Canterbury Farming, April 2018

April 2018 Edition

30,287 copies distributed monthly – to every rural mailbox in Canterbury and the West Coast

INSIDE

Climbing high

THIS EDITION

Tree climber Chrissy Spence competing at the recent Hilux New Zealand rural Games, where she finished first in the women’s division of the Speed Tree Climbing competition. Spence now has five international tree climbing championship titles, seven New Zealand National Women’s Championship titles and four Asia-pacific titles.

She was also named the Skellerup New Zealand rural Sportswoman of the Year at the rural sports awards, which were announced on the eve of the games.

UV solution

p5 AgFest West Coast

p19 Effluent & waste

p28 Resignation

p35

For more on the rural Games and the sports awards go to page 7.

Photo: Kent Caddick

Canterbury couple to tackle young farmers ❚

by Kent Caddick

A Canterbury dairy farming couple will face each other across the fence lines in this year’s Young Farmer of the Year Tasman regional final.

Templeton’s Innovation Park just outside Christchurch will host the 2018 Tasman regional final which will be held on Saturday, April 7. It’s the 50th anniversary of the iconic agricultural competition which was first held in 1969.

Vanessa Robinson and Martin Bates,

live on a 140 hectare farm at Charing Cross, between Darfield and Burnham, where they contract milk 360 Jersey cross cows for Martin’s parents.

The pair met three years ago as members of New Zealand Young Farmers Dunsandel branch and it’s the first time they have made it through to the regional finals after previously competing in district contests.

There’s some friendly rival building between the pair.

“It’s possible she might beat me, but I don’t want that to happen,” said Martin,

who’s a qualified builder and built the cowshed they currently milk in.

“I’m stronger in the practical modules than she is, but I’m not as good at the theory modules.”

The 29-year-old spent a season in Canada in 2012, harvesting grain crops and hay.

Vanessa is a farm solutions manager at the Livestock Improvement Corporation (LIC), and has a Bachelor of AgriScience and a Masters of Science from Massey University.

TO PAGE 2

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April 2018 CANTERBURY FARMING

FARMING NEWS

Agri skills and knowledge face-off FROM PAGE 1 “My strengths are the opposite of Martin’s.

He’s more practical than I am,” Vanessa said.

She said entering the competition was very much a joint decision.

“We both wanted to enter and we both made it through to the regional final. I entered to learn and challenge myself.

“It also fits in with my motto and the life advice someone gave me, ‘take every opportunity’.”

Vanessa was elected onto the Tasman Young Farmers executive in 2016 and has served as competitions manager and vicechairwoman.

In the build up to the finals Vanessa, whom Martin freely admits is better at the bookwork, spends the evenings throwing questions Martin’s way, while during the day Martin returns the favour by taking Vanessa through general maintenance and other farming duties.

They will be up against defending Tasman champion, West Coast dairy farmer Andrew

Wiffen, who finished third in the last year’s Grand Final.

Wiffen, a 50:50 sharemilker from the Grey Valley, took out the competitive event last year, securing a spot in the grand final in Feilding where he placed third.

The keen white baiter is 30-years-old, making this his last chance to take out the prestigious national title before he becomes ineligible to enter again.

“This will be my seventh and last regional final,” said Wiffen, who admits there is a lot riding on his performance at the event.

Andrew has a Bachelor of Commerce (Agriculture) from Lincoln University and visited Scotland in 2014 as part of a NZ Young Farmers exchange.

Other contestants in the regional final are: Megan Hands (Darfield), Simon Ferguson (Dunsandel), Roscoe Taggart (Oxford), Stewart Watson (Takaka) and Jono Satterthwaite (Culverden).

Competitors will face-off in two head-tohead practical challenges, complete a 50-minute exam, an interview and seven agri-skills modules testing their technical and physical ability.

The event will culminate in a fast-paced agri-knowledge quiz hosted by Te Radar during an evening show at Innovation Park Hall with a prize pool of $21,000 up for grabs.

Battle lines: Household bragging rights are on the line when Charing Cross dairy farmer Martin Bates, top, faces his partner, Vanessa Robinson, in the Young Farmer of the Year Tasman regional final.

CANTERBURY FARMING

FARMING NEWS

Great outcome: Federated Farmers National president Katie Milne says the primary sector will significantly benefit from the signing of the CpTpp trade agreement.

Feds: Trade Agreement will strengthen export sector Federated Farmers is delighted to see the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) has been signed off.

❚ by Kent Caddick “This is a great outcome for not just the primary sector but all New Zealanders. It ensures our country will be part of a critical trade deal,” Federated Farmers National President s Katie Milne said.

“This agreement goes far beyond primary sector interests. There will be potential to develop new technologies and economic partnerships while reducing business costs, which will be beneficial to kiwis working across all industries.

“It’s vital that these international trade agreements exist, without it, there’s a real risk of more countries retreating to economic protectionism, which would hamper our access to key and emerging markets.

“This would have major concerns for our ability to trade and be competitive. It would also have repercussions for our future prosperity.”

The Federation believes CPTPP will safeguard New Zealand’s economic interests and further strengthen our export sector.

Milne says it places New Zealand on an equal footing globally and particularly with the likes of Australia and the European Union, with immense future opportunities towards trading with Japan, Mexico, Peru and Canada “Being part of this trade agreement is essential if the new Government is to realise its aspirational goals for New Zealand,” Milne said.

April 2018

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NZ pork granted access to Oz New Zealand pork will soon be served up on dining tables in Australia.

❚ by Kent Caddick Access and certification for New Zealand pork exports into Australia has been agreed

by Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and Australia’s Department of Agriculture and Water Resources.

Department officials visited New Zealand to gain a good understanding of local systems, followed by a series of negotiations and close engagement by officials.

Access has been granted for uncooked New Zealand pork meat and products containing New Zealand pork. Uncooked pork meat will, however, require further processing once it arrives into Australia.

MPI’s Deputy Director-General of policy and trade Jarred Mair said Australia is already a very important market for New Zealand’s primary products and we’re pleased to be able to add pork and pork products to the list.

“New Zealand has a very strong meat regulatory system, which is held in high regard by our trading partners,’ Mair said.

“These have helped towards enabling access to Australia for our pork and pork products.

“We appreciate, and would like to acknowledge, the support of the New Zealand pork industry in reaching this milestone.”

New Zealand’s pork exports are currently limited to a small number of markets, such as the Pacific Islands and Singapore. In the year to June 30, 2017, New Zealand exported about 173 tonnes of pork in total valued at around $1million.

New Zealand Pork chairman Ian Carter said access to Australia for New Zealand pork will provide a positive boost for New Zealand’s pork industry.

“Commercial pig farmers in New Zealand are passionate about the care and expertise they invest in farming their pigs,” Carter said.

“We see the granting of access to Australia as an important formative step to explore export markets that value the qualities associated with pork and pork products produced from pigs born and raised in New Zealand.”

On the menu: New Zealand pork exports to Australia have been given the green light.

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April 2018

CANTERBURY FARMING

FROM THE MINISTER

Myth of the rural and urban divide I was pleased to recently release a survey* that shows the rural-urban divide is a bit of a media myth.

Damien O’Connor ❚ by for Agriculture, Biosecurity, ❚ Minister Food Safety and Rural Communities ❚

It showed that farmers and townies have the same level of understanding about what’s happening in one another’s patches.

We’re also in step on the key issues facing the primary sector – improving water quality and boosting the country’s export earnings by increasing value over volume.

That’s helpful as we work together to drive a better future for New Zealand by sustainably producing the best primary sector products for the world’s most discerning consumers.

The survey also showed a slight decline in the overall level of support for farmers and that’s a concern. It matches a trend seen internationally.

At International Green Week in Berlin earlier this year, livestock production was the focus and the ministers and senior officials I spoke to were all looking for solutions to counter the growing anti-livestock farming sentiment, which is driven by consumers’ views of poor animal welfare and environmental standards.

New Zealand’s standards are incredibly high – but we need to get on the front foot and sell this story, as well as improve our performance wherever we can to preserve and enhance our international reputation as a top-notch, sustainable, producer of food for a growing global population.

Expanding trade links with those countries crying out for our pristine produce is key to our success.

Recently the Minister for Trade and Export Growth David Parker signed the 11-country CPTPP in Chile, with the team negotiating some complex issues to seal the deal.

New Zealand has never had a free trade agreement with four of the countries – Japan, Canada, Mexico and Peru.

Once ratified, our exporters will enjoy new trade opportunities including the removal of all tariffs for kiwifruit, wine and forestry, removal of nearly all tariffs on sheep meat, re-

moval of all tariffs on apples within 11 years, the reduction of tariffs on beef exports to Japan and preferential access to new quotas for our dairy exporters and removal of tariffs on fish and fish products over the next decade.

This is a major achievement for the Government and will help boost revenue for our primary sector exporters in key markets. *Survey link: www.beehive.govt.nz/release/ what-rural-urban-divide

‘

Expanding trade links with those countries crying out for our pristine produce is key to our success.

Damien O’Connor Minister for Agriculture

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CANTERBURY FARMING

April 2018

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Investors back revolutionary solution Kiwi Agtech company Biolumic has secured funding for world’s first UV crop enhancement system.

❚ by Kent Caddick BioLumic, creator of the world’s first cropyield enhancement system using UV has secured $6.5million in funding from leading global AgTech investors Finistere Ventures and Radicle Growth acceleration fund, along with Rabobank’s recently-launched Food & Agri Innovation Fund and existing investors from across New Zealand.

Addressing the global need for increased agricultural crop yields, BioLumic treats seedlings and seeds with its proprietary ultraviolet light systems.

The company said its patented technology precisely applies UV light treatments to deliver long-term crop benefits, including improved crop consistency, increased yield and disease resistance.

Already in commercial trials with largescale produce growers around the globe, BioLumic has worked with large-scale produce growers and processors in United Kingdom, California and Mexico achieving yield gains of up to 22%.

Further commercial trials are underway in Spain and the United Kingdom.

“Light is an extremely powerful biological tool that can safely manipulate plants without the concerns associated with genetic modification or chemical usage” BioLumic CEO Warren.

“BioLumic is the only company using light as an ag treatment at the beginning of a plant’s life.

“Exposure to a short-duration treatment of UV-enriched light at a critical stage in a plant’s development turns on characteristics to help the seed or seedling more effectively defend itself against disease or pest attacks, and more efficiently use water and

Happy chappies: Biolumic CEO Warren Bebb, left, and company founder Dr Jason Wargent are delighted with the funding windfall.

nutrients from the soil for its entire lifespan,” Bebb said.

BioLumic was founded by Dr Jason Wargent, a world-renowned photobiologist specialising in UV/plant interactions, and spun out of leading AgTech research from Massey University in Palmerston North with support from local incubator BCC and seed funding from MIGAngels.

The technology is the result of more than a decade of Dr Wargent’s research into UV photomorphogenesis, a process whereby a precise UV treatment induces plant root and leaf development and activates secondary metabolism.

Bebb said BioLumic’s growing team of sci-

entists and engineers are now translating Wargent’s scientific discoveries into commercial products that will reshape cropgrowing around the world.

Initially focused on lettuce, broccoli, strawberry and tomato seedlings, BioLumic will also use the recent funding to accelerate the development and commercialisation of its seed-focused technology, expanding into row crop and vegetable seeds.

Bebb said the investment will also be used to aggressively expand the BioLumic team in both New Zealand and its US office in California, and to intensify the global deployment of its UV technologies.

Trial time: Biolumic has veveloped the world’s first crop-yield enhancement system using UV light.

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April 2018

CANTERBURY FARMING

FARMING NEWS

Battling biosecurity issues

Nathan Guy ❚ by Party spokesperson ❚ National Primary Industries ❚

The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug has been doing it’s very best to sneak over our border by hiding in ships carrying vehicles from Japan recently.

It’s a big job for MPI officials to contain but it’s vitally important they do so, as the consequences of having the stink bug incursion will rock our horticulture industry, as well as being a massive domestic pest.

Grapes, kiwifruit, apples, citrus and stone fruit, corn and many other valuable crops would be damaged if the Stink Bug gets established in New Zealand and it’s concerning to see more being found at the border and inside our shores.

Contaminated containers from the ‘Courageous Ace’ vessel were left on the port for nearly a week before being reloaded and taken away for fumigation.

And a contaminated truck took live stink bugs on a 1000km road trip to Christchurch after it had been cleared by inspectors in Auckland.

Here’s hoping the Minister of Biosecurity Damien O’Connor can back up some of the big talk he’s been saying about Biosecurity, but so far no new money has been allocated to fight stink bugs.

The other issue that has been on farmers

mind is the Government’s handling of Mycoplasma Bovis. The official word from the Government is that they’re waiting for the results of milk testing before making a decision on eradication or announcing it’s here to stay.

They have one chance to eradicate it and that’s now, but judging by the slow rate at which compensation is getting doled out it is hard to be hopeful.

There are still over 40 claims to be addressed and it’s important these get sorted quickly. It has been a relief to see Cabinet finally sign off on $85 million to address this, and good on the industry bodies which chipped in $11million to go towards compensation.

The big question comes down to where this money from the Government has come from, and whether it has been raided from other primary sector funding projects such as irrigation or research and development funds like PGP. Plenty of unanswered questions and I will keep the pressure on this wobbly accidental Government.

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FARMING NEWS

CANTERBURY FARMING

April 2018

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Records all ’round for rural games More than 30,000 people participated in Hilux New Zealand Rural Games activities in Palmerston North recently.

