Rural News 1 June 2021

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AGRIBUSINESS New kiwifruit breeding joint venture. PAGE 16

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TO ALL FARMERS, FOR ALL FARMERS JUNE 1, 2021: ISSUE 727

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NEWS

AGRIBUSINESS

NATIONAL FIELDAYS

New kiwifruit breeding joint venture. PAGE 16

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TO ALL FARMERS, FOR ALL FARMERS JUNE 1, 2021: ISSUE 727

www.ruralnews.co.nz

First shot fired!

DAVID ANDERSON

AFTER MONTHS of agitation and meetings around the country, a rural advocacy group has launched what it describes as the “first in a range of actions” to mobilise farmers against unworkable regulations.

Groundswell NZ is calling on all landowners to refuse access to public agencies undertaking surveys on private land – including Significant Natural Areas (SNA) and wetland surveys.

“Under the new Freshwater and Indigenous Biodiversity regulations, the Government is proposing it be mandatory for councils to survey all land within their districts for SNA assessments and wetlands,” Groundswell NZ spokesman Bryce McKenzie claims.

He says farmers and landowners

around the country are concerned about the misuse of this survey information.

“It has no caveats to protect landowners’ privacy interests and no compensation of the impacts on property values,” McKenzie adds.

“This shows a lack of respect for landowners who have been proac-

tive in conservation. We already have a proven successful system with the QEII Trust covenants, which help landowners protect areas on private land.”

Last week, Groundswell NZ wrote to all councils around the country demanding they halt mapping of natural areas on private land until these outstanding concerns were resolved.

“We have already had some councils indicate support for our campaign, as they too are fed up with the heavy hand of government and loss of flexibility for councils and communities to design their own plans,” McKenzie claims.

He says Groundswell NZ is putting

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Not even the weeds will grow! That’s how bad the drought is in Hawkes Bay, says local farmer Mike Connor who, along with his brother Peter, runs 1,000 one year-old bulls and a further 1,000 two year-old bulls across four farms in the Crownthorpe area, west of Hastings.

Connor told Rural News the last two years have been the most challenging time he’s experienced in the 15 years he’s been working on the farms.

– See full story on pages 10-11.

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SUDESH KISSUN sudeshk@ruralnews.co.nz

FONTERRA FARMERS will start the new season with strong cashflow, thanks to an opening forecast with a record midpoint of $8/kgMS. The co-op will pay its farmers 60% of the forecast midpoint as advance payments each month for milk.

If the payout remains at the forecast midpoint of $8 until the end of the season, Fonterra and its farmers will pump $12 billion into the New Zealand economy.

Federated Farmers dairy chair Wayne Langford says farmers are happy with “a very strong start” to the new season.

“This will see farming businesses in a much better cashflow position through the first half of the season when the majority of expenses occur,” Langford told Rural News.

“The value a payout like this will bring to all New Zealand is huge, especially as we work our way out of the Covid-19 crisis.”

Fonterra has passed the $8 mark only once in its 21-year history: in 2013-14 farmers received a final milk price of $8.40/kgMS plus a 10c dividend.

Fonterra chief executive Miles Hurrell says the co-operative is confident about international prices remaining strong.

“The $8 midpoint is great news TO PAGE 4

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RURAL NEWS // JUNE 1, 2021

NEWS 3 ISSUE 727

www.ruralnews.co.nz

Major sting for beekeepers DAVID ANDERSON

NEWS ��������������������������������������1-15 AGRIBUSINESS ���������������������� 16 HOUND, EDNA ����������������������� 18 CONTACTS ������������������������������ 18 OPINION ���������������������������� 18-20 MANAGEMENT ��������������������� 24 ANIMAL HEALTH ����������� 25-26 NZ NATIONAL FIELDAYS PREVIEW ���������������������������27-52 MACHINERY AND PRODUCTS ���������������������� 53-55 RURAL TRADER ������������� 55-56

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

A MYSTERY disease is reportedly currently ravaging parts of the North Island bee population with reports of up to 80% death rates in some hives.

It is understood the problem is widespread throughout much of the North Island, with beekeepers as far south as Wellington reporting issues – although most appear to be in Waikato, Bay of Plenty and central North Island regions.

Apiarists are unsure of the exact cause or extent of the problem, but possible scenarios being discussed include resistant varroa mites, increased wasp predation or a disease that started in the kiwifruit pollination industry.

The huge bee death rates were confirmed by NZ beekeepers Inc president Jane Lorimer.

She told Rural News that the full impact of the problem would not be known until spring.

“If we have a mild winter and a good spring, then hope-

Up to 80% death rates in some hives have been reported throughout much of the North Island.

fully beekeepers will be able to repopulate their hives and things can get back to normal,” she explained. “However, if numbers don’t recover, then both honey producers and the wider agricultural sector could

have a serious problem.”

The problem has potentially massive implications for both the bee industry and NZ’s wider agri-sector. The UN’s agricultural advisory arm, the FAO, recently esti-

mated the value of pollination services to global food production is worth up to US$600 billion annually.

NZ’s honey exports were valued at $505.5 million in 2020, up 46% on 2019. This

means such a hit to the country’s bee population would cause large-scale financial losses to the nation’s beekeepers.

Meanwhile, the impact on pollination services on the country’s horticulture and pasture sectors is enormous – estimated to be worth around $5 billion a year.

Lorimer says low honey prices (with only the manuka varieties fetching good returns) may have led some beekeepers to cut back on varroa mite treatment or use less effective, cheaper products and this could be the cause of any reinvasion of hives.

She says Apiculture NZ is aware of the issue, but did not know if it had advised MPI and other sector bodies of the potential looming problem.

Meanwhile, Lorimer is hoping that a mild winter and spring will see an end to the issue and the repopulation of North Island beehives.

“It’s not dire straits yet; time will tell,” she warns.

Rural ginger group takes aim

Printed by: Inkwise NZ Ltd 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

FROM PAGE 1

a stake in the ground and saying ‘enough is enough’. The group says it wants to mobilise support and grow its campaign nationwide.

However, this stance on SNAs is in stark contrast to Federated Farmers.

Feds environmental spokesman Chris Allen has accused Groundswell of “winding up farmers needlessly”. He claims they are ignoring the fact that it’s a two-year collaborative process and the final document has not been

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finalised. Allen told another media outlet that they “need to chill, wait until they see the final document”.

Local Government NZ, which represents all councils around the country, told Rural News that the Government has made policy decisions around freshwater and biodiversity, which councils are required to implement.

“It’s important to note that this is just the start of a long process, as the Government seeks to address a signif-

icant decline in New Zealand’s biodiversity,” a LGNZ spokesman says.

“Councils are, or will be required to initially identify significant natural areas and wetlands and set rules regionally and locally for SNAs and enforce national rules re wetlands.

“It’s also important to note that the National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity has not yet been finalised, and we note the overarching requirement to protect areas of significant indigenous vegetation is

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a matter of national importance and has been in place since 1991.”

LGNZ’s spokesman told Rural News that local government is aware there is a lot going on, particularly for the primary sector.

“We all need to look at this as a ‘long game’ which essentially requires some practices to change to better look after the environment – a goal that we think everyone can support.” @rural_news facebook.com/ruralnews

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RURAL NEWS // JUNE 1, 2021

4 NEWS

Record $8-plus forecast for the 2021-2022 season FROM PAGE 1

for farmers; the forecast farmgate milk price is a key marker that farmers look for.

“This is the biggest opening forecast we have come out with and farmers will be rapped.”

However, there are a number of risks and this explains Fonterra’s $1.50 forecast milk price range – $7.25 to $8.75/kgMS announced last week.

Hurrell points out that Covid is far from over.

The impacts of governments winding back their economic stimulus packages, foreign exchange volatility and changes in the supply and demand patterns that can enter dairy markets when prices are high could be dampener.

And as always, potential impacts of any geopolitical issues around

Fonterra chief executive Miles Hurrell says the co-operative is confident about international prices remaining strong.

the world could also trigger a sudden drop in dairy prices.

ASB economist Nat Keall says the wide opener is appropriate given the season has just begun and the remaining uncertainty continu-

Fonterra dairy farmers are likely to be milking it next season if the forecast price holds.

ing to impact global dairy markets.

ASB’s own forecast is towards the upper end of the range – at the $8.20 mark.

Keall notes that even if the milk price ends up being near the bottom

of the range – which he thinks is unlikely – it would still represent a strong result for farmers.

Over the past ten years the farmgate milk price has averaged around the $6.25/kgMS, so a $7.25 result would still be well

above average.

“Still, we think that’s an unlikely scenario. For the season to finish near the bottom of Fonterra’s range, prices would need to start trending substantially lower far earlier than we expect, or drop

away more sharply when they do.

“With global dairy supply still relatively constrained and demand from China likely to remain high, we continue to think the odds are against a swift or a sharp

correction.”

Hurrell agrees that global demand for dairy, especially New Zealand dairy, is continuing to grow. China is leading the charge as its economy continues to recover strongly.

Rural health focus for new boss JESSICA MARSHALL jessica@ruralnews.co.nz

RURAL WOMEN New Zealand’s (RWNZ) new chief executive says the organisation’s ability to provide opportunities to women sold her on the job.

“I think that one of the things that really appealed to me about the organisation is that it is an organisation for women and one of the things that we do is provide opportunities for women to develop,” Gabrielle O’Brien told Rural News.

O’Brien comes to the role from a

background in human resources and organisational development, having previously worked for the Law Society and Birth Right New Zealand. She took over the role on May 3.

O’Brien says that she comes to the role with experience in “understanding how to work with members and make sure their voices are heard and represent what matters to them.”

She says that, from her perspective, RWNZ has three key roles: supporting rural communities, strengthening those communities, and connecting with them.

“We have a role of ensuring that

we’re actually helping provide connectivity in rural communities which is really Rural Women NZ important,” chief executive Gabrielle O’Brien. she told Rural News.

She says that in the near future, RWNZ will be tackling the issue of the health reforms recently announced by the Government. O’Brien believes adding a rural lens and engagement

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with rural communities will be an important part of the process.

“What happens with the health reforms is something that we’ll be closely watching and wanting to make sure that that rural voice is heard and that the voice of women and their families and communities is heard as well.”

She says that the organisation will also be taking a look at mental health.

“I think in terms of mental health and wellbeing, it’s almost… one of the reasons that we exist in terms of trying to make sure that we are encouraging strong connection in

rural communities.

“Obviously, we want to see an improvement in awareness but also services to make sure that when people are struggling with mental health issues, there is support available for them.

“But we also want to do preventative work in terms of actually assisting those communities… we know that rural communities are very good at supporting each other,” O’Brien says. “But we want to make it as easy as possible for those communities to be strong and be connected which can be challenging.”

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RURAL NEWS // JUNE 1, 2021

NEWS 5

Milk price drop puzzling SUDESH KISSUN sudeshk@ruralnews.co.nz

FONTERRA’S DECISION to downgrade its 2020-21 milk price midpoint by 5c has surprised farmers and markets.

Westpac senior agri economist Nathan Penny says he is puzzled by the “anticlimactic” milk price update.

The co-op last week narrowed its 202021 farmgate milk price range: from $7.30 - $7.90/ kgMS to $7.45 - $7.65/ kgMS, with a midpoint of $7.55/kgMS. Penny notes that the ‘spot milk price’ since Fonterra’s last update in March has been around $9.00/kgMS and sometimes higher.

Fonterra has announced a slight downgrade to its farmgate milk price for the season just ended.

“We must admit we are puzzled by the downgrade,” he says.

Federated Farmers dairy chairman Wayne Langford told Rural News that farmers are surprised.

However, he says that Fonterra chief executive Miles Hurrell and his

team “have done a good job in reasoning it clearly to farmers.”

Hurrell says since March dairy prices have “settled, somewhat”.

“That is why we have revised our midpoint down 5 cents,” he says.

He noted that in an “extraordinary” March

Global Dairy Trade (GDT) event, prices jumped 15% and contributed to the increase in Fonterra’s forecast milk price.

The average price for whole milk powder was over US$4,350/metric tonne, he noted. However, in the last three

GDT events, the average price has reduced to close to US$4,100/MT. Butter prices have gone from almost US$6,000/MT to below US$5,000/MT for the first time since January.

Despite the 5c drop, Hurrell says 2020-21 would be the second year

in a row with the forecast milk price above $7/ kgMS. ASB economist Nat Keall says the downgrade is “a wee bit of a surprise” given most forecasters lifted their own forecasts considerably higher since Fonterra’s last update.

ASB is retaining its $7.60/kgMS forecast for the 2020-21 season.

Penny has a couple of possible explanations for the downgrade.

One is that the impact of the rising New Zealand dollar on the milk price has been larger than expected.

The other explanation is that a larger proportion of the milk sold at recent auctions, at very high prices, has been ear-

marked for next season than analysts had estimated.

“This latter explanation could also help explain why Fonterra has been so bold for the new season,” says Penny.

“At this stage, we can only speculate. We will learn more on this front when the milk price statement is released later in the year.”

Penny says that on the basis of high spot milk price, their model had estimated a price in the vicinity of $7.90/kgMS. “This is significantly lower than our forecast ... at this late stage of the season, we take this one on the chin and adopt Fonterra’s forecast midpoint of $7.55/kgMS.”

High milk price lifts Fonterra’s input costs FONTERRA IS sticking to normalised earnings guidance of 25-35 cents per share for this year.

Last week the co-operative reported third quarter normalised earnings of 34c/share but is staying quiet about any plans for a dividend payment at the end of this financial year. At its half-year update, Fonterra announced an interim dividend of 5c/share.

Fonterra chief executive Miles Hurrell expects earnings in the fourth quarter to come under further pressure and full year earnings are expected to be more towards the

mid-point of the range.

A high milk price means higher costs associated with producing value-added products for the co-op.

Hurrell says there are some clouds on the horizon when it comes to Fonterra’s earnings performance.

“While overall we’ve seen stronger gross margins so far this year, they’ve narrowed in the third quarter as the increasing raw milk prices have flowed through to our input costs, and the pricing lags on sales contracts with customers have delayed our ability to pass

through the increase in our input costs,” he says.

Fonterra is forecasting increased pressure on margins in the fourth quarter.

Hurrell says this is compounded by the normal seasonal profile of its business – ongoing fixed costs but lower volumes of milk being processed and sold.

“All of this means the fourth quarter will be challenging from an earnings perspective and we expect the margin pressure to continue into the first quarter of the 2022 financial year.”

For nine months ending April 30, Fonterra delivered a normalised net profit after tax (NPAT) of $587 million, up 61% year-on-year.

Fonterra’s China business has made another solid contribution to the co-operative’s third quarter results.

For the nine months ending April 30, the Greater China business delivered normalised earnings before income tax of $457 million, up 30% compared to last year.

Foodservice, once again, was the big driver behind this result, contributing $93 million of the growth.

Hurrell says Greater China continues to be an important performer for the business.

The co-op’s ongoing financial discipline is also a big part of its third quarter performance story, with operating expenses down 5% year-to-date.

However, Hurrell says it is planning some additional expenditure in the final quarter to support brands and product initiatives for next year.

“Our debt reduction over the last couple of years and lower interest rates have reduced our interest bill by $69 million for the nine months,” he says. – Sudesh Kissun

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RURAL NEWS // JUNE 1, 2021

6 NEWS

Green tinge masks true impact of Hawkes Bay dry PETER BURKE peterb@ruralnews.co.nz

DRIVING THROUGH Hawkes Bay, the visible effects of the drought are mixed.

The hills are basically brown, but it seems like they have just received a dusting of green. Closer inspection reveals stock restlessly searching for feed that simply isn’t there. However, most look in pretty good condition. On the flats, there is a bit more grass and some crops, but again there are places where only the tough old native grass species have survived and offer pretty basic tucker.

Lochie MacGillivray, of AgFirst in Hastings, says the region is dry and,

in terms of soil moisture, it’s similar to – if not worse – than last year. He says it’s a bit more patchy than last year, with some areas north of Napier that are faring quite well, but in general the soil moisture deficits are the same, if not lower, than last year.

MacGillivray, who is on the local Rural Advisory Group (RAG), says a recent survey of farmers produced some interesting results. He says most farmers believed they are actually better off than they were last year, by a long way, despite it being drier. But he told Rural News this tends to mask some underlying issues, such as the fact that farmers never really got back to stock numbers

that they had before the drought.

McGillivray says farmers reported that their stock were in good condition and all the participants in the survey said they had a plan and were able to manage through the winter. He says they also reported that, in terms of mental health, they were okay.

“The worrying bit… is in relation to one of the questions we asked and that was ‘do you have a formal feed budget’ and most didn’t,” McGillivray adds.

“The problem with that is that if we have a normal winter, maybe their expectation is that they will get through.

But if we have colder winter than normal, or

Hastings-based farm consultant Lochie MacGillivray says the Hawkes Bay is as dry – if not worse – than last year.

their assessment is not quite right, they could find themselves in a bit of hole quite quickly.”

MacGillivray says doing a formal feed budget and sticking to that is what the RAG

group is recommending what farmers do.

“Without a plan, there tends to be a void and

that void tends to be filled with anxiety,” he told Rural News.

MacGillivray says the other message RAG is trying to get out to farmers is to monitor their mental health and also check on neighbours and friends. He says, in the nicest possible way, they should ask how they are doing and ensure they get help if they need it. RAG is monitoring the situation and meeting on a regular basis to assess the situation.

McGillivray says they plan to conduct a survey to check on small block holders and they are also watching carefully the plight of a group of farmers in the north of the region, whose herds have been hit by TB.

STUDENTS GET FUNDING BOOST HORTICULTURAL AND agribusiness companies are dishing out the dosh to encourage students at Massey University to make a career in their sector.

Last week, scholarships were presented to 120 agricultural and horticultural students at a presentation evening at Massey University in Palmerston North. Horticultural companies such as Zespri, Horticul-

ture NZ and Fruit Fed supplies were the main ones offering horticultural scholarships.

Both undergraduate and postgraduate students received funding from a range of sources to help them continue their studies.

This was helped by a new scholarship funded by the will of Noeleen Olson and invested with the Massey Foundation. She was a teacher at

Roslyn School in Palmerston North for 28 years and was an enthusiastic member of the local horticultural society.

A total of $40,000 of scholarships, funded by Miss Olson, was presented to students.

Agricultural students were also well funded on the night, with sponsoring companies present including FMG, Agcarm, Norwood and Ravens-

down. Students interested in environmental issues within agriculture were funded by organisations such as Horizons Regional Council and the QEII Trust.

Many agricultural and horticultural students receive grants from charitable trusts and presentations were made to students receiving funding from the Ann Sinclair Charitable Trust, the Harwood Farm Trust,

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the Sydney Campbell Trust and the C Alma Baker Trust.

