ATS News August 2012

ATS NEWS AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2 0 1 2

Farm redevelopment beats retirement Calves more than

a numbers game at Klondyke Canterbury first off block with

Land and Water plan

From the CEO The ATS News has a long history of bringing you a wide variety of informative articles which reflect what’s happening in your farming region and the issues you are facing.

As farmers, you need strong industry and technical knowledge to make the best decisions for your farming operations. Many of you also like to read about your neighbours who have generously opened their farm gates to give an insight into their farming practices.

Water is always at the forefront of such matters, and this issue of the ATS News looks at the Water Quality Forum recently held in Ashburton. Delegates learned about the government’s National Policy Statement on Freshwater and its implications. The forum also helped lift farmer awareness according to Rakaia share milker and Federated Farmers spokesperson, Jessie Dorman. She shares her thoughts on how challenging it will be to balance Environment Canterbury’s Land and Water policy with the onward growth of dairying in Canterbury.

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Upcoming Events 14 August, 7.30pm–9.00pm FAR Women in Arable Health & Safety For more info visit www.far.org.nz

30 August, 7.00pm ATS Seed Pasture Night Bradford Room Ashburton Trust Event Centre RSVP to atsseed@ats.co.nz For more info contact Tim Dale 0800 BUY ATS (289 287)

26–27 October Ashburton A&P Show Ashburton A&P Showgrounds

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Still with dairying, and migrants Glen and Charlie Coffin discuss the differences they have experienced between their farming practices in England and the four years they have spent at Klondyke Dairy near Temuka.

Third generation mixed crop and livestock farmer, Wyvern Jones of Carew talks about his late career farming shift, the implications and challenges it has created, and how he and wife Beth have managed the changes.

By the time this goes to print, this year’s ATS Instore Days will have been and gone, but you’ll find photos and commentary on this ever-popular event inside this issue. It is always a great opportunity to catch up with others in the farming community and this year also provided members with the chance to farewell two long-standing ATS staff members, Allan Lilley and Michael Broadfoot who retire this month after 30 and 25 years respectively. Both share their ATS stories with members in this issue.

Contents

Neal Shaw, Chief Executive

www.ats.co.nz ASHBURTON

METHVEN

Editorial Enquiries

97 Burnett St Tel: 03 307 5100 Fax: 03 307 6721 ashburton@ats.co.nz

88 Main St Tel: 03 303 2020 Fax: 03 302 8184 methven@ats.co.nz

RAKAIA

HEAD OFFICE

68 Elizabeth Ave Tel: 03 303 5440 Fax: 03 303 5430 rakaia@ats.co.nz

PO Box 131 Ashburton Tel: 03 307 5100 Fax: 03 307 6721 ats@ats.co.nz

Our team welcome your contributions, enquiries and letters.

Please post or email to: Charlotte Mackenzie Marketing Manager charlotte.mackenzie@ats.co.nz Nikki Craig Co-op Marketing Co-ordinator nikki.craig@ats.co.nz

Advertising Enquiries:

Please contact the Marketing Department on: Tel: 03 307 5100 marketing@ats.co.nz www.ats.co.nz

CONTRIBUTORS:

Photography:

Richard Rennie, Anita Body, Ele Ludemann, Linda Clarke, Dr Rob Derrick, Ian Walsh and Ian Hodge

Nikki Craig, Charlotte Mackenzie, and Jason McKenzie

DISCLAIMER: All information contained within ATS News is to the best

Front Page Photo

of the author’s knowledge true and accurate. Opinions expressed are those of the author and not of Ashburton Trading Society. Items herein are general comments only and do not constitute or convey advice. This newsletter is issued as a helpful guide to members.

Wyvern and Beth Jones

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Features

Regulars

Profiles

Etc

2 Calves more than a numbers game at Klondyke 4 Farm redevelopment beats retirement 7 Co-operatively farming 8 Canterbury first off block with Land and Water plan 14 Fifty-five years dedication to ATS 22 ATS Instore Days

11 Ele Ludemann 13 Supporting new pastures 19 Sun power an energy option 27 Preventing milk fever 29 Getting the best out of your winter kale 33 Retained placenta

17 Active Health for an active life

Active Health

42 News at ATS 44 Out and about 45 Classifieds

35 Rural market round-up

Property Brokers

21 An opportunity to travel

United Travel 31 Quality joinery from an experienced team

Ashburton Joinery

FEATURE

Calves more than a numbers game at Klondyke Glen Coffin marvels at the contrast between her calf rearing operation at Klondyke Dairy Ltd and the farm she used to work on in England.

By Richard Rennie

“There I had done a good season if I had reared 50 calves. Here it is sometimes closer to 50 calves a day!”

But despite the sheer number of calves that flood in on busy days, attention to detail, care and good facilities mean she enjoys a high standard of weaned offspring, with minimal health problems along the way.

Her and husband Charlie are dairy migrants from Dorset who have spent the past four years in Canterbury at Klondyke Dairy near Temuka, relishing the opportunity Canterbury’s scale and the industry’s support provides them compared to the UK. Charlie manages the 2000 cow operation that is stepping up to 2300 this season.

Glen oversees the intensive and demanding job of rearing 1300 calves, half dairy replacement and the other half beef calves.

The beef sector has witnessed a number of larger scale commercial calf rearing operators drop out in recent years, making her role vital in replenishing the beef industry with young stock as it is rearing healthy, productive dairy replacements for the dairy operation.

Recent shortages of beef stock reflect the lower numbers of calves reared over the past three years.

It comes just as the planets are aligning with low global supplies, strengthening demand from non traditional markets, and positive grass supplies.

Glen rears the Friesian-Hereford cross beefies through to weaning from where they will continue to be grazed off the farm prior to sale.

“We have enjoyed a good steady demand for them over the past couple of years,” she says.

While Glen is confident rearing numbers that would daunt many, she also admits being open to learning new methods to get the best results in the operation. Last year saw her make a major shift in her approach to rearing which, despite her open mindedness, she admits challenged her views.

“Of the three of us presented with the new approach, I have to admit, I was probably the most sceptical. I tended to take the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” view.”

That approach was to move from her more traditional twice a day milk replacer feeds to the Queen of Calves rearing programme, researched and developed by Bell Booth.

The programme aims to have calves convert energy more efficiently into bodyweight, ultimately consuming less milk, more lower cost cereal based feed and benefitting from better rumen development.

Young calves are fed twice a day on whole milk, including the addition of X Factor probiotic compound to the milk. The probiotic puts “good” bacteria into the calves’ stomach, populating it and preventing “bad” bacteria building in numbers.

The key benefit claimed is in the early rearing phase over the first 18 days is the X Factor will help knock back bacteria often collected by the calf from its environment, and even its mother, that make it more susceptible to infection and poor health.

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left: Glen oversees the intensive and demanding job of rearing 1300 calves

After that first three week period the heifer replacements will continue to receive whole milk twice a day, with the addition of Queen of Calves compound, while the beef calves go to straight whole milk powder replacement.

Glen says a focus of hers based on her UK experience has always been to try and build up the amount of “hard” feed, such as straw and meal the calves receive as quickly as possible from an early age, given the cost benefit and value to helping rumen development.

She believes she has managed to shave a week off weaning times without sacrificing weaning weight, with the calves appearing content and developing well on the programme.

“We would probably have cut back on the whole milk by about a litre, averaging four litres a day in two feeds. “ The calves also seemed to suffer less from overfeeding and getting nutritional scours, and were keen to tuck into the hard feed on offer.

An encounter with cryptosporidium last season was unwelcome and challenging, with the calves

having to be treated with antibiotics. However she put them back onto X Factor after the treatment and found they bounced back a lot quicker and healthier from the setback.

Massey research has found early growth before three months of age is a spring board for ensuring overall better performing animals once they hit their productive stage in life.

Glen has a proven system combined with good facilities and a routine for moving calves through, ensuring they get the best environment in those early stages.

The operation comprises two large dedicated sheds split into 12 pens, where the calves will spend three weeks.

Once put outside into rearing paddocks in mobs of 40, they have access to shelter sheds for the bad days, and continue to be fed once a day.

Shed hygiene and biosecurity is a key focus over those intense early weeks.

“We are a bit lucky being where we are, we do not have too many visitors out here, which keeps contact and risk of infection lower.”

FEATURE She also uses Virkon disinfectant regularly on the wood chip surfaced pens, and tries to rest the pens whenever possible on the finer days to reduce the pressure on them.

“Ideally you would like to have fine weather right through calving, but of course you won’t, so attention to hygiene is pretty important for me. Last year we had two days of solid snow, and periods like that really put pressure on your facilities and the calves.”

After the all year round routine Glen and Charlie worked with in the UK, Glen says she finds New Zealand’s seasonal dairy pattern a welcome change.

“It is possible to just focus on each stage of the year, from mating to drying off to calving, to rearing calves and back to mating, it helps get your staff focussed and skilled at each area, rather than dealing with everything on the go at once.”. below left: Glen and Charlie Coffin below right: Last years calves

Tips for rearing quality calves Glen has a few simple, well worn guidelines she sticks to when rearing calves that help keep diseases down, growth rates up and happy, healthy calves.

1. Treat the facilities like a nursery and minimise visitors.

2. Always ensure calves receive colostrum for their first two feeds.

“We are lucky where we are, it is a bit more isolated, so the number of people coming through is minimal. If you can keep visitors down, it just helps reduce the likelihood of introducing diseases from elsewhere.”

Keeping quality colostrum on hand and ready to dispense is critical for calves getting the best start in life.

3. Have the best facilities possible.

If you can have dedicated sheds and facilities, rather than a makeshift set up, all the better.

Setting up sheds so milk can be dispensed by gravity or pumps keeps lifting to a minimum, saving time and providing more time to observe calves and identify any with problems or requiring extra attention.

4. Details are important.

With young calves small problems can develop into bigger ones quickly, so take the time to notice how calves are behaving, maintaining good hygiene practices in washing equipment, disinfecting bedding regularly, spelling pens on fine days—all help keep a smooth, healthy throughput through a busy, but short, period of the farm calendar.

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FEATURE

Farm redevelopment beats retirement Wyvern Jones has an energetic fizz about him that makes him an ideal poster boy for the virtues of late career shifts in farm direction.

