MANAGEMENT
MACHINERY & PRODUCTS
NEWS
Drought stricken farmers dipping into winter feed reserves. PAGE 28
New John Deere sprayers for 2020. PAGE 33
Global ambitions for T&G PAGE 18
TO ALL FARMERS, FOR ALL FARMERS MARCH 10, 2020: ISSUE 696 
www.ruralnews.co.nz
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MANAGEMENT
MACHINERY & PRODUCTS
NEWS
Drought stricken farmers dipping into winter feed reserves. PAGE 28
New John Deere sprayers for 2020. PAGE 33
Global ambitions for T&G PAGE 18
TO ALL FARMERS, FOR ALL FARMERS MARCH 10, 2020: ISSUE 696
www.ruralnews.co.nz
We won’t go away! SUDESH KISSUN sudeshk@ruralnews.co.nz
SOUTH ISLAND corporate farmer Aad van Leeuwen has a message for the Government: we won’t go away until justice prevails. Van Leeuwen, whose farm suffered Mycoplasma bovis outbreak in July 2017, is embroiled in a legal battle with Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI)
over compensation. While the van Leeuwens, who run 13 dairy farms and six dry stock farms, have already been paid out $6.3 million by MPI, they are seeking further compensation for professional consultancy fees, bank charges and assorted other costs. Last month, the van Leeuwens won a victory in the High Court after Justice Francis Cooke rejected MPI’s bid
to strike out the case and ruled the Van Leeuwens must be awarded costs. The claim will now go before arbitration. A MPI guide on M. bovis claims, prepared in 2018, warns claimants against making the “mistake” of including professional fees such as hiring an agent or accountant or lawyer to prepare a claim. Its explanation for why this was a mistake was that MPI could not pay
PHOTO: JOHN COWPLAND – ALPHAPIX.
Finalists for the inaugural Ahuwhenua Trophy competition, for the top Maori horticultural enterprise in the country, were recently announced at a function at Parliament. Pictured from left are: Mike Chapman (HortNZ); Roger Bourne (P&F); Dave Samuels (TPK); Penny Nelson (MPI); Phillipa Stevens (P&F); Stacey Whitiora (P&F) and Barry O’Neil (HortNZ). This year is the first time in the 87-year history of the competition that the trophy has been open to horticulturalists. Previously it has been restricted to sheep and beef and dairy farmers. The three finalists are: Hineora Orchard, Te Kaha; Otama Marere at Paengaroa, near Te Puke; and Ngai Tukairangi Trust, based at Matapihi, Tauranga. The winner will be announced at an awards function in Tauranga at the end of May. - See more on the competition in the latest issue of Hort News, which is inserted in this issue of Rural News.
for those “because preparing a claim is not a loss caused by MPI exercising powers under the Act for the eradication of M bovis”. Justice Cooke ruled that the Court is not intervening in the arbitration itself. “The declaratory judgment proceedings can only resolve questions of the proper interpretation of the statute relevant not only to the Van Leeuwen Group’s claims, but any other claim,” he ruled. According to the judgment, the Van Leeuwen Group has made a claim of $430,000 for professional services incurred while preparing the M bovis claim. Judge Cooke notes that other claims for compensation have been made, but not finally assessed by MPI at the time of hearing. Van Leeuwen told Rural News that he hopes common sense will prevail. “We hope MPI will come over the bridge with paying out the extra cost.” Van Leeuwen said it was not just about themselves, “…but also for all those others out there that have been suffering losses after MPI promised them never to be worse or better off after slaughtering their stock.” He says MPI can appeal and “drag it out”. “They can drag it out in the hope we give up and go away. But that will never happen; we won’t go away till justice prevails” MPI told Rural News that it won’t appeal the High Court decision. However it says “the question is still to be heard by the Court if compensation is payable under section 162A of the Biosecurity Act for finance costs and professional and consultancy fees”.
MORE TREES AN AUSTRIAN billionaire has been granted consent to purchase an $8m hill country farm on the North Island’s east coast. The Overseas Investment Office (OIO) has granted Wolfgang Leitner consent to buy the 800ha property located in Kotemaori, Wairoa and convert it to forestry. The property known as Ponui Station currently has 714ha being grazed by sheep and beef stock. Leitner plans to plant a further 640ha of commercial forest. Ponui Station currently has just 14ha of existing commercial forestry. The remainder of the land includes 33ha of native bush and 113ha of unplantable land containing boundary and riparian setbacks, ponds and infrastructure. Bayleys’ real estate listing for the farm describes it as: “clean, healthy country, sought after scale, and opportunity to extend farm capability.” This isn’t Leitner’s first farm purchase in New Zealand, having been granted consent to buy the $4.5m, 489ha Ngapuke Station in Gisborne in September last year. This earlier purchase was also granted under the special forestry test put in place by the current government.
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RURAL NEWS // MARCH 10, 2020
NEWS 3 ISSUE 696 www.ruralnews.co.nz
Farm emissions confusion PETER BURKE peterb@ruralnews.co.nz
NEWS ��������������������������������������1-19 MARKETS �������������������������� 20-21 AGRIBUSINESS ���������������22-23 HOUND, EDNA ���������������������� 24 CONTACTS ����������������������������� 24 OPINION ��������������������������� 24-26 MANAGEMENT �������������� 28-29 ANIMAL HEALTH ������������ 30-31 MACHINERY AND PRODUCTS �����������������������32-34 RURAL TRADER ������������� 34-35
HEAD OFFICE Top Floor, 29 Northcroft Street, Takapuna, Auckland 0622 Phone: 09-307 0399 Fax: 09-307 0122 POSTAL ADDRESS PO Box 331100, Takapuna, Auckland 0740 Published by: Rural News Group Printed by: Ovato 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 79,553 as at 31.03.2019
ONE OF the country’s leading farm consultants says farmers are becoming frustrated at the confusing advice they’re getting on how to deal with greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Phil Journeaux of Ag First says, on the whole, farmers are willing to change. However, the advice they are getting is not helping them do this. He claims a lot of this advice is simplistic and shows a lack of understanding of how it can be applied on the farm. Journeaux believes real effort needs to be made in presenting the known science on GHG emissions in terms of how it fits into a farm system. He says there is a lack of truly independent advice to farmers – something that used to happen in the old days of MAF. He pointed to Ireland where there is Teagasc – a state owned advisory and research organisation, which still offers genuine independent advice to farmers.
Phil Journeaux
“Farmers in NZ are getting bombarded from a whole range of information from different sources,” Journeaux told Rural News. “I am involved in running some seminars for rural professionals at the moment on GHGs and I have to say at this stage some rural professionals understand it well, but most don’t. I think there is big learning curve for them so they – in turn – can then start and work with their clients and help them understand it.”
Journeaux has, for the last three years, been involved with developing and modelling a range of changing farms systems and how they might cope with the GHG targets and – in particular – what effect this may have on profitability. “In a general sense, we have found that we can reduce GHG emissions by between 2 and 10% -- depending on how we change the system, which often involves reducing stocking rates,” he explains. “In some instances,
we have found it is actually possible to improve the farm profitability, but in most cases the modelling suggests reduced profitability.” Journeaux says to make any big reduction of GHG emissions on farm, improving animal performance and reducing stock numbers seems to be the answer. The work he’s been doing is on both sheep and beef, and dairy farms. Journeaux adds that, in the absence of new technology, land use change – planting trees would be an option. “There are big implications around that in terms of changing land use and – as people are well aware – there is a movement currently to buy sheep and beef farms and plant them in trees. But this comes with economic and social change.” Journeaux says looking at the expansion of the dairy industry in the 1990s and 2000s it seems, in hindsight, that some farms ended up in places that were not particularly conducive to dairy farming.
Full impacts not felt yet DAVID ANDERSON
RABOBANK SAYS NZ’s food and agri sector’s heavy exposure to China has been magnified by the coronavirus outbreak. In its March Agribusiness Monthly Report, the specialist rural banker says that in 2019, 31% of the sector’s exports by value were destined for China. Rabobank estimates that around 15% of all products coming off NZ farms are now being shipped to China. It points out that NZ beef,
sheepmeat and cheese products are especially exposed to the Chinese foodservice industry. “Secondary markets exist for NZ products outside of China, but usually they pay less for products typically shipped to China,” the report says. It says, in the last week of February, anecdotal evidence suggested that logistics were improving in China. However, the bank warns that any reacceleration of infection rates in China would set any recovery back significantly.
In late February, coronavirus made its first appearance in a wide range of countries and gained a significant foothold in South Korea, Iran, and Italy. “Clearly, its impacts will be worse if coronavirus gains a foothold in NZ’s other important export markets and globally important economies, like Japan and the US,” Rabobank adds. It says the impact of coronavirus will also depend on how China fares. “If the virus is contained in China, the NZ food and agri industry will be better placed to weather the storm of
its spread to other markets.” Meanwhile, bank suggests the sector is likely to gain some offset to the virus’s spread via exchange rates. “The worse the virus gets, the lower the New Zealand dollar will fall,” the report concludes. “Other market developments may help reduce the impact of the virus on some commodities. But the industry cannot hope to avoid lower pricing and a slowdown in sales if a pandemic ensues.” @rural_news facebook.com/ruralnews
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RURAL NEWS // MARCH 10, 2020
4 NEWS
Monaghan to retire AS EXPECTED Fonterra chairman John Monaghan is retiring from the board at its next annual general meeting in November. The Wairarapa farmer has served 11 years on the board; directors usually serve for a maximum on 12 years on the co-op. His replacement will be announced by August; however former Zespri chairman Peter McBride is thought to be the frontrunner for the post. Monaghan took over the chairmanship after the late John Wilson stepped down in July 2018 due to ill health. In a note to farmer shareholders last week, Monaghan said that the timing was right for him
with our debt reduction efforts well progressed, the timing is right for me and for the co-op. “The board is committed to a planned chair succession that provides Miles Hurrell (chief executive) and his senior management team with the governance stability and confidence they need to maintain the co-op’s momentum”, says Monaghan. Monaghan’s retirement means there will be a vacancy on the board. Two other directors Brent Goldsack and Andy Macfarlane also retire by rotation and are expected to re-stand for election.
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AUCTIONS BACK IN ACTION WOOL TRADING on both sides of the Tasman is back up and running after a cyberattack on industry software provider Talman. The Sydney-based software is used in an estimated 75% of the wool trade in both countries. The attack stopped all wool sales in Australia for about a week. Sales continued in New Zealand, but with transactions having to be recorded manually. The ransomware attack on February 25 encrypted databases, forcing the shut-down of Talman’s Australian Data Exchange and networks, used to record ownership transactions, as well as its Application Service Provider (ASP) hosting service, used by many wool buyers and brokers. PGG Wrightson’s general manager for wool, Grant Edwards, said the New Zealand system was not as greatly affected as Australia, but it meant more paperwork. “We’re still operating our brokerage system as we have. We had two sales on Thursday, which we’ve transacted rather than electronically transferring.” Edwards said it had affected those that are hosted in Australia, and exporting businesses using the software, including PGW’s export arm, Bloch & Behrens, which alone handles 8% - 9% of New Zealand’s wool exports. Mark Grave, chief executive of the Australian Wool Exchange (AWEX), told Rural News that sales resumed in Sydney, Melbourne and Fremantle last Wednesday (March 4). He was happy that an early market report showed prices unchanged or slightly better. “I think in market reporting terms we’d say ‘in sellers’ favour’. So a solid start to what has been obviously been a difficult week. And it’s great to see it up and running again.” Grave said it was early days in assessing any cost to industry players. “The impact of this is not just about one system, but the impact it would have on the movement and flow of wool from growers to brokers. “The focus is on getting the industry moving again.” Talman’s Pramod Pandey, said wool brokers’ data had not been compromised. He said the company had been working around the clock to reinstate its systems from backup, but the process was taking some time because they did not go back to the same infrastructure. Pandey confirmed that they did not pay the cyber attackers a ransom to decrypt the data, because they did not want to “glorify that kind of activity.” He wanted to “convey the right message” that they kept the data safe. He said that people in the wool business had been very supportive. – Nigel Malthus
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RURAL NEWS // MARCH 10, 2020
NEWS 5
Can we open up India? PETER BURKE peterb@ruralnews.co.nz
THE MEAT Industry Association (MIA) says the recent business delegation visit to India was very timely. MIA chief executive Tim Ritchie was part of
a 16-person delegation led by the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister for Trade. The delegation included representatives from the dairy, meat and horticulture sector, including Zespri and Apples and Pears NZ – as well as the aviation and
engineering sectors. Ritchie says since he was in India about eight years ago, the country has made tremendous strides in terms of embracing technology. This includes what is described as creating ‘a public highway for data’.
Ritchie says with a population of 1.5 billion, India offers huge potential for NZ. “India is like Europe in the sense that it’s a series of states within one country. There are 26 states, 22 major languages and sheepmeat is
a natural part of their diet – so it’s seen as a land of enormous opportunity,” he told Rural News. “I have heard it described as an ‘Aladdin’s Cave’. By 2025 it will have the largest population in the world and exceed China and the average of the population is 29. Someone said the 21st century belongs to India.” Ritchie says the fact both that USA and Australia have been courting India is a sign that
these two large nations see this part of the subcontinent as important in the future. He says India is described as a relationship, rather than a transactional economy – meaning that potential exporters there need to build close relationships in order to make trading gains. “This is very important because underneath it all they are still very protectionist in their thinking making it difficult for exporters,” he
explains. “But we must remember that 50% of the population are employed in the agricultural economy and therefore the politics of not competing with these people is pretty important.” In the light of this, Ritchie believes NZ must work hard to secure a free trade agreement (FTA) with India – regardless of the challenges. The NZ meat industry currently faces a tariff of 30% when exporting to India.
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SPORTING TIES with India are largely related to cricket and it’s this connection that has helped open up the market for some high-end meat exports to that country. A company called QualityNZ, which has a number of NZ cricketers as its shareholders and ambassadors – Sir Richard Hadlee, Stephen Fleming, Daniel Vettori and Brendon McCallum – has made significant inroads into the Indian market selling lamb and other products. The company’s chief executive is also a former NZ international crick-
RURAL NEWS // MARCH 10, 2020
6 NEWS
Coronavirus impact on dairy ‘moderate’ SUDESH KISSUN sudesh@ruralnews.co.nz
THE CORONAVIRUS has only had a moderate impact on dairy prices so far, according to Westpac head of strategy Imre Speizer. Compared to other commodities like oil, the impact on dairy hasn’t been as bad. Since the outbreak gripped global financial markets in late January, whole milk powder prices have fallen 8.7% on the Global Dairy Trade (GDT) auction. In comparison, Brent crude oil has fallen 20.4%. Westpac is sticking to its forecast payout of $7.20/kgMS for the season. Two weeks ago Fonterra reaffirmed its
forecast farmgate milk price range at $7.00-7.60/ kgMS. Fonterra chief executive Miles Hurrell says the current situation around coronavirus is very fluid and uncertain. However, Fonterra has already contracted a high percentage of its 2020 financial year’s milk supply and this is helping the co-op manage the impact of coronavirus. “Our Greater China team are working hard to keep our operations running as smoothly as possible. Without them this would not have been possible and I want to thank them for their efforts,” Hurrell says “There has been a slow-down in processing of containers at ports and
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we are managing the flow of our product into China carefully to avoid congestion. Currently, our product is continuing to be cleared by customs and quarantine officials.” Hurrell says Fonterra remains confident in its forecast and earnings guidance of 15-25 cents/ share despite current market conditions as a result of coronavirus. Last week’s (March 4) GDT auction recorded its third consecutive drop in the price index: down 1.2% over the previous auction. Key export product, whole milk powder, fell only 0.5% - a smaller fall than futures market predictions of a 3%-4% fall. At US$2952/metric tonne, WMP is at the lowest
level since February 2019. Skimmed milk powder prices fell 3.2%, butter rose 1.0%, anhydrous milk fats fell 1.7%, and cheddar cheese fell 4.7%. Speizer says the results suggest the coronavirus outbreak continues to affect dairy commodities, albeit moderately so far. “Looking ahead, the coronavirus outbreak poses both positive and negative risks to demand. “Slower activity could crimp demand for dairy inputs to other products, but a renewed focus on nutrition could boost milk demand.” North Asian demand at last week’s auction was lower than usual, but demand from South East Asia and Oceania was
Fonterra chief executive Miles Hurrell.
higher. Meanwhile, on the supply side, persistently dry conditions in the North Island and flooding in the southern South Island could see milk production fall short of what the market is expecting,
says Speizer. “Against that, Canterbury and Otago, where irrigation is widespread, have reported good growing conditions.” DCANZ data shows January national milk solid production was
1.1% higher than in January 2019, and the season to date (Jun-Jan) is 0.5% higher than the previous comparable period. Overall, there hasn’t been any strong evidence of a supply shortfall to date, Speizer says.
RURAL NEWS // MARCH 10, 2020
NEWS 7
Funds for farmers under pressure PAM TIPA pamelat@ruralnews.co.nz
A NEW fund to provide independent financial advice is for farmers who are struggling – but not at the stage of defaulting on loans, says Rural Support Trust national council chair Neil Bateup. Farmers and their bank will need to agree that it needs to be accessed and there is a good reason, he told Rural News. “It should be a very tight financial situation, but probably not at the stage of defaulting on the loans. If loans are being defaulted on and payments not made that probably should be dealt with under the debt mediation scheme that the Government is putting in before July 1.” This new advice initiative funded by banks and
the Government offering support for farmers struggling with farm debt is now up and running. The government has allocated $200,000 for the Farm Business Advice Support Fund, to be managed by Rural Support Trusts. For a qualifying farmer the fund will provide up to $6,000 to pay for financial or business advice from an independent consultant. Bateup says the place for this advice would likely in the situation where there may be some options one way or another. “It is really to pay for somebody to have a good forensic in depth look at the business and see whether things can be restructured or changed,” he says. “There may be a way forward without having
Neil Bateup
to sell the farm or the farmer may decide that they want to move on anyway but how is the best way to go forward and make that happen for the benefit of both the farmer and the bank.” Discussions between the Rural Support Trust’s national council, the
Bankers Association and Government pinpointed there would be a number of scenarios where the advice would be useful. Normally banks would give some advice in tight financial situations but this is aimed to be more in depth and independent.
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that the farmer can carry on or maybe they decide there isn’t a way forward so how do they best exit with dignity.” The farmer, the Rural Support Trust representative and the bank will need to agree on who is the best consultant. They will need to be well qualified to get their head across both the financial and practical side of farming. “It will need to be someone who can look at the big picture and see if there are some options.” Bateup said the Rural Support Trust had had about three or four inquiries within a week of the announcement. The National Council of Rural Support Trusts and New Zealand Bankers’ Association have recently signed the agreement for the fund. Under the agreement, the RSTs
will provide up to $3000, depending on an assessment of need, and the relevant bank will match that dollar for dollar. New Zealand Bankers’ Association chief executive Roger Beaumont says it is recognised it is in everyone’s best interest for a farmer to have up-to-date business and financial plans,” says. “This will inform conversations between the farmer and their bank.” Rural Support Trusts will take an application from, or on behalf of, a farmer who might qualify for assistance. The consultant will provide a report, which will be given to the farmer and their bank. This initiative involves New Zealand’s main rural lenders, including ASB, ANZ, BNZ, Heartland Bank, Rabobank, SBS Bank, TSB and Westpac.
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RURAL NEWS // MARCH 10, 2020
8 NEWS
Keynote speaker for summit INTERNATIONAL AGRIBUSINESS thought-leader Devry Boughner Vorwerk is one of the keynote speakers at the International Agribusiness Summit, being held in Christchurch later this month. Based in the US, Boughner Vorwerk heads DevryBV Sustainable Strategies, a business she set-up last year to help companies and industries meet the United Nation’s Sustainable
Development Goals while succeeding in the global marketplace. An advocate for trade and open markets as a mechanism for achieving both of these goals, her organisation supports companies and industries to liberalise trade in goods, services, capital, technology and data. Along with a dual degree in Agricultural Economics and a Managerial Economics, she has a Master’s of Science in Agri-
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cultural Economics specializing in Public Policy and International Trade. Before starting up DevryBV, Boughner Vorwerk worked for agricultural giant Cargill for a number of years, ultimately serving as corporate vice president of global corporate affairs Nelson farmer and Nuffield scholar Murray King – chairing the summit – says they are pleased to be able to attract
such a high-calibre speaker and thinker to attend the one-day event, which is part of the threeweek Nuffield 2020 Triennial. King says the International Agribusiness Summit on March 23 is open to anyone with interest in food production and supply chains. He adds that it will be a fantastic opportunity to hear international business leaders, leading New Zealand farmers and agribusiness professionals.
