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27 Traceability the key to success Vol 19 No 23, June 15, 2020

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Farmers must drive change Colin Williscroft

colin.williscroft@globalhq.co.nz

ATCHMENT groups offer farmers the chance to take the lead in freshwater quality enhancement while maintaining profits. In the process they encourage thriving farming communities, presenters told a Beef + Lamb eforum. Rangitikei Rivers Catchment Collective chairman Roger Dalrymple said community catchment groups let farmers make change from the bottom up rather than having it forced on them from the top down, which has often been the approach. Farmrs in catchment groups can help lift knowledge and education and have more control of pressure to make environmental improvements while ensuring their businesses remain sound. Three of the six groups represented were formed in response to regulations introduced by regional councils. Hurunui District Landcare Group co-ordinator Josh Brown says his group can be traced back to the implementation of the Canterbury Land and Water Plan. When the plan was rolled out it became apparent it did not properly recognise the lesser environmental impact of dryland farmers. The group sought to give sheep and beef farmers a voice and pull together and put data behind changes to the plan they believed were necessary, which was partially successful. Members then broadened their focus from the policy and looked to achieve more changes on the

CONNECT: Catchment groups need to involve whole comminities, not just farmers, to be successful, Rangitikei Rivers Catchment Collective chairman Roger Dalrymple says.

ground, where a lot of good can be done, Brown said. Individual groups need a coordinated approach to succeed. King Country River Care co-ordinator Anna Nelson says catchment groups should consider pooling members’ resources and appoint a facilitator. “Pay someone to do that work and earlier rather than later. Farmers are busy people and having a paid person means action happens.” Western Bay of Plenty farmer Rick Burke, who helped establish the Project Parore group, says having a facilitator helps bed down a plan of attack and there are usually people in catchment communities with the expertise. It’s important to do forensic environmental work early on

because farmers will ask what the problems are, so being able to provide data will be a big step forward in getting them onside. North Otago Sustainable Land Management Group chairman Peter Mitchell, whose group is an incorporated society, says having the backing of a legal framework provides accountability that gives assurance to potential funding bodies. “So it’s not a political or lobby group. Having a good management focus helps to connect with other groups in the community.” Dalrymple says catchment groups must be driven by farmers and setting grandiose goals will be self-defeating. “You’ll just chase people away. Take small steps and include everyone.”

The future of dairy beef integration. With Rt Hon Sir Lockwood Smith

www.samen.co.nz | Page 18

Farmers are busy people and having a paid person means action happens. Anna Nelson King Country River Care

It’s a message supported by North Otago Sustainable Land Management Group chairman Peter Mitchell. “Don’t start too big and think you’re going to change the world.” Dalrymple encourages groups to be based around communities, whether they be schools or river catchments, where those involved know everyone else.

“People have to be able to connect.” That means getting whole communities involved, no matter where they might approach issues from the start. “You’ve got to connect with the wider community, not just farmers.” His group has deliberately invited activists to meetings. “They might not come to all of but you have to get them involved.” Including Maori is also part of the equation. “You haven’t got a community catchment without involving iwi.” Fairlie farmer and Upper Opihi/ Opuha Catchment Group member Mark Adams says new groups should start with an open mind and that includes the facilitator, so everyone comes up to speed together. Initially, group members should be prepared for a massive data collecting exercise and it’s important to take an honest approach towards that. “That can be unpleasant when you find yourself on the wrong side of the numbers.” Getting the backing of farmers who might initially be sceptical can also pay off, he says. “If you work with people who are belligerent you can turn them into champions.” Dalrymple says from what he has seen, farmers are not only up for the challenge they are embracing it. Not only are farmers in his group doing more river water testing than the regional council they want to out-do what other farmers in their area are achieving. “When you put up the results of different tributaries in the catchment the competition is amazing.”

NEWS

8 Course aims to up orchard

skills

As the kiwifruit season enters its twilight Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced a $200,000 training package to attract and upskill staff as a winter pruner shortage looms.

REGULARS Newsmaker �� 22 New Thinking �� 23

7 Primary sector’s import rising

Editorial �� 24

The collapse of tourism and export education propelled the primary sector’s share of export receipts from 54% to 70% overnight and observers say it could increase further.

Pulpit �� 25 Opinion �� 26 Real Estate �� 28-29 Farm Trader �� 30-32 Employment �� 33 Classifieds �� 33-34 Livestock �� 34-35 Weather �� 37

10 Bay Angus bull makes big

22 Robb always ready to help

A top price of $68,000 has been paid for an Angus bull in Hawke’s Bay, the highest price of the bull selling season so far.

Melva Robb joined the Women’s Division of Federated Farmers when she was 12 and more than 50 years on she remains involved with Rural Women. Her dedication was recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.

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News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 15, 2020

More economic shocks to come Hugh Stringleman hugh.stringleman@globalhq.co.nz THE real economic damage caused by covid-19 around the world is only beginning to become evident and exports are highly dependent on uncertain economic conditions in markets. ANZ chief economist Sharon Zollner and agriculture economist Susan Kilsby said in the June AgriFocus newsletter the return of life to normal in New Zealand is like the eye of the covid storm. “In other parts of the world the health impact of the disease has been far more severe than here and the economies of virtually every country in the world have been significantly impacted by this disease.”

Horticultural and arable industries did an outstanding job in level four restrictions. ANZ Diversification of markets is valuable along with increased exposure to developing countries where spending on food is less discretionary. Global dairy prices have held up well but further weakening is expected, they said. ANZ’s forecast for the new season’s farmgate milk price is now $5.75/kg milksolids. “Meat export prices have generally softened despite global supply disruption with the more expensive, restaurant-oriented cuts, unsurprisingly, suffering the most. “Horticultural and arable industries did an outstanding job in level four restrictions and kiwifruit is benefiting from global consumers focusing on healthy products.” ANZ is still forecasting 10%

unemployment and the ripple effects of lower household spending leading to an extended recession. “We are seeing a bounce as the disruption of lockdown eases but that is a feel-good factor. “Monetary and fiscal stimulus will help recovery in the medium term but it’ll be a slog with the outlook for our trading partners so subdued. ‘We anticipate GDP will fall 8-10% in 2020 with the economy not making a full recovery until 2023.” Despite a recovery in the NZ dollar exchange rate from US57c at the end of March to 65c now, ANZ is predicting 55c by the end of 2020, which would be a big help for exports. Exporters should also benefit from low fuel costs and shipping rates though air freight has become more expensive. China holds the cards for world dairy prices as the new season begins, being by far the largest importer of dairy products. It is also one of the few countries that will have economic growth this year. Though its purchases of milk powder in recent months have been high, domestic processors have also made more powders than usual when liquid sales were hampered. “Exactly how much extra milk powder is now in stock due to this additional production and the extra imports is not clear. “It is also not clear if Chinese consumer demand for dairy products will wane due to slower economic growth. “This situation poses a severe price risk, which could feed directly back to farmgate returns given the importance of China in global dairy markets.” The expensive cuts of NZ lamb are exposed to the covid-19 disruption of major restaurant markets in Europe and the United States. The prices of lower-value cuts have held up better and have stabilised now that China’s imports are moving freely.

MORE MONEY: Beef schedules should reach a high of $6 a kilogram, ANZ rural economist Susan Kilsby says.

“In the current economic environment, further downward pressure is expected on lamb prices as, even when lockdown restrictions are removed and restaurants around the world reopen, consumers will be much more careful with their discretionary spending.” Beef markets are benefiting from a temporary tightening of meat supplies in key markets, ANZ says. But uncertainty remains high, which means the higher offshore prices are not readily flowing to farmgate prices here. “As the backlogs of stock dissipate the increase in procurement pressure is expected to put some upward pressure on farmgate beef prices.” ANZ believes there is room for increases in schedule prices of up to $1/kg CW, lifting bull and prime classes from $5 to $6.

Wool prices surprise Annette Scott annette.scott@globalhq.co.nz PRICES exceeded brokers’ expectations at the Christchurch wool sale on Thursday. After a nervous start the market settled to similar levels of recent sales for crossbred types that generally sold in the buyer’s favour with anything 31-40 microns selling at $2.13 down to $1.98. Second-shear fleece was generally unchanged at $1.77$1.62 for 35-39 microns. It was the first of the new season’s mid micron wool, mainly from Canterbury, that

generated most excitement. “The excellent offering attracted strong demand from a full bench of buyers with prices exceeding expectation,” PGW South Island wool manager Dave Burridge said. Crossbred lambs’ wool generally sold in sellers’ favour, up to $3.34/kg clean. Mid-micron fleece was up 5% to 8% with 25-28 micron fetching $9.40 to $7.05 and 29-30 micron, also taking a lift, selling at $5.52 and $5.02 respectively. The pass-in rate was 18%. The next Christchurch sale is on June 25.

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FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 15, 2020

Greenpeace pushed nitrogen cap Richard Rennie richard.rennie@globalhq.co.nz GREENPEACE’S push against nitrogen fertiliser use was a key factor in the Government’s decision to include a cap on it in the latest Action for Freshwater package. Environment Minister David Parker confirmed 4000 submissions relating to reducing nitrogen losses were received by the Ministry for Environment. Parker said 3460 were prepared by Greenpeace supporting a nitrogen discharge cap in combination with a nitrogen fertiliser cap and the phasing out of all synthetic fertiliser by 2025. The remaining relevant submissions included 153 proforma submissions prepared by Beef + Lamb opposing a nitrogen fertiliser cap. Greenpeace fertiliser campaign leader Gen Toop said the environmental group campaigned for a cap on synthetic nitrogen fertiliser significantly lower than the 190kg/ha/year. But she believes the submissions influenced the nitrogen cap regulation. “There are countries overseas where that figure is significantly

lower and use is banned for certain times of the year. We wanted a figure of 60kg/ha/year. “However, we see the figure is up for review in 2023 and we will be pushing for it to be lower and for synthetic fertiliser to ultimately be banned.” Freshwater ecologist Professor Russell Death has described the 190kg limit as a Band Aid solution that will have little effect, given it is cattle urine not fertiliser driving much of the nitrate increase. Toop said Greenpeace acknowledged losses from actual fertiliser application are small. “But it is the increase in stocking rate synthetic fertilisers support that the bulk of nitrates comes from. We expect the limit set will come down significantly after a review and stocking rates with it.” But the cap left Ballance AgriNutrients chief executive Mark Wynne questioning the process and surprised by the inclusion of a limit on farm fertiliser. “I do not think it had even been put on the table as an option to be honest and I think the process has been hijacked.” He said he needs more time to better understand what the legislative process is from this point and whether it is possible to

challenge the cap imposed from next year. Parker said the cap is one of three options proposed in a consultation document to take immediate action to reduce nitrogen losses. He quoted a Cabinet paper stating there are diminishing economic returns with nitrogen fertiliser application over 200kg/ ha/year. “While the dairy sector’s national average is about 150kg/ ha/year in some areas it is higher. For instance, the average in Canterbury was 222kg/ha in 201718.” Wynne said the Government clearly has Canterbury in its sights with the regulation. He also challenged the top-down approach. “When you look at what we are trying to achieve it is the same thing, to clean up the water. But you have to look at what is the best way to get there and input controls will not work.” A Ravensdown spokesman said the company has agreed to disagree with the nitrogen cap and the practical implications of national input limits. Its innovation and strategy general manager Mike Manning said the entire consultation

NOT ENOUGH: Freshwater ecologist Professor Russell Death has described the 190kg limit as a Band Aid solution that will have little effect.

process appears to be a sham and he has no idea where the 190kg cap came from. Federated Farmers environment spokesman Chris Allen said he is disappointed at the top-down approach, which appears to have been driven by Greenpeace pressure. “Waterways are agnostic to the source of nitrogen. It should

come down to a catchment by catchment approach. Some soils and environments can absorb nitrogen better than others, even within Canterbury.” Parker confirmed regional councils can set rules more stringent than the Government’s. “Any rule in a regional plan that is more stringent than the national standard prevails,” he said.

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FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 15, 2020

Small cheese in leaked trade deal Richard Rennie richard.rennie@globalhq.co.nz TRADE Minister David Parker has reacted with surprise and disappointment at news a leaked trade deal between New Zealand and the European Union contains little of benefit for NZ. “I am disappointed by the leak but also at the quality it offers. “It sends a very negative signal,” he said. Parker was speaking at the launch of a covid-19 trade recovery strategy, addressing the NZ Institute of International Affairs. The leaked details appeared in European trade publications and while full details are unconfirmed it is understood to contain an allowance for only 15,000 tonnes of cheese exports from NZ to the EU over a decade. Parker described the uneven playing field NZ exporters were expected to play on in Europe as unacceptable. “To take one example in terms of the recently leaked offer. In 2019 the EU exported tariff-free the equivalent of 1kg of cheese per New Zealander. “By comparison, the EU is offering access for just over three grams of NZ cheese per EU citizen. Even then that is subject to volume restrictions and that is also subject to restrictions. This is not a workable way to conclude our long-running trade negotiations.” The trade imbalance between the EU and NZ is 2:1. Parker said it is frustrating NZ is the last liberal democracy not to have a trade agreement with the EU. “It is clear the EU will need to address this imbalance. “I ask how else post-covid

would NZ maintain a social licence for trade. I am speaking tonight with my counterpart, EU Trade Commissioner (Phil) Hogan to register very clearly my dissatisfaction and disappointment with this offer as well as the fact of its leak.” Parker outlined his broader concerns over covid global trade conditions hinting at a tightening of borders, greater protectionism and a breakdown in the mechanisms that maintain free trade, including the World Trade Organisation. “As the crisis unfolded I think we were all alarmed at the sudden uptick in protectionist measures. “At one point nearly 80 World Trade Organisation members had notified more than 100 new barriers or other restrictions in place. To make matters worse some of the major economies started to introduce further subsidies for their farmers. “The direction of travel was worrying.” But Parker reiterated the Government’s commitment to restoring and growing trade links and value to boost the NZ recovery. “The trade recovery strategy sets out how we will achieve that.” The first part of the three-part policy is supporting exporters, particularly smaller to medium sized ones. The $200 million plus set aside in the Budget is now being channelled into budgets of NZ Trade and Enterprise and Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade to double the number of exporters those agencies can provide advice to. This will boost the departments’ capacity for advice to 1400 exporters. “In the short to medium term this is support to exporters in-

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market. It is harder for them to travel themselves, harder to form new relationships, it is pretty hard to assess the market risk, who is reliable and who is not. “The network of posts we have around the world through MFAT and NZTE is probably the most important resource we can offer additional support through at the moment.” The second plank of the strategy is to try and re-invigorate international trade architecture. Parker described the WTO as moribund and covid-19 has reinforced the need for a functioning international rulesbased system. “We will be working to shore up the WTO as well as expanding

PARKED UP: Trade Minister David Parker said the leaked European Union trade offer is not a workable way to conclude long-running trade negotiations.

and developing our network of regional and bilateral freeo-trade agreements.” The third aspect of the strategy is to refresh key trading relationships, filling the forward pipeline with trade negotiations including EU, Britain and South America to provide exporters with more choice. While Parker remains adamant

trade is vital to get NZ through the crisis he is also emphatic there needs to be a balanced level of trade that benefits all New Zealanders and the EU issue has his ire. “Every country NZ has a sound trade relationship with, our trade is broadly in balance. It is generally more unfair where we don’t have one, like the EU.”

Primary sector backs trade concerns Richard Rennie richard.rennie@globalhq.co.nz DESPITE a sometimes tense relationship with the primary sector on water standards Trade Minister David Parker has been unequivocally supported for his stance on the leaked European Union trade offer. Federated Farmers president Katie Milne said the EU proposal is insultingly low. “I thought they’d made a mistake and put the decimal point in the wrong place.” Thanks to the leak New Zealand farmers are now aware the EU intended to continue to prevent Kiwi farmers from fairly competing in the EU market while at the same time seeking to impose absurd obligations, such as not allowing NZ farmers to call feta cheese

by its generic feta name. “It is disappointing to see the EU’s trade negotiators ignore the long-shared relationship between the EU and NZ. “David Parker needs to stand firm and continue to express his disappointment,” she said. Agricultural trade envoy Mel Poulton noted the pace of Parker’s response to the document’s leak and content. From a NZ food producer perspective the offer is far removed from contributing to a goal of a deep, comprehensive and high-quality free-trade agreement. Beef + Lamb chief executive Sam McIvor said the details suggest the EU’s offer will maintain small quotas with inquota tariffs.

“While NZ and the EU have a long history of trade we are one of the few countries that does not have an FTA with the EU, putting us at a significant disadvantage to the EU’s FTA partners,” he said. B+LNZ and the Meat Industry Association support the Government’s efforts to show leadership in uniting the international trading community by strengthening the rules-based system and trade as NZ and the global economy seek to recover from covid-19. Dairy Companies Association chairman Malcolm Bailey said the offer will never credibly form part of an FTA between the economies. “This falls short of even paying lip service to free trade.

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FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 15, 2020

Primary sector’s import rising Neal Wallace neal.wallace@globalhq.co.nz THE collapse of tourism and export education propelled the primary sector’s share of export receipts from 54% to 70% overnight and observers say it could increase further. To Hono chairman Greg Muir says the covid-19 pandemic has prompted consumers to reflect on what and how they eat, which should benefit New Zealand food producers. The $45 billion NZ’s food and fibre sector earns in exports each year generates $250b in consumer spending and Muir says exporters are looking at how they can capture a greater share of that. Forestry, strong wool and aquaculture all have potential to grow their contributions and while the red meat sector has made improvements there is room to further grow value and returns. Senior Government politicians are conscious of the primary sector’s key role and willing to help it carry the economy till sectors such as tourism recover. He understands there is interest and investment pending to revitalise the strong wool sector with the Government willing to lend its support. “Capital will flow to opportunities if things that have held it back in the past are able to be dealt with.” Further opportunities in forestry exist by looking at the chemistry

and fibre of trees instead of just logs. Covid-19 should not stop the move to supplying products consumers want. “Changes in the last five to 10 years will pick up pace and continue the change from being a product-facing sector to a marketfacing sector with a much greater emphasis on interaction with customers,” Muir said.

Capital will flow to opportunities if things that have held it back in the past are able to be dealt with. Greg Muir Te Hono Primary Sector Council chairman Lain Jager says the importance of the food and fibre sector cannot be overstated. It generates one job in 10, production occupies more than 14 million hectares, it accounts for 20% of gross domestic product and exports earn $46b a year.

“Not only is it a major export earner but the $20b earned from tourism is roughly equivalent to the $19b earned from dairy,” Jager said. Growth of 5% a year is greater than any other industry and annual productivity growth is double other sectors, at 3% to 4%. The council was formed by Agriculture Minister Damian O’Connor in April 2018 to create a vision for the primary sector and provide independent advice. The most crucial issue is water storage and use, Jager says. “It is most crucial. We cannot grow without water. “Climate change will make some regions drier and others wetter and it is difficult to invest in food and fibre opportunities if you do not have access to water.” Jager also wants discussion about whether we have reached peak cow. “It is our most import food and fibre export so we really have to ask the question how do we grow the dairy sector?” BNZ senior economist Doug Steel says while the economy is now more dependent on the primary sector than it has been for many decades, global uncertainty makes forecasting difficult. But existing awareness and trust in NZ as a producer of quality food will be helped by publicity from beating covid-19. Steel says global product prices will either fall from the loss of consumer spending power following mass job losses and

BIG ISSUE: Water storage and use is the most crucial issue facing the nation, Primary Sector Council chairman Lain Jager says.

business closures or benefit from economies reopening and improved economic activity. Patronage at United States restaurants, though lower than a year ago, is improving while in Germany food outlets are experiencing a rapid recovery. In recent days international equity markets have rallied on optimism economies are recovering. In the US the S&P 500 Index has

recovered all its losses, the Nasdaq Composite breached the historic 10,000 point milestone and the NZX 50 Index is close to March levels greater than 11,000, having recovered from a low of 8498 on March 23. The gradual gain in strength of the NZ dollar against the US dollar also reflects confidence in the global recovery, lifting from US56c on March 22 to US66c on June 8, Steel said.

Regulations hamper forests’ growth We need to reduce what I call dead weight on the supply chain. NEW rules could curb the forestry sector’s ability to create jobs, Forest Owners Association chairman Phil Taylor says. New and proposed regulations such as the Forest Amendment Bill, designed to provide a predictable flow of logs to domestic processors, intervenes in log sales and supply contracts. Similarly, Environment Canterbury’s proposed Plan Change 17 will impose even higher land use and environmental regulation on forestry than it faces nationally. “At the time the Government is looking to the primary industry to lead the recovery we need to reduce what I call dead weight on the supply chain.” Forestry exports to the end of June 2019 were $6.9 billion but the sector has the potential to grow that figure and generate large numbers of jobs, Taylor says. One obstacle hindering that is the three years it has so far taken for the Environmental Protection Agency to assess a fungicide to replace methyl bromide.

