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OPINION

ANIMAL HEALTH

NEWS

The cartoonist who gave rural NZ an identity. PAGE 21

More testing and survelliance due after TB find. PAGE 30

Government funding for proposed irrigation scheme. PAGE 14

TO ALL FARMERS, FOR ALL FARMERS MARCH 21, 2017: ISSUE 626

www.ruralnews.co.nz

Share up or miss out! SUDESH KISSUN sudeshk@ruralnews.co.nz

SILVER FERN Farms (SFF) is urging its non-shared farmer suppliers to become shareholders. SFF chairman Rob Hewett says if suppliers want priority in killing space and contracts, dividends and financial rewards, they must ‘share up’. Hewett told the recent NZ Co-ops business leaders forum that “a large chunk” of animals come from nonshared suppliers. He says the co-op wants “deep, longstanding relationships built on trust and linked to market” with its suppliers. SFF shareholders get priority for killing space, contracts, advice, events and market tours. However, Hewett points out that non-shared supply adds value to the company too. “But we want to prioritise shareholder farmer suppliers ahead of others. “If you are shareholder supplier and you’ve got animals and there’s a nonshared supplier with the same number of animals, we will give priority to the shareholder. “If you want dividends, access to financial rewards, access to priority programmes in space and contracts, you need to share up. You don’t have to share up, but remember you won’t be given priority treatment, all things being equal.” Meanwhile, Hewett has defended the co-op’s decision to take on a 50% investor. He says SFF is now in a better position to pay a dividend to sharehold-

business, and believe me we tried to raise capital from the shareholders.” According to Beef + Lamb NZ, the annual return on total farm capital is 1%. Hewett says this hindered capital raising among farmer shareholders; poor returns are also discouraging new entrants to the industry. “Every time I go into a room to talk to my shareholders [I see] they are getting greyer and greyer and greyer; the average age of sheep farmers is 58 and getting older.” So the SFF board and management

ers, after its deal with Chinese company Shanghai Maling, which poured $261million into the co-op in exchange for a 50% stake. “With our new capital structure we will be able to pay dividends now,” he adds. Hewett says SFF went looking for outside capital after its shareholders failed to cough up. He says in 2012 the co-op went to shareholders to raise capital, getting only $22 million of the $100m required. “We needed more capital for the

embarked on a three-year global search and Shanghai Maling “came to the top of the pile”. Hewett says he is still asked if SFF remains a co-op after the Shanghai Maling deal. “We are constitutionally enshrined to remain a co-op; our co-op owns 50% of the operating company.” Farmers own 100% of SFF Co-op Ltd, which in turn owns 50% of SFF Limited, the processing arm with Shanghai Maling owning the other 50% stake.

Flood damage THE GOVERNMENT is looking into claims by flood-stricken farmers that floating logs were responsible for causing major damage. After a meeting with about 60 farmers in Kawakawa Bay [South Auckland] last week, Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy said the general feeling was that logging was “a general issue”. “There are some logging issues where slush has come down hill and come down into local streams and drains,” he told Rural News. “That’s a concern and I have asked my officials to work closely with the forestry company and the council.” Guy says water reticulation, fences and slips were the main casualties of the floods that affected the Coromandel and Franklin districts. “The damage here is significant and the recovery phase will be a challenge for some badly affected farms,” says Guy, who visited a storm-damaged farm belonging to Deputy Auckland Mayor Bill Cashmore at Kawakawa Bay. Continued on page 5

CONCERNS IGNORED PAM TIPA pamelat@ruralnews.co.nz

THE WAIKATO Regional Council is forging ahead with the regulatory process on Healthy Rivers/Wai Ora: Proposed Waikato Regional Plan Change 1 after a Horticulture NZ-led court action failed. The regional council had received at least 1000 submissions to plan change 1 by the closing day of March 8. Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) and five other primary industry groups were not successful in an action in the High Court in Auckland to stop the plan change process. They wanted the process put on hold until the hearing of a judicial review application later in the year. HortNZ and other groups applied before Christmas 2016 for a judicial review of the process as they want the plan change paused until an area of north Waikato is re-integrated into the process following consultation with Hauraki iwi. The regional council has taken part of the area out of the submission process until iwi consultation is completed. HortNZ’s application is still due to be heard in June, but the recent court action was not successful in putting the process on hold until then. The council also decided not to extend the deadline, despite requests for an extension, and stuck to the deadline of March 8.

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RURAL NEWS // MARCH 21, 2017

NEWS 3 ISSUE 626

www.ruralnews.co.nz

Backing for non-NZ Fonterra supplier owners SUDESH KISSUN sudeshk@ruralnews.co.nz

NEWS ��1-15 MARKETS �� 16-17 AGRIBUSINESS ��18-19 HOUND, EDNA �� 20 CONTACTS �� 20 OPINION �� 20-23 MANAGEMENT �� 24-28 ANIMAL HEALTH �� 29-30 MACHINERY AND PRODUCTS �� 31-34 RURAL TRADER �� 35

HEAD OFFICE Top Floor, 29 Northcroft Street, Takapuna, Auckland 0622 Phone: 09-307 0399 Fax: 09-307 0122 POSTAL ADDRESS PO Box 331100, Takapuna, Auckland 0740 Published by: Rural News Group Printed by: PMP Print CONTACTS Editorial: editor@ruralnews.co.nz Advertising material: davef@ruralnews.co.nz Rural News online: www.ruralnews.co.nz Subscriptions: subsrndn@ruralnews.co.nz ABC audited circulation 80,580 as at 31.09.2016

DAIRY INDUSTRY leader Andrew Hoggard supports the idea of opening Fonterra shares to overseas milk suppliers – but not townies. Hoggard says he would be more comfortable sharing Fonterra’s spoils with farmers in Chile and Australia than with investors in Auckland. Fonterra is not ruling out offering shares to overseas milk suppliers, as its overseas milk pool grows; of the 23 billion L of milk processed by Fonterra last year, New Zealand farmers supplied 17.5b L. The rest is collected and processed in Australia, South America, China, Sri Lanka and Europe. Fonterra chairman John Wilson recently told a NZ Co-op business leaders’ forum that overseas milk suppliers could be allowed to own shares in the co-op.

Wilson did not rule out a co-op linkage with farmer suppliers in other countries. “The opportunity to form some sort of cooperative linkage we certainly believe is possible,” he says. “It won’t be easy – surprise, surprise – but it is possible. Those opportunities are becoming more real today than in the past.” Hoggard points to the Dutch co-op Arla, which has expanded and is now owned by 12,500 farmers in seven countries in Northern Europe. He believes it would be a “just way” of keeping farmers involved with the co-op and as shareholders they would be loyal. This would allow all farmer suppliers to share in each other’s pain and gain, Hoggard says. “At our low point in payout there were high payouts for suppliers in Australia and Chile – eroding our profits, as it were. If those guys share in our

pain and gain… they’re farmers like us and we have a lot in common. I’m more comfortable with farmers in Chile and Australia than with investors in Auckland.” However, expanding ownership beyond NZ would be complicated. It would require strong support from Fonterra shareholders in NZ. Hoggard believes milk price would be an issue. “We [would] have to calculate separate milk prices for those countries…. Each country could have individual milk price manuals.” He says the issue of expanding the shareholder base should have been discussed during the trading among farmers (TAF) debate five years ago. Under TAF, investors can buy units; unit holders receive only economic rights to shares held in the Fonterra shareholders fund. Speaking at the forum, Fonterra director Nicola Shadbolt said there

was an appetite among overseas suppliers to own Fonterra shares, but capital could be an issue. In her travels around the world she is often asked by farmer suppliers about the possibility of owning Fonterra shares. “The ‘belonging’ is the bit they are missing,” she says. But this also means coughing up $880,000, so there’s “a slight cost” involved. “But if there are other ways of structuring that, the belonging can still happen at no capital cost.... Some co-ops in the Netherlands have class A and class B members. Class B members don’t have all the rights of class A members, so there are ways, but this is an evolving issue.” Shadbolt says Fonterra needs more milk to grow the business. “As demand for dairy grows, we need to have stickability with dairy farmers in other parts of the world. We don’t want not to have the milk.”

Adapt or die – Massey boss PETER BURKE peterb@ruralnews.co.nz

MASSEY UNIVERSITY’S new vice-chancellor, professor Jan Thomas, says her role is to create an environment where academics are able to adapt and almost predict the future. She told Rural News that in today’s world no university can be business-as-usual – complacent in a world that is changing. Thomas, who succeeds Steve Maharey, was previously

vice-chancellor of the University of Southern Queensland (USQ), Toowoomba. She trained as a veterinarian but has Jan Thomas spent much of her career in academic management roles. Thomas says USQ is renowned for its expertise in distance education and in agriculture and she believes these similarities with Massey

will be an advantage in her new role. “Education is changing and we need to adapt so that we can thrive,” she says. “I have strategic ideas as to where we can take the university. But certainly Massey is incredibly successful and my job is to take it through to the next level.” Thomas says universities must adapt to the changing world by offering curricu-

lum and degrees that match the future needs of industry, “collaborating with the guys on the ground”. “We need to shape that to make sure we are meeting the needs of industry. We also need to meet the needs of society, so that New Zealand can position itself as the best in the world in value-add food products.” Thomas believes in addressing the big global issues of food safety, water security and climate change

– major challenges scientists can play a key role in managing. Science integrating with business will take the world forward, she says. Robotics, smart science and other innovations will play a part in adapting to change and feeding the world. “What an incredible privilege it is to a play a part in this – as an agricultural scientist, engineer, veterinarian or business person in agriculture.”

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RURAL NEWS // MARCH 21, 2017

4 NEWS

Call for river plan rethink PAM TIPA pamelat@ruralnews.co.nz

ONE OF the problems with the proposed Waikato Regional Council’s Plan Change One is that it is mind bogglingly expensive to implement, says scientist Doug Edmeades, of agKnowledge. “It needs to be thought through carefully in terms of ‘let’s pick off the low hanging fruit first’,” he told a Waikato Beef + Lamb NZ ‘Farming for Profit’ field day at Lochiel Station in Glen Murray. Making him most anxious about Plan Change One is that the problem with the Waikato River, say water specialists, is not nitrogen but too much phosphorus, E.coli and sediment. Yet, he says, Plan Change One is “absurdly” set on chasing nitrogen. “So my submission is that this whole Plan Change One is technically flawed and should be re-thought.” Edmeades made these remarks while explaining to the field day about nutrient movement and its impacts both on fertiliser policy

and runoff into waterways. He explained there are four contaminants that come off land that we need to be worried about: nitrate, nitrogen, phosphorus – in particular P, the phosphorus that is stuck on the particles of soil, so whenever you see soil moving it is carrying with it phosphorus – sediments which cloud up the water and pathogens, particularly E.coli which comes from dung and the urine. “These are the four contami-

WILSON

nants. It is important to recognise that the mechanisms by which these things get into waterways are different. Nitrogen leaches through the soil; the other three contaminants run off the soil. “So if you are going to intercept these things you’ve got to know which one you are dealing with.” Meanwhile the South Waikato District Council has called for the Waikato Regional Council

to reconsider its Healthy Rivers plan due to the detrimental effect it will have on the South Waikato community. South Waikato mayor Jenny Shattock says while South Waikato District Council supports the aspirations of Healthy Rivers, the council is seeking change. The South Waikato District Council has asked for a ‘science and technology gap’ to be bridged before sustained environmental improvements can be achieved beyond the first 10 years. Shattock says South Waikato has a unique economic and community profile and the adverse economic and social costs if the current plan is implemented will hit the district hard. The potential impacts such as job losses and infrastructure affordability on the district would be “significant”. “Employment in dairy farming will be hugely impacted and this will cause a knock-on effect in the wider district which relies heavily on dairy farmers [for its survival],” she says.

COOKING UP AN INTEREST IN SHEEP MILK PETER BURKE peterb@ruralnews.co.nz

HIGH PRAISE is being heard for New Zealand’s sheep milk products from a leading chef. Marc Soper, executive chef at the prestigious Wharekauhu luxury lodge in Wairarapa, last week set up his demonstration kitchen at the annual sheep milk conference in Palmerston North, to show how he uses sheep milk products in meals he prepares for rich and famous guests. About 150 people attended the three-day conference, which also included a day looking at Tararua and Wairarapa sheep milking and cheese making. Soper says sheep milk’s low lactose content is a huge advantage. This enables him to create a panna cotta dish – which he demonstrated – with properties you cannot get with cow’s milk – a sweet, creamy, nutty after-taste. Sheep milk products are versatile, said Soper, demonstrating this to attendees, a few of whom were lucky enough to taste his creations. NZ-made sheep cheese, gelato and milk all featured in his recipes. Soper mentioned his special relationship with Miles and Janet King of Kingsmeade Cheese, Wairarapa. “I often drop into their shop and chat. I have been on the farm and see what they do and we talk about how we can improve the product for the benefit of the consumer, and I can use sheep milk products better as a chef. Collaboration works well.” Soper has used sheep milk products for some time at Wharekauhau and diners there are “over the moon” about what they see and taste. Other chefs are now catching on, he says. “Chefs are slowly getting it: the gate-to-plate movement of the past four to five years is getting stronger and stronger. People want to know where their food is coming from – the story. “If you can tell the grassroots story of where it comes from it lifts the value of the product to a much higher scale.”

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RURAL NEWS // MARCH 21, 2017

NEWS 5 Flood damage FROM PAGE 1

Extra funding will now be available if required to coordinate support through the Waikato Rural Support Trust who are already on the ground with Federated Farmers assessing needs to help plan recovery activities. MPI is also working with the Ministry of Social Development to activate Enhanced Taskforce Green, volunteer workers, and in extreme cases there may also be Rural Assistance Payments (RAPs) available to farmers in severe hardship.

SFF chairman Rob Hewett with Ravensdown director and Dargaville dairy farmer Kate Alexander at the NZ Co-op business leaders forum in Auckland.

Red meat at risk of being squashed

Cashmore says the event was not a one in 100 years event as reported in the media. “The worst flooding we had was in 1966, about a metre higher than this event,” he says. He says this month’s floods have caused about $200,000 damage on his farm alone. His farm received 370mm of rain within five days, washing away fences, roads and tracks. “We have about 200 slips on our property…but there are others who have copped more damage than us.”

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cheaper per kilo over the last 20 to 30 years,” he says. sudeshk@ruralnews.co.nz “The days of ‘winner, winner – THE RED meat sector is too com- chicken dinner’, when there was a modity-focused and must move fur- special occasion for a chicken meal, ther up the value chain, says Silver are long gone; they are now our competitors.” Fern Farms chairman Rob Hewett. Hewett says a Barcelona houseHe told the recent NZ Co-op business leaders’ forum in Auckland that wife going down a supermarket aisle unless the industry moves away from is no longer wondering whether commodities it risks being squashed it will be lamb chops or roast for dinner, but whether she will buy by chicken and pork. “Chicken and pork are cheap chicken or pork or something else commodity items that have got for the kids tonight. To compete in that sector red meat companies need to be “ruthlessly efficient”. “To drive costs out of ❱❱ Processor of 30% of total red meat your business you’ve got in NZ to be right on top of your ❱❱ Exports to 60 countries yields, be relentless about ❱❱ 16 processing plants it and do it every day. The ❱❱ $2 billion turnover industry in NZ is good at ❱❱ 7000 peak season staff. that but there’s plenty of opportunity to improve.” SUDESH KISSUN

SFF BY NUMBERS

For SFF, 80% of its business fits into the commodity sector and Hewett concedes it can never get out of some products. “It’s hard to add more value to pelts and hides, other than having a pelt or a hide.” Chilled products make up 15% of SFF’s business; they boost gross profit by 20-25%. Moving from chilled to value added products adds a further 25% to profit margins. Hewett says SFF hopes to have 10% of total sales in value added by 2020 (this is now 5%). Everything starts with the consumer for SFF: understanding what the consumer wants and then working that back to what the farmer does inside the farmgate is critical to extracting value. “For too long the industry has been focused on product kill and then worry about selling it later on,” Hewett says. @rural_news facebook.com/ruralnews

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RURAL NEWS // MARCH 21, 2017

6 NEWS

Sheep milk sector can be a winner for NZ PETER BURKE peterb@ruralnews.co.nz

NEW ZEALAND’S sheep milking industry plateaued a bit in the last year, says an organiser of last week’s Sheep Milk NZ Conference 2017. But this is good, says Craig Prichard, of Massey University’s School of Management, because he would hate to see people get too excited, given that the industry still has a long road to travel. The industry faces big challenges and its emphasis now is on improving the genetics of milking sheep in NZ and on developing new food products. Farmers, scientists and agribusiness professionals attended the conference, as

Craig Prichard

did people from Australia and France, including staff from a company supplying genetics to NZ farmers. Prichard says some people think sheep milk is still

novel, but he wants them to get over that novelty notion and focus on the great food dishes and other things the NZ industry is producing. “NZ already produces

some amazing sheep milk cheeses,” he told Rural News. “Once we have worked out what their particular strengths are we’ll find a cheese that will rival others

HIGH PRAISE

around the world.” He says the tastes and styles of sheep milk products vary from region to region in NZ, as in Europe. He points to a sheep milk cheese maker in Nelson whose cheeses have a very distinctive flavour. “And Kingsmeade Cheeses, in Wairarapa, and the new group emerging there, are working on a product range that is really exciting. Obviously you have three big producers all pushing hard to get their production up to get some return on their investment.” Prichard says soils and weather influence product style and taste, and regionality is important in developing high-value sheep milk products.

