Developments

Sheep industry awards finalists

Finalists in the 2015 Beef + Lamb New Zealand Sheep Industry Awards have been announced today. The awards are now in their fourth year and Beef + Lamb New Zealand chief executive, Dr Scott Champion said they were a great way of recognising and celebrating excellence in the industry. “It’s right that we acknowledge the top performers and showcase our industry, which is a significant contributor to the New Zealand economy.” Beef + Lamb New Zealand Farmer Council national chair, Martin Coup, who also chairs the awards judging panel, said the New Zealand sheep industry could take heart from the high quality and quantity of this year’s nominations. “The judging panel was particularly impressed by the calibre of nominees in the new Emerging Talent category.” The Beef + Lamb New Zealand Sheep Industry Awards winners will be announced at the Ascot Park Hotel in Invercargill on Wednesday 1 July 2015. INDUSTRY AWARDS FINALISTS Blackdale Stud Sheep Industry Supplier of the Year Alister & Jeanette Maxwell, Rakaia, supplying ANZCO Stuart Ellingham, Horizon Farming Limited, Waipukurau, supplying Progressive Meats James & Jane Hunter, Waipukurau, supplying Lean Meats Wilson & Gaylene Ronald, Otautau, supplying Alliance Group Focus Genetics Sheep Industry Science Award Dave Leathwick, AgResearch Grasslands John McEwan, AgResearch Invermay Sin Phua, AgResearch Invermay Shannon Clarke, AgResearch Invermay Primary ITO Sheep Industry Trainer of the Year Terry Walters, formerly Smedley Station, Waipawa Tangihau Station (Dean McHardy), Gisborne Waipaoa Station Farm Cadet Training Trust (Geoff Hornblow), Te Karaka, Gisborne Farmlands Individual or business making a significant contribution to the New Zealand sheep industry Robin Campbell, Winton Errol Holgate, East Taieri, Dunedin Derek & Chris Daniell, Masterton Holmes Warren, Featherston Allflex New Zealand Sheep Industry Innovation Award Aaron Meikle, Oamaru John Reeves & Keith Abbott, Waikato Matt & Lynley Wyeth, Masterton Ballance Agri-Nutrients Sheep Industry […]

NZX adds iFarm to its AgriHQ business

NZX has bought iFarm, the livestock market information business, for an undisclosed sum from owners Jon Sherlock and Peter Fraser and will add the firm to its AgriHQ data business. The Napier based agriculture service publishes rep orts covering export data and prices as well as a wrap up of stock sales across the country, the Wellington based exchange operator said in a statement. The acquisition price was confidential and wasn’t material. “The iFarm business is a great strategic fit with our existing AgriHQ data product set, broadening our data and analytics offering to farmers and corporate subscribers, both nationally and internationally,” NZX chief executive Tim Bennett said. Last week, NZX said sales from its agricultural operations slid 12 percent to $2.6 million in the three months ended March 31, due to lower advertising income in its print publications. Shares of NZX were unchanged at $1.16 and have fallen 0.9 percent since the start of the year.

NZPork Annual Report 2014

The NZPork Annual Report 2014, released today, reflects on the importance of the New Zealand consumer to the future of its business. NZPork Chairman Ian Carter points out that it’s important to remember that our consumer is our neighbour and that we are touch with what consumers want and believe. “We need to provoke interest in our product and our industry. We need to invoke confidence in our production standards and systems. And we need to evoke desire for our product,” said Ian Carter. The report states the industry recognises that little is understood about pig farming in general amongst many New Zealanders, particularly the requirements of caring for its animals. In light of this, it is taking steps to be more transparent and advocate confidence to its consumers via its production systems and standards. Projects underway include the development of educational resources and enhancing the NZPork website with short films about the industry and its people which are an invaluable tool in ensuring the public and consumers can better understand how pigs are farmed in New Zealand. “We can wholeheartedly stand behind our commitment to meeting high animal welfare standards. Sound animal welfare practices are critical for pork producers. It is vital to the industry’s success that animals are healthy and well cared for. Demonstrating that required standards are being met or exceeded builds confidence in the industry, but is also a challenge,” said Mr Carter. The Presentation Assessment, which is additional to the PigCare audit programme, began implementation in March 2014. The industry-wide independent welfare assurance, plus presentation assessment, is unique in New Zealand’s livestock industries and gives consumers confidence that they have access to the freshest, locally grown pork and pork products.

