Guardian Farming May 2012

Page 1

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An Ashburton Guardian Feature

May 2012

GUARDIAN FARMING • interesting • informative • essential

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2

hinds river

Linda Clarke, Ashburton Guardian rural reporter

Promising results on Hinds river aquifer test Water experts are hopeful groundwater and flows in the Hinds river catchment can be restored through actively managing how the aquifer is recharged through a water management tool called Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR).

Water Zone committee. Mr Bower told committee members last week the controlled experiment was a way to stress-test the aquifer and better understand its connectivity to the river and springs. Preliminary results showed there had been some effect.

Some three million cubic metres of water was released Water was still in the river at Maronan and Boundary into the river over four days in March and hydrologists Roads, committee members confirmed. are now analysing recorded water levels in nearby Mr Bower specialises in managed aquifer recharge. He groundwater bores to see how they were affected. said it could be one way to improve storage in aquifers Bob Bower, of Golder Associates, said the release near the Hinds river that were not being recharged by involved using water from the Rangitata Diversion border-dyke irrigation and other changes in irrigation Race. The water is normally destined for TrustPower’s efficiencies. Highbank Power station, but the station was closed for Most farmers in the area have converted their bordermaintenance allowing this MAR trial to take place. dyke systems into spray irrigation using centre pivots Scientists measured flows all the way to the coast and and travelling irrigators. in nearby wells that tapped into underground aquifers. He said as farmers used their water allocations more Springs in the lower plains were also monitored. The efficiently, it was vital aquifers were still recharged. Hinds river has been running very low or dry in recent years and is a cause of concern for the Ashburton That might mean setting aside water for the purposes

of recharging the aquifer to ensure the underground resource was reliable long-term. It is unlikely though that individual water donations will help with the focus being on managing groundwater on a more catchment wide basis through a management mechanism like the Canterbury Water Management Strategy, where local committees help develop a groundwater plan. Mr Bower said groups of farmers needed to think about a collective action to help recharge the aquifers they depended on. Spreading basins along with other tools like dry wells, infiltration galleries and recharge trenches were used in other parts of the world to let water percolate underground and recharge aquifers. These could be established on unproductive land and could serve the dual functions of both an irrigation storage pond and, when needed, a groundwater recharge basin.

Gf

GUARDIAN FARMING • interesting • informative • essential

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.

050312-KG-035 Water flowing in the Hinds river as part of the experiment.

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3

winchmore update

John Carson

Feels like Winter

I am sitting here at my desk listening to the rain bucketing down on the roof - how long has it been since that has happened? That’s right we had 46.8 mm of rain spread over two days back on April 10 and 11, it seems so long ago.

paint her bathroom. It was good to come back home to the farm and get on with some stock work again.

During the Easter break, Storm and her two dogs came down from the North Island to work here on the farm. It has been good to have another person to help with the stock Other met data statistics show that April has not only been 2.5 C degrees above the long term average maximum work, especially as this is the month that science are busy putting rams out to the 15 small mobs of sheep and other temperature but also 1.5 C degrees below the average minimum and the rainfall only 8.5 mm behind the long term science guys are busy starting their grazing and parasite trials. It’s sure the right time to have some extra help. At the average for April. I think due to lack of rain days we seem end of two weeks, Storm and her dogs have settled in to the to think that it has been much drier than normal. A much different month than April 1978 when 247.5 mm fell for the quirks of a research farm and science very well. month, incidentally 85.6 mm was the heaviest daily rainfall The maize crops are at last, ready for the silage contractors as well. to harvest with two paddocks harvested to date, the rest Our expected daily pasture growth rate of 21 kg/dm/day is hopefully harvested this coming week. It’s now just a case of waiting for the weights and dry matter testing to be behind and sitting at 16.7 kg/dm/day, so not quite as good completed to see if they have produced as much as they as the long term average. I got up north to see my Mum in her new home at the start of April, to shift some plants, weed looked as if they might. some garden, hang some pictures and ornaments, plus buy The kale crops are looking much better than previous years her a cordless drill then made plans to go back up in July to and are due to be tested the last week of May prior to the

first of the winter grazing dairy cows arriving at the start of June.

The five new first time kale paddocks need electric fences checking and water troughs sorted and all the others just need a once over although I have seen one fence that will need a major repair along about 50m where some carry over cows thought they could reach over to find out if the kale was ready to be eaten. The weather so far this season has been perfect for the green feed crops and the dryland kale is almost equally as good as the irrigated kale and while it would be great to see the kale higher than the fences, the variety I drill is based on quality and not quantity, something some of the other managers fail to understand. All I know is that the cows utilise my crop much better than some of the larger stem kale crops I have seen up north. The snow recently fallen up on the hills is not there just to look pretty; it means winter is nearly here. Take care and stay warm.