❚ by Kent Caddick New Zealand Rural Games Trust Chair Margaret Kouvelis said the weather for the competition was nothing short of spectacular after a cool start.

“It was so fantastic to see people of all ages trying out different things from tree climbing to digger driving to gumboot throwing. We are proud that our events are free.

This is only possible for the generosity of our sponsors,” Kouvelis said.

“Friday was fabulous for Feilding as thousands attended the Property Brokers Running of the Wools and that evening the Norwood New Zealand Rural Sports Awards were held in front of a sell-out crowd.”

During the games two world records were broken.

On Sunday evening Ricki Paewai and Kris Richards knocked out a new world record in Egg Catch and Throw with a massive 85.96m throw and catch.

The duo took the previous world record off fellow New Zealanders Robbie Hollander and Nick Hornstein which was set in Swanton England in 2017.

Taranaki arborist Nicky Ward-Allen broke the world record for the foot lock at 19:55 seconds – the previous world record 20.17 seconds was gained in 2015 in Tampa Florida by Jamielee Kempton.

The Eltham resident has previously held the world record for the fastest footlock in 2010. Back then the competition was based on a height of 12 metres, and Ward-Allen completed it in 13.26 seconds in Chicago, USA. Hilux New Zealand Rural Games founder Steve Hollander said the fourth annual Hilux New Zealand Rural Games was the best yet.

“Our Trust Board is focused on achieving two major aims – celebrating rural sports that helped build our nation and bring country and city kids together to help close the rural-urban divide,” Hollander says.

Meanwhile, the winners of the Nor-

Shovelling it: Emirates Team New Zealand members Simon van Velthooven and Sean regan compete in the coal shovelling event at the Hilux New Zealand rural Games.

wood New Zealand Rural Sports Awards were announced at a gala dinner on the eve of the games.

Chair of the New Zealand Rural Sports Awards Judging Panel, Sir Brian Lochore, said they had a fantastic line-up of entrants and finalists for each category.

“Our 2018 winners have proven themselves on the field of their rural sport or in the committee room organising rural sporting events around New Zealand,” Lochore said.

Winners are grinners: The Norwood New Zealand rural Sports Awards winners were, from left, Tegan O’Callaghan (Young Sportsperson), Jude McNabb (Contribution to the rural Sports industry), paul van Beers (lifetime legacy Award), John Kirkpatrick (Sportsman of the Year) and Chrissy Spence (Sportswoman man of the Year).

The winners were: • Young New Zealand Rural Sportsperson of the Year: Tegan O’Callaghan (rodeo) • Rural Sportsman of the Year: John Kirkpatrick (shearing) • Rural Sportswoman of the Year: Chrissy Spence (tree climbing) • Contribution to the New Zealand Rural Sports Industry: Jude McNabb (shearing) • Lifetime Legacy Award: Paul van Beers (fencing).

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April 2018

CANTERBURY FARMING

RURAL PROFESSIONALS

Investment markets update ❚ with Andrew Wyllie

+3.9% and others are pushing out expectations of an economic contraction, to beyond 2019.

The side effect of growth

United States sneeze on higher interest rates

Interest rates and inflation fears gained prominence in the last quarter, with the catalyst a rapid rise in United States 10 year government bonds.

An increase was expected given higher United States economic growth, plus the additional stimulus provided by the United States tax package.

However, inflation remains contained and is unlikely to accelerate quickly given spare global capacity and competition. This should dampen interest rate increases.

We should also remember that interest rates at current levels remain stimulatory and despite the recent increases in the United States 10 year government bonds, remain substantially below nominal Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth expectations.

The level of global debt should also stay the hand of Central Banks from moving too aggressively as they transition away from ultra-easy monetary policies this year.

Accordingly, the International Monetary Fund predicts global growth to approach

In New Zealand dollar terms, quarterly returns from global equity markets were negative. This follows the market correction when United States equity markets reacted to higher interest rates.

However, earnings ultimately drive share prices, and forecast earnings growth remains positive.

This does not mean corrections can’t occur, in fact the United States data below indicates a negative monthly return occurs a third of the time, even when market earningsper-share (EPS) growth is positive, (slightly more frequently when earnings are declining).

What has been unusual is that this is the first monthly decline in 16 months.

With regard to the quarter, in New Zealand dollar terms, New Zealand equity market returns fared the best, bolstered by the strong performance of a2 Milk. Without this, New Zealand returns would have been similar to other markets.

Australia was the best of the other mar-

❚ Forsyth Barr

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When you are thinking about your investment options, talk portfolio management specific to your investing needs, talk to Investment Adviser Andrew Wyllie in confidence on (03) 365 4244 or email andrew.wyllie@forsythbarr.co.nz 0800 367 227 forsythbarr.co.nz Disclosure Statements for Forsyth Barr Authorised Financial Advisers are available on request and free of charge.

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kets with the Healthcare sector the largest positive driver. Utilities, Telecommunications and Energy sectors were the drags on the market.

Earnings results in the United States market have seen strong positive revisions and enabled it to deliver one of the better local currency returns.

However, this was outweighed by a weaker United States dollar. European markets were the laggards in terms of performance, despite having the largest growth potential.

Global interest rates up but short rates on hold in New Zealand Talks of rising interest rates and inflation heating-up have been driven by United States economic activity.

Low unemployment and further economic stimulus may eventually drive inflation towards its target, but core inflation is still only around 1.5%, and has been below the Federal Reserve’s 2.0% target for much of the past eight years.

This is because of globalisation, competition and technological innovation. These pressures are structural and should continue to exert downward pressure on inflation.

This was evident when European Central Bank President Draghi reported that the amount of spare capacity in Europe is greater than forecast, meaning they are unlikely to hit their near-term inflation targets.

The Bank of Japan is even trying to boost inflation by urging employers to give wage rises of +3-4%, but the inability to pass on costs has meant this has seen little response.

New Zealand is no different and inflation failed to materialise in the December quarter.

Annual inflation actually declined and this has resulted in economists revising their inflation expectations lower and pushing out the timing for any expected increase in the Official Cash Rate until 2019. No change is therefore anticipated in New Zealand shortterm interest rates.

New Zealand long-term bonds tend to follow global bond rates. This has meant New

Zealand bond rates have tracked higher as United States rates have increased, albeit at a slower rate.

This has compressed the differential between the markets so any additional increases should be more fully translated through into New Zealand rates.

As a result of New Zealand short-term rates remaining flat, a steeper yield curve will emerge.

The lower differential in short-term rates compared to United States rates is also expected to reduce the attractiveness of Australasian currencies and potentially allow some weakening in both the New Zealand and Australian dollars. if you’re new to investing please see Forsyth Barr’s introduction to investing guide available at www.forsythbarr.co.nz/investing-with-us/ new-to-investing or to discuss your investment options please contact Andrew Wyllie, an Authorised Financial Adviser with Forsyth Barr in Christchurch.

He can be contacted regarding portfolio management, fixed interest, or share investments on 0800 367 227 or andrew.wyllie@forsythbarr.co.nz.

This column is general in nature and should not be regarded as personalised investment advice. report covers the three months ended November 30.

Disclosure Statements are available for Forsyth Barr Authorised Financial Advisers on request and free of charge.

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April 2018

The Bright Line Test

Bessie paterson llB ❚ with ❚ Ronald W Angland & Son The intention of the Bright Line Test was to impose a type of capital gains tax on property speculators or people who bought and sold properties at a profit within a very short time with the result that the residential property market would cool down from the giddy heights it had reached.

On its introduction the period of ownership required to avoid the Bright Line Test was two years.

The application of the test covered all residential property transactions with the major exemption being the main home which was exempt from the tax.

It provided that tax was to be paid on all gains on the sale of a residential property within two years of purchase.

This included not only property speculators but other folk who purchased an investment property, a rental or a holiday home.

The new government has introduced legislation increasing the period of ownership required to avoid the test to five years.

As soon as it has received the Royal Assent which is expected this month it will become part of the laws of the land.

Bright Line Tests are frequently used in the American legal system and the purpose is to impose a regime with little

9

After intense pressure from many interested parties, the previous government introduced a Bright Line Test to our tax laws in October 2015.

‘

Five years is a long time to own a property if the tax payer’s circumstances change.

scope for variable interpretation.

Previously the IRD was often required to look at a taxpayer’s intention when considering whether tax would be payable on a transaction which made administration of the tax rules difficult.

With the Bright Line Test interpretation will be much easier and it will provide consistent results.

However, five years is a long time to own a property to avoid the test, if the tax payer’s circumstances change.

Relationship break down, moving house to another city for work, illness and death are only some events which may occur which may trigger the application of the Test if the property is sold.

Ownership of a property which you wish to sell in those circumstances may

Onerous: The period of ownership required to avoid The Bright line Test is increasing from two to five years.

become onerous.

The new Bright Line rules are complex and will be harsh and unforgiving when they are passed into law and imposed on residential property transactions.

Everybody who is contemplating the purchase of a residential investment property should consult their accountant and other professional advisors about their potential tax liability under the rules.

This article has been prepared by Bessie paterson, a partner at ronald W Angland & Son, Solicitors, 2 Chapman Street, leeston.

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FARMING NEWS

CANTERBURY FARMING

April 2018

11

‘Bright future’ for red meat

I recently attended the Canterbury Ballance Farm Environment Awards evening to celebrate the fantastic work our region’s farmers are doing to protect and enhance their environment.

phil Smith ❚ by Beef ❚ + Lamb New Zealand director What is most impressive, is that this environment work is not being carried out at the expense of productivity and as well as being outstanding stewards of the land, the finalists in these Awards were all running highly successful and profitable businesses.

I congratulate those people who, by entering the Awards, put their farms forward to be judged. They act as role models and ambassadors for the sectors which they represent.

I would like to encourage farmers to consider putting themselves forward for the awards in the future.

As farmers, we are all going to be judged on our environmental responsibility, whether this be through Regional Council regulations or through supply contracts, and we are increasingly being asked to quantify our environmental footprint and reduce it.

As an organisation, Beef + Lamb New Zealand is revising its environment strategy and has grown the size of the team working in this space to seven. This reflects the importance of environmental management to our farmers, our communities and our overseas markets.

B+LNZ recently commissioned a report on Alternative Proteins. While undoubtedly these will present a challenge to the red meat sector, the report also highlighted the opportunity for New Zealand to differentiate its grass-fed, hormone and antibiotic-free product on the global market.

It finds that the emergence of artificial proteins has been driven by two forces. The first is consumer backlash against industrialised farming systems, while the second is as

a way to feed a rapidly growing world population on diminishing natural resources.

As a protein producer, New Zealand is never going to be able to feed the world, and nor do we want to.

Instead, we can appeal to the international consumer whose preference is for naturally-raised red meat. In essence, real food raised with minimal intervention- as nature intended.

Unfortunately, the rise of industrialised farming systems has tarnished the image and reputation of the entire red meat sector.

The New Zealand red meat industry is the exact antithesis of these systems and without changing a thing – our sheep and beef farmers tick all the boxes with our grass-based, free-range, minimal input production systems.

This report vindicated the work B+LNZ’s marketing team has been doing in developing this country’s Red Meat Origin Brand and Story which will also leverage off this country’s unique environment. This brand is designed to complement and add-value to individual processor/exporter brands.

It will ultimately lift sector profitability by positioning NZ beef and lamb as a premium food choice globally.

Driving around the region, it is easy to see

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why international consumers might be won over by the environment in which we farm.

For those of us on the east side of the alps, it has been an ideal season, apart from a very dry spell before Christmas, and stock and feed crops are in great condition as we head into autumn.

The recent outbreak of Mycoplasma bovis has highlighted the need to be vigilant about farm biosecurity, especially for those trading stock or offering dairy support.

‘

... our sheep and beef farmers tick all the boxes...

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April 2018

CANTERBURY FARMING

❚ with John Arts

Spotlight on Curcumin and OPC part 1

Most have heard of curcumin from turmeric and some about OPC from grape seeds. When used together these potent biologically active compounds can have profound health benefits.

If you do some research you will find an extensive list of health problems that these two compounds can influence. This should not surprise as both are potent antioxidants that additionally help the body to turn off unwanted inflammation. As an example one of my clients with ongoing hip problems added my Curcumin/OPC formula and is now much more comfortable.

OPC (oligomeric proanthocyanidins) is extracted from the purple pigments on red wine grape seeds. My favourite OPC is ActiVin®. This top grade Californian OPC is extracted from Nappa Valley grape seeds using a patented (ActiPure®) water and alcohol method.

OPC has significant benefits. It is excellent for circulation as it protects the proteins that make up blood vessel walls from free radical damage. This can help with general circulation and is great support for those with hypertension. Additionally it has strong anti-inflammatory functions by helping prevent immune cells from over-producing a number of inflammatory chemicals.

Curcumin is the active compound in turmeric. When we are discussing food we talk about turmeric. When discussing its health benefits we are talking about Curcumin. Like OPC, Curcumin is a potent antioxidant and has significant anti-inflammatory properties. Curcumin is possibly the most researched natural health compound. It is excellent to add when looking to build our natural anti-inflammatory systems.

I use these compounds as part of nutritional support programmes for those with various inflammatory problems. It is an ideal booster for those with serious osteoarthritis, for those with rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune problems.

When added at correct doses they can make a huge difference.

