13/07/2023
Lamb price plummets with no immediate relief in sight – Neal Wallace :
Prime lamb farmgate prices have fallen 50c/kg in the past three weeks, reaching a level where for the first time in 20 years average July prices are lower than those paid in June.
Lamb prices are being driven lower by bulging inventory in China, high export volumes from Australia and the fact that global consumers are not spending.
With no immediate improvement in sight, meat companies are reluctant to predict where new season schedules will open.
AgriHQ senior analyst Mel Croad warns those opening prices in November could be below $7/kg, equating to $40-$45/head lower than the previous two years. . .
Study flags higher mortality in rural New Zealand – Neal Wallace :
Rural New Zealanders are dying at higher rates than those in the main urban centres, new research out of the University of Otago has found.
The results are worse for those aged under 30 living in the most rural communities, where mortality rates are double those of the most urban centres at 599 urban deaths per 100,000, compared with 1085 in rural areas.
Researchers found higher rural mortality rates across all groups aged under 60.
Lead author Professor Garry Nixon from the University of Otago said the study, published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, contradicts existing data and is the strongest evidence yet that New Zealanders who live in rural areas have poorer health outcomes. . . .
Egg-cellent prospects for fledgling egg farmer – Shawn McAvinue :
The number of hens and custom-made coops continues to rise as an egg business expands on a dairy farm in Central Southland. Shawn McAvinue talks to Red Feather Eggs owner Naomi Hanning (18) about her new business and keeping her hens happy by moving their coops to follow the grazing rotation of the cows.
A fledgling egg farmer is set to grow her business assets to 750 hens and three mobile coops on a dairy farm in Central Southland.
To celebrate the start of a new season, DairyNZ held an event on the dairy farm of Maurice and Suzanne Hanning in Grove Bush, northeast of Invercargill.
The stock on the nearly 300ha family farm, Bristol Grove Dairies, includes 650 cows and 450 hens. . .
Biodiversity loses out due to new legislation :
Biodiversity will be the biggest loser if the Government’s new legislation announced last week is passed, claims rural lobby group Groundswell NZ.
“The more landowners do to look after biodiversity, the more they are penalized with rules, bureaucratic interference, and costs,” says Groundswell NZ’s environmental spokesperson Jamie McFadden.
“This ill-conceived legislation turns biodiversity into a liability and is a smack in the face for thousands of landowners that have been proactive in protecting and enhancing biodiversity on their land. It is a disincentive for anyone wanting to do the right thing for the environment.”
For the past 23 years McFadden has been at the forefront of the biodiversity effort in Canterbury with an eco-sourced, native plant nursery and environmental restoration business inspiring thousands of projects. . .
2023 vintage will support strong demand for New Zealand wine :
Strong export value and increasing international demand will help support further export growth over the next 12 months, despite a challenging season and a smaller harvest than last year, reports New Zealand Winegrowers.
The total value of the New Zealand wine industry exports (year to May 2023) was $2.4 billion, up 25% on 2022.
“Reaching another new record level of wine exports into some of the world’s largest and most competitive markets is an outstanding achievement for New Zealand wine exporters, and testifies to the increasingly strong global demand for our wines,” says Philip Gregan, CEO of New Zealand Winegrowers.
“New Zealand wine, particularly Sauvignon Blanc, is going from strength to strength in the USA, as consumers appreciate the distinctive flavours, commitment to quality, and know it is a unique product that they can trust.” . .
New Zealand’s apiculture industry names top honey producers and honours outstanding achievements :
New Zealand’s best honey producers have been named at the Apiculture New Zealand National Honey Competition as part of the industry’s annual conference in Rotorua last week.
The conference hosted 700 delegates from the apiculture industry at the Rotorua Energy Events Centre on 29 and 30 June. The National Honey Competition, held before the conference, featured products across a range of honey categories from creamed honey to chunky honey and cut honeycomb.
The 2023 Kiwi Labels Supreme Award winner was Timaru-based Jarved Allan from The Mānuka Collective, who took away the award for the third year in a row.
Head judge Maureen Conquer said that the quality of honey improved again this year with very few points separating the top three entrants. All entries were blind-tasted, and an international scale of points was used to determine the winners across 10 main categories. . .
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apiculture, business, environment, Farming, food, politics, rural, wine | Tagged: AgriHQ, DairyNZ, Frederic Leroy, Jarved Allan, Maurice Hanning, Mel Croad, Naomi Hanning, Neal Wallace, NZ National Honey Competition, Overseer, Overseer Rural Hero of the Week, Red Feather Eggs, Rural Roundup, Shawn McAvinue, Suzanne Hanning, The Mānuka Collective | 
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Posted by homepaddock
24/01/2022
Time to do the maths – Jacqueline Rowarth :
Confusion abounds in the discussion about agricultural greenhouse gases (GHG) and misinformation is rife.
Well-meaning people are muddling metrics, targets, reporting, science and policy. The result is that a conversation about a particular component becomes a conclusion about another. The outcome could be extremely detrimental for the agricultural community.
What is at stake is the way we are taxed for biogenic emissions – the emissions to do with animals. Fuel use is already taxed through the emissions trading scheme (ETS). Fertiliser will be brought in. What is sometimes overlooked is that agriculture is already in the ETS but has been given 100% free allocation until 2025.
After that, we will be included at 95%, decreasing 1% a year until 2030, and by 2050 we will be entirely included. . .
What happens if I stop feeding 6,000 people? – Will Prichard:
The irony of being asked to write a Farmer Focus article is that if there’s one thing I’m struggling to do right now, it’s focus.
Since my last column there has been consolidation in nearly every aspect of my life.
The purchase of two dairy farms has signalled an agricultural midlife crisis of epic proportions, with security and incremental gain being preferred to operational growth on borrowed land.
Cow numbers float between 850 and 1,000 head, depending on the squeeze of a vet’s caliper. TB remains a 60-day game of bovine Russian roulette that challenges even the most experienced farmers in West Wales. . .
Demand drives record prices – Neal Wallace:
Driven by unfulfilled global demand, beef and lamb prices reached historic highs in December.
AgriHQ senior market analyst Mel Croad says when measured in cents/kg, farmers are currently receiving more than ever for prime livestock, with global demand such that it slowed the traditional New Year farm gate price correction.
“It’s a great news story,” Croad said.
“Values have gradually risen, enabling steady upside to farm gate prices rather than a boom-bust pricing scenario to develop.” . .
NAIT levy increases must achieve user-friendly system :
Nobody welcomes extra costs but if OSPRI is to catch-up on under investment in the NAIT platform and deliver on its workability and farmer support, levy increases are probably necessary, Federated Farmers says.
OSPRI is consulting on proposals to increase the NAIT tag levy from 90 cents to $1.35 and the slaughter levy from 50 cents to $1.77. The initial levies in 2012 were $1.10 and $1.35 respectively but in 2014 were dropped to the current lower figures and haven’t been reviewed since.
“It is frustrating for farmers to see levies take big jumps due to historical underinvestment in industry assets such as NAIT. It would be far better to have appropriate, well-planned investment with gradual increases in levies rather than big increases to fix problems,” Federated Farmers Meat & Wool Chairperson William Beetham says.
“But now, if we’re to achieve a user-friendly system that delivers biosecurity critical to the sustainability of our industry, we’ll need to get the revenue in place and hold OSPRI to account to deliver a system that empowers farmers, not frustrates them.” . .
NAIT Limited begins public consultation on investment to strengthen traceability system :
National Animal Identification and Tracing Scheme (NAIT) manager, NAIT Limited, has begun formal consultation with farmers and collection agents on proposed increases to NAIT levies.
Together with proposed increases in Crown and deer industry contributions, these levies will be used to continue the important work NAIT Limited has been doing since the M.Bovis outbreak in 2017 to improve the traceability system so that it is easy for farmers to use, and it performs in the event of a disease outbreak.
Head of Traceability, Kevin Forward, says of the system:
“Farmers rely on us to provide the tools and information they need to help reduce their on-farm biosecurity risk and manage disease. Having accurate, up to date, on-farm data, and a reliable animal tracing system plays a vital role in limiting the impact of a disease outbreak, supports food assurance, and helps NZ maintain access to international markets. . .
Potential pesticide ban could have disastrous effects – study – Jamie Brown:
A BAN on two common pesticides in Australia would increase cropping costs and decrease farm profit according to a study recently published in the journal Agricultural.
Written by The University Of Western Australia masters student Alison Walsh and co-authored by professor Ross Kingwell, the study explored the impact on farm business and farming systems if the use of glyphosate and paraquat were banned.
Due to the growing public perception that they are a threat to human health, governments around the world have already banned these herbicides.
Using the bioeconomic farm model MIDAS, Ms Walsh estimated the likely impacts on farming systems if such a ban were to occur in Australia. . .
Leave a Comment » | business, environment, Farming, food, rural | Tagged: AgriHQ, Alison Walsh, Campaign for Wool (CFW), Federated Farmers, glysophate, Jamie Brown, Kevin Forward, Mel Croad, National Animal Identification and Tracing (NAIT), Neal Wallace, Operational Solutions for Primary Industries (OSPRI), paraquat, Ross Kingwell, Tim Gorton, University of Western Australia (UWA), Will Prichard, William Beetham | Permalink
Posted by homepaddock
01/12/2021
Crunch times ahead for agricultural methane and nitrous oxide – Keith Woodford:
New Zealand must quickly come to grips with how agricultural-sourced methane and nitrous oxide are going to be managed within the ‘Zero Carbon Act’, more formally called the ‘Climate Change Response (Zero Carbon) Amendment Act 2019’. This Act brings both gases into the Emission trading Scheme (ETS) in 2025 unless an alternative charging system can be devised in the meantime.
Initially, the ETS charges will be only 5% of the full carbon charge at that time. However, the percentage will then increase at 1% of the full price each year. Initially, it will only be a few cents per kg milksolids, and a few cents per kg of sheep and beef carcass. But over time it will build up and become painful.
Given the media negativity to dairy, most people probably don’t realise that it will actually impact on sheep and beef profitability more than on dairy profitability.
In response to the situation set out in the Zero Carbon Act, a 13-sector pan-industry group called He Waka Eke Noa is beavering away, with Government encouragement, on alternatives to put back to Government. On 23 November, He Waka Eke Noa released a document setting out where their beavering has been heading. . .
Farmers face delays in getting stock to the works – Sally Murphy:
Farmers are facing delays in getting stock to the works as the brakes well and truly come off the cattle kill.
AgriHQ senior analyst Mel Croad said some farmers were having to wait three weeks before they can get a space.
“Delays are likely going to be a common theme this summer, just purely due to the shortage of meat workers, basically limiting how many cattle can be processed each week,” Croad said.
“If farmers face delays it can put some pressure onto farming systems, fortunately, most areas have still got relatively good feed levels, although some regions are sort of a little bit drier than they’d like to be.” . .
Rural contractor hires young to fill labour gap, recommends others do the same :
A rural contractor says hiring young people to fill labour gaps has paid off and he is urging others to do the same.
Rural contractors have been struggling with a labour shortage since the borders closed as skilled machinery operators, which normally travel from overseas, have been unable to get into the country.
