Dairy Focus June by Ashburton Guardian

Dairy Focus

An Ashburton Guardian Supplement

June 2012

Hayden and Jessie Dorman have a passion for sharemilking. Pages 2-3

South African farmer Gary Wright learns new skills in New Zealand. Pages 8-9 Photo Tetsuro Mitomo 150612-TM035

Dairy Focus June 2012

Sharemilking the way to go Mid Canterbury sharemilkers Hayden and Jessie Dorman are a hardworking couple. One does the paperwork, the other looks after the cows.

Linda Clarke,

They should be well pleased with their work on the dairy farm too.

rural reporter, Ashburton Guardian

The dairy farmers have been able to call them “their” cows this past season. The variable order sharemilkers achieved a big step toward their dream of farm ownership by buying the 800 Holstein-Friesians they had been milking for farm owner Willy and Jeanet Leferink. It was a big moment, and a big cheque. And there have been no regrets. Sharemilking, says Jessie, is still a great pathway in the industry. She and Hayden are good proof.

The 800 cows are fed a diet of around 65 per cent pasture and 35 per cent supplement during milking season. Half the supplementary feed is grain. The cows, which have electronic ID, are milked on a 54-bale rotary equipped with technology including milk meters that monitor a cow’s individual milk production and deliver feed rations accordingly. The farm milks over winter, with one third of the herd calving in autumn and the remainder in spring.

Jessie said the concentrates were fed in the shed, while grass and maize silage were delivered to a The couple are in their early 30s and have just feedpad. The cows were kept off pasture as much finished their third season sharemilking. Jessie as possible during the winter months to avoid has an academic background and put her animal pugging. science honours degree to good use in Wellington for seven years before she met Hayden in 2007. The couple look forward to January, when calving and mating are over and the full herd is The son of a West Coast dairy farmer (who was originally from Canterbury), Hayden moved to the ticking over. Waiararapa to be closer to Jessie and the couple Their production aim is for each cow to produce made plans to go sharemilking, small time, in the profitably above her bodyweight. This past season North Island. they achieved 595kgMS per cow, pretty good considering the average weight of each animal is Mr Leferink, who Jessie had met through her policy job with Federated Farmers, offered instead around 570kg. an opportunity to take up an 800-cow variable Jessie said their new role as herd-owners was order job on a high-input farm at Dorie. exciting, and gave them hope of one day owning The job – though very different from their original entry plan - stacked up and the couple moved to Mid Canterbury, where they have worked tirelessly on the property and within the dairy industry. Jessie is currently vice-chairperson of Federated Farmers dairy section locally, and vice-chairperson of the organisation’s national sharemilkers’ council.

their own dairy farm.

Sharemilking has worked for them, and she says it is a valuable pathway, most often extended by dairy farmers who progressed themselves as sharemilkers – like Willy and Jeanet Leferink.

As variable order sharemilkers they provided staff and equipment like tractors and motorbikes, being paid under a variable order contract with Mr and Hayden is on the South Island fieldays committee Mrs Leferink. and both say giving back to the agricultural industry keeps them motivated and content. Story continues over page

Dairy Focus

An advertising supplement of the Ashburton Guardian Opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the Ashburton Guardian Publication date: June 26, 2012 Next issue: July 24, 2012 We welcome any correspondence to either: Amanda Wright, phone 307-7927 email: amanda.w@theguardian.co.nz Linda Clarke, phone 307-7971 email: linda.c@theguardian.co.nz

Photo Tetsuro Mitomo 150612-TM061

Hayden and Jessie Dorman.

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Dairy Focus June 2012

Photos Tetsuro Mitomo 150612-TM010

Red (number 248) is one of the Dormans’ supercows, producing some 12,000 litres of milk during the season. Hayden also has plans to build a small herd of pedigree Jerseys and has just bought two breeding cows from a top North Island herd.

“And then last year we bought the cows off “There is nothing like skin in the game to them and went to a herd-owning contract.” motivate a person.” It was a big purchase – 800 times around $2000 a cow equals $1.6 million. But the pair had saved well in their working lives and had benefited from good returns as variable order sharemilkers.

She has some advice for others who would follow in their footsteps: “Be willing to think outside the square. Be willing to build strong relationships based on a win-win for everyone, it is not just about me.