John Arts (B.Soc.Sci, Dip Tch, Adv.Dip.Nut.Med) is a nutritional medicine practitioner and founder of Abundant Health ltd. For questions or advice contact John on 0800 423 559 or email john@ abundant.co.nz. Join his full weekly newsletter at www.abundant.co.nz.

❚ with rob Cope-Williams

Still no staff

Just how long will it take for the Government to come to the aid of the dairy industry and horticultural industry?

Both industries totally rely on overseas labour to harvest their produce, and both are desperate for people to work for them.

Obviously local New Zealanders are not interested in seasonal work or wearing gumboots, so it is up to others, but producers are left with lip service rather than action.

I keep hearing horror stories about the odd Kiwi who does sign up on a dairy farm and the way they treat their accommodation and attitude to their job.

A salary of $50,000 plus a free house and perks such as power, meat and the chance to grow your own vegetable garden would, I had thought, attracted people away from the WINZ ranks and helped harvest our national treasure. But no; houses trashed, high usage of drugs and no will to work is the norm.

So what about the Fonterra TV campaign about what a great industry it is and how it is involving so many amazing people?

It is as much help to the industry at the grass roots zone as the TV campaign promoting the industry as a great place to work.

Actually it is a great industry to work in and it has a built in career pathway that can take people who love the outdoors to the top

and farm ownership, but a TV advertisement won’t convince someone who has their pants glued to a chair and who is being paid for staying there.

So where to from here, any demise of the dairy industry won’t be from competition from overseas markets, bad management from the dairy companies, world prices, but simply from a lack of people to harvest the milk.

You have no idea about the ‘townies’ perception about the problem. I was chatting with a mate about the reality of no labour and he said “But they don’t need people anymore, they have automatic machines that milk the cows by themselves”. My answer took up quite a lot of time and he learnt a lot about farming he didn’t know.

In the meantime fruit is rotting on the trees and no one will notice until the prices stay high in the grocery stores.

Start beating drums folk, the powers in charge don’t hear anything reasonable, they only respond to media pressure, the media need to be fed facts and figures and they love telling the public the cost of vital foods are out of the reach for most of them.

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CANTERBURY FARMING

FARMING NEWS

April 2018

13

Polymer coating technology trial proves efficiency gains Farmers applying copper with their fertiliser this autumn stand to increase plant uptake by up to 17% with Ravensdown’s new Surflex polymer coating technology.

❚ by Kent Caddick According to Ravensdown a 2017 trial on perennial ryegrass-white clover pasture at Lincoln University’s Research Dairy Farm has shown some impressive gains in the plants uptake of copper (Cu) as well as its consistency in spread.

Dr Ants Roberts, Chief Scientific Officer at Ravensdown, who has worked in trace element research, says in certain areas of New Zealand there is a long history of trace element deficiencies in crops, pastures and animals.

“This is why these trial results are so significant,” Roberts says.

“Essentially, the trial has shown that the plant is getting more copper from the same amount applied, by coating each fertiliser granule with a copper polymer rather than mixing it in as crystals.

“The trace element is also more evenly distributed across the paddock as each granule has copper on it, meaning stock will be getting a more even supply of copper in their diet. It’s peace of mind for the farmer.”

The trial consisted of three copper treatments with superphosphate, replicated 17 times, in a randomised block design. The treatments were all applied at 40kg P/ha where the trace elements were either combined in a polymer-coating (Surflex) to the main fertiliser or mixed as copper sulphate crystals as per current practice.

Over six months, the pasture was mown to

Copper time: ravensdown precision Blending plant manager Blair Cotching says the company’s new Surflex polymer coating technology will give farmers greater confidence that their stock are getting the right amount of copper in their diet.

1600kg DM/ha at each harvest to simulate a grazing event. Pasture herbage harvested for each plot was weighed for dry matter (DM) yield and a sample dried at 60oC for DM percent before being sent for herbage analysis at ARL. Ravensdown Precision Blending plant manager Blair Cotching explains how the polymer coating technology works.

“It’s the same principle as a mix of peanuts and chocolate chips; the amount of chocolate you get will vary with each hand-

ful eaten. But with chocolate coated peanuts, you get the same amount of chocolate on each peanut, with the benefit of fewer crumbs and less waste.

“Using our Precision Blending plant in Christchurch, the whole system is automated, increasing the accuracy and speed of coating each granule of superphosphate.

“For farmers applying fer tiliser in autumn, this new Surflex product range is going to give them greater confidence that their stock are getting the right amount of

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copper in their diet.

“Like all things that involve trace elements, there are other contributing factors to copper availability such as molybdenum, but at least we can now ensure that pasture is getting a more even spread of copper.”

Cotching said other benefits observed from the trial were environmental due to less dust, with a reduction in the potential of product drift when aerially spread, and health and safety for people handling and loading the product.

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14

April 2018

CANTERBURY FARMING

Getting the right machinery for your farm Based near Ashburton, Willowbrook Machinery is the sole New Zealand importer and distributor of Proforge cultivation equipment and FarmGem crop sprayers.

supplied by ❚ Article ❚ Willowbrook Machinery

Proforge is the manufacturer of a large range of cultivation equipment, including the top selling UK disc cultivator, the Proforge Inverta.

Proforge have an ever-expanding range of machines available under their brand, currently the product list includes disc and tine cultivators, rollers, moledrainers, mulchers, tractor weight blocks, log splitters and loader attachments. There are a number of new additions soon to be added to this list.

FarmGem is a leading European sprayer manufacturer. Their range consists of mounted, trailed and air blast sprayers along with specialist self-propelled machines.

FarmGem has just released a ‘new generation’ of their sprayers after listening to the needs of existing owners and operators they have designed new models incorporating new features and the very latest technology. This allows Willowbrook Machinery to offer some of the highest spec sprayers on the New Zealand market, with some exceptional pricing. They currently have these

new high spec machines in transit to New Zealand and look forward to presenting these exceptional machines to the New Zealand market.

Matthew Sim, Managing Director of Willowbrook Machinery, is a third generation arable farmer in Mid Canterbury and understands the requirements of the New Zealand farmer and contractor.

He has spent considerable time over the last three years developing relationships with UK based agricultural manufacturers and dealerships to now bring an ever-expanding range of new brands and machines not previously seen on the New Zealand market. Matthew uses both Proforge machinery and FarmGem sprayers on his 250ha cropping farm.

“We are using the the top selling UK disc cultivator, the Proforge Inverta, a Proforge InvertaMax, a Proforge Roller and a FarmGem sprayer on my own farm, which often allows for potential customers to view the machines in action before they decide to make a purchase,” Matthew says.

Willowbrook Machinery also brings in various pieces of second hand machinery that are popular here in New Zealand and are able to provide their clients with new

and used machinery from a number of overseas countries.

Machines are hand-picked by our overseas contacts and then workshop checked and prepared for shipping back to New Zealand.

Willowbrook Machinery are able to sit down with their clients and discuss their needs, then go about sourcing the right piece of equipment for the job.

They can provide the client with a number of options including detailed pictures and pricing for the client to choose from.

Call the team at Willowbrook Machinery today to discuss your needs. No item is too big or too small for them to source.

Contact: Matthew Sim, proforge Sales Manager M: 027 447 0815 E: info@willowbrookmachinery.co.nz Mark Totty, FarmGem Sprayer Sales, M: 021 664 113 E: mark@willowbrookmachinery.co.nz

Just released: FarmGem’s latest offering of New Generation trailed sprayers, from top, the Pioneer and Innovator 3000 lt with up to 24m booms and Atlas 4400 lt with up to 28m booms.

CANTERBURY FARMING

April 2018

15

Closer attention to farm vehicle use a necessary change – Dairy NZ Greater focus on how quad bikes and other farm vehicles are used is a necessary change to farm health and safety inspections. That’s according DairyNZ’s general manager for Farm Performance Vanessa Winning.

❚ Article supplied by DairyNZ

“We see injuries and fatalities from quad bikes in particular far too frequently within our farming communities,” Winning said.

“We all need to be looking more closely at the vehicles we use on farm and consider what is the safest vehicle for the job.

“DairyNZ has already removed most quad bikes from its research farms because there are safer ways for our staff to move around the farm.

“Getting people to really think about what farm vehicles they use, and whether the vehicles are being used safely, is a behavioural change we need to start seeing now. The sector’s fatality and injury rates are just too high.”

She said education alone won’t change the way people use quad bikes.

“We also need to see roll over protect bars and other safety devices becoming commonplace on farm vehicles.”

“DairyNZ supports Worksafe’s new initiative Safer Vehicles, Safer Farms to help farmers make the right decisions when using vehicles. We want all people on-farm to

go home to their families safe and well at the end of every day.”

Quad bike safety tips • Quad bikes are involved in approximately 28% of all work-related farm deaths, but in most cases death and injury can be prevented - they aren’t part of the job.

• Riders must be trained/experienced enough to do the job • Choose the right vehicle for the job • Always wear a helmet • Don’t let kids ride adult quad bikes • Keep quad bikes maintained in a safe condition.

• Take care on slopes and rough terrain – don’t exceed the capabilities of the bike.

• Don’t do tasks that interfere with safe riding – keep both hands on the bike, eyes on the ground in front.

Safety first: Always wear a helmet when riding a quad bike.

Search Heiniger Shed Safety on YouTube

16

April 2018

CANTERBURY FARMING

Electric drive Duncan provides more scope

Rural contractor Kelly Wooller purchased a new Duncan AS3000 electric drive drill in September and he says it is opening new doors for his business.

❚ Article supplied by Duncan Ag

Wooller Contracting’s services include round baling hay and silage, cultivation, drilling and maize planting.

Kelly and wife Tina run the contracting business from their 110ha dry stock farm at Walton, north of Matamata, where they raise dairy graziers and bulls and run a Hereford stud.

Until this year they had been using a Duncan MK4 Renovator direct drill, which Kelly says is a “great machine’’, but now that he has traded it in for a new Duncan AS3000 air seeder there is no going back.

“You don’t know what you’re missing out on until you get it,” he says.

The Duncan AS3000 is already paying for itself as Kelly has picked up some extra work because the drill can do so much more.

“Switching to the air seeder has given us more options. With the MK4 we could only do seed, but now we can do fertiliser, slug bait

and seed all in one pass.

“Clients were starting to ask for that service, particularly for chicory in the spring. We had some inquiries from people who wanted to put all three things down at once.”

He says the Duncan AS3000 is performing “really well” and he is already getting positive feedback.

“The results seem to be good and we are getting good feedback from customers. They say the strike rates are better than they have had before.”

The Duncan AS3000 has cameras installed in two large capacity bins, designed for both seed and fertiliser, and this makes a big difference.

“It was like driving with a blindfold before, but now you can drill with a piece of mind because you can see what is going on, and the monitor tells you how much seed has gone through.”

The seed and fertiliser are delivered by air for improved seed place-

Doing it once: Kelly Wooller says his Duncan AS3000 is bringing in more work because it can drill and apply fertiliser and slug bait in one pass.

ment, particularly on hill country. A butterfly valve controls the air flow when sowing high and low rates of fertiliser or seed.

Kelly says it is a significant improvement on the gravity delivery of the Duncan MK4 Renovator.

“The Renovator was a great machine, considering it had drilled about 5000ha since it was new. But we definitely prefer the

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Contractors and farmers can learn more about the Duncan AS3000 renovator electric drive drill at the Duncan Ag website: duncanag. co.nz

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16 Robinson Street, Ashburton 7700 Phone/Fax 03 308 9623 Dave Stockdill

AS3000’s air feeder over the gravity feeder.

We wouldn’t go back. We know that all the seed goes in from one point.”

Kelly also likes the easy, accessible calibration with the stowaway tray, which he says is “straight forward and simple to use”.

The Duncan AS3000 also has a large loading platform that can be installed on either side of the machine and superior trash flow.

Other features include the electronic hectare meter to measure fan speed and the area sown, the small to large seed settings on the quadrant, and the split hopper with concealed distributor heads.

A positive drive via radar and the high and low range output settings all make the job easier.

Precision drilling: The Duncan AS3000 uses an air feeder rather than a gravity feeder.

For further information contact Duncan Ag at 0800 177 171 or admin@duncanag.co.nz

CANTERBURY FARMING

A letter to the unbelievers ❚ Sometimes in life you don’t have to be very clever to work something out.

Take for instance a quad bike weighing 300kg and you find yourself trapped underneath it. Your face is slammed in the mud and you can’t possibly lift the bike off.

Toxins are making their way around your bloodstream from your leg being crushed, and nobody is expecting you back for another two hours.

It is then that the game is up and you wish something was holding the bike up a bit so you could wriggle out.

Anything would do but it’s too late now.

The bloke at the bike shop said “only idiots with no training end up like this”.

I remember asking him about fitting a roll bar. “Oh no,” he had said, “We don’t believe in them, they can hurt you – you’re better just to jump off as you go over.”

I nod, thinking he knows best – he’s the expert and at least I’ve got my helmet on that’s making a big difference.

I can’t move and my legs are so cold, I can’t breathe with the weight on me.

End of story.

April 2018

17

from QuadbarNZ

John’s daughter found him crushed and dead after toxins in his blood had caused him to have a heart attack.

For her, it was awful and since then struggles to sleep, has become anxious and doesn’t want to go to school.

Mum and the other siblings are struggling as well – John was much loved by them and a popular figure in the area.

This did not need to happen. If only he had trusted his common sense and set his bike up to be safer.

