Farmlander May 2019

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

INTEREST

5 Farmlands staff profile

5 From the CEO

6 5 minutes with Phil Bracefield

8 Special Feature – Spotlight on our shareholders

17 Farmers care about climate but emissions still an enigma

18 Farmlands at Fieldays

20 Out and about with Farmlands

23 New funding to deal with agrichemical and farm waste

44 Buying Power Promise

48 Choices Rewards

49 Heading into winter in the best shape

51 Country’s best ploughers to compete at national champs

52 Farmlands Fuel

53 Highlighting the horticulture industry

55 Century Farms – Morrish family celebrates 150 years

58 Real estate market update

59 Farmlands Real Estate

PLAN365

FARMLANDER The

ON THE COVER

Farmlands shareholder, Pete Hammond (one of the stars of our nationwide TV campaign), gets ready for his close-up. Our Special Feature this month goes behind the scenes to profile some of the personalities that bring Farmlands to life in our new TV advertisements. Read more on page 8.

FARMLANDS STAFF PROFILE

Derek

Ahmed

Q: What is your current role at Farmlands?

A: Salesperson at Farmlands Paeroa.

Q: What do you enjoy about your job?

A: Interacting with people. I’m quite sales driven, so I like converting relationships into solutions. It’s surprising how much you find out about someone even if they only came in to buy gloves!

Q: Where are you from originally?

A: I’m from Auckland and I love the hustle and bustle. I was dragged to Paeroa by my wife over 8 years ago. It was a bit of a shock but it’s the perfect place for my kids, Isla (8) and Noah (6). I love the freedom.

Q: You star in the Farmlands ads on screen at the moment – what’s that been like?

A: I have a new respect for people on TV. It’s not the easiest to get right – I almost forgot how to walk and talk, especially with everyone watching! Customers keep cracking jokes about it. My kids love it – at 6.00pm they turn the TV on every night to watch the advert.

Q: What is the most interesting trip you have ever taken?

A: St Lucas, a tiny settlement about 6 hours’ drive from Guatemala. I was on a Church-organised trip that helped build two classrooms. We were there for a month, living in the Amazon with no running water and we did everything by hand, including mixing concrete. It was a bucket list experience for sure.

Ingredients

• 50g butter

• 1 onion

• 3 paua – minced or fine diced

Method

1. Dice onion and sweat off in butter.

2. Add minced paua and cook for 2 minutes.

• 200ml water

• 200ml cream

• 50g cornflour

3. Cover with water, then leave to simmer for 10 minutes.

4. Add cream, bring to a simmer.

5. Dilute cornflour with water and add to paua.

6. Thicken to desired consistency.

FROM THE CEO

Welcome to the May edition of The Farmlander. In this issue, we introduce you to some of the shareholders that you can see in our new TV commercials. These advertisements are the result of two and a half years of planning and design. The biggest challenge for us was trying to capture the essence of who we are and what we do in 30 seconds.

As a co-operative, why are we spending money on TV advertising? With an established 82 store network, more than 150 technical experts nationwide and an infrastructure to support, we have a high fixed cost structure that benefits significantly from greater turnover. Our campaign has three audiences who we believe will feel better about Farmlands after this campaign which, in turn, will drive better outcomes for Farmlands.

1. Our staff. As you are aware, our staff take great pride in our co-operative. They make a tremendous effort every day putting our shareholders’ success at the centre of everything they do. These ads demonstrate this and instill further pride in, and recognition of, our people.

2. Our shareholders. Given the response from participating shareholders, it is clear that our members believe in and want to do right by their co-operative. We appreciate this is a two-way street and requires us to do our part. These ads show we are up for that journey.

3. Prospective customers. On a national scale our co-operative is not that well known – we are perceived as a limited club for farmers. Attracting new people into our stores without adding cost lifts our revenue and drives profitability.

Every person you see in these advertisements is either a Farmlands shareholder or an employee – one of our Farmlanders. Some work for shareholders, some have been shareholders for decades. To provide one view of our business in such a short space of time, we wanted every person in New Zealand to see that both sides of the counter are just like them. Early feedback and response has been positive and we are confident this campaign will more than pay for itself with better staff morale, increased foot traffic and greater revenues – all of which serve to build a stronger co-operative.

I hope you have a happy, safe and enjoyable month.

Peter Reidie Chief Executive Officer

5 minutes with Phil Bracefield

Braveheart Programme Director, Farmlands.

Farmlands shareholders may have heard of Braveheart – when do the visible changes start?

Braveheart is our business transformation programme, that aims to give Farmlands the infrastructure to provide better service and solutions to our shareholders. It improves our business processes and allows our co-operative to have “one way of doing things” behind the scenes. We have undertaken Braveheart as a

series of deployments and Deployment 5, scheduled for July, is our biggest so far. Our people have already started using some of our new ways of working over the past year and a half, such as new tablets that utilise our new software called D365 CE.

What can shareholders expect?

The most important thing about Braveheart is that it adds ‘tools’ to the skill-set our people already have. Our co-operative has existed for more than 55 years because of the people our shareholders interact with on a daily basis. Braveheart provides a new suite of options to give shareholders a complete view of how they work with their co-operative and a simpler, easier experience behind the scenes. As an example, shareholders and customers will receive automated

Braveheart is our business transformation programme, that aims to give Farmlands the infrastructure to provide better service and solutions to our shareholders. “

payment reminder letters when their account is overdue (7 days and 14 days post statement due date). These are just reminder letters in case payment has been forgotten. Our shareholders will also be able to pay their account balance early (e.g. in-store) and this will automatically adjust their upcoming direct debit. If a shareholder doesn’t want their future direct debit adjusted, they just need to let one of their local Farmlanders in-store know. There will also be enhancements to the monthly Farmlands statement. These changes provide our shareholders with the ability to be flexible and more proactive with their payments.

What other changes are occurring?

Braveheart focuses on consolidating and streamlining our processes so they are not only future-proof, they create a co-operative that is a best practice, world leading reflection of our more than 68,000 shareholders nationwide. Some key changes relating to pricing and our loyalty rewards programme are:

1. Reviews of our pricing, providing more consistent delivery of our buying power.

2. We are also reviewing our rewards offer to shareholders. An exciting opportunity for our shareholders will be the ability to redeem Choices Rewards Points in-store and having the ability to use those points to pay for purchases.

3. When there are multiple Cards and contacts on a Farmlands Account, the primary Account holder will have the ability to

choose which Farmlands Cards can earn (and redeem) their Choices Rewards Points.

4. Our shareholders will be able to see their Choices Rewards Points in “real time” through the online MyFarmlands portal, which they can access and register for through the Farmlands website.

5. Choices Rewards Points will be awarded straight away, rather than having to wait for the statement. It is important to note this will also be updated if product is returned.

Will there be any changes to Farmlands shareholder statements?

Yes, there will be. These changes are designed to provide shareholders with an easier to read and navigate Farmlands statement. The biggest difference will be changes to the product codes. Our shareholders that use accounting software and code different purchases will make adjustments in their software set up. Software companies will be informed of these changes.

When do these changes take effect?

We are starting the process from this month (May) but we will be staggering the changes over the coming months. Throughout July and August, we are changing our Point of Sale system at all Farmlands stores. This will be over stages. It is a really exciting opportunity for our teams in-store – they will be able to take scanners with them around the store and into the yard. It’s designed to provide a smoother experience when you shop with us.

Are there any actions shareholders need to take when these changes take effect?

There are a few things shareholders can do that will make all the difference. The easiest way to do this is to remember to bring your Farmlands Card with you when you visit us in-store (so your shareholder number and other account details can be brought up instantly).

If shareholders do not have a physical Card, a Card number will be generated against the Account. That is so all shareholders can earn and redeem Choices Rewards Points.

The other change has been around for a while – we will soon be closing our old BNZ bank account, so all shareholders will need to ensure they have made the switch to our ASB bank account.

The new account number is 12‐3244‐0012845‐00.

Braveheart for shareholders

• Statements that are easier to read and navigate.

• Reviews of both pricing and rewards.

• Ability to pay balance in-store, with direct debits adjusted automatically.

• ‘Real time’ Choices Rewards Points balances. Shareholders can also expect to hear more from us in the coming weeks about these changes.

Some changes have already been made – for example, the authorisation process when you shop at a Card Partner has been changed, which will improve the speed of transactions for a lot of shareholders.

As with any change, our Farmlanders are learning to use the new system and process. We have a fantastic team that are participating in training in-person, online and in-store. We

ask our shareholders to please be patient as our teams get the hang of the new process – the end result will be an improved, consistent experience, no matter where you are and what store you visit. We are excited that Deployment 5 is nearly upon us. It builds the platform to set us up for future success and improve the value every shareholder receives from their co-operative.

SPOTLIGHT ON OUR SHAREHOLDERS

This autumn, the Farmlands brand is in the public eye like never before, via our first-ever TV campaign.

For many people around New Zealand, the March launch of these advertisements was the first time they had seen our stores, our Farmlands staff, our shareholders, our services and products. That meant introducing them to our commitment to do better.

The Together Stronger™ story reinforces that Farmlands was formed by farmers, for farmers with the aim that everybody should prosper. Just like our co-operative and its journey from town halls to a national footprint of 82 stores, we want to celebrate our leadership in the primary sector in a high-profile fashion.

