September 26, 2024 • 34 mins
Jamie Mackay talks to Ben Tomsett, Jason Herrick, Duncan Humm, Craig Hickman, Hika Elliot, Chris Brandolino, and Mark Wynne.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Catch you all the latest from the land. It's the
Country Podcast with Jamie McKay. Thanks to Brent, You're specialist
in John Deere construction equipment.
Speaker 2 (00:15):
That's good cabas Ka, New Zealand.
Speaker 3 (00:29):
This is the Country. It's brought to you by Brandt.
I'm Jamie McKay. It feels a bit like that, doesn't
it wake me up? When September ends weatherwise for a
lot of people in a tough day to day in
South Canterbury. We will go there right now because the
Alliance Group has just announced a proposal to close it's
Smithfield Meat Processing plant and Timaru South Canterbury the proposal
(00:53):
is confirmed or if the proposal is confirmed, sheep meat,
calves and night shift venison processing would cease at the
Smithfield plant. Alliance would continue venice and processing until at
the plant until no later than the end of December,
by which time the company expects to have alternative arrangements
(01:13):
in place for deer. Approximately six hundred staff are affected
by the proposal for the Smithfield plant, which has been
owned by the Alliance Group since nineteen eighty nine. Am
Man on the spot Farmer's son well from a farming background,
should I say in West Otago. He's in South Canterbury today,
(01:34):
Ben Thomson been. What was the mood of the workers
there this morning? My understanding is the meeting was pretty
short and sharp.
Speaker 4 (01:42):
Yeah, that's exactly it.
Speaker 5 (01:44):
This morning.
Speaker 4 (01:44):
Before the meeting, there's a bit of confusion, like a
lot of guys only heard about I heard about this
meeting yesterday, so they were called and they were obviously rumors.
So the feeling wasn't good. Post meeting. There was obviously
a lot of tears, a lot of hugs, a lot
of people say I'm now off to the pub, that
sort of thing.
Speaker 3 (02:05):
Is there going to be any consultation or I'm assuming,
I mean you've got to go through perhaps a consultation process.
But I'm assuming, and I haven't fully read the press release.
It's just landed in my hands, Ben, but this will
be a done deal, unfortunately.
Speaker 4 (02:20):
It seems that way. There are a couple more meetings
to get to a bit of a process to go
through as well. The union is going to be looking
after the employees through all of that. But it's looking grim.
Speaker 3 (02:35):
Yeah. So I'm just reading from this press release which
has literally landed in my hands. The one hundred and
thirty nine year old Smithfield plant is the company's oldest
site and requires significant investment in repairs and maintenance to
keep it operational. It's also facing encroachment from retail development.
So yeah, a very tough time. Six hundred jobs is
(02:59):
what we're hearing.
Speaker 4 (02:59):
Ben, Yeah, six hundred and sixty around that. It's a
huge element to Maurui. It employees sizeable chunk of the
population here. I was speaking of the mayor Nigel Bowen earlier.
You know his father was a meat plane employee and
it's just a big blow to the community.
Speaker 3 (03:21):
Yeah. One of my work colleagues here in Duned and
Craig coming of course former black Cap cut his teeth
at Smithfield is a holiday job I think when he
was making as well as a cricketer, and I think
his dad worked there as well. So it's a very
sad day for the South Canterbury community. Ben Thompson, thank
you very much for your time. Appreciate it at very
(03:41):
short notice.
Speaker 6 (03:43):
Thanks Jamie, appreciate it going on.
Speaker 3 (03:44):
You doing a good job there. So what we're going
to try and do, it's a bit of a moving
feast today. We're trying to get a hold of the
chairman of the Alliance Group, Mark Win a wee bit
later in the hour to update the latest on that one.
But in the me it's not all bad in you.
I shouldn't say it's a bad day for South Canterbury,
but at least their rugby team's going really well. So
(04:06):
we are going to chat to Hiccker Elliott, former All Black,
thirty eight years of age. He's strapping on the boots
this season for South Canterbury. They play the East Coast
tomorrow at Fraser Park. But up next it is Mental
Health Awareness Week here on the country. It's brought to
you by Federated Farmers. They're backing Kiwi Farmers when times
are tough, and this is a moving story. Maybe be
(04:30):
ready for a few tears. Jason Herrick. You may have
seen his podcast or read the story online on Farmstrong.
So he's the president of Federated Farmers at the moment.
We're going to get him to tell his story the
Farmer Panel today, Duncan Hummond, Craig Hickman, Hiccer Elliott. As
I said, Chris Brandolino from NIWA, you wake me up
(04:50):
when September ends. That's what most farmers down south are
telling me they've just had a guts for but the
weather is going to get better. Also, a merger between
NIEWA and the Met Service. And as I say, hopefully
at the end of the hour, Mark Win, the chairman
of the Alliance Group, to up to update the Smithfield
plant closure which was announced today.
Speaker 7 (05:15):
Costem come and beast the innocent.
Speaker 3 (05:33):
We are wrapping mental Health Awareness Week today on the country,
hopefully wanne Yolo Langford, the president of Federated Farmers who
are making all this possible. A week bit later in
the hour, but Jason Herrick to kick off proceedings. Jason, Monday,
December third, twenty eighteen. That was the day you decided
to take your life. Months of heavy rain, the pressure
(05:53):
of excessive regulation, negative sentiment towards farming, and inability to
share your feelings left you at breaking point. You reckon.
It had been building up for quite some time. These days.
You are the president of Federated Farmers down on Southland.
You got very close to ending at all in twenty eighteen.
Tell us your story.
Speaker 8 (06:11):
Yeah, good afternoon, Jamie. Absolutely I was a true so
other man what we class as this other man back
in those times before I before I turned into the
new me. Over many many years, I never dealt with anything.
Things come to a head, things built up, and unfortunately
in twenty eighteen, I didn't see a way out, and
(06:36):
things went bishop for me pretty quick from there. And
it was a tough time, it really was. I didn't
see a way out of that situation. Everything I'd come
to know and love was being ridiculed and destroyed around
us pretty much. And you know, things weren't going well
(06:56):
in any front of my life. So, you know, like
I said, it come to a crunch in. Yeah, I
found myself in a bit of a predicament. And if
it wasn't for you know, the help of somebody, a
member of the community on that day, I possibly wouldn't
be here.
Speaker 3 (07:13):
So yeah, well you got very close to finishing.
Speaker 8 (07:16):
It all, Yes, very close. It was pretty much parked
at the top of a cliff. And and it was
a local police officer that actually taught me, taught me
out of it, and uh and took me away and
become a part of the system. And and you know,
I'm very thankful for that because it really, uh you know,
(07:40):
it allowed me to focus on what was actually real
important to me in my life. So yeah, it was,
like I said, it was a really tough day, and
yeah it was. It's a story that that I needed
to tell.
Speaker 3 (07:55):
I've asked this question of a lot of the people
I've spoken to this week, what was the turning point?
How did you turn it around?
Speaker 8 (08:03):
So for for about six months afterwards, I hid away
from the from the world, Jamie, because you know, I
felt ashamed. I felt, you know, embarrassed, and you know,
you do think people think all of you and when
you when you're in that situation, because I used to
think the same right with people that were suicidal or
took their own life. I thought they were disrespectful and
(08:27):
then you know, for all the people around them. But
when you get into that situation and you and you
live through it, you you see it in a different light.
And the brain is a very powerful tool and when
it when it snaps you, you basically lose all control
consciously really and and you've made a decision. And so
(08:48):
you know, I see them in a different light now,
you know, And it's it is a hard one to
to fathom. I understand that unless you've been involved in that.
But yeah, so like I said, it's been a pretty
hard road in that six months. Nobody come to visit me.
