Rural News 16 August 2022 by Rural News Group

AUGUST 16, 2022: ISSUE 757 www.ruralnews.co.nz TO ALL FARMERS, FOR ALL FARMERS NEWS Carpet battle far from over. PAGE 8 MACHINERY & PRODUCTS Massey Ferguson launches 7S Series. PAGE 24 AGRIBUSINESS Punting on a natural

DAIRY FARMERS around the coun try are in breach of a new law around reporting synthetic nitrogen because the Government has failed to deliver an online measuring tool on time. Farmers should have submitted data for their respective farms by July 31. However, regional councils are asking farmers to wait until the new national reporting systems are avail able. The web portal is now expected to go live from August 29 and councils say “no follow up action” will be taken against farmers until October. Federated Farmers says it appears the Government did not engage nec essary web developers until the elev enthFedshour.essential freshwater regu lations spokesman Colin Hurst told Rural News, as it stands today, the law states that dairy farmers must submit fertiliser data to regional councils by July 31 this “Federatedyear.Farmers finds it aston ishing that councils would write to farmers and ask them to just wait a few months before they complied,” he says. The new regulation is part of the Ministry for the Environment’s (MfE) essential freshwater policy. Hurst says the failure to deliver the online tool on time should also be seen in the broader context of the Govern ment’s freshwater package. He claims the 2020 freshwater package contained a number of complicated and frankly unworkable regulations. “It has put the ministry and regional councils under a lot of pressure. None of the regulations have been imple mented without incident so far.”

Federated Farmers has written to the minister, David Parker, seeking an amendment to delay the reporting date for the 2021-22 year to the end of 2022. “We don’t think it’s fair to ask people to be in breach of the law, no one wants to be put in that position,” saysRegionalHurst. and Unitary Councils NZ land monitoring group lead Richard Saunders told Rural News that devel oping the tools has taken longer than expected. “By working together, the regional sector and the fertiliser indus try has ensured that there is a consis tent approach to data calculation and submission across the three tools developed to date.” Saunders says while the intent was to have the system ready for 31 July, developing these tools has taken longer than expected. “It is important we are confi dent that these tools will operate as intended when farmers begin to use them,” he adds. “No follow up action will be taken until after October, as we are encouraging farmers to wait until the new system is available to submit theirHedata.”says councils have agreed that the focus, following ‘go live’, will be to engage with farmers to encourage them to complete their reporting.

SUDESH KISSUN sudeshk@ruralnews.co.nz

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On a new mission After 15 years, Malcolm Bailey steps down as chair of the Dairy Companies of NZ (DCANZ) this week. After nearly four decades involvement in the NZ dairy sector, Bailey says he’s not retiring. However, his next gig will have little to do with the dairy industry – rather he’s planning to devote his energies to the technology companies that he has invested in. Some of these are poised to make interesting contributions to both agriculture and the wider industry. See full story page 7

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RURAL NEWS // AUGUST 16, 2022 NEWS 3 HEAD OFFICE Lower Ground Floor, 29 Northcroft Street, Takapuna, Auckland 0622 Phone: 09-307 0399 Fax: 09-307 0122 POSTAL ADDRESS PO Box 331100, Takapuna, Auckland 0740 Published by: Rural News Group Printed by: Inkwise NZ Ltd Editorial:CONTACTS editor@ruralnews.co.nz Advertising material: davef@ruralnews.co.nz Rural News online: www.ruralnews.co.nz Subscriptions: subsrndn@ruralnews.co.nz

TEACHERS HAVE welcomed a move by the Government to put money into supporting secondary school agricul tural and horticultural science and to get more students into a career in the ag and hort sectors. Last week, Agriculture Minis ter Damien O’Connor Government announced funding of $1.6 million over five years, through MPI, to fund the initiative. He says the aim is to build resilience and meet future workforce demand as the sector grows. “Our food and fibre sector is noth ing if we don’t have good, educated and enthusiastic people. We’re back ing the development of a nationwide advisory team to provide support to agricultural and horticultural science teachers, create resources, and provide important links to local food and fibre sectorO’Connorpartners.”says there are 126 schools across the country teaching agricul tural and horticultural science and the aim is to increase this number, especially in urban areas. He says the funding will provide for one full-time adviser and a support person plus up to 16 part-time regionally-based advis ers.The initiative came as a result of a proposal put to MPI by St Paul Colle giate, near Hamilton, which is a leader in teaching agribusiness, horticulture and agricultural science. Kerry Allen, who runs the school’s successful agribusiness programme and has been involved in other initia tives to raise the bar in teaching agri culture subjects in schools, played a leading role in putting this proposal together.Shesays the money will go towards upskilling teachers and get ting resources out to schools to help them understand new standards that are coming through, and provide gen eral support to ag and hort teachers. “Often ag and hort teachers are the sole charge people in their school and there is no other internal support for the subject, unlike maths which might have fifteen teachers,” Allen told Rural News. “Ag and hort teach ers have unique challenges because they need a lot of physical resources – such as glasshouses, farms, orchards and garden plots to maintain.”

PETER BURKE peterb@ruralnews.co.nz

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PRIME MINISTER Jacinda Ardern recently turned the first sod at Silver Fern Farms’ Belfast (Christchurch) meat works for a project slated as a major step in the company’s ambition to become coal-free by 2030. The Belfast Hot Temperature Pump will be a heat pump harnessing waste heat from the refrigeration process to heat hot water for other parts of the plant’s operation. It is expected to slash about 8% off the company’s total coal consumption by replacing 1,500 tonnes of coal a year and abate 59,000 tonnes of carbon across its lifetime. About half of the $1.6 million cost is coming from the Energy Efficiency and Conser vation Authority (EECA) Government Investment in Decarbonising Industry (GIDI) fund. Funding has also been secured for similar pumps at SFF’s Finegand and Pareora plants. Jacinda Ardern told VIPs and Belfast plant workers at the launch that some have called the GIDI scheme “corporate welfare” but she considers it a direct partnership that has had “huge” potential. MULTI STRAND Bayonet’s patented, Maxline 38mm Hex Netting Multi Strand is the ultimate level of assistance to obstruct feral animal movement with a Hex Netting fence. With an additional 20 x horizontal line wires through the bottom section of the netting, the Hex aperture closes down to just Wire MultiNetting38mmStrand

Prices expected to ease

BNZ is predicting that farmgate prices for dairy and meat this season are likely to be lower compared to the year past. 777

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Steel says this is a key reason why the bank has been generally cautious in its primary product price forecasts over recent times and remains so. “It is as much recession.theisahead.”anyuncertaintyacknowledgementanofandriskasfirmviewonthewaySteelnotesthattherealotmoretalkaboutprospectofaglobalHethinks

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FARMGATE PRICES for dairy and meat this season are likely to be lower compared to the year past, says BNZ senior economist Doug Steel.He believes the slow ing world demand for food will dominate other influences over this hori zon, although many sup ply-side issues remain unresolved.Writingin BNZ’s latest Rural Wrap, Steel adds that confidence in any forecast in the current environment is low. “There are simply too many very large factors in play to have strong conviction in how they will all evolve, how they might interact with each other, or when any mate rial changes will occur. “The progress of things like Covid and associated policies (par ticularly in China), Chi nese growth more generally amid a soften ing property market, an aggressive tightening in global monetary condi tions, supply-side bottle necks including shipping costs, Russia weaponising gas supply to the EU, and war along with other geo political tensions, all have the potential to mate rially alter the outlook from base expectations.”

SUDESH KISSUN sudeshk@ruralnews.co.nz

rising concerns about the demand outlook are behind a material pull back in world commodity prices across a range of primary products. For example, over the past few months, oil is down 20%, copper lower by 26%, aluminium off 33%, wheat down 31%, logs chopped 19%, dairy down 27%, beef reduced 15%, and lamb lower by 11%.Steel adds that price levels are another matter and vary by product, but says the recent direction of change is clear. “In addition to demand concerns, some of the global price slip page likely also reflects hints of easing in bot tlenecks and blockages, along with indicators showing shipping costs retreating – at least to some degree, on some routes – from extreme highs.”Hesays this raises the prospect of some trans port cost relief locally in time.“There are even early signs that some parts of cost inflation are peak ing“But,too. even if overall cost inflation fell to zero today (little chance –look at the labour market for one), it would still leave levels significantly higher than previously and margins pressured if product prices continue to easeSteelback.”says all overseas markets suggest a general pullback in primary prod uct prices over recent months.Henotes that many global prices are denomi nated in US dollars. This means some of the price declines noted above will reflect a stronger US dollar.“But we do not see that as the dominant factor,” he says. “There has been a sizeable and genuine slippage in prices over and above any cur rency influence.”denomination “There are simply too many very large factors in play to have occur.”changesanyoreachinteracttheyallhowconvictionstrongintheywillevolve,howmightwithother,whenmaterialwill

Jill Gower says one of the challenges with Overseer is the perception of what it can and can’t do.

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“As a small organisation we have struggled with that for years and ironically the press and conversations that we have had following the recent review of Overseer has helped to stimulate some good conversations.”

BEFORE STEPPING into the chief executive role recently, Jill Gower served as the organisation’s manager finance, governance & reporting and earlier as its company secretary. She doesn’t have an agricultural or science background but is a qualified accountant with a career in business and commerce. Gower has run her own business and spent some time at SportNZ where she was a generalist among a group of specialists. Her role was to distil the specialists’ information and make it relevant and useful to others. Overseer has a staff of ten people based in an office in central Wellington. Most of the team are experts in science and farm systems. “I see my role as very much facilitative. They have all the technical expertise and I help them connect and have good conversations with stakeholders. And also question and probe and try to clarify what is the best way forward. Mine is a relationship role,” she says. Jill Gower says Overseer has a diverse mix of stake holders, including government, industry, the science fraternity as well as farmers, growers and rural profes sionals. She admits many have differing views about Overseer.Forher, it’s a time when she’s meeting a lot of people in the sector and she says people are enthusiastic and have been putting forward good ideas. Jill Gower says she’s also getting the message out there about what Overseer is planning to do and, equally importantly, the areas that it’s not going to get involved in. “But when you think about the environmental outcomes NZ is trying to achieve, Overseer has a very important role to fill,” she says.

PETER BURKE

peterb@ruralnews.co.nz

Overseer’s a screwdriver –not a hammer!

THE NEW boss of the environmental software tool Overseer claims there is much support in the agri sector for what they are trying to do and that criticism of the tool appears to have gone quiet.Jill Gower has just taken over the role as chief executive of the team that is responsi ble for maintaining and developing the tool, which in the past has attracted criticism. She says one of the challenges with Overseer is the per ception of what it can and can’t do. One of the criticisms has been that some regional councils are using it as a regula tory tool to enforce envi ronmental standards. “As a small organisa tion we have struggled with that for years and ironically the press and conversations that we have had following the recent review of Overseer has helped to stimulate some good conversa tions,” Gower told Rural News “People are starting to understand what Over seer can be used for and its real Gowervalue.”admits some of the criticism has been difficult to deal with but reckons when you look into what people are criti cising, it’s about its use in specific“Thinksituations.ofOverseer as a screwdriver and it is a very good screwdriver. But if you use it like a hammer there’s a prob lem, because in those instances it’s not fit for purpose,” she says. Gower says one of the positives is the way that regional councils are using Overseer. She says her organisation is more comfortable with what’s happening now. Gower believes for the coun cils it has been a learning journey and now Over seer is being used more appropriately and is being folded in with other envi ronmental tools. At present, the Over seer organisation is run ning a series of projects aimed at making the tool much more fit-for-pur pose for a range of situ ations.“The model always has its limitations it has more limitations for certain purposes than others,” Gower adds. “In the case of dairy, people in that sector are a lot more comfortable using it that in horticul ture.“We have a way to go yet and part of the rede velopment programme is looking at our crop model and what we can do to improve it.”