The Lord Bledisloe Prize, presented each year to the student who has the best grades after two years of study at Massey University in agriculture, horticulture or agribusiness was awarded to Hope Mauchline from Wanganui. – Peter Burke @rural_news facebook.com/ruralnews

RURAL NEWS // JUNE 1, 2021

NEWS 7

Migrants proving their worth SUDESH KISSUN sudeshk@ruralnews.co.nz

A HIGHLIGHT of this year’s Dairy Industry Awards was the high number of migrant workers vying for the national titles.

Federated Farmers president Andrew Hoggard says Manoj Kumar and Sumit Kamboj, the 2021 New Zealand Share Farmers of the Year, are typical of hard-working migrants who come to NZ for a better life.

He says migrants add immensely to their local communities – including training and attracting New Zealanders to dairy careers.

“I think they, and others, underline the quality and talent of migrants who choose our dairy sector in which to reach their dreams,” Hog-

gard told Rural News.

“Their achievements knock for six those who describe the work they do as low-skilled. As we debate, at national level, the role of migrant workers and border security, the success and contribution to our primary industries of these newcomers to our shores is sometimes overlooked,” he says.

Manoj Kumar and Sumit Kamboj say there are progression pathways in the dairy industry for those who work hard.

The brothers, 50/50 sharemilkers on two farms in Eketahuna, took out the top award at the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards night in Hamilton last month.

“There are lot of opportunities in the dairy industry but only if you work hard – like waking

Share Farmers of the Year Manoj Kumar (right) and Sumit Kamboj.

up early in the morning,” Manoj Kumar told Rural News.

Manoj, 34, and Sumit, 28, created history by becoming the first pair of brothers to win the cov-

eted title. They moved from India to NZ about 10 years ago.

Judge John Numan says the message he often hears is that there aren’t any progression pathways

because it’s too hard.

“But there are,” says Numan. “These people are achieving it because they have the right attitude that encourages their employers to pro-

mote and back them in their business.”

The 2021 Dairy Farmer of the Year is Christopher Vila. Philippinesborn Vila beat 10 other regional farm manager

finalists to pick up the award.

A trained vet, Vila moved to New Zealand 13 years ago. Starting as a farm assistant on a 1,200cow farm in Reporoa, he worked his way up to his current role seven years ago – a farm manager on a 340-cow family trust farm in Ohaupo, outside Hamilton.

Ruth Connolly, the 2021 Dairy Trainee of the Year, was described by the judges as a polished and engaging person. The judges said she is articulate, considered and concise with a broad understanding of different industry issues.

Connolly is a farm assistant on the Rukuhia Holdings Ltd – 259ha property at Ohaupo, milking 800 cows. @rural_news facebook.com/ruralnews

RURAL NEWS // JUNE 1, 2021

8 NEWS

Furniture company out to help lift wool prices DAVID ANDERSON

NEW ZEALAND’S strong wool sector is in the doldrums, with record low prices and little hope on the horizon.

For years, the sector has been looking for answers, with a library of reports and seemingly more working groups and committees formed on the subject than the current government has put in place since it was elected in 2017.

Ironically, one of the myriad of government working groups was actually set up to look at NZ’s ailing strong wool sector.

The outcome was yet another industry report and the establishment of the Strong Wool Action Group (SWAG), which has done quite a bit of talking, but provided little action – so far.

However, recent moves by some of the country’s manufacturers may help the strong wool sector turn the corner towards better and more sustainable prices.

Last year, carpet maker Bremworth announced that it would no longer manufacture synthetic floor coverings and only produce carpets and rugs made with 100% NZ wool. The company rolled its last synthetic

WHY SO LOW? SINCE 2017, spiralling low returns for strong wool have plagued the NZ sector.

During this period, wool prices have plummeted from around $5/kg in 2017 to less than $2/kg today. At this price level, most strong wool growers cannot even cover the cost of shearing their sheep.

Most of New Zealand’s strong wool is used to manufacture carpets for European and US homes and commercial buildings. Aside from the wool processed in New Zealand, most of the world’s supply is processed in China, where tightening environmental rules have pushed up the cost of processing.

In addition to this, the demand for woollen floor coverings – which tend to be more expensive – have never fully recovered in Europe after the Global Financial Crisis.

As a result of higher wool costs, carpet producers have tended to alter the blends of their mixed synthetic and natural materials to use less wool – further decreasing demand and prices for NZ strong wool.

carpet off the production line in May. Meanwhile, NZ Merino subsidiary Keravos is looking to commercialise a process to combine strong wool fibres with various polymers for use in injectionmoulding plastics.

Now one of the country’s largest bed and couch retailers has committed to paying New Zealand farmers a fair price for their wool, as part of its efforts to make its business more sustainable.

In recent months, Napier-based Big Save Furniture says it has seen huge consumer demand for its range of locally-

made furniture using New Zealand wool.

Managing director Tom McKimm says the company has committed to paying farmers a ‘fair price’ for their wool as part of Big Save’s sustainability efforts.

“The pricing we are seeing for wool simply isn’t sustainable, so we’ve decided to disrupt things a bit and commit to paying farmers $4.50/ kg for their wool,” he told Rural News.

“We’re doing this so we have a long-term supply of wool we can rely on, but also to help look after our primary sector and an industry that produces a phenom-

Big Save Furniture, one of the country’s largest bed and couch retailers, has committed to paying NZ farmers a fair price for their wool. Inset Big Save managing director Tom McKimm.

enal product.”

McKimm says strong wool growers need improved returns.

ANZ finances the company and its managing director of business banking, Lorraine Mapu, says along with paying farmers fair prices for wool, Big Save has also invested further in the sector.

Mapu told Rural News that the company’s commitment to NZ wool can be seen in its recent purchase of four sheep and

beef farms in the Ākitio, Hawkes Bay and Tararua regions.

“There’s no question they’ve got a real passion to get more dollars back to the farmgate,” she adds.

“We all know that farmers in the sector need improved returns, which supports more sustainable farming practises in the long run. So, it’s great to see this kind of innovation and investment going on.”

Mapu says ANZ – the country’s largest rural banker – not only helped Big Save with its financing, it also helped connect the company with key parts of the wool sector, right from the farm gate to process-

ing, to help it gain better knowledge and understanding of the NZ wool industry.

McKimm adds that Big Save is seeing strong consumer interest in what materials are being used in its products, where they are being made and where they will end up.

“People want transparency – they want to know where a product is coming from and what will happen to it in 40 years’ time, when it ends up in a landfill.”

He says wool’s natural qualities, including being fire retardant and hygienic, make it an ideal replacement for foam filling and padding in furniture.

“It is also biodegrad-

able, which means it is much easier and safer to dispose of at the end of its life.”

The company is also exploring other uses for wool including the installation of tightly-woven mats as fire-retardant ceiling panels or using them as a non-toxic alternative to weed-killer, to stop grass from smothering native saplings.

“Every avenue you go to with wool, you just start to say, ‘well, this is a no-brainer – why wasn’t this being done before?’,” says McKimm.

“We want to ensure our products are both sustainable and genuinely good for the environment. It’s not easy, but it can be done.”

FARMeRS to be tAxed iF they don’t SubSidiSe toWnieS The Climate Commission’s draft report calls for big cuts to methane emissions for no other reason than to offset CO2 emissions, which it states cannot be reduced fast enough. No scientific justification exists for the methane reduction targets the Government and the Commission propose. In fact: • The IPCC pathways the Commission and the Government relied on to set the 2050 emission reduction target of 24 to 47% by 2050 clearly state that these requirements are not based on atmospheric science but a combination of factors including offsetting emissions.

• The Commission admits that a constant rate of methane emissions is enough to stabilise temperatures.

• New Zealand’s methane levels are steadily falling.

They want you to reduce methane emissions, not because of global warming, but to subsidise CO2 emitters who are unable to reduce their emissions enough. And they will tax you if you don’t.

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RURAL NEWS // JUNE 1, 2021

NEWS 9

Stuffing the good out of wool

HONEST, HARDWORKING, NZ MADE LEGENDS

IN A minor coup for the struggling strong wool sector, one of New Zealand’s largest furniture manufacturers and retailers, Big Save Furniture, has committed to using more strong wool in its products and pay growers a fair price. David Anderson asked managing director Tom McKimm about the move.

• How much wool (total kg) is the company currently using a year?

So far, for the past 12 months, Big Save Furniture has purchased 40 tonnes of strong wool from one exclusive farm.

• Do you have a level or total you want to grow this to and over what timeframe?

At this stage, we only have one sofa supplier with three sofa ranges with our wool in it. Our wool beds are yet to hit the market so the growth in wool use inside of Big Save will be huge. Our goal is to have wool in most of our sofas, beds and other product ranges over the next couple of years. We have a number of offshore manufactures keen to use our wool layers in furniture manufacture to sell to other countries.

• What was the reasoning behind the company’s recent purchase of the four sheep and beef farms?

We believe in learning and being involved in any business unit from the ground up. There is no point in us telling farmers what to do or what we need if we are coming from an uneducated position. We believe with the right use of technology and the right mix of traditional farming methods the strong wool industry will prosper and wool will return to being a high yielding income stream for farms. The growth of our Big Rural Business, with the purchase of our own farms, shows that we are totally committed to what we are doing with NZ strong wool.

• Will these farms remain as sheep and beef producers or is the company planning to change their production?

They will be enhanced sheep and beef farms, with a focus on NZ strong wool and our positive ecological footprint. Using some of the latest technological methods in farming – along with proven traditional methods we aim to create showcase farming practices.

• Is the company seeing a greater demand from customers for woollen products?

Yes, since launching our EJP Wool Sofa range, the feedback and sales have been fantastic. Customers are caring more about the end of life with a product. As soon as you offer a customer a product that is no more expensive, but has the added advantages of wool, it’s kind of a no-brainer. Wool brings some properties that no other fibre can do in one package.

It’s flame retardant, moisture repellent, temperature regulating, biodegradable and every six to twelve months there is more of it available.

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• Why has Big Save decided to use more wool in its products?

Our product development team has been working on some exciting materials using with upcycled plastic from the ocean in a new selection of bedding in our Rest & Restore range. As we started growing the product development in upcycled plastics, we started researching other fibres. Wool became very apparent as a fantastic fibre to be using as a filler, liner and covering.

• What was the motivation for the company’s move to using more wool?

Big Save wants to grow more into sustainable and biodegradable products. We realise that we have a huge impact on the environment with our products once they have had a great life with a New Zealander.

We care about the next cycle of our sofas, beds and dining tables as they may go to landfills or be upcycled into something else. Wool has advantages with being both sustainable but also biodegradable, so if the sofa or bed ends its life in a landfill there is less negative long-term impact.

• What kind of products is the company producing with wool components?

We have some exciting goals with our wool business. Currently we are making wool layers that go into both beds and sofas.

These wool layers are inserted into beds for comfort, fire retardancy and thermo insultation properties. In the pipeline, we have some exciting developments with wool. We are currently working on replacing polystyrene balls in our bean bags with wool knops. We are working on different wool material coverings, both in texture and colours, as sofa materials. We are investigating the replacement of fibre in fibreglass with wool fibre for making dining chairs, sofa legs etc.

• How did you come up with the fair price value of $4.50/kg?

With our support office being based in Hawkes Bay, we know a lot of sheep and beef farmers. From looking at the historic prices of New Zealand strong wool and from talking to farmers about their break-even for shearing, we were able to set our $4.50 price. This price was set with the idea that the farmer can make good enough money to retain his sheep flock and not lose money. One of our goals from this project is that the $4.50 per kg price is a minimum price and if the market average goes above this, we know we are having some sort of positive impact.

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RURAL NEWS // JUNE 1, 2021

10 NEWS

Struggling through another drought PETER BURKE peterb@ruralnews.co.nz

EVEN THE weeds won’t grow.

That’s how bad the drought is in Hawkes Bay, according to Mike Connor who, along with his brother Peter, runs 1,000 one year-old bulls and a further 1,000 two year-old bulls across four farms in the Crownthorpe area, west of Hastings.

He told Rural News the last two years have been the most challenging time he’s experienced in the 15 years he’s been working on the farms.

Connor says they have fared slightly better this year over the previous season, but adds that it’s still been difficult keeping their operations going the way they want to.

One of the farms is located at Omapere, and

of the 250 hectares on that farm, 150ha is irrigated by water from the nearby Ngaruroro River.

As well as running bulls on this property, the Connors also grow 20ha of sweet corn for McCain Foods and this is forms part of their re-grassing policy. The other farms are further west – towards the Kaweka Ranges at Sherenden and Otamauri.

The brothers also graze on a further 200ha.

The farm at Omapere, where Mike Connor is based, was bought by his great-grandfather in 1908 after he emigrated from Ireland.

He says they are lucky given they have irrigation on Omapere. Last year, even that was far from the solution because for 65 days they were not able to irrigate due to low flows in the Ngaru-

Hawkes Bay farmer Mike Connor reckons the region is going through a similar pattern to what happened in the 1980s when it went through an extended dry phase for a number of years.

roro River from which they take water. This year it’s been better with only 21 days when water has been unavailable to them.

Looking back at the past records, Connor says the present situation appears to be sim-

ilar to what happened in the 1980s when the region went through an extended dry phase for a number of years.

“Back then the Havelock Hills were brown by show week and it seems like we are seeing this

again,” he told Rural News.

“We have had little bits of rain and, while that helps, the value of that soon disappears. But despite the fact that soil temperatures are still relatively high and any

rain would help, the reality is that on the unirrigated areas, the pastures that have not been regrassed in recent years have exhausted themselves and the chances of a recovery – like we had this time last year – is not

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as great.”

Connor says the new high performance varieties of ryegrass have higher leaf to root ratios than the older varieties and native grasses.

The new ryegrass varieties need better growing conditions, such as water and nutrients to perform and survive. He says while the older ryegrass varieties and native grass species may handle the stresses of drought conditions better, the problem is that they don’t grow in winter.

“On the dryland hill country the grass has a certain amount of reserve, but eventually that gets exhausted and that’s what we are seeing,” Connor explains.

“It was exhausted last year and now it’s happening again and I think that’s one of the big step changes we are seeing.”

RURAL NEWS // JUNE 1, 2021

NEWS 11

Feed plan and drought strategy to get through the winter PETER BURKE peterb@ruralnews.co.nz

DROUGHT HIT Mike and Peter Connor’s farms badly and this year their hill properties are parched again.

The difference in 2021 is that there are slightly higher pasture covers and more options available to them – such as irrigation and a better supply of supplements, but it’s still not easy.

On his iPhone is a graph showing declining soil moisture levels from Jan to now. They have a careful feed plan and drought strategy in place to see them though the winter.

“We are running about 15% less stock units than we normally would.

We are being very cautious about their feed intakes and we are trying to build cover or hold cover until it does rain,” Connor told Rural News.

“We are getting ready to start hard feeding.

At the moment, we are working on a 60 day rotation and feeding out supplements. But if we don’t get rain by the end of

this month, we will go to about a 200 day rotation so the stock will only get a small strip of grass and most of their feed will have to come off the tractor.”

The Connor brothers carry about 600 tonnes of grass silage, 300 tonnes of maize silage and around 500 big rounds of hay.

Last year, they spent around $200,000 on supplements (i.e. the combined cost of making hay and silage and buying in) and this year it will be around the $160,000 mark. They will also use a small amount of PKE to keep some of their weaners ticking over and save moving them to another farm with better quality pastures.

Mike Connor is a numbers and data man and after completing his degree at Lincoln University he spent time as a farm consultant and rural banker.

This, he says, gave him a good insight to what was happening on farms, and helps frame his own management strategy to deal with adverse events – such as the drought.

“The fat in the system is less than it used to be. Historically, on this class of country you would be running eight stock units per hectare as opposed to twelve now,” he explains. “So the

leeway then was greater because the animals you carried through a period had more fat on their backs and there would be rough feed about that could be used as a buffer.

Now days, every blade

of grass is accounted for, so unless you are carrying supplement and prepared to be dynamic you can get into trouble real fast.” @rural_news facebook.com/ruralnews

Mike Connor’s iPhone graph shows declining soil moisture levels from January to now.

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He says last year there was a great ‘drought shout’ at Sherenden where people came to a BBQ to have a beer and chat, and listen to some great speakers. He believes that it’s time for one again this year because farmers can feel isolated during these times.

Connor says rural professionals and the Rural Support Trust do a great job looking out for people in need and says other farmers can look after their mates too. But what worries him most is that mental health is such a taboo subject and people are very cautious about discussing it.

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RURAL NEWS // JUNE 1, 2021

12 NEWS

Synlait braces for heavy loss SUDESH KISSUN sudeshk@ruralnews.co.nz

LISTED CANTERBURY milk processor Synlait is heading towards its first financial loss ever, but is telling its farmer suppliers not to worry.

The company revealed last week that it now expects to make a net loss of between $20 million and $30 million for the financial year ending this July. Last year, Synlait recorded a net profit of $75 million.

The milk processor has had a challenging 18 months. Key stakeholder, and one of its major customers, the a2 Milk company downgraded its forecasts because of disrupted markets and problems with its key Chinese

market – leaving Synlait with large inventories of base powder and infant formula.

Synlait co-founder John Penno has returned to his former role of chief executive and is leading a reset of the business.

He says ultimately dairy companies need strong support from farmers and, at the same time, farmers never want to see their milk processor struggling.

Penno points out that Synlait has had nine strong years of profitability and the struggles are only short-term.

“We will return to profitability very quickly.

We will continue to work with our farmers and continue rewarding them for sustainability. We

CHANGES KEEP COMING

Synlait co-founder John Penno has returned to his former role of chief executive and is leading a reset of the business.

won’t disappoint them.”

Under Penno’s leadership, Synlait is going “back to the basics”.

While the company’s strategy remains in place, the new management team plans to focus on short-term targets.

“I don’t think we got anything wrong strategi-

cally, we are just moving away from long-term plans to execute shortterm ones.”

The company is looking at ensuring plants in Dunsandel and Pokeno operate at full capacity.

“The plants aren’t full…we need to operate them at near capacity,” Penno concedes.

Synlait has changed its full year forecast due to several factors.

The company has blamed ongoing shipping delays that will result in the sale of some ingredient products occurring post the FY21 balance date, as well as getting lower prices for ingredient products than it

LAST WEEK’S investor briefing was hosted by John Penno and new chief financial officer Rob Stowell.

Synlait has lost several key executives this year: in April chief executive Leon Clement suddenly quit after only two-and-a-half years in the role. Last month, Angela Dixon resigned as chief financial officer after only 12 months in the role.

would normally expect, relative to prevailing market prices through a combination of sales phasing and volume pressure.

The company says it has no plans to raise capital.

