Farming June 2012

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An Ashburton Guardian Feature

June 2012

GUARDIAN FARMING

A proud farming history

p 6-7-8

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five star beef

Linda Clarke, Ashburton Guardian rural reporter

The public face of the feedlot The long-time Five Star Beef employee helped set up the high-performing Wakanui beef feedlot in Mid Canterbury 21 years ago and watched proudly as it has grown into a quiet achiever on the national scene. Thomo, as he is known by all, says it will be a wrench leaving the company when he retires at the end of June. But he has much to reflect on. Officially he is Five Star Beef’s feed procurement man; he is also the public face of the feedlot, dealing with farmers and visitor groups. He was the feedlot’s first employee, hand-picked by ANZCO’s chairman Graeme Harrison to trial feedlot feeding 23 years ago. Five Star’s Wakanui feedlot is the only large-scale feedlot in the country. It successfully flies under the radar, dominating New Zealand’s chilled beef exports, leading a resurgence in the Angus beef breed and injecting millions into the Mid Canterbury economy through feed contracts with local growers and jobs. Thomo is genuinely proud to be involved in its journey. He says he is just part of a team of exceptional people who have grown the feedlot concept. The company’s partnership with Itoham Foods gives it a base in the Japanese market and it has a business model focused on the customer. Japanese consumers like marbled beef – Five Star Beef has built a supply chain to provide it. The feedlot was opened in 1989, not without controversy and a few environmental protests. Some objected to the feedlot philosophy.

Gf GUARDIAN FARMING

But the reality is Five Star is a high-performing operation. It fattens some 36,000 cattle a year for the Japanese market, which prizes the marbled meat that results from a grain-based diet. Angus cattle arrive at the feedlot weighing around 400kg; their specially formulated diet will add another 300kg before they are sent to CMP’s nearby Seafield plant for slaughter.

Any feedback is welcome, any comments about our magazine, letters or story suggestions. Please direct any correspondence to: Linda Clarke, on 307-7971 email: linda.c@theguardian.co.nz or write to PO Box 77, Ashburton. Advertising: Phone 307-7900 Email: emma.j@theguardian.co.nz Publication date: May 8, 2012 Next issue: June 12, 2012 An advertising feature for the Ashburton Guardian. Any opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of Guardian Farming or the Ashburton Guardian.

Making sure there is enough feed for the feedlot population is Thomo’s job. The cattle eat an average of 120 tonnes of wheat and barley a day. Two giant 3000-tonne silos at the feedlot are pivotal to the operation, plus mountains of maize silage, and stacks of ryegrass straw and Lucerne. The animals’ feed requirements are massive, and constant. Five Star has an important group of Mid Canterbury growers who plant maize annually for the feedlot. The plantings are spread around the district so a freak weather event, like hail, cannot decimate feed stocks. Story continues over page

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five star beef

Growing maize for the feedlot has become a scientific and competitive occupation under Thomo’s watch. Each year Five Star’s best grower wins an overseas trip, or similar.

Also in the name of learning was a trip to the US, to Pioneer’s state of the art research facility in Iowa. Thomo ventures out onto the feedlot amongst the cattle when called upon, though their daily needs are met by others on the 30-strong feedlot team. Stockhands “We have a good group of maize growers, some have been with on horseback pick their way through pens of black cattle, measured the feedlot from the start. We actually have a backlog of people who feed rations are delivered to troughs by trucks, and effluent cleared would like to come into the group.” by contractors and trucked off farm for spreading as organic matter on paddocks. It is a much sought-after byproduct. Growers must keep a diary detailing their management of the maize crop, to ensure it meets food safety specifications. The He says a succession of hard-working general managers has kept growers are also party to the latest genetic developments in maize the feedlot focused. Mark Clarkson was its first leader, followed by seed, thanks to a partnership with Pioneer. Trevor Johnston, Gus Crawford, Jamie Gordon and Greg Jopson. “The success of growing maize is paddock selection, preparation and precision planting.”

Greg says Thomo leaves big boots to fill. “He has been instrumental in establishing the culture at Five Star, with his own personal values being engrained in how Five Star Beef has conducted its business. This has been one of the key reasons why the feedlot has been successful.”

Some 35,246 tonnes of maize was harvested for the feedlot last summer; it will yield about 21 tonnes of drymatter. It has been a good, but late, harvest.

He said Thomo’s unique sense of humour had lightened a few tough winter days, or kept staff motivated in difficult times.

Building relationships in those early years required plenty of communication. Thomo said farmers were wary. “Fortex had just gone bust and people wanted to know they would be paid.” To learn more about the customer’s relationship with beef, Thomo visited Japan for some cultural immersion. “It was good for me to understand how the Japanese see it. You know why they are being so fussy. It was a tremendous learning curve.”

“He has been a mentor and role model for many staff over the last 20 years and has been the glue that has kept everyone together.” He is passionate about the product – “you can’t beat a good steak” – and says Five Star Beef is traceable from the paddock to the plate. It’s a line of business he will miss.

Photos Linda Clarke Feedlot cattle eat an average of 120 tonnes of wheat and barley a day.

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Native heritage

4 Contributed by Mary Ralston, Forest and bird

Protecting native plants Bill Hood is a farmer from Mayfield and, fortunately for Mid Canterbury’s native biodiversity, is interested in native plants and animals.

Bill doesn’t know how old they are but presumes the plants must be well over a hundred years old. Unlike most of the other native vegetation on the Canterbury Plains they have survived because of “I haven’t done much but because there is so little left you don’t have to do much to their position in a gully which was never make a difference.” This was Bill’s comment cultivated. As well as the porcupine shrub on his involvement with protecting native there are also several Muehlenbeckia plants. plants – he was instrumental in saving a patch of silver tussock on the roadside near The patch of native scrub is only about 1.5 his previous farm at Chertsey, and native hectares and contains about 80-100 plants shrubs at Mayfield. but is highly significant because there is so little native biodiversity left on the Bill and Janet farmed at Chertsey from Canterbury Plains. Bill and Janet protected 1959 to 1995. In 1969 they took over a block next to Highway 1 and recognised the patch with a covenant under the Queen that there was an area of the native silver Elizabeth National Trust scheme so it will tussock, Poa cita, along the roadside be protected even if the property changes on Transit NZ land. Bill sought official hands. permission to fence the area off and took Along the roadside of the farm Bill found care of the tussocks by spraying the broom several specimens of native broom and and other weeds which threatened to take matagouri, and some fescue tussock. He over. The tussocks have done very well. shifted the fence out so they would be Bill’s efforts have apparently changed the protected and has planted more natives, mindset at Transit NZ. The organisation such as flax, toi toi and cabbage trees. now values the patches of native Native skinks and fantails love this habitat vegetation that can be found on roadsides and Bill regularly sees quite a lot of them and has appointed someone to catalogue there. these remnants. When planning passing Mid Canterbury is the richer for Bill’s bays and extra lanes they dig up and later replant any natives that may otherwise be efforts to protect these patches of our native heritage. In an area dominated destroyed by roadworks. There are now by introduced plants and animals it was several patches of silver tussock along indeed fortunate that Bill recognised Highway 1. In 1995 Bill and Janet moved to the farm at Mayfield and Bill recognised the natives and sought to save them – a valuable part of our local natural history. that in a back gully there was a patch of native porcupine shrub, Melicytus. Hopefully other farmers will do the same.

To our newest readers north of Rakaia, welcome to Guardian Farming, your free local rural monthly publication, produced by the Ashburton Guardian. This magazine and its sister publication, Dairy Focus, are especially for the Canterbury farmer, packed to the brim with the latest news, profiles and comments from local farming personalities and including everything that is relative to the industry. We aim to entertain and inform, providing the reader with a fresh, easily read magazine you will open and enjoy many times over. Our circulation area now covers mid Canterbury and southern north Canterbury which is bordered by the Rangitata River to the south, Southern Alps to the west, the Pacific Ocean to the east and Christchurch to the north. Guardian Farming is a supplement to the daily Ashburton Guardian and delivered to rural and urban subscribers and every RD box holder in the circulation area, that’s a total of about 11,000 households.