Phil Taylor Forest Owners Association

MONEY: The forestry sector needs a levy on imported wood products to pay for development of the New Zealand market, Forest Owners Association chairman Phil Taylor says.

As a result, the association has asked for a delay to the October phasing out of the use of methyl bromide. Improving wood treatment technology is growing demand for pruned logs but the lack of a price

differential between pruned and unpruned logs means silviculture is no longer practised on 55% of forests. Taylor would like a joint industry-Government analysis of impediments and benefits to help

forest owners decide if silviculture is worthwhile. In 2017 the Labour Party campaigned on a wood-first policy it has so far not implemented, a move Taylor says would encourage domestic

wood processing and generate jobs. International prices have recovered from a slump earlier in the year but Taylor says the sector needs investment in market development for forest products and a levy imposed on imported processed wood products to fund development of the NZ market. As with others in the primary sector, forestry wants reform of the Resource Management Act to remove unnecessary impediments to greenfield investment such as processing mills and to focus a law he says has drifted. “The Significant Natural Areas regulations are an example of how far interpretation of the RMA has drifted, to where the better custodians of the natural environment are the ones most deemed to be required to restrict their activities as a result.”

News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 15, 2020

Course aims to up orchard skills Richard Rennie richard.rennie@globalhq.co.nz AS THE kiwifruit season enters its twilight Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced a $200,000 training package to attract and upskill staff as a winter pruner shortage looms. The programme offers a oneday introduction and basic skills course to let job seekers see if they are suited to it. They can then participate in a two-week Qualifications Authority training course. The lower-skilled harvest peak is now well past with some packhouses winding up operations this week. However, demand for pruners is strong and will extend through winter. The sector is short of skilled labour with 1200 seasonal workers unable to enter NZ as the country went into lockdown. “The industry is responding to the fact it does need to find workers and we do have Kiwis available and it is with pay rates that are attracting people to the work,” Ardern said. Indicative figures already show

PACKING: Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern hopes locals will be drawn to a skills course focusing on the kiwifruit sector. Photo: Jamie Troughton

kiwifruit businesses have moved from their historic average of 50% Kiwis on the payroll to about 70% this year. Ardern spoke to a number of workers intending to move into winter pruning and acknowledged the huge constraints border controls put on the primary sector, including dairying.

Thousands of seasonal workers from overseas are stuck in NZ well beyond their usual employment period, unable to return home. Ardern said Civil Defence funds are being used to house, feed and care for them but that is not a long term strategy and the Government is considering options. Farmers are also concerned the

stranded workers are likely to face visa restrictions on being able to return for next season’s work. Usually workers are required to have five months back home before being eligible to return here but the covid-19 lockdown has made that unfeasible for many. Kiwifruit Growers labour co-

ordinator Gavin Stagg said the shortage is of skills rather than staff, hence the training emphasis. “We have had some tourism operators in Rotorua who have had staff laid off who have been able to supply us with them over the picking period and even supply buses to bring the staff over.” Typically, it takes a full season for a pruner to get up to speed with potential to earn more than $1500 a week when skilled. Stagg said demand from locals for work has slowed in the past two weeks but he is still getting 50 inquiries a week. It was as high as 100 earlier in the lockdown. “The ability of the industry to train on the job is lower this year so we are using the courses to get people introduced to the skills they need.” This year’s labour campaign has also included greater crossindustry co-operation between forestry, horticulture and tourism using a match-making system. Ardern said the Government is willing to use its balance sheet to support industries like horticulture train staff.

Covid good news drives bump in dollar Hugh Stringleman hugh.stringleman@globalhq.co.nz THE New Zealand dollar has appreciated by 15% against the United States dollar since the darkest days of the covid-19 lockdown and currency analysts attribute all the movement to the recovery of equity and bond markets. “The NZD/USD exchange rate has mirrored the pathway of the S&P500 index, which shows a rebound in risk appetite,” Westpac strategy head Imre Speizer said.

When NZ went into lockdown the NZD/USD cross rate was in a 10-day slump that touched US56c briefly. It has now risen to 65c, which is about the average rate of the past 12 months. Spiezer thinks it might go higher, perhaps 67c, before settling back as the economic news worsens, to about 58-59c. Producers and exporters would welcome a more sustained fall. “Market sentiment has turned around since late March as NZ got on top of covid-19 and the

economic data hasn’t been as first feared. “Also, central banks have printed bucketloads of money, including ours for the first time. “Investors are back to buying riskier equities and riskier currencies, like the NZD. “But the Kiwi is getting stretched and the latest run is looking tired and we have the prospect of less-cheerful financial news to come.” The fall against the Australian dollar has been quite noteworthy too. After being within touching

distance of parity in mid March the cross rate has dropped to 92-93c as world markets believe Australia’s covid-19 story is the best. Speizer thinks the NZD/AUD might reach 95c again in the short term but then fall to about 90c by year-end. The NZD has appreciated 7.5% against the pound sterling from a bottom of 47.75p in early April to 51.25p now. “But if market news really gets bad the Kiwi and the Aussie dollars will get clobbered and the safer currencies like sterling, euro

and yen will hold up better. “High-risk, commodity currencies get belted and the medium-risk ones stay more stable.” BNZ strategist Jason Wong said the S&P/NZX50 index has risen 30% from its lowest point on March 23 to now. “The bounce back reflects that we are probably in the best position that anyone could have imagined two months ago.” That optimism is reflected in the strength of the dollar, the bond markets and the prices of commodities.

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Ag seminars appeal to prospective workers Neal Wallace neal.wallace@globalhq.co.nz ABOUT 40 people recently made redundant from Otago and Southland tourist business will soon start retraining as agricultural contractors. Seminars in Queenstown and Te Anau, two centres hit hard by the collapse of tourism, attracted about 300 people and generated sufficient interest for two training intakes, Rural Contractors president Dave Kean said. The Southland Institute of Technology and contractors are running six-week courses at Telford in south Otago and in Invercargill to get people into agricultural contracting. And Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor hopes the Taratahi training centre near Masterton will be hosting introductory farming courses for those new to the sector by early next month. “We are working as fast as possible. There is great enthusiasm from Wairarapa to get it up and running.

We are prepared to give anybody a go. Dave Kean Rural Contractors “In the short-term the urgent need for the dairy industry, for the livestock sector, for horticulture and viticulture, means Taratahi facilities should be utilised as quickly as we can get them running.” There are still issues of ownership to be resolved with the liquidator but O’Connor says they have reached an agreement to allow the facilities to be used so courses can begin. The Taratahi courses will be delivered by the Eastern Institute of Technology and Ucol and have been developed in partnership with the Telford/ Southern Institute of Technology and industry, including DairyNZ’s Go Dairy programme. O’Connor said negotiations for longer-term Tertiary Education Commission-funded education will continue in parallel while the Primary Industries Ministry works with providers and industry to address immediate needs created by covid-19. In recent weeks O’Connor visited both Taratahi and Telford and described the institutions as significant farming assets. Kean says about 80% of those at the Queenstown seminar were tourists on short-term working visas that will expire before they can be renewed to allow them to start training. “We had four guys from South America turn up. They moved to Queenstown the day before the lockdown to work and enjoy the party life but now have no idea what to do. “They don’t know anything about agriculture. They don’t have working visas or licences.” The Te Anau event attracted more New Zealanders, a mix of tour guides, bus drivers and hospitality workers. The sector is looking for about 300 workers and Kean says contractors have given a commitment to train new staff even though it will take about two years for the workers to be fully competent. “We are prepared to give anybody a go.” Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage says 340 recently unemployed people have been recruited for 60 conservation projects such as improving walking tracks, fencing, trapping predators to look after birds and bush and removing wilding pines.

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 15, 2020

VALUABLE: Taratahi and Telford are significant farming assets, Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor says.

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10 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 15, 2020

Bay Angus bull makes big bucks Hugh Stringleman hugh.stringleman@globalhq.co.nz A TOP price of $68,000 has been paid for an Angus bull in Hawke’s Bay, the highest price of the bull selling season so far. On June 10 Brookwood Stud saw spirited bidding between first four and then two farmers from $30,000 upwards, the eventual winner being Jeremy Gunton, Umbrella Range Angus, Argyle Station, Waikaia, Southland. Brookwood principal Justin King said the two-year-old bull is by Braveheart of Stern out of Lynmar Jewel with great balance and a very reliable pedigree. It was a record price for Brookwood though it has had better averages in the past five years. This year King put up 32 bulls and sold 24 at auction with an average of $9758, while some have been sold since. Sales in June began strongly when Andrew and Anna Laing’s Sudeley Angus stud in Canterbury sold a bull for $60,000 to Earnscleugh, Central Otago. It was out of semen from Matauri Reality 839 and Laing said he is a complete bull in the figures with a very strong phenotype. The Sudeley average was $11,176 across 38 bulls sold of the 40 offered, the highest average of all breeds so far this season. Oregon Angus at Masterton had a clearance of 30 bulls and averaged $10,100 with a top of $26,000 paid by Tarangower Angus at Mahoenui. A day later Dandaloo Angus, also at Masterton, sold 33 of 34

bulls offered, averaged $8075 and achieved a top price of $14,500 paid by a commercial buyer. Okawa Herefords made a top price of $26,000 paid by Tawanui Herefords and sold 45 bulls of the 53 offered and averaged $7484. Monymusk Hereford sold 38 of 39 on June 2 with an average of $8505 and a top of $14,500. Kairuru Polled Hereford made $15,000 twice, paid by Wilencote and by Flagstaff to average $7977 from 22 sold from 27 offered. Orari Gorge Herefords sold 23 from 31 bulls offered with an average of $6543 and the highest price of $11,000 paid by Monymusk. Richard Rowe’s Merchiston Angus, Marton, sold 36 bulls of 40 offered on June 3 for an average of $8222 and a top price of $14,500. Tapiri Angus, Masterton, had a full clearance of 14 bulls with an average $7500 and $10,500, paid twice by commercial buyers. Hinewaka Shorthorns, Masterton, offered 20 bulls onfarm on June 3, sold 18, averaged $7350 and made a top price of $11,000. Wairere Angus at Hawera offered 18 and sold 17 with an average of $6400 and a high price of $11,000. Netherton Angus, Otago, offered 23 and sold 19 to average $7227 with a high price of $11,000. Three Hereford studs that sold on June 4 had good top prices, led by $20,000 recorded by Beechwood Stud, Oxford, and paid by Glenbrae. Beechwood also got $17,000 and $13,000 on the way to an average over 15 bulls of $8400.

IMPRESSIVE: Brookwood P26, son of Braveheart of Stern, sold for $68,000 and will move from Hawke’s Bay to Southland.

Grassmere Herefords, Cheviot, made $19,000 paid by Alfriston Herefords, while averaging $8692 when selling 13 of 14 bulls offered. Capethorne Herefords, Cheviot, offered 12 bulls and sold 11 with an average of $6400 and a high of $9500 paid by Merrylea.

It was a record price for Brookwood though it has had better averages in the past five years.

In the same place on the same day Riverlands Angus had a full clearance of 18 to average $8316 with a top of $20,000 paid by Turihaua. Pine Park Angus, Pahiatua, offered 32 bulls and sold them all on June 4, averaging $6200 with a high of $12,000. Ranui Angus, Wanganui, topped its sale with $17,000 to a commercial buyer and averaged $5900 when selling 31 out of 41 offered. In the Bay of Islands, Waitangi Angus offered 55 and sold 50 with an average $7690 and a

high of $15,000 by Rangiora Trust. Riverlee Herefords, Rangiwahia, sold 19 of 20 and averaged $6302 with a high price of $10,500 paid twice. Mt Mable Angus had a full clearance of 41 bulls at Woodville on June 8 to average $10,439 with the highest commercial price of $17,500, plus $14,000 to Cricklewood. Roger and Susan Hayward at Twin Oaks Angus, Ngaruawahia, made a very good top price of $40,000, paid by Wilkins Farming, when selling 41 of 46 offered on June 5 with an average of $8317. Martin Farming, at Wakefield, Nelson, sold 15 of 24 Angus bulls offered with an average of $7767 and a top price of $20,000 paid by Tangihau Angus. The Martins also sold two Hereford bulls averaging $5500. On June 8 Alan and Michele Dalziell at Atahua Angus, Feilding, sold 37 of 39 offered and managed a top price of $18,000 paid by Turiroa Angus and a sale average of $8743. Totaranui Angus, Wairarapa, offered 48 bulls and sold 42 at auction for an average of $7609 and the highest price of $12,000 from a commercial buyer. Te Whanga Angus, Gladstone, had a full clearance of 20 bulls to

average $6515, with a top price of $9500. Rolling Rock Angus, Te Akau, Waikato, sold 17 of 19 offered and averaged $7176 with a top of $15,000. Earnscleugh High Country Genetics sold 35 Angus, averaging $7342, with a top of $15,000 and 19 Herefords to average $5315 and a top of $8000. Kaiwara Angus at Culverden, North Canterbury, offered 26 and sold 23 to average $7652 and achieve a top price of $17,500 paid by Inverloch Angus. Elgin Angus at Havelock North sold 24 of 32, averaged $8413 and had a top price of $14,500 paid by a commercial buyer. Dandaleith Angus, at Dannevirke, sold 23 out of 29 with an average of $7027 and a top of $13,500 twice. Kia Toa Charolais at Waitomo sold 27 of 30 offered and achieved a top price of $11,000 paid by Okupa Station, Kawhia, and an average of $4815. In late May Kay Jay Angus at Masterton made a top of $16,500 and an average of $10,500; Blackridge Angus, Taumarunui, topped at $16,000 and averaged $7369 while two highest prices of $15,000 were made by Puke-Nui Angus and Glenbrae Herefords.

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FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 15, 2020

New contest celebrates agripreneurs Richard Rennie richard.rennie@globalhq.co.nz GLOBAL HQ, publisher of Farmers Weekly and Dairy Farmer, is sponsoring B.linc Innovation’s inaugural awards celebrating innovation and technology in the primary sector. The Celebrating Success Innovation Awards run by

Lincoln University’s B.linc Innovation centre have three sections. They are for on-farm innovation, off-farm-consumer innovation and a creative innovation-future tech award for secondary school students. Global HQ co-owner Dean Williamson said the primary sector has had to respond to

Scales picks healthy numbers Hugh Stringleman hugh.stringleman@globalhq.co.nz

SCALES Corporation harvested 5.1 million trays of apples this year and has sold a third so far, managing director Andy Borland told the company’s annual meeting. The picked volume is similar to that of 2018 and the sales progress is on par with last year. The harvest was completed with minimal disruption from covid-19 and Borland paid tribute to the overseas workers and Mr Apple’s 388 permanent staff, up from 188 in 2012. “Without each and every one of these people we would not be able to operate and

their dedication through the covid-19 crisis has increased my appreciation for them.” Shareholders were told the company has $105m cash after the sale of Polarcold and is actively seeking expansion and investment opportunities but no details were given. The food ingredients division and joint venture with Alliance, called Meteor, shows great potential and it is investigating some exciting opportunities. “We believe we can be a key provider of pet food ingredients to a wide range of international pet food brands.” Scales will pay a final dividend of 9.5c a share on July 10, bringing the total for the 2019 financial year to 19c.

covid-19 in numerous innovative and nimble ways to continue growing, harvesting and processing primary products. “This has driven many companies, our own included, to some quite innovative and exciting solutions to stay in business. “We felt this was an ideal time to lift the lid on what some of those solutions have been and showcase them to the entire country.” The last eight weeks prove a good crisis should not be wasted because they gave a chance to inspire new approaches to old problems. “We have this new generation of agripreneurs who have embraced the digital opportunities technology has presented us with and are now delivering some really exciting solutions for the primary sector.” The chance for high school students to enter the creative innovation-future tech category enables pupils with blue-sky ideas to be rewarded for their creativity. B.linc Innovation’s Julia Henson said that category will reward its winner with fully paid undergraduate study at Lincoln. “Anyone who wants to study can appreciate the value of such an award and it’s a good fit with the type of graduates Lincoln

BACKING: Farmers Weekly publisher Dean Williamson is sponsoring B.linc Innovation’s innovation and technology awards.

is attracting,” she said. Henson said it was too early to know if the event will become an annual one but the timing is good as the country adjusts to life around covid-19. “We feel the time is right for a new competition that takes a positive approach to this new environment, recognising people who have seen the opportunities the challenge has presented and developed solutions.” The Celebrating Success awards close off on August 1.

We felt this is an ideal time to lift the lid on what some of those solutions have been and showcase them to the entire country. Dean Williamson Global HQ

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12 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 15, 2020

SunGold licences come gold plated Richard Rennie richard.rennie@globalhq.co.nz THE SunGold kiwifruit variety has again exceeded the previous year’s licence values with the final tender for this year’s tranche closing off at an average of $400,000 a hectare, up 37%. The annual offering of 700ha of new licences for SunGold was oversubscribed, with bids totalling 1660ha. Zespri grower and alliances officer Dave Courtney said the values reflect ongoing optimism among growers about SunGold’s value and prospects. “We run a closed tender process and put out as much information as we can, including a five-year outlook, for people to make their own decisions on what they value the licences at,” he said. The $400,000/ha puts SunGold at the top of fruit licensing values, with the next closest being Envy apples at about $100,000/ha. It means the licence income has

ATTITUDE: The values paid for SunGold licences this year reflect the optimism among growers, Zespri grower and alliances officer Dave Courtney says.

become an integral part of Zespri’s non-fruit earnings, accounting for $211 million, or 6% of company revenue.

Several bidders were, for the first time, in the 20haplus category. That reflects the emergence of some larger

investment-backed operators either converting from Green fruit or establishing new orchards. Six bidders sought more than 20ha, three 15-20ha and five were in the 5-10ha size. The average size of the successful bids was 2.4ha, representing a continuing gradual rise in average licence area bids from 1.5ha in 2016. Last season SunGold fruit averaged $11.86 a tray or $160,000/ha average return before costs. Organic SunGold also continued to reflect increasing competition for growing the fruit, with the 50ha allocated averaging $219,600/ha, up from $153,000/ha last year. This year’s tender round also marked the first time the Red variety was available for commercial orchardists, with 150ha allocated for bidders. The round averaged $62,000/ha and again was oversubscribed, by 110ha.

“The fact it was oversubscribed tells you that growers are confident enough to have a go at growing it,” Courtney said. Zespri has made no secret to growers about the fruit’s shortcomings, including issues around a shortened shelf life, smaller fruit size and lower yields than the prolific SunGold variety. “Over time you get a view and what you learn about varieties in the pre-commercial stage and as soon as you get it out to growers you learn more, both positive and negative. “But the taste is good and demand is strong. On a per tray price basis we believe it could be equal to SunGold or a bit above that.” This year Red sales have been limited to domestic supply, Singapore and Japan. The tender results came as Zespri announced its full year 2019-20 results, declaring a profit of $200.8 million.

Zespri upbeat about 2021 as profit climbs 12% ZESPRI is upbeat about this financial year despite the impact of covid-19, having reported a 12% increase in annual profit and returned almost $2 billion to the industry. Net profit in the year to March 31 rose to $200.8 million from $178.9m a year earlier. Operating revenue was $3.36 billion with fruit sales of $3.14b. Zespri sold 164.4 million trays of New Zealand and overseas-grown kiwifruit, a 2% decline on the year. Total fruit and service payments, which are returns to growers, increased 8% to $1.96b. The board expects to pay a dividend of 94 cents a share, up from 92 cents the prior year.

Zespri has 2800 growers in New Zealand and 1800 elsewhere. “Overall, 2019-20 was another strong year for Zespri with continued growth in our largest markets including Japan, Greater China and Europe,” chief executive Dan Mathieson said. Mathieson said 2020-21 is shaping up to be another solid year despite the impact of covid-19. Zespri was named an essential service so operated throughout the lockdown after implementing safety protocols. “The response from the industry to covid-19 has been incredible, coming together to ensure we could get fruit off the vines and into market in spite

of the restrictions both here and offshore,” he said. The latest season is one of the largest by volume, albeit with smaller green fruit because of dry weather, and global demand is significant, he said. “Risks to our outlook include wider concerns around consumer purchasing power being negatively affected by the global economic turmoil, changes to the normal flow of fruit trade and also potential disruption across our global supply chains. “Zespri remains focused on ensuring we’re able to respond to such eventualities and on delivering returns to growers,” he said. – BusinessDesk

REPEAT: Zespri expects another good year from its latest harvest despite difficulties created by covid-19, chief executive Dan Mathieson says.

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Minimise the impacts on the environment and animals.

START

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(Avoid grazing if possible)

Graze paddocks strategically. On a sloping paddock, fence across the slope and start grazing at the top of the slope. That way, the standing crop acts as a filter. Or, if there is a waterway in the paddock, start grazing at the far end of the paddock.