MASSEY UNIVERSITY’S new vice-chancellor Jan Thomas, who opened the conference, says it’s important NZ doesn’t become entirely dependent on any one primary product and that sheep milk is a good niche product. Thomas says NZ has the capacity to add value to a range of products. “When you think about global competition, it is the sweet spot for NZ to create value-add to things like the sheep milking industry,” she says. “We should be developing this across a range of agricultural products.” Thomas refers to a ‘VUCA’ world – “volatile, uncertain chaotic and ambiguous”. The future is changing and we have to be on the front foot and adapting to it. “NZ can take a strong leadership role; there is something to be said for a country like NZ showing the rest of the world how to do it,” she explains. “I have long admired NZ. It’s a very impressive country and I am pleased to be putting my shoulder to the wheel to help build the nation.”

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RURAL NEWS // MARCH 21, 2017

NEWS 7

Sustainability more than just the environment PETER BURKE peterb@ruralnews.co.nz

THE CONCEPT of sustainability needs to be more carefully defined, says Zespri’s chief operating officer Simon Limmer. He told a recent conference celebrating 20 years of the Zespri brand that sustainability is a very nebulous concept. He believes Zespri has a responsibility, as the hub of the New Zealand kiwifruit industry, to try to encapsulate exactly what it means. Sustainability means different things to different people, but in most cases the focus is on the environment, Limmer

says. But it is much bigger and broader than that. “We are just going through a phase of learning what it means to us at Zespri and determining where we are on the journey,” he told Rural News. “We have a pretty good image in terms of our overall performance, but we need to dig a little deeper and see what that means and what value that means. We are interested to know specifically what the measurements are we should be using.” The conference talked much about how the treatment of people is an integral aspect of sustainability, and about the importance of economic

sustainability and how all this is weaved into a company’s business plan. “You need to know what you are aiming for

– not this general fluffy concept of sustainability. It’s got to be something that is targeted,” Limmer adds.

He says you can’t just have a line in the budget which says sustainability and if you spend the money you have been

HARVEST UNDERWAY THE FIRST kiwifruit of the new season are now being picked. The Kiwifruit Growers Association (NZKGI) says harvesting of small volumes has just begun in Northland and Poverty Bay and will extend throughout the North Island and top of the South Island over the coming weeks. Harvest is expected to begin shortly in Bay of Plenty where about 80% of NZ’s kiwifruit are grown. The SunGold harvest this season is expected to be much bigger than the harvest last year, and the green

Hayward variety is forecast to be less. While the total volumes are expected to be slightly down on last season, it is still shaping up as a good harvest. NZKGI chairman Doug Brown says many kiwifruit areas have been affected by wet weather, which has delayed the start of harvest. “But most of us can now roll up our sleeves and get picking and packing,” he says. It’s expected that about 2500 growers will be harvesting some 12,000ha of kiwifruit to market to 50 countries this year.

successful. “This whole concept must be culturally engrained in the industry: what we do on a daily basis rather than just how much we spend. “It’s a trendy kind of concept in business that when times are good and the economy is doing well everyone is doing sustainability. [But] the moment the economy drops a bit a line goes through it and we just wait till the economy comes around again then we’ll put it back on the radar. We can’t afford to do that.” Limmer says getting a clear definition of what sustainability means to Zespri is a story that

hopefully will resonate well with consumers. As well as the production process, consumers also want to feel comfortable knowing people are well treated. Everyone in the kiwifruit industry has a responsibility to be committed to, and to actively practice, sustainability, he says. “The story we have is a good one and most of our markets also think we have a good story, but we tend to mumble it a little. It’s important that any gaps in our story are quickly filled. We need to get out and tell our story clearly, loudly and decisively and make sure the value in it is captured and accepted.”

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RURAL NEWS // MARCH 21, 2017

8 NEWS

NZ’s red meat story needs better telling PETER BURKE peterb@ruralnews.co.nz

NEW ZEALAND’S red meat sector must do a much better selling job when telling its story to customers – offshore and at home. That’s a key message from experts working with the sector to help craft the story that reflects the attributes of the industry. Recently about 70 industry people took part in a workshop to discover key positive messages that will resonate with buyers, distributors and consumers of NZ red meat. Beef + Lamb NZ chief executive Sam McIvor says the attendees heard that NZers are too bashful and humble, that they need to be much bolder and unafraid to sell the story harder. McIvor says we should learn from the Australians about this. He said a New York food marketing guru, Mike Lee, told the workshop

Sam McIvor

there are things about the industry which seem mundane to NZers but they are profound to customers. “Things we don’t often think about ourselves are seen as remarkable outside our country. For example, our farmers grass feed our animals and make their living from our natural resources -- growing and harvesting grass and turning that into meat,” McIvor explains. “The level of sophis-

tication of NZ production systems is unique and something we take for granted, but others don’t.” McIvor says the reason for developing a red meat story is the belief – right across the industry – that it is not promoting itself well enough. The workshop was a part of a bigger project: 45 farmers have been interviewed for their views and opinions, and information gathered from overseas importers,

sellers and buyers of our meat. These conversations are to find out what people see as unique about our products and help develop our storyline. “Because many of our products are sold to high-end consumers, they want to know the story behind the product and we need to provide this along with proof of what we are saying. We have good data to back up and underpin our story, such as government regulations the industry is required to comply with,” McIvor explains. “We also have other positive messages: we are one of the least corrupt countries and an easy place to do business. We have to build all this into a story and create an aura about NZ. A key point we need to understand and deliver on is that when people are buying our products they are also buying NZ,” he says. As part of the process of creating a red meat story, BLNZ is working with government agencies, especially Tour-

ism NZ. McIvor says tourists in NZ present a great opportunity for introduction to our food and a lot more needs to be done locally to get this message across. “We need to bring all NZers -- restaurants, chefs and the public -- on board with this campaign and get them to be proud of the products we produce and to be ambassadors for our food sector.” McIvor says the gathered mass of information on the red meat story now must be refined and crafted so as to resonate with customers -- perhaps as a certification mark on products or some other form of promotion. A company has been retained to develop this, then the messages will be tested on interested parties in NZ and overseas. McIvor says this may take several months, but the most important thing is to get it right. “Realistically, it may take until the end of the year before the final messaging is rolled out.”

RURAL NEWS // MARCH 21, 2017

10 NEWS

Milne may run for top Feds’ role PETER BURKE peterb@ruralnews.co.nz

SPECULATION IS rife about a contest for the presidency of Federated Farmers at its annual meeting in June. Vice president Anders Crofoot says he plans to stand and there are hints

that West Coast dairy farmer Katie Milne will challenge him. The three-year term of president William Rolleston ends in June and normally the vice president, in this case Crofoot, would succeed him. Milne is now a ‘member at large’ on

the seven-member Feds national board. She has a high profile, having recently been elected deputy chairman of Westland Milk Products. Dairy, meat and fibre and arable all have members on the national board and in addition to the president and the vice

president there are two members at large. Feds dairy chair Andrew Hoggard has confirmed he will bid for the vice president slot vacated by Crofoot. While there is speculation Milne will contest the top job, she hasn’t confirmed this outright.

She says she hasn’t ruled it out but adds “June is a long way away”. Should she stand and win, she would be the first woman president. Crofoot is highly respected figure renowned for being an innovative farmer who has turned around his

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farm Castlepoint Station. He is known for business skills, supporting and applying science and as a likable man. There is a move by some provincial presidents -- they elect the board -- for wholesale change at the top level in Feds, because of the ups and, mainly, downs over the past three years. And there are suggestions that it may be time for a dairy farmer and a woman to take on the top role. The last three presidents -- Don Nicholson, Bruce Wills and Rolleston -- have all been sheep and beef men. The other option would be for Milne to seek the vice presidency under Crofoot and for Hoggard to stand for member at large in the vacancy created by Milne. Should Milne win the presidency that would pave the way for Waikato dairy farmer Chris Lewis to come on the board as

Katie Milne

the new dairy representative, while the present deputy of meat and fibre, Miles Anderson from South Canterbury, could make it to the board table, but again there could be other contenders in the wings. What happens for the ‘member at large’ vacancy is anyone’s guess. Three years ago there was simple transition into all the top spots. But six years ago there was skin and hair flying behind the scenes, which ended up with Bruce Wills taking over as national president.

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THE SUPREME Court has given Affco New Zealand leave to appeal a ruling that it unlawfully locked out meat workers during collective bargaining. In October 2016, the Court of Appeal turned down the meat company’s application to overturn an Employment Court ruling, saying it was “obvious that Affco’s objective was to undermine or compromise the parallel process of negotiating a collective agreement which was underway with the union” in what amounted to an unlawful lockout. However, earlier this month the Supreme Court ruled that Affco could appeal on the question of whether the appeal court was correct in finding a breach of the Employment Relations Act (ERA) had occurred when the company required seasonal workers to enter into new individual employment agreements before commencing work for the 2015-2016 season. This court case is the latest in a series of legal clashes between Affco and the Meatworkers Union. Affco was the first meat company – under the Government’s new employment law – to apply for an end to bargaining. These amendments to the ERA allows firms to opt out of multi-employer agreements and removes the duty under good faith bargaining for both sides to reach an agreement. Originally the case covered workers at Affco’s Rangiuru, Imlay and Manawatu plants, but the company has accepted that any finding will cover all eight of its North Island plants.

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RURAL NEWS // MARCH 21, 2017

12 NEWS

Getting Westland back on track PETER BURKE peterb@ruralnews.co.nz

WHEN SHE arrived at Westland Milk Products (WMP), newly installed chief executive

Tomi Brendish was surprised at the level of ‘transformation’ required to get the dairy cooperative back on its feet. For several months

it’s been known Westland is in serious financial trouble and six months ago Brendish was hired to sort out the problems. Now she is conducting a major review of the

company and has already hinted that major changes are afoot, including making some staff redundant and reducing the overall numbers employed.

WMP’s new chief executive Toni Brandish.

Brendish, an Australian, has worked in fast-moving consumer goods for most of her career. Most recently she worked for the French multinational Danone, which specialises in infant formula. She told Rural News that while going through the interview process for the chief executive role she was made aware of

investment of strategic assets, but as for the rest of the business, we haven’t kept our pencil as sharp as we needed to from an efficiency point of view.” Brendish says WMP shareholders in the cooperative feel completely gutted at the performance of the company and they have every right to feel

“It’s a bigger job in terms of the operational efficiencies we have to get. It is fair to say Westland had a bad year last year, but when I look back it was probably coming for a couple of years earlier because of the operational challenges that haven’t been addressed.” the problems facing the cooperative. Brendish says the WMP board was upfront with her about the state of the company and wanted someone to ‘transform’ it. “I didn’t come in with rose tinted glasses. The board told me they had created some investments and these hadn’t been executed as well as they should have been,” she says. “It’s a bigger job in terms of the operational efficiencies we have to get. It is fair to say Westland had a bad year last year, but when I look back it was probably coming for a couple of years earlier because of the operational challenges that haven’t been addressed. We have been making very good

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that way. Westland is disappointed it has not performed and this must be fixed. But she warns – and has told shareholders – there is no silver bullet fix to the situation. “There is no light switch that somebody needs to flick on so that we magically close the gap between ourselves and the other cooperatives. We have to go back and get it fixed right,” Brendish explains. “For shareholders, there will be some pain this year. We have been transparent that we won’t be matching the Fonterra price by closing the gap but everything we are doing is making sure we hit the new season well,” she says.

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RURAL NEWS // MARCH 21, 2017

NEWS 13

Adding value key to getting WMP back on its feet PETER BURKE peterb@ruralnews.co.nz

A MAJOR WMP strategy has been to increase the amount of value added products it produces as opposed to commodity milk powder. The much talked about figure was 30%, but Toni Brendish says the co-op still hasn’t achieved this. “The previous strategy was expressed as value added. As far as I am concerned, value added is not a strategy; I define value add as what you do, in other words an outcome,” she explains. “Having worked in fast moving consumer goods for nearly 30 years, I know value add is everything from your supply chain, your finance, marketing, products – everything. Westland’s strategy needs to be fine-tuned.” According to Brendish, WMP has made good decisions about where it wants to be but hasn’t always put in

the people capability to support that. She cites the example of WMP putting just one person into the large China market and expecting them to build it up from scratch. “It’s going to take time to do that. Many other organisations would say ‘ok if we’re going to make this investment we need to go big in the beginning to make sure we get it right’.” Brendish believes one flaw in the WMP China strategy was going into the market in all product categories. On her watch the co-op will go into the infant formula category and the food service sector with ingredients and cream and butter, but will not sell consumer UHT by itself. For WMP to get back on its feet it will need people who can execute the new operational strategies, she says. Redundancies are inevitable but at this stage she can’t give a number as the review of the organisation is not finalised.

WMP will introduce new product initiatives over the next three months.

Brendish says many new product initiatives will kick in over the next three months, all in higher margin categories. The Westland team is focusing on efficiencies in the sales and marketing and supply chain areas. “Everyone, including the

shareholders, is asking me for a timeline as to when things will happen. We have to get in place a number of things so that when we start the new season they have an impact. We are talking August of this year,” she says. Some cost saving initiatives have

already been put in place, including getting a better mix of road and rail transport between the West Coast and Canterbury, and appointing a new cool store provider. Construction will start soon of a new standalone infant formula blending and canning factory at Westland’s Rolleston site. This is a joint venture with a leading Chinese paediatric milk formula company, Ausnutria, with WMP having a 40% stake in the company, to be called Pure Nutrition Ltd. Brendish believes this is a good deal. “They are a great partner and a great brand,” she says. “They will develop all the marketing in China. But we are the enabler and want to do the R&D and product trials testing. We want them to take our product range to the market – not just in powder, but into liquids and various other things – because it is a partnership.”

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RURAL NEWS // MARCH 21, 2017

14 NEWS

Govt funding for proposed scheme A SOUTH Canterbury irrigation scheme that “will bring major benefits” to the region has been granted $1.37 million in government funding. Crown Irrigation Investments Ltd agreed earlier this month to allocate Hunter Downs Water Ltd (HDW)

funding to complete the next stage of its work programme, as the proposed irrigation heads towards construction. HDW chairman Andrew Fraser says the move showed faith in the $195 million project. Construction is hoped to begin on the first

part of the scheme – an upgrade to the Morven Glenavy Ikawai Irrigation Company (MGI) canal this winter – with a final commissioning date set for spring 2019. Fraser says the grant indicated Crown Irrigation Investments’ understanding of the economic and

environmental benefits the scheme would bring to the local area. “We are very appreciative of the support and faith Crown Irrigation Investments is demonstrating in the scheme by their further funding grant. They are matching us dollar for dollar.”