North Canterbury Chapman Agriculture owner Allan Chapman said the labour shortage had forced him to look closer to home, and he had hired a team of nine young New Zealanders ranging from 14 to early 20s for the current season.
“It’s been a bit of a struggle but it’s been rewarding, it’s probably cost the company a bit of money as the guys have made a few mistakes but at the end of the day we’ve got through,” Chapman said. . .
Campaign for wool activity garners industry support :
After the successful launch of their strategy in September, The Campaign for Wool New Zealand (CFWNZ) has begun the first round of their “live naturally, choose wool” consumer campaign. With advertising across television, OnDemand, radio, print and digital, as well as consumer PR and a new website launching mid-December, CFWNZ has wasted no time getting their activity started.
Tom O’Sullivan, Chairman of CFWNZ is thrilled. “It’s very exciting to see our strategy turn into action so fast. This agility means we can start turning the dial more quickly.” O’Sullivan has also grown his team to help deliver their bullish plans by bringing on Linda Calder in a newly created role as Campaign Manager.
Strategic consultant for CFWNZ, Kara Biggs provides further comment. “The trick is to line up all of the activity at the same time using a diverse range of marketing channels,” she says. “This means the message to “choose wool” becomes heavily embedded in the minds of consumers when they are making purchasing decisions.” Biggs also remarks that New Zealand acts as a strong test market before more activity is rolled out globally. . .
Wool weed mats reduce environmental footprint :
A new weed and mulch mat made from natural New Zealand wool is providing a completely organic and biodegradable option for weed control while helping gardeners reduce their environmental impact and support the agriculture industry.
Wool Life director Stephen Fookes says a key point of difference with their weed and mulch mats is that they contain 100 per cent pure New Zealand wool and are an organic product with a low-carbon sustainable footprint.
“We use a low energy needle punching and carding process to create the mats which are produced at our plant located at Te Poi near Matamata. Using new and untreated wool has benefits over recycled wool as the finished product is completely pure and does not require any chemical treatment. The mats and pegs completely biodegrade over 12-18 months.” . .
How an upland farmer converted to dairying :
Just like his parents and grandparents before him, Nick Davis farmed beef and sheep on Esgairdraenllwyn, an upland holding rising to 430m at its highest point.
But diminishing returns and a desire to take the farm in a different direction from the systems run by previous generations drove a conversion to dairying in 2015.
“A lot of people said it couldn’t be done on this farm and that was another reason for driving forward with the change – the challenge of proving that it could be done and done profitably,” Mr Davis recalls.
To inform that change, he visited dairy farms running the grazing systems he aspired to replicate at Esgairdraenllwyn and spent time with people who had a similar mindset. . .
1 Comment | business, environment, Farming, food, rural | Tagged: AgriHQ, Andrew Booth, Campaign for Wool NZ (CFWNZ), Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), Esgairdraenllwyn, He Waka Eke Noa, Highfields Farm, Keith Woodford, Mel Croad, Nick Davis, Sally Murphy, Stephen Fookes, Tom O’Sullivan, Wool Life, Zero Carbon Act | Permalink
Posted by homepaddock
16/09/2021
‘I’ve got nothing to be ashamed of’ dairy farmers under siege – Joanne Wane:
Dairying has been so demonised for damaging the planet that the children of some Kiwi farmers have been beaten up at school, writes Joanna Wane. Two families who’ve been on the land for five generations talk back.
Northland dairy farmer Hal Harding describes his daughter, Anna, as “a bit of an eco warrior”. The pair work alongside each other on land south of Dargaville that his early-settler ancestors bought back in 1877. But when Anna moved back home just before Covid struck, after a few years in Europe, she was having serious doubts about whether the life she’d been born into was on the right side of history.
“In the UK, there were plant-based cafes popping up left, right and centre,” she says. “I started to think, ‘Is that what we should be doing? Is dairying bad? Is this stuff all these people are telling me true?’ There were facts for one side, and facts for the other that were just as convincing. But it felt too easy to say, ‘Just eat plants and the planet will be saved.’ When I heard about this whole regenerative farming thing, I was like ‘Thank God’. My gut feeling landed; it felt right.”
The Hardings have hand-planted thousands of native trees to reforest parts of the property and adapted their farming practices to nurture soil health by minimising the use of pesticides and commercial fertilisers. They’re also planning to move away from the traditional grazing regime. For Anna, who’s now 30, it’s about believing that a different model of farming can be part of the solution, rather than part of the problem, at a time when the agricultural sector is increasingly under siege. . .
Unskilled pruning of labour force is rotten policy :
The Government’s confirmation of the availability of Recognised Seasonal Employer workers from selected countries is not enough to fix its rotten approach to labour supply, says National’s Horticulture spokesperson David Bennett.
“Prior to the Delta Covid outbreak the Government announced the availability of RSE workers from certain countries.
“While the Government’s decision to approve some RSE workers may provide some token assistance, it won’t change the fundamental flaws in a labour supply policy that’s rotten to the core.
“For example, we see 15 per cent increases in labour costs in the kiwifruit industry, and an apple industry that still has a gap in the loss of the backpacker labour supply. . .
Low venison prices leave farmers frustrated – Maja Burry:
A deer industry leader is worried farmers will start exiting the sector if venison prices don’t improve.
Covid-19’s impact on the restaurant trade worldwide has come as a major blow, with deer farmers now facing depressed prices for the second year in a row.
The latest figures from AgriHQ show in July 2021 venison average export values fell short of the five-year average of $13.75/kg by $3.67/kg, and was $1.28/kg below July last year.
Deer Farmers Association chairperson John Somerville said the organisation recently shared the concerns of many farmers in a letter to all of New Zealand’s venison marketing company chief executives. . .
Meat pushes food prices to fifth successive rise:
Food prices rose 0.3 percent in August 2021 compared with July 2021, mainly influenced by higher prices for meat, poultry, and fish, and restaurant meals and ready-to-eat food, Stats NZ said today.
Though modest, August’s movement is the fifth consecutive monthly rise. After adjusting for seasonality, prices rose 0.2 in August 2021.
Meat, poultry, and fish prices were up 1.3 percent in August, mainly influenced by higher prices for roasting pork (up 11 percent), sausages (up 3.5 percent), lamb chops (up 5.4 percent), and porterhouse and sirloin steak (up 2.3 percent). This was partly offset by lower prices for chicken pieces (down 3.3 percent).
Restaurant meals and ready-to-eat food prices rose 0.4 percent, influenced by higher prices for some takeaway food. . .
Why would you want to own a forest? – The Detail:
The forestry industry is beset by supply chain issues, port disruptions, oversupply in China, sky-high shipping rates, the Delta disaster …. and that’s before you even look at the difficulties of cutting down the trees.
On top of that the industry gets a bad rap from the rural sector for being a ‘spray and walk away’ business that’s eating up valuable grazing land, for damage done to the landscape, and for contributing to a lack of employment.
So why would anyone invest in a forest?
Forestry is not for the faint-hearted – but for the persistent, there are good rewards. . .
Netherlands proposes radical plans to cut livestock numbers by almost a third – Senay Boztas:
Dutch farmers could be forced to sell land and reduce the amount of animals they keep to help lower ammonia pollution.
Dutch politicians are considering plans to force hundreds of farmers to sell up and cut livestock numbers, to reduce damaging ammonia pollution.
After the highest Dutch administrative court found in 2019 that the government was breaking EU law by not doing enough to reduce excess nitrogen in vulnerable natural areas, the country has been battling what it is calling a “nitrogen crisis”.
Daytime speed limits have been reduced to 100kmph (62mph) on motorways to limit nitrogen oxide emissions, gas-guzzling construction projects were halted and a new law pledges that by 2030 half of protected nature areas must have healthy nitrogen levels. . .
Leave a Comment » | business, employment, environment, Farming, food, forestry, rural | Tagged: AgriHQ, David Bennett, John Somerville, Maja Burry, Mark Guscott, NZ Deer Farmers Association (NZDFA), Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme (RSE), Senay Boztas, Stats NZ | Permalink
Posted by homepaddock
03/08/2021
Dairy labour shortage: ‘I’m doing 16 hours a day minimum’ – Carmen Hall:
Fonterra dairy farmers are expected to pump $12 billion into the New Zealand economy including $1b to the Bay of Plenty, but the industry is still short of up to 4000 workers.
That means some farmers are working more than 16 hours a day as calving began, which is ”unsustainable” and is sparking fears for their wellbeing.
A joint survey by Dairy NZ and Federated Farmers this year, which received 1150 responses, showed 49 per cent of farms at the time were short-staffed while another 46 per cent of those vacancies went unfilled for more than three months.
Ōpōtiki dairy farmer Zac Brown said he was ”struggling big time to find skilled workers” and he still had a farm manager’s job up for grabs. . .
Drowning in effluent – how a tired farmer was nearly a dead farmer –
Owen Gullery grabbed a last lungful of air as his tractor cab filled with effluent, before desperately trying to kick out a window as it sank.
That moment in an effluent pond is one Gullery says he’ll never forget, and yet the kind of potentially fatal farm accident new figures from ACC show have reached a five-year-high.
In 2020, there were 22,796 farm-related injury claims accepted which came at a cost of $84 million. That is over 60 farmers getting injured every day.
ACC has spent more than $383 million on farm related injuries in the past five years, with the cost in 2020 the highest from this period. . .
More farmer trainers needed – David Anderson:
There appears to be no shortage of school leavers wanting a career in the sheep beef and deer industry, but rather a lack of training farms.
That’s the view of the Growing Future Farmers (GFF) chair John Jackson. He says five open days – recently held by the trust in Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay, Wairarapa, Te Kuiti and Taihape – saw 38, 46, 29, 28 and 21 students turn-up at each venue, respectively. Jackson says there are more GFF open days planned for the South Island in mid-August at Winton, Omarama, North Canterbury and Blenheim.
“However, at this stage less than 20% of these students will get an opportunity because we have not an adequate number of training farms on which to place these students,” Jackson told Rural News.
“Our problem is not the inability to attract potential staff to the industry, but an inability to train the numbers we require.” . .
Dairy companies and volunteers dig deep to help restore waterways and bat colony – Lawrence Gullery:
David Jack surveys the rolling country over Rosebrae Farms and points to where the 200 hectare property borders the Pūniu River.
“That’s our southern boundary where the river is, it’s important because it’s one of the tributaries to the Waipā River, which later on flows into the Waikato River.”
Over the river is the King Country, Jack points out.
“Witi Ihimaera wrote a great book about the land wars and how the women and children had to get across the Pūniu to get into the King Country, where the troops couldn’t follow. . .
Lamb prices high but size of fall concerns – Annette Scott:
Strong advances in farmgate lamb prices have seen a phenomenal turnaround with the AgriHQ lamb indicator hitting $9.05 a kilogram this week in the North Island and $8.80/kg in the South Island but there’s concern going forward.
AgriHQ senior analyst Mel Croad says some early new season contracts indicate the schedule will drop below $8 in December.
She says pricing would typically strengthen further through to October with expectation that $9 or above will still be around in September but the drop from there on raises concern.
The latest contracts released from some processors look to settle at slightly above $7.50 pre-Christmas. . .
MPI using delay techniques – David Anderson:
Bureaucratic obfuscation is being used to stall the provision information about the costs and achievements of the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) ‘Fit for a Better World’ strategy.
