FARMLANDER The
FARMLANDER The
FROM THE CEO AND CHAIRMAN
We’re keen to give you an update on how Farmlands is tracking. This won’t be a detailed update on the confronting market conditions we are facing – we all know first-hand how tough the agricultural sector is at the moment.
The entire team at Farmlands is sharply focused on controlling what we can control. We can’t influence the global dairy or lamb price but we can control the quality of our service to you, we can control our cost structures and the way we do our business, as we go about building an even stronger co-operative for the future. The downturn in the dairy sector, in particular, poses the question of whether we are presented with a ‘new normal’ or a cyclic downturn. What was an acceptable way of doing business in the past may not be sustainable in the future. Either way, it demands of us that we review our way of doing things (right across everything we do), just as it does on the farm. We’re moving to adjust quickly to sharp market downturns in some sectors.
When agriculture has a good year, Farmlands has a good year. Not surprisingly, as an agricultural-focused rural supplies co-operative, our challenges are mirroring those in the sector. This isn’t a good year on the farm and as a consequence, it is not shaping up to be a good one for us either. Farmlands will not return a Bonus Rebate in 2016, as we’ve done in other years.
What we can assure you of, however, is that we are managing our costs aggressively and, like farmers, we’re cutting our coat according to our cloth. We also know that hard times often yield opportunity. We see a major opportunity to innovate in this marketplace and we’re taking big strides forward to bring you new technology to sustain and grow your business. We will report regularly to you on how we are exploiting the opportunities we identify in a tough market.
Our co-operative is about the value of ‘team’ – and the Farmlands team is a strong one with a massive footprint. It includes all our staff, the length and breadth of New Zealand –but the unique strength of the Farmlands team is our 62,500 shareholders. That’s you! We’re stronger together. We flourish on the back of your business. What we are able to offer, uniquely, are the discounts that flow from being part of New Zealand’s largest buying group. We’re committed to delivering cash in your pockets, even in testing times, by offering market-leading prices. Our Buying Power Promise has enjoyed overwhelming success throughout our 83 stores nationwide since we launched it 3 months ago. We urge you to check these out at your local Farmlands outlet – you won’t be disappointed. Our Card and Fuel offers are also market-leading. These represent savings we’ve negotiated for you, to save you and your business money. Next time you see a ‘Farmlands Card Accepted Here’ sign, use it to save yourself money and support the co-operative you own.
John F. Kennedy once said that ‘Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future’. Your co-operative is working all stops out in the present to ensure we are stronger and more secure in the future.
Thanks for taking the time to read this. As 2016 goes on, we’ll be reporting to you on how the business is tracking and the range of ways your co-operative is supporting you.
All the best.
Peter Reidie Chief Executive Officer
Farmlands Co-operative Society Limited
Lachie Johnstone Chairman Farmlands Co-operative Society Limited
WAYNE MAY
Q: What is your current role at Farmlands?
A: National Business Development Manager.
Q: What do you enjoy about your job?
A: Getting out and meeting people and seeing all sorts of operations. I really enjoy working across all parts of the Farmlands business.
Q: What do you like to do most in your spare time?
A: Spending time outdoors and with the family. If I do have spare time, I love flying planes – I have had my private pilot’s licence for more than 10 years – and I also really enjoy doing biking events to try and keep fit.
Q: Tell us a bit about your family.
A: I have an awesome partner Kerryn and we have two girls – Frankie (5) and Georgia (4).
Q: What is the most interesting trip you have ever taken?
A: 100 years of Harley Davidson ride in Australia – 6,000km from Rockhampton down to Melbourne.
WAYNE’S SEARED VENISON
WITH MUSHROOM SAUCE
INGREDIENTS
Seared venison
300g venison medallions
(at room temperature)
2 tsp venison spice mix
1 Tbsp olive oil
METHOD
1. Preheat oven to 220°C. Line an oven tray with baking paper.
Mushroom sauce
3 Tbsp white wine or masala
1 shallot, finely diced
125g button mushrooms, thinly sliced
½ cup cream
1 Tbsp soy sauce
1 Tbsp pomegranate molasses, to serve
2. Pat venison dry with paper towels and combine with venison spice mix and olive oil to coat well. Set aside.
3. Heat a drizzle of oil in a large frying pan on high heat. Fry venison for 2-3 minutes each side for medium-rare, or until cooked to your liking. Remove from pan and cover with foil to rest.
4. Return same pan to medium heat. Add wine/masala to pan, let it bubble and use a wooden
spoon to rub bottom of pan to release any pan brownings. When wine/masala has almost evaporated, add a drizzle of olive oil and shallot and cook for 2-3 minutes until soft. Add mushrooms and cook a further 2 minutes. Add soy sauce and cream and simmer for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened. Slice venison against the grain.
5. Spoon mushroom sauce over venison and drizzle lightly with pomegranate molasses. Serve with caramelised pumpkin and roasted baby kale.
SAVE THE DATE
WHAT’S COMING UP WITH FARMLANDS
3 JUNE
Whakatu Golf Day
Contact the Farmlands Whakatu store for further details.
21 JUNE
New Plymouth Equine Evening Farmlands New Plymouth, 6.00pm.
15 -18 JUNE
National Fieldays, Mystery Creek, Hamilton
Come and visit us on F Street (site F103 – F109) for great deals, expertise on-site and giveaways! Check out pages 4 and 5 for more details.
8 JULY
National Horticultural Field Day, A&P Showgrounds, Hastings Come and visit us on-site!
CALL IN AND SEE US!
Tap into the huge amount of knowledge and experience at your local Farmlands store. Drop in, call 0800 200 600 or visit www.farmlands.co.nz
Farmlands store.
Horticultural Advisory Service available.
Check out our Facebook page to see what’s happening at Farmlands www.fb.com/farmlandsnz
Organic dairy a cash converter
Organic dairy farmers have been turning green to gold, with some current forecasts exceeding the $9.00 mark.
These types of figures are not only raising eyebrows, they are raising the number of queries from those interested in converting to an organic set-up. Donald Nordeng, the CEO of organic certifier BioGro Limited, says the high forecasts are in part linked to demand – but whatever the reason, any decision towards an organic operation is a good one.
“Organic and non-organic pricing won’t necessarily move together –there is a separate market for organic dairy that isn’t tied to the commodity market,” he says.
“It (the high forecast) is a good message for organics.”
High forecasts don’t mean instant cash, however. Donald says anyone interested in converting needs to look at a 3-year turnaround to reach compliance with BioGro.
“I was talking to someone whose family had recently switched to organic – they said the animal health products and fertilisation of pasture were the two big issues for them,” he says.
“The animals were grass-fed anyway.
“It really depends on the farmer’s set-up and how much property they have for grazing – it could be relatively straight forward. But I don’t want to make it sound easy, because it’s not.”
Throughout the BioGro 3-year conversion period, the property
is monitored for pesticide residue and heavy metal counts. Risks and areas requiring attention are subject to either best practice guidelines or additional monitoring.
“BioGro has an initial contact meeting service – we send an auditor to the farm to have an interview about what things you will need to do and how the standards will apply to you, which is really useful for a lot of people,” Donald says.
BioGro also has a tool called the Online Inputs Tool, with a web dashboard that locates all of the approved inputs for use on organic farms. Farmlands has more than 150 products on the dashboard so far.
A number of farmers that have already started the conversion process end up talking to Fonterra Global Business Manager for Organics, Craig Deadman. Craig says the goal of their programme is to meet the standards of every market worldwide.
“If a farmer wants to join a Fonterra programme, the best thing they should do is talk to our Business Development Manager, Stuart Luxton (021 241 8797),” he says. “From there they need to choose their certifier and choose what date they want to start converting – with organic dairy farming there are a number of issues with the standards you have to manage. Fonterra pays a $0.45 conversion incentive for farmers in conversion.”
Craig recommends working with the Business Development Manager,
like-minded farmers in the region and their certifier to create a management plan, which can utilise the vast resources available to help make decision making easier.
“The forecast at the moment is a significant incentive – we’ve already had enough enquiries to fill our 2016 and 2017 allocation as it is at the moment,” he says. “I think it’s a great move by our co-operative, which benefits both organic and conventional farmers.”
5 minutes with...
What is the theme for this year’s Fieldays?
This year’s theme is Collaborate to Accelerate Innovation. To achieve the best outcome possible for New Zealand agriculture, we (the industry) need to work together and innovation is the key for our ongoing sustainability. What new attractions can Farmlands shareholders expect at this year’s Fieldays?
We’re looking forward to opening the new Careers and Education Hub at Fieldays this year. Fieldays understands the need for more young people to join the agribusiness industry and the Hub will showcase this great industry by putting young people – some of whom would never come in contact with the industry otherwise – in front of education providers and agribusinesses. The Village Green will be far more active this year, with Ag Art Wear shows and daily seminars. And we’re pretty excited to see what’s in the Innovation Centre – the next big thing could be sitting in there, ready to change to future of agriculture!
The crowds keep coming every year. What do you think is the enduring appeal of the Mystery Creek event?
Apart from being a chance to meet up with family and friends and their rural suppliers, our customers enjoy the fact they can see every brand and technology in one place. They also have the ability to view the latest innovations and technology about to find itself on the
world stage. Fieldays brings everything together on one platform, which creates accessibility for all facets of the industry.
Many also come to see the iconic events we hold at Fieldays, like Tractor Pull, Fencing, Ag Art Wear, Innovations, Kiwi’s Best Kitchen, New Zealand Logger Sports, Rural Bachelor of the Year and now Careers and Education. They can also hear the many speakers and industry specialists at our Knowledge Series.
