Canterbury Farming, February 2020

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

February 2020 Edition

INSIDE

THIS EDITION CNG spreading

p3 Field days

p16 Ag spraying

p25 Plastic fence posts

Growing knowledge: Dunsandel dairy farmers Tony Coltman and Dana Carver, who were part of the FrNL project, say they have achieved a significant reduction in their nitrogen losses.

Canterbury farmers winning at nitrate loss reductions A collaborative six-year programme researching how to reduce nitrate leaching on farm has won a Significant Achievement Award.

❚ by Kent Caddick p47

Forages for Reduced Nitrate Leaching (FRNL) is a DairyNZ-led collaborative research programme across the primary sector delivering science for better farming and environmental outcomes.

The programme, which involved a number of Canterbury Farmers, recently received the Significant Achievement Award from the

Canterbury Section of the New Zealand Institute of Agricultural and Horticultural Science.

The award is sponsored by PGG Wrightson Seeds.

Dair yNZ senior scientist Dr Ina Pinxterhuis said over 100 people and 10 commercial farms have been involved in the science, development and farm application of the FRNL programme, which identifies pasture and crop options farmers can use

to reduce nitrate leaching.

“We’re all extremely pleased to receive this award, and we are even more delighted to see that many farmers have been following the programme and have already adopted some of the lower nitrogen pastures, crops and practices into their farm systems to improve their environmental management.”

TO PAGE 2

2

February 2020

CANTERBURY FARMING

FARMING NEWS

FRNL programme participants benefit from joint learning FROM PAGE 1

“The options the farms used included planting low-protein feed crops such as fodder beet, and pasture species like plantain and Italian ryegrass which result in less or diluted nitrogen excretion by animals and more nitrogen uptake from the soil,” Pinxterhuis said.

“The farms also planted catch crops like oats after a main crop to use up residual soil nitrogen through plant growth and reduce nitrogen leaching. “ The participating farmers also noted benefits from the joint learning in the programme.

Dairy farmers Tony Coltman and Dana Carver made a number of changes including introducing fodder beet, reducing fertiliser use and using plantain on their Dunsandel farm.

They were able to reduce the farm’s nitrogen losses by 36 percent over the life of the project, while cow numbers increased by five percent.

Coltman said he joined the project because he wanted to help finding a solution to reduce nitrogen losses.

Christchurch Office 03 377 2721 “The results are giving us the confidence to start cutting back on nitrogen and ¡ Rural & Urban Subdivisions changing the way we do ¡ Mapping/Survey Graphics things.” ¡ Cross Lease/Unit Surveys Mayfield dairy farmers ¡ Resource Consents Grant and Jan Early were al¡ Topo/Site Surveys so part of the project. ¡ GPS Positioning “We now understand the ¡ Land Status Research surpluses that come from nitrogen fertiliser and nitrogen www.resonant.co.nz in supplements, and how we

The programme drew on a cross-organisation team from DairyNZ, the Foundation for Arable Research, Lincoln University, AgResearch, Plant and Food Research, and Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research.

“We started in 2013 when farmers and the community were looking for better tools and farming practices that could help reduce nitrates in their systems and ultimately reduce any impacts on freshwater and groundwater,” Pinxterhuis said.

As part of the programme farmers trialled a range of options to reduce their nitrogen leaching by 20 percent.

Most of the farms, nine of which were based in Canterbury,– achieved their targets, with some farms also managing to achieve even greater reductions in nitrogen losses.

Surveyors - Planners

Well researched: Dr David Chapman (DairyNZ), Dr robyn Dynes (agresearch), Professor Grant edwards (Lincoln university) and Dr Mike beare (Plant and Food research) receive the award for the FrNL project at the New Zealand Institute of agricultural and Horticultural Science awards. can change those to make a difference,” Grant said.

The scientific output from the programme team has been high with 85 journal papers and 37 conference papers published on programme projects.

On the ground, the results were shared

with farmers, and options trialled through FRNL are now being applied by farmers in Selwyn and Hinds (Canterbury), Tararua (Manawatu-Whanganui) and Aparima (Southland) where DairyNZ is leading projects to support farmers to reduce their nitrogen losses.

FARMING NEWS

CANTERBURY FARMING

February 2020

3

Chilean needle grass spread leads to fresh concerns Canterbury’s susceptibility to the Chilean needle grass should not be underestimated according to Environment Canterbury.

❚ by Kent Caddick The warning from Environment Canterbury (ECan) comes following the news of an increase in the number of infected properties in neighbouring Marlborough.

Chilean needle grass (CNG) is an invasive pasture pest which reduces crop yields, causes animal welfare issues and results in restrictions on infested farms, such as not being able to make and distribute hay outside of their own property.

ECan’s principal advisor for biosecurity, Laurence Smith, said Marlborough is now managing an unprecedented number of properties confirmed to have CNG. “The primary mode of spread for this pest plant is the movement of people, machinery, stock and feed, and the community is being asked to remain vigilant when moving between properties and between regions.”

Canterbury currently has 23 confirmed CNG sites, covering approximately 330ha.

“This represents only a fraction of the potential range for this pest, with over half of Canterbur y having optimal conditions for

the establishment of CNG.” Smith said three new sites were identified last season.

“Early identification remains the best way to reduce the potential impacts associated with this damaging pest, and we are asking all Cantabrians to keep an eye out.

“Late spring and summer are the best times of year to identify CNG when out in the field.”

Key features of CNG include the following: • Erect tussock grass which grows up to 1m tall • Leaves up to 5mm wide with rough edges, ribbed on the upper surface • Distinctive, purple drooping flower heads that change to pale brown when mature • Each seed is up to 10mm long with a hard, sharply-pointed head and a long, hair-like awn which is about 70mm long If anyone suspects they have found Chilean needle grass they should contact environment Canterbury immediately on 0800 324 636.

Wanted: Chilean needle tussock grass grows up to one metre tall.

4

February 2020

CANTERBURY FARMING

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

FARMING NEWS

Challenges and opportunities for 2020

I hope you found some time to relax over the holidays with friends and family. For me it was getting on the bike and travelling around the South Island. It’s a big little country and I love it.

Our farming cousins across the ditch have been going through an extremely challenging and distressing time as devastating fires affect the country. I know that our agricultural sector and all New Zealanders care deeply and are concerned for their wellbeing.

The Government is offering Australia our full support and we are continuing to stay connected to federal authorities in Australia.

We are using an existing trans-Tasman forum for discussions on the agricultural impact of the fires and the future recovery phase. We have offered assistance if needed in the future, and will remain in contact should any support be required.

Back home, 2019 was a challenging year and there are plenty of challenges ahead in the coming year. But there are also plenty of opportunities.

The Government is helping our primary sectors get more value for what they produce. We’re currently seeing record export returns and sustained high growth in primary industry exports looks set to continue over the next two years with strong prices predicted for farmers, fishers, growers and rural communities.

RANGER

Now is the time to figure out how we unite around a common goal and move forward together. It’s vital that we have a shared vision. It will help us answer the question of why we’re doing what we’re doing and who we’re doing it for.

The Primary Sector Council’s recently released vision for the future of the agriculture, food and fibres sector captures the spirit of the challenges we face, and how we will go about facing them. It is a vision to unite the primary sector which is based around the Maori concept of Taiao – putting the health of the climate, land, water and living systems first. It envisions New Zealand as a worldleader in modern regenerative production systems that are Fit for a Better World.

This year will see our unique flora and fauna, and vital primary sectors, better protected from pests and diseases as we overhaul the 27 year old Biosecurity Act and strengthen systems.

Dairy industry legislation will be passed to help our biggest exporter get on the best foot possible for the future.

Our regional businesses will be given certainty to invest and innovate in the growing

organics sector, with a bill to create a national standard for production to be introduced in the next few months and the roll-out of extension services across our rural communities will be ramped up as we work with farmers to improve waterways and take climate change action.

Finally, thank you to those people and farmers helping to eradicate the cattle disease Mycoplasma bovis in an effort to protect our national herd, economic bases and regional communities. Our eradication work will continue this year and the indicators for eradication are good.

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CANTERBURY FARMING

FARMING NEWS

February 2020

5

New rules for some surgical procedures on animals The Ministry for Primary Industries says farmers should be aware of the new regulations when it comes to surgical procedures on their animals.

❚ by Kent Caddick New rules on who can carry out some surgical procedures on animals and how they must be done are expected to be in place from May 2020.

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) says the new regulations under the Animal Welfare Act 1999 cover a wide variety of surgical procedures carried out on a wide range of animals by veterinarians and others – from specialist procedures to routine ones such as disbudding, dehorning and lamb tail docking.

The Animal Welfare Act 1999 says that ‘significant surgical procedures’ may be carried out only by a veterinarian or their supervised student – unless regulations say otherwise.

From May 2020, new criteria will be coming into force in the Act to make the definition of a ‘significant surgical procedure’ clearer.

These criteria would potentially mean only veterinarians could carry out some procedures – for example, docking the tails of lambs.

MPI Director of Animal Health and Welfare, Dr Chris Rodwell, a veterinarian, says

Changes: New regulations on surgical procedures to animals could mean only veterinarians can carry out some procedures such as docking the tails of lambs.

Photo: paulgreen.co.nz

the new rules will mostly allow competent people to continue doing routine procedures on animals while some will raise the standard.

“Procedures on animals must be carried out by the right people with the right skills and care, to ensure the wellbeing of animals,” Rodwell says.

“People who own animals or are in charge of them – including people who work with an-

imals – should check now to see if they need to change what they do or the way they do it.”

The new rules require that where a person who is not a veterinarian is allowed to carry out a surgical procedure on an animal, they must be ‘competent’.

To be ‘competent’, a person should be experienced with, or have received training in the correct use of the method for the procedure, and have the appropriate skill

and equipment to carr y it out.

“The person carrying out a procedure must make sure they are competent to do so. The owner or the person in charge of the animal also has a responsibility to make sure that the person carrying out the procedure is competent,” Rodwell says.

For some surgical procedures, the new rules require the use of pain relief. It is up to a veterinarian to authorise what type and to decide whether to allow a competent person who is not a veterinarian to administer it, or to administer it themselves.

The new rules cover a wide range of animals and surgical procedures as well as other things including the use of electric prodders.

There are new offences and penalties for some breaches of the new rules – including some that may result in a criminal conviction, and a fine of up to $5,000 for an individual or $25,000 for a body corporate.

These penalties target minor to moderate offending while more serious offending can be dealt with under the existing offences in the Animal Welfare Act 1999.

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February 2020

CANTERBURY FARMING

FARMING NEWS

Time for mature conversation on water

New Zealanders have a natural affinity with our water, whether that be swimming at the beach in the beautiful Bay of Plenty, kayaking on a West Coast river, or pulling in a snapper on the Hauraki Gulf to take home for dinner.

‘

It’s bloody tough driving for constant improvement when all you hear is how

❚ by Todd Muller

There is no argument that kiwis want clean and healthy waterways where we can swim, surf and fish. Nobody wants to see plastic in our oceans, polluted rivers or septic beaches that are unable to be used – yet these issues continue to prevail and in some cases are getting worse.

The challenge is that while we all agree on the ultimate goal of improving water quality, there is disagreement on what needs to be done to achieve it, the pace and scale of change required, and whether we are open to storing more of it to assist.

The simple truth is that while everyone says they want clean water, many envisage it as being ‘someone else’ that needs to change their behaviour or spend the money to achieve the goal.

Our country’s reality is that we all need to play a role in the solution. We desperately need to shift the national dialogue away from one of blame and scapegoating to something more conducive to addressing the complex challenges we are facing.

First up, let’s celebrate the good work farmers are doing. There is an ongoing lament that our rural communities are largely to blame for the degradation of our waterways and if only they would do something about it, the issue would be sorted. The Gov-

bad farming is on the environment. ernment’s Essential Freshwater package was almost entirely framed as a rural issue as well.

This is a simplistic interpretation of the state of our waterways and doesn’t give credit to the huge amount of work that has been occurring on-farm over the last decade.

I accept historical farming practices caused significant degradation of our rural waterways, and farmers were not fully aware of the damage their practices were causing. Indeed only a generation ago, putting a dairy shed close to the creek was seen as sensible, and the resulting effluent run off helped grow good sized eels that the local kids would haul out of the stream.

As farmers became more aware of their collective impact, they took steps to reduce it with significant investments in upgrading effluent systems, riparian planting and fencing off waterways. There is still more to be done but they have had huge success – we cannot expect farmers to undo the unwitting damage of successive generations in one. Moreover, it is bloody tough driving for constant

improvement when all you hear is how bad farming is on the environment.

Can urban New Zealand say they have wholeheartedly embraced change in the same way?

Every year around two billion litres of sewage-inflicted water ends up in Auckland’s Waitemate Harbour. That’s just under 5.5 million litres every day – or 63 litres every single second.

These issues haven’t arisen over night.

They’ve been coming through the pipeline – for lack of a better term – for decades. Our country’s population has grown well ahead of our antiquated infrastructure which is now groaning under the pressures of population

growth and urban sprawl. Councils know they need to spend money to improve it, but increasingly come under pressure from ratepayers to put off upgrades and repairs to keep rates low.

The coming decades of water infrastructure investment will be hugely expensive and the cost will be borne by all of us – rich or poor, urban or rural. Relatively cheap wins on farm are now hard to come by and our failing urban storm and wastewater systems will need urgent repairs and upgrades that come will a price tag in the billions. Overlay impacts of climate change, and in my view, water becomes one of those tough but required conversations for New Zealand.

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FARMING NEWS

CANTERBURY FARMING

February 2020

7

Rural recycling rates soar, but more solutions needed Rural recycling has seen unprecedented gains in 2019, with rates soaring to 43 percent above last year’s figures.

❚ by Kent Caddick Agrecovery, the programme responsible for these results supports government proposals to rethink plastics.