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IRRIGATIONNZ’S BIENNIAL conference, coming up in April, aims to “to lead the conversation on the future of water for Aotearoa.” It says water is essential to people, communities, ecosystems, and cultural wellbeing. The Water for Life Conference will be held at the Air Force Museum of New Zealand, Wigram, Christchurch from April 7-9. Themes will include the importance of multi-benefit water infrastructure, the use of technology for enhanced decision-making, the future of farming and water policy developments. There will be a range of speakers, as well as a panel discussion, break-out sessions, a trade exhibition, a gala awards dinner, networking breakfast, and a welcome drinks function. The first day features two pre-conference bus tours of various irrigated horticultural ventures across Canterbury. Speakers will include Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor, as well as National’s agriculture spokesman Todd Muller and NZ First’s Mark Paterson. An international perspective will come from Monty Teeter of Teeter Irrigation, Ulysses, Kansas, the inventor of Dragon Line – a mobile drip irrigation system developed to conserve and efficiently use water. There will also be innovation awards with a cash prize for ‘The Best Innovation, Discovery or Achievement that makes a positive contribution, impact or benefit to irrigation in New Zealand’. IrrigationNZ chief executive Elizabeth Soal says her organisation and the sector are confronting a time of many changes. “We’re meeting these changes during a time of larger nationwide and global change. The movement towards better water quality and higher environmental standards continues to demand we incorporate good practice in all that we do. However, this movement and these standards need to be implemented in practical and achievable ways,” she adds. “The world of water is an exciting area to work in and is moving at a fast pace. IrrigationNZ will continue to meet and bring together thought leaders to ensure we stay up to date, and are listening to a range of viewpoints, opinions and concerns, and giving our sector an opportunity to learn from and lead others.” Soal says the future of water management, governance, allocation, and infrastructure is critical to adapting to climate change and other uncertainties, caused by global and local forces, she said. Registrations are still open at www.waterforlife.kiwi
RURAL NEWS // MARCH 10, 2020
NEWS 9
A very fine tour ROSS MACMILLAN, managing director of Rangiora-based Farm to Farm Tours, is looking forward to treating a coach load of international visitors to a nearly two-week tour of the South Island’s Merino industry. The tour is timed to coincide with the one-day Merino Excellence 2020 Congress in Cromwell, on March 12.
Merino Breeders president Ron Small, of Marlborough’s Blairich Station, explained that the World Federation of Merino Breeders has a major conference every four years, the last being in 2018 in Uruguay. New Zealand pitched for the 2022 world event, but lost out to Hungary – mainly because it had not been in the northern hemisphere for some time – but New Zealand was then invited to hold
“Fine wool’s doing really well at the moment so these people are keen to show off their genetics and the properties that they run on.”
Macmillan, a farm consultant, who 30 years ago founded a tour business specialising in arranging and conducting agribusiness-themed tours in New Zealand and around the world. “We’ve got about a coach load of international people coming from Russia and Uruguay and Kazakhstan and Australia,” he said. “Probably would’ve had more Aussies if it wasn’t for the drought and the fires.” He says the tour will start from Christchurch and go up to Cheviot then on to Marlborough and up the Awatere Valley “to see how all the fine wool blokes are getting on up there.” It will then head down the West Coast into the Merino heartland of Central Otago. The centrepiece of the tour is six days in and around Central and the Mackenzie Country, taking in the Congress, the Wanaka A&P Show, and visits to a number of Merino stations. Macmillan also said the Merino industry was “on a bit of a roll.” “Fine wool’s doing really well at the moment so these people are keen to show off their genetics and the properties that they run on.” The congress is on March 12 in Cromwell. Organiser, NZ Stud
the smaller interim congress this year. “It’s grown a bit more than what was initially thought, but we thought that if people were going to come here from around the world they weren’t going to come here just for a couple of days.” Small is expecting more than 100 for the congress with about 40 coming from overseas. Speakers include Cathrine Stange of the Devold of Norway Group, a vertically-integrated wool clothing specialist founded in 1853 which boasts of “sheep to shop” traceability and counts several New Zealand merino farmers among its suppliers. Other speakers include Christchurchbased animal geneticist Dr Mark Ferguson of neXtgen Agri, Lincoln University Professor of Animal Breeding and Genetics Jon Hickford, and the head of Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health NZ Ltd, Steve Rochester. Small said the theme of the congress was in its title - Merino Excellence. It would cover animal health, nutrition, management, breeding and the use of Australian Sheep Breeding Values (ABSV), particularly for footrot, and what was required to produce quality wool.
Fine wool prices had backed off a little from the highs of last year, but still doing exceedingly well, said Small. “Most of the Merino wool in New Zealand now is forward-contracted so it’s protected against the highs and drops in the market, so it’s very good.” NUF0341_CRU_SCIENCE
NIGEL MALTHUS
With low prices for coarse wool, Small said a number of people experimenting getting merino genetics into crossbred flocks to bring the micron down into the 30 micron bracket, and in halfbred flocks trying to get the micron down below 27.
Tour leader Ross Macmillan.
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RURAL NEWS // MARCH 10, 2020
10 NEWS
Bigger impact that first expected PAM TIPA pamelat@ruralnews.co.nz
FORMER SPECIAL agricultural trade envoy Mike Petersen says it will probably take months
for supply chains to and in China to clear in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. Dairy products as mainly dried products are not so affected as per-
ishable products such as some horticulture. And the lobster/crayfish industry has come to a halt. “The supply chains in China are certainly
Mike Petersen
empty. There will be a big sucking sound of people wanting to import product into China once we see a bit of normality resumed,” he told Rural News. “But that supply chain disruption is of real concern. The displacement of cargo, the displacement of containers and displacement of ships will mean getting back to normal will take a few months rather than a few weeks.” “This is here for a lot longer than many people realise,” Petersen says. China is letting food products through, he says, but many of the problems lie in the distribution getting it off the ships and off the wharves and in through China. “I don’t want to suggest that this is all hell in a handbasket because they are definitely trying to get the supply chains moving. “But the amount of
FONTERRA CARRIES ON UNLIKE SOME other exporters, Fonterra’s scheduling, logistics and delivery activities to all markets are largely operating as normal, the cooperative says. This is despite the disruption to shipping and supply chains in China caused by the coronavirus update. “We are keeping a close eye on the situation as it develops,” a spokesperson told Rural News. “At this time of the year, a high
displacement that has already happened with ships and containers and product means that is going to be disrupted for a long period of time. “It is going to take a few months for us to get back to normality.” Petersen thinks the effects will be felt here much more severely than people realise. A developed country like Italy now has coronavirus so it is no longer only a China problem. “This is affecting a number of world markets.
percentage of our FY(full year)20 supply is already contracted. Our sales teams are working with our customers to understand how coronavirus is impacting their businesses, which will give us an idea of how it may impact ours. “We remain confident in our forecast farmgate milk price range of $7- $7.60/ kgMS, and we have no reason to revise our earnings guidance of 15-25c per share.”
That will add to the difficulties. I would say every product in and out of China is affected in some form. “There is product that isn’t getting to its final destination at this stage. It might still be on route so it could be held up in transit. There are ships that are anchored off China that can’t get onto their normal shipping routes.” He says he doesn’t think any company wants to talk about it too much. “But for a company
that is trying to do the best that it can and divert product out of that area away from the disruption - and by and large they have probably done pretty well - but you are taking that influence of China out from the marketplace which has been a massive boost market prices in the last 12 months in particular for the last three years actually.” We are focused on exports but import from China will also be disrupted, he says.
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RURAL NEWS // MARCH 10, 2020
NEWS 11
Synlait drops earnings expectations NIGEL MALTHUS
CANTERBURY-BASED MILK processor Synlait has downgraded its earnings expectation for the 2020 year. The company now expects net profit after tax (NPAT) of between $70 million and $85 mil-
Similarly, the outlook for the half year ended January 31 (HY20) is now put at between $26.5 million and $28.5 million, compared with HY19’s NPAT of $37.3 million. “Naturally, the Synlait team expected a stronger FY20 financial performance,” chairman
ness is being carefully monitored. Globally there is uncertainty about Coronavirus’ impact on supply chains and consumer demand,” chief executive Leon Clement said.
“We are not currently experiencing any supply chain disruption. However, we are monitoring the situation very closely and felt it prudent to front foot potential impacts.”
“Current information now indicates this rate of growth will not be achieved,” lion, compared with $82.2 million for 2019. A statement released to the New Zealand Stock Exchange in mid-February said the previously announced earnings guidance was for profits to continue to grow in FY20, with the rate of profitability increasing at least at a similar rate to FY19 over FY18. “Current information now indicates this rate of growth will not be achieved,” said the statement. Synlait’s ordinary shares, which stood at $8.29 on February 12, dropped sharply on the announcement and have traded since then in the mid-$6 range. They had been trending downwards over the past year, from a high of $11.29 in March.
Graeme Milne said. “We remain confident that the decision to focus on our medium to long-term strategic opportunities will over time improve shareholder value and the sustainability of our business.” Meanwhile, the Coronavirus outbreak had contributed to Synlait’s decision to issue a wider earnings guidance range, extending the lower end of the range down to $70 million. The company says the outbreak has had no material short-term impact on its financial performance, but it represents some risk going forward so was considered as part of the broader outlook update. “The spread of Coronavirus and the risk it poses to Synlait’s busi-
$300M AND COUNTING... CORONAVIRUS HAS cost the NZ economy about $300 million in lost exports to China in the past month, according to recent statistics. Stats NZ compared the earnings for the past four weeks (to March 2) against the same period last year and estimated how much might have been earned if previous export growth rates had continued. It gives a partial picture of the virus’s effect on exports to our biggest trade partner. Stats NZ reported that exports to China were at $1.1 billion, down 8% or $93m on the same time in 2019. The largest falls were in meat, seafood, and forestry. Stats NZ said if past growth rates had continued then expected earnings would have been about $1.4bn. China was New Zealand’s top trading partner in 2019. In the year ended December 2019, 23% of New Zealand’s total goods and services exports and 16% of imports by value were with China. Two-way trade in goods and services with China was worth $33.4 billion in 2019, with exports worth $20.1 billion and imports $13.3 billion.
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RURAL NEWS // MARCH 10, 2020
12 NEWS
New law to give bite to organics PETER BURKE peterb@ruralnews.co.nz
LEGISLATION AIMED at tightening up the rules and laws on organic products has drawn widespread support from the
organic sector – with one group describing the move as a ‘good moment for NZ’. The Government introduced the new Bill last week and after its first reading it will be
referred to the Primary Production Select Committee for the public to have their say on the proposed changes. Food Safety Minister Damien O’Connor says the new legislation aims
to increase consumer confidence when purchasing organic products, allow businesses to make claims that their products are organic with certainty, and promote international trade in organic
Chris Morrison (left), chair of Organic Aotearoa NZ on-orchard in Opotiki with Hon Damien O’Connor, Minister for food safety.
MOVE WELCOMED CERTIFIED ORGANIC Kiwifruit Association or COKA chair Doug Voss says – as a long-time, certified organic kiwifruit grower – he’s grateful for minister and his officials’ unfailing support to promote the mandatory national standards. “We’ll continue to work collaborative and constructively with the government and other organic producers, including HortNZ, to promote the passage of the much-needed national standards and regulation to grow the organic market for New Zealand certified products,” says Voss. Organics Aotearoa NZ, which represents a diverse membership of organic producers, processors, suppliers, wholesalers and retailers, says the new legislation will bring New Zealand into line with its major trading partners and enable easier access across global markets.
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products. He told Rural News that they have had ongoing discussions with the organics sector for a number of years and that they have always been seeking uniform standards. He says the legislation is largely at the request of the industry. “We have progressed this because it provides certainty and security for people who are considering going into organic production, while at the same time giving confidence to consumers that what they buy as organic is true to label.” O’Connor says up until now there has been no specific legislation relating to organics. He says under the Commerce Act there are rules that those dealing in organics must be honest in terms of their marketing and labelling of products. However, he claims now days there is greater emphasis on traceability and integrity of products and this legislation will bring NZ into line with the laws in many other countries. O’Connor adds that many existing organic growers are covered by the certification systems now in place and for them the new law will not involve massive changes – maybe just tweaks.
He says the main things about the law is that it show consumers that products coming from NZ have the approval of the government, which will adds to the credibility of the product both domestically and internationally. Recent research shows demand for organics is increasing. The U.S. organics market alone is currently worth more than NZ$70 billion, and the EU organics market is worth around NZ$65b. O’Connor says there’s been a cumulative growth in the EU organics market by 460% since 2000 and the number of organic producers in the Oceania region has almost tripled since 2006. “Meantime, domestic and global demand for New Zealand organics saw the sector grow 30% between 2015 and 2018 to be worth more than $600m, according to a report from Organics Aotearoa New Zealand,” he says. “The report also showed organic fresh fruit and vegetable exports were up 24 per cent, dairy, meat and wool exports up 45%, and wine exports up 13 % from just three years prior. Now is the time to put a framework in place to help sustain and enhance this growth.”
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RURAL NEWS // MARCH 10, 2020
NEWS 15
A potential boost for wool pamelat@ruralnews.co.nz
HIGH PROFILE international names may give a huge boost to a new educational initiative planned this year in conjunction with the annual WoolOn Creative Fashion Event. Meanwhile, Central Otago Schools have until just the end of the week, March 13, to enter the new educational side of the fashion event. ‘Fibre to Fashion’, for aspiring designers, and ‘Through the Lens’ for photographers and filmmakers, gives primary and high school students the opportunity to enter to be part of WoolOn. They will learn from Central Otago wool crafters and designers, photographers, filmmakers and international experts. If successful the programme may be expanded beyond Central Otago next year. WoolOn education coordinator Mary Hinsen says it will help raise the profile of wool and focus the next generation on its qualities as a fibre and its sustainable attributes. Hinsen told Rural News she hopes to know within the next week whether the high profile
names will be on board. “We’ve been approached by successful designers and film industry personalities, both New Zealand-based and overseas, that having heard about the programme want to help inspire young people.” Hinsen says the new education programme is about giving back to the community and bringing age-old craft techniques to a new generation. Programme participants will receive five months coaching, and at its conclusion Fibre to Fashion students will be able to enter their design in WoolOn Creative Fashion Event. The top ‘Through the Lens’ student will have the opportunity to capture images of the show, Hinsen says. WoolOn organisers sought feedback about the event and the big message was getting younger people involved. “We have a lot of tertiary students that come each time, emerging designers, which is great but what we didn’t have was a real ‘in’ for schools.” The WoolOn Creative Fashion event 2020 will be held August 14-15 at Highlands in Cromwell.
The Fibre to Fashion programme will help develop creative young minds, bringing ethical fashion and environmentally sound wool crafting techniques to a new generation of designers. Through the Lens – Stories of Fibre and Fashion photo and video programme will help young people tell their
stories visually, inspiring us all to see the future of wool as a sustainable fibre through their eyes. WoolOn Creative and Fashion Society is a Central Otago not-for-profit organisation showcasing wool design and artistry. Hinsen says a number of people have contact her so she is hoping for a “really good cohort” and
the programme proper starts after March 13.
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RURAL NEWS // MARCH 10, 2020
16 NEWS
Aussie flock hits a 116 year low SUDESH KISSUN sudeshk@ruralnews.co.nz
PROLONGED DRY conditions in rural Australia are taking a toll on its national sheep flock. The latest forecast from Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) says sheep numbers will fall 3.5% this year. According to MLA’s 2020 Sheep Industry Projection, stock numbers have been dropping due to drought in key sheep producing regions. The Australian national flock underwent a significant decline in 2019 as breeding ewes continued to be offloaded: marking rates were negatively affected by ongoing drought in many key sheep production regions. MLA senior market analyst, Adam Cheetham says the national flock
is forecast to fall 3.5% to 63.7 million head by June 2020, representing the lowest national flock since 1904 and a cumulative fall of 12% since June 2017, prior to the latest drought. “The impact and severity of consecutive drought years will be felt across both sheep and lamb supply in 2020 and for a number of years to come,” Cheetham says. Sheep slaughter is forecast to decline 22% to 7.2 million head in 2020 and lamb slaughter is anticipated to decline to 21 million head, which is 8% below the pre-drought peak in 2016. “This reflects the impact of the diminished breeding flock, generally lower marking rates and the expectation of greater retention of ewe lambs on-farm,” says Cheetham. However, there is a
Key points ●●
●●
●●
●●
National flock forecast to fall 3.5% to 63.7 million head by June 2020 REDUCED LAMB slaughter reflects consecutive years of lower mating rates RISE IN average carcase weights to offset the impact of reduced slaughter on production AUSTRALIAN LAMB exports forecast to break records again due to robust international demand
silver lining to the decline in sheep numbers. Australian sheep farmers should continue to receive record lamb prices this year, according to Cheetham. Continued strong demand, limited international competition and a forecast drop in Australian sheep and lamb supply will keep prices at historically high levels. Despite the poor
weather conditions, average national carcase weights improved last year and will again lift this year, helping to offset the impact of reduced slaughter on sheepmeat production. Lamb carcase weights are forecast to rise 2% to 23.8kg/head in 2020. This is due to the growing prevalence of supplementary feeding or lot feeding lambs,
improved pasture availability and strong price incentives to feed lambs to heavier finished weights, Cheetham says. “As a result, lamb production is forecast to remain stable at 500,000 tonnes carcase weight (cwt), despite a decline in slaughter. “The impact of the decrease in sheep slaughter will not be offset by the expected increase in
sheep carcase weights of 2% to 24.7kg/head, with mutton production forecast to fall 21% to 178,000 tonnes cwt.” Cheetham said production could fall further if average to above-average rainfall is experienced in the southern sheep production regions in the first half of 2020, as producers look to rebuild. Looking at exports, Cheetham says global
markets continue to reflect strong demand and constrained supplies from Australia and New Zealand, the two dominant sheepmeat exporters. “The environment through 2020 is expected to remain much the same, supporting prices, but uncertainty regarding global trade policy and China’s appetite for meat imports due to African Swine Fever and coronavirus should not be disregarded. “Broadly, global demand for quality sheepmeat has outstripped supply in recent years, leading to prices across all major sheepmeat suppliers reaching new highs.” Australian lamb exports are forecast to break records again on the back of this robust international demand.
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RURAL NEWS // MARCH 10, 2020
18 NEWS
Global ambitions for T&G PAM TIPA pamelat@ruralnews.co.nz
T&G GLOBAL wants to continue its transformation towards becoming the world’s leading, premium fresh produce company, says chief executive Gareth Edgecombe. However, it was not
without its challenges, he concedes in the company’s annual report. “Over the past few years, our financial performance has been weak, with market forces putting pressure on our operating model and our investments for the long term yet to see yields.
“To unleash our full potential, we had to evolve. This hasn’t been easy and some of the decisions we’ve made have been tough, but they were needed.” He claims the company is now one year into its three-year roadmap for growth, with
Inset: T&G Global chief executive Gareth Edgecombe.
