30,287 copies distributed monthly – to every rural mailbox in Canterbury and the West Coast
December 2019 Edition
INSIDE
THIS EDITION PM’s scholarship
p5 $20b pledged
p20 Book giveaway
p26 Irrigation issues
p32
Winners are grinners: clover-Lane Aftershock Sue-eT brings a smile to the face of owners Duncan Pipe and robbie Wakelin after taking out the South Island’s supreme champion Holstein Friesian at the New Zealand Agricultural Show.
North Canterbury farming brothers win big at Show A dairy cow co-owned by a North Canterbury family has been named the South Island’s supreme champion Holstein Friesian.
❚ by brad markham Clover-Lane Aftershock Sue-ET took out the coveted accolade at the recent New Zealand Agricultural Show in Christchurch. The bovine beauty is co-owned by brothers John and Robbie Wakelin, who milk 300 cows at Rangiora, and Duncan Pipe. “I still can’t believe it. The win is totally unexpected and topped off a pretty amazing day in the show ring,” Robbie said.
“Sue takes it all in her stride. She has so much presence. She just stands there with her head up, happily chewing her cud.” The five-and-a-half-year-old cow produced 796 kilograms of milksolids last season. She won multiple titles at the Holstein Friesian South Island Championships, including supreme champion cow and champion best udder. “I saw Sue for the first time when she was being shown here as a calf. I thought she
was an amazing animal,” Robbie said. “I loved her mother and I always knew Sue had potential. We’re so happy Duncan let us become co-owners of her.” The Wakelin’s stud, Belbrook Holsteins, had 11 cows and heifers at the show. It was their first time competing since 2017. Many breeders didn’t show last year because of the threat posed by the Mycoplasma bovis outbreak.
TO PAGE 2
2
December 2019
CANTERBURY FARMING
FARMING NEWS
More frontline biosecurity officers Another 51 quarantine officers and four new biosecurity detector dog teams will help protect New Zealand from invasive pests and diseases this summer.
❚ by Kent caddick The latest graduates will be based in Auckland (41), Wellington (3), Christchurch (4) and Queenstown (3). Biosecurity Minister Damien O’Connor said the Government is delivering on its commitment to strengthen New Zealand’s biosecurity system and support our valuable primary sector. “New Zealand’s flora, fauna and livestock are the foundations of our primary sector, rural communities and economy. “Recent biosecurity outbreaks have shown the need to strengthen New Zealand’s protections against pests and disease.” O’Connor said it had become clear that further investment in biosecurity was needed as our trade and tourist numbers increase.
“We have invested $21.6 million since we have been in Government, this is on top of the $880 million we have committed over 10 years to eradicate M.bovis, $21 million to tackle Wilding Conifers and $6.8 million for response activities to eliminate fruit flies in Auckland to date. “In recent years we’ve experienced some of the busiest biosecurity summers on record. We’re expecting another huge influx of international travellers this summer. These new officers will give us more biosecurity protection at airports and ports. They will also bolster our defences for mail and cargo. “These additional frontline staff are part of our plan to make sure the exotic pests and diseases that could devastate our economy and wildlife have less chance of making it here in the first place, giving growers and farmers greater certainty about the health of their
Teaming up: Lisa Walsh and her dog Huia (left) along with michelle Stebbing and Haze are some of the new teams patrolling our borders this summer. crops and animals,” O’Connor said. Biosecurity New Zealand has recruited 101 new officers this year in two groups –
the first 50 graduated from their training in August – and has trained 15 new detector dog teams this year.
Co-owners back with a bang Christchurch Office 03 377 2721
Surveyors - Planners
¡ Rural & Urban Subdivisions ¡ Mapping/Survey Graphics ¡ Cross Lease/Unit Surveys ¡ Resource Consents ¡ Topo/Site Surveys ¡ GPS Positioning ¡ Land Status Research
www.resonant.co.nz
FROM PAGE 1 “Six months ago, I still wasn’t sure if we’d be back this year. I jokingly said when we do come back, I wanted to do it with a bang,” Robbie said. Belbrook Holsteins also won the champion junior Holstein Friesian heifer and the Noel R. Roper champion intermediate female titles. Tahora Holsteins, which milk 350 cows at Tai Tapu, was one of five Holstein Friesian exhibitors at the show. Their cow, Tahora Bolton Legacy, took out reserve champion Holstein Friesian cow.
“Legacy is a really good nine-year-old cow,” owner Dean Geddes said. “We use a lot of overseas genetics because we like bigger Holstein Friesians with exceptional udders that will last.” Sherraine Holsteins, which milk 170 cows near Kaiapoi, enjoy the camaraderie of showing animals. “It was great to see a few more breeders back in the show ring this year. The line-up of cows was outstanding,” said the stud’s Olivia Cahill. Their cow, ten and a half year-old
Sherraine Fortune Carra, won the type and production class, having produced 62,075 litres of milk in her lifetime. “She’s classified excellent twice and was named the supreme champion cow here in 2016,” Cahill said. Carra produced 715 kilograms of milksolids last season. Sherraine Atwood Maiden won the five-year-old inmilk cow class. The Holstein Friesian North Island Championships will be held at the Stratford A&P Show in Taranaki from November 30 to December 1.
FARMING NEWS
CANTERBURY FARMING
December 2019
3
Nuffield Scholarship awarded to Dairy Environment Leader Waikato based dairy farmer and recently appointed Dairy NZ board member, Tracy Brown is one of five scholars from across industry sectors recently awarded a Nuffield NZ Scholarship.
❚ by Kent caddick Nuffield Farming Scholarships have been offered to innovative New Zealand farmers since 1950. They were first established in the UK by Lord Nuffield to create an opportunity for farmers to explore best agricultural practice around the world and facilitate innovation in the sector through travel and networking. The programme has since grown both in New Zealand and internationally, building up a 150-strong network of scholars nationally, and more than 1,600 alumni internationally. Alongside Tracy Brown, the recipients of Nuffield NZ Farming Scholarships for 2020 are: Shannon Harnett, Whakatane based agriculture and horticulture director; Waikato based Phil Weir, dry stock farmer and agribusiness consultant; Southland based Edward Pinckney, director/owner of a dairy farm and sheep, beef and grazing farm, and Marlborough based Ben McLauchlan, owner of a 102ha vineyard and 30ha beef finishing unit in Rapaura. Nuffield NZ Chairman Andrew Watters said the Nuffield Scholarships provide new scholars with an opportunity to travel abroad in groups and individually and study the latest developments in a number of leading agricultural countries. “The reputation and prestige of a Nuffield Scholarship opens the doors for new Scholars to access international businesses like Amazon, John Deere and Blue Apron – busi-
‘
offer this type of access to these globally recognised companies. Andrew Watters Nuffield NZ Chairman
Scholarly: Nuffield Farming Scholar Tracy brown (left) and husband Wynn accepting their New Zealand Dairy Industry Farm Source responsible Dairying Award in 2018. nesses that are behind and beyond the farm gate. “No other programme can offer this type of access to these globally recognised companies,” Watters said. Tracy Brown who has been leading environmental change in the dairy industry for nearly a decade sees the Scholarship as an opportunity to gain insight into the policies and processes other countries are using to
CREATED BY NATURE PROVEN BY SCIENCE WILL BENEFIT AGEING BODY AND MIND
No other programme can
WORLD FIRST DISCOVERY IN NEW ZEALAND BLACKCURRANTS cyclic Glycine-Proline (cGP) a key brain nutrient that normalises Insulin-like Growth Factor -1 (IGF-1) is an essential whole of body and brain function hormone (IGF-1) which is vital for improving the brain signalling pathways Having the correct ratio of cGP/IGF-1 is essential to achieve optimum Health and Wellness for all ages
create positive environmental change. “While I have been active in the NZ environmental space, this experience will enable me to gain the international networks and experience that will add to my effectiveness in the roles I have or will have in the future” she said. Brown is a shareholder and director of Tiroroa Farms Ltd a 700 cow dairy farm near Matamata in the Waikato, and began her
career as an agricultural economist in the sheep and beef sector. The five new scholars will join more than 160 Nuffield alumni who have been awarded Nuffield Scholarships over the past 70 years. The 2020 research topics are likely to cover issues such as – Understanding the international policies and processes that have created positive environmental change; How Plant Variety Rights provide growers the opportunity to successfully develop new business internationally; Exploration of the NZ primary sector to determine if there are fundamental barriers restricting collaboration; developing and growing our young people entering the agricultural sector; Enhancing the sustainability of Viticulture by lessening its reliance on scarce resources.
Wall warm homes have warm walls Would you like your home to have the warm-wall feel of a new home?
....................................................................................................................................
Wall insulation without renovation
Insulmax wall insulation is a soft white blown mineral fibre manufactured specifically for thermal and acoustic insulation of wall cavities with or without building paper, and is installed without removing wall linings. Insulmax is CodeMark certified and council approved..
Insulmax is installed via small access holes made in the interior OR exterior wall lining. We use the latest infrared camera technology to ensure that all cavities are completely filled. At installed densities, Insulmax will not settle shrink or slump.
....................................................................................................................................
Current belief is that all we need to do is have a healthy diet, exercise both the body and mind and all is fine. We now know that we can achieve more by maintaining an adequate level of cGP with supplementation as we age Low levels of cGP are found in Stroke and Parkinson patients and other neuro-degenerative illnesses. cyclic Glycine-Proline
cGP KEY BRAIN NUTRIENT
Taps Approval number NA10816
cGP / IGF-1 Ratio Vital for Brain Function & Signalling Pathways
1. cGP declines as we age
IGF-1 Hormone function declines
cGP production increases IGF-1 function normalised
HEALTHY BRAIN
Find out more at: vitalitynz.nz Call: 0800 006 168 or email: info@vitalitynz.nz
2. cGP depletes further
NEW
IGF-1 Hormone function declines further
PATENTED MOLECULE & MECHANISM
3. cGP levels very low
IGF-1 Hormone function extremely poor
cGP reduction Fails to normalise IGF-1 function
cGP further reduction Unable to normalise IGF-1 function
AGEING BRAIN HEALTH
POOR BRAIN HEALTH
NEW ZEALAND MADE
....................................................................................................................................
Water resistant Non-combustible Safe and inert
Formaldehyde free High R values Fast installation
Call Jenny today on 022 678 0746 to book your free home assessment | insulmax.co.nz
4
December 2019
CANTERBURY FARMING
Damien O’connor ❚ by Minister for Agriculture, Biosecurity, ❚ Food Safety and Rural Communities ❚ We have 12.1m hectares of farmland in this countr y and 1.7m hectares of forestr y. Under the One Billion Trees target the amount of forestr y land would increase to 2 million hectares by 2028 and help us meet our climate change objectives. We had 2 million hectares of forest land in 2002, this would be a gradual redistribution that brings us back to that. There is no Government policy that encourages high-value pastoral land to be planted in pine trees and there is no evidence of this happening. The latest Overseas Investment Office statistics show about 8,800 hectares of farmland has been converted to forestry under the new special benefits test – that’s one thousandth of New Zealand’s total sheep and beef land. The Government is not subsidising whole farm conversions or allowing foreign carbon speculators to buy up farms and plant permanent forests for carbon credits. The streamlined rules for offshore investors only apply to production forests so talk that the rules are being gamed by offshore carbon speculators is wrong. The purpose of the One Billion Trees Fund is to help farmers integrate trees onto their properties, which helps diversify their incomes while improving environmental outcomes. We want the ‘right tree in the right place, for the right purpose’. The Govern-
FARMING NEWS
Forestry no threat to farming There’s some agitation out there at the moment about farming being under threat from forestry. Much of what’s circulating is based on misinformation so it’s time to lay out the facts.
No threat: minister of Agriculture Damien O’connor says there is no Government policy which encourages high-value pastoral land to be planted in pine trees.
ment provides higher grant rates for native species over pine. Two thirds of the trees established through the Fund will be natives. Despite what some might say, the Government doesn’t “hate” farmers and we’re not interested in destroying rural communities. This Government is extremely proud of the ongoing high performance of our primary sector and we’re backing farming for the long term. We’re committed to working alongside farmers to get more value for what they do and step away from a volume focussed approach that the last Government pushed.
We’re investing in the future of farming in this country. The $229 million sustainable land use Budget package is being used to boost farm extension and advisory services. We’re working with and for farmers as shown by our recent agreement on agricultural emissions, our just released skills work plan developed with the sector to attract the workers it requires, our $40 million of funding for projects to reduce emissions and improve farm practice, our efforts to eradicate Mycoplasma Bovis and our support of farm catchment groups to do the work they need to improve water quality and sustainability.
The Farm Debt Mediation and NAIT Bills aim to provide a safety net from farmers against financial problems and biosecurity outbreaks and we’re supporting farmer wellbeing by more than doubling funding for the Rural Support Trust. We’ve also progressed trade deals that open up the world’s largest economies to our primary exports. We’re not just talking about supporting our farmers to succeed – we’re doing it. We need a balance of farming and forestry to meet our long-term challenges and we all need to support our thriving primary sector.
FARMING NEWS
CANTERBURY FARMING December 2019
5
Second Prime Minister’s Scholarship awarded to Lincoln Uni Young Farmer A Lincoln University Young Farmer has been awarded his second Prime Minister’s Scholarship.
❚❚by Kent Caddick George Gill is in China as part of a group of 15 agricultural students to study agribusiness opportunities between China and New Zealand. The 21-year-old Lincoln University student is in his third year studying a Bachelor of Land and Property Management, majoring in Rural Valuation. Gill was awarded his first Prime Minister’s Scholarship last year where he travelled to Brazil for five weeks during November and December. Gill said the visit was eye opening, visiting different universities, farming enterprises and factories. “They’ve got some impressive large scale beef lots and massive pig farms, all indoors,” he said. “They work pretty hard over there, there’s a lot of manual labour. They also work smaller especially their dairy farms where they milk about 16 cows and do it pretty hard in their villages.” He said being able to witness first-hand the country’s agribusiness operations and compare it to New Zealand put things in perspective for him. “Health and safety over there isn’t really a thing. The systems we have in New Zealand are years and years advanced, our systems and regulations and also the environmental side of it how as a country we’re working towards sustainable farming. “Because I’ve been exposed to that it
Going places: Lincoln University Young Farmer stops for a little pre-flight shopping before heading to China on his Prime Minister’s Scholarship.
makes me appreciate New Zealand and what we have here, and that it’s actually quite special what New Zealand is doing in our agribusiness. “I came back and I was more passionate about agribusiness in New Zealand and I actually want to put my input in the future, to carry on improving sustainability and farming.” Drawing on his trip last year, he’s looking forward to spending five weeks in the Southwest province of China, in Yunnan. He said as a businessman, he’s interested to learn how systems work in China, one of New Zealand’s biggest export markets. “As we all know the Chinese are very
good at business so I’m pretty keen to learn more about how that operates.” Exploring different enterprises and import and export ideas is also something he hopes to bring home and further his passion for agribusiness. However, he said it’s not just the business side of the trip he’s excited about. “I love Asian food so I’m looking forward to the cuisine side of it and then to learn about their unique culture.” The Western Southland boy originally from Tuatapere grew up on a sheep and beef farm before heading to boarding school in Invercargill at Southland Boys High School.
