Dominique Schacherer and Logan Kerr, with baby Arli, amid the organic corn they are currently selling at Christchurch Farmers’ Market and Opawa Farmers’ Market.
To keep shareholders, suppliers, friends and family in the loop as we deal with COVID-19, Farmlands has set up an Advice Hub. The site’s opening page has a prominent link to the hub. Please bookmark the page and check back often. The page contains regularly updated links to the most vital COVID-19 information and specifically caters for the primary sector. Please share.
Farmlands will make every effort to keep you farming while we follow COVID-19 protocols. Our website’s Store Locator pages will advise if your local store has been specifically affected by the outbreak. Please note the Farmlands Online Shop is always available for home delivery at shop.farmlands.co.nz and we encourage you to order now to meet your needs. www.farmlands.co.nz.
FROM THE CEO FARMLANDS STAFF PROFILE
Lincoln Dearden Mill Manager Farmlands Winton
Q: Tell us about your role?
A: As Mill Manager I am responsible for the day-to-day running of the Winton Mill. The team of 10 staff are very shareholder focused. We produce high-quality animal feed, mainly bulk dairy and calf feed and deliver it to shareholder farms daily with our own Farmlands auger trucks. We have a bagging line that makes 20 and 25kg bagged product that we distribute to local Farmlands stores as part of the retail chain.
Q: What do you enjoy most about it?
A: The team are a great bunch to be around and are really hands-on and do what it takes to get the job done, which makes running the mill less challenging.
Q: A consistent product must be everything with stockfood, yes?
A: All the pellet products we make are tested against a set standard for durability and protein content and have to meet the specifications before they are delivered onto farm. External weekly and monthly quality checks are also carried out to meet NZFMA standards.
Q: Do any of the ingredients or products pose a particular challenge?
A: Making sure we have enough of each of the products can be challenging as we have many outside suppliers. Supply chain is very important to the mill business.
Q: For you, what makes for a good day at the office?
A: Ensuring the team are fit and well in these times and that everyone goes home safe. The main focus for the day is to make sure all the freshly made feed is delivered on-farm. There is a sense of accomplishment from myself and the team each day knowing this has happened.
Q: And what makes for a good day off?
A: Hitting the local mountain-bike trails with a few mates or taking a walk in the park with our grandchildren.
Ingredients
• 1 cup apple cider
• ½ cup soy sauce
• 1 tbsp oil (vegetable or olive oil)
Apple Cider
Steak Marinade
Method
1. Combine the apple cider, soy sauce and oil in a zip-top bag. Place the beef (whatever cut you desire) in the bag and seal. Turn to coat. Place in the refrigerator for 8-24 hours.
2. Remove the meat from the marinade and discard the marinade.
3. Pan-fry or grill the meat to desired doneness.
Tēna koutou katoa,
As I write this we are in the Red Traffic Light level following community cases of the Omicron COVID-19 variant popping up around the country. Cases are predicted to increase throughout both islands and while this may have changed when The Farmlander hits your mailbox, we are consciously and proactively managing the impact that Omicron may have on our business and yours.
Key strategies that have been implemented over the past month are to ensure our people remain as Casual rather than Close contacts by closely following our ‘Red’ COVID-19 protocols. At the moment the main difference between being a Casual or Close contact is 10 days of isolation time – for many this would include time away from our branch and could mean the difference between making sure we have enough staff available to continue servicing our customers and shareholders, or closing our sites to online orders only.
We would like to thank our customers for assisting us in following our Red level protocols by maintaining at least 1m separation from other people while in-store and on-farm and upholding mask and hygiene protocols. Please don’t be offended if we ask to see your mask exemption or we offer you a mask. It is simply to enable us to remain open for you. We are managing supply chain issues and price increases as they arise and are working with our partners to create meaningful offers for our shareholders to ensure every dollar counts. To this end, we are thrilled to announce an exciting new 5-year offer from Meridian Energy, our exclusive energy partner for both current and new shareholders. You can read more about this offer on pages 34-35.
Our theme for this month’s Farmlander is “Off to Market”. Successfully taking food and fibre from the soil to market takes a lot of connecting the dots – linking everything from genetics to pest control to the weather. This month we look into several factors that contribute to market success and the unique ways some of our farmers and growers are navigating the challenges involved.
As a business focused on ensuring you have the inputs available to successfully get to market, Farmlands is putting the mahi (work) into improving our financial status to best support you – next month I’ll have an update on the second half of our FY22 plan and what that means for our customers and shareholders.
Ngā manaakitanga (with best wishes)
Tanya Houghton Chief Executive Officer Farmlands Co-operative Society Limited ceo@farmlands.co.nz
5 minutes with Hamish Gow
Professor Hamish Gow of Lincoln University explains value chains, why they are important and why he is part of the Value Chain Innovation Programme to develop leaders for the food and fibre sector.
First of all, what is a value chain?
A value chain is the model or architecture by which we organise, coordinate and control the creation and delivery of value for consumers, earn the right to capture some of that value and then distribute this value to the various chain participants. A supply chain refers to the system and resources required to move a product or service from supplier to customer. The value chain concept builds on this to also consider the manner in which value is added along the chain, both to the product or service and to the actors involved. A supply chain is built from the producer to the customer and is
associated with the physical movement of the product from the producer to consumer. A value chain is a customercentric business model that describes how the value chain participants collaborate to create value for the consumer and share a proportion of that value amongst each other.
What is our record for efficient value chains, generally and in agriculture in particular?
New Zealand is recognised around the world for developing innovative and effective international value chains that continuously deliver value to consumers and customers in the marketplace, capture part of that value and share it back for producers. We
have built a range of different value chain models over the past decades. Several are recognised as industry best practice, including those of Zespri, NZ Merino and Fonterra. All value chain designs are being continuously disrupted. Someone is always working on an improvement. What New Zealand is recognised for is leading the continuous disruption of our own value chains into international markets. We are continually doing this across our primary sector and designing ones that farmers can engage in and share in the value creation. When we get them right, they pull in investment capital and create
substantial economic wealth. Just look at the development of the dairy or kiwifruit industries over the past two decades.
Where is the low hanging fruit for us to get better?
We have to get better in helping chain stakeholders understand how value is created in their value chain and where and how they should invest. Lots of the conflict in value chains occurs due to misalignment of value creation understanding and intent. This lack of understanding also leads to a boom and bust cycle in lots of new value chain ventures. Farmers and investors haven’t been sophisticated enough to understand the business model and value chain design and where and how value is created, captured and shared. Value can be created in different ways. There are three basic valuecreating disciplines: operational excellence; product leadership; and customer intimacy. What is important to understand is that you can create substantial economic value with all three different types of value chain design but you have to choose a dominant model for your business and value chain. Does the type of value chain influence logistics?
Logistics and the supply chain are a part of any value chain and getting your logistics model right is critical to your value chain model. Different value chain models have different logistics models and needs but the key is understanding your customer and how important timings and logistics are to the value proposition that you are offering them. For example, Zespri, which has a product leadership value chain, operates a proprietary supply chain and logistics system to ensure it always delivers the highest quality kiwifruit to the marketplace and consumer. They effectively have 100 percent control over their distribution and logistics as they need to ensure they always deliver the perfect fruit to consumers in the international
marketplace. They couldn’t demand the market premiums if they left this to other external players. Alternatively, someone who is selling a basic commodity product in an operation excellence model at the lowest possible cost will often give their customers options of logistics and generally take the lowest cost as prices sell their products, not service.
What are you hoping to achieve with your Value Chain Innovation Programme for Rural Leaders?
The programme’s primary purpose is to increase competency in value chain design and analysis. We will be exposing the participants to the different types of value chain discipline models and exemplars of
each type. We want them to develop competencies in evaluating and analysing alternative value chain models, understanding where and how value is created, how it is captured or not and then how it is distributed and shared along the value chain. By the time participants complete the programme, they should be able to rapidly pull apart any value chain, identify where and how value is created, how it is captured, protected and shared and how you incentivise, align and govern all of the value chain participants.
To find out more, go to ruralleaders.co.nz/value-chain. Applications for the Value Chain Innovation Programme close on 20 th March.
| Several New Zealand value chains are recognised as industry best practice, including those of Fonterra, Zespri and NZ Merino.
| Logan Kerr keeps the seedlings on track in one of Streamside Organics' greenhouses.
FACE TO FACE
‘Get
close to your customers!’ screams every marketing guru ever. For the team at Streamside Organics, there’s no closer than face to face, kanohi ki te kanohi, at the local farmers’ market.
The certified organic market garden near Leeston, on the outskirts of Christchurch, grows its produce using organic and regenerative farming techniques.
With no previous farming experience, Dominique Schacherer and Logan Kerr started growing vegetables on just 1 acre in 2014. Since then they have expanded their operation to 50 acres. The team, also now much larger, supplies produce to cafés, restaurants, wholefood shops and supermarkets. Weekly vege boxes are delivered to homes around Christchurch and surrounding areas.
It’s a diverse mix of markets, ideal for surviving these testing times. But at the beginning of it all there was just the one outlet – the local farmers’ markets. “They were our first sales outlets when we first started up and have been a main source of consistent income right through the past 8 years,” Dominique says. “Farmers’ markets have allowed us to build relationships with our customers and share our story. It’s allowed the connection between customer and farmer to happen.”
Does she have any advice for growers or producers thinking of setting up a trestle at their local farmers market? “Go for it!” Dominique says. “Building relationships with customers and telling your story is key.”
For Dominique and Logan, the story began with that 1 acre in 2014. After 3 years they moved to a 5-acre property in Tai Tapu, then in 2017 to their 50-acre site in Leeston. The name Streamside Organics refers to Irwell Stream, which forms part of the Leeston property’s boundary.
Neither have farming in their background. Dominique confesses to a childhood dream to grow her own vegetables and “have a cow”. After a long OE in Europe she returned to New Zealand and went ‘wwoofing’ in the North Island, keen to get her hands dirty. Logan was training to be a chef when he got the bug – his boss got him to grow heirloom varieties of vegetables for the restaurant. They still supply him now.
Any romantic notions of an idyllic life on the land were soon dealt to when the work began. “It’s been hard yakka,” Dominique says. “If you prefer a 9-5 type job it won't be for you.”
Over the years land to lease was hard to find, particularly as the couple wanted a longer lease to make it worthwhile converting the property to organics. Having initially leased it, they have since bought the Leeston property.
The team at Streamside Organics now numbers 20 including part-time staff, or 21 if you count baby Arli, 3 months. They are a diverse bunch – the thing they seem to have in common is that they have all done lots else in their lives. There’s Brenna, former welder and fine arts student; Kyle, who once biked through Africa; Roberto, the Italian te reo student; Andy, the former radio announcer…
Organic farm, organic culture – for Dominique and Logan the key thing they look for in a new crew member is how they gel with the team. There’s a strong team culture and a good fit is important. So is being OK with working outdoors in all weathers and coping with the physically demanding work.
The couple's organic values flow through to their relationship with staff, with Streamside Organics being Living Wage-certified.
Farmers’ markets gave them their start but diversifying has helped Streamside Organics weather the turmoil of the last few years. COVID-19 controls meant their market and restaurant sales stopped overnight. This would have ruined them but for the fact they were already selling boxes of vegetables online for home delivery.
“With lockdown, our home-delivered vege boxes took off like crazy. Some of our wholesale customers managed to continue buying from us as well. This was so important in allowing our
regulars to continue having access to our fresh organic veges,” Dominique says.