With a business as diverse as ours, how do you explain everything in 30 seconds? You ask the people that know us best.

Just as we put our shareholders’ future success at the centre of everything Farmlands does – our customers and their land are the main feature. No acting experience was necessary for our ads, as we simply asked the people that work with us every day to provide their time (and their faces) for the campaign. Our talent search went far and wide and it was our people who found the right mix to make these ads. This campaign has allowed us to showcase what we do and who we work with to the maximum number of “eyeballs”. They are nothing too fancy, they are about people. Just like us. Two of the ads are being screened now and two more will be screened in the spring. We went behind the scenes to talk to some of our rising stars about their once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Southern screen time

Jamie McKenzie had not planned on being part of the ad campaign but had helped find shareholders who he thought would be a good fit.

However, a random farm visit on a day of filming saw the Southern Sales Manager make his screen debut.

“It was interesting to see how the film crew operated, they had flash kit and were all microphoned up. They were impressive with the way they operated,” Jamie says.

“There was one funny piece where I was walking with Robbie Watkinson and we were talking and forgot we had the microphones on. Our conversation wasn’t entirely appropriate, so we had a few laughs.”

Jamie, who has been with Farmlands since November last year, says he has had good feedback from shareholders and friends. “It is amazing the number of people who have seen the ad,” he says. “I’m certainly not signing any autographs yet.”

Robbie has been a Farmlands shareholder since 2009. The sheep and beef farmer runs 300 hectares over three blocks near Winton.

He says he agreed to do the ads because Farmlands has always been good to him. Robbie describes his Technical Field Officer, Jim Beer and Jamie McKenzie as “good men” and says he didn’t mind helping them out.

“I really enjoyed it. I love meeting new people and it was

| Jamie McKenzie.

interesting to watch a different industry in action. The film crew is very particular and precise and how they go about their job is great. It was amazing to see how long it took to get such a small result, when as a farmer, we are just used to getting stuff done,” Robbie says.

I really enjoyed it. I love meeting new people and it was interesting to watch a different industry in action.

“It’s also very easy to muck up your lines. I don’t think any of us got it right. It was only one line but we all kept getting it wrong. My wife had to say, ‘with the aim that we all prosper’ and she kept saying ‘thrive’, so there were lots of laughs.”

The filming included a shot of Robbie’s wife, Kate, opening the gate for their three kids, Ruby, Milly and Jimmy to go through. That was shot at their Ryal Bush home with most of the other footage at their Forrest Hill lease block.

Jess Peter, who won Emerging Technical Field Officer of the Year at the Farmlands National Conference earlier this year, was nominated by her boss for the ad.

“I’m one of those people where my face goes red very easily. You only have to say the word ‘red’, and my face literally lights up like a tomato. It’s so annoying,” she says.

“So, my boss, Jamie McKenzie, thought it would be hilarious for me to do the ad.”

Jess says the job took a while to get just right and it turned out an originally unrehearsed line fitted perfectly with the final flow of the advertisement.

“The camera crew were great but there were some high expectations of the stock! They wanted photos of a sheep jumping or running through the race and didn’t always get what they planned.”

Jess has been with Farmlands for just over 5 years.

She has worked at three different stores, starting with Richmond in Nelson, then Gore and now Invercargill. She has been out on the road in her job for about a year and at Farmlands’ national conference in January was awarded the Emerging Technical Field Officer of the Year award.

For Central Southland dairy farmer, Harley Churstain, being in front of the lens was nothing new. Years ago, Harley was filmed doing shearing demonstrations for tourist promotions. So, while he says he’s not quite Hollywood material, he has had a little experience.

Harley and his wife Nicky own Burnlea Dairy Limited and became Farmlands shareholders about 15 years ago.

Harley saw being involved with the ad campaign as a change from his “day-to-day dairy cocky world”, where he and his team milk 850 cows.

“When I was first asked, I said no. But in the end, I said I’d give it a shot,” he says.

“It was a good experience and bit of fun. Especially when we were hosing Josh Officer down, so it looked like it was raining. He looked like a drowned rat in his wet weather gear, there were a lot of laughs.

The ads are good, they have done a good job.”

Josh Officer is the Herd Manager for Burnlea Dairy Limited and described being in the ads as a great opportunity to support Farmlands.

“It was a good day with good people,” he says.

“I’m in two ads – one where I’m out ‘in the rain’ but I am actually being drenched by a high-pressure hose while my boss sits warm and dry in the ute! In the other, I am in a paddock measuring grass with a plate meter. The final product looks good, it’s a good endorsement of Farmlands and farming and everyone involved.”

Filming a Bay dream

The Farmlands ad was Pete Hammond’s first claim to fame. Pete works on Whakamarumaru Station, near Crownthorpe, Hastings, where he has been the Stock Manager of the sheep and beef property for 10 years. The farm itself has had a Farmlands shareholding for more than 20 years.

It was pressure from local Technical Field Officer Chelsea Woon that eventually convinced Pete to do the ad.

“The film crew got hold of me, we met, I took them around the farm and they liked what they saw – it’s pretty nice country,” Pete explains.

“Turned out it was a whole lot of fun – the film crew were great. It was a whole day of filming … and much to my

surprise it all went pretty smoothly. I had lines to say and it took about 12 shots to get it right, which was not too bad. It’s my first time on television. One guy’s wife won $100 as she had bet her husband it was me on TV and he bet it wasn’t!”

Pete says the camera crew were well informed and stayed in touch and the campaign also gave him a chance to meet other Farmlands people who were involved.

“I have no acting aspirations, usually I’m quite shy and try and stay out of the limelight but the Farmlands people obviously thought I could do what they wanted,” he says.

“I think the ads are well done, they’re pretty cool and I think they’ve got a lot of people looking and listening.”

When he’s not in front of the camera, Pete is a keen horse trekker and organises fundraising horse treks in Hawke’s Bay. He is involved with the Great New Zealand Horse Trek, which caters for 300 people and raises thousands of dollars for charity. This year’s week-long trek started at Tapanui and finished North of Bluff at Slope Point.

Lydia and Sean Baty have been Farmlands shareholders for 7 years. They established their goat farming business, Tukituki Dairy Goats, in Havelock North in Hawke’s Bay around 4 years ago. They have been milking 1,000 goats and have the capacity to double that.

Lydia says it was just meant to be her and Sean in the ad but on the day of filming her Dad and mother-in-law Dianne were there, so it turned into a family affair.

“Dianne ended up with a role where she was in a pen

with kid goats jumping over her, she was covered in bruises, I don’t think she really enjoyed it,” Lydia says.

“In our scene, we had to walk through the goats and there was activity everywhere. It was hard to concentrate and I ended up having to do the take about 50 times because I kept using my ‘presenter’ voice instead of my normal voice. It was a really random but enjoyable experience. I think a highlight was the film crew telling us how amazing our farm was. We’ve put a lot of hard work in and it was great to have that recognised.”

Jonty Moffett and his business partner Jeff Flanders put the buzz into the television campaign. They own the beekeeping business Flanders and Moffett, which is into its second season with 1,200 hives and is based at Korokipo Road in Napier, Hawke’s Bay.

Jonty is also involved in his family business Moffett Orchards, which produces fresh crops for the New Zealand market.

The orchard was established by Jonty’s Irish immigrant father around 60 years ago and the family has had a Farmlands shareholding for more than 40 years.

The filming took place at Whakamarumaru Station in Hawke’s Bay, with Jonty saying it was interesting to see the work that goes into producing the ads.

“I was given lessons from an Aucklander on how to open and shut gates but the gate was just a prop in the middle of a paddock, there wasn’t even a post holding it up,” Jonty says.

“I had a few lines and it took a while to get those right, I lost count of the number of takes. I was also told I wasn’t dirty enough, so I had to roll around in the dirt in my brand-new bee suit to dirty it up a bit! There were plenty of laughs and also lots of people taking the mickey out of me once the ad screened.”

The ad campaign turned into a family affair as the film crew were also looking to get some footage involving chickens.

“We have a menagerie at home with just about every breed of chicken, so my 12 year old daughter Annie had half a day off school and she and the chickens also feature.”

The Mulinder family in Hawke’s Bay has a long and strong connection with Farmlands. Tracy Mulinder says her husband Gerald’s family were very early Farmlands shareholders – starting in 1970 with the East Coast Trading Society.

“It’s great for us to have been able to carry on that Farmlands tradition, our shareholder number is in the 800s and we are proud to still have that connection,” Tracy says.

The ad features Tracy saddling a horse while saying “or horse feed” and husband Gerald saying “or something stylish to wear” as he slips on a pair of Red Band gumboots.

“We really enjoyed it, it was great and something we had never done before,” Tracy says.

“When we were first approached, I said, ‘gosh I’m not doing that’. Then our Farmlands Technical Field Officer, Gavin Clements said, ‘come on Trace, you’ve got to do something every day that scares you’,” she explains. “So, I said, ‘ok’ and here we are.”