On June 16, Rural News sent MPI an Official Information Act (OIA) request seeking more information relating to Fit for a Better World. The request asked only five questions relating to meetings, minutes, costs and outcomes of the programme.
However, on July 14 – on the last day of the 20 working day timeframe when an OIA must be answered – MPI replied that it would not be able to answer within the mandated timeframe.
In a classic stalling move, which has become a common tactic used by government departments around OIA requests, MPI has extended the time it will provide any answers till, “no later than September 8, 2021”, which adds another 40 working days, makking it more than three times the mandated OIA response timeframe. . .
https://twitter.com/IrelandsFarmers/status/1421546037383151619
Latest Tasmanian irrigation scheme underway – Andrew Miller:
Tasmania’s latest irrigation scheme, on the Tamar River, is expected to cover about 200 properties, producing a diverse range of crops and livestock.
Tasmanian Irrigation has called for expressions of interest in the scheme and held public meetings, to explain how it will work.
Tamar Irrigation Scheme Irrigators Representative Council chair Ed Archer, Landfall Angus stud, said the diverse range of producers would present challenges.
“It’s really a unique scheme as there is such a variety of producers in this region, some broadacre grazing, right through to small, niche cottage type enterprises,” Mr Archer said. . .
Leave a Comment » | business, environment, Farming, food, rural | Tagged: AgriHQ, Annette Scott, Ben Dooley, Carmen Hall, Dairy NZ (DNZ)., David Anderson, David Jack, Ed Archer, Federated Farmers, Fit for a Better World, Fonterra, Growing Future Farmers (GFF), John Jackson, Landfall Angus, Lawrence Gullery, Mel Croad, Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), Owen Gullery, Rosebrae Farms, Tamar Irrigation Scheme, Tamar River, Witi Ihimaera | Permalink
Posted by homepaddock
26/04/2021
Political expediency – Rural News editorial:
Moves by the Government to end New Zealand’s live export trade is more about politics than ethics.
Sure, it argues that the trade “does not uphold New Zealand’s reputation for high standards of animal welfare” and that it does not fit with the country’s “social conscience”. But that is just – to coin a phrase used by Gulf War veteran General Norman Schwarzkopf – bovine scatology. These claims do not marry with the actual facts. The reality is that the Government is shutting down a legitimate $500 million trade because it polls well to ban it.
The screaming skulls from the likes of SAFE, Greenpeace and other so-called animal activist groups have got in the Government’s ear and won them over by feeding constant, unchallenged misinformation about the live export trade to the public.
David Hayman, spokesman for the Animal Genetics Trade Association, is right on the money when he describes the Government’s decision as one that is aiming for short-term political kudos. . .
Meat plant delays – Neal Wallace:
Container shortages and shipping issues are forcing some meat plants to work shorter weeks, as companies grapple with the largest prime beef kill in over 30 years.
Alliance Group has on occasion reduced operating hours at its Smithfield and Pukeuri plants in the South Island and Silver Fern Farms (SFF) has on three instances reduced processing capacity at one of its plants as they manage logistical issues.
The shipping logistic problem affects all species, but coincides with a record prime beef kill.
AgriHQ analysts report 637,700 prime steers and heifers have been killed in the year to March 27, 92,000, or 17%, more than the previous record kill, which was last year. . .
Otago Action Group keen to carry on :
The Otago-based Bruce District Action Group is transitioning to a self-funded group now that the Red Meat Profit Partnership (RMPP) has ended. The group wants to ensure its members can continue to build on the gains they have made.
Group facilitator, Abacus Bio farm consultant Simon Glennie, said the seven group members had originally been part of a farmer discussion group, before switching to become and RMPP Action Group with a business focus.
“This group had already been working together so had a lot of confidence and trust,” he says.
The group undertook the RMPP Taking Ownership of Your Financials programme with farm accountant Lawrence Field early on. . .
Harvest begins at New Zealand’s biggest cannabis crop –
Tens of thousands of cannabis plants are being picked over the coming weeks, as harvest begins at New Zealand’s largest commercial medical cannabis crop.
It’s all happening on Winterhome farm, on the coast of Kēkerengū north of Kaikōura.
The Macfarlane family have farmed Winterhome for five generations, and sons Sank and Winston returned home to convert part of it into a 10 hectare cannabis crop.
“It’s exciting to be part of,” Sank Macfarlane told The Country’s Jamie Mackay. . .
Honest Wolf – accessories from the Turakina Valley – Country Life:
Sophie and Sam Hurley are turning some of their wool clip into bags, caps, wallets and laptop sleeves. They’ve been in business less than a year but orders are flying out the door – or rather rumbling down their gravel road towards their destinations.
Some days Sophie Hurley writes 30 hand-written notes to customers. Among other things, she always expresses her gratitude for their support of the wool industry.
Less than a year ago Sophie and her husband Sam Hurley launched Honest Wolf – a line of accessories made from wool from the family farm, Papanui Estate.
The couple were spurred into action by the pitiful returns from wool. . .
Nicola Sturgeon urged not to sacrifice gamekeeper livelihoods in pursuit of Greens’ policy support – Claire Taylor:
AN OPEN letter has been sent to Scotland’s First Minister, highlighting concerns that the Scottish Green Party’s election proposals could ‘destroy a significant part of Scotland’s cultural heritage’.
Behind the letter are the 5300 members of the Scottish Gamekeepers Association, who believe their livelihoods and that of their families could be under threat, if the next government were to call an end to all game management and angling in Scotland – as proposed by the Greens.
The SGA claim that not only will such a move place thousands of rural workers on the dole, impacting on their wellbeing and the future prospects of their family, but would impose ‘crippling burdens’ on the public purse.
The letter urges Nicola Sturgeon not to bargain with the livelihoods of rural workers, in order to gain the Greens support over future policies. . .
Leave a Comment » | business, environment, Farming, food, rural | Tagged: Abacus Bio, AgriHQ, Alliance Group, Andrew Jardine, Animal Genetics Trade Association, Blair Drysdale, Bruce District Action Group, Claire Taylor, David Hayman, Honest Wolf, Jamie Mackay, Neal Wallace, Nicola Sturgeon, Red Meat Profit Partnership (RMPP) Action Group, Sam Hurley, Sank Macfarlane, Scottish Gamekeepers Association, Scottish Green Party, Simon Glennie, Sophie Hurley, Winston Macfarlane, Winterhome farm | Permalink
Posted by homepaddock
27/03/2021
Kill rate sparks breeding flock concern – Neal Wallace:
A high mutton kill has commentators worried the country’s core ewe breeding flock could take a sharp fall.
AgriHQ senior analyst Mel Croad says 3.1 million ewes were forecast to be killed this year, but up to February 13 – 19 weeks into the season – the kill was well on the way, sitting at 2.2m.
The five-year average kill for the remaining 33 weeks of the season is nearly 1.5m, potentially pushing this year’s ewe kill to about 3.7m.
Croad believes some farmers are looking at the capital tied up in breeding flocks and looking for less financial risk. . .
Meat man’s mission ending – Sudesh Kissun:
It was around 27 years ago when Rod Slater agreed to step in as interim chief executive of Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ).
He recalls getting a call from then-chairman Dennis Denton, who was worried about the future of the organisation. The chief executive had “gone AWOL” and things were looking dire.
Slater, then a board member of B+LNZ, had just sold out of Mad Butcher, the iconic NZ chain he had started with Sir Peter Leitch.
Slater told Rural News that was happy to help bail out B+LNZ. . .
Mid-Canterbury sheep milking business looks to expand – Maja Burry:
A Mid Canterbury sheep milking business is looking to establish itself as a major player in local industry with plans to take on more than 20 farmer suppliers over the next three years.
Matt and Tracey Jones from Sheep Milk New Zealand began commercial milking in 2019. As well as selling raw milk to other producers, they have developed their own fresh milk product range Jones Family Farm and a skin care range Sabelle.
Matt Jones said at the moment it had two farmer suppliers, but it would be taking on five more this coming season and 17 more were lined up for the season after.
“We’re building more processing facilities for that … because someone’s got to buy the milk and we’ve got to process it and sell it.” . .
Millions of South Canterbury sunflowers heading for bottling plant – Eleisha Foon:
It’s hard not to miss the bright sea of yellow which turns heads just south of Timaru on State Highway 1.
Millions of sunflowers on a South Canterbury farm, are just weeks away from harvest.
Row upon row, standing two feet tall, they’re past their best now and are beginning to sag.
By next month the sunflower seeds will be processed into cooking oil, making it one of New Zealand’s only locally grown sunflower oil – soon to be ready for the domestic market. . .
HortNZ welcomes Govt’s moves to improve housing supply – but not on highly productive land:
HortNZ says the Government’s latest moves to improve housing supply are welcome but the new houses must not be built on highly productive land used for vegetable or fruit growing.
‘Every New Zealander deserves a house just like every New Zealander deserves fresh, healthy locally grown vegetables and fruit,’ says HortNZ Chief Executive Mike Chapman.
‘We can have both but current policy settings favour housing over food security, and keeping New Zealand’s most highly productive soils safe from urban creep.
‘In August 2019, the Government launched its draft National Policy Statement on Highly Productive Land. This was at an event attended by two Government Ministers in Pukekohe, where some of the greatest pressures are. . .
Actress Antonia Prebble joins Spring Sheep Milk Co to launch toddler milk:
Actress and mum to 20-month-old Freddie, Antonia Prebble is delighted to be helping introduce New Zealand to a brand-new source of toddler nutrition. Antonia is working with Kiwi company Spring Sheep Milk Co. as it launches its new premium Gentle Sheep Toddler Milk Drink, a product made with grass-fed New Zealand sheep milk.
Antonia was drawn to Spring Sheep Milk Co.’s gentle approach to nutrition for Kiwi toddlers and the rich nutritional and digestive benefits of sheep milk.
“I am really mindful when it comes to what I give Freddie to eat and drink, and working with the team at Spring Sheep, I saw early on that they are just as passionate about what goes into their product. . .
Leave a Comment » | business, environment, Farming, rural | Tagged: AgriHQ, Antonia Prebble, Beef + Lamb NZ (B+LNZ), Dennis Denton, Donald Martin, Eleisha Foon, Gentle Sheep Toddler Milk, HortNZ, Joe Stanley, Mad Butcher, Maja Burry, Matt Jones, Mel Croad, Mike Chapman, Neal Wallace, Rod Slater, Sheep Milk NZ, Spring Sheep Milk Co, Sudesh Kissun, sunflowers, Tracey Jones | Permalink
Posted by homepaddock
11/11/2020
Vineyards, orchards still short of workers – Jared Morgan:
No shows and walkouts are dominating the hunt to find seasonal workers — particularly on vineyards — across Central Otago and the culprits are Kiwis.
Pressure is mounting on the region’s viticulture and horticulture sectors to fill the gaps left by a dearth of backpackers and Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) workers but finding New Zealanders willing to work is causing headaches at what was now crunch time for vineyards.
The clock was also ticking for orchards.
Misha’s Vineyard director Andy Wilkinson said the same story was echoing across the region. . .
SJS, MPI partner to find students rural jobs -John GIbb:
The Ministry for Primary Industries is helping attract more Dunedin tertiary students to Otago fruit picking and other rural work this summer.