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6

Farming history

Contributed by John Leadley

From tussock to treasure

May 27, 2012, marked 100 years since the original Leadley Wakanui family farm was dispersed. When my then 21-year-old grandfather, George William Leadley took up 428 acres of the former Kermode and Moore Wakanui Run (60,000 acres) in 1877, little would he have realised the enormous versatility of his patch of tussock. Having emigrated to New Zealand aboard the Lancashire Witch in 1863 with his parents and siblings as an eight-year-old, (a sister died on the voyage of “the fever�) the family originally farmed in West Melton, Halkett and Prebbleton areas (Leadley’s Road) before crossing the Rakaia by dray in 1877 for George to set up a farm. Exact records are sparse but in all probability the land was chosen because of its close proximity to Wakanui Creek. The first two sections purchased freehold in the Ashburton County were at the mouth of the Wakanui Creek. They were bought on August 20th 1857 by a Lyttelton shipping firm possibly connected with a proposal to form a coastal port, as in March and May 1860, ketches were advertised to sail from Lyttelton for the Ashburton. Similar later proposals for the mouth of the Ashburton, failed to come to fruition. It was still four years before the county

water race scheme was inaugurated in 1881. At that time Wakanui Creek (where in 1879 a flour mill was established) was the only water source between the Rakaia and Ashburton Rivers. Wakanui School, established in September 1876 is the oldest rural school in the District. There is probably no better way to describe the conditions of the time (1877) than in the words of G.W. Leadley himself, penned at the age of 71 years in 1927, the same year my father (also GW) took over 119 acres of adjacent land. Welcomed by a howling nor’-wester, carrying dense, sweeping clouds of sand and grit, we crossed the Rakaia River about sundown, and camped near the railway line. Wrapped in our blankets, we lay under the dray (I cannot say we slept) until daybreak, then broke camp and away across the wide plains of waving browngrey tussock, the nor’-wester still sweeping unchecked by tree or fence across the forty mile stretch of level plain - a vast, treeless, almost objectless expanse - following the winding track through the tussock for nearly twenty miles, until we finally reached our destination and “pitched our moving tent a day’s march nearer� our new home. Can I describe the country as it was then? Let me try. Except along the banks of the rivers, partly for the reason that the land was usually of better

quality (perhaps more) for the reason that the water was more accessible, there was little or no settlement of this vast area. Much of the land had, however, passed out of the hands of the Government into those of speculators, and was beginning to be taken up by adventurous spirits, attracted by the possibilities of the future of wheat growing on these vast, level plains, and assisted - or rather encouraged by the advent of the double plough and the combined reaper and binder. Moreover, the previous year had been a most propitious one from the wheat grower’s point of view. The abundant summer rainfall, coupled with the stored up fertility of countless years, caused the virgin soil to produce phenomenal crops, and as the ruling prices were good, these fortunate settlers on the fringe of good land bordering the various rivers had reaped very satisfactory returns for their enterprise, many instances being reported where the land was more than paid for by the first crop. No doubt some of the reports that gained currency were a little exaggerated, but nevertheless a boom was created and the rush of settlement set in a full force in the early spring and the previously bare, objectless plains began to be dotted with signs of occupation. A primitive shack, run up in a few days, often a stable with a small dwelling attached, a single-roomed sod hut or a tent, sometimes a couple of posts set in the ground and

connected with a pole, with a few sheets of corrugated iron, made a “V� hut, and gave shelter through the summer months. I, myself, lived in such a contraption for some weeks, until it was blown away one night by a raging nor’-wester. Then the ploughs were set going. In those days the view was so unobstructed and the air so clear, that one could easily see the teams at work four or five miles distant. Plough furrows marked off the road lines through the tussock, and long narrow strips of ploughing indicated where boundary fences were being or were to be erected. Here and there areas were blackened by fire, showing where the “breaking up� process (that was what the first ploughing of the virgin sod was called) was commencing. These were some of the signs that a new era had dawned, and that the foundations of future progress and prosperity were being “well and truly laid.� But it all meant hard work, great self denial, long and often weary waiting for the reward that in some - nay, many - cases never came. But they were a grand type of men and women, those hardy pioneer settlers. Industrious, frugal, persevering, not easily deterred or discouraged by difficulties, they toiled on in the vast silences of the wilderness, “taming it, tilling it,� that they might leave it as a heritage for their children. George W. Leadley. Elgin. Story continues on next page

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7

Farming history

Contributed by John Leadley

And so was established the Valverde Settlement. Despite of 12 years at least 20 families left the Wakanui District. the sudden depression of 1879 that saw 56 bankruptcies Driven by the Liberal Government opposition to land registered at the Ashburton Court that year and at least aggregation, and no doubt the population trend, Valverde 33 per year for the next several years, development on was one of a number of larger farms compulsorily acquired Valverde continued and further land was added. by the government during the decade after 1904 for land The inauguration of the stock water race system in settlement. 1881 provided significant new opportunities for pastoral Accordingly on May 27, 1912 after payment by the Crown farming with reliable water supplies. Evidence of the of 14,000 pounds to G. W. Leadley, the land was subdivided diversification was the development in the county of a for lease by the Crown in 11 sections averaging 212 woollen mill in 1885, and a cheese and butter factory at acres. Applications were called for potential lessees with Flemington in 1882. A direct result of the stock water race preference given to landless persons, to be determined by system was the establishment in 1899 of the Canterbury ballot. Severe penalties for breaching a clause requiring Frozen Meat Company at Fairton. “exclusive use for own benefit� further reinforced the By 1900 Valverde consisted of 2312 acres, a substantial government’s direction as applicants could apply for only 10 roomed homestead, a married couple’s cottage and at one section. As a result of a ballot held at the Ashburton least three ploughman’s shacks, along with a full range of Court house on May 30, 1912, 11 new farm owners entered farming buildings and stock yards. Valverde at the turn of the industry. the twentieth century was little different from a significant The land was leased for a 33-year term with perpetual number of other larger farms established after the original right of renewal. Buildings and improvements such as runs were broken up. fencing were valued and paid for over the term of the lease My interest stems from a continuous family link with the by half yearly instalments, together with the land rent, and neighbourhood for 135 years with a son and daughter-in- subject to the addition of further improvements by the law still farming part of the land. To further emphasise the lessee aggregating an additional 30 per cent of the original versatility of soils and the extreme importance of reliable value within six years. Interest was at 5 per cent on the water, I would like to follow the trend of farming practices capital owing from time to time with rental at 4.5 per cent over the Valverde land since 1900. of capital value. In keeping with the Land Settlement Act no large capital input was required. However this was no The acquisition of many smaller farms by large pathway to prosperity either. landowners in the 1890s led to a decline in rural population. Many small schools suffered a roll decline of a Within a year the first tenant gave up his property and by third in the five years between 1898 and 1902. In a period 1920 most had changed hands. It was soon obvious that

farms of only 200 acres were not economic. For those who did survive income came mainly from wheat, sheep meat and wool. According to Scotter in his book “Ashburton� the post First World War boom saw land prices double in the three years 1911-1914. During 1919, 50 farms changed hands in the Mount Hutt road district alone. By mid-1920s however the importance of equity was emphasised as many again lost their livelihood as prices dropped and speculators learnt a lesson. Back on the Valverde farms in the 1920s-30s, production was centred on a mix of pastoral and cropping production with yields (and consequently incomes) severely affected by weather. Much of the Valverde block was stony Eyre and Lismore silt loams over an alluvial base. Water retention was poor except for the 20 per cent of better Wakanui and Waimakariri soil types. Most of the farms grew crops of wheat, oats and barley, root crops, some peas, and virtually all had a few dairy cows, hand milked for cream (butter factory) production, pigs to utilize the skim milk, and each had flocks of a few hundred sheep. Sheep numbers probably averaged about one per acre over the 2300 acres. This scenario of one man units continued through much of the 1930s depression with little addition of extra land despite the advent of electricity, tractors, telephones and other “modern� devices. Farming was still very much focused around small family units that the original settlers from the United Kingdom were so familiar with. Story continues over page

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8

Farming history

Contributed by John Leadley

Paul Leadley will continue the family legacy.

