Welcome to the May edition of The Farmlander magazine.
The end of autumn usually brings a time to sit down and take stock of the year behind us and what lies ahead. Expenses and business practices are a few of the subjects under the heading “tough calls”. Farmlands is no different – we are having to make some tough calls. But as owners of our business, shareholders should know that just as you are making changes to accommodate lower revenue, we are doing the same.
We are reviewing almost every aspect of our operation, in an effort to try and find the most cost-effective and efficient structure and processes. This has meant some changes to parts of our business and unfortunately some jobs have been disestablished. Where possible, we are redeploying staff to other areas in the business.
Any change or decision made is to make our organisation more effective and to benefit our shareholders. During this period of change we have an extensive consultation with the people affected. This is a double-edged sword, as on the good side it enables people to effect change that may impact them. On the other side, it can draw out a process and create doubts about “what is happening to me”, when clear direction is being sought but not given due to the consultation. We are attempting to effect change as rapidly as possible, while maintaining a commitment to our people that no change that impacts them will occur without a chance for them to contribute to the direction of that change. Our performance continues to be very challenging and the need for change is very apparent.
I want to thank both staff and shareholders for their ongoing commitment to our co-operative during periods of change. Our vision is to be your trusted partner in business. Making some tough calls that ensure we can improve our offering to you shows how serious about delivering on that vision we are.
Peter Reidie Chief Executive Officer
Farmlands Co-operative Society Limited
FARMLANDER The WHAT’S COMING UP WITH FARMLANDS
28 APRIL - 9 MAY
North Island Dog Trials, Mangamingi, Taranaki
Visit www.sheepdogtrials.co.nz for more details.
13-17 MAY
Beef Expo, Manfeild Stadium, Feilding
See www.beefexpo.co.nz for more details.
SHAREHOLDER OFFERS
INTEREST
Airpoints™ Dollars and take off faster
ON YOUR FARMLANDS CARD
53 Farmside – A new way to stay connected in rural areas
54 Bridgestone
64 Farmlands Fenced in Savings
15-18 JUNE
National Fieldays, Mystery Creek
Visit Farmlands at F105 for great Fieldays deals and information.
LEIGH AITKEN
Q: What is your current role at Farmlands?
A: Salesperson, Farmlands Napier.
Q: What do you enjoy about your job?
A: Being in a rural environment close to town.
Q: Tell us a bit about your family.
A: I was raised on a sheep and beef high country farm. I have three children, two working in Sydney and the youngest finishing at Otago University.
Q: What do you like to do most in your spare time?
A: Tramping, fishing, farming and motorcycles.
Q: If you could live anywhere else in the world, where would it be?
A: On a cattle ranch in the Australian Outback, where the only form of transport is horseback.
Q: What is the strangest thing you have ever eaten?
A: Blind eel! Yuck! I had to eat it to win a fishing prize.
LEIGH’S STUFFED MUSSELS
INGREDIENTS
Red and green capsicum (chopped)
Red onion (chopped)
METHOD
1. Mix all together to make a paste.
Grated parmesan or cheese
CORRECTION
A photo of a bridge appeared in last month’s Farmlander. The photo was published, in error, next to an article about health and safety. Farmlands did not intend to imply that there were issues with the quality of the bridge pictured.
2. Boil mussels until opened – take out and stuff with the paste.
3. Pour chilli sauce over stuffed mussels and sprinkle with grated cheese or parmesan.
4. Put under the grill and cook until melted and crispy.
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
Garlic butter
Pesto
Mussels
Chilli Sauce
5 minutes with...Federated Farmers
While there are struggles in some parts of the primary sector, other areas are doing great numbers. What do you think are the current success stories?
There are definitely areas across the rural sector that are achieving good results at the moment. As an example, the horticulture, beef and seafood industries are all doing well.
For those businesses that are struggling, one idea being discussed is supplementing income with different revenue streams. Is this an area where Federated Farmers has been seeing an increase? What are the other messages that Federated Farmers is passing on to the dairy industry at present?
The message that Federated Farmers is giving to farmers is to understand and look very closely at your costs, as part of trying to farm for “profitability” (very hard for most in the current circumstances), rather than focusing largely on volume. It’s also important to see if farmers can diversify their income (e.g. into some beef) as many are doing and also being very conscious of the health and wellbeing of both the farmer and their family. It’s important to make time to include some social activities and talk to people.
Federated Farmers is also encouraging farmers to proactively talk to their accountants/financial advisors about their financial options.
What does Federated Farmers have planned in 2016, in terms of training and support?
We are offering a lot of support, both nationally and locally. At a national level, we are spending time talking to the government (especially senior politicians), bureaucrats and industry leaders, to ensure they clearly understand what is going on and are exploring practical solutions to help (e.g. reduce the compliance cost burden).
At another level, we are talking to bank leaders and running a survey of our members every 3 months to see how the banks are engaging and supporting. At a “grassroots” level, all of our Provincial teams and Territory Managers are undertaking a range of activities within their local communities. This is a real strength of Federated Farmers – for example, we have been working with DairyNZ to run a series of workshops for sharemilkers and with the police on rural security.
Fast forward to 2020 – what direction do you think farming in New Zealand is going to take?
The New Zealand primary sector will still be an incredibly productive and innovative sector, selling most of what we produce to the world. However, by 2020 we will be using even more “smart technology” to improve productivity and develop new products/services (e.g. precision agriculture). We will understand our “end consumer”
more, will “tell our compelling story” better and we will be selling more “value added” products. People in cities (especially Auckland) will further appreciate the contribution and importance of agriculture to themselves and New Zealand.
Graham Smith, CEO
Are you taking full advantage of the negotiating power of New Zealand’s largest rural supplies and services co-operative?
Introducing the Farmlands National Cull Cow Pool
2.
Discussing dairy
There has been plenty of talk about low dairy pay-outs – but where do we go from here? The Farmlander asked those directly involved about their thoughts about the direction of the industry, in anticipation of a fresh start next season.
The organisation: David McCall, General Manager Research and Development at DairyNZ
What do you feel will be the primary focus for next season?
Dairy farmers will be looking to reset their systems to rely on pasture first. They will want to manage cow demand to fit pasture supply, rather than rely on bought-in feed to fill deficits.
Pasture is the cheapest and most accessible source of feed and many will be looking to reduce costs associated with bought-in feed. We at DairyNZ will be doing everything we can to help farmers focus on skilled pasture management. The primary focus for next season is also reviewing where costs can continue to be held, while continuing to look after the farm and the team. Having an up-to-date budget and cashflow is essential next season – it will allow farmers to gain control over all spending decisions. What advice do you have for dairy farmers planning to meet the current challenges by doing things differently next season?
Work hard at minimising any loss and, when things pick up, capture any surplus cash to regain equity.
DairyNZ’s Tactics campaign will continue next season, with a renewed focus on building stronger businesses over the long-term. Helping farmers to increase pasture eaten and remove unprofitable feed will be key to the campaign.
We ran Pasture First: Reviewing Your System workshops during April to help farmers with decisions around cow numbers and ways to grow and use as much homegrown pasture as possible.
In your opinion, what do you see as the most challenging areas during the low pay-out season?
The most challenging areas would be creating a budget that you can live with and keeping the team and family’s morale up. The budget must be realistic and work with the longterm implications of the current milk price – getting the budget set and sticking to it is the hard part when income is tight.
Keeping the team and family’s morale up is vital too, while maintaining animal health and welfare, particularly as we head into calving and mating later in the year.
The dairy farm owner –Trevor Hamilton, T H
Enterprises Limited
Dairy farmers are now drying off for the season – what is the primary focus for next season?
As this season comes to an end, the primary focus for us as dairy farmers needs to be the ability of a company to put together a budget at a $4.50/kgMS price, so as to not show a cashflow deficit at the end of 2016-17 season and submit this to our bankers. Above all else, this needs to be a dairy farmer’s focus currently, so as to protect the equity in their business.
The next focus for our group is to set stocking rates and the operational levels of expenditure, so as to get the company into a sweet spot in relation to the current milk price. This may require some very brave calls that may depart from your current operational practices – cash has certainly become king in the dairy industry currently.
Do you plan on doing anything differently, to meet the challenges and strengthen your business?
Yes, we have done some very different things. We are wintering a few cows in Canterbury on our dairy farms by leaving higher late autumn pasture covers. The focus here is to reduce wintering costs, mainly the young lighter condition cows will be wintered on.
We are really questioning the financial performance of each business unit of our nine large dairy farms and run-off properties, along with putting every expenditure item under review. We have also brought another property and sold a property to obtain a better strategic and cashflow outcome. This will bring about greater short-term advantages, along with upside in a medium-term strategic outlook we have taken.
The main challenge we have undertaken is to put together a budget for the 2016-17 season that will not bleed equity on our T H Enterprises Ltd group balance sheet at the current very low milk price. We are keeping all of the group’s properties very productive and well maintained, however we are giving expenditure items an order of priority, i.e. is this item of expenditure a need or a want? Are you looking at diversifying your income given the current situation? No, we are not looking at diversifying in the medium-term. I think we will be sticking to our knitting as we have an intrinsic knowledge in every facet in our dairying farming operation modelling.
I guess I have seen downturns before, although this downturn is longer. But for our company, as long as we are making progress in terms of wealth creation over the next 5 to 7 years, as we have in the past 5 to 7 years, we will stick to dairying. This is not to say that if dairying stays at current low levels we would not examine our options and to a degree
we are constantly reviewing where to from here – this is just good strategic planning. This is a requirement of being the owner and Director of a large family company.
The banker: Hayley Moynihan, General Manager Country Banking New Zealand for Rabobank
What do you feel will be the primary focus for next season?
A back-to-basics approach across most farming entities (regardless of farming system) to maximise efficiencies from existing resources and to minimise costs.
What advice do you have for dairy farmers planning to meet the current challenges by doing things differently next season?
Seek opinions and input from a wide range of people and then make the best informed decisions you can. Other farmers, rural professionals and advisors are willing to assist and will have seen a variety of responses before in challenging times and different outcomes achieved –learning from the experiences of others is always worthwhile.
In your opinion, what do you see as the most challenging areas during the low pay-out season?
Two areas – firstly, ensuring that decisions made now do not compromise or increase risk for the farm business in future years. Secondly, supporting your own wellbeing and the wellbeing of those around you – in whatever way is the most appropriate and seeking assistance if required.
The sharemilker – Andrew Murphy, Dunsandel
Dairy farmers are now drying off for the season – what is the primary focus for next season?
Make sure we get the things we can control as right as possible – cow condition, pasture quality, pasture cover at dry-off and pasture cover at planned start of calving to give us the best start for the coming season. Don’t spend time and energy thinking about things we have little or no control over such as milk price etc.
Do you plan on doing anything differently, to meet the challenges and strengthen your business?