However, it says there is an urgent need for local recycling solutions to generate greater recycling rates for a wider selection of rural plastics.

Agrecovery general manager Simon Andrew says if a wider variety of plastic can be recycled, less plastic waste will build up in rural areas and fewer harmful practices, such as burning and burying, will be deployed to dispose of it.

“This will benefit our environment and our wildlife.”

To help clear waste from farms, Agrecovery recycles agrichemical containers and drums so that they can be made into underground cable covers and building materials.

It has been operating for 13 years and in the last year has collected 437 tonnes of plastic.

The scheme is pushing for greater investment in domestic recycling infrastructure for farm plastics, especially for soft plastics such as wrap and bulk bags. Andrew says government proposals to increase the waste levy must include local recycling options for a broader range of rural plastic.

“Our recycling programme is successful because local options are available for processing HDPE plastics, but local solutions are needed for recycling other plastics - like the woven polypropylene bags used for feed, seed and fertiliser.

“There are options for recycling these, as

Recycling: To help clear waste from farms, agrecovery recycles agrichemical containers and drums which are made into underground cable covers and building materials.

well as the other softer plastics of silage and bale wrap – but we need more local facilities to process the materials.

“We all need to do our bit to protect our environment and our country. We must help our farmers and growers find better solutions to managing plastics as they are often left

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with the problem of working out what to do with their waste.”

He said recent studies demonstrate that farmers and growers want to deal with plastic packaging properly and ensure a positive legacy for future generations.

“The agrichemical manufacturers who

participate in the Agrecovery programme are prepared to pay a greater levy if more plastic waste is diverted away from harmful disposal practices.

“Agrecovery is ideally placed to take a leadership role in facilitating positive outcomes for farmers and growers.”

8

February 2020 CANTERBURY FARMING

andrew Wyllie ❚ with ❚ Forsyth Barr

RURAL PROFESSIONALS

Inflation subdued, central banks committed to low interest rates

The last quarter of 2019 heralded a stake shift in sentiment within financial markets.

The mood lifted from cautiously wary, to a more optimistic outlook for the year ahead.

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The uplift in sentiment was underpinned by the coordinated response of Central Banks to subdued inflationary pressures.

During the last few months of 2019, the major Central Banks including the Federal Reserve in the United States, European Central Bank (ECB), Bank of Japan (BOJ), and the People’s Bank of China (PBoC), all eased monetary policy by cutting interest rates and other measures.

The Central Banks of New Zealand and Australia have also moved to lower interest rates, as did a host of other Central Banks around the world.

Low inflation and renewed stimulus by global Central Banks complemented an improved geopolitical and trade outlook.

By the end of the year, a comprehensive victory at the polls for Boris Johnson and the United Kingdom’s Conservative Party went a long way to remove much of the uncertainty surrounding Brexit.

And the trade war between the United States and China de-escalated as a ‘Phase 1’ deal was agreed and is scheduled to be signed in mid-January.

With low inflation keeping Central Bank policy in a stimulatory phase, the global consumer should continue

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to provide the ‘heavy lifting’ for global growth. Not only have households benefited from lower debt servicing costs, lower interest rates have boosted asset valuations including equities, property and, until recently, bonds. The rising wealth effect of higher asset prices is contributing to the consumer’s ability to spend.

Low inflation is a long-term trend Global inflation has been trending down since the late 1980’s. Investors have benefited handsomely. Since the Global Financial Crisis, Central Banks have pushed a lot of money into the global economy in an effort to re-stimulate growth and inflation.

While consumer inflation has failed to materialise, the excess liquidity and low interest rates have provided a substantial boost to asset prices. In our opinion, these conditions look set to prevail for some time yet.

Stronger New Zealand dollar (NZD) reflects rising global demand for ‘NZ Inc’.

The NZD appreciated sharply (+7.6%) against the USD during the last quarter.

The Australian dollar (AUD) also rose against the USD, but it was less buoyant than the NZD. While the stronger currency offsets some of the investment returns from international assets when translated to NZD, it reflects growing global demand for goods we produce, including our primary agricultural and seafood, as well as domestic assets such as government bonds and locally-listed companies.

The latest New Zealand Current Account data confirms a surge of inward investment from international investors during the second half of 2019. At the same time, our terms of trade, which reflect the value of our exports over the cost of our imports, remains at a record high.

Deal fever benefited the aged care sector Another consequence of low interest rates and greater confidence in the economic outlook has been a sharp resurgence in corporate merger and acquisition (M&A) activity. 2019 saw a number of companies acquired and delisted from the NZX including TradeMe,

Methven, Orion Healthcare, SLI Systems, and (pending shareholder approval) Abano Healthcare. Metlifecare is now the latest, with its board recommending a takeover offer late in December.

The Metlifecare takeover, plus an improving housing market, boosted New Zealand’s aged care sector. Metlifecare +53%, Summerset +34%, Arvida +31%, Oceania Healthcare +29%, and Ryman Healthcare +24% all delivered excellent gains over the quarter.

Conditions remain ripe for M&A activity to continue. High stock prices provide companies with a strong takeover “currency”, interest rates and funding costs are low, and private equity funds around the world have record levels of cash they are looking to deploy.

Long-termism is the investor’s best friend Economic expansions generally last for many quarters, or years, while recessions tend to be brief. The current economic expansion is now the longest on record, continuing for over 10 years in a number of countries.

Expansions generate increased prosperity and wealth. This is reflected in rising equity prices. Recessions generally see a correction in equity markets, but in most instances these represent buying opportunities for long-term investors. While the day-to-day headlines can be cause for concern, investors are well served by focussing on long-term trends.

Investors that maintain sensibly diversified portfolios with a focus on quality companies and control of credit risk will be able to ride out most short-term corrections that happen from time to time.

This report covers the three months ending 31 December 2019.

If you’re new to investing please see Forsyth barr’s Introduction to Investing guide available at www.forsythbarr.co.nz/investingwith-us/new-to-investing or to discuss your investment options please contact andrew Wyllie, an authorised Financial adviser with Forsyth barr in Christchurch. He can be contacted regarding portfolio management, fixed interest, or share investments on 0800 367 227 or andrew.wyllie@forsythbarr.co.nz.

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CANTERBURY FARMING

RURAL PROFESSIONALS

February 2020

9

Assignment of EQC claims

bessie Paterson ❚ with Ronald ❚ W Angland & Son

One consequence of the earthquakes which is not always clearly understood is what happens to claims LLb on dwelling insurance policies following the events which caused damage to residential properties, on the sale of the property.

This is especially so where the repairs had not been completed at the time of sale or the claim has been settled by a pay-out by EQC. For some time after the earthquakes when a claim had been settled or damage repaired a purchaser very often did not get the vendors’ residual rights under the claim assigned to them as it was hoped that the repair or settlement was the end of the problem.

Later it became apparent that repairs had not always been completed satisfactorily or the scope of works did not disclose all of the damage.

Many homeowners then had to endeavour to obtain an assignment of the vendors’ residual rights in the claim and deal with EQC or the insurers themselves.

It is still essential that all prospective purchasers of homes built prior to the earthquakes obtain full details of all EQC and insurance claims which may have affected the property as a result of the earthquakes.

To that end reports from suitably qualified professionals should be obtained. It is well worth the cost of the reports especially in respect to damage which is not apparent on a brief inspection.

All purchase contracts should contain a

clause requiring the vendors to transfer or assign all of their interest in their EQC or insurance claims to the purchasers which enables all purchasers to deal with EQC and the insurer directly.

Very often the assignment or transfer of the claims was not completed satisfactorily to the detriment of the purchasers.

Many contractors and tradies are called to do jobs which should be covered by the EQC or insurance claims of previous owners of a property only to find that the current owners of the property have not had the claims assigned to them.

It is difficult to lay the blame at any one particular entity involved in the sale and purchase of any property but all lawyers acting for purchasers of properties should ensure that, as a minimum, the vendors’ residual rights in all claims should be assigned to the new owners of the property.

This article has been prepared by bessie Paterson, a Partner at ronald W angland & Son, Solicitors, 2 Chapman Street, Leeston.

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February 2020

CANTERBURY FARMING

FARMING NEWS

eugenie Sage ❚ with ❚ Green Party spokesperson for Primary Industries

Retaining and regrowing our national biodiversity I know that many Canterbury farmers care deeply about looking after the land, streams, and bush and giving nature a helping hand.

Last year Associate Environment Minister Nanaia Mahuta and I were pleased to announce a new toolkit to support councils to give nature a helping hand to restore indigenous biodiversity and halt further decline.

Nature is at the heart of our success, livelihood and wellbeing as New Zealanders. It is valuable for its own sake and provides us with so many benefits from clean water, pollination, flood protection, food production, and the landscapes that are the basis for our tourism industry. It supports our wellbeing when we can walk through native forests, swim in rivers or enjoy green spaces in our cities and towns.

The proposed National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity (NPS IB) provides direction at the national level to help us work together to increase our collective efforts to halt the decline and restore what has been lost.

Part of it will involve working with landowners to identify and protect Significant Natural Areas on private land.

The NPSIB is the result of a Biodiversi-

ty Collaborative Group which had representatives from forestry, farming, infrastructure industries, environmental non-government organisations (NGOs), and an advisor from the Iwi Chairs Forum.

Thanks to this collaborative process it was fantastic to see the broad support for the proposals with a rare joint media release from Forest and Bird and the Federated Farmers.

I hope we can go from strength to strength in working together to look after nature.

The proposals are currently out for consultation and I’d encourage people to have a look and share their views by 14 March 2020: https://www.mfe.govt.nz/ consultations/nps-indigenous-biodiversity. eugenie Sage is a Green Party list MP based in Otautahi/ Christchurch. She is the Minister of Conservation, Minister for Land Information and associate Minister for the environment. She recently also assumed responsibility as Green Party Spokesperson for Primary Industries from Gareth Hughes.

CANTERBURY FARMING

FARMING NEWS

February 2020

11

Turning on the power of a trillion trees A trillion trees could remove nearly two-thirds of the human-derived CO2 in the atmosphere, according to international research.

Jenny Hughey ❚ by ❚ Chair, Environment Canterbury Scientists think this is potentially the single most powerful tool for reducing CO2 so far but would need to go alongside continuing efforts to reduce emissions. These trees would cover about 11% of the Earth’s land area (China and the United States combined) and would need a huge international commitment and take perhaps until the end of the century before the full effect was apparent.

So, in Canterbury a renewed focus on planting trees makes real sense. Tree planting is also a great way for people to connect with others while contributing to everyone’s wellbeing.

As an organisation, Environment Canterbury has a big focus on planting to help protect waterways from pollution, but also as a tool to control erosion on steeper country.

We’ve invested millions of ratepayer dollars, as well as leveraging Government and oth-

er funding, to support and encourage landowners with hundreds of planting projects all over Canterbury.

Most rural people will know, however, there are much wider benefits from planting trees than our highly important focus of protecting waterways.

For a start, research by the Institute of Environmental Science and Research and Lincoln University has suggested that native manuka and kanuka seems to be able to remove nitrate as well as harmful bacteria from the root zone at a much higher level than pasture or pine trees. This has real implications as we look for innovative ways to manage and reduce nitrate leaching into groundwater as a result of intensive farming, with some areas in Canterbury showing ongoing increases in N levels because of the legacy effects of farming.

Manuka and kanuka are also important species for the longer-term re-establishment of native bush, either in covenants or other areas protected from stock. And on top of that there is the potential for highly valuable manuka honey and plant oil extracts.

In mid-2019 Environment Canterbury kicked off the SCAR (Soil Conservation and Revegetation) project in Hurunui and Kaikoura districts. SCAR is a four-year, $3 million programme which includes money from Ministry of Primary Industries to assist landowners to plant and protect erosion-prone land. It’s simple – our land management advisors help landowners get subsidised poplar poles (young tree stems) and free protective sleeves, up to $5000 towards a detailed farm map, a subsidy for fencing to

On the right path: SCar roundhill (Cheviot) farmer Hamish Pain (right) talking with eCan biodiversity Officer Zipporah ‘Zip’ Ploeg about biodiversity, pests and wetlands, during an on farm consultation. retire areas, and support is available for native planting to assist the regeneration of retired areas.

In addition to the obvious environmental benefits, programmes such as SCAR are providing employment and helping communities build local capacity and skills. With the effects of climate change already upon us, actions to protect land and enable farmers to be more resilient are essential, and will help reduce the long-term costs to individuals, communities and councils.

If there’s a tree planting group in your area I would love to know about it, and if you can’t find one, contact us for help. Planting trees is a great nature-based response to problems facing our environment. It is great for our health and connects us with future generations – let’s aim to plant more trees this year! as ever, I am interested in hearing your views on tree planting and other topics – please email me at Councillor.Hughey@ecan.govt.nz .

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February 2020

CANTERBURY FARMING

❚ with John arts

❚ with rob Cope-Williams

Deal with The Gap What’s with Turmeric?

I think the main comment I get from farming people, isn’t the weather, and it isn’t the economy, it is the gap between town and country, and the total lack of understanding and caring that is growing faster than Jesse Ryder’s drinking arm can lift a glass.

Granted it isn’t as obvious here in Mid Canterbury where the town is very aware of the country, and more than half the people working here know that the farming industry pays for their food and lodging, but just north of here in Christchurch, farming is something they really don’t care a thought about.

For many the only exposure to farming they have is their ECan rates, which go up every year, and in their view, their rates are subsidising the rural irrigates and the farmers in general.

While ECan are the good guys in town who pay part of the cost of heating and insulation costs for townies, it’s the water bit that costs. Sorry, but that is a more common thought than you would care to ponder on.

Many Christchurch people literally don’t have any idea about ECan and their funding processes, their contributions or duties within the community. As I said, they are the Father Christmas for some, and the policeman for others.

Anyway, getting back to the gap in more general terms, it is surely part of the news media problem that the gap is there in the first place.

