Guardian Farming November 2011

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An Ashburton Guardian Advertising Feature

Guardian interesting • informative • essential

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GUARDIAN FARMING

A Brazilian perspective By Daniel Henderson

Her family led the way for her choosing a career in agriculture.

Brazilian student Carina Lopes, 24, loves farming’s high tech future and is enjoying learning about different techniques during her six week Plains Rotary Club exchange programme in Mid Canterbury. “It’s amazing here, really different. The farms in Brazil are really big, 30,000 to 50,000 hectares, and they are monoculture.� Ms Lopes hails from Barrairas, a western city in the state of Bahia. It has a dry and subhumid climate. “My region plants corn, soya beans and cotton, actually 30 per cent of the whole amount of cotton produced in Brazil.� She studies plant diseases. “I learn about finding new solutions for plant diseases.� But this trip has had its welcome diversions. “I never saw rugby before and now I have an All Blacks t-shirt! �

“When I finished school I didn’t know what to do. My father and two brothers work in agronomy and they are really happy at the end of the day so I thought about what they were doing – it must be good.� Ms Lopez, who was visiting the high-tech Stradbrook Robotic Dairy Farm, is intrigued by the technology of farming. “It’s really modern. In Brazil, GPS (Global Positioning Systems) is being used more and more to plant crops with machines and what we call precision farming is using GPS so that detailed maps of fields are made and only those parts of it that need fertiliser get it.� After observing our Rugby World Cup hysteria she invites people to check out Brazil for the 2014 FIFA Football World Cup where many cities will be on display with the improved infrastructure that such an event brings.

Winchmore update ........................................................ 3 A tale of rags to riches ...................................................... 4 Young farmer a man in great demand ...................... 5 Let’s celebrate our successes ........................................ 6 Election 2011 – A rural perspective .......................... 7 Where’s our native vegetation? ................................... 8 Benefits of reduced tillage ........................................... 8 Premier Engineering ....................................................... 9 Buying a tractor - needs and wants .......................... 10 CRT feature .................................................................. 11 Google‘everthing irrigation’....................................... 14

Guardian

Meeting the water meter team ................................. 15 The pH connection ....................................................... 16

interesting • informative • essential

Any feedback is welcome, any comments about our magazine, letters or story suggestions.

Advertising: Phone 307-7900 Email: emma.j@theguardian.co.nz

Industrial estate feature ............................................... 17

Publication date: November 8, 2011 Please direct any correspondence to: Amanda Niblett, on 307-7927 email: amanda.n@theguardian.co.nz or to: Linda Clarke, on 307-7971 email: linda.c0@theguardian.co.nz or write to PO Box 77, Ashburton.

Monthly musings - John Leadley ............................ 18

Next issue: December 6, 2011 An advertising feature for the Ashburton Guardian. Any opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of Guardian Farming or the Ashburton Guardian.

Weather by the moon .................................................. 19 Cartage feature ............................................................. 20

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Winchmore update - October John Carson

H

ere at Winchmore lambing has long finished and docking has been done, with the exception of a mob of science lambs that are lined up for next week. These lambs are from the short tail science mob and only need tail length and amount of bare skin on the underside of the tail measured, so a relatively easy operation although the lambs are lively enough to try and hold onto. Some of the science ewes that I had previously thought “pretty ordinary” have performed well, by birthing triplets all weighing 5+ kg each, much better than any time in the past according to Denis, the science technician who analyses all the lambing data I enter in the lambing record books. He’s only managed to find three mistakes, I was sure there were only two! Rainfall of 115.8mm for the month is the fourth highest recorded since 1950. The soil moisture readings are well above normal for this time of the year. Although we have not started any irrigation rounds as yet, it remains to be seen how Mother Nature will play the season over the coming summer and autumn periods. In the meantime we have a chance to get a few more jobs tidied up and finished off instead of setting up irrigation gates. Soil temperature is 11.1 C which is slightly above normal and the evaporation rate is below the longterm average by close to 20mm. Pasture growth for the month has come close to growing over 70kg dm/ha/day, once again nearly 20kg a day better than the 23-year average records I have access to.

At the moment the animals are struggling to keep on top of the extra pasture which has given me the opportunity to convert it into extra supplements. With 50 carry over dairy cows on hand and more arriving to be carried through until May next year, the possibility of needing to use it is quite on the cards. On the cropping side, the grass silage has been harvested and the ground is now being prepared for drilling the maize, also for harvesting as silage in April. Depending on the conditions at harvest, I would be keen to have another try at drilling more short-term grass and doing the same again, to save leaving the maize ground fallow for 5 to 6 months.

concerned with our wet backsides and inform the senders that all was sunshine and blue skies. It was an amazing ride and with huge southern hospitality at all the places we stopped at either for a coffee and cake, a pie and a pint or at our overnight stops. At our lunch stop in Lauder, the café owner even gave us the keys to her car so we could drive to St Bathans and see the Blue Lake and old Vulcan Hotel. But for now it is getting on with work and the jobs that need to be tackled before Christmas.

It works on the AgResearch Farm in the Manawatu, though the climate is warmer than ours and they get some reasonably guaranteed good winter growth. The kale paddocks were sprayed earlier and now only need one more weed knockdown spray combined with an insecticide before drilling in November. Last year some of the paddocks were badly damaged by early insect infestation so the idea is to deal with them before they cause any damage. Before then I need to apply slug bait to a 30ha block with quite a hefty slug population and then monitor it again on a regular basis until the plants are strong enough to not be affected by them. On the personal front, I have just finished riding the Otago Rail Trail and while all around us heavy rain and snow was falling, the four of us remained quite dry and warm over the four days we were away. It was a good feeling to be able to reply to several texts

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GUARDIAN FARMING

A tale of rags to riches Linda Clarke, Ashburton Guardian rural reporter

H

enry Studholme would like to meet Eddie Glass. The Mid Canterbury farming leader helped negotiate Government start-up grants for farmers like Henry forced off their land by the financial hardships of the 1980s.

The 1980s were a tough time for farmers. Te Pirita farmer Henry Studholme was one of many forced off his farm by debt and low returns. Necessity spawned a tiny salmon smoking company that is now processing fish in the Philippines. Reporter Linda Clarke heard the rags to riches tale at a Women in Arable meeting recently. “After a few months of practice, we had the confidence to sell. The health department wanted us to upgrade the factory a bit, but we had no more money.

Henry and wife Jenny were running sheep and cattle at Te Pirita at the time – they were young, ambitious and heavily in debt. So when the Government removed farming subsidies in 1984, they crashed.

“We were living on the edge all the time, pushing the boundaries.”

“We hung in as long as we could, but eventually it got on top of us.”

The Studholmes borrowed money for the upgrade and started smoking salmon again. The business now known as Prime Foods NZ now employs 50 and supplies smoked salmon to 300 supermarkets, exports smoked salmon, and has just opened a processing plant in the Philippines.

With a $45,000 start-up/rescue package, the Studholmes bought 10 acres near Hororata. There was a house for their family and an old honey factory.

Henry says times were tough and noone wanted a broken down farmer. The country was in deep recession and Henry was jobless, until a friend offered him “a leg out of oblivion” to run a world deer congress.

It was the start of some stability, and encouraged Henry to start thinking about uses for the old honey factory. Someone suggested smoking salmon and while Henry had never tried the stuff – “it was far too expensive” – he was prepared to give it a go. They bought a second-hand smoker from

“We gradually built up a clientele. And it just grew,” Henry said. Salmon for the Hororata factory is oceangrown and bought from Sanfords. The fish comes north overnight, is processed and on supermarket shelves two days later. It has a five-week shelf life. Henry Studholme a receivers’ auction in Mt Maunganui and started “fiddling about” with bits of salmon.