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LOCHIE MACGILLIVRAY says it’s been a fairly wet July in Hawkes Bay with some areas having received twice the rainfall of previous years. He says water tables are high – if not at record levels – and this has potentially slowed down pasture growth because soils are very wet. “This means that pasture utilisation starts to slip off a bit as paddocks get muddy,” he explains. “Having said that, we went into the winter with really good pastures covers and that was maintained through June – so there is no concern about a lack of feed for stock, although some farmers are feeding out or speeding up their rota tions to avoid MacGillivraypugging.”saysgenerally stock health is quite good but scanning is a bit mixed with some good and some moderate results. He says lambing will be good, but doubts whether it will be a record year.

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A HAWKES Bay-based farm consultant reckons there will be a need for farm system changes next season in order for farm ers to meet new winter grazing thatslope.thetheyintensivelydocksyear.howfarmersGillivraynotallmanagestillrequirements,respondingersGillivrayAgfirst’sregulations.LochieMacsayswhilefarmintheregionaretothenewmanyarelearninghowtothesituationandtherequirementsareyetbeingmet.Macbelievesmostareworkingouttheywillcopenext“Someofthepadwheretheyhavewintergrazed,won’tbeabletoinfuturebecauseofHowtheymanagegoingforwardis

Farm consultant Lochie MacGillivray says farm system changes will be needed to meet new winter grazing regulations.

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“The worry for farmers at present is getting stock killed, because there is still waiting time with bobby calves talking precedence for killing space,” he told Rural News “Some farmers were taking lambs to heavier weights and that’s kind of limited their opportunities in terms of marketing because these lambs are almost potentially too heavy.”

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something that is in the back of their minds,” he told Rural News “They are think ing about the paddocks they have got to turn over or cultivate now and there are question marks around that which haven’t been someMacGillivrayresolved.”saysfarmerswillsell their stock earlier to avoid having to graze them in winter, while others may cultivate and crop the easy country for a while. Others, he adds, may try and take stock through and graze off pasture – although that might come under the new freshwater plans as well.“It’s all a bit noisy and confused up here. The Government might have a very clear idea in their minds about what they want, but how that is implemented on the ground is not clear,” he adds.“For example, I believe that regional councils haven’t worked out how they are going to police the regulations because they don’t have the staff resource to do that.”

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MALCOLM BAILEY grew up on a dairy farm near the township of Feilding in the lower North Island. He still farms there today, with his son doing much of the on-farm work, while he focuses on his numerous otherAfterroles.completing a Bachelor of Ag Economics, Bailey left the family farm and took a job in the economics section of the Reserve Bank. One of his roles was to crunch some of the balance of payments numbers. It was here that he experienced the power of one Robert D. Muldoon, a man whose interventionist policies were eventually one of the reasons the young Malcolm Bailey went back to the family farm. “As far as I was concerned, he was a lying crook who took the NZ economy in completely the wrong direction,” Bailey told Rural News “The Reserve Bank could do nothing, despite a lot of the officials hating what was going on, but they couldn’t speak out publicly.” Back in the provinces and on the farm, Bailey ventured into farmer politics, which eventually led to him becoming president of Feder ated Farmers between 1996 and 1999. Immediately after that he was appointed NZ’s Special Agricultural Trade Envoy and took part in what turned out to be the abortive WTO Doha trade round in 2001. When Fonterra was founded in 2001, it saw the creation of the Share holders Council and Bailey was elected to that. Three years later he was elected to the Fonterra board. It was this that led to his appointment 15 years ago as the chair of DCANZ. In between, he also spent time on the board of the Westpac bank. A feature of his time at DCANZ was working closely with other primary sector advocacy groups such as the Meat Industry Associ ation (MIA) where the two organ isations worked on the M. bovis outbreak, animal welfare and other biosecurity issues and the recent NZ/ EU FTA Baileynegotiationshasbeena cheerleader for greater international trade liber alisation and a strong opponent of countries which employ protectionist policies – such as the EU. He still fails to accept the arguments it (the EU) put up in the recent NZ/EU FTA nego tiations.“Ican’t understand how the EU can argue the sensitivity in the dairy sector when they are the world’s largest dairy exporter,” he told Rural News. “For them to say they can’t liberalise their market beyond the tiny amount they have given us doesn’t add up at all.”

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Malcolm Bailey says individual farmers – and the industry itself – have invested massively to minimise the environmental footprint of dairying.

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NZ dairy man laments lack of recognition of sector’s progress

Bailey says people tend forget that the pri mary sector is the engine room of the NZ econ omy and that significant money for health, educa tion and other services comes from the agricul tural exports. He says you sometimes read a report about the average NZ water quality which paints a negative picture. “Well NZ water is actually outstandingly high in world terms,” he adds. “Sure, it’s not at a level across NZ that we are happy with so that’s why we continue to invest in improve ment. But remember we are starting from a base that most countries in the world would think was a pretty good place to start.”Meanwhile, Bailey’s next gig will have little to do with the dairy indus try. Rather he’s planning to devote his energies to some of the technology companies he’s invested in, which are in the pro cess of producing some outstanding results in agriculture and in indus try.One of the compa nies Bailey’s involved with is Greentech Robot ics, based in Palmerston North. It is in the final stages of having one of its products – WeedSpider –operating on farms in the USA. This is set to be the world’s first truly auton omous weeding robot, capable of identifying and eliminating weeds in a variety of crops without a human lifting a finger. Bailey says the idea was developed to help commercial vegetable growers who are facing labour shortages. The robot drives up and down the rows of plants, iden tifying weeds and remov ing these. The company also has other products in the“Countriespipeline. such as the USA, which have strong economic engines, are also at the leading edge in the technology space,” Bailey told Rural News “NZ also has the poten tial to do this and my economic background is helpful when it comes to crunching numbers and seeing whether a venture is profitable.”

THE MAN who has led the Dairy Compa nies Association of NZ (DCANZ) for the past 15 years believes the dairy sector does not get enough recognition for what it does for NZ. Malcolm Bailey, who steps down from his DCANZ role this week, has made a huge con tribution to NZ and the dairy sector in particular for nearly four decades. Bailey says one of the difficult things he’s had to overcome in his tenure at DCANZ is getting trac tion in the media about all the initiatives and works that the industry has done in the face of public criticism. He says individual farmers – and the indus try itself – have invested massively to minimise the environmental footprint of dairying and there have been some real suc cess stories that have not been“Yes,recognised.peoplecan say nitrate levels on farm are still too high but the pathway of progress has been something to be proud of,” Bailey told Rural News “It’s a bit of a race with no end because you are setting your goals to be even better. I just reflect on the fact that every economic activ ity has some sort of envi ronmental footprint. In my view, there is a lot of misinformation out there about what is the true state of the industry.”

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HOT ON the heels of Bremworth claim ing a “win” in its ongoing court case with rival carpet-maker Godfrey Hirst, the international company is now claim ing its own “win”. Last week, Godfrey Hirst “wel comed” a High Court ruling rejecting Bremworth’s request for discovery in the former’s case against the latter for alleged misrepresentations about syn thetic carpets. In the pre-trial application, Brem worth sought wide-ranging discovery from Godfrey Hirst about its advertis ing and statements. The High Court concluded that much of what Bremworth was seeking wasHowever,“disproportionate”.itdidinstruct Godfrey Hirst to provide some of the material sought, as “simply a matter of the court having proper control over the process” of discovery.Meanwhile, the case is set down for a hearing in the High Court in Septem ber next year. Godfrey Hirst says, should it win in court, it is not seeking dam ages but “normal costs associated with bringing this public interest case will be claimed”.

RURAL NEWS // AUGUST 16, 2022 8 NEWS

EVERYONE’S A WINNER Go Good Together” cam paign, which he says does not in any way mislead consumers.Smithclaims that wool carpets are not only the best for design and per formance on the floor, he adds wool is also New Zealand grown, natural, biodegradable and renew able.“New Zealand’s wool industry has struggled in recent decades against the backdrop of cheaper synthetic alternatives, but the world is chang ing and we are confident our homegrown wool is the natural solution to imported synthetic carpet fibres,” he says. Smith adds that Brem worth’s own research proves more consumers see the benefits of wool. “We firmly believe it is a consumer’s right to make an informed choice between wool products and synthetic alterna tives, which are essen tially plastic.”

claims around wool car pets being “better for the environment” and that a switch from synthet ics to all wool carpets is “changing for good” were misleading.InearlyAugust, Brem worth issued a media statement insinuating that the international carpet maker had ceased its case by withdrawing a damages HirstHowever,claim.Godfreysaysit“elected to remove any claim for damages” in its High Court Case against Brem worth relating to “green washing and misleading conduct in relation to synthetic ittopubliccumstancesconstrainedaware“Godfreycarpets”.HirstisofBremworth’sfinancialcirand,intheinterest,wanteddoallitcouldtomakefinanciallyviablefor Bremworth to correct any misleading and/or greenwashing marketing without the risk of Brem worth also having to pay damages,” the company says.Godfrey Hirst added that it continues to actively pursue all aspects of its case against Brem worth in the High Court for the benefit of New Zealand panyGregworthMeanwhile,consumers.BremchiefexecutiveSmithsayshiscomstandsbyits“Let’s

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From his extensive industry background, he discusses this potential in the second of three articles. USDA INFORMATION shows about 2 million meat-producing goats in America supply half the consumer demand in the US, with a Muslim population of 3.5 mil lion, more than twice as many Latinos –as well as people of Asian-origin. The US’s national herd and slaugh ter is shrinking by 1-2% annually. Texas, which supplies 40% of the US market, has dropped 80% in 10 years. Batten believes that the US goat meat production situation is unlikely to change, with the cost of land and feeds for at least half the farms with small herds often focused on circular, seedstock, parent age-based breeding. He adds the current drought and fires will influences supply from southern range states as well. According to Batten, NZ goat meat only needs a small part of the US market to succeed.Toprovide a realistic comparison for NZ farmers, he uses a 25kg LW – 11.5kg carcase and USDA S2 grading. His analy sis of the last 10 years of prices and shows increases from $125 to $215 per head, with December – May festival-influenced pre miums adding average 17%. Batten adds that current lower prices, reflect increased supplies and lower summer consumption.

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NZ goat meat only needs to capture a small part of the US market to succeed.

RURAL NEWS // AUGUST 16, 2022 NEWS 9

“National average retail meat prices are triple live auction prices, where USDA monthly reports show per kg prices for bone-in leg over $60 and over $45 for ground and stew meat,” he told Rural News Batten believes that local lamb prices provide an interesting comparison. “There is not a great deal of difference in major Texas live auction prices for wool and hair breed lambs and often a better price for goats at similar low weights,” he says. “This also shows average lamb cut prices as being similar to ground and stew goat meat, with up to 50% premium for grass-fed.” Heconcedes that the US market does need understanding. For example, corner grocery stores rather than supermarkets sell most goat meat, adding to distribu tion, logistical and cost complexities. “Ethnic consumers tend to buy car cases, although lately, more half and quar ters and even some retail cuts.” Batten adds there are notable retail price differences, with fresh at about double that of frozen meat from Austra lia. He says research shows that ethnic taste panelists could not distinguish the two types of meat for flavour, tenderness juiciness or overall satisfaction. He suggests that larger, older Austra lian frozen carcases shape US customer perception, but still return their farmers 50% more than ours.