Gill served as the chair of the Lincoln University Young Farmers Club for 2019 and is a Tasman Regional Finalist in the FMG Young Farmer of the Year contest. It was his first time competing at district finals and says he was surprised to make it through. “I was never expecting to get through to regionals at all, I was just going to do noncompetitive and I was going to wait till I was a bit older to give the FMG Young Farmer of the Year contest a good crack but here I am,” he said. He will compete at the regional final in March next against eight other contestants hoping to make it to the Grand Final.
6
December 2019
CANTERBURY FARMING
FARMING NEWS
Farmers petition calls for rethink Recently around 500 concerned farmers came to Parliament to deliver Kerry Worsnop’s petition asking the Government to consider the consequences their policies are having on rural communities.
❚ by Todd muller Just on 11,000 people signed the petition and I was proud to accept it as the Agriculture spokesperson for the National Party. For myself and my National colleagues it was a great chance to listen and hear directly from those with very real concerns about the direction their industry is heading in. The march was about feeling heard. There were some loud agitators as there always are at these sorts of events, but the majority of people walking the street were in Wellington because they feel disillusioned and disappointed with this Government. They didn’t deserve to be dismissed as rednecks. In simple terms, people in the regions are worried that large scale afforestation has begun across rural New Zealand, triggered by the growing pressure for forestry offsetting to counter our transport and industrial carbon emissions. The commercial signals are pretty strong that New Zealand Units (NZUs), or carbon credits as they are also known, could well be worth a lot of money in the future. The most effective way to acquire NZUs is to grow pine trees. Speculators and investors are looking for profits and corporates are looking to tackle their emissions profiles. Current Government policies are intended to drive afforestation and they do not shy away from that. Responsible levels of afforestation across the country is quite acceptable and in erosion prone land should be welcomed. There is land available for forestry and there is land that would be more appropriate to be in trees. But where is the limit for trees grown just for future carbon offsets and how will we know if we have hit this threshold?
The Government openly admitted last month that they have no current or regularly updated data on national levels of afforestation. Minister Jones and Minister O’Connor have said that large-scale afforestation won’t happen under their watch, but if they aren’t actually monitoring it, then how would they know?
We don’t believe that aspiring to reduce emissions to net zero by 2050 should be predicated on turning one third of our sheep and beef land into trees. Our farmers were protesting this point. They wish a future for their kids that sees New Zealand continuing to lead the world in growing sustainable food and fibre. Should we earn the right to govern, in our
first 100 days of Government we have committed to amend legislation to require the Climate Commission to review the appropriate use of forestry offset levels for New Zealand, and to also have regard for the carbon sink represented by other tree crops, riparian planting, and other farm biomass. We think that is a common sense and practical approach.
ALL-NEW FORD EVEREST
7 Seat Capacity. Advanced Terrain Management System. Hill Decent Control. Active Noise Cancellation. Adaptive Cruise Control.
Test drive today! SECURE YOURS TODAY!
GUARANTEED QUALITY CUSTOMER SERVICE FROM AN AWARD-WINNING DEALERSHIP
Avon City Ford
Cnr Main South Rd and Epsom Rd, Sockburn | CHRISTCHURCH | 03 348 4129 or 0800 655 551 Rangiora Service Centre | 78 Ivory St | 03 313 7059 | avoncityford.co.nz
Go Further
FARMING NEWS
CANTERBURY FARMING
December 2019
7
Fish & Game disputes DairyNZ claim of economic ruin According to Fish & Game New Zealand new research from independent economic consultancy NZIER shows that DairyNZ’s economic analysis and conclusion are misleading New Zealanders.
❚ by Kent caddick Fish & Game NZ chief executive Martin Taylor said DairyNZ’s economic analysis resulted in them claiming that GDP will lower by 1.1 per cent in 2050 because of the Government’s freshwater reform proposals. However, he said NZIER concluded DairyNZ’s modelling of the impact of the Government’s proposed freshwater reform package represents the “worst-case depiction that may exaggerate the impact”. “Under DairyNZ’s modelling the New Zealand economy will grow at 2.06% each year on average accounting for the ‘worst-case’ impact of the Government’s freshwater reform proposals, compared with 2.10% under the business as usual scenario - a difference of just 0.04%,” Taylor said. “DairyNZ then added up this 0.04% over the next 30 years, which leads them to claim the proposals will see New Zealand’s GDP lower by 1.1% ($6 billion). “Put another way, their economic modelling shows that the New Zealand economy will be 192% larger than today’s with the Government’s action for healthy waterways package. “This means that New Zealand’s economy will grow from $242 billion to $466 billion by 2050 - an increase of $223 billion - meanwhile the environment will have been protect-
Questioned: Fish & Game New Zealand says DairyNZ’s economic analysis of the Government’s freshwater reform proposals are misleading. ed so future Kiwis can continue to swim, fish and gather food from their rivers, lakes and streams.” Taylor said as the NZIER critique of DairyNZ’s modelling noted, their negative conclu-
sion assumes that dairy farms always stay as dairy farms and that land that is taken out of dairy production is not offset through a land-use change. The modelling also assumes there to be lim-
ited innovation in farm management practices. “This has no basis in reality, as any good farmer would offset land retired from intensive dairy farming with trees, crops or other less nitrate intensive land uses. “Despite the model representing a 30-year time frame, any modelling assuming there to be no improvement in technology or farm management practices is unbelievable - considering DairyNZ in all their submissions and public comments on the Zero Carbon Bill assume new technology and farm management practices are coming.” He said the DairyNZ reports confirm research previously undertaken by NZIER for Fish & Game New Zealand that due to the relatively small size of the dairy industry, the impacts of the government reforms are unlikely to be major at the national level, and not felt for many years due to the long lead in times proposed. “What the Government is proposing is just common sense and long overdue - it reflects what New Zealanders have been saying for some time: that polluted waterways are one of their biggest worries,” Taylor said. “Many good farmers have been getting on and improving their practices - the Government’s plan will just ensure all farmers embrace sustainable farming, and that will be good for them, for the environment and for all New Zealanders.”
CANTERBURY CONTINUOUS SPOUTING LTD
Stahlton offer rapid and cost effective rural bridge systems throughout the South Island.
“Whether it’s a homestead or a farm shed CONTINUOUS has the solution for you.” • 21 years experience installing throughout Canterbury and Westland. • 6 spouting profiles to suit your requirements. • Installation crews servicing your local area. • Strong brackets and robust snow protection to handle the rural climate.
Contact us today for a customised solution to keep your operations moving. 03 344 3014 www.stahlton.co.nz info@stahlton.co.nz
For a FREE no obligation quote phone CONTINUOUS TODAY on 0800 50 1993
www.continuous.co.nz
0800 50 1993 KVERNELAND GRASS GEAR
• Disc mowers from 2.8m to 10.2m, all with round discs to reject stones • Tedders from 4.6m to 13.3m • Single, twin or quad rotor rakes up to 15 metres
MOWERS Geoff McCabe Dealer Principal
FA5129
1Ph George Holmes 021 220 9544 03 349 5975 Rd, Rolleston
TEDDERS Joel Parris Sales
027 435 0884
Jimmy Leigh Sales
027 405 6941
RAKES
Rolleston 1 George Holmes Rd
0
RING NOW TO GET FINANCE ON ALL STOCK*
%
Amberley 90 Carters Road
03 349 5975
Terms and conditions apply. * Normal lending criteria applies, finance conditions are 33% of price at delivery, 33% in six months, 33% in 12 months. Offer available for a limited time only and while stocks last.
Power Farming Canterbury
8
December 2019
CANTERBURY FARMING
Andrew Wyllie ❚ with ❚ Forsyth Barr
RURAL PROFESSIONALS
Watching the news can make you anxious
The past quarter (to October 31) highlights how quickly the winds of economic sentiment can shift, and how nerve-racking markets can be for investors who focus on the daily geo-political and economic noise the media creates.
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.
CHC5019-03 - © Forsyth Barr Limited March 2019
When you are thinking about your investment options, talk to Forsyth Barr.
tive territory. The ECB has also restarted buying bonds (‘quantitative easing’), and called for European governments to provide fiscal stimulus (increased spending and/or tax cuts) to counter economic weakness. In a sign of the unique times for monetary policy, Mario Draghi, who retired last month from his position as President of the ECB, never once raised interest rates in his 2011 to 2019 tenure. Historically, interest rates at these levels would suggest the world was in the midst of an economic crisis. Today it is the “new normal”. In August an “inverted” yield curve, where long-term interest rates fell below short-term rates, gave rise to concerns about an approaching recession. Since then economic news has been resilient. The United States Federal Reserve has signalled it has stopped cutting interest rates and described this year’s cuts as a “mid-cycle adjustment” designed to extend the period of economic growth, rather than fight a downturn. Longer-term bond rates have firmed, including the United States 10-year government bond, which is up around 40 basis points since mid-September. Talk of an approaching recession has subsided.
For those prone to worry, there’s a lot to be worried about – the China-United States trade war, the impact of Brexit, attacks on Saudi oil infrastructure and growing tensions with Iran, Hong Kong protests, slowing Chinese economic growth, and the build-up to the United States election (still 12 months away). In response, Central Banks around the world cut official cash rates and increased monetary stimulus, and globally interest rates have fallen. The United States Federal Reserve cut the Federal Funds Rate by 75 basis points, the first reduction since 2008 when in the heart of the Global Financial Crisis (GFC). The Reserve Bank of New Zealand also dropped its official cash rate by 50 basis points to a historic 1.0% low. The Reserve Bank of Australia went one step further with a further 25 basis point cut to 0.75%. In Europe, which is particularly exposed to global trade, the European Central Bank (ECB) announced its largest stimulus package in three years, pushing interest rates further into nega-
Can you subdivide your property?
Investors rewarded for sticking to basics Investing against this backdrop of geopolitical and economic noise can feel uncomfortable. We suspect it will persist and continue to cause volatility in markets. But investors who maintain the core disciplines of a long-term focus and a diversified portfolio will be rewarded with the “market risk premium”, which means that higher long-term returns will
+ Farm & Lifestyle Subdivisions + Boundary Adjustments +Rural Subdivisions + Free Proposals
-----------------------------------------0508 787 887 www.survus.co.nz hello@survus.co.nz
This report covers the three months ending October 31, 2019.
P H O N E
0800 38 44 50 www.simplicityimports.co.nz
M
4x4 Side by Side Utility Vehicles ELECTRIC! e ad
in the US A
Free consultation, at your place or ours.
compensate investors for bearing additional investment risk. Whilst we don’t expect medium-term returns to continue to match those we’ve seen year-to-date, the returns we have seen do highlight the benefit of sticking to investing basics. Unsurprisingly in the face of falling interest rates, equities with reliable cash flows (and attractive dividend payments) such as listed property, infrastructure and utilities have performed well. New Zealand’s electricity generators did take a hit last month impacted by Rio Tinto’s threats that it may close the Tiwai aluminium smelter, which consumes around 13% of the country’s electricity. However, over the quarter the sector has still delivered a positive return. Somewhat surprisingly, the best performing sector in the New Zealand market over the past quarter was the typically economically-sensitive consumer discretionary sector, led by Kathmandu (KMD) +59%, Michael Hill (MHJ) +39%, Restaurant Brands (RBD) +21%, and The Warehouse (WHS) +19%. New Zealand investors with international assets benefited from the weaker New Zealand Dollar (NZD) against some key peers, with our local currency falling 3% against the Australian Dollar and 8% against the Great Britain Pound over the quarter. As always, diversification remains the key investment strategy to mitigate market risks and volatility. Investors with a long-term focus know the economic pendulum always swings back and forth, but companies need to continue to meet the needs of consumers through all economic cycles.
● American made zero turn mower ● All new level of performance, durability and design at a great price
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
bessie Paterson LLb ❚ with Ronald ❚ W Angland & Son
December 2019
Legal misconceptions With the end of another year looming, it is an appropriate time to consider the future and resolve to put our affairs in order.
There are many people who do not fully understand the legal obligations imposed by some of our laws particularly in respect to wills and property ownership. Until the late 1940s property ownership was conclusive. If someone requested assistance from another person with the assurance that their help would be compensated in their will there was no remedy available to enforce that promise. In 1949 the Government passed the Law Reform (Testamentary Promises) Act which provided for the enforcement of promises made but not honoured by the will maker. In the mid-1950s the Government of the day brought in the Family Protection Act which gave family members a right to dispute a will if they had been unfairly treated or omitted from their relative’s will. These two enactments which are still in force are used quite frequently to rectify unfairness which has arisen and they should be considered when making a will. It is also common to find people who believe, that when they die, their property and other possessions will automatically pass to their surviving spouse. If all property and possessions are jointly owned, a surviving spouse will automatically inherit. If a deceased person has Kiwi-saver,
life insurances and other personal entitlements or where property is owned as tenants in common the deceased’s share becomes part of the deceased’s estate and is distributed under the terms of their will or under the Administration Act where a person dies without a valid will. If you give your lawyer instructions for a
will or write an informal document yourself, it is now possible to have the unsigned will or informal document validated as you last will. This is the last thing most people would want so it is essential that you leave a valid, signed will.
Another enactment which has radically affected property ownership is the Property (Relationships) Act which provides that where a couple has lived together in a relationship of 3 years or more and they have not signed a contracting-out (or”pre-nup”) agreement there is a presumption that their relationship property will be shared equally. Ownership in those circumstances is not conclusive and a partner who “owns” the property may be ordered by the Court to hand over a half share to a partner. The above are just a few common misconceptions which many of us need to address when we are considering what the future holds. It is most important to leave a valid will providing fairly for the present and next generations and to ensure that our obligations to others are fulfilled. The Partners and Staff at Ronald W Angland & Son wish all readers a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year. This article has been prepared by bessie Paterson, a Partner at ronald W Angland & Son, Solicitors, 2 chapman Street, Leeston.
Ronald W. Angland & Son LAWYERS
Property | Family | Wills Trusts | Estates | EPAs | Rural Business | Traffic | Employment Solicitors of Selwyn since 1965
Large 1131cc diesel engine Tight turning circle 24.6 l/min total flow 4WD, power steering Industrial or turf tyres Ergonomic operator station Add a mower for $3,990+GST and a loader with a 4 in 1 bucket for $5,990+GST • Was $13,990
KIOTI
FA5138
+GST
Manual 58HP
AV
• • • • • •
2435cc diesel engine Liquid cooled 4 cylinder 8x8 manual transmission, 4WD 55.1L/min total hydraulic flow 1232kg rear lift capacity Choice of manual or hydrostatic transmission • HST also available • Loader with 4 in 1 Bucket only $7,990+GST SAVE $1,000
AV
$
4 YEAR POWER
TRAIN WARRANTY
4 YEAR POWER
TRAIN WARRANTY
MONTHLY REPAYMENTS FROM $204*
Joel Parris Sales
027 435 0884
Re s i d e n t i a l / Co m m e rc i a l / R u ra l / L i fe st y l e
DK5810
NCE FINA AILABLE
11,990 SAVE 2,000
1Ph George Holmes 021 220 9544 03 349 5975 Rd, Rolleston
A LT O G E T H E R B E T T E R
NCE FINA AILABLE
• • • • • • •
03 375 4736 | 027 530 1400 ben.turner@bayleys.co.nz bayleys.co.nz WHALAN & PARTNERS LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008
KIOTI
HST 26HP
Geoff McCabe Dealer Principal
Call Ben today for an altogether better approach to your rural real estate needs along with an up-to-date market overview.