Henry said negotiating the strict food safety regulations was a necessity when dealing with a raw product. Gaining an export licence in 1998 was also a challenge to be conquered. Prime Foods now exports 35 per cent of its fish to Asia, Australia, the United States and the Middle East.

“It is a recipe I read in a book 17 years ago. I sat in the public library for three days reading about smoking fish. It gives us a point of difference in the market.” The brined fish is smoked using manuka woodchips, then sliced, vacuum-packed and chilled ready for distribution. Always prepared to think outside the square, Henry has tried new things along the way, like marinated fish, which flopped. The company’s core product is 100g sliced salmon. “We stick to the things that sell, 90 per cent of what we do is that.” Prime Foods uses King salmon, processing 300 tonnes a year, and there is demand for off-cuts and pieces for fishcakes. Fish bones are also shipped off to a Japanese client who cans them for calcium. Henry said he could have made life easier for himself by seeking more expert advice, though he said good accountants and lawyers had helped. “Not having any money also helped. Life was tough for a long time but you learn a lot on the smell of an oily rag.”

It was a logical step to think about expanding, and he chose an off-shore option after an expensive fight with the Selwyn District Council over resource issues. The local community missed out on 40 new jobs. Henry looked at China but eventually found a tuna cannery in the Philippines looking to expand. The new facility opened in July, with fish being sent from the South Island for processing and sale to a large ex-pat community. The Hororata factory supplies the New Zealand market. Fish arrives fresh or frozen, head off and gut out. It is filleted, skinned and brined in a secret recipe.

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Will’s still in great demand Linda Clarke, Ashburton Guardian rural reporter

W

ill Grayling is having a busy month. He was a special guest at the Ashburton A&P Show, guest speaker at the Mid Canterbury AgriAwards last week, organised the district final of the Mid Canterbury Young Farmer of the Year contest and will star at his own wedding in a few weeks.

“high-up” people in agriculture, there were plenty of good role models in Mid Canterbury and no shortage of good advice.

To add to his social calendar, he has been on the speaking circuit to local service clubs and a guest judge of the recent Miss Ashburton contest (where the contestants were men dressed as women).

Meanwhile, Will’s dairy farm is flat out milking and he and Kimberley are driving their own business forward. “Our biggest personal challenge is where we take our business from here.”

“The dairy industry is open to these sorts of people, you are always rubbing shoulders with the top performers.”

The couple are building up their own herd with a view to sharemilking and one day having a stake in their farm.

The last one was fun, if a bit disturbing, Will says. The 2011 Young Farmer of the Year is in hot demand after his grand final win in July. He won not only a big prize package, but became an instant celebrity.

“It is a challenge to get to the next step of our careers and keep pushing the edge.”

Balancing those off-farm commitments and work on the 1600-cow dairy farm he manages for Spectrum at Pendarves is a delicate act.

Will is the third grand final winner from the Pendarves Young Farmers Club and says he sees his future in Mid Canterbury, despite growing up in Taranaki as the son of a dairy farmer. The area has great soil and top farmers.

His masters degree in applied science at Lincoln University will be well used.

“At the moment it is busy,” he says. The dairy farm has been busy calving, and is getting busy mating. However, fiancée Kimberley True has the wedding plans in hand, and Will has become a dab hand at writing speeches under pressure.

Will Grayling, still in the spotlight.

PHOTO KIRSTY GRAHAM 040711-KG-049

“Sometimes you can’t say no to things. You try and get to most things because the district is pretty proud of you.”

“You are still who you are, and still the same farmer . . . but it opens up different opportunities and doors.”

The fame has not gone to his head, though. He has a business to run.

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He and Kimberley may manage a short honeymoon north after they exchange vows on December 10, but the next real break for this top young farmer will have to wait until the milking season is over.

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GUARDIAN FARMING

Learning to celebrate success Neal Shaw, ATS Chief Executive

C

elebrating success doesn’t always come easily to us as a nation, although the recent events following the All Blacks’ winning of the Rugby World Cup are an obvious exception. Maybe a 24-year drought provides the exceptional circumstances necessary to break our usual habits. Generally though, the great Kiwi knocking machine or Tall Poppy Syndrome makes sure we don’t get too carried away with celebrating our successes or blowing our own trumpets. But I believe there is a place for this, especially in business.

People like to be associated with a successful company and to receive an award of any sort is great public recognition of your business’ success.

business on its toes and also provide valuable feedback on how to improve your business and do things better.

Many surveys will tell you that recognition is perceived as the most important reward for success – and is often seen as being more important than monetary rewards.

Awards also create an opportunity to tell people about how good your business or organisation is and we shouldn’t be ashamed of that, or shy away from the chance to take part in such a positive process.

Receiving validation from a reputable and well known organisation is also a great way of attracting new customers or clients.

Another less obvious benefit of taking part and ultimately winning an award is the effect it has on staff morale. Being part of a winning team has a positive influence on staff attitudes and performance, resulting in happier customers who will be keen to repeat the positive experience of dealing with your staff and business. That creates a more positive cycle for customers and ultimately the business.

We have recently been involved in the long standing and well established Ashburton Business Association’s annual award process and we have also held our own inaugural Supplier Awards. It’s new territory for us but has proved invaluable for all involved.

Winning awards provide an ideal opportunity to stay one step ahead of your competitors. Anyone in business is always looking for that point of difference or that edge they may have over their business rivals, and winning an award may just provide that opportunity.

No matter what business award is up for grabs, the process and exposure gained provide many benefits for all participants.

There’s plenty of scope to create additional publicity for your business if you win an award, and the profile gained can lead to other marketing opportunities. Even as a nominee your business can gain valuable media exposure. It is about getting out in the market and creating a profile.

It isn’t always easy putting your business forward. There is a lot of hard work involved in entering and it can cost a business in different ways – through staff time and wages, and unbudgeted advertising. It may mean taking yourself away from the “coal-face” and your customers, especially in smaller operations. But I believe the benefits far outweigh these initial difficulties. There is often a lot of apathy around entering award competitions or putting yourself forward. A bit of this can be attributed to the fear of failure, but it doesn’t have to be the case as there are many positives to be gained.

The process of entering and putting yourself under the scrutiny of outsiders is also valuable. Just entering an award and filling out the application will force you to take stock of what your business is about, what it has achieved and what its future plans are. It takes courage and effort to put your business forward and allow it to be externally reviewed or audited by others. These practices keep your

Successful recognition can take different forms, from trade shows and expos to events as local as the A&P Show. All involve getting out of your general comfort zone to showcase your business or organisation. Many will still be a little dubious about putting themselves forward in such a public way. New Zealanders often struggle to do this – it can be easier to remain one of the crowd rather than poking your head up and risk getting knocked back. There’s an old saying that “success has many fathers while failure is an orphan” but I don’t think we should be limited by such thoughts. The reality is that awards and competitions provide an important and valuable opportunity to grow your business, sell your business and tell people about your business. It’s an opportunity that shouldn’t be missed.