Jessie has been able to use her officebased skills well. She does the HR work, the “But do your sums and understand what financial accounts, animal records, creates a weekly report for the farm owner, and you are getting into and make sure it is a meets with consultants and nutritionists win-win for everyone. Often we hear of who visit the farm. young people coming in and they have not done their sums and take a contract that is Hayden is the practical person and not beneficial for them.” stockman. “I think it is why he has been a successful farmer. He likes cows and he Some contracts could have sharemilkers is good with them. For him, every cow working for less than if they had been counts.” managing a farm, and on the other hand The couple employ five staff and say they there are some sharemilkers who are not continue to learn and adapt. willing to see it from the farm owners’ point “We have made our fair share of mistakes of view. but we have a great team on board this year Jessie said Federated Farmers could offer and it gets more and more exciting.” help and guidance for those needing it. Similarly, the organisation can help Jessie said telling their story about employers who are looking to take on successful sharemilking was important to keeping the system going. sharemilkers or herd owners.

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Dairy Focus June 2012

Roadmaps for sharemilking progression to farm ownership Federated Farmers Sharemilkers’ and Sharemilker Employers’ Sections, with the assistance of DairyNZ, have jointly released “Ensuring a viable progression path in the dairy industry”. “Sharemilking represents a third of our industry and we want to ensure it has a rich future,” says Ciarán Tully, Federated Farmers Sharemilkers’ Section chairperson.

negotiating agreements. Newer structures, such as leasing For those planning their retirement, sharemilking could farms or buying stock and leasing them back to the farm be seen as part of a farmer’s ‘exit strategy’. owner, could enable the next generation to stay in the job “It’s clear to us sharemilkers need to enhance their while building their equity.” business skill set across the board and as an industry. LifeA level of annual variability aside, sharemilkers generate long learning and mentoring needs to become a firm part something like a 16 per cent return on assets. This of our culture. compares with a farm owner’s 3 to 7 per cent return on assets, plus 5 to 10 per cent annual capital gain. “The report specifically highlights the need for all parties

“While herds have become larger in size their overall number has fallen and with it, the number of sharemilking “I must add in recent years businesses have been more positions.” cash focused. Questions were also asked around the ability of equity managers to grow their share of the With many commenting on the rise of contract milking partnership. and equity partnership arrangements, Federated Farmers, with funding from DairyNZ, commissioned AgFirst’s James “If you compare a career as a waged farm manager Allen and Nicola Waugh to provide a snapshot of career versus sharemilking in today’s dollars, it reveals something pathways. like a million dollar difference over 15 years. That’s huge if people intend to move into farm ownership.” “First up, we found the legal environment we operate in is sound but there’s greater need for herd owning Mr Tully said sharemilkers need to be seen as an integral sharemilkers to become flexible in their approach to part of farm succession.

to carry out due diligence and to learn about negotiating key parts of their agreements. “While the report contains decision trees, tables and even a wealth creation spreadsheet, it highlights the amount of information out there but it’s dispersed. There’s need for a one-stop shop and arguably that’s a role for Federated Farmers.” “Ensuring a viable progression path in the dairy industry” can be downloaded from Federated Farmers website.

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Dairy Focus June 2012

Young Farmers promote careers in dairying A career in dairy farming is among opportunities in the agricultural sector currently being promoted by New Zealand Young Farmers. Young Farmers has joined with DairyNZ and Beef + Lamb NZ to create Get Ahead; a one-stop career hub for young people considering a career in agriculture. The Get Ahead programme encompasses experience days which raise awareness and encourage students to consider an agricultural career. These days focus is on the supply chain story – it’s all about how food gets from pasture to plate. To demonstrate this students participate in 12 practical modules that focus on everything from animal genetics to marketing and exporting, herd management to pasture manipulation. About 1000 students have attended experience days around the country in the past four months.

focus on the supply chain; and how every job in the agricultural industry contributes to the food production in New Zealand,” says Rosie Todhunter, youth development co-ordinator. Supporting the experience days is the Get Ahead website where students and career advisers alike can use the site to learn more about the possibilities in agriculture by exploring career options, education providers and facts about agriculture.