Nobody apart from people really close to me, you know,
(09:09):
everyone pretty much stayed away. And it wasn't until the
activist showed up on my doorstep in twenty nineteen and
made a rackus around went to grazing that really sparked
something within me, Damia, because it brought back all of
those feelings and I wasn't going to stand for the
(09:29):
ridicule anymore towards farmers and around misperception because somebody had
an ideological view towards farming and it was time that
we stood up and did something about it.
Speaker 3 (09:40):
You really have turned your life around in many ways,
not only mentally but physically. I remember running into you
at the Southern Field Days this year. I hardly recognized you.
You're literally half the man you used to be.
Speaker 8 (09:53):
Yeah, So you know, all through that period, you know,
I used to turn to alcoholism and and food is
a coping mechanism for a lot of my problems, and
unfortunately myself get away over a good number of years.
And in twenty twenty it really come to a head
that I needed to do something about my health. Because
(10:15):
you know, I was going in a downwards viral, and
you know, I got to the point, Jamie, where it
was really embarrassing for me, you know, and I'll be
honest and up front that I couldn't wipe my own
butt and that was quite embarrassing for me. So I
decided to do something about it. And during COVID with
during lockdown, you know, the roads were free, there was
no traffic around, so I decided to hit the pavement
(10:36):
with my pushbike and started biking. And I got up
to doing seventy to one hundred ks a day and
lost thirty kilos doing that. But the unfortunate circumstances for
me had already put my body under so much pressure
and stress over the years that I had a heart
turn at the end of that, you know, and I've
had four more since as well, trying to do the
same thing until I found a specialized program that lose
(11:01):
the rest of it. So, you know, seventy one kilos
down now, new man, new life and a new outlook
on life.
Speaker 3 (11:07):
Really well, you're an inspiration. How do you look after
your mental health now? And it's a very apt question
because you're farming in Southland I know your farm or
the area of your farm. Well, you've had an atrocious spring,
no other word for it. Even though you've turned the corner,
you must still have tough days. Every farmer down there
is having tough days.
Speaker 8 (11:29):
Yes, absolutely, So you know, I don't deny that I
do have those tough days. And you still have those
negative thoughts encroaching and you on your psyche every day.
And it has been a really tough spring. It's been
wet right since April in Southland. So yeah, there's a
bit of a struggle. And as days gone by, I
would have not have coped in these conditions if it
(11:50):
wasn't what I know now, and you know my cocree
mechanisms that I have now, Jamie, as I turned to
positivity and I always focus on outcomes and so control
the controllables. And I live the motto these days, if
nothing changes, nothing changes, and so you know, I read books,
I listen to audios. I you know, it's the power
(12:13):
of positive thinking really and just focus on the on
the next job ahead and the next step ahead, and
make sure you focus positively on those outcomes because you know,
the sun will come out, things will dry up and
things will come right very soon. But unfortunately, when you're
in that downwards borrow, you really can't see, you know,
(12:34):
the wood from the trees. So you know, sometimes it
takes something or somebody to point out the simple things
because there is a solution for a lot of a
lot of issues that you will, you know, find if
you find the right guidance.
Speaker 3 (12:48):
Jason Herrick, it's been great chatting today. Thanks for sharing
your story for Mental Health Awareness Week, and thanks to
Federated Farmers who are doing a good job bringing this
to light. Keep up the good work. And yep, tomor Borrow,
it's going to be better in South than see you later.
Speaker 5 (13:03):
Yeah, No, you're welcome, Jamie.
Speaker 8 (13:05):
It's if it just out's one person, that's all I want.
Speaker 3 (13:09):
Thank you, Jason, moving story. He's come out the other
side right, We're going to take a break on the
other side of that. It's today's Farmer Panel in mid Canterbury.
Apparently they're having a pretty good spring. Duncan hum and
Craig Hickman our Farmer Panel Hicker Elliott, South Canterbury. A
bad news day for that region of the closure effectively
(13:29):
of the Alliance Group Smithfield Meat Processing Plant and Tamaro
will hopefully talk to Mark Winn, the chairman of the
Alliance Group before the end of the hour. Chris Brandolino
on the weather from Niwa as well.
Speaker 7 (13:42):
One's up Jambers.
Speaker 1 (13:50):
The Farmer panel with the Kawasaki Mule one thousand side
by sides built for demanding days.
Speaker 7 (13:57):
Neblelesk me up.
Speaker 3 (14:01):
On today's farmer panel. We head to mid Canterbury. Duncan
hum deer farmer also runs the end z Farming Facebook page,
and Craig Dairyman Hickman, obviously a dairy farmer and a
bit of a social media star. Radio lads, let's start
with weather and track conditions in mid Canterbury while it's
(14:22):
a rice paddy in south and you guys are still
looking for some more moisture. Let's start with you Duncan
on your deer farm.
Speaker 9 (14:29):
Yeah, well we're not too bad moist flash rain last
night and coming and going from too wet to bet
on the dry side of the Northwest at the moment.
Speaker 5 (14:40):
But beautiful days.
Speaker 9 (14:41):
He's how much is standing on the top of our
heart at the moment and beautiful game.
Speaker 3 (14:46):
All right, so you're off skiing? Yeah, oh, you're allowed
to all work and no playmates. Dunk and a dull
deer farmer Craig dairyman Hickman, you won't have time for
skiing today because you're right in the in the guts
of it, basically carving, although you must be just about
through it, are you?
Speaker 5 (15:03):
Weeah, we're actually I've just stepped down off the yard
where we're weighing cabs and hopefully weaning a few at
the moment. But we haven't seen spring growth like this
in years. Last two seasons, I've been irrigating in September
and my balance date where grass growth succeeds cow and
take heaven come until the first week of October, where
(15:25):
we hit balance state yesterday, and I'm starting to think
about soiology. As Duncan said, a little bit of rain
last night that might keep my irrogators turned off, because
I see that we are. They're forecasting thirty millimeters next week,
so I'll hold out for another week and see what
comes of that and then make a decision on irrigation then.
(15:45):
But it has been a very very kind spring in Canterbury.
Speaker 3 (15:49):
I'm placed it has been for somebody happy days for
dairy farmers this week and I got told off by
a dairy farmer made of mind for talking it up
too much. But let's be honest. Nine dollars is a
good number. It's not guaranteed, of course, we all know
that things can change. But you think of Craig where
we were this time a year ago or August twenty
twenty three, and six dollars fifty was being mentioned. So
(16:14):
we've come a long way.
Speaker 5 (16:16):
I'll tell you what's even more exciting than a potential
nine dollar payout is the shape of Fonterra is in
after the big reset in twenty eighteen. They've halved their debt,
second highest profit ever, second highest dividend ever paid. It
just goes to show that maybe the management do you
know what they're talking about, and we're on the right track.
(16:38):
It's been a huge turnaround for the co op and
it's great to see that change in direction and that
change in philosophy, concentrating on New Zealand milk. But if
your pardon department is paying dividend.
Speaker 3 (16:52):
Absolutely old Tao the eight million dollar man, he got
it completely wrong, mind you, was one scribe said to me.
This week's success Peter McBride around, and I know Miles
Hurrell's very much front and center as the frontman from
frontira he's doing on the app from the outside and
anyhow a very good job. But Peter McBride working away
quietly as the chairman in the background. Those two are
(17:14):
a good combination.
Speaker 5 (17:16):
Yeah, I was. I was certainly a great fan of
the previous year as well. But a little thing that
people might not realize. Fonterra are doing our revidual, our
left over payment from last season. Normally we have to
wait till the middle of October to get that we're
getting paid. On the second. Our advance has gone up
(17:37):
from I think it was five dollars forty at the
start of the year to seven dollars. So my September
paid October milk is now seven dollars. That's just phenomenal.
The advance is up. Everything is booking rodo much rather
than cash in my bank than Fonterra's.