Our farm working expenses are close to $3.40/kgMS for the current 15/16 season and we see opportunity to take another 20-40 cents off this figure for the 16/17 season, without any adverse effects on the overall farm operation.
Are you looking at diversifying your income given the current situation?
As sharemilkers, we purchased a small furniture/home decor business earlier this season, with a view to diversifying our business and utilising the strengths of my wife’s experience in retail.
This however was not entered into as a direct result of the current dairy situation but has definitely been a useful addition to our overall business growth.
The accountant –
Michael Turner, Taxation Accountant for Polson Higgs
What do you feel will be the primary focus for next season?
Dairy farmers need to do some “what if” thinking. They need to put in place plans for differing scenarios. At what point do you change or exit the business? Remembering that every year the farm is making losses, it is eroding equity. How long can the business sustain that? You want to be making decisions about your business rather than have those decisions forced upon you.
This big picture planning will help set a roadmap going forward.
What advice do you have for dairy farmers planning to meet the current challenges by doing things differently next season?
Farmers need to look at their farming systems and establish how they need to adapt to the new environment. There is no point in simply saying the pay-out is below our cost of production and therefore the pay-out needs to go up. Given the pay-out is beyond farmers’ control, the only side of their business they can influence is the farming systems and the cost of production. This obviously needs to be a key focus.
Can the farm be re-engineered to cope better with the current price? In your opinion, what do you see as the most challenging areas during the low pay-out season?
The low pay-out puts pressure on businesses both financially and personally. Farmers need to ensure
they are interacting with their wider networks to ensure they maintain perspective and focus. Farmers also need to stay motivated, which can be extremely difficult with prolonged difficult times, however if the business owner is not focused and motivated the business will suffer further.
The nutrition expert – Dr. Rob Derrick, Farmlands Co-operative
What do you feel will be the primary focus for next season?
Maximising production from pasture should always be the focus for pasture based dairy production. Aim to minimise cost at a given level of production, rather than minimise cost regardless of production –profitability is determined by both costs and income.
Farmlands aims to support farmers whatever system they choose to follow. A wholescale return to System 1 may help to reduce traded milk powder volumes and lift auction prices in the short-term. What advice do you have for dairy farmers planning to meet the current challenges by doing things differently next season?
As a Nutritionist, I am duty-bound to say that a well-balanced diet is important for longevity and performance of both people and livestock, so don’t forget to eat and feed your stock well. If you can, keep a few chooks and perhaps raise a few pigs and look forward to a good ham at Christmas.
A realignment of purchased feed prices to the lower dairy pay-out
should come through next season and will strengthen the economic case for strategic supplementation. Feed options have increased in recent years, both in terms of the straights available and how they can be delivered, with many lower cost options that can be considered. But try not to make false economies – especially in the calf rearing department and transition feeding –which you may regret down the line. In your opinion, what do you see as the most challenging areas during the low pay-out season?
My natural instinct during difficult times is to keep my head down and work harder and I suspect many dairy farmers have a similarly strong work ethic. If you can be smarter at the same time as working harder that will help. If you can measure it you can manage it – when you are busy and tired it is easy to avoid statistics but if you can keep an eye on production and quality figures, including milk ureas and forage test results, the faster you can consider if action is required.
Pasture production is variable so it is useful to have a plan B or even C. At Farmlands we have lots of people who don’t know all the answers but know a lot about a lot of things, so take the opportunity to get opinions from people who know their field.
Farming Mums unite on Facebook
Rural ladies on Facebook have created a nationwide rural community and support network that is growing rapidly in popularity.
Farming Mums NZ was created in 2013 and South Canterbury vet nurse Chanelle O’Sullivan took over the page when it had around 600 ‘likes’. Chanelle changed the page to a group format, giving members the ability to post and comment freely. The group now has more than 6,200 members and has doubled in the past year, with around 40-60 new members joining each week. “It’s never slowed down,” Chanelle says.
Chanelle explains that the group was made with the idea of providing a support network for “a 20-30 year old who has been working in their career and then they’ve got married or had a baby and all of a sudden they’re out living rurally, with their husband working a lot out on the farm and they feel a little bit stuck at home”.
“I was in the position of just having moved rurally after vet nursing and the group provided a lot of people in the same boat as myself,” Chanelle says. Originally from Auckland, Chanelle moved south to take up work on a station just outside of Tekapo in 2007. Shortly after, she met her husband Dave at the Mackenzie Young Farmers group. The couple now have two children, Isabelle (4)
and Hunter (17 months) and live on a deer farm in South Canterbury.
Chanelle says the page was initially there to help support the 20-30 age group but has now grown to include people from the age of 17 to 70.
“As it has progressed, we’ve realised that without the range of ages, the page really wouldn’t stand up. It’s about people being able to talk to each other and give advice on situations that they’ve already been through.”
A large number of the group’s members live in Canterbury and Waikato and around 70 percent are involved with dairy farming but Chanelle says it covers everyone and everywhere very comprehensively.
“It’s just been a really great support hub and network and it gives members a community, no matter where they live. If they happen to move each season or every few seasons with dairy farming then they’ve still got a bit of a hub to go to in each region. If you are moving to an area or you want to know what an area is like, you’ve got a huge bunch of people that can tell you anything about that area.”
Administrators of the page from different areas of New Zealand organise various events that members can be involved in. Taranaki members recently attended a night with professionals teaching the group different activities such as massage, photography and how to build planter boxes.
Chanelle says she has never had to push for more members and is happy to see the page grow on its own.
“It’s brilliant to see people finding out about it from their friends,” she says. “It’s become very valuable to a lot of people.”
Members of Farming Mums NZ have recently been fundraising for the Rural Support Trust and are also releasing a recipe book later this year to raise funds for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter.
| Te Whare Ra winemakers Jason and Anna Flowerday.
|
The organic industry is no longer just for environmentalists and activists – it’s becoming much more accepted, more mainstream and being taken more seriously. Increasing numbers of consumers worldwide are taking into consideration where the products they consume have come from and how they were grown and made. Some Farmlands shareholders are already on board with the organic philosophy – producing high quality products while also preserving the health of their land for the future.
Winemakers Anna and Jason Flowerday started from the ground up to re-establish Te Whare Ra, a small vineyard and winery located in Renwick, Marlborough. The 11 hectare vineyard grows seven varietals of grapes and is fully organic certified with BioGro. Anna and Jason are also members of Organic Winegrowers New Zealand and the New Zealand Biodynamic Association.
Anna grew up in McLaren Vale in South Australia and is the fifth generation of her family to be involved in the wine industry. Jason’s family have been involved in the industry in Marlborough from the early 1980s.
Originally established in 1979, Te Whare Ra had been run conventionally until Anna and Jason purchased it in 2003. “When we bought it, it was quite run down, so that was part of what encouraged us to go that way (organics), to bring the vineyard back to life,” Anna says.
“A lot of people said, ‘oh that old vineyard is stuffed you may as well pull that out’. But everything we loved about it was the old vineyard and we had already seen the benefit of old vines in
other places that we had worked, so for us that was something that was quite special and quite unique about Te Whare Ra.”
Anna explains that getting the soil biology functioning was the most important first step in the rejuvenation of Te Whare Ra as an organic vineyard.
“They say you start from the ground up and that’s really how you have to do it too. We started off straight away with using cover crops and companion planting in our mid rows. We’ve got an alternate row system, so every alternate row in the vineyard has a grass sward with seven or eight species of grass in it.”
Anna and Jason have specifically chosen grasses (including chicory, plantain and different types of fescue and clover) that are winter active and summer dormant, so in summer they aren’t competing with the vines for available water but in winter they provide a lot of fodder for the cows.
“We graze cows in the vineyard over winter, so we don’t have to mow the rows – the cows are getting the fodder they love and they helpfully spread cow manure as they go. Then we cut our prunings onto those rows – we grow our own mixture of compost microbes and spray it onto the rows, so it helps to compost and break down the prunings, so you’re getting all that organic matter back into the system.”
They say you start from the ground up and that’s really how you have to do it too. “ “
Among many other awards, Te Whare Ra won the Raymond Chan Wine Reviews Award for Winery of the Year in 2014.
That was our vision, we wanted to take this place back to being one of the iconic wineries of Marlborough and also of New Zealand. “ “
Anna explains that they use the other row as a cover cropping row.
“That was actually a technique that we brought with us from South Australia, which wasn’t used that commonly here. Late in autumn we plant a green manure crop that we grow out over winter, which is a mixture of a cereal and a legume. Then just before spring we work that into the soil, not wanting to break down the soil structure but to put the good organic matter back in. Coming into spring and early summer we plant buckwheat in those rows and we use that as a companion planting concept, so you ideally want it flowering when the vines are flowering and it attracts lots of beneficial insects to the vineyard.”
Anna says they got rid of herbicide very early on at Te Whare Ra and instead have a mechanical weeder and hand weed when necessary.
“A lot of the things we do are similar to how my grandfather used to run his vineyard. It’s almost like we forgot how to do it
for 50 years – with organics it’s almost like old school farming but there’s science to back you up now, so you can prove that it works.”
Te Whare Ra vineyard is treated by Anna and Jason the same way that people would treat their home vegetable gardens.
“People often lavish a lot of attention on them and use compost and natural pest and disease control and companion planting because they don’t want to spray stuff on food that their family is going to eat, so we sort of just do our vineyard the same way,” Anna says.
“With organics there’s obviously more labour but less expensive inputs, because you’re making more of the things yourself. It’s very rewarding, especially when you start noticing the changes.”
Te Whare Ra produces Sauvignon Blanc, Gewürztraminer, Riesling, Rosé, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah and an aromatic blend called Toru – and although the wines are organic, Anna says that she often doesn’t tell people this, as she wants the quality of the wine to speak for itself.
“For us it was all about the quality and organics was a way to get there. We really want to be recognised as one of the best producers in New Zealand and then the fact that we’re organic is just a bonus.”
Anna explains that the growth of the organic industry has helped them secure importers and distributors, as more and more international markets are specifically looking for certified organic producers. She attributes the growth of the industry to increased consumer awareness.
| Anna says that their approach is first and foremost to make great wines and secondly to use a natural approach to the growing and making of those wines.
“It’s following the same trend of people wanting to know where their food comes from and how it was grown and made – this seems to be flowing on into people’s choice of what they’re drinking. It’s been awesome to see, in the period we’ve been here, the growth in the organic sector – not just in our industry but in others.”
New Zealand and Australia are Te Whare Ra’s two biggest markets, followed by the US, UK, Sweden, Germany, Denmark, Canada, Japan, Singapore and the Maldives.
“When we bought the company they weren’t exporting at all, so it’s all stuff that we’ve done. Being small and high-end, we need to get a premium for our products, so we’ve focussed on finding importers and distributors where we can command that. They’re small markets but we can get the premium we need and I think the wines deserve that.
Anna and Jason say they like to be hands-on in the business and have a great, small team that helps them make that happen.