By Richard Rennie

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A third generation mixed crop and livestock farmer on his family’s original block at Carew, he has overseen some massive overhauls in farm direction and infrastructure that would leave many half his age in his wake.

Overarching that was wholesale conversion to centre pivot irrigation system from the traditional borderdyke scheme watered through the Mayfield-Hinds section of the Rangitata Diversion Race (RDR) scheme.

The core of that change has been the move to buy more land and to put almost half the 650ha operation into dairying. This has left the rest of the farm business a dedicated dairy support and cropping block.

Now at the start of its fifth season, the dairy unit produced 2000kgMS/ha or 600,000kgMS in total last season, and its owner is proud to have made the leap after a lifetime of mixed cropping.

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“I guess you could say we were slow learners, we spent plenty of time watching others convert and we resisted it initially. We had to get our heads around a whole new level of debt. But once you have and you know it can be repaid, you get on with the job and let the bankers worry about the rest!” he says.

He can point to plenty of nicks and scratches inflicted when he laid the farm bare redeveloping it.

The system has been designed for 5mm of water on average per day, and with 10ha of pond storage and spring-summer showers manages at under 4mm typically.

Wyvern acknowledges how in recent years the system has not been challenged, with last summer being one of the wettest and seeing most systems only running at 50%. But part of the Mayfield-Hinds’ insurance against inevitable drier years is the recent investment in a 180ha ponding area.

FEATURE ahead of aptitude, you could always get them skilled up and know they would be enjoyable, hardworking company.”

Retirement holds little appeal to Wyvern and Beth, and they are glad their children have been able to pursue their chosen careers around New Zealand and the world.

“It leaves us in the privileged position to continue doing what we enjoy, and we know the scale is here if they were to decide to return at some stage.”

“It is a use it or lose it situation on the Rangitata. So if we can store some water before it heads out to sea at times we don’t need it as much for times of greater need, it gives us good reliability through to February, with the odd year that proves an exception to that.”

ABOVE: Cross Tech water turbine left: Wyvern and Beth Jones RIGHT: Wyvern’s first passion is cropping

He bought “total upheaval” in the course of ripping out over 80km of fencing, old concrete posts. There was also “countless” kilometres of borderdyke sills, dams and head races from old borderdyke schemes, some installed with pick and shovel even as late as the nineties.

Wyvern was in the unusual position of pulling out fencing and water systems he had installed himself over a lifetime farming the property.

“In some cases they were fences only put in three or four years earlier—good farm layout and design could not be compromised simply because you had become attached to your handiwork!”

The compromises forced on his irrigation system come from far less movable objects—the 17 high tension power pylons that march across the Jones’ property. Wyvern believes he has the most of any farm in Canterbury and the impact is such he was required to stump up for no less than eight centre pivots and two 370m laterals when converting the farm. “Out of those eight, we don’t have one that does a full 360° rotation, and seven only do 180°.”

Corners inflicted by pylon positioning are filled in with a hard hose water gun.

Wyvern is adamant that should farmers ever need to calculate compensation costs for pylons, his property would make an ideal case study on the extra capital demanded due to pylon positioning.

Regardless, he marvels at the hundreds of millions of dollars spent in the region on the wholesale move to centre pivot efficiency.

“Latest figures put it at around 75% of the area is now under spray irrigation in the region.”

“It has been huge, and unstoppable and all done on farmers’ own initiative, before the government even started talking support for irrigation schemes.”

Taking a clean slate approach to the farm’s redevelopment has seen top technology not only in the 60 bail rotary dairy, but also in an irrigation scheme monitored by Aquaflex moisture technology. It is invaluable in maximising water return for minimal application on the light stony Lismore silt soils that have low holding capacity and benefit from “a little often.”

Wyvern’s first passion is cropping, and he does not regret keeping half the operation committed to it.

“I guess I keep the dairy side for the money, and the cropping for the love of it, and have no regrets doing so.” The centre pivot system now delivers average yields of around 9t/ha of wheat, achievable with borderdyking, but far more reliant upon a gentle summer to do so.

“It is that return period for water. You could not get back quick enough with borderdyking and the application was not terribly efficient. We can now get 35mm every seven days, with borderdyking that could not be achieved.”

Centre pivots have seen the cropping operation considerably simplified from up to 11 different crops to only three. Ryegrass is grown for seed, with wheat and kale providing feed for the dairy herd. The straw by product of ryegrass also provides a valuable feed input for the dairy herd.

With the initial infrastructure all in place and proving its value, Wyvern aims to spend the next couple of seasons fine tuning water delivery, and technology will have a key part to play.

“It is a big advance on the borderdyking. We now know a lot more about the soil’s water holding ability, and how to manage it. We don’t move too quick to start irrigating now, the technology is making the decision for us.”

He is justifiably proud of the production the dairy unit is achieving, and his partner-manager Jeff Gould has set an even higher target of 650,000kgMS for the coming season. A blend of wheat, soy and linseed mixes through the dairy’s three feed heads helps push that production up within reasonable cost parameters.

Optimised feeding comes through electronic RFID tags that register cow production, and allocates feed rations accordingly at milking.

“The cows getting it are the ones earning it, I used to think the poorer performing ones should get more, but the result was they did not produce more despite the extra feed.”

Wyvern and wife Beth have a long established respect as warm, welcoming employers of Lincoln and Massey students in past years.

“Often they would come back with wives and children to catch up. We always figured if you employed people with the right attitude

Turbines a green energy solution One of the benefits of starting with a clean slate on Wyvern Jones’ property was the opportunity to integrate some new technology into the farm system. This has included having two Cross Tech water turbines installed to drive irrigation pumps supplying the farm’s centre pivots.

The Cross Tech turbines are capable of either driving pumps or generating electricity. In Wyvern’s case the two turbines drive irrigation pumps through a belt drive and their power is equivalent to two 45kW motors.

“The turbines revolve at around 150 rpm which is sped up for the pump drive of 1800rpm through a belt system.”

Cross Tech claim a payback period on the turbines of 3–5 years, and Wyvern believes that his first turbine was paid back after three years maximum.

“The number two has not paid back quite as quick, simply because last season was such a wet one.”

With the water travelling through a 900mm penstock and with 5-6m of fall, the turbines have operated faultlessly.

“All we are doing is harvesting the natural fall in the Canterbury Plains, and making significant energy savings by not needing electric motors to drive the pumps.”

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FEATURE

Co-operatively farming The UN General Assembly has made 2012 the International Year of Co-operatives (IYC), and ATS is proud to support New Zealand’s celebrations as a Bronze Partner. In the last issue of the ATS News we looked at the importance of co-operatives. In this issue we take a look at ATS and why it was established.

By Anita Body

ATS is fast approaching a half century. It’s hard to believe next year will see the 50th anniversary of our rural supplies co-operative.

In 1963, a group of forward thinking farmers established ATS in order to lower their farming input costs. Their vision still forms ATS’s mission statement today. Although times and farming practices have changed, this aim still underpins ATS’s core function.

Former ATS Chairman (1995-2003) and long-time member, Jack Allan says ATS was developed in a period when stock and station firms were responsible for financing the farming sector, thereby locking farmers into all of their business.

“We had little control over our farm inputs at that time. Those early pioneers of ATS saw an opportunity. They were not the first farm supplies co-operative but ATS did develop into one of the strongest,” he says.

While ATS performed well in its early years, the business “exploded” in the 1980s according to another former Chairman (1990-1995), Doug Anderson. “The biggest change was when the Rural Bank came on the scene and farmers became their own free agents when it came to finance. It also meant they were no longer tied into a mercantile firm.”

“Being part of a co-operative meant a member could come to the AGM and vote on the way the society was going,” says Doug. They could also ring up their local Director and put forward their

suggestions towards the running of their cooperative. One of the key differences between cooperatives and investor-owned businesses is that co-operative shareholders are also the customers.

The other main benefit farmers saw in joining ATS was pricing. “We farm in a tight geographic area and with Ashburton in the centre, we were able to establish a highly successful rural suppliers retail store,” says Jack.

“Initially we were solely focused on price, but ATS has had to adapt with the times and now it also plays more of a consultancy or advocacy role than in the early days,” he says.

Competitive pricing, good quality merchandise and plenty of stock on hand has remained a consistent theme since those early days. Both Jack and Doug say this, combined with highly knowledgeable staff, has been a winning formula.

“People have to be thought of as a member and be treated as such,” says Doug.

Current ATS Chairman, Phil McKendry says today’s challenge is to remain true to that original vision while at the same time remaining competitive.

“We have to keep asking ourselves if ATS as it is today is the best vehicle to offer the best solution or deals to our shareholders. It is a question that is to the forefront of the Board’s thinking, and that discussion occurs on a regular basis.”

Today’s agricultural climate is very different to when ATS was founded.

One constant is that the Board is still predominantly made up of Directors who are also farmers and members. The election of these directors by members at the AGM ensures direct accountability of the governance structure to the membership.

While the Board now also has independent directors, appointed for the complementary skills and experience they can bring, Phil says it is vital all Directors have empathy with the co-operative nature of the business. “The original purpose and co-operative nature of ATS are not up for negotiation.”

Phil says farmers become members of the buying group for one reason—to get better deals. “We can hold our hand on our heart and say that what ATS was set up to do in 1963 is what ATS is still doing in 2012.”

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Canterbury first off block with Land and Water plan In his own blunt style, former Environment Minister Nick Smith described Canterbury’s past water governance as a “dogs breakfast” to delegates at the region’s Water Quality Forum in June.

By Richard Rennie

and discharge. For Canterbury the management comes under Environment Canterbury’s proposed Land and Water Regional Plan.

“Something that is often forgotten is the plan will be applying to all water users, it is by no means anti farmer, or anti industry in its approach. Areas like Canterbury tend to see a focus on dairy, but you cannot ask a group like farmers to achieve certain goals, or abide to limits without also asking the same from urban groups,” says Environment Canterbury Chief Executive Bill Bayfield.

The plan is almost catchment based in the way it has split Canterbury into 10 water zones, with above: Bill Bayfield, Chief Executive Environment each zone overseen by a committee. Those Canterbury committees are tasked with identifying the The forum was a well attended, interactive effort key values for their zone, including economic, environmental and recreational, affected by to engage farmers and water users to see how water quality and allocation. that dog’s breakfast will be sorted. Delegates Bayfield says he is “absolutely astounded” at the learned of the efforts now in play to put Canterbury at the forefront of the nation’s water wherewithal demonstrated by the committees in a short period as they balance potentially conflicting management policy reform. expectations for many different water users.