“many green shoots are coming through”. In the year to December 31, 2019 the operating profit increased to $16.5 million, from $15.6m million in 2018. Revenue was maintained at $1.2 billion and profit for the year $6.6 million, compared to $8.3 million in 2018. Strong sales and margin growth were achieved in key export markets, including Asia, Australia, the United States, United Kingdom and Pacific Islands, says Edgecombe. An “enviable” premium position was built in the United States for Envy, with sales revenues increasing by 43%. The transition continued to premium apples, including the re-planting
of some orchards. “While this has had a cost impact, it’s vital for setting us up for the future,” says Edgecombe. The company divested low returning or noncore assets to use cash more productively and reinvest it into capability and infrastructure to support our future growth. This included the sale of its Mt Wellington site in Auckland for $65 million. T&G is harnessing its vertical model strengths to develop two new categories – blueberries and grapes. “We’re one year into this plan and expect it to take another few years to see the value. We see a strong future for these emerging categories.” The company is
boosting its inmarket sales presence in Asia and moving globally towards a worldclass sales model. Edgecombe says the International Produce division had a strong close to the year, increasing revenue by 14%, to $305.1 million, largely driven by its Asian trading business boosting revenue by $40.6 million. “A critical aspect of realising the potential of our Apples division is the increased focus on premium varieties. In 2019, this saw us re-planting some orchards which, while vital for setting us up for the future, had a cost impact,” says Edgecombe. “In the United States,
as a result of bolstering our sales and marketing expertise and an integrated activation programme, we accelerated the growth of our premium apple brands, delivering 43% growth in Envy sales. Meanwhile, favourable growing conditions in NZ throughout 2019 resulted in an abundance of supply. “This adversely affected sales values across most product groups, resulting in a 2% decline in revenue for our New Zealand Produce division, to $227million.”
DIRECTORS RETURNED SILVER FERN Farm Co-operative directors Richard Young and Dan Jex Blake have both been reelected unopposed. Young, who is chairman of the co-op board, said the outcome provided continuity for the co-oper-
ative and for Silver Fern Farms Limited. Both Young and Jex Blake were first elected to the SFF board in 2013. They also represent the cooperative on the board of Silver Fern Farms Limited – the joint
venture between SFF and Chinese company Shanghai Maling. The 2019 Annual Meeting of SFF will be held in Dunedin on 30 April 2020. @rural_news facebook.com/ruralnews
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RURAL NEWS // MARCH 10, 2020
NEWS 19
Trans-Tasman agritech cooperation PAM TIPA pamelat@ruralnews.co.nz
NEW ZEALAND and Australia could be working more closely together in the agritech space to present a regional offer to the world, according to Callaghan Innovation’s agritech group manager Simon Yarrow. It could be similar to the way the Scandinavians have established a regional reputation in other fields. This was one observation after Callaghan-led agritech mission of more than 60 New Zealanders attended the agEvoke conference in Melbourne in February. The event focuses on agricultural innovation. Yarrow told Rural News the rest of the world sees us as the same region. American, European and even Asian investors in particular are more likely to visit if they are going to both countries. “If you present as a region, suddenly it starts to have some scale and a combination of different farming systems and technologies. “The Australians are really keen to do more and so are we. We have built a few bridges there. We have a group called the Australian and New Zealand Agritech Council and we’re looking at opportunities where we can work together.” He says New Zealand is viewed as a leader in agritech, which is unusual as it is usually seen as a small player globally. “But certainly within the region we are seen as a leading light. That was pleasing to see that people wanted to engage
with us and work with us.” New Zealand is keen to partner with the research system in Australia so also visited Monash University this year and La Trobe University in Melbourne last year. However, Yarrow point out that it is harder from start-ups to get a foot in the door in Australia than some of our people realise. “Just because we share a lot of cultural similarities you can’t just walk in there and say ‘hey I’m from New Zealand’ and suddenly get business. “You have really got to know what value you are bringing and especially for the tech start-ups. “A lot of Kiwi companies think Australia is just like New Zealand, but it is not.” Yarrow says the trip brought home the environmental issues in Australia with water, fire and other climate change issues. New Zealand is seen as a leader in that environmental space. “So the key there will be coming up with environmental technologies that also add to the bottom line. We see some really cool Kiwi companies building on that.” He adds that capital – especially venture capital – is always a challenge in New Zealand, but some good, early stage angel and incubator accelerator networks have been built. The new governmentinitiated New Zealand Venture Investment Fund of New Zealand is looking to invest $300 million. Yarrow says agritech will definitely hope to attract
2022 IN NZ? NEW ZEALAND IS looking at hosting an agEvoke event in 2022. It will be held in Perth next year. New Zealand will be competing against other Australian venues, but Yarrow says Agri Ventures, which runs agEvoke, see it as being a regional event. They want to become the number one food/agritech conference in the Southern Hemisphere. “It would be beneficial for NZ to hold it. But it will be a competitive situation so we will put our best foot forward and hopefully we will get it here in 2022.”
some of that funding. He says the key for start-ups is putting all the pieces of the pie together. “That is where the research organisations come in, government can’t help.
“We can’t do it but we can support them, we are an enabler.” So are some of the bigger ag companies like Zespri and Allied Farmers who were on the agEvoke mission as well.
Simon Yarrow, left, local MP Dr Anne Webster and Mildura Mayor Simon Clemence at the agEvoke event in Melbourne last month.
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RURAL NEWS // MARCH 10, 2020
Rabobank supports clients from farm to fork in
40
COUNTRIES
100 000
farmers to connect Content supplied by Rabobank - Growing New Zealand Together with worldwide , a Better 12630
20 MARKETS & TRENDS
global agribusiness research analysts sharing market outlooks
Holding our breath Dairy
DAIRY COMMODITY markets have shifted lower as coronavirus impacts global logistics and sentiment. Average WMP prices have dipped around 6% since mid-January 2020. Despite this, Fonterra recently reaffirmed their forecast farmgate milk
price range of NZ$ 7.00/ kgMS to 7.60/kgMS. For now, Rabobank’s farmgate milk price forecast of NZ$ 7.60/kgMS still stands, but we note there is risk to this number. New Zealand’s 2019/20 milk production continues to fall behind the prior season. On a The 2019/20
Sheepmeat
season-to-date collections are now trailing half a percent behind last season. We expect February 2020 data to illustrate further pressure on milk collections.
Beef
FARMGATE PRICES stabilised late February for the first time since early December, signalling prices may be approaching their floor following a steep decline over the last three months. However, the continuing impact of coronavirus on Chinese import demand and high levels of domestic cattle supplies due to low feed levels do have the potential to put further downward pressure on prices over the next month. Supply chain disruptions in China caused by coronavirus coincided
with New Zealand’s seasonal increase in cattle production, with the lift in this season’s production higher than normal due to dry conditions in the North Island and upper South Island. With suppressed demand from China occurring at a time when domestic supplies
exceeded local processing capacity, farmgate prices have been under strong downward price pressure for most of 2020. As of the start of March, the North Island bull price is 13% lower MOM, averaging NZ$ 4.70/kg cwt, with the South Island bull price down 11% MOM to NZ$
4.65/kg cwt. Anecdotal evidence suggests that logistics in China are improving, indicating the worst of the supply chain disruption issues may have passed, although it is still unclear how long it will be before Chinese import demand returns to normal.
RABOBANK EXPECTS prices to remain under some further downward pressure in March, with dry conditions in the North Island and upper South Island forcing farmers to continue offloading stock at a higher-than-normal rate during the season’s peak production period. An oversupply of lambs, combined with reduced demand from China due to coronavirus, saw farmgate prices fall sharply in February. As of the start of March, the slaughter price in the North Island averaged NZ$ 6.90/kg cwt (7% down MOM), while South Island lamb averaged NZ$ 6.80/kg cwt (9% down MOM). These pricing levels are largely in line with
usiness ysts et outlooks
Rabobank supports clients from farm to fork in
40
RURAL NEWS // MARCH 10, 2020
MARKETS & TRENDS 21
COUNTRIES
Content supplied by Rabobank - Growing a Better New Zealand Together ewes is likely to remain tight over the coming month as lamb supplies hit peak levels.
Horticulture
where they were at this stage last year. With coronavirus disrupting Chinese demand for lamb over the last month, New Zealand exporters were forced to redirect China-bound product to alternative markets at discounted prices. Given China is still predominately a lowvalue cut market for New Zealand lamb exports, and pricing in other key markets is holding up rel-
atively well, the downward effect on overall export returns is limited. Exporters do not have the luxury of strong alternative markets for mutton, with China accounting for approximately 80% of New Zealand’s mutton exports. This has resulted in processors prioritising lambs over ewes, making killing space for ewes difficult to come by and driving prices down 17% MOM. Killing space for
CORONAVIRUS BRINGS complications for exporters of crops with a high reliance on China, such as pip fruit and kiwifruit. In 2019, China accounted for around 16% and 25% of total export receipts, respectively, for these crops. Despite indications that port access is freeing up, Rabobank expects softening of in-market prices in China for key fresh produce exports for the balance of Q1. This is not from a lack of demand, rather supply chain disruptions continue to impact ability to ship produce to consumers. The depth of this price impact after Q1 remains uncertain and is highly dependent upon the timeframe it takes China to contain the virus.
Q1 and Q2 2020 will bring market trading conditions that will test the depths of alternative markets to New Zealand’s number one fresh produce export destination, China. In addition to China, the spread of coronavirus and its impacts to other key markets in Asia will influence demand across the balance of Q1 and into Q2 2020. Rabobank expects that supply diverted to markets outside of China,
where that produce is not unseasonal, will result in reduced local market prices bringing downside to total export receipts for the second half of the export year to June 2020 .
Exchange rate
THE NEW Zealand dollar will likely head to USc 60 if coronavirus takes off again in China or it becomes a global pandemic. Both scenarios are entirely possible. With
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markets awakening to the prospect of a global pandemic, traders abandoned NZ$ investments for safe haven assets in the US. Yields on 10-year US Treasury bonds below 1% by early March, an alltime low and down from 2.75% just one year prior. The New Zealand dollar fell to USc 62.93 on 4th March, down from USc 65.27 at the end of January. Despite its recent smashing, the currency
could still slip even further against the US dollar over the next 12 months if either infection rates start to rise again in China or if the infection rates seen in Italy and South Korea are replicated in major economies like the US and Japan. Conversely, the New Zealand dollar may yet rise against the US dollar if the situation in China continues to improve and its spread beyond China remains limited.
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RURAL NEWS // MARCH 10, 2020
22 AGRIBUSINESS
Why are goat profits not matching prices? Long-time goat industry stalwart Garrick Batten looks into why farm gate goat meat profits have not matched FOB prices, potential market returns or other meats. THE GOAT schedule has been remarkably stable over the years, despite exchange rate shifts, shipping cost increases and various market changes. In 2000, it was $3.303.80 per kg. In 2012-13, it was $3.50 for 8.1kg+ and $3.65 for 12.1 kg +. By 2016, it was still at that level – creeping to over $4 to $4.50 during 2018. During the latter part of 2019 into 2020, it increased by another $1. However, individual processors schedules may not be directly comparable with freight subsidy differences, North/ South Island location
and market needs. The domestic fresh market – that only consumed 3% of the inspected national kill in 1991— now takes one third, mainly in Auckland. That requires regular slaughter from fluctuating and seasonally influenced supplies, whereas the frozen export market product is not so affected. Farmers, who want to compare goats with lambs, suggest that farm production and market differences are not appreciated. Nor that overall FOB goat meat export prices have generally matched lamb prices over the years.
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per kg returns were: goat $7.11, lamb $6.74. However, by 2016, goat was $8.87 and $8.07; and in 2018, goat $9.37 and lamb $9.80. Compared with goat, sheep meat schedules include wool and pelt payment as well as byproduct returns, that are not specifically included for goats and make schedule comparisons more difficult. Fluctuating goat skin values have also a disproportionate impact on lower per kg meat value to influence per head values. Consequently, farm gate returns for lamb and mutton were about two thirds of FOB values – whereas goat was about half. Another influence is increasing weight –
where a relatively flat goat schedule from 8-20 kg does not match the steep lift from 13kg for lamb. Goat and lamb meat may not be comparable for western tastes. Consumer preferences suggest a better sheep meat quality comparison, in NZ farmer terms, would be with lightweight mutton – where similarly flat schedule values are three quarters of lamb. Given goat grazing nature and their on-farm role, an even better comparison could be with lightweight bull and cow beef. At the pastoral farm production and management level, goat meat is more comparable with mutton, bull and cow beef. This is because goat carcase quality, age and sex are usually not
market specifications, with weight being the major influence on farm gate returns. The industry average 11-12kg goat schedule – on a scale of 100 – can be compared with NI summer schedules for lightest weight grades Cow 31, Bull 78, Mutton 77 and Lamb 117. Yet, FOB comparisons can also show a premium for goat over those other meats. • Garrick Batten is a former agricultural diplomat and MAF regional manager of advisory and technical services. He was the developer of NZ Kiko meat goats now popular in USA and a pioneer of dairy goat farming, stud master for leading cashmere flocks and industry life member.
RURAL NEWS // MARCH 10, 2020
AGRIBUSINESS 23
Time to embrace the alternative protein debate HELEN DARLING
I WAS interested to read how Fonterra responded to activists who turned up at its recent farm open day events, to protest about treatment of cows in the dairy sector. The activists reported that, at a Manawatu farm, a Fonterra representative and farm workers said it was okay for them to be there, noted down their concerns and entered into ‘amicable’ dialogue. As someone with a strong interest in how we can repair our broken food system globally, I’d like to see more conversations between such diverse groups. It might seem as if I’m playing devil’s advocate, but rather than dismissing or ‘going on the offensive’ against proponents of alternative proteins, perhaps it’s time the farming, meat and dairy sectors were inviting them to their conferences. I believe farmers, activists and leaders of the plant-based protein movement do have something in common. They all want to achieve sustainable and socially acceptable ways to feed our growing world population. New Zealand’s farmers do have a head start thanks to their pastureraised, grass fed animals – but that may not be enough. The vegetarian, vegan, flexitarian, alternative protein movement is growing. It’s not simply an irritating bug that can be brushed away with a flick of a cow’s tail. Such dialogue could help industry better understand why people are turning away from meat and dairy in numbers – and in turn, that dialogue could create wider public understanding about the huge efforts and challenges involved in producing the food we eat. I have recently attended two international conferences; firstly the Wall Street Journal’s Global Food Forum in New York; followed by the Food on the Edge
conference in Galway, Ireland. Both were focused on the current status of food systems, both mentioned ‘sustainability’ in promotional materials: the difference was in the application of that word. At the Wall Street forum, Ruth Kimmelshue, of US agricultural and livestock giant Cargill, outlined how ‘sustainability is our obligation’ while also stating that “the American farmer is still the most efficient farmer in the world”. Should that be “efficient” or “intensive”? Ted McKinney (US Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs) made the bold claim “sometimes people fear the US, our magnitude, our quality, our size” when talking about trade. The focus was unashamedly about increasing shareholder returns. ‘Sustainability’ was interpreted differently in Galway, where the value of diversification and artisanal production was advocated as a means of protecting cultural diversity, and in producing products ‘healthier’ for planet and person. Profit wasn’t discussed, but rather the notion of business sustainability – for all members of the supply chain, including small producers and farmers. On the surface, these two conferences were looking to achieve the same goals. However, ultimately the only common ground between most of the people at both was fear and distrust of alternative proteins. It’s interesting to observe that the one thing that unites both groups could be the one thing that disrupts both. A paradigm shift is needed but until we start to see greater cross-pollination then it is unlikely that we will see great change in a system that results in regular food recalls, food wastage, animal welfare issues, resource depletion, malnutrition and obesity. Such a shift will not occur when there is not a universal understanding of the size and nature of
the problem? In terms of increasing understanding, food literacy was another ‘hot topic’ in Galway. New Zealand farmers often complain that consumers don’t understand the
efforts they put in to produce food. They’re right. In just a few generations, food literacy has plummeted. There’s a movement in Ireland calling for a mandatory food subject in the
primary school curriculum. That’s something we could look at in New Zealand. • Helen Darling has a PhD in Public Health. She is co-founder of FoodTruths. org
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RURAL NEWS // MARCH 10, 2020
24 OPINION EDITORIAL
EDNA
Nothing more than feelings “We should no longer believe the medical professions’ advice over our own lived experience”: The words of a social media ‘diet influencer’, summing up the dangerous place we arrive at when large chunks of society no longer trust scientific fact, preferring to take the advice of Facebook friends and Instagram idiots. How did we arrive at such a moment? Social media is part of the problem, amplifying uninformed reckons that were previously restricted to crank chat groups or the local pub. Cynical politicians have contributed, capitalising on fear and ignorance and in the process undermining trust in genuine evidence-based information. The line between fact and fiction becomes blurred when the leader of the free world arbitrarily declares scientific evidence as ‘fake news’ to suit his own agenda. This trend of putting feelings and virtue signalling on a higher pedestal than scientific evidence and verifiable data was laughable when restricted to a few conspiracy theorists and ‘wellness’ faddists. However, it is dangerous when it spills over into the field of agricultural research spending and policy setting. Much has been written in the New Zealand farming media about regenerative agriculture, some gushing, some rightly cynical about its lack of an empirical foundation. We’ve already seen the much-hyped, highly expensive Primary Sector Council’s big idea for NZ’s future is: ... ‘to be a world-leader in modern regenerative productions systems’. Now we have Beef + Lamb NZ planning to conduct a global study into regenerative agriculture. Stung into action by the potential squandering of farmer levies, some rural scribes have noted two important facts about it: one, there is little to no data to support the claim it offers any advantage over conventional farming; two, much of what is considered to be regenerative agriculture is the way we already farm. Ironically, the latter point came out of the mouth of B+LNZ CEO Sam McIvor himself, begging the question, why commit precious levy funds to this groovy fad? When you examine the body of work around regenerative agriculture, there are more soft bits than hard bits, more feelings and virtue signalling than peer-reviewed fact. Any industry bodies that want to veer from the scientific path are shirking their responsibilities to farmers and farming. Agriculture best practice must be based on scientific evidence. The rest is nothing more than feelings.
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
“Afraid of catching the virus? – no way – I’m doing some welding after lunch!”
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THE HOUND Surprise, surprise!
Log jam
Look in the mirror!
Fake news?
YOUR OLD mate has always suspected that the multi-national, environmental fundamentalist, farming hating lobby group Greenpeace is effectively a glorified fund-raising arm of the fundamentalist, farmer hating Green Party in this country. These suspicions were further enhanced following the announcement of some of the people – i.e. soapdodging, tree hugging communists – who will be standing for the Green Party at this year’s election. Among this list of out-of-work actors, woke school kids and Mexican communists is longtime Greenpeace ‘activist’ Steve Able. Of course, Able is not the only Greenpeace tie to the Green Party; the current head of the NZ organisation is the former co-leader of the Greens, well-known Australian and former communist, ‘Red Rusty’ Russel Norman. Go figure!
THIS OLD mutt reckons those politicians, policy makers and lobbyists hell-bent on turning the country into one big pine plantation – in a madcap effort to reduce NZ’s 0.17% of the world’s carbon emissions – should take a look at what is currently happening to log exports. Thanks to the coronavirus outbreak and the forest industry’s total reliance on the Chinese market, log exports have dried up and forestry workers and associated industries are losing work. According to the Forest Owners Association, which has heavily backed the Government’s push to plant more trees on good farmland, coronavirus has resulted in almost “no off-take of logs in China for processing and the remaining log yard space at most ports near processing centres is quickly disappearing”. It seems the 50 Shades of Green lobby have even more ammunition to fight against the Government’s crazy tree scheme.
THE HOUND hears Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor recently had a crack at the banks, calling them “fair weather friends” of the farming sector who are currently putting undue pressure on the rural sector. Now, your old mate is no friend of the banks, but he suggests that – like any business, mortgage holder or person – those farmers who are heavily indebted and finding it hard to pay loans will come under scrutiny from the banks. However, if O’Connor was serious about being a ‘friend’ of the farming sector he wouldn’t be advocating things like the proposed freshwater reforms, farming in the ETS, taxes on fertiliser and a myriad of things his government has done to make life more difficult for farmers, forcing them to rely on the banks for more financial support. The minister should be looking in the mirror before throwing rocks at others!
YOUR CANINE crusader notes that with an election just around the corner, the professional whiners at Bitch&Complain (Fish&Game) are back spruiking their own opinion polls and claiming to have all the answers on what New Zealanders want. According to the latest poll commissioned by the fishing and hunting lobby group (how much did that cost fishing licence holders?), top of the list of things most worrying Kiwis is water quality. Not housing, not the economy, not even coronavirus, but water quality. It makes your old mate wonder if the fishing lobby’s political poll was carried out by – to use the parlance of one of Fish&Game’s own councillors – “hairy arm-pitted, dreadlocked, jandal-wearing chicks”. Now while F&G might be able to say such a thing, the Hound could not possibly comment!