Is US marketuntappedanfor NZ goat meat?

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The US goat meat market provides profitable potential for NZ hill country farmers, in Garrick Batten’s opinion.

Invitation for 2022 candidate nominations – three positions available In October, an election will take place for two farmer-elected directors for the Board of DairyNZ Incorporated and a second election for one member of DairyNZ’s Directors’ Remuneration Committee. Current levy-paying dairy farmers are invited to nominate candidates to fill these three positions. All farmers paying a levy on milksolids to DairyNZ are eligible to stand for election. An information pack outlining desired criteria and nomination requirements for the position can be obtained from the Returning Officer. Nominations must be received by the Returning Officer by 12 noon on Monday 5 September 2022.

ReturningMortonOfficer DairyNZ 666 935 iro@electionz.com 5,6ha

Incorporated 0800

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RURAL NEWS // AUGUST 16, 2022 10 NEWS

Elections If more than the required nominations are received, an election will be carried out by internet voting using the STV (single transferable vote) voting method. Votes will be weighted by annual milksolids production. Voting credentials will be emailed to all registered DairyNZ levy payers on 19 September 2022, with voting closing at 12 noon on Monday, 17 October 2022. The DairyNZ Annual General Meeting will be held on Tuesday, 18 October 2022. Election results will be announced at the meeting. For further details contact the Returning Officer Anthonybelow.

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He points to AgResearch’s high metabolisable energy (HME) ryegrass currently in US trials. This has the potential to reduce livestock methane emis sions by 23% and cut nitrogen excreted into the envi ronment by livestock feeding on this ryegrass. The only problem is that under current legislation it is illegal to grow this grass in New Zealand. Former chief science advisor Sir Peter Gluckman highlighted this technology and suggested legislative change in his 2019 report calling it an “effective way of sustaining productivity while lowering dairy cow numbers and the environmental burden of methane emissions”. However, there are a number of hurdles to over come before such measures can be taken in NZ. Under the Hazardous Substances and New Organ isms Act (HSNO), genetically modified plants/ani mals are considered completely new substances and must be individually reviewed and passed. Before GM legislation can be altered changes will require input from iwi groups, who are generally hawkish about GM, with concerns about long-term effects, mauri (life force) and whakapapa being the main points of contention. Cameron points to Australia’s relaxation of gene editing laws in plants to no longer require govern ment approval. He claims NZ risks being left behind if we don’t do the same. – Leo Argent

NEW RESEARCH shows that New Zealanders are becoming more open to the use of genetic engineer ing advances to progress our agriculture sector. Christchurch-based survey and product develop ment company Research First recently published the results of a survey on the use of GE in NZ. It found the use of gene editing in humans for medical and disease prevention purposes was viewed in an over whelmingly positive manner. Meanwhile, although it still had majority support, the research found less backing for gene editing to improve biodiversity and farmACThealth.spokesman Mark Cameron says New Zealand needs to liberalise its laws on genetic engineering to allow our agricultural industry to “lead, not lag”. “ACT has always said if we want to get serious about reducing agriculture emissions we should be looking at technological advancements like this before taxing and destocking.”

Better methane measure will make an impact

CALLS GECHANGESFORTOLAWS

Frank Mitloehner says the GWP (100) measure has major limitations when livestock numbers are constant and/or falling and methane is being reduced.

Notice of Election DairyNZ Board of Directors DairyNZ Directors Remuneration

RECOGNITION IS urgently needed on a new measure for short and long-lived greenhouse gases and their impact on globalThatwarming.wasthe strong message given to attend ees at the recent Red Meat Sector Conference by Dr Frank Mitloehner of the University of Cal ifornia Davis – a world expert on livestock emis sionsHeresearch.explained how the measure of GWP (100) – the matrix used to cal culate the impact of dif ferent gas emissions on warming for the past 30 years – is “problematic” when methane levels are falling.“Ithas real strong lim itations when livestock numbers are constant and/or falling and meth ane is being attendeesMitloehnerreduced.”toldthatmethane is a potent greenhouse gas (GHG), with its global warming potential (GWP) 28 times stronger than that of “Methanecarbon.is a fast and furious gas, meaning it is 28 times more powerful than carbon, but it also disappears quickly.” He explained how emissions produced from fossil fuels are vastly dif ferent to those produced by livestock because the half-life of methane is around 12 years, com DAVID ANDERSON pared to the half-life of carbon, which is more like 1,000 years. “There is a molecule in the atmosphere called a hydraulic radical that destroys methane, which generally takes about a decade. However, the same does happen with C02 (carbon) or nitrous oxide.”Mitloehner says this means when you drive a car, the emissions it puts into the atmosphere keeps a warming effect for 1,000 years. However, he explained that with a constant source of meth ane (same number of livestock) then there is no additional warming. “So, if you reduce methane emission then you reduce warming.” He said this is what the Paris Accord called for – a reduction in global warming.“Warming is what it is all about and that is why we care about greenhouse gasMitloehneremissions.”said if live stock numbers stay con stant then they do not add to warming, but if these numbers fall that actually reduces warming. He gave as an example the drop in the US dairy herd from a peak herd of 25 million 50 years ago to around 9 million today. “However, with these 9 million dairy cows we are now producing 16% more milk than we use to with 25 million. That means the carbon foot print of a gallon of milk today is two-thirds of what it was in 1950.” Mitloehner says research at Oxford Uni versity found that GWP (100) overestimates the impact of constant sources of methane on warming by a factor of 4. “GWP (100) is used all over the world to esti mate methane sources on warming, but it doesn’t do a proper job for con stant sources of methane or reducing trajectories either.”Hesays the develop ment of Oxford’s new matrix GWP* properly calculates the impact of methane on climate over time.“Methane is not a stop gas, it is a flow gas. It is not just produced but it is also notshouldtoever,climateersbeanewarming.”solutionculturemanageculturalopportunity“MethaneMitloehnernotC02ingtheinimpactaneyoustockplanet.”additionaltheaddsizeexplained.removed,”atmosphericallyMitloehner“Ifyoukeepaherdconstant,youdon’tadditionalcarbontoatmosphereandnowarmingtoourHeadded,iflivenumbersdrop,thenarereducingmethandhavingthesameasplantingforestsremovingcarbonfromatmosphereandleadtonegativewarming.“Methaneisnotjustonsteroidsandisasuperpollutant,”concluded.isasuperfortheagrisector.Ifwecanmethane,agricanbepartofthetoreduceglobalMitloehnersaysmethreductionsshouldencouragedsofarmcanbepartofthesolution.Howhebelievespoliciesencouragereductionstakeacarrotandastickapproach.

A PROJECT that aims to educate Kiwi schoolchildren about wool will see the 25,000th student pass through its wool sheds this month. Wool in Schools was set up by Campaign for Wool (CFW), a global initiative spearheaded by Prince Charles to raise awareness about wool. In fact, Prince Charles opened the programme’s first wool shed – a converted shipping container – at Tawa Intermediate in 2015. Schools apply via the Wool in Schools website and when there is enough demand in an area a shed is dispatched. A shed will typically spend between one and two weeks at each includesshedEachbybywithVisitsSouthcreatedawasweaving.soloombenefitsthewoolstationsachildren30takesThesite.experienceapproximatelyminutes,wherepassthroughseriesofinteractivelearningaboutprocessesanddifferentusesandofwool.ThereisevenaminiinthecontainertheycanhaveagoatCFWsaysdemandsohighthatin2018secondcontainerwastobettersupportIslandschools.arefreeforschools,theprojectfundedCFWandsponsoredPGGWrightsonWool.school’swoolexperienceusuallyavisitfroma local PGG Wrightson team member to add an even greater depth of knowledge for students. Chair of Campaign for Wool NZ Tom O’Sullivan says he is pleased with the response to the project.“It’s a woolcreateinspiredamagewhichplastic-fibremovingwaysneedaremessagewaysforCFWbounce.”givestoballsisthataretorealisetennisandreallyexhibitLindstromprojectaboutthemselvesthroughdaughtersareachedmilestonefantastictohave25,000pupils,realprivilege.MytwohavebeentheWoolShedandstilltalkitathome.”WoolinSchools’managerVickisaysonethatseemstostandoutforchildadultalikeistheballexhibit.“Manypeopledon’tthatwoolisusedcovertennisballsanddelightedtolearnNewZealandwoolchosenforthetennisatWimbledon,dueits‘crimp’factorwhichtheballsthebestO’Sullivansaysthatisalwayslookingcreativeandinspiringtosharetheaboutwool.“Youngergenerationsreallytunedintotheformoresustainableofliving,includingawayfromcheapproductsaredoingsomuchtoourplanet.“Wehopewecanhelpthemearlyontoandinnovatewithforabetterfuture.”

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CAMPAIGN FOR Wool recently partnered with Geral dine farmer and author Christine Taylor whose childrens’ book Jock Visits the Neighbours follows the adventures of a highland terrier who visits a nearby sheep farm. CFW has sent the book to schools around the country for their libraries. ALL ABOUT IT “It’s a fantastic milestone to have reached 25,000 pupils, a real privilege.”

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LEO ARGENT Campaign for Wool NZ chair Tom O’Sullivan says he is pleased with the response to the project.

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LEO ARGENT

facebook.com/ruralnews@rural_news READ ONLINEUS READING THE PAPER ONLINE HAS NEVER BEEN EASIER. ■ BREAKING NEWS ■ MACHINERY REVIEWS ■ MARKETS & TRENDS ■ MANAGEMENT STORIES ■ COMPETITIONS ■ AND MUCH MORE... www.ruralnews.co.nz RURALNEWS HEADER Ferist et quati aut pedici te vollab imod quamet atur soleniet quiatibu. PAGE 15 HEADER Ferist et quati aut pedici te vollab imod quamet atur soleniet quiatibu. PAGE 23 HEADER Ferist et quati aut pedici te vollab imod quamet atur soleniet quiatibu. PAGE 24 TO ALL FARMERS, FOR ALL FARMERS

Staunch rural health advocate recognised

“I am humbled to be recognised in this way, particularly as the work I do has strength only due to the mahi of my colleagues in rural practice.”

Dr Jeremy Webber is described as a staunch advocate for rural health.