The only stories Auckland and the metro papers want to do are anti farming. Animal welfare is always a favourite, as is huge payouts for dairy farmers.

When a family are trying to live on $30,000 a year, their car has done more than 300,000km and they are faced with the cost of school uniforms, they are going to kick out hard when they are force fed with figures about dairy farmer incomes being in the hundreds of thousands.

There is never a mention of the costs, the outlay or the stress in running a dairy farm, or any other type of farm.

Federated Farmers dropped out a statement that the average income for a sheep farmer was $19,000.00 and that was glossed over as though it was as simple fact that perhaps should have been mentioned in passing.

I will never forgive the media when Ashburton was under snow and dozens of families were still isolated and without power they ran stories about an otter that had escaped from a zoo. It was compounded by the fact the army refused to help us, but the navy provided craft and men to aid in the otter hunt.

So what do we do?

We infiltrate the media with people who do care. We feed the media stories that are beneficial to the industry, and we become a noisy group of people. We simply become a minority group pushing our barrow just like all the other minorities who get onto the network news.

While we can feel the discomfort of joint inflammation we cannot feel inflammation of blood vessels till disease symptoms appear.

Our immune system responds to injury and sickness by generating inflammation.

This is an essential part of our in-built repair and recovery systems. While we cannot heal without inflammation, unwanted inflammation can not only slow healing but create new problems. The long list of problems with the suffix ‘itis’ are all inflammatory diseases.

One of the reasons we are told to eat lots of deep coloured plants is that the anti-inflammatory antioxidants are locked into their bright colours.

It is the yellow in turmeric that contains Curcumin. It is the purple colour on grape seeds that contain the potent OPC’s (oligomeric proanthocyanidins).

While osteoarthritis is the most common joint problem, others such as tendonitis, bursitis and rheumatoid arthritis affect many people. The centre of any nutritional medicine programme is an anti-inflammatory diet.

Adding well formulated supplements with high grade ingredients can add healing compounds at levels much higher than through diet alone. Two of the most potent are Curcumin from turmeric and the OPC’s from grape seeds.

For example adding 1000mg of 95% Curcumin is equivalent to several tablespoons of turmeric. You would also need

to eat tablespoons of red wine grape seeds to get 100mg of pure OPC. I speak to clients on daily basis that are more mobile and more comfortable by adding potent natural anti-inflammatory compounds.

One with rheumatoid arthritis is much more comfortable by adding 1000mg of Curcumin and 200mg of OPC daily. I have written a comprehensive Anti-Inflammatory Nutrition Guide. Please contact me if you would like an email copy.

John arts (b.Soc.Sci, Dip Tch, adv.Dip.Nut.Med) is a nutritional medicine practitioner and founder of abundant Health Ltd. For questions or advice contact John on 0800 423559 or email john@ abundant.co.nz. Join his all new newsletter at www.abundant.co.nz.

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CANTERBURY FARMING

FARMING NEWS

February 2020

13

Popular: Over 15,000 people are expected to attend Farmlands agFest 2020.

AgFest more than another rural show Greymouth, the ‘capital’ of the West Coast, is a buzz as it gets ready to host Farmlands AgFest 2020.

❚ Article supplied by AgFest West Coast

AgFest is a bi-annual field day event and it’s happening on March 27 and 28 in Greymouth.

AgFest is positioned as the number one event on the West Coast and is now not just a rural event and includes the West Coast’s Trade Show which will attract a wide variety of the people from rural folk to townies.

It’s anticipated that Farmlands AgFest 2020 will present over 400 exhibitors attracting over 15,000 people through the gates over the two days.

Farmlands AgFest showcases every aspect of farming in New Zealand. It boasts an awesome Home Concept Centre, a Specialized Women’s Pavilion which is always a

favourite, Large Farm and Contracting Machinery, the latest in vehicles from every car brand imaginable in New Zealand, high quality entertainment from performers such as the Topp Twins and Simon Teague from Christchurch.

Farmlands AgFest boasts food sites to tempt everyone, and along the way we have huge community involvement with many local groups and charities benefiting.

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

The event organisers are told this is one of the best field days to attend as the event

is still small enough to be able to get around in a day, but still has everything you need to see.

Farmlands AgFest is supported and attended by a large number of Iconic New Zealand and international brands, and still has limited sites available.

If you’re in business and your business is a fit for Farmlands AgFest come along, as the event, although it’s backbone is rural, is the only trade type show on the West Coast.

There are limited sites still available, for more information head to the website www.agfest.co.nz and check it out. Here you’ll also find the contacts of the team behind Farmlands agFest they are happy to talk to you about the event. admission to Farmlands agFest is just $10, primary school children $2, and under 5s are free. For more information see our ad on Page 3.

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February 2020 CANTERBURY FARMING

aaron Milnes ❚ with Helmore Stewart, Rangiora ❚

Significant RMA change on the way The next two to three years is going to be a time of significant change in the area of resource management and environmental law.

The Resource Management Amendment Bill 2019 has now been introduced, together with a comprehensive review of the resource management system.

Farmers should be aware of significant new national policy guidance under development, including a draft national policy statement on highly productive land and a raft of reforms directed at improving freshwater quality, which includes a revised National Policy Statement on Freshwater Management (NPS-FM), a new National Environmental Standard for Freshwater (NES-F) and draft stock exclusion regulations.

These have all been released in draft form and are at various stages of the consultation process, so changes are likely to be made in response to submissions. Many farmers will be impacted and it will be important for farmers to participate as much as possible in the submission and consultation process.

One of the major proposals includes a new planning process for freshwater. The main elements of that process include: Councils being required to notify chang-

‘

It is expected that the proposals for improving freshwater management will be relatively controversial.

es to their Regional Policy Statements and Regional Plans (freshwater planning instruments) to implement the NPS-FM by 31 December 2023 and make final decisions on those changes by 31 December 2025.

This will focus attention on addressing diffuse discharges of nutrients to land and water. Regional councils will need to establish ways to monitor progress towards achieving freshwater targets and develop action plans

where there has been a decline in the quality of a freshwater body.

The Chief Freshwater Commissioner determining the timing and composition of freshwater hearing panels, as appropriate to the freshwater planning instrument in respect of which submissions are to be heard.

Freshwater hearings panels comprising up to five freshwater hearings commissioners, with the ability to direct conferencing of experts, appointing of special advisers, crossexamination and mediation.

It is expected that the proposals for improving freshwater management will be relatively controversial and will receive significant attention during the select committee process.

In terms of changes to farming practices, it is likely that NES-F will require all farmers and growers to have a freshwater risk management plan by 2025, and from 2020 stronger evidence will be required to support applications for new irrigation and dairy conversions.

Quite apart from the importance of farmers being mobilised to become involved with the select committee process, it will also be prudent to get input from specialist advisers on winter grazing, feedlots, stock holding areas, fencing and related issues, to ensure that all affected parties are fully informed of all recent (and upcoming) changes that could impact farming operations.

CANTERBURY FARMING

WE’RE READY TO ROLL

February 2020

15

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February 2020

CANTERBURY FARMING

Southern Field Days turns 21 The Southern Field Days is a major agricultural event that is held every two years at Waimumu, 12km from Gore in Southland and this year will mark the 21st running of the biennial event.

supplied by ❚ Article ❚ Southern Field Days

On show over three days in February will be the latest in rural technology, equipment and specialist knowledge from around the world.

The Southern Field Days is a non-profit incorporated society run by previous and current members of the Eastern Southland Young Farmers Club. All members are volunteers, apart from the secretary and caretaker and work in the agricultural industry. The new incoming president Warren Ross is a local farmer and has been involved in the Field days for a number of years.

Wherever possible other non-profit groups within the local community such as clubs, schools and PTAs are used to help set up and run the event which is an important fundraiser for them. We couldn’t run a successful event without them and appreciate their ongoing support.

Show offs: The latest in rural technology, equipment and specialist knowledge from around the world will be on show at the 21st Southern Field Days.

The Field Days were first held in 1982 on Ken Bowmar’s property at Waimumu with 60 exhibitors, with tThe main focus being on working demonstrations.

We now own 57ha of our own land and last field days had over 700 exhibitors from New Zealand, Australia, and two from Europe with around 40,000 people through the gates. We are once again going to be at capacity with companies rec-

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ognizing this as a great way to market their products to their clientele.

After hosting two very successful rugby games in 2016 and 2018 we will once again be hosting a game at Fred Booth park adjacent to the field days site on Thursday February 14 with kickoff at 6pm. This will be a grass roots game of rugby between Fijian provincial team, the Nadroga Stallions, and a Southland Invitational 15. We are very excited to welcome an international provincial

team to our event and look forward to a great game.

We will have all our popular events including the Speed shears and the Golden Pliers fencing competition along with the Tractor pull and the Young Farmers fencing competition. Beef and Lamb will be holding a new event ‘Food & Fibre sector Challenge’ aimed at all age groups. For more information on entering or about these events please go to our website.

Southern Rural Life Innovation Awards have been a part of the Southern Field Days for a number of years and are a great opportunity for budding inventors to show their creations. There are two categories, open and primary school with great prize money up for grabs. View our website for entry forms and guidelines.

Mark the dates on your calendar so you don’t miss out on one of the country’s largest rural events. We look forward to seeing everyone in Feb 2020.

For any further information please visit our website at www.southernfielddays.co.nz.

CANTERBURY FARMING

February 2020

17

A simple solution for septic systems gone bad It’s common practice to forget about your septic system until suddenly you have nasty odours, leach line blockages, untreated liquid rising to the surface, or gurgling toilets.

❚ Article supplied by Ecoworld

By the time things go wrong, your septic system is already a serious health and safety risk. Treatment at this stage is timeconsuming and costly.

You could either, wait a month until the problem resolves itself and avoid using your septic tank altogether (impractical), or excavate your entire system and relocate it – an expensive and bothersome process.

What you could do however, is avoid all of these problems altogether by pouring one litre of Septi-Cure down the toilet bowl every six months.

Septi-Cure is designed to keep your system running at top efficiency by reduc-

ing solids and scums and clearing slimes and blockages. It is a concentrated mixture of specially selected, naturally occurring, harmless microorganisms, which multiply by feeding on waste material.

When introduced to your septic tank, they go to work straight away, digesting waste and allowing your system to operate at maximum efficiency.

As these microorganisms progress down to your irrigation field, they feed on the slimes that prevent seepage and evaporation.

Thus you have reduced the risks of contaminating groundwater and the environment, as well as infection to your family.

Septic tank health: The best economical practice is to always keep your septic system well maintained with Septi-Cure™

18

February 2020

CANTERBURY FARMING

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CANTERBURY FARMING

February 2020

19

For a full range of 4x4 accessories Ironman 4x4 offer a full range of automotive accessories including bull bars, suspension upgrades, side steps and rails, rear bars, underbody protection, lights, winches, snorkels and camping gear.

❚ Article supplied by Ironman 4x4

See us at the Southern Field Days at Waimumu on the 12th – 14th February (site 390) for helpful advice and over 50 years of 4wd industry experience.

Why are our bars so good?

Ironman 4x4 offer a range of replacement winch bull bars which are designed, engineered and tested in Australia. Every Ironman 4x4 bull bar is carefully crafted from premium grade materials and components to deliver the most comprehensive frontal protection and styling available Ironman 4x4 bull bars are carefully modelled using 3D vehicle scanning techniques to achieve optimal cosmetic design whilst providing maximum vehicle collision protection. All bars are made from the highest quality SPHC oil and pickled steel (not mild steel) to give maximum strength and rust resistance.

Along with winch and air bag compatibility, Ironman 4x4 bull bars offer affordable protection for your utility or wagon. Bars can also be colour coded to match your new truck colour.

Ironman 4x4 bull bars have a high strength mounting design utilising a replacement cross member that goes in the

front of the chassis to which a winch can be mounted. The bar is then bolted to the new cross member. This design gives the ultimate in strength when winching as the winch is mounted to the chassis and not the bull bar itself. The majority of bars for late model vehicles are full replacement meaning the original whole front bumper is removed and replaced. This avoids the need to cut the bumper and results in a perfect fit. Very few other bars on the market offer the same features.

high on the firewall away from water. Winches have 28m of steel cable or have the option of 28m of synthetic rope.

high quality SUP9 steel and are available in different load ratings from ‘comfort’ to ‘extra constant load’.

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Underbody Protection

Ironman 4X4 have an extensive range of recovery equipment including snatch straps, recovery kits, highlift jacks and exhaust jacks. All come in sturdy carry bags and you can feel confident of having the right equipment should you get stuck.

Ironman 4x4 have developed a range of underbody protection kits which give enhanced protection from rocks, mud and debris.

These kits are made from 3mm and 4mm pressed steel, have easy bolt on installation with no drilling or welding required, allow oil changes without removal and are semi gloss powder coated for long life. Kits are available for most late model 4wd vehicles including Nissan, Toyota, Ford, Mazda, Isuzu and Mitsubishi.

Winches Ironman monster winches are becoming very popular with 2 in the range, a 9500lb and a 12000lb. The gearbox on the winches has an upgraded design with hardened gears to eliminate float for precision operation along with an improved sliding clutch with straight cut gears which eliminates any gearbox slip.

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Suspension Suspension kits and components with raised height, long travel and improved performance are available for most makes and models.

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20

February 2020 CANTERBURY FARMING

ADVERTORIAL

SOUTHERN FIELD DAYS

BACK

or

NECK PAIN?

Then try a Teeter WHY INVERSION?

Inversion helps to:

Because in most cases it works! Inversion Therapy is the oldest recorded medical cure for back issues, first recorded by Hippocrates in 400 BC, otherwise known as spinal traction. Traction was used by modern hospitals for many years however because it is a slow process and ties up hospital beds for many weeks, they recently stopped using the treatment.