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RURAL NEWS // MARCH 10, 2020
OPINION 25
Turning rhetoric into reality THE FERTILISER and Lime Research Centre (FLRC) workshop held at Massey University each February starts the year with a hiss, roar, new research and the latest from overseas. The three-day workshop is one of the places where scientists, researchers, rural professionals, farmers and national and local policy makers can engage in rigorous debate. This year the workshop appeared under its new moniker of Farmed Landscapes Research Centre (FLRC). Although
COMMENT
Jacqueline Rowarth
each resource input and fewer losses. Fonterra is already showing their suppliers the Nitrogen Use Efficiency of their operations. It is now modelling GHG/ kg of milk solids. Farmers will be able to view their data, and then consider impact per hectare of
land and bottom line. Rural Professionals are being upskilled in modeling to assess options. Policy makers are working to try and find the balance where GHG and nutrient loss can be curtailed without impact on the economy. Nobody thinks this is
• Dr Jacqueline Rowarth CNZM CRSNZ HFNZIAHS has a PhD in nutrient cycling. The report and conclusions above are her own and should not be attributed to any of the organisations with which she is affiliated. She can be contacted on jsrowarth@ gmail.com
easy, but other countries expect New Zealand to show the way. New Zealand farmers are part of the global solution in providing animal protein for least environmental impact – other countries which can’t do what is being done here could do the tree planting…
Richards pointed out that Ireland is still in the EU – so subsidies would continue to support change. New Zealand’s focus has been stimulated by our unique GHG profile. Agriculture accounts for almost 50% of our GHG
The quandary now is how to reduce emissions and losses overall; without impacting the bottom line of individual farms and the economy of the country. it has a new name, FLRC is continuing its decades of research assisting rural New Zealand in being clean, green and productive. The evolution of systems thinking has involved delegates from across the sector. Increasingly the focus has been on reducing greenhouse gases (GHG) as well as nitrogen loss. This year the keynote speakers from Scotland and Ireland revealed how far ahead New Zealand is in addressing the issues. Professor Bob Rees, Rural Agricultural College, indicated a certain amount of confusion post-Brexit. Ongoing subsidies, without which The UK National Audit Office estimates that over 40% of farmers in Britain would be making a loss, will be required to assist with tree planting. Other hopes are being pinned on breeding better cows, dietary manipulation (including the role of legume-based pasture) feed additives, and Biochar. Professor Rees stated that even biochar was being re-examined as they were ‘getting that desperate’. Dr Karl Richards, from Ireland’s Teagasc Institute focused on breeding better cows. He also indicated that flooding pastures to create bogs was being considered. Dr
the primary sector can be part of the solution. Translating the rhetoric to reality is the next challenge. Taking land out of production by planting trees and flooding pastures means that remaining agricultural land must become more intensively managed – more food for
emissions – in contrast to approximately 11% in most developed countries. The Government focus, and the research which started overtly a decade ago (the NZ Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research Centre was opened by Hon John Key in 2010), means that breeding ‘better cows’ has resulted in a 1% gain a year in terms of efficiency in the dairy herd since 1990. Gains have also been made in other sectors. The quandary now is how to reduce emissions and losses overall; without impacting the bottom line of individual farms and the economy of the country. At the workshop Phil Journeaux, AgFirst agricultural economist, reasserted that ‘some farms can make some gains and remain viable, but overall its hard’. His modeling indicates that forestry offsetting is not an option on dairy land as it makes the property unviable. This means that dairy farmers will need to purchase land to plant, which extends their borrowings and puts pressure on hill country farmers. And trees don’t allow rural populations to thrive. Rural depopulation is also an issue in the UK, but the rhetoric is that through land use change,
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RURAL NEWS // MARCH 10, 2020
26 OPINION
Stop and smell the flowers “HOW ARE you doing?” I ask. “Been real busy,” came the reply. “How about we catch some lunch in town?” I offer another. “Would love to but maybe next time you’re through; I’m too busy at the moment,” came his response. All too common from folk
these days; it’s the hour in which we live. I have a long-time friend and he reckons our world suffers from an epidemic of hurry sickness. You’ll see the sufferers every time you’re out and about; everywhere from hurried motorists; to shoppers in
FARMER’S CHAPLAIN
Colin Miller
your local supermarket as they jostle for the closest carpark, or suss out what they perceive to be the quickest queue! Maybe it’s further evidence that people are so busy they barely have time to get all their stuff done? Multi-tasking is their ‘normal’.
Personally, I think some are addicted to busy. Like all addicts, they will at first swear they are not addicted, but their schedule proves them wrong. They live life in the fast lane; from drive through coffees in the morning to heat & eat at night; it’s a ‘pedal to
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the metal’ life! For sure, I understand farmers have unavoidable busy seasons. I get to do that too. However, there are a couple of hidden nasties with this ‘addicted to busy’ thing I want to put my finger on for you here. The first is that “busyness equals importance.” I’m busy all the time I must be important, is the thinking. So yes, it feeds your self-worth to be busy. What a poor master to be servant to. I do not remember where I first heard this, but here is a great truth: “The urgent is seldom important; the important is seldom urgent.” How true! We can easily get ourselves immersed in the urgent yet neglect the truly important. Sadly, I have seen the results of that too often over the years. Here’s another issue with this busy thing; it limits our time to truly think. Thinking things through, quality time with your own thoughts is important. More than just important, I’d say it was necessary for your own wholeness and wellbeing. Busyness and rash decisions very often go together. “If only we had taken more time to think this through” is an all too common regret these days. Our grandparents did much more thinking than we tend to do. They had way more uncluttered time. With no TVs, no
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laptops, no internet, no cell phones or cell phone games, no Facebook, plus a bunch of other stuff, they used their time much differently. The same minutes in an hour, the same hours in a day, but they spent their time, probably much more profitably. None of our grandparents ever suffered from nomophobia. Nomophobia is a separation anxiety disorder people can suffer from when they get separated from their mobile phone! Perhaps it does all their thinking for them? My advice as we wrap this up? Plan your schedule or your schedule will have plans for you! You cannot do busy 24/7, seven days a week, without some very negative kickbacks. It is not healthy for you or your important relationships. So, prise your foot off the pedal and take some slow laps! One of the reasons people avoid having to think is because stuff from their inner world keeps coming up. So, we shove it back down inside of us with still more … busyness! Not healthy at all! Now when it comes to getting the intricacies of your inner world sorted, nobody understands us better than the Good Shepherd. Take some slow laps, and God Bless. • If you want to contact Colin Miller email: farmerschaplain@ ruralnews.co.nz
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RURAL NEWS // MARCH 10, 2020
28 MANAGEMENT
Drought stricken farmers are dipping into winter feed reserves SUDESH KISSUN sudeshk@ruralnews.co.nz
FARMERS IN droughtravaged Waikato are now dipping into their winter reserves to feed cows. If the rains stay away, most farmers in the region could start drying off cows from next week, almost two months earlier than normal. Ohinewai farmer and Waikato Primary Industries Adverse Event Cluster chairman Neil Bateup says if the drought isn’t broken by the end of this month, it would be crunch time. While some supplementary feed is available on the market, farmers will need to decide whether to buy extra feed like silage, maize and
palm kernel expeller. “Most farmers will have to look at the economics of buying feed and continuing to milk: also whether the banks will lend money to buy extra feed,” he told Rural News. He says farmers are already dipping into winter reserves. In Auckland, many farmers were already two thirds of the way through the supplements they had planned for winter. Bateup, whose own farm could be drying off some cows from mid-March, says he will review the situation on a weekly basis. “If there’s no rain, I may dry off one-third of my herd in two weeks.” Bateup urged farmers
to plan and make decisions. Last month, Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor declared the drought as an adverse event, unlocking $80,000 for the Waikato Rural Support Trust to help farmers and growers. Bateup says the money would be used to organise events around the region in partnership with other stakeholder organisations, where farmers can meet up with other affected farmers. Bateup said the “very, very dry conditions” were putting stress on the farming sector. “Farmers have done a very good job of managing the dry conditions so far this year, and while we heard that generally
A TALE OF TWO ISLANDS FONTERRA’S MILK collection in January was 0.5% up over the last season, thanks to solid yield in the South Island. The January collection 169.8 million kgMS: season-to-date collection was 1,079 million kgMS, down 0.3% on last season. The co-op says the impact of heavy rain and flooding across parts of the lower South Island in early February and the recent drought declaration in Northland was still being assessed. North Island milk collection in January was 96 million kgMS, down 2.3% on last January. Season to date collection
was 660 million kgMS, down 0.7% on last season. Continued dry weather throughout January has impacted pasture growth rates, however this is being partially offset by supplementary feed. South Island milk collection in January was 73.8 million kgMS, up 4.3% on last January. Season to date collection was 418.8 million kgMS, up 0.3% on last season. The co-op says favourable weather conditions across Canterbury have continued, resulting in good pasture growth and strong milk production.
farmers were being quite positive, some people will be struggling,” said Bateup. “There is some food for stock, but the reserves are being chewed into very fast. And there some crunch times are coming, meaning hard decision will have to be made by farmers. It’s about putting measures in place to support those people who may need help.”
O’Connor says the Government support is recognition that the extreme and prolonged nature of this dry spell is taking its toll on the primary sector and additional support is needed. “Farmers in Waikato are no strangers to dry summers and they have had good grass silage on hand to date but the longer they go without rain, the harder it
becomes to carry on as usual,” he says. Waikato Federated Farmers president Andrew McGiven said there were a number of stressors affecting farmers at the moment. “We’re looking to get the best result for our farmers and local communities.” Niwa meteorologist Ben Noll says Hamilton, Auckland and Whitianga were heading towards
the driest summer on record, and soil moisture deficit levels were at 130mm across much of the region. He said forecast rain late last week wouldn’t have been enough to break the drought. “It takes a bit of time for that to happen, especially with the soil moisture levels being what they are.” @rural_news facebook.com/ruralnews
Ten Basic Fertiliser Facts You Must Know and Adopt to Meet 2025 Water Quality Limits: Dr Bert Quin
Fact 1. The overuse of soluble P fertiliser is by far the largest cause of P run-off and leaching, and therefore of the decline in the quality of Kiwi waterways. Fact 2. Once you have Olsen P levels that are more than a third of the P retention (ASC), application of additional soluble P is very prone to loss to the environment. Fact 3. If you want to build up your soil P in an environmentally-protective way, simply apply RPR. It does not get leached or lost directly in run-off, but releases P in a sustained fashion for plants. Fact 4. There is nothing to lose and everything to gain. RPR-based fertilisers are even cheaper than super-based products as well! Added sulphur bentonite (sulphur 90) is far more efficient than the excess sulphate in super. Fact 5. Following 1-4 above will greatly reduce P run-off and leaching. This should be done before anything else, and the situation reassessed before spending huge amounts of money! Fact 6. It is nonsensical to give in to pressure to install expensive mitigations riparian strips, excessively large wetlands and ‘phosphorus walls’ when you have no idea of their long-term effectiveness and maintenance costs, and before you have established whether changing to sustained-release RPR is all you need to do! Fact 7. in any case simple fenced-off 3-metre wide grass riparian strips are essentially as effective and vastly cheaper than more complex strips. Both reduce bacterial and sediment losses. Neither will have any significant long-term beneficial effect (on a whole -farm basis) on soluble P and nitrate-N loss. But grass strips can be harvested in summer to be fed out, to improve P and N cycling. Fact 8. In a nutshell, for maintenance of P levels any genuine RPR (not an RPR/Boucraa mix please!) can be used. Just check the Cd content. For low fertility situations or low rainfall, use a blend of RPR and high-analysis soluble P. Fact 9. For N, rather than granular urea, use prilled urea, sprayed immediately prior to, or during, the spreading with urease inhibitor. Use of N can be literally cut in half with big savings. Fact 10. Potash is more efficient, and must less likely to cause metabolic problems, if applied in small doses 4 times a year, adding up to 50-60% of the total annual amount you are using now. Easy to mix with your prilled urea. Leaching of anions like nitrate will be minimised as well. For more info, email Bert Quin on bert.quin@quinfert.co.nz, or phone 021 427 572, or visit www.quinfert.co.nz
RURAL NEWS // MARCH 10, 2020
MANAGEMENT 29
Portion control key when it comes to fodder beet SUDESH KISSUN sudeshk@ruralnews.co.nz
FODDER BEET can be a key part of your farm’s feed regime, but restrict its usage, says DairyNZ. New research shows the crop should make up no more than 30% of lactating cows’ diet and 60% for non-lactating cows. The Sustainable Use of Fodder Beet research project looks at nutrient and mineral interactions, and impacts on long-term animal health and welfare. A literature review undertaken as part of the project has confirmed the crop’s benefits and challenges. “Fodder beet will continue to be a key part of New Zealand dairy systems – but it should not be seen as a complete diet,” says DairyNZ senior scientist, Dawn Dalley. Fodder beet is widely used on South Island dairy farms and is a versatile, high energy, high yield crop which allows cows to put on body condition quickly, if transitioned correctly. Dalley says this makes it an attractive option for farmers. But because of the high sugar content, careful transitioning onto the crop is critical, she adds. The use of fodder beet has increased over the past decade and today around 55,000ha is estimated to be planted annually in New Zealand. Most fodder beet is grown in the South Island – with the project survey showing 79% of Canterbury/North Otago farms and 58% of South Otago/
Southland dairy farms feed cows the crop. In recent years, some farmers have become concerned about potential health effects on herds. Cows can develop ruminal acidosis, milk fever or nutrient deficiencies if fodder beet is grazed for long periods without appropriate alternative feed and mineral supplementation. Recent research and nutritional modelling has reinforced current recommendations that - for consistent herd performance and to minimise nutrient deficiencies fodder beet should make up no more than 30% of the diet for lactating cows and 60% for non-lactating cows. Dalley says many farmers are successfully combining fodder beet with other feeds to provide cows with a diet that meets nutritional requirements and is cost-effective. “By using feed testing which includes mineral composition analysis of fodder beet and other feed, farmers can tailor cow diets to address any nutrient deficiencies. Using this approach, fodder beet can be a valuable feed option which contributes to a productive dairy system.” Fodder beet is a hardy autumn and winter crop with environmental benefits. The beet’s low nitrogen content results in reduced urine nitrogen concentrations, leading to less nitrate leaching from animals grazing the crop, compared to kale. It is also an important
MPI FUNDED THE SUSTAINABLE Use of Fodder Beet research project is funded by Ministry of Primary Industries’ sustainable farming fund. Steve Penno, MPI’s director investment programmes says this research offers an important insight into the use of fodder beet on-farm. The other funder of the cross-sector project is DairyNZ: it also involves PGG Wrightson Seeds, AgResearch, Plant and Food Research, farmers and vets. It is currently one year into a three-year research programme. MPI is contributing over $565,000
break crop in winter rotations which use kale and swedes, and allows farmers to successfully crop
areas affected by brassica disease. @rural_news facebook.com/ruralnews
Fodder beet is widely grown on South Island farms.
RURAL NEWS // MARCH 10, 2020
30 ANIMAL HEALTH
Controlling and managing flystrike DURING THE past three decades, there has been a marked shift from saturation, to low-volume dipping methods. Automatic jetting races (AJRs) were developed for rapid application of flystrike preventative treatments to the back and breech of sheep. To be effective, the sheep must be wet to skin level along the backline, over the rump and around the crutch area. The terms pour-on and spray-on are essentially interchangeable – both are applied by hand-held manually operated apparatus delivering 10-50mL per dose. Only the treated area will be protected, so target the back and crutch regions. Treatments are best applied about four weeks after shearing. Hand jetting involves the use of a specially
designed hand wand, attached to a tractor tank/ pump with the wand combed individually through each animal’s fleece. Treatments target the most flystrike prone areas – i.e. along the backline, from the back of the neck to the rump, and around the breech. Shower and plunge dipping are saturation methods of dipping. Shower dipping involves diluting and pumping dip wash from a sump through an overhead boom and bottom spray nozzle, while plunge dipping is essentially a large capacity bath filled with dip wash. Saturation dipping is arduous and faulty technique is usually to blame for poor results. The best and most cost-effective approach to preventing flystrike is to use a combination of
Shearing and crutching are partially effective flystrike prevantatives because they reduce fleece moisture and contaminants.
strategies that keep sheep as unattractive to flies as possible. This is called Integrated Pest Management (IPM). IPM aims to keep pressure on a pest throughout all stages of
its lifecycle and involves both chemical and nonchemical tools. A preventative approach is strongly recommended (i.e. treating at-risk classes of stock with an effective prod-
uct just before the annual risk period Moisture is the critical parameter for strikes to develop. For eggs to hatch and larvae to establish, they need at least 24 hours of moist conditions
in the fleece. Effective internal parasite control and use of specialist high tannin crops or clean pasture result in less dags, which in turn, makes sheep less attractive to flies. Footrot, pizzle rot, urine stain, blood, fleece rot and lumpy wool are also major fly attractants that provide moist conditions in the fleece. Shearing and crutching are partially effective flystrike preventatives, because they reduce fleece moisture and contaminants. Tails which are either too short or too long increase the risk of flystrike. Dead stock carcasses of all types will support a maggot population. Because strike flies normally only attack a carcasses in the three days after death, these should be buried, put down an
Rural News
offal pit, or burned as soon as they are discovered. Increased resistance to body strike and breech strike can be gained by selecting fine wool breeds for resistance to fleece rot and for less skin wrinkle. Cull sheep that get flystrike. Sheep with a naturally bare breech should be considered in breeding programmes. B+LNZ Genetics has incorporated DagScore into its ram selection tools. Anticipation is the key to good flystrike management. Adopt a preventative rather than a reactive approach. Monitor fly traps, either purchased ready-made or homemade are an excellent way to predict the onset of blowfly activity. • Information gleaned from the Beef+LambNZ factsheet on flystrike
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RURAL NEWS // MARCH 10, 2020
ANIMAL HEALTH 31
Winter grazing action group PETER BURKE peterb@ruralnews.co.nz
MINISTER OF Agriculture Damien O’Connor says by next winter, at the latest, all farmers should clearly understand their obligations and have in place practices to deal with winter grazing. O’Connor’s comments follow his announcement of a 15 person winter grazing action group. Its role will be to ensure the implementation the recommendations of the task force, which reported back to Government late last year. All this was in response to dramatic photographs of cows standing in deep mud on a Southland farm. These scenes brought complaints from the public and farmers alike. At the time, O’Connor slammed the situation in Southland as being unacceptable. Others noted the cruelty to the animals on the farm. The task force was critical of the advice being provided to farmers in respect of winter grazing practices and recommended that qual-
ity advice be given to all farmers on the subject. The new action group – which includes industry representatives, vets, government officials and farmers – are now tasked with getting close up with farmers and making sure the task force recommendations are actioned. “These people are directly connected to the people on the ground and are aware of the situation. They will produce the best advice as to how we get on delivering the recommendations,” O’Connor says. “They will give advice to regional councils, government and animal welfare organisations like the SPCA, which have responsibility in these areas.” O’Connor says the objective is to get a coordinated approach – not just piecemeal advice to farmers, which can be confusing and frustrating. He says it’s acknowledged that situations can vary from region to region and that will be taken into account by the action group. “Farmers around New Zealand, whatever their particular winter graz-
MSD BUYS INTO FARM IQ MSD ANIMAL Health has become a minority investor in FarmIQ, via its Allflex Livestock Intelligence division. It joins existing shareholders Farmlands, Silver Fern Farms, Pamu Farms NZ, and Veterinary Enterprises Group who have also invested new capital into the company. “The new capital will be used to help FarmIQ’s domestic growth and to invest in its world-leading software,” chief executive Darryn Pegram said. “The investment is an exciting development for FarmIQ, and signals MSD Animal Health’s ongoing commitment to New Zealand agriculture and their focus on accelerating traceability in livestock to improve animal health.” Pegram claims that by connecting FarmIQ’s open software platform and the range of MSD Animal Health’s products, the companies are well placed to create new value for farmers the world over. “Combining MSD Animal Health’s deep connection with animal health – including the Allflex Livestock Intelligence range of animal health monitoring solutions – and FarmIQ’s exceptional animal recording capability will help change the way farmers and vets interact and make decisions.” Shane McManaway, Allflex Livestock Intelligence president, MSD Animal Health said the company looked forward to its partnership with FarmIQ.
ing system, need to meet animal welfare and environmental outcomes. I encourage them to reach out to their levy organisations if they need any support or additional information ahead of winter,” he says.