Jimmy Leigh Sales
Rolleston 1 George Holmes Rd
027 405 6941
Normal lending criteria, terms and conditions apply for all offers. Both offers valid till 30/09/2019. Contact your local dealership for more information. *Requires 30% deposit and full GST in month three, 5.85% interest for 48 monthly payments.
NOW ONLY
28,990 SAVE $4,000
$
+GST
KIOTI CS2610
Ben Turner
KEY 260230340
Leeston (03) 324 3033 Email: lawyers@anglands.co.nz | www.anglands.co.nz
NOW $ ONLY
9
MONTHLY REPAYMENTS FROM $451*
Amberley 90 Carters Road
03 349 5975
Power Farming Canterbury
10
December 2019
CANTERBURY FARMING
FARMING NEWS
Is your health in a happy place?
Gareth Hughes ❚ with ❚ Green Party Spokesperson for Primary Industries
The future of farming Last month I announced I’m retiring at the next election to spend more time with my kids. I have also stepped down from the role of Green Party Spokesperson for Agriculture and Eugenie Sage will now be taking on this important portfolio. I want to thank Canterbury Farming for this column and all the farmers who have opened their farm gates and home doors to me. I’ve enjoyed the opportunity to write about environmental issues, climate change, biosecurity, the Dairy Industry Restructuring Act changes, my successfully passed Country of Origin Food Labelling law, organics, rodeo, live exports and other animal welfare issues. In this last column I wanted to share my thoughts on the future of farming. Farming has been a key part of this country ever since first people first arrived. It unites us, connects us and links us to the land. In recent decades however, its impacts on the environment have become unavoidable. New Zealand’s 10 million cattle create as much waste as 140 million people, with freshwater ecologist Mike Joy putting the clean-up figure at $15 billion. Land use practises see us lose an estimated 192 million tonnes of soil a year. I believe we have too many cows,
many in the wrong place and that we have to focus on product value over volume. There are many farmers reducing their environmental footprint and increasing profitability. I think of the Clearwater dairy farm in Canterbury producing premium organic yogurt, the Hart family-farm in the Hawke’s Bay focusing on regenerative agriculture and connecting directly with their customers or the Kaiwaiwai dairy farm in the Wairarapa creating an amazing wetlands to naturally filter water. There has been a real change in recent times and now many sector groups strongly advocate for farming with environmental protections in mind. I believe New Zealand needs to be at the forefront of sustainable farming – this will be a valuable niche for us. Staggering quantities of capital is flowing into alternative proteins and lab- grown milks and meats. Equally so, many consumers are choosing plantbased diets for a variety of reasons. This may be the only way to survive a
potential huge disruption to existing agricultural systems. I think those advocating court cases or marketing complaints against plantbased milks or alternative meats for using common terms won’t stem the tide. Instead, they risk the agriculture sector appearing defensive and out of touch. In Government I’ve advocated for support our farmers to transition towards sustainable, organic and regenerative farming. I’m proud of the increased funding in these areas and think the Government must play a role in a just transition for agriculture. I’d like to also see the Government provide greater support for the transition away from poor animal welfare systems such as farrowing crates for sows and colony crates for chickens. I know farmers would like to change and improve – they just need the right support to make it possible. I’ve appreciate the chance to communicate with you in this column and wish you all the best.
Dementia, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Stroke and other age-related disorders are of a concern to all of us. We all know of family and friends who are experiencing these debilitating disorders.
❚ Article supplied by Vitality NZ
Current thinking suggests that if we eat healthy and exercise our body and brain, we will stay healthy as we age. Clinical research shows there is much more we can do, to improve your health outcomes than just that. Science has proven that there is an essential whole of body and brain function hormone called Insulin-like Growth factor-1 (IGF-1). Enough active IGF-1 is vital for improving the brain signalling pathways and increasing blood flow throughout the body. If the body does not produce enough of a key brain nutrient cyclic Glycine Proline (cGP) to activate the IGF1 function the body is at risk of other serious health issues including the above disorders. Stroke victims at admission to hospital had low levels of cGP these levels of cGP determined the amount and speed of recovery in the following three months. In recent anecdotal surveys in several neuro-degenerative disorders such as Rett, Pitt Hopkins, Angelman Syndromes, Autism and ADHD, significant improvements have been recorded where no other medication has been effective. It is believed that by maintaining a normal cGP/IGF1 ratio with supplementation, greater health outcomes will be achieved in a wider range of health issues. Brain Shield™ is the only commercial product delivering cGP on the market. Vitalitynz product Brain Shield™ supplement, delivers an average daily dose of cGP that activates the brain signalling pathways and whole of body function.
Merry Christmas from the team at Specialty Seeds New Zealand’s independent seed supplier.
0800 727 8873
FARMING NEWS
CANTERBURY FARMING
December 2019
11
Calling out the rural-urban ‘conflict’ As the new Chair of Environment Canterbury, I would like to use this column to engage with you and other people living or working in rural Canterbury. I would love to hear your views and ideas.
working to clean up our environment – even small actions can help. Getting involved will assist those who are worried and give them a sense that something is being done and we can make a difference. Since being elected to Environment Canterbury I have spoken to a number and variety of farmers. I found, of course, people who love the land and farming, who are working to protect our environment, and have a deep concern about environmental matters and especially our fresh water. I have also been lucky to visit some farms over the past few weeks and talked with farmers who are working hard to preserve our environment for future generations. Some told me how overwhelming the talk of our environmental problems can be for farmers. But at the same time, they told me empowering stories of how working in local water and land care has helped them cope and bring about changes in their environment.
Jenny Hughey ❚ by ❚ Environment Canterbury chair The links between town and country in New Zealand are as strong as ever and it is in the interests of all New Zealanders to keep it that way. The wellbeing of our society is my number one concern, which includes taking a holistic view of how what we do affects the planet. The science is telling us we are at an environmental tipping point. It is time for us to get together no matter where we live, our backgrounds or our life experiences. For a start, the idea of an ‘urban vs rural’ conflict is rubbish – let’s call it out. I talked to hundreds of city people during the local body elections and everyone respects people living in rural Canterbury. Many city people have close rural connections including brothers, sisters, parents and cousins working and living on farms and in rural
communities. Environment Canterbury’s research on rural-urban attitudes shows there is great warmth from city people towards rural folk – they remember the farmy army that rolled into Christchurch to help after the 2011 earthquakes. People also have great stories to share about country life and recreation and love our rural landscapes and rivers. Thousands of city people also recreate every weekend in our stunning Canterbury environment. We have all heard the warnings about our
environment, we know what the reports say, and we know that there is rubbish in our favourite picnic and walking spots, our river swimming is not what it used to be and for many of us our fishing spots are impacted. We can see the green slime in some of our creeks and streams and know we must act. For many of us, the state of our environment is depressing and worrying and is causing great heartbreak. We need to build our own and others’ resilience by getting connected to our neighbours and community
each month this column will address issues that concern us all and I would love your feedback or suggestions for topics you would like to see covered. You can reach me at governance@ecan.govt.nz Jenny Hughey is the new chair for environment canterbury and was elected in October to the regional council standing in the christchurch North constituency. She is committed to working collaboratively with all councillors, as well as the wider community, in dealing with the environmental and sustainability issues that the people of canterbury must address.
Mt Somers Excavation Ltd GENERAL FARM MAINTENANCE • ALKATHENE PIPE IRRIGATION MAINLAND TRENCHING • 8 & 20 TONNE DIGGERS TIP TRUCK & TRAILER • GRADER SCREEN SHINGLE SUPPLIES • TREE REMOVAL
Alistair Parris Owner/Operator • Ph: 027 434 7278 20 Hinds Gorge Rd RD8, Ashburton 7778 E: mtsomersexcavation@xtra.co.nz www.mtsomersexcavation.co.nz
SERIES NEW DEUTZ-FAHR 6G
Y IT L A U Q D IL U B N A M R GE THAT’S RIGHT, FOR A LIMITED TIME YOU CAN GET THE LATEST QUALITY GERMAN MADE 6G SERIES TRACTORS AT AN UNREPEATABLE PRICE. Call us - you won’t be disappointed!
Geoff McCabe Dealer Principal
FA5137
1Ph George Holmes 021 220 9544 03 349 5975 Rd, Rolleston
Joel Parris Sales
027 435 0884
DEMO MACHINE AVAILABLE - RING NOW TO BOOK YOUR ON FARM DEMO Jimmy Leigh Sales
027 405 6941
Rolleston 1 George Holmes Rd
Amberley 90 Carters Road
03 349 5975
Normal lending criteria applies. Terms and conditions apply. ** Terms and conditions apply. Go to deutztractors.co.nz/trydeutz for detailed terms and conditions.
Power Farming Canterbury
12
December 2019
CANTERBURY FARMING
❚ with John Arts
❚ with rob cope-Williams
Meeting the meat demands
So, the vegetarian minority want us to eat less meat and more vegetables but try to explain that to the carnivores around the world. Let’s take a wee look at meat consumption around our world. The United Kingdom eats one billion chickens a year, or around 19 million chooks a day. Putting it another way that is 38 million drumsticks per day, and the UK isn’t just eating poultry; add in beef, lamb and pork and you get some idea of consumption. The USA figures are also interesting. They chew through 120 kilos of meat per person per year and note that per person includes those newly born through to the elderly. Europeans eat less, probably the lack of burgers and barbecues, they consume on average about 80 kilos of meat per person per year. And then China, the market that all exporters are targeting. Their meat consumption has gone from 4 kilos per year to 55 kilos. That dear friend gives us a figure of 70 billion, yes billion, kilos per year and rising. We must also count the other nations I haven’t quoted such as South America so let’s just say that the figures I have quoted are the tip of the iceberg. It is suggested rather strongly that by 2050, just 30 years away, the world will be chomping their way through twice as much meat as we are now. Take a deep breath, thirty years’ time what age will you be, for
most of us it is well within our lifetime. So how are we going to meet the demand, the oceans can’t provide enough fish to fill the gap without devastating results, so it is up to the meat producers to get cleverer. Beef lots are working overseas and here the dairy industry are again leading the charge with cut and carry. Wakanui beef lot must become one of many if we are to keep up with the rest of the world. I think it is agreed that cropping must also get more focussed on quality as well as quantity and that we can’t do it with broad acre farming because of weather fluctuations so, dear I type in “heavily modified plants” will be the answer. The bottom line is that no ‘Facebook’ campaign will stop people around the world eating what they want to eat, and modern consumers simply demand to have what they enjoy, so vegetarians who want to change the world’s eating habits, swallow hard and accept it. Not harsh, just a fact of live and let live. One thing we can all look at is waste; it is accepted that millions of tonnes of food is thrown out in developed countries, and very little of it is composted. That may be a challenge in an apartment block, but it can be fun for those with gardens in the suburbs.
Benefits of a good Multi-nutritional Formula Part 1
I often comment tongue in cheek that people would get better advice on minerals from farmers or vets than from human health professionals. Most farmers are acutely aware that trace minerals have a huge impact on plant and animal health. Minerals are essential for the function, growth and maintenance of all body tissue. Minerals are divided into major minerals that we need in greater amounts including calcium, phosphorous, potassium, sulphur, sodium, chloride and magnesium. Of these it is usually the calcium and magnesium that are insufficient in many diets. A good multi should have these in chelated form. This means they are bound to amino acids for better absorption as they stay in suspension as they move from the acidic environment of our stomach to a much more alkaline small intestine. Our real focus here though is on the trace minerals especially selenium, zinc, copper, boron, manganese, molybdenum, iodine, chromium and vanadium. These minerals are absolutely critical. Minerals come from the sea or soil. If they are missing or deficient in our diet then our health will suffer. We use these to make a group of antioxidant enzymes. The two most impor-
Abundant Health
tant are superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). We make SOD from zinc, copper, iron and manganese. We make GPx from selenium. While these may sound like obscure chemicals they are the front line of our cell defences against free radical damage. Low levels of SOD and GPx have been linked to pretty much any disease you pick from osteoarthritis to cancer. Most people have less than optimum levels of these key trace minerals. This is why any good multi-nutritional supplement will have these minerals at the right levels and in a form our body can absorb. I know of no other group of nutrients that have such a profoundly positive impact on our health and wellbeing. 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.
CANTERBURY FARMING
FARMING NEWS
December 2019
13
Westpac Rescue Helicopter Canterbury mission review October was a very special month for the crew of Christchurch’s Westpac Rescue Helicopter, with testing of the long awaited Christchurch Hospital helipad finally getting underway.
supplied by ❚ Article Westpac Helicopter ❚ CanterburyRescue Trust ❚ Pilot, Stu Farquhar, Crewman/ICP, Mike McLintock and ICP, Juliet Fitzpatrick were the first to try out the new helipad, with further landings and take-offs planned over the coming months in preparedness for the official opening in early 2020. October was also a busy month for the Rescue Helicopter service, with the crew responding to 49 Emergency Medical Service callouts across the region. Accident related missions made up 26% of callouts in October. Now that the warmer weather is on its way, the crew will be gearing up for the busy summer/holiday period ahead. On 14 of the 31 days in October the Rescue Helicopter service flew two or more missions. On October 10, the Rescue Helicopter crews flew five missions; a medical retrieval
to North Canterbury in the early hours of the morning, an ICU patient transfer from Timaru to Christchurch, another medical retrieval from North Canterbury for a patient with respiratory issues, and finally the two Rescue Helicopters were dispatched for the high speed motor vehicle accident on Lineside Road, near Rangiora. A total of 43 patients were transported to Christchurch Hospital by the Rescue Helicopter Service. They ranged in age from a 1-year-old Status 2 male patient with a severe chest infection and respiratory distress to a 91 year old patient with a ruptured spleen. Of those missions 23 missions were flown after hours, with 17 of those requiring the use of Night Vision Goggle equipment. Night Vision Goggles make night operations safer for our crews, and have been one of the most significant breakthroughs in service responsiveness in recent years.
The Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust and GCH Aviation are now working together on the implementation of IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) routes across Canterbury to further improve the responsiveness of the Rescue Helicopter Service. The new Airbus H145 is IFR equipped, and the region’s second rescue helicopter is about to undergo an avionics upgrade to also become IFR capable.
Over the coming few months, the Trust will be actively fundraising to suppor t the implementation of the IFR route network that will enable the Rescue Helicopter Service to respond in conditions that would previously have prevented helicopter response. It will be a significant step forward for the Rescue Helicopter Service, and for the communities it supports.
With your donation we can introduce IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) routes in Canterbury, take off when the clouds roll in, and save lives.
TO DONATE CALL 03 358 8244 OR GO ONLINE AT www.airrescue.co.nz On the scene: canterbury’s two Westpac rescue Helicopters at the scene of a high-speed motor vehicle accident on Lineside road, Fernside. Two patients were transported to christchurch Hospital. Photo: Westpac rescue Helicopter crew
WE CAN SUPPLY
PARTS SUITABLE FOR: • • • • • • • • •
CASE IH CLAAS FENDT FIAT FORD GREAT PLAINS ISEKI JOHN DEERE KRONE
• KUBOTA • KUHN • LANDINI • LELY • MASSEY FERGUSON • MCCORMICK • NEW HOLLAND • POTTINGER • SIMBA + MANY MORE
Roger Hunter Parts Manager
FA5081
027 507 1022 Normal lending criteria applies. Terms and conditions apply. Offer ends 30/8/2019.
