Dairy News 15 October 2019

Shareholders Council ‘asleep at the wheel’. PAGE 3 GLOBAL OUTLOOK

Taking awards offshore PAGE 5

TIME FOR A QUICKE

Electronic joystick PAGE 25 OCTOBER 15, 2019 ISSUE 433

// www.dairynews.co.nz

ENVOY READY TO SERVE FARMERS “As much as dairy has been in the spotlight on some challenging issues, the people I know in dairy have been inspirational in their engagement on the issues,” Mel Poulton, special agricultural trade envoy-designate. PAGE 4

TAIL PAINT is how my grandfather improved his heat detection guesswork, and its pretty much how we still do it. Most people who sell tail paint in New Zealand tell us this is OK – and I guess, for them it is. Trev Dugan, who farms out by

Governor’s Road agrees with them and has doubled down on tail paint this season by trading up to some cutting-edge tail paint technology and going fluro - he says that if this pays off for him he may even look at getting one of those new phones you can carry around out of the house that have no wires. The use of tail paint as a way to indicate the possibility a cow has submitted, and is therefore in heat, dates back to Victorian and New Zealand dairy farms in the

You won’t miss tail paint. (Or heats) Unless you have a telescopic neck, figuring out which cows are in heat using tail paint is frankly, a pain in that neck. With HeatGate we take the pain away, so you can throw the tail paint away.

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DAIRY NEWS OCTOBER 15, 2019

NEWS  // 3

Shareholders Council ‘asleep at the wheel’ SUDESH KISSUN sudeshk@ruralnews.co.nz

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NEWS �������������������������������������������������������3-11 OPINION �����������������������������������������������12-13 AGRIBUSINESS ������������������������������ 14-15 MANAGEMENT �������������������������������� 16-17 ANIMAL HEALTH ����������������������������18-19 MILK COOLING ������������������������������ 20-24 MACHINERY &   PRODUCTS ���������������������������������������25-27

A GROUP of Fonterra farmers want an independent review of the Fonterra shareholders council following the co-op’s financial debacle. A resolution for Fonterra’s upcoming annual general meeting was emailed last month to the co-op’s director governance, risk and audit Anya Wicks. Lumsden farmer Tony Paterson, the mover of the resolution, told Dairy News that he expects the resolution to be included in the co-op’s notice of meeting going out to farmers this week. The resolution wants the independent review to be conducted “immediately post” the 2019 annual meeting, to be held this year at Invercargill on November 7. Paterson says the review should look at how the council can be “a more effective cornerstone shareholder”. It will also consider if the current model is working for farmers and is there a better model. Paterson says he emailed a group of farmers for their feedback after the co-op reported a second year of losses. “100% of the feedback said they were disappointed with the council’s performance.” Paterson says most farmers agreed the “council had been sleeping at the wheel”. Paterson, who has milked 1200 cows for the last 10 years, says Fonterra’s performance has been below par and that more effective monitoring from the shareholders council could have prevented the co-op’s slide into red. He says shortly after filing his motion of resolution with Fonterra he received a few phone calls from council chairman Duncan Coull. He was surprised to see an email from the council announcing an internal review. Paterson says the council’s review is “too little, too late”.

Tony Paterson

“Our bottom line is that it should be an independent review and not another one conducted by the council.” Paterson wants Fonterra shareholders to be given the chance to decide whether the council is fit for purpose and wants farmers to back his resolution for an independent review. “We encourage farmers to support the resolution for a better Fonterra we will all be proud of in the future,” Paterson said. Coull told Dairy News that he understands a resolution will be tabled at the annual meeting. “The notice of the meeting has yet to be released to shareholders so it wouldn’t be appropriate for me to comment,” he said. “All I can say is that the council announced a full review of its purpose and functions a

couple of weeks ago to shareholders, given that no meaningful review has taken place since Fonterra’s inception.” In his email to farmer shareholders on October 1, Coull said recent feedback from shareholders clearly suggests it is time to look at representative functions. “We have heard the criticisms and frustrations and have been reflecting on them,” he wrote. Coull says the council’s review will look at its structure and functions under Fonterra’s constitution. “Our cooperative is the sum of all of us. It has taken generations to build and it is our collective responsibility to empower it for future generations. We trust you will all support this approach.”

DAIRY NEWS OCTOBER 15, 2019

4 //  NEWS

New farm envoy will promote food producers’ voices PAM TIPA pamelat@ruralnews.co.nz

TARANAKI FARMER

Mel Poulton will work with New Zealand’s special agricultural trade envoy, Mike Petersen, over the next three months in preparation for taking over his role on January 1. Poulton was announced last week as his successor. “First and foremost, this role is about bringing the voice of food producers to the table,” Poulton told Dairy News. “I grew up in agri and together with my husband we are producing food and fibre, most of which, like the large majority of NZ’s primary industry products, is exported to many different markets around the world. “I’ve had a number of experiences offshore at global meetings where the practical knowledge, experience and authority of an actual food producer, or farmer as some would say, has had a real impact on the conversations and debate.” Poulton says it is difficult to comment too much on her new role yet, other than to honour the work Mike Petersen has done for NZ in the role. “His relentless positivity and tireless effort really is admirable. I don’t start officially until

January, so I’ve got three months to work with Mike, learn the ropes and get up to speed so that I can continue building on the platform he’s set. “I look forward to working with all the people involved in this role across the industry and internationally. “We’re all in this

together and I’ll be just one part of a big team.” Asked to comment on challenges facing NZ, particularly in view of the current trading environment, Poulton says broadly speaking both in NZ and worldwide there is significant change taking place. “No-one really knows

where it’s all going to land,” she said. “What we do know is that change is constant. It always has been. We can look back at the change we’ve all been part of and have confidence that we embraced opportunities, we’ve adapted, we’ve created solutions and we will continue to do this.

NUFFIELD SCHOLAR POULTON IS hands-on with husband Mike on an intergenerational Taranaki family sheep and beef farm that has been in Mike’s family for about 100 years. They are stewards of 1011ha, consisting of mostly medium to hard hill country, and they have a 28ha block down the road which is all flat and used for finishing stock, she says. In a Nuffield Scholarship she was awarded in 2014 Poulton “set out to understand the export of NZ expertise with regard to trade”. “Food producers and the primary industry invest a lot of money in developing knowledge, science, technology and solutions to the challenges and opportunities we face in our farming systems.” Her study tour touched on international science collaboration, offshore investments in farming systems from different countries including NZ, trade negotiations and global policy with the UNFAO and WTO. She also looked a little at intellectual property and how we value it, and she explored completely different farming systems such as Tilapia fish farming, an American investment in Colombia.

“I wanted to maximise the opportunity as a Nuffield scholar to get into places and spaces that I otherwise didn’t think I was ever going to get a chance to look at. So while I was travelling I took a broad look at as much as I possibly could. This was a great approach for learning.” She travelled widely in South America and Latin America, the USA, Europe and Israel and visited at least 10 countries in her scholarship year. Poulton is a member of the Global Farmer Network which she says is amplifying the voice of farmers and food producers on the global stage, promoting trade, science and technology and other issues important to food producers. “Along with other folk in NZ I’ve been contributing to some of the global conversations on issues where I can bring a NZ perspective.” In the last month this included involvement in the Global Agenda on Livestock Sustainability (GASL) and promotion of issues on mobile digital connectivity. Last year she attended a small APEC meeting in Taiwan/Chinese Taipei.

their part in working together to navigate our way through change and capture the opportunities that arise.” The NZ dairy sector is full of amazing New special agricultural trade envoy people doing Mel Poulton. good work on farms and in our markets, “Navigating our way says Poulton. through change needs “As much as dairy has everyone positively been in the spotlight on and constructively contributing to solutions, some challenging issues, the people I know in dairy from our food producers have been inspirational in all the way through their engagement on the the industry, including issues. Government ministries “They’ve been and our trade staff here in tireless in their efforts NZ and offshore. to be solutions focussed, “We’re all part of the their leadership in NZ Team and it’s going navigating change, their to take everyone playing

innovation to connect with consumers and the NZ population, and their open gate initiatives. “In my engagements offshore [I’ve seen] the NZ dairy sector is held in very high regard and just about everyone involved in agri around the world knows something about NZ dairy and its contribution internationally from a trade perspective. “NZ dairy farmers and the dairy industry are producing highly nutritious food and beverages, innovative products and valuable nutritional solutions for people in many different countries. “Keep up the good work.” @dairy_news facebook.com/dairynews

IN BRIEF CRI head quits AGRESEARCH CHIEF executive Tom Richardson will step down from the role later this month. Richardson says he has been in the role for nine “rewarding years”. Prior to joining AgResearch in 2010 he spent 17 years with Scion, including five as its chief executive. AgResearch chairman Dr Paul Reynolds says Richardson has made a huge contribution to AgResearch and the New Zealand science sector. “He has led the organisation through some challenging times and positioned it to make a strong and enduring contribution to the future of the New Zealand pastoral sector.”

AgResearch finance and business performance director Tony Hickmott will become AgResearch’s acting chief executive after Richardsons depart and the board will seek a permanent replacement. Richardson says his decision to step away was made slightly easier by the calibre of the AgResearch executive team now in place and the momentum the organisation has achieved. “I look forward to watching AgResearch continue to provide strong leadership and meet the challenges ahead for the land based science sector.”

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DAIRY NEWS OCTOBER 15, 2019

NEWS  // 5

Awards could be a global showcase NIGEL MALTHUS

THE NEW chair of the New Zealand

Dairy Industry Awards (NZDIA) Trust wants to use the awards to showcase NZ dairy to the world. “My dream is one day to be able to put our supreme award winners up against the world’s best,” said Canterbury business consultant Natasha Tere. As a Nuffield Scholar, Tere says she has a global outlook. “It would be good for us to position our industry alongside the world because I know we are such high performers.” But it would take a lot of support from funders and sponsors. “That’s where I’d love to take it but it’s going to take a lot of effort to get it there.” Tere also wants to use the awards to help bridge the urban-rural gap and

have entrants showcase best practice. “We know there’s fantastic stuff happening in our industry and we’ve got amazing talent but we’re just not getting the headlines.” Tere says while some sectors are trying to undervalue the industry but it benchmarks well against global competitors through our generally freerange pasture-fed systems. Tere has supported the awards since getting involved while managing the agribusiness arm of an award sponsors in 2009. She has been a member of the trust since 2017. “It was a privilege to watch people work their way through the industry. You got to know the ones who won Trainee Of The Year and who are now head managers or operations managers for the likes of Dairy Holdings. “That’s what captured my attention, why I love it so much.” Tere is a former sharemilker and farm owner who moved into the

TAIL PAINT is how my grandfather improved his heat detection guesswork, and its pretty much how we still do it. Most people who sell tail paint in New Zealand tell us this is OK – and I guess, for them it is.

corporate world in the 1990s and now works primarily as a consultant, in and out of agribusiness, and holds several senior management roles. A keen sportswoman, she competes internationally as a figure athlete (bodybuilding) and is a director of NZ Rugby League, representing the southern zone, and she has chaired Canterbury Netball. She is now completing a year as a future director AgResearch where she experiences “a really high functioning board at work”. As the new NZDIA Trust chair, Tere says her goal is to evolve with the needs of the industry and to celebrate diversity and the changing landscape. “What we focus on and judge educates our entrants and volunteers. That drives change through sharing and their taking those best practices back to the farm and on to the next farm as they develop their careers and move on.

