Supplement toTe Awamutu Courier,Tuesday, September 20 ... · Supplement toTe Awamutu Courier,Tuesday, September 20, ... export butter from the milk of 400 cows. ... The Anchor butter

Supplement to Te Awamutu Courier, Tuesday, September 20, 2011Supplement to Te Awamutu Courier, Tuesday, September 20, 2011

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Selling: 71 Two year Hereford bulls 30 One year Hereford bullsBVD vacc. twice,TB tested (C2 x Wharepuhunga)Light to moderate birth weights, EBV figs. in catalogue,very quiet, 68 years breeding, free delivery 80 kms.Best selection. Fertility guaranteed. Luncheon provided

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2 RURAL ROUNDUP, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2011

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ATTENTION FARMERS

Cool prizes up forgrabs in LIC ruralart competition

Got a rural story?Txt 021 241 4568

Insert the code TAC before your message - limit of 150 charactersWrite: Rural Editor, Te Awamutu Courier, PO Box 1, Te Awamutu 3800email: [email protected]

Dairy co-operative LIC is encourag-ing rural children all over NewZealand to draw or paint their

calves, and be in to win great prizes.The dairy farmer cooperative has

upped the ante on its annual art competi-tion this year, with calf care hampers,three iPads and a Stallion mobile calffeeder up for grabs.

Prizes include:• Three iPads and a router for the schoolwith the most entries;• A MG50S Stallion mobile calf feeder(valued at $3900) for the dairy farmingparents of the overall winner;• Calf care hampers for the kids.

Communications manager Clare Baylysaid the prizes reflect LIC’s continuedsupport for the important and time-honoured Calf Club events.

‘‘Calf club is one of the few remainingcommunity gathering points in rural com-munities these days and kids put a lot of timeand effort into selecting, rearing and trainingtheir calves.

‘‘And, if participation in the competitionover recent years has been any indication,they relish the opportunity to capture theircalf’s essence in a work of art.

‘‘But we’re also aware that a child’sinvolvement in this competition requiressupport from their school and parents too.

‘‘As a strong supporter of the govern-ment’s rural broadband initiative we areexcited to offer rural schools the iPads prize,

and with Stallion’s support we have afantastic prize for the parents too,’’ she said.

Stallion Plastics, of Palmerston North,have provided their latest MG50S CalfMobile worth more than $3900 for the dairyfarming family of the winning child’s artwork.

Chief executive, Grant Allen, said thatCalf Club is about children taking responsibil-ity but it can require some encouragementfrom the family too.

‘‘These events are an important date onthe calendar of most rural communities inNew Zealand — they encourage our kids totake care of an animal, bond with it but alsoto have fun.

‘‘It may not always seem like the coolestjob but it pays off on the day when they canshow their animal, be proud of their effortsand compete against their peers for recogni-tion of their hard work.

‘‘The feeder has been popular this seasonso I look forward to delivering the prize to aproud parent later this year, and making theirnext calving season a bit easier,’’ Mr Allensaid.

Judging will be conducted in agecategories (5-7 years, 8-10 years and 11-13years), with all artwork put on display in LIC’sNewstead headquarters for staff to vote.

■ Entry forms are available atwww.calfclub.co.nz.Entries close:Monday, October 5.Post to: Communications, LIC,Private Bag 3016, Hamilton

RURAL ROUNDUP, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2011 3

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The Anchor brand was created in 1886 whenentrepreneurial Cornish farmer, Henry Reynoldsestablished a tiny factory in Pukekura, the Cam-

bridge rural district between Roto-o-rangi and Karapiro,with the goal of making quality butter.

Needing a ‘marque’ for his product he is said to havechosen the Anchor from a tattoo on the arm of a formersailor who worked on a farm supplying his factory.

The first year of production produced 100lbs (45kg) of

export butter from the milk of 400 cows.Since its inception, Anchor has played a key role in

people’s everyday lives.Whether its milk, butter, cream or spreads, Anchor

graces the tables of families around the globe.Anchor has just launched the new Anchor Dairy Blends

which are packaged to match Anchor milk.The Anchor butter packaging is also set to relaunch

into Anchor’s fresh new look in the very near future.

Iconic Kiwi brand celebrates 125thAnchor’s roots in the Waipa

TC200911SP10

ANCHOR FAMILY: Phil and Donna, and their daughter Sam, back forAnchor’s birthday.

Anchor, one of New Zealand’soldest and most iconic brands, iscelebrating its 125th birthday by

giving Kiwis the chance to win one often family reunions.

Over the years Anchor has becomewell-known for its emotive, ‘close tohome’ marketing including the unfor-gettable Anchor family, which becamean everyday part of New Zealanders’lives for eight years during the 1990s.Divorced parents Phil and Donna, andtheir daughter Sam, had a profoundimpact on New Zealand, and this yearthey are reuniting to help Anchor findten deserving Kiwi families.

Anchor has always been a familybrand, but ever since the soap-style adcampaign captured the hearts of Kiwis,the association between thebrand andNew Zea-

land families has been unquestionable— so to reunite ten families seemed theperfect way to celebrate Anchor’s125th birthday, says Anchor’s CraigIrwin.

‘‘Anchor’s success over the yearshas been built with the support of somany Kiwi families, and this, as well asthe brand’s proud New Zealand legacy,continues to define Anchor today. Wewanted to recognise the support of allNew Zealanders and thought whatbetter way to do it than to bring lovedones together to enhance those specialfamily moments,’’ says Mr Irwin.

Anchor is calling for all NewZealanders to tell theirstory, expressing whytheir family should be

reunitedat

www.anchor.co.nz. Kiwis will then beable to vote on their favourite storiesand finally, the original Anchor familywill decide which families will win theirvery own reunion in November 2011.

‘‘Every Kiwi has grown up withAnchor in the kitchen and as a brand itrepresents so many good things,including quality, the trust Kiwis canplace in its products, and the pride allNew Zealanders should feel towardsthe brand. It’s a good old-fashionedKiwi success story — dairy productsmade here at home and sent aroundthe world for everyone to enjoy. Wewant to celebrate our birthday with our

fe l low New Zea-landers,’’ says Mr Irwin.

■ Anchor has alsoproduced a limitededition centenary MrVintage t-shirt basedon the original milk runt-shirts worn bymilkmen in theeighties, and acommemorative halfpint jug. The t-shirtsare available atwww.mrvintage.co.nzand the jugs will be onauction at TradeMewith proceeds going tothe 2011 Red CrossChristchurchEarthquake Appeal.


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Got good pasture?

A DairyNZ-led industry group isagain on the hunt for the bestdairy pasture in the Waikato

and Bay of Plenty.The Pasture Renewal Leadership

Group is running the PastureRenewal Persistence Competitionagain, this time with the addition of anew category.

Up for grabs are two pasturerenewal prizes of $1,000 each,including seed and herbicide.

‘‘Our aim is to find the ‘best’managed and recently renewedpastures in the Waikato and Bay ofPlenty,’’ says competition organiserand DairyNZ Farm Systems special-ist, Chris Glassey.

‘‘Farmers can enter in twocategories; Best Waikato/BOP firstyear pasture sown this year and BestWaikato/BOP pasture sown morethan three years ago.’’

The Pasture Renewal PersistenceCompetition is an initiative of thePasture Renewal Leadership Group,which is a DairyNZ-led industrygroup, including researchers, theseed industry, farmers and agricul-tural contractors, and was formed todevelop better tools, resources andadvice for farmers.

‘‘We want to encourage dis-cussion between farmers fromthroughout the region on best man-agement practice for persistentpastures in this environment.

‘‘This is part of the PastureRenewal Leaderships Group’s role ofensuring that farmers receive consist-ent, timely messages on pasturepersistence and renewal fromthroughout the industry.’’

Judging will involve a short inter-view about the soil fertility and thepaddock’s history prior to and since

re-sowing.Management practices such as

grazing management, endophyteselection, weed control, and nitrogenusage will be discussed.

‘‘We will also be looking for anyother information that will help builda picture of the best managementpractice required for persistence ofrenewed pastures in this environ-ment.’’