HDW recently released its product disclosure statement (prospectus) to raise capital for the scheme’s construction and the company is holding numerous ‘pod group’ meetings to garner support from potential irrigators. Frasers says 21,000

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shares are available in HDW – one share per hectare of irrigation with a water allowance at a maximum 2.65mm per day through the season from September to May. He says it is hoped that 150-200 farmers will subscribe for shares in the scheme. HDW will take water from the Waitaki River through Morven and Glenavy, north along the coast as far as the Otaio River, extending through laterals towards the Hunter Hills and into Timaru.

protection of mudfish habitats and improved game bird and trout habitats. “Irrigation schemes in other parts of the country have brought real economic and environmental gains. A reliable source of water gives certainty to farmers and growers, and helps them plan ahead and deal with droughts and dry spells.” Guy says the scheme has been granted consents with “rigorous environmental protections” and will

When completed the project will provide a reliable water supply for farms and communities between Waimate and Timaru. Crown Irrigation chief executive Murray Gribben says the funding would pave the way for considerable economic, agricultural and environmental benefits for the South Canterbury area. “When completed the project will provide a reliable water supply for farms and communities between Waimate and Timaru; providing much greater resilience for the greater South Canterbury region.” Minister for Primary Industries Nathan Guy says the grant is an important step forward for the project, which could have “major benefits” for the South Canterbury region. “The environmental and recreational benefits from this project include increased flows in surface waterways and in the Wainono Lagoon,

support a variety of land uses including beef, arable, horticulture and dairy. Water will also be available for town supplies in Timaru and Waimate. HDW’s total projected build cost was $195m. That works out at $9285/ ha including the funding costs during building. Initial costing was $160m-$250m. HDW shareholders will likely be asked for an equity payment of $2650/ ha in three instalments, the first expected about April 2017. The HDW scheme has been designed for 161 water users with a maximum 214 offtakes. The irrigated area is 21,000ha out of a total command area of 68,000ha with an application rate of 2.65 millimetres per day. @rural_news facebook.com/ruralnews

0800 282 726

RURAL NEWS // MARCH 21, 2017

16 MARKETS & TRENDS L amb - PM 16.0kg

BEEF PRICES

LAMB PRICES +5

Last Week 5.45

M 2 B ull - 300kg

5.45

5.40

Change

c/kgCWT NI

P 2 Steer - 300kg

2 Wks A go 5.40

Last Year 5.40

S te e r - P2 300kg

5 .4 5

n/c

5 .3 0

P 2 Co w - 230kg

4.35

4.30

B u ll - M2 300kg

5 .4 5

n/c

5 .0 0

M Co w - 200kg

4.35

4.30

4.25

8 .2 5

Lo cal Trade - 230kg

5.45

5.40

n/c

5.30

M 2 B ull - 300kg

n/c

5.00

4.90

P 2 Co w - 230kg

n/c

4.10

3.80

M Co w - 200kg

n/c

4.10

3.60

Lo cal Trade - 230kg

n/c

5.30

5.40

Ve n is o n - AP 60kg

n/c

8 .0 0

n/c

North Island 16kg M lamb price

6.0

P 2 Steer - 300kg

5.0

Slaughter 40k60

9-Feb

9-A pr

9-Jun

$/kg

5.5

4.5 9-Feb 5yr Ave

9-A pr

9-Jun

Last Ye ar

This Ye ar

North Island 300kg bull price

6.0

$/kg

50k

5yr Ave

10-Sep 10-Oct 7-Jan

10-Dec 7-May

5.0

9-Jun

South Island 300kg steer price

5yr Ave

Last Year

7-Jan 10-Sep 5yr Ave

+3 +25

2 Wks A go 227 724

3 Wks A go 224 698

Last Year 215 710

9-A pr Last Ye ar

9-Jun This Ye ar

205 635

Procurement Indicator

6.5 9-Dec

9-Feb

9-A pr

9-Jun

South Island 60kg stag price

8.5

-2 -0

2Wks A go 75.5 69.9

3 Wks A go 77.4 70.3

Last Year 76.2 69.2

5yr A ve 72.3 66.6

P rocu rement Indicator Procurement Indicator -- North North I.Island 95 90% 85% 80% 75% 75 Last Year 70% This Year 65% 60% 55 0… 2… 3… 3… 3… 3… 3… 2… 3… 3… 3… 3… 3… 2… 3… 3… 3… 3… 3… 2… 3… 3… 3… 3… 3… 2… 3… 3… 3… 3… 3… 2… 3… 3… 3… 3… 3… 2… 3… 3… 3… 3… 3… 2… 3… 3… 3… 3… 3… 2… 3… 3… 3… 3… 3… 2… 3… 3… 3… 3… 3… 2… 3… 3… 3… 3… 3… 2… 3… 3… 3… 3… 3… 2… 3… 3… 3… 3… 3… 2… 3… 3… 3… 3… 3… 2… 3… 3… 3… 3… 3… 2… 3… 3… 3… 3… 3… 2… 3… 3… 9-Dec 9-Feb 9-A pr 9-Jun

% of export returns

7.0

Procurement Indicator - South Island

7.5

7.0 6.5 9-Dec

9-Feb 5yr Ave

9-A pr Last Ye ar

This Ye ar

9-Jun

90 P rocu rement Indicator - South I. 85% 80% 75% 70 70% 65% Last Year 60% This Year 50 9-Feb 9-A pr 9-Jun 55%9-Dec 19-Jun 26-Jun 3-Jul 10-Jul 17-Jul 24-Jul 31-Jul 7-Aug 14-Aug 21-Aug 28-Aug 4-Sep 11-Sep 18-Sep 25-Sep 9-Oct 16-Oct 23-Oct 30-Oct 6-Nov 13-Nov 20-Nov 0-Jan 5yr ave Last Ye ar This Ye ar

% of export returns

8.0

UK Leg p/kg

n/c

Last Week 5

NZc/kg

10 Nov

7 May This Ye ar

500

2 Wks A go 5

Last Year 5

5yr A ve 6 9

Export demand indicator - UK CKT leg

400

5 Fe b

% Returned NI

-0.9

2Wks A go 67.3

% Returned SI

0 .4

66.7

Change

This Year

150 $1.50 12-Dec 12-Feb 12-A pr 12-Jun 5-Jun 12-Jun 19-Jun 26-Jun 3-Jul 10-Jul 17-Jul 24-Jul 31-Jul 7-Aug 14-Aug 21-Aug 28-Aug 4-Sep 11-Sep 18-Sep 25-Sep 9-Oct 16-Oct 23-Oct 30-Oct 6-Nov 13-Nov 20-Nov 5yr ave Last Ye ar This Ye ar

% Returned NI % Returned SI

7.5

7 Mar Last Ye ar

5 Apr

5 Ju n

Procurement Indicator

Change

8.0

10 Oct

7 Ja n

300 5 Dec

North Island 60kg stag price

8.5

10 Sep

5yr Ave

Change

5yr A ve

USc/lb 9-Feb 5yr Ave

k 10 0Aug

Export Market Demand

This Year

Export indicator - US 95CL D edemand mand Indicator - US 95CL Beefbeef

Last Year

4.0 9-Dec

S outh Island Weekly Lamb Kill

400 200k

10-Oct 7-Mar 10-Nov 7-May Last Ye ar This Ye ar

$2.00

4.5

South Island w eekly lamb kill

500 250k

7 Nov

$2.50 200

5.0

10 Nov7 May

50k 100

95CL USc/lb NZc/kg 250 $3.00

This Year

10 Oct 7 Mar

100k 200

Change

9-A pr

Last Year

10 Sep 7 Ja n

300 150k

Export Market Demand

9-Feb

5yr Ave

k 0 10 7 Aug Nov

5.5

$/kg

10-Nov 7-Mar

South Island Weekly Cattle Kill

k 0 7-Nov 10-Aug

6.0

$/kg

This Year

S outh Island Weekly Cattle Kill

4.5

$/kg

Last Year

10k 20

5.5

4.0 9-Dec

200

100k

15k40

4.0 9-Dec

Last Year 4.71 4.73 4.75 4.76 2.50 4.68 4.68 4.68 4.68 2.25

150k

k 0 10-Aug 7-Nov

5.0

2 Wks A go 5.21 5.23 5.25 5.26 3.30 5.28 5.28 5.28 5.28 3.30

200k

40 20k

South Island 16kg M lamb price

6.0

Thousand head

4.0 9-Dec

n/c n/c n/c n/c n/c n/c n/c n/c n/c n/c

Last Week 5.21 5.23 5.25 5.26 3.30 5.28 5.28 5.28 5.28 3.30

North eekly lamb N ort hIsland Islandw Weekly Lambkill Kill

250k 400

North N ort hIsland IslandWeekly Weekly Cattle Cattle Kill Kill

Change

Slaughter Thousand head

4.5

Thousand head

$/kg

5.5

c/kgCWT NI Lamb YM - 13.5kg P M - 16.0kg P X - 19.0kg P H - 22.0kg M utto n M X1 - 21kg SI Lamb YM - 13.5kg P M - 16.0kg P X - 19.0kg P H - 22.0kg M utto n M X1- 21kg

UKp/kg

c /kgCWT

S o u th Is lan d C h an g e L as t c /kg We e k n/c 5 .2 8

75 80%

3 Wks A go 68.2

Last Year 64.5

66.2

63.2

5yr A ve 67.6 65.7

Procurement P rocu rementindicator Indicator-- North North Island I.

% of export returns

No rth Is lan d C h an g e L as t c /kg We e k n/c 5 .2 3

LAMB MARKET TRENDS

70% 65 60% Last Year

This Year

50% 55 11-Aug 9-Dec 11-Sep 11-Oct 9-Feb11-Nov 11-Dec 9-A pr11-Jan 11-Feb 9-Jun 75 80%

% of export returns

Me at

BEEF MARKET TRENDS

Thousand head

MARKET SNAPSHOT

Procurement indicator - South Island P rocu rement Indicator - South I.

70% 65 60% Last Y ear

This Year

50% 55 11-Aug 9-Dec 11-Sep 11-Oct 9-Feb11-Nov 11-Dec 9-A pr 11-Jan 11-Feb 9-Jun 5yr ave Last Ye ar This Ye ar

Venison Prices NI Stag - 60kg

n/c

Last Week 8.00

SI Stag - 60kg

n/c

8.25

Change

2 Wks A go 8.00

Last Year 7.45

8.25

7.35

5yr A ve 6.68 6.68

Beef & venison prices are reported as gross (before normal levies & charges are deducted). Lamb & mutton prices are reported nett (after levies & charges are deducted).

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12/01/17 11:01 AM

RURAL NEWS // MARCH 21, 2017

MARKETS & TRENDS 17 PRICE WATCH

beef market has been variable but fairly firm as a whole. Importers were attempting to talk down prices, but have begun to realise that there is very little product available out of NZ. Domestic prices in the US have lifted faster than

Island lamb kill has fallen over. Lamb plants are running on limited killing capacity, unheard of for early March. There are reports of high spot premiums being paid, as space needs to be managed on daily basis. The South Island isn’t quite as tight, but competition is still firm, seeing slaughter prices slowly lift in recent weeks. The strength of the store market is impacting slaughter numbers too. With kill money not paying big returns, many are opting to sell store instead. Processors are bemoaning the lack of margin in lamb, so it is debatable how much more prices can increase. If there is an increase in kill numbers, it is almost certain schedules will come back swiftly. Store lamb demand is firm in both the North Island and South Island. Good rainfall totals and the gradual emergence of croppers have underpinned prices.

Overseas Wool Price Indicators

Change

09-Mar

23-Feb

Last Year

Coarse Xbred

+33

395

362

575

Coarse Xbred

Fine Xbred

+44

424

380

594

Fine Xbred

Lamb

+44

429

385

661

Mid Micron

n/c

727

952

Indicators in NZc/kg

09-Mar

23-Feb

Last Year

+29

289

261

381

+37

311

273

393

Lamb

+37

314

277

438

Mid Micron

533

523

630

Indicators in USc/kg

Wool indicator trends Wool Indicator Trends

850 700

CXI

750

FXI

650 500 550

450 3003-Mar 3-Jun 3-Sep 3-Dec 3-Mar WeekNo 42110 42124 42138 42152 42166 42180 42194 42208 42222 42236 42250 42264 42278 42292 42306 42320 42334 42348 42376 42390 42404 42418 42432 42446 42459

CXI

650700

Change

39 micron wool (US$)

500

c/kg

SHEEP: It is fair to say that the North

WOOL PRICE WATCH

FXI

Coarse Xbred indicator Coarse Xbred Indicator Last Year

600600

400

300 200 8-Dec

8-Feb

5yr ave

Last Year

8-Apr

8-Jun This Year

35 micron wool (US$)

500 This Year

400

550500

c/kg

INTERNATIONAL BEEF: The US

usual for this time of the year too, making NZ product more attractive for buyers. End-user demand for grinding beef, the key use for NZ product, has also lifted significantly, a positive sign for the coming weeks. Prime beef markets, such as Korea have been poor lately.

c/kg

BEEF: There is little in the way of cattle being killed in the North Island. The low slaughter rates mean processors are paying what they need to fill killing space. Activity in the South Island was nearer to normal, but the recent rain is expected to stem the numbers coming out. Cow kill numbers are building, but we are likely to be down on the past two years in the next few months. We expect to see further firming in the market because of the falling NZD combined with firmer US imported prices. North Island weaner fairs were mixed in their results, but were mainly similar to in 2016. Steers 200-250kg have generally made $3.80-$4.00/kg. South Island fairs are still a few weeks away, but the R2 cattle trade is still very firm. Good quality beef lines are especially well sought after, making around $3.10-$3.40/kg at various sales. Decent Friesian bull calves were making $550-$620 depending on their weights.

c/kg

NEWS

500400 450300 8-Dec Dec Oct

5yr ave

8-Feb Feb

Apr

Last Year

8-Apr Jun

Aug 8-Jun

This Year

300 200 8-Dec

8-Feb 5yr ave

8-Apr Last Year

8-Jun This Year

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RURAL NEWS // MARCH 21, 2017

18 AGRIBUSINESS

Kiwifruit sector warned not to get too complacent PETER BURKE peterb@ruralnews.co.nz

ZESPRI CHIEF executive Lain Jager has warned against getting carried away with the current good times in the kiwifruit sector. Speaking to Rural News at a conference celebrating 20 years since the Zespri brand was introduced, Jager said the industry has enjoyed much success and tremendous growth, especially during the last two

years. But he warns that people need to be careful that this positivity doesn’t translate into reduced resilience. Jager says the NZ kiwifruit industry recorded 22% growth in 2015 and 16% in 2016; in 2017 there’s been a slight contraction in volume due to seasonal factors “Beyond the seasonal factors, the deeper question is ‘what is a sustainable rate of growth?’ What we are doing is licensing gold kiwifruit at

400ha or seven million trays a year,” he explains. “We believe seven million trays in the gold business is sustainable each year and will give us a very stable green business. Most important for us is to keep an eye on how much gold kiwifruit we licence and at what rate. This is a decision we will only finalise after each season ends – when we know if the demand growth is consistent with supply growth.” The strong growth in

the kiwifruit industry has meant greater capital investment and, with it, debt levels creeping up. Jager says the industry needs to keep an eye out for external shocks, which could come from US President Trump’s antitrade policy and changes in currency values. “The primary industry almost has a tradition whereby bust follows boom. It happened in the dairy industry and we are conscious of that and we are vulnerable to

Lain Jager

it,” Jager says. “There is a need for us to keep an eye on what’s happening with international trade and international relationships.” Jager says recent political events have produced unexpected results and there is now a heightened sensitivity to global events. He says Zespri has a wonderful open dialogue with government and business and he believes the government is aware of the issues and

is acting accordingly to protect NZ’s interests. But he warns that growers can’t sit back and leave it to the politicians to solve. “At the end of the day, our growers are exporters and they need to configure their businesses for the global risks they face,” Jager says. While much of the conference was pitched at celebrating Zespri’s success, many of the keynote speakers including bank-

ers, futurists and marketers warned on the challenges all food producers face. Many noted the demands of high-end consumers who want to know that the food they are eating is not only healthy and safe, but also sustainably produced. Jager says taste, health and convenience pose a challenge. But the secret lies in Zespri’s ability to innovate faster than the competition.

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Kiwifruit industry advisory committee chairman and Zespri director Paul Jones says it also moved the industry towards using more environmentally friendly agrichemicals to target specific pests and diseases, resulting in greater biodiversity in the orchard. Jones says reducing agrichemical use saved more than money; it lowered the risk of residues on fruit, reduced environmental impacts and underpinned market confidence in our fruit. He says Steven continued to lead and support Zespri and growers in this vital role for many years, retiring just last year.

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RURAL NEWS // MARCH 21, 2017

AGRIBUSINESS 19

Fonterra is adding value – director pamelat@ruralnews.co.nz

FONTERRA CONVERTED 4.9 billion liquid milk equivalents (LMEs) into higher returning products in the first quarter of the financial year, says director John Monaghan. “That is 380 million LMEs more than last year,” he told the Northland Dairy Development Trust annual meeting. LME is a standard measure of the milk quantity used to manufacture dairy product such as powders and cheese, based on the fat and protein used in the end product, he explained. “The volume we have to supply to competitors under the Dairy Industry Restructuring Act is reducing, so instead of handing it over to them virtually at cost we are able to add value to those volumes ourselves,” he says. “We have reduced the volume sold on the Global Dairy Trade platform which enables us to achieve better margins. “In ingredients we are growing value to make full use of our capacity to switch production to highest returning products. Food service growth continues so we are sending higher volumes of milk into higher value products such as cream cheese for bakeries, sliceon-slice cheese, mozzarella for fast food chains and speciality creams for restaurants. We have sent one billion additional LMEs into con-

sumer service in the last two years.” Dairy has a natural affinity in all these three areas and the Anchor Professionals brand brings together all Fonterra’s products. “We offer a network of specialist chefs and application kitchens so food professionals can use, taste and understand our products and how they can use them profitably,” Monaghan says. “Many are developed for professional kitchens, such as the creams that won’t split at high temperatures, pre-grated mozzarella or pre-sliced cheese for burgers. We expect to be selling one million tonnes of dairy products to the food service sector by 2023 and those products will absorb over 20% of our New Zealand milk pool.” It is important to recognise the scale of this business, he says. “In the last financial year in ingredient exports we supplied 3.5b LMEs -of the total [worldwide] demand of 6b -- and 80% of that volume came from NZ milk. “In consumer and food services, growth volumes are significant. They have gone from volumes of 0.4b LME in 2013 to 1b last year. The market opportunity sits at 30b LME.” In the 2016 financial year consumer and food service volumes grew 48% in greater China. “We are also growing in advanced nutrition with products like

Anmum.” Fonterra has its own farms in China in two hubs which will ultimately produce 400m LMEs. Currently the milk produced is sold on con-

tract but in future more volumes from the farms will flow through to its own products in a vertically integrated business. China’s own milk production is significantly smaller than demand.