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rural women

Linda Clarke, Ashburton Guardian rural reporter

Liz Evans, portrait speed limits past schools. Liz says she has noticed a drift back to communities becoming self-sufficient. In Port Waikato, her stop before Ashburton last month, Rural Women had organised legal and medical professionals to set up shop in the town’s community centre on a She talks to many of the organisation’s 3500 members regular basis. “They had gone to some trouble to about issues in their rural communities, including get specialists. As everything is more and more health and hospital access and fundraising for breast centralised, it leaves smaller communities a bit cancer and leptospirosis research. more vulnerable with access. This is no group of farmer’s wives baking scones. “It is good our members have seen that need These are women politically active on the national and acted on it.” On a national scale, Rural Women scene and within their communities. still wants signs on school buses, alerting motorists National president Liz says the group is determined to when they are stopping, and speed limit zones set grow its influence and “rural-proof” policies written by around schools. analysts living in cities. The organisation is recommitting to getting road safety groups and Government officials on board It is fair to say though, she came to the top job by to make that happen. virtue of being a farmer’s wife. A townie growing up, she married a high country farmer and moved into a Mid Canterbury would be an ideal place to trial a house at the end of a gravel road, an hour from town. pilot scheme around school bus safety, given the large number of children that travel to school each One of her new jobs was to drive her mother-in-law to Rural Women meetings. “I was a god-send because I day by bus. could drive Mum to meetings. I loved it. The meetings Liz said she had a special interest in policy and were a great opportunity to meet a lot of people. advocacy, and Rural Women was constantly ruralproofing policy to ensure those living in rural “The best thing was I went with no preconceived ideas about Rural Women. I invite people to reflect on areas were not disadvantaged. Policy written for “everyone” could not always be delivered the that.” same in both town and country. Rural Women was founded in 1925 and for “Not everybody lives in the middle of a city generations has bought women living in rural areas with the same access to services. We want together. The organisation today has three arms – equitable access and consideration to being charitable, social and political. rural.” Its biggest challenge is communication and it is about Liz is coming to the end of her second to embark on a drive to help all its members become year in the three-year top job. She says email and facebook savvy. it has been busy, and expects no let-up. Liz said one thing that had not changed over the Continuing to grow the membership was years was the organisation’s desire to support rural key to the organisation’s effectiveness. communities. “Rural communities does not necessarily “We value all types of membership, mean farming. A key part of membership lives rurally, from older loyal branch members to but is not necessarily directly involved in farming or new ones on facebook.” agriculture.” “I’ve been everywhere, man” could be Liz Evans’ theme song. The national leader of Rural Women has travelled the length and breadth of the country in the past two years, from Kaikohe to Invercargill, from Port Waikato to Ashburton recently.

Members all over the country just wanted a fair deal for their rural communities, especially with Government centralising many agencies and departments. Rural Women rallied against the loss of hospital services in some areas, organised health and legal experts to visit others, and campaigned for

Upskilling members to use the internet confidently for email or facebook would be both a risk and a challenge, she said. But Rural Women have proved a versatile lot.

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5 John Leadley

crop residue burning

Crop residue– A burning issue Once again the vexed question of crop residue burning has Sometimes our farmers are their own worst enemies. become a topical issue. I have nothing but disrespect for the farmer east of Ashburton who chose a steady easterly breeze (seldom Thanks to a late harvest caused by moist January and good for successful incineration) to ignite a very damp February weather, many crops have been harvested four to paddock a few weeks ago. Sheer arrogance! six weeks later than usual. Similarly the gentleman driving the filthy 4WD who As a consequence the value of straw as a feed additive chose to give “the fingers” to those gathered to protest on to supply diet bulk has been significantly diminished. This, Saturday. together with the need to get subsequent crops in the ground, has meant more stubble fires have occurred than If only they could see the bigger picture and realise that in recent years. Additionally damp straw has contributed to the industry is challenged by sufficient negative publicity greater smoke pollution. and costly regulation without self-inflicted negativity, their cause would be better enhanced. Crop residue burning I attended the meeting organised by Vince Leonard on remains a necessary tool for efficient farm production, April 21 as an interested observer, keen to hear his view, albeit on a decreasing scale. Those who continually abuse but left before the reported interruptions. the privilege deserve censure. His sincere and considered message was much more reasoned than some of the placards produced. I believe his Many contracts for next year’s crops require seed to genuine concern for the environment is fully justified, but be in the ground by a specific date to allow for crop there are more pressing issues that need to be addressed. establishment prior to frost e.g. carrots and other species slow to establish. Since exiting the active farming scene 10 years ago, I’ve observed a major shift to incorporation of crop residue into Other valuable crops are required to be in the ground by early April to optimise yields with much of next season’s the soil, leaving stubble fires much less prevalent than a wheat crop already sown. For these and many other decade ago. This season is the exception. reasons the option to incinerate crop residue of little value Universal acknowledgement of organic matter not only must remain a tool for grain growers. as a soil conditioner, but as a means of enhancing water Mention has been made by asthma patients of the retentive capacity, has partly been responsible for this change. In addition the ready availability of powerful one- effects of this summer pollution, although I believe it to pass multi-tool farm machinery has made rapid cultivation be significantly less than winter fire emissions. Asthma is without doubt a serious debilitating affliction and I techniques both acceptable and fuel efficient. personally have witnessed premature death in many If straw can be baled and removed there is little need families including that of seemingly healthy teenage twins. to burn stubble in today’s farming scenario. The huge Compromised breathing severely affects quality of life. demand for all types of straw from the dairy, mushroom Winter atmospheric pollution is subject to a National and feed milling industries, provided quality can be Environmental Standard in respect of home heating maintained, is consistent. devices. Locally much progress has been made with over However with the increasing pressure on farmers to 800 permits for new fireplaces being issued in the last 24 produce more food from less land areas (driven by a decreasing resource of productive land), there is need to retain the ability to incinerate valueless crop waste and assist soil sterilisation, rather than the application of chemicals.

months. Many families have already utilised government subsidies of up to 33 per cent for insulation and burner replacement prior to the new enforcement rules coming on line next year. Additionally a Community Services Card may entitle even greater financial assistance. I would certainly urge those affected to speak with the District Council to be part of this incentive scheme. This “Warm up New Zealand” scheme is available for all homes built prior to year 2000. As someone who has travelled from country to urban Ashburton thousands of times over 60 years I’m very aware of the virtual wall of smog on the rural/urban interface as families light their heating appliances on cold winter nights around 5pm. The inversion layer on still, frosty nights remains an issue of much greater health consequence than crop residue fires which only occur infrequently and should last over very short timeframes. I believe farmers will continue to find profitable alternatives to stubble burning which are viable and less intrusive. For efficient food production maximum utilisation of our decreasing land resources is imperative to the economy. Maybe legislation is needed to curb persistent unreasonable offenders who fail to use good practice techniques. Equally I challenge townsfolk to move to meet NES standards as quickly as possible. Only by working together can the interdependence of town and country be mutually enhanced to make this wonderful District an even greater place to reside. All that is needed is common sense and a response of tolerance. If farmers abuse the privilege they have, they will, without doubt, lose that ability in future years. The last thing the agriculture industry needs is even more regulation.