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Page 7

Election 2011 - a rural perspective Kerry Maw

N

ow that the Rugby World Cup is over, we are quickly moving on to the next national drama cum soap opera series. Although somehow I doubt the final episode of this one will be quite as nail-biting. There will be the same assortment of actors faithfully delivering their lines, a few old-timers we thought had been killed-off ages ago will reappear, and a couple of new bright sparks will turn up in the hope of boosting the ratings. But overall, not a lot is likely to change. The General Election is fast approaching, and again we will be bombarded with candidates wildly promising all manner of new initiatives that will miraculously solve all the problems New Zealand is currently experiencing. Many of these policies are so broad and lacking in detail they can be interpreted in many ways, and probably will be after the election when the realities of implementation kick in. As usual the average voter will be left forgotten at the bottom of the scrum wondering what on earth is happening. Attempts to get clear, concise answers to important questions will come to nothing as candidates, the masters of spin, waffle on in reply and yet say nothing. Political commentators will analyse the performance of the major players, how

Another issue is the unacceptable shortages in the rural health workforce. Government and DHBs assure us they are working on this issue with the introduction of bonding schemes.

effective their policy promises will be, and make predictions on the voting outcome. Election night will arrive and we’ll all be sitting there in front of the telly with our chip ‘n dip watching the “worm� laboriously wriggle its way across the graph on screen to a destination most of us could predict with our eyes closed anyway. Perhaps I sound rather cynical. But it is frustrating to watch each election year as the same questions are raised by voters, promises are made by candidates, and yet in the following three years there is little or no headway towards positive outcomes. Take for example the issue of speed past schools and school bus signage. Rural Women New Zealand has for many years led the call to lower the speed past schools and have active flashing light signs on all school buses. And even though Government agrees it’s a good idea, they still have not acted to keep our rural children safe by legislating for these changes.

However in recent months we’ve seen the after hours GP service threatened in Temuka and Geraldine, the hospital midwifery service in Rangiora closed, and midwife services suspended on the West Coast for days at a time due to a lack of sufficient staff cover. These are only two issues that depict the challenges of living rurally. Other issues include: • The lack of rural representation on boards and local authorities. For example the Canterbury DHB has only one rural representative • The ongoing inequity of populationbased funding for services • The continuing negative impacts and disparities of legislation and policy. For example the recent Freedom Camping legislation protects public land but does not cover the rights of private landowners to protect their land from illegal dumping • Power companies using the highest spot price to average power costs is discriminatory to high users. Power costs should be averaged using the median spot price. • Unrealistic expectations for primary

producers to meet Climate Change obligations. Government should be seeking smarter, evidence-based solutions. For rural communities to be sustainable, the wellbeing and dynamic growth of those communities must be taken into consideration from the beginning of legislative development and policy making. There needs to be a greater focus on the development and retention of a skilled rural workforce. There must be better rural representation and consultation within decision-making bodies. Disparities between urban and rural sectors must be removed, and rural people and communities must retain fair access to all services. There are so many issues that affect rural New Zealanders and yet politicians continue to overlook and undervalue their needs. I hope that during this election campaign we will hear something new and innovative that shows a real commitment to the future growth and sustainability of rural communities. This time only comes around every three years. It is time to make a commitment to strengthening the rural backbone of this great country of ours. It is time for a party to pick up the ball and run with it. Let’s hope they don’t fumble and drop it!

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GUARDIAN FARMING

Where’s our native vegetation? By Mary Ralston – Forest and Bird

see what the dry Canterbury Plains originally looked like.

R

ecently I collected an American friend from the Christchurch airport and we drove back across the Canterbury Plains to Methven. He was amazed that at the end of that hour-long drive he still had no idea what the native vegetation of the area would have looked like.

Unfortunately, due to a series of misunderstandings, a stand of 50 kanuka along the roadside near the reserve was destroyed two weeks after the Living Legends planting day. These large trees represented about 25 per cent of the remaining Ashburton Plains kanuka, considered to be a separate and distinctive plains species. This is a significant loss.

Most of us are so used to our transformed agricultural landscape that we are no longer amazed by the lack of native vegetation. The cabbage trees along the Methven-Barrhill Road are distinctive, but most people would not recognise many of the other species that were once common on the Canterbury Plains because they are now so rare. But in tiny pockets of farmland and along some roadsides, remnants of native vegetation persist. This is often due to the good management of farmers who have recognised their value and rarity and have fenced them off to protect them from stock. Kanuka is a common native species in some parts of New Zealand and would have once been common in our district. Now there is hardly any left. The remaining patches are valuable fragments of our natural history and the farmers protecting them deserve our thanks. Recently there was a huge community

Cabbage tree on the Rakaia-Barrhill road. effort to replant kanuka on a reserve near Tinwald where some original kanuka is protected by a covenant. This was made possible by the Living Legends project – a collaborative effort from the Tindall Foundation, Meridian Energy, Project Crimson and the Department of Conservation to commemorate the Rugby World Cup by planting native trees throughout New Zealand. Hopefully the young kanuka will flourish and in the years to come we will be able to

This summer a survey of the plains will be made to identify remnants of native vegetation. As more and more land is irrigated and agriculture intensifies, the pressure on the remnants also increases, so it is important to identify these native pockets before it is too late. The survey will be funded by ECan and organised by the Ashburton Community Conservation Trust, the body looking after the kanuka reserve.

An old kanuka at Tinwald. that an important part of our heritage is disappearing. Let’s all look after the patches that remain and celebrate their value.

Everyone has mourned the loss of the historic buildings that have been demolished after the earthquake in Christchurch. On the other hand, the rare plants of the Canterbury Plains are slipping away without recognition

If any landowners have native plants on their land, members of the Conservation Trust are willing to come and help with identification and management. Please phone Val Clemens 308-5620 or Edith Smith 308-4440.

Benefits of reduced tillage ward winning Mid Canterbury farmers Eric and Maxine Watson have been a key part of FAR’s research into reduced tillage systems over the past eight years providing both trial sites and overall management on several large block experiments.

A

unproductive time to fallow periods when establishing the following crop • Earlier sowings resulting in greater productivity • Greater soil aggregate stability, preserved soil quality under cropping and reduced erosion.

Most recently the work at their farm has been focused on Grass 2 Crop, a project aimed at minimising cultivation following the grass phase in the rotation.

In brief, reduced tillage techniques have resulted in less cultivation passes, less full inversion of the soil (ploughing), no cultivation with no-till systems and in many cases reduced depth of cultivation operations.

Results on the Watsons’ Wakanui farm supported more detailed trial work being conducted at Methven, showing that The trend to less tillage is continuing as farm reduced tillage systems can be more effective machinery is updated and seed drills become than ploughing following the grass phase. more versatile or specialised depending on what reduced tillage system is being FAR says the trend towards reduced tillage adopted. techniques such as minimal tillage and no-till/direct drill in arable rotations, has The trend towards less ploughing has been resulted in a number of productivity and noted in the latest MAF SFF/FAR/Crop and environmental benefits: Food Research cropping sequence survey. • Faster (min/ha) and cheaper ($/ha) crop establishment • An ability to spread labour and machinery over more hectares • Shorter intercrop periods with less

s Ploughing

s Drilling

Numbers ploughing following grass having dropped from about 60 per cent to 50 per cent with corresponding numbers direct drilling increasing from about 15 per cent to 25 per cent compared to 2006.

GUARDIAN FARMING

Page 9

Premier Engineering An Ashburton Guardian advertising feature

Made of steel Story by: Amanda Niblett

L

ocated in Ashburton’s Industrial Estate, Premier Engineering is a father and son team dedicated to quality fabrication, repairs and maintenance. Ask them to build it, and they will, with the owners specifications being foremost. John and Gaye Rich recently purchased the engineering division from AIS (formerly Premier Machinery), where John previously worked. The services offered are the same as they were before, except now it is able to offer even more, with the flexibility to tackle new challenges. John, an a-grade diesel mechanic by trade, provides extensive experience in both maintenance and engineering fields. This competence is trusted by many locals, who take their machinery to this business. As a certified welder, he is able to repair and manufacture on heavy trucks and trailers. John also has practical farming experience, with Gaye and John recently down-sizing from a 100 acre block to a 20 acre lifestyle farmlet. Having owned and operated a country garage for 10 years during the 1980’s, both are aware of the need for timely and competitively priced repairs. John and Gaye’s son Zane also works at the business, after working throughout Australia and locally drilling and harvesting for contractors. Zane also has engineering experience, and between father and son, believe that they can make everything from a pot handle to a plough and more! “Engineering must be in our blood. My great grandfather and grandfather were blacksmiths, I still have some of the tools they created,� John said. Premier Engineering is experienced in repairing Duncan Drills, and specialise in the repair and fabrication of agricultural equipment, such as bale forks and silage grabs. They will also undertake repairs on any make or model of drill or implement.