shifted aluminium pipes and sprinklers. Advances in technology saw rapid change with angle tow systems, high pressure guns, power roll units, fixed boom laterals, rotating booms all being preferred at different periods. Currently the total Valverde area is irrigated by boom or the ultra efficient centre pivot method. Incidentally irrigation was first trialled on Valverde land by a Public Works Department scheme in 1932. Lack of sufficient water in the stock-water source saw an early demise of this Scotter in his book Ashburton remarked “that landowners proposal. The concrete structure that housed the control had little need for assistance of any kind.” Only three of the gate for this experiment can still be seen at the corner of 11 Valverde sections changed hands in the depression and Chertsey and Le Bretons roads, on land currently owned by war years from 1931–46 and none by default. my son, Paul. With labour shortages and rationing during the war Over the 131 years that Valverde has been developed, the years, not a lot of progress was made in the levels of on land has been host to all manner of farming enterprises. farm production but within four years after war’s end, From the English style self sufficient one man operation land purchase and amalgamation on Valverde reduced of the draught horse years to the broader acre pastoral the number of owners, and increased average farm size to operations of the 1950s and 1960s, right through to the about 400 acres. By 1950 virtually all farmers in the area intensively mechanised cropping operations of the 21st had exchanged their draught horse teams for tractors. The century. advent of the header harvester further increased efficiency Often during times when scale and climate meant and production levels. The Korean War wool boom saw income was insufficient for family sustainability, innovative sheep numbers rise, greater fertilizer use and increased individuals found many other means of adding to incomes mechanization. by shearing, wool handling, stooking, contract harvesting The range of crops during the 1960s increased with with tin mill, stack building, fencing etc. lucerne established as a hay and grazing crop. Crop yields When it comes to crops grown successfully on Valverde improved with the application of nitrogenous fertilizers soil there seems no limit. Apart from the full range of and lime. The harvesting of white clover and peas added cereals, legumes, pulses, grasses, brassicas, clovers etc, significantly to soil fertility and health with subsequent many others have been trialled with success. Root crops of increases in cereal crop and grass-seed yields. By 1970 all mangolds, swedes, fodder beet, carrots and latterly large leases had been converted to freehold. areas of potatoes have all yielded well. Currently popular Undoubtedly the greatest change on Valverde and crops include maize and sweet corn. surrounding farms over nearly a century of ownership Further land aggregation has seen farms now averaging came with the establishment of deep bore irrigation, about 700 acres each with about half the Valverde land beginning in 1969. By 1984 nearly all the original 2312 now given over to dairy farming and support grazing. acres was under irrigation. During the depression years of the 1930s Ashburton farmers fared better than many in New Zealand, thanks mainly to reasonable wheat prices and much better financial support than in the depression of the 1880, from both government and banking institutions. The Labour Government established Mortgagors and Lessees Rehabilitation Act was less active in Ashburton than most parts of the country.

Originally water distribution was by way of manually

From hackneys to headers, lambs to legumes, draughts

to dairy, mangolds to maize, cocksfoot to coriander and turkeys to `tatties, Valverde has seen it all. With global warming who knows what another century will bring – maybe peanuts, pineapples and paw paws? So what has been learnt from 130 years of occupation of Valverde? Firstly G. W. Leadley’s choice of land to begin his farming career was a good one – versatile soils – availability of water – proximity to an establishing town with access to markets. The vast “treeless expanse” is now centre to one of the most sought after areas of land in the province. The stored fertility of countless years that caused the virgin soil to produce phenomenal crops is now producing yields of grain and pasture three and four times those phenomenal levels. Importantly trees and bird life cover the plains and the water retentive capacity of those light to medium soils has been greatly enhanced with decaying crop residues and animal waste. Additionally the quality of groundwater (nitrate levels) has continued to improve over the 10-15 years recordings have been taken, despite the area being in the aquifer plume of the District’s two major meat works. Innovative, high producing farming has proved a highly sustainable use of land. Long term intergenerational family ownership further enhances soil fertility guardianship. In this area of the District, currently six farms adjacent to and including parts of Valverde have enjoyed between 80 and 135 years each of continued family ownership. Is it any wonder I become defensive when some of the more extreme “greenies” imply that farmers only exist to mine our greatest resource – the very soil that sustains us all. This clearly is not the case. Valverde is but one example, replicated throughout the Plains and High Country, but it is one I know personally and passionately.

Laservision testimonial “I wore contact lenses for 40 years before I went to Laservision. I saw an ad one day, phoned them up and got an appointment the following week. The procedure was quick and comfortable ·Äº ¹Å˺ ʻ ʾ» º¿Ů»È»Ä¹» ¿Ãûº¿·Ê»ÂÏ afterwards. I felt it really was like a miracle! I would absolutely recommend Laservision to all of my friends and family.” Rosalie Fleming, Ashburton

9

JJ Ltd

An Ashburton Guardian Advertising Feature

JJ Limited - A company with a proud history We are in the people business. Our company is run by dedicated hard-working people, for dedicated hardworking people. This is our mission to the hard working farmers of Southland and Otago.

Our core business is to sell, repair and supply parts for tractors and other farm machinery. Our goal is to provide you with the best service available. We only supply the best quality goods and services available in the marketplace.

After 50 years and three generations servicing the farmers of Southland and Otago, we J J Limited are proud Our commitment to you, the client, is that we will do whatever it takes to keep you up to date with the latest to include the farmers and contractors of Canterbury in technology, offer you the best available repair service and this mission statement. the best quality parts money can buy. We at JJ Ltd. are a team of committed, efficient and Our business, like that of farmers and contractors, is not motivated people who strive to achieve excellence in a Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm business, and that’s why everything we do. we are proud to offer you our 24-hour a day, seven day a We know our clients’ needs, we know our region and we week service. know our products. Our Ashburton branch at 9a McGregor Lane, in the Riverside Ind. Est.

In June 2008 J J Limited, the Southland and Otago Massey Ferguson dealers, celebrated their 50th year in business

Relevant milestones • June 1958 J J Limited opened the Invercargill branch, marking the beginning of a fruitful and enduring relationship with Massey Ferguson. • 1961 The Invercargill branch shifted to new premises at 260 Dee Street from which the company still operates today. • 1963 J J limited opened the Gore branch having been awarded the dealership rights for Eastern Southland and West Otago. • 1966 The Gore branch shifted to their new premises in Lyne Street. • 1975 saw the introduction of the Lely Roterra to New Zealand. J J Limited became the sole Southland Lely dealers, a position they proudly hold today some 34 years later.

Michael Dewes – Sales Before he joined the Ashburton team Michael spent 15 years using Massey Ferguson and Fendt Tractors.

Dave Shaw – Parts Manager. An Ashburtonian through and through, Dave has 40 years of experience in the parts industry.

Ph: 03 3076031 or 027 2607821 On the left our mechanic from Ashburton, Christoph Kalim and on the right our mechanic from Wales, Ifan Bebb.

• 1985 J J Limited became Southland’s sole Welger dealers. • 1988 J J Limited Gore Branch were appointed Southland agents for Fendt tractors. • 2001 With the changing of the New Zealand importer and distributor for Massey Ferguson and Fendt products to AGCO the opportunity arose for a new retailer for their products in the Otago area so J J Limited headed North and opened their branch in Mosgiel. • 2009 The opportunity arose to become AGCO and Lely dealers for Canterbury.

Used Tractors

New Tractors

Massey Ferguson 390 2WD

Massey Ferguson 5455 Dyna 4

Massey Ferguson 7475, Dyna VT

ơ ʸʚ ĂŽ ʸʚ Transmission bare tractor 6,000 hrs

ơ ʟʡʡʡ žĂˆĂ‰ ơ šƭĂ? ÉÊÅ ÂÅ¡ºĂˆ ơ ĂŒÂťĂˆĂ? ĂŠ¿ºĂ?

ơ ʟʡà Æž ơ ʚƑʽʡʡ žĂˆĂ‰

$14,000 Massey Ferguson 6265 ơ ʟʚʡʡžĂˆĂ‰ ơ ¿Êʝº Ă?¿Êž Ă‹¿šà  ʞʝʡ Ă‚Ă…¡ºĂˆ

$59,000

$57,000

MF 6495 Dyna VT

LAST ONE LEFT.