There is a lot more than just shopping going on at Fieldays. How important is the technical and advisory aspect of the event?
This is crucial and another important reason we get New Zealand farmers and opinion leaders coming. There is opportunity every day to hear from leaders in technical information, academics, Government officials and the many other respected industry leaders giving advice, opinion and technical support or just staging debate.
Based on conversations you’ve had so far, what do you think will be the main focus of those attending the event this year?
Despite the known dairy downturn there will still be many farmers, whether big or small, looking for new technology. Many parts of the New Zealand agricultural market are doing very well and will still be looking for new machinery, technology and the usual Fieldays deals available.
There is certainly an increase in people wanting knowledge and that is why Fieldays is continuing to improve on the various events to improve the knowledge transfer and provide new opportunities for our customers to get new information. Our event also allows many exhibitors to do business with one another, so while we are primarily seen as a Business to Customer event, we are very much a Business to Business event as well.
This event is well recognised on the world stage and provides a showcase of New Zealand’s cutting edge technology and products that help advance agriculture to the world. Last year our reach was out to over 40 million people worldwide!
Peter Nation, CEO, New Zealand National Fieldays Society Inc™
Peak performance
Stud farmers stand tall
| Okato farmers Maureen and Tony Luckin.
All farmers breed for performance but making a living from it and making a name from it are two different things entirely. Stud farming requires equal measures of persistence and perseverance. Re-inventing the wheel would put pay to the gains you have made, however forgoing all innovation could see you left behind by more adventurous breeders.
Tony Luckin is one breeder that has seen more innovation than most – he has been involved in the dairy stud scene for nearly seven decades. Still living on the property he was raised on, Tony, his wife Maureen and family own and operate Leithlea Stud, producing high quality, award winning Jersey cows.
The Okato stud was first established in 1949 and having taken over from his father, Tony has said he
has never wanted to change from a breed of cow he admires and respects.
“I’m a Jersey man at heart. The farm started off as an 80 acre farm, which was a rehab or soldier’s farm,” he says.
“Over the years we’ve bought the two adjoining farms that were part of the original farm in 1945 – they were all part of a soldier’s farm – so we have a few more cows. We now have 239 acres – I work in acres – and this year we’ve downed our numbers a bit because of the climatic conditions we faced during winter and spring, which was the worst I can recall. We’re down to 230 cows but we usually try to milk around 240, all stud Jerseys.
“Our goal is to set it up so the stud carries on when I pull the pin.”
Tony’s persistence in the industry paid off in 2011, when he won the Semex Award – involving a team of cows judged on BW and type – along with the individual cow prize the same year, which is judged on type.
The awards were vindication for a life spent striving for performance, in the face of dramatic changes across the decades.
“The first thing that probably happened in my lifetime was the introduction of artificial breeding,” Tony says. “Just natural mating with bulls – that’s what happened in those days – but at the start a few of the breeders were a bit apprehensive of AB but as time has gone on it’s probably one of the best things that’s happened.
“The use of AI has been real beneficial and is worldwide. It’s been going on for quite some time but it gives us access
| Tony’s dream is to breed Jerseys that can match the highest production levels.
| Tony still lives on the farm he was raised on.
to those genetics around the world. It makes breeding cows really exciting and as a stud breeder, you need to keep that focus on the cows to make it exciting.”
Another change has been not been about innovation but rather expansion.
“The size of farms has changed dramatically in recent times. I just think it’s a thing that happened – we’ve probably found that people are exiting the industry or are retiring.
A neighbour usually buys out the smaller farms alongside them and the farms have become a lot larger than what they were, resulting in bigger herds. We have had to change the style of cow that we breed now. In my personal case, we’re trying to breed our Jerseys a lot bigger with some capacity and milk.”
Leithlea has rolled with the waves of innovation and Tony has changed his processes accordingly. He focuses on breeding a cow that is going to suit the occasion, or what is happening within the industry.
“To do that, we’ve looked at genetics all around the world –not just studs in New Zealand. We’re focusing on breeding those larger cows and personally I get around New Zealand quite a bit because I have been a judge and classifier. I go to Australia every year to look at Jersey cows over there and I’ve been to the USA and Canada, South Africa and this year we’re heading to Ireland, Scotland and England and to Jersey Island, the home of the Jersey cow for the World Jersey Conference.”
Travel may seem like a perk but to Tony it is all about the quest to create a Jersey gem. Finding the right mixture for premium production can be a meticulous process.
“As far as breeding our cows, a lot of New Zealand farmers focus on BW. High BW bulls are not automatically used here
| Tony Luckin on the farm.
“
...we’re trying to breed our Jerseys a lot bigger with some capacity and milk. “
(at Leithlea) – if a high BW meets my criteria I’ll use them, otherwise I’ll source bulls from around the world and they don’t have to have BW,” he says.
“That’s the sort of thing with farmers in New Zealand –they have to have BW – for me it’s not a big thing but I don’t say it’s wrong.
“We’re looking to breed a cow that is commercial and can stand competition, or be in a situation where these types of cows that we’re trying to breed could hold their own against Crossbred cows, because of their size and capacity and milk.
“It’s starting to happen here and if we can breed a herd of cows like that, who would want a Crossbred herd when you have a Jersey herd that can really compete?”
Tony’s Jersey herd already does compete – both on-farm and on show. He has had the Champion cow for a number of years now at the North Taranaki Jersey Club and enjoys travelling around the country, meeting like-minded people with passion for breeding.
|
with.
The cows have some decent scenery to live
Through all that I’m hoping the future for Leithlea looks real bright — we’re quite prepared to continue stepping outside the square. “
“I’ve met a lot of terrific people from around the world and around New Zealand,” he says. “The Jersey cow has been a passion all my life and I think about a lot of the conversations with people about cows and farming over the years – it’s been the Jersey cow that’s got me there.”
Tony is hopeful the Jersey cow will help the next generation on-farm travel the world, as well. His oldest son Jay and daughter in law Kelly are on the farm now, the next step in a succession plan that is working nicely.
“With succession planning, farmers thinking along those lines need to get that succession planning in place as soon as possible, to make it easy,” he says. “We had great help in that case from our accountant, lawyer and bank manager. We’re quite fortunate we had three good people we could liaise with and that made it quite easy.
“Through all that I’m hoping the future for Leithlea looks real bright – we’re quite prepared to continue stepping outside the square.”
While Tony was born into stud breeding, Andrew Stokes – who farms near the banks of the Waimakariri River –came across Angus breeding in a more unconventional way. Not many breeders can say they got into the industry thanks to a disaster.
“In 1988, there was a big fire on the property owned by Harley Jenkins, from Floridale Angus,” Andrew explains. “My father, who was his neighbour, managed to cut through the fence and get his stud cows out and he put them in
another work paddock to save them. Harley said to my father that if one of his boys was ever interested in getting into breeding, he could come and pick some of his heifers.”
And so it came to be that in 2001, fresh from his OE, Andrew asked if he could take Harley up on the offer. Originally called Sinai Angus, as of last year the family property is known as The Ranch, with four blocks split up amongst the four Stokes brothers.
“I’ve always been keen on cattle – my father, uncle and grandfather have done a lot with cattle and I have a cousin that breeds Herefords, which causes a bit of rivalry,”
Andrew says.
| Andrew Stokes has been showing since he was a child.
We are just trying to produce an animal that’s efficient in what it does and produces what the customer wants. “ “
While diversifying his breeding by having both Angus and Texel studs on the 750 hectare property, Andrew continues to be heavily involved in his other passion since a young age – showing at the district’s various Shows.
“I’ve always been involved in the local Shows: Sheffield, Rangiora and Christchurch,” he says. “I was showing pet lambs and calves as a kid. It’s a great chance to showcase your animals.
“I’ve been showing cattle since 2003, first at the Oxford Show and then 2 years later I entered the Christchurch Show. I was first on the Cattle Committee and am now on the Christchurch A&P Show Committee.”
Andrew’s competition highlight came in 2014, when he won the Meat and Wool Cup, chosen from the best cow and calf. He is focused on having another tilt at the title, with a different animal.
“We are just trying to produce an animal that’s efficient in what it does and produces what the customer wants,” he says.
After 14 years of showing, Andrew says his main hobby now is “actually spending time with the kids” (Marshall, 11
and Daniel, 8) and helping them progress through the showing ranks.
“Marshall actually wants to start his own Banded Galloway stud. He’s actually bought Angus cows at auction for my stud – he’s been pricing them, buying them just to take one and show.
“Daniel’s only 8 years old but he is starting to take it on as well.”
As Chairman of the Canterbury Westland Angus Association, Andrew not only has responsibilities through this Show commitments, he also likes to ensure the next generation have the chance to learn and grow their own passion.
At last year’s Christchurch A&P Show, Andrew auctioned off one of his own bulls to benefit the Youth of the Christchurch Show, a Canterbury Young Rural Achievers group that helps support budding young showers.
“They have a competition for showing cattle and the winner of that competition goes and competes in Australia. I’ve got two boys that show, so it was my way of giving back something,” he says.
“They get judged on their handling, their presentation, how they look after the animals in the store and their knowledge.”
Andrew’s endorsement of the next generation is a reflection of his own experiences in the industry – showing gives you more than just ribbons, medals and prizes.
“It’s all about the friendships we have made – not long ago, we got a call from a guy in Southland who asked if Marshall could go down and help him show his cattle.
“This industry – it’s just a huge family.”
| The Stokes family out and about during show season.
Farmlands now importing bamboo for horticultural use
There are more than 1,000 species of bamboo in the world.