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RURAL NEWS // MARCH 21, 2017

20 OPINION EDITORIAL

EDNA

Country of origin labelling a cool idea MANDATORY LABELING of fruits and vegetables is back on the public agenda. A recent joint survey, by Horticulture NZ and Consumer NZ, shows 70% of consumers want to know where their fruit and veges come from. Only 9% of those surveyed did not support mandatory country-of-origin labelling (CoOL). Coinciding with the survey results is the drawing of a bill on mandatory labelling of fruits and vegetables, introduced to parliament by the Green Party. Horticulture NZ chief executive Mike Chapman says the country’s 5500 commercial fruit and vegetable growers – along with Hort NZ – wanted to compile evidence to show the government that there is a need to follow other countries, including Australia, in CoOL labelling of fruit and vegetables. Chapman says NZ law does not currently require the country of origin of fruit and vegetables to be disclosed to shoppers at the point of purchase. “We want that to change.” He is hoping the Green’s Consumers’ Right to Know (Country of Origin of Food) Bill before parliament will be voted through to a select committee, “so NZers can tell the government directly what they have told HortNZ in this survey”. Consumers Institute chief executive Sue Chetwin believes the current voluntary system is not working. She says these survey results confirm strong public support for labelling and the results send a clear message to political parties that the law needs to change. Chapman and Chetwin make good points. It is time for the government to have another look at mandatory country of origin labelling. What is the problem with consumers knowing where the food they a buying comes from? In fact, it sounds like a really cool idea.

RURALNEWS TO ALL FARMERS, FOR ALL FARMERS

HEAD OFFICE POSTAL ADDRESS: PO Box 331100, Takapuna, Auckland 0740 PUBLISHER: Brian Hight ......................................... Ph 09 307 0399 GENERAL MANAGER: Adam Fricker ....................................... Ph 09 913 9632 CONSULTING EDITOR: David Anderson .................................. Ph 09 307 0399 davida@ruralnews.co.nz

Murray Ball 1939-2017

Want to share your opinion or gossip with the Hound? Send your emails to: hound@ruralnews.co.nz

THE HOUND Greenwash?

Unbelievable

Alternative facts?

Own goal

YOUR OLD mate sees that Auckland water and wastewater provider Watercare is making a big song and dance about its donation of $200,000 – over four years – to help clean up the Waikato River. Apparently $50k a year will go to the Waikato RiverCare project, involved in planting and maintaining native plants along the banks of the lower Waikato River. This coming from the same company responsible for the Queen City’s current water quality that’s seen swimming banned at 10 Auckland beaches this summer – because of worsening pollution from human and domestic animal wastes. Imagine the outcry from anti-farming groups like Fish and Game, Forest and Bird and Greenpeace, and selfproclaimed water quality experts Mike Joy and Rachel ‘Toxic’ Stewart, if Dairy NZ or Fonterra did such a thing and then tried to buy off criticism with a $50k a year donation?

YOUR CANINE crusader is not surprised to learn that the huge, multinational, tax dodging, political lobby group Greenpeace does not allow the facts to get in the way of its worldview and fund raising efforts. Canada’s media ombudsman recently found Greenpeace was misleading the public. The political activist group had used photos of a devastated forest, insinuating that the damage was done by Canadian paper company Resolute, when in fact the forest had been destroyed by fire. This is not the first time the multinational fund raiser has used photos to mislead people. It has been caught twice using photos that it claimed were proof of coalinduced damage to the Great Barrier Reef – when the photos actually came from another location. The Hound asks: Can we trust Greenpeace? Answer: No!

THE HOUND sees that the temporary leader of the Labour Party, Andrew Little, is not averse to employing Trump-like tactics, i.e. making up political claims using ‘alternative facts’. According to Angry Andy, he has “met farmers around the country who say rural New Zealand has to do a better job of hiring young Kiwis”. Little made this claim after disagreeing with PM Bill English’s view that many employers had told him they can’t hire young Kiwi staff because many can’t pass a drug test. English’s view was challenged by media and opposition parties. However, there was no media criticism or questioning of Little’s claim despite obvious questions like, when was the last time the long-time union man and Wellington bureaucrat ever saw a farmer, let alone spoke to one?

THE HOUND would like to know how much Fonterra and its shareholders’ council is paying rugby commentator – and a serial athlete cuddler – Scotty ‘Sumo’ Stevenson to front the dairy co-op’s expensive TV communications? Fonterra regularly hires a channel from Sky TV and then uses Stevenson to pose scripted and boring questions to its directors and shareholder councillors when it has an announcement on payout or co-op rule changes to make. This old mutt seriously suggests the dairy co-op should actually do some due diligence on Stevenson’s real opinion of farmers, particularly after a recent tweet the rugger boof-head sent out criticising both irrigations and ‘f@$ken farmers’, which was copied to Greenpeace. It seems Sumo is happy to take farmers’ cash, but does not think too much of them. A real own goal by Fonterra.

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ABC audited circulation 80,580 as at 30/09/2016

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Rural News is published by Rural News Group Ltd. All editorial copy and photographs are subject to copyright and may not be reproduced without prior written permission of the publisher. Opinions or comments expressed within this publication are not necessarily those of staff, management or directors of Rural News Group Ltd.

RURAL NEWS // MARCH 21, 2017

OPINION 21

Cartoonist gave rural NZ an identity MALCOLM EVANS

I ONLY ever met Murray Ball once, in a bookshop in Gisborne, and he was every bit the nice bloke his work, and everything I’d heard about him, suggested he would be. And while that’s an impression that anyone would be happy to leave, I think Murray Ball’s legacy is much more than that. Like Barry Crump before him, whose easy accessible writing style painted pictures of characters we could all recognize, in like vein Murray Ball helped further reveal us to ourselves through the characters he drew in his cartoons. Filled with images we could identify from our own experiences – the stoic, the grumpy, the conservative, the lazy, the sexy, the authoritarian, the philosophical, etc, Footrot Flats reflected New Zealand in microcosm through lives lived in on and around a small rundown farm. Born in the small

Manawatu farming town of Feilding – which by extraordinary coincidence is where cartoonists Tom Scott, Garrick Tremain, David Henshaw and I also hail from – Ball spent his formative years in Australia and South Africa After returning to NZ, Ball, who by then had become a very good rugby player, was selected as an All Black triallist, following in the footsteps of his father who played for the All Blacks between 1931 and 1936. After working in the 1960s on Wellington’s Dominion and Palmerston North’s The Manawatu Standard, Ball moved to Scotland, there establishing himself as a freelance cartoonist. And it was there that he developed his first important cartoon character – Stanley, the Palaeolithic Hero, a strip about a caveman who wore glasses, which was to become the longest-running cartoon strip ever published in Punch. Bringing his family back to NZ in the 1970s,

Ball continued to produce his by-then internationally syndicated Stanley strip. But hankering after a local vehicle for expressing his thoughts on life, in 1975 he created Footrot Flats and we were all changed. Syndicated since then in newspapers worldwide, Footrot Flats has

been published in at least 40 books, has inspired a stage musical and a theme park and been the catalyst for the production of NZ’s first featurelength animated film. From the days when we cringed at the sound of our own voices on radio, and winced at the site of ourselves acting

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ag twits Rural News’ irreverent and hypothetical look at what’s happening in the farming world Top Bleats view all @drbillfeds: Can I reassure all our members that there are no financial problems at Fed Farmers. In fact, we are very close to budget… it’s just that we have budgeted for a $700k loss this year. #nothingtoseehere @thatguynathanminister: Just back from yet another a successful junket… I mean trade trip… to Iran. The Ayotollaha (Mike Peterson) says he is positive about the chances of a restart of NZ meat exports to Iran. #allhuakba @winstonfirstandlast: NZ First will never, ever let the pension age go up. Most of my caucus are over 65 and need the pension to supplement our meagre, six-figure parliamentary salaries. #baublesofoffice @gtoopgreenpeace: As the undisputed, fullyqualified agriculture spokesperson for Greenpeace – after all, I completed a degree in sociology – it is totally appropriate that mainstream media run my views on farming without question. #wemakeitupandthemediadonotcare @damienoconnormp: It’s great we’ve now got Jacinda as our new deputy leader. It just shows rural voters how in touch the Labour Party is with them by having a central city DJ and former leader of the young international socialists as our deputy. #givemestrength @littleandrewlabour: I promise under the government I lead that Jacinda will grace the cover of every woman’s magazine in the country explaining just how tough it is for millennials to buy flat whites and chardonnays in Ponsonby. #wereallyconnect @benglishpm: Hey @littleandrewlabour, if Jacinda Ardern is the answer to all Labour’s woes then it must be a very stupid and rather shallow question. #ihavemetdeeperpuddles @jwilsonfonterra: Dairy prices go up, dairy prices go down; Fonterra’s popularity goes up, Fonterra’s popularity goes down. #GDTroulette @jparsonsblnz: I’d swap places with you in a heartbeat @jwilsonfonterra. Meat prices just keep going down like BLNZ’s popularity. #redmeatredink

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on television, NZers are now much more at ease with such things thanks, at least in part, to Murray Ball for helping us to see ourselves as we are. Vale Murray Ball; 1939 – 2017. • Malcolm Evans is the creator of the Edna cartoon, which appears in each issue of Rural News.

RURAL NEWS // MARCH 21, 2017

22 OPINION

Food security policy must be a priority MIKE CHAPMAN

ELECTION YEAR is the time to pitch for policies that will enable the continued growth and prosperity of New Zealand. My pitch is for the Government to develop a food security policy. Three key ingredients form the basis of this proposed policy. The first is that many of our fruit and vegetable growing operations are inter-generational, and we want that to continue. They have been in existence long enough for the fourth and, sometimes, the fifth generation to be entering the business. To continue this succession, there needs to be a focus on ensuring the land can be sustainably farmed. This leads to the second ingredient

for the proposed policy – sustainable environmental standards that are achievable. For each generation to pass the land onto the next in the best possible state for continued growing, the business has to be environmentally sustainable. Additionally, the growth of horticulture is driven by exports, which attract premium prices because of our quality and healthy offerings. NZ horticultural exports are not just commodities, they are food, and consumers have high expectations. To continue to attract a price premium as exports, our horticultural operations have to establish, and be audited against, environmental standards. High standards are set by the retailers we sell to. To maintain intergenerational ownership of our

orchards and gardens we need to run environmentally sustainable operations and, to sustain these enterprises financially by earning premium prices, there is a need to meet standards imposed by those we sell to. The third element is the need to protect our land. Growers face rapid expansion of our cities, particularly Auckland, and the proliferation of lifestyle blocks, putting the squeeze on our top growing areas, such as Pukekohe. If we do not protect this land we will end up having to import spring vegetables that are now grown locally and delivered in the freshest state. This is because our spring vegetables are mostly grown around Pukekohe where the soils and climate

enable earlier growth then elsewhere in NZ. Note that this is not just a critical issue in the Auckland area where the best land for horticulture is under threat; it is true in every major horticulture growing region. The policy I am pitching is for the Government to develop a food security policy so that NZ can supply its domestic needs and do so at affordable rates. As noted above, the proposed food security policy is integrally linked to sustainable land management. So any food security policy would need to incorporate the continuation and improvement of environmental sustainability. The two are integrally linked and feed directly into financial and social sustainability for NZ. Horticulture is a significant employer in rural NZ on a per hectare

basis. It supports local communities through permanent employment of local people and seasonal employment of local and temporary workers from offshore, i.e. backpackers and recognised seasonal employer (RSE) scheme participants. All these workers contribute to the local economy. But most importantly, the survival of rural communities is predicated on the residents having the financial means to live in that community. The food security policy therefore does much more than protect the best horticultural land; it ensures NZ can feed itself, it keeps rural NZ populated and thriving, and it makes NZ financially sustainable. • Mike Chapman is the chief executive Horticulture New Zealand.

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RURAL NEWS // MARCH 21, 2017

OPINION 23

Cover your assets to avoid a financial mire NEW ZEALANDERS are pretty laid back: it’s still possible to do a lot of business at the farm gate over a handshake. But a handshake can’t give you protection against third parties when things start to go wrong for your debtors. Imagine this scenario. Craig Brown owns a dairy farm. Like many farmers, he owes money to his bank, which has a general security interest over all his assets. Andy Smith supplies Brown with goods to run his farm. He also leased 750 cows to Brown for six months. At the end of six months, Brown asked if he could keep the stock for another two years. Smith agreed without thinking any more of it. Eighteen months later, milk prices have fallen and Brown starts to struggle. He is not making his payments to Smith or the bank. Smith takes 350 of his leased stock back and sells them to Barry Blake who farms down the road. Ultimately, Brown can’t do a deal with his bank and receivers are put in. At the time receivers are appointed, Brown still has some of Smith’s goods and 400 of the leased cows. Smith goes to collect these from Brown’s farm, but is turned away at the gate. He’s told that he has lost priority to the bank. They say there are no signed terms of trade, so the bank has priority over the goods and livestock he sent Brown. The receivers also ask Smith to return the 350 cows he took back. Surely this can’t be right? Unfortunately, Smith has real problems here. He sent his terms of trade to Brown when they started doing business, but things were booming and they both got caught up in work. Brown never got round to signing the terms of trade and Smith didn’t follow up. Goods supplied on credit terms are ‘security interests’ as far as the Personal Property Securities Act 1999 (PPSA) is

concerned. That means signed terms of trade are generally a requirement for the supplier to be protected. Because Smith didn’t make sure the terms were signed, the bank’s security (which is all in order) gives it first rights to the goods supplied by Smith even though Brown hasn’t paid Smith for them. Smith also has big problems in relation to the leased stock. Under the PPSA, a lease for more than one year is also a deemed security interest. This means that to be protected, a party needs to register a ‘financing statement’ on the Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR). What some parties forget is that what starts as a short lease of, say, six months, can become a lease of more than one year if Smith allows Brown to keep the cows for more than a year even though the original term was only six months. Often parties will consider whether a financing statement is required at the start of a leasing arrangement but do not turn their mind to it when the arrangements are varied down the track. Here, because Smith didn’t register the financing statement, the bank will have priority to the leased stock. In this case, the receivers will likely chase Smith for the stock he took back (or the sale proceeds) and may even go after Barry Blake in the right circumstances. That the receivers could chase Blake will come as a surprise to many. However, it highlights the need for proper due diligence to be done on rural purchases. The instances where disputes arise in the NZ agri-sector are varied and the disputes are often complicated. The above scenario provides a couple of the more simple examples. While discussions about the PPSA and the PPSR often sound like legal mumbo jumbo, failure to get it right can have disastrous consequences. To head off these kinds of problems, Meredith

Connell has developed a PPSA health check for existing and new clients. While there are signs that conditions are improving, some uncertainty remains. Now is a

good time to review your terms of trade and discuss how you do business. A little time and expense now may save you tens of thousands of dollars down the track.

• Phil Shackleton is an associate at national law firm Meredith Connell. He regularly acts for borrowers, lenders and parties supplying goods on credit in the rural sector.

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RURAL NEWS // MARCH 21, 2017

24 MANAGEMENT LATEST STORIES EVERY DAY Get up-to-date news at www.ruralnewsgroup.co.nz

Young couple s how it’s done PAM TIPA pamelat@ruralnews.co.nz

A YOUNG dairy farming couple have increased their equity by at least $500,000 in two-three years on a less-thanideal Far North farm and despite two years of low dairy payout. They were losing money on a $7/kgMS payout before becoming a partner farm three years ago under the jointly funded DairyNZ and Northland Dairy Development Trust (NDDT) project. Tony and Briar Lunjevich , of Kaitaia, told their story at the NDDT annual meeting. They are 50:50 sharemilking for Tony’s parents at Takahue and

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purchased an adjoining run-down beef block just before the partner farm started. About 22ha of this block has now been added to the 107ha milking platform. Tony says they came into sharemilking very inexperienced – they had virtually none -- but they were hard working and ready to accept ideas about how to do things right. They went into dairy farming to gain equity because they had always wanted to be farm owners at some stage. Briar says they became part of the partner farm scheme three years ago because they wanted to become farms owners, so they had to specify their goals more clearly and

put them into monetary terms. To gain $500,000 in equity over three years was challenging in itself; for the previous three years they had been losing money on a $7/ kgMS payout, she says. Tony says they had their work cut out. Their farm is a long triangle shape with a dairy shed in one corner and the longest walk is 2.5km. It is steep, rolling, has a big ridge through the middle and was covered in kikuyu. They started dairy farming with about 230 cows of a low index mixed breed. They couldn’t afford an employee and the pasture eaten was fairly low. Farm working expenses were

about average. Briar says they were “glass half full people” and recognised there were ways to get ahead. “We have a big farm, we have a lot of area we can utilise. We have the management and their knowledge we could draw on. “We had a low milk price!” – not usually considered good, and it means a low cull price. “We had a low index herd, so this was a prime opportunity to improve our herd. “We also had heaps of potential: we owned a block of land that was undeveloped. We could develop and gain equity this way, we could gain equity through our herd. We had limited Tony and Briar Lunjevich have increased their equity by $500k in 2-3 years.