Speaker 3 (17:51):
Well there you go. Happy days for the dairy farmers,
a Duncan hum deer farmer. Obviously things aren't too tough
if you're at the top of Mount Hut today's skiing.
Speaker 9 (18:00):
Oh well, it's about priorities really. A few deaths close
to home recently so it's aught about prioritizing life. And
the school shred trips today. So my daughter has been
distinting a lesson at the moment and yeah, so nothing
like living in the moment.
Speaker 3 (18:18):
Absolutely, we've been had. We've had mental health Awareness Week.
We're finishing it today on the country Duncan and a
lot of good stuff's been talked this week. And I
know that farmers aren't that good at sharing or opening up,
but we are getting better at.
Speaker 5 (18:33):
It, I think so.
Speaker 9 (18:35):
And yeah, just I'll hap you better myself. But actually
prioritizing things. God this I would have said no in
the past, but yeah, and catch up on work. Tomorrow
is another.
Speaker 3 (18:46):
Day exactly, and the sun will shine tomorrow. Hey, thank
thanks for joining us, guys. I know that you're flat out. Craig,
you get on your next run. Dunk and hum, Craig Hickman,
dunk and harm at today's farmer panel. See you lads.
Speaker 5 (18:58):
Yeah, thanks very much.
Speaker 3 (19:01):
There you go. You've got to prioritize what's important in life.
No time to waste. Jane Ferguson, online editor editor, has
been promoted up the batting order. She's in charge of
rural News. We'll see if she's got an update on
the Smithfield plant closure.
Speaker 1 (19:17):
The Country's world News with Cob Cadet New Zealand's leading
right on lawn Bower brand visit steel for dot co
dot Nz for your locals, Douggist.
Speaker 3 (19:26):
So thanks for coming in and doing this Jane and
Michelle's absence. I know you chucked the Doobie Brothers and
I had to gas them for Green Day when September ends,
because for a lot of us, we just want it
to end. What's the latest from Timaro?
Speaker 10 (19:38):
So it's been a big day for meat workers and
Timaro Alliance Group has announced it's proposing to close at
Smithfield Meat Works in an all staff meeting today. There
had been mounting speculation the company would mothball the plant
this season and move production to it's four other locations
across the South Island. The Timaru plant employs more than
six hundred people at peak season. Mayor Nigel Bowa says
(20:00):
it's a proposal that will deeply hurt his community. He
says they're a town that's been built on the freezing
works and everyone will have a connection to the plant. Meanwhile,
Nathan Guy from the Meat Industry Association says while any
job losses are unfortunate, meat companies are having to adapt
to changing market conditions. He says companies have been through
a lot of change and will continue to go through
(20:21):
change and today's decision is a commercial decision.
Speaker 5 (20:25):
Yep.
Speaker 3 (20:26):
Indeed, there we go. Jane Ferguson with Rural News. Hopefully Markwin,
chairman of the Alliance Group, to wrap the show. But
he's the latest in sport.
Speaker 1 (20:35):
Sport with AFCO Kiwi to the bone since nineteen oh four.
Speaker 3 (20:40):
An emotional farewell interview for Brisbane great Kevy Walters Kevin Walters,
who's fronted media after a sudden exit from the head
coach role at the NRL club. Speculations surrounds who will
succeed Walters now he's been sacrificed after the Broncos went
from Grand finalist twelfth in the space of a year.
(21:02):
And in the President's Cup golf, this was always going
to be a bit one sided, wasn't it? A commanding
five mil lead for the US team over the Internationals
after the opening round of the four balls at Golf's
President President's Cup, which is being played in Montreal up next,
It's been a tough day for South Canterbury, but at
(21:22):
least it's forty teams going well. They will be at
Fraser Park tomorrow and a really interesting inclusion in their
rugby team is Hiker Elliott, former All Black. We're going
to talk Heartland rugby next on the Country.
Speaker 1 (21:41):
Hedland rugby coverage with Agricultural consulting Services delivering the latest
GVS mapping and drone technology. O.
Speaker 3 (21:50):
We love Heartland rugby here on the country. We're going
to the most successful Heartland rugby team in the country
by the length of the straight. I don't think they've
beaten for about four years South Canterbury, and they've enlisted
the services of a thirty or eight year old former
or Black who's actually farming in the region. Hick Elliott.
Welcome to the country. Thanks for your time. How are
(22:11):
you enjoying South Canterbury.
Speaker 11 (22:14):
It's a lovely piece of the country down here in
After spending sort of seven and a half years away
from New Zealand, it was time for me to give
back to my wife and allow her some time down
here while she's been after she's been chasing me around
the world for the last eight years.
Speaker 3 (22:33):
So the family connection is with your wife's family farm.
Speaker 11 (22:38):
Yeah, that's correct, That is correct.
Speaker 3 (22:40):
Now are you getting much time in on the tools
or are you mainly running around playing rugby still for
South Canterbury.
Speaker 11 (22:47):
I'm getting a wee bit a bit of time on
the tools, learning new things about farming life. So I've
really enjoyed the transition out of playing professionally recently returned
from front. The community has been really welcoming and I
think keeping on the rugby boots this year definitely helped
with that.
Speaker 3 (23:05):
So is the ambition to get into farm ownership yourself
long term career goal for you?
Speaker 11 (23:11):
Well, I'd say more so for my wife, but I
enjoyed the farming life, so I never never counted out,
never ruled it out.
Speaker 3 (23:22):
You're a Hawks Bay boy originally, or at least I
think you are. Did you have a farming background at all?
Speaker 11 (23:28):
No, I don't come from a farming background, mate, which
is why this transition's been I wouldn't say harder, because
it hasn't been very difficult. I just think it's been
a bit of adjustment walking into farm life when I
haven't company experience in it. But it's been good.
Speaker 3 (23:46):
Rugby's been good to you as well. You went all
through the New Zealand Red Team schools. Under nineteen you
were a World Cup one of there. Under twenty one
you were a bit of a stalwart for Hawks Bay,
obviously for the Chiefs as well for All Black Tests
and one and one Tour game. But when you played
rugby hicker, she was quite tough to try and get
a gig in the All Black front row because you
(24:07):
had the likes of Anton Oliver, Andrew Hoare, Kevin Milamu,
Dane Cole's stiff competition.
Speaker 11 (24:14):
Yeah, there was, mate, But you know, I think if
we look back on those times, news and rugby was
really really strong up front, so the competition was always good,
and I was lucky enough for as a young fellow
to be surrounded by some pretty good rugby players and
to learn my trade from them.
Speaker 5 (24:32):
Was yeah, and valuable.
Speaker 3 (24:35):
She There was some hard men in that lot, Anton Oliver,
Andrew Hoare. Who was the toughest hooker you packed down against.
Speaker 11 (24:44):
I think they all have their they they were all
tough in their own right, But if I had to
pick one, I'll probably have to say Anton Oliver.
Speaker 3 (24:51):
Yeah, he was a bit of a hatchet man, wasn't
he right. He So South Canterbury Heartland Rugby. You're playing
East Coast at Fraser Park tomorrow. It's been a bit
of a tough day for South Canterbury. We will hopefully
cheer up the punters with another good victory. Your top
of the table undefeated six from six. The plan is
to go through and win the Lahure Cup for what
(25:14):
the fifth time?
Speaker 12 (25:14):
Is it?
Speaker 5 (25:16):
Yeah?
Speaker 11 (25:16):
I think maybe the fourth time, fourth or fifth time.
But the team's gone really really good over the last
couple of years. I think the team's thirty seven in
a row now, so a bit of a feat there.
I'm just hoping that we can stream to get an
eighty minute performance on Saturday tomorrow. We've been able to
(25:36):
put together moments, moments of brilliance, but we just haven't
been a consistent team through this competition. Through seven games,
I think we're up up to six games, so I
think a big work on for us is staying consistent
within our individual roles but collectively as a team, being
able to keep pressure on teams right throughout there.