Trev Dugan, who farms out by Governor’s Road agrees with them and has doubled down on tail paint this season by trading up to some cutting-edge tail paint technology and going fluro - he says that if this pays off for him he may even look at getting one of those new phones you can carry around out of the house that have no wires. The use of tail paint as a way to indicate the possibility a cow has submitted, and is therefore in heat, dates back to Victorian and New Zealand dairy farms in the late 1970’s. Since then, despite pretty much everything else changing, we still are using this basic method on many dairy farms. Tail

“The awards give dairy farmers the opportunity to independently benchmark themselves against their peers, and to be part of a network caring about the wellbeing of our people, our land and our communities. The awards inspire growth and leadership within our Industry and at all levels from dairy trainees through to Natasha Tere equity owners.” Tere acknowledges her In 2016 Tere was a finalist in the predecessor, Woodville farmer Ben Allomes, who has guided the Woman of Influence Awards in the trust through a time of change with rural category and was awarded a technology, the introduction of the Nuffield Scholarship in 2013. She holds Recognition of Prior Learning Diploma tertiary qualifications in agribusiness management and livestock production (RPL) and a new general manager. “We are woven into the DNA of the management. She is a Master in Project NZ dairy industry. We are an industry Management. Entries for the 2020 awards are voice with over 7000 people directly engaging with the programme each open until November 16. year,” said Allomes. www.dairyindustryawards.co.nz.

paint is used to suggest cows that are in heat by indicating those which have been mounted, resulting in the tail paint being rubbed off. Where other parts of the dairy world have seen amazing innovations and improvements using the technology that has been invented or improved since the 1970’s (back before cell phones, the internet, personal computers , tries were still worth 4 points, rugby players were amateurs and there was no lifting in the lineouts) – the improvements to tail paint based heat detection have been limited to the colours they use, the cans and how sticky the paint is.

Perhaps its time to move on from the old school to the new school of heat detection, especially when you consider how important accurate heat detection is in a seasonal calving system like New Zealand. If you miss a heat you can stretch your calving pattern – missing days in milk, creating

You won’t miss tail paint. (Or heats) HeatGate in action.

Unless you have a telescopic neck, figuring out which cows are in heat using tail paint is frankly, a pain in that neck. With HeatGate we take the pain away, so you can throw the tail paint away. Every cow, every milking – automatically drafted with no complicated computer or technical knowledge required. Call us on 0800 222 228 to make tail paint history on your farm. Happy farmer not in action.

delaval.com | 0800 222 228

DAIRY NEWS OCTOBER 15, 2019

6 //  NEWS

Taking farmers together on climate change PAM TIPA pamelat@ruralnews.co.nz

HOW WE take the farm-

ing community with us and what trajectory we are on for climate change response is all open for discussion, says Dr Rod Carr, the new chair-designate of the Climate Change Commission. But the fact that we need to deal with climate

change is real and urgent, he says. “New Zealand and New Zealanders have signed up to an international agreement to play our part and make our contribution to the impact and effects of climate change,” Carr told Dairy News directly after his appointment was announced. “We cannot achieve that goal without making

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sure we do everything to reduce biogenic emissions.” Asked by mainstream media about alternative proteins, he said there is no doubt there would be new technologies producing protein - whether animal or plant protein. “And no doubt there will be new production formats in which carbohydrates and proteins are produced for the world. “But remember that the world’s population is forecast to grow by two billion hungry mouths in the next couple of decades. So we need all of what we can produce and we need to produce it with a much smaller carbon footprint on the planet.” Climate Change Minister James Shaw announced Dr Carr’s appointment last week. Pending the outcome of the select committee and

parliamentary process, the Climate Change Commission will be set up by the passing of the Zero Carbon Bill. Shaw says the first priority is to set up a commission that has credibility and is well connected and engaged and can pick up the work which the interim climate change committee has already done. It will develop the advice for the first three- to five-yearly carbon budgets. All the above is conditional on the Zero Carbon Bill being passed which is “anticipated but not assumed,” Shaw says. Carr’s appointment is a chair designate role. The climate change committee will continue in the interim with its work under Dr David Prentice. Carr says he will assume a shadowing role in that period, and subject to the legislation get-

Newly-appointed Climate Change Commission chair Dr Rod Carr (left) and Climate Change Minister James Shaw.

ting Royal Assent, the commission can begin its work without a slowdown in transition. Shaw says Carr has an incredible array of intellectual, academic and professional experience. “I am particularly attracted to the background he has in areas relevant to the challenges of adapting to the effects of climate change. He led Canterbury University through the postearthquake recovery period. He has a PhD in insurance and risk management which is highly relevant to the area. He also chaired the infrastructure board for five years. Much of the challenge will be in the placement of infrastructure so that it is resilient to the impacts of climate change

in the future.” Carr also served as

UNCERTAINTY OVER CHANGE EMISSIONS REDUCTION by farming will not be nearly as significant as the changes farming has been through in the past, says Climate Change Minister James Shaw. Asked by Dairy News about farmer discontent, Shaw said there is a huge array of opinion on this in the agricultural sector and between farmers. “We tend to hear voices at one end of the spectrum more loudly than the other end,” he said. “But the fact is there are people who are anxious about their livelihoods and incomes and so on and that is understandable because we are talking about a period of change here. “So I think it is incumbent upon the Government to make sure people understand that it is not nearly as significant as the changes farming has been through in the past. “In the future, farms and farming will be as valuable and as different as today’s farms are from 30 years ago.”

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DAIRY NEWS OCTOBER 15, 2019

NEWS  // 7

Vital animal protein missing from global food discussions PAM TIPA pamelat@ruralnews.co.nz

THE NEED for animal protein in discussions on future nutritious and sustainable food systems seems to be missing from much of the rhetoric, says Jeremy Hill, Fonterra’s

chief scientist and technology officer. That includes the EATLancet report, says Hill, who spoke at the Climate Change and Business Conference in Auckland last week. Hill said he was speaking in his role as a professor of sustainable food

GAME-CHANGER   FOR MILK SOME TECHNOLOGIES being developed could change the game on the sustainability credentials of milk, Hill said. Those credentials for milk need to improve on a global basis, Hill said. “I am saying that modelling, including EAT-Lancet, shows you can’t actually get the diets to work without [dairy] and lots more of it. “That means in my business to put even more emphasis on the need to put effort into sustainability and solutions. “We must find ways in which we uncouple feed consumed by ruminants [from] the methane produced. Technologies are being developed that have the potential to do that. They could change the game. “You [would] still have water issues but so do lots of agricultural systems. A lot of the crop based agriculture produces a lot of nitrates, for example. We will need to have a sustainable food system for 8.5 billion people by 2030, and as soon as 2030 you will have another 1.1b people or possibly 10b by 2050. “Those people will require the bioavailable nutrients on a mass basis. You need to look at what qualifying scenarios in the food system can provide those and the consequences and how much we need to improve them all.” Hill said we should not back away from improving the ecosystem “but ultimately there is a moral imperative to feed the world’s population”.

systems at the Reddit Institute. (The EAT-Lancet Commission on Food, Planet, Health reported on its international study on feeding a future population of 10 billion people a healthy diet within the planet’s boundaries. It made recommendations for a daily diet which was plant based but included some dairy and meat. It has been the ‘go to’ report this year in global discussions on sustainable food systems.) Hill told the conference that all consumers had the absolute right to choose their diets. “But to the best of our ability we must make sure that is as informed a choice as possible,” he said. “Ultimately it may be an emotional decision they make and again that is fine. But I want to ensure that we don’t get emotion -- such as on social media -- mixed up with facts.”

Jeremy Hill

The food system is complex locally and globally with interconnections and interdependencies, Hill said. The Reddit Institute has been trying to simplify this but “it is a devil of a thing to model but not over simplify to the point where you end up with results that really don’t provide a true reflection of reality”. A key point is often missed out of discussion even in the EAT-Lancet report. Modelling in

that report shows there is a big gap between current dairy production and future needs. That gap is similar to other food classes such as vegetables and legumes. Nut production is “way off” future needs but Hill says nuts “are very expensive and take a long time to produce”. Hill also showed a graph from another study, the Global Burden of Disease report, which also showed a big shortfall in dairy and that is only

based on a recommended 425mls a day. “That’s not the three serves of dairy a day we have in some developed markets which is around 750 mls a day.” Hill says the EAT-Lancet report took the right approach to how a future global food system could work to feed a healthy diet to the world’s population. But he disagrees with the way it analysed the data. The report said milk production could be significantly reduced in the future. But Hill said analysis by the Reddit Institute and with the Global Burden of Disease showed that is in fact incorrect. “Just how affordable, achievable and practical would it be? Nuts, legumes and the others -the amount of production increase required would be staggering. We are talking 10 fold, 20 fold, 30 fold from today’s levels. “Unless we are very careful and unless there is a huge change in the way

the food system works -it is the world’s biggest industry -- the only way to drive that sort of change is to significantly increase the price of those food groups.” Recommendations for change in the EAT-Lancet report were neglectful because it missed out a critical factor for transition, he said. “We need to have a practical way of doing so.” The report also said, for some reason, that animal systems could not improve productivity but the plant system could improve very significantly in order to close this gap, Hill said. “I am not sure that is true and I will give you an example. Dairy might be 25% of New Zealand’s emissions but it is only 0.4% of world emissions and our emissions are a third of the global average. It is much less than some of the production elsewhere in the world.”

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DAIRY NEWS OCTOBER 15, 2019

8 //  NEWS

Irish dairy on enviro radar PETER BURKE peterb@ruralnews.co.nz

THE EXPANSION of

the dairy industry in Ireland is starting to affect the environmental health of the country’s lakes, rivers and estuaries. Dr David Wall, a scientist with Teagasc (semi state run agricultural research, advisory and education organisation), says the lifting of milk quotas in 2015 has led to an expansion of the dairy sector. Contributing to this expansion has been low beef and sheep prices and higher dairy returns. Wall says compared with other European countries the water quality of Ireland’s lakes, rivers and estuaries is

overall fairly good. About 70% meet have ‘good status’ under the nitrates and water framework directives of the European Union, he says. “Under these directives the EU has set a target that stipulates that all water bodies have to achieve at least good status by 2027. Our next monitoring period is 2021 and we are striving to have a trajectory of increasing status in that period.” But Wall says there are challenges in achieving that, such as pollution from urban wastewater and agriculture, with phosphate and sediment from heavier soils and nitrates entering the waterways and groundwater from the free drain-

Dr David Wall

ing soils. “That’s a big problem for our estuaries and we have a lot of receiving estuaries that are very sensitive to nitrates. There is a lot of pressure on the dairy industry now in increasing nitrogen levels and stocking rates on paddocks where there’s more nitrogen being used.” Wall, who has twice visited New Zealand, says both countries have similar problems. He refers to a lot of collaboration

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between Teagasc and AgResearch and Massey University. Both countries, with grass based dairy systems, must determine systems that will minimise damage to the environment, he says. Ireland has regulations preventing farmers from spreading manure and compound fertilisers or chemical manures during the winter. “I’ve got a bit of a flavour of what you Kiwis are doing. We can look to NZ to see the path ahead to make sure we don’t make some of [your] mistakes or we can adopt some of the good things you have done.” Wall says Irish farmers often drink the groundwater and so they are aware of water quality issues.