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MANAGEMENT 25

e show knowledge… but we were willing to learn and work hard.” With the management team they looked at focus areas: pasture, stock and financials. Tony says key actions introduced included: Knowing how much grass they had on hand so they could allocate what the cows need Spring rotation planning so they had the right rotation at the right time Pasture species – introducing big areas of

worked with a lame cow specialist, learning how to treat cows properly and work around the shed. To improve the value of the herd they brought in high BW heifers while they were cheap, grew them well, weighing them constantly. Briar says they had always done a financial budget and stuck to it. With the help of the team they broke it down more, benchmarked and made it tougher. “We also managed to dilute our farm working

“We identified areas where we could gain equity and we developed our purchased land. We converted 18ha into dairy platform so that increased its value. We increased our herd size and we bought higher BW heifers.” chicory every year Regrassing the whole farm to get high index pasture species in and get kikuyu out Getting residuals right down to get the quality next time around. With the stock they concentrated on reproduction -- cow condition, hitting targets, drying in accordance with body condition scoring, calving dates, heat detection and learning from others in the group. For lameness they introduced once-aday milking to reduce the walking. They

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AFTER THREE years the Lunjevich’s milking platform has increased, the herd size has gone up by 100 cows and the breeding worth has made some massive gains, Tony says. They are targeting 90,000kgMS this season – this is an increase of 10,000kg per season. They are doing 720kgMS/ha -- pretty good for once-a-day milking

on their land contour, he says. Pasture eaten is an indication of profitability and they are happy with that. They improved their in-calf rate by 19%. They have diluted their farm working expenses down to $2.80/kgMS for the whole business. “Two low payouts and an equity growth of $500,000: ‘what a joke’,

you may say. But in these two-three years we have hit that target and more,” says Tony. “It has been a challenging process; we had to make a real change in mindset. Before the partner farm, when people asked what I did I used to say I was a recreational dairy farmer. But now we are really analytical about what we do. Everything we

do is based on facts; we don’t do things because they seem right, we have to have proof of it. “Because it is a one-man operation we have had to prioritise our jobs well and manage our time well, because we have a large number of cows for one person so you have to be really organised.” They used their rural professionals and the

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expenses by increasing our milk production,” Briar says. “We identified areas where we could gain equity and we developed our purchased land. We converted 18ha into dairy platform so that increased its value. We increased our herd size and we bought higher BW heifers. We had to buy replacements so we decided we might as well buy the best we could and improve the index as so much of our equity was within our herd.” @rural_news facebook.com/ruralnews

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partner farm management team, and having a longterm focus they knew where they wanted to head. He says the whole team has laid the groundwork for what they have built -- a very successful business. This is the last year Tony and Briar will be in the partner farm project and the final field day will be held on May 18.

RURAL NEWS // MARCH 21, 2017

26 MANAGEMENT

Comfort key to cow barn success NIGEL MALTHUS

COW COMFORT is of prime importance in barn-based dairying, says a visiting British expert in cow housing systems. David Ball says sand bedding would be the “gold standard” for cow bedding in the UK, rather than the rubber mat-

tresses more common here. “We have a test back home: you stand at the back of the stall as a cow would, then drop to your knees. Then rub you knuckles on the surface. If the skin on your knuckles is intact, and if when you get up – assuming you can get up – your

trousers are clean and dry, then you’ve got a reasonably good bed.” Ball is employed by Britain’s statutory farmer levy-funded industry group the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board. Now visiting New Zealand on a fact finding and knowledge exchange tour,

Ball recently attended a DairyNZ discussion group on the Springston farm of Phil Musson, who installed a wintering barn a few seasons ago, primarily as a way of getting his cows off his wet winter pastures. “As an organisation, what we’re trying to do is to encourage farmers

to appreciate the importance of cow comfort in a situation like this,” says Ball. “We encourage farmers to ensure their beds are comfortable and the stall dimensions are correct for their size of cows, so they are optimising animal comfort and optimising lying times to

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increase production.” Ball says it has been historically commonplace for UK farmers to have cow barns for winter, but even there intensification has grown: cows have been kept indoors longer each year for more control over diet. “We tend to have more like a six-month winter housing period and a six-month grazing period so there’s tremendous emphasis on managing the cow during that housing period – getting the ration right and making quality silage, be it grass or maize, or lucerne maybe.” Ball says UK farmers feed a lot more concentrated feed, in the form of grain or protein supplements. “What I’ve gathered so far is that the farming system here is very grass-based. There’s a tremendous focus on productivity from the grass and turning that into milk.” But the challenges for both countries are mostly environmental, especially the desire to reduce nitrate levels in groundwater, and barn systems help achieve that. “If they’re being encouraged to reduce nitrate leaching into watercourses, then the housing system allows them to do that. They have control over the effluent -- the effluent’s all contained. They can utilise it, not only to reduce leaching but also to benefit from the nutritional value there in the effluent to grow crops,” he says. “As we’ve heard today from Phil [Musson], the benefit of reduced harm to the pasture during that wet weather means there’s more grass production as well.” Helen Thoday, DairyNZ animal welfare and husbandry team developer, who also attended the discussion day, says that with good management barn housing should not pose greater health problems, but there are definitely higher health risks. “Whenever you bring

DairyNZ’s Helen Thorday.

a large group of animals into closer contact with each other and all the effluent that is produced, then you have to think there will be increased risk of mastitis and lameness. “You must have good management in place to keep everything as clean as possible and to ensure that your cows are lying down for the right amount of time – a minimum of eight hours a day; that takes the stress off their legs,” she says. Thoday, who also is originally from the UK, says the use of mattresses rather than sand is one of the big differences between the two countries’ farming methods, because NZ does not have an easy or cheap source of sand. Sand also has the disadvantage of collecting in the effluent pond and having to be regularly dredged out. “If you wanted to use sand you’d have to make that work for you.” Thoday says that of NZ’s 12,000 dairy farms, probably about 200 now have sophisticated permanent barns, as distinct from plastic-roof shelters that last about 15 years. She says that in Southland, where the climate more resembles northern Europe, farmers use barns in similar ways to European dairy farmers, keeping cows permanently inside in winter. Outside Southland, she says, farmers are creating hybrid systems that allow cows to be inside and outside for a certain amount of time each day, possibly because of farmers’ consent conditions. @rural_news facebook.com/ruralnews

RURAL NEWS // MARCH 21, 2017

28 MANAGEMENT

Farm better for longer on East Coast SARAH CHARTERIS

Expo organisers Dave Martin and Sue Wilson.

‘FARM SMART, Farm Longer’ is the goal of the East Coast Farming expo, with two full days of seminars to help farmers achieve this.

Health and safety, freshwater reforms and energy technology are among the seminar topics billed for the expo, on April 5 and 6, at the Wairoa A&P Society showground.

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The seminars will complement indoor and outdoor trade exhibits. “The seminars were a popular aspect of the inaugural expo in 2016, with attendees enjoying the variety of speakers on offer,” says expo director Dave Martin. “We will have the same diversity of speakers this year…. The presentations will be topical to farming right now in our region so attendees will find the information helpful.” The Gisborne power company Eastland Group, a new expo sponsor, will address the subject of emerging technology in the energy sector, says its general manager of business development, Gavin Murphy.

regional context.” Lilian Sherman, an environmental engineer and consultant with Irricon Resource Solutions, will speak about the Gisborne Regional Freshwater Plan and the Tukituki Plan change, and what these mean for farming. “For farmers in these areas there will soon be environmental limits imposed on their operations. Irricon’s seminar will help farmers understand how they can farm within these environmental limits. Sherman’s presentation will be strong on farm environment plans, nutrient management and the Overseer programme.

The complete seminar programme will be confirmed on the expo’s website by the end of March.

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“Emerging technology has the potential to revolutionise the way we generate, store and use power,” Murphy says. “Could solar be a genuine alternative? Are electric vehicles really going to become a viable option on farms? What about bio-diesel and batteries?.... We will share insights and predictions on emerging technology in the energy sector.” James Palmer, group manager for development at Hawke’s Bay Regional Council (HBRC) – also an expo sponsor – will speak about ‘Freshwater reform: wading, swimming and dancing on the heads of pins’. “The national agenda on freshwater reform is more about reform of land management than anything else, and is shaping up to be the most significant set of pressures on farming since the economic reforms of the late 1980s,” he says. “It is important that [farmers] hear about what is happening, and why, from their regional council. I am keen to dispel a few myths and to put the reforms in a

Jessica Harvey, human resources consultant with Progressive Consulting, will speak about health and safety management on farms. Originally from Wairoa, she is keen to address the subjects of growth and sustainability on the region’s farms. “With the recent changes in legislation there are increased requirements for farmers to manage health and safety effectively and there are potentially serious consequences if they don’t,” says Harvey. “I will be discussing the key changes in the legislation and the fundamentals of a robust health and safety plan to manage this.” The complete seminar programme will be confirmed on the expo’s website by the end of March. Other presentations will be by Red Meat Profit Partnership, Farm IQ, Crowe Horwath, Ag Knowledge and Massey University. For more information on the expo, the Evening Muster social event, and to buy tickets to both, visit www.eastcoastexpo. co.nz

RURAL NEWS // MARCH 21, 2017

ANIMAL HEALTH 29 Training will change bad habits MOST PEOPLE who have farms dogs will have problems with them in some form or another; a dog will have either a bad habit or an irritating quirk. If it isn’t dealt with, it can often travel through a team to other members. It’s disappointing when someone has a young pup full of potential, with no bad habits and when it joins the team at work Mother Nature takes over its brain and says ‘watch – learn – copy’. Working too close, rushing or cutting in, biting and peeling off the slow, etc are all unacceptable behaviours for a working dog, and they’re often learnt in seconds from an old hand; unless dealt with immediately they’ll probably stick with the dog for its working life. If you run pups with older dogs in order to train them, they will pick up the bad with the good; however if you train pups separately, without other dogs, you can avoid bad habits forming and correct mistakes as they happen – if you know what you are doing. Bad traits in older dogs usually stem back somewhere to a handler, either with bad training, non-existent training or inconsistent training. I am often asked at my clinics if ‘problems and habits’ can be cured, in other words, can you retrain a dog? Yes, if you know what you are doing and you are patient, clear and consistent with your dog; most things can be improved or cured.

HEAD ‘N HUNT ANNA HOLLAND Worrying, no, the only solution is a bullet. Some of you may have dogs that have been going to work for a year or two, but they are limited in what they can do. Can you add to their repertoire? Yes, you can easily train an old dog to have a few more tricks; it comes down to your knowledge and ability as a trainer. It is important to me as a teacher to explain to people why they need to do something when training a dog, and what may happen if they don’t do it; people are likely to have far greater success if they fully understand the complete procedure and the logic behind it, especially when one lesson leads on to the next. Everything I do is done for a reason; there is method to my madness. Each lesson is easy for the trainer to under-

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stand, easy to orchestrate and if done correctly the desired result will happen before too long, in most cases. If a dog trainer is confused, the message they give their dog will be muddled and probably impossible for it to understand. Clarity, consistency and repetition are vital for any learning, along with patience, kindness and the ability to correct in the right way at the perfect moment. Timing is critical. Every dog I train has a number of lessons on a rope, so that I have total control of the dog and can guide it with my training stick when I teach a new command. Most lessons are done on either a flank rope or harness because if the rope is attached to the collar, and correction applied, the result will be either pulling the dog away from the stock towards you (undesirable in most cases) or it will put potentially harmful pressure on a barking Huntaway’s vocal cords, sometimes resulting in a damaged bark -something a lot of people are unaware of. In the above photo Eve demonstrates her stop: standing square and still, facing forwards and not moving as I stand behind, out to the side or in front of her. Her posture is perfect – relaxed, attentive and respectful. • Anna Holland is teaching people dog training. For more information www. annaholland.co.nz or Ph. 06) 212 4848 or annaholland@xtra.co.nz

Anna Holland putting Eve through her paces at a training clinic.

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30 ANIMAL HEALTH

More tests due after TB find DISCOVERY OF bovine TB in cattle and deer herds and wildlife around Mount Cargill, north of Dunedin, has led to testing and surveillance changes under the TBfree programme, managed by OSPRI. TBfree has increased the testing requirements for cattle and deer and designated the locality a movement control area (MCA) to avoid the spread of TB through movements of stock. From March 1, all cattle and deer in the wider Mount Cargill area have required a TB test within 60 days before

being moved to another property. TBfree is also fine-tuning its targeted possum killing, and its research and survey operations. Otago TBfree committee member Marty Deans, who farms at Outram, says farming in a MCA is a good thing as a farmer knows that any animals he sells have been tested and are clear before they leave his property, and “it doesn’t penalise you,” he says. “Being in a MCA is one of those things you just have to get on with.” Finding out that your cattle or deer herd has

TB can be devastating for a farmer, Deans says. He speaks from experience, having twice found TB in his herd. But farmers must not blame themselves or feel ashamed about their herd having TB, he says. When he found out his stock had TB, he had to be proactive and think about ways to change the farming operation and stocking policy. As a member of the TBfree committee, Deans had the support of other members when the going got tough. “There is help out there for farmers, you just have to ask,” he says.

Deans says it is essential that farmers complete their TB testing and record stock movement within the required timeframe. Confirming the TB status of animals you bring into the area and onto your property is imperative, he says. Any farmer – no matter how few animals he owns – who doesn’t know his testing obligations, must contact OSPRI and get advice. “We all have to work together on pest control, testing and stock movement to eradicate TB,” says Deans.

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BOVINE TB infection has been identified and is under investigation in a dairy herd in Collingwood, in the northern South Island. Kevin Crews, national disease manager at OSPRI, says infection was detected in about 2% of cows in a medium-sized dairy herd during routine testing in January. Infection was confirmed by blood tests in mid-February, and the reactors slaughtered showed typical TB lesions. OSPRI will be restricting animals from

moving on or off the infected herd’s property and consulting with the farmer and neighbours. The infection has likely come in with an animal from outside the area, Crews says. Interim findings will be available in a fortnight. Tasman district TBfree committee chair Roy Bensemann says the problem can be dealt with effectively – “managed until the farm is clear of infection, as part of the process towards eradication”.

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MACHINERY & PRODUCTS 31

40 years in business, more to come come through the door. Over the years markd@ruralnews.co.nz the business has seen changes, like the IF YOU can remember formation of Case IH tractors like the IH in the 1980s, a move 444, 784 and 885 you’ve to the current site on probably got a grey hair Paeroa’s main street in or two. 1993, when son Mark John Whyte fills that came on the scene, and bill, with at least 50 the arrival of quads, cars years in the agricultural and latterly utes. machinery By these means the industry and 2016 marking the 40th The Whytes realise that business survives the fluctuations in anniversary of loyal customers are the farming’s fortunes Whyteline Paeroa. and a rapid Based in eastern core of their business, expansion of new Waikato and and they have repaid technology we think serving an area that encompasses that loyalty in their by common today. Fast forward the Coromandel supporting schools, to today, and the Peninsula, the Bay sports clubs and team now numbers of Plenty down to about 20, many of Whakatane and the community initiatives. them 20 years there Hauraki Plains, this and promoting family business, those same values run by John and drum mower. From those do-it-right values. The his son Mark, epitomises Whytes realise that loyal early days Whyte had a how a well-run operation customers are the core of mantra “do it once and can evolve over changing their business, and they do it right”. times. have repaid that loyalty His success over the John started his in their by supporting ensuing years has shown tractor days as a parts schools, sports clubs and that paying attention to man at an IH business in community initiatives. detail – in sales, parts the Bay of Plenty, before What are the abiding spells with IH in Brisbane or service – makes a memories for John difference, as shown and IH New Zealand in Whyte? by the third-generation Palmerston North. He’d A town-ravaging customers continuing to always had a hankering MARK DANIEL

to run his own business, so he jumped at an opportunity to join the late Jim Scott at Paeroa Motors and became the sole owner in 1984. Back then, bread and butter business was those aforementioned models, alongside B47 balers and the ubiquitous PZ two-

John and Mark Whyte of Whyteline Paeroa – 40 years in business and still going strong.

flood with water up to the light switches that brought into perspective an electrical problem with a tractor -- it was completely underwater. And the amazing change technology has brought about in a short time: powershift and CVT transmissions are the norm, GPS and autosteering keep things on

track and efficient, and ever-increasing emission regulations have made engines much more fuel efficient. Two key things spring to mind for John Whyte: agriculture, and indeed farmers, are the core of the business; and the perennial question, “where has all that time gone?”

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32 MACHINERY & PRODUCTS

The biggest Massey yet MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz

THE LATEST highpower tractor to top the six model Massey Ferguson 8700 series is the new 8740, which hits the magic 400hp mark at rated output and peaks at 407hp.

The largest conventional tractor MF has ever built, the 8740 combines performance with a minimum weight of 10.8 tonnes. Four tonnes lighter than some competitors, the 8740 has a classleading power to weight ratio of 26.7kg/hp.