Since 1905, we’ve been a mutually owned insurer looking after farmers and growers all over New Zealand. Like so many rural families, our history is something we’re incredibly proud of. That’s because right from day one, we’ve remained true to what it means to be a mutual. For example, putting profits back into the business instead of overseas shareholders’ pockets. If that sounds like the kind of insurer you’d like to have looking after you, ask around about us. Or better still, call us now on 0800 366 466.

We’re here for the good of the country.

Farmers care about climate but emissions still an enigma

The annual Agricultural Climate Change conference on 8th and 9 th April was the setting for the release of Nielsen’s latest research, which shows that farmers are now more focused on sustainability and the impacts of climate change than ever before.

The survey was commissioned by the Ministry for Primary Industries through the Sustainable Land Management and Climate Change Research programme. Key findings included that 92 percent of farmers are focused on making their farm more environmentally sustainable – up from 78 percent in the last survey conducted in 2009. Some actions farmers have undertaken are riparian/shelter planting, waterway control, improved fertiliser management and more efficient irrigation systems. Another key finding is that only 23 percent of farmers anticipate an increased

focus on reducing their greenhouse gas emissions in the next 5 years.

This follows on from the Biological Emissions Reference Group (BERG) report, released in December, which identified that, while there are many solutions, the agricultural situation varies from farm-to-farm and so requires tailored emissions solutions and integrated farm planning tools.

Minister of Agriculture, Damien O’Connor, who presented at the Palmerston North conference, spoke about the serious threat of climate change for farmers and growers – as witnessed by the recent floods in his own West Coast electorate.

“They need to prepare to cope with the intensifying weather effects of climate change and at the same time reduce their environmental footprint – that takes investment in infrastructure and means you need to be financially viable,” Damien says.

The Minister also discussed the government’s focus on climate change support initiatives. These include investment in the further development of Overseer to make it a more userfriendly tool, a focus on developing one integrated farm management plan to meet all farm requirements, and assistance in identifying suitable and available land for planting trees.

The Interim Climate Change Committee is set to provide recommendations on addressing agricultural emissions to government. It is hoped this will provide some certainty to enable rural communities to make long-term decisions.

The event was organised by the New Zealand Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research Centre and attracted 270 delegates, including policy makers, science professionals, agrisector leaders and farmers. Support was high, with attendance up by 80 percent on last year’s number.

Director of External Relations Mark McHardy attended the conference on behalf of Farmlands Co-operative.

Speakers from the Ministry for Primary Industries, Ministry for the Environment, Nielsen, Synlait and NIWA presented, as did Anders Crofoot from the iconic Castlepoint Station in the Wairarapa. Anders was previously on the Federated Farmers’ Board and was spokesperson for climate change. His message at the conference suggested that an incremental and transitional approach is key for farmers in adapting to climate change.

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OUT AND ABOUT with Farmlands

SOUTH ISLAND AGRICULTURAL FIELD DAYS

The South Island Agricultural Field Days was another success this year with strong attendance and more exhibitors than ever before. The Field Days, which take place every second year in Kirwee, were held over 3 days at the end of March. Hundreds visited the Farmlands site, which had everything from retail to Real Estate’s virtual reality farm tour experience. There were plenty of SafeFarm signups and giveaways, while shareholders enjoyed more than 1,200 lunch-time food truck feeds. Many went away with free rugby jerseys as part of one of the promotions.

NORTHLAND FIELD DAYS

It was great to see so many shareholders and customers at the Northland Field Days from 28th February to 2nd March. People came in their droves to the 3 day event in Dargaville, which is always a highlight on the calendar. The Farmlands team was there offering good deals along with plenty of prizes up for grabs.

WANAKA A&P SHOW

The Farmlands team had a busy few days at the Wanaka A&P Show. The popular show is one of the South Island’s largest and Farmlands is a strategic partner. Plenty of shareholders went along to the site to shop, have lunch and chat to staff over the 2 days on 8th and 9th March. In Farmlands’ hospitality area, hundreds of lunches were served thanks to the Rotary Club. A local brewing company, Wanaka Beerworks, was also managing the bar.

CENTRAL DISTRICTS FIELD DAYS

Central Districts Field Days was held in Feilding from 14th to 16th March. Always a popular event on the North Island calendar, it was a great chance for shareholders to catch up with the Farmlands team off the farm and out of the store. This year the Farmlands site had a revamp to improve the look and feel to provide a better offer to visitors. There was good feedback about the new shareholder zone, which was a great place to grab a drink and a bite to eat, rest the feet and escape the heat.

HORSE OF THE YEAR

Hawke’s Bay was the place to be in March, as horse enthusiasts from around the country descended on Hastings for the annual Horse of the Year. The Farmlands team was at the week-long event from 12th to 17th March, along with the NRM and McMillan teams. Farmlands was the official feed sales provider and had retail on offer for the first time. NRM and McMillan’s sponsored riders who competed produced some great results.

NOT EVERYONE’S GOT STUFF LIKE THIS – BUT AT FARMLANDS WE DO

We’re sharing the Farmlands story in a series of television ads, which are currently screening on TVNZ, TV3 and Sky. These ads star Farmlands shareholders, their staff and Farmlanders and they are telling the story of our co-operative in a way we are proud of. The second ad in our series showcases our wideranging retail offering. We want let New Zealand know that if you need anything to help you farm, grow, milk, drench or rear, come on in to Farmlands.

New funding to deal with agrichemical and farm waste

Associate Environment Minister

Eugenie Sage recently announced $381,000 in Government funding to enable farmers and growers to better deal with waste.

The funding, from the Ministry for the Environment’s Waste Minimisation Fund, will mean farmers and growers can more easily recycle or safely dispose of a wider range of on-farm waste such as agrichemicals, scrap metal, soft plastics and used oil.

Rural recycling programme Agrecovery will manage the project by offering pop-up events where farmers and growers can drop off waste. The events will accept a wide variety of waste over and above what Agrecovery’s existing successful agrichemical container scheme accepts.

The Minister made the announcement at the South Island Agricultural Field Days in Canterbury.

“This funding will enable the programme to offer more pop-up events as a one-stop-shop approach to allow farmers to drop off agrichemicals and their containers, as well as other farm waste, including bulk fertiliser bags, used oil, scrap metal, silage/ baleage wrap and other soft plastics at the same time,” she explains.

“Waste on-farm has traditionally been burned, buried or stock-piled, which can have significant health risks and can cause air and water pollution. This project and the existing Agrecovery scheme help ensure rural waste is either recycled, or disposed of, in an efficient, safe and managed way.

Eugenie says this Agrecovery

project will also help develop options for New Zealand’s first mandatory product stewardship – for agrichemicals and their containers.

“Currently farmers are able to drop off agrichemical containers at close to 100 collection sites around the country under a voluntary product stewardship scheme run by Agrecovery,” she says.

Agrecovery also collects large quantities of containers and drums from farms, and disposes of unwanted agrichemicals. The manufacturers who participate in the programme fund it by paying a levy on the products they sell into the marketplace.

“We all need to take responsibility for reducing the impacts of the products we manufacture, sell and use on nature and the wider environment. Product stewardship helps us shift away from the ‘take, make and dispose’ economic model to a more efficient and less wasteful circular economic model where materials are

reused or recycled at the end of a product’s useful life,” Eugenie says.

“Burning, burial and bulk storage of waste on farms have been the main methods for managing rural waste traditionally, creating problems that this new project with Agrecovery will help to solve.”

A previous project managed by Environment Canterbury established the need for the new one-stop-shop, as well as the impacts on and risks to New Zealand’s natural resources, economy, and social and cultural wellbeing from burning, burying and stockpiling rural waste.

The Ministry for the Environment is also co-ordinating work on mandatory product stewardship schemes for tyres, refrigerants and lithium ion batteries.

For further information on the Ministry for the Environment’s Waste Minimisation Fund, visit www.mfe.govt.nz. For further information on Agrecovery, visit www.agrecovery.co.nz.

Articles in the Plan365 section allow Farmlands suppliers to share best practice and the latest advances in rural technology, to help shareholders with their farming needs all year round.

Protecting stock and performance

Investment in good housing for baby calves and field shelters for older calves can make a significant difference to the start of life for what are often the highest genetic merit stock on a property.

Whether you are looking at new shedding or improving your existing calf housing and its management, a little time and effort now may eliminate many problems through the season, saving on reactive spending, illness and losses.

Best practice requirements for animal welfare by the Ministry for Primary Industries state that calves must be able to lie down or rest comfortably for extended periods of time daily to meet their behavioural needs. They require a minimum space of 1.5m2 per calf and three solid walls at calf level to combat draughts and airflow, with ventilation above head height. Often sub-standard housing or even a lack of housing can compromise calf health and cause lower feed intake issues, which is why well designed, hygienic facilities and a stress-free environment for both you and your calves is paramount. Sickness is the biggest threat to profit margins and the happiness of calf rearers. Stress = Distress.

An ideal shed for a calf should preferably be facing morning and midday sun for warmth and sterilisation – north/north-east. If sheds are not facing the right way, consider adding clearlight panels to improve sunlight. Adequate drainage and guttering on shedding can also make a significant difference.

Not having free drainage underfoot has a knock-on effect to the calf, impacting performance going forward. Keep entry into sheds clean and free of mud build-up.

Ventilation and airflow above head height can be easily added by removing some iron and replacing with shutters or shade cloth. Shearing sheds look nice from the outside but slatted floors can be draughty, uncomfortable and allow noxious gasses to circulate.