Student Job Search chief executive Suzanne Boyd said SJS was partnering with MPI throughout the country to connect seasonal employers to students looking for rural work.
The partnership had already begun with “Pick this, pick that”, an online marketing campaign which connected students to thousands of summer fruit picking roles jobs, until March.
“With our summer fruit growers relying on New Zealanders to get cherries picked and shipped overseas, and to pick other summer fruit for the domestic market, these roles are more important than ever,” Ms Boyd said. . .
Quarantine space impacts labour: –
A lack of space in isolation facilities will delay the availability of 210 foreign agricultural machinery operators coming to work for NZ contractors this season.
Rural Contractors New Zealand (RCNZ) chief executive Roger Parton says while visas have been issued for these workers, by the time they are available for work, they will be three months too late.
“The current information I have is that we won’t be able to get any isolation facilities until the middle of December, which means they won’t be out of isolation until Christmas, which is absolutely nonsensical because the season’s halfway over,” he said.
“They’ve got the visas, they have got the travel booked, but they can’t get into the country because they can’t get a voucher for isolation. That’s causing a huge amount of stress out there.” . .
Who foots environmental farm bill? – Nicola Dennis:
New Zealand agriculture is facing a raft of environmental reforms under the Government’s Freshwater Management National Policy Statement amendments. These include further stock exclusions from waterways, restrictions around winter grazing, audited farm environment plans and enforcing nitrogen caps.
This is in addition to greenhouse gas mitigation policies and biodiversity measures that are yet to be announced.
In general, farmers are very motivated to reduce their environmental impact, but the cost of doing so competes with rising running costs and servicing debt on land. So, who is footing the bill?
Politicians are quick to point to the export markets, which they believe will pay a premium for clean, green, NZ products. AgriHQ asked a number of NZ exporters if this was feasible. They all thought it wasn’t. . .
No shear sheep a perfect fit :
At a time of depressed wool prices, more and more sheep farmers are looking at reducing costs – such as shearing and parasite control.
With this in mind, Mt Cass Station will host an open day – on Friday 20 November – to give farmers an opportunity to see how no-shear Wiltshires perform in a commercial environment.
The 1800ha hill country coastal property, near Waipara in North Canterbury, is farmed using organic principles. The farm is run by Sara and Andrew Heard and five other shareholders. It is under this low-input system that Andrew Heard claims the Wiltshires come into their own.
The breed’s inherent internal parasite resistance and resilience means they don’t need shearing, dagging or crutching – and they don’t get flystrike. . .
Auckland meat heavyweight wins Christie Award:
Riki Kerere, Operations Manager of Countdown Meat & Livestock in Otahuhu, has been awarded the prestigious Christie Award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the retail meat industry. Riki was recognised with this prestigious Award at the Alto Butcher, ANZCO Foods Butcher Apprentice & Pure South Master Butcher live stream event in Auckland this evening.
Riki Kerekere said of his win, “I’m just honoured to have joined that list of amazing people who have paved the way for the industry and made things possible for me and my career. I’m just so happy to have won.
Riki has been involved in the meat industry all his working life. Starting out as a clean-up boy he progressed over time through to a management role becoming instrumental in mentoring and training staff and apprentices at the Countdown plant in South Auckland. Riki has his own unique personal approach and knowledge which is highly respected not only by his own team, but also those in the wider meat industry. . .
Red meat looks to shorten the path to adoption of research – Shan Goodwin:
SHORTENING the path to adoption in order to extract the full value from the millions spent each year on research and development in the red meat game has been a key mission at industry headquarters during 2020.
Service provider Meat & Livestock Australia has led the charge and at a webinar this week, the organisation’s group manager of adoption and commercialisation Sarah Strachan outlined the ‘involve and partner’ strategy that is being deployed.
At an on-the-ground level, incorporating producers into research design and having a clear line of sight to adoption was the approach being taken to accelerate the embedding of research outcomes into commercial businesses, she explained.
Producer demonstration sites were one way this was happening. . .
Leave a Comment » | business, environment, Farming, food, politics, rural | Tagged: AgriHQ, Andrew Heard, Andy Wilkinson, Christie Award, John Gibb, Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA), Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), Misha’s Vineyard, Mt Cass Station, Nicola Dennis, Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE), Riki Kerere, Roger Parton, Rural Contractors New Zealand (RCNZ), Sara Heard, Sarah Strachan, Shan Goodwin, Student Job Search (SJS), William Morrison, Wiltshires | Permalink
Posted by homepaddock
23/08/2020
Water rules ‘unworkable’ – Neal Wallace:
Environment Southland may ask the Government to relax new strict rules controlling the winter grazing of livestock which is widely considered as unworkable in the cooler southern region.
Southland Federated Farmers president Geoffrey Young has upped the pressure on the Government, advising members not to seek resource consent if they are unable to meet the new grazing regulations.
Southern farmers are angered at the requirement to resow winter crop paddocks by November 1, a month later than the rest of NZ, the extent of pugging permitted on paddocks and limits on winter grazing paddocks with a mean slope exceeding 10 degrees.
These provisions are included in the suite of essential freshwater measures regulations released in May.
Labour fails to plan for primary sector :
Labour needs to stand up for the essential primary sector workers who are wrongly being turned away at Auckland region checkpoints, MP for Hunua Andrew Bayly and National’s Agriculture spokesperson David Bennett say.
“Auckland is almost 10 days into their regional lockdown and there has still been no specific exemptions granted by the Ministry of Health to allow primary sector workers to carry out essential services across the Auckland regional border.” Mr Bayly says.
“These travel exemptions should have been ready to go at the first sign of regional restrictions. Instead, it has taken a week for the Minister to secure exemptions for the dairy, horticulture, and poultry sectors.”. . .
Meat companies forced to divert product – Neal Wallace:
Meat companies are changing portion sizes and targeting mid-week meals as they switch products from food service to chilled retail markets.
Farmers Weekly last week reported the demise of food service markets around the world due to the global covid-19 pandemic forcing meat companies to divert product away from traditional frozen and food service markets.
AgriHQ senior analyst Mel Croad says any increase in chilled meat volumes is welcome. . .
It’s the beta-casein and premium product that makes a big difference between a2 Milk and Fonterra – Point of Order:
Investors this week took the phenomenal result for a2 Milk in their stride, but it may have produced a few blinks round the nation’s dairy farms, particularly with the farmer-suppliers of Fonterra.
Take – for example – a2 Milk’s earnings per share of 52.39c and contrast them with Fonterra’s 17c per share in 2019, or its net profit of $385.8m versus Fonterra’s loss of $605m.
There are other mind-blowing figures from a2 Milk: total revenue of $1.73bn, up 32.8%; ebitda of $549.7m, a rise of 32.9%; and operating cash flow of $427.4m. Not to mention a cash mountain it has built up of $854.2m. . .
Career off to a good start :
Nineteen-year-old Ashlee Ennis is thrilled she has got a job on a dairy farm after recently completing three-weeks of GoDairy Farm Ready Training with DairyNZ.
Hailing from Tauranga, Ashlee has moved to Taupo for a role as a farm assistant and is excited by her new career.
She says she is relishing getting stuck in helping out with calving.
“It’s been great to get into the work and learn more on the job. I definitely see a future for myself in dairy farming,” she said. “I didn’t grow up on a farm but my mum did and she always loved it. I love working with animals.” . .
One scientist’s ambitious plan to achieve global cooling with cattle – Farmer Georgie:
Farts are funny. Burger King thinks yodeling about cow farts is even funnier. In mid-July, the fast food chain released on Twitter an ad campaign starring boot-stomping kids, led by Mason Ramsey of Walmart Yodeling Kid fame, singing about cow farts contributing to global warming and claiming that lemongrass can reduce methane in those farts by a third.
The ad, part of the company’s #CowsMenu campaign, generated a backlash of social media criticism. Pissed-off ranchers and a concerned science community pointed out that the ad perpetuated a long-standing misconception about cow farts and the hotly debated narrative that cows are a major climate change problem. Plus, it promoted an unproven solution as its big greenhouse gas win. In doing so, Burger King missed the chance to highlight the real potential for change: turning cows and their methane-producing digestive systems into a climate cooling solution. . .
Leave a Comment » | business, environment, Farming, food, rural | Tagged: a2 Milk Company (a2MC), AgriHQ, Andrew Bayley, Ashlee Ennis, Chris Lewis, David Bennett, Farmer Georgie, Federated Farmers, Geoffrey Young, GoDairy, Llelo Gruffudd, Mel Croad, Neal Wallace, Point of Order | Permalink
Posted by homepaddock
24/05/2020
Farmers feel the love – Neal Wallace:
With the demise of New Zealand’s $41 billion tourism industry because of covid-19 the primary sector will carry an even greater economic burden. Not only will it fund the lion’s share of health, education and social welfare but also service the $200 billion the Government plans to borrow. This week we start the series, Growing Our Recovery, which looks at what obstacles and opportunities the sector faces as it leads NZ out of economic recession.
Renewed trust in the primary sector is being shown by the Government and its officials as they see changing economic fortunes around the globe, sector leaders say.
“We are picking up an awareness amongst Government that the stakes have all of a sudden got very high, not that they weren’t high before, but the stakes now are doubly high and they’re very much aware of that,” DairyNZ chief executive Dr Tim Mackle said. . .
Farmers aim to feed the need – Colin Williscroft:
An AgriHQ initiative started earlier this year is playing a key role providing options for farmers wanting to buy supplementary stock feed while donated balage and hay continue to be trucked into Hawke’s Bay.
In February AgriHQ saw a growing demand for supplementary feed from farmers relying on various avenues to supply their needs.
To connect buyers with sellers it set up the AgriHQ Feed Noticeboard to let sellers listing what they have got, its cost, their location and contact details.
Commercial leader Steph Holloway says the online noticeboard proved popular popular from the start with it not uncommon for feed to be listed one day then gone the next. . .
Motivated young farmer making rapid gains in sector – Yvonne O’Hara:
Josh Cochrane is passionate about cows and enthusiastic about working in the dairy sector.
At 22, Mr Cochrane has wanted to be a dairy farmer for as long as he can remember.
He is in his first season as a 2IC for contract milkers Ben Franklin and Chelsea Saywell, on Roddy MacInnes’ 140ha property at Ryal Bush, milking 520 cows.
However, next season he moves to a 600-cow property in Oamaru as a contract milker.
He entered this year’s Southland/Otago Dairy Trainee of the Year competition and placed third.
His family were on a dairy farm near Rotorua and moved to Southland in 2007, when he was 10. . .
Zero bobby calves for South Canterbury farming couple :
The versatility of Holstein Friesians is being credited with allowing a young South Canterbury couple to produce zero bobby calves.
Ryan and Billie Moffat milk 460 cows at Waimate. Production on the 145-hectare irrigated property was 262,000 kilograms of milksolids (kgMS) in 2018-19.
The couple bought the farm off Ryan’s parents Mike and Chris Moffat last year, after buying their herd four years’ earlier.
“Our business doesn’t produce any bobby calves,” said Billie. . .
Farm ownership long term goal – Yvonne O’Hara:
Jakeb Lawson has been working in the dairy industry since he was about 13 and likes it so much, he wants to eventually own his own farm.
