Issuu

MANAGEMENT

MACHINERY & PRODUCTS

Age not wearying this farmer.

Kiwi icon celebrates 60 years.

PAGE 23

NEWS Feds caned by Environment Court. PAGE 10

PAGE 27

TO ALL FARMERS, FOR ALL FARMERS MAY 1, 2018: ISSUE 652

www.ruralnews.co.nz

Unacceptable attitude SUDESH KISSUN sudeshk@ruralnews.co.nz

FORMER FONTERRA director Leonie Guiney is not ruling out another tilt at a co-op directorship. Guiney, gagged by Fonterra with a court injunction, hopes the court case will be finalised before nominations for board elections open in July. Fonterra obtained an ex-parte injunction against Guiney and media outlets on March 2 to prevent confidential board information being made public. Guiney told Rural News she has filed her defence and is suing the co-op for defamation. The case is set for hearing on September 15. A fierce defender of Fonterra’s co-op ethos, the South Canterbury farmer served for three years on the board as a farmer-elected director. She was prevented from re-contesting last year. Guiney says she hasn’t decided on contesting this year’s board elections; if a settlement is reached earlier she could then make a call. She says Fonterra’s injunction is

baseless and she never divulged any confidential board information to the media. However, Guiney is questioning the board’s attitude to losses on investments in China, especially in the controversial Beingmate joint venture; the co-op paid $750 million three years ago for its 18.8% stake, but after the latest write-down of $404m the Beingmate investment is now worth only $244m. Fonterra’s board is now focusing on the ‘enterprise value’ of its China operations, notes Guiney. “This tells us nothing about shareholder value and is misleading; they are not only misleading shareholders but

misleading themselves.” Guiney says Fonterra shareholders have been contacting her to support her stance on the prudent use of shareholder capital. She is urging the Fonterra board to be more transparent with shareholders. “A strong Fonterra in future will depend on much better performance with capital. This would require an open and non-defensive acceptance of issues that the [financial] results suggest exist [because of the] investment culture, in order to improve it.” Guiney says the days of easy access to shareholder capital may be over for Fonterra.

“The easy access to capital Fonterra has enjoyed with milk growth for almost the 15-year board tenure of the current chairman is over, because the growth of milk into Fonterra is over. “The attitude that a $400m writedown of one investment is small in the scheme of things is not sustainable in a cooperative attracting no new capital,” she said. “In my opinion it’s not acceptable regardless of whether you have easy access to capital or not, but it’s even less acceptable in an environment where Fonterra is losing market share as fast as competitors can build new stainless steel.”

Top farm on show The Onuku Maori Lands Trust in mid April held a field day on its Boundary Road farm, near Lake Rotomahana, as part of the judging process of the 2018 Ahuwhenua Trophy competition, which recognises excellence in Maori farming. Pictured are farm manager Alan Rondon (left) and farm advisor Peter Livingston of AgFirst, Rotorua. The field day attracted a large crowd from the central North Island, who came to see why the farm made the finals. More page 23

RHAANZ REPRIEVE? PAM TIPA pamelat@ruralnews.co.nz

THE RURAL Health Alliance (RHAANZ) seems promised a reprieve, and is now looking at restructuring rather than ‘hibernation’. Restructuring may mean an emphasis on acting as a voice and adviser for rural health services rather than providing services itself. “We have had such strong support from the community from a whole number of different directions that we are beginning to move away from the term ‘hibernation’ and look to restructuring,” says chairman Dr Martin London. “There are a few sources of finance, which will enable us to continue in one form or another.” The RHAANZ said in mid April it was going into “hibernation” after failing to obtain hoped-for Government funding. Its council will now meet on May 10 to “focus on our new resources, such as they might be, and see what sort of secretariat and service we can continue to provide rural NZ,” says London. Until late June it will operate as a basic secretariat while it carries out some “strategic manoeuvres and plans a restructure”. “Clearly the expectation of us continuing what we do is high in the rural community.” London refers to misconceptions about funding. “In some areas the media are TO PAGE 3

DROPPING IN. IT HAPPENS MORE OFTEN THAN YOU’D THINK.

When you suffer the kind of damage to your property that you’d never expect in the city, we not only understand, we’ll have you covered. It’s the kind of understanding and advice that really makes a difference in the country. To find out more, go to fmg.co.nz or call us directly on 0800 366 466. We’re here for the good of the country. FMG0688RNFP_S

UP TO

YEARS

F O S R A E Y 0 7 OVER D N I H e b g n i d n a st what we sell

AGRO CARE

WARRANTY

FINANCE

3.75% AVAILABLE

NEW ZEALAND CLASSIC

DEUTZ-FAHR M-SERIES

RUN-OUT SALE

BEST VALUE IN CLASS

FROM 141-166HP, 6 CYLINDER • • • •

FREE LOADER

6.1 litre electronic Deutz engine 4 speed powershift, 24x24 transmission Cab suspension, front suspension options Controls integrated into the armrest

DEUTZ-FAHR 5120 LOADER COMBO

DEUTZ-FAHR 5105.4 LOADER COMBO

• • • • •

120HP, 4 CYLINDER

105HP, 4 CYLINDER

Deutz TCD 3.6 engine 3 stage powershift, 60x60 transmission Stop and go and quick steer SDD Isoblock cabin suspension Tractor and Trima loader $89,990+GST

FINANCE

30% DEPOSIT + TOTAL GST

1861

3.75% $ AVAIL ABLE

4 YEAR

deutztractors.co.nz

deutznz

4 YEAR

POWER

TRAIN WARRANTY

4WD, power steering 12x12 manual transmission Flat operator platform 2 sets of hydraulic remotes Only $44,990+GST

40% DEPOSIT + TOTAL GST $ /MONTH*

TRAIN WARRANTY ROPs roof not included in price.

497

• • • • •

INTEREST

2.5-3.5m sowing width Seed and fertiliser option available New E-Drive option available 5 inch spacing Disc opener standard pay over

FINANCE OPTIONS 3 YEARS INTEREST AVAILABLE FREE aitchisonseeding.co.nz

FA94RN

4,990+GST

KIOTI CS2610 HST 26HP • • • • • • •

Large 1131cc diesel engine Easy to operate HST trans 4WD, power steering Ergonomic operator station Tight turning circle Industrial or turf tyres Tractor $12,990+GST

40% DEPOSIT + TOTAL GST $ /MONTH*

148

60” MOWER DECK

3,490+GST

kiotinz

PLOUGH POINT Left hand and right hand reversible C/W bolts

WHAKATANE Jacks Machinery ................................ 07 308 7299 ROTORUA Truck & Tractor Services ...................... 07 349 6528 GISBORNE Power Farming Gisborne ................... 06 868 8908 HASTINGS Power Farming Hawke’s Bay ............. 06 879 9998 HAWERA Power Farming Taranaki ........................ 06 278 0240 FEILDING Power Farming Manawatu .................... 06 323 8182

16” PLOUGH SHARE

Left hand and right hand suitable for all Kverneland Ploughs

+GST 1395 EACH

WHANGAREI Power Farming Northland ........... 09 438 9163 DARGAVILLE Power Farming Northland ............ 09 439 3333 PUKEKOHE Power Farming Auckland ................... 09 239 1200 MORRINSVILLE Power Farming Morrinsville ... 07 889 5059 TE AWAMUTU Power Farming Te Awamutu ...... 07 870 2411 TAURANGA Capital Tractors & Machinery .......... 07 543 0021

WITH OVER 100,000 PARTS, WE’RE BOUND TO HAVE THE PART YOU NEED.

SEEDMATIC TINE DRILL MARK 4 RANGE

4 IN 1 LOADER

kiotitractors.co.nz

LARGE RANGE OF MACHINERY AVAILABLE. HERE’S JUST ONE ...

1738/MONTH

ABLE

80HP

POWER

30% DEPOSIT + TOTAL GST

FINANCE

3.75% $ AVAIL

/MONTH*

KIOTI RX8030 LOADER/ SLASHER COMBO • • • • •

4 litre FARMotion T4i engine High/low, 40x40 powershift trans Stop and go High visibility four post cabin Tractor and Trima loader $83,990+GST

+GST 6895 EACH

CASTROL AGRI TRANS PLUS 80W 20 Litre For hydralics, trans and PTOs.

partsdirect.co.nz

MASTERTON Power Farming Wairarapa ........... 06 370 8240 NELSON Brian Miller Truck & Tractor ................... 03 544 5723 BLENHEIM Agrivit ........................................................... 03 572 8787 GREYMOUTH Power Farming West Coast ......... 03 768 4370 CHRISTCHURCH Power Farming Canterbury ..... 03 349 5975 ASHBURTON Power Farming Ashburton ............. 03 307 7153

11400 +GST

partsdirectnz

TIMARU Power Farming Timaru .............................. 03 687 4127 DUNEDIN Power Farming Otago ........................... 03 489 3489 GORE Power Farming Gore ....................................... 03 208 9395 INVERCARGILL Power Farming Invercargill ........ 03 215 9039 powerfarming.co.nz

powerfarmingnz

Terms and conditions apply. Advertised imagery may differ from product. Contact your local dealer for further details. Normal lending criteria and conditions apply. While stocks last. All prices valid until 30/06/18. * Monthly payments for Deutz-Fahr based on 30% plus total GST deposit or/and use trade-in, then 36 monthly payments at 3.75%. Monthly payments for Kioti based on 40% plus total GST deposit or/and use trade-in, then 60 monthly payments at 3.99%. ** Contact your local dealer for further details. Normal lending criteria and conditions apply.

ONE NA M E C O VER S I T A L L

RURAL NEWS // MAY 1, 2018

NEWS 3 ISSUE 652

www.ruralnews.co.nz

Farmer frustrated at fob off NIGEL MALTHUS

NEWS ��1-14 AGRIBUSINESS �� 16-17 MARKETS ��18-19 HOUND, EDNA �� 20 CONTACTS �� 20 OPINION �� 20-22 MANAGEMENT ��23-24 ANIMAL HEALTH �� 25-26 MACHINERY AND PRODUCTS ��27-30 RURAL TRADER �� 30-31

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

JERSEY BREEDER Peter Hansen has asked his local MP for help as he continues to seek compensation after being caught up in the Mycoplasma bovis outbreak. Hansen last year bought four Jersey cows from an Australian stud, but MPI denied an import licence on the grounds that live imports were a possible pathway for the disease. MPI later declined his claim for compensation. Hansen, who runs the Lilac Grove Stud at Fernside, Rangiora, says he has not given up the fight. “I sent several emails to [Agriculture Minister] Damien O’Connor’s office. They promised to reply but I’ve heard nothing so I went to our local Member of Parliament Matt Doocey, meeting with him about three or four weeks ago. He’s written an official letter to them asking what’s going on, but we haven’t heard anything back.” Hansen says he may next seek legal advice. “I’d like people to know that

Rangiora Jersey breeders Peter and Claire Hansen have been denied compensation after they were blocked from importing four cows from Australia because of the M.bovis outbreak. MPI says the case did not meet the compensation criteria detailed in the Biosecurity Act.

[O’Connor’s] office hasn’t been getting back to me. They’re not doing right by someone like me. I mean, as far as I know I’m the only one [declined] compensation. You’d think it might be worth a bit of contact from the Minister of Agriculture, wouldn’t it?” A spokesperson for the minister’s office said he was unable to comment

on individual cases. It is believed Hansen’s cows would have been the first live cattle imported in about four years. He claimed about $350,000 compensation, mostly for the estimated cost of having the four cows flushed for embryos, which he believes was justified to put him in a similar position

to what he would have been in had the animals been allowed into the country. MPI says compensation is only paid for verifiable losses as a result of MPI exercising its powers under the Biosecurity Act for the purpose of control or eradication of an organism. “None of these powers was exercised on Mr Hansen. According to the act, compensation must not be paid if the person’s loss relates to uncleared goods,” it says. Meanwhile, Hansen believes the M.bovis response was “a knee-jerk reaction to a disease that the rest of the world’s got”. “I could understand if it were foot and mouth; I’d want them to be going as hard as they could on it because that’s such a devastating disease,” he told Rural News. “It would be lovely if they could get rid of it, but unless you’re checking all the lifestyle farms and all the beef farms and all the dairy grazing farms how can you be confident you haven’t just killed the portion of the industry that you know about?”

Reprieve for rural health body? FROM PAGE 1

saying the Government is withdrawing finance. That is not really the case. The only finance we have had from Government is in the form of contracts and if we don’t have a substantial secretariat – a base organisation which is financially sound – the Government can’t award contracts. “So if they are not funding the former mental health contracts we have been pursuing that doesn’t mean they are taking money away. They are redirecting those contracts to someone else who can fulfill them.” London says he’d like to position

initiatives out of the RHAANZ as not a prorural community. vider of services. “And we have a sub“We are there to scription base of 47 coordinate the rural members. There is a lot voice and provide advice of appropriate negotiaand direction and coortion or reflecting going dinate rural response on between members to the expectations of and sponsors.” government, but not RHAANZ chair Dr Martin So with enough conactually provide it our- London tinuing support from their original selves.” London says they are “cautiously “electorate” they will continue. “We positive -- not jumping up and down just have to see how we model the saying ‘we have won’; but there is a providing of our services.” Because of the funding issues the way forward and strong support”. The “resources” he refers to are contract for chief executive Michelle

Thompson has finished “at the moment and in its form”. “Because she has got so much understanding of the finances and the relationships with our sponsors and our membership she has agreed to go on with that side of things in a very reduced way to see us to the end of the [financial] year so we can close the year with our finances clearly declared.” London “very much hopes” a restructured organisation would include a role for Thompson. @rural_news facebook.com/ruralnews

® NEW ZEALAND’S ONLY RAIN RESISTANT(1) COMBINATION POUR-ON BOSS® Pour-On. Designed from the molecule up to deliver improved product performance. How? By using our unique DMI-Sorb™ “liquid-gel” formulation system to stop run-off and improve absorption. It really works. And unlike when you use other combination pour-on’s you won’t have to worry if rain occurs shortly before or after treatment. For more information see www.alleva.co.nz

BUY 7.5LS OF BOSS POUR-ON AND RECEIVE A FREE BREVILLE SCRAPER MIXER* *While stocks last.

BOSS® and DMI-Sorb™’ are registered trademarks of Alleva Animal Health Limited, Tel: (09) 418 1405. Approved under the ACVM Act 1997, No. A10817. (1) See label for details.