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Dairy Focus June 2012

Looking beyond the dollars Helping dairy farmers Julie has been dairy Contributed by Dairy Women’s Network look beyond the dollars farming since 1990, while at their whole farm system management is the also working as a farm consultant. Together with goal of a series of winter dairy workshops being her husband Brian, Julie runs a 234 hectare dairy held by the Dairy Women’s Network around New farm at Ngatea with 830 cows. Zealand in June and July. “If there is one thing I want people to take away The five workshops are being held in Winton, from the workshops, it is that you simply have Rotorua, Cambridge, Hokitika and Nelson at the to look beyond the dollars at the whole farm end of June and beginning of July and are a great management system to ensure that every aspect follow on from the Essential Farm Finance days is operating as effectively and cost-efficiently as run by the network earlier in the year. possible.” Ngatea dairy farmer and farm consultant, Julie Dairy Women’s Network CEO Sarah Speight Pirie, will lead four of the workshops, with Te Anau says the Winter Dairy Days are part of a calendar dairy farmer Anna Kempthorne speaking at the of events offered by the network to provide Winton event. practical, professional and personal support to Julie Pirie says the workshops will cover a range women in dairying around New Zealand. of different aspects of farm system management “The purpose of the Dairy Women’s Network and will focus on financial control. Ultimately is to expand the potential of dairy women in a attendees will be able to leave the seminar with changing environment and milk price fluctuations an action plan for their own farm for the next 12 are part of our changing environment. Part of months. our role is to enable women to be leaders in their “This is a good opportunity to look back at businesses and communities, as well as the wider the farm operation and consider ideas about industry and to give them the tools and support where costs can be trimmed without sacrificing to succeed in these roles. profitability. “The network’s Dairy Days are a key vehicle for “We will also be identifying what information educating dairying women on a range of topics people need to have to help manage their throughout the year. Our aim is for women to business over the next 12 months. We’ll also walk away from these dairy days with information discuss the importance of maintaining strong they can implement on-farm to improve their relationships with accountants, bankers and farm businesses and lifestyles as soon as they get advisers.” home. If their partners come along then it is going Julie says the workshops will discuss the impacts to be easier to ensure action happens because both partners will understand the context and the of the recent milk price forecast announcement necessity.” and what that will mean for people’s farm operations in the year ahead. The Hokitika workshop is on July 2, the Nelson She says attendees are encouraged to bring their own financial and farm information with them, so they can work with real information that is relevant to them. “Partners are also very welcome.”

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Dairy Focus June 2012

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The cow needs to be comfortable when restrained.

Is your cow restrained correctly? slopes up. No matter what How do you handle your cows individually? always apply: crush you use, a cow does Can you restrain your cow so that she is Fred Hoekstra The cow needs to be Veehof Dairy not like it if she is facing comfortable and you are safe? comfortable. Services downhill and you are lifting This still seems to be an issue on dairy her back feet. She will fight The operator needs to be farms. I went to a farm a little while ago you all the way. safe at all times. to trim some cows. For some reason the Purpose-built hoof trimming crushes farmer had started doing some cows before The operator needs to be in control at all have belly straps to support the cow when I got there. When I turned up he came out times. she loses her grip and falls over. An added and greeted me and helped me set up. benefit of this belly strap is that it calms There was a cow lying down in the vet race. Today I am only able to cover the first point. If the cow is not comfortable she the cow down. Cows relax when you put She had gone down as the farmer was will be a lot more unsettled. This seems pressure on their belly. That is why you trimming her feet. She was still down by always see a cow hanging in a sling rather the time I left and as far as I know she never commonsense but is something that is often overlooked. than standing up. got up again. This is not uncommon and I would like to raise this topic to help you Consider the surface the cow is standing Some well-known crushes in New Zealand avoid such accidents. on. Obviously a slippery surface is not have two belly straps – one under the ideal, but an equally or maybe even more brisket and one just in front of the udder. There is a right way and a wrong way important point is that the cow must be The brisket strap is the best option, because to restrain cows. When a cow is being standing on a flat, level surface or one that if a cow sits down on the second strap she restrained there are some principles that

will be very uncomfortable as there is no rib cage there to support her and all the pressure will go straight onto the gut. Cows tend to kick at it, but will not stand up to release the pressure. Another thing I would like to mention is the fact that most people like to have a leg tied up just above the claw against a bar. It makes the leg sit more rigid but should the cow go down for whatever reason, there is a very high risk of injuries, such as broken legs or dislocated hips - this is what happened to the cow I mentioned earlier. Lifting from the hock is much more comfortable for the cow, and because she can still lean on the raised leg there is minimal risk of injury.

