

“A 0.3% decline a year, or 10% over 30 years, is about enough to give you no further methaneinduced warming,” Allen said.

However, that does not preclude action to lower carbon dioxide emissions, the primary contributor to climate change.

Upton’s approach would reduce the planted area of offsetting forestry and he advocates a landscape approach to tree planting to address social and environmental issues such as run-off. Farming leaders support a split gas approach saying sectors should not be able to offload the impact of their emission on to others.

Federated Farmers believes Upton’s report challenges the Government to let science rather than politics guide policy decisions.

“We’re delighted that the PCE joins the growing list of agencies, scientists and environmental commentators who recognise the fundamental difference between the permanent conversion of inert, long-term fossil fuels into

carbon dioxide and shorterterm biological emissions from livestock (methane and nitrous oxide),” vice-president and climate change spokesman Andrew Hoggard says.

Beef + Lamb NZ chairman Andrew Morrison says the Upton report should contribute to the Zero Carbon Bill and other climate change policies.

“It is essential that policy drives the right kinds of behaviours for fossil-fuel and biogenic greenhouse gases.

“To do this, policy must reflect the differences between those gases and how they can be effectively mitigated.”

DairyNZ chief executive Tim Mackle says the report shows science is evolving and greenhouse gas reduction involves all sectors.

“We agree, however, that reduction efforts must occur across all sectors and forest sinks shouldn’t be used to avoid reducing carbon dioxide emissions. All sectors need to do their part.

The science community thought Upton’s approach has merit with NIWA atmospheric scientist Dr Sara Mikaloff-Fletcher describing it as a bold approach.

“By grouping biological sources and forest carbon credits under a single umbrella the recommended strategy makes full use of the potential of our forests to slow climate change while reflecting the real limitations of over-

reliance on forest carbon in the long term.”

AgResearch farm systems scientist Dr Robyn Dynes says Upton’s approach will allow communities to shape changes to their catchment and land use.

“It also offers the opportunity for all we know about land and environmental process to come together, which can be shaped by the grassroots knowledge of the farming sector and communities.”

Landcare Research and Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research Centre plant and soil scientist Dr David Whitehead said the report provides a fresh perspective on changing land use.

“Such changes could also transform our farming systems to increase resilience to adverse climate events and improve community wellbeing.

“The overall benefit to enhancing other ecosystem services is much more than reducing greenhouse emissions.”

Canterbury University forestry school expert Professor Euan Mason says tree sequestration is crucial for NZ to be carbon neutral by 2050. Upton’s proposal would make the ETS logical by establishing an emission’s cap and removing the tree loophole for those exceeding the cap.

“The main disadvantage is that agriculture would once again be given a free pass and, in a sense, the forestry sector would be made responsible for cleaning up agriculture’s messes.”

But BusinessNZ said Upton’s plan would result in upheaval for NZ’s environmental settings.

Chief executive Kirk Hope said changing the zero carbon timeframe is a realistic recommendation, along with differentiating between shortlived and long-lived gases and the need to think holistically about water, soil and biodiversity objectives but restricting forestry offsets is not helpful.

“If NZ’s heavy emitter industries are no longer able to use trees as an offset, with the absence of international units, they will be greatly disadvantaged compared with businesses in other countries.”

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News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 1, 2019

23

Upton says treat gases differently Neal Wallace neal.wallace@globalhq.co.nz MORE evidence is being given to policy makers that short-lived biological greenhouse gases should be treated differently to those from fossil fuels.

Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment Simon Upton today urged a policy rethink in the treatment of short-lived biological emissions and the way forestry is used as a carbon sink.

That is consistent with the views of Myles Allen, a professor of geosystem science at Oxford University, who said that given methane lasts only 12 years in the atmosphere New Zealand will not have to reduce emissions to zero provided it makes reductions.

Upton says in his report Farms, Forests and Fossil Fuels: The next great landscape debate, any serious carbon action plan means eliminating fossil fuel emissions at the source rather than offsetting them with carbon credits.

“By contrast, biological greenhouse gases are removed more quickly from the atmosphere by natural processes.

“This means emissions do not need to go to zero to stabilise the atmospheric concentration and warming contribution of these gases.”

Nitrous oxide has a longer life than methane but shorter than carbon dioxide and Upton says each of those gases affects the environment differently so they should be treated as separate environmental problems.

Biological greenhouse gases are removed more quickly from the atmosphere by natural processes.

Simon Upton Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environtment Despite methane volumes increasing rapidly since preindustrial times methane is still at least 200 times less abundant in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide is more than 1000 times less prevalent than carbon dioxide, the main driver of global warming.

Upton makes three recommendations: that we adopt separate emissions targets – zero for fossils and a reduction for biological emissions; allow access to forest sinks as offsets only for biological emissions and adopt a landscape approach for these biological carbon sinks.

He warns planting vast acreages of trees as carbon sinks won’t last indefinitely and are susceptible to fire and disease. His approach is to separate the treatment of fossil and biological emissions and allow biological emissions to be offset, a move he says will accelerate the elimination of fossil

CUT THEM OFF: Fossil fuels emissions must be eliminated rather than offset with carbon credits, Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment Simon Upton says.

fuel carbon dioxide emissions.

As part of that he advocates a landscape approach which integrates climate policy with other environmental and social objectives such as water quality, soil erosion, biodiversity and resilient rural communities.

“Having a co-ordinated climate policy approach for farms and forests makes sense because these sources and sinks are often co-produced and co-managed by landowners.

“Such an approach would promote a more integrated consideration of the competing uses of available land for providing climate change mitigation and other services.”

Upton says this will mean a high emissions price for fossil fuels, from $25 a tonne CO2 equivalent now to up to $350 by 2075 but lower for biological emissions.

“The biggest land use change predicted under either climate policy approach is the shift from sheep and beef farming to forestry but the alternative approach results in far fewer trees to reach its targets by 2075 compared to the current approach.”

Policymakers must decide whether they want to store carbon as forests over large areas, with modelling predicting up to 5.4m hectares by 2075 under current policies.

His plan still sees up to 3.9m hectares of new forest required to offset biological emissions with the greatest planting in Canterbury, Otago and Manawatu-Wanganui. Upton says under his plan the area of sheep and beef will be reduced but remain the dominant land use and he warns care needs to be taken about the impact of that land use.

“The potential for change is so

profound that NZ would be well advised to understand the full consequences to the environment and the economy, in addition to what it would represent in terms of greenhouse gas accounting.”

In 2016 half NZ’s methane emissions came from dairy cows, a third from sheep and a fifth from beef cattle. Emissions of nitrous oxide rose by a third between 1990 and 2016 in hand with greater use of nitrogen fertiliser.

Silviculture management aims to maximise returns, which requires 25 to 30-year rotations for plantation radiata pine forests.

“The amount of carbon stored on this type of land will fluctuate as trees are established, mature and then harvested with new seedlings being planted among the decaying remains of the previous rotation.”

Upton says extending that rotation or farming trees would increase carbon capture. By world standards NZ’s pastoral soils contain large amounts of carbon with the potential to hold more.

Upton says research in to deep inversion tillage could increase the volume of carbon stored by shifting carbon-rich soil down the soil profile where decomposition rates could be slower while adding carbon-stable biochar could also help.

Planting forests to offset carbon emissions is not without risk. They are vulnerable to extreme weather caused by climate change, fire and disease. There is also an issue of permanence of carbon storage.

While forests can be long-lived, they cannot be regarded as permanent given the increasing exposure to climate change impacts.

“Given the uncertainty that attaches to their temperature

effects, a heavy reliance on forest offsets carries risks.

“As for carbon stored in soil, it appears that it will be some time before we can reliably include its management in climate change mitigation efforts.”

The impact of the different approaches to climate change policy on rural communities was illustrated in a case study on the impact on the 2671 square kilometres Hurunui catchment in North Canterbury.

Based on the policy as it is

now, Upton says by 2075 sheep and beef farming would reduce by 55,800ha, from 93,100ha to 37,300ha and forestry increase by 86,000ha from 10,100ha to 96,100ha. Of that 64,100ha would be plantation forestry.

Based on a 20% reduction in biological emissions and no offsetting allowed for fossil fuels, the area of sheep and beef would fall by 18,000ha and forestry increase 22,000ha of which 21,400 will be plantation.

Forest owners want clarity FOREST owners want clarity on what they are expected to deliver for climate change targets.

Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment Simon Upton downplays the contribution of forestry in sequestering atmospheric carbon and wants to cut fossil fuel use.

But the Forest Owners Association president, Peter Weir says Upton is contradicting the Productivity Commission’s report that pointed to planting trees serving as carbon sinks as the main means of getting New Zealand to carbon neutrality by 2050.

Upton said long-lived gases from burning fossil fuels should be treated differently to shortlived greenhouse gases from biological sources.

Weir said Upton is correct in that forestry can’t offer climate change solutions indefinitely.

“The industry has never suggested that we are a solution for all time.

“But in the immediate term we just can’t wait for the development of a political will for a reduction in the use of fossil fuels or the evolution of technical solutions to reduce livestock emissions.

“We don’t have time for either of those.”

“Fast-growing exotic plantation trees are a quick fix for getting our net emissions down in the critical next couple of decades.

Farm Forestry Association president Neil Cullen also wants the Government direction to be clear.

“We have a concern that there is a proposal from the PCE to restrict forestry offsets. If the government decided to follow this and limit offsets to agriculture then this would have a dramatic, negative impact on the value of carbon units, reduce planting rates and perpetuate the seesaw policy that forestry has been experiencing for too long.”

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News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 1, 2019

25

Local marketers sell Kiwi produce Richard Rennie richard.rennie@globalhq.co.nz SOME medium to larger New Zealand companies seeking a foot in the door of China’s mega city markets have found it in the Primary Collaboration New Zealand group as it marks its fourth year of operation.

Founded in Shanghai with cornerstone investors Silver Fern Farms, Bostock Apples, Mr Apple, Freshmax, Villa Maria, Synlait, Kono and Sealord it has provided a collaborative approach for those companies and others since to use its marketing talents and resources.

It draws strongly from a talented pool of 22 largely local Shanghai employees, usually tertiary qualified, who are contracted to client companies to help develop local markets for their products.

Other firms using the group include Anzco, Rockit Global, NZ King Salmon and most recently Landcorp’s Pamu brand.

It also works with Taharoa Ironsands, a low-profile, longtime mining operation taking iron sands off the North Island’s west coast. More recently Douglas Pharmaceuticals has provided yet another product category for PCNZ to support.

Chief executive Kevin Parish

is stepping aside shortly after overseeing PCNZ’s start-up and first four years.

The total sales’ value of the combined brands PCNZ is working with now totals $700 million.

“We are now working with 13 NZ brands here and have a pipeline of companies wanting to come on board.

“This model has proven that working in combination from the same spot we can do a lot more for those next tier companies.

The knowledge captured is shared among all the team here, with market intelligence being fed back to the NZ producers. They each know the others’ products and companies very well.”

Establishing a trading company in mainland China is an expensive, laborious exercise with many legal requirements.

PCNZ provides a means to legally comply without great expense, with the back-office administration horsepower also all in place.

The group also leverages off its collective shopping basket of NZ products to hold NZ-focused food promotions to chefs, hotels and retail stores.

It has also created a profile on the popular social media site WeChat.

LOCAL INPUT: PCNZ chief executive Kevin Parish and Silver Fern Farms’ client service representative Vanessa Sun in Shanghai.

QR codes are being used to test messaging on products and help build connections between the Chinese market and Chinese users back in NZ. “We are also working on a social media project that sits inside WeChat, using a KOL (key opinion leader) to promote the range of brands we have at PCNZ.” A typical function PCNZ might be involved in is a chefs’ table event, bringing in 40 food service chefs cooking three to four different cuts of NZ meat with a description of the meat’s provenance provided by the Silver Fern Farms client rep Vanessa Sun.

She is flown to NZ regularly, accompanying food service buyers brought with her to familiarise them with how Silver Fern works to select its aged beef category animals and familiarise them with NZ’s grass-fed farming systems.

“Ideally, at these events we will also get our distributors taking orders at the end for the products so it becomes a bit of a sweet spot for us, right there at the event,” Parish said.

And the benefits can accrue in building tighter relationships between Kiwi exporters and their channel partners.

“Working with us one of the

apple businesses was able to go from primarily wholesale to retail direct programmes, getting a greater understanding of the consumer and quicker feedback on products.

“At the end of the season they have a review, briefing on how things went and what can be done better next time – you can only do that with people on the ground.”

Parish has also been working to establish the NZ Business Roundtable in China, aiming to provide a forum for NZ businesses across China.

“Ten years post free-trade agreement, this is a very different market and NZBRIC is a way to help businesses better understand where the market is at and keep pace with the fast-changing nature of China.

“We are aiming to provide workshops on the nuts and bolts of doing business here and are currently running a series on recruiting, employing and retaining staff.

“We also aim to do a series of white papers on case studies, providing a perspective for the NZ business community from within China.”

Richard Rennie’s China trip was partly funded by the Asia-New Zealand Foundation

Chinese demand Kiwi’s empathy Richard Rennie richard.rennie@globalhq.co.nz THE largest exhibition centre in the world is providing a window for Chinese consumers to see Oravida’s high-value food products from New Zealand.

The new Shanghai National Exhibition and Convention Centre, only two subway stops from the Hongqiao international airport, is a giant 40-hectare cloverleaf structure with 13 huge exhibition halls and several smaller areas.

The showcase construction was the venue for the inaugural Chinese International Import Expo held last year. It hosted 3600 exhibitors and drew more than 400,000 domestic and overseas buyers and will be an annual event each in November.

Oravida has established a permanent NZ Pavilion in the centre so NZ brands can showcase their products.

Oravida co-founder Julia Xu said her company is experiencing strong growth with a broad portfolio of premium food products it exports.

Its portfolio was founded on seafood, particularly scampi, which Oravida was the first to export to China, and has extended to other meat, manuka honey, cherries, artesian water and fresh milk airfreighted twice

weekly. More recently Oravida has become the first company to export fresh organic milk to China.

Xu said the Beijing government’s focus on increasing consumption of imported products and the volume of foot traffic in the exhibition centre, often including buyers and food industry representatives, means the venue makes good sense.

“It also gives those NZ firms who may not have a physical presence in China a good gateway to the market while Oravida is in a position to help them establish sales channels within the country.”

Xu offers some valuable insights to the Chinese consumer market, one that is changing more rapidly than many NZ firms appreciate.

NZ companies are always interested in exploring online options as an easy way to sell to Chinese customers who are the largest online buyers in the world.

Estimates vary but Chinese consumers buying up to 50% of all purchases, including fresh food, online.

“But it is difficult to succeed online if you do not have an offline presence over here and that is where something like what we have here in the NZ Pavilion can help.

“This provides a platform for brands to test the market to see how their product will work for them.”

ON SHOW: Oravida co-founder Julia Xu in the New Zealand Pavilion in Shanghai.

But even more importantly, she urges NZ companies to try harder to understand and empathise with the urban Chinese consumers they want to win over. That can involve some old-fashioned time spent in the market but it also requires greater commitment and effort at board level to gain a much deeper understanding of the market and consumers.

“There would be very few companies that make the effort to bring their board up here to see the market and try and get a real feel for it.”

Like many she praised Zespri for the efforts it has made and noted being a single desk trader has helped but equally it offers a product, unparalleled for quality, in a branded, appealing way.

Zespri has also taken the time to understand the desire by urban

Chinese shoppers to source nutritious, quality products.

Xu is positive about Fonterra’s achievements with its Anchor consumer brands, with a strong product range gaining increased credibility among consumers for children’s’ nutrition.

“Anchor deserves to do well and have built a strong product development team up here in Shanghai, adapting products to the local market.”

Xu lamented the unreasonable expectation of many NZ companies about how quickly they can be successful in the Chinese market. Success in China takes a long-term commitment and persistence.

One of the other challenges affecting NZ’s success is the shortage of medium-sized processing companies in NZ

capable of adapting packaging and product to the Chinese market.

“We would love to bring in other types of products but there is a real gap there in the ability to do different types of consumer retail packs with most NZ companies coming from a commodity culture or small to medium enterprises that lack the investment capability to gear up for this market.”

Xu urges companies to have the conviction to invest in the market and be prepared to play a long game, backed by directors who understand their Chinese consumers well and are committed to supplying products that meet their aspirations.

Richard Rennie’s China trip was partly funded by the Asia-New Zealand Foundation

Newsmaker

26 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 1, 2019

Dairy man is hands-on in China Kiwis’ efforts to export agritech to the world resonate with tales of entrepreneurs jamming equipment into suitcases, booking a flight and heading off to sell it.

It is no small task to jam a rotary cowshed into your luggage but passionate engineer and businessman David Morris has been doing for over 30 years, putting NZ dairy technology into some of the world’s most remote spots. He showed Richard Rennie what he’s up to in China.

W

HEN David Morris talks to his dairy farmer customers on some windblown steppe in Russia or a wide, dry plain in China as they survey their next dairy farm site they soon realise they are not talking to someone who simply works for an agri-tech company.

In Morris they get a man who has spent the better part of his life perfecting the rotary milking platform, a New Zealand creation he has taken to some extreme farming regions throughout continental Asia and Russia.

Several years ago, just after selling the first rotary platform to China from his Matamata company, Rotary Platforms, he sold the firm to Waikato Milking Systems, where he remains today.

The business had just come out of the halcyon growth period in NZ where expansion, largely in Canterbury and Southland, had pushed construction up to a rate of 100 platforms a year.

However, Morris could see the potential that also lay in China’s moves to tighten up its dairy production system in the aftermath of the San Lu melamine scandal.

Chinese authorities intended to shorten the gap between milk and mouths while rigorously enforcing quality standards. To do so included seeking out the best in global technology to help industrialise and scale up the sector.

The one platform in China has become 40 and 10 in Russia with the order book looking healthy well into this year and beyond.

It is evidence that despite working for rather than owning the company for the past seven years Morris’s passion for the product and who he sells it to has by no means diminished.

“The Chinese particularly like doing business with us. They appreciate the human touch we bring to the projects, listening to what it is they want and making sure they are not simply getting an off-the-shelf, out-of-thebox product when it comes to assembly time.”

Ever humble, he also credits much of the recent success to the strong support offered back home from Waikato’s base in Hamilton

DOING IT: Waikato Milking Systems China country manager David Morris is taking New Zealand agri-tech to China.

and the loyal crew he has on the ground in China, including his young service/product manager, translator and occasional driver Michael Liu Jianmin.

After a lifetime’s selfemployment Morris has also retained the prudent approach to travel abroad one takes when they are paying the bill themselves.

He eschews business class for a premium economy seat overnight from Auckland, travelling in a low-cost rental and bunking down with construction staff at the local hotel if possible.

But it was that move that twice added to his list of road stories about his travels.

“I decided to stay in the local budget three-star hotel with the construction crew on a project only to be woken after midnight by constant banging on my door, which I initially decided to ignore.”

When the banging failed to stop he cracked it open to find a

policeman demanding in Chinese that he get up and out of the place.

I spent a fair few freezing kilometres literally pushing the four-wheel-drive to get us through the snow drifts, all the while worried about how dangerous it was going to be coming down the other side.

David Morris Waikato Milking Systems “As a foreigner you are required to only stay in hotels registered for foreigners, usually 4-5 star hotels and that is not where I was.”

After much negotiation and

translation he was required to bundle up his gear and follow the flashing lights for 30km in the work truck to an officially sanctioned hotel.

Morris’s experiences building a beachhead for kiwi agri-tech in China have a gritty reality to them that mirror those of Kiwis who established new technology in NZ’s own early agricultural history.

On one early project in China’s northern mountain country he and his travelling companion risked being marooned in a snowstorm.

“I spent a fair few freezing kilometres literally pushing the four-wheel-drive to get us through the snow drifts all the while worried about how dangerous it was going to be coming down the other side.”

Another project high in the hills was pushed for time as cows calved but freezing conditions meant the local plant stopped making concrete for delivery.

“We ended up sorting out a few mixers for the site, taking everything indoors under cover and doing it ourselves, just mixing and pouring manually by hand until the job was done.”

Despite being in his 60s there is no sign Morris is slowing and the ex-motor racing grandfather will typically cover all points on the compass in a trip over China’s vast countryside, visiting existing, new and potential clients.

He remains excited about the potential China still offers the company, with expansion of milk production poised to include goats and sheep alongside dairy cows.

“Waikato Milking Systems make a big effort to bring staff down to NZ for training and development, at no small expense, and the Chinese really appreciate seeing the company putting back into their people. It does not go unnoticed or unappreciated.”

New thinking

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 1, 2019

27

CLEVER: Start-up ModuSense is helping commercial beekeepers get more out of their hives by providing real-time data on weight, temperature and humidity.

Beekeeping start-up’s sweet invention A Kiwi start-up promises to boost honey production and cut costs for beekeepers. Luke Chivers reports.

K

IWI start-up ModuSense has launched an Internet of Things platform for beekeepers that is already being used in preproduction at manuka honey giant Comvita.

The technology helps commercial beekeepers get more out of their hives by providing real-time data on weight, temperature and humidity.

Till now most of New Zealand’s 880,000 registered beehives have produced honey without the beekeepers knowing how the hive is operating until the day of harvest.

ModuSense founder Bruce Trevarthen said the goal is to help beekeepers better understand their hives, the site they are in and how the bees themselves are performing – and so produce a better yield at harvest time and to reduce costs along the way.

“These hives tend to be placed in remote, difficult-to-access locations, making them hard to monitor.

“That means it’s not until the beekeeper goes in to retrieve the hive that they can see how the hive has performed.

“We wanted to provide beekeepers with a way of checking up on the hive without having

to tramp in to the site or fly in by helicopter, something that is costly in terms of time and money.

“If we can help bees to do their job better then they’ll collect more honey.”

ModuSense provides commercial-grade equipment that can tell beekeepers how well a hive is performing and when to go in to get the maximum yield.