Bamboo plants can range in height from a few centimetres to 40 metres, with stem diameters ranging from 1mm to 30cm. When treated, bamboo forms a very hard wood that is both light and exceptionally tough. In tropical climates it is used in house construction, fencing, bridges, canoes, furniture, construction and scaffolding, as a substitute for steel reinforcing rods in concrete construction and many other uses.
The cultivation and harvest of bamboo is environmentally friendly. It is mostly hand cut by teams of farmers. A 3 year harvesting
cycle is possible on most of the smaller diameter specifications. It is a natural product and ideally suited for use in horticulture, as there are no preservatives or chemical treatments used (with the exception of MPI required border control treatment).
Fresh harvested bamboo is washed in large machines then dried (seasoned) by storing under cover for a minimum of 1 year. The product is then sorted, graded and bundled ready for export.
The common horticultural uses include tree and vine stakes, flower sticks and overhead shade poles.
There are two grades of bamboo –Cane A and Cane B, reflecting the different quality standards.
“A” grade bamboo is straighter, has a thicker cell wall, a more consistent diameter and is therefore stronger and will last longer. Farmlands now imports “A” grade bamboo directly from China. Shareholders have been very pleased with the quality, consistency and value of the canes.
We have selected this particular supplier based on this consistent quality and reliable supply.
The supplier is a Chinese family business employing more than 100 staff. They purchase raw cane for processing from farmers in neighbouring and often remote villages.
Bamboo can be supplied in many diameter and length specifications, which can be tailored to individual requirements (although some minimum volumes may apply).
Due to the length of time from ordering to delivery, it is important to work on a 2 month lead time for larger volume orders of canes. For further information, contact your Farmlands Technical Advisor or the friendly team at your local Farmlands store.
Article supplied by Mark Daniels, Farmlands Horticulture.
Farmlands Horticulture Product Guide
Horticulture is the forgotten industry when the media discusses rural sector news. While some areas have been generating headlines for a variety of reasons, horticulture has been quietly plugging away and generating great returns, with little fanfare.
Farmlands understands and recognises that as the horticulture industry continues to produce and diversify, shareholders need to know what products will improve their operations – and what options are available in a growing industry.
To continue our complete service to shareholders and their diverse options, Farmlands has launched the 2016 Farmlands Horticulture Product Guide. The guide is the largest, most comprehensive guide we have ever compiled, taking into account the growing niche markets available and processes our shareholders use.
The guide is designed to introduce new inputs that are available to shareholders, while profiling the respected, traditional product lines. The contents cover nearly every corner of the horticulture industry, with product selections for viticulturists, apiarists and everyone in between.
Thanks to new, strategic partnerships with key suppliers, Farmlands has built a network of quality, dependable suppliers who have built their own reputations on high calibre products and services.
From fertiliser and crop management through to winemaking supplies and even cafeteria supplies, every aspect is catered for. Farmlands Horticulture also acknowledges the growing influence of organic process in the industry and we have ensured there are plenty of products available that include the BioGro New Zealand certification.
The Farmlands Horticulture Product Guide not only reflects the strength
of the product range available to you, it celebrates the diversity of our own shareholder base. Whether you are looking for the right product to boost your production, trying to achieve organic certification or simply looking for the right packaging for your export, you can find it in here.
When our shareholders ask, we supply. Farmlands was created to get shareholders a better deal on what they needed to succeed in business. Hopefully this guide provides every product you need to keep that success going.
Keep an eye out for the Farmlands Horticulture Product Guide –making its way to you soon. For more information, contact your local Farmlands Technical Advisor or the friendly team at your local Farmlands store.
Farmlands autodrafter winner in action
Congratulations to Dave Somerville of Waimahaka, Southland, who was the lucky winner of the Coopers Animal Health –Farmlands autodrafter competition drawn recently. Dave qualified for the autodrafter draw by ordering Coopers drenches from both the Farmlands site at the Waimumu Fieldays and from the Invercargill Farmlands store.
Dave is a long time user of Coopers drenches and particularly likes Scanda® as it controls internal parasites, including tapeworm in his sheep and has a short, 10 day meat withholding period, while also being low dose, meaning drenching is easier on his hands.
The new autodrafter will be of great benefit to Dave’s 305 hectare, 3,000 ewe operation. As he can finish up to 4,300 lambs, the autodrafter is going to help get lambs off the farm when they are ready and not a week later. Dave’s 305 hectares are split between four blocks, so he is also having a trolley system built to allow the autodrafter to be mobile around the four blocks. As Dave often drafts lambs on a fortnightly basis, having the autodrafter will not only increase information accuracy but should provide efficiencies in turning weighing from a two person job into a one person operation.
Dave has been considering using electronic identification (EID) on his stud stock for some time to monitor animal performance records. Now that he has an autodrafter with EID capability, his decision to use EID should be a little easier, while also potentially improving his farm management capabilities. For more information, please talk to the friendly team at your local Farmlands store.
Article supplied by Coopers Animal Health.
| Left: Farmlands autodrafter winner Dave Somerville (right) and his father Ken (left) with the new prize on Dave’s farm in Waimahaka, Southland.
| Above: Farmlands Invercargill Business Manager Peter Thompson (left), prize winner Dave Somerville and his children Cosmo (2) and Elisabeth (8), with Coopers Animal Health Territory Manager Kurt Molloy (right).
Are you losing your battle with lice?
Lice infestations are becoming a serious problem for many farmers. Optimum wool length and environmental conditions during autumn and winter favour lice survival and development.
It sounds easy to control lice, right? We know they spend their entire life on the sheep – so why can’t we just treat and forget about the problem? If you are a parent you will understand! Lice control and eradication can be unsuccessful, as it only needs a small surviving population of eggs, nymphs or adults to multiply and the problem continues. Heavy lice infestations cause loss of wool value and animals look unhealthy and under-perform. There are multiple products available with various claims and time recommendations for lice treatment. Many products contain harsh chemicals and should be used with care to avoid human and environmental exposure. Care and informed product selection is recommended.
Stock should be checked for lice every time you yard them. Lice are easier to identify in animals with greater than 6 months’ wool. Part the wool in at least ten areas on both sides of the sheep and look for lice at skin level and lower fleece. Multiple sites need to be inspected, as the parasite often has uneven distribution over the sheep.
The most effective time to treat animals for lice is when their wool is short. Coopers MAGNUM® is best used within 24 hours off-shears, when increased grease production (stimulated by shearing) aids the product’s binding and new grease
encourages lice feeding and uptake of the ingredient. MAGNUM contains an ‘insect growth regulator’ in an aqueous formulation, which makes it safer for operators. MAGNUM used correctly as part of a strategic lice control plan, will provide at least 20 weeks’ lice control – guaranteed.
Visit www.coopersonline.co.nz for information on the Coopers 10 point lice guarantee.
Using MAGNUM at pre-winter or prelamb shearing provides extended cover during the harder months of winter and into spring. Used pre-lamb, MAGNUM prevents the transfer of lice from the ewe to the lamb during suckling. The Coopers lice range also contains Coopers ZENITH®, with the same active as MAGNUM but is formulated for saturation dipping (shower or plunge). When saturation dipping is used, it is important
that full saturation of the fleece to skin level is achieved – a difficult task once a fleece has 2-3 months’ growth on it.
Heavy lice infestation on sheep with 3 months or more wool growth can be devastating for your season’s wool production. Emergency lice treatment is required to reduce fleece damage and animal irritation. Coopers VANQUISH® is a powerful synthetic pyrethroid (SP) pour-on for use in these situations with up to 10 months’ wool growth. Coopers recommends effective, sustainable and responsible lice treatment that becomes part of your animal health plan.
For more information, please talk to the friendly team at your local Farmlands store.
Article supplied by Coopers Animal Health.
Purchase 50 or more Allflex NAIT tags before 30 th June 2016 and go in the draw to win rugby tickets for two to watch New Zealand vs Australia, plus accommodation. PLUS GET A FREE RUGBY TRAINING BALL WITH YOUR
Don’t delay, order your Allflex NAIT tags from Farmlands now!
Treating ewes pre-lamb
Most farmers, if asked what they would like to achieve from their ewe flock, would probably say “more lambs sold at weaning and less dags”.
To achieve these goals, it’s important to understand what is happening to the ewe prior to lambing. The 35 days before lambing is a crucial time. The lambs are growing fast within the ewe and ewes are also developing udder tissue. All of this takes energy and protein – energy and protein sourced from either the grass it is eating or its body reserves. Twin and triplet ewes simply can’t eat enough feed to adequately meet their needs, so they must utilise body reserves. As a result of this, the ewe will lose condition and not be able to fuel the immune system adequately. This makes them more susceptible to the effects of both parasites and disease. To increase the number of lambs that are available for sale, you must decrease
wastage of both ewes and lambs that occurs over lambing and through to weaning. Clostridial bacteria are a major cause of sudden death in both ewes and lambs and their effect can be easily prevented by routine vaccination of the ewes pre-lamb. Lifeguard® 5 in 1 is a low 1ml dose vaccine that will help you achieve this outcome and you’ll get more doses out of each 500ml pack!
To sell more lambs at weaning you must maximise pre-weaning growth rates. This is achieved by ensuring the ewes are able to produce as much milk for their lambs as possible. Ensuring ewes are in good body condition (Condition Score ≥ 3) and have ad lib high quality feed is key to achieving this goal.
