AGRIBUSINESS
MACHINERY & PRODUCTS
NEWS
A chance to pocket from Rockit. PAGE 15
If it weren’t for their gumboots.
Red meat project to see out its tenure under the new government. PAGE 13
PAGE 26
TO ALL FARMERS, FOR ALL FARMERS DECEMBER 19, 2017: ISSUE 644
www.ruralnews.co.nz
Drought on cards PETER BURKE peterb@ruralnews.co.nz
THE THREAT of a big drought is prompting Westpac to contact its farmer clients to see what help they may need. Andrew Hill, senior manager of risk and strategy for agribusiness, says the bank is talking to farmers and their families who are under stress, to see
what the bank can do now to help them personally, and to buy extra feed if needed. “We will be… asking what contingency plans they have made,” he told Rural News. “We are starting to hear about people talking about once-a-day milking and starting to look after their better-performing cows to try to maintain production and make sure cows
LONG TIME BETWEEN DRINKS Sheep graze dry pasture a few kilometres west of Christchurch Airport in early December, on the day the airport weather station recorded its 46th consecutive day of no rain, bettering a record set in 1954.
recently mated don’t lose their calves.” Hill says farmers early-on have been using surplus cash to repay debt. But he acknowledges that with the likely lower dairy payout less cash will be around and farmers must manage this well. Meanwhile, Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor says the ongoing dry is forcing hard decisions on more farmers and horticulturalists. Recent
rains were insufficient; MPI is watching this and regularly updating him. “Government acknowledges we are facing climate change,” he says. “Now all primary sectors must build more resilient systems to deal with the changes in climate that we have experienced in the last few years.” O’Connor says on his own patch, the West Coast, the lack of rain is challenging farmers. TO PAGE 5
ALARM AT DISEASE SPREAD SUDESH KISSUN sudeshk@ruralnews.co.nz
THE DRAMATIC spread of cow disease Mycoplasma bovis has alarmed farmers, says Federated Farmers vice-president Andrew Hoggard. Farmers are hugely concerned the disease has spread beyond South Canterbury, Hoggard says. “The more widespread the disease gets, the harder it will be to control,” he told Rural News. Last week, the Ministry of Primary Industries revealed that four more farms, including one in the North Island, have tested positive for the disease. Another property is strongly suspected to have the disease too. One of the recently infected properties is in the Hastings district, the other three are within a farming enterprise in Winton. The suspect property is near Ashburton. MPI’s director of response Geoff Gwyn says early indications are that all the properties have links with the Van Leeuwen Dairy Group (VLDG) through cattle movements. “The Hastings and Ashburton properties were identified through our tracing programme and the Winton property was identified through the industry milk testing programme. “All the movements we have been tracing are prior to July 21 when the disease was first detected and notified to MPI.” TO PAGE 4
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RURAL NEWS // DECEMBER 19, 2017
NEWS 3 ISSUE 644 www.ruralnews.co.nz
MPI escapes the knife PETER BURKE peterb@ruralnews.co.nz
NEWS ��������������������������������������1-13 AGRIBUSINESS ����������������14-15 AGRIBUSINESS ���������������� 16-17 HOUND, EDNA ����������������������� 18 CONTACTS ������������������������������ 18 OPINION ���������������������������� 18-20 MANAGEMENT ��������������� 21-22
LABOUR HAS scotched its pre-election plans to split up MPI and create stand-alone entities for food safety and biosecurity. Instead, Minister of Agriculture Damien O’Connor has announced that MPI will be reorganised and under its umbrella there will be four portfolio entities to cover forestry, fisheries, food safety and biosecurity. While these discrete areas will have their own separate funding and branding, they will all come under the overall con-
trol of MPI. O’Connor says apart from these four areas, MPI will continue to function as it has always done, except for fisheries and forestry. The Minister of Agriculture will have ministerial responsibility for agriculture including food safety and biosecurity. While the splitting up of MPI was a talking point during the election, the words changed from ‘split’ to ‘greater focus’ as it quickly became clear that the cost and disruption of a major reorganisation of MPI would blow Labour’s budget. It’s understood that MPI came up with this compromise pro-
posal, which saves them from a major restructuring and enables O’Connor not to lose too much face. In announcing the change, O’Connor claims the priority is to achieve greater clarity and unity of purpose in these four areas. “We are seeking enhanced visibility of government policy and regulatory activities and clearer lines of accountability and engagement for stakeholders. We are now looking to the director-general of MPI to work with his team to achieve this, while ensuring prudent and efficient use of taxpayer and industry funds.”
In the case of forestry, O’Connor says MPI will build up its presence in Rotorua, the home of major forestry groups including the CRI Scion. It’s estimated that it will cost $6.8 million to establish the four new entities and an extra $2.3m annually to run them. O’Connor says ‘reprioritised’ money from the Primary Growth Partnership Fund will pay for the changes and there will be no extra cost to taxpayers. The new entities are expected to be up and running by April 1 next year. @rural_news facebook.com/ruralnews
ANIMAL HEALTH ������������������ 23 MACHINERY AND PRODUCTS ���������������������� 24-26 RURAL TRADER ���������������������27
Lower milk payout as prices soften SUDESH KISSUN sudeshk@ruralnews.co.nz
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 30.09.2017
THE COUNTRY’S second-largest milk processor has revised its forecast milk payout for the season as dairy prices soften. Open Country Dairy wrote to suppliers last month adjusting its forecast milk payout for two settlement periods; for milk supplied between December and February the forecast price has dropped by 35c/kgMS and by 40c/kgMS for March-May supply next year. The predicted settlement amount (forecast payout for the season) for both periods is $6.10 - $6.40/kgMS. OCD has not changed the advance rates to farmer suppliers. OCD chief executive Steve Koekemoer told suppliers that the situation changed quickly over the last two months. ”At the last round of supplier meetings we saw global supply and demand
tracking well together but had some uncertainty about the EU reaction to higher milk prices. “What has happened since is a lift in supply of 4.3% in the EU recently and we forecast that it could continue at around 5% for the balance of quarter four. “Based on the global developments we have decided to take the prudent approach and adjust our forecast. Major banks are sharing this view. “Buyers are moving into a position where there may be a lack of urgency to purchase as they assess the impact of additional supply.” Koekomoer says the last auction saw whole milk powder prices recover a little “which was a good sign and could see further improvement if New Zealand milk volumes continue to see butter taking a tumble from its record high prices and the index falling by 11% while the skim milk powder index increased by 4.7%”.
Last month, Fonterra shaved off 35c from its forecast payout, taking the milk price for the 2017-18 season from $6.75 to $6.40/kgMS. But ASB Bank’s senior rural economist Nathan Penny said there was a “hint of conservativeness” in Fonterra’s revised payout. ASB is sticking with its $6.50/kgMS forecast. He points to Fonterra chairman John Wilson saying the lower forecast reflects a “prudent approach” to ongo-
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ing volatility in the global dairy market. “You can see they have erred on the side of caution,” Penny told Rural News. “Later they talk about how they have actually lifted the advance payments to farmers. “So on the one hand they are saying they are being conservative, but on the other they are saying actually there’s a bit more underlying confidence by showing they are happy to lift those advanced payments.”
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4 NEWS
Alarm over spreading cow disease FROM PAGE 1
The Hastings and Winton properties are now under a Restricted Place Notice under the Biosecurity Act, effectively placing them in quarantine lockdown -restricting the movement of animals and other risk goods on and off the farm. The suspect property is under voluntary movement control.
MPI’s Geoff Gwyn
Hoggard says it was too early to say whether poor record keeping by farmers is to blame for the delay in identifying affected farms. But he thinks there may be some lessons for NAIT. “My gut feeling is this will lead to some improvements to NAIT systems,” he says. Gwyn says MPI is dealing with a lot of uncertainty. “Our investigators are
building a picture of stock movements onto and off these farms so we will not be making hasty decisions on next steps. “While it’s really disappointing to have these new properties, it is not totally unexpected. We know this disease is spread by contact between animals and the movement of stock, as is the case here. “It was always possible further infected
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TESTING TIMES NEW AGRICULTURE and Biosecurity Minister Damien O’Connor says he’s “deeply disappointed’’ by the new detections. “The fact the disease has been found in the North Island is disappointing to me and, no doubt, will be for farmers too,’’ O’Connor says. MPI officials are working hard to track the disease. “We are still unable to identify the source of the disease and that concerns me.” O’Connor says he will Nathan Guy meet with officials to discuss the next steps in dealing with the outbreak. “I understand this is tough for farmers, people working on these properties and people in these closeknit communities, but everyone is working hard to find solutions.’’ National’s agriculture spokesman Nathan Guy described the spread of M.bovis as a “kick in the guts” for farmers. “Will the Government open its chequebook to eradicate the cattle disease or are there other spending priorities?” he questioned. Guy claims this will be the first “big test” for Damien O’Connor whom he accuses of “talking tough” on biosecurity.
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this particular bacteria. “It is a tricky thing to find and often hides within an animal, lying dormant and not revealing itself for weeks or months. “Some cattle may be infected and never show signs of the disease. This is why we test multiple times using multiple kinds of tests. Sometimes to confirm the disease we have to test organ tissue from animals at slaughter as was the case in Hastings.”
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RURAL NEWS // DECEMBER 19, 2017
NEWS 5
Brexit deal clears way for NZ negotiators PETER BURKE peterb@ruralnews.co.nz
Country prepares for drought FROM PAGE 1
This is backed up Rebecca Keoghan, who runs Landcorp farms on the West Coast and is a director of Westland Milk Products. She describes the situation as “hideous”. “People are saying it’s a green drought, but we are actually in the midst of a brown drought now because there is no grass anywhere in the region. What little
rain we have had won’t be enough to make a change. I suspect part of our season is lost; I don’t think we’ll recover from it unless we get a decent rain.” Keoghan says Landcorp has been planning a drought strategy for about 18 months and is well prepared to cope. She says the Coast has gone from the wettest winter in 40 years to the driest summer in 40 years.