All farmers should understand their obligations and have in place practices to deal with winter grazing.
RURAL NEWS // MARCH 10, 2020
32 MACHINERY & PRODUCTS
Are quads on the way out? MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz
OVER THE ditch, it sounds as if the death knell for quads is sounding. This comes with the announcement by key player Polaris that it will withdraw ATVs from its offering by October and it’s already running down stocks. The move is brought about by the fact that Australian farmers are choosing side-by-side type vehicles, ahead of new safety rules due to kick in during the next two years. This will make operator protection devices become mandatory under the the Consumer Goods (Quad Bikes) Safety Standard 2019. The withdrawal will
affect all Polaris quad bikes – including youth models. The company will focus on the sales of side-by-sides – such as the popular Ranger model, Polaris Australia & New Zealand managing director Alan Collins said. “Over recent years the Australian off-road vehicle market has seen farmers transition en masse from quad bikes, to sideby-side vehicles,” he explained. “Polaris has a range of 30 vehicles with ROPS, while the market shift has been helped along in no small part by the safety rebates offered by SafeWork NSW and WorkSafe Victoria.” Polaris suggests that the contraction of the quad bike market over the past five years in favour of side-by-side vehicles,
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with properly engineered ROPS and factory integrated safety technologies, means the market itself would probably end up signaling the end for quad bikes over coming years anyway. An acceleration of the switch is likely to happen as the new rules take effect. The new standard requires suppliers of new and imported second-hand quad bikes to
improve information for consumers via a hang tag warning for operators and additional information in the manual from 11 October 2020. It also requires manufacturers to improve machine designs to meet certain US and European directives by the same date. Further improvements to the design of general use quad bikes are also required to reduce the
likelihood of a rollover occurring. These include using stability requirements and a need to mitigate the harm if a rollover does occur, through the fitment of operator protection devices (OPD) from 11 October 2021. This last requirement is at odds with the manufacturers of such machines, who state that the machines were designed to be ridden actively – a problem when fitted with OPDs. Manufacturers claim that the chassis of such machines were never designed to absorb the forces directed through them by an OPD. In New Zealand, Nathan Moore, national sales manager for Polaris says the company will continue to sell quad bikes here, but via a reduced line-up of core models. “If the NZ regulatory authorities decide to mandate the fitment of OPDs, it is likely we will have to re-consider and take a similar course as that being taken in Australia.”
STEADY RESULT GLOBAL FARM machinery manufacturer, CLAAS, has reported a minor increase in sales to €3.898 billion ($NZ6.7b) in difficult trading conditions caused by dampened demand for agricultural equipment, economic slowdown and simmering international trade conflicts. Highlights of the year included a spate of new product launches and ongoing investment in research and development at €244 million ($NZ420m) and capital projects at €125 million ($NZ215m). Capital projects included the opening of a new testing and validation centre at its Harsewinkel headquarters; the ongoing modernisation of its tractor plant in France; and the expansion of its global parts logistics centre at Hamm, Germany. The latter, a €20 million project, included the construction of a 11,700 square metre high-bay warehouse, effectively doubles the storage and processing capacity of the facility. The 30m tall building, holding 58,000 pallets covering around 200,000 product lines. It utilises nine robots to automatically pick cartons and deliver them to four workstations, processing up to 320 orders per hour. Part numbers have been growing at high rates with dynamic growth rates annually of 6% per year and up 101% from 2015-2029. In total, 98% of Claas’ global parts needs pass through Hamm. The Hamm facility is a joint venture with Stute Logistics GmbH (Kühne & Nagel-Gruppe), logistics company, employing over 500 people, operating 365 days a year, around the clock – in what is called a “chaotic storage” system. This sees incoming products placed randomly in available shelving, as opposed to “fixed storage” that may sort by common or related locations. The systems retrieve the parts, but also manages inventories, stock turns and placements. Thus, it can place incoming high turn parts in the most convenient and accessible locations – depending on the need and time of year. High-use parts have two sets of storage for parts, just in case a robot is ever blocked from accessing one of the locations. – Mark Daniel
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RURAL NEWS // MARCH 10, 2020
MACHINERY & PRODUCTS 33
New JD sprayers for 2020 MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz
JOHN DEERE HAS launched its next generation of selfpropelled sprayers. This sees the new R4140i 4000 L capacity and R4150i 5000 L capacity machines, both manufactured at the company’s Horst factory in The Netherlands. The focus for development has been on improving sprayer output, while ensuring that the highest possible application quality is maintained and delivering an improved operator environment. The cabin design offers a new operator interface with fully integrated technology, including the John Deere universal 4640 display mounted on a new armrest. The new cab is available at two specification levels – depending on customer requirements, as well as with optional Category 4 operator protection to meet the latest safety regulations. Aimed at increasing productivity in changing conditions, an upgraded lighting package improves
visibility at night, both when working in the field and filling the sprayer with chemicals. The R4140i is available with a choice of carbon fibre or steel booms. Meanwhile, the R4150i is only available with carbon fibre. Both come with 24 to 36 m operating widths. Either set up uses John Deere’s PowrSpray™ solution system, with direct rate control for fast filling and accurate application rates. Combined with the automated AirRinse™ system, this reduces the solution system’s dead volume to as low as 5 litres for maximum cleaning performance. New for the R4140i and R4150i sprayers, ExactApply™ is an ‘intelligent’ solution that combines the ability to change spray nozzles manually from the cab or automatically – depending on application rate and speed. This can also maintain droplet size, while changing speed using pulse width modulation (PWM) technology up to 30 Hz. Each nozzle is
controlled individually via GPS-based section control. Furthermore, turn compensation ensures that application rates remain consistent across the full boom
width – even when turning the sprayer. ExactApply technology is said to enable savings in crop protection products, while yields can be increased by up to 3% by
JD’s new self-propelled R4140i sprayer has a 4000 litre capacity.
keeping under/overdosing to a minimum. Production has started
of the John Deere R4140i and R4150i, with the first units due to arrive on our
shores early in 2020. @rural_news facebook.com/ruralnews
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THE STATE of the global tractor market in 2019 was a case of mixed results, as indicated by figures released FederUnacoma, the Italian agricultural industry association. Those markets who were smiling included the United States up 3.6% in sales with 245,000 units and the European Community also up 8% to 178,000 registered tractors, albeit with mixed performances from country to country. France showed the most growth, up 16% to 34,600 units, Germany improved by 4.7% to 29,000 units, while the United Kingdom and Spain showed growth of 5.4% and 6.8% respectively. Italy was described as stagnant, with growth of 0.7% to 18,579 tractors, not far from the average 18,400 units in the 6 years from 2014-2019. Interestingly, the second- hand market for tractors in Italy grew by 5.3% to 39,800 units. Meanwhile the markets in India, China and Turkey show a different tone. The Indian market, the largest in the world by units, dropped around 10% to 723,000 units. China fell by 20% due to the overall slowdown in the agricultural economy – brought about by insufficient productivity due to the small farm sizes and reduction of public subsidies for the purchase of agricultural machinery. – Mark Daniel
RURAL NEWS // MARCH 10, 2020
34 MACHINERY & PRODUCTS / RURAL TRADER
The last of the Sports Cats ADAM FRICKER
THE LAUNCH of the Series 2 HSV SportsCat was an endorsement of the risky decision to take the performance brand into the crowded high-
end ute market. Buyers of flash utes are spoilt for choice and there’s no guarantee of success for new entrants in that market, as Mercedes Benz have confirmed by killing its
X-Class after just two years. However, GM’s decision to axe the Holden brand means the donor vehicle for the SportsCat will no longer be available. Shame as it is a good product; worth hunting down a run-out bargain, perhaps. The Series 1 SportsCat was based on the Colorado Z71 and while it received good reviews at its 2018 launch – HSV given credit for reengineering from the ground up rather than just slapping on some stickers – it was unknown territory for the niche developer of V8 performance cars. The 1400 units all sold though and after collating customer feedback HSV made a few tweaks to the Series 2 SportsCat. The most obvious changes are visual, with new alloy wheels and a revised graphics pack. The SportsCat is far more than a cosmetic exercise,
GM’s decision to axe the Holden brand means the SportsCat 2 will be the last of its kind.
but it is one area HSV nailed from day one – it looks tough and purposeful. One small change in the cabin makes a big difference to how the truck feels; the steering wheel is now much thicker. Doesn’t sound like a big deal, but the wheel is the bit you touch most when you’re driving, if you’re doing it right. Combined with the positive steering feel (for a ute) and quick turn in (for a ute), the new tiller really adds to the sporting feel.
The enhanced handling is real. HSV spent years making cars go around corners quickly, after all. The front spring rates are stiffened to 110Nm/mm, with MTV dampers tuned to the spring rate, and front strut braces keep the front-end rigid. The rear end still has leaf springs – thus retaining the 3500kg towing capacity of the donor vehicle – but is held tight by a 22mm diameter rear sway bar. This helps keep the SportsCat flat-
ter through the corners. Select low range and the sway bar decouples, allowing the axle articulation needed off road. The rear sway bar and upgraded front brakes (four piston AP Racing calliper with 36mm rotors) are standard on the top SV model seen here and optional on the entry-level V. The result of the reengineering is a distinct improvement on the already competent Colorado. The ride is firm, sure, but not uncomfort-
able and the enhanced body control with level cornering attitude is welcome when you’re hustling along. The new Cooper Zeon LTZ tyres complete the picture by delivering surprising grip on all surfaces without a huge increase in road noise. HSV has also re-tuned the stability and traction control systems for less aggressive intervention so the driver can get the tail out a bit before the electronics rein things in. The interior gets new front seats, covered in the same mix of suede and leather used throughout the cabin. Hard plastics haven’t been completely banished, but there are fewer of them and the cabin ambience is a step up from the Z71. Equipment levels are the same as the Z71, which is to say, they are good. SportsCat Series 2 is evolution rather than reinvention. It is a cohesive product, not just a sticker and mag-wheel job.
MOVES ROUNDS QUICKLY, SAFELY RECENTLY SPOTTED at the recent Southern Field Days at Waimumu, a dedicated bale transporter is said to halve the transport time of more traditional flat-bed trailer systems. Brought to New Zealand by Supermove NZ, headed by Gore dairy farmer Jimmy Gerritsen, the 8, 10 and 12-bal capacity trailers are manufactured by Wilson engineering from County Laois in Ireland. Aimed at moving bales quickly, safely and in the case of wrapped items, without damage to the film. The largest unit is said to be capable of shifting up to 80 bales per hour depending on travel distances. Additional benefits include the
suspension bogies, low ground pressure tyres, mudguards and twin taillights. Options include pneumatic braking with load sensing and a sprung drawbar for a smoother ride. – Mark Daniel
fact that the load does not need to be tied or strapped and only needs twin double-acting remotes for operation, without the need for electrics. Standard equipment includes commercial grade axle, heavy-duty
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RURAL NEWS // MARCH 10, 2020
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NUMBER OF QUADBARS 479
ROLLOVERS 61
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Central Districts Field Days
TO ALL FARMERS, FOR ALL FARMERS
FEILDING MARCH 19-21, 2020
MARCH 10, 2020: ISSUE 696 www.ruralnews.co.nz
All set to go! PETER BURKE peterb@ruralnews.co.nz
GOOD CROWDS are expected for the well-established 27th Central Districts field days being held at the Manfeild racetrack, at Fielding, from March 19 to 21. Sales manager Cheryl Riddell says there will be about 600 exhibitors at the site – covering a wide range of goods and services for all those in the rural community. The event, which attracts close to 30,000 people from around the central North Island, features a range of events, cutting edge machinery and equipment and some of the latest developments in rural technology. Riddell says the event is a great place for rural people to meet and network. “You will find that someone is talking about getting a new tractor and they’ll talk to their neighbour and see if they have bought one and then compare notes,” she told Rural News. “On the day, they will get advice from their friends about a purchase – so there is lot of networking taking place.” The events include the CD Double Power Fencing competition, which is run on the Friday and National Excavator Operator Competition, which is run over three days. Exhibitors include Chelsea Marriner dog show, FMX motocross, InspireNet, a Cuisine Pavilion and Brew Union, G&J Hunger contracting, Federated Farmers, Overseer Ltd, Agrihealth, Pak A Bach, Expandavan, KP Marine, Surefire, Pioneer Cabins, The Feeder
Some 600 exhibitors and more than 30,000 visitors are expected to attend this year’s Central Districts Field Days, being held at Manfeild from March 19-21.
Leader, Urban Frame, Farmshedlabs, Batch 10 , Vizlink, Zeddy, Massey and Horizons Regional Council. Riddell – who’s been involved in the event virtually since its inception – says it has come a long way and kept pace with the interests and needs of the rural community. She says in terms
of visitors, the majority come from the lower half of the North Island. “Definitely Whanganaui, Manawatu, Wairarapa and Taranaki, but we also finding more support now coming in from Upper Hutt and Kapiti.” Riddell says the infrastructure at the Manfield site has improved with
DEALS
more tar sealed roads that make for better exhibitor sites. She says Manfield continues to improve its infrastructure, which is good news for everyone. Riddell believes many locals like the idea of a local event because they can talk to people, they know.
“They don’t want to go to Mystery Creek and talk to someone from Invercargill who they will never see again,” she claims. “I think that’s where CD has been good for the people in this region because they can get to talk with those they deal with throughout the year.”
S e e u s a t C e n t r a l D i s t r i c t Fi e l d D a y s - S i t e # O 1 2 2 - O 1 2 4
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The interest rate for the loan is 3.79% and is based on a schedule of 36 monthly payments. To suit seasonal cash flow, there are no payments required through June, July, August and September so customers can take a winter payment holiday, and maybe go on holiday instead! Preapproval is now a lot easier with online tools that can give a definitive answer within a few minutes. Preapproval can also be granted by answering a few simple questions over the phone, which makes the process simple and straightforward. These Krone finance offers apply to all new imported products so be in quick to ensure your order is made by the end of the second quarter and take advantage of these great offers. This loan also consists of a $375 documentation fee and $20 Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR). Any documentation relating to either package needs to be preapproved and supplied prior to the end of the second quarter to ensure the order is met. Lending and credit criteria apply. Valid for indent orders, terms and conditions apply. Offer for a limited time only.
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DEALERS NATIONWIDE
RURAL NEWS // MARCH 10, 2020
2 CENTRAL DISTRICTS FIELD DAYS
Attracting more ag students PETER BURKE peterb@ruralnews.co.nz
THE NUMBERS of students taking up agricultural degrees at Massey University is not really increasing, according Professor Peter Kemp – head of the School of Agriculture and Environment at Massey He says there are isolated areas such as animal science that have gone up. However, in horticulture and general agriculture the numbers are lower than they were a few years ago. Kemp says this is despite the industry, at the same time, having more jobs. He says it’s really hard to unpack the
reasons for this. “I think there is a general negative press around agriculture, without people realising that these are just challenges that agriculture is having to deal with and dealing with these challenges actually creates job,” Kemp told Rural News. “For example, if a young person is interested in say greenhouses gases, why not do an agriculture degree and help solve that problem. I don’t think that sort of message has got out there and that young people are not aware of these exciting professional type careers.”
Kemp says Massey goes to all the major field days such as Central Districts to try and connect with young people, parents and teachers. He believes by being at these events they are largely playing the long-term game to interest younger people. But says there is a need to follow this up later with parents and teachers and other influencers, not all of whom are fully on board in terms of encouraging young people to make a career in ag. “In some cases, they think it is some sort of a dirty job that is out of sync with the world. But, in reality, they couldn’t be
further from the truth,” Kemp adds. “NZ sells its products in sophisticated markets overseas, so our products have to measure up what trendy consumers with discretionary money want. It’s not just growing a few apples or producing a bit of milk. You have got to really understand that whole value chain and what the customer wants – so along that chain there is basically a job for everyone.” Kemp believes NZ could take a lead from what they are doing in Australia. In NSW schools they have made an agricultural module compulsory – right
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through the primary and secondary school system. He says in NSW a student can’t go through the school system without learning a bit about agriculture. According to Kemp, NZ needs stronger leadership in government to say: ‘jobs in agriculture still matter and that the primary industry is an integral part of our economy’. He says it is critical to get away from the negative messages about agriculture – such as dirty dairying. Kemp adds that the messaging needs to be positive and highlight the challenges that NZ is facing and that can be solved by well-paid, smart people in science and other professional fields. @rural_news facebook.com/ruralnews
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Massey University’s Peter Kemp.
RURAL NEWS // MARCH 10, 2020
CENTRAL DISTRICTS FIELD DAYS 3
Central region aiming to be the Agrihub of NZ PETER BURKE peterb@ruralnews.co.nz
MANAWATU DISTRICT Council Mayor, Helen Worboys says the district is very proud to host the Central Districts Field Days because the region see itself as the agritech hub of NZ. She says for the last 20 or so years the district has made a deliberate drive to promote agritech both within NZ and also overseas. Worboys reckons, Fielding – where the event is staged – has gone from being a town that was servicing the primary sector to one that is encouraging companies in the agribusiness, innovation and technology areas to locate there. “We are seeing the results of that with businesses such as Rabobank, FMG Insurance, tractor companies and others offering support to the rural sector relocating here. This is a huge shift and one that is very exciting for us,” she told Rural News. Worboys says Fielding has the advantage of being centrally located
with a good airport at Palmerston North. She says it’s only a couple of hours away from Wellington, Taupo and Hawkes Bay and is a genuine hub for the agribusiness sector. She reckons the CD field days is a great place to go and meet up with the local community and support local businesses and she will be out there doing this. “The one thing we are keen to support and promote is the Agritech Strategy, which was launched last year by the Economic Development Agency – which services both Palmerston North city and Manawatu District,” Worboys explains. “We have seen the development of an innovation lab in the district. This is run by some very smart, young farmers who are doing amazing things with technology and looking at new ways to farm in the future.” Worboys and her husband are sheep and beef farmers in the district. However, she says the drier than normal conditions being experienced at pres-
ent are not easy for farmers. She acknowledges that as farmers they plan for a summer dry. However, she says this year things are particularly bad. “We had a really good spring with lots of grass and we were able to put aside a lot of dry feed, but we are feeding that out now. I guess the dilemma is what will happen when the rain does come and how cold the winter will be. “Right now, it is certainly tough for farmers, especially in our dairying community. Banks are not lending like they used to, and they are being a bit more cautious – especially to our dairy farmers.” Worboys believes the situation is being made harder for farmers with all the new legislation that is being thrown at them from central government. She says this is pretty scary and stressful “It’s all this national policy statement stuff and the other things and the deadlines we are faced with,” she told Rural News.
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See us on site for specials at the Central Districts Field Days Site O-21
CRUTCHING TRAILER
Manawatu District mayor Helen Worboys.
“We don’t get the resources to deal with these things like the biodiversity plan that has just come out. It is going to be very hard to deal with all these
matters in the time frames that have been set. It’s hard enough for local government and I can only imagine how farmers feel,” she adds.