“If we hadn't been able to do the boxes, our income would have halved at least. If we’d had farmers’ markets as our only outlet, we would have been really stuffed.”
Diversity has worked for Dominique and Logan when it comes to team members and markets so it’s natural they see strength in growing a diverse range of crops. “We have just put up a large greenhouse so this season we have branched into a range of red and coloured cherry tomatoes, red and green peppers, telegraph and lebanese cucumbers and strawberries outside,” Dominique says. “We are hoping to establish some more perennial crops over the next couple of years like raspberries and asparagus.”
They use cover cropping year-round – legumes to fix the nitrogen; sunflowers for their deep tap root that helps break up the soil; buckwheat and phacelia for beneficial insects.
Having based a successful business on hard work and a passion for organic farming, Dominique and Logan have also built enduring relationships with customers, many of whom have been with them from the start.
“I guess in the early years our customers could see how hard we worked. I remember when we finally took a 2-week holiday, one gave us a $100 tip to treat ourselves. That was so special and meant a lot to us. I guess it showed the value this customer found in what we offered,” she says.
| The hard-working team picks in all weathers.
| Having started out leasing, Dominique and Logan now own the Leeston block.
SALUTE TO BOB
Dominique and Logan belong to the next generation of organic farmers finding a supportive community in the Leeston area. That community is the legacy of Professor Bob Crowder, founder of Lincoln’s pioneering Biological Husbandry Unit (BHU).
From the 1970s pressure started to build on New Zealand’s agricultural training organisations from prospective students wanting to learn about sustainability and organics. Their pleas found a receptive ear in then young Lincoln University lecturer Bob Crowder, who was himself starting to question the path agriculture was taking towards greater mechanisation, the use of more and more pesticides and herbicides and increasing environmental degradation.
In 1976, in response to those student demands, Crowder established the BHU. The unit began offering courses in organic agriculture and Crowder also turned some of Lincoln’s supporting farmland into an organics research plot to test out the ideas in a New Zealand context.
In the grey, conformist New Zealand of the 1970s, Crowder and his unit were dismissed by many as “muck and mystery” merchants and he was considered eccentric by some colleagues. But by the early 1980s that was changing as big players such as Federated Farmers and the Ministry of Agriculture began to see merit in organics as a profitable niche in an otherwise undifferentiated international marketplace for agricultural commodities.
FRUIT, VEGE AND FAMILY
For 100 years the Patels have been selling fresh fruit and vegetables to customers in Dannevirke and beyond while also establishing themselves as a family with deep community roots and a reputation for community service.
Shires is a colourful fruit and vegetable store, its produce gaily displayed out onto the footpath. It sits centre stage in Dannevirke’s shopping precinct on busy SH2, which stretches north into Hawke’s Bay or south to Wairarapa or Manawatu. The shop is in the perfect position to access produce from either direction. The distinctive Shires truck is a familiar sight on the road.
“Shires have always aimed to offer the freshest produce possible and this we do by visiting the markets directly. We have a wonderful rapport with all our suppliers, with some knowing what our regular customers want and they’ll source especially for us,” says coowner operator Suresh Patel.
Take Nick Hill, who runs a picture framing business in Dannevirke. He has a penchant for tamarillos. A longstanding Shires customer, he’s kept in the loop on when the tamarillos are at their best and good value. “Staff go that extra mile for you,” Nick says. “It’s a mates’ arrangement that I highly value.”
Nearby, Helen Exeter runs a gifts and souvenir shop. “Shires is the backbone of Dannevirke. The Patels are such good people, always with a smile. And Suresh is the JP everyone goes to.”
Suresh is committed in discharging his Justice of the Peace service, just as he is with all his community and business dealings. In that he follows a heritage that goes back three generations – 100 years of a family business lauded by locals for its commitment to the community. Whenever there was an event or a cause needing support, you can bet Shires will have been in the middle of it.
Farmlands’ connection with the Patels goes back nearly 50 years to when Shires signed on as a Card Partner. Brent Fell, now Business Manager at Farmlands Feilding, has had a long association with Dannevirke, its Farmlands store and Suresh and Peter.
“I have had the pleasure of dealing with Shires over the last 45 years on both a personal and business basis,” he says. “Suresh and Peter run a very
successful business with their family. They have strong community ties within the Dannevirke and extended Tararua area. Suresh, Peter and the business as a whole do a huge amount for the community.”
In 1917, Chhiba Pancha Patel left Navsari in north-west India heading for Fiji. Somehow he ended up in New Zealand and by chance stopped off in Dannevirke when on a train trip looking for premises for a fruit and vegetable store. Chhiba was young, enterprising and intelligent – he had been a teacher back in India. He learned of premises available in Dannevirke (opposite the Post Office) and set up shop.
He didn’t stop with Dannevirke. Chhiba was keen to assist others from India to come to New Zealand and this he did by financing them into their own businesses. Sensing racial prejudice,
| Peter, Suresh and Nanya Patel continue a heritage that goes back three generations – 100 years of a family business.
Chhiba changed his name to Bill Shire and by the early 1920s Shires fruit and vegetable stores popped up in Wairoa, Waipawa, Taihape, Te Kuiti, Masterton, Pahiatua and Levin. Today the Dannevirke store is the sole remaining example of Chhiba’s entrepreneurial exercise, with the last of the other stores closing in Taihape.
During visits back to India, Chhiba married Hanshi and they had four children, including Chunilal, the eldest son, who stayed in India with his mother and siblings. They visited New Zealand over the years and in 1944 Hanshi and the children made the move to settle in Dannevirke with Chhiba.
Chunilal became affectionately known as Chuni. He was much loved and respected by the Dannevirke community. Slightly built, Chuni suffered polio as a young man and so walked with a slight limp. Having grown up among the fruit and vegetables, he was well ensconced as the owner-operator of Shires by 1977, when his father Chhiba died.
Chuni had married Shanti and they had six sons and three daughters together in Dannevirke.
BRICKS AND MORTAR
Shires operated from its original site in Dannevirke until 1968 when it moved along the road to today’s central location. It was an attractive building with an imposing edifice – ‘Shires C.P. Patel & Son’ – etched into the stone. In 1990 two strong earthquakes caused major damage in Dannevirke and the Shires building frontage and top floor had to be demolished. Shires relocated while rebuilding occurred. What resulted is today’s colourful modern building painted in the cheerful orange, red and green colours of the former NZ Fruit and Vegetable Publicity Council.
Just like their father, Peter (eldest son of twins) and Suresh (second to youngest) grew up in and around Shires. The brothers took over management in the mid 1980s. Suresh sources and buys the produce as well as overseeing the running of the business.
“It’s an inherent knowledge you gain from years of being around fruit and vegetables,” they say. “Eating trends come and go but quality fresh produce is always in demand and you need to know what you’re looking for. Broccoli is the number one popular vegetable at present, so are salad ingredients. Stonefruit from Hawke’s Bay and bananas are always enjoyed.” While most food comes from neighbouring regions, there’s also summer supplies like watermelon from Te Puke and the much-loved cherries from the South Island.
Peter works on the shop floor, carefully stocking up shelves and ensuring goods are well displayed. He has a keen eye and thrives on the hard physical work, living by the teachings of his grandfather – “Always offer top quality and the customer is always right.”
Peter’s personal mantra is ‘Pride and Passion’, explaining that the customers are what make him proud.
The in-store family team is complete with Nanya Patel, who came to Dannevirke at age 20 after marrying Suresh. “I left my parents and brothers in India but immediately gained another family in Dannevirke. The people were so welcoming I’ve always felt at home here,” says Nanya. She and Suresh have raised two children, Sanjay and Monika in Dannevirke. Both are now successful in their own careers.
Peter has a son Melesh, raised in Dannevirke and now living in Auckland. When asked if it’s near the end of the line for the dynasty in the fruit and vegetable trade, they all shrug and point out they’re not going anywhere soon. Two other brothers who live nearby and regularly help are Mahesh and Arvind.
The Patels are supported by a small and loyal team, some of whom have worked for many years at Shires. There are the two Karens, Jo, schoolboy Craig and various other part-timers and family members who support the business through the busy times.
| Chhiba Patel in 1959 in the original store.
The story of Shires is one of family and community. Hard work and long hours have punctuated the business from the beginning, alongside a desire to help others and to support the community that the family adopted in the 1920s. Suresh and Peter recall when growing up that their sisters would use the school lunch break to look after the shop so their parents could have their own lunch. Suresh remembers his own children sleeping in cots in the office. When Peter’s son comes visiting from Auckland, he will naturally don an apron and lend a hand – it is all encompassing and in the blood.
In 2021, Suresh was presented with a Queen's Service Medal for his services
to sport and community. It’s now framed and on the office wall but for a long while the photo of him with the Governor General laid about in the piles of paper. Humility had a lot to do with it – and there was also not much spare time to think about framing.
Suresh explains his typical week. In one day visiting a market he can often negotiate with a dozen or more salespeople, building a great rapport and friendship. Monday, Wednesday and Thursday he is often at the Palmerston North markets, with 4.30am starts those days. Tuesdays he’s in
“Saturdays have become one of our busiest. We try to rest on Sunday but there’s always a few hours where we need to clean up and prepare for the week.” It’s full-on, not for the faint hearted. A point of difference for Shires is its bottling produce – beetroot, pears, tomatoes, gherkins, plums, peaches – which attracts buyers from everywhere when in season. While they all work hard, they also play hard. Well known for their sense of humour. much singing and laughter can be heard coming from the back of Shires and they are known as great hosts at events. Any person feeling a bit down can
COVID-19 has been the latest challenge for Shires. In the first 2020 lockdown, when the Patels were forced to empty their store down to the last carrot, they thought instantly of their customers. Setting up in the rear of the store, they sourced produce and made up fruit and vegetable boxes – up to 600 were often delivered in a day.
Suresh, Peter and Nanya are proud they were able to do this. Over the years, loyal customers have written to Shires remembering the kindness of Chhiba Patel, especially recalling how their grandfather handed out food during the 1930s depression. The service continues.
| Today's store was built after earthquakes in Dannevirke in 1990.
Consistency at the core
The unassuming appearance of Taylor Corp heads Kelvin Taylor and son Cameron might lead you to believe they’re pretty relaxed about how they do business. But at the heart of their hugely successful growing and export enterprise –Farmlands’ largest apple-growing shareholder – sits a commitment to quality, fierce protection of the Taylor brand and tremendous investment in emerging technology. All with a firm focus on family.
Kelvin Taylor’s route to the massive export markets of Asia began in the early 1960s, following in the applegrowing footsteps of his father Wally and grandfather Walter. Kelvin had worked on-farm before leaving school but he knew he didn’t want to work for anyone else. The idea of autonomy was already a driving force behind his decisionmaking.
One bit of dirt, bought from the proceeds of a car sale, then another and another helped Kelvin establish his own orchard. Soon he was able to build his own packing shed and start packing his dad’s apples. Again, a man in control of his own destiny. Apart from the grip of the New Zealand Apple and Pear Board. “ENZA controlled everything back in those days, which we didn’t like,” Kelvin says, “and then when deregulation came – which meant we could sell our own apples – well, that was the best day in our lives.
“We just wanted to be totally integrated. Grow our own trees, have our own apples, pack them and then export them to the markets ourselves.”
What association with ENZA did give was an opportunity for Kelvin to travel the world, building relationships and demand for a quality product.
“When the world opened up [postderegulation], we didn’t have to go out hunting for people to buy our apples, they approached us and we made sure that it was all good fruit wherever we sent it.”