Mr Lawson (19) is a farm assistant for sharemilker Matt McKenzie, on a 300ha property owned by Eoin and Jayne McKenzie, at Woodlands.
They milk 650 cows and the expected production this year is 360,000 kg of milk solids.
‘‘I got the opportunity to do some work for my brother-in-law when I was about 13 or 14 and I really enjoyed it,’’ Mr Lawson said. . .
Farmers still need ‘up to 40,000’ workers to help pick crop :
Farmers still need up to 40,000 workers to help bring the harvest in this summer despite an ‘overwhelming’ response to hiring campaigns.
Defra launched the initiative ‘Pick for Britain’ last month to bring workers and employers together as the impact of Covid-19 leaves a diminished workforce.
From pickers and packers, to plant husbandry and tractor or forklift drivers, there are a wide range of roles available for furloughed employees. . .
Leave a Comment » | business, environment, Farming, food, rural, Uncategorized | Tagged: AgriHQ, Ben Franklin, Billie Moffat, Chelsea Saywell, Colin Williscroft, DEFRA, Dr Tim Mackle, Eion McKenzie, Growing Our Recovery, Holstein Friesian, Jake Smith, Jakob Lawson, Jayne McKenzie, Josh Cochrane, Matt McKenzie, Neal Wallace, Pick for Britain, Roddy MacInnes, Ryan Moffat, Steph Holloway, Yvonne O'Hara | Permalink
Posted by homepaddock
18/05/2020
Tears as convoy of trucks deliver donated bales to drought-stricken Hawke’s Bay farmers -Aroha Treacher:
More than 600 bales have been donated to drought-stricken farmers in the Hawke’s Bay as they struggle through one of the worst droughts the region has seen in decades. A convoy of trucks made the journey to Hawke’s Bay to drop off some much-needed relief.
“It’s so good to be here with this fantastic contribution of feed that’s come all the way to the Hawke’s Bay from farmers right throughout the Wairarapa,” says David Todd of the Rural Support Trust in Hawke’s Bay.
“There were tears we’ll say, and from big truckies. There was tears, so it’s quite a big deal,” says Poppy Renton of the Hawke’s Bay Drought Facebook page.
From here, the feed will be distributed out to needy farmers through the rural support trust. . .
12 year-old photographer brings drought struggles home:
The Jowsey family are among many Hawke’s Bay farmers struggling with drought. The daily grind of feeding and watering stock on the parched paddocks is being documented on camera by the youngest in the family, 12-year-old Selby.
A rust-coloured paddock, a trail of sheep mid-trot, rolling grey hills and and a steely grey sky.
It catches your eye, this slightly tilted image of feeding out time on a drought-stricken farm in Hawke’s Bay.
Selby Jowsey, 12, says he’s tried to capture the moment. . .
Creativity in dealing with drought – Peter Burke:
Beef + Lamb New Zealand is taking some creative initiatives to help farmers deal with the drought gripping large parts of the country.
Promoting alternative stock feeds, staging webinars and arranging feed coordinators are just some of the initiatives.
BLNZ North Island regional manager Matt Ward told Rural News that farmers are not only concerned with the immediate problem of the drought, but how they will be in spring.
He says supplies of baleage are very limited and his team of extension officers have been working to get what feed is available to the farmers that need it most.
Budget misses the boat on water – Annette Scott:
The Budget is missed opportunity for water, Irrigation New Zealand chief executive Elizabeth Soal says.
While the covid-19 recovery fund has $3 billion set aside for infrastructure Soal is not confident water storage and reticulation will fit the Government’s bill.
“We were really excited about the opportunity unfolding for water as we face huge economic challenges.”
But the Budget failed to deliver.
“This is missed opportunity,” Soal said. . .
Benefit uncertain in tense times – Hugh Stringleman:
Kiwi beef producers might not benefit from a significantly reduced Australian cattle kill this year, AgriHQ analyst Mel Croad says.
“Too many other factors are working in world protein markets to be sure that Australia’s expected shortfall will flow on to greater demand for our beef exports,” she said.
A predicted 17% reduction in Australian beef exports in 2020 might help stabilise world prices rather than increase them for other supplying countries.
Australia is going to do what it would in a normal year, without covid-19, and that is rebuild its herd after widespread rain. . .
ProductionWise® and OverseerFM can “talk”:
FAR’s ProductionWise® farm recording package is now able to interface directly with OverseerFM, a development which will make nutrient management reporting a lot faster and cheaper for most ProductionWise users.
FAR ProductionWise Manager, Melanie Bates, says that enabling the two systems to ‘talk to each other’ was always a goal, and although it’s taken a while, testing shows that the benefits will be huge.
“Formal discussions with Overseer about the project began in January 2019, and late last year, the ProductionWise technical team, headed by Chris Day from Flurosat, and the OverseerFM technical team started working together to plan out the integration process via computer ‘json’ files. Chris has developed a very simple and visual way to build up the json file from recorded data in PW into OverseerFM. In simple terms, you can extract your ProductionWise data to a file that can be imported into the OverseerFM platform, allowing you to create your year-end analysis easily.” . .
Leave a Comment » | business, environment, Farming, food, rural | Tagged: AgriHQ, Annette Scott, Aroha Treacher, Beef + Lamb NZ (B+LNZ), Budget 2020, David Todd, drought, Elizabeth Soal, Hawkes Bay, Hugh Stringleman, Karen Williams, Matt Ward, Mel Croad, Melanie Bates, OverseerFM, Peter Burke, ProductionWise®, Rural Support Trust (RST), Selby Jowsey, Sharon Paterson | Permalink
Posted by homepaddock
10/02/2020
New troubles hide real problem – Anette Scott:
Climate and market uncertainty impacted heavily on the Temuka adult ewe fair with prices plummeting by up to $60 a head.
With 14,000 ewes advertised and running on the back of the record prices set at the two-tooth and ewe lamb fair the previous week the annual adult ewe fair looked set to be a cracker last Wednesday.
But a lot happened in a week – coronavirus was declared a global emergency, the drought conditions in Canterbury and northern South Island were exacerbated by extreme temperatures soaring into the mid 30s and meat schedules took a dive.
As a result about 4000 ewes were late withdrawals by vendors anticipating a slump in the market so just 9300, a third of them capital stock lines being sold because of changing land use, turned up. . .
Gloss comes off a good season:
The gloss is quickly fading on what was shaping to be an exceptional season for farmers.
Export prices are still high by historic standards but a perfect storm of unfavourable weather and coronavirus measures in China are putting pressure on export and store prices.
Drought-like conditions in the North Island and wet in the south of the South Island combined with falling export prices have seen store prices collapse.
AgriHQ analyst Nicola Dennis says export lamb prices are likely to slip a further 20c/kg this week as exporters manage the impact of coronavirus. . .
Keith Neylon – well served by a touch of madness – Michael Fallow:
Keith Neylon detects in himself a touch of madness. There doesn’t appear to be much of a queue forming to disagree with him.
But it does seem to have served him well, this Southlander with a startling record advancing sunrise industries.
If anything it might even have inoculated him against at least some of the more maddening obstacles he has struck.
From the wild aviation days of deer recovery, stints in shellfish and salmon industries, large scale farming and most recently the sheep milk industry through Blue River Dairy, Neylon has penned a ripsnorting autobiography A Touch of Madness that’s part testament to the excitements of striving to develop this country’s resources. . .
Alliance Nelson plant prioritises livestock from dry Nelson-Tasman region – Cherie Sivignon:
Livestock from the Nelson-Tasman region is being prioritised at Alliance Group’s Nelson meat plant as some farmers reduce their animal numbers amid a run of hot, dry weather.
Alliance Group livestock and shareholder services general manager Danny Hailes said the Nelson plant was busy as farmers “look to de-stock as a result of the dry conditions”.
“We are prioritising processing livestock from the region so we can meet the needs of local farmers,” Hailes said. “As a co-operative, we need to be there for our farmers.” . . .
NFUS president calls tree planting initiatives a ‘distraction’ :
The president of NFU Scotland has criticised tree planting initiatives as part of a measure to curb climate change, calling it a ‘distraction’.
Speaking at the union’s annual conference in Glasgow on Thursday (6 February), Andrew McCornick said there is ‘no single solution’ to the climate crisis.
Looking specifically at tree planting initiatives, he highlighted that they could ‘displace the potential to grow food crops’. . .
New York farmers are struggling to sell their onions. U.S. lawmakers want a trade investigation – Lisa Held:
In the fertile “black dirt” region of New York’s Hudson Valley, once home to the storied onion king and his Ye Jolly Onion Inn, farmers have been celebrating the annual onion harvest with their communities for generations. But in December, as farmers were being offered a price that was equal to what they received in 1990, the unsold yellow and red bulbs were piling up and the mood was more desperation than jubilation.
“We went from $28 for a 50-pound bag down to $12 within a couple of weeks,” said Chris Pawelski, a fourth-generation onion farmer in Orange County who has been chronicling his struggles on Twitter since September. This is less than the cost of production, but farmers have been forced to sell at that low price, as buyers are suddenly hard to find.
“I can’t sleep at night,” Pawelski said. “I’ve got 60 days. After that they’ll start to sprout, and I’ve got to dump them.” . .
1 Comment | business, environment, Farming, food, rural | Tagged: A Touch of Madness, AgriHQ, Alliance Group, Amanda Owen, Andrew McCornick, Anieka Templer, Annette Scott, Cherie Sivignon, Chris Pawelski, coronavirus, Danny Hailes, Hudson Valley, Keith Neylon, NFU Scotland (NFUS), Nicola Dennis | Permalink
Posted by homepaddock
19/10/2019
Act now on swine fever – Neal Wallace:
Dr Eric Neumann’s career takes him to animal disease hot spots throughout the world to advise officials and farmers on their response and to monitor severity and behaviour of disease outbreaks Neal Wallace talks to the epidemiologist.
The savagery of African swine fever was starkly illustrated to Kiwi epidemiologist Dr Eric Neumann when he visited a 1000-pig farm in Vietnam.
The fever’s presence had been confirmed in the housed piggery two weeks before his visit but by time he got there 600 animals had died and most of the survivors were sick. . .
Time to effect meaningful change – Dairyman:
Bashing Fonterra in the media is so prevalent it’s almost a national pastime; farmer shareholders keen to share that phone call they got from the chairman, commentators sticking the boot in at the behest of their dairy processor clients and any politician looking for some airtime will happily have a crack.
If the payout is low it’s due to the incompetence of directors and management, if the payout is high it’s because Fonterra is screwing the scrum and forcing their competitors to pay more for milk than it’s worth.
While there are legitimate criticisms to be levelled at the Co-op, and they’re not above scoring own goals in that department, it’s so easy that writing a column panning them is almost lazy. I make no secret that I’m a fan of Fonterra’s new direction; the honesty that is largely on display at shareholder meetings, the way they now engage with the government instead of the ‘Fortress Fonterra’ mentality of old and their willingness to show leadership and vision in areas that affect their farmers. . .
The NZ Government strategy to destroy the farming sector – Barbara McKenzie:
‘If sheep and beef farms convert to forestry on a nationwide scale at just half the rate that has occurred in Wairoa this last year, there will be no sheep and beef farms left by 2050’ (Neil Henderson, Gisborne farmer)
The agricultural sector is New Zealand’s largest industry, made up chiefly of pastoral farming and horticulture.