Speaker 3 (25:57):
Eighty Hey heck elliot, it's been great to catch up
with you to promote Land rugby here on the country.
Go well, enjoy the rest of your day on the
farm and enjoy your day out at Fraser Park tomorrow.
Speaker 11 (26:06):
Thank you very much, mate. Really, I hope we get
a huge crowd and we can put on the show
that we're really.
Speaker 5 (26:11):
Really proud of.
Speaker 3 (26:13):
Hecker Elliett. Yeah, tough day for South Canterbury. Hopefully a
wee bit later in the hour to wrap the show,
Mark Win, chairman of the Alliance Group, will update the
plant closure at Smithfield. But up next it's Chris Brandolino
from NIEWA merger with the Met Service and wake me
up when September ends.
Speaker 4 (26:36):
Some.
Speaker 1 (26:39):
Knewell Weather update with Alanko Trusted Animal Health Solutions.
Speaker 3 (26:44):
It is quarter away from one. You're with the country,
Chris Brandolino joins us. From me with so much to
talk about, so little time because I've got to go
to Timaru. We won't talk about the merger with the
Met Service. Talk to me about your new season outlock
and WinCE and wake me up, literally, Chris Win, September rains.
That's what myself on farming nights are telling me.
Speaker 6 (27:05):
Yeah, it's been a crazy month in South and I
mean just for example, Milford Sound, which is a web
place nearly twelve hundred millimeters of rain has fallen in September,
second wettest September on record for Milford Sound records going
back to nineteen twenty nine. A lot of places in
a similar situation, so we could use.
Speaker 5 (27:23):
Some dry weather.
Speaker 6 (27:23):
We're going to have a dry weekend for much of
the country. That is some good news. A pretty settled
week and I'll be a bit cool, Jamie. We have
to watch next week, particularly middle in later portion of
next week as we open the books of October, will
be a low over the Tasman that's likely to spread
rain into parts of the country. It's a bit unclear
how that low will behave, but we could see some additionally,
(27:46):
some additional areas of heavy rainfall with that low. But
the bigger picture, the outlook this for the rest of
the calendar year. So this takes us into December twenty
twenty four. Look, it's gonna be one everywhere. We think
warmer than average temperatures. That will be a theme for
every part of the country, some places warmer than others.
(28:07):
And yes, as we like to say, Jamie, just because
the next three months we think warmer than average temperatures
will be the theme. It doesn't mean every single day
where every single week will be warm. It just means
that will be well the theme. There could be some
really warm spells with the air coming from Aussie. Gotta
watch some really warm temperatures, especially November and December as
we work away into summer and a La Ninia summer
(28:30):
La Nina is emerging. Every La Ninia is different. So
in terms of rainfall, we think rainfall near normal for
much of the country. Again as a whole. As we
move toward November and December, there could be simply extended
dry periods for the places that want it, such as Southland.
Speaker 5 (28:45):
It may be.
Speaker 6 (28:46):
Interior Otago La Ninia summers tend to favor dryness. We
just don't want two months of dryness because we go
from one end of the spectrum to the other. And
for the west and lower part of the North Island Tetanaki, Manawatu, Wellington,
there's a dry and lean for the next three months,
damby normal to belongrmal rainfall.
Speaker 3 (29:06):
Okay, Chris, thanks for keeping it brief for me today.
I've got a lot to cover off before the end
of the hour, and I guess congratulations on the merger
between the two government departments. We'll go into more depths
with you on that one, perhaps next week. Thanks as
always stid time.
Speaker 5 (29:19):
Yeah, we'll do that.
Speaker 6 (29:20):
I'll look forward to that.
Speaker 3 (29:21):
Yep, good on you there. We are Chris Brandolino and
Nia Weather guy. We're just going to We're just trying
to get a hold of Mark One from the Alliance
Group to round out the show. Sad day for South Canterbury.
Speaker 7 (29:41):
Seven years as gods of fast wake.
Speaker 3 (29:46):
Me okay, welcome back to the country. We were experiencing
technical difficulties. We've sorted those out. We've managed to get
a hold of Mark One, the chairman of the Alliance Group.
Mark today, day like today aren't easy. The closure effectively
of that Smithfield plant, over six hundred jobs gone. Was
there any alternative? Was there any way you could have
(30:08):
kept it open?
Speaker 12 (30:10):
Well, first of all, you are just absolutely acknowledging this
is a very tough day. I mean, our staff are
obviously going to be hugely impacted and also to the
local community and the knock on effects.
Speaker 5 (30:25):
That we'll have.
Speaker 12 (30:25):
So yeah, a tough day all around.
Speaker 3 (30:28):
Was the Smithfield plant just too old? One hundred and
forty years old, requiring a lot of maintenance and upgrading.
Is this just a rational decision, albeit one that devastates
a region in a community.
Speaker 12 (30:42):
Well, the fundamental driver is actually supply of livestock, or
the declining livestock situation in New Zealand, and this affects
all players. But obviously as numbers continue to decline, then
effective leaders to capacity in the industry and forces everyone
(31:04):
to look at whereas where do you take out capacity?
Because you can't carry the cost and so if you
don't make those moves, you'll have significant problems into the future.
Speaker 3 (31:16):
I note that you're doing a consultation period, but that's
just going through the motions.
Speaker 12 (31:22):
Well, it's a legal requirement, but we're certainly open to
feedback from our staff. Feedback from staff will close on
the eleventh of October, and then we anticipate in making
a final decision a week later by about the eighteenth.
Speaker 3 (31:41):
Has any of us due to your failed capital raising program.
Speaker 12 (31:46):
That raising programs not failing. We have two programs at
play there is you're probably aware.
Speaker 5 (31:53):
So one is the.
Speaker 12 (31:53):
Internal capit arrays of farmers. And as we've advised farmers
through all of our full in two Wallsheed movies that
we intend to also put options back in front of the
member for external capital rays. So these are unrelated events. Fundamentally,
(32:14):
this decision comes all down to declining livestock numbers in
New Zealand, which results in excess capacity at both Alliance
and the other players.
Speaker 3 (32:25):
Yeah, and you're probably not alone there. How many of
these six hundred staff or six hundred and more staff
can get redeployed, for instance, down the road and it's
quite a way down the road to your Omaru plant.
Speaker 12 (32:36):
Yeah, look, I think very few. I mean, the reality
is that you know, we don't have many vacancies at
the moment. We will certainly be working with staff to
redeploy those that we can and help them and support
them through finding all tutor employment as best we possibly can.
Speaker 3 (32:54):
Are you worried about what's happening in Southland at the
moment with the weather and my understanding as you might
be short of one hundred thousand lambs just down there
because of the weather.
Speaker 5 (33:04):
Yeah, I mean weather.
Speaker 12 (33:06):
It's one of the trials and tribulations that farmers, in
fact all players in the primary industry face every day.
So certainly less than ideal what we do understand. On
the positive side is that it have been some very
good landing percentages, although you know the weather will certainly
take some of the edge of that.
Speaker 3 (33:27):
Okay, Mark one, thanks very much for your time at
short notice. I know it's been a busy day and
a tough day for you and the Alliance group and
especially for all those workers. We do need to wrap it.
So that's been the show. Yep, wake me up when
September ends. It's been a bit like that. I'm going
to leave the final word to farm Strong. They're all
(33:48):
about making well being a priority, especially in Mental Health
Awareness Week. To find out more about daily habits and
strategies that increase wellbeing and relief stress. Had to farm
Strong dot co dot nz this weekend and have a
lock right. We will catch you back on Monday and
hopefully we'll be the bearer of better news and I'll
(34:10):
be talking about a south from Staggs victory over Wykatto
see you Monday.