THE WORLD Hereford Conference will return to New Zealand after a 30 year absence. Held every four years, the week-long event attracts breeders from all over the world. Next year’s event is sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim and will be held in Queenstown from March 9-13. A key highlight of the conference next year is the inaugural Young Breeders Competition (YBC) which involves teams of young men and women from all over the world – the next generation of breeders – competing in a variety of breeding related disciplines and modules. The organisers say the YBC has so far attracted nine teams including UK, US and an all-woman team from Sweden. The YBC will start on March 7 with modules in and around Queenstown. The final two days of the competition will be at the Wanaka A&P show on March 12-13. With this competition being a world first for Herefords it will be a standout event for the World Hereford Conference. NZ Hereford’s general manager Posy Moody says the organising team

is thrilled to be showcasing NZ Herefords to international breeders. “Our international visitors will have opportunity for visits Posy Moody to renowned high country studs to observe stock in their natural environment. “And attendees will hear from a wide array of inspirational and knowledgeable speakers on, eg regenerative grazing management, and beef cattle, carbon and the environment.” Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health marketing manager – livestock, Paul Fitzpatrick, says the organising committee is working hard to bring the event to NZ. “We know it will be a once in a lifetime experience for many of these Hereford breeders to come this far and we’re sure they’ll leave here with a wealth of knowledge having seen the stock and being able to discuss breeding issues amongst their community.” Registration for the event opened in June. Earlybird registrations will close on October 31.

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DAIRY NEWS OCTOBER 15, 2019

NEWS  // 9

Fraser Whineray

Farmers applaud Whineray ‘coup’ SUDESH KISSUN sudeshk@ruralnews.co.nz

FARMERS ARE happy with the appointment of Fraser Whineray to Fonterra’s newly created role of chief operating officer. Whineray, chief executive of Mercury NZ, will join Fonterra early 2020. The creation of the COO role at Fonterra comes as the co-op grapples with two straight years of operating losses. Federated Farmers Waikato president Andrew McGiven says Whineray is “a great recruitment coup” for Fonterra. Whineray has a good track record and experience under his belt, McGiven says. “I also hope with him accepting the position it means Fonterra still has a certain amount of credibility and respect among NZ business executives which is a positive for shareholders,” McGiven told Dairy News. Whineray is no stranger to the dairy industry, having been a graduate of the New Zealand Dairy Board’s technical training programme.

He spent time at milk processing sites and in export markets while with NZDB. Fonterra chief executive Miles Hurrell says Whineray is a resultsorientated New Zealand business leader. “Fraser has demonstrated he can transform organisations to achieve growth in complex environments by a focus on innovation, customers and his team. He is motivated to contribute to New Zealand’s export success and to drive sustainability, innovation and efficiency in business – three strengths we believe can create real value.” Whineray says he is looking forward to returning to the dairy sector and working alongside the many dedicated people at Fonterra. “I am pleased to be able to continue in a role which contributes to New Zealand, and has strong, genuine relationships with many regional communities, Maori land trusts and local iwi across the country.” Whineray has held roles at Credit Suisse, Puhoi Valley Cheese and

SHARE PRICE REBOUNDS FONTERRA’S SHARE price has rebounded since the announcement of its new strategy last month. Last week the share price was hovering around $4.05/ share; on September 23 it had dipped to $3.17/share. Three weeks ago Fonterra announced its new strategy, focussing on its NZ milk pool and saying it will ultimately pull out of overseas milk pools. The new strategy puts greater emphasis on extracting value rather than pursuing volume. The strategy also brings the focus squarely back to New Zealand.

Carter Holt Harvey. He chairs the Prime Minister’s Business Advisory Council. Mercury chair Prue Flacks says the new role at Fonterra is a great opportunity for Whineray.

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DAIRY NEWS OCTOBER 15, 2019

10 //  NEWS

LIC’s auto milk testing a big cost saver PAM TIPA pamelat@ruralnews.co.nz

LABOUR AND accuracy

were two main drivers behind LIC’s latest automation which will revolutionise a key part of its herd testing operations, says LIC’s Brent Wollaston. Five new machines will automate milk weighing and sampling at LIC’s herd test laboratories in Hamilton and Christchurch. They will use a combination of laser light measurement, barcode scanning, mechanical rotation and syringe liquid transfer. LIC collects about 11 million milk samples from dairy farms each year. Wollaston, LIC’s national herd testing manager, told Dairy News one of the aims is to move away from reliance on manual labour. “The number of people required to do

this process were quite large so it is now a much reduced number,” he said. “Those people had a very repetitive job and we were losing people through the year. Then you would have to find more and train them etc. It was also increasingly difficult to attract people to what was a seasonal labour job. “You become very dependent on the labour market and sometimes that is very tight so we struggled to get the numbers needed. “Now with fewer people needed and a slightly higher level of competency required we have fewer but more skilled people. “We like to keep them longer. We are not so dependent on the availability of what is at times quite a difficult labour market. That is a problem throughout the industry, even trying to find labour on farm is

really difficult, and we have the same challenge.” The robotics also carry out the process exactly the same way every time so LIC is getting more consistent mixing of the sample and much lower levels of sample contamination. “So the quality of the results is improved with the adoption of automation as well. The quality issue is a plus for farmers and the labour one allowed us to run the business without as much disruption.” He says in the conventional weigh station, staff would be handling up to 90,000 flasks which presented some health and safety risks such as RSI. This automation is the first stage of processing the samples which had been done the same way for 50 years. The second stage is the actual testing of the samples for various components which has

been automated for some time, Wollaston says. There is already a high level of automation at LIC. The custom designed machines were developed over the past three years by LIC staff with Intellitech Automation, a New Zealand company specialising in robotic machinery. Wollaston says the machines showcase “Kiwi innovation at its best”. “The machines had to achieve accuracy of weight measurement and sub-sampling volumes, consistent sample mixing, full traceability of samples and no sample contamination. “Because of these unique challenges we weren’t able to use off-theshelf automation and set about designing our own bespoke solution.” LIC spent $3.2 million on developing the five machines and expects they will result in recurring savings within two years.

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Brent Wollaston, LIC’s national herd testing manager, says the machines, which replace a 50-year-old manual.

The development was a reflection of a long time R&D -- a joint initiative between LIC’s technical team and Intellitech, says Wollaston. “It has been a good collaboration and a good exercise in problem solving and coming up with a solution that I think works really well for LIC. “We have learnt from the first at iteration and those learnings have been put into play with all subsequent machines. “These last few months have been the first real test of the equipment as we have gone through our first period in the North Island and we have been pleased with the reliability. It is going well. It has been a great example of Kiwi innovation and collaboration between two parties.” Three machines have gone into their Hamilton premises and two will be installed in Christchurch by December.

New information chief for LIC LIC HAS appointed Andrea Black as its chief information officer. She joins LIC from Genesis Energy, where she is general manager digital solutions, leading a team of 60. She is also a key member of the technology leadership team for the Andrea Black wider Genesis group. Prior to this she worked at Gen-I, part of Spark NZ, and with companies including Westpac and Fonterra. She worked eight years for PGG Wrightson. LIC chief executive Wayne McNee says Black’s hiring comes at a pivotal time for the cooperative and will help LIC to accelerate its digital transformation. “The next phase of our digital journey is to take full advantage of big data and serve up real-time insights for our customers to drive on-farm profitability, sustainability and productivity. “Andrea will bring strong technology leadership background as well as a depth of technical excellence that will drive this work and add significant value to LIC, our staff and our customers.” LIC has an in-house technology team of 110. Black was brought up on a drystock farm in Taranaki and now lives in Waikato.

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DAIRY NEWS OCTOBER 15, 2019

WORLD  // 11

US exports soar US DAIRY exporters

keep finding new markets for cheese and dairy ingredients despite facing trade tensions. Figures last week from the US Dairy Export Council show exports of nearly US$3.92 billion in the first eight months of 2019 were up 3% on last year and the highest figure in five years. The gains were led by increased volumes of cheese and higher selling prices for dairy ingredients. In August, US export performance was in line with recent months, with overall volume about the same as June and July. But these volumes lagged August 2018 totals in most product categories. Exports of non-fat dry milk/skim milk powder were 50,993 tonnes in August, down 18% on a year ago. Sales to Mexico were down 23%, shipments to the Philippines were down 62% and to China down 91%. Since posting record export volume in March, US cheese exports (on a 30-day-month basis) have declined five months in a row on the previous month as strong domestic markets keep more US product at home. Shipments in August were 26,595t, down 6% on a year ago. Sales to Southeast Asia were nearly a record high (2811t, +127%), but lower exports to

Australia (-46%), Japan (-42%) and South Korea (-12%) dragged down the total. And sales to Mexico, though up 3%, were the lowest in 11 months. Total whey exports were 38,722 tons in August - down 21% on last year. Nearly all the decline can be attributed to lost sales to China from retaliatory tariffs and African swine fever. Suppliers sold just 5430 tons of whey to China in August, down 63% and the lowest monthly figure in 19 years. These losses were only partially offset by record whey sales to Southeast Asia (12,129t in August, +6%). Exports of whey protein isolate (WPI) were up 9% in August, and remain at a record for 2019, led by improved sales to the EU, Southeast Asia and South Korea. Lactose exports dipped in August - falling 9% to 31,550 tons. Sales to China were down 40%, while shipments to New Zealand (-43%) and Japan (-31%) also were lower. Some unsold products were diverted to Southeast Asia, where volume was up 36% for the month. Exports of whole milk powder (WMP) spiked in August, reaching 6216 tons, more than double last year, and the secondhighest monthly amount in the last nine years. One third of the volume went

to Algeria (vs nil last year) and Colombia and Peru also bought more. Shipments of fluid milk/cream stayed at a record - up 13% in August. Nearly 90% of the volume this year has gone to Taiwan, Mexico and Canada. Exports of butterfat and food preps

(blends) remained depressed in August - down 55% and 26%, respectively. On a total milk solids basis, US exports were equivalent to 14.2% of US milk solids production in August. In the first eight months of the year, exports were 14.1% of production.

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DAIRY NEWS OCTOBER 15, 2019

12 //  OPINION RUMINATING

EDITORIAL

Is Brexit coming?

MILKING IT... Watchdog or lapdog?

Let off the hook, again

AT LAST we see Fonterra shareholders asking questions about its supposed watchdog, the shareholders council. After years of rubber stamping strategy and executive performance now revealed as fairly average, the council has earned a reputation as being more lapdog than watchdog. Concerned shareholders now want answers. They have put a resolution for the Fonterra annual meeting demanding an independent review of the council, to be completed mid-2020 with any constitutional changes tabled at the 2020 annual meeting. Crucially, they don’t want another internal whitewash review: they rightly say it must be independent. Milking It has long held doubts about the council’s independence, given it is a proven gateway to plum board positions within the Fonterra network. Off the back of a $605 million loss this review is a no-brainer. The watchdog has been caught napping on the job.