The coalition government, however, is implementing a strategy squarely aimed at replacing the farming sector with forestry. The result will be depopulation of the countryside, the destruction of our environment and our way of life, and sets us on the road to poverty. . .
https://twitter.com/BarbaraMcK42/status/1184186332987346944
Leather exporters struggle in oversupplied market :
Leather exporters are grappling with record low prices for hides.
The agricultral insights group, AgriHQ, said strong beef production in Australia, Brazil and the US had meant that the cattle hide market was significantly oversupplied.
A senior analyst at AgriHQ, Mel Croad, said this oversupply, combined with the rise of much more convincing synthetic leather substitutes and a downturn in the manufacture of luxury leather goods meant global demand was very weak.
“In addition, the closure of some Chinese tanneries due to environmental concerns has narrowed down selling options for hides,” Ms Croad said. . .
Demand from farmers for SurePhos expected to exceed supply:
Ballance Agri-Nutrients has produced a sustainable superphosphate product that is expected to displace traditional ‘Super’ fertiliser used by the majority of farmers – with clear environmental and productivity benefits.
SurePhosTM is expected to reduce phosphate losses by up to 75%, making a significant positive impact on the quality of waterways and, due to low water solubility, keeps nutrients in the soil system where they are available to plants.
Ballance Agri-Nutrients Chairman, David Peacocke, says SurePhosTM will be the choice of a new generation of farmers who have sustainability front-of-mind. . .
I’m a farmer and a no-deal Brexit would put me out of business – Will Case:
Crashing out of the EU would not end uncertainty and would be a dark day for agriculture and food in Britain
Here in the beautiful Cumbrian countryside, the sun is out, our grass is growing and the sky is blue. Sheep are busily nibbling the pasture while cattle are basking in the summer warmth. These are perfect conditions for farming. The animals are content and the farmers are working hard.
Everything should be fine, but there is a big, dark cloud lurking on the horizon: the possibility of a no-deal Brexit. This is a threat to everything we do. The uncertainty around Brexit and the prospect of trade tariffs that would cripple our business is a real worry. The future direction of UK-produced food is simply unknown.
Will we be forced to adhere to ever higher standards, while our government allows food to be imported from countries where farmers adhere to welfare or other standards that would, rightly, be illegal on my farm? Will our politicians assure British farmers that they will avoid a disastrous no-deal Brexit? . .
Leave a Comment » | business, environment, Farming, food, rural | Tagged: African swine fever (ASF), AgriHQ, Ballance Agri-Nutrients, Barbara McKenzie, Dairyman, Dr Eric Neumann, Fonterra, Mel Croad, Neal Wallace, Neil Henderson, SurePhos, Ullswater Felt Art, Will Case | Permalink
Posted by homepaddock
26/11/2018
Does Russia belong in the West or the East? – Keith Woodford:
The issue of whether Russia belongs in the West or the East might seem a strange topic for a New Zealand agri-food systems person like me to be discussing. However, political and food systems, and the associated international trade, are joined at the hip. Politics and agricultural trade are always fellow travellers.
These last two weeks, while working in Russia, I have pondered as to where Russia belongs. From a cultural perspective, I have no doubt it is in the West. Yet from a geopolitical perspective it would seem that Russia’s future is more with China in the East. Here, I explore the dichotomy and the contradiction.
Milk flush is depressing prices – Hugh Stringleman:
Record milk collection in New Zealand over the October peak has continued to depress Global Dairy Trade prices, which, in turn, threaten a reduction in the farmgate milk price closer to $6/kg.
The GDT index fell 3.5% after the auction on November 21, the twelfth consecutive fall or sideways movement since mid-May.
World prices are now 20% below their 2018 peak and 12% lower than this time last year.
Plenty of cattle left – Neal Wallace:
Stirring international and domestic storms have conspired to undercut bull beef prices.
A combination of falling United States prices in the last two months, processors trying to maintain margins and farmers being careful with stock purchases because of Mycoplasma bovis have reduced demand and prices, AgriHQ market analyst Reece Brick says.
At a recent Feilding calf sale those bred on the vendor’s property were $30 to $40 ahead of calves that weren’t. . .
The green, green grass of Maniototo – Jono Edwards:
Green fields in the usually-barren Maniototo have some farmers casting their minds back to the 1970s.
Unusually high rainfall, including a recent heavy downpour, was welcome news for the industry after months of dry heat last year.
Gimmerburn farmer Duncan Helm said things were looking “bloody magnificent”
Mataura Valley’s multimillion-dollar milk plant opens – Margaret Phillips:
The official opening of the $240 million Mataura Valley Milk plant at McNab brought guests from all corners of the globe today.
MVM general manager Bernard May said the plant was forecast to pour about $90 million annually, directly or indirectly, into the South’s economy. Its major shareholder is the China Animal Husbandry Group. . .
Will Argentina be the first country approving a GMO wheat? -Javier Preciado Patiño:
“We mustn’t do what other countries have already done; we must do what no other country did” Self-confident and why not a little bit provoker, the CEO of Bioceres, Mr. Federico Trucco, challenged the audience in the formal presentacion of the HB4 Wheat, the transgenic wheat that added drought tolerance to glufosinate-ammonium herbicide tolerance.
The beginning of this development dates from middles ’90 when scientist Raquel Chan’s team identified a gene (HB4) that confers sunflower seed a better performance under drought condition. In 2003, Bioceres reached an agreement with Conicet (the governmental Science and Technology Comission) to develop this finding in a commercial way. In 2007, HB4 was transferred to other crops like soybean, maize and wheat, and now only one formal step is missing to release this technology to the Argentinean farmers.
Mr. Trucco explained the three step deregulation process for a GMO crop in Argentina. HB4 wheat has already been approved by the SENASA (Food Quality and Health Service) and the Conabia (Biotechnology Advisor Commission), because there is not risk to the human health, animal health and the environment, and the characteristics of this wheat are the same of conventional ones. . .
New app helps farmers finish cattle to retailers’ specifications:
A new app can help farmers finish cattle to retailers’ specifications with greater precision, avoiding lower prices for the farmer and waste in the value chain.
Changing customer tastes mean that almost half of prime beef now fails to meet ideal market specifications.
The app will help farmers finish cattle to retailers’ specifications with greater precision, underpinned by the data to evidence this. . .
Leave a Comment » | business, environment, Farming, food, rural, technology | Tagged: (Biotechnology Advisor Commission), AgriHQ, Andrew Wright, Bernard May, Bioceres, Conicet, Duncan Helm, Federico Trucco, Gimmerburn, Hugh Stringleman, Javier Preciado Patiño, Jesus Madrazo, Jono Edwards, Keith Woodford, Maniototo, Mataura Valley Milk (MVM), Neal Wallace, Raquel Chan, Reece Brick, SENASA (Food Quality and Health Service) | Permalink
Posted by homepaddock
30/09/2018
Promising results from biodiversity stocktake of North Canterbury irrigation scheme – Emma Dangerfield:
Freshwater mussels have been found during a stocktake of land and waterways within the Waimakariri Irrigation Limited (WIL) scheme.
More than 200 sites of biodiversity interest were discovered, and CEO Brent Walton said the stocktake had provided WIL with an overview of sites which could be further developed to enhance Waimakariri’s biodiversity values.
“WIL shareholders are committed to improving the environment and this process has provided us with some key areas of potential for further development.” . .
Rogue cattle and local officials create biosecurity risk:
A ho-hum attitude to wandering stock in Northland highlights continuing ignorance around biosecurity, says Federated Farmers Northland provincial president John Blackwell.
This week in Northland local council officers found wandering cows and placed them in a nearby paddock without telling the farmer who owned the property, John says.
The farmer found his own heifers the next day socialising with the lost stock. . .
Sustainable Whanganui celebrates 10 years with talk by farmer and conservationist Dan Steele –
Floods, river rescues, evacuations by helicopter and honey extraction are all part of the working life of Blue Duck Station owner and manager Dan Steele.
He’s the guest speaker as Sustainable Whanganui Trust celebrates its 10th anniversary on October 14. The talk is open to the public and starts at 2pm in the Harakeke/Education Room at the Whanganui Resource Recovery Centre in Maria Pl, next door to the Fire Station.
Blue Duck Station had two major events in close succession this year. In February 14 young whio (rare and endangered blue ducks) were released there . .
New resource launched to help measure farm abusiness performance:
A new resource designed to help farmers measure their farm business performance has been launched by the Red Meat Profit Partnership (RMPP).
The Key Performance Indicators (KPI) booklet includes detailed descriptions of 16 core KPIs, some example calculations and resources for farmers who are considering how improvements can be made to their farm business.
The KPIs, which were developed in conjunction with a group of industry professionals and farmers, include lambing percentage, ewe flock efficiency, calving percentage, fawn weaning percentage, gross farm revenue per effective hectare and live weight gain. . .
NZ merino prices jump as Australian drought dents supply of luxury fibre – Tina Morrison:
(BusinessDesk) – New Zealand merino wool prices are being pushed up as drought in Australia prompt farmers across the Tasman to cull stock, reducing the amount of the fine premium wool available for sale.
Eighteen-micron Merino wool, considered a benchmark for the fibre, sold at $28.90/kg at this week’s South Island auction. That was up from $22.40/kg at the same time last year and the five-year average of $16.70/kg for this time of year, according to AgriHQ. . .
Wool surfboard is ‘a drop in the ocean’ of potential composite product uses – Terry Sim:
WOOL will replace fibreglass in revolutionary surfboards to hit the Australian market next year. The boards will be released in Australia in February next year under the Firewire Surfboards brand ‘Woolight’. . .
Leave a Comment » | business, environment, Farming, food, rural | Tagged: AgriHQ, Blue Duck Station, Brent Walton, Dan Steele, Emma Dangerfield, Federated Farmers, freshwater mussels, John Blackwell, merino, Red Meat Profit Partnership (RMPP), Te Kopae Farm, Terry Sim, Tina Morrison, Waimakariri Irrigation Ltd (WIL), whio, Woolight | Permalink
Posted by homepaddock
29/09/2018
Five things to know about the future of farming – Eloise Gibson:
Sir Peter Gluckman issued a flurry of reports in his last few months as Prime Minister’s science adviser. His final report to Jacinda Ardern made some striking points about the future of farming. Eloise Gibson digested the five main issues.
Methane matters
Don’t be fooled by anyone implying that methane doesn’t matter much in the scheme of things – cutting methane is crucial to New Zealand’s efforts to slow climate change. That, in essence, was one of the key messages from Gluckman’s final report to Jacinda Ardern.
Whether to ignore, eliminate or “stabilise” methane, the single biggest climate impact from cattle farming, has been major feature of debate about New Zealand’s proposed Zero Carbon Bill. . .
American farmers don’t need subsidies – Garland S. Tucker III:
Margaret Thatcher is said to have quipped, “The trouble with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people’s money.” New Zealand has discovered that this result may not be all bad. In the mid 1980s, New Zealand faced bankruptcy. The tab for years of socialistic policies had finally come due. The Labour government was forced to act quickly and drastically to cut expenditures.