Speaker 1 (34:18):
Catch all the latest from the land. It's the Country
podcast with Jamie McGue. Thanks to Brent, You're specialist in
John Deere machinery
Catch you all the latest from the land. It's the
Country Podcast with Jamie McKay. Thanks to Brent, You're specialist
in John Deere construction equipment.
Speaker 2 (00:15):
That's good cabas Ka, New Zealand.
Speaker 3 (00:29):
This is the Country. It's brought to you by Brandt.
I'm Jamie McKay. It feels a bit like that, doesn't
it wake me up? When September ends weatherwise for a
lot of people in a tough day to day in
South Canterbury. We will go there right now because the
Alliance Group has just announced a proposal to close it's
Smithfield Meat Processing plant and Timaru South Canterbury the proposal
(00:53):
is confirmed or if the proposal is confirmed, sheep meat,
calves and night shift venison processing would cease at the
Smithfield plant. Alliance would continue venice and processing until at
the plant until no later than the end of December,
by which time the company expects to have alternative arrangements
(01:13):
in place for deer. Approximately six hundred staff are affected
by the proposal for the Smithfield plant, which has been
owned by the Alliance Group since nineteen eighty nine. Am
Man on the spot Farmer's son well from a farming background,
should I say in West Otago. He's in South Canterbury today,
(01:34):
Ben Thomson been. What was the mood of the workers
there this morning? My understanding is the meeting was pretty
short and sharp.
Speaker 4 (01:42):
Yeah, that's exactly it.
Speaker 5 (01:44):
This morning.
Speaker 4 (01:44):
Before the meeting, there's a bit of confusion, like a
lot of guys only heard about I heard about this
meeting yesterday, so they were called and they were obviously rumors.
So the feeling wasn't good. Post meeting. There was obviously
a lot of tears, a lot of hugs, a lot
of people say I'm now off to the pub, that
sort of thing.
Speaker 3 (02:05):
Is there going to be any consultation or I'm assuming,
I mean you've got to go through perhaps a consultation process.
But I'm assuming, and I haven't fully read the press release.
It's just landed in my hands, Ben, but this will
be a done deal, unfortunately.
Speaker 4 (02:20):
It seems that way. There are a couple more meetings
to get to a bit of a process to go
through as well. The union is going to be looking
after the employees through all of that. But it's looking grim.
Speaker 3 (02:35):
Yeah. So I'm just reading from this press release which
has literally landed in my hands. The one hundred and
thirty nine year old Smithfield plant is the company's oldest
site and requires significant investment in repairs and maintenance to
keep it operational. It's also facing encroachment from retail development.
So yeah, a very tough time. Six hundred jobs is
(02:59):
what we're hearing.
Speaker 4 (02:59):
Ben, Yeah, six hundred and sixty around that. It's a
huge element to Maurui. It employees sizeable chunk of the
population here. I was speaking of the mayor Nigel Bowen earlier.
You know his father was a meat plane employee and
it's just a big blow to the community.
Speaker 3 (03:21):
Yeah. One of my work colleagues here in Duned and
Craig coming of course former black Cap cut his teeth
at Smithfield is a holiday job I think when he
was making as well as a cricketer, and I think
his dad worked there as well. So it's a very
sad day for the South Canterbury community. Ben Thompson, thank
you very much for your time. Appreciate it at very
(03:41):
short notice.
Speaker 6 (03:43):
Thanks Jamie, appreciate it going on.
Speaker 3 (03:44):
You doing a good job there. So what we're going
to try and do, it's a bit of a moving
feast today. We're trying to get a hold of the
chairman of the Alliance Group, Mark Win a wee bit
later in the hour to update the latest on that one.
But in the me it's not all bad in you.
I shouldn't say it's a bad day for South Canterbury,
but at least their rugby team's going really well. So
(04:06):
we are going to chat to Hiccker Elliott, former All Black,
thirty eight years of age. He's strapping on the boots
this season for South Canterbury. They play the East Coast
tomorrow at Fraser Park. But up next it is Mental
Health Awareness Week here on the country. It's brought to
you by Federated Farmers. They're backing Kiwi Farmers when times
are tough, and this is a moving story. Maybe be
(04:30):
ready for a few tears. Jason Herrick. You may have
seen his podcast or read the story online on Farmstrong.
So he's the president of Federated Farmers at the moment.
We're going to get him to tell his story the
Farmer Panel today, Duncan Hummond, Craig Hickman, Hiccer Elliott. As
I said, Chris Brandolino from NIWA, you wake me up
(04:50):
when September ends. That's what most farmers down south are
telling me they've just had a guts for but the
weather is going to get better. Also, a merger between
NIEWA and the Met Service. And as I say, hopefully
at the end of the hour, Mark Win, the chairman
of the Alliance Group, to up to update the Smithfield
plant closure which was announced today.
Speaker 7 (05:15):
Costem come and beast the innocent.
Speaker 3 (05:33):
We are wrapping mental Health Awareness Week today on the country,
hopefully wanne Yolo Langford, the president of Federated Farmers who
are making all this possible. A week bit later in
the hour, but Jason Herrick to kick off proceedings. Jason, Monday,
December third, twenty eighteen. That was the day you decided
to take your life. Months of heavy rain, the pressure
(05:53):
of excessive regulation, negative sentiment towards farming, and inability to
share your feelings left you at breaking point. You reckon.
It had been building up for quite some time. These days.
You are the president of Federated Farmers down on Southland.
You got very close to ending at all in twenty eighteen.
Tell us your story.
Speaker 8 (06:11):
Yeah, good afternoon, Jamie. Absolutely I was a true so
other man what we class as this other man back
in those times before I before I turned into the
new me. Over many many years, I never dealt with anything.
Things come to a head, things built up, and unfortunately
in twenty eighteen, I didn't see a way out, and
(06:36):
things went bishop for me pretty quick from there. And
it was a tough time, it really was. I didn't
see a way out of that situation. Everything I'd come
to know and love was being ridiculed and destroyed around
us pretty much. And you know, things weren't going well
(06:56):
in any front of my life. So, you know, like
I said, it come to a crunch in. Yeah, I
found myself in a bit of a predicament. And if
it wasn't for you know, the help of somebody, a
member of the community on that day, I possibly wouldn't
be here.
Speaker 3 (07:13):
So yeah, well you got very close to finishing.
Speaker 8 (07:16):
It all, Yes, very close. It was pretty much parked
at the top of a cliff. And and it was
a local police officer that actually taught me, taught me
out of it, and uh and took me away and
become a part of the system. And and you know,
I'm very thankful for that because it really, uh you know,
(07:40):
it allowed me to focus on what was actually real
important to me in my life. So yeah, it was,
like I said, it was a really tough day, and
yeah it was. It's a story that that I needed
to tell.
Speaker 3 (07:55):
I've asked this question of a lot of the people
I've spoken to this week, what was the turning point?
How did you turn it around?
Speaker 8 (08:03):
So for for about six months afterwards, I hid away
from the from the world, Jamie, because you know, I
felt ashamed. I felt, you know, embarrassed, and you know,
you do think people think all of you and when
you when you're in that situation, because I used to
think the same right with people that were suicidal or
took their own life. I thought they were disrespectful and
(08:27):
then you know, for all the people around them. But
when you get into that situation and you and you
live through it, you you see it in a different light.
And the brain is a very powerful tool and when
it when it snaps you, you basically lose all control
consciously really and and you've made a decision. And so
(08:48):
you know, I see them in a different light now,
you know, And it's it is a hard one to
to fathom. I understand that unless you've been involved in that.
But yeah, so like I said, it's been a pretty
hard road in that six months. Nobody come to visit me.