From my experience the most satisfactory “burn-off ” from the agricultural farmer perspective (if burning is the only alternative) is a calm or consistent light breezy day, adequate 5 metre fire break, manpower, cell phone and suppressant available and low moisture fuel ie crop residue. Lighting is best achieved by ringing the area after backburning the perimeter and allowing the flames to generate heat which then creates its own current drawing the updraft with increasing velocity to the centre of the area. A spectacular sight, resulting in a clean burn and over in a matter of minutes. Unfortunately in this scenario there is no way of knowing where the soot particles will fall.

Photo Kirsty Graham 240412-KG-084 Smoke from a stubble burn-off shrouds homes in east Ashburton recently.

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Perhaps this can best be understood by those fortunate enough to have enjoyed a balloon ride. Even a tonne of people in a balloon basket is at the mercy of the upper currents. Little wonder the source of soot particles is untraceable. No balloon flight gives a landing destination at take off! It is well to remember that rural properties endure an even greater deposition than our urban folk.

6

status of women

Kerry Maw

The status of rural women

Recently I returned from two weeks in New York attending the 56th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). This year’s theme for CSW was “the empowerment of rural women and their role in poverty and hunger eradication, development and current challenges�.

How did I come to go to the United Nations? Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ) is an affiliated member of the international humanitarian aid organisation Associated Countrywomen of the World (ACWW). ACWW is an NGO which has held accredited consultative status with the UN since 1947, and is therefore entitled to Women from around the world talked about send delegations of up improving the lot of rural women in countries to 20 members to UN were poverty and violence are issues. forums such as CSW. This year’s theme was of particular interest to RWNZ so ACWW was approached to see if there was space in the delegation for a RWNZ representative. There was, and as RWNZ’s Deputy International Officer, I was soon heading for New York. As it turned out, I was the only ACWW Delegate representing the South Pacific Region. The CSW session begins with a Consultation Day hosted by UN Women and the UN NGO/CSW Forum. It is a day of presentations aimed to present the major themes of the session and to set the scene for the events and discussions over the following two weeks.

Agreed Outcomes as well as resolutions presented by some of the delegations. NGO delegates met in area caucuses to develop a statement which was presented during the Government deliberations. I attended the Asia Pacific Caucus and we met over three evenings to ensure our statement accurately encapsulated the issues faced by women in our rural communities. Our statement was then read out in the Government forum.

The United Nations headquarters in New York.

majority are not allowed to hold money so their earnings are given to their husband. I listened to heart-breaking stories of women without rural maternity services who had to walk for two days to get medical help when they went into labour only to suffer stillbirth and even fistula and then be shunned by their village afterwards. I heard stories of women who are not allowed to own land and are victim to the land grabbing activities of big corporate farming companies. This is a level of oppression and hardship that many in our country will struggle to comprehend.

And yet, when considered within the context of our society, rural women in New Zealand do have issues. Take for example, land rights. While we have the right to own Each of the Governments presented a formal statement of land, often women are severely disadvantaged in terms of matrimonial property agreements and inheritance issues facing rural women and progress towards solutions NGOs are able to host seminars, known as parallel events, within their country. The New Zealand Delegation were provisions. This is particularly so for rural women with alongside the Governments discussions, which occur in the very accommodating and met each evening with the inheritance of family farms and family farming trusts. UN General Assembly rooms. During the two weeks there Throughout the CSW events it was very apparent that delegates from NZ NGOs to talk through this statement were some 300 of these parallel events which delegates no matter the context or level of severity there were as well as the CSW Agreed Outcomes document, so that could choose to attend. ACWW hosted two parallel events, we all had the opportunity to make direct input into New common characteristics to the issues faced by rural women “Rural Women: Sharing Problems, Exploring Solutions�, and Zealand’s official representation. around the world. These were: equity and freedom from “Nutrition in Rural Communities – South Africa and Tonga�. discrimination, transportation, communication, education, In addition to this, all 12 delegates attending from various access to health and social services, involvement in Parallel events typically lasted 90 minutes and the usual New Zealand NGOs were hosted at the New Zealand decision-making and policy setting, and financial security format was for one or more speakers to present the topic Mission one morning to meet with the Hon Jim McLay, NZ’s and independence. It was this common understanding that followed by open floor discussion, question and answer, Ambassador to the UN. I found it fascinating and inspiring enabled 4000 women to come together and talk as one on debate, sharing of solutions to similar issues and so on. to be able to sit around the board table and have Mr behalf of all women. The main topics under discussion included rural women’s McLay’s undivided attention for nearly an hour of one-toThere was the real recognition that for most women, the one discussion on the issues in New Zealand, what would access to resources such as land, credit, technology, and issues boil down to the abuse of the most basic human be included in New Zealand’s formal statement, and the decent employment, access to education and health rights. The theme of “empowerment of women� was truly common themes and messages which we were hearing in services, equity, and freedom from oppression and violence a focus of the discussions. CSWS56 brought forward the of all forms. The need for rural women to be part of decision the NGO Parallel Events. recognition and understanding that empowerment of making processes and policy setting was strongly stressed CSW is an incredible event. Of all UN Forums, CSW has rural women and her ability to reach her full potential and in most of the events. the highest level of representation and participation contribute fully in society and can only be achieved through from the global community. With over 4000 women In addition to this, delegates can participate in ‘Circles the full realisation of her human rights. For me it was an from NGOs around the world all with the singular aim of Conversation’. These are two-hour open floor group absolutely incredible experience. During the two weeks, discussions on a set topic. Topics included: Human Rights, improving the standard of living, health, education, and I attended around 20 parallel events, two Conversation sustainable development for women and their families Peace and Security/Violence Against Women, Ageing, Circles, three Asia Pacific Caucuses, talked with the New in rural communities, there was plenty of discussion and Health, Migration, Communication, Family, Trafficking in Zealand Ambassador and NZ’s official Government opportunity to learn and share issues and solutions. There Women and Girls, Sustainable Development and Climate delegation, and even fitted in a little sightseeing. were many times when listening to other women’s stories Change. I came home exhausted, amazed and inspired by the I felt very humble. Stories of hardship, discrimination, and By now you’re probably thinking there was a lot of oppression such as women from a Middle East country who incredible women around the world who endured so much talking, but how did it make a difference. While the parallel were imprisoned after attending last year’s CSW simply and enhanced my understanding and perceptions, and events are happening, Government delegates from over feeling that I was truly fortunate to have participated in because they had come to CSW to talk about women’s 90 countries, including four women from New Zealand’s such a significant event for rural women. I fully suspect that issues. This year’s delegates weren’t sure if they would Ministry of Women’s Affairs and MAF, were meeting in I may be “hooked� and may find myself in New York again be imprisoned but they came anyway. Realising that 80 sometime. per cent of the world’s food is grown by women, yet the the General Assembly rooms to discuss a statement of