“We place sensors in the hive to test for temperature and humidity and put the whole thing on a purpose-built scale to measure weight,” Trevarthen said.

Information is then sent back to the beekeeper via wireless signal or by satellite for truly remote operations.

“We can see what times of the day the bees head out, what time of day they return, how much honey is being produced and whether the hive is active or not,” Trevarthen added.

“In our trials we’ve seen commercial operators make the call to keep hives working when they’re doing well and seen them intervene when a hive isn’t producing.”

An online dashboard provides beekeepers with the information they need.

And with phase one now proven, ModuSense is looking at future additions to the suite.

TRICKY: Hives in remote, hard-toaccess places are difficult to monitor, ModuSense founder Bruce Trevarthen says.

INSIGHT: The in-depth study of hives will provide a wealth of valuable information, Biosecurity NZ senior scientist Dr Richard Hall says.

“We’re working with our commercial partners on what they would like to see added in terms of functionality.

“The partnership approach means we’re not wasting their time and they can tell us exactly what’s relevant to the commercial operation.”

Meanwhile, ModuSense is not the only initiative creating a buzz in the beekeeping industry.

Biosecurity NZ has completed sampling for the largest and most detailed study of honey bee health ever done in this country.

More than 60 beekeepers participated in the Bee Pathogen Programme and had their hives tested every six months for two and half years.

Biosecurity NZ senior scientist Dr Richard Hall said the research will provide a wealth of valuable information to the beekeeping industry.

“The Bee Pathogen Programme will help us better understand the effect that diseases, climate and apiary management practices have on colony losses and productivity,” he said.

“It also makes it possible to compare infection rates in NZ bees with those in other countries.”

As part of the Programme, Biosecurity NZ collected and analysed more than 130,000 honey bees from 300 bee samples for a range of parasites and pathogens.

“We visited the same 60

apiaries over 30 months and interviewed the apiary managers to collect data on biosecurity, supplementary feeds, varroa treatment, colony losses and apiary productivity,” Hall said.

Once the data has been evaluated it will be available to the industry and to researchers for further analysis.

Biosecurity NZ aims to release its conclusions from the Bee Pathogen Programme in late 2019.

There are more than 880,000 honey-producing hives in operation around NZ delivering total honey production of 14,885 tonnes a year.

Export earnings from NZ honey tops $300 million a year and have grown continuously over the past decade.

Opinion

28 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 1, 2019

EDITORIAL

Just enough is a relative term

A

S I write there’s drought in Nelson, near drought in Waikato and the West Coast is overflowing with water. Now, the west coast is known to land a drop or two of the wet stuff but the scale and severity of the storm there has even the hardiest coasters scratching their heads. Weather extremes are becoming our new normal it seems, with 100-year events happening as often as leap years these days.

Also last week farming leaders were applauding a report by Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment Simon Upton, who recommended shortlived greenhouse gases, those emitted by agriculture, should be treated differently to long-lived carbon dioxide from fossil fuels. As visiting scientist Myles Allen also said, a measured but meaningful reduction in methane emitted would have the desired effect in lowering our emissions profile, rather than matching CO2’s net-zero target. A measured reduction in methane looks relatively straightforward for the primary sector.

The expansion of the dairy industry has waned, sheep, which emit less gas, are making a bit of a comeback and more and more farmers are planting trees for the range of benefits they bring.

But while this approach to biological emissions might appease the policy makers and climate scientists, and even maybe the climate itself, we’ll need to make sure the customers are also on board. If New Zealand takes the approach of doing just enough while others, perhaps Ireland or Wales or South American producers, do more than enough, our brand will suffer.

Our size, isolation and environment give us the chance to be a real leader here and taking on this role in a way that enriches the land, the water and the farmers should be possible if the will is there. Next week the results of a survey on farmers’ attitudes to climate change will be released. It will make for interesting reading and should give a pointer as to whether we’re willing to break away from the pack or stick with the peleton.

Bryan Gibson

LETTERS

No steering wheel or brakes I AM very concerned about the 100% acquisition proposal facing Westland dairy co-operative.

We just cannot afford to underestimate how serious this could be long term.

The proposal has two incentives: 1. Double the actual share value but shareholders need to be aware they will find themselves without voting rights, effectively no steering wheel or brakes.

2. The offer is to equal Fonterra’s payout for 10 years.

I feel that once the acquisition is complete the suppliers will have no rights. They will become peasant farmers on devalued land.

3. The two offers are shortterm incentives but long-term losses. Westland is isolated by the Southern Alps. No other

processor could compete in that region. This factor leaves the suppliers vulnerable and isolated.

New Zealand is the largest exporter of dairy products in the world.

This is our strength. Foreign countries are taking a bigger grip of our export industry annually.

NZ’s problem is these foreign corporates don’t contribute to our GDP. The NZ economy cannot sustain this erosion of the dairy industry.

The long-term prospects look extremely grim.

Doing nothing is not an option. If we lose out export industries, we lose our sovereignty.

As a citizen of NZ I must support trade security.

The dairy industry is a jewel in the NZ cabinet.

The Government has forced

competition that has given foreign countries too much capacity in the supply base.

I feel that it’s government regulations that have put the stability of the dairy industry at risk.

Bruce Rowe Cambridge

Small price IT IS good that the public has access to tramp through Molesworth Station.

In my working life I had to have good knowledge of foot and mouth disease.

There will be many trampers and hikers freshly arrived from other countries where they have been tramping exploring.

If they have been, say, trekking in Kathmandu, Nepal,where foot and mouth is everywhere or any of the many other countries where FMD is endemic then they might have the live FMD virus

on their clothing or tramping boots and within a few days be walking along with our clovenfooted livestock.

The Conservation Department advises on its website to follow cattle tracks on Molesworth.

A person might or might not have declared their recent travels at our border so it’s an honesty system. The FMD virus can live for 100 days on clothes and footwear.

It has been known to survive longer than 200 days in soil in cracks in cleaned boots.

If it gets into wild deer we will be an endemic country for FMD. Molesworth and Z Stations should have supervised cleaning sheds at the start of the trail.

That’s a trivial price to pay to help avoid a catastrophe.

W Gleeson Bay of Plenty

Letterof theWeek EDITOR Bryan Gibson 06 323 1519 bryan.gibson@globalhq.co.nz EDITORIAL Stephen Bell 06 323 0769 editorial@globalhq.co.nz Neal Wallace 03 474 9240 neal.wallace@globalhq.co.nz Annette Scott 03 308 4001 annette.scott@globalhq.co.nz Hugh Stringleman 09 432 8594 hugh.stringleman@globalhq.co.nz Alan Williams 03 359 3511 alan.williams@globalhq.co.nz Richard Rennie 07 552 6176 richard.rennie@globalhq.co.nz Nigel Stirling 021 136 5570 nigel.g.stirling@gmail.com

ADVERTISING Steve McLaren 027 205 1456 Auckland/Northland advertising 09 375 9864 steve.mclaren@globalhq.co.nz

GENERAL MANAGER Warren McDonald 06 323 0143 warren.mcdonald@globalhq.co.nz

Shirley Howard 06 323 0760 Real Estate advertising shirley.howard@globalhq.co.nz

Jody Anderson 027 474 6094 Waikato/Bay of Plenty advertising jody.anderson@globalhq.co.nz Donna Hirst 06 323 0739 Lower North Island/international advertising donna.hirst@globalhq.co.nz Aleisha Serong 027 474 6091 South Island advertising aleisha.serong@globalhq.co.nz

Nigel Ramsden Livestock advertising livestock@globalhq.co.nz

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Opinion

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 1, 2019

29

SEWING: Villagers in Baregota are now making sanitary kits.

Ethiopian project bears fruit Ric Foxley

W

E HAVE now been involved with Amlaku in Ethiopia for almost 10 years.

During that time we have seen this extraordinary young man come into his own as a community leader, as a visionary and as an instigator of projects that have transformed life for his entire community of some 70 families.

We have seen his dream become a reality.

Last year’s harvest exceeded anything they had ever dreamed of. With all their land fertilised and planted with improved seed, compared with 2017 when we had funds for only a portion of their land to be so planted, their harvest last November was superb.

Late last year Amlaku attended a two-week training course in Uganda, learning how to make and market the Days for Girls reusable sanitary towel kits that have made such a difference to the lives of the girls and women in his village. Lasting for between three and four years, these kits enable women and girls to continue to work or attend school rather than having to withdraw from life for a week every month.

Now, supported by generous gifts from New Zealand, Amlaku has established an enterprise employing 20 youngsters from the village to make and market these kits throughout the area.

The youngsters would normally

The

Pulpit

HELPING HAND: Ethiopian villagers are now eating their own vegetables thanks to help from New Zealand.

struggle to find work so this is huge for them, even if it does mean an 8km walk to and from the village every day.

They have been trained in all aspects of reproductive health and will share that knowledge as they market the kits throughout the area.

Amlaku has bought two sewing machines and an overlocker along with all the necessary fabrics.

They have rented a building in Lalibela and finally started to make the kits in late March.

He thinks the demand will be huge because there is nothing similar on the market there.

Normal sanitary products are available in the bigger towns and cities but for rural girls and women these kits will be

invaluable. After a recent visit to the village Amlaku reported every family now has plenty of food on their table, with flourishing vegetable gardens both improving their diet and also producing ongoing income from the sale of produce to hotels in Lalibela.

We plan to ship a Jang seeder to them shortly to aid them in their vegetable gardens.

The project has now reached the stage where we can look to withdraw our support at the end of this year.

More than $200,000 has been invested into the people of Baregota. It has been well used and the results are evident in terms of changed lives, changed attitudes and the emergence of a sustainable village economy – much to celebrate. Incidentally,

our costs come to about 5% of the total money given.

We do however have two things we need to do before the end of the year. To enable them to build up some reserves in the bank account each family now has we want to fund fertiliser for one more year – to the tune of $460 a farmer. Money in the bank for them means that from now on they will be able to buy their own improved seed and fertiliser as well as meet other needs.

They have also asked that we provide each home with a solar panel so they can have lighting in their houses. It is particularly important for the children doing their homework. A panel costs $250.

If you think this is a neat project I suggest now might be the time

to help. Please email me at ric@ bricks.org.nz or make a deposit directly into our bank account – Bricks for Life Inc, account number 06 0729 0613936 00.

Cheques made out to Bricks for Life Inc can be posted to me at 100 Worcester St, Ashhurst, 4810.

All donations are receipted, provided you let me have your details when you make the donation, but regrettably cannot be used for a tax refund.

MORE: Visit www.bricks.org.nz Got a view on some aspect of farming you would like to get across?

The Pulpit offers readers the chance to have their say. farmers.weekly@globalhq.co.nz Phone 06 323 1519

Opinion

30 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 1, 2019

Big changes needed at Fonterra LAST week’s Farmers Weekly had several articles I thought were absolutely vital to the debate surrounding our co-operatives, both Fonterra and Westland.

For the record I am strongly in favour of co-operatives.

It is not a position popular with many of my city friends, certainly those in the finance industry, but I remain committed.

Yes, we’ve had co-operative disasters like Silver Fern Farms and now Westland but both, in my view, were issues of poor governance and, in the Westland case, a reckless use of debt.

What many tend to forget is that bad news stories aren’t limited to co-operatives. Mainzeal is a shining example with Fletcher Building and Michael Hill following behind.

On the good news side we have Tatua, Farmlands, Ballance and Ravensdown, all solid cooperatives.

Fonterra is our largest company and a co-operative. It has to succeed.

I’ve been critical of Fonterra in the past and I stand by everything I’ve written, namely that Beingmate was a dog as is China farms. The Shareholders Council is a waste of rations and the so-called director selection process is a farce. Trading Among Farmers(TAF) was misguided and the Fonterra Shareholders Fund was a ridiculous side show.

Most of the people who drove those decisions have left Fonterra and the challenge now is to look forward and minimise the damage that prior generations of board

Alternative View

Alan Emerson

and management created.

I was, therefore, heartened by the statements in last week’s Farmers Weekly from Fonterra chairman John Monaghan who reaffirmed his strong commitment to Fonterra the co-operative.

The path forward isn’t easy.

The challenges start with the core necessity of keeping suppliers. There’s a lot more competition than there was when the co-operative started and Fonterra must have a solid strategy to keep the suppliers it has.

Our environmental rules and regulations are likely to reduce the number of dairy farmers and there certainly won’t be any more conversions. That means the pie won’t get any bigger.

And with the drought, milk supply is down.

Following the Dairy Industry Restructuring Act will be a challenge. My view is that it is ridiculous in the current market to force Fonterra to supply competitors and price regulation should remain. You just have to look at what happened in Australia.

There’s the challenge of adding

RIGHT TEAM: Fonterra chairman John Monaghan, left, and chief executive Miles Hurrell are the correct choices to lead Fonterra out of its troubles.

value as against just adding costs.

I believe we get carried away with the notion of adding value by looking to the end of the cycle and starting there.

You can add value without necessarily adding costs on every step of the chain, starting with farmer suppliers.

We have grass-fed animals kept in a natural state outdoors with stringent animal welfare rules.

Publicising those attributes as part of the marketing mix is adding value while not incurring any extra cost.

Fonterra should play to its strengths and not compete in areas where other companies are well established. It has strengths in market access and research and development. Then we’ve had the disastrous offshore investment regime they need to get out of.

China Farms is a loss making investment and a total waste.

Between that and Beingmate the investment was a billion dollars.

Venezuela was subject to political turmoil and it cost Fonterra to withdraw from that

market. With South America the 2017 Fonterra annual report tells me that Soprole declined and Brazil dropped 15%.

I remain unconvinced that investing offshore is sound.

We now have the iniquitous situation where Fonterra invested all that money in China and now Chinese interests want to buy Westland. If Fonterra hadn’t wasted that cash it could have bought or merged with Westland and kept the co-operative principle alive.

Finally, what I’d do is reverse Trading Among Farmers and the Fonterra Shareholders Fund. You could buy it back for a lot less than you sold it for and return Fonterra to being a true co-operative.

I’d also cut the ridiculous drafting gate that is the Fonterra board selection process. It has no credibility among farmers. That was blatantly obvious by the last board election when two of the three who didn’t play the silly game were elected to the board.

Farmers aren’t stupid. They can make their own decisions.

The Shareholders Council achieves nothing for shareholders.

Cull it.

Fonterra also needs to be a lot more honest and straightforward with its communication with shareholders and the media. In the past it has been anything but.

Going forward Fonterra has a chairman who gives the impression he is wedded to coop principles and is prepared to listen.

I’m also impressed by Miles Hurrell and Marc Rivers. They’ll need a top team around them.

I’m also pleased the co-op is getting leaner.

There is a relatively new board who I think are capable.

Fonterra has to succeed.

I believe it has been grossly mismanaged and misgoverned in the past but I’m heartened at the stories of Fonterra going forward.

Your View Alan Emerson is a semi-retired Wairarapa farmer and businessman: dath-emerson@wizbiz.net.nz

Forget facts, hearts and minds are crucial From the Ridge

Steve Wyn-Harris

THIS time of the year is farming awards season.

Tonight, I’m off to the Hawke’s Bay Primary Sector Awards, which are one of the biggest non-dairy farming awards in the country. I think more than 500 folk attend.

The function itself began in 1994 – I remember it well because we were successful that night – for the Hawke’s Bay Farmer of the Year but the award has been going since 1972 when Gerry Sainsbury won the title.

However, that dinner evening at Hawke’s Bay Showgrounds in

recent years has evolved into the Primary Sector Awards when eight other awards and recognitions are also acknowledged.

Last week we had the East Coast Ballance Farm Environment Awards evening in Napier.

I’m the chairman of this region, which stretches from Takapau near where I live right up to East Cape, so encompasses both the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council and Gisborne District Council footprints.

Next year we will hold the awards evening in Gisborne so I want to see plenty of entries from some of our Gisborne fraternity.

There are 10 other regions having gone through the same process as us: calling for entries, bending arms to get folk to enter, conducting the first round of judging, making the difficult decision to shortlist the finalists then having a new team of judges have a look at them, write reports and hold an awards dinner.

I used to be a judge, which is fascinating and a privilege but difficult deciding which of the great entrants and operations we see are to be sent to the finals judges who have an even tougher job. But once I was chairman and responsible for the arm-bending for entrants I dropped out of being a judge and sit at the function as in the dark as everyone else as to who has won the categories and overall supreme winner.

The Ballance Farm Environment Awards recognise and celebrate good farm practices which promote sustainable land management. They also have to be financially sustainable and contributing to their communities.

It’s an opportunity to promote positive role models to all of us in the rural community and to show just what is possible given a desire to make the world a better place and armed with some determination.

In recent years it has also allowed those of us who have the opportunity to talk to a wider audience through mainstream media to point to positive examples of where farmers and growers are, in fact, improving their land and the environment, giving us examples we can use to counteract the negative and often misleading opinions put out there by folk with an anti-farming agenda or who are just plain ignorant.

I’m fortunate I have a monthly spot where Jesse Mulligan of Radio NZ interviews me and I’m aware it gives me the chance to talk directly to his big Auckland audience.

Most of the time we talk to each other through the rural media and most of us agree with most of the views and opinions.

So, I like to use examples with Jesse the awards offer up, such as the East Coast’s supreme winners last week of Nick and Nicky

Dawson, dairy farmers of Patoka.

When asked a listener’s question of why farmers don’t plant shelter belts and how to encourage them to do so I was able to use the Dawsons’ excellent work as an example and assure the listeners many farmers are doing their utmost to plant shelter belts for the compelling reason it grows more pasture because of shade and shelter benefits, animal welfare is improved and happy, content animals perform better and it makes the world a better place.

The other day I watched an excellent presentation that said don’t expect rational, sciencebased decision-making to trump values, perceptions and prejudices, for citizens and consumers. Explaining is losing: facts are important, hearts and minds are crucial.

Its useful advice to bear in mind when talking to our city cousins.

Opinion

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 1, 2019

31

China is many countries in one Farmers Weekly journalist Richard Rennie recently spent two weeks in China’s power cities of Beijing and Shanghai. He spoke to New Zealanders committed to building NZ’s food presence there while also getting an impression of a country so vast and populated it is difficult to label as a single country.

CHARGING down a six-lane motorway southwest of Beijing was a quick trip to the reality of China today.

The vehicles racing alongside us at 120kmh were rarely over five years old, often European and driven by well-heeled owners heading out of town for work or pleasure.

It could have been any western highway on any given Monday and at least on the face of it that’s where China is today.

It’s increasingly westernised with a vehicle fleet newer than most, an urban population increasingly confident with its new-found wealth.

It’s an app driven and increasingly coffee-fuelled population also becoming remote and distant from its significantly poorer rural cousins beyond big city limits.

Any observations based on a journalist’s first time visit to China and particularly to its two Tier 1 glamour cities of Beijing and Shanghai can be fraught.

The risk of building a misconception in readers’ minds that the shiny, futuristic infrastructure and buildings you see in those cities somehow represent China rather than China Inc is very real.

Similarly, the people inhabiting these powerhouses are quite different in a way far more severe than are Aucklanders and everyone else south of Bombay. As one long-time Beijing ex-pat said, when considering China think of Europe, knowing its constituent parts including Italy, France and Germany are all very different.

With our western bias, often reinforced by wretched stereotyping, it is easy to think all of China as one large, vague, amorphous identity.

In fact each of its five main regions is distinct in terms of traits, cultural definitions and even language.

And even its giant cities’ citizens differ, to the point one observer said it would be like people in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch all struggling to communicate easily with one another.

One Chinese area manager described how difficult business is for him coming from the southern province of Guangxi and almost needing an interpreter to do business in Inner Mongolia’s province.

But the differences are also as sharp and simple as the urbanrural divide we so often lament here at home.

The rise of the much-touted, urban, middle class has now hit almost half a billion and is expected to surge to 800 million by the mid 2020s.

Their incomes outstrip those of rural dwellers, who make up 40% of the population, by 63%.

And for many rural families living in the west, wealthy power cities around the Yangtze delta, the capital Beijing and the likes of Shanghai are glittering distant mirages. Internal migration control and provincial permits known as hukou mean they might never reach the cities.

That same swift motorway that whipped us southwards came to an abrupt halt on our return to Beijing as all the traffic hit

the city’s border control where identity cards and papers are checked to verify locals really are locals and not illegal aliens from beyond the city limits.

A certain hapless Western journalist was required to wait patiently as his passport and visa were carefully examined.

For many people the ability to participate in the wealth rise in the city is limited to something akin to a work visa. Family have to be left in the worker’s native region while they travel hundreds of miles to participate in the city’s workforce, often without all the benefits that would accrue a true citizen of that city.

But to the Chinese government’s credit, like many things, it has acknowledged the faults of the old Maoist hukou system.

It is increasingly directing the flow to Tier 2 cities it wants to see greater growth and wealth replicated in.

And again, like all things, it does not intend to do it in any short measure.

Congress this year announced plans to pull another 10m people out of poverty, creating as many new urban jobs and effectively increasing the economy by a level equivalent to Australia’s GDP. Meantime, funds equal to twice New Zealand’s GDP are being committed to roading and water infrastructure and 5m hectares of land are to be treated as high-standard crop land.

Clear environmental goals also sit around these eye-watering plans, including reducing sulphur emissions and nitrogen losses by 3%.

For the NZ companies

CONTRAST: China’s cities are becoming increasingly westernised while those beyond the city limits remain significantly poorer.

producing a miniscule portion of food to help meet this behemoth’s appetite all agree this is a bigger, more complex and tougher market than it was after they celebrated our newly minted free-trade agreement more than a decade ago.

But all agree breaking this country down into its giant urban centres is the best way to eat the elephant and gain manageable traction from its continuing growth prospects.

From Otago man Hunter McGregor touting his chilly bin of quality venison to Shanghai restaurant owners, to Zespri’s slick, organised packhouse and key account operation, New Zealanders are proving we do have the flexibility and the stickability

to work with the Chinese, blowing the embers of interest into a flame of success.

It’s a tenacity admired in a country that has always taken a long-term view of success.