REGIONAL ECONOMIC Minister Shane Jones gets away with saying a lot of things many other Cabinet ministers won’t even dream of uttering. A recent classic example: media reported that Jones, also Minister for Forestry, speaking at the Northland Forestry Awards in Whangarei earlier this month allegedly tried to ‘bribe’ attendees to vote for his party New Zealand First. PM Jacinda Ardern said she had spoken to Jones - a list MP for New Zealand First based in Kerikeri - about his comments. She suggested Jones take the Cabinet manual with him on his twoweek holiday this month. Wonder if that would help?

Lack of interest

DairyNZ poll

THE FINAL list of candidates for Fonterra’s board election is out. Surprisingly only one candidate came through the farmer nominated process. Last year two farmer nominated candidates won seats ahead of candidates (including one sitting director) endorsed by the Fonterra board and shareholders council. The board anointed candidates also had the blessing of the independent selection panel. But farmers disregarded that and voted for two self nominated candidates. Two sitting directors are standing again this year.

TALKING ABOUT elections, the DairyNZ board election is shaping up to be a much more exciting affair. Eight highly regarded candidates (including one sitting director) are vying for two seats on the industry-good organisation’s board. One commentator remarked that at least four of the eight candidates could easily get farmer support to serve on Fonterra’s board. DairyNZ election results will be known next week.

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EVERY DAY in Ireland and the UK and in many European capitals, the word Brexit appears on the front pages of the major newspapers. Every day, every word and movement of UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his Brexiteers are reported and analysed, as are comments by the leading players in the EU, in particular the Irish Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Leo Varadkar. Commentators thrive on the gossip in London, Dublin and Brussels. But despite all the talk, uncertainty prevails and no-one is able to predict what might happen on October 31 -- the day Britain is supposed to leave the European Union regardless of whether some sort of deal can be agreed. Both sides are saying they will work up to the last hour to get a deal but there is a real fear among many people in the UK and in Ireland that disaster is a matter of days away. Not only economic disaster but civil unrest in Ireland and the UK which was quelled by the 1998 Good Friday peace agreement. It seems Johnson is running amok like a bull in a China shop with little regard for the consequences of his actions on his people and those in Ireland and other jurisdictions. The name United Kingdom no longer applies. It is complexly disunited and may remain so for a long time. Even if there were another referendum or an election it is hard to see how these could repair the damage Brexit has already caused. The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) says its closely monitoring Brexit developments and working to minimise disruption to New Zealand’s primary sector exporters where possible. A range of possible Brexit outcomes remain. A no-deal scenario would have an immediate impact on our primary industry exporters. MPI has focused on preparations for this eventuality as the other scenarios are not expected to significantly alter trading conditions in the short to medium term. In the event of a no-deal Brexit, to ensure regulatory continuity MPI has clarified trading requirements and replicated existing EU trade arrangements with the UK. New Zealand faces the prospect of real hardship resulting from Brexit and it’s hard to believe the rhetoric from London which says NZ is a friend when they are prepared to inflict Brexit upon us. Johnson would do well to read some history books, but maybe the facts will get in the way of his story.

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DAIRY NEWS OCTOBER 15, 2019

OPINION  // 13

‘I’m listening on freshwater’ DAMIEN O’CONNOR

IN THE last few weeks I’ve attended meetings about the Government’s freshwater proposals and visited farms around the country. I understand change of any kind can be scary, but people should be a little cynical about some of the misrepresentation taking place. Despite what some might say, the Government doesn’t “hate” farmers and we’re not interested in destroying rural communities. That kind of “them vs us’’ talk isn’t helping farming families. We are interested in improving freshwater quality, which farmers and urban Kiwis agree is

in rivers – in urban and rural NZ – because that is a social, economic and environmental imperative. The targets which we finally settle on as part of the proposals will be met over time. I want to see change over a generation and for it to be part of the good work already happening. Rural communities will talk with regional councils about the timeframe for achieving targets. To put the nitrate target in perspective, in many catchments the rivers are about or near the suggested level. Others will require greater effort, but I’m confident we can adapt by using best practice and technology to get there.

I understand change of any kind can be scary, but people should be a little cynical about some of the misrepresentation taking place. necessary. Doing so will help protect our farmers’ international reputation for sustainably produced food and fibre and safeguard excellent commodity prices. At the meetings, I’ve heard and respected farmers’ concerns about proposed nitrate limits, fencing and other issues in the water proposals. There is work to do after submissions close and I would expect changes. I’ve been accused of not mentioning the good work farmers do. Rubbish. Since starting as minister I’ve proudly and regularly praised work including riparian planting, protecting wetlands, tree planting, fencing and limiting fertiliser use. Those things are happening now and are not hurting farmers’ profit. I’ve spoken many times about the need for change in urban centres: the often disgusting state of Auckland’s beaches is a prime example. But I’m committed to meaningful baseline targets for nitrate levels

Last week, I visited several farms which have made environmental changes which did not hurt their profit. These things are being done, but we shouldn’t ignore that in some places improvements are required. I reject the idea that the Government is doing nothing to help farmers. The Government set aside $229 million to spend on boosting advisory and extension services and setting up local groups so farmers can learn from each other about what works. I’m talking to Beef + Lamb NZ, Dairy NZ and others about integrated farm plans to lessen workload. We’re investing tens of millions of dollars in tools including Overseer to help farmers. The Farm Debt Mediation Scheme will be a safety net for farmers, and improvements to NAIT will help prevent some of the tracing issues we’ve experienced with Mycoplasma bovis. Soon we will release an

industry backed plan to ensure the sector gets the skilled workers it needs. We’ve nearly doubled the funding for rural support trusts and the Budget had $1.9 billion for mental health to improve frontline services – rural communities included.

Recently an independent survey found that the “urban/ rural divide” is not the issue some make out. People in cities are grateful and supportive of farmers’ work. Please be proud and talk to people about what you’re doing. I understand farmers’

concerns, but I know good work is happening and I’m confident that by working together we can improve water quality over time. - Damien O’Connor is the Minister of Agriculture.

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DAIRY NEWS OCTOBER 15, 2019

14 //  AGRIBUSINESS

Dairy beef bulls tick all the boxes THE LATEST results

from the Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) Genetics dairy beef progeny test are signalling good prospects for dairy farmers. B+LNZ says the test results show “excellent dairy-friendly beef bull options are available to dairy farmers, and dollars to be made”. Since 2016, 86 bulls have been progeny tested. The bulls are suited to mating with dairy cows – based on their birth weight and gestation length – and they produce calves suitable for beef finishing. Research lead associate professor Rebecca Hickson says that, of all of the bulls assessed to date, there was a 56kg difference between the

best and worst bull for yearling weight. “At $3/kg liveweight that translates to a $168 difference per head.” On birth weight and calving ease, B+LNZ says the results reveal many low-birthweight beef bulls produce calves similar to, or lighter than, calves produced by an average Friesian bull, when bred

over crossbred cows. On gestation length and days in milk, B+LNZ says bull selection has a big impact on gestation length and therefore days in milk. The average gestation length EBV of the progeny test bulls was 281 days – slightly better than the dairy breed average of 282 days. Here is how dairy

farmers can use the results: the five bulls identified above are the sires that tick all the boxes – low birth weight, short gestation and good growth. Other bulls were strong in particular traits, but the listed bulls excelled in all traits. Says Hickson: “These five bulls in particular offer great

Top all-round dairy beef bulls

Dairy-friendly beef bull options are available to farmers.

value to dairy farmers and finishers.” From a big picture perspective, the test reinforces that dairy farmers can be confident

that beef EBVs reliably predict performance in a dairy beef system. “Selecting bulls on EBV allows dairy farmers to make informed

decisions on bull choice within a breed,” says Hickson. The full sire list can be found at blnzgenetics.com.

Turning the dairy pink

Calves were weighed up to 10 months of age, so the table’s ‘yearling’ weight is actually two months shy of yearling.

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GEA FIL is again backing the ‘Think Pink’ campaign in support of breast cancer awareness and treatment. The company is again packaging its Active Teat Conditioner in pink drums and is pledging support for The New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation. National sales manager Colin May says the company is dedicated to helping farmers improve their herds’ overall teat and udder health in the long run, and “continuing to support The New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation was the right thing to do”. “We see it as a good opportunity for farmers to show their support for people affected by cancer in choosing to buy a pink drum.” GEA’s FIL products are formulated by the company’s chemist Drew Chadwick. It is designed to restore teat health and is certified for use in organic dairies. It contains skincare ingredients used in cosmetics to hydrate, soften and soothe human skin. A key ingredient is Allantoin, an active moisturiser with skin rejuvenation properties.

Turning the dairy farm pink for a worthy cause .

Another is aloe vera, a moisturising agent rich in antioxidants and minerals essential for restoring the condition of stressed teats. It also contains manuka honey, which has long been a key ingredient in the FIL teat care range. Widely used to treat damaged skin, manuka honey aids in skin regeneration and repairing cellular damage. It also helps to keep teat skin hydrated.

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DAIRY NEWS OCTOBER 15, 2019

AGRIBUSINESS  // 15

New sheep milk dryer takes shape MARK DANIEL markdaniel@ruralnews.co.nz

WAIKATO INNOVATION Park, at Hamilton, soon home to another spray dryer, recently hosted Labour politicians and other visitors. Dairy News spoke to Labour MPs Jamie Strange and Angie Warren-Clark, at the Park, where they applauded the expansion of its milk drying capacity. After running its first spray dryer for about eight years, owners Melody

Dairies has started work on dryer number 2, expecting to finish it by year end and start full production by Apr/ May 2020. Full capacity will be about 1.2 tonnes/hour – 2.4 times greater than the existing unit. The $50 million Melody Dairies plant is being developed by Pamu (formerly Landcorp), Nu-Mega Ingredients, Dairy Nutraceuticals and Food Waikato, each holding 35%, 35%, 20% and 10% respectively. Business development manager Craig Hoare said the new dryer will Left to right Jamie Strange MP, Craig Hoare, Melody Dairies, Angie Warren, Clark MP.

New dryer takes shape.

process milk from Spring Sheep New Zealand and eventually from other suppliers. It will help the company to develop early-life nutrition products for export. Its output is expected to rise to $130 million of sheep milk exports and its employee numbers from the current 17 to 35. The market for sheep milk products is estimated to be $11.6 billion at the farmgate and $47b at retail. Asia is a key market and sheep milk

products are also popular in France, Spain, Greece and the Netherlands. Consumers like their digestibility, nutrition and taste, and they suit people with (cow milk) lactose intolerance and dairy protein allergies. Much of the growth in sheep milk production in NZ over the last few years has been furthered by highperformance genetics from Europe. While NZ sheep produce 100-150L of milk each season – making the model financially challenging – first-

generation crosses are said to be on target to produce 300L as hoggets and 400L when fully grown, with no increase in environmental impact. Said Jamie Strange: “This dryer is a significant investment in the Waikato region, providing economic growth for our economy”. “I am excited to see the development of the sheep milk industry in particular. There is huge potential to increase our exports of this.”

