Canterbury Farming, September 2019 by Canterbury Farming

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

September 2019 Edition

INSIDE

THIS EDITION Synlait’s big cheese

p7 Seed & grain

p19 Rural sheds

p25 Meat debate

p46

Bad look: Images of cows struggling in mud due to winter grazing has led the minister of Agriculture to set up a taskforce to look into the issue.

Positive response to winter grazing taskforce Minister of Agriculture Damien O’Connor has established a taskforce to respond to the animal welfare issues associated with the practice of winter grazing and primary industry groups are backing the move.

❚ by Kent Caddick “Images of cows up to their knees in mud, unable to lie down and rest and calving in these conditions is unacceptable to me and I’ve heard loud and clear from the public that it’s unacceptable to them too,” O’Connor said. “Winter crop grazing is necessary in some parts of the country to provide enough feed for stock at a time when there’s not a lot of pasture. “Done well, it provides animals with quali-

ty feed to keep them warm over winter. Done badly it means cattle can be knee deep in mud which gives rise to completely justifiable concerns for their welfare. “Winter grazing also has an environmental impact and the government is working on ways to address that too.” He said the Government has bottom lines on animal welfare and there are some people falling well below acceptable practice. “Unfortunately, it’s another situation of a small number of farmers letting the side down and bringing everyone into disrepute.

“It’s time for greater co-ordination, faster action and consequences. MPI’s Animal Welfare unit has stepped up its compliance activity and is keeping a very close eye on the situation. “Our international reputation depends on getting this sort of thing right, as does our social licence to operate within New Zealand.” O’Connor said he accepted industry groups have been working to improve wintering practices and protect animal welfare.

TO PAGE 2

September 2019

CANTERBURY FARMING

FARMING NEWS

Good winter grazing practice ‘crucial’ FROM PAGE 1 “I want to add extra impetus to that work, so I am bringing together a taskforce of vets, industry leaders and officials to identify the issues and bring me some solutions.” The farming sector is swinging in behind the additional efforts to improve winter grazing practices on farms, with a particular focus on animal welfare. DairyNZ and Beef + Lamb New Zealand both say they do not condone poor winter grazing and support building on the significant efforts already underway to eliminate practices which impact on the environment and animal welfare. “No-one accepts poor winter grazing practices. Our organisations are firm on this,” said DairyNZ strategy and investment leader, Dr Jenny Jago. “Dairy and beef sectors have a role to play in protecting our waterways and, therefore, ensuring good practice winter grazing on farms is crucial to support the environment and keep our animals healthy.”

Supporting the environment: DairyNZ’s Dr Jenny Jago says dairy and beef sectors have a role to play in protecting our waterways and to ensure good practice winter grazing.

Dr Jago said much work has been taking place to address poor winter grazing practices and she was encouraged by the progress that was being made, but there was still work to be done. “The vast majority of farmers take great pride in caring for their animals and the environment. There’s been significant investment into on-farm initiatives which protect the environment and Christchurch Office 03 377 2721 animal welfare, and we will continue to expand on that.” A pan-sector collabora¡ Rural & Urban Subdivisions tive programme has includ¡ Mapping/Survey Graphics ed farmer-facing extension, ¡ Cross Lease/Unit Surveys which sets clear practice ¡ Resource Consents standards to protect the en¡ Topo/Site Surveys vironment and support ani¡ GPS Positioning mal health and wellbeing. Beef + Lamb New Zea¡ Land Status Research land’s North Island general www.resonant.co.nz manager Matt Ward said in

Surveyors - Planners

the last year, DairyNZ and Beef + Lamb New Zealand have had a particular focus on good management practices for winter cropping, through workshops and events with farmers. “The sector is looking to underpin this work through commitments by DairyNZ and Beef + Lamb New Zealand for all farms to report under farm assurance programmes or sustainability frameworks. “This would ensure animals are well cared for and farmed in a way that has the best outcomes for the environment – water quality is a community issue and we all have a part to play. “We aren’t at the destination yet, but our farmers are rapidly making changes to protect the environment and their animals,” Ward said. “Often poor grazing practices can be a sign of other issues at play, which is why we encourage farmers to talk to the farmers involved and get in touch with their industry food organisation, Federated Farmers or the Rural Support Trust, who can also contact the farmer in question and provide support.”

‘

We aren’t at the destination yet, but our farmers are rapidly making changes to protect the environment and their animals. Matt Ward North Island Manager, Beef + Lamb New Zealand

CANTERBURY FARMING

FARMING NEWS

September 2019

Feds say user pays emphasis in rates report is ‘spot on’ The Productivity Commission’s report on local government funding is another step in a very long journey to genuine equity for farmer ratepayers according to Federated Farmers.

❚ by Kent Caddick “To cover costs of council services, we value the emphasis in this draft report on the principle that who benefits should pay a fair amount, and that the legislative framework be changed to back this principle,” Federated Farmers local government spokesperson Andrew Maclean said. “We agree this ‘benefit principle’ should be the primary basis for deciding cost allocations. “Paying huge amounts of money for council services distant from farms is a key problem. Farmers need this resolved and we see potential in this report to achieve fairness,” Maclean said. A survey conducted to support the Feds’ submission to the Productivity Commission found farmers on average pay $26,208 to their district and regional councils, with 97% saying they do not get value for money from their rates. “We agree with the Commission’s findings that councils have scope to make better use of rating tools, particularly targeted rates, to achieve the benefit principle in rating systems,” Maclean said. “Federated Farmers has little confidence in property value-based taxes. They can have little or no relation to consumption of council services, nor often ability to pay. “But intelligent use of differentials, uniform charges (including the UAGC), targeted

Not satisﬁed: Federated Farmers local government spokesperson Andrew maclean says a survey conducted to support their submission to the productivity Commission found that 97% of farmers say they do not get value for money from their rates.

rates and use of the capital value rating base rather than land is key to achieving rate allocation on the basis of who benefits.” He said farmers’ concerns about paying for the local impacts of tourism are also well reflected in the draft report. “Federated Farmers welcomes the Commission’s support for funding from the International Visitor Levy for local infrastructure,

user pays, and targeted rates. “Also very good is the report’s conclusion that the accumulated burden of regulations and standards required by central government to achieve national objectives should be funded by taxpayers, not ratepayers.” The Commission calls for a ‘reset’ in the central/local government relationship and an

end to the ‘unfunded mandate’ situation, in which nationally imposed standards end up costing local ratepayers. “That’s excellent, but we note that was also a conclusion of previous reviews and we have seen no action,” Maclean said.

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September 2019

CANTERBURY FARMING

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

FARMING NEWS

Winter grazing:

An animal welfare issue

Winter crop grazing has been in the headlines a lot of late. I know it’s necessary in some parts of the country to provide enough feed for stock at a time when there’s not a lot of pasture. Done well, it provides animals with quality feed to keep them warm over winter. Done badly it means cattle can be knee deep in mud which gives rise to completely justifiable concerns for their welfare. As Minister responsible for animal welfare, I am committed to improving Animal Welfare outcomes. Images of cows up to their knees in mud, unable to lie down and rest and calving in these conditions is unacceptable to me and I’ve heard loud and clear from the public that it’s unacceptable to them too. A few weeks ago I announced that I am establishing a taskforce to respond to the animal welfare issues associated with the practice of winter grazing. The Government has bottom lines on animal welfare and there are some people falling well below acceptable practice. Most farmers do it well. Unfortunately, it’s another situation of a small number of farmers letting the side down and bringing everyone into disrepute. It’s time for greater co-ordination, faster action and consequences. MPI’s Animal Welfare unit has stepped up its compliance activity and is keeping a very close eye on the situation. They investigate

‘

Our international reputation depends on getting this sort of thing right.

every complaint they receive so if anyone sees something that concerns them, they should make a complaint by calling 0800 00 83 33. Our international reputation depends on getting this sort of thing right, as does our social licence to operate within New Zealand. This is an issue that’s been going on for a few years now and government agencies have been working very closely with farming industry groups, rural vets and councils to make sure farmers know how to manage winter grazing well. I know industry groups have been working to improve wintering practices and protect

animal welfare. I want to add extra impetus to that work. Winter grazing also has an environmental impact and the government is working on ways to address that too. I’m bringing together a taskforce of vets, industry leaders and officials to identify the issues and bring me some solutions. I’ve asked the group to present back to me with

first-steps by the end of August. New Zealand’s reputation as a world-class producer and exporter of agricultural products depends upon high standards of animal welfare. Consumers around the world rightly demand this. Our great animal welfare system enhances our reputation as world leaders – let’s keep it that way.

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FARMING NEWS

CANTERBURY FARMING

September 2019

Govt boosts investment in Telford The Government is investing $4.7 million in Otago and Southland to ensure a bright future for trainees in the agricultural sector.

❚ by Kent Caddick The investment will enable the Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) to operate the Telford farm campus in 2020 and 2021. “This Government values the agricultural sector extremely highly,” Education Minister Chris Hipkins said. “Primary industries are the backbone of the economy and our investment will ensure more trainees will enter the sector and help it grow. “This is an investment not just in the local economies, but in the future of the country. It is the first step in a complete revamp of agricultural education,” Hipkins said. The bulk of the investment will be in earthquake strengthening of buildings and addressing maintenance issues. Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor said the number of people in agricultural training fell dramatically over the last decade. “Obviously, something has not been right for quite some time and the previous National Government had its head in the sand. This Government is fixing almost a decade of neglect to ensure we have a sustainable primary sector education model for the future. “In the dairy industry alone it’s estimated that by 2025 they’ll need an additional 25,000 trained workers. Roles that have traditionally not required formal qualifications, for example, farm workers, increasingly need greater qualifications. “We have our work cut out for us and we’re working with primary sector leaders to strengthen the skills pipeline so our students have clear pathways and can meet the needs of their industries into the future,” O’Connor said. Hipkins said the decision would give cer-

Bright future: the future of the Southern Institute of technology’s telford farm campus seems bright after government investment.

tainty to students, staff and the community, as the funding is expected to set a platform for SIT to operate Telford beyond 2021. Under their proposal submitted to the Government, SIT plans to teach more than 220 students in 2020 and 250 in 2021 at the Telford campus and further afield. The Government will invest several million additional dollars to support these studies and training. “As well as core farming skills in agriculture, apiculture and wool technology, this will create opportunities within the forestry, engineering and construction industries which

are vital to our ongoing economic success and productivity,” Hipkins said. “Students will have the opportunity to learn on campus or through distance learning, and SIT will market courses to international students. “SIT has a good track record of growing its business through these approaches and Telford is well-placed to continue to deliver skills for an industry that has been under-served in the last few years.” In February, the Government invested $1.8 million in SIT to operate Telford through 2019.

‘

this is an investment not just in the local economies, but in the future of the country. Chris Hipkins Education Minister

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September 2019 CANTERBURY FARMING

FARMING NEWS

Meat and dairy balanced diets It is time to call out the deliberate narrative, being fuelled by this Government that our agriculture sector, and the farming families that underpin it, are climate and environmental villains.

Todd Muller ❚❚by National Party spokesperson ❚❚on Agriculture ❚❚

It started over a decade ago with the dirty dairying campaign and has now widened to include all our animal food producing sectors. These voices are no longer at the extreme of our community debate but rather at the centre of our government. At the core of their belief is that our future world cannot sustain animal food production and we should start weaning ourselves off the animal protein diet in order to improve our health and environment. Recently Government Minister Julie-Anne Genter told hospitals that they should encourage meat and dairy free meals to save the environment, whilst our national museum Te Papa has an exhibition that recommends our kids to go meat and dairy free for 3 days a week to contribute to a low emissions climate future. Last week an IPCC report talked about the importance of a balanced diet that includes fruit, vegetables, grains and low emissions animal food production systems. Typically that was grist to the mill for those who yearn for the taming of agribusiness and the report was duly framed up domestically as a further threat to NZ farming. We need to move the conversation from condemnation to celebration. The fact is that New Zealand’s farming systems are extremely efficient, and we lead the way in producing high quality products within a low emissions profile. Our environmental footprint is improving as technology is matched by our farmers ever willingness to adapt, change and innovate. Our primary sector understands our repu-

‘

New Zealand is at the forefront of efficient food production. We should be leading the way, not constraining ourselves.

tation as a safe producer of food must be underpinned by sustainable farming practices. They accept change is a constant, in fact global leadership in food production demands it, but surely it is reasonable to ask that the society in which we produce it to quietly applaud our efforts, rather than rushing to find an example of failure in one of our 23,000 farms and dressing it up as typical.

Of course, too much meat can be detrimental, and clearly plant-based foods are essential for a balanced diet. But the health benefits of including meat and dairy in your diet are well documented and a balanced diet must be encouraged. A recent briefing from MPI’s Chief Science Advisor into the EAT-Lancet Commission report showed that many of the reports condemning meat and dairy production are using generalisations regarding the environmental footprint of farming, and are not taking New Zealand’s superior farming systems into consideration. Globally, the concerns around red meat production stems from the intensive feedlot industry that can house tens of thousands of animals at each site, and require excessive amounts of water and grain to maintain their systems. New Zealand farms are overwhelmingly pasture based. Our farming systems are not comparable in the least to a feedlot system.

