Canterbury Farming, September 2020 by Canterbury Farming

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September 2020 Edition

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Funded: Flood recovery work along the rangitata river is one of the targets of a $15.5 million flood protection fund.

photo supplied by eCan

Funding boost to Canterbury’s ﬂood protection infrastructure

Canterbury will benefit from $15.5 million in central government funding for ﬂood protection measures which will help keep rural communities safer.

❚ by Kent Caddick The funding will be put towards six projects, which have a total combined value of $24.2 million. The funding forms part of the $210 million for shovel-ready climate resilience and flood protection projects being delivered through $3 billion of infrastructure contingency set aside in the 2020 Budget. Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters said the funding would help to stimulate regional economies and get people into work.

“There is no doubt climate change poses a real danger to our regions through extreme weather events, coastal inundation, and the associated problems such as erosion, flooding and the destruction of infrastructure,” Peters said. “This has a negative impact on those regional economies and their productivity. It is imperative that we are providing our regions with the resources they need to protect against these issues.” Environment Canterbury River Engineering Manager, Leigh Griffiths, said she is delight-

ed by the funding announcement and excited to be able to progress six projects across Canterbury. “Improving flood protection is a critical ‘first step’ climate change adaptation action,” she said. “This is a great example of where co-investment can truly benefit local communities and provide for current inhabitants and future generations for years to come.”

TO PAGE 2

September 2020

CANTERBURY FARMING

FARMING NEWS

New Chief Executive for regional council ❚ ‘ Dr Stefanie Rixecker has been appointed as the new Chief Executive at Environment Canterbury.

by Kent Caddick

Dr Rixecker replaces outgoing CEO Bill Bayfield who has been appointed as the establishment Chief Executive of Taumata Arowai, the new drinking water regulator. ECan Chair Jenny Hughey says the council is delighted to have made the appointment of Dr Rixecker to the role. “Stefanie brings to the role her experience as the Director of Science at Environment Canterbury since 2016, and her recent few

months as Acting Chief Executive since Bill Bayfield left. “Prior to her role at Environment Canterbury, Stefanie has a background in academia, environmental science, government relations and several senior leadership roles in the public sector, so I feel we have found an excellent all-rounder with the added bonus of Stefanie being one of our current directors”.

I feel we have found an

excellent all-rounder with the

added bonus of Stefanie being one of our current directors. Jenny Hughey ECan Chair

New job: Dr Stefanie rixecker has been named as the new Chief executive at environment Canterbury.

Funding offers ‘raft of benefits’ FROM PAGE 1

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Griffiths said funding of the projects offers a raft of benefits, including: the creation of jobs, leading to sustainable economic growth and recovery from the effects of Covid-19; encouragement of environmental sustainability; helping communities to build resilience against the effects of climate change by managing higher magnitude and more frequent flood events; and the protection of critical infrastructure. ECan councillor John Sunckell noted the importance of Canterbury’s braided rivers and the need to protect them, and those who live near them. “Five of the projects are on Canter-

bury’s braided rivers, which are a taonga and highly valued by Ngai Tahu. They are stunning landscape features, with high natural and cultural values,” Sunckell said. “This funding allows us to simultane-

ously care for braided rivers as the special places they are, while keeping our community safe with key infrastructure projects.” The six projects that will be funded (subject to due diligence) are: • Waiau Township – stopbank repairs and upgrades • Ashley/Rakahuri – river protection and fairway management • Waimakariri River – Kaiapoi community flood protection • Halswell/Hurutini – weed barrier replacement • Rangitata River – flood recovery • Region-wide planting and berm management project

FARMING NEWS

CANTERBURY FARMING September 2020

Feds concerned workforce gap will adversely affect production Tens of millions of dollars’ worth of farm production and the jobs of other workers are at risk if the government continues to dither on allowing a limited number of skilled agricultural machinery operators into New Zealand according to Federated Farmers.

❚ by Kent Caddick Federated Farmers employment spokesperson Chris Lewis said they have been working with Rural Contractors NZ on this issue for several months. “It has almost gone past critical now because we’re on the cusp of Spring activity and we need to get these seasonal workers on flights and into quarantine for two weeks.” Exemptions have been allowed for workers laying synthetic tracks for horse racing, for the movie industry, and others. “The primary industries can help us pave the way to post-Covid economic recovery but not if crucial cogs in our production systems are hobbled by key gaps in the workforce,” Lewis said. Rural Contractors NZ has just finished surveying its members and has found that 57 contractors urgently need a total of 206 skilled operators. “They’re needed to service 8,213 clients and many of those will be Federated Farmers members,” Lewis said. Rural Contractors CEO Roger Parton said without this annual influx of highly skilled drivers and operators, it has been estimated there would be a 32% downturn in activity, worth $65 million. “The effect of that would be the loss of nearly 28 million tonnes of production, with a value in excess of $110 million,” Parton said.

Gap: Rural Contractors NZ say without the annual influx of highly skilled drivers and operators, it has been estimated there would be a 32% downturn in activity in the rural sector, worth around $65 million.

In a letter to the new Immigration Minister Kris Fafoi Federated Farmers said if managed entry can’t be found for the machinery operators, experienced senior dairy staff and a limited number of other skilled technical staff, there is significant potential for economic, health and safety and animal welfare issues across the primary industries that could otherwise be avoided. “We share the government’s desire to train Kiwis for these roles, and action is happening on that front. The 40 places on the first of six planned agricultural drivers’ cours-

es at SIT’s Telford campus have all been taken,” Lewis said. “They should graduate with the ability to safely drive a tractor, but not the combine harvesters and silage machines that can be worth a million dollars or more. “You don’t train someone to use a chainsaw, then send them out to bring down tall trees the next week. Newer drivers need to gain experience with tractors on basic tasks in simple country before they can move on to more complex machines.’ Lewis said the majority of fatalities in ag-

riculture involve vehicles and the last thing anyone wants is inexperienced vehicle operators put in situations where they end up having an accident. “These skilled operators have been coming into New Zealand without problems in the past. But the pandemic restrictions have caught everyone on the hop. “These are extraordinary circumstances and government sign-off of managed entry of these highly skilled operators, with the quarantine paid for by contracting firms, is crucial,” Lewis said.

September 2020

CANTERBURY FARMING

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

FARMING NEWS

M.bovis eradication makes gains three years on

July 22 marked the three year anniversary of the first detection of Mycoplasma bovis in New Zealand. Since then, our world-first effort to eradicate M.bovis has made significant progress with the number of infected properties dropping to new lows. As I write this, 250 properties have been infected by the disease – with all but two now clear of it. The hard and early approach with which we responded to Covid-19 was the exact same approach we took early on in our term as a Government to eradicate M.bovis to protect our national herd, the economic base of our primary sector, and the social good of the country. Key to the success are our programme partners DairyNZ and Beef + Lamb New Zealand. They were part of the bold decision to attempt to eradicate this disease and have been part of our efforts since the very beginning. It was estimated that allowing the disease to spread could cause $1.3 billion in economic losses in the first ten years alone, along with substantial animal welfare issues, and serious ongoing challenges for farmers having to manage the disease within their herds. One key measure of success of our 10-year eradication plan, the Estimated Dissemination Rate (EDR), shows that we have M.bovis firmly in our sights. If the EDR is

greater than one, then the disease is growing. If it’s below one, we’re shrinking the disease. The EDR is now at 0.4, which is down from over two at the start of the outbreak, so we are looking harder to find fewer infected animals. We’ve shown, again, that we’re able to do what others countries have not in terms of disease eradication effor ts. That’s some-

thing our farming community should be really proud of. Allowing the disease to spread would have caused lost productivity in our vital cattle sectors and affected the economy. Had we left M.bovis to run rampant, I’m not sure our dairy and beef sectors would have been able to weather the economic storm of COVID-19 and the challenges of drought conditions as well as they have.

The eradication effort has not been without substantial challenges, and the impact on affected farmers can’t be under-estimated. Farmers deserve a lot of credit for their efforts. We are continuing to improve processes and work hard to support their wellbeing and recovery, including getting their compensation claims paid as quickly as possible. We are also changing tax law to further help farmers whose herds were culled. A significant tax bill can arise in the year they receive a compensation payment so we’ll be making a change that means they may be eligible to spread their income over several years. There is still work to be done, and there will be more infected farms to find – but we’re well and truly on track to do what no other country in the world has done and eradicate this disease. The next 12 months is about ensuring that we have found all infected herds. This will involve ongoing Bulk Tank Milk Surveillance, nation-wide beef surveillance, and on-farm testing of herds that could possibly have been exposed, to ensure that they are not infected. We will not let up on our efforts, and will ensure that this disease is gone so that we can farm free from it in the future.

FARMING NEWS

CANTERBURY FARMING

September 2020

North Canterbury Holstein Friesian cow joins elite club An 18-year-old dairy cow in North Canterbury has achieved a rare accolade.

❚ by brad markham Belbrook Dynamic Vanessa EX5, who is owned by Belbrook Holsteins in Rangiora, has been classified excellent for a fifth time. The result propels her into an elite club of bovines who have been recognised for their superior traits and longevity. Vanessa was the only Holstein Friesian in New Zealand to receive an EX5 classification in 2019. The achievement has left her owners, brothers Robbie and John Wakelin, elated. “It’s been two decades since we’ve had a cow classify EX5, that was Belbrook LD Annabel EX5 in 2000,” John said. “It’s quite rare. Dairy cows work a lot harder these days and don’t often live long enough to meet the required criteria.” A Holstein Friesian cow is not eligible to receive her first excellent classification until she has calved at least three times. “Vanessa is a very youthful-looking cow. She looks like a nine-year-old, even though she’s much older,” John said. Vanessa was born in 2002 and was the oldest cow in the Wakelin’s milking herd in 2019-20. Her production peaked at 513 kilograms of milksolids (kgMS) in 2013. “Vanessa is the smallest cow in our herd. She goes back to a different time when our cows weren’t as big.” She classified excellent for the first time in 2009 and the bovine beauty has produced 13 calves. Five of her heifers were reared.

Quality: John Wakelin with belbrook Dynamic Vanessa eX5, who has been classiﬁed excellent for a ﬁfth time.

Two of her daughters, Belbrook TKO Veronica EX2 and Belbrook Talent Victoria EX2, have both classified excellent twice. Her youngest daughter, Belbrook Bankroll Viva VG88, who was born in 2016, produced 449 kgMS as a two-year-old heifer. “Vanessa was the last cow we had in the

‘V’ family for about five or six years,” John Wakelin said. “We thought we were going to lose the family, then she started having daughters and the family rebuilt. “The ‘V’ family has never been outstanding for production, but they’ve been easy to

work with and live a long time.” said John. Vanessa was sired by Bellview WM Dynamic, a bull bred by Robbie and John before they took over their parents’ stud name. “He was an outstanding bull. He produced about 17 daughters who classified excellent,” John said.

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September 2020

CANTERBURY FARMING

FARMING NEWS

Practical govt approach needed for primary sector The Covid crisis has shown the importance of the primary industries and our competitive advantage in the supply of food and fibre to the world.

David bennett ❚ by National Party spokesperson ❚ for Agriculture ❚ Since they’ve woken up to the economic importance of it, the Government has been promoting the future of the primary industries, but only National will deliver the mechanisms to deliver for the sector. The Government has announced ambi-

tious targets for the primary sector to effectively double export proceeds in the next decade. This $44b target sounds great in theory but will take a lot of growth, innovation and investment in the sector of which Labour won’t make the necessary investments. The growth factors in an increase of dairy exports of between $4-5b in that period. When I asked the Minister in Parliament how he anticipated achieving this target he focused on the future of organic and regenerative dairy farming. This shows a separation from reality. Although there are some premiums for organic dairy production it’s such a small percentage of actual supply to be of limited growth, also it involves a large scale reduction in milksolids produced from similar

areas of land than conventional production. The regenerative dairy market is currently very small and how that is expected to suddenly increase our export receipts is pure fiction at this stage. National will work with the sector to achieve sustainability goals in a way that is

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practical and science based, not the pie in the sky theory of the current Minister. We back a sustainable future for our primary producers and know that farmers and growers are committed to the same outcome, this is apparent with the amount of fencing and riparian planting we’ve seen along waterways in the past few years. The second pillar of the Government’s plan is the reduction of methane emissions of between 27-47 per cent. DairyNZ estimates this would cost the dairy sector alone $5-$12. How the Minister can seriously expect sustained growth in the sector while at the same time actively constraining it beggars belief. National understands the needs of farmers and growers. We back their aspiration, adaptiveness and ingenuity. We will provide the infrastructure, technology and skills to enable real growth.

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FARMING NEWS

September 2020

Norwood acquires Johnson Norwood has increased their dealer footprint in Canterbury, acquiring the Johnson Gluyas business, a dealer group which operates out of Ashburton, Timaru, and Oamaru.

❚ by Kent Caddick

Expansion: Norwood has increased its dealer footprint in Canterbury to now include locations in Christchurch (pictured), Ashburton, timaru, and Oamaru.

‘ Myers said this acquisition, alongside Norwood’s investment in precision agriculture business Vantage New Zealand, represents Norwood’s high level of commitment to providing customers with optimal support for their suite of product brands and technology solutions. Norwood assumed responsibility for the

three Johnson Gluyas Tractors dealerships in Ashburton, Timaru, and Oamaru in August. “Existing Johnson Gluyas staff will be welcomed into the Norwood team, so current customers can continue to reach out to their existing local parts, service, and sales representatives.”

We will work with existing Johnson Gluyas customers to ensure the transition is seamless. Tim Myers Norwood CEO

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With its existing dealership in Christchurch, the acquisition brings Norwood closer to the heartland of New Zealand agriculture, with four locations in Canterbury. With 25 locations across the country, Norwood has the largest dealer footprint of any tractor retailer in New Zealand. The Johnson Gluyas Tractors business has been a part of the landscape for many years and Chris Johnson and Peter Gluyas said they wish to thank the agri and farming sectors in Canterbury and North Otago for their support over the past 25 years. Over this time, they have represented Norwood’s suite of brands, including New Holland, Vaderstad and Horsch. Norwood CEO Tim Myers said they are committed to building on existing customer relationships, as well as expanding on the advice, support, and product solutions available in the region. “Canterbury is home to some of New Zealand’s largest, most progressive cropping and seed production operations,” Myers said. “Norwood’s suite of professional cultivation, seeding and harvest products, from world leading manufacturers is well suited to serve these operations. “Norwood is looking forward to enhancing the exceptional level of back up support, advice and precision farming solutions available, and will work with existing Johnson Gluyas customers to ensure the transition is seamless.”

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September 2020

CANTERBURY FARMING

Andrew Wyllie ❚ with ❚ Forsyth Barr

RURAL PROFESSIONALS

Recovery from a ‘black swan’ event The global pandemic continues. The United States is struggling to contain a widespread outbreak across many states, with new outbreaks occurring in parts of Europe, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Japan.