Under the government’s National Policy Statement Of the 10 zones, those getting down to the “nitty on Freshwater, regional councils are required to develop catchment based freshwater management gritty detail” of setting limits include SelwynWaihora and Hurunui-Waiau. “I think we all know practices for all users. the big four for water quality are phosphate and The focus is to be on both economic and environmental outcomes, with limits set on allocation nitrogen losses, along with sediment and bacteria

levels in waterways.” However he stresses there will be differences between all the zones on what constitutes a limit. “To try and impose one rule across a region the size of Canterbury means you will place undue transactional costs on certain users in some areas, maybe not enough on those in others.”

Federated Farmers water and environment spokesman Ian Mackenzie has described the Plan as “work in progress”. He says it brings huge responsibilities upon industry good bodies including DairyNZ to develop nutrient limits and best practice guidelines for the zones.

The plan is being notified in mid-August, and becomes operative in 2014. However industry will have up until July 2017 to phase in these guidelines and processes to comply with its limits.

“We acknowledge some catchments like Selwyn-Waihora are under greater pressure than others. Each zone will be a subchapter that slots into the Plan,” says Bill Bayfield.

Being first in the country to develop a plan to this extent means the eyes of other councils are on Canterbury’s process. “When you are going to go first, it behoves you to draw on all the advice you can get to do it right.”

Plan will help identify N losses Rakaia share milker Jessie Dorman is more familiar than most with the impact good and bad policy can have on farm economics. Jessie has been involved in policy at Fed Farmers, DairyNZ and Beef and Lamb NZ and is among the first to acknowledge just how challenging it will be to balance the Land and Water policy with the onward growth of dairying in Canterbury.

By Richard Rennie

As junior vice president for Mid-Canterbury Fed Farmers she believes the Feds role in promoting the recent Canterbury Water Quality Forum has helped lift farmer awareness of what Environment Canterbury’s Land and Water policy holds for all farmers in the region.

Her simple summary of the plan is it requires every farmer to understand what their nitrogen losses are 8

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from their farm system, and how hard they need to improve on those losses.

“Unless you are actually required to look at your individual farm N (nitrogen) loss, you are probably not likely to consider it.”

The main tool for estimating losses is the Overseer programme.

The nutrient balance model is by no means perfect, but is being continuously upgraded to account for different aspects of the farm system. In particular, irrigation is not captured very well by the model, and those involved in developing the model have been encouraged to look at this aspect of it.

Working with Environment Canterbury as part of a wider stakeholder group providing feedback on the

Plan, she sees an audited self managed approach likely to develop. It is one where arable and pastoral sectors determine what the limits and objectives will be and put an auditable system in place to show they have been met If the ability to estimate N losses is already in place with Overseer, then DairyNZ data provides dairy farmers with the ability to see where they sit within their region for N losses.

The industry user group has every region’s N losses categorised across a bell curve, with an average of 50% of Canterbury’s farms losing between 30–40kg of N/ha a year.

“Canterbury is leaching less than the Waikato but this is possibly a bit misleading due to a higher proportion of cows being wintered off down here, transferring that loss to arable or grazing farms.”

However the data provides farms with an indicator, and as the Plan develops towards its 2017 implementation date, this sort of data will help provide a guide as to how much farmers at the upper edges of that curve will have to change their management.

“It is less about the absolute numbers, and more about where you sit on that curve.”

She expects pressure will come on to deal with those outlying high loss properties first.

Challenges to placing limits on losses include determining how to treat N losses when wintering off the milking platform, when drainage losses are also highest.

“Understanding your nutrient budget is the best point to start with. From that you can determine where you sit on the nitrogen loss bell curve, and find out why.”

As the plan evolves and the 2017 compliance date draws nearer, there are several positive steps farmers can take to increase their understanding of farm system nitrogen losses.

“Understanding your nutrient budget is the best point to start with. From that you can determine where you sit on the nitrogen loss bell curve, and find out why.”

Mitigating nitrogen losses could be as simple as modifying the way nitrogen fertiliser is applied.

“A little often is the best approach, and of course avoiding application over winter when drainage leaching losses are greatest.”

“Ultimately the use of this sort of technology has economic upsides, you are only applying at the optimum for that specific area, rather than the average across the whole farm, so the fertiliser input will deliver the greatest return where it is needed the most, and be avoided where it is already highest.”

Similarly low rate and variable rate irrigation technology will make the costly business of watering smarter, reducing water inputs according to soil moisture profiles, and minimising nitrogen leaching out of the profile. These are some of the technologies which are not yet captured in Overseer, so it is important that the model develops as technology improves.

above: Jessie and Hayden Dorman

“mop up” nitrogen losses with better management, with potential positive gains from improvement in efficiency.

She cautions there still remain losses other than nitrogen that have had much less focus, including phosphate and bacteria.

“They represent factors quite hard to measure, but nitrogen is tricky too, you cannot see it and are relying upon a model to determine the losses.”

She believes the Plan’s outcomes could prove positive for dairying, as long as positive economic gains can be proven, and the science behind the All Paddock soil testing will also produce a more measurements is allowed to be updated and Use of lower protein feeds like grains and maize will definitive profile map of the farm’s high and low reviewed regularly. It is important to get the limit also see less nitrate production as a waste product fertility areas, from which fertiliser regimes can be setting right - the local economy could suffer in dairy cows already being fed “rocket fuel” irrigated adjusted towards. The next level from this is EM hugely if the policy framework does not deliver a pastures high in protein.

Jessie and Hayden are (Electromagnetic) mapping. The process produces a science based and balanced approach. averaging 1t grain/cow/year but Jessie’ s research GPS grid map of the farm’s fertility level, in turn capable bent has her keen to see work done to calculate an “Our knowledge is improving all the time, we may of being linked to GPS guided fertiliser applicators. optimal level of feed to get nitrogen losses down find we set numbers that are impossible to meet, The property Jessie and husband Hayden operate while still boosting production. we must be able to come back and assess, review has just picked up on this technology which will and alter the method as our knowledge grows.”

Ultimately the Plan will represent a cap on result in them applying liquid fertiliser at variable nitrogen losses, but Jessie agrees there is rates determined by the EM profile. considerable potential across the industry to ATS N E W S

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REGULAR

Opinion

Ele Ludemann homepaddock.wordpress.com

Thoughts from across the rivers One of the frustrations of farming is that we’re busiest in summer when most people take holidays.

By Ele Ludemann

However, that does give us an excuse for a sunshine-fix in the middle of winter and this year our travels took us north to Europe.

for Primary Producers which has been up skilling farmers from Australia and New Zealand for more than 10 years.

A day spent with a guide from New Zealand Farmers including a tour of Randall Parker Foods, which packages a lot of our lamb, and three supermarkets gave us an appreciation of the work that goes into trying to sell our produce on the other side of the world.

Partners were invited on a three day farm stay.

We were hosted by an entrepreneurial young couple who are taking over from his parents on a dairy farm.

There’s a lot of competition on supermarket shelves. Lamb, ours and the local product, went from eight pounds a kilo for steaks at half-price to racks at 30 pound a kilo. It was usually sitting beside pork and chicken at a fraction of the price illustrating only too well it’s a luxury product.

We can’t compete on price but we do well in competing on quality.

The recession is having an impact but the wealthy still have money to spend. A neighbour of our weekend host in Yorkshire raises pheasants and sells shooting rights for eight guns at 15,000 pounds a day for each of the 58 days of the season.

We were in the northern hemisphere because my husband was one of 50 people from around the world attending Rabobanks first global farmers’ masterclass. It was prompted by the success of the bank’s Executive Development Programme

They had recently built a new barn—after a threeyear consent process—to house their 150 milking cows and four robotic milking machines. The barn was immaculate, the cows healthy and contented and the high-input system was producing high outputs too.

construction of roads and a large irrigation system as well as British investment in houses. The construction has finished and the house market has crashed.

Observations there confirmed our impression that the worst is not over for Europe but the hard economic decisions taken in the past are paying off for New Zealand. That thought kept us warm as we flew back to winter and now we can look forward to spring.

Our hosts were frustrated by the EU quota system which makes it expensive to increase production and looking forward to the end of subsidies in 2015. They would rather be responsive and answerable to the market, as we are, than bureaucrats and politicians.

While there we were reminded of Fonterra´s global influence. We’d seen the results of the GlobalDairyTrade auction on the internet the previous night and found it on the front page of a Dutch farming paper next morning.

We finished the holiday in Vejer de la Frontera in Spain where we´d spent three months in 2005.

Then it was booming on the back of EU funded

top & above: A new barn housing 150 milking cows and four robotic milking machines ATS N E W S

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REGULAR

Fertiliser Anna Bedford 027 499 7617 Russell Hamilton 027 677 4499 Michael Robertson 027 464 2972 Tel: 0800 222 090 www.ballance.co.nz

Supporting new pastures Knowing how to manage new pastures correctly during their establishment phase is critical to their persistence and longevity.

Article supplied by Ballance Agri-Nutrients

Failures as a result of problems at sowing, e.g. incorrect seed bed preparation, poor drainage and selection of an inappropriate cultivar or endophyte, can be difficult to remedy without starting again; however, correct management after sowing is also essential.

A survey conducted by AgResearch in the late 1990s asked farmers to identify their most persistent pastures and to outline what they believed were the key management strategies that made a difference.

The results indicated that regular fertilising and good grazing management were key to persistence. Pastures can persist, with high levels of desirable species, for over 20 years; however, they need above-average soil fertility (usually an Olsen P of at least 22, sulphate sulphur of at least 15 and a soil pH of 6).

The conditions for persistence are set up right at the start, when pastures are being established. This takes time and good management - it is important not to place too much pressure on pasture in the first year to 18 months.

will change the pasture composition and its growth patterns.

Make sure you use supplements, standing off or grazing off to prevent this from happening.

Pasture pulling, an increase in weed numbers, and slow recovery in the following season are all indications that overgrazing has occurred.

DairyNZ has conducted research which showed the importance of new pasture management going into the first summer. The results showed that good-sized plants at the beginning of the first summer are necessary to ensure survival and that heavy grazing and damage from dung and urine caused 43% of plant deaths over summer.