“We both utterly love what we do,” Anna says. “We’d just like to get better at it all the time and continue that sort of growth and reputation of the brand more than anything and the recognition of Te Whare Ra. That was our vision, we wanted to take this place back to being one of the iconic wineries of Marlborough and also of New Zealand.”
Like the Flowerdays, Dargaville dairy farmers Janice and Greg Dennis established their dairy farm from the ground up, returning to an ‘old school’ way of farming to develop an organic based farming system.
...we could see a change in our soil and through that we started noticing better health in our cows. “
Janice and Greg are currently in the process of having their dairy farm certified as organic by AsureQuality. Janice, a dressmaker and Greg, a mechanic, met in 1995 and ran a service station business together before purchasing their 206 hectare dairy farm in 2007 in quite a run-down state. They got to work straight away to fix up the infrastructure and reestablish the pasture.
“We looked at ways of doing it more naturally,” Janice says. “We wanted to build a base in the soil, so we could grow grass with lots of nutrients and energy in it – and then that would follow on to the cows, so we would have good cow health. Basically from the soil up.”
Janice says the first 4 years were very tough and it took a lot of work to establish the right base. Through that time they started looking at different grasses that would grow in the heat of the summer, so that not only did they have grass through the winter and spring but they would have a good supply of grass through the dry summer.
They found a winning combination with tall fescue, chicory, plantain and clover and were able to extend their milking season into the summer months. They also looked at natural fertilisers that would extend the structure of the soil and create good soil biology and in turn, good nutrition for their cows.
| Creating a good biology in the soil was the first step for Greg and Janice Dennis to establish a natural farm system.
“
I feel that creating a better world starts in your own backyard. So I’m basically following a philosophy that I have always kept — if you destroy your own backyard, you’re destroying everything else in your ecology. “
“By 2010 we could see a change in our soil and through that we started noticing better health in our cows,” Janice says.
Not only was the health of their cows improving, Janice says that their organic farm system has encouraged her to get out on the farm more, as she previously avoided it due to allergic reactions to many chemical sprays that were used.
“I’m more comfortable on the farm now. There’s a lot more scope to be in touch with the cows. I really love doing it.”
A huge increase in the number of frogs in their waterways was another sign that the farm was relishing the natural system that was being established.
“I’ve always looked at that and said ‘yes, our biology is getting there’, because the frogs are actually telling us,” Janice says.
“So we were leaning towards going natural and that was the basis of it – actually establishing a good, natural base for the whole farm system.”
Janice explains that establishing this natural base for the farm was important to her, as she had always “gone the natural way” with her own foods.
“I feel that creating a better world starts in your own backyard. So I’m basically following a philosophy that I have always kept – if you destroy your own backyard, you’re destroying everything else in your ecology. I was raised on a dairy farm and my father had the same philosophy. He was
| Janice and Greg Dennis with their dogs Mig and Sky.
farming in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s and he was, in those days, a biological farmer because there weren’t any chemicals around. So he instilled in us a philosophy of doing things for yourself and doing things on the land that are going to be good for the land – and that would carry through to your animals and then to yourself.”
“It was hard yakka,” Janice continues. “I had to just think outside the square and think ‘no, I’m going to get back to the way they farmed in my father’s day’. We read lots and lots of articles – we had to look at what we had and try different things over the years. Some of them didn’t work and those things that didn’t work were more of the conventional farming methods and that definitely steered us more towards doing a biological form of farming.”
Janice began to ask around about organics and found that there was a great network of people willing to give them a hand and encourage them to take that next step.
“I felt that we were going beyond the conventional farming system and I felt that we needed a return for heading into a more biological system. We were not capturing a market that we were heading for.”
Janice and Greg joined discussion groups on organic farming, facilitated by Paeroa-based co-operative Organic Dairy Hub. And after attending these, they decided that was where their dairy farm was heading.
“What we had been doing on the farm in the previous 4 years, we were ready to take that next step into full organic conversion,” Janice says. “That’s what we were looking for on the farm, to add value to our product and organics was a way of doing that for us.”
For Janice and Greg, the step to becoming organic was only small, as they already had many of the required practices in place.
“It’s quite strict,” Janice explains. “You’ve got to put everything down on paper, what your management system is and what your inputs are.”
Despite this, Janice says she and Greg are also committed to taking steps to become organic certified with the National Organic Programme of the United States Department of Agriculture, a process that could take up to 3 and a half years. They are also looking into organic beef options to expand their farming business.
With such a passion for organics, there is little doubting this natural approach to farming will continue to grow in years to come.
That’s what we were looking for on the farm, to add value to our product and organics was a way of doing that for us. “ “
| Janice says that the organic farming system is strengthening the immune system of their animals, allowing them to overcome health problems on their own or with help from homeopathy or other natural treatments.
| An organic farming system was important to Janice, as it was a philosophy her father had instilled in her growing up.
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!
Exit drenching — why ewe use it
The purpose of introducing an exit drench treatment (or knock-out drench as it is also known) into a planned drenching programme is to remove any drenchresistant worms that have survived late spring and late autumn drenching. Importantly, it slows resistance development and results in better animal productivity.
Exit drenching does not mean adding another drench to your drenching programme. Instead, you substitute the last drench of the season with a product
that is chemically different to those used previously and is effective against all common production limiting parasites on any given property.
As well as preventing pasture contamination with resistant parasite eggs as you move into winter, exit drenching is important to help prolong the effective life of drench actives.
Moxidectin is well known as a useful active when Haemonchus contortus (Barber’s Pole) is a concern. Although most short-acting combination drenches will kill Barber’s Pole worms, this species has the ability to reproduce rapidly under the right conditions (warm and humid), so that it can cause major production losses between monthly drenches with a short-acting product. The longer action of moxidectin provides protection during the high-risk warmer months. However, it is important to use this drench strategically to delay the onset of resistance to this useful active. Reserve the use of moxidectin for the months when Barber’s Pole is a real risk (autumn) and ensure that an exit drench is given as the last drench of the autumn season.
After the Barber’s Pole season has passed, remaining lambs will benefit from an exit drench. This needs to be a drench with no known resistance on your farm, which generally means using a triple combination drench like ‘Evolve Sheep’. This exit drench is usually the fifth or sixth drench of the season and is given in autumn after the temperature cools down or if you have had a few frosts. The use of this drenching option is to
ensure that any resistant worms that have built up over summer and early autumn will be eliminated, which will also ensure no resistant worms are carried over into the winter months.
The product chosen as an exit drench must be highly effective, so it makes sense to use a product from a different drench family to that used during your drenching programme. For example, after the use of moxidectin, choose a drench that does not solely belong to the macrocyclic lactone (ML) active family. It is recommended to use best practice, which is the use of a triple combination product such as ‘Evolve Sheep’.
For more information, please talk to the friendly team at your local Farmlands store.
Article supplied by Donaghys.
Winter lice treatment — do it once, do it right
You may think lice look harmless – they don’t suck blood like ticks or damage skin like maggots, they don’t move fast or jump like fleas. In fact, they hardly move at all – but don’t be fooled! Clinical infestations of lice significantly reduce wool yield and quality from rubbing, plus pelts can be damaged from cockle, a hypersensitivity reaction to lice.
Insecticides have been front and centre in the effort to control lice infestations, however many chemicals have come and gone as lice have become resistant to these actives, or the method of application has become tedious and costly. This is especially true with many of the run through systems, which give good cover over the back where flies strike but limited cover to the underside of sheep, where lice are quite happy to hide until chemical levels subside. Pour-on formulations give more accurate dosing and are easy to
apply with no costly equipment. More importantly, combination pour-on formulations with accurate dosage and effective application will slow the development of lice resistance where other single actives have become obsolete.
Zapp Encore is an excellent combination pour-on containing triflumuron and imidacloprid, two highly specific lice actives with different modes of activity. Imidacloprid provides rapid knockdown by killing on contact all stages of the lice life cycle, except the eggs. Triflumuron kills at the three moulting stages, plus has a residual action, like all insect growth regulators (IGR), which prevents re-infestation and the normal winter population build-up. Together this combination pour-on product provides excellent knockdown and long-term protection.
Treatment timing needs to factor in many variables, such as stock class, length of wool, equipment and labour required, weather and withholding periods. Make sure you treat sheep as per label instructions, always basing your dose rate on the heaviest sheep in the mob. Frequently check your applicator dose to make sure you are applying the correct quantity. It is also good to use a product that contains a scourable dye, allowing you to easily identify those
treated in the mob, re-treating any you think you may have missed.
You should always employ preventative measures for lice control as well. Limit lice numbers by shearing at the most suitable time and applying an effective combination product in an efficient manner, without excessive wool growth. Also ensure you have a clean muster, treating all stock at the same time. If you are not then make sure treated and untreated mobs are kept separate for at least 4 weeks following treatment. Using these techniques, and a combination product like Zapp Encore for knockdown and prevention, means you can do the job once, and know you have done it right.
For more information, please talk to the friendly team at your local Farmlands store.
Article supplied by Bayer.
More antibodies when you need them
Why is pre-lamb vaccination important?
Lambs are born without antibodies and rely on antibodies in the ewe’s colostrum for protection against clostridial diseases including pulpy kidney and tetanus. Clostridial vaccination of the ewe just prior to lambing is utilised on most New Zealand farms to maximise the level of antibodies lambs receive in colostrum.
Lambs cannot get any antibodies from their mother via the placenta (compared to other animals, including humans, who can), so they are reliant on suckling good amounts of quality colostrum soon after birth.
The gut of the newborn lamb is best at absorbing these antibodies within the first 6-12 hours of life, so it’s crucial this colostrum is the best quality and volume possible.
The duration of protection gained by the suckling lamb is determined by the amount of antibody absorbed from colostrum. Inadequate levels of antibody intake by lambs can be seen with:
• Poor mothering ability
• Inadequate milk production
• Weak sucklers
• Multiples – who share colostrum
• Low antibody production in the ewe Pre-lamb clostridial vaccination aims to negate this last point – by boosting the ewe’s antibody levels just prior to colostrum production. Younger ewes, those heavily pregnant with multiple lambs and those in lower condition or under nutritional stress may be less able to respond well to vaccination and produce
poorer quality colostrum – so you want the highest potency and longest lasting vaccine available.
The vaccine you choose at pre-lamb is one of the factors that determines the level of antibodies available for suckling lambs. Nilvax is a high potency, longer acting 5-in-1 vaccine that also contains levamisole, which can be used as part of a combination treatment to help protect against worm burden. Importantly, the levamisole also acts as an immune stimulant, meaning a much better response to vaccination and higher antibody levels than other 5-in-1 vaccines.
In a trial comparing the immune response of twin-bearing ewes to different pre-lamb vaccines, significant differences were seen between vaccines. Not all vaccines are created equal as seen below in Figure 1.