Still, the road to a full recovery will likely be long and difficult. The widespread plunge in economic activity during the second quarter of the year, with United States GDP growth dropping the largest amount ever for the three months to June 30, indicates just how important the response from central banks and politicians will continue to be in the months and years ahead. Unsurprisingly, the biggest hit to activity was a result of households reining in their personal consumption (outside groceries and alcohol), as lockdowns and business closures crippled discretionary spending. When you are thinking about your Also, not surprisingly, the investment options, talk to Forsyth Barr increase in online spending To get personalised investment advice and boosted demand for services offered by the likes of Amportfolio management specific to your investing azon and Mainfreight. needs, talk to Investment Adviser Andrew Wyllie While the virus is likely to in confidence on (03) 365 4244 or email result in some permanent andrew.wyllie@forsythbarr.co.nz changes to the global economy, its impact on financial Disclosure Statements markets may end up being for Forsyth Barr more transitory. Authorised Financial Advisers are available on Covid-19 may become just request and free of charge. one of many risks that need to be priced-in, particularly if

While effor ts to contain the pandemic have hit a number of sectors ver y hard, the massive monetar y and fiscal response to fight the consequences of the virus have lifted many financial asset prices to all-time highs.

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we have to learn to live with it for some time. While the virus does continue to spread globally, mortality rates are declining and confidence is increasing that treatments are becoming more effective, with progress being made in numerous vaccine trials around the world. This increases the sense that Covid-19 will become ‘manageable’, as indicated by the widespread opening of borders in the northern hemisphere.

V-shaped recovery As economic lockdowns were eased and life got back to ‘normal’ for many, a pent-up surge in consumer spending, supported by wage subsidies, mortgage holidays, and supplementary unemployment payments, surprised many businesses. While not being able to travel overseas on holiday, consumers splurged on cars, art, house renovations, furniture and appliances, and dining-out. Globally, this has led to a V-shaped recovery in manufacturing and logistics (storage and distribution) in many economies. Those countries that imposed the harshest lockdown measures seem to have recovered the quickest, as we have seen from stronger than expected activity data in Europe and China. However, millions of people around the world have become unemployed. Thousands of businesses continue to struggle and many will likely close as financial support expires. So while the performance of the sharemarket and response by consumers since leaving lockdowns is consistent with a V-shaped recovery, the positive sentiment could slow or even stall in coming months, depending on the course of the virus. One thing we can rely on is the commitment by central banks to keep interest rates at current historic lows until the global economy has weathered the viral storm and is on track to meet employment and inflation targets. Central banks have unlimited power to keep printing money to purchase financial assets and will likely keep doing so while the negative impacts of Covid-19 on economic activity continues. With interest rates pinned down near zero, equities and real assets such as proper-

ty will continue to find support from investors with little or no alternative for their cash.

Stay prepared Actions from governments and central banks have stabilised financial markets. But there is still plenty of uncertainty, and as we’ve seen over the past few months, sentiment can change quickly. There is potential for further market volatility ahead. The past few months do reaffirm some important messages for investors. We don’t believe it is possible to consistently time or predict short-term movements in markets. Markets oscillate between greed and fear. And they don’t need a positive economic backdrop to bounce. Today, markets expect a ‘less bad’ outlook than they did in March. The low returns on offer from cash and bonds will continue to encourage investors into equities. We all prefer positive over negative news. Investors generally feel better when markets go up, and it can be disconcerting when they go down. But unfortunately volatility is something investors will always have to bear. The key is managing your response to it. Working with your Forsyth Barr Investment Adviser to formulate and stick to an investment plan with clear objectives, is one of the best ways to do so. this report covers the three months ending July 31. If you’re new to investing please see Forsyth barr’s Introduction to Investing guide available at www.forsythbarr.co.nz/intro-to-investing or to discuss your investment options please contact Andrew Wyllie, an Authorised Financial Adviser with Forsyth barr in Christchurch. He can be contacted regarding portfolio management, ﬁxed interest, or share investments on 0800 367 227 or andrew.wyllie@forsythbarr. co.nz this column is general in nature and should not be regarded as personalised investment advice. Disclosure Statements are available for Forsyth barr Authorised Financial Advisers on request and free of charge.

CANTERBURY FARMING

RURAL PROFESSIONALS

bessie paterson LLb ❚ with Ronald ❚ W Angland & Son

September 2020

A legacy of the lockdown When the government ordered a lockdown earlier this year as a result of the pandemic many workers were obliged to work from home.

The arrangements have suited a considerable number of workers who are either working from home in a full or part time capacity. It also applies to workers in other occupations especially where they have access to workshop facilities. Working from home always sounds attractive and many people find it most suitable for their life-style. However it is not for everybody and many workplaces simply would not function adequately if some of the workforce opted to work from home. There is also the obligation on many businesses to keep their work confidential especially where the work is of a sensitive nature. That may be difficult where there are others living at the home address of the employee. Where an employee and employer agree to a working from home arrangement it places obligations on the employer to comply with provisions the Health and Safety at Work Act. The part of the home where the employee works is included in the definition of a workplace as defined in the Act and every employer is required to ensure that a workplace does not put anyone’s health and safety at risk. Their obligation is to provide a safe workplace equivalent to that which the em-

ployee would be in if they were working on the employer’s premises. If an employee suffers an injury at home during a break from work or where they suffer an injury by personal strain it would also be considered a work-place accident. If the worker from home has distractions and interruptions which they would not have in the employer’s workplace, and an accident

occurs it may not be considered as a workplace accident. The employer is in an onerous position in some respects. They do not have a legal right to enter and inspect the private home workplace or insist that the worker upgrades their property to comply with the obligations imposed by the Health and Safety legislation. Where an accident occurs investigations

this article has been prepared by bessie paterson, a partner at ronald W Angland & Son, 2 Chapman Street, Leeston could be difficult without access to the accident site. When the legislation was passed into law in 2015, few people worked from home. As a result of the pandemic many work-place arrangements have changed and it is to be hoped that there will be a review of the legislation to accommodate the seismic shift in employment arrangements.

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September 2020

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FARMING NEWS

eugenie Sage ❚ with Green Party spokesperson for Primary Industries ❚

Recently I announced more progress on the Government’s plans to reduce the amount of waste ending up in landfills or in the environment.

Reducing landfill bound waste

Government has declared six products, which can cause environmentally harmful waste, as ‘priority products’. This means regulated product stewardship schemes will be developed for them. The products include agrichemicals and their containers, farm plastics along with tyres, refrigerants, electronic products and plastic packaging. Regulated product stewardship involves mandatory schemes which help put the responsibility for waste and what happens to products at the end of their useful life on manufacturers, brand owners, importers, retailers and users, rather than on communities, councils, and nature. Old products that have reached the end

of their life can be used to make something new, especially if they are designed better for reuse and recycling. Some voluntary schemes already exist such as Agrecovery for agrichemicals and their containers and Plasback for silage wrap, feed sacks, and baling twine. Recent media coverage of tonnes of plastic silage and baleage wrap ending up tangled around logs and riverbank vegetation in the Buller River showed that there is much more that farmers can do to ensure that the plastic wrap is collected, rather than left lying around the farm to pollute rivers and streams. Agrecovery has collection sites around the country and a mobile container collection service. The scheme enables the plastic in

used agrichemical containers to be cleaned, shredded and reprocessed into useful things like covers for underground cables. But not all chemical companies are involved and contributing to the costs of container collection and reprocessing. Shifting from a voluntary to a mandatory scheme will help even the playing field. Government is also expanding and increasing the levy on waste which goes to landfills to encourage more recovery of useable materials and more recycling and reprocessing. The extra levy revenue will help fund new recycling infrastructure here in New Zealand. Farm dumps are currently exempt from the landfill levy. The Ministry for the Environ-

ment is looking at how it can work with the agricultural sector to reduce waste on farm; and encourage a move away from pits out the back of the farm used to bury or burn waste. Your ideas are welcome. There’s plenty to do to turn around New Zealand’s rubbish record on waste. The ban on single use plastic shopping bags has made a huge difference; there is work underway to design a container return scheme for beverage containers; we are seeking comment on proposals to phase out hard to recycle plastic packaging made of PVC and expanded polystyrene. I look forward to going further and faster with more Green mps in parliament after October 17

Grant edmundson ❚ with ❚ Partner Helmore Stewart, Rangiora

Guarantors need to protect their rights Over the past few months, there has been a significant increase in finance activity arising from low interest rates. With increased lending to stimulate consumer spending across New Zealand during these uncertain financial times, lenders, borrowers and guarantors need now to be more vigilant in managing these relationships, particularly when there is a downturn in economic activity, job losses occur and parties are unable to meet their prior financial commitments. In the milieu, the rights of guarantors are often overlooked. The Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act 2003 (the “Act”) (amended by the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Amendment Act 2014) sought to address these issues including clarifying lender responsibility principles. The lender is responsible to exercise the care, diligence and skill of a responsible

lender when advertising credit or finance and before and after providing consumer credit or finance and taking a relevant guarantee. The introduction of the Responsible Lending Code (the “Code”) clarified lender responsibility principles. The Code sets out processes, practices and procedures that a lender should follow to comply with the lender responsibility principles. The Code is not binding and is not intended to be an exhaustive statement of what a lender ought to do in order to be a responsible lender. Of particular relevance, the Code highlights certain responsibilities of a lender where a guarantee is to be provided. A lender must make reasonable enquiries before a guarantee is given so as to be satisfied that it is likely that the guarantor will be able to comply without suffering “substantial hardship”. The lender should be satisfied that he/she will be able to make payments

under the agreement without undue difficulty in terms of meeting basic necessities (transport, accommodation, food, etc). The lender should make reasonable enquiries into the guarantor’s income, expenses and likelihood of making payment. Extensive enquiries would be required where the consequences of non-compliance are serious, ie the loss of the main residential property. A further obligation on the lender is to assist the guarantor to make an informed decision.

A lender should: 1. Inform the guarantor of the key features of the guarantee 2. Generally recommend legal advice and allow sufficient time for this pre-execution of the guarantee 3. Generally require legal advice where the guarantor’s own home will be security

The level of explanation and assistance that are reasonable will depend on the circumstances. Greater assistance will be required where there is a greater risk the guarantor may not be aware of the implications, where the borrower might not comply with the agreement or the consequences of non-compliance are serious, ie loss of a significant asset. The duty of reasonable care that is required of a lender also extends to the enforcement of the guarantee post execution. A lender must not take a new guarantee or vary an existing guarantee after a borrower has defaulted without informing the guarantor that the variation is necessary because of the default. A lender should also consider agreeing an alternative payment arrangement where the lender calls on the guarantee and the guarantor was unable to comply.

CANTERBURY FARMING

FARMING NEWS

Jenny Hughey ❚ by ❚ Chair, ECan

September 2020

Public participation in the democratic process

Not so very long ago, in fact less than a year since, most of us across the region couldn’t wait for the Canterbury Regional Council (Environment Canterbury) to return to being a council of fully-elected representatives.

The 2019 local body elections marked the end of an extraordinary period in the regional council’s history. Whatever your view of the move early in 2010 by the then National government to replace elected councillors with appointed commissioners, it is very hard to argue against the notion that it put a crimp in local democracy. Of course, that does not mean there has been no public participation with Environment Canterbury during that decade. The regional council has made robust progress on many fronts over that time, thanks to the efforts of former commissioners and then the mixed model of appointed and elected councillors, the public and staff, and this has set us up well for the next 10 years and beyond. Now we have a fully elected council back around our council table, we must never take it for granted. For many, democracy is most simply demonstrated by having the right to vote for their preferred candidates. However, it has to be about more than that – ticking boxes once every three years is not enough. In terms of democracy, local government is where the rubber really hits the road. Many of the national issues dealt with by central government have less of a direct, noticeable effect on our day-to-day lives than the services and roles that local councils (whether city, district or regional) carry out. The work of the regional council is mandated by the legislation we must adhere to and by the community we serve. Much of our work is long-term and often we have plans and strategies in place that span decades of work to come. How we deliver this work stems from decisions made by the Environment Canterbury council, whose meetings are held monthly, usually on a Thursday from 11am at our offices at 200 Tuam Street, Christchurch. These are open to everyone and we encourage people to attend. Occasionally councillors need to discuss confidential matters relating to individuals or commercial activities. This exclusion is usually at the end of the meeting. At the start of each meeting we set aside

time for members of the public to talk to the council on issues of concern. This can be done in three ways – either through a public forum, in which an individual or group speaks on a matter not necessarily on the council meeting’s agenda, through making a deputation, speaking about something which is on that day’s agenda, or through presenting a petition signed by 20 or more people. We allow 5-10 minutes speaking time. For deputations to make it on to the agenda we need a bit of lead-in time as it makes it easier for us to schedule if we know you are coming to speak, particularly if you wish to use Skype or give a PowerPoint presentation. One thing to bear in mind is that while councillors will probably ask questions, the council will not debate the issues. Instead, we ask the Chief Executive to look into what has been raised and to reply as soon as possible. You might think council meetings are often rather dull, bureaucratic and long-winded. However, public participation over the years has resulted in some fairly rowdy and highly colourful moments, in both the Tuam Street chamber and its predecessor in Kilmore Street. Protests when elected councillors were removed from office in 2010 were vivid and vocal, as was support for Environment Canterbury when it became the first council in New Zealand to declare a climate emergency in 2019. My hope is that Environment Canterbury can truly become a crucible of local democracy and participation, and I want to encourage you to become involved. Come to a council meeting, talk to councillors, make a submission, follow us online on our Facebook page. There are many ways you can be part of our work. We need to hear from you as much as you hear from us. Democracy is not a one-way street. As always, I look forward to hearing your ideas or any comments you may have. please email me at Councillor. Hughey@ecan.govt.nz.

Need a hand to get your environmental practices sorted?

Get in touch with your local Land Management Advisor for free advice on making positive changes to your farm environment and water quality by calling 0800 324 636. Our team can help you to: • Be efficient with your irrigation and strategic with your fertiliser • Plan your winter grazing to reduce run-off and soil loss • Identify biodiversity hotspots and learn how to protect them • Understand the rules that apply to your farming activity. More information resources and information on the Farmers’ Hub at www.ecan.govt.nz/farmers-hub

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September 2020 CANTERBURY FARMING

And the numbers keep rising

Is it that social media has become the voice of the people, or more to the point, a chance to say what they want without a rebuttal?