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Dairy Focus June 2012

Training courses vital f says former South Afri “I did a BSc in Agriculture in South Africa and when we came to New Zealand I wanted to find out about how farming worked here, so I did AgITO courses. When we came down to Ashburton I ended up doing the diploma. I wanted to continue studying and learn more about the New Gary grew up in South Africa and owned Zealand system. a farm there before immigrating to New “The diploma covered a lot of what was Zealand. in my degree but it was good getting to “I started farming in South Africa,” Gary know New Zealand labour laws, tax laws, said. “For two years I was in sheep, beef other legalities and finer details,” he says, and cropping and after that I went farming adding that these are things any New for myself. I bought a 5500ha property and Zealand farmer needs to know. after 12 years, in 2004, we moved to New Zealand where I started off as a dairy hand “In South Africa we didn’t have anything as detailed and specific as the feed in Matamata. budgeting that we do on New Zealand “We moved to Rakaia where I worked farms. It was very good for me to learn this as herd manager for a season and I then and it’s fair to say I use feed budgeting on started working on a 3000 cow farm as a a day-to-day basis.” unit manager. After two years I moved to The National Diploma in Agribusiness Longbeach Dairies near Ashburton – I’ve Management covers the skills and been here ever since as manager. We’re knowledge essential for the successful currently milking 1050 cows, and we management of a farm business. The run the farm as if it’s our own, pay all the qualification focuses on developing accounts and do all the finance.” skills in business planning, financial and Gary started training with AgITO to meet resource management and is achieved his desire to understand more about New by completing two National Certificates. Zealand farming systems. Diploma candidates must also complete a South African dairy farmer Gary Wright says his AgITO training helped him to understand how to manage dairy farming in New Zealand, and thinks more New Zealanders should take up the opportunity to up skill.

Property Report on the performance and Level 3 qualifications and I feel he would opportunities of an agribusiness, tying all benefit by doing the diploma as well. the skills and knowledge learned together. “I got a lot of benefit out of it and he knows what he’s doing – I feel if he does The diploma is also available as the diploma it will cement what he knows six modules that can be completed and give him confidence to step up. When individually. This new approach allows I employ people I always look at what sort people to up skill in a specific area. of education they’ve got and what they’re Breaking the qualification down into smaller parts makes it easier to achieve the busy with at the moment. full qualification. Someone busy with training gives Modules focus on developing skills and me the impression that they’re keen knowledge in business planning, financial to move forward. I’m very keen to help young people if they’re willing to help management, resource management, human resource management, ownership themselves.” and risk, taxation and investment. Gary recommends the diploma to people in the industry keen to make their next The course has helped Gary with the management of the staff on the farm and steps. “Farming is more than looking after cows and grass – the diploma is the next he encourages them to train with AgITO. step up. It’s good for people stepping up “I was in the army in South Africa so I to manager/equity manager roles or share knew how to handle staff but I got more milking, where you need to do financial benefit from the HR side of the diploma budgets and know how the business than the finance part,” he says. “The HR side operates. is very helpful because it covers labour “You need to talk to the banks to step laws and you get a good grounding in it. into those roles,” Gary says. “You need “I have five staff. My 2IC is going to to know how to do a budget and how it another farm soon and is starting his works because otherwise the banks won’t Level 4 training. I’m encouraging him to give you money. The diploma helps you continue with it as he’s done all the AgITO bridge that gap.”

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Dairy Focus June 2012

for learning new skills ican farmer

Gary Wright w

ith his wife Va

lerie and their

dog Blue.

200612-KG002

About AgITO Agriculture ITO (AgITO) provides leadership in education and training, develops national qualifications, maintains national standards and provides ongoing support for their trainees and employers. AgITO training is subsidised by industry and Government. For more information on our qualifications, please visit www.agito.ac.nz photos kirsty graham 200612-KG020