Pulpy kidney (C. perfringens Type D) mean antibody levels in ewes measured 14 days after pre-lamb vaccination1
| Nilvax combines a powerful 5-in-1 with a powerful immune booster. The immune booster increases the 5-in-1 immune response, increasing the antibodies available to the lambs for longer. The vaccine gives higher levels of clostridial protection for your lambs up to 16 weeks.
Given the dry season and tight feed conditions seen this summer in some districts, ewes may be lighter than ideal and as a result, may be less likely to respond well to vaccination. When ewes are vaccinated pre-lamb with Nilvax, this results in more clostridial antibodies in their colostrum. What does more antibodies mean for your farm?
• Ewes can be vaccinated earlier – up to 6 weeks before lambing. This decreases the risk of sleepy sickness caused by mustering and yarding close to lambing.
• Ewes are more likely to respond to vaccination.
• More antibodies are available to suckling lambs – important as multiple lambs share colostrum.
• Lambs are protected for longer – up to 16 weeks of age.
Nilvax can be used with more flexible timing than other 5-in-1 vaccines, allowing you to choose the length of protection you need for your lambs and helping with time management. If used with similar timing to other 5-in-1 vaccines, you will get protection longer towards weaning time. Alternatively, you can use it earlier. The choice is yours.
For more information, please talk to the friendly team at your local Farmlands store.
Article supplied by Coopers.
Figure 1: “Pre-lamb Ewe Vaccination – Comparing Apples with Apples” Dr. John Moffat – Proceedings of Society of Sheep and Beef Vets Annual Seminar 2004. Eweguard and Ultravac are registered brands of Zoetis New Zealand Limited.
Management of BYDV in cereals
Barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) is a viral disease vectored by cereal aphids. BYDV can cause significant yield losses in wheat, oats and barley, especially in autumn sown crops. Symptoms of BYDV may not become evident until 3 weeks after infection and include stunting, yellowing or reddening of leaves.
Initial BYDV infection occurs when infected aphids fly into a newly emerging crop. These aphids reproduce, creating live offspring that can spread secondary BYDV infection within the crop. Cereals are most vulnerable to BYDV when infected as seedlings up to GS 31 (first node visible on main stem).
Yield loss from BYDV can be reduced by using a seed treatment insecticide (e.g. Gaucho or Poncho) and foliar insecticides. Seed treatment will provide protection from BYDV for up to 6 weeks after planting, until the start of tillering (GS 21). After 6 weeks, plant growth will have diluted the concentration of the seed treatment and its effectiveness is therefore reduced.
If no seed treatment insecticide has been applied, crop inspection should commence immediately after crop
emergence, otherwise monitor crops from the start of tillering or 6 weeks after planting. If aphids are present, an approved foliar insecticide needs to be applied as soon as possible to prevent the spread of BYDV.
Insecticide persistence is influenced by temperature and ultraviolet light, with insecticides having greater persistence in autumn sown crops, due to lower temperatures and lower UV levels than spring sown crops. Recent FAR trial data has shown Karate Zeon provides longer lasting aphid control than some other foliar insecticides applied to autumn sown winter wheat (see table).
• Contains a powerful UV protectant for longer lasting aphid control.
• Fast knockdown, repellency and anti-feeding activity helps prevent the spread of BYDV.
• Convenient low use rate of just 20-40ml/ha.
• Capsule Suspension (CS) formulation reduces odour and risk of skin sensitisation.
• Capsules adhere strongly to the plant when dry for reliable rainfastness.
• Active ingredient is effective at low temperatures.
• Excellent tank mix compatibility with herbicides, fungicides and plant growth regulators.
Karate Zeon is a Group 3 (pyrethroid) insecticide. To reduce the risk of resistance, growers should rotate or alternate with insecticides from a different chemical group. Options for alternating with Karate Zeon include Transform (Group 4 insecticide) and Pirimor (Group 1 insecticide). Do not alternate Karate Zeon with other Group 3 (pyrethroid) insecticides (e.g. Mavrik).
Beneficial insect populations are relatively low at the early growth stage of cereals, when the risk of BYDV infection is greatest. The use of Karate Zeon early in the season is therefore unlikely to have a significant impact on beneficial insect populations, while offering longer lasting aphid control.
For further information, contact your Farmlands Technical Advisor or the friendly team at your local Farmlands store.
Article supplied by Syngenta.
The quirks of composting
For years, this has been nature’s perfect recycling system. By taking waste materials from your home and garden and combining them in the correct quantities, under the right conditions, you can turn your waste into a valuable source of nutrients and goodness for your garden
Using similar composting concepts as those used by home gardeners, there are now a wide range of commercial composting businesses throughout New Zealand, supplying bulk compost into a number of horticultural and agricultural businesses.
Farmlands will assist you with collecting your yearly soil sample and its interpretation. The resulting recommendation may include an application of compost in conjunction with some specific nutrients.
Farmlands is currently supplying compost to market gardens, broad acre cropping, kiwifruit, viticulture, avocados, pipfruit, pastoral farming and many more sectors.
Compost is a valuable input into any system as it provides slow release nutrients and in the long-term it can aid in such functions as better soil structure, water retention, increased soil biological activity and increased soil carbon.
Like creating the perfect meal, your compost is only as good as your ingredients and your recipe. Many compost manufacturers follow a tried and true formulation to produce a consistent result, waiting only until they have the correct ingredients in the correct proportions to reproduce their quality product.
The recipe definitely includes such components as moisture, temperature and aeration. Compost simply doesn’t sit in a heap and invent itself, it needs to be turned and aerated as the biology goes to work to produce the final product. Unfortunately, there are some products in the marketplace that may not be suitable for your needs, due to the very different raw materials, recipes, production method and final product analysis. It’s crucial to discuss your commercial compost requirements with your Farmlands representative so that we can connect you
with what is needed specifically for your property based on the soil test analysis. You may already have an abundance of organic matter present but it may not be as available as it should be. This may indicate the need for a soil biology activator.
For further information, contact your Farmlands Technical Advisor or the friendly team at your local Farmlands store.
Article supplied by Gaz Ingram, Organic and Biological Manager, Farmlands Horticulture.
Feeding dairy cows in late pregnancy
Preventing rather than treating metabolic problems at calving could be more cost effective and less time consuming in the long-term.
Fodder beet is becoming increasingly popular as a winter feed throughout New Zealand. Better agronomy has increased typical yields, reducing the cost per kg DM. Higher rates of fodder beet feeding per cow per day, to reduce the risks associated with break-outs, has reduced supplementary forage usage and therefore costs further. The relatively high ME of fodder beet and increasing tendency to feed ad lib increases the ability for cows to gain a full Body Condition Score (BCS) or more over the dry period, so more cows are likely to calf down at or above the ideal BCS, which can increase the risk of both milk fever and ketosis. Unless fodder beet is fed after calving it should be transitioned out of the diet 2-3 weeks prior to calving, to minimise metabolic issues and improve protein supply.
Fodder beet typically contains less phosphorus (P) than is generally recommended for pregnant cows (2.7-3.5g/kg). It can sometimes be associated with high rates of milk fever in early lactation, which manifests itself as ‘creeper cows’ – alert downer cows that respond poorly to normal calcium and magnesium treatment
and are unable to rise. Where fodder beet makes up the majority of the dry cow diet, cows will be at greater risk from P deficiency – especially if hay or straw, which contains low levels of P, is being fed to provide fibre rather than silage.
Fodder beet bulb 1.25 (can range from 0.8-3.8)
Cereal straw <1
*Taken from a variety of sources – actual levels will vary depending on location and crop.
Work by Jim Gibbs suggests supplementary feeding of P at about 9g/head/day throughout the winter feeding period right up to calving is recommended to make up for the P deficiency in fodder beet. Probably the cheapest way to deliver P is dicalcium phosphate (DCP), which can be purchased as a fine powder and typically contains 18 percent P (50g/ head/day delivers approximately 9g P). The DCP can be made into a slurry that is poured over silage or hay. A range of proprietary products from
mineral pellets and molassed blocks through to free access minerals are available, which offer more targeted supplementation with greater convenience, less waste and a range of additional benefits including added magnesium, trace elements and even vitamins. Good trace element status can help reduce retained fetal membranes and stimulate the immune system against mastitis and infections. Cows may benefit from a little supplementary magnesium throughout the dry period but especially as calving approaches. Magnesium chloride and magnesium sulphate both offer benefits over magnesium oxide before calving and may be more helpful in reducing the incidence of milk fever. In-calf heifers may benefit from a dry cow diet containing higher levels of protein than mature pregnant cows, especially in the last 2 weeks before calving, when a low protein diet may compromise the quality and quantity of colostrum that is produced. Protein enriched pre-calving pellets containing anionic salts are an effective solution for springer cows.
For further information, contact your Farmlands Technical Officer or the friendly team at your local Farmlands store.
Article supplied by Dr. Rob Derrick, Nutritionist, Farmlands Nutrition.
Weighing up whey based calf milk replacers
Like little Miss Muffet, calf rearers should know the difference between their curds and whey.
Whey based calf milk replacers (CMR) are based predominantly on whey proteins rather than the profile of proteins that are normally found in traditional whole/skim based CMR. In milk there are two main groups of proteins that naturally exist – the ‘caseins’, which includes a number of different casein structures and then all of the other milk proteins that are grouped together under the name ‘whey proteins’. When the pH of milk is lowered, the casein proteins coagulate together, forming a gelatinous curd, while the whey proteins remain suspended in the fluid section of the milk. This functionality of the different proteins is harnessed by cheesemakers, with the curds or coagulated protein being separated off and made into cheese, while the whey is left behind. Whey protein is
therefore an inevitable by-product of the cheese making industry. Utilising this whey protein in CMR has proven to be very effective both in terms of animal performance and economic efficiency and whey based CMR dominates the calf milk replacer market overseas.
Whey based CMR differs from whole/ skim milk based CMR in terms of the way it behaves in the abomasum when consumed by an immature ruminant. Whole/skim milk based CMR forms a curd when rennin is secreted by the stomach and the pH is lowered. However, the proteins in whey CMR have already been subjected to this process, so will no longer curd in the abomasum. This non-curding property of whey CMR means that it gets digested more rapidly – calves tend to get hungry faster following a milk feed. They consume more hard feed as a result and hard feed is cheaper per megajoule of energy compared to vat milk/CMR. Consuming more hard feed also aids rumen development, as the starch breaks down in the rumen and stimulates papillae growth and micro-organism populations. Animals on whey CMR tend to have better developed rumens at weaning and have less of a post weaning check –calves may even be able to be weaned off milk at an earlier age. This is still dependent on hard feed intake and a
calf should not be weaned until they are eating roughly 1kg of meal a day for 3 consecutive days.
So now you know the functionality of whey based CMRs in the abomasum and the benefits this can have on hard feed intake – what else do you need to know?
• The proteins in whey CMRs are digested well by calves from 4 days of age.
• Calves can do just as well on whey CMR as more traditional milk replacer, provided they are offered enough high quality calf feed.