Within most flocks, particularly after droughts or hard winters, there is always a proportion of ewes that are not up to condition pre-lamb. It is these ewes that
will drag down your overall ewe flock performance and contribute significantly to the parasite contamination on your property. The performance of these ewes and their lambs can be dramatically improved by giving a persistent acting drench such as Eweguard® or Cydectin®
Long Acting Injection for Sheep. Treatment of poorly conditioned twin bearing ewes with Cydectin Long Acting Injection for Sheep has been shown to increase ewe weight at weaning by 3.3kg and lamb weights by 2.6kg, compared to untreated ewes1. This means lambs can be ready for sale at least 10 days earlier and ewes require less feed and time to get back up to mating weight.
Treating ewes pre-lamb with long acting anthelmintic products has also been shown to significantly reduce dag score2 This will reduce the risk of fly strike and decrease the amount of dagging required.
Having a pre-lamb plan that addresses the areas of nutrition, ewe body condition, prevention of disease and targeted parasite management will help you achieve better ewe flock performance and profitability.
For more information, please talk to the friendly team at your local Farmlands store.
Article supplied by Zoetis.
References: 1. Bingham C. Comparison of the production effects of two different long acting pre-lamb treatments in twin bearing ewes. Proceedings of the Society of Sheep and Beef Veterinarians of the NZVA 2016.
2. C.M. Miller, S Ganesh, C.B. Garland and D.M. Leathwick. Production benefits from pre and post-lambing anthelmintic treatment of ewes on commercial farms in the southern North Island of New Zealand, New Zealand Veterinary Journal 63, 211-219, 2015.
The bag then the bottle – a three step plan for preventing milk fever relapse
During calving and the peak in-milk production that follows, New Zealand dairy cattle are faced with a sudden increase in demand for calcium, energy and other minerals. Some cows simply can’t eat enough to keep pace and are forced to draw overly on bodily reserves. All of these factors can put them out of balance and lead to metabolic conditions such as ketosis, grass staggers and most commonly, milk fever. Initial treatment for milk fever with injectable calcium solution is typically fast and immediately effective, however the chance of relapse remains a risk.
What the studies say: Studies have shown 30-35 percent of cows initially treated with intravenous calcium will relapse if not given supplementary oral calcium. This number can be even higher in older cows. Using oral calcium following initial intravenous treatment has shown to prevent relapse by up to 60 percent. Treatment plan: To help prevent relapse and give the cow the best chance of returning to health and production, consider a three step treatment regime to provide a sustained supply of calcium, minerals and energy.
1. Injectable calcium solution administered by IV and/or SC*
Intravenous (IV) calcium solution (administered into the vein) acts quickly and gets the cow up and walking again, often within several minutes. However, this route of administration is quickly utilised by the body, which is why treatment is often supplemented with a bag under the skin.
Subcutaneous (SC) administration (giving a bag under the skin) takes comparatively longer to absorb, giving the cow a more sustained supply of minerals over the next few hours.
Using both routes of administration (a bag into the vein and one under the skin) as your first line of treatment will provide rapid calcium replacement plus slow release of calcium.
The Bayer range of metabolic solutions offers injectable calcium
either alone or together with magnesium and energy for cases complicated with grass staggers and/or ketosis.
Suitable products: CBG 37.5, Glucalmag, Glucalmax, Glucalphos. *Please remember that you do need to take special care to check that the bag you are using is suitable for the intended route of delivery. While most injectable metabolic solutions in the range are suitable for both IV and SC, some are not.
2. Follow-on treatment with oral calcium
Once the cow is up and walking following initial treatment and has regained enough muscle control to swallow normally, orally administered calcium (Oral-Cal) or oral calcium with added energy (Oral-Max) provides a continued level of support to help prevent relapse.
Administer one bottle of oral calcium (Oral-Cal or Oral-Max) as soon as the cow is standing and swallowing normally. Repeat with the same dose 10-12 hours later.
3. Lastly, provide an energy boost. Finally, administer propylene glycol (Ketol) for an additional energy boost, quicker metabolic recovery and a positive influence on the post-calving energy gap. Administer 240ml twice daily as a drench, or mix in the drinking water or feed.
SYMPTOMS
Milk Fever
Deficiency: Calcium
Weakness, wobbliness, depression, lying down with head turned back, glassy eyed, constipation, low temperature, fast but weak heart rate.
CONDITION
As part of a complete and balanced range, Bayer offers supportive oral calcium and energy treatments to help guard against relapse.
Oral-Cal
• Oral calcium supplement.
• Aids in the prevention and treatment of milk fever.
• A full dose of calcium in every bottle.
Grass Staggers
Deficiency: Magnesium
Excitability, nervousness, stiff or spastic gait, sitting on knees unable to get up, arched back and paddling legs when cast.
SUITABLE PRODUCT
CBG 37.5
Magnesium
Sulphate 20%
Warning – Administer under the skin only.
For more information, please talk to the friendly team at your local Farmlands store.
Article supplied by Bayer.
References: 1. Jonsgard K, Odegaard S.A. and Overby I. 1971. Supplement of calcium gel by mouth in addition to treatment with calcium by vein in paresis puerperalis in
Oral-Max
• Oral calcium supplement and anti-ketogenic agent.
• Aids in the prevention and treatment of milk fever and ketosis in cattle.
• A full dose of calcium, plus added energy and magnesium.
Ketosis
Deficiency: Energy
Lack of appetite, grinding of teeth, apparent blindness and circling, sweet, sickly odour to breath and milk.
INGREDIENTS
Calcium
Magnesium
Calcium plus Magnesium
Calcium plus Magnesium and Energy
Calcium plus Magnesium Energy and Phosphorus
cows. The Obstetrics Institute of the Veterinary University, Norway. Nord. Vet – Med: (23) 606-619
2. Rajala P.J., Grohn Y.T. Disease occurance and risk factors analysis in Finnish Ayrshire cows. J. Dairy Sci. 1998, 81, 3172-3151.
3. Thilsing-Hansen T, Jorgensen R.J., Ostergaard S. Milk fever control principals: A review. Actc vet. Scand. 2002, 43, 1-19.
Ketol
• Energy supplement with added minerals.
• Aids in the treatment and prevention of ketosis in cattle.
• Fast acting energy boost.
Transition ration management
There is a growing awareness that transition period management (described herein as the final 4 weeks of gestation and the first 4 weeks of lactation) has profound implications on cow health, milksolids production and reproduction over an entire season. Cows managed to the best of one’s ability during the transition period are well placed for a successful lactation to follow. So where should we focus our efforts?
a) Dry cows – total energy requirements continue to increase during the dry period due to increased fetal demands, plus we have increasing levels of insulin resistance. Underestimating feed requirements can result in body condition losses well before calving. To avoid this, a simple rule of thumb is to increase DMI by 1kg DM per cow every 10-12
days throughout a 60 day dry period, taking most dry cow rations from 8kg to 14kg DM per cow daily.
b) Do everything possible to prevent milk fever and the plethora of metabolic diseases associated with it. Milk fever itself is a metabolic disorder that occurs primarily due to ration imbalances. So the good news is that if we can change the balance of the ration, we can greatly reduce clinical and sub-clinical incidence. High forage potassium levels tend to be our greatest enemy. Balancing pre-calving rations begins with offering the lowest potassium forages available.
Milk fever is essentially low blood calcium and presents either clinically (downer cow) or sub-clinically.
Calcium absorption primarily occurs intestinally and is directly influenced by parathyroid hormone (PTH) and active vitamin D. Magnesium has a positive association with dietary calcium absorption via PTH stimulation and vitamin D activation. Increasing total ration magnesium to levels around 0.45 percent per kg DM is very beneficial pre-calving. Adding magnesium in chloride and sulphate form is prudent, as these ‘anionic salts’ have a negative DCAD value. Reductions in the DCAD value of the total ration will reduce blood pH. When this occurs, the cow’s natural response is to ‘buffer’ the blood and it releases phosphorus from skeletal stores to satisfy this
objective. When this occurs, we will also see a release of calcium to further support blood calcium status.
c) Utilise as many of the raw materials that you will feed post-calving in your pre-calving ration, with the proviso that they are suitable for this purpose. This allows both the rumen ‘bugs’ and the papillae that line the rumen wall to be adapted to the end products of rumen fermentation, allowing for improved DMI and feed conversion efficiency post-calving.
d) Ensure you have adequate feed on hand to meet the nutrient requirements of highly productive, freshly calved cows. A fresh cow will need to consume 18-20kg DM daily to meet its suddenly increased nutrient requirements but it takes time to get there. If pasture available to graze has a very low dry matter content, chances are that fresh cows won’t push beyond 14kg DM as grazing intake. Providing high quality hay, silages and concentrates that are readily and rapidly consumed can support increased intake and work towards reducing the number of days and degree of body condition loss post-calving.
For further information, contact your Farmlands Technical Officer or the friendly team at your local Farmlands store.
Article supplied by Inghams.
Protein in the ruminant diet
Protein is the second most commonly limiting nutrient for livestock, coming in behind energy, which takes out the top spot. Protein is particularly important for high-yielding dairy cows, as producing large quantities of milk increases protein requirements significantly. Protein is also very important for young stock who are rapidly laying down muscle and skeletal tissue as they grow.