It’s telling that we can produce enough food to feed 40 million people globally and are still the most carbon efficient producer in the world based on output of food compared to emissions produced. A glass of New Zealand milk can be shipped to the next most efficient country (Ireland) to be consumed there, and it still has a lower carbon footprint than an equivalent Irish glass of milk. This shows how ahead of the curve we really are. The UK Guardian responded to the recent climate change report by declaring‘Eat more NZ Lamb’. This seems to be lost in the 9th floor of the Beehive. That recent IPCC report actually highlighted the advantages we face in this country due to our efficient farming system. The global population is constantly increasing, and overall meat and dairy consumption per capita continues to increase. New Zealand is at the forefront of efficient food production, and therefore if we’re to lower our global emissions we should be leading the way, not constraining ourselves and diminishing our output. One final reality check. 56 per cent of New Zealand’s exports are food. New Zealand is a little country at the bottom of the world that needs to produce stuff to survive. Every time we buy pharmaceuticals, cars or computers from the rest of the world we need to pay for it by selling them something. As a country with a small population but a large natural resource base, this tends to be food and materials, minerals or tourism. This Government has already shown a recklessness when it comes to our oil, gas and mining sectors. Let’s not allow them to take the same approach to our farmers. Our standard of living depends on it.

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CANTERBURY FARMING

FARMING NEWS

September 2019

Canterbury dairy company eyes up international markets ❚ ‘ Synlait has completed the acquisition of selected Talbot Forest Cheese assets.

by Kent Caddick

The acquisition includes the property, plant and equipment of the Temuka site, along with the consumer cheese brand Talbot Forest Cheese. “We’re pleased to finalise this sale process and welcome Talbot Forest Cheese employees into the Synlait family,” Synlait CEO Leon Clement said. “The acquisition enables us to manufacture a variety of cheese products,” Clement said.

“It also helps us optimise our manufacturing assets, especially during peak seasonal flows, access new profit pools, and align with our approach to run a high-quality, flexible dairy manufacturing plant that enables us to tailor product to meet customer needs.” Synlait appointed Andrew Bull as general manager of Talbot Forest Cheese in June of this year. Bull said Paul Fitzsimons, founder of Talbot Forest Cheese, and his team had created a legacy which he feels extremely privileged to be leading. “We have talented staff, world class assets and award winning cheeses that provide a strong foundation for growth in both the speciality and foodservice sectors.” Bull said Synlait plans to produce around 5,000 tonnes of cheese during the 2019-20 season. “Our highly automated plant is capable of manufacturing both dry and brine salted products, including parmesan, cheddar, gouda and mozzarella for both retail and food-

service customers. “In addition, we have retained the ability to make open vat cheeses such as haloumi and feta, which are extremely popular. “These products, along with ingredient cheeses made to customer specifications, will be sold to the local and international wholesale markets,” Bull said.

the acquisition enables us

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Leon Clement, Synlait CEO

Synlait CeO Leon Clement says its acquisition of talbot Forest Cheese will help them to optimise their manufacturing assets.

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September 2019

CANTERBURY FARMING

Andrew Wyllie ❚ with ❚ Forsyth Barr

RURAL PROFESSIONALS

Pre-emptive stimulus supports economic expansion

The United States economic expansion is now 121 months long, twice as long as any expansion post-World War II.

Looking at off-farm investments?

To get personalised investment advice and 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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Consumer strength boosted United States GDP growth higher than expected in the June quarter, while unemployment levels are at 50 year lows. This backdrop remains supportive for financial markets but is being further underwritten by United States Federal Reserve interest rate cuts. These are serving as a further vaccination against the impacts of the ongoing trade dispute with China, weaker sentiment for global growth and potential issues as the United Kingdom and Europe contemplate divorce. The flow-on impacts of United States actions should benefit developing economies given these countries tend to borrow in United States dollars. In addition, supportive monetary policies are being adopted in Europe, China, Australia and even in New Zealand. In China and Australia, fiscal stimulus is also being utilised. In the case of Australia, this is aimed at stabilising house prices and bolstering household disposable incomes. In China, reserve requirement ratio reductions should improve access for small to medium sized companies to borrow. Chinese tax cuts are supporting profitability, while direct infrastructure investment should al-

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low the Chinese to manage the current slowdown. In New Zealand, with the domestic economy slowing and changes to bank capital requirements potentially another handbrake, we expect the Reserve Bank of New Zealand to cut the overnight cash rates at least one or two more times in this cycle. Collectively, these initiatives are expected to result in global growth expectations rebounding, but expect low interest rates to remain in place until all the various economic overhangs are resolved.

Financial market impacts The strength of asset prices in 2019 has been beyond most expectations and has more than recovered from the “taper-tantrum” slump late last year. That slump was triggered by the United States and other Central Banks beginning to tighten monetary policy. With monetary policy settings now reversing, asset prices are being bolstered and likely to be supported by continued low interest rate settings. New Zealand equities continue to lead global sharemarket return tables (including the fourth quarter of 2018). This reflects investor preference for Defensive Yield stocks in New Zealand, a sector that has benefited as investors have focused on companies with high, sustainable free cash-flow yields. Australian equities benefited from strong performances within the Resource and Healthcare sectors and from the interest rate sensitive Industrials sector. Similar performance was seen in United States companies, with the strongest contributions from the Financial and Technology sectors. In contrast, Consumer Discretionary companies led returns in European equity markets. In terms of growth stocks, earnings

results from the Technology sector indicate ongoing investment in business solutions to boost productivity. In a low-growth, low-inflation world, those investing to improve productivity are seen as better able to maintain earnings growth. In the case of Defensive Yield stocks, these are likely to continue to be supported by low interest rates but will require further interest rate declines to maintain their current positive momentum. Domestically we are also cautious around economic growth given the current Government policy mix, but also given the potential impact of proposed increases in Bank capital requirements. The level of required capital is expected to be finalised by November 2019, with implementation to commence from April 2020. Australia in contrast is adopting more positive policies with tax cuts, lower interest rates and infrastructure investment. With these yet to be reflected in company earnings (and adding in the current level of the New Zealand dollar versus the Australian dollar), Australian investments look the most attractive from a New Zealand perspective for some time. this report covers the three months ended 31 July 2019.

If you’re new to investing please see Forsyth barr’s Introduction to Investing guide available at www.forsythbarr.co.nz/investingwith-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. Disclosure Statements are available for Forsyth barr Authorised Financial Advisers on request and free of charge.

CANTERBURY FARMING

RURAL PROFESSIONALS

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dertook a review of many short term moneys lenders in an effort to establish whether they were working within the lender responsibility principles of the Act. There were lenders who were charging up to 803% pa in interest and many charges which were in effect additional fees being imposed on borrowers. In all proceedings the Commerce Commission will seek a declaration from the High Court that offending lenders have breached the terms of the Credit Contract and Consumer Finance Act and ask the Court to impose an injunction that the lenders may not enter into any new contracts until they had

taken steps to meet their obligations. The Commission will also seek orders for interest and costs against offending money lenders and any other orders for relief which are relevant to the case. It is extraordinary that money lenders continue to treat the desperately poor with such disdain and thumb their noses at the legislation. If the Commerce Commission is successful in obtaining the orders it will seek in the legal proceedings it is to be hoped that it will go some way to curtailing the practices of some of the money lenders who continue to adopt dubious practices.

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Past governments were concerned about the activities of short-term money lenders which lend money in usually small amounts to desperate borrowers at exorbitant interest rates. In an effort to curb these activities the government in power in 2015 passed a new Act to try to stamp out some of the notorious practices in the money lending market. The Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act came into force and imposed lender responsibility principles on moneys lenders. The Commerce Commission has been following up on some of the money lenders and it has indicated that it intends to take proceedings in the High Court in an effort to ensure that they are complying with the responsible lender principles. The principles require that before entering into a contract for a short term loan a lender must have made enquiries about the borrower’s ability to repay the loan without substantial hardship, and the borrower’s requirements and objectives. Borrowers must be treated reasonably and ethically if they breach the terms of the loan. The interest rate and other terms of the loan must not be oppressive or induce borrowers to enter into the agreement by oppressive means. Care must also be taken in advertising their loans which must provide accurate details about their loans. In June 2018 the Government un-

September 2019

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September 2019

CANTERBURY FARMING

FARMING NEWS

Gareth Hughes ❚ with ❚ Green Party Spokesperson for Primary Industries

Tiny houses are a big opportunity You’ve probably seen one of the Tiny House shows on television. A youngish couple, locked out of an unaffordable housing market, downsizes with the help of a celebrity host and a dedicated team of photogenic builders to create a stunning tiny house... in 30 minutes. There is no single definition for a tiny house, but they are often small, less than 46 square metres and portable. With New Zealand house prices now amongst some of the most unaffordable in the world it’s no surprise Kiwis are looking at tiny houses as a solution. I think their appeal comes from their affordability, a desire to downscale and minimise our overflowing abundance of ‘stuff,’ but also a sense of practical self-reliance where people can see themselves building part or all of a tiny house for themselves. They won’t be the answer for everyone. As a Dad to two pre-teens kids, I can’t think of anything worse than being trapped, living in a large caravan-sized house but I can see the appeal for others. While they are an innovative solution for some they’ve become a headache for councils. Lacking clear national rules and guidance for tiny houses, local councils have been forced to interpret the rules themselves and are now in the case of Waimakariri, even threatening eviction or demolition for existing tiny houses. I’ve received numerous messages from people worried about a flurry of ‘Notice to fix’ orders sent from councils. Evicting people in

the middle of a housing crisis doesn’t make sense. The offshore tiny house TV shows do a good job of making it look fast and easy to build one. A more accurate New Zealand-produced version wouldn’t be as entertaining, as the couple grapples with uncertainty in the Building Code and local territorial authorities. While eviction notices are incredibly worrying, I can understand the frustration of councils who lack national guidance. I’ve been urging the Minister of Building and Construction to start work developing clear guidelines and rules for tiny houses. I’m glad that Minister Jenny Salesa, in response to my questions, confirmed it would be part of the Building Code review. Tiny houses aren’t a silver bullet for our housing crisis and they definitely won’t be for everyone, but they are an innovative solution for some Kiwis to save money or do-it-themselves. Even farmers with land to spare will also be looking at the opportunities of tiny housing. The faster government can get on and update the rules, the faster people can get on with it themselves to fulfil their big dream of a tiny house.

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FARMING NEWS

September 2019

Lots happening in the government and council space

There are many things I have learned, during my time at Environment Canterbury, about what impacts farmers and I have an increasing respect for the sector leaders at a time when pressures seem to be coming from so many directions.

Steve Lowndes ❚ by Chair ❚ Environment Canterbury The recent announcement of Fonterra’s losses this year is something that will affect many farmers, particularly those due a dividend from the co-operative, but it also affects confidence and sentiment across the rural sector. The central government ministries are busy as the coalition government moves to implement its policy agenda ahead of next year’s general election. Some of this will involve consultation on policy which often includes roadshows and other events, and while it may seem removed from the day-today life of a working farm, it’s highly significant as it will influence the direction of future laws and how regional councils grant and manage resource consents. To start with, work is getting underway to overhaul the Resource Management Act 1991 – the key piece of legislation that regional councils operate under and which sets the tone for policies, plans, as well as consent conditions and environmental compliance. The first part of this is an amendment bill (likely later this year) which the government says will make the RMA less complex, give more certainty, and increase public participation in decision-making.

‘

I can’t encourage you enough to take the time to get to know your local candidates and have a say in how environment Canterbury is run by exercising your vote.

The second part is a more comprehensive review of the RMA which is likely to happen after the next election, although work is underway already. An issue of direct impact on farmers is the MfE and MPI consultation on how to deal with agricultural greenhouse emissions (this closed mid-August), while the zero-carbon bill (which includes consideration of emission levels) is before a select committee. There is also upcoming consultation around the National Policy Statement for Freshwater (which directs councils to set objectives for water bodies in collaboration with communities). In terms of supporting and helping farm-

ers make changes MPI was allocated $229 million in the budget to encourage sustainable land use, money which will be used to work with communities to enhance planting and fencing. At the same time MPI are continuing the huge job to contain the Mycoplasma bovis outbreak. Looking slightly further ahead we are also likely to see work on the National Policy Statement for biodiversity (led by MPI). In the regulatory space our Plan Change 7 (to the Canterbury Land and Water Regional Plan) has been notified with submissions closing on 13 September and is based on recommendations from two water zone committees.

PC7 builds on the really good results we are seeing from our work with farmers around land-use consent to farm to manage nitrate leaching, as well as the implementation of farm environment plans and the adoption of good management practices. At the council level there is also plenty happening, not least of which is a return to a fully elected Environment Canterbury council following the local body elections on 12 October. I can’t encourage you enough to take the time to get to know your local candidates and have a say in how Environment Canterbury is run by exercising your vote.