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7

winter feed and drilling

New cultivator drill reduces crop establishment costs

on the surface providing a layer of fine structured earth at the depth where the seed is placed followed by wide consolidation tyres to re-compact the soil after the front disc harrows; each tyre covers four seed discs. This provides a uniform well consolidated seed bed for The Terrasem is designed to deliver tillage, consolidation and seeding stages the seeding discs to accurately sow seed in a single pass at working widths from 3m at a precise depth across the full working width of the drill to 9m with 3m transport width. High input costs require farmers and contractors to drill seed as accurately and quickly as possible to ensure quality crops and good returns. To that end, Pottinger has developed its new Terrasem seed drills.

Terrasem drills can be used for both minimal till mulch drilling and conventional sowing on ploughed land. A key feature is their precise seed placement thanks to the parallelogram-guided double coulters with trailed depth press wheels. Each of the disc coulters is guided by a hydraulic pressure roller to ensure accurate and uniform seed placement depth.

Pottinger Terrasem drills also deliver accurate contour tracking. The three-part design ensures perfect ground tracking over the full working width.

The operator can adjust the depth centrally and can apply pressure from 50kg to 130kg per disc coulter with rubber mounting elements to provide optimum freedom of movement for each coulter unit.

The drills have an intelligent operating system with options of three systems, from simply operating the drill’s functions direct from the tractor’s controls to fully automatic control using an in-cab terminal.

The drills are fitted with a front mounted two-gang disc harrow to provide precultivation to set up a seed bed in front of the press consolidation wheels and seed coulters. The Terrasem can perform equally as good in heavy or light soils with large quantities of harvest trash. The maintenance-free, rubber-mounted 510mm diameter discs loosen the soil

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8

lifestyle

Linda Clarke, Ashburton Guardian rural reporter

The idea of owning a few hectares in the country, with room for the kids and pets to run around in, is not losing its appeal, judging by real estate figures out recently.

months ago. They say the sights, smells and serenity of the country are well worth the extra effort of living further from supermarkets, schools and sports The lifestyle property market saw a 33.6 activities. per cent increase in sales in the three While Tom grew up in the country, it is months to February 2012, with some Barbara who is now recalling farm skills 1243 sales around the country. learned when she was a child. She admits In Canterbury, 212 blocks changed living in Ashburton for the past 20 years hands in that three-month period; the had made them a little rusty. median sale price was $564,000. They do not quite have all the gear and Brian Peacocke of the Real Estate experience needed. A sick sheep made Institute of New Zealand said the statistics showed sales volumes for lifestyle blocks the trip to the vet in the front seat of Barbara’s car. A mini paddock burn nearly increasing, though rising vendor price expectations in some areas were creating ended in a call-out to the fire brigade and lettuce gives chooks acid reflux. obstacles for some purchasers. But Barbara says the main tool in coping with such a change in their lifestyle is humour. The family has laughed and occasionally cried as they learn how to live sustainably on their few hectares.

In Mid Canterbury, lifestyle blocks are the domain of retired farmers and urban folk keen to leave streetlights and neighbours behind. There are those who grow olives, nuts and breed unusual sheep. Others use the extra space to create a garden paradise or a base for their rural businesses.

They have four cows, two sheep, a hunting dog that doesn’t like guns, two kittens and a cat, a rooster and a hen. Barbara has taken up sewing, has plans to reinvent the vegetable garden and has already bottled the peaches collected in the property’s orchard.

Sales agents say the turnaround on some properties can be quick, as buyers realise how much time and energy is needed to keep their land and animals in shape. But the rewards can be great. Children revel in green spaces and chores like feeding the chooks. New skills are learned.

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They have become accustomed to the total darkness when the lights go off at night, the birds chirping at 5am and farm machinery humming even earlier. Everybody has wet weather gear and gumboots.

Barbara and Tom bought a lifestyle block 10 minutes from Ashburton 18

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9

lifestyle Guardian Farming starts a new column today, based on the transformation of townie Barbara into a rural Martha Stewart. Enjoy her diary.

I’ve discovered it’s far easier to talk about our new life, than write about it. But here goes... To start with, I’ll tell you about our first lot of pet lambs. My children, the townies, decided they needed one each, so my kind neighbour said we could come down and pick three out of the pen. So off we walk, and the children choose one each - all the lambs look different (at least we can tell them apart) and are only a couple of days old. We set off home, with our new charges. Just so you get the picture, the children had to carry them home as mother made them walk down. Not too sure what people in cars thought as they drove past us. Home we get and the next problem was what do we do with them? There was no shed or pen to put them in, so we kicked the dog out of its cage and the lambs spent four weeks living there happily until we got a pen up in the orchard. The dog was not keen to return to his cage until it had been water-blasted. In the first four weeks I had the vet out once. One of the pets had an eyelid that turned in. The vet that came to my house said to put cold tea bags on the infected eyes and medicate with eye drops. I thought she was having me on so laughed out loud. She was not. But within a few days the lambs were fine, growing, and very much loved by all. Then one day, one was not walking properly. In another two weeks the poor thing could not stand. At this point could hear my father say “knock it on the head, it’s no