Nobody apart from people really close to me, you know,
(09:09):
everyone pretty much stayed away. And it wasn't until the
activist showed up on my doorstep in twenty nineteen and
made a rackus around went to grazing that really sparked
something within me, Damia, because it brought back all of
those feelings and I wasn't going to stand for the
(09:29):
ridicule anymore towards farmers and around misperception because somebody had
an ideological view towards farming and it was time that
we stood up and did something about it.
Speaker 3 (09:40):
You really have turned your life around in many ways,
not only mentally but physically. I remember running into you
at the Southern Field Days this year. I hardly recognized you.
You're literally half the man you used to be.
Speaker 8 (09:53):
Yeah, So you know, all through that period, you know,
I used to turn to alcoholism and and food is
a coping mechanism for a lot of my problems, and
unfortunately myself get away over a good number of years.
And in twenty twenty it really come to a head
that I needed to do something about my health. Because
(10:15):
you know, I was going in a downwards viral, and
you know, I got to the point, Jamie, where it
was really embarrassing for me, you know, and I'll be
honest and up front that I couldn't wipe my own
butt and that was quite embarrassing for me. So I
decided to do something about it. And during COVID with
during lockdown, you know, the roads were free, there was
no traffic around, so I decided to hit the pavement
(10:36):
with my pushbike and started biking. And I got up
to doing seventy to one hundred ks a day and
lost thirty kilos doing that. But the unfortunate circumstances for
me had already put my body under so much pressure
and stress over the years that I had a heart
turn at the end of that, you know, and I've
had four more since as well, trying to do the
same thing until I found a specialized program that lose
(11:01):
the rest of it. So, you know, seventy one kilos
down now, new man, new life and a new outlook
on life.
Speaker 3 (11:07):
Really well, you're an inspiration. How do you look after
your mental health now? And it's a very apt question
because you're farming in Southland I know your farm or
the area of your farm. Well, you've had an atrocious spring,
no other word for it. Even though you've turned the corner,
you must still have tough days. Every farmer down there
is having tough days.
Speaker 8 (11:29):
Yes, absolutely, So you know, I don't deny that I
do have those tough days. And you still have those
negative thoughts encroaching and you on your psyche every day.
And it has been a really tough spring. It's been
wet right since April in Southland. So yeah, there's a
bit of a struggle. And as days gone by, I
would have not have coped in these conditions if it
(11:50):
wasn't what I know now, and you know my cocree
mechanisms that I have now, Jamie, as I turned to
positivity and I always focus on outcomes and so control
the controllables. And I live the motto these days, if
nothing changes, nothing changes, and so you know, I read books,
I listen to audios. I you know, it's the power
(12:13):
of positive thinking really and just focus on the on
the next job ahead and the next step ahead, and
make sure you focus positively on those outcomes because you know,
the sun will come out, things will dry up and
things will come right very soon. But unfortunately, when you're
in that downwards borrow, you really can't see, you know,
(12:34):
the wood from the trees. So you know, sometimes it
takes something or somebody to point out the simple things
because there is a solution for a lot of a
lot of issues that you will, you know, find if
you find the right guidance.
Speaker 3 (12:48):
Jason Herrick, it's been great chatting today. Thanks for sharing
your story for Mental Health Awareness Week, and thanks to
Federated Farmers who are doing a good job bringing this
to light. Keep up the good work. And yep, tomor Borrow,
it's going to be better in South than see you later.
Speaker 5 (13:03):
Yeah, No, you're welcome, Jamie.
Speaker 8 (13:05):
It's if it just out's one person, that's all I want.
Speaker 3 (13:09):
Thank you, Jason, moving story. He's come out the other
side right, We're going to take a break on the
other side of that. It's today's Farmer Panel in mid Canterbury.
Apparently they're having a pretty good spring. Duncan hum and
Craig Hickman our Farmer Panel Hicker Elliott, South Canterbury. A
bad news day for that region of the closure effectively
(13:29):
of the Alliance Group Smithfield Meat Processing Plant and Tamaro
will hopefully talk to Mark Winn, the chairman of the
Alliance Group before the end of the hour. Chris Brandolino
on the weather from Niwa as well.
Speaker 7 (13:42):
One's up Jambers.
Speaker 1 (13:50):
The Farmer panel with the Kawasaki Mule one thousand side
by sides built for demanding days.
Speaker 7 (13:57):
Neblelesk me up.
Speaker 3 (14:01):
On today's farmer panel. We head to mid Canterbury. Duncan
hum deer farmer also runs the end z Farming Facebook page,
and Craig Dairyman Hickman, obviously a dairy farmer and a
bit of a social media star. Radio lads, let's start
with weather and track conditions in mid Canterbury while it's
(14:22):
a rice paddy in south and you guys are still
looking for some more moisture. Let's start with you Duncan
on your deer farm.
Speaker 9 (14:29):
Yeah, well we're not too bad moist flash rain last
night and coming and going from too wet to bet
on the dry side of the Northwest at the moment.
Speaker 5 (14:40):
But beautiful days.
Speaker 9 (14:41):
He's how much is standing on the top of our
heart at the moment and beautiful game.
Speaker 3 (14:46):
All right, so you're off skiing? Yeah, oh, you're allowed
to all work and no playmates. Dunk and a dull
deer farmer Craig dairyman Hickman, you won't have time for
skiing today because you're right in the in the guts
of it, basically carving, although you must be just about
through it, are you?
Speaker 5 (15:03):
Weeah, we're actually I've just stepped down off the yard
where we're weighing cabs and hopefully weaning a few at
the moment. But we haven't seen spring growth like this
in years. Last two seasons, I've been irrigating in September
and my balance date where grass growth succeeds cow and
take heaven come until the first week of October, where
(15:25):
we hit balance state yesterday, and I'm starting to think
about soiology. As Duncan said, a little bit of rain
last night that might keep my irrogators turned off, because
I see that we are. They're forecasting thirty millimeters next week,
so I'll hold out for another week and see what
comes of that and then make a decision on irrigation then.
(15:45):
But it has been a very very kind spring in Canterbury.
Speaker 3 (15:49):
I'm placed it has been for somebody happy days for
dairy farmers this week and I got told off by
a dairy farmer made of mind for talking it up
too much. But let's be honest. Nine dollars is a
good number. It's not guaranteed, of course, we all know
that things can change. But you think of Craig where
we were this time a year ago or August twenty
twenty three, and six dollars fifty was being mentioned. So
(16:14):
we've come a long way.
Speaker 5 (16:16):
I'll tell you what's even more exciting than a potential
nine dollar payout is the shape of Fonterra is in
after the big reset in twenty eighteen. They've halved their debt,
second highest profit ever, second highest dividend ever paid. It
just goes to show that maybe the management do you
know what they're talking about, and we're on the right track.
(16:38):
It's been a huge turnaround for the co op and
it's great to see that change in direction and that
change in philosophy, concentrating on New Zealand milk. But if
your pardon department is paying dividend.
Speaker 3 (16:52):
Absolutely old Tao the eight million dollar man, he got
it completely wrong, mind you, was one scribe said to me.
This week's success Peter McBride around, and I know Miles
Hurrell's very much front and center as the frontman from
frontira he's doing on the app from the outside and
anyhow a very good job. But Peter McBride working away
quietly as the chairman in the background. Those two are
(17:14):
a good combination.
Speaker 5 (17:16):
Yeah, I was. I was certainly a great fan of
the previous year as well. But a little thing that
people might not realize. Fonterra are doing our revidual, our
left over payment from last season. Normally we have to
wait till the middle of October to get that we're
getting paid. On the second. Our advance has gone up
(17:37):
from I think it was five dollars forty at the
start of the year to seven dollars. So my September
paid October milk is now seven dollars. That's just phenomenal.
The advance is up. Everything is booking rodo much rather
than cash in my bank than Fonterra's.
Speaker 3 (17:51):
Well there you go. Happy days for the dairy farmers,
a Duncan hum deer farmer. Obviously things aren't too tough
if you're at the top of Mount Hut today's skiing.