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September 2019 CANTERBURY FARMING

❚ with John Arts

❚ with rob Cope-Williams

Fonterra trying to explain

Just how far can the brass at Fonterra think they can push their shareholders? The ‘suits’ must think that the folk in gumboots and milking aprons are thicker than planks, and certainly under estimate the business acumen of those who supply them at whatever level of return they think appropriate. I suppose it is a case of so many primary industry sectors who simply can’t take their produce anywhere else so they have to roll over and accept whatever they are offered. However, it must really hurt when promises and support is offered all year until close to payout time the excuses roll out and the figures bantered around disappear faster than a young man being asked for commitment by his girlfriend. So no payout this year, the first time since the 2001-02 season, and a loss of between $590 million and $675 million being predicted after a loss of $186 million last year. The CEO says it’s because of write downs with their overseas partners. I would have thought that any such thing was on the table a long time ago and shown up well before producers did their regular

budgets and forecasts. Imagine if the top brass were told at the end of the year that their seven figure salaries were suddenly reduce dramatically because of on farm costs rising. Thankfully interest rates are coming down which will help a bit, but surely that should have been a bonus and a windfall allowing debt reduction. I really feel for the dairy farmers, it is as though they are wearing reflective sun glasses at the poker table. Remember the story of the goose that laid the golden egg when you were a child, it certainly fits this situation. In the United Kingdom incomes have dropped by about 50 percent and a third of the farmers have left the land... and they have subsides. So beware of the fact that over taxing, as in the brass salaries and head office costs plus massive wastage, may well bring you down. Funny thing is that when Fonterra was first formed, everyone bar Helen Clark warned that it wouldn’t work.

Common causes of pain part 1

The best part of what I do is to hear back from clients who have less pain and more mobility. If you are in pain the first step should be a visit to your health practitioner for an accurate diagnosis. Over the next few editions we will look at the most common causes of pain and the measures we can take to help. In all cases these measures are designed to help restore your body’s natural healing processes which can be greatly affected by disease. Most pain is either caused or worsened by tissue inflammation. For example in osteoarthritis the immune system response to cartilage loss is inflammation. This can cause fluid accumulation, swelling, loss of function and invariably pain. An anti-inflammatory diet combined with well formulated supplements can help. My preference is to have equal amounts of chondroitin and glucosamine with a potent curcumin (turmeric) extract and solid doses of fish oils. Of these chondroitin sulphate is the most important as it helps support several joint healing processes damaged by arthritis. In most cases I start with 1600mg of chondroitin and glucosamine plus curcumin to help improve cartilage function. Chondroitin is so effective that it is now available in Europe on prescription.

Over the past 6 months I have been helping a man in his 70’s with long term knee osteoarthritis with some damage from his rugby years. He was really struggling with pain and mobility and in his own words is now 95% better. All he has now is a few niggles. The key is to use multiple measures that target the processes that help maintain healthy joints. The answer is not diet or supplements. The answer is to stimulate dormant healing processes overwhelmed by degenerative changes to joints. Your body does the rest. 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 423559 or email john@ abundant.co.nz. Join his all new newsletter at www.abundant.co.nz

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FARMING NEWS

CANTERBURY FARMING

September 2019

Grant edmundson ❚ with ❚ Partner Helmore Stewart, Rangiora

plan Change 7:

The real downstream effects Environment Canterbury notiﬁed Plan Change 7 (PC7) to the Land and Water Regional Plan in July 2019.

We were forewarned. We knew it was coming and the stark reality of PC7 is quickly becoming clear. The new proposed rules for the Waimakariri zone are set to have a substantive impact on farming practices within the district. The key aspect for many are the proposed rules governing nitrogen loss reductions identified in designated nitrate priority sub-areas. There are five nitrate priority sub-areas and the nitrogen loss reductions that are to be achieved by farmers depend on what part of the Waimakariri zone a farm is in. All farmers within the Waimakariri zone are required to meet baseline GMP by 2020 which will require many farms to reduce their nitrogen loss. By 2030, dairy farmers within the ntirate priority area (NPA) will be required to reduce their nitrogen loss by 15% beyond GMP and other farmers by 5%. By 2040, all dairy farmers in the NPA will be required to reduce their nitrogen loss by a further 15% and other farmers by a further 5%.

Farmers in sub-areas of the NPA will need to make additional reductions every 10 years until 2080. Additional proposed rules will impact on minimum river flows and allocation. Stock exclusion rules will be extended to permanently or intermittently flowing springs and open drains and artificial water courses. These wide ranging rules will likely have a direct impact on the viability of farming operations and may in some instances precipitate a change of land use. However these changes are not easily made. Farmers in these catchment areas will need to carefully analyse their existing operations relative to the reductions that are being demanded of them and due to the milestones identified, major decisions will need to be taken by farmers in determining what route they will follow in trying to achieve the targets. Various stakeholders will have differing views on the science behind the modelling, the modelling itself and the appropriate

‘

If the district begins to falter as a result of unnecessarily draconian rules under pC7, the rangiora, Woodend and Amberley communities will suffer economically.

course of action to adopt. Whilst most will agree that the true position in respect of nitrate diffusion is influx and uncertain, imme-

diate decisions are needed to be taken by farmers with significant cost implications. The public, particularly in urban areas, may hold the view that this is a “farmers’ issue”, however, the reality is that if the productive sector in the Waimakariri district is placed under significant strain and begins to falter as a result of unnecessarily draconian rules under PC7, the regional communities supporting Rangiora, Woodend, Amberley town centres will suffer economically. Farmers and their families are integral to the ongoing support of schools, dairies, community organisations, etc and consequently a constructive and collective approach to realistic outcomes must be sought. Water quality management and outcomes are important, but one needs viable communities to enjoy them. All submissions need to be completed and lodged by 13 September 2019 in accordance with Form 5 of the Resource Management Regulations.

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CANTERBURY FARMING

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The cordless post stapler is a real time saver The ST400i Cordless Post Stapler is quickly gaining acceptance right across the country for its ability to save time and money. supplied by ❚ Article ITW NZ ❚ Ltd It’s manufactured by STOCKade, an ITW company, which is the world’s leading manufacturer of fencing staplers, staples and other wire fixing systems, so it’s no surprise their ST400i cordless fence post stapler is proving a hit. With over 30 years of ITW cordless tool development, the ST400i’s performance is proven and reliable. Stockade is a young company but one with a proud heritage in path-finding new ways. Together with Paslode, Ramset and Spit, STOCKade is one of ITW’s brands under the construction products segment. As the inventors of the world’s first pneumatic nailer and gas-powered cordless nailer, STOCKade benefits from a rich heritage of research and development, and engineering expertise. The ST400i’s performance is proven and reliable and will save you time and money.

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CANTERBURY FARMING September 2019

New releases from Agricom and Cropmark There is no doubt that the release of new grasses has slowed down a bit over the last few years so it’s great to see these new releases. As always, their initial release this spring, will only be a limited one with more available after harvest 2020.

Stephen Finch ❚❚by Speciality Seeds ❚❚ Diploid perennial ryegrassGDP13013 I think the plan with GDP10013 is to eventually give it a name (I hope so) I will of course inform you if this is the case however until then. GDP13013 is a high-performance late heading (+12-14) diploid perennial ryegrass with very good density and tiller size and leaf length. GPD13013 is suitable for sheep and beef pastures, set stocking and winter grazing and adaptable enough to perform to a very high level in dairy pastures. GDP13013 was bred solely from perennial ryegrass plants but like some other perennial ryegrasses it will be certified as a hybrid due to the small presence of awn tips but will function as a perennial. Following an extensive trial program throughout many regions in New Zealand GDP13013 has shown very high growth rates across all seasons and across all these trial locations. GDP13013 has also shown very

good persistence, rust tolerance and vigour. It has also proved to have low after math heading and very good compatibility with the AR37 endophyte inoculated into it.

Mohaka Tetraploid ryegrass Mohaka tetraploid ryegrass is a high-performance late heading (+20) tetraploid hybrid ryegrass. It has been bred for improved early growth and cool season activity over the long rotation tetraploid hybrid Ohau. Mohaka is a broader leaved well tillered hybrid suited to 2-4-year pastures. It shows consistent improvement in autumn establishment and winter growth over Ohau hybrid ryegrass.

Mohaka is ideal for short term finishing pastures, runoff pastures, supplementary systems and for use in under sowing programs and is an ideal ryegrass to be mixed with red clovers. Has a similar heading date to ONE50 perennial ryegrass and Halo tetraploid perennial ryegrass and is 12 days later than Ohau tetraploid hybrid ryegrass with a similar flowering date to other grasses of its type in the marketplace. Like GDP13013, Mohaka has gone through an extensive trial program throughout New Zealand and because of its inoculation with AR37 Mohaka has shown excellent tolerance of Argentine stem weevil tolerance

Avatar tetraploid perennial ryegrass I recently spent a few hours looking around one of Cropmark Seeds trial site in Burnham near to our office looking at their new tetraploid perennial ryegrass Avatar. Avatar is a very high yielding, late heading (+22 days)

tetraploid perennial ryegrass containing the NEA endophyte, bred for a combination of improved animal safety and persistence against insect pests. It has strong year-round growth performance. Avatar contains NEA endophyte with very high DM production, high metabolizable energy and digestibility. Avatars late heading trait (+ 22 days) helps it to maintain pasture quality longer into spring. Avatar’s low aftermath heading means that it returns into a vegetative state quickly. Avatar also has excellent disease resistance – especially leaf rust. For more information on any of these three new cultivars please contact me at stephen@specseed.co.nz

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Support mounts for regs review Updating New Zealand’s biotechnology regulations to embrace the latest science would allow life-saving medicines, environmental solutions and better food production techniques.

mark ross ❚ by ❚ Chief executive of Agcarm New Zealand has one of the strictest regimes in the world and is now being left behind in adopting the latest science and innovation. With the 2001 Royal Commission inquiry into biotech recommending that we ‘keep our options open and proceed carefully’, it is time for the Government to step up and advance reviewing the laws. In the last 20 years, the risks of using gene technologies have been annulled through research and the implementation of precision techniques. New techniques, such as gene editing, could provide tools to protect our native species against harmful pests and diseases such as Kauri dieback, possums, rats and wasps. It can also help protect our waterways from nitrates and our atmosphere from greenhouse gas outputs. Gene editing technology offers a wide range of opportunities for curing diseases and eradicating pests. Gene editing could stop possums, rats and stoats from reproducing in New Zealand, to reduce the burden on our native plants and animals. Wasps are another pest. In 2018, they were responsible for around 12 percent of bee colony loss in New Zealand. Gene editing can also be used to cure disease - especially for disorders linked with

Beneﬁcial: Herbicide tolerant canola provides farmers with more effective weed control. a gene mutation. There are methods available to avoid the transmission of disease controlled by a single gene, notably the BRCA1 gene that’s known to raise the risk of cancer. There are legal and ethical considerations, but gene-editing techniques could be applied in these areas. In the global arena, biotech is contributing to reducing the release of greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture, improving

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human and animal health, decreasing pesticide spraying, and increasing world food production – and has been for more than two decades. In Australia, economic, social and environmental benefits have been realised through the adoption of GM crops. Herbicide tolerant canola provides farmers with more effective weed control, particularly for those broad leaf weeds, such as wild radish, that are closely related to canola. Va-

rieties of non GM herbicide tolerant canola have been grown in Australia since 1993. Both non GM and GM herbicide tolerant canola technologies have led the shift to no till or conservation tillage systems with associated environmental benefits such as reduced soil erosion and increased soil water retention. The agronomic benefits of GM (when compared to non GM) herbicide tolerant canola include increasing weed control options, allowing herbicide rotations that address the risk of herbicide resistant weeds developing and increasing the yield in subsequent cereal crops. The technology has also enabled Australian farmers to reduce their use of insecticides and herbicides. In New Zealand the potential of these technologies is leading to increased support for reducing the regulatory requirements for the registration of biotech products. Various political parties, scientific organisations and respected scientists are advocating for changes to outdated biotechnology regulations. A Government review aimed at reducing the regulatory requirements for the registration of biotech products is needed. The sooner this happens, the quicker we can improve our environmental, human health, and foodproducing performance.

CANTERBURY FARMING

September 2019

Repairing pugged pasture It’s my view that over the next two to three years many of our clients will be looking very closely at the performance of their pasture paddocks.

Stephen Finch ❚ by Speciality Seeds ❚ It’s well known that growing grass to feed their stock is the cheapest form of dry matter available to them. Growing pasture sounds easy but as you all will know it’s not, and in fact there are many issues that can compromise your overall pasture production.

Puggy: pasture pugging occurs when soil moisture conditions make it too soft to support the weight of grazing animals.

Pugged pasture, causes, effects and remedies I’ve obviously chosen pasture pugging for this article as at this time of year it tends to be at its worst. Pasture pugging occurs when soil moisture conditions make it too soft to support the weight of animals that are grazing the paddocks and their hooves push into the surface. While farmers will stand stock off during these periods if the conditions persist then some pasture damage is inevitable. The effects on pugged pastures are many and include reduced drainage, increased soil compaction and weed content, ryegrass plant tiller damage and a decrease in growth rate and canopy cover. The most effective cure for badly damaged paddocks is simply reseed-

ing them. While many of the traditionally used methods of repairing pugged pastures, like rolling and or harrowing, have a positive effect on improving soil surface and water runoff they have no effect on DM production. Sub soiling also has been shown to improve plant root penetration and reduce compaction but it has little effect on DM production. I suppose the reason for this is simply that once the pasture is damaged “you can’t make a silk purse out of a pig’s ear”. In trials the most cost-effective way

forward to improving pasture after pugging has been carefully managed reseeding using rapid establishing plants i.e. hybrid ryegrass types. For more information on a successful reseeding program for your farm please feel free to contact Specialty Seeds.

