Winter 2015

BULLETIN ISSUE 8 : Winter 2015

2015 This year marked Greenlea’s second year at The National Agricultural Fieldays™ at Mystery Creek. Once again, we thoroughly enjoyed catching up with our suppliers who called in for a visit. Similar to last year, our chef provided a beef tasting at noon each day, and we served over 1,000 meals during the four days. On the menu was Americanstyle BBQ beef sliders, Thai beef stir-fry, thinly sliced rare eye fillet with salad and a Vietnamese beef. Each day we drew a big crowd with our forequarter and hindquarter boning demonstrations and knife sharpening sessions. Thanks to those who came by for a visit, and we look forward to seeing you at the same site (F53) next year!

www.greenlea.co.nz

WE’LL SEE YOU AT FIELDAYS NEXT YEAR!

Mudgey’s Column As we head into the last quarter of the meat season, it’s probably timely to look back. First, in the dairy industry, we have experienced that what goes up certainly is bound to come down.

Just bloody hard work when it comes down so rapidly! Many of our dairy farmer suppliers are certainly feeling the pinch. A good autumn has enabled many of them to continue milking and increase production. Hopefully, strong cull pricing has also helped a little. Bull and prime farmers also experienced a quick swing in pricing levels as the USA market reacted to huge volumes of beef from New Zealand and Australia. It’s been very slow to turn around and we are only just seeing small lifts mid-June.

Heading into winter I’m sure we will see some good premiums but only time will tell if we see the dizzy heights of last winter.

Year two at the Fieldays was four busy days with literally 1,000’s coming to rest their legs and enjoy a cuppa and a chat. Plenty of encouragement from happy suppliers and a handful of kicks up the backside with suggested improvements. Rest assured we will listen to both the good and the bad and learn from the advice. General consensus is that Greenlea is

www.greenlea.co.nz

a little like KFC and Coca Cola … we have a recipe that works … only difference is ours isn’t a secret! It’s about being upfront, doing an honest job and paying a fair price. Had a number of supporters tell us that “yes, we’ve tried sending a few elsewhere”, but they have found that sometimes it’s about more than just the price. “We went, we tried, but we’re not going back!! Greenlea is our processor of choice, and it’s not just about the money!”

Calving season is just around the corner … it’s a great time to think about rearing a few extra calves. Large numbers of beef cows have been slaughtered and plenty of dairy grazers are staying at home. Yes, come spring, cattle will be in short supply. Why not turn some of that colostrum milk into a pre-Christmas bonus?

With a strong bull schedule all season, a good 100 kg bull calf will be sought after if well reared and ready in November. Short term, fill the wood basket and keep the fire roaring, winter is setting in.

Mudgey Livestock Manager

Are You

YOUR S

TORIE S

COVERED? One of our clients recently found himself in a bit of a bind with his insurer over an animal that was mistakenly sent

The supplier portal is available on our website (www.greenlea.co.nz) and ensures that you receive your provisional kill data within approximately 24 hours of slaughter.

The portal also allows you to reconcile live weights (bled weight) and carcass weights against individual animal NAIT numbers as well as any relevant disease and defect data collected by the meat inspectors. You can also download copies of invoices and data files (csv). Register for online access on our website or by contacting the livestock team on 0508 GREENLEA.

DS

MIA STANDAR

for slaughter. He suggested that we make his story public so that others could learn from his situation.

The case involved a bull that was sent for slaughter by a new farm manager. The new manager had started two days before signing an ASD for the bull in question. The owner realised 24 hours later that the manager had sent the wrong bull and immediately notified Greenlea. In this case, the bull that was sent was still in a withholding period for a drench.

Presence of chemical residues in meat (as a result of animal treatments, pesticides, herbicides, etc.) is of significant consequence to the New Zealand meat industry. Even one detection overseas could result in withdrawal of eligibility for New Zealand red meat to that market. Because of the seriousness of the situation, all products (cartons of meat, blood for pharmaceuticals, etc.) that could potentially be contaminated had to be identified and destroyed.

Additionally, a safety margin to eliminate any possibility of risk needs to be included. The resulting cost for this exercise was over $46,000.

Of additional concern to the farm owner was finding out that his insurance provider would not cover the incident. Had the owner signed the ASD for the bull, the insurer would have paid out. However, since the ASD was signed by the farm manager, technically the insurer could have denied the claim. In this case, the insurer came to the table and covered the claim; however, it is worth noting that they were in no way obligated to do so.

Most farmers would agree that regardless of where they send their animals for slaughter, they should be paid for the entire carcass in the same way.

Greenlea was instrumental in getting the industry to adopt a recognised carcass trim standard and acted as Chair for the adoption and implementation of the programme. The Meat Industry Association (MIA) has adopted a voluntary trim standard for bovine and ovine carcasses. Companies that participate in this standard are audited by independent third party verification agencies (MPI, AsureQuality or AUSMEAT Ltd) to ensure compliance with the standard. Greenlea is a strong advocate for compliance of the standard and uses MPI as their auditor. The complete bovine carcass trim standard as well as a list of participating companies can be found on the MIA website (www.mia.co.nz – Industry Information tab).

www.flightforlife.co.nz

Lost in the kaimanawa ranges Mates separated in the bush were reunited because of the Greenlea Rescue Helicopter A deer-hunting trip into the Kaimanawa ranges for long time mates Dave Burchett and Don Scott was supposed to be a week of fun and adventure.

On day four of their hunting expedition, Don decided to climb up to the open tops in search of a cell phone signal. He failed to return by nightfall and Dave knew Don was either hurt or lost.

Dave waited until sunrise before setting off up a steep ridge to find cell phone reception so he could alert Search and Rescue. He met the incoming Greenlea Rescue Helicopter at the open tops who flew in eight search teams and a dog tracking team.

The dogs struggled to pick up a scent, the weather started to close in, night began to fall and radio reception was failing. Dave was starting to give up hope they’d find his mate. An hour later the radio suddenly crackled and a voice said, “We’ve found him!”

“WITHOUT THE HELP OF ALL THESE DEDICATED PEOPLE, THIS WOULD HAVE HAD A VERY DIFFERENT ENDING.” Dave Burchett

Don was winched out by the Greenlea Rescue Helicopter and checked by a medic. Thankfully the only ill effects were extreme tiredness and hunger, Don was very lucky.

“Without the help of all these dedicated people, this would have had a very different ending,” said Dave with gratitude.

For more stories or to donate, head to our website www.rescue.org.nz

recent RUral missions

two ways you can save lives

Male, 37:

Ensure life-saving help is only a call away no matter how remote or inaccessible the location of your farm.

Male, 24:

Female, 81:

A dairy farmer sustained spinal injuries after a hay bale landed on him while he was working in the hay barn. Airlifted from Parawera to Waikato Hospital.

Thrown from a farm vehicle when it rolled down a steep hill on a rural property near Waipukurau. Airlifted in a serious condition to Palmerston North Hospital.

Suffered a deep laceration to her leg when she was struck by a piece of wood. Airlifted from Turangi to Waikato Hospital.

1) Donate a beast. Greenlea will arrange transport, processing and donate proceeds to the local rescue helicopter of your choice as part of the Flight For Life programme.

2) Become a Rural Friend of the Rescue Helicopter and help your local Rescue Helicopter to provide a vital emergency service 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. After all, you never know when you might require this life-saving service.

For more information visit rescue.org.nz

Philips Search & Rescue Trust

rescuehelicoptertrust

@Rescue_PSRT

winter 2015

Discover more at rescue.org.nz

0800 11 10 10