Ring for a special price.

$87,000

Massey Ferguson 390 4WD tractor

Massey Ferguson 7480, Dyna VT

ơ šƭĂ? ¡ĂˆĂ‰Ă…Ă„ Ă…¡ºĂˆ ơ ʽƑʟʡʡ žĂˆĂ‰

ơ ʟʡà Æž ơ ʿʡʡžĂˆĂ‰ ơ Ă„ Ă„¡ĂˆĂˆĂ…Ă? Ă?žĂ‚É

$22,000

$59,000

MF 7499 Dyna VT

LAST ONE LEFT.

Ring for a special price.

Massey Ferguson 8220

McCormick MX85C tractor

Machinery

ơ ʝʚʡʡžĂˆĂ‰ ơ Ă?Ă„¡ Éž¿ŸĂŠ ÆÅĂ?ÂťĂˆ ɞËÊʝ ÂźĂˆĂ…Ă„ĂŠ ¡ĂŽĂ‚Âť ÉËÉƝÄÉ¿ÅÄ ơ ¡ĂŠĂˆĂ…Ă„¿š

ÀÅĂ?ÉÊ¿šà ŸĂ…Ăˆ Ăˆ¡Ăˆ ĂˆÂťĂƒĂ…ĂŠÂťĂ‰

ơ ʸʚʿʡ žĂˆĂ‰ šƭĂ? ɝŸ Ă‚ÂťĂŒÂťĂ‚ÂżĂ„½ Ă‚Ă…¡ºĂˆ

Used Balers

$70,000

AGMECH Forage wagon ơ ʸʺ šĂ‹¸¿š ĂƒÂťĂŠĂˆÂťĂ‰ š¡Ă†¡š¿ĂŠĂ? ơ ¡Ă„ºĂƒ Ă?¡Ă‚à ¿Ä½ ¡ĂŽĂ‚Âť ơ ÎʝÄÉ¿ÅÄÉ ĂŠĂ… ¿ÄšĂˆ¡Ă‰Âť š¡Ă†¡š¿ĂŠĂ? ĂŠĂ… ʸʽĂƒ3 ơ Ă?ÂşĂˆ¡Ă‹Ă‚¿š ¸Ăˆ¡à Ă‰ Ĺł ÂşĂ‹ĂƒĂƒĂ? Ă‚Ă…¡º šĂ‚ÂÉ

POA

$55,000

š ¡Ă‚Âť ËÉ¿ÅÄƑ ÂťĂˆ¿Ă‰ ʸĆ‘ Ă…Ă„Ă‚Ă? ʸʽĆ‘ʞʡʡ ¸¡Ă‚É ¡Ă‰Ă‰ÂťĂ? ÂťĂˆ½Ă‹Ă‰Ă…Ă„ ʸʿʟĆ‘ ÂťĂˆ¿Ă‰ ʸĆ‘ ʿʿĆ‘ʡʡʡ ¸¡Ă‚É š ¡Ă‚Âť ËÉ¿ÅÄƑ ÂťĂˆ¿Ă‰ ʸĆ‘ ʽʚĆ‘ʚʡʡʡ ¸¡Ă‚É Â½Ăˆ ʸʟʡĆ‘ Ĺ°ĂŽº šž¡Ăƒ¸ĂˆĆ‘ ¸Ă‚ĂŠ ĂˆĂ…Ă‹Ă„Âş ¸¡Ă‚ÂťĂˆ

Valtra A95 ơ šƭĂ? ¡Ă‚ĂŠĂˆ¡ Ë€ʺʡ ɝŸ Ă‚ÂťĂŒÂťĂ‚ÂżĂ„½ Ă‚Ă…¡ºĂˆ ơ ʸʞʿʡ žĂˆĂ‰

$70,000 $30,000 $60,000 $6,000

Used Equipment ¡ĂŽ¡Ăƒ ʺʺʡʡ

Ć‘ ĂŠĂ?¿Ä Ă?ÂżĂ‚ĂŠÂťĂˆ ĂƒĂ…Ă?ÂťĂˆ ¸šĂ… ʞʡʡĆ‘ šĂ„ĂŠĂˆÂť Ÿº Ă?¡½Ă…Ă„Ć‘ ĂŠ¡Ă„ºĂƒ ¡ĂŽĂ‚Âť

$8,900 $8,000

Coming In

$50,000

¡Ă‚ĂŠĂˆ¡ ˀʟ šƭĂ? Ă‚Ă…¡ºĂˆ MF 185TBC Baler

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Ashburton | McGregor Lane | Ph 03-307-6031 | Fax 03-307-6025

10

electricity

Neal Shaw, ATS Chief Executive

Which generation will pay?

Where does our electricity generation come from and who are the biggest users? The answers may not match the preconceptions formed by the general public thanks largely to media reports. Often the information we get is emotive and comes about in response to proposed new generation schemes, price hikes or supply shortages. Farmers are often singled out because of their perceived high usage of electricity through the running of irrigators for many months throughout the year. But in reality, agriculture accounts for only a fraction of the electricity consumed in New Zealand.

of the North Island 38.1% and the South Island uses 34.2%. When you compare these consumption figures with the generation figures, the difference between who generates electricity and who uses it becomes very clear. Hydro accounts for 56.4% of the electricity generated (by fuel type for 2010) compared with gas 21.2%, geothermal 12.8%, coal 4.5%, wind 3.7%, bioenergy 1.3% and other thermal 0.1%. What happens though when we have low hydro lake levels which affect the potential for hydro generation?

We are in that situation now according to recent media reports. In a recent article it was reported that the According to the Ministry of Economic Development’s southern hydro lake levels were already falling below latest Energy Data File, agriculture (including forestry average at the beginning of the year, but recovered after and fishing) consumed 4.7 per cent of electricity in 2010 good rainfalls in February and March. Levels are now compared with the residential sector accounting for 34.2%; dropping again and figures are getting close to those commercial (including transport) at 23.4%; and industrial recorded during the 1992 power crisis. the biggest consumer at 37.7%. It has been estimated that we have around 12 weeks of The same report says households account for around a storage in our hydro lakes. That’s not very much especially third of total electricity consumption while the commercial when you compare it to the likes of Norway which has two and basic metal sectors are also large users, with the Tiwai years of storage. Point aluminium smelter being the largest single user of According to the Energy Data File, we are doing well on electricity in New Zealand. the renewable generation front, although this is largely So while agriculture has a high profile and is a highly attributable to good luck. The reports says “new wind and visible operation, in reality its consumption is much lower geothermal generation coming online in 2009 along with than the commercial, industrial and residential sectors. good hydro in-flows have resulted in two years with high proportions of renewable generation after a record low in Interestingly the Energy Data File also shows where the 2008 of 65% due to low hydro in-flows�. most users come from and not surprisingly it’s where the higher populations are found. The North Island uses about What will we do when these levels drop – other than two-thirds of the electricity generated in New Zealand. In pray for rain? It is easy in a power crisis to blame the total, Auckland and Northland account for 27.7%, the rest Government, but we need to look at ourselves.

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We are good at talking about renewable energy – as long as it is somewhere else. The acronym NIMBY is very apt in these situations – Not In My Back Yard. I think this has been behind the failure of many generation schemes. The Waitaki scheme reportedly cost Meridian around $50m to work through its consent process and it was still scrapped; the Lake Hayes wind generation proposal was also canned and most recently the Mokihinui River plan on the West Coast has also been abandoned. All of this has contributed to a lack of development for the future. Sir Robert Muldoon’s Think Big schemes may not have been popular but where would we be without the likes of the Clyde Dam? Some of us will remember the negativity around this project and the concerns around the environmental impact. Regardless of your opinions, at some stage projects have to be allowed to proceed. If we don’t have these projects assisting us going forward where will we be? There are always concerns about the effect on the environment and rightly so, but often man-made lakes also enhance the environment in a variety of ways. Just look at the Waitaki hydro lakes. These projects can also have positive spin-offs by way of job opportunities and business development. I am concerned decisions made over the last 20 years will set our children up with a legacy that will be difficult for them to manage. We are not investing in the infrastructure to keep pace with population growth and as a result we are saddling future generations with some hefty costs to catch up.