THE RECENT deal struck between the UK and EU over Brexit is indirectly good news for New Zealand. That’s the view of Mike Petersen, NZ’s special agricultural trade envoy, who’s been in Europe meeting with various people involved in the Brexit process. Petersen told Rural News of a significant deal. He says it is progress and covers three major sticking points: the agreement on a ‘soft’ border between the Irish Republic and Northern Ireland, the UK’s financial settlement for leaving the EU and the rights of citizens living within the two jurisdictions. But Petersen says the issue that particularly interests NZ, tariff rated quotas (TRQs) for lamb, was not discussed.
“In reality it was always out on a limb anyway and unfortunately that issue is still going to have to be addressed. That is the disappointing aspect of it, but to be honest I wouldn’t have expected it to be in their discussions.” Petersen says other more pressing issues – such as the Irish border – needed to be resolved. The good news now is that the deal has prevented a ‘no deal’ between the two parties, which was touted as a possibility. Peterson believes with this deal the EU and the UK can work on their future relationship and the issue of the TRQs could be part of that. In respect of the Republic of Ireland, Petersen says there are major issues still to be resolved on trade with the UK. He notes that, for example, 70% of the cheddar cheese used in the UK comes from Ireland. “Ireland’s reliance on the UK is
significantly greater in proportion than NZ’s reliance on the UK.” Petersen says that while visiting Europe to advocate for NZ’s agri food sector he’s made a point of encouraging ministers, officials and lobby groups to come to NZ. He doesn’t think NZ has all the answers, but thinks it is important for UK officials to get out and see the world from a different perspective and see the lessons we learned from our reforms and what could be applicable for them in the UK . “At the moment, Brexit is like living in cardboard box and they are becoming so consumed with the Brexit issues that it is hard for them to focus on the bigger picture.” Petersen says next year there will be a steady stream of visitors from the UK and Europe coming to NZ and he also has plans to go to Europe himself.
PLAN AHEAD DAIRYNZ IS urging farmers to plan how they would deal with a drought. Spokesman Andrew Reid says the signs are ominous, “so people need to have a management plan should things get worse and there is no rain in the traditionally dry months of the season,” he told Rural News. “What’s more, in terms of that plan they need to be ready and willing to act on it… in a timely way; making decisions makes all the difference.” Reid says the present dry spell is
compounding the problems of incessant rain earlier in the season. One problem is the prospect of a supplement shortage. “Pasture supplements weren’t harvested in spring because they were needed at the time, so that option has been compromised.” He advises farmers to get frequent updates from Metservice and talk to local people who know weather systems. DairyNZ also has a lot of good information on its website.
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CONCERN FOR LOWER NORTH ISLAND projects given the differences between the coalition partners – at a time of a looming drought. “On one hand you have Labour and the Greens saying no new irrigation projects. On the other hand, you have Shane Jones saying the government is likely to fund localised irrigation projects. So right now there is a lot of uncertainty and the government needs to firm up on its position. “The Greens and David Parker hate irrigation and blame farmers for pollution, which we know is not correct.” Guy says many farmers who have invested in irrigation schemes are unsure and need answers.
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NATIONAL’S AGRICULTURE spokesman Nathan Guy says the situation is bad in Manawatu and Horowhenua, which he describes as the epicentre of drought-like conditions. Farmers there are already milking once a day or have gone to 16-hour milkings to try to cope with the dry conditions. “We have had a wet winter and spring resulting in a lot of treading damage which is playing out now with less silage yields and some apprehension that the dairy payout may drop even further.” He says the government needs to decide before Christmas whether to declare a medium-adverse event in these regions. But Guy says his greatest concern now is what might happen to irrigation
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RURAL NEWS // DECEMBER 19, 2017
6 NEWS
The good, bad and ugly – 2 As we say farewell to another year it is time again for the annual review of 2017 in the primary sector as seen by the Rural News editorial team.
THE GOOD
The ‘we’ll miss you’ award: Lain Jager, former boss of Zespri. The award for breaking the glass ceiling: Katie Milne as the new national president of Federated Farmers and doing a good job too. Best ag event of the year: It’s hard to go past the annual Ahuwhenua Trophy event with nearly 700 people attending this year. Top shows: Massey Uni’s Ag Students Awards, the Grasslands Association Conference and, of
course, National Fieldays. Good performers: Toni Brendish, the new chief executive of Westland Milk Products for getting the co-op
port Trust for helping farmers and others in adverse weather and other events, such as the M.bovis outbreak in South Canterbury
back in the black; Steven Carden, Landcorp’s boss, for showing the way with the state farmer’s PAMU brand; Richard Wyeth, chief executive of Miraka
THE BAD
The desperation award: To the political genius in National who came up with the idea late in
the election campaign of selling Landcorp farms – before even asking the SOE whether the idea would work. Hardly an election game-changer. The broken GPS award: The new Labour-led coalition government for the most U turns in a month. We are waiting to see how many more promises are broken.
Simon Limmer
Dairy, for that company’s innovative incentive progamme to improve milk quality and sustainability outcomes; and Simon Gatenby, chief of Taylor Preston Meats, for getting sales of meat to Iran back on track. Good work award: DairyNZ and Zespri for excellent public relations services to their farmers and growers.
Katie Milne
p // F Ca es // R C / s ack / Sunglas P k c a onda da B Hon reen // H ttle c o Suns Drink B a d Hon
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Great grab award: Silver Fern Farms for nabbing former Zespri executive Simon Limmer as its new chief executive. One to watch. Purveyors of good, insightful information: KPMG for its Agribusiness Agenda and MPI for its Situation and Outlook Reports. Good sorts award: Feds and Rural Sup-
Winston Peters
RURAL NEWS // DECEMBER 19, 2017
NEWS 7
– 2017 year in review
Damien O’Connor
The font-of-all-knowledge award: Who else but Winston Peters could claim a reduction in the size of the coalition agreement by reducing the font size? Maybe a vacancy awaits him in the typing pool at Parliament. Time-to-walk-the-talk award: New Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor
spent the last nine years doing a whole lot of whining and moaning from the sidelines. Now it’s his turn in the big job; let’s see how well he does. The noisy empty vessel award: First equals – Greenpeace, the Green Party and Fish and Game and the usual anti-farming PhD types. Let’s face it,
these groups hate farming and will not be happy until all farming in NZ is shut down. Ignore them. Woolly thinking award: To the wool growers who voted down the wool levy a few years ago. Don’t you wish you had it now to promote your product? The sore tongue award: Fonterra’s uncritical shareholders council whose members seem to lick the rear-end of their beloved co-op no matter how poorly it performs – proving the council is more lapdog than watchdog.
their mates get elected to the board. Perhaps Winston’s push for a resumption of trade with Russia means they get out of butter and we get their politics. The wedding of the year: No not Harry and Meghan, but the rather odd couple of Princess Positivity Jacinda and
Prince of the Smaller Font Winston. They look such a happy couple at the moment with the new queen doing all the talking and the dark prince smiling and twiddling his thumbs in the background. How long before it goes bad? The ‘who invited you?’ award for unwelcome guests: Theo Spierings
THE UGLY
The Vladimir Putin award for democracy: John Wilson and his fellow Fonterra directors for making sure that only
John Wilson
First equal – Mycoplasma bovis and myrtle rust. The keep smiling award: MPI for their continuing optimism that they have Mycoplasma bovis contained. The not again award: Fonterra for costing its shareholders heaps for getting it wrong with the botulism scare and then
paying its chief executive Theo Spierings a king’s ransom for running the show. Best quote: Damien O’Connor, “We have a lot of leaders in the rural sector, but not much leadership.” But will it change? Probably not! @rural_news facebook.com/ruralnews
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RURAL NEWS // DECEMBER 19, 2017
NEWS 9
Meat sector working on sustainability PAM TIPA pamelat@ruralnews.co.nz
GREENLEA PREMIER Meats is developing a set of sustainable farming standards, says livestock buyer Greg Clark. The standards are being developed specifically for Greenlea, but also build on the farm assurance programme set up among a number of processors, Clark explained at an Environment Focus Field Day held by Beef + Lamb NZ at Te Opu farm in the Kaipara region. He claimed Greenlea is “taking a lone path but dragging the others with us in relation to the environment and sustainability standards”. To develop the standards it is working with ecologists and with 2014 Bay of Plenty Ballance Farm Environment Award
winners Rick and John Burke who run a bull, beef and sheep farm. They have been in the ‘environment space’ for 25 years. “We are asking Rick and John to tell us what they do that they consider sustainable, and then we measure that against what the local council is telling us farmers need to do and basing that against, say, what is the government doing with emissions trading? and that type of thing. “We are close to developing a set of sustainability standards.” Clark, who has been involved in the Red Meat Profit Partnership (RMPP) for three years, says soon the social licence to farm and the ‘permission’ to continue some standard practices (such as throwing weedkiller around to get rid
The sustainable farming standards will build on the farm assurance programmes developed by meat processors.
of pest plants) will come into question. “That’s coming for everybody -- both from regulation and from public perception.” Recently Clark attended an event in Australia with about 300-400 farmers where a palm kernel importer showed
convincingly through diagrams and charts that economically PKE is better. Nevertheless those at the event remained negative about PKE because of perception. “The public perception is so strong that you could put up all the facts and figures you like, but
those people who are not farming and not using it and do not see the benefits just will not consider it a viable option. “That is the sort of pressure that will gather momentum and along with regulation will soon dis-enable you to just go out and farm how-
ever you want,” Clark explains. “In saying that, we believe NZ farmers are the greatest custodians environmentally of the land; everyone in this room does everything they can to benefit their land. Quite simply, if you don’t you are silly because that is how you make your money. We know that, but go a couple of hundred kilometres down the road and talk to anyone in Queen St and they won’t understand that.” He says Greenlea is building a set of sustainability standards. “If you choose to be in it we are also looking at the market which is something that has not really been considered or done previously. “We are saying that if you do this there is a benefit at the far end
because the customer will pay more for that story.” The behind-the-farmgate story can be told. “You can build a big enough story there: ‘this animal has been finished beautifully and sustainably, and meets a whole lot of standards independently -- third-party assured’. People want to pay for that.” Thirty-five million people is the number we can feed outside NZ, Clark says. “No matter what you put in front of someone, there is always that rich person who wants to have the best piece of meat -- the best burger, the best meat patty, the best stir-fry, etc.” Greenlea is doing a lot of work on that, using further work done through RMPP and Beef + Lamb NZ with the NZ story.