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RURAL NEWS // MARCH 10, 2020
4 CENTRAL DISTRICTS FIELD DAYS
Field days ideal for networking DAMIEN O’CONNOR
KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER is vital for the success of NZ farming. It is always pleasing to note that our industry organisations such as Beef+LambNZ and DairyNZ in particular organise regular field
days and discussion groups. These semi-formal events give farmers the opportunity to see what others in their district are doing and help spark thoughts that may lead to innovation or better practice. These events also give farmers the
opportunity to benchmark themselves against their peers. We also see this with a host of other field days and conferences organised by the likes of Massey University and the Ahuwhenua Trust which promotes excellence in Maori agriculture
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Agriculture minister Damien O’Connor.
and horticulture. But its A&P shows and field days, such as those run in the central North Island, that provide for the more informal contact with farmers. A chance to catch up with old mates, be it from university days or the when they were part of a shearing gang trying make a few extra dollars to buy that farm or some special piece of equipment. I am a great believer in the value of such field days – including the big one at Mystery Creek – because they provide dozens of networking opportunities for farmers. They can have some special time with their bank manager or financial
The event continues to promote agritech and that is good because the solutions to many of the challenges that farmers face are likely to be solved by technology. This event is a chance to see some of these solutions. advisor, see the latest in farm machinery and talk to local councils about upcoming environmental rules. The Central Districts Field Days is a classic example of that. For a start, it draws on people who live within about a two-hour drive of Feilding – where the
event is staged – and therefore it is not a mission to get there. The event continues to promote agritech and that is good because the solutions to many of the challenges that farmers face are likely to be solved by technology. This event is a chance to see some of these solu-
tions. While farmers are at the core of the rural sector, there are thousands of others whose livelihood depends on the profitability and viability of the farming sector. People involved in providing services directly to farmers and others seemingly less direct, but equally important such as the local shops. Field days offers opportunities for everyone to learn more about what is going in the wider rural sector and I congratulate all those who run such events. • The Hon Damien O’Connor is Minister of Agriculture and Rural Communities
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RURAL NEWS // MARCH 10, 2020
CENTRAL DISTRICTS FIELD DAYS 5
Find pesky leaks MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz
FARMERS FRUSTRATED by water leaks might want to stop off at the Gallagher site at Waimumu, where the Water Flow Indicator is sure to save them a bucketful of time and many litres of water. In partnership with farmer inventor Murray Jones, Gallagher has developed a Water Flow Indicator to help farmers save time by finding leaks faster. “Like many farmers, I was sick of wasting time going around my farm
looking for water leaks,” says Jones. “My wife encouraged me to stop talking about my idea and to make it happen.” That process took nearly seven years and numerous prototypes, before Jones was ready to take it to the next step – that started with a discussion with the Gallagher Group. Installed at important junctions in water lines, the Water Flow Indicator enables farmers to find leaks easily by visually checking for abnormal water flow, indicated by
the integral impellor that makes it easy to see water direction and speed. If the impellor isn’t spinning it means lines are full and there isn’t a leak. Like all great ideas – it’s refreshingly simple. Darrell Jones, Gallagher animal management’s general
manager for New Zealand, South America and Asia, says the gadget is a tangible way to demonstrate efficient water use, which will help farmers meet their obligations around environmental and water regulations imposed by local councils.
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WHEN? Central Districts Field Days 2020 will be held Thursday 19 - Saturday 21 March 2020. WHAT TIME DO GATES OPEN? Visitor gates open at 9:00 am each day. Field Days close at 4:30 pm Thursday 19 and Friday 20 March, and 4:00 pm Saturday 21 March. WHERE? Field Days is held at Manfeild, Feilding. Please enter off South Street or Kawakawa Road visitor entrances. HOW MUCH ARE TICKETS? Online prior to 2nd February: Adults - $15. Senior tickets - $13. Children (5 to 15) - $5 and Under 5 are free. Family Pass - $35*. Multi 2 Day - $25. Online from 3rd February & at the Gate on the day (19th - 21st March): Adults - $20. Senior tickets - $15. Children (5 to 15) - $5 and Under 5 are free. Family Pass - $45*. Multi 2 Day - $35. *Family Pass includes 2 adults + up to 3 Children* WHERE DO I BUY TICKETS? You can buy your tickets online at cdfielddays. co.nz or at the gate on the day.
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RURAL NEWS // MARCH 10, 2020
6 CD FIELD DAYS
Trailed sprayer gets a refresh Central Districts Field Days Site Map
“Designed by a Farmer for Farmers”
See us at CD Field Days
SITE G14-G15
PHONE 0800 4 AGBITS | 0800 4 242 487 WEBSITE www.agbits.co.nz
RESPONDING TO users’ feedback of the previous model – and driven to improve operation and safety in the field – BA Pumps and Sprayers has placed significant research and development into its new TSX 400 trailed sprayer. Meeting a design brief that called for ease of use and a substantially lower centre of gravity. A new low-profile, 400 litre UV stable, polyethylene tank addresses the latter and is said to help eliminate rollovers. As part of the tank design, the layout incorporates a
large suction well, integrated handwash and a calibration strip with a sight glass. The oversize steel frame is manufactured from 75mm x 40mm RHS and full hot dip galvanized to ensure a long service life and the removeable drawbar makes for easy storage. The 22-11x 8 knobbly tyres are fitted to help with grip and lateral stability. Users can choose from four basic models that offer an electrically powered Shurflo pump, or alternatively Honda
GX160 engines mated to Bertolini POLY or PA Series pumps. Standard fitments include reels and spot spray guns with 30 or 50 metre capacities. A wide range of accessories will allow users to customise the base units to suit individual needs, with a choice of XP 10, 20 and 25 boom jet kits and 3, 4.5 and 6.0 metre spray booms. A range of switching and control units allow use from the ATV, while an optional bull bar is designed to protect the engine and pump assemblies. – Mark Daniel
RURAL NEWS // MARCH 10, 2020
CENTRAL DISTRICTS FIELD DAYS 7
Gentle on forage crops BELT MERGERS are known for their clean forage pick up and handling, the KUHN Merge Maxx 950 is no exception to this. The Merge Maxx 950 is a highly versatile machine capable of gently gathering any kind of forage and retaining its maximum feed value. Having been demonstrated throughout New Zealand over the last two harvest seasons, the Merge Maxx 950 has reinforced the reputation for belt mergers to deliver clean forage pick up and handling in all crops including lucerne, grass, whole crop barley and pea straw. This ability to gently handle all crops with minimal forage pollution, leaf spoiling and ground contact, sets the Merge Maxx 950 apart from the conventional rotor and ‘V’ type rakes, by using two independent pick-ups to offer total raking width of 7.5m in “side delivery” mode and up to 9.5m in “central windrow” position. With eight different forage delivery options, the Merge Maxx 950 is suited to all conditions, from raking two separate 3.5m swaths for conventional
hay baling. Right through to grouping 20m or even 30m of forage into large swaths for today’s high horsepower forage harvesters. Clever design uses the AT10 controller to allow any operator to master the controls easily, with the ability to alter windrow delivery, direction of the belts, setting into work mode and a useful hour counter for jobs. Belt speeds can be individually adjusted by using a hydraulic flow limiter, while raking height can be adjusted via crank handle at the rear of each pick-up bed. Tool-less belt tension adjustment makes day to day maintenance a breeze. Key advantages of the Merge Maxx 950, delivered by the ability to merge up to 30m of lighter crops into one swath, means more efficient harvesting, not least by allowing harvesters and trucks to travel at lower speeds, yet keeping the chopping drum full. Additional benefits means fewer swathes to collect in ease paddock means fewer wheeling’s and compaction damage and less kilometres travelled during a working day.
Kuhn’s Merge Maxx 950.
TO ALL FARMERS. FOR ALL FARMERS.
RURAL NEWS TO ALL FARMERS, FOR ALL FARMERS
HORTNEWS
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RURAL NEWS // MARCH 10, 2020
8 CENTRAL DISTRICTS FIELD DAYS
Skoda storms into 2020 MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz
THREE AND a half years after the launch of the third generation Skoda Superb, the brand’s flagship has been comprehensively upgraded and modernised, while the range sees the addition of the Superb Scout Variant Up front, an enlarged radiator grille and new front bumper lengthen the Superb and Superb Wagon by 8mm and 6mm respectively. This helps deliver a generous
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the first petrol engine in Superb to feature the new, 7-speed DSG gearbox. The more powerful engine comes with allwheel drive as standard, while the new Scout variant is exclusively available with the top-ofthe-range 200kW engine and all-wheel drive. Full LED Matrix headlights generates a light beam consisting of several segments, controlled individually, to allow drivers to have the high beam on at all times without dazzling other road users. In operation, the system uses a camera on the windscreen to detect oncoming traffic and vehicles driving in front of the car as well as people and objects reflecting the light. Additional safety equipment includes
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UXV 450 $15,042
Predictive Cruise Control and the new Emergency Assist for multi-lane roads (available from mid-2020) are both making their Skoda debut in the new Superb. The interior of the Superb features new chrome highlights on the door handles and levers, coupled with ambient lighting on the dashboard. Using the new version keyless vehicle entry system (KESSY), now any one of the car’s four doors can be opened first. For the first time, offered exclusively as a wagon, the Superb Scout, boasts 18-inch ‘Braga’ alloys, a Rough-Road package providing 15mm more ground clearance and all-wheel drive. New front and rear bumpers with aluminiumeffect underbody protection as well as plastic trims for the wheel arches. Meanwhile, side sills and the lower part of the door to protect the bodywork and create a striking off-road appearance. The radiator grille features black double slats framed by a chrome trim, while the roof rails and window frames are also chrome-plated.
UXV 700 $16,086
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Central Districts
Field Days Specials
Visit us at Site I12
S10 Solar Energizer
Reliable, portable power, rain or shine.
W110 Digital Weigh System
For livestock and general weighing, this complete pack includes weigh scale indicator, mounting bracket and loadbars.
Water Flow Indicators Find leaks easier by installing in water lines to visually check for abnormal water flow.
View our Field Days special offers on site. Talk to our team for friendly expert advice on weighing and EID, electric fencing and water monitoring. Offers valid only during Central Districts Field Days 2020 show dates. Terms and Conditions apply.
0800 731 500 www.gallagher.com
RURAL NEWS // MARCH 10, 2020
10 CENTRAL DISTRICTS FIELD DAYS
Gear Hub oils wheels for farm-to farm machinery hire A WEBSITE and app-based platform is helping farmers to hire unused farm equipment to their peers. Gear Hub is an online machinery rental platform for farmers and small businesses who have tractors, machinery and attachments. Farmers can list and hire gear on the Gear Hub website and the platform charges a 10% service fee on transactions. Manawatu couple Scott Cameron and Alex Tully hit on the idea when they needed gear to scrape land around their house. They looked at hiring gear, but it was a pain getting to a shop between opening hours. Working in the dairy industry, Cameron was also aware of farmers’ concerns about the rising cost of day-to-day business.
Gear Hub is initially targeting dairy, sheep and beef farmers in Manawatu and Central Hawke’s Bay. Two months after launching, the business has 80 listings, ranging from a silage baler wrapper and tractor, to a mower, chain harrow and palm kernel bin. Cameron said the site was meant for farmers who had gear, like a plough, that they used only occasionally. “They use it three days a year, it costs a fortune and it’s depreciating anyway,” he says. “We’re trying to say, ‘how can you create an income stream for that piece of machinery without putting yourself at a lot of risk?’” Cameron found farmers were often reluctant to lend gear privately to other farmers because of the risk of damage. Gear Hub includes a vehicle register
Gear Hub founders Scott Cameron and Alex Tully (supplied).
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and requires photos of the machine. The contracted parties have to agree on the condition of the machinery, before and after the hire. Gear Hub takes hire payments through online banking so that farmers can transact through business accounts. Once the rental period is over, a farmer is paid for the hire on the 20th of the following month. “The reason for that is they have the security that, if say, you hire a tractor for a week and you turn up and it’s not there, or the seats are damaged and it’s not safe, you can pull out at any time and you get a full refund,” Cameron says. “The last thing that we want is farmers feeling like they have to use a machine that they’re not comfortable with or isn’t safe.”
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RURAL NEWS // MARCH 10, 2020
CENTRAL DISTRICTS FIELD DAYS 11
Tractor helps contractor up his game MOTUEKA CONTRACTOR James Lea’s says his new McCormick X6 430 VT drive tractor not only has the traction to go anywhere, it also makes him more efficient. Purchased in May 2019, from local dealer Motueka Farm Machinery for work in his fencing business, the red tractor was quite familiar to James – having previously run several of its Landini stablemates for his company Lea Contracting. Having looked at other brands before buying, the combination of the deal offered by Motueka Farm Machinery – alongside the fact it had taken a Tractor of the Year Award in 2018 and the bonus of CVT – meant it was too good a deal to pass on. The machine has now completed more than 300 hours – much of those
hours in steep, rugged country. “I can honestly say it’ll climb anywhere I’m prepared to go,” Lea says. “It’s making us 10 to 14% more efficient than previously – as we’re right on the spot every time.” Mated to the frugal Tier 4 FPT engine, the VT-Drive transmission combines hydrostatic and a mechanical section, where lower speeds of up 4.0 km/h are taken care of. Where the mechanical part of the transmission is progressively taking over as speeds increase to minimise power loss. For driving the tractor, the operator selects either forward or reverse, with a familiar shuttle lever, before using the joystick or accelerator pedal to increase or reduce travel speeds. Engine revs and transmission ratios are automatically balanced by
AWARD WINNER KUHN WAS recently awarded an AE50 award from the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) for its Optidisc Elite cutterbar. Found on most KUHN mowers and mower conditioners, the innovative cutterbar was deemed as one of the year’s most innovative designs in engineering products for the food and agriculture industries. The new Optidisc Elite cutterbar provides a lower profile with a flatter angle, said to improve cut quality in difficult field conditions while also reducing dirt and ash incorporation. Fast-Fit knives help reduce the time required for routine maintenance and prolong knife life with the ability to rotate 360 degrees to maintain a high-quality cut. The use of high-end components is said to help strengthen the cutterbar to provide endurance and high performance cutter bars for the mowers or mower conditioners that are offered in an extensive range.
Read us until the cows come home!
www.ruralnews.co.nz
the electronics – according to the load on the tractor. When a fixed engine speed is needed to operate a PTO-driven implement or a consistent ground speed is required, appropriate modes can be selected that control the system to manage the powertrain accordingly. Lea uses his new X6 VT drive to run a heavyduty post driver for his fencing work and likes the stability of the combination. Additionally, a Manip front-end-loader carries fence posts and a spinning wire jenny. The tractor is particularly well-suited to loader work, as the power shuttle delivers seamless directional changes. Meanwhile, the high output closed centre, load sensing hydraulic system has more than enough flow for the post hitter and loader to work in tandem. www.agtek.co.nz
Left to right: The Sturgeons from Motueka Farm Machinery and the Leas’ from Lea Contracting.
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RURAL NEWS // MARCH 10, 2020
12 CENTRAL DISTRICTS FIELD DAYS
Industry-first warranty on mulchers! MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz
AGRILINE IS a specialist farm machinery company with branches in the North and South islands. The company imports a large range of land development/maintenance and cultivation gear and sells direct to the end user. Taking a close look at machines from many brands, the company realised that mulchers used in New Zealand get a very hard life, with problems in five key areas. Besides breaking drive belts and blowing gearboxes – other areas include cracking of the frame and mulching body, roller bearing failures and rotors getting bent, losing lugs and going out of balance. Working with their European supplier Vigolo, the company has addressed these areas to co-develop a
Agriline’s Mike Hamlin reckons the Vigolo mulchers are the strongest, most reliable and productive he’s ever seen.
series of high-body mulchers to deal with NZ’s unique conditions. Offered with horsepower ratings up to 300hp and featuring and an impressive build quality, these versatile machines can
chew through timber up to 180mm diameter – so it takes grass, thistles, rushes, broom, matagouri and crop residues in their stride. Addressing the NZ conditions,
dependent on model, Vigolo uses rotors of up to 273mm, creating a flywheel effect and increased momentum. The higher capacity machines use up to 12 drivebelts and all units are fitted with
wide skids to prevent scalping. Agriline is so convinced of the Vigolo’s ability to deal with the toughest conditions, it has created an industry first with its 2-3-4 warranty. Offered on the TDF, TDFDT, TST and TSTDT ranges, the frame, gearbox and drive belts are covered for two years. Meanwhile, the roller bearings have three years of cover and the heart of the machine, the rotor, is backed up with four years peace of mind. Without doubt a bold move, founder and director of Agriline, Mike Hamlin says in all his years of selling mulchers, Vigolo is the strongest, most reliable and productive mulcher he’s ever seen. “We are pleased to put in place a 2-3-4 warranty that gives peace of mind to farmers and contractors and confirms their investment is in the best.”
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RURAL NEWS // MARCH 10, 2020
CENTRAL DISTRICTS FIELD DAYS 13
Getting to grips with stock handling A LOT has changed since Wayne and Lynley Coffey originally designed the Combi Clamp sheep handler. The range has grown substantially to include cattle handling equipment, which offers strength, versatility and – most importantly – safety for both animals and operators.
“All of our cattle handling equipment is built with safety in mind, as a result of our own injuries using poorly designed cattle equipment,” Wayne Coffee explains. The Combi Clamp cattle handling range includes the magic Auto Head Yoke, HD Vetless Crush and HD Vet Crush. Both crushes have
the option of a parallel squeeze, which is helpful when handling smaller animals to avoid turning or as a tool for steadying aggravated animals in the crush. “It’s amazing how quickly the animal stops thrashing about as soon as you put a little pressure on them,” Coffee adds.
The HD crushes offer several features to make use easy. These include automatic catch and reset, controlled forward or rearward release of the animal, split and top access gates on both sides of the unit, as well as rubber floor and slam stops to reduce noise during use. Optional equip-
ment includes remotes for drafting and operation of the head bail from the rear of the crush and the squeeze system for steadying larger or holding smaller animals. In the case of the Sheep Handler, the units do not require power, so are free from breakdowns. These are quiet so promote stock flow.
Combi Clamp’s cattle handling equipment offers strength, versatility and safety.
“Levno’s great customer service sets them apart. They’ve always been quick to let me know when an issue needs escalating on farm.” Following its success in NZ and Australia, the Handypiece is now finding favour in Europe .
HANDPIECE WINNING CONVERTS
Michael Withers, Southland Farmer
HANDYPIECE IS a fully portable shearing handpiece being used by thousands of farmers and ag workers all around NZ and the globe. While the main use is sheep shearing, it is also finding favour for crutching, dagging, cow tail trimming and cattle branding – alongside alpaca and goat shearing, TB testing of deer, grass sampling and plant trimming. The Handypiece Pro has variable speed ranging from 2400 – 3500rpm. Dagging, crutching and trimming cows’ tails operate well at a mid-speed of 2700 rpm. However, anyone wanting to get a nice cut while shearing can wind it all the way up to 3500rpm. The brushless motor means the battery lasts even longer and it is possible to crutch up to 300400 sheep from one battery charge.
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VISIT US AT CD FIELD DAYS: SITE N18
RURAL NEWS // MARCH 10, 2020
14 CENTRAL DISTRICTS FIELD DAYS
Act early and decisively to manage dry – DairyNZ PETER BURKE peterb@ruralnews.co.nz
THE HOT dry weather is now starting to hit farmers in the Manawatu and DairyNZ are busy putting out advice to farmers on ways to cope. The head of DairyNZ’s
consulting officer team in the Lower North Island, Rob Brazendale says it’s very, very dry in the region and that the heat stress is not just limited to our dairy herds. He says conditions are much drier than average, with the NIWA daily climate
maps show the soil moisture situation is also significantly drier than the same time last year. “DairyNZ offers a range of information to help manage dry conditions and has a team of consulting officers that can offer support and
See us at the CD Field Days – Site K24
Purchase supplement feed if available and at the right price.
STANDARD FEEDER (C6 Pinned) • 1 x 6 foot bale • 2m diameter • 15 feed positions • 15 - 30 animals
OVAL FEEDER (S2 Pinned) • 3 x 4 foot bales • 2 x 6 foot bales • 24 feed positions • 24 - 48 animals • 4m long
S CD FEE US AT I – SITELD DAYS E 134 A
Also see us at the Wanaka Show March 13-14
there is a lot of information on our web site,” he says. “Meanwhile, your local team is in contact with our primary sector partners, monitoring the situation and preparing to help as needed. Many of you have put away a good amount of silage and feel you are still going okay, however it’s a good idea to plan for various scenarios.” Brazendale says past experiences of severe dry periods have found some key practices that will help a quick recovery when it does rain and limit the damage: Contain the damage to the current season and avoid compromising next season. For dairy farmers this means protecting cow condition.
