Guardian Farming - December 2012

An Ashburton Guardian Feature

December 2012

GUARDIAN FARMING

Exciting times ahead for district’s farmers p 2-4

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water matters

2

Linda Clarke, Ashburton Guardian rural reporter

Using every precious drop John Carson’s been wishing for some lateral spray irrigators for Christmas for a couple of years. It might happen soon.

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: December, 2012 Next issue: January 15, 2012

GUARDIAN FARMING

The Winchmore research farm John manages uses water from the Ashburton Lyndhurst irrigation scheme and scheme shareholders have recently voted to convert some 200km of open channels to pipe. It means water will be delivered under pressure to the farm’s gates and John can hook up new spray irrigators without the cost of pumping.

It is inevitable, he says, that the farm will switch to spray irrigation. But farm owners AgResearch will have to be persuaded to foot the bill first.

Spray irrigation will be a new era on the 308ha property, developed

An advertising feature for the Ashburton Guardian. Any opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of Guardian Farming or the Ashburton Guardian.

60 years ago for irrigation research and trials. Long-running trials have evaluated the effects of phosphate fertiliser application, losses of phosphate in irrigation water, differing pasture species and insect pests.

Mr Carson says the farm’s border-dyke irrigation system takes at least 300 man hours a season to set up and operate; he will put laterals on the list for budget discussions in the new year.

“It is always on my list, but they don’t want to do it yet.”

He said switching to spray irrigation would not affect on-going trials at the farm. “It would make no difference, with computer technology we can turn the sprinklers on and off for different rates of water.”

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3

water matters

Winchmore, and many of the 234 shareholders on the scheme, are making big decisions about how they will use water in the future.

The shareholders voted overwhelmingly (82 per cent) in favour of piping. An earlier piping project means 18 per cent of the scheme is already piped; this second stage will cost around $95 million, separate to the investment on farm for centre pivots or spray irrigators to better handle the water.

a swap for groundwater; 66 per cent of the scheme already has spray irrigation.

The project has generated plenty of talk about water use, though no direct inquiries from shareholders buying or selling.

Shareholders wanting the water will be able to save electricity costs by not having to pump water from a ditch. “Gravity on the pipe schemes is enough for them to hook up their spray irrigators. Some big operators are still on borderdyke. They will require a large Scheme chairman John van Polanen said the investment to spray irrigators. prospectus for farmer-shareholders wanting “And on the smaller blocks, there are those piped water could be out before Christmas.

The final design would depend on uptake. who can’t wait, and those who don’t want to know about it. If we come across a whole A contract for the installation could be road of people where they are all fed off one signed by the end of March and the first ditch, we could build a pond and then run it earthworks in late winter or early spring. The work is expected to take two and a half years. down to them. It is an option, though a fairly expensive one.”

Water Infrastructure Group (formerly Tyco) People will not have a choice paying is the preferred tenderer for the work and has though.

If you are a shareholder, you will pay already prepared costings. Tyco designed and a portion of the cost to pipe. installed the first piping stage.

Mr van Polanen said while the scheme’s shareholders voted overwhelmingly for the project, not all wanted to go into debt to pay for it and new spray irrigators. Those farmers would be able to sell their shares, or negotiate

“Quite a few said it doesn’t suit me, but I can see what you want to do and it will be good for the district long-term. Some people looked at it from their own point of view and what was best for them.”

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4

water matters Mr van Polanen is excited about the project, which has required several years of communicating with farmers about the big picture.

He says water efficiencies generated by piping will irrigate another 4000ha of dryland and that will create opportunities on farm. More dairy farms might result, or more growing crops for dairy support.

“I think the strong message that comes out is about water efficiency. Farmers are serious about leaving the scheme better than what it was when they joined and they are serious about making the most of every drop of water.”

Spray irrigation will also help farmers meet new nutrient limits being imposed across Canterbury.

The development is being funded almost entirely by farmers.

“This also sends a message to all people that the rural community does not squander the resource available to them, and that benefit at the end of the day comes through to everyone.

If you can irrigate a larger area with the same amount of water, it is intensifying farming and that provides more jobs.”