❚ with rob Cope-Williams The election seems to have hit social media like a tsunami with followers on both sides taking very large swipes at “the other side” and the parties using it to stake their own claims. Covid-19 has provided a huge platform for those with an opinion to vent their views and blatantly take on everyone else. Goodness knows where the debates will have reached by the time you get to read this, but suffice to say the whole focus will have been on the urban folk, what they were allowed to do, weren’t allowed to do, who has had sex with who, and who has been paying for the accommodation. So, what of the farming folk who, for example, have been unable to get their produce into Auckland where 60% of vegetables are sold through green grocers rather than supermarkets? It is a little siege like in a way by starving the inhabitants into submission. At least they do have fresh water. Mind you we really don’t know if the trucks are getting through, we have to trust what we are being told, and read on social media. Anyway, looking at farming as the back-

bone of our nation, which it is, we are still the silent minority who are there but un-noticed. Like the medical corps in the army, never in the headlines, but there when needed to patch up the majority. What can we do to get the message across? If only I had a magic wand that I could wave and get the townies to understand who and what farmers are. I have been known to take the odd shot at the national media, and having worked within it I know that reporters are only allowed to report on things the editors want them too, but surely there must be someone who can lobby the media to get the sort of coverage we deserve. Having spent mumble years doing my own farming programme on Television I know there are amazing stories out there and all worthy of exposure. Look at the popularity of Country Calendar, a programme that has run for decades and loved by all walks of life. Yes, the public do want to hear about what goes on outside the city boundaries, but sadly there seems to be a very large filter stopping any good news getting out. If a stream can be found with manure in it, or a lack of fish, it is big news. As I said I wish I had a magic wand.

part 3

❚ with John Arts

The importance of Co Enzyme Q10 I recently wrote about Co Enzyme Q10 (CoQ10). I was surprised at the amount of contact from readers on the subject of CoQ10 especially from those wanting help dealing with the side effects of cholesterol lowering medication. Studies show that statins can reduce circulating CoQ10 by as much as 50%. The side effects are so common they are called ‘statin myopathy’. The main side effects are muscle and tendon weakness which can be felt as muscle stiffness and pain. The effect on nerves can impact memory and mood and comment about general lethargy. In most cases two months of a quality CoQ10 will reduce these side effects and allow people to get the benefits of the medication without side effects. The chemical structure of CoQ10 allows it to move high energy electrons within our cell mitochondria where energy is made. CoQ10 collects these electrons and moves them to an enzyme called ATP synthase to make the energy we need. I prescribe CoQ10 for several reasons most commonly for statin support. I also add CoQ10 for those fatigued without medical causes and for those with cardiovascular, autoimmune and neurodegenerative problems. For example, I include

at least 100mg for those with Polymyalgia Rheumatica and higher doses for those with MS. For statins support I use a high quality patented US CoQ10 and for inflammatory problems my mitochondrial support formula that includes high grade Kaneka CoQ10 with a number of energy co-factors. It is interesting that the first improvement felt by those with these conditions is a lift in energy and general well-being. Those with inflammatory conditions especially autoimmune problems should be working to a personalised diet and supplement plan complementary to their regular medical treatment. Most people feel a real difference within three months. 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 newsletter at www.abundant.co.nz.

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CANTERBURY FARMING

FARMING NEWS

September 2020

Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue second quarter 2020 impact report The Rescue Helicopter Crew faced unfamiliar territory this quarter as the country transitioned through Covid-19 lock-down levels.

Christine prince ❚ by Canterbury West Coast ❚ CEO, Air Rescue Trust ❚

Each level saw the crew adapt to a ‘new normal’ method of operating as an emergency service. The Rescue Helicopter crews were trained as part of the Government directive to assist and transport Covid -19 patients throughout this pandemic. The Canterbury Air Rescue Service was tasked to 111 missions this quarter. Despite Covid-19 restrictions causing mission numbers to decrease, mission numbers are up compared to the same quarter in 2019. In 2019 the Canterbury Crew attended 105 missions over the three month Autumn/ Winter period. The crew have seen a 5.5% increase in mission numbers compared to this time last year. In April the Canterbury Crew responded to 37 emergency medical service call outs across the region. Mission numbers were down slightly for the month, as expected due to Level 4 Covid-19 restrictions. The crew clocked in 54 hours of flight time over the month with the average mission lasting 1.5 hours. The longest mission the crew attended was a four hour maternity transfer from Kaikoura MC to Christchurch Hospital. The crew were dispatched to incidents in Lake Tekapo, Lyttleton, Hawarden, Oxford and Amberley to name a just a few mission locations. The majority of EMS call outs were to accidents (49%). One such mission saw the crew attend a horse training accident, a farm vehicle accident, and mutliple car accidents. Accidents around the home included a patient with burns after falling onto a log burner, and a patient with injuries resulting from an animal bite. Accidents happen every day and the crew continue to respond to more accident missions than medical events or interhospital transfers (IHT). The remaining 51% of missions were medical events (38%) and IHT (13%).

Still busy: mission numbers for the Canterbury West Coast Air rescue service were down throughout COVID-19 lockdown but once restrictions lifted with the announcement of Level 2, the crew’s workload rose signiﬁcantly.

During the month of May the Canterbury crew responded to 29 missions in total. Mission statistics for the month were consistent with recent monthly trends; the majority of call-outs for the Canterbury Crew were again responding to accidents (52%). Medical events (21%) and inter-hospital transfers (27%) made up the remaining 48% of Canterbury missions. New Zealand transitioned to Level 2 lockdown on 14 May; this marked the return to work for the Canterbur y West Coast Air Rescue Trust staff and the beginning of the countr y transitioning to a new normal way of life. Whilst mission numbers were down throughout Covid-19, as predicted, once restrictions lifted with the announcement of Level 2, the crew’s workload rose significantly. A significant increase in accident call-outs for the Canterbury Service coincided with the move to Level 2, as people were able to be-

come more active in their region. The service responded to 15 accident related emergency service call-outs, 11 of which occurred through the 14th-31st May. Similarly, as the roads became busier, more motor vehicle accidents (MVA’s) occurred. The crew responded to 5 MVA’s in May, including a head on crash on State Highway one that resulted in two patients being flown to Christchurch Hospital for treatment with status two and status three injuries. The Crew responded to 45 emergency service call outs in June. The crew were tasked to 18 accident related missions, 17 medical events and 10 inter-hospital transfers across the region. The crew attended their first ski/snowboard accident for the season when a patient was taken down the mountain by an avalanche at Mt Hutt. Severe weather across the region in June resulted in more accidents on the roads. The Crew attended

eight motor vehicle accidents in June. Medical emergencies and patient transfers also kept the Rescue Helicopter crew busy, with 17 patients requiring urgent medical intervention for conditions including stroke, cardiac arrest, STEMI and respiratory difficulties. 10 patients required emergency inter-hospital transfers this month. From a fundraising perspective, like many charities, we have been affected with the reduction in grant monies and the closing down of events. However, thanks to our wonderful naming rights sponsor in Canterbury, Westpac, and the ROA Mining support on the West Coast, along with support from all of our sponsors, business support members and fantastic individual donors we are able to keep going. It is going to be a tough and challenging time ahead. Thank you for all of your support- it really does make a difference at times like this.

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CANTERBURY FARMING

September 2020

Three decades of NEA research It’s a long way between a world class bioscience lab in Melbourne and deliberately overgrown summer ryegrass paddocks at Lincoln University, but both are key elements of the hunt for New Zealand’s next novel endophyte breakthrough.

❚ Article supplied by Barenbrug NZ

Using advanced molecular technology, scientists at the lab have discovered and genotyped over 400 potential endophytes, and developed many more. The best of these then find their way into the field at Lincoln to make sure they are safe for livestock to consume. This is the latest development in a 30-yearold private research programme which started with ryegrass seed collected by hand in Spain, and has now progressed to cutting edge biotechnology. The lab in question is AgriBio, a joint agricultural bioscience R&D venture between La Trobe University in Melbourne, and the Victorian government, by way of the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources. Since 2006, scientists there have been working with New Zealand plant breeder Barenbrug to discover and develop the next generation of endophytes for local pastures. Endophytes are essential for pasture persistence on New Zealand farms. They are fungi that have evolved to live in harmony with ryegrass, producing natural compounds which protect their host plants from pests like Argentine stem weevil and black beetle.

Trialling: Animal trials at Lincoln University ensure NeA endophytes don’t affect stock performance or health. Small paddocks are used, each with lambs grazing a speciﬁc ryegrass cultivar x endophyte combination. Such insect control is natural, in-built and lasting, as opposed to synthetic chemicals, but care is needed with endophytes because they also affect livestock health.

That’s where those overgrown ryegrass paddocks at Lincoln University come in, along with insect and persistence trials. The AgriBio lab work is on-

ly one part of a large ongoing technology effort that dates back to 1987. That’s when Barenbrug became the first company in the Southern Hemisphere to begin researching and developing novel ryegrass endophytes. Today it markets more endophytes than any other company in New Zealand. These include both its own NEA family (NEA2, NEA and the new NEA4) and AgResearch-licenced AR endophytes (AR1 and AR37). NEA is a unique group of endophytes which collectively now accounts for much of the total New Zealand ryegrass endophyte market, and can be found on thousands of the country’s farms. Because they pose very little risk of ryegrass staggers in sheep, beef cattle and dairy cows, NEA endophytes have an outstanding animal safety record. This comes with good control of key pests like Argentine stem weevil and black beetle, which together with other NEA characteristics help to support pasture persistence.

DO YOUR CROPS REQUIRE

POLLINATION? If you are a grower of crops that need pollination then you may well need the help of the bees to ensure a satisfactory seed set. In the past many of you may have relied on either wild bees or the neighbours bees to pollinate your crop. With the varroa mite now well established in Canterbury most of the unmanaged colonies have succumbed to the mite resulting in a drastic reduction in the number of bees available to work for you. We at Gowanleagold Ltd can help.

Water Ballast Rollers Spiral Welded Pipe Grain Augers Range of standard sizes available or made to your required size. 16 Robinson Street, Ashburton 7700 Phone 03 308 9623 • grayeng@xtra.co.nz Dave Stockdill

With our 2500 bee hives ready and willing to work we are able to supply all your pollination needs. If you have crops that need our bees for the coming season, give us a call and book in early to ensure that all your hard work is not wasted for the lack of a team of pollinators. James and Richelle Corson Gowanleagold Limited Tel: 03 318 2960 Mobile: 022 4130602 gowanleagold@farmside.co.nz For all your crop pollination needs

September 2020

CANTERBURY FARMING

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

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

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

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

While many of the traditionally used methods of repairing pugged pastures, like rolling and or harrowing, have a positive effect on improving soil surface and water runoff they have no effect on DM production. Sub soiling also has been shown to improve plant root penetration and reduce

compaction but it has little effect on DM production. I suppose the reason for this is simply that once the pasture is damaged “you can’t make a silk purse out of a pig’s ear”. In trials the most cost-effective way forward to improving pasture after pugging has

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

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CANTERBURY FARMING

September 2020

New protein opportunites A new network launched last month aims to accelerate the emerging proteins sector’s development in New Zealand.

❚ by Kent Caddick Emerging Proteins NZ is being run by FoodHQ which released a report earlier this year comparing the alternative protein sectors in New Zealand and the Netherlands. The report described the urgent need for NZ to speed up its response to the opportunities created by the dynamic and rapidly evolving consumer shift towards new protein sources. FoodHQ CEO Dr Abby Thompson said global plant based protein sales rose 17% in 2018. “In NZ alone over 30% of consumers are changing their eating patterns in response to health and environmental concerns.” Membership of Emerging Proteins NZ is free and open to all individuals and businesses involved in the alternative protein sector from growers and producers through to manufacturers, retailers and exporters. Emerging Proteins encompasses a wide range of protein sources, including plant, fungi, insect, bacterial and cell-culture. Thompson said the network will enable members to share knowledge, get connected with the right expertise and facilities and work together on common projects to enable NZ to better participate in this globally exploding category. She said a survey of potential members reinforced the widespread hunger for collaboration, co-operation and support. “The ambition is to take a sectorwide approach in order to fast track products in the emerging protein sector including development and scaling up of NZ’s manufacturing capability. “There is a real gap in New Zealand for processing these proteins at scale, we’re hoping that by getting all the parties together we can really speed up this process.”

Talk to us today about your farms soil fertility. We offer a soil testing service and will recommend and supply you with a fertiliser program to suit you and your farms individual needs.

FERTILISERS

Emerging: plant-based protein products like quinoa (pictured), hemp, and oats provide a huge opportunity for New Zealand farmers to absorb the impacts of changing global dietary habits according to FoodHQ. Emerging Proteins NZ Chair, Miranda Burdon said there is an opportunity to build on our traditional strengths as world leading farmers and innovators, positioning ourselves as both the farm and garden to the world. She said when developing her own plant based food business, Food Nation, she saw first-hand how fast new ingredients and techniques are being developed globally, but how hard it can be to access them in New Zealand. “We need to leverage our collective strength if we are to get ahead of the pack globally,” Burdon said. “Judging by the interest we have from offshore for our new products, I believe New Zealand is incredibly well positioned to capture more of the global demand for new, innovative protein sources.” KPMG Global Head of Agribusiness, Ian Proudfoot said consumers, particularly in the markets that New Zealand food products are targeted to, are making far more conscious decisions with respect to traceability, environmental impacts and health implications when making their buying decisions.”

He said the Covid-19 pandemic has focused consumer’s attention even more on their health, which is a key driver for changing diets. “New Zealand is extremely well placed to take advantage of its global position as a premium producer of sustainable, high quality food and Emerging Proteins NZ is a very timely initiative.”

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IT'S TIME TO MAKE FARMERS IMPORTANT AGAIN

Scrap the Carbon Tax Bill Exit the Emissions Trading Scheme Invest in new pollution solutions Reduce tax and unnecessary regulations

nc.org.nz

Recognise and assist our farmers Authorised by L.Baker 411 Dixons Rd, Loburn.

NC recognises farming as one of our primary industries and values the protection of the industry and the hardworking people behind it.

Let's stop the Billion Trees programme allowing the subsidised sales of our farmland to overseas buyers who gamble on the value of carbon credits instead of forestry production. Stop our government wasting thousands of police hours and an estimated $100 million to complete an unjustified removal of firearms from the public when gangs continue to thrive. Vote New Conservative, support farmers and support our hunting communities.

LEIGHTON BAKER Party Leader

September 2020 CANTERBURY FARMING

CANTERBURY FARMING

September 2020

Restoring food chain balance In times when food really matters for health and wellbeing, Humates may be the answer to restoring the balance in our food chain. supplied by ❚ Article ❚ Tailored Energy Solutions Ltd Humates are extracted from organic nutrient-rich seams deep within New Zealand, and is a natural product that assists plants absorb nutrients while delivering essential minerals and eliminating toxic substances from soils. Humates are described as a biological soil activator that increases pasture and crop yields through stimulating microbial action. Humates can be used as a bulk base to which trace elements and fertilisers may be added to create an organic based soil activator. No external chemicals are added to humates.

Humates for plants: • Increases nutritional quality and density of source plant/food grown • Improves tolerance to fungal, bacterial infections and environmental factors • Improves seed generation and integrity of plants/fruits • Strengthens plant and fruit integrity • Advantages of Humate use: • Humates determine the soils genetic, environmental, and agronomic functions

• Contains humic & fulvic acids that have valuable plant nutritional substances • Interacts with calcium, aluminium and iron elements always present in soils • Continuous humate use improves soil structure and water retention properties • Binds and chelates to heavy metals preventing plant uptake • Stimulates biological (microbial) activity in existing and compromised soils We understand that your soil is your asset and as such “feeding” the soil will enhance pasture sustainability which in turn

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will improve your stock health and crop yields. Tailored Energy Solutions Limited (TESL) also provides other bio / natural fertilisers – either as blends or individually. These include: Dolomite: a completely natural source of magnesium carbonate, non-leaching and totally “plant available”. Dolomite will efficiently build both magnesium and calcium base saturation in soils to reduce animal health issues as well as improve plant growth and nutrient uptake. Ag Lime: a natural source of calcium and

a soil conditioner for maintaining optimum soil health. Improves plant nutrient efficiency, and the effectiveness of many fertilisers. Can increase organic matter and soil micro and macro organisms. Can also decrease the availability of some harmful metals including manganese and aluminium All of our products are available in bulk or bagged sized for your convenience. pick up or delivery can be arranged throughout the South Island of any of our products. please send us your soil sample and we will complete a recommendation for you utilising our natural soil balancing products .

September 2020 CANTERBURY FARMING

The race to fix damaged pastures Spring has arrived, and will bring a sea of broadleaf weeds to many farms if pastures damaged by wet weather are not fixed soon.