AVAILABLE

FROM YOUR

LOCAL

VETERINARY

PRACTICE

www.alleva.co.nz

RURAL NEWS // MAY 1, 2018

4 NEWS

More rural nurses a solution? PAM TIPA pamelat@ruralnews.co.nz

NURSE PRACTITIONERS could go a long way to help reverse the declining availability of rural health services in New Zealand, says Dr Sue Adams, a senior lecturer at Massey University’s School of Nursing. But not enough is being done to support the training of nurse practitioners or the use of their skills in practices, particularly in the rural areas. Already 4000 nurses have completed the clinical masters degree but they are not being used as nursing practitioners in regions which desperately need them and where they often already live, she says. In her thesis, Dr Adams explored the expe-

Dr Sue Adams

riences of rural nurses on their journey to becoming nurse practitioners (NPs). She researched how the development of NPs in rural communities was restricted by the structure and organisation of health services,

including general practice. Adams told Rural News that internationally it has been shown for many years that NPs are an effective health workforce delivering primary health care services to under-

served and rural populations. They achieved the same -- if not potentially superior -- health outcomes as doctors, she says. “In NZ we have in our rural areas a diminishing rural general practitioner (GP) workforce, pockets of incredibly high health need and still really unacceptable health inequalities particular for our Maori communities. “NPs could be working in those areas delivering services to those communities. But NZ hasn’t really accepted them as potential mainstream providers. The two main reasons is our persistence with doctorowned and doctor-led care and secondly with a very fragmented funding system.

“The policy system is a mix of private and public funding where there is still too much competition between providers for accessing funds and where there is too much change regularly occurring.” It is has been very hard for NPs to establish themselves, she says. They need practices that support them to become NPs and to employ them in that capacity once they have done their training

DR ADAMS says she came across “incredible frustration” among rural nurses at the lack of support to move forward to become nursing practitioners. One experienced nurse worked in a very rural practice which went through 16 locum doctors attached to GPs in two years. She studied to become a NP, but the district health board (DHB) wouldn’t employ her in that role in that region. “It is this type of story I kept hearing. A number of the nurses would train to become NPs and then their practices would say ‘we don’t really want a NP’.” Adams says they are a very cost effective workforce, particularly when compared to the cost of locums. “We over-use locums in rural primary health care in NZ.” Many locums are from overseas on work experience so only stay for a few months. “Often a NP stays living in the community, engages with the community and links the community to health services in a way we often don’t see in our current medical practices.” There are many examples of successful models in Canada and the US and a few in NZ including Te Tai Tokerau primary health organisation (PHO) and Mid Central DHB and PHO doing a great job in developing nurse practitioners.

A well run board is an asset to your farm

– Vanessa Donald, dairy farmer, Taupo *You may be eligible for a NZTE subsidy of up to 50% of the course fee.

Our one day Rural Governance Essentials course* provides you with insider information and real world practical examples of how to direct an agri-business. To find out more call 0800 846 369 or go to iod.org.nz/rural

registered. A registered nurse practitioner can perform all functions of a GP, from assessment and diagnosis, to ordering diagnostic tests such as x-rays, blood tests and scans, to prescribing medication, treatment and referring to hospital specialists. “They thus work at the same level as a GP, but they are much cheaper to educate and their salary is lower.”

FRUSTRATING LACK OF SUPPORT

RURAL GOVERNANCE ESSENTIALS

“To deal with the increased complexity of our business we needed to move beyond just the accountant and advisers to having our own board. It was really important for us to get things right and the Institute of Directors helped us to do that.”

so they can become registered. As NPs in a practice they provide the same service as a GP and generate practice income in exactly the same way. GP’s arguments that they cannot afford to employ NPs arise from ignorance of how the funding works. Nurse practitioners complete a masters degree in clinical nursing and then submit an application to the Nursing Council of NZ to be

But it is still not happening at mainstream level, Adams says. “The evidence is beginning to say that we need to turn around the model of service delivery we have in NZ,” she says. “There is no need to have primary health care services as doctor-led. NP-led primary health care services would be as effective and possibly do more to increase levels of community wellness through the nursing approach to practice.” She believes a clear strategy and push at national level is needed for greater accountability across the whole sector to train and employ nurse practitioners. But she believes support is hampered or blocked by “powerful medical lobby groups”. Adams supervisor, Professor Jenny Carryer, hopes the upcoming Budget will make a cost effective decision to increase NP training rather than increase GP training. Historically GPs do not choose to work in under-served areas. “The government and Health Workforce NZ continue to try to find ways of recruiting more GPs and sustaining GPs in their work rather than saying ‘let’s look at another way of doing this to achieve at least as good, if not better, health outcomes for our communities’.”

RURAL NEWS // MAY 1, 2018

NEWS 5

Major mission for NZ’s meat man PETER BURKE peterb@ruralnews.co.nz

THE CHALLENGES and complexity of Brexit for red meat makes it’s essential New Zealand has a permanent representative in the UK. That’s the view of the Meat Industry Association (MIA) chief executive Tim Ritchie on the appointment of Jeff Grant to support the industry’s position on Brexit. Grant’s role is funded by the MIA, Beef + Lamb NZ and Agmart. Ritchie says given the nature of Brexit it is hard to do anything remotely from NZ; instead the industry needs someone on the ground who can “live and breathe” things in that region, “given the importance of that market, especially for lamb”.

Grant will move to London, likely by June. He will first make sense of Brexit and later get involved in the broader issue of supporting the NZ government to obtain free trade agreements (FTAs) with the European Union (EU) and the UK. Ritchie says no-one knows whether it’s going to be a ‘hard’ or ‘soft’ Brexit and how this all may impact NZ. “Until that is clarified it’s hard to know how we might or might not be caught up and where the challenges are,” he told Rural News. “It seems very sensible for the meat companies to put their hands in their own pockets and to work with BLNZ to jointly fund a person in that part of the world for the next couple of years. Given so

many balls in the air you can’t sit back and navigate it from here; you need to be much closer to the centre of the action.” Ritchie says having someone focused solely on the meat industry will leave nothing to chance. A big issue for the NZ meat industry is its EU quota -- enshrined in the GATT -- for 228,000 tonnes of sheepmeat. In particular are the ‘tariff rated quotas’(TRQs) -a flexible arrangement under which NZ sheepmeat may be exported to all EU countries including the UK. But current discussions may split this between the EU and UK – a proposal NZ opposes and which Grant will have a role in sorting out. The UK may not necessarily be our friend at court on this issue. Ritchie says the meat

industry sees the TRQs as a major issue. “These are enshrined in the GATT and so that gives us a legal right -from the industry’s point of view it is non-negotiable. “At the same time, we’re not looking to game the situation ourselves. All we want to do is preserve what we’ve got and what we have already paid for, to act in the markets on the continent and UK in a way that retains the stability built up over the years.” Of particular concern to NZ is the UK market

where NZ lamb has been sold for over a century, although the way it is sold today is far cry from the even as recently as 40 years ago. Tensions have always

extraordinarily important market especially for chilled legs of lamb. No other market in the world that can take the quantity and provide the returns the UK does.”

S LE N O

Higher Productivity + Lower Servicing SACostsUMME

= AES Waterblasters TORNADO RANGE

• UDOR ceramic plunger pump & gear-box • Genuine Honda petrol engine • 10 models from 1800 to 5000 psi

STABILITY THE KEY BLNZ CHAIR Andrew Morrison says maintaining stability in the UK and European markets is critical for NZ and European lamb producers. Like Tim Ritchie, he supports the needs for the TRQs to remain as is. He says irrespective of the political ramifications, market stability must remain. “Stability is in the best interests of ourselves and others producers – be they in the UK, Ireland or France. We want the best product on the shelves for 12 months of the year. We do not want to damage lamb as a meat category while these political issues are being sorted out,” he told Rural News. Morrison says Grant will talk to farmers in the EU to try to get agreement on a sensible approach to how the red meat trade might continue. He says Grant will work closely with MFAT and MPI and with BLNZ’s representative in Brussels, Ben O’Brien.

existed in the UK market -- from local UK farmers or Irish, but the advent of Brexit has added to the confusion, Ritchie says. “From our point of view the UK remains an

FREEPHONE 0508 78 78 78

www.aesblasters.co.nz

Sales & Service dealers throughout New Zealand

R W ON

HURRICANE WATERBLASTER/ SPRAYER • Tough 600 litre tank, Cat 2 mounts • New Udor 3000 psi pump with massive 35 L/min flow • Blast/spray/clean drains

ELECTROBLAST RANGE • 230 or 400 Volt 1440 RPM electric motors • 8 models from 1600 to 5000 psi

RURAL NEWS // MAY 1, 2018

6 NEWS

Minister moving to protect high-class farmland PETER BURKE peterb@ruralnews.co.nz

THE MINISTER for the Environment says he is troubled at the extent of urban growth on irreplaceable, highly productive land. David Parker’s comments come in the light of a report by the Ministry for the Environment and the Department of Statistics called ‘Our Land 2018’, a stocktake of impacts on the environment. Parker wants his officials to immediately start work on a national policy statement (NPS) on versatile land and high class soils. This notable move by the minister will elevate ‘versatile land’ to the same status policy-wise as freshwater management, renewable energy, electricity transmission and urban development and capacity. Parker says he’s taking steps to address issues such as the loss of prime commercial growing land at Pukekohe,

high quality soils for the as Auckland expands, primary sector. Lifestyle and the impact of lifeblocks have boomed in style blocks on our most recent decades: a 2013 productive land. survey showed that “Even in a country as 175,000 lifestyle blocks lucky as New Zealand we covered 873,000ha. There only have limited quanis no information on the tities of these high-class productivity of lifestyle soils. We have to ensure blocks and their impact we have enough land to on food production. build the houses people The news of Parker’s need, but we must proHort NZ’s Mike Chapman move has delighted the tect our most productive is delighted with the move to better protect highly chief executive of Hortiareas too,” Parker says. culture NZ, Mike ChapThe report also notes productive land. man. there is limited informa“We are thrilled to have got so far tion about how quickly the most versatile land is shifting to urban use. But so quickly with the new minister,” he it shows that between 1990 and 2008, told Rural News. Chapman says HortNZ has camAuckland and Canterbury have gobbled up the most high-class soils for paigned for about 18 months to get central government to direct regional urban use. And it highlights that lifestyle and local councils to protect high qualblocks may pose a greater risk than ity land (5.2% of NZ’s terrain). “We have been campaigning to urban expansion to the availability of

OTHER KEY FINDINGS “THE GOVERNMENT’S billion trees planting programme, which focuses on the ‘right tree, right place, and right time’ will help,” he claims. Parker says the report also confirms the continued loss of our limited wetlands, which contain some of our most precious biodiversity and filters contaminants from land. He says more must be done to protect these and he has already asked officials to begin working on a more comprehensive

get in place something like a national policy statement (NPS) under the Resource Management Act, because it will mean that when we are submitting to councils about protecting those soils it will have the backing of an NPS which is a direction to councils. Our submission will have greater weight it is certainly a good tool to have.”

freshwater national policy statement to address concerns about sediment, wetlands and estuaries. Not surprisingly, the report notes the shift from sheep and beef to dairying. It says while the total land used for horticulture and vegetable growing had decreased slightly, much more land is now growing fruit and berries. And about 3% (800,000ha) is now irrigated.

Chapman says HortNZ finds councils tend to be focused on their own regions. “They don’t realise that Pukekohe and Canterbury, for example, feed people in other parts of NZ. “They must look after the land, not just for their own town but for all of NZ,” he says.

FINANCE AVAILABLE

Rural News Pioneer 700 Rate - Testimonial Ad_April.indd 1

RURAL NEWS // MAY 1, 2018

NEWS 7

Food link will help irrigation’s perception NIGEL MALTHUS

NEW ZEALAND’S irrigators must emphasise the connection between irrigation and food supplies, says IrrigationNZ chief executive Andrew Curtis. “There’s no horticultural crop grown in NZ that doesn’t use some form of irrigation, at least as a risk mitigation tool in case it does go dry,” said Curtis. Other crops rely heavily on irrigation; Central Otago wouldn’t be growing any fruit or wine without it, he said. Curtis said this after the recent IrrigationNZ 2018 Conference which gathered nearly 500 industry people for three days at Alexandra, in the heart of Central Otago. While agreeing that irrigation had a public relations problem, Curtis said the industry had to provide credible data for

the public to explore and discover the worth of irrigation for themselves. “Not us telling people, but us being transparent, providing information for people then they can interpret it how they see fit. That’s one of the key things the industry must do.” However, Curtis said the mood of the conference was positive and recognised the challenges and the role modernisation and technology would play to solve some water quality issues. Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor had told attendees it is “time to stop, reflect and reassess where things are at,” said Curtis, but that the Government would not be opposed to irrigation if it could be shown to be environmentally sustainable, backed by

Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor (centre) with IrrigationNZ chair Nicky Hyslop and chief executive Andrew Curtis at the 2018 IrrigationNZ Conference. SUPPLIED/CLARE TOIA-BAILEY

the community and viable. Curtis says the Government’s ending Crown Irrigation Investments Ltd (CIIL) loan funding for large projects was no surprise, since it had been clearly signalled in

the coalition and confidence and supply agreement with The Greens. But the industry is “a little bit disappointed”, feeling a commitment existed particularly to the South Canterbury Hunter Downs and North Can-

terbury Hurunui schemes. “However, it’s not the end of the line for those projects and there are ways we can get through. “Obviously the Provincial Growth Fund should be able to help; some of the feasibility work shows

that they’re environmentally sustainable. It’s certainly not the end of the line, but life could be easier.” Curtis says challenges remain in finishing feasibility work for Hurunui and in modernising the Falls Dam for Central Otago’s Manuherikia scheme. “Particularly the Hurunui; they’re already provided something like $11 million-plus of Crown money to get them to where they are. They’ve been through several iterations based on ongoing zone committee processes. “Those guys just need a final hand to get over the line but they’re already consented; it shows they’re environmentally sustainable. They’ve got quite strong backing by the community up there particularly

since the drought. Here’s hoping they can access the provincial growth fund.” In closing, Curtis told the conference that consumers know better where food is sourced from, creating a need for sustainable production that was traceable back to the farm. Automation would increase and plant-based foods would replace some traditional protein. While NZ has plenty of rain by world standards, increasing water scarcity will demand that irrigators become more water-efficient requiring new technologies. Curtis referred to a shift to farming within limits, in which better environmental outcomes are part of the everyday business of farming. @rural_news facebook.com/ruralnews

