Farming GUARDIAN
JUNE, 2016
FAMILY FARM
CONTINUITY
N E P O
EK
S / WE 5 DAY
House of Hearing CLINIC Ashburton Blenheim Fendalton Halswell Papanui Rangiora
100% NZ Owned & Operated
PHONE 03 307 8949 03 579 5353 03 351 3535 03 322 4326 0800 333 606 03 310 7355
2
Farming
www.guardianonline.co.nz
EDITORIAL COMMENT
WIN WIN WIN This month win The Travelling Hunter by Vern Wilson. To enter the competition for this issue’s book giveaway, email susan.s@theguardian. co.nz, or write to Ashburton Guardian, 161 Burnett Street, Ashburton, 7700. Write “Guardian Farming book giveaway” in the subject line or back of the envelope, and supply your address.
Farming families seem to have everything going for them. They have the benefit of operating a large asset, ideally supporting prosperous and happy lives. They can work together and share in the farm’s successes. And when times get tough, they have each other to rely on. However, as is the way with life so often, not everything is always as it should be. A large asset such as a farm can end up tearing people apart, rather than bringing them together. The Henderson family of Lyndhurst, featured in this issue of Guardian Farming, are the poster people for how to do things right when it comes to passing on a farm to the next generation. They are preparing for a thirdgeneration of farming at Lyndhurst to continue successfully into its fourth generation. The children are still teenagers, but they are already involved in discussions to do with the farm. The best time to start planning for farm succession is yesterday, but that is no longer available, so start
Susan Sandys
SENIOR REPORTER
today, say the experts. It may take years, even decades, from the time you start discussions to when the farm is handed on to the next generation. However, beginning early will give time for everyone to give thought to what their own hopes and dreams are, and to provide feedback. When it comes round to Christmas dinner, you don’t want any tensions or misgivings. Involve everyone right from the start, and hopefully you will reap the benefits in smiling faces, with family members feeling happy about how the process has been handled.
Congratulations to last month’s winner: Gerald Kennett of Oamaru is the lucky winner of New Zealand Hunting Adventures by Steuart Laing.
CONTACTS We appreciate your feedback. Editorial Email your comments to susan.s@theguardian.co.nz or phone 03 307 7957.
Advertising Email deidre.n@theguardian.co.nz or phone 03 307 7927. Post Ashburton Guardian, PO Box 77, Ashburton.
The place where farmers get their quality agricultural replacement parts and equipment Arable Plough Parts
Points to suit Overum
Shares to suit Vogel & Noot
Points to suit Kverneland
Parts to suit Overum
Reversable Points to suit Lemken
Dale Shares
Cultivation Parts
Points to suit Sunflower & Salford
Points to suit Vibroflex
Points to suit Clough
Slipdown Points
Pan Buster Points
Legs to suit Vibroflex
S Tines
Coil Tines
Hay Feeders
Shares to suit Dowdeswell
Square Feeders Shares to suit Lemken
Points to suit Vogel & Noot
Wings to suit Simba
Points to suit Kuhn
Shares to suit Kuhn
Shares to suit Kverneland
Points to suit Gregoire Besson
Plough Share Rebuilds
Points to suit Goliath
Yeoman Clamp
Points to suit Maxitill
Coil Tine Clamp
Springs to suit Vibroflex
Round Feeders
0800 4 PALMERS - 0800 472 563 - www.palmeragriparts.co.nz - 34 Robinson St, Riverside Industrial Park, Ashburton *Palmer Agri Parts Direct imports and manufactures quality parts that fit machines indicated. These parts are not sold as genuine parts.
www.guardianonline.co.nz
3
SUCCESSION PLANNING
Planning imperative Passing on your farm to the next generation can result in family fallout, or it can nourish the foundations of long-lasting business and family relationships. Susan Sandys examines the issues behind farm succession.
Susan Sandys
SENIOR REPORTER
T
he best time to start planning for farm succession is yesterday. That is no longer available, so start today. So says Rabobank succession planning facilitator Tony Hammington, based in Alexandra. It’s a huge issue for any farm-owning family to address, and one that can lead to anxiety. “There’s reasons to be anxious for sure, but I think there’s a cost of that anxiety becoming hesitation,” Mr
Hammington said. “The earlier we have the conversations the more options we have got, and the easier the journey.” People talk about the cases where things go wrong, but the majority of cases turn out
Call the team to tend to all your rural electrical needs
just fine, he said. And the decisions made now will have a bearing on whether in 30 years’ time, the cousins are having Christmas together. One case where things have not gone according to plan is at the Joneses* household in
Mid Canterbury. Gwenda* and her husband David* today have a fractured family. Getting that family around the table for Christmas dinner is an unlikely prospect. continued P4
WINTER SUPPLEMENTARY FEED Jacob Holdaway Contracting Ltd
Kieran
ElectraServe . . . for everything electrical
24/7 Breakdown Service Dairy Effluent Irrigation Generators
Industrial Commercial Residential
Elliot
Mitch the ElectraServe guarantee
Blair Watson, General Manager personally guarantees ElectraServe’s tradesmen’s workmanship. If you are not 100% satisfied with the quality of the work, ElectraServe will put it right . . . every time, or your money back.
a 166 moore street ashburton p 03 308 9008 e service@electraserve.co.nz w www.electraserve.co.nz
Straw | Fodderbeet | Silage
Jacob Holdaway 0274 225 464 www.jholdawaycontracting.com
2 4
Farming
www.guardianonline.co.nz
SUCCESSION PLANNING from P3 “It’s not always comfortable sitting at the table together, it’s put up a few barriers,” Gwenda said. It all started several years ago when the couple, now in their 60s, looked at how they could begin to pass on the farm to their three children. David and Gwenda wanted to move to town and have one of their sons take over, however, it was too early to give up farming completely, and the $10 million-plus value of the farm made handing over ownership unfair to the remaining siblings. Talking to their lawyer, they came up with what they thought was the ideal scenario. Their son could buy one-third of the shares in the farm, and David and Gwenda would retain the remaining two-thirds, which would be bequeathed to all three children. This way the other siblings would not miss out, David would be able to continue his lifelong love of working on the farm until he was ready to
Succession planning facilitator Tony Hammington.
retire, the farm would remain in the family without costing anyone too much money, and the farming son would be able
to realise his dream of one day operating the farm. However, while it seemed fair at the time, conflict has
Keeping your farm vehicles working
TRACTORS
IRRIGATORS
HARVEST EQUIPMENT
Neumanns Tyres will attend to your tyre requirements anywhere and anytime in Mid Canterbury • Prompt and efficient service • Very experienced technicians • Competitive price • 24 hour service (After hours callout applies)
U K & E U ROPE T R A V E L EXPO TOUR BY MOTORCYCLE USA ROUTE BOOK with WHERE will BEST YOU GO
197 Wills St, Ashburton Ph 308 6737 www.neumannstyres.co.nz
v WINNER x
Wednesday of the 2013 best 23 October the 2013 | 7.00p travel retailer Hotel Ashbu m rton | RSVP Get out there and live the dream! EagleRider is essential AFTA AWARD Travel prese ntathat fantasy of makes it possible for you to fulfil
tions | Expo specials | Sp ed irect from th ot prizes riding the iconic Route 66, “Mainstreet ofeAmerica”, airlines and tour compa “Mother Road” - that 2400 mile long road from Come ins tore | 03 30 nies 7 87 Expert advic
THIS YEAR?
60 | ashburto House of Tra Chicago Angeles. n@hoJump vel Ashburto t.co.nz on your Harley ton Los | 03 307 8760 ashbur ton@ ho t.c o.nz back in time to the 1950’s, kitted out and travel facebook.com /HOTriding Ashburton in custom jackets and bandanas. On this
*Terms and cond
PO
v ONLYx DEA L S
Ex
The team at HOT AsCo hbmuretoinsn tore | 03 307 8760 Hous
e of Travel As hburton | 03 ashbur ton@ hot.co.nz facebook.com /HOTAshbu
Proud to be KIWI OWNED AND OPERATED, House of Travel has spent over
7325
$
se ask your Hou guided tour the famous and nostalgic Route se of Travelalong consultant for full *Terms and cond details. itions apply. Plea se ask your House of Travel cons YEARS HELPING KIWIS SEE 15 THEday/14 WORLD. With 70 STORES NATIONWIDE 66, you’ll cross three time25zones, 8 states and follow night guided the path of the many dreamers, desperadoes, and OVER 700 TRAVEL SPECIALISTS on hand to pass on their inside knowledge, migrants and vacationers who all set out on an pp from YOU CAN TRUST US TO PUTmotorcycle TOGETHER YOUR DREAM HOLIDAY 2014. 1 bike/2 people/ 1 room twinIN share adventure that is now waiting for you.
itions apply. Plea
tour
House of Travel Ashburton | 03 307 8760 ashburton@hot.co.nz
66 EX
UK&
(airfares additional, special conditions apply
www.guardianonline.co.nz
5
SUCCESSION PLANNING
“
Farm succession expert Pita Alexander.
arisen between the new farm operators of the son and his wife, and Mr and Mrs Jones, and also between the siblings.