GRAMMER MECHANICAL SUSPENSION SEAT
GRAMMER AIR SUSPENSION SEAT DF-0.900.0842.8/20
SPECIAL!
DF-0.900.0842.9/20
SPECIAL! 99995
$
139995
$
+GST
NORMALLY $1532.50+GST
ONESTO Solutio P n
+GST
NORMALLY $1843.95+GST
Rolleston 1 George Holmes Rd
Amberley 90 Carters Road
03 349 5975
Power Farming Canterbury
14
December 2019
CANTERBURY FARMING
Grant edmundson ❚ by Partner at Helmore Stewart ❚
No longer business as usual For decades the agricultural sector has consistently been a pillar of strength of the New Zealand economy, being a robust contributor to the country’s gross domestic product.
However, speak to any farmer on the street and they will quickly let you know that farmers are finding themselves under increasing financial pressure due to shrinking margins, greater compliance costs, biosecurity threats and uncertain (and at times volatile) international markets. It’s no longer “business as usual” at the farm gate. Economists and politicians alike appear to be on the same page in terms of acknowledging the economic risk posed regionally and nationally to the country’s coffers arising from the heavy gearing underpinning farming operations. Whilst many will accuse the government of “economic favouritism”, the advent of the Farm debt Mediation Bill (No.2) appears to evidence the headwinds due to hit the sector. The Bill seeks to establish a fair, transparent statutory farm debt mediation scheme to provide a structured and consistent process for resolving problems and disputes arising from farm debt. The intention is that anyone with a direct interest in farm debt mediation
should be able to use this process. Notably, the process will exclude, forestry, hobby or lifestyle farms (that are not considered a business activity), secondary processing operations and contractors. The Bill is not drafted to include contracted service providers such as shearers and harvesters. If the Bill is approved it will create a mandatory mediation scheme. The key benefit for farmers will be that secured creditors will have to offer mediation to farmers who default on payments. Mediation will have to be offered before the creditor is able to take enforcement action on any debts owed by the farmer. Farmers will be able to request mediation at any time. Currently the Bill provides farmers and creditors up to 60 working days to complete the mediation process unless both parties agree to extend this period. The Ministry for Primary Industries expects a mediation case to cost approximately $6000, split between the creditor and the farmer with the farmers contribution being capped to $2000. The Bill and the mediation process will ap-
ply to loans that are secured against farmland, farm machinery, wool, harvested crops and livestock. An obvious predicament is the standing of guarantors with the concern that creditors may be able to proceed with recovery actions directly against the guarantor without first offering mediation. It may be that a guarantor of farm debt
may not be a farmer and consequently, would not be able to initiate and rely upon the mandatory mediation under the Bill. Thankfully, this predicament is currently addressed in section 20(3) of the Bill which specifically caters for guarantors to be included in the mediation process. It is anticipated that the scheme will come into effect in October 2020.
CANTERBURY FARMING December 2019
RAKE IN THE VALUE. MASSEY FERGUSON HAY TOOLS – RAKES, TEDDERS, MOWERS & MOWER CONDITIONERS Massey Ferguson has combined years of experience with the latest technical knowledge to develop a range of hay tools that help you work smarter and improve the output of your hay operation. Get in now for great finance and save on mowers, mower conditioners, tedders and rakes.
CONTACT YOUR LOCAL MASSEY FERGUSON DEALER
MASSEYFERGUSON.CO.NZ
A world of experience. Working with you.
15
16
December 2019 CANTERBURY FARMING
Call for Tiny Houses legislation Amidst confusion by some councils as to the status of mobilised Tiny Houses there has been a call from the Tiny House community for Government to re-write laws which will protect and embrace this affordable accommodation option as a housing crisis part solution.
❚❚Article supplied by Eco Cottages NZ
The line drawn in the sand is whether a Tiny House is a fixed foundation building or structure, or whether it is a “contrivance on wheels” which brings it under the broader classification of “vehicle” which exempts them from jurisdiction under the Building Act. The argument is based on Tiny Houses being manufactured into a trailer chassis allowing the living units to be moved around on say a farm property, along the road, or by hiab truck on longer journeys. Essentially, a Tiny House on wheels [THOW] is a seriously upgraded version of a caravan with higher structural capability and insulation standards that make them suitable for year round living. As registered caravans in most cases they come with the usual safety requirements of gas and electrical certificate, appliance warranties and the usual manufacturers’ warranties. By virtue of not being a building fixed to land, a Tiny House has inherent advantages when it comes to the flexible nature of their usage where it might be used as a farm cottage this year, extended family next year, holiday accommodation sometime in the future, or for Air BNB tourist accommodation moving from A, B, C and D as those needs arise. Gareth Hughes, Green Party MP, has raised the issue of new legislation in Parliament in questioning Minister of Construction Jenny Salesa as to what provisions have been made for Tiny Houses as an innovative and affordable living option. While the responses could be described as somewhat vague, at least it was a starting point in recognizing that the vagaries around laws relating to Tiny Houses needed to be resolved.
Solution: Manufacturers of Tiny Houses, like Canterbury’s Eco Cottages, are calling for law changes to enable them to be a part of the solution to the country’s housing crisis.
Hughes was a recent visitor to the Tiny House display village of Eco Cottages in Sefton last month where owner Colin Wightman took him to visit Tiny House fabricator Alan Dall who was taking MBIE to court over a disagreement on the status of his mobilised Tiny House not being a building after his local council tried to order it’s removal, or
to “fix” it which is not possible, or designed to be. A visit to red zone land suitable for Tiny House development in the larger Kaiapoi area and to the upmarket Riverlands Holiday Park, an example of successful co-housing, completed an other wise successful day.
With 17.7 million Americans living in Tiny Houses, nearly 6% of their population, living under a different set of rules [not the Building Act], it only seems reasonable that Government will see fit to bring in legislation that will better clarify the position that councils should take in making provisions for them as a housing crisis solution.
CANTERBURY FARMING
December 2019
17
Planting tips for maize crops Many dairy farmers use maize crop as part of their pasture renewal programme, however not all paddocks are equally suited for maize production.
❚ Article supplied by DairyNZ
Soil preparation
Steep paddocks are not only difficult for cultivation and harvest but tend not to yield well. Low lying wet paddocks often lead to cultivation delays and often don’t yield well unless drought conditions prevail. A paddock that is wet under pasture acts as if 10% wetter when the structural strength of the pasture is removed by cultivation. Wet paddocks risk loss of soil structure under cultivation which leads to lower yields. Long-term effluent paddocks have high N and K levels and ideal for growing a deeprooting crop of maize often without using bagged fertiliser. Long-term dairy pastures have high fertility levels with means N fertiliser inputs for maize crops can be reduced without impacting yield. To grow high-yielding maize on farm for the least cost, consider the factors which make the contractors’ jobs speedy and efficient and reduce harvest cost, eg paddock location, access, entrance ways, track conditions, culvert strength, and overhead wires.
Maize seed is normally sown around 5cm deep. An uneven soil surface (undulations, ruts etc.) makes it difficult for the planter to sow at a uniform depth resulting in variable emergence. Maize does not need a very fine seedbed, it is a large seed and seed-to-soil contact is generally sufficient for germination, except on very cloddy soils. Light rolling after sowing may help seed-soil contact, seal in moisture, and reduce risk of wind erosion.
Maize nutrient requirements Maize requires substantial nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) both of which are present in dairy soils. On cropping farms, N is the nutrient most likely to limit maize yields and the largest fertiliser input. These inputs are generally unnecessary on dairy paddocks coming out on long-term pastures. Up to 300kg N/ha is released from soil organic matter when high fertility dairy pastures are cultivated. Maize is unlikely to respond to K fertilis-
er unless soil K test levels are very low. Replacement K fertiliser can be applied after harvest to avoid any luxury uptake by the maize crop (luxury uptake is the K uptake in excess of what the plant needs. K can be absorbed by plants in amounts higher than what is needed for optimum yield, this can lead to higher than normal concentrations of K in the plant tissue). Soil test for N before applying post-emergence N fertiliser to determine requirements. There are two soil tests regularly used: • Basic soil test (0-15cm) for pH, Olsen P, K, Ca, Mg etc • Deep N test (0-60cm) for mineral N.
The indexed rotating clamping system 3 Angle adjustments 12°, 20°, 25° Your knife is always in the same place
FastÊEasyÊAssembly NoÊBlockages MinimalÊSweating FullÊRangeÊofÊSizes:
Water Ballast Rollers Spiral Welded Pipe Grain Augers
FromÊ1,600ÊLÊ(1Êtonne) to 40,000ÊLÊ(30Êtonne)
Range of standard sizes available or made to your required size. Deluxe Precision Kit Pictured
Talk to the manufacturer toll free 0800 175 720
16 Robinson Street, Ashburton 7700 Phone 03 308 9623 • grayeng@xtra.co.nz Dave Stockdill
THAT’S HOW WE ROLL
0800Ê668Ê534 advantageplastics.co.nz
#1 Selling roller in the UK
Maxiroll
Paddocks out of long-term pasture often have a broad-leaf seed bank while paddocks previously run-out pastures often have grass weeds, e.g. summer grasses. Weeds can cause a significant yield loss, and moisture-activated pre-emergence herbicides generally work well - however in some situations further post-emergence applications are required.
NONÊRUSTING MULTIPLEÊUSES
PRECISION SERIES
See our website for the full range www.scarysharp.co.nz
Weeds
POLY POLYSILOS
The Constant Angle Knife Sharpening System
• High Grade Stainless Steel • Hygienic • Easy Care
Dairy effluent can be used as a nutrient source for maize provided the crop requires the nutrients and good effluent practices are followed.
• 60mm CRMO4v-steel shafts with rubber suspended bearings • Hydraulic cracker board with parallelogram eliminates lumping in fields. • Hydraulic weight distribution system provides 100% even compaction of soil. • Comes in working widths from 5.3m-12.3m
Call Alastair Robertson | 027 435 2642 AMBERLEY | LEESTON | ASHBURTON | TIMARU | OAMARU
CALL US
ABOUT
DEMO MODELS
Rollomaximum Ultimate seedbed prep
The high capacity Rollomaximum is a precise seed bed cultivator with built-in front and rear rollers. The combination of rollers and cultivator tines regularly achieves a seed bed in a single pass with the change to and from transport is done hydraulically from a stationary position roller. Comes in working widths from 6.2m – 12.4m.
www.cochranes.co.nz
18
December 2019
CANTERBURY FARMING
Planning for a successful 2020 winter grazing crop starts now Careful planning in spring is an important part of successful wintering – and it starts with choosing the right paddocks to grow winter crops in. That’s according to DairyNZ South Island lead, Tony Finch.
❚ Article supplied by DairyNZ
“Choosing your paddocks is a crucial part of planning for winter. Critical source areas, waterways, shelter, water troughs and being prepared for prolonged weather events all need to be taken into account when selecting a paddock,” Finch said. Critical source areas are low lying parts of a farm, such as gullies and swales, where water flows after rain events. These areas can transport soil, E.coli and phosphorus into waterways. Paddocks with multiple slopes and large critical source areas are best avoided for winter crop grazing, as they are time-consuming to graze and present an environmental risk. “Strategic grazing and careful management of critical source areas resulted in an 80 to 90 percent reduction in sediment and phosphorus losses in a 2012-2014 trial at Telford Dairy,” Finch said. “Creating buffer zones or grass strips in and around critical source areas and next to waterways helps slow water flows and trap contaminants. “These buffer zones should be left uncultivated and ungrazed to be effective. The fast-
er water flows in a buffer zone, the wider the zone needs to be. “There are a number of things to consider when planning how to fence the paddock and position feed and water troughs. Using portable troughs reduces the amount of walking cows need to do, decreasing soil damage and mud.” He said cow lying time is another factor to consider when planning for winter. “Correct lying times, at least eight hours a day, reduce the risk of lameness and stress on the animal. On a winter break-fed paddock, consider how your cows will have access to enough dry areas to lie down. “The South Island can experience periods of extreme winter weather, such as snow and heavy rainfall, so it’s essential to have another grazing option. “This could involve moving cows to a sheltered area or leaving an ungrazed area next to a shelter belt for bad weather. It’s also a good idea to allow a feed buffer in your budget to account for extra feeding on cold, wet or windy days.” Finch said there has been a lot of focus on winter grazing practices recently.
Planning: A winter crop paddock showing a critical source area which has been left uncultivated and ungrazed. The paddock also provides shelter for animals. “As a result of this, there has been strong attendance at wintering events as everyone is keen to improve their knowledge. Successful wintering is good for the cows, the envi-
ronment and the people involved.” For more advice on planning for winter grazing visit dairynz.co.nz/wintering
Call Matthew Reed today 021 526 576 www.broadgateharvesting.com
CANTERBURY FARMING December 2019
Award winner: Agricom’s New Zealand sales and marketing manager, Mark Brown, says it is extremely satisfying to have the development of Ecotain recognised.
Agricom wins award for innovation and collaboration A plantain that’s helping to solve one of New Zealand agriculture’s greatest challenges, nitrogen leaching and its effect on waterways, is winning awards for its developers.
❚❚by Kent Caddick Agricom, a New Zealand based seed company, recently won the Primary Industries New Zealand, Innovation and Collaboration Award for its development of Ecotain. Ecotain environmental plantain is a forage herb which can reduce nitrogen leaching on livestock farms by up to 89%. It was also second in the Primary Industries Science and Research Award. Agricom, New Zealand Sales and Marketing Manager, Mark Brown, said it was extremely satisfying to have the fantastic collaboration around the development of Ecotain recognised. Plantain started life as a common roadside weed, but Agricom discovered specific lines of plantain which reduced nitrogen leaching from the urine patch of cattle. The company spent a decade on research and development and in 2015, with funding from Callaghan Innovation, established the Greener Pastures Project. The project brought together expertise from Agricom, Massey and Lincoln Universities and NZ Plant & Food Research to prove the results scientifically. “We would really like to acknowledge Plant & Food Research and Massey and Lincoln Universities. To find out how effective this product really is for mitigating nitrogen leaching is quite amazing,” Brown said. “New Zealand has more than 6.5 million dairy cows, so managing nitrogen leaching, and the flow-on effect on waterways, is one
of New Zealand’s major agricultural challenges,” he said. “Farmers need easy to implement environmental solutions to reduce nitrogen leaching on farms while maintaining productivity. Ecotain allows them to simply make a change to the composition of their pastures.” As requirements are introduced for farmers to prepare farm environmental plans Brown said Agricom’s next step was getting Ecotain recognised by Overseer, a farm nutrient measuring tool. He said Ecotain was the only scientifically proven plantain to reduce nitrogen leaching in four ways and the ease with which Ecotain could be established and incorporated into a farm forage plan made it an attractive option for farmers. “Ecotain works in four ways, known as dilute, reduce, delay and restrict,” Brown said. “Consuming Ecotain increases the volume of cows’ urine which dilutes the concentration of nitrogen, it reduces the total amount of dietary nitrogen in animals’ urine, it delays the process of turning ammonium into nitrate in the urine patch, and it restricts the accumulation of nitrate in soils growing Ecotain.” He said Ecotain can be used in a pasture as a special purpose crop with clover, or in a grass/ clover/Ecotain mixed pasture system. It can also be oversown into existing pasture. “Including just 20% to 30% Ecotain in a pasture can reduce nitrogen leaching by up to 74%, while pastures containing 42% Ecotain showed reductions of 89%.”