Synlait’s banking syndicate continues to be supportive and has granted a waiver of relevant covenants this finance year.

Penno says the company is working constructively with the syndicate to ensure it has the appropriate funding for the next financial year.

“I am disappointed to share this news with our investor base. As a team we are focused on closing out this year as well as we can, then resetting, and delivering a muchimproved financial performance in FY22.”

TREES AND DROUGHT SLOW SPREAD PETER BURKE peterb@ruralnews.co.nz

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TOP DRESSING today is pretty much at the same level as it was pre-Covid, according to the Agricultural Aviation Association (AAA).

However, AAA chair Tony Michelle says that while fertiliser is still being spread on hill properties around the country, there is sense of cautiousness among farmers.

“Everybody I have spoken to in the last few months has said: ‘We’ve got work on’ – although it’s not coming out of their ears,” he told Rural News. “They still have got work and I don’t think there is any significant downturn in the year.”

Michelle says two things that are having an impact on his industry are the current drought and the

sale of good farmland to be turned into forestry.

He says while the agricultural aviation industry is surviving moderately well, operators who run an air transport business are struggling more because of Covid and the lack of international tourists.

“It’s fair to say that farmers want to keep the land going and also the Government has invested in weed and pest control on Crown land,” he adds. “That has obviously benefited the helicopter guys doing work in the wilding pine space.”

However, Michelle reckons the drought will be the biggest thing for the industry to cope with during the next 12 months.

On the east coast of the North Island, Andrew Hogarth is managing director of Farmers Air, based out of Gisborne. His fleet of four PAC 750 aircraft service farms in

the region, from roughly Wairoa to the East Cape. He says the drought has had some impact on his business.

“This has had a little bit of an impact on our work flows,” Hogarth told Rural News. “I wouldn’t say it’s been a hectic autumn, but the dry has been isolated and patchy with some areas dry and some not too bad.”

But he detects a cautious mood among farmers, saying uncertainty with prices, international markets and logistical issues are also starting to play on their minds. Hogarth believes this is leading some farmers to be conservative about putting on fertiliser.

However, driving around the east coast – and into Hawkes Bay – there are aircraft busily topdressing, which would indicate that the industry is at least ticking over.

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RURAL NEWS // JUNE 1, 2021

14 NEWS

New national standard for wool A NEW NZ National Standard for Wool has been established, under the New Zealand Farm Assurance Programme (NZFAP).

Fifteen new wool companies have signed up to the NZFAP, which provides assurance to customers and consumers about the integrity, traceability, biosecurity, food safety, environmental sustainability and animal health and welfare of New Zealand’s primary sector products.

The 15 wool companies join 17 red meat processors, one other wool company, a sheep milk

company, Beef + Lamb NZ (B+LNZ) and Deer Industry NZ (DINZ) who are already in the programme.

It will enable the new wool industry members to adopt the NZFAP as a NZ National Standard for wool. There are currently around 8,000 NZFAPcertified sheep, beef, and deer farmers, with about 6,500 farming sheep.

Membership of the NZFAP means that all wool companies that sign up will immediately have access to Farm Assured wool from these 6,500 properties. For farmers there is no change as

Craig Smith of National Council of New Zealand Wool Interests says the new national standard is a great opportunity for the wool industry.

New Zealand Farm Assurance Incorporated (NZFAI), which

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owns the NZFAP, and the National Council of New Zealand Wool Interests (NCNZWI), have signed a Memorandum of Understanding which has paved the way for membership.

NZFAI chair Nick Beeby says extending the NZFAP certification to wool companies galvanises the primary industry

collaborative power into a single and robust New Zealand assurance story.

“We’re all telling the same origin and assurance story, which the wool exporters can now share with their discerning manufacturers and retail brand owners.

This initiative creates a single multi-sector assurance standard, eliminates duplication, and further reduces cost, which have been NZFAI priorities from the beginning.”

Beeby claims the adoption of the NZFAP as a national standard for wool will also help to drive consistency in grower standards and provide a platform for the standardisation of New Zealand wool and command a price premium for the benefit of growers.

NCNZWI Craig Smith says it’s a great opportu-

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nity for the wool industry to leverage off this foundation and establish a complementary National Standard for wool.

“The development of a unified New Zealand wool assurance standard will support increased differentiation and demand for New Zealand wool in the global marketplace,” he adds.

“This provides the value-chain assurances we need around land management, origin, traceability, animal health and welfare and gives us the ability to work with the red meat sector to make this happen.”

Smith concedes that the wool sector has been under-performing in a challenging consumer market, but believes this move creates a unique and compelling value proposition for New Zealand wool.

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RURAL NEWS // JUNE 1, 2021

NEWS 15

Farmers fill skill gap DAVID ANDERSON

FINDING AND training skilled workers is a growing problem in many parts of the NZ economy and the sheep and beef farming sector is no exception.

However, instead of sitting around and bemoaning this fact, a number of like-minded sheep and beef producers from around the country have decided to do something about it.

They have established the Growing Future Farmers (GFF) charitable trust, which aims to provide industry-led, on-the-job training and work for young people keen to enter the sheep, beef and deer farming sectors.

“Evidence from farm employers and recruitment agencies indicate a considerable shortfall of well-trained people entering the industry over the last decade,” GGF trust board chair John Jackson told Rural News.

“The flow-on effect results in substantially reduced capabilities through all levels of management and employment on-farm, and consequently, an inability of the farm business to operate at a high level.”

Jackson, a North Waikato sheep and beef farmer, believes this lack of investment has meant lost opportunity for rural people, communities, industries, and ultimately, New Zealand. He points

More info For young people keen on finding out more about the GFF training programme, or farmers interested in signing up as farm trainers go to: www.growingfuturefarmers. co.nz

to a report published in 2019 by the Industry Advisory Group (IAG), established by the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) as part of its Primary Sector Skills Education and Investment program, which called for transformational change to stimulate learner demand. This included an increased awareness of career opportunities in the primary sector and ensures sector education, skills and training needs are provided more effectively.

This is where GFF comes in, with its model to deliver industry training that is financially accessible, industryrespected and employerled. Initially started with the support of Provincial Growth Fund backing, Jackson and his other trust board members identified there was an urgent need in the sheep, beef and deer sectors to give young people the chance to learn basic farming skills on the job, without the pressure of having to justify a full salary.

Jackson says the GFF model is about raising the standard of fit for work, educated and reliable

GFF trust board chair John Jackson says the program aims to provide industry-led, on-the-job training and work for young people keen to enter the sheep, beef and deer farming sectors.

farm workers.

“It’s not about bums on seats, but quality and delivering the skillset the industry requires.”

The GFF programme offers an array of specialised industry training and development – from entry level right through to advanced and business management.

The on-the job training is complemented with formal NZQA learning

that includes classroom lectures, independent study and group sessions. GFF students are offered the opportunity to work alongside experienced farmers who have signalled their support of the programme by taking on students.

For students, the GFF essential farm skills programme is a two year course, consisting of 42-44 weeks each year

– starting in late January and ending in early December – and all at zero fees.

The programme comprises of practical workplace training and development, NZQA Level 3 qualifications, along with pastoral care and support. It is supported by registered farms and farm trainers around the country, teaching on-farm.

Since beginning as a pilot programme in 2017, GFF has grown from very small beginnings and is picking up and gaining momentum. Applications for the 2021 intake saw 150 students and 50 farm trainers around the country interviewed.

Next year will see 45 second-year and 64 firstyear GGF students in eight regions throughout NZ.

Jackson says the GFF is now an established and proven, practical training model.

“It’s a proactive programme guided by farmer employers who understand what is required in their graduates,” he explains. “GFF is committed to lifting awareness and providing opportunities for careers in the food and fibre sector.”

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RURAL NEWS // JUNE 1, 2021

16 AGRIBUSINESS

New kiwfruit breeding JV PETER BURKE peterb@ruralnews.co.nz

MOVES ARE well underway to establish a new Kiwifruit Breeding Centre (KBC) – a joint venture between Plant and Food Research (PFR) and Zespri – designed to speed up the process of developing new and improved kiwifruit varieties.

A target of July 1 has been set to launch the JV. The first objective is for Plant and Food to obtain ministerial approval, agreements signed and then for the appointment of an independent chairperson to lead the new entity. From there will follow the creation of a board comprising representatives of both Zespri and Plant and Food.

Zespri’s Carol Ward says about 50 staff from

the partner organisations will join KBC and these staff are now being spoken to about their roles.

“KBC will bring together the best of the science expertise from PFR, along with market demand and commercial aspect through Zespri to develop the next generation of new cultivars for the industry,” she told Rural News.

“Breeding plants is a long term game and we use traditional plant breeding methods, which typically take 12 years – right through from seedling to commercialisation,” Ward explains.

“With KBC, we are looking at ways to speed that up, potentially using technology. The aim is to create better and more successful varieties – including ones that may

A joint venture between Plant and Food Research and Zespri is aimed at speeding up the development of new and improved kiwifruit varieties.

be more robust to changing climatic conditions or meet different consumer demands in the market.”

Ward says the focus of KBC will to be to work closely with PFR, which will continue to do other

science-based work for Zespri. She says the work will be driven by Zespri, which has more than

half its staff based overseas and who do extensive market foresight and insight research into con-

sumer trends looking at the needs today and into the future.

Ward says they will feed this knowledge back to KBC. Zespri will continue to hold the intellectual property and licencing rights for any new varieties of kiwifruit.

“We have the aspiration to have the world’s leading portfolio of cultivars in the market,” she explains. “That includes not only our gold variety, but a great performing green cultivar and the red one we launched last year.”

Ward says they are already doing exploratory research on kiwi berries – the snack type of kiwifruit. “It’s fair to say that SunGold is very successful and we are challenging ourselves to say, ‘what’s the next generation of SunGold?’.”

Update from Beef + Lamb New Zealand

By Andrew Morrison, Chairman

We are asking the Government to delete the low-slope map and replace it with a general requirement that regional councils would be required to give effect to.

This could be implemented through a freshwater farm plan that includes stock exclusion where required, based on risk to water quality in any given paddock as affected by stocking rates, slope and soil characteristics, feasibility of fencing or other exclusion measures and alternative mitigations such as sediment traps, wetlands and riparian zones.

Meanwhile, we are seeking a further pause on the introduction of any new environmental rules like biodiversity.

It has been a busy few weeks for the Beef + Lamb New Zealand team over the past few weeks. Voting is now underway on the B+LNZ referendum and I encourage farmers to attend a roadshow meeting.

While referendum planning has been ongoing, we haven’t lost sight of fighting on the issues farmers tell us are important to them. We have been working closely with other agricultural organisations on water, climate change and biodiversity policies.

It’s vital that we do this as we are stronger together.

We’re concerned about the stock exclusion regulations, in particular the low slope map introduced last year as part of the freshwater reforms, and have been working closely with Federated Farmers, DairyNZ and Deer Industry New Zealand on this.

The low slope map currently identifies hundreds of thousands of hectares of hill and high-country land as low slope and therefore requiring stock to be excluded. The map also captures significant areas of land with very low stocking rates.

“Farmers have enough to deal with on water and climate change, now is not the time to introduce new rules.”

We’re also pursuing changes to the original proposals so that farmers’ biodiversity should be an asset not a liability. We want a framework that encourages and supports landowners to look after indigenous biodiversity and rewards and empowers landowners.

The definition of a significant natural area must also be reduced so it doesn’t cover entire farms and allows for production and biodiversity to co-exist.

In the coming weeks, look out for our report on carbon farming.

It shows a disturbing growth in the number of sheep and beef farms being converted into carbon farms. We’re adamant there needs to be limits on how much fossil fuel emitters can offset, as advised by the Climate Change Commission. Until next time.

PAID CONTENT

MPI Update

Help available for farmers dealing with drought Two important services backed by the Ministry for Primary Industries are available to help farmers who are grappling with drought conditions.

Karen Adair, MPI’s deputy director-general Agriculture and Investment Services, says farmers should make the most of the available support.

“The Feed Co-ordination Service helps source supplementary feed and grazing for farmers with an immediate need.

People with surplus feed can also list it for sale to help farmers who need it.

“There are also farmers who need help doing a feed budget to get them through winter.

They can receive free support through the Feed Planning Service, which can be accessed by free-phoning Beef and Lamb NZ (0800 BEEFLAMB) or DairyNZ (0800 4 DairyNZ).”

Hawke’s Bay sheep and beef farmer Bruce Goldstone, who has used the national Feed Co-ordination Service, recommends it to other farmers.

“If it had not been for friends and the baleage we sourced through the Feed Co-ordination Service we would have been in serious trouble,” Mr Goldstone says.

“I could not fault the organisation of the service. It was a lifesaver and

Bruce Goldstone

I will be forever grateful.”

Mr Goldstone says through the service, he sourced 100 round bales of grass silage from Waikato and the South Island.

Karen Adair says NIWA has predicted below-average rainfall in parts of New Zealand over the next few months and it’s important for people to plan ahead, and seek help where required. An extra $900,000

has been allocated to ensure support services can continue and wellbeing assistance will be available to farmers affected by drought.

For more detail on adverse events, including drought, visit https:// www.mpi.govt.nz/funding-rural-support/adverse-events/.

National feed coordinator Kate Wood can be contacted on 027 455 5204 or kate@ruraldirections.co.nz

Wallaby eradication to provide benefits for farmers Farmers will see the benefits of stepped-up efforts to wipe out Wallabies – including more usable pasture, increased productivity, and a welcome respite for native and plantation forests.

A National Wallaby Eradication Programme, run

by Biosecurity New Zealand, with $27.4 million of funding over four years, is working to stop the pest in areas including the Waikato, Bay of Plenty, South Canterbury and Otago.

John Sanson, Biosecurity New Zealand’s Manager for Pest Management, says work is under way with Land Information New Zealand, the Department of Conservation, regional councils, iwi, and farmers to stop wallabies spreading beyond known containment areas. That work sits alongside improving existing wallaby control methods and developing new ones.

Once containment is achieved, the focus will then shift to reducing the populations, with a long-term goal of eradication.

“Wallabies occupy some of our biggest and most challenging landscapes. Their nocturnal, elusive habits make them extremely difficult to find and control,” he says.

What’s involved?

Wallabies are a very mobile target. A combination of tracking dogs, thermal cameras and following up on farmer and public reporting, is being used to search for and identify populations.

Mr Sanson says over the next year the national programme will use $6.2 million of funding to deliver surveillance and control operations. “The

Photo credit: DOC/Crown copyright

Drought classifications as at 1 June, 2021 ➧ Added to the classification, with extra support until 30 November: Mid Canterbury, South Canterbury, Otago. ➧ Support extended until 30 November: Marlborough, North Canterbury, the Chatham Islands. ➧ Support continued until 30 June, when it will be reviewed: Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay, Wellington, Nelson and Tasman regions, and Manawatu, Rangitikei and Tararua districts.

In brief...

Top of their game

MPI is proud to sponsor the Ahuwhenua Trophy awards. Congratulations to this year’s winners for the top Māori Dairy farm, Tataiwhetu Trust located in the Ruatoki Valley south of Whakatane. The winner of this year’s Ahuwhenua Young Māori Farmer Award for dairy is Quinn Morgan. Quinn is 26 and this is his first season of farming working as a Farm Assistant for Sam and Kate Moore on their 155ha farm in Otakiri near Whakatane.

Budget funding

MPI received extra funding in this year’s Budget aimed at helping farmers and growers meet sustainability targets and boost revenue.

That included: $37 million towards developing a national integrated farm planning system for farmers and growers, to help make it simpler for people to meet requirements and $24 million towards agricultural greenhouse gas mitigation research and development.

See you at Fieldays

Come see us at Fieldays in the Fieldays Pavilion. Our site will focus on MPI’s role in New Zealand’s Covid-19 recovery and the work we are doing with the sectors to drive growth and improve sustainability.

Primary sector work wallaby is a tough foe but everyone can help rid New Zealand of this unwelcome pest by reporting sightings – dead, alive, poo or prints – at www. reportwallabies.nz. “

MPI continues to help attract Kiwis to primary sector jobs careers and training, via our ‘Opportunity Grows Here’ campaign. We’ve worked with a range of sector groups, including horticulture, dairy, forestry, fisheries and others to highlight the opportunities available. By the end of May, the OGH website had been viewed almost 390,000 times, and almost 5,300 people placed in employment.

RURAL NEWS // JUNE 1, 2021

18 OPINION EDITORIAL

EDNA

Yawn!

BUDGET 2021, for the primary and rural sector, was basically a non-event.

While disappointing, it was not surprising.

One would have thought that as the primary sector led and continues to lead NZ out of the Covid economic crisis we face, the people running the country would show more interest in it. As Federated Farmers says: it is the agriculture sector that bankrolled the Budget’s “big spending”.

Mind you, the last thing the farming sector needs is more government interference. It is already feeling the negative impacts of this in the form of freshwater reforms, winter grazing rules, carbon taxation and the refusal to budge on allowing in more migrant workers into the country.

Some have rather irreverently termed last month’s Budget as ‘The Bludget’ – in reference to the $3.5 billion handed out by the Government in benefit top-ups. While it might be a little churlish to begrudge those at the bottom of the ladder some financial relief, it says something about the current Government’s mindset and priorities when it is more focused on redistributing the country’s wealth than growing it!

The only thing of real interest to the primary sector was the $60 million (over four years) that was allocated towards lowering agricultural emissions and developing a national farm planning system. This included $37m towards national integrated farm planning system for farmers and growers, $24m towards agricultural greenhouse gas mitigation research and development, and $900,000 to collect vital statistics on agricultural production, such as greenhouse gas emissions.

DairyNZ has rightly described Budget 2021 as a missed opportunity with nothing new or transformational for farmers or rural communities.

DairyNZ’s Jenny Cameron says there was “very little new funding” to help farmers improve the environment work they were already doing onfarm.

She also points to no investment in initiatives to help build resilience in rural communities – particularly digital connectivity, biosecurity and rural mental health.

On the rural health front, there was nothing – despite the increasing incidence of mental health and other issues affecting the rural sector.

As the New Zealand Rural General Practice Network says, there was nothing in the Budget to address the ‘post code lottery’ where the treatment is determined by where you live.

Despite there being no real recognition of the primary sector in Budget 2021, farmers and growers will keep on producing and building the wealth the country desperately needs.

RURALNEWS TO ALL FARMERS, FOR ALL FARMERS

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“I’m struggling with how to go to Fieldays and not buy something!”

Want to share your opinion or gossip with the Hound?

Send your emails to: hound@ruralnews.co.nz

THE HOUND David Who?

Nervous Nellie’s

Dreaming!

Animal crackers!