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RURAL NEWS // DECEMBER 19, 2017
NEWS 11
Farm safety academy opens its doors PETER BURKE peterb@ruralnews.co.nz
A MAJOR new initiative to improve safety in farming has been launched by Landcorp, branded Pamu Academy. It’s a joint venture with Wilson Consulting, a specialist in helping companies to embrace a culture of safety from boardroom to staff on the front line. Pamu Academy general manager Rebecca Keoghan says after three staff were killed on Landcorp farms the company asked Wilson to audit their safety culture and mechanisms; they found it was not good. “Yes, we had orange clothes and safety procedures, we had bits of paper and we had top managers who understood safety, but we didn’t have every staff member understanding why – and the why is very important.” Keoghan says all Landcorp staff have now attended courses to bring about a paradigm shift in safety culture; they like it because it has given them reasons for the change and practical tools to
implement it. “As an organisation we have an obligation to send people home in one piece – not two,” she says. This success has prompted the setting up of the Pamu Academy to share Landcorp’s discoveries with the wider agri sector. Eight separate programmes are now available, ranging from courses for executives through to staff on the front line. Mental health and wellbeing gets a lot of emphasis. “If people are not mentally 100% they will make wrong decisions and behaviours and you end up with a safety problem,” says Keoghan. All the courses are up on the Pamu Academy website (pamuacademy. co.nz) with explanations about what each course involves. The academy has some set-piece courses people can attend and it will tailor courses for organisations to meet their specific needs. Staff from banks, fertiliser companies and large farming operations have already been on a pilot programme; now courses are open for business to all
comers. “Looking at the ag sector, there isn’t an industry-led organisation offering anything like this,” Keoghan says. “We know it works at Landcorp Pamu and we
feel we have an obligation to get it out to the ag sector. We want the sector to function well; a high-performing business in safety is also a highperforming business in profit.”
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MAJOR SPONSOR SIMULTANEOUS WITH the Pamu Academy launch comes Landcorp/Pamu agreeing to sponsor the Ahuwhenua Trophy, which recognises excellence in Maori dairy and sheep and beef farming. The 2018 competition will be for dairy farming. Pāmu Academy general manager Rebecca Keoghan said having the academy sponsor the trophy is a no-brainer for the organisation. “We are targeting safety leadership in the industry, and the Ahuwhenua Trophy competition has a focus on farm leadership so it was a natural fit for us. We look forward to being a part of the Ahuwhenua whānau and helping with safety leadership in the competition,” she says. A Landcorp staff member at Westport, Jack Raharuhi, won the 2016 Young Maori Farmer of the Year Award. Keoghan says his success stemmed from safety leadership, showing a perfect synergy between Ahuwhenua and the Pamu Academy.
PAMU Academy general manager Rebecca Keoghan and Basil Tapuke of Te Tumu Paeroa, a member of the Ahuwhenua Trust.
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RURAL NEWS // DECEMBER 19, 2017
12 NEWS
Rain dampens primary sector growth PETER BURKE peterb@ruralnews.co.nz
AGRICULTURE MINISTER Damien O’Connor says he would like to seem more emphasis on sustainable growth of the value -- rather than volume – of New Zealand exports. His comments follow
the release of MPI’s latest Situation and Outlook report for Primary Industries (SOPI), which points to overall continuing growth in most primary sectors, but a shortfall on earlier predictions due to climate issues and a flattening of dairy prices. O’Connor says in
Damien O’Connor
future reports he would want to see success as trends that show a lower volume of exports but higher returns. He says for too long the focus has been on the wrong numbers. “This has been the focus of all sectors,” he told Rural News. “For example, forestry: we are
increasingly exporting more and more logs. “All the sectors have potential to extract greater value from what they do now and I want to work with them to clarify and identify [potential for] increasing value from what may be flat production levels.” O’Connor says the dairy sector has reduced cow numbers yet retained production and profit; this has proven an option
for some farmers. He also points to progress in the horticulture sector. “By its nature [hort] is focused on the consumer and that discipline has better enabled them to respond to international trends and consumer preferences. All other sectors can learn more from that and we have to ensure the structure within NZ facilitates that focus and growth,” he says.
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MPI HAS revised downwards its predicted earnings from the food and primary sector for the next two years, due mainly to the effects of the wet winter and spring on the dairy sector. In its final SOPI for 2017, MPI predicts export returns from dairy for 2018 will be down by $510 million on its September forecast and that this trend will continue into 2019. However, in saying that, export returns for dairy in 2018 are still up by $2 billion on 2017 and the overall trend is for an increase, but not as much as earlier predicted. Horticulture, meat and wool, arable and forestry are all up on the September predictions and are set to continue at modest levels into 2019. In September MPI was predicting primary export earnings for 2018 to be $41.6b, but this has been revised down to $41.3b and $41.8b for 2020. MPI says this year’s wet spring has affected early season dairy production and slowed the planting of some arable and vegetable crops. The report says the fall of the NZ$ and global agricultural prices generally favour NZ at present. Also on the positive side is the lift in butter prices, a slight improvement in lamb returns and solid gains in the horticulture sector – notably kiwifruit and wine.
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AGRICULTURE MINISTER Damien O’Connor is unlikely to have learned much from the long-awaited MPI briefing to the incoming minister (BIM). BIMs are presented to ministers after an election and are designed to give the incoming government an insight into the issues and challenges ministries are dealing with. The MPI BIM contains interesting statistics: It administers 43 acts of parliament and 300 pieces of delegated legislation It has 2580 full-time staff working in 25 locations in New Zealand and 13 overseas, e.g. airports, beaches, laboratories, fishing vessels, offices, etc It has 105 fisheries compliance staff And it has 19 staff working on trade issues in overseas locations. It also notes that: One in six (350,000) NZers are employed in the food and primary sector and in some regions the ratio is as high as one in three For Maori the food and primary sector forms half of their estimated $50 billion asset base and iwi collectively own 30% of land under plantation forest, 30% of fishing quota, they account for 10% of kiwifruit and dairy produce and 25% of sheep and beef production. The BIM sets out MPI’s budget and how it’s allocated and its current work programme, but it has no commentary on the new government’s proposals for the sector including the possible splitting up of MPI. Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the BIM is its choice of words to describe the sector, calling it the ‘food and primary’ sector in preference to the maligned ‘agriculture’ or straight ‘primary’ sector.
RURAL NEWS // DECEMBER 19, 2017
NEWS 13
Red meat project to see out tenure under new govt PAM TIPA pamelat@ruralnews.co.nz
THE RED Meat Profit Partnership (RMPP) will see out its tenure under the new government, a Beef + Lamb NZ field day in the Kaipara region was told. A range of projects are now running under the RMPP, which is one of the Primary Group Partnerships (PGP), says Greg Clark, a Greenlea Premier Meats livestock buyer who has also been involved in the RMPP for the last three years. Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor told Rural News he will be reviewing PGP to ensure it provides benefits to NZ. “This is of the overall Primary Growth Partnership, not individual PGP programmes, which have committed contracts,” he said. Clark told the BLNZ ‘Food Production – Yesterday Today and For-
“This is of the overall Primary Growth Partnership, not individual PGP programmes, which have committed contracts.” – Damien O’Connor ever’ field day at Te Opu, a sheep and beef finishing operation near Maungaturoto, that partnerships in the Red Meat Profit Partnership started under the National government and he understands the scheme will see out its tenure under the new government. $64m is committed in the partnership; the partners are ANZ and Rabobank, BLNZ, the Ministry for Primary Industries and six processors – Greenlea, Progressive Meats, Blue Sky, Alli-
ance, Silver Fern Farms and ANZCO. Every dollar MPI puts in, these partners match; the project started in 2013. Current projects include an information hub similar to “a Google for farming” – a resource for information on anything from water to grass seed, lambing percentages and beef intensive systems. That is underway and a few modules are already on line on the BLNZ website. An electronic Animal Status Declaration (ASD) has been modelled and trialled in a few plants in NZ. Greenlea and Silver Fern Farms are now running trials with some farmers. It can be run on a smartphone, iPad or computer. The user can fill in the ASD online and a copy will go to the carrier, one to the plant and one to OSPRI which manages the ASD. The electronic version is a time saver which cuts out paperwork. RMPP also has farm extension proj-
Greg Clark
ects in Northland, Waikato and King Country. Clark says this is helping these farmers learn, based on what they want to do. One trial was an attempt – unsuccessful -- to grow fodder beet in North-
land based on a farmer’s proposal. Other trials are underway such as set grazing versus grazing rotation, etc. Another scheme under RMPP is a farm assurance programme developed by a number of processors collectively.