• Relieve Back Pain • Relieve Neck Pain • Relieve Muscle Tension • Stimulate Blood And Lymph Flow • Improve Posture • Increase Flexability

Inversion Therapy is gentle and relaxing if done properly and has many other benefits apart from relieving back pain, it helps realign the spine and pelvic area, loosens up tight muscles, increases oxygen to the brain, stimulates circulation and the lymphatic system and has many other benefits.

Inversion NZ have been teaching people how to use this treatment for over twelve years, it is an amazing process with most people getting off the Teeter pain free for the first time in years or with their pain substantially reduced. The relief usually lasts around 30 minutes to three hours and as the pain returns you use the machine again, after using this method of treatment, in a few weeks the relief increases, which is the discs starting to retain more fluid, muscles starting to loosen up and the body coming back into alignment. In our experience most people are pain free in around three months, then the Teeter is used daily to maintain the health of the body.

WHY TEETER?

The biggest issue with inversion tables is there is no safety standards that need to be met. Because of this, other brands use mild steel for 100% of the metal involved. Mild steel is great for static loads, in other words things that don’t move such as chairs, tables etc, however with Inversion Therapy there is considerable movement and this movement causes mild steel to flex. Because it always flexes in the same place it eventually causes metal fatigue and can result in failure.

Frank Harwood (84 at time of picture) using his Teeter, Frank’s been Inverting for over eleven years and has found it keeps him young

All Teeters are manufactured for extreme safety. Heat treated high tensile steel has been used in all areas subjected to stress. High tensile steel is far stronger and most importantly does not flex. This means Teeters are the strongest and safest tables on the market today.

IT IS PURE LOGIC AS TO HOW THE TEETER TABLE WORKS

Discs:

It uses gravity to apply traction, the traction gently opens the discs and as they open up they create suction, this suction draws fluid from the surrounding tissue back into the discs, re-hydrating them. This is the key! Discs do not have their own blood supply, they rely on trans fer of fluid from the surrounding tissue to keep them healthy and hydrated and over the years as discs get thinner with age, they lose the ability to take on fluid (just like squeezing a sponge) and they start to de-hydrate.

Posture: Poor

posture is one of the major cases of pain and is a major contributor to the deterioration of the body with age. A difference in leg length causes most of the hip and knee issues, as they continue to place uneven loads on the joints; similar to the wheels out of alignment on your car.

Trying to correct posture is extremely difficult due to muscle memory, as it constantly pulls the muscles back to where they were. At a level of 40 degrees or more on the Teeter, the muscle groups open up and eventually come back into alignment, using the table daily, does not allow the muscle memory to pull them back out of alignment and slowly the muscles start to lose their memory and go with the flow, allowing the body to come back into correct posture. Then using the table once a day will ensure it is kept there.

De-Hydrated discs are less flexible, they are harder, more prone to injury, they interfere with nerve roots creating pain and ultimately the de-hydration causes degen eration. The Teeter Inversion table slowly and gently brings the hydration back into the discs, plumping them up. It separates the nerve roots far more effectively and This is pure logic, if a machine is out of returns quality of life

Muscles: A lot of pain is muscular, when

muscles are stressed they become tight which restricts the flow of blood and lymph through the muscles so toxins build up, Co2 and Lactic Acid. Traction opens up the muscles, Rhythmic Traction, is a gentle rocking motion that stimulates circulation and encourages blood flow through the muscles, which clears the lactic acid into your lymph system where it stimulates lymph flow and deals with it. Most people with serious neck issues see a large improvement after only one treatment.

ASHBURTON Walnut Ave Pavillion

Walnut Ave Sat 25 - Sun 26 January 10am - 4pm

TIMARU Timaru Celtic Rugby Club

Craigie Avenue, Timaru Sat 1 - Sun 2 February 10am - 4pm

alignment it does not last long, the only difference between the body and a machine is that the body is constantly repairing itself, however if the wear and tear on the body is greater than the body’s ability to repair itself, it is a slow decline.

The Teeter slowly brings the body out of its decline and allows the body to repair itself, resulting in a far healthier life.

If you are serious about investing in your health and really sorting your issues out, come see us at one of our local roadshows, you have nothing to lose and chances are, a lot to gain.

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Our Back Pain Expos We host a number of back pain expos throughout the country almost every weekend, these expos are a way for people to try out a Teeter Inversion Table and feel the benefits for themselves in a way that is instructive and informative.

It is also a great way for people who already own a Teeter to come along and get a refreshment course on the use and operation of their Table and clear any questions they have about it.

Sessions run continuously from 10am to 4pm and there are no bookings required, just come along at a time that suits you.

There may be a wait during certain times and in these instances chairs are set out for anyone waiting for a turn, or anyone who just wants to ask us a few questions.

We strive to cover the entire country and always try to book the most accessible venues we can. All our upcoming shows in the region are listed in the blue bar below, otherwise check out our website for more

www.inversionnz.co.nz/agenda

OAMARU

St John's Training Room 21 Exe Street Sat 8 February 10am - 4pm

MOSGIEL Mosgiel Ability Resource Centre 16 Green Street Sun 9 February 10am - 4pm

0800 62 62 83

SOUTHERN FIELD DAYS Covered Agri Centre Site, Stand A70 Southern Field Days, Waimumu Wed 12 - Fri 14 February 9am - 5pm

GREYMOUTH St Johns Hall 112 Water Walk Road Sat 7 March 10am - 4pm

HOKITIKA REAP House

72 Tudor Street Sun 8 March 10am - 4pm

CANTERBURY FARMING

February 2020

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Agri Training 2020 officially open Seventy plus years after beginning its life as a leading agricultural research centre in Mid-Canterbury, the Winchmore Research Station is coming back to life once again in the world of agricultural education.

❚ by Kent Caddick Agri Training is New Zealand’s newest education provider, which has partnered with City & Guilds, will now deliver its 2020 programme from the iconic site.

Agri Training staged an open day to allow students, parents, and members of the public to tour the Winchmore facility and to learn more about the globally recognised diplomas on offer.

Agri Training is offering two diplomas beginning with a Diploma in Agriculture which leads to a second Diploma in Agricultural Business Management.

Ashburton Mayor Neil Brown introduced attendees to the new facility along with founder and managing director, Matt Jones, before cutting the ribbon and declaring Agri Training centre officially open.

The Agri Training premise includes refurbished office and learning spaces for students which also includes land for practical training towards the two diplomas on offer for 2020.

Agri Training general manager Greg Barnaby said the unique learning opportunity they offer include a ‘learn as you earn’ feature with the diplomas.

“All students are placed with our accredited farmers and are receiving income while learning in a practical sense to complete

Open for business: ashburton Mayor Neil brown (left) cuts the ribbon to officially open agri Training’s programme at the Winchmore research Station watched by agri Training managing director Matt Jones.

their diploma,” Barnaby said.

“This allows the qualification to essentially pay for itself with a pay as you go offering so students can graduate and enter the workforce with no student loan at the end.”

Scholarships are also open for applications now for the 2020 programme.

Barnaby said it was great to see so many people turn up for the open day, including parents and students who were there to consider options for 2020.

“We suspected people would be interested in the ‘Learn and Earn’ aspect of the programme and they definitely were.

“Another aspect of our diploma programme that’s very attractive is the farm placement with our accredited farmers.

“We’ve worked very hard to develop a network of well-established and reputable operators that we’re comfortable will complement

the programme and hugely benefit the students.

“We’re a City & Guilds approved centre which means the students and farmers can join the programme with confidence knowing this is a globally recognised qualification.”

Scholarships are now open for applications, and for more information go to: www.agritraining.co.nz

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February 2020

CANTERBURY FARMING

Meeting the needs of today’s young women Choosing the right school for your daughter is an important step. supplied by ❚ Article ❚ Christchurch Girls’ High School

With boarding another dimension enters into the equation. Not only do parents desire a stimulating, engaging learning environ-

Lifelong friendships are developed at the Christchurch Girls’ High School boarding hostel acland. ment which challenges students to achieve personal excellence, they also need a safe, comfortable and happy living space.

Christchurch Girls’ High School is a purpose built school for girls, which places young women at the centre of education.

Acland, the boarding hostel associated with the school, establishes positive relationships which create a strong sense of family.

This feeling is further enhanced by the completely refurbished main homestead.

A landscaped pool area and access to tennis courts, complement the living arrangements.

Boarders are supervised by a supportive,

experienced and caring team.

A Director of Boarding leads her staff in ensuring the welfare of the students is paramount. All nutritional needs are met by a professional, friendly, on-site food services team.

In this environment students flourish and thrive. They learn to manage selves, relate to others and participate and contribute. In the process, they develop resilience, independence, a good work ethic and lasting friendships.

Learning and living at Christchurch Girls’ High School is tailored specifically to meet the needs of today’s young women.

acland is a home away from home for Christchurch Girls’ High School boarders.

EDUCATION & TRAINING

CANTERBURY FARMING

February 2020

23

The STAC boarders’ advantage ❚ ❚

Boarding in the South Island’s only independent co-educational boarding school is a special and unique experience, says the Director of Boarding at St Andrew’s College, Matt Parr.

Article supplied by “There is also a real sense of fun and ca- school life. Everything we do revolves around couraged to strive for individual excellence maraderie in the family-focused boarding en- supporting the students’ number one objec- in their academic, sporting and cultural purSt Andrew’s College

“Before I came to St Andrew’s I wondered, as some parents may, whether boys might be a distraction to the girls in the boarding environment and vice versa. But I’ve been genuinely surprised to discover the opposite is true.

“It’s great to see the way the boys from the two boys’ boarding houses and the girls in Thompson House interact. There are lots of healthy friendships among the students, both between the boys and girls, and the different age groups within each house. It’s really impressive.

vironment at St Andrew’s, which provides a home away from home for our students.”

Matt oversees a large team of caring and enthusiastic staff, including House Managers, Assistant House Managers, and several tutors in each of the three boarding houses, who have a genuine bond with the boarders and provide an “incredibly high” duty of care, he says.

“Our team understands that boarding is a significant life change for students and their families, and are dedicated to providing a friendly, safe environment, from which the boarders can fully immerse themselves in

tive for being at St Andrew’s College, to get an excellent education.”

Matt’s philosophy on supporting student well-being and achievement revolves around making decisions based on “what a great parent might do”.

“I believe great parents set the culture and tone of their family and foster a sense of belonging, protection and direction. We set the same intentions in our boarding family at St Andrew’s.”

Boarders at St Andrew’s College enjoy state-of-the art, highly resourced facilities and a well-structured routine. They are en-

suits, and participate fully in boarding life, which includes taking part in in-house competitions, fun events offered as part of the activities programme, and community service initiatives. Other highlights of the boarding calendar include the annual Boarders’ Assembly, and Boarders’ Dinner.

Matt has a strong belief in what he calls, ‘The Boarders’ Advantage’.

“Our boarders develop a wide range of life skills from communal living, such as socialisation, organisational skills, and resourcefulness, which will help them to flourish in life well beyond secondary school.”

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February 2020 CANTERBURY FARMING

CANTERBURY FARMING

February 2020

25

Research reveals no difference between application methods There are no significant differences between pasture production achieved using urea applied as a fine particle when compared to a granular form, New Zealand research has shown.

supplied by ❚ Article ❚ Fertiliser Association of New Zealand A study led by Jeff Morton and commissioned by the Fertiliser Association of New Zealand critically examined the results from 22 fertiliser trials, mostly conducted in New Zealand, from as far back as 1954.

“We were seeking to find out whether fine particle application fertilisers (FPA) are more effective than solid granular fertilisers in producing pasture dry matter,” Morton says.

“This was in response to the recent resurgence in FPA, especially in Southland – a method that has been touted as having agronomic and environmental advantages over other fertilisers.”

Granular fertiliser is solid, whereas FPA – an application method largely unique to New Zealand – involves grinding the urea, mixing it with water and applying it as slurry. FPA has been claimed to achieve a 40% to 50% higher conversion of nitrogen (N) to pasture dry matter than granular urea. This has been attributed to factors such as a more even distribution and the potential for FPA to absorb

N directly through foliage, thereby minimising soil losses.

“In the research literature we mostly found no statistically significant difference in pasture dry matter yield when fertilisers were applied in these two different ways,” Morton says Jeff.

“We also looked at the literature on liquid fertilisers, where the urea is ground and dissolved in water, and found no difference there either.”

While two trials showed FPA to work better than granular fertiliser, both studies used mini plots or glasshouse pots, with higher rates of nitrogen.

“Our explanation of why it was better in this method of experimentation compared with field trials was that they were pouring a lot of liquid onto a very small area of leaf so it wasn’t similar to what would happen in the field.”

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Researched: research shows there are no significant differences between pasture production achieved using urea applied as a fine particle when compared to a granular form.

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February 2020

ADVERTORIAL

CANTERBURY FARMING

Add natural vitality to your family’s health

Now taking its rightful place in the global spotlight as a ‘cannonball of goodness’, the humble blackcurrant was once known mainly for its high vitamin C values and as the basis of the free wartime children’s drink, Ribena. Turns out, vitamin C was only a small part of blackcurrants’ superpowers.

A

fter extensive clinical research blackcurrants, and more specifically New Zealand blackcurrants, have been found to contain a key nutrient vital to brain and whole body health – enhancing cell growth and slowing age-related cognitive decline. The nutrient is a neuropeptide called cyclic Glycine-Proline (cGP). When available to the body in high

enough quantities, cGP regulates the availability of an essential hormone called Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1).

With New Zealand’s proud tradition of biotech innovation, Associate Professor Jian Guan of Auckland University discovered cGP in the early 90s.

Research shows our levels of cGP decline as we age. If cGP is in short supply, then IGF-1

cannot function sufficiently, and neuro-degenerative illnesses are more likely to occur and be severe. Sufferers of Parkinson’s disorders and stroke have been observed to have low levels of cGP. Administering cGP to stroke patients within 12 to 48 hours after a stroke greatly reduces brain damage and speeds up recovery.