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DAIRY NEWS OCTOBER 15, 2019

16 //  MANAGEMENT

Planning for a sustainable season With much media debate and heated discussion of the industry’s environmental footprint it could be easy to lose sight of many controllable onfarm factors affecting sustainability.

NOELLE FOX

EFFICIENT, INTEGRATED and mutually

beneficial farming systems must be a partnership onfarm. They require sustainable use of environmental resources, profitable business performance, improved animal longevity and attractive work environments. Although you could argue about which are the top physical key performance indicators (KPIs) in farm systems, few would dispute the importance of the following: ■■ Pasture eaten, as measured in tonnes of dry matter per hectare (tonDM/ha) ■■ Milk production to December 31/decline from peak ■■ Six-week in-calf rate

Noelle Fox

Percentage of first calvers onfarm at the end of season one. The key requirements will be: improvements in these areas while maintaining and reducing reliance on imported supplement, ensuring maximum fertiliser efficiency, and improved animal performance as measured in days in milk and retention in the herd. The next two months onfarm will determine the success of many of these ■■

factors in terms of pasture management, financial discipline, milk production and herd reproductive performance. Grazing and milk Ensuring milk profit is maximised will be determined onfarm now. What does that mean on your farm? For an average size farm in Canterbury growing 15 tonnes of DM/ha/year, there is 1.5 million kgs of DM per 100 ha to manage on your farm. That is a huge volume of feed. Remember you can only manage what you measure, so take regular farm walks to keep your finger on the pulse of your business over the next few months. Pasture walks will provide knowledge on average pasture cover and growth rates to support good decision making and execution.

Your decisions about grazing today will drive feed quality and quantity for the balance of the season, so attention to detail is key. The outcomes of today’s grazing will be reflected in future milk production long after you close the paddocks you grazed today. Mating With mating on the horizon, ensure your animals are ready for success and know your current herd performance compared with the industry targets: ■■ 75% at 10 days prior to mating start date ■■ 85% at mating start date ■■ 90% submission in the first three weeks of mating. Identify potential health issues and treat affected animals early. Ensure accurate pre-mat-

Decisions about grazing today will drive feed quality and quantity for the balance of the season.

ing heats are recorded and devise a strategy for dealing with non-cyclers so that next season’s calving pattern is as compact as possible. Review your current herd BW position and ensure you are on track to breed the highest BW replacements possible and achieve your desired herd

position in five years. Your team As the potential for calving fatigue rises, take a break to allow you and your staff to recharge. This will allow you to refocus on the most important factors determining the success of your season -- people, cows and feed.

By doing the day job well with an eye on the horizon in these key areas you will give your team, your cows, your farm and your industry the best opportunity for the times ahead. Noelle Fox is a LIC FarmWise consultant. @dairy_news facebook.com/dairynews

DATA THE KEY TO FARMING’S FUTURE THE NEXT era of farming will start

with taking full advantage of data, says LIC chief executive Wayne McNee. Speaking at LIC’s annual general meeting in Taranaki this month, he explained how data will unlock the next wave of productivity and sustainability improvements for farmers. “Dairy farmers are being tested as never before. They are looking for certainty and trusted partners to help them navigate the rapidly changing domestic and global industry. We want to help farmers meet those challenges head-on,” said McNee. “Starting with the first national herd database, one of the strengths of our co-op has always been our ability to use our data to drive genetic gain, produce better milk and help farmers save time and increase their profits. “Now, more than ever, we’re using

the data our co-op collectively gathers and shares to give our farmers the ability to make faster, more informed decisions on farm. In our genomics work, big data is allowing us to supercharge the rate of genetic gain.” McNee said LIC is moving in its digital transformation agenda, including moving one billion pieces of farm data into the cloud to open up new opportunities. “As we move from a ‘cow-focussed’ business to a truly ‘customer-focussed’ business, we will need to [keep spending] on R&D and take advantage of emerging technologies. This work is shifting us from creating product for cows to building ecosystems for our customers to support them and their farms.” LIC chairman Murray King, a Nelson dairy farmer, told the meeting

Wayne McNee

the co-op’s “solid” financial results show it well able to keep spending on technology and data platforms to advance genetics and herd management innovations. For the year ending May 31, 2019,

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LIC reported $22.2 million net profit after tax (NPAT), up 139% from $9.3m the previous year. It paid $15.6m in dividends to its 10,300 shareholders, the largest since 2013. “The work we have completed since 2016 to shape LIC into a modern, progressive co-op have enabled this year’s solid results,” said King. “2018-19 [saw] our new innovationled growth strategy and a focus on the core NZ dairy industry. This year we will… take full advantage of data to benefit both LIC and our farmers. We believe these results are sustainable and we… will build on them in the coming years.” LIC’s spending on R&D in 201819 was $13.6M -- 5.5% of revenue and well above the primary sector average of 1%. The co-op got extra funding from

MPI and MBIE for two key projects aimed at improving the health and wellbeing of NZ herds and more sustainable milk production. “Our Resilient Dairy programme with DairyNZ and MPI will strengthen our existing R&D to keep our farmers and NZ leading global pastoral dairying,” said King. This year LIC won ‘Cooperative Business of the Year’ at the Cooperative Business Awards. It was recognised for “significant and positive impact” among co-ops and for returning benefits to its 10,300 shareholders. LIC is a finalist in the NZ Biosecurity Awards for its response to Mycoplasma bovis. King says the co-op’s daily testing and biosecurity in the face of M. bovis are important to protect the national herd.

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DAIRY NEWS OCTOBER 15, 2019

MANAGEMENT  // 17

Taranaki ‘people power’ shines TARANAKI ‘PEOPLE

power’ is modelling how all Kiwis should get out there and do stuff, says the regional council. Seventeen Taranaki Environmental Award 2019 winners were applauded this month by TRC’s chair David MacLeod. They included a bushman helping re-home kiwi; students using drones to monitor stream health, habitat and predators; and farmers helping plant and fence 13,000km of stream bank to support water health. Said MacLeod, “I am in awe of the fantastic work carried out by our environmental award winners” -- individuals, industry, business, and community organisations. “They are helping make large-scale

RIVERS, STREAMS HEALTHIER TARANAKI REGION has again recorded no rivers or streams deteriorating in ecological health this year; 47 % were improving and 53% showed no obvious trend. Organic contamination, such as nutrient concentrations, is largely stable: 81% with no obvious trend, 16 % deteriorating, and 3% improving. TRC chair David MacLeod says the council and others, including NIWA scientists, have found that ecological health is improving even where nitrogen levels are

improvements to Taranaki’s freshwater health and other ecosystems, contributing to the region’s best freshwater ecological health in 24 years.” An expert in ecological restoration, professor Bruce Clarkson, Waikato

increasing. “The relationship between nutrient levels and stream health is not as simplistic and straightforward as often suggested, but work is underway to achieve more improvements and fewer declines for organic contamination.” Taranaki’s riparian planting has seen 5.6 million natives planted along streambanks on private and public land, and 13,756km (87% of ringplain waters) are fenced and regionally-significant wetlands are protected.

University, says Taranaki’s “people power” shows the rest of the country how to restore ecosystem health at landscape scale. Said Clarkson, “Taranaki is on a trajectory which puts it at the forefront of a more sympathetic

and intergenerational approach to land and water management. The Taranaki model has three steps: 1. identify a shared community goal i.e. improving freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity; 2. Support individuals in voluntary

work and financial giving enabling work to progress e.g. providing free plans, plants at cost, project management and scientific evidence; 3. Bring on board community groups, council, industry, influencers, etc to help meet targets. The region’s projects included riparian planting; killing possums, rats and stoats (led by TRC and Wild for Taranaki); and Taranaki Mounga Project (an ecological restoration project on Mt Taranaki). Clarkson says

Taranaki’s shows how large-scale improvements can be made to freshwater health, wetlands, coastal environments, native plants and wildlife, with restorative work suited to each region’s unique environmental blue-print. The movement began at least 20 years ago and had gained momentum, restoring the health of landscapes and ecosystems, he said. “A good number of the sites I documented at the beginning of my career (40 years ago) are now in better condition than

previously and many of our native birds have been returned to areas they have been absent from for decades. “The past 20 years have seen a significant improvement in the protection and enhancement of indigenous ecosystems in Taranaki, partly through changes in law and policy, and partly through the increasing endeavours of farmers and the community in general,” Clarkson said. @dairy_news facebook.com/dairynews

Effluent Expo now includes environment A NEW strategy is in place for the upcoming Effluent and Environment Expo in Waikato. The strategy is in response to farmers wanting to know more about managing their total environmental footprint, including effluent management, says Amanda Hodgson, who owns and run the event with her husband Matt. “Management of a farm’s total environment is under the spotlight more than ever, so farmers are asking for wider solutions than just how to

manage effluent around their dairies or dairy housing systems,” Hodgson said. “Effluent management is still the expo’s primary focus for now, but we can see potential to broaden it to offer farmers advice, products and services across the entire farm environment package.” Renamed the Effluent and Environment Expo, the event returns to Mystery Creek Events Centre on November 19 and 20. At least 90 exhibitors will be

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available to advise on design, storage, containment, management, application and technology for farm systems. DairyNZ is sponsoring the twoday event and will be on site with resources and independent advisers. Seminars led by industry experts, including some from DairyNZ, will provide farmers opportunity to ask questions and talk with other farmers. This year’s keynote speaker is former All Blacks coach Sir Graham Henry. DairyNZ’s biosecurity experts will

be on hand to talk about simple steps to protect against disease, pests and weeds. Waikato Regional Council, Ministry for Primary Industries and OSPRI will also be on the biosecurity stand to help answer questions and to check farmers’ NAIT accounts. Entry is free and farmers can choose to attend one or both days. To register online or to secure a seat in the seminars, visit effluentexpo.co.nz At the expo, farmers will have access to companies accredited for effluent advice and work. DairyNZ

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helped to set up training for designers of effluent management systems to attain accreditation, which is an assessment of competency. The Farm Dairy Effluent System Design Accreditation programme is administered by IrrigationNZ and funded by DairyNZ. It requires designers to show systems and processes that provide assurance of good design practice resulting in fitfor-purpose effluent systems. Of the 18 accredited companies most will be at the Expo.