goodâ€?. (Dad’s been dead 10 years). I took the lamb to the vet this time. No special trip, I was going to school to drop off things to the girls anyway. Lamb goes in the car and off we go. Just so you know, it sat on the front passenger seat next to me. We get to school, and I casually mention to a couple of parents that I have a lamb in the car going to the vet. The look on their faces was funny, got even funnier when I told them it was on the front seat. The vet confirmed the lamb had an infection. At this point I should have knocked it on the head, but no, for two weeks every second day I injected it with antibiotics. He came right and I was so proud of myself. The sad thing is eight weeks later one of the girls went out to check them before going to school and it was dead. There was screaming, and one very distressed child. “This is life, things die for no reason, even when they look healthy,â€? I said. The children went off to school and I was left to dispose of the dead lamb; luckily a neighbour turned up to help and took it away. The only thing that really upset me was the money I had spent on this lamb twice and then the bloody thing died. Lesson learned: knock them on the head if sickly when young, just start again with another lamb. I would say those lambs this year, even with the good prices, would still owe me money. We can’t even eat them, as we have named them. So we will have the remaining two for a very long time until they get old and die.

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10

debate

Contributed by Irrigation NZ

Fresh water quality debate coming to town Coming to your town soon is the water quality limit setting process – no, it’s not a circus, but a serious look at how the community would like to see the freshwater environment in the future. The 2011 National Policy Statement (NPS) for Freshwater Management requires regional councils to state freshwater objectives of which quality limits will be a tool to meet these. So the limits are coming regardless and the process in Canterbury has already begun. Setting water quality limits will follow the normal RMA process of collaborative development, notification, the ability to put in submissions and finally hearings before councillors and commissioners make a decision. But in Canterbury there is a crucial difference. With the appointment of the Environment Canterbury commissioners and the ‘Environment Canterbury (Temporary Commissioners and Improved Water Management) Act 2010’, the ability to appeal to the Environment Court is taken away so for the period that the commissioners are in place their decisions are final unless there is an appeal to the High Court on a point of law. What all this means is that it is vital that the community get involved in the collaborative stages so that decisions and plans are developed with all views in the debate being heard and considered. The Canterbury Water Management Strategy (CWMS) and the zone committee structure is lending itself well to be the driver of this process. Using the zone committees and the zone implementation programmes (ZIP) is ECan’s preferred method of collaboration, or in layman’s terms, discussions leading to the establishment of freshwater objectives and limits. These limits will then slot into the RMA process which will ultimately lead to nutrient discharge

allowances (NDA) for all land users. Throughout New Zealand there are 50 per cent of catchments with operative water quality objectives but most objectives are value based and qualitative not specific, measurable, hard limits. So in the next period expect to see water quality limits become specific, measurable limits that farmers and growers will have to work within.

Key messages So the important messages to take from this are: Get involved early in the process to be a part of the limit setting discussions. Ensure you manage your nutrients and irrigation efficiently to keep the water and nutrients in the root zone. In the root zone they are an investment in the future production of your property. Once they have drained beyond the root zone nutrients and water lost are a cost. IrrigationNZ – is the national body representing all irrigation interests in a unified voice to promote excellence in irrigation development and efficient water management based on the principles of responsible and sustainable water management throughout New Zealand. Nutrient discharge allowances will soon become part of day to day farm management very similar to water quantity allowances that we are all getting to grips with. Water quality is commonly measured and reported as a concentration for example milligrams of Nitrate-N per litre of water. A water quality limit is the maximum change

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in concentration, compared to natural state, which the community is prepared to accept in return for socioeconomic benefits. All waterways have a natural state and the change from the natural state to the agreed limit that the community sets taking into account the four pillars of the CWMS (economic, environmental, social, and cultural) will determine what the nutrient loading will be. That loading will then be divided up to get the NDA in Kg/ha per year for land use. The implications of the NDAs is that provided your actual discharge is less than your NDA then your property is a compliant activity with no further ramifications. The measurement of the nutrient loss will be based on a nutrient budget analysis with a multiple year rolling average scenario to ensure compliance. So there will be a requirement to provide the analysis similar to the water metering process. Limits have the potential to limit land use changes and the intensity of operation and could require capital upgrades to ensure efficient use of water and nutrients. Once the limits are set and the NDAs are in place a market will develop for NDAs. So depending on your situation there could be opportunity to trade unused NDA. How restrictive the limits will be is dependent on the levels set. The key driver for nutrient losses is the drainage that goes through the soil profile and the levels of nutrients available at the time of drainage. Irrigation is a key part of that equation so the efficiency of your system to utilise water correctly and your management of that system to ensure good management practice irrigation is carried out will be key. Over watering and timing of nutrient applications and irrigation will need to be carefully managed. Once limits are reached in catchments resource use efficiency will be the key to enable further growth.

11 Contributed by Mary Ralston, Ashburton branch Forest and Bird

tussock grasslands

The stuff of romantic myth, legend Tussock grasslands are the stuff of romantic myth and legend. New Zealanders and tourists alike love the tawny brown landscape of tussock grasslands with the mountains beyond. It appears to be a natural landscape, but is it?

The origin of tussock grasslands can be traced back to the end of the last ice age about 14,000 years ago. As the ice retreated from the inland high country such as the Hakatere Basin, the land was colonised by the tussocks which then dominated the landscape for 4000 years. No, not really – forests were the original vegetation type Then, as temperatures warmed, forest trees such as bog in many of the places that now support tussocks and the pine, celery pine and coprosmas established; then miro, matai and montane totara began to dominate. Around climate is still well suited to growing trees and woody shrubs. Nowadays though it is pine trees and broom that 7000 years ago beech forest started to take over. The often thrive, not native trees, and a lot of effort is made to tussocks were restricted to the higher altitudes and to the river terraces and valley or basin flats. keep grasslands free of trees and other woody weeds. Burning of the forest, firstly by the Maori, then European Good examples of tussock grasslands can be found settlers, changed everything. Tussocks recolonised locally in the Hakatere Conservation Park. Swampy areas where forests were burnt. The tussock grasslands wetland areas (such as around Lake Heron and Lake Clearwater) are dominated by red tussock and probably which greeted the early European settlers were up to 1.5 metres high and extended from the valley floors to the have been for thousands of years. On drier parts, such alpine zone. What the Maori and early farmers did not as the slopes of Mt Harper and the Taylor Range, forest understand was that the tussocks were hundreds of years would have been the natural vegetation type. Woody scrub may have been dominant in other areas too frosty old and were not adapted to withstand regular burning and grazing. for trees.