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September 2019 CANTERBURY FARMING

Managing horse pastures to maintain clean, healthy grazing It’s a common sight, sometimes unavoidable, to see horse paddocks grazed continuously low. supplied by ❚ Article CP Lime Solutions ❚ Eating off what is called a ‘dirty plate’ peppered with dung and pickled with urine can make for an unpalatable dish. This combination leads to what is often referred to as ‘sour’ soil and henceforth ‘sour’ pasture. A mature horse can produce approximately 20kg of dung and urine per day. Multiply that by 365 days and you have 7.3T of nutrient rich fertiliser hitting your paddocks every year. Horse manure is an excellent source of nitrogen and potassium, among other nutrients, however these are the most abundant. Horse manure is about half as rich as chicken manure, but is richer in nitrogen than cow manure and it is for this reason

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that it is considered a ‘hot’ manure because the high nitrogen component can damage or ‘burn’ plant roots. When high concentrations of nitrogen

are applied to the soil, what isn’t used up on a growing plant is leached away, taking with it key balancing or ‘basic’ nutrients like calcium and magnesium.

These two nutrients are vital to maintaining an optimum pH. Supplying a readily available source of calcium and magnesium should be part of an annual routine on horse paddocks. We have made Equi-lise specifically to balance intensive horse grazing situations and it easy to apply. Approximately 2 hectares will only require 500kg of Equi-lise. It is not only the high nitrogen returns in dung and urine that create a sour soil, but the excess potassium affects the vital balance of magnesium uptake by pasture. Magnesium is a key nutrients for chlorophyll production in plants and is necessary for efficient growth and photosynthesis. This is why horse owners need to keep in mind the importance of ‘active’ leaf area when rotating pastures and to maintain higher than usual post grazing covers.

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CANTERBURY FARMING

September 2019

New onion hybrids for Canterbury How data is driving better onion breeding for New Zealand

❚ Article supplied by Bayer

Nathan Gorter-Smith is the Trial Coordinator for Seminis Vegetable Seeds. Based in Pukekohe, Nathan spends his days gathering data from trials of pre-commercial varieties in crops such as sweet corn, broccoli and importantly for New Zealand, onions. What I like about my job is that it’s a great mix of indoor and outdoor, on-farm work,” Nathan explains. “I get to apply the science that I’ve learned during my career and apply that to the horticulture industry in New Zealand. I get to work with the technology Seminis offers and figure out the best way to use it to benefit the production potential of local growers,” says Nathan. Seminis’ Pukekohe-based onion breeding station is currently producing around 100 hybrids each year. It is Nathan’s job to take those that look most promising and run trials in key growing regions across the country. This year, Nathan is assessing 17 varieties across 8 trials, in four locations including Pukekohe, Matamata, Hawkes Bay and Canterbury. “The aim of my screening trials is to assess these varieties across the early, main and late time slots across different geographies, to work out in what windows the variety best performs. We replicate the trial in

Seminis’ pukekohe-based onion breeding station is currently producing around 100 hybrids each year across 8 trials in four locations including Canterbury. each of the windows, pushing them into the next window as well. “During the trials, we collect a significant amount of data. We will assess bolting, maturity, bulb uniformity, storage, skin retention, firmness, vigour, necks and disease susceptibility and we will rate the colour of the bulb. We take a sample of 50 onions from every trial and measure the diameters, to gauge uniformity of size. “Here in Canterbury, the soil type is very

different. It is a completely different and unique growing environment with specific environmental and soil conditions. It is only by trialling here that we can work out whether a variety produced in Pukekohe, can work Canterbury growers,” Nathan said. One of the highlights for the Canterbury region from the Seminis breeding program, has been new hybrid, Harrier. Seminis’ sales representative for New Zealand, Nick Williams spoke highly of the

new variety and its fit in the market. “After 32 Harrier trials across the country last year and gathering data from every single one, are also keeping track of commercial plantings to further assess its performance,” Nick says. “With the weather we’ve had this year around the country, Harrier’s wide adaptability has certainly helped growers in their plating schedules. “We are confident that Harrier has a place in every growing onion region around New Zealand and it has been great to see Harrier’s wide adaptability working well,” Nick says. “Nathan and the other members of the Research and Development team based in Pukekohe don’t let us see too much of the early phase material. This is because we tend to get excited about varieties that are still possibly 10 years away. This year we have had 17 new hybrids that we can trial and assess on and off station, which gives me great confidence in our pipeline. “Nathan’s screening trials around the country gives us an insight into the regional performance of each variety and the data we collect is essential to our variety selection and progression,” Nick said. “When combined with grower feedback, the,” Nick says.

September 2019 CANTERBURY FARMING

CANTERBURY FARMING September 2019

Choosing a location for your farm shed When farmers deliberate about the construction of a shed on their property, they often focus on which materials to use, as this is what will take up most of their budget.

❚❚by William Milnes Although selecting the right construction supplies is crucial, it is imperative that you make an effort to ensure proper placement of your shed. A mistake that is commonly made is choosing an empty area on your property under the assumption that all you need to bear in mind is the availability of space. In reality, several aspects should be contemplated as this can affect the convenience and even durability of farm sheds. Here’s a guide to choose a location for a farm shed.

On site: As much as the design of your shed is important so is its location.

Consider the terrain of the location Before you have your shed constructed, you need to determine if the terrain is suitable. If you have your shed built on rocky ground, it is likely that it will not have a stable base. Depending on the state of your property, you may have to prepare the site so that any obstacles are excavated, mainly if you are buying a prefabricated shed. However, rocks are not the only issue that affect the terrain. Extensive root networks could also affect the placement of your shed, and trees in the area will have to be addressed before the structure is built. Generally, flatter surfaces are best for the erection of your farm shed. Furthermore,

take note of the incline of the terrain. Try your best to avoid constructing your shed at the bottom of a slope, as you will end up having to contend with drainage issues.

Consider accessibility to the shed Accessibility to your shed may or may not affect your needs depending on what your primary application for the farm shed is. For instance, if you are building your shed

with the intent of utilising it as a living space, whether as a home office or ‘man cave’, accessibility may be critical as you want to be able to access the building easily in all weather conditions. On the other hand, if the principal application for your shed is storage, accessibility may matter less because you’ll potentially be visiting the space less often. Keep in mind though that transporting

bulky items such as equipment or tools can quickly become tedious if your shed is located a distance away. In this situation, you will be better off seeking out a central location that makes it easier for you to move between the shed and the rest of your property. Before you construct your shed, make sure you check with any local bylaws and regulations which dictate where on a property a shed can be built.

September 2019 CANTERBURY FARMING

Professional project management In this article we look at the professional help you can get when designing and building your home.

supplied by ❚ Article www.consumerbuild.org.nz ❚

ment task. This can happen by default, for example, when the project manager you engaged lets you down.

Architect or designer-managed If you are using a registered architect to custom-design your home, they will probably offer a full service which includes managing the project. In fact, they will probably prefer this option. If the plans are being drawn by an architectural designer or an architectural draughtsperson, they may also offer this service. Keeping on the architect/designer means paying for their services and you may be tempted to stop using them once the plans are drawn to make some savings. This could prove to be false economy. The plans are only written instructions. Are you confident that you will be able to interpret them when the builder asks a question about them? If they are interpreted incorrectly, there could be costly mistakes, and it may not be clear who is liable for the costs once the architect has stepped away from the project.

Company-managed When you use a group housing company, or

Project management companies Helping hands: Get professional help when designing and building your home.

kitset/pre-built home, the price usually includes the services of a project manager. Often you are buying the section, plans and building services as part of the package and don’t have to organise any of this yourself. But it doesn’t mean stepping away and not taking any interest in the project.

Builder-managed When you hire a builder on a full contract, depending on what is in the terms of the contract, they can manage ever ything from getting a designer, hiring the subcontractors, liaising with you on variations and get-

ting materials on site. Or, you might have a hybrid arrangement where you use an architect or designer to do the plans and have an overview of the entire project, as well as monitor the budget and progress payments, but the builder takes on the hiring, and acquiring of materials and organising inspections. The responsibilities need to be clearly spelt out in the contract.

Other professionals Other professionals, like quantity surveyors, sometimes take on the project manage-

There are companies that specialise in providing project management services for building construction. They are usually involved in apartments or commercial sites but often manage ordinary home-building where the house is a complicated design or at the expensive end of the market. Or they get called upon by busy people who want someone to take the whole project off their hands. Most project management companies are happy to be approached and discuss your new house with you. Small firms, or people working alone, also offer their services as project managers. You will pay a fee for their services. Check with the individual companies and managers to see how their fees compare to those of the architect, or the margin you pay the builder to manage the project. But, as with any project management, what you pay in fees can often be saved by avoiding the expensive mistakes on a badly-managed building site.

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CANTERBURY FARMING

September 2019

Tiny homes for farm and family Taking on the challenge of an ever growing housing crisis fuelled by increasing material and compliance costs, Eco Cottages was launched three years ago to construct Tiny Houses on wheels that would provide for attractive, warm, safe, sanitary and affordable accommodation.

❚ Article supplied by Eco Cottages NZ

The Eco Cottage Model 3 with triple axle and wheels has been overwhelmingly popular for extended family, holiday house and much needed farm worker accommodation. Fully self-contained, heavily insulated, open gable ceiling with several upgrade options through to a turn-key completion in double glazing, full appliance fit-out at around $66k, including GST. Eco Cottages are standard fitted with gas califont hot water systems, gas stove/ oven, LED lighting throughout to reduce power input loading. The gable roof design fitted with aluminium guttering and downpipes not only looks great, but practical in terms of wind and snow loadings. There is also the ability to go off-grid with rain-saved water, factory fitted solar power and waste outlet options. Another breakthrough for affordable housing has been the modular or incremental nature of the Eco Cottage line-up where brought together in many different ways the floor sizes on offer are 10m2 [Eco Pod], 16m2 [Eco Glasshouse], 26.4m2 [Eco Cottage], 40m2 L-shape, 43m2 T-bone 2 bedroom “short nose”, 56m2 T-bone “large

eco Cottages was launched three years ago to construct tiny Houses that would provide for attractive and affordable accommodation, offering the ability to go off-grid with rain-saved water, factory fitted solar power and waste outlet options. nose” right through to the U and C-shapes of 70m2. The fully connective and weather sealed air-bridge is the affordable solution to this while maintaining the attractive gable and pyramid roof style of each unit. A fixed foundation code complied option

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will be available in the near future, says Colin Wightman, founder of Eco Cottages, but this time without wheels, where sadly, the additional costs, upwards of $15,000, will be largely in “red tape”. “On an even more positive note, Green MP Gareth Hughes, recognises that New

Zealand has 42,000 homeless people and sees Tiny Houses as a great part solution to the problem,” Wightman says. “He is proposing new legislation through Parliament that will protect, embrace and promote the innovative evolution of Tiny Houses.”

September 2019 CANTERBURY FARMING

Are your investments protected from rain, hail or shine? Farming brothers Mike and Nick Tayler from Winchester have recently invested in a large agriculture workshop, supplied by Alpine Buildings in Timaru.

supplied by ❚ Article Alpine Farm Buildings ❚

The building is 15.0m deep by 36.0m long, which protects all their gear from the weather and provides a light and well ventilated working space for their team. Before investing in another shed on the property, Mike thought about different design layouts and sizes to ensure the building was future proofed for their operation. Having 5.0m x 5.0m high roller shutter doors gives generous width and height which means their farming business can comfortably fit the combine harvester, trucks and any other machinery into the workshop area for his team to service. Going 15.0m clearspan gave them ‘good flexibility’ so they have plenty of room to work around bigger machinery, and is deep enough to drive in a tractor with an implement still attached. Mike also built it considerably larger than he needed by adding an extra two open front bays. We asked Mike what he would change if he did the project again – and he replied, “I wouldn’t really change a thing as we really

tried to future proof the building”. Thinking ahead is very important when investing in a permanent asset like a shed. The most common regret the Alpine team hear is – I built it too low or I built it too small. No-one ever says they built their shed too big. When it came to considering options

Mike compared three different competitors. However, he found the Alpine design had many benefits for him. One was the timber poles and framing, “I like the wooden framing as it’s quieter to work in”, and as a workshop you need a shed that can be utilised all year round, whatever the weather. A standout benefit of Alpine buildings

is the birdproof rafter system, which eliminates the risk of pesky birds roosting in the roof space. Mike did his research and talked to other people who already have an Alpine building. One of the comments was “we haven’t had a single bird nesting in the roof” and another one of Alpine’s customers said their team now call their previous steel shed “the aviary” and that they don’t have the same problem with their new Alpine shed. Reputation is what a lot of companies rely on. Being market leaders in their field, the team at Alpine know that you are only as good as your last project. Mike had first-hand experience with the Alpine team and enjoyed chatting to the guys and valued the seamless process from ordering the kitset to the installation. He remarked “A lot of companies rely on reputation, Alpine did what they said they were going to do and not every company does that”. Need to protect your investments? Contact the team at Alpine today to discuss a shed that will suit a purpose you need on 0800 428 453.

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CANTERBURY FARMING September 2019

No such thing as maintenance free Some house styles and wall claddings require less maintenance than others, but there is no such thing as a ‘maintenance-free house’.

❚❚Article supplied by BRANZ

All homeowners should inspect their homes regularly. The maintenance you need to carry out on the exterior walls of your home will largely depend on the type of house you have. A 1905 weatherboard villa and a 1997 home with monolithic cladding and no eaves come with very different maintenance needs and risks, for example.