Our bodies’ need for cGP is beyond dispute, with benefits for all ages, from babies in utero, to infants, children and adults. Anecdotal evidence from large numbers of people suggests cGP improves not just neuro degenerative disorders, but symptoms of Angelman’s, Autism and ADHD. In a published paper on Rett Syndrome, administration of natural cGP showed significant and ongoing body and cognitive function improvements.

North Canterbury’s own Vitality NZ has captured cGP from blackcurrants in capsule form and, for obvious reasons, named it Brain Shield™. Director David Eder is one of the most long-standing growers of blackcurrants in New Zealand, while Managing Director Jim

Grierson, an agronomist with 38 years in the blackcurrant industry, knew there was something special about the health benefits of NZ blackcurrants. “We know what goes into Brain Shield and it is in a very natural form,” Jim says.

The blackcurrants are grown, processed and made into the capsules here in Canterbury.

“Brian Shield delivers an average daily dose of cGP via your brain signalling pathways and whole of body function. New Zealand blackcurrants are truly a superfruit when you understand the benefits you get from them,” David says.

Brain Shield is the only product in the world marketed with cGP under a full Novel Patent. “There is no pharmaceutical equivalent or alternative, it is unique to the blackcurrant species,” Jim says. “Each capsule delivers an average daily dose and it is very safe – you cannot overdose,” David adds.

Vitality NZ has five further products in their health and wellnes product range – Active, Digestive, Eye, Omega, and Women’s Health. www.vitalitynz.nz

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CANTERBURY FARMING

February 2020

LIKE TO PUT BACK IN WHAT YOU GET OUT?

THE FEELING’S MUTUAL. Reinvesting into the land is a concept most farmers and growers will be familiar with. Well it’s not so different for FMG. As a mutually owned insurer, any profits we make go straight back into the business, not shareholders’ pockets. If that sounds like the kind of insurer you’d like to have looking after you, ask around about us.

Or better still, call us now on 0800 366 466.

We’re here for the good of the country.

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February 2020 CANTERBURY FARMING

Lucrative opportunities in horticulture for school leavers School leavers should consider horticulture as a career filled with variety, relevance and opportunities to see the world, according to Horticulture New Zealand.

❚ by Kent Caddick Head of Capability Development at NZ Apples and Pears Erin Simpson said the industry is not about picking bags and ladders anymore.

“Horticulture has a massive range of careers to choose from,” Simpson said.

“The horticulture sector is expecting growth of nearly 4% this year on top of massive growth last year. This growth is creating fantastic opportunities for school leavers wanting to work in a sector that can take them places and pay them well.’

Simpson is part of the Horticulture Capability Group (HCG), which was promoting the industry at the Careers and Transition Education Association (CATE) conference in Hawke’s Bay late last year.

At the conference, Meg Becker – Senior Leading Hand at T&G Global, Hiraina Tangiora – External Relations Coordinator at Zespri, and Sam Reynolds – Cropping Manager at Bostock NZ Ltd., shared their diverse career stories.

Meg Becker said she had her eyes opened to hor ticulture while studying at Massey University. After star ting a Bachelor of Agriscience, she changed to a hor ticulture major after a brief stint in a kiwifruit packhouse.

During her studies, Becker received a T&G undergraduate scholarship, which gave her opportunities to travel the world and progress her career.

“The International Horticultural Immersion Programme (IHIP) was a massive career accelerator,” Becker said.

“We travelled to Europe and Asia to see the emerging technology being used by leading international growers. I learnt many technical and leadership skills that I have brought to my work at T&G. It’s an exciting time to join the industry.”

Horticulture New Zealand chief executive Mike Chapman said a recurring message

Sharing career stories: Horticulture New Zealand chief executive Mike Chapman at the CATE conference.

‘

We must continue to change perception so that horticulture is seen as a first-choice career option.

Mike Chapman Horticulture New Zealand chief executive

from careers advisors and the horticulture industry is that people don’t know about the range of career options available.

“In most cases, parents and teenagers are not aware of the range of career options and pathways that are available,” Chapman said.

“These career opportunities include design, engineering, research and development, and marketing, alongside growing, packing and cool storage.

“We must continue to change the perception of the food and fibre sector so that horticulture is seen as a first-choice career option.”

Erin Simpson said to get started in a horticulture career people don’t have to be from

a farming background or know much about the industry.

“You can bring your unique interests, skills, and experiences to horticulture and we’ll teach you the rest. There’s such a wide range of opportunities out there. All you need is passion. There’s something in horticulture for everyone.”

The Horticulture Capability Group (HCG) is a joint venture between Horticulture New Zealand, New Zealand Apples & Pears, New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Incorporated, New Zealand Avocado, Vegetables New Zealand Incorporated, and the Hawke’s Bay Fruit Growers Association.

Horticulture New Zealand represents 5000 growers and the horticulture industry employs more than 60,000 people.

Segregation plant opens new opportunities Westland Milk Products is encouraging dairy producers to tap into the future and benefit from a $22 million investment in a segregation plant at its Hokitika production facility.

❚ by Kent Caddick The new production facility allows for the supply and manufacture of niche dairy products currently emerging as strong consumer trends, such as grass-fed and A2 milk.

Westland CEO Toni Brendish said the recently commissioned plant was part of the company’s five-year plan to leverage the West Coast’s and Westland’s unique advantages.

“Consumers are increasingly demanding the types of products that are not only good for them but also good for the welfare of the animal,’’ Brendish said.

Grass feeding dairy cattle increases the content of some beneficial nutrients in milk, such as Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, while reducing the levels of Omega-6 fatty acids and palmitic acid, according to recent research.

“Our location creates the best possible environment for the development of these types of high-quality dairy products,’’ Brendish said.

“Our size means we have the capability of adding value at the farm as well as consumer and product level.’’

She said Westland is working with milk

Efficient: Westland Milk’s new tanker bay at its Hokitika plant is capable of unloading two milk tankers back-to-back that contain different milk types in order to maintain the segregation for further processing.

suppliers to encourage more production suitable for the new plant, exploring market opportunities and developing logistics to cater for the new segregation capability.

“The advantage of the West Coast over the rest of the dair y industr y is that the herd here is predominantly jersey and jer-

sey cross cows which are more likely to be A2 cows.

“We’re now in talks with our suppliers who have 75 per cent or more of their herd A2-capable to encourage them to convert to 100 percent A2.’’

Brendish said the company has also de-

veloped logistics infrastructure to create new systems of collection, containment and distribution of specialty milk to allow for the development of specialty milk products at Hokitika.

These will include 10SPS butter, casein, A2 infant formula and A2 skim milk powder.

CANTERBURY FARMING

February 2020

29

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Try the new 2020 Polaris Rangers today – if its not the best and most capable SXS you have driven we will give you $150 for your time! Conditions apply*

ASHBURTON | 153 Moore Street | Ph: 03 307 9557 Danny King: 027 535 3538 | Ashley Spencer: 027 268 9575 W: www.dne.co.nz *Cash is paid once the customer can prove proof of purchase of another brand. The other brand must be ‘in its class’ (a comparable model with similar specifications). Applies to the vehicles performance (not warranty, price, service etc). Customer must fill out the model comparison form provided to them. Specific models only (Ranger 570 HD EPS, Ranger XP 1000 HD EPS, Ranger 1000 EPS, Ranger Diesel Heavy Duty). This promotion is valid through D&E Outdoors and is only available in the Mid Canterbury area for a limited time.

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February 2020

CANTERBURY FARMING

Celebrating NZ’s healthy food What was the last thing you ate? Do you know where it came from, or the journey it took to get to your plate?

From farm gate to plate: Protecting crops from pests and disease increases their quality and quantity.

Mark ross ❚ by Chief ❚ executive Agcarm When consuming a meal, or creating one, we often think of how the flavours and textures work together, or how our family and friends will enjoy the experience of a meal lovingly created or dutifully thrown together last minute at the end of a busy day.

We often don’t consider the farmers and plant scientists working diligently each day to maintain our nutritious food supply.

Even before the first seed is sown, or animal is conceived, a range of science-based innovation and safeguards are in place to ensure that what ends up on the dinner plate is safe and good to eat.

Some people imagine that food is simple to grow, not considering the multitude of factors that got it through the supply chain and onto the plate. The threats that crops and animals face – from pests and diseases to harsh weather – can ruin a crop harvest or threaten the health of livestock.

Even farmers may be more fixated on weather forecasts, the prospect of a drought or water quality, than the veterinary medi-

‘

I am proud to be part of an agricultural industry that is world-leading in the production of safe, healthy and sustainable food.

cines and agrichemicals, such as antimicrobials and herbicides, needed to ensure an abundant and reliable product to sell. But these tools are critical to farm production, to effectively manage pests and diseases, and grow our primary sector.

Protecting crops from pests and disease increases their quality and quantity, meaning a more abundant supply of less expensive food products, such as fruit and vegetables.

Producing more food per hectare also means less destruction to our natural environment.

In New Zealand and overseas, the crop protection and animal medicine industries continue to invest heavily in cutting edge innovations to help farmers protect crops and livestock from pests.

Agrichemicals and animal medicines

have never been more thoroughly tested and screened to ensure safety as they are today.

In the land of the long white cloud, we are fortunate that all products in our food chain have been thoroughly tested and are safe – something not always guaranteed in other parts of the world. As a New Zealander, I am proud to be part of an agricultural industry that is world-leading in the production of safe, healthy and sustainable food.

So as you relax, consider a reality of food shortages and price increases for basic food. Imagine your supermarket with no food for the barbeque. It’s a dismal prospect. Enjoying a cool beer and grilling a good quality steak (or fake burger patty) in the sun is at the heart of many kiwi festivities.

CANTERBURY FARMING February 2020

New technologies: Diana Mathers demonstrating the Quick N test at FAR’s ARIA event at Chertsey, near Ashburton in December.

Researcher of the Year Award

The Foundation for Arable Research has named one of its own as their 2019 Researcher of the Year.

❚ by Kent Caddick The award has gone to Diana Mathers, who, since joining FAR as Cropping Systems Research Manager in 2010, has worked to support cropping farmers in the areas of economic and environmental sustainability.

FAR CEO, Alison Stewart says Diana’s award recognises the significant impact she has had in these areas.

“Working with growers around the adoption of new technologies is a current focus for Diana, who helped to test and calibrate DIY Quick N testing kits as part of the MPI SFF Nitrogen – Measure it and Manage it project.

“The results of this project have confirmed that Quick N testing strips are an efficient and inexpensive tool to help growers understand exactly how much nitrogen is available to their crops at any given time, and therefore, how much they need to apply to reach target yields.”

According to the citation that went with the award, Mathers has been, and continues to be, actively involved in a number of national and regional research projects, which focus on ensuring high quality information is made available to farmers in a format that is easy to understand and apply.

“She has led a number of environmental and biodiversity projects such as the Good management practices for winter dairy grazing on arable cropping land, the Building Better Biodiversity on Arable Farms and the Trees for Bees projects.

“Diana was instrumental in developing a Farm Environment Plan template for cropping farms which was released in 2015 and has been extremely well received by growers and Regional Councils. Its success comes from

‘

Diana was instrumental in developing the wellreceived Farm Environment Plan template for cropping farms.

Alison Stewart FAR CEO

Diana’s determination that it should able to be completed easily by the landowner and form a valuable information base for the farm business,” the citation read.

Mathers has also had significant involvement in benchmarking Overseer for crop farms and delivering information on nutrient management on crop farms to arable and vegetable crop farmers through a series of nutrient management workshops across New Zealand.

She was also involved in regional projects such as those assessing crop options for the Ruataniwha, and the Matrix for Good Management in Canterbury.

“In all these projects she has focused on using data collected on farm and farmers’ own records to inform improved on-farm decision making.”

Stewart says the award is fitting recognition of Mathers’ empathy with growers and her determination to help them understand and negotiate the increasingly complicated issues associated with on-farm environmental management.

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February 2020

CANTERBURY FARMING

FORESTRY & LOGGING

Keeping it safe around harvesting supplied by ❚ Article ❚ Farm Forestry New Zealand

Timber harvesting has been, and unfortunately continues to be, a dangerous task.

The Health and Safety at Work Act (HWSA 2015) makes it clear that all Persons Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU) have a responsibility for safety.

A landowner engaging in a timber harvesting activity is by definition a PCBU and should actively take part in ensuring health and safety of the people working on their land. It is unlikely that a small scale forest landowner will have the expertise to develop a detailed health and safety plan for the timber harvesting operation.

The most prudent option is to engage with a professional forestry company, consultant or contractor to ensure they have the appropriate health and safety plans in place.

The forest industry has been working hard at improving its safety record and has a dedicated Safety Council. A comprehensive review of the forest industry was completed by an Independent Panel and a summary document outlining some of the main shortcomings, as well as an agenda for change, was published (IFSR 2014).

A number of initiatives have been undertaken including setting up ’Safetree’ a website that provides resources such as doc-

Harvest time: Farmers with a forestry block ready for harvest are advised to engage with a professional forestry company, consultant or contractor to ensure they have the appropriate health and safety plans in place.

Land Logistics

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

To find out more call us on 03 343 4101 or visit www.forestmanagement.co.nz

uments and videos on how to complete timber harvesting safely.

WorkSafe, which is the New Zealand regulator for health and safety, have published a great document entitled “Managing a Safe and Healthy Small Forest Harvest” that provides an excellent resource in terms of practical step-by-step guide for managing your harvest.

For example, one task the landowner must complete is the identification of hazards on the property and making sure they are communicated to the logger.

Examples of hazards on farm woodlots can be fences, proximity to powerlines, but also the strength of stream crossing structures.

You are also likely to be responsible for

the safe access to the forest on the farm, so if the farm roads and tracks leading to the area to be harvested are steep and not accessible for a logging truck in wet weather, then you need to take action to restrict access.