This burning provided the opportunity for colonisation of the grasslands by introduced grasses and weeds. The seeds of pine trees can be carried on the wind for many kilometres and easily germinate in the open grasslands. Some areas of grasslands such as around Queenstown and in the Mackenzie have been completely dominated by wilding trees. Fortunately in the Hakatere Conservation Park, the situation has never got too badly out of control and the trees are kept at bay by regular weeding. Hundreds (maybe thousands) of pine seedlings are pulled out every year by volunteers from the Ashburton branch of Forest and Bird, and by students from the Aoraki Polytech Outdoor Recreation course. Next time you are admiring a lovely view of tussock grasslands up at the Ashburton Lakes remember they have been modified by hundreds of years of human influence and interference. And this is still continuing – lots of back-breaking effort goes into keeping the grasslands free of woody weeds!

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education

12 Neal Shaw, ATS Chief Executive

Will students be better off? Media reports that some sort of possible merger regarding the University of Canterbury’s strength lies in its academic Christchurch’s three tertiary providers has certainly sparked programme. The Minister’s comments certainly provoked debate. some strong opinions. Most were keen to promote the strengths of their preferred education facility and slate Earlier in the year Tertiary Education Minister Steven their least favourite. Joyce was reported as having asked the University of Canterbury, Lincoln University and the Christchurch We can all be a bit parochial about what we have Polytechnic Institute of Technology (CPIT) to find ways to experienced and what we have the greatest understanding cut costs. He went as far as saying all options were on the of. These perceptions of poor and superior performance table, including possible mergers but he wasn’t “looking at or results would certainly have an impact on any possible mergers for mergers’ sake”. mergers and if there is this sort of feeling at such an early stage, it looks likely to be a difficult process. He was further reported as saying “I have asked them (the providers) to consider what the future tertiary education Mergers in general are difficult. There are always winners network in Canterbury could look like. I have asked for all and losers in an amalgamation of any sort. It is very rare options and opportunities to be canvassed.” to end up with an equitable arrangement and someone always ends up losing their voice. Ideally some sort of Just a couple of weeks ago, the issue was back in the independent leadership would be the answer, but in reality news following the appointment of Dr Andrew West as this does not always happen in these circumstances. Lincoln University’s new vice-chancellor. In his first week on the job, Dr West said Canterbury’s three major tertiary Both the Minister and Dr West alluded to the possibility institutions should be working together and that the of consolidating some services. On the surface that would opportunities for collaboration were huge. make sense from an administrative point of view. It could be good to consolidate some of the services they may have He also declined to discuss mergers, saying “the only in common but it is important to retain the identity of each comment I will make is we are a specialist university and a tertiary provider. small country needs specialisation”. There is a big difference between cutting back on office Reports of both accounts can be found on the internet, costs and “back room” procedures such as administration, and the comments posted in response to those accounts IT, Human Resources and Marketing and the possible are just as thought provoking as the original articles. merging of these three education providers. It is an emotive topic and judging by the comments There has been some suggestion a possible merger has generated, there are obviously strong proponents for each been proposed as a result of the Christchurch earthquakes of these educational institutions. and the need over recent months to relocate because of There is no doubt each has its own purpose and distinct damaged buildings. I’m not sure this should be the reason style. Lincoln is agricultural and land based; CPIT is focused to consider such a move. Interestingly, Lincoln University on a wide variety of skills and technical knowledge; while has already moved away from the University of Canterbury

after being part of that establishment. In 1990 Lincoln College became Lincoln University after almost 30 years of being a constituent college of the University of Canterbury. During that time the University of Canterbury issued the degrees. Mergers and amalgamations are a fact of life, but generally they have more in common than this proposal. There was some feedback on-line to suggest a merger between Lincoln and Massey University would be a much better fit than the Christchurch proposal. It is not unusual for like-minded institutions to do this. In fact, early last year Telford Rural Polytechnic became a division of Lincoln University. According to Lincoln University reports, this has added practical on-the-land skills training to complement the academic offering of the Lincoln campus. In a rural community such as ours, we all know Lincoln graduates. We also know they chose this facility because of its strong agricultural focus. A Commerce degree could be carried out at any one of a number of universities, but Lincoln students choose to attend there because of the farming focus and because it understands the importance of business in farming today. Other students chose their tertiary providers for equally good reasons and that level of choice should remain. The main question that should be asked is what effect such a merger will have on students and their learning. We should also be asking what long-term effects such changes will have to our society and as potential employers. The standard of education should not suffer as a result of any changes or possible mergers.

13

motoring

Road test by Roger Hart

The ute that every farmer needs Mazda BT-50s are close cousins of the new Ford Ranger. Cosmetically different yes with their “zoom-zoom attitude” but with their smiling fronts they are definitely kissing cousins! Three body types available suit individual family or business needs: The five-seater Double Cab, the two-seater Regular Cab, and the 2+2 Freestyle Cab. They use the same new global pick-up truck platform as their cuzzies so are large with spacious cabins. Mazda have successfully done their bit and given this a definite “Mazda” feel with its appearance and quality. The seats are large, comfortable and can easily accommodate five adults. With both tilt and reach adjustment for the steering and plenty of adjustments for the driver’s seat, just about any sized driver can get comfortably set up. Once in position all controls are within easy reach and are clearly labelled. There’s lots of equipment, both for safety and comfort. All models have MP3compatible sound systems, Bluetooth, trip computers and more, while limited models get dual-zone climate air-con. Double Cabs have a storage box beneath their rear seats. A maximum five star safety rating is achieved because of a full range of driver aids including stability control and curtain airbags. As well there’s hill descent control, hill-start assist and anti-trailer swing. It’s no surprise that the BT-50’s power comes from the same highly-efficient 3.2 litre five-cylinder turbo-diesel engine, with maximum torque of 470 Nm (from 1750 to 2500rpm) and 147 kW of power. So this great sounding engine has lots of grunt from low-down and enough lugging ability to cope with a 3350kg braked trailer.

a large car for it’s quiet and extremely confident through any corners, tight or otherwise. These great on road manners mean it really comes into its own as a multipurpose vehicle.

