Canterbury Farming, January 2021 by Canterbury Farming

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January 2021 Edition

INSIDE

THIS EDITION Regenerative agri

p5 Farm machinery

p13 Keeping secure

p21 Climate emergency

Popular: Over 25,000 people are expected to attend the 2021 South Island agricultural Field Days in Kirwee in March.

Field days a chance to reconnect With last year being one to forget for many, the organisers of the 2021 South Island Agricultural Field Days are looking forward to bringing people together in a celebration of the rural sector.

❚ by Kim nutbrown p31

Celebrating its 70th year in 2021, the South Island Agricultural Field Days (SIAFD) is one of the largest and longest running Field Days in New Zealand, and is well known as an invaluable opportunity for farmers and contractors to see the latest agricultural machinery. SIAFD this year runs from March 24 to 26

at its purpose built site in Kirwee. SIAFD chairperson Michaela McLeod said as a result of Covid-19 the agricultural sector, like so many others has struggled. “Not just from a financial perspective but from a social perspective as well,” McLeod said. “There have been a number of A&P Shows and other events cancelled around the coun-

try. They are such important events for farmers and traders and I know it’s been very hard on a lot of people not having them.” SIAFD is an opportunity for the agricultural industry to get together to celebrate all the latest developments and innovations in the sector as well as a chance to catch up with friends and colleagues.

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January 2021

CANTERBURY FARMING

FARMING NEWS

Local community support ‘key to success’ FROM PAGE 1 McLeod said the event will offer something to interest everyone, not just those in the agricultural sector. “I’d say the technology sector has continued to advance, even with Covid-19. “There are some exciting new innovations which people may have read about, but at the Field Days they will have a chance to see them, not only on display but in action. The working dem-

onstration area has definitely expanded and we have made them more accessible to people. “There has also been a lot of work done on creating a fantastic lifestyle section which we are really excited about. It will be the place to find delicious food and treats as well as things like spa pools and other lifestyle products. “We think it will be the perfect area for people to come together and catch

up with friends over a beer and a bite to eat.” The event attracts between 20,000 and 25,000 visitors over the course of three days to the Kirwee site on the outskirts of Christchurch. McLeod estimates if someone was to walk around and visit every single attraction it would be about 10km of walking. “That’s why we encourage people to come over at least a couple of days,

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Community: SIaFD chairperson Michaela McLeod says a key component of the events success is the support from the local Selwyn community. and take it easy. It is however doable in just a day. Over the years we have had buses doing day trips from as far away as Blenheim and people have still had a great day out.” This is McLeod’s her first year in the role as chairperson and it’s a position she has worked towards after more than 10 years on the organising committee, in a number of different duties “I really enjoy working with the fantastic bunch of people on the organising committee. I have got to know a lot of them well over the years in my various roles and they are some of the hardest working people you could ever meet.” McLeod is a mother to two young children and along with her husband Ben runs an agricultural research business which conducts independent trials. She says when she took the helm of the event for 2021 there wasn’t anything that needed changing. “It’s already a very successful formula – I think the fact it’s been running for 70 years is testament to that. We had a social function last year with past members from organising committees and stalwarts of the event. It was wonderful listening to their stories about what it was like in the earlier years of the event and just how much it has grown over the years.” McLeod said a key component of the events success is the support from the local Selwyn community. “We love all the support we get and it’s really important for us to be able to outsource jobs to community groups. We always need help with things such as car parking so if anyone wants to get involved, we would love to hear from them.”

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Primary prospects bright after a tough year Economic prospects for the primary sector are bright despite the significant challenges from Covid-19.

❚ by Kent Caddick That’s according to Agriculture, Trade and Export Growth Minister Damien O’Connor following the release of the latest Situation and Outlook for Primary Industries (SOPI) report in December. “The latest Situation and Outlook for Primary Industries report forecasts food and fibre export revenue of more than $47.5 billion for the year ending June 2021, and a record $49.2 billion the following year,” O’Connor said. “This strong performance is testament to the sector’s ability to adapt to keep businesses operating and workers in jobs. Producers are working to keep staff and communities safe from Covid, and provide the food and fibre products needed at home and abroad. Our primary sector can be proud of the way it has responded as part of our broader community. “The star performers this year include the horticulture sector. Its export revenue is forecast to hit nearly $7.1 billion, an increase of 8.9 percent from the previous year. It’s driven by successful harvests in early 2020 and continued strong demand for our fresh fruit and wine. “Further increases in export revenue of 5.3 percent are expected for the arable sector for the year ending June 2021, on the back of a bumper 23 percent increase the previous year.” Forestry Minister Stuart Nash says forestry exports are showing good signs of recovery.

On track: Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor says while the impacts from Covid-19 will be seen for some time New Zealand is well placed to recover.