■ Entries are open until October 31with judging held duringNovember.Winners’ field dayswill be held duringDecember.Formore information on thecompetition or to receive an entryform, call the DairyNZ FarmerInformation Service on 0800 4DAIRYNZ (0800 4 324 7969) orregister online atwww.dairynz.co.nz/pasturerenewal competition


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Quad bike safety campaign

TC200911SP05

DEPARTMENT of Labour want to avoid scenes such as this from a decade ago when a young farmer was treated and then flown tohospital by Air Ambulance after rolling his quad bike down a steep 20 metre bank.

Waikato farmers can expect visits this Spring

Farms in Waikato can expect visits fromhealth and safety inspectors during spring,to check on how quad bikes are being used

on their farm.The Department of Labour’s next round of

farm visits follows a successful phase from Aprilto mid June this year, where 376 farms acrossthe country were visited as part of the quad bikesafety campaign.

Of those farms visited, 117 received writtenwarnings or improvement notices — requiringthem to take action to improve the way quadbikes were being used on their farm.

‘‘From September to November we’ll be backout talking to farmers in a bid to reduce the

number of serious quad bike accidents on farms,’’says the Department’s Hamilton Service Mana-ger, Mark Whatnall.

‘‘The statistics say it all — on average 850people are injured each year while riding quadbikes on farms and five die. We must bring thistoll down.’’

‘‘We’re challenging unsafe behaviour on quadbikes — that means regularly getting out andensuring farmers are taking the right safety steps.

The Department launched its quad bikesafety campaign last year — it has four key safetysteps:• ensure riders are trained and experienced;• always wear a helmet;

• never let kids ride adult quad bikes;• choose the right vehicle for the job.

‘‘Farms are workplaces and farmers mustremember that they have a responsibility toensure the health and safety of their staff,’’ saysMr Whatnall.

‘‘Where we find people working with quadbikes in a dangerous way we will take action.This can range from warnings or penalties, tostopping quad bikes being used until safety issueshave been rectified.

‘‘The Department will consider prosecutionwhere a worker has been seriously injured orkilled at work because key safety steps have notbeen taken,’’ says Mr Whatnall.


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TC200911SP06

COWS in kale.

BY BILL RITCHIEBaker No-Tillage Limited

Livestock farmers traditionallydepend on perennial ryegrass/white clover pastures, often

supplemented with summer or winterannual forage crops. But is theregreater potential for using crops in alivestock system than is generallybeing utilised? Hybrid ryegrasses andannual forage brassicas producegreater quantities of high qualityfeed, t imed to sui t s tockrequirements. Several paddocks canbe dedicated to continuous annualcrops or the crops can be rotatedaround the farm in a pasture renewalprogramme. Perhaps these types ofcrops should be used more exten-sively.

There is particular potential forwinter dairy grazing on these crops.Quantity and quality can be relativelyeasily measured and objectivelymatched to stock requirements and

owner objectives.The profitability of this concept

depends on efficient utilisation and acost-effective, fast method of chang-ing from one crop to the next — anopportunity only offered by no-tillage. Don’t dismiss no-tillage with a‘‘been there, done that’’. Modern no-tillage systems must not be confusedwith the inferior and variable directdrilling results from the past. Modernno-tillage systems use technologydesigned specifically for the job. Noself-respecting livestock breederwould contemplate using ‘‘any ramor bull with four legs’’ and neithershould that farmer use ‘‘any directdrill with a seed box’’ while expectingconsistently good performance.

The no-tillage management sys-tem must also be high quality. Usethe correct herbicide, at the correctrate and under the correctconditions; choose high quality seedlines; apply adequate fertiliser, placedadjacent to (but not touching) the

seed; identify and treat potential pestproblems; and choose the right fieldconditions for the job.

Sound complicated? Not really —just different. Ask farmers success-fully using no-tillage systems forforage and grass establishment. Theythink it’s quite simple. Most of themgot started with good advice. Thatdidn’t necessarily come from theirlocal agent or contractor. Goodadvice comes from people withbalanced first-hand knowledge andwithout vested interests in currentsystems. Weed out those who arevery willing to offer an uninformedopinion!

Next, choose a good contractor.This person should be a specialistbecause no-tillage is completely dif-ferent to conventional systems.Select a no-tillage drilling specialistwith appropriate drill technology andthe management expertise to providegood advice.

Continued page 7.


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PHONE: 07 872 0232 - 859 OHAUPO ROAD - TE AWAMUTU - www.norwood.co.nz/teawamutuHaydn Megaffin 0274 428 056 - Cedric Borlase 0274 975 935 - Ken Seabright 0274 437 729 - Jason Voschezang 027 505 0798

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More feed, less workFrom page 6.

A successful no-tillage system offers the follow-ing benefits to livestock farmers:• Speed and flexibility to get from one crop toanother quickly.• Lower cost than conventional tillage systems.• Less weeds due to minimum ground disturbance.• Less treading damage. Grazing crops or newpastures is the same as grazing an establishedpermanent pasture.• Improved soil quality due to reduced soilerosion, improved soil structure, moreearthworms and more soil organic matter.• Improved soil moisture retention.

Clovers can be retained under forage cropsimproving feed quality.

And the results? Many farmers throughout NewZealand are establishing all cereal, forage andpasture crops with modern no-tillage systems andshare the following attributes:• They use equipment designed specifically for no-tillage.• They get good advice.• They don’t take short-cuts.• They have a positive approach to the system.• They get consistently good results.• They have no intention of using conventionaltillage systems again.

End of an erafor NationalFieldays GMBarry Quayle, General Manager of National Fieldays

Society and Mystery Creek Events Centre, hasresigned from his role to take on new challenges

after 20 years with the organisation.‘‘After helping drive growth for the business and

economic benefits for the Waikato region, I feel the time isnow right for me to step down,’’ says Mr Quayle.

‘‘Mystery Creek Events Centre and New ZealandNational Fieldays Society are now well established with ahealthy balance sheet as well as being home to some ofNew Zealand’s leading events. It’s been a pleasure tooversee the growth of these two businesses to the stagethat they are recognised internationally, and I am ready tohand the reins over to a new leader.’’

Into its 44th year, National Fieldays has grown to be asignificant event for New Zealand agribusiness. It is thelargest exhibition of its kind in Australasia and attracts115,000+ visitors every year. Annually it provides inexcess of $500 million in economic benefit for the country.Fieldays, along with the many other events hosted atMystery Creek Events Centre, combine to bring around220,000 visitors to the region.

‘‘I am very proud of these figures’’ says Mr Quayle.‘‘We have added significant value to the local economy.

Mystery Creek Events Centre is also the only events centrein New Zealand that has no local or central governmentfunding.’’

Lloyd Downing, Fieldays Society President, paid tributeto Mr Quayle.

‘‘The organisation has enjoyed a strong period ofgrowth and diversification under Barry’s leadership. It has avery robust infrastructure, a new strategic direction and iswell poised to maximise a number of new opportunities.’’

Mr Quayle is looking forward to applying hisconsiderable event experience in the wider marketplace.

‘‘Running an efficient and successful event takes a goodstrategy, solid business plan and excellent deliverysolutions. It’s also about knowing what will work. So I aimto apply this knowledge and experience across a variety ofopportunities.’’

Mr Quayle will remain as Director of Stream EAM Ltd,a wholly owned subsidiary of the NZ National FieldaysSociety which specialises in event access management andticketing.

TC200911SP07

RETIRING National Fieldays Society and Mystery Creek Events Centregeneral manager Barry Quayle.

Pest control success highlight of strategy report

TC200911SP08

RAT feeding on a fantail.

A series of highly suc-cessful possum andrat control operations

was the highlight of anannual report to the regionalcouncil’s regional pest man-agement committee lastweek.

Council possum controlis aimed at protecting nativeplants and birds, as well asthe productive capacity offarms and catchment man-agement, while targeted ratcontrol is crucial to protect-ing bird life.

The report — for theyear June 30 — noted howa possum control milestonehad been achieved duringthe year through the com-pletion of control in the TeAkau South pest controlzone.

‘‘This [completed] anunbroken band of possumcontrol from Port Waikato to

Raglan,’’ the report said.Also, possum control in

the central King Countryarea had been carried outtaking in 58,000 hectaresspread over six controlzones.