24/04/18 10:14 AM

RURAL NEWS // MAY 1, 2018

NEWS 9

Seeka expands Northland business PAM TIPA pamelat@ruralnews.co.nz

SEEKA IS scheduled to take over T&G Global’s Kerikeri kiwifruit packhouse this week in a $40 million deal which also includes orchards and other assets. The completion date for the orchard part of the sale is June 30. Seeka is buying the post-harvest facilities for the packing and storing of avocados, kiwifruit and citrus. Also, T&G has agreed to sell all its 253,000 Zespri shares to Seeka, valued at about $2m. T&G is also selling Seeka about 80ha of kiwifruit orchards in and around Kerikeri where it grows Hayward, ENZAGold and ENZARed kiwifruit and Zespri Sungold varieties. T&G will, however, remain the trademark owner of the kiwifruit brands. Seeka chief executive Michael Franks told Rural News the move is part of Seeka’s overall growth strategy, which sees good potential for kiwifruit and avocados in Northland. He says it is also good for Northland, particularly employment. “We had a packhouse up there before, but we exited that arrangement. We had growers, clients and a grower base and an expanding business, but no post-harvest facility,” Franks says. “We strategically want to be there because it is such a good Gold kiwifruit growing area and it has expanding avocado production. “We did the review

and decided the best opportunity for us to have a foothold in that region is the T&G packhouse. This fits with Seeka’s strategy with the business founded on kiwifruit. “We are pushing into selected varieties we are interested in as well as avocados. We are happy to spread our geographical footprint.” Seeka is buying Zespri shares as part of the deal after recently selling out of its 740,606 shares in Zespri Group after opposing constitutional changes at the monopoly export body that tie shareholdings to trays of fruit produced. “We exited out of them probably knowing we would get back into them. We had to tell people we were exiting them because of the debt and it was a reasonably sizeable transaction. But we weren’t happy with the changes to the constitution. We haven’t yet determined what we will do with the lot we are going to buy.” Franks says Seeka is on a growth path. The company’s share price has gone up 63% in the past two years and it has been paying a reasonably good dividend -- about 5% tax free. “There is pressure to keep the momentum and keep going,” he adds. After the sale is complete Seeka will rename T&G’s Kerikeri facilities and operating business entities Seeka Kerikeri. Avocados are probably an unsung phenomena, Franks says. “Avocados have been

CITRUS, BERRIES STAY T&G IS not including its Northland berry and citrus operation in the sale as it intends to invest further in these growth categories. T&G’s executive general manager, New Zealand, Andrew Keane, says sale of T&G’s kiwifruit operation is part of its intention to focus on core produce categories including citrus and berry growth in Northland and other regions. “We have land ready for development and will be investing also in crop protection facilities for our existing operation in Kerikeri. We also hope to employ more people through these investments” he says. T&G will also have access to fruit grown by Seeka for its existing customers in NZ and overseas.

going gang-busters. The return back to growers this year from a Seeka tray is over $40, maybe $40.90. The previous record was $26.80. It just shows you how good it is,” he says.

Seeka takes over T&G’s Kiwifruit packhouse this week.

WE MAKE IRRIGATION THIS SIMPLE Growsmart® Precision VRI with FieldNET® is the most advanced variable rate irrigation solution you can install – and it’s also one of the easiest to use. Managing your Precision VRI system – or your entire irrigation operation – has never been simpler thanks to FieldNET, a fully integrated wireless management tool. Now you can control your systems either by using the colour touchscreen panel at each irrigator centre, or by logging on remotely to fine tune irrigation plans and run diagnostics. This amount of control makes improving the sustainability of your operation effortless, so you can spend less time in the field, giving you more time for what matters.

0800 438 627 growsmartvri.com

RURAL NEWS // MAY 1, 2018

10 NEWS

Feds caned by Environment Court PETER BURKE peterb@ruralnews.co.nz

FEDERATED FARMERS faces the prospect of having to pay costs to the Northland Regional Council, the Whangarei District Council and Soil and Health after its failed attempt to re-litigate the

issue of GE (genetic engineering). Environment Court judge Laurie Newhook has slammed Federated Farmers for pursuing a case regarding limitation on use of GE in the region. In an unprecedented move, Newhook said in

RURAL MEDIA HABITS %

of farmers act as a result of reading rural print

The Rural Media Habits Survey 2018 is independent research conducted by Perceptive Research on behalf of the majority of rural publishers. Participants were screened to exclude lifestylers and ensure a robust sample of 820 Commercial Farmers. Results show the majority of farmers read rural print, find it highly relevant to their businesses, and that it influences their purchasing decisions more than all other media.

Per•ceptive

WORLD LEADERS IN BALE HANDLERS

INDENT ORDER

NOW!

Fed Farmers’ national president Katie Milne says her organisation does not believe local government should have a role in controlling GMOs.

his summary that costs are ‘reserved,’ meaning that the other parties -the Northland Regional Council, Whangarei District Council and Soil and Health -- could claim costs against Feds. Normally in such cases, costs are not awarded. This case looms as an exception. In earlier litigation Feds had appealed a clause in the Northland Regional Council policy statement relating to them taking a “precautionary approach to GE”. The Feds lost its case and a subsequent appeal but then tried to re-litigate the issue when the Whangarei District Coun-

cil appealed against the inclusion of the words “plants” in the plan. Judge Newhook took exception to this

saying in his judgement: “despite losing a jurisdictional argument in this court on its own appeal and losing its appeal to

the High Court and its substantive appeal to the Court of Appeal and its substantive appeal to this court, Federated Farm-

‘TAKEN ABACK’ BY RULING FEDS PRESIDENT Katie Milne says she’s taken aback by the fervour of the judge’s remarks and the issue of costs. She says the possible awarding of costs against a party in such an appeal is unusual. “No one likes decisions that go against them, but we did have a lot of people who supported our stance,” she says. Milne says Feds took the case believing it was wrong for local government to have a role in controlling the use of GMOs and that this should be left to central government. She believes local government doesn’t have the expertise to deal with the GMO issue. She says the Federation is looking to keep the door open to new technologies that could help farmers and says she’d like to see a mature, unemotional conversation take place on such technologies. The previous president, William Rolleston, championed the issue of GE and there was a perception that Feds was leading the charge in support of GE. When Northland Regional Council declared itself GMO-free, Feds went to law and challenged this.

ers has endeavoured to run somewhat similar arguments on the papers before me in the current stage of the Whangarei District Council (WDC) appeal. These things collectively seem quite remarkable.” Essentially Feds, when it lost the Northland case, tried to re-litigate the arguments by joining an appeal by WDC for a minor wording change which the judge agreed to. Judge Newhook describes the Feds submission in this latest case as “curious to say the least” and agrees with counsel for Soil and Health that the Federation’s submissions were “rather difficult to follow in logic”. The judge went on to say that the Feds argument that GMOs should only be controlled by central government is wrong because under the Resource Management Act, regional councils have the power to control GMOs through their regional policy statements and plans. The decision by Judge Newhook to open up the issue of costs is almost unprecedented and suggests his frustration at the nature of their appeal. It’s understood Feds has other appeals pending elsewhere. @rural_news facebook.com/ruralnews

RURAL NEWS // MAY 1, 2018

NEWS 11

MPI gives assurance on compensation NIGEL MALTHUS

MPI SAYS it is working hard to process farmers’ current claims for compensation for the culling of their cattle infected with Mycoplasma bovis. MPI’s director of response, Geoff Gwyn, says it has not yet received all farmers’ claims for compensation for the culling of about 22,000 cattle on infected properties (IPs), as announced last month. “However, we are aware some farmers are

while there was some relief at the direction to depopulate IPs, some farmers will inevitably worry about how long the compensation process could take. And yes, it can be a complex and time-consuming process because we are talking about public money. However, we are doing everything we can to help farmers get back on their feet as soon as possible, while taking every step necessary to fairly administrate the compensation

MPI’s Geoff Gywn

The confirmations bring the number of currently infected properties to 32, with 52 now under restricted place notices. Meanwhile, Gwyn says the disease is not affecting only dairy herds, although MPI is not working on detection in non-dairy herds similar to the national milk test-

ing now nearing completion. He says MPI surveyed some feedlots at the end of last year and extensively tested animals arriving at meat works. Some of the herds under controls have been beef. “We feel that the national testing to date gives us the information

we need to understand its prevalence across New Zealand, bearing in mind that we still obviously have an active tracing programme in play.” Farms under some form of regulatory control now number about 125, taking into account restricted places and those under notice of

direction. “We trace from those and we test those,” Gwyn says. “Some of those will be beef herds, some will be dairy herds and some will be mixed. Some will be rearing or calf-raising and some will be grazing.”

1.99%

@rural_news facebook.com/ruralnews

FINANCE*

3 Y E A R , 3000 H O U R WA R R A N T Y

“We are pulling out all stops to process existing claims and are nearly half way through these by value of the claims.”

W E L C O M E

T O

T H E

B I G L E AG U E S MORE TECH. MORE POWER. MORE PRODUCTIVITY.

FENDT 700, 800, 900 SERIES | 145 – 390 H P The intelligent engine technology, the industry leading operator’s console and record-breaking fuel efficiency put Fendt ahead of the game, time after time. With our heavy hitters known to deliver low cost of ownership and increased productivity, now is the time to take your business to the next level with the best machines for the job.

Contact your local Fendt dealer for more information.

900 SERIES

800 SERIES

scheme.” As part of this, industry partners have already funded staff to help affected farmers complete their claim forms. Trained, independent advisors supporting farmers in completing their applications is an important part of expediting the process, Gwyn says. “That’s why we’re also asking industry to augment their resources so they can guide farmers through the compensation process and ensure they provide all the information we require.” MPI is offering professional rural and farming advisors specific training. It also has a support network, including specialised recovery planners, to help farmers get their businesses back up and running as soon as they can. MPI has so far received 85 M.bovisrelated claims totalling just under $6 million. It has paid out $2.5m, and $1.5m more is expected to be paid within the next fortnight, bringing the total to just over $4m. Meanwhile, MPI has confirmed another two farms in the South Island as infected. Both are dairy farms -- one in the Ashburton district and the other in Canterbury. Both are connected via animal movements to other known infected properties.

700 SERIES

nervous about compensation time-frames and I assure them we are running as fast and efficient a process as possible,” he told Rural News. “We have, of course, been dealing with compensation claims throughout this response, and both MPI and the industry have learnt a lot that will make the process more efficient.” About 4800 animals were culled from earlyidentified herds before culling was suspended over the summer. In its most recent update, MPI says animals have now been culled on eight properties. MPI is staging the cull to suit individual farmers, such as allowing them to finish milking. Culling prevents M.bovis spreading from farms and MPI believes eradication is still a realistic goal. Gwyn says MPI will consider making part-payments to farmers of IPs who are required to cull their entire herd. “We are pulling out all stops to process existing claims and are nearly half way through these by value of the claims. We are significantly increasing staffing in our compensation team to do this, and to ensure we can work at pace when the claims for the 22,000 culled animals start coming through. “We understand that

Freecall 0800 825 872 or visit fendt.com.au to find your local Fendt dealer. Fendt is a worldwide brand of AGCO Corporation.

says you’re serious.

*Offer ends 30 June 2018, while stocks last. 1.99% finance with 30% deposit over 36 months. GST paid in month 4. 3 year, 3000 hour warranty includes standard 2 year 1500 hour warranty. Contact your local Fendt dealership for full terms and conditions.

RURAL NEWS // MAY 1, 2018

12 NEWS

Opportunities going begging? MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz

PROBLEMS PERSIST for wholesale and retail agricultural machinery businesses in their efforts to recruit and retain suitably qualified technicians, says the Tractor and Machinery Association (TAMA). A survey by TAMA shows a lack of targeted ‘buy-in’ by the higher education sector: universities graduate students in many branches of engineering but these students lack hands-on experience. And polytechnics graduate diesel engine specialists, not realising that the

agricultural sector needs people in electronics, hydraulics, autonomous control and GPS, as well as basic engineering. In contrast, key industry distributors in the UK have allied with agricultural colleges to offer engineering courses and give students opportunity to work in industry dealerships and distributorships during their studies. This gives students experience at ‘ground level’ and they earn money, helping them pay for tuition and repay debt. Many agricultural manufacturers and distributors in New Zealand have gone their own

“While we look for a person who is technically inclined, what we really want is passion, motivation and the right attitude – all attitudes that can’t be taught.”

There are good opportunities for apprenticeships and other careers in the ag machinery sector.

FENCEPRO Professional Post Drivers

Mule 4.0 Side Mounted

Special Deal Only $16,250 + GST

Normally $17,425 +GST

• 4.0 m Heavy Duty mast • 250 KG block • 900 mm Side mount unit with toolbox as shown • Adjustable height Feet • 5 lever valve bank (1 spare)

More options for more versatility The Side mounted Mule is a very versatile post driver because you can add the 250 mm mast shift which gives 4 way positioning for easy one man operation. Alternatively you can add a rock spike extractor, a Rock Drill, a standard auger or a post lifter.