The quadbar has been around for six years, and surveys tell us that it works brilliantly – sometimes it’s the simple things that work best.

Roll bars are now on ride-on-mowers, small tractors, tiny diggers and bobcats.

It seems ridiculous that they are not standard on a quadbike. Quadbar Australis produces 100-plus quadbars a week and can’t keep up.

Here in New Zealand the take up is much slower and once again surveys from Australia are glowing about the Quadbar.

In the end it is your choice, not the choice of your motorbike dealer.

Kind regards, Stuart Davidson Quadbar New Zealand

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18

April 2018

CANTERBURY FARMING

Modern but simple MF utility tractor A growing business needs to get the most out of its equipment and Donovan Croot and fiancée Sophie Cookson are definitely getting that with their Massey Ferguson 4708 ES.

❚ Article supplied by AGCO NZ

Donovan and Sophie started in the dairy industry as farm assistants. Nine years later they are sharemilking 63ha with their own herd of 220 Friesian and Friesian crosses.

“The dairy industry is fantastic for progression. If you’re willing to put in the work the opportunities are there,” Donovan says.

They and their young children moved to their new farm in Waitara near New Plymouth in June 2016. They had a tractor budget and initially planned on getting one second hand.

“We wanted to go with Massey Ferguson because of their reputation as being good solid tractors. This model was new, and it was the most bang for our buck.”

They chose a Massey Ferguson 4708 ES (ES stands for ‘essential’ model) which is only 82hp.

“It is not a big tractor, but we have a small dairy farm. To me anything bigger was overkill when this has all the power we need.”

Their current farm is a system two-three farm, meaning feed is imported to extend lactation and to fill the spring deficit. The little Massey Ferguson deals with all the feeding out.

It has a loader and it easily lifts a 10-equivalent silage bale, while carries one on the back feeder at the same time.

Donovan says it could handle 12s but they don’t use them. It lifts two 15-equivalents of hay on the front tines at the same time.

A local contractor makes the farm’s grass silage, and fitted with soft hands the MF 4708 becomes the stacking tractor.

Donovan has also been busy rolling paddocks with the MF 4708 to repair pug dam-

Good choice: Donovan Croot says his Global Series MF 4708 is a simple, reliable tractor that handles everything on his dairy farm.

age. It also tows an 8m3 wagon loaded to the gunnels with silage or other supplements, or pulls a palm kernel trailer.

“It handles it easily and I have not yet got it stuck,” he says.

The hydraulic oil works at the rate of 65 litre/min, again more than enough for work on the dairy farm.

At other times the MF 4708 tows a 600 litre sprayer with 6m boom for spraying out paddocks and weeds and also spreading ProGib. The PTO operating at 540 RPM is more than adequate for the job.

Being a small tractor means it fits into the calf sheds, making it easy to clean them out.

It doesn’t have a cab, which sounds like a disadvantage in a wet winter, but Donovan says he’s always wearing wet weather gear anyway and getting off and on, so it doesn’t make any difference. It has roll over protection for safety of the operator.

The MF 4708 has six gears with a high and low range, and the operator changes them with the flick of a button on the gear lever.

Donovan seldom needs the low range.

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CANTERBURY FARMING

April 2018

19

From tractors to gumboots, it’s all at AgFest West Coast Farmlands AgFest West Coast is happening on 13 and 14 April and is an event that recognizes the importance of the agricultural sector on the West Coast.

❚ by Kent Caddick The 2018 version of AgFest West Coast will present over 400 exhibitors and is expected to attract up to 15,000 people through the gates over the two days.

The purpose of the event, which is held every two years, is to give people in the rural sector the opportunity to showcase their business, to celebrate the agricultural industry and its significance to all businesses on and around the Coast.

Come along to Farmlands AgFest West Coast and you’ll experience every inch of farming in New Zealand, from the latest in dairy sheds to the best gumboots to wear in them. You’ll see the latest in farming vehicles and implements, stock care, health and safety, and much more.

Farmlands AgFest is an event for everyone not just the rural sector, and is now going into its 4th successful event.

The phenomenal growth of AgFest in the past eight years proves how much this event was needed in this region.

Existing exhibitors proudly recommend AgFest West Coast as their preferred event –

taking the opportunity to enjoy West Coast’s hospitality.

The fast growing success of AgFest has meant a change of venue for this year’s event, from Hokitika to the Greymouth Aerodrome.

For sustained longevity of the event following the 2016 AgFest, which saw Hokitika’s Cass Square Hokitika close to capacity, it was decided to move to a ground which gives AgFest West Coast more space to grow.

All involved in running AgFest West Coast would like to sincerely thank the people of Hokitika for your support over the past three events on Cass Square.

The decision to move to a bigger ground

• 100% Kiwi owned & staffed by Canterbury locals, with a real knowledge of farming in this region.

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SHANE HENDRIKS Email: shane@canfarm.co.nz Ph: 03 318 2611 or 021 076 9655

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was also influenced by exhibitors indicating they wanted to grow their current sites and a considerable number of new businesses wanting to come to AgFest in 2018 for the first time.

Given that AgFest West Coast will be held on a bigger site the 2018 AgFest promises to have more entertainment for children and will offer all West Coasters a trade fair element.

Farmlands AgFest showcases every aspect of farming in New Zealand. It boasts an awesome home concept centre, a specialised Women’s Pavilion, large farm and contracting machinery, the latest in vehicles from every car brand imaginable in New Zea-

land, high quality entertainment from performers such as Jody Direen out of Wanaka and Simon Teague from Christchurch.

If you’re a farmer, a lifestyler, or you already know what a legendary couple of day’s out this event is, be sure to lock the dates into your diary now and head over to the Coast for what promised to be the best ever AgFest.

Admission to Farmlands AgFest is just $10, primary school children $2, under 5s are free. If you’re a Farmlands shareholder you can purchase tickets from Farmlands in Greymouth, Hokitika and Westport for $9.

For more information head to the website www.agfest.co.nz and check it out.

20

April 2018

CANTERBURY FARMING

AgFest events Demonstrations • Jo Segar Jo’s cooking demonstrations 11.30am, Friday and Saturday.

• Wood Chopping Demo Saturday at 2pm

Entertainment • Jody Direen Friday, 1pm to 2pm, Saturday, 1pm to 2pm • Simon Teague Friday: 12.10pm, Saturday: 1pm

Competitions

Fun for all: there will be plenty to do and see at this year’s Farmlands AgFest West Coast with over 15,000 expected through the gates for the two day event which will feature musical entertainment by singer Jody Direen.

• Bachelor and Bachelorette Farmlands Agfest along with the Hits West Coast are looking for a Rural Bachelor and Bachelorette. So if you’re looking for that someone special to share your life with than here’s your chance to lay it all on the line!

• Best Trade Exhibit 2018 Competition Prizes to: Best Trade Exhibit, Runner Up and Highly Commended. Prize Sponsored by Development Westcoast. All sites are eligible and will be judged. Winners announced at the exhibitor function on Friday night.

• Bayleys Creative Gumboot We have had some spectacular entries over the past three events, here’s your chance to get your creative juices running wild and create an artistic gumboot.

Age Groups: Kids: 5-12 year old; Youths: 13-17 year old; Adults. Awesome prizes up for grabs. Judged by Skellerup New Zealand and Bayleys Real Estate West Coast.

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April 2018 CANTERBURY FARMING

Excavation services for farmers

Utilising the 25 years’ experience as a dairy farmer, Jason Willis, along with his wife Ingrid and their four children J​ esse, A​ melia, Sacha and E​rika, are offering Canterbury farmers a cost effective excavation service for all their needs.

supplied by ❚❚Article JASE Excavation ❚❚

Based in Bankside, between Dunsandel and Rakaia, JASE Excavation will travel throughout Canterbury to provide farmers with an excavation service including all farm drainage work, race cleaning and rut busting for pivot irrigation.

“Being a dairy farmer for as long as I have, I have a good idea what farmers are after,” Jason says.

“I like to deal face to face with our customers as you get a better idea of what they need and we will go wherever the work is.

“Communication is a key to ensuring we get the job done properly and that can’t always be achieved by a phone call or an email.

“As a dairy farmer myself I am aware of the financial pressures farmers are sometimes under and we can tailor the work to fit their budget.

“Rather than just sending a bill out at the end of the job we like to make sure farmers are aware of the costs up front and we can work in with them if their budget is stretched.”

Over the last 10 years contract milking for

Dairy Holdings, Jason has gained extensive knowledge of what farmers are after when it comes to excavation and drainage.

The company has just celebrated its first birthday and Jason says he would like to pay tribute to Operator Solutions in Southbridge and Dairy Holdings for helping them to get started.

“They have been great offering us subcontracting work.”

While Jason is off working on the dairying side of his business Aaron Gianelly is the man behind the digger controls. After working for several years within the roading, construction and drainage industry Aaron provides JASE Excavation with considerable experience.

“Aaron is a great operator and does a fantastic job for us,” Jason says.

The company has an extensive range of machinery including two 14 tonne wheel diggers, two large high powered tractors and a tip trailer.

“The machinery we have enables us to carry out a broad spectrum of work,” Jason says.

For an initial consultation people can call Jason on 027 495 5732 or email him on jaseexcavation@gmail.com

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Broadband Ultimate fills in the gaps Made Easy!

supplied by ❚❚Article ❚❚Ultimate Broadband

Mike Smith’s enthusiasm is infectious. Ask him a question about the background to his wireless ISP business, Ultimate Broadband, and he’s away. And rightly so – he’s built a highly successful enterprise out of nothing in just a few years. He’s enabled thousands of rural Canterbury residents to get socially connected, run their businesses better and connect their kids to the school network from home.

From historic Tai Tapu on Banks Peninsula Ultimate covers pretty much all the area south to Timaru, east to the coast, and west to the Southern Alps foothills.

Aided by a generous share of the government’s RBI2 (Rural Broadband Initiative) programme which they won in a tender process they’re continuing to push out in the directions of Oamaru, Kurow and the Mackenzie Country.

To serve all this area Ultimate operates 86 commercial repeaters and 60 private repeaters.

In an earlier career Mike worked as an Account Manager for Spark (then Telecom) selling mobile and fixed line solutions to small businesses.

“I loved the wireless stuff,” he says.

So about 9 years ago he started in business on his own, beginning with a small wireless network in the Orari Gorge. With a great deal of help from neighbouring WISP Chris Roberts at Amuri.net Mike developed systems, hired staff and built wireless sites.

The brand “Ultimate” was introduced in 2012 and the business has never looked back. Community is the key “You can’t beat the old town hall meetings”, he says.

Fibre Broadband

Ultimate client: Ahuriri Station’s Emma Graham chats on the century-old farmhouse veranda with Mike Smith, owner and CEO of Ultimate Broadband.

Recently Ultimate held one in McQueens Valley which 25 people attended. Most attendees signed up on the night and then spread the word to neighbours, at which stage just about everyone in the community became a customer.

“People are really keen to hear from us when we are opening up in a new area,” he says.

Ultimate also partners extensively with other telecommunications operators to source backhaul and share infrastructure. They’re currently working on a deal with a digital trust, and they work closely with local government through their regions’ mayors.

Happy Customer – “Hallelujah – I found the ultimate broadband” With a background in media and tourism, Emma Graham is not your typical farmer. She and her husband are the fifth generation of Grahams to run the century-old, 1400 hectare Ahuriri Farm near Tai Tapu.

“For three years I battled to get fibre here,” Emma recalls. “I made several hundred phone calls. But I couldn’t get anyone to listen – costs kept rising, they talked about a six figure investment”

“And then – halleluiah – I found Ultimate Broadband and all the problems were over.”

“The service quality is great. My husband can be in touch with his Auckland and Christchurch offices from here. The tenants and farm staff are happy. And Netflix runs better here over Ultimate than it did in town.

“Most important is the way I can now modernise the running of the farm. I’m looking to work with Ultimate on more automated solutions driven by the technology – monitoring water, automated gates, drones, stock traceability, pump operation and a whole lot more.

“I’ve now got the communication tools to do all that.”

That’s a vision she and Mike Smith share, and which an increasing number of WISPs as well as a younger generation of farmers are now working towards.

With a tech-savvy, enthusiastic WISP with an eye to a commercial farm management package might well be a winning combination for farm management and social inclusivity in rural New Zealand.

Watch this space.

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April 2018

CANTERBURY FARMING

Security on the block

Lifestyle blocks in rural areas are often easy targets for thieves, and criminals like easy pickings, so don’t make it easy for them.

❚ by Kent Caddick Avoid leaving ‘starter kits’ for young criminals. These are items like chainsaws and mowers that can be easily taken and quickly sold.

Thieves often survey properties from afar before approaching, so be aware of strange vehicles parked within sight of your place.

They also like to drive in to see what security systems you have and the state of doors and windows.

Criminals don’t like walking as they may be more easily seen. So a locked gate (with a good quality lock) is the first defence, despite it being inconvenient for you. Ensure the gate cannot be lifted off its hinges by reversing the top gudgeon.

Record the vehicle numbers of anyone coming to your property with weak excuses such as looking for a named person, or a lost dog. Keep your digital camera handy and photograph them leaving, without them seeing if possible.

An electronic gate with codes for approved users is a more expensive but very effective alternative. An electronic gate sensor on an open gate to is another option to let you

know when you have company.

So many people are burgled when they are home eg when mowing lawns, so lock your door when in the garden or out on the property.

Have an alarm on the house and sheds.