YOUR OLD mate hears that the question, who exactly who is the National Party’s ag spokesman, is one of the biggest mysteries in farming circles since the rabbit calicivirus was illegally released back in 1997. According to the Hound’s sources, a recent series of farmer meetings found that more than 70% of those attending couldn’t name who National’s ag spokesman is. In an effort uncover the truth, this old mutt has done some tireless research and discovered that the invisible man is actually one David Bennett.

Apparently Bennett’s been an MP since 2005 and was tossed out by the electors of Hamilton at the last election, but snuck back into parliament via the party list. Bennett is supposedly a ‘close personal friend’ of Judith Collins and better known by the moniker FU – which stands for F#@&ing Useless! Which is totally appropriate, considering his complete invisibility.

THE HOUND understands that there is a fair bit of consternation and nerves among the big farming lobby groups – namely Feds, Beef+Lamb and DairyNZ – that they are ‘losing the room’ in terms of farmer support. These groups have copped a lot of flak from their levypayers for being ‘too cosy’ with the Government and not pushing back hard enough on policies like greenhouse gas, water and other proposed reforms.

This is particularly worrisome for Beef+Lamb, which is facing a levy vote later this year. Things have got so bad that Groundswell NZ recently came out and denied it was not trying to undermine the farming levy collecting industry bodies. Groundswell spokesman Bryce McKenzie warned farmers that, “if levy votes are lost, it could be quite damaging to farming”. However, he did go on to emphasise that the farming sector needed “one, strong, united voice”.

YOUR CANINE crusader reckons the recent immigration reset by the Government, restricting the inflow of ‘low-skilled’ migrant workers into the country, is not only myopic and ideological but also poorly thoughtout policy. The union powerbrokers – who run and control the Labour Party – mistakenly believe that turning off the tap to ‘low-skilled’ migrants will see all the vacant jobs in the horticulture, farming and other sectors suddenly filled by hordes of ‘hard working’, unemployed Kiwis. That is fanciful. One only has to look at the evidence from last year, when Covid closed our borders, and the number of unharvested apples, kiwifruit and grapes that were left to rot, and the rural contractors who could not get tractor drivers.

Those with the mistaken belief that all migrant workers coming to NZ to work on farms are ‘low-skilled’ should take a good look at this year’s NZ Dairy Industry Awards winners!

THIS OLD mutt suggests that if you ever wondered to understand just how crazy the nutjobs who make up animal activist group PETA are, then take a look at their latest call.

The group has demanded that mice currently plaguing rural parts of Australia not be killed in the name of “human supremacy”. PETA spokesperson Aleesha Naxakis told a media outlet that the “bright, curious animals are just looking for food to survive” and that “they shouldn’t be robbed of that right because of the dangerous notion of human supremacy”. Naxakis suggested instead of poisoning the “innocent” rodents, farmers should set up humane traps to gently catch and release the mice unharmed. However, Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack​pretty much nailed it when he told media the “real rats” in this plague are the “people who come out with bloody stupid ideas like this”.

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

RURAL NEWS // JUNE 1, 2021

OPINION 19

HOW DO WE DEFINE A

True Triple WITH A WINNING HAND

Nothing – not even a hug!

TIM GILBERTSON

JACINDA BREEZED in to town recently, with Damien in tow.

Following his triumphant decapitation of the live export trade, Damien was presumably looking for another prospering rural enterprise to put the taiaha into.

But mother nature’s drought is successfully doing the job for him. So, he would have left disappointed.

The PM greeted local councillors and discussed the success of the mayoral task force for jobs, which has created 12 new positions. Loud applause. Then she visited a regenerative dairy farm.

What she did not do was look out the window of the ministerial BMW and say: “My God! You are having another massive drought leading to the massive long term economic and social damage to the entire region. We must act on water storage at once!”

Which, to be honest, was unsurprising but sad. Because just up the road is the much abused, shovel-ready Makaroro dam – a vital component of the Ruataniwha Water Storage Scheme. The RWSS, some may remember, was proposed by the HB Regional Council in 2010. It would generate 6.5 megawatts of renewable energy – worth $3 million at 2010 prices. It would increase the summer low flows in the Tukituki river, irrigate 25,000 hectares of land, create 3,000 sustainable jobs in the sustainable primary sector – with environmental safeguards comprising the tightlyregulated land use under Plan Change 6. The dam was kyboshed by a political party, set up and funded by a Hastings orchardists’ lobby. They said that money on water storage should be spent in their patch, not down the road.

Their representatives, calling themselves Rex and the Romans, included an ex Labour Party MP and cabinet minister Rick Barker. At first, those four councillors supported the dam. Then in 2016, without any explanation, they became vehemently opposed. Garnering support from green groups nationwide, they steamrolled the dam proponents and in 2018, after spending $24 million of public funds, the project was cancelled.

Unfortunately, the problem remained and they set up another group to look for

an answer. This group reported back in September last year. After further exhaustive research, they declared that the RWSS was still far and away the best long term solution for the current and future water crisis!

The council ignored them. When Covid and the first drought hit, shovelready projects became the rage. The RWSS was never considered – because of the political embarrassment it would cause if, God forbid, our leaders were to admit they were wrong. So much for the climate crisis, proclaimed by both the Government and the regional council.

Instead of a dam generating hydroelectricity, we import 275,000 tonnes of coal to fire up Huntly and millions of litres of diesel to crank up Whirinaki. Sorry, planet earth!

In the meantime, HBRC – with Rick Barker as deputy chair – has decided that a water storage dam in Hawkes Bay is a good idea indeed. As long as it is near Hastings. And low and behold, HBRC is currently investing in plans for a 3-million cubic metre dam to address water security on the Heretaunga plains.

Rick won’t be supervising the project, as he was recently appointed chair of the West Coast DHB. Curiously, they couldn’t find someone closer to Hokitika to do the job!

Looking out the other window, as she rolled past understaffed dairy farms, the PM might have noticed leagues of unpicked apples and distraught rural contractors kicking idle farm machinery.

“My goodness,” she might have cried.

“We’ve let in movie stars, film technicians, Russian fishermen, Russian oligarchs and others of that ilk. We must also let in the RSE workers, milk maids and tractor drivers upon which our economy relies. For they will power our debt-riddled economy back into prosperity.”

But she didn’t. Nary a whisper. So, her visit was disappointing. Confirming that dogma dictates decisions, while reason runs for cover. Grass doesn’t need water.

Tractors don’t need drivers. Regenerative farming makes Lincoln redundant. Maori wards will make gangs evaporate. Pine forests make air travel harmless. Nevertheless, we pray that rain and sanity may one day return to us here in drought land.

Recent advertising

by Alleva Animal Health, titled

“How do you define a true triple?”

suggests the actives in a combination sheep drench should work as well together, as they would if you had time to administer them individually, to be a “true triple”.

Alleva also claims older triple drenches never had to prove they meet that standard.

We may have “older” triple drenches, but most farmers know with age comes wisdom.

When MATRIX® HI-MINERAL was registered in NZ in 2005, the regulator was provided with studies that showed all 3 of the main actives were individually safe and

effective when combined in the product. As you would expect with registration of the pioneer triple active sheep drench in NZ.

That’s why we stand proudly behind the MATRIX® brand and why we call MATRIX® the TRUSTED TRIPLE.

MATRIX® HI-MINERAL and the MATRIX® family of products remain the most popular triple active mineralised oral drenches for sheep in the NZ market today. FACT.

MATRIX® the TRUSTED TRIPLE since 2005.

MATRIX® Hi-Mineral, MATRIX® Mini-Dose Hi-Mineral, Iver MATRIX® Mini-Dose Hi-Mineral, Iver MATRIX® Tape Hi-Mineral and MATRIX® TAPE Hi-Mineral represent the MATRIX® Sheep family made here in New Zealand for New Zealand sheep farmers.

PROUDLY AVAILABLE FROM YOUR LOCAL PARTICIPATING VETERINARY CLINIC Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health New Zealand Limited. Level 3, 2 Osterley Way, Manukau, Auckland, New Zealand. MATRIX® is a registered trademarks of the Boehringer Ingelheim Group. Registered pursuant to the ACVM Act 1997, No’s. A009390, A010132, A009418, A011065 & A010120. © Copyright 2021 Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health New Zealand Limited. All rights reserved. NZ-OVI-0002-2021.

RURAL NEWS // JUNE 1, 2021

20 OPINION

Where’s the dollars and sense?

WITH ALL the hype around the benefits of regenerative agriculture, a significant aspect appears to be missing – economics.

We hear about farmer wellbeing. Sometimes we hear about production.

But where are the accounts?

If the approach and rethink about systems is so good, why is the income side missing in discussion?

Most of us understand that Country Calendar is now more about lifestyles and people stories than working farms (with the occasional exceptions).

COMMENT

Jacqueline Rowarth

AT TRACTIVE RETURNS FOR YOUR FARM, FAMILY AND FUTURE.

RNZ’s CountryLife is tending the same way.

Both are focused on motivating an audience, which is mostly urban, to tune in.

But the farmer who is trying to make a living and is being barraged with the regenerative stories deserves some

New Zealand dollar figures. These are nowhere to be found.

Some examples of success used in the media recently have suggested that pasture production has increased, without giving an indication of starting point.

Others have shown

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TRACTA_DLC63716_NZ_AC_RN

that production per animal has increased, without indicating the stocking rate. Statements about animal health bills decreasing do not necessarily reflect the health of the animals (ask a veterinarian…).

And assurances of increased wellbeing and resilience are selfassessed.

In the Australian research that is the basis for some of the statements, the improved scoring in well-being – despite increased financial stress – reflected consultant support.

The research was funded by the National Environmental Science Program and ‘resilience’ was described as ‘not changing very much’.

Using the same data and comparing it with a national database, the Australian Farm Institute (AFI) calculated that the opportunity cost of biological resilience was A$2.46 million over a decade – a quarter of a million Australian dollars a year.

This was because the conventional farmers were able to optimise management during different seasons, including drought years, whereas the regenerative farmers were constrained by being prepared for the worst case.

The research was published as “Graziers with better profitability, biodiversity and wellbeing”. The AFI also pointed out that profitability per ewe is not the same as profitability per hectare.

Further, no causative link between ecological condition and farm profitability was identified (biodiversity was assumed not measured) and well-being was not assessed on objective criteria.

Of further concern should be that most of the people being interviewed in the media urging uptake of regenerative agriculture do not rely on farming for their survival.

They have been successful in other activities or are making money from consultancy assisting farmers to

change ‘for the better’.

Despite these clear difficulties, reassurances given by people who appear to know the subject are persuasive and accepted.

They are receiving a considerable amount of airtime and the interviewers are not asking the hard questions.

This doesn’t mean that they shouldn’t be asked.

Align Farming is one of the few examples indicating that all might not be as rosy as presented by advocates, but these accounts have not yet been shared. At the moment, we have statements such as ‘expensive’ and ‘can put a strain on feed supply to have big areas out’.

We also have a considerable number of New Zealand agricultural scientists from various backgrounds of soil, plant, animal, environment and economics, questioning these stories for detail.

The irony is that agricultural scientists have been told by regenerative agriculture advocates that we can’t understand because we are ‘reductionist’ and the system needs to be regarded ‘holistically’… yet what we are being presented with is parts of the whole; nobody is able to join up the dots or complete the jigsaw. The dollars are missing.

A simple call to ‘open the books’ might be all that is needed to help farmers make decisions.

Then scientists could focus on improving what is already a worldbeating system (whatever aspect of soil, plant, animal, environment or economics you choose), rather than being distracted by assertions.

Farmer well-being certainly needs attention, but that will be fixed by acknowledging great work, not by putting income under threat with unsubstantiated promises.

• Dr Jacqueline Rowarth, Adjunct Professor Lincoln University, is a farmerelected director of DairyNZ and Ravensdown. The analysis and conclusions above are her own. jsrowarth@gmail.com @rural_news facebook.com/ruralnews

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RURAL NEWS // JUNE 1, 2021

22 AHUWHENUA AWARDS

Trophy win elates trust boss award is a launching pad for this initiative,” he told Rural News. “All the assistance that is coming through from government has helped elevate us to new levels so we can achieve those sorts of things.”

While Nikora was born on a dairy farm, most of

PETER BURKE peterb@ruralnews.co.nz

TATAIWHETU TRUST chairman Paki Nikora is elated to have won this year’s Ahuwhenua trophy for the top Maori dairy farm.

He never thought the trust would reach such heights in the agricultural sector. Nikora says Maori tend to belittle themselves all the time. However, when push came to shove, the trust decided to give it a go and enter the competition.

There were scenes of great excitement as Tataiwhetu, which runs an organic dairy farm in the Ruatoki Valley, south of Whakatane, was announced the winner and presented with the trophy by the Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor.

his working life was spent in business away from the farm.

Now, he and his fellow trustees to not only make decisions, but also get their hands dirty and work on the farm. Nikora has been chairman of the trust since 2009 and in that time has initiated

many changes, which has led to improvements to the farm.

In 2010 it won a Ballance Farm Environment Award for the creation of special places on the farm – including the protection and enhancement of wetlands, landscape features and historical places.

PASSION ON SHOW Tataiwhetu Trust chair Paki Nikora with the Ahuwhenua trophy for the top Maori dairy farm of the year award. PHOTO CREDIT: ALPHAPIX

When Nikora was presented with the trophy there were scenes of great jubilation as whānau came on stage to join in the celebrations, which included waiata and a haka. Tataiwhetu runs 432 Kiwi cross cows and carries 188 replacement stock on its two support blocks. They milk once-a-day with the herd

producing 129,140 kgMS a year.

The other finalists were Pouarua Farms, which runs 4,600 cows run on nine separate farms located near the township of Ngatea on the Hauraki Plains and Tunapahore B2A Incorporation, a 385 cow operation located at Torere on State Highway

35, on the East Coast of the North Island.

Nikora says Tataiwhetu’s biggest drive now is diversification and it is starting to look and see what that might be in the future.

“As far at Tuhoe is concerned, we are trying to lift the whole image of our iwi into another space and winning this

HOME OF RURAL NEW ZEALAND

AGRICULTURE MINISTER Damien O’Connor says if the people on the other side of the world could see what’s happening in NZ, it would give then an understanding of the passion we have for the land and what we are trying to do in terms of development.

“At the awards dinner, the Japanese Ambassador said it was a wonderful night because it gave him an insight into some of the history of Maori culture and the land, which he compared to what happens in some places in Japan,” O’Connor told Rural News. “I guess inviting more people to be exposed to that would be a wonderful development.”

O’Connor believes NZ has the opportunity to be unique in the world and part of that is incorporating Maori values in the partnership that is NZ. He says values such as Manaakitanga – respect, humility, kindness and honesty; Kaitiakitanga – meaning guardianship and protection and Te Taiao – the environment that contains

and surrounds us are special values.

O’Connor claims that, right across the world, people are recognising the importance of health and food and this puts NZ in a good position as a food producing nation.

He says NZ has to do the right thing, which is about the protecting our land, water, cultural and social values and contribute to making the world and our country a better place.

“But it’s not just about moving from volume to value but from volume to values and connecting with the values of our consumers,” he adds.

In his speech at the awards function, Damien O’Connor praised the winners Tataiwhetu Trust as well as the other finalists. He also praised the contribution John Luxton has made to the dairy industry.

Luxton is very ill but came along to the awards evening. O’Connor described him as a stalwart and champion of the dairy industry.

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RURAL NEWS // JUNE 1, 2021

AHUWHENUA AWARDS 23

Fast rise to fame for young farmer PETER BURKE peterb@ruralnews.co.nz

HE’S ONLY been in the dairy industry for just over a year, but that hasn’t stopped 26-yearold Quinn Morgan from taking out the Ahuwhenua Young Māori Dairy Farmer of the year award.

Morgan is in his first season of farming, working as a farm assistant for Sam and Kate Moore on their 155ha farm in Otakiri near Whakatane, where they milk 570 cross breed cows.

The other two finalists were Anahera Hale and Ben Purua.

Morgan says he felt humbled at winning the award. He says not

Quinn Morgan was named as the Ahuwhenua Young Maori Dairy Farmer of the year. CREDIT: ALPHAPIX

everyone gets such a good start as he did – especially getting such good employers. It was a big week for him and his wife Samantha and he is grateful for the opportunities.

Morgan was born in Taumarunui. In 2007, he

moved with his mother, stepfather and sister to Australia where the family sought out a new life.

While in Australia he was involved in the fitness industry, working full time with at a gym in Perth. It was there he

and wife Samantha had their three children His farming career began when some of his relations offered him some work experience and that’s when he fell in love with the dairy sector and led to him being employed full time as a farm assistant with the Moores. Morgan says he always wanted a career that would involve his wife and family and dairying has done just that.

“The dairy lifestyle suits me – especially being home for breakfast and seeing the kids head off to school,” he told Rural News. “I like the early morning starts and the hard work. Working in the dairy indus-

try is a real treat and as a young father it has given me stability and helped me and my wife develop great aspirations as a collective.”

Morgan says winning the Ahuwhenua Award will bring many new benefits and contacts, but also responsibility.

“I feel now that I have a responsibility to uphold the mana of the Ahuwhenua competition and to shine that light on the young farmers coming through.

“Now that I have made it and those who have gone before me have pulled me through and I am going to reach back and pull the next group of young farmers through as well,” he says.

CHAIR BOWS OUT THE MAN who has led the Ahuwhenua competition for the past 15 years is bowing out.

Kingi Smiler has been the chairman of the Ahuwhenua Trust Management committee since the awards were revived. He also chairman of Miraka, the Maori owned dairy company based in Taupo and is chair of Wairarapa Moana, which owns several dairy farms in the Central North Island.

He is handing over the reins over Kingi Smiler to Nukuhia Hadfield who along with husband Bart won the Ahuwhenua Trophy in 2015.

Smiler says it’s time for him to retire and says he’s enjoyed every moment in the job.

“The competition has grown from strength to strength and it’s moving in the right direction as it continues to grow. Maori have certainly built the skill and capability and the leadership has come to the fore. They are also connecting their farming enterprise with schools and the community.”

Smiler congratulated Tataiwhetu and all of the finalists, saying the standard of competition this year was particularly high. He says and the judges had their work cut out to come up with a winner and the field days run by all the finalists were extremely good and showed the quality and depth of Māori dairy farming enterprises.

“In the end, Tataiwhetu Trust were determined the winners and they and their staff are to be congratulated for this,” he says. “Their farm is very special and is yet another example of our people working innovatively and hard and focusing on key strategic objectives. They join an illustrious alumnus of past winners.”

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RURAL NEWS // JUNE 1, 2021

24 MANAGEMENT

Planning the key to successful winter grazing A SOUTHLAND farmer believes careful planning is the key to mitigating potential risks of grazing livestock on fodder crops during the winter.