Competition is intense and it’s easy to wonder how we can make an impact, being so dwarfed by our customer country.

Our openness and trustworthiness might seem simple traits in such a complex, competitive market but they are treasured by the Chinese who increasingly value partnerships with us for those very qualities.

Long may that continue.

Richard Rennie’s China trip was partly funded by the Asia-New Zealand Foundation

Walking together on the pathway to sustainability Cheryl Barnes THERE has been a lot of discussion over the past year or so about New Zealand moving towards a sustainable, lowemissions economy.

As a country that is a world leader in food and fibre production we know our farmers and growers have a big part to play in that transition.

I’m starting this regular column to offer some insight from the Ministry for the Environment on what we’re hearing about the pathway to sustainability, how we are working with farmers, growers and your sector groups on our shared environmental challenges and what changes might be required over the medium to long term.

My job at the ministry is leading the team working on climate and freshwater issues and we are committed to a collaborative approach with the primary sector.

From my conversations with farmers and growers around NZ I know you value the environment.

Farmers play a vital role as guardians or kaitiaki of the land.

Farmers and growers are already leading the way.

There are many great stories of farmers making practical changes that care for the environment and meet customer expectations.

They include steps such as fencing and planting to reduce water pollution, protecting native forests and trapping predators, restoring wetlands, retiring erosion-prone land, even switching to electric farm bikes.

People are pushing boundaries by trying new farming systems and new technology.

About 40% of farmers have a plan of some sort for addressing environmental issues and there are hundreds of catchment groups across NZ where communities are working together to improve local waterways.

These are all good efforts but we haven’t turned the corner yet.

We still see water quality deteriorating in many catchments, we are not anywhere near reducing climate emissions to

where they need to be, many of our unique native species are still under threat and our highly productive land is under pressure from urban growth.

I hear your questions about what will happen next – what more can farmers do for the environment, what more will the Government ask of us.

I know there’s a high level of uncertainty.

The Government will continue to support the efforts farmers and growers are already making.

Measures such as the Good Farming Practice Principles and Action Plan, available on the MfE website, are one practical way we can provide useful information.

We are putting a lot of resource into science, research and development and funds such as the Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures fund and the One Billion Trees Fund can help.

To support the good efforts under way and to make sure every farmer and grower steps up, the Government’s job is to set clear expectations and requirements

and minimum standards where needed.

This year Cabinet ministers have signalled decisions will be made on requirements relating to climate emissions from the primary sector, freshwater management, the management of highly productive soils and protecting native species.

There will also be decisions on other important matters for the primary sector from the Dairy Industry Restructuring Act review to biosecurity issues and the review of the tax system.

My team and I are working with farmers and your sector groups to understand what any proposed new requirements will mean onfarm and in communities and to provide this insight to ministers to inform their decision-making.

We have farmers at the table in two advisory groups working with us on freshwater policy – the Freshwater Leaders Group, chaired by John Penno and Kahui Wai Maori, chaired by Kingi Smiler.

My team is talking regularly

to your sector groups – Beef + Lamb, DairyNZ, Horticulture NZ, Federated Farmers and others – about freshwater, climate, biodiversity and other issues.

Through the year we will be putting policy proposals out for wide public consultation. By the end of this year you should have a lot more information about what the Government requires, on which to base your decisions.

You should have a better picture of what a sustainable, productive economy might look like 10 or 15 years from now and the steps to get there.

I know you care deeply about the future of the land and what that means for your children and grandchildren. I encourage you to keep bringing these perspectives to the conversation.

MORE: Cheryl Barnes is the Ministry for the Environment’s deputy secretary for water and climate change, Feedback IS welcome at freshwater@mfe. govt.nz

On Farm Story

32 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 1, 2019

HELPING HANDS: The Watsons have been fortunate to align with people who have helped them in their journey. Don and Kirsten, with, George, 10, on the tractor, Riley, 11, and Josh, 9.

One thing leads to another

A

FARM journey for a Northland couple has been full of ups and downs but one event in particular led them to push themselves to not just move but to forge ahead and buy their own farm.

Don and Kirsten Watson farm on the picturesque Kaipara Harbour milking 260 cows on 112 hectares. They bought the farm in 2017 after spending a month snowbound and without power on their Central Plateau farm at Rangitaiki on the Napier-Taupo highway.

It has been a varied and at times challenging and scary journey but say they wouldn’t change a thing.

“Each thing we’ve done has led us to the next opportunity,” Kirsten says.

“We wouldn’t be where we are now if we hadn’t learnt along the way. Some of our best decisions have come from our most challenging times.”

Kirsten says that weather event at Rangitaiki was the catalyst for taking the step to farm ownership.

“It really pushed us to sell the cows and buy the farm.

“We will always be grateful for the support from the Rangitaiki and Central Plateau community during that difficult and testing time.”

They funded their purchase from the sale of 700 of the 1050 animals they owned as sharemilkers at Rangitaiki.

“We kept 20 of the very best cows, 100 top rising two year olds and 20 of the top calves. The rest were sold and we kept the rejected

A Northland farming couple have completed their pathway of progression but still have plenty to do. Samantha Tennent reports. animals and the old or unsound cows we didn’t put up for sale,” Don says.

“We knew the initial herd would be a balance between our very top animals and budget cows. It would give us the genetics to provide quality replacements and the future engine room of the herd.”

Their herd is 122BW and 176PW with a significant proportion of budget cows still to be replaced.

“We have pushed to rear a high replacement rate, 60%, to come into the herd in the next 18 months to fast-track our goal of having a highly productive, efficient herd in within three years,” he says.

By setting up the herd this way production took a hit on the new farm but the goal was to have sufficient equity. The couple recognise it is a big hurdle for sharemilkers to get into land ownership and they were able to do so only by selling their good cows.

However, buying the farm was not without its challenges and they were well aware of them when they signed up.

They felt a different system would be better suited to the soil type and climate. They did not want to be stuck in a tractor feeding out all the time while managing the farm on their own.

Although the farm is consented for 320 cows they milk only 260 at peak. That allows them to manage on their own without the need for extra staff.

“We inherited a System 5 farm that supported big Friesian cows and it has taken us at least a year to transition it to where we want to be,” Don says.

Don, who manages the feed and grazing side of the business, says their goal is to operate a System 3 and they are slowly pulling feed out as they get a handle on pasture growth.

We wouldn’t be where we are now if we hadn’t learnt along the way. Some of our best decisions have come from our most challenging times.

Kirsten Watson Farmer This season they switched to winter milking and split calving because they recognised they needed to match the supply and demand pasture growth curve of the farm.

The farm consists of low-lying marine clay and a small amount of sandy loam. The environment is wet in winter and dry in summer and sits at sea level. They say the farm has reasonably good growth rates in winter and the two times in the year when pasture growth

is at its lowest are when either the spring or autumn cows will be dry.

“We want to run a relatively low stocking rate profitably without requiring great amounts of imported feed. And winter milk will make it possible,” Don says.”

The winter pasture growth on the farm was recorded this season at 20-40kg DM/ha/day depending on the paddock.

“We do believe winter milk is right for this farm and we may move our spring calving date as we want it to match with the increasing pasture growth in August.”

An uncovered feed pad is used to stand cows off pasture on stormy nights to minimise damage.

Their stocking rate is low compared to national averages but typical of many Northland farms and also helps minimise damage to pasture. The farm does not grow enough grass to support higher stocking rates on a System 3.

They plan to gradually increase their stocking rate as they progress with land development and pasture renewal that will allow them to grow more feed and will require more cows to harvest the spring flush. Next season’s peak will be 290 cows.

Moving from the Central Plateau to Northland also posed a risk with theileria. Their cows were tested and had no immunity to it. They could not afford to sell the budget cows and buy cows

from Northland that had already been exposed so there had to be a compromise.

“We had a plan and worked through it. We dried off cows that became infected and nursed them through,” Kirsten says.

“They have to get exposed to it to develop immunity.”

There are plenty of challenging times in dairy farming and it is fortunate the Watsons have their vet experience to call on.

The couple are both qualified vets and Kirsten is still registered so keeps a close eye on animal health and welfare, which helps speed up treatment and keeps animal health costs down. She does not do any surgery but does all routine work such as calf debudding with analgesia.

They both grew up on sheep and beef farms, Don in Southland and Kirsten in Hawke’s Bay, and met while studying at Massey University.

Leaving university they worked as vets here and in Britain but when they returned home Don wanted to go farming. He left the vet industry to manage a 2000ha sheep and beef property in Hawke’s Bay but recognised dairy held more opportunities.

After taking another look at their career options they worked through a DairyNZ dairy career pathway and goal planning tool.

They saw the opportunities that were available in dairying.

Neither had much experience with dairy farming until Don got a job as a herd manager milking 1100 cows in Central Hawke’s Bay. Kirsten continued practising as a vet in between having their three

On Farm Story

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 1, 2019

33

YEAR ROUND: The Watsons have made the change to winter milking so now split calving. Riley, 11, helps Kirsten feed their autumn calves.

REWARDING: In 2016 Kirsten and Don won the Central Plateau Share Farmers of the Year title and have since been involved in the awards with Kirsten on the national executive.

sons, Riley, George, and Josh.

“I had to take a step backwards when I entered the dairy industry as I wasn’t going to get a job at the same level I had been with sheep and beef.

“But taking on a lower level job I developed a good grounding and learnt learn how to manage cows and grass.”

Kirsten gave up being a vet a year into their dairy career.

She struggled with juggling the business, family and travelling for work. They lived a reasonable drive from her clinic and with three children under five it was too much to manage the on-call and after-hours workload.

“We had a goal to grow our own business to support the family and knew we needed to work hard to get there,” she says.

Since then they have been on a steep learning curve and have worked hard to achieve their goals.

They sold their property and invested in stock and implemented a policy of buying young, high BW carryovers.

“That was the money to start our business,” Don says.

“It really snowballed our equity growth rapidly because we could use our cashflow to buy stock and work our way up.”

They took on a lower order sharemilking position in King Country milking 1600 cows at Pureora between Taupo and Te Kuiti.

“It was a real sink or swim moment, very high risk but it was the best thing we’ve ever done,” Kirsten says.

There were several farms belonging to the same business and an operations manager oversaw them, proving a great support for the Watsons to work alongside and learn from.

Under their management

the farm’s performance lifted significantly. They were also building a herd of their own and leasing their cows back to the farm owners.

Kirsten was responsible for the administration, they were managing between 10 and 12 staff at any one time and she looked after the HR, pay and GST as well as their own stock.

Then came the shift to 50-50 sharemilking at Rangitaiki. By this time they owned 680 cows and bought 200 heifers plus cows to top up their herd.

In 2014, in just their first season on the farm, they entered the Dairy Industry Awards and won the Central Plateau Share Farmers of the Year. At the national finals they received two merit awards for leadership and pasture management.

The shift to Northland is a realisation of their goal to own a farm by 2020 though their original goal was an 800-cow farm.

At the time of winning they said their vision was to achieve financial independence and personal fulfillment.

“Personal fulfillment means to us enjoying what we do and always remembering life is a journey and not the destination.”

The previous Friesian herd on the Northland farm consistently produced 130-135,000kgMS from 320 cows.

They have set a production target of 130,000kg MS from 300 cows within three to five years with farm working expenses at a low $3, which includes feeding two tonnes/ha of imported feed and 13t DM of pasture harvest a hectare.

“That’s a really profitable business for us and gives us options for the future,” Don says.

“We are on track to do 115120,000kg MS this season. I’m not

sure how long it’ll take to get our business exactly where we want it to be but we will continue to improve each season.

“We are tweaking lots of things and are confident we’re on the right track.”

When they arrived in Northland their first priority was to support high per-cow production through growing high ME feed. There is 15ha planted with either a chicory-clover mix or a plantainclover mix and in autumn they will broadcast an Italian ryegrass over the crop paddocks.

It really snowballed our equity growth rapidly because we could use our cashflow to buy stock and work our way up.

Don Watson Farmer One paddock has been planted in maize this year and they have tried a chicory mix with turnips and rape. The turnips and rape were to boost drymatter in the paddock for the first grazing then the spring cows would rotate on the chicory and red clover sward after the autumns are dried off.

“We wanted a bulk, high-energy feed available for December when we have peak numbers in milk,” Don says.

Don did a simple cost analysis on this unordinary method and calculated the costs of planting versus the feed eaten were balanced. However, there were some challenges around management with spraying and the rape did not perform as well as it could have in the clay soil.

“It was a small example of how we are trying to balance supply and demand of feed without a lot of cost, half a kilo of turnip seed per hectare added approximately two tonnes of DM in the first grazing. December was a fantastic month for us being 60% ahead of the previous season’s December.”

The five poorest performing paddocks were identified and sprayed out last autumn with an Italian ryegrass and clover mix planted.

In the next five years the Watsons plan to renovate pastures across the farm, resulting in a mix of paddocks in ryegrass and clovers and fescue and clovers along with a proportion remaining in kikuyu/Italian rye.

“The different grass types have their own strengths and weaknesses. Our goal is to have something growing well at all times of the year, for an average season,” he says.

There is no irrigation on the farm and the kikuyu still grew well through the dry summer months and provided protection of the new grass from overgrazing.

The paddocks are being developed through the summer cropping and Italian rye programme following into permanent pastures, when the paddock is seen as ready.

They are involved with Tiller Talk through DairyNZ, which is helping develop their pasture management skills further.

“We are lucky to work with an agronomist and have a group of farmers to discuss pasture management with four times throughout the year with the focus of the group around pasture growth and quality and ultimately pasture harvest,” Don says.

They have also been looking at becoming involved with Extension 350, which facilitates farmer-tofarmer learning in Northland.

They like to benchmark their business and monitor progress and believe becoming involved with Extension 350 fits with their values.

They do 11 weeks of mating for both the spring and autumn herds with only four weeks of AI. Both herds have a 69% six-week in-calf rate and empty rates of 12-13%.

The herd has a high breeding worth and is crossbred leaning towards Jersey. Their aim is to breed towards a J12 animal so they use a lot of Jersey semen during AI. This season they put Angus bulls over the herd to provide beef cross calves for grazing their runoff.

There is a gap in the herd because they kept only 20 calves when they sold the sharemilking herd and do not have any heifers as replacements for their autumn herd. They are considering buying some animals to fill the gap until this season’s calves come into the herd. There have a no bobby calf policy and instead rear everything or foster them with budget cows.

“We keep all our young stock and dry cows on the support block. They can walk across the road. It’s very handy,” Kirsten says.

Away from the farm they are kept busy with a number of things including the Dairy Industry Awards. Following their win they became involved with the local competition committee.

Progression led Kirsten to the regional manager’s role for 12 months and for the past two and a half years she has sat on the national executive but is stepping down this year.

“I love the Awards but national level involves a bit of time off farm. It has become hard juggling the family and business on a new farm as well as in a new district where we want to be involved in our community.”

Kirsten is involved with the children and their rugby, she is on the school board of trustees and feels a bit over-committed.

“The boys are typical, kiwi rural children. They are rugby mad, love the farm and love hunting and fishing so they keep us busy,” she says.

They believe their speedy progress to farm ownership is due to their strengths of shared vision, values and goals and their willingness to use resources to learn and grow their skills and knowledge.

“We aren’t afraid to innovate, to try new things and to step outside the square,” Kirsten says.

“We have learnt to budget, record, monitor, analyse, benchmark and review. We ask for help and support if required and surround ourselves with fantastic people.”

They believe people are moulded by their experiences and having the right attitude is something they value in themselves.

“We have been very fortunate to have been able to align with people who have helped us through our faming journey,” she said.

This story was first published in Dairy Farmer. >> Video link: bit.ly/OFSwatson

Real Estate

34 THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 1, 2019

Activity strong in the north 12-month regional outlook

MOST North Island regions will maintain strong economic growth this year but most of the South Island will be weak, Westpac Bank says its in regional outlook.

The strongest area in the country will be the southern North Island while Canterbury will be the weakest.

Northland and Auckland will improve on their lacklustre performance while Taranaki and Southland will weaken.

“Unfortunately Canterbury remains in the doldrums,” the report by regional and industry economist Paul Clark and chief economist Dominick Stephens said.

“In recent times New Zealand has been an economy of two halves.

“The southern portions of each island have been absolutely fizzing, propelled by successful agriculture and tourism industries as well as population-induced building booms.

Activity in Canterbury and Auckland was much slower and some neighbouring regions felt the chill.

Laggards Northland, Waikato and Nelson/Marlborough/West Coast have picked up in recent quarters.

Gisborne/Hawke’s Bay, Otago and Southland are still among the strongest performing regions but are losing momentum and their lead over the rest is diminishing.

“At the national level, the economy lost steam in late 2018 but we expect it to regain momentum in 2019.”

However, Government spending will be felt across the country so the outlook is broadly positive for most regions.

“There are a number of rural regions of New Zealand currently doing very well and we expect that to continue in 2019.

“True, some are already losing

These shaded maps provide a summary of current and future economic growth by region over the next year.

12-month regional outlook Current

Regional outlook

Weak

Marlborough/West Coast region should continue to pick up in coming quarters off the back of rising house prices.

It should also be buoyed by rising farm gate incomes. Farmers and growers should benefit from still favourable prices for horticultural, dairy and grapes.

Strong

Next 12 months

Taranaki has been the steadiest of the dairy areas with consistent sales at solid prices.

12-month regional outlook These shaded maps provide a summary of current and future economic growth by region over the next year.

Source: Westpac

Regional outlook

Weak

Farmers and growers should momentum and that may Current benefit from still favourable continue this year. Others, such prices for dairy, meat, forestry and as the Bay of Plenty, have built horticultural products. quite a head of steam and are Waikato expected to roll through 2019 in Waikato is likely to perform fine form. strongly over the coming year “But many of these regions are overheating and we do expect they as firms continue to establish Paul Clark themselves in the area. will cool in time.”

Regional & Industry Economist The regional boom in many+64 9 336 5656 Rising farm gate incomes are likely to help. Farmers and places is driven by sustainablepaul.clark@westpac.co.nz growers should benefit from success in export industries like still favourable prices for dairy agriculture. products.

But the second driver – Bay of Plenty population growth, construction Bay of Plenty is likely to perform and rising house prices – is not strongly over the coming year sustainable. as firms continue to establish themselves in the area and activity How’s your region doing? through the port of Tauranga Northland climbs.

Activity in Northland is Rising farm gate incomes expected to pick up in coming quarters off the back of rising farm should provide some extra support, with farmers and gate incomes.

Strong

growers likely to benefit from still favourable prices for kiwifruit, avocados and dairy products.

Gisborne/Hawke’s Bay Gisborne/Hawke’s Bay is fizzing but won’t stay that way forever.

Over 2019, we expect to see the economy lose some momentum Dominick Stephens though it will remain one the Chief Economist 9 336 5671 strongest +64 performing regions.

Activitydominick.stephens@westpac.co.nz should be buoyed by the ongoing success of the horticulture and agriculture sectors.

REGIONAL ROUNDUP | 5 March 2019 | 2 Taranaki/Wanganui-Manawatu Activity in this region is likely to remain strong.

Rising farm gate incomes should support spending in the region with farmers and growers set to benefit from still favourable prices for dairy products.

Nelson/Marlborough/West Coast Activity in the Nelson/ Next 12 months

Canterbury Canterbury is expected to remain in the doldrums for some time to come as the postearthquake rebuild continues to wind down but that’s not to say that the economy will stall.

Rising farm gate incomes should provide further support with returns to farmers reflecting favourable prices for dairy products.

Otago Otago has been fizzing in recent years but that is not likely to last forever.

For now, activity in the region will continue to be buoyed by rising house prices, strong construction activity, tourism and the success of its agricultural sector.

Southland Southland has been an outperforming region in recent years but won’t stay that way forever.

However, activity should still be buoyed by ongoing success in the region’s dairy and meat producing industries.

Sold signs elusive in Waikato dairy sector Paul Clark Regional & Industry Economist

Alan Williams alan.williams@globalhq.co.nz JUST a third of a large number of Waikato dairy farms marketed during the spring were sold.

Sales volumes have eased distinctly compared to the same time in 2017 and last year, Real Estate Institute rural spokesman Brian Peacocke said.

The dairy farm market is also difficult in Canterbury, where only two sales were registered in the last seven months.

There were also limited sales from a good selection of properties available though two larger properties changed hands at strong prices.

Taranaki has been the steadiest of the dairy areas with consistent sales at solid prices, Peacocke said.

Nationally, the total number of

farms in all categories sold in the year to the end of February was 1472, down 3.6%, on a year earlier.

Grazing farms sales rose 11.6% but other sectors dropped, dairy by a hefty 24%, finishing farms nearly 6% and arable farms by 4.2%.

Finishing farms transactions have helped provide market momentum in recent months but prices have eased from a median $30,656/ha in the February threemonth period last year to $29,587 for January this year and further to $28,872 for the latest February period. That was a year-on-year decline of 5.8%.

Grazing farms made up 34% of total sales in the February period ahead of finishing farms at 29%, dairy 15% and horticulture 10%.

Grazing farm sales prices also slipped year-on-year, by 10.4% to $9700/ha from $10,295 in the

+64 9 336 5656

paul.clark@westpac.co.nz January three-month period and $10,827/ha in February last year.

Conversely, though dairy farm volumes have fallen away, prices have improved over the last year, indicating better-quality farms are selling.

The median price has risen 4.6% year-on-year to $35,807/ha, from $34,238/ha though there was a fall from the latest January period figure of $38,642/ha.

The institute’s Dairy Farm Price Index fell 8.6% January to February but for the year the gain was 8.4%.

This index adjusts for differences in farm size and location, which the median price does not do. The index is regarded as the best guide to the market and its equivalent measure of all farms sales shows a gain, compared to the fall on a median price measure.

Dominick Stephens Chief Economist +64 9 336 5671

dominick.stephens@westpac.co.nz These decisions were based on Across all farms, the medianfrustrations on a number of issues price for the February threeincluding labour, compliance and months was $22,462/ha, down REGIONAL ROUNDUP a| 5year March 2019 | 2 cost increases squeezing margins.