‘‘The average residualtrap catch (RTC) achievedwas 1.75% against a targetof 5% RTC or less,’’ thereport said. RTC is ameasure of the number ofpossums caught per 100traps.

Across the region gener-ally, the average RTC was1.61% from 15 operations.

Rat control to help pro-tect tui under the auspices ofthe Hamilton Halo projecthad also been highly effec-tive, with monitoring show-ing very low rat numbers atfive sites after treatment wascarried out.

The report also noted a

range of weed control oper-ations, including how eradi-cation of alligator weed wasclose to being achieved on

productive land at Cam-bridge and Ohaupo.

‘‘This has been due tothe intensive nature of sur-

veillance and control, andthe excellent cooperationfrom the landowners,’’ thereport said.


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Red Meat SectorConferenceexplores newopportunities

The Red Meat Sector Conference in Rotorua focusedon what can be learnt from a cross section ofsuccess stories — from rugby through to dairy and

aquaculture.Former All Black Frank Bunce joined a range of

speakers, including Aquaculture CEO Mike Burrell, TatuaCooperative Dairy Company Chair Steve Allen, UK-based marketing specialist Professor David Hughes andMassey University sociologist Dr Brennon Wood.

Each had a story that links to the Red Meat SectorStrategy and its core themes of coordinated in-marketbehaviour, efficient and aligned procurement of stock andimplementing sector best practice.

The red meat sector is made up of sheep and beeffarmers, meat export and processing companies and arange of service providers and support industries. Theconference was organised by the Meat Industry Associa-tion (MIA) and Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ).

MIA Chief Executive, Tim Ritchie said the MIA annualconference had long been a key event in the meat industryand with the release of the strategy, jointly commissionedby MIA and B+LNZ, it was entirely logical to repositionthe conference as a whole of sector initiative.

B+LNZ Chief Executive, Dr Scott Champion said aswell as the networking opportunity the conferenceprovides insights for capturing the benefits outlined in theRed Meat Sector Strategy.

The red meat sector earns nearly $8 billion annuallyand the strategy report suggests opportunities that couldadd an additional $3.4 billion by 2025.

New LIC appointment

Dr RichardSpelmanhas been

appointed to thenew role of gen-eral managerresearch anddevelopment fordairy farmercooperative LIC.

Originallyfrom the Mana-watu, DrSpelman, is aquantitative gen-eticist with a PhDfrom WageningenUniversity in The Netherlands.

His career with LIC began in 1991 as a livestock selectionanalyst in the Sire Proving Scheme with a Bachelor ofAgricultural Science at Massey University.

He returned to Massey in 1994 to complete his Mastersfollowed by his PhD in The Netherlands before returning toLIC in 1998 as a senior scientist and research leader.

Richard led the research on genomic selection andoversaw the changes in LIC’s breeding scheme with theintegration of this new technology.

He starts his new role immediately, reporting to the newchief operating officer, David Hemara.


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OCTOBER

The October issue will be

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The deadline for bookings is

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BALANCE OF DATES FOR 2011October 18 - Cropping,

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November 15 - Hay/Silage and

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SUMMER CROP OPTIONS

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Rural RuralRoundupRoundup

CourierTe Awamutu

Impressive projects add to landscape

TC200911RR10A

FARMLANDS impressive new home on Benson Road opened for its first day of trading yesterday.

TC200911RR10B

NORWOOD’S two-level building is taking shape on Ohaupo Road. It willbe completed in December.

New buildings for a number of TeAwamutu businesses that ser-vice the rural sector have been

quickly taking shapeFarmlands new Te Awamutu store

on Benson Road opened its doors forthe first time yesterday, while the newpremises for VetFocus (formerly TheVeterinary Centre) between Alexandraand Mahoe Streets is set to open inNovember.

CB Norwood is rebuilding on itsexisting Ohaupo Road site and expectsits new premises to be completed earlyin December.

FARMLANDSAs part of Farmlands expansion plansacross the country, construction of thenew purpose built facility began in May.

Te Awamutu business manager TheoSwart says Farmlands staff workedhard to provide great service to share-holder clients and customers in thebuild up to the shift and it was all handson deck for the final transfer in theweekend.The old Churchill Street site had beenhome to farming supplies for decades,previously as Elders before theFarmlands take-over. But Mr Swartsays they simply outgrew the premises.‘‘We’re very pleased with our new store- it provides much better space forproducts and displays and will givecustomers a much better shoppingexperience.‘‘We also have great parking now too -so come down and see us.’’

An official opening for shareholders isbeing held, while some great openingspecials will be available for everyone(check back page of Rural Roundupand future Te Awamutu Couriers fordetails).

CB NORWOODIf making the shift to a new site for a

large business sounds difficult, spare athought for the staff at CB Norwood.

The old building (showroom, officesand service department) wasdemolished in June to make way for anew, larger two level facility.

Since then staff have been workingfrom temporary, pre-fab buildings onthe existing site while building has beengoing on around them.

To page 11.

Building boostfor rural sector

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NEW VetFocus premises between Alexandra and Mahoe Streets.

From page 10.The new CB Norwood premises will

provide offices, showroom, parts andservice reception, a larger forecourt andan extension to the workshop to cater forbikes and lawnmowers.

Some new product lines will also beadded when the store opens in December- watch the Te Awamutu Courier fordetails.

VET FOCUSWork started back in January on the

new premises for VetFocus (formerly TheVeterinary Centre) on the former WaipaNetworks site between Alexandra andMahoe Streets.

CEO Gavin Shepherd says Te Awa-mutu is the main branch of The VeterinaryCentre and, with about 20 staff, it simplyoutgrew its Sloane Street site.

The new purpose built facility will

provide a large showroom/retail area,warehouse and upgraded small animalclinic.

He says the building will be northfacing, with the main entrance off MahoeStreet, but there will also access fromAlexandra Street.

The upstairs level will house offices, aboard room and staff facilities.

The project has utilised sustainablepractises and the new building will featuredouble glazing, efficient power usage andrecycled water.

Mr Shepherd says it is an excitingproject and staff look forward to thecompletion in November.

An open day to view the building andan official opening will be staged later inthe year.

Watch the Te Awamutu Courier forfurther details.


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Adequate effluentstorage vitalto compliance

The critical importance of dairy farmers havingadequate effluent storage has been highlighted bypreliminary results from the first of seven Waikato

Regional Council helicopter monitoring flights scheduledfor 2011-12.

This season’s first flight — around rural areas close toHamilton last month — indicated one in ten farms wassignificantly non-compliant with council permitted activityrules. Generally speaking, significant non-compliance iswhere effluent has entered waterways or is at high risk ofdoing so.

That 10 per cent score was better than the 20 per centsignificant non-compliance recorded for a flight nearHamilton around the same time last year. Both flightsoccurred during wet winter weather.

The council’s compliance and education manager RobDragten said it was encouraging to see a lower percentageof significant non-compliance from the Hamilton flightthis year.

‘‘However, the most serious cases of significant non-compliance appear worse than last year which is ofconcern to us.’’

Mr Dragten said another concerning observationduring last month’s flight was that some farmers clearlyhad inadequate effluent storage to cope with wintermilking. Milking in winter poses particular challenges forgood effluent management as storage pond levels areincreased by rainfall, evaporation of fluid is less and thereare fewer days when effluent can be safely spread topaddocks.

‘‘We found a number of farmers who had very fullponds and one pond was actively overflowing,’’ said MrDragten.

‘‘If farmers are winter milking their infrastructure oreffluent management practices need to be at a higher levelto cope. Our advice is that farmers get good, professionaladvice about the right amount of storage to cope withconditions on their individual farms, storage that isappropriate for all seasons in which their farms areoperating.’’

Waikato Federated Farmers dairy section chair ChrisLewis also had advice for farmers: ‘‘With the very wetwinter Waikato farmers have experienced — especiallyfor the ones who have done winter milking like myself —it is a good time to reflect on your effluent holdingfacilities, to see whether they are compliant.

‘‘Also, please make sure all feed pads are connected tothe effluent holding pond, ensuring best practise isfollowed. It’s better to make the necessary plans forchanges soon so they are completed in time for nextwinter.