Check your plumbing and water reticulation. Calves need clean, fresh water from day one to help aid in rumination. Some long fibre that is not too easily consumed is also required for rumination. Build hay racks that limit hay availability, as too much fibre can be detrimental to pellet intake. There are several health and nutrition issues that can arise if the housing/ shelter is not adequate for calves.

As well as being uncomfortable for people, the build-up of noxious gases (including ammonia and carbon dioxide) can compromise animal welfare and predispose calves to respiratory disease and health issues like pneumonia.

Increased heat loss and bacteria build up from damp or heavily soiled bedding can lead to limited weight gains for calves. Shiver factor happens in a Friesian at 3oC when dry and 13oC when wet – and in a Jersey at 8oC when dry and 18oC when wet. If calves are expending energy to keep warm, it may be worthwhile increasing the concentration of milk powder or fortifying whole milk for a period. Calves can contract salmonella from birds and vermin spreading disease in the shed. Cryptosporidium, E. coli, coccidiosis, coronavirus and rotavirus can also be spread by other animals and people, so practical biosecurity measures are important. Healthy calves eat more and grow faster. NRM is committed to helping calf rearers achieve good outcomes – and now is a good time to review your calf housing before next spring. For further information, contact your local Nutrition Specialist. Article supplied by Karen Fraser, Technical Specialist.

Understanding the needs of pigs

Have you ever been tempted to keep a pig or two or even some sows?

Now is a good time to start planning your new shed or mobile hut and adapt fencing for these strong and intelligent animals. Pigs do not have a coat of fur or wool to keep warm, so must be provided with dry and draught-free but adequately ventilated shelter. They must be provided with the means to minimise the effects of adverse weather, including the effects of heat and cold stress. Bedding is required in all huts and outdoor housing to provide warmth and comfort. A range of hut designs, levels of insulation and construction materials can be used. The younger the pig, the more vulnerable they are and the more critical their accommodation needs.

When their shelter is sorted, the next thing to think about is feed. Fully balanced, compound feed formulated for growing pigs or finishing pigs (e.g. NRM Little Pig Tucker or Big Pig Nuts) provides peace of mind that nutritional requirements will be fully met. However, to reduce costs or add variety, pigs are often given a variety of extras. Below is a collection of some frequently asked questions from pig owners.

Can I feed my pigs any food scraps?

As omnivores, pigs can digest a wide range of feed and enjoy a balanced diet, just like we do! There are, however, some restrictions to be aware of when it comes to feeding scraps.

• Be wary of feeding too much high fibre feed, such as vegetable waste. Pigs are single-stomached animals (like humans) and fibrous feeds

should only be fed in moderation, particularly for growing or lactating pigs that have higher requirements for energy and protein. Alternative feeds can be bulky and low-cost feeds may turn out more expensive in the long-term, due to depressed growth rates and feed conversion.

• High starch feeds, like potatoes, can be a good source of energy for pigs but are generally low in protein and minerals required for muscle growth and bone integrity. So these are best complemented with a higher protein feed to balance the diet, especially for growing pigs.

• There are some foods pigs should not eat raw, including potatoes and eggs.

• Any food waste that has been in contact with cooked or raw meat must be heat treated to 100oC+ for 1 hour to ensure that any bacteria or viruses present are destroyed. Although there are relatively few pig diseases present in New Zealand, the risk of spreading disease (e.g. Foot and Mouth) is the main reason behind this law.

• Do not feed pigs mouldy food. What can I feed to my pigs to prevent them becoming fat?

Overfeeding energy relative to protein results in pigs gaining weight rapidly. However, when there is too much energy in the diet and not enough good quality protein, lean tissue deposition is

compromised and the end result is fat pigs. Feed a well-balanced diet, which contains good quality protein sources to ensure that pigs get enough essential amino acids for lean tissue deposition. Can I feed whole grain to pigs?

Cereal grains must be cracked, rolled or soaked before feeding to pigs, as whole grain will pass right through their digestive system. Grain-based pig diets are normally formulated to the first-limiting amino acid –lysine – rather than protein level. What should I look out for if turning pigs into a new area?

Although wild pigs seem to have fared pretty well in the bush, when confined they may eat things to excess that they would normally avoid. Bracken (Pteridium aquilinum), ragwort (Senecio var), rhododendron (Rhododendron spp.), rhubarb leaves and acorns can be harmful to pigs, in addition to the more obvious plants like foxglove and deadly nightshade.

Can I feed other animal feeds to pigs rather than just pig specific ones?

It is best to provide pigs with feed that has been designed for them, as they will be correctly balanced to support efficient growth and optimum health. However, as opportunist omnivores, their diet can be more flexible than some animals. There are some feeds to be wary of though.

• Most calf feed contains coccidiostats, which should not be fed to pigs.

• Chicken layer feeds are very high in calcium, which can be harmful to pigs.

• Multifeed options such as NRM Multifeed Nuts are not recommended, as the amino acid profile and fibre level is designed for ruminants and is not ideal for pigs.

Can pigs eat grass?

Pigs are great cultivators, so if you want to turn over some old grassland they will eat the grass, roots and all. They do

What happens when different nutrients are in deficient or excessive supply in a pig’s diet?

Nutrient If deficient If in excess

Energy Less growth

Protein Less lean muscle

Mineral Skeletal problems (deformed etc.) Less growth

Vitamins Less growth Disease symptoms

Deposited as fat

Converted to energy and deposited as fat or excreted (waste protein)

Skeletal imbalance Less growth

Toxicity

Toxicity

Excreted

have some ability to utilise grass as a food source but they are certainly not as efficient as specialist grazers such as cattle and horses. Free ranging pigs with availability to pasture will eat some as part of a balanced diet. However, too much grass in the diet can cause issues, as grass is very fibrous and bulky, which means they will eat less of other feeds and will not be getting all the nutrients they require. Grass quality can also be highly variable. Kunekune pigs are a bit of an exception to the rule, however and they are better at utilising grass than other breeds of pigs.

What should I feed my pet kunekune?

Kunekune pigs have the ability to digest grass quite well, so fibrous feeds such as pasture and vegetable scraps can be a larger part of their diet – but it is a good idea to balance these feeds up with a pig nut to ensure they get all the vitamins and minerals they need to stay healthy. For young kunekunes, up to 500 grams per pig per day of a pig grower feed such as NRM Little Pig Tucker Pellets will help support growth. From 4 months of age pig growth will slow down, so they can be moved over to a maintenance pig nut such as the NRM Big Pig Nuts and be fed 1-1.5kg per day, while allowing access to pasture or other fibre.

For further information, contact your local Nutrition Specialist.

Article supplied by Stacey Cosnett, Nutritionist.

Feeding our feathered friends in winter

The unique native birds within our forests are vital to the identity of our country and are a source of great national pride – and with good reason. Their unique look and distinctive song can only be found here – and the colour and vibrancy they add to our gardens can be truly spectacular.

Greater pest control and reforestation efforts have brought birdsong back to New Zealand’s backyards and Topflite General Manager, Greg Webster, says the changing mindset of the public has been encouraging.

“People are paying more attention to planting natives and to seasonal feeding to support local birdlife,” he says.

A huge variety of native and introduced birds can be found in New Zealand gardens, including T i, Kereru, Tauhou (Waxeye) and Piwakawaka (Fantail). Feeding fruit and nectar or sugar water all year round will attract natives such as the T i and Bellbird to your garden.

As the colder weather begins, your local feathered friends need to bulk up to ensure they can store enough energy for winter. To help them out before winter:

• Provide fruit and nectar for T i, Bellbirds and Silvereyes.

• Top up seed feeders, so birds will know there is a regular feed source. Topflite offers two wild bird seed options – Wild Bird Coarse Mix (ideal for feeding in areas with high wind and caters to all seed eating species) and Wild Bird Fine Mix (which contains smaller seeds and will attract more Finches and smaller birds).

• Put out energy food in late autumn and winter to provide your avian visitors with extra fat and protein. Topflite’s vegetable fat based energy cakes, logs and truffles provide an energy boost at this crucial time of survival for our birds.

For Topflite, business has grown along with New Zealanders’ love for our birds. The Oamaru company is making sure households can serve up a nutritious menu for visiting birds.

The fast-growing, local family business is no fly-by-night operation, having supplied local bird owners with quality, New Zealand grown feed for more than four decades.

It started back in 1974 when the Oamaru farm partnership discovered that aviary bird owners were feeding their pets food primarily made with imported seed. This seed was heat-treated upon arriving in the country and valuable nutrients were lost in the process.

The company planted their first sunflower crop and since then have grown a selection of premium crops to meet ever-growing demand.

Now Topflite has a burgeoning range of products for wild birds, chickens, ducks, rabbits, guinea pigs, cats, dogs and other pets.

“Our wild bird feed and snacks have become popular in autumn and winter, which is great to see – that’s when our feathered friends need energy and nutrition the most,” Greg says.

“We’ve been helped by the growing awareness of both what makes healthy pet food so important and why pest control and support for our native birds is such a vital issue.”

For further information, contact the friendly team at your local Farmlands store.

Article supplied by Topflite.