Ewen and Diane Mathieson farm approximately 860 cows and replacement stock at Longwood, west of Riverton. Ewen Mathieson has 40 years of farming experience, including 12 years dairying. He uses winter grazing, where livestock progressively graze areas planted with fodder crops.

Mathieson reckons successful winter grazing is all about understanding the farm’s soils, planning ahead and managing crops well to keep the cows in top shape.

“Winter grazing is a means of putting weight on the animals at a time of year when we aren’t growing a lot of feed.

This is done by storing feed through the summer months and using it in the winter to get through,” he explains.

“Every farm has different challenges and opportunities. They are all unique, especially when it comes to rainfall, soil types and topography.”

Mathieson also believes that farmers need to have plans in place for extreme weather events and have enough feed to get them through. He adds that it

Southland farmers Ewen and Diane Mathieson believe careful planning is the key to mitigating potential risks of grazing livestock on fodder crops during the winter.

ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE EXTRA MONITORING and a range of practical support is being rolled out to help farmers achieve immediate improvements in intensive winter grazing practices.

There are two hotlines for people who have concerns with winter grazing practices. 0800 FARMING is supported by industry and provides an opportunity for the community to give feedback. People can also call MPI’s animal welfare hotline on 0800 00 83 33.

DairyNZ and B+LNZ will be running a range of workshops around the country to support farmers this winter and industry groups have developed a joint checklist for those that can’t get to an event.

is also important to have good plans in place to transition on and off the various crops.

“If the weather is not good, more feed needs to be fed to help manage animals through the conditions.

“We shift most mobs

twice a day, this allows us to monitor animals closely and see any issues as they arise. We also use back fences to keep cows off areas they have grazed.”

Mathieson says this allows them to give animals access to these areas

if conditions mean they cannot find a dry area to rest.

“We keep water sources with them, so they have access to water all the time.”

Successful winter cropping involves many factors, from selection of suitable paddocks and establishing the crops, to good grazing management. The Mathiesons carry out soil tests to assess overall nutrient trends.

“Through this practice we have been able to greatly reduce the use of some nutrients as soil levels mean we don’t need to use so much,” he explains.

“It’s a consideration to choose paddocks away from waterways. If you

don’t need to use paddocks around waterways, don’t.”

He says if you do use paddocks adjacent to waterways, then you need a good five metre buffer to minimise any risk.

“Create buffer areas around waterways or any area where there is runoff – so you get some filtration. Be very strategic with your baleage placement.”

Mathieson also advises that farmers graze paddocks strategically to minimise soil erosion and run-off into waterways.

“The greater the slope, the greater the risk.

There should be at least five metre buffer for any slope. Grazing downhill can help slow down soil

sediment loss,” he says.

“If the gradient is too steep for grazing downhill, leave a buffer of 10 to 15 metres at the bottom and graze across the slope, and then graze buffer areas when conditions are suitable.”

Mathieson believes that it’s important to identify critical source areas.

“Critical source areas that have been cropped can be left until the end of winter before they’re grazed, when the weather is fine. They should be grazed last.”

The Mathiesons are trialling a few different crops for grazing this year.

“We have multi-species crops which are different from the con-

ventional brassica type.

We have a couple of paddocks with a larger percentage of baleage and are comparing the different systems to work out what will give the best outcomes for animals and soils,” he explains.

“We go through a paddock plan and a feeding plan with our team, so everyone is aware of what we are trying to achieve.

Our actions this year are documented to inform next year’s plan.”

The Mathiesons are planning for the future and where they can reduce livestock numbers they will.

“While we won’t do anything detrimental to profit, we will be quite strategic about creating as much value as we can out of the animals we have on farm. This means we can run the farm with a lighter footprint so there is less impact on the environment,” he adds.

“As weather events become more adverse with climate change, we have to keep thinking about what the mitigations could be. We may create standoff pads, areas where animals can go and stand.”

Mathieson says it is important that farmers are not afraid to seek advice if they have concerns or there are things they don’t understand.

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RURAL NEWS // JUNE 1, 2021

ANIMAL HEALTH 25

Quarantine drenching critical – expert FARMERS IMPORTING stock onto their farm are being urged to have a quarantine drenching regime in place to further prevent the spread of triple drench resistance.

AgResearch scientist Dr Dave Leathwick says there has been a dramatic upsurge in the number of farms with drench resistance in the past 18-14 months, often involving several different worm species. Leathwick says, as a consequence, an increasing number of farmers are buying problems on a truck.

“There are so many resistant worms out there that farmers are now much more likely to import them onto their farms with brought-in stock.”

He says this does not just apply to those trading lambs, as several documented cases have involved farmers grazing hoggets off the farm and bringing triple drench resistance home when they return.

Leathwick believes it is more important than ever to have effective quarantine treatments or procedures in place. He says this is due to the prevalence and severity of resistance being seen around the country.

Leathwick advises that there are only two drench

products which should be considered for the purpose. Those are the drenches that contain one of the newer action families – monepantel or derquantel.

“As there are only two products which meet this criterion, this choice is pretty easy.”

He says in the past, the use of combinations of the older drench families would have been recommended as quarantine drenches, but this is no longer acceptable.

As well as a quarantine drench, imported animals should be held off pasture for at least 24 hours. Where this is not feasible (e.g., unit loads of sheep or cattle) it is recommended that treated stock be held on wormy pastures for 24 hours. They should be followed by adult animals to mop up any surviving worms.

Leathwick also encourages the use of a ‘knockout’ lamb drench in late summer or early autumn to slow or stop any buildup of resistant worms surviving the routine drenches given earlier in the season.

“In terms of what drenches are suitable for this purpose, the same rules apply, that is products containing the newer action families.”

SCIENTIST APPOINTMENT WELL KNOWN livestock scientist Dr Jason Archer has been appointed to the role of genetics specialist - livestock with Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) Genetics.

General manager Dan Brier says Archer brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in animal genetics and breeding. He has an Agricultural Science degree and a PhD in animal breeding and genetics, was as a consultant with AbacusBio and had previously worked with AgResearch for 12 years.

“Jason is very highly regarded in the sector and is well known to many farmers with a strong background in beef cattle (and deer) breeding and management,” Brier says. “He has had over 25 years’ experience working in Australia and New Zealand, as well as with international beef breed associations in USA and Canada.”

Archer’s role at B+LNZ Genetics will involve providing direction to both sheep and beef programmes, providing a key link between the science, data strategy and practical application of genetics across the industry.

he explains. “There is so much resistance around today that it’s just not worth the risk of using something else.”

Leathwick says the escalation of triple resistance is causing issues for sheep farmers all around

the country. It can profoundly affect farmers’ ability to control parasites and continue to farm as they have in the past.

“Those that don’t have it yet need to be extra vigilant to make sure they don’t get it.”

Farmers bringing stock on to farm are urged to have a quarantine drenching regime in place to further prevent the spread of triple drench resistance.

RURAL NEWS // JUNE 1, 2021

26 ANIMAL HEALTH

Trial for low methane sheep ARTIFICIAL BREEDING will play a role in accelerating the transition of a proportion of Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s (B+LNZ) commercial ewe flock to a low methane emitting flock.

Work is being carried out on Lanercost, B+LNZ’s first Future Farm, and is running alongside a trial to see how the low methane sheep perform on the 1,310ha North Canterbury hill country farm when compared to existing genetics.

B+LNZ’s general manager farming excellence Dan Brier says next breeding season, the management team on Lanercost will be artifi-

“With consumer pressure increasing all the time, farmers need tools to be able to use high merit rams over a bigger proportion of their flock while keeping a lid on costs.”

cially inseminating ewes to speed up the transition to a low methane flock.

The trial will look at the feasibility, or otherwise, of using artificial breeding technologies in a commercial flock.

“Lanercost will be a good testing ground for artificial breeding technologies such as artificial insemination

and will hopefully give commercial farmers the confidence to invest in them if they want to change the genetic profile of their flock,” Brier explains.

While the focus on Lanercost is transitioning to a low methane flock, artificial breeding could also be used to speed the genetic gain in

Next breeding season, B+LNZ’s first Future Farm Lanercost will be artificially inseminating ewes to speed up the transition to a low methane flock.

any number of heritable traits.

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“With consumer pressure increasing all the time, farmers need tools to be able to use high merit rams over a bigger proportion of their flock while keeping a lid on costs,” Brier adds. “For some farmers, it might be finer wool – while for others it could be traits like facial eczema. “ A team from Canterbury-based Xcell Breeding Services trained Lanercost’s farm manager Digby Heard to artificially inseminate 100 ewes, using semen collected from Lanercost’s existing ram flock.

In what was a “dummy run”, the selected ewes had heat synchronising CIDRs inserted 14 days before insemination took

place. The ewes come into oestrous 24 to 48 hours after removal and the AI takes place 12–24 hours after that.

Ideally, ewes should be inseminated before they ovulate.

Xcell vet Angus Gibb says it is more common to insert the semen through the ewes’ belly using a laparoscope.

“This allows the use of frozen semen placed directly into the uterus and increases the conception rate to 60%–70% compared to the 50%– 60% when inseminating into the ewes’ vagina.”

Gibbs says around half as much semen is used when using a laparoscope, which is another advantage of this method.

However, the advantage of vaginal insemination is that a vet is not required and staff can be trained to carry out this non-invasive procedure. There is no need to freeze the semen and one ram can be used over multiple days and multiple mobs of ewes.

“When inseminating through the vagina, the semen must be placed at the base of the cervix, which is unlike a cow,” Gibbs explains. “It does take a bit of practice to get it right, hence the trial run on Lanercost this year.”

Artificial breeding is not just used by studs – with commercial Merino farmers using the technology for some years.

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RURAL NEWS // JUNE 1, 2021

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RURAL NEWS // JUNE 1, 2021

NZ NATIONAL FIELDAYS 31

Get your plans in place early – Fieldays boss MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz

THOSE PLANNING a trip to the National Fieldays in Hamilton next month are being urged to get their plans in place now.

National Fieldays chief executive Peter Nation says logistics could be an issue for some visitors this year.

“While Covid gave us a kick in the guts last year, it’s still causing issues on the logistics front,” he told Rurtal News.

“Only 50% of the usual bed spaces are available in Hamilton, with three hotels given over to MIQ facilities, alongside the other issue of emergency housing said to be accommodating over 700 families. My advice is getting your plans in place early,” says Nation.

During the four-day event at Mystery Creek, Covid compliance will be big: extensive log-in facilities and copious sanitiser stations will be in place.

Despite the Covid cloud, Fieldays will be bigger and better than ever, says Nation.

The social side also gets a big refresh, with the central bar and eatery area doubling in size and extended hours up until 8.00pm.

“Feedback is telling us that Fieldays 2021 will be bigger and better

National Fieldays chief executive Peter Nation says logistics could be an issue for some visitors this year.

than ever, with farmers and exhibitors telling us that they are itching to reconnect in both a social and business sense.

Indeed, with the rural sector travelling well and a good-looking milksolid pay-out, it bears well for some good business to be done,” says Nation.

Scheduled for 16th to 19th June, National Fieldays will be based around its key pillars of Innovation, Education and Globalisation. While the latter will need to be taken care of by the parallel-running Fieldays Online presence, a smattering of countries such as Ireland, the UK and Korea will have a physical presence. The Society notes that while there are still a few exhibitors booking sites at this late

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On the education front, Taryn Storey, Fieldays marketing and communications manager, says there will be improvements in many areas including the Health and Wellbeing Exhibit that saw over 26,000 visitors in 2019.

“The exhibit certainly proved its worth in 2019, where staff picked up eleven malignant melanomas, one case of Type 1 diabetes and numerous issues that warranted a trip to see a GP. It was also encouraging to see a number of wives and partners dragging their staunch other halves into the exhibit for a subtle WOF.” Likewise, the Careers

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and Education Hub will be expanded with several new exhibitors and agencies to offer information on a wide range of opportunities in the rural sector and the best course to follow to exploit these.

The popular Innovations Arena has also seen a refocus, to clearly represent the innovation lifecycle, resulting in three award categories: Prototype, Early Stage, and Growth & Scale. This range of categories is said to allow individuals and companies, big or small,

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Fieldays Innovations event manager Gail Hendricks says, “changing conditions globally makes innovation a top priority for businesses far and wide, especially for primary industries, in terms of providing sustainable and productive solutions that drive economic progress.”

Up for grabs are two $10,000 cash prizes on offer.

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RURAL NEWS // JUNE 1, 2021

32 NZ NATIONAL FIELDAYS

Quality data assists management RICHARD CAMPION

THE HORTICULTURE industry faces environmental sustainability issues concerning the use of water.

Given water shortages, water use efficiency is a priority for the industry. Efficient use of water technologies not only reduces energy use and saves production costs but match the crops water requirement contributing to yield and quality improvements.

Watermetrics stepped into cropping management in the 20/21 season by installing our equipment on kiwifruit in Gisborne, vineyards in Marlborough and potatoes in Mid Canterbury.

Firstly, we installed detailed soil probes.

These read both temperature and moisture at 100mm intervals and

report at 15-minute intervals. The data presentation gives a clear picture of where a water application has got to in the soil profile and any overwatering becomes obvious.

Secondly, we measure the water applications, recording the amount and timing of the applications.

Thirdly, we gathered comprehensive, paddock specific, climate information – including rainfall collection. This equipment predicts the coming seven days weather, including the important evapotranspiration.

We used our partner, Swan Systems, to pull all this together and this model provided many management advantages.

We set targets for nutrient levels at each growth stage and could use the programme to modify and record appli-

cations as required.

We defined the crops required moisture levels at each growth stage.

Specific agronomic information can be utilised in the settings.

The Swan Systems programme then sets a water budget depending on water volumes able to be used. It calculates the amounts of water required to meet the set targets and includes in this the predicted evapotranspiration and rainfall. It details the day and amounts to be applied.

Managers found it easy to stay within those limits and were able to keep the moisture close to requirement. This takes moisture stress out of the equation, and increases the crop’s ability to reach its potential, which is far less likely if fluctuations were allowed to occur.

Soil probes read both temperature and moisture at 100mm intervals and report updates every 15-minutes.

From the factual information gathered, you can easily see the effects of inadequate irrigation and the difficulty of getting it back to where it should be.

There is comprehensive daily data history able to be printed out in PDF form. Analysis of this pinpoints mistakes and better ways growing.

We believe this application is a hugely beneficial and important reporting and management tool. It helps address many of the water/nutrient problem areas in crop growing, allows water and cost savings, and caters for optimal crop requirements.

• Richard Campion is an agronomist at water monitoring company Watermetrics @rural_news facebook.com/ruralnews

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RURAL NEWS // JUNE 1, 2021

NZ NATIONAL FIELDAYS 33

Teaming up to spot and fight rural melanoma anoma New Zealand’s key prevention and early detection messages, education, and advice through its connections into rural communities, at regional field days, A&P

MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz

“DON’T LET a spot become a full stop” is the message Melanoma New Zealand and FMG are sharing with rural New Zealanders.

With over 50% of rural New Zealand insured with FMG and a strong presence in those communities, the company has announced a partnership with Melanoma New Zealand to help prevent avoidable suffering and deaths from skin cancer.

FMG’s chief client officer Andrea Brunner says it often talks about how the most important asset on farms and rural properties are the people.

“The benefits of a regular skin check are unde-

a record card to take to the Melanoma New Zealand’s site for a free spot check.

• Further facts about melanoma are available at www.melanoma.org.nz

shows as well as at the National Fieldays.

At FMG’s Fieldays’ site, visitors will be able to see the amount of sun damage to their skin with a UV camera and collect

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niable, given that if it is caught early, melanoma is almost always curable,” she says.

“Our farmers and growers are among the most at risk of melanoma in the world due to New Zealand’s UV radiation intensity. So, supporting them to remain well is very important us.”

Melanoma New Zealand chief executive Andrea Newland says heightening the awareness in New Zealand’s rural communities of how to protect your skin when outdoors, and the importance of having a regular skin checks, will save lives.

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The team at FMG is helping to share Mel-

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RURAL NEWS // JUNE 1, 2021

34 NZ NATIONAL FIELDAYS

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FOLLOWING ITS sale in December 2020, Pukekohe-based Fieldmaster’s products have been added to the already extensive range of brands offered by Hamilton-based Ag Attachments.

Established back in 1955, Fieldmaster is well known for its belt or gear-driven toppers, slashers, wide-area mowers and mulchers, alongside its specialised mowers for the orchard and viticulture sectors.

Also well regarded is the Fieldmaster range of post rammers. These cater for all sectors – from an entry level farmer machine, right through to a high-end unit with hammers of up to 700 pounds for the toughest contract fencing duties.

More recently, Fieldmaster introduced the European Cosmo ranges of rotary

hoes and power harrows. Completing the offering are a range of single, triple and Jumbo Buster rippers, spring tine cultivators, disc ploughs and Cambridge rollers.

“The addition of Fieldmaster to our product offerings means that we have all sectors covered with products for every task,” says Ag Attachments national sales manager Martin Gray.

“We have had a great deal of interest from existing users and the dealers we supply, who can see new opportunities.

While the plan is to move to a new, purpose-built facility in the latter part of 2021, we will use the traditionally ‘slow’ time for sales during the winter to ramp up production and increase stock, in the expectation of a very busy spring and summer.”

– Mark Daniel

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RURAL NEWS // JUNE 1, 2021

36 NZ NATIONAL FIELDAYS

Multiple tasks in one pass MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz

THE KVERNELAND 4m U-Drill’s efficiency is driven by its ability to perform multiple tasks in a single pass, ensuring perfect seed to soil contact for faster germination, says John Chapman, Power Farming’s cultivation specialist.

Up front, a tyre packer module breaks clods, while also firming and levelling the soil – enabling accurate depth control of the following cultivation unit.

Two rows of independently-suspended discs follow directly behind to produce a fine and evenly cultivated soil profile over the full working width.

A second tyre packer roller consolidates the soil ahead of the seeding

Kverneland’s 4m U-Drill is able to perform multiple tasks in a single pass.

coulters, ensuring accurate depth and placement of the seed. The seeding unit comprises 32 narrow profile seeding coulters at 12.5cm spacing, with adjustable coulter pres-

sure of up to 100kg.

A following press wheel creates soil-to-seed contact and provides uniform depth control, while the rear S-shaped seed harrows to provide the

final covering of the seed.

An optional set-up sees the machine equipped with 24 coulters at 16cm row spacing.

Offering working speeds of up to 15km/h,

the 4m U-Drill features the ELDOS system, an electrically-driven metering device. This is all driven by Kverneland’s e-com software that is fully ISOBUS compat-

ible and allows application rates from 1kg/ha to 950kg/ha – depending on forward speed.