The number of customers isn’t an issue either. Across China, Taylor Corp’s strongest export destination, there are only about four or five buyers the company deals with and all are family-run businesses. “When we travel, the whole family comes out to dinner with us. It’s the same when they come over here. We’re one big family and you build a lot of trust from that,” Kelvin says.
Alongside skyrocketing shipping costs and inflation, Taylor Corp has faced a lack of available RSE workers. The 20/21 financial year was tough across the board, with just 2,000 workers arriving in New Zealand from across the Pacific, the lowest number of arrivals since 2007. This meant that in 2021, 95 percent of the Taylor Corp packhouse and orchard was staffed by people new to the business.
Instilling a sense of pride in what you do doesn’t happen overnight.”
Cameron Taylor
| Kelvin Taylor and son Cameron amid the packhouse technology that has helped them cope with labour shortages.
“This was a really tough time for us. We pride ourselves on being a great place to work,” Cameron says. “Building confidence back up out there without your old hands is a big ask. Learning from experience and instilling a sense of pride in what you do doesn’t happen overnight.”
The staffing situation has been helped by the introduction of new technology on 14 of the 40 packhouse lines. Working alongside the self-driving forklifts (OTTOs) are a new addition to the Taylor family, the Āporo. These machines can sort 120 pieces of fruit a minute and turn the fruit so that stems and colour are consistent for every tray.
This drive for consistency has also kept the Taylors to one packhouse. “You try and run two packhouses and have consistent brand, it’s extremely hard. What you think is right as a manager might differ from the other house,” Cameron says.
Kelvin chips in: ”That’s the reason we don’t run a night shift either. Most of the main staff are working 10-12 hours a day and if you put another shift in, you just don’t get that consistency.”
The Taylors are a hard-working but caring bunch, with strong ideas on how to run a tight ship. They’re not averse to trying something new or reaching into different markets. But as it’s their name on the product, it’s always the family reputation on the line. Perhaps that’s the secret to their success.
FRUIT FRAUD
For a company built on trust and consistency, the spectre of fruit fraud is real. Usually more common in luxury goods, fruit fraud is a big problem worldwide. “We have the best [apple] brand in Asia, there’s no question about it and everyone’s trying to copy us. The only saving grace is that they’re putting good fruit into those counterfeit boxes,” Kelvin says. The practice is widespread, with New Zealand packhouses exporting product without identification and a Taylor label being applied at the other end. It’s not limited to New Zealand either. Australian growers face the same issue and many have thrown millions of dollars at it to no end.
“It’s a balancing act,” Cameron says, “because our customers do pay a premium for our fruit. So we do engage with lawyers on the issue to show we’re trying to stamp out the problem. It’s an uphill battle though.”
‘The only way is up’ with UK trade deal
Damien O’Connor, Minister of Agriculture and also Trade and Export Growth, reflects on the breakthrough free trade agreement between New Zealand and the UK and looks at the work left to be done.
We now have an Agreement in Principle on an FTA with the UK – how significant is that?
It’s a significant milestone for New Zealand. It essentially puts all the major pieces of the FTA together. Though the legal details are still being concluded, Agreement in Principle means we know what the main benefits will be for our exporters. Off the bat many of our sectors will have tariff-free entry into what is a major market for most of our goods’ exporters. This includes wine, our largest export to the UK, currently worth $400 million per annum. Our red meat and dairy sectors will have significant tariff-free quotas that will grow each year once the agreement kicks in. That starts off with 149,000 tonnes of sheepmeat, 12,000 tonnes of beef, 7,000 tonnes of butter and 24,000 tonnes of cheese. And bear in mind that over the last three years, volumes of beef exported to that market have averaged around 750 tonnes. The only way is up.
What are the next steps?
Negotiators are working at pace to finalise the full legal text of the FTA in line with the Agreement in Principle. I’m hopeful that we are close to concluding that soon. Once the text has been finalised and legally verified, both sides’ domestic approval processes will need to be completed ahead of the FTA being signed. Parliament will then look at the agreement and ratify it, at which point we will be on the path to Entry-Into-Force.
What further hurdles remain?
As you might expect, there is still some work to do to finalise the technical details of the FTA, keeping it in line with the Agreement in Principle that we arrived at in October last year. We are making good progress and are aiming to complete this work as soon as possible.
When will the benefits flow?
The benefits will flow immediately at Entry-Into-Force, which is when the rubber hits the road. All going well, that
milestone should be the end of 2022. That’s our aim.
You have been part of UK trade negotiations at several times in your career. Is this the breakthrough we have been looking for?
To have led the concluding of an FTA for New Zealand is something that I’ve been very proud of.
When the UK entered the European Union market in the 1970s and New Zealand lost a key market, I was a kid on a West Coast dairy farm. I would never have thought 50 years later that I’d be in London negotiating a free trade deal to open up that same market for our farmers, growers and of course the broader economy. I’d hasten to add though that this is not about me. There’s been a fantastic team of negotiators who have worked incredibly hard and long hours to get us to this point. And it should be pointed out that much of this was done via Zoom calls, often in the middle of the night and in the middle of a pandemic.
| COVID-19 meant much of the work moved to Zoom calls, here with UK Trade Secretary Anne Marie Trevelyan.
The pace of progress has been a credit to all involved and what’s pleasing is that it has not come at the sacrifice of quality. This is a very, very good deal for New Zealand.
What’s next on our FTA wish list and why?
Our primary focus at the moment is finalising the UK-NZ FTA so that New Zealand exporters and businesses can start benefiting from this agreement. Concluding the negotiations of a comprehensive and high-quality FTA with the European Union – our fourth largest trading partner – remains a top priority. I look forward to concluding those talks with the EU as soon as possible.
For more detail go to www.mfat.govt.nz
A fantastic team of negotiators have worked incredibly hard and long hours to get us to this point.”
Damien O’Connor
NZ-UK FTA
Examples of Tariff Reductions for New Zealand Exporters
AUTUMN TO-DOs
Farmlands’ experts share the good oil on what needs your attention this season.
AGRONOMY
Emma Chrystall Technical Field Officer Waipukurau
Autumn regrassing is a big event for many farms. Planning and preparation should be well under way. Renewing pastures can improve the overall profitability of a farm through increased annual and seasonal pasture production, improved pasture quality, higher stocking rates and increased per head and per hectare production and performance.
• Assess perennial pastures to identify any with a low percentage of desirable species, a large weed burden and evident pest pressure.
• Identify and understand feed demand and market opportunities for the next 3-6 months and beyond and tailor species to these requirements.
Individual priorities and challenges will ultimately determine species selection. If you have a high winter feed demand, an annual or Italian ryegrass should be considered. Cocksfoot/ ryegrass mixes are increasingly popular to improve persistence in permanent pastures. The cocksfoot component has helped many farmers overcome persistence challenges in harsh summer-dry environments.
Tall Fescue-based perennial pastures have also proven successful across the country. These pastures increase early spring pasture production, improve pasture quality throughout the summer and provide a safe block for stock grazing in areas prone to facial eczema.
• Ensure glyphosate spray-outs are targeted to individual paddocks. In those with a high weed burden, spray-outs using spikes/companion herbicides such as Sharpen, Nail, Granstar or Versatil are the best way to control hard-to-kill weeds. When using companion herbicides, consider plantbacks in the first instance, especially if clover is being drilled. Insecticides can also be added to spray-outs to reduce pest populations such as Argentine stem weevil.
• Tailor fertiliser plans to soil types, fertility and predicted production. Feed new grass accordingly and always consider a side-dressing of nitrogen and sulphur after the first grazing.
• As always, preparation is everything. Factors that contribute to successful pasture renovation include soil fertility, cultivar selection, sowing technique, soil compaction/drainage, drought, pests and grazing management. Take time to rectify any causes of poor pasture performance before drilling to ensure success.
INFRASTRUCTURE
Shelly Worthington Technical Field Officer
– Sheep and Beef Eastern Taranaki
With all the crazy summer activities of shearing, silage and haymaking behind us, going into autumn often means time to get onto farm maintenance and infrastructure jobs.
Shipping delays and stock outages have become commonplace over the last year or so but Farmlands TFOs and branches are always working closely with our shareholders to secure product and minimise delays, especially when you have those contractors booked in.
Water systems tend to show their weak points over the summer and whether you need to replace a few ballcocks or plan a complete water system upgrade, Farmlands can help.
• Start by looking at your water source. Depending on whether you are drawing off tanks, out of a river, have a bore or well system, dams or springs, each will have its own supply limitations at different times of the year.
• What classes of stock are you carrying? Can you get enough water to them at peak times of the day?
• Is the size of your pipe suitable for the amount of water you require? Is the PSI rating correct?
• Are you constantly having to clear airlocks?
We can help you work through these problems and come up with cost-effective solutions.
Good fencing is one of the easier ways to help improve production on-farm. Being able to use the feed in your pastures often comes down to keeping the stock where you want them to be, whether it be a 9-wire post and batten boundary fence in the magnificent hill country or a 2-wire electric on the beautiful dairy flats throughout our country.
• Have you replaced your electric fence lately? Did you take the time to look at the earth system? More often than not, if an electric fence unit needs replacing it is upgraded to the next size. Bigger unit, bigger kick, right? Yes but you need the earth system to support that.
• Needing wood? If you want roundwood for fencing; timber rails and poles for yards; large poles for sheds or TGV for herd homes or retaining walls, Farmlands works with several suppliers around the country to ensure we can supply you with the best quality of product.
• Wire products, netting, hardware and a huge range of fencing products and tools are always in stock in all of our branches. We work closely with our suppliers months ahead to make sure we have what you want when you need it.
• Gone are the days of being the 10-year-old kid getting bruised from holding the spade against the batten while Dad nails off 9 wires on the other side. We now have a range of batten and post staplers to make the job a lot easier. They are available as cordless, gas powered or pneumatic to use with your compressor.
Good fencing is one of the easier ways to help improve production on-farm.”
ANIMAL HEALTH
Joseph Butler Technical Field Officer Waipukurau
Autumn’s increased rainfall combined with warm soil temperatures can bring relief to farms. While these conditions are ideal for grass growth, they unfortunately also favour animal parasites.
If you have been fortunate like those of us in the Hawke’s Bay region, spring grass growth has been at an optimum, which has also increased the number of paddocks being cut for hay and silage. These paddocks are naturally full of plant trash, prime location for the growth of Pithomyces chartarum, also known as facial eczema.
These paddocks are generally the first to have a green flush and it's natural that farmers want to start grazing them as soon as possible. However, under the right conditions these trashy paddocks can become a prime source of the spores that cause facial eczema.
Monitoring of these paddocks before grazing is essential. As temperatures start to decline, we also start to see a shift in the sheepworm populations from Barber’s Pole (Haemonchus contortus) to the Black Scour worm (Trichonstrongylus sp.).
It is important to identify the changes in worm species and select drench families that will target these specific species.
NUTRITION
Abby Henderson Technical Field Officer
Southland
March is a good time to condition-score your herd and make sure you are heading into late lactation on target. Putting weight onto cows while they are still lactating is more energy efficient compared with putting weight on when dry. The good pay-out makes this a great season to milk cows for longer but not at the expense of next season’s performance. You can have your cake and eat it too by feeding to support both production and body condition gain in late lactation.
At Farmlands we have the expertise and the bulk dairy-feed solutions to help with this. Milk production drives appetite so cows that are fully fed can support milk production and partition energy onto their backs.
• Don’t forget about minerals – now’s the time cows will replenish levels they have mined in early lactation.