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*For full terms and conditions, offer dates and a full list of exclusions please refer to www.bridgestonetyres.co.nz/farmlands or see in-store.

*Buy 1 Get 1 half price promotion applies to selected Bridgestone Dueler D674 only which excludes all other patterns outside of this range. In all instances the lowest value tyre will be given half price. ^Buy 3 get 1 free price promotion applies to selected sizes within the following Bridgestone branded car tyre (Turanza Serenity, MY02, B-Series/Eager) selected sizes within Bridgestone and Firestone 4x4 tyre products (Ecopia EP850, Firestone Destination AT) and selected sizes within van tyres (Ecopia Van). This excludes all other patterns outside of this range and all commercial tyres. In all instance the lowest value tyres will be given free of charge. Offer applies to the purchase of four tyres fitted to one vehicle. #$100 cashback promotion applies to the purchase of four Firestone car tyres in one transaction and on one invoice per vehicle. Eligible customers will receive the discount off invoice in store at the time of purchase (including GST). The offer applies to selected Firestone car tyres (F01, TZ700) which excludes all other patterns outside of this range and all 4x4, van and commercial tyres.

General promotion terms and conditions: All offers valid from Wednesday 1 May 2019. Some additional size exclusions apply. Normal fitting and balancing charges apply. Savings are off current in-store regular point-of-sale price. All tyres must be fitted in-store at the time of purchase. Offers are available strictly while stocks last. Tyre offers cannot be used in conjunction with any other discount or offer. Offer does not apply to trade accounts.

†For agricultural tyre pricing, please ask in store for details.

Capture the full potential of 3-5 year old pastures

There is a lot of emphasis at this time of the year on weed control in newly sown pastures – and with good reason. Those pastures represent an important investment in time, money and productivity and deserve to be well looked after.

But as Farmlands’ South Island Lead Agronomist, Rachael Robinson points out, newly sown pastures are not the only ones that need to be focused on.

“If you really want to get the farm growing good grass, spare some thought for those pastures which are 3, 4 or 5 years old,” she says.

“Weed control in many of these paddocks is often overlooked after the first year but they’re still young and they have a heap of potential.”

Rachael is an advocate for ongoing, planned weed management for

established perennial pastures, particularly when it comes to challenging, invasive weeds like thistles.

“You’ve got to keep at it,” she says.

One of the best ways to get into a seasonal pasture spraying routine is to have a good tidy up every autumn and early winter.

“Established pastures will come through some years better than others, depending on how the weather has been,” Rachael explains. “Even if they seem okay, it’s well worth checking them now, so you know they’re in good shape for spring.”

Phenoxy herbicides are highly economic and effective and your Farmlands Technical Field Officer can help plan an appropriate programme depending on which weeds are present.

Nufarm Technical Specialist, Cynthia

Christie, agrees that established pastures can get forgotten when it comes to annual weed control.

Keeping them clean not only helps maximise their lifetime yield potential – which is often significant – but helps them last longer, because a dense, healthy sward of pasture is the first line of defence against weed invasion.

Cynthia says late autumn is a good time to tackle problem weeds because they are small and actively growing, so they are most susceptible to herbicide.

“Baton® 800WSG and Sprinter ® 700DS are best at this time, because clover is not yet dormant and they are safer on clover than other options,” she says.

“Once winter arrives, the risk to clover is reduced and farmers who haven’t sprayed in autumn can use Agritone® 750 or Relay Super S® if required.”

Agritone 750 is recommended where thistles and buttercup are the main problem. Relay Super S is recommended for thistles and a wide range of other broadleaf weeds.

Later in the season, when weeds are large and difficult to kill, Conquest® can be used for spot-spraying if necessary. It will severely damage clovers, however, and these may need to be re-sown in spring.

For further information, contact your Farmlands Technical Field Officer or the friendly team at your local Farmlands store.

®Agritone 750, Baton 800WSG and Conquest are registered trademarks of Nufarm Australia Limited.

®Relay Super S and Sprinter 700DS are registered trademarks of Nufarm Limited.

Article supplied by Nufarm.

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The spray drift challenge

The aftermath of 1.4 million hectares of soybean crops damaged by spray drift in the United States has resulted in significant changes within the industry.

Many of these changes have been directed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency –but the industry itself has been leading many changes to technology, as well as input to industry standards.

Chemical trespass or spray drift, by definition, is the movement of spray particles and vapours off target, causing less effective control and possible injury to susceptible vegetation, wildlife and people.

Drift reduction technologies are at the forefront of reducing spray drift risks. Categories include:

• Spray nozzles (e.g. atomisers with fewer fines).

• Sprayer (passive delivery assistance) modifications (e.g. shields and shrouds, wingtip devices).

• Active spray delivery assistance (e.g. air assisted spraying).

• Spray property modifiers (e.g. formulation/tank mix ingredients that modify the physical properties of a spray solution).

• L andscape modifications (e.g. artificial or natural hedges and shelterbelts).

Drift reduction technologies have potential to provide significant benefits – such as reduced spray drift with the associated risks to humans and the environment, greater on-target deposition of pesticide applications, increased efficacy and

applications under a wider range of environmental conditions.

Drift retarding adjuvants come under the category of spray property modifiers. Four types of chemistries are utilised to reduce the number of droplets susceptible to drift –synthetic polymers (polyvinyl and polyacrylamide), natural polymers (guar and xanthum), oil-based emulsions and invert emulsions.

All of these technologies work with conventional flat fan or cone nozzles and conventional venturi port (air induction) nozzles. However, not all drift retarding adjuvants work with turbulence chamber nozzles (TT and TTI nozzles). Oil-based emulsion drift retarding adjuvants will either not reduce drift with these nozzles or will actually increase the number of droplets susceptible to spray drift. Evaluating the effectiveness of drift retarding adjuvants is conducted via one or more of the following test methods – low speed wind tunnel testing, high speed wind tunnel testing and field testing. New standards under United States Environmental Protection Agency

legislation require that all drift retarding adjuvants are evaluated against industry standardised test methods. This has meant that a large number of drift retarding adjuvants are no longer allowed to be labelled as such due to failing the test criteria. New Zealand’s label requirements do not stipulate that a drift retarding adjuvant label needs to be test certified. This may change in the future but currently the responsibility for drift control lies with the applicator. One certified product available in New Zealand that passes all the test requirements under United States Environmental Protection Agency is Mist Control. Under United States Environmental Protection Agency requirements, a list of certified drift retarding adjuvants is now advised on each product label together with the recommended nozzle types.

For further information, contact your Farmlands Technical Field Officer or the friendly team at your local Farmlands store.

Article supplied by Key Industries.

Double-act for spring pasture

Thriving spring pasture relies on sulphur as well as nitrogen. Understanding this nutrient double-act supports effective, economical fertiliser use to make the most of the spring flush.

“Pasture likes to take up similar amounts of nitrogen and sulphur. If sulphur is lacking, pasture can’t take up the nitrogen it needs and the response to applying nitrogen fertiliser will be limited,” Ballance AgriNutrients Environmental Management Specialist, Ian Power says. Spring starts with S

“To thrive, spring pasture needs adequate levels of sulphate sulphur, the plant-available form,” Ian says. “But early spring is when low levels of sulphate sulphur typically occur.”

In wet winter conditions, sulphate sulphur leaches from the soil and cool soil temperatures slow down the conversion of organic sulphur into sulphate sulphur by bacteria. When spring comes, plant demand for sulphur can outstrip soil supply. A lack of sulphur can also limit clover growth as temperatures rise. Clover is a relatively poor competitor for sulphur. If sulphur supply affects clover growth, this can alter the proportion of clover in a sward and the degree to which it can supply nitrogen to other pasture species.

Putting the S into spring

“Elemental sulphur applied in autumn sits in the soil over winter, ready to provide spring pasture with the sulphur it needs. It also continues to provide sulphur over summer,” Ian says. As soil temperatures warm up, soil bacteria become more active and gradually convert elemental sulphur into sulphate sulphur, which plants can use. “So although elemental sulphur can’t immediately be taken up by plants, it doesn’t leach from the soil and is released over spring and summer, when it’s needed.”

Sulphur needs, products and application rates should be based on a comprehensive soil testing programme and sound advice, considered in the context of your overall nutrient management and production and/ or financial goals. “For example, if you plan to put on maintenance phosphorus, potassium and sulphur later in spring, you’d only need relatively small amounts of sulphur, enough for the early spring period,” Ian says.

Spring herbage testing can be used to complement soil testing when deciding on whether to use a straight nitrogen product or a nitrogen and sulphur combination (see Table 1). “In terms of products to consider, it depends on why and when sulphur is needed and applied,” Ian explains.

Table 1: S content of spring mixed-pasture samples and impact on N response

PhaSedN is ideal for use in autumn, as it contains elemental sulphur, nitrogen (SustaiN) and a small amount of lime (as a binding agent). PhaSedN Quick Start combines PhaSedN with sulphate of ammonia and provides both elemental and sulphate sulphur. It is a good late-winter to earlyspring option to address short and medium to long-term sulphur needs on soils prone to sulphur leaching. For more information, contact your Farmlands Technical Field Officer or the friendly team at your local Farmlands store.

Article supplied by Ballance Agri-Nutrients.