The project is also exciting for those outside the scheme. The Mayfield Hinds Irrigation Scheme is considering piping its scheme, the biggest of the four taking water from the Rangitata Diversion Race. There are also opportunities for the Ashburton District Council to incorporate its inefficient stockwater race system into the new pipes.

Just 4 per cent of the water in the stockraces is consumed by stock and Mr van Polanen suggests the considerable amount of water diverted from the Ashburton River upper catchment into the stock race might be better left in the river.

Rangitata Diversion Race CEO Ben Curry said the 70-year-old RDR would be an important piece of plumbing in the bigger water picture, capable of pushing water north or south.

The RDR company is also progressing with plans to build a huge storage lake at Klondyke that could complement storage at Lake Coleridge, if TrustPower’s plans for that gain consent.

The Klondyke lake could create a reliable water supply for irrigators when run-of-river takes are restricted.

Mr Curry said a fatal flaw analysis had been conducted by experts, who could come up with no cultural, ecological or other “showstopping” reason for the lake not to go ahead.

Discussion is now on how big the lake might be anything from five million cubic metres, to 100 million cubic metres. A large lake could cost $400m.

He said RDR shareholders were keen on storage. “The RDR board is cautious though, with the Land and Water Regional Plan dampening the appetite of farmers for on-farm intensification and therefore water.”

Early demand for water from the scheme this season has been low, though that can change in a heartbeat. TrustPower is generating off the excess in the canal.

In other schemes, Valetta is still completing its piping project, with hopes to have water flowing before Christmas. The open races have been retained until water can flow in the new pipes.

The RDR canal will also be shut for several weeks at the end of the season in April so engineers can repair the intake at the Rangitata River at Klondyke. Gravel and stones have taken a toll on the concrete structure and the damage was recorded by divers with video cameras last month.

The whole canal will be swept for potential problems during the shutdown.

5

environment

Contributed by Sheryl Stivens

The balancing act

Photo supplied

Carew Peel Forest expanding their knowledge of packaging and recycling during a recent visit to the Eco Education Centre and tour of the Ashburton Resource Recovery Park.

A wasteful society is a relatively new concept. I spent my childhood on a farm at Winchmore and very little was thrown away. Fundamentally the farm produced most of the food for the kitchen table and some to share with friends and relatives in town, including fruit from the abundant orchard.

My grandfather had spent a month’s earnings on fruit trees to plant that orchard with a range of early season to late season fruiting trees and, although it was a bone of contention with my nana at the time, the investment paid off for several generations and there was nothing quite like hanging out in the orchard with your mates and feasting on fresh peaches, apples, pears and plums. Any surplus was bottled and the preserves had their own special room to store all the precious glass jars in between seasons.

Potatoes, tomatoes, beans, artichokes, beetroot and giant carrots and parsnips grew in the carefully tended veggie garden and any surplus was sealed in glass jars as sauces, jams or chutneys or packed carefully into the freezer. Our idea of play included lying on old tyres in the irrigation ditches and imagining we were floating down a great river.

We played with whatever we had, mostly the pups, kittens and chickens we were helping to rear, giving them all names

The natural world produces more waste than the debris and teaching them tricks if possible. For kids at that time, growing up in rural Australia, Korea, Europe or America would created by the seven billion people who live on the earth. But essentially have been the same. Nothing would have been in nature everything that decays, crumbles or rots becomes wasted. This is not true today. food for the invisible bacteria, fungi and other creatures that live in our soils and oceans. Healthy food we eat depends Waste is food for life or the source of pollution and death, on the decomposition of the soil beneath it. Chemical depending on what it is made from and where it ends up. contamination from products such as herbicides and Industrial waste can visit us far into the future haunting our rivers, aquifers, soils and bloodstreams. The drinks contained fertilisers can interfere with this process, causing pollution in in plastic bottles are consumed in minutes, but the polymers streams and contaminating groundwater with nitrates. last for centuries. Degradable plastic bags break down into It is a balancing act working with nature, keeping our small pieces of plastic and ultimately end up in our waterways families and communities healthy and strong. We are and oceans. Commercial carpets are discarded after about introducing ever more industrial products to our homes eight years but their PVC backing will remain in landfills for and farms with intensification and the push to produce 300 centuries. Plutonium waste from nuclear power plants more. For most of us our waste is such an unconscious part will need to be guarded for 2500 years - civilisation is about of our existence. Our hearts will break over and over again 70 centuries old. We don’t know the long-term effects of all if we destroy who we are, whether it is our children, our the veterinary or pharmaceutical products or personal body grandchildren or our homeland; we have so much to lose. products that have become a part of our daily lives.