‘‘Waikato Federated Farmers would like to remindfarmers we need to be compliant all the time 24/7. Wehave industry targets that need to be met and we want toavoid being front page news for the wrong reasons.’’

DairyNZ project manager for effluent Dr TheresaWilson said the results seen on this season’s first flightwere encouraging but emphasised there was still work todo around storage of effluent in ponds.

‘‘This summer there will be a number of workshops onpond construction and management to help farmers intheir decision making. If we can help farmers get theirponds right I’d expect further good results.’’

Mr Dragten said another issue apparent during theAugust monitoring flight was an increased use of farmraces (tracks) as feed pads.

‘‘Feed pads and stand-off pads must be properlysealed, and have effluent collection systems. Races don’tmeet this standard, so using them as feed pads means thatnutrients are likely to leach into groundwater. Also,effluent can flow off the race and contaminate waterwaysor create nitrogen hotspots in paddocks.

‘‘Our advice is that farmers do not use races for feedpads because they are inevitably in breach of the rules,and because of the risk to the environment. Only properlydesigned and built stand-off pads and feed pads that arecorrectly sealed and that have good effluent collectionsystems will comply.’’


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Pioneer programme toevaluate maize hybridsWhile the 2010-11

maize growingseason provided

extreme weatherconditions, Waikato cropsgenerally performed well.

The average maizesilage yield, measured over982 Waikato plots inPioneer’s Maize SilageHybrid Evaluation Pro-gramme, was 25.3 tDM/hawhich was up on the previ-ous season’s average yieldof 23.4 tDM/ha. The topfive Pioneer brand maizesilage hybrid plots yieldedan average of 35.7 tDM/ha.

‘‘As well as allowing usto monitor seasonal yieldtrends our research pro-gramme allows us to accur-ately identify new hybridsthat deliver higher andmore reliable yields’’ saysGrant McDonald, AreaManager for Pioneer brandSeeds.

‘‘Silage hybrids to watchfor this season includePioneer brand 33G26,34P88, 35A30, 36M28,38H20 and 38V12.

33G26 (Silage CRM112) is a very tall, fullseason hybrid with superiorearly growth and depend-able drought tolerance. Itproduces top silage yieldsand is an excellent optionfor contract silage pro-ducers, dairy farm run-off’sor for on-farm growers whocan get their crops in early.

34P88 (Silage CRM109) is a top end performerthat delivers exceptionalsilage yields. It is a tallhybrid with dependabledrought tolerance whichdelivers grain rich silagewith excellent readily avail-able energy and superior

whole plant digestibility.36M28 (Silage CRM

103) produces outstandingsilage yields with excellentwhole plant digestibility andreadily available energy. Itrequires an average of137-153 days from plant-ing to harvest in the CentralWaikato, making it an idealoption for on-farmgrowers.

38H20 (Silage CRM91)and 38V12 (Silage CRM88) are excellent optionsfor growers requiring earlymaize silage. If you are in acooler part of the Waipadistrict consider 38V12 asit has strong early emerg-ence, excellent roots,sound stalks and impressivedrought tolerance.

‘‘Most of the maizesi lage harvested lastautumn had a high grainpercentage’’ says Mr

McDonald.‘‘This contributed to

outstanding maize silageenergy levels, with manycrops from around thecountry testing at morethan 11 megajoules ofmetabolisable energy(MJME) per kilogram ofdrymatter.’’

The season was also agood one for many graingrowers with rain comingjust in time to help ensuregood yields.

The average maizegrain yield, measured over1,386 Pioneer trial stripsand plots in the Waikato,was 15.4 tonnes of grainper hectare.

Waipa grower, AlanHenderson, was the Wai-kato regional winner of thePioneerbrand seeds Maizefor Grain Yield Competi-tion, with a Pioneer brand

34P88 crop yielding 19.4tonnes of grain per hectare.

‘‘34P88 (Grain CRM109) has raised the ‘‘com-petitive yield bar’’ to newheights’’ says McDonald.

‘‘It has consistent qualitygrain and dependabledrought tolerance, stalks,staygreen and husk coverand is a fantastic dual pur-pose option for growerswho plant early.

‘‘Other Pioneer brandhybrids to watch out for are35Y33 (Grain CRM 107)and P0537 (Grain CRM105).

If you would like acomplimentary copy of thePioneer brand seeds MaizeSilage or Maize GrainHybrid PerformanceUpdate 2011, visitwww.pioneer.co.nz or callGrant McDonald on 027245 2447.


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Got a rural story?Txt 021 241 4568Insert the code TAC before your message -limit of 150 characters

Write: Rural Editor, Te Awamutu Courier, PO Box 1, Te Awamutu 3800email: [email protected]


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Fonterra shoutingfor 10th birthdayHello Sailor headlining

Rock-legends Hello Sailor will beentertaining Waikato locals thisLabour Day when they head up

The Fonterra Shout at Hamilton’s LakeDomain.

The crowd will be able to enjoy HelloSailor classics like Gutter Black, BillyBold, Lying in the Sand and Blue Ladyas well as some of their new releasesincluding Looking for My Shades.

Matamata-based Fonterra share-holders’ councillor Grant Wills says it willbe great to have the sounds of one of NewZealand’s favourite bands as the co-opputs on the shout to mark its 10thbirthday from midday to 4.30pm onMonday, October 24.

‘‘Musically, we’ll be in great handswith Hello Sailor — as we kick back with

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Plenty of other great local entertain-ment has been lined up including localsinger Nick Kraezlin and local dance actBFam Dance Crew.

‘‘The Fonterra Shout promises to be agreat family day out for everyone whowants to come along and is a way for us tosay thanks to the many people andcommunities in the Waikato who havehelped Fonterra during our first tenyears,’’ Mr Wills says.

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Kiwi beef on menu atTokyo music festivalOver three quarters of a million

Japanese people attended theSuper Yosakoi food, music and

dance festival in Tokyo recently andmany got a taste of New Zealand grass-fed beef. By the end of the festival, 400kilograms of the beef had beenbarbecued and eaten.

Introducing Japanese consumers toNew Zealand grass-fed beef was thepoint of Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s(B+LNZ) food stand at the festival andthose who tasted the beef loved it,B+LNZ Market Manager Japan, JohnHundleby said.

‘‘We identified the Super YosakoiFestival as an event in central Tokyothat provided the chance to present

New Zealand grass-fed beef to a sizablenumber of consumers and to have themexperience first-hand its excellent eatingqualities.

‘‘It was great to see their positivereactions to the taste and texture andthen for us to be able to tell them wherethey could buy New Zealand beef inTokyo — either in supermarkets andrestaurants.’’

Hundleby said participation inevents such as the Super Yosakoifestival helped develop a broader fan-base for New Zealand grass-fed beefand was a good way of reaching a bigcrowd in one hit.• Japan is New Zealand’s secondlargest beef market.

• In the season ending 2010, Japanimported 30,834 tonnes of NewZealand beef which is 9% of NewZealand beef exports.• New Zealand beef accounted for justover 7% of Japan’s beef imports in thefirst half of 2011.• Japanese consumers place a highvalue on New Zealand’s food safetyrecord — and this is even more relevantsince the massive earthquake andFukushima nuclear power plan crisis.• Japanese consumers are showing anincreasing interest in the health andnutritional merits of lean New Zealandgrass-fed beef — compared to thefattier grain-fed beef more commonlyfound in the Japanese market.

Proposals invited for irrigation fund

Planning for New Zealand’s irri-gation infrastructure steps up thepace with the Irrigation Accelera-

tion Fund now open for business, saysAgriculture Minister David Carter.

The Irrigation Acceleration Fundwas announced in this year’s Budgetand provides $35 million over five yearsto support the development of pro-posals to the ‘investment ready’ pros-pectus stage.

‘‘Smart irrigation infrastructuredevelopment will boost economic

development and contribute to thesustainable growth of our primarysectors. We now welcome proposals tothe fund,’’ says Mr Carter.

‘‘NZIER research suggests the fundcould support 340,000ha of newirrigation, which could boost exports by$1.4 billion a year by 2018, rising to $4billion a year by 2026.