19
20
December 2019
CANTERBURY FARMING
$10 billion pledged towards reducing need for antibiotics Several of the world’s largest animal medicine manufacturers made a multi-billion dollar pledge towards research and development to help reduce the need for antibiotic use for animals by 2025.
mark ross ❚ by Chief ❚ executive of Agcarm The $10 billion investment announced in November 2019 will help support the development of vaccines and other measures to better protect animals from disease. The investment ties in with 24 other commitments that include training 100,000 veterinarians, participating in responsible use coalitions and carrying out risk analyses for resistance for every new antibiotic. Antibiotics are vital as they are undoubtedly the only proven way to treat bacterial disease. This strategy will address health issues or situations that lead to bacterial infection. Its vision is for a world that reduces the need for antibiotics by improving the health of animals. The commitment is part of a sector-wide
strategy to manage the rise of antibiotic resistance by reducing the need for antibiotics to be used for livestock and pets. The Roadmap to Reducing the Need for Antibiotics released by HealthforAnimals sets a target of developing 100 new vaccines for animals by 2025 along with new diagnostic tools that help veterinarians treat diseases earlier and minimise the need for the most powerful, last-resort drugs. The animal health industry also plans to boost training in the responsible use of medicine for veterinarians, as well as forming partnerships to help antibiotics reach underserved markets.
Agcarm and its animal health member companies will be involved in this important initiative. As a member of the global animal medicines association, HealthforAnimals, the New Zealand association is committed to playing its part in achieving this goal. President of the World Veterinary Association (WVA), Dr Shih Ming Johnson Chiang, acknowledges the commitment by the global animal health sector to train 100,000 veterinarians by 2025 as a valuable contribution to the fight against antibiotic resistance – recognising that veterinarians are the stewards of animal health.
Continuous training is vital to ensure veterinarians have access to the latest tools, knowledge and products that improve animal health and lower the risk of bacterial disease, which helps reduce the need for antibiotics. Resistance issues in people are mainly due to human medicine. However, resistance issues in animals are linked to people via the food chain; by zoonotic diseases that can be shared between people and animals; and the medicines that are used by both. The Roadmap sets out three approaches that can reduce the need for antibiotics in animals, from disease prevention and control, to earlier detection, and fast, accurate treatment. The animal health sector cannot reduce the need for antibiotics alone. Commitments from the public sector and international organisations to support the investment with appropriate policies, regulations and support are also encouraged. Policymakers need to work towards greater regulatory convergence, to help veterinarians better access products that can reduce the need for antibiotics and help ensure no one is left behind. Antibiotic resistance is a health emergency that poses a threat to all people and animals. As the health of animals and people are so intrinsically linked, the animal health industry, policymakers and veterinarians must develop solutions together to tackle the root of the challenge, which is disease.
ALL-NEW FORD EVEREST
7 Seat Capacity. Advanced Terrain Management System. Hill Decent Control. Active Noise Cancellation. Adaptive Cruise Control.
Test drive today! SECURE YOURS TODAY!
GUARANTEED QUALITY CUSTOMER SERVICE FROM AN AWARD-WINNING DEALERSHIP
Avon City Ford
Cnr Main South Rd and Epsom Rd, Sockburn | CHRISTCHURCH | 03 348 4129 or 0800 655 551 Rangiora Service Centre | 78 Ivory St | 03 313 7059 | avoncityford.co.nz
Go Further
CANTERBURY FARMING
December 2019
21
Grubs causing pasture yield gaps
AgResearch and Ravensdown have estimated the cost of grass grub damage on pasture yields in Canterbury at around $1.8M annually. supplied by ❚ Article Ravensdown ❚ The research, presented at the recent Grasslands Conference in Napier, looked at highproducing irrigated dairy pastures in the region over a three-year period, modelling the data and pasture measurements to estimate the scale of the impact of the yield gap. “We now know the significance of the economic impact,” lead researcher and author Dr Sue Zydenbos said. “We were able to show that the humble grass grub, a native New Zealand insect pest in improved pastures, is associated with a yield gap of 6,800 kg DM/ha, of which modelling estimates to cause an annual $650/ ha profit loss.” She said yield mapping was used to identify variance in pasture height within individual paddocks with higher grass grub numbers found in low pasture height areas. The technique involved using a C-Dax pasture meter that carries a laser height sensor, recording a single measurement of pasture height every second along with a GPS position. “I was surprised to discover that the yield gap continued long after the grub had gone,” Zydenbos said. “Differences in pasture dry matter production between the high and low height areas persisted over a 12-month period following the yield mapping. However, there still remains a key gap in knowledge around how we can detect the pest early enough to apply cost-effective controls.” Co-author Ravensdown chief scientific officer Dr Ants Roberts said the more intensive farms seem more likely to be impacted, as well as areas with lighter soils. “The econometric modelling and analysis have shown there is huge potential for economic benefits by better controlling the grass grub population.
‘
I was surprised to discover that the yield gap continued long after the grub had gone. Dr Sue Zydenbos Lead researcher, Ravensdown
“Farmers can use yield mapping to identify at risk areas and then treat with an Integrated Pest Management approach, such as reducing cultivation frequency,” Roberts said.
Yield gap: Agresearch researcher and author Dr Sue Zydenbos says the cost of grass grub damage on pasture yields in canterbury is around $1.8 million annually.
PLASKETT
• Mowing
• Baling
• Wrapping
• Ploughing
• Cultivation & Drilling
• Hay & Straw Sales
• Fertiliser Spreading
• Fodder Beet Harvesting
• Ag Plastic Recycling
• Combine Harvesting
• Cartage
“the little company that’s big on experience” Lime and fertiliser spreading equipped with precision tracking proof of placement mapping Trimble GPS
Talk to us today about your farms soil fertility. We offer a soil testing service and will recommend and supply you with a fertiliser program to suit you and your farms individual needs.
FERTILISERS
● More Total Feed CUSTOMIZED ● Even Spread of Growth FOR YOUR FARM ● Increased Production FROM OUR INDEPTH ● Less Pest & Disease pressure SOIL TESTING ● Healthier Crops & Stock ● Less Reliance on Fertiliser “N” ● Improved Soil Structure ● Increase the Water & Nutrient Holding capacity of your soil ● Feed your Soil with Products that remain available for longer ● Better for the Environment
0800 65 65 88
info@sustainablesoils.co.nz
www.sustainablesoils.co.nz
Call Keith on 0274 969 150 Rangiora RD1 e.plaskettfert@xtra.co.nz
Covering Selwyn & Waimakariri districts
www.mccarthycontracting.co.nz Ph 03 329 6655 or 0274 848 564
22
CANTERBURY FARMING
December 2019
Understanding the requirements of pastures in your system In this article we look at the choices many dairy farmers will face when choosing the right pasture for their dairy herd. supplied by ❚ Article DairyNZ ❚ White clover White clover is the base legume of New Zealand dairy pastures sown in a wide range of pastures and management systems. It has a high nutritional value and fixes atmospheric nitrogen (N) to make a substantial contribution to the growth of companion grasses. A summer active, perennial legume, white clover has an optimal growing temperature 5 degrees higher the ryegrass. The rate of leaf appearance of clover leaves is mainly influenced by temperature, and leaf size is influenced by light – shade is detrimental to growth. The clover leaf does not regrow after grazing. A stolon branches from nodes and spread out in the pasture. Light intensity speeds up the production of these daughter stolons. White clover is generally more resistant to grazing than ryegrass, the energy reserves are stored in the stolon and root, the stolon stays close to the ground so is rarely grazed.
Clover growth habit means that there will be leaves at varying heights from the ground, some of which will not be grazed. White clover fixes N in pastures, improving total pasture production.
Italian Ryegrass and Annual Ryegrass These two types of ryegrass are described together because they are used in similar situations. Large leaved, and cool season active these ryegrasses are highly valued for their winter and early spring production of high quality forage. Annual ryegrass is commonly sown in autumn as a 6-8 month winter/spring crop. In warm, summer dry areas it will persist only to flowering and seed set in early summer. Cultivars can persist longer in mild, moist summer climates with low insect pressures (e.g. irrigated Canterbury and Otago, and Southland). Italian ryegrasses are more persistent than annuals, typically lasting 12-18 months in drier conditions, and 2-3 years in mild, moist summer areas.
TO PAGE 23 Quality: ryegrasses are highly valued for their winter and early spring production of high quality forage.
Become a Certified Nutrient Management Adviser Are you ready to take the next step in nutrient management? The Nutrient Management Adviser Certification Programme (NMACP) welcomes applications from advisers seeking to keep pace with the latest knowledge in the field. NMACP enables you to provide reliable, up-to-date nutrient management advice of the highest standard to farmers. We offer: • access to ongoing professional development opportunities • greenhouse gas endorsement • for all advisers who complete the Massey Advanced SNM course in 2019 and become certified within one year, we will offer a $100 reduction in the assessment fee. To apply to become a certified adviser go to www.nmacertification.org.nz or phone us on 022 323 7193.
CANTERBURY FARMING
December 2019
23
Pasture choices aplenty for dairy farms FROM PAGE 22
Stem development during spring then very little stem for the rest of the season. It cannot be used in a mix with ryegrass.
Tall Fescue Tall fescue is an alternative to perennial ryegrass as a permanent pasture, which does best in heavy soils, and needs specific management to maintain its feed quality. A perennial tufted grass with erect unbranched tillers. An autumn tillering plant. The optimum temperature for tall fescue is 26degC, with growth continuing into mid 30degC temperatures. It has a larger root system than ryegrass which provides tolerance to some insects, less pugging damage and less pulling by cows.
Cocksfoot Cocksfoot is the most persistent perennial grass, most commonly used in summer dry areas as a minor component (e.g. 2-4 kg/ ha) of ryegrass/clover pastures. It tolerates summer dry conditions, a range of insects and moderate soil fertility. Older cultivars can dominate pastures, reducing clover levels and digestibility.
Subterranean Clover (Sub clover) Although subterranean (or sub) clover is the most widely sown annual legume in summer
dry areas of New Zealand, it is rarely suited to dairy farm systems. It must be allowed to seed in the first year, and in autumn pastures need hard grazed and kept very short (eg <1000 kg DM/ha) to allow space for seedling regeneration. It establishes in autumn and grows from rosettes to produce long, horizontal stems during late winter and spring. Sub clover buries it seed. Self-pollinating flowers grow off runners on the soil surface and then the seed containing burrs push into the soil to bury the seed to survive the summer. Seeds germinate when rainfall resumes, but seedlings can die during subsequent dry spells (false strike).
Red Clover A short-lived, tap rooted plant with dull hairy foliage, usually bearing a distinct leaf mark. Most common in summer dry areas, where the tap root allows it to tolerate dry periods. It performs best under moderate stocking rates, long summer grazing rotations or hay production. Under high stocking rates or fast summer grazing rotations its persistence is reduced. Red Clover has poor winter growth but can provide superior DM production to white clover during dry summers.
Alternative: red clover has poor winter growth but can provide superior Dm production to white clover during dry summers.
Preferred: White clover is generally more resistant to grazing than ryegrass.
Farmers get the Best Results from the Best Lime!
Our High Quality Agricultural Lime offers an outstanding
99.3% level of Calcium Carbonate! Lime, Mineral and Seed mixed to your specifications
Call the specialists...
022 500 6144
www.amurilime.co.nz Email office@amurilime.co.nz
Locally owned & operated in Waiau since 1945
Whatever the Season
superior yields, naturally
NZBION active
Hold onto more N, naturally
Call for a free sample!
Increase N absorption, reduce N-fertiliser inputs AND maintain performance. Enhance mineral uptake and reduce your reliance on N-Fertilsers.
Bio-active Stimulative NZBIOACTIVE NITRO
boost
03 970 0302
www.waikaitu.com
... there’s a Bailey Trailer that meets your needs
Comprehensive
Organic N
5467
• Combine Harvester Spares • Windrower, Fingers, Sections • Elevator Chains made to order • Kverneland Hay-Silage Tynes • Baling Twine (Poly & Sisal) • Bailey Trailers, Bulk, Flatdeck, Removable Sides • Number one in UK • PTO Shafts and Parts
91 Horndon Street, Darfield Phone 03 318 8229
24
December 2019
CANTERBURY FARMING
FORESTRY
Market strong but under pressure Allan Laurie mNZIF ❚ with Laurie Forestry Ltd ❚
Some significant lifts in export prices takes us back up to the top 95 percentile of the market of the last five years. We have not reached the dizzy heights of late 2018, early 2019 but prices certainly justify dusting the chainsaw off again.
These latest increases are the result of improved settlements in China, up 5% on October levels. Shipping costs also softened slightly as more vessels are opening on New Zealand than are required for the current trade levels. A surfeit of vessels is in part due to weak northern hemisphere trade as well an overall drop in the world wide Baltic shipping index. To explain the ebb and flow of supply/demand and how this impacts the index can be similar to herding elephants... unpredictable, confusing, regularly changing direction and loud trumpeting. For the moment shipping costs are softening and that is all that is important. For the moment to fundamentals of the China market remain okay. Daily softwood log consumption remains around 72,000 cubic metres, about right for this time of year. Log inventory across the eastern seaboard has continued to decline, currently sitting at 3.6 million cubic metres. This is a historically low inventory but not by a great deal. These positive fundamentals are underpinned by some less than desirable elements, principally a growing lumber stockpile and European storm damaged forest recovery. On the lumber side, our agents in China are finding increasing stock piles with some suggesting the lumber inventory in volume terms now exceeds logs.
Domestic prices at the wholesale level are under downward pressure, dropping ¥20 per cubic metre in one week. This implies log prices should drop US$2-$3 per cubic metre to ensure continue trader margins but a low inventory and reasonable sales are keeping that wolf from the door for the moment. The harvest of European Union storm damaged forest is hitting some big numbers. Spruce logs are flooding in with no sign of any slowing. This, despite the fact these 60+ year old, high quality logs are selling 10%+ below Radiata currently. Last month I reported a total 700,000 cubic metres of Spruce logs were being delivered to China monthly in Q1 and Q2. This broke all previous records by some margin in October, increasing to 1 million cubic metres and now having a major impact on the softwood log sector. This supply level is expected to remain for 12 months at least. Let’s hope the beetle gets them before the loggers. All things considered, for those considering harvest, we would suggest sooner than later with the likelihood the November levels are at or near the top of the current cycle. Our domestic sawmills are enjoying reasonable, albeit not record-breaking, lumber sales levels for this time of year but log prices and low profit margins are a major challenge. Many sawmills are short of logs,
FORESTRY SERVICES - CONSULTING - MANAGEMENT - MARKETING
Laurie Forestry Ltd
Harvesting & Marketing, Consultants & Managers
Specialists in: • Woodlot and Forest harvest - at any scale • Direct log sales in both domestic and export segments • Top quality H&S systems and management • Forest right or cutting right purchases • Planting and silviculture management • Top advice, top people, top service
See our website for information including Market www.laurieforestry.co.nz Reports and Log Price Tables www.laurieforestry.co.nz
REES COMPANY
EIR T THE PEOPLE AND TH
Office: Phone 03 359 5000 Email: admin@laurieforestry.co.nz Unit 3 337 Harewood Road Bishopdale Christchurch 22 Shearman Street Waimate Phone 03 689 8333 • Cell: 027 432 1420
largely a function of a much-reduced private sector harvest in Canterbury. Some mills have had to work short days lately and some are buying export equivalent logs in order to keep busy. Export lumber sales are not happy hunting grounds with the Asia market for fall down grades and cuttings well below cost levels. Like NZ log suppliers, sawmill owners are hoping there will be a slow- down in Europe and Russia supply so that prices can return to break even. The international wood fibre space has
some positive elements but short-term trading conditions could get challenging. The most positive news is the European log supply must inevitably run out and it will be 60+ years before they will be back to upset our, (NZ) playground again. 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”.