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11

southern wide real estate

An Ashburton Guardian Advertising Feature

Leaders in rural real estate Southern Wide Real Estate is a company offering a comprehensive range of rural, lifestyle, residential and commercial properties throughout the lower South Island covering Canterbury, Otago and Southland. Our proven performance will ensure your success when you choose us to buy or sell on your behalf. Our committed and experienced team look forward to working with you. With us you get the whole team, real people in real estate.

Meet the team

Ia an Moore e ARE REINZ RE IIN NZ Z

Ne eill Dick k

SALES CONS N UL U TA T NT Rural & Lifestyle South Canterbury Branch Manager 027 539 8152 ian@southernwide.info

I have been involved in rural real estate for over 13 years and passionate about enabling people to progress into personal farm ownership. Being a dairy farmer myself on 550 hectares, I am heavily involved in the South Canterbury community. My expertise is primarily in the dairying field where I have taken an intensive interest in its development over the last 5+ years.

Dan Coon Da on ney y

Noel e Hew el ewittso son

Mu urray y Arcchibald

Noe No el May y

Emma Ple Em led dg ger

SALES CONS N UL U TA T NT Rural & Lifestyle South Canterbury 021 359 793 Neill@southernwide.info

SALES CONS N UL U TA T NT Rural & Lifestyle South Canterbury 021 973 768 dan@southernwide.info

SALES CONS N UL U TA T NT Rural & Lifestyle Canterbury 0274 328 724 noelh@southernwide.info

SALES CONS N UL U TA T NT Rural & Lifestyle South Canterbury 027 6862697 murray@southernwide.info o

SALES CONS N UL U TA T NT Rural & Lifestyle South Canterbury 021 457 643 noelm@southernwide.info

SALES CONS N UL U TA T NT Rural & Lifestyle South Canterbury 0274 452 067 emma@southernwide.info

I have been involved in the North Otago and South Canterbury region for over 40 years.

I have been involved in the community for over 40 years. Firstly farmed 264 hectares for 22 years with wife Annemarie.

I have had a long association with farming in the Otago, Southland and South Canterbury areas, having spent the last 31 years in and around the Timaru district. I have a wealth of knowlegde regarding farming and I understand farmers’ requirements and needs.

My interest in farming spanned 20 years on three farms in Ealing, Orari and Seadown. From farming I moved to Stock and Station (Dalgetys) as a Grain, Seed, and Farm Merchandise Agent.

Noel brings extensive farming knowledge totalling in excess of 33 years from his farming career both in the Central Otago high country and Western Southland with a sheep and beef finishing farm.

Emma comes to Southern Wide with an agricultural background and the previous 10 years spent in the viticulture industry throughout Central Otago. Currently based in the Waitaki Valley, at Waitangi Station on the shores of Lake Aviemore, Emma will be selling anything from baches to high country stations and everything in between.

Since my association as a rural agent at Southern Wide Real Estate, I have concentrated on building a strong client base and gaining a respect for client satisfaction in and, beyond the regions boundaries.

I have been selling rural Real Estate in South Canterbury for 13 years and enjoy working with the very successful team at Southern Wide Real Estate in South Canterbury.

FIRST FARM OR DAIRY SUPPORT

Farming is in my DNA and I get great satisfaction out of dealing with and giving information to clients. I love being involved with people and real estate gives me the best opportunity to do that.

I have always enjoyed working in the rural community and see the marketing of real estate being a natural extension of my lifelong interest in the land and our people.

JONMAE FARM LIMITED

ENTRY LEVEL DAIRY FARM

100 Ha Approx

PLUS '34 IF ANY (A

/FFERS /VER (A TWO BLOCKS

BLUE CLIFFS

PEEL FOREST

WOODBURY

s 4HIS IS A VERY GOOD STOCK PROPERTY IN A MM RAINFALL AREA %XCELLENT SHEDS AND YARDS s ! MAJOR INPUT OF FENCING STOCK WATER SYSTEM AND UPGRADED CATTLE YARDS WITH AN %)$ SYSTEM s 4WO HOMES INCLUDING A NEW BEDROOM HOMESTEAD BUILT IN COMPLEMENTS THIS PROPERTY

s ! WELL ESTABLISHED DRYLAND DAIRY FARM WITH FAVOURABLE RAINFALL AVERAGE APPROXIMATELY MM s -ILKING COWS (OME BLOCK HA MILKING PLATFORM PLUS RUN OFF KMS AWAY ASIDE (ERRINGBONE SHED s &ULLY RENOVATED HOME 'OOD FARM BUILDINGS INCLUDING BAY IMPLEMENT SHED X HAY BARN 7EB 2EF SWW1066 NOEL HEWITSON

s 4HIS PROPERTY IS LOCATED IN THE PROPOSED NEW (UNTERS $OWN )RRIGATION 3CHEME s (A OF HEAVY CROPPING SOILS BALANCE FREE DRAINING RIVER mATS s -ODERN BEDROOM HOME DOUBLE GARAGE WITH INTERNAL ACCESS PLUS LARGE WORKSHOP 7EB 2EF SWW1060

DAN COONEY 7EB 2EF 377

YOUR CHOICE OF FARMING

NEILL DICK & NOEL MAY

SUNNY BRAE

DEER FARMING

(A

$EADLINE 0RIVATE 4REATY n #LOSING PM *ULY (A

PLUS '34 IF ANY (A STS

CRICKLEWOOD

OTAIO

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s 5NLIMITED PRIVATE WATER SUPPLY s STAND WOODSHED AND CATTLE YARDS s )DEAL FOR BEEF CATTLE DAIRY GRAZING CROPPING OR SHEEP

s 3UNNY "RAE KM OFF 3( HAS BEEN A RENOWNED HORSE STUD FOR YEARS s &INISHING FARM CROPPING EXCELLENT CROPPING SOILS DAIRY SUPPORT s 3ECOND HOME BEDROOMS HAY BARNS BAY IMPLEMENT SHED SETS OF SHEEP YARDS CATTLE YARDS

s 'OOD ENTRY LEVEL FARM WITH BEDROOM HOMESTEAD s $EER FENCED DEER SHED CATTLE YARD WOOLSHED s #LOSE TO AMENITIES n ONLY MINUTES TO 4IMARU

7EB 2EF 377

7EB 2EF 377

Southern Wide Real estate - IAN MOORE

DAN COONEY, MURRAY ARCHIBALD

IAN MOORE

CRT- SIMON RICHARDS

12

irrigation

Contributed by Irrigation NZ

Trust and responsibility key to GMP Irrigation Good Management Practice (GMP) – is a term bandied about as something that we are all mythically expected to achieve so that the community will breathe a collective sigh of relief and irrigators can get on with the business of working and living on the land. The concept of continuous improvement and being able to show good practice is actually being practised will be a bottom line. With the water quantity and quality limits that are and will become part of our everyday farming operations, the regional authorities risk being swamped by a wave of compliance information. Schemes and in particular individual irrigators will have to step up and provide structures and processes that regional authorities have confidence in to allow them to pull back from compliance to that of a remote monitoring role. Another term bandied around is ‘Audited Self Management’ (ASM). Both terms go hand in hand. ‘Good Management Practice’ (GMP), what happens on farm and ASM, the mechanism to ensure compliance and show to the regulator and community that the resource users are responsibly using and managing effects. An irrigation scheme provides a natural structure for ASM but irrigators that operate individually are going to have to group together in catchment, sub-catchment, groundwater zone or similar to have a community of interest approach to the management of their resource. This will involve a mindset shift to look beyond the boundaries of your farm and work collaboratively within a group. The North Otago (NOIC) and Morven Glenavy Ikiwai (MGI) schemes off the Waitaki have been the forerunners developing ASM programmes based around environmental farm plans for individual properties. Essentially they are about

risk management looking at all the factors of a property, identifying the monitoring needed and developing action plans around different risks.

mean that every property will require a climate station and related capability to achieve the collection of data.

So what is the mythical Good Management Practice going to involve at a farm level? What are the bottom lines that enable an irrigator to confidently say to the community “I am irrigating responsibly”. How far will GMP extend and what is the danger of expectation creep.