The remaining siblings are not party to any income from the farm, and think the bequest they will receive in the future
The certainties in life now appear to be income tax, death, volatility and changing weather. Make sure you can cover the first three of these in your succession plan well.
will not compensate for the opportunity their brother has been given. In retrospect, Gwenda said selling the farm would have been easier. “Moving off the farm is an emotional thing, our son sees it as a business thing, but it’s emotional as well, it’s a mixture of both,” she said. Cashing up the family farm worked for one Methven area farmer aged in his mid 50s. Geoff Gordon* is now living in town, and is happy he will have money to enjoy his retirement and pass onto his children. He and Mrs Gordon are looking forward to their first holiday for years, having previously
been tied to the farm. Geoff was a third generation farmer in the Methven area, but had no reservations about selling when it came to it. He had previously leased the property out for nine years, and took the opportunity to sell this year when the lease was coming up for renewal and land prices were strong. If his children had been interested in farming or had partners who were interested in farming, he would have considered keeping the property. But passing it onto one child and not the other would have been complicated. “You are starting off with someone coming in now with a
Charlies Takeaways A Division of Robsons Canterbury
$5 to $6 million mortgage,” he said. Geoff ’s father had bought the property in the 1960s. “What he bought the property for, I almost got per hectare,” Geoff said. The “crazy” land prices meant difficulties not only for the new generation coming in, but also for farming parents trying to buy new land to ensure all their children with an interest in farming got an equal share. Alexanders Accountancy and Advice for Agribusiness director Pita Alexander in Christchurch said an outright sale to an unrelated third party is better than a bad succession result. One of the keys was to ensure the end result did not cause friction for the parents with their other children. “Lack of communication will almost guarantee this will happen,” Mr Alexander said. “The certainties in life now appear to be income tax, death, volatility and changing weather. Make sure you can cover the first three of these in your succession plan well.” * Not their real names
LIQUID WASTE MANAGEMENT
Septic tank emptyingAND andMAINTAINING, maintaining, pumps fitted SEPTIC TANK EMPTYING PUMPS supplied SUPPLIEDand AND FITTED
ALL ANIMAL EFFLUENT EMPTIED AND SPREAD 100% Canterbury family owned and operated
In the waste business for 40 years
LIQUID WASTE MANAGEMENT
Rakaia 0800 372 004 Christchurch 0800 372 003 robsonenviro@xtra.co.nz Visit our website for more information www.robsonenvironmental.co.nz
2 6
Farming
www.guardianonline.co.nz
SUCCESSION PLANNING Lyndhurst farmers Karl and Megan Henderson are already planning for their property to one day be farmed by sons Andrew and Thomas. The Henderson boys of Lyndhurst have been doing their homework as they prepare to one day take over their parents’ family farm. Aged just 18 and 15, Andrew and Thomas have been part of meetings with dad Karl, mum Megan and the family’s bank manager. Karl said the boys are keen on going into farming, and he is committed to helping them achieve their goals. “If they weren’t keen to do it, you wouldn’t. But they seem to be keen on farming, so why not pass the land on and give them the opportunity that I had,” Mr Henderson said. That’s why he had included them in the occasional business meeting, even though it would realistically be another 10 or 20 years before they were farming independently. The bank manager had given the boys homework tasks, such as working out a budget for some of the farm’s crops. Karl’s grandfather Frank Henderson was given a soldier settlement block on Pole Road in a post-World War One ballot, and passed the property on to his son Bruce. Karl was among Bruce’s four children, all boys, who benefited from their dad’s
“
Karl’s grandfather Frank Henderson was given a soldier settlement block on Pole Road in a post-World War One ballot, and passed the property on to his son
commitment to keeping them on the land. He bought surrounding land and eventually set all of them up on their own properties. Karl is wanting to do the same for his boys, and is not too daunted by how much land prices have increased. “Back then land wasn’t worth much, but we didn’t have the yields and the technology and stuff. Land is worth a lot more today, but we can produce a lot more.” Karl, Megan, Andrew and Thomas farm 300 hectares mixed cropping with dairy heifer and cow grazing.
Phone 03 307 1990 Level 2, 73 Burnett St, Ashburton www.visioninsurance.co.nz
• • • • •
Locally owned and operated
Phone 308 4079
Visit our website www.ruraltransport.co.nz
Stock Cartage Bulk Cartage Fertiliser Spreading General Freight Hiab Truck Hire
Proud to service farming and industry in Canterbury
www.guardianonline.co.nz
7
SUCCESSION PLANNING
MITRE 10 TRADE
FARM BUILDINGS FARM BUILDINGS DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY TO MEET YOUR NEEDS
CUSTOM DESIGNED CALF SHEDS AVAILABLE NOW!
3 BAY KITS
ET FARM SH
ED
Overhang not included
FREE PLANS WITH ALL SHEDS
Programme recognised
FULL INSTALLATION SERVICE AVAILABLE WE ORGANISE CONSENTS 0.4 Endura Colorsteel
$6299ex GST
-
3.0-3.6 metre high H5 treated poles High wind load 6.0m deep x 3.6m wide bays Douglas Fir Timber .40 zincalume roof, wall & flashing 0.90 kPa snow load Quality screw fixings
$4999
excl GST
$5,748.85 including GST
$7243.85inc GST
BAN THE BOG AND REDUCE LAMENESS SurePave is a paving system that offers a cost effective, long term solution to the ongoing problem at the high pressure areas on farms. SurePave keeps it’s shape, promotes cow flow, and reduces lameness and muck buildup.
Install SurePave
Lincoln University vice-chancellor Professor Robin Pollard, left front, with IAARD executive secretary Dr M Prama Yufdy, right front, and members of both institutions at the signing at Lincoln last month. PHOTO SUPPLIED
Lincoln University’s part in a $156 million Indonesian agriculture programme was formally recognised last month. Vice-chancellor Professor Robin Pollard signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Indonesian Agency for Agricultural Research and Development (IAARD) executive secretary Dr M Prama Yufdy. Several staff from the IAARD, which is part of the Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture, are already studying at post-graduate level at Lincoln, and there is a need for more staff to be upskilled. IAARD have been sending staff to
North America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand for training. The agreement establishes areas where Lincoln could further increase its involvement in the training as well as looking at other areas of collaboration. These include government scholarship programmes aimed at addressing institutional research needs in Indonesia, establishing pathways for Indonesian students to complete Masters and PhD Programmes in relevant agricultural fields, as well as the development of collaborative research projects in priority areas.
- At the entry or exit to yards. - At underpass approaches. - Around troughs. - On standoff areas. - On irrigator wheel tracks. - Or, any other high pressure area that has been costing you in maintenance, lameness, loss of production and general inefficiencies.
While stocks last. Props not included. June 2016. MITRE 10 MEGA ASHBURTON West Street, Ashburton PHONE 03 308 5119
MITRE 10 MEGA TIMARU 23 Bank Street, Timaru PHONE 03 687 2033
MITRE 10 OAMARU Corner Cross & Severn Streets, Oamaru Phone 03 434 9860
2 8
Farming
www.guardianonline.co.nz
Onion farming a volatile occupation Onion growers are heartened by improved returns on their tasty crop this year, but are far from weeping tears of joy. Onions New Zealand is forecasting returns to be up 50 per cent on last year, triggering media puns on an eye-watering increase. Ross Hewson, who annually grows 100 hectares of onions on the 1600-hectare Hewson Farms at Pendarves near Ashburton, said returns were at a level where they needed to be in order to support a sustainable investment. “Onions can bring you to tears, it’s more likely to be real tears than tears of joy,” Mr Hewson said. The vegetable crop was high-risk and expensive to grow, and the market was volatile with relatively small margins. “It’s easy to plant an onion, but that’s just the beginning,” Mr Hewson said. Weed control and crop management required a high level of expertise and a very intensive approach to agronomy. Like all vegetables, the machinery required for
year ended June 2015 was $81.4 million. The final figures for 2016 would not be known for some months.
History of onion exports
Over the past five years onions have been the top exported fresh vegetable, except 2012 when New Zealand had a poor growing season. The exports of onions bring back around $100 million per annum to growers and the wider industry. Ross Hewson of Hewson Farms won’t be planting more onions next season despite increased New Zealand growers began returns. PHOTO SUSAN SANDYS 250516-SS-002 exporting in the 1960s. Japan became an important market Farms was not considering another high-risk stage, and planting and harvesting was SC AUTOMOTIVE CUSTOMER in the 1980s,PUBLISHING peaking 14/05/16 at increasing its growing areaLTD forT_A SC around 2004 the farm lost a costly and highly specialised. REP RABIE.ALKOUNTAR PUBLICATION TIMARU HERALD 50,000 tonnes per year, before in light of the better large proportion of itsADVERTISING harvest onionsSALES Nevertheless, the increased DESIGNER OUTSOURCER SECTION MOTORING caught up and would be sticking domestic growers to a storage disease. returns this year were PROOFreturns, PROOFED 13/05/2016 2:36:50 p.m. SIZE 14.8X20 with demand. to 100 hectares. Hewson Farms is a 25 per heartening, particularly ID CH-7256793AA (100%) FAX The focus then turned to “If you AD follow the market cent shareholder in Southern following an increased yield European and UK markets, you will fall into the holes Packers, with three other large on many Canterbury farms PLEASE APPROVE THIS AD AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. NOTE THAT ANY ALTERATIONS whereDEADLINE. New Zealand has moreBEheavily,” he said. Mid and South Canterbury due to warmer weather. MUST FINALISED BY OUR MATERIAL Onions New Zealand figures become one of the leading farmers owning the remaining On Hewson Farms, the as of last month showed gross suppliers. 75 per cent share. The vegetable is stored in twoFOB returns for the industry company packs and exports tonne crates in a speciallyIn recent years there has forecast to reach 50 per built large shed without walls, the onions at Timaru. About been a huge shift towards cent higher than the official 85 per cent of New Zealand’s enabling air to flow through. exporting to Asia, in government statistics for the onions are exported. Here the onions are “cured” particular Indonesia and June year end, which for the Mr Hewson said Hewson for a fortnight. This was Malaysia.
DON’T LET YOUR PROFITS GO UP IN SMOKE
HILUX 4X4 EXTRA CAB UTE • • • • • • •
2.8 TURBO DIESEL 6 SPEED MANUAL 7 AIRBAGS AND VSC REVERSE CAMERA 17” ALLOY WHEELS CRUISE & BLUETOOTH 3.5 TONNE TOWING *ACTUAL WHEELS VARY FROM PICTURE
HUGE SAVINGS
4 ONLY 2
JUST $39,990
RRP $48,690 + GST
FIR ST IN, BE S T DRESSED.
PLUS GST AND ON ROAD COSTS YOU KNOW T HA T ’S T HE LADIES COA T, RIGH T?
3%
PURCHASE ANY NEW HILUX AND GET *
p.a.
AN EXCLUSIVE
HILUX SWANNDRI
FINANCE
3
YEARS
SERVICING WARRANTY AA ROADSERVICE VISIT TOYOTA.CO.NZ TODAY.