Premier Engineering’s fabrications: a log splitter and marker arms.

John and Zane appreciate the urgency of what they do. They understand that when farm equipment breaks, it is imperative to get it repaired and up and running promptly. They prioritise urgent repairs, and aim to provide a better service than what was previously provided. Their commitment to this is shown by the purchase of a state-of-the-art medium sized portable mig-welder, combined with a new generator for more efficient on-site repairs. They also state during their initial set-up period, they are locating reliable suppliers, locally and New Zealand wide, who can provide quality parts, services, accessories and spares at realistic prices.

Premier Engineering offers an extensive range of services to dairy farmers too, such as building gates and hay feeders, and can repair, manufacture and maintain any other dairy farmer’s agricultural machinery. For quality welding and fabrication, Premier Engineering has the knowledge and experience to keep your machinery working 100%. No job is too small. Flexibility and diversity allow Premier Engineering to work hand-in-hand with their customers whatever the job may be. Premier Engineering will strive to grow and will always pursue top standards of workmanship and honest, friendly customer service.

DONALDSON

CONTRACTING ‘Focused on quality feed ds’

CULTIVATION & DRILLING 5m He-Va Combi Tiller with Disc roller in front of 5.3m Hubbards Cambridge Roller ‡ P.J. Green Air Seeder ‡ Seed blown in front of the ridler, OHIW ¿UP LQ &DP EULGJH UROOLQJ

‡ GPS Auto Steer ‡ ([FHOOHQW VHHGLQJ DFFXUDF\ RI %UDVVLFDV JUDVV VHHGV FORYHUV

Intr In trod o uccin ing g th the e fir fi stt Kro rone ne 1 129 29 90HDP P (Hiigh gh de ens nsitty pr p es ess) s)) 4x3 4x3 x3 baller er in tth he So Sout uth th Issla land and nd.. This can Th This an p pro ro odu ducce e2 25% 5% heavi 5% eavi ea vier vier e bal a es es,, im mpr prov ovin ing in g b leag ba le eag ge q qu ual alitty an alit a d sa savi ving vi ing n on co cost sts. st s.

Contact Andy for an obligation-free meeting Andy Molloy 027 249 0722 or 03 302 6070 1129 Fords Road, Ashburton

For all your baling requirements Stuart 027 692 0455 - After Hours 3039 123 - 223 McKenzies Road, RD1, Ashburton

Premier Engineering Ashburton Ltd (Formerly Premier Machinery, a division of AIS)

Drilling & Cultivation

John Rich

Zane Rich

027 773 6552

027 460 4084

26A Robinson Street Riverside Industrial Estate Ashburton

s New competitive hourly rates s General engineering and repairs s On site service s No job too big or too small s All farm machinery repairs including drills (all makes and models) s Help to design and built to your requirements s Manufacture of bale forks, silage grabs and wood splitters s Free no obligation quotes and advice s CertiďŹ ed welding for your truck and trailer repairs s Friendly service by father and son team

UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP

Page 10

GUARDIAN FARMING

What to look for when buying a tractor An Ashburton Guardian advertising feature

Kubota Roadshow

Power Farming growing

T

he Power Farming The company offers a Group is the largest wide range of high quality independent, agricultural products privately owned importer sourced from leading and distributor of suppliers around the world. tractors and agricultural machinery in Australasia. Power Farming is on the Formed in 1978, Power move in the South Island Farming continues to with a new Ashburton expand, with partial or retail branch which opened whole ownership of 14 its doors in August. Power Farming is agent retail outlets nationwide for Deutz tractors. and moving successfully In July 2011 Power Farming into the Australian marketplace 11 years acquired the agricultural component of ago. AIS in Ashburton. This specifically excludes their combine harvester and truck servicing Overall the Group employs around 400 activities. people in its wholesale and retail divisions with a network of dealers located in every Situated on Alford Forest Road, Power major farming area, bringing the annual Farming Ashburton can provide farmers turnover to over $300 million. and contractors ready access to sales and support service for the full range of Power Parts warehouses hold over 100,000 line Farming tractors and implements. items and with a team of experienced service technical staff Power Farming can With a modern workshop and up-to-date offer parts and service support to every training, six mechanics are available 24/7 one of its dealers 24 hours - 7 days a week, for all their customers’ needs along with six ensuring customers receive the best service vehicles ready to provide on-farm service possible in the quickest time. servicing.

T

he Kubota Roadshow is hitting Ashburton on Wednesday, November 16, showcasing its impressive range of powerful machinery for the farm. The team at Gluyas Motor Group will have an impressive display at the Kubota Roadshow, displaying a range of its exciting new agricultural machinery. Its range of new-model Kubota tractors will be fully operational, and fitted out with Mailleux front-end loaders, front linkage, PTO assembly and a MX bale spike. This roadshow is an opportunity for keen farmers, contractors and interested people to come and have a look at these impressive combinations in action, with

the opportunity to test-drive the latest models that Gluyas have in action. Gluyas Motor Group will also have a fantastic range of FELLA products on demonstration also. The FELLA tedder is renowned for its thorough mixing of forage with an outstanding spread pattern. The FELLA swather rake has an intuitive design which gathers effectively, making baling easier. Gluyas will have FELLA tedders, rakes, and front and rear-mounted mowers with conditioners, all available for demonstration. This is a fantastic opportunity to witness these exciting products all being used together in the field. For more information, phone Gluyas Motor Group Ashburton on 307-5800.

Power Farming Wholesale also handles all warranty claims for tractors and machinery and has worked hard to expand warranty and service guarantees.

With Combine harvester parts and servicing also available you can also be sure Power Farming Ashburton can keep you running through the busy grass season.

TOP RANGE OF TRACTORS

ALL REPRICED & PRICED TO SELL Case IH MX 110 6 cylinder only arrived in August $38,000 ALL EW LD Case IH MXM 170 SO New tyres/duals. Tidy tractor. NZs Best Buy! $55,000 NZ NA DY E Case IH CVX 130 (2 available) Vari transmission, low hours & R W! 5 years paperwork. Loader avail at extra cost NO From $59,000 Case IH CVX 150 Only 3900 hours. In tidy cond. Repriced to sell – was $85,000 000 $69 $69,000 000 Case IH MX 285 SOLD New! powershift, new duals all round, unreal value! $115,000 Case IH Puma 210 Latest model, like new, low hrs, save nearly $60,000! $145,000 Case IH MXM 155 Puma New powershift, 3500 hours. Just arrived! P.O.A Case IH MXM 175 Powershift trans, good tyres, 4,500 hours. REDUCED! P.O.A Deutz-Fahr M615 DEMO 150HP Deutz engine, fully spec’d, suit new buyer P.O.A Deutz-Fahr TTV630 DEMO 224 real HP, vari transmission, fully spec’d, Front linkage/PTO, air suspension cabin, 50kph, 20+ working NZ Wide, suit new buyer P.O.A John Deere 6420 SOLD Premier IVT Vari transmission, 125hp, ďŹ tted with as new high spec loaders, only 4-5 seasons of light workk $75,000 Kubota M105X 2008 8 speed powershift 8x2, cabin model with as new loader. Suit new buyer P.O.A McCormick XTX200 (2 avail) As new with 1500 hours, the other has 3000 hours, high spec front/cabin suspension, 32 speed 8x4 powershift trans. From $98,000 McCormick TTX230 As NEW! Front & cab suspension, front linkage/PTO SAVE $35,000 P.O.A McCormick TTX210 NEW! Full spec 8 speed powershift 32x32 trans P.O.A McCormick TTX210 Full spec 8 speed powershift 32x32 transmission, 1700 hours, front linkage, excellent condition NZ best buy! P.O.A McCormick XTX165 DEMO Good spec, suit new buyer, loader avail.Save $25,000! P.O.A McCormick MTX150 NEW Latest model w cab susp, good savings from new P.O.A McCormick MTX150 (2 avail) 1000/1500hrs with Trima H.S loader save $50,000 P.O.A McCormick XTX145 NEW Semi 8 speed powershift, latest st model, high spec with E valve etc, powerboost 158HP. NZ Best Buy – save around $30,000 P.O.A A New Holland TM175 Very tidy, good tyres. Reduced to seell was $85,000 $75,000 Versatile 250 DEMO. Duals, 250 PTO HP, S/steer $199,000 Versatile 280 NEW! Full powershift, high spec duaals. Cummins power! P.O.A All Prices exclude GST