IrrigationNZ is developing a website (everythingirrigation.co.nz) to provide information especially the climate and weather data on a regional/district scale with the ability to customise your property and scheduling and calculate benchmarks. Currently it has the relevant data for the Rakaia Selwyn area but IrrigationNZ is developing the tool to be accessible and relevant for all irrigators.

At a high level there are two parts that irrigators are going to have to consider 1. Water use efficiency 2. Nutrient use efficiency

Combined with the monitoring, participation in an ASM programme will provide robust, auditable To be able to achieve both efficiencies, readily available tools will have to be fully utilised. Drilling and irrigator led management. A recognised ASM programme that regulators have faith in will give down to the detail the on-farm bottom lines are the regulator confidence to trust the resource going to mean monitoring of management to the resource users. The use of • Water use – you have all got your meters in (this training and industry accreditation could be a would make a good Tui advertisement) so you can further step that GMP could include all under the tick that box! frame of an ASM programme. • Soil temperature There are two key words when talking • Climate and weather about developing GMP and ASM – trust and • Energy use responsibility. Firstly irrigators are going to • Nutrient use have to take responsibility to use all of the tools • Crop use available to achieve GMP and secondly the wider The tools to monitor these factors are all there, community, including the regulator, will have to easily accessible and proven with the exception develop a level of trust that irrigators are doing of the nutrient use monitoring of which ‘Overseer’ their upmost to use the water responsibly and is the main tool. This is another story but manage effects. industry and research are working to improve IrrigationNZ is the national body representing all its capability as it has some large inequities for irrigated properties. Monitoring enables the basic irrigation interests in a unified voice to promote excellence in irrigation development and efficient requirement to schedule irrigation use and track water management based on the principles of nutrient use. Calculation of benchmarks allows comparison of performance against yourself and responsible and sustainable water management throughout New Zealand. other irrigators. Detailed monitoring does not

13

e-waste

Contributed by Sheryl Stivens

Farm pits are not the place for electronic waste We all seem to have old e-waste, televisions in the back room that we thought we might give away to someone, an old computer that has been replaced by a laptop, printers that were replaced with a new one because the ink cartridges were too expensive, and video recorders we no longer use. For many of us getting rid of these items (that were very expensive at time of purchase) is a big decision.

waterways by disposing of them into farm pits or landfills. E-scrap is filled with precious metals such as gold and copper and rare earth metals such as tantium which can be recovered and re-used using specialist equipment.

Landfilling E-scrap does not allow for the recovery and reuse of these valuable materials which are becoming increasingly expensive, and in some cases difficult The good news is that we now have a safe to obtain (for example, China is the only disposal option. Ashburton has recently country refining some rare earth metals, become part of a regional programme to and has recently banned exports.) safely dispose of electronic waste via the E scrap recovery programme. This means The New Zealand Government estimates you can now drop off any electronic there are 80,000 tonnes of electronic and items including computers, printers and electrical waste disposed of into farm pits, televisions at the Ashburton Resource clean fills or landfills in New Zealand per Recovery Park operated by Mastagard year, a quarter of which are televisions, knowing that they will be recycled computers and computer peripherals. responsibly. The E-scrap from Ashburton is sent to a recycling facility in Christchurch where most products are dismantled by hand into their component parts for further processing. The products that we can’t dismantle and process locally are exported to approved and accredited international recycling plants with high environmental standards. The dismantled components are recycled locally and overseas and reused as raw materials to manufacture new products.

Costs of safe disposal

Televisions

There are approximately 4 million TV sets in New Zealand in homes and hotels/ motels. We estimate that 2.2 million of these use cathode ray tube (CRT) screen technology. Largely because of the changeover to digital television, most CRT televisions will become unusable without purchasing a set-top box. Many people are using the digital switch over as an opportunity to purchase a new, digital ready television rather than keep their old CRT set. Televisions screens can contain up to 4kg of lead.

There is a cost of $6 per item for TV and computer screens only. This is due to the cost of safe dismantling and disposing of Computers the leaded glass which is difficult to handle. There are about 7.8 million desktop All other E-scrap and any electronic items computers in New Zealand (3m in homes can be dropped off at the Mastagard site and 4.8m in business/government). With for free. an average of 11kg each, this totals 86,000 Extent of the E-scrap tonnes.

problem Electronic waste, (E-scrap) and its toxic materials, including lead and mercury, is globally the fastest growing waste stream - posing a potential toxic hazard to our environment. Recycling E-scrap allows these elements as well as the rare earth metals that are required to build solar and wind systems and future electronic equipment to be recovered and recycled safely – rather than letting them leach into our soils or

Computer sales are growing strongly and there is a strong trend to laptop computers. The estimated total stock of CRT monitors in homes is around 1.9 million. It is estimated that the great majority – say 80% or 1.5 million units – are no longer being used and are poised for final disposal. This represents 2100 tonnes of lead.

It is estimated that up to 30% of the CRT stock will have been disposed of, leaving say three million commercial monitors containing over 4000 tonnes of lead.

For help with recycling or composting Freephone 0800 627 824 or email education@mastagard.co.nz

Recycling your toner and inkjet cartridges Ink and toner cartridges are reusable and recyclable. You can help reduce the impact of cartridges on the environment by making simple changes when buying, using and disposing of cartridges. Reduce ink use and printing wherever possible. Get your cartridges refilled locally. Used cartridges can be dropped off at the Recycle Shed at the Mastagard site for recycling. Take-back systems are offered through major supply companies at some of the major office equipment suppliers.

In summary, the issues are... E-scrap is toxic and can harm our environment and human health There is an opportunity to safely recover and re-use valuable materials, some of which are becoming increasingly scarce

For quality work you can count on

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In 2006 the stock of computer CRTs in businesses was estimated at 4.4 million.

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We need to make sure that everyone in Ashburton District knows what to do with their E-scrap.

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ASHBURTON

Blacklows TradeZone Ashburton

South Street, Ashburton PHONE (03) 308-3147 Email blacklows@xtra.co.nz FREEPHONE 0800 452 522

14

maintenance

An Ashburton Advertising Feature

Farm equipment maintenance Equipment doesn’t last forever. Regular maintenance is one of the major factors that extend both the economic life of equipment and the time between failures of that equipment. The maintenance required for one piece of equipment in one situation can be quite different from another situation.

• Personal protective equipment - not wearing the necessary protective equipment and clothing for the job results in many injuries each year. Protection may be needed for eyes, ears, head, feet, hands, and the body for certain jobs. Loose, dangling clothing can become entangled in machinery causing severe injury and even death. • Repairing machinery while running - trying to unclog a machine while it is running, tightening a bolt, or doing other repairs is an accident waiting to happen.

Equipment maintenance and repair is necessary to avoid down time and to minimise major repairs. It is also necessary to prevent injury to those using the equipment by keeping machinery maintained well. It is important to maintain any work equipment you provide Serious or even fatal injuries may result in you being in a safe condition for use so that people’s health crushed, cut or pulled into machinery at shear points, and safety is not at risk and, in certain circumstances, crush points, pinch points, wrap points, and pull-in inspected to ensure this remains the case. points of the machine. However, maintaining and repairing machines can lead Mower maintenance tip to serious injury. Whether mowing is a seasonal chore or year-round Workers should be trained in maintenance safety responsibility, it’s important to keep mowers in and have the proper equipment to minimise or even peak operating condition. Here are quick and easy eliminate the impact of maintenance accidents. maintenance steps to ensure a clean cut on the lawn or in the field. General maintenance Operators should make sure that:

