Guardian farming july 2014 by Ashburton Guardian

Farming GUARDIAN

JULY, 2014

Champion Young Farmer

Pages 3, 4-5

David Kidd on his way to winning the Young Farmer Contest.

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Farming

Greg Martin

www.guardianonline.co.nz

An enjoyable duckshooting season debut hooks another keen hunter.

El Nino versus La Nina. Trying to predict the spring ahead is proving tricky.

P10

Cow barns and intensive farming methods make for interesting comparisions between Canterbury and Europe.

P16

New columnist Christine Summerville reminds farmers of the importance of keeping accurate hours-worked records.

P27

COMMENT FROM THE EDITOR

t’s hard to believe we are already more than halfway through the year. While that might be daunting it also signals longer days and shorter nights, which has to be good. So far the winter has been relatively mild, a point which our regular columnist Tony Davoren discusses on page 10 of this month’s publication. He asks where the forecast El Nino weather pattern has gone. The Young Farmers Contest is done and dusted for another year, and we review all the action on pages 3, 4 and 5. Talking of winners, we congratulate Mark and Devon Slee, the national winners of this year’s Ballance Farm Environmental Award – who created history for the dairy industry. Long time columnist John Leadley visited a Swiss dairy farm, which has been in the same family for 800 years, and records his observations of the country on his European holiday (pages 16-17). Closer to home, Mary Ralston looks at Canterbury’s braided rivers

BRASS AND FEATHERS

Tony Davoren

HYDRO SERVICES

John Leadley

RURAL COMMENT

Christine Summerville

WORK RELATIONS

Michelle Nelson

RURAL EDITOR

and their birdlife, and Greg Martin offers a lighthearted take on his introduction to duck shooting. In an effort to put the modern obesity epidemic into perspective, Lincoln scientists have learned we are not necessarily more sedentary than our early human ancestors – but we do eat more pizza. We also look at the role farmers have to play in identifying biosecurity risks with DairyNZ vet Anna Irwin, who has returned from specialist foot and mouth disease training in Nepal. Our new employment columnist Christine Summerville reminds employers of their responsibilities when it comes to keeping records, and paying accordingly on page 27.

CONTACTS We appreciate your feedback.

Email your comments to Editor michelle.n@theguardian.co.nz or phone 03 307 7971.

Advertising Email emma.j@theguardian.co.nz or phone 03 307 7936. Post Ashburton Guardian, PO Box 77, Ashburton.

The joys of duckshooting.

Page 8

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David takes Young Farmer crown D

avid Kidd is this year’s ANZ Young Farmer Contest champion. He was crowned on Saturday night, after a gruelling three days, which stretched the seven contestants mentally and physically. At the end there was just 28 points separating the seven. “It’s still all sinking in, but it feels absolutely fantastic,” David, from the Northern Young Farmers Club, said. Treading in the footsteps of his father Richard, who took third place in the 1984 Young Farmer grand final, just after David was born, he said he was determined to step it up a notch and do better. David also took home the Lincoln University Agri-Growth challenge. Second place in the overall contest went to Tasman’s Reuben Carter, who also won the Ravensdown Agri-Skills challenge while Dean Rabbidge of Otago/Southland placed third overall. The youngest competitor, 25-year old James Davidson of Aorangi took out the Silver Fern Farms AgriSports challenge, and East Coast’s Sully Alsop won the AGMARDT

Agri-Business challenge. The contest kicked off on Thursday at Lincoln University with a head-tohead challenge, where competitors auctioned livestock to a crowd of potential buyers and onlookers. The practical day challenge got under way the following morning, with skills such as match ploughing, windrowing, animal health, mechanics, assembling an irrigation system and building a miniature farm on the agenda. In the technical elements of the competition contestants presented a business plan, completed a panel interview and worked through an HR scenario. The day wound up with the gruelling Agri-Sports component, in which included driving a combine harvester, building an electric fence gate, covering hay bales, tying down a load, cutting a lamb into various cuts, using an LPG gas torch to create a logo. At the end of the day, the contestants were handed a speech topic to research and deliver at the sponsors’ dinner on Friday evening. By the time the crowds were filing into the CBS Arena for the sold-out

televised show on Saturday evening, it was a neck-and-neck contest, where David eventually edged out the competition to take the lead by just two points. He is a member of the Auckland City Young Farmers Club and the northern regional chair for New Zealand Young Farmers. He hopes his win will encourage other Northern Young Farmers members to take up the challenge. David thanked all his family and supporters for making the trip to Christchurch to cheer him on, and acknowledged his fellow competitors for making it such an enjoyable experience, making special mention to his new wife Janine for her dedication. He took home almost $70,000 in prizes. Final results: 1. David Kidd – Northern 303pts 2. Reuben Carter – Tasman 301pts 3. Dean Rabbidge – Otago/S’land 293pts 4. Dwayne Cowin – Wai/BoP 289pts 5. Sully Alsop – East Coast 288pts 6. Brad Lewis – Tara/Man 277pts 7. James Davidson – Aorangi 275pts

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Overall winner David Kidd

Photo Natalie Douglas

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099 Above: Aorangi supporters Nigel Woodhead, Amanda Kelly, Jelle Hendriksen and TJ Stewart give it all they’ve got in the tug-of-war. Below: The AgriKids competitors join forces for the big bark off.

209

Above: Agri-Sports challenge winner Aorangi’s James Davidson sends the dirt flying. Below right: Dwayne Cowin, Waikato/Bay of Plenty representative, loads the quadbike in the AgriSports challenge. Photos Michelle Nelson

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Left: Georgia Davies marks the Woolstone Park lowline cattle in the junior stock judging competition. Right: Young Aorangi supporters Ella, Jack and Hannah Greaves were there to encourage James Davidson. Below: Sully Alsop makes short work of his trench in the AgriSports challenge.

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Motivated yet humble winners M

ark and Devon Slee, National Winners of the 2014 Ballance Farm Environment Awards, will make outstanding ambassadors for New Zealand agriculture, says Federated Farmers president Bruce Wills. Mr Wills, a first-time judge on New Zealand Farm Environment Trust’s national winner judging panel, says while all 10 supreme winners vying for the award were great farming leaders, the Slees showed they had the exceptional communication skills required to champion New Zealand farming to a national and international audience. He says their Mid Canterbury business, Melrose Dairy, is an outstanding example of a high-performing, sustainable dairy operation. The Slees are achieving excellent production and outstanding profitability while remaining steadfastly committed to minimising their operation’s impacts on the environment, Mr Wills said. “Mark and Devon run a

New Zealand title: Mark and Devon Slee who took out this year’s Ballance Farm Environment Awards.

“

They absolutely deserved to win this competition and they will make excellent ambassadors for the dairy industry and for New Zealand agriculture in general

large-scale intensive dairy farming business on some of the lighter soils in Canterbury and this type of operation has been at the forefront of

the debate on the effects of dairying on the environment. But the Slees have shown great initiative and dedication when it comes to reducing

their environmental footprint, and they are excellent role models for other farmers to follow.” The Slees were early converters to dairying in the region and among the first dairy farmers to adopt pivot irrigation to improve water use. Simon Saunders, acting chairman of the New Zealand Farm Environment (NZFE) Trust and chairman of the national winner judging panel, said the Slees performed superbly during their interview with the judges. “They proved they have a very good understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand agriculture.” He said the Slees showed excellent communication skills and team work. “They are a highly motivated and skilled couple, yet very down to earth and humble. They absolutely deserved to win this competition and they will make excellent ambassadors for the dairy industry and for New Zealand agriculture in general.”