Sheryl Stivens, Eco Efficiency Co-ordinator Mastagard We are newbies on the planet and so is our waste. Much of Ashburton sherylstivens@gmail.com the waste humans make now is something the planet has For help with waste minimisation call the community never seen before such as electronic waste – which cannot easily be taken apart so requires special handling facilities. recycling helpline 0800-627-824

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6

energy use

Contributed by IrrigationNZ projects manager Paul Reese

Irrigator’s power use analysed IrrigationNZ has contracted a pilot programme with the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) to provide 20 irrigation energy evaluations throughout Canterbury and North Otago.

kilowatt hours. In the first instance the larger users are where the greatest savings are likely to be found.

The idea is that this pilot will lead to a larger industry programme in the future. The project is being supported by lines companies in each of the regions where the programme is being piloted.

The need for the project is driven by the increasing demand on national and regional infrastructure and the opportunity that IrrigationNZ and EECA see to improve irrigation energy use.

Irrigation evaluation – looking at the irrigator to assess the application of water is correct, and considering the need for irrigation ie the scheduling of irrigation.

Until now very little focus has been placed on energy efficiency by the irrigation sector. The lack of relevant studies meant a pilot was necessary to satisfy EECA criteria for funding allowing a larger programme to be successfully contracted.

The pilot programme consists of 20 irrigation evaluations. There are going to be four evaluations in each of the line companies regions taking in Mainpower, Orion, Electricity Ashburton, Alpine Energy and Waitaki Lines. Evaluations are carried out by personnel who have gained the Irrigation Evaluation NZQA qualification developed by IrrigationNZ. To select the properties IrrigationNZ is working closely with the lines companies to enlist a cross section of irrigators. The main criteria being an irrigator must be using a minimum of 200,000

There will be two components of the evaluations:

Distribution evaluation – looking at the compatibility of hardware to the demand for pumping, and energy efficiency of the pump and motor setup.

From the evaluations an action plan will be drawn up of which the irrigator will be expected to follow, and IrrigationNZ will follow through with case studies and possibly field days to showcase the gains.

With the combination of funders the evaluation cost to the irrigator is able to be substantially reduced. Depending on the level of spend required to make changes and the payback period, EECA will also subsidise the capital cost starting at 15 per cent up to 40 per cent, designed to get a payback of two years.

This is an exciting project of benefit to irrigators and has regional and national significance as energy supply and security is high on the list of priorities.

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7

innovation

AgResearch develops unique biopesticide As summer approaches, one of New Zealand’s most serious pasture pests, porina, is emerging from the soil to mate and scatter vast numbers of eggs. It will cost farmers many millions of dollars.

AgResearch scientists are working on a chemical-free biopesticide that kills the pasture-munching caterpillars that emerge in huge numbers each spring and summer. It also kills the notoriously damaging grass grub and a major apple orchard pest, the bronze beetle.

Ye uses several different methods to kill insects, Dr Hurst believes it is extremely unlikely that insects could develop resistance to it.

A novel biopesticide product based on Ye is being explored with industry partner Ballance Agri-Nutrients, with the co-operative providing investment and offering some commercial disciplines to the development process. ”The project is linked with our Primary Growth Partnership research in terms of looking at biological tools that improve on-farm productivity and sustainability,” says Ballance Research and Development Manager, Warwick Catto.

The biopesticide is a naturally-occurring bacterium, Yersinia entomophaga (or Ye). It was discovered in a grass grub corpse during a search for alternatives to chemical pesticides such as organophosphates, which are being phased out. When eaten by pest insects, Ye releases toxins ”While it’s early stage research, there’s no doubt the that “burst open the gut” and cause rapid death, says development of new biologically-based solutions for Dr Mark Hurst of AgResearch’s Innovative Farm Systems pasture pest control has considerable economic and group, who led the research team. production potential.”