Protein is measured as crude protein (CP), which is calculated from the chemical determination of the nitrogen content of the feed. This nitrogen level is then multiplied by 6.25 to get the assumed CP value. There are two main fractions of protein. Firstly there is the microbial protein, which is the fraction that is degraded in the rumen and utilised by the resident microorganisms to synthesise their own body matter. Secondly there is the rumen by-pass protein, which is the fraction that is not degraded in the rumen and passes on to the lower parts of the digestive tract. Both microbial protein and rumen by-pass protein potentially contribute to the total metabolisable protein absorbed by a ruminant animal, as the microbial protein formed in the rumen eventually moves through to lower parts of the digestive tract for utilisation by the host animal. It is easy to get confused between the microbial protein and the metabolisable protein as they have similar names! Once in the small intestine both fractions of protein are broken down into amino acids, which are absorbed by the host
animal and are directly responsible for weight gain, milk production and muscle maintenance. Some protein is indigestible and will be voided in the faeces.
Microbial protein
Due to the symbiotic relationship ruminants have with their resident microorganisms they are able to make use of nitrogen from non-protein nitrogen (NPN) sources such as urea and ammonia compounds. Microbial protein is a very important protein source for ruminants and the amazing relationship they have with microorganisms allows ruminants to produce high quality animal protein such as meat and milk from feeds such as grass, which is high in NPN. The protein that comes from rumen microorganisms has an amino acid profile that is the closest to what the cow requires for milk production. Microorganisms need a source of readily fermentable energy to assimilate NPN into their own body matter. For this reason it is important to balance energy and protein in a diet to ensure that the rumen microorganisms have a suitable energy source at the same time as they receive high protein feeds.
By-pass protein
Rumen by-pass proteins skip breakdown in the rumen as they are unavailable to rumen microorganisms. Raw materials such as soyabean meal, canola meal and cottonseed meal contain a good proportion of by-pass protein as well as some rumen degradable protein. By-pass proteins are particularly important for high yielding dairy cows as when protein
demands increase with increasing milk yield, the capacity to create microbial protein in the rumen becomes saturated and some by-pass protein is required to continue to meet the requirements of these animals. By-pass proteins are also important for young stock who may not have a fully functional rumen yet and therefore limited ability to assimilate microbial protein from non-protein nitrogen sources. The amino acid profile of by-pass proteins can become important at very high levels of production.
Pasture and protein
Although pasture is generally classed as a high protein feed, this is not always the case. As pasture becomes stressed at certain points of the season the protein content can drop significantly. Adding in a higher protein supplement when this occurs can boost milk production/ animal growth significantly.
Article supplied by Dr. Rob Derrick, Farmlands Nutritionist, Farmlands Nutrition.
Calf rearing tips
by Karen Fraser
Calves should always be a priority –they are our future herd. With spring approaching, the concerns of the season can cause anxiety, however it’s an exciting rollercoaster ride!
Good housing and management of calves is essential for animal welfare. The calf shed environment and requirements are:
• Safety, warmth and shelter.
• Ventilated and draught-free at calf level.
• Sunlight.
• Bug-burden free.
• Non-crammed environment, well drained, good depth of bedding (regularly replenished) and a viruscidal disinfectant used 2-3 times a week during calf housing.
If you can smell ammonia, your ventilation is failing – proactive management is critical.
My preference is to rear calves on shavings but they become very expensive. I have used washed pea-metal for years and had great success with this option, however it needs to be managed correctly. Remove each season to weather and re-use – I’m fussy with each stage of that bedding choice. Clean running water in troughs is essential. If you won’t drink the water, do you expect the calf to? We clean troughs at least three times weekly.
The secret to success is liquid gold! First, milking colostrum!
How do you know 100 percent that the new calf has received the right amount of IgGs (immunoglobulins) off Mum? Short answer is, we don’t. Have a plan in place to ensure the calf gets everything necessary for optimum health and is well-equipped with the right amount of antibodies.
The quicker the calf is uplifted, the better. On large dairy farms we manage to pick-up twice daily.
If purchasing calves, I prefer to buy from a reputable supplier, ideally who I can trust to vaccinate dry cows and ensure calves get colostrum in sufficient quantity and quickly. These two things could be the making or breaking of calf-rearing outcomes.
My own plan:
• Ensure the farm vaccinates cows.
• Expedient calf pick-up.
• Colostrometer testing (the higher the content of IgG the denser the milk will be) for milk quality.
• 2 litres (10 percent of body weight) within the first 6-12
hours. If the calf doesn’t suckle it is tubed.
• Another 2 litres (10 percent) within 24 hours – day 1 colostrum.
• Day 1 colostrum with blood present, “clotty mastitis”, is still high in antibodies (but not ideal for storage).
We move calves onto day 2-4 colostrum up to about 2-3 weeks. You can choose any method for rearing your calves but you can’t afford sacrifices when it comes to feeding high quality first colostrum.
Also ensure you are implementing a health plan:
• Thermometer.
• Good electrolyte.
• Colostrometer to test colostrum quality.
• Tube drencher.
• Gloves.
• Whiteboard for daily passport for each shed.
• Neck-tags.
• Colour-marker sprays.
• Notebook.
• Faeces sample pots.
• Iodine.
• Viruscidal disinfectant (Virkon) and a sanitiser for feeders and tubedrenchers.
• Probiotics/ prebiotics (promote gut health with useful bacteria).
• A good rapport with your vet will be cheaper in the long run and keep you proactive and knowledgeable –they’re important for drug and health expertise.
The simple fact is, calves die from dehydration before anything else. The key: calf rearing starts at birth – NOT 24 hours later.
Article supplied by Karen Fraser, Young Stock Manager.
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From monogastric to ruminant — an impressive transformation
The digestive tract of the neonatal calf is dramatically different to that of the adult ruminant. When a calf is born they have an extremely small rumen, only a fraction of the size it will need to be as a mature animal and the largest compartment of the gastrointestinal tract is actually the abomasum, as the main source of nutrients in early life is milk.
For this reason, newborn calves are similar to monogastric ‘single stomached’ animals as the abomasum (referred to as the ‘true stomach’ due to its similarity to how a monogastric stomach functions), is the compartment that is doing the most work. As the calf gets older however, the rumen is required to increase in size as the animal prepares to consume high fibre feeds and the rumen quickly overtakes the abomasum in terms of size and functionality. The rumen is a stomach compartment that is critical for ruminant animals and an adult cow may have a rumen as large as 200 litres in capacity, which is vital for processing high fibre feeds such as grass. It is therefore easy to see the importance of developing the rumen of calves, as it is an impressive transformation that is no easy feat. In a more natural environment calves would not be weaned until an older age and not as abruptly. However in an artificial rearing environment we need to wean them much earlier, which they can deal significantly better with if they have a well-developed rumen.
Calf 10 – 12 weeks 4 months Fully developed
So, how do we develop the rumen?
Offering a grain based calf feed is the key. Establishing a rumen microbial population is the first step in developing the rumen. While the rumen of the young calf is sterile at birth, bacteria with the potential to colonise the rumen are rapidly acquired from the environment, other animals the calf comes into contact with and feed. For these bacteria to grow and multiply they require a source of nutrients in the rumen and hard feed provides a substrate, which supports the proliferation of bacteria. The end products of the fermentation of starch found in grain based hard feeds also play an important role in the development of the epithelial tissue lining the rumen (known as papillae). It is this epithelial tissue that will play a vital role in absorbing the volatile fatty acids released by the fermentation of feed by rumen microbes, as the calf matures and thus affects the efficiency that the animal can use feed.
Tips for hard feed intake
• Hard feed can be offered to calves from day one – they will not eat large
amounts this early in life but it is important to have it available so they get used to it. Initially, calves will just nibble at the feed but after a while they will get a taste for it and intakes will increase.
• Always make sure the feed on offer is fresh. This is particularly important at the start when calves are only consuming small amounts. Do not put large amounts of feed out and leave it to mould or be contaminated by vermin.
• Clean troughs regularly.
• Calves maintain a lot of mouth activity after a milk feed – hand feeding some hard feed immediately after their milk feed can help get them used to the texture and flavour.
• Always have fresh water available –water is critical for hard feed intake and rumen development.
• Store unopened bags of feed in a cool place out of direct sunlight to ensure freshness.
Article supplied by Stacey Cosnett, Assistant Nutritionist, Farmlands Nutrition.
McMillan Equine Feeds NEW
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Contains organic minerals.
Contains high quality:
• Quality amino acids.
• Cold pressed canola oil.
• Organic trace minerals and natural vitamin E.
DUNSTAN BETABEET FLAKES 20KG
• Flaked, unmolassed beet pulp.
• Rapid soaking in 10 minutes.
• A super-fibre for optimal digestive health.
• Non-heating, slow energy release.
• Reduces risk of tying up and colic.
DUNSTAN SUGARBEET FLAKES 20KG
• Molassed, higher calorie beet pulp flakes.
• Rapid soaking in 30 minutes.
Nutrition for the mare in third trimester
Most mares in the breeding paddock will have had their energetic offspring weaned by this time of the year and if they are in foal again, their maternal duties will have now switched to the developing foetus. The equine gestation period ranges from 320 to 362 days and the final 4 months are crucial for providing the correct nutrition.
Commercial breeders in New Zealand mainly aim to have foals born as close to 1st August as they can, which means that June is a time when most mares are entering this significant third trimester of their pregnancy.
Nutritional management of the mare at this important stage involves maintaining body condition through altering dietary energy levels, while ensuring adequate intake of protein and the trace minerals that are crucial for both the mare and the rapidly growing foetus. From early pregnancy through to late pregnancy, energy requirements increase by 15 percent and protein and mineral requirements increase to a greater extent. It is therefore important to cater for this by increasing caloric intake through increased levels of forage and/ or concentrate and increasing protein and mineral intakes through using a feed formulated for the increasing nutrient requirements of a broodmare.