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RURAL NEWS // DECEMBER 19, 2017
14 AGRIBUSINESS
Fertiliser a focus for East Coast farming expo EXPLORING THE uses, benefits and recent developments of fertiliser will be a key feature of the East Coast Farming Expo next April. Andrew Hogarth, managing director and chief pilot at Farmers Air, believes any information that assists in better productivity and better use of fertiliser spending can only be a good thing. “Because we have a large geographical area in productive pastoral hill country, to maintain its productivity it needs fertiliser,” he says. Farmers Air has recently teamed with an American autonomous unmanned vehicle (UAV) development company
(PYKA) and they hope to show the capabilities of UAV aircraft at the expo. “Farmers Air will have variable/constant rate technology installed in one of its aircraft by February next year and it will be expected along with GPS application technology,” Hogarth says. “The huge rise of the UAV market could bring huge benefits to our industry, hence our involvement with PYKA.” He also believes there will be major safety implications in the new technology. “Increased safety -- not having someone operating an aircraft in the low-level environ-
ment and the use of electric engines -- will save money and have better environmental effects.” The manager of PFP Fertilisers, Andrew de Latour, says farmers
will see opportunities to reduce their fertiliser costs and raise farm production and profitability. PFP plans to tell farmers how they can help them make well-informed
and educated decisions about fertilizer; one example is the use of prilled fine particle products. De Latour says fertiliser can often be the
single biggest farm expense. “Most farmers rely on someone walking up their driveway to tell them how to spend their money. Soil test results are not difficult to understand,” he says. “Every farmer should be able to look at their soil test results along with any fertiliser recommendation and ask, ‘does it make sense?’ ” He says it’s important to take the time to help farmers make sense of their soil test results. PFP will be onsite at the expo with sample products, literature and personalised advice. A farm nutrient advisor at Nutrilink, Melinda
Turner, says she will be pleased to attend the expo for the first time. “My role as an independent nutrient/fertiliser advisor is to guide farmers towards using the most suitable products to meet their farming objectives in a profitable and economically sustainable manner. Fertiliser makes up a large proportion of each farm’s total expenditure.” Turner says she wants to ensure farmers limit risk and get value for money from their fertiliser spending by looking at the whole picture from the ground up. www.eastcoastexpo.co.nz. @rural_news facebook.com/ruralnews
RURAL NEWS // DECEMBER 19, 2017
AGRIBUSINESS 15
A chance to pocket from Rockit PAM TIPA pamelat@ruralnews.co.nz
SYNDICATE AGRICULTURAL investor MyFarm is moving into apples, looking for $13 million from investors to set up Rockit apple orchards. The Rockit apple has been bred through the Prevar programme and it has been taken up by the group Rockit Global, says chief executive Andrew Watters. Their model is similar to a small Zespri, Watters explained to Rural News. “They will manage and develop the orchard, provide the trees, pack the product, sell it and market it. But they are not the grower,” he says. MyFarm has formed Rakete Orchards as an investment vehicle to grow rocket apples under licence to Rockit. Rakete has four orchards under lease in two clusters – one near Taradale and the other just south of Havelock North. “We are taking over four leases for 28 years,” says Watters. “The blocks are bare land at the moment and we will invest in their development.
“We will grow the apples under licence to Rockit. We will plant those in Rockit apples. We are paying a small licence to Rockit, buying and planting the trees, putting all the structures in; apples grow on a trellis structure a bit like grapes do. “We are developing the blocks into productive orchards then from about the fourth year we will sell apples and deliver investors’ returns.” Rockit operates a growers’ trust – a pool payment system somewhat similar to Zespri. “They take all the payments, deduct their costs and royalties and then the growers get the mean margin from the market,” explains Watters. Prevar, which developed Rockit, was set up to globally commercialise the new apple and pear cultivars bred in New Zealand by Plant & Food Research. Promotional material on Rockit says “it’s the world’s first miniature apple sold in a distinctive plastic tube, and now grown under license in nine countries and sold in airports, sports stadiums and cafés in 29 countries”. Watters says Rockit has established markets – strong in Asia, strong and
growing in North America and in Europe. For Kiwis the Rockit is a very expensive apple. “But if you put them in your fridge and the kids have a few to choose from they will always go for the Rockit apple first,” says Watters. “They are twice the price of any other apple. It is a snack food sold in outlets where people are
looking for a healthy snack.” MyFarm is promoting now to investors under Rakete Orchards as the investment vehicle. One translation of Rakete in te reo Maori is ‘rocket’, says Watters. “We are looking for $13m from investors with $100,000 or more. The big difference about this investment is a very high level of cash returns fore-
cast. It will take us seven years to pay back what the investors have put into the orchards. But thereafter we are forecasting returns of over 50-55% per annum.” The company has a total of 55ha with 40ha of trees for the next planting season in spring and the remaining 15ha will be the following spring. Watters says interest has been good. After seminars in Auckland and Tauranga he will tour NZ to talk to potential investors. “The commentators, columnists and all sorts tell us that in agriculture we shouldn’t produce commodities. We need to produce branded products so we get maximum returns for NZ. “This is a good example of an innovative company with a premium product customers want and they are marketing it very smartly to overseas customers,” Watters says. “It is investment in the Rockit company; even though we are growing apples it is an investment in the Rockit apple and the Rockit brand, but the returns are extremely good. “It is an excellent example of adding value to commodity products produced in NZ.”
RURAL NEWS // DECEMBER 19, 2017
16 MARKETS & TRENDS
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S outhSIsland outh Island WeeklyWeekly Cattle Cattle Kill Kill 15k2015k20
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200k
100k
10 10 k k 0 10-Aug 0 10-Sep10-Sep10-Oct10-Oct10-Nov10-Nov10-Dec10-Dec 10-Aug 13-Aug 13-Aug 13-Oct13-Oct 13-Dec13-Dec 13-Feb13-Feb
8-Nov 8-Nov 8-Jan 8-Jan 8-Mar 8-Mar 5yr Ave5yr Ave Last YeLast ar Ye ar This YeThis ar Ye ar
250k 400250k 400
150k
50
2 Wks Last A go Year 6.96 5.16 6.98 5.18 7.00 5.20 7.01 5.21 4.75 2.90 7.08 5.28 7.08 5.28 7.08 5.28 7.08 5.28 4.80 2.85
Slaughter Slaughter
UKp/kg
5.0
5.35
SI P 2 Steer P 2- Steer 300kg- 300kg -5
90 90 P rocu P rement rocu rement Indicator Indicator - South- South I. I. 85% 85% 80% 80% 75% 70 75% 70 70% 70% 65% 65% Last Year Last Year 60% This Year This Year 50 60% 50 ep 8-S ep 8-Nov 8-Nov 8-Jan 8-Jan 8-Mar 8-Mar 55%8-S55% 19-Jun 26-Jun 3-Jul 19-Jun 10-Jul 26-Jun 17-Jul 24-Jul 3-Jul 10-Jul 31-Jul 17-Jul 7-Aug 14-Aug 24-Jul 21-Aug 31-Jul 28-Aug 7-Aug 14-Aug 4-Sep 21-Aug 11-Sep 28-Aug 18-Sep 25-Sep 4-Sep 9-Oct 18-Sep 16-Oct 25-Sep 23-Oct 30-Oct 9-Oct 16-Oct 6-Nov 23-Oct 13-Nov 30-Oct 20-Nov 6-Nov 0-Jan 13-Nov 20-Nov 0-Jan 5yr ave 5yr ave Last Ye Last ar11-Sep Ye ar This YeThis ar Ye ar
2Wks 2Wks 3 Wks 3 Wks Last Change Change A go A go A go A go Year % Returned % Returned NI NI -1.0 -1.0 72.4 72.4 73.5 73.5 66.7
Last 5yr A ve5yr A ve Year 66.7 69.5 69.5
% Returned % Returned SI SI -1.5
66.0 68.2
-1.5 72.4
72.4 74.0
74.0 66.0
68.2
Procurement indicator indicator -- North -- North Island Island P rocuProcurement P rement rocu rement Indicator Indicator North North I. I.
