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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.

Farm technology among Hi-Tech Award finalists

For the second consecutive year, Hamilton-based Dairy Automation Limited (DAL) has been named finalist in two categories of the New Zealand Hi-Tech Awards. The subsidiary of farmer-owned co-operative LIC specialises in manufacturing sensor technology systems for the dairy shed, for real-time on-farm milk analysis. Its CellSense system is a finalist for the Endace Innovative Hi-Tech Hardware Product award, and YieldSense system is up for the New Zealand Trade and Enterprise Innovative Agritech Product award. CellSense meters measure somatic cell counts for early detection of mastitis. It is the only fully automated in-shed in-line somatic cell count sensor in the world. YieldSense is a combined full flow milk meter and milk component measurement device for the individual measurement of cow milk in the dairy shed. The six-in-one sensor analyses yield, fat, protein, lactose, conductivity and plant wash. Both systems provide real-time results while a cow is being milked, that farmers can utilise to increase production, reduce treatment costs and make more informed herd management decisions. They also integrate with LIC’s Protrack automation systems, so any cows identified by the sensor systems as requiring closer inspection or further treatment will be alerted to the farmer and automatically drafted at the end of milking. The sensors are highly regarded by farmers in New Zealand and demand from farmers overseas is increasing too. Sensor technology has the potential to revolutionise traditional herd testing practices.

Forest & Bird urges Fed Farmers to unite

Forest & Bird is strongly urging Federated Farmers around New Zealand to get in behind their Waikato branch which has called for a debate on a moratorium for further dairy conversions. Forest & Bird’s Group Manager Campaigns and Advocacy, Kevin Hackwell, says it’s a milestone in conservation when a national farming body takes the initiative in actively managing pollution in our waterways by considering a halt to further intensification of dairying on an already stressed resource. Forest & Bird and Federated Farmers are both members of the Land and Water Forum (a group of more than 60 organisations and stakeholders) which first came together in 2009 to find an agreed way forward to manage water in New Zealand. The Land and Water Forum has recommended potential reform of New Zealand’s fresh water management, and one of the suggestions put forward by the forum was the use of moratoria on further land development in areas where the nutrient limit in waterways is approaching or “has already exceeded” set limits. “The stance taken by Waikato Federated farmers is sensible – all they’re asking is for some headroom to get the pollution limits down below the maximum limit before any more dairy conversions are allowed. They’re asking for a pause, to give the river and land time to catch its breath and recover.” Kevin Hackwell says what’s happening now in Waikato is symptomatic of what’s going on around the rest of the country – we’re about to exceed, or have already exceeded the limits for nitrogen in many of our rivers. Kevin Hackwell says Waikato is following the same path as regions such as Canterbury – an area which is under enormous pressure from irrigation for intensive dairying – and where there are disputes and disagreements over water quality and quantity issues. “New […]

NZ primary industry firms open Chinese marketing office

A group of New Zealand primary sector firms has opened a joint marketing office in Shanghai, completing a three year gestation to make life easier in breaking into the world’s second biggest economy. Primary Collaboration New Zealand officially opened its office in one of China’s major cities yesterday in what chairman Andy Borland hopes will give local firms a foothold in what’s seen as a complex market. “We’re looking for ‘how can we get closer to the customer’?” Borland told BusinessDesk. “We all suffer from a lack of connectivity.” The initiative was born out of a ‘boot camp’ at Stanford University three years ago where primary sector chief executives, New Zealand Trade & Enterprise boss Peter Chrisp, and former Agriculture Minister David Carter tried to find ways to come up with ways to double the sector’s exports. PCNZ’s members include fishing group Sealord, meat processor Silver Fern Farms, dairy firm Synlait Milk, vintner Villa Maria Estate, seafood company Kono and horticulture collaboration Pacific Pace. Borland said the entity will operate as a shared point of contact for distributors and provide research on the ground in China, reducing the cost pressures required by having an office on the ground. In the past when there’s been an issue in China, the member firms have had to rely on government agencies dealing with their distributors to let them know of their situation. “We’re now going to have people on the ground,” Borland said. The structure will allow new members to join the collaboration, but also let the founding partners exit if they choose to, Borland said. Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce oversaw the opening ceremony, describing the initiative as a “testament to New Zealand companies’ ability to think laterally to meet the size and scale of opportunity to do business in China.” New […]