Important settings, such as calibration and in-field adjustments can

be controlled from the in-cab display. Seeding depth, coulter pressure and automatic headland management is also adjustable, on the go. The automatic section control ensures the metering device stops and starts automatically at the headland mark, ensuring no overlaps and reduced seed and fertiliser costs.

The U-drill is available as a standard drill or as a seed and fertiliser version – dubbed the U-Drill +.

Both versions come with a hopper capacity of 3000 litres. In the case of the U-Drill +, the hopper is divided lengthways with a 40:60 ratio, each fitted with a dedicated metering system.

The U+ version also offers fertiliser placement between the rows or alongside the seed. www.powerfarming.co.nz

RURAL NEWS // JUNE 1, 2021

NZ NATIONAL FIELDAYS 37

Take a cultural break from those machines VISITORS TO this year’s Fieldays, who want a bit of a break from looking at all the new tractors and machinery, can pop over to Morrinsville to take in some rural art.

‘Connections with Land’, an exhibition in the Community Gallery at the Wallace Gallery in Morrinsville, will have up to 21 paintings by Waikato artist Dianne Baker. It showcases people working with and enjoying their animals on the land – as well as a beekeeper and gardeners working in their respective environments.

Baker describes the artwork as showing the joy of connection with land, as well as presenting images of the reality of rural life.

The exhibition also includes a smaller series of three works that traces the joy of the working relationship of a farmer and his farm dog. The first image portrays the farmer and his dog as mutual respected workmates, the second image shows the aged dog and in the final third image we see the sad task of laying to rest an old dog under a willow tree.

Also featured are pictures depicting farmers and animals in drought, wet weather and in plenty of grass.

Other works are about people enjoying a close relationship with their calves or a couple of cows demanding affection.

Baker says that throughout her career as an artist, she couldn’t settle with landscapes or formal portraiture until the day she realised that combining the two was her strength. By doing so she could paint the people and/or the animals within the environment together.

February and March 2020 were the months of drought for farmers in the Waikato and then Covid lockdown came for the rest of New Zealand. Baker says this was a perfect time for her to concentrate on her paintings.

She had already begun working on paintings under the heading of Connections with Land.

So, when Covid lockdown started she had plenty of art material and a healthy pile of images and ideas to work towards completing her exhibition work in her studio.

Baker says she paints to showcase the joy and the toil of life working with land, weather, animals, gardens and people.

Some of Waikato artist Dianne Baker’s work which will be on display in Morrinsville during Fieldays.

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RURAL NEWS // JUNE 1, 2021

38 NZ NATIONAL FIELDAYS

Upgrade to bunker harvester MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz

ORIGINALLY RELEASED in 2018, the Grimme EVO 280 tworow bunker harvester – featuring three large separators and an intake for crops, such as potatoes, onions and carrots – is getting a major upgrade.

The EVO 280 is now equipped with a redesigned version of the well- known NonstopBunker, allowing continuous gentle unloading during harvest on the move. It offers a capacity of up to 6-tonne, in addition to the 8-tonne standard bunker.

The increase in bunker capacity also provides a significant lift in the transfer height and width, meaning greater distances can be kept between

The Grimme EVO 280 two-row bunker harvester is getting a major upgrade.

the harvester and transporting trailers and high transport vehicles can also be loaded easily.

The continuous unloading process during harvesting means the

bunker is emptied on one side, while being refilled on the other side. When a transport vehicle is full, the design of the GRIMME NonstopBunker allows the bunker floor to

be reversed without damaging the crop, while also utilising the full capacity at any time.

The unloading time of around 45 seconds, is about half that of con-

ventional bunkers with two bunker floor chains.

Meanwhile, the removal of an additional transferstep in the bunker floor is said to increase output by around 30% over a stan-

dard bunker.

For more traction, less soil damage and reduced energy consumption, a hydrostatic wheel drive system can be fitted. This offers a total thrust of over 2.3 tonnes, a powerboost function taking this rating to 2.6 tonnes and a transport width of less than 3 metres. The latter is achieved by using a telescopic axle that can be retracted by 500mm, while also delivering good stability when extended.

The “Turbo Clean” System allows the cleaning of certain webs and separators, with drives stepped up to maximum speed to achieve the cleaning effect – either automatically at the end of a run or manually by the operator.

At the picking table, height adjustable steps allow pickers to work

at the most comfortable working height, with options including a waterproof storage box, increased padding on the picking table, drink holders and a 15-litre hand wash tank. A new lighting system also enables the picking staff and the driver a good overview of the crop flow.

For use on heavy soils, optional wear-resistant, plastic share blades help to reduce soil adhesion and minimise wear. Clod breakers are also available on the first main web to prevent clod build-up in sticky soils without stones.

The hedgehog web on the third separator can be equipped with plates of long, soft hedgehogs.

Stones and clods then sink deeper and can be separated more efficiently from the crop flow.

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RURAL NEWS // JUNE 1, 2021

NZ NATIONAL FIELDAYS 39

Updated Navara ute bolder and more refined ADAM FRICKER

THE MOST obvious change to the updated Nissan Navara is the bold, almost American, styling.

However, its improved refinement levels made the biggest impression on us.

The previous model Navara was reasonably quiet and refined, but the changes made in the latest update of an old favourite have noticeably elevated the refinement levels. It was the one thing passengers commented on: how quiet it was inside, and not just ‘for a truck’ – NVH improvements, including acoustic glass in the

The improved refinement levels on the new Nissan Navara make a big impression.

windscreen, have really worked a treat.

Nissan has added insulation to the engine bay and bulkhead, improved cabin insulation to reduce both noise and vibration inside, and added 3-layer insulation in the dash

and floor carpet (in the double cab models). It makes for a much more relaxed drive.

The suspension set-up with coil sprung rear was always a good riding package and, under the skin, the chassis is basi-

cally unchanged – so ride and handling remain good for the ute sector.

Changes that have been made to the steel bits underneath include a strengthened rear axle, increased rear brake diameter (+25mm), and

extra ventilation to the front disc brakes.

Payload is 1-tonne and braked towing remains 3,500kg.

The new front end is brash, taking design cues from its big American cousin, the V8 Titan, but it works well, giving the Navara a sturdier chin than it had. Forward of the A-pillar the sheet metal is all new, and the tray is also new – now higher-sided and deeper.

It comes together nicely, giving the truck more presence on the road.

In ST-X grade, you still get the capable 2.3litre intercooled, twinturbo diesel, producing 140kW power and 450Nm torque in a very useable

1,500-2,500rpm rev range.

On the road, it provides effortless progress and is better left to lug along in Normal mode than to rev its head of in Sport mode. S imilarly, the seven speed auto makes good decisions about how to deploy the prodigious torque and is best left to its own devices.

A tried and true drivetrain, now with four drive modes – Standard, Sport, Tow and Off-road – on 4WD models ST grade and above.

The other notable changes are to safety: all models get forward collision warning, intelligent emergency braking and driver alert. ST-X grade

and above also get blind spot warning & intervention, lane departure warning & intervention, rear cross traffic alert and reverse parking sensors.

Inside all grades get a better 8-inch touchscreen display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, new 7-inch ‘drive-assist’ display between the main dials, a new steering wheel design and better seats with improved countering, including in the back.

The ST-X Auto double cab Rural News tested retails at $67,490. But the Navara range starts at $41,990 for the 2WD single cab, going up to $70,490 for the trickedup PRO-4X Auto.

LEFT TO RIGHT: CALVIN BALL NORTHERN, JAKE JARMAN TARANAKI/MANAWATU, KIERAN MCCAHON WAIKATO/ BAY OF PLENTY, SAM HODSELL OTAGO/SOUTHLAND, ROSHEAN WOODS TASMAN, DALE MCALWEE AORANGI, JOSEPH WATTS EAST COAST

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RURAL NEWS // JUNE 1, 2021

40 NZ NATIONAL FIELDAYS

Italian jobs get the pick of the Bay MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz

BOP TRACTORS recently delivered 10 new Landini orchard tractors to kiwifruit growing, packing and distributing company Seeka.

The tractors formed part of an upgrade to Seeka’s tractor fleet that saw several two-wheeled drive and older machines being replaced, which under the company’s current health and safety guidelines, were no longer deemed safe for purpose.

The Landini 2-Series were chosen for their strength and capabilities.

Despite a small stature, they are ideal for Seeka’s requirements – largely centered around towing bin trailers to and from the orchards and packhouses.

They are powered by 4-cylinder, Tier 3, 45hp Yanmar engines, mated to a 16 x 16 speed transmission, and comes with 4WD and four-wheel braking. The tractors’ unbraked towing capacity is 1,500kg, comfortably meeting the safety

requirements set by Seeka.

Specified on 360mm wide, 20-inch wheel equipment, the tractors use a low centre of gravity and a tare weight of around 1,600kg. They offer exceptional traction, particularly on steep inclines.

Meanwhile, the 730mm seat height offers good access even in orchards running older pergola systems with mature vines.

Not limited to just pulling bin trailers, the Series-2 will also be used

Ten new Landini orchard tractors were recently delivered to kiwifruit growing, packing and distributing company Seeka.

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As part of the supply agreement, installation was accompanied by a familiarisation day that looked at the operation, daily maintenance, driving techniques and health & safety requirements, which was attended by both operators and the Seeka

management teams.

“The Landini 2-Series’ compact size should not be mistaken for it being a compact tractor, as in all aspects it’s simply an ag tractor built to special dimensions – making them ideally suited to environments where footprint and manoeuvrability are key considerations,” says BOP Tractors general manager Gayne Carroll. @rural_news facebook.com/ruralnews

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RURAL NEWS // JUNE 1, 2021

NZ NATIONAL FIELDAYS 41

Shipping delays won’t stop Fieldays presence

A wide range of Deutz-Fahr tractors will still be on site at Fieldays this year despite shipping delays.

MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz

ALTHOUGH THE New Zealand release of several new tractor product lines have had to be pushed back to later in the year because of shipping delays, a wide range of Deutz-Fahr tractors will still be on site at Fieldays.

On the specialised front, the Kiwi Classic tractor, aimed at the kiwifruit sector, will be joined by the 5105 DV TTV, targeted at the viticulture and horticultural sector.

The latter machine boasts Deutz-Fahr’s stepless transmission, a flat operator platform, Category 4 cabin filtration and a 100l/min hydraulic pump, contained within an operating width of only 1.19m.

The expansion of the Agrofarm range, sees the 85 ROPS and 115 Cabin models joining the existing 100 and 115 ROPS models. The wet clutch offering at the utility end of the 4-cylinder range, means the Agofarm features true 4-wheel braking with inboard front axle discs, 100% locking front and rear differentials and a low centre of gravity.

The 5 series utility cab tractors target the key 105

to 125HP sector – with the aptly numbered 5105, 5115, 5125 models. These 4-cylinder cab tractors feature 3.8 litre FARMotion engines, 4-wheel braking, a Stop&Go clutchless operation and oil flows of up to 90 litres per minute.

The larger 6135G and 6155G tractors will also be on display, to showcase a format that is becoming increasingly popular with the dairy sector as feed trailers and mixer wagons are getting bigger.

The larger 6185G cousin features the RCShift electronic transmission.

This offers the same five range /six-step powershift layout as the other models, with the convenience of an armrest mounted, electronic joystick for speed selection.

At the premium end of the product offering are the 6215 TTV, 7250 TTV and flagship 9340 TTV. All feature the premium TTV continuously variable speed transmission, complemented by the I Monitor 3 touchscreen control terminal.

This is completed with AGROSKY GPS guidance, configurable headland management and the ability to recall saved user/ implement profiles.

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PAGE 24

TO ALL FARMERS, FOR ALL FARMERS

Pioneeer Closer Look_Rural News_June.indd 1

26/05/21 8:49 AM

RURAL NEWS // JUNE 1, 2021

42 NZ NATIONAL FIELDAYS

Tiny homes offer big solutions to various problems RACHEL McLEOD

FOR MANY of us, the ups and downs of the past few months have given us cause to consider other options for future proofing in uncertain economic times.

Many of us have thought about ways of providing an extra income stream, or a plan for downsizing to free up some capital. Or with house-prices continuing to rise, perhaps your priority is helping your kids onto the property ladder.

For others, it could be to buy a holiday home to have somewhere to go to unwind.

Well, if you’ve got land – or access to some – you’ve got options.

Amazing Spaces is a New Zealand company providing tiny homes with big solutions to some of these objectives.

Morrinsville-based owner, Michael Goodall, says of the tiny homes, “Our goal was to provide New Zealanders with beautiful, but portable small homes. We didn’t want to compromise on quality because of space, but they had to be competitively priced too.”

And it seems they have met their brief.

Amazing Spaces’ tiny homes provide a luxurious, yet affordable solution that, with its triple-axle wheel base, can be driven straight onto a paddock or and flat space. Once plumbed in

Amazing Spaces says it can design a tiny home to suit your needs.

and connected to power, these tiny homes can be used as short-term holiday accommodation to generate some extra cash, or as a cost-effec-

tive way for family to get their foot on the property ladder.

They may be portable, but with full-sized kitchens and proper bath-

rooms, Goodall is correct: there are no compromises on quality because of limited space.

“We worked hard to design our tiny homes

with clever use of space to give our customers highly liveable homes,” he explains. “Our modern kitchen designs include a proper oven and stone top benches, full-sized fridge, stylish tapware and cupboards, and plenty of space. We’re very proud of the final product.”

With house designs ranging from 1 – 4 bedrooms, options include stairs to a second level, a lounge area plus bathroom and laundry facilities.

These homes are also perfect for permanent living. You can even design a home to suit your needs. This means they are also great solutions if you want a long-

term rental, you are down-sizing from a larger home, or if you just need more room for when you have extras staying.

In winter, double glazing, full insulation and a heat pump ensure you can keep cosy and warm. However, including French doors and bifold windows mean you can design your home for indoor-outdoor flow – making the most of summer too.

But how affordable are they? Plans start from a very competitive $139K to $155K. If you are interested in checking one of Amazing Spaces’ tiny homes out for yourself, head down to Fieldays and chat to one of the team.

RURAL NEWS // JUNE 1, 2021

NZ NATIONAL FIELDAYS 43

A new look for Puma MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz

SCHEDULED TO hit New Zealand’s shores in time for the next spring campaign, the new MY2021 Stage V Puma Series from Case IH will see its first major cosmetic change in more than a decade.

While the complete Puma range is being revamped with a new design, the larger frame models – from 185-240hp – also benefit from additional features geared towards operator comfort.

Split into the standard wheelbase Puma 150-175 models and the larger, longer wheelbase Puma 185-240 tractors, features include an optional hoodmounted camera and upgraded road and work lights as fitted on the larger Case IH Optum and Magnum tractors.

New cab features include a lowmounted front windscreen wiper for improved visibility, a cool box with cover on the front end of the steering column and turning indicators with electronic cancelling. New left-hand aluminium

steps with high performance LED ingress lighting makes entrance to and exit from the cabin safer and easier.

On the mechanical front, the FPT Industrial 6.7-litre engines meet the latest Stage V emission standards with HIeSCR2 technology, without the use of exhaust gas recirculation. Housed under the distinctive new hood, the Stage V models offer lengthened engine (750hr) and transmission oil (1,500hr) change intervals meaning fewer oil/filter changes over a machine’s lifetime, lowering the total cost of ownership.

On Puma CVT models, updated engine power management is now also available when operating in reverse. Meanwhile, both transmission offerings gain extra power at high RPM for a more agile drive in transport applications.

Overall, the factory reports improved acceleration and deceleration, better shuttle behaviour – as well as drive pedal sensitivity and cruise control override – and better multi-controller sensitivity and position detection.

The complete Puma range is being revamped with a new design and additional features geared towards operator comfort.

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HEALTH HUB RETURNS THE HEALTH and Wellbeing Hub is back at Fieldays this year, focusing on the importance of rural health and providing free health check-ups and advice to visitors.

The Hub is run in collaboration with Mobile Health, which provides elective day surgery for patients in rural New Zealand and supports the rural health workforce. Mobile Health chief executive Mark Eager said the initial idea behind the hub was to build a “health centre of the future” and provide an interactive platform for farmers and growers.

“With the Health and Wellbeing Hub, we get engagement from people that don’t usually receive health care,” he claims.

“In 2019, we’d see women walk-

ing into the hub with purpose, spending awhile inside looking around. Later, you’d see them return with their husbands pulled along by the ear to get a check-up.”

More than 25,000 people came through the Health and Wellbeing Hub at Fieldays 2019. Eleven malignant melanomas were detected in the Hub in 2019, and one woman discovered she had type 1 diabetes – both serious conditions that were caught at the right time.

In the Hub this year there will be organisations covering all facets of health and wellbeing. Rural mental health is also at the forefront of support again this year. Fieldays visitors can make their health a priority and catch up with a friend over a check-up at the Health and Wellbeing Hub.

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RURAL NEWS // JUNE 1, 2021

44 NZ NATIONAL FIELDAYS

Numedic owners looking forward to first Fieldays JESSICA MARSHALL jessica@ruralnews.co.nz

the reins over to the Millars after 25 years of ownership.

“It’s gone well for

us,” says Marina. “The business has been growing and both production and service

are steadily increasing.”

“It’s been a very good year for us,” she told Rural News. Numedic manufactures dairy farm machinery, providing farmers with consultancy services, effluent systems, irrigation equipment, electric motor service and supply, as well as dairy

Numedic’s owners Andrew and Marina Miller are looking forward to their first Fieldays since buying the company last year.

EW

ZE

A

“We’ve done quite a lot of improvement to what we do.”

MA DE

IN

N

LA

ND

A YEAR on from taking over the ownership of Numedic, owner Marina Millar says the company is going well.

Last year, previous owners Cathryn and Peter Reid handed

“The business has been growing and both production and service are steadily increasing.”

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effluent management solutions.

Marina says that since the ownership change, Numedic has added new products and expanded the services Numedic offers in order to cater to a broader clientele.

“We’ve done quite a lot of improvement to what we do,” she says.

“We’ve identified a few pathways we want to pursue in terms of products and services, so that’s what we are working on at the moment.”

In terms of the outlook for the future, Marina says the company will look to further enhance its strong position in the market and also expand into other areas within the industry and grow the

product lines.

“We’re constantly questioning how can things be done better and more efficiently,” she says, adding that they’re looking into more opportunities to make farmers’ lives easier.

Numedic will have a full range of its products on show at the 2021 Fieldays at Mystery Creek, with special offerings for attendees.

“We’ll have our very popular pump range as well as our irrigators and stirrers and accessories at our site,” says Marina.

“This will be our first Fieldays since the new ownership, and we look forward to meeting the customers and helping them with products.” @rural_news facebook.com/ruralnews

RURAL NEWS // JUNE 1, 2021

NZ NATIONAL FIELDAYS 45

Highest quality machines, low operating costs MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz

AIMED AT the contractor market, or at end users who demand a top-quality machine to achieve low operating costs, the Bunning Lowlander GT4 muck spreaders, imported into the North Island by Hamilton-based Ag and Civil Limited, fits the bill.