In order to appreciate the significance of specific nutrients at this time, it is important to understand that the growth of the developing foetus is not linear. At 7 months of pregnancy, the foetus is
still only 20 percent of the weight it will be at birth and it is less than 2 percent of the mare’s weight. This means that most of the foetus’ growth is carried out during the last 4 months of pregnancy. Trace minerals zinc, manganese, iron and copper are particularly important to supply during third trimester, as the mare’s milk is deficient in these trace minerals. The foetus is therefore required to store these in the liver, to compensate for decreased levels in the mare’s milk that the foal will be receiving after birth.
Various studies have proven the importance of supplying adequate levels of trace minerals in third trimester. One such study by Dr. Simon Pearce (1997) looked at timing of copper supplementation and the link with developmental orthopaedic disease. The study showed that copper supplementation in foals at 21 days of age, where the mare had not received copper supplementation, resulted in higher levels of cartilage lesions (which
indicated growth abnormalities) than foals in which the mare had received copper supplementation during late gestation. This highlights the importance of trace mineral supplementation of the mare and that attempting to catch up on nutrients once the foal is born is generally not beneficial.
When selecting a feed for a mare in third trimester it is important to consider energy, protein and trace minerals carefully. Farmlands has a selection of feeds that have been specifically formulated to complement New Zealand pastures and meet all nutrient requirements for late trimester broodmares if fed at the correct level. These include NRM Evolve (available in convenient nut form) and the palatable textured muesli McMillan Broodmare. For more information, please talk to the friendly team at your local Farmlands store.
Article supplied by Luisa Wood, Equine Nutrition Technical Advisor.
Maize silage offers great insurance
Maize silage is an integral part of a successful dairy farm system for David and Sue Forsythe. The couple, who milk a split-calving Friesian' X Jersey herd on 185 hectares (effective) south of Te Awamutu, have been feeding maize silage for 22 years and are convinced of the crop's benefits, both as a quality supplement and as an important part of their pasture renewal programme.
Each year around 11ha of maize silage is grown on-farm as part of the farm’s re-grassing programme. Low producing paddocks are planted in maize followed by an annual ryegrass crop.
The same paddocks are cropped in maize a second time and then planted into a permanent pasture mix that includes plantain the following autumn.
“Using effluent allows us to grow two consecutive crops of maize silage in a paddock without the need for any artificial fertiliser,” David says. “The maize reduces surplus soil nutrients and we get a crop yielding around 25t DM/ha for just 12-13c/kg DM”.
David is looking for a hybrid that delivers a high dry matter yield with a good grain content. In the 2015-16 growing season he planted Pioneer® brand P1636.
“Pioneer provides us with proven hybrids and we get great support from the local Pioneer and Farmlands representatives.”
The couple also buy in around 700t DM of maize silage each year. All the maize silage is inoculated with Pioneer® brand inoculant at harvest time.
“We start feeding out the maize silage a week after it is harvested and usually continue until the grass starts to take off in early October.”
Dry cows are fed up to 8kg of maize silage per day. They spend their days in a herd home eating and are put onto pasture at night when they are full.
“Maize is great for putting weight on cows, especially in the autumn and it helps keep the dry cows very settled and content,” David says. “When they go out to the paddocks they just lie down, so they do very little pasture damage and most of the calves are born outside.”
Milkers are fed 2-6kg DM of maize silage combined with a range of by-products including biscuit meal, corn steep liquor and kiwifruit.
In the 2014-15 season the couple peak milked 880 cows and produced 456,000kgMS (2,465kgMS/ha and 480kgMS/cow). In the 2015-16 season they peak milked 850 cows and are on track to produce around 380,000kgMS, despite a prolonged summer drought.
Ultimately, David plans to reduce the herd to 650-700 cows and change to a 100 percent autumn calving system, which will be less complex to manage than the current split calving system.
Maize silage will continue to play an important part in the farm's supplementary feeding regime.
“Having a big stack of maize silage on hand year-round is great insurance, because we can adjust the feeding rates up and down depending on how much pasture we have on hand,” David says.
“It’s a great feed.”
For further information, contact your Farmlands Technical Field Officer or the friendly team at your local Farmlands store.
Article supplied by David and Sue Forsythe.
Talking turf with Peter Griffiths
To ensure shareholders continue to receive the best technical advice on every aspect of their operation, Farmlands has access to a wide range of experts.
Turf is one area where experience is a vital component of finding the right requirements. Farmlands is privileged to be able to call upon experts that love nothing more than talking turf and coming out tops.
And these experts can come from a long way away to do the talking.
Peter Griffiths joined DLF Seeds in February as Turf Manager, having moved to Christchurch from the United Kingdom. Peter brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience in the turf industry.
Peter takes up the story:
“I grew up in agriculture, farming beef, dairy and sheep in Wales. I first studied agriculture at Usk University. I then left home to work in Civil Engineering and hard landscaping.
“This took me into golf course construction. The last place I constructed, Cottrell Park Golf Club in the UK was a 36-hole championship venue. I stayed there for 8 years as the Course Manager and at the time was probably one of the youngest Course Managers in Wales on one of the largest facilities. My team and I took the course into the top 100 courses in the UK through hard work and great attention to detail.
“I also went back to Glamorgan University to study Sports Turf and Environmental Studies.
“I left Cottrell Park in November 2004 to join Rigby Taylor Ltd as a Technical Sales Representative. Rigby Taylor is the largest supplier to the turf industry in the UK covering all sports, including polo and race courses, schools, contractors and local authorities.
“My role included account management along with writing programmes of works for course maintenance and giving practical advice to committees/ turf managers on seed choices, fertilisers and chemicals.
“DLF supplied us with all our seed mixes in the UK and I was a frequent visitor to DLF’s turf breeding station in Angers (France) to see the latest innovations in turf seed technology.
“When DLF approached me and asked if I would be interested in working in New Zealand, I quickly packed up and moved here!”
To find out how Peter can help sort your turf requirements, contact your Farmlands Technical Field Officer or the friendly team at your local Farmlands store.
Article supplied by DLF Seeds.
New solution for broadleaf weeds
Dow AgroSciences is proud to officially launch its newly registered cereal herbicide Paradigm™ . Using the newly developed Arylex™ compound, Paradigm is a flexible, low dose, wide spectrum solution for the control of broadleaf weeds in cereals. Available in 500g packs, the easy to use formulation can be tank mixed with many other products, simplifying applications and saving time.
Paradigm has been developed for post-emergent use in wheat, barley and triticale to control fumitory, cleavers, volunteer brassicas, shepherd's purse, chamomiles, mayweeds, cornbind and a wide range of other broadleaf weeds. Paradigm is a true all-rounder solution, with an emphasis on flexibility of application timing, tank mix compatibility and a weed control spectrum that offers cereal farmers an excellent weed management solution. “Paradigm is a truly impressive product, brought to fruition through many years
of research and development by Dow AgroSciences,” Nick Koch, Dow AgroSciences New Zealand Marketing Manager says. “There are only a few true research and development companies that are searching for and discovering new chemistry and once a new molecule is found, it can take more than 15 years of development to bring a product to market. So when a new product finally achieves registration, it’s a big deal. It gives farmers a new flexible weed control solution that actually helps to improve production – and that’s the bottom line.”
Paradigm has been developed with the time-poor farmer firmly in mind. With the flexibility to ‘mix and match’ Paradigm with other products in the spray tank – farmers can achieve one pass weed, pest and disease control – saving time, money and reducing soil compaction. Formulated using GO DRI™ technology, the 500g WDG packs are easy to handle, clean and dispose of via the AgRecovery™ programme.
Paradigm is highly selective to the crop and breaks down very quickly, with active ingredients in Paradigm (Arylex™ and Florasulam™) rapidly metabolised in the
crop and the soil without causing any residue or carryover issues. It is broadly compatible with other agricultural chemicals and is extremely flexible in terms of application timing with a wide application window – ideally being applied early in the season on small weeds but also suiting later application to crops, as late as full flag leaf emergence.
Paradigm has been extensively tested across New Zealand with research trials over several years and a wide demonstration programme with both farmers and agronomists last season. Across these trials the feedback on Paradigm has been overwhelmingly positive, with particular attention drawn to its effectiveness on control of fumitory, particularly in cold conditions.
Dow AgroSciences recommends mixing with Uptake™ Spraying Oil to maximise performance.
For further information, contact your Farmlands Technical Field Officer or the friendly team at your local Farmlands store.
Article supplied by Dow AgroSciences.
Winter weed spray brings both immediate and long-term benefits
If thistles and other broadleaf weeds have been standing between you and productive, quality pasture growth lately, it’s time to take them out of the picture with a winter spray programme for established pastures.
The benefits of doing so are two-fold. First, by getting rid of those weeds now, you’ll put yourself in a better position to grow plenty of good grazing in spring, when you need it most for lambing and calving.
Second, you’ll help extend the life of existing pastures, by maintaining a dense, healthy sward of grass. This makes it harder for any weed seedlings that do manage to germinate in this environment to become established.
The opposite also applies, however.
Broadleaf weeds that survive this winter will be more widespread next season, not to mention harder and more expensive to control. They will also further compromise your ability to maximise the farm’s most cost-effective source of feed.
Broadleaf weeds that are typically targeted in this type of winter spray programme include thistles, ragwort and buttercup. They’re autumn germinating, frost hardy and have the highest economic impact, especially where they have been able to colonise thin or bare areas of pasture.
There are some handy guidelines around preparation and timing that will help ensure you get the best return on any winter herbicide investment but the most important first step is to identify what problem weeds are present on the farm and where.