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Dairy Focus June 2012

An Ashburton Guardian Advertising feature

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Finding a job in dairying

There are 4 essential steps you will need to make to successfully navigate your way through the process of finding the right job in the dairy industry for you. Step 1 - Getting started The type of position you apply for will depend on your knowledge and skill levels and the experience you can bring to the job. Previous experience does not need to be in dairy farming. It could be anything from mechanical skills to management, engineering to electronics. If you are motivated, positive and willing to learn you will quickly grasp the basics. There is considerable help and support available in the industry, so don’t be afraid to ask. • Talk to friends and other people who know the dairy industry. Gather as much information as possible about dairy farming and what your expectations should be. Ask them about the type of work they do, their hours and their rewards. Step 2 - What does your ideal job look like? The next step ... is to work out what you really want or need in a job. Use the following prompts to clarify your expectations. Build a clear picture of the job you seek, but try and keep it simple. Add any other factors you consider important. • Can the employer supply you with a clear written position description that accurately reflects the job as you understand it? • Is there a chance to learn new and relevant skills? • Is the job in a location that meets the needs of you and your family? Step 3 - Which jobs should I apply for? When deciding which jobs to apply for, take a look at whether it matches your job ideals. • Is there a chance to learn new and relevant skills? If you have been invited to attend an interview, it is important to gather some more information about the job before you decide to accept that invitation. You should know the: • Location of the farm; • Size of the farm (how many cows will be milked); • Nature of the job; • Day, time and place for the interview. Step 4 - Interviewing like a pro Use the interview to present yourself, your strengths and qualities to the employer. It is also the opportunity for you to find out more about the position and the employer. Like all employers, farm employers want an individual who: • Is honest and reliable • Is an individual who can work on their own • Is interested and enthusiastic • Takes pride in their work and workplace. Here are some tips of what to remember before and during an interview. Before you leave home • Dress to project the right image for the role - remember the first impression counts for a lot; • Be prepared, ensure that you cover everything you need to know Make sure you have clear directions of where to go and what time you need to be there; • Be prepared to go on a farm walk, so ensure you have suitable footwear! Questions Be prepared before you go to your interview. Doing some homework shows commitment and a genuine interest in the role. • Your precise role and responsibilities, the expectations around you; • Opportunities for training • The social life in the community - show that you are keen to fit in. Once you have got your first job on a dairy farm you are on your way. From then on it is up to you to prove your worth to the employer and to plan your own career. Your performance should be reviewed by your employer on a regular basis and you will get to know your strengths and weaknesses. As you progress you will get to know more clearly what opportunities are available for you to progress in the way you want to. *source – www.godairy.co.nz

An Ashburton Guardian Advertising feature

Dairy Focus June 2012

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Dairy Focus June 2012

Milestone in mastitis management unveiled A new dairy industry resource for managing mastitis and “We’re very pleased to be able to launch this new improving milk quality was unveiled by DairyNZ at the New resource at the New Zealand Milk Quality Conference 2012. Zealand Milk Quality Conference in Hamilton last week. The benefits for farmers and the dairy industry are huge - improved udder health and milk quality, time savings at Known as SmartSAMM, the new online resource builds milking, and ultimately improved production and profit. on the success of the SAMM Plan (seasonal approach to managing mastitis) with updated information for today’s “For farmers, SmartSAMM provides key tools and dairy farm systems. resources to help establish if a problem exists, and if so, what to do next and how to prevent it in future. There Senior DairyNZ scientist and technical manager for are guidelines and key recommendations for managing SmartSAMM Dr Jane Lacy-Hulbert said the new resource mastitis during calving, lactation, drying off and the dry gives dairy farmers and their advisors easy access to the period. complete industry-agreed knowledge about mastitis and milk quality. “For advisors, the corresponding Technotes provide more

of the science detail that sits behind the recommendations – we’ve really tried to make this an ‘all-you-need-to-know’ resource,” said Dr Lacy-Hulbert. The SmartSAMM project is a collaboration through NMAC (National Mastitis Advisory Committee) with stakeholders and service providers responsible for mastitis control and milk quality in New Zealand. It is funded by DairyNZ and the Ministry for Primary Industries. The source material has been adapted from Dairy Australia’s Countdown Downunder and updated for New Zealand dairy farming. The new DairyNZ SmartSAMM website is now live at www.SmartSAMM.co.nz

Dairy Focus June 2012

Helping NZ farmers optimise fertiliser use

The environmentally sustainable use of nitrogen fertilisers on New Zealand farms is receiving help through a research contract signed with leading University of Canterbury researchers, the Ministry of Primary Industries and Ballance AgriNutrients Ltd.