Cleaning Almost all materials and finishes on the exterior walls will last longer if they are cleaned from time to time. Cleaning removes dust, dirt, mould, mosses, chemical residues and salt spray, all of which can hasten deterioration. • Wash down the exterior of the building yearly. • Increase cleaning frequency to 3-monthly in geothermal or severe marine areas. • Where unpainted steel cladding is used, wash down areas not rain-washed at 6-monthly intervals. • Clean glass every 3–4 months, more frequently in severe marine areas.

• Carry out cleaning with a low-pressure hose, a soft brush and a gentle detergent. Water-blasting might sound like a good idea, but it can lead to longterm damage if it forces water through gaps into the wall assembly.

Painting External paint coatings don’t last forever, and recoating must be carried out routinely to maintain decorative and weather-resistant properties. How long external paint will last depends on the: • quality of surface preparation and condition of the old paint. Paint will last better when the old paint is still in a reasonably sound condition and the surface is well prepared for the new paint • quality of the paint used. Typically, you get what you pay for – extremely cheap paints are likely to deteriorate faster than better quality (more expensive) paints • amount of sun shining on it – paint on the south side of a building gets less UV light exposure and will last longer than paint on the north or west side

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• colour – lighter colours tend to last longer than darker because they absorb less heat, so expand and contract less

• cleanliness of the painted surface – wash down often to remove airborne chemicals and dirt from the surface

• size and type of material under the paint. Paint on wide timber boards won’t last as long as on narrow boards because the overall movement in wide boards is greater. Paint properly applied to cementbased materials (concrete, cement plaster, fibre-cement products) tends to last longer than paint on timber

• number of coats applied • underlying colour – applying a dark colour directly over a light one can cause a previously sound paint to lose adhesion because of the higher surface temperature.

September 2019 CANTERBURY FARMING

Building a new garage or carport Your legal obligations fall into two main areas: 1. complying with your council’s rules about building height, distance from boundaries and site coverage; 2. obtaining a Building Consent (if applicable) and complying with the Building Code for how the garage is designed and constructed.

peter thorby ❚ by ❚ Refresh Renovations First, you should check the District Plan rules to determine the allowable site coverage, heights relative to boundary and distance from the boundary. If you are following the profile of the existing garage, you may have ‘existing-use’ rights, but it’s important that you check with your local council. If your proposal does not meet the District Plan rules then you will need a Resource Consent from your council. In some cases, for example when replacing a carport of up to 20 square metres, you may be able to build without having to get a building consent. Discuss your proposals with your council to determine whether or not a building consent is required. Regardless of whether a building consent is required, the replacement garage or carport must comply with the New Zealand Building Code. In most cases, for a stand-alone garage or carport, the Building Code requires it to be strong enough to resist all likely loads including earthquake, wind and snow.

Rainwater needs to be controlled and disposed of without affecting your neighbour’s property, and the garage or carport needs to be built so that fire is unlikely to spread to neighbouring property. When you apply to the council for a building consent you will need to provide detailed drawings and specifications for what you are proposing to build. These will need to show how your building complies with the Building Code. If you are using a building company to design and supply your garage or carport then they will usually be able to apply for the building consent on your behalf, and provide the council with all the information that is required. Provided your replacement garage does not include a sleep-out, designing and building a stand-alone garage or carport is not restricted building work and does not need to be carried out by licensed practitioners. Any electrical work must be done, or signed off, by a registered electrician who will issue an Electrical Certificate of Compliance on completion. If you did get a building consent, the coun-

cil will need to inspect the work at various stages of construction, so that they can issue you with a Code Compliance Certificate. Information about the Building Act, Restricted Building Work, and the Building Code can be freely downloaded from the Depart-

Check list: When planning your new garage or carport check whether you need a building consent.

ment of Building and Housing website. Article supplied by refresh renovations. For more information on your building needs go to their website, www.refreshrenovations.co.nz or give them a call on 0800 00 45 44.

CANTERBURY FARMING

September 2019

Why steel studs are preferred over wooden studs When you visit a building depot you are likely to ﬁnd only two main types of studs to choose from: steel and wood studs.

❚ by William milnes

Wall panels can be pre-constructed at the manufacturer to ensure hole spacing and fitting will be meticulously completed at the site.

However, commercial builders tend to prefer steel studs over wood studs. Wood was the traditional choice for framing in the construction industry. Not anymore—construction companies prefer steel studs. What’s with the preference?

Convenience

Structural strength and integrity Though wood is tough, it is not as tough as steel, as it is vulnerable to delving insects like borer. Wood absorbs humidity, expanding and contracting as it soaks up water. This leads to attached coverings cracking and warping with the wood. Steel stud framing is immune to pests and resistant to fire. It can withstand extremely high winds; one of the reasons why municipal buildings, metal schools, and churches are usually used as rescue centres in areas susceptible to natural disasters or tornadoes.

Saves labour cost The more time spent on labour to cut lumber to size, boring holes for wiring among other things the more money spent. Thus, the say-

Tougher: the structural strength of steel framing makes it the builders choice. ing time is money, which definitely applies to labour costs as well. Wood stud framing requires skilled labourers who must spend more time working on the wood, for example, cutting lumber to size.

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With steel stud framing, you can have steel frames and panels done before it gets to the work site for walling to be completed using just a set of instructions and reasonably trained labourers.

Steel is lighter than wood and its hollowed shape means it occupies less space—half the space of wood. This translates to easier transportation and storage. Cutting of metal studs with aviation snips means no sawdust is produced, which translates to a cleaner environment. Metal cutting saw blade and a mitre saw can be used to cut in bulk. Steel studs have superiority in commercial buildings or large structures construction as it is relatively easy to pre-fabricate offsite, rather than doing onsite welding during the construction process. Patterns and hardened bolts can be prepared in advance for easy setup and connection of beams and posts to one another quickly, once they arrive on site. This goes to save time and promotes efficiency at a construction site. Steel stud framing allows creating of uniquely shaped structures that are much taller than wood framing could allow.

September 2019 CANTERBURY FARMING

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can form a point of vulnerability in the house. The gap created might allow free heat exchange between you home and the outdoors. If heat can flow across the skylight, you will experience an increase in your heating and cooling expenses. Therefore, you should make sure that the feature is properly insulated. Whether you choose glass or plastic windows, you should ensure that the sheets are double or triple glazed. You should also have the skylights installed correctly to prevent the escape of heat through gaps.

In simple terms, these elements will allow the natural light from the sun to flow in unobstructed into your home. Consequently, your house will be brighter, and the rooms will appear more open and spacious. Also, you should remember that skylights can help you reduce your electric bills by reducing the need for artificial lighting. If you are planning on buying and installing skylight windows for the first time, here are some factors to take into consideration.

Operability

Glazing material You should choose the right glazing material for your skylight windows. Your choice will determine the cost of the project and the long-term performance. The standard material option for the skylights is glass. The clarity of glass will allow light to flow smoothly and freely, creating a beautiful effect. It has an elegant appearance and the surfaces are invulnerable to scratches and other forms of damage. You can also choose plastic skylights instead of the classic glass. Plastic is lighter than glass, and it is not vulnerable to breaking under stress. Plastic skylights are made from

Let the sunshine in: Skylights can help reduce electric bills by cutting down on the need for artificial lighting. acrylic glass or polycarbonate, therefore, you can expect exceptional durability and performance.

Insulation When installing a skylight window, you should make sure that the structure will not cause insulation problems. In simple terms, skylight windows

You should think about the operability of your potential skylight windows before commencing with the purchase and installation of the elements. In general, you can choose fixed or operable windows. The latter is more favourable because it allows for better ventilation in the home. On the other hand, fixed windows are beneficial because they are economic. If you are interested in operable skylights, you should decide on the mode of opening and closing. If you have physical access to the feature, you can operate it manually. However, motorisation and automation is more convenient for a modern home.

CANTERBURY FARMING

September 2019

Blackcurrant seed oil essential fatty acids for women’s health New Zealand blackcurrants are the only known botanical to hold all three essential fatty acids Omega-3, Omega-6 and Omega -9 in balance within the body.

Jim Grierson ❚ by Vitality ❚ New Zealand Being a cold-pressed golden hue seed oil, without any after taste, it is easily administered in a 1000mg soft-gel capsule for the betterment of overall women’s health. The Blackcurrant Seed Oil (BCSO) is highly rich in the essential fatty acids (EFAs), which promote and maintain the human body’s vital functions. The benefit of taking blackcurrant seed oil have been well-documented for years. These benefits derive from the fact that the (BCSO) is an excellent source of the (EFAs). (n-6 and n-3, both playing a crucial role in brain function and in the normal growth and development of the body. The (BCSO) supplies a complete and synergistically balanced form of gamma-linoleic acid (GLA; n-6) in combination with at least 12 other fatty acids – including the essential linoleic acid (LA; n-6) and the alpha linolenic acid, (ALA; n-3). As emphasised oby the late Prof. D.F. Horrobin: “In order to express their normal biological effect, n-3 EFAs must be given with n-6 EFAs.” At the initial onset of menopause, the body reduces estrogen production, which may cause a hormonal imbalance and lead to related symptoms including hot flushes, night sweats, depression and fatigue. Supplemental (gamma-linoleic acid) GLA from NZ blackcurrants will reduce breast tenderness, inflammation, and irritability asso-

Healthy crop: Vitality Wellness (NZ) directors David eder (left) and Jim Grierson inspect a crop of blackcurrants for use in their range of health supplements.

ciated with menopause and pre-menopause. GLA and the other two essential fatty acids found in NZ blackcurrants are responsible for the creation of prostaglandins within the body. There are numerous types of prostaglandins, all of which benefit the body in different ways. Overall, prostaglandins are responsible

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for the regulation of inflammation, influencing the walls of blood vessels, and may stimulate pain receptors. As these important prostaglandins derive from essential fatty acids, it is important to properly balance Omega-3, Omega-6 and Omega -9 within the body. GLA not only assists in prostaglandin production, but the EFAs are also important to overall women’s health, and offers relief to

numerous ailments, including pre-menstrual syndrome, hormonal balances, soft hair, smooth skin, hard nails and diabetes. Other anecdotals expressed by women include less hair loss, wrinkles and period pain. You only require one 1000mg soft-gel capsule per day of VitalityNZ Women’s Health to assist normalising your body function.

September 2019 CANTERBURY FARMING

FORESTRY

Programme to boost forest productivity, safety and skills Boosting forest productivity, technology, safety and skills and reducing environmental impacts are at the heart of a new programme.

❚ by Kent Caddick

for Primar y Industries (MPI). FGR Chief Executive Russell Dale said the Te Mahi Ngahere I te Ao Hurihuri, or Forest- programme has its sights on developing a r y Work in the Modern Age, is a new $29.3 new in-forest harvesting and log sorting sysmillion, seven-year collaboration between tem specific to New Zealand’s forests, using Forest Growers Research Ltd (FGR), a con- automation and robotics. “It’s a first for New Zealand,” Dale said. sor tium of forest owners and forestr y ma“Technology is increasingly important in chiner y manufacturers, and the Ministr y improving safety, skills and productivity, and protecting the environment. TREE HUGGER TREE “Our industry relies on TOPPING SERVICES people, but labour shortages and rising costs in harvesting forests and transporting • Grabs, cuts trunks up to logs are holding the industry 500mm diameter, and back and reducing our abililowers them in a ty to grow. controlled way “Our new programme with MPI aims to automate • Can top to 8m high the tasks after felling that • Minimise damage to have traditionally required buildings fences, garden substantial labour. These include log branding, log etc sorting and scaling. • Tree & hedge removal “We also want boost the • Free quotes Canterbury efficiency of forestry operations, take people away from wide hazardous harvesting roles, and give them the skills they Ray Monk need for the future.” M: 021 567 841 MPI’s Director Investment E: treehugganz@gmail.com Programmes Steve Penno said at the heart of the new www.treehugga.co.nz programme is creating sus-

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With 25 years experience in the industry, the Forest Management Team offer services in: • Woodlot and shelterbelt harvesting • Timber sales to domestic and export markets • Forest establishment of harvested and greenfield sites • Forest valuation • Emission Trading Scheme advice and management • Trainer/Assessor in NZQA forestry related units Our highly experienced teams aim to ensure value optimisation in all aspects of forest management.

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Savings: A new programme set up by Forest Growers research Ltd and mpI aims to deliver operational cost savings across the industry of $27.5 million per annum by 2025. tainable benefits for New Zealand, by delivering economic, environmental and social outcomes. “This new programme brings key industry players together to tackle common challenges facing our forestry industry, and will deliver solutions that keep people safe, and boost their skills and capability,” Penno said. “It’ll also help to bridge the gap between demand for our logs and the shortfall in labour. All of these are essential for a thriving forestry industry. “The social, environmental, and economic outcomes expected under the programme are at the core of the Sustainable Food & Fibre Futures programme we launched last year.” FGR’s Harvesting Programme Manager Keith Raymond said as harvesting shifts to forests planted in the 90s and onto steep-

er land in smaller, more isolated holdings, the industry faces the challenge of reducing costs and improving efficiency to maintain our international competitiveness. “Current technology and processes mean logs are handled between eight and twelve times before they’re loaded for export. This adds time and cost. “Unless we make a fundamental shift in our forest harvesting operations, New Zealand may have difficulty meeting demand and remaining competitive. We believe our programme can deliver this shift. “It will also help to maintain good momentum in forestry innovations and keep New Zealand at the forefront.” The programme is expected to deliver operational cost savings across industry of $27.5 million per annum by 2025, increasing to $76.8 million per annum by 2031.