The best policy is to graze pastures regularly during autumn and spring; this encourages tiller initiation and gives clover the light it needs to establish. Clover germinates as rapidly as grasses but takes longer to establish (i.e. grasses 4–6 weeks, clovers 3–6 months).

Stocking rate and grazing pressure will have a large effect on the establishment and persistence of your pasture.

Plants should reach 10–12 cm before the first grazing, then be grazed for a short period of time, removing one-third to half the leaf area, or down to around 4–5 cm height residual. During the first winter and spring, grasses should be kept short (less than 12 cm) and grazing avoided when soils are wet.

Stocking rates have increased on most farms and this can have a large impact on soil characteristics and the survival of pasture plants. Pugging, compaction, and overgrazing in summer will all reduce persistence, and urine and dung patches

Pastures planted with cultivars containing novel endophytes need different treatment as they will be more palatable than the wild endopyhte (particularly at the base of the plant) so animals will graze plants much closer to the

ground. If animals graze to low residuals they will start grazing the growing points; therefore, it’s important to leave greater residuals and offer protection from grazing when the plants are under stress.

It is also important to check you have the correct soil fertility; soil testing annually is the best method you can use to ensure you get it right.

Use your soil test results to develop a fertiliser programme that gives your new pasture the best conditions for growth.

During cultivation, organic N is mineralised, which releases nitrates. The new plants use these nitrates during establishment, but once they run out clover will not be developed enough to supply the pasture’s nitrogen requirements.

That’s why new grass often becomes nitrogen deficient two to three months after establishment (a symptom is yellow leaf tips), particularly after a wet spell. Ryegrass growth should be supported with regular applications of nitrogen (20-25 kg N/ha- as SustaiN® Green or n-rich urea), with the first application 6-8 weeks after sowing, and then additional applications after each grazing.

Finally, don’t forget to avoid making hay or silage from new pastures in the first spring, as this causes plant damage (reduced tillering and root growth) and increases the chance of plant death during summer. Also, keep on top of weeds, which can compete with your new pasture, by applying herbicides when weed plants are small.

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FEATURE

Fifty-five years dedication to ATS

Allan Lilley

name, being able to recall their ATS numbers, and knowing about their farming operations.

Its 30 years since Allan Lilley joined the team at ATS, or Producers as it was known then. There were only half a dozen staff and a much smaller selection of products on the shelves.

In the earlier days it was much easier to recall this information. “Members would come in quite regularly Allan has been slowly easing into his retirement. and you soon pick up that sort of information. It has Four years ago he cut his hours back to four got harder over the years though.” days a week, with his day off often spent on the golf course. Golf features in his retirement His farming background was an advantage as he plans, as does spending more time following already knew a number of locals. But the key to his wealth of knowledge is Allan’s attitude towards his grandchildren’s achievements. Two live in Ashburton and four in Christchurch and Allan ATS members. is tremendously proud of them. “They’re all extremely talented in many ways.”

“In those days Tux was one of our biggest sellers, along with gates, wire netting, chemicals, wool packs and animal markers,” he says. In some ways not a lot has changed—these are still popular items but they make up only a fraction of the goods stocked these days.

“He was a leader in the shop

Allan came to ATS with an extensive farming and on the shop floor. A lot of knowledge. He’d been on the family farm at people that worked with him Winslow Road for 22 years before moving to town. looked up to him and sought The 640 acre farm (one square mile) was a mixed his advice.” farming unit carrying between 2500 and 3000 ewes and Allan and his family had been there since 1956. “You have to treat people as people. A little empathy goes a long way. Sometimes you end up At the time it was a difficult decision to move being a confidant, and sometimes it is just about away, but it proved to be the right choice with building a rapport with them and that’s what’s Allan, his wife Kathryn and their children Pauline, Susan and Stewart all adapting quickly to town life. made it so good. I’m going to miss the customers.”

The members are going to miss him too. Two Thirty years is a long time to stay in one job, but Allan says he had a bit of an incentive to stick with members and past ATS chairmen, Jack Allan and Doug Anderson agree he’ll be missed. it. When he first started a member of the Board “Allan developed a culture of a home away from said Allan wouldn’t last long and that he’d be like home,” says Jack. “He was always a friendly and others who started in the shop and then moved welcoming face.” on to the bigger stock and station firms. “For me, that was a challenge to stay.” He says it’s a bit ironic Doug says you could always hear Allan serving in that ATS has sort of come full circle now with ATS the shop. “You could hear that distinctive laugh. He attracting staff from stock and station firms. was always telling a joke or having a laugh or two.”

Allan has spent his entire ATS career on the shop “He was a leader in the shop and on the shop floor and during that time he has earned an floor. A lot of people that worked with him looked enviable reputation for knowing members by up to him and sought his advice,” he says.

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Long-time colleague, Trish Burrowes agrees. “He’s always had a total commitment to the job and he has never been one to judge—you can ask him anything.”

He hasn’t ruled out lending a helping hand at ATS if needed when staff are on leave or during busy times, such as Instore Days. He has enjoyed watching the business grow and develop over the years. Seeing events such as this evolve, and targets reached and exceeded, have been among the highlights over the last 30 years.

Others include being a guest at an All Blacks vs Australia match in Brisbane several years ago; the annual Directors and staff dinners; and having the dubious honour of informing the Producers Group that the Ashburton store was pulling out. The store manager was away when the Board made the decision and the responsibility fell on Allan to deliver the news.

More recently Allan was greatly honoured to have a meeting room—the Lilley Pad—named after him.

He says it’ll be hard leaving. He’s going to especially miss the members and the staff although he knows he’ll still see many of them around town—and you can be sure he’ll still have time for a chat and a catch up.

FEATURE

Two of ATS’s longest serving staff members are retiring this month after contributing a combined 55 years to the business. By Anita Body When Allan Lilley and Michael Broadfoot leave ATS, they will take with them a wealth of knowledge and the best of wishes from the many members and staff they have served and worked with over the years. There’s no doubt they will be missed and will be hard acts to follow.

Michael Broadfoot When Michael Broadfoot retires it will be exactly 25 years to the day. That’s 24 and a half years longer than he originally intended.

“I came here for six months.” What was originally a short term thing became his longest stretch of continuous employment.

Originally from Christchurch, Michael had initially set his sights on being a grocer. His father had other plans and encouraged Michael to join him at the Addington Workshops. He worked there as an electrical fitter, but the lure of the grocery trade proved too strong, and when the opportunity came up, he left and joined the Foodstuffs company and worked in their Four Square shops.

In 1971 he earned his Master Grocer diploma.

It’s an occupation which has all but ceased to exist nowadays, and is only comparable to Johnson’s Grocery in Christchurch. Michael was trained to measure out goods and to serve customers in a very different manner to what we experience today.

The introduction of supermarkets and the packaging of goods led to the demise of grocers, and Michael left the trade to work for Feltex Footwear, then Feltex Carpets, and later Reckitt and Coleman.

Twelve years after leaving the grocery trade, Michael and his wife Jo, along with their children Duncan and Erin, decided to move to the country.

They were looking for a healthier environment for their son who was a borderline asthmatic.

ATS CEO Neal Shaw says both men have been an important part of what makes ATS so successful. “Their level of knowledge of the district and the products we sell has been invaluable. I have had the pleasure of working with Allan and Michael in the various roles they have held with ATS over my time here and I am sorry to see them move away. I wish them well in their retirement.”

They came to Mid Canterbury to work on a farm, but this was short-lived as they’d walked right into the farming down-turn. When the job at ATS came up, Michael thought it would be a short term option.

For the next 12 years he was on the shop floor and his responsibilities included ear tags, dairy chemical, boots, groceries, and electric and ordinary fencing. These retail sections have since grown to such an extent that many have a dedicated staff member now.

In 1999 Michael suffered a major heart attack at work. “It was the 19th of November and in fact I had four in one day—all of them MI’s.”

“There would be very little you could ask him that he doesn’t know—he’s amazing with his knowledge.”

He came back to work the following year but in a new role as he was no longer able to carry out the same level of physical work required on the shop floor. Instead he was assigned to the newly created Call Centre (Customer Service team) and his wealth of product and customer knowledge proved invaluable.

ATS CEO Neal Shaw says “We were able to reassign Michael to the Customer Service team where he provided a huge amount of knowledge to the very new team. We are grateful for the guidance Michael provided especially in those early days.”

For the last 12 years Michael has remained a member of that team, and many members

will have spoken to him over the telephone on numerous occasions.

Times have changed since Michael joined ATS. “When you have come through the 1960s like me, everything has changed from black and white to colour.”

There was only one computer in the office when he joined ATS, and only 10 staff who all mucked in together. The days of playing cricket out the back, and the high-jinx the team used to get up to moving belongings (including small cars) around with the forklift, have long gone. But the ability to have a laugh and a joke haven’t.

Michael has a reputation for keeping the staff kitchen in order, and has been the target of many jokes. “Everyone has fun with Michael,” says fellow staff member, Trish Burrowes. “He is very quick witted and always comes back with a reply. He also has a humongous amount of knowledge. There would be very little you could ask him that he doesn’t know—he’s amazing with his knowledge.”

For now, Michael is looking forward to retirement and has no big plans. “There are things that I want to do around home, but I’m just looking forward to having a rest and seeing what it is like.”

“Retiring is a new adventure and I am looking forward to it.” below: Playing the ukulele is Michaels passion; Michael and Jo Broadfoot opposite page: Golf features in Allans retirement; Allan and Kathryn Lilley

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Win me

re! e h e b d l u o c You

Simply use your ATS card at The Brown Pub, Methven and be in to

win a weekend for two to watch the All Blacks vs South Africa in Dunedin on September 15th

Terms & Conditions: Any purchase over $35 at The Brown Pub between August 1–August 31 qualifies to go in the draw to win the weekend break. Purchases can include meals, beverages or accommodation. The draw will take place at ATS Head Office on Monday 3rd September 2012. Winners will be notified by phone. ATS and The Brown Pub reserve the right to use winners names for promotional purpose. Not transferrable or redeemable for cash.

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PROFILE

Active Health for an active life It’s been a busy year for new ATS supplier Active Health.