Speaker 9 (18:00):
Oh well, it's about priorities really. A few deaths close
to home recently so it's aught about prioritizing life. And
the school shred trips today. So my daughter has been
distinting a lesson at the moment and yeah, so nothing
like living in the moment.
Speaker 3 (18:18):
Absolutely, we've been had. We've had mental health Awareness Week.
We're finishing it today on the country Duncan and a
lot of good stuff's been talked this week. And I
know that farmers aren't that good at sharing or opening up,
but we are getting better at.
Speaker 5 (18:33):
It, I think so.
Speaker 9 (18:35):
And yeah, just I'll hap you better myself. But actually
prioritizing things. God this I would have said no in
the past, but yeah, and catch up on work. Tomorrow
is another.
Speaker 3 (18:46):
Day exactly, and the sun will shine tomorrow. Hey, thank
thanks for joining us, guys. I know that you're flat out. Craig,
you get on your next run. Dunk and hum, Craig Hickman,
dunk and harm at today's farmer panel. See you lads.
Speaker 5 (18:58):
Yeah, thanks very much.
Speaker 3 (19:01):
There you go. You've got to prioritize what's important in life.
No time to waste. Jane Ferguson, online editor editor, has
been promoted up the batting order. She's in charge of
rural News. We'll see if she's got an update on
the Smithfield plant closure.
Speaker 1 (19:17):
The Country's world News with Cob Cadet New Zealand's leading
right on lawn Bower brand visit steel for dot co
dot Nz for your locals, Douggist.
Speaker 3 (19:26):
So thanks for coming in and doing this Jane and
Michelle's absence. I know you chucked the Doobie Brothers and
I had to gas them for Green Day when September ends,
because for a lot of us, we just want it
to end. What's the latest from Timaro?
Speaker 10 (19:38):
So it's been a big day for meat workers and
Timaro Alliance Group has announced it's proposing to close at
Smithfield Meat Works in an all staff meeting today. There
had been mounting speculation the company would mothball the plant
this season and move production to it's four other locations
across the South Island. The Timaru plant employs more than
six hundred people at peak season. Mayor Nigel Bowa says
(20:00):
it's a proposal that will deeply hurt his community. He
says they're a town that's been built on the freezing
works and everyone will have a connection to the plant. Meanwhile,
Nathan Guy from the Meat Industry Association says while any
job losses are unfortunate, meat companies are having to adapt
to changing market conditions. He says companies have been through
a lot of change and will continue to go through
(20:21):
change and today's decision is a commercial decision.
Speaker 5 (20:25):
Yep.
Speaker 3 (20:26):
Indeed, there we go. Jane Ferguson with Rural News. Hopefully Markwin,
chairman of the Alliance Group, to wrap the show. But
he's the latest in sport.
Speaker 1 (20:35):
Sport with AFCO Kiwi to the bone since nineteen oh four.
Speaker 3 (20:40):
An emotional farewell interview for Brisbane great Kevy Walters Kevin Walters,
who's fronted media after a sudden exit from the head
coach role at the NRL club. Speculations surrounds who will
succeed Walters now he's been sacrificed after the Broncos went
from Grand finalist twelfth in the space of a year.
(21:02):
And in the President's Cup golf, this was always going
to be a bit one sided, wasn't it? A commanding
five mil lead for the US team over the Internationals
after the opening round of the four balls at Golf's
President President's Cup, which is being played in Montreal up next,
It's been a tough day for South Canterbury, but at
(21:22):
least it's forty teams going well. They will be at
Fraser Park tomorrow and a really interesting inclusion in their
rugby team is Hiker Elliott, former All Black. We're going
to talk Heartland rugby next on the Country.
Speaker 1 (21:41):
Hedland rugby coverage with Agricultural consulting Services delivering the latest
GVS mapping and drone technology. O.
Speaker 3 (21:50):
We love Heartland rugby here on the country. We're going
to the most successful Heartland rugby team in the country
by the length of the straight. I don't think they've
beaten for about four years South Canterbury, and they've enlisted
the services of a thirty or eight year old former
or Black who's actually farming in the region. Hick Elliott.
Welcome to the country. Thanks for your time. How are
(22:11):
you enjoying South Canterbury.
Speaker 11 (22:14):
It's a lovely piece of the country down here in
After spending sort of seven and a half years away
from New Zealand, it was time for me to give
back to my wife and allow her some time down
here while she's been after she's been chasing me around
the world for the last eight years.
Speaker 3 (22:33):
So the family connection is with your wife's family farm.
Speaker 11 (22:38):
Yeah, that's correct, That is correct.
Speaker 3 (22:40):
Now are you getting much time in on the tools
or are you mainly running around playing rugby still for
South Canterbury.
Speaker 11 (22:47):
I'm getting a wee bit a bit of time on
the tools, learning new things about farming life. So I've
really enjoyed the transition out of playing professionally recently returned
from front. The community has been really welcoming and I
think keeping on the rugby boots this year definitely helped
with that.
Speaker 3 (23:05):
So is the ambition to get into farm ownership yourself
long term career goal for you?
Speaker 11 (23:11):
Well, I'd say more so for my wife, but I
enjoyed the farming life, so I never never counted out,
never ruled it out.
Speaker 3 (23:22):
You're a Hawks Bay boy originally, or at least I
think you are. Did you have a farming background at all?
Speaker 11 (23:28):
No, I don't come from a farming background, mate, which
is why this transition's been I wouldn't say harder, because
it hasn't been very difficult. I just think it's been
a bit of adjustment walking into farm life when I
haven't company experience in it. But it's been good.
Speaker 3 (23:46):
Rugby's been good to you as well. You went all
through the New Zealand Red Team schools. Under nineteen you
were a World Cup one of there. Under twenty one
you were a bit of a stalwart for Hawks Bay,
obviously for the Chiefs as well for All Black Tests
and one and one Tour game. But when you played
rugby hicker, she was quite tough to try and get
a gig in the All Black front row because you
(24:07):
had the likes of Anton Oliver, Andrew Hoare, Kevin Milamu,
Dane Cole's stiff competition.
Speaker 11 (24:14):
Yeah, there was, mate, But you know, I think if
we look back on those times, news and rugby was
really really strong up front, so the competition was always good,
and I was lucky enough for as a young fellow
to be surrounded by some pretty good rugby players and
to learn my trade from them.
Speaker 5 (24:32):
Was yeah, and valuable.
Speaker 3 (24:35):
She There was some hard men in that lot, Anton Oliver,
Andrew Hoare. Who was the toughest hooker you packed down against.
Speaker 11 (24:44):
I think they all have their they they were all
tough in their own right, But if I had to
pick one, I'll probably have to say Anton Oliver.
Speaker 3 (24:51):
Yeah, he was a bit of a hatchet man, wasn't
he right. He So South Canterbury Heartland Rugby. You're playing
East Coast at Fraser Park tomorrow. It's been a bit
of a tough day for South Canterbury. We will hopefully
cheer up the punters with another good victory. Your top
of the table undefeated six from six. The plan is
to go through and win the Lahure Cup for what
(25:14):
the fifth time?
Speaker 12 (25:14):
Is it?
Speaker 5 (25:16):
Yeah?
Speaker 11 (25:16):
I think maybe the fourth time, fourth or fifth time.
But the team's gone really really good over the last
couple of years. I think the team's thirty seven in
a row now, so a bit of a feat there.
I'm just hoping that we can stream to get an
eighty minute performance on Saturday tomorrow. We've been able to
(25:36):
put together moments, moments of brilliance, but we just haven't
been a consistent team through this competition. Through seven games,
I think we're up up to six games, so I
think a big work on for us is staying consistent
within our individual roles but collectively as a team, being
able to keep pressure on teams right throughout there.