Look after your stock. Provide loafing areas, adequate feed, shelter and clean fresh drinking water. This could also be a good place for your stock during adverse weather events.

Other things to think about Plan early. When choosing paddocks for next yearâ€™s winter feed crop, think about how you can improve your management of critical source areas and waterways. Careful management is needed when winter grazing on steep slopes to reduce environmental losses.

Leave an ungrazed and uncropped buffer zone around critical source areas. Critical source areas are parts of the paddock that can channel overland flow directly to waterways (e.g. gullies, swales, very wet areas, spring heads, waterway crossings, stock camps and vehicle access routes).

Exclude stock from waterways. Create an ungrazed buffer zone between the livestock and the waterway. About 3-5 metres is a good starting point, but this should increase Plantand a catch crop with slope soil instability. Where soil conditions and farm management allow, consider planting a fast growing crop in Plant aspring catchsuch crop. soiloats. conditions as Where greenfeed and farm management allow, consider It can make a dramatic difference planting fast growing crop in spring such toareducing nitrogen losses.

as greenfeed oats. It can make a dramatic difference to reducing nitrogen losses.

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FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 15, 2020

Study targets M bovis impact Colin Williscroft colin.williscroft@globalhq.co.nz

The research will be done on several farms until the animals are culled. Only properties already known to be positive for M bovis will be included and there will be no delay to depopulation dates because of the research. The study’s findings will be of international interest, Compton says. “The disease is well known internationally and there is a lot known about individual cases but it is poorly understood how the disease affects a whole herd of animals or group of calves.” Roche says the research will help to better understand how the disease affects different stock classes and to do that it will encompass as wide a range of farming systems as possible. Different farming systems might have different risks as to how the disease spreads within herds or mobs. “The results of this project will contribute evidence to help in the detection of M bovis, improve our surveillance tools and increase our understanding of how the disease spreads under different New Zealand farming systems, which is key in terms of eradication.

MASSEY University researchers are beginning on-farm research into the direct impact Mycoplasma bovis has on dairy herds, including effects on milk yield and composition after the project was delayed by covid-19. Ministry for Primary Industries chief science adviser and M bovis Strategic Science Advisory Group chairman Dr John Roche says Massey was awarded the contract in March but because of the lockdown its scientists could not travel to farms to begin their work. The study’s principal investigator, senior lecturer in veterinary epidemiology Dr Chris Compton, who is responsible for its overall running and reporting, says the study will focus on herds recently diagnosed as infected with M bovis. Researchers will follow cows and calves over time by repeatedly sampling and measuring productivity, including monitoring physical signs, effects on milk yield and composition and the duration of those effects.

“It will also help us to quantify the impacts, which supports some of the recommendations made in a Technical Advisory Group report.” He says the more the disease is understood the better surveillance strategies can be targeted. The research is expected to be completed in July 2021 and will complement other projects funded by the M Bovis Programme, an industryGovernment partnership involving MPI, DairyNZ and Beef + Lamb.

KNOWLEDGE: Primary Industries Ministry chief science adviser Dr John Roche says the research will help improve understanding of how Mycoplasma bovis affects different stock classes.

Winter grazing campaign launched BEEF + Lamb has launched a winter grazing campaign to ensure animals are well fed, in good health and farmers look after the environment. North Island general manager Matt Ward said simple practices such as grazing from the top of a slope, keeping the break long and narrow, back-fencing and using bale rings and portable water troughs can all make a significant difference to

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16 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 15, 2020

Search on for export markets Annette Scott annette.scott@globalhq.co.nz A VIABLE pork export market would provide an alternative for New Zealand pork producers and avoid any future threat to animal welfare. It would also alleviate downwards pressure on the schedule, NZ Pork general manager David Baines says. NZ Pork is facilitating discussions between the Ministry for Primary Industries, processors, wholesalers and farmers about exporting product. “As a levy organisation our goal is to lift returns to our farmers and we believe securing viable export markets presents some exciting opportunities,” Baines said. One opportunity already being explored is exporting to Singapore. The Singapore government is looking to expand its supply of quality, fresh food and the NZ Government has asked for an industry coordinated response to supply up to 10 air freight consignments of fresh foods, including pork. NZ Pork has established a working group to confirm details of the products and assess the practicality and financial viability of supply.

“We hope that learnings from this potential opportunity will be valuable for assessing longer-term export business.” Baines said the focus during the lockdown was to avoid immediate animal welfare issues by supporting the movement of pigs through the constrained domestic supply chain to avoid surplus pigs being left on farms. Import substitution has been an immediate solution but the significant costs of this are mainly borne by wholesalers. The supply of pork to food banks is a better option than import substitution but it is still calculated on only a cost recovery basis. “Establishment of a viable pork export market would be of benefit to our entire industry through providing an alternate market for surplus pigs and alleviating downwards pressure on the schedule,” Baines said. Meanwhile, the industry is disappointed the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment has delayed countryof-origin labelling for up to a year. “Our view is that supporting local production and businesses is essential to support the economic recovery. “NZ Pork believes that it is now more important than ever

SAFER: A long-term export market would avoid pig farmers facing future animal welfare issues such as they did in the covid-19 lockdown. Photo: Annette Scott

to provide a platform to focus attention on NZ-grown food and there is certainly a public appetite for that.” On average Kiwis each eat 23.46kg of pork annually. It is made up of 8.81kg of locally produced pork and 14.65kg of imported meat, which equates to 62% of consumption being imported product, often sold at cheaper prices. Despite 95% of NZ’s pork production being PigCare and Made in NZ labelled there is still confusion as to where the pork really comes from. “Labelling of these products is important as no other country meets NZ’s animal welfare standards in all respects,” Baines said. The PigCare programme developed by Massey University

and supported by NZ Pork was launched in 2010. It has set a standard for pig farmers to assure consumers that health and wellbeing practices are maintained. As an assurance mark it signals to shoppers their meat comes from NZ-farmed pigs. The PigCare label can get confused with country-of-origin labelling. “A Made in NZ label indicates to the average consumer that the entirety of the produce has been bred and raised in an ethical way, even if this is not the case.” Baines cited an example where marinated raw pork is not required to specify its country of origin and can go as far as to present a Made in NZ label if the marinating is done in NZ despite the pork itself being imported.

The Government’s draft rules for cured pork mean imported pig meat could be marinated or injected in NZ then sold alongside locally grown pork without any distinguishing label. The provisions, made as part of the Consumers’ Right to Know (Country of Origin Labelling) Bill, only require the pork to include the name and address of a NZ supplier. “Our research has shown that Kiwi shoppers want to know where a product is from so they can make informed choices. “Country-of-origin information should be clear on all packaging.” Baines said imported pork further processed in NZ should not be hidden behind the name and address of a NZ supplier or manufacturer. A strong ethical story behind food production, for both local and export consumption, is becoming increasingly important and NZ Pork is at the forefront of that conversation. “NZ Pork is taking these legislative gaps seriously and is voicing concern on behalf of consumers and producers. “It’s important Kiwis know that by paying a premium for homegrown pork they’re getting a cut above the rest,” Baines said.

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FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 15, 2020

Greater scrutiny for importing workers Gerald Piddock gerald.piddock@globalhq.co.nz GROWING unemployment means farmers can expect greater scrutiny when applying for migrant labour. Conversations Federated Farmers employment spokesman Chris Lewis has had with Immigration officials suggest applicants can expect greater scrutiny as the country looks to employ more New Zealanders in farming roles to reduce jobless rates. Farmers have to follow the process to the letter by advertising locally and proving there are no New Zealanders available with the necessary skills or experience. “If you follow the process correctly then you might have a higher chance of getting those visas renewed. “Now, with unemployment increasing and pressure on the Government to reduce the costs of those benefits you can’t just say there’s no one available – you’ll have to prove it.” Immigration staff are working to clear the backlog of applications with calving fast approaching.

“It’s been a mixed bag.” Many of those applying for farm jobs grew up on a farm but chose a different career. They have now found themselves redundant and moved back to farming. “They have a natural skill set and have been brought up with it and it runs through their veins. Those are the types of people we are looking for. If you still want careers, come back to your roots.”

TOUGHER SCRUTINY: The Government is looking to fill as many jobs as possible with New Zealand workers, Federated Farmers employment spokesman Chris Lewis says.

“Efficiency to me means knowing when my cows need attention and acting quickly.” Bruce McLaren - WAIKATO

Drafting his way, with CowScout Draft

Now, with unemployment increasing and pressure on the Government to reduce the costs of those benefits you can’t just say there’s no one available – you’ll have to prove it. Chris Lewis Federated Farmers Feedback Lewis has had from farmers suggests visas are being approved if the right process is followed. However, it is likely Immigration NZ will enforce the one-year stand-down rule for workers. “Immigration NZ have hopefully got their department on steroids processing visas for absolute urgency.” He estimates there are about 4500 migrant dairy workers in NZ on temporary work visas. If low-skilled workers have been with an employer for at least three years they are more likely to be classed as mid-skilled and more likely to qualify for a three-year work visa. There are few NZ workers available who fall in that category. When employers fill in the forms they have to make sure their employee is in the correct category. Lewis said there are between 50-100 skilled migrants overseas waiting to come back into the country and NZ’s borders are still shut despite the Government’s move to covid-19 level one. It is unlikely those workers will be allowed back into NZ this season. “These are highly skilled ones, farm manager level, and you can’t just pick them off the street.” There is less likelihood of New Zealanders being able to fill those roles because most have already got jobs. He predicts there will be worker shortages when calving starts next month. On Fonterra’s Farm Source there are 760 vacancies across the board. “How big is the shortfall? If they don’t approve some of the work visas for these migrants that shortfall is going to get massive.” The industry’s Go Dairy employment campaign has had limited success in finding workers. One farmer he spoke with had 40-50 responses to a vacancy while others struggle, he said.

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The future of dairy beef integration. Rt Hon Sir Lockwood Smith is commonly known for his long serving career in Parliament, and more recently his position as the High Commissioner of New Zealand to the United Kingdom (2013 – 2017). Throughout Smiths political career he has always had another passion, that of breeding highly efﬁcient beef cattle. In his earlier years, Smith’s father had an Angus stud on the Woodleigh farm. Smith kept the stud records and knew every animal in the herd. His scrap book as a kid was full of Angus cattle. In his teen years Smith decided to further himself in the pursuit of knowledge gaining his Bachelor of Agricultural Science (1970) and Master of Agricultural Science (1973) at Massey University, then completing his PhD in Animal Science at the University of Adelaide. Smith loved Australia but New Zealand was calling -

“My love of the land here was even greater and that’s what brought me back to Woodleigh” Smith’s great grandfather was the ﬁrst settler to set foot on the part of the Ruawai ﬂats where the family farm Woodleigh was established. Taking over the farm around the same time he was elected into parliament (1984), throughout Smith’s 29 year career as a politician he continued to run the farm, even during his time as High Commissioner in London. Woodleigh is surrounded by dairy farms but Smith’s love has always been for beef cattle. When he took over the farm he wanted to get back into breeding cattle. The Angus stud had been dispersed while he was away at University and his father had interbreed some old Angus cows with Friesian genetics. Smith wanted to put more beef on that Angus Friesian base, and researched various breeds such as South

Sir Lockwood Smith, Woodleigh Belgian Blues in Ruawai. Devon and Limousin. In 1987 Smith read about Belgian Blues and was fascinated by modiﬁcations to the Myostatin gene, a gene originally discovered in Belgian Blues. All mammals have a Myostatin gene. It is this gene that dictates how much muscle an individual produces. Fascinated by the gene, Smith decided to import some embryos and semen to begin upgrading his Angus Friesian base to the Belgian Blue. This took about four generations to get to a 15/16 which is considered by the Belgian Blue Society to be purebred. During this process Smith was careful to hold on to the polled gene, smooth out the shoulder and focus on fertility, short gestation and early growth rate.

“In my experience, you get far fewer calving problems with a shorter gestation sire” Right now, out of the 47 two-year-old purebred Belgian Blues coming into calving season, 18 have calved in the ﬁrst week, a number prior to the ofﬁcial start date. Only two have required assistance, one a breach and the other a bigger calf around 36 kilos.

winter. If you have to keep an animal until it’s two and a half to three years old it is hopelessly inefficient. If we are serious about carbon emissions, we need animals that can meet target weights and be processed at a younger age. There will be less carbon emissions associated with that kg of beef. Smith’s PhD is in Ruminant Metabolism so he knows a little bit about the efficiency of meat production. It’s a physiological fact with a ruminant animal, the more fat being laid down in the carcass, the more energy it will cost to produce it. It is energetically more expensive to lay down a kg of fat than a kg of muscle. The Belgian Blue is naturally leaner, laying down larger amounts of muscle. It is no surprise, therefore, that Belgian Blues are faster growing and more efficient at converting carbon into red meat. The fatter British breeds, Angus and Hereford will inevitably grow more slowly, Wagu the slowest of them all.

Belgian Blue genetics have added about 30% to the 400day weights of my once Angus Friesian base herd, and 22 month old bulls sent to the works so far this year are averaging 425Kg on the hooks, despite the drought. Morally as we look ahead the dairy industry needs to limit bobby calf numbers. The most effective way to do this is to turn what would have been a wasted bobby calf into a viable beef animal. Smith says

“If we are going to do that, having something like a short gestation Belgian Blue across a Kiwi Cross cow is going to produce a useful animal producing way more meat than a traditional British beef breed cross.”

Smith is a ﬁrm believer that farmers should not be keeping beef cattle beyond their second Purebred Belgian Blue calves at Woodleigh Belgian Blues

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News

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 15, 2020

Spud growers seek Govt help Annette Scott annette.scott@globalhq.co.nz POTATOES New Zealand has solicited Government support to investigate a potential import threat as the industry recovers from covid-19. Last month it called for Government action as local growers come under threat from cheap, imported chips. The industry asked the Government to urgently consider imposing short-term measures limiting the import of heavily discounted frozen potato chips. Potatoes NZ has now met Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Kris Faafoi and with support from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment is gathering evidence. “We want growers to feel confident in the industry recovering from pandemic crisis and we want to discourage the Europeans from attempting surplus importation to NZ,” Potatoes NZ chief executive Chris Claridge said. The investigation is gathering economic trade data and doing a public interest analysis. While there are limitations to the legislation not allowing a straight-out ban there is the possibility of kicking in the remedies if evidence is provided. The potato industry is heartened that MBIE supports the industry’s message to buy local. Globally, the disruption of supply chains and particularly sales to hospitality because of covid-19 restrictions have led to the complete collapse of potato prices in major production centres, in particular the European Union. That has led to extraordin-

ary price reductions in frozen potato chips from the EU that has a 2.6 million tonnes surplus of potatoes in store and an unknown amount of frozen fries. They have already planted pre-covid-19 and significant surpluses will exist in the market for some time. “The concern for our industry remains that along with the existing domestic impact of the pandemic crisis any profiteering activity from overseas exporters will in turn cause further damage to the NZ potato-growing and potato-processing industries,” Claridge said.

We have very small margins now and really need bigger yield and lower costs and if there is a price threat we will run out of wriggle room. Guy Slater Grower NZ producers of frozen potato chips have built significant stock levels and are already having to deal with an oversupply of raw potatoes. Recovery can happen only if local demand is met first and foremost through the supply of locally produced potato chips. “Achieving that outcome is critical for grower confidence and the minister has made clear to industry his sympathy for that,” Claridge said. Mid Canterbury potato grower Guy Slater is on the newly formed sub-committee with NZ potato processors

to plan pandemic recovery for the sector of the potato industry that generates 55% of its $1 billion value. Slater said it is clear any threat to process growers in NZ will affect a great number of people. “We’ve had biosecurity challenges before, which are ongoing and costly but they can be controlled. “This current import challenge has me deeply worried, primarily for our partners and for our customers, the processors. Without them we are nothing. “NZ growers may lose options if this threatened import happens.” When it comes to forward planning, like many other growers, Slater is cautiously looking at the options. “If the Europeans send these spuds down they don’t pose a quality threat to us that’s for sure because we’ve got a better product.” Undermining a level playing field by subsidisation is the concern. “We’ve specialised in the process side of growing. “We have very small margins now and really need bigger yield and lower costs and if there is a price threat we will run out of wriggle room.” Slater said the threat to process potato prices could be the end for growers already feeling bombarded with compliance costs as well as recent biosecurity incursion recovery. “Thankfully, the potato is a good crop in terms of compliance, however, councils are wanting costly proof of this. “We monitor nutrient levels and water usage weekly. We’ve become very sustainable and transparent. “We’re dealing with a

SPUD SCRUM: If the Europeans screw the scrum, process potato grower Guy Slater says he owes it to his wife Jane, children Zoe, Poppy and Flynn and Coco the dog, his business team, the community he supports and the wider potato industry to ask the ref to make a call. product that has to be fit for purpose.” On the plus side for now, process growing is contracted yearly and contracts have been honoured. Any surplus will be sitting with processors and is worrying for the whole industry, Slater said. “I’m not a political commentator and I don’t want to take my eye off the ball. “I’m a business operating in extraordinary times but a level playing field is essential. “If the Europeans screw the scrum I owe it to my business, my team and the wider potato industry to ask the ref to make a call. “We want it addressed quickly, based on evidence, and in this case the Government’s reply could be a game changer,” Slater said.

China reopens for venison Annette Scott annette.scott@globalhq.co.nz CHINA has reopened for New Zealand venison exports following its clampdown on illegal sales of wild animal meat. A catalogue of approved animal species for human consumption has been issued and it includes venison from farmed malu, the Chinese name for Red deer. Deer Industry NZ chief executive Innes Moffat said the inclusion of NZ farmed venison is good news for

producers and marketers. “It makes it clear to officials across China that the sale and consumption of NZ venison is legal and safe for Chinese consumers,” Moffat said. “Chinese consumers have a growing appreciation for quality animal proteins making China an increasingly important market for our venison. “It was taking about 10% of our exports until the end of 2019,” Moffat said. When it became clear covid-19 jumped the species

barrier from wild animals China clamped down on illegal sales of wild animal meat. “Although our venison comes from farmed deer this put a virtual halt to our exports there and given that deer are still widely seen as wild animals it’s easy to see how some regional and border officials might have become uncertain about the legality of our farmed venison. “The news is really very timely. “China has seen a dramatic

slowing of the incidence of covid-19 to the point where Wuhan, the source of the pandemic, is reporting no new cases. “Restaurants in many regions are reopening so it’s a good time for us to be selling our venison there.” Restaurants in some of NZ’s other main markets are also reopening. “How consumers will respond to this situation is unclear, which means there is less certainty about when trade will recover to previous levels.”

agrievents Thursday 18/06/2020 Dairy Women’s Network Webinar: The world needs dyslexics now more than ever. A snapshot of The Anatomy of Dyslexia. Claire Ashmore is a Davis facilitator providing programmes for people with Dyslexia, ADD/ADHD, confusion around maths concepts and for those with focus and co-ordination issues. For more information: www.dwn.co.nz/events Wednesday 24/06/2020 Owl Farm online focus day A live-streamed event on YouTube but might become an on-farm event depending on health guidelines. Topics include review of the 2019-20 season, plans for the seasons ahead, planning for volatility and contributing to the Co-operative Difference. For more information: www.owlfarm.nz/ AWDT Future Focus Programme designed for red meat farming partnerships to plan their business together. 2 full-day workshop delivered over two months. Registrations for 2020 programmes are now open. Visit the website for more information and to register Locations and dates (2 modules): • Blenheim: 30th Jun & 28th Jul • Masterton: 2nd Jul & 30th Jul • Hunterville: 7th Jul & 4th Aug • Oamaru: 21st Jul & 18th Aug • Gore: 28th Jul & 25th Aug Website: To register visit www.awdt.org.nz/programmes Contact: keri@awdt.org.nz or 06 375 8180 for more info AWDT It’s all about YOU It’s all about YOU is a two-day personal development programme for women involved in the primary sector or rural communities. You’ll discover your true value, refocus on what is important, explore possibilities and create new networks. Registrations for 2020 programmes are now open. Visit the website for more information and to register Locations and dates: • Cromwell 27th & 28th July • Milton 30th & 31st July • Whangarei 31st Aug & 1st Sept Website: To register visit www.awdt.org.nz/programmes Contact: Tessa@awdt.org.nz or 06 375 8180 for more info

Should your important event be listed here? Phone 0800 85 25 80 or email adcopy@globalhq.co.nz

News

20 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 15, 2020

Research producing cleaner cows Gerald Piddock gerald.piddock@globalhq.co.nz TWO separate pieces of research could help farmers breed more environmentally friendly dairy cows that excrete less nitrogen and methane. The first, at Lincoln University, shows cows with low milk urea nitrogen breeding values (MUNBV) produce less nitrogen in urine. The second, by dairy improvement companies LIC and CRV Ambreed, will determine if the methane produced by cows and their genetics are linked. Research by Lincoln doctoral student Cameron Marshall shows dairy cows with low MUNBV have 28% less urinary urea nitrogen loading per urine patch than cows with higher MUNBV. The lowest MUNBV animals in the study excreted 165.5g less urinary urea nitrogen a day than the highest MUNBV animals. Lincoln livestock production experet Professor Pablo Gregorini said the findings are very significant for farmers and the entire agriculture sector. “Cameron’s work shows that the cows themselves are an important tool in helping to cut nitrate leaching and nitrous oxide emissions and in helping farmers meet their regulatory reductions.” To to do that while increasing milk protein is a huge win-win for the sector, he said. “Most farmers’ herds will naturally comprise a mixture of low MUNBV cows and higher MUNBV cows with the trait being identified through testing the milk. “Simply identifying the animals with low MUNBV will enable famers to breed from their existing stock and change the make-up of their herd over time.” Typically, 25-30% of the protein eaten by cows on a pasture diet is converted to milk. The rest is excreted as concentrated nitrogen in urine. The research looked at whether there is a relationship between animals with MUNBV and what the animals urinate.