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Stay on a safe footing at work this year

The human foot may be one of the smaller parts of our bodies but it contains no fewer than 28 different bones. In fact, together, both feet contain more than a quarter of all our bones.

And let’s not forget all the other elements that keep us standing tall and moving well on two feet – in total, 66 joints and more than 200 tendons, muscles and ligaments. Plus blood vessels and about 8,000 nerves.

In other words, there is a lot of intricate, important anatomy worth protecting between your ankle and the tip of your big toe, especially when you are constantly on the go around the farm.

Even before Health and Safety became so important as part of rural workplace management and philosophy, leather safety work boots were common for many farmers and today they outsell non-safety work boots by an overwhelming proportion.

From this month, it is even easier for you and your team to stay safe and sound on your feet in gumboots, too. That is because Skellerup has now completed its safety gumboot range. Following the Quatro Safety Non-Insulated, which was launched last month, it has just released Red Band Safety.

Skellerup National Manager, Perry Davis, says it is an exciting step up for one of rural New Zealand’s best loved brands.

“Protective work wear is a key component of any farm Health and Safety plan – and gumboots are worn

on most, if not all, farms in this country, particularly as we head into the wetter, colder months of the year,” he says.

“Red Band Safety has been designed to combine legendary Red Band quality and durability with a high level of foot protection and stability – making it simple for busy farmers to get on with their day knowing they’ve minimised the risk of injuries on the job.”

The new Red Band is knee high, with an external leg trim line so it can be easily converted to calf length.

The steel toe cap protects the foot from crushing and the nitrile rubber outsole is resistant to oil, acid, heat and electrical hazards. The allterrain outsole is also mud-releasing

and anti-slip and has been tested on wet, ceramic tile flooring.

For further protection, there is a fibreglass shank in the base of Red Band Safety, to guard against penetration. The boot has also been designed with an energyabsorbing heel for comfort.

Like all Red Bands, it is made of UV resistant natural rubber, with a hardwearing internal cotton canvas bonded lining and a 5mm rubber sponge insole.

For further information about stepping up to Red Band Safety this season, contact the friendly team at your local Farmlands store.

Article supplied by Skellerup.

Optimise your vehicle and machinery servicing

Vehicle servicing is a fundamental and crucial factor to ensure the efficient prolonged operation of our cars/trucks and machinery.

But what does servicing mean? Most assume this is engine oil and filter changes. Some take into consideration transmission servicing, especially in agricultural equipment. However, servicing relates to anything required to ensure “preventable failures” from everyday use are minimised. Whilst oil and filter changes are crucial, we tend to follow a time or hour interval on these changes. A mistake often made is that other components of the vehicle are serviced on the same intervals. Two elements that we need to consider are greasing and coolant system servicing. Regardless of what we call antifreeze (anti-corrosive/anti-boil), there is a recommended change interval for this product. Over the last decade, manufacturers have moved to extended life products.

This is a coolant/antifreeze product, which lasts 5-6 years and in some applications up to 1 million kilometres. This is a significant step up from the traditional 2 year intervals. With such change intervals, it is easy to become complacent around servicing of the radiator. It is crucially important to check with the owner’s manual or your antifreeze supplier to ensure you use the correct product. Greasing isn’t necessarily considered servicing but is one of the easiest means to guarantee equipment performance. When greasing, a key feature is the ability to visually check over your equipment. There are many reasons to grease but the ability to check over your machinery is often overlooked. Frequently, leaks and cracks will be found in the time it takes you to grease. When greasing you should also consider if you are using the correct grease. Grease comes in many forms and using the correct product is equally as important as actually performing the task. The

most common grease is an extreme pressure (EP2) product but there are waterproof and heavy load products as well, which some machinery requires. The reason for greasing, which most people are familiar with, is to safeguard equipment from metal on metal friction and fatigue. Greasing allows for smooth operation of moving parts and heavily reduces the risk of failure. Much like engine oil, grease keeps water/condensation out of the mechanical operation. This prevents corrosion and oxidation of these parts. The final feature of grease is in how we grease. Grease attracts and suspends dirt, so when we grease, we need to push this dirt back out. In layman’s terms, we need to push sufficient grease in to push all captured dirt out. The Gulf Oil online recommendation tool can assist you with making OEM approved product selections for servicing your cars/trucks and equipment. By highlighting your vehicle/machine, Gulf Oil can provide recommendations on antifreeze and grease. These recommendations will be in line with manufacturers’ service recommendations. Visit www.gulfoil.co.nz and click on the recommendations link.

Gulf Oil is New Zealand’s leading supply of lubricants to the agricultural market and Farmlands stores stock a range of Gulf antifreeze and greases for your servicing demands.

For further information, contact the friendly team at your local Farmlands store.

Article supplied by Gulf Oil New Zealand.

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Square thinking pays off

Thinking “inside the square” is putting more milk in the vat and keeping cows in better condition for farmers using innovative square milking liners.

Milk quality is up, teat damage is down, cows are healthier and milking itself is faster and more efficient. With benefits ranging from more milk and less cup slippage to reduced power consumption and lower somatic cell counts (as evidenced by farmer testimonials available at www.dairybestpractice.co.nz), the square liner uses a square barrel instead of a round one to increase air-flow around the cow’s teat.

That in turn enhances milk flow and reduces cup slip for faster, cleaner and more efficient milk-out. There is also less risk of teat damage and reduced likelihood of mastitis infection.

The unique design has worked well in the USA for many years and the consensus there is they are wellworth a premium price. New users have reported substantial gains in milk yield per milking and their feedback has also been highly positive in terms of cow health improvement and reduced cup slip.

At a time when farmers have to capture every possible efficiency in their business, switching to

the square liners is a fast, highly economic way of improving the daily process of milk harvesting. When square liners are combined with more frequent changing of liners, in line with industry best practice, the benefits are multiplied. Worn-out liners can waste time and money because they no longer fit well. They can also be hard on cows, damaging teat ends and increasing the risk of mastitis. Keeping milking liners past 2,500 milkings can be false economy. Replacing milking liners at 2,500 milkings can lead to shorter milking times and less energy used in the plant, less stress on cows, reduced cup slip (which also leads to savings in animal health costs), lower somatic cell count and increased yield.

Square barrel liners collapse diagonally across the corners, creating two small channels for vacuum to pass through. This design improves milk flow from the cow, which in turn helps save electricity and gives cows more grazing time.

Skellerup’s VacPlus Square milking liners broke 40 years of tradition when they were first launched in 2007 but, thousands of milkings later, those who use them say they would not go back to conventional liners.

For further information, contact your Farmlands Technical Field Officer or the friendly team at your local Farmlands store.

Article supplied by Skellerup.

Dry-off cows well and prepare them for calving

When preparing dairy cows for drying-off, remember this is the time to organise blood and/or liver tests to assess trace element status. This is an ideal time to evaluate their current status, as it provides an opportunity to rectify any deficiencies well before cows calve.

Cows will recover faster from calving and go on to produce more milk if they have condition and a positive trace element status. The faster recovery will assist the cows in maintaining their appetites. Consider undertaking a full range of blood tests – selenium, copper, cobalt and magnesium are critical. However, it is also an opportunity to check iodine, calcium and zinc. This will give you an overview of their status at that point in time. Liver biopsies can be done on culled cows relatively inexpensively. Left unattended, low mineral status in dairy cows can cause metabolic disorders, poor growth rates, production losses and death in the most pronounced situations. The cost of these issues – and milk production losses – significantly outweigh the cost of an effective trace element programme. The demands on the cow are still significant even though they are dry. To gain liver storage of trace elements and minerals, key elements need to be provided during the dry period and well before calving. This is the period during the season that the opportunity to gain some reserves leading into one of the most stressful times for cows. Investing funds now

into a solid trace element programme will give you the confidence that your herd is primed and ready to perform. Seasonal changes mean feed quality and quantity is declining and temperatures are dropping, which is affecting the mineral availability to the plant. Coupled with the demands during the late stages of pregnancy and maintaining body condition and weight, the need to supply the cow with a range of elements is essential. Pregnancy is demanding but birthing and then cycling only weeks later places stress on the cow. With emphasis on milk production and improved pay-out, this is the season to get it right in regard to the trace element requirements of your herd. Remember, assessing the trace element status of your cows at drying-off provides many more options than wondering weeks later why cows are not cycling. Prevention will always outweigh reactive treatment, so start a trace element and mineral programme before the new season to gain the best results.

The IntenSE range of single elements and blending formulations covers the spectrum. Trace elements can be supplied in sulphate, chelate or amino acid form, depending on requirements and budget. The range also includes products for registered organic dairy farms.

The IntenSE range of formulations can be administered by a Dosatron Inline Dispenser, drenched, via a feed-out wagon or in-shed feeding system. All products in the IntenSE range are made from high grade raw materials

and have a level of active ingredients to ensure results – trace elements are too vital to milk production and reproduction to use low spec products. The IntenSE range includes two blended products (IntenSE 240, which contains seven essential elements for high performing cows and IntenSE Trifecta, which contains the essential three – selenium, copper and cobalt) and six individual trace element products (IntenSE Calcium, IntenSE Cobalt IntenSE Copper, IntenSE Iodine, IntenSE Selenium and IntenSE Zinc).