“Strong demand for logs from China and for sawn timber from the United States is driving recovery in our forestry exports,” Nash said. “Exports are expected to increase by eight percent to almost $6 billion for the year ending June 2021. This reflects the resilience and hard work of our forestry sector, which should be commended.” O’Connor said export revenue for some sectors are forecast to drop for the year to June 2021 but expected to bounce back even stronger the following year. “Dairy export revenue is forecasted to decrease 4.6 percent to $19.2 billion for the year to June 2021, driven by weaker global dairy prices, as markets continue to deal with the impacts from Covid-19. “However, this should be offset by high

demand for our dairy products, particularly from China, to support strong sector profitability over the medium-term, with export revenue expected to reach $20.1 billion in the year ending June 2022. “Meat and wool export revenue is expected to decrease 8 percent to $9.8 billion for the year ending June 2021, mostly due to food service closures from Covid-19, and competition from poultry and other lower priced proteins. “It’s expected to rebound to almost $10.1 billion the following year.” He said while the impacts from Covid-19 will be seen for some time, New Zealand is well placed to recover. “Our Fit for a Better World – Accelerating our Economic Recovery roadmap launched earlier this year will guide our recovery.

“It aims to add $44 billion in export earnings over the next decade through diversified, higher-value product offerings, with strong environmental credentials, which will also create jobs. “In November New Zealand signed the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Free Trade Agreement (FTA), the largest free trade agreement in the world. “It will reduce non-tariff barriers, make trade simpler and reduce compliance costs for our exporters. This should help to further boost our food and fibre exports and our bottom line. “The Government is committed to continuing its work with the food and fibres sector to tackle challenges brought about by COVID-19 and seize opportunities to help drive New Zealand’s recovery.”

January 2021

CANTERBURY FARMING

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

FARMING NEWS

Export-led economic recovery from Covid-19

I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year – 2020 has been a challenging year and I hope you get a chance to take a break and catch up with friends and family around New Zealand. While I know many of us want to leave 2020 behind, I first want to acknowledge the primary sector’s outstanding work over the past year to adapt in a changing world to keep their businesses viable and feed Kiwis and consumers around the world. Looking ahead to 2021, I recently released the latest Situation and Outlook for Primary Industries (SOPI) report which shows prospects for New Zealand’s food and fibres sector are bright, despite the significant challenges from Covid-19. It forecasts food and fibre export revenue to hit more than $47.5 billion for the year ending June 2021, and a record $49.2 billion the following year. The horticulture sector, in particular, has been a star performer with export revenue forecast to hit nearly $7.1 billion, an increase of 8.9 percent from the previous year. That’s been driven by successful harvests in early 2020 and continued strong demand for our fresh fruit and wine. Prior to Covid-19, the sector was already on a path to transformation and now that work is being accelerated with the release of the Government’s ‘Fit for a Better World – Accelerating our Economic Recovery’ roadmap. The roadmap brings together opportuni-

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The rCEP Free Trade agreement should help to further boost our food and ﬁbre exports and our bottom line.

ties and actions spanning the primary sectors, with the aim to add $44 billion in export earnings over the next decade through diversified, higher-value product offerings, with strong environmental credentials, which will also create jobs. On the global stage, and in my new capacity as Minister for Trade and Export Growth, New Zealand recently signed the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Free Trade Agreement which is the largest

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free trade agreement in the world. It will reduce non-tariff barriers, make trade simpler and reduce compliance costs for our exporters. This should help to further boost our food and fibre exports and our bottom line. Our primary industries will profit from this agreement – with the new expectation that Customs authorities will release perishable goods within six hours of arrival, helping to reduce spoilage and save money. And the meat industry specifically will ben-

efit from the elimination of tariffs on some meat products into Indonesia. I am looking forward to the year ahead and am pleased to again have been appointed to the agriculture, biosecurity, and rural communities’ portfolios, at a time when the food and fibres sector has shown its value in our export-led economic recovery from Covid-19. I wish everyone all the best for the year ahead.

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January 2021

Robust research critical for regenerative agriculture The New Zealand Institute of Agricultural and Horticultural Science has welcomed the Ministry for Primary Industries’ call for proposals for projects that will investigate regenerative farming practices but has expressed concern at the lack of sound science underpinning the hype surrounding regenerative agriculture.

❚ by Kent Caddick Funding for successful proposals has been made available through the Ministry’s Sustainable Food & Fibre Futures co-investment fund, which aims to have projects under way by mid-2021. “It can’t happen soon enough,” said Professor Jon Hickford, President of the New Zealand Institute of Agricultural & Horticultural Science (NZIAHS). “For some time we have been disquieted by the ballyhoo in support of regenerative agriculture in the absence of scientific studies into the implications of applying these practices to farm practices in this country,” said Hickford who is also a Professor of Animal Breeding & Genetics at Lincoln University. “A sound evidence base is needed to test and confirm what works in New Zealand soils, climates, and farming systems.” He said at the time the Ministry announced its funding initiative in December, the NZIAHS was assembling and editing a series of articles from prominent scientists which address critical questions about the benefits of regenerative agriculture. The articles, published in the December 2020 issue of the Institute’s online AgScience magazine, bring together the thinking of scientists from different disciplines to consolidate the information.