*Offer ends 30 June 2016. For full terms and conditions visit our website, www.toyota.co.nz
ADD YOUR PACKAGE;
HUNTING
(ACTUAL ACCESSORIES MAY VARY FROM PICTURE)
FARM
• ALLOY PREMIUM BULL BAR • SNORKEL • STEEL SIDE BARS
• • •
$4430 + GST
2012AND Highlander GALV PINE FLAT DECK BULL BAR •STEEL 3.5L PREMIUM • 44,000km •TOW Tiptronic BAR AND WIRING
TOWN
2011 Corolla • ALLOY NUDGE BAR • MONSOONS & BONNET•GUARD Similar to • A picture • 79 • ALLOY HARD LID WITH RAILS
$7350 + GST $36,995
Cnr North & Stafford Streets, Timaru. Ph 687 9280
After Hours:
$1
$4180 + GST John Neale
021 254 7747 0274 688 321 Hamish Brader 027 450 8514
Kieran Farr RICHARD EDDIE KEVIN RICHARD EDDIE SAMANTHA KEVIN sales@sc.toyota.co.nz SAMANTHA Freephone 0800 1 TOYOTA | www.sc.toyota.co.nz
ANDREW
www.ashburton.toyota CH-7256793AA
ANDREW Cnr East STEPHEN SAM Avenue, Ashburton. PAM Street and Walnut Phone 307-58 Call us today to fi nd a cost Richard Burns – 027 486 7546 | Eddie Bako effective solution to your Fairfax Media makes every effort to create advertisements to meet your specific needs. Please note in some instances we may be unable insurance needs to supply additional proofs due to complexity of the request or deadline constraints. © This advertisement has been created as a service of Fairfax Media. It cannot be reproduced without permission. 69 Tancred Street, Ashburton If you wish to use this material elsewhere, advertising consultant. Charges will apply. Phone 307-5830 - Cnrplease Eastcontact St &your Walnut Ave, Ashburton Phone 03 308 9612 OPEN SAT 9AM-1PM | Richard Burns 027 486 7546 | Eddie Bakos 027 450 7544
www.ashburton.toyota.co.nz
www.guardianonline.co.nz
9
Ploughing - it’s in the blood Vintage ploughing machinery was once the latest and most modern equipment, and John Stalker of Lincoln remembers that time. The 78-year-old retired farmer recently took out the 2016 Silver Plough Championship vintage section, operating a Massey Harris 30 1949 tractor, pulling a Reid and Gray two-furrow silver plough. The tractor Mr Stalker first drove on the family farm he grew up on at Greenpark, was the same make, but an even earlier model. And the plough was also similar. He said he first tried ploughing when he was about 11. “My father started the paddock, and sat me on the tractor and said ‘Away you go’. I just drove round and round,” Mr Stalker said. He got better as time went on, and started competing in ploughing competitions not long after leaving school. He had a break from competing as he became busy with farming over the years, but went back to competitive
Retired farmer John Stalker of Lincoln shows his winning form at the New Zealand Silver Plough Championship. PHOTO SUPPLIED
ploughing over 15 years ago. Vintage ploughing was a relatively new category then, and one Mr Stalker was immediately sold on when he
saw a competition under way. He was judging at Waimate when he viewed a vintage event underway across the other side of the paddock.
“I thought I would rather be ploughing in that than judging, so I got some gear together and started.” The New Zealand Silver
Plough Championship vintage competition in April, near Sanson in the Manawatu, was the fourth he had been in and the first time he had won. He came second last year after placing mid-field in previous years. Mr Stalker may well have experience going back decades to call upon, but said continual learning is also part of his winning success. “You have just got to work out your method of how you do things, every time you plough you wonder if you could do it better if you change your methods. When you are awake in bed at night you think about these things, (and think) I will try doing that next time and see it if it works,” Mr Stalker said. “If you start off (a paddock) well, you usually continue well.” Mr Stalker and the event’s runner up, Paul Houghton of the North Island, will represent New Zealand in York, England, at the first ever world vintage contest in September 2016.
Evans Animal Feeds
Boost the health of your stock NOW Evans Animal Feeds are suppliers of a range of specifically formulated and tested free access mineral blocks. Mineral blocks are a cost effective way to help balance pasture/winter feed deficiencies and to provide essential trace elements and key vitamins your stock need for maximum health and production. Available in Eco/Stock friendly cardboard containers of 25kg and 250kg blocks. Expected daily intake 100g per head. • Fodderbeet – designed for cattle grazing fodderbeet – helps prevent phosphorus deficiency • Kale – designed for cattle grazing kale • Dry Cow Mineral Block • Weaner Calf Mineral Block • Sheep Mineral Block • Sheep Feed Blocks • Horse Mineral Block (15kg blocks only) Manufacturers and suppliers of a range of performance proven top quality stock feeds from pet owners through to large farming enterprises Dairy Calf milk replacer (All whole milk – excellent growth rates) Calf meal/pellets - 16% & 18% protein) Sheep Pellets Full range of poultry feed Horse and Pony Pig – piglets through to finishing, dry and lactating sow Multi Nuts – Goats/Alpacas etc Bird – Top Flite range, EVANS RANGE COMING SOON!! Rabbit/Guinea pig Fish food
Our feeds are available in 25kg bags, bulk bags or bulk delivery. Feeds can be specifically designed to meet client requirements for bigger target weights, nutritional deficiencies etc. Cnr Robinson & Watson Streets, Riverside Industrial Park, Ashburton Open Mon-Fri 8am - 5pm, Sat 9am-12 noon
Phone: 03 308 4725 Email: evansanimalfeeds@xtra.co.nz
2 10
Farming
www.guardianonline.co.nz
Tight communities districts strength Mid Canterbury’s tight-knit communities will be the district’s strength in tough times, says the district’s new Federated Farmers provincial president. Michael Salvesen farms in the foothills, on Upper Downs Road, between Mayfield and Mt Somers. The 54-year-old took over the president’s role last month from dairy farmer Willy Leferink. Originally from Scotland, Mr Salvesen and wife Nicky and their four sons moved from the Northern Hemisphere country to Mid Canterbury about 13 years ago. “We just wanted a change,” Mr Salvesen said. “We took the children out of their comfort zones and brought them into a new world. It’s been a journey I suppose.” They started out at Mt Somers, and have been on their current farm, Wakare, for eight years. They had no regrets and one of the strong points of the foothills community was its tight-knit nature, which
Mid Canterbury Federated Farmers new provincial chairman Michael Salvesen. PHOTO AMANDA KONYN 260516-AK-027
really came into its own in tough times. “People pool together pretty well, there’s all those relations through the community, and it comes from the farming community into the town
community as well.” One of his biggest challenges on arriving in New Zealand had been working out who was related to whom, but this had been similar to the Scottish farming area he had
come from. One thing which had been a lot different to their home country was the climate. Mid Canterbury was positively balmy compared to the Scottish Borders.
Studio
Living
The Scottish winter would drag on for months, and Mr Salvesen would start his day at 8am when it was still dark, and finish at 4.30pm by which time it was pitch black again. Temperatures would drop to the negative 20s. “It’s a lot better here,” Mr Salvesen said. On their Mid Canterbury foothills farm, Mr and Mrs Salvesen farm beef cattle and deer. In his new role, Mr Salvesen would like to see more young people involved in leadership courses held through Mid Canterbury Federated Farmers. Many would not be prioritising such courses in the tighter times, however, involvement would pay off in the long-term. Mr Salvesen was enjoying his new role. “I feel very honoured and delighted after such a short time here to be thrust into this position,” he said. He has been Federated Farmers Meat and Fibre Mid Canterbury chairperson since 2013.
We have a great range of studio living solutions to suit your needs. Available from $111,000*. The Collingwood - 7.2m x 5.4m
Contact us for a free site visit today! 364 West Street, Ashburton Ph 03 308 3569 *TERMS & CONDITIONS APPLY - See in store for details.
The Foxton - 6.6m x 6.0m
www.guardianonline.co.nz
ADVERTISING FEATURE
11
MAR - Giving nature a helping hand The Hinds/Hekeau Managed Aquifer Recharge Pilot is about “giving nature a helping hand”, technical lead of the project, Bob Bower, says. The project, one of a number of water management solutions recommended by the Ashburton Water Zone Committee in collaboration with the community, seeks to reduce the amount of nitrates in groundwater in the Tinwald area, while helping to increase the level of water in aquifers. It does this by running
clean Rangitata River water (from the Ashburton District Council’s stock water allocation) into a recharge site. The water will then seep down into the aquifer. “Nature does a really good job of naturally recharging aquifer systems - but that’s if we don’t take water out and don’t put things into them,” Bob said. “When we started using aquifer systems for our own benefits, we started changing the balances and changing where water was put. “So MAR is really just trying to complement what
nature does naturally and help it along.” The project was also about getting smarter with using the water already in the catchment. “Our goal is to have sustainable groundwater management. We want to see a reduction in the nitrate concentration in shallow groundwater and the springsfed streams. We also want to see better reliability for people with groundwater takes,” he said. The pilot is initially for one year, but has consent to run until 2021.
A birds eye view of the Hinds/Hekeau Managed Aquifer Recharge Project.
Bob Bower (Golder Associates) in the main recharge pit before it was filled.
The sediment pond used for holding the water before it flows into the larger recharge pit. Water for the project comes from the Rangitata River via the Rangitata Diversion Race and Valetta Irrigation Scheme.
Zone Committee’s hard work recognised The Ashburton Water Zone Committee is being labelled “courageous” in its decision to move forward with New Zealand’s first catchment-scale Managed Aquifer Recharge pilot. Canterbury Medical Officer of Health, Dr Alistair Humphrey congratulated the zone committee for the move at the opening of the Hinds/ Hekeau Managed Aquifer Recharge Pilot. “It’s a courageous zone committee that has decided on this project and we are
confident that the level of nitrate will rapidly begin to fall in our water,” Alistair said. The CDHB will be monitoring the changes to water quality through the project. “I’m convinced it will work, but we need to see how well it works. The question is how effective it will be in the long term.” Community collaboration is key Ashburton Water Zone Committee member, Gordon Guthrie, said the opening
of the pilot was a real achievement for the committee. This has been a long time coming,” he said. “The neat part of the MAR pilot is having the whole community working together,” Gordon said. “The farmers themselves recognise that there’s an issue that needs to be addressed and are working with all these solutions to try to come up with the right outcome. “The water is coming from the Ashburton District Council’s unused stock water
from the Rangitata River; the Hinds Drains Working Party was set up, so all those farmers have bought into this and are really excited that this might be the thing that actually helps the whole district meet that solution,” Gordon said. For the zone committee, there is no doubt the MAR pilot project will work. “What does success look like? It’s getting life back into these streams more often so they’re not going dry and getting nitrate levels down to a level that’s acceptable.”
Gordon Guthrie.