CANTERBURY FARMING

FORESTRY

Allan Laurie mNZIF ❚ with ❚ Laurie Forestry Ltd

September 2019

State of ﬂux and waiting for clear direction

China continues to dominate forestry conversations in New Zealand. The talk is around the impacts of last month’s log price falls as well as trying to predict our near future in terms of the market. For the moment this is crystal ball gazing at best with wide ranging influences adding to a confused pot of uncertainty. We await the next round of the handbags-at-dawn stoush going on between China and the USA to try and work out what will happen next. The so called trade war, impacts the New Zealand forest industry, as it does for the other exporters with high level sales to China. Those sales are more than often conducted in US dollars. The imposition of tariffs essentially sees the China Government devaluing their currency, the RMB (short for Renminbi) to help their exporters cover the trade tariff. This increases the cost of imports including the logs we sell to China which are also conducted in US dollars. This potentially limits or challenges any recovery in price for the forestry sector. As reported last month, the July 2019 drop has almost been without precedent in terms of the size of the fall and how quickly it happened. Right now and as at mid-August there are many logging crews parked up and that has been for over three weeks. A quick ring around of colleagues in the North Island alone would suggest well in excess of 70 logging crews on a forced holiday. There are many more in the South Island. Last month I suggested that a new price level of US$105 per cubic metre, standard A grade basis, was possible. Fortunately that did not occur and we have seemed to have settled at US$110. Some have suggested this is the bottom of the current cycle. Indeed if you compare the net result NZ side with where we were 3 years ago, prices at the wharf gate in NZ are certainly not the lowest they have been. The problem is we have been lulled in to a higher price framework and anything less is hard to get used to. Based on the current indicators, it is unlikely we will see significant change in the short term. Inventory in China has levelled at about 4.7 million cubic

‘

based on the current indicators, it is unlikely we will see significant change in the short term.

metres, which is way too high, but is expected to fall rapidly as log vessels ex NZ slow to a trickle. Volumes from other sources have slowed as prices fall but not enough to see a short term rebound. China eastern seaboard consumption is running along pretty well at around 67,000 cubic metres per day, about the normal for this time of year. Most commentators are suggesting most supply demand factors point to a reasonably strong position for sellers. But the big unknown is the Trump factor and the levels of uncertainty this has created for all commodities. Financial and social stability are seen as essential in macro economies if trade is to maintain a reasonable status of normality. These days with cells phone, social media and broad communications networks, sentiment is everything and rapidly impacted by the immediacy of the ease of communication. And of course sentiment means risk. If we pile the likes of the Hong Kong ‘situation’ on top of trade volume uncertainty together with a bit of squaring off here and there and the market in general essentially sits on its hands. And so it is we sit in a state of flux waiting for clear direction. On the positive side the rapid slowing of volume in to the market should shortly send corrective actions in to prices. But as stated above, currencies and

trade wars will impact everything. As reported last month, our domestic sawmills and plants are our mainstay. Consistency around a good price is a hallmark and for the moment this market is a beacon on a sea of misty gloom. Some sawmill owners are reporting sales slowing down a lot and well below normal winter trade. The recent move by the Reserve Bank Governor to reduce interest rates is a clear sign all is not well in domestic growth. Of those general freight carriers I have spoken to recently, most are complaining about low volumes and trucks parked up. This is a very good indicator of how we are trucking (forgive the pun) along. Let’s hope China can turn a corner and take up the demand slack in the near future. Despite the immediate challenges, the plantation forest industry has served forest growers well in NZ. Therefore as always please remember the thoroughly important message, “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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September 2019 CANTERBURY FARMING

FORESTRY

Look up before you plant

Thinking of planting trees or shrubs near power lines? Choose a power line friendly variety.

Examples of power line friendly trees are shown below. Ask your local nursery for some advice on suitable species for your area. BOTANICAL NAME

By planting the right tree in the right place you will be protecting your local community’s future health and wellbeing.

COMMON NAME

Natives Coprosma propinqua

Mingimingi

Coprosma robusta

Karamu

Corokia cotoneaster

Korokio, Wire-netting bush

Phormium tenax

Flax, Harakeke

Fuchsia excorticata

Kotukutuku, Tree fuchsia

Griselinia Littoralis

Broadleaf, Kapuka

Hebe salicifolia

Koromiko

Leptospermum scoparium

Manuka

Macropiper exelsum

Kawakawa, Pepper tree

Olearia lineata

Small-leaved tree daisy

Pittosporum tenuifolium

Kohuhu

Psuedopanax arboreus

Fivefinger, Whauwhaupaku

Pseudopanax crassifolius

Horoeka, Lancewood

Sophora microphylla

South Island Kowhai

Exotics

Please call Orion on 03 363 9898, 0800 363 9898 or email info@oriongroup.co.nz for help and advice.

Escallonia sp.

Apple Blossom

Malus sp.

Crab Apple

* Cupressus spp.

* Cypress

Acer spp.

Maples

* Thuja spp.

* Thuja

Viburnum spp.

Viburnum

* Choose a true dwarf variety. If planting an exotic hedge, choose a slow growing variety such as Cupressus leylandii, Cupressus arizonica and Cupressus torulosa (Bowral) or Thuja occidentalis “Smaragd”.

CANTERBURY FARMING

September 2019

Rural | Lifestyle Your Country Partner

It’s Show time!

Once again, it’s that time of year when we’re off to the show… and we’d love for you to join us at A&P Shows right across Canterbury, starting with Ellesmere on Saturday 19th October. We get to present some wonderful rural and lifestyle properties at our Harcourts stand, and of course we get to take in all that’s great about rural Canterbury, maybe even enjoy a hotdog too (or two)! In conjunction with STIHL SHOP we are again giving away a great chainsaw at every show, even a smaller toy one for the kids. You’ll find our team of country partners, keen to meet you and discuss your property ideas, opportunities and a have general chat. Our popular Spring edition of the We Sell Rural Lifestyle booklet, showcasing the very best properties from throughout Canterbury and beyond has just been distributed, take the time to discuss with our specialists how we can help you achieve your property dreams. There are active buyers looking for a rural lifestyle right across our great region. Nationally, Harcourts has more rural listings than any other company, selling an average of four rural or lifestyle properties every day. Ellesmere A & P Show Northern A & P Show (Rangiora) Amberley A & P Association Canterbury A & P Show Courtenay A & P Show

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September 2019 CANTERBURY FARMING

DAIRY

The risks of scouring calves Calf scours (diarrhoea) is the primary cause of death in calves from 2 to 30 days of age. supplied by ❚ Article ❚ Blue Paciﬁc Minerals Preventative measures provide greater economical and animal health benefits than treatment option for scours. The pathogens causing scours (viruses, bacteria and microscopic parasites) cause damage to the lining of the intestinal tract. The cells lining the intestine can be killed by viruses such as rotavirus, bacteria such as E.coli and protozoan parasites such as Coccidia and Cryptosporidium. The latter can be carried by healthy heifers and cows and are shed into the manure. Cryptosporidium, which is also a threat to humans, is particularly troublesome because no effective treatment or

preventative measures provide greater economical and animal health benefits than treatment option for scours.

vaccine is available, despite extensive research. Bacteria, such as certain strains of E. coli and Salmonella, invade the deeper layers of the intestinal lining, rapidly destroying it. Calf scours are usually caused by two or more of these pathogens working together. When the intestine is damaged by pathogens, the water and nutrients in the milk can’t be completely absorbed into the calf’s bloodstream. As a result, they may stay in the intestine and provide other pathogens with the nutrients to thrive and at the same times the nutrients are not available to the calf and a large fraction is lost from the calf’s body in the diarrhoea. This loss is the greatest threat to the survival of a scouring calf, therefore, it must be a primary treatment focus. The fluids lost in the diarrhoea quickly deplete the calf of water and salts, producing symptoms of dehydration - sunken eyes, weakness, and dryness to the mouth and nostrils. As the calf loses body fluid through diarrhoea, its blood thickens, making it harder for its heart to deliver blood to its tissues. The loss of body fluid of more than 12% will ultimately lead to death. Even moderate scours can have a lasting impact on calves, resulting in slower growth rates and potentially effecting long term health and wellbeing and even production. Following good calf rearing practices is key to preventing scours. Download our Calf rearing protocols at https://www.bpmnz.co.nz/en/products/optiguard

DAIRY

CANTERBURY FARMING

September 2019

Encouraging signs, but... ❚ with peter burton

On almost a daily basis I talk and work with farmers moving away from the soil fertility model focussed on driving mono-culture pastures with soluble phosphorus accompanied by regular applications of nitrogen.

Those in that group I’ve had contact with lately are young enthusiastic folk doing their own research, determined there’s a better way, and experimenting on their own properties. There are common threads through the various philosophies evolving which will eventually result in uniquely New Zealand pastoral systems that are both highly productive, and environmentally positive in all respects. What is evolving is a flexible multipronged, principle founded, approach that will be adapted depending on regional climatic differences, topography, and animals being farmed. Most importantly the long-term success of these systems is due to daily observation and a love of the farming process, with everyone having a slightly different perspective. Essentially art is being woven back into the farming fabric, and we will all be richer as a result. The ‘new’ is outcome based, rather than process focussed, and the scientific fraternity will be endlessly busy working out why the systems are as successful as they are. Discovering how the many different plant species being introduced, natural soil fertility inputs, and grazing management techniques work as they do. A change in thinking is required to understand the process of putting together in an innovative way already proven principles and

practises whereby the outcome is greater than the sum of the parts. There are however obstacles to overcome. There are nay-sayers determined to maintain status quo, and they have a number of one-line dismissals. The claim that any alternative will result in lessened production is a contention that’s now easily refuted. Claims of better outcomes used to be batted away as anecdotal. There’s now many years of independent measures and a growing number of farmers with the same experiences for that line to be effective. There are already well-established farming systems that are not based on soluble phosphorus and additional nitrogen. Production is markedly higher, inputs and costs are significantly lower, and carbon is being actively sequestered. Of late I’ve heard the claim that should the government and councils continue with pending regulations, pastoral farming will be decimated along with our national income and standard of living. Not so, pasture production is already declining due to the well-documented loss of carbon from our most intensively farmed soil, evidenced by an increase in nitrate nitrogen reaching aquifers, a fact that’s not disputed. The new methods are far more effective and efficient and due to topsoil being steadily built, they can be claimed to be carbon positive. The days of any farming activity that

is not environmentally sustainable are numbered and will eventually cease to exist. It has often been said that any changes to current systems must be science led, yet breakthroughs in agriculture have almost without exception been initiated by farmers. They come from observation over a prolonged period, an attribute of all genuine long-time farmers, particularly powerful when knowledge is passed from one generation to the next. At the centre of the failure of current soil fertility practises to be genuinely sustainable is the unregulated use of fertiliser nitrogen. It is important to understand better why increases in short term production might come at the expense of long-term growth. Farmers under financial pressure have monthly financial commitments and there is often little time or energy to focus on practises that may adversely influence production in years to come. That’s not a criticism of individuals it’s simply a fact of life. At present $400m per year is spent by farmers on urea, approximately 30% of the total fertiliser dollars spent annually. An industry of that size has genuine staying ability and for it to be replaced there must be an alternative. the products and know how are available and for those prepared to look to the future more information is available. Call peter burton 0800 843 809.

September 2019 CANTERBURY FARMING

DAIRY

NEED QUALITY CLAW BLOCKS? FREE postage for Demotec FuturaPad kits* FuturaPad has a flexible reactive pad to maximise adhesion and comfort.

❚ with Fred Hoekstra, VeeHof

What causes thin soles? Are thin soles a result of too much wear or a lack of growth? This may seem a strange question. Is it not the same thing? If the wear and the growth is out of balance you will either have hooves that are too thick or too thin. So, it must be both. Too much wear and not enough growth instead of either/or. What does it matter? I think it is an important question to think about. Most people that I talk with about lameness and thin soles believe that soles are thin because the cows walk too far. When the cows walk over the tracks the hooves will wear, therefore we conclude that the further they walk the more they wear and the thinner the soles become. It is certainly possible that the hooves wear faster than they can grow. This is evident when cows are introduced to new concrete in a new barn or when bulls are introduced to the herd and the associating new life style of walking on the track. However, I don’t believe this to be a major consideration in our pasturebased farming systems in New Zealand. That is why I would like to introduce you to a different perspective. I believe that understanding what is really going on will help us to manage our cows better. So, let’s examine whether or not the hooves are wearing too fast. If hooves are wearing too fast for the corium (live tissue in the foot that grows the hoof) to keep up with, then

there should be a number of cows in the herd that have soles totally worn away, shouldn’t there? However, we only see that with those animals that I mentioned earlier who are introduced to abrasive walking surfaces, we don’t see it in our cows that have been in those environments for longer periods. The reason for this is that the corium is not limited to one growth speed. It is very similar to callus growth in our hands or on our feet. If your job is working behind the computer every day you will have less callus in your hands than someone who working with a shovel every day. If you start working with a shovel without callus’ in your hands you are going to get blisters. However, if you keep at it, your hands will adapt to the new environment and you will grow callus and blisters will stay away. If you decide after a year or so that you have had enough of shovel work and you go back to working behind the computer, you will lose the callus again. Your hands will re-adapt to the computer environment. You can see this principle of adap-

tion everywhere in creation. Even to the point that if we poison bacteria for long enough we end up with penicillin-resistant bacteria. That is adaptation too. If cows are walking long distances the hooves will adapt to that no problem, unless there is another factor at play. My hypothesis is that the reason some farms in New Zealand deal with thin soles is not because the hooves are wearing too fast but something is holding the corium back from responding properly. I don’t know for sure what that is, but I believe it may well have it’s roots in a lack of (certain) nutrients. If there is a limited amount of nutrients going into the cow then all the organs in the body have to go onto a rationing process. That would explain why soles go thin but they don’t wear through because the corium does what it needs to do, but only at the bare minimum The best way to combat this would be by abandoning the idea of controlled starvation. Give it some thought and let me know what you think. I would love to hear from you fred@veehof. co.nz

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WATER & IRRIGATION

CANTERBURY FARMING September 2019

September 2019 CANTERBURY FARMING

WATER & IRRIGATION

Participating in local government

Friday, 16 August was the last day for prospective candidates to enter their nominations to run in the local body elections to be held in October. These elections determine who will be your representatives on district and regional (or unitary, in some areas) councils.