18.4% from the $27,523 Regional highlights included earlier. However, the institute’s strong demand for greenfield sites All-Farm Index rose 12.9% after in Northland suitable for kiwifruit allowing for the differences in development. farm size, location and farming The province also had good type. The horticulture median inquiry for beef properties and price for the February period was there is continuing evidence of $164,176/ha, up from $160,618 second-tier dairy farms changing in January but well below the to beef. $254,722/ha in February last year.

Canterbury and Otago ware Peacocke said farmers are experiencing constraints in benefiting from good products bank lending – with Otago dry returns in beef, lamb, grains and stock sector prices back by 10% horticulture and improved in to 15%.

Global Dairy Trade prices.

Some finishing and grazing “For some farmers, however, farm vendors in North and South these returns have been Canterbury have unrealistic price insufficient to change decisions expectations and restrictions on to exit the rural industry, as irrigation schemes are having evidenced by the high number a negative impact in North of farms on the market in recent Canterbury. months.”

Boundary lines are indicative only

Aongatete 299 Lockington Road

Large G.3 orchard plus so much more

3

This quality 40ha plus of horticulture and silviculture on the Tauranga side of Katikati, has been developed into a productive orchard and is for sale with crop included. First time on the market, the retiring vendor has offered this gem for your opportunity to continue a rich production history. The circa 5.82 can/ha of G3 and 13.46 can/ha of Hayward is nearly ready to harvest. This is a big crop of good size fruit and at approximately 66 metres above sea level, TZG’s should be A okay. Pergola structures, good end assemblies and good management of all orchard infrastructure including tracks, implement sheds, load out area, water supply and spray fill, complete the operation. Circa 400 well husbanded avocado trees produce a good income. The home is centrally located near staff facilities to run the orchard and has outstanding views to Mauao and ocean across a panoramic rural vista.

Tender (will not be sold prior) Closing 4pm, Thu 18 Apr 2019 247 Cameron Road, Tauranga View by appointment Snow Williams 027 275 5500 snow.williams@bayleys.co.nz

1

1

SUCCESS REALTY LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

bayleys.co.nz/2500341

bayleys.co.nz

NEW LISTING

Huntly 577 Bain Road

Puketotara

5

One of the Waikato’s landmark rural finishing properties, this 1145 hectares (more or less), offers a new owner a wealth of future farming options. With its quality infrastructure, including four dwellings, and good balance of contour, the property has continually turned out well finished heavy cattle and prime lambs as well as good arable crops. The station has an effective farm area of approximately 970 hectares most of which is in good healthy rye grass and white clover pasture. With approximately 171 well-fenced paddocks, this intensive subdivision, supported by high quality access tracks, means the farming land is well utilised and pastures efficiently grazed. The property is approximately 47 kilometres north-west of Hamilton in an area becoming increasingly popular because of its proximity to Auckland and its location within the growing Waikato region.

Tender (unless sold prior) Closing 2pm, Wed 8 May 2019 96 Ulster Street, Hamilton Phone for viewing times Mike Fraser-Jones 027 475 9680 mike.fraserjones@bayleys.co.nz

2

3

SUCCESS REALTY LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

bayleys.co.nz/2310402

FINAL NOTICE

Otoko 5022 Matawai Road

Parihohonu Station; Emerald of Otoko Held in the same family since 1892, Parihohonu has long been regarded as the emerald of Otoko - one of the Gisborne region's premium farming districts. 748.5 hectares in size, Parihohonu is nestled in a very sheltered, mostly northerly aspect basin with its own micro-climate. Fenced into 47 paddocks, the farm has excellent natural water from creeks and springs, some of which are reticulated to troughs in many paddocks. The station has a very appealing balance of contour with significant portions of tractor country, which have been cultivated and resown in superior pasture species or are planted in feed crops. Parihohonu has three homes; the main homestead has four bedrooms and is set in manicured grounds and gardens featuring magnificent specimen trees. There is a second three bedroom manager's home and another older three bedroom home.

bayleys.co.nz/2751256

bayleys.co.nz

Tender (unless sold prior) Closing 4pm, Wed 17 Apr 2019 10 Reads Quay, Gisborne View by appointment Simon Bousfield 027 665 8778 simon.bousfield@bayleys.co.nz James Bolton-Riley 027 739 1011 james.bolton-riley@bayleys.co.nz MACPHERSON MORICE LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

Opoutama 1001 Tunanui Road

Tunanui Station - in a league of its own At 2058ha Tunanui Station combines superb scale with spectacular aesthetics. Located just 66km from Gisborne and 48km from Wairoa, the farm has been meticulously managed, both in its former sheep and beef days, moving more recently to 100% bull beef trading. Quality infrastructure provides for ease of management.

Exceptional natural water combined with robust reticulation and generous annual rainfall enhance the operation.

Access throughout the hill country to the approx. 80ha of flats is heightened by Tunanui Road, a public road.

There is an abundance of hill country with a development programme in progress, adjoining the wide-ranging flats. Balanced contour, and attractive scenery with well presented homes across the farm, the main homes are positioned to take in the sea views. A rarely found farming and recreational jewel.

Tender (unless sold prior) Closing 4pm, Tue 23 Apr 2019 10 Reads Quay, Gisborne Simon Bousfield 027 665 8778 simon.bousfield@bayleys.co.nz James Bolton-Riley 027 739 1011 james.bolton-riley@bayleys.co.nz

bayleys.co.nz/2751249

MACPHERSON MORICE LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

Water supply not located on the property

Tutira 502 and 629 Matahorua Road

Self contained 364ha dairy with water and rainfall A must view with free draining ash soils, reliable summer rainfall, a fantastic natural water source and huge potential! Located in the reliable Tutira farming district, approximately 49 kilometres north of Napier City and only five kilometres from the Tutira primary school and community store, is this 364 hectare self-contained dairy unit, in four titles, which benefits from a legal easement to the fantastic natural water source of Lake Opouahi, a fenced kiwi sanctuary. A very well set up property boasting a 2005 built 50 bail rotary, underpass, three quality dwellings, cottage and plenty of easy contour with huge potential to cultivate more land. On target to achieve 180,000 kilograms of milk solids from 550 cows. Retiring vendor is providing a fantastic opportunity to purchase a well set up farm in a great farming environment. The farm is ready to take to the next level.

bayleys.co.nz/2851576

Tender (unless sold prior) Closing 4pm, Tue 16 Apr 2019 17 Napier Road, Havelock North View by appointment Tony Rasmussen 027 429 2253 tony.rasmussen@bayleys.co.nz Gavin Franklin 027 427 8000 gavin.franklin@bayleys.co.nz EASTERN REALTY LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

bayleys.co.nz

Eketahuna 810 Pa Valley Road

Location with potential This property has been in the Morrison Family since 1915 and is now presented to the market ready for a new owner to take advantage of all its potential on offer. The farm is made up of 323ha of rolling to medium steep hill country and is complemented with flats at the front and rear of the property. A central laneway, supported by a series of satellite yards, runs almost the entire length of the property. The farm infrastructure consists of a five bedroom home, four-stand woolshed and covered yards. This property is located about 15 minutes to Pahiatua and Eketahuna, 35 minutes to Masterton and 45 minutes to Palmerston North. In what is regarded as a predominantly 'safe' farming area, this property poses a wonderful opportunity for a first farm. Available for inspection from the 8th of April 2019.

Tender (will not be sold prior) Closing 4pm, Wed 15 May 2019 186 Chapel Street, Masterton View by appointment Lindsay Watts 027 246 2542 lindsay.watts@bayleys.co.nz EASTERN REALTY LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

bayleys.co.nz/3060628

Boundary lines are indicative only

Boundary lines are indicative only

Gordonton 819 Woodlands Road Blueberries - super fruit of the future Close to Hamilton, in the sought-after area of Gordonton, is this great 8.8801ha (more or less) lifestyle property with a built in business. The block is in two titles with a lovely modern five bedroom home. Features include a huge highly speced kitchen with scullery, open plan living and dining, two bathrooms and double garaging. The lounge flows out onto a sun-soaked deck wrapping around three sides of the home. The property is currently used as a commercial blueberry growing operation with eight canopy hectares and in excess of $1,000,000 turnover. It comes complete with plant, machinery and personnel to run the operation, making this a grand lifestyle opportunity with all the hard work done or being done for you plus an unbelievable income stream.

bayleys.co.nz/814861

bayleys.co.nz

Okoroire 776 Kakahu Road 5

2

2

Asking Price $5,500,000 + GST (if any) View by appointment Mike Fraser-Jones 027 475 9680 mike.fraserjones@bayleys.co.nz SUCCESS REALTY LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

Unique scale and contour This 246Ha (more or less) premium drystock property has been a family farm for 92 years and comes to the market in good heart in the reputable Okoroire district. Presently grazing over 1,000 cattle and cropping 24ha of contract maize. Easy access on gentle contour Tirau ash soils that could suit a variety of land uses.

Fenced into 86 paddocks with considerable earthworks and drainage to lowland areas and divided by the Kakahu Stream that is titled and fenced off to council ownership. Cattle yards are in good order with a crush plus scales and water is from a central bore. There's two well-maintained homes, an older homestead and plenty of shedding. Seldom does an opportunity arise to secure this size property in such a sought after locality.

bayleys.co.nz/2400056

Auction (unless sold prior) 11am, Thu 11 Apr 2019 96 Ulster Street, Hamilton View 12-1pm Wed 3 Apr or by appointment Neville Jacques 021 774 190 neville.jacques@bayleys.co.nz Glenda O'Sullivan 027 222 8119 glenda.osullivan@bayleys.co.nz SUCCESS REALTY LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

IT’S ALTOGETHER BETTER IN THE

The Autumn 2019 edition of Country is out now, with a fresh line-up of the best farm, specialty and lifestyle properties for sale altogether in one place.

We also try to see the woods for the trees in the quest to meet the government’s “one billion trees” target; take a look at finance options in the farm arena and discuss the value that farm managers can add to the sale of a property. Plus we check out pest control on lifestyle blocks and talk to honesty box stallholders about their operations.

For your copy of Country magazine, including the latest insights and editorial content on key topics of interest to the rural property sector, call 0800 BAYLEYS or view online.

Your search for something altogether better starts here.

A LT O G E T H E R B E T T E R

Not easy being green

Pressure is on for more farmland to be put into trees, but there is a cost to going green.

Pest patrol and control

Dealing to predators so lifestyle blocks and tracts of native bush can survive and thrive.

FEATURING

91

#1

RURAL REAL ESTATE BRAND

FARM, SPECIALTY AND LIFESTYLE PROPERTIES FOR SALE ISSUE 1 – 2019

bayleys.co.nz/country LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

Residential / Commercial / Rural / Property Services

40

farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate 0800 85 25 80

Real Estate

FARMERS WEEKLY – April 1, 2019

Accelerating success.

Reach more people - better results faster.

mike.heard@colliers.com

colliers.co.nz

Accelerating success.

Reach more people - better results faster.

THE DESTINATION FOR RURAL REAL ESTATE

Land is the biggest asset to any farming business so it pays to stay up to date with the market.

Connect with the right audience at

farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate

colliers.co.nz

Real Estate

FARMERS WEEKLY – April 1, 2019

farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate 0800 85 25 80

QUALITY GRAZING HOKITIKA

230 COW FARM HOKITIKA

143ha Mananui

105ha Kowhitirangi

Approx 130ha eff fertile free-draining loam soils over sands. Subdivided in approx 26 paddocks with approx 110ha deer fenced.

Three bedroom wooden homestead, alum joinery, neat and tidy.

Carport, double garage, workshop and storage room. 3 bay implement shed, large barn with lean-to's, 2 bay shed, cattle yards and deer handling facilities. Property has been leased last 6 years and utilised as dairy support. Excellent shape, great location

Excellent shape, all flat fertile river silt. Split level 4 bedroom permanent material homestead. 12 aside double-up cow shed.

Good complement farm buildings. Concrete pad stand-off. Winter at run-off and supplement at run-off. Available Going Concern.

For Sale by Deadline Private Treaty Closing 30th April 2019.

Web Ref GDR3338542 Run-off available to Purchase 73ha 900 cow feed-pad. 600 baleage made on. All stock wintered, carries young stock in summer.

Greg Daly AREINZ Mobile 027 478 3594 or A/H 03 762 6463

LK0096840©

LK0096840©

PRICE BY NEGOTIATION with offers being sought.

On account PC York 713 Ruatapu Road, Mananui, Hokitika

Greg Daly AREINZ Mobile 027 478 3594 or A/H 03 762 6463

www.gregdalyrealestate.co.nz

www.gregdalyrealestate.co.nz

Real Estate Agent REAA 2008

Real Estate Agent REAA 2008

“50 YEARS SERVICE TO FARMERS ON THE WEST COAST”

“50 YEARS SERVICE TO FARMERS ON THE WEST COAST”

LATE SEASON OPPORTUNITY

• Great chance to secure your winter grazing with this 42 hectare dairy run off.

• Contour is flat to rolling with some good hay country along with the use of the adjoining railway lease.

• Very good Matamau silt loam soils that are free draining.

• There are gravity fed stock troughs along with a lime metal pit.

• Other facilities include a hay shed, one stand wool shed and good cattle yard.

• This property is situated at Mangamaire in the Tararua District.

• This is a great chance to buy into a very good farming area, just 30 mins east of Palmerston North.

• Act now and call Les to inspect.

• For sale by Tender closing 2pm on Friday 26th April 2019 if not sold prior.

BEEF, COWS, GRAZING OR SUPPLEMENTS • Situated at Mangamaire in the Tararua District is this quality flat 85 hectare property.

• Currently in three titles and made up of flat fertile river silt soils.

• Good sheds including a disused dairy and a lovely three bedroom villa set off the road, that is a great family home.

• This property is currently leased to the adjoining dairy farm and is very well set up.

• There is the option to include the Vendors’ own home which is on its own title of 1.2ha and has a well appointed four bedroom brick home with established grounds and in-ground pool.

• Vendors will consider splitting it up so to inspect and discuss your options call Les. • For Sale by Tender closing 2pm on Friday 26th April 2019 if not sold prior.

Google ‘Sallan Realty’ Your Farm Sales Specialist

• Situated in the Tararua farming district at Mangamaire is this top notch 120 hectare dairy unit.

• Very good facilities including a modern 34 aside dairy, good hay sheds along with lockable workshops.

• Nice three bedroom family home and a second onebedroom self-contained unit.

• The farm is two thirds flat and the rest rolling with very good free draining soils.

• Currently being run as a dairy unit but would also be a great finishing or supplement property.

• Combined with the adjoining 85 hectares, this farm is milking 410 cows and has produced consistently.

• Your chance to buy into this summer safe area with takeover to suit.

• Call Les to inspect.

• For sale by Tender closing 2pm on Friday 26th April 2019 if not sold prior.

VIEWS FOR MILES • What a find! Awesome living on the edge of Feilding on this outstanding 43 hectare property (STFS).

• Once you leave town you enter the property as the sealed driveway leads to the home that is positioned to capture all of the views.

• The home has three bedrooms, two bathrooms, large living area, four car garaging and very large rumpus room.

• Other facilities include stables, hayshed, workshop and woolshed with cattle yards.

• The land is made up of some rolling hills and a lot of river silt flats.

• Currently the property is running some dairy grazing along with cattle and sheep.

• This is paradise and the new owners will fall in love with it as our Vendors did.

• If you want to be the new owner then call Les to inspect.

• For sale by Tender closing 2pm on Friday 26th April 2019 if not sold prior

AD0096976©

DAIRY RUN OFF ANYONE?

Sallan Realty

41

LES CAIN 0274 420 582

Licensed Agent REAA 2008

A SMORGASBORD OF BEE KEEPING AND TOURISM OPPORTUNITY 1569 Whanganui River Road, Wanganui Never have we had the opportunity to market a property with such a diversity of different tourism strands available alongside a fully functional farming and bee keeping operation. Located only 30km´s north of Whanganui city, on the banks of the Whanganui River this 1023 hectare property opens a huge business opportunity for the entrepreneurial investor. Capitalise on the existing tourism traffic that passes the front gate daily, including the Te Aaroa and Atene Skyline Walking Trails, Mountain to Sea cycle way and ever popular river tours via jet boat or canoeing plus the potential to utilise the good numbers of fallow deer inhabiting the property to establish a hunting park. Infrastructure includes the tourist accommodation ´Rivertime Lodge´ as well as a 3-bedroom owner’s dwelling set in tranquil surrounds, both overlooking the river with a native reserve back drop along with a 2 stand woolshed and yards. All of which is supporting the 140 hectares of effective farm land, consisting of mixed contour wintering 550 ewes, 35 cows plus replacement stock along with a bee keeping operation with numerous hive sites amongst large valleys of Manuka stands. Keeping everything easily connected by a well maintained network of tracks that would be ideal for mountain biking, horse trekking or kilometres of walking trails leading along a number of streams and through beautiful regenerating native flora.

LARGE CROPPING & FINISHING UNIT Papakowhai, 420a Kahutara Road, South Wairarapa Papakowhai is an intensive cropping and stock trading / finishing property sitting on heavy alluvial silt soils (80%) and sand based soils (20%) located on the edge of Lake Wairarapa, just one hour´s drive from Wellington. The main crop recently grown has been maize grain, but the property has successfully grown maize silage, potatoes, barley, peas, and wheat. The 17/18 maize grain yield was 15 dry t/ha. 185ha of maize grain was planted last spring for May/June harvest. The livestock are mainly Friesian weaner bulls taken through one winter and trade lambs to top off the feed demand. Papakowhai has three titles and there are 320ha effective, in 80 main paddocks, with an excellent water supply. The property is well drained with two main automated systems. The huge fertiliser application history is evident with the recent soil test indicating optimal levels with pH around 6 and Olsen P levels of 30-52. To top off this prestigious property there is a spacious modern family home with five bedrooms and an office with an in-ground solar-heated pool plus an asphalt tennis court. A fully-lined sleep-out attached to the large double garage (with mezzanine storage) provides further accommodation. Down past the house and sheep yards are the main farm buildings which include a nine-bay implement shed with an attached four-stand woolshed and workshop, and cattle yards. It´s been a long time since a superior cropping farm of this scale has been marketed.

1023 hectares Tender

nzr.nz/RX1833502 Tender (unless sold prior) 4pm, Thu 2 May 2019.

NZR, 1 Goldfinch St, Ohakune.

Jamie Proude AREINZ 027 448 5162 | 06 385 4466 jamie@nzr.nz NZR Central Ltd | Licensed REAA 2008

343 hectares Video on website

nzr.nz/RX1551983 Price on application Blair Stevens AREINZ 027 527 7007 | 06 370 9199 blair@nzr.nz NZR Real Estate Limited | Licensed REAA 2008

Real Estate

FARMERS WEEKLY – April 1, 2019

DANNEVIRKE

farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate 0800 85 25 80

43

OPORAE STATION, 923 OPORAE ROAD

Strong sheep and beef farm

Tender (if not sold prior) Closing 12pm, Thursday 9 May Jerome Pitt 027 242 2199 jeromep@forfrms.co.nz

1057ha (2612 acres), 90% effective with a good balance of contours Superior water reticulation, 120 troughs, recently installed About 1/2 farm considered summer safe Pasture renewal programme in place Laneway to back-country, 6-stand woolshed plus multiple other farm buildings • 5-bedroom home and recently renovated 3-bedroom home • 40km south-east of Dannevirke

LK0097012©

• • • • •

Property ID FF1299

IN THE HEART OF DAIRYING 96.7039HA IN 4 TITLES

A BETTER WAY OF LIFE

214 acres (86.8 hectares) of rolling countryside with potentially up to 75% in usable land and a steady natural water supply. Comes with brand new 5 bedroom plus office brick home of 245m2 and absolutely stunning rural views that culminate with a perfect view of Whitianga Harbour, taking in Round Island and carrying on through to Mercury Island. Van Gogh himself could not have painted a prettier picture! The designer kitchen features a Blue Pearl granite benchtop, built in under bench wine chiller with LED back-lighting, dual wall ovens and walk in pantry.

96.7039ha in 4 titles Comprising of:

Currently running a few sheep and cattle and home to some high producing bee hives but begging for someone to come along and unlock its true worth. This property has the potential to be subdivided down to a few smaller blocks so may suit a family looking to go rural together (school bus stops at the end of the road) or a farmer wanting to downsize to semi-retirement. It’s hard to believe that all of this is to be had only 10 minutes drive from town.

Properties like this that come without covenants are as rare as hens teeth so If this sounds like a bit of you then call today for appointment to inspect.

Whitianga Real Estate Ltd MREINZ T/A Whitianga Beach Realty Licensed under the act (REAA 2008) Marlene Carolyn 027 6598 111 021 800 295 marlene@whitibeachrealty.co.nz carolyn@whitibeachrealty.co.nz

Many purchase options to explore.

Craig Boyden M: 027 443 2738 O: 06 374 4105 E: craigb@forfarms.co.nz

• Quality dairying soil • 15ha consented irrigation land in plantain • 2 well maintained homes AD0096847©

2 Coghill Street, Whitianga Phone 07 866 5610

➞ 9.6965ha➞ 30.3514ha➞ 28.3281ha➞ 28.3279 ha

• Efficient 24 aside HB cowshed AD0096649©

www.forfarms.co.nz

LK0068450©

www.forfarms.co.nz Property ID FF2808

SALE BY TENDER – CLOSE 4TH April 2019 www.forfarms.co.nz

ID FF2788 www.forfarms.co.nz

Property ID FF1299

44

farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate 0800 85 25 80

Real Estate

FARMERS WEEKLY – April 1, 2019

FOR SALE THE HUNTERS HILLS - CARBON FORESTRY OPPORTUNITY WAIMATE, South Canterbury

Lichfield 295 Kokako Road

5

23HA

2

2

*Photo may contain areas not included in the sale.