By Linda Clarke

The Christchurch-based health provider has been setting up new clinics in and around the city, while director and top Physiotherapist Mark Hollands has been keeping our best cyclists in shape for the London Olympics.

Active Health was forced to leave its QEII base when the sports stadium, home to the 1972 Commonwealth Games, was damaged and deemed irreparable by last year’s earthquakes.

Since then, Mark and wife Michelle have been operating the business from headquarters at 39A Rutland Street, with satellite clinics now open at Parklands, the Central City and Rangiora.

It has been tough, but the team has kept up a full range of services including sports medicine, physiotherapy, chiropractic, podiatry, nutrition and massage therapy.

Mark’s expertise in the sports medicine field has kept him busy travelling recently. He was lead physiotherapist for the New Zealand team competing at the Track Cycling World Championships in Melbourne earlier this year and he also accompanied the national cycling team to London last month.

His qualifications cover sports medicine, physiotherapy, physical education and science, and he has extensive experience nationally and internationally with special areas of interest in cycling injuries, knee rehabilitation and spinal problems.

As well as keeping our Olympians in shape, he is the current physiotherapist for Bike NZ, and an accredited physiotherapist with Triathlon NZ, our winter Olympians, the national men’s softball team, NZ Golf, Paralympics NZ and Athletics NZ.

But you don’t have to be a star athlete to seek out his services. Mark and Michelle say that Active Health is about helping people remain active whatever their age or lifestyle.

“At Active Health our aim is to provide a holistic, multidisciplinary approach to healthcare, incorporating the physical, nutritional and emotional aspects of health and performance. Active Health for an active life.”

Active Health consultants encourage clients to take responsibility for their own health especially in the areas of exercise, nutrition and stress management.

ATS members had the chance to meet some of the Active Health team at the ATS Instore Days recently, where consultants were offering mole checks, nutrition and fitness assessments. Staff are experienced and use the latest treatment techniques and methods.

Michelle also has a strong sport background.

The former Black Stick played in the midfield for Canterbury and represented New Zealand at the Sydney Olympic Games, two Commonwealth Games, four champions trophies and one world cup between 1999 and 2006. She played a total of 99 international matches.

She took a two-year break from the game to raise baby Katie, returned to top level hockey in late 2005 and retired “cold turkey” the following year to

Active Health 39a Rutland Street St Albans, Christchurch

above: Michelle Hollands Former Black Stick playing USA in World Championships in 2002 main image: Mark Hollands with Sebastian Coe in London for a pre-olympic test event. Mark is lead physiotherapist for the New Zealand Cycling team

spend more time with family. The couple now have three children and a growing business.

Active Health staff help everyone from elite athletes to individuals who want to stay fit; from the young to the elderly, all abilities and capabilities. Keeping Canterbury active is the aim.

Active Health offers individual and corporate health and wellbeing programmes that establish general health and fitness levels, with suggestions for improvement. A healthier more active lifestyle reduces the risk of high blood pressure, cholesterol problems, diabetes, heart disease, back pain and obesity.

Learning how to eat right can also help sports performance levels and optimise energy.

The nutritionists offer menu planning and travel advice for athletes, supermarket tours, workplace nutrition and tips on how to reduce body fat.

Active Health’s main hub is at 39A Rutland Street, and it runs clinics at Reebok CrossFit Canterbury, Durham Health (Rangiora), Parklands Community Centre, and CPIT.

Tel: 03 3836290 info@activehealth.co.nz www.activehealth.co.nz ATS N E W S

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Energy Tracey Gordon ATS Energy Account Manager Tel: 0800 BUY ATS Mobile: 027 652 2133 tracey.gordon@ats.co.nz www.ats.co.nz/energy

Sun power an energy option The rapid growth of dairying in the Canterbury region brings a need for new houses, support buildings and of course dairy sheds. It also brings the chance to take a “blank slate” approach, not only to farm layout, but also farm energy provision.

By Richard Rennie

ATS Energy Account Manager Tracey Gordon says Canterbury’s eastern location means with 2100 sunshine hours on average a year, solar energy should at least be considered for farm energy options.

“Overall, dairy farms account for 2.3% of New Zealand’s total electricity consumption.”

A report on dairy farm electricity use released in December funded through Fonterra and the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) revealed an average dairy farm use of 74,000kWh per dairy, rising to 120,000kWh when allowing for irrigation.

Overall, dairy farms account for 2.3% of New Zealand’s total electricity consumption.

EECA Business Programme Manager Rod Treder says a well designed solar water heating system can be used effectively for dairy shed hot water systems, as a pre-heater to offset the cost of electricity.

For farmers keen to install solar systems, Treder says the quality of systems on offer and their installation has improved significantly in the past 10 years, thanks in part to EECA’s solar water heating programme.

“…in a New Zealand context electricity is already a good environmental choice, being 75% renewable and targeting 90% by 2025.”

Water heating is the single biggest electricity requirement in dairy sheds, accounting for 24%, and the ECCA report determined over 70% of dairy shed energy savings related to hot water heating.

“However the price has not come down as much as photovoltaic systems. In general the costs of the systems are a much bigger factor in regard to cost effectiveness than annual sunshine hours.”

The report also cautioned however that heat recovery from refrigeration systems could provide a better overall outcome. Energy audits done in the EECA report on the 150 sample dairy farms indicated solar energy was already in place on six properties, but was the second most recommended preheating option, at 24 compared to refrigerant superheat heat pumps at 60.

He cautions that while solar energy holds appeal as being “good for the environment”, in a New Zealand context electricity is already a good environmental choice, being 75% renewable and targeting 90% by 2025.

“People often focus on the money saved with solar, but don’t think about the upfront cost or do their sums properly before investing.”

Whether installing solar water systems in dairy

sheds or farm houses, he urges it be installed by a qualified professional. The Sustainable Electricity Association of New Zealand is working to improve installation quality.

Meanwhile, there are no subsides available for businesses or homes, but Treder says some may be available in the future for dairy shed water heating.

“ATS Energy can provide full advice and cost modelling for farmers considering energy options.”

Another solar energy option is photovoltaic systems, relying upon the sun’s energy to charge banks of battery cells.

“The benefits at present arise in niche situations, such as off-grid generation.

However photovoltaic is coming down in price, and is a technology to watch for the future,” says EECA’s Treder.

ATS Energy can provide full advice and cost modelling for farmers considering energy options.

Contact ATS Energy Account Manager Tracey Gordon on 0800 BUY ATS (289 287) for more information.

image: Photo supplied by Meridian Energy

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ly d fula e t l u ins spas st from ju g

startin

$5750

Mon to Friday 9am–5pm Sat & Sun 10am–4pm 1004 Ferry Road, Ferrymead, Christchurch Ph 384 4089 or 0800 80 1004

www.wsp.co.nz 20

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An opportunity to travel

PROFILE

Mid Canterbury people are busy seeing the world, says Kevin Crequer from United Travel Ashburton, and they’re exploring some of the most remote, exciting and beautiful spots, from Antarctica to the shores of Hudson Bay.

By Linda Clarke

His clients are travelling for work, for leisure, to visit relatives or for an overseas adventure; a surprising number are ticking off items on their bucket list.

Their phones ring all day and sometimes at night, with clients needing information, advice, emergency bookings and re-locations.

While some have done plenty of research on the internet about where they would like to visit, others have a sudden urge to “go somewhere warm”. Kevin and fellow consultants Lynn McGregor and Hamish Paterson have no shortage of ideas about where to go and stay, and have firsthand experience in many cases. Lynn and Hamish have both travelled and lived overseas and still try to get away once a year to new destinations.

Debbie Buller, who looks after reception and office administration, rounds out the team.

Many rural clients have simply seized an unexpected window of opportunity to travel and need to make plans quickly. “This can be as simple as going on holiday after the cows have dried off, or they have found someone to look after the farm.”

It’s been a whirlwind past 12 months for Kevin, who along with his wife Carolyn and their business partner Gavin Douglas bought the company from long-time operators Richard and Angela Conway. Kevin had worked in the West Street business since 2000.

Clients on business trips have different needs. They need flights and accommodation that work in the most time-efficient manner, with appointments that might span several countries.

He says Kiwis are no longer content to holiday in Australia or do their big OE in Europe. They have expanding horizons and want to visit physically and culturally different lands including off-thebeaten track destinations like Burma or go polar bear spotting in Canada. South America, Asia and South Africa are still popular choices for young people on a backpacking adventure.

Kevin says, however, that there’s not always a problem at the end of the line. “I got a call one afternoon from clients at a Club Med. It was July and miserable here. They were sitting by the pool at 9am having their first margarita of the day. They were loving it and wanted to rub it in.”

A new line of business was researched by Kevin and Carolyn last month during a trip to South Africa.

“We were checking out hotels, tours and talking to operators about what they can offer us. We also

below: United Travel— Kevin Crequer, Debbie Buller, Lynn McGregor, Hamish Patterson

looked over some farms with a view to offering farm visits as part of our African tours next year.

We hope to get clients into Natal and onto beef, arable and dairy farms where they can talk and interact with the local farmer.”

Another unique tour opportunity next year will make use of Ashburton’s Masterchef personality Chantelle O’Brien, who will escort a culinary experience in Europe.

Kevin said United Travel always has plenty of good deals for travellers, including Fly Buys and an exclusive partnership with Singapore Airlines and ATS that means discounted airfares for those members and suppliers using the airline.

Regardless of the destination, there are a couple of rules travellers should stick to, he says. Check, the expiry date of your passport; and make sure people know you are a Kiwi. The world still loves us.

In politically volatile countries, this can present a few challenges for travel agents seeking safe passage for their clients. Kevin says Kiwis have a surprisingly resilient attitude, and often don’t want to cancel their much-anticipated holidays because of local unrest.

Other events and natural disasters can cause problems too. In the past decade, the consultants have helped travellers through ash clouds that halted air travel, the September 11 terror attacks, Bali bombings, swine flu, SARS epidemics, a foot and mouth outbreak in the UK, and airlines such as Ansett going bust which at the time came very close to bringing Air New Zealand down.

United Travel 143 West Street Ashburton

Tel: 03 308 8219 kevin@unitedtravel.co.nz www.unitedtravel.co.nz ATS N E W S

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FEATURE

ATS Instore Days 2012 ATS Instore Days continue to play a key role in delivering ATS’s mission of lowering farm input costs for members.

