Early Bird I Tuesday May 21st 2024

Global credit rating agency backs Fonterra's consumer business plans, the Government confirms no live exports unless gold standards are met, and Deer industry legend set to retire after 50 year career. Welcome to Proud Country's Early Bird - The top things you need to know that impact rural New Zealand delivered to you by 5am, because who doesn’t need better chat beyond the weather! 1. Global credit rating agency backs Fonterra's consumer business plans S&P Global Ratings has stated that Fonterra's plan to sell its consumer business will enable the cooperative to unlock capital for organic growth.  Fonterra recently announced that it is considering full or partial divestment of its global consumer business, which includes notable brands such as Anchor, as well as its integrated operations in Fonterra Oceania and Fonterra Sri Lanka. Peter McBride, Fonterra's Chairman, described the move as significant for the cooperative, aiming to enhance long-term value for farmer shareholders and unit holders.  S&P also noted that Fonterra is likely to use part of the proceeds from any divestment to reduce debt, ensuring the cooperative's financial stability.  Despite potential changes, Fonterra remains committed to maintaining its 'A-' rating and will take necessary measures to ensure rating stability. 2. The Government confirms no live exports unless gold standards are met The coalition government is currently working on reinstating live animal exports, promising purpose-built ships and a stringent certification regime for importers. Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says that officials would implement a gold standard to ensure animal welfare and that work around those standards is underway and if the high standards cannot be met, no animals will be exported, ensuring both reputational and animal welfare considerations are addressed. The government plans to scrutinise countries to ensure proper animal care and will collaborate with animal welfare groups to establish the gold standards. McClay also emphasised that if these standards cannot be met, no animals would be exported. Live animal exports by sea and air earned $470 million in 2023. Due to the ban last year, this figure is expected to drop to $160 million this year.  Recently, Australia announced a ban on live sheep exports by sea for slaughter starting May 2028, while the UK plans to ban the export of farmed animals by sea, both still allowing exports for breeding and milking purposes. 3. South American’s set for Fieldays education A strong South American presence at this year’s Fieldays event shows the increasing interest from the continent in New Zealand’s sustainable and traceable farming practices.  Stephen Blair, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise’s (NZTE) newly appointed regional manager for South America, says there is significant interest from Uruguay and Chile.  Agriculture is one of NZTE's three focal areas in South America, along with manufacturing and technology, with agritech integrating all three sectors.  Stephen Blair says NZTE has hands-on involvement with over 30 New Zealand agritech companies and assists others to enter the market. Companies like Waikato Milking Systems, FIL, and Gallagher have established strong reputations in South America, particularly in Chile, where they have played key roles in converting farmers to pasture-based systems. The South American interest in Fieldays is likely to be strong in technologies such as Gallagher’s eShepherd collar system, which allows for remotely controlled free-range grazing.  Brazil is the world's largest meat exporter and presents a significant opportunity for New Zealand to contribute to making Brazilian agriculture smarter and more sustainable, leveraging New Zealand’s expertise in waste reduction, water use, and livestock monitoring and wellbeing. 4. Working dogs and their owners head to Taranaki for national champs Hundreds of sheepdogs and their handlers are set to gather in Taranaki for a prestigious national event at the end of the month.  The Taranaki Sheep Dog Centre will host the North Island and New Zealand Sheep Dog Trial Championships starting May 27th at Mangamingi.  The championships will feature 1002 runs across four categories. The top seven dogs from each North Island championship event will advance to the New Zealand championships, competing in a second run at the end of the week. The championship courses, which were significantly damaged by a storm in December 2022, have been rebuilt over the past year with funding from the Rural Support Trust. Each championship category will be judged by different experts. Scott Hunter from North Otago will judge the long head category, Northland’s Mike Moody will judge the short head and yards category, Rick Orr from Canterbury will judge the zig-zag huntaway category, and Hawke’s Bay’s Clark Chrystal will judge the straight huntaway category. The events will be held on the Bielski and Menzie farms, utilising around 4000 sheep provided by the Menzie, Bielski, and Duffy farms. Participants from 128 sheepdog trial clubs will compete in the event. 5. Deer industry legend set to retire after 50 year career. Deer industry stalwart Ron Schroeder is retiring after a remarkable 50-year career that began as a sheep and beef livestock agent in Marlborough.  Schroeder spent the past four decades as PGG Wrightson Livestock’s upper South Island deer specialist and has been instrumental in connecting buyers and sellers, facilitating countless deer transactions across New Zealand and internationally. His first encounter with deer came in the 1970’s on a Southland property, which led him to buy and sell his first deer in 1978, just as helicopter operators were starting to capture live feral deer to stock farms. Schroeder saw a future in venison and velvet, with the industry’s growth hinging on genetic development. And over 5 years made 21 trips overseas to import new bloodlines, significantly enhancing New Zealand’s deer genetics. In recognition of his contributions, Schroeder received the New Zealand Deer Industry Award in 2022, and has been a dedicated agent, an avid deer farmer, hunter, and mentor to the next generation of deer farmers. Schroeder plans to spend more time fishing and working on his Cheviot lifestyle block, where he and his wife Jacqui have lived since 2014 when he retires in June.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.