Even if you are a long way from town, the criminals will not know how long they have to operate before help arrives but remember they may do a test run first and come back later.

Be concerned if they go through the house and take nothing. They could be coming back, especially if they took your spare set of keys clearly named on an obvious hook in the kitchen. Hide spare keys.

Criminals don’t like barking dogs, but be careful and comply with the Dog Control Act regarding containment of the animal.

Arrange an effective neighbourhood watch system with those around you. Letting neighbours know when you are away is so important so they can notice anything odd. Have a ‘telephone tree’ system of calling neighbours to alert others if there are problems.

Plant trees so there is a visual gap between you and your neighbours and keep checking that it remains clear as trees grow.

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Lock it up: Never leave keys in vehicles and lock your garage.

If your neighbour’s alarm goes off, visit them in a vehicle and not on foot, as you don’t want to be confronted with a criminal with unpredictable behaviour Make a record (list, photos and video) of as much of your house contents and farm gear as possible – certainly the big and valuable items. Keep receipts for everything of value purchased as most insurance companies require this for claims. Mark or engrave all items with your name or phone number and make it obvious wherever possible.

Try to limit how much fuel you keep on your property as thieves can always find some way to cut pipes even if the fillers are locked.

Don’t leave keys in vehicles and bikes at nights or when you go out and lock all doors and windows when you go out. Often this is only a minor deterrent as they are easily broken. Deadlocks are a good idea so thieves cannot get doors open to remove large items.

Don’t leave garden tools like spades and axes, and especially ladders around the out-

side of the house when you are not there.

Be especially vigilant if you have bush areas or maize crops bounding your property, as they are havens for growing dope. If you suspect dope-growing going on, don’t go in there as there may be booby traps but report your suspicions to the police.

Always tell the police if you have been burgled even if not much is taken as even if they cannot do much, it all adds to their information database.

Don’t put your name on the gate or letterbox as criminals look you up in the phone book to see if you are home. Don’t say on your recorded message ‘sorry we are out’ as that’s an invitation to be visited. Say that you are ‘unavailable’ or ‘cannot come to the phone’.

Be careful when you encounter criminals, as they have little to lose and clearly no respect for you or your property. They could be on drugs and have weapons, so talk quietly to them, move slowly and allow them an escape route.

CANTERBURY FARMING

Lifestyle offering value in static housing market

Lifestyle properties are being seen as a viable alternative for those in the market for a new home in a relatively static housing market. supplied by ❚ Article ❚ realestate.co.nz Real-time statistics from realestate.co.nz show the number of lifestyle properties for sale in February across the country was up 15 per cent compared to the same time a year ago.

“A surge in the number of lifestyle proper ties listed for sale nationally offers alternative options for home owners,” realestate.co.nz spokesperson Vanessa Taylor said.

“Since 2015 we have seen Kiwis moving to regional cities which are typically more affordable than the big cities.

“We have also seen people renovate their existing homes rather than take the next step

on the ladder, which can represent a significant financial leap in investment.

“Lifestyle properties have been a dream for many people and there’s significant diversity in what’s currently available,” Taylor said.

She said depending on which stage of the property cycle buyers are currently sitting in, lifestyle properties could well be another option, particularly for those wanting to get out of the cities.

The average asking price for lifestyle listings nationally sits at $998,275. In the Auckland region average asking prices are just over $1.86m.

“These are average, not the minimum prices, and there are still good options across the country,” Taylor said.

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Feds keep close eye on rate setting Federated Farmers is gearing up to assist members and farmers with local authorities starting to reveal their Long Term Plans and budgets.

❚ by Kent Caddick In the coming months, Federated Farmers will make 68 submissions across the country and has prepared a policy guide to help its 24 provinces navigate council plans with particular focus on rates.

Federated Farmers National President Katie Milne said our members and farmers pay a lot of money in rates, which can be among their highest overheads.

“Councils set up their rating policies in their Long Term Plans, which can have a huge cash effect on farm businesses, and are consulted on every three years.”

Milne said this year was especially significant as local government faces big challenges on funding infrastructure, both in response to major population growth and in some cases decline.

She believes this year’s Long Term Plans will again highlight that council ratepayer bases are at their limits of affordability.

“The high cost of local government rates to farming will in particular increase the pressure already on government to revise how local government is funded, assisting ratepayers and councils with a share of GST revenue, to reduce the effect of property value rates.”

“Farmers are already paying big rates for essential items like the local road network, and are wondering what councils will come up with this time round,” Milne said.

“We want to make sure that any new projects are both justified, and funded appropriately. Ideally, we would also like to see councils disclosing the beneficiaries of their spending and making charges or rating proportionate to that benefit received.”

She said the Federation had noticed a dis-

Watchful eye: Federated Farmers National president Katie Milne says they will be keeping a close watch on territorial authorities as they set their rates for the coming year.

‘

in Queenstown lakes District there are roughly 34 visitors for each local during peak periods.

Katie Milne Federated Farmers

turbing trend in regard to Long Term Plans that had already gone out for consultation.

“While its early days, with a dozen or so Long Term Plans out for consultation, we’re seeing some significant rate increases for farmers, such as the 23.5% increase on rural communities proposed by Manawatu District Council, and an overall rate increase of 12% for Bay of Plenty Regional Council ratepayers.”

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Federated Farmers is also worried about the cost of the role local government plays outside of core services, such as tourism promotion and economic development.

“We’ve worked hard for a fairer system of funding these activities including supporting the Government’s Tourism Infrastructure Growth Fund which helps councils with tourism impacts.

“Take Queenstown Lakes District, where

there are roughly 34 visitors for each local during peak periods. Under the current range of funding tools, councils can only rate the locals to fund the infrastructure those visitors are relying on.

“These councils need some assistance in meeting the costs of local infrastructure and services driven by the proportion of visitors, rather than just increasing the local rates bills annually.”

When you list your farm with our Canterbury office, there are Property Brokers’ team members across the country working alongside them to get you the best result. That’s because every one of them has signed a binding agreement to work together to sell your property. It’s a New Zealand first for the rural real estate industry that means we put your best interests first.

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Rural response to disasters improved A dedicated group of rural agencies and individuals has formed a new group which will represent farmers and growers in Selwyn, and the wider Canterbury area, in future adverse events such as earthquakes.

❚ by Kent Caddick The new Canterbury Primary Industries Adverse Events Cluster Group is leading the integration of agencies in the primary industries, with the Canterbury Civil Defence & Emergency Management (CDEM) Group, to prepare for and respond to adverse events in rural Canterbury.

The Cluster is open to all agencies with involvement in Canterbury primary industries and CDEM. It is led and represented by a Rural Advisory Group (RAG) of the Canterbury Rural Support Trusts, Federated Farmers, the Ministry for Primary Industries, Canterbury CDEM Group, and representatives of each primary sector.

At the group’s recent meeting two cochairs were elected, with New Zealand Veterinary Association Regional Branch Canterbury representative Julia Pasztor and North Canterbury Federated Farmers’ Provincial President Lynda Murchison taking on the roles.

Ms Murchison spearheaded the informal coordination and response group Team Ag in response to the Kaikoura and Hurunui earthquakes.

“In a disaster or adverse event, the new Cluster Group will mean we are prepared to manage information between farmers and the primary sector with the vital work that CDEM does,” Ms Murchison said.

“Over the last seven years as we have been hit by several adverse events, it has become clear that we have a role to play in helping Civil Defence respond to the needs of the rural community.

“Our strong networks have already proven that we can work together on a better-coordinated response for our rural communities.”

Julia Pasztor is currently contracted to MPI

Helping out: North Canterbury Federated Farmers’ provincial president lynda Murchison has been named as one of the co-chairs of the new Canterbury primary industries Adverse Events Cluster Group. and by night volunteers at a wildlife hospital.

“In my initial experience of disasters, there are always calls for vets to come and assist, whether for companion or stock animals.

“I’m honoured to be elected as co-chair and excited that I can be in a position to help

as we face future challenges that can impact not only on human welfare but also on animals.”

MPI is facilitating the setup of similar groups throughout New Zealand so that when there is a disaster or event, CDEM can tap into the resource for the rural response.

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April 2018 CANTERBURY FARMING

Choosing a dairy effluent system

Developing an effective dairy effluent system requires detailed planning taking into consideration the farm’s individual characteristics, such as soil type, distance to waterways as well as how the system can be integrated into existing infrastructure and management strategies such as fertiliser applications and irrigation management. supplied by ❚❚Article Agriculture Victoria ❚❚

Choosing the most appropriate effluent system whether it be pondage systems or direct application, will depend on what is more practical, easier to maintain and has the potential to return the most benefit.

Understanding these factors quite often assist in determining the most appropriate effluent system.

Key components of an effluent system Effluent systems often revolve around key components or stages, which Blue poo: Effluent storage ponds offer a more controlled and strategic application when applied to pasare integrated to form the tures. ensuring effluent can be applied over a total system, designed to manage the situation may include: 1. Minimisation of effluent – The significant percentage of the farm padeffluent stream from its generation to more generated at the dairy or feedpad docks. Application of effluent should be its application and reuse.

Components to consider in a dairy the more that requires storage and ap- strategically linked to the farm soil fertility targets and fertiliser applications. plication to pastures.

6. Management – The overall man2. Solid separation & fibre removal – Removing the coarse material from the agement and ongoing maintenance of liquid stream such as manure solids, fi- an effluent system is often overlooked.

Most effluent systems fail due to inbre, debris, sand, gravel and stones reduces the likelihood of problems with adequate management more so than • Portable site office & retail other components within the effluent system design. This component of the space. system. These may include pumping, effluent system should take into con• Storage storage, conveyance and application sideration: costs of servicing, ease and • Very competitively priced. frequency of maintenance, desludging stages.

3. Conveyance – How will effluent be strategies and staff responsibilities. On • Low energy costs and conveyed from the point source? Where the average size dairy farm simple somaintenance. will it be conveyed too? Can gravity be lutions are often practical and more re• Transportable to your own utilised? What distances are involved? liable. site.

These questions will assist in determinFOR HIRE Types of effluent systems • Ideal as a Granny Flat in ing the most appropriate conveyance your back yard. method.

All effluent systems have their adOR BUY • Temporary or permanent 4. Storage or containment – What is vantages and disadvantages. accommodation. the most practical and effective methIt is simply a matter of choosing the od to contain effluent within the prop- system that best suits the farm physical erty boundaries over the wetter months variables, location and labour capacity.

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CANTERBURY FARMING

Common type of effluent systems may include: 1. Direct application to pastures, crops These systems may bypass effluent ponds and return effluent direct from the point source (dairy) back to pastures or crops via various application methods. Usual approach is pumping from a sump at the dairy back to pastures via a fixed or travelling effluent irrigator.

Advantage • Low cost and no pond maintenance.

• More effective utilisation of nutrients.

• Suitable to lighter free draining soils.

Disadvantage • Higher likelihood of conveyance problems.

• Difficult to contain effluent on farm during high rainfall.

• Fairly labour intensive. Moving or repairing sprinklers.

2. Single Storage pond A single pond system assumes a storage pond capable of containing all the effluent generated at the dairy and or feedpad over the wetter months of the year. A period when rainfall exceeds evaporation and the potential for runoff is likely.

Generally used to return effluent back to pastures or crops more quickly without nutrients settling out.

Advantage • Effluent stored and applied to pastures when safe.

• A more controlled and strategic application.

• Reduced workload in shifting conveyance pipes and sprinklers.

Disadvantage • Dependant on soil type and water ta-

ble depth.

• Pond needs desludging every few years and ongoing maintenance.

• Requires agitation to access the valuable nutrients. With phosphorus and nitrogen settling in the lower layers of the pond.

3. Multi-pond system (one settling pond and one or more storage ponds) Dual or multiple ponds are designed for a variety of reasons such as anaerobic digestion, solid settling, pathogenic or odour treatment or simply as winter storage.

Advantage • Opportunity to recycle hence reducing the large volumes of water required to service floodwash and hydrant systems.

• Less conveyance and sprinkler problems.

• Large water supply rich with nutrients to service nearby pastures or crops.

Disadvantage • Requires a significantly large site, which may take away valuable pasture area.

• Requires regular management and maintenance, in particular the first pond.

• Tendency to trap and retain the value nutrients within the lower sludge layers, which may be difficult to access.

4. Slurry tankers and wagons Although not common, these practices are still viable options for the small dairy farm that may have conveyance problems or limited accessibility to paddocks.

Usually a preferred option on free draining soils for dairies maintaining a herd dry period and for reduced dairy operation over the winter months.

Advantage • Opportunity to strategically place effluent on specific paddocks.

• Cleaner collection at the dairy.

• Emphases a need to minimise water consumption at the dairy hence water savings.

Disadvantage • May have difficulty accessing laneways and paddocks over the wetter months.

• Labour intensive requiring constant management.

• Initial purchase costly with regular repairs and maintenance required.

LIQUID WASTE MANAGEMENT

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April 2018

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FORESTRY

Zero Carbon Act solution in trees The Forest Owners Association says the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, Simon Upton, should be listened to when he says words need to be turned into deeds to achieve New Zealand’s climate change mitigation goals.

supplied by ❚ Article Forest Owners Association ❚

Simon Upton says New Zealand should emulate Britain and enact a Zero Carbon Act because New Zealand has to catch-up on climate change.

Forest Owners Association President Peter Clark says the UK Zero Carbon Act is a good model to adopt for New Zealand conditions.