• If re-investing in the farm, allowing for in-shed feeding gives you a convenient future option.
• Summer and autumn can be hard on R1 heifers so think about supplements, especially if you can weigh mobs and preferentially feed the tail end. Youngstock can be vulnerable to rising parasite burdens so it’s worth measuring what you are dealing with and check that drenches have worked. Farmlands offers faecal egg counts for this.
As temperatures start to decline, we also start to see a shift in the sheepworm populations.”
Monitoring the effectiveness of drench families throughout the season is essential. Random faecal egg counts should be done as worm species will vary at different times of the year. A quick indication of the efficacy of an anthelmintic for sheep can be done by laboratory testing faecal samples from 10 individual animals 10 days after treatment. This method of testing is merely for indication of anthelmintic decay. If faecal egg counts are noted post drenching, a more structured on-farm test such as a FECRT or faecal egg count reduction test should be done.
• Start planning for next season. Pressure on feed supply will likely continue so locking in price and supply is advised. Start the conversation with your local Nutrition Specialist now so when the time is right to book up your needs you will be well prepared.
REAL ESTATE
Rural market
Conrad Wilkshire General Manager Rural Property Brokers
For those contemplating taking their rural property to market in 2022, it’s worth doing the due diligence ahead of listing. Decide on your preferred rural sales consultant early in the process. A qualified consultant can help clarify marketing objectives and the options available to you. As the rural market strengthens and more listings come to market, you want your property to stand out.
As we start the new year, we remain optimistic about returning to business as usual.
5 Things To Do Before Listing:
• Walk the property with your real estate consultant and work up a checklist of fixes needed to present your property in the best possible light.
COVlD-19 has shaped events over the past 2 years. For rural New Zealand, the impact on events has seen local communities anguish over running events and inevitably making the tough call to cancel. Often, the considerable effort that goes into planning is unpaid, and committee time is voluntary. We recognise this work and acknowledge those marching forward into 2022 determined to
• What environmental planning has been done? This includes regulatory compliance and all operating consents, renewal dates and any recent environmental mitigation work.
Farmlands, like Property Brokers, is an avid supporter of rural events. Our annual calendars are planned around shows and field days, with many internal gatherings secondary to ensure as many of our
We have missed getting alongside rural communities supporting events and talking about farming and politics, not forgetting the rural property market. It is encouraging to see a programme of planned event management linking with rural communities this
Irrespective of what 2022 may bring, we remain committed to rural and provincial New Zealand and are focused as much on the long term as we are on the year ahead.
Conrad Wilkshire, GM Rural for Property Brokers Ltd conrad@pb.co.nz
• Bring in your trusted advisers early, particularly your accountant, lawyer and farm adviser.
Upcoming rural events 2022
• Compile important business information including farm production data, stock reconciliations for the last 3 years, key operational costs and physical farm information such as farm maps, soil types and fertiliser records.
Date Event Location
• Farm forestry and associated carbon opportunities are big topics these days. Getting advice on this is paramount, including any information on pre-1990 cleared pastoral land.
As a strategic partner, we will collaborate with Farmlands on the following events and hope to reconnect with many of you to chew the fat on local sales, whether rural or lifestyle. A lot is happening in the market with land-use change and compliance, creating some never-before-seen anomalies in all classes of land all over the
As a Farmlands shareholder, we place a real priority on providing you with obligation-free local market updates at any time during the year. If you need to talk to a property expert now, rather than wait to see us at the next event, please do not hesitate to reach out
3-5 March Northland Field Days Dargaville 11-12 March Wanaka Show Wanaka 17-19 March Central Districts Field Days Feilding 1-2 April AgFest Greymouth
The single most important step is to get our specialist real estate team alongside sooner rather than later. Anticipating buyer questions ahead of time not only builds confidence in the property and the marketing of it but it also sets you apart from the rest. A well-organised marketing programme helps your trusted advisers too as they guide and support you through the sales process.
Get our specialist real estate team alongside sooner rather than later.”
Forging her own path
Led by Shepherdess, GATHER Tararua is a storytelling and portraiture project that unearths the diverse stories of regional New Zealand. Meet Sally Dryland (née Groves), of Ruawhata.
I was brought up as one of seven kids on a fourth-generation family farm in Alfredton. We had the freedom to roam and explore, eeling in creeks and biking around the 30km-plus blocks. The family farm has been sold but having that start in life gave me a love for all things farming.
Saturday tennis was a big thing in the community, with 12 clubs. Then we would all go in our family station wagons to a party. As kids we would have our own social circle in the backyard with the cars.
I have learnt not to restrict people’s choices by what others consider standard gender roles. At 17 I played cricket for Rangitīkei Old Boys. It was a case of being brave enough to front up to the men and play. I became a teacher and then a school principal. At Te Wharau School I remember being asked to bake for a working bee. Once was enough – I was then welcomed into the more physical roles such as chainsawing. I think women sometimes miss out because we are scared to take a punt on ourselves.
I have and will continue to explore the world. I remember when I went to Thailand and Malaysia. I had to engage my senses because there were so many new things – an insect I couldn’t identify, languages I couldn’t understand. It showed me that as well as teaching facts and figures you have to teach students how to learn in other ways.
I think women sometimes miss out because we are scared to take a punt on ourselves.”
I moved to Pahiatua in 2006. One of my first times shopping at New World I’d loaded groceries into the car and someone offered to take the trolley back from the car park – those small acts help make a healthy community. Today, my husband Chris and I farm on the hill overlooking the Manawatū River to the north, with the Tararua wind farms to the west. I am surrounded by 50 shades of green and, on a good day, blue as well. We’ve tried to enhance the farm and care for the environment by planting trees and retiring areas. I like that the next owners will choose to make this spot their home, like we have.
Read more stories from the GATHER collection in the Autumn 2022 edition of Shepherdess, on sale from 14th March at your local Farmlands store.
As told to: Carly Thomas Photographer: Abbe Hoare
Chair urges caution as high prices turn heads
Farmlands Board Chairman and Silver Fern Farms Co-Chairman
Rob Hewett sees a potential storm brewing for farmers holding on to stock later into the autumn to take advantage of hot in-market prices.
In dairy, a looming record pay-out will tempt farmers to maximise their milk production for as long as possible. It’s similar with sheepmeat – farmers looking to take advantage of all-time high prices may be tempted to grow their lambs on so they go to the processor with as much weight on as possible.
It’s not a one-way bet though. Holding livestock to maximise on-farm revenue may come back to bite when the processors are operating at capacity and may not be able to take the stock when the farmer is ready to send them. Why? COVID-related disruptions to international shipping trade have made container availability and shipping services tight, causing unloading delays in virtually all markets around the world. These had a chilling effect on exports in 2021 and the expectation is that nothing has eased for 2022. Add the real possibility of COVID-19 disrupting labour supply in processing plants during peak season harvest and key industries such as transport and Rob sees a potential crunch coming late April to mid June.
Predictions of a 30-40 percent drop in workforce availability due to Omicron come on top of an already acute shortage of labour due to an absence of temporary visa overseas workers.
“The 3-week wait time we saw last year for a boat arriving at Long Beach,
California, to unload hasn’t gone away. That causes congestion in the supply chain and eventually the industry will run out of chiller and freezer space in New Zealand. It happened last year, and while the industry can mitigate to a degree with charter vessels, supply chain congestion is a real likelihood this year as well. If it does happen again this year, the ability to process livestock at capacity will likely be impacted.”
With the benefit of his Silver Fern Farms role, Rob can see the difficulty for the meat processors. Apart from supply chain congestion and labour shortages, typically their business model requires a daily balance of product coming through the plant – prime beef mainly from beef breeds like Angus and Hereford and “grinder” beef for the likes of hamburger patties mainly from bulls, dairy and cull cows.
“Meat companies try to maximise production, based on customer demand. We need to service our prime customers as well as dairy. To say we can slaughter all the dairy cows in a short time is to not deliver the total customer set what they need.”
The storm will hit hard in late autumn for those farmers still holding stock as they deal with the stressful combination of a queue at the processor, congested supply chains and stock to maintain as the grass curve slows and the supply of pasture slows down – and supplementary feed costs rise.
“All farmers need to make an informed decision around the cost of consuming extra autumn/winter feed versus the incremental margin made from
The 3-week wait time we saw last year for a boat arriving at Long Beach, California, to unload hasn’t gone away”
Farmlands Board Chairman Rob
Hewett
extended production. There is an opportunity cost of hanging onto livestock to maximise on-farm revenue,” Rob says. “It’s not a one-way bet. Farmers should be thinking about this now and having discussions with their livestock processor to ensure stock is processed on an agreed timeframe meeting everyone’s needs.”
Farmlands measures big cut to emissions
Three years into a carbon reduction programme, Farmlands has shaved another 7 percent off its emissions, dropping a further 1,006 tonnes of carbon (tCO2e) since 2020 and 3,127 since the base programme began in 2019.
With further emission reduction developments in the pipeline, Head of Sustainability and Land Use Katie Vickers is confident Farmlands will surpass the 30 percent by 2030 reduction target set out in the initial Toitū Envirocare carbonreduce certification in 2019.
The 7 percent drop can be partially attributed to lower travel levels due to COVID-19 and concentrated efforts to improve the efficiency of the supply chain and Farmlands’ vehicle fleet. Freight deliveries account for 55 percent of Farmlands’ emissions and 25.4 percent can be attributed to fleet fuel. The feedmill diesel boiler accounts for 5.9 percent, electricity for 5.2 percent and waste accumulated at 3.1 percent.
While the total 18 percent drop from the first certification is significant, Farmlands is pushing for further reductions. Sustainable packaging guidelines and carbon-neutral shrink wrap are on the way. Assisting agrichemical recycling company Agrecovery in hosting sites for its new LDPE plastic bag programme will also provide support for shareholders in reducing plastic on-farm.
“Toitū offers a word-renowned certification and it holds us to account to measure, manage and report on our emissions,” Katie says.
“We have a serious responsibility as a business to do our part in lowering
overall emissions in New Zealand and we want to be leading the way for our shareholders, customers and suppliers.”
Toitū’s carbonreduce certification is based on international standards. Toitū carbonzero and Toitū carbonreduce certification marks are recognised in over 60 countries, making it ideal for companies working in global supply chains or exporting products.
Toitū has supported Farmlands in accurately measuring the co-operative’s greenhouse gas emissions and has helped put in place strategies to manage and reduce impacts.
Compliance with the programme is independently verified annually to maintain certification.
Katie says the numbers over the last 2 years are a testament to the co-operative’s commitment to the reduction targets.
“Based on our current figures, we are in the position where we can re-evaluate our targets and get tougher on what is deemed acceptable in our day-to-day practices when it comes to sustainability.
“Our Farmlanders are committed to driving sustainable change and we have initiatives starting to kick off, from creating a single-use coffee cup free zone in our Christchurch Support Office to reviewing the packaging of our bags.”
Farmlands remains committed to hitting emission reduction targets and to supporting shareholders and customers in achieving their own sustainability goals along the way.
Toitū ... holds us to account to measure, manage and report on our emissions.”
Head of Sustainability and Land Use Katie Vickers
EMISSIONS IN CONTEXT:
Farmlands’ 2020 emission reduction of 1,006 tCO2e is equivalent to:
• The volume of 4,703 Olympic swimming pools.
• Driving from Auckland to Wellington in a medium-sized petrol engine car 7,318 times.
• 49 times the average New Zealand household emissions per year.