❚ Article supplied by Barenbrug NZ

“The stopwatch is now counting down on a race between farmers, and spring germinating weed seed, which is all lined up, ready and waiting to fill any bare patches of ground,” pasture system specialist Blair Cotching says. Fortunately there’s a way to win the race, but only if you act fast. As soon as soil temperatures warm up, weeds will start germinating faster than you can say ‘where’s my grass?’ Cotching, who works for Barenbrug, says the cost of treading and pugging damage is two-fold. “Immediate dry matter utilisation can drop by up to 40%. Future pasture production and persistence can also be significantly compromised. “So even though there’s a lot happening on farm at present, taking time to plan and implement any necessary pasture repairs will pay dividends down the track, and it’s not a big job.” Step one is to assess pasture condition. “Ideally, mark all bare, pugged or trodden areas on a farm map. That will make it easier for a contractor to see what needs to be done,” he says. Undersowing is the most common way to

Lasting legacy: The results of a single pugging event, four months afterwards.

repair winter damage. Fast-growing Italian ryegrasses like Tabu+ will give quick, high ME feed for spring and can be sown as soon as soil temperatures are 6degC. Tabu+ is an ideal option if you plan to fully renovate the paddock within the next 6-18 months. If you want the pasture to last longer (e.g.

3-4 years), they should undersow with perennial ryegrass seed once soil temperatures are 8degC, using the same cultivar as the one originally sown in the paddock if possible. Cotching advises sowing seed at 10-15 kg/ha for thin pastures, and 15-20 kg/ha for severe damage. For tetraploid r yegrass

use 30% higher rates. If pugging is severe and the ground uneven, full pasture renewal is best, either through a summer or winter crop, or, in irrigated areas, via grass to grass in spring. In smaller bare gaps – like gateways and trough areas – grass seed can be oversown or broadcast at 30 kg/ha.

CANTERBURY FARMING

September 2020

Get all essential nutrients combined in a pellet They say that “necessity is the mother of invention”. That’s why clients came to Optimise because it ticked all the boxes enabling them to get all their essential nutrients combined into a pellet that was robust and worked well through all different types of drills and sowers.

supplied by ❚ Advertorial CP Lime Solutions Ltd ❚ Optimise pellets are a lime based pellet of which we can add nutrients such as Magnesium, Potassium, Sulphur and Phosphorus, as well as any micronutrients required such as Boron, Zinc, Copper or Manganese. There is increasing awareness and recognised value in the use of bio stimulants such as Humates, fish hydroslate and Effective Microbes. These are all also able to be added into the Optimise pellets giving you an environmentally friendly bio pellet so to speak. During the manufacturing process the pellet is dried and has a moisture content of less than 1%. This gives the client the ability to blend nitrogen based or high anal-

ysis fertiliser with it such as DAP, Ammonium sulphate or urea enabling you to have a total drilling or sowing fertiliser ready to go in one easy pass. The nutrients in the pellet are all finely ground to an average of 70 micron. As , the micron size reduces the surface area of the nutrients increase which in turn gives a greater area for the nutrients to attach to the soil particles, this is how we are able to reduce the rates of application. This is becoming increasingly important as the restrictions being placed on farmers with nutrient management and water quality combined with public awareness of what is going into their food. The Optimise pellet is robust enough to go through most types of seeders and drills ranging from gravity fed Coulter drills

to large airseeders. If it is being ground spread by bulky we are able to spread out to a maximum width of 24 metres, to do these wider spreads we do need to make the pellet a little harder as this will continue to give you accurate and effective placement of the nutrients. Using Optimise pellets when planting is one way of giving your seeds the best start in life providing balanced nutrition from the start will help ensure they thrive. We are happy to discuss options that you may need and can custom blend your drilling mix specifically to give you the maximum benefit of the nutrients that you are applying.

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Using Optimise pellets when planting gives your seeds the best start in life.

September 2020 CANTERBURY FARMING

DairyNZ calls for pragmatic solutions DairyNZ says it shares Federated Farmers concerns about how the Government’s new winter grazing regulations will be applied but does not condone any calls to boycott the rules.

❚ Article supplied by DairyNZ

DairyNZ head of South Island Tony Finch said some of the regulations appear to be impractical and unworkable on farms. “The timeframes are tight, and clarity is needed on things like how pugging in a paddock would be measured or monitored and defining slope levels of a paddock for regional councils. “As a sector we need to be using the right channels to work through the issues as we try to find pragmatic solutions that work for everyone.” Finch said DairyNZ is instead calling an urgent meeting with all parties to explore a pathway forward. “Dairy farmers share the Government’s aspiration for healthy waterways, but solutions need to be fair and underpinned by robust science. This has always been DairyNZ’s approach. “We will continue to engage with Government and councils on farmers’ behalf to ensure that new regulations are pragmatic, and farmers and their businesses have adequate time to adjust. “DairyNZ will also continue to work closely with farmers to improve winter grazing practices. Over the last 18 months we have developed and heavily promoted good management practices that are designed to help minimise environmental and animal welfare risks during winter grazing. “We acknowledge there are still challeng-

Concerned: DairyNZ has concerns over new winter grazing regulations but rejects boycotting the legislation.

es, particularly on heavier soils and steeper land, but farmers are making great progress and are confident we will continue to see improvement,” Finch said. Farmers who need support or guidance can call DairyNZ on 0800 4 DairyNZ (0800 4 324 7969).

Support: DairyNZ’s South Island manager tony Finch is calling on farmers who want support or guidance over winter grazing to give them a call.

CANTERBURY FARMING

September 2020

What is the best seed to use? We grow crops and grass for a variety of reasons from providing feed for animals or food for humans, and like our diets there are many options. supplied by ❚ Article ❚ Pastoral Improvements Ltd From a paddock of wheat for processing into bread through grass based pastures to feed stock to produce meat fibre or a milk product. Optimising the economical and sustainable production of crop is reliant on many factors which have to be taken into account before the choice of seed is made. We actually need to start at the finish line, that is, asking and answering some questions before making any decision. • What do we need from the paddock? • Is it winter feed for stock? • Is it a summer crop for stock when things get dry and feed is short? • Is it an arable crop grown for harvest and sale?

Paddock selection If there is a paddock that is not performing in the sense the pasture has run out or is not performing, some further questions need to be asked. • Is there a paddock that has come out of an annual crop? • What are the fertility issues with the

paddock can they be addressed in time to maximise the next crop? • What influence will this have on the farm environmental plan or Overseerer? • Are there potential water logging or erosion issues that may or may not influence the seed choice for the paddock? • Soil moisture expectation during the growing season of the crop? Once those questions are answered it is then that seed selection can be made. Mix design is about taking all factors into consideration knowing the place of each component of a mix. The mix may require vast diversity to achieve these goals or little or no diversity for a crop. A good mix designer understands the componentry of a mix and what part each species plays in reaching a mix which gets you to the desired finish line. Choosing a good mix designer is a good starting point for your next seed mix. To help you answer those questions the team at Pastoral Improvements Ltd, based in Canterbury, is there to give you a hand.

Optimising the economical and sustainable production of crop is reliant on many factors which have to be taken into account before the choice of seed is made. Pastoral Improvements is a proprietary forage seed development and marketing enterprise focused on serving farmers best interests in feed production. They market thru through independent rural resellers throughout New Zealand or directly to farmers. Pastoral Improvements are focused on

providing our customers with a high-quality product at a fair price because they understand the challenges of the industry and the practical needs of the farmer. to ﬁnd out more give the team at pastoral Improvements a call on 03 302 7909, or visit their website: www.pastoralimprovements.co.nz

Plant diversity is the key to reducing inputs and increasing profits. Cover Crops NZ offers progressive cover crop programs developed to benefit growers by providing species and mixes that improve soil tilth, break compaction, increase crop yields, break disease & pest cycles, reduce soil erosion, increase water infiltration and recycle valuable nutrients. COVER CROP BENEFITS

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ARE 190KG REA No matter the source - ground spread, aerial, self spreading using the Precision Farming app on your smartphone or tablet, even liquid urea - you can maximise your growth rates while optimising your N usage, including advanced variable rate technology, with Precision Farming. No more typing into spreadsheets, manual uploads into an online records systems - those are m�re recording systems

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that reflect only what details you put in. The Precision Farming system is an information system, so you order through the system, electronically send your application order to your contractor who then does the spreading job, and accurate GPS records are automatically created and displayed for you on your farm map, ready to better manage future applications and to create compliance reports.

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CANTERBURY FARMING September 2020

Breeding dairy cows with lower N and environmental impact Widespread use of genetics for low-N dairy cows could result in reduction of Nitrogen leaching of 20% in 20 years.

❚ by Tim Fulton Lincoln University’s recently-published research is the first independent work carried out in New Zealand on pasture-based grazing systems to report that cows with lower Milk Urea Nitrogen (MUN) breeding values have lower concentration of N in their urine and urinate less total N. CRV Ambreed head geneticist, Phil Beatson said the results of the Lincoln study were very much in line with our prediction when we released LowN Sires, and it’s really encouraging to see. “Farmers can have further confidence that breeding for reduced MUN in their daughters will reduce the amount of N they excrete in their urine compared to their dam. From modelling it has been predicted that N leaching would also be significantly reduced,” Beatson said. “What’s also encouraging is these cows that are peeing out lower concentration of nitrogen are likely to be also putting less nitrogen up into the atmosphere as nitrous oxide. With less concentration of nitrogen in the urine patch, leading to less nitrogen being

leached and less nitrous oxide environmentally it’s a double win. “We envisage this strategy being useful across New Zealand but particularly on the free-draining soils, where a higher proportion of the urinary Nitrogen ends up being leached. Typically, that’s on the light, stony, irrigated soils – and that’s where we see the maximum benefit from these genetics.” Beatson said this points to the thinking, that those cows that are genetically low for MUN are partitioning the nitrogen they eat differently – away from urine and into other outputs particularly milk protein and faeces. Less urinary N emitted per kg of feed eaten indicates increased efficiency of how nitrogen is used by the animal. “This is a totally different mechanism to reducing the amount of urinar y nitrogen per kg of milk produced, which simply involves having cows or farm systems that result in cows producing more milk per kg of feed eaten, therefore eating less nitrogen per kg of milk and producing less urine per kg of milk.” He said breeding is one of a number of options to reduce urinary nitrogen and minimise leaching.

Environmentally friendly: CRV Ambreed head geneticist Phil Beatson with LowN calves. “Farmers can affect milk urea – and therefore urinary nitrogen – through feeding as an example. “The bonus of breeding is that it is a permanent and easily implemented solution for farmers in their efforts to reduce nitrogen loss and protect our waterways. Breeding for low MUN is likely to be effective across a range of feeding systems. “There’s no one silver bullet for Nitrogen reduction but putting together a range of techniques and adopting a range of technologies will enable farmers to produce current

volumes of milk within acceptable environmental constraints. Beatson said New Zealand dairy farmers have already made great strides over the past ten years to mitigate the effects of their farming operations on the environment and protect water quality. “Many dairy farmers understand that they need to make an investment in new innovations that will enable them to farm sustainably. We’re excited about the part that CRV Ambreed’s LowN Sires can play towards a solution.”

September 2020 CANTERBURY FARMING

Merger of PAANZ and AgriTechNZ The Precision Agriculture Association of NZ (PAANZ) and AgriTechNZ have completed a merger.

❚ by Kent Caddick PAANZ was formed in 2013 to assist farmers and growers in the adoption of precision farming practices, so they could benefit from improved productivity, profitability and sustainability through the wise deployment of agricultural technologies. AgriTech New Zealand was launched in 2018 to connect innovators, investors, regulators, researcherrs and interested public. AgriTechNZ advances the ecosystem through advocacy, collaboration, innovation, talent and economic growth through NZ connections and international missions. AgriTech New Zealand is a purpose-driven, membership funded organisation whose members share a passion for the opportunities agritech can generate for New Zealand farmers and growers, agtech companies, and the wider New Zealand economy. Now merged into the one entity, AgriTechNZ, aims to serve the interests of farmers and growers, as well as agtech providers and innovators, representing around 150 large and smaller corporates, SMEs, start-ups, research organisations, regulatory and industry bodies across the primary sector and agtech sector. The Council is charged with the responsibility of driving the strategy of AgriTechNZ in order to deliver valuable outcomes for members, for the agtech sector and primary sector, to the overall benefits of New Zealand.

‘

We have to continue improving our primary production... in growing top quality food and ﬁbre. New role: Kenneth Irons has been appointed chair of AgritechNZ after it merged with the precision Agriculture Association of NZ.

Kenneth Irons AgriTechNZ chair

Newly appointed AgriTechNZ chair Kenneth Irons said he would like to recognise the work and commitment put in over the last two years by the chairs of PAANZ and AgriTechNZ, but especially in recent months during the merger discussions. “The NZ Government too, has demonstrated its faith in AgriTechNZ by looking to the organisation to help the government deliver significant benefits to the primary sector, the agtech sector and the wider economy, through the $11.4M Industry Transformation Plan. “New Zealand has a solid base from which to build, but other countries are charging ahead, and so we have to continue improving our primary production, reducing costs and

compliance overheads, and enhancing environmental performance in growing top quality food and fibre across New Zealand. “So we as the Executive Council of AgriTechNZ are acutely aware of our responsibilities to help the primary sector across all sectors - dry stock, kiwifruit, dairy, arable, viticulture, aquaculture, apiculture, horticulture

and more – and in the specialty areas such as robotics, farm mapping, nutrients, water, soil, animal health, farm worker safety and many other technologies, to help the economy succeed, especially in the post-pandemic recovery period – through the intelligent, agile deployment of ag tech innovations that are profitable for farmers to use.”

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CANTERBURY FARMING

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Need your land cleared? Call beaver mulching Beaver Mulching is now operating in Canterbury providing a unique, fast and efficient land clearing service like no other, making it easier for you to reclaim your land and make it productive again, quickly. supplied by ❚ Article ❚ Beaver Mulching Our PT300 tracked mulcher (the only one of its kind in New Zealand) offers a one stop service when it comes to clearing your land. Gorse, broom, scrub, or trees up to 450mm in diameter can be mulched easily with our machine. One of the biggest benefits of using Beaver Mulching to clear your land is that as a dedicated machine with one operator, it makes the entire process more cost-effective and more efficient. What makes us unique? Our machine works quickly while also producing mulch which helps regenerate the land and reduces soil erosion making it a more sustainable method of land clearing. We can also clear trees, so there is no need to have multiple machines for different jobs. Perhaps you’ve had forestry cleared and you are left with slash, instead of burning we can reduce forestry slash

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From conception to completion Shrimpton’s Hill Herefords are the Australasian breed leader for both male and female Short Gestation Length Herefords.

supplied by ❚ Article ❚ Alpine Farm Buildings Owners John and Liz McKerchar are fourth generation at Shrimpton’s Hill with John’s parents establishing the operation in 1969. In 2001, forward thinkers John and Liz started investigating the idea of breeding bulls with shorter gestations sensing the beef bulls would have a beneficial place in the dairy industry. Their annual on farm bull sale at the end of September features up to 200 R2 Hereford bulls which are sold mostly throughout the New Zealand Dairy industry. Located in Cave, west of Timaru the 1420ha property consists of a mix of tussock and rolling farmland housing their 750 females and approximately 750 support stock. With their 2019 annual bull sale approaching, Liz and John looked to build a shed to house the sale after moving it from the home farm to one of their smaller properties. Having used a marquee for previous sales they were after a permanent, weatherproof venue that was good value for money to use for years to come. An open and clear space was also important for the design of their shed, and following a referral from an industry contact, and a good nudge from a builder friend, John and Liz contacted Alpine Buildings. Alpine Buildings’ offer a unique clearspan system that doesn’t require centre poles or

Alpine buildings’ offer a unique clearspan system that doesn’t require centre poles or knee and apex bracing providing a fully open area that maximises useable floor space.