Speaker 3 (25:57):
Eighty Hey heck elliot, it's been great to catch up
with you to promote Land rugby here on the country.
Go well, enjoy the rest of your day on the
farm and enjoy your day out at Fraser Park tomorrow.
Speaker 11 (26:06):
Thank you very much, mate. Really, I hope we get
a huge crowd and we can put on the show
that we're really.
Speaker 5 (26:11):
Really proud of.
Speaker 3 (26:13):
Hecker Elliett. Yeah, tough day for South Canterbury. Hopefully a
wee bit later in the hour to wrap the show,
Mark Win, chairman of the Alliance Group, will update the
plant closure at Smithfield. But up next it's Chris Brandolino
from NIEWA merger with the Met Service and wake me
up when September ends.
Speaker 4 (26:36):
Some.
Speaker 1 (26:39):
Knewell Weather update with Alanko Trusted Animal Health Solutions.
Speaker 3 (26:44):
It is quarter away from one. You're with the country,
Chris Brandolino joins us. From me with so much to
talk about, so little time because I've got to go
to Timaru. We won't talk about the merger with the
Met Service. Talk to me about your new season outlock
and WinCE and wake me up, literally, Chris Win, September rains.
That's what myself on farming nights are telling me.
Speaker 6 (27:05):
Yeah, it's been a crazy month in South and I
mean just for example, Milford Sound, which is a web
place nearly twelve hundred millimeters of rain has fallen in September,
second wettest September on record for Milford Sound records going
back to nineteen twenty nine. A lot of places in
a similar situation, so we could use.
Speaker 5 (27:23):
Some dry weather.
Speaker 6 (27:23):
We're going to have a dry weekend for much of
the country. That is some good news. A pretty settled
week and I'll be a bit cool, Jamie. We have
to watch next week, particularly middle in later portion of
next week as we open the books of October, will
be a low over the Tasman that's likely to spread
rain into parts of the country. It's a bit unclear
how that low will behave, but we could see some additionally,
(27:46):
some additional areas of heavy rainfall with that low. But
the bigger picture, the outlook this for the rest of
the calendar year. So this takes us into December twenty
twenty four. Look, it's gonna be one everywhere. We think
warmer than average temperatures. That will be a theme for
every part of the country, some places warmer than others.
(28:07):
And yes, as we like to say, Jamie, just because
the next three months we think warmer than average temperatures
will be the theme. It doesn't mean every single day
where every single week will be warm. It just means
that will be well the theme. There could be some
really warm spells with the air coming from Aussie. Gotta
watch some really warm temperatures, especially November and December as
we work away into summer and a La Ninia summer
(28:30):
La Nina is emerging. Every La Ninia is different. So
in terms of rainfall, we think rainfall near normal for
much of the country. Again as a whole. As we
move toward November and December, there could be simply extended
dry periods for the places that want it, such as Southland.
Speaker 5 (28:45):
It may be.
Speaker 6 (28:46):
Interior Otago La Ninia summers tend to favor dryness. We
just don't want two months of dryness because we go
from one end of the spectrum to the other. And
for the west and lower part of the North Island Tetanaki, Manawatu, Wellington,
there's a dry and lean for the next three months,
damby normal to belongrmal rainfall.
Speaker 3 (29:06):
Okay, Chris, thanks for keeping it brief for me today.
I've got a lot to cover off before the end
of the hour, and I guess congratulations on the merger
between the two government departments. We'll go into more depths
with you on that one, perhaps next week. Thanks as
always stid time.
Speaker 5 (29:19):
Yeah, we'll do that.
Speaker 6 (29:20):
I'll look forward to that.
Speaker 3 (29:21):
Yep, good on you there. We are Chris Brandolino and
Nia Weather guy. We're just going to We're just trying
to get a hold of Mark One from the Alliance
Group to round out the show. Sad day for South Canterbury.
Speaker 7 (29:41):
Seven years as gods of fast wake.
Speaker 3 (29:46):
Me okay, welcome back to the country. We were experiencing
technical difficulties. We've sorted those out. We've managed to get
a hold of Mark One, the chairman of the Alliance Group.
Mark today, day like today aren't easy. The closure effectively
of that Smithfield plant, over six hundred jobs gone. Was
there any alternative? Was there any way you could have
(30:08):
kept it open?
Speaker 12 (30:10):
Well, first of all, you are just absolutely acknowledging this
is a very tough day. I mean, our staff are
obviously going to be hugely impacted and also to the
local community and the knock on effects.
Speaker 5 (30:25):
That we'll have.
Speaker 12 (30:25):
So yeah, a tough day all around.
Speaker 3 (30:28):
Was the Smithfield plant just too old? One hundred and
forty years old, requiring a lot of maintenance and upgrading.
Is this just a rational decision, albeit one that devastates
a region in a community.
Speaker 12 (30:42):
Well, the fundamental driver is actually supply of livestock, or
the declining livestock situation in New Zealand, and this affects
all players. But obviously as numbers continue to decline, then
effective leaders to capacity in the industry and forces everyone
(31:04):
to look at whereas where do you take out capacity?
Because you can't carry the cost and so if you
don't make those moves, you'll have significant problems into the future.
Speaker 3 (31:16):
I note that you're doing a consultation period, but that's
just going through the motions.
Speaker 12 (31:22):
Well, it's a legal requirement, but we're certainly open to
feedback from our staff. Feedback from staff will close on
the eleventh of October, and then we anticipate in making
a final decision a week later by about the eighteenth.
Speaker 3 (31:41):
Has any of us due to your failed capital raising program.
Speaker 12 (31:46):
That raising programs not failing. We have two programs at
play there is you're probably aware.
Speaker 5 (31:53):
So one is the.
Speaker 12 (31:53):
Internal capit arrays of farmers. And as we've advised farmers
through all of our full in two Wallsheed movies that
we intend to also put options back in front of the
member for external capital rays. So these are unrelated events. Fundamentally,
(32:14):
this decision comes all down to declining livestock numbers in
New Zealand, which results in excess capacity at both Alliance
and the other players.
Speaker 3 (32:25):
Yeah, and you're probably not alone there. How many of
these six hundred staff or six hundred and more staff
can get redeployed, for instance, down the road and it's
quite a way down the road to your Omaru plant.
Speaker 12 (32:36):
Yeah, look, I think very few. I mean, the reality
is that you know, we don't have many vacancies at
the moment. We will certainly be working with staff to
redeploy those that we can and help them and support
them through finding all tutor employment as best we possibly can.
Speaker 3 (32:54):
Are you worried about what's happening in Southland at the
moment with the weather and my understanding as you might
be short of one hundred thousand lambs just down there
because of the weather.
Speaker 5 (33:04):
Yeah, I mean weather.
Speaker 12 (33:06):
It's one of the trials and tribulations that farmers, in
fact all players in the primary industry face every day.
So certainly less than ideal what we do understand. On
the positive side is that it have been some very
good landing percentages, although you know the weather will certainly
take some of the edge of that.
Speaker 3 (33:27):
Okay, Mark one, thanks very much for your time at
short notice. I know it's been a busy day and
a tough day for you and the Alliance group and
especially for all those workers. We do need to wrap it.
So that's been the show. Yep, wake me up when
September ends. It's been a bit like that. I'm going
to leave the final word to farm Strong. They're all
(33:48):
about making well being a priority, especially in Mental Health
Awareness Week. To find out more about daily habits and
strategies that increase wellbeing and relief stress. Had to farm
Strong dot co dot nz this weekend and have a
lock right. We will catch you back on Monday and
hopefully we'll be the bearer of better news and I'll
(34:10):
be talking about a south from Staggs victory over Wykatto
see you Monday.
Speaker 1 (34:18):
Catch all the latest from the land. It's the Country
podcast with Jamie McGue. Thanks to Brent, You're specialist in
John Deere machinery
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