2 12
Farming
www.guardianonline.co.nz
Injury claims ‘misleading’ The number of workplace injuries and deaths in New Zealand is not nearly as bad as Worksafe NZ suggests, says Wellington economics consultant Ian Harrison. Mr Harrison’s firm Tailrisk Economics is planning an appeal after the Advertising Complaints Authority this month failed to uphold its complaint that claims in Worksafe NZ advertisements, part-funded by ACC, were deceptive. The major advertising campaign featured claims that last year there were 23,000 workplace severe injuries and deaths in New Zealand, and that serious and fatal workplace accidents were twice as common in New Zealand than Australia. “The main basis for the decision is that the ACC claims are defined as severe injuries in a table in an obscure document on the Worksafe NZ website,” Mr Harrison said. Worksafe NZ defines more than one week off work as severe injuries. Statistics NZ and the ACC identify essentially the same data as work-related
WORKSHOP Agri-Women’s Development Trust is planning one-day workshops in Ashburton and Amberley on creating a positive on-farm health and safety culture. To be held on August 4, the Protecting Your Team workshops will each be limited to 16 people.
claims, he said. “The logic is that because Worksafe has defined work-related claims as severe in this document then they are severe. The authority has missed the point,” Mr Harrison said. “It is not how Worksafe NZ defines a term that matters, it is how the viewing public would have interpreted the claims made in the advertisement. They would
not know about the Worksafe NZ definition, and would have been misled, given the context, into thinking that all of the 23,000 claims were truly severe injuries.” Worksafe NZ data shows the number of workplace deaths so far this year to April 1 is 17. The number for the whole of last year was 44, compared to 46 in 2014, 57 in 2013, 48 in 2012 and 49 in 2011.
MIKE PRESTON
Participants will learn about new health and safety regulations, and how to recognise attitudes and behaviours which lead to unsafe practices. They will also learn how to lead a positive health and safety culture, the tools to adopt new practices, and examples of farms which have created strong safety cultures.
Agriculture is New Zealand’s most dangerous industry to work in, with the number of workplace fatalities totalling 96 from January 1, 2011, to April 1 this year. This compares to the next most dangerous industry of construction with 30 deaths in the same period, followed by forestry with 26. There has been a total of 261 workplace deaths in that period.
CALF MEAL $140 MIXED ONSITE INTO SACKS OR BULK FARM FRESH | CUSTOM BLENDS
PER TONNE
LIFESTYLE & RURAL SPECIALIST Considering Selling? Call Mike who has proven rural expertise and the marketing reach to achieve the best result for your property.
• Fresh feed processed on farm • Convenient way to supplement your calves • Your grain or grain supplied by us • Includes molasses, premix minerals/ vitamins & bovatec
“We have been using Feedmix Calf Meal on our farm for 5 years. We find that our calves take to Feedmix a lot easier than other products . Dave and Stew are excellent to work with.” Graham Thomas, Hinds.
• Supplied in sacks, ready to use!
Ask about our Dairy Meal - from $35 per tonne
Dave Campion: 027 608 6455 Stewart Norrie: 027 462 2529 Mike Preston M 027 430 7041 B 03 307 2400
George Morris M 027 212 8668 B 03 307 7377
mike.preston@bayleys.co.nz www.mikepreston.co.nz
george.morris@bayleys.co.nz
WHALAN AND PARTNERS LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008.
www.feedmix.co.nz
Like us on Facebook
www.guardianonline.co.nz
ADVERTISING FEATURE
13
District embracing connectivity At the centre of an agricultural and pastoral farming district, and the gateway to some of the South Island’s most spectacular scenery, Ashburton is embracing connectivity like never before. In the last year, the rural town has gobbled up over 118,500 GB of data to download, upload, stream and connect over Vodafone’s 4G network, all capable thanks to high-speed rural wireless broadband and improved mobile coverage delivered under the Rural Broadband Initiative. Since 2011, Vodafone has built 154 new rural cell sites around New Zealand in partnership with the Government and Chorus, and a further 387 cell sites are on track to have their technology upgraded to offer RBI services by early 2017. Each of these sites allow rural New Zealand communities, like Ashburton, to access improved mobile coverage and high-speed rural wireless broadband.
By loaning a modem out overnight, our customers get to test drive the network and the technology which gives them complete piece of mind before purchasing the product
The Ashburton District has received seven RBI upgrades in that time, providing access to over 4,700 addresses in the area. Vodafone Ashburton Store Manager, Faye Maguire says more and more people are visiting the store to find out about wireless broadband that is delivered over Vodafone’s mobile network. “As Rural Specialists, we’re all really passionate about helping our customers understand what rural wireless broadband is all about and the potential it opens up for rural households and businesses in Ashburton. “By loaning a modem out overnight, our customers get to test drive the network and the technology which gives them complete piece of mind before purchasing the product. There are no hidden surprises, and we’ve had exceptional feedback from our customers about the wireless broadband service”. Faye is excited about the potential rural wireless broadband has for the Ashburton community. “For anyone not on rural wireless broadband, I encourage you to come in, have a chat with one of our Rural Specialists and give the modem a try, what have you got to lose?” To talk to the tech experts on everything rural, head in to the Vodafone Ashburton store on 272 East Street or contact us on 03 307 8087 or retail. ashburton.nz@vodafone.com
80GB data
each month
Unlimited
calls to standard NZ landlines*
For only
105.99
$
per month†
Superfast and reliable rural broadband, now where it matters Our cell towers now deliver broadband to your home without the need for fixed lines. Over 36,000 rural Canterbury addresses now have access to wireless broadband with Vodafone. Find out more at Vodafone, 272 East Street, Ashburton. Or call our Rural Specialists on 03 307 8087.
Here is where it matters
* Charges apply to calls over two hours, see vodafone.co.nz/unlimited-national-calling. Rural broadband not available everywhere and terms apply, see vodafone.co.nz/rural † Installation fees may apply.
TRACTA56948-C-GF
“
“We thought someone had to dig up our driveway to get faster broadband”
2 14
Farming
www.guardianonline.co.nz
Organic produce a missed opportunity Consistent growth in demand for organic produce represents a missed opportunity for New Zealand, says organics guru Bob Crowder. The former Lincoln University lecturer said dairy farmers in particular could not afford to ignore the growth which had happened over the past 40 years. He believed the payout forecast of $9.20 for organic milksolids, more than double the price of conventional milk, had the potential to take New Zealand back to being a world leader in organics. New Zealand had allowed its status as a frontrunner in organics to slide. “At one time we were one of the top certified organic nations in the world. Now we’re almost insignificant in the global picture,” Mr Crowder said. He put this down to a cheap-food mentality, with no thought for quality or origin. Organics had not filled the promise they held way back in the 1970s when Mr Crowder established Lincoln University’s Biological
“
At one time we were one of the top certified organic nations in the world. Now we’re almost insignificant in the global picture
Husbandry Unit (BHU). Horticulture students worked on the site as part of their studies, learning a holistic organic philosophy and undertaking historic research. This year the BHU is celebrating 40 years of organic status. It has grown from an area for the teaching and demonstration of holistic environmental aspects, to a charitable trust which now incorporates a training college, the Future Farming Centre and the BHU Farm. “Students in the 1970’s were very radical. They weren’t forced to be organic. What we were doing had to be integrated into the general teaching. The BHU was based on good scientific principles, not muck and mystery,” Mr Crowder said. “Our research and the
students we taught were the foundation for the future of organics in New Zealand. We produced some really excellent students of organic philosophy who are today leading the organic movement.” Right - Organics guru Bob Crowder established Lincoln University’s Biological Husbandry Unit which is 40 years old this year.
PHOTO SUPPLIED
Irrigation Pump Sheds/Storage
PRESBYOND
Laser Blended Vision Reading vision treatment for Presbyopic patients is now available with the South Island’s latest precision ZEISS equipment.
These sheds are made to be easy to install with the middle piece of roof iron having been left off for easy Hiab onto your concrete pad. A 50mm overhang has been allowed to fit over your concrete pad so that you have no leaks. There is hex bird netting over the ventilation gap across the front. Made from quality H3 90x45 framing timber and finished with either zincalume or your choice of colorsteel. Sheds can be made standard or to your individual requirements. All sheds are made to order and individually priced - large & small we make them all!
Adams Sawmilling Co Ltd ISPM 15 accredited for Export Pallets
Malcolm McDowell Drive, Ashburton Ph (03) 308 3595 Fax (03) 308 5649
WIN A FORD RANGER Simply purchase CRC Brakleen, peel the sticker and enter your unique code at crc.co.nz and be into win a FORD RANGER
PLUS FREE CRC MUG with every 4 pack of CRC products sold.
INDUSTRIAL 5.56
Multi-use spray. Advanced lubrication. Frees rusted parts. Inhibits corrosion. Long lasting film.
$15 Full range of engineering supplies & accessories for all your repairs & maintenance. Esseti Welders & Accessories. Stockists and distributors of Trailer Equipment. Kerrick Hot & Cold Waterblasters & Industrial Vacuum Cleaners. Locally owned & operated family business for 63 years.
+ GST
ZINC IT
Rust protection.
$16.96 + GST BLACK ZINC
$13.30 + GST
South Street, Ashburton PHONE (03) 308-3147 Fax (03) 308-1042 Email office@blacklows.co.nz
FREEPHONE 0800 452 522
AEROCLEAN DEGREASER
808 SILICONE SPRAY
Flushes oil, grease and grime build up from dirty engines
Clear multi-purpose enhancer, lubricant and protectant.
$10
$10.35
+ GST
+ GST
ASHBURTON
*Price Excludes on road costs. Available while stocks last. Visit www.mmnz.co.nz for full Diamond Advantage Warranty conditions.
cnr Montreal & St Asaph Streets, Christchurch. christchurchmitsubishi.co.nz Sales, Service & Parts: 03 379 0588
*Prices shown include Factory Rebate Discounts, where applicable.
2 16
Farming
www.guardianonline.co.nz
Around the traps Farmers learned all about soil fertility at an evening at Ski Time in Methven last month, featuring American soil balance expert Neal Kinsey. Mr Kinsey was being hosted by TopSoils, as part of a nationwide speaking tour.
Above - Neal Kinsey.
PHOTOS TETSURO MITOMO 260516-TM-0057
Above - (from left) Duncan Humm, John Harmer and Ben Smith.
260516-TM-0052
Above - (from left) Ila Wilson, Geoffrey Wilson and David Hards.
260516-TM-0053
Above - (from left) Mike Howe, Don Williamson and Watt Copland.
260516-TM-0051
Jock Meehan on Vet LSD®
(Lake McKay, Wanaka)
HIGH on performance, survivability and profit! GET THE FACTS
• For Jock the options are stock lick or Vet LSD.® “I prefer Vet LSD® as I know every animal is getting what it needs.”
