Question for New Zealand Farmers (Silver Fern Farms)?

[Kiwi Pete]

'twas wondering if you NZ guys could produce a small pamphlet on " How things are done in NZ ", which would save thousands of young farmers from Blighty travelling all the way to NZ to " See how things are done in NZ ". It would save a fortune, and cut global warming.

Many thanks.

I can do it in a few sentences:

Largely the same

Without so many hungry hippos in the middle getting fat

Without the belief we must feed our country

Generally, with lots less kit/investment

Being honest, I can just about equate each and every TFF member with a local equivalent - you, would be in the majority, with your "shoestringism", but most types of operator can survive at the moment because farmgate prices are reaonable.

If you want to hear loud squealing, wait til the dairy payout drops and "the top operators" are running at a 6 digit loss (they need more grease points) but really it's very similar, generally with less dependency on inputs to produce output

 

[Bury the Trash]

the 'Cairns Group' @Kiwi Pete is that anygood?

 

[Kiwi Pete]

the 'Cairns Group' @Kiwi Pete is that anygood?

Absolutely crucial to global trading success, in my opinion - "no man is an island" so to speak.
It's definitely been beneficial to all members to date - gives smaller countries a voice when it comes to breaking down trade barriers and stupid protectionism

 

[FonterraFarmer]

'twas wondering if you NZ guys could produce a small pamphlet on " How things are done in NZ ", which would save thousands of young farmers from Blighty travelling all the way to NZ to " See how things are done in NZ ". It would save a fortune, and cut global warming.

Many thanks.

Will do ,I'll drop it off on the way past......

 

[Global ovine]

'twas wondering if you NZ guys could produce a small pamphlet on " How things are done in NZ ", which would save thousands of young farmers from Blighty travelling all the way to NZ to " See how things are done in NZ ". It would save a fortune, and cut global warming.

Many thanks.

Hang on a minute mate, tourism is now our largest industry by value, we need your money to pay for all the infrastructure we have had to build to accommodate all you lot. So just come on over.

My immediate thought to your suggestion is their has been a flood of Kiwis talking about our systems and how/what we had to change etc. when put under the pump. I know much of this stuff has been widely reported. Guys such as Trevor Cook and myself have been regular speakers for many years along with one offs such as Doug Avery and Andre van Barneveld (now in Ireland), not to mention addresses from officials from Beef and Lamb NZ.

If you want a booklet about maximising profits at minimum cost titled "The Post Brexit Survival Guide", get in touch with Robyn Hulme @easyram1 who is sitting on these for my next round of talks in Wales and Scotland this June. These are short versions of my talks given over the last decade about rotational grazing management, breeding for low management cost sheep etc. as well as chapters about soil fertility related to animal and plant heath by a former head of soil science in AgResearch, Dr. Rex Dolby.

Then come out and see for yourself.

 

[unlacedgecko]

Hang on a minute mate, tourism is now our largest industry by value, we need your money to pay for all the infrastructure we have had to build to accommodate all you lot. So just come on over.

My immediate thought to your suggestion is their has been a flood of Kiwis talking about our systems and how/what we had to change etc. when put under the pump. I know much of this stuff has been widely reported. Guys such as Trevor Cook and myself have been regular speakers for many years along with one offs such as Doug Avery and Andre van Barneveld (now in Ireland), not to mention addresses from officials from Beef and Lamb NZ.

If you want a booklet about maximising profits at minimum cost titled "The Post Brexit Survival Guide", get in touch with Robyn Hulme @easyram1 who is sitting on these for my next round of talks in Wales and Scotland this June. These are short versions of my talks given over the last decade about rotational grazing management, breeding for low management cost sheep etc. as well as chapters about soil fertility related to animal and plant heath by a former head of soil science in AgResearch, Dr. Rex Dolby.

Then come out and see for yourself.

Where can I find dates for this tour please?

I saw Andre speak at the SOPA LILIS conference 18. Best thing he talked about was life off farm.

 

[Global ovine]

Where can I find dates for this tour please?

I saw Andre speak at the SOPA LILIS conference 18. Best thing he talked about was life off farm.

A speaking tour arranged by Farming Connect Wales around Wales 10 - 19th June. This may only be to their groups.
Two locations arranged by the Soil Assn. of Scotland, Orkneys 26th and somewhere south of Edinburgh 28th June.
Nothing in the east of England.

 

[Bury the Trash]

..or the Southwest ?

It took a telly program tonight to explain to me how their lamb is sent here 'chilled ' answer is its Vacuum packed which stops it freezing ... even at minus 1.5 ... so its chilled but not frozen and thats how its sold ..will keep like that for 2 or 3 months apparently....
…. well I was interested anyway

 

[Global ovine]

..or the Southwest ?

It took a telly program tonight to explain to me how their lamb is sent here 'chilled ' answer is its Vacuum packed which stops it freezing ... even at minus 1.5 ... so its chilled but not frozen and thats how its sold ..will keep like that for 2 or 3 months apparently....
…. well I was interested anyway

Nor the Southwest. No time available for others. Holidays in the sun while dodging winter takes precedence.

Most NZ lamb to the UK is still frozen primal cuts further processed in the UK by UK companies. Just over 40% of NZ lamb going to Europe in 2018 was chilled ready to use packaged. This is the future. The continental demand is mainly to hotel/restaurant trade as they value NZ lamb in chilled form as the premium product with some markets demanding air freighting, which they are willing to pay for. The UK demand is largely via supermarkets who often use NZ lamb as a loss-leader (sold under cost). Unfortunately the UK market perceives NZ lamb as an inferior product due to regular retail price reduction. The chilled to frozen ratio is gaining year on year, but perceptions are hard to change and the UK has represented 24% of NZ's market over the last 5 years. This steadily falling due to better paying markets elsewhere, supply shrinking and demand for lamb falling in the UK.