Mr Saunders said the judging panel, which also included Jamie Strang, Warwick Catto, Paul Lamont and Charmaine O’Shea, was “blown away” by the calibre of all the regional winners. “They are all great leaders and they should be very proud of what they have achieved. Listening to these people talk about their farming operations with such passion and enthusiasm gives me great confidence for the future of New Zealand agriculture.” Mr Wills, who is soon to step down as president of Federated Farmers of New Zealand, says judging the competition was an inspiring experience. “I found it a huge privilege to be able to sit down with 10 of New Zealand’s best farmers and hear them talk about their focus and commitment towards running a sustainable business. It’s clear that farmers have got the message about environmental sustainability. Change is under way and a new age is coming.” • Irrigation NZ comments on p29

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BRASS AND FEATHERS

here are quite a few things that make working as a lawyer in Ashburton a pleasure. There is the lack of traffic, the four-minute walk to meet someone at the Grocer for a coffee, and being able to pop home at lunch time to test-run the quad bike while munching on a sandwich. And then there are the things that I think only happen in regional towns where good sorts are keen to help, and happy to pop in for a chat. A few weeks ago I mentioned to a client that I had just begun my first season of duck shooting. Twenty minutes after our meeting had ended, the client was back in our reception inviting me to come outside to his truck. I followed onto the street where he opened up the boot and let out a muscular but friendly light brown labrador. “She’s fully trained. Anytime

Fun on the

Camouflage isn‘t just part of the fun, it’s the most imporant thing.

you want to take her for a walk up the riverbed, just come round and pick her up. Watch.” The client tossed his key about 20 metres onto the lawn of the neighbouring property. The dog sat, waiting for a signal. “Fetch.” She was off, and back, tail wagging. “Anytime you want to take her out, just let me know. She’s a beaut.” When I sat down at my desk, I was smiling. Great to be working here. That was the third memorable kindness associated with my first season as the holder of a game-bird licence. The other two were Bob lending Geoff his new irrigation pond, and

The view on the opening morning of the duck-shooting season.

Geoff inviting me along and teaching me how it’s done. Bob’s kindness included

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shed into place looking out over the water at the foothills. Later he went back with his

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Tips for an enjoyable duckshooting season

e water

chainsaw and some timber and put in a bench for us to sit on. Geoff ’s kindness involved

• Camouflage isn’t just part of the fun, it’s the most important thing. • The effective range of a shotgun is much less than you think. • Get yourself plenty of decoys, and a good caller. • Put in time to get to know your bit of water. • Ducks are great roasted, so pluck and gut a few – it’s not that hard.

Some of the gear required for duck shooting.

organising everything, and bringing along his collection of decoys, including his new

toy for the season which was (as his wife described), “a $200 duck that shoots water out its ass”. And that’s how I began by first season shooting ducks; Geoff and I sitting in a calf shed covered in broom looking out over Bob’s irrigation pond at Mt Hutt, Geoff ’s decoys meandering around in the occasional breeze, the new toy every now and then shooting water out its ass. It wasn’t by all accounts the most successful opening day. But we got a few, and it was an unexpectedly hypnotic experience to be sitting, waiting, for so long. We watched the dawn light the foothills. We sleepily

watched the glistening water as the sun hovered high in the north at noon. And then in the evening we watched the sun set directly behind Mt Arrowsmith. In between ducks cartwheeled in from time to time, often staying out of range. At some point I went back to kale paddock and had a snooze in the truck. Then it was the afternoon, and then all done. In the dark we stopped in at Bob’s to see how they had gone on his own pond near the river. We had heard them opening up at quarry at times during the day. What we didn’t hear, or smell, were the whitebait patties and scallops that had sizzled on Bob’s BBQ

at the back of his maimai. There were apparently lamb steaks and bacon too. But it was nearly as good just hearing about their day of culinary delights as we sat and drank a beer with them before heading back to Ashburton. A great day. Yes, great to be hanging out with good people having a fun time. And I think that sums up duck shooting, and that is why it is so easy to get hooked. And that’s why I am watching Trade Me for my own armada of decoys. I may even get one that shoots water out its ass. Brent Haywood (027 902 2299) Canterbury & West Coast Field Representative Jason Birchall (021 669 797) South Island Sales Manager

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The only sure thing with our weather Tony Davoren

HYDRO SERVICES

lmost the first month of winter has gone without much winter weather to show for it. Quite the contrary, compared to March to May, the weather has been relatively dry and somewhat mild. A little in reverse of the autumn and what was predicted. Where has El Nino gone one might ask? “To be or not to be . . .” is the opening phrase of a soliloquy from William Shakespeare’s Hamlet. “That is the question” followed immediately. In the soliloquy, a despondent (or feigning) Prince Hamlet “bemoans the pains and unfairness of life but acknowledges the alternative might be still worse”. A little like our weather in a way – we could be bemoaning “where has winter gone” or “be thankful that the alternative is mild dry El Nino-type weather” as has been predicted by the climate scientists. Predicted to

strengthen over winter and into spring and early summer. Not just here in Canterbury (or New Zealand) but also in Australia. Having just returned from a visit to family to Victoria, the talk on the land is all about the pending El Nino and the intensely hot, dry windy weather forecast throughout the summer. And worried they are because green is the colour and long is the grass and vegetation – perfect bush-fire collateral. So is El Nino here or is it still arriving? The Southern Oscillation Index or SOI (according to Bureau of Meteorology, Australia Figure 1) is not very convincing. Sure back in early 2014 the SOI was very strongly negative and building – any SOI greater than plus six for more than a couple of months, there is high probability of either La Nina (positive) or El Nino (negative) occurring. During El Nino, the trade winds weaken, heavy rainfall and flooding hit Peru, and, commonly, drought occurs over eastern New Zealand and Australia. So, wet on the West Coast and dry on the East Coast. There has been a couple of reversals in the SOI pattern (Figure 2 shows the weekly SOI values) since the beginning of the year: In January and February the SOI

was very strongly positive or La Nina – remember harvest time weather? Yes, such strong La Nina-like conditions typically bring above average rainfall for many area such as eastern New Zealand and eastern Australia. One could say, pretty much like we experienced. In early March and into April the SOI had an about face and became

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strongly negative, about the time predictions abounded for El Nino-like conditions having a high probability of occurrence in spring and summer 2014. Below average rainfall in March and April – no way. There was a predominance of NE, E and SE conditions bringing persistent and heavy rainfall events. Maybe a hangover from the strongly La Nina-

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like January and February? And now the SOI has reversed again with very strong La Nina values. Can anything be deduced from the SOI trends? Mostly that our weather patterns are volatile and that neither La Nina nor El Nino has set in to stay. The next month or two may indicate what might influence spring and summer. What has this all got to do with irrigation? Fair question. Just that we as a company consider the long-term predictions or forecasts seriously. It has a major influence on our preparedness for the 2014-15

irrigation season. In early May, El Nino was, if not a certainty at least highly probable. Hence we planned on being ready by August 1 and had spoken at the odd seminar and workshop, done a few CTV interviews discussing preparedness and the likely early start to irrigation. Are we still of that mind? Yes with caveat. The next few weeks will confirm our position – if La Nina continues to wane (it might be downward trending in Figure 2) and El Nino strengthens, we will have made the right decision. It’s all about planning and awareness – “to be or not to be . . .”