‘‘All successful projects will need tobe committed to good industry practicethat promotes efficient water use andenvironmental management, particu-

larly around land-use intensification.Irrigation good practice is essential if weare to protect our vital water resourcefor tomorrow,’’ says Mr Carter.

The fund will support regional scalerural water infrastructure proposals thataddress:• regional rural water infrastructure;• community irrigation schemes;• strategic water management studies.

Mr Carter says the Government willcontribute up to 50% through the fundto successful proposals.

Study boost with Ballance scholarship

Students considering a future aspart of New Zealand’s vibrantprimary and science industries

have until the end of October to applyfor one of four Ballance Agri-Nutrientsscholarships valued at $4000 a yearfor up to three years.

The scholarships are open toimmediate family members of Ballanceshareholders or company employeesand will assist study at tertiary level in

either the general primary industryfield or in process engineering.

Ballance Head of Research andEnvironment, Warwick Catto, saysthat New Zealand is a world leader inagricultural research and is renownedfor the practical application of effectivesolutions created by its students as theyfollow their careers.

‘‘In addition to that, because oureconomy is so strongly linked to the

success of agriculture, there is agrowing need for tertiary qualified agri-business personnel from farm manage-ment specialists to vets,’’ Mr Cattosays.

‘Each scholarship can be held for amaximum of three years. Applicationsclose on October 28.

■ Formore details or to apply, visitwww.ballance.co.nz


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Are you ready for the jump?

By Darren Sutton— Waikato FarmWise consultant.

By the time you read this, the ‘jump’may have already occurred. Thejump I am referring to is the rapid

increase in pasture growth rates that willhappen on your farm very soon.

Currently, there a lot of farms with verylow average pasture covers (APC) and thepressure is on to speed the round up.

Farmers need a plan to address thiscurrent situation that also manages the shiftfor growth rates greater than demand.

MANAGING THE CURRENTFEED DEFICIT

The combination of warm and goodgrowing conditions in late autumn, followedby heavy rainfall in July, and then a long runof hard frosts have all resulted in slower thannormal pasture growth rates throughAugust.

I have been seeing low APC of1700-1800, and slower growth rates..

The key to getting through this is holdingyour round length slower than normal. Ifyou aim to be on a 20-day round bySeptember 20, then this year you may bebetter to hold 5-7 days slower all the waythrough.

This is certainly the case if you arestarting from a low APC like 1700-1800.

MORE THAN YOU THINKI think my calculator must be broken . . .

at least the numbers do not match up withwhat our eyes are telling us with cows beingsurprisingly contented for how low they are

grazing and the level of milk productionfrom these ‘under-fed’ cows. The fewpasture samples that I have seen areshowing higher DM% (25% instead of15-20% normally now) and higher ME (>13ME lately) levels which explains theseresults.

SUPPLEMENT FEEDINGRESPONSES

If your cows are grazing down to 1500or lower (1400 is not uncommon), thenobviously the response of feeding sup-plement does stack up as being profitable ifpaying less than 50 cents a kg of DM downthe cows throat. This assumes a 90-100gram MS response per kgs DM fed payoutof $6.50 minimum to allow for some otherfeeding costs.

As soon as you start to lift above 1550residuals, then research would suggest thatthe MS response will start to fall from the90-100g MS mark, and at 1600 residuals30-50g MS responses are more likely to beachieved.

WHAT TO FEEDFeed whatever supplements you can

source for the cheapest cost worked on acents per MJME basis.

Feed the dry cows any hay or silage thatyou have. Maize silage or PKE or in-shedmeal are best used for the milkers.

The goal with the supplements is to allowyou to drop the pasture demanded perhectare per day, to the point that growthrates are actually greater than demand perday which will allow a steady lift in APC backup to a safer levels of 1900+ kgs DM/ha.

The use of a high level of supplements atthis stage will also allow you to keep yourround length slower.

This will allow you to manage out thefeed you do have on farm, providing youwith greater options should two weeks ofbad weather arrive.

MEASURING THE JUMP INGROWTH RATES

The difference between a good and anaverage farmer has been stated as twoweeks.

This will not be the year to be two weeksbehind the large lift in growth rates that will

occur.A lot of farms are well primed with

nitrogen and I have already been starting tosee some large jumps in soil temperatures.

If you do have a 10cm soil temperatureprobe you can predict surges in growth ratesfor you own location and soil type. Ataround 12-13°C at 9am you will start to seea big change in growth rates than when at10°C.

Make sure that the 10cm probe ispushed all the way into the ground as thesensor is at the tip.

To avoid getting surprised with growthrates and APC levels, keep plate walkingyour farm every week to predict thesechanges. This will give you the confidence toreduce back supplements and increase areaallocated each day.

ADJUSTING FEEDING LEVELSOnce you have some good hard data

from a farm walk, you can then work outwhat pre-graze covers you may be goinginto in seven and 14 days time assuming acertain round length at those points in time.

Be careful in making big increases inareas allocated to cows when speeding upthe round length.

If you are pre-grazing 2500 and grazingdown to 1500, then you have 1000 kgsDM/ha available.

By increasing your area allocated in5m2/cow/day steps, you will be onlyincreasing offered feed by 0.5 kgs DM/cow/day.

Cows are more able to cope with this sizeincrease than 10 or 20m2/cow/dayincreases, which is what a drop from a30-day round to a 25-day round can mean.

You can make these bigger jumps in areaonly if you can remove out of the diet asimilar amount of supplement.

This will be the case and goal on a lot offarms this September.

Make this spring more profitable byknowing when to reduce back supplementsand increase pasture intakes by measuringwhat you do have in APC and growth rates.

Your farm’s pastures by default are in avery high quality state — keep them thatway!

Funding availableto clean uprivers and lakes

DR NICK SMITH

Environment Minister NickSmith has announced thecriteria and assessment panel

for the new fund to help councilsand communit ies c lean-upnationally significant water bodiesthat have been polluted.

‘‘This Fresh Start for FreshWater Clean Up Fund is to encour-age regional councils and communi-ties to put plans together to clean uplakes and rivers that have becomebadly polluted,’’ Dr Smith said.

‘‘The Government needs to besatisfied that a water body isnationally significant, that rules arein place to prevent ongoing pollution, that cleanup plans havewide community engagement and that the Regional Council isalso financially committed to support the clean up.

‘‘$9 million is available for allocation from the fund in thenext year. This brings the total Government to fresh waterclean ups in the years 2009-2014 to $94 million as comparedto $16 million spent between 2004 and 2009. The fivefoldincrease reflects the importance this National-led Governmentputs on improved fresh water management.

‘‘This new fund was an important recommendation of theLand and Water Forum. It is part of a broader programme ofwork on improving water management that includes theNational Policy Statement on Freshwater, increased invest-ment in irrigation, regulations requiring measurement of watertakes and better monitoring and compliance of resourceconsents.’’

The four-member assessment panel comprises Land WaterForum representatives Roku Mihinui (Iwi Advisors Forum),John Hutchings (Fonterra) and Hugh Canard (Whitewater NZ)and a representative from the Ministry for the Environment.

‘‘The current state of some of New Zealand’s rivers andlakes is inconsistent with our clean, green brand. This new fundis a further step in the Government’s Fresh Start for FreshWater programme to better care for our lakes and rivers,’’ DrSmith said.

■ More information, including criteria for the fund andapplication forms are available at www.mfe.govt.nz—search fresh start


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Mating vital time of year

By Annie Whitfi eld — veterinarian in theTe Awamutu fi rm VetFocus.

Mating is upon us once againand should be seen as the mostimportant time of year, as

cows in calf mean milk in the vat andhence food on the table. With thereduction in the amount of inductions to4% from next year and likely 0% insubsequent years, more emphasis hasto be placed on getting cows in calfearlier. There are several areas thatneed to be carefully managed to ensurethe calving spread is not prolonged andcows are calving early.

The replacement of late calvingcows with heifers can be a viable optionto reduce the calving spread. This canonly be achieved if the growing replace-ment heifers reach their target weightsfor puberty to subsequently get in calf.

Mating these heifers before theplanned start of mating is anothermanagement tool to counteract thelonger time it takes these animals tocycle once calved (approximately 10days). Ensuring they reach >90% oftheir mature body weight by the timethey calve and keeping them on anadequate plane of nutrition post calvingso as to not lose more than one BCS isof paramount importance.