For Sale

• Flat, rolling hills and steep sidlings. Stands of mature pine trees ready to be milled • Generate an income. Support unit for a dairy farm. Run dry stock, rear calves, make silage, grow maize or lease out the land • 4-bay half round barn, concrete floor, power, lighting plus mezzanine floor. Hay and wood sheds, tractor and/or calf rearing shed • A 274m2 4 bedroom family home plus office built in 2009.

Double garage with internal access • A maturing producing orchard, vegetable garden, potting shed, chook house. Established native gardens.

• Spectacular views of rolling farmland and the Kaimai Ranges, Mount Te Aroha and Mt Maungatautari

LARGE SCALE BARE LAND PLANTATION AND CARBON FORESTRY

$1.4m+GST (if any) View: 12.30 - 1.30 pm 7, 14 April www.harcourts.co.nz/TOK2596

As part of a larger station, the Eastern most hill country has been identified as being well suited to large scale carbon forestry. The hill country rises from the North branch of the Waihao river to Mount Studholme providing a unique opportunity for an astute investor to participate in the burgeoning carbon market. The land (subject to survey) will offer a network of farm tracks, a mix of contours and potential Government funding to support the One Billion Tree program.

Jill Walker M 021 060 3864 E jill.walker@harcourts.co.nz

REALTY WAIKATO LIMITED Licensed Agent REAA 2008

Tokoroa

LK0096770

Lifestyle plus income – South Waikato

This farm land is offered for sale and demands your consideration so contact CBRE today to receive the detailed Information Memorandum.

+ 1,370 hectares available (subject to survey) + Suitable for both plantation and carbon forestry + Numerous domestic processors and three export options within manageable cart distances + Potential to seek planting contribution from One Billion Tree Fund + Carbon potential via ETS DEADLINE TENDER Thursday 9 May 2019 at 4.00pm WYATT JOHNSTON 027 8151 303

JEREMY KEATING 021 461 210

www.cbre.co.nz/218429Q19 CBRE (Agency) Limited, Licensed Real Estate Agent (REAA 2008)

For Sale Paparoa 280 Porter Road

8

This property is seriously on the market to sell. It is ready for the next family to move in to the recently renovated eight bedroom home. Six sheds with 2,000 free range hens in each, producing over 3 million eggs per year.

This profitable farming enterprise also comfortably carries 130 mixed aged cattle to add to the overall cash flow.

As well as the free range chickens there is also approximately 140 ha available to run beef, grow trees or harvest Manuka honey.

2

2

Auction 2nd May 2019 at 12.00pm (unless sold prior) View by appointment www.harcourts.co.nz/WR33622

Wilfred Lewin M 021 239 3141 P 09 430 1000 Des Smeath M 0274 498 273 P 09 430 1000 Optimize Realty Ltd Licensed REAA Agent 2008

Boundary indicative only

Cust 16 Campions Road 126.1 Hectares Deadline Sale Options at Summerhill.

• 126 Hectares of quality Claremont soil • Titles from 13ha to 60ha could be available separately • High spec house built 2017 • Excellent large new sheds • Nearly all new pasture • Good recent fertiliser history | Property ID RA1836

Closing 4pm, Wednesday 17 April 2019

Contact Hamish Anderson 027 678 8888 Maurice Newell 027 240 1718 0800 200 600 | farmlandsrealestate.co.nz

Rolleston | 480 Rattletrack Road

Deadline Sale

10.4 Hectares

Closing 2pm, Thursday 16 May 2019

Money Does Grow On Trees • Walnut orchard nearing maturity • Fourteen tonne harvested 2018 • Architectural eco-friendly home three bedrooms, two bathrooms, two living areas • Superb outbuildings with studio over workshop • BioGro in conversion Year 1 • Elite Templeton soil - irrigation consent • Looking for a lifestyle change? – Leave the rat race behind | Property ID LN1551

Licensed under REAA 2008

Inspection By appointment

Contact John Davison 027 436 4464 Ron Ferguson 027 498 6256

0800 200 600 | farmlandsrealestate.co.nz

07 883 1195 350 Parklands Road Roto-O-Rangi

$2,350,000 + GST

OPEN FARM

View our video of this property by scanning our QR code

Economic Grazing Block This very tidy and well set up 38 hectare property is in the sought after Roto-O-Rangi district midway between Te Awamutu and Cambridge in the heart of the Waikato. Farm holdings of this class and versatility rarely come to the market. This property is perfect as a standalone farm or a runoff for a larger farming unit, here you could mix and match your livestock classes or even grow maize or a supplementary feed crop.

Improvements on this established flat to rolling contoured farm are of a good standard. These include a tidy three bedroom home, a dairy shed that is now used for calf rearing and extensive cattle handling yards plus load out race.

Open Farm: Tuesday 2 April from 11.00am to 12.00pm David McGuire 027 472 2572 Steve Mathis 027 481 9060 Web ID RAL647

818 Puahue Road Roto-O-Rangi

Tender

OPEN HOME

Lifestyle With Farming Options With 22 hectares of flat to gently rolling prime Waikato land, the options are almost endless. Currently wintering 80 dairy heifers, this block grows grass.

Well located at only 12km to Te Awamutu and 20km from Cambridge, the property offers great lifestyle with many farming options. Most of the property is deer fenced with 18 paddocks, a central race system, deer handling shed, solid cattle yards and a lockable 3-bay implement shed while the water is supplied from the bore to both the farm and house.

Home includes four bedrooms, master with ensuite and a double garage.

Open Home: Tuesday 9, 16 and 23 April from 11am to 12 noon Tender: Tender closes 26 April at 4.00pm David McGuire 027 472 2572 Steve Mathis 027 481 9060 Web ID RAL633

A planted wetland area with ponds for the ducks and many mature trees offer shade and add to the picturesque appeal.

www.ruralandlifestylesales.com

46

farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate 0800 85 25 80

Real Estate

FARMERS WEEKLY – April 1, 2019

RURAL 27 Hakiaha Street TAUMARUNUI taumarunui@pb.co.nz Office 07 895 7123

Property Brokers Limited Licensed under the Real Estate Agents Act 2008

Excellence all-round

OPEN HOME WEB ID TUL67448

TAUMARUNUI 81 Pongahuru Road On top of a hill close to a beautiful up and coming town is this stunning home with land. The house is only 10 years old and has been architecturally designed to make the most of the breath-taking mountain views and was built with family living and entertainment in mind. There are two sheltered outdoor living areas, three indoor living spaces, four bedrooms and two bathrooms. There is also a fifth bedroom with its own bathroom perfect

for visitors or paying guests. Solid Matai floors are throughout the house with tiled bathrooms. The house sits on 26 hectares or 65 acres of land, complete with a 3 stand woolshed, half round hay barn and deer handling facilities. There are multiple titles on the farm and to top it off there is a 2-bedroom renovated cottage.

TENDER

VIEW 13 & 20 & 27 Apr 10.00 - 12.00pm & 17 Apr 4.30 - 5.30pm

5

TENDER closes Friday 17th May, 2019 at 4.00pm, (unless sold prior)

Katie Walker

Mobile 027 757 7477 Office 07 895 7123 Home 07 895 7112 katiew@pb.co.nz

3 2

pb.co.nz RURAL | LIFESTYLE | RESIDENTIAL

Looking for the complete package?

We’ve got you covered with digital and print options.

2480REHP

Contact Shirley Howard phone 06 323 0760, email shirley.howard@globalhq.co.nz

farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate

RURAL | LIFESTYLE | RESIDENTIAL PGG Wrightson Real Estate Limited, licensed under REAA 2008

PIOPIO 525 Mangaorongo Road

NEW LISTING

$4.8M

Plus GST (if any)

Longacre Drystock 480.9307ha - STS. Superb opportunity to purchase a cattle grazing property. Contour is flat to medium rolling with some steeper sidlings. The vendors have paid particular attention to water reticulation, tracking (race system) and subdivision. These aspects, along with fertiliser, contour, reliable rainfall and soil type, have enabled them to winter approx 800 cattle and up to 1700 cattle over the summer.

There are 38 hectares of pines which range from six years up to ready to harvest, 26 years old.

MID CANTERBURY Peter Wylie M 027 473 5855 | B 07 878 0265 E pwylie@pggwrightson.co.nz

pggwre.co.nz/TEK30076 PGG Wrightson Real Estate Limited, licensed under REAA 2008

DEADLINE PRIVATE TREATY

Development Opportunity Close to Ashburton

Plus GST (if any) (Unless Sold Prior) Closes 3.00pm, Wednesday 8 May

120.7ha bare land in three titles. Five shares/ha of Greenstreet water. Farmed as a dairy support block wintering 1000 plus cows. Add to arable operation or dairy support, baseline 132kgN/ha. Multiple purchase options: 120.7635ha, 100.5ha-two titles, 20.18ha-one title.

Tim Gallagher M 027 801 2888 E tim.gallagher@pggwrightson.co.nz Robin Ford M 027 433 6883 E rford@pggwrightson.co.nz

Helping grow the country

pggwre.co.nz/ASH29749

Employment

EARLY DEADLINE NOTICE

LK0097078©

Farm Manager

JOBS BOARD RURAL SECTOR JOBS BOARD

Material deadline 5pm Tuesday April 2 Contact Debbie Brown DDI: 06 323 0765 0800 85 25 80 classifieds@globalhq.co.nz

FARM MANAGER – SOLE CHARGE

We are looking for an experienced Shepherd General to join our team. We are a deer only

While you may not have management experience, you will have at least two years of head shepherd or leadership experience.

experience working with deer. Ideally, you will

farm located in the Rerewhakaaitu, between Murupara and Rotorua.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated person, preferably with previous

On occasion you will be required to work on two other Company farms to help out and

Phone: Address:

Email: Heading: Advert to read:

Return this form either by fax to 06 323 7101 attention Debbie Brown Post to Farmers Weekly Classifieds, PO Box 529, Feilding 4740 - by 12pm Wednesday or Freephone 0800 85 25 80

Contact Debbie Brown 06 323 0765 or email classifieds@globalhq.co.nz

Success in this role may lead to a management position, in time.

LK0097081©

Applicants must have NZ residency or valid NZ work visa.

Contract Milker Dairy Farm Manager Contact Debbie Brown 06 323 0765 Livestock Manager or email classifieds@globalhq.co.nz Nursery Dispatch Assistant Scholarship Shepherd Shepherd General Stock Manager Tractor/Truck/ Machinery Operator

cover periods of leave. No dogs are required.

Please apply with your CV and cover letter to hra@crusadermeats.co.nz

Name:

• 2019 Trainee Programme - Livestock Representative • Agribusiness • Agronomy • Analyst • Dairy • General Maintenance • Livestock Specialist • Manager • Pasture and Grazing Specialist farmersweeklyjobs.co.nz • Sharemilker • Shepherd • Shepherd/General

Employers: Advertise your vacancy in the employment section of the Farmers Weekly and as added value it will be uploaded to farmersweeklyjobs.co.nz for one month or close of application.

have tractor, fencing and chainsaw experience.

For more information please contact Mike Ramsey on 07 878 7077

Please print clearly

Employers: Advertise your vacancy in the employment section of the Farmers Weekly and as added value it will be uploaded to farmersweeklyjobs.co.nz for one month or close of application.

SHEPHERD GENERAL

You will be in a sole charge position of a predominantly deer farm located in Rotorua.

The property is 236 hectares effective with 1100 stock units. Although there is also a small mob of sheep run on the property, experience with deer is preferred.

REACH EVERY FARMER IN NZ FROM MONDAY

farmersweeklyjobs.co.nz

Get your April 8 Farmers Weekly bookings in by midday Tuesday April 2

LK0097101©

Experienced person is required for a 400ha sheep/beef breeding/finishing unit 20km east of Stratford. Must be capable with dogs and have a general all round capability for maintenance.

3-bedroom house available.

NZ visa or residency required.

Please apply with cover letter, CV and two current referees to jordangav@gmail.com or phone 027 232 0895

EMPLOYMENT

RURAL SECTOR

LK0096654©

2019 / 2020 Season

• North Rotorua • Summer safe • Mainly flat country • 480 cows • 30 ASHB shed • Low input grass based system • Must have good pasture management Excellent accommodation provided.

Email: farmpositionsnz@gmail.com Mobile: 027 493 9064

A 3 bedroom house is available, so could suit a couple or family.

For more information please contact

TE KUITI LIVESTOCK CENTRE

Mike Ramsey on 07 878 7077 Please apply with your CV

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Saleyard Manager to join our Frankton Saleyard Team.

You will be responsible for carrying out the management of day-to-day saleyard operations. This will include working alongside the livestock agents and managing the saleyards team to ensure the safe and efficient conduct of the livestock sale yards.

The applicant must have experience handling livestock, be able to carry out or oversee repairs and maintenance.

You should have excellent communication and organisational skills and must be computer literate.

This role requires knowledge and management of all compliance issues relevant to the saleyards environment.

Applicants must have NZ residency or valid

LK0097082©

and cover letter to: hra@crusadermeats.co.nz

NEED

STAFF? 0800 85 25 80

NZ work visa.

Shepherd Farm Hand Kia hiwa rā!

Senior Shepherd

We believe in growing and farming the most sustainable products for the betterment of people and the planet. This is an opportunity for you to join our journey.

Omakere, Central Hawke’s Bay

This farming business understands the value that their people bring to the operation and seeks to appoint a Senior Shepherd who wishes to be part of an inclusive and positive team environment.

If this sounds like an opportunity for you, please email your CV and cover letter, or any questions to: mhull@associatedauctioneers.co.nz

The infrastructure on this property has been developed to a high standard allowing this role to have a priority towards stock work, requiring your capable team of 5 working dogs. More responsibility will be given on-farm over time and you will have exposure to technical recording and reporting in FarmIQ.

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

LK00970691©

This is a salaried position of 40 hours per week with the potential for an agreed overtime rate. Remuneration will reflect the successful applicants experience.

RUN OFF

We currently have an opportunity for a Shepherd Farm Hand to join our permanent team of three and support the Farm Manager with the day-to-day tasks involved in running 17,000 su and 23,000 ha at Greenstone, Elfin Bay and Routeburn Stations near Queenstown. We are looking for a highly motivated individual with a good sense of humour to join our high-performing team.

Knobloch Farming Ltd is a semi-intensive, easy to medium hill country operation based in Omakere just 20 minutes east of Waipawa. This 2270ha property is currently running up to 9,500 ewes as well as breeding and finishing 980 cattle and 794 deer.

What we can offer the successful applicant: • Top quality infrastructure and housing • Great opportunities for learning and career progression • Personal development program with a supportive team environment To apply, please visit mahi.ngaitahu.iwi.nz and submit your application online. For confidential enquiries, please contact Nicola Keane, People and Development Advisor on 03 974 0049 or nicola.keane@ngaitahu.iwi.nz

On offer is an excellent remuneration package along with a brand new three bedroom home only 20 minutes from all of the local amenities. There is a school bus at the gate for the local Omakere Primary School and secondary schooling in Waipukurau.

To view a Job Information Pack or to apply, please visit www.ruraldirections.co.nz or phone the Rural Directions team in confidence on 06 871 0450 (Reference #2480).

Nau mai, haere mai, tauti mai!

AD0097017©

LIVESTOCK SALEYARD MANAGER - FRANKTON

47

LK0092630©

EXPERIENCED CONTRACT MILKER

classifieds@globalhq.co.nz – 0800 85 25 80

LK0096815©

FARMERS WEEKLY – April 1, 2019

Applications close 5pm Monday, 8th April 2019.

RECRUITMENT & HR Register to receive job alerts on www.ruraldirections.co.nz

Classifieds

FARMERS WEEKLY – April 1, 2019

ANIMAL HANDLING

ATTENTION FARMERS

DEERLAND TRADING LTD

FARMS FOR SALE

LIVESTOCK FOR SALE

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

FAST GRASS www.gibb-gro.co.nz GROWTH PROMOTANT $5.85 per hectare + GST delivered Brian Mace 0274 389 822 brianmace@xtra.co.nz

DEERLAND TRADING LTD buying deer velvet this season and paying above the average. Also contractor required to buy deer velvet. Payment on commission basis. Contact 021 269 7608.

WILTSHIRES-ARVIDSON. Self shearing sheep. No1 for Facial Eczema. David 027 2771 556.

DAGS .30c PER KG. Replacement woolpacks.

PV Weber Wools.

Kawakawa Road, Feilding. Phone 06 323 9550.

DOGS FOR SALE

FIRST DAIRY FARM opportunity.

416 Landsborough Road is a 108.72ha dairy farm situated approximately 4km south west of Timaru in an excellent location.

The property is irrigated by centre pivot irrigator and K line. Tidy 26 ASHB dairy shed with a circular yard that holds approximately 330 cows. A comfortable 2 bedroom home and plenty of sheds complete this tidy dairy farm. Enquire today for a viewing. Phone Michael Richardson 027 228 7027 or Chris Murdoch 0274 342 545.

ANIMAL AND HUMAN healer, also manipulation on horses and dogs.

1st-12th April, Otago/ Southland. 15th-20th April, Canterbury.

22nd-28th April, Kaikoura / Blenheim / Nelson / Murchison. For more information phone Ron Wilson 027 435 3089.

CRAIGCO SHEEP JETTERS. Sensor Jet. Deal to fly and Lice now. Guaranteed performance.

Unbeatable pricing.

Phone 06 835 6863. www.craigcojetters.com

ANIMAL HEALTH www.drench.co.nz farmer owned, very competitive prices. Phone 0800 4 DRENCH (437 362).

ANIMAL SUPPLEMENTS APPLE CIDER VINEGAR, GARLIC & MANUKA HONEY. 20L - $54.95, 200L $495 or 1000L - $2,200 plus GST with FREE SHIPPING from Black Type Minerals Ltd www. blacktypeminerals. co.nz

KEEN STUDENT LOOKING to volunteer on a farm. I’m under the national Gateway programme and need to complete 140 hours work experience which can be spread across the year.

All I need is someone to show me how to do a few things on-farm and then leave me to get on with it!

I’m based in Auckland so looking for a farm based in the greater Auckland or Waikato areas. There is no cost to the Farmer.

For to find out more phone 021 786 498.

SHED/BARN, DEER shed and yards builder available all of South Island. Has selfcontained motor home. 15 years experience. Phone 027 436 8372.

CONTRACTORS GORSE SPRAYING SCRUB CUTTING. 30 years experience.

Blowers, gun and hose.

No job too big. Camp out teams.

Travel anywhere if job big enough. Phone Dave 06 375 8032.

HEADING DOGS AND Huntaways since 2012.

Deliver South and North Islands, trial, guaranteed. www.youtube.com/user/ mikehughesworkingdog/ videos 07 315 5553.

10-MONTHS PLAIN eye b&w dog. Starting to run. $500. Phone 06 374 5510.

5-YEAR HUNTAWAY dog.

Mainstay. Good all round farm dog. Phone 021 137 2714.

YOUNG HEADING and Huntaways. Top working bloodlines. View our website www.ringwaykennels.co.nz Join us on Facebook: Working dogs New Zealand.

Phone 027 248 7704.

MR STOCKMAN - young Huntaways six months to eight months old. Well bred and reared. Excellent barks. Phone 06 388 0212 or 027 243 8541.

DOGS WANTED 12 MONTHS TO 5½-yearold Heading dogs and Huntaways wanted. Phone 022 698 8195.

BUYING SOUTH AND North Islands. No one buys or pays more! www.youtube.com/user/ mikehughesworkingdog/ videos 07 315 5553.

Under Woolshed/Covered Yards Cleaning Specialist www.underthewoolshed.kiwi

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.

GRAZING AVAILABLE

✁

Name:

Phone:

Address: Email: Heading: Advert to read:

PROPERTY WANTED HOUSE FOR REMOVAL wanted.

North Island.

Phone 021 0274 5654.

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.

FOR BEEF COWS. April / May. NW Waikato. Large numbers. Phone 027 697 1049.

Return this form either by fax to 06 323 7101 attention Debbie Brown Post to Farmers Weekly Classifieds, PO Box 529, Feilding 4740 - by 12pm Wednesday or Freephone 0800 85 25 80

w w w. e l e c t r o t e k . c o . n z

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

PROFESSIONAL COST-EFFECTIVE SPOT SPRAYING

STOP BIRDS NOW!

HORTICULTURE P.O. Box 30, Palmerston North 4440, NZ

• Gorse/Blackberry spraying etc • Mist blowers. Gun and hose • Camp-out teams available • Will travel anywhere We have equipment and man power to withstand any terrain.

ZON BIRDSCARER electro-tek@xtra.co.nz DE HORNER

HOOF TRIMMER

EARMARKERS

0800 436 566

13.5HP. Briggs & Stratton Motor. Electric start.

1.2m cut

EARLY DEADLINE NOTICE

Phone: +64 6 357 2454

Moa Master provide quality products and services at affordable prices

FROM THIS

TOWABLE TOPPING MOWER

Get your April 8 Farmers Weekly bookings in by midday Tuesday April 2

12Hp Diesel. Electric Start

Material deadline 5pm Tuesday April 2

TO THAT

New Zealand’s Number 1 service provider for under woolshed and covered yard cleaning since 2004

$4400

GST INCLUSIVE

11.5HP Briggs & Stratton Motor.

Industrial. Electric start.

$4200

GST INCLUSIVE

50 TON WOOD SPLITTER

GST $3990 INCLUSIVE

To find out more visit www.moamaster.co.nz

MOA MASTER

Phone 027 367 6247 • Email: info@moamaster.co.nz

Contact Debbie Brown DDI: 06 323 0765 0800 85 25 80 classifieds@globalhq.co.nz

Closing Down Sale

(T&C’s online only and for a limited time)

Including our luxury Pure Merino range

www.nurturedbynature.co.nz

STANDARD FEEDER (C6 Pinned) • • • •

1 x 6 foot bale 2m diameter 15 feed positions 15 - 30 animals

100% New Zealand Made Quality Stockfeeders

0 $ 85 +GST

OVAL FEEDER (S2 Pinned) • • • • •

3 x 4 foot bales 2 x 6 foot bales 24 feed positions 24 - 48 animals 4m long

$ 120+G0 ST

0800 104 404 | www.stockfeeders.co.nz

New Zealand’s proven stock feeder for 24 years | 100% New Zealand Tensile Steel

LK0096638©

Between 50% to 75% off storewide

LK0097080©

✁

Phone Scott Newman Freephone 0800 2SCOTTY (0800 27 26 88) Mobile 027 26 26 27 2

TOWABLE FLAIL MOWER AD0097038©

Nominate a school on booking and we’ll donate $100 on payment of your account.