This makes it suitable for top work such as spraying or drilling, and it can be ballasted-up for cultivation work with a maximum operating weight of 18 tonnes. As with the rest of the range, the Dyna-VT continuously variable transmission is standard

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The 8700 series is one of the first tractors to be offered with the new Michelin AxioBib2 VF 650/85 R42 as a factory-fit option. in-furrow, a feature of the new tyre is the flexible sidewall design. This places more lugs in contact with the soil to improve traction and reduce compaction. In the cab, a new ISOBUS-compliant

Datatronic 5-terminal has a 9-inch touch screen that uses tablet and smartphone technology to provide easy and intuitive changes to settings. As well as providing complete tractor and

implement control, the system can also oversee automatic steering with the AutoGuide system. More advanced programs can look after mapping, auto-section control and variable-rate applications, and comprehensive record keeping and fleet management, and data can be transferred back to the home base. www.masseyferguson. com.au

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RURAL NEWS // MARCH 21, 2017

MACHINERY & PRODUCTS 33 SPRAYING VARIABLES ALL SORTED

Upgrades to WH track models

APPLYING CHEMICALS to arable or grassland crops is a task with many variables such as differing chemical formats, target volumes and varying forward speeds created by undulating terrain. The latest innovation from John Deere – the ExactApply spray nozzle system – is claimed to increase flexibility and improve accuracy. Six nozzles mounted on a

rotating turret work in conjunction with two electronically operated liquid control valves. The system can manually switch between two nozzles and independently adjust spray pressure and flow rates. Flow rate is controlled by pulse wave modulation that enables a much wider range of spraying speeds and application rates. Speeds range from 10 to 30km/h at a constant pressure,

and application rates 100 to 300 litres/ha at constant, forward speeds. Interestingly, the system can also adjust flow and pressure to create a droplet size that is resistant to drift, useful in sensitive areas or changing weather. Further accuracy is achieved by adjusting flow rates to individual nozzles across the boom. This allows a greater flow to be delivered to the end of the boom,

because it is travelling faster on the outside of a curve, while a reduced flow is delivered to nozzles at the inside of the radius. In a nod to the fact that sprayers are expected to work over long days in ideal conditions, each nozzle is equipped with LED lighting for night-time spraying. And a blockage detection system advises operators of interruption to liquid flows. – Mark Daniel www.johndeere.com.au

MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz

NEW HOLLAND has expanded its SmartTrax offering for 2017 T9 series tractors with the SmartTrax II standard track and deep traction lug options and a new belt traction lug. Both the Hi-Idler and standard modules are available with agricultural lug tread or new deep lug tread for added traction on the T9.600, T9.645 and T9.700 vehicles. The agricultural lug tread has a tread height of two inches, while the deep lug tread height is 2.6 in, making it ideal for very wet conditions or in loose or softer soils where traction is difficult to achieve. Both track belts are designed with a 153.3mm tread spacing, said to improve traction in wet or soft ground conditions, while optimising tread cleanout in muddy or sticky field conditions. The new belt traction lug, available on both Hi-Idler or standard designs, has a redesigned front idler on the track system, which increase the life of the traction lugs up to 40%. All SmartTrax II models offer a standard 36-inch-wide track, which provides 2800 square inches of ground contact per module – for a total footprint of 11,200 square inches. In operation, the articulated steering of the T9 keeps all four tracks on the ground always, allowing torque to be equally transferred during turns – reducing loss of traction and soil disturbance. With an oscillating track modular design, uneven terrain sees the tracks simply follow the contour of the ground to ensure maximum traction and reduce slip. This also increases flotation and reduces compaction to maximise soil fertility and water drainage. The machine has the largest drive wheel in the industry and a direct drive 100% layout. Its eight drive lugs remain engaged, thereby reducing the load per lug and extending durability. An integrated scraper helps reduce soil build-up between the drive and belt lugs to maintain alignment and drive lug engagement. All ranges come with additional Camoplast 5500 Series 36” track belt, engineered for use in tough conditions, such as operating on side hills and abrasive underfoot conditions. Camoplast 5500 tracks have an improved carcase construction that helps reduces damage reaching the integral main cables, which in turn leads to greater track life and lower operating costs.

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RURAL NEWS // MARCH 21, 2017

34 MACHINERY & PRODUCTS

The hands-free hectare MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz

IT WAS always going to happen, so no surprise that Harper Adams University, UK is combining all the facets of high-tech agriculture to grow a ‘hands-free hectare’. Three engineers plan to grow 1ha of spring barley without setting foot on the paddock: every stage – cultivation, drilling, crop husbandry and harvest – will be autonomous. While there is obviously a degree of proving they can do it, they also believe advances in mechanisation for 25 years have resulted in larger, more productive equipment. The flip side is less labour availability and degraded soil health caused by compaction. This could be addressed by using smaller, lighter machines. With this premise in mind, the project is centred on a compact Iseki tractor

Hands-free hectare partners Jonathon Gill, Harper Adams University and Martin Abell, Precision Decisions.

configured to work unmanned with help from the university’s technology partner, Precision Decisions. With the crop scheduled for drilling this month, a lot of

time has been given to finding machinery conforming to key criteria – row spacing, field shape, suitability for adaptation to autonomous control and, of course, availability.

The drill chosen was initially intended for vineyard use where it planted green manures between the rows of grapevines, but importantly uses coulters and

X MARK THE SPOT

a seeding mechanism used in conventional agriculture. Likewise, the sprayer unit has been sourced with traditional practices in mind, a conventional layout and a generic spray controller. In practice, the sprayer will look after itself during the spraying, as will the tractor when it traverses the hectare. Post-emergence spraying and fertiliser applications are scheduled for April to Jul, and harvest in August or September. Much focus has been placed on developing safety systems. Due to the autonomous operation, laser scanners will sense objects or people that stray into the unit’s path and bring everything to a stop. And the project is popular, so the engineering department will fix a camera to the rig for live-streaming important events in the field.

MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz

AS IF the market for utes wasn’t already overcrowded, keep an eye out for the X Class from German manufacturer Mercedes Benz. The company recently flew a concept vehicle to Melbourne to show Australian and New Zealand dealers at their annual conference, indicating that the vehicle is on track for a late-2018 launch. It will be made at the Nissan plant in Barcelona, Spain, equipped with a full ladder chassis, high torque six-cylinder engine and permanent four wheel drive. The top of the range model will have a V6 diesel and a one tonne payload and seat five people. The X-Class results from a Mercedes Nissan Renault collaboration dating back to 2010, with shared manufacturing facilities, engines and vehicle underpinnings.

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Tow and Fert saves on fert costs ™

Given the current financial conditions for dairy farmers around the world, managing input costs without decreasing production is the only logical way to navigate through this tough time. Technology developed in Dannevirke is becoming noticed as breakthrough technology with research agencies in other pasture grazing markets around the world. Tow and Fert, designed and manufactured by Metalform, has the ability to either reduce fertiliser input costs without impacting pasture yields, or maintain fertiliser inputs and improving dry matter and protein production. As well as proven research from NZ and a dairy co-operative in NSW Australia, an independent dairy specialist in the UK is the latest company to prove the efficiency of Nitrogen when applied in a foliar form. The trials were performed when applying 33%, 66% and 100% of the typical rate of nitrogen which was 25kg/ha, 50kg/ha and 75kg/ha of foliar applied Urea compared to 75kg/ha of granular Urea. Even when the foliar urea was applied at 33% of typical application rate, the DM response was only 10% less DM per hectare. At an application rate of 50kg/ha which was 66% of the control rate, the increase of DM yield was exactly 50% higher. Based on this research, now consistent from 3 different research trials it can be concluded the possibilty of acheiving the same DM response with only 1/2 the amount of urea.

To put this into a reality from a profitability point of view, on a typical farm of 150 hectares milking 400 cows, a typical application of granular Urea at 80kg/ha 6 times a year would equate to approximately 72 tonne of Urea, $43,000. If it were to be dissolved and applied as a foliar spay, then the cost would be around $18,000, which is an annual saving of $25,000. From an environmental point of view, the N escaping into the environment, as ammonia, leached beyond the plant’s root zone or as the greenhouse gas, Nitrous oxide, would be largely reduced because the Urea should not enter the soil but is directly absorbed by the leaves.

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Metalform developed Tow and Fert, a fertiliser applicator, to quickly dissolve normal granular urea in cold water on the way to the paddock which means turning urea into a dissolved foliar spray is quick, convenient and most of all more cost effective and environmentally responsible. As grass is the cheapest form of feed, it is ever so important to ensure that we are growing the most nutrient rich pasture rather than spending on supplement feed and the Tow and Fert can be a key part of reducing input costs in the current economic climate without decreasing pasture yields.

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South Island Field Days

TO ALL FARMERS, FOR ALL FARMERS MARCH 21, 2017: ISSUE 626

www.ruralnews.co.nz

March 29-31 Kirwee

Something for everyone at Kirwee PROMISING SOMETHING for every visitor to its 600 exhibitor sites, South Island Agricultural Field Days (SIAFD) is just around the corner. The event, from Wednesday to Friday March 29-31, will be held for the second time on the new site near Kirwee. Organising committee chairman Rodney Hadfield says the volunteers who plan and run the event are proud of its status as New Zealand’s premier demonstration field days and this year will be no different. “While the SIAFD hs grown, evolved and moved with the time, we have stayed true to the aims we began with, in 1951 – to promote ingenuity and innovation and to provide farmers with an opportunity to watch comparative demonstrations so they can make informed choices before purchasing

machinery and equipment,” he says. New for 2017 is a lifestyle section with exhibits the whole family can enjoy, and because it is election year you can expect politicians to be on hand. Prime Minister Bill English is scheduled to visit on the second day of the event. Media spokesman Daniel Schat says the volunteers and community groups who run the field days are well-prepared and the scene is set for a great show. “Machinery demonstrations are a big part of South Island Field Days and we are just 20 minutes from Christchurch airport,” he says. “We offer farmers and contractors throughout NZ an inexpensive way to check out and compare the latest gear.

This year’s SIAFDs will be held for the second time at the new site at Kirwee.

TO PAGE 3

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Please keep safe when digging or moving equipment near power lines. Come and see your local electrical network specialists at the SI Agricultural Field Days, March 29-31, Kirwee site 418 to talk about farm safety.

RURAL NEWS // MARCH 21, 2017

2 SOUTH ISLAND FIELD DAYS

New home feels like home HEADING INTO the second event at its new home in Kirwee, the South Island Agricultural Field Days (SIAFD) is thriving and growing. Organisers say this year’s event from March 29-31 will be bigger than ever and it will underscore the fact that SIAFD is New Zealand’s premier demonstration

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event for agricultural machinery. In 2015, SIAFD held its first field days at the site it purchased on Courtenay Road, Kirwee. The executive committee bought the site when it outgrew its leased site near Lincoln University, where it was for 30 years. “When we moved to Kirwee we purchased 40ha, which allowed us to accommodate up to 450 exhibitors. Now we have purchased an additional

a full range of balers and cultivation equipment.” SIAFD switches between Canterbury and Southland alternate years. During the off year Kirwee farmer Tony Redman leases the SIAFD site and in recent months Cressland Contracting Ltd has been doing site development work on the newly acquired portion of the site. Schat says SIAFD is a true community event. Dedicated volunteers

“While we will not occupy the entire 80ha at the 2017 field days, we will have more exhibitors and a bigger demonstration space than last time. The machinery demonstrations will include beet harvesters and maize choppers and a full range of balers and cultivation equipment.” 40ha of land adjacent to our site,” SIAFD media spokesperson Daniel Schat says. “While we will not occupy the entire 80ha at the 2017 field days, we will have more exhibitors and a bigger demonstration space than last time. “The machinery demonstrations will include beet harvesters and maize choppers and

organise and run the field days, and community groups provide many of the services – parking, catering and clean-up – that make them function smoothly. “We also provide $5000 in scholarships that go to two Lincoln University students. We will announce the winners of the 2017 scholarship winners soon,” he says.

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RURAL NEWS // MARCH 21, 2017

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE FROM PAGE 1

This year we have good crops of maize, fodder beet, pasture and oats ready for the harvest machinery. Cultivation and seeding machinery will also be in action.” Schat says field days are a time when machinery manufacturers and distributors release new products and there are always some great deals to be had. “So it should be of real interest to anyone who is serious about agricultural machinery.” Organising committee member Tony Redmond leases the SIAFD site when the field days are not on, and Schat says Redmond has done an excellent job making sure the crops are ready and well-watered. Irrigation is applied with a pivot irrigator Think Water Leeson has donated to the cause. “The lifestyle section adds something new to the field days,” Schat adds. “We have 50 exhibitors lined up to display products ranging from model trains and spa pools to dog control systems and solar water and power units.” Other special events at SIAFD include the Top Tractor Shootout 2017. The Shootout will compare variable transmission tractors made by the world’s leading brands. Judges will test the tractors on a range of criteria including performance and affordability. Two fencing competitions will also be held, and another popular event is the Agri-Innovation awards. These recognise NZ-made innovations or inventions. Implements, attachments or tools used in agriculture or other types of primary production are eligible and entrants are given a chance to demonstrate their inventions. SIAFD is a non-profit organisation made up of farmers and others in the agricultural industry. Hadfield says the event would not be possible without the work of volunteers and community groups and Friends of the Field Days who donate equipment and services. He says the event is a good community fundraising opportunity for local schools and Young Farmers who help with parking, running the tills, the entrance and cleanup. Last time at least 27,500 people attended SIAFD 2015 and organisers anticipate this number or more in 2017.

SOUTH ISLAND FIELD DAYS 3 A warm welcome to Kirwee ON BEHALF of the organising committee, it is a pleasure for me to welcome you to South Island Field Days (SIAFD) for 2017. It is the 66th year of SIAFD and the second event we have held at Kirwee. During SIAFD 2017 you can expect to enjoy our ever-growing demonstration displays. These include silage and fodder beet harvesting, as well as our usual

vidually, we would like to pass on our thanks to our neighbour Tony Redmond who has been a massive help to us. Without the voluntary committee of the SIAFD none of this would be possible and we extend our heartfelt thanks for all the work they have done. Rodney Hadfield Chairman SIAFD organising committee

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RURAL NEWS // MARCH 21, 2017

SOUTH ISLAND FIELD DAYS 5

All new Pioneer on show markd@ruralnews.co.nz

HONDA WILL will use the 2017 field days circuit to exhibit the 2017 version of its class leading, compact side by side Pioneer 500. It’s known for being nimble, with a 127cm overall width and the ability to carry two people and load with ease. Several enhancements of transmission, suspension and rider safety

should make the package even more attractive. Drivers can now choose manual gearshift or fully automated mode via a dashboard mounted toggle switch. When the latter is chosen, the Pioneer behaves like a modern automobile and shifts each of the five forward speeds without driver intervention. But the driver can, at any time, use the steering column-mounted paddle shifters to change speeds manually, particularly

useful in changing or difficult terrain. For 2017, the machines will also have dual-rate suspension springs said to give a more comfortable ride, and offer greater resistance to bottoming out in difficult terrain. Safety improvements include a new interlock system which limits maximum speed to 24km/h if the seatbelt is not engaged by the driver. Driver and passenger torso bars help protect

both in the event of a side crash. Like its predecessor, the 2017 Pioneer is 260cm long and has a 185cm wheelbase, uses the same single-function door system which opens the door and the safety nets in one movement,

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RURAL NEWS // MARCH 21, 2017

6 SOUTH ISLAND FIELD DAYS

Hits weeds hard with little waste MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz

ROTOWIPER WEED wiper units were first offered for sale in New Zealand in the early 1990s. The machines quickly achieved local success and found exports markets in UK, Germany and the US. In April 2007 the business was bought by Dougal and Jenny Lamont, who put in place new management and production ideas to increase manufacturing

drum that rotates in the opposite direction to travel. This movement ensures the roller has a constant supply of herbicide, which is brushed onto the target weeds. As the roller rotates, herbicide is applied to the plant stems and the underside of the leaf, one of the more receptive areas for chemical absorption. The relative size of the weed exerts pressure on the carpeted roller, taking more or less herbicide, saving on

capacity by 50%, while retaining the same staff numbers. Unlike conventional blanket spraying techniques, that hit all plants that fall under the spray envelope, the RotoWiper uses a targeted approach -- it touches only targeted species. More importantly, it suffers no problems such as spray drift and key plant die-back, and it offers big savings in chemical usage. Key to the design is a carpeted roller/

SERIOUS ABOUT FENCING! ✔ QUALITY

product and incurring little or no wastage. A range of models is available for towing by quad, UTV or tractor – or mounting on the three-point linkage, with a hydraulically folding option; working widths range from 1.8 to 6.0m. For those looking to cover large areas units can be coupled in dual or triple formations to achieve higher work rates. The machines also come in a range of model-specific tank

Unlike conventional blanket spraying techniques the RotoWiper uses a targeted approach.

sizes from 45 to 120L. This means there will be a model to suit a wide range of enterprises.

The company also sells a big range of accessories for, e.g. hand washing, foam marking

See us at Site F2 and Farmlands Village

✔ TESTED ✔ PROVEN W240-241

Setting the standards in quality

Ph 0800 266 258 www.strainrite.co.nz

Worl d’s m o spee st powe r d cli pper ful varia ble is he re!

handypiece

All customers will receive a BONUS 6 Ah Lithium Battery twin pack

■ Ideal for shearing sheep, alpacas, goats and cow tails. ■ Variable speed from 2400-3500 rpm. ■ Latest brushless motor technology means minimal heat build up ■ 1400gms means 100-200gms lighter than standard handpiece. ■ At 2700 rpm the 12-volt lithium battery will catch up to 300-400 sheep, 400-500 cow tails.

See us at SI Field Days Agbits Site 230-231

■ Tough alloy switch box with auto rest fuse for overload or lockup – clips to belt.