• Burning 412,980 litres of petrol.
Farmlands' top 5 emission factors
2020 /2021
What we have delivered
Total carbon emissions reduced by 12.24% (target: 3%).
Air travel reduced by 40.87% due to COVID-19 (target 15%).
33 vehicles removed from fleet between September 2020 and April 2021, reducing fuel use.
LED lighting installed in 12 Farmlands branches.
Waste to Landfill target of 5%.
We are collecting more accurate data at 80% of our sites, to ensure we have more visibility on what we are sending to landfills.
We have upgraded our Winton Feed Mill coal boiler to diesel.
2021/2022
What we plan to deliver this year
Freight
We are implementing the Ortec trip scheduling management system for fuel deliveries and increasing efficiency and data accuracy through the implementation of our new M2X system.
Electricity
15 stores per year to be converted to LED lighting.
Increase efficiency through monthto-month comparison of Meridian site usage data.
Diesel & Petrol
We’re introducing advanced telematics (via GPS) to monitor and evaluate driver behaviour.
We’re also partnering with a vehicle leasing agency to assess fleet and introduce more fuel efficient, hybrid and/or electric vehicles (where possible).
Upgrade of three leased delivery trucks in Taieri, Alexandra and Greymouth.
Waste
Achieve access to weight collection data for 100% of sites.
Better calf rearing drives the experts
Karen Fraser and Stacey Cosnett are on a mission to help farmers grow the best calves possible by delivering accurate and easyto-understand advice. Check out ‘The Calf Experts’ on Facebook and follow their articles in The Farmlander in the lead-up to calving.
When it comes to making sure growing calves are on target and healthy, The Calf Experts say, keep up the weighing – if the calves are not gaining weight as they should, there will be a reason.
That’s their main tip for March as they prepare for another year of helping Kiwi calf rearers grow the best calves they can.
Stacey Cosnett and Karen Fraser are The Calf Experts. In 2021 they toured their workshops from Northland to Southland and helped develop Reliance Blue Boost, a calf electrolyte fast becoming a favourite of calf rearers nationwide. Now, they are bringing their wisdom to readers in a series of articles leading up to calving.
Stacey, one of Farmlands’ in-house Ruminant Nutritionists, has nearly a
FEEDBACK
Hayley Stewart, a large-scale calf rearer from Tikokino, Central Hawke’s Bay, attended a Calf Experts workshop last season:
“The big thing I got from The Calf Experts workshop was that I need to stop and take a breath and to not overthink or sweat the small stuff on everything. Karen and Stacey talk a lot about backing yourself and your skills – have confidence, trust your gut feel and don’t worry too much about what everybody else is doing, just concentrate on your own plan.
“The colostrum session was one of my favourites as you can never have too much information on how important it is to have high-quality colostrum for calves. I am a cleanfreak so cleanliness is another of my favourite subjects as well and I enjoyed learning more on how to keep pen health up to scratch for calves.”
Hayley also gave Reliance Blue Boost electrolyte a go: “I was impressed with the results. Easy to dissolve and containing vitamin B12, which is great for driving appetite. Blue Boost is definitely something I will keep using.”
decade of experience providing technical support across the Farmlands network. Karen is a Technical Specialist in all things young stock, with experience running large calf-rearing units.
At this time of year, when young cattle are grazing on low residuals, they are vulnerable to worms so Stacey and Karen advise drenching with a triple combination. They also suggest doing yarding early morning or late evening to avoid the heat of the day and minimise dehydration and stress.
A good tip is to provide electrolytes like Reliance Blue Boost during yarding. Electrolytes move water, salts and energy across the gut and help to avoid a health or growth check after yarding. If pasture is struggling to recover after a dry patch, Stacey and Karen advise prioritising young stock. Pick the best
pasture available and shift daily if possible. Long mature grass will not provide enough energy or protein to support the muscle and skeletal growth needed. Offering supplementary feed will give pasture time to recover as the autumn rains begin. Well-fed young stock can better cope with internal parasites and coccidiosis.
Getting ready to rear autumn calves?
The Calf Experts say the better you prepare, the better the outcome. Do not repeat the same plan as last season if there were issues – if you keep doing the same thing, you will keep getting the same outcome.
Shed preparation is important – better shed foundations mean better shed health. Before the calves arrive, you should have a calf feeding programme sorted and be fully equipped with everything you may need.
FIX AND FORGET
With so much that is uncertain, imagine being able to fix your power costs for the next 5 years. Farmlands and Meridian have put together a deal that will give shareholders the certainty of a 5-year fixed-rate plan. The deal fixes both the energy and network charges components of your bill for 5 years*.
Richard Sandford, Head of Sales and Partnerships at Meridian, and Jess Strange, Chief Customer Officer at Farmlands, answer some questions on the background to the deal.
So how did this deal come about?
Jess: We’re always looking to provide value to our customers. In the annual review of our energy portfolio, we spent some time with customers seeking to understand what they were looking for. The outcome of the research was clear – they wanted certainty. There’s a lot of disruption in the world, our customers are confronted daily with pressures around compliance, supply shortages and environmental concerns. In the energy industry, costs continue to increase, making it hard to budget and there’s a global pandemic on our doorstep!
Both Meridian and Farmlands wanted to take some of the pressure of our customers by providing some certainty. One way we can do this is by offering our new 5-year energy plan, this will mean customers can fix their costs. The plan covers both commercial and residential accounts, so whether you are a retired farmer living in town or tallying up the power bill for a dairy shed, you’ll have peace of mind when it comes to your energy pricing.
It's also important to mention, that we know that Meridian is a good fit for Farmlands and our customers. We both understand farmers, we’re both building sustainable businesses and our specialist teams take pride in understanding how we can support you better.
How do I qualify?
Jess: The offer is only available to Farmlands’ shareholders when you pay your Meridian Energy bill through your Farmlands Account. You not only get the exclusive 5-year fixed price plan, you get a cherry on top with your Farmlands 2% rebate and additional 2% Meridian Energy Partnership discount. Plus, for all new Meridian customers there is a great joining credit – up to $500 per meter* until the end of June.
Richard, why do you feel the offer is compelling?
Richard: Never before have Meridian offered a 5-year fixed rate plan (which fixes your usage rates for both the electricity you use and the network charges). The certainty that this could provide Agri customers for both their business and residential connections is huge. That coupled with the credit, the simplicity of your Meridian bill coming through your Farmlands Account and all the other benefits, makes this one of the best offers we have in market. What makes Meridian a good fit for Farmlands’ shareholders?
Richard: We’ve stood side by side with Farmlands for 15 years, it is a partnership built on trust and aligned values. We are completely committed to the agricultural sector, currently supplying power to over 11,000 farms nationwide. Rural communities are also important to us, we love talking with our customers over the kitchen table and we take pride in supporting the industry further through sponsorships, like the NZ Dairy Awards.
How can shareholders be sure the fixed rate stays competitive?
Richard: As we have all learned with recent events, it is difficult to predict the future. There are so many factors impacting pricing, which has been volatile with long dry spells, high demand and low lake levels. However, one thing we can be sure of is that demand will increase as New Zealand and the world moves away from fossil fuels to clean energy sources.
Jess: We have ensured the deal’s pricing will remain competitive. We’ve done the research. Just get a quote, test it out. We think we have done the hard yards to get you the best deal for 5 years.
How fixed is fixed? What if I sell my farm?
Richard: This deal may not be for everyone, particularly if you are planning changes in the short term. If that is the case, we have competitive 2 and 3-year plans available. We know personal situations can change so if that happens during the 5-year term, talk with one of the team and we can work through options for you.
Will we see more cooperation between Farmlands and Meridian on sustainability projects?
Jess: Farmlands and Meridian are both passionate about supporting sustainability activity across the rural sector. We have several projects in the pipeline, specifically around carbon offsetting and carbon reduction so watch this space. Meridian will be helping us roll out a network of electric vehicle chargers to Farmlands stores. We are also working together on certifying all our stores as carbon neutral.
To get a quote or find out more, visit farmlands.co.nz/meridian
*Terms and Conditions apply. Visit farmlands.co.nz/ meridian for more details.
Farmlands and Meridian Energy have been working together for 15 years and we are excited to be working with Meridian as our exclusive energy provider. Both Farmlands and Meridian are committed to the rural sector and this exclusive partnership gives us a deeper relationship to be able to support our shareholder’s needs.
We understand there has been a lot of change and uncertainty over the last couple of years, so we have worked together to bring you an exclusive shareholder offer. So, when it comes to your power you can rest easy.
We could all do with some certainty right now...
Time for refresher on chemical safety
As we head into autumn, farmers will be using various agrichemicals. Whether applying nitrogen or spraying pastures, it’s a good idea to consider the risks and plan to do it safely.
“Farmers and growers use a wide range of chemicals, which play an important role in boosting productivity and help to grow high-quality produce,” says Angela Mansell, Acting Director Engagement and Implementation for WorkSafe New Zealand.
“However, it is important to remember that these can be dangerous to people, animals and the environment. Chemicals and fuels can cause serious, long-term health damage if you breathe them in, get them in your mouth or on your skin or in cuts.”
Health effects can include skin rashes, asthma and long-term damage to your nervous system. Some farm chemicals can cause cancer. Every year an estimated 750-900 people die in New Zealand from work-related health issues and a further 5,0006,000 are admitted to hospital with cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and other chronic illnesses from workplace exposure to airborne contaminants.
“Effects of exposure may not be visible for days, weeks, months or even
decades,” she says. “It is critical that farmers ensure everyone who will be applying agrichemicals is trained, know the hazards and the steps they need to take to keep everyone, including themselves, safe.
“Even if you have used a chemical hundreds of times, take a few minutes to refresh your memory around the specific risks and usage requirements by reading the product labels and Safety Data Sheet (SDS).”
Employers are required to provide the correct safety gear for themselves and their workers. Planning ahead will also ensure everyone has the correct personal protective equipment (PPE) for the substances and planned task.
“It’s going to be frustrating to schedule a job and find on the morning that your PPE isn’t up to scratch. The last thing you want is someone cutting corners and pressing ahead without the correct PPE – putting their health at risk,” Angela says.
“So take a few minutes ahead of the job to check what PPE your need for that product and that it’s up to the job. Does anything need replacing? Are respirators calibrated or needing new filters or cartridges?”
Safety gear will depend on the product you are using and the job you are doing – your SDS will tell you what is required.
You may need different PPE for mixing, handling, applying, cleaning application equipment and cleaning spills. Planning ahead should also include the steps you are going to take to safeguard others who might be in the area. Let others who will be using the farm know, including neighbours if required, and have suitable signage to flag areas.
Once you have finished using farm chemicals for the day, you should clean safety gear and store it securely. Wash your hands, arms and face, especially before eating, drinking, smoking or going to the toilet. Remove the clothes you were working in, have a shower or bath with soap and water, shampoo your hair and put on clean clothes. Wash your work clothes separately from other clothes.
If you’re disposing of empty chemical containers, it’s a good idea to rinse them three times and take the containers to the nearest Agrecovery collection point.
For further details please see worksafe.govt.nz to download the guide to Working Safely with Chemicals and Fuels on Farms
Article supplied by WorkSafe
| Employers are required to provide the correct safety gear for themselves and their workers.
So, how does a Farmlands exclusive fiveyear fixed rate on your power sound?