can produce better stock and products at a reduced cost,” she said. Professor Jameson and Professor Matthew Turnbull (biological sciences) have signed the contract worth almost $900,000 for a three-year research programme that will include work by a post-doctoral fellow and two PhD “It is wonderful to form these partnerships candidates. The partnership also includes Dr Mohammad Zaman from Ballance Agriwith industry to help build a better future for New Zealand agriculture,” said Professor Nutrients and Professor Richard Pharis from the University of Calgary in Canada. Paula Jameson, head of the School of Biological Sciences at the University of “A key question in pasture and crop Canterbury. research is to find out under actual field conditions about the physiological limits “If we can help farmers use nitrogen fertilisers more efficiently, it not only helps to growth and the efficiency of nitrogen the environment but also means farmers fertiliser use,” said Professor Turnbull. “The

answer to this broad question will come from a better understanding of the interrelationship between external environment factors, such as temperature, water and nutrients, and the internal hormonal regulators of shoot and root growth,” he said. The work will combine fundamental investigations into the physiology and molecular biology of plant growth regulation and the impacts of plant growth hormone additions on dry matter yield and the efficiency with which pasture and crops use nitrogen and water.

into waterways depended on rainfall and land use, and a high number of environmental variables and a wide range of farm practices.

Soil scientist Trevor Webb has been digging holes in the dirt for 40 years and says the amount of nitrogen that leached

He suggested using feedpads in late summer and autumn so urine and effluent could be contained.

The main things that affected nitrogen uptake were timing and amount of application, winter cropping and irrigation scheduling. He said while arable farmers could easily access information about nitrate leaching, it was difficult to measure in grazed systems where “piddle spots” also contributed.

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Dairy Focus June 2012

NZ Dairies to be bought by Fonterra Federated Farmers is pleased by Fonterra signing a conditional offer to purchase the milk processing assets of New Zealand Dairies south of Timaru. If approved by the Commerce Commission and with that company in receivership, it will deliver certainty to affected farmer-creditors. “This is an unexpectedly good bolt out of the blue, “ says Willy Leferink, Federated Farmers Dairy chairperson. “It may surprise those outside of the industry but we thought Fonterra was an unlikely contender for NZ Dairies. We now know Fonterra sees the Studholme dairy plant as complementary to its new $500 million facility being built at Darfield. “So here we have a formerly Russianowned factory coming into New Zealand hands.” Mr Leferink said while the sale was a commercial deal and subject to Commerce Commission approval, some financial pain for creditors seemed sadly unavoidable. “Fonterra is preferable to a hard-nosed

corporate buying these assets for the regulated milk it would secure. Such an outcome would treat farmer-suppliers as just another input. “So this deal strongly vindicates the co-operative business model. “Fonterra Cooperative Group will give former NZ Dairies farmersuppliers milk contracts for the current season. For the next six years the door is open for these suppliers to share-up in the co-op. It is a genuine path back to shared ownership in the means of production.”

As part of the agreement, NZ Dairies’ existing suppliers have been offered Fonterra CEO Theo Spierings said the the opportunity to supply Fonterra on acquisition ensured the Studholme plant contracts, which will enable them to continued to operate and its farm suppliers become Fonterra fully share backed after had certainty that they will be the 2012/2013 season and require them to able to sell their milk on a be shareholders within six years. commercial basis from the Fonterra plans to operate the Studholme start of next season. plant up until the end of the 2012/13 “The Studholme season pending the decision by the plant is processing Commerce Commission on Fonterra’s around 150 million clearance application. litres of milk a year “This means that we are able to collect and into milk powders process farmers’ milk from the start of the for export. It will new season, avoiding the prospect of them complement our having to spill milk,” said Mr Spierings. new Darfield plant affected farmers and sharemilkers.”

“Fonterra

Cooperative Group will give former NZ Dairies farmer-suppliers milk contracts for the current season.”

which is due to start taking milk in August.”

Mr Spierings said Fonterra had clearly identified the importance of growing milk volumes and optimising New Zealand manufacturing operations. “This transaction helps deliver “I have personally spoken to the major lenders and stressed the need to work with on that priority.” He said amongst the creditors were sharemilkers, whose farm balance sheets had taken a hit.

“The solution we’ve developed with the receivers will mean that suppliers who continue to supply NZDL have a tanker coming up their driveway to take their milk and ensures they still have an income. “It also means we are able to provide for continued employment to many of NZDL’s staff during this period.”