IN BRIEF ARABLE WINNERS

RURAL HEALTH advo cate Dr Jeremy Webber was awarded a Distin guished Fellowship of The Royal New Zealand College of General Prac titioners at the recent GP22 conference in healthinasChristchurch.Webber–describeda‘stalwartadvocate’hisroles–isaruralclinicaldirector at Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network as well as a rural medicine hos pital specialist in Taupō Hospital, where he has worked since 2016. His passion for rural life stems from his farm ing childhood where he grew up in the Manawatū andHeWhangārei.wasinspired to pursue a career in rural health after working in a remote Aboriginal com munity in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, where GPs ran the local hos pital.Webber’s dedication to improving health equity is reflected by his impact at Hauora Taiwhenua as clinical director rural health. He also represents rural general practice on many Ministry of Health taskforces and panels. As the first Rural Hos pital Medicine graduate of the Division of Rural Hospital Medicine train ing programme, Webber is enthusiastic about the education and training of rural medicine and grow ing a robust future rural health workforce. “I am humbled to be recognised in this way, particularly as the work I do has strength only due to the mahi of my col leagues in rural prac tice,” he said in a speech after being presented his award.Webber also recently contributed to the advo cacy efforts of the team at Hauora Taiwhenua by presenting at the Pae Ora Healthy Futures Bill Select Committee hear ing. This resulted in the recent inclusion of rural communities as a priority population in the Pae Ora legislation and the devel opment of a rural health strategy presented to Te Whatu Ora Health NZ as a basis for their planning for rural iousotherthepitalwasbeestnity.wellbeingicinetosustainedwhoorshiporcomes,whichrelationshipspeopleandculturespectivediversityengagestrengthsofDavidsonchiefHauorahealth.TaiwhenuaexecutiveDrGrantsaysthatoneWebber’sbiggestishisabilitytoeffectivelywithaofpeople–irreofage,gender,and/orstatus.“Hisnaturalempathygenuineconcernforleadstoeffectivebeingbuiltenablesgreatoutwhetherclinicalpolitical.”DistinguishedFellowisawardedtoGPsruralhospitaldoctorshavedemonstratedcontributionsgeneralpractice,medorthehealthandofthecommuItisoneofthehighrecognitionsthatcangivenbythecollege.Thisyear,Webbertheonlyruralhosdoctortoreceiveaward,alongsidefiveGPsworkinginvarsectors.

SOUTHLAND’S AULD Farm Distillery, run by Rob and Toni Auld, picked up the innovation title at the recent New Zealand Arable Awards, held in Christ church.Federated Farmers arable executive member David Birkett, who farms at Leeston, Canterbury, was named Arable Farmer of the Year. Meanwhile, Fed’s immediate past national vicepresident Karen Williams, and husband Mick, won the Environment & Sustainability Award. The 2022 Food Champion award was won Angela Clifford, for her organisation EatNZ, which promotes NZ grown/produced food.

RURAL NEWS // AUGUST 16, 2022 12 NEWS

ACVM No: A934, A935, A11311 & A11766. Schering-Plough Animal Health Ltd. Phone: 0800 800 543. www.msd-animal-health.co.nz ©2022 Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA and its afﬁliates. All Rights Reserved. NZ-MUL-2201700001. 1 Baron Audit Data, June 2022 Whether standard, boosted with Vitamin B12 and/or Selenised, the MULTINE ® range can cover your ﬂocks’ essential vitamin, mineral and clostridial protection needs. You can get exactly what your sheep require, right when you need it. That’s why MULTINE ® is New Zealand’s leading 5-in-1 clostridial vaccine range1. Learn more at www.sheepvax.co.nz Available from leading veterinary clinics and rural retailers. With a range of supplementation options to choose from, using MULTINE® ensures you get everything you need – and nothing you don’t. 5-in-1 + 2mg Vitamin B12 + 2mg Selenium 5-in-1 5-in-1 + 2mg Vit. B12 5-in-1 + 5mg Sel. Your farm, your solution. The MULTINE® range lets you manage how you protect and supplement your sheep. VAXIPACK® RECYCLING LEARN MORE

Developments coming to help reduce on-farm GHGs

50% below 2005 levels by 2030.“When you look at NZ’s emissions profile there are two sectors

DESPITE THE challenge of agricultural emissions making up 50% of NZ’s total greenhouse gas (GHG) profile, there are several mitigation options in the pipeline. At the recent Red Meat Sector Conference in Christchurch, Sinead Leahy – principal science advisor at the NZ reduceNZNations’thatbeingdevelopmentsoutlinedCentreGreenhouseAgriculturalGasResearch(NZAGRC)–someoftheseandworkdoneinthisspace.ShetoldtheaudienceundertheUnitedParisAgreement,hascommittedtoitsemissionsto

DAVID ANDERSON that stand out where reductions can be made –the transport sector and the agriculture sector.”

RURAL NEWS // AUGUST 16, 2022 14 NEWS

Leahy explained that the two main gases that made up NZ agriculture’s GHG profile were livestock emissions in the form of methane (burping), accounting for 73% of total agriculture emissions, and nitrous oxide (urine), which accounts for 16%. In regard to mitigation, she says there are three ways that the sector can reduce agricultural emissions: Further increases in animal productivity and farmConstraintsefficiency, on total production and movement towards lower emitting land uses such as cropping, horticulture and forestry technologiesAdditionaland,that directly reduce includedtechnologies,someLeahyemissions.outlinedofthesenewwhichthingssuch as low emitting sheep and cattle, methane vaccines – as well as methane inhibitors and feed additives.Shesays low emitting sheep were well advanced with these genetics starting to be introduced into breeding flocks around the country. Meanwhile, she added that low emitting cattle were a little further behind and these genetics were still probably about 5 years away from introduction into herds. Leahy says methane inhibitors are an exciting development, with the emergence of products such as Bovear that is placed in animal feed and reduces methane production.“Ithasbeen found that in every mouthful of feed with this product added you get about a 30% decrease in methane emissions with no adverse effects on production.”However, she says the problem with this product in the NZ situation is that it has a short life and its effects only last about two hours after it is put into feed. “We have the additional challenge in NZ about how we make this compound useful in our pastoral grazing systems.”Leahy says there is a lot of work being done into how it could be used outdoors in paddocks via feeders, and this entailed developing it into a slow release format that could last up to eight hours. “You may not get the same reductions in methane as the indoor format, but you will still get some Anotherreductions.”development is a methane vaccine that aims for a 30% reduction in animal methanetrialedseaweedfedgarlic,additivesmethane–plantainforageasemissionstheakilogramproduced21gadditives:emissionsbeingsomeandruminants,acrossvaccineinacceptedandpastoralapplicableinterventionisadvantageproduction.methaneLeahysaystheofavaccineit’salowfrequencythatistoNZ’sfarmingsystemsthatvaccinationisanfarmpracticeNZ.Sheaddsthattheisalsoapplicablealltypesoffarmeditisauditableleavesnoresidues.Shealsomentionsoftheworkdonearoundlowfeedandfeed“Approximatelyofmethaneisforeveryoffeedeatenbyforage-fedanimal.”However,shesaysemergenceoflowfeeds–suchlowNfeeds,maize,rape,fodderbeet,andGMplantswillhelpreduceanimaloutput.Similarly,feedlikeoils,yeasts,directmicrobialsandredareallbeingtoreducelivestockproduction.

Where do New Zealand’s agricultural emissions come from? Methane from livestock 3% 16% Nitrous oxide from synthetic fertilizer 4% Sources NewemissionsagriculturalofinZealandin2020 Nitrous oxide from livestock managementManure 4% other 73% “It has been found that in every mouthful of feed with this production.”effectsnoemissionsin30%getaddedproductyouaboutadecreasemethanewithadverseon The two main gases that make up NZ agriculture’s GHG profile are livestock emissions at 73% of total agriculture emissions and nitrous oxide, which accounts for 16%. 2023 Edna Calendar T: 09-307 0399 then press 1 to be put through to reception E: julieb@ruralnews.co.nz ❱❱ $25 including post & packaging ❱❱ 12 of Edna’s best cartoons ❱❱ 330mm x 240mm, spiral bound ORDER EDNA!!NOW! EDNA CALENDAR 2023 “You do realise Edna, if we start to float, you’ll be breaking the law banning live animal shipments!” “Break my New Year resolution? - no way – it must be the Aussie bushfires you can smell!” RURAL NEWSTO FARMERS, FARMERS HORTNEWS SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 1 2 3 4 5 6 87 9 10 11 12 13 1514 16 17 18 19 20 2221 23 24 25 26 27 2928 30 31 1 2 3 4JANUARYFEBRUARYNEW OBSERVED WELLINGTON ANNIVERSARY AUCKLANDANNIVERSARY

Punting on a natural payoff

DAVID ANDERSON

FUNDING TO MEASURE NZ’S AG EMISSIONS

RURAL NEWS // AUGUST 16, 2022 AGRIBUSINESS 15

Bremworth chief executive Greg Smith says like the wool industry, the meat sector faces challenges from synthetics.

WALKING THE TALK

THE MINISTRY for Primary Indus tries is calling on researchers to apply for funding to better measure the country’s agricultural emissions. The funding comes from MPI’s Greenhouse Gas Inventory Research annual funding round, which recently opened for research proposals with $2.1 million available. Under the United Nations Frame work Convention on Climate Control (UNFCCC), New Zealand must annu ally report its emissions through the Greenhouse Gas Inventory. This cal culates and records greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture and indus try in the country, as well as carbon sequestration from forests. MPI administers the agricultural side of thisStevereport.Penno says, this year, MPI is seeking proposals on nine priority areas, ranging from methane to the effects of plants on emissions. “We’re seeking research proposals to maintain and improve our agricul ture, forestry and land-use inventory. It will also be used to account for mit igation technologies as they are devel oped and implemented on farms in NewPennoZealand.”saysthe research fund is an important tool in enabling reporting to the NZ Greenhouse Gas Inventory and the UN under the Paris Climate Agreement.Headds that accurate information is essential for developing policy and verifying that efforts to reduce agri cultural emissions across the country. In Budget 2022 the Government committed $339 million through the Climate Emergency Response Fund to accelerate development and uptake of high-impact agricultural mitigation technologies. Of this, $1.5 million was added to the Greenhouse Gas Inven tory Research fund for 2022/23, taking available funding to $2.1 million for new projects over the next 12 months. Penno says the fund also contrib utes to international efforts to drive down agricultural emissions. “As one of the only developed countries with a largely pasture-based agricultural economy, we’re also able to share our research outcomes with less developed countries with simi lar agricultural sectors to boost their knowledge,” he The Greenhouseadds. Gas Inventory Research funding round is opened on 14 July and closes on 12 August, with successful proposals expected to be announced in October. – Leo Argent facebook.com/ruralnews@rural_news

GREG SMITH says the biggest threat to Bremworth’s 100% wool strategy is supply. He explained that, because the price of strong wool had been so bad for so long, farmers had moved out of the sector to focus on trees or adopted self-shedding breeds like Wiltshires. He says Bremworth is in the process of developing long term contracts for wool growers in an effort to offer more stability and confidence in the future of the NZ strong wool sector. Smith explained that Bremworth’s purpose was 3 Ps: people, planet and profit. “Profit is incredibly important and sustainability has to pay. We can’t make meaningful change unless we generate profits out of it.”