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Restoration funding offers value for money Article by Ashburton Zone committee

andowners are being offered help with planting and riverbank works in three streams in the Ashburton area so scientists can study how this improves waterway health. Ashburton water management zone committee chair Donna Field said $38,500 from Environment Canterbury’s Immediate Steps fund would help pay for site preparation, locally sourced native plantings and bank reshaping (to reduce erosion) as well as ongoing maintenance in the three streams. In the Ashburton zone around $300,000 has been allocated across 20 Immediate Steps projects, including these three. The landowners applied for the funding, and have already started work, at:

•

Boundary Drain in Islesworth Settlement Road (Lowcliffe) • The Harris C Drain between SH1 and the coast (Coldstream) • Ashburton Forks where the north and south branches of the Ashburton River meet (Methven) – see photo at right. Donna Field said the University of Canterbury Freshwater Ecology Research Group would help with restoration at each site. The group would then measure the success of techniques used to reduce the impact of pollutants in waterways. “We get value for money in this partnership between Environment Canterbury, Canterbury University and landowners,” she said. The study comes under the research group’s Canterbury Waterway Rehabilitation

Experiment (CaREx) which is developing and testing tools for rehabilitating lowland waterways. Funded by the Mackenzie Charitable Foundation since 2008, the project extends across 10 sites in lowland Canterbury. Immediate Steps funding The $10 million Immediate Steps biodiversity protection and restoration fund was launched in 2010 as part of the Canterbury Water Management Strategy. It provides funding and support for community initiatives to improve water quality across the 10 zones in Canterbury. If you want to find out more about what help is available under the Immediate Steps programme contact senior biodiversity officer Jodi Rees (phone 027 225 6396 or email jodi.rees@ecan.govt.nz ).

Money from Environment Canterbury’s Immediate Steps fund will build on a farmer’s work restoring this stream which flows into the north branch of the Ashburton River.

Local farming leaders win National Awards

aling farmers Mark and Devon Slee have won the National title in the 2014 Ballance Farm Environment Awards, announced at the Sustainability Showcase event in Christchurch. This makes it two years in a row for Ashburton district after Methven farmers Craige and Roz Mackenzie won the title last year – also having their names engraved on the Gordon Stephenson Trophy. The Ashburton Zone Committee congratulates the Slees on their win in which they competed with

Mark and Devon Slee.

the nine other regional supreme winners of the 2014 Ballance Farm Environment Awards. The committee recognises the value of the BFEA awards as they highlight that excellence in farming is part of the ongoing work to improve environmental management. The zone committee also had the privilege of working with the Slees and other local farmers – who entered the Ballance Awards – as part of the ongoing work to develop the Hinds Plains Zone Implementation Programme Addendum, and

look forward to continuing to work with them. Melrose Dairy – the Slees’ business unit – covers 1014ha with a milking platform of 660ha and over 2600 cows on three dairy units. The judges noted the operation achieves outstanding production and is an industry leader in profitability. They also said that Mr and Mrs Slee possess the outstanding communication and leadership skills necessary to spread the sustainability message to both a national and international audience.

Flood protection and drainage – what you need to know Article by environment cAnterbury

What is the Flood Protection and Drainage Bylaw 2013? This bylaw provides for the efficient management and operation of flood protection and flood control works by Environment Canterbury (on behalf of the 64 river and drainage rating districts throughout the region). The bylaw helps ensure both people and properties are kept safe. The bylaw controls activities near drains and watercourses, within floodways, near water defences, flood protection vegetation, hydrological devices and equipment, survey benchmarks. It also deals with any

unauthorised defences against water.

What do landowners need to do? If you are not sure whether your property is in a river rating district – and covered by the bylaw – call Environment Canterbury (see below). Landowners can also look online at the bylaw maps www.ecan.govt.nz/floodbylaw.

What work is allowed? If you are considering works or installing structures over drains or watercourses mapped in the bylaw (or within 7.5 metres of them) you should contact Environment Canterbury to find out if you need authority (there is no charge for advice and/or obtaining an authority).

The same applies for flood protection vegetation and/or stopbanks alongside rivers in Ashburton district. If you plan on clearing any vegetation on the margin of a river or undertaking any works between stopbanks or within 7.5m of them, you should contact Customer Services.

For more information Visit the website (left) for bylaw maps, guidance notes, and application forms. Make sure you check with Environment Canterbury before you start any work – otherwise you could be liable for prosecution and a potential fine. If you are unsure about anything to do with the bylaw – call Environment Canterbury customer services on Within the Ashburton-Hinds area there are about 400km of 0800 324-636. drains / watercourses managed by Environment Canterbury Advertising feature and covered by the bylaw.

Farming

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2 12

Close look at ATVs Close look at ATVs

www.guardianonline.co.nz13

Dedicating keeping you and your ATV safe

oor maintenance of ATVs has been identified as a contributing factor in a number of serious accidents and fatalities. Poor tyre condition and incorrect tyre pressures, faulty or inadequate braking (including parking brake mechanisms), excessive wheel and steering play, damaged towbars and faulty suspensions have been identified

“

dedicated Can-Am mechanic Rob Flanagan, offers both an in-store and an on-farm servicing and repair opportunity for existing Can-Am owners. This service runs between Banks Peninsula, Rangitata, and through to Canterbury hill country. “If you can’t bring it in, we will come to you”. We also have trained staff in store,

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Regular servicing and bike maintenance is something that must never be overlooked, as specifications are set to ensure both safety and maximise product life

as being common safety-related mechanical faults on ATVs in New Zealand. Regular servicing and bike maintenance is something that must never be overlooked, as specifications are set to ensure both safety and maximise product life. Each service is a comprehensive and scheduled plan and every kilometre travelled over a due service can be doing irreparable damage to your vehicle and costing you in the long run. At Can-Am Ashburton, we are dedicated to ensuring the safety of our customers, and the longevity of their Can-Am products. To ensure this is the case, our

to take you over various new Can-Am products and options for your ATV, SSV, or Spyder. We strive to be able to deliver the newest Can-Am products to our wide customer base. If you are interested in any of our products, we will happily organise a demonstration or arrange a time for a test ride. During June and July 2014, if you bring a copy of this article into Can-Am Ashburton / Stihl shop Ashburton, and organise a Can-Am service, we will throw in a free oil filter. Advertising feature