“Simon Upton has provided some timely advice as the government moves on its preelection commitment to get serious about

reducing domestic greenhouse gas emissions,” Clark says.

“Plantation forestry already plays a major role in locking up atmospheric carbon.

Simon Upton’s predecessor, Jan Wright, produced a report on biological greenhouse gas emissions and agriculture in October 2016.

Her message was clear – forests can offset these emissions from livestock on a scale no other current technology can manage.

“Forestry Minister Shane Jones recently acknowledged the huge impact that Jan Wright’s report had on his thinking in committing to a plan to see a billion trees planted

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in New Zealand in ten years,” he says.

“With or without an Act of parliament to independently control the policy settings to reduce our net greenhouse gas emissions, plantation forestry will stand to play a vital role in assisting New Zealand agriculture meet climate change obligations, without destroying the base of that agriculture industry as other solutions might do.”

Clark says he accepts Simon Upton’s qualification that forest sinks do not provide a permanent solution for reducing carbon emissions.

“However, use of wood in biofuels to replace fossil fuels and wood in construction to replace more energy intensive steel and concrete will provide lasting benefits.

“In an almost literal sense trees give us breathing space until the less emissions intensive technologies and land use practices are adopted. Over the past decade New Zealand should have been planting more trees and growing the national forest estate. That was a missed opportunity.

“If we get Simon Upton’s recommended

Act then that might give governments the focus to look after both shortterm and long-term climate change policy and actions. This will provide the policy stability that all New Zealand businesses need to make investment decisions.”

Clark does however sound a note of warning on planting trees to lock up carbon.

“Not all trees are created equal, nor grow equally. Plantation pine trees will have stored about 900 tonnes of carbon dioxide per hectare at maturity, at about 28 years.

Harvesting and then replanting will maintain an average of 600 tonnes of carbon dioxide lock-up per hectare.

“In contrast, a regenerating podocarp forest, such as rimu or totara, will lock-up not much more than 300 tonnes of carbon dioxide within their first 50 years.

“By all means encourage planting native trees, but people need to be aware that if your goal is carbon lock-up, fast growing exotics will lock up much more carbon per hectare than native trees, at least within the 2030 timeframe that is the immediate challenge under the Paris Agreement.”

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Labour strikes impact exports Over the last month the market talk has been focussed on China with the construction sector having a major impact on consumption.

Allan laurie MNZiF ❚ with Laurie Forestry Ltd ❚ All eyes are on daily port off take as this lifts off the back of the holiday period. Over the last month the domestic market in New Zealand has remained flat to very slightly firm whilst export prices came off $3 to $5 a cubic metre.

As at mid-March we are starting to see a lift in domestic lumber sales volumes in China. This is a good signal, telling us the construction sector is getting back to work and buyers are starting to stock up.

Daily port off take (consumption) of logs across the eastern seaboard has ramped up more quickly than forecast. It has gone from 20,000 cubic metres per day in the first week of March to 60,000 per day in third week, and climbing. In fact the consumption rates have been described as going ‘gang busters.

Total inventory hit a peak of 5million cubic metres in February which at any other time of the year would have been uncomfortably high. At the current consumption versus delivery rates, the inventory will drop quickly and no one is panicking.

Across the domestic scene it is postChristmas business as usual After a Q4 2017 price increase, this segment is stable to strong and delivering as always on log price and uptake. There remains a fine line between supply and demand with Canterbury/West Coast sawmills getting just enough logs to keep going.

In Canterbury, the labour strikes at Lyttelton are having a major impact.

It is difficult to understand how the union leaders consider putting their people put of work is going to make a long term gain.

At the end of the day the Lyttelton port workers provide a service which ensures their employer can continue to supply a service to their customers whose focus in life (like us for example) is to deliver cost competitive goods and products to international markets.

A situation which sees vessels cancelled due to labour strikes is very detrimental to the vibrancy of Canterbury industry. And at the end of the day cargos’ are being delivered elsewhere or not at all and the bottom line is Lyttelton Port workers face an erosion of an opportunity to have a job to go to.

In terms of how this impacts the bottom line for companies like ours, we have ship cancellations, full log yards and many people impacted financially. Full support here for LPC and to say “we are not amused” is an understatement.

The recent storm in Westland has been significant to say the least. Many hundreds of hectares of trees have been flattened and it is all hands to the grind stone to recover the fallen timber.

In most cases the trees are blown over and still have root plates in the ground. This should mean we have at least 18 months to recover the fibre without deterioration.

The additional fibre availability will certainly help fill some volume losses from the 2013 Canterbury windstorm. As always freighting capacity from the Coast to markets is a challenge so the team game here is vital if all needs are to be met.

Shipping cost are starting to turn to the dark side with rates heading upward and shipping companies reportedly collectively sorting out the rates and who will be supplied what capacity over a few of the foaming

ales around a bar in Singapore.

An upward tick of US$3 to $4 per cubic metre is currently on the table. Some shippers are holding off negotiations playing an uncertain game of cat and mouse.

For those ports able to receive vessels, which right now doesn’t include Lyttelton, higher freight rates appear to be the order of the day.

For the moment it looks like there will also be a small lift in CIF settlements in China so we can only hope this fills the gap in terms of any substantive change in wharf gate prices in NZ. Thus it remains as always fundamentally important, the only way forward for climate, country and the planet is to get out there and plant more trees.

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April 2018 CANTERBURY FARMING

Conference will help irrigators meet new challenges New technology to help improve water use efficiency and assist irrigators meet water quality requirements will be on display at IrrigationNZ’s 2018 Conference.

❚❚by Kent Caddick This year’s event is being held in in Alexandra from April 17 to 19 April.

“With the new government signalling it wants to see improvements in water quality as well as addressing over allocation issues, farmers and growers will need to be implementing solutions for more efficient irrigation as part of reducing their environmental impact,” IrrigationNZ’s Andrew Curtis said.

“Our irrigation expo and conference will have a wide range of technology and services on display to help improve efficiency. We have a range of international and local experts speaking at the conference who will also be discussing the challenges irrigators are facing and sharing their ideas on the way forward.”

Over 55 exhibitors have signed up to be part of the expo, which runs for three days.

Conference participants can join a tour of pastoral farms, vineyards or orchards in Central Otago. The winery tour includes wine tasting and will look at the issues around growing in the world’s southernmost wine growing region.

It will visit a range of vineyards including Bendigo Station. The station covers 12,000 hectares. The property is now known for its merino wool, vineyards and historic reserves.

Curtis said irrigation has been crucial in allowing the property to diversify into growing grapes.

The orchard tour will visit the newly developed Dairy Creek irrigation scheme area – a joint venture between local farmers and Pioneer Energy.

“There is significant potential for new horticulture to be developed in this area,” Curtis said.

Panellists, including ANZ rural economist Con Williams, dairy farmer and scientist Alison Dewes, Pioneer Energy chief executive Fraser Jonkers and Nuffield Scholar Tim O’Sullivan, will discuss challenges irrigators are facing, including negative public perceptions and the need to clearly quantify the benefits of moving to best irrigation practice, as well as sharing their ideas on how to address these issues.

Highlands Motorsport Park will be the venue for the conference dinner where guests will be able to mingle with a range of rare cars like an Aston Martin Vulcan (the only one in the Southern Hemisphere), and the Benetton F1 car Michael Schumacher drove, which are part of the Highlands Motorsport Museum’s $25 million collection.

To find out more about the Conference visit www. irrigationnz.co.nz

Rare opportunity: Guests at the 2018 IrrigationNZ Conference dinner will mix with a $25million collection of rare cars. Photo by Ross McKay.

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Hunters should stick to the basics The New Zealand Deerstalkers’ Association is urging hunters to play it safe with the approaching ‘roar’ and game bird season opening.

❚ by Kent Caddick The upcoming events will encourage thousands of hunters into the hills and swamps of New Zealand and the NZDA says it is timely to remind hunters to “play it safe.

NZDA President Bill O’Leary said in the past decade the number of firearm license applicants has more than doubled and this has increased hunter numbers.

O’Leary said analysis of incidents has identified potential causal factors.

“Unlicensed shooters and illegal hunting are ‘red flags’ and along with spotlighting have featured frequently in shooting incidents.

“Experienced shooters are not exempt from making mistakes. Bad habits, complacency and deteriorated eyesight have been linked to past incidents. Tiredness and dehydration increase the likelihood of making that fatal mistake.

“Each and every hunter needs to look hard at their own and their mates’ attitudes and conduct and ensure that safety is the most basic of considerations when hunting,” O’Leary said.

“Last year was a good year with no non intentional shootings. Hunting safely and coming home safe is a pretty basic aim for 2018.”

He said the media and the public tend to focus on the ‘failure to identify’ incidents but most incidents are the result of failure to observe basic rules such as always pointing the firearm in a safe direction.

Basic rules of hunting safely: • • • •

Get a firearms licence Get permission to access and hunt on land Communicate your presence to other hunters Understand and observe the basic rules of firearm safety.

Safety first: NZDA president Bill O’leary is reminding hunters to play it safe during the roar and the game bird season.

The New Zealand Deerstalkers’ Association which is a national organisation of hunters with 48 branches running training in safe firearm usage and hunting. NZDA is a member of the Firearm Safety Council comprised of all national hunting and firearm organisations.

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April 2018

CANTERBURY FARMING

DAIRY

Synlait opens new research facility Canterbury based dairy company Synlait has opened a new research and development centre in the North Island.

❚ by Kent Caddick The opening of the Synlait’s new centre at Massey’s Manawatu campus in Palmerston North comes on the heels of the company’s announcement of a new $125 million facility to be built at its Canterbury base at Dunsandel.

Managing Director and CEO John Penno the research centre will play an impor tant role in developing innovative expor t-orientated cream oppor tunities to leverage Synlait’s upcoming advanced liquid dair y packaging facility to be built at Synlait Dunsandel.

“We are serious about growing and applying our research and development expertise to maintain a competitive edge.

“While Synlait Palmerston North is focused on dairy liquids, we have teams elsewhere working on nutritional powders, packaging and many other areas.”

Penno said Synlait plans to double its investment over the next two years, having committed around $7 million to research

and category development in the current financial year.

“We’ve established an R&D Centre in Palmerston North and will be investing around $2 million on additional equipment for the FoodPilot facility, which can be used by others,” Penno said.

The Vice Chancellor of Massey University, Professor Jan Thomas, who opened the new research centre said the facility highlighted the important new relationship between Syn- Opened: palmerston North Mayor, Grant Smith, cutting the ribbon to open Synlait palmerston North. Massey University Vice Chancellor, prof Jan Thomas, stands to his right and roger Schwarzenbach, Synlait’s GM of Technical and innovalait and the university.

“The establishment of Syn- tion, is opposite.

Synlait Palmerston North is a partnership members working within the Research and lait’s new Research and Development Centre is an excellent example with Massey University and FoodPilot, one of Development Team, but the company said of industry and the university collaborating the New Zealand Food Innovation Network’s this would grow as Synlait Palmerston North ramps-up its operations. closely to achieve real, tangible outcomes,” four hubs.

Synlait is also looking to build a $260 milThe Palmerston North team will primarily Professor Thomas said.

“Strategic partnerships like these are vi- concentrate on innovative dairy liquid prod- lion infant formula manufacturing plant in Potal if we are to start and grow new industries, uct development, as well as supporting pro- keno, North Waikato, but the purchase of land for the plant will have to be approved by create new jobs, and to remain competitive cesses and technology.

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35

April 2018

Spierings resigns after loss announcement ❚ by Kent Caddick

Fonterra CEO Theo Spierings says he has been proud to have led the farmer’s co-op for seven years as the company has established a strong demand-led strategy.

The news of resignation comes after Fonterra, New Zealand’s largest company, announced it had posted a net $348 million loss for the six months to January 31, after writing down its investment in Chinese company Beingmate by $405m.

Fonterra says its Board and Mr Spierings had formally commenced succession discussions in 2017. As a result of that, the Fonterra Board initiated international searches in November last year to identify potential candidates and was now shortlisting candidates.

Fonterra Chairman John Wilson says the Board was taking the decision to bring forward the announcement, which it was expecting to make in April, to avoid speculation.

“It is not yet clear exactly when any appointment for Theo’s replacement

Standing down: Fonterra CEO Theo Spierings has resigned after seven years in the job.

will be made, but it is absolutely clear that Theo will continue in the meantime to drive the Co-operative’s strategy and business, with special emphasis on China,” Wilson says.

“The Board and Theo are committed to a high-quality transition to a new CEO and when we have more information in regards to timing we will let our farmers and the wider market know. Until then it is business as usual with the focus on driving returns to our farmers and unitholders.

“We envisage that even after the announcement of our new CEO, Theo will be involved in an advisory role so that we make best use of his knowledge and expertise during the transition,” Wilson says.

Mr Spierings says that he has been proud to have led Fonterra as CEO for seven years as the Co-operative has established a strong demand-led strategy and oriented itself to become innovative and sustainable.

“It is now time for a new CEO who can lead the Co-operative through this next phase. The time is right for the Cooperative and that is important to me and to the Board.

“It is also the right time for me personally. I look forward to new challenges, but right now my focus is on Fonterra. That will be the case until I finish with the Co-operative.”

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April 2018

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What will it take to change course?

That New Zealand will shift from its short-term focussed, carbon-depleting mainstream soil fertility model to a sustainable carbon positive one, is a given. It will happen, the only questions are when, and what event will trigger that movement?