NZ CARPET maker Bremworth has bet its future on a growing con sumer shift to sustain ability with its move to drop synthetics and only use 100% wool in its products.Chiefexecutive Greg Smith told the Red Meat Sector Conference, held in Christchurch earlier this month, that like the wool industry, the meat sector faced challenges from synthetics. How ever, he believes this is an opportunity that the NZ meat sector should relish and take head on. “You could argue that today meat finds itself in the same place as the wool industry did a couple of decades ago with the arrival of plant based products,” he added. “However, you need to get in the ring and fight your corner.” Smith says Bremworth is doing this with its deci sion to move away from synthetic and only use 100% wool. He explained how the development of synthetic fibres took over from wool as the major carpet component and has led to the current dire state of the NZ strong wool industry.“Wewere absolutely getting crushed and sales had been in decline for 10 years.”In2020, Bremworth, which has manufactur ing facilities in Napier, Whanganui and Papa toetoe, adopted a new strategy that saw it shift to use only 100% NZ wool fibres for the pro duction of wool carpets. Smith says the emer gence of maker.nitymeanttally-awareenvironmenconsumersamajoropportuaroseforthecarpet“Consumersare waking up to the fact that plastic-based products are a problem and that plastic doesn’t go away and it does not break down. As a result, it pol lutes our waterways and oceans and gets into the foodSmithchain.”says this opened up a massive opportunity for Bremworth, despite the fact that around 95% of all soft flooring cover ings in NZ are synthetic. “We saw that plastic was becoming a problem and there was a new con sumer emerging called a LoHaS,” he explained. “This stands for Lifestyle of Health and Sustain ability.”Smith says this new consumer is concerned about looking after them selves and their family’s well-being, and is inter ested in brands that care about the planet and are transparent.“Itisreally important, no matter where you are or what place you find yourself in now, do not be afraid to start and go after this consumer,” he added. “What I have seen in the last five years has only seen this category of consumer grow.” Smith urged the NZ meat sector to “disrupt or be disrupted” and praised it for moves to things such as Net Carbon Zero beef and low carbon pro duce.“It doesn’t really matter where you sit on the whole climate thing and even if you think it’s ridiculous; It’s not actually what we think, it’s what the consumer thinks and what govern ments will do about it.”

Smith believes carbon is a global trend that industries need to pay attention to, but more work was needed around carbon accountancy. “I don’t think the way we are accounting for carbon is ingshouldatlandlotzerouctsforwillingbelieveHowever,correct.”hedoesconsumersaretopayapremiumwoolandotherprodproducedwithanetcarbonfootprint.SmithbelievesthataoffarmsinNewZeaareprobablyalreadynetzeroandtherebemoremarketofthisfact.

Dairy COMMODITY PRICES continued their down hill slide over July 2022, catching a case of the winter blues. A fog of uncertainty continues to lingerover the demand pic ture, driven by infla tion, recession fears, and global economic growth doubt. These concerns are not limited to dairy, with a basket of com modities experiencing price volatility. RaboRe search holds its forecast for the current 2022/23 season at NZ$ 9.00/ kgMS. Meanwhile, milk production was flat on last year in June 2022 –the first month of the new 2022/23 production season. On a milk solids basis, production nudged 1% higher YOY, reflecting the trend we have seen over the last three years for modest growth rates over the month of June. Beef NEW ZEALAND June beef export volumes were 9% lower YOY, and 4% below the five-year aver age for June. The reduc tion in exports is due to lower US demand –exports to New Zealand’s second-largest market were down 19% YOY in June.The ongoing liqui dation of the US cow herd due to drought and high input costs, particu larly feed, has led to the US market having ample supplies of 90CL cow, reducing demand for New Zealand 95CL and 90CL. The lockdowns in China have not sig nificantly impacted New Zealand beef export vol umes. Exports to China for the first six months of this year were 30% higher

RURAL NEWS // AUGUST 16, 2022 16 MARKETS & TRENDS Content supplied by Rabobank - Growing a Better New Zealand Togetherfarmers to connect with worldwide100,000 Rabobankfarmclientssupportsfromtoforkin COUNTRIES40 12630 global sharingresearchagribusinessanalystsmarketoutlooks Wet, wet, wet! AFTER A very wet July, NIWA is forecasting a ray of hope for springtryacrossbeturesFarmers.soddenTemperaaremostlikelytowarmerthanaveragemostofthecounthroughthemiddleof2022.

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Exchange rate A 50-BASIS-POINT cash rate hike – to 3.0% – is expected in August by the RBNZ.The NZ$ has been vol atile and rather low at close to USc 0.62, com pared to almost USc 0.70 earlier this year. How ever, we expect a move towards USc 0.67 within 12 months. On 5 Octo ber, there will likely be another 50-basis-point hike and potentially another 25 or 50 basis points on 23 November, bringing the Official Cash Rate to 3.5% (or above) by year end. With these moves, by year-end, the RBNZ would get close to the 3.5% to 4% range many analysts expect the cash rate to reach in 2023.

Sheepmeat THE LAMB schedule continues to track well above 2021 pricing and the five-year average. The South Island lamb price climbed to NZ$ 9.25/kg cwt at the end of July, and the mutton price held steady in July at NZ$ 6.10/kg cwt in the North Island and NZ$6.05/kg cwt in the SouthProcessingIsland. backlogs are reoccurring, particu larly in the North Island. The national lamb kill at weekfor39the season (2 July), was down 6.6% YOY, at around 880,000 lambs. It is unclear how many lambs there actually are yet to come forward, but concerns are mount ing around the cross over with the bobby calf kill. Wet weather across the country and a lack of spring lamb contracts are dampening farmer con fidence to trade lambs. This is being reflected in weaker store lamb prices. We expect the new season lamb schedule to remain elevated above five-year average pricing, supported by high animal protein prices globally. However, some of the ‘shine’ may start to come off the lamb schedule as lifting Australian produc tion increases market competition for New Zea land lamb. Fertiliser AFTER SEVERAL months of falling global urea markets, July saw prices consolidate at 11-month lows. This is alongside signs that supply- and demandside issues will move markets higher again in coming months. In the closing days of July, Russia added Latvia to the list of countries it would not export gas to unless paid for in rou bles – a move that would breach the EU’s sanctions on Russia. News this past month from China fur ther underscores this likelihood, with some urea exporters reportedly asked to suspend exports.

RURAL NEWS // AUGUST 16, 2022 MARKETS & TRENDS 17 Rabobankfarmclientssupportsfromtoforkin COUNTRIES40agribusinessanalystsmarketoutlooks

Content supplied by Rabobank - Growing a Better New Zealand Together than the five-year aver age export volume. The average New Zealand beef export value to China was NZ$ 10.34/kg FOB in June, which was 44% higher than the average price in June exchangepliesbyintoingpatesRaboResearch2021.anticithatfarmgatepricwillremainelevatedspring,supportedtightglobalbeefsupandafavourablerate.

Market commentators now suggest that China’s urea exports will now start falling and remain limited until April 2023. It had been hoped that a longer reprieve in global fertiliser markets would deliver some downside to local fertiliser markets. But with global markets already moving higher, we now see less chance of local prices finding lower ground in the next six months.

HEAD OFFICE POSTAL ADDRESS:

This old mutt has been contacted by a number of members of rural insurer FMG expressing concern about the jump in director fees this year. According to its latest annual report, the rural insurer made a profit of $59.3 million in the ‘20-‘21 year and total director fees came to $438,000 with chair Tony Cleland pulling in an annual stipend of $100k. However, in the ‘21-‘22 year, FMG’s profit was down to $22.8 million, yet total director fees jumped to $557,000 – with the chair earning $113k. FMG is a mutual and according to its own PR, ‘it was set up in 1905 to give farmers a better deal…’ However, according to some disgruntled FMG members, the only ones who seem to be getting a better deal from the rural insurer are its well remunerated directors. Maybe there’ll be questions about this at its annual meeting later this month.

No sugar coating Your canine crusader had to have a bit of a giggle at a recent employment ad run by an exasperated Canterbury farmer and co-owner of Gladfield malt, Doug Michael, looking for workers. Apparently, the man on the land was getting rather annoyed with the lack of good staff around and wrote an advert as a rant that was not supposed to go public. Unfortunately, or fortunately, his wife mistakenly posted the advertisement online without reading her husband’s rather frank words. “Are you soft?” the advert began. “Then keep scrolling elsewhere because this job is probably not for you!” The ad went on to tell a few other home truths and revealed Michael’s frustration in trying to find a resilient employee that would last more than a week”. The original advertisement, which was later edited, actually garnered some genuine applicants. Do the math! The Hound would be a rich canine if he got a dollar for every time he’s heard multi-national, fundraising organisation Greenpeace claim the answer to NZ’s climate change challenge is to ban synthetic fertiliser. However, according to the latest figures of NZ’s greenhouse gas inventory, published in April this year, banning synthetic fertiliser won’t make much difference. It shows that while ag emissions make up 50% of the country’s GHGs, nitrous oxide from synthetic fertilisers only makes up 4% of these ag emissions and therefore just 2% of NZ’s total GHG emissions. So, banning synthetic fertilisers in NZ would make a negligible reduction in our country’s GHG output. Perhaps Greenpeace should spend more time doing the maths on what actually might make a real difference to our emissions profile than making up silly claims that just don’t add up.

Full of it! Your old mate was told about some research that proves that what consumers claim and what they actually do are often very different. According to recent consumer research, 1 in 3 New Zealanders claim they are eating less meat for ‘health reasons’. Ironically, the very same research found that the top 10 items that saw the biggest increase in supermarket purchases in NZ included such ‘healthy’ things as: carbonated drinks, chocolate, ice cream, snacks and fried chicken. This old mutt reckons many consumer claims can be likened to those people (mainly those of the liberal/lefty persuasion) who proudly claim they are only too happy to pay more tax – but are first to have their grubby mitts out for free taxpayer handouts!

226 CONSULTING EDITOR:

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AUCKLAND SALES REPRESENTATIVE: Stephen Pollard Ph 021 963 166 stephenp@ruralnews.co.nz WAIKATO SALES REPRESENTATIVE: Lisa Wise Ph 027 369 9218 lisaw@ruralnews.co.nz WELLINGTON SALES REPRESENTATIVE: Ron Mackay Ph 021 453 914 ronm@ruralnews.co.nz SOUTH ISLAND SALES REPRESENTATIVE: Kaye Sutherland Ph 021 221 1994 kayes@ruralnews.co.nz DIGITAL STRATEGIST: Jessica Marshall Ph 021 0232 6446 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. PRODUCTION: Dave Ferguson Ph 027 272 5372 Beckydavef@ruralnews.co.nzWilliams Ph 021 100 4381 beckyw@ruralnews.co.nz REPORTERS: Sudesh Kissun Ph 021 963 177 Petersudeshk@ruralnews.co.nzBurke Ph 021 224 2184 peterb@ruralnews.co.nz MACHINERY EDITOR: Mark Daniel Ph 021 906 723 markd@ruralnews.co.nz RURALNEWS TO ALL FARMERS, FOR ALL FARMERS PRINTED BY DISTRIBUTEDINKWISEBYREACHMEDIA “He said he’d be dog tucker this week, but this doesn’t look like the All Black coach!”