“The bacterium is very good at killing a large variety of insects, especially beetles and moths. It doesn’t, however, harm earthworms, honeybees or other beneficial organisms that we’ve checked,” says Dr Hurst. “Plus it does not persist in soil, which is important for any control agent if it is to be clean and green.”

A common concern with pesticides is that target pests will become resistant to them. This happens with the biopesticide Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis). However, because

Ongoing research is yielding detailed knowledge of Ye and how it interacts with target insects, some of which was published in prestigious international journals in the past year. Last December a Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences paper described the structure of Ye’s toxic weaponry, which is the only toxin of its kind known to include enzymes that dissolve insects’ skeletal structure.

In July a paper in Applied and Environmental Microbiology described how Ye disintegrates the insect gut.

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Dr Hurst points out that such knowledge will improve the effectiveness of a Ye-based commercial product and allow tailor-made formulations. It is also vital to the product gaining registration as a pesticide with New Zealand’s food safety and environmental protection regulators, a process that is underway and generally takes several years.

Ye also kills other globally problematic crop pests including the diamondback moth, white butterfly, Japanese beetle and locusts. Biopesticides such as Ye are being developed by AgResearch to help New Zealand producers meet increasing international demand for products such as meat, dairy and fruit with no pesticide residue. They are also expected to improve productivity and reduce the environmental footprint of pastoral farming.

Research into Ye has been funded by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, and two Ministry for Primary Industries programmes, the Primary Growth Partnership Fund, through which Ballance Agri Nutrients has invested in it, and the Sustainable Farming Fund.

Other scientists involved with this research are from AgResearch’s Innovative Farm Systems group, Plant & Food Research and the Universities of Auckland and Queensland.

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8

the cost of debt

Contributed by John Leadley

Addressing Firstly I would like to thank the many people who contacted me regarding my last article in Guardian Farming titled “To Work - or Not to Work”.

It is reassuring to know others share my somewhat outdated values in respect of New Zealand’s welfare system.

Just last week I was privileged to visit a local industry where most of the workforce was of Philippine origin and speaking with staff, all were happy with their lot.

Managerial comment regarding migrant staff revolved around commitment, work ethic and efficiency, when making comparisons.

I was not surprised when a young family staff member commented that his now elderly (but still working daily) grandfather had drummed into his brain early in life, that the only place where reward comes before work is in a dictionary.

To quote YMCA Ashburton Manager, Avis Page from the Guardian of November 27: “Some Ashburton youth have unrealistic

expectations around pay and working hours. A poor work attitude and bad work ethic by some youth, has forced employees to look outside the district for workers.”

Serious food for thought.

There has been much comment recently, as usual chiefly emanating from Auckland, around the affordability of housing.

However the problem is one of huge national concern.

I believe unencumbered home ownership by age 60 should be a major commitment for every couple or individual in New Zealand. Success will come with self discipline and prioritisation.

While it would take a brave government to endorse policies that would foster this regime, it would certainly be the best outcome from a personal and national perspective, into the future.

The days of everyone owning their own quarter acre paradise are certainly

well gone. Current interest rates are at their lowest in a decade and predicted to remain low, so now is the optimum time for government to provide some real incentives.

Yes it will cost money in the interim, but the long-term financial benefits are huge.

A big question though. Do we have a political party willing to look beyond the next election? Somehow I doubt it.

During the 1950s-70s the State Advances Corporation, forerunner to what is now Housing New Zealand, made available government subsidised home loans at 3-3.5 per cent repayable over a 25-year table mortgage for first home owners.

Bank interest rates of the time were at similar levels as today ie 5 per cent. Many loans were repaid well before the term was up as inflation took care of income-topayment ratios.

The result after 25 years and tens of thousands of families taking advantage of this initiative was a whole generation of

New Zealanders owning their own home, debt free, at retirement.