Sign up with Meridian, Farmlands’ exclusive energy provider and get:
• Competitive pricing with seasonal plans that align to your calendar
MERIDIAN
• Direct billing through your Farmlands Account
• 2% Farmlands shareholder rebate + a 2% Meridian Energy partnership discount
Plus, by joining Meridian, you can feel proud you’re supporting an energy company that generates power from 100% renewable sources – wind, water and sun. So together, we’re doing good for people and the planet.
Request a quote now and put some certainty into your plans for the next five years.
Not one for making a long-term commitment? We have other plans available that might just suit your needs.
farmlands.co.nz/meridian
* Terms and Conditions apply. Visit farmlands.co.nz/meridian
PREMIUM ARENA MIX
Treadlite is exited to offer premium arena mix which can be tailored made for each riders desired requirements. We proudly produce Treadlite right here in New Zealand.
The recycling process takes used tyres which would otherwise be disposed of in landfill, stockpiled, illegally dumped or shipped offshore to be burnt. At our plant in Cambridge our triple treated refinery process uses a series of shredders and magnets to produce a consistent evenly sized material that is 99.9% metal free.
Why use Treadlite arena mix:
• Less wear and tear on horses’ hooves
• Reduced concussion on joints through better impact absorption Lively surface allows horses to get more air above the ground and better takeoff for jumping
• Maintains a more even spread than traditional sand surface
• Less affected by rain
• Reduced dust means fewer respiratory issues
• Can be used alone over base-coarse or spread on top and mixed with existing sand
apply. Valid until 01 April 2022.
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.
Correct nutrition key to successful weaning
In these late summer months, equine breeders will be separating foals from their dams. Planning and correct nutrition are essential for what can be a stressful time. Strategies for weaning will differ according to the facilities available and procedures in place to minimise stress and make the process as smooth as possible.
The herd nature of horses means they need constant company. Larger establishments will often wean foals so they are paddocked together; owners with single foals will require another equine companion.
To meet the increased energy and nutrient requirements of the lactating mare before weaning, a balanced broodmare feed such as NRM Evolve or McMillan Broodmare along with adequate forage is required. It is essential that the foal becomes accustomed to eating the hard feed before weaning as this minimises complications of introducing a new feed combined with the stress of separation. This often occurs naturally by sharing the mare’s feed.
In most cases, broodmares are less affected by weaning and some will be more than ready to be separated from their energetic offspring. This is often the time when mares will gain weight as lactation gradually ceases and energy is no longer required for milk production. Mare dietary alterations should occur according to body condition and most mares will require fewer calories at this time. Balancer pellets such as NRM Progress or Mare
Balancer are ideal for ensuring nutrients are still supplied without contributing to weight gain.
Most foals are weaned from at least 5 to 6 months of age and by this stage they are independent and able to consume any forage or hard feed required. The time of growth between 6 and 12 months is crucial for skeletal development as the risk of developmental orthopaedic diseases is high. Research has shown that to minimise the risk of conditions such as osteochondritis, physitis and wobblers, the most important considerations are achieving steady growth and providing a low glycaemic diet that is balanced for all essential vitamins and trace minerals. NRM Evolve or the more concentrated NRM Progress are ideal feeds for this time as they are formulated with low glycaemic ingredients, balanced with all required nutrients. They also
both contain a proprietary ingredient called Buffered Mineral Complex from Kentucky Equine Research, shown to improve bone mineral density in weanlings and young working horses. Steady growth in weanlings is achieved through monitoring condition carefully and avoiding any rapid changes through altering energy intake accordingly. While many stud managers have a highly experienced eye and can spot changes in body condition quickly enough, weighing and measuring weanlings gives much more accurate readings as well as the ability to compare values as they grow and look for any significant changes.
For further information, contact your Farmlands Technical Field Officer or the friendly team at your local Farmlands store.
Article supplied by Luisa Wood, Equine Nutritionist
| Most foals are weaned from at least 5 to 6 months of age.
Moving on from pet to production
Many animals on lifestyle blocks are pets that give companionship and enjoyment, which in terms of the physical and mental wellbeing of their owners may be a far greater return than any commercial or edible gains. Whatever class of stock you are into, a bit of land gives the additional opportunity for farmed livestock to generate a surplus for your local community or whānau, or to generate some income in addition to pleasure. With livestock, income-generating production can come from reproduction and/or the growth of animals – typically there is not a lot of profit in maintenance
unless you are being paid to carry stock through a period of feed shortage or hope to buy when markets are low to sell when prices have risen. In terms of the environment, typically healthy, fully fed animals have a smaller carbon footprint per unit of production than stock fed for lower levels of production because the cost of maintenance is lower relative to the level of output. Breeding can be especially rewarding but requires more expertise and at times is more challenging than keeping dry (non-lactating) stock. Success depends on fecundity – the ability to produce an abundance of offspring
relative to your preferred species and ideally produce stock valued in your vicinity. Reproduction is a luxury activity and results will be better when animals are well fed and healthy. The riskiest time for any animal is around birth and birthing, when extra attention may be required. Most of the farmed animals in New Zealand have been selected over many generations to be trouble-free at birthing but our weather can present unexpected challenges. When required, assistance should be timely, which can be difficult for part-time farmers working off the block.
Rabbits are prolific breeders so they can be a good place to learn basic breeding skills and the need for timely birth control. Rabbits become sexually mature within a few months of birth, have relatively short pregnancies, produce large litters and can be rebred immediately after giving birth. Some pet shop chains have moved away from having furry pets for sale instore, making marketing and sale skills necessary unless you are breeding rabbits for your own table. Dedicated rabbit fanciers have helped to maintain breeds in New Zealand that offer a fantastic array of sizes, temperaments and coat type for the new breeder to choose from.
Compared with grazing animals, pigs are also prolific breeders and could be a good use for established wooded areas as they appreciate shelter and shade. Laying poultry offer the opportunity to sell eggs. Flocks of under 100 birds generally do not need a risk management plan unless eggs are sold to commercial premises like cafes but it pays to check with local authority regulations. The genetics of modern Hyline and Shavers are carefully protected and are achieving performance gains year on year. Heritage breeds offer more opportunity for those who wish to sell fertile eggs, day-old chicks or point-of-lay pullets but you need a suitable cockerel, which
may contravene some local regulations or governances. Broody hens can be annoying when you want eggs but can mean that an investment in an incubator and broody box is not necessary if you opt for natural incubation and rearing.
A small sheep flock can be closed, in which case future ewes are reared from the flock, or open, in which case replacements are brought in. Pure breeding (keeping the same breed of ewe and tup) allows surplus ewe lambs with known traits to be sold for breeding. If you are not looking to breed your own replacements you can use a terminal sire – a meat breed like a Suffolk or Texel – so that your lambs benefit from hybrid vigour and more meatiness from their father. In a small, closed flock it may still be necessary to buy in a ram at regular intervals to stop inbreeding. There is generally good demand for pet lambs for rearing on the bottle and this can be a good outlet for the smallest triplet, which might struggle unless ewes are milky and conscientious. Not everybody wants to keep ewes so weaned lambs can find a market from people with pasture who want to grow them on.
Calf rearing can be the entry point to beef production but weaned calves and store cattle may be less demanding for those looking to avoid the demands of milk-feeding. The would-be beef farmer has many breeds and crossbreeds to choose from, which will determine
the size and even taste of the meat produced as the texture of meat and degree of marbling is to some extent heritable. Heifers tend to finish earlier than steers but will call for a mate from about 15 months of age and may want to go courting if fences allow.
Small traditional breeds and modern miniature strains of breeds offer easier handling and smaller cuts whereas dairy crosses of big breeds like the Belgian Blue offer double muscling spread across a large frame. Wagyu crosses are becoming more common and offer the potential for more marbling but typically are not finished until at least 2½ years, which means carrying them through two or even three full winters. Research indicates that grazing animals prefer diversity so take heart if your paddocks are not pristine perennial ryegrass and clover-only pastures.
Finished animals can be sent to the works or home-killed but unless the meat is inspected it cannot be sold or even donated outside of the family. Whilst some trucking companies have loading ramps it may be necessary to have yards and a ramp if intending to sell stock. Goat breeds like the Boer offer the potential for meat production while goats, sheep and cows offer the opportunity for milk production. Many lifestyle blocks have deer fencing and with appropriate sheds could accommodate some deer. Velvet production offers the potential to keep the same animals for many years whereas venison animals inevitably have a shorter life expectancy. With fewer generations of domestication than most farmed livestock, deer handling may require more expertise and personal protection equipment.
For further information, contact your Farmlands Technical Field Officer or the friendly team at your local Farmlands store.
Article supplied by Dr Rob Derrick, Head of Nutrition and Animal Health
| There is generally good demand for pet lambs for rearing on the bottle.
Spot-on drench takes wrestling out of race
Regular drenching of lambs plays a key role in maintaining the good growth rates needed to get them to their target weight as soon as possible. Growth rate targets are even more time-critical with ewe hogget replacements.
Drenching lambs orally isn’t easy though. Often the farmer needs to get into the race and wrestle with the lambs, making the job much more physical than it needs to be. Many farmers take on extra labour just to get their lambs drenched.
What was needed to make the job safer and easier was a drench that could be spot applied rather than applied orally. The team at Donaghys picked up the
challenge and developed Scorpius Elite. This is a spot-on product, meaning no wrestling with the animal to get access to the mouth.
Feedback from farmers is that Scorpius Elite is faster to use and also reduces stress on the animal and the person applying the drench. “I will definitely be using it again," M. Skevington of Ashburton says.
Scorpius Elite is highly effective against gastrointestinal parasites of sheep and the initial trial work demonstrated that it worked well in New Zealand conditions, including against parasites resistant to triple combination drenches. Further field testing has confirmed this, as has first-hand feedback from farmers using the product.
From Rob & Alex Foreman, of Pori/Pahiatua:
“We have been dealing with triple combination drench resistance for 18 months and after really struggling we tried Scorpius Elite. So easy to put on the sheep and the egg count at 11 days post drench was zero! We couldn’t believe it! We have resistance to the two ingredients when given traditionally in the mouth. Scorpius Elite has given us another tool in the toolbox to farm ourway out of drench resistance.“
At Lawrence, Mt Hilton: “We used Scorpius Elite as end-ofseason drench on the hoggets and we immediately saw a huge lift in their condition. Subsequently we’re very pleased with the product. Over and above that we did a drench test comparing Matrix with Scorpius which came back with 100 percent kill of all worms, so we were very satisfied that science had backed the product.” Scorpius Elite isn’t just for lambs. A lot of farmers use it in their ewes pre-lamb. With their extra size, ewes can be even harder to drench orally than lambs. Farmer feedback has noted that their ewes and weaned lambs look as good as ever.
In 2021 over 500,000 sheep were treated with Scorpius Elite, giving farmers even more confidence in this new technology that makes their lives easier.
For further information, contact your Farmlands Technical Field Officer or the friendly team at your local Farmlands store.
Article supplied by Donaghys
| A spot-on drench is faster to apply and less stressful on the animal and the person applying it.
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Time for upgrade to shearing shed safety
With safety at the forefront of all farm activity, now is the time to evaluate the safety of your shearing shed.
Due to their hot and busy nature, the opening for an accident to happen in a shearing shed is high. You can minimise the risk by reviewing the safeguards your shearing machinery offers.
• Does my shearing plant offer safety cut-out in case of lock-up?
• Is my shearing plant isolated from electric shock?
• Does my wool press have safety guards?
• Is my wool press safe to operate?
Preventable injuries cost farmers, contractors and the wool and shearing industries time and money. Advances in technology mean shearing machinery now has more advanced safety features. The cost of upgrading to a higher-quality machine is a small price to pay for superior safety in a busy, high-stress work environment.