Cows from Lincoln University Dairy Farm’s herd were taken and split into two groups based on their MUNBV. One group grazed a ryegrass/ clover mix and the second, a ryegrass/clover/plantain mix. The cows did two grazings in May and November-December of the 2018-19 milking season equipped with urine sensors to measure the nitrogen excreted and recorders to measure grazing frequency. “If you compare the lowest urea nitrogen cow and the highest, the lowest excretes 163.5g less of urinary urea nitrogen compared to the highest. “If you assume that cows in general excrete between 300-400g of nitrogen a day this is 30-40% of the nitrogen excreted as urea in the urine – a massive reduction,” Gregorini said. The low nitrogen-emitting cows were typical-looking Kiwicross dairy cows. The cow that had the lowest MUNBV was also the most efficient producer of milksolids and higher protein levels.

We are now able to look at the animal as a solution rather than a problem. Professor Pablo Gregorini Lincoln University The research will now look at how the nitrogen excretion levels react to supplementary feeds including 100% plantain. “These are parts of the tools farmers can use. This is no silver bullet but it is an important tool. “We are now able to look at the animal as a solution rather than a problem,” he said. In Waikato LIC and CRV are investigating the possible link between the methane cows produce and their genetics. Stage one of the trial involves measuring the methane a small

SHEDS

Cattle Yards

YARDS

SUSTAINABLE: A Lincoln University student has found cows with low milk urea nitrogen breeding values produce less nirogen in rate urine number of bulls produce. Once the systems have been fully tested a full trial will get begin in February to identify individual bulls that produce less methane and potentially breed a lowermethane-emitting cow. LIC chief scientist Richard Spelman said research in other ruminating animals such as sheep identified genetic variation for methane production. “We’re undertaking research to see if there are similar results in NZ dairy cattle. “If we’re successful and establish that the variability of methane emissions between NZ dairy bulls can be linked back to their genetics the opportunity is to utilise this variability to breed cows from lower methaneemitting bulls. “This type of science doesn’t happen overnight but we have real potential to help farmers meet the 2050 methane target under the Climate Change Response Act.” The daily feed intake and methane output of 12 young bulls is being closely monitored at LIC’s Chudleigh Farm with another seven being assessed under similar conditions by CRV. LIC’s bulls are in a purpose-built

BRIDGES

LESS GAS: LIC and CRV Ambreed are using a Greenfeed machine to measure the methane emitted by bulls to see if there is a link between emissions and genetics.

barn and fed lucerne hay cubes imported from Australia in feed bins that measure how much each bull eats. The bulls are enticed to visit a methane measuring device, called a Greenfeed, using a small feed of pellets to keep them in the machine for three to five minutes. Methane is measured each time the bulls visit the Greenfeed machine giving about three

readings an animal a day. If the trial is successful the same method will be used on about 300 bulls in a full trial scheduled for February. “By 2023 we also hope to validate the methane measurements we captured in young bulls during the initial trial stages were representative of the methane output in lactating cows,” Spelman said.

Sheds

Woolsheds & Covered Yards

Volume 11 l June 15th, 2020 l email: agined@globalHQ.co.nz l www.farmersweekly.co.nz

In your paper

Photo of the week:

STACK EM UP!

1 If I had a Friesian bull and bred it with a Hereford cow, what breed would the calf be? 2 What is your favourite breed of farm animal? Tell us why it’s your favourite? 3 Send us a photo of your favourite farm animal and the reason they are your favourite, email to agined@globalhq.co.nz or post on our Facebook page. 1 Go to www.farmersweekly.co.nz

STRETCH YOURSELF:

2 Find and watch the OnFarmStory of Johnie McFadzean, “A Bloody Cunning Idea” and read the accompanying article “Turning meat into money”.

1 What does the term “genetics” mean?

3 Where do the McFadzean’s farm? 4 What is a hybrid?

STRETCH YOURSELF: 1 Ben, Max & Jake Wigley plan on keeping their house warm and toasty this winter!

What cattle breeds did Johnnie’s father combine initially to lead them to where they are?

2 Why do the McFadzeans believe there is strong demand for these hybrids?

Share your AginEd photos on our Farmers Weekly facebook page

3 What name have they given to their hybrid bulls? Why did they decide on this name?

Remember to use the hashtag #AginEd

4 Cows and replacements are selected for one key trait only, what is this?

Letters to: agined@globalhq.co.nz

5 What four goals do the McFadzeans have when producing weaner bulls to sell?

1 Go to the AgriHQ Market Snapshot page 2 What is this week’s North Island lamb price? 3 Is this better or worse than last week, do you have any ideas why it may have changed?

(NZ$/JASm3)

AgriHQ average wharfgate pruned log price

4 How does it compare to last year, are prices following a typical seasonal trend?

STRETCH YOURSELF: 1 Have a look at the AgriHQ average wharfgate pruned log price. This shows the average price for pruned logs sold to overseas buyers/importers. 2 Prices fell during Covid-19 when ships were unable to arrive in China. Now recovering, how do current values compare to the previous year?

1 What is the most common type of tree planted in NZ forests? 2 What is ‘carbon farming’? 3 After discussing with your parents or teacher, write an opinion piece on your personal view of the increase in NZ farms purchased to be planted in pines. Think about both the short term and long term pros and cons, how might this affect the sheep and beef industry? Send to: agined@globalhq.co.nz, and we will select a letter to be featured in next week’s Ewe Said!

2 There are many ways in which genetics are used in stock production. Can you come up with five examples? 3 What traits are commonly bred for and highly favoured in beef cattle?

AGRI-CHAMPS!: This week we are introducing our new initiative, ‘Agri-Champs’! Each week we will profile a different person in the industry, there may even be jobs you never knew existed! Here we will find out what a typical day and week looks like for them, the steps they took to get to where they are today and tips for school leavers on how to get their foot in the door to a fulfilling career in the primary industry. We are kicking off with our very own AgriHQ Analyst, Graham Johnson! What does a normal day or week look like? The normal week involves doing research on what is happening in the markets here and overseas. Talking to contacts and building relationships with them. Once the information is collated, I then interpret it, and produce reports that are useful to our subscribers. This involves forestry, sheep, beef, wool and venison markets. Tell us what you enjoy most about your role I learn something new every day. There is always something new to learn and understand in markets that are always changing. The work that we do helps farmers optimise their farming business. If you could share some advice for young people interested in a career in the primary sector, what would it be? Do not be afraid to put your hand up, take opportunities, and get involved. Follow your passion and never stop learning. The right mindset and attitude are key to your success. For the rest of this interview head to our website! https://sites.google.com/view/agined/home

Newsmaker

22 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 15, 2020

Robb always ready to help Melva Robb joined the Women’s Division of Federated Farmers when she was 12 and more than 50 years on she remains involved with Rural Women. Her dedication was recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours. She talked to Annette Scott about her passion for rural communities.

URAL Women aims to connect women and provide a voice on health services, education, environment and social issues. Member Melva Robb grew up with those aims from a young age. Her dedication and services to rural women and their communities was recognised when she was awarded a Queen’s Service Medal in the Queen’s Birthday Honours. Modest of her achievement Robb said she has just always done what she learned from her mother and father and the support of family, friends and the community makes it all a team effort. “I was flabbergasted when I got the email during lockdown. To be perfectly honest it was a such a shock. “I feel very, very honoured but this is a team effort I share with my family and members who have supported me to make things happen.” Robb has been at the fore of countless projects and campaigns supporting and promoting rural women and their communities. Living in Marlborough she has been amid several adverse events including the Christchurch and Kaikoura earthquakes and the Nelson fires. Her ability to raise and coordinate on-the-ground support in an emergency is described as absolutely incredible. As well as having leadership roles at all levels of Rural Women she is regularly the driving force behind local initiatives. “Having been a rural person all my life it’s just something that’s come naturally to me.

“You just work to make a better community for rural families,” Robb said. She grew up on sheep and beef farm in the remote Pelorus Sound. “My mother was a staunch member of the Women’s Division. “With no road access if we went anywhere it was by boat and we all went as a family. “Families, children as well, all went to meetings, the women at one end of the hall and the men (Federated Farmers) at the other end.” Robb joined as junior member at age 12 and following correspondence schooling for her primary days attended boarding school in Nelson. On her return to the family farm she joined as an adult member. “I have always been rural and in a farming world and it was when I came home from boarding school I got interested in what they talked about at the meetings and got more involved.” Following time on the farm and then 20 years running her late grandparents’ guesthouse with her mother Robb eventually moved out to greater Marlborough in 2008. Her involvement and services to rural women and communities continued to grow as she also followed her passion for farming. Robb and her sister Glenda run Romney sheep and Hereford beef cattle on a lifestyle block just out of Blenheim. The sisters also run Sounds Reflection, a seven-day arts, crafts, clothing and giftware business. “We’re tigers for punishment but we wouldn’t wish to do anything different,” Robb said. Robb is chairwoman of the

LIFE ON THE LAND: Farming is in the blood for Melva Robb, recognised for her services to rural women and their communities in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.

You just work to make a better community for rural families. Melva Robb Farmer group that organised the unique 101 Ways With Wool, a three-day expo promoting the diversity and sustainability of wool that brought together industry stakeholders from farmers and live sheep to shearers and woolhandlers, woolscourers, manufacturers and exporters and a group of rural women who knitted hundreds of peggy squares. “Schools and local businesses also got involved including funeral homes who came to see

woollen caskets, surfers to see woollen surfboards and florists to use wool and felted flowers in arrangements. “And we made the biggest blanket ever seen in Marlborough. We knitted so many peggy squares, I can tell you. “The whole thing was such a success we’re looking at running it again next year.” Robb led a team that coordinated boxes of blankets, clothing and food to go to families affected by the 2011 Christchurch earthquake. She did the same for people in Kaikoura after the 2016 earthquake. Robb said in its early days Rural Women supported women who lived in isolation. “We fought for roads, for rural schools, for dentist services, library services.” Today it continues to lobby on a

There are three ways you can read us: 1. Own a farm. If farming is your main income, you register with NZ Post to have Farmers Weekly delivered free to your mailbox. This is how around 80,000 farmers receive theirs. 2. Read the virtual paper online at farmersweekly.co.nz/topic/virtual-publication. Our online eNewsletters have the paper before it hits mailboxes and you can sign up to recieve them at farmersweekly.co.nz/e-newsletter. 3. Subscribe - a great gift for retired farmers and town dwellers. This is for people in town who want a hard copy of the paper each week. Farmers Weekly is just under $4 per issue ($16/month, $192 incl GST per year) and Dairy Farmer is $8.95 per issue ($98.45 incl GST / year). Pay by credit card or Farmlands card. www.farmersweekly.co.nz/subscribe or freephone 0800 85 25 80

wide variety of issues but more in a political sense. “It’s all about submissions and more nationally on behalf of everybody more so than on local issues.” While branches are not so strong with membership at faceto-face meetings these days the fellowship remains important. “It’s being able to work as a team that makes us strong. “I hope it will stay that way but with more emails and Zooms I don’t always think that is good,” Robb said. Robb is a trustee of the Marlborough Rural Support Trust, an active member of 30 years on the Pelorus Promotion Association, the Rural Women representative for the Marlborough District Council Rural Advisory Group and a member of the local Civil Defence Readiness and Response Group.

New thinking

THE NZ FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 15, 2020

Less mess thanks to new smart apps Getting the delicate balance between grazing a winter crop and minimising soil disturbance was given much greater attention last winter as Southland farmers became the focus of an anti-wintering campaign. Pamu staff were among those taking notice. Innovation, technology and environment general manager Rob Ford spoke to Richard Rennie about using digital technology to reduce the messy footprint of winter grazing.

WO smartphone apps are now helping Pamu staff better manage the 4% of land it has under winter forage crops in

Southland. With almost 1700ha of winter crops that country, largely in the Te Anau Basin, represents an invaluable means of keeping stock in good condition. But it is also a threat to the state-owned enterprise’s licence to operate if not done sensitively. “We know the industry has a problem with winter grazing and we have been aware of it and decided to look at how best to solve it,” Ford said. While none of the winter grazing incidents highlighted last year were on Pamu land, development staff wanted to come up with a solution to manage the issue rather than see pressure from environmental groups ban the practice outright. The team looked to an appdriven means to help farm managers determine what paddocks are best to select for spring cropping and a second winter-grazing app to help better manage the winter grazing process. The staff soon found they had the skills and technical tools in-house to create two apps that have been tried in beta version for the past year and are now systematically being rolled out across the Pamu portfolio. The paddock selection app was developed by Pamu’s geospatial and soil specialists. Using the mapping technology managers can walk around a paddock and see in real time specific conditions on the farm that influence paddock selection,

including drainage features, soil types and contour. Using the app helps them avoid making the wrong decision so early in the process and avoid sowing a paddock that makes wintering harder, messier and more risky than need be. Managers report getting a better sense of the vulnerabilities in a paddock well ahead of making the decision, such as a slope that is not visible to the naked eye but which would have had a detrimental impact on run-off. Choosing the right paddock for planting can be problematic in Southland, where mud is almost inevitable. Pamu Southland senior business manager Scott Harpham tried the app and found it useful for stock planning 18 months in advance, before planting forage crops. “You can have a really good look at critical source areas such as low spots and hollows that collect nutrients and may form ponds in the winter months.” A second winter grazing app involves a decision tree process for managers to use, pushing the user to look deeper into steps and mitigations to take when winter grazing. It combines visual maps, data and analysis from geographic information systems and survey technology. “It may seem a bit of a rudimentary process but it very quickly helps farmers to make a decision on things like where to best set up a fence in a break. Because it is geospatially aware it creates a history of what action was taken in that paddock and has the ability to compare what has and has not changed,” Ford said. A challenge for farmers under

growing compliance expectations is the vacuum of solutions they face when compliance comes into play. “Farmers want to look after the environment as much as anyone but usually there is silence around the solutions provided to them to pick up and run with once that compliance is in play.” The Pamu apps have been closely developed on the ground with farm staff and they are now used on 19 of its properties and are about to be rolled out more broadly. “The one thing farmers do not want to do is to enter data twice. So this has been at the top of our mind along with ensuring the key data is easily accessible on smartphone.” With farm environment plans taking a priority in Government freshwater standards the apps’ value will be enhanced if they can be integrated with other main farm software FarmiQ and use Overseer data already collated. The apps represent a continual effort by Pamu to stay astride of tech and in the process maintain appeal to potential young staff who might not have considered a career there at all tech-sexy in the past. All Pamu staff are now issued with iPhone 6s loaded with multiple apps including Zoom for meetings, time sheet recording, the health and safety app Safe Visit and the ability to order farm gear online. The phones’ potential as a digital Swiss Army knife has been elevated in recent years thanks to improved connectivity of the farm network. “Three years ago we put in our own broadband network. We had

NO MESS: The winter grazing app helps identify hazards in the winter grazing area and ensures compliance with latest wintering standards.

five to 10 blackspots around the farms and now have a 10mb link to every farm and redundancy built in. “During covid staff were having Zoom calls, sometimes with

as many as 50 online and no problems.” Pamu is initiating discussion with DairyNZ, Fonterra and Beef + Lamb so more farmers can get the apps.

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Opinion

24 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 15, 2020

EDITORIAL

Bigger battle is just beginning

ISTORY is littered with natural or man-made disasters that reset society’s values. The covid-19 pandemic is one of those moments. The lockdown has jolted New Zealand consumes out of their complacent slumber and forced a rethink of what is actually important: family, food and health. Having grown accustomed to year-round supplies of milk, meat, vegetables and fruit the shortage of some staples over the lockdown and questions over the availability of others proved a stark reminder they do not magically appear on shelves. Surveys have stated public support for the primary sector but that was certainly not the impression among farmers up to early March. Fast forward three months and the primary sector’s economic might has been recognised and taken on added importance in the wake of the collapse of tourism and international education. As our series Growing our Recovery reported, the Government is aware of the disproportionate economic heavy lifting expected of the sector for the foreseeable future. The comments and actions coming out of Parliament have been more conciliatory and sector leaders say ministers and officials are engaging more positively than previously. This additional responsibility and newfound respect present an opportunity for the rural sector to promote how it is addressing issues such as freshwater quality, animal welfare and climate change. Ironically, as we head toward double-digit unemployment a shortage of labour threatens the sector’s ability to flourish. Other issues identified by leaders are a lack of commitment to water harvesting and irrigation and existing or looming trade barriers. Arguably, trade has never been more crucial and should be a Government priority but Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has said she will not remove other responsibilities from Trade Minister David Parker so he can focus on this most important portfolio. NZ might have succeeded in stopping the spread of covid-19 with no new cases for nearly three weeks but, arguably, the much bigger battle of restoring the country’s economic strength has just begun and it will be led by the primary sector.

Neal Wallace

LETTERS

Water storage is the first priority I FOUND a couple of stories of particular interest this week. First, I did not realise Canterbury dairy farmers are so dependent on nitrogen fertiliser, next the current hot topic for debate, regenerative agriculture, might have a place on inert soils in the United States where plant nutrients are available only by way of side dressings of synthetic fertilisers and in the arid areas of Australia. In New Zealand we already strive to build up soil fertility by working with nature and encouraging the living earth, notably with the use of legumes to fix nitrogen. We use lime and chemical fertilisers to complement the natural processes.

The application of synthetic nitrogen is a short-term fix and should be limited. Our existing rotations are generally appropriate and we should avoid the long rotations proposed by regenerative agriculture. We should continue to refine our farming systems. In the old days we would look for independent input from the Ruakura Research Centre. Having done a good job with genetic improvement and the health of our livestock we now need to give more attention to soil and water. Perhaps we should be looking at a more varied pasture with long-rooted cultivars. No-till seems to be more widely accepted and we should be more sophisicated with our use of fertiliser.

However, I suspect the best opportunity for New Zealand agriculture is in the field of water storage. Ross Robertson Whitford

Leave pines alone RE ALAN Emerson, FW June 1. I am glad someone else feels like they are missing something. Here at St Arnaud, Lake Rotoiti, I have been observing the Conservation Department for at least the last 30 years pouring money into wilding pine eradication on Richmond Forest Park and the Red Hills. Starting last year they have been using helicopters to blanket-spray them, adding more toxins to the environmental mix.

This is next to commercial forestry ventures. The tops at Richmond Forest are not productive land so why not leave the wilding pines instead of the Government encouraging people to buy and plant productive land. If individual farmers want to eradicate wilding pines from their land it should be their choice, just as with gorse, broom and thistles. I agree with Emerson. It seems enigmatic to be paying one hand to eradicate and the other hand to plant. A pine tree is a pine tree whether it is on Richmond Forest Park or on productive farmland. Alastair Martin St Arnaud Letters continued next page

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Opinion

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 15, 2020

We can survive covid stronger Trevor Stuthridge

MID all the disruption and challenges brought on by the covid-19 crisis some bright lights have shone through that provide reason for optimism for New Zealand in a post-pandemic world. One has been the performance of our agriculture sector, which has stoically carried on through the health crisis ensuring a safe, quality food supply for New Zealanders and maintaining crucial earnings from our export markets. Another has been the level of public trust put in our scientists, particularly in the health sciences, and how those scientists have stepped up to provide the best advice to keep New Zealanders safe and guide our country through this. In both areas NZ’s world-class expertise has held us in good stead. Indeed, sometimes unlikely crossovers have become possible, such as AgResearch’s support for a Government-funded project led by biotech firm Avalia Immunotherapies to start looking at how a covid-19 vaccine might be secured for NZ. The path ahead is by no means certain and further global shocks could still be to come. The question now, as we look ahead to how NZ might fare post covid-19 is how we best leverage the performance of farmers and scientists and what innovations we can make to best position our economy and the outlook for our people. Therefore, longer term a key consideration is how we continue to build resilience into our agricultural sector and as scientists how we help provide the tools to do it. As one example, digital agriculture is already wellrecognised as a means for farmers to stay competitive. As we emerge from this health crisis it will be more important than ever to harness these rapidly growing technologies and the vast amount of data they can generate on and off farms to optimise production efficiencies

The

Pulpit

and reinforce the quality and provenance of our products. At AgResearch we are exploring the potential of some of these digital agriculture tools. They might, for example, interpret the data from on-farm sensors and smart packaging to inform an overseas consumer where exactly a NZ food product came from, when it was produced, how it was produced, that it was safely handled and transported and what impacts it had on the environment and directly compare those attributes with other food producers worldwide.