85 85 80% 80%
% of export returns
5.5
4.00
5.65 5.35
75 70% 75 70% 65 60% 65 60%
Last Year Last Year
This Year This Year
50% 55 50% 55 11-Aug 11-Aug 11-Sep 11-Oct 11-Oct 11-Nov 11-Dec 11-Dec 11-Jan 11-Feb 11-Feb 8-S ep 8-S ep 11-Sep 8-Nov 8-Nov11-Nov 8-Jan 8-Jan11-Jan 8-Mar 8-Mar
Procurement Procurement indicator indicator - South - South IslandIsland
85 85 80% 80%
% of export returns
5.5
4.35 4.00
5.555.65
40 40 20k30 20k30
Thousand head
6.0
$/kg
$/kg
6.0
4.0 4.0 8-S ep 8-S ep
$/kg
8-Mar 8-Mar
5.5
4.5 4.5 8-S ep 8-S ep
$/kg
8-Jan 8-Jan
USc/lb
5.5
4.254.35
-105.55
Thousand head
6.5
-104.25
USc/lb
6.5
M Co wM- 200kg Co w - 200kg -10
% of export returns
7.5
4.00
40k60 40k60
8-Nov 8-Nov
Thousand head
7.5
$/kg
$/kg
4.5 4.5 8-S ep 8-S ep
5.15
4.35 4.00
Slaughter Slaughter
% of export returns
5.5
6.5
5.555.15
4.254.35
Lo cal Trade Lo cal-Trade 230kg- 230kg -10 SI
% of export returns
6.5
5.455.55
-104.25
% of export returns
7.5
$/kg
$/kg
7.5
North North IslandIsland 17kg M 17kg lambM price lamb price
-105.45
Thousand head
B u ll -BM2 u ll 300kg - M2 300kg
M 2 B ullM-2300kg B ull - 300kg -10 P 2 Co w P2 - 230kg Co w - 230kg -10
Last Last 2 Wks Change Change c/kgCWT c/kgCWT Week Week A go NI Lamb NI Lamb YM - 13.5kg YM - 13.5kg-10 -10 6.86 6.86 6.96 P M - 17.0kg P M - 17.0kg -10 -10 6.88 6.88 6.98 P X - 19.0kg P X - 19.0kg -10 -10 6.90 6.90 7.00 P H - 22.0kg P H - 22.0kg -10 -10 6.91 6.91 7.01 M utto nM utto M X1 n -M 21X1 kg - 21kg-15 -15 4.60 4.60 4.75 SI Lamb SI Lamb YM - 13.5kg YM - 13.5kg-10 -10 6.98 6.98 7.08 P M - 16.0kg P M - 16.0kg -10 -10 6.98 6.98 7.08 P X - 19.0kg P X - 19.0kg -10 -10 6.98 6.98 7.08 P H - 22.0kg P H - 22.0kg -10 -10 6.98 6.98 7.08 M utto nM utto M X1 n- M 21X1 kg - 21kg-10 -10 4.70 4.70 4.80
Thousand head
-5 5 .5 0 5 .5 0
Last Year 5.40
UKp/kg
-5
LAMB LAMB PRICES PRICES
Last Last 2 Wks 2 Wks Last ChangeChange c/kgCWT c/kgCWT Week Week A go A go Year NI NI P 2 Steer P 2- Steer 300kg- 300kg -10 -105.55 5.555.65 5.65 5.40
% of export returns
S te e Sr te - P2 e r300kg - P2 300kg -1 0 -1 05 .5 5 5 .5 5
BEEF BEEF PRICES PRICES
% of export returns
No rth NoIsrth lanIs d lan d S o u th S oIs u th lanIs d lan d C h anCghean gLeas t L as tC h anCghean gLeas t L as t c /kgCWT c /kgCWT c /kg c /kg We e kWe e k c /kg c /kg We e kWe e k L ambL amb - PM 17.0kg - PM 17.0kg -1 0 -1 06 .8 8 6 .8 8 -1 0 -1 06 .9 8 6 .9 8
Thousand head
Me atMe at
-1 0 -1 05 .4 5 5 .4 5
LAMB MARKET TRENDS
BEEF MARKET TRENDS
Thousand head
MARKET SNAPSHOT
P rocu P rement rocu rement Indicator Indicator - South- South I. I.
75 70% 75 70% 65 60% 65 60% Last Y ear Last Y ear
This Year This Year
50% 55 50% 55 11-Aug 11-Sep 11-Oct 11-Oct 11-Nov 11-Dec 11-Dec 11-Jan 11-Feb 11-Feb 8-S ep11-Aug 8-S ep 11-Sep 8-Nov 8-Nov 11-Nov 8-Jan 8-Jan11-Jan 8-Mar 8-Mar 5yr ave5yr ave Last YeLast ar Ye ar This YeThis ar Ye ar
Venison Venison Prices Prices Last Last 2 Wks 2 Wks Last Change Change Week Week A go A go Year NI StagNI - 60kg Stag - 60kg n/c n/c 10.15 10.1 15 0.15 10.18.1 50
Last 5yr A ve5yr A ve Year 8.17.08 0 7.08
SI StagSI - 60kg Stag - 60kg n/c
8.10 7.14
n/c 10.60 10.60 10.60 10.60 8.10
7.14
Beef & Beef venison & venison prices are prices reported are reported as gross as(before gross (before normal normal levies &levies charges & charges are deducted). are deducted). Lamb &Lamb mutton & mutton prices are prices reported are reported nett (after nettlevies (after&levies charges & charges are deducted). are deducted).
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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RURAL NEWS // DECEMBER 19, 2017
MARKETS & TRENDS 17 PRICE WATCH
increase in cattle slaughter in the last two weeks has come the inevitable market softening. The US imported market beef market has responded to the sharp increase in supply in a similarly sharp fashion. 95CL prices have fallen. Demand at food service has also weakened, which is not helping at a time when there are considerable volumes to be absorbed. Prime beef markets are also easing slightly,
commodity in the lamb and mutton markets. Dry conditions are a big driver of the large kill, so this situation will likely deteriorate further over the next week or two. Lambs slaughter prices have begun their long-awaited slide, but some confidence has been generated through the released of lateJanuary and early-February slaughter contracts. These contracts are around $6.50-$6.60/kg. Lambs are taking priority over mutton, so wait times for ewes are even longer. This has made prime auctions a popular avenue for anyone looking so sell ewes, particularly in the South Island, however prices have fallen further at these sales as a result. Store lamb prices are highly volatile. The weather is putting pressure on both supply and demand, especially through the lower North Island. At some sales average prices fell by more than $20 week-onweek. Rain patterns will likely dictate the market direction in the coming weeks.
Overseas Wool Price Indicators
Change
07-Dec
30-Nov
Last Year
-29
297
326
409
Coarse Xbred
Ewe - 35 micron
-
310
-
555
Ewe - 35 micron
Ewe - 37 micron
-5
295
300
555
2nd Shear 37M
+20
265
245
475
Indicators in NZc/kg Coarse Xbred
07-Dec
30-Nov
Last Year
-26
216
243
295
-
226
-
400
Ewe - 37 micron
-8
215
223
400
2nd Shear 37M
+11
193
182
342
Indicators in USc/kg
Wool indicator trends Wool Indicator Trends
850 600
Change
Second shear - 37 micron
600 CXI
750 500
500
FXI
LI
650 400
c/kg
SHEEP: Processing space is a rare
WOOL PRICE WATCH
400
550 300
300
450 200 8-Dec 8-Feb 8-Apr 8-Jun 8-Aug 8-Oct 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
200 7-Sep
CXI
FXI
LI
- 37 micron Coarse Ewe Xbred Indicator
650700
600
Last Year
600
7-Nov Last Year
This Year
7-Jan This Year
7-Mar
Ewe - 35 micron
700 600
500 c/kg
INTERNATIONAL BEEF: With the
following a strong sales period through November. Supply has increased from NZ, but also the production period for the Chinese New Year is finished.
c/kg
BEEF: Cattle slaughter prices have begun to ease, though more so in the North Island than South Island. Processors are full to overflowing and demand in our key markets is softer. Wait times are now at a minimum of week, but often extend further out. With temperatures soaring, farmers are wary of the weather, and the fast approach of Christmas as a deadline is adding to the pressure to offload stock. Further downside is likely until at least the New Year. Dry on-farm conditions are limiting store cattle interest, and downwards movement’s been evident through all classes and all regions of the country. This has created some variability in the market, with what’s achievable often shifting within each week.
c/kg
NEWS
550
400
500300
500 400
300
450200 7-Sep Dec Oct 5yr ave
7-Nov Feb
Apr
Last Year
7-Jan Jun
OUR INSIGHT. YOUR EDGE. AgriHQ is the leading source of independent agri market analysis and advice that farmers can bank on. For the latest market reports visit agrihq.co.nz/farmer or call 0800 85 25 80.
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7-Jan Last Year
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RURAL NEWS // DECEMBER 19, 2017
18 OPINION EDITORIAL
EDNA
Reality bites ANOTHER WEEK and yet another campaign back-down by the Government, this time scotching its pre-election plans to split up MPI and create stand-alone entities for food safety and biosecurity. Instead, Minister of Agriculture Damien O’Connor says it will now be ‘reorganised’ with four portfolio entities to cover forestry, fisheries, food safety and biosecurity, but all these will come under the overall control of MPI. O’Connor, in Opposition, talked a big game about breaking up MPI, calling it a ‘super ministry’ causing nothing but super problems. He was adamant MPI was too big and had a conflict of interests between its regulatory and compliance functions; he wanted to see separate food safety and biosecurity agencies established outside MPI. Ironically, in December 2013 O’Connor even took his predecessor – former minister Nathan Guy – to task for restructuring MPI “on the eve of the Christmas holiday” and “leaving staff in tears”. Perhaps O’Connor believes his Christmastime MPI restructure will have staff at the ministry crying tears of joy. However, it seems the reality of government has now tempered the new minister’s bombastic claims while in Opposition, a bit like his backpeddling on the PGP. But this is no bad thing; it shows O’Connor is a pragmatist and a realist. As Federated Farmers president Katie Milne says, keeping MPI intact while sharpening the focus of four portfolio-based units within it is a pragmatic approach; it also prevents the upheaval and expense of a total carve-up of MPI. Says Milne, “This course avoids wholesale disruption, preserves the ministry’s status as a competent authority for trading partners and certification agencies, and allows staff to get on with their jobs during the re-focus.” It appears the plan to split up MPI changed when it quickly became clear that the cost and disruption of a major reorganisation would blow the budget. It’s understood MPI came up with this compromise proposal, which saves it from a major restructuring and enables O’Connor not to lose too much face. O’Connor claims it will cost only $6.8 million to establish the four new entities, and an extra $2.3m annually to run them, with this funding paid for with ‘reprioritised’ money from the Primary Growth Partnership Fund at no extra cost to taxpayers. This seems optimistic and you can bet there will be cost over-runs; name any organisational restructure that has come in on budget. The new entities within MPI are expected to be up and running by April 1 next year. Let’s hope the disruption is worth it.
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
“Fancy them having to share with donkeys, camels and sheep – it’s no wonder the place had only one star!”