CALL NOW 06 356 8516 www.farmgear.co.nz

IS LIVER FLUKE PUTTING

HOLES IN YOUR PROFITS? Fluke larvae burrow through the liver, Impacting stock health and production.

route in attracting young people to their companies. Jason Tidmarsh, managing director of Pearson Engineering, Matamata, aims to start at least one apprentice every year and gets in early with local schools and their careers advisors. He looks for year-

13 students who achieve excellence or merit, and starts them as afterschool workers doing ‘chores’. If they show aptitude they will start in the new year on an apprenticeship. After a 90-day trial they get a job offer of an apprenticeship leading to certification over 3.5 - 4 years, with structured modules overseen by training organisation Competenz and off-site block courses at polytechs in Hamilton or Tauranga. After sign-off by the training organisation, Pearson’s supervisor confirms the apprentices’ abilities meet the required standard. “It works for us, as over the last five years we have worked with five young people, two of whom have qualified to become drawing office and machine shop supervisors, and the others are tracking well,” Tidmarsh told Rural News. He also encourages the youngsters to get involved in local sport, particularly rugby, where the team ethic and ability to take orders is a great fit in the work environment. CB Norwood human

resources manager Paula McKenzie explained what powers their recruitment drives. “When we have a vacancy for an apprentice, we don’t usually have a problem finding a suitable candidate,” she said. “While we look for a person who is technically inclined, what we really want is passion, motivation and the right attitude – all attitudes that can’t be taught.” McKenzie says the company has 85 qualified technicians and 29 apprentices in its 18 retail locations -- a ratio of about 3:1. This ratio maintains enough qualified personnel to appropriately support and mentor trainees. CB Norwood businesses work with MITO NZ to ensure that apprenticeships match the practicalities in the workplace. The company has a project that looks at how best to attract apprentices -- perhaps online platforms, social media, career expos, virtual reality and gaming consoles and its own company website. More importantly, it looks at how to retain the qualified technicians who are in high demand by the sector. McKenzie says the keys are to make the company a great place to work, to invest in ongoing training, technology and best practice, and to promote the company’s values -- ‘Be Bold and Encouraging, Work Together and Make It Happen’.

Liver fluke appear when the physical demand on the liver is at its greatest Liver Fluke cause a loss of condition and compromised immunity. Decrease in energy conversion from feed and reduced growth rates. Can drop milk production by 100-300* litres per cow, per year. Nitromec® and FlukeCare® effectively treat fluke as young as 2 weeks old, to maximise protection, production – and your bottom line. ACVM Nos. A10223 and A10203.

GET UP TO SPEED by visiting NZ.virbac.coM/fluke AND discuss with your vet how to m VIR0288 FlukeCare and Nitromec Strip Ad NZ Rural News 100x544 05_04_18.indd 1

RURAL NEWS // MAY 1, 2018

NEWS 13

Water quality improving, more work still needed – report some parameters at many sites remains indeterminate, Young describes the overall picture as encouraging. “Looking back from 2016 at a decade of data, for every monitored parameter more sites showed evidence of improving water quality than degrading. My hope is this could represent a turning point in NZ’s river health story. “While this analysis gives us cause for optimism, water quality is just one indicator of river health and there is still more work to be

NIGEL MALTHUS

FEDERATED FARMERS says all the hard work being done to improve freshwater quality is starting to pay off. The release of the National River Water Quality Trends by Land, Air, Water Aotearoa (LAWA) show that many more sites are improving than deteriorating for all the river water quality parameters monitored over 10 years. “Lots of good things are going on -- urban and rural -- to help improve the quality of our waterways,” said Federated Farmers water and environment spokesperson Chris Allen. “It is very good news that the effort being made is starting to show results. “We’ve just got to let some of that stuff bed in and keep all the good work going, because what we are doing is starting to work,” said Allen. He said the data confirmed what Federated Farmers had seen in other water quality reporting. LAWA’s report ‘National River Water Quality Trends (2007 – 2016)’ follows a similar 10-year analysis released in 2015 by National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research (NIWA). The report said the change in nitrogen trends

done. While all parameters show there are more sites improving than degrading, there are still degrading sites for all parameters.” To get more improvements NZ needs more freshwater ecosystem management, more routine monitoring and more research and innovation, said Young. LAWA and Otago Regional Council chair Stephen Woodhead said we need to look at what is happening in NZ’s waterways overall. “The LAWA website makes environmental

monitoring data from all of NZ’s regional and unitary councils freely available, and this 10-year trend analysis looks at all the river water quality information at a national level. “It’s important to have a national picture of river water quality trends so we know how we’re tracking. I invite all of NZ to get behind the effort to improve this trend picture further,” said Woodhead. The chair of Local Government NZ’s regional sector and Bay of Plenty Council, Doug

Leeder, also welcomed the report. “A great deal of resource has been dedicated to freshwater management. This is a sign that positive actions by central and local government, landowners, businesses, iwi and communities are making a difference. “Councils will continue to monitor and research their regions, to better understand their unique problems and work towards solutions that will contribute further to improving the national trend,” he said.

LAWA chair Stephen Woodhead.

is particularly noteworthy in the significant progress in the number of improving sites versus the number deteriorating. “We need to acknowledge that freshwater management processes take time; but these results show that by identifying where action is needed catchment by catchment and working together we can see results. We are not there yet and there is more work to do, but it is good to know that the work our communities are doing is making a measurable difference which we are starting to see,” said Allen. LAWA is a partnership between New Zealand’s 16 regional councils

and unitary authorities, the Cawthron Institute, the Ministry for the Environment and Massey University. Its aim is to help local communities find a balance between using natural resources and maintaining their quality and availability. LAWA collates water quality data for nearly 1500 sites monitored by the councils and supplemented with NIWA data. Sites are monitored for such parameters as bacteria, clarity, phosphorus and nitrogen loading. The trends analysis was led by the Cawthron Institute Freshwater Group manager and ecologist Dr Roger Young. While the trends for

NITROMEC® FOR BEEF CATTLE Synergised formulation of nitroxynil and clorsulon. Ideal late autumn/early winter or summer treatment. Also contains ivermectin, providing broad spectrum control of internal and external parasites. Controls damaging 2-week-old early immature flukes. Controls triclabendazole resistant flukes.

FARM MACHINERY STRENGTH / QUALITY / PERFORMANCE

Manure Spreaders

Tip Trailers

Bale Feeders Forage Wagons

McIntosh FarM MachInery www.mcintosh.net.nz

| 0800 622 276

FlukeCare®+ SE FOR DAIRY COWS AND SHEEP Synergised formulation of triclabendazole and oxfendazole. Ideal late autumn/early winter or summer treatment. Controls damaging 2-week-old early immature flukes. Unlike cattle, adult sheep never develop good immunity.

w to monitor and prevent fluke impact on your farm today! 10/04/18 10:02 AM

RURAL NEWS // MAY 1, 2018

14 NEWS

Fodder crisis hits Irish dairy farmers SUDESH KISSUN sudeshk@ruralnews.co.nz

A FODDER crisis is forcing Irish dairy farmers to buy feed from other farmers around the country.

Inter-farm trading of forages is growing as farmers replenish feed reserves for winter later this year and reduce a risk of a fodder shortage in future years. Prolonged rain and

colder-than-average weather since the end of the summer in July 2017 is affecting grass growth. Figures from the Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority (Teagasc) show that

growth to date in 2018 has averaged 770kg DM/ ha; the five-year average for the corresponding period is 1359kg DM/ha. Teagasc says the fodder crisis is challenging the industry to find

“Trust plays a huge part when farmers are working together. Where there is trust and a written agreement discussed and signed by both parties these arrangements are successful.”

LEADING THE WAY

2.99 %

WITH DECADES BEHIND US

F I N A N C E*

3YEAR

3000 HOUR WA R R A N T Y

MF 7700 SERIES 140 – 255 HP For over 6 decades Massey Ferguson has been delivering the most sophisticated machines, specifically designed to meet the needs of New Zealand’s hardest workers. The MF 7700 is no exception - and right now you can get a great finance rate and extra peace of mind with an extended warranty. • Advanced electronic management of engine and transmission • New MF designed double acting front axle delivers longer suspension travel • Newly designed cab with SIS (Setup and Information Screen) offering the highest standards of draft control • Outstanding lift and drive capacities for heavy-duty applications • Fuel efficient AGCO POWER engines • New Dyna-VT CVT transmissions for a proven increase in productivity, efficiency and operator comfort

WORKING WITH YOU FOR

60 YEARS

PROVEN PERFORMER

CONTACT YOUR LOCAL MASSEY FERGUSON DEALER TODAY *Offer ends June 30 2018, while stocks last. 2.99% finance with 30% deposit over 36 months. GST paid in month 4. Contact your local Massey Ferguson dealership for full terms and conditions.

The Irish dairy sector is facing a fodder crisis.

A world of experience. Working with you for 60 years.

innovative solutions; seed suppliers, merchants, farm advisors and farmers are moving fast to secure fodder supplies for next winter. One new idea is to have an intermediary help to link and facilitate farmer-to-farmer trade. Teagasc says for at least a decade tillage and livestock farmers have been working together to grow and supply fodder, but with limited success. A sustainable farmto-farm trading system has not taken off for several reasons: tillage farmers are concerned about payment and delivery because this deviates from the merchant payment structure; livestock farmers are worried about quality, quantity and cost of the forage. Teagasc is urging livestock farmers to complete a winter feed budget for the year ahead. Tom O’Dwyer, head of dairy knowledge transfer in Teagasc, says this will

help to identify gaps and where, or if, extra forage is needed. “Many farms have more livestock than in other years, and not only is extra cover needed for these animals but a larger forage buffer is needed to cover potential adverse weather like this year. “It is better to plan and make arrangements for the supply of additional quality fodder sooner rather than later,” O’Dwyer says. “Trust plays a huge part when farmers are working together. Where there is trust and a written agreement discussed and signed by both parties these arrangements are successful. “Sourcing maize close to the farm can be an issue, so farmers further apart may need to work together. In these cases the parties involved may not know each other initially, so a leap of faith is necessary.”

SOIL FERT SLIPS THE LONGER-than-average winter in Ireland has meant cows have had to remain indoors for longer, putting more pressure on silage and hay reserves. The Irish dairy herd has increased by 300,000 head since the devolution of quotas in 2015, meaning farmers have more mouths to feed. But dairy expansion cannot really be blamed for all the problems. Grass growth has been an issue on Irish dairy farms; grassland measurement results show the average Irish farm is growing 7 - 8t/ha DM. Some farms in Ireland are growing at least 15t/ha, but a well-managed farms could be expected to grow 12 - 13t/ha. The big driver of grass growth is soil fertility and this has slipped in recent years because of low incomes and prices; at least 65% of Irish soils are now in index 1 and 2 (poor fertility). Irish farmers are using 35,000t of phosphorus and 90,000t of potassium, not even half that required to maintain soil fertility.

Frost Friendly Valve! Hansen Full Flow Ball Valves The Hansen Full Flow Ball Valve’s reputation for holding up in frosty weather is quite simply unsurpassed! The extraordinarily high quality design coupled with a host of practical features makes it the ultimate user experience that’s 100% backed by Hansen’s Lifetime Warranty.

True Full Flow Bore 25mm Ball Valve = 25mm Bore

High Pressure Rated Full Flow Bore 16bar (235psi)

Male/Female or Female Thread Options

Smooth Open/Close & Removable Handles

HAND TESTED

Available in-store Now!

Frost Friendly

for your local stockist visit

www.hansenproducts.co.nz

FullFlow Flow Ball Ball Valves Full Valves

RURAL NEWS // MAY 1, 2018

16 AGRIBUSINESS

Farmers part of Lely DNA – boss SUDESH KISSUN sudeshk@ruralnews.co.nz

SEVENTY YEARS since inception, dairy automation company Lely remains a big influence on farming worldwide. After selling its forage harvesting equipment business to Agco Corporation last year, Lely is now focused on automation inside the dairy shed. At Future Farm Days coinciding last month with the company’s 70th birthday celebration at its headquarters in Maassluis, The Netherlands, Lely launched the latest version of its robotic

milker- the A5. Chief executive Alexander van der Lely told visitors, including journalists from many countries, that farmers are part of the company’s DNA. “To this day we remain an innovative family-run company with farming running through our veins,” he says. “I’m proud that we are working every day on the fields my family once farmed in. “Our history tells us much about who we are and what we stand for; we call ourselves farming innovators for a reason.” Lely was founded

70 years ago by van der Lely’s father and uncle, both farmers, at Maassluis; both men aimed to change agricultural traditions and make farmers’ lives better. Van der Lely noted that innovation was at the forefront of the founders’ minds. The Lely journey started in 1948 with the invention of the finger wheel rake, pulled by horses and tested onfarm. Ten years later Lely’s single disc spreader was introduced, a product available today. In 1965, the Lely Lotus hook tine made its debut, a uniquely

Alexander van der Lely

ful inventions. Van der Lely says his father’s goal was always to invent a new plough or tractor. “Many don’t know that in the 1970s we introduced our own tractor, with fully hydraulic drive – way ahead of its time. It was known as Lely Hydro but it never turned into a commercial success,” he says. A string of inventions followed in the 1970s and

designed tedder tine which turns crop faster and evenly; it was produced by Lely until recently. However, the development of the Lelyterra power harrow in 1968 marked the real breakthrough and internationalisation of Lely. Van der Lely says sales grew and the company expanded by opening factories in UK, France and the US; sales offices were set up in Australia, Canada, Brazil, Italy, South Africa and Germany. With the successes also came not-so-success-

SHEEP JETTER Sheep dipping... made easier! Serving NZ Farmers since 1962

7500

+ GST

• Manufactured from stainless steel • Electric Eye • 800-1000 sheep per hour • Fantastic penetration • Get one now before price increase Innovative Agriculture Equipment www.pppindustries.co.nz / sales@pppindustries.co.nz / 0800 901 902

1980s: the Hibiscus rake and the Splendimo disc mower. The company grew, buying German baler and wrapper manufacturer Welger. In 1992, Lely earned world renown in launching its robotic milking machine Astronaut A1. This invention “is still called after all those years ‘the invention of the 20th century’,” says van der Lely. “It resulted in better working hours for dairy

farmers, higher milk yield and increased health for cows.” Lely has installed 30,000 robots worldwide. Van der Lely, who took over as chief executive in 2004 from brother Olaf, says robotics became an increasing focus for the company. “Our increasing focus on robotics allowed us to further reduce repetitive work by farmers and created more freedom for the cow.”

MORE MACHINES MORE AUTOMATION for the milking shed has been developed by Lely. In 2005, the Lely Discovery arrived in the cow barn, taking over the daily routine of scraping effluent. This cleans the barn floor 24/7 year-round. In 2008, Lely launched the Juno smart feeder which moves along the feeding alley automatically. Taking predefined routes it follows the feed fence while its rotating lower mechanism pushes feed towards cows. Lely last month launched an updated version of the Juno. In 2012, it launched the Lely Vector to help with automatic and fresh feeding in the barn. Alexander van der Lely says the Vector concept is taking off worldwide, with 500 installed.