$2.10 + GST per word - Please print clearly

RAMS. TERMINAL SIRES Southdowns and Suffolk/ Southdown X for heavy fast growing lambs. Suitable for Hogget mating. $250$500. Phone 06 357 7727 or 021 133 7533.

NZ’s finest BioGro certified Mg fertiliser For a delivered price call ....

Taking bookings for the greater Gisborne / East Coast areas

REACH EVERY FARMER IN NZ FROM MONDAY

RAMS. HILL COUNTRY Perendales. Easy care with good size and quality wool. $250-$500. Phone 06 376 4751 or 021 133 7533.

DOLOMITE

SCOTTY’S CONTRACTORS

CLASSIFIEDS

LK0096656©

LK0096884©

classifieds@globalhq.co.nz – 0800 85 25 80

AD0097035©

48

livestock@globalhq.co.nz – 0800 85 25 80

EARLY DEADLINE NOTICE

ON-FARM HILL COUNTRY LAMB SALE

60 ANGUS R2 YR DAIRY BULLS 550kg

STOCK REQUIRED

STORE LAMBS, MALES 32-42kg ANGUS STEER CALVES 190-260kg

WAITARA STATION 348 BROOKS RD, TE POHUE

R2 YR ANG & ANG X STEERS & HEIFERS 300-350kg R2 YR FRIESIAN & BEEF BULLS

North Otago, Canterbury, Hokitika and Greymouth

11TH APRIL 2019 – 11AM START > Approximate tallies:

380-500kg

MIXED AGE GENUINE COWS

Fully-managed Grazing

2800 Perendale Wether Lambs

Looking for stock and grazing.

Fully-managed grazing available with experienced graziers. Expect to see excellent weight-gain results and reporting. Dairy replacement and all classes of stock.

1300 Perendale Ewe Lambs > Late lambing date (20th September), www.dyerlivestock.co.nz

home bred UNDRAFTED lambs

Ross Dyer 0274 333 381

> Excellent stock health and breeding history

A Financing Solution For Your Farm E info@rdlfinance.co.nz

Get your April 8 Farmers Weekly bookings in by midday Tuesday April 2

> Farmed on property rising up to 4200 feet

> Pre-approved funding available LK0096599©

Viewing from 10.15am

Contact Nigel Ramsden DDI: 06 323 0761 0800 85 25 80 livestock@globalhq.co.nz

Contact Jo Thorpe 027 491 6048 info@grazcare.co.nz

above sea level

> Sign-posted from State Highway 5.

Material deadline 5pm Tuesday April 2

For further enquiries please contact

3rd Annual Angus Female In-Calf Production Sale

Rowan Sandford 027 215 3215 Angus Hazlett 027 462 0136

On-Farm Fairlie – Wed 1st May at 12 Noon

Offering: approx. 80 Stud Angus Fully

Te Kuiti Run Weaner Steer Sale Thursday 4 April 2019 12pm start 1200 weaners comprising of: 365 Angus 260 Angus and Angus x 230 Charolais and Simmental x 90 Hereford 80 A/born Hereford/Friesian x 50 Hereford/South Devon 25 South Devon Te Kuiti Run Weaner Heifer and Bull Sale Friday 5 April 2019 12pm start 680 weaners comprising of: 195 Angus 175 Char and Simmental x 95 Hereford 130 Angus and Angus x 25 South Devon x Bulls after Heifers 55 Friesian bulls 260 Hereford bulls Please note Change from Calendar Bulls are on Friday not Thursday as advertised

PHONE NIGEL RAMSDEN 0800 85 25 80

Recorded Females including: - Selected R2yr, R3yr, R4yr

TE LIVESTOCK TEKUITI KUITI SELLING CENTRE CENTRE

LIVESTOCK ADVERTISING

Tom Mowat 027 462 0190

hazlett.nz

- Annual draft capital stock stud cows

TAIHAPE WEANER DEER SALES

Approx. 70 R2yr Commercial Meadowslea-bred heifers

LK0097074©

Ex Grays Hills Stn, Braemar Stn, Horwell Downs

Note: Cows are mated to all the Top Stud Sires at Meadowslea : R2yr heifers mated to top low birthweight

Vendor:

D S Giddings 03 685 8027

Auctioneers: PGG Wrightson Participating companies: PWA, RLL, Carrfields

www.meadowslea.co.nz

Red & Hybrid deer, bred on strong Taihape Hill Country Wed 10 April – Stags Thurs 11 April – Hinds Waiouru Deer Selling Complex – 12 Noon Start

LK0092236©

calving ease yearlings

LK0097102©

FOR SALE

49

For details contact: Andrew Peters - 06 388 0929 Robert Auld (PGG) 0275 901 335 Derek Mickleson (Carrfields) 0274 719 025

AD0097072©

Livestock

FARMERS WEEKLY – April 1, 2019

In Calf Heifer Sale Jersey Friesian Ayrshire Monday 8th April 2019 at 12 noon

LK0096856©

way to his seat right Wednesday April 2019 at 12 Noon CROSS10th HERD next to the pitch. He sits Sale to be held on the property of Gary and down, noticing that the Karen Peters, 50 Denbigh Road, Midhurst, RD 24, seat next to him is empty.BW 143/50 PW 161/67 RA 100% Stratford 4394 He leans over and asks (in top 10 All Breeds for NZ ) Sale will comprise: his neighbour if someone will be sitting there. ‘No,’ 17 Holstein in calf heifers • ‘The Many cows contracted LICcows for 2011 matings says the neighbour.

2 Holstein Friesian to in calf • Due to12 calve from yearling 16-7-12, seat is empty.’ ‘This is Holstein Friesian heifers6.5 weeks incredible,’ said the man.

AB Jersey and Kiwi cross 50 Straws of Holstein Friesian semen ‘Who in their right• mind Estimated to be 420 afterbacked non Farmers in need of well bred, cows high production would have a seat like pregnant, culls, older cows & 5% rejection females are recommended to attend this sale.

Cattle this for the Final and not sold at previous have performed extremely well • Production last sales season 347kgs ms/cow, use it?’ The neighbour in theirms/ha, new herds. Many the top genetics available 1000kgs on ofrolling to steeper says, ‘Well actually the are onfarm, offer and the areas top Holstein seat belongs to me.contoured I noseveral meal,ofpalm kernel or maize Friesian herds are represented with sale entries. All was supposed to come fed. cattle are LIC transferable, from TB status C10 herds with my wife, but she • Youngand replacement stock also available are from Myco Plasma milk tested clear herds. passed away. This is the first World Cup Purchasers please have your Nait numbers available genetics & potential to be one of Final we haven’tOutstanding been on sale day. to together since the we countries leading of Genetics Catalogues giving allsuppliers details are available from the to got married.’ ‘Oh, the I’m so dairy auctioneers industry Brian for years to come.

Full details Robinson Livestock Ltd or are sorry to hear that. That’s available. available online at www.brianrobinsonlivestock.com terrible….But couldn’t or www.nzholstein.org.nz you find someoneEnquiries else, to the sole marketing agents: a friend, relative or even All enquiries to Brian a neighbour to take her Robinson Ph 0272 410 051 seat?’ The man shakes Brian Robinson or SelwynBRLL Donald his head. ‘No,’ hePH: says.

0272Ph 410051 or375 07 8583132 0274 378 ‘They’re all at the funeral.’

Northbrook Pure & Blended Milking Shorthorn Female Sale HIGH INDEXING JERSEY & JERSEY

Offering will comprise;: 34 Jersey in calf heifers (BWs up to 159) 9 Friesian in calf heifers (BWs up to 80) 2 Ayrshire in calf heifers HIGH INDEXING & JERSEY 2 Friesian Jersey CrossJERSEY in calf heifers (BWs up to 171) CROSS HERD 47 head

In conjunction with the Central Districts branch of the CROSS HERD NZ MS Association – Tuesday 9th April 2019 at 11am

Sale to be held on the property of David and161/67 Johanna Wood, BW 143/50 PW RA“Northbrook” 100% 806 Reid Line East, RD 11, Palmerston North (in top 10 All Breeds for NZ ) Phone 06 329 2648, Dairy No. 44643

Herd TB143/50 Status C10,PW Lepto161/67 vaccinated,RA BVD 100% negative, BW Myco(in Plasma milk tested clear. top 10 All Breeds for NZ )

Sale will comprise 40 x 2-year in calf heifers offered in pairs • Many cows contracted to LIC for 2011 matings with winning bidder taking the pick.

•

Due to calve from 16-7-12, 6.5 weeks

Plus 2 embryo packages of 4 embryos per package from the AB Jersey and Kiwi cross very best Northbrook genetics.

•

Estimated

to

be

420

cows

after

•

Production last season 347kgs ms/cow,

non

Outside entries from M/s Treder Bros, Pahiatua, Four Way Farms, Pahiatua pregnant, culls, older cows & 5% rejection and M/s N & D Atkins, Dannevirke.

This catalogue offers very well grown,ms/ha, well backedon NZ and overseas to genetics 1000kgs rolling steeper that Milking Shorthorn enthusiasts can select from with confidence. Backed by contoured farm, no meal, palm kernel or maize generations of high production and selective breeding these cattle offer a great fed. looking to purchase Milking Shorthorn cattle. Cattle opportunity for those farmers • replacement stock available sold at previous sales Young have performed very well with pastalso purchasers returning year after year for more selected females. This sale is being held in conjunction with the NZ Milking Shorthorn Associations AGM in Palmerston North.

Outstanding genetics & potential to be one of

thein MS countries of Genetics to If you are interested cattle comeleading and meet suppliers fellow breed enthusiasts.

All cattle the for years come. Full details are from TB Status C10dairy herds, industry EBL free, innoculated for to Leptospirosis, BVD negative and from Myco Plasma milk tested clear herds. available.

Catalogues giving all details are available online at www.brianrobinsonlivestock.com Enquiries to the sole marketing agents: or contact the auctioneers:

Brian Robinson Livestock Ltd, after hours Brian Robinson Ph 0272 410 051 Brian Robinson BRLL or Selwyn Donald Ph0272 0274 378 375. or 07 8583132 PH: 410051

Herd BW 56, PW 91, RA 96 %. Fully recorded, of good size and in good condition thesefor heifers Many cows contracted to LIC 2011arematings recommended to shiftfrom well. They are farmed6.5 on rolling Due to calve 16-7-12, weeks to steep country. at previous sales have AB Jersey andHeifers Kiwi sold cross performed very to well with alwaysnon • Estimated be previous 420 purchasers cows after returning for culls, more replacements. pregnant, older cows & 5% rejection Some of the bestlast genetics available347kgs are represented • Production season ms/cow, and the Friesian heifers include several 1000kgs ms/ha, on rolling thattoare POLLED steeper or carry POLLED genetics.

Greatpalm conformation contoured farm, no meal, kernel with or maize high productive ability means these cattle should be on fed. prospective purchasers buying lists.

• Young replacement stock also available Grazing until the 30th May 2019 to approved purchasers is available at $8/head/week.

Outstanding genetics & potential to be one of Catalogues giving all details are available from the the countries leading suppliers of Genetics to auctioneers, Brian Robinson Livestock Ltd and the Jersey dairy Marketing industryService for years come.

Ltd orto online at Full details available. www.brianrobinsonlivestock.com or www.jersey.org.nz Enquiries to Brian the sole marketing agents: After hours Robinson Ph 0272 410 051 Selwyn Donald Ph 0274 378 375 Ross Riddell Ph 0272 111 112 Brian Robinson BRLL 0274 098 PH:Karen 0272Williams 410051Phor 07 080 8583132

• •

LK0096961©

Taranaki Holstein It’s the World Cup Final, FriesianJERSEY Female Sale INDEXING & JERSEY and a man makesHIGH his

LK0096854©

SALE TALK

Sale to be held on the property of the vendors M/s N & D Atkins, Church Road, Makotuku, Dannevirke

50

livestock@globalhq.co.nz – 0800 85 25 80

Livestock

FARMERS WEEKLY – April 1, 2019

Your source for PGG Wrightson livestock and farming listings

Key: Dairy NOKOMAI STATION AUTUMN LAMB SALE

ISOLA HEREFORD DISPERSAL SALE Ms Diane Murdoch 60 Kidd Road, Waiuku Saturday 6th April 12.30pm Comprising of 31 Ris 2 yr in calf Hfrs 73 MA in calf cows 6 MA Herd Sires Rarely does the opportunity arise to purchase females of this quality.

Faithfully farmed on genuine hill country for 20 years and in the Onewhero district for the last 12 years.

• PTIC Due to calve 29th of July • All sale lots are below the breed average for birth (by a considerable amount).

• All sale lots are better than the Trans Tasman average Calving Ease Direct. (With a large proportion in excess of +9) • 91% of the sale lots are above average for the Dairy Maternal Index (up to $200) All females pregnancy tested 19/2/19 TB C10 Further enquires to Cam Heggie Kane Needham PGG Wrightson Genetics PGG Wrightson Pukekohe 0275018182 0278393612

Cattle

Sheep

Other

UPCOMING WEANER CALF SALES North Island Sales

Nokomai Valley Athol, Northern Southland Monday 15th April Commencing 1.30 pm (signposted SH 6 Lumsden – Athol Highway) Comprising: 6000 Half Bred Wether Lambs 3000 Half Bred Ewe Lambs 1000 Texel x MS Lambs Lambs have a good reputation for their wool and achievable carcass weights.

Animal health: B12 and 5 in 1 combination (2). Triple combination drench and Extender capsules 12th April.

All lambs crutched.

Auctioneers note: If you intend on purchasing please have transport sorted as there is limited holding facilities.

Barry McAlister PGG Wrightson, 0274416432 James Hore Nokomai Station, 021301797

Stortford Lodge Weaner Steer sale Hawkes Bay Stortford Lodge Weaner Bull sale Hawkes Bay Fielding Weaner Fair Manawatu Te Kuiti Sup Weaner Steer and Bull fair King Country Te Kuiti Sup Weaner Heifer Fair King Country Taupo Beef Weaner King Country Wellsford Grown Str & Bull Northland Matawhero Weaner Str & Bull East Coast Matawhero Weaner Hfr & Older Cattle East Coast

10.30am 02 Apr 10.30am 03 Apr 11:30am 04 Apr 04 Apr 05 Apr 08 Apr 12.00pm 08 Apr 11:00am 09 Apr 11:00am 10 Apr

South Island Sales Haast Calf Sale Otago Hakataramea Calf Sale |Otago Canterbury Park Calf Canterbury Temuka (Eastern Southern) Calf Sale Canterbury Gore 1st Calf Southland Omakau 1st Calf Sale Otago Omarama Calf Sale Otago Balclutha 1st Calf Sale Otago Culverden 2nd Calf Sale Canterbury Temuka (MacKenzie) Calf Sale Canterbury Castlerock Calf Southland Canterbury Park Calf Canterbury Waipiata Calf Sale Otago Omakau (Cromwell Section 1st Sale) Calf Sale Otago Temuka (Western) Calf Sale Canterbury Western Southland Calf

AUTUMN WEANER CALF SALES For a full schedule of sales throughout April and May go to pggwrightson.co.nz/calfsales2019

Freephone 0800 10 22 76 | www.pggwrightson.co.nz

12.00pm 10.00am 10.00am 10.00am

01 Apr 02 Apr 03 Apr 03 Apr

10.30am 10.00am 10.00am 10.00am 10.30am

03 Apr 03 Apr 04 Apr 05 Apr 05 Apr 05 Apr

10.30am 05 Apr 10.00am 10 Apr 10.00am 10 Apr 1.30pm 10 Apr 10 Apr 10.30am 10 Apr

Helping grow the country

Auction details: • Herd calves 8th July – 6wks LIC Mating – t/off Hfrd bulls out 22/12 • In-calf hfrs calve 8th July to Jersey out 22/12 • Herd owned 50+ years – all owner bred – closed herd • TBC10, EBL neg, Tested BVD clear, MBOVIS negative • System 2 feeding, 420ms/cow, 100,000 som avge • Herd Tested x 5, 6% annual MT rate, once a day from 25 Jan, auctioned in milk Auctioneers note: Very well farmed and managed. The farm has been sold – several AB contracted cows this season and many over years. A well respected dairy herd that has impeccable records and this herd has numerous impressive cows to select – cows to suit all farmers – numerous black cows.

View catalogue on

LK0096967©

Payment Terms: 31/5/2019 – Delivery can be arranged to end of May 2019 if you have no access to a farm.

www.carrfieldslivestock.co.nz

Comprising 1000-1200 head approx.

Including, Special Entry, a/c Marty Hagenson Kotuku Station, Waitaanga (on Taranaki/King Country boundary)

WAITARA STATION 348 BROOKS RD, TE POHUE 11TH APRIL 2019 – 11AM START

*170 Angus weaner steers & heifers (complete 2018 calf drop) Sept/Oct/early November born. C10 From long-established herd, using Scotts’ Mangapapa Angus, Oparau, sires Further enquiries contact: Stephen Sutton – NZ Farmers Livestock M: 027 442 3207 E: stephen.sutton@nzfll.co.nz

For further enquiries please contact Tom Mowat 027 462 0190 Rowan Sandford 027 215 3215 Angus Hazlett 027 462 0136

Jeremy Newell – NZ Farmers Livestock M: 027 664 8832 E: jeremy.newell@nzfll.co.nz Chris Hay – NZ Farmers Livestock M: 027 602 4454 E: chris.hay@nzfll.co.nz

Wanted:150 Top Indexed herd or heifers or picks from herds or lines of heifers.

46 Jersey/Jx In-Calf Heifers BW163 PW179 from top Jersey herd $1600 97 Jersey/JX R1 Heifers G3 BW140 PW159 from long established herd Brent Espin Ph: 0275513660 Taranaki Regional Manager Herds New to the Market 250 A2A2 XBred cows BW74 PW110 DTC 1/8 $1900.

145 XBred Cows Top 4% BW112 PW168 $1950.

280 F/XBred/Jsy Cows BW67 PW93 DTC 25/7 $1800 Philip Webb Ph: 027 8018057 Central & Southern North Island Dairy Coordinator Export Order – 2018 Autumn Born in-calf F12 or better (fully recorded) Heifers for September delivery, contact your local Carrfields agent or any of the coordinators listed above.

www.carrfieldslivestock.co.nz

hazlett.nz

BULL SALE RESULTS 2019

Spring Calvers

70 KiwiX Computer Split BW80 PW103 RA90% DTC 18/7, system 3 $1720 or pick 50 for $2150 190 F/FX/J Herd BW49 PW57 DTC 20/7 Farm Sold, 5 wks AI tailed Frsn $1650 Paul Kane: 027 2869279 National Dairy Coordinator Wanted: Large numbers of A2A2 cows & heifers.

140 Frsn Herd BW55 PW51 RA100% DTC 25/7 Owned 45 yrs, 6 wks AI,320ms $1800 500 F/FX Herd BW47 PW64 DTC 25/7 5.5 wks AI, tailed Angus, 420ms $1750 Matt Hancock Ph: 027 6013787 Waikato Dairy Coordinator

> Approximate tallies: 2800 Perendale Wether Lambs 1300 Perendale Ewe Lambs > Late lambing date (20th September), home bred UNDRAFTED lambs > Excellent stock health and breeding history > Farmed on property rising up to 4200 feet above sea level > Pre-approved funding available > Sign-posted from State Highway 5.

Viewing from 10.15am

Farm Sold

LK0096989©

Comprising of: 290 LIC Crossbred dairies: • 230 x Frsn/Frsnx herd BW 108/47 PW 123/69 R/A 100% • 60 x Super in calf Xbred replacement hfrs BW 142 PW 146

Vendor – John Keeley 027 225 0455

ON-FARM HILL COUNTRY LAMB SALE

Stratford Saleyards Thursday 11th April 2019, noon start

DATE: Thursday 11th April 2019 ADDRESS: 77 Newcombe Road Cambridge START TIME: 11.30am - undercover

Contact for more information Carrfields Livestock Agent: Kelly Higgins 027 600 2374

TARANAKI 2ND RUN WEANER FAIR

AD0096387©

100% ancestry Closed herd – eliminate risk A/c John & Michelle Keeley

LK0096942©

Outstanding Xbred Dairy herd

NZ’s No1 F.E. Meat Breed Flock * SIL * Parasite Testing Well Muscled - Fast Growth. Ph: David 027 2771 556

LK0097010©

A r v i d s o n W I L T S H I R E S - Pure Meat, No Shearing

Farmers Weekly will be sending the autumn bull sale results e-newsletter from May 2019.

Contact Nigel on 06 323 0761, 0276024925 or livestock@globalhq. co.nz to sign up or include your sale results and receive weekly updates.

DON’T MISS OUT.

farmersweekly.co.nz

Your source for PGG Wrightson livestock and farming listings ELITE INCALF HEIFER FAIR Monday 7th May 11.30am start Morrinsville Saleyards Comprising 156 Frsn/XBred Jsy Incalf Heifers A/C Glen Koru 63 Frsn/XB/Jsy Incalf Heifers BW 145 PW 167 6 Autumn Born ET Ylg Heifers (unmated) BW 175 PW 192 Calving 7th July to AB, includes 17 contract heifers.

A/C Monowai 34 Frsn/Frsnx Incalf Heifers BW 130 PW 130 Calving 1st July to AB includes 3 contract heifers.

A/C Ngatoka Farms 59 Frsn/XB/Jsy Incalf Heifers BW 132 PW 141 Calving 20 July to AB includes 1 contract heifer.