Want to share your opinion or gossip with the Hound? Send your emails to: hound@ruralnews.co.nz
THE HOUND Bugger off
Dam good idea
Drought-breaker
Shut the gate
THE HOUND notes multi-millionaire film-maker and pompous tree-hugger James Cameron has taken aim at the meat and dairy sectors. Writing recently in UK’s The Guardian, Cameron – The Prophet for every lefty luvvie --–said, “Animal agriculture is choking Earth, and the longer we turn a blind eye the more we limit our ability to nourish ourselves, protect waterways and habitats and pursue other uses of our precious natural resources.” Your old mate reckons the Hollywood director – the man behind Titanic and Terminator and the Avatar movies, who owns at least 13 parcels of land in Wairarapa totalling at least 1500ha and worth tens of millions of dollars – should bugger off back to LA and take his wacko ideas with him!
YOUR CANINE crusader is intrigued by all the hand-wringing and empty rhetoric from supposed environmental crusaders and various political types over the serious lack of rain as we head towards drought in many regions. This old mutt reckons a good idea might be to look at capturing all the excess water that falls during the winter, store it in dams and then use it during the summer as needed. We could even use this stored water to supplement town water supplies during dry periods and create environmentally sustainable hydro power that could added to the national grid. Sounds like a pretty good idea to this old mutt; surely our new government would support this concept. Oh wait… perhaps not.
THE HOUND understands that the self-proclaimed, international man of mystery – our very own deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters – is lined-up to solve the North Korea crisis by cuddling up to that country’s despot leader Kim Jong Un. However, this old mutt reckons Peters could take advantage of his proposed new BFF by getting Kim to solve our current dry spell. Reports from North Korea suggest its dear leader has a new ‘super power’ -controlling the weather. The statecontrolled Korean Central News Agency reports the North Korean leader’s new powers came during a recent brisk two-mile stroll up snowy Mount Paektu. According to KCNA, the 2743m mountain is normally a wintry mess in December, but during Kim’s visit, it was a “marvellous scene with glee at the reappearance of its great master”.
YOUR CANINE crusader sometimes wonders why the farming sector even bothers trying to help educate the wider public about the sector. Earlier this month, 40 Fonterra farms around NZ opened their gates to allow the public to come and see how the farms operate on a daily basis and some of the work farmers are doing on improving waterways. Not a bad idea, you would think. Well… not to the usual bunch of whiners. Serial anti-dairy types like Massey University’s Mike (not so) Joy and lobby group Bitch & Complain (Fish & Game) couldn’t get into the media quick enough to – you guessed it – bitch and complain and put the boot into dairy farmers. Your old mate reckons it is time again for farmers up and down the country to refuse access to fishers and shooters.
PRODUCTION: Dave Ferguson ........................Ph 09 913 9633 davef@ruralnews.co.nz Becky Williams ........................Ph 09 913 9634 beckyw@ruralnews.co.nz REPORTERS: Sudesh Kissun ....................... Ph 09 913 9627 Pamela Tipa ............................. Ph 09 620 7811 Peter Burke .............................Ph 06 362 6319 Nigel Malthus ...................... Ph 021 164 4258 MACHINERY EDITOR: Mark Daniel ............................. Ph 021 906 723 or 07 824 1190 SUB-EDITOR: Neil Keating ............................Ph 09 913 9628
NATIONAL SALES MANAGER: Stephen Pollard ....Ph 09 913 9637/021 963 166 stephenp@ruralnews.co.nz
WELLINGTON SALES REPRESENTATIVE: Ron Mackay ......... Ph 04 234 6239/021 453 914 ronm@ruralnews.co.nz
WAIKATO SALES REPRESENTATIVE: Ted Darley .......... Ph 07 854 6292/021 832 505 ted@ruralnews.co.nz
SOUTH ISLAND SALES REPRESENTATIVE: Kaye Sutherland Ph 03 337 3828/021 221 1994 kayes@ruralnews.co.nz
ABC audited circulation 80,580 as at 30/09/2017
WEBSITE PRODUCER: Jessica Wilson ........................ Ph 09 913 9621
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 // DECEMBER 19, 2017
OPINION 19
Farm buyers in Waikato – ‘Caveat Emptor’ ANDY LOADER
BUYING A farm is a major investment that has now become much more complicated with the Waikato Regional Council’s proposed and current rule changes under Plan Change 1. This requires farmers to obtain a nitrogen reference point (NRP) based on either the 201415 or the 2015-16 season. Under a standard agreement for sale and purchase a vendor has no obligation to provide the information necessary to calculate the NRP. A farmer who does not have this information will be assigned 75% of the sector average. Overseer is the main method of calculating the NRP that is prescribed in PC1 and this system has a known error rate. For example, the minimum error (CV, coefficient of variation) in the predicted rate of nitrogen leaching from Overseer is about 30%. But it can be much higher (>100%) if the incorrect input data is used inadvertently or otherwise. Would-be buyers should obtain detailed legal advice regarding any farm sale and purchase agreement prior to signing, which should include matters such as conditions of sale specific to the property (e.g. LIM report, supply of information, vendor assistance) and vendor
warranties (to ensure the accuracy of the information supplied). Why would anyone in their right mind invest millions of dollars in an agricultural operation where they may find they have been given incorrect information and are unable to run the business normally as planned, due to restrictions imposed under PC1? What this effectively means is that the purchaser may be severely restricted in what he can do to make a return on the investment. There are severe restrictions on land use intensification under PC1, particularly on horticultural operations: no new horticultural operations have been allowed to commence since PC1 was advertised. PC1 has now made horticultural operations a non-complying activity and any new operations will require resource consent to be issued for the non-complying activity prior to being able to commence. It will be critical for prospective investors to obtain sound advice from a suitably qualified farm adviser about the application of the rules to the property and any likely constraints on current and future activities. This must include obtaining sound accounting advice and budgets. It has become evident
WRITE and RURAL NEWS TO ALL FARMERS, FOR ALL FARMERS
TELL US YOUR VIEWS AND WIN
WIN!
that since PC1 has been advertised the capital value of agricultural land has dropped markedly and there has been a huge reduction in actual farm sales completed. The watchword is ‘caveat emptor’ (let the
buyer beware); do your homework, obtain sound advice and plan ahead. • Andy Loader is co-chairman of Primary Land Users Group (PLUG). @rural_news facebook.com/ruralnews
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RURAL NEWS // DECEMBER 19, 2017
20 OPINION
Ploughing champs heading south in 2018 FRASER PEARCE
IT LAST happened 60 years ago: the Deep South hosted the final of the NZ Ploughing champs in 1958. And it’s about to recur,
on April 14 and 15, 2018, when the Thornbury Vintage Tractor and Implement Club will host the 63rd New Zealand Ploughing Championships. These championships
-- all run with the NZ Ploughing Association -- will next year be held on AJ and RL Hall’s farm ‘Rochavon’, and Nathan and Leigh Ronald’s property, just outside Thornbury on Foster Road.
Competitors with crew, marshals, judges and supporters will come from all over New Zealand. The national competition final was once known as The Silver Plough. But since the
reversible and other classes were added it became known as the New Zealand Ploughing Championships. The Thornbury Vintage Tractor & Implement Club, well known for its museum, is located just off the main Invercargill-Riverton highway. That land was once home to Southland’s first farm. Now the club’s Rural Heritage Centre tells Southland’s farming story in an array of early rural heritage exhibits. During ploughing contests tractors like the Avery, Sampson SieveGrip, Mayer Bro’s Little Giant and the Hart-Parr were taken out and put through their paces, often competing with several horse teams. In recent years competitive ploughing has seen a real resurgence. With the introduction of a ‘classic’ class competitive ploughing has revived; more people want to compete and
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learn the art and skill of ploughing. To be eligible for these championships, ploughmen and woman must have earned points at various qualifying events held by different ploughing associations nationwide. The NZPA holds a dedication church service; for this event in the Riverton Union Church, followed by its annual meeting in the Riverton RSA nearby. After the final, awards will be presented at an evening function in the Wallacetown Community Centre. All the locations are about 30 minutes drive from Invercargill. • Fraser Pearce is president of the Thornbury Vintage Tractor & Implement Club.
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THE LETTER from Robert Patterson (Rural News December 5) I had to read twice to assure myself it was not a satirical piece attempting to display some of the most racist views possible. Sadly, your publication has given oxygen to what I would describe as hate speech. This type of toxic thinking on te reo and its importance to its speakers should not be given any kind of dignity. I am conscious of the fact that in writing this I may be [dignifying such views], but to use words like ‘backwards’ to describe a group of people embracing their culture is abhorrent and should not go unchallenged. Chris Falconer Waerenga, Waikato Editor’s note: We are happy to publish your letter, as we do others. However, just because we publish a letter does not mean we agree with the writer’s point of view. A free media is an important part of our society and the decision to publish -- or not -- remains our right. Rural News stands by the oft-misused Voltaire statement: “I don’t agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.”
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RURAL NEWS // DECEMBER 19, 2017
MANAGEMENT 21
Cannibalistic industry needs to change PAM TIPA pamelat@ruralnews.co.nz
THE CURRENT meat industry model is “cannibalistic,” says Mike Barton, of Glen Emmreth Farm, near Taupo. “When the weather is good farmers make money and the meat processors don’t. “When the meat processors make money then the farmers don’t,” he says. “We have to change that. It is part of changing the farming business model so that everyone in the value chain gets some of the premium.” Barton and wife Sharon have developed a successful premium beef and lamb brand based on the environmental stewardship required to farm within the strict nitrogen limits of the Taupo catchment. They were the 2014 Waikato winners of the Farm Environment Awards. Barton says the development of premium export brands nationally, based on environmental stewardship, needs to be done across all catchments.
Mike and Sharon Barton.
“The bulk of what we produce is exported. Export markets around the world do not need 16 different regional ticks and a whole range of different catchment brands,” he told a Beef + Lamb NZ environmental field day at the Te Opu farm in the Kaipara region.