RURAL NEWS // MAY 1, 2018

AGRIBUSINESS 17

Alliance gives international chefs a taste of NZ ALLIANCE GROUP recently hosted overseas chefs and writers in an effort to differentiate its products and position itself as a sophisticated “purveyor of premium fare.” Chefs from the UK, Hong Kong and New Zealand, and overseas food writers, toured South Island farms and visited premium restaurants as part of Alliance’s ‘Antipocurean Series’. Michael Wignall, Renee Miller and Simon Hulstone of the UK, and Jim Lofdahl and Silvio Armanni of Hong Kong, were among the chefs. The food writers included Dubai-based New Zealander Zowie Bowker, whose blog has 46,000 Instagram followers, and Wilson Fok of Hong Kong’s Tatler Dining. The delegation visited Alliance supplier farms Minaret Station, Wanaka, Godley Peaks Station, Lake Tekapo and White Rock Station near the Rangitata Gorge. The chefs also prepared products in Alli-

ance’s range, such as Pure South Handpicked 55-day aged beef, Silere alpine origin Merino, Te Mana lamb and Pure South handpicked venison at two public events at Chillingworth Road restaurant in Christchurch and Jack’s Point restaurant near Queenstown. Peter Russell, general manager marketing at Alliance Group, says the Antipocurean Series aimed to offer international chefs and journalists an insight into NZ’s produce and its unique provenance. “We’re aiming to improve the awareness and understanding of NZ as a purveyor of premium fare. “Although the country has a fine reputation, we can do more to highlight the source, environment and people behind our premium lamb, beef and venison.” Russell says Alliance aims to capture greater market value for the benefit of its farmer shareholders, “taking our premium fare to the

world and building a cadre of international chefs who have experienced the land, people

and environment”. Alliance says its products are enjoyed in at least 65 countries.

6,990

Jonathan Wallis of Minaret Station (left) shows an international group of chefs and food writers around his Alliance-supplying farm near Queenstown. SUPPLIED

EX-GST

RIDE

POWERFUL 400CC LIQUID COOLED EFI ENGINE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING ENGINE BRAKING CVTECH TRANSMISSION, 2WD AND 4WD MODES L-H-N-R RANGE WITH LOCKABLE DIFF INDEPENDENT FRONT & REAR SUSPENSION HEAVY DUTY FRONT AND REAR RACKS HYDRAULIC FRONT & REAR DISC BRAKES INDICATORS, HORN & MIRRORS AS STANDARD HAND GUARDS TOW PACK WINCH ALLOY WHEELS

AWAY

PLUS FREE ACCESSORIES VALUED AT $1,000 FRONT PROTECTOR BAR & CST 6PLY MUD TYRE UPGRADE

8,490

EX-GST

RIDE

POWERFUL 500CC EFI ENGINE WITH ENGINE BRAKING SYSTEM L-H-N-R RANGE POWER STEERING SELECTABLE 2WD AND 4WD MODES DIFF LOCK TOUGH CANADIAN CVTECH TRANSMISSION ENGINE BRAKING INDEPENDENT FRONT AND REAR SUSPENSION INDICATORS, HORN, TOW PACK AND WINCH HEAVY DUTY FRONT AND REAR RACKS HAND GUARDS WARP AROUND PROTECTOR BARS ALLOY A-ARM PRETECTORS ALLOY WHEELS WITH 6PLY TYRES

AWAY

% DEPOSIT 12 MONTHS 24 MONTHS

SWISS TEAM-UP HEINIGER NEW Zealand has been appointed exclusive distributor of Felco pruners, loppers, cutters, saws, knives and accessories. Both companies can trace their roots back to the 1940s in Switzerland. “Our company histories have paralleled each other, growing through innovation and acquisition, and expanding beyond Switzerland, while maintaining an uncompromising focus on quality, user experience and productivity, from farm to garden, business to home,” says Gary Lyons, managing director of Heiniger New Zealand. “This is an exciting time for both companies, delivering new rural technology and quality agribusiness equipment to the country.” Lyon says Heiniger NZ, as the distributor of Felco products, will bring industry knowledge and technical expertise in manufacture and supply. It has four territory managers supported by a newly appointed business development manager, Simon Tangney.

INTEREST*

15,490

EX-GST

RIDE

AWAY

% DEPOSIT 12 MONTHS 24 MONTHS INTEREST*

POWERFUL 800CC EFI ENGINE WITH ENGINE BRAKING SYSTEM L-H-N-R RANGE POWER STEERING SELECTABLE 2WD AND 4WD MODES DIFF LOCK TOUGH CANADIAN CVTECH TRANSMISSION ENGINE BRAKING INDEPENDENT SUSPENSION (IRS) INDICATORS, HORN, TOW PACK AND WINCH ROOF & GLASS WINDSCREEN WITH WIPER KIT ROPS CERTIFIED ROLL CAGE GAS ASSISTED TIP TRAY REAR PVC SCREEN MUD FLAPS ALLOY WHEELS

* Total cost for CFMoto U800 Farm Spec is $18,004.11 paid via three equal instalments of $6,001.37. Total cost for CFMoto X500 Farm Spec is $9,954.09 paid via three equal instalments of $3,318.03. The initial instalment is in the form of a deposit at time of purchase. The second instalment is payable after 12 months where the third (final) instalment is payable after 24 months. These totals equate to the cash price including GST plus a $180.60 application/documentation fee and $10.00 PPSR Lodgement (Total charges of $190.60). Total cost is subject to 0% interest rate and applies specifically to these models only. Normal lending criteria apply. Offers end 30th June 2018.

CFMOTO NORTH ISLAND

Ag Torque, Feilding (06) 323 4858 Agtraction Taranaki, New Plymouth (06) 759 8432 Brown Brothers Bikes, Whanganui (027) 572 7696 Country Engineering, Tauranga (07) 552 0071 Gatmans Mowers, Silverdale (09) 426 5612

Maungaturoto Motorcycles, Maungaturoto (09) 431 8555 Motorcycle HQ, Pahiatua (06) 376 7163 Northland Powersports, Whangarei (09) 437 5451 Rob Titter Farm Services, Kaikohe (09) 401 1774 Tahuna Motorcycles & Atvs, Tahuna (07) 887 5790

CFMOTO SOUTH ISLAND

Ag & Auto Direct, Balclutha (03) 418 0555 Amuri Motorcycles, Culverden (03) 315 8667 Mclaren Machinery, Ranfurly (03) 4449 747 T&E Motorcycles, Gore (03) 208 8114 Amuri Motorcycles, Christchurch (03) 315 8667

NEW DEALERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE LATEST STORIES EVERY DAY Get up-to-date news at www.ruralnewsgroup.co.nz

Offers available until 30th June 2018 or until stocks last.

www.cfmoto.co.nz

100%

agricultural history

of deposits fund New Zealand agribusiness

RURAL NEWS // MAY 1, 2018

Rabobank supports clients from farm to fork in

COUNTRIES

100 000

farmers to connect Content supplied by Rabobank – Grow with the bank farmers for farmers with by worldwide , founded 12630

18 MARKETS & TRENDS

global agribusiness research analysts sharing market outlooks

US/China trade wars and N WHILE NEW Zealand agriculture has remained a bystander for now in the intensifying trade conflict between the US and China, it will feel the waves of this offshore turbulence if a trade war isn’t averted. Since March 1, when Donald Trump announced he would impose tariffs on steel and aluminium imports, the US and China have engaged in a war of words, exchanging threats to penalise each other’s exports that have escalated with every round. The past six weeks have seen several key stages in the skirmishes. First up, China announced its intention to put tariffs of 15% or 25% on a list on 128 products imported from the USA in retaliation to steel and aluminium tar-

Top 10 US Ag exports to China (2017) Dairy products and eggs Animal feeds, n.e.c. Meat, poultry, etc. Sorghum, barley, oats Hides and skins Cotton, raw Fish and shellfish Logs and lumber Pulpwood and woodpulp Soybeans

iffs. Many of these were agricultural – products including pork, wine, nuts and fruit. In addition to steel and aluminium, the US then pledged to levy tariffs worth USD 50 billion on imports of various products from China (largely non-agricultural

in nature). In response, China announced a list of a further 106 US products that would be subject to a 25% tariff. Of these, 33 were Ag related and included the big one for US China trade – soybeans. Also included were sorghum, wheat, cotton, beef, corn

and frozen orange juice (Notably, China has not so far targeted dairy shipments from the USA). Not to be outdone, the US then pledged to look at imposing an additional USD100 billion in tariffs on imports from China with the specific products targeted yet to be

– 2000 4000 6000 8000 10,000 12,000 14,000 Source: USDA data, Rabobank analysis

decided. And China came back by threatening to impose a 179% “tariff’ on imports of US sorghum. An important point to note here is that most of these threats are yet to be implemented, and so

there is still time to avoid a trade war. Only the tariffs on the Chinese ‘list of 128’ plus the Chinese “tariff” on sorghum are now in place. As such, the US and China have given themselves time to negotiate, and it is still possi-

ble that all this could be avoided. However, given the recent momentum of this dispute and lack of evident negotiation so far, consideration should be given to what it would mean for New Zealand

SAFETY FOR MAN AND BEAST Safety, ease of use and adaptability are the watch words when it comes to building cattle yards.

Free on farm consultation and design

INTRODUCING THE NEW CLASSIC HD3 AUTO DRAFTER…

The Classic HD3 Cattle Auto Drafter is a fully automated weighing and drafting system that is smooth, quiet and fast to operate. To find out more, go to www.tepari.com and download your free Top Yards and Classic HD3 spec sheets or call us on 0800 837 276

From $19500+GST Free delivery and onsite training

obal agribusiness earch analysts aring market outlooks

Rabobank supports clients from farm to fork in

RURAL NEWS // MAY 1, 2018

MARKETS & TRENDS 19

COUNTRIES

Content supplied by Rabobank – Grow with the bank founded by farmers for farmers

d New Zealand Ag exports agriculture if all these threats are implemented. Ironically, in the early stages of such a trade war it might appear that New Zealand agriculture is winning from it. Capital is likely to fly to safe havens, and push our currency down against the US dollar, increasing our competitiveness in world markets. Chinese tariffs will make US products more expensive in China, opening up some additional opportunities for New Zealand exporters of products like wine and beef. To what extent we benefit would depend partly on how much the US can manage to ship product into the Chinese market via other channels (including Hong Kong), how other competitors respond (such as Australian in beef) and on

the redirection of shipments from the US into other markets where we compete (like South East Asia). However in the long term, Rabobank believes New Zealand agriculture would emerge a loser from a trade war between China and the US. A significant trade war would slow global economic growth, impacting demand for our products. As an export-oriented sector, we would lose much from the shift away from a rules-based system in global trade. The US may exert pressure on New Zealand not to benefit from any penalty imposed on them in the Chinese market. And if tensions between China and the US continue to rise, it is quite possible that at some point we would be asked

to choose which market we trade with between these two giants. Besides watching with alarm, there are a few things we can do to respond to rising tension between China and the US. Producers, processors and traders have a range of risk management tools they can use, and should consider whether deploying them makes sense for their situation and risk appetite. More broadly, rising tensions highlight the merit in having a range of trading relationships that diversify our risks between various markets. In the current context, the merits of free trade agreements with markets like the EU and India look stronger. Of course, this may all yet blow over and look in retrospect like pure the-

atre. But planning for unpleasant possibilities is what risk management is all about.

• Want to keep up-todate with the latest food & agribusiness insights? Tune into RaboResearch Food

& Agribusiness Australia & New Zealand podcast channel. Most Apple devices have the Podcasts app

preinstalled— if not, you can find it in the App Store. These are also available on Android devices.

IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR OWNERS OF 2016-2018

McHALE round BALERS and fusions Some McHale Round Balers (V660) and McHale Fusion Baler Wrapper combinations sold in New Zealand since 1 January 2016 require a small modification to their grass intake system. This is a simple fix requiring no more than 3-4 hours work but is essential to preclude the possibility of significant and costly damage during future operation.

This work must be carried out by an approved McHale technician to ensure that the modification is made correctly.

If you purchased a new McHale machine from a Power Farming dealer, or a used McHale machine originally sold by Power Farming, then there is no cost to the customer for completing O N E N AM E COV E R S I T A L L FA410RN

this repair. Your local Power Farming dealer should already have been in touch to make the necessary arrangements, but if not then please contact them as soon as possible. Power Farming has only been supplied with sufficient repair kits to cover machines sold through its own authorised dealer network. If you imported your new machine from outside our network, then unfortunately we are unable to provide assistance in relation to this recall. It’s therefore very important that you contact your supplier immediately to identify a solution. Failure to do so could result in serious damage to your McHale machine in the future.

mchale.co.nz

McHale New Zealand

RURAL NEWS // MAY 1, 2018

20 OPINION EDITORIAL

EDNA

No, Minister LET’S HOPE there’s truth in the talk of a funding reprieve for the rural health body Rural Health Alliance Aotearoa NZ (RHAANZ). Without it the organisation’s future is in jeopardy -- an outrage. Why Rural Communities Minister Damien O’Connor ever turned down the requested $600,000 to keep the five-year-old organisation alive is very hard to fathom. In the large scheme of things $600,000 is not very much, probably far less than O’Connor’s vaunted Primary Industry Council (one of 75 Government-funded committees set up in the last six months) will cost each year. And certainly less than the minster has committed to restructuring and re-branding MPI. Both these government cash-gobblers will achieve much less ‘bang-for-bucks’ for the rural community than the RHAANZ with its modest budget need. Similar rural health alliances in the US and Australia have run for decades on central government funding of the exact same activities for which RHAANZ is now applying to our Government. This penny-pinching decision reveals as empty rhetoric the coalition Government’s trumpeting of its concern for the regions and provinces. RHHANZ chair Dr Martin London says the organisation has some options on the table and is now talking about restructuring rather than hibernation. That is good news but it should never have come to this stage. For five years, RHAANZ has got by on the smell of an oily rag and punched well above its weight. It has strong support in the rural community and has championed important causes in the sector such as rural mental health. As the now out-of-work RHAANZ chief executive Michelle Thompson says: “RHAANZ’s financial situation is completely symbolic of the underfunding of rural health – full stop!” RHAANZ’s work and importance to the rural community is summed up perfectly by Rural Women NZ board member and health portfolio convenor Margaret Pittaway: “It has had a dedicated team of passionate and loyal members to support it. Their efforts and support for rural NZ have been vital, and it is a worry that our rural communities may lose this.” Rural New Zealand cannot and should not lose this valuable resource; it is beyond time Minister O’Connor and his Government came to the party.