Consumers more than ever are demanding high ethical standards in food production. Our work on the microbiome, the micro-organisms that live in soils, plants, animals and the human gut, offers exciting possibilities to design consumercentric, smart food products with unique characteristics that could originate only in NZ. By better understanding and harnessing these microbiomes we can be targeted in developing cutting edge, fitfor-purpose products in food and fibre – created with a lower environmental footprint – that

LETTERS Advice useless IN A recent edition one of your columnists extolled the virtues of taking outside independent advice during crises such as this drought. I remember after a severe drought in 1982-83 we were offered a similar consultancy. A fresh-faced consultant arrived and took in an overview of my situation. His recommendation was tmy 70:30 ratio of sheep to cattle was costing me profitability. If I sold all cattle and replaced them with sheep my profitability would be greater. I pointed out sheep had a subsidy but cattle didn’t and if the subsidies were

ever removed the sheep would be less profitable than the cattle. That earned me a sharp rebuke on my ignorance of both politics and business. Apparently their removal would be unacceptable on both counts but I stuck to my instincts and ignored the advice. The rest, of course, is history but there are two interesting facts to come out of the story. Firstly, the consultant is still practising – with his trusty disclaimer I hope. Secondly, and incredibly so, I am still in business. Craig Preston Onga Onga

GOOD PLACE: New Zealand is well placed to benefit from consumer expectations in a post-covid world, AgResearch research director Dr Trevor Stuthridge says.

give NZ an even greater point of difference. Consumers more than ever are demanding high ethical standards in food production. That means not just showing that animal wellbeing is a critical priority but also how we looked after the land it is raised on, how we actively use all the byproducts generated during production and how we uphold the cultural values NZ prides itself on. The environmental challenges and expectations on farmers are increasing and the Government’s freshwater reforms including stricter controls on nitrogen pollution are a demonstration of that. In the climate change space expectations are also changing and in this area it is encouraging to see a lot of research to mitigate the effects of agricultural greenhouse gases coming to the fore. At AgResearch, for example, our research has shown we can safely breed lower-methane-emitting sheep and that knowledge is now being rolled out to sheep breeders. AgResearch scientists are also working to better measure

quality of life for the animals and how to keep adding to our welfare practices, investigating opportunities to create a circular bioeconomy as well as supporting the optimal use of land to help farmers make a living while protecting the land for future generations. None of these innovations are easy, of course. They require significant investments in research, time and money and close alliances between the industry, science and innovation providers and the Government. It is heartening, therefore, to see the recently announced Government investment to support Crown research institutes and the wider research, science and innovation sector as we come out of the covid-19 crisis. In all, $196 million has been set aside for institutes such as AgResearch to ensure they retain talent and can continue their important work. For AgResearch it also means a capital injection of $45m from the Government towards a badlyneeded new research facility and corporate headquarters at Lincoln.

This facility, to be built on the grounds of Lincoln University near the existing AgResearch facilities, will not only provide a modern workspace in which our scientists can produce the best research to support the agriculture sector, it will also mean greater collaboration with the likes of Lincoln and Canterbury Universities and other Crown research institutes so we are working together towards the same goal of helping NZ bounce back from covid-19. If we can build on the exceptional performance and response of NZ through the health crisis there is no question we can come out of it stronger and better placed than ever.

Who am I? Dr Trevor Stuthridge is AgResearch’s research director.

Your View Got a view on some aspect of farming you would like to get across? The Pulpit offers readers the chance to have their say. farmers.weekly@globalhq.co.nz Phone 06 323 1519

Opinion

26 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 15, 2020

We now have good cause for optimism Alternative View

Alan Emerson

WE’VE done it. After 75 days of lockdown, 28 in severe isolation, we’re back to normal. It is a massive achievement supported by many factors. For a start, our political leadership was sound and our bureaucracy up front and credible. People accepted the severity of the situation and met the challenge. The result is that we’ve beaten covid-19. I’m aware we will have more cases and handling them won’t be easy. What we’ve prevented, however, is a wholesale pandemic with major civil disruptions and deaths. It’s now about the recovery and I’m more bullish than most. Yes our tourism sector is smashed but can come back, albeit in a different format. Our sporting life has been severely disrupted and the response of some our national bodies to that has left me wondering.

People’s shopping habits have also inevitably changed. If buyers are restricted by lockdowns they will consider alternatives. It’s up to the retail sector to adapt. I could suggest much of the change was inevitable and all covid-19 did was accelerate it. Our borders are closed despite howls from the tourism and hospitality industries including National’s finance spokesman Paul Goldsmith. I want those borders cast-iron closed for as long as it takes. I opposed the Avatar crew buying their way in here and was horrified at the lax quarantine they were subjected to. If we’re going to have restricted entry then the quarantine should be fully supervised in a military establishment or similar. We can’t take risks. I also believe the Government support packages have been well targeted enabling companies to handle the new economy. The jobseeker benefit was necessary. Think back to the mid 1980s when the Douglas-Prebble brigade totally pulled the plug on farming. That was every bit as severe as the covid-19 hit to the economy and was the result of political whim not pandemic. Farming survived and eventually prospered. I believe the economy can too. Just think if you are a big offshore investor where you would want to invest. Britain and

the United States are in chaos. Australia is better but not much. In NZ you have a covid-free, stable democracy with what’s turned out to be an adaptable and competent bureaucracy. It’s a no-brainer. On the other side of the argument we have economists coming out of the woodwork predicting Armageddon on the job front. My view is they are pessimistic and narrow with their outlook. I’m considerably more optimistic. For a start there are 50,000 jobs available in the dairy sector. If airline pilots are queueing to stock supermarket shelves then surely dairy work has considerable appeal and the pay is better. Local defunct training provider Taratahi, previously badly mismanaged and governed, has a new lease of life with taster courses. You can enrol there and find out if you have any interest or ability in the primary sector. That’s positive as are the comments coming out of Trade Minister David Parker’s office. He told Farmers Weekly “Agriculture and processed food are expected to fare slightly better than products with more complex supply chains.” Horticulture has considerable potential as both an exporter and employer. While its employment practices in the past have left a lot

SHOCKING: Alan Emerson opposed the Avatar crew buying their way in here and was horrified at the lax quarantine they were subjected to.

to be desired, hopefully that will improve with the employment of Kiwis. My dairy farmer friends tell me they are doing well. My sheep and beef colleagues are doing okay post-drought. Adviser and valuer Richard Moore of Wairarapa Property Consultants tells me it’s mainly business as usual with his clients combined with a touch of uncertainty. People are optimistic. Guy Farman of Farman Turkington Forestry says both the local and export wood markets are solid. Masterton Mayor Lyn Patterson says the region is strong. “We have the infrastructure, the land to expand and ultrafast broadband. We are close to Wellington and have a strong community, great schools and an excellent hospital.” My belief is that much of that is mirrored in other provinces. I grew up on the South Island’s

West Coast. There were few jobs there outside forestry, road works and mining. You either tried those or moved to a place that had the employment opportunities you wanted. People did and there was little if any unemployment. It is inevitable the provinces will get a much-needed boost from the covid crisis. Living in Auckland with its high cost of living will fast lose its attraction if your income is reduced or gone. The cost of future-proofing the provinces is also a fraction of that of the big cities. We need infrastructure, water storage and fast on-farm broadband. It’s a small price to pay. Believe me, we will have a world recession. My strong belief is NZ is in a better place than anywhere else.

Your View Alan Emerson is a semi-retired Wairarapa farmer and businessman: dath.emerson@gmail.com

Magic covid cure seems unlikely From the Ridge

Steve Wyn-Harris

LEVEL two, level four, level three, level two and now level one. We’ve done very well as a nation to get to the position where it looks like we might very well have eradicated this virus from our shores though the future risk of importing it will remain a constant threat and a likelihood. Critics of the response have been proved wrong but probably more dangerous and damaging in a health emergency are those who criticise for the sake of it or for mere click bait. A good example is Mike Hosking who didn’t even have the decency to be consistent. On March 6 he told his many listeners everyone was overreacting to the virus. He advised the Government not to fall into the trap of providing economic stimulus. A week later he was complaining the Government

hadn’t been bold enough and should have moved faster to intervene in the economy. A week further on in March he was telling anyone who would listen the virus was a very serious matter and the country needed immediately be put into lockdown. After a week in lockdown he had a change of heart and was arguing once again the fuss over the virus was overblown and we should never have shut the country down. All this in March and goodness knows where his mind and opinions have wandered during the next two and a half months. There has been no talk of any sort of level zero. Is there such a thing? It would indicate life pre-covid-19 but that is not going to happen in a hurry, maybe never. Now we have our own house in order, before we can interact with the world again and loosen our borders, we rely on other countries doing the same. Australia is our best candidate because not only does it contribute 40% of our tourists but it has the pandemic well under control. But not quite yet. It still has more than 500 active cases and is getting several new cases a day.

DANGEROUS: There are people who criticise for the sake of it and Mike Hosking didn’t even have the decency to be consistent.

A lot of talk in recent months is that countries will do their best to get through this epidemic until the salvation of a vaccine is delivered to us by science. Despite scores of labs working furiously at developing a vaccine the most optimistic prediction is that a successful one might be available early next year but that is unlikely. Most vaccines take up to a decade to get to market because extensive animal then human trials are done to make sure they are both effective and safe. It should also be noted that despite decades of attempts there

are still no vaccines for some serious human health diseases such as HIV/Aids, malaria and dengue fever to name a few. Even if one did become available sometime next year it takes a long time to build up stocks then we need to decide which of the nearly eight billion of us get it first and how much it will cost The rich will probably be first. If you live in Chad, Haiti and maybe even NZ you might be waiting in line for some years. That’s why the Government has put money into our own vaccine trials.

Then there is a problem that if it’s like the polio vaccine it will protect for life but if its like the flu vaccine it will give only temporary protection. It seems if a low-cost, readily available and effective vaccine becomes available in the short term a lot of our problems will dissipate but don’t hold your breath. Finally, a lot of commentary is that yes, we have done well in handling the health crisis but we have put our economy into a recession to do it. Several robust studies of past epidemics including the 1919 Spanish flu show the countries and regions that did as we have done not only had a greatly reduced loss of life and other health effects but came out of it economically quicker and in better shape than those places that mishandled the crisis. It is the epidemic that brings on a recession, not the response. But it is going to be exceedingly difficult for many people in the months and possibly years ahead.

Your View Steve Wyn-Harris is a Central Hawke’s Bay sheep and beef farmer. swyn@xtra.co.nz

Opinion

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 15, 2020

Good farming gives better returns Rob Hewett IT SEEMS everywhere you look obtaining enough safe food in a covid-19 world is the new pastime. Food preferences of consumers eating the produce we grow and export are now increasingly and rapidly driven by wanting to buy verifiably safe, traceable, sustainably produced food, preferably delivered to their door as they rediscover eating at home. So what is New Zealand agriculture’s place in the covid-19 sun? And what do farmers have to do to earn the right to continue to occupy it? Producers need to engage with consumers on a meaningful level – cliched, but true. On a local scale when you’re a dairy farm bottling your boutique milk for sale in the local town’s convenience store that is relatively easy and the proposition well understood – local, high-quality product brought to you by a farmer consumers know. But how do you scale it in a country of five million consumers? We can’t all sell our milk locally because supply would outpace demand. Instead we sell our product to the world. But when your consumers are 15,000km away, speaking Mandarin/ German/Arabic, occupying a 60 square metre flat eight stories up in Shanghai/Berlin/Dubai it’s bloody hard as an individual farmer to engage meaningfully with those consumers. Instead, farmers look to processors to do the job for us. Having your processor close to the consumers equates to better returns. A shorter supply chain

means fewer intermediaries, fewer ticket clippers and a better ability to understand and respond to needs faster. It’s replicating the local dairy farmer, scaled up 10,000 times. Better understanding consumer motivations tilts the consumer playing field favourably towards those who have the understanding. It is clear our international consumers want to buy food perceived as safe and produced in a safe environment. It is especially the case in times like these. In NZ we take this for granted – all food sold here is safe, isn’t it? In many other markets consumers aren’t as trusting, often with good reason. Increasingly, the story of Made in NZ is being sought out by global consumers who appreciate the benefits of trusted, safe food for themselves and their families. These attributes will likely be even more valuable in future. Right now they are driving discerning consumers towards us. Our challenge is to turn these opportunistic consumers into permanent converts. On farms we all have annual audits. We comply with Nait requirements, tag our cattle and deer and observe withholding periods. Our processors are getting closer to consumers through distribution partnerships, branded product consumer programmes, e-commerce platforms and business-tobusiness initiatives. Being relevant to those discerning consumers is everything. Hopefully, you will be paid more for your produce. At least, you’ll

SHOW IT: A head-in-the-sand mentality is stopping farmers showing consumers their produce is verifiably, certifiably safe to eat, industry leader and farmer Rob Hewett says.

still be in the game and not left behind when consumers turn to producers who can show their audit process. Irrelevance is a slow, lingering death where costs exceed income. Just ask the coarse wool industry. In a covid-19 world farmers who make safe, verifiable food are cool. What does that mean on farms? A lot of things but some of them are best practice management, validation, measurement and tracking. The world has become increasingly open with information and misinformation flowing freely and quickly. Nothing sells better than bad news. Being able to verify that your farm is compliant and using best practice management to produce the food

our consumers demand is table stakes. Don’t want to do a land and environment plan because it’s too much work? Don’t want to use a farm management system to record and verify stock treatments and paddock activity like fertiliser applications, spraying and waterway fencing because you don’t like computers? Don’t want to do a nutrient plan with your fertiliser company because of concerns your regional council is going to have access to your information? With all due respect – get over yourself. This head-in-the-sand mentality is stopping you from demonstrating the piece of meat or fruit or litre of milk your hard work created for Shanghai/Berlin/

Dubai consumers to consume is verifiably, certifiably safe to eat. And it gives your consumers a reason not to buy your premium product and to go elsewhere to seek out food with attributes deemed valuable. Once gone they are hard to get back. Doing the on-farm mahi to produce safe, high-quality food is only part of the story. Verification is the difference between winning and losing in the world of selling our produce. Consumers are demanding it and covid-19 has just added a whole lot of fuel to this fire. The world has put NZ in the spotlight as we deal with covid-19. Other countries we expect to show leadership have been woefully deficient. Agriculture will lead NZ out of the covid-19 economic wilderness as global consumers seek out products they trust and can verify. We’d all do well to ask ourselves what it means for activity inside our own farm gate as we strive to deliver NZ’s promise of healthy, safe food to our customers around world. The world’s eyes are on us and stomachs are grumbling.

Who am I? Rob Hewett is a sheep, beef and forestry farmer in Clutha, Otago. He has a large governance portfolio with several agricultural companies of national significance. He is the cochairman of Silver Fern Farms, chairs Farmlands Co-operative Society and is a director of T&G Global, Pioneer Energy, Pulse Energy and Southern Generation Partnership. He is also on the council of Lincoln University.

Diego, a vital farming cog trapped overseas Craig Wiggins

SINCE the start of the covid-19 lockdown I have run a farmer Zoom meeting on Thursday nights attended by about 40 rural people from Kerikeri to Invercargill. We discuss all things current from drought to Mycoplasma bovis, analyse markets, support farmers in their issues and discuss Government policies. My guests have included Agriculture Ministeer Damien O’Connor, David Bennett and Andrew Falloon from Parliament’s benches, Nuffield scholars, Federated Farmers board members and president Katie Milne, rural media publishers and, most importantly, bloody good farmers who care about the industry they work and do business in.

One of the topics that repeatedly comes up is the issue of immigrant workers and the trouble the dairy industry is going to find itself in come calving. Immigrant workers have been an integral part of the primary sector for many years, valued by many an employer, striving to become good workers and join their local community. The dairy industry, especially, could not have grown like it has without these immigrant workers to fill the gaps. They were wanted, needed and became valued as essential team members. So let me tell you about Diego. He has lived in New Zealand for 11 years, been involved in dairy farming for 10 years and is now assistant manager on a substantial dairy farm at Ashburton. He has family here, joined the local church and contributes to the local school and community, pays taxes and has applied for residence. He was told his residence was to be approved in April so he decided to take his

wife and children home to Columbia for a short break before the pressure of winter feeding and calving to catch up with family he hadn’t seen in six years. While he was away the borders to non-residents closed and his application was put on hold. Now he has no work visa and can’t be paid any support by his employer, his house full of furniture is locked up and he finds himself stranded in Columbia. His employer has offered to pay his family’s quarantine expenses and has been working tirelessly through the local MP and government departments – so far three as the case progresses with no concrete resolution at the time of writing. When we made a Farmers’ Voice video on this topic the stress was evident in the employer’s voice as he told us he is now expected to make a decision on Diego’s future. The suggestion he needs to let Diego go and make other arrangements does not sit well morally because he is a valued part of the team. To replace Diego with a Kiwi of his calibre this close

to winter and six weeks from calving is pretty nigh impossible. The employer has advertised a short-term roll to fill in the gaps and most of the people who have applied have little or no experience and if they have experience are not Kiwis. Let’s put this into perspective for the employer. He is one man down on a property where he is full hands-on. He milks and is part of the roster so is not really a floating spare who can cover the gap left by the loss of his right-hand man leading up to the busiest time of the year. I can already see the toll this is taking on his family as the hours they need to work increases. The rhetoric the children use about being dairy farmers has changed as their lives change to accommodate the increased workload mum and dad face. While no farmer wants animal welfare issues to arise the potential for farmers in this situation to miss things increases. Farm wellbeing will suffer. We also have the situation that all immigrant work

visas will be reassessed in September with no guarantee they will be extended. That is right in the heart of calving here in Ashburton and a real bottleneck situation for the dairy industry. None of this bodes well for a continuation of good farming practices as farmers will then be expected to take on Kiwi workers retraining from job losses caused by covid-19 who are inexperienced in the primary industries. It’s been stated farming will be once again be the backbone of the economy but the backbone of the industry, its immigrant workforce, is now seemingly undesirable and to be replaced by novice Kiwis. The irony is that all through the lockdown farming continued, contributed and delivered under huge environmental pressures including drought and killing space restrictions. Yet the first immigrants let into the country are here to make an animated movie led by a man who has belittled farming practices in NZ.

Brought to you by PGG Wrightson Livestock.

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The Voice

Heavy duty long lasting Ph 021 047 9299

farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate 0800 85 25 80

Real Estate

FARMERS WEEKLY â€“ June 15, 2020

NEW LISTING

Boundary lines are indicative only

Kaihere 249 Ohinewai Road

Marotiri 315 Puketapu Road

High on the hill

This functional drystock block in hill country, located on the Western Side of the Hauraki Plains is the ideal next step in your sheep and beef venture! Set on 393.4841 hectares (more or less) comprising of medium hill contour and bush makes an excellent grazing block for sheep and beef, with the potential to winter an excess of 1,950 stock units. The well fenced block has well established support facilities including two implement sheds with lockable bays and concrete flooring. The woolshed features a kitchen, shower, W/C and power connection with covered yards and a loading race nearby. An added bonus, a sound three bedroom 1950s home which has been modernized and has an open plan kitchen and dining, separate living & office.

Lifestyle lot with views

Great lifestyle opportunity, with a solid investment, plus a hunting block. All this and wanting to be part of an environmental sustaining cause? This is it! Located in the stunning Central North Island, that offers the outdoors person the ultimate lifestyle with an income. This 56 hectare (more or less) block comprises of 54 hectares planted in Fastigata (Eucalyptus) and a further two hectares planted in a Hardwood. The trees are eight years old and are registered with the Emission Trading Scheme. The contour over this property is easy to flat, and the hunting options are limitless in this unique spot. This could make a wonderful building platform for your new home and lifestyle.