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2 14

Farming

Close look at ATVs

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Suzuki’s efficient and affordable 500cc Quad

handlebar-mounted switch assembly can also be used to select diff-lock, effectively connecting all four wheels together for maximum traction in tricky situations. With ample mud churning torque from its 500c liquid-cooled engine, the LT-A500X is never in the wrong gear, thanks to its intuitive automatic CVT system. Popular with car manufacturers, the CVT transmission uses a tight belt system. Where other manufacturers use the transmission belt as a clutch, Suzuki have a standard primary centrifugal clutch to engage drive, preventing premature wear and avoiding costly service repairs. This proven, low-maintenance system performs extremely well, requiring no oil or compter controls to operate. A high/low ratio gearbox is easily shifted using the control lever in front of the rider’s left knee. Reverse can also be selected using the same lever. Efficient fuel injection ensures frugal use from the

large under seat fuel tank, which also helps centralise the weight for class-leading stability. For added safety, Suzuki engineers have used tractor technology with a wet rear brake system. The rear brake, out of

harm’s way within the chassis rails just behind the motor, performs no matter what the conditions and combined with dual front hydraulic disc brakes gives the King Quad significant stopping power. Keeping the rider informed and safe is a digital instrument

display. Its simple to read LCD screen offers plenty of rider friendly information including an hour meter, fuel gauge and trip meter. Warning lamps include a reverse warning lamp and neutral indicator. Advertising feature

SAFER RURAL ROADS

RU RO R AD AL S

hen it’s time to survey the Quad market in search of your next farm ATV, Suzuki should be the name at the top of your shopping list. Very worthy of consideration, the new Suzuki LT-A500 KINGQUAD offers farmers market-leading specification and commercial quality engineering at a price that won’t break the bank. Currently on promotion for $11299+gst, this KINGQUAD was a confirmed top seller in its class for 2012 and is set to continue to sell well throughout 2013. Most noticeable about the KINGQUAD 500 is the quality of the ride. Unlike other manufacturers, Suzuki has chosen to fit independent, adjustable, long-travel suspension to all four wheels. And if you spend long days on an ATV, you will know that being comfortable is very important, so Suzuki recognise this with the fitment of an oversize T-shape seat. Easy to select 2WD/4WD is achieved with just the push of button. The

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Close look at ATVs

Polaris Ace ticks all the boxes M any of you will have heard of Polaris but what you may not know is that they are the No1 Seller of ATVs in the world. While the brand is relatively new on New Zealand shores, the Polaris company began in the 1950s making snowmobiles in the US. D&E is proud to be selling and servicing the Polaris range at both our Ashburton and Christchurch branches. In the last few months Polaris have introduced some exciting new models specifically designed for New Zealand conditions – The Sportsman Ace is one of those vehicles definitely turning heads.

Access to quality quads

up to 680kg. Its powerful 32hp lowfriction 330cc ProStar engine features fuel efficient, vibration-free power, with internal counter balance shaft, dual overhead cams, four valves per cylinder, and electronic fuel injection.

We have also developed agricultural farm bar kits for them which are proving popular ‘‘The Polaris Sportsman Ace has been designed from the ground up for safety, comfort and ease of use. New Zealand farmers these days have such a diverse range of staff, with all levels of operating experience, and the Ace is easier to drive than an automatic car and safer than a quad,’’ says Danny King, Polaris Sales Consultant. In the Sportsman Ace, Polaris has developed a tough farm vehicle, with a handy rear tray, capable of towing

Compact, comfortable, centralised seating is complemented by fully independent rear suspension and highperformance rear shocks. ‘‘These are not designed to replace the hard working Polaris Rangers, but to tick the safety box for general motorcycle jobs on the farm,’’ Danny says. ‘‘We have also developed agricultural farm bar kits for them which are proving popular.” Advertising feature

n 2009, rural Ashburton motorcycle dealership Spring Lynne began testing alternative quad bikes looking for competitively high standards and fairer prices. Directors John, Bruce and Ricky McKay visited Access Motors factory in Taiwan and were pleased with the quality of operations there. The 19-year-old Access factory supplies quads globally, including the top selling brand in the UK. Since then, Access has made amendments to suit the kiwi market from feedback via Spring Lynne’s customers. This year Access added a reverse warning signal for the 2014 AX700 model following Coroner Shortland’s recommendations from his 2013 inquiry into quad bike deaths in New Zealand. The AX700 was the pick of all the quad bikes tested by Spring Lynne. The features of the AX700 that impressed them were brighter LED lights and independent rear suspension for a smoother ride. It’s fitted with a drive shaft instead of chain drive for extra strength. And the 700cc power rating makes it powerful enough for intensive use on dairy farms.

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The features of the AX700 that impressed them were brighter LED lights and independent rear suspension for a smoother ride. It’s fitted with a drive shaft instead of chain drive for extra strength. And the 700cc power rating makes it powerful enough for intensive use on dairy farms. Access is now stocked at eight agents in the South Island. Spring Lynne carries a full parts inventory and special parts arrive promptly from Taiwan via air freight. The AX700 has a one year warranty.

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STRONGER Shaft drive instead of chain drive

Farming

2 16

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Observations from a European holiday John Leadley

RURAL COMMENT

uch has been made lately on the subject of farming sustainability – including some wordy definitions of the term. My rather simplified view is similar to my definition of a “good farmer” ie one who gains maximum productivity from the soil and water resource under care while maintaining or enhancing future productivity of the asset. Recent development of large-scale barn-type dairy farming certainly goes some way to meet the onerous but necessary requirements of nutrient management contained within the

Canterbury Land and Water Plan. I congratulate Pannetts Dairies Limited and others for their initiative and enterprise and their progressive and enterprising leadership in this important export industry. It is in no way surprising that Dutch migrant Willy Leferink is one at the forefront of this innovation, as the practice has been common on many European and Scandinavian dairy farms for generations. Last month as part of a six-week bucket-list European tour we had spent several hours visiting a Swiss dairy farm that has been in one family for 800 years. While the scale of 40 adult cattle, plus young stock, on 20 hectares was vastly different from Mid Canterbury, the stocking rate was similar. Most impressive was the average per head production from the 30 milking cows. Huge limousine/red swiss cross beasts averaged nearly

900kg of milk solids a head – figures few New Zealand herds would achieve. What is more the whole enterprise was entirely organic production, at considerable price advantage. The barn/milking parlour was a quirky mix of cobblestone floor and modern automatic back scratcher. Despite the short growing season and steepish nature of the land, 90 per cent of the feed was grown on farm with only organic maize bought in to add to the silage. The cattle were allowed to graze for five months but few bothered as all nutritional needs were met in the barn. The farm-grown netwrapped silage that made up the bulk was produced from native pasture over 100 years old – a mixture of grasses, red clover, paspalum, yarrow and numerous other undefined species which obviously gave a balanced diet. The other 10 adult cattle were a nucleus stud beef herd

of black kobe stock, sold at 18 months for an average €8000 a head. Organic of course. Effluent discharge was rigidly controlled and enforced by rules that make the CWLP nutrient controls look like New Zealand’s Alcohol and Drug policies. This 20-hectare farm continued to sustain two family units as it had done for many generations.