Flock a Vet LSD® Treated
1000 ewes tailing 120% = 1200 lambs
Flock B: 1000 eyes tailing 112% - 1120 lambs Difference Flock A vs. Flock B = 80 lambs
The extra 80 lambs Flock A has at a value of $85 per lamb = $6800 Take out the cost of the Vet LSD® treatment for the ewes in Flock A: $6800 = $280
• Jock finds Vet LSD®’s A,D and E formulation with trace elements Iodine, Selenium and Chromium has provided a valuable boost to stock health over high stress periods of lambing and for boosting health when crop feeding.
= extra $6250 income
• For the cost Vet LSD® is worth it as a positive boost to stock health.
www.guardianonline.co.nz
17
Around the traps Hinds/Hekeao Managed Aquifer Recharge pilot project official opening.
PHOTOS AMANDA KONYN 030616-AK-033
030616-AK-042
030616-AK-036
030616-AK-041
030616-AK-056
Farming
2 18
www.guardianonline.co.nz
Hints for keeping horses in winter
They need hay for several reasons
• T o feed the flora in the hind-gut the by-products of which are what actually feed the horse providing him with a source of energy and B-Vitamins • Another by-product of the fermentation process is heat therefore this is the principal way your horse can keep himself warm when in cold weather. Especially important for uncovered horses. How much hay? As much as they will eat. If you put hay out and there is some left then cut it back by that much but don’t let them go hours without any hay. One biscuit morning and night is not
Jenny Paterson
BSC ZOOLOGY AND BIOLOGY
enough! The horse’s stomach already contains very acidic juices for fibre breakdown and every hour your horse goes without chewing feed the pH of his stomach acid drops until it is like battery acid! The act of chewing produces saliva which is a buffer preventing the stomach environment from plunging into excessive acidity. Therefore the very act of chewing keeps horses contented and prevents the occurrence of gastric ulcers! Small mesh hay nets are ideal because they slow down the consumption enabling the horse to trickle feed and prevent wastage caused by trampling or urinating on it. They help the hay to last longer especially over-night.
A quick run outside in the dressing-gown and gum-boots first thing to feed out hay will prevent your horses eating frosted grass, which when they do repeatedly, can cause metabolic problems in winter including laminitis! Understandably many people turn their horses out over winter. There is nothing wrong with this but it is a big mistake to do so without a feed at least once a day containing salt plus all their vitamins and minerals because by spring they will be low in minerals like copper, zinc and selenium which will compromise their immune system. Mineral buckets are unsuitable as horses only lick them to the point they want the salt and/ or the molasses. Even in winter horses should have a glossy, soft coat and if you want them to be in show condition when they shed in spring it is important to keep up the good nutrition throughout winter. Horses who have trouble maintaining weight in winter will benefit from the addition of amino acids into their diet
to prevent loss of top-line, plus an increase in the calories consumed. A good idea is to cook whole barley with some whole linseed in your slowcooker over-night. If it is at all possible split your horses’ feed into morning and night. Just make up two at once. Take covers off during the day at every opportunity. It is not fair on the horse to have the cover put on in May and not taken off until September and apart from never checking on their condition, they are liable to develop skin conditions and nasty chafes.
Make sure all your horses have the option of shelter from inclement weather. Horses with a thick winter coat are well adapted to cold weather but not so when it is also wet. All the insulating properties of the hair-coat are lost when it is plastered down by rain. If they don’t have the option of a paddock shelter then this is the time to put a water-proof cover on. The long range forecast is for a warmer than usual winter but either way if you follow these guidelines your horse will be good to go in spring.
Provide it Provide it TM
Kitset Sheds
BIRDPROOF RAFTERS
STRONG & PROVEN
COMPLETE KITSETS
on See us at site E90 FREE DELIVERY
OR CALL US FOR A FREE BROCHURE PACK!
0800 428 453 www.alpinebuildings.co.nz
“The first choice for my next shed!”
When the days are short and you go to work in the dark and come home in the dark, caring for horses and other livestock becomes a challenge. Here are some pointers which will help to ease the load. When grass gets scarce and paddocks turn to mud your horses need plenty of hay instead.
TM
FAST INSTALL
NZ LTD
WASTE ISSUES? WE CAN HELP
• • • • • •
Septic tank cleaning all systems Portaloos Dairy sumps, wedges and saucers Drain cleaning truck Residential drain clearing High powered water blasting jetting truck for blocked drains, commercial and residential
CALL THE POOCREW
Phone Darryl Burrowes on 03 308 5293 or 0274 333 563
Locally owned and operated
New
Cattle Fodder Beet Block Palatable, convenient and cost-effective, New Cattle Fodder Beet Block, is a molassesbased supplement to help prevent phosphorus deficiency and balance other minerals lacking in your herds’ diet. To order today or learn more, phone 0800 287 325 or visit sealeswinslow.co.nz
BAL0025b Fodder Beet Press_Farmers Weekly_FP 390x265.indd 1
29/02/16 12:00 pm
2 20
Farming
www.guardianonline.co.nz
Succession planning for your family Succession planning in the rural sector is one of the most talked about, reported on, researched issues in farming today, and yet year after year it remains an issue. The word succession implies ownership transfer to the kids, and mum and dad pursuing other interests or retiring. This is an intriguing concept; why remove the experience and historical knowledge from the farm? The flip side of that is why have your son or daughter with great skills grow someone else’s business? There is no one-size-fits-all to succession, every farm business, or for that matter any family-run business, is different and any succession plan needs to be tailored for their specific family needs and desires. As much as we all want it, there will be no quick answer. It is important, however, that we don’t start with looking at how to transfer the ownership. If the management hasn’t evolved and great governance isn’t in place, what
Maurice Myers
KPMG
value are you transferring to future generations by transferring ownership? It’s about transferring roles, responsibility and management also. Before starting to look at transferring anything, it’s important to do a stocktake of how the business looks today, who does what, and what are the existing outcomes the business is achieving. You need to start with a blank page, have no predetermined solutions in mind and just consider what you want the business to look like in the future. How long do you want it to exist for? Who will be running it? How will it be run and what outcomes do you want?
And seek outside advice ... it’s very difficult to be objective about the future of your business without outside help. Like a family heirloom, good or bad succession will be passed through generations, it creates terrible stress and unnecessary divides in families. Have a think about your farm and family. What are you focused on, ownership or management? Have you created a structure that carves up the asset? Or have
BRINGING YOU VALUABLE INSIGHTS CONTACT T: 03 307 6355 E: ashburton@kpmg.co.nz
you created the legacy of a sustainable business that will go on for generations to come? As always the key to any successful plan is to get a good team of advisors representing the owners. Family, alongside your accountant, farm advisor and solicitor all work together to achieve the required objectives and outcomes. So often it will be the subjective or non-financial factors that may take the longest and be the hardest to
reach compromise on, but the parties will certainly need to be prepared to give and take a little to achieve the optimum solution. Above all allow time – plenty of time – as it will never be easy to hand over the reins to another, enviably younger generation. And above all it will be necessary to plan and plan again, it can never be too early to start, let alone come to a successful conclusion.
PMR GRAIN SYSTEMS
CROP STORAGE AND HANDLING SYSTEMS
AVAILABLE SOUTH ISLAND WIDE TIMBER DRIVE-OVER DRYING FLOORS Also air tunnels, fans and heaters etc all sizes suitable for all crops.
MOBILE GRAIN DRIER 10 to 40 tonne batch
027 762 7824 (027 SMART AG) seaun@smartagsolutions.co.nz www.smartagsolutions.co.nz
Dairy Feed and Crop Storage Specialists
5 HP FANS TO 50 HP FANS
CROP DRYING FANS & CONSTANT HUMIDITY GAS BURNERS
Dairy Feed and Crop Storage Specialists
Tel: 03 303 7266 Mobile: 0275 146 609 | Email: dave@pmr.co.nz Mobile 0274 151 390 | Email: paul@pmr.co.nz Web: www.pmr.co.nz
2 22
Farming
www.guardianonline.co.nz
Is leasing a suitable option? The recent successful “tender for lease” of a quality large-scale sheep, beef and deer property near Fairlie undertaken by our company has highlighted several points.
A previous tender of a similar property also attracted good interest, so is a trend emerging? Is leasing a suitable option, and fit for farm succession or retiring farmers? Do I sell now with farm values easing? Enquiry levels were unprecedented for this farm, which resulted in a large number of farm inspections and multiple offers at the tender date. The depth of enquiry was from a wide cross section including farm managers, farming families, sharemilkers/herd managers, exiting dairy and neighbouring farms looking for a strategic add-on to existing operations. In general, the applicants saw a great opportunity to grow equity from this large scale traditional livestock property to set themselves up for a future land purchase of their own. Nothing new in this, so why the unprecedented depth of enquiry? Yes, it was a good quality farm at the top of its game which does not come up often. It also demonstrated the difficulty and lack of
Greg Jopson, Property Brokers.