1. Disconnect power source

farm machinery with a respected reputation

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• They know how to stop the machine before starting it; Before starting any mower maintenance, make sure to disconnect the driveline or remove the spark plug • They always start it from the correct position; wire from the mower’s engine. This will eliminate the • All guards are fitted and working correctly; • The area around a fixed machine is clean, tidy and free possibility for accidents and keep everyone safe. from obstruction; 2. Clean parts • They wear appropriate protective clothing and equipment. Make sure all parts of the mower are clean (blades included). When cleaning a lawn and garden mower, Causes of injuries when repairing start with the engine. Once the engine is properly machines cleaned, or if you’re working with a disc or rotary mower, • Improper lifting - by lifting incorrectly or lifting items turn it on its side to remove the blades and clean the that are too heavy or awkward causes back injury that undercarriage. Before handling the blades, remember to results in lost work time or even permanent disability. protect your hands by wearing thick gloves. First remove the mower’s blades and use a garden hose, brush and • Using the wrong tool for the job - sometimes we are soapy water to remove dirt and debris. Then clean the tempted to use a wrench as a hammer, but the blades using a knife or scraper tool to scrape off excess wrench can glance off the object and cause serious dirt and debris. injury. • Unsafe repair in field - many accidents occur when 3. Sharpen blades repairing machines in the field without stabilising them so that the machine will not roll or fall and crush Secure the blade in a bench vice and sharpen with a metal file at the angle of the existing factory bevel. If the the worker. blade is badly damaged or extremely dull, use a bench • Dropping heavy or sharp objects - heavy or sharp grinder to grind out all the nicks to get a blunt edge objects that are dropped on hands, feet, head, or before sharpening. Before replacing the mower blade, other parts of the body can cut, smash or crush. The worker who fails to wear gloves, hard hats, steel-toed make sure it’s balanced. An unbalanced blade can result shoes or other protective gear often suffers the worst in uneven performance and damage to the mower. injuries. 4. Check other parts • Unsafe work areas and habits - examples of unsafe conditions are such things as incorrect use of a ladder, Lubricating all necessary bearings, joints, and other moving parts is crucial to effective upkeep and peak working in an elevated position without proper performance. Tyre pressure and battery maintenance are footing, not using the right supports or safety equipment, and cluttered work areas. other parts to check when doing mower maintenance.

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15

health and safety

Contributed by Rob Stevenson

The $$$ return for health and safety and managing your risk Walk onto many farms and mention Health and Safety (H&S) and the reaction is often a stifled groan or uncomfortable silence. H&S, as a concept, has been with us as long as mankind has possessed commonsense. Good commonsense is the most important ingredient in what has been a legal obligation since 1992, with no significant changes over the last 20 years. Over several years I have witnessed many H&S training workshops. The overwhelming reaction from participants is that legal compliance is not as difficult as they first thought. Sadly a few employers think the ‘box is ticked’ with a written policy and don’t go on to actively promote H&S within their business. Another dangerous myth is – ‘I supply safety gear and tell them to use it, if they don’t it is their fault’ – this will not protect you from prosecution any more than it protects them from injury!

more considered and deliberate in the manner they handle stock

it is still common for employment agreements to be an after-thought. One specific issue is the 90 day Trial Period – I give an example. ABC Ltd interviews and offers • ACC Workplace Safety Discount (available to agriculture, employment to Joe Bloggs, as a Sales Person in ABC’s and currently 10%) business. Joe accepts the verbal offer, which outlines salary, hours, responsibility and performance targets. There are many industry organisations with Health and Safety policies available, likewise the Department of Joe arrives for work on Monday. As part of a very good Labour and ACC have forms and advice available online induction process he is given an Employment Agreement at their websites. to ‘look over’ and bring back later in the week. On Wednesday morning Joe approaches the manager and •The assistance of a Health and Safety, or Human Resources Consultant can save a lot of time, by dispelling says he will not accept the 90 day Trial Period clause (which is now standard in ABC’s business).What does ABC many of the myths around the Health and Safety in now do? Employment Act, and explain the process to deal with hazards in the workplace. It is helpful to involve all staff Joe is within his rights to decline the Trial Period clause. in the formation of the H&S policy, we are all more likely Additionally, he is now an employee (he started on to embrace change if we had some input into it and Monday). Better options were available to ABC Ltd had understand the reasons behind it. the Employment Agreement been addressed earlier. Any changes in behaviour apply to the employer as much as the employee. The example MUST be demonstrated and enforced from the top. Producing a policy without a commitment to enforce it will not keep your employees safe. Neither will it limit your liability; you will be judged on what you have done, not what you have said.

The benefits of good H&S are well documented with greater productivity, less time lost to injury and increased morale within the workplace. Anyone who really wants to have a safe workplace and is prepared to demand safe work practices from their staff can easily compile a useful H&S policy. Those who have embraced a culture of a safety conscious workplace have reaped the benefits. Much has been written lately about the cost of ACC to the employers in this country. We have many courses of Some of the more immediate financial benefits are; action open to us but reducing the number of injuries in • Lower vehicle and machinery running and maintenance our community must be the most important. costs due to staff taking greater care of their safety and Employment agreements should be as a result, your assets. • Less employee absenteeism from workplace injuries.

agreed (and signed) prior to the start date

• Lower animal health costs resulting from staff being

There are many reasons why the above is true however

we know you work seven days a week. so do we – for you. We offer a competitive and convenient SEVEN DAY PROCESSING service for your bobby calves. Our commitment to you includes: t A strong New Zealand brand with global reach t A seven day processing service t July – November bobby calf processing season t Free tags, cartage & additional peak season collections t An 0800 free phone service t Competitive scheduling with no hidden costs t No MAF inspection fees t Experience and expertise in all aspects of processing and marketing bobby calves. Become part of our proud supplier family today. Contact us on 0800 733 2253 (South Island) or speak to your local Silver Fern Farms Livestock Representative. www.silverfernfarms.co.nz

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If you have an issue you would like to see addressed or comments please email rob@teamwork-si.co.nz or phone Rob on 975 8505.

16

lifestyle

The life at the farm Another month has passed, but heading into winter is never fun. The changes in the garden are pretty though when the trees change colour. The play farm is ticking over, but I have some issues with chooks . . . namely keeping them alive. To the delight of my children their uncle gave them some chooks. Since we had the chook house, a big one at that, all we needed was chooks. So they arrived one night and we were all excited and kids wanted to hold them. That’s fine if you can catch them. We named them, again a mistake, you can now see where this is going.

to do this time. In the mix was a lovely rooster. So lovely. After a week or so, we decided to let them out for a run around. Well this rooster was dumb. He never came back to the chook house that night with the hens, or maybe the dog had given him a fright earlier in the day. I thought he was hiding in the garden and would get him tomorrow. Overnight we had a frost and in the morning went looking for him. Found him frozen in the garden, don’t think he liked the farm life.

So we get the next rooster (oh yes, I don’t give up on the chook thing I keep getting more). This rooster was black again (a lovely frilly thing a little As a child my mother would send us out with scraps for the bigger than the last one) and the hens didn’t chooks every day. I never took any notice of what they ate. mind a new man in their house. I had kept these hens alive for quite a while and was doing great, We got our chooks at the time of the year when we were I thought. eating lots of lettuce salad. So the chooks always got the leftovers. I have since learned that lettuce is no good for Till one day the youngest child came them, gives them acid tummies. And enough lettuce over screaming down path with small black rooster time can kill them. So over the next couple months we running behind her. Things didn’t look good lost the bulk of them - we had seven. They would just drop so out I go. Yes rooster had turned nasty and dead or look sluggish then die. had attacked her, so from then on the kids The family started calling me “chook killer�, so I decided to couldn’t or would not go near the hens as talk to lots of people about it and find out what I was doing he got really bad. He regularly got me and I have a few scars to prove it; he wrong. I have found that you must not give them onions or lettuce, boil all peelings as they don’t touch them if you would fly up with his feet and grab you round the legs. don’t. That and hot days didn’t do them any good as the chook house had no shelter from sun and was made out of Then one day the neighbour tin. So now they are more free range than before for that called in to visit and let his dog reason. out, a lovely friendly thing but it was a bird dog. It had never really So wise now, someone thought they would give us some bothered our birds much so I didn’t more chooks, this time bantam hens. Lovely looking with worry too much about him. frilly feet, they had been bred for showing but weren’t up to scratch so they came to me. Good home, knew what Story continues over page.

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Guardian Farming started last month a new column, based on the transformation of townie Barbara into a rural Martha Stewart. Enjoy her diary.