Have some cows in milk for when it does rain and therefore able to capture any favourable autumn growing conditions. Have some supplement for when does rain. 100kgDM/cow is recommended, as dry pasture will disappear immediately after rain and cows will need additional supplementary feed. Holding a slow rotation will speed up pasture cover recovery. While in the dry conditions there are limited options, but some tactics to consider are: Get rid of known culls, this allows feed to prioritise to those cows that will be milking next season OAD milking, this reduces stress on cows
and people Dry off light condition, younger cows, where possible get these cows off farm. Purchase supplements, if available and at the right price. Brazendale says the profitability of purchased supplements is sensitive to price and 5% of milk price is a good guideline. He says for a more robust analysis for your situation use the Supplement Price Calculator. Dairy Trust Taranaki supplement trials showed very good supplement responses (up to 130gMS/ kgMS) when cows are kept in milk rather than dried off. “Be prepared for when it does rain. Facial eczema prevention should be in place now as
overnight temperatures are likely to remain above 12 degrees for a while,” he adds. “Have nitrogen on hand ready to apply when we have significant rain. As things heat up, water for dairy shed and stock drinking becomes a challenge. Take all steps to minimize water use around the farm dairy – without compromising milk hygiene.” Finally, Brazendale says this is the time of year when heat stress can become an issue. He says if farmers would like advice on managing the risk and a summary of the conditions, sign up to DairyNZ’s fortnightly Heat Stress email. @rural_news facebook.com/ruralnews
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RURAL NEWS // MARCH 10, 2020
CENTRAL DISTRICTS FIELD DAYS 15
Marton YFC to celebrate 80 years PETER BURKE
CLUB HISTORY
peterb@ruralnews.co.nz
OLD BOYS and old girls of the Marton Young Farmers Club are planning an 80th birthday celebration – their own. Later this month, the club will celebrate its 80th with a series of events over the weekend of March 14-15. While it’s called the Marton Young Farmers Club, it – in fact – encompasses a much wider area according to the chair of the club Samantha Tennent. “Our members come from the back of Whanganui, Ohakune, Waiouru, Rangiwahia, Kimbolton and Fielding and anywhere in between,” she told Rural News. “Even though we are Marton – we are part of the whole of Rangitikei.” Tennent says there will be some events on the Saturday, including a brunch BBQ at Power Farming Manawatu in Feilding and some activities at the Rural Games. Then they will head to the Silks Lounge, at the Awapuni Racecourse at Palmerston North, for the main function. She says this will start off with drinks
THE MARTON Young Farmers Club was formed on April 30th, 1938 and started with just 24 members. It began in the days when only men were allowed to be involved in the organisation and membership doubled within the first year. In its second year, the club entered a team in a seven-aside football tournament organised by the Manawatu District Committee of the National Dairy Show. The Marton YFC won it and was presented with “Golden Rooster’ trophy. However, during World War II, Marton YFC – like every club across the country – struggled. Men were sent to the war and numbers declined – with the number of clubs across the country plummeting from 118, to just 72. At least 40 Marton YFC members were on active service and at least five of its members had made the ultimate sacrifice during the war. The Marton Club took a two-year recess in May of 1942, after a meeting
Marton Young Farmers Club chair Samantha Tennent.
and chance to see some of the memorabilia that’s been collected over the years. The evening function will be hosted by 2013 FMG Young Farmer of the Year and Waikato MP, Tim van de Molen. It will include a debating
competition, an iconic YFC quiz before the band takes over. The next day there will be a breakfast at the Distinction Hotel in Palmerston North and plenty of action to watch at the Rural Games The club is one of the oldest YF clubs in
the country and over the years hundreds of people have been involved in its activities. Tennant says it’s also a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the huge number of businesses, farmers and other Manawatu clubs, which have all been
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pillars of support for over 80 years. “Marton has been an incredibly strong club throughout the decades. It’s withstood many challenges which saw other small clubs fold and has really proved it has grit, resilience and passion for not just farming but also rural communities,” she says.
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drew in just four members. After coming out of hibernation in June 1944, the club had a boost in membership. Heading into 2020, Samantha Tennent says there are currently 42 members with all of them looking forward to celebrating the club’s rich and iconic history. “It’s incredible just to think how many people have been involved with Marton Young Farmers over the years, it’s such a tight knight community here. If you add up members, supporters, businesses, farmers, event organisers and vendors and everything else, there would just be thousands and thousands of people, she told Rural News. Tennent says the reunion is for everyone, not just past and present members. “We’re really looking forward to seeing who comes out of the woodwork, reminisce and tell some great stories.” She says they expect at least 200 people to attend the celebrations.
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RURAL NEWS // MARCH 10, 2020
16 CENTRAL DISTRICTS FIELD DAYS
Local farmers lead the way Five Horizons farms are contenders in the 2020 Ballance Farm Environment Awards, which have attracted an incredible line-up of innovative farmers and growers from around NZ. RUN BY the New Zealand Farm Environment Trust, the awards celebrate good farm practices that promote sustainable land management. The programme is run in 11 regions throughout New Zealand, with almost 50 farms eligible for this year’s awards. Horizons’ category award winners and supreme regional winner will be announced at the awards function at Palmerston North on Thursday 19 March. The five Horizons contenders are: Tony and Lynda Gray, Kinross Partnership – Apiti, Manawatu
Lynda and Tony Gray
This family-operated sheep, beef and deer breeding business is owned and operated by Tony and Lynda Gray who are focused on maximising returns in an envi-
ronmentally sustainable way. It was the first farm to complete a Horizons Whole Farm Plan (SLUI). Over the past 14 years, this has included planting
more than 1,000 poplar poles and 6ha of Douglas fir. Along with 1,260 sheep, 100 beef and 420 deer, the farm incorporates 125ha of QEII-covenanted regenerating native bush and has a possum control programme that includes poisoning and trapping. The Grays’ are fencing off the last waterway and are planning to isolate wetlands and do riparian planting. They have started investigating carbon farming options and are working with a local beekeeper who has hives on the farm. The farm is starting to reap financial rewards from years of improvements around livestock production and environmental protection and the family wants to ensure this progress continues.
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Chalky and Lesley Leary, Onga – Hunterville, Rangitikei Owner-operators Chalky and Lesley Leary have had a stake in their sheep and cattle breeding operation at Onga since 1973. They are now setting up a succession plan for their nephew to take over. Along with the stock, Onga farm has 118ha of
radiata pine that brings in an average yearly income of $100,000. The property was smothered with gorse in 1973 and forestry was originally introduced to control it – and later to help manage erosion. The farm is now virtually gorse-free and boasts significant new infrastructure. Brendon and Rachel Williams, Pencoed Trust – Marton, Rangitikei
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The Williams’s are third generation farmers on this arable and finishing property that was chosen for its excellent soils and has been actively developed since 2000 under a family Trust. The arable and finishing property’s main crops are wheat, maize, peas and grass, while it finishes about 2,500 lambs and 100 cattle annually. Decision-making is based on caring for the soil – including using soil maps and having extensive sub-soil drainage. The farm is one of the first arable cropping enterprises to seek resource consents under the Horizons One Plan, plus fossil fuel usage has significantly dropped. Other conservation measures include retirement planting, stock exclu-
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RURAL NEWS // MARCH 10, 2020
CENTRAL DISTRICTS FIELD DAYS 17
in environmental awards keen to demonstrate the good work that’s happening. Mark Johnston and Rebecca Jeffrey, Ruahine Range Views Dannevirke, Tararua These dairy owneroperators have completely transformed their property since buying it in 2017, merging two dairy farms into one selfcontained unit. They now farm 350 dairy cows over 131ha, with a
Brendon and Rachel Williams
sion from waterways, retention dams to reduce runoff and a fully reticulated water system. Knowledge is a key tool, enabling the family to make informed decisions around improving production systems – ultimately producing a sustainable income. Three blocks of native bush are protected with QEII National Trust cov-
enants and, for shade and erosion control, native bush is continually being fenced off and poplars planted. Other priorities are actively managing possum and deer, along with soil and water conservation. Having spent 12 years in local government, Chalky appreciates the challenges facing both councils and farmers, and is
further 80ha adjacent to boost the summer milking platform. The farm has a low stock rate and high production – about 1.7 cows per hectare – and significant time and investment has gone into improving infrastructure and water provisions. The biodiversity of the property has also undergone a transformation, including the planting of 5,000 pines and 700 natives over the past
Rebecca Jeffrey and Mark Johnston
two years, the creation of four wetlands, monthly possum control and the installation of kilometres of fencing along creeks. The couple has implemented everything they wanted for the farm and feel they have greatly improved the state of the property since they took over. The Clarke Family, Woodhaven Gardens – Levin, Horowhenua. Woodhaven Gardens is a commercial vegetable growing operation and family business. Established in 1978 by Eric and John Clarke, with the lifestyle choice soon becoming a passion for producing the best produce available. Woodhaven is unique for its size and crop diversity – 23 different vegetables, plus maize and
John and Jay Clarke
ryegrass to improve soil health and reduce nutrient losses. Annually, they sell 27 million individual vegetable units (between 7–10% of the national supply), employ about 250 staff, and contribute between $30–35mil to GDP. In recent years, Woodhaven has significantly invested in reducing its environmental impact, adopting a science-led
approach that balances conservation with commercial success. Woodhaven’s owners and directors view the farm holistically – farming for themselves while also enriching the lives of their staff, community, local Iwi and environment. Their approach has been shared with Horticulture NZ and is being rolled out to other growers in the region.
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RURAL NEWS // MARCH 10, 2020
18 CENTRAL DISTRICTS FIELD DAYS ISUZU’S 20TH YEAR AS NUMBER 1
HSV Silverado
HSV confirms new Chevy MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz
WHILE THE demise of Holden means an end to the SportsCat ute, HSV has secured full volume certification for the new Chevrolet Silverado 1500 for Australia and New Zealand. Final prices for the 1500 haven’t been announced yet for New Zealand. However, it will be dearer than the Colorado-based SportsCat, of course, but should come in under the bigger Silverado 2500 Heavy Duty that HSV also re-engineers (2500 prices range from $134,990 to $165,990).
The new Silverado 1500 is due in HSV dealerships in March 2020, the LTZ Premium Edition being the first model to launch. This features the 6.2 litre EcoTec3 V8 engine that pumps out a more-than-adequate 313kW of power and 624Nm of torque. It has a crack at fuel efficiency using a 10-speed automatic transmission, stop/start technology and ‘dynamic fuel management’ that disables half the cylinders under light engine loads. Towing capacity is up to 4.5 tonnes braked (using a 70mm ball) and the big rig gets a suite of towing aides: Tow/Haul mode, Trailer Swap Control, Hill Start Assist and auto
grade braking, just for starters. An Advanced Trailering Package is available as an option. As suggested by the name, the Premium model has an interior to pamper occupants. It has perforated leather, heated front seats with 10-way power adjustment for the driver, infotainment system controlled by touch screen and charging and connectivity for everyone’s smart phones and tablets. Being a HSV, you can option in performance tuned suspension and airbox/exhaust to make the most of its American muscle. @rural_news
IT ISN’T rugby, but Isuzu Trucks is claiming the triple crown as the number one supplier of new light, medium and heavy commercial trucks for 2019. In doing so, the brand has achieved an unprecedented 20th consecutive year at the top of overall new truck sales. The success of the brand is said to come with a renewed focus over recent years on enhancing the end-user experience, increased head office engagement with the factory in Japan and an ongoing investment by dealer partners. “I firmly believe we have one of the most comprehensive and committed dealer net-
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Cnr Robinson & McNally Sts, Ashburton • Ph 03 307 9049 • Email admin@rainer.co.nz • www.rainer.co.nz
Isuzu has achieved 20 consecutive years as the top selling truck in NZ.
works in the country, who have been crucial in the success of Isuzu trucks in New Zealand over many years,” says general manager Dave Ballantyne. “The quality and all-round functionality, as well as fit for purpose, of our trucks continues to improve year over year and this is reflected in our ongoing sales success.” Moving into a new
decade, Ballantyne says the goal is to keep the momentum going. “By taking a collaborative approach between Isuzu Japan, our dealer network and Isuzu New Zealand, with the ultimate objective to grow our customer base and support existing and new customers to the absolute best of our abilities.” – Mark Daniel
RURAL NEWS // MARCH 10, 2020
CENTRAL DISTRICTS FIELD DAYS 19
Smith expands range MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz
Smith Attachments identified a need for high quality, after-market ute cdecks and lids.
ASHBURTON BASED Smith Attachments is probably known best for the design and manufacture of bull-bars and accessories for a range of ATV/UTVs – alongside a range of ATV, calf and K-line trailers. Four years ago, the company saw a need for high quality, after-market ute decks and lids. So, it introduced Smith Lids that feature a welded sub frame giving them strength that allows a load capacity of up to 250kg. Manufactured with a skin that uses aluminium treadplate, the items can also be optioned with a black, powder coated finish. A range of options includes tie down hooks that can be used in conjunction with rails. The 40-year old business also specialises in the manufacture of ute decks, with configurations to suit single cab, XL single cab and double cab vehicles. All decks are fully hot dip galvanised and finished with a 21mm grip deck plywood floor. The decks are fully customizable with options – such as toolboxes and dog boxes.
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RURAL NEWS // MARCH 10, 2020
20 CENTRAL DISTRICTS FIELD DAYS
Best Claas on show MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz
THE LATEST offerings from CLAAS, will be on show at the CLAAS Harvest Centre sites at the Central Districts Field Days. The all-new CLAAS JAGUAR 960 forage harvester, powered by a 653 hp Mercedes-Benz 473 engine, features several improvements to increase productivity and create operating efficiencies. All models are available with the new CEBIS Touch control system, giving the
operator faster and easier access to all machine functions. Up to seven commonly used settings can be programmed as favourites and accessed by the rocker switches on the CMOTION control lever. Alternatively, operators can show to use the CEBIS rotary/push switch or armrest switches. An NIR sensor, which measures dry matter yield in real time, is now certified for use in pastures, features an infrared-light source in the upper discharge chute is
directed at the crop. The light is reflected in different ways, depending on the crop moisture level, with independent testing showing an accuracy of plus or minus 2%. All models in the 900 series feature intelligently controlled, hydraulic precompression to ensure consistently high-quality chopped material – even under difficult conditions. In operation, hydraulic rams automatically adjust the precompression pressure required for different crops and changes in the thickness of the
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crop flow. 2020 models can be equipped with the optional ACTISILER 37 inoculant tank, which enables precise dosage of 10 to 50 mL/t based on actual throughput. Also, on the grass harvest front, CLAAS Harvest Centre product manager Luke Wheeler says the new Disco Move 3600 and 3200 mowers feature a highly manoeuvrable headstock that allows the mower to move independently from the tractor front linkage. The MOVE headstock has 600 mm upward and 400 mm downward travel, making it ideal for uneven fields. It can also pivot up to 30 degrees laterally, further improving its ability to follow contours or swing backwards to avoid obstacles. The headstock includes the ACTIVE FLOAT integrated
hydraulic suspension and the low pivot point from the PROFIL range. ACTIVE FLOAT eliminates the need for suspension spring coupling points on the tractor, with suspension pressure adjusted during operation using a single-acting hydraulic service. The headstock can be coupled either directly to the tractor front linkage or using an A-frame, while also incorporating an adjustment guide to set the front link arms at the right height. The front linkage now remains fixed during operation, with the mower raised and lowered via integrated hydraulics. DISCO MOVE 3600 and 3200 units have operating widths of 3.4 and 3 m, respectively. These are available in mower (F), mower tine conditioner (FC) or mower
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roller conditioner (FRC) configurations. Options include hydraulic side covers, foldable lights and
warning panel and double wide-angle mirrors for improved visibility on the road.
The special edition CLAAS Arion 660.
LIMITED EDITION ALSO, ON display at the CLAAS Harvest Centre site, will be a special edition CLAAS ARION 660 (205 hp) tractor that marks the production of CLAAS’ 150,000th tractor since acquiring the Renault brand in 2003. Sporting a metallic paint finish and commemorative ‘150,000’ decals, the limited edition model boasts CMATIC continuously variable transmission, front axle suspension, four-point cab suspension, CEBIS operating system, TELEMATICS and a long list of in-cab features, including leather trim, mobile phone mount, tinted rear window and LED lighting. Having invested well over $1 billion into tractor R&D and manufacturing capabilities over the past decade, CLAAS now offers more than 30 different tractor models spanning 75 to 530 hp, with wellknown names such as Xerion, Axion, Arion and Axos. Having picked up several awards over the last 14 years, all CLAAS tractors are designed in accordance with the CLAAS POWER SYSTEMS philosophy. CPS aims to optimise every component of the drive train – the engine, emissions control system, transmission, drive assembly, PTO shaft, axles, hydraulics and management systems. From a control point of view, CLAAS offers three operating systems – CEBIS, CIS+ and CIS – with intuitive, easy to use controls.
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RURAL NEWS // MARCH 10, 2020
CENTRAL DISTRICTS FIELD DAYS 21
Joining forces to get skilled workers do it, we find ways to make it happen. We establish programmes and courses to deliver the knowledge and latest understanding from around the world. Some-
PETER KEMP
IN MY role as a senior academic, I am occasionally asked about the value of university education, particularly by those who have completed undergraduate qualifications: “Should I further my study at university?”. My quick response is always: “If that’s what you want to do, yes, I believe the investment is worthwhile.” Universities and workplaces are changing and much of this change is to help make our lives better and to ensure a sustainable future. Sophisticated technology means people no longer have to do mundane and repetitious tasks and are able to make informed decisions about production, processing and getting products to markets. Our greater challenge is having enough graduates to fill the vacancies. This is particularly so in the horticulture industry. Lecturers frequently have to explain to employers calling for graduates that most have jobs well before their final exam. Not surprisingly those jobs usually have very attractive packages. We are aware of initiatives by the New Zealand Young Farmers and the horticulture industry to encourage more people into careers in the industry. We support these and are always keen to support these initiatives. Our cohorts for agricultural and horticultural science are largely from rural
times these programmes are made available to everyone and other times what they offer is niche and bespoke. I encourage all those thinking about upskilling
to take the next step and find out what’s available. • Professor Peter Kemp is head of the School of Agriculture and Environment at Massey University.
20/20 HAVE YOU GOT THE VISION • Heavy duty braked • Deck heights 600mm & 725mm • 18mm single piece tread deck • 2x3 metre deck plus fold down head board • 22 tie down points
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backgrounds. We recognise there are great jobs for people from the cities who favour urban lifestyles too and are keen to spread the word. Markets are growing, particularly in South East Asia and people with the cultural understanding are needed. We also need people who understand biosecurity, sustainability, animal welfare and food safety. So, what are universities doing to ensure graduates are ready for the workforce? At Massey, there are five areas we support to meet the needs of the food and fibre industries. We offer sound undergraduate programmes that provide an excellent knowledge in each respective area. We recently added animal science and horticultural science degrees and there
See us at CD Field Days Site O-20
DT 20 FLAT DECK
has been good interest in these. We also have excellent postgraduate programmes for people to build on their knowledge on a specific topic. We offer international education and experiences to our students, including our Study Abroad programme, where students pay Massey fees but study for a semester or two at universities around the world with whom we have reciprocal arrangements. There are also international experiences available as part of the Prime Minister’s Scholarship scheme and, last year, our students took part in the International Horticultural Innovation Programme. We also encourage our students to explore and take up opportunities internationally, as long as there are
no pandemics. The health and safety of our students is important to us. For those who are working and wanting to upskill, we have our professional development programmes including our nutrient management and understanding herbicide courses. We also host workshops like the recent Farmed Landscapes Research Centre (FLRC) one. Some of the international experiences are also available to professionals. For example, last month executives joined the International Horticultural Innovation Programme for two weeks in Europe to better understand our markets and what other countries are doing well. Massey also works with government, industry and companies to understand their needs and, if we don’t already
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RURAL NEWS // MARCH 10, 2020
22 CENTRAL DISTRICTS FIELD DAYS
Clever outrigger offers multiple uses AFTER 30 years in the electric fencing industry Kerry Powell of Taragate
has seen many new products – few are original and even fewer excite.