• Ideal for Compartment Troughs & Storage Tanks • High Flow • Top Mount • Detatches to Clean • Compact/Robust

DAIRY NEWS OCTOBER 15, 2019

18 //  ANIMAL HEALTH

Ospri’s new energy underpins farming STEVE STUART

THE KIWI farmers whose levies

support OSPRI’s work agree that New Zealand relies on the strong reputation of primary produce as the backbone of our exporting economy. The world needs to be assured that the meat and milk from our grass-fed animals is safe, nutritious and free of disease. With booming populations and global political uncertainty, quality assurance is increasingly important and OSPRI’s new energy is helping ensure NZ’s continuing leadership. A joined-up approach to biosecurity and traceability provides that assurance, and is crucial to defending our borders from diseases such as bovine TB, Mycoplasma bovis and (the thankfully absent) foot-andmouth disease. OSPRI is working with MPI during its overhaul of NZ’s biosecurity framework to ensure a robust response to any disease incursion or threat. The arrival, about two years ago, of Mycoplasma bovis highlighted weakness in NZ’s disease response protocols and in the national animal identification and tracing system, NAIT. Recognising and rebuilding the system’s capabilities has been addressed in consultation with farmers and industry shareholders. Now two workstreams – disease management and traceability – form the foundation of OSPRI’s strategic framework. The company’s recently released five-year strategic plan is designed to deliver these key outcomes. They’re enabled by our core strengths: a strong culture and capability, stakeholder support, superior information

Steve Stuart

systems and broad government and industry support for our programmes. The traceability data needed for the Mycoplasma bovis response helped improve the NAIT system by encouraging all farmers to register and helped establish an eradication strategy for the disease. Even though the NAIT system is compulsory, there are still farmers who need help to be fully compliant and realise that NAIT is their system, protecting their businesses.

Farmer ownership is critical to NAIT’s success. Animal health and disease management is imprinted in OSPRI’s DNA. The eradication of bovine tuberculosis (TB) has been part of OSPRI’s skills since it evolved from the Animal Health Board, and the TBfree eradication programme is recognised as world-leading. A carefully balanced combination of TB testing, possum extermination and stock movement controls has brought infected herd numbers down from 1700 at the peak in the mid1990s to about 30 today. While that seems like a manageable problem, a far greater risk exists in TB-infected possums passing the disease between wildlife and livestock. Any retreat from a programme of coordinated possum extermination could easily cause TB to come flooding back, as happened in the 1980s when funding was cut because the problem was believed beaten.

Eradicating TB in possums is the focus of TBfree trapping and poisoning on the ground and from the air. OSPRI manages this vital work with a handful of trusted contractors, consults widely with all land users, and adheres to the strictest health and safety requirements. When the last herds have been cleared, within the next decade (by 2026), and TB eradicated in possums (by 2040), NZ will be recognised as the only country to have eradicated bovine TB. That’s projected to happen in 2055 and will rank as a world first. Farmers and global markets can depend on OSPRI to provide assurance about the health and status of farm animals. Supporting the success of farmers is our motivation, and world class disease management and traceability is our mission. • Steve Stuart is chief executive of Ospri. @dairy_news facebook.com/dairynews

The eradication of TB is a top priority for Ospri.

Managing service bulls MYCOPLASMA BOVIS is not an easy disease for

which to test animals individually, especially in animals not showing clinical signs. The tests available are designed to either work at a herd level, to show animals are having immune responses to circulating infection in the herd, or on animals actively shedding the bacteria. Animals only shed M. bovis intermittently and immune responses to infection vary. Therefore negative results on a single bull can’t be interpreted to mean that that animal is not infected, and neither does a positive result on the herd test mean that the bull has M. bovis. The best indicator of whether an animal may be infected is the health status of the herd the animal comes from. Animals from dairy herds that have been tested and where infection is not detected can be considered low risk for spread of infection. Herds with test results that indicate evidence of M. bovis infection will receive directions from MPI on the management and movement of animals, and owners of bulls that have been there will be contacted. Ensuring your animals’ NAIT movements are recorded will assist in this situation. It is essential that the bulls are properly identified and NAIT records are completed promptly for all movements. Recommendations for management of bulls: Bulls arriving on farm – all ages Bulls should arrive properly identified and accompanied by details of their movement history and health status of the herd they have been in. Make sure you let the vendor or agent know that you will be expecting to be provided with these details. On arrival the bulls should be held separately from the main herd for at least seven days to enable an assessment to be made of their health status, and for any procedures such as drenching to be completed. If you have any concerns about the health of the bulls, contact your veterinarian before you mix the bulls with the herd. Minimising the number of herds bulls are sourced from will make this process easier. Bulls leaving the farm If the bulls are leased, talk over the options with the owner. R2 bulls: once mating is finished these bulls should be sent directly to slaughter. It is important that they go from the farm to the slaughter premises directly and not via saleyards or some other intermediate stopping point. If they are being held for further use (mating in autumn 2020 or spring-summer 20202021) then the recommendations for R1 bulls should be followed. R1 bulls: these bulls may be at risk of spreading infection.

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DAIRY NEWS OCTOBER 15, 2019

ANIMAL HEALTH  // 19

Vaccinations protect people, animals MARK ROSS

AS WE struggle to

fathom how we ended up in the throes of a measles outbreak again, we’re reminded of the importance of vaccinations to protect us from life-threatening diseases. This is no less true for animals which can share diseases with people. Vaccination vastly improves the health of people and animals and is vital for continuing to meet the health challenges of growing populations. Vaccinating animals protects them from lifethreatening diseases such as distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus and leptospirosis, which affect New Zealand animals. Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease shared between rats, dogs, pigs, cattle and people. The Accident Compensation Corporation says New Zealand has one of the highest rates of leptospirosis in the world. It puts farmers, particularly dairy farmers, at risk as it can spread from infected urine in dairy sheds. It is also an occupational risk for meat workers, who

can contract the disease in the same way. The New Zealand Veterinary Association says anyone in contact with cattle could be at risk. The spread of disease between humans and animals remains a constant threat. With a growing global population, the risk of zoonotic diseases spreading will increase as humans and animals live closer and closer together. This coincides with an increasing demand for food when resources for agriculture are increasingly under pressure. As well as affecting human and animal health, animal diseases harm livestock, wildlife and agriculture. They also result in revenue and trade losses. Many killer diseases have been kept in check by responsible animal owners maintaining vaccination programmes. Rabies, for example, is a completely preventable virus that is fatal if left untreated. It kills more than 59,000 people each year, mostly children in Asia and Africa. If this isn’t tragic enough, the impact of the virus is estimated to cost

Mark Ross

in excess of US$6000 million, says the World Health Organisation (WHO). Many animals die of rabies. Its transmission to livestock reduces food productivity. Bovine rabies causes one million cattle deaths in Central and South America every year. Dogs are subject to unnecessary cruelty in attempts to eliminate the virus. The World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) says millions of dogs are needlessly culled each year due to a fear of rabies. Rabies is prevented by vaccinating dogs. Through research and pilot programmes, WSPA found that vaccinating at least 70% of a community’s dogs creates ‘herd immunity’. This occurs when a

significant proportion of the population (or herd) is immunised, providing a level of protection to unprotected individuals. When a large number of animals in a community are vaccinated, it breaks the cycle of transmission between dogs. This prevents it from spreading to people. The World Health Organization, World Organisation for Animal Health, UN Food and Agriculture Organisation and the Global Alliance for Rabies Control have committed to ending dogmediated rabies in people by 2030. Continuous investment in breakthrough technologies and

New Zealand has one of the highest rates of leptospirosis in the world.

innovation is imperative to control diseases among animals as well as their spread to humans, as are appropriate government strategies for disease eradication.

We should take advantage of life-saving vaccines to limit the spread of disease and ensure people and animals remain healthy and productive.

• Mark Ross is chief executive of Agcarm, the industry association for companies which manufacture and distribute crop protection and animal health products.

Tail twisters fined $10,000 INVERCARGILL farming company and its contract milker have been convicted and fined almost $10,000 after at least 100 cows in their care suffered broken tails. Green Grass Farms Ltd and Wilem Barend Wouters were sentenced in the Invercargill District Court last week after pleading guilty to one charge each under the Animal Welfare Act. The company was fined $4500 plus court costs of $130, solicitor’s fees of $500 and vet fees of $624. Wouters was fined $5000 plus court costs of $130, solicitor’s fees of $500 and vet fees of $624. Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) animal welfare inspectors and an independent veterinarian inspected the dairy herd owned by Green Grass Farms Ltd in February 2019 and found 101 cows with broken tails. Manager animal welfare compliance Gray Harrison says the cows’ injuries were consistent with excessive force being applied during handling.

AN

“The injuries were most likely the result of twisting the tail with considerable force to cause ligament rupture and dislocation, causing the cows pain or distress. Initially, the pain would have been acute, lasting at least seven days and, while the acute pain would have diminished, the cows would always have long-term pain, discomfort and reduction of function. “The Animal Welfare Act imposes a duty of care on owners and people in charge of animals to meet their animals’ physical, health and behavioural needs, and to provide treatment that alleviates pain and distress,” said Harrison. “MPI is concerned that this was an avoidable situation where animals suffered unnecessarily. “We will always take appropriate action to penalise people who treat animals this way.” MPI encourages anyone with animal welfare complaints to use its confidential hotline: 0800 00 83 33.

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DAIRY NEWS OCTOBER 15, 2019

20 //  MILK COOLING

Eagle eyes scan milk cooling MILK COOLING IS

consistently a focus of regulators and customers, says Fonterra. The co-op accepts that some farms had had to make changes to meet new standards effective June 1. Many farmers had already upgraded their dairy systems over the years to comply with the new rules. From June 1 last year raw milk has had to conform as follows: ■■ Be cooled to 10°C or below within four hours of the start of milking ■■ Be cooled to 6°C or below within the sooner of six hours from the start of milking or two hours from the completion of milking ■■ Be held at or below 6°C without freezing until collection or the next milking ■■ Must not exceed 10°C during subsequent milkings until collection. Fonterra says where there is continuous or extended milking -- such

as through automated milking systems -- the milk must enter the bulk milk tank at 6.0°C or below (‘continuous or extended milking’ is defined as milking for six hours or longer from the time that milk first enters

any bulk milk tank). To confirm the capability of milk cooling equipment, farm dairy operators are required to have an auditable system that confirms milk cooling requirements are met. As a minimum, milk

SEEK APPROVAL FOR MODIFICATIONS IF FARMERS wish to make any modifications to any Fonterra owned equipment they are required to obtain Fonterra’s prior written approval. This includes (without limitation) operating glycol or water in the refrigeration base of the vat, attaching any sensor or monitoring systems to a vat, any welding to a vat or components (including, without limitation, valves, stirrer, ladder, strongbacks, etc) and attaching any items that may affect the use of a vat or come into contact with the milk. If you insulate a milk vat you are required to: ■■ Ensure the insulation is adhesive free and maintained in a satisfactory state ■■

If the vat is changed you must remove (at your cost) all insulation, clean off any glue deposits and repair any damage or corrosion to the vat.