For more information: mation:

76>,9 -(9405. (:/)<9;65 233 Alford Forest Road, Ashburton Neil Stuthridge hridge

GUARDIAN FARMING

Page 11

What to look for when buying a tractor An Ashburton Guardian advertising feature

B

uying a tractor, new or used, is a big investment – whether you are a commercial farmer or the owner of a lifestyle block. Tractors have bulk and power and are one of the most important tools on the farm. So getting the right one is important, it is an expensive purchase and one that can last 10, 20, or 30 years or more. First things to decide: How much horsepower? What features are most important? Which attachments are the most useful? How can you choose the right dealer? How much you can expect to pay? Tractor capabilities overlap with those of skid steer loaders, mini excavators, and loader/backhoes. There are three main points to consider when choosing which type of equipment is right for you: Flexibility - Skid steer loaders and tractors are designed to power many kinds of attachments, while excavators and loader/backhoes are dedicated to the specific tasks of digging and loading. As a result, the specialised machines are more efficient at their specific jobs, but the generalists are useful in more ways. Surface impact - Skid steers and

excavator tracks can wreak havoc on grass or loose surfaces. In contrast, even fairly substantial tractors equipped with the right tyres can work on these types of surfaces without doing noticeable damage. Coverage area - Since they can move at faster speeds, tractors are more appropriate than skid steers for work that involves covering a lot of ground, like mowing or ploughing. What is your application? Once you decide that a tractor is the right purchase for you, think through the specifics of what you’ll need it do and the environment you’ll be using it in. Some points to consider: What kinds of surfaces will you be using it on? Landscaped grass, loose gravel, muddy fields, pavement? Will it be used mainly on flat ground, or hilly terrain? What attachments will you use? Are there any limiting factors on the size or weight of the tractor? (Gates, garage doors, narrow paths, small bridges, trailers) Do you need to drive it on open roads or over long distances? Will the tractor be used day or night? In cold, hot, rainy, or all weather conditions? Knowing the answers to these questions will help narrow your choices as you begin to talk to tractor dealers.

Enclosed cabs As in other types of small construction equipment, enclosed cabs are becoming a more popular option with new tractors. Enclosed cabs can greatly increase operators’ comfort level when working in scorching sun or freezing temperatures. Like 4WD, cabs add a significant amount to your initial purchase price, but also boost the resale value down the line. They can be fairly basic “an enclosure and a heater only” or totally decked out, with air conditioning, a stereo, and other comforts. Choosing a tractor dealer Buying a tractor involves more than just choosing the right model and the right attachments: you have to choose a tractor dealer you can work with for the long term. Like any piece of heavy equipment, your tractor will wear and eventually break, making your relationship with the dealer important. Having warranty coverage on your tractor isn’t worth much if the dealership can’t do the work you need. Ask potential tractor dealers about their service policies. Relatively simple tasks like changing the oil, replacing filters, and lubricating joints are an essential part of extending your tractor’s lifespan, and many tractor

owners choose to take care of routine maintenance on their own. But in addition to repairing breakdowns, your dealer should also help with this type of preventative maintenance. They should provide you with a detailed maintenance manual, and walk you through the basic maintenance procedures if necessary. They can also be your source for the parts and supplies you need to keep the tractor running smoothly. Handling this routine maintenance isn’t difficult, but it does require that you stick to a schedule. Because regularly scheduled maintenance is so important, it can make sense to purchase a maintenance contract. For a small yearly fee, the dealer will make sure all required maintenance is done right and on time, either at your location or theirs. Because tractors are so reliable, there is high demand and not much supply for used equipment. Used tractors that are in good shape don’t sit long on dealer lots and used tractors in rough shape are not worth buying. If you can find a used tractor that meets your needs, you may be able to get a good deal. However, by the time you include a warranty and financing charges, the total price could be close to that of a new tractor.

COCHRANES

your farm machinery specialist

Page 12

GUARDIAN FARMING

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GUARDIAN FARMING

Google ‘everything irrigation’ Contributed by IrrigationNZ – www.irrigationnz.co.nz

G

oogle it! How those two words have changed our lives. What you can’t find on the internet is not worth finding and even some that you can find is not worth finding! But there is no doubt the internet is one powerful tool that is revolutionising how we all do business and make decisions. The power of information is at your fingertips with the click of a mouse. As a farmer, the information and services you use every day of market reports, online purchases and sales, weather forecasts, news feeds, river information, communication and much more, makes working and living on the land more enjoyable and less complicated.

The website aims to draw together in one space all the relevant bytes of information and services that an irrigator may use, and much more beyond. So to cover the bases the site is called “everything irrigation”. The concept started with a desire to have benchmarking information that is being calculated from irrigators in the district publically available.

With the advancement of technology who knows where it will end up.

Data that is being collected this irrigation season from selected farms will show three benchmarks relating to:

IrrigationNZ is designing a website to fully utilise the opportunities that the net presents for irrigators.

• production per mm of water applied

The website is part of the Sustainable Farming Fund ‘Rakaia Selwyn Benchmarking and Audited Self Management’ project.

• and a hydrological measure of what percentage of time the soil was within the range of field capacity and the stress point.

• energy, $/mm water pumped

The website will also contain a simple tool for irrigators to enter their own data to enable them to see how they match up with their mates, neighbours and peers.

portal for all sorts of information that could be useful from civil defence emergency information to links for the buying and selling of feed. You will be able to customise the site for yourself.

A core function of the site will be the display of up-to-date climate data from a network of climate stations, either existing or being installed. This combined with 10-day forecasts on the same graph will enable, at a minimum number of clicks and a quick glance, the user to see exactly what has happened in the preceding few days and what is likely to happen in the next few days.

‘Hortplus’ of Hastings is designing and building the site. They have a very good template that is being utilised by the horticulture industry and are confident that this concept will work equally well for the irrigated pastoral and arable industry.

Overlay this level of local data with soil moisture and water use data from onfarm and it will become a very useful scheduling tool. We don’t intend to reinvent the wheel so another useful area of the site will be all the related links to service providers, ECan river and resource information, soil maps and data, water budgets and much more. The idea is to have the website as the

They are working closely with IrrigationNZ and irrigators from the area to make sure that the site is easy to use and relevant to the users. Once the site is up and running the ambition is that it will become the default page that farmers click to without having to ‘Google it’ for different bytes of information vital to their business. So look out for ‘everythingirrigation. co.nz’ in the near future. It will be a developing site that will prove to be a useful economic resource for irrigators.