With regard to the individual harvesting tasks, there is an Approved Code of Practice (ACOP 2012) for forest operations that is considered a minimum standard, and it includes the expectation that all workers are both trained (or in training) and competent in carrying out the designated harvesting task.

Best practice guides are also available from various sources including for higher risk practices such as manual tree felling or choker-setting (known colloquially as ‘breaking-out’ in NZ), or complex harvest systems such as cable logging.

CANTERBURY FARMING

FORESTRY & LOGGING

allan Laurie MNZIF ❚ with ❚ Laurie Forestry Ltd

February 2020

33

Chinese New Year impacts export sawlog market

The Chinese New Year holiday has impacted the sawlog market at the start of the year with general negative tones pervading at present.

Some is what we would normally expect at this time of the year, some is a reflection of a market well supplied, if not over supplied.

This year the CNY holiday period comes a little earlier than normal, 25th January to 8th February. Inventory across the eastern seaboard is gradually increasing and workers start to drift off to their home provinces, attempting to bet the mad rush.

At 4.3 million cubic metres total inventory, this is 1.7 million cubic metres higher than at the same time last year. On its own, inventory levels are concerning but not well outside of forecasts.

Off port sales are chugging along at 40,000 cubic metres per day, almost half of the same time last year comparative. Again, the market is not panicked over consumption. Whilst less than most would prefer, it is reflective of a CNY which is about 3 weeks earlier than last year.

What is concerning is the containerised Spruce volume coming out of Europe which is estimated to make up another ~1M m3 in inventory and approximately 20K m3/day in sales.

Finding out the total delivery stats on Spruce is difficult, as it arrives across container ports and the containers are mixed in with others.

The majority of the market comment sug-

gests current deliveries of Spruce logs are 700,000 cubic metres of logs per month.

This substantial supply is providing the majority of the source of negative sentiment.

Several NZ companies have people in Europe at present trying to get a handle on what we can expect in terms of log supply to China in 2020. I will report on this next month.

What we do know at present is Spruce Logs are being sold at a US$10 – 15 per cubic metre discount below Radiata. And don’t forget the Spruce logs are derived from 100+ year old trees. The logs are often 10m long, over 30cm in diameter at the small end and with knots rarely greater than 25cm.

However, NZ grown Radiata pine does enjoy a premium because it is very suited to peeling to make plywood and many China Customers favour it. Many are now well used to the multiple benefits of Radiata including the many uses options.

Whist we have seen a small drop on export prices this month at the wharf gate NZ, at a year on year comparative we are still sitting in the top 75 percentile of the market of the last three years.

On a further positive note, overall lumber inventory in China has fallen for the first time

‘

The NZ domestic scene is chugging along.

in a long time. This is maintaining a level of confidence and lumber prices are firming albeit very slightly.

A strengthening RMB (China Currency) against the Green back is also helping Chinese manufactures selling to the US. Tariffs for wood related imports are being eased, which in combination also maintains confidence levels.

Most commentators are suggesting Q1 and possibly in to Q2 2020 is going to be volatile and unpredictable. The new world order that includes the US President being forced to shadow box from an increasingly weak corner is making money markets jittery. The experts tell me the kiwi dollar has more chance of firming over the new few months.

Add in the Russian Boss wanting to step aside whilst trying to keep ultimate control and most of the Iraq population now prepared to slap some bombs on and head to the US, we are likely in for some pretty interesting times.

The New Zealand domestic scene has been described by some as “chugging” along. In very broad terms, the demand and supply planets are basically in alignment.

Prices for log and lumber are stable and demand is good.

Most sawmill owners spoken to lately are generally happy with their lot, tinged of course with the constant challenges of trying to make some skinny margins whilst facing increasing costs. Compliance costs and the resources required to manage compliance are those elements most spoken of around the negotiation table.

As always please remember the thoroughly important message, “It remains, as always, fundamentally important, the only way forward for climate, country and the planet, is to get out there and plant more trees”.

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34

February 2020

CANTERBURY FARMING

DAIRY

❚ with Fred Hoekstra, VeeHof

Ensuring your safety and cow comfort whilst trimming How do you handle your cows individually? Can you restrain your cow so that she is comfortable, and you are safe?

This is a major issue on dairy farms. I went to a farm once to trim 20 -30 cows. For some reason the farmer had started doing some cows before I got there. When I turned up there was a cow lying down in the vet race.

She had gone down as the farmer was trimming her feet. She was still down by the time I left and as far as I know she never got up again. It is not uncommon for cows to get harmed because of the lack of proper animal handling equipment and I would like to raise this topic to help you avoid such accidents.

There is a right way and a wrong way to restrain cows. When a cow is being restrained there are three principles that always apply.

1. The cow needs to be comfortable If the cow is not comfortable, she will be a lot more unsettled. This seems common sense but is often overlooked.

Consider the surface the cow is standing on. Obviously, a slippery surface is not good but an equally or maybe even more important

point is that the cow must be standing on a flat or sloping up surface. No matter what crush you use, a cow does not like it if she is facing downhill and you are lifting her back feet. She will fight you all the way.

Purpose built hoof trimming crushes, like the WOPA Hoof treatment Crush, have a belly strap to support the cow when she loses her grip and slips. An added benefit of this belly strap is that it has a calming effect on the cow. Cows relax when you put pressure on their belly. You may have noticed that downer cows tend to sulk rather than stand up when they are lifted in a sling. It is for that same reason.

Another thing I would like to mention is the fact that most people like to have a leg tied up just above the claw against a bar. It makes the leg sit more rigid but if the cow should go down, for whatever reason, there is a very high risk for injuries such as broken legs or dislocated hips – this is what happened to the cow I mentioned earlier.

Lifting from the hock is much more comfortable for the cow and because she can still lean on the raised leg there is no risk of injury.

2. The operator needs to be safe at all times In this case, being safe and being comfortable go together. If you are uncomfortable you are unsafe and if you are unsafe than you are not comfortable unless you don’t know you are unsafe. This has happened to many people who have told us stories about braking arms, losing

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Safety: using a hoof trimming crush will help keep both the operator and the animal safe. teeth or lying unconscious behind a cow because that cow kicked back. In many, if not all, of those cases the incident occurred because there were too many bars in the way, or the operator was kneeling down behind the cow reaching out to the back feet, certainly a combination of these two situations could end up with major repercussions.

When trimming a back leg of a cow the leg should be lifted from the hock and the trimmer should always stand beside the cow, in the same way a horse farrier stands beside the horse. The cows’ leg should be lifted high enough so that you can comfortably lean onto the cow with your back pretty much upright or slightly bent forward. You can achieve this by bending your knees.

Leaning onto the cow and keeping your back straight is the key to comfortable and safe trimming. You can keep that up for much longer than crouching down behind the cow.

Also, the physical touch gives the cow a sense of security and helps her to relax. This is another reason why you should have no bars or pipe work in the way.

One last thing I want to mention about keeping safe is that when you trim a front foot always have one of the back feet raised.

This way it is a lot harder for a cow to kick forward and she is standing much more stable.

3. The operator needs to be in control at all times Cows sense whether somebody is nervous and lacking confidence. When a cow is tied up in a crush you should always being able to lift or lower her using winches without handles flying around by themselves. A braked winch with reduction is the answer here.

Good facilities and some proper training are essential elements to being safe and gaining the confidence and control needed to do a good job.

If you are interested in improving your cow and operator comfort, safety and control speak to us about the WOPa Hoof Treatment Crush. We will be at the Southern Field Days, site#:231, and would be happy to discuss these things with you further, or any other hoof care issues you are facing.

CANTERBURY FARMING

DAIRY

February 2020

35

Farmers have been misled ❚ with Peter burton

In October 2006 an article was published containing a summary of a report by Tim Bromilow, a Scottish soil scientist, after having spent six weeks travelling around New Zealand.

Although complimentary in regard to the ability of Fonterra, scientists and famers to deal with impending problems, his report did mention the damage already inflicted. This included the $127 million per year cost of soil erosion, 60% of water samples containing campylobacter, and the pollution levels in all lower Waikato waterways.

Bromilow also wryly noted the use of “an influential AgResearch promotional video that extolled the virtues of (synthetic) nitrogen as the cheapest source of fertiliser money can buy”.

Since 2006 the sale of urea, the cheapest form of synthetic nitrogen fertiliser has escalated. We’ve been told of instances where extra urea has been applied when farmers are unable to afford their normal phosphorus, sulphur, and potassium inputs.

Urea fertiliser was widely used in many European countries long before it became common practise in this country. It’s now highly regulated there due to problems arising from soil degradation, loss of soil carbon, and excess nitrate in drinking water.

Perhaps because we were brought up believing we were the best pastoral farmers in the world therefore there was nothing to be learnt from overseas, or maybe there was, and remains, a different reason for its use.

Either way we don’t seem to have learnt from others’ experiences and are now entering an era of government policy regulating animal numbers and management practises, ultimately dictating land use and prices.

There is an alternative to the current synthetic nitrogen dependent programmes, where on average 230kg bag N/ha is being applied to our best land.

Pasture production using these alternative products and programmes is up by as much as 30% and nitrate-N levels in ground water have been measured at 70% less, with

A different reason: The problem is excess nitrate (crude protein) in pasture as a result of an addiction to cheap synthetic nitrogen fertiliser resulting from the Government’s obligation to purchase large quantities of natural gas.

no increase in total fertiliser costs.

As pasture production increases feed quality also lifts. More of the nitrate in pasture is converted to full protein away from crude protein resulting in higher protein in milk while fat levels remain unaffected.

Plants photosynthesise more efficiently, with dairy herds peaking at 2.4kgMS/cow/ day and not losing weight.

Soils using these inputs steadily sequester carbon leading to significantly higher moisture and nutrient storage capacity, resulting in stronger growth into a dry summer and quicker recovery when rain arrives.

Given on-going submissions to Regional Councils and excellent political connections there’s been no support at MPI or Ministerial level. Federated Farmers, Dairy NZ, and AgResearch have actively denigrated the results despite farmer delegations demanding further research.

Just recently two pieces of information have come to hand that help make sense of

to cheap synthetic nitrogen fertiliser resulting from the Government’s obligation to purchase large quantities of natural gas.

Unless farmers individually and collectively act to control their own destiny, regulation putting their livelihoods and standing in the community in even greater jeopardy is inevitable and imminent.

For more information contact Peter on 0800 843 809.

this perplexing situation.

The ammonia urea plant in Taranaki, one of the National Government’s Think Big projects in the 1980s is currently receiving annual carbon credits covering 90% of its estimated CO2 emissions. A bizarre situation when legumes fix nitrogen organically from the air we breathe, for free.

In essence the manufacture of urea is subsidised by taxpayers hiding its true cost, including the environmental downsides.

When the Maui gas field, which provided the energy for the plant, was developed in conjunction with Shell Oil, the Government of the day agreed to pay for or take the gas and the ammonia urea plant was built, against the advice of leading scientists.

Farmers are being told that cow numbers are the reason for the increasing nitrate nitrogen levels in groundwater and soil degradation. In our view that’s not the case.

The problem is excess nitrate (crude protein) in pasture as a result of an addiction

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36

February 2020

CANTERBURY FARMING

DAIRY

Fire risk potential with proposed regulation It is a busy time of the year on sheep and beef farms and many of you will be in the throes of weaning, shearing, dipping and making supplementary feed.

Phil Smith ❚ by Director, Beef + Lamb New Zealand ❚ It is good to know that we are being rewarded for our hard word with solid returns and while the prices China is paying for our red meat have eased somewhat, I don’t believe it is anything to be concerned about.

Despite all the rhetoric about plant-based diets and alternative proteins, global demand for red meat and dairy products contains to grow year-on-year which augers well for the future of our industry, particularly as consumers increasingly seek product raised in natural, free-range environments.

The smoke that drifted across the Tasman, giving New Year’s Day an eerie feel, was a reminder of the horror and devastation caused by the Australian bushfires.

Our thoughts go out to all of those affected and those firefighters dealing with such as herculean task.

There is now much debate in Australia about how the combination of climate change and mismanagement has allowed fuel-loadings to increase year-on-year in a highly combustible bush environment.

In this country, many hill country farmers fear that environmental regulation might prevent them from being able to spray, cultivate

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or burn hill country which would significantly increase fuel-loadings and fire risk on their properties.

I know farmers in Marlborough have expressed concerns about the long grass in fenced off riparian areas as hot, dr y summers can quickly turn them into tinder boxes.

It is important that environmental regulations take these sorts of issues into account.

At the end of last year, the government released its National Policy Statement on Indigenous Biodiversity (NPSIB). There are positive elements, but also some areas of concern that need to be worked through.

Beef + Lamb New Zealand will be presenting their findings to farmers through fact sheets and other resources, so keep an eye on the B+LNZ website. The consultation process for the NPSIB closes on March 14.

Over the past couple of months there have been six deaths on New Zealand farms.

This is simply tragic for all of their families, friends and rural communities.

Quad bikes seem to be a common denominator in so many farm accidents and WorkSafe and ACC are offering a $180/bike subsidy on the cost of installing crush protection. I would urge everyone with a quad bike to take up the offer- whether their bikes are

‘

Farmers in Marlborough have expressed concerns about the long grass in fenced off riparian areas as hot, dry summers can quickly turn them into tinder boxes.

used on hills or the flat – it just might prevent serious injury or worse.

Personally, I would like to see the manufacturers of quad bikes and side-by-side vehicles install a reversing buzzer that lets the operator know that the vehicle is in reverse.

It is too easy to jump off to open a gate or check a trough and forget that the bike is in reverse. Open the throttle and you can get into trouble pretty quickly.

Take care as you work through this busy period and remember to SLAM- Stop, Look, Assess and Manage.

WATER & IRRIGATION

CANTERBURY FARMING

February 2020

37

Fertigation – the ‘N’ Answer The problems facing farmers from the current practice of nitrogen fertiliser application need addressing.