A cow only has 12 weeks aftercalving to get back in calf if she is tocalve the same time next year. Thepresence of a uterine infection (endo-metritis) can be detrimental to gettingcows in calf. Endometritis increases thecalving to conception interval. Treatingthis infection can reduce this time. It can

be diagnosed through the use of anintravaginal device called a Metricheck.Cows that are ‘at risk’ (i.e. Anythingthat can potentially lower their immunesystem and predispose them to infec-tion i.e. mastitis, lameness, metabolicdisorders, twins, retained foetalmembranes) should be checked ideallythree weeks post calving to ensureendometritis is not present.

Whole herd metrichecking isrecommended as you can miss approx.20% of cases by checking your ‘at risk’mob only. You may have to do this inbatches depending on time sincecaving. If you haven’t done this already,now is the time.

The industry target for non-cyclingcows is less than 15% before the PSM.

If you have more than this then youhave to start looking at potentialunderlying reasons. Treating thesecows is a short term solution and longerterm management plans need to beaddressed. These include improvingcalving and subsequent mating con-dition scores; improving post calvingnutrition; ensuring that trace elementsare properly balanced and reduction oflate calving cows.

Body Condition scores of lowerthan 4 have a direct link to non-cyclingcows. Routine BCS of your herd shouldbe performed several times throughoutthe year.

The critical times for this are atdrying off; prior to calving, prior tomating and mid-lactation. Studies havealso shown a loss of greater than 1 BCSbetween calving and mating canincrease the incidence of non-cyclingcows.

Identification of insufficient BCS’spremating can allow time for draftinglow BCS cows into a separate mob forpreferential feeding, provision ofenergy dense rations or reducing toonce a day milking before matingbegins. The heifers can also be draftedinto this mob. This is only a short termmanagement option.

Prevention of low BCS at mating isthe key.

Heat detection systems need to bereviewed so that all staff are up to speed

with these. The use of tail paint and/orheat detection devices before theplanned start of mating will enable anon-cycling cow problem to be ident-ified earlier rather than later. Prematingheats can also be used as a trainingexercise.

The application of tail paint shouldideally be 4-5 weeks before PSM. Thisis because it takes at least 3 weeks toidentify non cycling cows and another9-10 days from veterinary examinationto first insemination. Non-cycling cowscan be examined and treated to ensurethey have every opportunity to get incalf early.

Non-cycling cows that receive treat-ment, on average, get in calf 10-16days earlier if treated before theplanned start of mating. This amountsto extra days in milk the following year.Cows treated after the PSM lose thisbenefit the longer they are left.

Don’t forget the already late calvingcows. These should be tail painted adifferent colour to ensure they are easilyidentified from the other mob and thusneed to be managed differently withregards to timing for metrichecking andnon-cycling treatment.

Other possible contributors to inci-dence of non-cycling cows includemineral and trace elements.

Sub clinically low magnesium levelshave been shown to play an importantrole. Copper, Selenium and cobalt havea variable association. Checking theselevels through blood testing will ensurethese factors are corrected beforemating commences.

Calculate the number of cows perday that need to be put up to AB toobtain a 90% 3 week submission rateand monitor this daily.

Also inform all farm staff of thesetargets. Monitoring submission ratespre and post mating will identify apotential disaster before it occurs. Thiswill enable short term managementstrategies to be implemented before itbecomes a real problem.

You should always be thinkingahead to the forthcoming season andthe benefits gained from concentratingthe calving spread.


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Their findings were published in NatureGenetics, an accolade that scientists all overthe world strive to achieve.

LIC’s Dr Richard Spelman said it unlocksthe potential for LIC farmers to choose howtall and heavy they want their cows to be.

‘‘We’ll be able to breed cows to a certainsize, up to 40kg heavier or lighter, and it alsoprovides insight into human height becausetheir DNA makeup is very similar to a cow,’’he said.

New Zealand’s two predominant cowbreeds are Jerseys, which are small andbrown, and Holstein-Friesian, which arelarger black and white cows.

The study aimed to find out what makesone breed larger than the other.

Cow-size has a direct link to productivityin farm animals, because heavier cowsrequire more feed for maintenance, Richardsaid.

The study’s findings allow LIC to poten-tially reduce the variance in its KiwiCrossbreed, which is a combination of both Jerseyand Holstein-Friesian.

‘‘The findings are significant, and so wasthe 10-year process to get there.

‘‘We went through the DNA of 800 cows,and each has more than three billion basepairs to be analysed.’’

The team found a signature onchromosome 14 for the shorter cows, andwere able to identify the ‘‘one or two’’ basepairs that caused an effect on height for thecow.

Richard said being published in Nature is agreat achievement for the team, and NewZealand scientists.

‘‘It’s a highly regarded publication, andpublishing of the work is an acknowledge-ment of how highly regarded New Zealandscientists are on the world scale.’’

Revenue up —farm spendingrise expectedAccording to the much anticipated Beef + Lamb New

Zealand (B+LNZ) Economic Service New SeasonOutlook, farms in the top of the North Island will see a

small lift on last year’s improved Gross Farm Revenue.Given this, and on the back of a run of low on-farm

spending in recent years, farm expenditure is expected toincrease 3.9%. The net result is Farm Profit before Tax drops6.9% on the previous year.

Though higher production is expected this year fromnorthern farms, the exchange rate is expected to sit at aslightly higher level and hold Gross Farm Revenue for2011-12 to a relatively small 1.8% increase.

While scenarios are also calculated for USD 0.91 andUSD 0.71, the best-guess estimate is associated with USD0.81.

B+LNZ Director James Parsons says the scenario equatesto a profit before tax of $52,300 per farm. ‘‘We are partiallyhelped along by a forecast 9.5 percentage point lift in lambingon the back of good ewe condition and increased feedavailability. But the effect of the spring drought weexperienced last year has had an impact.’’

Northland/Waikato/Bay of Plenty’s sheep and beef farmsaverage 3,140 stock units, down slightly (-1%) on last year.These region’s sheep and beef farms are on average 20%smaller than the New Zealand average on a stock unit basis.Northern farms have the highest reliance of any region onbeef cattle revenue where cattle generate 40% of Gross FarmRevenue.

From a national perspective sheep and beef farm incomeincreased dramatically last year with a 75% rise in before taxprofit, compared with the previous year. This was a welcomechange to a run of poor profit years including a 50 year lowin 2007-08.

B+LNZ Economic Service Executive Director, RobDavison said the increased returns came from a significant liftin international prices for meat and wool.

‘‘At the farm gate, lamb was up 43%, sheep meat 62%while wool was up 43% (from the previous year’s 100 yearlow) and beef was up 18%.

‘‘These price increases occurred despite the New Zealanddollar appreciating against the currencies in which theproducts were traded. The New Zealand dollar was up 11.0%against the USD.’’

For the current farming year just started, the outlook is forsheep and beef farm profit before tax to fall 7%, largely froma stronger exchange rate. The outlook scenario is centred onthe New Zealand dollar strengthening 2.5% against the USD,2.2% against the GBP and 4.6% against the Euro.

‘‘This leaves gross farm revenue up marginally by 1.2%but due to an expected increase in on-farm expenditure of4.2%, particularly with fertiliser usage up relative to recentyears. Forecasted profits will be reduced, but due to morepositive reasons.’’

Davison says farm profit is spent on tax first and then taxpaid profit goes on debt reduction, capital machinerypurchases and farm family living expenses.

During the five year period of low farm profitability(2005-2009), cash deficits were made up from increasedborrowing — higher overdraft levels and refinancing termdebt.

For the 2011-12 year, lamb export receipts are expectedto remain similar to the previous year at $2.9 billion.Increased lamb shipments (+4.8%) are offset by the strongerexchange rate scenario. The increased volume of lambshipped comes from an expected improved lamb crop,despite the 2.5% decrease in the ewe flock this year.

Beef export receipts are expected to decrease 2.1% to$2.6 billion with export volumes up 3.1% but the FOB priceper tonne down 5% from an expected increase in theexchange rate.