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

“No, no – it’s Edna that’s crook, but our GP won’t do house calls!”

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

THE HOUND Rain not in Spain THIS OLD mutt hears that China is embarking on its biggest rainmaking project: they want to force rainfall and snow over 1.6 million sq. km – an area roughly three times the size of Spain. Media report that the Chinese government will use new military weather-altering technology and plans to build tens of thousands of combustion chambers on Tibetan mountainsides. These will burn a solid fuel that causes a spray of silver iodide to billow towards the sky. Sprayed from planes, the particles will cause water vapor to condense, forming clouds that bring rain. Your old mate has no idea what our surrogate Russian ambassador and deputy PM Winston Peters will think about this, but he’ll probably now accuse the Chinese of taking not only our jobs, farmland and meat companies but our rain as well.

We’ll be next

No joy here

No access

THE HOUND notes that the Labour Party and its coalition ‘provincial champion’ mates NZ First said they were surprised at the reaction from the oil and gas industry at the Government’s sudden clampdown on all future offshore exploration in NZ. The industry says it had no warning from the Government about the move. Not so, Ardern says. She claims the industry had been given “clear signs” in the Government’s stance prior to the election and her recent acceptance on the steps of Parliament of a Greenpeace petition banning oil exploration. The Hound reckons this does not bode well for the agriculture sector because prior to the election – and after – the new coalition government has given clear signals about how much it hates the farming, dairy production and irrigation sectors. Watch out, we’ll be next. Surprise, surprise.

YOUR CANINE crusader sees that the self-proclaimed font of all knowledge on NZ’s water quality Dr Mike Joy refuses to accept the latest figures released by LAWA on river water quality trends (2007 - 2016). These figures show improving trends in water quality were more common than degrading trends in all water quality parameters. However, Joy was quick to mount his high horse and get on to television to persist in chanting his wellworn mantra of doom and gloom regarding NZ’s water quality. Joy’s refusal to accept evidence-based information such as provided by LAWA prompts this old mutt to question how the joyless doctor can teach his Massey Uni students anything much.

THE HOUND reckons that with the duck shooting season getting underway this week, farmers (especially those irrigating) whose duck ponds are publicly accessible should seriously question would-be hunters wanting access. Farmers might reasonably ask hunters aligned to Fish & Game (Bitch & Complain) why they should expect access when their parent body thinks so poorly of farmers. Just recently, Bitch & Complain’s new chief complainer Martin Taylor publicly accused irrigators and dairy farmers of ruining NZ’s environment and having done so since 2001. So your old mate reckons it is only fair that farmers block access to all Fish & Game shooters and fishers; he would hate to see these poor souls exposed to fisheries and duck ponds on properties whose terrible farmers are bent on destruction.

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 021 842 220 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 // MAY 1, 2018

OPINION 21

Irrigation not an environmental irritation ronment. However, New Zealand, in contrast to most of the world, has a large renewable water resource. Water availability and the beautiful environment, as well as distance from superpowers, is already attracting overseas interest. All aspects of the environment need to be managed carefully, including what might appear to overseas people to be water wastage. Concerns about irrigation leading to more dairy cows overlook the

new technologies, including feeding regimes, composting barns, pasture species and urine patch identifiers, that reduce nitrogen excretion to the soil. Without the irrigation schemes already in place, NZ’s real GDP would be considerably less than it is. The NZ Institute of Economic Research calculated in 2014 that the contribution of irrigation was $4.8 billion. Of equal importance is the employment it has created, and hence the

increased vibrancy of rural areas. This type of analysis, including the evaluation of risk:benefit, management of project applications and funding, and ensuring efficiencies of scale, was the focus of Crown Irrigation Investments Ltd (CIIL). The projects that had reached stage 5 of ‘commitment’ had been judged to add value to NZ. CIIL is now being wound down – not because it hasn’t done a good job, but because TO PAGE 22

maintain or improve it requires the use of modern technologies. Precision irrigation keeps water, and hence nitrogen, in the rooting zone. Using stored water for irrigation protects rivers and aquifers, and allows the maintenance of ecological flows. Storing water requires construction and hence funds, but, as shown in Canterbury, it can lead to enhanced recreational facilities. Storing water has been suggested to be anti-envi-

and nutrient retention. In hot and dry conditions, the plants stop growing before the soil organisms stop breaking down the soil organic matter. (This is like a teenager going on eating food from the refrigerator while the parents are away; eventually the food runs out. And whereas the teenager might revert to takeaways, the soil micro-organisms simply die or ‘hibernate’.) The result is bare soils at risk of erosion by wind or rain, and which become ‘sediment’ in waterways. Sediment reduces clarity in water and creates ecological problems by cutting down light infiltration and settling on organisms. Labour’s water policy contains several references to reducing sediment, for example, “Take

action to protect waterways, wetlands and estuaries from excessive sedimentation caused by erosion and land use practices (including ‘spray and pray’) that lead to soil loss”. From mid-to-late last century, the dust storms on the Canterbury Plains at certain times of the year were just part of what happened. They don’t any more. Irrigation has made the difference to soil quality. Water quality is a different issue, and to

IRRIGATION CAN reduce soil erosion. Of course, the irrigation has to be carefully managed and precision technologies are part of the management. However, there is no doubt that overcoming any drought period during warm temperatures allows increased pasture growth, which is associated with maintenance or an increase in organic matter, which in turn decreases the likelihood of erosion. Any increased income resulting from the harvesting of extra pasture or crop can be invested in more environmentally sound technologies. There are documents supporting the effects of irrigation, including the economic and social benefits, on the Ministry for the Environment and Ministry for Primary Industries website. There are also articles available with a quick ‘Google’; for example, ‘Research surprise: intensive dairying helps build soil’ makes the point. And the point is that organic matter, which is generally quite high in New Zealand soils by global standards, is the key to water

THE NEW ARION 400

Room with a view Gearing you up for success.

Fresh, attractive and tasty, but deadly effective! • Freshly made in New Zealand • Highly palatable to rats and mice • Single feed lethal dose • Use in conjunction with a Dead Rat Café for deadly results

Available from all good rural retailers For full details on how to eradicate rodents go to www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RwY7goPzWM or scan the QR Code to view a short video that shows how easy it is to bait a station with either PestOff rodent blocks or pellets.

Registered pursuant to the ACVM Act 1997, No. V005099. See: http://www.nzfsa.govt.nz/acvm for registration details.

RURAL NEWS // MAY 1, 2018

22 OPINION

Tougher penalties needed for stock theft MILES ANDERSON

FEDERATED FARMERS is encouraged by the cross-party support for tougher deterrents against livestock theft, as shown by members of Parliament’s primary pro-

duction select committee. I recently spoke to the committee on the Sentencing (Livestock Rustling) Amendment Bill and was heartened to see they were not politicking on the issue, just determining to work out the

best ways of combating this problem. The current wording of the bill would make rustling an ‘aggravating factor’ at sentencing, giving judges more leeway to order stiffer penalties.

Miles Anderson

Federated Farmers wants the new legislation to go further in allowing powers of seizure of vehicles and other equipment used in committing the offence, as happens with poachers under the Fisheries and Wild Animal Control Acts. If stock thieves knew they could forfeit vehicles, trailers, firearms, trained working dogs, two-way radios, night vision and thermal viewing imagers, freezers, etc, it would give them con-

siderable pause if they’re thinking of raiding a farm. Moreover, if convicted rustlers lose such equipment, they can’t go back to such thieving any time soon, and that forfeited gear can be sold to yield money to reimburse the victims of the theft. The federation submitted that rustling is robbing farmers of tens of millions of dollars every year. It is also an animal welfare, biosecurity and food safety issue: livestock are often killed and butchered at night in a paddock, and there are no controls over subsequent storage and blackmarket sale of meat from animals perhaps just treated with veterinary medicines. Rustling also adds huge stress to a farmer and his family when he must leave his home to investigate suspicious activity to protect prop-

erty and livestock while other family members are left wondering what is going on in the dark. Farmers who have suffered trespass and livestock theft report feelings of suspicion and paranoia, loss of sleep and a reluctance to leave the property.

It is heartening to see there’s good momentum to put in place effective measures to tackle this serious and growing scourge. • Miles Anderson is Federated Farmers meat and wool chairman. @rural_news facebook.com/ruralnews

IRRIGATION NOT AN IRRITATION FROM PAGE 21

national irrigation projects are no longer a government priority. The opportunity for a co-ordinated and national approach is slipping away. To achieve an efficient and productive future, NZ must stop jumping to conclusions without having analysed the implications and unintended consequences of the alternatives. Some of them are worse. RIP Crown Irrigation Investments Ltd. • Dr Jacqueline Rowarth has a PhD in soil science and has been analysing agri-environment interaction for several decades.

Don’t lose power this winter Beat the winter unplanned power outages this year by purchasing a high specification ex-rental generator from Aggreko.

DRAINAGE AND SOIL AERATION PAY BIG DIVIDENDS Don’t put good fertiliser 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?

These generators are part of our New Zealand hire fleet and have been well maintained - serviced every 400 hours. AERATORS

15 kVA from $5,600 70 kVA from $12,250

25 kVA from $6,400 85 kVA from $16,000

45 kVA from $9,800

HEAVY DUTY AUTO RESET

NOW AVAILABLE, 5 OR 6 LEG MODELS

MOLEPLOUGH

YOUR GREATEST ASSET IS THE SOIL YOU FARM. DON’T DESTROY IT!

• SOIL AERATION SPECIALISTS •

PRE RIPPERS

MAITLAND RD5, GORE. PH/FAX 03-207 1837 OR 027-628 5695 www.james-engineering.co.nz

*Available for sale at the end of May – ready for winter!

Call 027 666 8176 for more information

RURAL NEWS // MAY 1, 2018

MANAGEMENT 23

Age not wearing this farmer Moyra Bramley was born in 1933, the year Sir Apirana Ngata and Lord Bledisloe inaugurated the Ahuwhenua Trophy to recognise excellence in Maori farming. This year Ms Bramley has at least a 50/50 chance of winning that trophy in her role as chairwoman of the Onuku Maori Lands Trust, one of two finalists in the competition. Peter Burke explains.

AS PART of the Onuku Maori Lands Trust’s plan to lower its environmental footprint it is looking at alternative land uses and businesses. The trust runs a successful manuka honey operation and has plans for sheep milking well underway. Angela Wharekura says they are planning a 2000 ewe operation and already have about 1000 ewes implanted with East Friesian embryos. “We are now doing due diligence on that but we definitely see a future for sheep milking. We have been fortunate to have access to a joint venture partner who is bringing in the genetics and that will enable us to have purebred East Friesian sheep on the ground next year and then the following year,” she says. Wharekura believes sheep milking will reduce the environmental footprint of Onuku, and provide a good financial return. They can see there is a market for sheep milk and reckon there is a nice synergy in the future for other Onuku businesses, including tourism.

Check out our websites

that. If Onuku does win the Ahuwhenua Trophy it will be a culmination of all my time on this trust

120 - 140 HP TRACTORS

NEW TO NEW ZEALAND IN STOCK NOW

Room with a view 1% FROM

SHEEP MILKING

that was worth $2 million in 1982 to now when it is worth over $30m. So I think I have achieved

and has overseen many changes; in recent years she has seen farming move to a more corporate model having to deal with market volatility. But through all this the trust has prospered. “We have been diligent on how we manage things. We do our due diligence on all aspects of what we are doing; we make sure we have the money and we make sure that anything we invest in has a return that is worthwhile. “If the numbers don’t stack up we don’t invest,” she says. Bramley says the trustees are very careful about how they manage their business and always must look at the future. She says their land is not for sale; so, it must be producing forever so that it can be handed down to the next generation. “For me, being in this trust for 30 years, I have fulfilled my obligation to the owners. I have turned it from a trust

Moyra Bramley is proud of the efforts of the Onuku Maori Lands Trust, which she chairs, has achieved in farming.

NE W

ONUKU’S ENTRY in the competition is its 72ha Boundary Road dairy unit is near Lake Rotomahana, 30km south of Rotorua. It is one of four farms run by the trust. The 220 cows on Boundary Road produce 90,000kgMS. All the farms sit under the shadow of Mt Tarawera, which erupted violently on June 10 1886, killing many people and destroying a world-famous tourist – the Pink and White Terraces. The mud and ash that spewed from Mt Tarawera is today commonly referred to as ‘mash’; it is very fertile and grows good grass all year. The landscape is picturesque with many trees sheltering animals. The success of Onuku as a farming enterprise, including the Boundary Road farm, is due in no small part to Moyra Bramley who now chairs the trust. She has been a member of the trust since its inception in 1982

and I will die happy.” Bramley says she doesn’t think of the Ahuwhenua Trophy as a competition, rather as an acknowledgement of what they have done. She says whether you win or not it doesn’t matter, because the whole process of the competition gives you the incentive to excel.

*CFS terms, conditions & fees apply. 1% pa requires a minimum 30% deposit and monthly repayments in arrears over a 12 month term. Offer valid until 30/06/2018 or while stocks last.

New CLAAS ARION 440 & 460 high performance tractors Superb all-round visibility with the PANORAMIC cab Integrated loader design provides tight turning circle CLAAS comfort concept for uncompromised driver comfort Smarter transmission for ease of use and better control

www.ruralnews.co.nz www.dairynews.co.nz

Gearing you up for success.