Designed to spread all types of manure, the key 105 Compact and 150 models both feature a fully welded, heavy-duty construction, using 4mm steel plate for the sides and 5mm thick material for the floor. With capacities of 12.6 and

16.6 tonnes respectively, a 1500mm wide, tapered body can carry loads of 12.9 to 21 cubic metres.

This is moved rearwards, by a variable speed hydraulic floor drive, utilising a combination of 16mm/32 tonne capacity floor chains and fullwidth beaters.

At the rear of the machine, dynamically balanced, twin vertical beaters take their drive from a centrally mounted gearbox, with an intermediate cushioned drive to protect against shock loads.

In the event of an immoveable object shear bolt protection in the

Bunning Lowlander GT4 muck spreaders are perfect for discerning users.

beater driveline prevents damage.

Equipped with 10mm

NEW TYRE FOR PIVOTS ALLIANCE, A part of Yokohama OffHighway Tyres, has introduced a new tyre, especially designed for pivot irrigation systems.

The Alliance 768 Value Plus features a completely new pattern that provides effective grip and traction for the constant loads being moved on fixed circular paths under moist or even muddy conditions.

Wide spacing of the lugs means that self-cleaning properties are maintained at all times while a rounded shoulder provides constant propulsion and protects the crop against damage at the same time. A strong nylon carcass allows for a prolonged and reliable service live.

The Alliance 768 Value Plus features a special ozone compound which

thick Boron steel flights and cutters, the rotors offer spreading widths of up to 16 metres, depending on material, with a

quickly removed to allow the trailer to be used for other haulage duties.

Both machines feature on-board weighing

rear canopy for spreading fine materials like chicken manure. Meanwhile, a liftoff configuration, means the rotor module can be

systems, in the case of the 105, a Topcon GT400 system, while the 150 model uses a full specification ISOSCAN application rate controller, allowing a targeted application rated by automatically adjusting the floor speed to travel speed, or via a predefined application map can be loaded via the USB port. The system also allows live weighing using 20-tonne weigh cells situated on both axle and drawbar.

Standard equipment includes a rear vertical slurry door, 1000 rpm PTO input, hydraulic brakes and parking jack, with the whole machine covered by a three-year warranty.

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RURAL NEWS // JUNE 1, 2021

46 NZ NATIONAL FIELDAYS

New models set for showcase MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz

KUBOTA NEW Zealand is gearing up for the annual NZ National Fieldays, showcasing its new

RTV520, M5-1 ROPS, and M7-2 models.

Kubota New Zealand product specialist Shaun Monteith said Kubota is proud to have the RTV520 on show at the

event, featuring a host of upgrades, while building on many of the unique features first seen in the RTV 500.

“Our quiet and reliable Kubota petrol engine

Kubota will have the RTV520 on show at Fieldays, featuring a host of upgrades.

Superior, longer-lasting fuel storage

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has always been a strong selling feature on the RTV500, but the new RTV520 has gained a bit of extra grunt; increasing from 15.8 to 17.4 horsepower,” Monteith said.

One of the more noticeable upgrades on the new model is suspension performance, with a new five link rear system that increases the suspension travel by 30%, complemented up front by an increase of 20%, both combining to ensure a smooth and comfortable ride, even in the roughest terrain.

Also, on show is the M5-1 ROPS tractor, so with ROPS tractors making up 30 per cent of tractors in their horsepower category in New Zealand, the M5-1 series should fill a gap in the market for Kubota.

“We’re excited to bring the M5-1 ROPS model to New Zealand, where

its advanced simplicity allows for easy movement and its short height increases its practicality, with more horsepower at lower speed means greater fuel efficiency and a longer working day before the need to refuel,” says Monteith.

Completing the range on show will be the second generation M7-2 tractor, that improves on its predecessors with a Closed Centre Load Sensing, an upgraded powershift transmission, and new electronic mapping on its 6.1 litre, 4-cylinder engine. Said to be easier to use, with the improved performance bringing greater efficiency, the CCLS hydraulic system has a greater capacity than the M7-1, while the powershift transmission now offering 30 speeds (54 forward/27 reverse when a creep set is fitted).

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RURAL NEWS // JUNE 1, 2021

NZ NATIONAL FIELDAYS 47

The Wrangler – a success story boosted by Fieldays WHEN IT comes to award-winning innovation, Waverley and Wilco Klein Ovink got started early.

Twenty-five years ago, they invented the Wrangler, an innovation that has changed the game for farmers all over the globe.

They were encouraged to enter the Wrangler into the Fieldays Innovation Awards in 1995 where they took home an award. Since then, they have won three more Fieldays Innovation Awards, and achieved success locally and globally with their innovations.

Waverley, marketing and admin director at The Wrangler Ltd, says the family-owned engineering business continues to make quality New Zealand products in Whakatane.

She recalls that originally Wilco made the Wrangler to make their jobs as sharemilking easier.

“It was taking two people to treat a cow: one to hold the rope and the other to examine the hoof, and it wasn’t safe for any of us,” she says.

“As a cadet, Wilco watched a cow being treated for lameness, but she fell and broke her hip.

It had got him thinking there had to be a better way.

“We looked around to buy something and were surprised to find

us to refine it further, coming back the following year and winning the

New Equipment Innovation Award in 1996.”

“We’ve gone on to

win many national and regional business awards since, particularly for

innovation, and it’s always a great boost to business.”

Waverley and Wilco Klein Ovink and their son Josh, who is part of the team building product as well as salesman at Fieldays.

there was nothing here for holding and treating a lame cow – so Wilco built one.”

It was so novel that they were able to take out a patent on securing and lifting a hoof.

Soon vets wanted all of their farmers to have one.

They suggested the couple take their innovation to the Fieldays.

“It was there talking to farmers at Fieldays that we started to find the true extent of lameness in the dairy industry.

“Every farmer had hoof knife scars on their arms and just considered it part of farming, and we heard from guys getting kicked in the head by cows.

“It was normal to put off treating cows, farmers would just give her a jab of penicillin and

hope she’d come right, not realising how much a lame cow really cost them by being sick. Some of the figures of the number of lame cows on farms was staggering.”

Waverley says when designing the Wrangler, they wanted something that would not only hold the hoof, but the cow too, and stop her falling during treatment.

“It needed to be bulletproof, multifunctional for every type of veterinary procedure we might need, and able to sit outside and be maintained just with a yard hose.

The couple were stoked to win the Fieldays Prototype Award in 1995.

Waverley says the judges were very excited to see the Wrangler.

“The encouragement they’d given us spurred

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RURAL NEWS // JUNE 1, 2021

48 NZ NATIONAL FIELDAYS

Like kids at Christmas! – Gallagher on Fieldays FOR MORE than 50 years, the Gallagher team has made the annual pilgrimage to Mystery Creek for Fieldays. So, when Covid upset plans last year, Darrell Jones reckons it was like missing Christmas.

Darrell is Gallagher animal management’s general manager for NZ, Latin America and Asia and has been with the company for more than 20 years.

With a fair share of Fieldays under his belt, Darrel understands how important the event is for connecting with farmers and strengthening Gallagher’s Kiwi roots.

“You can’t put a price on having conversations in person with farmers,” he says. “There is

something special about shaking a farmer’s hand, looking them in the eye and genuinely listening to the challenges they’re facing on farm. That’s where it all starts for us and what gets our team out of bed in the morning.

“We enjoy learning about farmers’ pain points and then sharing our knowledge and expertise to help them be more productive and efficient behind the farm gate.

“At the same time, Fieldays gives us a unique opportunity to showcase everyday solutions, as well as present new products and digital innovations to our customers.

“We absolutely loved reconnecting with farmers at the regional field

Gallagher’s Fieldays site humming with visitors in 2019. Inset: Darrell Jones.

days this year and we can’t wait to get to Mystery Creek. It’s a pretty special event on the New Zealand farming calendar and after a challenging year, we shouldn’t take it for granted.”

Just like Fieldays, Gallagher is home grown in New Zealand. That ‘Kiwiness’ saw the company launch a NZ-Made campaign last year.

“As part of our campaign, we worked with a

number of inspiring farmers who are using our products on farm and appreciate the value quality NZ-made products can add to their business.

“These farmers embody the very essence

of what it means to be a New Zealand farmer.

They are passionate about the industry and are committed to buying quality homegrown products they know will get the job done.

“It has been a privilege to partner with them and share their stories with others.

“We are looking forward to hosting them on our site at Fieldays.”

Darrell says New Zealand’s pastoral farmers have built an international reputation as some of the most productive, profitable and innovative in the world. But that world is coming under pressure like never before.

Whether it’s animal welfare, the efficient and

sustainable use of natural resources, maintaining a clean green image or doing more with less – the spotlight is on every Kiwi farmer.

“Our farmers need support from innovative partners, products and technology to tackle today’s farming challenges and maintain their licence to operate.

“Gallagher has valuable relationships with key industry partners to ensure we keep ourselves up to date on the challenges and opportunities our farmer customers are facing.

“Our promise to them is that we will continue to invest in research and development to help them meet their challenges head on.”

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RURAL NEWS // JUNE 1, 2021

NZ NATIONAL FIELDAYS 49

Fleet operator management made simple MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz

ASSET MANAGEMENT, remote worker safety, and Electronic Road User Charges are all fleet and location-based technologies that improve operations in the agricultural industry.

Teletrac Navman, specialists in fleet management technology, will be exhibiting the new AIenabled software platform, TN360, and the popular Electronic Road User Charge management system, RUC Manager.

The site will offer visitors the chance to check out the dashboards and

the features of the software and understand how Teletrac Navman’s system can help solve problems and streamline processes specific to their business.

Powered by artificial intelligence, TN360 delivers telematics functionalities in real-time, providing businesses with simplified, smart, predictive and actionable insights. TN360 uses a scalable cloud ecosystem that connects data from sensors, cameras, mobile and third-party applications in real time and translates raw signals into context.

The electronic RUC system uses an NZTAapproved Electronic Distance Recorder to automate the purchase and display of Road User Charges (RUC) licences. They system can cover everything from light fleet up to individual trailers – independent of the tractor/truck unit. It also captures private road and off-road use of vehicles and equipment to automatically populate forms for RUC rebates.

The stand will feature case studies on agricultural businesses, such as Cambridge-based Pro-

The popular electronic road user charge management system will be on display at the Fieldays.

fessional Farm Services, that have used the Teletrac Navman system to manage operations, compliance, health and safety, customer communications, administration and more.

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RURAL NEWS // JUNE 1, 2021

50 NZ NATIONAL FIELDAYS

Power Farming, Kramp Parts stitch new deal MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz

AGRICULTURE BRINGS with it several challenges and a level of uncertainty, so premium support for tractors and machinery is never far from a farmer’s mind.

Power Farming, one of the largest family-owned importers, distributors and retailers of farm machinery in the Southern Hemisphere, prides itself on exceptional service and parts support at both local and nationwide levels, with over 100,000line items available.

A recent distribution agreement with parts specialist Kramp means this level of support will

continue, and further expands the diversity of the product offering in other key areas of industry. ‑Like Power Farming, Kramp is a family oriented company. It was formed over 70 years ago and has since become the largest supplier of premium aftermarket parts in Europe. With an annual turnover in excess of €1 billion, the company offers over 500,000 products lines supporting the agricultural, forest, grasscare and construction sectors.

With 22 sales offices, 11 distribution hubs and a team of 3,000 employees, Kramp typically processes around 95,000 orders every day, result-

Kramp is the largest supplier of premium aftermarket parts in Europe.

ing in around 10 million packages being sent to 40 countries around the world annually.

Looking to expand its global presence, the company identified New Zealand and Australia as strategic markets and so

set out to find a high calibre partner who could help meet their goals. The approach of both companies was ‘if we are going to do it, we are going to it right’ which meant the partnership was a few years in the making,

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finally leading to the alliance with the Power Farming Group. Key to the decision was a partner’s ability to develop the market, the potential to invest in substantial levels of stock and a professional approach to supporting a loyal customer base – all attributes Kramp found at Power Farming.

Sharing the same core values, Power Farming and Kramp recognise that customers are the key priority, along with a need

for local representation and building relationships with knowledgeable staff.

The partnership will allow Power Farming to expand and broaden its product offering, particularly for nonPower Farming tractor brands aged from 3 to 5 years old or late model units just out of the original warranty period.

The focus, heading towards the upcoming spring season, will be the introduction of ranges to support the

grassland and harvest arena, cover the parts requirements of most major manufacturers, alongside day to day necessities such as PTO shafts, supplementary lighting and 12-volt spray equipment, together with Comet spray pumps and Arag spray controllers.

Offering a quality product, designed and manufactured to OEM quality, often from the same source as those originals, the Kramp ranges always offers a cost-effective method of keeping front-line plant and machinery operating.

In announcing the collaboration Power Farming’s David Pritchard, says, “we have always prided ourselves in offering parts support that exceeds our customers’ expectations, with high pick rates and a true 24/7 availability 364 days a year. Working with Kramp adds another string to our bow.”

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RURAL NEWS // JUNE 1, 2021

NZ NATIONAL FIELDAYS 51

All-new Claas Disco arrives MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz

THE CLAAS Harvest Centre display at Mystery Creek will include the public debut of the allnew CLAAS Disco 10 series side-mounted rear mowers.

Available in six widths from 2.2 to 3.4m, the Disco 10 incorporates the MAX CUT cutter-bar, a feature that has been progressively introduced across the entire range of Disco mowers over the past five years.

The cutter-bar features a wave-shaped mower bed, press-formed from a single piece of material, with the cutting disc positioned further forward, ensuring the largest possible overlap between each disc, to deliver optimal cutting quality under all conditions.

CLAAS Harvest Centre National Sales Manager – NZ, Roger Nehoff, says, “the special shape of the skids and the large channel between them creates a dirt-repelling tunnel for cleaner harvesting, while the bolted design of the bed and permanent lubrication of all drive components simplifies maintenance and guarantees dimensional stability and longevity.”

All models include features for easy maintenance, easy transport and safe storage, including a safety module and quick bladechange system. “In the event of a collision, the safety module shears at a pre-determined breaking point but the cutting disc is held in the module by an axial bolt and cannot fly off,” Roger says. “The module can be replaced easily and quickly.”

In the JCB area of the

site, the Loadall Series III range comprises six models with lift capacities from 3.2 to 5.6 tonnes and a maximum reach of 6 to 9 metres. Roger notes that a new cabin, at 12% larger and 50% quieter than the previous model, raises the bar for comfort and functionality.

“It features the same adjustable steering column, control layout and function-grouped switches found in JCB Fastrac tractors and wheeled loaders, making it easier for operators to switch from one type of JCB machine to another and to use each in the most productive way possible,” he says.

A wide opening door and adjustable push-away steering column with a working position memory make it easy for operators to enter and exit the cab. A seat-mounted joystick and control pod configuration is standard in the Agri Torque Lock4, Agri Super and Agri Pro specifications.

All models are equipped with the 4.4 L JCB EcoMAX engine that delivers 109 hp or 125 hp, with high spec models delivering 145 hp from a 4.8 litre variant.

Transmission choices include a four-speed manual, four-speed automatic, torque lock and a combined dual hydrostatic/powershift model.

The Auto Smoothride System engages at speeds of over 4 km/h, improving load retention and comfort when travelling at speed on roads and in the field. Meanwhile the high capacity hydraulic system delivers a flow rate of 140 L/minute for rapid boom operation.

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RURAL NEWS // JUNE 1, 2021

52 NZ NATIONAL FIELDAYS

Profits and sustainability go hand-in-hand MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz

MANAWATU DAIRY farmers Wendy and Richard Ridd consider the environment extensively when making decisions on their farm that runs to 260 hectares, with a milking platform of 196 cows.

Like many dairy farmers they strive to balance profitability, while also investing in protecting their environment. “Farming can be hard, and we carry a lot of debt, and because we haven’t got anything to fall back on, I think it makes it even more important we look for efficiencies and eliminate waste,” Richard explains.

“Here, we take the approach of making small changes because they add up collectively. We want to genuinely enjoy what we do every day and a healthy environment contributes to that.”

The Ridds follow key themes when it comes to improving their environment, such as fencing waterways, riparian planting and developing wetlands, but they also believe in a strong connection with the community. “We need to help people understand the challenges we face and changing their mindset can really help drive purchasing behaviour,” Richard says.

“The value in the con-

Manawatu dairy farmers Wendy and Richard Ridd with their Massey Ferguson 6713S.

versations from each side has really helped us and our urban neighbours understand each other more,” he explains.

They had already implemented many technologies on-farm, such as TracMap for fertiliser spreading, Ravensdown’s

N-Protect, and bagging silage wrap ready for recycling.

While their infrastructure limits the size of their herd, the smaller numbers allows homereared young stock on, alongside the opportunity to grow their own supplements. This means there is a need for up-to-date tractors and machinery, so it’s not surprising that a recent tractor upgrade also factored the environment in the buying decision.

“It’s a big investment buying a tractor, so we wanted to be sure we were making a good investment for our environment as well,” Wendy says.

“Being able to reduce the hours we spent on the tractor was high on our list of considerations, so we were attracted to the Massey Ferguson 6713 S because it would allow us to do multiple tasks in one pass, saving time and the environment. Even though it’s only a fourcylinder, it has pulling and lifting power comparable to a six-cylinder, offering the advantages of compactness, low-weight and good manoeuvrability, added to that extra power. Additionally, the power boost function means its efficient on lighter and bigger jobs, allowing us to only need one tractor so,” she says.

“The low weight was

another bonus on our environmental shopping list,” Richard says. “Less weight means less soil compaction and a smaller environmental footprint during manufacturing as it needs less materials to build it. AdBlue also scored highly, by using the latest technology to reduce emissions was really important to us when we were shopping,” Richard says. “But most importantly we believe that farmers need to be proud of what they’re already doing, so while planting seems to get all the limelight, there’s more to helping the environment, which many farmers are already doing on a day to day basis.”

SEE US AT SITE B25

RURAL NEWS // JUNE 1, 2021

MACHINERY & PRODUCTS 53

The perfect workhorse MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz

HASTINGS-BASED KLEER Contractors provides 24-hour machine work and labour for a local food processing plant.

Founded in 1999 by Kenneth Davidson’s father, the original business focused on drain cleaning and liquid waste removal, before Kenneth took over running things about 20 years ago.

Today, the business operates 19 trucks, employs 15 permanent

“Having clocked up around 1,000 hours, I would recommend the Kramer KT447. We have really found it to be a superior machine,” he says. “The workers are running it night and day and although we had no real issues with our last machine, they describe the difference between the two as ‘chalk and cheese’.”