Tender (unless sold prior) Closing 4pm, Thu 16 Jul 2020 96 Ulster Street, Hamilton View 11am-1pm Wed 17 Jun & Wed 24 Jun Karl Davis 0508 83 83 83 karl.davis@bayleys.co.nz Lee Carter 027 696 5781 lee.carter@bayleys.co.nz SUCCESS REALTY LIMITED, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

WESTERMAN REALTY LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

Property being sold as Plus GST (if any)

bayleys.co.nz/2311258

bayleys.co.nz/2652118

RURAL Property Brokers Limited Licensed REAA 2008

Tender (unless sold prior) Closing 1pm, Wed 1 Jul 2020 44 Roberts Street, Taupo View by appointment Stan Sickler 021 275 7826 stan.sickler@bayleys.co.nz

83 Sophia Street Timaru Office 03 687 7166

Limestone Hills

Your destination For Rural real Estate Get in touch with your agent today

farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate AUCTION

WEB ID TMR74374 PLEASANT POINT 320 Mt Gay Road View By Appointment AUCTION 1.00pm, Sat 27th Jun, 2020, Property Brokers Due to a great opportunity the vendors have decided Limited, 83 Sophia Street, Timaru to put this lovely 146 ha property on the market. Currently running 500 MA ewes with 80% lambs being drafted before Christmas, and between 150 200 Dairy Heifers on May to May contract. With a lovely 4 Bedroom home, 3 Stand Woolshed plus implement shed, all weather farm lane and much 4 Michael Richardson more. Don't miss this opportunity and inquire today. Mobile 027 228 7027 Price plus GST (if any) Office 03 687 7145

AUCTION

Home 027 228 7027 michael@pb.co.nz

pb.co.nz

Real Estate

FARMERS WEEKLY – June 15, 2020

farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate 0800 85 25 80

RURAL | LIFESTYLE | RESIDENTIAL 20 3-20 201

NEW LISTING

Re al E ies state A g e n c

AUCTION

Ongaonga 458 Wakarara Road Flat + Fertile + Water = Options An opportunity exists to purchase this 101 hectare bare land property in the heart of the Ruataniwha plains. You are just 20 kms to both Waipukarau and Waipawa and only 3 kms to Ongaonga. It’s currently being used for dairy support. It bounds a large-scale dairy farm and pipfruit orchard. An extensive large scale horticulture development is underway nearby meaning this property has multiple land uses. It has an 80m bore with a consent to irrigate. Soils are the Takapau Silt Loam series (Class 3 LUC). A functional set of cattle yards and stock water system are in place. For more information or to view this property call Paul today.

TE PUKE, WESTERN BAY OF PLENTY Auction

Your Dream Package is Available Now

Wednesday 24 June 2020 at 12.00pm Harcourts Auction Rooms, 307 Karamu Road North, Hastings (unless sold prior).

• • •

View: Wednesday 17 June 12-2pm www.harcourts.co.nz/TL7235

• • • • •

Paul Evans M 027 533 3314 P 06 845 9100

Phone or email for a full Information Memorandum

DEADLINE PRIVATE TREATY (Unless Sold Prior) $4.65M Plus GST (if any) Closes 4.00pm, Thursday 9 July

David McLaren M 027 223 3366 E dmclaren@pggwrightson.co.nz Karen McLaren M 027 555 0421 E karen.mclaren@pggwrightson.co.nz

pggwre.co.nz/TEP32349

paul.evans@harcourtshb.co.nz

PGG Wrightson Real Estate Limited, licensed under REAA 2008

Licensed Agent REAA 2008

Looking for the complete package?

We’ve got you covered with digital and print options.

Contact Shirley Howard phone 06 323 0760, email shirley.howard@globalhq.co.nz 2480REHP

207 Gloucester Street , Taradale - Regent Realty Ltd

Quality four bedroom Lockwood home Designer kitchen, in-ground pool Huge implement shed with attached accommodation Large scale kiwifruit orchard 1.46ha Gold, 5.04ha Hayward green, total 6.51 canopy hectares Excellent vine supporting structures Excellent land contour Sale includes 2020 harvest proceeds

farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate

Helping grow the country

farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate 0800 85 25 80

Farm Trader

FARMERS WEEKLY – June 15, 2020

O U R P R I C E S H AV E N ’ T G O N E U P !

Despite the fact that our imported machine pricing is affected by the drop in the New Zealand Dollar we don’t think you should suffer for it so we are keeping our prices down.

OFFER EXTENDED! 25% deposit of the financed sum including GST P LU S a p a y m e n t h o l i d a y * The interest rate for the loan is 3.79% and is based on a schedule of 36 monthly payments. To suit seasonal cash flow, there are no payments required through June, July, August and September so customers can take a winter payment holiday! These Krone finance offers apply to all new imported products so be in quick to ensure your order is made by the end of the second quarter and take advantage of these great offers. Terms, conditions and lending criteria apply.

Check out our great range of machinery!

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

www.tulloch.nz

06 370 0390

DEALERS NATIONWIDE

Farm Trader

FARMERS WEEKLY â€“ June 15, 2020

farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate 0800 85 25 80

Farmhand 10 Head Yard Not all cattle yards are the same. Stockman cattle yards are designed to give the farmer the best quality product, combined with the best working design.

SHEET SIZE

N.T.S.

M. Z

31-05-16 DATE

SCALE

DRAWN

SHEET NO.

THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DRAWING IS PROPRIETARY TO FARMQUIP AND SHALL NOT BE REPRODUCED OR DISCLOSED IN WHOLE OR IN PART OR USED FOR ANY DESIGN OR MANUFACTURE EXCEPT WHEN SUCH USER POSSESSES DIRECT WRITTEN AUTHORISATION FROM FARMQUIP.

Farmhand 49 Head Cattle Yard

Farmhand 80 Head Cattle Yard

S/G

Farmhand 20 Head Cattle Yard

H/B

Farmhand 20 Head Yard

FH 80 - R

Farmhand 25 Head Yard

1 OF 1

& * T ER MS APPLY S N IO CONDIT

S/G

.00 +GST

13,995

.00

BLUE ---------- 1800 GREEN -------- 2100

(FH20)

+GST

H/B THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS DRAWING IS PROPRIETARY TO FARMQUIP AND SHALL NOT BE REPRODUCED OR DISCLOSED IN WHOLE OR IN PART OR USED FOR ANY DESIGN OR MANUFACTURE EXCEPT WHEN SUCH USER POSSESSES DIRECT WRITTEN AUTHORISATION FROM FARMQUIP.

(FH49) FH 49 - L

Add ramp for $3,195.00+ GST

Farmhand 32 Head Yard

Large Lockbox DRAWN

M. Z

DATE

31-05-16

SCALE

FH - 32 R

SHEET NO.

31-05-16

SHEET SIZE

N.T.S.

1 OF 1

18,995.00 (FH80) +GST

Add ramp for $3,195.00+ GST

Rechargeable Sheep shearing kit

SHEET SIZE

N.T.S.

1 OF 1

RRP RRP Farmhand Loading Farmhand Curved Farmhand Yard Panels $ .00 Bundle of 10 $ .00 Force Tub Ramp +GST +GST

449

M. Z

DATE SCALE

Farmhand 12mtr Horse Pen

Cordless Grease Gun BLUE ---------- 1800 GREEN -------- 2100

DRAWN

SHEET NO.

BLUE ---------- 1800 GREEN -------- 2100

6,495

S/G

499

Promotional offers valid until 30th June 2020.

RRP $

479.00

+GST

farmersweekly.co.nz/realestate 0800 85 25 80

Farm Trader

FARMERS WEEKLY – June 15, 2020

1.9 INTEREST o/ o

ON SELECTED KINGQUADS

KINGQUAD A/F400F

$12,173 +GST

KINGQUAD 500X

$13,912 +GST

WORKING ON KIWI FARMS SINCE 1982

Whatever your ATV needs are, whatever your type of farm - our ATV range has a model that works as hard as you do. Get yourself on a new Suzuki KingQuad and spread out your payments over 24 months. Your current bike could be your deposit.

KINGQUAD 750XP

KINGQUAD 750XPZ

$16,086 +GST

$16,521 +GST

DESIGNED FOR NEW ZEALAND FARMS Get a bike that was designed for New Zealand farms and our conditions, the legendary DR200SE Trojan – and right now save yourself $480.

DR200SE TROJAN

$4,799 +GST

SAVE $480

Prices exclude GST. Savings shown include GST. Finance offer applies to KingQuad range only and is based on a 1/3 deposit, 1.9% interest with two equal payments over 24 months. Payments include $305 documentation fee and $10.35 PPSR. Normal UDC lending and credit criteria apply. Offer not available in conjunction with any other promotion. Promotion period runs from 1 May – 31 July 2020. Available at participating Suzuki dealers only while stocks last.

Agri Job Board

Noticeboard

classifieds@globalhq.co.nz

Experienced Farm Manager Northern Waikato

Looking for an experienced Farm Manager for a 900 hectare sheep and cattle farm. Running 3000 ewes and 280 breeding cows, plus replacements with finishing.

Email Peter – pukeko12@hotmail.com or phone 027 557 7755 for further details

FOR MORE NOTICEBOARD ADVERTISING

JOBS BOARD FW Jobs Board

SOMETHING?

Or if you just need an experienced helping hand on your property, we will also look at that option. All offers and locations considered.

LK0102656©

AgriHQ has set up a temporary noticeboard to make it easier to find supplementary feed for your livestock.

We currently run a successful business raising dairy heifers and bulls for clients alongside our own sheep and beef operation. We have already turned two farms into profitable pasture land.

If you have surplus feed for sale, grazing options or merchant supplies that you would like to list, simply fill out the form online and we’ll post it on our site. Head to agrihq.co.nz/feed-noticeboard for listings near you

DEER FARM WANTED For lease in Waikato. All sizes considered. Phone 021 160 4929

T HI NK P R E B U I L T

Call James on 021 703 004 or email: mcleanstockrearing@gmail.com

Dairy Assistant Dairy Equity Position

Water Filter Systems

Farm Manager

Visit

www.innotek.co.nz or call 0800 872 546

Supplementary feed available

Farming couple with extensive experience wanting to relocate away from Auckland.

Block Manager

Remote Trainers Containment Systems No bark collars

SELLING

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63.57x120

DOG TRAINING PRODUCTS

Feed Noticeboard

LK0102728©

LK0102779©

0101788

farmersweeklyjobs.co.nz

SportDOG PetSafe

0800 436 566

0800 85 25 80

Lease Farm Wanted

Available to start when suits you.

For further information or any enquiries please call Neville 027 279 8564

SEE PAGE 34

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

PH DEBBIE

You must be a motivated, honest, energetic and organised person. The successful applicant will be offered a remuneration package which includes a four-bedroom home with free internet. Email a current CV with a minimum of two references to: dicathcart@icloud.com

LK0102711©

Wish to purchase/lease a property with a house in South Island – South Canterbury/ Otago regions preferred. Needs to have either a duck pond or wetland. All options considered.

DOLOMITE INNOTEK

PROPERTY WANTED

NEW HOMES

SOLID – PRACTICAL WELL INSULATED – AFFORDABLE

General Manager

• Installer Network

• Chlorine Removal

SHOP ONLINE

*conditions apply

Contact Debbie Brown 06 323 0765 or email classifieds@globalhq.co.nz

Ph 09 376 0860 www.jder-cintropur.co.nz

Personal to Professional sawmills Recover your own timber or mill for others. Contact: Paul Marshall (B.For.Sc., M.Sc., M.N.Z.I.F.) Director Wood-Mizer NZ Ltd. Mobile: 021 331 838 EMail: P_Marshall@xtra.co.nz

www.woodmizer.com

2 YEAR WARRANTY. NZ ASSEMBLED. ELECTRIC START & QUALITY YOU CAN RELY ON

Agri Job Board EARMARKERS

EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

13.5HP. Briggs & Stratton Motor. Electric start. 1.2m cut

12Hp Diesel. Electric Start

BIRDSCARER

TOWABLE FLAIL MOWER

HOOF TRIMMER

Do you have a passion for excellence and a history of high performance? Are you looking for that next step in the industry? Our clients are looking for someone they can trust who will perform well and become the driver and owner of their business. An outstanding 380ha property in the golden circle 15km north east of Feilding has been made available for someone to buy into as the current owners wish to take a step back from the day-to-day running of the property. It has been developed over the last 30 years into one of the most admired dairy farms in the area – but there’s plenty of “blue sky” for the new partnership moving forward.

50 TON WOOD SPLITTER 12HP, Diesel, Electric Start

GST $4400 INCLUSIVE

11.5HP Briggs & Stratton Motor. Industrial. Electric start. GST $4200 INCLUSIVE

50 TON WOOD SPLITTER

GST $4200 INCLUSIVE

To find out more visit www.moamaster.co.nz

Phone 027 367 6247 • Email: info@moamaster.co.nz Under Woolshed/Covered Yards Cleaning Specialist www.underthewoolshed.kiwi

SCOTTY’S CONTRACTORS

Heavy duty construction for serious wood splitting. Towable.

Advantages here start with high quality LUC 1 & 2 versatile soil types that allow for supplementary feed or cash crops to be grown on farm. A focus on soil fertility and pasture renewal has ensured this place grows a lot of pasture.

We also clean out and remetal cattle yards – Call Us!

Great infrastructure on farm including the 80-bail rotary located in the middle of the property flanked by high quality calf rearing facilities and sheds, a gravity driven effluent system, plenty of water for stock and a 500-cow feed pad.

FROM THIS

IN ING PA K R WO IRARA WA

Historically the 380ha milking platform has been milking 1200 cows, with the farm producing 1175kg MS/ha on average over the past six years.

GST Special Price $4200 INCLUSIVE Very limited stock

Options for education are abundant in the local rural community, with Feilding and Palmerston North close by. With a proposed start date of 1st June 2021 and flexibility in the investment options, we are seeking expressions of interest at this early stage.

LK0102194©

Three well-presented recently renovated homes are available for use by the farming team.

Nominate a school on booking and we’ll donate $100 on payment of your account.

To find out more visit

LK0102586©

www.moamaster.co.nz Phone 027 367 6247 Email: info@moamaster.co.nz

✁

Expressions of interest close 20th June 2020.

TOWABLE TOPPING MOWER

DE HORNER

Dairy Equity Position – Manawatu

For an expression of interest form, please contact Melissa on melissa@bakerag.co.nz

Call or email us for your free copy of our plans Email: info@ezylinehomes.co.nz Phone: 07 572 0230 Web: www.ezylinehomes.co.nz

LK0102193©

*FREE upload to Farmers Weekly jobs: farmersweeklyjobs.co.nz

✁

Stud Stock Manager

Wood-Mizer® sawmills: ✓ Use the latest in thin kerf technology. ✓ Produce more timber from fewer trees. ✓ Are adaptable to all sawing situations. ✓ Are flexible in operation. ✓ Have low operating costs.

Phone Scott Newman Freephone 0800 2SCOTTY (0800 27 26 88) Mobile 027 26 26 27 2

TO THAT

A SHED HASN’T BEATEN US YET!

New Zealand’s Number 1 service provider for under woolshed and covered yard cleaning since 2004

LK0102722©

Shepherd General

• No Expensive Cartridges

• Town or Tank Water

LK0102224©

• Whole House

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Shepherd

Our homes are built using the same materials & quality as an onsite build. Easily transported to almost anywhere in the North Island. Plans range from one bedroom to four bedroom First Home – Farm House Investment – Beach Bach

The World’s number 1 sawmill Over 100,000 Machines Sold

LK0102277©

Senior Sub-editor

LK0100828©

Noticeboard

FAST GRASS www.gibb-gro.co.nz GROWTH PROMOTANT Only $6.00 per hectare + GST delivered Brian Mace 0274 389 822 brianmace@xtra.co.nz MANUKA SITES REQUIRED. Seeking sites for beehives near Manuka. Fair and competitive payment options. Contact 021 560 665 or email: hardyhivezzz@gmail.com DAGS .20c PER KG. Replacement woolpacks. PV Weber Wools. Kawakawa Road, Feilding. Phone 06 323 9550.

CONTRACTORS GORSE SPRAYING. SCRUB CUTTING. Thistle spraying. 30 years experience. Blowers, gun and hose. No job too big. Camp out teams. Travel anywhere if job big enough. Phone Dave 06 375 8032

DOGS FOR SALE 5-YEAR-OLD BRINDLE Huntaway bitch. Works all classes of stock. $2000 ONO. 07 826 7779. BREEDING, TRAINING, buying, selling, (since 2012). Deliver SI 26/6, NI 4/7. www.youtube.com/user/ mikehughesworkingdog/ videos email: mikehughesworking dogs@farmside.co.nz 07 315 5553. PURE BRED KELPIE, six months old. Suitable for a pet. Phone 07 828 5808. Evenings.

CYCLE TOUR HOLIDAYS Various South Island cycle destinations available now. Bookings open NOW for group holidays.

LK0101802©

Choose from: • Molesworth Station Cycle Tour • Alps2Ocean Cycle • Nelson, Golden Bay & Farewell Spit Cycle • West Coast Wilderness Trail Cycle

SIL EWES Mar & Apr Ram R1YR FRSN BULLS 170-210kg 400kg+ R2YR FRSN BULLS MA SIC COWS VIC Nov/Dec Bull

FORESTRY

All details and other quotes go to www.dyerlivestock.co.nz

WANTED

NATIVE FOREST FOR MILLING also Macrocarpa and Red Gum, New Zealand wide. We can arrange permits and plans. Also after milled timber to purchase. NEW ZEALAND NATIVE TIMBER SUPPLIERS (WGTN) LIMITED 04 293 2097 Richard.

GOATS WANTED

FERAL GOATS WANTED. All head counted, payment on pick-up, pick-up within 24 hours. Prices based on works schedule. Experienced musterers available. Phone Bill and Vicky Le Feuvre 07 893 8916. GOATS WANTED. All weights. All breeds. Prompt service. Payment on pick up. My on farm prices will not be beaten. Phone David Hutchings 07 895 8845 or 0274 519 249. Feral goats mustered on a 50/50 share basis. NAKI GOATS. Trucking goats to the works every week throughout the NI. Phone Michael and Clarice. 027 643 0403.

HORTICULTURE

Ph: 03 314 7220 Mob: 0274 351 955 Email info@southislandtoursnz.com www.southislandtoursnz.com

NZ KELP. FRESH, wild ocean harvested giant kelp. The world’s richest source of natural iodine. Dried and milled for use in agriculture and horticulture. Growth promotant / stock health food. As seen on Country Calendar. Orders to: 03 322 6115 or info@nzkelp.co.nz

We got noticed!

LIVESTOCK FOR SALE

Discounts available for group bookings of up to 14 people. Talk to us about your needs or special itineraries. Get in early to book the dates you want for.

“After advertising a sale of The Sock Lady

WILTSHIRES-ARVIDSON. Self shearing sheep. No1 for Facial Eczema. David 027 2771 556. 150 ANGUS HEIFERS (or part of) , 2 1/2 years. VIC. Stokman Angus Bulls. Bull date 01 Dec for two cycles. Phone 07 893 8811.

The Sock Lady will not hesitate to advertise at sale time again with this high quality, well known New Zealand farming publication.

“

LK0102550©

Norma McLennan, The Sock Lady

Save time / help the planet Shop online at http://shop/thepantry.co.nz/shop

Use the code FAR2020 and receive 10%* off your first online order. We deliver anywhere in NZ, or collect in store when you’re in town. The Pantry is a community owned store selling bulk grocery, specialty foods, home brew supplies, bird food, cleaning supplies and personal care products.

*Offer valid for 2 weeks from publication date.

LK0102771©

133 Grace Street, South Invercargill Tel 03 214 5200 Email: admin@thepantry.co.nz

To meet please call

0800 446 332 quote code 48

www.countrycompanionship.co.nz

HIGH PRESSURE WATER PUMPS, suitable on high headlifts. Low energy usage for single/3-phase motors, waterwheel and turbine drives. Low maintenance costs and easy to service. Enquiries phone 04 526 4415, email sales@hydra-cell.co.nz

30 Angus Bulls

Matawhero Sale Yards

CONTACTS:

Ross Dyer 0274 333 381 A Financing Solution For Your Farm E info@rdlfinance.co.nz

ALPINE ANGUS Steve Herries 027 289 3001

Sale Date:

ORERE ANGUS Ben & Kylie Johnson 06 867 8089

Monday 22nd June 2020

BULL SALE

WAIMATA ANGUS Pat & Evelyn Watson 06 867 0336

Sale Time:

MEADOWSLEA ANGUS

Sale starts at 12.00pm

June 19, 1pm

ARE YOU GETTING TOO MANY BULL BREAKDOWNS?