From my own perspective, despite being a contempary of that generation, my major purchase was a small farm and century old house which was rightly defined as a business and therefore ineligible. This of course was totally appropriate as my mortgage interest payments were justifiably tax deductable.

With the current level of home ownership amongst New Zealanders continually dropping from 66 per cent in 2008 to 64 per cent today, repercussions will be ongoing.

This is an unsustainable decline.

The large number of farm workers (particularly dairy) who enjoy employer supplied accommodation need to be aware that someday they’ll need a home of their own to live in. I thought the method used by mentor Jack Brand and others of paying a portion of wages direct to an employee’s home ownership account

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9

the cost of debt

the real issues was highly commendable.

the 14 Rural Support Trusts, in Wellington.

Keynote speaker ANZ Chief Economist Con Maybe Kiwisaver will fill this void in time.

Williams in describing the global financial Speaking of farm debt, I never cease to be scene as at best “wobbly” and dependent amazed at the level of debt many farmers on the whim of European politicians, seem comfortable living with. bravely telling the gathering of farmers and ex-farmers they needed to focus more on The assumption that land values will equity and increased production, rather remain high is a flawed concept. than holiday homes and Lotto tickets!

For those that farmed through the Best performers are always those who 1980s this scenario is very real. Indeed focus on debt reduction in good years, he timing of farm development and a 40 noted. per cent decline in land values was the death knell for many high producing farm Continuing this theme, Minister of units at that time. There is no certainty Primary Industries dairy adviser Nick that this combination of factors will not Dalgety estimated the average dairy farm repeat sometime in the future. It’s indeed profit for the current season at $71,000 disappointing when farmers have a “good before tax. year” (as many have in the last decade), to Even more concerning was his see them focussing on expensive overseas expectation that 30-40 per cent of dairy holidays, boats and other luxuries at the farmers would end the year in June with a expense of debt repayment, fertiliser or cash deficit. improved environmental outcomes.

This message was reinforced to me recently at the Bi-annual NZ Conference of

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Furthermore on the home ownership situation, my wish is for many young Many growers have zero equity and are people to re-categorise their priorities to reliant on WINZ payments for day-to-day focus on the real necessities. living. Furthermore Trusts’ representatives reported some stress related suicides. A I’m told that drive-in banks are being devastating scenario. established to enable vehicles to see who Farming is a rewarding lifestyle when their real owners are! things are going well, but like all industries The role model of indebtedness fostered is vulnerable to rapid change due to by successive governments is not one that circumstances beyond the control of will keep New Zealand among the world’s participants. top economies.

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10

didymo curse

Contributed by Mary Ralston, Forest and Bird

Everybody needs to do their bit The curse of didymo has been visited upon some of our lovely local lakes and rivers.

Didymo is a type of algae originally from the Northern Hemisphere that has found its way here, perhaps on the waders of a visiting fisherman. It can form blooms that look like brown muck, which has led to didymo’s nickname “rock snot”.

Didymo was first detected in the South Island in 2004 and is now found in many South Island lakes and rivers, including Lake Wakatipu and the Waitaki River. Locally it is found in the Rangitata, the South Ashburton as far up as Buicks Bridge, Deep Creek, Gentleman Smith Stream and the front Maori lake. It needs a firm substrate on which to anchor itself, such as a lake bottom or river bed. It also likes cool water, stable river flows, and lots of light and oxygen which ironically are characteristics of many of our otherwise pristine lakes and rivers.

Dense colonies of didymo are called blooms. They have occurred in the Ashburton River but fortunately they can be dislodged by a flood following a nor-west

storm. The “bloom” flows downstream and when washed up on a river bank looks like a mass of dirty toilet paper.

It is hard to predict when blooms will occur. Waterways can be infected with the microscopic cells of the algae without necessarily turning into blooms – cells have been detected in Lake Heron but there have been no blooms so far and everyone is hoping that this won’t occur.

Lakes Clearwater, Camp, Roundabout and Emma do not seem to be infected. The main way didymo is spread is by humans inadvertently taking it from an infected waterway to a non-infected one on fishing gear, tramping boots, boats, bikes or kayaks.