❚ by Kent Caddick

Up and running: Graeme Pile, left, and andy Nurse of Fertigation Systems check the installation of a fertigation irrigation system on a Canterbury farm.

There are already some options available, but one of these, utilising fertigation technology is proving to be a winner.

Simply put, fertigation is the application of nitrogen (or any) fertiliser in liquid form, through an irrigation system, which is already in place on many farms.

Graeme Pile and Andy Nurse, two Lincoln University graduates who have had extensive experience in a wide range of rural business and fertigation, have combined to form a new company called Fertigation Systems.

The company offers a comprehensive specialist design and installation package, for on-farm fertigation systems.

Graeme says setting up a fertigation system is cost effective.

“It is well justified considering the benefits and savings that accrue. The system pays for itself in less than two years.”

He says fertigation is not a new idea.

“It has been widely used in horticulture and viticulture in New Zealand for some years, and has been widely used in the USA in particular, and other parts of the world, for over 40 years.

“However, it is relatively new in pastoral farming in New Zealand, where once again we lead the world.”

Andy says currently there are some 33 Fertigation Systems established and operating in the South Island.

“Results achieved from these installations are impressive on all levels,” Andy says.

“Significant improvements in efficiency of N fertiliser use, reduction in amounts applied, reduction in nitrate leaching (N number as measured by Overseer), removal of

trucks on the property saving costs, reducing OSH issues and compaction, positive animal health benefits, while maintaining production levels, are among the advantages.”

Graeme says applying N “little and often” is the key.

“Fertigation does not adversely affect the irrigation equipment and all types of irrigation systems are able to utilise fertigation. Other fertilisers are also able to be applied through the system if desired.”

Graeme and Andy say they are driven by the need for a viable and sustainable system being available to farmers.”

“We, like many others, are aware of the environmental challenges being faced in farming that need to be addressed, both in New Zealand and the rest of the world, and the increasing rate of that change.”

The company’s vision and mission statements read that the approach to the design and planning of the Fertigation unit is ‘global’, considering all farm and irrigation management aspects a farmer faces.

“Our goal is to help farmers become more profitable and sustainable, creating better performance and accordingly a higher level of satisfaction.”

To find out more about Fertigation systems contact andy Nurse, 021 437 143 or email andy.nurse@ fertigation.co.nz or Graeme Pile on 027 624 6750 (graeme.pile@fertigation.co.nz) or visit their website: www.fertigation.co.nz

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38

February 2020

CANTERBURY FARMING

WATER & IRRIGATION

Getting the most from your irrigator in challenging conditions Happy New Year to all, I hope you are enjoying the warm weather and are excited for the year ahead. to maximise every drop of water and make sure it is used as effectively and efficiently as possible.

To get through the next few months irrigators will need to manage their water allocation and make some decisions about what the priorities are.

Check your equipment

❚ by elizabeth Soal There is a lot set to happen in the ‘water’ space with the impeding decisions about the National Freshwater Policy proposals as well as this year being an election year –and I’m sure more things will pop up as they always do.

This year is set to be a busy one for IrrigationNZ, with a highlight on the calendar being our 2020 ‘Water for Life’ Conference which I would strongly encourage you to come along to. It is a great chance to expand your knowledge about water use, what is happening on farm and within the agriculture industry and to meet others and hear their stories. Please make sure you check out http://waterforlife. kiwi/ to learn more and register.

With a new year comes the summer months ahead, which can be a trying time for farmers and growers due to dry conditions.

Things have certainly dried out here in Canterbury. Irrigating farmers will now be trying

Although it may seem like a bit of a hassle checking your irrigation equipment is performing to specifications is important – especially at this time of the year.

Checking your irrigation equipment is well maintained and performing to specifications will minimise down-time, leakage or delivery problems. Some systems may be 20-50% out and using more water than you need. Calibration checks can save a lot of water and are easy to carry out.

IrrigationNZ has a free ‘Check It Bucket Test’ app which can be used to check irrigators are applying water evenly. The app is available from Google Play or the App Store.

As the irrigation season goes on, regular maintenance checks are essential.

Checking pressure and sprinklers is recommended. Re-nozzling might help stretch out water for longer but this should be done under the advice of a qualified irrigation designer.

Irrigation scheduling Scheduling is also critical when your water supply is likely to be limited. With water meters in place, you should be keeping a close

Irrigation is vital at this time of year, and so is water use management. eye on how much water is being used, and regularly reviewing soil moisture levels and crop requirements.

Sitting down and planning your water budgets will enable you to work out how best to allocate water over the coming months.

Farmers who operate several irrigation systems should think about using their most efficient irrigation systems more than their least efficient systems to help make the best use of their water allocation.

Soil moisture monitoring This technology is also very helpful. You

should check this every day, so you know when to irrigate and how much water to apply.

Understanding which soils are the least productive and which are the most productive can help you identify which areas would benefit most from irrigation if the water is limited.

If you have stock, then placing your most productive animals on good pasture makes sense, while less productive stock could be put in areas without irrigation or with less pasture.

Involve your staff in a plan to manage your irrigation systems. If water is limited make sure they understand that any leaks or operating issues need to be fixed as soon as possible.

Something else that is important to remember at this time of the year is the strong winds that can be experienced and the potential damage that they can cause to irrigators.

New Zealand weather patterns are known for being variable and unpredictable. It is important to stay connected to have the best chance of being aware of high winds expected.

It’s important that everyone in the business understands what the agreed farm plan is if strong winds are on the way. This could include the method of ‘Point, Park, Anchor’.

Everyone should understand their responsibilities and the process. This should also include what happens after the winds have passed.

All the best for the rest of the irrigating season.

CANTERBURY FARMING

WATER & IRRIGATION

February 2020

39

The warm weather has arrived Irrigation is a relatively simple task in hot dry weather, you turn it on, check the flow rate and system pressure are correct on a daily basis (this can be automated) and keep going until the weather forecast provides you certainty significant rainfall is coming.

❚ by andrew Curtis From late November through to mid-December Lincoln and Winchmore climate station data shows ET rates averaged over 4.5 mm/ day with a few days well over 5 mm/day (the highest at 6.3 mm). You should have been irrigating flat-out during this period to meet plant water needs.

During the last few weeks of hot dry weather, we’ve had clients saying to us they’re having trouble keeping up.

For some this was a valid comment because their irrigation systems have low system capacity. System capacity is the maximum flow of water per unit of irrigated area that can be delivered by an irrigation system in a day. It is expressed as millimetres per day (mm/day) or litres per second per hectare (l/s/ha).

There are some irrigation systems in Canterbury that have been designed to deliver between 3.5 and 4 mm/ day (0.40 and 0.46 l/s/ha). This is a legacy from the early irrigation schemes delivery flow rates and some

older resource consents. During prolonged dry periods irrigation systems with low system capacity will start to ‘fall behind’ as irrigation can’t keep up with plant water use.

Despite this, having an Irrigation system with a low system capacity is manageable, but you need a different strategy for scheduling irrigation.

The irrigation trigger point during the peak of the season must be set closer to the soils

field capacity (this provides a buffer to get through periods of hot dry weather) and the long-term weather forecast needs to be very closely monitored. The downside with these irrigation systems is there’s no safety net if you get it wrong.

For clients that said they had trouble keeping up but had ample system capacity (5 mm/day or 0.58 l/s/ha) we’ve noted their issues are due to the irrigation scheduling

strategy they’ve adopted.

Running soil water down or very near to the stress point and then applying little amounts of irrigation often (5 mm of irrigation daily for example) is not good irrigation practice as plants can become stressed very easily. Soil water evaporation rates are also greater near the surface, and when combined with the plant root mass becoming concentrated in the top of the soil profile this leads to a very un-resilient farming system.

Typically, good irrigation practice for Canterbury soils during the peak of the irrigation season is to set the irrigation trigger point above the stress point (between 60-65% of Profile Available Water) and apply between 10-20mm depth of irrigation every 2-5 days depending upon your soil type.

If you would like specific support or advice for your irrigation scheduling, an assessment of your scheduling practice (including practical suggestions around how your irrigation practice could be improved), or you have issues with your irrigation equipment call Water Strategies to book in your Irrigation WOF.

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40

February 2020

CANTERBURY FARMING

WATER & IRRIGATION

When is enough, enough? ❚ with Dr Tony Davoren

We’ve made it four weeks past the longest day and many small seed crops are, or have reached, the final irrigation decision stage.

That final decision about another irrigation or not is upon us – have they got and/or had enough?

Clover and ryegrass (especially most perennial ryegrass) seed crops have reached that fateful decision time – do I irrigate again?

Actually, by the time you read this article that time will have passed, and they shouldn’t be getting any further irrigation.

The cooler weather in November and December has stretched that decision time but the principal is the same.

Peak flowering has been a little later than we would normally expect because of the cooler weather back in November and to a lesser extent December.

While the buds might have been initiated back before November (when day length was around 12 hours and it was cooler), flowering needs longer day length and warmer temperatures – somewhere around 14 hours or more day length and up around 21degC or warmer.

And, we need temperatures above 18degC for best nectar flow to attract the bees.

Enough is enough: The seed was predominantly firm and yellow (mature) or in those flowers pollinated and set, firm and green. another irrigation would just send this crop vegetative and the consequences are not good – nothing worse than more bulk and a damp environment.

We didn’t really see that until January when fortunately we still had day length of 15 to15.5 hours – but time was running out.

Hence the reference to the longest day – it has long passed as the third week of January begins and these crops are just nearing the end of their optimum flowering conditions.

In some crops I’ve looked this season, many of the early flower heads did not get

pollinated due to cool temperatures - reduced nectar flow and the bees stayed at home.

The question heading into the third week January is should one irrigate again. I have certainly seen a few getting irrigated – hope-

fully for the last time. Looking at the seed in crops (like the one shown) I couldn’t find a reason to irrigate even though soil moisture in the root zone had fallen to about 30% of available water.

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• IRRIGATION SYSTEMS

CANTERBURY FARMING

WATER & IRRIGATION

February 2020

41

New irrigator installation tips When designing and installing a new irrigation system, it needs to fit your land, business and water restrictions.

A well-designed system means efficient use of water, energy, labour and capital.

❚ Article supplied by DairyNZ

A new system is a major investment and should be thoroughly researched. Use a ‘Blue Tick’ accredited operator for installation work and advice.

IrrigationNZ has a range of resources to help in the design and installation of a new irrigation system. When designing a new irrigation system, consider installing a soil moisture monitoring system. This will help with irrigation scheduling and allow you to irrigate efficiently. IrrigationNZ has information on soil moisture monitoring equipment and how to install it.

When installing a new irrigation system or pump, make sure you get the performance specifications from the supplier which will be a benchmark for future checks and testing.

Failures of pumps and irrigation equipment during the season can waste a lot of time, restrict pasture growth and create stress.

Regular equipment checks and ongoing maintenance is vital in preventing breakdowns and reducing the chance of serious damage. Having a weekly or monthly and annual task list for irrigation maintenance, where you can check tasks off easily, ensures maintenance is kept up-to-date.

Below is a summary of some essential maintenance procedures for most irrigation systems. For more detail specific to your

system, contact the service provider. If you install a new pump, ensure the supplier provides the specifications and a pump commissioning report. This will serve as benchmarks for future checks.

Maintenance checklist during irrigation season At the pump: • grease pump and motor • check flow readings, operating pressures and amp readings to compare with initial readings or specifications.

At the irrigator: • check sprinklers for condition, rotation, blockage, nozzles not hooked up, wear and tear • check irrigation speed and operating pressure • check application depth and compare against design specifications • check hoses and pipes for damage or leaks • follow maintenance schedule for regular greasing of travelling irrigators • have a plan to manage travelling irrigators in high winds. This may include turning water off but keeping the irrigator filled with water; parking the irrigator behind shelter; or in the same direction as the wind to minimise the contact area. Tie down rotary booms.

Check it: regular equipment checks and ongoing maintenance is vital in preventing breakdowns and reducing the chance of serious damage to your irrigation system.

Problems which occur with irrigation can range from minor issues which take time to fix, through to major problems that cost time, money and loss of pasture production

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February 2020

CANTERBURY FARMING

WATER & IRRIGATION

2020 harvest season is upon us Harvest is now almost in full swing with some early crops harvested already and others on the ground awaiting some sunny days to bring the moisture down.

❚ Article supplied by Agri Optics

There are a few key questions to be asking yourself when starting the harvest season with yield mapping – Do you have yield mapping capabilities?

If your combine harvester is capable of yield mapping, do you use it? Are you storing your data in a secure location?

Yield map data is a powerful tool for making decisions on your farm. It’s a record of how your crops reacted and performed under that season’s constraints and management.

Constraints and variations may be apparent in your crop’s nutrient levels or application methods, or available water in the profile at critical times in the plants life cycle, and in most cases a combination of all of the above.

Many arable farmers have paid for yield mapping technology but aren’t able to harness the power of the information it pro-

vides. Agri Optics are here to help with that.

One thing that isn’t stressed enough to growers with yield monitors is that they should capture the data regardless of whether they are able to use it at present or not, as having multiple years’ worth of data is far more useful than one year of data.

The more years’ worth of data you have lessens the influence of a single seasons weather pattern or any out of the ordinary extremes.

For example, in a wet year the lighter freer draining soils may be preferable for a higher yield and vice versa in a dry season.

This process of compiling several years of data is called normalisation.

Data is put into a relative scale and is compared across the years.

Once data is normalised then we can

identify common zones or production areas.

These zones can be marked for future management decisions. The old adage “what gets measured gets managed” sings true here.

If you’d like to know more about yield mapping, how to check if you’re on the right track or someone to come and set it up for you then agri Optics can help the whole way through. Give us a call on 0800 482 682 or email info@agrioptics.co.nz to find out more.