“We have to start thinking about how we compare a farmer here in Maungaturoto doing the right thing for the Kaipara Harbour, with a farmer in Taupo doing the right thing by nitrogen, and a farmer in the Rangitata Valley in the South Island who has different issues again.
‘BLOODY HARD WORK!’ THE BARTONS started to think about the issue in 2009. “We wanted to see if consumers would value the fact that we have come up with a model to protect the lake in perpetuity.” A group the Bartons were up against in the Environment Court, called the Lakes and Waterway Action Group, were largely retired professionals who had bought houses around Lake Taupo and wanted to protect the water quality of the lake. The Bartons joined the organisation, went to every monthly meeting and in the end the group came up with the strapline ‘Grown Right Here’ which focused on the fact their product is local and is grown in the right way. “They are now our best customers.” Farmers supplying the Taupo Beef and Lamb – Grown Right Here brand get a premium which is about 10% above the schedule. The other 10% gets lost in the value chain and is shared with other players who have to age the meat, do marketing, etc. “We are paying a sufficient premium to farmers that they are willing to continue with us. Is the premium enough to cover the cost of
protecting the lake? No.” But Barton says through the brand they have started a conversation with consumers. “Until now, we as farmers have sold meat to consumers without ever talking to them about the environmental impact of producing that food. We have never asked them to pay any of those costs,” he explains. “We have always told them that food is cheap. If you are going to start internalising the environmental cost of food production into the price consumers pay, you can’t just flick a switch and expect them to pay the full whack. “We will have to share some of the costs as farmers, but we have to build a relationship with consumers over time. As those costs increase we can get more from the consumer.” Establishing your own brand and establishing individual catchment brands is “bloody hard work”. “It constrains what you do as farmers. “Maybe you need to work with processors and share the load across multiple catchments and we need to come up with a certification across all catchments,” Barton told the field day.
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RURAL NEWS // DECEMBER 19, 2017
22 MANAGEMENT
Dealing with a prick of a grass NIGEL MALTHUS
THIS IS a busy time of year on the Mount Beautiful Vineyard, at Spotswood, North Canterbury. Along with all the other spring tasks, manager Garrick Guy has about a dozen workers hunting down and spotspraying clumps of the invasive pest weed Chilean needle grass. The job takes several weeks and has had to be repeated every spring since the pest was discovered on the farm in 2008. The infestation predates the setting up of the vineyard, which occupies 80ha of the 120ha farm, on the main road a few kilometres north of Cheviot. Managing Chilean needle grass occupies them on a “day-to-day basis,” Guy says.
He told attendees at a recent Chilean needle grass focus day on the property that among other measures he can only graze lambs on infested paddocks if they are immediately going to the works. This is to avoid any spread to other paddocks, or to other farms, if the lambs were to be sold as store animals. Guy’s neighbour Charles Wiffen, chairman of the Chilean needle grass pest management liaison committee, said that sending animals to the works “obviously is the most preferred option”. “We’ve got to stress to farmers and people in these areas that have it on their properties, to be very vigilant. We are trying to strictly control letting stock move
Chilean needle grass showing its distinctive purple seed heads. SUPPLIED/ECan
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around,” he said. “If you don’t abide by those rules we unfortunately may have to bring stricter rules in. We are relying on people’s honesty and we hope that continues.” Chilean needle grass is an invasive pasture pest from South America – ironically from Argentina, not Chile. It reduces crop yields, causes animal welfare issues and places restrictions on infested farms, including stock
movements and not being able to make and sell hay. Most infestations are in Hawkes Bay and Marlborough, but Environment Canterbury’s principal resource management advisor biosecurity, Laurence Smith, told the group that North Canterbury is a very susceptible area, with 325ha now infested “that we know of”. Although disappointed with the small turnout, Smith acknowledged it was a busy time of year for farmers. But ECan could not find all infestations and it is important that farmers come on board, he said. Farmers tend not to be too concerned about Chilean needle grass until it becomes obvious, but by then it will already be established. It is a “ticking time bomb” that could take 10 years to show itself from one stray seed. Smith said glyphosate will kill the plants, but not seeds already in the ground. The plants also harbour seeds low-down that become viable even before the seed heads show themselves. Taskforce herbicide is also used but is nonspecific. Smith said good results are obtained by broadcast herbicide followed by turning the
ground and sowing lucerne. However, complete eradication is realistically impossible, Smith concedes. Chilean needle grass is most likely to be found where there is less competition from desirable pasture species, such as dry hard hill country, areas with light soil, heavily grazed pasture and bare ground. He says the weed is “just another grass” most of the year until the distinctive purple seed heads become visible in November and December. The seeds are dart-like, with a sharp seed head and a long, kinked tail (awn). Although not prone to windborne spread, they stick to animals, machinery and clothing. They can bore into animals’ flesh, causing suffering and devalued pelts, meat and wool. A particular feature of the seeds is the way the corkscrew-shaped awns expand and contract with changing moisture levels, repeatedly twisting the barbed heads in both directions to drive them further into pelts and flesh. ECan is calling on farmers who suspect they may have Chilean needle grass not to try tackling the problem alone, but to immediately report it to authorities.
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Environment Canterbury’s principal resource management advisor biosecurity, Laurence Smith, discusses Chilean needle grass during a focus day on the Mount Beautiful vineyard in North Canterbury. RURAL NEWS GROUP
RURAL NEWS // DECEMBER 19, 2017
ANIMAL HEALTH 23
No giving up on lepto research PETER BURKE peterb@ruralnews.co.nz
CLIMATE EFFECTS and new farming practices could be among the drivers of change in the nature and spread of leptospirosis, says New Zealand researcher Dr Julie CollinsEmerson. She spoke at the International Leptospirosis Society conference held recently in NZ. Collins-Emerson says the disease is dynamic: changes in serovars in domestic livestock and in wildlife are all contributing to the change. She has researched leptospirosis for 26 years at Massey University and says the understanding of the disease has grown over the years. “Overseas it is different, where quite often lepto circulates in the wildlife and spills over into the human populations, whereas in NZ it used to be in the livestock and spilling over into the humans. But it is a different situation now, with the dynamic nature of the disease.” Collins-Emerson says changes in farming practices such as intensive dairying are presenting new challenges for researchers to find ways to prevent the spread of the disease. Her research group is looking at new ways of detecting leptospirosis. This includes applying much more molecular technology to help in diagnostics and genomes to find out where the serovars come from, and determining risks to animals.
Dr Julie Collins-Emerson
Ongoing quality research into leptospirosis is very important; since the disease was first discovered in NZ in 1952, research has at times almost stopped, she says. This occurred in the 1980s when it was thought that a vaccination programme in animals pretty much had the disease under control. Only the foresight of Massey University in keeping its lepto lab going enabled the research to keep going. “If we lose capacity in research funding we lose the capacity to do research that could be critical. It’s not something you can pick up and run with again in a few months. It’s not just starting up the lab, it’s the skills that are lost; leptospirosis is a specialist area of microbiology and if you lose the expertise then it is hard to get up
and running again.” Collins-Emerson is full of praise for the support she and her researchers have had from Rural Women NZ over many years. She notes that in the 1970s RWNZ contributed $150,000 and in 2008 a further $107,000. She says this has enabled research to go ahead in leaps and bounds. “One of our biggest success stories is that we have actively engaged with all people involved with lepto and especially those who have suffered from the disease. This includes rural women, GPs, public health officers, veterinary practices and academics. This has helped us communicate with people at all levels, and getting buy-in from the community has helped us to move forward as a big team.”
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www.elanco.co.nz 0800 352 626 (ELANCO) Refer to registered label. References: 1. Levot, G. & Sales, N. Proc. Australian Sheep Veterinarians Gold Coast Conference, May 2005. pp144–149. 2. Extinosad Jetting Fluid /Flystrike Dressing for Sheep in Long Wool Technical Manual Version 1 30/11/00. Elanco Animal Health (for internal use only). Cyrex Liquid contains 12.5 g/L spinosad and 500 g/L cyromazine. Registered pursuant to the ACVM Act 1997 (No. A009917). Registered to Elanco Animal Health, Division of Eli Lilly and Company (NZ) Limited, Level 1, 123 Ormiston Road, Botany Junction, Auckland 2016. Elanco, Cyrex™ and the diagonal bar are trademarks owned or licensed by Eli Lilly and Company, its subsidiaries or affiliates. ©2017 Elanco, a division of Eli Lilly and Company. EAH17324 NZSHPCLK00021
RURAL NEWS // DECEMBER 19, 2017
24 MACHNERY & PRODUCTS
2017 – what a year! WHAT A year it’s been for anyone interested in technology. For sure, agriculture is at the cutting edge, whatever your chosen field. Manufacturers continue pushing the boundaries, which in turn increases output or reduces inputs, both of which unite to save the user money. Looking at heavy metal such as tractors, who couldn’t be impressed by Fendt’s 1000 Series goliath with its radical drive line, the Case IH Quadtrac hitting 20 years of service, and CNH Global’s look at the future with autonomous blue and maroon tractors? Meanwhile, John Deere and Fendt have shown their ‘green’ credentials with the all-electric e100 and SESAM tractors, and New Holland continues to develop its methane powered tractor, which is nearly ready for market. World records have been broken: Ashburton’s Watson family grew 1679 tonnes/ha of wheat, a self-propelled Agrifac sprayer covered 2532ha in 24 hours, and a Polish-made Samasz mower knocked over 100ha of grass in just eight hours. Technology in the livestock sector is also right up there: robotic milking systems from De Laval and Lely have won greater acceptance, for labour saving and herd health; local company Smaxtec has developed a bolus that lies in a cow’s stomach to transmit data on water intake, activity and rumen pH to a remote tablet or smartphone. Students at Harper Adams University in the UK completed the HandsFree Hectare Project where a crop of barley destined for brewing (students never change) was planted, tended and harvested autonomously with machinery that was readily available
and easily modified. Talking about mobility, a plethora of apps continue to be released and bombard farmers from every direction on their tablets or mobile phones. However, as a visiting American farmer noted, “I can have up to 50 information feeds hitting my smartphone every day, but in 36 harvests the biggest effect on my bottom line has always been created by the weather -over which I have no control.” And this year’s fun stuff: women’s pink work-boots at Fieldays (there’s a present for Christmas); the Giant Cow at Morrinsville – a nod to the area’s dairying backbone; and a tribute to the late Laurie Maber, who sowed the seeds for the hugely successful Power Farming Group. On the motoring front, NZ continues to be offered a plethora of fantastic vehicles including a heap of utes and a choice of at least 63 SUVs. Standouts are the impressive Skoda Kodiak, which should win Car of The Year; Toyota with market leadership that goes back 30 years; and the truck to trump any ute – the Ram 2500 XL, bigger than Texas and a dozen oversized, cup holders. The negatives? Not too many on the heavy metal front. However, we need to get to the bottom of fatalities on farms, many of them attributable to quads. We must change the way we think about helmets, protective clothing and why we need to go somewhere on a quad. Is there an alternative? Do we need to do that or go there? Remember that the history books record the lives and deaths of many martyrs. Have a safe 2018.