If you damage any Fonterra-owned vat, agitator, sensor or RFID equipment or lose or modify (including theft) Fonterra equipment or components you will be responsible for the cost of any repairs or replacement.

cooling performance must be monitored and recorded on at least two occasions per dairy season, including: ■■ About the time of expected peak milk production, and ■■ February each year. ■■ Each performance check must cover at least two consecutive milkings and the records must include: ■■ The temperature of the milk in each bulk milk tank immediately prior to the start of milking (if any)

■■

■■

■■

■■

■■

■■

■■

The time that milking started The time milking is completed The temperature of the milk in the bulk milk tank at the completion of milking, and The time that the milk is confirmed as meeting the requirements. Temperature measurements and recording can be accomplished using: An electronic monitoring system A chart recorder

A tiny tag or similar temperature logging device ■■ Manual measurements using an electronic thermometer (nonglass), or ■■ Any other equivalent method. The accuracy of the temperature measurement device must be known because the data collected is an official record. All milk cooling systems must comply with the requirements of the Ministry for Primary ■■

Industries NZ Code of Practice 1: Design and Operation of Farm Dairies. Coolants which are not water (eg glycol) must be food safe and a MPI-approved dairy maintenance compound. Farmers are required to inform Fonterra if they are using a coolant other than water in a primary cooling system. • This article first appeared in Getting the Basics Right 2019. @dairy_news facebook.com/dairynews

MILK STORAGE TO ENSURE Fonterra operates efficiently at all levels, management of milk vats requires forward planning and regular maintenance. ■■ Fonterra undertakes to: ■■

Provide farmers with a milk vat (or vats) appropriate to the farming operation and efficient milk collection. Vats may have a device installed that determines the volume of milk and inline temperature sensors

that could transmit data, provided they meet the requirements of the Ministry for Primary Industries New Zealand Code of Practice 1: Design and Operation of Farm Dairies, and are approved by Fonterra ■■

Attach a radio frequency identification device to the vat. Each device is unique to the vat and is essential to the milk collection operation and sample accuracy. The

device should always remain attached to the vat ■■

Be responsible for all maintenance costs associated with the vat and other Fonterra-owned equipment (except if the vat is damaged by the farmer)

■■

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DAIRY NEWS OCTOBER 15, 2019

MILK COOLING  // 21

Snap chiller brings farmer peace of mind PAM TIPA pamelat@ruralnews.co.nz

A NEW Freezflow Icebanks system from Total Refrigeration, which snap chills milk to the required temperature, has brought a Dargaville dairy farmer some peace of mind, he says. Darryn Kaye has been farming on his 220ha property for 30 years. He spring calves a 420 Friesian Cross herd running a system 2.

An ice bank snap chills milk to the required temperature.

tonnes of ice in the back of it. The system has a double plate cooler which means half the milk is cooled by bore water and the ice takes over the other half and cools it down to about 5°C degrees before it goes in the vat. “It is saving a bit on power because the other system was either making ice or chilling milk. This one only makes ice when we are not milking so there is always ice there.

“With our milk going in at 5°C - 6°C degrees we will have no problem in the future.” His previous cooling system was small and inefficient compared to his new system, he says. “We knew a new system was coming and we wanted something more efficient. Richard O’Flaherty’s (Total Refrigeration owner) brother Paul looks after our refrigeration in Dargaville and he said they had a prototype they wanted to try out and wanted to know if we were interested so we went from there.” After some rewiring and changes in the shed the Freezflow system started in August 2018. “It has basically six

“We have found it very good.” With the new monitoring system Fonterra is bringing in on the vats, “with our milk going in at 5°C - 6°C degrees we will have no problem in the future,” Kaye says. The system has brought some “peace of mind”. “The milk is coming at 26-28°C degrees out of a cow and within seconds it is down to 5°C degrees so basically it is snap chilling it.” And he says the guys from Total Refrigeration have been “excellent to deal with – very good”.

Drive efficiency with GEA CowScout “You can’t argue with data; it’s been key to better efficiency and more days in milk” – Brad Payne, Cambridge GEA’s CowScout tags monitor cows 24 hours a day, providing highly accurate data on heat detection, eating and rumination. Brad Payne manages 800 cows on a 275ha pasture-based system with 3 staff. Every cow is tagged with CowScout and automatically drafted when on heat or showing abnormal eating activity.

New regulations require farmers to cool milk down to 5 degrees before it goes into the vat.

CowScout has enabled them to spend less time on Artifical Insemination with much better results. They also treat cows for mastitis or metabolic disorders before they look sick. And 1 person milks morning and evening. Want efficiency? Get in touch with GEA. gea.com/drive-dairy-efficiency

DAIRY NEWS OCTOBER 15, 2019

22 //  MILK COOLING

Think long term when upgrading c DAIRY FARMERS

planning to upgrade or install new milk cooling plant must think longterm rather than install a ‘bare minimum’ system. Luxmore Farm, at Waipahi, South Otago, took that approach. Owner Gerard Vallely engaged Waikato Milking Systems and Cowley Electrical Dairy and Pumps to install the farm’s new dairy plant which included a 60-bail Orbit concrete rotary parlour and a milk cooling system. WMS had its Gore and Balclutha dealer Cowley Electrical Dairy and Pumps install the milk cooling system. Cowley’s Balclutha manager, Jared

$

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Cowley, led the project with WMS’s head of milk cooling NZ, Craig Gibbons. Cowley says the milk cooling system is specifically designed for Luxmore Farm and is a model for others to follow. He says the company can design milk cooling systems tailored specifically for a farm. “At Luxmore we installed two Tank chiller units, one on each of the two milk silos at the farm.” The cooling units are capable of heat recovery, removing heat so they work more efficiently. Hot water can then be put back into the hot water

cylinder at 55-60 deg C. One unit runs the base refrigeration of the large tank and a smaller unit services the side wall of the large tank to cool the milk during peak milk flows. When the side wall cooling is not needed the unit can be used to cool calf milk in the smaller silo. “The smaller silo is designed to be used at the start of the season for cooling calf milk,” Cowley said. “More customers are looking to cool their calf milk so it lasts longer.” He says the calf milk can be cooled at a temperature determined by the farmer. When calving is finished, the silo can be washed out

The milk cooling system at Luxmore Farm, Southland, was completed by Cowley Electrical Dairy and Pumps recently. It has two Tank chiller units - one connected to the base of the tank and the other to the side wall.

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and reconfigured to store supply milk. “The main advantage is the ability to use that silo for two different purposes, and two different times of the year, fully utilising the equipment on farm.” The Luxmore cooling system was installed before the start of the 2019-2020 milking season. Cowley had one refrigeration engineer and a stainless fitter work on the project. He says efficiency and longevity are two key factors farmers in any new milk cooling system. “It’s always important to look at what could change in the future. Don’t just go for a system which is the bare minimum.

“You need some redundancy in there so you’ve got capacity for any changes to regulations or increases in production volumes.” Cowley says having the right information during the planning stages of a project is important to ensure an efficient system. “That comes back to Craig and I providing the right info to the farmer, so we can deliver the correct specifications and options.” Installing a data logger on a farm’s existing milk cooling system provides a picture of how well it is working, Cowley says. “First of all, we can use a temperature probe on the milk inlet to the silo to get a temperature reading of the milk enter-

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DAIRY NEWS OCTOBER 15, 2019

MILK COOLING  // 23

g cooling systems

Dairy farmers face new milk cooling regulations and some need to upgrade their sheds to comply.

ing the existing system. “We can put another probe on the water going into the plate cooler, to measure the water temperature. And we can put a probe on the silo to show us how quickly the

unit is cooling the silo. “From those three readings we can determine what needs to be done to improve.” Cowley says farmers are aware of the need to comply with milk cooling

regulations, “but there is a lot of information out there and some of it not in the best interest of farmers”. “DairyNZ, Fonterra, your own dairy co-op - they are best

placed to give you the right information to understand what the regulations are and the implications for your farm.” @dairy_news facebook.com/dairynews

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DAIRY NEWS OCTOBER 15, 2019

24 //  MILK COOLING

Milk cooled faster has higher quality MILK COOLING

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farm means: ■■ Lower energy costs Milk cooling accounts for about 30% of the total energy costs of operating a dairy: energy demand and farm dairy operating costs can be reduced

using different options that involve heat recovery from your cooling system. ■■ Less risk of penalties due to milk temperature Raw milk grows bacteria rapidly above

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effective way to cool milk. A PHE consists of a series of very thin stainless steel plates. Water flows along one side of each plate while milk flows along the other. Heat is transferred from the milk to the water via the plate. The cooling capacity of a plate cooler is adjusted by adding or subtracting plates. The easiest way to check the effectiveness of your plate cooler is to compare the difference in temperature between the incoming cooling water and the milk leaving the

plate cooler. An efficient PHE should cool milk to within 2°C of the water temperature before it enters the PHE. For example, if the temperature of the incoming cooling water is 14°C, the temperature of the milk exiting the plate cooler should be about 16°C. One simple way to check this is to use a PVC strip thermometer. These thermometers have a paper backing which is peeled off and stuck directly onto a clean, dry metal pipe.

PVC THEROMETER USAGE 1. Locate the water inlet pipe and the milk outlet pipes where they enter and leave the plate cooler, respectively. 2. Find a location for the thermometer that allows it to wrap around the outside of the water inlet pipe. It must be placed on a metal pipe so you may need to move the rubber hose a little to make enough room. A piece of electrician’s or gaffer tape on each end of the strip can help you with initial positioning. Rotate the thermometer to ensure the temperature range you expect at the pipe is visible. Repeat the process by applying another thermometer strip to the milk outlet pipe. 3. The temperature blocks light up, with the brightest one being the temperature of the pipe. At the next milking, check to see if the required temperature range is visible. 4. Remove the tape on the thermometer strips and once the pipes are clean and dry, remove the paper backing and stick the strip thermometers permanently to their respective pipes. 5. Check the two temperatures during peak milk flow from the milk pump. If there is more than 3°C of difference there is room for the plate cooler’s performance to be improved. In this situation consider checking the water and milk flow rates through the plate cooler.

DAIRY NEWS OCTOBER 15, 2019

MACHINERY & PRODUCTS  // 25

Quicke, don’t miss out MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz

LEADING FRONTLOADER

advanced control allowing, for example, user settings and instructions to be delivered via a colour display. The combination also provides a platform for future software updates where active loader functions will be

maker Quicke has released details of its latest technology – the Quicke Control System (QCS), all designed by the company itself. It offers a full range, from the simple and cost efficient mechanical loader control QM-command, to the ergonomic QE-command – a new electronic joystick. The QE-command enables electronic control with great hand ergonomics and the possibility of operating all loader functions introas standard. Combined duced, such with a three-section Quicke joystick. as repeatable valve, a conveniently located rocker allows indepen- work cycles and range limitadent and proportional third- tion. The mechanical joystick, service control, dubbed Live3. Q-companion, a driver QM-command, is available support system that includes with different handles to suit load weighing, can be inte- customer preference and the grated with the QE-command number of electro-hydraulic joystick on which a scrolling options on the loader. This wheel makes menu selection removes the need for external switches or buttons, which can easy and comfortable. QE-command and Q-com- be difficult to locate effectively. Also new are multi-couplers, panion combine to offer

called QC4 and QC6. These deliver 4- or 6-port configuration and use an integrated electrical connector. The couplings have been increased to 0.5 inch size for lower frictional losses, quicker cycle times and savings on fuel. A dust protection cover opens and closes automatically, and the couplings are connectable under full working pressure. Electro-hydraulic valves have stepper motor actuators for best possible driveability, and low-pressure regeneration eliminates the risk of cavitation in the loader cylinders. An inlet pressure compensator ensures load-independent control on open centre tractor hydraulic systems. The QCS design briefs included key areas like reducing pressure drop, easier to use multi-couplers, quicker lift cycles and better integration with tractors equipped with high output hydraulic systems. Also, customers choosing the electronic joystick and Q-companion combined will be able to upgrade to active and application-based software functions soon.