WATER WELLS 120 High Street Southbridge Tel (03) 324 2571 www.drilling.co.nz

quality, professionalism, knowledge

GUARDIAN FARMING

Page 15

Meet the water metering team N

ational water measuring and reporting regulations come into force this week, affecting all existing and future water-take consent holders with takes of five litres per second or more.

Colin joined ECan in early 2011, bringing with him more than nine years experience in the irrigation industry and an excellent understanding of flow meter installation. Before coming to New Zealand in 2002, Colin worked as an electrical manager for a large sugar estate and as a workshop manager for an irrigation company in Zimbabwe.

Existing consent holders have between one and five years to comply, depending on the size of their take, but people granted consents from November 10 this year will need to comply straight away.

In 2002, Colin began working as a serviceman for an Ashburton-based irrigation company. Following this, he joined KB Irrigation, where he worked in a number of roles including design, sales and management.

From November 10 next year water consent holders with takes of more than 20 litres per second need to have a water measuring and reporting system. Mid Canterbury farmers have had plenty of warning about the new regulations, but less than half of all surface and groundwater takes have had meters installed. Consent-holders are being urged to install meters well before the deadline to beat an expected rush. In New Zealand there are around 12,000 consents that require water measuring devices to be installed. About 42 per cent of these are in Canterbury – the highest regional proportion in New Zealand. If there is a last-minute rush on installations there could be a shortage of equipment and labour and installers may have to contract out services and pass these costs on to farmers. Environment Canterbury has a dedicated water metering team based in Ashburton that works closely with industry and the community to provide the necessary advice and guidance to make installing a measuring system as easy as possible. Team leader and water metering manager John Young said the Ashburton water zone had the largest number of metered takes of the 10 water management zones in the region. The zone has 1572 groundwater takes and 229 surface water takes, governed by 1211 consents. At the end of September, some 667 groundwater takes had been metered, with 636 data loggers/telemetry systems installed – representing 42 per cent compliance for groundwater takes.

Catherine Nguyen, Water metering advisory officer Catherine, a recent addition to the water metering team, started as a water metering advisory officer in August 2011.

Water metering experts (from left) Colin Bird, Catherine Nguyen and John Young. Those taking surface water have been slower to respond, with just 14.8 per cent installing meters.

of the Rangitata Diversion Race for 14 years. He also worked for the Waitaki Catchment Board and the Ministry of Works.

Mr Young said the numbers suggested there were about 1100 water meters still to be installed across the zone before the November 10 deadline next year.

Colin Bird Water metering advisory officer

He said water-take data was critical to understanding the water resource and ensuring it is being used sustainably. “Water measuring can help users understand how efficient their water use is, and whether it complies with consent conditions. It can also highlight any unused allocated water.� Farmers with questions should get in touch with the water services team. John Young Water metering manager As a trained hydrologist, John has extensive experience in the field of water management and has particular expertise in open channel metering, surface water monitoring and water infrastructure management. Before joining ECan, he was the manager

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Catherine has a degree in recreation management in parks and has worked at ECan for the past eight years in the resource management compliance monitoring section. She has been involved with compliance monitoring many difference resource consents and has specific skills in monitoring groundwater, surface water and domestic wastewater consents.

Page 16

GUARDIAN FARMING

The pH connection An Ashburton Guardian advertising feature

p

H is a soil condition you hear about a lot from “experts” – excessively so, in fact. Nevertheless, pH is important, and we should not ignore what it is telling us. pH measures soil acidity and alkalinity. And, as soils become more acid, grasses and clover do not grow as well. Which reflects why pH levels provoke so much interest in New Zealand’s grass-based agricultural system. The acidity or alkalinity of any substance is defined by pH using a scale of numbers from 0 (most acid) to 14 (most alkaline) with 7 neutral. Most soil pH varies from 4 to 10, but most crops do best in slightly acid soils (6-6.8). Soil pH affects the availability of nutrients, which may be connected with nutrient deficiencies and toxicities; it also determines the types of soil organisms and their ability to flourish – most bacteria, for example, cannot live in very acid conditions, whereas many fungi can. The traditional belief is that acidity is bad and should be countered by the application of lime. But it is important to remember that some acidity is necessary for plants to absorb certain nutrients from soil colloids. We should also remember that, when pH levels are above 6, the nitrogen-

fixing bacteria azotobacter can flourish; well aerated soil allows aerobic bacteria to grow, along with fungi and actinomycetes. But if heavy rain accumulates in a low area, air is excluded and harmful anaerobic, denitrifying bacteria are allowed to release nitrogen, while fungi actinomycetes and aerobic bacteria remain become temporarily dormant. It’s also worth noting that experts usually base their liming recommendations on one pH test. But testing several times a year reveals that pH can change significantly during a growing season. What’s more, fertilisers and soil conditioners have short-term and longterm effects on pH. So, as long as the pH does not reach extremes either way, testing and “correction” are less important than many people think. The use of lime to “sweeten” soil is a case of doing the right thing for the wrong reason. In fact, crops benefit more from the calcium they get from the lime than they do from pH control. Once soil pH drops under 5.8, the availability of organic nitrogen to grasses and molybdenum to clovers is reduced. As pH drops below 5.5, the amount of toxic aluminium and manganese in the soil increases, and roots do not grow into the soil. The result is that plants suffer

more when rainfall is low. While nitrogen fertilisers (except calcium ammonium nitrate and any nitrate fertiliser) do increase soil acidity, their effect is much less than photosynthesis and nitrogen.

requires 5kg lime/kg N to neutralise acidity – 112kg/ha lime per 100kg/ha ammonium sulphate applied; diammonium phosphate (DAP) requires 3.5kg lime/kg N (64kg/ ha lime per 100kg/ha DAP applied); urea requires 1.8kg lime/kg N (82kg/ha lime per 100kg/ha urea applied.

The Ministry of Agriculture & Forestry quotes these rules of thumb to determine the relationship between nitrogen fertiliser and ph levels: ammonium sulphate

MAF says that evidence from recent trials demonstrates that when soil temperatures fall below 6ºC when nitrogen uptake is low, the risk of loss from leaching rises.

MAF strategies * Match nitrogen applications to plant growth to increase N uptake by plants – nitrogen uptake increases during periods of active plant growth. * Avoid applying nitrogen during dry (drought) periods – dry periods reduce both plant growth and plants’ ability to take up nitrogen. * Avoid applying nitrogen after a dry (drought) period until sufficient regrowth has occurred after rain – this prevents the applied nitrogen from being lost before the plants are able to take up nutrients.

See the guys at R & R Haulage. We are one of the first companies in New Zealand to use the GPS – based technology.

44 Methven Chertsey Road Ph 302-8650 - Mobile 027-445-2355

* Ensure that applied nitrogen is in proportion to other nutrients, according to plant requirements. The application of nitrogen will increase plant growth and the uptake of other nutrients; but, if too much nitrogen is applied relative to other nutrient requirements, plant growth will

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be restricted and the efficiency of nitrogen use reduced. * Consider using nitrification inhibitors, especially on camp areas. In areas where animal urine is deposited, nitrification inhibitors reduce nitrate leaching and increase the amount of nitrogen available for plant uptake. The overall effect is to reduce nitrogen loss and increase dry-matter production. * Ensure that soil fertility and pH levels are at economic optimum for the individual farm before embarking on high nitrogen use. Increased use of nitrogen increases the uptake and export of other nutrients, and may result in pH changes. Use soil tests and nutrient budgets to establish optimum soil fertility and pH levels. * Ensure that your farm system and infrastructure allow the full use of extra pasture growth.