FINANCE*

claasharvestcentre.com Ashburton Christchurch Dunedin Feilding Gore Hamilton Hastings Hawera Hokitika Invercargill Rotorua Timaru Wanaka Waipara Whangarei

(03) 307 9400 (03) 341 6900 (03) 489 8886 (06) 323 0101 (03) 263 1000 (07) 843 9100 (06) 879 9090 (06) 278 0020 (03) 755 8450 (03) 215 6114 (07) 345 5599 (03) 688 6900 (03) 443 6781 (03) 314 6899 (09) 430 3066

RURAL NEWS // MAY 1, 2018

24 MANAGEMENT

The risks and opportunities of hill country surveyed FARMERS IN Canterbury and Manawatu have shared stories on their hill country development experiences to give regulators and other farmers a better understanding of managing risks and opportunities on this type of land. Research company UMR ran an anonymous survey, as part of a research project commissioned by Environment Canterbury (ECan), supported by Beef + Lamb NZ and Federated Farmers (South Canterbury). Interviews were done to understand current hill country development practices, as ECan considers approaches to help farmers determine whether and how to develop their hill country pastures. Some sheep and beef farmers are improving hill country productivity by planting older hill country pastures with higher producing pasture species. This commonly involves one or more years in winter feed. However, it also

Farmers have shared stories on their hill country development experiences to give regulators and other farmers a better understanding.

creates an increased risk of sediment losses during this period. Some farmers were found to have already changed their land development practices after previous experience of soil loss. Many are now using direct drilling to establish the pasture or crop and reduce risk of soil loss. ECan’s manager zone delivery, Paul Hulse, says the interviews also highlighted that many farmers are taking

care to avoid or mitigate sediment loss risks through paddock selection, use of direct drilling and excluding erosionprone land from the development. “Some farmers expressed concern about the much greater risk of soil loss and soil damage from winter grazing dairy cows, particularly from kale crops on steep hillsides. “The survey also discovered that while farmers are aware of an increased

use of heli-spraying to sow hill country pastures in NZ, it seems to be more used in Manawatu than Canterbury,” Hulse says. “Farmers see less erosion risk in heli-spraying as the remnants of the old pasture help reduce the risk of soil erosion. However, they are acutely aware of the greater risks in steeper hills and the importance of getting the timing right, especially where higher

risk winter feed crops are involved,” Hulse said. Farmers also report that better management practices on hill country developments enable them to reach target weights for ewes and young stock. They achieve higher lamb growth rates, and the result is healthier and heavier stock. ECan says a more detailed telephone survey of 150 farmers in Canterbury and Manawatu took place last month, providing more information about farmer’s hill country development practices. “We know that the decision making on whether to develop hill country land requires farmers to assess financial, productivity and environmental risk,” Hulse says. It is expected that the project will result in creation of a decision tool to aid farmers as they consider the benefits and costs of development of their hill country blocks.

RURAL NEWS // MAY 1, 2018

ANIMAL HEALTH 25

Calm ewes equals more lambs A CALM temperament in ewes improves ovulation rate and successful pregnancies, according to a study published by The University of Western Australia (UWA). The study involved researchers from Uruguay, Australia’s Department of Primary Industries, Regional Development WA and the university. They investigated the reproductive outcomes of 200 Merino ewes known to have either a calm or a nervous temperament. They found the ovulation rate and rate of successful pregnancies to be higher in the calm ewes. Associate professor Dominique Blache from UWA’s School of Agriculture and Environment and Institute of Agriculture who led the study said temperament affects ovulation rate but not the occurrence of ovulation. “Differences in reproductive outcomes between the calm and nervous ewes were mainly due to a higher ovulation rate in calm ewes,” she said. “Even when the ovulation rate is maintained, some of the nervous ewes have problems in maintaining their pregnancy possibly because of the quality of the eggs and subsequent embryos, and perhaps the quality of the uterine

environment during the first two weeks of pregnancy.” The researchers say understanding why the reproductive outcome of these ewes is different will help to breed sheep better suited for the production system and improve their welfare. The study found that behavioural reactivity affects ovulation rate, but not the occurrence of ovulation. Therefore, any differences in reproductive outcomes between the calm and nervous ewes were mainly due to a higher ovulation rate in calm ewes. It also discovered that some of the nervous ewes, when the ovulation rate is maintained, have problems in maintaining their pregnancy. This is possibly because of the quality of the oocytes and subsequent embryos, and perhaps the quality of the uterine environment during the first two weeks of pregnancy. As plasma concentrations of progesterone post-AI were not affected by temperament, but insulin and leptin concentrations were, the researchers suggest that reproduction in nervous ewes is compromised by factors leading up to ovulation and conception, or in the uterine environment during early pregnancy – that reflect differences in

energy utilisation. The paper, Calm Merino ewes have a higher ovulation rate and more multiple pregnancies than nervous ewes was published in the journal Animal. The research

was supported by Meat and Livestock Australia. @rural_news facebook.com/ruralnews Australian research has found that a calm temperament in ewes improves both ovulation rate and more successful pregnancies.

ADDS LIFE to your roundworm control program.

The combination you’ve been waiting for! • Premium broad spectrum control of gastrointestinal nematodes in sheep • Two active ingredients (monepantel and abamectin) with proven synergistic activity1 • Effective against strains resistant to white, clear, ML (mectin) and combination drenches, including triples • Helps to protect the efficacy of all effective drenches2

RURAL MEDIA HABITS %

of farmers are influenced by rural print

Per•ceptive

• Use as a knockout, exit or quarantine drench in your roundworm control program

References: 1. Leathwick et al. (2009). Managing anthelmintic resistance: Modelling strategic use of a new anthelmintic class to slow the development of resistance to existing classes. NZVJ 57(4) 181–192. 2. George, S.D. et al. (2013). The synergistic effect of monepantel/ abamectin combination anthelmintic. Proceedings ASV Conference. Zolvix Plus contains 25 g/L monepantel and 2 g/L abamectin. Registered pursuant to the ACVM Act 1997 (No. A011107). Registered to Elanco Animal Health, Division of Eli Lilly and Company (NZ) Limited, Level 1, 123 Ormiston Road, Botany Junction, Auckland 2016. Elanco, Zolvix™ and the diagonal bar are trademarks owned or licensed by Eli Lilly and Company, its subsidiaries or affiliates. ©2018 Elanco, a division of Eli Lilly and Company. EAH18181 NZSHPZOL00018b

www.elanco.co.nz 0800 ELANCO (352 626)

RURAL NEWS // MAY 1, 2018

26 ANIMAL HEALTH

Good autumn may lead to increased worm burden NIGEL MALTHUS

GOOD AUTUMN growth sets the scene for maximum growth rates in beef cattle post-weaning and sets them up for good

growth rates in spring. But beware worms in pasture, warns Paul McKee, an animal health technical manager at Ravensdown. Left uncontrolled,

seasonal worm peaks can reduce animal health and performance and rob farms of their productivity gains, McKee says. Energetic prevention is a must to

keep worm infections under control. With worms increasingly resisting drenches – especially the single active endectocides – worm

Paul McKee says a good preventative worm programme is critical to ensure worm infections are kept under control. A winner in its first public outing! The all new ADLAM Versatile Lambing Harness combines the features and benefits of the BEARIN Prolapse with those of the ADOPTA Restraint Harness. Australian farmers backed the SheepVention judges by showing huge backing for this new lambing aid that can be used for supporting cast ewes and ewes that go down, as well as retaining bearings and restraining for easy checking later, and for mothering on. A truly versatile aid that can be used year after year!

Add more lambs to your bottom line. Available from all leading vet/farm supply stores.

Informative videos on the Rurtec YouTube channel.

RURTEC.COM 0800 RURTEC

Dairy shelter the smart way. You need the right size and layout. Design strength to take whatever NZ’s weather conditions throw at it. Delivery on time, on budget, and a structure that works as it should. With a 12 year warranty to back everything up. Our team is here to help. Get in touch now to talk about how a SmartShelter can change the way you farm for the better.

SE E U S A T FI E L DA YS! SIT E E 84

MAKE A SMART CALL 0508 743 583

smartshelters.co.nz

control efforts must be effective and sustainable, McKee says. Ravensdown recommends faecal egg count reduction tests (FECRTs) in which a mob is left undrenched until egg counts reach a moderate level, then divided into groups. Each group is then given different drenches and faecal samples are taken over the following 10 days to determine different treatments’ effectiveness. Although FECRTs are considered expensive by some, the cost can be offset by drenching less often with effective combinations of drenches, McKee says. Post-drench faecal egg counts and larval cultures will help determine if

there is a need to change treatment plans. Double or even triple combination drenches should be used if possible, he said. “It’s harder for worms to survive triple drugs than it is to survive one drug at a time.” However, McKee adds that it’s getting late in the season for testing drench combinations, since parasites mainly affect young stock, and testing on older stock better able to handle parasites can make an ineffective drench look better than it is. Meanwhile, Ravensdown recommends specific management practices to help kill parasites: • Avoid grazing young

cattle intensively on short pasture with high numbers of larvae or on pasture grazed 1-2 months previously • Use older cattle to clean up pasture where young cattle have been grazing • Cross graze with sheep to reduce pasture larvae levels • Lift farm fertility to grow better quality forage for stock • Use crops and new grass paddocks to provide low larval challenges at times when larval challenge is high on established pastures • Feed animals well to increase their ability to deal with worm challenges. @rural_news facebook.com/ruralnews

RURAL MEDIA HABITS

of farmers read rural print at least weekly

Per•ceptive

RURAL NEWS // MAY 1, 2018

MACHINERY & PRODUCTS 27

Kiwi farming icon celebrates 60 years MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz

KIWIS’ LOVE affair with Red Band gumboots has now lasted 60 years. Their passion runs to buying 100,000 pairs annually; laid end to end they

would tower 10 times taller than Aoraki-Mount Cook. Skellerup, the maker of the widetopped mid-calf, step-in gumboot with its signature red bands and toe caps, this year celebrates 60 years of making them. And they haven’t changed them apart from adding a sponge insole for comfort. Skellerup national manager footwear Perry Davis says Red Band gumboots were the first short boots ever made in New Zealand if not the world. “Traditionally, gumboots have always come up to just below the knee,” he told Rural News. “No-one is sure who at Marathon Rubber Footwear – the forerunner to Skellerup – had the idea to create a shorter boot, but in 1958 the concept was tried out.” The first Red Bands appeared on October 21, 1958 – an instant hit. Sixty years later they’re The ubiquitous Red Band gumboot celebrates 60 years of production this year.

Back from the brink!

still a staple in many rural NZ households. Red Bands were made in Skellerup’s Woolston factory in Christchurch until the late 1980s when the company opened a factory in Jiangsu, China. Notable features are natural rubber compounds with built-in UV inhibitors, a heavy-duty non-clog cleated sole and 100% cotton canvas bonded to the rubber for the boots’ strength, flexibility and protection. Hand-made to the original specifications of 60 years ago, each boot has 19 components in at least six different rubber formulations. Interestingly, Kiwis typically have wider feet than many other nationalities – a detail discovered by Skellerup footwear designers over time. The popularity of Red Bands shows they’re getting them just right. In 1958 the firm made Red Bands in only one style; today they’re made for the whole family, e.g. Red Band juniors for kids, plus socks, work boots and clothing.

THAT FORMER darling of the cut-price tractor brigade -- Zetor – rescued from the brink of bankruptcy in 2002, is busy re-establishing itself around the globe. The company is targeting new markets: Western Europe and North America are in its sights, so are South America, East Africa, Asia, Australia and, of course, New Zealand. As part of a project that started in 2016 the latest country to join the ranks is Vietnam, whose links with the Czech manufacturer dated back to the 1970s when it delivered around 2000 units. About 60% of Vietnamese are in forestry, fishing or farming -- rice, coffee, cotton, rubber and sugar cane. Not dissimilar to NZ, that market takes about 3000 units, mainly 80 to 100hp. Nowadays, Zetors come in four key ranges – Major, Proxima, Forterra and Crystal – with outputs from 60 to 170hp. These will soon be joined by two new ranges called Utilux and Hortus. The new models are aimed at the utility and horticultural sectors – 40 to 70hp in a choice of hydrostatic or mechanical transmissions.

History ● Zetor formed in 1946 at Brno-Lisen in Czech Republic. ● 1.3 million tractors made and sold in 136 countries. ● 750 employees. ● 85% of production exported.

UP TO

SIC

YEARS

NEW ZEALAND CLAS

ance rate

fin

S IE R E S M L L A N O R E D FREE LOA *

% 5 7 . 3

WARRANTY

ance ra

FA425DN

Proven throughout New Zealand and around the world by farmers and contractors alike, the M-Series Agrotron range has a reputation that is synonymous with German reliability and quality. Built using the best German manufactured components including a 4 speed power shift, 24x24 speed ZF transmission and an electronically controlled Tier 3a Deutz-Ag engine, the Agrotron is the dependable and reliable option that is well suited to our highly demanding New Zealand rural sector. The M Series gearbox has the best ratio of gears for all applications, an engine that is legendary for its fuel efficiency and a hydraulic system that is class leading. With cabin suspension, large tyre equipment and an ergonomic armrest control all standard features, the operator is comfortably in control of one of the best tractors for cabin visibility on the market today. And now on run-out, with a free loader and flexible finance options that we can tailor to your requirements, we are confident you will also find it’s the best value tractor in its class. Get in touch with your local Power Farming Dealer and try the Agrotron M Series for yourself.

fin

E L A S T U O N U R

AGRO CARE

0800 801 888 | deutztractors.co.nz | Fb deutzNZ

TIER 3 electronic engine

Terms and conditions apply. Prices valid until 31/06/18 or while stocks last. CRX4020 loader included in purchase price of M-Series.

O N E N AM E COV E R S I T A L L

24x24 power 4 speed

shift

cab suspension

RURAL NEWS // MAY 1, 2018

28 MACHINERY & PRODUCTS

No more spray and pray MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz

THE AMAZONE UX01 Super series of trailed sprayers boasts a new operating concept and innovative boom guidance systems for greater precision, capacity and comfort. Initially offered with tank volumes of 6200, 5200 or 4200L and Super-L2 booms from 27 to 40m, all models have an enclosed underbelly that allows the machine to pass smoothly over plants. Beneath the left-hand cover on the machine’s flank, the SmartCenter hosts the operator station, induction bowl, fill ports and two dustproof storage compartments. Under the right-hand cover is an additional 240L lockable storage compartment with a remov-

able shelf. Both covers swing upwards to allow easy filling and operation and can be optioned with an LED lighting package for easy operation at night. All machine operations are controlled using a seven-way pressure tap, allowing each function to be easily selected without having to open or close separate circuits. Once the desired function is selected, the relevant valve for the corresponding circuit opens, so the fresh water rinse tank can be topped up while the sprayer is being filled. A conical-shaped 60L induction bowl located directly under the control valves has a centralised aperture and 200 L/minute suction capacity to ensure quick, trouble-free filling and complete emptying.

Amazone’s new super series of trailed sprayers boasts a new operating concept and innovative boom guidance systems.