Freshwater users and the general public need to continue to heed the message to “check, clean and dry” between every waterway. It is a simple procedure to ensure gear is free of didymo: firstly check – look for any obvious plant or algae attached to gear or clothing (and remove if there is); clean – soak or scrub all items of clothing and equipment that have been wet with a 5 per

cent measure of biodegradable dishwashing solution for at least one minute; dry – the item should be dry to the touch and then leave it for another 48 hours before using in a different waterway.

Cleaning stations are available at some sites, such as at the entrance to the Hakatere Conservation Park and at Lake Heron. Some fishermen who like to fish in different places have two sets of fishing gear so that they have one set cleaned and drying while they are out with the other set. This is a good approach to a problem that will seriously affect all recreationalists if conditions permit blooms to occur: colonies of didymo can form inpenetrable mats, choking lake edges and riverbeds. No fun for fishing or kayaking and no good for our wildlife either.

So please – remember to “check, clean, dry” between every waterway this summer – our lakes and rivers depend on everyone doing their bit.

For more information, visit www. biosecurity.govt.nz/cleaning

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fertiliser use

12

Contributed by Dr Phillip Schofield, farm performance consultant

Humates improve nutrient efficiency As pressure mounts throughout New Zealand to improve the efficiency with which we use nutrients, many farmers are finding that good quality humic compounds when used appropriately with their fertiliser provide many benefits.

There has been very little field research carried out on fertiliser practices in New Zealand for more than 20 years and it is important that this area of agricultural practice be studied in greater depth.

The need for innovative research on the efficiency of fertiliser use and fate of nutrients applied to soils is becoming more pertinent as we intensify our farming operations and put more pressure on our soil and water resources.

There is often confusion around the terms soil organic matter, humus, humic compounds and humates and this adds to the confusion as to the validity of using humate or humate extracts in modern fertiliser programmes.

published by the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries entitled “Humic products.

Potential or presumption for agriculture” .

Trials undertaken in many countries show that humic compounds may have the following effects on plants and soils: • Enhanced length and weight of the roots.

• Increased crop yields.

• Improved soil structure and water holding capacity.

• Increased solubility and uptake of plant nutrients.

• Increased efficiency and uptake of phosphate and nitrogen fertiliser • Reduced phosphorous fixation.

There has been little published research carried out in New Zealand on the use of humates or humic compounds in our arable or pastoral production systems but there is no reason to suggest that the overseas studies would not be relevant in New Zealand.

The following are definitions used most widely in modern soil science texts and they help us understand the major differences between soil There is, however, a significant amount organic matter, humus and various humate of evidence from farmer trials and on-farm products that may be used in fertiliser programmes: measurements in NZ that indicate many benefits • Soil Organic Matter (SOM) - plant and animal can be obtained through the use of humic acid derived organic material present in soil. and fulvic acid products in New Zealand farming • Humus - dark structure less substance that results situations. These include: from the biological decomposition of soil organic • Improved soil structure, porosity and decreased matter. levels of ponding.

• Greater root length and density.

• The long chain carbohydrate polymers that • Improved water holding capacity. result from humus creation are known as humic • Higher numbers of worms, protozoa, fungi, compounds and are divided into groups based on bacteria, actinomycetes and other soil organisms. their solubility at various pH levels.

• Improved nitrogen efficiency. (More dry matter • Humic acid is the portion of humic compounds produced per kg of N fertiliser applied) soluble in alkali conditions (high pH).

• Improved pasture quality as evidenced by improved animal production and improved animal • Fulvic acid is the portion of humic compounds health. soluble in acid conditions (low pH).

The source and quality of humate products • Humate is the soft overburden associated with available in New Zealand is exceedingly variable coal deposits. Some humate products being sold with the following products most commonly used: have been manufactured from compost and other • Raw humates. Largely insoluble. Usefulness organic materials. The usefulness of humates in agriculture is related to the amount of active humic depends on particle size and the type of deposit. compounds that are present in the product used.

