Ashburton Courier: May 12, 2022

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FEATURE 42 Ashburton Courier, May 12, 2022 www.ashburtoncourier.co.nz Dairying In the Heart of Canterbury Feedback for He Waka Eke Noa options DairyNZ and Beef+Lamb NZ (B+LNZ)are taking farmer feedbackonboard and working to improvethe agricultural emissions pricing options, including drivingdown administration costs. Thesector has listened to farmers’ views on the two optionsdeveloped by the Primary Sector Climate Action Partnership, He Waka Eke Noa, as alternativestothe Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). DairyNZ chair Jim van der Poelsaid government had madeitclearifthe sector could not deliver acredible alternative,agriculturewill go straightintothe ETS. ‘‘But that’s not theonly reason we need to act,” he said. “We want to ensure farmers can continue running sustainable businesses while meeting the expectations of our communities and consumers that we'reworkingtoreduce our emissions. It’s alsohugely important the sector and government continue investing –and invest more –inR&D to develop newtechnologies to achievethis.” Thefeedbackfrom DairyNZ and B+LNZ’srecent nationwide roadshow was resoundinglyclear–99percent of farmers did notwant agricultural emissions to be priced through theETS. They want asystemthatis costeffective,fair and will recognise andreward the actions they’re taking to reduce Jim van der Poel Andrew Morrison emissions behind the farmgate, he said. B+LNZchair Andrew Morrisonsaid the focus was on doingeverything to minimise costs to ensure farmers’ businesses remainedviable, profitable and rural communitiescontinuedto thrive. ‘‘We’reworkingtomake sure what’s eventually introduced is practical andsensible, and works on the ground for farmers,” he said. TheHeWaka Eke Noa partnershipincludesB+LNZ, DairyNZ, Dairy Companies AssociationofNZ, Federated Farmers, Foundation for ArableResearch, HorticultureNZ, IrrigationNZ, Federation of Māori Authorities, Deer Industry New Zealand, Meat Industry Association and Apiculture New Zealand. Unlike theETS,the He WakaEke Noa options recognise andreward farmers’onfarmactions, reduce emissionsand will invest moreinR&D. Farmerswant transparency over where themoney is going, and proof of an effective planto deliver technology to farmers. “Farmers have expresseda strongpreference forthe farmlevel levy option,sothey are recognisedand incentivised for onfarmactions. They want control over their farm emissionsand farm management,” Mr van derPoel said. Eightsix percent of feedback supportedfarmlevel pricing as the final outcomeofHeWaka EkeNoa. Farmershad different opinionsonwhat pathway should be taken to reach farmlevel pricing. Fortyseven percent want to move straight to farmlevel pricing in 2025, followed by 40 percent supporting atransition to farmlevel pricingfrom processorlevel. Farmersare clearlysaying moneyraised through any levy needs to be reinvested in the sector and distributedinafair and transparentway. Farmers also support the recognition of awider range of onfarm vegetationnot eligible in the NZ ETS. Many farmers told us during theconsultation they don’t like theproposed 2008 sequestration baseline andwanttosee soil carbon included once the scienceis robust. “Farmers want the sector to have aseat at the table when levy prices areset and price setting should be sciencebased, notinfluenced by politics. Thepricingsetting criteria needs to be transparent with industrybodies involved,” Mr Morrison said. Mr van derPoel said farmers deserved afar betterdeal than theETS. In theconsultation, there was strong support for split gas pricing andthe use of bettermetrics for setting methane reduction targets. AVAILABLE NOW...BALE FEEDER Heavy duty2.4m x1.4m with 1.6mm steel sheet base. Competitiveprice –depending on quantity We canrepair and service: •Feed out wagons •Augers •Dairyyards •Palm kernel bins and more BOOKYOUR WINTER SERVICE NOW – don’t leaveittoo late! 2481707 2480562 Phone 308 5903 weekdays l Email: admin@agserve.nz On call 7days:Doug: 027 282 2245, Matt (Tomo): 021 518 538 15 Malcolm McDowell Drive, Ashburton
www.ashburtoncourier.co.nz FEATURE Ashburton Courier, May 12, 2022 43 Dairying In the Heart of Canterbury Offloading cull cows can be astruggle Dairy farmers have more sleepless nights ahead of them as freezing works struggle to make room for their cull cows. This is the time for empty cows and others lagging behind in the milk sheds togooff to the works, but short rosters from Covid19 on top of earlier labour shortages mean space is tight. They still have the optionofselling them to sheepand beef farmersbut at a reduced price as more of themgoonthe market. It’s aconcern on top of rising costs for fuel, staffing, and fertiliser and increased interest rates which are taking theedgeoff of Fonterra’s record milk price forecastatamidrange point of $9.60 per kilogram of milk solids. Federated FarmersSouth Canterbury Dairy chairman Ads Hendrikssaid offloading cull cowswas going to be challenging for most farmers because of staffingissues at meat companies. He said atough decision wasahead of them whether to keep milking empty cows through winterwhile therewas still plenty of feed around or dry them off and try to sell them. ‘‘Currently your cull cowsare only Ads Hendriks getting $1 to $1.20 akilogram if you try to get rid of them somewhere else for people who have grazingasyou aren’t going to get them to the works. ‘‘That’s quite adifference from afew weeks agowhenwewere getting $1.30$1.60/kg and probablyeven higher.’’ Theinflux of cull cowsonthe market as dairy farmers winddown for the seasoniscoincidingwith the meat companybottleneck. Mr Hendriks said he had sold 50 empties earlierthismonth andwould keepanother 60 of themfor as long as he could until amarketwas found. ‘‘What’s more important—having grass next seasonfor freshlycalved cowsand hopefully the payout is good or carrythe empties? Ialways say Iam adairy farmer, not ameat farmer, so although it’s anice bonusatthe end of the day Ihave to protect the cows for nextseasonand we need the cows and feedfor that.’’ Largerdairycompanies will have contracts withmeat works obliged to takethem. Mr Hendriks saidthere was apparently alot of cull cows in grazing blocksbecause there’s not enough spaceatthe meatworks and that’s building up abacklog —atsome cost. Thatwas unlikelytohelp with any lift in the price which wouldhopefully continuetohold as it had the past few weeks at $1$1.20/kg,hesaid. He said$1.10/kg was agood price for South Canterbury drylandsheepand beef farmers whohad plentyoffeed as aresult of heavyrainfall. ‘‘Considering how buoyant the meat industry is, that’s not alot of money.’’ He saidmost animals were selling for$500 to $600which was on the cheap side, but ‘‘better thannothing’’. Dairyfarmers welcomed the high payout, but this headachehad arrived with manyextra costs andthey had their own staffingissuestodealwith, he said. Mr Hendriks saidthe concern ahead was the availability of works space when cows were calving again. ‘‘Hopefully the freezing works will be back operating after the winter because then we have the bobby calves.’’ He said Fonterra was insisting next seasonthat euthanisinganimals was not a‘‘done thing’’ and farmers had to find amarket forthem, butthat would be difficult if the freezingworks couldn’t takethem. ~Central RuralLife Foot and mouth watch Biosecurity New Zealand is closelymonitoring reports of aFoot and Mouth disease (FMD) outbreak in Indonesia, says Biosecurity New Zealand deputy directorgeneral Stuart Anderson. It was yet to be formally reported to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) but New Zealand officials were keeping an eye on developments. ‘‘New Zealand has some of the world's toughest biosecurity measures for FMD and although the risk is low, we have notified our primary sectorpartners. ‘‘Our multilayered biosecurity system includes risk assessment, visual inspections, Xray screening, scanning technology, and detector dogs to prevent risk goods from being carried into New Zealand by travellers or arriving by mail. ‘‘All shipping containers and imported goods are assessedfor biosecurity risk,’’ he said. Biosecurity New Zealandwas working to acquire more information from Indonesia and would also talk to its Australian counterparts, Mr Anderson said. ‘‘We are planning to offer our experts to providetechnicalassistance onthegroundto Indonesia as well as seekfurther assurances.’’ The suspected outbreak is atimely reminder for our farmers to have strong biosecurity measures in place,MrAnderson said. ‘‘Farmersshould not feed untreated meat products to animals, especially pigs,and they should be keeping overseasvisitors awayfrom stock for aweek after their last contact with animals overseas. It is essential that farmers continueusing the nationalanimal tracing system and having strong biosecurity plans on farm. ‘‘Anyone concernedabout their animals’ health,especially symptoms including high fever, mouth andfeet blisters or erosions and lameness shouldcall your veterinarianor MPI's exoticpestand disease hotline (0800 80 99 66).’’ ThreeRivers Bale Feeders • Holds round or squarebales • Strong yetflexible. • Lightweight 35kg –staff and stock friendly • Easily movedbyhand –notractor needed • Will notrust and UV stable • Insulatedfor hotwirerollover • Optional adjustable ring – stop stock jumping in • New Zealand made • Custom built options available Alistair 027 487 6711 www.balefeeder.weebly.com l sherwoodhays@gmail.com 2480374 Cows crossing? We can help! Traffic Management Plans Sign &Cone Hire Full Stop/Go service 2481786
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Ashburton Courier: May 12, 2022

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