GUARDIAN FARMING

Page 17

Ashburton

Industrial Estate

Irrigation business moving forwards Story Amanda Niblett

Plains Irrigators Ltd – ZIMMATIC - should be your first choice. Plains Irrigators Ltd has been operating in the South Island since 1995, and will provide you with the right solutions and on-going service for your irrigation needs. Plains specialises in the design, sales, installation and service of Zimmatic Centre Pivot and Lateral Move Irrigation Systems. The company is now based at 25 McNally Street Ashburton, having moved from Rangitata to Ashburton in 2001. The second branch at Washdyke, Timaru, opened in November 2010, and this has been a very exciting year, far exceeding company expectations in South Canterbury and North Otago. The premises seem quiet, but the large amount of work generated here and completed in conjunction with the Ashburton team has proven to be very successful. Plains has employed skilled staff in key positions. A versatile and experienced sales and design team covers both branches with the ability to provide innovative and workable modifications to new and existing irrigation systems. The experienced, committed team of engineers and service technicians, several of whom have worked for the company for over 10 years, are out every day responding to the needs of the rural sector. They have the broad knowledge base to service the Zimmatic brand in which they specialise, as well as other brands of irrigation systems. Plains Irrigators is very well able to assist clients to respond to the new water schemes and proposals in the future.

Photo Tetsuro Mitomo Andrew Johnston and Graeme Cooper.

“Keeping up with the latest technology and being able to offer it as an affordable option to the farmer is a key solution in reducing costs and increasing productivity,” says managing director Graeme Cooper. “Talk to our professional team today, to take your irrigation system to the next level of performance.”

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Pumping station.

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Design, Install and service • Installation and repairs to hydraulic hoses • Service & supply of hydraulic components • 24 hour - 7 day service Paul Fergus 39 Robinson Street, Ashburton Phone 308 8848, pfergus@xtra.co.nz

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Page 18

GUARDIAN FARMING

Monthly musings John Leadley

Y

es we have done it. The Rugby World Cup is over, and didn’t WE do well. Firstly on the playing field – especially as so many “key� players were injured, and secondly as host nation. After what could only be described as a difficult year as a nation we really pulled together and showcased New Zealand to the world! Hopefully the payoff in tourism dollars now and into the future will help us to forget the huge cost to the nation of hosting the event. World Cup Minister Murray McCully’s acknowledgement that the $400 million plus hosting cost was a good investment has yet to be proven in my view. I’m old enough to remember well the All Black teams of 40 to 50 years ago when rugby was an amateur sport played by all and sundry. Players like Skinner, Hazlett, Gray, Clarke and Meads brothers, Lochore, Wylie and hundreds of other manual workers made up the bulk of the team. Much of their training consisted of 10 or more hours of consistent physical daily endeavour. At the same time the New Zealand Rugby League team consisted of a majority of miners, forestry and other “black singlet� type workers. Neither code seemed to experience the high injury tallies that are so prevalent

with our professional players of today. Perhaps there’s a message there in respect of conditioning and general health! And who can remember a national sporting representative of any code failing to front up for play because of a stomach upset, 30 to 50 years ago? I ask you! Professionalism in sport has certainly changed attitudes in respect of participation. The International Rugby Board, (IRB) certainly has some challenges to address before the 2015 event in England. If the game is to expand in popularity surely there is an expectation that at the very highest level all teams will be given equal opportunity. This was clearly not the case this time. The anomaly of minimum times between games for second tier teams compared with the “seeded� nations must be changed. Pacific Island teams and others had every right to be miffed with a fourday recovery period between matches compared with minimum six days for “favoured� teams. This was never better emphasised than Tonga’s wonderful bruising defeat of France, and then having to play again after four days. It’s tantalising to consider a World Cup where all the big six would release overseas players to their national teams for the tournament. I suspect a free scoring crowd pleasing Cup would result.

Help farmerrs in one e of NZ Z’s mos st a ue entt farmin ng markets make e infforme ed dec cision ns abo out you ur prod ducts and service es by eng gaging g our adverrtis sing g team to produc ce a supp pleme ent espe ecially for you Your message will be delivered to o every farmer in Mid Canterburry and additional copies made availab ble to you for your event or to se end d to your da atabase Our fully qualified graphic designers and feature writer are able to create advertisements and editorial especially for your business at no charge. We will also create an online digital edition of the supplement for you to email to your entire database of clients; when a client clicks on your advertisement they will automatically be directed to your own website. To view previous glossy supplements published and distributed by the Ashburton Guardian visit www.ashburtonguardian.co.nz, click on the ‘Feature Publications’ tab and read recently published Ashburton Guardian online digital editions.

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For further information, contact Nancye Pitt • Advertising & Marketing Manager Ashburton guardian • 021 222 3005 or 03 307 7974 Email. nancye.p@theguardian.co.nz

Those with a motivated work ethic should be encouraged, not financially penalised. The current situation requires more than tinkering at the edges. It’s my firm belief that it’s time to introduce a four-yearly electoral cycle. Only then will the government of the day feel they have a mandate to make the radical difficult decisions needed to push this country back up the list of the OECD nation’s economic wealth.

As for the nonsense of wrong mouthguards, reporters with wrongly labelled laptops, covering up logos on our vital St John vehicles and other nit-picking financial penalties, all seem over the top. Everything seems just too hard in this professional era. And we tell our children it’s just a sport. * * * As the world rests on the cusp of another global depression, the level of frustration between the so called “rich� and the many genuine “poor� seems to be gaining momentum. Fortunately protests and riots at the level of Greece, Britain and even parts of Australia have not reached similar heights in New Zealand. Signs of discontent like protest occupations of public land in our major cities are a worrying trend however. Now that the rugby extravaganza is over it surely is time to focus on the General Election and voting referendum later this month. Our triennial opportunity to influence public policy should not be taken lightly even though political pundits seem convinced the outcome is a foregone conclusion. It would be wise to remember 90 per cent of the rugby betting public foresaw an All Black finals victory by at least 10 to 20 points. Not the case! Nothing is certain in either politics or sport. I have real concerns that the incumbent government seems almost disinterested in broadening the taxation revenue base. A system that relies so heavily on taxation of salaried and wage earners does little to close the gap between the “haves� and the “have nots�. Juggling effective tax rates between income groups risks discouraging the real achievers.

Capital gains tax practised in many, if not most democratic nations would be a good first step, and need not be complicated. Unlike proponent and successful financial guru and philanthropist Gareth Morgan, I would exempt the family home or business premises. It’s difficult to understand the lenient enforcement of capital gains tax on investment purchases of property or share trading. Surely this money would be better in the bank where it could become available for borrowing by first home investors, research and development of agriculture or tourism expansion. There’s a real need to incentivise percentage home ownership as it continues to decline to a 10 year low. Speculators seeking capital gain and taxation relief from depreciation do little to keep first homes affordable. Undoubtedly we need a significant pool of rental accommodation, but a decline in percentage home ownership of 2 per cent every five years is just making a burden on working people in 20 to 50 years time. Why not revisit the subsidised first home mortgage scheme that enabled most of those now on universal superannuation to climb the ownership ladder? While Kiwisaver has gone some way to encourage savings much more could be done to encourage prudent long term financial planning. Maybe if government via the welfare state, tightened the rules on student loans, unemployment benefits for physically able young people, self responsibility at an early age would become endemic. I see lack of community and self pride as a major concern for future governments. Despite the events of 2011 New Zealand remains a highly rated country of choice for high living standards. Let’s not compromise our future by bad decision-making in the short term.

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GUARDIAN FARMING

Page 19

By The Moon: November Forecast Ken Ring

S

ome ask, which is the real first day of summer, the 1st or the 21st of December?