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before and after of processing yield imagery in Trimble Farmer Core. It’s important to process yield data before you go to use it for other purposes as it can often be quite ‘noisy’ data.

P 0800 482 682 | E info@agrioptics.co.nz | www.agrioptics.co.nz

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CANTERBURY FARMING February 2020

LIVESTOCK

43

China a slow burner for venison A dramatic increase in world meat prices in response to demand from China is likely to have a more muted effect on venison prices.

❚ by Trevor Walton Emerging: Hotput cuisine in China may prove to be a new market for lower-priced venison cuts.

Photo: South China Morning Post.

cal peak in prices in the German game meat market. In both cases expected demand did not materialise, leading to unsold frozen stocks, and the current price correction.

“Adding to this unusual set of circumstances, the 2018 game season in northern Europe was very disappointing. It started late because of a very warm autumn, leading to poor sales and the carryover of frozen stocks into 2019. The 2019 game season has been better, with particularly good de-

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Benchmarked production and Johne’s disease info on your deer

70

Base your deer management decisions on the numbers.

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tional hotpot cuisine, kofta-style meatballs and so on.

“DINZ will be working alongside NZ marketers and Chinese chefs in the coming year to work out where else venison could fit into Chinese culinary styles.”

In late December, venison prices to farmers were averaging $8.50/kg, about $2/kg back on the exceptional December schedule last season, and above the previous 5-year average of $7.69/kg for the month.

Moffat says the price peak in 2018 was driven by a spike in demand from American petfood manufacturers for processing grades, which in turn added fuel to a cycli-

Carcass weight (young deer)

An outbreak of African swine fever (ASF) has resulted in half of China’s pig herd being killed since August 2018, pushing Chinese pork prices and meat imports to record highs. According to Reuters, Chinese meat imports will peak in 2022, before declining as domestic production recovers and prices ease.

Deer Industry NZ chief executive Innes Moffat says that unlike lamb, there is no established demand in China for venison. Nor is it a natural substitute for pork. So any benefit for deer farmers will result from meat prices world-wide being driven up by demand from China for pork, beef and lamb.

“On the positive side, this means that the niches for venison that our marketers are developing in China are likely to outlive the short-term effects of the ASF outbreak on demand for other meats,” Moffat says.

“Sales of venison to China have grown steadily in the last three or four years, to the point where it is emerging as an important volume market.

“The venison marketing companies with access are being very active. Some high-end hotel restaurants now have premium venison cuts on their menus.

“For lower-priced products like venison trim, partners in China are developing interesting products that show promise for future sales. These include venison rolls for tradi-

mand for chilled cuts going to restaurants, but it may take more time for the carry-over of frozen stocks to clear.”

The NZ venison industry has always relied on the European market to buy frozen venison for consumption in their late autumn and winter. While this reliance has been reduced, this traditional demand still exerts a big influence on prices to farmers.

“That’s why marketers and DINZ put effort into developing new markets to encourage consumption venison all year round.

Every kilo that goes into a Chinese hotpot, for example, is a kilo that doesn’t get stored frozen in Germany for sale in the traditional game season,” Moffat says.

New Zealand’s total venison exports have reduced in the last decade and a greater proportion is going into non-seasonal markets like the United States.

“The net effect of this is that long-run venison prices to farmers are now much higher than they were a decade ago,” Moffat says.

Within Europe, the industry has also made progress with selling premium Cervena venison as a summer grilling item into Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. This remains an unusual time of the year for Europeans to eat venison, so the development of this niche will take time.

44

February 2020

CANTERBURY FARMING

LIVESTOCK

More returns for your wool.

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.

❚ by rob Cochrane

Procurement Manager, ❚ Wool PGG Wrightson Wool ❚

• CP Wool has stores in key locations across NZ

While we all know that commodity markets rise and fall according to supply and demand pressure, from a New Zealand strong wool grower’s perspective price falls experienced throughout the past three years have created major doubt as to whether quality wool is worth pursuing.

• CP Wool offers significant benefits and advantages to New Zealand wool producers Talk to your local CP Wool representative about maximising the returns on your wool clip.

Contact your Canterbury representative Mark Greenlaw 027 227 8898 Roger Fuller 027 683 6993 Grant Andrew 027 481 6219

So, how was the market?

Gavin Crump 027 431 6555 Milton Hulme 027 229 9794 www.cpwool.co.nz

The Working Wool Buyer

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The resultant apathy towards wool production and in-shed wool preparation is, in my view, likely to cause permanent damage to New Zealand’s outstanding global reputation as a producer of high-quality strong wool, if it hasn’t done so already.

It has become even more evident within a wool auction room nowadays that wool exporters will pay premiums for well-presented lines of wool, rather than risking their reputation by delivering a sub-standard product to their overseas customers many of whom are also struggling in an extremely competitive environment.

However, try and portray that to a grower who can prove that their associated shearing, handling, transport and selling costs has outweighed financial returns for their wool clips for the past two or three years.

Ask any wool rep who calls on wool growers everyday canvassing for business and I’m sure that they’ll say that insisting on good in-shed wool preparation is not the easiest of sells. Spare a thought for the wool reps of the world, as they front up each day to disillusioned and often grumpy wool growers, as they mostly have a lot of experience and advice to offer and are an integral part of the wider wool industry.

So, how was the market?

The following is an oldie but a goodie.

The Wool broker His head is full of yields, limits and types, Of combing and clothing and skirtings and slipes, Of sixty-four/seventies, shafty and free Or bright stylish halfbreds like type eighty-three.

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

The grower’s division is fine-medium-strong, It’s the one or the other you can’t go far wrong, But the Woolbrokers classers without even a gripe Will split the clip up into eight hundred types.

He can tell you the value in bales or in bags, Of fleeces and pieces and bellies and dags, And they who would argue are very soon lost In discursive of “yields” and of “clean cost”.

He values the dead wool it seems by the smell, And knows the last farthing the buyer will yell, And after the auction he seeks to make peace Explaining why bellies made more than the fleece.

He values a handful of wool in the store, The owner convinced that it ought to make more Sticks on a reserve, that would make a man grieve If he hadn’t kept fourpence or so up his sleeve.

When wool is on show and the owner demurs, The broker points out the “tender” and “burrs” And says that the classing and get up are bad But he’ll get him the very best price to be had.

If it makes a bit more than the figure he meant He says that the market is up ten percent, If it makes a bit less, he remarks with a frown, “I’m sorry, old man, but the market is down”.

If the wool is passed-in and the owner relents And to let his stuff go at the bidding consents, It’s a hundred to one he’ll be told if he did – “I’m sorry, the Buyer won’t stick to his bid.”

— Anon That’s my view.

CANTERBURY FARMING

February 2020

45

Greater choice in the Ranger range The Ford Ranger FX4 Bi-Turbo Special Edition has arrived in New Zealand.

❚ by Kent Caddick Based on the volume-selling, highly equipped Ranger XLT double-cab, the return of the FX4 nameplate brings with it an even more distinctive identity, with unique design elements inside and out for a fresh take on Ranger’s renowned versatility.

The Ranger FX4 Bi-Turbo sits between the Ranger XLT and highly equipped Ranger Wildtrak models, giving customers greater choice with a unique package that offers the same great capability and dependability for which Ranger is known.

The Ranger FX4 a host of new features to the Ranger customer, some of which are apparent from first glance.

The Ranger FX4 Bi-Turbo has a unique front mesh grille, finished in Ebony Black, flanked by darkened versions of the Bi-LED High Performance Headlights introduced for Ranger XLT, Wildtrak and Ranger Raptor. The front-end view also brings an Ebony Black lower valence and mirror caps to create a strong FX4 identity.

New FX4 specific 18-inch alloy wheels, an inch larger than the Ranger XLT’s 17-inch alloys, continue the black detailing, with black DLO, door handles and front guard fender feature contrasting the striking red ‘FX4’ lowP

H

er front door and tailgate decals, all with a 3D effect.

Completing the look, the FX4’s tray hosts a protective bed liner and an extended blackfinish sports bar, adding a stand-out visual attribute to the Ranger FX4’s load area.

The extensive black treatment applied to the outside is designed to impress with the five exterior colour choices for Ranger FX4 BiTurbo, which consist of Shadow Black, Arctic White, True Red, Meteor Grey and Aluminium Metallic.

For the first time, Ranger FX4 Bi-Turbo is offered with the latest generation 2.0 litre BiTurbo, 10-speed powertrain as standard on either the 4WD or 2WD. With 157kW/500Nm, the Bi-Turbo powertrain was first introduced on the Ford Performance Ranger Raptor and is fitted with the specifically tuned, new generation 10-speed paddle shift automatic.

The 10-speed automatic includes a lockout feature to hold specific gears when towing, giving the Ranger FX4 Bi-Turbo a towing capacity of 3500Kg braked.

In addition to the highly capable towing, the Bi-Turbo brings a fuel efficiency figure of 6.7L/100km combined for the 2WD and 7.4L/100km combined on O

N

Powered up: For the first time, ranger FX4 bi-Turbo is offered with the latest generation 2.0 litre bi-Turbo, 10-speed powertrain as standard.

the 4WD, showing the depth of its capabilities.

Driver Assist Technology is standard on Ranger FX4 Bi-Turbo and includes Adaptive Cruise Control, Active Park Assist, Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Keeping Aid (LKA) with Lane Departure Warning and Driver Alert, Traffic Sign Recognition and Automatic Highbeam headlights.

The Adaptive Cruise Control reduces driver workload by maintaining a pre-set distance to the vehicle ahead.

The Active Park Assist is a

segment first. This advanced system takes account of the dimensions of the vehicle, and helps ease the burden of parking. The driver needs only to apply the throttle and brakes, as the system steers the Ranger into the parking space.

The current Ford ranger line-up has been rated at five-stars by the australasian New Car assessment Program (aNCaP).

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February 2020 CANTERBURY FARMING

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Awakening to the New Year My geriatric Pointer pants happily in my ear as we sit watching the last sunlight of 2019 fade from a clear sky into starlight.

❚ by Solis Norton The distant sheep settle in the dusk as the hares come out. Then, sure enough, two deer emerge and meander down to the creek for a drink. The air is still. It’s quiet enough to hear the distant water gurgling. The hills are green, it’s pleasantly warm and everything smells of summer... the perfect New Year’s Eve. Leaving the deer in peace we make the short Toyota Corona ride back home to bed.

Emissions expunging regularly from the dog so toxic they bring my eyes to water and nose to burn. It lies splayed across the back, unmoving, head resting on the empty child seat. I wonder absentmindedly if I record their source as urban or rural in my carbon footprint audit.

We awake to 2020. An incredible thick red haze covers the sky. The sun is dim over a blurry horizon. Gloom so deep even my miserable little energy saver light bulbs make the kitchen brighter than the garden outside.

Below in Port Chalmers the Pacific Princess cruise ship has docked. Lumbering from it into our tiny town are an endless stream of large-

ly obese retirees in vibrant jump suits and art deco outfits. Part zombie, part refugee, they plod slowly through the smoky murk from one café to the next. They exhort relief to waiters baring eggs benedict on escaping Australia, the fires, smoke, and stress. The astoundingly apocalyptic nature of this scene was lost on neither me nor the dog, who was by this stage feeling healthier.

We check the news. The Australian Open tennis tournament begins in Melbourne in the fires’ noxious fog. Players cough on their knees, short of breath. I’m reminded of the musicians on the Titanic and that old chestnut ‘keep calm and carry on’. They played on long after it struck the iceberg, comforting to the very end as they gradually descended into the frigid Atlantic.

And yet the holidays go by, the refugees return to their cruise ships and sail off and the sky clears. All seems back to normal. Save for that image of New Year’s Day burned into my mind. All debates aside of climate change and controlled burning, koalas and humans, science and spin, politics and Greta, that vision was singularly remarkable.

And now Friday evening, end of the second week back at work. I grab my gun and pack to the sheer delight of the dog and we head back out to the hill. Back to the fresh air, the evening stillness and the natural cycle of all things good. But first, we’ll take a moment to wish you all the best in what is bound to be another action packed year.

CANTERBURY FARMING

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.

47

❚ with rob Cope-Williams

From plastic to fence posts The Kiwi spirit and inventiveness still live within our shores despite commercialisation and mass production on the other side of the world.

Two chaps in the North Island saw how many truckloads of plastic were being taken into the local recycling station and set about designing equipment to literally turn plastic into fence posts.

They are, I understand, very durable, strong and yet will take staples as any wooden one. Plus of course, you don’t have to cut down trees and there is no leaching of tantalising going into the soil.

In a word... brilliant. Well done those chaps who call themselves Plastic to Posts. Their challenge now is to get the business running and set up all over the country so the mountains of plastic bottles etc. will be able to be reduced to mole hills.

Hopefully the regional councils will step up with funds, or even some sort of funding from Central Government, but whatever they get from those sources won’t be enough, so the enterprise is likely to wither on the vine and die from a lack of financial support.

To me this project should go worldwide, but again funds will be the problem

Work safely: Watch 4 wires Always keep equipment at least 4 metres away from power lines.

February 2020

4m +

and unless local New Zealanders invest with the two it will be taken on by an overseas organisation and we will be back to square one. I do hope they thought about international patents.

I suggest you Google Plastic to Posts and look yourself and see what they are up too. Presently they are processing about 15 tonnes a month, so as I suggested, it is just a very small start and will need backing to make a difference.

Turing plastic into other useful things is becoming big news; some are building roads out of the stuff so fence posts should be a goer worldwide as well.

I hope the chaps get to sell their machinery overseas as well as the technology and with luck they will do very well, as will those who invest with them.

Sadly, we have seen many clever inventions get swallowed up by international companies and the inventor fading into obscurity. Good Luck to our clever chaps, and here’s hoping you will be able to retire from your farms and enjoy the fruits of your clever thinking.

There certainly isn’t any limit to the raw material around the world, and the even the fish in the oceans will thank you.

48

February 2020

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