❚ with peter Burton That’s a broad generalisation, and not all pastoral farmers fall into the category of ‘environmental vandals’, however the overall trend is still one of environmental degradation.

A senior Landcare scientist was recently prepared to admit that, “all irrigated land, without exception, is losing carbon”.

That discussion was around the loss of soil carbon, and he’s not alone with his view. Another leading soil scientists has stated that some

New Zealand soils have been losing carbon on average at the rate of 1.0 tonne/ha for the last 30 years.

An acclaimed soil scientist in a public lecture, wondered why New Zealand farmers hadn’t learned from their counterparts in the UK and Europe, and were still attempting to squeeze the very last dollar out of their operations.

And that goes to the heart of the present situation - the availability of cheap money – which has been driven by banks. It’s not uncommon to hear farmers justifying their prac-

tices on the fact that the bank is still extending their credit facilities.

There are a number of reasons why mainstream bag N driven systems will change. Peer pressure is steadily growing.

There are an increasing number of operators who are not dependent on water soluble-nutrient based programmes. They tend to be older farmers with a broader perspective, with involvement in the wider community and, where they have influence, they’re speaking up.

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production is driving many farmers to buy in more supplements. Pasture is still the cheapest food available and less of it means increased financial pressure.

Councils are beginning to squeeze and, as a farmer recently admitted, it looks like death by a thousand cuts.

At one public meeting senior staff members said that their Council had consulted widely and no-one had argued in favour of a further decline in water quality, and they would therefore make sure that it didn’t happen in their patch.

Central government is talking regulation, which will be welcomed by many involved in regional and local councils. The majority of the council staff I’ve spoken with don’t wish to be involved in setting regulation, but see their role as administering policy set by Government, with input from them.

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37

Farmers support $1b provincial revitalisation package Federated Farmers says it is pleased to see the Coalition Government recognises water storage and irrigation as a vital aspect of provincial economic development.

❚ by Kent Caddick The comments come after Regional Economic Development Minister, Shane Jones, confirmed that water initiatives were to be included in the annual $1billion spend towards revitalising provincial New Zealand.

Federated Farmers Water spokesperson Chris Allen says this is a reassuring message for provincial communities, many of which struggle to attract investment.

“Water is the lifeblood for many, especially our farmers who simply wouldn’t be in business without it,” Allen says.

“Irrigation in particular brings great benefits economic and social, you just have to look at Mid Canterbury and how that region has prospered since it was introduced back in the 90s.

“For every dollar an irrigator makes, at least another three dollars is created in the local community.

“As a food producer reliant on expor ts, our countr y needs consistent, reliable growing conditions. Irrigation provides that continuity of supply that is high quality and can be delivered to market, benefiting both

the consumer and grower.”

Allen says localised water initiatives can also grow provincial capability to manage future adverse events and adaption to climate change, while ensuring long-term benefits flow downstream to communities.

“In those regions that have water storage and irrigation, we know it generates greater investment and incentives for the processor, manufacturer and farmer, creating opportunities to add value to their produce.

“Drought mitigation and increased production, which the Minister referred to, fundamentally relies on irrigation and water storage.”

He says the advent of precision agriculture increasingly adopted by irrigators, demonstrated the value reliable water systems could provide with environmental benefits too.

“Well managed and designed irrigation is effectively precision rainfall, creating the right time, right amount and right place, which is best for the farmer and environment.

“We look forward to working with the Government to help rural New Zealand achieve its potential,” Allen says.

Happy chappy: Federated Farmers Water spokesperson Chris Allen is happy with the direction the new coalition government is going in terms of irrigation.

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CANTERBURY FARMING

WATER & IRRIGATION

The data dilemma

Andrew Curtis ❚ by ❚ Irrigation NZ

We recently put in a submission to Environment Canterbury’s Long Term Plan.

As the plan covers a ten-year timeframe, it prompted some thinking around some of the key issues facing irrigators over the next decade.

Many farmers are already implementing farm environment plans (FEPs) and changing their practices to achieve Good Management Practice, and more farmers will be doing this in the future.

To date, there hasn’t been a lot of communication around this. Environment Canterbury has indicated they want to improve people’s access to information about what’s happening under the Canterbury Water Management Strategy.

We fully support this.

We would like to see more information about FEPs explaining how these are developed, the audit process and catchment scale information around the significant changes farmers are making.

There will be time-lags before water quality improvements will occur, so communicating how changes being made on farms will improve water quality is critical.

IrrigationNZ is also looking at how we can better communicate information about irrigation – what it can achieve if it’s done well, the range of activities supports, and what our members are doing on their farms to improve efficiency and water quality. We have a number of projects lined up to support this.

We also need to have improved access to data to inform a conversation about water use.

For over five years, farm-

Versatile: Nationally, irrigation is used for a wide range of land uses. ers have had to submit their water meter data to the regional council. But that data is not currently being analysed and released to the public. This is not just an issue in Canterbury, but right across the country.

A lot of the debate and media coverage around water sees wild claims flying around on water use on farms. The reality is that farmers use much less water than their maximum allocation in most years, and we have seen some large gains in efficiency.

We need data to show how water is being used and that in the years when droughts occur, restrictions are in place on water drawn from rivers, and often groundwater, creating a growing need for storage as a result.

Having access to data around water use would also be useful for farmers.

Seeing your water use is higher than other farms may well prompt you to investigate why and consider whether you need to modernise your irrigation equipment or change how you are using irrigation.

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We have a wider project planned at IrrigationNZ to build an information base around irrigation and make this accessible to the public.

The pre-election debate highlighted that there is little understanding of how or where irrigation is used – for example irrigation was often seen as being used for dair y farming and little else, however nationally over 50% of irrigated land is used for other purposes.

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CANTERBURY FARMING

WATER & IRRIGATION

Tony Trewinnard ❚ by ❚ Blue Skies Weather

April 2018

39

Mixed bag for winter forecast

I know it’s been a long time coming, but to be honest I’ve found it hard to get a coherent picture in my mind from the various datasets (models, analogs, influencing factors, the sea weed, etc) as to how this winter will play out.

I think it’s fair to say there are not a lot of clear signals to latch on to, which reduces confidence, and allows for a wider range of possibilities than is ideal when trying to produce a forecast.

The Southern Oscillation will be in a largely neutral state this winter, transitioning out of this summer’s La Nina but with no direction at this point in time (and there won’t be till late May or June at the earliest).

I wouldn’t be surprised by a return to weak La Nina patterns in spring/summer, but, for now, all bets are off.

Ocean temperatures around New Zealand are cooling back towards normal but the forecast for winter suggests still warmer SSTs than usual east of the country, and in the south Tasman Sea and northern part of the Southern Ocean. This would encourage the development of low pressure systems in these areas.

Further south the rest of the Southern

Ocean looks likely to be a little colder than usual, which will provide a source of cold air for southerly storms. This is a potentially interesting combination – more storminess in the parts of the Southern Ocean near the Tasman Sea and southern New Zealand, but colder than usual air further southwards to feed them. You do the maths – potentially not pretty for southern New Zealand.

Overall I’m going to suggest the 2018 winter will be changeable and mixed – not in a passive, wishy-washy way like we see some winters, but in an active and highly variable way.

I suspect this will be a season where we get a bit of everything – a mix of vigorous low pressure systems and intense anticyclones, periods of mild humid northerly and northeasterly airflow, and also some very cold southerly outbreaks. Plenty of rain, but long settled periods too. I’m thinking kitchen sink territory here.

I would expect the early part of the winter to see some further outbreaks from the subtropics and the north Tasman Sea as the lingering La Nina effects wind down, but later in the winter a more active Southern Ocean will bring more polar troughs and cold fronts.

I can’t see any parts of the country having a significantly dry winter season, and for many areas I am thinking wetter than normal. The south of the South Island (Southland, Otago, Fiordland, maybe Canterbury) may be especially stormy with above normal rain. The North Island may be unsettled early on, but more settled later.

Overall I would expect measured temperatures to be near normal for the season as a whole, perhaps a little cooler than normal but nowhere near off-the-charts cold.

However, this winter is going to feel cold, and I would expect people to be talking about how cold it’s felt throughout, but especially in the second half. Part of this will be due

to increased cloudiness and reduced sunshine hours, which will make the days feel cold, but the nights measure warmer (with fewer frosts).

This may be especially the case in the South Island and the east of the North Island (Wellington to Gisborne). However, soil temperatures should stay a little milder than usual, which will be news for grass growth countrywide.

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April 2018 CANTERBURY FARMING

WATER & IRRIGATION

Deer and stream water quality AgResearch and farmers are monitoring five streams on high and hill country deer farms this year – three in the South Island and two in North Island – to build a picture of the impact of deer on water quality.

❚❚by Trevor Walton It is the first year of a five-year sur vey. Five more farms will be monitored next year.

It is thought to be the first time a New Zealand dr ystock farming sector has tried to put a number on its impact on water ways at a detailed farm level.

“The project should help regional councils and the sector understand the impact of deer farming on the environment,” says project leader Dr Jane Chr ystal, an AgResearch scientist.

“All water ways have base levels of nitrogen and phosphorous which occur naturally. So when we monitor a farm stream, we need to ask of the nutrients we measure, ‘how much do deer contribute’?”

Chr ystal and her colleagues will trek into catchments on the monitored farms ever y six months.

During these visits they will gather water samples along the course of each monitored stream. By monitoring water quality the length of each stream – from the undeveloped tops to the more intensively farmed lower countr y – the team can measure where nutrients increase or decrease along its course.

They will also assess stream bank condition using a monitoring and rating system developed by AgResearch for the project.

From the condition of the stream bank, the researchers expect to be able to predict a site’s potential to add contaminants to the water way.

“These streams are on the big high-countr y blocks where farmers might put hinds out for fawning, not intensively-stocked, high density areas. We’re talking matag-

Research: Scientists head into the South Island back country to take water samples from a deer farm stream.

ouri and scrub, canyons. These aren’t lovely streams that people are swimming in.”

It’s a case study experiment where repeated monitoring of a number of catchments over time will be used to build up a database of how water quality is influenced by deer farm management.

For their par t, par ticipating farmers have been asked to keep records of fer tiliser applications, movements of stock in and out of paddocks and the number and classes of stock involved.

The farmers are also taking water samples from the bottom of the catchment ever y month and are sending these to Invermay.

All the samples – those collected by both the technicians and farmers – are being tested for suspended sediments, phosphorus and nitrogen, as well as for E. coli as an

indication of faecal contamination.

Chr ystal, a farm systems and environmental researcher at AgResearch Invermay, Otago, says each farming sector has different water way issues.

“With dair y, it’s nitrogen leaching. With deer, wallowing creates unique challenges, as it is associated with phosphorous and sediment losses into water ways.”

She hopes the sheep and beef sector will soon have funding to follow the deer industr y’s lead.

“We need to find solutions for the impacts that are deer-specific. But many deer farms run sheep and beef so it would be helpful to know what impact they have as well.”

Chr ystal says it’s too soon to comment on the results to date because a picture of

the actual quality of the water will not be known until a number of samples have been taken over time. Individual spot samples are of limited value for this.

The water way work is being funded by DEEResearch, an AgResearch and Deer Industr y NZ (DINZ) joint venture that aims to lift the productivity of deer farms.

DINZ environmental stewardship manager Lindsay Fung says he hopes the findings will link on-farm deer management practices with water quality.

“This will enable us to advise farmers and regional councils on the best practices and policies for reducing the impact of deer on the environment,” Fung says.

“At the moment we have good anecdotal information about what works best, but we need to support this with some hard data.”

CANTERBURY FARMING

LIVESTOCK

rob Cochrane ❚ by Procurement Manager, ❚ Wool PGG Wrightson Wool ❚

April 2018

41

Wool growers prepared to meet market

Despite larger than originally anticipated volumes of wool coming forward for auction at both Napier and Christchurch during the past few weeks, the majority of lots on offer were cleared to the trade at reasonable levels.

Presumably due to crossbred wool prices remaining fairly flat throughout the past few months, grower sentiment during recent weeks turned towards meeting the market and banking the proceeds rather than holding fast to reserve prices above current levels.

From mid-February to mid-March, and at time of writing, the Kiwi dollar had also maintained its level of between approximately $US0.72 and $US0.73, thus providing no added assistance to wool growers.

During the Januar y to early Februar y period, several wool expor ters who usually trade in crossbred lamb’s wool were concerned about the lack of volume of those types catalogued in auction sales, however by late Februar y and into mid- March volumes of crossbred lamb’s wool cer tainly increased.

Lamb’s wool measuring finer than around 30 microns drew extremely good support from the exporting trade and it was not uncommon to see approximately 200 cents

clean difference between 30 and 28 microns.

As longer stapled lamb’s wool began to flow onto the market, prices for the 31 micron and coarser types eased to be between 100 and 150 cents clean less than the 30 micron types, however at time of writing there had been little, if any, change to demand for the finer lamb’s wool types.

Crossbred second-shear also received good interest from exporters and competition remained strong (although no doubt to a modest level, in grower terms) with buyers mostly interested in those well prepared lines displaying good washing colour.

A highlight for the volumes of crossbred full length fleece wool offered throughout the past few weeks, was that a large percentage of those were visually of good washing colour, something often unusual for wools shorn during the summer months.

Many of these types, offered during the February/March period, were drawn from southern areas which had experienced very

dry conditions through spring and leading up until January, and from where a large number of lamb’s had been exited earlier than normal due to the extended dry spell.