Alpine buildings offer a service from conception right through to completion. knee and apex bracing providing a fully open area that maximises useable floor space. The clearspan system also offers a bird proof environment with the purlins being bolted inside the rafters meaning birds have nowhere to nest. The experience with the Alpine team was “totally professional” explains Liz. “They were very easy to deal with and were true to their word with the building process. The staff were all helpful, tidy and they left the site clean on completion”. Alpine Buildings offer a service from con-

ception right through to completion and come with 20 years’ experience behind. They do the hard work for you. Standing at 15m x 25m long, the McKerchar’s shed provides plenty of space to hold the sale while also providing additional space for catering and storage purposes away from sale time. “We love the shed” Liz says. “It has weatherproofed our sale and is great value for money in providing a big area with plenty of light and great double doors giving us options for storage”.

The Shrimpton’s Hill annual bull sale is on Friday, September 30 at midday at their property on Cannington Road and features 170 R2 Reg Herefords. A special lot this year is Lot 20, 2020 with the proceeds from this sale going to ‘Meat the Need’ which provides meat to food banks. If you are in need of shed that is unique and can be tailored to meet your needs, get in touch with the team at Alpine buildings today.

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Frustrated with your dirty grout? Providing knowledgeable, honest feedback regarding tile and grout maintenance are GroutPro franchisees Brett Muir and Raj Kumar. supplied by ❚ Article ❚ GroutPro Solutions Ltd They are used to dealing with a full range of tile and grout issues, from leaking showers, to dirty tiles, cleaning off mineral and soap buildup in the shower, replacing silicon, replacing cracked tiles, sealing new grout, cleaning and colour-sealing worn grout as well as regrouting where necessary. The biggest job Brett has completed was epoxy regrouting a large swimming pool, which, if the groutlines were laid in a straight line, would measure 3.5km. It took a month to complete with three of us working on the project. About half of the time both Brett and Raj, are working in showers, regrouting, resiliconing and replacing cracked tiles. Earthquake repair kept us busy for a few years but now it’s just an occasional renovation which falls into the earthquake repair category. Brett and Raj usually carry at least 10 of each grout and silicon colours, so it’s rare they can’t match existing grout. Recently, working in Nelson, Brett was caught out needing a not so common grout colour and had to get two 2kg containers of epoxy grout airlifted to Nelson from Christchurch, at a cost of $170, though at no extra cost to the customer. The colour wasn’t available in Nelson at that time. That was a rare exception.

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BEFORE Though based in Christchurch, Brett and Rajesh also carry out work from Timaru, to Akaroa, Kaikoura, Picton, Blenheim and Nelson, and are happy to service both urban and rural areas. Kitchens and bathrooms are a major selling point when a house is placed on the market. An inexpensive tile and grout restoration may make all the difference when you are trying to clinch the deal.

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September 2020 CANTERBURY FARMING

Building better than the code Over winter, too many of our homes are cold and mouldy. We can place most of the blame on our substandard Building Code; its minimum standards don’t adequately consider our unique climate.

James le Page ❚ by ❚ Technical writer

The solution? We can choose to build better. Three reasons why our homes aren’t up to standard

1. Insulation Compared to countries with similar climates, our insulation requirements are lagging. In fact, the lack of improvements to our minimum standards over the years means they’ve now fallen behind countries that have much milder winters than we experience.

2. Ventilation To properly deal with airborne moisture you need adequate ventilation. Currently, you only need opening windows equal to five percent of the floor area. This

isn’t nearly enough to clear the moisture created from day-to-day living. To ensure a house with this minimum standard stays warm and healthy, you’ll have to regularly air it out by opening the windows every day. In comparison, other codes specify whole-home and room ventilation rates, so the air always remains healthy with no effort from the homeowner.

3. Temperature You can legally build a house that will be freezing in winter. Unless it’s going to be a childcare centre or rest home, there aren’t any minimum temperature requirements for buildings. However, for a healthy environment, your home needs to be at least 18degC. For many houses, due to how they’ve been built, that’ll be a tough task during the colder months.

There was a big change to our Building Code after the leaky homes crisis in the early 2000s. It dealt with water ingress into our houses, but the chance was missed to look at the other issues that affect the warmth and health of our homes. Luckily, if you’re building or doing renovations, you don’t have to settle for a cold, unhealthy home. The tools and resources are there to help you build better than code, but you’ll need to shift your mindset away from building the biggest house possible, to focusing on function and energy efficiency. That said, it’s not always an all-or-nothing situation. For example, if you reduce the overall size of your design, you could incorpo-

rate extra insulation, better glazing and ventilation for no extra cost. However, we know a large open plan kitchen-dining-lounge is a real selling point, whereas real estate agents don’t gush about insulation hidden in the walls. A smaller, higher performing home might not have the same street appeal, or command the same sale price, as a sprawling 300m2 code-compliant house. It really should command a premium when it sells, but until the market shows that building better than code pays off on your investment, it could continue to be a hard sell. Article supplied by ConsumerNZ. For more go to: www.consumer.org.nz

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John Stewart Managing Director 021 390 262 Russley Portables Ofﬁce 03 357 2922 Ofﬁce and Construction: 656 Wairakei Road, Christchurch 8011 russley.portables@xtra.co.nz Our buildings. Your way. www.russleyportables.co.nz

CANTERBURY FARMING September 2020

From design to construction and everything in between Des Millar Construction takes pride in its reputation to deliver quality construction at a competitive price for every build, from that new home, to a new barn, or alterations and renovations.

❚ by Kent Caddick Des Millar Construction, based in Ashburton, will help customers through the building process, from planning and consent process through to the day to day interaction on the building progress. The business was started over 40 years ago by Des Millar, working on everything from new homes to alterations and farm buildings. Des is still a big part of the business overseeing projects but son Sam, who has been with the company for over 15 years, is now looking after the day to day management. Sam says Des Millar Construction likes to keep control of as much of the build process as possible. “From pouring concrete floors through to installing joinery, your project will be managed from start to finish by the Des Millar team. We have a strong commitment to quality workmanship and pleasing our customers.”

Sam says with a team of 10 builders, with decades of experience in all types of construction, they pride themselves on their ability to deliver a quality job at the price quoted. For Sam and his team no project is too big or small. They are well experienced in working on projects with architects and homeowners alike. “We enjoy a challenging build and take great pleasure in finishing a project to the highest of standards,” Sam says. Des Millar Construction is equip ped for a range of different projects, such as: • Architectural designs • New homes • Farm buildings • Renovations • Light commercial It offers its customers: • A Master Build Guarantee • All foremen on the job will be Licence Building Practitioners and will carry out the job from start to finish

From the new barn to the new home, and everything in between, Des Millar Construction is all about quality workmanship.

• A vast range of product knowledge old and new • Fully itemised quotation which is transparent and competitive • A good relationship with a wide range of quality subcontractors who are both tried and trusted After many years of construction in Canterbury, Des Millar Construction has built up a great reputation for quality workmanship, from new homes to alterations and farm buildings. For more information and a free quote give Sam Millar a call on 0274 641 042 0r 03 308 9936, email him at sam@desmillar. co.nz or visit their Facebook page, Des Millar Construction, or website: desmillar.co.nz

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September 2020 CANTERBURY FARMING

Home designing considerations Often the imagination runs wild when you start to think about the home of your dreams, but turning that imagery into reality is a conscious process.

❚ Article supplied by ConsumerNZ

Start collecting together ideas in a scrapbook or shoe-box. Every time you see something you like in a magazine or book, cut it out or photocopy it and add it to the collection. Visit shops and websites and get brochures and information sheets on products. Start a dossier of roofing materials, types of exterior claddings and interior linings, joinery, paint, wallpaper, ceilings, appliances, carpets, taps, etc. Keep a note of prices as you go – this will help with budgeting later on.

To help with house design ideas: • Visit show homes, home expos and open homes. • Drive around new subdivisions and older areas for ideas about exterior design, materials and colours. • Ask others who have been through this process for recommendations on designers and, if possible, visit homes they have been involved in.

Importance of good design The advantages of good house design include: • Making best use of space within the home. • Making best use of the section.

• Making sure the right materials are selected (for function and style). • Saving money by providing a home that is energy efficient and maintenance-friendly. • Having a home that is harmonious to live in, comfortable, convenient, and aesthetically pleasing.

• Having a home that will provide a secure investment and be free from weathertight problems or other serious defects. • Having a home that will be easier to sell.

What to consider in the design When you brief a designer, tell them:

• How many rooms you want (consider the possibility of more children, or perhaps elderly relatives coming to live with you). • What sort of living spaces you want. Do you entertain regularly? Do you want separate space for the children to hang out? Do you need an office or hobby room? What about decks and outdoor living spaces? • What you want in the way of bathrooms and kitchen. Do you want ensuites? An industrial-sized kitchen? • The size of the house. If it is too large to fit comfortably on your section you might have to consider whether you need to build upwards. • Your garaging requirements. • The importance of sun, particularly in the winter. • To avoid features that will put the house at risk of leaking. • To identify materials, especially claddings that will require lots of on-going maintenance. • To make provision in the design to allow for on-going maintenance. • You also need to start thinking about design features and materials - heating, external cladding, or the shape of the roof, for example. • You also need to consider costs at this early stage.

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CANTERBURY FARMING September 2020

Choosing a section:

Location and building costs

❚ Article supplied by ConsumerNZ

The location of your section can have a bearing on building costs. For example, your new section may have an amazing view, perched on a cliff overlooking the sea. But it will also be exposed to the wind, the risk of erosion or flooding, and the risk of corrosion to materials. Houses exposed to high winds have to be designed appropriately, for example the building may need extra bracing and may attract a higher score on the weather-tightness risk matrix. There is provision in the Building Act 2004 for a council to refuse to grant a building consent if the land is at risk of a natural hazard, such as erosion, flooding, subsidence, or slippage, or if the building work itself is likely to accelerate the problem. If the council decides that there is a risk from a natural hazard but the building work won’t worsen the problem, it may grant a

building consent but must advise the Registrar-General of Land, who will note on the certificate of title that a building consent has been issued under section 72. So take special care to check the certificate of title for any section 72 endorsements on the title which will alert you to the fact that the land is at risk of erosion, flooding or subsidence. Note, it may appear as a section 36 endorsement under the prior 1991 Building Act. Insurance may also be a problem if the section has an erosion risk. The Earthquake Commission (EQC) insures against earthquake, natural landslip, volcanic eruption, hydrothermal activity, tsunami, and, in the case of residential land, a storm or flood; or fire caused by any of these. You are automatically covered by EQC insurance when you take out private insurance cover for your home or belongings and the EQC premium is built into the premium you

pay your own insurance company. However, subsidence is not covered by the EQC. So if you are buying a section with a risk of erosion or subsidence you may need to get extra private insurance cover for risks not covered by the EQC. If the house is near the sea it will need to have corrosion-resistant features in the roofing, joinery and structural connectors. It may also need more frequent washing and painting after you’ve moved in.

Some of these problems can be offset by using adapted designs that suit the environment without being significantly more expensive. A good designer should be able to advise you on this. Their advice could influence your decision to buy the section or not. Before you sign up to buy a section, it is very important to ask your architect or designer to check out the site for you – they can advise you if your ideas are workable given the shape and size of the section.

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September 2020 CANTERBURY FARMING

Passive design for energy efficiency Passive design is the control of ventilation and temperature without using any products that consume energy or money (such as heaters, dehumidifiers or fires).

James le Page ❚ by ❚ Technical writer

Building a passive house is more expensive, but the flipside is lower running costs and a comfortable, healthy environment yearround. The layout of the house in relation to the sun, and the use of features and materials that don’t maximise the use of solar energy, are important in keeping your house at the right temperature while saving on energy costs. Good passive design means a house stays warm in the winter and cool in the summer, and properly ventilates year-round while using minimal energy.

Good passive design considers: • house orientation – positioning to allow solar access, wind and temperature-induced breezes when and where needed, year-round • shading elements – for example, wide eaves shade when sun is high in the sky, as well as providing increased weather protection • glazing placement and size – to ensure solar energy gets to where it’s needed most • ventilation – for example, window joinery that allows ventilation, such as security catches so windows can securely be left partially open

‘

The goal is a house with an airtight shell that only requires low energy inputs and provides its occupants with even temperatures throughout the year.

• insulation – to reduce heat flows both into and out of the building’s “shell”, which assists with heating and cooling • thermal mass – using heavy building materials in areas that receive direct sunlight (during the colder months, this solar energy is then released overnight to provide free space heating)

What is a passive house? Passive design is a building approach with no formal targets. A passive house is a building that achieves a performance standard, rather than meeting individual specifications. This means the whole house is considered, rather than just steps that are ticked off during the design-and-build process.

The goal is a house with an airtight shell that only requires low energy inputs and provides its occupants with even temperatures throughout the year. Each house is uniquely designed and the building’s performance is modelled, taking into account the local climate, before it’s even built. This computer modelling determines the exact levels of insulation, glazing and shading required to achieve the desired environment. So, say your site is in the deep south, in shade for most of the day, the glazing and insulation requirements will be very high (think triple glazing). Up in the far north, in some scenarios you could get away with doubleglazing, but the priority might be on shading to keep the house cool, rather than maximising the heat the house absorbs from the sun. Because passive homes are airtight, they usually require beefy ventilation systems that force stale air out and replace it with fresh, filtered air from outside. You can still open windows to take advantage of a breeze but, unlike in many of our stuffy houses, it’s not a requirement for ventilation. To achieve passive house certification, a house is assessed during both the design and construction phases. Part of the construction assessment is fitting a blower door to pressurise the building to measure airtightness. To make the grade, the number of air

changes per hour needs to be below 0.6. In comparison, a newly built house might have three to five air changes an hour, while air changes an old villa with more holes than a chunk of Swiss cheese might be as high as 20. Passive houses are fairly new here, and putting one together is probably beyond the average DIYer. However, there are companies that specialise in creating them. To ensure the project goes smoothly, get an experienced passive house designer and builder to take on the project, as they’ll have dealt with the teething issues this type of structure can encounter. If you decide to go all in and get your house certified, the design needs to be put through modelling software to determine what’s required to bring the home up to the standard. A passive house relies heavily on being airtight, so the house would need to be stripped back to its bare bones and then built back up again. Even if your budget doesn’t stretch to getting the house certified, you should incorporate as many passive design elements as your budget will allow. Even if you can’t achieve all of the criteria, your remodelled home will be much warmer, more comfortable and cheaper to run. Article supplied by ConsumerNZ. For more go to: www.consumer.org.nz

CANTERBURY FARMING

September 2020

Choosing the right barn for your farm Keeping things where they need to be, in working condition, and making sure nothing goes awry are painstaking tasks that sometimes seem like they’re more effort than the rest of the farm put together.

What size barn?