Smartrigger, designed by Emile van der Merve of TC fence systems, at
However, that all changed when he saw the prototype of the
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CENTRAL DISTRICTS FIELD DAYS SEE US AT SITE
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gerous spikes, they are hot tipped and can be fitted to the top, side or angle on wooden or concrete posts. In addition to the standard lengths there is a longer unit able to be used as a wand to hold deer off a boundary fence, or as a gate for travelling irrigators. All items carry a tenyear warranty.
the Space-Link/ insulator combo. By contrast, Powell believes the Smartrigger solution is the easiest outrigger to install, flexes, then returns to its original position when hit. With the elimination of any plastic sleeves, it means they will not become brittle, split or crack. The construction has no middle joints that can break and leave dan-
the Innovations Exhibit during the 2018 National Fieldays. Taragate already had a fool-proof outrigger by combining an insulator with the Space-Link to provide a secure and unshortable outrigger around 80mm high. But the company had stayed away from other outriggers believing none were trouble free or reliable enough to work alongside
STRENGTH / QUALITY / PERFORMANCE
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FORESTRY FOCUS ONE OF the features of this year’s CD Field Days is the Forestry Hub. This has been organised by the Southern North Island Wood Council. It will incorporate a speaker series, machine driving simulators, kids’ games and competitions and lots of information about the industry. The Forestry Hub is a collaboration of 15 different organisations within the centralised hub. One of the aims is to get across to young people the career opportunities in the sector. Schools are being encouraged to come to visit the hub where they will have the chance to attend a full-day organised field trip to view forestry machines working in logging and local sawmills. They will also hear from the professionals about how forestry is working in their region and the available careers in the sector.
Manure Spreaders
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SMOOTH BORE PE LAND DRAINAGE PIPE
Code Explanation
Product code
PE PRESSURE PIPE PE PRESSURE PIPE
TM
PE PRESSURE PIPE
PE PRESSURE PIPE
YOUR RURAL PIPELINES SPECIALISTS Central Districts Field Days See us on site K38 Iplex Lane (next to Farmlands)
PE PRESSURE PIPE PE PRESSURE PIPE
LAND DRAINAGE
9 STOCK 12.5 WATER
12.5 BAR - PE 100 PRESSURE PIPE
TM
Code Explanation
Code Explanation
Product code Coil length (metres) Code Explanation
Coil Length (metres)
12.5 BAR - PE 100 PRESSURE PIPE 12.5 BAR - PE 100 PRESSURE PIPE
HP
20 & 25 BAR - PE 100 PRESSURE PIPE
Code Explanation
Product Code
OD (mm)
3500.63PN25.100B
PE -or PRESSURE 12.5 BAR PEPVC 100 PRESSURE PIPEPIPE
Code Explanation
PE or PVC PRESSURE PIPE
LDPE PRESSURE PIPE
OD (mm)
Product Code Coil length (metres) Code2200-90PN8-100 Explanation
Product Code
340.32PN12.5.50 Pressure class OD (mm) Coil Length (metres) OD (mm) Code Explanation
Coil Length (metres)
PVC CULVERT PIPE PVC CULVERT PIPE
Coil length (metres)
S0E(metres) Length OD550-200-5 (mm)
OD (mm)
RURAL BLACK and BLACKLINE.
Black Pressure Class 3500.63PN25.100B pipe Black 3500.63PN25.100B pipe Coil Length (metres) OD (mm)
Length (metres)
PN 16
OD (mm)
Product Code
OD (mm)
Code Explanation
Code Explanation ID (mm) Code Explanation
ID (mm)300-40-50
Product300-40-50 code Coil length (metres)
COMPRESSION FITTINGS for GREENLINE, REDLINE™, METRIC COMPRESSION FITTINGS COMPRESSION FITTINGS for GREENLINE, REDLINE™, PN 16 RURAL BLACK and BLACKLINE. METRIC COMPRESSION FITTINGS PN 16 RURAL BLACK and BLACKLINE.
9pipe FARM DAIRY 12.5 EFFLUENT PE LAND DRAINAGE PIPE Product Code Pressure Class Black pipe PVC CULVERT3500.63PN25.100B PIPE Black
Code Explanation
3500.63PN25.100B pipeProduct Code Coil Length (metres)
OD (mm)
OD (mm)
Coil Length (metres)
TM
16
Bar Bar
Code Explanation Code Explanation
16
PN 16
Pressure Class
go gowith withthe theflow flow
20 20&&25 25BAR BAR--PE PE100 100PRESSURE PRESSUREPIPE PIPE
Coil length (metres)
OD (mm)
Coil Length (metres) Coil Length (metres)
16 OD (mm)
Bar Bar Bar
Code Explanation
Product Code
Socketed one end
Coil Length (metres)
HP HP
PE or PVC PRESSURE PIPE
Code Code Explanation Explanation
NEXUS110.100 NEXUS110.100 OD (mm) OD (mm)
PVC CULVERT PIPE
Code Explanation
Product Code
Length (metres)
Code Explanation Product code
Coil length (metres)
pipe
400-110-100 OD (mm)
Product Code
Coil length (metres)
2200-90PN8-100 OD (mm)
Pressure class
Code Explanation
Product Code
Socketed one end
550-200-5 S0E OD (mm)
Length (metres)
OD (mm)
PE HEAVY DUTY TWIN WALL SMOOTH BORE CULVERT PIPE NEXUS CULVERT 2005
Code Explanation Code Explanation Product code Coil length (metres) Product code Coil length (metres)
pipe pipe
400-110-100 400-110-100 OD (mm) OD (mm)
Code Explanation Code Explanation Product Code Coil length (metres) Product Code Coil length (metres)
Code Explanation
Bar Bar
Product Code
Length (metres)
OD (mm)
2200-90PN8-100 2200-90PN8-100
Code Explanation
OD (mm) OD (mm)
300-40-50
Pressure class Pressure class
Coil length (metres)
PVC PVCCULVERT CULVERTPIPE PIPE
PN 16
16
Length (metres)
OD (mm)
OD (mm)
FARM MAPPING USING USINGGLOBAL GLOBALPOSITIONING POSITIONING SYSTEMS FARM MAPPING SYSTEMS Code Explanation
Code Explanation Product code Coil length (metres) Product code Coil length (metres)
ID (mm)
Product code
Product Code
Bar
Pressure class
550-200-5 S0E
PE PEor orPVC PVCPRESSURE PRESSUREPIPE PIPE
COMPRESSION FITTINGS for GREENLINE, REDLINE™, METRIC COMPRESSION FITTINGS RURAL BLACK and BLACKLINE.
Code Explanation
Code Explanation
OD (mm) OD (mm)
HPDUTY TWIN WALL SMOOTH PE HEAVY BORE CULVERT PIPE NEXUS CULVERT 2005
PIPE Bar Bar Bar
340.32PN12.5.50 340.32PN12.5.50
OD (mm) OD (mm)
Product code
Length (metres) S0E NEXUS110.100
Length (metres)
Product CodeCode Explanation Length (metres)
SMOOTH PE LAND SMOOTHODBORE BORE PE(metres) LANDDRAINAGE DRAINAGEPIPE PIPE Coil Length (mm)
Code Explanation
Code Explanation Code Explanation Product Code Pressure Class Product Code Pressure Class
OD (mm)
PE HEAVY DUTY TWIN WALL SMOOTH PE HEAVY DUTY TWIN WALL SMOOTH BORE CULVERT PIPE NEXUS CULVERT 2005 BORE CULVERT PIPE NEXUS CULVERT 2005 PE LAND DRAINAGE PIPE
2200-90PN8-100 NEXUS CULVERT 2005
16 16
16 Product Code
OD (mm)
FARM MAPPING USING GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEMS
PRESSURE FARM MAPPING USING GLOBAL POSITIONINGLDPE SYSTEMS FARM MAPPING USING GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEMS
RURAL BLACK and BLACKLINE.
Socketed one end
OD (mm) 550-200-5
Coil length (metres)
400-110-100
FARM MAPPING340.32PN12.5.50 USING GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEMS Length (metres) OD (mm) Code Explanation
Code Explanation
360.40PN9.50 360.40PN9.50
12.5 --PE 100 PIPE COMPRESSION for GREENLINE, REDLINE™, 12.5BAR BARCOMPRESSION PEFITTINGS 100PRESSURE PRESSURE PIPE METRIC FITTINGS
Product Code
Code Explanation
Length (metres)
Code Explanation Product Code Coil length (metres) Product Code Length (metres)
ID (mm)
300-40-50 360.40PN9.50 300-40-50
Product code Coil length (metres) Length OD Product (mm) codeCoil Coil length(metres) (metres)
16 Bar 9 Bar 116 2.5
Coil Length (metres) Coil Length (metres)
Socketed one end
Product code
CodeExplanation Explanation Code Code Explanation Product Pressure Class IDCode (mm)
ID (mm) Code Explanation 300-40-50 Code Explanation Product Code Pressure Class Product Code Pressure Class Product code Coil length (metres)
OD (mm) OD (mm)
Bar
550-200-5 S0E
OD (mm)
Length (metres)
OD (mm)
Product Code Socketed one end Code Explanation Code Explanation
SMOOTH BORE PE LAND DRAINAGE PIPE 550-200-5 S0E
Code Explanation
Product Code Length (metres) Code Explanation
Coil Length (metres)
Code Explanation
Coil length (metres)
go with the flow
PE HEAVY DUTY TWIN WALL SMOOTH 20 & 25 BAR - PE 100 PRESSURE PIPE PE HEAVY DUTY PIPE TWIN WALL SMOOTH BORE CULVERT NEXUS CULVERT 2005 BORE CULVERTPIPE PIPE TMTM NEXUS CULVERT 2005 LDPE PRESSURE PE PIPE Code Explanation PELAND LANDDRAINAGE DRAINAGE PIPE Product Code Pressure Class PE Black PEPRESSURE PRESSUREPIPE PIPE 3500.63PN25.100B pipe Code Explanation
Pressure class
Product Code Code Explanation Pressure Class
Bar
Coil Length (metres)
Pressure class
OD (mm)
Pressure class
OD (mm)
300-40-50 PVC CULVERT PIPE COMPRESSION FITTINGS for GREENLINE, REDLINE™, Code Explanation
Product code
Socketed one end
PE Code Explanation PEPRESSURE PRESSUREPIPE PIPE Product Code Pressure Class COMPRESSION FITTINGS for GREENLINE, REDLINE™, Black METRIC COMPRESSION FITTINGS 3500.63PN25.100B pipe
Code Explanation
Coil length (metres)
PIPE
Coil length (metres)
2200-90PN8-100
Coil length (metres) Code Explanation
Product Code OD (mm)
COMPRESSION FITTINGS forFITTINGS GREENLINE, REDLINE™, COMPRESSION METRIC COMPRESSION FITTINGS HP METRIC PNPN1616 RURAL BLACK andand BLACKLINE. RURAL BLACK BLACKLINE.
Code Explanation
Product Code
Code Explanation 20 & 25 BAR - PE 100 PRESSURE PIPE Product Code Socketed 550-200-5 S0Eone end
Product code
Product code
Bar Bar
2200-90PN8-100
OD (mm)
Bar
OD (mm)
HP
Coil length (metres)
Code Explanation
Coil length (metres)
400-110-100
BarPEPEorHEAVY PVC PRESSURE PIPE Bar DUTY TWIN WALL SMOOTH Bar BORE CULVERT PIPE
Pressure Class Pressure class OD2200-90PN8-100 (mm)
Code Explanation
Product Code
Product Code
Code Explanation
SMOOTH BORE PE Coil LAND DRAINAGE PIPE Length (metres) OD (mm) PE or PVC PRESSURE PIPE NEXUS110.100 PVC CULVERT PIPE HP PVC CULVERT PIPE 2200-90PN8-100
12.5 BAR - PE 100 PRESSURE PIPE ID (mm)
Product Code Pressure Class Code Explanation
LDPE PRESSURE PIPE LDPE PRESSURE PIPE
Black pipe
Coil Length (metres)
Code Explanation
Product Code Coil length (metres) Code Explanation
340.32PN12.5.50 Coil Length (metres) OD (mm)
OD (mm)
PE or PVC PRESSURE PIPE PE or PVC PRESSURE PIPE
Code Explanation
LDPE PRESSURE PE PRESSURE PIPE PIPE LDPE PRESSURE PIPE 400-110-100 Code Explanation OD (mm) Pressure Class Product Code
Product Code Pressure Class Code Explanation
20 & 25 BAR - PE 100 PRESSURE PIPE 20 & 25 BAR - PE 100 PRESSURE PIPE
Pressure Class Code Explanation
Product code Coil length (metres) Code Explanation 360.40PN9.50 Product code400-110-100 Coil length (metres) Coil Length (metres) OD (mm)
Product Code Pressure Class 340.32PN12.5.50
OD (mm)
OD (mm)
Product code
Pressure Class
Coil Length (metres) 340.32PN12.5.50
OD (mm)
Coil length (metres) OD (mm)
400-110-100
Bar Bar
Coil Length (metres)
Coil length (metres)
pipe pipe
400-110-100 Code Explanation
Code Explanation
Product Code
go with the flow
Bar
Coil Length (metres)
Code Explanation Product code Product code
20 & 25 BAR - PE 100 PRESSURE PIPE
340.32PN12.5.50
Bar Bar
HP HP
OD (mm)
PE LAND DRAINAGE PIPE
20 PRESSURE & 25 BAR - PEPIPE 100 PRESSURE PIPE PE OD (mm)
PE LAND DRAINAGE PIPE
OD (mm)
CULVERT pipe
Code Explanation OD (mm) Product Code Pressure Class
Product Code Pressure Class Code Explanation
360.40PN9.50 Coil Length (metres) OD (mm)
Coil length (metres)
PE LAND DRAINAGE PIPE
Coil length (metres)
NEXUS110.100
Code Explanation
OD (mm) NEXUS110.100
TM
Product Code
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Product code
go with the flow go with the flow
OD (mm)
Code Explanation
Product code
340.32PN12.5.50 Product Code Pressure Class
Bar
SMOOTH BORE PE PRESSURE PIPE PE LAND DRAINAGE PIPE SMOOTH BORE PE LAND DRAINAGE PIPE NEXUS110.100 12.5 BAR - PE 100 PRESSURE PIPE
Product Code Pressure Class 360.40PN9.50
OD (mm)
Pressure Class
Coil Length (metres)
Pressure Class Coil Length (metres)
360.40PN9.50
12.5 BAR - PE 100 PRESSURE PIPE
360.40PN9.50
OD (mm)
Bar Bar
Coil length (metres)
NEXUS110.100
Pressure Class
Product Code OD (mm)
Code Explanation
Product Code
PE LAND DRAINAGE PIPE BarPE PRESSURE PIPE PE LAND DRAINAGE PIPE Bar
TM
PE PRESSURE PIPE PE PRESSURE PIPE
9 12.5 9 pipe pipe 12.5
Code Explanation
Product code
Code Explanation 360.40PN9.50
Bar
TM
PE PRESSURE PIPE
99 112.5 2.5
Code Explanation
Product Code
Coil length (metres)
NEXUS110.100
BORE PE LAND DRAINAGE PIPEOD (mm)
go with the flow
SMOOTH BORE PE LAND DRAINAGE PIPE
TM
go with the flow
PE PRESSURE PIPE
go with the flow SMOOTH
FARM MAPPING USING GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEMS Code Explanation Code Explanation Product Code Socketed one end Product Code Socketed one end
Bar
550-200-5 S0E 550-200-5 S0E
OD (mm) OD (mm)
Code Explanation
Length (metres) Length (metres)
Bar
RURAL NEWS // MARCH 10, 2020
CENTRAL DISTRICTS FIELD DAYS 23
Osaka to Hastings – a fruitful journey KATHRIN SILLER
FUMIAKE OMAE (aka Fumi) always had a passion for the great outdoors and dreamed of travelling and exploring the world. He grew up in a city close to Osaka in Japan and worked there as a retail manager. One day he had enough of it all and decided to hit the road with nothing else other than a backpack and the spirit of adventure. Destination – New Zealand. To finance his trip, Fumi took up a contractor job as a fruit picker and thinner at the orchard of Robyn and Leon Stallard in Hastings. He was living with other backpackers on the caravan and cabin site which was set up on the orchard. “It was such a friendly and nice work environment, similar to a summer camp. We were even allowed to use the Stallards’ tennis court.” In 2015 he attended an English Language programme at EIT and now, four years later, his English is impeccable. However, Fumi continued to travel and dropped anchor in Cromwell where he started to study fruit pro-
“I was under quite some pressure as I had to pass the course to keep my visa. But the tutors were so supportive.” duction at Otago Polytechnic. He was fascinated to learn about botany, soil management and how weather and climate impact the growth of fruit. Continuing a nomadic life Fumi moved back to Hawke’s Bay where he gained a Diploma in Horticulture at EIT. “I was under quite some pressure as I had to pass the course to keep my visa. But the tutors were so supportive,” he said. With more expertise under his belt Fumi returned to the Stallards, this time ready to assume more work responsibility. “We are only three full-time workers on the orchard, Leon included, and I can do and learn so much.” Other than pruning, thinning and picking, Fumi is responsible for apple quality and irrigation control. He also manages the fruit pickers. Meanwhile, the Stallards’ orchard, which recently won the Hawke’s Bay Horticulturist
Rural News
PIONEERS OF SHEARING SHED
SAFETY AND RELIABILITY
of the Year Award, has become his second home. “It’s not easy for a foreigner like me, but as the saying goes, you live and you learn. Everything that I do here in New Zealand is a new challenge,” Fumi said. Speaking of new challenges - Fumi is planning on upgrading his skills and taking the next step up the career ladder. “I want to enrol in the new Diploma in Horticulture – Fruit Production programme at EIT which I can study while still working. After all I have to stay up-to-date with the latest news in the industry.” Fumi spends his free time like the average New Zealander; he loves hanging out at the beach, surf-casting, meeting friends. He also plays badminton for a Hastings club and has rediscovered his passion for DJ-ing.
Fumi has plenty of reasons to smile as New Zealand has become his new home.
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RURAL NEWS // MARCH 10, 2020
24 CENTRAL DISTRICTS FIELD DAYS
Well worth all the work! CENTRAL DISTRICTS field days is gearing up for its 27th event. Now well-established, and the largest regional field days in New Zealand, its roots stretch back to 1993 – when it was introduced by Don Eade as an annual event. If you visited Central Districts field days during any one of its 26 years, you’re bound to find that a few things don’t change: Its location at Manfeild, compelling a transformation from paddock to a mini town over a matter of days. The presence of farm machinery and tractors, hallmarks of the industry and the people who come to see them. The thousands of visitors and hundreds of exhibitors, united in their passion for a thriving agricultural community. Equally, there are many ways you can see how the three-day event has grown up over time. Central Districts field days sales manager Cheryl Riddell says it all started with 230 sites occupied by exhibitors and has now grown to more than 600. She says the appetite from businesses to be a part of the event has
The fencing competition is always a popular attraction for those visiting Central Districts field days.
only increased as word spread about the success others were having. This opportunity hasn’t gone unnoticed, with other events springing up
to make the most of the ground swell in the region. Central Districts field Days now rounds out NZ AgriFood Investment
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Week, which started in 2016 and follows the rural games which began in 2015. Central Districts field days consis-
tently attracts around 28,000 visitors every year. In addition to the usual crowd favorites such as, the National Excavator Operator Competition and the NZFC Central Districts Double Power fencing competition, in 2019, new mobile app technology, improved site layout and location for the Ag Pavilion, a new Premium food court and bar. In addition, filed days organisers have introduced a speaker series – along with Federated Farmers – promoting innovative farming practices. There are also two careers pathway initiatives first, AgriQuest with Talent Central and second, CD Field Days played host to the AgTech Hackathon finals with CEDA and the Factory. Looking ahead, plans are already in motion for making the next Central Districts field days a success. For an event that requires an annual set up of everything from basic infrastructure like water and power, to erecting hundreds of sites over a matter of days, it must be worth it. From someone who has been around for 23 CD Field Days events, Cheryl Riddell says, “it is!”.
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