LIC and Lely enter R&D partnership in farm sensor technology

Livestock Improvement Corp, a farmer cooperative that sells bull semen and manages a dairy genetics database, has entered a research and development partnership with Dutch agricultural company Lely Group. As part of the deal, the Hamilton based company has acquired Lely Sensortec, the Dutch company’s Hamilton based development division, whose five staff design farm sensor technology to monitor animal health and production, for an undisclosed amount, the companies said in a joint statement. The deal will accelerate development of sensor technology used on farms and support wider global distribution of its inline milk sensors. “Integrated and reliable automation and information technology solutions have the potential to revolutionise farming worldwide and sensor technology is an essential component of this,” said LIC chief executive Wayne McNee. “The big data the systems can deliver, while a cow is being milked, can deliver big gains in productivity and profitability for a farming business.” LIC is targetting $1 billion in annual revenue by 2025, via acquisitions and joint ventures. Earlier this year, LIC entered into a deal with ‘cow intelligence company’ SCR Dairy to distribute its technology into new regions including Belarus, Israel, Russia and Turkey. Last December, LIC acquired a majority stake and exclusive supply to its Brazilian genetics distributor, where it is target growing demand for artificial insemination in the country’s expanding dairy sector, with annual production to surpass 38 billion litres by 2020. In February, LIC reported profit rose to $29.7 million in the six months ended Nov. 30, from $26.9 million a year earlier, as sales climbed 18 percent to $159 million, boosted by a record payout to farmers in the 2013/14 season. However, a drop in global dairy prices has led Fonterra Cooperative Group to halve its forecast payout to $4.70 per kilogram of milk solids. That drop combined with […]

Positives in low prices for ‘Saudi Arabia of milk’

Low dairy prices will benefit the New Zealand dairy industry in the long term, Lincoln University Agribusiness and Food Marketing Programme Director Nic Lees says. “The low prices are the best thing that can happen as it will limit the European expansion.” He says a cost war is going on between New Zealand and Europe at the moment. “Quotas have come off production in Europe so they are expanding production. This is similar to what is happening in oil with expanding production due to shale gas,” Mr Lees says. “Ireland, for example, is planning to increase milk production by 50 per cent.” He says New Zealand is the Saudi Arabia of milk — “We can be the lowest cost producer, but need to focus on grass based production to weather the storm”. “Grass will always be the lowest cost source of feed and New Zealand has the most efficient grass- based dairy system in the world. “Ireland can grow grass too but currently they utilise less than half what they grow. The large housed dairy operations in Europe are also only profitable at high milk prices,’’ Mr Lees says. “We need to focus on what we are good at, which is grass.” The halcyon days may be gone for a while though. “We are unlikely to see high prices again soon. “It is going to be a slow recovery of price and dairy farmers need to be able to be profitable at $5/kgMS or they won’t survive.” He says the average milk price over the last 10 years was around $5.50/kg MS. “It is likely that this will be similar over the next decade as well. What we are seeing though is greater volatility. This is going to continue so farmers need to have systems that are still profitable when […]

RCNZ workshops being held in May

Rural Contractors New Zealand (RCNZ) will be on the road again this May updating its members on the latest changes in health and safety, transport and employment laws – as well as other topics – in a series of roadshows being held around the country during May. RCNZ chief executive Roger Parton says the roadshow presentation will cover off the proposed new Health & Safety legislation and regulations, the Safer Farms programme and Codes of Practice for using tractors and other self propelled agricultural vehicles and what these changes will mean for rural contractors. “The presentation will cover all of these areas and much more, giving attendees an understanding of what this legislation will mean for each agricultural contractor,” Mr Parton adds. “And, just as importantly, how will it affect directors of companies, sole traders, employees, volunteers and anyone who ‘works’ for them.” Before the events in Ashburton, Gore, Cambridge and Palmerston North, the agrichemical applicators’ division of RCNZ will hold a workshop led by industry spray guru Noel Blackwell. “By attending these workshops, registered chemical applicators will earn three professional development points towards renewing their certification,” Mr Parton explains. The roadshows will include: Updates on the new Health & Safety Legislation The Safer Farms programme Codes of Practice for using agricultural vehicles An update on the 2015 RCNZ Annual Conference; being held in Blenheim in June Four of the roadshows will be held in conjunction with the AGMs of the four zones that make up RCNZ. The venues and dates for each of the roadshows have been mailed out to members and are also up on the RCNZ website: www.ruralcontractors.org.nz . Each session starts at 7 pm and will be followed with light refreshments. “I look forward to seeing as many rural contractors at these roadshows as possible and […]

Farmers have the chance to get smart

Dairy Women’s Network’s next round of free workshops will focus on making farmers’ smartphones useful business tools, but without the bells and whistles, says facilitator Marlene Williamson. Williamson, who is a DWN member and self-employed computing facilitator, said farmers needed to know the capabilities of their phones and the value that could be added to their businesses, but didn’t need to get carried away with ‘the rest’. This is the nature of the workshops that she and Agritec educator Dr Debbie Care will be running in seven locations in the North and South Islands called ‘Get Smart’. “My passion is for technology that is actually useful in people’s lives,” she said. “Technology literally advances every day and there is so much that could be learnt, but these sessions will focus solely on the practical because that is what will help farmers advance their businesses.” Williamson, who teaches computing to adults, said the DWN smartphone dairy modules will teach attendees exactly what their phones can do and how they can be used to improve their farming business practices. She said several DWN regional convenors have recently identified a need for the education in their areas. Williamson said she and Dr Care would be covering iPhone, Android and Windows phones to ensure the modules applied to as many farmers as possible, and that they would also be taking into account the “non-connectivity often experienced in the country”. The women are running the workshops in seven locations throughout New Zealand: Putaruru – 29 April Te Puke – 8 May Otorohanga – 11 May Ashburton – 20 May Hokitika – 21 May Invercargill – 26 May The modules are open to both DWN members and non-members. For more information or to register, visit www.dwn.co.nz