CANTERBURY FARMING
FORESTRY
December 2019
25
New measures to boost processing Forestry Minister Shane Jones says the Government will further strengthen New Zealand’s wood processing sector as part of its focus on ‘value over volume’ in the forestry industry.
❚ by Kent caddick Jones will recently met with forestry representatives in Northland to signal new measures to help the industry, including a log buyer registration scheme that would see more logs processed onshore and provide better job certainty in regional communities. “Our commercial forestry and wood processing sector faces significant challenges,” Shane Jones said. “It is a fragmented industry and there is significant value to be gained by increasing cooperation between those who own the land, own the trees, process them, and export them. “The focus has historically been on volume rather than adding value and high export prices have created strong incentives to export unprocessed logs. “The Government is also well aware of looming log supply constraints for domestic processors over the coming decades,” Jones said. Two research reports commissioned by Te Uru Rakau from Forme Consulting and Scion into log supply issues in Northland have also just been released. The reports note the region will see restricted supply worsen in the early 2020s, with shortages in Canterbury, Southland and the southern North Island emerging in the late 2020s. “The package of measures I have asked my officials to explore won’t fix things overnight but they will help provide surety of supply and assurance of the sustainability of New Zealand wood for markets,” Jones said. “The most significant initiative would be the introduction of a professional registration
New approach: The introduction of a professional registration scheme for log buyers as well as a standardised sales and purchase contract are some of the measures being proposed by Forestry minister Shane Jones.
scheme for log buyers as well as a standardised sales and purchase contract. “This would ensure small growers receive impartial and comprehensive advice from log buyers and provide for redress in the event of unprofessional behaviour. “I also propose to create a national definition of wood legality, which will support access for our forestry exports internationally. “The global illegal log trade is a substantial and an ongoing challenge, which is un-
dermining and threatening progress on sustainable development and climate change objectives. “We’re also going to increase the flow of transparent information for the sector such as publishing a harvest and sales information series and help small forest growers pool their resources to achieve economies of scale. “From my regular discussions with those in the industry, I know they understand the
need for this nationally-focused approach to provide certainty and longevity for the wider sector. “Cabinet has directed officials to pursue these measures and I intend to report back early next year.” Jones said the Government is committed to forestry as an industry that can play an important role in regional economic development, help Maori fulfil their aspirations for their land and deliver environmental benefits.
Forest Management LTD
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.
To find out more call us on 03 343 4101 or visit www.forestmanagement.co.nz
26
December 2019
CANTERBURY FARMING
Mischievous heifer star of new children’s picture book A picture story book aimed at the youngest generation of farmers is likely to make its way into Santa’s sack this Christmas.
❚ by Kent caddick Beautifully illustrated by photographs from the author Christine Taylor, “Where is 102?” is a delightful tale of a mischievous young heifer who gets into all sorts of trouble around the farm. Christine and her husband Graeme run a dairy grazing property in Ruapuna, Mid Canterbury. She says they are both fortunate enough to have always lived and worked on a farm. “As a child growing up there was always places to hide, explore and character building lessons to learn. “I enjoyed sharing that with our own children and now our eight grandchildren. I believe children don’t need expensive toys to have fun and that only boring people get bored. “I took all the photos on our farm and wrote the text, and we incorporated a couple of fun cartoon characters for the children to search for.” Christine says the satisfaction she has got from writing the book is to see the enjoyment, confidence, and empathy the children get from reading the story. The book has already been a hit with many children around the Mid Canterbury region with Kim Wall, Stepping Stones manager at Braebrook pre-school in Ashburton, saying “the crisp, clear photographs of familiar vehicles and scenes on the farm, and the mystery of where 102 might be, kept our children
Giveaway canterbury Farming has three copies of “Where is 102?” to giveaway just in time for christmas. To go into the draw to win one of these splendid books email your name and contact details, including your address to editor@canfarm.co.nz
Collaboration: Author christine Taylor with farm dog Jock, who makes a cameo appearance in “Where is 102?”. really interested. The children loved the story of cheeky number 102 and the mischief she gets up to in the story.” The first print run of “Where is 102?” sold out in just three weeks but a second print run will see the book back on the shelves of bookstores like Paper Plus in time for Christmas.
EASY, FAST, STRONG. RE DYFloor Allied’s READY Floor is a pre-engineered slab on grade solution. READY Floor uses one of the highest performing steel fibres available and as a result concrete slabs can be built quicker, thinner and more cost effectively. Unlike synthetic or plastic fibres, which can only be used to replace mesh for shrinkage control, READY Floor can significantly reduce the required slab thickness making it significantly more cost effective. You are also less likely to have an issue with fibres on the surface because
unlike synthetic or plastic fibres, steel fibres don’t float and tend to settle below the surface with the aggregate. The odd surface fibre can simply be clipped and removed. READY Floor doesn’t require an engineer or designer, as it’s already pre-engineered and Codemarked, which will save you time and money. Simply establish what loads will be on the slab and use the online calculator to work out how thick the slab needs to be and how much it’s going to save you.
You can also print a specification which can be given to council if a consent is required.
Perfect solution for around the farm including bases for irrigation arms. Steel fibre reinforced concrete has already been used in large chicken sheds, milking sheds, fertiliser storage sheds, effluent bunds and numerous other farm slab and foundations. Visit www.alliedconcrete.co.nz to find out more.
Consult your Allied Concrete representative for specialised information. 0800 4 ALLIED 0800 4 255 433 • www.alliedconcrete.co.nz •
/alliedconcrete
CANTERBURY FARMING
DAIRY
New DairyNZ associate directors announced Two dairy farmers will join DairyNZ’s Board of Directors as its new associate directors.
❚ Article supplied by DairyNZ
Matthew Herbert and Richard McIntyre have been selected to join the DairyNZ board, with each working alongside the directors for six board meetings. Herbert started in October, while McIntyre will join the board from July 2020. DairyNZ Chair Jim van der Poel says the associate directors have provided valuable contributions to the board since the roles were established six years ago. “These roles were developed as a way for our sector’s future leaders to experience first-hand how a board works and gain governance experience,” van der Poel says. “Both Matthew and Richard bring enthusiasm and drive for the sector, and individual strengths which the board will
value having around the table. Their experience will provide new thinking as the sector progresses.” Herbert is a Taranaki-based sharemilker with a 210-cow herd and has previous governance experience with his local Young Farmers club. “I am really excited to be appointed as an associate director with DairyNZ,” Herbert says. “The exposure to governance during a really challenging time for the sector will provide great insights and grow my understanding of the governance procedures of an organisation as significant as DairyNZ. “The perspective of young farmers is particularly important to have at the DairyNZ board table, as a lot of what is being discussed has impacts not only in
the short-term, but for the next decade and beyond.” Levin-based Richard McIntyre, with partner Emma, are sharemilkers who with a 450-cow herd. Among several sector roles, he has strong ties with Federated Farmers. “I feel honoured to be selected for this role. I am also very excited as this provides a great opportunity to gain experience through watching the board function and by contributing to the discussion,” McIntyre says. Nine other farmers have been associate directors with DairyNZ since the initiative was introduced in 2013. The associate director roles are non-voting and are for dairy farmers wanting to move beyond their farm and into sector leadership.
27
Not Just Dairy Lanes • Dairy Lane capping – time proven screened rotten rock • Driveways & yards • Roading metals – crushed – all grades • Free Quotes
KWIKSHIFT CONTRATORS LTD 03 318 4132
Electrical Problems or Maintenance?
nairn Electrical
Irrigation Farm Industrial Municipal
LEESTON Ph (03) 324 3752
New role: richard mcIntyre is one of two new associate directors appointed to the board of DairyNZ.
December 2019
Member
MASTER
ELECTRICIANS Electrical Contractors Association of NZ
RANGIORA Ph (03) 313 6104
Electrical installation, maintenance and a breakdown service second to none
EMERGENCY
DIAL 111 DONATE ONLINE
We need your help as much as you need ours Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust. PO Box 20262, Christchurch 8543
28
December 2019
CANTERBURY FARMING
DAIRY
❚ with Fred Hoekstra, VeeHof
Why the increase in lameness incidences around mating? A common thought is that at mating-time you have cows riding each other and putting more weight on the hooves of the cow being ridden which causes damage to the hooves – especially when the cow is standing on a stone at that point in time. Whilst that sounds plausible, let’s think it through – cows are not just riding each other at mating time. Cows start coming on heat soon after calving, so there is already riding activity going on well before mating and yet it doesn’t seem to cause lameness before mating time. Riding each other is normal, natural behaviour and therefore, it is reasonable to conclude that cow’s hooves are designed to withstand this pressure. So, let’s look at the bigger picture of what is going on then. Clearly something is different for the cows at mating time compared to the time beforehand. Could it be a difference in diet as supplements are reduced or removed due to improved grass growth around this time? Or, is it more heat stress? These are possibilities, but I think that it may have more to do with the unique stress
on the cows created by the AI process. Let us think about how different life is for a cow around mating time. Firstly, somebody is standing on a platform behind the cows at milking time to check tail paint. This is normal farming practise and very relaxed from a human point of view but, look at it from the cow’s perspective. Many cows put their heads up and keep an eye on the person standing there. Usually, when a cow sees a person, something is going to happen to them, so their fight/ flight response is activated, and they are on high alert. Next, you have around 5% of the herd drafted out back onto the yard. This is a big change in routine for those cows. Or, the cows may go into a different paddock before
the AI technician comes, but sometime in the morning the cows are taken out of the paddock and they know something is going to happen to them again. The next day someone is standing on that platform again. The cows don’t know why and go back on high alert. You know the feeling when you drive along on the road and suddenly you have a police car driving behind you? You check your speed; you try to remember if you are up to date with WOF and rego – even if you know you have done nothing wrong you do have this uneasy feeling (high alert) until the police turn off or stop on the side of the road. If you are tuned in well enough with the cows you can tell that they are not totally at ease with the changes around mating time. One more issue to bear in mind is that at mating time there are extra jobs that need to be done during milking and therefore, milking will take longer and, as a consequence, there is even less time for the cow to spend in the paddock, thus resting time is reduced. I would like to take this opportunity to
‘
If you are tuned in well enough with the cows you can tell that they are not totally at ease with the changes around mating time.
wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I am quite happy to talk to you about some of these issues. I am also keen to look at some of the data that comes from cow monitoring systems, so would love to hear from any farmers using one of these systems. Please feel free to contact me at info@veehof.co.nz
CANTERBURY FARMING
DAIRY
❚ with Peter burton
December 2019
29
What does ‘science-based’ actually mean?
Change is inevitable, and we are entering an era of unprecedented change with currently accepted farming practises under review and wide-spread reform already underway. Unfortunately, fundamental change doesn’t happen on a slow and steady basis, it’s nearly always abrupt resulting in major upheaval. The change from horse drawn transport to the motor car is a case in point. It was started by visionary and entrepreneurial people and initially met with fierce resistance from the masses. The livelihoods of those supplying horses, along with tradespeople making and servicing carts and carriages were seriously threatened. Ultimately it’s about people and we love our routines and accepted ways of doing things, as we should. Too much change leads to the breakdown of communities with families under intense pressure. To answer the question posed, it appears that those asking for science to lead the way are those who have benefitted most from the structures that have operated over the last 30 years, and therefore most threatened by structural change. Broadly, science is knowledge and everything we regard as fact will change. As we observe and measure, our knowledge changes, and science follows. In agriculture, change has always been driven by observation in the field and with accurate long- term measures changes in farming practises have evolved. Bill Gallagher was an engineer who, in the
‘
No-one argues the accuracy of the data, it’s just a matter of it being outside the norm and therefore as yet not universally accepted.
1950s, saw the advantage in using electricity to control animals and developed the first electric fence units, and along with standards and flexible wire pasture management was revolutionised. We are adaptable and when the requirement for change is accepted most knuckle down and get on with the process that best suits the result desired. To appreciate the soil fertility changes demanded by future standards it’s essential to know a little of the history of current practise. Phosphate was first extensively used after the Second World War. A plentiful supply of
BUYERS OF DOWN, INJURED OR UNWANTED STOCK CK
1668921
W pride ourselves on a fast, We ast, professional and tidy service vice • No mess • No fuss Nothin left behind • Nothing
021 548 320
166 Bradleys Road, Ohoka Kaiapoi
high-grade low-cost phosphate was available from Nauru and Christmas Island and New Zealand soils required extra phosphorus for strong clover growth. Results were outstanding with pasture production of 17,000kgDM/ha achieved and a ‘more rather than less’ mentality developed. In the 1980s the culture of excess phosphate seen as ‘money in the bank’ persisted. Potassium provided further increases and banks readily provided money for capital fertiliser. Pasture responses to extra P & K steadily declined and when the ammonia urea plant in Taranaki opened in 1987, urea became the next big thing. What started as a little to fill unexpected feed gaps and boost winter growth steadily grew to regular inputs throughout the growing season with more than 200kg/ha often applied annually to many dairy farms. It’s interesting that total pasture production has not increased, instead pasture production is now between 14,000-15,000kgDM/ha in many regions, a 15% reduc-
tion in the last 50 years. There are however properties where grazed permanent pasture is regularly exceeding 18,000kgDM/ha per year. These properties are not dependent on fertiliser nitrogen and input seldom exceeds 30kgN/ha in a twelve-month period. Measuring of pasture growth has taken place monthly using the same methods traditionally used by MAF and therefore relatable to earlier measures. With over 15 years of continuous monitoring, and verified by farm production data, no-one argues the accuracy of the data, it’s just a matter of it being outside the norm and therefore as yet not universally accepted. Aside from the extra growth there are the benefits of lower cost, higher production, and less N loss that will be detailed in next month’s article. For more information contact Peter on 0800 843 809.
SCORCH COMMUNICATIONS
GET CONNECTED WITH
Scorch Broadband Terrestrial Wireless
ADSL
RBI
Fibre
VoIP
0800 726 724 www.scorch.co.nz
30
December 2019
CANTERBURY FARMING
WATER & IRRIGATION
Put your herd’s effluent to work With the end of 2019 just out of reach and the warmer months well on their way it’s important to keep on top of both irrigation and effluent disposal systems, for those who have them.
Use an accredited company to design or upgrade your effluent system for best practice.
elizabeth Soal ❚ by Irrigation NZ ❚ Effluent disposal is an important part of farming. Effluent disposal systems can range from treatment ponds to land-based treatment systems, where the effluent is pumped from sumps or holding ponds. It is important to consider how well utilised your effluent disposal system is, both to enhance grass growth but to also make sure it’s not detrimental to the environment. With all the considerations farmers have to pay attention to in their day-today operations and how they impact the environment it’s important to consider if your effluent system it is also suitable for your particular farming operation. Your effluent system and procedures also fall under the farm environment plan (FEP) umbrella so that’s another reason why it’s important to show its being used with good management. If you’re considering designing or upgrading your effluent system you should consider using an accredited design company to ensure you are meeting the targets I talked about above.