Davison says wool production is estimated to decrease1.3% due to smaller sheep numbers but with some offsetfrom an increased clip per head. Wool export receipts areestimated to remain similar to the previous year at $718million.

■ The full report is on the Beef + LambNewZealandwebsite at: www.beeflambnz.com/economicservice.


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Growers recognisethe importance ofresearch, extensionEarlier this month the

Foundation for ArableResearch (FAR)

received the ‘declaration ofresult’ following the closureof its fourth referendum ofgrowers.

The referendum deter-mined the significant sup-port of NZ arable, maizeand cereal silage communi-ties being in favour of FARinvesting their levy fundsinto research and extension.FAR will now make anapplication to the Ministerfor these levy orders to beput in place.

Electionz.com Ltd werecontracted to administer thereferendum which, over thepast month, has givengrowers the opportunity tohave their say on whether ornot they wish FAR to con-tinue to invest levy payers’funds in the future.

FAR chief executiveNick Pyke says the result is atrue reflection of the hardwork and commitment ofgrowers, FAR staff andindustry colleagues.

‘‘We are strongadvocates of investing inresearch areas which are ofparticular importance togrowers. Through feedbackfrom our regional ArableResearch Groups (ARGs)and Strategic ResearchCommittee, we ensure thatthe areas of importance areaddressed through researchstrategies and programmeswhich are put in place totackle these.’’

‘‘It is important to FARthat levy payers andsubscribers are kept up-to-date with where levyinvestments are spent,’’ MrPyke says.

‘‘We have developed aresearch and extensionstrategy and portfolio whichprovides details aroundspecific areas of researchwhich are being undertakenacross a range of crops andan outline of FAR’s exten-sion mandate. This hasbeen developed with dueregard for sustainable farm-ing practices so a balancedportfolio of production,

environmental and socialresearch will be maintained.The outcomes of invest-ment will deliver benefitswhich can be measured inthe increased productivity,profitability and the reten-tion or opportunity for thefarm to use certain prac-tices.’’

■ All growerswere sent acopy of FAR’s Research andExtension Strategy andPortfolio in August,however further copies canbe requested from the FARoffice or a pdf version canbe downloaded fromwww.far.org.nz

FAR appointstrials officer

TC200911SP19

NEWLY appointed FAR trials officer HannahPriergaard-Petersen.

Following a successful referendum, the Foundationfor Arable Research (FAR) is pleased to announcethe appointment of Hannah Priergaard-Petersen

who has been employed as a FAR Trials Officer followingher stint as FAR summer scholar 2010/2011.

Ms Priergaard-Petersen has recently completed aBachelor of Science at Canterbury University majoring inBiological Sciences. Although Ms Priergaard-Petersenwill be working predominantly in the South Island she willbe required to make occasional visits to Australia and theNorth Island to carry out trial assessments.

With a specific interest in biosecurity and bio-controlmanagement, Ms Priergaard-Petersen will be workingclosely with FAR CEO Nick Pyke in these areas; she willalso assist Rob Craigie, FAR project manager with thedevelopment of AquaTRAC, FAR’s irrigation decisionsupport tool.

Planning and assessing research trials, protocols,treatment and designs will be a key constituent of her role,with the management process of these trials such asapplication of nutrients, cultivation, water andagrichemical application.

External research providers will liaise with Hannahwhere cooperative and coordinated research is appli-cable.

Having come from a sheep, beef and deer farm in TeAnau, Hannah is passionate about sustainable farmingpractices.

‘‘Having the opportunity to work with the arablesector, whilst still having the ability to work in the area ofbiosecurity is a fantastic opportunity for me to up-skill inthis area to which I am so passionate about. I am currentlyresearching biosecurity risks which could have adverseeffects on the New Zealand arable industry if introduced;these include a number of weeds, pests and diseaseswhich have had major impacts on arable industries inother parts of the world.

‘‘I am thrilled to be working with the New Zealandarable industry and look forward to the opportunities thatwill arise in this exciting role.’’


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Council praises dairysector contributionsto protecting waterDairy companies and Waikato

Federated Farmers are makingpositive contributions towards

helping protect water quality in theWaikato, says the regional council’sresource use group manager ChrisMcLay.

He was commenting after OpenCountry Dairy made a presentation tothe council’s regulatory committee lastweek about its efforts to improvesupplier compliance with effluent man-agement rules designed to protectwater.

‘‘Nationally Fonterra has introduceda scheme where it checking the effluentmanagement systems of its suppliersevery year, and is working with theregional council in the Waikato todevelop methods of keeping nutrientsout of waterways,’’ said Mr McLay.

‘‘Waikato Federated Farmers hasbeen promoting the message thatfarmers need to ensure they complywith our rules, and to have adequateeffluent storage.

‘‘Now the presentation from OpenCountry Dairy shows clearly how it toois making a big effort to ensure itssuppliers operate in an environmentallyfriendly way.’’

Open Country manager JohnFairweather outlined to the committeeways in which the company wasworking to protect the environment,including how it won’t accept supplierswho have a poor environmental record.

Another example was how OpenCountry worked with advisers fromindustry body DairyNZ to help addressenvironmental issues on supplier farmswhen they came to the company’s

attention.‘‘The ongoing efforts of Federated

Farmers, Fonterra, Open Country andothers to lift farming’s environmentalgame in the Waikato are greatlyappreciated by the council,’’ said MrMcLay.

‘‘The scale and nature of the waterquality issues faced by our region arevery significant.

‘‘For example, we will need to workvery closely with our iwi partners andstakeholders in the agriculture sectorand elsewhere to protect and improvethe health of the Waikato River.

‘‘It’s a healthy sign for the future ofthis work that we are now seeing verygood co-operation between council,Federated Farmers and dairy com-panies on improving compliance witheffluent management rules.’’

Speedy consent forTokoroa milk plantThe relatively speedy granting of a

resource consent to a plannedmilk drying plant in Tokoroa is a

great example of what can be achievedwhen companies work proactively withthe regional council, says regulatorycommittee chair Lois Livingston.

Dairyland Products was granted aconsent under the RMA within 15working days of application.

‘‘This shows that quicker decision-making is available under the act for

well-organised companies who engagewith us before they put in applicationsto see what they may need to do to getconsent,’’ said Cr Livingston.

Two key features of the Dairylandsapplication was that the companywould offset the plant’s effects on airquality by helping to replace homeheating wood burners in Tokoroa withcleaner heat sources.

Another environmental mitigationmeasure in its proposal is that the

company will use wastewater from theplant to irrigate farmland

‘‘It’s great to see companies likeDairylands making the effort to get theirducks in a row before they make aconsent application — talking to us firstmeans we all save time and thatprojects aren’t held up unnecessarily.

‘‘Council is keen to promoteeconomic development in our regionand we want take a partnershipapproach with industry on this.’’


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Cash available forfirst round clean-upof Waikato RiverThe Waikato River

Clean-Up Trust says itwill be calling for its

first funding applications forWaikato River clean-up pro-jects from 1 October.

The Waikato River Auth-ority is the sole Trustee ofthe Waikato River Clean-upTrust and was formed tooversee the allocation of athirty-year restoration fundof $210 million which wasan integral part of theCrown’s Waikato Riversettlement with WaikatoTainui, and supported byNgati Tuwharetoa, TeArawa, Raukawa, and NgatiManiapoto.

The Authority’s co-chairs, Mr TukoroirangiMorgan and the Hon JohnLuxton, said the allocation offunding marks the beginningof what will be a long-termprocess to restore and pro-tect the health and wellbeingof the river.

Up to $6 million infunding will be made avail-able based on the quality ofapplications received andthe amount of fundingsought.

‘‘This is an exciting timefor the Waikato River Clean-Up Trust and the manypeople who identify with theWaikato River,’’ said MrMorgan. ‘‘We have a visionwhich we have been set upto achieve and the time startsnow.’’

He said the Authoritybelieves this will be a taskthat runs well beyond thethirty years over which it willreceive Governmentfunding.

‘‘Indeed I believe it will bea work in progress for gen-erations to come,’’ said MrMorgan.

Mr Luxton said theClean-Up Trust’s firstfunding round will open forapplications on Saturday 1October and the closing datefor applications will be Friday16th December.