DIET MIXERS THAT GO THE DISTANCE MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz

WITH DAIRY herds growing larger comes a trend towards heavier diet mixers and longer mixing times. So diet mixers must be stronger and last longer. Kongskilde uses a new heavy duty transmission driveline in its largest diet mixers. It has a gearbox with oil cooling to ensure a constant, optimal operating temperature when subjected to heavy and prolonged loads. The range consists of 21 basic families with one, two or three vertical augers, manufactured using modular construction. The design allows tailored solutions with features such as standard discharge doors and, in the B range, a cross conveyor up front. The X-range has a 4-in-1 cross conveyer belt solution (flat, side, shift and elevator right and left), while

the M range is configured for straw bedding and professional feeding. The smallest models have a hopper volume of 6.5cu.m while the largest are a cavernous 45cu.m, able to supply 35 to 350 dairy cows per load. For example, the VM18-2 Multi suits 105-135 cows per load, while the VM 24-3 can supply 135-185 cows per load. The company’s mixers can also be equipped with the Mix+ option, a wear part concept that sees replaceable front edges on the mixer augers. This ensures a more uniform mixing quality over the machine’s life and reduce maintenance costs. Completing the package, the FeedManager and ProFeed+ software packages gice an overview of the ingredients to be loaded according to a predetermined feed plan and then compares what has been fed. This allows better control and ongoing analysis of the feeding regime. www.norwood.co.nz

LOW COST SYSTEM WITH PRACTICAL MANAGEMENT The desire to retain the purity of his family swimming and fishing holes drove Lindsay Lewis to develop a method of protecting the natural waters of the Mataura river not just for himself, but for his children and future generations. This protection was also a high priority for his client. During the process of developing an ultra-low distribution system, the concept of environmentally friendly dairy effluent management was born. The Clean Green Effluent System came to fruition initially at an ex neighbour’s farm at Gorge Road in Southland. From that first prototype the system has successfully been employed on dairy farms around New Zealand for 12 years. This unique ultra-low application depth and ultra-low rate application system is based on applying farm dairy effluent at levels that fall well below pasture uptake. The system starts with a unique patented weeping wall encased in a concrete lined

bunker. The weeping wall removes the solids and allows the liquid to flow into a pump chamber. Green water is then pumped to a tank for recycling. External yarding can then be automatically cleaned with greenwater via floodwash or backing gate nozzles, effectively cleaning yards without the use of fresh water. This reduces the water take from the standard 50 to 70lt/cow to 20 to 25lt/cow. The Clean Green Effluent System’s patented automated distribution system allows liquid to be dispersed over large areas at a super low rate of 1/4mm application depth, and effluent can be safely dispersed nearly every day of the year meaning there is no nitrogen leaching and the pasture retains all nutrients provided, thus increasing pasture growth by up to 35%. Recent independent scientific tests have indicated that with this system a lower level of nitrate leaching can be achieved even in the winter; better than most other systems can achieve during

the summer months. Due to the 1/4mm application depth and being able to distribute all year round, no mega ponds need to be constructed and therefore minimal storage is now required. The Clean Green Effluent System utilises as little as two 30,000 litre water tanks to provide storage for greenwash and effluent dispersed. The advantage of the water tanks is they are guaranteed not to leak and have no rainwater catchment. Rainwater catchment in mega ponds equates to doubling the amount of effluent being stored and having to be dispersed by pump to land. Given the current amount of focus on New Zealand’s primary industry needing to improve its reputation, the Clean Green Effluent System is the obvious option for farmers and industry to adopt, to ensure our diary industry continues to thrive; we can remove dairying as an easy scapegoat for the state of our waterways.

BENEFITS OF THE SYSTEM... • SMALL FOOT PRINT • NO STORAGE PONDS • FULLY AUTOMATED • LOW RUNNING COSTS • 0.25MM APPLICATION/24 HOURS • LOW MAN HOURS TO MAINTAIN • 60% FRESH WATER SAVINGS • FULLY PATENTED SYSTEM

FREEPHONE

0800 400 365

headoffice@cleangreeneffluent.co.nz www.cleangreeneffluent.co.nz

DAIRY NEWS OCTOBER 15, 2019

26 //  MACHINERY & PRODUCTS

Tractors sport big-brother features MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz

THE LATEST New

Holland T5 Tier 4B tractor range has been re-engineered meet Tier 4B emissions regulations. And it has new features which improve comfort, efficiency and productivity. The three models include the T5.100 (99hp), the T5.110 (107hp) and the T5.120 (117hp). The maximum torque figures -- up by as much as 24% at 1500rpm -- are, respectively, 430, 468 and 491 Nm.

Fuel capacity is 165L and the AdBlue tanks hold 12L. The tractors are powered by the 3.4L common rail F5C engine from FPT Industrial, with emissions technology including ECOBlue compact HI-eSCR and low rate EGR (exhaust gas recirculation). The Electro Command transmission has the maker’s new Auto Transport and Auto Field modes which improve the functionality. For road work, the former simplifies gear changing and helps reduce fuel consumption. And in the

field, Auto Field mode manages both engine speed and transmission functions and optimises PTO and draft control. An optional creeper set is available with the 40km/h ECO Electro Command transmission. Shuttle modulation is adjustable in three steps, allowing the operator to set the responsiveness of forward/reverse changes, particularly useful for tractors used with a loader. Styling now aligns with the higher powered T6 and T7 ranges. Key developments are the options of Terraglide

suspended front axle, Comfort Ride cabin suspension and front axle braking. A rigid front axle option also allows the fitment of 28-inch wheel equipment. The deluxe VisionView cab has improved ergonomics to keep all controls close at hand. A panoramic windscreen with a 200degree wiper ensures visibility even in poor weather, and the operator gets better stowage in a storage box to the left of the seat. Optional ISOBUS Class II capability makes it easy to monitor and control all implements using the optional

IntelliView III monitor for single screen operation. Night vision is improved with optional eight LED lights providing 15,600 lumens and a broader spread of white light, said to be 145% more powerful than the halogen equivalents. For operators likely

to need a loader, a new wide frame with bolted towers and the option of side rails form part of a loader-ready package. The option of new mechanical or electro-hydraulic joysticks with integrated transmission shifting is aimed at providing transmission and loader

function buttons on the one unit. Gross vehicle operating weight is greater at 8 tonnes. The rear linkage lift capacity is higher at 5420kg. An optional front linkage has 1850kg capacity and a 1000rpm PTO. www.newholland.co.nz

Tyres made for tough terrain MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz

TYRE MAKER Continental will present its new Very High Flexion (VF) technology for its TractorMaster, TractorMaster Hybrid and CombineMaster agricultural tyres at Agritechnica, in Hanover in November. The tyres’ highly flexible sidewalls maintain its durability and directional stability when operated at reduced pressures or high loads. This is made possible by an optimised belt and bead geometry. Continental recognises that agricultural tyres must be able to handle changing terrain, loads and speeds, and its VF concept is said to save time and fuel and to prevent damaging compaction of the soil. The savings are accrued as the tyres achieve constant carrying capacity at all speeds, with their pressure reduced for the same performance relative to standard tyres. Previously, tyre pressures would need to be adjusted to deal

with loading or changes between road or paddock tasks. The new VF tyres can provide the same payload at 40% lower pressure than standard tyres or, alternatively, they carry a 40% heavier load at top speed at the same pressure as a standard tyre. VF tyres have a larger, more flexible bead profile with a smaller apex, allowing improved deflection of the tyre and lower integral stresses at the extremes of use. So the service life is extended. The carcase of the tyre has its integral belts adjusted to cope with

more rigorous use. In conventional tyres, very low pressures or overloading can quickly lead to damage, whereas with VF tyres, the belt and shoulder areas are larger and stiffer to lower the risk of deformation and damage. They also embody N.flex technology, a patented carcase material which is flexible enough to absorb impact and return to the original form. This also guarantees rounder tyres for a comfortable ride, and it reduces their propensity to develop flat spots and a poor ride.

DAIRY NEWS OCTOBER 15, 2019

MACHINERY & PRODUCTS  // 27

No dubious quality in these UTVs MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz

IT’S not a well recognised name in New Zealand ATV or UTV circles, Hisun NZ has recently been gaining traction. The Chinese company markets a range of very competent machines, particularly for buyers who might be on a tight budget. With its main factory in Changshou, the business has run for 25 years and is now reckoned the sixth-largest supplier of UTVs in the US. Dairy News recently tried a couple of UTVs from Hisun NZ on a Waikato dairy farm: a Sector 500 and a Sector E1. Both machines are built around the same chassis. The 500 uses Hisun’s own 470cc single cylinder, fuel injected engine, while the E1 is powered by an electric induction motor (48V AC) said to deliver 38hp. On first impression, both models look well put together, with no signs typical of Chinese-made machinery of the past, eg poor quality welding and

ALTHOUGH

low quality, rusty fasteners. Well fitting body panels and a clever rear tray give the machines a modern look, combining with oversize tyre equipment under extended wheel arches. The E1 has four dry cell batteries located under the bench seat in the middle of the machine. Combined these deliver the 48V output and a top speed of about 26km/h. While this seems a little slow on the road, it was more than enough out on the farm, ideal for following cows walking the central race and supremely quiet moving through mobs of skittish calves. Said to have a range of 70km, the machine proved capable of a day’s work on its low-medium-high selection before needing recharging. We suspect pulling heavy loads in the lower settings will reduce this 70km range, but we never encountered the problem. Charging is easy with a self contained unit: just plug into the mains and recharge in about seven hours or overnight. The E1’s plus points are its silent operation (spoiled only by an annoying reversing beeper) and its exceptionally

Hisun UTVs are gaining traction in NZ.

low running costs. On the minus side, a foot operated parking brake located under the left side of the dashboard demands the rider has a double jointed knee, and a rider with an expanded waistline will find it a tight fit behind the steering wheel. Another minus, those oversized

tyres packed into narrow wheel arches lead to plenty of mud flying around despite the wheel arch extensions. The same negatives apply to the petrol powered 500, though it doesn’t have the dreaded reversing beeper. The engine started easily, settled to steady tickover and showed plenty of power off the mark and up to cruising

speed. Towing an 80-teat calfeteria loaded with 500L of milk proved no problem and it easily travelled through muddy gateways with the 4WD on-demand system selected. Both machines can tow about 500kg, come standard with a 1587kg front mounted winch and have a combination of halogen and LED lights. Ground clearance of 30cm coped well with muddy areas, although we suspect that in extreme conditions the heavier electric unit would come to grief first. Ride was comfortable, particularly so at higher speeds and over rough areas, helped by nitrogen-over-oil dampers at each corner and complemented by disc brakes all round to give a prompt, controlled stop. In summary, Hisun appears to have shrugged the image of poorly made Chinese machines and offers an alternative to the mainstream brands, especially with prices starting at $12,500 (petrol) and $16,500 (electric). www.hisun.co.nz @dairy_news facebook.com/dairynews

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