The New Zealand economy was — and still is — heavily dependent on agriculture. Farmers and farm prices had been subsidized for years through a multitude of government programs. In 1984, the government eliminated over 30 subsidy programs, not gradually, but overnight. The ruling Labour Party predicted an economic disaster. They foresaw a mass exodus of farmers and fully expected to be forced to reinstate some type of subsidy program . .
Central Otago shearer to receive recognition – Pam Jones:
Central Otago’s shearing industry will honour one of its own in a double-billing today.
Alexandra woolhandler and shearer Pagan Karauria will not only be recognised as a Master Woolhandler at the annual New Zealand Merino Championships, but will also feature in a film about the shearing industry being launched in Alexandra.
Karauria is profiled in the film She Shears, which is about five women working in the shearing industry. It will screen at the Otago Daily Times Theatre in the Central Stories Museum and Art Gallery this afternoon at 4pm.
She will be present for the screening and take part in a question and answer session afterwards. . .
Teddies, a trophy and Trans-Tasman rivalry – Pam Jones:
It features shearing and woolhandling royalty, alongside “teddy bear” novices.
And there is also some “good old-fashioned” transtasman rivalry to boot, as Australasia’s best compete at this weekend’s New Zealand Merino Shearing Championships in Alexandra.
Up to 200 shearers and woolhandlers were competing at the two-day event, including Damien Boyle, of Australia, who had won the event’s open shearing category seven times, event organising committee member Graeme Bell said. . .
NZ export log market hurt by US trade war with China: – Tina Morrison
(BusinessDesk) – New Zealand’s export log market took a hit from the trade dispute between the US and China as the declining value of the yuan crimps the buying power of the country’s largest log market.
The average price for New Zealand A-grade export logs dropped to US$133/JAS from US$141/JAS in August, and US$145/JAS in July, and is now the lowest since June 2017, according to AgriHQ’s Forestry Market Report for September. . .
Renewable diesel – an opportunity for the forest industry:
Most people in New Zealand are not aware that technology has been commercialised in the United States for the production of fully drop-in renewable diesel made from cellulosic feedstocks. This renewable diesel is a direct substitute for mineral diesel and meets all of the New Zealand specifications other than density (kilograms per litre). But it makes up for that by having a high energy density per kilogram so that the amount of energy per litre of fuel is equal to, or in some cases better than, that of fossil fuel diesel. . .
Cavalier to sell scouring interest, focus on carpets: – Gavin Evans:
Sept. 27 (BusinessDesk) – Cavalier Corp is close to selling its stake in New Zealand’s only wool scourer as part of a plan to reduce debt and free up capital to invest in carpet manufacturing.
The firm owns 27.5 percent of Cavalier Wool Holdings, alongside global giant Lempriere Wool, Accident Compensation Corp and Direct Capital. The scourer, known as CWH, operates plants in Napier and Timaru with a combined capacity of 100 million kilograms annually. . .
King Salmon braced for ‘disappointing’ fish farm relocation decision – Pattrick Smellie
(BusinessDesk) – New Zealand King Salmon hopes it will be allowed to move around half of nine square hectares of its Marlborough Sounds fish farms to better locations, but is braced for a “disappointing” outcome for both the company’s growth and environmental outcomes.
Speaking to BusinessDesk at the Aquaculture New Zealand conference in Blenheim, NZKS managing director Grant Rosewarne expressed frustration at the likelihood of a “sub-optimal outcome”. . .
Coromandel dairy farmers lead the way through new genetics:
In 1995 Andrew and Maree Palmer saw the value of being part of CRV Ambreed’s progeny testing programme so jumped on board and haven’t looked back.
Andrew and Maree have had a hand in developing many generations of daughter proven sires.
Today, they’re still part of the herd improvement company’s progeny testing programme and reckon they’re doing their bit to strengthen the value of the national dairy herd. . .
1 Comment | business, environment, Farming, fishing, food, forestry, rural | Tagged: Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC), AgriHQ, Andrew Palmer, Cavalier Corp, Cavalier Wool Holdings (CWH), CRV Ambreed, Damien Boyle, Direct Capital, Eloise Gibson, Garland S. Tucker III, Gavin Evans, Graeme Bell, Grant Rosewarne, Lempriere Wool, Maree Palmer, NZ King Salmon, NZ Merino Championships, Pagan Karauria, Pam Jones, Pattrick Smellie, Sally Rae, She Shears, Sir Peter Gluckman, Tina Morrison | Permalink
Posted by homepaddock
23/06/2018
NZ sheep farmers enjoying stellar lamb season with prices reaching lofty heights, AgriHQ says – Tina Morrison:
(BusinessDesk) – New Zealand sheep farmers, whose fortunes in recent years have been overshadowed by their dairy farmer colleagues, are having a strong season with lamb prices approaching record levels, according to AgriHQ’s Monthly Sheep & Beef report for June.
“This season continues to move from strength-to-strength for sheep farmers, mainly due to the incredible heights slaughter prices are reaching,” AgriHQ analyst Reece Brick said in his report. “Winter contracts within the North Island and lower supplies in the South Island have pulled lamb slaughter prices up by 30 cents/kg in both regions.” . .
The key to successful farm environment plans – Jamie McFadden:
Before the Government decides whether Farm Environment Plans (FEPs) should be voluntary or compulsory we in the Rural Advocacy Network suggest a look at recent experience around New Zealand and overseas.
The voluntary farm plan approach is focused on actions to achieve outcomes. It has been very successful in regions like Taranaki where over two-thirds of hill country now has farm plans.
The key to the success of the voluntary model is trusted advisers working in partnership with landowners. Farm plans are tailor-made recognising that every farm is different and that people learn in different ways. The advisers have a wide range of practical knowledge covering all aspects of environmental management – biodiversity, wetlands, water quality, pests, erosion and sediment loss. It is a whole-farm approach. . .
Arable farmers welcome lift in wheat prices after two poor years – Heather Chalmers:
Central Canterbury arable farmers Syd and Chris Worsfold and their son Earl grow cereals in half their farm and are welcoming a $100 a tonne lift in wheat prices this season.
Syd Worsfold, named Federated Farmers’ arable farmer of the year after 30 years of industry involvement, said the increase was a return to more competitive pricing, after two years of poor returns.
Milling wheat contracts for the 2019 harvest were $420 to $450 a tonne, depending on the grade and variety sown, while feed grains were $380 to $400 a tonne. . .
Pig farmers question future – Annette Scott:
Market demand is slow and pig meat prices have taken a dive in recent weeks as pork producers seriously question their future.
Pig meat prices dropped 10 cents a kilogram in June with cost pressure really coming on from imported pig products, New Zealand Pork farmer spokesman Ian Carter said.
“Imports are coming in really cheap and compromising domestic prices.
“This is where Country of Origin Labelling (CoOL) is very important to us,” Carter said.
Misleading domestic food industry advertising is also a concern. . .
Half a million litres of Pahiatua groundwater to be saved every day:
Half a million litres of Pahiatua groundwater (about the same as 18 milk tanker loads) will be saved every day thanks to the development and installation of a ground-breaking reclaimed water system at the local Fonterra site.
The site team came up with an innovative way to reuse water from condensation that’s produced during the milk powder manufacturing process.
Robert Spurway, Fonterra’s COO Global Operations, says the water-saving initiative is a testament to the Pahiatua team’s innovative and can-do approach to sustainability. . .
Synlait confirms commissioning date of new Pokeno site:
Synlait has confirmed its new nutritional manufacturing site in Pokeno, Waikato, will be commissioned for the 2019 / 2020 season.
The functionality of Synlait’s first nutritional spray dryer at Pokeno has also been expanded as a result of forecast customer demand.
The nutritional spray dryer will be capable of producing a full suite of nutritional, formulated powders (including infant-grade skim milk, whole milk and infant formula base powders) and the capacity has increased to 45,000 metric tonnes (MT) from an initial 40,000 MT. . .
She Shears – directed by Jack Nicol:
Presented by Miss Conception films, who focus on female-led stories, this fresh dispatch from the heartland introduces two legendary shearers – and three in the making – as they head for black-shirt glory at the Golden Shears.
When a Kiwi girl sets her heart on becoming a shearer there’s not a lot that’s going to stop her, as the five women profiled in this lively doco happily testify. Central Otago’s Pagan Karauria admits it was tough getting a gig at the start, but with her champion dad staunchly behind her, she’s made the shearing shed the focus of her career, not just as a competitive shearer, but as an ace wool sorter and mentor to other young women. Catherine Mullooly, from the King Country, packs her skills for some enterprising OE. With whānau solidly backing them, each of these women strive, more than anything, to better themselves. . .
Leave a Comment » | business, environment, Farming, food, rural | Tagged: AgriHQ, Country of Origin Labelling (CoOL), Farm Environmnet Plans (FEP), Fonterra, Ian Carter, Jack Nicol, Jamie McFadden, Miss Conception Films, NZ Pork, Pagan Karauria, Robert Spurway, Rural Advocacy Network, She Shears, Synlait, Tina Morrison | Permalink
Posted by homepaddock
17/05/2018
Climate ambassadors the next step in dairy’s plan :
Fifteen dairy farmers have been chosen to profile the climate change cause as New Zealand’s Climate Change Ambassadors.
This is the next step of the dairy sector’s plan to create a culture of climate conscious agribusiness amongst farmers and the broader dairy industry, says DairyNZ Chief Executive Tim Mackle.
“These fifteen men and women all represent best environmental farming practice for their farm system,” says DairyNZ chief executive Tim Mackle. “They run their farms profitably and sustainably and are serious about reducing on farm greenhouse gas emissions. . .
Savvy couple win at Dairy Industry awards – Stephen Bell:
Northland couple Dan and Gina Duncan are technologically savvy and care about people, the environment and cows and while doing very well at dairy farming.
Their efforts were rewarded when on Saturday night they were named the Share Farmers of the Year.
Gerard Boerjan from Hawke’s Bay-Wairarapa is Dairy Manager of the Year and Simone Smail from Southland is Dairy Trainee of the Year.
The judges said the Duncans are passionate, professional and committed. . .
Dairy trainee of the year grateful for employers’ support – Nicole Sharp:
In three years, 24-year-old Simone Smail, of Invercargill, has come a long way in the dairy industry.
Being presented the 2018 New Zealand Dairy Trainee of the Year award at Stadium Southland on Saturday night, Miss Smail was overcome.
She thanked her family for their support, her bosses Steve and Tracy Henderson for giving her a start in the industry and everybody else she had met along the way. . .
Lamb prices expected to stay high – Simon Hartley:
Key lamb export markets are paying 14% more for product so far this season, with record highs for this time of year, ASB rural economist Nathan Penny says.
He said AgriHQ reported lamb supply remained tight and competition among processors was still keen given the relatively low levels of slaughter.
“It follows that underlying demand is also solid … all key export markets are paying 14% or more so far this season compared to last season.” . .
Increasing biodiversity is a priority at Craigmore Station – Kate Guthrie:
Every year David Bielski, manager of Craigmore Station in South Canterbury, plans to spend $50,000 of the station’s budget on fencing, planting trees and labour to increase biodiversity on the property.
An impressive 51 hectares of land already consists of native plant species and is under various QE II covenants and game keeper John Brownley has been controlling a full range of pests on the station for over 10 years.