Twenty-five years ago we spent a day on a similar dairy enterprise in Denmark, except in that case there was no access to pasture at all, and the heat generated by the stock and the biogas plant digesting the effluent was sufficient to provide the energy for the two families whose only income was derived from the 24ha. Barn farming of dairy cattle is nothing new – but the scale

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Barn feeding in Switzerland.

here is challenging. I was hugely impressed by the Swiss and their people and economy. Unemployment at a high for them at 5 per cent, but an industrious workforce and obvious national pride was evident everywhere. Every square metre of available land seemed to be put to use in this largely alpine nation. Farms were small, neat and intensively farmed

with a variety of crops from sugar beet, olives, and grapes to forestry, cereals, vegetables and stock (mostly cattle). Roading and train transport was excellent with 2414 kilometres of road tunnels and rail tunnels up to 32km long producing an efficient transport system over passes up to altitudes of 2743 metres. The Julius Pass allowed a view of the remains of Julius

Caesar’s house. The steepest rail track we travelled on was a doublecog line rising 48 degrees vertically for 4618m and amazingly established with steam in 1889. Throughout Switzerland, environmental awareness was evident everywhere with electric and hybrid cars common and all diesel vehicles required to cut their motors while stopped at red lights to avoid pollution. Two weeks spent in Italy provided a somewhat contrasting scene and a constant reminder that unemployment in this nation of 30 million people is at 13 per cent, with many beggars in every region visited, and little national pride visible. In the 2500km travelled my observation of farming was that much of the rolling land available was far from fully developed, but admittedly the soils were heavy and clay bound. Huge areas were planted in barley, most of it used in coffee production and as a health food supplement for children, by way of silage production. Crops were however often badly infested

with wild oats reminiscent of Mid Canterbury 30 years ago. On the better-irrigated soil types good crops of maize, rice, sugar beet, wheat and other cereals were visible, but the almost total absence of livestock surprising. Fences were nonexistent. It was intriguing to see a 20ha plot of maize irrigated by drip feeders in every row. Surely a win for the pipe company. I was told that the Italian sheep flock was shorn annually by the Australasian sheep shearing team on its way to World Competition in the United Kingdom, taking only a month. A considerable area was devoted to forestry with olive, nut, tobacco and grape crops also evident, along with citrus and other fruits. It would appear that membership of the European Community has provided Italy with few favours. Three years ago, the age of entitlement for the pension was raised overnight from 60 to 65 years and a recent decision to further increase it to 67 was met with derision. This does little for employment levels. Maybe there is a message there for New Zealand’s policy makers? While 4000km of road

travel can only provide a cursory view of a nation’s prosperity, my observations of these two nations are, I believe, backed by statistics. Certainly the Swiss are one of the highest taxed economies in the world, but their standard of living and pride is enviable. It was somewhat surprising to see a long-term neutral nation with such a wellorganised defence force hidden in massive semi-underground structures across the land. Italy by contrast has a large number of dilapidated buildings and structures in both urban and rural areas, appears dirtier and more unkempt. We were continually advised to be aware of pickpockets and personal safety. Beggars were common. It was disturbing to see children on their way to school smoking, and poorly maintained vehicles belching fumes. With the future of the European Economic Community under something of a cloud with Britain’s David Cameron and Germany’s Angela Merkel battling over the future leadership role appointment, the World will watch the outcome with interest. Britain without EEC membership is unthinkable.

COCHRANES

your farm machinery specialist

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Braided beauties Mary Ralston

Photos: Peter Langlands

The upper Rangitata River and its distinctive braids.

36 Hickory Place, Hornby CHCH P 03 344 5645 Sales Maurice Jordan 0272 607 821 Terry Gordon 0272 60 7820 Service Dave Paris 0272 607 822 Parts Grant Legge 0277 056 837

FOREST AND BIRD

raided rivers are a distinctive part of our region. Crossing the Rakaia and Rangitata rivers is a common event but most people probably don’t realise that this type of landscape is rare around the world. They are only found in relatively young landscapes that have recently emerged mountains (such as New Zealand, Alaska, Canada and the Himalayas) and a high rainfall that sweeps the sediments from the eroding mountains before it. Once away from the mountains, the flood velocity decreases and the sediment fans out across the plains, forming gravel bars in between the channels of water. The South Island is home to 92 per cent of New Zealand’s braided rivers and of these 60 per cent are in Canterbury, so in Mid Canterbury we are indeed in the hot seat of braided river landscapes.

9a McGregor Lane, Ashburton P 03 307 6031 Sales Terry Gordon 0272 60 7820 Bede Prendergast 0277 066 682 Service Christoph Kalin 0272 607 833 Parts Dave Shaw 0272 607 001

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Braided rivers are highly dynamic entities – they constantly change depending on the rainfall in the catchment area. The gravel bars, islands, and ponds along the edges can be there one day and gone the next. This dynamic environment is a challenging place for birds – there is no stable source of food or reliable place to nest. Five groups of birds are found on our braided rivers: waterfowl, shags, shorebirds, gulls and terns, and passerines (perching birds). Some of these are native and some introduced. Many are generalists and found in other environments; shags for instance are found on lakes as well as on braided rivers, and ducks are found anywhere there is water. But there are also braidedriver specialists: that is, birds that are totally dependent on braided rivers. There are five species: the wrybill, black stilt, banded dotterel, black-fronted tern and the black-billed gull (not to be confused with the large, common black-backed gull). They have developed special characteristics that allow them to survive in this unpredictable environment, such as the wrybill’s curved beak that allows them to find

A female wrybill, a braided-river specialist.

prey under stones. These five species also have another thing in common – they are all in trouble, with declining populations and low breeding success. It is hard to believe that these birds’ existence is so

perilous given that there is so much habitat on a large braided river such as the Rakaia or Rangitata. But the reality is that the predators of these birds are PLUS MORE so widespread and many that the birds may have no chance

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riverbeds, water abstraction, and introduced plants such as willow, gorse and lupins that occupy nesting sites on islands within the riverbeds. Last month a one-day conference on braided rivers was organised by Braid, a group formed to bring together the parties involved in braided-river management and conservation. As well as disturbing statistics on the plight of our specialist birds, there was good news, such as the development of a new type of trap that may revolutionise the management of predators. Research results were also shared, such as a study on the breeding success of blackfronted terns and black-billed gulls. It was found there is a higher chick survival rate when the adults nested on islands. It appears that water is a deterrent to predators even if they can swim. Information such as this allows managers to concentrate their efforts of long-term survival without in places where the return management. will be greatest: if potential As well as predators, other nesting sites on islands are threats to the birds’ survival kept free of weeds, and there include disturbance during is a good flow of water in the the breeding season from river, nesting rate and chick INSTORE - COME IN AND DISCUSSand YOUR four-wheel-drive vehicles, adultREQUIREMENTS. survival may be people and dogs on the improved.

Guardian ASHBURTON

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The caveman and the couch potato T

hey are credited for the latest diet fads and lauded as exemplars of physical fitness, but were the cavemen and women of our distant past really the best examples of a healthy lifestyle? The modern epidemic of obesity and disease is often blamed on the rise of a sedentary society, in which we alternate between sitting at the office and on the couch, with only a car ride in between. However, in a paper on sedentary behaviour and chronic disease published in Perspectives in Public Health, two Lincoln University researchers, Associate Professor Michael Hamlin and Senior Lecturer Adrian Paterson, have highlighted that modern society isn’t necessarily more sedentary than that of early huntergatherers. They also argue that sedentary behaviour has an important role in society that was as useful to our ancestors as it is today. Mr Paterson, an evolutionary biologist, says

the pair looked at studies of activity patterns in huntergatherer societies that have survived into the present day. “It turns out that total daily energy expenditure between modern humans and huntergatherers is not significantly different,” Mr Paterson says. “Patterns of daily energy expenditure are different, in that our ancestors alternated days of high energy expenditure with lots of days just sitting around. Modern energy expenditure is a lot more even between days, without the extreme peaks and troughs. “One conclusion from this body of research is that problems like obesity are not necessarily because we have become more sedentary than our ancestors, but rather that we have much higher access to consumable calories.”