PREPARE YOURSELF FOR THE NEW SEASON View in action go to www.handypiece.co.nz

Freephone 0800 474 327

email: dave@handypiece.co.nz

and parking stands, and vehicle-specific and custom wiring solutions. www.rotowiper.co.nz

RURAL NEWS // MARCH 21, 2017

SOUTH ISLAND FIELD DAYS 7 NOW READ IT ONLINE

The KingQuad 500 offers a comfortable, secure ride, with a low centre of gravity for improved handling in steep conditions.

READING THE PAPER ONLINE HAS NEVER BEEN EASIER ■ BREAKING NEWS ■ MACHINERY REVIEWS ■ MARKETS & TRENDS ■ MANAGEMENT STORIES ■ COMPETITIONS ■ AND MUCH MORE...

All the latest stories and more at www.ruralnews.co.nz

Thousands of Farmers Can’t Be Wrong!

The king of quads MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz

THE SUZUKI KingQuad is a name synonymous with the farm quad scene in New Zealand, and the company claims its KingQuad 500 shows why real users put their trust in the brand. Suzuki believes the KingQuad legacy shows the importance the company places on quad development, by listening to its customers and delivering solutions that make a difference. The first KingQuad 300 brought independent rear suspension (IRS), 2WD/4WD selection and a locking front differential to the market. Suzuki says it also led the way with the introduction of electronic fuel injection to the bulk of its farm quad range, leading

can be a struggle for carburettor machines. Engine power passes through a fully automatic CVT transmission, which comprises a durable V-belt and centrifugal clutch. Its mechanically simple transmission incorporates an engine braking system to minimise free-wheeling during descents and, over time, has proven to be very reliable in NZ farming conditions. The KingQuad 500 has selectable 2WD / 4WD and includes a torquesensing front differential for maximum traction. Selecting two-wheel drive helps wear and tear on major components, while the diff lock ensures traction in the most adverse conditions. All models in the KingQuad range are covered by Suzuki’s 24 month / 15,000km warranty.

in NZ over two years comfortable T-shaped to improved starting and has been to ensure the seat and full footboards running in all conditions, machines suit this counensure rider comfort better fuel economy and try’s extreme usage. and confidence, and reduced servicing require“Kiwi farmers are the adjustable shock ments. notoriously hard on absorbers allow users to Optional electric their quads,” says Simon tailor the suspension to power steering, designed Meade, general manager their riding style and load to achieve lighter steermotorcycle and quad marrequirements. ing in all conditions, is a keting for Suzuki major benefit for New Zealand. farmers, who spend The KingQuad 500 has “They carry a lot of time on selectable 2WD / 4WD more and tow their quads. From more than their a practical point and includes a torquecounof view, the power sensing front differential overseas terparts. Suzuki steering unit and its for maximum traction. is the only manucontrol module is facturer to carry positioned high in out the level of pre-proBraking is by dual the quad’s frame to avoid duction development and hydraulic disc brakes up water and debris, and testing that we see here in front and fully sealed, oil is protected by a sturdy New Zealand.” bathed triple discs at the plate. The fuel injecrear. The enclosed brakes The KingQuad tion system uses the are appreciated by seri500 has independent latest technology to give ous users, as they are rear suspension and smooth, reliable engine extremely effective in wet offers a comfortable, response throughout the or muddy conditions and secure ride, with a low rev range and deals with a help to reduce routine centre of gravity for complete range of ambimaintenance. improved handling in ent temperatures, which Development work steep conditions. The

Get your genuine troughMOBILE today New Models Available

See us at SIFD – Site 587-588

Ph 06-272 8162 or 746 Ketemarae Rd, Normanby

See us at South Island Field Days Site 587588 AgriFert’s easy to use fully galvanised trailer, complete with oscillating axles and floatation tyres for smooth travel has a low centre of gravity making it safe to operate. The continuous agitation and no-fuss 9 -10m spray pattern is ideal for mixing and keeping products in suspension and spraying at low application rates. Quality Assurance

5139

3 models to choose from: Single Axle ST650L or Tandem Axle ST1150L and ST1600L

RURAL NEWS // MARCH 21, 2017

8 SOUTH ISLAND FIELD DAYS

Baler raises bar in density TEN GOOD reasons to look at the Krone Multibale baler: • High density HDP system with longer bale chamber and heavy duty yoke produces up to 210kg/m3 density in hay, compared to 165kg/ m3 with conventional systems. • Results in lower transport costs, also the 70cm high bale can be stacked four high, fully utilising allowable truck capacity. • A newly designed narrow knotter, patented by Krone, allows the 80cm wide bale to have five twines (normally four), to take the extra density and consequential extra loading on the twine. • ‘High Speed’ version with 16% increased throat in VFS pre-pack-

ing chamber results in much higher capacity. • Multibale system is standard equipment, where up to nine small bales can be made inside the big bales. • Knotters 2 and 4 tie the ‘Multibales’. • HDP and Multibale allows a contractor to offer a completely new product to customers. • The first two units arrived for the 2016-2017 season; one is sold and one is a demonstrator. • Demonstrations in Taranaki and Wairarapa have confirmed density and capacity claims made by Krone. • A unit will be on display at the South Island Field Days.

MEET THE SPARTANS

See us at Site 775

ALL NEW TO THE WORLD

RUST-FREE FUEL RUSTY FUEL tanks, the result of condensation caused by hot days and cool nights, can result in dirty diesel and a myriad of problems, especially should the tank leak and contaminate surrounding areas or water courses. Sebco Fuel Storage Systems, of Ashburton, builds a range of bunded, self-contained and leakproof tanks. These are made from high impact, polyethylene plastic;

they are EPA-compliant and safe for all environs and do away with the problem of condensation. Launched back in 2007, the design won Innovation Awards at both the South Island and National Fieldays. Ten years on, Sebco is still the only NZ manufacturer of EPAcompliant, plastic bunded tank systems. The company says its extended range now encompasses many stor-

age systems beyond diesel, such as those for DEF/Ad Blue solutions and waste oil holding tanks that meet stringent regulatory criteria. Sebco managing director Ed Harrison says the company works to a simple philosophy: “We ensure our tanks do what we say they will – keep our customers’ fuel clean and rust-free, with no leaks or spills.” – Mark Daniel

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Sebco managing director (left) Ed Harrison.

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On Farm Consultation

See us at Farmlands Village

PE PRESSURE PIPE

RURAL NEWS // MARCH 21, 2017

SOUTH ISLAND FIELD DAYS 9

Solar-powered fences don’t mind the dark

The fully-charged S100 can operate off its rechargeable battery for 21 days without sunlight.

INNOVATIVE AND well-designed fencing solutions will grace the Gallagher site at the South Island Agricultural Field Days. The company’s recent focus on ‘problem solving’ has included high levels of farmer input into product design and development. The 2017 regional field days will show the next generation of Gallagher’s robust portable solar Energisers, notably the new S100 and S40 portable units. Available from April, the S100 marks a step up to higher powered energiser capacity and design specs, as found in

the recently released S40. With 1.0 stored joules of energy and capable of powering up to 10km of fencing, the S100 has mains recharge capability to ensure it can be up and running straight out of the box. Once fully charged the S100 can operate off its rechargeable battery for 21 days without sunlight. Meanwhile, Gallagher’s new insulated line posts and insulated end strainer ensure power is delivered seamlessly. The permanent insulated line posts offer an easily installed no-fuss fence set-up without the

Soil Aeration Specialists

Are you suffering from:

• Hay and silage being trampled into pasture and wasted? • Surface ponding of pastures?

Aerators

Pre-Rippers

PUGGED PADD OCKS CAN REDUCE PASTURE GRO WTH UP TO 60%!

Heavy Duty Auto Reset

Moleplough

DON’T PUT GOOD FERTILISERS ON COMPACTED SOIL WHICH CAN’T ABSORB IT If your soil can’t support 15cm root growth and good worm population check for compaction, you could need aeration. In dollar terms, what would 20% production increase mean to your yearly turnover? YOUR GREATEST ASSET IS THE SOIL YOU FARM - DON’T DESTROY IT!

BALEAGE TIPPER

SUBSOILER

Transports and stands wrapped round bales on end for storage Now available as a single or dual unit • Suitable for medium HP tractors • 3PL mounted (no front axle stress) • Bale tipped in one easy movement • No need to reposition bale before tipping

For ripping deep pans and laying alkathene pipe up to 50mm • Optional chute • Standard & heavy models SEE US SOUTH ISLAND FIELD DAYS 577

Maitland RD5, Gore Ph/Fax: 03-207 1837 Mobile: 027-628 5695 www.jamesengineering.co.nz

need for posthole borers. The posts come in four heights with multiple wire configurations so there is a product to suit sheep, cattle, equine and deer fencing.

Alongside the insulated posts, the new insulated end strainer has a fully insulated body encasing a noncorrosive aluminium cog. The simple design

is said to suit corrosive coastal fence locations that don’t require an insulated strainer but need something robust to withstand the harsh environment.

FLOOR REPAIRS MADE SIMPLE Cretex™ TR TROWEL GRADE EPOXY FILLER

Incredible adhesion Rapid cure Chemical resistant Extremely hard in 6 hours

Cretex™ SL SELF LEVELLING EPOXY RESIN

Non Toxic, Solvent Free High strength, Rapid cure Chemical Resistant Extremely hard in 6 hours

ORDERS AND ENQUIRIES

0800 542 542

www.regiscoatings.co.nz

See us at the SIFD • SITE 18 •

Epotread™SL250 EPOXY SCREED FOR ERODED FLOORS

Non Toxic, Solvent Free Chemical Resistant Self smoothing, easy to spread Covers eroded & pitted floors

REGIS COATINGS

Entrance Gate D

L87 L86 L85 L84 L83 L82 L81 L80 L79

L91 L70 L69 L68 L67 L66 L65 L64 L63

L92 L93

991 990 989 988 L94 26 25

L46 L45 L44 L43 L42 L41 L40 L39

Food,Coffee L62 Seating L38

L61 L60 L59 L58 L57 L37 L36 L35 L34 L33

L25 L24 L23 L22 L21 L20 L19 L18 L17 L11 L10 L9

Entrance Gate C

North Car Park

Young Farmers NZFC South Island Doubles Fencing Fencing Competition Competition 977

Entrance

Top Tractor Shootout

Vehicle Demo Area

Fodder Beet

941 940 939 938 937 936 935 934 933 932 931 930 929 928

927 926 925 924 923 922 921 920 919 918 917 916 915 914

913 912 911 910 909 908 907 906 905 904 903 902 901 900

891 890 889 888 887 886 885 884 883 882 881 880 879 878

877 876 875 874 873 872 871 870 869 868 867 866 865 864

863 862 861 860 859 858 857 856 855 854 853 852 851 850

841 840 839 838 837 836

832 831 830 829 828

827 826 825 824 823 822 821 820 819 818 817 816 815 814

782 781 780 779 778

777 776 775 774 773 772 771 770 769 768 767 766 765 764

810 809 808 807 803 802 801 800 Taege Webbline Engineering Ag Ltd 760 759 758 757 753 752 751 750

741 740 739 738 737 736 735 734 733 732 731 730 729 728

727 726 725 724 723 722 721

713 712 711 710 709 708 707 706 705 704

691 690 689 688 687 686 685 684 683 682 681 680 679 678

677 676 675 674 673 672 671

662 661 660 659 658 657 656 655 654

638 637 636 635 634 633 632 631 630 629 628

627 626 625 624 623 622 621

588 587 586 585 584 583 582 581 580 579 578

577 576 575 574 573 572 571

To Kirwee

Parents Room

RURAL NEWS // MARCH 21, 2017

24 23 22

Mitsubishi 791 790 789 788 787 786

16 15

Porter Group

14 13 12

541 540 539 538 537 536 535 534 533 532 531 530 529 528 491 490 489 488 487 486 485 484 483 482 481 480 479 478

527 526 525

Think 611 610 609 608 607 606 Water Leeston 561 560 559 558 557 556

523 522 521

Covered sites

Catering

Office

513 512 511 510 509 463 462 461 460 459

11 10 9

391 390 389 388 387 386 385 384 383 382 381 380 379 378

377 376 375 374 373 372 371 370 369 368 367 366 365 364

341 340 339 338 337 336 335 334 333 332 331 330 329 328

327 326 325 324 323 322 321 320 319 318

291 290 289 288 287 286 285 284 283 282 281 280 279

277 276 275 274 273 272 271 270 269 268

241 240 239 238 237 236 235

231 230 229 228

227 226 225 224 223 222 221 220 219 218 217 216 215 214

213 212 211 210 209 208 207 206

181 180 179 178

177 176 175 174 173 172 171 170 169 168 167 166 165 164

163 162 161 160 159 158 157 156

141 140 139 138 137 136 135 134 133 132 131 130 129 128

126 125 124 123 122 121 120 119 118 117 116 115 114

6 5

North Canterbury Equipment

427 426 425 424 423 422 421 420 419 418 417

8 7

John Deere

PGG Wrightson

409 408 359 358

Farm Machinery Carrfields 261 Canterbury

313 312 311 263 262

Farm Cheif Claas Harvest Centre

4 3 2

191 190 189 188 187 186 185

Isuzu Utes

Maize

Oats

Cochranes, Case IH, Kuhn Origin Agroup, Hustler

441 440 439 438 437 436 435 434 433 432 431 430 429 428

414

Norwood Farm Machinery

Grass

JJ Ltd

Entrance Gate B

Site Designed and Mapped by

www.agconsulting.co.nz

South Car Park

Fodder Beet

First Aid Cash Point Food Sites Toilets Disabled Toilet

Loading Bank Entrance

THE RIGHT TOOLS FOR THE JOB FREE MAKITA POWERTOOLS WITH EVERY TROJAN AND MUDBUG

ED IMEPACT R F ILL AN

DR DRIVER SET WORTH

549 $6

112 111 110 109 108 107 106 105 104 103 102 101 100

Entrance Gate A

WITH SUZUKI DR200SE TROJAN

Courtenay Road

Farmlands

To Dunsandel

Power Farming

Michaela Soper, Independent Agronomy & Research Services Forage Grass Trials

20 19

FREE

32CC CHAINSAW WORTH

$329 WITH SUZUKI TF125 MUDBUG

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BUY AN LT-A500XL7 AND WE’LL GIVE YOU THE CHOICE OF TAKING AN LT-A500XPL7 AT THE SAME PRICE INSTEAD!

SAVE $

$13,039+GST

2,000 INCL GST

Offer not available with any other promotion and must end 31 March 2017 or while stocks last. Makita EA3200S Chainsaw and DLX2180X Drill and Impact Driver Set are covered by their own manufacturer’s warranty. See your dealer for details or go to www.suzuki.co.nz

HURRY! ONLY 50 AVAILABLE NATIONWIDE

Offer not available with any other promotion and must end 31 March 2017 or while stocks last. Promotion must end 31 March 2017 or while stocks last. See your dealer for details or go to www.suzuki.co.nz

SZM0282/83

When there’s work to be done you need rugged, reliable machines that won’t let you down no matter what. They’re tried and true, no-nonsense work bikes – designed for NZ conditions and built to last. And right now if you buy a new DR200SE or TF125 we’ll throw in some free Makita tools – just what you need to get the job done.

RURAL NEWS // MARCH 21, 2017

SOUTH ISLAND FIELD DAYS 11

Vigolo mulchers arrive in NZ SPOTTED RECENTLY at the Northland Field Days at Dargaville is a new name, the Italian brand Vigolo. Vigolo, imported here by AgriLine, of Gore, produces a range of powered equipment – power harrows, rotary hoes and mulchers, and non-powered gear such as rippers and sub-soilers. Looking at mulchers more closely, an extensive range covers all spheres from orchard through to broadacre, in operating widths from 1.6m and 120hp rating, up to a 6.4 folding unit rated to handle 380hp. The importer draws attention to large diameter rotors up to 273mm, which are said to create a ‘flywheel effect’ -- inertia that powers the machine through the thickest mats of material. Standard set-up sees a triple-flail configuration resulting in a close cut and superior finish, even in very tough vegetation. Heavy duty drive lines use large diameter pulleys to ensure good

COMPLIANCE MADE SIMPLE The GEA FIL Farm Chlor range provides farmers with a simple, affordable solution to quality water, using the only dry chlorine form approved by MPI for use in dairy sheds, which is said to be the most stable and cost-effective way to deliver clean water. In operation, the water disinfection system is installed into the main water line

between the pump and water tanks. This is where the flow is treated with a pre-set amount of chlorine, before being stored or pumped elsewhere. Specially formulated chlorine rods work in conjunction with the chlorinator to treat the water to approved drinking water standards, suitable for human consumption.

Stop wastage – reduce pasture damage SateeSituse Standard Feeder

766

C5 Bolted & C6 Pinned

Mike and Gerry Hamlin of AgriLine.

‘wrap’ for the multiple vee-belts and maximum power delivery. Up front of the heavy duty rotor body, double row swinging chains prevent debris being thrown forward to the rear of the tractor, and wide support skids help control working depth and protect the drive

cases from foreign object impact damage. A range of options include support wheels and front and/or rear full-width rollers. Task specific models are available to suit general agriculture, vineyard, orchard or vegetables.