• Whey CMRs generally do not contain a coccidiostat, so this is something to be aware of if whey CMRs are used.
• Whey CMRs are associated with less scouring than traditional casein based CMRs.
• Whey CMRs are popular for fortifying whole milk at up to 50 percent to extend stocks of transition milk.
• Supplies are finite, so giving a forward commitment can help secure product if available. For more information, please talk to the friendly team at your local Farmlands store.
Article supplied by Stacey Cosnett, Assistant Nutritionist, Farmlands Nutrition.
McMillan Equine Feeds is proud to support Jonty Smolenski, the son of standardbred trainer Sam Smolenski and his wife Maree.
Jonty, the couple’s second child, was born 7 weeks premature and last year was diagnosed with Trichothiodystrophy (TTD). He is the only known sufferer of the disease in New Zealand and is one of only a small number of children around the world.
Jonty’s Journey is fundraising so the family can attend the annual conference of Cockayne and TTD sufferers in Washington in July, to allow them the chance to learn more about the disorder and to meet medical experts and other families with children who suffer from the disease.
To follow Jonty’s Journey please visit www.fb.com/OurJontysJourney
$1 from each bag of Protein Plus sold nationwide during May will be donated to Jonty’s Journey.
Beet pulp and soy hulls — ultimate fibre sources for horses
While the importance of forage to the health of the equine digestive tract is widely appreciated, it is pasture, hay and chaff that are often considered initially by horse owners when selecting forage sources. Forage supplies fibre, a dietary component that undergoes microbial fermentation in the hindgut of the horse. The long-stemmed fibre that pasture and hay provides is essential for preventing gastric conditions, as it promotes chewing and the production of saliva. This saliva contains elements required to maintain the pH of the stomach and plays a crucial role in maintaining digestive tract health.
In addition to long-stemmed fibre, there are a number of highly digestible alternative fibre sources that have significant benefits to the horse and are gaining popularity in New Zealand. Beet pulp and soy hulls are considered “super fibres” because they have energy levels much higher than typical forages. The energy levels in super fibres are almost as high as those found in grains such as oats and barley. These fibre sources are, however, safer to feed than cereal
grains because they provide cool, slow-release energy and using them in place of some of the grain in the diet can reduce the likelihood of grain overload.
Both by-products, beet pulp is the dehydrated fibrous section of sugar beet that remains after the sugar has been extracted and soy hulls are the fibrous outer part of the soybean. These fibre sources are often used as ingredients in manufactured feeds, or fed on their own to boost the fibre component of the diet. Being high in digestible fibre and low in starch and sugars, both these feed stuffs are ideal for horses that have low tolerance for easily digestible carbohydrates.
Beet pulp and soy hulls are mostly fed soaked, providing further benefits of increasing water intake and assisting with hydration. This carries numerous benefits to performance horses, as consumption of fibre can also create a holding tank of water and electrolytes in the hindgut. This reservoir may prevent dehydration and electrolyte
depletion during an exercise bout. Beet pulp and soy hulls are also ideal for ensuring fibre intake in older horses with compromised dental health.
McMillan Grain Free is a brand new product to Farmlands and is a complete formulated fibre feed containing beet pulp and soy hulls. As well as highly digestible fibre, Grain Free also provides protein, fat and a fully balanced amount of organic trace minerals and natural vitamins. Grain Free is ideal for feeding alone as a complete feed, or combined with lower levels of another manufactured feed to provide fibre while also topping up nutrient levels. Grain Free is also a perfect energy source for horses and ponies requiring low starch diets such as ones at risk of laminitis, metabolic issues, digestive conditions or muscle conditions such as tying up.
For more information, please talk to the friendly team at your local Farmlands store.
Article supplied by Luisa Wood, Equine Nutrition Technical Advisor.
Thoughts from an experienced calfrearer
by Karen Fraser
“Stress is a stimulant – distress is a disaster.” “Good judgement comes from knowledge. Knowledge comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgement.” So with that quote, all my bad judgements have given me plenty of experience in the world of calves, which has now become a source of knowledge and life lessons.
Now let me introduce myself – I am Karen Fraser and over the next few months I will be writing some handy hints and checklists for your up-and-coming calf season.
I come from a farming background in Central Hawke’s Bay and have spent years listening and learning from what life has thrown at me. My experiences have covered farm ownership, cropping, sheep and beef, dairy farming, directorships, a new conversion, high pay-outs and low pay-outs!
I have a passion for the young stock industry, as this is the future of farming whether it be dairy or beef. On the dairy side, for many years rearing calves has been treated as second rate and a less important task for the dairy farm. However poor calves generally make poor heifers, who then become poor cows that don’t survive long in the herd. We are losing some of our best heifers prematurely, which slows the rate of genetic gain in the national herd. Poorly grown heifers enter the herd on the back foot and will struggle to compete with bigger, stronger cows for feed. This in conjunction with the need to continue growing in their first lactation to make up lack of growth as a calf can cause low production and poor reproductive performance, meaning their life in the herd can be cut short.
My strong passion for the future of young stock/future herds has made me opinionated on health and wellbeing and furthermore on nutrition – but in a good way.
It is false economy to try to cut calf rearing costs in times of poor milk returns. I have seen and have experienced this first hand with my own heifers during low pay-out. The end result with taking away hard feed and cutting costs during the critical growth stages saw our heifers producing tea cup udders, struggling to keep milking and to still put down growth then not getting back in-calf in their third lactation. These heifers were then culled at a huge price to the future of our dairy farm. There was literally a massive difference between all our other well fed heifers from previous and future years.
Huge lessons were learned during this time. After some life changes, I now find myself running the dynamic calf rearing team and young stock for Rakaia Island in Canterbury. I have been there for three seasons and am heading into an exciting fourth season. The role is not only challenging
but exciting and each season we see more challenges.
In total, the amount of calves that we deal with in one season many people would take a lifetime to see and learn from. There are always new challenges to work through. We support six large dairy farms to raise their heifers from day one – 2,0002,500 replacement heifers, 150 Jersey bulls, 50 White-face and thousands of bobbies. My calf rearing learning has spanned years, many thousands of calves right through to the fattened stage or back into the milking platform. So that is a snapshot of who I am in the farming world.
The best advice I can offer for the coming season is to be ‘proactive not reactive’, ‘listen to gut-feel’, smile, slow down so that you can watch and listen and plan, plan, plan as you head into May.
The advice I normally give is if you can rear 1-10 calves well then breathe and keep repeating your programme
over and over. Next minute, you know you’ve reared 100 calves well or 200 and so on. Break things into a size that you can handle then do it again and again.
When the season is starting to bear down, break things into plans and steps and do each small step one basic step at a time.
Budgets should be done, plus now is also a good time to write down a list and ask yourself some key questions:
• Do I need extra staff/help?
• How many hours a day?
• What type of person am I looking for?
Good quality staff is the pivotal point!
When I’m looking for calf rearers, I look for all sorts of skills, as a team becomes strong having different people with different strengths. With a sparkle in their eye, excitement and a keen and positive attitude, plus a passion to do well and speaking with pride in themselves, you may have
just found your perfect calf rearing colleague. Work is demanding, therefore should be well rewarded. I work on one newbie person for every 250 calves.
• Equipment may be cleaned and stored but does it need replacing/ repairs? Fieldays is coming up, so prepare for some bargains!
• Did the sheds get cleaned out after the last calf left the shed last season? The more time a shed has been cleaned out and back to bare dirt, the better chance it has for sunlight to work its magic and reduce bacterial populations!
Next month I will cover sheds, health plans, colostrum and many other little titbits of help.
The important point to remember is that calf rearing does not start in the calf barn, it starts with a healthy herd and good staff.
For more information, please talk to the friendly team at your local Farmlands store.
Article supplied by Karen Fraser, Young Stock Manager.
OR 1 OF 5 LITTLE ONES
MINI CAT ® BULLDOZER - TOY FOR CHILDREN
To enter, purchase 2 x 25kg TUX® Energy or TUX® Country that have a promotional sticker in one transaction between 2/5/16 and 30/6/16. Peel o stickers to reveal unique codes. Visit Tux.co.nz/rural/promotions to register codes and personal details. Valid entries placed in a draw to occur 1/7/16. Read full terms and conditions at Tux.co.nz/rural/promotions. At participating rural outlets only. The Promoter is Nestlé New Zealand Limited trading as Nestlé Purina Pet Care.
Waste management, nature’s way
• Winery waste
• Dairy waste
• Compost
The days of dairy and winery waste stagnating under trees or in a paddock are simply no longer acceptable. Fortunately, billions of dollars have been spent around the world developing biological solutions to transform waste and there are now some real solutions. As hard as it is to admit, our Australian cousins have come up with a solution that is both environmentally sound and financially viable.
In consultation with the Australian wine industry and AWRI, Connell Brothers –Enzyme Solutions developed the product Sanizyme. It has a complex combination of enzymes and microbes that exist, multiply and colonise the otherwise anaerobic waste. As these populations grow, the solid waste is transformed into fine particles that settle to the pond floor. The aerobic nature of the water allows it to remain full of oxygen and most importantly, free of smell.
The micro-biologist that developed Sanizyme recognised that microbes used to break down organic waste often get tired, stressed and either die or become inefficient. As this occurs very unpleasant odours are produced.
The micro-biologist also figured out that if the organic waste is processed into smaller portions by specific enzymes, the microbes survive and manage to digest the waste. There are several different types of enzymes that break down very specific parts of the cell. Some will target starches while others target proteins, fats
and carbohydrates. Enzymes are therefore formulated to break down these very specific targets.
Using Sanizyme stimulates and feeds the natural biological components in waste, restoring balance and providing positive ecological impact. There is noticeably much lower levels of unpleasant odours from the winery or effluent pond. Sanizyme is also incredibly useful in domestic applications, such as composting and septic tanks. Compost is the life of your garden or crop, however you must use good quality compost to see the benefits. Sanizyme will introduce enzymes and microbes that will markedly accelerate the composting process. The compost components can then be readily used by plants. For the best results ensure that there is a good mix of base material. Manure, straw, green waste, grape marc and sawdust are all able to be added and broken down successfully.
Adding seaweed fertiliser or molasses into a warm solution with Sanizyme will feed the enzymes and microbes and initiate multiplication for the task at hand. Commercial trials are currently being undertaken on the use of grape marc for addition as under-vine mulch. This would be a great way to reduce waste and add to soil biology.
Septic tanks only smell when they are not biologically balanced. Regular additions of a blend of microbes and enzymes will restore that balance, allow efficient processing and remove smell. The effluent water will be cleaner and the tank will
require less frequent emptying. The tank can be treated simply by flushing the Sanizyme down the toilet.
“I was very impressed when I looked under the microscope at just how quickly the biodiversity of the microbes and bacteria had built up in just 1 or 2 weeks from the addition of Sanizyme into the commercial wastewater system,” Craig Forman, of Winery Waste Management Company Hydramech says.