How many barns? As a subset of this for larger properties, you’re going to consider the issue of centralisation versus convenience. In larger properties, long distances and

Choice: Choosing the right barn can be a surprisingly complex decision for a seemingly simple task. convenience may mean that decentralis- ly cheaper in economies of scale, however ing your barn into several smaller locations for certain farms it might actually cost you may help overall by saving you daily transport a large amount of precious time each time time. This is especially the case for those you need to transport to the far edges of the that have a diverse crop or livestock group, property. Farms which don’t require many types of or those that require storing a mix of long and short term products, as well as perisha- storage solutions (and storage conditions) under one roof, and properties with an accesbles such as feed. This is mostly the case on sectioned prop- sible central location of homestead, should erties; farmers in such situations will often strongly consider keeping one large centralkeep a small or medium sized storage facil- ized storage facility. ity near their livestock, and another much further away NUMBER ONE SUPPLIER TO THE near their crops. Having RATE PA one large container is slightNZ JET BOATING COMMUNITY PO N RT

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As a general rule, a large barn is a good barn. Unless you have a very small, manageable, or non-volatile setup that won’t change in volume at all (and can’t experience lean or peak times that will inevitably change your storage needs), then you’re going to need extended redundant setup in the case of a catastrophe. As a general rule, shop for a minimum of 20%-30% more storage space than you’ll require at a general running standard. This will ensure that not only will you have more than enough room to work in, you’ll also have ample room to cordon off perishables and organise your things, and you’ll never be unprepared for a volume in storage needs.

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A property needs adequate storage, but exactly how much is a tricky matter to deal with. While it’s much better to be caught out with too much space than too little, you won’t want to be paying for a much larger barn than you’ll need. That said, you’ll also want additional space for emergencies, room to grow, and (for some farmers) seasonal storage capacity. Choosing the right barn can be a surprisingly complex decision for such a seemingly simple task. To help you out with that decision, we’ve put together a few models and tips on what to look for to suit your situation. Your barn type ultimately needs to fit your farm type (obviously). Here’s a short checklist to help narrow down your choices. Start by having a think about the obvious uses for your barn, as well as a couple of things about your property: • Do you have any seasonal crops on your property (where you might need long-term storage for equipment in the off-season)? • Do you have any products that can go bad if stored in the wrong type of barn (such as animal feed)?

• How large an area will this barn need to service? • Will you need to store animals? • What are the weather conditions?

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❚ by William milnes

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September 2020 CANTERBURY FARMING

Planning ahead when renovating

Whether you’re building or renovating, you need to factor in energy efficiency, environmental impact and future-proofing.

❚ Article supplied by ConsumerNZ

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Energy efficiency should be high on your list, and it won’t always cost you extra. However, even if a product is more expensive, the contribution it makes to the lower household running costs can sometimes more than make up for it. Energy-efficient design elements include: • going above the minimum requirements with your insulation in the floors, walls and ceiling • installing thermally-broken aluminium or uPVC double-glazed windows • opting for energy-efficient fixed heating, such as heat pumps • specifying LEDs in all fittings. Another important consideration is reducing your home’s environmental impact. You need to think about: • how to reduce construction waste: you can minimise a lot of waste at the design stage. By fitting your home to the contours of the land as much as possible, you’ll reduce the amount of earthworks that ends up at the tip. You can also opt for pre-fabricated framing, rather than having it cut and built on site. Recycling or upcycling older building materials, such as native wood floorboards, also helps reduce waste and can even end up saving you money. • options for lowering your home’s carbon footprint: such as, going with sustainable or natural products as much as possible.

Future-proofing Designing your home to suit all abilities and stages of life will allow you stay in it for as long as possible. This is also known as universal design. It’s usually much cheaper to include these design elements when you’re building rather than retrofitting them. These types of design elements include: • wider hallways and doorways for wheelchair access • extra bracing in the bathroom walls for the future installation of shower or toilet handrails • light switches and power outlets at a height that can be easily reached by all ages • readily accessible pathways and entrances

What can you do in your home now? The easiest way to start is by adding or topping up the insulation in your roof and under the floor. This will help make your house warmer and cheaper to heat. An extra layer of blanket insulation over the top of your current insulation is a piece of cake to install. It’s more expensive to get into the walls or improve your glazing, so that might need to wait until the next round of renovations. The benefits of a higher performing house aren’t all monetary; you have a better quality of life in a warmer, drier and healthier environment.

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September 2020

Floors, wall cladding, roofing and joinery In this article we look at options for ﬂoors, walls, roofing and joinery with an emphasis on ensuring your home stays weathertight.

❚ Article supplied by ConsumerNZ Types of ﬂoor The type of floor put into a house depends on the design and construction methods. The common types are: • Concrete pad. • Wooden – either suspended timber striplined floors or pressed composite materials. The advantage of a house built with a concrete pad is that the concrete floor can act as a thermal heat storage mass which, if used in conjunction with insulation in the walls and ceilings, keeps that stored heat inside. In all cases the floor should be insulated.

Timber framework Your designer and builder should know the current timber treatment requirements for the various areas in a house. But if you are doing some alterations and purchasing the timber yourself, make sure you buy the timber treated to the right standard for the situation. For example, framing for enclosed decks and balconies requires a higher treatment level than other wall framing.

Cladding for exterior walls Common options for exterior cladding include: • Brick or masonry veneer – it may have a higher initial cost but the advantage is that it requires virtually no maintenance. • Autoclaved aerated concrete which has good insulation properties and comes in blocks, reinforced panels, and lintels. Note: not all products are accepted by some BCAs – check before specifying. • Weatherboards which can be made of timber or from composite materials. Some do not need painting. They have very good weathertightness properties. Depending on the weather tightness risk score a cavity may be required behind the weatherboard. • Monolithic systems – for example, textured wall surfaces made out of plaster, polystyrene or fibre cement sheet – are promoted as providing a sealed and waterproof outer skin but must be installed strictly to manufacturer’s instructions. The waterproof coating must be careful-

• • • •

ly maintained to ensure watertightness, and will require a cavity in most applications. Aluminium, for example, extruded aluminium weatherboard. Profiled metal. This requires careful detailing and workmanship. Plywood sheet. Concrete masonry blocks – they don’t rot, can provide good heat storage, but they need to be installed correctly. Note: in some areas additional thermal insulation may be needed. All single skin masonry will require the application of a waterproof coating.

Whichever cladding you choose, it is only going to be effective in doing its job (which is to keep water out of your home), if it is appropriate for the situation and used correctly. Your designer will be able to give you advice on the best claddings to use in your situation. This decision will depend on many factors but the Acceptable Solution for weathertightness limits the use of some claddings in some circumstances. It also specifies the use of a drainage cavity where the risk score for a building reaches certain limits. Manufacturers also place limits on where and how their materials should be used. Problems occur when claddings are used outside their specifications or have been installed incorrectly. Try to limit the range of different claddings used on one particular building, so reducing the number of unnecessary cladding joints. Joints in cladding systems are its weakest part – increasing the risk of leaking.

Roofing and roofing design Common types of roofing include: • Metal which comes in a variety of shapes, some already finished. Each profile will have specified minimum slopes that it can be used for. • Tiles which can be made out of concrete, pressed steel, clay or wood. • Synthetic rubber roofing membrane, which must be laid to fall to ensure water will run towards a gutter or drain. Complicated roof designs, i.e. those with

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many roof planes at different pitches and levels, require special care when being built. All the junctions need to be properly flashed, and, as flashings don’t tend to last as long as the roof, they will require more maintenance during the life of the roof. This may not be easy or cheap. Anything that penetrates the roof, such as pipes or flues, need special care to ensure weather-tightness. There are other technical considerations, for example, allowing for heat expansion and contraction, and making sure the pitch meets the various metal roofing profiles in the Acceptable Solutions to the Building Code. You should be able to rely on your architect or designer to advise you – choose your designer carefully. To keep maintenance of the roof to a minimum: • Have a simple roof shape. • Have as few penetrations as possible. • Make sure there is enough pitch to allow water to drain and not pool. • Check it annually, clearing out downpipes and gutters, and making repairs where necessary.

Joinery When selecting joiner y, consider the architectural style of your home, and choose the joiner y to complement, or modernise the look. The most common options for joinery around windows and doors include: • Aluminium – this is commonly used in New Zealand but has some disadvantages. Low cost sections are thermally inefficient and often result in condensation forming on the frame as well as the glass. Double glazed options are available. There should be vents in the framing to allow for drainage and ventilation. • Wood – less common these days because of the cost and the need for regular maintenance. • uPVC (vinyl) - this is commonly used overseas but is relatively new to New Zealand. Modern uPVC (vinyl) windows are designed to withstand our strong ultraviolet radiation. They must comply with exposure requirements as outlined by WANZ and proof of this compliance will be required by councils during the building consent process.

September 2020 CANTERBURY FARMING

FORESTRY & LOGGING

Collaborative wilding pine operation to protect Benmore Peninsula Environment Canterbury has announced that work will begin shortly to remove invasive wilding pine infestations on the Benmore Peninsula. The work is funded by the National Wilding Conifer Control Programme. supplied by ❚ Article Environment Canterbury ❚ Environment Canterbury (ECan) is overseeing the work, which will be carried out by forestry company PF Olsen on behalf of Meridian Energy and Land Information New Zealand, which separately own and manage adjoining areas of land on the peninsula. The aim is to harvest the pines for timber, which in turn reduces the cost of control. Work will begin in late August 2020 and is expected to finish in February 2021. Graham Sullivan, ECan’s regional leader of Biosecurity, describes the importance of addressing the scourge of wilding pines. “Canterbury is badly affected by the spread of wilding pines throughout alpine catchments and foothills; currently, they represent our most serious pest threat.” Meridian’s Renewable Development Programme Manager Mark Harris says removing the pines is a first step towards returning the ecosystem to its natural state. “At the beginning of September, we’ll start replanting the area on our land with a mix of trial plots of eco-sourced totara and sterile pinus attenuate, so unlike wilding pines, there will be no risk of seed spread. This is better for the environment, and in the long term it will leave a lasting legacy for future generations.”

Nek minnit: Wilding conifers by Lake pukaki, before and after work carried out under the National Wilding Conifer Control programme. The removal of wilding pines is essential to protect native biodiversity, land value and iconic landscapes, including the Mackenzie Basin.

The National Wilding Conifer Control Programme was established in 2016, to deliver a 15-year strategy to reduce wilding pine infestations to a locally-manageable level. Over the first three years the programme, Biosecurity New Zealand and its partners (including Department of Conservation, LINZ,

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CANTERBURY FARMING

September 2020

Key indicators trending toward the positive

After a pretty tumultuous period as far as China is concerned, this key market for New Zealand forest products has stabilised with prices steady to slightly firm and all key indicators trending toward the positive. A little against expectation, daily consumption across the Eastern seaboard has been steadily increasing. As at mid-August, usage of softwood logs has been running at 80,000 cubic metres per day, reflecting a monthly usage of around 2 million cubic metres. Whilst this has eased concerns of significant over supply, some commentators are suggesting a cautionary tone. While the US$/RMB cross rate has favoured China and therefore reduced log import cost, we are still seeing the domestic prices of logs teetering between stable and soft. The nervousness is largely the consequence of those accursed Spruce logs and lumber coming out of Europe. Information is mixed but my rumour filter has volumes at somewhere between 400,000 and 600,000 cubic metres log equivalents per month, about 20% less than earlier predictions. Of some concern is the ability of NZ players in the log supply sandpit to accurately determine what the other Children are playing with, in this case, just how much volume is

at China ports, on the water and about leave Europe. Much of the Spruce arrives in Containers with a reduced ability for us to see just how much inventory is in the system. Thus, uncertainly and suspicion are the order of the day. Suffice to say, there is a dearth of vessels loaded with logs heading to China and we know at least 3 of them are carrying Break Bulk Spruce logs. Whilst this is a new phenomenon, we understand these vessels are a trial basis. We know that for most European harvest the forests are in excess of 1,000km from an export port, sometimes over 2,000km. Ships then have to travel round through the Mediterranean to Suez Canal, past India, around the corner past Singapore and up to China. All of this will ensure NZ supplied logs will remain very competitive, unless European Governments increase subsidies even further to ensure forest owners can get a basic royalty. I understand many European nations are not exactly flush with cash but like good ole’

Trumpy, they might just keep the printing press’s going. As at mid-August, there were 50+ vessels waiting discharge in China and if each on average has 35,000 cubic metres of logs and lumber on board, we are in quite a nervy place price wise. It will not take much to tip the scales, particularly if CFR prices (logs landed in China in US$) increase greatly.This will attract even more volume from all sources and potentially drive our own price down... again! As has been the case of the last many years NZ domestic sawmills maintain their place as the rock and pillar of NZ Forestry and Forest Owners. Prices are stable throughout NZ and even though in some regions some export comparatives are heading back over domestic prices, I doubt this will see any change to log supply locally. Contrary to what Shane Jones might say, I know of no log sellers who would shun the option to supply logs to a domestic sawmill, unless of course there was a credit or other issue. Shipping rates have remained stubborn-

ly firm during August. For the moment, and despite lower bunker costs and reduced international shipping volume numbers, ship owners are playing hard ball. Some are dangling the Charter Party Agreement at arms-length in front of Charterers in the continuing bizarre game of Cat and Mouse when no one is really sure which is the cat and which is the mouse. For the moment, standard 2 port load/2 port discharge hire rates are sitting in the mid US$20’s per m3 and hanging there without significant sign of movement either way. It is fantastic to see many trees being planted across low productivity farm sites and not just the wonderful Radiata pine. Redwoods, Totara, Poplar and even Oaks are on the list along with riparian and stream planting as well as the normal woodlots. Long may it continue. As always People, please remember the thoroughly important message, “It remains, as always, fundamentally important, the only way forward for climate, country and the planet, is to get out there and plant more trees”.

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September 2020

CANTERBURY FARMING

DAIRY

Rural employee support hub launched A new online rural workers support service aims to provide information and help to farm employees so they have the best possible experiences and careers.

❚ by Kent Caddick

“Dairying is a sector that’s built on people. People are the key to our success, so we The website, ruralemployeesupport.co.nz, want everyone in dairying to have a rewardis part of the Rural Employee Support Hub, ing career long-term and that’s where the Rural Employee Support Hub plays a key part,” which also offers a free 0800 support line. The hub is a DairyNZ and Ministry for Pri- DairyNZ team leader Jane Muir said. “The website contains information and mary Industries initiative, being delivered by Federated Farmers and supported by Dairy tips to support and help employees excel in Women’s Network and New Zealand Young their jobs on farms,” Muir said. Information includes careers, training and Farmers. development, remuneration and tenancies advice and there are sections on nutriElectrical Problems or Maintenance? tion and mental health support, farm health and safety as well as access to legal support. “As a sector, we are really focused on ensuring employ Irrigation ees enjoy and are fulfilled Member in their jobs, and that farm  Farm MASTER bosses have great talent ELECTRICIANS  working for them. It’s a twoIndustrial Electrical Contractors Association of NZ way relationship,” Muir said.  Municipal “Employers are well supported through DairyNZ and Federated Farmers, and we LEESTON Ph (03) 324 3752 RANGIORA Ph (03) 313 6104 want to ensure employees have the same level of support and know where to go to ask questions.” She said the initiative was a six-month pilot to understand the demand. “If well used by employElectrical installation, maintenance and a breakdown ees, the partners want to service second to none see it become permanent.”

nairn Electrical

Supportive: A new rural employee support service is aimed at ensuring dairy workers have a rewarding long-term career. Muir said the initiative complements the dairy sector’s Good Boss campaign, where advice and support is provided to farmers on how to be the best employers they can be. Advice includes following best practices for recruiting and inducting new staff into their roles. Farm employees can call the hub’s free 0800 support line (0800 694 121). the line provides conﬁdential, impartial advice and is available monday to Friday 8.30am-5pm. people can also email via the website.