Young Vegetable Growers compete to be New Zealand’s best

New Zealand’s best young vegetable growers will be pushing their barrow to be crowned the winner of the annual New Zealand Young Vegetable Grower Competition. Competitors will battle it out on Thursday 16 April in a series of theoretical and practical challenges, with the champion progressing to compete for the national Young Grower of the Year title, hosted by Horticulture New Zealand, on 12-13 August in Christchurch. “The NZ Young Vegetable Grower competition showcases and celebrates our industry’s top young talent each year. It’s exciting to see our young industry leaders in action, putting their knowledge and skills to the test,” said Kiran Hari, co-ordinator of the 2015 competition. “Each year our contestants continue to lift the standard and we expect that this year will be no different.” The competition puts contestants through a range of key tests with various challenges from finance and marketing exercises to agri-chemical knowledge and fertilisers and soils. The tests are designed around the fundamental skills needed to running a successful vegetable growing business. The five competitors come from around New Zealand: • Auckland: Herman Fourie (29), Turners and Growers Ltd; Lance Pratt (29), A S Wilcox & Sons; Hamish Gates (24), A S Wilcox & Sons • Tuakau: Arjune Dahya (22), Daya Veg Ltd • Canterbury: Michael Anderson (29), Scott Fresh Ltd These contestants are the future of our industry, and the competition provides a good measure of how well we support young up and coming vegetable growers. We wish all competitors the best of luck and look forward to seeing them in action,” said Mr Hari. The NZ Young Vegetable Grower of the Year Competition be held on Thursday 16 April from 9am at the Indian Centre, 57 Ward Street, Pukekohe. Spectators are welcome. Tickets for the evening Speech Contest and Awards dinner […]

IT-based agriculture a boon for farmers

With IT-based agriculture changing the way farming can be done, Lincoln University has developed a new programme to teach people the latest techniques. IT-based farming, known as precision agriculture, involves using technologies such as sensors to carry out soil or crop mapping. This allows farmers to use real-time data to place nutrients, fertilisers and chemicals with much more accuracy than would otherwise be possible. The University has recently begun offering a specialised second-year course in precision agriculture, currently the only course of its kind in the country. “This new IT world is more than just computerising existing farming,” says adjunct professor Dr Armin Werner, who runs the course and also works as the precision agriculture group manager at Lincoln Agritech Limited. “New approaches and tools are available to be used in all agricultural production systems, leading to important changes in the way farms are managed.” Dr Werner says precision agriculture improves profitability and benefits the environment, because water, nutrients and energy can be used exactly where needed and nowhere else, which enhances efficiency and reduces losses. Lincoln University’s precision agriculture course is part of a new Bachelor of Science (majoring in Agritech) programme. Department of Informatics and Enabling Technologies Head Dr Stuart Charters says the programme was established in 2013 to meet the growing demand for skilled staff who understand the demand of precision agriculture technologies. “The programme gives students the knowledge and skills they need to be involved with the next generation of precision agriculture technologies.” Dr Werner says precision agriculture has a bright future in New Zealand, due to the efficiency of our agricultural industry. “Having a high proportion of agricultural jobs in a highly-developed country is a unique combination. There’s a good chance New Zealand could be a forefront developer of new technologies in this area. This […]

Wine industry says increased MPI fees would threaten exports

The Ministry of Primary Industries’ proposal to impose higher costs on the wine industry poses a major threat to the sector and in particular its export business, says Wanaka-based Principal Alistair King from Crowe Horwath. The MPI has said the increased levies are necessary to recover the costs of its regulatory programmes, yet the wine industry already contributes $200 million annually in excise tax. “They are now seeking an additional $2.9 million from the industry to meet MPI regulatory costs,” said Mr King, who is chair of the Central Otago Pinot Noir Charitable Trust and a respected wine industry expert. Mr King said the MPI operated a user-pays regime with regard all agricultural and horticultural sectors. But unlike the other primary sectors, the wine industry uniquely also paid a product-specific excise tax, which had increased massively for the wine industry, he said. MPI was not asking whether it was fair for the industry to pay both the increased excise tax and nearly $3 million in user-pays tax. “Margins for the industry are very tight and further costs will reduce profitability further. The industry needs the government to support growth,” said Mr King. “Under its Business Growth Agenda, the government says it is committed to encouraging economic growth in the regions. Penalising winemakers with an additional cost burden flies in the face of that policy.” Submissions to the proposal closed late last month.

Red Meat Sector welcomes signing of Korea FTA

The recently signed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Korea will be a significant step towards reducing the overall amount of tariffs paid on New Zealand red meat exports, according to the Chairmen of Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) and the Meat Industry Association (MIA). Trade Minister Tim Groser signed this week the New Zealand Korea FTA with his Korean counterpart. “This deal is critical for New Zealand sheep and beef farmers and meat exporters, keeping us competitive in this key market,” said Beef + Lamb New Zealand Chairman James Parsons. The New Zealand sheep and beef sector is worth $8.5 billion, with close to 90% exported, on which we paid $318 million of tariffs in 2013. A significant proportion of those tariffs were paid in Korea ($52m) – where applied tariffs on our beef exports are 40%. Korea is New Zealand’s fourth-largest beef market by volume, taking nearly $125 million of beef exports last year. However, trade volumes have dropped significantly in recent years, partly due to competitors such as the United States, and more recently Australia and Canada, having a tariff advantage through their FTAs with Korea. “These negotiations were tough, and credit must go to our government negotiators and to Trade Minister Groser for the excellent job they did in getting this deal done” said MIA Chairman Bill Falconer. B+LNZ and MIA work together to improve access for sheep and beef products to overseas markets, including by providing in-depth analysis in support of the Government’s FTA negotiation efforts.

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