Especially when you add in its off-road prowess. There’s a simple twist dial for 2H, 4H and 4L, a 237mm ground clearance, The GSX driven had the optional sixapproach/departure angles of 28.2 and speed auto. This responded quickly with precise changes through its closely spaced 26.4 degrees respectively. As all 4WD BT-50s have locking rear diffs plus a bevy ratios. Matched up to this engine’s wide of clever electronics they have almost spread of torque means it’s an incredibly easy driver, relaxed at cruise but with heaps chamois-like climbing ability. Their wading of power quickly on tap. Yet it’s still easy to depth is 800mm. see the trip computer reading in the sevens The well-side is 1560mm wide and on longer trips. 1549mm long. It has an 1148kg payload. This easily accessed power combines very The auto BT-50 certainly delivers a zoomnicely with this “new age” ute’s refined ride zoom driving experience that’s enjoyable, and smart handling . . . which is thanks to its double wishbone front suspension and confidence-inspiring and economical. Work, leisure, good times with the family a modified leaf rear, plus the informative – they’re all exactly what this new BT-50 rack and pinion steering. Body roll is well is made for. It’s a genuine, active lifestyle restrained and the ride very civilised. So much so it’s pretty much like riding in vehicle!

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14

nitrate leaching

Winter blocks can be at more risk Greg Costello of Ravensdown looks at practical steps to reduce nitrate leaching. It’s a familiar picture of winter grazing groups of cows feeding on narrow ‘breaks’ of winter forage crops. What’s not so obvious is the potential for nitrogen (N) losses from these activities. Wet, cold soils, pugging and winter rain increases the risk of nitrate leaching and emissions of nitrate oxide from the multitude of urine patches deposited. These intensive systems are managed differently to the traditional rotational grazed pasture system. In the South, it’s common practice for stock to be grazed on forage crops for between one and two months, due to low pasture growth during the winter months. Intensification often means keeping animals in a smaller space – especially in winter. Most nitrate leaching can be attributed to losses from the animal’s urine patch. Urine patches of lactating dairy cows are shown to have up to 1000 kg N/ha. These ‘stacks’ of nitrogen are much more vulnerable to leaching, especially in the winter drainage months. In the winter ‘break feeding’ scenario, the urine patches are within a confined space so can be more easily targeted with a nitrification inhibitor such as eco-n. Nitrification inhibitors are sprayed on as a soil treatment to slow the nitrification process, or the conversion of ammonium to nitrate. These products, like Ravensdown’s eco-n, are not fertilisers, but will help reduce the nitrate

leaching by slowing the bacteria which breaks down the nitrogen in urine into its leachable nitrate form. In the Government-funded Nitrous Oxide Mitigation Research trials, three years of data from different parts of the country showed that the active ingredient in eco-n cut leaching from urine patches by a consistent 40 per cent. The research also found that nitrous oxide emissions could be cut in half. Lincoln University’s own studies also found eco-n made up to 70 per cent reductions in nitrate leaching in the urine patch under intensive winter ‘break feeding’ conditions. Because eco-n comes with an economic benefit (in terms of pasture response due to retained nitrogen) eco-n pays for itself during the season, so it is a practical and cost-effective way to take action on nitrate leaching today.

Five other things to consider when tackling the risk of nitrate leaching are: • Irrigation type: moving from an inefficient type of borderdyke to spray irrigation can significantly reduce leaching losses outside the drainage period. • Feed pads: use of feed pads in the shoulders of the season going into or out of the drainage period will reduce nitrogen losses from the paddock. Effluent disposal can be managed outside of the drainage period. • Spreading efficiency: always ask if the spreader is using differential GPS so varied amounts of nitrogen can be placed more precisely. • Spreading timing: timing nitrogen inputs outside of high risk months will reduce losses, however research has shown the nitrogen fertiliser only account for 5-10 per cent of N losses from a grazed pasture.

• Nutrient Management Plans: analysis of soil fertility, fertiliser inputs, supplements and timings to ensure pastures are growing optimally, that inputs are in fact matching outputs and mitigation actions or management changes are taken where nutrient loss factors are identified. The Fertiliser Manufacturers’ Research Association and Dairy NZ have just developed regional distribution graphs for nitrate leaching, as estimated from OVERSEER nutrient budgets undertaken by fertiliser company representatives. The 12 regions are Northland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Central Plateau, East Coast, Taranaki, Manawatu, Nelson, Canterbury, West Coast, Otago and Southland. This means, for example, a farmer in Waikato can benchmark against others in that region. These farmers can then work with their co-operative’s account manager for rounded advice on fertiliser inputs and mitigation strategies to minimise leaching risks. International buyers of New Zealand’s farm products are increasingly putting pressure on suppliers to meet quality assurance and environmental footprint standards for their own consumers, while at home, regional councils are addressing the issues around surface and groundwater quality with respect to nitrate leaching in their regional plans, all of which will require action from farmers on reducing N loss. Luckily, there are mitigations like eco-n that are ready today.