For further information, contact your Farmlands Technical Field Officer or the friendly team at your local Farmlands store.

Article supplied by Bell-Booth.

*To qualify, customers must spend a minimum of $500 incl GST or more in a single transaction on Pink ® Batts ® (which includes installation by PinkFit ®) at any PlaceMakers store between 1st May 2019 & 31st May 2019. Prezzy ® card is via redemption at www.placemakers.co.nz/farmlands-insulation-promotion/. Prezzy ® card must be redeemed by 30th June 2019. $50 Prezzy ® card value will be accrued per $500 of qualifying spend and will be issued once the invoice has been paid. Total redemption accrued will be based on invoice value not quote value and will be credited on to a single Prezzy ® card. Not valid in conjunction with any promotional offer. Offer is for Farmlands shareholders only. $500 you spend For

Feeding fodder beet

Fodder beet is becoming a major wintering crop for dairy cows, particularly in southern regions of the country.

This seems to have been driven by the potentially high yields achievable (20-30t DM/ha) and its high energy content (bulbs 12-13 MJ/ kg DM – leaves 10-11 MJ/kg DM). However, some farmers have had issues when grazing fodder beet, resulting in cows going down and/ or dying. Leaves may contain oxalic acid, which can be toxic to ruminants at high levels (Duncan et. al, 1997). Oxalic acid can bind with calcium to form insoluble calcium oxalate, which may lead to symptoms of mild milk fever. Oxalate levels tend to

decline with age of crop, so grazing after 120-150 growing days may be less risky. Transitioning cows onto fodder beet lowers the risk as rumen microbes are able to detoxify oxalates. Nitrate poisoning is another hazard, particularly after cold dry spells, as plants may not have converted nitrogen into protein. Leaves can be tested for nitrates and transitioning on the crop will help lower the risk, as cows may become less susceptible to poisoning. Grazing frosted crops may increase the risk of bloat, possibly due to faster degradation rates of damaged cell walls. Most farmers wait for frosts to lift and provide access to more fibrous feeds to reduce the risks.

Fodder beet roots contain high levels of fermentable carbohydrates (65 percent

sugar in DM), low fibre, protein and minerals. The high sugar levels have resulted in cows dying of acidosis. Again, transition onto crops, provision of fibrous feeds and restricted grazing periods help reduce the risks. Protein intakes may also be inadequate, so supplementation may be required. Major and trace minerals are higher in fodder beet leaves (tops) than roots (bulbs), so composition of the diet depends on the proportion of bulbs to leaves, plus any other feeds offered. Mineral intakes are likely to be deficient for dry cows, when bulbs comprise the majority of the diet. Consideration should be given to supplementing with minerals. Recent reports have highlighted that farms using high levels of fodder beet over winter are more susceptible to severe and unusual cases of milk fever in early lactation, similar to cows in high production systems overseas (Gerloff and Swenson, 1996). This has been attributed to incorrect calcium:phosphorous ratio or phosphorous deficiency, requiring the inclusion of dicalcium phosphate in diets. Although there appear to be many potential pitfalls when feeding fodder beet, these can be overcome through appropriate management and feeding practices. For further information, contact your local Nutrition Specialist. Article supplied by Dr. Julian Waters, Nutritech.

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Heading into winter in the best shape

With winter fast approaching, farmers are working to get their farms into the best shape to withstand the rigours of the season – whether it’s repairing fences, fixing that flapping bit of steel on the shearing shed or setting up for calving.

“Inevitably, winter is a long, hard haul on farms,” Agriculture Lead for WorkSafe, Al McCone says.

“It’s not the most productive season but it’s when a lot of important work is done to set you up for more productive times.

Having people injured has a major impact on productivity. You want your farm to go into winter in the best shape and you should want the same for yourself and your employees – because you need reliable cover for your business for those tough winter jobs.”

However, a lot of people get injured on farms during May and June – which could mean workers are absent or limited in what they can do over those vital months.

May and June see some of the highest incidences of farm workplace accidents involving people hitting stationary objects – such as hitting your head on something, or being trapped in moving machinery or equipment. There’s also a fairly high incidence of falls from heights.

“These are accidents with significant potential to result in long-term or life-changing injuries,” Al says.

“There’s also a very high incidence of muscular stress at this time –possibly due to activities like lifting fence posts. Never underestimate

| Take a few minutes to think or talk about risks, how to best manage them and what

the long-term impact of muscular injuries – particularly to the back.”

The Health and Safety in Employment Act requires all employees to be trained and supervised to carry out their work safely. Farm owners, managers and employers should ensure all their workers either have enough experience, or are trained and supervised so they won’t put themselves at risk.

“No matter how experienced a farm worker is, you need to provide new staff with a full induction and make sure they are competent in using your vehicles and equipment,” Al says.

“Ensure they know about the risks on your farm and how you expect those to be managed. Don’t take for granted that people know how to lift properly.

A short training session in manual handling could save a lot of pain for you and your workers – and save your farm business a hit to productivity.”

A small amount of planning ahead of

a task, will go a long way to helping avoid incidents and injuries.

“Take a few minutes to think or talk about what the risks are, how to best manage them and what are the best tools/vehicle for the job,” Al says. “If someone is planning on fixing that flapping piece of steel on the shed, they need to think about the risks and the measures that need to be taken before and during working at height. WorkSafe provides a wide range of resources covering on-farm tasks – from manual lifting and working at height, to safe use of machinery and vehicles – to name but a few. Printing these out and having them to hand, perhaps highlighting the most relevant parts for your farm, will help with training your staff and covering your bases.”

To view the WorkSafe guides, visit www.worksafe.govt.nz

Article supplied by WorkSafe.

Country’s best ploughers to compete at national champs

More than 40 ploughers from around the country will descend on Mid Canterbury this month to compete in the 2019 New Zealand Ploughing Championships.

The championships, which will take place on 11th and 12th May at Wilkinson’s Farm in Chertsey, will bring together the winners from more than 20 qualifying events. There are four classes in the competition – the Gulf Oil Silver Plough Conventional, Farmlands Fuel Reversible Plough, Rural News Horse Plough and the Agricentre South New Holland Vintage Plough.

Day one of the championships will be the stubble competition, while day two will be the grassland competition.

Those taking part in the Gulf Oil Silver Plough and Farmlands Fuel Reversible will be competing for spots to represent New Zealand at the world competition in Russia next year.

The annual competition, which changes location every year, is being hosted by the Rakaia Ploughing Match Association this year. It will be the 64th time the event has been held.

John Davison, who is chairman of the organising committee, says with good weather they hope several thousand

people will attend and watch the action.

He says while all the events make good viewing, people love coming to see the Clydesdale horse ploughing.

John says they are grateful to the Wilkinson family for lending their land to be used for the competition.

“It’s about 40ha we’re taking out of their farming rotation. It’s a big commitment from them and if we didn’t have the assistance from people like this around the country it would grind to a halt.”

Forty-three ploughers will compete at the championships. Among them will be Timaru truck driver and ploughing stalwart, Bob Mehrtens in the Farmlands Fuel

Reversible competition, in what will be his 42nd time at this event.

John Hall, who is part of the Rakaia Ploughing Match Association, says Wilkinson’s Farm is a great place to hold the competition because they know what the ground is like – and it is close to Ashburton and Rakaia.

“We know the soil will plough well.”

He says there will also be trade displays and the Mid Canterbury Vintage Machinery Club will have a machinery display at the event.

Three tractors – the largest a 525hp Versatile – will also plough a grass

paddock next to the event, which will then be cultivated and sown with wheat for people to watch, he says.

This year’s championships will also see a separate category for young farmers.

Wilkinson’s Farm is a sheep and crop farm, just under 600ha, which has been owned by the Wilkinson family since 1876.

It is now in the hands of Kate Wilkinson, who is a fifth-generation family member and former National MP. Kate says while the farm has hosted local ploughing events before, this will be by far the largest.

“I think it will be quite fun for a lot of people to come out and watch.”

She says old Clydesdale horse shoes were often ploughed up on the property, so she hopes that might happen at the event.

“We’re always ploughing them up. It would be quite neat if that could happen.”

Ploughing has had a long affiliation with the Mid Canterbury area, with records showing it first started back in 1890.

Wilkinson’s Farm is located on Wilkinsons Road, Chertsey. Entry to the event is free for children and costs $10 for adults, which can be paid at the gate.

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Highlighting the horticulture industry

Industry networking, business to business interaction and education will be at the forefront of this year’s BNZ National Horticultural Field Days, to be held in Hawke’s Bay in June.

Organised by the Hawke’s Bay A&P Society, the event is described as a true showcase of New Zealand’s horticulture industry.

BNZ National Horticultural Field Days General Manager, Sally Jackson, says that the event is an ideal conduit to assist the industry to continue to grow and address current issues. “The Field Days provide a platform to discuss topics such as staff shortages, attracting the new generation into horticulture careers and the myriad of issues that impact on the environment,” she says.

Sally explains that the value of New Zealand’s horticultural products continues to rise and now exceeds

$8.8 billion. “This industry is absolutely amazing, products from right across New Zealand are exported to over 120 countries. Hawke’s Bay alone accounts for two thirds of all apple and pear outputs and this is one of the main reasons Hastings is home to this event – the largest horticulturefocused field days in New Zealand.”