The Farm Dairy Effluent System (FDES) Design Accreditation programme provides dairy farmers with an assurance of a fit-forpurpose effluent management system for their farm. Upgrading effluent systems represents a significant investment, so getting an accredited designer ensures that investment will be worthwhile, and will contribute to the sector moving towards more sustainable dairy farming operations. A fit for purpose effluent system design supports the six main objectives of the FDE Design Standards and the Code of Practice; to capture all farm dairy effluent; to spread the farm dairy effluent at a time that allows uptake by plants, to uniformly spread the farm dairy effluent to the desired depth, and at the desired intensity; to control farm dairy
effluent application to within the boundaries of the application area; to ensure that farm dairy effluent systems can be operated safely; and to comply with all regulatory requirements, including consent conditions. The accreditation of design organisations is based on demonstration of systems and processes that provide assurance of good design practice resulting in fit-for-purpose effluent systems. Accreditation is held by the organisations, not individuals within organisations, as the organisation is accountable for the service being provided. Accredited organisations are subject to a complaints process that can be initiated by both clients and regulators. Accredited organisations have had their design skills and workplace systems assessed by an independent panel and have
met the accreditation standard. They have also signed an agreement stating all their designs, from the date of accreditation, will be consistent with the Farm Dairy Effluent Design Code of Practice and Standards. Accredited companies have been assessed for their competency and skills companies hold accredited status for a two year period. After two years, a renewal application is submitted and an audit of the company’s’ activities is conducted and, if successful, accreditation status is granted for a further two years. This process allows for continuous improvements as earning and maintaining accreditation keeps a business aware of, and engaged in, current best practices. From the team at INZ I would like to wish you a safe and happy Christmas and New Year, and may your summer season of farming be a successful one. more information about the Farm Dairy effluent System (FDeS) Design Accreditation programme or to find a list of the accredited companies visit the FDeS Design Accreditation website www.effluentaccreditation.co.nz or the DairyNZ, IrrigationNZ and NZmPTA websites.
WATER & IRRIGATION
CANTERBURY FARMING
December 2019
31
Irrigation season finally underway After a cold and damp start, the 2019-20 irrigation season has finally begun.
Andrew curtis ❚ by Water ❚ Strategies In the last column we predicted it would be early November before irrigation needed to start-up. This prediction turned out to be on the money. It was informed through running a water budget using Winchmore and Lincoln climate data, two-day and ten-day weather forecasts, and based on a typical Canterbury soil with 80 mm of Profile Available Water. For irrigation systems such as pivots, using the Lincoln data irrigation should have started on October 31 and using Winchmore data four days later. For irrigators, this shows the value of keeping an eye on the ten-day weather forecast alongside the detailed predictions for the next 48 hours. It also demonstrates that running a simple water budget and applying a weather forecast to these is a robust and cost-effective way of knowing when to start and stop irrigating for many irrigators. You don’t need to spend thousands of dollars on soil moisture sensors if you’re prepared to take an hour or two a couple of times a week and collate the following information in a spreadsheet: site specific daily rainfall data; Irrigation application depths; and Daily PET data from your local climate station. Looking forward, despite the mini heatwave in early November (which was the first time I’ve spent an afternoon in the sea without a wetsuit on during November – the upside of climate change) irrigation should have stopped on the November 11 due to the rainfall. Based upon the subsequent rainfall, current 48-hour and 10-day forecasts and not-
ing ET levels typically average between 3.5 and 4.0mm/day during mid to late November, irrigation will need to start again in late November. For this season if you’ve applied more than 60mm of irrigation before the end of November you need to be asking yourself questions around whether you need help getting your irrigation right. For those of you that have applied between 30 and 40mm you’re spot on and the Farm Environment Plan auditor should be giving you top marks for your excellent irrigation scheduling practice! I thought it would be useful to share an observation from the Water Strategies Irrigation WOF scheduling assessments we’ve undertaken this spring. Through these we’ve looked at a range of different soil moisture traces and we’re concerned with the service some companies are providing. Many have no field capacity or irrigation trigger points set and where set some are incorrect – generic settings have been applied. We’ve also noted certain interfaces that provide multiple traces at multiple depths have little or no explanation around how to read them. The above can make life very frustrating and confusing for the end-user. For soil moisture sensors to be useful both field capacity and irrigation trigger points must be set. It’s also prudent to calibrate the sensors from time to time as sensor traces, when the current season is compared to the previous, often show a declining trend in their readings overtime. The other point of note that we continue to find, particularly on older irrigation equipment, is the application depth on the con-
Introducing the Irrigation WOF Guaranteed to meet all your Farm Plan requirements
We assess…
Irrigator performance Scheduling effectiveness Energy efficiency Cost of irrigation … and recommend actions to improve profitability and ensure compliance.
Call now to book your Irrigation WOF
Paul Reese Charlotte Butler Brendon Jolly Andrew Curtis Laura Bunning
027 731 4433 027 357 3140 027 222 6146 027 496 6314 027 298 6860
www.waterstrategies.co.nz
troller is frequently different from the actual application depth. Flow rates and machine speed need testing to check this annually. If you would like an assessment of your scheduling practice, including suggestions around how your irrigation practice could be improved, or you’ve issues with your irrigation equipment call us today to book in your Water Strategies Irrigation WOF.
‘
If you’ve applied more than 60mm you need to ask yourself questions...
32
December 2019
CANTERBURY FARMING
❚ with Dr Tony Davoren
WATER & IRRIGATION
Is it a case of Déjà vu? October and November feel like they were in 2018... little irrigation has been required, temperatures (air and soil) have fluctuated and now we’ve had devastating hail. The hail is definitely not déjà vu.
As I write this, I’m looking out at what will be another glorious day for test cricket at Mt Maunganui (yep following my passion again). Hawkes Bay and now Bay of Plenty, while experiencing their share of the ‘wet’ haven’t had to experience the hailstorms of the last week. But the rainfalls have resulted in the same lack of irrigation demand – in Hawkes Bay very little irrigation has been required and it seems every time they get started it rains again. But back to Canterbury, has it been too different to 2018? Last month it did comment on the comparison of soil moisture and temperature between 2018 and 2019. The rainfall comparison for the months of October and November in 2018 and 2019 are not too dissimilar; • October 2018 rainfall was 56.7mm and in 2019 just 0.1mm different (56.6mm)
• Thus far in November (to 21st) there has been 41.8mm compared to 76.4mm in 2018. While we still have 9 days to go in November this year, we were some way from the 2018 total. Also remember in this part of Canterbury November 2018 was right up there - the 18th wettest since 1872 and a long way from the record held by 1952 when there was 137mm. Unfortunately, in the last week November 2019 has brought with it two very bad hailstorms – this didn’t happen in 2018. Why the similarity and difference? Is it El Niño or the cooler positive SOI phase La Niña? Certainly, both Octobers were on the El Niño side of neutral, but in 2018 there was a switch to the La Niña phase – hasn’t happened this year. NIWA are forecasting for these neutral conditions to continue (70% chance) over the next three months “although the atmosphere may have an El Niñolike response at times”. With these drivers predicted NIWA are forecasting (for November through January) • Air pressure to produce a
westerly quarter air flow anomaly; • Rainfall to be near normal (40% chance) or above normal (35% chance), with possible heavy rainfall events are possible in the (west) South Island; • Temperatures to be near average (35% chance) or above average (40% chance). Does this mean a continuation of what we
have been getting and maybe pushing rainfall closer to November 2018 total? A continuation of 2018 conditions until Christmas is not what we want. As this is the Christmas edition, I don’t wish a continuation and a switch to the very hot conditions of January and early February experienced in 2019. Here’s hoping we get a more settled period of weather through Christmas.
BEST POND AND WATER COURSE SOLUTIONS Effluent Pond Liners Pond Liners Tank Liners - Effluent and Water Canals and Water Course Decorative Pond Liners
liquid containment
PHONE DAVID ON 03 344 1593 WWW. LIQUIDCONTAINMENT.CO.NZ INFO@LIQUIDCONTAINMENT.CO.NZ128mm
Canterbury Farming Option3 x 100mm
MCMILLAN
Drilling GROUP
Submersible Pump Installation & Removal Potable Water Testing Pump Testing Rural Water Supply Lifestyle Block Supply FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICE FROM AN EXPERIENCED TEAM
Ph - 027 222 1587 / Email - Malcolm@hydrill.co.nz
irrigation wells potable water supplies ground source heating geotechnical assessment
www.drilling.co.nz
Ph 03 324 2571, 120 High St, Southbridge, Canterbury
16HMDG1610047-OPTION3
FOR ALL YOUR WATER WELL DRILLING & WELL SERVICING REQUIREMENTS
16HMDG1610047-OPTION3
LIVESTOCK
CANTERBURY FARMING
December 2019
33
Wool under the hammer
rob cochrane ❚ by Procurement Manager, The most recent South Island wool auction, at time of writing, was held in conjunction with the NZ Agricultural ❚ Wool Show, in Christchurch, during NZ Cup and Show Week, where 8391 bales went under the auctioneers’ hammers. ❚ PGG Wrightson Wool The three broker catalogues in order of sale were: CP Wool (3732 bales), NZM (459 bales), and PGG Wrightson Wool (4200 bales), the total comprising of 20% Merino, 10% Halfbred/Corriedale, and 70% crossbred. With the majority of fine wools for the current season having already been sold previously, the 14th November auction was noted as the last fine wool sale, of any volume for the season, to be held in Christchurch. Crossbred wool types continued to meander along with no real highlights throughout the past few weeks, however there were some brighter patches in the hogget wool market during the past month. At Christchurch, a distinct interest in good length crossbred types in the 31 to 33micron range was evident with healthy competition driven by Chinese and European mills. Second-shear crossbreds struggled to hold on to their previous price levels, particularly the shorter types. Good colour, well prepared full-length fleece wool continued to fetch a premium over poorer styles. By the end of the auction, and when comparing prices to the previous auction, there was limited change for most crossbred categories, apart from a currency fluctuation influence. A small but very good selection of Halfbred and Corriedale wool types was also offered, again with extremely healthy competition from the full bench of buyers representing combing mills in China, India, and Europe. A few of the finer hogget types offered at the auction managed to receive prices not too far removed from those attracted by their merino cousins, and with around 1800 cents clean paid for 21micron fleece wool the market appeared in good shape. The main fine wool catalogue for the day was that of PGG Wrightson which contained 1150 bales of Merino wool with approximately 40% of those adult wools, 25% hogget wools, and 35% oddments. Buyers greeted all fine wool on offer throughout the day with gusto, and an Australian domiciled buyer who
Golden Bay Dolomite NZ’s most loved magnesium.
call 0800 436 566 or visit www.dolomite.co.nz
More returns for your wool.
On show: A selection of fleeces entered in the wool and fibre competition.
Carrfields Primary Wool (CP Wool) is a 50/50 joint venture between Carrfields and Primary Wool Co-operative (PWC), a 100% wool grower owned co-operative. • CP Wool has stores in key locations across NZ • CP Wool offers significant benefits and advantages to New Zealand wool producers
Overseas interest: the exporters bench awaiting the beginning of the auction at the Show.
Talk to your local CP Wool representative about maximising the returns on your wool clip.
Contact your Canterbury representative came across the ditch again, especially to source quality wool, in particular ensured competition remained fierce until the end of the auction. It was evident within the temporary auction room that all fine wool buyers were battling for supremacy and left no stone unturned. Merino wool growers who showed their support for the show week auction were not disappointed with most enjoying good market price increases compared to the previous auction held on October 24. A superb selection of fleeces were
entered in the wool section at the show, along with other important natural fibre fleeces representing mohair and alpaca. Unlike the past few years, the fleece competition and display was held inside a large tent. Judges and stewards once again made a good job of sorting out the winners and other place getters in each category and ensured that each entry was displayed in the best possible way. I trust all readers will enjoy a Happy Christmas and look forward to a Bright and Prosperous 2020.
Mark Greenlaw 027 227 8898 Roger Fuller 027 683 6993 Grant Andrew 027 481 6219
Gavin Crump 027 431 6555 Milton Hulme 027 229 9794 www.cpwool.co.nz
The Working Wool Buyer
NO commission! NO transport costs! NO guess work!
Ring Kevin and he will turn up with the truck and certified scales. From mainline to dags see if you can find any wool buyer who will go further or work harder for your wool.
Phone Kevin today and get the best out of your wool.
PH 0274 396 848 or 03 312 9059
34
December 2019 CANTERBURY FARMING
LIVESTOCK
Strong returns predicted
Rain during Show Week is always welcomed by the farming community as it sets us up with moisture heading into the busy time of the year.
Phil Smith ❚❚by Director ❚❚ Beef + Lamb New Zealand
Apart from temperatures being on the cool side, regular rainfall and strong product prices means the stars are aligning for sheep and beef farmers this season.
Undoubtedly, the spread of the pig disease African Swine Flu has helped lift sheep and beef prices as consumers in affected countries look to alternative sources of protein, but the main driver of these strong prices is China’s seemingly insatiable appetite for New Zealand’s red meat products. While plant-based diets have captured media attention, it is interesting to note that the consumption of fruit and vegetables in this country is actually declining year on year. I have noticed the vegetable section in our supermarket is getting smaller, which is
possibly reflecting this trend. Obviously, we should all be eating more fruit and vegetables – to complement our beef and lamb of course – but these statistics make me wonder how people will be able to eat a solely plant-based diet which is what some commentators are predicting. Looking across the Tasman to the drought and bush fires which reflect our changing climate, and it does highlight how difficult it would be to rely solely on plants to meet our nutritional needs. Livestock can be processed during drought whereas crops simply fail. My thoughts are certainly with those Australians affected by on-going drought and devastating bush fires. It was disappointing to hear Minister Shane Jones call farmers “red necks” at the recent 50 Shades of Green march in Wellington. Rather than placate farmers, his remarks will only infuriate farmers even more about proposed government policy. It is really alarming that it has been made easier for overseas buyers to buy farm land in NZ if they want to convert it to forestry, yet tougher regulations remain for those wanting to purchase land with the intention of farming livestock. Fundamentally, we have a growing global population that needs feeding and people cannot eat trees. From a climate change point of view, I feel uncomfortable that international corporations can off-set their emissions by planting trees on formerly productive farmland rather than reduce their carbon emissions.It is a short-term and short-sighted answer to a long-term problem. It was really pleasing to see the huge
‘
Fundamentally, we have a growing global population that needs feeding and people cannot eat trees. Phil Smith
Director Beef + Lamb New Zealand
number of submissions made to the Ministry for the Environment on the government’s Essential Freshwater policy proposal. I just hope common sense prevails and farmers’ concerns are listened to. It is frustrating because we all want the same outcome; all New Zealanders want clean, fresh water and a healthy environment. We just need to set realistic and achievable targets, have the right frameworks in place and ensure we can run economically sound businesses that enable investment in environmental enhancement. With a few small but significant changes to what is being proposed, we can achieve this. Wishing you all a very happy and healthy Christmas and prosperous 2020.
LIVESTOCK
CANTERBURY FARMING December 2019
35
Reducing emissions won’t be easy A deer farm case study has shown that only small reductions in greenhouse gas emissions can be achieved by making management changes, short of reducing the number of livestock on the farm.