About 4

Number of rain days: Precipitation potential times:

November 10th-12th, 21st-23rd, 28th

Mostly dry

November 1st-9th, 13th-20th, 24th-27th

Wettest periods:

November 10th-12th

Warmest maximum temperatures:

November 6th, 9th, 16th-17th, 26th-27th

Coolest maximum temperatures: Warmest minimums:

November 13th-14th, 25th November 9th, 14th, 25th

Sunniest days: Best days for outdoor recreation: Cloudiest:

November 1st-9th November 21st-24th

Estimated precipation for Ashburton:

34mm

Rakaia:

42mm

Methven:

51mm

Estimated sunshine amount for Ashburton:

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November 12th November 11th, 21st

Coldest minimums:

101006C7028

But December 21st is not the closest sun’s distance. This occurs when the Sun’s rays are closest to the Earths equator. Called perihelion, the day of sun-closest-to-earth Actually it comes down to personal choice. occurs in the first week of January, in 2012 on There is no authority deciding which is 5th, which is a fortnight away from solstice. the first day of a season. Most folk in New Perihelion is about distance, solstice is about Zealand and Australia change seasons on the declination, or tilt. Confused? It gets worse. 1st of December just to tidy up the calendar, with December, January and February called According to the moon, summer is when our summer months. That puts mid-January new moon rises at its furthest point south, the southern declination. This summer that as the middle of summer. day is December 25th. But it will probably The old astrological view was that when not be the midpoint of our summer weather, the sun enters Capricorn around December because heatwaves are expected in Sydney 21st the season changes to summer in the mid-January and in New Zealand at the southern hemisphere. Actually this year it end of February, but it could be about the is on the 24th. The astrological “signs� are midpoint of the northern hemisphere’s just divisions into 12 of the sky that the sun winter. Last year this moon-summer date was moves through in the course of the year. That December 6, and in 2009 it was December 17, would put midsummer at about January so there is a wide variation there. 24th, which is close to reality temperatureLogically, you would think perihelion would wise here in New Zealand. be the midpoint of summer, being the Exactly which day is the first day of summer closest point of the sun, such that the three has always been an issue for people who months of summer should sit equally astride work on the land. Think about how we talk perihelion, which, putting that January 4 was about things: “Last December was colder mid summer, would make the first day of than this December�, “last December saw summer around November 23, and the last big storms� etc. Meteorologically, records are day around February 2. kept and analysed on a monthly basis from But the date of earth’s perihelion drifts as the 1st to the 30th/31st, not from the 21stthe centuries pass. These two astronomical /22nd to the next. events are separated by about two weeks for The months are the way the ancients used us now, but they were closer a few centuries the moon to keep track of time, from new ago – and in fact happened at the same time moon to the next new moon because the in 1246 AD. As the centuries continue to pass, moon is regular, but there is a mismatch of these events will drift even farther apart. 11 days between the 354.24-day moon’s On average, one revolution of the earth year and 365.25 sun’s year. Taking the 1st of the month is just a convenient rounding out relative to perihelion is about 25 minutes mostly for economical planning and to make longer than one revolution relative to the December solstice. Perihelion advances one record keeping easier. full calendar day every roughly 70 years. Many other countries go with the true Perihelion – or earth’s closest point to the sun solstice time, so December 1st actually has – will happen at the same time as the March no relation to the summer solstice. Solstice equinox in about 6000 AD. It means that in is when the tilt of the Earth’s axis is inclined 12,000 years time the UK will have a wine most towards or away from the Sun. The industry and we won’t. summer solstice is when days are longest It could be said that there are two types of and nights shortest, with the day’s length seasons, one the scientific and the other the decreasing as the season progresses. “well, it feels like summer� type. A Northland Solstice occurs twice a year, when the sun cousin who farms near Rawene says (sol) literally stands still (stice) at the end of Northland has two seasons, wet and wetter. the daily process of appearing to rise ever So you cannot rely on the calendar, which can further to the southeast until it reaches be culturally changed away from astronomy the point at which it turns and climbs to events. You cannot rely on perihelion, a furthest rising point on the northeast because that slowly varies away from the horizon at the winter solstice, on June 21st, calendar. The moon is fairly constant, but when again it appears to stop and begin that too, varies each year within the solar its trek south again. Like the end points of calendar. You have to decide yourself. a swinging pendulum, the sun appears to slow and stop relative to earth’s rotation. The I personally take my start of summer from the observation of the arrival of the first blowfly word sun comes from the Indo-European into my house - and declare that day the word soldat, meaning south, so the sun was official start of another season for war. literally “that thing in the south�.

243 hrs (November average 181hrs)

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Page 20

GUARDIAN FARMING

Cartage feature An Ashburton Guardian advertising feature

The danger g zone Story b St by: A Amanda d Nibl Niblett tt

any of our transport operators have been trained in the transportation of dangerous goods, however it is handy for all of us to understand our responsibilities when arranging the transportation of these hazardous substances. Dangerous goods, otherwise known as hazardous materials, are any material, especially ignitable, corrosive, reactive, toxic, radioactive, compressed gas, or other hazardous material, that may pose a danger to people or the environment while in transit. We live among them in our everyday lives, often not realising the potential for harm these can create, especially when mistreated or combined with other hazardous materials. Items such as household cleaners and LPG cylinders may be classed as dangerous goods. When these items are shipped by an organisation who receives direct reward for the cartage, such as a transport company, there are strict guidelines that it must adhere to for the safety of people and our environment. These organisations have been fully trained in their responsibilities to safely cart hazardous materials, but if you are sending any item that is classed as a dangerous good, then there are some steps that you can take to ensure your own safety, and the safety of others who will be handling your item. Everyone involved in transporting dangerous goods has to comply with the relevant legislation. Responsibilities are allocated according to tasks, and you’re responsible for all the tasks you do.

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As the sender, or the consignor, you are primarily responsible for the labelling, packing and correct identification of the hazardous substance being shipped. If you’re a consignor, you must make sure the packaging is fit for its purpose, doesn’t contaminate or react with the goods and is strong enough to hold the goods without leaking (under normal transport and handling conditions). From the beginning of 2011, you must also comply with the UN packing instructions, which include details of types and sizes of packaging suitable for each dangerous goods product. You must also make sure dangerous goods are marked and labelled to identify the hazard. Packages containing dangerous goods must be marked or labelled to identify their hazardous properties. This warns everyone who handles or transports the goods, or who finds the goods in an emergency situation. For transport, dangerous goods are identified with a UN number, a proper shipping name and a diamond-shaped class warning label. Consignors must also supply a dangerous goods declaration. These are critical and required during an emergency situation to assist emergency workers in knowing exactly what they are dealing with. You can most often obtain a dangerous goods declaration form from the manufacturer of the product, but if in doubt, you can call your transport provider for advice before you request the transportation. When booking the item for collection, it is imperative to advise the transport company if it is a dangerous good.

Road accidents involving dangerous goods If you come across a crash involving a vehicle that is carrying dangerous goods, you will need to be extremely careful. Never make a rescue attempt unless you are sure you are not endangering yourself by coming into contact with dangerous substances. Park your vehicle in a safe area, off the road with hazard lights on to warn other motorists. Call 111 immediately. Have a look at the rear or front of the truck to see if there is a dangerous goods placard, the emergency services will need this information. Look closely for signs of dangerous goods spillage. Some liquids can give off a poisonous gas, so if you have any suspicion that any hazardous substance has been damaged, then keep your distance and advise other bystanders to do the same. If you are confident that no hazardous substances have been compromised, assist the driver where possible to give emergency services more information, and check the red pocket on the inside of the driver’s door. This will contain the dangerous goods declaration forms which contain information useful to emergency services.

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