Hawke’s Bay Fruitgrowers Association Executive Officer, Dianne Vesty, says the future of fruit growing is exciting, with technology advancing at a rapid pace. “The talents and skills needed for high tech operations will continue to constantly evolve,” she says. “Fruit growing needs tech savvy, outside of the box thinkers who are willing to learn new skills.”

The BNZ National Horticultural Field Days provides a strong conduit for education and career development across the sector, with the emphasis on adding to the future labour pool within the region and across the country.

Innovation is another strong focus for the 2019 event. New Zealand horticulturalists represent some of the most innovative and industrious producers and companies in the country and this will be highlighted at the “Innovation Hub”, which will include new-to-market equipment and inspirational products.

Event Manager, Di Roadley, says the Hawke’s Bay A&P Society recently launched a refreshed brand for the event with a new, contemporary logo – highlighting the ongoing evolution of the Field Days. “We are incredibly excited to see this event grow and have a significant impact on our community,” she says. “Responding to feedback received from the industry we have been able to expand the duration of the event, creating more opportunity for stakeholders and the ability to develop the Field Days into a quality juncture to support the sector in a meaningful way.”

Held over two days, the event will include more than 80 horticulturefocused trade exhibits, interactive displays of new and innovative machinery coming to market, conference-style sessions for mid to senior management and secondary school educational programmes.

The Hawke’s Bay Young Fruit Grower of the Year Competition will also be held during the event.

The BNZ National Horticultural Field Days will run from 26 th to 27th June 2019 at Showgrounds Hawke’s Bay Tomoana. Visit the Farmlands team at site 210-211.

With NZ farmers For NZ farmers

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The New Zealand Century Farm and Station Awards aim to capture and preserve the history of our country’s farming families. Each month we will share stories from Farmlands shareholders who have worked their land for 100 years or more.

Morrish family celebrates 150 years

The Morrish family have farmed at Lincoln, Canterbury, since 1867.

In 1839 in the south west of England, Jane (nee Chamberlain), wife of John Morrish, gave birth to Richard, their third of four children and only son.

By 1863, Richard was working as a farm bailiff – both of his parents had died and his sisters had left home. So at the age of 24, Richard made the long journey from Devon to Canterbury, New Zealand. In 1867, he was living in Shands Track.

Later that year he married Elizabeth Wright, a Papanui farmer’s daughter, at St Michael’s Church in Christchurch. She had been housekeeping for her brothers at Mostyn, Springston.

Later that year Richard purchased his first 50 acres on what is now Boundary Road for 300 pounds. Two years later he added 100 acres of adjoining land.

When Richard added another 61 acres to his farm in 1873, he and Elizabeth had three children –

Annie, Frederick and Mary. Alice and Elizabeth (known as Ella) were born in later years. A further 141 acres was purchased in 1889.

In 1899, their only son, Frederick married Leonora Emmeline Overton.

About this time Richard and Elizabeth moved to Prestonville, Lincoln and Frederick and Leonora moved into the homestead and took over the running of the farm. In 1901, their daughter Nancy was born and in 1904, their son Richard (Dick).

In 1933, Dick married Mavis McGill. Frederick and Leonora remained in the homestead and a new home was built for Dick and Mavis close by. They had two sons, David (1935) and Richard (1941). Mavis sadly passed away in 1951.

In 1953, Dick remarried. His third son, John was born to Norma in 1954. All three boys grew up and worked on the farm.

Since then more land has been purchased, farming methods have changed and new homes and sheds have been built.

In 1971, Richard, Heather and their family moved north to farm at Dannevirke. They have now retired to Hastings.

Now 150 years on, the fourth generation sons, David and John are both farming in partnership with their sons, Chris and Mark. David and Margaret have moved to Lincoln and Liz and John are living at Cranleigh. All their children –Susan, Chris, Jan, Joanne, Mark and Leesa – are living on the farm and the sixth generation – Stacey, William, Matthew, Maia, Harrison, Jackson, Charlie, Layla, Mason, Sophie and Owen – are all growing up on the farm.

Real estate market update

The real estate market has followed its typical Christmas trend, with limited activity during January followed by the summer lift through February and March.

We currently have a large number of outstanding properties listed, giving the discerning buyer an opportunity to move into the lifestyle or farming industries. Our residential teams are experiencing steady business throughout provincial New Zealand and are available to help with appraisals on current properties or to assist with investment opportunities. Below is a market update from the latest REINZ statistics for your region. If you would like further market information, visit www.farmlandsrealestate.co.nz and contact one of our expert team members.

Northland – Strong activity surrounding greenfield sites for kiwifruit developments and for avocado plantings where water consents are available. Good enquiry for forestry blocks and quality beef properties. Light activity in the dairy sector with continuing evidence of second tier dairy farms changing to beef.

Waikato – A distinct easing of sales in

the dairy sector compared to equivalent periods in 2017 and 2018. Of the large number of dairy farms for sale during the spring, throughout the wider Waikato region, approximately 1/3 have sold. Simmering activity for good finishing and grazing properties with indications emerging of the likelihood of increased plantings of gold kiwifruit where licenses can be obtained.

Bay of Plenty/Rotorua – Steady sales at good prices for quality kiwifruit orchards and strong prices for finishing properties in Rotorua. One strong dairy sale in the Reporoa district.

Taranaki – Probably the steadiest of the dairy areas with consistent sales at solid prices, complemented by good sales results for finishing and grazing units.

Manawatu/Wanganui – Steady activity in the finishing and grazing categories and not many arable sales.

Hawke’s Bay – A good level of grazing property sales. Lesser activity on finishing units and one particularly strong sale in the horticultural sector.

Wairarapa/Wellington – Harder work with limited listings in the dry stock sector. Very quiet on the dairy front.

Nelson/Marlborough – Solid activity and strong prices for quality finishing

units. Fewer sales of grazing properties and quiet in the horticultural sector.

Canterbury – Difficult conditions with only two dairy farm sales registered in the last 7 months within the province.

Reasonable activity in the finishing and grazing categories in both North and South Canterbury, albeit some vendors have unrealistic expectations. Reports of bank constraints causing difficulties with some transactions. Restrictions on irrigation schemes are having a negative impact in North Canterbury but Mid and South Canterbury supplies not impacted at this stage.

Otago – Restrained activity in the dry stock sector where prices have eased 10 to 15 percent. Reports of capital constraints from banks making finance difficult to obtain and therefore harder to get transactions together.

Southland – A good selection of dairy farms available, limited sales results compared with previous years, albeit two sales of larger dairy units are significant in terms of total price involved. A good level of activity on finishing properties, less in the grazing sector, with reports of prices across the board being under pressure.

Located on the corner of King Street and Potts Avenue, Opotiki, is this purpose-built commercial property for a nationwide agribusiness tenant with a $2 billion plus turnover. This approximately 880m2 building on a corner 2,200m2 section is one block away from the centre of town. Farmlands Opotiki continues to grow its market share in the district –and promotion of the Opotiki Harbour Project for the recently established offshore mussel farming operation means this investment has plenty of potential upside. Tender closing 2pm, Friday 10 May 2019.

David Thomas Branch Manager – Hastings 027 449 6110 david.thomas@farmlands.co.nz

Paul Evans Lifestyle / Rural – Hastings 027 533 3314 paul.evans@farmlands.co.nz

www.farmlandsrealestate.co.nz

This 70 hectare dairy farm, in two titles, is located less than 10 minutes from Waihi township and beach. The farm is subdivided into 36 paddocks and serviced by good surface laneways. The farm has excellent water that is sourced via a bore adjacent to the cow shed, pumped into four manacons and gravity fed throughout the farm. Farm buildings include a 22-aside herringbone, implement shed and three hay barns. An excellent opportunity for those purchasers looking for a farming investment located in a desirable and affordable dairy district. Tender closing 2pm, Wednesday 1 May 2019.

Ian Morgan

Lifestyle / Rural – Matamata 027 498 2908 ian.morgan@farmlands.co.nz

Chelly Aitchison

Lifestyle / Rural – Morrinsville 022 697 8779 chelly.aitchison@farmlands.co.nz

This 133 hectare sheep unit is situated in the highly sought after Matahuru Valley. This easy rolling to steep sheep property is well raced and fenced into 15 main paddocks with a woolshed and yards. Natural water services the property with the Nitrogen Reference Point being 11. Price $1,200,000 plus GST (if any).

Douglas Boyde

Lifestyle / Rural – Pukekohe 027 494 6714 douglas.boyde@farmlands.co.nz

Chelly Aitchison

Lifestyle / Rural – Morrinsville 022 697 8779 chelly.aitchison@farmlands.co.nz

Great opportunity here to purchase a north facing Hayward Green orchard − 4.9 hectares with 4 canopy hectares. Available including the current crop for immediate income. Be quick, harvest scheduled May. Well located on perhaps Te Puke’s most popular horticultural road, handy to town. Good ag beam structures, possible conversion to Gold. Don’t hesitate on this one. Price by negotiation.

Brett Ashworth

Lifestyle / Rural – Te Puke 021 0261 7488 brett.ashworth@farmlands.co.nz