This year’s event was no exception and proved to be bigger and better than ever with record numbers attending.

This year’s winners were:

Business Partner Winner Meridian Energy

ATS Supplier Winner Robertsons Farm Equipment

ATS Supplier Runner Up Active Health This year’s event was deemed a great success by ATS General Manager Operations, Jono Pavey.

“Every year ATS suppliers and retailers provide great deals for members, and display their goods and services in a professional and informative way, providing members with a wealth of knowledge.”

He says feedback from retailers and card suppliers shows members took advantage of the great deals on offer with strong sales and interest shown across the many products and services on display.

“There was a really positive feel to this year’s event,” says Jono. It was a feeling which was also experienced at both the Rakaia and Methven stores, which also had a busy couple of days.

Many site holders and members commented on the improved and spacious layout. Despite the increased number of attendees the event did not feel congested as had been the case in previous years.

“We are getting better at staging Instore Days and this year’s layout saw the marquee area have a wide and open feel with plenty of space for members to walk around,” he says.

Each year all suppliers contend for the Best Site Awards, judged by ATS members and farming representatives Enda Hawe and Natasha White, and long-serving ATS staff member Michael Broadfoot.

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Retail Winner TruTest Group

Retail Runner Up Nestle Purina Pet Care Check out the ATS Facebook page for more photos, www.facebook.com/0800BUYATS

ATS Instore Days Site Holder Comments: Struan Moore, Strainrite Fencing Systems

“Strainrite ensures its product specials for the Instore Days represent genuine savings for ATS members - the deals are even better than at the National Field Days! In our many years of experience the ATS Instore Days are also an excellent time to release new products to the South Island market. It is also a great opportunity to discuss fencing needs and to gain product feed-back.”

Michelle Hollands, Active Health

“We’re very pleased to have received an award at our first Instore Days. Part of the reason for attending was about creating awareness and it has been a good experience.”

Brian McFelin, TruTest

“The Instore Days are brilliant and a great chance to catch up.”

Blair Watson, ElectraServe

“We always try to have a new product or service on our stand because the large number of members who visit us over the two days provides a great opportunity to show it off.”

Robyne Hyndman, Southern Woods Nursery

“This was the first time we attended the ATS Instore Days. This is the one event where sales and leads exceeded our expectations and it was great to meet so many members for the first time.”

Mike Hanham, Hanham Enterprises

“As a supplier to ATS the Instore Days gives us a great opportunity to sell our products to new and existing members. The face to face interaction with them is invaluable.”

Nigel Goodwin, Orion Crop Protection Ltd

“It was a great success with a lot of positive comments from members. The Instore Days are a great way of showing growers new AgChem products along with great deals on established products.”

IMAGES:

1. Grant, Belinda, Jack and Lucy Bennett 2. Jo Goodhew and George Ward 3. Bernard and James Davidson 4. Glen and David Keeley 5. Francis Jones and Emma Perry 6. Glenys Blain and Wendy Rowe 7. Laura Gilmour and Scott Davison 8. Harry Carr 9. James and Eva Body 10. Stephen Blain, Ben McConnell and Poppy Sparrow 11. Hamish and Ella Yateman 12. Roger Henderson, Tom Patrick and Mark Croker 13. Pip and Alistair White 14. Barry Hunt, Noeline Murdoch, Jennifer Hunt and Adrienne Lambie 15. Robert, Marcus and Jessica Furrer

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Concrete Water/Feed Troughs • Septic Tanks • Silage Pits • Water Tanks/Effluent Tanks Concrete Bunkers • Pump/Agri-Chemical/Killing Sheds For any quotes or enquiries contact us on

03 308 4816

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Or call into the yard at 205 Wilkins Rd, Tinwald Ashburton

info@hanhamconcrete.co.nz

REGULAR

Nutrition The range of SealesWinslow nutritional products are available through ATS.

Preventing milk fever Dairy farmers who are facing too many cases of milk fever at calving time than they would like may wish to consider anionic salts as a potential solution.

By Dr Rob Derrick, SealesWinslow Ltd

The Dietary Cation Anion Difference (DCAD) theory of milk fever control was originally proposed in 1971 by researchers who found that that diets high in sodium and potassium and low in chlorine and sulphur tended to increase the incidence of milk fever.

In contrast, diets high in chlorine and sulphur and low in sodium and potassium or containing added anionic salts, resulted in a decrease in the occurrence of milk fever.

The calculation of DCAD requires converting the various anions and cations in the diet into milliequivalents (mEq). Several equations have been put forward for the calculation of the DCAD of a diet but fundamentally involve subtracting the milliequivalent (mEq) of anions (negative ions) from the mEq of cations (positive ions) e.g.

DCAD (mEq) = (Na + K+ 0.38Ca + 0.3Mg)—(Cl + O.6S + 0.5P)

for which the mEq conversion factor for each mineral needs to be considered.

Mineral

Conversion factor

Sodium

435

Potassium

256

Calcium

226

Magnesium

373

Chlorine

282

Sulphur

624

Phosphorus

264

If the DCAD is positive, the blood of the cow becomes more alkali (or pH increases).

Grazing high potassium pasture predisposes cows to milk fever. Reducing the intake of high potassium pasture by feeding mature forage like hay, maize silage or Alkalage, can reduce the risk of milk fever.

Older, higher yielding cows are more likely to suffer from milk fever than younger cows because they take longer to mobilise bone calcium at calving to meet the demands for milk production. If blood calcium levels fall too much they lose muscle function and fall down with milk fever.

“Reducing the intake of high potassium pasture by feeding mature forage like hay, maize silage or Alkalage, can reduce the risk of milk fever.“ If the DCAD of the total diet is negative, then the pH of the cow’s blood decreases (becomes more acidic). Reducing blood pH slightly prior to calving aids in calcium mobilisation from bone as well as absorption of calcium from the gastrointestinal tract as the brain rapidly responds to the prospect of being pickled.

Feeding anionic salts to reduce the DCAD to between negative 100mEq and negative

200mEq/kg DM can help reduce the incidence and severity of milk fever provided they are fed in the 14 days or so before calving by increasing calcium supply to the blood just when demand for calcium increases fourfold as colostrums production increases.

Unfortunately, ionic salts are not very palatable and can reduce dry matter intakes, they are expensive and feeding to excess or for too long can be counterproductive. The effect of anionic salts on blood pH can be assessed by measuring urinary pH. How to interpret urinary pH when feeding anionic salts.

Urinary pH

Interpretation

>8

Normal cow urine pH, risk of milk fever remains

6–7 (5.5–6.5 for jerseys)

Reflects optimum level of metabolic acidosis to prevent milk fever

<6 (<5.5 for jerseys)

Acidification excessive, remove some salts from the diet.

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Seed ATS Seed Tel: 0800 BUY ATSâ&#x20AC;¨ atsseed@ats.co.nz www.ats.co.nz

Getting the best out of your winter kale The winter season is an extremely important time of year as the quality and quantity of feed offered to dry cows will have a direct impact on the upcoming milking season. Many cows have gone into winter in better condition than previous years due to the increased pasture growth this season; this however does not mean that winter grazing is less important.

Article supplied by Agricom

University trial has shown that cows can consume up to 14 kg DM/ha per day of kale. This means cows can have an increased level of kale in their diet for higher condition gains.

Kale is a very common main feed source over the winter period with a large majority of dry cows, especially in Canterbury, being feed on kale. Kale is an excellent feed source for dry cows with good levels of both energy and protein for increasing cow condition. The big factor around the effectiveness of kale for increasing cow condition is a combination of quantity and quality of the kale being consumed.

The quality of kale, an equally important parameter to performance, influences the amount of kale the cows have to digest to reach the target of 12% CP (Crude Protein), which is the required amount for dry cows to maintain body condition and pregnancy demands. Trials have shown that crop utilisation of 84% is required to reach the 12% CP levels, when grazing Sovereign. If the animals were grazing a giant kale, e.g. Burley, or Rawera, a utilisation of 80% would only yield a total CP% of 10.2%, well below the animal requirements. Therefore extra supplements would be required to lift the total CP% the animal is digesting.

The quantity of kale cows consume is very important for condition improvement or maintenance. The actual feed eaten per cow can vary on a number of factors including crop and break size, and stocking rate. Getting accurate paddock sizes will give you a better understanding of the size of the break required.

This combined with the accurate crop yield measurement will ensure the cows are being offered their target amounts. A recent Lincoln

TABLE 1. BOTANICAL COMPOSITION OF DIFFERENT STYLES OF KALES AND THE ASSOCIATED QUALITY (MEAN OF 49 PADDOCKS OF KALE) [JUDSON AND EDWARDS, 2008]

PLANT PART leaf

MEDIUM STEM

GIANT TYPES

sovereign

(gruner, burley rawara)

ENERGY

energy

Although you can potentially grow more feed with giant kales, to at least maintain cow condition score you would need to leave more kale behind or increase supplements to account for the reduced protein consumed.

In summary, wintering cows on kale can increase condition preparing them for the upcoming milking season, provided the quantity and quality of the kale being eaten is adequate. Sovereign kale provides an ideal mix of quality and quantity for maintaining or increasing animal condition, through this critical time of year.

TABLE 2. COMPOSITION (% OF TOTAL DM) AND CRUDE PROTEIN CONTENT (CP%) AND ITS IMPACT ON DIET PROTEIN CONTENT FOR DIFFERENT KALE TYPES

giant types

DM

(MJ ME/kg dm)

(mj me/kg dm)

diet me*

% of total dm

(mj me/kg dm)

(mj me/kg dm)

44

12.9

12.9

24

12.7

12.7

% OF TOTAL

In practical terms, a Sovereign crop yielding 15 t DM/ha with an animal CP% requirement of 12% will require a new break when the crop reaches around 2.4 t DM/ha or Âź of the stem left behind whereas similar grazing residuals on giant type kales would require extra protein supplements to maintain body condition.

diet me*

PLANT PART leaf

sovereign

% OF TOTAL dm

cp % dm

diet* crude protein %

% OF TOTAL dm

cp % dm

diet* crude protein %

24

17.7

17.7

44

16.7

16.7

Upper stem

11

12.4

12.8

17

11.6

12.2

Upper stem

17

9.5

14.3

11

10.0

15.4

upper mid

14

11.6

12.6

19

9.7

11.4

upper mid

19

6.2

11.7

14

7.3

13.7

lower mid

15

9.4

12.0

20

9.8

11.0

lower mid

20

5.7

10.2

15

5.9

12.3

lower

16

8.6

11.5

20

6.6

10.1

lower

20

4.5

9.0

16

5.6

11.2

* Diet ME refers to the average quantity of the diet as more kale components are eaten.