“There was everything from tiny bacteria to the larger protozoa of the microbe world and it was extremely active. It would normally take 6 months to build up such a diverse population for breaking down winery waste. I will have no hesitation in using this product confidently when these commercial treatment plants require start-up or boosting of microbe populations.”
For further information, contact your Farmlands Technical Advisor or the friendly team at your local Farmlands store.
Article supplied by Mike Eaton, Technical Advisor, Farmlands Horticulture.
Maximising your farm with maize silage
In the current low pay-out environment, many farmers are looking for ways to reduce costs without decreasing production. Home-grown maize silage is an excellent alternative because it produces high yields of low cost dry matter that can be stored and fed at a time when it will generate the best returns. High in carbohydrate-rich grain, maize silage is the ideal cow conditioner and it’s a great way to lift milk protein percentage.
Use home-grown maize silage to: Decrease your supplementary feed costs
While the best maize crops will yield more than 30t DM/ha, most dairy farmers can grow maize silage crops which yield 18 - 24t DM/ha for just 12.2 – 16.2c/kg DM1. No other harvested crop provides the same amount of quality dry matter at such a low cost.
Table 1: Typical maize silage dry matter cost
To decrease your supplementary feed spend, use home-grown maize silage to
displace bought-in concentrates as well as other crops such as chicory and turnips, which are more difficult to establish, less reliable and produce much lower dry matter yields.
Reduce spring pasture surpluses
Many farms have decreased stocking rate and this will result in higher spring pasture surpluses. Taking an area out of the grazing round and planting it in maize is an excellent way to control excess spring pasture levels. A short-maturity maize hybrid can be planted in October - November and harvested in February - March in time for autumn feeding.
Increase cow condition
Meeting cow condition score targets (BCS 5.0 for mature cows or BCS 5.5 for heifers and second calvers) can generate a significant payback. Cows that calve in better condition produce more milk, get back in-calf quicker and have less animal health issues. Maize silage is used 50 percent more efficiently than autumn pasture for Body Condition Score gain.
Table 2: Profit ($/cow) from increasing cow condition score levels2
when you need it the most! While typical response rates to supplements are in the range 60 - 80gMS/cow/day, much higher response rates are possible in pasture deficits when cover levels are less than 1,350kgDM/ha.
Trials conducted at Westpac Taranaki Agricultural Research Station showed that feeding maize silage to keep cows milking generates a milksolids response of more than 150gMS/kgDM fed.
While fibre-based feeds such as pasture or PKE drive milk fat percentages, feeds like maize silage, which contain high levels of carbohydrate, drive milk protein percentage. Since protein is worth more than fat, maize silage produces higher value milk.
Article supplied by Pioneer.
References:
1 Pioneer® brand maize silage 2016-17, page 42.
Get more milk and more milk protein
You’ll maximise the return you get from home-grown maize silage if you feed it
2 Returns calculated for a 450kg Jersey X Friesian cow at a range of home-grown maize silage prices and a milksolids return of $4.25/kgMS. For more details see www.dairynz.co.nz/ animal/herd-management/body-condition-scoring/bcs-strategies/
Boost herd fertility outcome
The Gallagher Flashmate™ has exceeded all expectations from a Waikato herd manager in helping make a smooth transition from spring to autumn calving and to lift the accuracy of heat detection.
Hamish Maclean manages the 1,300 cow Bay Farms operation at Manawaru in eastern Waikato. The pressure of getting 1,300 cows in-calf over spring time differed this year, with the decision to move to a split calving pattern and ultimately to 100 percent autumn calving, meaning not all cows were required to be in-calf at the end of spring mating.
The Gallagher Flashmate is a standalone heat detection unit that attaches to cows to monitor their heat behaviour. It identifies positive heat behaviour, which causes it to flash red for 26 hours, ample time to identify the cow, draft it off and ensure it is inseminated. Its location on the cow’s rump also enables continued use of tail paint – as recommended by Gallagher.
Over spring time Hamish did only 4 weeks of AB mating, with one eye on the need to have empty cows on hand to mate over winter for autumn calving transition.
“I would have been expecting – and happy – to have had a 60 percent in-calf rate from 4 weeks AB, at best over spring. However we ended up with 70 percent in-calf, it would have been the best 4 week in-calf rate we have ever had.”
That figure also compares highly favourably against the national 6 week in-calf rate target of 78 percent and even exceeds the current 6 week national average of 65 percent.
In the middle of autumn mating for the rest of the herd, Hamish is also reporting good submission rates, with three quarters of the cows detected in the first 2 weeks.
Looking back over his spring mating and conception data has
convinced Hamish the Flashmates are an investment in the farm’s mating policy well worth keeping.
“What impressed me the most was when we checked over the pregnancy results, a lot of cows were in-calf to the first mating. They had been accurately identified first time, even the ones that did not rub with tail paint, which I made a point of noting down when the Flashmate had detected them as being on heat.”
And he found the Flashmate offered more peace of mind.
“Normally over mating I would not have a single day off, you would not want to step away from it. But with Flashmates I was able to have a day off, knowing I can rely upon the Flashmates and the staff to identify them.”
For Hamish, the move by Bay Farms to winter milking is part of a re-assessment in a tough pay-out climate, looking at the options that can be taken up that suit the farm and the system.
He believes Flashmates will remain an integral part of that operation, even with a tighter budget.
“I have been dairying for 14 years and honestly the Flashmates are the best thing I have come across in that time –they work and you would be crazy if you did not use them.”
For more information, please talk to your friendly team at your local Farmlands store.
Article supplied by Gallagher.
Good reasons to use aggregate backfill
As many farmers know, land drainage is an expensive proposition, “like buying the farm again”, however on poorly drained land the production benefits and payback time can be impressive. So why would you increase the development cost by surrounding the pipe with imported stone aggregate backfill? There are many good reasons, all of which improve the performance and longevity of this valuable asset.
Many materials can and have been used to surround land drainage pipes – native soil, stripped turf, wood shavings and even cut manuka. Impermeable native soil seals off the drainage pipe, while friable soils tend to compact over time, lessening the efficiency of water entering the pipe. Many drainage systems using native soil for backfill have operated trouble free for years, however they tend not to remove water quickly enough to support today’s intensive farming practices. Wood shavings and manuka breakdown, compress, become impermeable and can structurally compromise the drainage pipe.
The benefits of aggregate backfill include lessening soil ingress into the
pipe, structurally supporting the pipe, increasing the effective drainage pipe diameter and providing an aggregate drainage column that a mole-drain can intercept.
Once the commercial decision to use imported backfill has been made, it is important to select the correct grade. Land drainage speeds up the movement of water in the soil profile – this carries soil (fines) into the drainage pipe, decreasing the pipe’s bore, slowing the flow and ultimately blocking the pipe. Stabilising the interface between the soil and porous aggregate backfill in the trench with many points of contact is key to lessening soil migration into the drainage pipe.
Blackley Construction, a large contracting company based in the Manawatu, had an excellent cross section working model of a drainage trench on their site at this year’s Central Districts Field Days. “We recommend AP5 to 15 (size range 5mm to 15mm) aggregate,” James Christensen, Rural Contract Manager for Blackley says. “It’s easy to work with, supports the pipe, compacts less, remains porous and
controls the speed of water flow in the soil, lessening fines migration into the trench and drainage pipe.
“Large stones (AP25 to 50), leave large air spaces, encouraging soil movement into the trench profile through compaction and fines migration from the sides and top of the trench. Larger aggregate also tends to be less stable and can move and settle over time, damaging the drainage pipe and/or causing trench slumping, leading to drainage system failure.
“To gain the maximum benefits from your land drainage system and extend the system’s life, use the correct size of gravel backfill and building in pipe flushing points. Using large, cheaper aggregate is a false economy and will ultimately compromise your system. Ensure there is sufficient depth of gravel in the trench to benefit from other farm maintenance operations, like mole ploughing.”
For more information on correct backfilling with drainage stone, please talk to your friendly team at your local Farmlands store.
Article supplied by Iplex Pipelines.
Quickly chill milk and save money
Ag journalist Ken Strugnell visits a special ‘cool’ dairy farm near Rotorua, with Keith Turner from Temprite.
I’d been told it was possible to meet Fonterra’s milk chilling regulations and save money on power. So I was keen to find out how this special farm achieved it.
To find out more, I decided to talk to the installer of the heating and chilling equipment used on well known farmer Lachlan McKenzie’s Kaharoa dairy farm. The farm, on rolling country, uses a once a day milking programme and as I was to find out, the Promax insulated 30,000 litre tank works well here.
Arriving at Ngongotaha, I met Temprite’s Managing Director Keith Turner. Temprite, well known in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty, was the company that had installed the cooling system that I was there to look at.
I asked about Keith’s company, its relationship with Promax and just how the farm owner justified the claimed $350.00 a month on its cow shed electric bill, which was all down to the Promax tank. Regulations changed for the 2016 season for the cooling of milk from the cow to the collection tanker. In the vat at collection time, it has to be chilled to 6 degrees, within 2 hours of completion of milking. On this farm, it was to be a retro fit to meet the new rules – one which will occur on most existing dairy farms, to abide by the regulations as they are phased in. I asked Keith how it worked. The ‘double bank plate cooler’, Keith explained, was
really the heart of the simple system. This double bank cooler has milk flow through each side of the cooler unit. On the left it is chilled from the cow at around 37 degrees, by ordinary spring or tank water at around 14-16 degrees, as in most farm dairy sheds. That brings the milk down to around 16-18 degrees. The milk continues its journey round the plates, this time on the right hand side, which run to and from the Promax insulated tank, which has the water at 6 degrees. This brings the milk into the collection vat at around 8 degrees, sometimes less. So all the collection vat has to do is lower it by at most 2 degrees.
This not only saves money but it also is incredibly quick. Andrew Grant, the farm manager, joined us to show the power bill, which had a $350.00 saving compared to the same month and 900 Friesian/Jersey cross cows as numbers the previous year.
“The system is quick because the Promax tank water is chilled overnight on low rate power. It means that we are not spending time and energy on chilling liquid after milking, other than the cow’s milk.”
Keith’s suggestion of partially burying the Promax tank by just more than a metre, was used to good advantage.
When I undid the tank lid and felt the temperature of the water at around midday, in full sun it was shockingly cold. The temperature gauge on the Promax tank read 7 degrees after milking and yet there was no condensation on the outside of the tank.
I asked – how then did they chill this water down again following milking?
“Simple really – we use the same 25kw chiller hooked up to the milk vat, through which we pump the insulated tank water, using off-peak overnight power. Then, the 30,000 litre tank easily copes with the daily production from the 900 cows and will easily do more, as you felt from how cold the water was after milking.”
Keith says the tank is so efficient at keeping the milk cool that even absorbing 10 degrees off the cow’s milk does not really alter the water temperature much.
Keith explains that the retro fit to meet the regulations is an easy one to do, both in terms of down time in the shed and space required.
