viewpoint
December 2015
with John Barnes – Managing Director
What stands out for you in 2015?
My VEIWPOINT in December 2014 was about going back to basics.
“Back to basics is the key to survival”
In this article the Federated Farmers Share-milkers section Chairman Neil Filer is reported to have said, “Survive the pay-out drought by going back to farming basics – and if you don’t know how to farm the old fashioned low cost way, ask someone”. He concludes by saying that “Grass is the cheapest feed”.
We have found this to be good advice, and something many of our farmers have taken notice of. We have found that, as business people, farmers can still stay in business even with a poor pay out with the added problem of dry conditions. We have never suggested that fertiliser is reduced to the point of lost production, rather that we take the fertiliser back to the point of minimal leaching. This will allow farmers to survive the double blow they are facing at present. These weather events are not new. I remember my parents facing these a long time ago. We must look at ways to mitigate these events. For me the way forward is found in the NEW AGRICULTURE which is a better way to farm and a low cost way, and by allowing nature to work with us rather than trying to tame nature. Even in our short history we have seen farms cut out of bush but then returned back to nature after farming this land became too hard.
It is possible to farm sustainably using mostly an all grass system with some supplementary inputs and having a stocking rate that is in-keeping with the climate and land that is being cultivated. It will require a change in both thinking and practice for some, but will result in dividends for those who are prepared to make the change.
In a search for efficiencies in tough times all of us must look at the big ticket items. On farms, most of my customers tell me that the biggest item of expenditure is interest and mortgage repayments followed by fertiliser. It makes good business sense to look at the second item which is fertiliser, because mortgages are pretty much out of your control unless you don’t have one. The first thing to consider when looking at fertiliser expenditure is… “Will any change I make result in a loss of production?” The “throw more on, its money in the bank” brigade will holler “YES”. I say “NO”, providing you do it correctly. We regularly save money on fertiliser for our customers who come off what is now regarded as a standard programme. These high cost, high waste programmes should never have been standard practice.
This year has been one of challenges but also one of rewards. The challenges are the ones facing all who work in the farming community. Globally the weather is changing as I have seen first-hand during the year, but this also brings with it some new possibilities. Don’t let the gloom merchants take away the Kiwi flare for ingenuity; we are a “can-do” nation. This is our heritage. There are farmers in the driest parts of New Zealand who are farming successfully, and making a profit; these are the rewards. Others are fearful and resist change. Yes I can understand it isn’t easy but to survive, change must happen. Often change only happens when we are forced to do so. To bring about change, farmers are required to use different methods and models to the mainstream. As I have said earlier we must adopt a new method, what I call the NEW AGRICULTURE -producing better crops and primary produce but using different methods to achieve your desired profits. This new system is achievable and sustainable and will probably be less stressful on both yourself and the land you farm. Give us a call to find out more.
It has been a pleasure working with many farmers this year. We understand that the shift happens first with our thinking, then on the farm. At Fertilizer New Zealand we appreciate this and look forward to working with you for a profitable future.
We want to take this opportunity to wish you a very happy Christmas and a New Year in which we all can look forward in anticipation to a bright future whatever may come our way.