New regulations: many irrigation ponds will be affected by new dam safety regulations.

elilzabeth Soal ❚ by Irrigation NZ Chief Executive ❚

In Canterbury, this will be the first election of a full regional council held since central government intervened in the region and put appointed Commissioners in place in 2010. In 2016, the Council moved to a mix between elected and appointed councillors. Regional councils play an important role in developing the plans, policies, and rules that determine land and water use and management. In 2011, the First National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management (NPSFM) was released, which directed regional and unitary authorities to develop limits for freshwater bodies. These limits apply to the use of freshwater in terms of quantity, and the use of the land that can affect water quality. Since then, the NPSFM has been replaced (in 2014) and further amended (in 2017) and

is likely to amended further when the Government announces its Essential Freshwater package in the near future. A National Policy Statement on Biodiversity and a national Biodiversity Strategy are also soon to be released. These national policy changes will see a further raft of regulatory changes that will need to be implemented at the regional level. Regional Policy Statements guide what is to be included in regional plans, and ultimately resource consent conditions. The planning and regulatory functions of district councils will also be affected, as those must also align with some regional-level instruments (such as policy statements). So, regional and district councils play a critical role in implementing at a local level the policy developments coming out of cen-

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tral government. This directly affects water and land users on the ground. This is why it is so important that people participate in the democratic process at the local level. As stated by Local Government New Zealand, “local authority election turnout has been declining in many areas of New Zealand since the 1980s”. Nationally, voter turnout for local authority elections in 2016 was slightly higher than at the 2013 election, increasing from 41.3 per cent to 42 per cent. Turnout for regional council elections was slightly higher, at 44 per cent. In Canterbury, however, voter turnout for the 2016 election was only 40.4 per cent. Given how critical regional, district, and unitary authorities are in determining how national level policy will be implemented and regulated locally, these figures are disappointing. With two months to go before the elections, candidates will now be campaigning to get people’s votes. It is so important that these candidates engage with their communities to find out

what their priorities, concerns, and issues are. Voters also need to get a good understanding of what the candidates stand for and what their positions are on critical issues. We often hear about the urban/rural divide in the media, and the rural community often struggles to have its voice heard given that we are now a largely urban country. Participation in local authority democracy is an important vehicle to having that voice heard and influencing outcomes that affect rural communities – particularly water and land users.

Dam Safety Regulations update Irrigation New Zealand was very concerned about the implications of a new proposed framework for regulating dam safety in New Zealand, particularly how this would affect owners of rural water infrastructure, such as dams and ponds with below-ground storage, and irrigation races. We made a submission to the Ministry for Business, Innovation, and Employment which was developed with input from our members, including irrigation schemes, farmers, and growers. The regulations will affect non-irrigators as well, as many other types of storage are captured by the proposed framework – including effluent ponds. Submissions have now closed, but further consultation will occur, as the regulations are written, and implementation guidance is developed for regional councils who will be tasked with administering them. A copy of the Irrigation New Zealand submission can be found on our website and keep an eye out for the next round of consultation if you want to have your say.

CANTERBURY FARMING

WATER & IRRIGATION

September 2019

Time to get your irrigation WOF Our last two articles have focused on the recurring issues we’ve found with irrigation systems, so for this one, instead of pointing out the problems, we thought we best talk about solutions.

Andrew Curtis ❚ by Water ❚ Strategies The team at Water Strategies has spent the last few months working through how we can cost-effectively deliver a service that meets Farm Plan irrigation requirements, but with a focus on adding value to the farm business rather than compliance. The Water Strategies Irrigation ‘warrant of fitness’ (WOF) is our solution. The Water Strategies Irrigation WOF is a package which provides an upfront analysis of your irrigation system to ensure it is fit for purpose along with an on-going monitoring programme to ensure it remains in the best of nick. The reason we have landed with the WOF package as one of the most effective ways to help, is because we have had several clients tell us the ‘bucket test’ is providing limited or no value to them. Unfortunately, the bucket test has become a compliance tick box exercise, rather than a meaningful measure of irrigation performance. In part, this is because the people undertaking the tests are not technical experts in irrigation, which means if the results

indicate there’s an issue, there’s no sense check as to why. This creates a headache for the irrigation service companies as they are only told a bucket test has been undertaken and the irrigator has failed, but the reason is not explained. This is not helpful and can result in increased cost to irrigators as the investigations must be repeated to find the cause. We’ve also had clients investing in soil moisture monitoring, but despite best efforts, they are struggling to make sense of the information provided. Hence, the Water Strategies Irrigation WOF. This is how it works: After a conversation with you, which is always a key first step, a full irrigation system analysis is undertaken. This tests pressure, flow, application depth, application rate and uniformity, alongside an assessment of infrastructure lifespan, energy efficiency, cost

of irrigation and irrigation scheduling effectiveness. Energy has been included to align with the primary sector’s recent commitment to reducing impacts on climate change. One of our points of difference is that the Water Strategies Irrigation WOF adds a list of prioritised and costed actions to address any issues or gaps found. Industry standards suggest a full analysis should be undertaken at a 5-year interval, provided the irrigation system is regularly monitored (is checked and maintained). The other point of difference is the Water Strategies Irrigation WOF also provides a monitoring programme with set actions and times. As part of this, we highlight where monitoring can be automated prioritising where the greatest value can be achieved from doing this. The move to automation

must be carefully considered if the information gained is to be useful. Our focus is on creating value. The specialist knowledge the Water Strategies team maximises your investment - through utilising expert help to optimise your irrigation water. The goal of the Water Strategies Irrigation WOF is to guarantee irrigation is effective and efficient – giving you confidence your irrigation is performing. Our approach focuses upon informing farm management decision-making in a way that is useful to your business. The by-product of this is robust evidence to ensure the irrigation component of your Farm Plan audit is all up to date and ready for inspection. Call us today to book in your Water Strategies Irrigation WOF.

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September 2019

CANTERBURY FARMING

WATER & IRRIGATION

It is winter, but… ❚ with Dr tony Davoren

Thank goodness for the August rainfall events. Winter until then had been more like spring and soil moisture had fallen to surprisingly low levels.

Fortunately soil temperature was sufficiently low that soil moisture was not the major limiting factor to growth. Early winter had insidiously reduced soil moisture levels to unseasonably low levels. Following a rainfall on 31 May water use slowly lowered soil moisture to within 7mm of “stress” levels – not that anyone would or should have considered any irrigation. There was generally less than 12mm rainfall between end of May and mid-July, plus

there were plenty of clear sunny days. While soil moisture was being depleted at only 0.7-0.8mm/day, over nearly 50 days of June and July this was such that by the middle of July soil moisture had all but reached stress point. Hence the insidious (stealthy) reference to water use by crops and pasture. Rainfall on, and since, 19 July has been sufficient to raise soil moisture to field capacity (Full Point) and maintain higher soil moisture content.

There was (I hope) no consideration of irrigation because soil temperatures were sufficiently low to limit any crop growth. For the most part soil temperatures were below 8degC and applying water would have been of little value. Soil temperatures need to be consistently above 10degC before growth would be limited. NIWA are forecasting temperatures to be near or above average for August through Oc-

tober. If the temperature forecast holds true and day length is taken into consideration, water use will steadily increase. We will need average or maybe even above rainfall to keep soil moisture levels above the stress levels – NIWA are forecasting rainfall around normal levels. Let’s hope for at least average rainfall or we will be reaching stress point in pastures and autumn sown crops earlier (mid-September?) than the last few seasons.

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❚ by rob Cochrane

Procurement Manager, ❚ Wool PGG Wrightson Wool ❚

Very little spring in wool market

There was always discussion in my home as a kid growing up about what date signalled the first day of Spring and, whilst most will agree that September is the first month of Spring for us, one could be forgiven this year for becoming confused as the warm sunny conditions in early August across much of the country were definitely “spring-like”. With lambing nowadays taking place from about June onwards in many areas, and without any figures to back it up, I guess that sheep farmers who were in the midst of lambing during June and July this year would have been pretty pleased with the welcome weather their newly born lambs were subjected to, and survival rates should have been excellent. It seemed reasonably common to hear sheep farmers talk about continued grass growth during the June/July period, prior to the very cold conditions hitting much of the South Island in early August, which would have been very welcome for pre-lamb shorn ewes, plus sheep traders across the plains benefitting from the growth conditions allowing good opportunity to either take strong woolled lambs/hoggets through to heavy weights or have fine woolled hoggets in great condition prior to shearing. Pre-lamb shorn full-length crossbred wool coming into stores across the South Island during July was mostly in very good order displaying great character and colour, however many lines contained higher than normal vegetable matter (vm) contamination which unfortunately caused hesitation for a few key exporters who had orders for either 0.0% or 0.1% maximum vm measured wool types. Wools which did measure within the required specifications sold to very good levels (compared to the market in general) as those exporters competed fiercely within the auction arena to secure the correct wools for their manufacturer customers. Similarly, crossbred oddment types also contained high levels of vm and, in what was already a weak market, prices struggled. Second-shear crossbred wools displaying very good colour, poured onto the market during July, with the main weights of such types offered via Napier’s auction room, but al-

CANTERBURY FARMING

September 2019

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Selective buyers: Halfbred and Corriedale ﬂeece catalogued for auction during July and early August met a very enthusiastic buying bench. so quantities in Christchurch. Prices for good second-shear had maintained reasonable levels in June but as volumes increased during July, prices eased enabling buyers to be selective in their purchases. Halfbred and Corriedale fleece catalogued for auction during July and early August met a very enthusiastic buying bench with plenty of competition evident for well prepared wools measuring approximately 28 microns and finer. Coarser mid-micron wools, whilst not quite as widely sought, attracted solid interest from discerning buyers who obviously had orders from Chinese and European mills. As eluded, those wools which had been “traditionally” prepared and classed, on farm in the wool shed, and showing good definition between lines, were keenly pursued by the exporting trade. By mid-August prices in NZ had eased slightly, in line with Australia.

Across the Tasman, Australian brokers enjoyed three weeks recess from 12th July. When auctions resumed in Sydney, Melbourne and Fremantle on 7th August, the market opened much weaker than three weeks earlier, for all wool types, however worst affected were inferior types with less favourable additional measurements. Market observers there expected that into the following week prices would tumble further, mainly due to continued global trade tension but also a reflection of resistance from consumers at retail. At time of writing that expectation was becoming reality in Australia with passed-in rates at auction beginning to soar above 30%. Note, a live wool auction will be held at the NZ Agricultural Show on November 20.

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September 2019 CANTERBURY FARMING

LIVESTOCK

Bringing balance to the meat debate Christchurch played host to this year’s Red Meat Sector conference where industry stakeholders gathered to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing red meat production in this country.

phil Smith ❚ by ❚ Director, Beef + Lamb New Zealand

A stand-out amongst a line-up of great speakers was Professor Frederic Leroy, who has a background in microbiology, food science and human and animal well-being at Vrije University Brussels. He told delegates that meat is a symbolic food, but there were also anxieties surrounding meat to do with animal welfare, body image and environmental issues. These anxieties were being propagated by mass-media running anti-meat campaigns in a post-truth era where the facts are cherrypicked and headlines sensationalized – designed to grab attention. Leroy said global processed food companies were happy to pick up on the “vegan” trend as an “elegant solution” to growing profits in a saturated global market as it enabled them to use cheap materials and charge high prices for their products. They achieved this through ultra-processing and generating a narrative around health benefits and environmental protection. This marketing strategy is being used for meat substitutes such as the Impossible Burger with claims it cooks, looks and tastes like meat, yet it is an ultra-processed product. Media headlines of the environmental

Informed: professor Frederic Leroy from Vrije University in brussels speaking at the red meat Sector conference.

benefits of going vegan were overblown and Leroy was concerned they distracted from the real issue that is fossil fuels. He said research showed if everyone in the US went vegan, it would reduce that country’s greenhouse gas emissions by just 2% - 6%, and result in significant nutritional deficiencies. Yes, red meat production does have an environmental impact and the recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report outlines a number of recommendations for producers to mitigate their environmental impact and adapt to a changing climate, which we all need to take on board. New Zealand farmers, however, are already doing a lot of what the IPCC recom-

mends, including integrating trees on farms, maintaining soil carbon levels and are operating low input, well-managed grazing systems. This is something we should be proud of, but we can’t rest on our laurels, there is more to be done. We are not trying to feed the world; over the last 30 years our farmers have focused on producing more from less resources and all of us, as a society, need to continue to try and minimise our environmental footprint. I recently attended the North American Cattle Breeders Association conference, along with 10,000 other people. The take-home message was that the outlook for beef was extremely good for the next one to three years at least.