Heifers A2/A2 tested.

All 3 are complete replacement lines, well grown, exceptional genetics from our vendors. Numerous bulls from these

Key: Dairy

Monday 15th April 11.30 Start Bellevue Road, Matangi A/C Bellevue Farm

or Contact PGGW Agents Andrew Reyland on 027 223 7092

Other

DAIRY HERDS & IN-CALF HEIFERS FOR SALE

Comprising 210 Frsn/Frsn In Milk Cows Animals: BWs up to 150. PWs up to 312.

95% cows 4, 5 & 6 year olds.

Production up to 646 m/s Awaiting A2/A2 results but would expect 100+ A2.

Herd: Average BW 48 PW 70 RA 91%. Calving from 24th July.

AI to LIC Frsn, tailed off Hereford Bull out 23rd Dec. Cows currently providing 1.3 m/s (19th March) SS 195 OAD. Production to date 452 m/s in 249 days. Approx 40 cows dried off and dry cow treated (cepravin).

Purchasers wanting high producing cows, with outstanding udder confirmation, dairy type its a must attend sale.

TB C10, EBL Free, BVD tested/vacc, M/Bovis milk tested free.

Payment/Delivery - payment 14 days from sale date, delivery immediate unless prior arrangement made before sale.

Catalogue’s/Video available on website Agonline or contact PGG Agent Andrew Reyland on 027 223 7092.

thousands of daughters in national herds. available on Agonline

Sheep

ANNUAL SALE YOUNG HIGH BW/ PW/FRSN/FRSNX IN MILK COWS

herds have used at AI companies siring Catalogues/Profiles and AI Contracts

Cattle

NORTH ISLAND HERDS & IN-CALF HEIFERS FOR SALE 100 MA Xbred Cows BW 104

120 MA Frsn/Frsn X Cows

$1,650+GST

PW 129

BW 79

•

RA99% In the same family for generations, udders and production the key drivers.

Lyle Smart – 0277 426 833 Agonline ref: 3534

71 M/A Frsn/Frsn X InCalf Cows BW 39/39

PW 58/47

PW 66

180 M/A Friesian

$1600+GST

BW 37

•

•

$1800+GST

•

RA85% Bigger style Friesian Cows.

Farmed at over 1200ft on high wet farm.

Jeff See – 027 568 0813

Agonline ref: 1974

Agonline ref: 3456

63 Xbred, Frsn & Jersey X Incalf Hfrs

$1,550+GST

PW 47

RA97% Outstanding Line of Friesian InCalf Heifers, Extremely Well Grown Craig Murray – 027 322 0063

BW 113

PW 119

$1,550+GST

239 M/A A1/A2 Frsn/Frsn X Cows BW 68

•

PW 90

$1,700+GST

•

RA86% Strong well framed cows with good production.

Paul Jeffries – 027 591 8632

RA93% Capital stock line of Xbred, Friesian & Jersey X well grown in calf hfrs.

Peter Forrest – 027 598 6153

A1/A2 Component of Complete Herd, Milked on a challenging farm.

Chris Johnston – 027 257 4091

Agonline ref: 3440

Agonline ref: 2707

Agonline ref: 3524

247 M/A Frsn/Frsn X A2/A2

285 MA Kiwi X Cows

BW 74/46

PW 74/46

$1,900+GST

•

BW 68

PW 102

90 M/A Frsn/Frsn X Cows

$1,700+GST

BW 74

•

PW 117

$1,750+GST

•

RA94% A2/A2 Content of Sharemilkers Herd. Milked on a challenging farm.

Chris Johnston – 027 257 4091

RA78% Very hard working Kiwi X Herd Milked on a tough farm, will shift well.

Vaughn Larsen – 027 801 4599

RA97% Spring Calving content out of Autumn Calving Herd, Great Age Structure Dean Evans – 027 243 1092

Agonline ref: 3574

Agonline ref: 3438

Agonline ref: 3064

263 M/A Frsn X, Frsn/Jsy X, Jsy/Frsn X Cows

87 Frsn/Jsy X, Kiwi X, Jsy/Jsy X InCalf Heifers

BW 74

PW 148

$1,730+GST

BW 120

•

PW 157

$1,600+GST

•

RA90% Sale due to change of farm policy, strong Cows will go well in any system.

Steve Taylor – 027 648 6711

Well grown heifers well above target weights, from a very good Herd.

Jason Roberts – 027 243 1429

Agonline ref: 3451

Agonline ref: 3325

59 Xbred R2 Heifers

34 Jersey/Jersey X InCalf Heifers

BW 117

PW 134

$1,500+GST

•

BW 114

PW 136

SOUTH ISLAND HERDS 1050 M/A Friesian, X/Bred Cows BW 54

PW 80

$1,780+GST

•

RA96% Young Cows with good confirmation, tidy udders.

Mark Cuttance – 027 442 4742 Agonline ref: 3534

$1,250+GST

•

RA77% Genuine XBred component of very well established hard working and well performed herd.

Dean Cook – 027 270 7729

Jsy/Jsy X InCalf Heifers, both AB / Naturally Mated Bred, InCalf Recorded Jsy Bull, Delivery 1st June.

Dean Evans – 027 243 1092

Agonline ref: 3538

Agonline ref: 3494

LOCK IT IN! SECURE YOUR DAIRY HERD NOW. PGG Wrightson Dairy representatives are specialists at marketing and selling dairy herds.

Benefit from the specialist team that is dedicated to matching herds with the right buyers and achieving an optimal outcome for your business.

For photos and more information on listings visit www.agonline.co.nz

Chris Ryan on 027 243 1078

TOP INDEX HERD AND IN CALF HEIFERS DISPERSAL SALE Thursday 9th May 2019 11.00AM 405 Knight Road, RD9, Ruatangata - Whangarei A/C RM Farms Ltd Comprising 320 X Bred/Frsn/Jsy Cows BW 137 PW 184 RA 100% 140 X Bred/Frsn/Jsy In Calf Heifers.

BW 140 PW 169.

This outstanding herd has been farmed

by Shepherd family since 1942 and would be one of the highest producing (consistently around 400 m/s) system 1 OAD herds to be sold this season.

Herd calving 15th July LIC Jsy/X Bred bulls, tailed off Jsy bull out 7th Jan, scanned to dates. TOP 75 cows ave BW 180 PW 331 with individual BWs up to 280 PWs to 575.

23 cows carry AI contract for 2019/20.

In calf heifers mated to AI X Bred/Jsy bulls for 6 weeks start calving 15th July.

All young stock are reared and grazed on property including their service bulls.

Herd will be dried off prior to sale and dry cowed.

All animals have been A2/A2 tested (will have results on sale day). Purchasers requiring genuine hard working cows with top genetics, high fertility with over 70years AI breeding and herd testing.

TB C10, EBL free, BVD clear, M/ Bovis milk test clear.

Payment/Delivery 14days for sale date, delivery immediate unless prior arrangement made before sale day.

Catalogue’s & 3GPs available on Agonline or contact PGG Agents Kevin Brown 027 434 7561 Steven Josephs 027 420 5167 Andrew Reyland 027 223 7092

TOP QUALITY IN MILK X BRED HERD & IN CALF HEIFERS

ANNUAL QUALITY FEMALE DAIRY SALE

18 MONTH IN CALF HEIFERS FOR SALE

Tuesday 9th April 11.00am start

DL & LJ Swap Tuesday 16th April 11.30am 1461 Morrinsville Walton Road

45 Hereford Friesian (Black)

Light luncheon provided 63 FR/FRx Incalf Heifers (very well grown) BW 109 PW 115 RA 100% Numerous heifers over 500kgs Herd avg 600 m/s individuals to 900 m/s per cow Due 13th July, Bulls out 10th December.

Incalf to Jersey.

100 Young FR/FRx/JFrx selected incalf carryover cows, PW up to 407 *66 FR BW 95 PW 175 mated to Swap Herefords *21 FRx BW 99 PW 205 mated to Swap Herefords *13 JFRx BW 130 PW 199 mated to Jersey Bulls reared on farm Due 13th July, Bulls out to 10th December.

Delivery to suit 01/06/19. All cattle in excellent condition.

TB Tested, vetted incalf (incalf warranty applies).

Scanned in calf to Angus Bull 1st December.

324 Tirau Rd (S/H1) 3km from Cambridge A/C Bill & Carolyn Rippey Comprising: 150 X Bred/Jrsy in calf cows BW 123/46 (Top 4%) PW 196 (Top 1%) 41 X Bred in calf heifers BW 150 PW 181 Farm sold, herd is going straight to auction.

Herd has produced 421mls in 191 days and on target for 480mls per cow with an ave SCC 80,000, over 90% of herd 0/4 SCC threshold exceeded on herd test.

Herd and in calf hfrs commence calving 7th July to predominately x bred AI, tailed off jrsy bull, scanned to dates. Cows will be in milk (OAD since Feb) on sale day and in top condition. This sale is an excellent opportunity for purchaser to buy top index dairy cattle with performance/type and temperament. Which includes 8 animals carrying AI contracts. EBL free, BVD Neg, M/Bovis milk tested free.

Catalogs, photos & video can be viewed on agonline.co.nz For more information contact Andrew Reyland on 027 223 7092, Dean Cook on 027 270 7729, or Bill Rippey (vendor) on 027 606 8833.

Freephone 0800 10 22 76 | www.pggwrightson.co.nz

Contact PGGW Agent Regan Craig on 0275 028 585

20 Hereford Friesian (Red) 25 Angus Friesian All Heifers scanned to calf in first 2 cycles.

Well grown Heifers that will make quiet Cows (off hill property). $1350.00 Barry McAlister 0274 416 432

FIND US ON INSTAGRAM Follow instagram.com/pgwlivestock

Helping grow the country

MARKET SNAPSHOT

52

Market Snapshot brought to you by the AgriHQ analysts.

Suz Bremner

Nicola Dennis

Mel Croad

Cattle

Reece Brick

Caitlin Pemberton

Sheep

BEEF

Deer

SHEEP MEAT

Slaughter price (NZ$/kg)

Ingrid Usherwood

VENISON

Last week

Prior week

Last year

NI Steer (300kg)

5.35

5.30

5.40

NI lamb (17kg)

7.05

7.00

7.10

NI stag (60kg)

9.20

9.25

11.00

NI Bull (300kg)

4.95

4.90

5.30

NI mutton (20kg)

5.05

5.00

4.85

SI stag (60kg)

9.15

9.25

11.00

NI Cow (200kg)

3.70

3.70

4.10

SI lamb (17kg)

6.70

6.70

7.05

SI Steer (300kg)

5.00

5.05

5.40

SI mutton (20kg)

4.80

4.80

4.85

SI Bull (300kg)

4.70

4.70

5.20

Export markets (NZ$/kg)

SI Cow (200kg)

3.35

3.60

4.20

UK CKT leg

US imported 95CL bull

7.27

7.16

6.75

US domestic 90CL cow

7.01

6.99

6.70

Slaughter price (NZ$/kg)

Last week Prior week

Last year

8.85

8.86

9.17

$/kg CW

8.5

North Island steer slaughter price

6.5

$/kg CW

$/kg CW $/kg CW

10.5

8.5 $/kg CW

5.0

7.5

4.5

6.5

Oct

Dec

Feb

Apr

Jun

2017-18

Feb

Apr

5-yr ave

Jun

2017-18

Dairy

Aug

Last week

Prior week

Last year

Coarse crossbred ind.

2.94

2.95

3.03

37 micron ewe

2.95

2.80

30 micron lamb

2018-19

MILK PRICE FUTURES

$/tonne

$/kg MS

5.25

5.50

Urea

625

625

523

3.10

Super

321

321

307

4.60

DAP

833

833

775

400 360

5.5

Apr-18

Jun-18

Aug-18 Sept. 2019

Oct-18

Dec-18 Sept. 2020

DAIRY FUTURES (US$/T) Nearby contract

Last price*

320

Feb-19

Mar-18

Prior week

vs 4 weeks ago

Sep-18

Nov-18

Jan-19

3250

420

SMP

2485

2430

2520

400

AMF

5750

5750

5575

Butter

5250

5250

4605

Milk Price

6.50

6.48

6.40

$/tonne

3495

380 360 320

Mar-18

WMP FUTURES - VS FOUR WEEKS AGO

May-18

Jul-18

Sep-18

Nov-18

Jan-19

Mar-19

WAIKATO PALM KERNEL

3500

US$/t

3400 3300 3200

Close

YTD High

Meridian Energy Limited (NS)

4.175

4.18

3.38

The a2 Milk Company Limited

14.22

15

10.42

YTD Low

7.065

Auckland International Airport Limited

8.15

8.235

Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Corporation Ltd

15.52

15.59

12.3

Spark New Zealand Limited

3.82

4.18

3.54

Ryman Healthcare Limited

11.99

12

10.4

Mercury NZ Limited (NS)

3.875

3.94

3.51

Contact Energy Limited

6.72

6.72

5.82

Fletcher Building Limited

4.95

5.34

4.57

Port of Tauranga Limited (NS)

5.36

5.48

4.9

Listed Agri Shares

340

* price as at close of business on Thursday

Company

Mar-19

440

3440

US$/t

Jul-18

CANTERBURY FEED BARLEY

WMP

3100

May-18

NZ average (NZ$/t)

Top 10 by Market Cap

440

6.0

Aug 2018-19

Last year

480

6.5

Jun

Prior week

CANTERBURY FEED WHEAT

7.0

Apr 2017-18

Last week

Grain

Data provided by

Feb

FERTILISER

(NZ$/kg)

Dec

Dec

Fertiliser

Aug 2018-19

WOOL 5.0

Oct

5-yr ave

5-yr ave

Oct

8.5 7.5

6.5

5.5

4.5

9.5

5.5

South Island steer slaughter price

South Island stag slaughter price

11.5

South Island lamb slaughter price

6.0

8.5

6.5

4.5

4.5

9.5

7.5

7.5

5.5 5.5

Last year

10.5

$/kg CW

North Island lamb slaughter price

Last week Prior week

North Island stag slaughter price

11.5

Export markets (NZ$/kg)

6.0

Slaughter price (NZ$/kg)

5pm, close of market, Thursday

Company

Close

YTD High

YTD Low

The a2 Milk Company Limited

14.220

15.000

10.420

Comvita Limited

4.100

5.420

4.080

Delegat Group Limited

9.770

10.100

9.400

Foley Family Wines Limited

4.230

4.850

4.170

Fonterra Shareholders' Fund (NS)

1.720

1.750

1.470

Livestock Improvement Corporation Ltd (NS)

0.970

0.970

0.750

New Zealand King Salmon Investments Ltd

2.600

2.600

2.100

PGG Wrightson Limited

0.500

0.570

0.470

Sanford Limited (NS)

6.800

6.980

6.350

Scales Corporation Limited

4.890

4.890

4.340

SeaDragon Limited

0.002

0.003

0.002

Seeka Limited

4.770

4.980

4.200

Synlait Milk Limited (NS)

10.750

11.350

8.860 2.650

3500

T&G Global Limited

2.680

2.810

Tegel Group Holdings Limited

1.130

1.240

0.810

3400

S&P/NZX Primary Sector Equity

16530

16563

15063

S&P/NZX 50 Index

9766

9766

8732

3300

S&P/NZX 10 Index

9497

9497

8280

3200 Apr

May Jun Latest price

Jul Aug 4 weeks ago

Sep

3100

Apr

May Jun Latest price

Jul Aug 4 weeks ago

Sep

S&P/FW PRIMARY SECTOR EQUITY

16530

S&P/NZX 50 INDEX

9766

S&P/NZX 10 INDEX

9497

53

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 1, 2019

6.70

SI SLAUGHTER STEER ( $/KG)

5.00

NI SLAUGHTER MUTTON ( $/KG)

AVERAGE STORE LAMB PRICE AT TEMUKA ( $/HD)

5.05

106

Most still want more rain NORTH ISLAND

B

Y THE end of the week the Far North had received a few millimetres of rain but Dargaville was better off with 20mm. It’s freshened the kikuyu so pastoral farmers have small smiles. They certainly want next week’s forecast rain to actually arrive and not disappear, as has been happening.

The Franklin area went from fine at the start of the week to changeable conditions with 10mm recorded in some places.

That will help already growing veges and newly planted brassicas but they need a lot more moisture and irrigators are still running. Kiwifruit is being harvested.

Waikato’s rain was variable but 10mm was common. Basically, farms have green pastures and no feed or brown pastures and no feed, the colour is the only difference. Unless there’s good rain this week most dairy herds will be dried off by mid April. The season’s pretty well over and farmers are planning for next spring though some south Waikato places that had more rain might grind their way out of the feed pinch. Cashflows are tight. On sheep and beef farms ewes and cows are surviving on Weetbix but it’s a struggle to finish lambs and young cattle.

There’s no quality feed. Good dairy farms for sale are holding their value but in less desirable areas there’s downward pressure on prices.

Bay of Plenty last week farewelled two shiploads of kiwifruit to Japan and China.

About 15% of the gold crop is picked, which is very early. The first of the green fruit was being harvested last week too.

Most of Taranaki got rain mid week.

Southern parts had up to 20mm but need a lot more while central and northern areas are better off. The rain was timely and dairy farmers who have cow numbers down to winter levels are looking nice through to May. Manawatu and Rangitikei are ticking along. Many farmers sold surplus stock early so are well set up and will sneak into winter okay. Red Meat Profit Partnership groups are very popular here. The aim is to increase productivity and profitability on sheep and beef farms. Half a dozen or so have been running for 12 months and now other farmers want to set up groups.

Each lot set their own goals and outside speakers are brought in to help them achieve them.

Gisborne felt almost wintry on Friday morning. Farms towards Hawke’s Bay are dry but the rest are still great. Facial eczema spore counts are up a bit but most stock have good levels of natural resistance these days so there have been no outbreaks. Kiwifruit and apple harvesters are going hard out. Winter grasses are establishing well. More farmers are becoming interested in wool shedding sheep. They’re totally depressed when they look at the shearing bill and wool income.

Hawke’s Bay is looking for rain to freshen things up and get autumn growth moving. There is plenty of feed on farms but it’s not good quality.

Wairarapa’s still dry even with this week’s small rain offering. Cows are being dried off. Autumn-calving herds are into

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A BIT DRY: Hawke’s Bay is looking for rain to freshen things up and get autumn growth moving.

business and that’s going well. Pregnancy test results for spring-calving herds seem generally better than last year.

Depending where you were in Horowhenua between 3mm and 20mm fell last week The district needs 30mm to 50mm to kick into gear. Temperatures are great and animals are good. Moisture’s the only missing link. Lots of grass seed is going in.

SOUTH ISLAND Across Cook Strait 15mm of rain earlier in the week freshened things up on farms and orchards. The kiwifruit harvest is under way and so far the quality is excellent but size is back on last year.

Apple picking gangs have moved into the Envy and other mid-season varieties. The main issue for apple growers is a lack of staff.

Marlborough vineyards are in the thick of grape harvesting. Some grape yields are down because of dry conditions, issues with disease and a poor flowering. The ram is busy with ewes on hill country sheep farms and most Rye Valley dairy farmers have moved to once-a-day milking.

Torrential rain on the West Coast left a trail of destruction. On a farm near Hokitika water was spilling over the top of rain gauge, 100ha cannot be grazed because of water damage and a lot of crops are gone. Contractors are working

hard to fix waterways, fences and troughs.

Power was out until 4pm on Wednesday so milking had to be postponed until that evening. Cows are being fed supplements and have moved onto drier paddocks that were locked up for balage.

Pasture growth in Canterbury has been fantastic, particularly where there has been moisture. However, some parts of the region remain very dry and are desperate for rain.

South Otago had 22mm of rain over the past week. It was needed too after what has been a very dry summer. Winter crops look okay. Rams are going out with the ewes, which are on supplementary feed to ensure they are cycling well. Our contact has only 20% of his lambs left to go to the works but kill weights are back half a kilo, mainly because of a lack of quality feed. Calf sales have got under way in the Balclutha and prices are back a bit on last year.

Farmers in Southland also welcomed some showers last week but they’d like more as the ground’s still dry below 10cm.

Most of the cow pregnancy scanning is done. Results on the whole are not that great, averaging 13-15% empties for the region. Silage is still being made and people are catching up with fertiliser applications. Everyone is starting to think about drying off milking herds. A farmer at Mataura says he’s still on twice-a-day but is about to move to 16-hour milking for the rest of the season to conserve feed.

Courtesy of Radio New Zealand Country Life You can listen to Country Life on RNZ at 9pm every Friday and 7am on Saturday or on podcast at radionz.co.nz/countrylife

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.

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54

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 1, 2019

All go for calves

Monday, with more quality seen in the lamb section.

Medium to good lambs returned $115-$131, and heavy males, $166-$170.

Ewe quality was mixed with the majority light medium to good types. Four huge ewes topped the sale at $199, with heavy types at $144-$150, while light-medium softened to $107-$113.50.

Very heavy two-tooth’s were strong at $172, with the balance of this section trading at $107-$135.

With the South Island getting into calf sales, and weaner fairs continuing in the North Island, a busy week set the scene for April. In April alone an extra 61 special cattle sales are held nationwide, which are mainly focused around the weaned calves, but also include breeding cow fairs.

Stortford Lodge in-calf cow fair and store sheep sale • Good to heavy cryptorchid and ram lambs made $121-$137 • Medium to good ewe lambs made $104-$117 • Medium-good wether lambs earned $103-$118 • Good to very good Angus cows to Angus bull sold for $1310$1485 • Good Angus-Hereford heifers to Angus bull traded at $1480$1575 More lambs came forward at STORTFORD LODGE last Wednesday, though varied greatly from very short-term types to light lines in poor condition. More annual buyers started to appear, though the market eased. Medium cryptorchid lambs sold for $112-$116.

Local buyers easily dominated the in-calf cow fair, for what was a quality line-up of mainly traditional cows.