“Our pest tally for last year was 120 feral cats, 30 ferrets, 13 stoats, 214 hedgehogs, 19 (recorded) rats, 260 rabbits, 155 possums, 6 wallabies and 57 hares,” David confirms. “Numbers go up and down. We try to minimise pests, but we never get on top of them.”. . .
Is Labour anti-farming? – Jamie Mackay:
Environment Minister David Parker has an interesting background in agriculture.
He oversaw the due diligence on both the science and the intellectual property for the A2 Corporation and was one of its first two employees. It’s now a $9 billion dollar company.
Unfortunately, for him, he sold his start-up shares to avoid a conflict of interest when he became a politician.
Here’s an interesting excerpt from an interview I did with him on my radio show last week: . . .
Farmer suicide research not a priority for govt:
A release of official documents confirms the Ardern-Peters Government does not consider further research into farmer suicide to be a high priority, National’s Associate Health spokesperson Dr Shane Reti says.
“Documents relating to a funding application for Rural Health Alliance Aotearoa New Zealand (RHAANZ) show how officials successfully persuaded the Minister of Health David Clark and the Minister for Primary Industries Damien O’Connor that further investment into farm related suicide research is not a priority at this stage,” Dr Reti says.
“This astounding admission continues the Government’s dismissive attitude towards rural mental health – further compounded by the refusal to commit to a school of rural health. . .
Future guardians get their hands dirty planting on Mauao – Scott Yeoman:
A busy winter season of planting has begun on Mauao in Mount Maunganui, with Ngāi Te Rangi’s future guardians getting their hands dirty and leading the way.
About 500 native plants were dug into a bank at the base of Mauao yesterday by 20 children under 5 and a team of adult helpers.
Ngāi Te Rangi’s Kia Maia Ellis said the Mauao Trust had a big kaupapa (policy) around restoring the korowai (cloak) at Mauao. . .
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Leave a Comment » | business, environment, Farming, food, rural | Tagged: AgriHQ, Craigmore Station, DairyNZ, Dan Duncan, David Bielski, David Parker, Dr Shane Reti, Dr Tim Mackle, Gerard Boerjan, Gina Duncan, Jamie Mackay, Labour Party, Mauao, Nathan Penny, NZ Dairy Industry Awards (NZDIA), Rural Health Alliance Aotearoa New Zealand (RHAANZ), Scott Yeoman, Simon Hartley, Simone Smail, Steve Henderson, Tracy Henderson | Permalink
Posted by homepaddock
28/03/2018
WRC Fencing Proposal Breeds Resentment in the Hills:
Drystock farmers have the most water on their land of any farming sector and are therefore key, in any final policy to improve water quality across Waikato. Under the proposed fencing rules contained in the Waikato Regional Council’s Plan Change 1, many hill country farmers will eventually be forced off their land by the costs of installing fencing and water reticulation. Worse than that, the installation such a vast amount of fencing will leave many of our smallest and cleanest streams – clogged and filthy with sediment.
Due to the nature of the ground, some hill country farmers may lose up to forty percent of their total grazing area, if the proposed fencing requirements are implemented without changes. “The absurd idea being espoused by some WRC staff, that farmers can somehow graze sheep on the sides of hills and cattle on the tops of hills is totally impractical and just shows how far out of touch the WRC is, with hill country farming realities” says Mr Andy Loader, Chairman of PLUG. . .
Rabobank Rural Confidence Survey Quarter 1:
New Zealand’s farmers have started the year with increasing optimism, with rural confidence edging higher after two consecutive sharp declines recorded in the second half of 2017.
The first quarterly Rabobank Rural Confidence Survey for the year – completed earlier this month – has shown the nation’s net farmer confidence index inched up to +15 per cent, from +13 per cent recorded in the December 2017 survey, primarily driven by an optimistic outlook among horticulturalists.
While the latest survey found the number of New Zealand farmers expecting the agricultural economy to improve in the year ahead had declined slightly to 27 per cent of those surveyed (compared with 29 per cent in the previous quarter) – those expecting agricultural economic conditions to worsen had fallen to 12 per cent (from 16 per cent previously). . .
Why has Fonterra gone a2? – Keith Woodford:
It is now more than a month since Fonterra and The a2 Milk Company (A2M) announced that they are going to work together. After the initial shock, and with Malcolm Bell, National Market Manager from New Zealand-dominant dairy-semen provider LIC describing it as “the biggest announcement to come out of Fonterra since its formation”, there is a need for some analysis as to what it is going to mean.
From the perspective of A2M, there is a simple answer. It will provide a supply base of milk free of A1 beta-casein that A2M desperately needs for the coming years of growth.
For Fonterra, the issues are far more complex. Why have they made a U-turn after 17 years of condescending denigration of the A2 concept? And why is Fonterra doing it as a joint venture rather than striking out on its own? . . .
NZ log exports top 1M cubic metres in January, second-highest level ever for the month – Tina Morrison:
(BusinessDesk) – New Zealand exported more than one million cubic metres of softwood logs in January, only the second time in the country’s history that such a high volume has been shipped in the month.
The country exported 1.1 million cubic metres of softwood logs overseas in January this year, up 32 percent on January 2017, according to data from Global Trade Information Services published in AgriHQ’s monthly forestry market report. That’s the highest level for the month since 2014 and only the second time volumes have exceeded 1 million for a January month. . .
Beef + Lamb New Zealand elects new chairman:
Southland sheep and beef farmer Andrew Morrison is the new Chairman of Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) following a Board election on 23 March.
Morrison takes the Chair after four years on the Board representing the Southern South Island region.
Along with his wife Lisa, Morrison farms a total of 1030ha of breeding and finishing units spread between Southland and Otago. . .
Feds and all farmers will be relieved by M.Bovis decision:
The government’s decision to cull all the livestock on properties so far identified as having been contaminated by the Mycoplasma Bovis disease will be a huge relief for all drystock and dairy farmers.
Federated Farmers applauds the Ministry for Primary Industries decision announced today to continue the cull on all the 28 farms so far infected by the nasty disease.
“Basically what this says to us is that the government and MPI are still committed to trying to eradicate this disease. Their determination to do the best we can to get rid of it should be acknowledged by all farmers,” Federated Farmers president Katie Milne says. . .
Beef + Lamb NZ welcomes certainty for infected Mp.bovis properties:
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has announced that all cattle on properties infected with the Mycoplasma bovis (Mp.bovis) cattle disease will be culled and the farmers’ losses compensated.
“The MPI decision that cattle on all infected properties will be culled provides clarity to farmers that have been living with this uncertainty,” said Dave Harrison, General Manager Policy and Advocacy at B+LNZ.
“This has been a very trying few months for affected farmers who have been restricted from trading, borne extra costs, and suffered worry and anxiety about the future. . .
Details of FMG Young Farmer of the Year Grand Final in Invercargill revealed:
In less than four months Invercargill will be buzzing with FMG Young Farmer of the Year Grand Final fever.
The iconic agricultural competition marks its 50th anniversary this year, a milestone worthy of celebration.
The last of the seven grand finalists will be decided at the Otago/Southland Regional Final in Winton on April 21st.
A sell-out crowd is expected at ILT Stadium Southland for the main quiz and awards night in July. . .
NZ Ag: B+LNZ future meat report – great on detail, what’s the solution? – St John Craner:
I was eager to read this report. As eager as I am to read their much anticipated Red Meat Story (which by my best guess will be about the provenance of real meat, and rightly so because it’s their only point of difference). Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) should be applauded for commissioning such a thorough analysis on the challenge and opportunities from alternative protein. Its Future Meat Report is a solid piece of work that will be doing the stakeholder rounds and roadshows up and down the country as we speak. However having read it what are the next actions? And does it go far enough?
Its Executive Summary suggests, in regards to our story, “we just need to tell it better”. It’s too simplistic to say this. To be fair and credit the agency Antedote, they recognise this too as they go deeper explaining each of the different strategic scenarios and responses which offers the greatest value to readers.
Being ready for the threat of alternative proteins and their cashed-up Silicon Valley investors will take far more than having a good story. . .
Leave a Comment » | business, environment, Farming, food, rural | Tagged: a2 Milk Company (a2MC), AgriHQ, Andrew Morrison, Andy Loader, Beef + Lamb NZ (B+LNZ), Dave Harrison, Federated Farmers, FMG Young Farmer of the Year, Fonterra, Katie Milne, Keith Woodford, Lisa Morrison, Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), Mycoplasma bovis, Plan Change 1, Primary Land Users Group (PLUG), St John Craner, Tina Morrison, Waikato Regional Council | Permalink
Posted by homepaddock
16/03/2018
White South African farmers ‘need help from a civilised country‘:
Australia’s Home Affairs Minister is investigating how to bring white South African farmers to Australia on humanitarian grounds.
White farmers facing violence in South Africa “deserve special attention” from Australia, Peter Dutton said.
He said he had watched television footage and read articles that convinced him the farmers needed help, and had ordered his department to investigate how to bring the farmers to Australia. . .
Young farmer making most of opportunities – Sally Rae:
Scottish-born Ann Linton always wanted to visit New Zealand before she was 21.
She got her wish – albeit a week after the milestone birthday – but she did not realise that she would never really leave.
Miss Linton (26), who came with just a suitcase, has ended up with a career in the dairy industry – and a husband-to-be.
She and her partner, Scott Henderson, are now managing a 420ha effective self-contained dairy farm near Milton, with stunning views over South Otago, milking 830 cows. . .
NZ lamb, mutton returns at record levels as supplies dwindle -Tina Morrison
(BusinessDesk) – New Zealand meat processors are having to pay more for lambs as supplies dwindle, pushing lamb and mutton returns for Kiwi farmers to record levels for this time of the year, according to AgriHQ’s Monthly Sheep & Beef report for March.
Better rainfall in dry areas of the South Island and lower lamb growth rates in the North Island have led farmers to keep hold of their stock instead of sending them to slaughter, and a higher kill rate earlier in the season also means there is now less stock available than normal, said AgriHQ analyst Reece Brick. . .
Campaign aims to lower farm death toll –
Stubbornly high rates of farm fatalities have prompted a three-year Worksafe campaign to get farmers to use their rural vehicles more safely.
The agency will be sending inspectors to farms and launching publicity campaigns to try to reduce the death toll.
WorkSafe statistics show 128 people have died in farm accidents since 2011. . .
Māori team up with Crown to breed unique berries for global markets:
A joint venture company has been created to breed and develop new unique berry varieties to be marketed exclusively by Māori-owned firm Miro Limited Partnership (Miro).
The Government-owned science institute Plant & Food Research and Miro signed a 50:50 joint venture agreement at an event hosted this afternoon by Ngati Haua at the iwi’s Rukumoana Marae in Morrinsville. . .
Kiwi Agtech Company Biolumic Secures US$5m Funding for World’s First UV Crop Enhancement System – Investors back revolutionary solution to escalating global demand:
BioLumic, creator of the world’s first crop-yield enhancement system using UV light, today announces the close of US$5 million [NZ$6.5m] in Series A funding.
This significant round of financial backing comes from leading global AgTech investors Finistere Ventures and Radicle Growth acceleration fund, along with Rabobank’s recently-launched Food & Agri Innovation Fund and existing investors from across New Zealand.
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Posted by homepaddock
Homepaddock 