This very ‘cool’ dairy farm now meets the regulations, saves money on its power bills and the fully automatic operation of the new system means little or no retraining to make it work optimally.
For more information, please talk to your friendly team at your local Farmlands store.
Article suplied by Promax.
Be ready for rodents
Rodent numbers are expected to explode this autumn, with high levels of beech trees flowering and producing large quantities of seeds (mast).
Masts are a climate phenomenon triggered by a summer that is warmer than the previous one and 2016 is predicted to be a big season. Beech tree seeds provide a food source for rats and mice and it will result in a significant increase in rodent numbers. Stoat numbers are expected to increase, as rodents are one of their primary food
sources. The increased numbers of rodents and stoats places our native wildlife at significant risk. The problem can easily escalate once the beech mast finishes – a diminishing food source means rodents become predators, eating birds, lizards, eggs and chicks.
The need for increased pest control during beech mast
Controlling rodent numbers with a proactive pest control programme helps to reduce numbers of predators on our farms, around bush lines and other native areas. Farmlands encourages land owners to form a baiting strategy to help reduce the threat to our wildlife. We have stocks of Pestoff Rodent Blocks and Pellets on hand – applied in bait stations they provide a potent solution to the rodent problem. The highly palatable and freshly made Pestoff bait provides a single feed lethal dose.
Tips for successful eradication
• Do not handle bait with bare hands as rodents are suspicious of human scent and may avoid baits that have been touched.
• Ensure rodents do not have access to alternative foods such as stockfeed, garbage or human food scraps.
• Maintain fresh baits by checking and replacing them every 2 to 3 days initially and later, every week or 2.
• Be particularly vigilant during autumn, when the first cooler and wet weather arrives, as this usually drives rodents indoors seeking shelter and food.
• To protect non-target animals from secondary poisoning, collect any dead rodent bodies and burn or bury them. Spoiled or unwanted bait should be disposed of in a similar manner.
• Where infestation is heavy and localised, use up to five bait stations per 100 square metres (10m x 10m). In light-infestation areas, place one Dead Rat Café per 100 square metres.
Controlling these pests that thrive during a beech mast goes a long way towards addressing the problems. Pestoff Rodent Blocks and Dead Rat Café bait station, coupled with a localised pest control programme, allows land owners to do their part to help our native birds flourishing in their habitat.
For more information, please talk to your friendly team at your local Farmlands store.
Article supplied by Bell-Booth.
Farming and the Health and Safety at Work Act
The new Health and Safety at Work Act came into force on 4th April. WorkSafe’ New Zealand's Agriculture Programme Manager, Al McCone, explains what farmers need to know.
Farming is not always an easy life. The work is hard and physical, the hours are long and you’re exposed to the extremes of the weather – not to mention international commodity prices. You might even say that farming comes with more than its fair share of risks.
Some of those risks are to life and limb and it is those risks that the new Health and Safety at Work Act is focused on. At its heart, the new law is all about identifying work risks and creating a culture of risk management. The requirement to manage risks at work is not new – there’s long been a legal duty to keep people safe at work.
But with the new law coming into force on 4th April, there has never been a better time to take stock of your approach to keeping everyone on-farm safe and healthy.
So what do farmers need to know about the new law? Well, first up let’s dispel a couple of myths.
To be clear, the new law does not require the elimination of all risks at any cost. That’s not realistic and not what WorkSafe New Zealand expects. And it doesn’t have to mean a whole lot more paperwork. Health and safety is about identifying and managing risks – not a
folder full of documents gathering dust. Who is responsible for health and safety?
The short answer is everyone. From farmers, to sharemilkers, to seasonal workers – everyone has a role to play in keeping farms safe. But obviously a seasonal worker doesn’t have the same ability to influence how a job is undertaken, so they have different levels of responsibility.
The primary duty of care falls to what the law calls the Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (or PCBU).
The PCBU will almost always be a business and in the agriculture sector that will include farmers. That means as a farmer, you’re responsible for taking the lead on keeping people safe and healthy on your farm.
It’s not just one-way traffic though –workers also need to take responsibility themselves for acting in a safe and healthy way. This means using the right gear (and reminding a mate who isn’t), following proper health and safety processes and taking five to plan how to do a task safely when a situation changes.
Manage your risks
Businesses need to do what is ‘reasonably practicable’ to eliminate or manage health and safety risks. That means as a farmer, you need to identify risks on your farm and do what is sensible and proportionate to either
eliminate or minimise them. That will include the risks associated with the use of machinery, vehicles, agri-chemicals and the challenges of working safely around animals – all things that every farmer will be familiar with already. You are only responsible for what you can reasonably influence and control.
WorkSafe New Zealand is producing new guidance material to help businesses and workers come to grips with the new law and associated regulations – and to help them know what good health and safety practice looks like. This will include everything from formal Approved Codes of Practice, to good practice guides down to the more accessible fact sheets, case studies and interactive tools on the WorkSafe New Zealand website. When is a farm a workplace?
You should manage work-related risks wherever you’re working. But the law is quite clear – the farmhouse is not a workplace. So, what about the rest of the farm?
The new law clears up what is and what isn’t a workplace on a farm.
As a farmer, you have a duty to manage workplace risks in the following areas:
• Farm buildings and immediate surrounding areas (whether or not work is going on at the time).
• Other parts of the farm, where work is being carried out.
In those areas, you’re responsible for the health and safety of your workers and others and for managing the risks that you can reasonably control. What about visitors on farms?
All kinds of people come and go on farms all the time. Employees, contractors, vets and recreational visitors, such as hunters and trampers, can be on your land at any given time. So what are your duties when it comes to their health and safety?
The approach is just the same for visitors venturing into farm buildings, and immediate surrounding areas and areas on the farm where work is being carried out. In these cases you owe a duty to the visitors, just as you do to your workers.
But, if you couldn’t be expected to know that someone is going to be on your farm, it’s just not reasonable to expect that you have the same level of care for their safety. Also, if someone is on your farm for an unlawful purpose, you can’t be held responsible if there is an incident.
Where a visitor like a hunter or line worker crosses an area of a farm not being used for work purposes and not
close to the buildings on the farm then the farmer shouldn’t need to take any action in relation to that person.
One exception would be if some work had recently been carried out creating a risk, even though no-one was still working there, e.g. recent spraying of agri-chemicals that may still be in the air. In these situations you need to think about how to reasonably manage this for visitors and others.
Am I responsible for contractors?
The new law is designed to encourage co-operation, communication and collaboration. So where the work of two or more businesses overlap, they must work together to keep everyone safe. Talking to each other and sharing information is vital.
You need to make sure any contractors understand the risks they bring to your farm (which they should warn you about) and be satisfied that they are managing these risks appropriately (which they should tell you about). If they don’t tell you, ask.
You’re not expected to be an expert in their area but if you feel their work is being conducted unsafely you should stop it until you are satisfied it’s safe.
You should also warn your contractors about any risks your work poses to them while at work, when you know or should know they are coming onto your farm.
Working together
The Health and Safety at Work Act also introduces a requirement on all businesses to engage with their workers on health and safety matters. It doesn’t set in stone what form that engagement must take. That will vary from industry to industry and business to business.
But the law is clear – if it relates to health and safety then there needs to be meaningful discussion with workers. As well as asking workers for feedback on specific questions, all businesses need to have clear, well known ways for workers to raise suggestions or issues on a day-to-day basis. It doesn’t have to be complicated – a morning chat covering off the working day ahead and any risks involved is a great place to start.
Any business or farm can choose to have Health and Safety Representatives (HSR) or a Health and Safety Committee (HSC), which would create a clear mechanism for workers to raise any issues. If your farm employs 20 or more workers, you must arrange an HSR election if requested by a worker. And if an HSR or five or more workers ask for a Health and Safety Committee (HSC) then the business (again, with 20 or more workers) must formally consider that request. Smaller farms are not covered by these requirements as they do not fall into the high risk category. The trick is to make sure health and safety is integrated into your farm at every level. Keeping an eye out for one another should be part of everyone’s daily routine. If it’s not already then now is the time to take action. Not only will you and your workers be safer and healthier, so will your farming business.
To find out more about the Health and Safety at Work Act, including the new duties for company officers such as Directors and Chief Executives, visit the WorkSafe New Zealand website at worksafe.govt.nz/hswa Article supplied by WorkSafe New Zealand.
Farmlands Finance
4,200 Choices Points
Soundbar 4,200 Choices Points
9,200 Choices Points
2,300 Choices Points
Hobbs
1,200 Choices Points
7,200 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 May– 31st May 2016 or as long as stocks last.
500 Choices Points
1,000 Choices Points
950 Choices Points
Breville Nespresso Pixie Machine
Sunbeam Sear and Slow Cooker
Kambrook 5 Cup Rice Cooker
Wharfedale
Russell
24cm Saute Pan and Lid
Fireside 5 Piece Set
Crest 6-Way Surge Board
Dyson V6 Animal Handstick
Dyson V6 Absolute Handstick
Farmlands working to support shareholder wellbeing
Most businesses go through highs and lows but the rural industry is particularly susceptible to a wide range of influences. The farming community regularly faces stressors that ‘townies’ don’t. Weather doesn’t always do what it needs to do, animals and markets can be unpredictable, effort does not always equal return and long hours of isolation are common. The challenges that are unique to rural life take a special breed of person. Quite simply –farming can be hard work sometimes and unless someone works in the industry, it’s not likely they will always fully understand.
Farmlands understands this and as such, we have recently been working to increase the skills of our people. Every day, Farmlands employees are travelling up rural driveways and having conversations with shareholders. Each of these Farmlands people has a role to advise and
offer purchasing solutions but our desire is that they can also point the way to some other solutions. The kind of solutions that can help people to get through tough times.
We have a number of initiatives in place to upskill our people and to help our shareholders and their families. One example is the GoodYarn programme. Farmlands has been working with Wellsouth and DairyNZ to roll out this short practical workshop, which gives our rural professionals confidence and tools that will help them to include mental wellness as part of their regular conversations. Our people are also learning more about and championing the great support the Rural Support Trust provides (www.rural-support.org.nz or phone 0800 787 254). The Rural Support Trust is a nationwide organisation made up of genuine people who have worked in and who understand the rural industry. They also have the additional aspect that they are willing, trained and able to help farmers get through tough times and can provide real support to rural people. Our desire is when necessary, we can help connect a shareholder with someone local from the Trust.
We are also helping our people to learn from the resources found on websites such as www.depression.org.nz and
www.farmstrong.co.nz. These two initiatives, with support from people such as Doug Avery and John Kirwan, have significantly helped to bring the subject of mental wellness into normal rural conversations. Progress has been made but we are not there yet.