* Diet CP% refers to the average CP% of the diet as more kale components are eaten.

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Quality joinery from an experienced team

PROFILE

Love your work. It’s a common theme of customer feedback to Ashburton registered master joiners James Donaldson and Billy Nolan.

By Linda Clarke

Their business, Ashburton Joinery, makes quality joinery for new homes and businesses, and for renovation jobs. Their first rate work is evident in a stack of House of the Year awards and in the testimonials of happy customers all over the district.

James, a qualified tradesman with 25 years experience, has been involved with the business since 1991. New partner Billy came on board in April last year; he is also a qualified tradesman with 18 years experience. They lead a team which is flat out meeting orders for kitchens, as well as a range of general joinery, including double-glazed timberframed windows.

Widely recognised for its custom design-buildinstall kitchens, Ashburton Joinery also make interior and exterior doors, windows, vanities, laundry and office joinery, stairs, wardrobe storage systems, and furniture as well as commercial fit-outs for local businesses and schools. They also repair furniture and often have trusty wooden dining chairs waiting to be picked up after being restored to full strength.

Most projects begin with a consultation, which includes measuring up and talking through design ideas. James said most customers had researched what they wanted and he or Billy could help turn their ideas into a finished space. He says most want their new kitchens to be functional before funky, and be hardwearing and practical work areas.

Latest kitchen designs include more drawers for better storage, and options for soft closing hinges and drawers. Ashburton Joinery uses top quality Blum hardware made in Germany.

Bench-tops are no longer just high-pressure laminates like formica; they can be made of natural granite, engineered stone or acrylics like those found in fast food restaurants and hospitals where they are used because of their superior resistance to bacteria and hard wearing properties. Customers also need to think about taps, sinks, splashbacks, cabinet handles, lighting and appliances.

Once a design is final, it can take up to four weeks to create in the workshop. Builders throughout Mid and South Canterbury are among their clients and the joinery firm says it is committed to quality, from its standard new builds to one-off high-end jobs.

Their renovation jobs can change lives. The company recently fitted double-glazed timber windows in a country villa and the happy homeowner reported the temperature in the room rose several degrees hours after the new windows were in.

Billy says back-up service is part of the deal. “If it doesn’t work, we’ll fix it.”

Adele Hammond, of GJ Gardner Homes, agrees.

Ashburton Joinery has been building kitchens for its clients over the past five years. “As the kitchen is considered the heart of the home, it is important for our clients to receive the very best there is to offer. Ashburton Joinery certainly meets these requirements time and time again.”

Customers’ first point of contact is likely to be with Kathy Jones, the office whizz, who can arrange consultations. Kathy has 40 years office experience, 25 in the joinery trade, and is a great source of information. A range of materials is also on display at the company’s John Street showroom.

On the workshop floor there is also experience to burn. Alan Cavill has spent 50 years as a timber machinist and knows how to make even the most challenging designs work; Gerald Trudgeon, a qualified joiner with 38 years in the trade, specialises in solid timber joinery, making doors and windows; Donald Cavill (Alan’s son) is a qualified joiner with 20 years experience; Mitchell Ward is into his second year as an apprentice joiner. New to the team this year is

Henry Cook, a qualified builder who does much of the installation work; and Brent Smith, who is learning the trade after many years in the animal nutrition business.

The factory is equipped with traditional woodworking machines, which dress and shape the timber. A Computer Numerical Control (CNC) router machine cuts and drills sheet material for kitchen cabinetry.

The CNC router is also used to engrave lettering into timber signs, popular at farm gates and seen marking trails on Mt Hutt Skifield.

above: Ashburton Joinery Team—Brent Smith, Billy Nolan, Gerald Trudgeon, Alan Cavill, Henry Cook, Kathy Jones, Donald Cavill, James Donaldson

Ashburton Joinery 8 John Street Ashburton

Tel: 03 308 5059 ashjoinery@paradise.net.nz

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REGULAR

Veterinary VetEnt Riverside Ashburton 03 308 2321 Timaru 03 687 4445 Mayfield 03 303 6042 Rakaia 03 302 7931 VetEnt Lincoln 03 325 2808 Leeston 03 324 3575 Halswell 03 322 8331

Retained placenta Retained placenta is a common condition in dairy cows after they have calved. In some herds we have seen as many as 10% of the herd affected but in most cases the incidence is about 3%. The target is to have no cows affected by retained placenta, but in practice this is unlikely to happen.

By Ian Hodge, VetEnt Riverside

Retained placenta is a condition where the placenta does not detach properly from the lining of the uterus after the cows has calved.

Under normal circumstances the placenta should detach and be expelled within 12 hours of the cow giving birth. If this does not occur the placenta is said to be retained.

“Selenium plays a critical role in activating the detachment process of the placenta and in immune cell function in dairy cows.”

In many cases retained placentas become infected with bacteria from the environment via the vagina or as a result of impaired cow immune system. Selenium deficiency has been implicated in the mechanism of retained placenta and its subsequent infection. Selenium plays a critical role in activating the detachment process of the placenta and in immune cell function in dairy cows.

Following secondary bacterial infection of the placenta, it quickly “rots” and the infection spreads to the lining of the uterus. In some cases the infection can invade the wall of the uterus. In severe cases the cow can develop an infection in her abdominal cavity and die from peritonitis.

Infected retained placenta requires prompt attention by a Vet. Examination of the cow usually reveals a smelly semi-rotten placenta that can or cannot be manually removed from the uterus using gentle manual traction.

If the placenta is able to be removed the uterus can be flushed and the cow given suitable antibiotics by your Vet. If the placenta cannot be removed a further visit may be required, and in some cases the cow may need antibiotics to prevent any general infection from becoming worse.

Infection of the uterus from retained placenta will affect the fertility of the cow. The uterine infection that results can reduce the ability of the cow to conceive a pregnancy or to maintain a pregnancy. In some cases these cows do not become pregnant again, some have an extended period between calving and mating and some become repeat breeders with normal or abnormal oestrous cycles. Some cows simply fail to cycle again and can easily be misclassified as being pregnant on this basis.

calving health of their cows. Therefore all at risk cows should be identified and monitored by your vet. Prompt treatment is the key to preventing serious uterine disease.

“Infection of the uterus from retained placenta will affect the fertility of the cow.”

Have a discussion with your primary Vet about the prevention and treatment of retained placenta. It will be well worth your while.

The things which increase the risk of retained placenta are as follows • Heifers often have a slightly increased incidence • Premature calving carries an increased risk • Twinning increases the risk • Older cows have an increased incidence of retained placenta • Cows with selenium deficiency have increased risk • Cows requiring assistance at calving have an increased risk • Cows with sub optimum calcium levels at calving have increased risk.

With variable herd fertility in New Zealand farmers need to do all that they can to improve post ATS N E W S

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Available through all ATS Stores

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ATS N E W S

REGULAR

Property Rural Market Round-Up Demand for most types of rural properties in Canterbury is strong, recent sales have shown. Property Brokers say the market for farmland is constrained only by supply, with the number of properties being offered for sale still relatively small.

By Ian Walsh, Property Brokers—Hastings McLeod

Property Brokers— Hastings McLeod 217 West Street Ashburton Tel: 03 308 8209 Fax: 03 308 8206 www.propertybrokers.co.nz

required but a lot has been done already. Fewer large-scale blocks of flat contour have come on the market over the last 12 months, so this is seen as a good opportunity.

above: Chris Murdoch, Mark Lemon, Paul Cunneen and Rodger Letham

The most notable sale was that of the Wightman Estate at Mt Hutt, in autumn. This 263ha property had been in the Wightman family for almost 100 years and it sold under the hammer to a local farmer for $7,810,000. More than a hundred people attended the auction, conducted by Roger Letham at the Methven Heritage Centre, and with multiple bidders it was considered a huge success.

Currently a grazing/fattening block, this property will most likely be converted to dairying. The property is not irrigated but with high-quality soils and 1000mm annual rainfall it offers a variety of end uses.

In early June two separate smaller blocks—20ha and 24ha—were sold by auction on site at Hororata, for $700,000 and $600,000 respectively.

Both blocks were bought by neighboring farmers.

A local property of 128ha, with great housing, has just been listed by Chris Murdoch. It is at Westerfield, 20km from Ashburton, and will be fully irrigated from the Valletta scheme. Not so many properties in this locality come on the market these days so demand for this one is expected to be strong.

Sales of partial stakes in farms are increasingly common as syndicates, set up in earlier years, may undergo changes. Sometimes an investor needs In May Chris Murdoch sold a very attractive rolling to get their money out for another purpose so farm of 470ha at Maungati in South Canterbury (25 the other existing shareholders either take up the stake, or put that investor’s share on the open km west of Timaru) for $6,200,000. This finishing property is known in the district as a top farm with market. Property Brokers currently has two farms where a less than 100 percent purchase is an a high standard of improvements and the sale option. These may well suit share-milkers or others attracted considerable interest. not wanting to own a farm outright.

Two large grazing/finishing blocks with many Finally, Property Brokers Ashburton has completed options in the Parnassus district have recently the move into the new premises in West Street been listed by Property Brokers Rangiora. There is (see photo). The rural team is very happy with the 677ha in total, irrigated by pivots and some k-line. new premises and would welcome seeing you for Many aspects of the property make it suitable a coffee and a chat some time soon. for dairy conversion; some development is still

Exceptional Dairy Conversion Opportunity, Hurunui

33.35 Ha Irrigated Versatile Farmlet, Ashburton

Large Scale Grazing or Dairy Conversion, Hurunui

Negotiation

$1,500,000 plus GST

Negotiation

277 ha–190 ha under pivot irrigation balance.

Reliable shallow, low cost water resource. Stoney silt loams, with heavy silt deposits. Excellent fencing & circular lane system. Dedicated well & pump for stockwater with inline nutri dispensers. Three bedroom home with double garage. Six-bay barn with workshop. Excellent cattle & sheep yards.