Perhaps the better than expected wool quality, reflected a lack of stress on ewes once their lambs had been moved on and the subsequent lesser competition for what feed was available.

The few lines of mid-micron (Halfbred and Corriedale) types offered during February/ March drew plenty of competition from exporters with prices for most types exceeding brokers’ pre-sale expectations.

Lamb’s wool from similar breeding backgrounds also drew solid support from exporters, with a particularly memorable sale being that of four bales of Corriedale lamb’s wool from the Cheviot area measuring 24.1 microns and featuring in the PGG Wrightson catalogue of March 8, reaching 1355 cents per kilogram clean, after a frenzied bidding battle.

Volumes of wool coming for ward for sale have exceeded expectation over the past couple of months, and whilst much of this has been driven by a quantity of old season’s wool being offered for sale, after being stored for around twelve months, there has also been a considerable number of growers who have opted to offer their new season’s wool via auction, rather than their previous practice of selling at the farm gate, in order to maximize exposure to the export trade.

From an exporter’s perspective I’m confident they have welcomed ‘new’ growers to the auction arena, where wool samples accompanied by full test data enable each buyer’s assessment to be fully exploited to the grower’s benefit.

That’s my view.

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CANTERBURY FARMING

April 2018

LIVESTOCK

Nortilus 4:

The future as we know it ❚ by Solis Norton I’m in the Netherlands on the first part of a Nuffield Scholarship, the Contemporary Scholars Conference.

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the leading agricultural university in the Netherlands, Cargill (the huge global feed supplier), and experts in sustainability and organics, but also with farmers from New Zealand and elsewhere.

Think of it as around 150 enthusiasThe views were as diverse as the peotic farmers and rural professionals getple they came from. ting together for a week to set the world The divergence has struck me. On right. A dozen different countries are one hand there are the global reports, here, the full spectrum of development gospel for all intents and purpose, but stages including the upper and lower on the other hand, completely different extremes. expert opinions.

We drink coffee, we drink beer, we Here’s a good example. Rabobank listen to global leaders in agriculture projects Africa to grow by over a billion speak on everything from value adding people by 2050 and is concerned about to robotics to sustainability to the world its ability to feed itself. in 2030 and 2050. We talk and talk and Steve Gunye, an international agritalk, freely and among friends. cultural expert from Kenya responded that the average age of Kenyan citizens is 18.

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If you read the paragraph above again slowly you will get a sense of it.

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CANTERBURY FARMING

LIVESTOCK

April 2018

43

Setting up for another great season During autumn, the stage is set for the next season, and it’s a time of the year when making the right management decisions at the right time can pay handsome dividends.

❚ by Tevor Walton

That’s according to Dairy Industry New Zealand’s deer health project leader Lorna Humm.

“With the breeding herd, the ideal target is for every hind to conceive in the first cycle, and to wean a fawn that weighs 50% of its mum’s mature weight by 1 March,” she says.

Early conception and thus earlier fawning makes good sense on most deer farms, Humm says.

“Early born fawns have more time to grow and their mums have access to quality feed in early lactation. They are heavier at pre-rut weaning and are better able to take advantage of quality autumn pasture.

“Fawns from hinds that conceive in early April are not born until December,” Humm says.

“By then ryegrass is losing much of its nutritive value. With poorer quality lactation feed and less time to grow these fawns will also be smaller at weaning.” (The average gestation length for red deer is 233 days, elk-wapiti 250-254 days and crossbreds somewhere in between.)

To get a good early conception rate in a pre-rut weaning system, weaning needs to be completed and the mating mobs settled a fortnight before mating begins – typically in mid-March.

Underweight hinds should have been preferentially fed so the mob has an average body condition score of 3.5 or better. Yearling red hinds should weigh at least 80 kg and yearling wapiti-crossbreds at least 130 kg.

“It has been traditional to join the stags with the hinds in the second week of March, but some farmers are doing this as early as late-February,” Humms says.

“Indeed, if you have been selecting for earlier fawning, having the stags out early means they will pick up earlier cycling hinds.

Otherwise these hinds may not be mated until the second cycle, about 18 days later.

“Where possible, especially during the first active mating cycle, avoid non-routine disturbances to the mating groups. Observe stag mating behaviour from a distance looking for stags that are exhausted or unable to mate effectively,” she says.

“Keep velvetting stags well away from mating mobs and graze them at the lowest stocking rate practical, in order to reduce fence-pacing and aggressive behaviour. Keep 2- and 3-year old stags in their age groups, away from mixed age stags.”

During autumn, stags reduce their feed intake and their body condition falls. Humm says this can’t be prevented, but it can be minimised.

“Velvet antler yields can be reduced by under-feeding during autumn and to a lesser extent in winter.

“Feed offered to stags in mating and velvet mobs needs to be high quality due to the restricted capacity of the stag’s rumen at this time of the year, especially immediately post-rut where there is a small critical opportunity to recover some condition,” she says.

“Saved pasture, high quality silage or crops are suitable feeds. Concentrates are

Season starter: Getting mating management right sets the deer farm up for a successful season. A red stag with his harem. Photo: richard Hilson usually cost-effective, but care needs to be taken as to how these are fed to velvetting mobs, to avoid aggression and injury.”

Whether a weaner is destined for the breeding herd, venison or velvet production, its growth rate in its first autumn helps define whether it will be able to achieve its genetic potential.

Growth rates in weaners are influenced by many factors: among them the quality and quantity of their feed, the impact of stress and disease exposure.

Yersininosis is the most common cause of death in weaner deer in autumn and winter. If weaners stop eating because they have been exposed to one or more stressors such as high parasite burdens, transport, abrupt feed changes and severe weather, the yersinia bacteria may multiply, causing disease.

“Deciding whether to vaccinate to pre-

vent yersinia warrants a chat with your vet.

As does the decision whether or not to vaccinate for the clostridial infections and leptospirosis, the incidence of which appears to be growing.

“Parasite control is also a complex issue in deer, usually involving the use of three drench families and a long withholding period.

“Addressing these issues as part of a structured annual deer health review with your vet makes a lot of sense,” says Humm.

“The recommendations that come out of these reviews are tailored to the risks on your individual farm.

“Not only is this an investment in ensuring health issues do not limit deer performance, it ensures you are doing the things you ought to be doing and not doing anything that you don’t need to do.”

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45

All tomorrow’s party pieces

The age of the crossover SUV is well and truly upon us, as marques once famed solely for their fire breathing monsters (Lamborghini), luxurious road-going land yachts (Bentley) and nimble sports cars (Porsche) compete for the sports utility dollar.

❚ by Andy Bryenton The station wagon has been relegated to the automotive hinterland, and may soon join terms like ‘charabanc’ and ‘non-synchromesh-transmission’ in the dusty halls of museums.

So to stand out in this sector, which continues to develop stranger and more exotic offshoots, like the tiny Suzuki Ignis and the manga-cyberpunk Toyota Ch-R, one must have a party piece, or several.

Enter the new Kia Niro, a well-proportioned compact SUV crossover which seems, at first glance, to be a nice contender for the bantamweight family mover crown.

With a similar footprint for offerings

by Mazda and Hyundai, the good looks which head designer Peter Schreyer has become known for, and a very Doctor Who-like ability to cram maximum technology, people and luggage into a small space, you might wonder how it could possibly tear the attention away from more flamboyant competitors.

It doesn’t appear to have a plasma ion drive like the CH-R, it’s not retro-cool like the little Ignis, and it’s not a luxury bruiser like those X-badged Beemers which seem so coveted.

Perhaps, you might muse, as you sift through all the clever cubbies and niches in the cabin, this is a vehicle which follows on from Kia’s surprising, giant slaying Stinger.

Could that same massive twin tur-

bo six lurk under the hood of the Niro?

Well, and this may sadden some of you, it’s not.

In fact, what hides behind the smart looking grille of the new Kia is one of the most practical applications of hybrid technology on the road today.

The plug in version of the Niro - what they call the Niro 1.6 LTD PHEV - may not have the raw power of the Stinger, but it has its own style.

Suffice to say that in a race, the little crossover would not have to pit stop anywhere near as much. That’s because it boasts a petrol-sipping pedigree of 1.3 litres to the 100kms.

On the open road, some sources report dipping below the magic single litre mark. Around town, it’s possible to switch to electric power only and still achieve a range in excess of 40 kilometres.

All this is achieved by a vehicle which rides, drives, feels and looks eminently normal. There’s even a real dual clutch transmission rather than the now-omnipresent CVT which is found on many less expensive new cars, packing six speeds.

The cleverest party piece of them all, however, is the Transmission Mounted Electric Device or TMED, which allows the electric powertrain to give the 1.6 litre petrol engine an extra kick under hard acceleration.

That’s supercar stuff, and makes this very practical small crossover far more fun to drive.

Kia presents themselves as a com-

Well-proportioned: When you’re about to tangle with the top of the class in the compact SUV crossover market, you need something truly different. pany with the will and the ability to surprise, and this latest addition to their range does just that. Not only because of what it can do, hybrid technology has been on the rise for some time after all, buoyed by better and better batteries.

But coming hard on the heels of a grand tourer which shook performance motoring down to its suspension bushings, this money-saving, enviro-friendly urban compact is a sign that the Korean brand is covering all its bases.

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April 2018

CANTERBURY FARMING

Laying down the gauntlet When it comes to power and speed in our motor vehicles, human beings love big, round figured benchmark stats.

❚ by Andy Bryenton More than a centur y ago, a steam train which could crack the ‘ton’ and whisk passengers along at one hundred miles an hour was seen as the Concorde of its day, and people literally feared that such velocity would scramble the brains of those on board.

Today we’re more practical, but our heads can still be turned by a big figure when it comes to raw power, speed and torque. Witness the fuss made about the Dodge Hellcat, that recent star of the world of muscle cars, delivered from the factory with over 700 horsepower under the hood. Or the day the Bugatti Veyron smashed the 1000 horsepower barrier and the road speed records at once.

We love those big figures, but the problem for engineers is how to translate what is a sure-fire seller in terms of marketing into a practical asset on or off the road. Especially for an off road machine, delivering massive power to muddy, sandy or icy terrain is

Powered up: At the high end of the power spectrum, the new polaris Xp 1000 EFi remains a serious working tool.

a feat far more difficult than simply causing petrol to explode in volumes which will generate massive amounts of force.

That’s why the new Polaris Ranger XP 1000 EFI is so impressive. Not because it

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packs a massive amount of power under gine are able to be deployed with the minthe hood (or in fact, centrally mounted for imum of fuss.

Polaris is no stranger to letting this kind of better weight distribution and handling), but because all 82 horses from its 999cc power out to play - witness their RZR racing four stroke twin double overhead cam en- machines tearing up the Baja track - but harnessing them to work is another matter.

Polaris took the opportunity to extensively question farmers and hunters before committing to the new design, adding over 100 little improvements to everything from seat materials to ride height, steering feel to load capacity. It shows, in the same way all those small details come together to make the interior of a luxury car feel different from a mass market shopping basket.

With dual A-arms front and rear, generous ground clearance all round and a clever transmission with on-demand four wheel drive, there’s no wheel spin and drama as the Polaris XP 1000 EFI gets underway.

Even loaded up, and here you can expect to carry up to 680kg and tow over 1100kg, it’s all about having plenty of torque on demand to go sure and steady over the rough stuff.

Polaris could have made their fuel injected 1000 into another king-hit in an ongoing sideby-side off roader horsepower war, but instead they have opted to choose the sensible path.

This is not a machine dedicated to one-upsmanship in terms of power or even its thoroughly modern appearance. It’s been given great power with all that responsibility, like a certain super hero, and that makes it perfect for farmers with bigger than average workloads.

CANTERBURY FARMING

April 2018

47

❚ with rob Cope-Williams

Seeing in the dark Yes I know that I often sound as though I only hit the negative side of our industry, but this time I am talking about someone who is on your side.

A very good friend of mine has taken up the job of being custodian of a very ancient homestead and garden in a rather isolated area of our region.

The home had been empty for many years so it was in need of being brought back to life and the very mature garden was in dire need of a chainsaw and hours of hard work.

Said lady loves nature, old houses and is definitely not scared of hard work, but being there on her own opened the door to unwanted visits during the hours of darkness.

After her vehicle was disabled and strange goings on, it was decided that a security system should be fitted.

A quick call to Glen at ATF and he dropped everything but his overalls and was there to totally put everyone’s minds at rest.

While I would always recommend ATF because of the way Glen reacted, I am also a great fan of what his equipment can do.

Basically two cameras scan the main area of concern and record any movement.

Pictures are then sent to the cell phone of the resident showing who or what set off the alarm.

The first night a cat, a possum and a hedgehog were caught snooping around the yard, but they could have been an unwelcome person who would be caught and identified. The picture can zoom in to read number plates and therefore catch the villains who shouldn’t be there.

Apart from our lady looking after the homestead being able to sleep peacefully, the property is now safe from any light fingered ‘person’ stealing what they want for whatever reason.

If she were to travel away from the property, the alarms can be diverted to a neighbour’s cell phone so again the intruder isn’t safe.

With the number of rural thefts that happen ranging from petrol to animals without even thinking about what is in sheds, a security system seems as necessary as the buildings and assets it protects. Padlocks are good, but you will never know who put the bolt cutters through them.

Incidentally, Glen doesn’t know I am writing this.

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48

April 2018

CANTERBURY FARMING

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