‘

If well used by employees, the partners want to see it become permanent. Jane Muir DairyNZ team leader

DAIRY

â?&#x161; with Fred Hoekstra

CANTERBURY FARMING

September 2020

The hind legs connection

Normally the hind legs of cattle are more or less parallel (Figure 1), and it is hardly surprising that in the course of a few years the difficult task of the outer hind claws may affect the posture of the hind legs. When a cow stands and walks properly, there is less chance of the hooves being overloaded. The ideal cow makes optimum use of her legs and hooves; her body weight is distributed evenly over her legs and hooves. This does not happen in reality, as dairy cows tend to put most of the load on their outside hind claws, so that is where most of the problems occur. Heavy loading and contusion of the quick in the outer hind claw will in the end cause sensitivity or pain. The cow will try to compensate for this by walking on her heels and by placing or turning the foot more outwards by adopting a base-wide (Figure 3) or a cow-hocked posture (Figure 2), thus making the inner claw bear more weight and the outer less. This decreases the height of the heel, makes the angle of the front wall shallower and causes the cow to walk with her hocks closer together. Such an adjustment of posture is frequently observed. Thus the posture of the hind legs of our dairy cattle is only partly inborn, and to a great extent adopted. The latter is due partly to the unfavourable loading on the outer hind claw and to domestication, but probably for the greater part to the claw diseases that can afflict the claws. As a matter of fact, the effect of this adjustment of posture is relative: measuring shows that in adopting a cow-hocked or basewide posture, the cow relieves her sensitive outer claw of its overload, only to a certain extent. Mostly this claw remains more heavily loaded than the inner claw, albeit less than

the state of the outer hind claws may affect the posture of the hind legs.

er with restoring the foot to its correct shape and weightbearing surfaces is the main aim of preventative hoof trimming. Due to preventative hoof trimming being very time consuming we have found that many farmers are recognizing the benefits of contracting their trimming out to professional hoof trimmers, resulting in a reduction of seFigure 1: posture good Figure 2: posture cow-hocked Figure 3: posture base-wide vere lameness incidences in before. This must be ascribed to the differ- ward rotation of the toe and a convex shape the herd and reduced lame cow numbers; thereby increasing productivity and bottom ence in height. The longer-term effects of of the anterior hoof wall. laminitis may eventually be seen as an upImproving the weight distribution, togeth- line profits.

September 2020 CANTERBURY FARMING

❚ with peter burton

DAIRY

Summer clover advantages

That permanent grazed pasture requires a steady supply of nitrogen for optimum performance is not in question.

Nitrogen is usually supplied in one of two ways, either in the form of urea, or from the atmosphere fixed by bacteria on the roots of clovers, lucerne, and other legumes. Without an ongoing supply of nitrogen low fertility grasses steadily encroach and eventually dominate. Annual production declines to 8 tonne DM/ha or less and farming becomes uneconomic. At least in the short term raising more

money against increasing land values can no longer be relied on. Already banks are starting to play hard-ball and when interest rates increase the ability to borrow more will just get tougher. Over the last 40 years annual pasture production has declined from a tops of 18,000kg/ha to around 14,000kg with the gap, in many cases, filled with low cost palm kernel extract. The fundamental issue of declining pasture yield requires addressing for both individual farmers and the wider community. Higher incomes are required and the only viable way of achieving that is to grow more pasture at the same or lower cost. A 30% increase in annual production is achievable for most within a three-year period and increasing numbers of farmers are finding that it’s easier than they first thought. A focus on grazing management is necessary and there are some new concepts to take on board, however they are easily learnt. In our view clover will replace urea as the primary provider of nitrogen for pasture plants particularly as environmental regulations steadily tighten. Because clovers fix nitrogen in response to declining plant available levels, supply and demand is balanced and the amount lost to groundwater is significantly reduced. Clovers in pastures come into their own as soil temperatures reach 20degC, often early in November, and given regular rainfall or irrigation provide a mat of highly nutritious feed over the summer and early autumn. Clover has a number of advantages over grasses during the main growing season. It’s higher in calcium than grasses and therefore the preferred feed for lactating and fast growing animals. It’s also more readily digested and therefore animals are able to eat more, grow fast-

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On the rise: Clover is set to replace urea as the primary provider of nitrogen for pasture plants as environmental regulations steadily tighten. er and produce more milk than is possible on a grass or multi species dominated pasture. Lamb growth is unsurpassed on clover dominant pastures and earlier lambs nearly always receive a premium. To promote clover, it is necessary to lift plant available soil calcium levels to above those required for grasses. Experience over many years shows a soil pH of 6.2-6.3 works best. Interestingly it’s also the pH at which earthworms and other beneficial soil dwellers operate efficiently. Meat tenderness is correlated to its pH which in turn is dependent on the pH of the feed being consumed and the soil that it is growing on. There is no downside to clover dominant pastures over summer. A dense mat helps protect the soil surface from moisture loss and minimises weed growth. Any unwanted plants are readily consumed by stock as they devour long strong stemmed clover with thumb nail sized leaves or larger. Clover seed may be added to spring or autumn fertiliser to ensure the latest and greatest, however we’re yet to find a situation where clover hasn’t come to the fore when conditions and management have been favourable.

‘

to promote clover, it is necessary to lift plant available soil calcium levels to above those required for grasses.

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WATER & IRRIGATION

CANTERBURY FARMING

September 2020

Navigating Freshwater Policy

Ongoing freshwater policy and regulation changes can often leave us feeling like a fish out of water as we try and navigate them and understand what the impacts are now and will be in the future.

Connected: telemetry, literally “measurement at a distance”, is an automated communications process by which data is collected from instruments located at remote or inaccessible points.

elizabeth Soal ❚ by ❚ Irrigation NZ IrrigationNZ has analysed these policies in detail, with an irrigation focus, to try and get some clarity for those who are going to have to implement the changes from the ground up. Recently the Government released the final policies and regulations in relation to the Action for Healthy Waterways package, following on from public consultation and receiving advice from the expert advisory panel the Government appointed. There are a range of different documents that implement these policies: • A new National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management • New National Environmental Standards for Freshwater • Stock Exclusion Regulations (under section 360 of the RMA) • Amendments to the Resource Management Act 1991. The consultation of this policy has been ongoing and so will the implementation. IrrigationNZ believes that the intent of many if these policies is good, but implementation will be challenging as regional authorities

are required to develop new or amend current planning instruments – which is a massive task. Something IrrigationNZ focused on in recent submissions was real time water measuring and reporting of data on water use. Telemetry, literally “measurement at a distance”, is an automated communications process by which data is collected from instruments located at remote or inaccessible points and transmitted to receiving equipment for measurement, monitoring, display, and recording. The data can be transmitted at varying intervals or live streamed for real time display and monitoring. Amendments to water metering regulations to require telemetry of data mean that permit holders who were previously required to keep records of the cubic metres of water taken each day will now be required to be

record these data in each 15-minute period. An exception is allowed when volumes recorded can be done weekly but specific approval must be granted for this. These 15-minute records must be provided electronically to councils daily. Records for water a year are now required to be provided to councils electronically as a default unless the council requests that they are provided in writing. These regulations come into force on September 3, 2020, but compliance dates are as follows: September 3, 2022 for water permits allowing takes of 20 litres per second or greater; September 3, 2024 for water permits allowing takes of 10 litres per second or greater (but less than 20); and September 3, 2026 for water permits less than 10 litres per second but greater than five litres per second. Telemetry to this level of detail and fre-

quency is important because it means that we can get a much clearer picture about our water resources – water availability, water use, and water allocation. This means that as new regulations are rolled out and new regional plans developed, issues like overallocation can be better understood and resolved. The ongoing available data is integral for future planning as well as having the history to look back on changes over time. Our climate is changing all the time and having environmental data to support decision making is crucial to sustainability. As an irrigation sector, we know how critical reliability of supply is. Having robust data can be turned into robust information which will lead to better-informed decision-making, which we absolutely need to ensure reliability can be maintained or improved.

September 2020 CANTERBURY FARMING

WATER & IRRIGATION

Soil temperature trigger for pasture growth and seed germination So how much warmer is it than normal? Soil temperature is always a great indicator to watch closely during the spring as it is the key trigger for pasture growth and seed germination.

Andrew Curtis ❚ by Water ❚ Strategies At soil temperatures below 6 degrees Celsius there is extremely limited pasture growth and very few crops that will successfully germinate. The graph below provides the mean monthly soil temperature for Lincoln (recorded at 9am and 100 mm depth) for the 2018-19, 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons, alongside the 20-year average. From this you can see through to mid-August (when this article was written) July and August 2020 are tracking consistently with 2019, but June 2020 was much milder. The question on everyone’s lips is, ‘will we get a southerly blast before spring as the weather we are currently experiencing is definitely unseasonable - or is this now the new norm under climate change?’ Water Strategies has recently been suc-

cessful with an application to the Ministry for Primary Industries Sustainable Land Management and Climate Change fund for its Climate Shock Resilience and Adaptation project. This is an important piece of work as there is a need to better understand the impacts of a more volatile climate upon farmers and growers, particularly in relation to increased frequency of drought. The project will identify key factors that drive farm resilience alongside explore alter-

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native approaches to water allocation from a farm and environmental resilience perspective. To date much of the climate change analysis has focused upon the impacts of mean temperature rises and changes to rainfall patterns, but as the 2019-20 season has clearly demonstrated, its prolonged periods of drought that have the biggest impact particularly if they start to occur more frequently as predicted under climate change. The project is a partnership between Water Strategies, Komanawa Solutions (a spe-

cialist groundwater research consultancy) the Lincoln University Agriculture Economic Research Unit, the Environment Canterbury science team and leading climate scientists from Victoria University, the MetService, NIWA and Bodeker Scientific. It will use a North Canterbury case study, applying moderate and extreme climate shock scenarios (generated by the climate specialists) to a range of actual farm systems. Detailed farm production and financial analysis using the FARMAX tool will be used to understand impacts and explore the range of mitigation and adaptation options. We will provide you with a summary of our findings in 2021. And to finish... during spring 2020 Water Strategies will be running a series of irrigator training workshops as getting your shoulder season irrigation right is key from both a production and environmental perspective. Check out our website to ﬁnd one near you as we guarantee these practical sessions will be a great investment of your time. Alternatively, if you would like support, advice, or a review of your irrigation management, or you are having issues with your irrigation equipment, give the team at Water Strategies a call.

IRRIGATION ISSUES

CANTERBURY FARMING

What’s in store?

September 2020

How about the “blue sky days” and “balmy” weather and daytime temperatures in the past few weeks? Is spring here and are conditions truly that spring-like? Do the temperatures and lower than average rainfall thus far in August mean that an early start to irrigation is required?

❚ with Dr tony Davoren

Whew we have reached last 10 days of August (21st as I write this) which means we are less than two weeks from the end of winter. That is if you think of winter as being the meteorological winter which for convenience is considered to be 1 June to 31 August. Thinking of crop growth, moisture use and evapotranspiration we should really think of the seasons in astronomical terms; i.e. that winter runs from 22 June to 22 September or between the winter solstice and spring equinox. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) likes to just caveat these dates by stating “though the dates may shift slightly from year to year”. Without thinking too much about when the seasons start and finish, just where has winter gone? The weather most of the way through July and August and especially the past 2-3 weeks would suggest spring is nigh or even here. Just consider the signs – blossoms, daffodils well into flowering and in some places nearly done, bees out there working hard (as they have been in my urban hive now for 2-3 weeks), woolly buds on other fruiting species. These thoughts pose the question “is/

has it really been that warm (and dry) and/ or are we in for an early start to the irrigating season? I’ve had reports of irrigation having started in South Canterbury – second hand but reliable. A continuing weak La Niña weather pattern is predicted by hang around for the next couple of months and this would normally mean average to above average air temperatures in eastern areas. July and August have seen some pretty healthy soil temperatures; fluctuating from a low of around 2.5degC in late July up to around 8.3degC in early August – the downs the result of the occasional sharp southerly followed by some pretty severe frosts, and

the ups during those balmy days. Those sunny days and “balmy” temperatures do play on our mind and the true the reality. Without temperatures up around and above that base temperature of 10degC at 9am at 10cm, applying irrigation is pretty risky and probably not going to get a great deal of response. Recently on a flight to Rotorua for a family 90th birthday I was taken by the lack of snow and snapped a shot from 17,000 feet as we were passing over Waiau. Sort of a eureka moment for this article but wish it had been a little earlier. The tributaries to the likes of the Hurunui and Waiau rivers had little or no flow and the snapshot doesn’t bode well for

snow melt in the spring. After above average rainfall in June (96mm) and July (77mm) at will be a tough ask to make average rainfall in August; currently 4mm recorded compared to long-term average of 56mm. Low rainfall and lack of snow is not a good combination to bolster water supply. Are all these pointers to an early irrigation season? Not just yet and no immediate panic. NIWA’s August-October climate outlook doesn’t hint at an early season just yet either. There is a “La Niña” watch which would typically bring periods of northeasterly winds and elevate the potential for those sub-tropical low pressure systems to swing down from the northern Tasman. While these usually don’t produce heavy rain in Canterbury, they may provide some top up rains. However, with “La Niña” conditions, NIWA are hinting at “average temperatures (50% chance) are likely” and for rainfall “to be near normal (40% chance) or below normal (35% chance)”. Add to this their “cold snaps and frosts can be expected in typically colder locations” during this period and we pretty much have a continuation of what we have had. So, while irrigation may not be a high priority as this article is penned, I suspect you will be into it by the time next article is due at the end of winter.