Good quality standardbred horse training centre set up for a variety of uses. Eleven shed of good quality, covered area with concrete floor, storage and smoko room. Three-bay hayshed and top quality cattle yards. Borderdyke irrigation. Very sunny weatherboard home, modernised kitchen, near new bathroom. Swimming pool set in sheltered grounds.

Substantial 400 ha (freehold tile). Two centre pivot irrigators covering 330ha. Water take consent for 250 lt/sec. Stoney silt loams with heavier silt deposits. Extensive regrassing completed over last three years. Stock water reticulation with dedicated well & pump. Four bedroom homestead. Six-bay implement shed & large cattle yards.

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The humble sock.

Like any sock they’ll keep your feet warm, but these are ATS socks and they’re so much more. They’ll make your shoes comfy, prevent blisters, your feet will stink less, you’ll walk straighter, and faster, they’ll make great sock puppets, draught excluders, gate latches, permanent wire strainers, emergency fan belts for the tractor, tow ropes for visiting townies, oil filters, home brew strainers, you’ll milk the cows faster, herd the sheep in the right direction for a change, dance better, talk smoother, make more money, the in-laws will like you better, they’ll even get stones out of horses hooves. You get the

THE ATS SOCKS

$14.40ea Members price

picture, just buy them.

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the comforts of home 1. Emile Henry Red Stewpot $200.00

Six hole Master Class muffin pan $40.30

3.

2. Large selection of tea towels available from $6.60 3. Scanpan 6pce Knife Block + free sharpener only $107.40

A taste of home bakingâ&#x20AC;Ś Fantastic prices on the full Master Class bake ware selection. From quiches to cakes and Yorkshire puddings, ATS have it covered. All products are fridge, freezer and dishwasher safe.

2.

Kotori Double Glove $12.80

1.

Kotori Oven Glove $7.40

4.

5.

4. Kitchen Craft storage jars and holder $40.00

Cookbook stand, available in Red & Black

5. Mahogany Barometer $116.40 6.

6. Oval Rimu Clock $116.50

$32.00

7. Large selection of cushions in all colours and sizes

8. Laundry powder storage canister, available in Red & White

7.

$26.40

8â&#x20AC;? Sandwhich Pan from Master Class $26.90

8.

body & soul Aromatherapy hand cream

Large range of candles for all occasions,

from $9.50

DIY Body Scrub from 250ml diffusers

$11.40

$30.30

$13.70

Lantern globe candle

$34.20

35ml diffusers

from $11.60 Boxed scented candles

from $22.70 Disclaimer: Products available through ATS Stores, members price as pictured. We cannot guarantee availability of stock on all pictured items.

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News at ATS New option for paying your ATS Account ATS in conjunction with the BNZ are pleased to advise that they have developed a new payment option for ATS members. This option will allow members to pay their ATS account via their credit card and potentially obtain extra days of credit along with any loyalty points associated with their particular credit card.

For those members who are interested there are some charges to be aware of. If you are looking to pay your ATS account each month via your credit card you will incur a 1% surcharge on the amount paid as long as a recurring payment form has been completed and returned to ATS by the 15th of the month. For those members who wish to pay by credit card as a method of payment on a ad-hoc basis this will incur an 1.75% surcharge on the amount paid. All surcharges will be charged by ATS to your credit card at the time we process your payment. The surcharge will appear on your next ATS statement so you can account for it. The surcharge showing on your statement will be offset by the credit card payment you have already made.

For more information or to sign up call Niki-Lee Francis, ATS Administration Manager on 0800 BUY ATS (289 287). The terms and conditions are available from the ATS website.

Agrecovery winners The winners of the nationwide Agrecovery “Rise, Return, Reward” promotion held during March and April have been drawn with the ATS collection sites at Rakaia and Ashburton delivering two of the winners.

Bakker Bulbs (ATS Rakaia) and Biodiesel NZ Ltd (ATS Ashburton) were both winners. An ATS member, Naivic Farms Ltd, also won one of the ten nationwide $500 prizes when using the Methven collection site.

There are 70 Agrecovery collection sites nationwide and every collection receipt issued during March and April provided participants with an entry into the draw.

Agrecovery Container recycling allows for the recycling of plastic agrichemical, biological, animal health and dairy hygiene containers.

Containers must be empty, triple rinsed, from 1–60 litres in size and still have their label on. These containers (up to 60 litres) can be dropped off ATS Ashburton or Rakaia for recycling.

For more information on this recycling system, please phone 0800 BUY ATS (289 287).

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ATS N E W S

Blue Pub winner Nicola Singletree was the lucky winner of a Sony Wi Fi Tablet after using her ATS card at the Blue Pub during April and May. Blue Pub patrons who used their ATS card to purchase goods were eligible to enter the draw.

above: Alanna Henson (Blue Pub) presents Nicola Singletree with the Sony Tablet

New look for TNL freight trucks The TNL freight trucks used to deliver goods to members have recently undergone a facelift and feature new curtain sides depicting rural scenes from our region.

TNL has a partnership with ATS to provide a free* on farm delivery service for members and has two trucks and a trailer dedicated to delivering goods to members’ farms within 48 hours**.

These vehicles have all been re-branded and we would like to know what you think about the new look. Members can direct their comments to the ATS Marketing team on marketing@ats.co.nz or 0800 BUY ATS (289 287). *Terms and conditions apply. **Subject to stock available.

United Wheat Growers Competition This year’s United Wheat Growers Competition has been hailed a success by organisers with over 50 entries received. The event, which is sponsored by ATS Seed, was re-instated last year after a two year break.

United Wheat Growers director, Brian Leadley says the aim of the competition is to foster competition amongst growers and to establish benchmarks for best practices.

Farmers could submit sample entries in either the feed, biscuit or milling wheat class.

The grain was judged on its quality, given an eye appraisal and tested for its end use.

Judging took place in the autumn and the winners were recently announced at the Federated Farmers’ Grains Conference in June.

Congratulations to all the winners, and especially the ATS members: • D A & J M Ross • Ford Farming • Tetley Brook Farm

• P R & M L Hampton

Bell Booth calf nutrition event ATS and Bell Booth recently held an information sharing event for ATS dairy farmers, dairy support and calf rearers to discuss the benefits of calf nutrition.

More than 30 farmers attended this successful event and listened to guest speaker Jean Margerison, a lactation specialist from Massey University. Jean has extensive knowledge around the rearing and growing of calves with a special emphasis on calves reaching their full potential by the time they enter the herd. She spoke about her research on the Bell Booth “Queen of Calves” programme, calf rearing, and lactation key practices.

Bell Booth is a long term supplier to ATS, and is well known within the farming industry for introducing new products to farmers, including its “Queen of Calves” programme in 2002. The programme gives calves more energy, bigger frames, and they are able to reach their target weights earlier in the herd, leading to an increase in milk production, better coats, better body form and less hoof problems.

above: Jim Sim, Neal Shaw, Lyndsey Ford, Brian Leadly and Allan Ford

ATS has launched its own Facebook page ATS Facebook features important and relevant information about what’s happening in your rural supplies co-operative and within the wider agricultural industry.

It is a new channel of communication which adds an interactive dimension to the way ATS currently connects with its members, and complements other forms of ATS communication, such as its website and print publications.

The ATS Facebook page can be found at facebook.com/0800BUYATS or accessed through a mobile Facebook application. Members only have to choose to “Like” the ATS Facebook page to receive all the latest news and information. It’s that easy.

For more information on this new initiative please contact Jennifer Shepherd in the ATS Marketing team on 0800 BUY ATS (289 287).

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ATS out and about Canterbury Water Quality Forum 1. Diana Mackenzie and Connor English / 2. Nathan Christian / 3. Craig Mackenzie and Chris Wylie / 4. Gary Wilson, Graeme Bassett, Kevin Geddes and David Clarke / 5. John Byrne, Alan and Anne Martin / 6. Jeremy MacAvoy and Kate Acland / 7. Brian Leadley, Jim Sim and Hugh Copland / 8. Rab McDowell and Jim Sim / 9. Martin Early, Jan Early and Chris Allen / 10. Peter Hampton, John Evans and Bob Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Reilly 44

ATS NE W S

Classifieds AUTO ELECTRICAL

USE YOUR ATS CARD AND SAVE CANVAS & UPHOLSTERY

Bells Auto Electrical

CLEANING

Classic Upholstery

For batteries, air conditioning and absolutely everything auto electrical.

• • • • • •

Furniture Cushions Auto Interiors Sail Shades Hay Covers Carpet Binding

• Caravan Squabs • Outdoor Sun Blinds • PVC Bin Covers • And more…

Pre Inspection & Regular Cleaning contracts Dairy Housing Domestic Housing Industrial Commercial We clean to a standard,not a price PO Box 133 Ashburton

4 Watson Street, Ashburton

Phone: 03 308 5222

bellsautoelectrical@xtra.co.nz

COMPUTING

Ashburton’s leading computer company.

144 Moore St Ashburton Ph: 03 308 5077 Fax: 03 308 3401 Email: info@comsol.net.nz

www.comsol.net.nz

ELECTRONICS

115 Main South Road, Tel 03 307 2354 Tinwald, Ashburton tincanup@xtra.co.nz

Tel: 03 307 2656 ashburton.cleaning@xtra.co.nz

ENGINEERING SUPPLIES

EYEWEAR

OFFICE SUPPLIES

PEST CONTROL

Electronic Farm Scales from $780+GST Well Depth Meters from $285+GST Weather Stations from $149+GST Irrigation Monitoring Equipment from $195+GST Farm Weigh Bridges from $3800+GST For free information on our wide range of products contact Alastair Frizzell on 03 318 1333, or your local contact Viv McLachlan on 03 302 7065 or 027 506 6434 or sales@frizzell.co.nz

www.frizzell.co.nz MARINE

FENCING

An ideal time to book your

SPIDER & FLY CONTROL • • • • •

Ph 0274 399 322

Accessories Sales Service Fibreglass Repairs Servicing of all makes & models

177 Alford Forest Road Ashburton Tel 03 308 58 42 Fax 03 308 5842 ashburtonmarine@xtra.co.nz

www.ashburtonmarine.co.nz

SPIDERBAN 0800 556 778 308 0051 www.spiderban.co.nz ATS N E W S

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