High intensity training key

Professor Hamlin, a researcher into the effects of physical activity and health as well as performance enhancement in athletes, says

Senior lecturer Adrian Paterson and associate professor Michael Hamlin.

our hunter-gatherer ancestors may have taken an approach to exercise that we are only beginning to appreciate again. “People argue that it is the rise in sedentary behaviour that is causing the chronic diseases we suffer from,” Professor Hamlin said. “But it may not all be about sedentary behaviour.” “In fact, if you think about the early hunter-gatherers, they probably sat around for long periods of time. But when they exercised, they exercised very hard.”

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WINTERING SHEDS

Professor Hamlin has conducted several studies with other colleagues in New Zealand and around the world highlighting that relatively short duration high-intensity training provides similar health benefits as longer periods of low intensity exercise. The pair say sedentary behaviour is far from a modern evil, caused by the rise of industrialised society. “Sedentary behaviour is not all bad,” says Professor Hamlin. “It was probably very useful

for our early ancestors. In winter they used it as a way of conserving energy. It’s also a way of keeping your territory and it helps to bond with mates. “So that might have been okay for hunter-gatherers, but how has it changed for modern people these days? People still use sedentary behaviour to find mates, to enjoy each other’s company, to enjoy leisure and have time out. So it shouldn’t be thought of as a totally bad thing.” “Looking at the huntergatherer societies that still exist today, they are just as sedentary as we are. In fact, we might be a little bit more active than them in terms of moderate or low intensity activity. But they certainly do a lot more long distance and harder activity. “They just didn’t have access to the same level of calorie intake as we do today,” Professor Hamlin says. So our caveman forebears may have spent as much time on the couch as we do – they just didn’t eat a pizza while doing it.

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Farmers key to P

Dairy NZ vet Anna Irwin has returned from Nepal after a training session studying foot and mouth disease.

revention against one of New Zealand’s biggest biosecurity risks – foot and mouth disease (FMD) – has been given a leg-up with specialist training in Nepal. DairyNZ veterinarian Anna Irwin has returned from Kathmandu, Nepal, where she was part of a five-day training camp run by the European Commission for the Control of Foot and Mouth Disease. She says the experience highlighted the pivotal role New Zealand dairy farmers play in detecting the disease early. “I found seeing the disease invaluable,” Ms Irwin said. “But it also brought home the importance of being alert on farms. Anyone working with livestock on a daily basis is in the best position to be our number one surveillance force. “Foot and mouth is one of our biggest biosecurity risks, so we need to be prepared. The quicker something is picked up, the better our response will be.” Along with farmers keeping an eye out for signs, their use of New Zealand’s

Irrigation Pump Sheds/Storage

A vet checks a lesion, suspected to be foot and mouth disease in Nepal .

biosecurity systems, such as NAIT (National Animal Identification and Tracing), will help prevent an outbreak.

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speedy foot and mouth detection Guide to foot and mouth disease • Affects all cloven-hoofed animals (eg cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, deer). • Is caused by a highly infectious virus. There is no cure. • It can be spread by saliva, mucous, milk, faeces and can be carried on wool, hair, grass, footwear, clothing, livestock equipment and vehicle tyres. It can also spread by wind. • Animals are typically

“It’s very important that farmers keep their NAIT records up-to-date, as animal tracing and accurate records are vital in any disease investigation. In any outbreak, the ability to reliably trace

animals saves so much time,” says Ms Irwin. “Nepal doesn’t have anything like our system in place, which makes it much harder to manage and control the disease when animals

move around so much.” If FMD were to reach New Zealand, it would damage the country’s trade reputation and halt virtually all exports of meat, animal by-products and dairy products until at least

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three months after the disease was considered eradicated. Led by the Ministry for Primary Industries, the Nepal trip provided training in the clinical recognition, diagnosis, investigation and control of FMD. “Foot and mouth is widespread in Nepal and outbreaks occur frequently there,” says Ms Irwin. “The training gave veterinarians, government officials and other rural professionals from foot and mouth-free countries

depressed, not eating, lame or reluctant to stand-up. They will have a sudden drop in milk production (in Nepal it was usually halved), will drool and chomp teeth. Animals usually have a high temperature in the early stages. • Vesicles (blisters) will rupture on the muzzle, inside the mouth, on feet (between claws) and on teats. some of the skills required for a potential outbreak.” Ms Irwin will share her experience and training with colleagues and farmers as part of DairyNZ’s work with the government and other industry groups such as Beef + Lamb New Zealand, on being prepared for FMD. • Farmers should report anything they are unsure about in any livestock to the biosecurity line by calling 0800 80 99 66.

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Farming

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Farmers take steps to sustainability A group of cropping farmers are taking soil sampling to a new level of precision with New Zealand’s first real-time soil sampler. The Veris MSP3 3150, imported from the United States, combines electrical conductivity (EC) mapping of paddocks for soil texture, infra-red measurement of organic matter and constant sampling for soil pH. This data will help farmers finetune inputs such as irrigation, fertiliser and lime, increasing efficiency of nutrient use and reducing the risk of environmental damage. “Grid soil sampling and EC mapping have been available for a couple of years now in New Zealand and we see this as the next step,” says Colin Hurst, who farms at Makikihi, near Waimate. While Mr Hurst and the other three farmers involved – Michael Tayler, Nick Ward and Hugh Wigley – are cropping farmers, they believe the machine will be useful in other farming systems including dairy and livestock

The Veris MSP3 at work in ryegrass stubble.

Smart Ag Solutions directors (from left): Colin Hurst, Nick Ward, Michael Tayler and Hugh Wigley, with operations manager Seaun Lovell (front).

farms to improve pasture management. “Grass is a crop just like any other: it needs the right soil pH to maintain nutrient availability to plant and animal, and soil texture and organic matter content are major factors in determining soil water-holding capacity.” Traditionally fertiliser, lime and irrigation are applied at one rate across a paddock or even a block of paddocks, determined by the average pH or soil water holding capacity. With the data the Veris machine provides farmers can

vary application rates. Smart software is needed, which is where Seaun Lovell comes in. Mr Lovell’s job is to run Smart Ag Solutions, the company set up to offer the Veris precision sampling services. He’s ex-army, having had 22 years in the British Army’s Royal Corps of Signals as a Tactical Forward Air Controller. It’s a role that involved running high-tech communications and weapons systems in often harsh field environments. Now he’s applying that know-how to soil sampling

and mapping. “The Veris will help farmers better understand their soils and where they need to apply more, or less, nutrients and irrigation.” Smart Ag Solutions’ basic service will provide raw data but the real value is in using that data to make more informed decisions around irrigation scheduling, fertiliser applications, or other variable rate applications. Software is used to create files compatible with various machines programmed to interpret the data correctly as they cross the paddock. With GPS, this allows both the Veris, and the farmer’s machines to identify

exactly where they are, and apply the right level of an input, be it fertiliser, lime or water. While there’s an initial cost for the service, reduced inputs from more precise applications and/or increased yields mean there will be a financial benefit for those on all but the most uniform soils, Mr Tayler says. “We can see soil characteristics and how they vary in greater detail than ever before, and in a format that will allow us to programme machines to make variable rate applications across paddocks. It will make us all the more environmentally sustainable.”