‘‘We anticipate that suc-cessful applicants will benotified in early Februaryand funding will be availableto enable the successful pro-

jects to begin from Marchnext year,’’ he said.

He said the Trust will thismonth publish its FundingStrategy to guide prospec-tive applicants on the Trust’s

priority funding areas.‘‘We have been working

closely with a number of keystakeholders to develop ourpriority funding areas thatwe consider will have the

biggest impact on restoringthe health and wellbeing ofthe Waikato River and itscatchment for present andfuture generations,’’ said MrLuxton.


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Farm succession— plan for future

By Mervyn Gyde — Chartered Accountantin the Te Awamutu fi rm Gyde Wansbone.

Farmers, like all businessmen, havebeen through a tough time overrecent years. Farm values have fallen

dramatically and the resultant reduction inequity has squeezed banks lendingmargins, often to the point where actionneeds to be taken by the farmer before thematter is taken out of his hands.

I suspect that there is more of this tocome yet as financially things are broughtback into line.

This pressure is leading to decisions toexit farming and this is a very difficultdecision for farmers who often have morethan simply a business interest in theirland.

The thought of selling the family farm isvery often not palatable so I thought it timelyto discuss again the issue of succession as apossible solution to the dilemma that manyfarmers may face in the next few years or so.

Planned succession over some years isthe best succession but there is room forsuch structure even with the heightenedfinancial pressure some farmers are facing

The primary succession options havebeen:

1. Sale to third party;2. Generational succession;3. Employee/management buyout;4. Structured sale of assets;5. Public listing.Most succession options will occur

across the first three options and clearly inthe farming case the first two options havebeen the most prevalent.

If a sale to a third party is not thepreferred option then generational suc-cession has been the answer.

So the fundamental question was:How can parents whose farm has

appreciated considerably expect one childto buy it without disadvantaging the remain-ing children?

The answer for many years thataccountants and lawyers alike havesuggested is to form a trust and transfer thefarm to it.

The usual case then has the parentsleasing the farm back and continuing as the‘farmer’, while gifting off the equity trans-ferred.

The trust then gains the capital growth inits name while the parents continue tocontrol the income producing assets.

However the transfer of the farm to atrust in this manner doesn’t necessarilyfacilitate one child succeeding to the farm, itmay simply mean all children benefit equallywhich is achieving little from a puresuccession point of view, particularly if onechild is ready and willing to work hard now

and no other mechanisms to reward thatchild for his efforts are also put in place atthe time.

It will offer (after equity is gifted)protection of the asset from potentialclaimants and will help protect it from claimsby the children’s spouses. However if onechild is to attain ownership then otherentities should be considered along with atrust.

There is probably a feeling out there thattrusts are suggested by professionals as amatter of course without good reason.

This couldn’t be further from the truth.While other entities are useful depending

on the circumstances and the wishes of theparents, trusts remain the single best entityto safeguard and pass on assets to futuregenerations.

Because of the value involved the soonerfarmers consider succession the better.

Our practise is to discuss the optionswith our client and his solicitor.

That way we make sure the rightdecision is made.

All parties need to consider such thingsas:

1. Capital transfer;2. Income needs of all parties;3. Operation and management control;4. Transition time and expectations;5. Formality of the structure;6. Managing and maintaining family

relationships.These matters need to be considered,

clearly planned and documented to ensurethe wishes of the parents, successors andother family members are respected.

We are actively promoting succession toour farming clients as part of the service weprovide.

The only real downside to transferringthe farm to a trust or company after manyyears of ownership is the tax payable on therecovery of depreciation on assets trans-ferred.

While this may be substantial the benefitsto the family far out way this.

Certainly with trusts these benefits havestood the test of time and indeed for manyyears the Courts have reinforced theposition.

It must be said however that recentCourt decisions have also placed a higherdegree of responsibility on Trustees, particu-larly in respect of their responsibility to thebeneficiaries.

Similarly the law places a higher burdenof responsibility on company directors.

A trusteeship or directorship shouldtherefore not be entered into lightly andyour accountant and lawyer can discussthese matters fully to ensure understanding.

We are also in favour of full disclosure byparents of their wishes and plans to all familymembers at the time the succession plan isestablished.

Such matters are recorded in a docu-ment signed off by all concerned so that noconfusion exists at a later stage.

More recently another option hasemerged that is gaining popularity withfarmers near retirement age and it is thisoption that perhaps offers farmers acompromise if they are under pressurefinancially.

This option is often referred to as anequity ‘partnership’.

Continued page 23.


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CourierTe Awamutu

Law change a real gift...or are strings attached?

By Hayley Willers — a solicitorin theTe Awamutu fi rmEdmondsJudd.

As at the October 1 the require-ment to pay gift duty will beabolished. This means that

come the October 1 you will be able togive away all of your assets withouthaving to pay any gift duty.

There are many reasons andbenefits for transferring assets to afamily trust and each reason requires adifferent approach. This article willfocus on how the abolition of gift dutywill affect relationship property.

Many of you will be aware thatwhen a couple separates they willusually share equally in ‘all relation-ship property’. Relationship property

is the assets that a couple has built upduring their relationship and also canextend to assets that were owned byonly one party prior to the relation-ship, when those assets have beenintermingled or used for the benefit ofthe relationship.

There are a few ways to protectyour personal assets from relationshipproperty claims including enteringinto an agreement with your partnercontracting out of the Property(Relationships) Act 1976. Such anagreement will record and acknow-ledge that certain assets were yourseparate property prior to therelationship and are to remain yourseparate property should the relation-ship end. This type of agreement iseffective and is recommended if youare already in a relationship. It isimportant to note however that theyare not 100% ‘attack proof’ particu-larly when the relationship has lastedfor a long period.

The other way to protect yourpersonal assets from relationshipproperty claims is to ensure that theyare not owned by you personally. TheProperty (Relationships) Act onlyextends to assets owned personally. Ifyou have no personal assets thenthere is nothing to claim. Having your

assets owned by a family trust meansthat your assets are held by yourtrustees for the beneficiaries.

For a family trust to be effective itis essential that your assets aretransferred to it prior to entering intoa relationship. If you transfer yourassets after the commencement of therelationship the courts can reverse thetransfer. Importantly, the abolition ofgift duty now means that you cantransfer your assets all in one go.

Previously you would have enteredinto a gifting programme to forgivethe debt left owing to you by yourfamily trust at $27,000.00 per year.The risk with this was that if you havenot forgiven the full amount owing toyou prior to a new relationship thenthe gifts that you continued to makeduring the relationship could havebeen reversed and subject to a claim.

While the abolition of Gift Dutywould appear at first glance to make itextremely easy for people to transfertheir assets to defeat potential claims,this is not necessarily the case.

Before transferring your assets to afamily trust it is important that youdiscuss your intention in detail withyour lawyer, as there is often some-thing in place to prevent you fromdefeating a potential claimant.

Succession planning for the futureFrom page 22.

It involves the sale of the farm to anew entity, usually a company, with theshareholders being the vendor and a(usually) sharemilker with good equity inhis herd who also sells his herd, tractorand plant to the company.

The relative shareholding is deter-mined by the value injected. Thesharemilker could be a family memberlooking to take over the family farm.

Clearly the vendor of the farm isinjecting a lot more but the benefit of

the ownership transfer is that the newcompany can borrow a reasonablylarge sum of money to pay out part ofthe vendor debt, thus freeing upperhaps $2m — $3m for the vendor toinvest elsewhere. While the cash freedup may be less in a forced sale position,the concept may still work very well.

So the farmer achieves a freeing upof capital but retains a majority of thefarm ownership through his sharehold-ing in the company. If capital cannot bereadily extracted because of the tight

financial situation, the restructure will atleast re-capitalise the farming operationto a more acceptable level.

Taking this one step further thevendors shareholding in the new com-pany can be through his family trust andthe resultant debt due by the trust fromthe vendor evidenced and gifted offsubsequently.

We would suggest that farmersdiscuss the whole succession issue withtheir accountants and solicitors soonerrather than later.


Documents

Supplement toTe Awamutu Courier,Tuesday, September 20 ... · Supplement toTe Awamutu Courier,Tuesday, September 20, ... export butter from the milk of 400 cows. ... The Anchor butter