• Humic acid. Commonly used as a solid fertiliser additive. Potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide New Zealand soils are generally high in SOM but extract from raw humate. Quality is dependant this does not mean we have soils that are rich in on the quality of the raw humate the product is humic compounds. A common misconception derived from. is that humic acid, fulvic acid or other humate products are introduced into a fertiliser programme • Fulvic acid. Used in liquid fertiliser applications. to add to the soil organic matter. At the rates Has powerful chelating ability to enhance uptake of used the humic compounds employed have no nutrients into plant tissue. direct affect at all on soil organic matter levels.

Farmers should use caution when choosing They do however enhance many useful functions humate products to ensure they get good quality in soils and plants as described by over 10,000 products that will deliver the many benefits articles published relating to humic substances, humic acids and fulvic acids. Much of this science available from humic compounds when they are is reviewed in a recent report on humic products used appropriately.

Photo supplied

Dr Philip Schofield.

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13

New research shows oral cattle drench most effective

drenching A new study by AgResearch scientists shows oral cattle drenches are far more effective than the equivalent pour-on or injectable products.

In a study soon to be published in the international science journal Veterinary Parasitology, AgResearch scientists Chris Miller and Dave Leathwick measured how effective the same drench active (moxidectin) was when given orally, as a pour-on or as an injectable.

They conducted trials on 14 farms throughout New Zealand, and say while pour-ons and injectables are easier to use, they do not deliver the same benefits.

then re-circulated to be released into the gut tissue where the worms live. This is easier for an injectable than for a pour-on product, as the latter has to get through a hide, which has evolved to keep things out.

“This became obvious when we measured the amount of drug in the bloodstream in the treated cattle – the levels were far higher in the animals given injections than in those treated with either of the other two routes.”

He says despite these results, the oral drench was still better at killing worms. “We don’t know for sure why this is the case, but some recent overseas work suggests “Based on overseas data, I would not have been that the oral drug does not need to rely on absorption surprised if the pour-on product was generally less effective than the other two routes as there are issues and transport around the body in order to reach worms with drug penetrating the skin and animals either licking living in the gut. the drug off their own backs or their neighbours,” says Dr “Instead, the drug gets bound to material in the gut Leathwick. and passes directly to the organs where the worms live.

“We also thought the oral drug would work pretty well, It appears that this results in higher overall levels of drug while injectable macrocyclic lactones (the drug family reaching the target worms-hence higher efficacy. which includes moxidectin, ivermectin, abamectin etc.) are regarded as the gold standard when treating cattle “What we have already proven is that using drugs with parasites on a global basis.” higher efficacy against worms lifts animal productivity, He says when the results were analysed, the study while killing more worms by using an effective drench confirmed how ineffective the pour-on product was, reduces the selection pressure for resistance to develop, reducing the number of worm eggs shed in faeces by promoting the sustainability of worm control.” only around 50 per cent.

Dr Leathwick says follow-up studies have confirmed “What came as a surprise, however, was that the that this is not unique to moxidectin and that other injectable product performed no better than the pourpour-on and injectable products were no more effective. on. In comparison, the much cheaper oral product reduced worm egg output by over 90 per cent.”

“The next steps are to repeat the study against The parasite surviving treatment was predominantly different worm species and also develop techniques to cooperia, which on most farms showed a level of measure drug concentrations in the tissues where the resistance to these drugs. However, this was not always worms live.” the case and the presence of resistance does not explain the difference between the routes of administration.

He says there is four to five years of research ahead to determine whether the research findings apply equally Dr Leathwick says the results are probably related to to all worm species, and to assess the likely implications how the drug reaches the target (ie the worms) after it for long-term, effective worm control should farmers is administered. Drugs given as injections or pour-ons have to be absorbed into an animal’s bloodstream, and continue to use pour-on or injectable products.

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innovative

14

Ballance continues to clear the air

Farm nutrient company Ballance is continuing to tune up the transport industry with GoClear, an exhaust additive that reduces emissions, with production of the solution reaching two million litres this month since manufacturing commenced in 2010.

GoClear is a high purity aqueous urea solution injected into the exhaust of diesel engines using Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) technology to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by converting nitrogen oxide into harmless components of water vapour and nitrogen gas.

Ballance makes GoClear at its ammoniaurea plant at Kapuni, Taranaki, and growth in demand for the product continues to accelerate.