Heiniger's New Zealand National Sales Manager, Kevin Thirkell, knows just how real the risks are.
“Shearers, contractors and farmers increasingly demand tools that provide them with purpose that doesn't compromise on safety. One example –the handpiece can lock up if you hit a piece of wire or an ear tag in the wool. The handpiece, still rotating at about 3,500rpm, will tear itself out of the shearer’s hand and become dangerous – potentially lethal – to anyone nearby.”
A safe and light shearing machine with the advantage of a downtube isolated from all electrified components reduces any risk of electric shock, Kevin says.
The Heiniger Evo Shearing Plant has fast become a market leader. It was the first shearing plant in the world to be manufactured with an electronic safety switch, stopping the machine in case of a dangerous handpiece lock-up. For this it has won numerous WorkSafe awards.
The key features to look for when upgrading your wool press are:
Safety A fully fitted and approved mechanical safety screen and safety device for operator safety.
Toughness and durability For intensive use season after season and ensuring expensive servicing is reduced.
Speed To ensure high yield and efficiency when pressing bales.
Ergonomics Such as a low filling height to avoid stress and strain on an operator's back.
Manufacturing High-tech machines offer a fully automatic bale ejection system to help your shearing operation.
The TPW Xpress Woolpress is widely used by farmers, shearing contractors and many woolstores where these requirements are demanded. This machine has long been renowned for its speed and toughness. It has been proven as the fastest press on the market, with a cycle time of 12-16 seconds in high-yielding wools when pressing bales up to 200kg.
Heiniger offers innovative, safer solutions for your shearing shed. With the Evo Shearing Plant and TPW Xpress Woolpress on the market, there are now few excuses for farmers not to be able to better protect themselves and employees working on their property.
For further information, contact your Farmlands Technical Field Officer or the friendly team at your local Farmlands store.
Article supplied by Heiniger
| Heiniger offers innovative, safer solutions for your shearing shed.
Persistence pays off with parasite control
The insidious nature of subclinical disease means that many farmers are unaware of health and productivity losses in their herd. Farmers want their cows to be healthy and productive. Carefully and proactively managing subclinical diseases such as parasitism can help achieve this goal.
While cows develop tolerance to parasites with age and exposure, they still have to find protein and energy to fight off parasite challenges and maintain immunity. Autumn is usually a very ‘wormy’ time as pasture conditions are ideal for larvae to develop and survive, then infect all grazing animals. If those animals are compromised for any reason, especially if they are in poor condition, are on low feed covers or quality or if stress or concurrent disease is a problem, those parasites can get the upper hand.
Production trials in New Zealand and overseas have demonstrated that while often these infections are unseen (subclinical) they are still affecting cows. Production improves when the parasites are removed.1,2,3,4 Trials using some of the ‘mectin’ actives (some of which have persistent activity) had higher milk-production responses compared with trials using older type drenches such as whites and clears, which are short-acting.
This is likely to be due to efficacy and also the persistence of some of these molecules, such as moxidectin, which is formulated in Cydectin® Pour-On. Cydectin Pour-On has the longest persistence against Ostertagia ostertagi, the most important worm causing damage to adult dairy cattle in New Zealand, with 35 days activity against this parasite as well as persistence against a wide variety of other parasites. By continually killing incoming larvae for 35 days, cows are free of Ostertagia for longer, enabling healthier cattle that are more productive. This also makes them more efficient at converting feed, which lowers greenhouse gas emissions, a triple bottom line win for the cows, the environment and farmers.
Not all drenches have persistent activity, even if they contain the same active, so it pays to check the label and know what the drench is designed for. Short-acting ‘clean out’ drenches are just that – soon after drenching, those animals are being reinfected with larvae, which start affecting the animal’s production again. These may not be the best choice at a time of high larval challenge, as in autumn.
In a New Zealand trial1, dairy cows treated at dry-off with Cydectin PourOn produced 4.2kg more milksolids
the following season than cows treated with a short-acting drench. This demonstrates how much of a difference a product with persistence against those parasite larvae can make and how much impact those unseen parasites can have.
While these responses can be significant, it’s important that only cows likely to respond to the drench are treated. Drench resistance is a real and present danger on all farms and using drenches carefully has to be a priority in order to minimise resistance.
The containers can be recycled with AgRecovery at no cost to you, so after use, triple rinse and drop them off to your local collection depot.
For further information, contact your Farmlands Technical Field Officer or the friendly team at your local Farmlands store.
Article supplied by Zoetis
Cydectin is a registered trademark of Zoetis. ACVM No. A6203.
1 Sanchez J et al. A meta-analysis of the milk-production response after anthelmintic treatment in naturally infected adult dairy cows, Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 2004.
2 Murphy, A. The effect of treatment with moxidectin, a long acting endectocide, on milk production in lactating dairy cows, Buiatrics World Congress, 1998.
3 McPherson W.B. et al. Effect of a peri-parturient eprinomectin treatment of dairy cows on milk production, NZVJ, 2001.
4 Geurden T. et al. A multi-country study to assess the effect of a treatment with moxidectin pour-on during the dry period on milk production in dairy cows, Vet Parasitol, 2017.
Rest assured, let Firebird look after your crop.
Tried and trusted, Firebird removes weed competition early, providing the right conditions for wheat and barley crops to thrive.
• Firebird is a proven and effective pre-emergent herbicide for use in both wheat and barley crops
• Get your crop off to a great start by controlling weeds during establishment with Firebird
• Firebird controls competitive and difficult weeds such as vulpia hair grass, annual poa, field pansy, chickweed and speedwell
• Once applied, you can have the confidence to move on to other jobs knowing Firebird is protecting your crops from weeds
Insist on Firebird from Bayer. Contact your local Farmlands store for details.
Nutrients help unlock hill country’s potential
During low return years for sheep and beef, many farmers may have opted to mine phosphorus reserves in the soil or, if finances have permitted, replace some or all of the phosphorus used in production. Now sheep and beef returns have picked up, they can consider reinvesting in profitability.
“While mining phosphorus reserves or applying less than maintenance phosphorus may not initially impact on productivity, in the longer term the further phosphorus levels move below the optimum range, the more productivity is affected,” Ballance Agri-Nutrients Science Extension Officer Jim Risk says.
“Pasture can only grow as much as the most limiting nutrient allows it to.
On many hill country sheep and beef farms, it’s very common for pasture growth to be limited by sulphur and by phosphorus,” Jim says.
Phosphorus and sulphur are important nutrients for hill country. They are needed to grow clovers so they can then fix and cycle nitrogen, supplying it to the grasses that make up most of the pasture. “While applying sufficient capital phosphorus increases pasture production soon after application, there is sometimes not a corresponding immediate increase in Olsen P levels. Providing sufficient capital phosphorus has been applied, Olsen P can sometimes take 2 to 3 years to show an increase,” he says.
Economically optimal Olsen P levels are typically 15-20 on easy hills and 12-15 on steep hill country, and the amount of phosphorus needed to lift levels by one unit depends on the type of soil (see table). In many situations, phosphate fertiliser gives a better return than lime. On hill
country, the ideal soil pH is 5.5. With aerial applications of lime, it is seldom economic to apply unless the soil pH is less than 5.5. If the Olsen P is less than 15 you will typically get a better return from applying phosphorus and sulphur rather than lime.
“If you’re going to improve your pasture, you want to make sure you can use it effectively,” Jim says.
“This means subdividing paddocks first so you can control stock and grazing at the intensity to get the most of your improved pasture. You also need to think about infrastructure like water so you get even grazing and distribution of dung and urine.
“A holistic view is needed, but if returns are better, it might be a good time to invest in infrastructure as well,” Jim says.
For more information, contact your Farmlands Technical Field Officer or the friendly team at your local Farmlands store.
Article supplied by Ballance Agri-Nutrients
| Ballance Agri-Nutrients Science Extension Officer Jim Risk says phosphorus and sulphur are important nutrients for hill country.
Soil Inputs of P (kg/ha) to increase Olsen P by 1 unit
How much phosphorus to increase Olsen P by 1 unit?
OUR FRAMEWORK FOR A BETTER FUTURE
Here at Gallagher Group we are committed to a more sustainable future. We talked to our team about how to put those words into practice. The result? ‘Protect what matters most’ through innovation, action and analysis.
Analysis shows regulators and consumers are increasingly concerned with environmental issues such as climate change, greenhouse gases and water quality. Our customers know they must adjust and respond, so producing more for less becomes increasingly more important. This is where our innovation to drive productivity and more efficient use of materials, energy, water, land and labour comes in. Our customers are seeking connection to natural, sustainable and responsibly sourced foods with a strong need for traceability.
Here’s what we are doing:
• Waste The aim is to minimise the amount of waste we produce by re-using it, for example using our cardboard waste to safely package our animal management products. Last year, at head office in Hamilton, 650 percent more recycling was picked up, significantly reducing our landfill contribution.
• Energy We’re also making strides to make our Gallagher offices and factories as energy efficient as we can.
• Recycling We are part of a scheme through which the computers we no longer use are refurbished and passed on to schools that need them the most. This is great for kids and educators and also a win for the environment, giving equipment that would otherwise end up in landfill a new lease on life.
These are just part of Gallagher’s long-term drive toward a more sustainable future. Check back in the months to come for the second part of this series to see what else we’re doing.
For further information, contact your Farmlands Technical Field Officer or the friendly team at your local Farmlands store.
•
Poison partner in rabbit fight
Rabbits were introduced to New Zealand in the 19th century for food and sport. They soon became a pest. Reaching plague proportions in some areas, they cost the country millions of dollars through lost production on farmland as well as through attempts to control them.
Rabbit numbers have escalated dramatically. Many areas that have not seen rabbits for decades, both rural and urban, are now seeing them at alarming levels.
Rabbits have a significant effect on the ecosystem, causing large areas of land to become eroded and native vegetation to change. They are a good food source for predators, boosting these populations and subsequently putting huge pressure on native birds and wildlife.
Most wild rabbits live for about 18 months. They live in colonies or warrens with a social hierarchy. Males often make mounds or ‘buck heaps’ to mark their territory. Rabbits are also capable of living above ground in either rocky terrain or within dense scrub.
As rabbits are nocturnal, they spend most of their day underground in the safety of their burrow before venturing out at twilight to feed for most of the night. Seeing rabbits out and about during the day indicates a high
population. The home range of the rabbit is generally 2-3 hectares but they will stray further in search of food. Controlling rabbits can be difficult, especially in built-up areas. The option of shooting may not be possible or all that effective if numbers are high.
To ensure shooting is more effective, a good baiting programme can help keep numbers to a minimum. Pindone is a first-generation anticoagulant poison in a cereal-based pellet that is designed for the control of rabbits in rural and urban areas. Pindone is a slow-acting anticoagulant that needs to be consumed over several days to be effective. The toxin reduces the clotting power of the blood, causing internal haemorrhage. Death occurs 4-11 days after bait consumption.
It is important to have sufficient bait for 2-3 days feeding by all rabbits in the area. Feeding rabbits will recruit rabbits outside their territory to the bait station, which means the numbers feeding can persist and increase over a period. While rabbits may be active in the treated area for 4-5 days after taking the poison, very few rabbit carcasses will be found. Most rabbits will go back to their burrows to die.