15

may forecast

Ken Ring

South Island winter notes Unfortunately for skiers in the Southern Hemisphere, May of this year through to August will see full moons accompanying perigees. For the southern half of the world it means that the cold of winter during full moon nights will not be as cold because the moon is in the high sky when the perigee is about. Winters that have new moons accompanying perigees enable more colder air from space to descend as snow. Therefore this winter, nights and temperature minimums should be milder, at least until September when new moons begin to accompany perigees again. Relatively warm winter nights should therefore this year make for milder days. The really good long snow seasons are not expected to return before 2016. This season should be similar to some of the early 2000 years, the early part of the 1990s and some of the later 1970s, which were years of similarity of moon declinations. If you are a skier you may have to plan carefully. The snow will come, then rain may wash it away, only to be followed again by snow. However, this year the South Island may be more easily able to run snow machines for longer periods than the North Island. Some skifields may be lucky to have 10 days of direct southerlies during this coming winter, whereas more southerly fields can expect between 20-30. There may therefore be an exodus this year of skiers from the North to South Island. Winds are important when working out which snowfields will get the best snow. Treble Cone needs westerly or north-westerly winds and gets virtually nothing from southerlies. Mt Hutt needs southerlies or south-easterlies, also easterlies if they are cold enough. Coronet Peak needs southerlies or southwesterlies, although not many southerlies carry precipitation. If Treble Cone is getting snow, Coronet probably isn’t. Ohau needs southerlies and westerlies. From south-easterlies the Southern lakes just seem to get cloud. Cadrona gets snow from south-westerlies and southerlies, but little or none from the west or north-west. This season should see south-easterlies in good measure, which, being subtropical, can carry warmth. In turn this creates precipitation, rain in the north and snow in the south. Rising temperatures create snow because a snowflake can only expand on warming air.

Reports for the whole ski season are now available online for Craigieburn, Mt Hutt, Wanaka and Queenstown http://www.predictweather.co.nz/ ArticleShow.aspx?ID=388&type=home For further information email ken@predictweather.com

So what is expected? This winter, for Mt Hutt, there may be westerly systems as well as easterly systems in May, then systems more westerly in June and July, followed by many easterlies in August, making August a good

May should be sunnier than average across the country but in June only Dunedin may be sunny. July promises to be generally average to cloudier except for sunnier Cromwell, and in August again only Dunedin may be sunnier than normal. In September it is the turn of Christchurch to be sunny and in October Queenstown southwards should get most sun. In May average to warmer-than-average conditions may continue, with warmest temperatures in the east. By June, Timaru, Oamaru and Alexandra may be below the norm. In July the West Coast and parts of the south may be cooler, but the east coast may be warmer. August is average to cooler overall, particularly Canterbury and Alexandra. September may bring average temperatures, with the west and south cooler but Canterbury warmer than average. By October and November new moon perigees again rule, bringing a cooler late spring. The last half of October should bring precipitation for the country, which means unwanted late snow for the south and the chances of floods in the north, because perigeal spring new moons also create large cool low-latitude anticyclones and their strong moist easterlies that sweep rain in large amounts over eastern coasts. This late wintry weather will be too late for any New Zealand skifield to capitalise on and there may once again be concerns for late lambs.

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The first significant snow should arrive in the last week of May. As for overall precipitation amounts for the South Island farmer, June, July and August should deliver more than the average, with September around average, but October below average. In May, the wettest areas may be the top of the West Coast and the southern parts of Southland. In June the driest areas may be Canterbury, South Canterbury, coastal Otago and Southland except for the far south coast. From mid-July it may be very wet in the east. August westerlies bring dry and warm conditions to the east, with large east-west contrasts. For September, the wettest regions may be the West Coast, hydrolakes and Southland. In October the wettest region may be the top of the island and Canterbury.

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month. For Queenstown, expect cold southerlies and westerlies in May, easterlies in June, and southerlies and south-westerlies in July. August in Queenstown brings easterlies in the first half switching to southwesterlies in the second half, so July and August should be satisfactory. Finally for Wanaka, expect westerlies and north-westerlies in May, westerlies in June and July, and westerlies and north-westerlies through August.

ASHBURTON

Blacklows TradeZone Ashburton

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

16

focus on white clover

Student awarded FAR scholarship A student hoping to improve the national white clover crop has been awarded the Foundation for Arable Research 2012 scholarship. Julia Raynes, one of several applicants for the 2012 scholarship, is in her first year of study for a Masters degree in plant biology at Massey University. She will study breeding and genetic approaches to improve the water use efficiency of white clover.

a rural vet. When Julia began her Bachelor of Science at Massey University in 2008 it was a single paper in plant biology that ignited her interest in cropping and, as she came nearer to finishing her undergraduate degree, she realised that with further study in this area of crop/pasture improvement she could make a difference to the industry.

I feel very honoured to have my research project recognised

“I feel very honoured to have my research project recognised for its potential to impact the New Zealand agricultural sector,” Julia said. “This scholarship will not only assist with study and living fees; more importantly it will allow me to attend a number of conferences and industry related events, where I look forward to learning from world experts in key areas of agriculture I am so passionate about.”

Julia grew up in Taranaki and from a very young age has been familiar with the importance of New Zealand agriculture. Throughout her schooling, agriculture, in particular dairy farming, was a topic touched on frequently in the curriculum and, until the age of about 15, Julia had aspirations to become

Julia has already had some hands-on experience working with AgResearch, Zelam and Plant & Food Research; these summer jobs reinforced to her that cropping was the industry she wants to remain a part of. “Julia’s passion for agriculture became very apparent early on in the interview process,” said Nick Pyke, FAR’s chief executive. “Julia’s project will focus on breeding and genetic approaches to improving the water use efficiency of white clover.

“From here Julia wishes to conduct further research focusing on maximising yields by improving tolerance to pests, diseases and environmental influences such as drought. All these areas are of utmost importance if New Zealand cropping is to remain sustainable in the future.

Julia Raynes.

“ We look forward to supporting Julia over the coming year, not just financially, but also by providing advice and assistance with her research project.” FAR was formed in 1995 and is funded by grower levies. It also receives research grants, which it uses to help arable farmers improve their business. FAR offers other scholarships; for more information visit www.far.org.nz

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