An additional mixing nozzle positioned underneath the suction aperture prevents blockages when inducting powders or granular products. The intensity of the mixing nozzle and rinse ring can be adjusted, and the induction bowl can be supplied with fresh water via the optional rinse water pump when pressure filling from a bowser. A new canister cleaning nozzle, positioned at the right-hand side of the bowl, is activated by downwards pressure, and a second smaller contact area allows effective cleaning of the canister neck; with the lid closed this cleans the induction bowl completely. The sealed lid of the induction

THE YAMAHA

AG125

The Yamaha AG125. The farm bike tested and developed on Kiwi farms for Kiwi farmers. Built for our land.

bowl swivels to the side 180 degrees, allowing it to act as a shelf when it is opened and to hold a measuring jug; two run-off channels allow canisters to be drained after rinsing. The UX01 can also be equipped with the optional Comfort-Pack plus terminal, which provides automatic control of agitation intensity, fill stop function, boom rinsing, line cleaning, tank cleaning and tank-mix dilution. The touchscreen display allows easy control of all functions even when using gloves; the operator selects the desired function and the sprayer then adjusts itself automatically. During filling the operator just couples the fill-hose and the machine will

automatically fill the spray tank and fresh water rinse tank up to the desired levels. The UX01 can also be specified with an optional steering axle whose maximum steering angle of 28 degrees achieves a minimum turning radius of 4.5 m. All booms can be controlled using the electro-hydraulic Profi-folding system with the automatic DistanceControl or DistanceControl Plus or the new ContourControl vertical boom movement and SwingStop yaw prevention systems. Also, the Super-L2 booms, when used with ContourControl boom control, have the new Flex-fold system for rapid folding.

ONE DAY,

IT’LL BE HIS

ELECTRIC STARTER SWITCH FOR EASY STARTING ERGONOMIC COMFORTABLE SEAT BRIGHT LARGE HALOGEN HEAD LAMP

STURDY CARRY RACK FRONT AND REAR

LARGE MUDGUARD

POWERFUL FOUR STROKE 124CC ENGINE

TAKE ONE

FOR ONLY

HOME TODAY $4,369

INC GST

VISIT US AND LOCATE A DEALER AT:

www.yamaha-motor.co.nz

RURAL NEWS // MAY 1, 2018

MACHINERY & PRODUCTS 29

Hey Bruce, it’s not too shabby ADAM FRICKER

THE QUESTION often asked about the new Commodore is, “will Aussies accept a German car as a replacement for Commodores made by Bruce?” Or words to that affect. But the question is slightly redundant because, like the rest of the world, many Australian car buyers have abandoned traditional sedans and wagons in favour of SUVs. The fact that the latest Commie is in many ways the best so far may not help it in the sales wars. That said, it started strongly in New Zealand, ranking fifth most-popular passenger vehicle in February (this category excludes the new favourite -- utes). Some of these will be dealer demonstrators, but even so there are clearly still a few of us Luddites out there who prefer a large car over a glorified school bus. Holden loaned us the Calais-V, which sports the impressive V6 AWD drive-train and higherthan-average specifications. The bread-and-butter Commodores will have turbo four cylinders and front wheel drive – still with a handy 191kW and 350Nm for the petrol four (125kw and 400Nm, diesel) – and these have been well reviewed in Australia. We had to settle for the 235kW, 381Nm V6, luxury variant. Ah well. Like the petrol four,

The handling feels secure and with all-wheel-drive wet roads are not a problem. the V6 is bolted to a 9-speed automatic transmission making for exceptionally smooth progress even when your foot is right up it. The 6-speed auto in the outgoing Commodore is fine, but feels slow and clunky compared to this, and the old V6 didn’t rev as willingly as this one or sound as good trying. The car is poised and balanced. Push it hard through corners and understeer is evident but not intrusive. The handling feels secure and with all-wheel-drive wet roads are not a problem. Ride is compliant but leans toward firm rather than soft. The ride in the old Calais was perhaps more luxurious, although the new one remains a comfortable car. Overall, this feels like a well-sorted European car, which is what it is. It works brilliantly on indifferent Kiwi and Aussie roads because Holden engineers spent many months and drove many local miles to retune the car to suit us. In a direct comparison with the Holden, the Opel ‘donor’ car is apparently much softer and got out-of-sorts on bumpy and broken roads. Holden no longer makes cars in Victoria but all the experience and expertise is still there and is being put to good use tailoring vehicles from GM’s global range to antipode-

ans’ tastes. So will drivers of the old Commie like the new one? They should. It is nearly as big in every dimension as the old one, although with its hatchback profile it looks smaller (it is slightly shorter, but only slightly). And to be honest, it is a better car than the Australian-built Commodore. V8 fanatics will have to look elsewhere, but for anyone else, it’s worth a closer look.

The Holden Calais-V, sports an impressive V6 AWD drive-train and higher-than-average specifications.

Reap the benefits and take advantage of our best possible prices! Enquire about our indent deals* with y o u r l o c a l d e a l e r o r c o n t a c t Tu l l o c h Fa r m M a c h i n e s f o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n a n d t o e n s u r e t i m e l y d e l i v e r y. D o n’t m i s s o u t !

Rates from

3.99%

* Te r m s a n d c o n d i t i o n s a p p l y. O f f e r e n d s 1 5 t h M a y 2 0 1 8 .

Fo r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n c o n t a c t

www.tulloch.nz

06 370 0390

DEALERS NATIONWIDE

GREAT AUTUMN DEALS ON LINKAGE SPRAYERS! 600 LITRE LINKAGE SPRAYER MODELS

800 LITRE LINKAGE SPRAYER MODELS

NEW 1000 LITRE LINKAGE SPRAYER MODELS

FROM $5,395

FROM $6,809

FROM $10,309

FREE HEAVY DUTY HOSE REEL FITTED TO 600, 800 AND 1000 LITRE LINKAGE MODELS VALUED AT $679

Offers valid from 12/03/2018 to 15/06/2018. All prices are exclusive of GST. Freight charges are not included in any of the advertised prices. Photos are for illustrative purposes only.

Upper South Island Rob Marshall 0272 486 822

Lower North Island Vic Barlow 0274 752 322

Waikato, Counties Greg Small 0276 879 010

Upper North Island / Lower South Island Chris Waites 0277 260 330

www.croplands.co.nz

RURAL NEWS // MAY 1, 2018

30 MACHINERY & PRODUCTS / RURAL TRADER DOLOMITE

NZ’s finest BioGro certified Mg fertiliser For a delivered price call... 0800 436 566

GIBB-GRO FAST GRASS

5.85 per hectare delivered

Ph Brian Mace 027-438 9822 www.gibb-gro.co.nz

plus GST

www.ruralnews.co.nz

tunnel houses Grow vegetables all year round Very affordable and easy to install New Zealand designed and made 35 years producing tunnel houses Range of models sized from 2m - 8m t/f

03 214 4262 |

T T T T T

info@morrifield.com

www.morrifield.com

Wide hoe’s got get up and go MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz

SINGLE DOG BOX

TOP DOG BOX Accommodates up to 4 dogs 6 individual air vents Removable centre board 2 lockable galvanised gates In-house drainage Tie down lugs on each side Fits all wellside & flatdeck utes (2 models) ❱❱ Raised floor for insulation ❱❱ ❱❱ ❱❱ ❱❱ ❱❱ ❱❱ ❱❱

$797

GST $565 incl

incl GST

Phone 0800 625 826 www.mckeeplastics.co.nz

“Field Day Specials” order your Dual Axle or Tandem Trailer NOW to avoid disappointment for June / July / August Delivery

MACHINERY GIANT Kuhn has developed a new power tiller (rotary hoe) -- the EL402 R – with a working width of 6m and a transmission driveline for tractors up to 400hp. Said to be ideal for fine and regular tilth seedbed preparation, the machine uses a 550mm diameter rotor and 144 carbide coated blades to mix and turn large volumes of crop residues at high daily outputs. Moving between jobs is easy with

a transport width of only 3.0m and the inclusion of a transport support wheel assembly. In outdoor market gardening, plot flood-irrigation is common, requiring paddocks that are perfectly flat and level. So the design of the EL402R includes rollers wider than the cultivation width to achieve a clean finish at the machine sides that eliminates ridges and creates a level finish between passes. Likewise, at the centre of the machine there is an offset between the link of the two rotors and the

two rollers, resulting in a flat, level finish after the machine’s passage. Component reliability is seen in the machine’s cast iron gearboxes with built-in oil circulation, reinforced drive shafts, cut-out clutches, metal face seals and reinforced rotors. The power tiller is also equipped with a monitoring unit installed in the cab, to inform the driver if a torque limiter or oil temperature device is activated in one of the machine’s three gearboxes. www.kuhn.co.nz

RURAL ONLINE READING THE PAPER ONLINE HAS NEVER BEEN EASIER. GO TO WWW.RURALNEWSGROUP.CO.NZ

~~Specialists in ATV Trailers ~~

RUGGED SEAT COVERS

MADE TO FIT SHOP ONLINE

working with farmers for over 40 years

RUGGEDVALLEY.CO.NZ 0800 478 443

RURAL NEWS // MAY 1, 2018

RURAL TRADER 31 CRAIGCO SENSOR JET

Free Range & Barn Eggs

DEAL TO FLY AND LICE

SUPPLIERS OF:

• Complete Package • Performance Guaranteed

P 06 835 6863 - www.craigcojetters.com

Rubber Safety Matting • ATV Carrier Mats • Exit/Entry Areas • Calf Trailers • Horse Floats & Trucks • Weigh Platforms • Bale Mats • Comfort Mats for Wet & Dry Areas • Utility Deck Matting

Phone: 0800 80 8570 www.burgessmatting.co.nz

FLY OR LICE PROBLEMS?

207 High Street, Solway, Masterton • 06 378 9964 www.stockwhips.co.nz

EPOXY FLOOR REPAIR

Cretex™ TR Epotread™SL250 TROWEL GRADE EPOXY FILLER

Incredible adhesion Rapid cure Chemical resistant Extremely hard in 6 hours

EPOXY SCREED FOR ERODED FLOORS

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

207 High Street, Solway, Masterton • 027-494 2018 www.stockwhips.co.nz • stockwhips@xtra.co.nz

QUADBAR

595

+GST delivered

Proven beyo nd do ubt!

“I have no doubt that if I did not have a Quadbar fitted, my accident would have been fatal!” – Rozel Farms

Quality construction and options • Get the contractors choice

“The Quadbar saved our employee from significant injuries.” – Colin van der Geest

Featuring...

• Incredible chemical economy • Amazing ease 1500+ per hour • Unique self adjusting sides • Environmentally and user friendly • Automatically activated • Proven effective on lice as well as fly • Compatible with all dip chemicals • Accurate, effective application

SIMPLE TO APPLY ! ORDERS AND ENQUIRIES Ph:

0800 542 542 WEBSITE:

RegisCoatings.co.nz

REGIS COATINGS

For a Quadbar, call me, Stuart Davidson, owner of Quadbar NZ, on 021-182 8115. Email sales@quadbar.co.nz or for more info go to www.quadbar.co.nz

600 500 400 300 200 100 0

QUADBAR 5 YEAR SURVEY

07 573 8512 | dipping@electrodip.co.nz

– www.electrodip.com

POLY SILOS

Got Diesel Bug in your Farm Tank?

 Fast Easy Assembly  No Blockages

 Polyethylene

Full Range of Sizes: From 1,600 L (1 tonne) to

Fix it with Fuel Right.

40,000 L (30 tonne)

Rangiora

www.advantageplastics.co.nz

Fuel Right Right isis the complete Fuel diesel diesel system treatment that that deals deals with diesel bug and keeps expensive and keeps your your expensive equipment running equipment running smoothly smoothly and and efficiently. efficiently.

J000060_BDMA Revolution

Call: 0800 668 534

NUMBER OF DEATHS 0

Walco Spreaders are Leading the Pack with: ● ● ● ● ● ●

Best Value for Money Reliability & Durability All Round Strength Even Spreading Huge Range to Choose From Extended Warranty

Sizes from: 70 - 675 litre ATV Trailed & 350 - 2600 litre PTO linkage

To u & gh Ma St No d e ro ng n-C fro Ga orr m lva osi ni ve se P d las St ti ee c l

Ph: 0800 777 551

New Zealand’s CHEAPEST Culvert Pipes! FREE joiners supplied on request.

300mm x 6 metre ................................ $410 400mm x 6 metre ................................ $515 500mm x 6 metre ................................ $690 600mm x 6 metre ................................ $925 800mm x 6 metre .............................. $1399 1000mm x 6 metre ............................ $2175 1200mm x 6 metre ............................ $3475

ROLLOVERS

Walco Have the Spreader to suit YOUR Needs

www.fuelright.co.nz PH: 0800 777 551

ONE STOP WATER SHOP

NUMBER OF QUADBARS 479

The Spreader Specialists

Culvert Pipes

ALL PRICES INCLUDE G.S.T.

The Stanley Food Jar keeps food hot all day and the insulated lid doubles as a handy bowl.

Flask has

• Stainless steel been keeping • 4 sealed bearings coffee hot WE’RE KNOCKING THE GST OFF QUALITY PRODUCTS MADE 4-1 ratio OUR OUTBACK•OIL SKINS around the IN EUROPEALL OR BY PPP • Rope included clock since ❖ STANLEY PRODUCTS A trusted name in PoultryAND Industry • Available in 2 sizes:1913 for over 50 years ❖ 1) will lift up to 272kg 2) 2000kg breaking strain

The magic eye sheepjetter since 1989

 Minimal Sweating  Longer Lasting  No Rust

Creek • Site C21 •

Used by Farmers, Hunters, the Home Handyman, Lifestyle Block Owners The Stanley and also in Veterinary Practices

• Nest boxes - manual or automated • Feed & Drinking • Plastic egg trays

• Cost Effective • Unbeatable pricing

Lockable Pulley

THE STANLEY LUNCH BOX durable, with huge Seecapacity us at for a hearty lunchMystery

• Lightweight, easy to install • Made from polyethylene

McKee Plastics Mahinui Street, Feilding Ph 06 323 4181 Fax 06 323 4183

sales@mckeeplastics.co.nz | www.mckeeplastics.co.nz

Helping Farmers Boost Production Made in New Zealand

www.walco.co.nz

Phone

0800 625 826

for your nearest stockist

Joiners supplied FREE with culvert pipes