This was partly due to droughts in cattleproducing countries such as Australia, China and parts of South America as well as Asian Swine Flu. There is huge demand for beef internationally, although higher quality beef is proving harder to sell. Steak is coming off menus as people want smaller cuts. Lamb production is falling globally while demand, particularly from China, is increasing and they are paying good prices for all cuts. So despite the negative press, the outlook for our red meat industry is positive, especially as our grass-fed, natural farming systems are exactly what international consumers are looking for.

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CANTERBURY FARMING September 2019

Advance Parties become an army They sound as if they are small military detachments charged with reconnaissance, but in the case of the deer industry’s Advance Parties, they are in fact the main body of the army.

❚❚by Trevor Walton “We now have 29 Advance Parties, involving 352 of the industry’s 1200 or so commercial deer farms and more than 30 per cent of the industry’s deer,” Deer Industry New Zealand (DINZ) Passion2Profit manager Innes Moffat said. In Canterbury there are six APs operating from one end of the region to the other, as well as one in the McKenzie Country. Each one tends to have its own focus, reflecting the different interests of the farmers in each group. “The APs were set up to help everyday deer farmers achieve their personal and farm business goals by farming their deer well,” Moffat said. “They differ from previous initiatives to improve farm productivity in that they are farmer-led. As a result, they are enjoying widespread support across the country,“ Moffat says. DINZ provides a facilitator for each group and, when AP members call for them, subject matter experts. “In the first couple of years of an AP, the members tend make management changes to improve the efficiency and productivity of their deer operations – based on the suggestions of other members. Once they have made these management fixes, they can shift their focus to topics where specialist knowledge is required,” he said. This may be genetic improvement, deer nutrition or business planning – whatever the farmer members choose. Also Advance Parties provide a good structure for farmers to come up to speed when things change, such as when regional councils roll-out their water quality plans. “All APs have made use of external expertise to a greater or lesser extent, but members seemingly become more receptive to it after the group has been operating for a couple of years.” DINZ expects each AP to convene a Regional Workshop every two years, so the wider deer farming community gets flow-on benefits from the AP programme. There’s also an annual National Workshop. “We get good feedback from farmers who attend the workshops. They like to hear AP members talk about the results of changes

Focussed: Deer farmers focus their attention on the latest in animal recording technology at a recent AP workshop.

‘

they have made on their farms as a result of their involvement in an AP. They also like to get their questions answered by technical specialists,” Moffat says. “Good workshops don’t have to involve large farmer field days, but it’s OK if they do. We have had some of our best feedback from small workshops where farmers get down to the nitty gritty. We had a good one on forage analysis involving 20 farmers. Another, on risk analysis as a basis for deer health planning, involved 10 enthusiastic farmers. “In general, we get the best results when there is a focus on one or two topics where farmers can have their questions answered. The least effective are forums where there are multiple speakers talking at farmers on unrelated topics.” The AP programme has now run for six

We get good feedback from farmers who attend the workshops. They like to get their questions answered by technical specialists. Innes Moffat Passion2Profit manager Deer Industry New Zealand

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years, with the Ministry for Primary Industries partnering with DINZ with funding to help ensure their success. In three years’ time, MPI Primary Growth Partnership funding for the programme will come to an end. “But this does not mean that Advance Parties – which are part of Passion2Profit, the deer industry’s productivity improvement programme – will come to an end,” Moffat said. DINZ is exploring different funding options. DINZ levies currently fund 50 per cent of the Advance Party costs and if farmers continue to support P2P, this could continue. Moffat said there is the capacity to include more farmers in APs. He welcomes calls from deer farmers interested in taking part. Contact Innes Moffat, Tel 021 465 121 or Innes.Moffat@deernz.org.

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September 2019

Ford Mustang high performance 2.3L will join the 2020 line-up The High Performance 2.3L Mustang will join the New Zealand line-up in February 2020 with a more potent, customisable turbocharged model, reﬂecting customers’ calls for a unique performance version alongside the 5.0-litre V8 Mustang GT.

❚ Article supplied by FordNZ

“The High Performance 2.3L helps extend Mustang’s already broad appeal,” Kay Hart, Ford Australia and New Zealand President and CEO, said. “With distinctive looks, increased equipment level and bold colour choices, this turbocharged model is a welcome addition to the line-up, bringing a freshness to the range while still being pure Mustang.” The 2020 High Performance 2.3L Mustang will be offered in the Fastback body style and is distinguished by a series of unique visual elements. Beginning with a new specific front grille, the 2020 turbocharged model uses the Mustang GT’s more aggressive front splitter, flanked by Magnetic mirror caps and aggressive bonnet spears. Detailing includes stand-alone badging, which sees an offset Pony tribar proudly up front, with the same red-white-and-blue design on the rear centre cap. The new Mustang also features a Magnetic lip spoiler as standard, while boasting unique badging and machine-finished 19-inch alloy wheels. The 2020 2.3L Mustang brings with it more power and capability. The Ford Performance-developed 2.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine develops 236kW at 6200rpm and 448Nm of torque at 3800rpm – the highest output for a road-going production Ford four-cylinder in history. With an aluminium alloy block and high-performance head, the turbocharged Mustang’s powerplant contributes to a well-balanced 53/47 front-to-rear weight distribution. “It’s not just the power gains over the previous 2.3-litre engine,” Ford Mustang’s chief program engineer Carl Widmann said. “It’s the broader torque curve that delivers 90 per cent of peak torque between 2,500 and 5,300 rpm. Plus, horsepower holds stronger up to the 6,500-rpm redline – enabling more usable power and torque.” The increased performance of the turbocharged 2.3-litre engine is achieved by using a larger 63mm twin-scroll turbocharger, as used in the Ford Performance Focus RS, constructed of aluminium for strength and durability while reducing weight to provide the driver stronger throttle response.

Output: the new Ford mustang high performance 2.3L features the highest engine output for a road-going production Ford four-cylinder in the company’s history.

New model: A high performance 2.3L mustang will join the New Zealand line-up next year.

Gear ratios for the 10-speed automatic have been shortened from 2019 models to further improve agility and driver engagement. The broader torque curve from the turbocharged engine brings greater drivability, engine flexibility and point-topoint capability. the 2020 Ford mustang High performance 2.3L goes on sale in New Zealand in February 2020 with an rrp of $65,990(+orc).

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September 2019 CANTERBURY FARMING

Lexus RX upgraded with latest tech Lexus New Zealand’s most popular vehicle, the RX, has been refreshed by Lexus engineers who have tweaked its handling as well as packing the SUV with the latest in automotive technology.

supplied by ❚ Article ❚ Lexus New Zealand

As a result, the new RX, available in October 2019, will be one of the most technologically advanced vehicles in the Lexus portfolio, one that already stands for brave design and takumi craftsmanship. The new RX exterior retains its powerful and sporty appearance, while the character line that runs from the front of the vehicle to the rear has been improved, giving the RX’s overall appearance exceptional flow and consistency. The result is an elegant, dynamic exterior that emphasises Lexus’ new design language. General Manager of Lexus New Zealand Neeraj Lala said when the RX was first introduced it redefined a new luxury segment.

“It raises the luxury standard again with this new model,” Lala said. “The RX is our bestselling luxury SUV. It remains practical and can seat five passengers in luxurious comfort.” The new RX’s driving character embraces Lexus’ engaging performance following the path of LC and LS flagship coupe and sedan. The engineers scrutinized every part of the vehicle, and made enhancements to the rigidity of the body and suspension system, as well as adding a new shock absorber and brake control system. The result is a vehicle with an excellent handling feel and precision, allowing users to accurately trace their desired driving lines. The RX F-Sport and Limited editions are equipped with the world’s first BladeScanTM Adaptive High-beam System. The adaptive P

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Variants: the 2019 rX will be available with a self-charging hybrid (rX 450h) or petrol-only (rX 350) powertrain. system automatically adjusts brightness in specific regions ahead of the car to avoid beaming at oncoming vehicles. The system is also able to redirect light towards the side of the road improving visibility when cornering. “BladeScanTM is brilliantly suited to night driving on New Zealand roads, where we rely so much on high beam to light the route and hazards ahead,” Lala said. “The system illuminates spots that may be difficult to see with conventional highbeam systems, such as the shoulder of the road. It allows the driver to see pedestrians and road signs much earlier.” Customers of the 2019 RX will also enjoy the option of Apple Car Play or Android Auto for the first time in a New Zealand-new

Lexus. The updated multi-media system, with satellite navigation, will be available with a 12.3-inch touch screen display. The 2019 RX will be available with a selfcharging hybrid (RX 450h) or petrol-only (RX 350) powertrain. Either can be purchased as a standard model, or as an F-Sport or Limited model, both of which have a large range of extras including the Blade Scan headlights, custom drive modes in the F-Sport variant, and premium alloy wheel designs. The Limited also offers a five seat or seven-seat version. All RX versions are All Wheel Drive and are powered by a 3.5 litre V6 engine. The petrolonly RX 350 produces 221kW and the selfcharging hybrid 450h has a total output of 230kW.

CANTERBURY FARMING

September 2019

Efﬁciency and other victims of today Efﬁciency, that towering driver of change we know so well is entering cardiac arrest. Let’s step quickly aside as its knees buckle, for a glimpse of what’s causing these terminal spasms.

‘

A highly specialised farm system may have great efficiency but it’s often less able to adapt well to a

❚ by Solis Norton The cause is this. While efficiency can increase greatly with the refinement of a predictable system, it fades as that system becomes less predictable. For example, farm efficiency can be increased as limits like rainfall, pasture curves, and product payment schedules are predicted with greater accuracy. Throughout their career farmers refine this knowledge to get the best out of their property. But when a system becomes less predictable, efficiency is not only lost, it actually erodes the ability of that system to adapt. Let’s extend our farm example. When climatic conditions, public perception and regulatory pressure become less certain a farm cannot be fine-tuned the same as when these factors are dependable. More supplementary feed is needed, stronger water systems, more administration, and maybe the ability to change product mix is needed too, along with different ways to grow those products. A highly specialised farm system may have great efficiency but it’s often less able

shift in factors.

to adapt well to shifts in these factors. So if we’re not chasing efficiency anymore, what do we chase instead? Our focus must shift from the ‘just-in-time’ mentality so prevalent today to ‘just-in-case’. Just-in-case means being better able to roll with a few punches, more robust and resilient. But ultimately it also means being less efficient. Our focus must also shift from planning to preparation. No one can plan for an unpredictable future. No computer programme, no visionary, government, or consultant. But everyone can prepare. Banks are raising the equity they hold to become more robust, but won’t identify a specific reason why. It’s just simply protection against surprises.

At the farm level this preparation should challenge your imagination, your common sense, and your bravery. The old adage holds that it is always more fun doing it in groups. Especially with a little experimentation. Don’t be shy, experiments that fail are still informative. You might want some technolo-

gy too as a guide but don’t let it overwhelm your intelligence. Now we just have to tell the consumer that the true price of the fantastic food they are demanding so righteously just went up. Because that is the truth of the matter and they need to own it one way or another.

❚ with rob Cope-Williams

Being prepared for succession Nothing brings things home to one than ﬁrst-hand experience, and I am living what happens when someone passes on leaving behind an impressive estate. Cancer has taken out my brother aged 76 and two of his three step sons, he had no issue of his own, think they have won Lotto. The service is later this week as I write this, already they are dividing up the assets. Well actually they needn’t bother as the whole estate is sorted as he has put everything into a Foundation. A Foundation in Aussie is like a vault compared to a Trust. I know people such as Hank van Keulen from PPNZL and Kerry Adams from DAA accountants do an amazing job keeping the wolves at bay after one passes, so they, or people such as them, will help tie up your own loose ends. I have often said that it isn’t usually your own blood relatives that turn into vultures, rather those who have become attached to your family. In my case it was my brother’s step sons who have let the side down.

So what to do? As I suggested get professional help with keeping the wolves from the door. Sort out what you want whom to get and make that very clear. Remember that Wills can be and are challenged. Ensure that your spouse is well looked after and protected from such things as

signing documents such as guarantor for any loans. That’s where your legal people come in. “Sorry I can’t agree to anything, our lawyer has to handle all that sort of thing now, it is out of my hands, as much as I’d love to help you.” Seriously you may think all this is foreign to you and your family, but sadly it is a little like insurance, you take out a policy knowing in your own mind that it won’t be needed, but how great to have it when you do. The present Government is hell bent on changing the Trust laws in New Zealand because they seem to think that they are missing out on revenue, I won’t mention their election promise of no new taxes in their first term, so discuss with those who matter what your thoughts are and then get your professional team together to set things in concrete. Farms are businesses as you know, but they are also easy targets when it comes to succession. I can’t guide you, and nor would I want to, as every family has different challenges and situations, but what I can do is suggest very strongly that after seeing what can unfold when someone passes can be tragic and evil. Best done while you have control.

September 2019 CANTERBURY FARMING

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