opportunities today that young farmers and farming families have available to achieve or get on the first rung of farm ownership. The ability to share or work your way into your first farm, given today’s land
values, is almost unobtainable unless you are backed by family or other funding sources. While there are some great agricultural careers and opportunities available, the ultimate goal is still to own
your own farming business and land. The high calibre of the offers clearly shows we have some skilled farming talent and families with experience who are crying out for the opportunity to get into their
SIZE, STRENGTH & STABILITY FOR OVER 40 YEARS • • • •
Bulk Grain Storage Container Cartage Firewood Supplies Hay & Straw Cartage
• Agricultural Spraying • Lime & Super Spreading • Precision Nitrogen
Sowing • Log Cartage • Shingle Supplies • Swinglifting
• • • •
Grain Cartage Silo Storage Cool Storage Stock Cartage
Methven - Christchurch - Daily Freight Supplies Methven - Ashburton - Daily Freight Supplies ISO Accredited PO Box 28 Line Road, Methven
Ph 302 8616 - Fax 302 9657
philipwareingltd@xtra.co.nz
SECOND HAND EQUIPMENT
M
FRO
0 $75
Round bale feeder, suitable for sheep, lambs and calves
M
FRO
Silage tines
$55
Knverland 6 Furrow BB100 plough, very tidy condition . . $20,000 Duncan 701 x 20 run drill c/w Eclispe box and harrows excellent condition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4250 Lely centreliner, very tidy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SOLD James 2 leg arator brand new . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $3500 Clough 920 x 3 metre maxi till . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2200 Isuzu JCR500 truck, 334,000kms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P.O.A. Campbell 17 tine grubber, 2 options to choose from. . . . . $1500 Taskmaster forklift with extensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1500 Duncan 14ft maxi till, 2 available . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1200 Bale forks new with Euro mounts . . . . . . . . . . . .from $1000 Electric fence standards and reels available
2016 Wheat and Wheels Rally DVD $25.00 Available from McMullan Enterprises
126 Dobson Street, Ashburton - Phone: 03 308 2059 | Mobile: 0274 326 847 mcmullanent@xtra.co.nz - www.mcmullanenterprises.com
All prices exclude G.S.T
www.guardianonline.co.nz
own farming business. For this tender, the owners wanted to retain ownership of their farm to allow children time to decide if they would like to return to the farm. Leasing was an obvious option
23
that allowed time for future family succession. Leasing does allow the breathing space to decide your future without the day-to-day operational pressure, rather than rush into selling your life
time’s work. Leasing the farm is an option which will come down to your own personal goals and priorities. Do we need the capital now, or can it be better redeployed elsewhere? Will the rental provide a suitable income and return on investment? Will it achieve our future goals? In many ways leasing is as complex as selling a farm, so it’s critical to get it right. If considering leasing your farm then it is recommended to seek advice from your professional advisors. Putting it in the hands of an agent or third party to manage the process and interact with your professional advisors can remove the hassle factor, and chances of not getting the right outcome. With leasing, the aim is to find the right tenant who will treat your farm as their own, maintain it in the same condition and provide a competitive market rental. Utilising a third party to undertake the management of the tender process allows the vendors to focus on selecting the best candidate or offer. Rather than be involved knee
deep in the process, they can objectively assess at arm’s length from feedback reports and their own interaction with the candidates. Timing is everything when selling a farm, and for some vendors selling the farm may not always be the best option. Like the later 1980s when farm values reduced dramatically, leasing was utilised by farm
“
per cent year on year to March 2016 ($5,339,250 – 2014/15 to $4,797,038 2015/16). Farm sale volumes ( > 20 hectares) have decreased from 47 into 2014/15 to 26 in the same period. Nationally farm values are down -15.9 per cent and farm volumes -3.8 per cent (REINZ) over the same period. Mid Canterbury land values are holding firm in comparison
In many ways leasing is as complex as selling a farm, so it’s critical to get it right
owners who were not forced to sell but still wanted to exit farming. Leasing provided an income and allowed them to hold onto their farms and sell when confidence and values improved. Thankfully we have a rural banking fraternity taking a responsible and proactive approach, so we are unlikely to see any graphic decrease in values such as in the late 1980s. In Mid Canterbury average farm values (> 20 hectares) have decreased -10.2
with other areas. It appears Mid Canterbury vendors are prepared to hold farms rather than sell at lower values in uncertain times and the current commodity cycle. Whatever the next few years hold for farm values, leasing is a serious option if suitable. It’s also worth considering that this option may help to kick-start the farming career of a young farmer or farming family with the opportunity to lease your farm.
You’re in safe hands when you sell your farm with Property Brokers
Why? Because it’s what we do!
Selling farms is our business and we’ve been successfully doing it for over four decades. If you want sound advice about selling your farm then give the team a call today.
0800 FOR LAND propertybrokers.co.nz
2 24
Farming
www.guardianonline.co.nz
WELL DRILLING FEATURE
Lack of recharge equals low water levels Lack of recharge from rainfall and rivers and other surface water is the main factor in low groundwater levels, according to ECan. There has been concern over low levels in Canterbury, making it all the more important that the right well experts are employed to access water of the quality and volume required. For a groundwater system to be sustainable over time, the rate of abstraction and other discharges, such as springs and flow to sea, must not exceed the rate of recharge of the system. Additionally, the cumulative effect of a number of wells affects everyone drawing from the aquifer, and may also affect spring fed streams, and potentially the saltwater/ freshwater interface at the coast. In aquifers with large abstractions, the levels can decline faster, and reach lower levels, depending on how good the aquifer is. There can be localised interference, where drawdown from a well creates a cone-
shaped depression in the groundwater levels which can affect your neighbours' wells. This effect will depend on the distance between wells, the abstraction rate, the physical aquifer characteristics, and the regional groundwater levels. There is also an affect called hydraulic connection. This is when surface water and groundwater are directly
linked. When you pump water from a well that is connected to a nearby stream, it reduces the flow in the stream. This may be because the groundwater supplies water to the stream, and abstraction lowers the supply, or because the stream supplies water to the groundwater, and the abstraction lowers the groundwater and increases the
Sustainable to the core Locally manufactured
Timbercore is a fully New Zealand owned company. We believe that by buying and using New Zealand made goods and services we are helping to create jobs and are promoting economic growth. We feel strongly about supporting our fellow New Zealanders in this way. Our timber products are locally grown and manufactured. Different types of Timbercore sustainable buildings. Left: Residential barn Below left: Chalet Bottom: Arena - interior
P: 03 347 7079 E: sales@timbercore.co.nz W: www.timbercore.co.nz
losses from the stream. Rainfall in the hills and the plains recharges aquifers. Once the soils of the plains are saturated, water will drain through the soil profile to the water table. Due to high summer evapotranspiration rates and low rainfall, this normally only occurs during the winter months.
A series of dry winters will result in low groundwater levels. Rivers flowing across the plains, and water from irrigation and stock water schemes also recharge groundwater. Even the smaller foothills rivers can have very significant effects on the groundwater in their vicinity.
Concrete construction projects are a large part of the business at Tony Boyce Builders We do anything to do with concrete construction: Housing
Dairy
Sheds
Commercial
• New housing, housing additions and alterations, joinery • Pre-cast panels • Residential and commercial driveways • Irrigation siphons & intakes • Effluent saucers & wedges • Feed pads • Silo pads • Feed sheds • Fertiliser and palm kernel bunkers • Commercial buildings
32 Washdyke Flat Road, Washdyke
E: tonyboyce.co.nz P: 03-688 2181 W: www.tonyboyce.co.nz
www.guardianonline.co.nz
WELL DRILLING FEATURE
25
Water supplies need planning Water is a highly sought-after commodity, and rural property owners will want to do all they can to make sure they use this resource wisely. Using a consultant to draw up a complete water system for the farm is advised for new properties, and key features to consider are what pumps you will need for distribution, how
to use gravity for distribution where possible, the best pipes to use, stop-valves, storage facilities and the number and size of livestock troughs. You can not beat expert local advice, and specialists in the industry will be able to come up with innovative solutions, which meet environmental compliance regulations. The house and farm supply will ideally be on different lines, so if you have
a problem with the farm supply you can switch it off without depriving the household of water. When it comes to storage for human consumption, it is important to get the right watertank. And the general advice is bigger is better. This is particularly important as our climate becomes more unpredictable and susceptible to drought. Before buying a tank, you need to think about where it is going to go, and all tanks
need specially prepared bases to sit on. A litre of water weighs about 1kg, so 25,000 litres will weigh about 25 tonnes. The requirement for human domestic use is 180 to 200 litres per day. The other aspect to consider on-farm is sewage disposal. And when it comes to septic tanks, maintenance is crucial. “A poorly maintained septic tank will become a serious health hazard, spreading disease and contaminating
water sources,” says Consumer New Zealand. Its advice is to learn about your particular system and keep a maintenance record. “Include drawings of the system, mapping out its exact location. Your local council may be able to provide you with some of these details. “Newer systems often include a maintenance contract in their price. It is worth considering buying a maintenance contract for older systems.”
Specialists in drilling water wells in the Canterbury area since 1961
Services we provide •Free site investigation and no obligation quotes •Rotary and cable tool drilling rigs •Domestic waterwells •Lifestyle blocks •Irrigation wells •Pump design, supply and installation to suit your needs
•Pump and well repairs and service •Down hole camera and video •Electronic test pump monitoring for water consents •Carry out water tests for building consents •Member of NZ Drillers Federation
P: 03 324 3799 M: 0274 338245 E: smithwells@xtra.co.nz www.smithswelldrilling.co.nz 67 Leeston & Lake Road, Leeston 7632
2 26
Farming
WELL DRILLING FEATURE
www.guardianonline.co.nz
A quality job with Barber Drilling Barber Drilling are leaders in dual-rotary drilling for water wells in the Canterbury region and throughout the South Island. Based at Geraldine, the firm was set up by qualified drillers Wayne O’Donnell and Bruce Washington in 2001, after they returned from well-drilling operations in Australia. Mr O’Donnell said the company prides itself on using only thick-wall steel which doesn’t buckle, resulting in a straighter and better quality, long-life well. “This was tried and proven in the Canterbury earthquakes,” Mr O’Donnell said. Barber Drilling’s services include water well drilling, exploration drilling, dewatering, site investigations, piling and geotechnical. “Our equipment is of a very high standard and we experience fewer breakdowns because it is well-maintained to a strict service schedule,” Mr O’Donnell said. Barber Drilling can drill to a depth of 300-metres plus,
“
with diameters from 150mm to 60mm. Its dual-rotary system is designed to prevent sticking. Mr O’Donnell and Mr Washington and their team of hard-working staff have
many years of experience working in both New Zealand and across the Tasman, contracting to mining giants including Rio Tinto, BHP Billiton and Solid Energy. They are enjoying bringing their wealth of expertise to
New Zealand farmers and lifestyle-block owners. For new wells, farmers can by pass the resource consent application process, as Barber Drilling is an ECan-approved driller which undertakes all the required checks. As well
Barber Drilling can drill to a depth of 300 metres plus
as the convenience afforded, it negates the $500 resource consent application fee. Barber Drilling is also an expert in well maintenance and well redevelopment. Alongside a range of wellmonitoring and flow-testing equipment, it has a Well-vu camera which can view up to 300 metres and a DVD is recorded and given to the owner. Barber Drilling offers water testing, generator hire, riser and pump extraction and servicing and advice and problem solving. “Barber Drilling will always offer clients advice, keep clients up to date with progress and talk through the options as the job proceeds. We instil confidence and customer satisfaction,” Mr O’Donnell said.
IRRIGATION & DOMESTIC WATER WELLS LOCALLY OWNED & OPERATED
• Latest Well Drilling Equipment • Licensed owner operators • Generator for hire service
34 High Street, Geraldine | Freephone 0508 227 237 Phone (03) 693 1403 | Wayne 027 221 1467
www.barberdrilling.com
WELL VU CAMERA CAN VIEW DOWN TO 300M
www.guardianonline.co.nz
WELL DRILLING FEATURE
27
Homework helps for new wells Thinking of drilling a deeper well to future-proof your farm water supply? Then it may pay to review your expectations, according to a local land specialist. That’s because there’s often much more to this process than many farmers realise. “It’s a bit like looking for gold,” Landpro senior resource management planner Martell Letica says. “It takes a lot of time, money, scientific knowledge and even luck. “If you succeed, the outcome can be significant, because a good groundwater supply can potentially act as a reservoir. But making this actually happen is a highly speculative process.” Unlike surface water yield, which is relatively quick and easy to estimate before starting a development project, deep groundwater yield cannot be assessed without drilling test bores. That means investing money before you know for sure if there’s even enough water available to meet your needs.