When we have a physical health problem, most people find it reasonably easy to go to the right person to help put things right but unfortunately there is often a hesitation in talking to someone about a mental health problem or that we are not coping well. People can sometimes be ‘blind’ to the situation they are in or they think it’s a sign of weakness to put a hand up for some assistance. It’s not and although reaching out for initial support might seem like a very big step, we know that once that step is taken and help is accepted life can begin to improve.
Farmlands will continue to educate and support its people to help our shareholders get through. After all, you are us and we are you and we think our relationship is a genuine one, built on a foundation of trust and mateship.
Isn’t helping a mate to get help if they need it, the right thing to do?
Article supplied by Grigor McDonald, Farmlands Organisational Capability Manager.
Safety first to avoid the worst
Farmers have legal obligations in relation to storage of fuel on farms. Farmers are required to safely store and handle fuel so as to ensure it is not a source of pollution to the environment, or a source of harm to your family, your employees and yourself.
Safe storage of fuel also makes financial sense, as it is no good paying for fuel wasted through leaks, drips or spills. What to do in an emergency
In the case of a spill or leakage of fuel, the prime concern is the safety of any persons near the emergency. The
immediate action is to stop the spillage or leakage if safe to do so. Once this is done, stop the product escaping to drains or waterways, clean up (if safe to do so) and contact your regional/ district council regarding disposal of contaminated material.
Emergency response plan
Where there is a total of 2,000 litres of petrol/diesel stored on a farm, the person in charge must provide an emergency response plan. An emergency response plan includes all information required to respond to an emergency involving petrol and/or diesel.
ice Proof for diesel
• Higher dilution rate 1: 1,000
• Stronger dosage
• Saves you money
• Environmentally friendly
•
• CFPP -30°C
• 5 Litres
We at Farmlands Fuel are happy to work with you to provide any necessary information you require. Contact your local Territory Manager or phone 0800 666 626.
| Is this your non-compliant, unsafe tripod tank?
Register to earn Airpoints Dollars™ and take off faster.
We’ve partnered with Airpoints™ to bring shareholders Airpoints Dollars™ as part of the Choices Rewards Programme. You can choose to earn Airpoints Dollars on eligible purchases* including grain and seed, nutrition, fertiliser and retail purchases, plus the commission paid on livestock and real estate sales.
Register to earn Airpoints Dollars before 31st May 2016 and go in the draw to win 1,000 Airpoints Dollars**.
Visit www.farmlands.co.nz/airpoints, call 0800 200 600 or email ask@farmlands.co.nz
PRODUCTIVE COASTAL FARM
MILTON, SOUTH OTAGO
Productive farm of 534 hectares, on a rolling contour with native bush gullies. 1970s, four bedroom home, sleep-out, covered yards and cattle yards. Farm policy based around a strong ewe flock plus trading cattle and wintering dairy cows. Estimated stock units 3,500 to 3,700 (650 cows wintered). Pastures renewed over the last 8 years, with current crops of lucerne, fodder beet and swedes. 23 hectare woodlot of 4 year old pines is well established.
Price on application
GOTTA GO! KARAMEA, WEST COAST
This 501 hectare dairy unit has to go. Milking and running all young stock on approximately 170 hectares. 11 sheds plus renovated 24 aside herringbone with a 250 cow yard. Modernised, three bedroom home with sleep-out and a two bedroom cottage. Consistently milking 210-215 cows, producing a 5 year average of 79,898kgMS. Come and make us an offer. Stock to be sold with farm and plant available if desired.
Deadline sale closing 1pm, Tuesday 3 May 2016 (unless sold prior)
www.farmlandsrealestate.co.nz
Alan Eason 027 489 8760
alan.eason@farmlands.co.nz
www.farmlandsrealestate.co.nz
Shari McLaughlin 027 266 6850
shari.mclaughlin@farmlands.co.nz
LAND DEVELOPMENT
Almost 8 hectares of flat to rolling land zoned residential. Opportunity for a prime subdivision in the increasingly popular Greytown village. Ideally placed for Wellington commuters and close to the entrance of the ‘Greytown Woodside Trail’. With panoramic views of farmland and the Tararua Ranges, this is a land development opportunity not to be missed.
Tender closing 4pm, Tuesday 24 May 2016
Nell Macdonald 027 252 5152 Tim Falloon 027 449 2105
MODERN DAIRY FARM KIRWEE, CANTERBURY
100 hectares of productive and versatile quality soils. 40 bail dairy shed with cup removers, ADF and Protrac. 600 cow capacity feed pad. High standard effluent disposal system. 80 hectares of pivot irrigation along with solid set. Near new home plus second dwelling. 296,000kgMS 2014/2015 season. Quality is evident throughout. Price
plus GST (if any)
Matt Collier 027 205 6626 Grant McIlroy 027 345 9262
IN A LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY MARTINBOROUGH, WAIRARAPA
Prime real estate on the main thoroughfare into Martinborough, on a corner section with three entrances and three separate titles. Existing buildings with commercial businesses operating have rental revenue, or the property could be redeveloped. The land areas are two parcels of 835m² each on Kitchener Street and one parcel adjoining on Broadway Street of 885m².
Auction on-site 2pm, Saturday 21 May 2016
Nell Macdonald 027 252 5152 Tim Falloon 027 449 2105
Beat the winter chill with Farmlands Card
As the days are getting cooler, now is the time to ensure you have efficient home heating solutions. We have a range of Card Partners that can help. Smiths City, Noel Leeming, Bunnings and Mitre 10 MEGA offer shareholder discounts and rebates on home heating solutions from heat pumps to wood fires. Time to review your electricity provider? Contact us and we can request a quote from Card Partners Meridian and Genesis Energy.
Do you use bottled or cylinder LPG gas for your home or business? We’ve partnered with Elgas to bring shareholders an exclusive offer for May. New Elgas customers who connect before 31st May 2016 receive a $150.00 Elgas Account credit, plus 500 bonus Choices Rewards Points*. Shareholders also receive the ongoing saving of a 10 percent shareholder rebate off every Elgas bill. There is no establishment fee and Elgas deliver rurally at no additional cost. To request a quote or add Elgas to your Farmlands Account, visit www.farmlands.co.nz/elgas.
Extend the benefits of Farmlands Card to your family and apply for an additional Farmlands Card. You can also request fuel only Cards, which allow staff to still receive fuel savings while limiting spending on your Farmlands Account. Contact us on 0800 200 600 or ask@farmlands.co.nz for more information.
There are loads of other ways you use your Farmlands Card, from electricity and insurance to groceries and farm services. Plus, look out for your Noel Leeming VIP event at the end of the month. Download the Farmlands App from the Apple App store or Google Play store to find more Card Partner savings and locations.
This month
CHECK OUT THE GREAT SAVINGS FROM THESE FARMLANDS CARD PARTNERS
A new way to stay connected in rural areas
Since its launch just over a year ago, Farmside has been actively switching customers over to their Wireless Broadband and Phone service. The reason for this is simple – it is faster and has more data than a lot of other rural services.
Wireless Broadband and Phone is a service that is delivered through the network being rolled out by the Government’s Rural Broadband Initiative. The service is subject to availability but by the end of the roll-out it will be available to more than 280,000 rural properties.
Wireless Broadband and Phone offers:
• Cheaper phoneline services.
• Free national and local calling.
• Lower mobile and international calling.
• Big data caps – with flexibility to add more.
• Option to keep your existing phone number.
• Great for locations with no landline connection, e.g. farm working accommodation or milking sheds.
With its huge success, Farmside has decided to make this service available in some rural towns across New Zealand.
Wireless Broadband and Phone Self-Install is exactly the same in all aspects, except customers won’t have to pay the install cost if they are living in town. This comes down to the fact that in town, there is no external aerial required to be installed onto the customer’s roof. This service is a great option for customers who are experiencing slow ADSL connections and are unlikely to get fibre in the town they live in.
Having recently moved off the family farm in Te Tipua into Gore, Farmlands shareholders Valerie and Garry Ross have signed up to Wireless Broadband and Phone SelfInstall. “It is simple to work it out. We are not computer whizzes but we managed. We briefly used an ADSL landline connection but have found Farmside’s Wireless Broadband far superior and excellent for meeting all our needs. It is instant, it is there when you need it, there is no waiting and no dropping out. We do plenty
online these days. Although we have moved to town and our son has taken over managing the farm, we are still heavily involved in the farming operation, particularly with a lot of bookwork. It is good to stay connected with that and to be on the same wavelength as our son. Fast, reliable internet certainly helps us there.”
How it works:
1. Once you receive the modem –plug it into a power outlet.
2. Call Farmside to activate your SIM.
3. Connect to the Wi-Fi and you’re ready to go!
Towns it is available in so far are:
• Ashburton
• Blenheim
• Carterton
• Feilding
• Gore
• Greymouth
• Hawera
• Kaikoura
• Marton
• Masterton
• Stratford
• Wanaka
The Self-Install option is low risk for most of our customers, as there is a 30 day money back guarantee in place. This means that should the quality of the service not be as you would expect, you are able to send back the modem in the first 30 days without any penalties or disconnection fees.
Information about Farmside Wireless Broadband is available at www.farmside.co.nz or by calling 0800 327 674
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.
The Driving Force behind the All Blacks
In addition to the comprehensive range of engineering supplies and tools, Tradezone also offer one of New Zealand’s broadest ranges of high-quality welding consumables, accessories and welding safety equipment.
FARMLANDER DEALS
FARMLANDS AND CRT CARD - FOR EVERYDAY SAVINGS
CARD - FOR EVERYDAY SAVINGS
AND AT
Exclusive Fieldays Offer for Farmlands shareholders. Limited Stock Available at these Special Prices! Up to 25% off RRP! Olympian Generators by Caterpillar.
Bunnings has buildings to suit every farm
Choose your new farm building from Bunnings’ extensive range. Whether you’re looking for a kitset, a custom build or a livestock shelter, the Adaptable Building Solutions range has something for every farm.
There are plenty to choose from with a great range of popular building styles and sizes. Kitset buildings come pre-cut in Zincalume® or Colorsteel®, and can be fabricated to size for easy installation. The Clear-Span Buildings are perfect for workshops, stables or factories. You can get them in Zincalume®, Colorsteel® or H3.2 Utility Ply that come with Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) framing. They start at 12m wide x 18m long, and can be extended up to 15m wide x 30m long. Livestock Shelters are available in 7m or 10.5m spans. They’re made from tanalised timber and corrosion-resistant galvanised roof framing with high strength Ultraflex cladding. You can also tailor and configure the internal cubicles to suit your farm’s requirements.
If you’re after kitset, or even custom designed, Bunnings has the solution. To learn more about the Adaptable Building Solutions range, talk to your Trade Team.
Find your nearest store at bunnings.co.nz/stores or call 0508 BUNNINGS.
•
•
•
•
and
Glass Doctor takes off maladies and oxidation/discolouration. (9225)
Headlight Doctor can also be used on helmet visors and safety goggles. (9230)
Dual camera input. Easy DIY installation. Clips over existing mirror. (AMRV4M)