Given the high hours worked, operator comfort is paramount; so the ergonomic design of the main joystick makes for easy movements. Every-

“Having clocked up around 1,000 hours, I would recommend the Kramer KT447.” staff and offers services that include bulk cartage using tankers and tippers for the stock-feed industry. It also does waste and food bio-product disposal in the wine and cider sectors. Clients range from individuals and small businesses, to government and corporate enterprises.

During the last eight years, the operation has supplied a telehandler and driver to a Hastings canned food factory. This is fitted with a 5-metre by 1.5-metre, custom-built blade to push corn that is tipped onto a pad, onto a conveyor belt for processing in the 24/7 operation.

After seeing an announcement that Cervus Equipment would exclusively supply the German-built Kramer telehandler line up, Davidson was drawn to the KT447 model that offers for 17m reach and a 4.4 tonne lift capacity.

A quick test drive gave him the impression that the Kramer was solid where it counts. The machine had oversized steel sections, heavy-duty components and high levels of workmanship and Davison was confident that his staff, who put in long shifts, would be safe and comfortable.

He placed an order and took immediate delivery.

thing is at the operator’s fingertips, as it’s mounted to the seat and is always consistent – even if the seat is rotated into different positions.”

Davidson reports a noticeable improvement in the smooth transition between steering modes compared to the last telehandler, alongside its ability to put power to all four wheels, via the hydrostatic transmission, without generating wheel slip or tyre hop.

“Forward and reverse settings are all electronic and require the brake to be on when they are engaged,” he says. “Meaning you can’t inadvertently knock a switch and select a direction change by mistake.”

Another safety feature sees, if for any reason the operator leaves the cab, the machine revert to neutral and apply the brakes – meaning the machine can’t move without the operator being present. Currently being used full-time in the food processing factory, Davidson is keen to explore the performance of the Kramer in other areas of his business – including hay and fodder production. He hopes the machine’s ability to travel well over rougher ground, will help increase productivity in this part of the business.

Kleer Contracting’s Kenneth Davidson with the KT447 Kramer telehandler.

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RURAL NEWS // JUNE 1, 2021

54 MACHINERY & PRODUCTS

Yamaha’s new machine hits all the right notes MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz

THE INCREASINGLY popular UTV/side-by-side sector offers a wide range of choices for farm or rural mobility, which has been made even broader with a new machine from Yamaha.

The RMax 2 is what the manufacturer describes as being “truly dual-purpose”… “equipped for the toughest of on-farm duties” but just as capable of a high-voltage “blast” on the weekend.

Featuring subdued green paintwork, broken up by camouflage inserts, the look gives little indication of the machine’s capability. However, the large wheel arch openings and wheel and tyre equipment might just give a clue. Cranking things up leads to a grunty, burbling exhaust note – a further clue to this potential.

At its heart, a 1000cc, DOHC parallel twin revs freely to an 8,500rpm

redline – with a smooth, linear action that delivers more than enough power for any job. Housed in a solid, durable frame, its power is directed through Yamaha’s well-known Ultramatic transmission, with a sprag-clutch layout that offers controlled engine braking in downhill terrain.

In use, the ease of selection of the High, Low, Neutral, Reverse and Park positions, via a stubby lever on the centre tunnel is noteworthy. Meanwhile, the handbrake – located in the same position – also falls easily to hand.

The final part of the transmission sees the option of choosing OnCommand 2WD, 4WD with Limited Slip Diff or 4WD with a locked front diff. The latter combines with the locked rear assembly to give go-anywhere capability. Choices are made by a simple rotary dial to the left of the steering column, with a selection of driving modes on a similar dial

Yamaha’s RMax 2 expands an already wide range of choices for on farm or rural mobility.

to the right.

Sport Mode offers maximum acceleration, fast engine response and smooth engine braking. A flick to the right engages Trail Mode, offering a more relaxed driving style – with smoother accelera-

tion and full engine braking. Crawl Mode delivers smooth throttle control, with slower more controllable response.

Although the latter suggests it is for extreme terrain, our test found it ideally suited to on-

farm duties. It keeps the machine more restrained in places like muddy gateways, steep inclines or on lateral traverses.

Also deserving of a special mention is the heavy-duty suspension system. This is set up to

offer maximum articulation at low speeds, with good balance as speed increases, leading to a predictable ride in all types of terrain. At its heart, wide A-arm components are combined with long-travel Fox-2

shocks for impressive damping, with the choice of three settings, easily adjusted by hand.

In the cabin, a tilt steering column makes access easy through the saloon-style lower doors.

This also serves to keep the leg area clean and within the vehicle perimeters. A bucket style seat offers firm support, with the extra security of a diagonal seat belt, which also combines an engine output inhibitor function if not engaged.

At the business end, the tilting cargo bed incorporates hydraulic assistance, a dropdown tailgate and 270kg capacity, while the rear 2-inch receiver offers a very useful 907kg towing capacity.

The shoulder guards are a little intrusive for wider shouldered drivers and the lack of a gutter around the roof assembly leads to a wet left leg if it’s raining. Well thought out, the Rmax2 doesn’t throw up much not to like.

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RURAL NEWS // JUNE 1, 2021

Grey Power CodeWord No. 18 (December 19)

by PM

MACHINERY & PRODUCTS / RURAL TRADER 55

Each number in the grid represents a letter of the alphabet. Three letters have already been given. Start by filling in these ones, and build the words in the grid from there. When you have completed the grid, you will be able to solve the coded message.

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© Pam Hutton 2019 | www.puzzlebeetle.co.nz

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11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 14 4 5 4 15 15 8 1 16 2 13 6 T H A N N E V E R Quadbar fitted, my accident would have 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 ACC subsidy – made by AshburtonF been fatal!” – Rozel Farms 7 3 7 17 3 8 3 F available 7 3 7 17 3 8 3 based manufacturers “The Quadbar saved our employee from Solution Solution 16 7 2 8 8 18 7 10 2 8 3 7 significant injuries.” – Colin van der Geest Rotowiper.

16 7 2 8 8 18 7 10 2 8 3 7 © Pam Hutton 2019 P I L 7L O W G 13E I S2 H A This bright orange Solution 16 P I L 7L O W G 13E I S2 H A 16 For a Quadbar, call me, Stuart Davidson, owner miracle machine has A 8 17O 16 B2 15 O 7 X 2 W N of Quadbar NZ, on 021-182 8115. Email 13 15 N 7 16 8 LETTER VALUES A 8 17O 16 B2 15 O 7 X 2 W 13 15 7 16 8 rangeturned one of the most V O W O F F S P R I N G QUADBAR 5 YEAR SURVEY sales@quadbar.co.nz or for more info go V9 O W O F10 F S 11P R I N G 19 600 spellunsatisfying and painful E 9 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 to www.quadbar.co.nzLETTER 11L 500 VALUES L E 10 T S L 19 400 L S L P I L O W G E S H A belowchores of this horse wid- RE7 E 12LI 20S SE7 U3 ET 16 4 11 11 7 16 8 300 7 12 20 7 3 16A 4I S 11 L11 E 7 16 8 200 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 R E I S S U E A I S L E ower’s life into a some1 2 100 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 16 4 8 N 10I 2 8 7 B X N V F R T U Y C E R 16 8 N 10I 2 7 P I 0 L NUMBER O OFW ROLLOVERS G E SNUMBER H OF A E 4 R8 thing to actually look DEATHS QUADBARS T R 14I F4 E2 20 I 2N 13 F E6 R S 4 18 16 forward to. Unbelievable, S S 22 T 13 F E6 R S 4 18 16 11 12 13 14 16 61 17 18 19 20 479 15 13R 14I F 4 E2 20 I 2N 13 0 CODED MESSAGE H A B Y

Grey Power CodeWord No. 18 (December 19)

PamHutton Hutton2019 2019| |www.puzzlebeetle.co.nz www.puzzlebeetle.co.nz ©©Pam

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Sudoku Puzzles 13

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© Pam Hutton 2019 | www.puzzlebeetle.co.nz

ESCORTED TOURS 2021

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74 7 8 1 5 9 2 6 3 4 Solution Solution 43 5P 2I L 9L O6W 4 G 3E I 1S H8 A 7 P I L L O W G E I S H A O 39 BEST QUALITY 3AA 4 OO 6| BBEST 8 Price 7XX 9WW 5 NN| 2BESTLETTER VALUES B1 O ADVICE V O W O F F S P R I N G V O W O F FPrice S P R I| NBEST G BEST QUALITY | BEST ADVICE 1 2 3 4 5 6 56 2EE 6 LL 4 EE9 TT3 1LL 8SS 7 LL 5 P I L O W G R E I S | S BEST U E APrice I S L E | BEST ADVICE QUALITY 11 12 13 14 15 16 R 5 E I 7 S S2U E A I 3S L4 E 1 82 BEST 9TANKS, 6 8 WATER PUMPS & FILTRATION B X N V F R E N I R E N I & FILTRATION R WATER TANKS, PUMPS S T R I F E I N F E R S 18 DEVAN 1 S •3 7• IPURETEC 5N F 2E•&OASIS 9CLEARWATER WATER FILTRATION T• TANKS, R 8I F4E PUMPS R6 S CALPEDA • OASIS CLEARWATER DEVAN •• PROMAX PROMAX • BPURETEC CODED MESSAGE H CALPEDA A Y H A B Y DEVAN • RX • CALPEDA • AQUA • OASIS CLEARWATER WATER TANKS, PUMPS & FILTRATION 11 7 17 17 7 16 67 6EE 1 5 O 9B B 4E R2 S 8 X C 3 E L7 R X C E L R O B B E R S B E T T E R R O S A • PURETEC E P: •II www.thetankguy.co.nz R0508 S38888 A P: 326 •7SSwww.thetankguy.co.nz 21 DEVAN • PROMAX 80508 9 •OCALPEDA 5326 28888 4 1 E •6OASIS CLEARWATER I N V O I C I N G O U R 17 9 10 13 13 I N V O I CA:I 30 N G O U Road R Turners – Feilding Road T – H Feilding A N N O R I 95 4 FF 7 EE 2 FF8 NN1A: 630 5Turners O R 9 I 3 F O R A Y S I T S E L F P: 0508 326 8888 • www.thetankguy.co.nz n 2019 F O R A Y S I T S E L F

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A T E

RURAL NEWS // JUNE 1, 2021

56 RURAL TRADER DOLOMITE

CRAIGCO SENSOR JET

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

0800 436 566

LASER FF95

DIESEL HEATER

• Robust construction • Auto shut gate • Total 20 jets • Lambs only 5 jets • Side jets for lice • Adjustable V panels • Davey Twin Impellor Pump • 6.5 or 9.0hp motors

www.ruralnews.co.nz

FLY OR LICE PROBLEMS? The magic eye sheepjetter since 1989

Quality construction and options • Get the contractors choice

GUARANTEED PERFORMANCE QUICK TO SETUP – EASY TO USE – JOB DONE

Featuring...

PH 06-835 6863 • MOB 021-061 1800 JETTER VIDEO: www.craigcojetters.com

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

ü Huge 9.5kW output. ü Made in Japan since 1991. ü Diesel is approx. 30-50% less than “on demand” Electricity or Gas. ü DIY Install or we can arrange. ü No wood to cut, cart or store. ü No mess, NO indoor diesel odours.

RURAL LADY SEEKING COMPANIONSHIP ¥

ü As easy to use as a light switch.

0800 379 247 www.avonheating.co.nz

Rural lady looking for a like-minded country gentleman to share her life with. With blonde hair, green eyes, fit and active, and a slim build. She loves the country life and the challenge it throws at her. Enjoys horse riding, camping, fishing and cooking.

07 573 8512 | dipping@electrodip.co.nz – www.electrodip.com

SINGLE DOG BOX

TOP DOG BOX

• In-house drainage • Tie down lugs on each side • Fits all wellside & flatdeck utes (2 models) • Raised floor for insulation

• Accommodates up to 4 dogs • 6 individual air vents • Removable centre board • 2 lockable galvanised gates

Single without tow ball mount .........................$585 Single with tow ball mount ..............................$655 Wellside ........................................................$920 Flatdeck ........................................................$920 ALL PRICES INCLUDE GST

SHEEP JETTERS SINCE 1992

❤ TO MEET HER AND OTHER LOVELY LADIES IN YOUR LOCAL AREA, PLEASE CALL...

0800 446 332 – QUOTE CODE 58

THE STANLEY LUNCH BOX durable, with huge capacity for a hearty lunch

Stock Whips

YOUR ADVERT HERE

The Stanley Flask has been keeping coffee hot around the clock since 1913

WE’RE KNOCKING THE GST OFF ALL OUR OUTBACK OIL SKINS AND STANLEY PRODUCTS

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

• SUITABLE FOR ALL

WEATHER CONDITIONS • LOW-MAINTENANCE • LONG-LASTING SYNTHETIC WHIPS

For details contact: JULIE BEECH Ph 09-307 0399 207 High Street, Solway, Masterton • 06 378 9964 • www.stockwhips.co.nz

Phone 0800 625 826 • www.mckeeplastics.co.nz

FOOTWEAR LTD

julieb@ruralnews.co.nz

NZ MADE BOOTS

Solway Masterton • 06-378 9964 www.stockwhips.co.nz • stockwhips@xtra.co.nz

TWO GREAT PRODUCTS!

Visit www.lastrite.co.nz for more quality products

HUNTER BOOTS Comfortable, durable and stylish.

The heavy duty sole construction makes this a robust boot designed for climbing over rugged ground. This boot has a soft toe and is made from a thick Mad Dog Nubuck Leather, stitched and screwed construction with a rubber, replaceable sole, that is glued and screwed. Soft padding for ankle support and D-Rings for your laces are an added advantage. Great fitting boots full of comfort, ideal for those long hunting and tramping trips.

FARMER BOOTS Lastrite’s Farmer boots are made for comfort. Constructed from Reverse kip leather they are an ideal farmers, fencers and builders boot. Very sturdy and made to last this boot is robust with a heavy duty construction. It has a leather insole and midsole that is stitched and screwed construction with a rubber, replaceable sole, that is glued and screwed. Update your old boots now and you will never look back.

• 350lt bin • Stihl BG86 blower motor • Great suction to clean your paddock or garden

FLEXISKIN MAX

100% Waterproof

$20

Hood Visor

ONLINE

$77

$150

STEEL TOE X (with Scuff Guard)

STEEL TOE X (with Scuff Guard)

valued at $280

STEEL TOE (without Scuff Guard) PLAIN TOE (without Scuff Guard)

sold out of size 5

Stitched On Soles

valued at $140

earthwalk.co.nz

$155

PLAIN TOE (without Scuff Guard) Colour = Dark Brown Buffalo Leather

LEGGINGS

order now - sizes can sell out fast (check availability online)

SLIP ON

LACE UP

sold out of size 8

FLEXISKIN MAX

Flexible

175% more water &

in stock now crack resistant

valued at $320

Acid Resistant Durable Seams

Fleece Collar

0800 16 00 24

ZIP STRIP quick lacing

valued at $160

valued at $230

9am-5pm

ENDS 30 JUNE

$88

$99

PHONE

BUFFALO BOOTS!

FREE SHIPPING! 175% more crack resistant

BIB OVERALLS

JACKET

• RC270, RC300 & RC500 • 3 sizes, super strong rotationally moulded in our factory

ROTOWIPER LTD 48 Bremners Road, PO Box 333 Ashburton.

P: 03-308 4497 • M: 027-311 9471 E: rotowipersales1@gmail.com • w: www.rotowiper.com

10 HALL ROAD, RD5, WHANGAREI Phone 09-436 2794 or 027-436 2793

RAINWEAR!

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175% more crack resistant than normal leather BANK TRANSFER

EARTHWALK 06 0746 0177988 02 (ANZ)

New Zealand owned & operated

sizes: BOOTS 5 - 13 (NZ)

RAINWEAR XS - 4XL

IT

always

Feels like summer WITH OUR PORTABLE AND PRICED TO GO OUTBOARDS

DF6A

DF 2.5S $999 User friendly with 360° steering.

$1,999 Can be transported and stored on 3 sides.

DT15AS

$2,899 The lightest two stroke in its class.

GIVE WINTER THE FLICK, VISIT MARINE.SUZUKI. CO.NZ/OFFERS OR A LOCAL PARTICIPATING DEALER NEAR YOU. OFFER ENDS 30 JUNE 2021, OR WHILE STOCKS LAST.

TRACTA_SUZ64000_SUMMER_FIELDAYS

FLAT DECK

JIMNY FLAT DECK FROM $35,990+ORC OR $31,296+GST & ORC

SAVE $2,000 NOW $23,990 +ORC * OR $103/WEEK WITH NO DEPOSIT

ALLGRIP Pro selectable 4WD with low ratio • Road registerable 1600mm wide x 1310mm long alloy deck • 1.5 litre VVT engine 91 octane • Air conditioning • Robust separate chassis for strong deck & towbar mounting points

BoosterJet turbo engine • 6-stage auto • Keyless entry Climate air con • Polished alloys • LED headlamps Sat Nav • Reverse camera • Apple CarPlay • Android Auto

*$102.57/week based on Baleno RS Auto was $25,990+ORC, now $23,990+ORC, total amount payable $26,770.77, nil deposit 3.9% p.a. fixed interest rate and 5-year term. On payment of on-road costs to the Dealer, finance payments include a $305 documentation fee and $10.35 PPSR fee.

Normal lending and credit criteria apply. Offer available from 1 May to 30 June 2021. Magma Grey and Autumn Orange are limited quantities and available while stocks last. Excludes fleet purchases, demo vehicles and all other promotions. www.suzuki.co.nz

Make the switch to this eco-friendly hatch with Smart Suzuki Hybrid technology and RENEW, RETAIN or RETURN with Suzuki Future Value.

SWIFT HYBRID LTD AUTO

86

$

PER WEEK *

48 MONTHS I 10% DEPOSIT I 60,000 KM

SuzukiFutureValue

*85.65/week based on Swift Hybrid Ltd Auto, $28,500 plus ORC, total amount payable $28,887.55; 10% deposit ($2,850), 3.9% p.a. fixed interest rate, 4-year term, 15,000 km annual allowance, and $11,158 assured future value. On payment of on-road costs to the Dealer, finance payments include a $305 documentation fee and $10.35 PPSR fee. Offer available available from 1 May to 30 June 2021. UDC Finance lending and credit criteria and Suzuki Future Value terms and conditions apply. Excludes fleet purchases, demo vehicles and all other promotions. While this offer is only on the Swift Ltd Hybrid, Suzuki Future Value is available across the Suzuki automobile range excluding Jimny. See suzuki.co.nz for details.