 

[Yale]

Here’s an example of NZ lamb as a loss leader,used to draw in Easter customers.

Maybe I should fill the freezer as by the time I’ve paid to have my own lambs butchered it would cost more........and it’s a premium product.

 

[kiwi pom]

You forgot Tatua!!!

Yep, they do very well I believe, all though they do have the advantage of not having to take new suppliers if they don't want them, a bit of a closed shop.
Think there's a few more up your way too?

 

[kiwi pom]

'twas wondering if you NZ guys could produce a small pamphlet on " How things are done in NZ ", which would save thousands of young farmers from Blighty travelling all the way to NZ to " See how things are done in NZ ". It would save a fortune, and cut global warming.

Many thanks.

Doesn't really matter how they do things here, there's too many factors out of your control in the UK. Too many people for a start, all sticking their noses in and a government that would rather import food and have a nice national park, for everyone to ramble over
I was reminded of that today traveling on SH73 a major east-west route here in the south island. We came across a woman with a big red flag, slowing traffic, as there was a large mob of sheep heading towards us.
We drove several k's with sheep on the sides of the road and a big queue of traffic, before finding the stragglers and another farmer with a ute and trailer following behind.

Now would someone have a go at that on the M62 today and let me know how ya get on


Oh that and we get more blue sky too

 

[Kiwi Pete]

Doesn't really matter how they do things here, there's too many factors out of your control in the UK. Too many people for a start, all sticking their noses in and a government that would rather import food and have a nice national park, for everyone to ramble over
I was reminded of that today traveling on SH73 a major east-west route here in the south island. We came across a woman with a big red flag, slowing traffic, as there was a large mob of sheep heading towards us.
We drove several k's with sheep on the sides of the road and a big queue of traffic, before finding the stragglers and another farmer with a ute and trailer following behind.
View attachment 788664

View attachment 788666
Now would someone have a go at that on the M62 today and let me know how ya get on


Oh that and we get more blue sky too

Send that blue sky down, if you don't mind... didn't clear here till 11am and was overcast again by 12.30

Flicked a bit of ammo on the dairy farm up the valley today.

 

[Bury the Trash]

Here’s an example of NZ lamb as a loss leader,used to draw in Easter customers.

Maybe I should fill the freezer as by the time I’ve paid to have my own lambs butchered it would cost more........and it’s a premium product.

Same as when used milk as a loss leader ? poor show to use food and its primary producer in such a way .

 

[FonterraFarmer]

Yep, they do very well I believe, all though they do have the advantage of not having to take new suppliers if they don't want them, a bit of a closed shop.
Think there's a few more up your way too?

No , think Tatua is the only one that limits their suppliers.Think there are some farms that supply both Tatua and Fonterra from the same cowshed.

 

[FonterraFarmer]

Doesn't really matter how they do things here, there's too many factors out of your control in the UK. Too many people for a start, all sticking their noses in and a government that would rather import food and have a nice national park, for everyone to ramble over
I was reminded of that today traveling on SH73 a major east-west route here in the south island. We came across a woman with a big red flag, slowing traffic, as there was a large mob of sheep heading towards us.
We drove several k's with sheep on the sides of the road and a big queue of traffic, before finding the stragglers and another farmer with a ute and trailer following behind.
View attachment 788664

View attachment 788666
Now would someone have a go at that on the M62 today and let me know how ya get on


Oh that and we get more blue sky too

The quickest way through a herd of sheep is to stop completely and let them go past, only feckwits try to drive through.

 

[FonterraFarmer]

Here’s an example of NZ lamb as a loss leader,used to draw in Easter customers.

Maybe I should fill the freezer as by the time I’ve paid to have my own lambs butchered it would cost more........and it’s a premium product.

And no bottle of Central Otago red to go with it!!!










Damn, I do know how much it cost to get a premium bottle of Pinot to the UK or Ireland!!!

 

[ollie989898]

Slightly of topic, but was surprised to hear from my sister, who has recently visited,N Z North Island, that food was much more expensive , than the uk. My nephew who is over here from Australia also told me that food was a lot more expensive in Aus than here, and that only two supermarkets dominated Australia,

Some foods will be more expensive- anything not indigenously produced has to be imported, there is no channel tunnel or railway across the water to Australia or Europe.

 

[ollie989898]

50% Chinese owned though. How long before its 100%?
I believe Westland dairy company, another old co op is about to be sold to the Chinese?
UK farmers have a big problem with supermarkets squeezing prices. I believe in a few years NZ farmers are going to be squeezed hard , not by supermarkets but by the fact most of the processing is owned by China.
The general public seem to be massively against Fonterra and I think the current governments not far behind. If it goes too, I can see a lot of threads on here by Kiwi's asking, "what do you do when your buyer has you by the balls?"

What odds does it make who owns it? Lots of the UK associated trade and buyers are owned by huge national or multinational companies or subsidiaries thereof. All likely to be as merciless as a company or organisation in China.

 

[Bury the Trash]

Some foods will be more expensive- anything not indigenously produced has to be imported, there is no channel tunnel or railway across the water to Australia or Europe.

kiwi fruit will be cheap....