❚❚by Trevor Walton Farms with land that’s suitable for other uses, such as forestry or cash cropping, are likely to have the greatest ability to reduce their emissions when farming is included in the Emissions Trading Scheme. The study by AgFirst environmental agribusiness consultant Alesha Cooper was of four farms selected to represent typical deer farms, two on North Island hill country, one on South Island high country and one on South Island flat to rolling country. Two of the farms were breeder/finishers, one was velvet-focussed and the other was venison finisher. Carbon emissions were estimated using Overseer FM. All four farms were running deer, cattle and sheep, with ratios ranging from 22% to 79% deer. In all cases, sheep had lower carbon emissions per stock unit than deer or cattle, which had similar emission levels. The effectiveness of mitigation options depends on the farm. Options might include: • Increase per animal performance and lower stocking rate (opportunity to
maintain or improve profitability while reducing dry matter intake and therefore methane emissions). • Reduce the rate at which breeding females are replaced (opportunity to maintain performance while reducing feed demand). • Improve breeding performance (increase lambing & fawning percentages). • Optimise N fertiliser use (reduce nitrous oxide emissions). • Reduce N intake by using low N feeds such as grains and fodder beet. However these feeds need to be a major part of the diet to have much effect. • Increase the ratio of lower-emitting stock classes, for example by going from 40% sheep to 60% sheep. • Reduce the number of breeding animals, for example by replacing breeding cows with finishing bulls (this increases feed efficiency, by channelling more feed to production rather than herd maintenance). These and other options were assessed
on the sample farms. But even if several mitigations were adopted the net benefit was unlikely to add up to more than 5%. The most significant single reduction modelled was 5.7%, achieved by increasing the lambing percentage on one of the farms by 20%, which would allow a reduction in ewe numbers. Much has been made about the inability, under the Zero Carbon Act, for farmers to offset methane emissions with carbon forests, including shelter belts. If this rule is changed and offsets are allowed in trees planted since 1989, the offsets earned by the four case study farms from existing plantings would range from nil to 46.5%. Cooper emphasises, however, that forestry is not a permanent solution for offsetting GHG emissions, as an additional area of trees needs to be planted after every harvest. “For example, if we assume 100 ha of radiata pine forestry is enough to offset emissions on a farm, after 28 years the forest would reach maturity and need to be harvested. At that time the initial 100 ha would
need to be replanted to offset the carbon removed at harvesting, plus an additional 100 ha would need to be planted to offset continuing emissions. At the second harvest, the 200 ha would need to be replanted, as well as an additional 100 ha; and so on,” she says. “If you are considering forestry for carbon sequestration or offsetting it is important to get good advice.” Cooper says a number of mitigation options may become available in the future, including methane and nitrification inhibitors. A methane inhibitor for deer would need to be delivered using a technology that did not require animals to be frequently handled, such as a slow-release bolus. Nitrification inhibitors have been shown to reduce nitrous oxide emissions, but they can’t be used on NZ farms because there is no internationally accepted tolerance for their use on feeds eaten by food animals. Methane emissions also vary from animal to animal, a difference that is thought to have a genetic basis, so selecting for lowemitters may one day be possible.
Small changes: Converting parts of a farm to forestry is one of the few ways deer farmers can significantly reduce emissions
SIS BALL COCK VALVE Price $99.50+GST Each
Benchmarked production and Johne’s disease info on your deer
Freight free anywhere in NZ • Buy 10 receive 12 and a service kit • 3 models available – all the one price • Nearly indestructible • Only NZ Manufacturer providing lifetime guarantee on the body of the ballcock Carcass weight (young deer)
Base your deer management decisions on the numbers. Contact DeerPRO for your report – 0800 456 453 or info@deerpro.org.nz
65 60 55 50 45 40 2014
2015
2016
2017
Season
2018
2019 DP1118
www.sisballcock.co.nz | 0800 175 720 Only available direct from manufacturer
70
36
December 2019 CANTERBURY FARMING
APS_CanterburyFarming_20191204.indd 1
22/11/19 11:31 AM
CANTERBURY FARMING
December 2019
37
New Ford Everest Sport 4WD to join award-winning line-up The Ford Everest Sport 4WD will join the line-up for 2020, the first new variant to the line-up since the award-winning nameplate’s introduction.
❚ Article supplied by FordNZ
The New Everest Sport 4WD expands Ford’s SUV offering in New Zealand with EcoSport, Escape, and Endura alongside Everest to offer more choice to customers. The Everest Sport is designed to set itself apart as an athletic SUV that not only boasts fully-capable off-road ability but also has the style to match. The new Everest Sport comes standard with Ford’s Bi-Turbo, 10-speed automatic new-generation powertrain, which has proved popular with customers looking for even greater refinement, comfort and enhanced fuel efficiency. With 157kW/500Nm, the BiTurbo Everest’s braked towing capacity is an impressive 3,100kg braked. The Everest Sport also has a water-wading figure of 800mm, with 227mm ground clearance, 29.5 approach and 25.0-degrees departure angles. Fuel economy figures for the Everest Sport are a combined 7.0L per 100km. Visually distinguishing features include a mesh front grille design finished in black, with ‘Everest’ lettering spread between new Bi-LED headlights. The new Bi-Led headlights are part of the upgraded High Performance Lighting System, which provides 17% greater lighting penetration to show the driver more of what’s ahead, and a 20 per cent greater penetration in high-beam mode, which the Sport’s standard automatic high-beam feature can deliver without driver input. Distinguished by a rectangular lamp design, the High Performance Lighting system will also be standard on the Everest Titanium. Everest Sport’s exterior visualisations also see the lower bumper sections, both front and rear, finished in black, while further up its rugged SUV body sees black exterior mirrors, black window surrounds and black roof rails. Cabin accoutrements include standard leather-appointed seating for all seven seats, with ‘Sport’ embroidery on the front row
Powerful: The new everest Sport comes standard with Ford’s bi-Turbo, 10-speed automatic new-generation powertrain. seating and unique blue-stitching throughout. The leather gear-selector, steering wheel and park-brake boot are all leather-wrapped and feature the same blue-stitch detail, while above the instrumentation, Everest Sport offers a soft-touch dash pad for an even greater premium sport blend.
New for Everest Sport, a windscreen mounted USB-port is standard and is designed to host dash-cameras. This is in addition to the multiple USB ports in the cabin, and two 12V power outlets, as standard on Everest Sport. The 8.0-inch full colour touchscreen dis-
play also doubles as a crystal clear reversing camera – hosts the in-built satellite-navigation, which includes a valuable ‘breadcrumbs’ feature. This enables an off-road route to be mapped, by dropping markers on the map – ‘breadcrumbs’ – to ensure you can find your way back to mapped roads.
Avon City Ford Cnr Main South Rd & Epsom Rd, Sockburn | 03 348 4129 | 0800 655 551 Rangiora Service Centre | 78 Ivory St | 03 313 7059 | avoncityford.com
AFFORDABLE LUXURY AWAITS.
GO FURTHER Go Further
38
December 2019
CANTERBURY FARMING
New-gen turbocharged Ford Focus ST The new-generation Ford Focus ST brings New Zealanders the most advanced, capable Focus ST to date with more power and technology.
❚ Article supplied by Ford NZ
Based on the new-generation Focus’ C2 platform, the Focus ST will be offered with an automatic transmission for the first time. In addition to expanded Selectable Drive Modes, there’s new technology including Continuously Controlled Damping (CCD), an electronic Limited Slip Differential (eLSD), and 2.3L turbocharged engine with 7-speed paddleshift. The Focus ST’s features both inside and out are designed to showcase its performance intent from any angle, building on the new-generation Focus’ core elements to deliver a Ford Performance optimised package. Immediately apparent, an aggressive stance is achieved with 19-inch machined alloy wheels, fitted with 235/35 Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres, as standard, with suspension that lowers ride height by 10mm over the standard Focus model. The Focus ST’s larger front and rear brake components are clearly visible, standing out with red brake calipers that clamp larger 330mm front and 302mm rear ventilated discs. A new electronic brake booster improves brake pedal feel, while braking
Powering up: The 2020 Focus ST will feature a new all-aluminium 2.3-litre, turbocharged powertrain with seven-speed paddleshift.
performance was verified using the same demanding test procedures as the Ford GT supercar, and saw almost four-times the fade resistance performance of the previous generation Focus ST in testing. The new all-aluminium 2.3-litre, turbocharged powertrain is the most potent ever offered in a Focus ST. Using advanced tur-
bocharging technology to deliver 206kW6of power at 5,500 rpm – an increase of 22kW over the outgoing Focus ST – and a significant jump in torque, from 360Nm previously to 420Nmv , it is also the most free-revving Focus ST engine yet. The new seven-speed paddleshift automatic will complement the rewarding, en-
WHEN YOU NEED IT CLEARSPAN MAKE IT ALPINE
CALL FOR A FREE INFO PACK 0800 428 453
gaging and sporty 2.3-litre engine’s driving experience. Adaptive Shift Scheduling assesses individual driving styles to optimise gearshift timings, and is enhanced to offer more flexibility and the ability to differentiate between road and track use. Drivers can also select gears manually using steering wheelmounted paddle-shifters. Engine response is enhanced using a lowinertia twin-scroll turbocharger, which scavenges exhaust gas energy more effectively using separated channels to minimise interference between gas pulses. An electronically actuated waste-gate allows closer control of boost pressures for optimised engine performance. In addition, a unique exhaust system that reduces back pressure, bespoke air intake system and optimised intercooler further improve breathing. The Focus ST’s chassis brings a unique fully-independent rear suspension configuration that helps optimise the vehicle’s responses to driver inputs without sacrificing comfort. The agile and energetic character of the standard Focus is retained using the original spring specifications, with damping stiffness increased up to 20 percent at the front and 13 percent at the rear, and ride height reduced by 10mm, to improve road-holding and response in per formance driving scenarios.
CANTERBURY FARMING
Enduring life’s challenges
I’m sitting in the Dunsandel store, rain heaving down on the wind outside as lightning flashes and thunder rumbles over the Rakaia.
❚ by Solis Norton It’s like the perfect storm we hear about in farming of climate change, regulation, debt burdens and all the rest of it. Sometimes it does my head in. The relief in realizing we’re actually in the middle of it all and doing fine is immense. My grandfather was a grumpy sod and not in a nice way. But he had redeeming features, one being a love of birds and aeroplanes, the other that he bound books. He bound Life International magazines in the 1940s and I have them now long after he’s gone. Full of articles on the modern world, two in particular from volume ten in 1948 grabbed my attention one silent and empty evening. The first was ‘Coming: a hungry 25 years’. It contrasted the views of Thomas Robert Malthus and John Boyd-Orr, the then first boss of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization. Both preoccupied in their time with the relationship between human population growth and food supply. John saw feeding the planet in the coming decades as a challenge and surmountable if several matters were attended. These were ‘to bring information about modern methods to spark men’s imaginations – deploying the necessary agri-technology around the world. There is specific mention of exchanging the wooden tools used by the Greeks for steel ones. Together with fertiliser and hybrid seed this would go a long way to feeding everyone. But there was more. Success would only come with careful conservation of the soil, not evident at the time, and in the feeding of
more grain to humans and less to animals. I shook my head. The one notable difference from today was John’s ambition to convert the world’s farmers from growing a wide diversity of foods to specializing far more heavily in the foods could be produced well in their particular corner of the planet. The second article, an editorial ‘The educated man’ lamented what it takes to ‘cultivate large-mindedness and the power of generalized thinking’ in the 250,000 new US graduates of 1948 who specialized so soon in everything from liberal arts to (and I quote) horse-doctoring. He was, like us, distraught at the paucity of common sense in the highly educated. There are fabulous lines. ‘Our educated ancestor knew Greek, Latin and mathematics and was no cynic but had acquaintance with the virtues of courage, justice, magnanimity, charity, and truth’. His type used the power of generalized thinking gained from their studies and ‘fought King George III over a moral issue and later wrote the Constitution’. Sounds good to me. But perhaps more importantly, ‘one key function of the educated man should be to put icepacks on the fever of contemporary life’ – so said the Dean of Yale College at the time William C deVane. So we’re all still trying to get those icepacks in place. It’s reassuring to see. Today just as in May 1948. Everything still travelling through the same cycles. I chuckled loud enough to raise the dog’s bleary eye from her basket and wandered off to bed a little happier.
Reduce the risk of electrocution and electrical fires on the farm. Contact Orion to arrange free onsite advice. Use industry safe working practices: The New Zealand Code of Practice for Electrical safe Distances (NZECP 34:2001). Visit our Orion website oriongroup.co.nz or call us on 03 363 9898 or 0800 363 9898 for free advice.
39
❚ with rob cope-Williams
Solitaire I am sure that Kent, our Editor, must shudder when my columns arrive on his screen, and that heading will have proved me right. However, there is a story behind the heading. Wondering what to write for this month I turned to the frustration of Solitaire on my computer. Yes, it is mind numbing and yes, it is a total waste of brain power, but turn to it I did. After four “games” the frustration levels were rising faster than the media’s reactions to the All Blacks not winning the World Cup, until, just by chance I noted that if I were to move an already placed card back into a cue, I was able to beat the jolly computer. Well, at least win one game out of the five. So, and sorry Kent, but here is my point: what seemed a losing situation, with a little bit of imagination, and a long shot that just may have worked, I discovered a way to better the odds in my favour. No, you can’t say I was cheating because the computer won’t allow that sort of behaviour. Now look at your own situation and the odds that are against you. Debt, returns, and simply trying to make ends meet, all things that frustrate the daylights out of most people, and rightly so, but look at them one by one and think of the Solitaire game.
Work safely: Watch 4 wires Always keep equipment at least 4 metres away from power lines.
December 2019
4m +
Your progress is blocked, and the cards keep falling in a manner that doesn’t let you progress; juggle the cards you have in your hand and change tack. Your bank and your accountants are there to help you juggle them and in fact they seem to have special glasses that can see the nomination of the cards that are face down. Regular updates with both advisers will help immensely enabling you to sleep at night, there is an old saying that when you are in business, ensure your Banker loses sleep over your account rather than you, I understand that works well. You can’t be expected to know the ins and outs that your advisers know, and nor are you expected to know where to find them; your job is to run your business. There are people I know who tell me that an Accountant is a waste of money and that they do their own Tax Returns. I smile and nod and ask how large their tax refund is normally. I then, with a grin, not a smile, a grin, ask if they claimed for a proportion of their power, phone, housing etc and then I suggest that they are helping the Government to pay for all those on social welfare and off they go to an accountant. Interesting isn’t it, and all because I hadn’t learnt how to play Solitaire properly.
40
December 2019 CANTERBURY FARMING
CUT OUT TO DO THE JOB. MF TL-V VERTICAL-FOLD MOWERS The new MF TL-V vertical-fold disc mowers deliver the performance and efficiency you’d expect from Massey Ferguson. The vertical fold reduces the overall transport length and helps improve the weight distribution leading to increased safety and convenience. Produce high quality hay fast, conveniently and safer with the Massey Ferguson TL-V vertical fold mower. • 2.55 m to 3.60 m vertical folding • Optional tyne and roller conditioners • New cutterbar
• Hydro pneumatic suspension • SafetySwing collision protection system
CONTACT YOUR LOCAL MASSEY FERGUSON DEALER TODAY
MASSEYFERGUSON.CO.NZ
A world of experience. Working with you.