• 1 x size 15 bale • 2m diameter • 15 feed positions • 25-30 animals

NZ Made $100

DISCOUNT

Oval Feeder S2 Pinned

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• 2 x size 15 bales • 3 x size 12 bales • 35-40 animals

EX GST

$1200 NOW

1100

EX GST

NEW ZEALAND’S PROVEN STOCK FEEDER FOR 24 YEARS • 100% New Zealand Made • 100% New Zealand High Tensile Steel

Greenhouses

Se the S e us at outh Field Days Island • Sit e 824

See us South Island Field Days site 575

e weed

er -

• Range of models 2m to 8m long.

• 100% New Zealand made by family business for more than 30 years.

• Nationwide delivery available.

www.morrifield.com 210 Clyde Street | PO Box 383 | Invercargill 9840 | T/F 03 214 4262 | morrifield@clear.net.nz

210 Clyde Street

PO Box 383

Invercargill 9840

T/F 03 214 4262

enquiries@morrifield.com

198

• Very affordable and easy to install.

• Strong construction that resists all weather conditions.

• Grow vegetables all year round and extend your growing season.

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RURAL NEWS // MARCH 21, 2017 2

12 SOUTH ISLAND FIELD DAYS SPECIAL PRICE

$ 13,750+GST

RRP $15,325 +GST

Keeping health, safety in a box

RANCHER DELUXE ON TERMINATOR BASE INCLUDES

MARK DANIEL

• Terminator Base 900mm Side Shift • Top Link Ram & Angle Adjustment • 4m 180UB Mast • 4 Bank Valve • 227kg Hammer • Adjustable Legs

SPECIAL PRICE

markd@ruralnews.co.nz

HEALTH AND safety is a topic that should be on everyone’s agenda. With last year’s legislative changes, the onus is now on farmers and landowners to make sure any employees or visitors are kept well informed. This includes hazards people may encounter while on the property, evacuation plans in the event of a fire, contact details in an acci-

RRP $17,340 +GS

$ 14,800+GST SERIES 2 ROCK SPIKE SPECIAL INCLUDES

dent, or dealing with hazardous products or chemicals. So, the idea of a ‘go to’ hazard box, centrally located and easy to see, makes sound, practical sense. Wilson Plastics has recently introduced a heavy-duty, injection moulded hazard box in high visibility orange. It measures 290mm wide x 416mm deep x 222mm high, with a tight-fitting lid that can be locked if required. The box is a good place to keep site plans, hazardous chem-

ical listings and notes on potential hazards. These also come with with H&S or emergency transfers which can be peeled off or changed up to three times. As well as on-farm use, the manufacturer suggests the boxes might be used on factory sites, construction projects or in any area where people might congregate.

SHEEP JETTER SHEDS WEIGHT, BUT KEEPS POWER

• 4 bank valve hydraulic top link & angle adjustment • Rock Spike kitset incudes 90mm Spike and Rock Spike cap • 4.25m 150uc beam • 270 kg hammer • Adjustable legs

MARK DANIEL

SPECIAL PRICE

RRP $27,540 +GST

markd@ruralnews.co.nz

$ 23,850+GST Terminator Beam TT Terminator Base INCLUDES • Terminator Base 900mm Side Shift • 4.25m (150UC) Beam • 270kg Hammer • 6 Bank Valve • Hydraulic Hinge • 250mm Mast Shift

HOOPER CUTTING EDGE CULTIVATION

SPECIAL PRICE

RRP $36,640 +GST

PPP INDUSTRIES will use the Central Districts Field Days to show its new Super Sensor Jetter. The jetter is made largely from stainless steel, which has reduced the unit’s weight by nearly half to 56kg. The company says extensive testing has ensured the unit is suitable for both crossbreds and finer-wool halfbreds. Aimed at giving effective control of fly-strike or lice, the unit is designed to get the active liquid treatment to skin level – from the poll, over the shoulders, along the back line, over the rump, and down around the crutch and the pizzle area.

It is light yet strong and is easily moved. Its jetting system is triggered as animals move down the race

and are detected by an electronic sensor. Two upper spray lines – mounted in the same direction as the animal’s movement – carry 10

2500 $ 32,900+GST Offset Disc harrow

INCLUDES

• 660mm Blades • 3.1m Width • 2950kg Total Weight • 114kg Per Blade

FEED SYSTEMS SINCE 1962

spray nozzles, while a lower unit mounted across the direction of travel carries a further three nozzles and is angled 30 degrees forward for maximum underbody penetration. The spray valve is activated after the animal detection, offering instant jetting and a continuous stream through the nozzles ensuring maximum wetting. It is recommended that animals move through the race at less than one per second for the best results. The race-based jetting units are supplied with all the necessary pipework with camlock fittings, intake filter and a Honda 5.5hp petrol engine and a Davey Fighter pump. www.pppindustries.co.nz

at th See us eF • SI ield Da TE 3 y 67 • s

HOOPER CUTTING EDGE CULTIVATION

Tri Flex Cultivator

SPECIAL PRIC

RRP $17,250 +G

$ 15,500+GST INCLUDES

0800 476 868 sales@fairbrother.co.nz www.kinghitter.com

DAIRY FEED SYSTEMS Supreme quality stainless steel feed trays / Exceptional back-up support / Easy to use and maintain First class installations / Robust construction / Skiold Disc Mills Grain Holding Silos / Utility Augers / Mobile Auger

LK0080053©

• 6m wide • Levelling Wheels standard • Galvanised frame • Overlapping rollers • 2.5m transport width

RURAL NEWS // MARCH 21, 2017

SOUTH ISLAND FIELD DAYS 13

The right choice for zero-till cropping MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz

STU MACAULAY manages Altonbrook Farm, a 680ha property at Southbridge, Canterbury, that grows a range of crops – wheat, barley, grass seed, clover and peas – and runs 1700 ewes and grazes 900 calves. Altonbrook has set up a zero-till system using a set of machinery tailored for the job, including a new Fendt 927 VarioGrip tractor, the first Fendt the farm has owned. Macaulay had run Fendts with other farmers and contractors he has worked for and realised the 927 was the best option for the farm by offering the tyre size option required and a steering package compatible with the property’s Trimble GPS system. Altonbrook Farm, a zero-till operation for 12 years, bought the Fendt 927 when it updated its Cross-Slot drill. “We wanted the Trimble to run

everything on the drill, and all the steering functions. The combination of the three machines is excellent and is exactly what we wanted,” Macaulay explains. “We don’t have to steer at the headland, we do GPS headland turns. It is all set up potentially to be autonomous one day.” At 265hp, the tractor is about 40hp less than the tractor it replaced and is proving more fuel efficient. While Macaulay was not initially considering the VarioGrip option, he realised the fitment of 900mm wide super-single tyres offered many advantages over front and rear duals as used previously, or indeed tracks. The VarioGrip tyre pressure regulation system can quickly change the pressures from 0.6 to 2.5 bar, even while driving, and is fully integrated into the vehicle design. The system is said to offer up to 15% more tractive power and fuel saving of up to 10%.

Altonbrook Farm has followed a zerotill operation for the past 12 years.

Says Macaulay, “For us, it’s the combination of lower tyre pressure allowing greater surface footprint and 50/50 weight distribution over the

front and rear axles to maximise traction. “And it maintains the benefit of 3m vehicle width and 50km/h speed on the

road. “We would have had to compromise something had we gone for dual wheels or tracks.”

RURAL NEWS // MARCH 21, 2017

14 SOUTH ISLAND FIELD DAYS

Koreans worth a closer look WITH A production history that dates back 60

years and availability in New Zealand and Austra-

lia for 16 years, the Kioti tractor brand has carved a

“Field Day Specials” order your Dual Axle or Tandem Trailer

NOW to avoid disappointment for June / July / August Delivery ~~Specialists in ATV Trailers ~~

working with farmers for 40 years

niche for itself with those who recognise good engineering at an extremely competitive price. The latest models from distributor/retailer Power Farming are the RX 7030 ROPS and the RX 8030 ROPS and cab units. At the heart of each machine is a 4-cylinder Daedong commonrail diesel, with turbocharging, fuel injection and 2500cc displacement. Delivering 70 and 80hp respectively, the engines are lively and responsive yet economical on fuel. A wet clutch power

SOUTH ISLAND AGRICULTURAL FIELD DAYS KIRWEE • 29 - 31 MARCH 2017 Courtenay Road, Kirwee. 25 minutes from Christchurch. Showcasing the latest Ag-technology, equipment, machinery and lifestyle opportunities. $15 per person, Under 15s are free.

shuttle transmission gives clutchless forward and reverse shifting, and the operator gets a choice of 24 forward or 24 reverse

speeds. These are all synchronised, and easily accessed via the de-clutch button mounted on the main gear shift lever. Speed charts indicate that in the important 4-12km/h working area, the range of speeds offers plenty of overlap

and should prove capable in the paddock. 4WD is available on demand and easily selected on the move by a dashboard-mounted rocker switch, which actuates the system hydraulically and combines with the rear diff lock system to ensure the toughest conditions are easily met. At the business end, a 2-speed PTO system offers 540 or 540E speeds with auto mode which switches out the PTO as the implement is lifted. The rear linkage has telescopic arms and a healthy 2256kg lift capacity. Hydraulic flow is from an open-centre gear pump setup offering around 70L/min and combining with a sepa-

rate power steering pump for total output of 100L/ min. The ROPS machines have a flat platform layout which allows easy access to and from the seat. This should prove popular in livestock situations, where lots of movements are the order of the day. For those looking for a few more creature comforts, the RX 8030 cabin model has a revised layout of the cab mounting system said to improve driver comfort. Excellent visibility is helped by a new, sloping hood profile and a quieter environment achieved with new design detailing around the door seals. In the cab, air conditioning keeps temperatures under control, a deluxe suspension seat makes for a comfortable day and controls fall easily to hand for logical and intuitive operation. – Mark Daniel

KUBOTA WINGS A GONG KUBOTA’S M7001 series tractor has scooped the iF Design Award given by the Hanover firm International Forum Design Gmbh that has identified outstanding examples for 60 years. Awarded by a 58-member jury who looked at 5500 entries from 60 countries, the M7001 series, manufactured at a new facility in NW France, is available in 130, 150 and 170hp ratings. The judges’ eyes were caught by the overall design and clever use of

the latest technology, including Power Boost to cope with peak loadings, multiple PTO speeds to allow economical fuel use, a choice of powershift or CVT transmissions and a quiet, comfortable cab. Designed at the Kubota Design Centre, Osaka, Japan, the M7001 is a bold statement of the company’s strategy of becoming a significant manufacturer with a full product line in global agriculture.

Hard working engineering We engineer equipment for grassroots farming. It’s solid machinery, to help convert your blood, sweat and tears into a thriving business.

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RURAL NEWS // MARCH 21, 2017

SOUTH ISLAND FIELD DAYS 15

These Mules are no donkeys MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz

UTVS HAVE become the Swiss Army knife to farmers for lots of tasks. While there are many brands on the market, the name ‘mule’ – coined by Kawasaki for its machine – has become the generic term for this type of vehicle. First launched in 1988, the Mule 1000 had a 454cc petrol engine and 2WD, rapidly establishing itself as a must-have. It has evolved over the years with bigger engines, 4WD, hi-low transmissions and CVT technology. The Mule of today features similar layout to the first examples, but that is where the similarities end. Ideally suited to agriculture and industrial use, the Pro series machines of today are available in DX or FX variants – signifying diesel or petrol engines – with the former suited to work applications where a hightorque engine delivers performance and the convenience of on-site fuel compatibility, particularly on farms. A ladder construction, wide body chassis combines with a

2345mm wheelbase to offer stability and operator comfort, as well as manoeuvrability with a tight 4.8m turning radius. Ground clearance at 265mm, combined with 26-inch diameter wheels and fully-independent suspension with double wishbones front and rear soak up imperfections and allow steady progress. When the going gets seriously

tough 2 or 4WD can be engaged ‘on the fly’ and combines with a fully-locking rear differential to maximise traction. For sensitive areas, the diff can be unlocked to minimise ground damage, such as in parks and gardens, while the front runs a limited slip set-up. The Pro-DX has an all-new 3-cylinder, in-line Yanmar engine with liquid cooling, just shy of 1L capacity. It has a power output of 18kW and

52Nm torque and meets current Tier 4 emission regulations. With high torque at low rpm, the engine responds quickly to changing loads and combines well with the CVT to get up and go and quickly achieve the top speed of 55km/h, compared to the 40km/h of the old model. A choice of high or low ratio is selected by the dash mounted shift lever, and the transmission has an engine braking system for control on downhill sections. Braking is by hydraulic discs on each corner. Given that the key role of any UTV is the ability to carry and tow, operators will not find the Mule Pro lacking. Offering the largest cargo bed in its class at 1375 x 1355 mm, carrying capacity is rated at 453kg. Practicalities are taken care of with a full-sized, chequer plate floor, gas strut-assisted, tipping provision for cargo dividers and a useful one inch square tie-down rail around the upper edge to allow bungees or tie-down strops to be used to keep the load in place. Down below, a 50mm ball receiver hitch is rated at 907kg. Operator comfort is provided by a

full-width, bench-style seat for three adults. Each has a seatbelt and hand grips on the ROPS protective frame. Standard specification sees half doors offering mud protection, easy mount and dismount, while bull bars protect bodywork from rough and tumble. Controls are laid out logically, with drive functions, hi/lo/reverse selection and digital readouts to the right of the steering wheel, while the park brake with audible warning is situated to the left. Direction is controlled by a speedsensitive, power steering system that offers more assistance at slow speeds or while stationary and less as speeds increase. There’s lots of storage – three recesses forward, a glovebox to the right, two drinks holders and room for a large bin under the bench seat. For those looking for a more spirited ride, the Pro-FX variant has a 812cc, 3-cylinder petrol engine with four valves per cylinder and figures of 35kW and 65Nm torque. This fuelinjected unit is highly responsive and quickly takes the machine to a maximum speed of 75km/h while still offering comfort and control.

WEIGH CRATE HOME OF THE LOCHIEL TRAILER Ph 03-236 8222 • or 021-412 675 e: colin@lochieltrailers.co.nz • w: www.lochieltrailers.co.nz SHOW SPECIAL Free Registration and 3 year warranty with all trailer purchases.

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RURAL NEWS // MARCH 21, 2017

16 SOUTH ISLAND FIELD DAYS

Indian motoring powerhouse gaining traction MARK DANIEL

In the mid-size SUV market the XUV 500 will have a very attractive price.

markd@ruralnews.co.nz

WHICHEVER WAY you look at the numbers for Mahindra, the Indian powerhouse, they’re impressive. About 500,000 vehicles produced in a year, 200,000 employees, $US17 billion turnover and $US1b cash in the bank. With 40% home market share in automobiles and slightly more in tractors, it’s no surprise the company exports to 20 countries and plans are afoot to lift the brand’s profile in Australasia. Mahindra New Zealand falls under the wing of Nichibo, Japan, best known for used car imports. Marketing manager Steve Vermeulen says until recently the focus had been on commercial and agriculture, with farmers accounting for 80% of Mahindra’s core business – tractors, utes like the Genio, Pik Up and Thar and lately a range of UTVs called M-pact

The XUV 500 Automatic (called fivedouble-0) follows manual transmission versions and should interest a wider audience. Once you get over misconceptions about ‘Indian-built’, this car is rather good and you won’t be paying German autobahn-blaster prices. Power is provided by a 4-cylinder,

2.2L turbo diesel supplied by AVL of Austria. This pumps out 103kW and 330Nm torque and does what it says on the label without any fuss, except for a bit of induction noise. The new transmission, supplied by Aisin, has six speeds and a thumb-operated tiptronic function which is smooth

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and pleasant to use. Approaching the vehicle it’s a case of love or hate the look, with the vertical ‘door handles’ making it look a little different. But once inside you have to admit it’s rather good. The maker’s cramming seven seats into an area probably best suited to five is balanced by the fact that in the XUV 500 the third row is more comfortable than most. With all three rows upholstered in good-quality leather, first impressions are on a par with midpriced European mounts. The 60:40 split for row two and 50:50 split for row three make the space very useable. In the centre console there’s a 7-inch touch screen Satnav system with a few neat features to make other manufacturers sit up. A drop map pin and ‘pinch to zoom’ function combines with a reverse camera for hooking up or parking which also includes a digital readout of distance to objects. Comms are via Bluetooth connectiv-

ity and a neat touch is video tutorials for the vehicle functions, even including wireless monitoring of tyre pressures, including the spare wheel. Fit and finish is very good, but some of the plastic materials are a little hard to the touch. On rural byways, then a blast back up the motorway to Auckland, the vehicle was quiet and made good progress. However the gearbox needed to be made more responsive by using the tiptronic system in the bendy sections. Safety is ANCAP 4-star rating, with six airbags, side impact beams, the rear view camera and stability control with roll mitigation, ABS with EBD, hill hold and descent, and disc brakes all-round. In the mid-size SUV market the XUV 500 might not have the kudos of betterknown brands, but it will have a very attractive price. Who knows, if the march of the Indian automotive industry maintains its current pace we might be seeing a new ‘Japan’. www.mahindra.co.nz