Helping grow
the country

Jamie Mackay and PGG Wrightson's GM for wool Grant Edwards take a look at this month's wool market, which can be described as lagging.

The growth from the cross-breed wool market in September has not kept is momentum, and uncertainty around pricing as exports to China are on the rise despite trade sanctions.

Mackay touches on the presence of live auctions as they were present at the Hawkes Bay A&P show and yield an overall 2.5 million dollar wool turn over.

The innovation of live auctions will be present again at the Canterbury A&P Show, and the sale of fine wool has the potential to produce up to 2.5 million an hour.

In comparison, market auction results are mirroring the disappointing turnaround from last season. Mackay asks if there is still the expectation of the anticipated December-January low when the bulk of the wool will hit the market.

Edwards replies that the flow of wool into the market appears to be evening out with pre-lambing seasons, longer shearing periods, and the consistent demands of the market.

On a more positive note, Edwards elaborates on the potential for new retail relationships as there are discussions with Abraham Moon – The Luxury Fabric Maker as a potential Wool buyer.

In addition, initiatives from New Zealand's youth have seen wool based projects and exhibitions in the public sphere.

Pasture and crop silages are an incredible source of dry matter and nutrients for livestock when they need it most, but not all silage is created equally. The amount of dry matter, nutrients and feed energy lost in the silage stack is largely determined by the speed and quality of fermentation, which in addition to several other factors, is influenced by the type and number of fermentation
bacteria present.

Minimising nutrient loss in the silage stack can be well-managed by using a quality inoculant such as Pioneer®brand inoculants. Pioneer inoculants are applied to the crop or pasture at harvest time and provide optimal strains of lactic acid-producing bacteria in ideal numbers to efficiently ferment the pasture or crop.Once a silage stack has been sealed, anaerobic bacteria multiply and convert sugars to acid which preserves the silage. For the best silage, high levels of lactic acid producing bacteria is important. Quality silage inoculants contain strains of the most efficient lactic acid producing bacteria in guaranteed numbers.

This results in:

• Greater dry matter retention: less shrinkage, spoilage and run-off.
• Improved silage digestibility and palatability: higher feed energy levels.
• Increased animal performance: more milk or meat per tonne of silage fed.
  
  Pioneer offers three tested and roven product options that can help improve silage quality: 

• Pioneer brand 1127: (pasture specific inoculant) Improves the feed value andconsequently the milk and/or meat production of pasture silage.
• Pioneer brand 1174: Suitable for all types of silage including pasture, cereal and lucerne silage.
• Pioneer 11H50: (lucerne specific inoculant)

Produces top-quality lucerne silage for high-producing livestock operations. Independently reviewed New Zealand research showed Pioneer brand inoculants improved fermentation speed and qualityand that Pioneer brand 1174 was shown to have a greater rate of pH decline¹. Faster fermentation speed and quality means fewer dry matter, nutrient and feed energy losses. This can translate to increased milk or meat production from every tonne of forage ensiled. For everydollar spent on Pioneer 1127 inoculant, dairy farmers can expect a milksolids return of $4.75².

Ask your PGG Wrightson Technical Field Representative about which inoculant is most suitable for your farm system to get the most out of your silage this spring.

SUPPLIED BY PIONEER BRAND PRODUCTS

¹Kleinmans et al, 2011. Using silage inoculants to improve quality of pasture and maize in New Zealand. Proceedings of New Zealand Grasslands Association 73:75-80.

²Return on investment is calculated using a typical 1127 cost and a milksolids payout of $7.00 per kgMS. Dry matter recovery data used in this calculation is based on 16 pasture silage trials conducted at independent European research stations and submitted to the official German silage additive approval scheme (Vaitikunas W. 1992. University Gotteingen, Germany;Yan and Patterson. 1995. Agricultural  Research Institute of Northern Ireland). Milk production per tonne of pasture silage fed is based on three independent dairy cow feeding trials. 

Spring is now with us and as we round off the yearling sales season across the country sheep are achieving exceptional prices in the North. Catch up on all the commentary below.

North Island

As we hit September a weather front hit the North Island and lingered over the East Coast and inland to the Central Plateau. This storm has been devastating for farmers in these areas. 

Although it was a quieter month since we saw exceptional sheep values achieved through the yards, streets ahead of the values achieved at the works. 

Yearling and service bull sales are in full swing with most achieving good clearances and sale price averages exceeding expectations to date.

Most of the North Island has had its fair share of moisture now, and with the days getting longer and the sun out again we should see feed conditions moving again.  At a time when the demand for stock will escalate it may be hard to source.

South Island

October has started with a rush, as dairy bull sales have begun, spring cattle sales throughout the South Island and the last of the last years lambs making their way to the works.

Spring conditions have been ideal, other than the odd cold southerly snap which come with territory in spring. In most of the areas there has been good growth conditions, ideal for shutting up paddocks for supplementary feed and putting condition on stock.

As most districts are well through their lambing’s, coupled with favourable weather, the lamb survival rate has been good. Indications Lamb and Sheep pricing look to remain strong for the coming season.

Dairy

Spring sales activity in dairy has been increasingly influenced by farmers placing a premium on traceability.

Service bull sales are proceeding well, with farmers becoming increasingly committed to securing bulls that are fully traceable. A single origin is preferable, and if not, the least number of movements possible is what the market seeks. That goes for all sales, whether yearling Jersey bulls to two-year-old beef bulls. In fact, for all stock purchases now, including heifers sold prior to mating, farmers are asking the same questions, with the traceability aspect being a non-negotiable.

There is a new “normal”, with the market realising that industry good recommendations are sound advice, and responding accordingly.

Genetics

Yearling bull sales are coming to a conclusion in the North Island and starting in the South Island. Bull prices and sale clearances so far have been strong due to strong demand to source Bulls from reputable breeders and continued strong two year old sales.

As Christmas approaches it’s the time of year to start thinking about ram selection for next season. With the outlook for the lamb schedule looking positive, there is no better time to get in contact with your local livestock rep or genetics specialist for advice when purchasing rams whether your focus is growth rate, fertility or yield to maximise your bottom line.

With the wide variety of rams available at auction or on farm we have got you covered.

PGG Wrightson Real Estate's GM told The Country's Jamie Mackay, "What is encouraging is that volume is up on last year and there is a "strong feeling," that there will be "a lot of activity pushing through to Christmas."  Farm sales volume have dropped, which is a surprise to Peter Newbold, who thought there would be early spring sales.

Mackay also asks about this week's Property of the Week which is a dairy farm in Oxford. Newbold says the fully irrigated dairy unit is "a great one for Canterbury." Peter also gives his monthly report on rural properties including sheep and beef, dairy and horticulture.