(More cow fair information in ‘Across The Rails’)

NORTHLAND Wellsford Store Cattle • All R2 steers, 293-373kg, earned $2.68-$2.82/kg • All R2 heifers, 313-343kg, traded at $1.77-$1.98/kg • Eleven weaner Exotic steers, 158kg, earned $550 • Weaner Hereford-cross steers, 163-170kg, returned $470-$565 • Weaner Angus-cross heifers, 121-136kg, managed $395-$4 Kaikohe cattle sale • Good two-year Simmental-cross steers reached $2.92/kg • Other two-year beef-cross steers made $2.75-$2.80/kg • Well-presented two-year Angus and beef-cross heifers made $2.60-$2.68/kg • Weaner Friesian bulls, 150-160kg, earned $485-$520 • Weaner dairy-beef heifers sold for $400The KAIKOHE sale was felt to start where the last store sale left off, prior to the weaner fairs, PGG Wrighston agent Vaughan Vujcich reported. Just on 420 cattle were penned, with most two-year old. Friesian steers battled, selling for $2.20-$2.30/kg, though that was a 10c/kg premium on Friesian-cross bulls.

In-calf beef cows sold for $1.80-$1.90/kg, and Friesian, $1.50/kg.

394kg, $2.84/kg. Hereford-cross heifers, 373-410kg, held at $2.45-$2.57/kg, whilst Hereford-Friesian, 346-400kg, improved to $2.64-$2.76/kg.

Twelve autumn-born weaner Charolais-cross steers, 298kg, managed $930, while their sisters, 318kg, earned $915.

Boner Friesian cows, 486-532kg, held at $1.44-$1.47/kg, and Jersey, 374-395kg, $1.12-$1.15/kg

BAY OF PLENTY Heading • Prime beef-cross steers, 550-630kg, were $2.76-$2.85/kg • R2 Hereford-Friesian steers, 325-505kg, lifted to $2.75-$2.92/kg • R2 Hereford-Friesian heifers, 340-380kg, lifted to $2.58-$2.73/kg • Weaner Hereford-Friesian heifers, 115-145kg, were $445-$490 A bit of rain plus better-quality cattle translated into a stronger market at RANGIURU last Tuesday. R2 HerefordFriesian steers lifted 20c/kg on recent sales. A small line of quality 380kg autumn-born Simmental-cross topped the store heifers at $1040, $2.74/kg.

More space at the processors helped the prime and boner cattle with all steady or lifting. Boner Friesian cows were quite varied, mainly making $1.40-$1.76/kg for 395-630kg.

Dannevirke weaner fair • Good Angus steers made $860-$925 • Good to very good Angus & Angus-Hereford steers sold well at $905-$1100 • Top Angus & Angus-Hereford heifers made $830 • Medium-good Angus, and Angus-Hereford heifers sold for $640$745 • Autumn-born Charolais-cross bulls made $1105, and heifers, $820 DANNEVIRKE offered up just over 1300 weaners last Thursday, featuring big lines of hill country traditional steer and heifers. Steers were the star performers, selling above expectations, while a smaller buying bench for heifers meant some good shopping.

TARANAKI COUNTIES Tuakau sales • Hereford-Friesian steers, 320kg, made $1000 • Weaner Hereford-Friesian steers, 112kg, earned $655 • Prime market lifted by 10c/kg • Prime heifers returned $2.81-$2.84/kg • Top prime lambs sold to $151 Store cattle numbers lifted at TUAKAU last Thursday, with 550-head on offer, Karl Chitham of Carrfields Livestock reported.

Heavy steers, 450-550kg, traded at $2.76-$2.80/kg and 370-430kg, $2.75-$2.92/kg.

Heifers, 549kg, fetched $2.80/kg, with 425kg Herefordcross making $2.56/kg and 262kg Hereford-Friesian, $700.

Weaner heifers, 107-142kg, returned $435-$500.

Wednesday’s prime cattle market firmed due to a shortage of numbers. Heavy steers traded up to $2.86/ kg, and medium $2.76-$2.80/kg. Good Friesian cows sold to $1.71/kg, with medium boners at $1.52-$1.58/kg and lighter, $1.32-$1.38/kg.

Good-medium prime lambs returned $124-$133 on Monday and light-medium, $117-$121. Store lambs fetched $93-$118. Heavy prime ewes sold up to $155, medium $120$137 and light, $101-$105.

WAIKATO Frankton dairy beef weaner fair • Hereford-Friesian steers, 169-170kg, strengthened to $675-$690 • Hereford-Friesian heifers, 135-181kg, improved to $475-$532 • Angus-Friesian bulls, 124-177kg, earned $510-$648 • Hereford-Friesian bulls, 111kg, lifted to $570 • Friesian bulls, 115-175kg, traded at $400-$500 Just under 400 quality dairy-beef weaners were yarded at FRANKTON last Tuesday, with the market steady to lifting.

Bull buyer numbers grew and Hereford-Friesian, 114131kg, held at $555-$600. Red Hereford-Friesian, 116-150kg, earned $405-$460, though eleven at 136kg pushed to $525.

Red Hereford-Friesian heifers, 128-157kg, lifted to $425$510.

Frankton prime and store cattle sale • R2 Hereford-cross steers, 366-422kg, earned $2.78-$2.92/kg • R2 Hereford-Friesian steers, 355-422kg, improved to $2.91-$2.95/kg • R2 Angus heifers, 314kg, returned $2.76/kg • Prime Hereford-Friesian steers, 580-623kg, traded at $2.66-$2.72/kg • Prime dairy-beef heifers, 437-522kg, managed $2.55-$2.66/kg A smaller yarding with plenty of quality was on offer at FRANKTON last Wednesday, with results steady for most.

R2 steers made up the lion’s share and Angus-Friesian, 396-445kg, held at $2.71-$2.87/kg. Features included 15 Charolais-Friesian, 401kg, $3.34/kg, and Murray-Grey,

Taranaki cattle sale • R3 Romagnola-cross bulls, 473-570kg, sold for $2.82-$2.86/kg • R2 Hereford bulls, 425kg, made $1500 • Weaner Angus-cross bulls, 228kg, were bought for $710 More rain and improving schedules kept spirits up at the TARANAKI CATTLE SALE last Wednesday. Less enthusiasm for R2 cattle meant some lines eased with steers, 360-524kg, at $2.73-$2.85/kg. R2 Belgium Blue-cross and Simmentalcross heifers made similar money as 405-485kg sold for $2.72-$2.79/kg, while dairy types varied from $1.43/kg to $2.45/kg.

Another good line-up of dairy cows was offered and were met by competitive buyers. Two-year Friesian sold in two ranges, with heavier types at $1.66-$1.73/kg and lighter, $1.74-$1.84/kg.

POVERTY BAY Matawhero cattle and morunga 2.5 year steer fair • R3 Angus and Angus-Hereford steers, 460-545kg, earned $2.96$3.04/kg • R3 exotic steers, 470-495kg, eased to $2.96-$3.04/kg • R3 Hereford steers, 450-455kg, traded at $3.02-$3.09/kg • Weaner exotic bulls, 170-270kg, made $725-$810 Angus heifers, 270-390kg, eased to $2.63-$2.70/kg, though Angus-Hereford, 300kg, made $3.00/kg The second March cattle fair at MATAWHERO last Tuesday was centred around a consignment of R3 traditional and exotic steers, with just over 500 cattle in total on offer. Prices were back on recent levels, and the remainder of the yarding was small lines of mixed quality.

Matawhero sheep sale • Heavy male lambs made $135-$137 • Heavy ewe lambs sold for $115-$121 • Top prime mixed age ewes, $186 At last week’s MATAWHERO SHEEP SALE, a larger offering of store lambs was available. Most of these were medium male and ewe lambs which softened to $119-$127 and $110-$120 respectively. Lighter lambs ranged from $48$104. Prime volume also lifted, lambs made mostly $123$145, 2th ewes at $131 and mixed age ewe mostly $124.

HAWKE’S BAY Stortford Lodge prime cattle and sheep sale • Very heavy ram lambs made $145-$182.50 • Heavy mixed sex lambs held at $144-$165 • Heavy ewe lambs sold well at $145-$161 • Very heavy ewes earned $167-$171 • Medium to good ewes softened to $116-$131 Sheep throughput lifted at STORTFORD LODGE last

MANAWATU Rongotea sale • Weaner Hereford-Friesian steers, 157-160kg, earned $480-$540 • Boner Friesian cows, 500-530kg, firmed to $1.54-$1.71/kg • Friesian bull calves made $120-$240 and beef-cross, $150-$285 • Hereford-Friesian heifer calves made $120-$230 and Angus, $110-$140 A medium-sized yarding of cattle was dominated by dairy-cross lines. A few traditional steers were available early on though, with 395-475kg R2 lines mainly $2.98$3.16/kg. As a whole the R2 steers dropped around 10c/ kg. The beef-dairy heifers fell back by 20c/kg on average, but this much more noticeable through the lighter cuts than the top-end. Another line-up of 20,000 plus lambs wasn’t enough to put a dent in the market. Male lambs were especially solid selling again, rarely below $112.50, with a single pen very taking out top price at $140.50. A few heavy cuts of ewe lambs were picked up at $125-$135.50, but there was the majority were in the $106-$117 range.

Feilding store sale • R2 Hereford-Friesian steers, 315-490kg, were $2.76-$2.92/kg • R2 Hereford-Friesian heifers, 340-440kg, were $2.54-$2.72/kg • R2 Friesian bulls, 400-510kg, eased to $2.42-$2.50/kg • Good-to-heavy male lambs were $128-$135 • Medium ewe lambs were $107.50-$115.50 A medium-sized yarding of cattle was dominated by dairy-cross lines. A few traditional steers were available early on though, with 395-475kg R2 lines mainly $2.98$3.16/kg. As a whole the R2 steers dropped around 10c/ kg. The beef-dairy heifers fell back by 20c/kg on average, but this much more noticeable through the lighter cuts than the top-end. Another line-up of 20,000 plus lambs wasn’t enough to put a dent in the market. Male lambs were especially solid selling again, rarely below $112.50, with a single pen very taking out top price at $140.50. A few heavy cuts of ewe lambs were picked up at $125-$135.50, but there was the majority were in the $106-$117 range.

WAIRARAPA Martinborough and Masterton weaner fairs • Good Angus steers sold for $890-$1110 • Medium-good Angus-Hereford steers made $760-$900 • Angus & Angus-Hereford bulls varied from $425 to $760 • Medium-good Angus heifers made $570-$780 • Most Angus & Angus-Hereford heifers returned $510-$750 Calves were front and centre at Masterton again last week for the MARTINBOROUGH & MASTERTON weaner fair. A total of 3450 calves sold over Tuesday and Wednesday, with steers heading to Manawatu, Hawkes Bay and local areas, while heifers mostly stayed local. Prices were back on 2018

SALE YARD WRAP

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 1, 2019

55

SOLD: This line of 51 Angus, vetted in calf to Angus, 678kg, made $1440 at Strortford Lodge last week.

levels but competitive with the last fair. Second and third cuts of Angus steers made $600-$830, while exotic mainly traded at $702-$955.

CANTERBURY CANTERBURY Culverden calf sale • Autumn-born Charolais-cross steers, 400kg, were $1330 • Traditional steers, 215-245kg, made $790-$860 • Traditional and exotic heifers, 215-230kg, earned $700-$720 • Traditional heifers, 185-205kg, were $635-$650 CULVERDEN offered up 500 calves on Friday 22nd March.

Most were traditional steers and heifers, complimented

by Charolais-cross lines. Regular buyers re-aligned their budgets, but calves sold to expectations.

Three buyers fought over heavy steers, 295-400kg, and they made $3.35-$3.55/kg. Lighter steers were similar, with 190-235kg at $3.40-$3.65/kg and 240-280kg, $3.30-$3.55/kg.

Heifers, 315-365kg, sold well at $2.90-$3.00/kg, though the majority were 230kg or lighter. Those 205-230kg were $3.15-$3.30/kg, and well-presented 160-195kg types made $3.30-$3.45/kg.

Two pens of 240-265kg Hereford bulls earned $1030-$1040, $3.90-$4.30/kg.

Canterbury Park cattle and sheep sale • Prime steers, 450-640kg, made $2.60-$2.70/kg • Prime Charolais-cross heifers, 500-530kg, sold for $2.79-$2.80/kg • Heavy store lambs made $111-$125 Prime cattle volume was limited at CANTERBURY PARK SALE last Tuesday. Prime heifer prices varied with quality and Angus-cross and Hereford-cross, 440-620kg, mostly sold for $2.60-$2.64/kg.

Boner Friesian cows largely made $2.00/kg, with the rest 15c/kg above and below this.

Store and prime lamb volume lifted two-fold, with quality also improving. Store lambs were steady to easing with medium types at $86-$109. Prime lambs held, with lighter lines making $110-$129 and heavy, $150-$168. Prime ewes varied from $90 to $140 for the majority.

Coalgate sale • Good prime steers, 535-725kg, were steady at $2.62-$2.74/kg • Boner dairy cows, 530-760kg, lifted fractionally to $1.50-$1.57/kg • Heavy store lambs were $116-$123.50

Other good store lambs mainly lifted to $109-$115 Medium and heavy prime lambs were steady at $130-$169 Everyone is busy with calf sales, keeping store cattle options and buyers to a minimum. Only 425-435kg beefcross steers at $2.32-$2.41/kg had any consistency. Prime cattle numbers were similar to past weeks, and were usually steady, with hints of lifts through some sections. Three thousand store lambs were bought at another stronger market, helped by a good consignment of shorn lambs.

The better half made $100-$123.50, with longer-term lines usually $81-$97. Prime lambs held steady on a moderate sized yarding, whereas a small selection of prime ewes fell back by as much as $5/hd.

SOUTH-CANTERBURY SOUTH CANTERBU Temuka prime and boner cattle; all sheep • Friesian and Friesian-cross cows, 450-745kg, traded at $1.30$1.41/kg • Prime beef and beef-cross steers, 525-688kg, held at $2.51-$2.64/ kg • Medium-good to good mixed sex lambs varied from $99 to $125 • Medium-good wethers sold for $105-$111.50, and light Corriedale, $100.50 • Prime lambs held at $110-$165, and ewes mostly traded at $70$139 A smaller yarding of cattle at TEMUKA last Monday sold with mixed reviews. Prime Hereford-cross heifers, 550-632kg, firmed to $2.48-$2.52/kg, but boner Friesian heifers, 363439kg, struggled at $1.30-$1.40/kg. Better types made $1.70$1.90/kg. Beef cows mainly traded at $1.57-$1.64/kg.

Just over 7350 store lambs sold, with local entries joined by lambs from Wanaka. The market softened but only marginally. Light to medium mixed sex made $78-$107, while medium-good ewe lambs sold for $105-$111.

Temuka store sale • Speckle Park R2 steers, 453kg, made $2.74/kg • Traditional weaner heifers, 218kg, sold for $605 At last Thursday’s TEMUKA STORE CATTLE SALE both the crowd and the cattle volume was low. The sale went as expected with the dry conditions still biting. R2 HerefordFriesian steers softened with Hereford-Friesian, 353-483kg, selling for $2.51-$2.60/kg, and the rest mostly made $2.56$2.68/kg regardless of breed. Angus-Hereford heifers sold well and strengthened to $2.77/kg, while Hereford-Friesian,

358-557kg, all sold in a range of $2.41-$2.52/kg. Weaners were mostly dairy-beef, heifers mostly made $400-$440 and bulls sold in two ranges – Hereford-Friesian, 207kg, at $485 and Friesian, 174kg, made $375.

OTAGO OTAGO • • • • •

Glenlyon and Huxley Gorge calf sale Good traditional weaner steers were $890-$940 Medium traditional weaner steers made $780-$860 Good traditional weaner heifers sold for $700-$780 Medium traditional weaner heifers were $590-$650 Calf sale action at the Temuka yards began with the annual GLENLYON & HUXLEY GORGE, which marked its 90th anniversary. Joe Higgins of PGG Wrightson described the 775 calves in the line-up as the best the sale has offered. A lower buyer turnout saw average prices ease $145 for steers to $855, while heifers averaged $635, down $175 on last year.

Mid-to-lighter cuts of heifers were the hardest to move.

SOUTHLAND SOUTHLA Lorneville cattle and sheep sale • Mixed age breeding ewes made $150-$180 • Store lambs held at $70-$110 • Prime lambs eased to $95-$144, and ewes varied from $60 to $172 • R2 beef-cross heifers, 368-370kg, firmed to $2.39-$2.40/kg • Weaner Friesian bulls, 160-210kg, earned $460-$500 Prime steers and heifers held at LORNEVILLE last Tuesday, as 450kg plus earned $2.20-$2.35/kg, with steers making a 5c/kg premium. Dairy heifers eased and top lines made $1.60-$1.80/kg, and the balance, $1.40-$1.50/kg. Heavy dairy cows held at $1.30-$1.50/kg.

A medium yarding of store cattle featured R2 Angus-cross steers, 407kg at $2.48/kg, while Friesian bulls of same weight made $2.22/kg.

Weaner beef-cross steers, 187kg, fetched $560, and heifers, 162kg, $450.

Balclutha sheep sale • Prime lambs held at $105-$150 • Heavy and medium prime ewes eased to $120-$155 • Light ewes also eased to $70-$100 • Medium to good store lambs eased to $90-$112, and light, $60-$80 • Breeding two-tooth’s sold for $120-$160

Markets

56 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – April 1, 2019 SI SLAUGHTER STAG

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R3 ANGUS STEERS, 470-545KG, AT MATAWHERO

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Good weaner Hereford steers at Glenlyon & Huuxley Gorge Calf Sale

WHO ATE OUR MEAT?

ACROSS THE RAILS SUZ BREMNER

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In-calf cow prices align with trends

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StatsNZ

Meat exports drive records Stephen Bell stephen.bell@globalhq.co.nz

RECORD lamb exports in February pushed up overall meat exports to a new monthly high with China, particularly, a bigger buyer.

Lamb exports made $391 million in February, a new record for any month.

The previous high of $367m was in May last year, Statistics New Zealand figures show.

And the rise was driven by higher prices because the quantity was little changed from May last year.

“Lamb prices peaked in October last year and remain at high levels,” acting international statistics manager Dave Adair said.

“This is consistent with high lamb prices in the supermarket.”

Beef exports in February were also up on the same month last year, by $43m to $311m.

While both value and quantity of beef exports were up, the rise was mainly from increased quantities.

Overall meat exports reached a record $839m in February, up 11%, driven by the high lamb export values.

The previous high of $827m for meat exports was in March 2015.

Lamb exports rose by $55m or 16% in value and by 9.9% in quantity.

Beef exporters were also up 16% in value and up 11% in volume.

This is consistent with high lamb prices in the supermarket.

Dave Adair Statistics NZ But mutton sales were down $14m or 13% to $90m while the tonnage was down 18%.

There was also good news in the dairy sector with milk powder, butter and cheese, the largest commodity exports group, up $263m or 24% to $1.3 billion.

Milk powder led the rise, up $155m or 28% to reach $709m with a 23% increase in quantity.

The increase was quantity driven by a 23% rise in exports to China, which were up $87m.

Unsalted butter exports went up

$40m or 27% with quantity up 55% and anhydrous milk fats were up $26m or 26% in value and 52% in quantity.

Preparations of milk, including infant formula, cereals, flour and starch were up by $78m or 89%.

In the forestry sector untreated log exports were up $76m or 29% to $343m while the quantity was up 20%.

Exports to China were up $304m or 32% for the month.

The rise in sales to China was led by meat and edible offal, up $91m, and by milk powder being up $87m.

Australian sales were up 2.1% or $14m to $685m.

Sales to the European Union were up 7.4% or $33m to $479m.

Despite Japan being a signatory to the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans Pacific Partnership exports to it were down 2.5% or $6m to $231m.

And the United States became a smaller customer were overall sales there down 3.4% or $16m to $452m. Beef sales to the US were down $17.4m.

Overall goods exports were up $371m or 8.3% to $4.8b compared with February last year.

The value of imports was also $4.8b leaving a trade surplus for the month of $12m.

$1030-$1170

Medium to mediumgood Angus cows to Angus bull at Stortford Lodge Cow Fair

WHILE much of the cattle focus in coming weeks is on weaned calves, their mothers also make an appearance at some of the yards and the first were seen at Stortford Lodge last Wednesday. The sale following hot on the hooves of the weaner fairs so farmers can offload surplus cows as soon as possible. The cows are predominantly traditional and, more specifically, Angus and Angus-Hereford, strongly reflecting the dominant breeds both in the local areas and further up the east coast where the catchment stretches to.

As we all know the past 10 years has seen some big changes in cattle prices, with a typically upwards trend but a few blips along the way. Last year’s equivalent fair averaged $1583 a head or $2.95/kg, with 2017 results slightly stronger. That’s come a long way from the $1.38/ kg average of 2009. In 2011 the average price per head hit and passed $1000 at $1108 but 2013 and 2014 results dropped to $729 and $927 respectively. There was no looking back from there and prices climbed to the peaks seen the last few years.

And so, it was with cautious anticipation the first big in-calf cow fair nationwide was held. Cautious because we have seen a market correction in weaner prices, which usually flows onto the cows. A large portion of the yarding was sold by PGG Wrightson, and Hawke’s Bay area livestock manager Neil Common said the results were slightly down on expectations but given the state of play of the beef industry they were acceptable. “The results were in line with the corrections seen through the beef industry this year. Weaner cattle are back at least $100-$150 per head with older cattle down by similar levels.

Schedules are also back 40-50c/kg CW on last year, meaning processor budgets are lower. Dry conditions in other areas also impacted demand and competition from outside was not there.”

Prices were back $260-$275 on comparable lines last year. The average price finished at $1245 or $2.18/kg and a good, mixed-age Angus cow to an Angus bull could be picked up for $1330-$1440 with medium types mostly trading at $1030-$1310. The heifers were very well presented. Angus sold for $1305-$1516 and Angus-Hereford, $1480-$1575.

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