If you have any questions about identifying different weed species, talk to your Farmlands Technical Field Officer – they will be happy to help. They can then also recommend the most appropriate choice of herbicide, application method and spray timing for your situation.
Tried and trusted products include Sprinter® 700DS, a high quality liquid 2,4-D amine herbicide and Relay® Super S, a 2,4-D ester formulated as an emulsifiable concentrate.
For best results, always aim to spray when weeds are small and actively growing. Phenoxy herbicides work by being carried through the plant tissue after application and if plants are not growing, the chemical will not be able to do its job properly. Because of this it’s also particularly important to avoid spraying weeds when they are frosted, waterlogged or moisture stressed.
Graze the paddock before spraying, to ensure the weeds are well exposed. Again this will help the chemical do its job – good coverage is a must. Allow 2 to 3 days for growth to freshen after grazing then spray the recommended herbicide.
Wet weather can compromise results if it occurs too soon after spraying. Relay Super S needs 2 hours before it is rainfast, while Sprinter 700DS needs 6 hours.
Last but not least, always comply with local regulations for phenoxy herbicide applications. Some regions such as Northland specify certain time periods for these products.
For further information, contact your Farmlands Technical Field Officer or the friendly team at your local Farmlands store.
Article supplied by Nufarm.
® Sprinter and Relay are registered trademarks of Nufarm Limited.
Helpful heat detection
On the surface, Gallagher’s new Flashmate® Electronic Heat Detector appears to be a simple flashing light. Hidden inside however, is thousands of hours of research packed into a very clever microchip.
Fixed on the cow’s flank beside the tail ridge so it maximises retention and doesn’t interfere with tail paint application, the easy-to-use device utilises technology similar to the touch screen on a smartphone. It is coupled
with an intelligent microchip to look for specific patterns of riding activity, including the frequency, number and length of contact. Flashmate detects an extremely high percentage of cows in heat, including those very difficult to detect using tail paint alone.
Once a heat is identified, Flashmate will flash red for 26 hours, indicating the cow is ready for artificial insemination. The device continues monitoring for subsequent heats and if the cow does not return to heat after 25 days it will
Flashmate - How it works
Heat Pattern DetectedFLASHES RED
Flashmate flashes red for 26 hours once the right heat activity pattern is detected to indicate the cow is ready for artificial insemination.
No Subsequent Heat Pattern - FLASHES GREEN
Once AI’d if the same cow does not come back into heat within 25 days, Flashmate will flash green to indicate possible conception.
begin flashing green to indicate that the cow is a ‘non-return’ and likely pregnant. Alternatively if riding activity returns, the unit once again flashes red meaning it can be used for multiple heat cycles during its one season battery life. For more information, please talk to your friendly team at your local Farmlands store.
Article supplied by Gallagher.
Subsequent Heat Pattern - FLASHES RED
If the same cow returns to heat again Flashmate will again flash red.
All-in-one, cost effective weighing solution
For many farmers, the weighing of animals is not a regular practice and often the price to set up a weighing system can be cost prohibitive. To help farmers that are looking to start weighing, Gallagher has released the W110 Digital Weighing System, an all-in-one entry level weighing solution.
The W110’s simple installation and intuitive user interface makes it the ideal solution for those farmers who occasionally weigh their animals on an infrequent basis. The system includes a digital weigh scale indicator with mounting bracket and set of loadbars with cables. Simply add a platform and you are ready to start weighing.
The W110 system can weigh up to 1,500kg and is powered by 4xAA batteries, meaning no need for mains power and the ability to easily move to multiple locations if required. The large digital display on the scale makes it easy to read weights and has the option to manually lock onto a moving animal weight or change modes to have the weight lock automatically.
The galvanised steel loadbars fit most sizes of platforms with slotted top-mounting holes and the loadcells inside are environmentally sealed for added protection.
In addition to livestock, the W110 is also an ideal solution for weighing produce such as wool or hay bales. As Gallagher Product Manager Dan Loughnane explains, the new Health and Safety legislation has increased the importance of knowing the weights of these items.
“An example is the National Council of New Zealand Wool Interests’ recent restriction of greasy wool bales to 200kg to reduce the risk of workplace accidents during dumping and shipping.
Knowing your bales are within the weight restrictions will minimise re-packing or additional charges.”
For more information, please talk to the friendly team at your local Farmlands store.
Article supplied by Gallagher.
NEW RED BAND HOODIE – THE PERFECT KIT FOR A HARD DAY’S WORK OR A LONG NIGHT OUT. AVAILABLE IN ADULTS SIZES SMALL - XL 2
Lending a hand to benefit New Zealand farmers
As part of the desire to help farmers get through tough times, a group of Lincoln University students have pulled together and come up with a sustainable business plan that creates some very good options in support of New Zealand farmers facing challenges. They worked out very quickly they had valuable skills and experience, they had high levels of energy and commitment and by bringing these elements together, along with a desire to make a difference, they had substantial strength. Their focus to date has been on raising awareness around healthy thinking and although it’s early days, they are already gaining some ground through their three primary approaches – Educating, Communicating and Connecting.
The Educating strand involves getting the subject into relevant university curriculums and once fully developed, it will create generations of rural people who understand the benefits of healthy thinking.
The Communicating strand focuses on further increasing the knowledge of rural professionals. One of their most recent initiatives in this area was a highly successful ‘Healthy Thinking’ workshop delivered by Dr. Tom Mulholland at Lincoln University on 12th May. This workshop brought together more than 60 people to gain insights and information that is able to help rural families.
The Connecting strand combines their members into a labour force with the aim of giving back (or paying forward) to the rural sector. They operate this strand under the banner of ‘Handy Landys’ and the intent is to offer a no cost option to farmers that could just ‘do with a hand’. Pretty much anything that needs doing (and that they can do) is open for assistance and their rural backgrounds mean they are confident across a range of farm skills. They have developed a structured approach to getting the work done and once contact is made via www.handylandys.co.nz they send someone out to look over the job and clarify all the relevant details.
Considerations such as describing the job to be completed, who supplies what resources, the work completion dates and times and health and safety aspects
are all discussed before the work commences. On the arranged day, the ‘Handy Landy’ team arrives and under the direction of their foreman, they complete the work to the agreed standard of quality and timeliness. The students have connected with the Rural Support Trust and Farmstrong to make sure they are creating alignment and building linkages that avoid a fragmented approach and to make sure they are connecting with the right people. Their initial aim is to get the model established in the Canterbury region but they are open to extending further afield if the right situation and opportunity arises.
Farmlands is pleased to be supporting this group of enterprising and organised young people as we believe it’s another way we can help add value to the rural industry. Watch out for more stories of some of their work and their successes – we reckon they will make a difference!
Article supplied by Grigor McDonald, Farmlands Organisational Capability Manager.
Educating Communicating Connecting
Choices Points
Choices Points
Choices Points
To redeem your Choices Rewards Points, visit us online at www.farmlands.co.nz/choices or simply call the Choices Rewards team on 0800 200 600, option 4. Goods available from 1st June – 30th June 2016 or as long as stocks last.
Choices Points
Sunbeam 1kg Bread Maker
Nutri Ninja Auto IQ Blender
Russell Hobbs 6L Slow Cooker
Choices Points
Panasonic 43” Full HD Smart LED TV
Megaboom Speaker
Canon SX610 Compact Super Zoom Camera
Huawei 13000mAh Portable Power Bank Perfect for charging your cellphone on the go
Choices Points Sunbeam Pizza Bake and Grill
Philips Airfryer
Building safety into calving shed set-up
Farmers are being encouraged to consider safety when setting up sheds for calving. Historically there are relatively few incidents on farms in June but accident figures double in July and again in August.
“Calving is one of the busiest times of the dairy farmer’s year, involving working long hours, often in cold, dark and wet conditions,” Al McCone, WorkSafe’s Agriculture Programme Manager, says.
“There’s a clear link between calving and the steep rise in sickness and injury. However, good forward planning can significantly reduce the risk of incidents.”
Farmers are starting to prepare for calving now, getting sheds ready and calving kits stocked. It’s a good time to check your health and safety is just as much of a priority as your stock in your calving plan.
Al says planning for and managing hazards shouldn’t be complex. “It won’t involve much extra work but could save you a lot of time and
trouble in the long run. The last thing you need during calving is for you, or any of your workers, to be sick or injured and out of action.
“Bringing replacements up to speed isn’t easy at busy times. The alternative is the remaining team working longer hours and accidents are more likely when people are tired. It’s a vicious circle, reflected in ACC’s accident figures but can be broken with good forward planning and risk management.”
The main injuries reported during calving are musculoskeletal, to the back and neck, often from lifting or carrying. These can become chronic, causing long-term pain or inability to work.
WorkSafe’s Safe Cattle Handling guide includes a section on calving – such as the best way to handle animals to avoid being kicked.
Lifting calves is a major cause of back injuries. If you have to lift a calf, squat beside it, pull it close with one arm around the front and the other around the hind legs. Straighten your knees to lift it. Hold it firmly – don’t let it struggle loose.
Injuries caused by being kicked, stood on or bitten, as well as slips, trips and falls, cuts from sharp objects and vehicles are also common during calving. Al suggests starting with a good look around your shed. “Think about previous
incidents, or potential hazards. Are there escape routes? Are there slip or trip risks? Ask workers what they think the main hazards are and if they have any suggestions.
“It’s good to talk with your team about tasks they shouldn’t tackle alone and gear required for different jobs. Leather boots with steel toe-caps are the best footwear. Gumboots should have toe-caps. Arms should be covered and a strong pair of trousers and leggings softens the severity of kick injuries.