Process and chemicals manager Terry Smith says the company is alone in offering a “100 per cent made in New Zealand” solution to reduce emissions.

“Using urea from the country’s only plant of its kind, GoClear is made using all New Zealand resources and labour, which means all of the benefits remain here.

Photo supplied

Terry Smith at the Fonterra Dairy Factory in Te Rapa, Hamilton

“Together with our partner Orica, we distribute and market the product in bulk, which is both cost effective and economically sensible.”

As demand increases around the country, Ballance has forged distribution

partnerships to make the product easily accessible.

“The rapid growth in SCR truck numbers has seen a growing need for bulk installations,” says Dr Smith.

“We’ve been supplying GoClear since 2010 and it has been distributed in 1000-litre tanks and in bulk to transport operators. However, the general public have not been able to purchase in bulk.”

In a New Zealand first, GoClear is now available to the public at McKeown Petroleum’s Gore and Oamaru fuel stops, and Z Sanson (as Z-DEC), and is coming soon to Z Mount Wellington and Caltex Bombay Hills.

Further expansion of the network is underway with other major New Zealand fuel distributors.

Dr Smith says a growing number of the national truck fleet is using SCR technology and New Zealand-based supply is important in minimising supply risk and delivery time for this product, which is now critical to our transport infrastructure.

“Dependency on overseas manufacture of a similar product is a risk we can’t afford.

Local manufacture and safe, efficient and economic distribution is the only logical way to provide the solution.”

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15

environmental

Sustainability winners share tips for success Good things take time,” was the key message national winners of the 2012 Ballance Farm Environment Awards, Blair and Jane Smith, have for some of the nation’s leading politicians. The North Otago couple addressed the Primary Production Select Committee in their role as ambassadors for good environmental practice.

time.” Blair says projects that enhance environmental sustainability could take years, and often involved considerable investments in terms of time, labour and money.

The address to the multi-party parliamentary committee was part of a six-day tour organised by the New Zealand Farm Environment Trust.

He says the Ballance Farm Environment Awards are important because they showcase the good work of farmers to the wider community, while also providing mentoring guidance.

“We were able to tell our own humble story,” Jane says. “And we also talked about the positive and proactive things that are happening in the wider farming community to improve environmental sustainability.

“A key message we wanted to get across to the committee is that good things take

“It’s long-term work, and farmers need to be given time to do it properly. They want to be encouraged rather than regulated,” he says.

During their tour, the Smiths met a range of agribusiness and industry leaders, and representatives from various regulatory bodies.

The trip enabled them to give a personal perspective of some of the issues and opportunities facing farmers.

Photo supplied

NETWORKING: Massey University professor Mike Hedley, Blair and Jane Smith, and Massey University farm manager Byron Taylor at the No.4 Dairy Farm.

They are grateful for the opportunity to sit down with such people and discuss some of the challenges confronting New Zealand agriculture, one of the biggest being how to get more young people into the industry.

“It’s helped us that we’ve always surrounded ourselves with good farming mentors,” Jane says.

“We like to see ourselves as mentors as well. But we do worry about where the farmers and agribusiness professionals of the future are going to come from.”

They are heartened, however, by the efforts being made by industry organisations such as Beef+Lamb New Zealand and DairyNZ to encourage young people, especially those from urban backgrounds, to consider agriculture as a career.

also assisting people to study agriculture at tertiary level and become the agricultural scientists of the future.

The couple are also impressed by the ideas that are coming out of the industry groups and agribusinesses they visited.

“It made us realise that many rural organisations are willing to share information for the benefit of the industry,” Blair says.

Next year the couple will travel overseas to represent New Zealand as ambassadors for agriculture and environmental sustainability. Jane says learning more about emerging markets for New Zealand produce would be a key focus.

Organised by the New Zealand Farm Environment Trust, the trip will be supported by industry groups.

- APN News & Media

Jane says scholarship programmes are

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farming 2013 publication

We would like to wish all our advertisers, contributors and readers a Happy Christmas and Prosperous New Year.

Our publication dates for 2013 are as follows: 15th January

9th July

5th February

6th August

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