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September 2020 CANTERBURY FARMING

LIVESTOCK

Plenty of positives for wool

rob Cochrane “We can take some positives away from today and work on those during the week ahead”, seems to be a phrase ❚ by Procurement Manager, that is often used by sports team coaches and captains when interviewed on television or radio after the match, ❚ Wool and particularly if those interviewed represent the team who’ve ended the match in a distinct second place. ❚ PGG Wrightson Wool Commentators of the wool market, both here and in Australia, currently appear to be using a similar technique, although I’m not exactly convinced that there are too many winners across the wool job from grower right through to retail and particularly for several traditional end uses. However, we definitely can take some positives from the wider market place as new uses, and also possible re-invention of some past uses, for wool come to the fore, some of those perhaps driven by a more than previously attractive price for raw material, some maybe due to the current global health risk, but many driven by an awakening of awareness that wool is a healthy, sustainable, and renewable natural resource delivering benefits superior to many competitive man-made fibres. While many of us old timers begin to shudder when hear the words “health and

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.

safety” uttered, wool’s natural attributes of filtering volatile organic compounds (VOCs), wicking, and fire retardancy, all provide definite positives towards human health and safety. Recent wool sales have delivered reasonably stable prices to wool growers of crossbred wool types, apart from lamb’s wool all of which has been old-seasons. Secondshear types with a staple length of between 50 and 100 millimetres have been in good demand, in particular those displaying very good colour and testing at zero percent vegetable matter content. Having said that, some of the very short second-shear types have struggled to find much support. Halfbred and Corriedale wool types after riding a high for the past couple of seasons, in recent weeks, and in-line with a general softening trend for most apparel wool types across the globe, have taken a significant market turn south. Although most of these types offered for sale have found a buyer, when comparing recent prices to the same time last year, returns have been reduced by around fifty percent. Exporters with buying orders, obviously have had

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New season’s merino wool types have recently begun to flood into local wool stores, however, at time of writing only limited quantities had passed under auctioneers’ hammers.

their limits (maximum prices to which they can bid) reduced as processors and manufacturers struggle to clear old season’s wool stocks, directly attributable to retail sluggishness in the face of financial issues driven by the world pandemic. New season’s Merino wool types have recently begun to flood into local wool stores, however, at time of writing only limited quan-

tities had passed under auctioneers’ hammers. One observation to date has been that many of these wools have proven to be of lesser tensile strength than last year, whilst many have also been carrying significantly more vegetable matter and in several instances sizeable lines of moity backs have been removed. Prices in Australia have struggled as many broker catalogues have contained poorer than desirable types. A comment from a prominent Australian exporter recently hinted that market support may improve as better wools begin to come on-stream, so we’ll take that as a positive. As always, in a market such as we have at present influenced by so much beyond our control, recommendation is to meet the market. Creation of stock-piles, regardless of innovation or new product invention, is always likely to hinder progress when the tide turns. We know there are pipe-line areas which are choking due to slow retail sales of many products and that competitor fibres are also significantly cheaper than the past couple of years, therefore our best approach is to keep telling our story and convince consumers that wool products are health and safety positive.

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CANTERBURY FARMING

LIVESTOCK

September 2020

Deer farmers say water rules need to be applied sensibly The deer farming industry says it is hoping the health of waterways, rather than arbitrary rules, will drive the way Environment Canterbury and other regional councils enforce the government’s new freshwater regulations.

❚ by trevor Walton DINZ says low intensity deer operations should not be required to incur undue costs for minimal environmental beneﬁt

“The more enquiries we have from farmers the easier it is to put a group together in a district or region,” McKenzie says.

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Zealanders in improving freshwater quality, these are not empty words. We do so in the knowledge of the very big investment our farmers have been making over many years,” Moffat says. “We are therefore hopeful that the government recognises our good faith and commitment to improved water quality.” DINZ is also into year 3 of a five year study into the impact of deer on water quality in hill and high country grazing situations. This is expected to provide data that farmers can use to further refine their environmental management. Moffat says DINZ actively helps deer farmers improve their environmental performance on their individual farms. The main way it does this is through its Deer Industry Environmental Groups. These involve farmers working together to improve the management of soil and water on their farms and to complete a Farm Environment Plan that meets their region’s requirements. Phil McKenzie, the coordinator of the groups, encourages Canterbury deer farmers to get in contact with him so he can introduce them to a local group, or organise a new group. There are between five and eight farms in each, with a paid facilitator and a farmer chair. The facilitators are funded by DINZ.

Contact him at phil.mckenzie@deernz.org or tel 0274 997 809. For information on how the new regulations will affect deer and other drystock farmers, go here: www.mfe.govt.nz/publications/fresh-water/actionhealthy-waterways-information-sheep-beef-anddeer-farmers

Carcass weight (young deer)

The National Policy Statement on Freshwater Management (NPS-FM), National Environmental Standards for Freshwater (NES-FW), stock exclusion regulations, and regulations on the measurement and reporting of water takes became law in early August. Deer Industry NZ (DINZ) chief executive Innes Moffat says the government listened to farmer feedback and refined some of its Essential Freshwater proposals to make them more workable before passing them into law. “It was good they listened. However there are still some parts of the regulations which, if they are applied in all situations as they are worded, will be extremely costly for many farmers and achieve little environmental benefit,” Moffat says. “We are particularly concerned about those deer farmers who run low intensity operations with a very low environmental impact. Any new policies and rules applying to them need to achieve the goal of water quality improvement at least cost and with minimum bureaucracy, while bearing in mind the minimal risk these operations pose to water quality. “Expecting these farmers to comply, for example, with the same stock exclusion rules as an intensive finishing farm just because both farms are on the flat, would be a waste of time and money. It would be far better to focus on actions that will give the biggest water quality benefits, at least cost.” Moffat says the deer farming industry has been actively promoting good environmental management for more than 20 years. This was reflected in a recent biennial Survey of Rural Decision Makers, run by scientists at Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research, which showed that more deer farmers have active environmental plans than any other category of farmer. “So when we say that the deer industry is willing to play its part along with all New

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September 2020

World record holder reaps crop, soil, and technology gains Record-setting Canterbury arable farmer Eric Watson is seldom happier than in a tractor or combine harvester, especially when he’s chasing new productivity benchmarks.

❚ by tim Fulton Watson, from Wakanui near Ashburton, has broken his own Guinness World Record for the highest average wheat yield of 17.398 tonnes per hectare. Working with his wife Maxine, he set the previous record of 16.791 tonnes with feed wheat in 2017. Irrigated wheat yields in New Zealand average around 12 tonnes per hectare. Watson defines ‘precision farming’ in New Zealand in many ways, particularly in his use of tractor and combine harvest technology. Productivity gains of a few percent across multiple facets of his cropping business add up to the kind of success he has enjoyed with the Guinness records. Through a combination of operator control and advanced software, like Case IH’s AFS Harvest Command system, he leaves little to waste on the deep soils of his coastal property. “That new automation; it’s quicker than the human,” Watson says. “We always think we can beat computers, but you can’t beat that. The command system knows what to do before you even see it on the screen.” Patented sensors monitor air pressure on the sieves, warning of impending losses and allowing the combine to make adjustments before any grain-loss. “It does work extremely well – it just takes a bit of getting used to and you get a bit bored because you don’t have to do much. You run auto settings and you’ve just got to sit there.” Every bit of technology plays a part. As a Case IH customer, Watson says it’s a sizeable step ahead on one of his original machines, an old International 1460. A favourite feature in his Case IH Axial-Flow 250 Series combine is the CVT rotor drive technology that increases efficiency and reduces the chance of crop blockage. Like many arable farmers, Watson uses tracks to maintain soil quality. The use of tracked equipment is not a novel feature but

Top again: Wakanui arable farmer eric Watson has broken his own Guinness World record for the highest average wheat yield. it’s still a good one. “I’ve stuck with tracks for years and I wouldn’t go away from them for cultivation because you get less compaction and you also get less slip. “With the Case IH Quadtrac you might run at 1% but most of the time you’re running at zero. If you’re running a wheeled tractor at 10%, if you’ve run 10 hours then you’ve lost an hour. And you’re also damaging soil structure by smearing it a bit.” Not to mention fuel-burn. “If you’re using 80 litres of fuel an hour and you’ve to cultivate for an extra hour, well, that’s a lot of money.” All of those efficiency gains add up, right through to the axial flow mechanism in the harvester, which reduces grain-damage. “It’s minute or very small percentages, like with the low cracked grain out of a rotary compared to a conventional machine. The rotary, for our range of crops is far better than the conventional, I reckon.” Watson enjoys a productivity gain, no matter where it comes from. For his recent wheat record he switched wheat variety and went from solid urea to liquid form to improve spreading. “That played a big part as well, especially to get that extra 600 kilograms a hectare. When you’re getting up to those high yield figures it’s hard to get a big figure like that.” Ever-modest, Watson quietly admits to being a bit blown away by his latest yield gain. “But you’re always monitoring and trying a few new things, including a different crop as well.” For the record, his approach to chasing the latest Guinness record was pretty much the same as in 2017. “It was the same field as last time so it’s a pretty good paddock,” he says.

September 2020 CANTERBURY FARMING

Driver training for a farming career

Students taking the wheel of tractors and trucks are creating a new stream of workers for New Zealand agriculture and primary industry.

❚ by tim Fulton There are seven intakes for Telford’s new Agricultural Contractor Training Course in South Otago. Supported by Case IH machines loaned by a local dealership, each intake does about 40 hours of training and the first round of training should be finished by September. It’s a template for a new approach to driver training in New Zealand farming, supported by industry. The students get two weeks training at Telford’s training site and a further two weeks of training with Richardson Group, where they also drive trucks as well as tractors. Case IH dealership Agricentre South has loaned Telford three tractors for the training while Chris Hughes from Hughes Contracting has provided two trainers. After two weeks with Richardson Group the students have a two-week work placement. Agricentre South saw the initiative as a great for their community involvement in the Southland Youth Futures programme, which the dealership joined as a founding member. Case IH sales manager Richard Clapperton said supporting the Agricultural Contractor course was a natural way to promote the primary sector to Southland students. “We see it as a responsibility for businesses like us to promote this sector as a

Learning curve: Students taking part in telford’s new Agricultural Contractor training Course get the low down on tractor operations. great opportunity to build a successful and rewarding career,” he said. The Case IH machines give students experience with a variety of vehicles: a CVT, a full powershift and a semi powershift, rangechange powershift. Telford tutoring co-ordinator, John Hughes, said some trainees in the Ministry for Primary Industries-funded course already had good

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basic knowledge “but we lift them up a couple of levels”. The driving starts with gentle drives up and down driveways, progressing to practical skills tied to NZQA student standards, like credits for machinery health and safety. Depending on a trainees’ licence class, they can go on to learn feed management and road safety, for example. Tutoring caters to existing skill level, Hughes said. “If their skill level is up, then they become peer support for the ones who aren’t there yet. So, you’re trying to lift everyone up from wherever they are at.” Hughes, a long-time machinery contractor, is a former national president of the industry body, Rural Contractors New Zealand. He hopes Telford can serve as a template for similar training in the North Island. However it’s done, it must be thorough. “You can’t do this thing and have them well assessed, competent and safe to drive in a week or 10 days,” he said. Telford has 18 to 20 students at any one

time. In some cases, trainees have found work before completing the course, including a few who found work in original jobs, like tourism or hospitality. Graduates are assessed and placed in jobs on a trial basis. “There’s a template here and our first working intake is now out in job placement. But placement’s no guarantee of getting a job; what we’re about is getting people together with these trainees and seeing if they suit each other – and if they cut the mustard. And if it works, they get a job offer.” Some of Telford’s students have had a tough time since losing work in the Covid-19 economic slump. The first intake really felt that pain. “They were guinea pigs for us a bit. You had to realise that they’d been through a bit of trauma. But they’re more than grateful; they see the opportunity that has just jumped out.” Some of the trainees are foreigners who came to New Zealand on visas for other work, but who are now eyeing careers in agriculture. “If we can get anyone into, not just into agricultural contracting but into rural machinery operation and farming, then it’s going to help,” Hughes said. “For many, practical training like this could serve a student better than, say, a university degree. That degree might be something they never use. Why don’t they get trained in the agricultural sector? “In farming, nothing beats on-the-job learning. Personally, I find you can have certificates and diplomas up the boowai, but if they can’t do the job, then they can have as much as they like on their CV.” Hughes said it was satisfying seeing trainees learn skills for a lifetime and the course is a reminder of agriculture’s value to the country. “Farming is New Zealand’s bread and butter, so comprehensive heavy-vehicle training for farming and other industry is essential.”

CANTERBURY FARMING

The Qualitative Manglewurzler ❚ by Solis Norton Roll up, roll up, ladies and gentlemen. After years in the making I now offer to the rural public, at a discounted price and with easy repayment options, a fabulous new machine, The Qualitative Manglewurzler version 3.0 [gasps of wonder from the gathering throng]. See its sleek modern styling and fashionable lines. Designed and endorsed by experts and set to take the farming world by storm [appreciative murmuring from the crowd]. What is it, I hear you ask, and what can it do for me? Well. Let me tell you, and don’t be shy, come a little closer. It prints baleage. With little more than a tug on this big lever here, and an internet connection, unlimited quantities of high quality feed pump out, and conveniently wrapped for easy distribution. You my dear farmers no longer need to worry about stock feed pinches. No more winter grazing those turnips in the mud. No more feed gaps at the end of winter waiting for the grass to come away, just healthy animals, great growth rates, a steady income and happy days. Sign up here and our friendly staff will be in touch to complete the paperwork. Do it today and we will include this set of steak knives guaranteed never to go blunt. Sound like just the biggest load of complete garbage you ever heard? So can someone please tell me the

difference between my Mangelwurzler printing food and Quantitative Easing printing money? If not, you have to explain instead why the public are so content with the idea of printing money. I think most agree here and overseas we are experiencing a Covied-19 induced productivity drought. No end in sight just yet. So, can the shrivelled remains of NZ’s $27 billion tourism dollars of GDP (about 10% of total GDP and over three times that of the dairy sector) be offset simply by printing money? Just as if Hawkes Bay farmers could print the feed, the feed shortage experienced in their recent severe dry spell. What I like about agriculture and working with farmers is the rock-solid link between inputs and outputs in a farm system. No feed means no growing animals. Simple. There is little evidence of this link in our national economy today. Not in the media, the commentary, or to be seen walking around Dunedin. Confidence seems high despite the quiet. Have fiscal gymnastics reached such heights as to de-couple our productivity from our wealth? Or maybe the truth is our economy actually runs on energy and physical resources rather than site seeing tours and jet boat rides. These are indeed extraordinary times. I no longer pretend to understand but we’re all watching with interest. Those Mangelwurzlers should come with a cast iron guarantee.

September 2020

❚ with rob Cope-Williams

When things go quiet Every parent knows that when the children go quiet, they are more than likely up to something they should not be, and I sort of feel the same can be said about the Government and our Regional Councils. I may be doing both groups an injustice, but while the media are giving Covid-19 a hundred and forty seven percent of their concentration, what is happening behind the closed doors? Governments love the media attention on things other than politics because they can swing law changes through, especially in the late hours during special sittings, in fact there are some who say that ‘red herrings’ are simply a tool of the trade. Remember the TV series ‘Yes Minister’, most people thought it was an hilarious series about Government and Civil servants, the wise treated it as a documentary. The sad thing for we taxpayers is that we can shout at the television news as much as we like, but we can’t change things happening in Wellington and board rooms where regional councilors meet. Take, for example, the gun laws that were put in place after the Christchurch shooting, they were in place within days to show that we, as in New Zealand, can and will move fast to protect the innocent. Have they stopped people firing at, and killing Police Officers? No. As expected by the 200,000 odd licensed firearms owners, those who will use guns un-

lawfully will still get hold of the weapons and ammo through whatever channels. A by the side, the international figures for intentional homicides using guns is led by El Salvador, USA is 94th, and we are 198th on the list. Yup that means there are 197 countries which have more killings using guns than us. The other thing, coming back to law changes, is who will hold the reins after the election, and what will they do, or not do, for farming. Again, we as mere mortals can only sit and take whatever is dished out. The basic facts in New Zealand politics is that there are two sides, however those sides are made up, and the parties will naturally woo the populations that are biggest, sadly there are more urban folk than country folk which is a right bother. However, the good thing is that you can still vote and even if your people come second, you have spoken and stated your preferences. What I can’t understand is the number of people who don’t use their right to vote. After all the dramas people went through when tying to win the right, some can’t be bothered, but I suppose they are the ones who don’t give a thought to what is happening when the Government and Regional Councils go quiet.

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