“You need to be even more aware about the risk of infection and of diseases, like zoonoses. Review washing facilities. A bucket of hot water isn’t enough. Workers need a clean place to wash their hands, with running water, liquid soap and a hygienic way to dry them, like paper towels.
“Plan to manage fatigue and ensure people eat properly and stay hydrated. Think about how to best safeguard children, particularly young ones, at times of heightened workload and increased activity.
“This might all seem like common sense and farmers have plenty of that but the accident figures show that common sense isn’t enough.
By building safety into your calving plan, you’ll minimise the risk of you or your workers being laid up when needed most.”
Article supplied by WorkSafe.
Farmlands Finance
Visit us at Mystery Creek for all of your specialist finance needs
National Fieldays™ is nearly upon us and for any shareholders looking for a great finance deal, make sure you come and talk with the Farmlands Finance team before making any purchases. We’ll be situated on the Farmlands site – F103-109.
Our flexible range of finance options have been designed by people who understand farming and are focused
on saving Farmlands shareholders as much as possible.
Considering upgrading your equipment at Fieldays?
Our Hot HP Rate of just 7.45% p.a. will be available for any plant and equipment purchases on-site, before Fieldays or a month after Fieldays.*
Not travelling to Mystery Creek this year? No problems at all, our friendly team can be contacted at any time to discuss your financing requirements – simply email loan@farmlands.co.nz or call us on 0800 200 600.
Ensures best return for supplementary feed dollars and reduces waste
Preferentially feed quantity and feed types to individual cows or groups
Manage individual cow feed to optimise production
Save feed by not feeding repeat milking cows.
Farmlands Fuel unaffected by Commerce Commission announcement
It is very much business as usual for Farmlands, despite the Commerce Commission’s announcement last month that Z Energy can now purchase 100 percent of Chevron New Zealand’s shares. Farmlands and our guaranteed fuel supply is unaffected by Z Energy taking ownership of Chevron’s shareholdings.
Farmlands welcomes this decision and sees it as an exciting opportunity to further enhance our offering to shareholders. We will also continue to provide fuel to the Challenge service station network,
with a contract set in place until 2025. Our supply contracts with Chevron New Zealand will simply be assigned across to the new shareholders of Chevron New Zealand, i.e. Z Energy.
Farmlands is a vital player in the New Zealand fuel industry. Our significant scale and commitment to our shareholders is why Z Energy released a statement late last year, in response to a number of submissions to the Commerce Commission, stating:
“Farmlands represents critical volume for the Chevron business both now and under Z ownership following the proposed transaction, which provides an overarching incentive to ensure this channel receives supply on competitive prices in order to sustain its volume of supply through this channel”.
Farmlands is an integral part of the New Zealand fuel landscape, now and into the future. We will continue to provide our service to those who need us – nothing changes for our team or our shareholders.
Tick the boxes to fuel your safe site
Farmlands Fuel is very focused in safety and the environment. With this in mind, we have made a checklist to help confirm if your site is safe and meeting good access, safety and environmental standards.
Safe access from road
Access track in good condition
Access good clearance (trees, electric fences)
Overhead clearance (power and telephone lines)
Sufficient turning area
Tank area clear of equipment and debris
Bridges and culverts sound and suitable
Tank, hose, nozzle and pumps not leaking
Tank painted, free of rust and clearly labelled with correct labels
Does your tank have a calibrated dipstick and ventilation pipe?
Tank and surrounding area clear of any tank contamination
Fuel usage recorded and balanced wet stock
Are you able to contain any spills from drains or waterways?
Does the tank have any secondary containment?
Is the tank stable and secured to the ground?
Does the tank have a ladder and is it sound and secure?
Is the tank fill point easy to access without over reaching?
Is the area around the tank level and free of debris, so access is clear and safe?
Are site hazards identified and the driver informed?
Have you replaced your non-compliant tripod?
Are you confident that your site and tank are safe?
If you have answered 'no' to any of the above, you may need some advice that the team at Farmlands Fuel will be happy to assist with on 0800 666 626.
By pooling large numbers of cows regionally, Farmlands will negotiate a better deal for your animals.
REAL ESTATE UPDATE North and South Island
Those of us who have been in the game for a while know that real estate markets are cyclical. Residential continues to boom and our lifestyle teams are experiencing very brisk trading. Who knows when this activity will subside but history dictates at some point it will. REINZ statistics demonstrate significant changes in South Island dairy sales.
• 1 July 2013 - 31 June 2014 there were 133 farms sold in the South Island vs
• 1 July 2015 – 31 March 2016 there were only 30 farms sold
In the North Island, sales have not been impacted as dramatically
• 199 farms sold 1 July 2013 – 31 June 2014 vs
• 111 sales 1 July 2015 – 31 March 2016
At some stage in the cycle, dairy sales will increase. In 2013/14 Farmlands sold 55% of South Island dairy farms. Compared to this year where we have successfully sold 30% with a number of conditional contracts still pending to both local and overseas purchasers. In April we sold our first North Island dairy farm in Whangarei under the hammer at auction.
Post-Christmas we have had numerous sheep and beef marketing campaigns close. The successful purchaser typically had another farm to sell. At deadline offers have been back 5 - 10% on Vendor’s expectations with purchasers not wishing to increase their offers. Therefore we have had to renegotiate sale prices across the chain
Nicky Reid
Dargaville
Rural
Phone 021 103 6277
Les Old Te Kuiti
Lifestyle/Rural
Phone 027 248 2667
John McElhinney
Gisborne
Lifestyle/Rural
Phone 027 902 0567
as the market has dictated.
Our industry fundamentals are listings – marketing – negotiations and conditional contract. We cannot make a conditional contract become unconditional and this year we have had numerous contracts collapse resulting in disappointed Vendors.
Over the past month we have added salespeople in the North Island, providing shareholders with a competitive option in the real estate market. Welcome to Paul Yates in Kaitaia, Nicky Reid and assistant, Bradley Bishara in Dargaville, Ian Morgan and assistant, Stacey Gooder in Matamata, Kevin Wrenn and Les Old in Te Kuiti, John McElhinney in Gisborne, Sally Neilson and Anne Wilson in Hawkes Bay and Phil Badger in Rotorua/Taupo. These additions complement our Wairarapa and Manawatu teams.
Please visit us at National Agricultural Fieldays in Hamilton to discuss your next real estate move or view our properties for sale at www.farmlandsrealestate.co.nz
Paul Yates
Kaitaia
Residential/Lifestyle/Rural
Phone 027 577 9962
Kevin Wrenn Te Kuiti
Lifestyle/Rural
Phone 021 136 6843
Sally Neilson
Hastings Lifestyle/Rural
Phone 027 445 3533
Calvin Leen
General Manager Farmlands Real Estate 027 453 0950 calvin.leen@farmlands.co.nz
Phil Badger
Rotorua
Lifestyle/Rural
Phone 027 357 5704
Ian Morgan
Matamata
Lifestyle/Rural
Phone 027 492 5878
Anne Wilson
Hastings
Residential/Lifestyle/Rural
Phone 027 271 8551
LAND BANK/FORESTRY
WINSLOW / MT SOMERS, MID CANTERBURY
Ashburton District Council are offering a combination of forestry or milled/ cutover land in ‘as is - where is’ state. Available as separate freehold titles:
• 7.1 hectares on Winslow Road
• 30.2 hectares on Anama Station Road
• 24.1 hectares on Anama Station Road
• 242 hectares (subject to survey) on State Highway 72, Mt Somers
Deadline sale closing 4pm, Thursday 16 June 2016
NORTH OTAGO - 1,640 HECTARES
Simon Richards 027 457 0990
WEST OTAGO - 310 HECTARES
Dave Hardy 027 533 2770
www.farmlandsrealestate.co.nz
SOUTH OTAGO - 660 HECTARES
Derek Ayson 027 667 9601
CANTERBURY - 98 HECTARES
Matt Collier 027 205 6626
Rob Harnett 027 432 3562
rob.harnett@farmlands.co.nz
SOUTH CANTERBURY - 182 HECTARES
Kurt Snook 027 256 0449
- 46 HECTARES
A rug with a difference
The Banks Peninsula region is known for its beautiful scenery and coastlines and is home to 44 farmers who make up the Banks Peninsula Farms Collective. It’s here wool from hardy Banks Peninsula genetics, bred for their strong, white, bright fleece is produced and later made into rugs off-shore. The Banks Peninsula Farms rugs are unique individual pieces of art –hand-tufted and hand-carved from designs created by a local award-winning artist.
Having been featured on Country Calendar, these beautiful rugs and the collective’s focus on strengthening the farming community and sustainable farming practices caught the attention of both Farmlands and Meridian during a meeting last year and it was decided that one would be purchased as a Ladies Night prize for a lucky shareholder.
The lucky Ladies Night winners, Betty and Tommy Eade are retired sheep farmers near Riverton and they were thrilled with their new rug (as were their grandchildren, who were quick to test it out).
CARD PARTNERS
NO SMOKE. NO MIRRORS.
We don’t spend lots of money on fancy ads and special effects. We like our vehicles to speak for themselves by fitting in with what Kiwis need and getting the job done. The Ford Ranger does that. So much so, that it’s now New Zealand’s number 1 selling vehicle. Not because we bamboozled you with flash ads, but because it does a great job. So thanks New Zealand, for buying the vehicle that does the business, without the show business.
Ask your local dealer for exclusive Farmlands pricing or check it out yourself, at the Mystery Creek Ford Fieldays
The Driving Force behind the All Blacks
TOW AND FARM
TOOLS FOR THE JOB