Take interestan WITH NOMINATIONS now closed for the local government elections to be held in Octo ber, it is time to start taking some real interest in the candidates standing and policies they support.Voters across the country will get to choose 1,600 elected representatives – including mayors, regional councillors, local councillors and an array of local and community board members. Voter turnout at local body elec tions is abysmal – only 41.7% bothered nation wide in 2019. It appears apathy is always the biggest winner at local body elections and most of us have negligible interest in the candidates standing. Surely we should all be asking what these people stand for, if they have the expe rience, professionalism, commercial, strategic and political nous to be effective leaders capa ble of delivering value for money for the ser vices we pay for. Many of us claim to treasure local democ racy, yet we can’t be bothered to vote. Mean while, those who do take the trouble to put their hand up for election (and who would want the kind of invasive public scrutiny of silly schoolboy antics one new MP is currently experiencing?) are often perennial candidates or political party lackeys. For farmers and those living in the regions, we face a current government that is hell-bent on making sweeping changes to local govern ment, with the very existence of some coun cils under threat. The Three Waters reforms continue unabated, despite a great deal of opposition. This will put control of critical local infrastruc ture in the hands of unelected and hard to hold to account entities, likely headquartered far away from rural New Zealand. Farmers and rural voters should be supporting candidates opposed to these changes. There are also moves for district planning functions to be regionalised, which will leave some provincial councils with little left to do. With the Government’s ‘review’ of the future of local government not winding up until next year, poor local election turnouts will give it ammunition to force amalgamations of local councils.Ifyou believe in local democracy and the value of regional representation then it is up to you to seek out candidates who support these concepts and vote accordingly – or risk losing it. PO Box 331100, Takapuna, Auckland 0740 Phone 09-307 0399 Brian Hight Ph 09 307 0399 Adam Fricker Ph 021-842 David Anderson Ph 307 davida@ruralnews.co.nz

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RURAL NEWS // AUGUST 16, 2022 18 OPINIONEDITORIAL

exces sive

Split-gas approach fails MUCH celebrated achievement of convinc ing the Government to calculate short and longlived gases separately is starting to wear thin. Farmers are still sad dled with the same reduction targets and inflated emissions pricing as before.Ourindustry has been slow to realise that without

sessing the targets. Given the science on meth ane’s warming effect was already well established in 2019 when the dairy sector agreed to the tar gets – these same argu ments cannot be heard again by the Commission. Industry leaders must face facts and explain to farmers that fixing the emissions target will now require a political solu tion.The National Party remains ambiguous on what they would do about the targets; agricul ture spokesperson Bar bara Kuriger has indicated National stands by the 10% reduction target but will continue to debate the pathways to achieve it. The Act Party has been more forthcoming, call ing on the Government to ‘give farmers a fair deal when setting methane targets.’Ifthere is to be a fairer outcome for farmers, it will need to come after a change of government. It is important farmers engage with these policy discussions, particularly those in the hill country. Having already signed up to the HWEN emissions tax, there are signs rural advocacy is playing down some of the more dam aging aspects of the pro posal.HWEN is expect ing sheep and beef pro duction to drop by 7-8% by 2030. This significant reduction is driven by a combination of pricing livestock emissions and the ever-increasing draw of carbon farming. This plan to destock rural New Zealand is hidden under ‘existing policies’ in the HWEN report and has received almost no scru tiny by traditional advo cacy.How many productive farms will be lost? How many schools closed? How many rural service jobsThegone?plight of our sheep and beef farmers is further compounded by their lack of genuine miti gation options and their inability to get all prov able carbon sequestration included. IPCC guidelines allow our government to include a far wider range of sequestration than theyAshave.theNew Zealand STEVEN CRANSTON Government works tire lessly to undermine our industry and reduce our highly efficient produc tion, our competitors are happily filling the void. Brazil expects to see meat exports increase by 10% by 2030. Ironically this has been rewarded by the EU with an increase in their market access quota.Meat and Livestock Australia saw the threat of an emissions tax early and pre-empted it by cre ating the Carbon Neutral By 2030 plan. The Australian red meat sector has clev erly avoided a crippling tax on livestock emis sions but will still get all the kudos from marketing their products as ‘carbon neutral’.Itisbecoming increas ingly evident our indus try jumped in the wrong waka. • Steven Cranston is Groundswell NZ spokesperson on emissions facebook.com/ruralnews@rural_news Steven Cranston www.yamaha-motor.co.nz FIND YOUR LOCAL DEALER AT: OFFER AVAILABLE FROM 4 JUL 2022 TO 31 OCT 2022 *A finance rate of 4.95% p.a. is available to approved

RURAL NEWS // AUGUST 16, 2022 OPINION 19

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THE

strictfalse.sionClimatetargetsersClaimstargettotunately,togestsfoulmediatrend.tionsmate,avoidreduceaneunequivocal:cooling.ersandanethatBeefFederatedatetreatedhowtryterratargetByumnsnotdriveapproachmenttheportBothandtiatinginglytarget2030supportmentCarbonthedatesspreadsheet.emissionsbeitstheaccountingwarming-basedtounderpinsplit-gasapproach,onlyfunctionwillcreatingaseparatecolumnonaThesplit-gasapproachbackto2019andcreationoftheZeroAct.TheGovernwantedindustryfortheir10%-by-methanereductionandinanalarmshort-sightednegostrategy,DairyNZFonterraobliged.submittedinsupofthe10%targetonconditiontheGovernincludeasplit-gastomethane.It’sthetargetsthatclimatepolicy,thenumberofcolonaspreadsheet.supportingthe10%DairyNZandFonrobbedourindusofagenuinedebateonmethaneshouldbeattheappropritime.Totheircredit,bothFarmersand+LambrecognisedtheproposedmethtargetwasexcessivewouldseefarmforcedtoproduceThescienceisourmethemissionsmustonly3%by2030towarmingtheclianyfurtherreducwillcreateacoolingDairyNZ’srecentcampaigncryingoverthetargetssugtheyhavewokenuptheirmistake.Unfortheopportunitydebatethemethanehasnowpassed.thatindustryleadwillnegotiatereducedattheupcomingChangeCommisreviewin2024areTheCommissionhascriteriaforreas

I FEEL pretty confident you will have heard the following quip, “Don’t want to ruin a good story with the facts now, do we”?Perhaps you have heard different words used, that really say the same thing. I have heard them many times, and have used them myself too, from time to time. Sometimes this quip can be used to inject a light-hearted and humorous tinge into what’s being said, usually with good effect! But the serious reality in today’s world is this stuff happens all the time and is done very deliberately. Often it can be just harmless banter… or bragging between family and friends. In telling the ‘good story’ about our fishing trip, the snapper we caught was ‘close to 20 pounds’, not the 14 ½ it weighed in at! No harm done there. The Hound in this very paper is right up there with the best of them when it comes to putting up some facts against the story! Governments and the seemingly theleechesbureaucrats,endlessandotherthathoveraroundtaxpayers’purse,are rarely forthcoming with the facts. Masters at cover-ups and spin never are.Now, from the global warming story (my apologies, I remember now, it was quietly changed to ‘climate change’) here’s a quote from the New York Times, September 1995, talking about the rising sea levels: “At the most likely rate of rise, some experts say, most of the beaches on the East Coast of the United States would be gone in 25 years.” Hey, let’s not throw any shade on these “experts”. I have no doubts at all that if they are still alive, they will still be considered “experts” on climate change today! In other professions they’d be fired, but here they get to keep their credentials and titles. But we don’t want to ruin a good story, now do we. Here’s a random thought: what are the facts? Now that the 25 years have actually ticked on by, how many beaches haveObviously,‘gone’? the Obama’s live totally carefree about any disaster from these imminent rising sea levels, despite much political rhetoric to the contrary. Their purchase of close to $12m luxury ‘digs’ on Martha’s Vineyard Island is testimony to that. Yep, nearly 30 acres of seaside paradise with its own beach, of course! They showed no concern at all about needing to wade through sea water to get to their front door. Here’s another one from the many I could choose from. Despite the doom and gloom from Al Gore’s movie, the polar bear population has actually increased over the last 15 years. Recorded numbers are up more than 30% since 2005. And they can easily swim the 60 miles he whined about! But hey, we can’t be ruining a good story, or good movie, with some facts now, can we? We surely live in a mixed up and strange world. In my younger days, I enjoyed watching the older classic western movies. It was all so simple back then – the good guys having it out with the bad guys. In today’s world the people that search out the facts will most likely get labelled the bad guys, with other shaming labels thrown at them too. Or they will simply get blocked or ‘cancelled’. Can’t be ruining a good story with the facts now can we! So, the big question is – who can we trust? Think I’ll stay with the One who has never lied to me.Keep well and God Bless.

• To contact Colin Miller email: ruralnews.co.nzfarmerschaplain@

RURAL NEWS // AUGUST 16, 2022 20 OPINION

FARMER’S CHAPLAIN Colin Miller facebook.com/ruralnews@rural_news

NAIT is an OSPRI programme Failure to comply with NAIT obligations may result in fines or prosecution issued by the Ministry for Primary Industries. For more information about your obligations as a PICA, please visit our website ospri.co.nz. • Ensure all Calves are fitted with a NAIT tag before they reach 180 days of age. • Register any fitted NAIT tags within 7 days of tagging. • All calves must be tagged and registered before their first movement. So, if you are sending them off your location, make sure you meet your NAIT obligations. • Calves must be NAIT tagged correctly. Calving 2022 For more information go to OSPRI.co.nz or 0800 842 463 Support lifetime traceability FREEPHONEVETMARKER0800DOCKER0800362537 www.vetmarker.co.nz • Vaccination • Earmarking&tagging • Castration • Drenching • Automaticflystrikeapplication • Releaseslambsontotheirfeet DOCKING LAMBS IS EASY WITH THE VETMARKER See website gallery: www.vetmarker.co.nz or Vetmarker on Facebook to view MODELNEW®

Discerning fact from fiction!

ing tools to help farm ers select the best forage option for different land management units,” says Keeling.“The programme was originally focused on more traditional types of science – collecting data, interpreting it and provid ing guidance on how to use it. But the opportunity was there for it to also include trying to under stand the human element. It is quite different to a lot of previous work because it marries more traditional science approaches with trying to see the value, focus and drivers of farm ers – making the science the programme produces more tangible and real.” Assembling the team of scientists, from across a wide range of disci plines and different organ isations took some time. The team represents diverse skills sets and sci ence disciplines includ ing agronomy, economics, environmental science, farm forestry, plant genet ics, modelling and anal ysis, landscape ecology, remote sensing, sociol ogy and soil science and includes experts from uni versities, Crown Research Institutes and specialist consultants.DrMhairi Sutherland, B+LNZ’s Hill Country Futures programme man ager, says a key strength of the programme has been the way it brings together many people with very different scientific back grounds to work on sep arate but interconnected and complementary proj ects.A big part of Suther land and Keeling’s work is facilitating all the multidisciplinary participants and work components. “That is a critical and very enjoyable part of our role. It is rewarding to get the project team together to discuss and share insights and ideas about hill country farm ing,” Sutherland explains. “We work hard to support the connections between scientists and to remind them how their parts of the programme fit with otherSheparts.”saysthe list of out puts is phenomenal for research in general and they are seeing many exciting“Scienceoutcomes.isnotuseful if it stays in a science jour nal. This is about getting the science to an audi ence, and that is what this research programme is about,” Sutherland adds. “The programme has very good momentum. Exciting things have already been achieved and that will keep increasing. We will have more to share with farmers soon.”

Good science helping make better farming decisions

“SCIENCE IS important for farmers,” says Dr Suzi Keeling, Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s sector science strategy manager. “It is about having a firm foundation of knowl edge that is defendable. Having confidence in the information you use to make farming decisions is key.”The Hill Country Futures Partnership, a five-year programme cofunded by Beef + Lamb New Zealand, the Min istry of Business, Inno vation and Employment, PGG Wrightson Seeds and Seed Force New Zea land, is aimed at provid ing that kind of science for farmers. The $8.1m programme is focused on future proofing the profit ability, sustainability and wellbeing of New Zea land’s hill country farm ers, their farm systems, the environment and rural communities. It differs from most pastoral-based research in that it consid ers the whole-farm system and, critically, the wider communities these sys tems exist within.