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Working with the soil’s micro fauna T here is more going on under the earth’s surface than above it, a lot more, Mark Scott, of Untill Ltd says. And with close to 20 years in the no-tillage seeding business he should know. “There are more living organisms in a handful of healthy soil than there are people on the planet,” he said. Mr Scott and his staff of two all come from farming backgrounds, and understand the business from a farmer’s point of view. They are kept busy working across Canterbury, sowing crops for about 10 months of the year. Mr Scott says soils don’t naturally accommodate intensive cultivation. In nature, plant residue and seeds are trod into the ground or mulched over. This is broken down by micro fauna, which feeds the soil and enables crops to thrive. “We are all passionate about the business and about looking after our soil and reducing soil erosion by either wind or water. “No tillage systems don’t

Washington Conservation Districts new Cross Slot Drill working in the Palouse area USA.

disturb the micro fauna in the soil. By doing this you get greater numbers of microbes and worms which all help to feed the soil and build organic matter. That way we create a soil that’s more able to recycle nutrients. “The drill that we use is

an inverted T-slot, so the disturbance is around and below the seed zone, whereas all other drills create the disturbance above the seed zone, so you’re disturbing weeds on the surface, enabling them to seed more easily. “By creating the disturbance

below the seed zone, you’re creating a better seedbed for the seed to survive in. “We are all about reliable seeding and the drill is very versatile in almost all conditions and for almost all seed types – from small-seed crops and brassicas right

through to maize and peas and beans. “We do a lot of arable crops for farmers and a lot of process peas for Watties. We also sow a lot of brassica crops in the spring for dairy grazing.” Mr Scott concedes soil cultivation is occasionally necessary, particularly to contour and level ground, but unnecessary cultivation comes at a cost to both the farmer and the soil. He said the move toward reduced tillage has tended to overlook the necessity of preparing a seed bed, in favour of fast and cheap cultivation. “When you expect to sow your crop in one pass, in a notill system as we do, it stands to reason that we get the best results when we use a tool that provides the best seed bed. “We know that cross-slot drills give our customers the best crop establishment we can. Step one complete, the seedling can thrive from day one by establishing strongly and with all things going well produce to its potential,” Mr Scott said.

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Crop establishment is what we do best at UNTILL. Utilising our Crop renowned establishment is what we No-Tillage do best at UNTILL. Utilising Cross Slot drills we can our sow crops of all renowned Cross Slot No-Tillage drills we can sow crops of all types into all of the soil types you can imagine with outstanding types into all of the soil types you can imagine with outstanding success. From vegetable to maize and the more common success. From vegetable to maize and the more common cereal and Pulse crops,Utilising brassica crops all respond cereal and Pulse crops, brassica crops pastures all pastures respond establishment we at doUNTILL. best atUtilising UNTILL. our renowned Cross Slot No-TillCropCrop establishment is whatis wewhat do best our this sowing system. Fertiliser down the with spout this to advanced sowing Fertiliser down the can spout drills weNo-Tillage canwell sowtowell crops all advanced types intosystem. all of the soil types you imagine renownedage Cross Slot drills weofcan sow crops of all oneisvegetable ofone the of much appreciated benefits our customers. the muchand appreciated benefits to our outstanding success. is From to maize the more to common cereal andcustomers. Pulse crops, types into all of the soil types you can imagine with outstanding We pride on keeping machinery in topsowing condition brassica crops pastures allourselves respond well to this advanced system. We ourselves pride on our keeping our machinery in top condition success. From vegetable to maize and the more common Fertiliser down the is one of the much appreciated beneﬁ our customers. andspout offering good advice through experience based ontsa to lifetime offering good cereal and Pulse crops, brassicaand crops pastures all advice respondthrough experience based on a lifetime We pride ourselves keeping machinery top condition and offering good advice of on farming with our the past 17 yearsinexclusively No-Till, well to this advanced sowing system. Fertiliserwith down the spout of farming the past 17 years exclusively through experience based lifetime ofthe farming with the past 17 yearsNo-Till, exclusively No-Till, to give on our acustomers best results. is one of the much appreciatedtobenefits to customers our customers. give our the best results. to give our customers the best results. Second hand CrossinSlot available. We pride ourselves on keeping our machinery top drills condition Second hand Slot drills available. and offering good advice through experience basedCross on a lifetime of farming with the past 17 years exclusively No-Till, to give our customers the best results.

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is what we do best at UNTILL. Utilising our Tel 03 or Call Mark Scott 027 221 6070 91302 Mt8872 Harding Road, Methven, RD6, renowned Cross Slot No-Tillage drills weAshburton can sow crops of all www.crossslot.com Tel into 03 302 or Call Mark 027 221 6070 types all of8872 the soil types you Scott can imagine with outstanding 91 Mt Harding Road, Methven, RD6, Ashburton success. From www.crossslot.com vegetable to maize and the more common

2 26

Farming

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Covering horses and vitamin D Jenny Paterson

BSC ZOOLOGY AND BIOLOGY

aving passed the winter solstice we are on our way back to summer. However the days are still short and the mornings pretty cold and most people go to work in the dark and get home in the dark. Understandably it is not easy for them to take their horse’s covers off during the day. Everyone knows that you need sunshine on your skin in order for the body to manufacture Vitamin D. The same goes for horses, except because the majority of their skin is covered with hair, they need at least 5-8 hours of sunshine to make their vitamin D rather than the 60-90 minutes we humans need. It goes without saying that

horses that are covered all the time can develop a deficiency of Vitamin D. The two most useful forms of Vitamin D: areD2 and D3. While they come from different sources, the D2 form is made in grasses and plants by exposure to sunlight and the D3 form is made in the animal also from exposure to sunlight, they both carry out the same physiological functions. Researchers have established that, besides calcium metabolism, the principle biological effect of vitamin D is gene control by promoting correct cell division and helping the regulation of cell death. This has major implications for horse and human health. Vitamin D is actually a hormone. Hormones are ‘messengers’. When Vitamin D is sent to the small intestine it increases calcium absorption from the food, if there isn’t enough calcium in the food, Vitamin D is sent to message the skeleton to release calcium from bones into the bloodstream (in

conjunction with parathyroid hormone and calcitonin). When there is insufficient circulating calcium, Vitamin D will message the kidney to conserve calcium by reducing excretion via the urine. Correct blood calcium and phosphorous levels are vital for your horses’ nerves and muscles to function optimally and to maintain skeletal integrity. It is the modern lifestyle of our domestic horses that can result in their developing a Vitamin D deficiency. • Horses that are stabled or covered 24/7 are at highest risk. • Regular washing with shampoo inhibits the manufacture of vitamin D because the precursor oils in the horse’s skin are washed off. Unlike many nutrients, Vitamin D can be stored in various organs for future use. Vitamin D accumulated in the summer months is used up over winter but needs to be regularly replenished by sunlight exposure and diet.