Farmers to register with Beef + Lamb New Zealand for referendum vote

Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) is encouraging farmers to check they are registered to vote in the sheep and beef levy referendum that will be held later this year. All sheep, beef and dairy farmers will be able to vote on continuing to invest in programmes run by B+LNZ, which are designed to support a confident sector with improved farm productivity, profitability and performance. B+LNZ Chief Executive Dr Scott Champion said it’s important that famers ensure they are on the roll and that their details are up to date. “Farmers often think they are automatically registered on the database, but that’s not the case. Even if you have processed stock and paid a levy, you still need to register. That can be done by calling us on 0800 BEEFLAMB 0800 233 352 or by visiting the website http://www.beeflambnz.com/register.” A date has yet to be set for the levy referendum, but it will be later in the year. B+LNZ is funded and directed by farmers via a levy paid on all sheep, beef and dairy cattle processed in New Zealand. This is why it’s important that all farmers register to have their say in the future of the organisation. B+LNZ invests on their behalf and supports sheep, beef and dairy farmers’ collective interests relating to sheep meat and beef production domestically and overseas. B+LNZ supports farmers with a wide range of activities and last year ran 356 farmer events countrywide, with over 17,000 attendees. Under the Commodity Levies Act farmers vote every six years on whether the organisation should continue. The proposed levy rates for the 2016-22 period will be defined as part of the referendum offer. B+LNZ will carry out extensive engagement, including a country-wide roadshow in advance of the vote. Dr Champion said that in the last six […]

Horticultural production tops $7 billion

Horticultural production has topped $7 billion for the first time, with good growth in nearly all the main industries, including wine, apples, potatoes, and onions. The latest edition of the industry publication Fresh Facts shows in the year to June 30 2014 the horticultural industry was calculated to reach $7.16 billion in production, up from $6.7 billion the year before. Exports rose by $300 million to $3.9 billion, an increase of nearly 7 percent on the previous year. Horticulture New Zealand chief executive Peter Silcock said New Zealand’s horticultural exports equated to more than three times the comparative return achieved by dairy merchandise exports because of the high productivity of horticultural land. Horticulture exports of $3.9 billion are produced off 1123,000 hectares of land, versus dairy exports of $16.9 billion from 1.7 million hectares. Silcock is confident the sector will achieve its target of $10 billion of production by 2020. The top export destination is Australia, which hit $872 million compared to $791 million in 2013, while the US has increased its intake from $415 million in 2013 to $489 million this year. Two of the top 10 export destinations decreased this year, with the Netherlands falling from $141 million in 2013 to $108 million this year and Spain down by $4 million to $70 million. Wine continues to be the biggest horticultural export at $1.3 billion in 2014 compared to $1.2 billion in 2013. Sauvignon blanc remains the dominant variety produced, at 310,240 tonnes of the 445,000 tonne total. The total wine grape tonnage was up 29 percent on the previous year, partly due to the average yield increasing from 9.8 tonnes per hectare to 12.6 t/ha. Kiwifruit is the largest fresh fruit export at $930 million, although that is down $65 million on 2010 figures, following the Psa virus crisis. […]

Chinese demand drives NZ lamb wool price rises to 6-week high

New Zealand lamb wool prices rose to a six week high on increased demand from China for the apparel fibre. Lamb wool rose 4.8 percent to $6.60 per kilogram at yesterday’s South Island auction compared with last week’s North Island auction, its highest level since it touched a four year high of $6.65/kg on March 12, according to AgriHQ. The average price for 35-micron wool, a benchmark for crossbred wool used for carpets and accounting for the majority of New Zealand’s production, was unchanged at $5.35/kg. New Zealand lamb wool prices have been buoyant this year, outpacing demand for other wool types. China is the largest buyer of New Zealand wool, accounting for 52 percent of the nation’s $794 million in wool exports last year, according to Statistics NZ data. “The lambswool market continues to ride high on what is seemingly strong demand from Chinese buyers,” said Georgia Twomey, a commodity analyst at Rabobank. “The market holding up at these levels is very promising, particularly with the New Zealand dollar at its highest level against the US dollar since January and a weighted currency indicator against all major wool trade currencies at its highest level since September 2014. “These positive demand signals have been reflected also in the Australian market, which has been rallying strongly since the Easter recess. Gains have been made across the board at auction with strong improvement across merino fleece types as well as consistent strength in the carding and crossbred markets.” There was good clearance at the latest auction with 92 percent of the 9,265 bales on offer sold at auction yesterday. Some 5,100 bales will be offered at next week’s North Island auction, according to New Zealand Wool Services International.

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