Interactive helmsman-style auction with live commentary. On-farm SH8 5km west of Fairlie and online:

www.meadowslea.co.nz

Waigroup bulls are backed with a rigorous guarantee. CALL US TODAY

OFFERING: 76 hill bred bulls Industry leading maternal and fertility traits

Online bidding opens June 8th at 7pm with release of videos of all lots posted online. David Giddings 027 229 9760 Auctioneers: Participating:

Pinebank Sales: 2-Year bulls by private treaty through June Glanworth On-Farm Auctions: 2-year Bulls June 25th at 2:30pm

VISITORS & ENQUIRIES WELCOME

PINEBANK Established 1919 Willie Falloon Ph: (06) 372 7041 E: falloon@xtra.co.nz

GLENWOOD SUFFOLKS

GLANWORTH Established 1952 Shaun Fouhy Ph: (06) 376 8869 E: glanworthfarm@gmail.com

www.anguswaigroup.co.nz

Complete Dispersal of Ewes born 2015-2016-2017 & 2019 Ewe Hoggets Friday 3rd July 2020 – 1pm Shefﬁeld Saleyards

Country Lady Looking For Love A country beauty who has a farming background. She loves horses, working on the land, meals out with friends and family and weekends away travelling. Long brown hair and hazel eyes.

Gisborne Angus Breeders Sale

www.dyerlivestock.co.nz

Glenwood has sold 16 stud Sires in the past decade Contact Michael Howie (Vendor) 03 312 3213 Anthony Cox (RLL) 0272 083 071 anthony.cox@rll.co.nz Brent Macaulay (RLL) 021 220 0850 brent.macaulay@rll.co.nz E-book available at www.rurallivestock.co.nz

PUMPS

We nourish the spirit of generosity and wellbeing in the community.

YEARS NEW

PERSONAL

LK0102730©

socks and singlets in the Farmers Weekly, we had an excellent response to the ad.

STORE LAMBS – Males & Ewes

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ATTENTION FARMERS

STATION TYPES. Heavy NZ leather. Hand sown. Breast plate. Leg straps. Hobbles. Crupper, etc. Phone Otairi Station. 06 322 8433.

STOCK REQUIRED

12 MONTHS TO 5½-yearold Heading dogs and Huntaways wanted. Phone 022 698 8195. QUICK SALE! Buying 350 dogs NZ wide annually. No one buys or pays more! email: mikehughesworking dogs@farmside.co.nz 07 315 5553.

LIVESTOCK ADVERTISING

with Farmers Weekly PHONE HANNAH GUDSELL 0800 85 25 80

since 1937

Annual Sale 99 Bulls 18 June – 12.30pm Totara Valley, South Canterbury James Fraser 021 186 4796 Donald Hay 021 187 8186

www.sternangus.co.nz

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CRAIGCO SHEEP JETTERS. Sensor Jet. Deal to fly and Lice now. Guaranteed performance. Unbeatable pricing. Phone 06 835 6863. www.craigcojetters.com

BRIDLES

DOGS WANTED

STERN ANGUS

FLY OR LICE problem? Electrodip – the magic eye sheepjetter since 1989 with unique self adjusting sides. Incredible chemical and time savings with proven effectiveness. Phone 07 573 8512 w w w. e l e c t r o d i p . c o m

BIRDS/POULTRY PULLETS HY-LINE brown, great layers. 07 824 1762. Website: eurekapoultryfarm.weebly. com – Have fresh eggs each day!!!

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ANIMAL HANDLING

Livestock Noticeboard

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Livestock Noticeboard

FARMERS WEEKLY â€“ June 15, 2020

livestock@globalhq.co.nz â€“ 0800 85 25 80

SALE TALK A game warden catches an unlicensed fisherman in the act. â€œYouâ€™re going to pay a big fine for all those fish in your bucketâ€? the warden says. â€œBut, officer, I didnâ€™t catch these, they are my pet fish and I just bring them here to swim. When theyâ€™re done, they jump back into the bucket.â€? â€œOh really? If you can prove it, Iâ€™ll let you go.â€? The fisherman empties the bucket into the lake and waits patiently. A few minutes go by and nothing happens. The game warden says, â€œSo where are the fish?â€? â€œWhat fish?â€? replied the fisherman.

Here at Farmers Weekly we get some pretty funny contributions to our Sale Talk joke from you avid readers, and weâ€™re keen to hear more! If youâ€™ve got a joke you want to share with the Farming community (it must be something youâ€™d share with your grandmother...) then email us at: saletalk@globalhq.co.nz with Sale Talk in the subject line and weâ€™ll print it and credit it to you. Conditions apply

ANNUAL ON FARM BULL SALE Friday 19 June â€“ 12.30pm Kevin and Jean Downs property 923 Wingrove Road, Stratford

FRANKTON COMBINED SALE

CLEARING SALE Aided by live on line bidding

HIGH INDEXED FRIESIAN GENETICS Tuesday 30th June 2020 11.30am Start On A/c: Maurice & Jenni Butler

503 Taihoa South Road, RD3, Matamata DN77513 After 50 years of LIC Breeding the Butler Family are selling their entire herd and R2yr Heifers. Consisting of 200 Cows BW 121 PW 139 RA 97% (BWâ€™s up to 239 PWâ€™s up to 435) 53 x R2yr Heifers BW 152 PW 155 2 x R1yr Heifers BW 175 PW 177 Cow 250 is carrying a Contract Mated Calf R2yr Heifer 18-55 is carrying a Contract Mated Calf R1yr Heifers 19-5 & 8 are to be Contract Mated PRODUCTION: The herd is farmed at 3.4 cows/ha and consistently produces 430kgms/cow.

Lance and Janelle Downs 8 Registered Hereford Bulls 8 Commercial Grade Bulls 06 762 3531

10.30am Pigs 11.30am Sheep Comprising 500 Sheep â€˘ 150 Prime Lambs â€˘ 250 Store Lambs â€˘ 100 Cull Ewes

MATING: Herd DTC 20.7.20 for 6 weeks to LIC Frsn & Crossbred with 77% in calf to AI. Tailed with Jersey. R2yr Heifers DTC 15.7.20 to Jersey. ANIMAL HEALTH: TB C10, Lepto Vaccinated, M. Bovis Undetected. Dry Cow treated with Orbenin.

Aywon Angus Peter and Alison Bishop 18 Registered Angus Bulls 06 762 8508

11.45am Boners/Bulls Comprising 50 Boners 12.00pm Feeder Calves Comprising 40 Feeder Calves 12.00pm Store Cattle Comprising 500 Store Cattle For further details contact Vaughn Larsen 027 801 4599 Tony Blackwood 027 243 1858 Freephone 0800 10 22 76 | www.pggwrightson.co.nz Helping grow the country

Simon Payne 027 241 4585 Grant Hobbs 027 477 7406 Jeremy Newell 027 664 8832

LK0102729ÂŠ

Te Kupe Angus Paul and Janine Martin 3 Registered Angus Bulls 3 Commercial Grade Bulls 027 511 7625

Simon Bradley Josh Gordon Stephen Casey

027 442 6177 027 459 0966 027 721 0247

AUCTIONEERS NOTE: NZ Farmers Livestock are privileged to offer this high quality high producing well bred Frn/Frn X herd and complete replacement line of R2yr Heifers for Auction. The Vendors are passionate breeders and have always used only the highest quality proven LIC Semen. Outstanding Cow 200 has 2 Contract Daughters and 1 Contract Grand Daughter for sale plus is the Grand Dam of â€œButlers Mandate Mayor SF1â€? who is currently in the LIC Sire Proving Team. The herd is 100% closed and along with the R2yr heifers will come forward in good condition offering purchasers a great selection of high quality Friesian/Friesian Cross Genetics with very high Indexes for the breed. Pre sale inspection is welcome. PAYMENT & DELIVERY: Payment will be 14 days from sale date. Purchasers have the option of immediate delivery or later calving cows can be retained on the Vendorâ€™s property. The Vendor has offered to graze and mate the 2 Contract R1yr Heifers until 1st May 2021 at no cost.

View www.mylivestock.co.nz/Events

LIVESTOCK ADVERTISING

Further enquiries: Agent Michael Conwell 027 226 1611 Vendor: Maurice Butler 07 888 6938

CALL HANNAH 0800 85 25 80

NZâ€™s Virtual Saleyard WEEKLY AUCTIONS Wednesday night â€“ North Island Thursday night â€“ South Island

SEVEN HILLS ANGUS BULL SALE

everďż˝ budget...

FEATURE AUCTIONS

1.30 pm â€“ Kakahu Angus

Monday, 15 June 2020 Tuesday, 16 June 2020 1.00 pm â€“ Matariki Hereford & Woodbank Angus Wednesday, 17 June 2020 12.30 pm â€“ Te Mania Angus

NOTES: Hill-country station-hardened cow herd, calving ease, growth & carcass, genomically enhanced EBVs BULL SALE: Thursday 25th June 2020, 11.30am 1167 Mangaone Valley Road, Eketahuna 83 bulls qualify

A endorsement or better

s ull ! B 95 sale r fo

Bryan Bendall â€˘ P: 06 375 8583 â€˘ E: sevenhills@inspire.net.nz

Thursday, 18 June 2020

12.30 pm â€“ Stern Angus Bull For further information go to bidr.co.nz or contact the team on 0800 TO BIDR

LK0102714ÂŠ

Tuesday 16th June

MARKET SNAPSHOT

Market Snapshot brought to you by the AgriHQ analysts.

Suz Bremner

Mel Croad

Nicola Dennis

Cattle

Reece Brick

Graham Johnson

Caitlin Pemberton

Sheep

BEEF

William Hickson

Deer

SHEEP MEAT

VENISON

Last week

Prior week

Last year

NI Steer (300kg)

5.20

5.15

5.55

NI lamb (17kg)

6.95

6.85

7.75

NI Stag (60kg)

5.45

5.40

8.95

NI Bull (300kg)

5.25

5.30

NI mutton (20kg)

4.75

4.65

5.30

SI Stag (60kg)

5.45

5.40

8.95

NI Cow (200kg)

3.80

3.65

4.20

SI lamb (17kg)

6.70

6.65

7.45

SI Steer (300kg)

4.65

4.50

5.15

SI mutton (20kg)

4.40

4.25

5.20

SI Bull (300kg)

4.55

4.45

4.95

Export markets (NZ$/kg)

SI Cow (200kg)

3.10

3.05

3.55

UK CKT lamb leg

9.65

9.81

9.83

US imported 95CL bull

8.61

9.13

7.83

US domestic 90CL cow

9.59

10.09

7.51

Slaughter price (NZ$/kg)

Export markets (NZ$/kg)

6.50

7.0

South Island lamb slaughter price

9.0 $/kg CW

5.00 4.50

8.0 7.0

5.0

6.00

Oct

Dec 5-yr ave

Feb

Apr 2018-19

Jun

Coarse xbred ind. Feb

5-yr ave

Apr

Jun

2018-19

Dairy

Aug 2019-20

2.96

Aug 2019-20

Mar-20 Sept. 2021

567

625

314

321

787

833

DAP

May-20

Top 10 by Market Cap Close

YTD High

Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Corporation Ltd

28.85

32.22

YTD Low 21.1

The a2 Milk Company Limited

18.95

20.39

13.8

Meridian Energy Limited (NS)

4.89

5.8

3.61

Auckland International Airport Limited

6.75

9.21

4.26 3.445

4.47

4.93

Ryman Healthcare Limited

13.04

17.18

6.61

400

Mercury NZ Limited (NS)

4.69

5.62

3.595

Port of Tauranga Limited

7.18

8.08

4.9

390

Contact Energy Limited

6.3

7.74

4.54

Mainfreight Limited

43.99

380

Jul-19

Sep-19

Nov-19

Jan-20

Mar-20

May-20

CANTERBURY FEED BARLEY vs 4 weeks ago

Company

Spark New Zealand Limited

May-19

DAIRY FUTURES (US$/T)

567

1.90

410

6.25

Urea

6.75

Prior week

Jun

Last year

30 micron lamb

420

Jan-20

Apr 2018-19

Prior week

CANTERBURY FEED WHEAT

Sep-19 Nov-19 Sept. 2020

Feb

Last week

$/tonne

$/kg MS

NZ average (NZ$/t)

7.25

Last price*

Last year

37 micron ewe

430

Nearby contract

Prior week

Super

7.75

Jul-19

Last week

Grain

Data provided by

MILK PRICE FUTURES

5.75

Dec

FERTILISER

(NZ$/kg)

4.50 Dec

Oct

Fertiliser

Aug 2019-20

WOOL

5.00

Oct

South Island stag slaughter price

5-yr ave

5.50

4.00

Last year

6.0

South Island steer slaughter price

6.50

Last week Prior week

North Island stag slaughter price

12.0 11.0 10.0 9.0 8.0 7.0 6.0 5.0 12.0 11.0 10.0 9.0 8.0 7.0 6.0 5.0

5.0

5.50

Slaughter price (NZ$/kg)

$/kg CW

8.0

6.0

6.00

$/kg CW

Last year

North Island lamb slaughter price

9.0 $/kg CW

North Island steer slaughter price

Last week Prior week

$/kg CW

Slaughter price (NZ$/kg)

Ingrid Usherwood

410

Listed Agri Shares

5pm, close of market, Thursday

Company

YTD High

YTD Low

The a2 Milk Company Limited

18.95

20.39

13.8

Comvita Limited

3.02

4.97

1.66

Delegat Group Limited

10.95

12.1

6.39

2670

2620

2560

405

SMP

2500

2380

400

Fonterra Shareholders' Fund (NS)

3.83

4.06

3.41

1.8

1.91

1.35

AMF

4100

4050

4200

395

Foley Wines Limited Livestock Improvement Corporation Ltd (NS)

0.68

0.82

0.68

Marlborough Wine Estates Group Limited

0.18

0.21

0.18

New Zealand King Salmon Investments Ltd

1.9

2.3

1.29

PGG Wrightson Limited

2.69

2.75

1.55

Sanford Limited (NS)

6.78

8.2

5.55

Scales Corporation Limited

4.95

5.17

3.3

SeaDragon Limited

0.05

0.205

0.001

Seeka Limited

4.48

4.74

3.4

9.1

4.36

Butter

4175

3825

Milk Price

7.22

7.20

$/tonne

WMP

385 380

May-19

* price as at close of business on Thursday

WMP FUTURES - VS FOUR WEEKS AGO

Jul-19

Sep-19

Nov-19

Jan-20

Mar-20

May-20

WAIKATO PALM KERNEL

Synlait Milk Limited (NS)

2800

500

2700

400

S&P/NZX Primary Sector Equity Index S&P/NZX 50 Index

11155

12073

8499

2600

300

S&P/NZX 10 Index

11517

12096

9100

$/tonne

US$/t

390

2500 2400

T&G Global Limited

Jul Aug Latest price

Sep

Oct 4 weeks ago

Nov

2.93

2.35

16941

12699

200 100

Jun

2.77 16222

May-19

S&P/FW PRIMARY SECTOR EQUITY

Jul-19

Sep-19

Nov-19

Jan-20

Mar-20

May-20

16222

S&P/NZX 50 INDEX

11155

S&P/NZX 10 INDEX

11517

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 15, 2020

Pulse

WEATHER Soil Moisture

Overview June is dominated by high pressure while May had more lows and rainmakers. The set-up is a little concerning because it matches a similar pattern we had last year, which led to drought. Hopefully, this is a blip of extra dry weather among an overall slide to wetter weather. One positive is that some mild days and recent wet weather along with a fair bit of sunshine mean some regions, especially in the north, are enjoying some late-season pasture growth. But serious frosts last weekend will stop growth for others. The week ahead looks fairly mild with more breezy weather coming in.

Schedules hide weak export market prices

11/06/2020

Source: NIWA Data

Highlights

Wind

A lot of light winds around with so much high pressure and a change to milder sub-tropical northerly quarter winds for Monday and Tuesday then lighter winds for much of this week nationwide.

Highlights/ Extremes

Temperature Some yo-yoing with the temperatures with a cold change peaking this past weekend and now milder winds developing. Frosts are possible through inland areas but they will be much lighter and more isolated than last weekend.

14-day outlook

Most of NZ is drier than normal for this time of year over the comng week.

7-day rainfall forecast

Nicola Dennis nicola.dennis@globalhq.co.nz

ARMGATE slaughter prices for beef and lamb are on their annual winter climb as the supply of finished stock begins to wane. To keep costs down meat processors need to ensure operating slaughter chains are as full as possible. That means opening the war chest and spending some extra coin to fight for the last of the stock. In saying that, farmers with paddocks full of prime steers and heifers in the South Island are still struggling to secure kill space because of the cattle backlog that grew during the covid-19 disruption. While farmgate prices are showing some improvement the export markets remain shaky. The suspension of most of the world’s restaurant trade put a hefty dent in demand for high-value meat cuts. Inventories of frozen meat have been building in wholesalers’ freezers throughout the world. And while restaurants are reopening, consumers are slow to return to dining out, even in China, which is the frontrunner for the covid-19 recovery. That has put a lot of pressure on international export prices. The French lamb rack market has been the most dramatic. Exporters are struggling to make any sales of frozen French racks to the United States and European Union, which are the main markets. Exporters

unwilling to hold onto unsold products, risking further devaluation, are selling racks at a severe discount at just over half of last season’s price. The beef export market is underpinned by a strong US manufacturing beef market caused by temporary meat shortages because of covid-19 infections in meat processing plants. The issue is resolving and demand for beef from the US is showing a correction with some minor price reductions last week. When the price for imported beef in the US comes tumbling down, as it surely will, exporters will need to divert to the Chinese market, where prices are weaker. The weak NZ dollar has been working in the background to buffer meat export returns from weakening international prices. The dollar was down at levels not seen since the last global financial crisis. It is showing a recovery now, though, and that is eating into export returns. A two-point lift in the dollar effectively removed 43c/kg from the Chinese lamb flap price last week, despite the export price indicator holding steady at US$5.80/kg. This is all taking place at the end of the season so farmers are unlikely to see the effects of weakening export returns in their meat cheques. Meat processors will be feeling the squeeze on their margins. Every week is an interesting week in the markets but it will be particularly interesting to keep an eye on winter and spring prices. Traders have become accustomed to seeing prices reach a good peak during this time and this season might shake things up.

US French rack 40 0

100

200

400

Not much in the way of rain in the coming week but we do have some showers that will be caught between large highs mid to late this week. The showers will be a mix of light, drizzly falls and some heavier downpours. By Friday high pressure should be growing and again moving in for the weekend and into the start of next week bringing more dry or mainly dry weather.

NZ$/kg

We have a lot more high pressure than normal and this week is all about one high departing and another moving in behind it. This occurs mid to late week and there might be some showers between the two systems. Then we’re back to more high pressure and more drier-than-normal weather. However, we might see more showers and southwesters again next week but high pressure might still be the main driving force.

Weather brought to you in partnership with weatherwatch.co.nz

STOCK NEED STOCK FEED... List your supplementary feed for sale on AgriHQ’s Feed Noticeboard

Feed conditions are tight across many regions. AgriHQ is helping match the feed with the need. We’re connecting buyers with sellers here so if you have: • Supplementary feed • Grazing options

Head to agrihq.co.nz/feed-noticeboard

30 25 20 15 07-Mar

07-May 5-yr Ave (adjusted)

07-Jul Last Year

07-Sep This Year

SALE YARD WRAP

Short-term cattle prices improve Improvements in prime and short-term store cattle markets have been driven by easing volume pressure at processors, which has resulted in more active buying out of the sale yards. The easing in space is also boosting schedule prices and buyers are attending auctions with bigger budgets. NORTHLAND Wellsford store cattle • R2 Angus steers, 374-390kg, lifted to $2.61-$2.65/kg • R2 Hereford-Friesian heifers, 272-451kg, strengthened to $2.39$2.41/kg • R1 Angus and Angus-Hereford steers, 134-212kg, held at $435$550 • R1 Speckle Park-cross steers, 141kg, were picked up for $500 • R1 Hereford heifers, 235-312kg, realised $605-$640 Just under 640 cattle were penned at WELLSFORD last Monday and increased demand for older cattle lifted returns. R3 Hereford-Friesian steers, 509-545kg, firmed to $2.45-$2.51/kg. R2 Hereford-Friesian steers, 355-407kg, strengthened to $2.54-$2.63/kg, while Hereford-dairy, 272313kg, returned $2.36-$2.46/kg. Angus heifers, 380-481kg, strengthened to $2.38-$2.49/kg, as did Hereford-Friesian, 263kg, up to $2.66/kg. R1 Angus and Angus-cross steers, 216-267kg, returned $585-$720, while Hereford, 188-243kg, fetched $505-$665. Beef-dairy, 127-163kg, traded at $450$550, with 281kg at $795. With little demand for R1 heifers $280-$380 was common for those 118-168kg regardless of breed, though HerefordFriesian, 133-147kg, improved to $365-$410. Read more in your LivestockEye. Kaikohe cattle • R1 Friesian bulls, 170kg, made $470 • R1 heifers sold at around $2.30-$2.40/kg • Empty cows fetched $1.76/kg There were around 600 head on offer at KAIKOHE last Thursday, PGG Wrightson agent Vaughan Vujcich reported. The steer market was steady to lifting at the top end and returned $2.50/kg to $2.68/kg. R1 dairy-beef steers fetched $2.30-$2.40/kg, while beef-types traded at $2.65-$2.75/ kg. More R2 bull buyers entered the market bringing them to $2.20-$2.25/kg. Interest for heifers remains minimal regardless of quality, and R2 Angus and beef-cross made $1.90/kg to $2.10/kg.