While shallow groundwater aquifers are often mapped to a greater degree of detail, those which lie deeper are harder and less likely to be quantified. And with a new deep well costing upwards of $100,000, not including the pumping system, it’s well worth doing as much research as possible before going ahead. Martell says judging by enquiries she’s received, there’s definitely interest among Canterbury farmers in deeper wells as a way to either augment their existing water supply or become selfsufficient for irrigation. Her advice for anyone thinking about such a project is to talk first to local drillers, who usually have a good understanding of an area’s underlying geology. “Ask them if they think there might be water on your farm, where they would look for it and whether they have any knowledge of any deeper bores in the area,” she suggests. She also advises getting
rid of a few common misconceptions. If your existing farm well is at 40 metres, for example, which is about average for the Canterbury Plains, drilling a new well to 80 metres or more will not automatically double your amount of water. Nor will the water from a new, deeper well necessarily be available at all times, which is another typical expectation, Martell says. “People often also think that taking groundwater from a deeper source will have no effect on surface water bodies. But water is so interconnected that we’re now increasingly seeing it assessed as a single resource, rather than two separate resources of ground and surface water.” Martell Letica is one of a team of 20 land development experts working for Landpro, including surveyors, environmental scientists, resource management consultants and engineers. Based in Timaru, she can be reached at 027 445 6897 or via email martell@landpro.co.nz.
Richard Ford and Martell Letica, Landpro Timaru.
Make the most of your land Talk to our team of experts today to get the job done right the first time! Specialists in... Geotechnical Services Water Permits Water Quality Sampling Dairy Conversions Renewal of Effluent Discharge Consents
0800 023 318 info@landpro.co.nz www.landpro.co.nz
Cromwell Gore New Plymouth Timaru
B DESIGN
Nutrient and Farm Management Plans Resource Consents Surveying Aerial Mapping Irrigation Services Environmental Science
www.guardianonline.co.nz
WINTER MAINTENANCE FEATURE
29
Winter a busy time on the farm As long working days in the sun are left far behind, it is time to turn our minds to winter jobs.
Good pasture management is important, and this is the time of year to avoid pugging. Grazing at high stock density on wet soils reduced pasture production by up to 45 per cent over the following year. For sheep, Veterinary Centre recommends in June that they receive a lice treatment offshears, and that a faecal egg count is performed at scanning time to assess levels, and assist in pre-lamb worm control decision making. It is the time to book TB testing for deer, and scan hinds 35 to 40 days after stag removal. For cows, June is a good time to administer a long acting selenium product to cows, which should last over mating. When it comes to your farm’s hedges, these can be cut year round. Contractors will recommend cutting once or twice per year to promote healthy growth and thickening, and new hedges should be pruned from an early stage to help develop a strong shape. It is important that trees
do not hang over power lines, and EA Networks’ trees department can trim or remove trees near powerlines which pose a problem, at the company’s own cost. Farmers can also engage a contractor or do the work themselves, however, they will need to arrange a time to have the power supply disconnected if working near service lines. Winter is also a good time to grade farm lanes, and you
Free Quotes • Modern Equipment
will want a good surface to ensure lameness in livestock is kept at bay.
Boating maintenance
As the days shorten, you will not be able to help dreaming about some of the recreational opportunities summer may bring. Boats in particular are a valued asset, and one which requires some looking after over winter. Following a few basics will
Efficient Service By Experienced Operators
TQS1 ACCREDITED - NZTA PREQUALIFIED CONTRACTOR TIMARU 55 Sheffield St, Washdyke 03 688 2001 CHRISTCHURCH 56 Greywacke Rd, Harewood 03 341 7266 ASHBURTON 22 Dobson Street West 0275 746 803
Check us out at www.paulsmithearthmoving.co.nz
Effluent separator
help make sure your boat will be in tip top shape come next summer. Clean your boat before storing for the winter. This will help keep any corrosion in check, and make it much easier to get ready in the spring. Treat and repair any blistering on fibreglass, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions when it comes to oil, cooling system and engine requirements.
• • • • • • • • • • • • •
CARPARKS CONVERSION WORK DAIRYLANES DEMOLITION DRAINAGE DRIVEWAYS FORESTRY HOUSE EXCAVATING LANDSCAPING ROADING ROCK RETAINING WALLS SHINGLE & SOIL SUPPLIES SUBDIVISIONS
2 30
Farming
WINTER MAINTENANCE FEATURE
www.guardianonline.co.nz
A love of the outdoors combined Pete Farmer developed a passion for the outdoors growing up on the West Coast and today runs a logging and earthmoving business shaping rural environments.
He has spent 22 years in the industry, eight running his own business Tree Services out of Dunsandel and says looking after the land is top priority on any job. Tree Services undertakes logging and earthmoving jobs year-round, and has an arsenal of modern machinery including 15 diggers and dozers to get the job done. The business grew from logging to logging site cleanups, road-making and clearing land for irrigation. Tree Services also undertakes laneway construction, effluent pond construction, irrigation ramps, drain making, root raking and fire pile burning. Pete has a loyal following of clients around Canterbury and he prides himself on doing the best job possible. He says his love of the outdoors combines well with a passion for machinery. “There wasn’t much to be done on the coast while I was growing up, it was either the mines or forestry. I always had a strong pull to machines and the bush so I took up an opportunity to work in the bush on a machine and never
Main loading point at Coal Track Road, Dunsandel, for trucks heading to port with export logs. Logging co
looked back.” He moved to Canterbury in his 20s, working on logging and road-making, then branched out on his own. His philosophy is to get the best return from trees or farmland for his client as possible.
“The most rewarding aspect of my job is keeping clients happy. We have a large group who ring often for advice and invite us to their new shed openings or get-togethers. We build great relationships with our clients as we are often on their land for a significant time
and we like to think they are happy and comfortable with us being there. “Another rewarding aspect of our job is looking back on what is now a 1200-cow farm and shed and thinking back to what the forest and rough country looked like before we started.”
Contact today for your free no obligations quote!
WANTED LARGE QUANTITIES OF BLUE GUM & MACROCARPA TREES
Land clearing specialists Irrigation clearance Forestry block clean-ups Wind blown trees removed Earthworks small to large Wind rows removed Block de-stumped Logging 18+ Years experience Fully insured Servicing Selwyn & South Canterbury areas Burning services available
CONTACT TREE SERVICES TODAY! 021 0498 657 treeservices@xtra.co.nz
www.guardianonline.co.nz
WINTER MAINTENANCE FEATURE
31
with a passion for machinery
onversion back to pasture.
Pete said he and his staff were also striving to be innovative and offer the best and most competitive service possible. “And time is just making us better and more knowledgeable.” Understanding what the client needs is key. “We
provide a personalised service which means having regular site meetings and providing good updates. Whether it’s around stock movements in paddocks or working in with farm owners and managers to only work in grazed areas, we listen because farms are busy places. Work may need to happen around milking, calving and lane usage, so understanding how farms work and identifying times of least disruption is crucial.” Pete said the end goal was also to have satisfied clients, while offering the best deal. “I find honesty plays a big part. If I think it can’t be done as asked, I will talk it over with the client and explain the changes needed to reach the end result.” He said the industry had experienced its share of ups and downs but Tree Services always aimed to do a quality job. “We want our clients to get the best value for their money possible, so we offer a big range of services and options while onsite so they don’t need to think about calling anyone else.”
Interlock blocks used to build 2x 200 metre ramps 3 meters high over cow shed and silos.
Export Logs from Fairfield heading to Timaru port.
100 hectares of blue gum logged and sold to recover cost, put back into pasture.
Burning of the stumps and branches from the blue gum block, conversation for new cow shed pad.
• Earthworks • Irrigation clearance • Gravel screening
We do it all
SERVICES LTD
15 machines and nothing under 30 tonne! Dozers, d6, d7, graders, rollers, Moxi 6x6 dump trucks, wheel loaders and truck and trailers.
Always striving for innovation P: 021 0498 657
Tree Services Ltd Canterbury wide
E: treeservices@xtra.co.nz
2 32
Farming
WINTER MAINTENANCE FEATURE
www.guardianonline.co.nz
For the ultimate fun on water The first jetboats carved their way upstream in the mid-1950s and it wasn’t long before hunters recognised their benefits. Jetboats opened up new hunting grounds, made old ones more accessible and helped hunters return with their spoils, while also making the trip itself more adventurous. It’s not much different today - most jetboaters are also fishermen and hunters, combining their passion for river, rod and rifle to best advantage in getting off the beaten track and into the untamed wilderness. HamiltonJet NZ is the premiere family jetboat builder and service workshop in Canterbury. Since the company was founded in1960 as the boat-building arm of waterjet manufacturer CWF Hamilton & Co, it has built thousands of jetboats used around the country and throughout the world. As an indication of the quality of HamiltonJet NZ products, many of its jetboats from back to the 1960s and
70s are still in regular use today and the HJNZ workshop can still supply most parts for even the oldest jet units and
boats. Its full service workshop can carry out all repairs to aluminium, steel and
fibreglass hulls and decks, jet unit servicing and impeller rebuilding, engine maintenance and tuning,
along with refurbishing of windscreens, rub-rails, seats, engine covers and more. New HamiltonJet boats come in a range of lengths to best suit the type of jetboating you are doing and can be powered by the engine of your choice, coupled to the world’s most popular river jet unit the Hamilton Jet HJ212. Boats can be purchased as a complete turnkey package or as any combination of hull, deck, jet unit, engine and trailer for you to assemble and fit out to your own specifications. HamiltonJet boats hold their value better than any other jetboat manufacturer and when you buy from Hamilton Jet NZ you have our personal guarantee of quality of workmanship and materials to ensure you get many years of safe and enjoyable family boating on New Zealand’s many rivers and lakes. There’s no question jetboats provide something more for family boating, hunting and fishing - the only restriction is how far and deep the river runs.
We are the experts in:
Underpasses Laneways Effluent Ponds
Phone Dave Rowlands 027 484 1114 Diesel Workshop direct line: 308 7400
FREE BAR KIT
$9,909 EX GST
UED AT $622 RRP VALUED
KG 556
HEAVY DUTY FEATURES
TILT BOX WITH 180KG CAPACITY
ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING
ENGINE BRAKING SYSTEM & 4 WHEEL DESCENT CONTROL
44HP
556KG TOWING CAPACITY
CHRISTCHURCH 799 JONES RD, ROLLESTON. 03 349 4883. STEVE JOHNSON 027 486 7726.