17

lifestyle

Then as I come round the corner off the house here he is heading out the gate with the rooster in his mouth. Thought “great, no more rooster”, but then realised that may be letting him have it wasn’t a good idea, he may come back for the hens. So off I went after the dog. He did stop and let the rooster go. The rooster ran into the hedge and I took the dog back to the house, told him off and tied him up. The kids went down to check later and found the rooster still in the hedge. I told them to leave him and maybe tomorrow he might have died from the fright. All I could do was laugh and think rooster gone, rooster gone, yah. And it was not my fault. Two days later I went out to feed the hens. What do I find waiting at the door but the bloody rooster alive and well and only missing his back feathers. You have no idea how cross I was. I actually began to think the rooster was there to teach me a lesson of some sort, or haunt me for the rest of my life since he

wouldn’t bloody die. No matter what I did, kick, throw things, set our dog on him, nothing would deter his attacks. I decided I might have to get the gun out and shoot him. Knowing my luck, I would end up shooting a hen. But then one day he took on Tom. That ended badly. My husband hates the chooks and would rather we didn’t have any. He had a bad experience as a child and never got over it. This poor rooster got him on a good day because his aim was spot on when the hammer went flying and hit rooster in the head. Down he went. The kids watched as he shook then died, they came running in so excited. “The rooster’s gone Mum, Dad got him.” Tom wouldn’t even pick it up and put it in the drum, I had to. Leaving me with one chook! I did think about giving up the chook thing altogether. But around comes my friend with more hens for me to have another go. They reckon that I have learnt my lessons about raising chooks . . . I should be right now. So watch this spot, we’ve had the new ones a week now and they are all still alive.

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18

farm management

Better results with less labour New Zealand farmers are using less land and less labour to produce a kilo of milk or meat than they were a decade ago, according to the Ministry for Primary Industries. MPI’s Strategy team has investigated input and output trends in pastoral farming. They used select physical inputs and outputs to give a picture of dairy and drystock farmers as managers of these resources. The report sheds light on intensification in New Zealand pastoral farming and the relationship with productivity, says MPI Strategy Director James Palmer. “When people talk about intensification of farming, they tend to refer to increasing animal numbers and fertiliser use per hectare.”

production per hectare and production per animal. During the same period, the average number of sheep run per hectare decreased by about 11 per cent and beef cattle decreased by 8 per cent, while average beef and lamb production per hectare went down slightly. Extreme weather events and expansion of dairying on to typically flatter land likely had some impact. However, average production per animal has increased. Fertiliser use by pastoral farmers, both per hectare and per unit of production, fell significantly between 2002 and 2009. The only exception was nitrogen use on dairy farms, where there was a slight increase.

“Challenging economic conditions influenced spending on “But in practice, these measures seem too simplistic to capture fertiliser, while farmers also adopted more sophisticated how pastoral farm management is changing. Farming has management of effluent and used more bought-in feed which become increasingly sophisticated, and the data and analysis introduces nutrients to the farm system,” said Mr Palmer. needs to be as well.” Between 2002 and 2009, the labour used per hectare and The team used statistics from Statistics New Zealand, Reserve per unit of production decreased significantly on all types of Bank, Livestock Improvement Corporation and the Beef and pastoral farms, indicating efficiency gains in farm management Lamb Economic Service, along with MPI data. However, the including increasing automation. data were limited and the analysis goes back to 2002. Figures show that sheep/beef farming continues to be the dominant agricultural land use in New Zealand, occupying more than four times the area used by the second largest, dairying. Data showed, however, that increasingly dairy support activity occurs on properties not classed as dairy farms. Between 2002 and 2009, the number of dairy cows being run on sheep/beef properties increased by 44 per cent. Overall, the MPI team calculated that the average number of dairy cattle run per hectare increased by about 5 per cent between 2002 and 2009. Dairying has also increased

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“Overall, the approximate debt ratio is much higher in the dairy industry than in the sheep/beef industry, but the sheep and beef industry’s estimated debt ratio appears to be growing faster, reflecting low returns,” he said. “The reasons behind this need further investigation, for example to determine what could be considered as investment in on-farm development.” A wider question that remains is how trends and progress of these sectors should be monitored in.

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And between 2003 and 2009, total debt per hectare increased by around 140 per cent for both dairy and sheep/beef. Total debt per kg of output increased by similar margins.

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19

earthquakes

Ken Ring

Traditional earthquake myths revisited There are alternative theories around that are at variance with what media have been providing, nevertheless they are quantifiable from many sources especially Geonet’s own website. Surfing the internet can show that these ideas are not mine alone. All viewpoints are worthy of public discussion if we are to move forward. Not all may agree with the following but it would be folly to rush into decisions that used public funds and resources if truth was being suppressed.

happened over the past 19 months in Christchurch. Most larger earthquakes arrive at low tide or high tide times. Most earthquakes are accompanied by significant alignments of Sun, Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, and/or Jupiter and the resulting solar activity that arises, and the angles these alignments make with Earth locations. Each next largest earthquake has followed this pattern.

Earthquakes release internal pressure, just as we shake with emotion. They are essential for the The duration for any earthquake series from start to planet and without them there would have been no ease is usually 2-3 years, so it is perhaps 2013 before hills, valleys, rivers, harbours or fertile soil. Due to Christchurch can breathe sighs of relief. earthquakes under the thin seafloor in sub-marine trenches, which is where they chase fish shoals, marine Since September 2010 there have been more mammals get concussed and float to the surface, to earthquakes in size and magnitude in the North Island be floated in by the next and nearest tide unconscious than in the South Island, but this has been masked or shell-shocked. Strandings in Asian countries are still by our preoccupation with the tragic fatalities in considered indicators of earthquake activity. the CTV building, which had a lot to do with dodgy construction. Most buildings did not entirely collapse By these ways can earthquake timings, though that fateful day, but ongoing uncertainty continues to not magnitudes, be approximately predicted. But delay the rebuild. earthquakes cannot be predicted by studying fault lines anymore than tide times can be predicted In Japan, where 80 per cent of all world earthquakes running seawater under a microscope. Earthquake occur, rebuilding is immediate after any big event. signs are birds falling silent, rapid barometer change, There is no wait and see, and no confusion of who is in unusually high/low tides, sea mammals stranding, charge. new or full moon in perigee and solar activity that electrifies the air. Safer times are lesser tidal variation, The next destructive above-7mag in NZ is likely apogees, quarter moons, when winds are blowing, to be in central NZ about 2015/16, with epicentre when birds are singing, when clouds are low and when between Marlborough and Wairarapa. Thousands of earthquakes occurred in Christchurch in 1869-70. The electrical charges in the air are less. CBD has risen where once the sea flowed. A second Man cannot cause earthquakes, any more than mistake would be to rebuild on the same reclaimed he can influence tides. Comets cannot cause swamp. earthquakes, nor Mayan calendars. Hydraulic fracking is too shallow to cause earthquakes (less than 5km Earthquakes cause fault lines, not vice versa. down, earthquakes can come from 300kms down). Earthquakes cause “rubbing together” of tectonic Chem-trails are natural high cirrus ice lines caused plates, not vice versa. All planets have quakes by high altitude high pressure. They are also exhaust because all planets have orbiting neighbours that vapour icing up from high altitude jets. Higher stress electromagnetic fields of the parent bodies. pressure can accompany seismic activity, so trails can Earthquakes are the daily and monthly tide of the indicate ‘earthquake weather’ but they cannot cause earth responding to the pressure of the transiting earthquakes. moon and/or other extraterrestrial bodies at significant angles. Waves in the land happen every day There is little or no tsunami risk to Christchurch. as the land rises and falls, releasing internal pressure. Tsunamis must come from Chile to reach here, giving They are called earthquakes only when the Land Tide us 12 hours warning. In New Zealand’s known history (about 8” per day of vertical movement in NZ and there have only been four tsunami scares and no 50cms in Australia) is a felt tremor. major damage. In that time there have been two million recorded earthquake events here. There is even Kingtides in land and sea and occur around lunar perigee. Larger quakes come at kingtide times. There less risk of volcanic activity for Christchurch. In our region’s history there has been no volcanic activity, is double the chance of a large earthquake during and volcanoes do not knock over buildings. the week of perigee and new or full moon, as has

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20

winter is here

Snow day in Mid Canterbury

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