AUCKLAND Pukekohe cattle • Medium prime heifers made $2.44/kg to $2.55/kg • Good R1 heifers sold at $2.35-$2.45/kg Yards were near capacity with good-quality cattle at PUKEKOHE last Saturday, which were well met by a large bench of buyers. Forward store steers traded at $2.37/kg to $2.60/kg, with the next cut at around $2.35/kg to $2.46/ kg. Medium store heifers earned $2.39-$2.44/kg. Good R1 steers varied from $2.78/kg to $3.24/kg, with smaller types at $3.18/kg to $3.96/kg.

COUNTIES Tuakau sales • Good Angus weaner steers, 217kg, made $715 • Murray Grey and Angus heifers, 590kg, fetched $2.51/kg • Prime Charolais heifers, 620kg, sold well at $2.78/kg • Top prime lambs earned $190 Prices for heavier store steers lifted by 5c/kg at TUAKAU last Thursday, PGG Wrightson’s Chris Elliott reported. Steers in the 400-500kg range sold at $2.40/kg to $2.63/kg, and 300-400kg made $2.28/kg to $2.70/kg. The 500-head yarding featured a good line-up of heifers, with 300-425kg making $2.20/kg to $2.55/kg, and weaners, 130-160kg, $420-$480. Weaner steers, 130-289kg, fetched $500-$715. Prime steer and heifers firmed by 10c/kg on Wednesday. Heavy steers traded at $2.68-$2.75/kg, medium $2.55/ kg to $2.68/kg, and light, $2.45-$2.50/kg. Heavy heifers made $2.58/kg to $2.78/kg and medium, $2.45-$2.54/kg. Beef cows earned $1.85/kg to $2.19/kg and heavy Friesian cows lifted to $1.70/kg to $1.99/kg. Good-medium boners fetched $1.50/kg to $1.70/kg. Monday’s sheep market was strong. The best prime lambs made $155-190, with goodmedium earning $130-$150. Heavy prime ewes fetched $130-$180, and medium, $100-130. Store lambs sold from $70 to $125.

BAY OF PLENTY Rangiuru cattle and sheep sale

• • • • •

R3 South Devon heifers, 491kg, made $2.71/kg Top R2 Hereford-Friesian steers managed $2.59-$2.65/kg The top cut of the prime steers and heifers made $2.80-$2.83/kg Second cuts of prime steers and heifers made $2.61-$2.71/kg Lambs varied from $79 to $144 A good gallery of buyers turned out at RANGIURU last Tuesday to absorb a big yarding of cattle. Angus-cross provided the bulk of the store steers, as well as most of the heifers, with over 100 head available in total - all under 400kg. The top pen, 290kg steers, earned $2.67/kg, but the rest fitted into two neat cuts: 353-372kg steers that earned $2.34-$2.44/kg, with the remaining steer and heifer pens $2.15-$2.21/kg. Prime steers and heifers were nearly all over 500kg and prices firmed. The boner market also enjoyed a lift with the best Friesian and Friesian-cross sold at $1.87/ kg, and the balance generally $1.70-$1.79/kg.

POVERTY BAY Matawhero sheep • The top ewe lambs earned $100-$106 • Ram lambs fetched $122.50 • Top end of run-with-ram Romney ewes made $130 There were around 3500 store lambs on offer at MATAWHERO last Friday. Male lambs softened a little, the top end made $116-$128.50, mediums $108-$112 and lights $80-$90. Mixed-age Romney ewes mostly sold at $90 and 2ths at $128. Prime lambs traded at $150.50, 2th ewes $120$121 and mixed-age ewes $120-$134.

WAIKATO Frankton cattle 9.06 • R2 Charolais-Friesian steers, 371-410kg, earned $2.39-$2.44/kg • R2 Hereford-Friesian heifers, 355-398kg, returned $2.34-$2.36/kg • R1 Angus-Friesian heifers, 165-210kg, fetched $430-$548, $2.61$2.70/kg • R1 Friesian bulls, 160-172kg, managed $455-$500, $2.84-$2.91/kg PGG Wrightson penned just under 700 cattle at FRANKTON last Tuesday. Most R2 steers earned $2.33$2.44/kg. Top R2 heifers managed $2.33-$2.39/kg, and the balance $2.21-$2.31/kg. Most R1 steers 200kg and above traded at $590-$670. Hereford and Hereford-Friesian bulls, 254-266kg, returned $700-$730. Prime Hereford-Friesian steers, 574-600kg, firmed to $2.85-$2.92/kg and Boner Friesian cows, 438-566kg, $1.75/kg to $1.88/kg. Read more in your LivestockEye. Frankton cattle sale • R2 Hereford-Friesian steers, 357-442kg, improved to $2.40-$2.47/ kg • Quality R2 Angus heifers, 307kg, lifted to $2.44/kg • R1 Hereford-Friesian steers, 165-232kg, earned $495-$680, $2.93$3.00/kg • R1 Hereford bulls, 188-196kg, fetched $660-$700 Close to 490 cattle were offered by New Zealand Farmers Livestock last Wednesday. R2 Hereford-Friesian heifers, 382kg, firmed to $2.43/kg. Most R1 cattle were bulls and included a consignment of Angus and Hereford where Angus, 204-245kg, managed $550-$700. Eight R3 Speckle Park heifers, 487kg, vetted-in-calf to a Speckle Park bull, were purchased to farm on at $1280. Read more in your LivestockEye.

TARANAKI Taranaki cattle fair • R2 Hereford-Friesian steers, 339kg, were a highlight at $2.92/kg • R2 beef-cross bulls, 317-337kg, traded at $2.53-$2.59/kg • R2 Hereford-Friesian heifers, 369kg, earned $2.38/kg • R1 Angus-Friesian heifers, 187-208kg, sold for $2.16/kg to $2.25/ kg • Autumn-born 1-year Angus-Friesian steers, 423-454kg, made $2.40-$2.42/kg There were 869 head at the TARANAKI cattle fair last Wednesday. R3 steers sold well with the average at 530kg which sold for $2.64/kg, although good quality lines were able to reach $2.69-$2.72/kg. Buyers were selective when it came to R2 steers, with preference for cattle already carrying weight and Hereford-Friesian, 478kg, strengthened to $2.54-$2.64/kg.

The top end of the R1 steers realised $3.14/kg, while better heifers made $2.66/kg to $2.85/kg. Read more in your LivestockEye.

HAWKE’S BAY Stortford Lodge prime cattle and sheep • Angus steers, 530-583kg, strengthened to $2.80-$2.82/kg • Angus heifers, 522-581kg, strengthened to $2.65-$2.66/kg • Good to heavy mixed-sex lambs lifted to $120-$161 • Very heavy mixed-age ewes lifted to $159 • Medium mixed-age ewes improved to $92-$96.50 Cattle throughput increased to 112 head at STORTFORD LODGE last Monday, and a consignment of annual draft Angus steers and heifers showed improved returns. Second cuts of Angus heifers, 438-458kg, held at $2.55-$2.56/ kg. Strong demand for sheep meant most held or firmed. Top male lambs improved to $170, while similar weighted mixed-sex lines held at $162.50-$165. Heavy ewe lambs strengthened to $162, with medium-good steady at $111. Heavy mixed-age ewes eased slightly to $123.50-$129.50. Good to very-good ewes held at $107-$121, as did lightmedium at $79-$86, though there was little demand for light types at $40-$61. Stortford Lodge store cattle and sheep • R2 Friesian bulls, 307-353kg and in light-medium to medium condition, sold for $2.51-$2.62/kg • R2 beef-dairy heifers averaged 345kg and $2.33/kg • Good cryptorchid and ram lambs lifted $11-$13 to $120.50-$147 • Medium to good ewe lambs lifted to $95-$120 • Light ewe lambs eased to $60-$87 Lamb volume grew at STORTFORD LODGE last Wednesday, but a large bench of outside and local buyers greeted them, and the market lifted. In the first run of male pens only five sold below $100, as medium types returned $108-$117. A moderate cattle yarding was top heavy with Friesian bulls and beef-dairy heifers, with few other lines of note. Most sold to outside buyers. R2 Charolais-cross heifers, 387kg, fetched $2.48/kg, and a small line of R1 Angus and Angus-Hereford steers, 219kg, returned $705. Read more in your LivestockEye.

MANAWATU Feilding prime cattle and sheep • Steers over 500kg traded at $2.54-$2.57/kg • Boner Friesian cows, 490-600524kg, firmed to $1.72-$1.76/kg • Top Friesian cows, 550-610kg, made $2.08-$2.11/kg • Ewes mostly made $116-$150 A larger crowd than seen at recent sales gathered around the pens at FEILDING last Monday. A pen of male lambs hit $200 for the first time since December, with many at $190$196. Heavy lambs traded at $160-$189, with medium-good at $124-$156. Feilding cattle • Forward condition R3 beef steers, 550-725kg, were mainly $2.75$2.85/kg • Clean-marked R2 Hereford-Friesian steers, 370-440kg, jumped to $2.55-$2.65/kg • R2 Friesian bulls, 350-480kg, rose to $2.65-$2.75/kg • Male lamb average lifted to $123.50 • Ewe lamb averaged lifted to $105.50 It was a very strong cattle sale at FEILDING on Friday. R2 Angus steers 450-500kg were selling for $2.66-$2.80/ kg. The good prices got better for higher weights with good R3 Angus steers 515-540kg making $2.87-$2.90/kg. Angus MA VIC cows sold consistently for $2.03-$2.12/kg. R2 Friesian bulls sold stronger than last week with the top priced Friesian bulls 351-367kg at $2.67-$2.68/kg. For the 16,000 store lambs there was a hint of a lift, though weights were a little better than past weeks too. Good cuts of male lambs were mainly $130-$140, down to $115-$125 for the mediums and anything relatively light was $95-$110. One pen of ewe lambs went as high as $130 but more standard good lines were $110-$120, moving to $100-$110 for mediums and $85-$95 for those that were getting light. Around half of the ewes were medium-to-good condition, SIL 140-159%, and these made $142-$152, while a quality line of RWR 3-4 year ewes were taken to $188.

FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 15, 2020

HEATED: Angus steers with frost on their backs at the Stortford Lodge prime sale. Photo: Carol Milligan

Rongotea cattle • R3 Hereford-Friesian bulls, 400kg, earned $2.53/kg • R2 Hereford-Friesian heifers, 272-350kg, made $1.85/kg to $2.20/ kg • Weaner steers, 140-151kg, sold at $440-$450 • Friesian boner cows, 484-553kg, fetched $1.61/kg to $1.77/kg • Hereford boner cows, 480-635kg, traded at $1.77-$1.83/kg Shorter term cattle remained in favour at RONGOTEA last Wednesday, New Zealand Farmers Livestock agent Darryl Harwood reported. R3 Hereford-Friesian steers, 404kg, fetched $2.40/kg, while R3 Hereford-Friesian heifers, 324465kg, sold in a wide range of $1.70/kg to $2.20/kg, with Charolais-cross, 445kg, at $2.38/kg. In the yearling pens, Hereford-Friesian steers, 163-262kg, traded at $2.48/kg to $2.89/kg with same breed heifers, 150-262kg, at $2.53/kg to $2.81/kg and bulls, 225kg, $2.20/kg.

CANTERBURY Canterbury Park cattle and sheep • Prime Angus steers, 635kg, fetched $2.46/kg • R2 Angus and Angus-Hereford steers, 336kg-337kg, made 2.52/ kg to $2.66/kg • R1 Angus and Angus-Hereford steers, 180-269kg, earned $540$730 • Store lambs improved slightly, with most $96-$118 • A small yarding of top ewes earned $165-$229 Vendors had plenty to be pleased about at CANTERBURY PARK last Tuesday as most cattle sold on an improved market. Prime heifers and steers were available in roughly equal tallies and sold for very similar values with Angus and Hereford-Friesian of both sexes, along with a few good yielding exotics, generally priced at $2.35-$2.41/kg. Top prime cows held at $1.60-$1.69/kg. R2 Murray Grey-cross and red Hereford-Friesian steers, 323-454kg, sold for $2.14$2.19/kg, while R1 traditional heifers, 128-217kg, sold for $330-$520. Prime lambs lifted $6-$10 despite being lower quality than the previous sale. The top end made $190$196, while very good to good types earned $127-$179 with only a few pens under this level.

Coalgate cattle and sheep • R2 Angus-cross heifers, 389kg, managed $2.40/kg • Prime lambs improved $3-$5, with most $145-$200 • The top pen of prime ewes made $248 • Heavy ewes returned $165-$200 and medium $94-$160 • 700 scanned-in-lamb breeding ewes made $172-$197 A good number of buyers were on the rails at COALGATE last Thursday, with strong competition for an impressive June total of 7200 sheep. Nearly 3800 were store lambs, with more than half male and ewe lines that made $120-$141. Mixed-sex mostly made $80-$118. Prime cattle returns lifted. Steers, 545-635kg, all made $2.30-$2.40/kg as did Hereford-Friesian heifers, 465-618kg, with other heifers generally $2.14-$2.24/kg. Cow numbers were very light, with most of the section falling in the $1.66/kg to $1.77/ kg range. Prices were up in the store cattle where R1 cattle made up 80% of the tally. Hereford-Friesian steers and heifers were the lion’s share and sold in the tight range of $410-$520. Read more in your LivestockEye.

SOUTH-CANTERBURY Temuka prime and boner cattle; all sheep • Angus steers, 590-735kg, improved 6c/kg to average $2.27/kg • Hereford-Friesian heifers, 525-675kg, traded at $2.26-$2.31/kg • Most store male lambs earned $114-$136 • Medium store lambs fetched $96-$115 • Heavy prime ewes made $170-$220, with the balance $110-$170 The biggest sheep tally for June at TEMUKA turned out last Monday with 14,000 head present, which included over 11,000 store lambs. The store market held, although medium types did soften in places. A large percentage of the prime lamb yarding was heavy types that pushed upwards to $180-$192, with the balance $120-$179. Boner cattle volume halved and with steers also fewer in number anything of appropriate prime weight sold on a firm market. The boner pens improved 15-18c/kg and Friesian over 500kg made up the majority at $1.40-$1.50/kg.

Temuka store cattle • R2 Hereford steers, 233-318kg, earned $2.15-$2.23/kg • R2 Hereford-Friesian steers, 418kg, made $2.32/kg, and the balance $1.96/kg to $2.19/kg • R2 Angus-Friesian steers, 358-405kg, all earned $2.17-$2.28/kg • R2 Friesian bulls, 347kg, fetched $2.34/kg A record June store yarding of over 1100 cattle was yarded at TEMUKA last Thursday. There was plenty of selection for the big gallery and the sale featured good pockets of strength for annual draft high country cattle. The highlight of the R2 heifer pens were station-bred Angus, 326kg and 377kg, $2.36/kg and $2.27/ kg respectively. Other good-yielding heifers generally earned 20c/kg more than the previous store sale at $2.13/kg to $2.27/kg. R1 Angus steers from high country stations were popular. Most weighed 200-247kg and traded for $600-$840, with one pen of Angus-Hereford at $870. Their sisters were generally $570-$600. Read more in your LivestockEye.

SOUTHLAND Lorneville cattle and sheep sale • Prime steers, 550kg+, held at $2.00-$2.10/kg • Prime beef-cross heifers, earned $2.00/kg • Heavy prime ewes made $142-$178, and medium, $122-$138 • Top store lambs fetched $100-$115, and light to medium, $80$100. • Romney four-shear ewes sold at $158 There was a big yarding of prime lambs at LORNEVILLE last Wednesday, where heavy types strengthened to $130$149, mediums, $117-$127 and light, $110-$116. A selection of Romney ewes was offered, and one-shear traded at $180, while two & three-shear returned $165-$172. A medium yarding of prime cattle and boner cows strengthened, with 450-500kg selling at $1.10/kg to $1.30/kg. Store cattle sold on a firm market with R2 Charolais-cross and Angus heifers, 310-364kg, at $2.03$2.11/kg.

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Markets

40 FARMERS WEEKLY – farmersweekly.co.nz – June 15, 2020 NI SLAUGHTER LAMB

NI SLAUGHTER STEER

SI SLAUGHTER COW

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GOOD EWE LAMBS AT STORTFORD LODGE

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high $120-$138/hd $130-$142/hd Heavy cryptorchid lights Top ewe lambs at store lambs at

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Coalgate

Meat plants catching up

Neal Wallace neal.wallace@globalhq.co.nz

HE dairy cow cull in Otago and Southland is running up to a month late, compounding delays getting prime cattle killed. The build-up of prime cattle waiting to be killed in the North Island is much less and AgriHQ analysts say the worst of the earlier backlog at meat works appears to be over. Meat Industry Association chief executive Sirma Karapeeva says meat companies have been working overtime and operating extra shifts to clear the cull cow backlog and she expects processing capacity to match demand by mid to late June. “The lamb kill across the country and cull cow processing in the North Island are now broadly in line with volumes at the same time last year,” she says. “Cull cow processing in the South Island is around a week and a half behind last year’s volumes as a result of the covid-19 operating protocols, however, there will be some regional variations.” AgriHQ analyst Nicola Dennis says there are still plenty of cull cows to be slaughtered in Otago and Southland but processors can process them more quickly than prime cattle. That, in turn, is creating delays for southern farmers wanting prime cattle killed. Nationally, a combination of drought, the Chinese covid-19 shutdown in February-March then the impact of staff distancing in meat plants has made this season especially difficult and affected the flow of stock. Karapeeva acknowledges the season has been difficult. “The meat processing sector has been operating under a set of strict rules to ensure our continuing operations do not contribute to the spread of covid-19. This includes a requirement for physical distancing between employees.

FLAT OUT: Most meat plants have been working at normal capacity before their annual shutdowns, Meat Industry Association chief executive Sirma Karapeeva says.

“The protocol resulted in a reduction in processing capacity across the sector and unavoidable waiting times for farmers.” Most processing plants were operating at normal capacity ahead of entering their seasonal shutdown, having shed seasonal shift workers, Karapeeva said. And the lamb season came to a sudden halt about two weeks ago after a significant increase in volume in May as covid-19 staff protocols eased, Dennis said. That was also driven by uncertain lamb schedules and a flat store market that encouraged farmers to offload killable stock when prices stabilised and when space opened up in May. Those animals would normally be carried over to heavier weights but instead contributed to that month’s peak.

Since then the store market has improved and some lighter killable lambs have been diverted to that market.

Many farmers are still overstocked after the disrupted killing and store stock season.

Meat companies are looking to kill cull ewes as lambs have taken priority in recent months. Many farmers are still overstocked after the disrupted killing and store stock season. Few districts have surplus grass or spare supplementary feed.

Temuka

ACROSS THE RAILS SUZ BREMNER

Winter brings South Island lambs down from the hills WITH the first real skiff of snow on the hills South Island high-country farmers have decided it’s time to send their lambs down to the lower country. Even though they have had a good autumn they know their country well and a whiff of winter means it is time to move on. PGG Wrightson regional livestock manager Joe Higgins said you can almost put money on there being an influx of lambs from Central Otago and Tekapo as soon as temperatures plummet, without any planning from anyone. That phenomenon filled the sheep yards to near capacity at Temuka on Monday with 11,500 store lambs and 14,000 sheep in total. According to AgriHQ data that is the highest June tally recorded though was just pipped at the post by the last May sale in 2019. Temuka played host to annual draft lambs from those higher districts with a big feature being 2800 undrafted, woolly lambs from Mount Gerald, Tekapo. Agency Peter Walsh and Associates had them under its care and agent Lindsay Holland was on hand to receive them on Sunday afternoon. “The vendor rang and said it’s time to move and down they came in five unit-loads this year. Grit trucks were needed before the stock trucks could get up and it is always an impressive sight as they arrive at Temuka”. Included in the tally were 700 Suffolk-Merino mixed-sex and 1900 crossbred male lambs, which was a complete drop. “These lambs would take too long to finish on the higher country and even the heavy end still needed a few weeks on fattening paddocks before heading to the processors so the vendor sends them down as one line – from prime through to the store types,” Holland said. Regular buyers wait with anticipation for these big offloads as the yarding ticks the boxes of high volume and lambs that finish well. Holland said the market was strong with plenty of optimism around. The top male lines achieved $130-$136, second cuts $118-$125 and mixed-sex $122-$138. suz.bremner@globalhq.co.nz

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