ASHBURTON www.dne.co.nz 0800 432 633
Gold
Sponsor
Ashburton Contracting Limited
P 03 308 4039 A 48 South Street, Ashburton W www.ashcon.co.nz
832 EAST ST. 03 307 9911. DANNY KING 027 535 3538.
*Offer ends 31/7/16 or earlier if stocks run out. Only available at participating Polaris dealers. Not valid with any other offer. Excludes fleet clients.
www.polaris.co.nz |
RURAL BROADBAND Made easy.
PHILL STAYS GREEN WITH INCREASED REVENUE Farm owner and agricultural consultant Phill Everest uses Growsmart® Precision VRI to “kill five birds with one stone.” He’s able to improve the sustainability of his dairy operation while reducing its environmental impacts. Phill sees the benefits in terms of track maintenance and grass growth as well as ensuring the availability of his water. The water he saves under one pivot can be redistributed to irrigate an additional 23ha of his farm. FieldNET® integrates with Precision VRI to provide complete remote pivot management, with VRI control, monitoring and reporting. “The first time using the new FieldNET tool for Precision VRI, I found it very easy. It was much simpler and quicker having just the one place to go to control my pivot and manage my Precision plans” Find out how you could benefit from increased water efficiency using Precision VRI with FieldNET by talking to your Zimmatic® dealer or visiting growsmartprecisionvri.co.nz
© 2016 LINDSAY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. ZIMMATIC, FIELDNET AND GROWSMART ARE REGISTERED TRADEMARKS OF THE LINDSAY CORPORATION.
RURAL 3G/4G RBI Broadband Fibre Broadband Wireless Broadband
BROADBAND 000 945 easy. Made 0800
3G/4G RBI Broadband Fibre Broadband Wireless Broadband
0800 000 945
/PolarisNZZ
2 34
Farming
www.guardianonline.co.nz
Recycling plastic packaging is about Recycle more plastic bags and soft plastic packaging and wrappers with drop-off bins in the Warehouse, Supervalue and Countdown supermarkets.
Sheryl Stivens
MASTAGARD ASHBURTON
Now is the time to start collecting all the bits of plastic and plastic bags that come into your household or business and have been filling up your rubbish bag or even being burnt on your fire thus creating air pollution. Make it easy and convenient to do the right thing at your place by hanging up a plastic bag somewhere handy so that everyone can stuff all clean bits of plastic wrap, plastic packaging, NZ Post courier bags, bubble wrap, toilet roll and paper towel plastic and any wrappers from biscuit packets and food bar wrappers into it. You may need a couple of these strategically placed; say one in the kitchen or pantry near your rubbish bin in addition to your home office.
On June 10 soft plastic recycling launches at the Warehouse and supermarket stores in including New World, Pack and Save and Countdown stores across Christchurch and south to Ashburton and north to Rangiora. When you go shopping simply take the plastic bag of soft plastic packaging with you to these stores and place in the bin provided.
This new recycling programme will make it easier to recycle and prevent some of the plastic packaging which is lightweight blowing away and adding to the problems of plastic pollution in the Pacific Ocean. If you are in the habit of burning soft plastic packaging now is the time to rethink and recycle more.
Working with you for a greener tomorrow Specialists in all types of waste removal Frontload bins for General Waste Gantry Skips for Building sites or a home clean up
Call us today on 0800 240 120 | www.envirowaste.co.nz Email: christchurch@envirowaste.co.nz
Masta-Gardener COMPOST
Quality compost slow brewed locally in Ashburton by Mastagard from a diversity of green plant materials. Batch tested to ensure quality and ready to apply a generous helping to your gardens or farmland.
Pick up from the Ashburton Resource Recovery Park. Range Road, Ashburton.
Affordable prices: Bags $3 - Scoop $15 SPECIAL BULK PRICE FOR A LIMITED TIME
Enquiries for bulk prices Call 0800 627 824 or email: glen.sole@envirowaste.co.nz
The plastic bags and soft plastic packaging dropped off in the bins at our supermarkets will be exported to Melbourne and recycled into park benches etc. Over four million plastic bags and wrappers have already been recycled and over 25 tonnes of packaging has been dropped off at 92 stores across Auckland and the Waikato. Around 60 per cent of
www.guardianonline.co.nz
35
to get easier FREE DEMO Come along to a FREE monthly compost demo To find out how to set up a bokashi bucket or worm farm for your food scraps or a compost bin for your garden waste. Come along to a free compost demo:
product collected to date is single use shopping bags, including fruit and vegetable bags. The main packaging items being collected are bread bags, toilet roll wrapping and the soft plastic packaging around drinks bottles. Continue to recycle your clean plastic bottles and containers at the Ashburton or Rakaia Resource Recovery
Parks or into the yellow-lidded bins at the community rural recycling depots at Methven, Mt Somers, Mayfiled, Hinds, Longbeach Road, Staveley, Dorie, Rakaia Huts or Rangitata Huts. Make it easy to compost your food waste over the winter months. Get a bokashi bucket set up for your food scraps over the winter months or set
up a hungry worm bin right outside your kitchen door so you don’t need to venture far to compost your food waste during the dark frosty months. Hinds School students have embraced bokashi composting and have been emptying the full buckets into a large plastic blue barrel right on top of their raised bed garden.
Blocked Gutters? GumLeaf Can Help.
After putting a layer of soil on top of the bokashi fermented food waste it was only two weeks before the tiger worms and micro organisms had transformed the picked food waste into rich dark soil teaming with worms. This soil can now be spread out and planted into which saves buying compost or soil for the raised bed.
TRAILERS
• When: Thursday, June 23 • Time: 12.30pm-1.30pm • Where: Eco Education Centre, Ashburton Resource Recovery Park. Call 0800 627 824 or email sherylstivens@gmail.com.
Single and Tandem Axle
MADE IN NZ
Different size options as well as extras available
Our patented steel mesh is the best protection for your gutters/ spouting from leaves, snow, birds, vermin and even pine needles.
• • •
10 year warranty Rust and sag resistant Experienced install service available (DIY available)
• •
Quick, easy and safe – Use GumLeaf for clean drinking water from your roof Available for all roof types
12 months warranty and WOF supplied
0800 486 532 03 982 8850
Call Allan on 308 4867 today for more information 92 Dobson Street, Ashburton Phone 308 4867 Mon-Fri 7am-5pm; Sat 8am-12pm
www.gumleaf.co.nz
64 l/min main hydraulic pump capacity
6.75L 6-cylinder engine
600 hours/12 months oil change intervals
113 l/min CCLS high flow hydraulic pump
24x24 with hi-lo + hydraulic power shuttle (40kph)
16x16 semi power-shift transmission (40kph)
Electronic high pressure common rail fuel injection
High capacity lift cylinders
Loader ready
Work light package
Terms and Conditions: Offers available for orders placed on or prior to 30th September 2016, for delivery on or prior to 31st December 2016, at participating Case IH dealers unless extended or while stocks last. Some exclusions may apply. Contact your local Case IH dealer for full details. Finance offers are subject to normal lending criteria. Images used are for illustrative purposes only, and may differ in appearance from model advertised. Please check specifications with your Case IH dealer prior to purchase.
16COC002
CALL ROHAN MON-SAT ANYTIME FOR ADVICE AND A FREE COMPETITIVE QUOTE
Leeston
03 324 3791
Ashburton
03 307 8027
Amberly
03 314 9055
Timaru
03 688 2179
UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP
ASHBURTON
UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT
YOUR ONE-STOP SHOP FOR FARM SHEDS AND TIMBER SUPPLIES 3 BAY LEAN-TO FARM SHED
TIMBER SUPPLIES
Bird proof
Shed illustration only
Delivery Mid Canterbury
SHED 1 - 10.8X6M
SHED 2 - 13.5X6M
SHED 3 - 13.5X9M
• 2.4M Back Height • 3.0M Front Height • 3.6M Bays • 6M Deep • H5 Hi Strength Poles • 0.9 kpa Snow Load • High Wind • 0.4 Zincalume Steel
• 3M Back Height • 3.6M Front Height • 4.5M Bays • 6M Deep (Clear span) • H5 Hi Strength Poles • 0.9 kpa Snow Load • High Wind • 0.4 Zincalume Steel
• 3M Back Height • 3.6M Front Height • 4.5M Bays • 9M Deep (Clear span) • H5 Hi Strength Poles • 0.9 kpa Snow Load • High Wind • 0.4 Zincalume Steel
ROUGH SAWN SG8 100X50 H3.2
ROUGH SAWN NO2 200X50 H3.2
• 100 pieces per pack • 50 pieces per pack • $3.22 per metre +GST • $5.18 per metre +GST
ROUGH SAWN SG8 150X50 H3.2
ROUGH SAWN SG8 200X50 H3.2
PLANER GAUGED SG8 100X50 H3.2 • 100 pieces per pack • $3.66 per metre +GST
• 70 pieces per pack • 50 pieces per pack • $4.83 per metre +GST • $6.45 per metre +GST
Call Ashburton ITM today on 307 0412 for a very competitive quote. 92 Dobson Street, Ashburton Phone 307 0412 | sales@ashburtonitm.co.nz
HOURS Mon-Fri: 7am-5pm Sat: 8am-12noon
We build for industries. Starting with the primary ones. At Calder Stewart we’ve never forgotten where we
build - matched to your exact farming needs.
started, building quality farm buildings for the Kiwi
We pride ourselves at being a Rural Design &
farm industry. And over the course of the last 55
Build specialist and have gained a considerable
years of involvement, we’ve developed something
reputation in meeting the needs of many a farmer
of a knack for it. Our dedicated team’s expertise
over the years. Let us put our expertise to work for
in constructing custom woolsheds, covered yards,
you; call your nearest Calder Stewart Construction
wintering sheds and state-of-the-art dairy sheds
Representative today and see how we can deliver
ensures practicality, quality and a professional
a farm building that suits.
Over 55 Years Farm Building Experience A Rural Design and Build Specialist Premium Grade Construction Materials Used Durable & Rugged Design is Standard Best Value-for-Money in the Industry
Donald Sutton 211 Alford Forest Road, Ashburton
(03) 307 6130
To learn more visit our website:
COMMERCIAL•INDUSTRIAL•RURAL
www.calderstewart.co.nz