All the bells and whistles to go MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz
A WHISTLE-STOP tour of the Canterbury Plains, South Canterbury limestone country and the Mackenzie Pass was the backdrop for the release of the 2018 Toyota Hilux to New Zealand’s media, leaving most increasingly admiring this iconic truck’s ability to tough it out. The 2018 model brings more automatic options (buyers are shunning manual transmission), a common 3.5 tonne capacity in all pre-runner and 4WD powertrains, and diff lock in pre-runners – in response to customer feedback. By contrast, out go the V6 petrol models and 4WD Extra cabs with manual transmission. In a nod to the fact that some Hiluxs do a little work and earn their operators a living, all S and SR variants have seen a change from car-
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pets to easily cleanable PVC/rubber matting and a reversing camera has been added to all cab/chassis models for safety and convenience. Some nice touches here: air vents are added for rear-seat passengers, a locking tailgate on the Extra cab utes and the SR5 helps improve security, and all 4WD SR double cabs with automatic transmissions now have downhill assist control. All S models include climate control, 5-speed manual transmission, daytime running lamps, vehicle stability control, hill start assist, trailer sway control, emergency stop signal, seven airbags, air conditioning, reverse camera and ECO/Power drive modes. SR variants now offer the choice of 6-speed manual or automatic transmissions, rear diff lock and black alloy side steps. Topping up the spec for the SR5 units are intelligent manual
transmission (i-MT), 17-inch alloys, smart key entry and exit, satnav, LED headlights, fog and daytime running lights, climate air conditioning and an alarm. Ride quality is more comfortable, which is explained by tolerances of rear spring groups now being more evenly matched within each group and, in general, the vehicle appears much quieter than previous incarnations. Off the tarseal, running in 4WD/ high range with the diff lock engaged, we encountered loose gravel, grass and the odd mountain goat track which the Hilux dealt with easily. The ride was always compliant, the vehicle giving a sense of security that made control easy always. It left you wondering, with such good build quality and legendary endurance, why bother looking any further?
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RURAL NEWS // DECEMBER 19, 2017
MACHINERY & PRODUCTS 25
Auto command now on demand @rural_news facebook.com/ruralnews
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RURAL NEWS // DECEMBER 19, 2017
26 MACHINERY & PRODUCTS
If it weren’t for their gumboots MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz
THE NAME Skellerup is normally associated with gumboots, but a closer look at the company reveals a great deal more. Danish/Australian immigrant George Skjellerup was born in Cobden, South Australia, in 1881 and emigrated to Dunedin at age 21 in 1902 with thirty shillings and sixpence in his pocket. Here he worked in a bicycle shop making tyres. In 1907, he moved to Christchurch and married Elizabeth Reid. About 1910 he opened a store in the garden city, selling rubber goods branded Para Rubber after the Port of Para in Brazil, from where most of the world’s rubber was exported. By 1920 Para Rubber was listed on the stock exchange and operated numerous shops under a franchise agreement, selling bike and car tyres, petrol, gumboots and rubberware for the dairy industry. By 1938 Skellerup had opened the Empire Rubber Mills on the banks of the Heathcote River, developing the first dairy milking liner. (A staggering 125 mil-
In its hey day Skellerup employed 700 people making 2500 pairs of footwear each day.
lion such items had been made by 2007.) By 1947 the business had brought together its five rubber companies and Dominion Salt which George Skellerup also founded; these made up the business we know today as Skellerup Industries. The company
logo carried a picture of a Viking ship, reflecting George’s heritage. By 1943 the company was making tennis shoes and the Marathon gumboot which found favour with farm workers and spun off into the Mukluks used by Sir Ed Hillary’s NZ Trans-
Antarctic Expedition in 1954. Red Band gumboots appeared in 1958, then came a huge expansion until the late 1980s, when Skellerup made footwear for the leisure, agricultural and industrial markets, employing 700 people and making
2500 pairs of footwear daily – 24/7. Skellerup is reckoned to have made at least 60% of all footwear bought in New Zealand, including its famous All Star sports shoes. Skellerup was the founding sponsor of the NZ Young Farmer of the Year event which it
championed for 29 years, and its brands, notably Red Band and Quatro, –
continue to support rural feet. Stand-out products include No More Flats bicycle inner tubes, wet weather and marine clothing as used by Sir Peter Blake in the Whitbread Round the World yacht race, and Base Isolation systems used in the foundations of buildings to temper earthquake shocks. Then there are hot water bottles, rubber gloves, swimming caps, calf feeders, conveyor belts and even rubber booties for police dogs. Today the business is international, with 22% of revenue earned in NZ, 25% in Australia, 27% in North America, 19% in Europe and 7% in Asia. It is still the world’s largest producer of dairy rubberware such as liners, tubing and milk filters, and the industrial division supplies polymer products for moving potable water and a range of pumps. @rural_news facebook.com/ruralnews
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RURAL NEWS // DECEMBER 19, 2017
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HUNTER BOOTS Comfortable, durable and stylish.
The heavy duty sole construction makes this a robust boot designed for climbing over rugged ground. This boot has a soft toe and is made from a thick Mad Dog Nubuck Leather, stitched and screwed construction with a rubber, replaceable sole, that is glued and screwed. Soft padding for ankle support and D-Rings for your laces are an added advantage. Great fitting boots full of comfort, ideal for those long hunting and tramping trips.
PO Box 73 Tuakau 1892 Tel: (09) 236 8414 From 1,600 L (1Dairy tonne) PO Box 73 Tuakau PO Box 1892 73 Tuakau 1892 Fax: (09) 236 9321 to Free Range & Barn Eggs Feed Systems Tel: (09) 236 8414 Tel: (09) 236 8414 Dairy Dairy Dairy 40,000 L (30 tonne) Email: PPP.LTD@xtra.co.nz Feed Systems SUPPLIERS OF: (09) 236 Fax: Fax: 9321(09) 236 9321 Feed Systems Feed SystemsEmail: • Nest boxes - manual or FARMER BOOTS Lastrite’s Farmer boots are made PPP.LTD@xtra.co.nz Email: PPP.LTD@xtra.co.nz automated Industries Ltd
sales@pppindustries.co.nz
0800 901 902
www.pppindustries.co.nz
PO Box 73 Tuakau 1892 Tel: (09) 236 8414 Fax: (09) 236 9321 Email: PPP.LTD@xtra.co.nz
• Poultry Equipment
PO Box 73 Tuakau 1892
Tel: (09) 236 8414 Feed & Drinking Fax: (09) 236 9321 Email:trays PPP.LTD@xtra.co.nz • Plastic egg
for comfort. Constructed from Reverse kip leather they are an ideal farmers, fencers and builders boot. Very sturdy and made to last this boot is robust with a heavy duty construction. It has a leather insole and midsole that is stitched and screwed construction with a rubber, replaceable sole, that is glued and screwed. Update your old boots now and you will never look back.
QUALITY PRODUCTS MADE IN EUROPE OR BY PPPPO Box 73 Tuakau 1892
A trusted name in Poultry Industry Tel: (09) 236 8414 Poultry for over 50 years PO Box 73 Tuakau PO Box 1892 73 Tuakau 1892 Fax: (09)10 236 9321 ROAD, RD5, WHANGAREI HALL Equipment Rangiora Tel: (09) 236 8414 Tel: (09) 236 8414 Call: 0800 668 534 Poultry Poultry Phone 09 438 8907 Email: PPP.LTD@xtra.co.nz www.advantageplastics.co.nz Fax: (09) 236 Fax: 9321(09) 236 9321 Equipment Equipment Email: PPP.LTD@xtra.co.nz Email: PPP.LTD@xtra.co.nz ❖
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Rural Survey WIN ONE OF 3
Q2000
WEBER BBQ’s ®
or one of 3 $500 Prezzy Cards We want to get to know you better. Farmers are different to the urban population.You have different priorities, work different hours during your work day and consume media in a different way to city folk.
To understand our readers, we have got together with other rural publishers and have commissioned an independent research company to conduct a short survey to help us understand how farmers and growers use and consume all media (not just newspapers). This will help us all tailor our publications and websites to work better for you – our farmer readers. For your time and effort, you will be entered into a prize draw to win one of three Weber BBQs or one of three $500 Prezzy Cards. It’s quick and easy!
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