PROFESSOR DERRICK Moot, of Lincoln University, was the first to come on board and get the projects he is leading underway. Moot, in collaboration with others, has built an open access national forage database – AgYields to help inform decisions of ‘which legume where’. His team are also co-ordinating a number of forage trials at research and farm locations around the country to help farmers match their property’s different land management units with the appro priateMeanwhile,legume. Edmar Teixeira (Plant & Food Research) and Moot are developing models to help answer questions around legume forages’ impact on production, environment, climate change, nutrient leaching and carbon sequestration. This work is complimented by data being collected by Nathan Odgers (Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research), whose team is mapping micro-indica tors, such as soil temperature and moisture, in the hill country Cameronlandscape.Ludemann (Cameron Ludemann Consulting) has led work that assessed if the DairyNZ Forage Value Index (FVI) for ryegrass could be adapted to sheep and beef farms. James Millner (Massey University) and his team are evaluating the diverse potential uses of native shrubs on sheep/beef hill country farms. This includes as an alternative forage, enhancing biodi versity, mitigating soil erosion whilst also advancing our Mātauranga Māori knowledge of native shrub species.Katherine Dixon (Nature Positive) and Angela McFetridge (B+LNZ) are developing a vision for a resilient farming future using information gathered from interviewing almost 300 farmers and others connected to hill country farming. Scarlatti (Adam Barker, Karen Mitchelmore, Hannah Binnie), a research, analytics and evalu ation firm, are evaluating the behavioural change that occurs as a result of the findings that come out of the Hill Country Futures programme. This will help assess the impact of the programme and how to advance extension design.

B+LNZ’s Hill Country Futures programme manager Dr Mhairi Sutherland.

“The Hill Coun try Futures providingemphasisresearch.fieldedgeapproaches,ratesprogrammePartnershipincorpotraditionalsciencefarmerknowlandperspectives,studiesandsocialIthasastrongonforagesanddecision-mak

RURAL NEWS // AUGUST 16, 2022 MANAGEMENT 21

STRONG TEAM

BY THE NUMBERS

Simpson says best practice for dog health and sheep measles preven tion is for all farm dogs to be treated monthly with cestocidal (tapeworm) drugs containing the ingredient Pra ziquantel — a cheap and effective treatment — and an All Wormer every three“Allmonths.dogowners, such as hunters or farm visitors, who take their dogs near farmland, or where sheep graze, should also dose their dogs every month, because the tapeworm has a 35-day lifecycle and dosing threemonthly is not enough to stop the parasite from spreading. As part of their on-farm biosecu rity plan, sheep farmers should make this a condition of entry for all visi tors bringing dogs onto the property.”

Third stage: Sumo’s 760mm multipacker roller with replaceable shoulders leaves a weatherproof level finish in the most challenging soil conditions.

• Rear flat packer roller with scrapers to leave an aerated consolidated level finish across the full working width.

MAINLAND WINNING SHEEP MEASLES BATTLE

IT APPEARS that South Island farm ers are currently achieving greater success than their northern col leagues in controlling Taenia ovis or sheepThismeasles.comesfrom the latest analysis by the Ovis Management programme. Ovis or sheep measles is caused by the T. ovis tapeworm. While it poses no risk to human health it can cause blemishes in sheep meat, which is undesirable for consumers here and overseas.TheOvis Management programme works to promote the control of T. ovis through communication and col laboration. It also raises awareness of the importance of all dog owners reg ularly treating their dogs for the tape worm.Project manager Michelle Simp son says controlling sheep measles is important for the primary sector. She points out that while New Zealand currently has relatively low levels of sheep measles, an outbreak can result in downgrading or condemnation of otherwise healthy animals. Only 20% of Ovis-affected car casses are detected during meat inspection at processing plants, therefore the higher the prevalence rate, the higher the risk of meat from affected animals reaching the market. “It costs farmers and processors a lot of money due to condemned stock,” Simpson explains. “One concern with Ovis is that if a farmer is not the one sending their lambs for processing, they may not know that they are passing the prob lemSheon.”says sheep measles can be con trolled when farmers take the simple steps of regularly treating their dogs for the Taenia tapeworm. “Dogs can become infected by eating untreated meat or offal, infected with live cysts. T. ovis is then spread to sheep through tape worm eggs in dog faeces left in graz ing areas. Eggs can also be spread from dog faeces over large areas, pre dominantly by flies.”

Wet weather means more worms

CHOOSE A SOLUTION. CHOOSE SUMO. MADE IN THE UK

High levels of larvae intake or poor drench practice can result in animals having a parasite burden even when they have been drenched regularly.

FOLLOWING NZ’S wet test July, according to NIWA, a laboratory ana lysing faecal egg counts (FEC) says this has led to record parasite num bers in sheep across the country.Greg Mirams, manag ing director of Techion, which owns FECPAKG2 and runs a labora tory processing more than 30,000 FEC sam ples annually, says July’s weather conditions have led to record parasite burdens in livestock all over“WeNZ.have received counts of more than 3,000epg (eggs per gram) over the past eight weeks across the South Island, when their levels should be less than 300epg,” he says.“In three instances we’ve analysed results from Southland hoggets that were tested at almost 3,500epg and recorded counts above 3,000 EPG on farms in Canterbury andMeanwhile,Marlborough.”thecom pany has seen para site burdens in hoggets from Hawkes Bay with counts of 2,100epg, while mobs in the Gisborne and dropwillstress500epgFECthanareasManawatu-Wanganuihadcountsofmore1,200epg.Ingeneral,sheepwithcountsofmorethanwillbeunderfromparasitesandlikelybesufferingaincondition.

Mirams says while wet and challenging condi tions over the past couple of months have had the biggest impact on the parasite challenge, other factors have also played their part. This includes the high levels of pasture contamination through theHeautumn.alsocites feed availability; animals under nutritional pressure are more susceptible to par asites, as are stock that have to adjust to different types of winter feed. “Many farmers believe drenching on a calen dar schedule protects their animals from a par asite challenge. Further more, many think it’s unnecessary to drench in winter when grass growth is slowed,” Mirams explains.“However, as these recent results prove, the parasite challenge contin ues through winter, par ticularly when conditions provide plenty of rain and temperatures which are a little warmer than tra ditional averages. The impact of climate change is directly reflected in the disease challenge to live stock.”Heclaims that by FEC testing frequently throughout the year, farmers can catch the parasite burden before it impacts“Weightstock.loss, slow weight gain and poor condition are all signs that stock are impacted by a high parasite chal lenge,” Mirams says. “It is important to remember these signs may even occur when sheep have been regularly drenched and have ade quate feed.” He says that drench resistance, high levels of larvae intake or poor drench practice can result in animals having a par asite burden even when they have been drenched regularly.“Therefore, it is vital to FEC test regularly throughout the year as well as follow-up testing after drenching to ensure that the drench is work ing effectively.”

RURAL NEWS // AUGUST 16, 2022 22 ANIMAL HEALTH

The Sumo Grassland subsoiler improves and revitalises compacted grassland that is suffering from the effects of continual livestock, rainfall and heavy machinery.

• Hydraulic Subsoiler legs with working depths from 100-350mm to suit all types of compaction layer depths with quick change points.

First stage: Staggered row of subsoiler legs with a maximum working depth of 400mm. (both hydraulic and shear pin protection systems available) Secondary stage: Two rows of 500mm concave discs equipped with triple sealed bearings and Sumo’s famous double drive system giving unrivalled performance when working in adverse conditions.

• Leading row of adjustable individually suspended discs allow minimum disturbance on the pasture surface.

MOUNTED TRIO GLS SUBSOILERAs its name suggests, the Sumo Trio consists of 3 parts to help develop and create an ideal seed bed in all soil conditions.

More: www.sheepmeasles.co.nz

DATA FROM processors from 1 October 2021 to 30 June 2022 shows the Southland region had one of the country’s lowest occurrences of sheep measles identified in carcasses. This is despite the region sending the highest number of animals for processing. Of 1,919,242 sheep processed in Southland, from 1,510 farms, 1,884 (0.1 % of carcasses) were found to be affected. The highest number of sheep processed in a North Island area for that period was from Gisborne district, with 694,266 livestock from 431 farms. Of these, 5,355 (0.8 %) of carcasses were affected. Most South Island districts recorded low proportions of affected carcasses, apart from Marlborough (0.9 %) and Kaikoura (1%). Opotiki recorded the second highest proportion of sheep measles nation ally (1.7 % of carcasses processed), followed by the Kapiti Coast (1.1 %). Whaka tane (0.9 %), Otorohanga and Auckland (both 0.8 %) were also among areas with higher proportions of affected stock.

• Dr Mary van Andel is the chief veterinary officer at the Ministry for Primary Industries Mary Van Andel

Generalisplenaryandindustrypractitioners,representatives,thepublicveteriservice.AnexamofsuchcollaborationthroughMPI’sAnimalSurveillanceProgramme,whichenablestheearlydetectionofexoticandemergingdiseases.Thisprogrammereliesonprivateveterinariansreportingthem.They’reonthegroundandfunctionasourfirstlineofdefence.Thiscollaborationisvaluableforprivateveterinariansandtheirclientsdealingwithdifficultandpotentiallyhigh-riskcases.Forthepublicveterinarians,thevalueisinhowthepartnershipsupportssurveillancetoensurethehealthofNewZealand’sanimalpopulations.AseventssuchasM.bovishaveshown,it’sessentialthatpublicandprivateveterinariansandindustryhaverelationshipsinplacetoensurethatNewZealand’sanimalhealthsystemservesthecountry’sday-to-dayneeds.Aswellasbeingreadyforthechallengesthatmayemergeinthefuture.Veterinariansarealsoinvolvedinemergingmultidisciplinarywork,suchasOneHealth,whichbringstogetherexpertsfromthefieldsofanimal,humanandenvironmentalhealthtoaddresssomeofsociety’sgreatesthealthchallenges,includinginfectiouszoonoseslikeCovid-19andantimicrobialresistance.TheoutbreakofFootandMouthDisease(FMD)inIndonesiaservesasareminderthatweneedtohavestrongbiosecuritymeasuresinplacebothattheborderandonfarm.Covid-19andM.bovishaveillustratedthatasacountryweareinauniquepositiontoachieveambitiousgoalsonmajorhealthandanimalwelfareissues,butworkingtogetheristheonlywaywecandothis.Wemustinvestin MARY VAN ANDEL strong relationships and connectedness today, to be able to face the chal lenges of the future.

