Update from Kris: As we roar through to the end of 2025 it gives me great pleasure to be sending you, our newsletter.

We have had a fairly busy year, a little quieter in the winter but things have certainly picked up from Spring onwards. We are very pleased to have Brad Triggs on board as Dispatch for the South Island. Brad has come to us with many years driving and is keen to get into the logistics side of transport. He along with Jackie help to make things run smoothly, well as smoothly as things can be in the transport world!! Graham Elphick remains at the helm of the North Island branch and is doing a great job there.

Primary product prices are all at record levels with exception of velvet and wool. As is always we treat stock on board with a fair amount of care and attention, no matter what their value, but it does highlight one point; be aware of your insurance around livestock in transit. By law all transports are liable for up to $2000.00 for each and every animal in transit. Of which we have insurance to cover the unthinkable, however many animals, not just stud stock would exceed $2000.00 in value so if an accident were to occur you may not receive full value unless you have your own insurance cover for livestock in transit. It has been common for farmers to insure their new bull or stag but now it may be a good idea to check your insurance policy for prime stock. We can’t insure your stock.

In reflection to uncertain velvet prices we are seeing higher volumes of adult stags going to slaughter before regrowth, a necessity to get numbers killed in more or less a 10 week window from velveting to the roar. We all need to be aware of the regrowth and how fast it can shoot up and become a problem for transport. Our QA standards require velvet to be no longer than 110 mm from base of the skull. That is quite a bit of velvet on an older stag and we need to be able to transport the stags without damage, so if you have any odd looking clumps of regrowth check with the driver as to its ability to go on the truck.

In reflection to uncertain velvet prices we are seeing higher volumes of adult stags going to slaughter before regrowth, a necessity to get numbers killed in more or less a 10 week window from velveting to the roar. We all need to be aware of the regrowth and how fast it can shoot up and become a problem for transport. Our QA standards require velvet to be no longer than 110 mm from base of the skull. That is quite a bit of velvet on an older stag and we need to be able to transport the stags without damage, so if you have any odd looking clumps of regrowth check with the driver as to its ability to go on the truck.

With the recent sale of Alliance Smithfield plant we are seeing animals travelling further. Two things are important:

• Make sure you tell your drafter/agent you want Downlands Deer (or at the very least a specialist deer transport) to cart your valuable stock. Drivers with deer experience. It is your right.

• Animals going on the truck need to be able to withstand a longer journey so need to be in reasonable order.

We are currently full on with stud ram deliveries and the last of yearling bulls for mating. This is where our holding paddocks in Woodville and Geraldine play an important role to be able to give stock a breather and a refresh. Many of these are breeding stock going inter-island so long distances are involved.

Once again I would like to thank our awesome staff for their efforts in some pretty trying conditions through the winter and out the other side! Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas, we hope you get a chance to unwind with family and look forward to catching you all in the new year.

I’m Brad Triggs, im 34 years young and I grew up in Christchurch then moved to south canterbury in 2003. I have 2 children (Braxton & Laikyn) and my very supportive partner, Laura. In our spare time we like to get out camping, fishing, motorbike riding and catching up with friends and family.

The majority of driving career was spent with Temuka Transport where I mainly drove a curtainsider but also done a variety of other driving roles milk, stock, bulk tipper and containers. In my 12 years with Temuka I worked hard long days, nights away and many kms covered which paid off to put me into a lead driver and driver trainer role within their curtain division.

This sparked another interest of wanting to take on another challenge of being a dispatcher which is what had brought me here to Downlands Transport when Kris has taken me under his wing to teach me the ways of the business and how to dispatch. The challenge has been great, Ive got a great team of people who have all been helpful guiding me along the way while I find my feet. I look forward to seeing what the future holds for me here at Downlands and look forward to meeting new people and creating long lasting relationships with you all. Take care out there.

DINNER IS SERVED

Cantonese Lamb Patties

A quick, flavour-packed family dinner inspired by classic Cantonese ingredients.

Ingredients: Dried Chinese mushrooms (4), olive oil (1 tbsp), finely chopped onion (1 small), chopped lemongrass (1 tbsp), crushed garlic (2 cloves), grated ginger (1 tbsp), lamb mince (1 kg), chopped green onions (3), soy sauce (1 tbsp), hoisin (1 tbsp), sesame oil (¼ tsp), beaten egg (1), breadcrumbs (½ cup), jasmine rice (⅔ cup), bean sprouts (1½ cups), fresh mint.

Sweet Chilli Lime Dressing: Sweet chilli sauce (¼ cup), water (1 tbsp), chopped coriander (1 tbsp), lime juice (1 tbsp).

Method: Soak mushrooms for 20 mins, drain and chop. Cook onion, lemongrass, garlic and ginger in oil until soft; cool. Mix with lamb, mushrooms, green onion, sauces, sesame oil, egg and breadcrumbs. Shape into 12 patties and fry until cooked through. Cook rice. Shake dressing ingredients in a jar. Serve patties with rice, sprouts, mint and dressing.

MAKE US YOUR PREFERRED CARRIER

We know a number of transport companies being allocated loads of deer into the works through the use of the optimising tool used by the Works. Whilst this optimising tool is useful for assigning loads to maximise what is on a truck , it is still very important that your deer are carted by a specialised deer transport company. When other operators are used, animals aren’t always arriving at the plant in optimal condition.

Remember, as a farmer it’s your right to choose your transport operator. Just let your stock agent know you want your deer carted by Downlands Deer Transport.

CARRIERS LIABILITY INSURANCE

With the cost of animals increasing year by year, it’s important to understand what our Carriers Liability Insurance covers and what it means for you. Carriers Liability provides insurance for accidental loss or damage to goods while loading, unloading or in transit within NZ. Downlands Transport’s Carriers Liability Insurance covers up to $2000.00 per animal.

For any animal worth more than $2000.00, the farmer will need to self-insure the remaining value. This applies not only to stud animals but also to works animals, which are becoming more expensive. It’s a good idea to check your insurance policies and make sure you have enough cover.

The $2000.00 per-unit limit is the standard legal cover for NZ transport companies.