Bait should always be applied using bait stations. In cases where there is concern about bait being accessible during the
daytime, use a bait station such as a No Pests Multi-feeder that can be closed off to stop non-target species accessing the bait. A sheet of iron or plywood weighted on top would provide an enticing and comfortable feeding area and gives extra weather protection while also eliminating stock access.
A new bait station introduced into the rabbits’ territory should be left for 7-10 days before filling with bait pellets as rabbits are considered reasonably neophobic. Turning over a spit of dirt in front of the bait station can entice rabbits to investigate. Spring grass growth competes with the bait and may discourage uptake so the timing of application may need adjustment. For large areas, consider aerial or ground applications using a registered applicator. Withholding period for stock is 28 days.
Another option for controlling rabbits is to treat both the warrens and burrows with Magtoxin. This is a pellet that, once placed in the burrow, becomes a gas and fumigates the rabbits beneath the ground.
For further information, contact your Farmlands Technical Field Officer or the friendly team at your local Farmlands store.
Article supplied by Key Industries
Get sorted this Autumn with a pole shed
Exclusive prices for Farmlands shareholders.
Enquire about Mitre 10 pole sheds.
- Custom made to suit your needs
- Varying in size from 1 to 12 bays
- Pole sheds available from selected stores only
- See online for more details
Fill out an advanced pole shed enquiry form at: mitre10.co.nz/trade-polesheds
A better cattlestop
After nearly 50 years serving rural New Zealand, Hynds knows to listen to its customers. That listening led it to develop an easy-to-install, one-piece cattlestop that can be dropped fully assembled into place.
The only one-piece cattlestop on the market, the Hystop® Cattlestop’s unique and exclusive design includes steel galvanised tubes welded in pairs. This feature prevents the tubes from spinning while also allowing easy removal if needed.
Other features are:
• For safety, the Hystop® design helps prevent stock getting caught, vehicles causing snags or the rail ends being damaged.
• Drainage holes provided to eliminate ponding inside the Hystop®
• Double chamfered wooden edge kerb rails hold the tubes in place and provide valuable cushioning to minimise vibration and road noise.
Manufactured from high-density concrete, the Hystop® is approved for milk tankers (0.85HN Class 1 loadings) and available in both 3240mm x 2550mm and 4610mm x 2550mm widths, with the wider option creating effortless gateway access.
The ease of installation is a winner. Dig a pit and drop the fully pre-assembled Hystop® into place! No need to assemble or prepare the product. With the use of a Hiab, the fully assembled Hystop® can be placed right where you want it.
This month save $1,717 on the Hynds Hystop® Cattlestop Standard 3240mm Width.
Manufactured in both the North and South islands Hystop® Cattlestops are available from your nearest Farmlands branch.
Food bonanza fuels need for rat control
Another mast year is predicted for 2022. With heavy seeding occurring in autumn, mast years provide a bonanza of food for native species. Unfortunately, that bonanza also fuels rat infestations as rodents breed out of control.
Once this food source begins to dwindle during the winter months, rodents look for alternative food sources in places like farm buildings, food stores and in our homes.
By setting yourself up with a network
of traps, you can go into the season confident that your property is protected.
Goodnature A24 traps automatically reset themselves and use a non-toxic lure that’s safe to use around stock, working dogs and pets. There are many benefits to an automatic, non-toxic trapping network: besides saving time and being cost effective, they catch more rats or stoats and keep farms protected while playing an important role in the regeneration of riparian and native bush areas.
TIPS FOR TRAPPING
Restrict access to food sources
Rat populations thrive when food sources and shelter are easily accessible. Store any food, such as chicken feed or dog biscuits, in sealed containers and restrict access to other possible sources as much as possible.
Find the best location for your traps
Use the Goodnature Rodent Detector Cards (supplied with your A24 trap) to find the best trapping location. Rats are suspicious of new food sources and are more likely to stop and investigate food sources in a contained area where they feel safe. Try bushy areas along waterways and hedges or in the nooks of farm buildings.
Pre-feed for success
Rats are wary of changes in their environment and take time to show interest in new food sources. Pre-feed by placing small amounts of lure in a 10m radius around and underneath traps to familiarise rodents (most effective when access to familiar food sources is limited).
Use the best lure for the job
There are three Goodnature lure flavours. All have been tried and tested to ensure you have the best chance of attracting rodents to your trap.
For further information, contact your Farmlands Technical Field Officer or the friendly team at your local Farmlands store.
Article supplied by Goodnature
| Rats are wary of changes in their environment and take time to show interest in new food sources.
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.
From swamp to rural beauty
In 1861, Alexander Bathgate arrived in Otago from Scotland onboard the Pladda after 98 days at sea.
He was accompanied by seven members of his family. In due course the family ventured out into the swamps of the Taieri Plain and in 1865 received a Crown grant for 137 acres of land. In 1871, at the age of 72, pioneer farmer Alexander along with his son, John were given the title to their land which they named Janefield after Alexander’s late mother and his daughter left behind in Scotland.
John married Ann Grant in 1872 and their family of seven sons and three daughters were all born at Janefield. Alexander died in September 1881 and is buried at the West Taieri Cemetery. The inscription on his gravestone reads “His last resting place looks out across the plain, a scene of great rural beauty”, a stark contrast to the swamp that first met them when they came to the Taieri.
Following his father’s death, John became the sole owner of the farm. In 1896 he increased his holding with the purchase of the neighbouring Gowrie farm.
In 1915, John’s second son, Peter took over 113 acres while the remaining 24 acres went to Peter’s brother, George. Later, Peter’s son Melville took over his father’s property and milked cows, mostly Shorthorns and then Friesians.
In 1957, he sold the farm to his cousin, George for £19,000 who then made the shift from dairying to sheep, lambs, cattle and the production of wheat.
Janefield is now farmed by George’s son Ian and his son, Simon and they focus on cattle and lamb finishing as well as barley, oats, peas and cereal silage.
| Ian and Simon, 2020.
| Family of John and Ann Bathgate.
| Janefield’s established buildings are a signal of its heritage.
Nothing this good lasts forever, maybe not even next season
2021 was a bumper year by all accounts. December was Property Brokers’ strongest ever month with 51 rural sales equalling $233m, and just under a billion dollars of rural farm sales for 2021, equating to 50,000 hectares of rural land throughout heartland New Zealand.
Our Farmlands strategic partnership has underpinned the tangible financial benefits we now deliver to our farmers and growers. Most importantly, we have first-hand insights on what is driving our rural real estate market nationally on behalf of our vendors.
We have invested significantly in our national rural network over the past 5 years. This has greatly assisted the role we now play in supporting rural New Zealand.
Demand for horticulture land is still very present, predominantly from equity-funded buyer interest.
Given the sector typically reflects very specialist and locationsensitive businesses, it’s often difficult to generalise; however, demand continues to set new benchmarks for value, particularly for proven gold kiwifruit orchards. The buyer pool is typically the more sophisticated larger-scale business with ready access to capital.
The most significant appreciation in NZ rural land values has been with our sheep and beef sector; we have had a five-fold increase in the total value of rural land sold to forestry over 2021 compared with the year before.
The window over the next six months to sell a sheep and beef farm for a premium has never been stronger.
However, we don’t foresee the current market forces carrying into 2023 on the same basis. Interestingly, the Ministry for the Environment is already consulting with the industry on options to moderate existing ETS policy settings as the carbon price tracks to $100/tonne and emitters double down on exotic permanent forests to offset GHG liabilities.
The median sale price for our sheep and beef stations sold to forestry in 2021 was $9,600/ha, up from $5,900/ha in 2019. The current carbon-only demand (set and forget) will likely come under increased scrutiny in 2022.
Vendors looking to capitalise on the current window might want to consider that decision this season, not next.
Long term, current pastoral land values are expected to hold up but on a more sustainable basis. This will likely include a more robust farming/forestry model and a much stronger focus on native planting/regeneration of genuine marginal land.
Beef finishing properties are expected to hit new value points in 2022 as improved hill country balance sheets look for better ground. In some regions, e.g. Manawatu, beef finishers will pay dairy prices for quality finishing farms, including preparedness to de-convert proven dairy businesses.
The other significant shift for us has been the dairy market. We sold 70 dairy farms in 2021 for a median price of $42,000/ha, up from 44 dairy farms ($28,000/ha) in 2020. This now gives us a category leadership position in national dairy farm sales, with $445m sold over the calendar year of 2021. We have seen appreciable lifts across the country by both value and volume, with the most substantial value gains in the Waikato (Property Brokers median $48,700/ha) and Canterbury (Property Brokers median $50,000/ha).
The dairy market, in our view, still represents some of the best value buying of any rural land class on offer in the NZ rural market.
The forward outlook for dairy continues to be very positive; the product itself is a whole food, from a predominantly grass-fed ration, produced to one of the lowest carbon footprints in the world. As a nation, we remain committed to reducing our total GHG emissions. Our NZ dairy systems are already methane neutral, and agri-tech continues to accelerate further methane reduction solutions.
Fonterra is in the best position in a long while, and no other major NZ industry continues to de-leverage at the rate our dairy sector has through the global pandemic. It is hard to imagine a combination of more favourable factors supporting a market. This is a classic case of the expensive land being very cheap relative to other land use options, particularly when you factor in the underlying future confidence in a sustainable dairy return.
Despite farming cashflows and balance sheets being in the best shape in a generation, access to new capital continues to be rationed under tighter and tighter regulatory frameworks. The confidence to operate and the size of the potential buyer pool, particularly for our dairy listings, often comes down to the quality of the information available at the time of listing. Our approach focuses on ensuring all apparent operational compliance is addressed well ahead of time to ensure the ‘grey’ with compliance frameworks is adequately dealt with on behalf of buyers and their advisers.
A vendor’s decision to sell a rural asset is never taken lightly, even when the market is running hot. For our part, vendor-agreed sales and marketing campaigns and a discipline of not accepting first offers has captured many of the year-on-year value gains on behalf of our vendors.
Property Brokers sold
50,000ha of rural land in 2021, for #1 $
Beef finishing properties are expected to
$1 billion dollars increase in value
as improved hill country balance sheets look for better finishing ground
Five-fold increase
ln the total value of Property Brokers rural land sold to forestry in 2021, with our median price now $9,600/ha. Nothing this good lasts forever, maybe not even next season!
Property Brokers is now the category leader in NZ dairy real estate with $445m in farm sales last year. NZ dairy continues to represent excellent value for money in 2022. Our median sale price was $42,000/ha last year.
For those contemplating their farming options for 2022, please do not hesitate to reach out to us; we are happy to have informal conversations that sometimes can take several seasons to crystallise.
For those wanting to act now, there has never been a better time to contact us. Our business has never been more ready; our national network gives us the option to truly back our own story and deliver on your objectives.
From the 16th March our Autumn Rural Outlook will be delivered to 75,000 rural letterboxes nationwide. For those shareholders with an interest in these listings don’t hesitate to contact our Rural Sales Consultants directly. We have season on season, successfully marketed rural properties right through late autumn, so trading a property to get to where you want to be remains a real option, particularly in the current market.
A successful marketing strategy includes doing the due diligence ahead of time, and importantly well ahead of listing. This autumn will be no exception. Buyer access to credit is expected to get harder not easier in 2022, particularly if compliance is not up to speed.
Property Brokers would like to acknowledge all the event managers and Farmlands partners who have had to cancel their shows this autumn, we all started out so optimistically! We remain hopeful that we get back to normal over 2022/23 season.
For rural and lifestyle property advice from a national team of committed salespeople, supported by our expert marketing team, right across New Zealand, call 0800 367 5263 or visit pb.co.nz.