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Dairy Focus June 2012

Effluent sentencing A Flemington dairy farmer fined $25,000 for discharging effluent into waterways has plans to fence the waterway and create a wetland where mudfish could live. Joel Townshend has also volunteered to carry out educational work at Lincoln University and advertise about the perils of dairy farming in relation to effluent disposal and the effects on the environment. Mr Townshend is also a director and shareholder of Charlann Ltd, which was fined $17,000 for the same effluent offences. The dairy farmer was in the Environment Court last month for sentencing after pleading guilty to discharging effluent via a centre pivot irrigator into a branch of Blees Drain. Environment Canterbury staff investigating a complaint on May 24 last year found the irrigator directly discharging into the waterway. The light on the irrigator was covered by a cloth. Townshend had been caught discharging into the same waterway a month before. A condition of his effluent discharge consent prohibits discharge into or within 20 metres of a watercourse. Environment Court Judge Jon Jackson said Townshend was responsible for the dayto-day operation of the dairy farm, which milked 650 cows. He was young, with a heavy responsibility for a farm that was not highly profitable. Blees Drain is among the lowland spring-

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fed streams that the Canterbury Water Management Strategy seeks to protect or restore. Until 2005, these drains were generally considered to have high water quality, supporting aquatic habitats. The judge said effluent discharge would impact the quality of the drain system. “The thing farmers always need to realise is that there are accumulative effects of these things. It is not just you being caught in this case but there are other people too. Somewhere, somehow the measurements that have been taken down in the lower areas of Blees Drain are accumulating. It is clear that to some small extent you may well have contributed to those.” Judge Jackson said the dairy farm should have been on some notice because it had been subject to a previous abatement notice in 2010 where effluent ponding was observed. The dairy farmer said he had made mistakes. The programming of the machinery was difficult and he had intended to stop the irrigator manually before it discharged over the waterway. The judge said Mr Townshend could be called on to make good his plans to improve the farm environment. Environment Canterbury Resource Management director Kim Drummond said he hoped the sentence would act as a deterrent to others and reaffirm the importance of taking all practicable steps to protect the natural environment.

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Dairy Focus June 2012

Make sure you are well prepared for winter conditions On the back of recent snowfalls, Mid Canterbury’s rural heat tape on exterior pipes can help prevent water community is being reminded to check it is prepared for systems from freezing”, he said. future inclement winter weather. Mr Reilly said checking supplies in your car is another The Canterbury Civil Defence Emergency Management good thing to do and advised people who use power Group is reminding people to stock up on essential managers to make sure they are topped up as we come items, just in case of power outages or travel in to the heart of winter. interruptions as a result of bad weather during the He added there are a number of places people winter months. can find information on weather conditions and In previous years heavy snowfall has led to road warnings including www.metservice.com and www. closures and power outages affecting large parts of cdemcanterbury.govt.nz. Canterbury. Motorists considering driving over mountain passes The snowfalls in July and August last year cut power in winter are advised to take chains with them in case to thousands of homes, left many roads impassable and of snow and to check road conditions and the weather closed airports. forecast before setting out. “People need to be prepared now for the possibility that this winter could again bring hazardous weather conditions to Canterbury,” said Neville Reilly, Regional Civil Defence Group controller. “For general readiness, every household should create and practise a Household Emergency Plan, and assemble and maintain emergency survival items. Everyone should have the necessities in place to be able to be self-sufficient for three days in the event of road closures and power cuts.

Even in small quantities, snow can be hazardous. It only takes a few centimetres on a road to make driving dangerous. A list of emergency supplies can be found below.

Specific emergency preparedness items

Torch with spare batteries or a self-charging torch • Radio with spare batteries • First aid kit and essential medicines • Blankets or sleeping bags This includes having stocks of food, water, warm • Pet supplies clothing, fuel, alternative lighting and other emergency • Wind and waterproof clothing and strong supplies on hand. We would also encourage people to make sure their homes are properly insulated. Installing outdoor shoes

• Food and water for at least three days • Non-perishable food (canned or dried food) • Food, formula and drinks for babies and small children • Water for drinking. At least 3 litres per person, per day • A camp-cooker or gas barbecue to cook on • A spare, full gas cylinder • A can opener • Water for washing and cooking

Suggested winter preparedness items for your car • Windshield scraper and brush • Battery or self-charging torch • Battery or self-charging radio • Extra batteries • Water • Snack food • First aid kit • Jumper cables • Hi-vis vest • Tow chain or rope • Cigarette lighter cell phone charger • Wind and waterproof clothing and strong outdoor shoes • Personal medications • Blanket(s) • A shovel.