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Health impacts of Vitamin D deficiency in horses include: • Decreased immune system function and associated increased susceptibility to infections and viruses • Reduced appetite, depression (Vitamin D is also known as the “Mood Hormone”) • Slow/faulty skeletal growth in young horses • Impaired muscle contraction • Insulin resistance • Tying up • Poor muscle recovery time for performance horses • Vitamin D deficiency can lead to the secondary consequences of calcium deficiency: • nebulous lameness, swollen joints • bone and teeth demineralization • hyperactive reflexes • ‘peri-oral’ (around the mouth) numbness & tingling (the horse wants to rub his nose on his leg all the time progressing to boxing their nose with front feet, twitching of the

muzzle etc) • paresthesias (chronic itching, skin crawling) To prevent Vitamin D deficiency • Give your horse ‘naked’ time at EVERY OPPORTUNITY, needs to be 5-8 consecutive hours. Well nourished horses don’t ‘fade’! • Check your multi minerals contain excellent levels of Vitamin D especially if your horse is covered more than you would like. For more information visit www.calmhealthyhorses.com

Give your horses sunshine time at every opportunity.

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Keep records to avoid payroll blues Christine Summerville

WORK RELATIONS

Stratford farmemployer discovered the cost of not adhering to minimum wage requirements after a labour inspector sought back pay for a farm-employee. The employee was paid an annual salary of $32,000 and worked 38 to 44 hours a week during the dry season and 49 to 60 hours a week during the rest of the year. It was found that when the employee had worked 49 hours or less a week, he was paid at least the minimum wage. However, for the rest of the year, the farmer was ordered to pay the difference between the weekly salary received by the employee and the minimum wage. The back pay amounted to $6473.77.

Farm-employers often average out an employee’s salary over the year to take into account the seasonal peaks and troughs of farming. But this strategy doesn’t always meet minimum wage requirements. When paying weekly, the minimum wage must be paid for all the hours worked in that week. The law does not take into account that the employee may have worked less hours the week before. Annual salaries cannot compensate for this. To calculate whether the minimum wage requirements have been met it is necessary to know how many hours are worked. This requires keeping time records, which is also a legislative obligation. If accurate records are not kept by the employer, the Employment Relations Authority will take the employee’s record of their time worked as being the truth. In addition to receiving a demand for back pay, farm businesses could be liable for penalties of up to $10,000 if

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bereavement leave and public holidays. As obvious as it may seem, employees must be paid their wages in money and cannot be compensated with goods or services. However, deductions can be made from wages before they are paid for the provision of something, such

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as accommodation. This is subject to a formal agreement which states the value of the item. Board is deemed to be the provision of accommodation and meals, and lodging is the provision of accommodation only. If there is no specific agreement only 15 per cent can be deducted from wages for board and five per cent for lodgings. The minimum wage for an adult is $14.25 per hour and holiday pay is in addition to this. When paying holiday pay each pay period (as part of wages) it must be a separate, identifiable amount. And there are limited times this is legitimate. By lumping holiday pay into one payment employers risk having to pay it again.

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Time to get ahead By Irrigation NZ

Mark and Devon Slee.

rrigationNZ is delighted to congratulate Ealing dairy farmers Mark and Devon Slee on taking out the Supreme Award for Sustainability at the national Ballance Farm Environment Awards (BFEA). We are fortunate to have Mr Slee on our national board and his expertise, innovative thinking and sound judgement is always valued. The Slees have proved that large-scale dairy farmers operating smart irrigation systems and employing sustainable irrigation practices are delivering benefits for the environment. The BFEA judges described the Slee’s as “top industry performers” who have the ability to run a highly profitable dairy business while ensuring excellent environmental management. Their business acumen mixed with sound employment practices and innovative and proactive environmental measures proves there is a bright future for our

16HMDG2020 How the water runs: A water race near Carew.

agricultural industry and gives confidence to our urban cousins that the people on the land are able and passionate about using our water and land resources well. If you want to get on the same page as the Slees, there are opportunities to improve your business performance with the support of IrrigationNZ. In September, our one-day irrigation manager training workshops come to Pleasant Point on September 10 and then Ashburton on October 23 and 24. These workshops will be a regular feature during the 2014-15 season and are supported by DairyNZ, Primary ITO, ANZ and Agstaff. The successful Great Irrigation Challenge returns

to Ashburton on October 2 and 3. Over two days specialist topics ranging from fertigation essentials to on-farm asset management will be presented by qualified professionals in their fields. Make sure you keep an eye on our website www.irrigationnz. co.nz and IrrigationNZ’s Spring magazine will also preview in more depth the Great Irrigation Challenge speakers and workshop options. We look forward to seeing familiar faces and for those of you who didn’t make it to our national conference in April, this is your opportunity to hear the latest about our industry and best practice from national experts right here on your doorstep. So no Ashburton Guardian excuses.

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Compost from your home to the soil Sheryl Stivens

MASTAGARD ASHBURTON

ompost making continues to be an important part of operations at the Ashburton Resource Recovery Park. The diversity of plant material from local residents’ green waste dropped off for reprocessing adds richness and diversity to the final compost. Up till now the compost at the Mastagard/Envirowaste site has been slow composted over a two-year period, sprayed with EM (Effective micro-organisms or beneficial bacteria) and piled into windrows. The windrows are turned regularly to continue the breakdown of woody material into compost. When mature the compost is screened and tested before

Turning green waste into compost.

being sold. Leaving the compost to mature over a longer period means that the composted soil conditioner is more active and potentially has more moisture-holding capacity and is more colloidal as is vermicast. This differs from some greenwaste compost which can be very light and dusty and not fully mature thus can reheat when applied to soils. Tonnes of compost screened at the Ashburton Resource

Recovery Park, operated by Mastagard /Envirowaste, is being applied to farmland that is farmed biologically. Biological farmers feed their soils with the minerals and trace elements required to give the crops resistance to pests and diseases and to grow nutrient-dense food. If you are looking for bulk compost this spring, contact Mastagard/Envirowaste to book your supply as volumes for broad acreage are limited.

How do you compost at home?

Do you have farm plastics to recycle?

Are you looking for options for composting your food waste or lawn clippings? We can help you. If you have kitchen waste to dispose of daily you might find a bokashi bucket under your kitchen bench handy over the cold winter months. If you want to set up a worm farm or reactivate an old worm bin, we can help with that too. I really like the Hungry Worm Bin. It is a Kiwi invention based on the idea of a wheelie bin. • Free help with composting or recycling is only a phone call away. Contact us 0800 627-824, email bholley@ mastagard.co.nz or sherylstivens@gmail.com

Plasback continues to be our solution for farm plastic recycling. It accepts a range of materials including silage pit covers, feed bags, baling twine and plastic drums. • Phone 0508 338 240 or check the website www. plasback.co.nz Agrecovery is no longer accepting silage wrap for recycling but continues to be the recovery solution for triple-rinsed plastic agrichemical, animal health and hygiene containers up to 60 litres. The collection point for these is the ATS store in Ashburton. It is important not to burn or bury any plastics or chemical containers. If in doubt give us a call and we will help you identify what is in your farm waste so you can find the most cost-effective and environmental solution.

Demonstration A free monthly composting demonstration and a close look at the options for you. When: Monday, July 21, 1pm to 2pm, at the Eco Education Centre alongside the Mastagard Recycling Shed. All welcome.

• Phone 0800627 824 or email bholley@mastagard. co.nz or sherylstivens@ gmail.com

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