Crucial andbetweenrelationshipprivatepublicvets

MUCH OF the work vet erinarians do is behind the scenes, but underpins aspects of our economy, environment and way of life.Across the country, veterinarians provide valuable technical exper tise and are recognised as trusted advisors on a range of issues, including animal health and wel fare, disease surveillance and investigation, and playing a key role in our biosecurity system. A debt of gratitude is owed to the private vet erinarian, who first iden tified Mycoplasma bovis (M. bovis) in New Zea land in 2017. Since those early and often difficult days, private veterinarians have made a significant contribution in identi fying the index case and reporting cases of sus pected disease, as well as undertaking on-farm test ing and supporting their clients who have been affected by the eradica tionIfprogramme.leftunchecked, M. bovis could have cost the industry an estimated $1.2 billion over the first 10 years, with ongoing pro ductivity losses across the farming sector and animal welfare concerns. As we near the halfway mark of our estimated 10-year eradication pro gramme, we are aiming to move from controlling the last known pockets of the disease to provisional absence. We are on track to become the first coun try to eradicate M. bovis. As MPI’s chief veteri nary officer, an important part of my role is to iden tify ways to build rela tionships that bind our animal health commu nity together to enable successful biosecu rity partnerships. MPI is New Zealand’s largest employer of veterinarians with 300 working in five of the nine business units, across all regions, includ ing overseas postings. The work extends beyond MPI and requires collaboration between private

RURAL NEWS // AUGUST 16, 2022 ANIMAL HEALTH 23

speed according to the load and

delivering smoother operation and improving fuel

RURAL NEWS // AUGUST 16, 2022 24 MACHINERY & PRODUCTS Massey Ferguson launches 7S Series

RECENTLY LAUNCHED into the Australian and New Zealand markets, the new Massey Ferguson 7S Series tractors com prises six models offering maximum power outputs from 145hp to 210hp. Displaying clear model designations, the MF 7S.145, MF 7S.155, MF 7S.165, MF 7S.180, MF 7S.190 and MF 7S.210 denote the alitre8Sbetweenformgeststhecylinder,2.88monmentEngine30hpMeanwhile,horsepowermaximumavailable.uptoanextraisavailablewithPowerManage(EPM)–dependingthemodel.Configuredwithawheelbaseandsix-6.6-litreengine,manufacturersugthenewtractorstheperfectbridgethelargerMFSeries,poweredby7.4engines.OfferedinchoiceofEssentialand Efficient specifications and, depending on model, features are designed to provide a range of com fort and output-enhanc ing features to boost productivity and perfor mance in the field and on the road. For simplic ity, Massey Ferguson con tinues to offer the range in Tier 2 emissions for straightforward, depend able operation and a low cost of theThistopadtorsmode,turesDyna-VT40km/htheefficiencyVTEcoonshiftingECO,includeTransmissionownership.choicestheDyna-VTofferingseamlessandisavailableallmodels.TheSuperversionoftheDyna-furtherimprovesbyallowingtractortoachieveatjust1,450rpm.nowalsofeaanewautomaticallowingoperatousethemulti-leverorfootpedalalterforwardspeed.automaticallysetsoptimumengine speed, improvements,70m/hrdeliversawithwhile,neutralincorporateschangethetorspeed,tocallyDyna-6Mode,to40km/hachievesthisovertransmission.24of7S.180,modelsAlternatively,efficiency.foralluptotheMFthereisthechoicetheDyna-6SuperEco,x24semi-powershiftProventhelasttwodecades,configurationatopspeedofatalow1,500rpmsavefuel.Automaticstandardonallmodels,automatishiftsspeedsrelativetheengineloadandwhiletheoperacanalsomanuallysetenginerpmatwhichpointsaremade.Thetransmissionalsoabrake-to-function.Meanforthoseworkingspecialisedcrops,SuperCreeperoptionspeedsdowntoat1,400rpm.Significantcabfirstseen on the MF 8S series, include a new armrest, multi-pad controller and enhanced connectivity. Thanks to a new air con ditioning system, the cab is now up to 4C° cooler than previously. It also features new, high qual ity trim with a chrome steering wheel and black dashboard on Efficient versions. Air-suspended seats are standard, with the option to upgrade to a heated option, that also improvedincorporatesventilation and a Dynamic Damping System.Externally, an LED light design and bonnet lightbar takes care of work after dark. There is also the option to fit up to 16 LED work lights, and for loader operations there is the option of the Visio Roof, for better vis ibility.Further comfort-based options include mechani cal or active mechanical cab suspension, as well as a suspended front axle. A new, unique multifunc tion lever option provides easy control of a loader and front linkage, opera tion of the spool valves and directional changes. With its 2.88m wheel base and sculpted chas sis, the MF 7S Series offers a turning radius of just 4.93m and an impres sive 44.5t gross combina tion weight. Rear linkage lift capacities are 9,600kg with 4,000kg up front, while a gross vehicle weight (GVW) of up to 14 tonnes make the tractors suitable for front and rear combinations.

MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz M 7S.145 MF7S.155 MF 7S.165 MF 7S.180 MF 7S.190 MF 7S.210 Max power 140hp 155hp 165hp 180hp 190hp 210hp Power EPM 160hp 175hp 185hp 210hp 220hp 220hp Max torque 660Nm 700Nm 725Nm 750Nm 850Nm 860Nm EPM torque 700Nm 750Nm 800Nm 860Nm 925Nm 925Nm Note: Max torque and EPM torque @1500rpm The 7S Series tractors comprises six models offering maximum power outputs from 145hp to 210hp. (Inset) The MF 7S series includes a new armrest, multi-pad controller and enhanced connectivity. KEEP AHEAD WITH 2.99% FINANCE AVAILABLE* ON ALL NEW KUHN EQUIPMENT *The 2.99% p.a. interest rate offer is only available on all new Kuhn models purchased on or before 31 August 2022. Any approved loans must be drawn down before 31 October 2022. The 2.99% p.a. interest rate offer requires a 30% deposit (of the GST exclusive price) at the time of purchase and is available for term loans of 24 months. GST can be financed as part of the initial loan amount. Finance is provided by UDC Finance Limited. UDC Finance Limited lending criteria, fees, standard terms and conditions apply to any loan. Fees and rates are available on request.

WITH LOW unemploy ment rates, businesses are reporting ongoing issues with filling vacan cies and recruiting new talent.Inan effort to raise the profile of the machin ery sector and show pro spective employees the genuine career opportuni ties in it, John Deere ANZ recently held its second Annual Technician Awards Gala for Parts and Service staff. The awards are also aimed at reward ing those already in the industry.Speaking at the awards, managing direc tor John Deere ANZ, Luke Chandler, said the last few years have been challenging.“Welive in a world that is predicted to hit 9.7 billion people by 2050, so there is an ongoing need to grow more feed to service this growth,” he explained. “While current and emerging technolo gies will make farmers more productive, it will also mean that the need for greater technical sup port will be tualfollowingrecentlypurchases”.second,issidesale,responsiblesuggestwhileChandlercritical.”addedthatsalespeoplemaythattheyareforthe“first”itisthetechsupportofJD’sbusinessthatresponsiblefor“thethirdandfourthTheawards,heldinBrisbaneandlastyear’svirevent,celebratedthe

Tech support plays vital role

MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz

Chandler said that the agricultural industry is in great shape, with high commodity prices taking the sting out of the cur rent high input costs. He predicts that 2023 will be another strong year for agriculture.“Weare also excited to see where the future is heading to service the world’s growing population, with dra matic changes in areas such as smart technol ogy — including vari able application rates for seed, fertiliser and spray, autonomy and alterna tive power sources for our prime movers – it’s a great time to be in the industry.”

JD the chance to say thanks for the hard work that these techs put in every day, but also to build stories about what they do, day-in day-out.” She added it is also a chance for them to go back to their work col leagues and encourage them to enter the awards. “You are also able to act as ambassadors for your dealerships, to encourage schools leav ers or others already in employment who might be looking for a change, to move to the sectors that John Deere support.”

Farm Machinery’s Logan Robertson, from Invercargill, took out the Service Apprentice of the Year for ANZ. Parts Technician of the Year - NZ was grabbed by Megan Tree from SFM’s Gore depot, and Ag Service Technician of the Year - NZ was awarded to Greg Bishop from Southland Farm Machinery’s MosgielHolliebranch.Cooper, group business support manager for Southland Farm Machinery, says the company wanted to acknowledge their staff, who she added often work behind the scenes and come from a broad range of backgrounds. “We are immensely proud of their success and hope that this success encourages other staff to take part. Hopefully it rubs off on any other people who may be considering a career in the industry.”

SOUTHERNERS SCORE WELL

RURAL NEWS // AUGUST 16, 2022 MACHINERY & PRODUCTS 25

hard work and success of parts-and-service per sonnel from John Deere’s agricultural, turf, forestry and construction dealers across both NZ and Aus tralia.The aim is to also pro mote inclusion, equality andEmmadiversity.Ford, director of aftermarket and cus tomer support, says that throughout Australia and New Zealand, John Deere dealerships employed around 1,600 parts and service technicians. She says the awards initiative resulted in more than 100 nominations from those dealerships, which were backed up by references from customers. This led to the selection of 35 regional finalists who headed to the Gold Coast to fight it out for one of eight awards and a share of the $26,000 prize pool. Two days of close scruti nising by 10 judges cov ered areas of customer service skills, diagnos tics skills and the efficient use of diagnostic tools to detect carefully placed ‘machine faults’. “Tech staff – partic ularly service techni cians – are the face of the dealership and under take challenging work in remote locations, under time critical situations and often with little backup,” said “TheseFord.awards offer

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WITH EIGHT awards on offer, New Zealand dealerships offered up 10 regional finalists for the prize pool. While most areas of the country were represented, it was a case of a clean sweep for the South Island taking home theSouthlandspoils.

“These awards offer JD the chance to say thanks for the hard work that these techs put in every day.” John Deere Service Apprentice of the Year Logan Robertson of Southern Farm Machinery with JD ANZ managing director Luke Chandler.

THERE WOULD be many farmers who cringe at the thought of pulling silage wrap off bales on a cold, miserable winter morning.Withbales being a major part of rural New Zealand’s feeding regime, the age-old problem of dealing with wrap and net prior to feeding is still a hurdle, both in terms of mess and safety. The latest release from feeding specialists Hustler, the BaleSlice, helps deal with this issue. As the name suggests, it slices four or five foot diameter bales through their centre axis, easing the work of mixer and feed-out wagons and also removing the need for cattle to tear bales placed in ringTakingfeeders.theform of a fork, with a top-mounted cutting mechanism, the latter is mounted to the upper frame. From here it is pushed through the bale by twin 100mm diameter hydraulic rams, travelling through an arc that is designed to pass through the centre of the bale. As the bale slices, any film, or the net beneath, is held by four hydraulically activated hooks mounted high on the rear frame to ensure a minimum of material is held or wasted. The cut ting edge is manufac tured from HB 500 grade steel for an extended ser viceThelife.machine offers several benefits – includ ing removing the need for operators to leave the cab to remove film and net, and/or to stand under or climb over bales to cut the plastic film. It also helps users to stay clean andWeighingdry. in at 470kg, the BaleSlice is said to be easy to fit to existing loaders without the need for any additional plumbing or valves. It requires an oil flow of only 25 litres/minute and is supported by a fouryear warranty. comwww.hustlerequipment.

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FOLLOWING ON from our recent story about the rural industry needing to address the issue of nonrecyclable feed and fertiliser bags, one Wairarapa stock feed company has made a head start on bigger nationwide players. Sharpes Farm Feeds, based at Masterton, says it is helping to address the problem of plastic waste by ditching plastic packaging and moving to 100% recy clable bags. Selling locally-made products, the fam ily-owned business has been around for more than 120 years and prides itself on products based on best nutrition, using raw materials grown on their adjoin ing farm or from local farmer suppliers. Another key component of the company is inno vation, not least by it leading the way on recyclable packaging. Having recently undergone a brand refresh, the timing also offered the opportunity to move to 100% recyclable paper bags. The move to environmentally sustainable pack aging includes the 10kg (lifestyle) and majority of the 20kg range, all now available in-store and online. Interestingly, the business has also adjusted the bag sizes from 25kg down to 20kg, in keeping with best practice regulations around health and safety.

RECYCLABLE BAGS

The BaleSlice cuts through any film or the net and is held by four, hydraulically-activated hooks mounted high on the rear frame.

www.stockfeed.co.nz

MARK DANIEL markd@ruralnews.co.nz

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