Review: The new Zealand Institute of agricultural and Horticultural Science is calling for a review of the science underpinning the hype surrounding regenerative agriculture. Hickford said from soils through pasture, weeds and seeds, to greenhouse gases, systems and well-being, the ar ticles create a science-based foundation and a compelling stor y that, for New Zealand, show regenerative agriculture is more hype than reality. “The articles were prompted by the increasing advocacy of regenerative agriculture and support for it from the farming community, politicians and media. It is a cornerstone

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of the Green Party’s agriculture policy and taxpayer money has already been directed towards it and its advocates.” But Professor Hickford questioned the definition of regenerative agriculture and what benefits it could bring to this country’s distinctive farming practices. “The AgScience articles recognise that New Zealand’s pastoral production system, the most efficient in the world, is built on

a long history of agricultural science which is constantly being refined. “But the maelstrom surrounding regenerative agriculture has shaken the foundation of this production system and prompted agricultural scientists with an understanding of the New Zealand system to try to sort out the claims,” Hickford said. “It is easy to state you have undertaken decades of scientific and applied research, but where is that research published, how accessible is it to the public, scientifically literate or not, and has it been peer reviewed? “The world is awash with attractive ideas but we need to see the hard evidence that regenerative agriculture will capture carbon in soil, reverse the atmospheric accumulation of CO2, increase yields and provide resilience to climate instability, which are just some of the many positive attributes claimed. “And even it does demonstrably do these things in overseas countries, will it do the same in New Zealand? Our production systems and climate are different in many critical respects.” To read the December issue of nZIaHS online agScience magazine go to: www.agscience.org.nz/ agscience-magazine.

January 2021

CANTERBURY FARMING

FARMING NEWS

Freshwater regulations are a failure The festive season is always a special time of year, providing us with a chance to take a breather, reﬂect on the year that has been and refresh ourselves for the year to come.

David Bennett ❚ by ❚ National Party spokesperson for Agriculture I’d like to take the opportunity to thank the chain of essential workers in the Primary Sector. As the world continues to grapple with the Covid-19 pandemic, we’re all indebted to the farmers, growers and distributors who play a vital role in maintaining our food supplies, while driving economic recovery. A recently released ‘Economic Impact’ report from the Ashburton District Council

illustrates the devastating impact the Government’s freshwater reforms will have on our rural communities and our economy. The report shows an 83% decline in farm profitability in the Ashburton District and approximately $140 million less farm expenditure in the area. These figures are devastating for towns like Ashburton; schools and local communities will also be affected

with the potential loss of 1,600 dairy farmworker jobs. What we can see from the report is that the Freshwater Reforms are all about destocking. The Southland region would be forced to de-stock to meet the winter grazing rules and mid-Canterbury would have to destock to meet the nitrogen rules. The Freshwater regulations are a failure,

they are poorly constructed and will hurt our economy and regional communities. The underlying drive behind them is to de-stock and farmers need to be aware of what the Government’s true agenda is for the Primary Sector. Thank you for your ongoing commitment to the sector this year. Wherever you are this festive season, be safe and enjoy the time with your nearest and dearest.

Restoring natural ecosystems, rather than damaging them Eugenie Sage ❚ by Green ❚ Party MP

Regenerative farming in ways that regenerate and restore natural ecosystems, rather than damaging them, is increasingly in the news. Built on the principle of active environmental restoration, enhancement, and sustainable land use, regenerative farming includes a range of on-farm practices and methods de-

signed to boost soil health, water quality, and biodiversity. Core methods include agroforestry, covercropping to enhance organic matter in soil, and conservation tillage. A regenerative approach is individual to the characteristics of a specific farm, so there is no one-size-fitsall method. Many farmers are already embracing regenerative farming practices, and showing that de-intensification often leads to increases in long-term profitability with a more resilient yield. Regenerative approaches are unique to each farm and may overlap with

other modes of farming, such as organic farming. Some dairy farmers are already finding that reduced stocking rates can be more profitable, due to a combination of premium pricing and lower fertiliser and supplementary feed inputs. A Lincoln University farm has shown how a typical Canterbury dairy farm can maintain profitability with fewer cows, reduced nitrogen fertiliser use, and reduced supplementary feed. Farmers who cut chemical inputs, introduce longer grazing rotations, and milk once a day can see an increase in organic matter in soil, which makes farms more resilient to droughts. Beef + Lamb NZ is studying how regenerative methods can add value to agricultural exports. With the Green Party’s support, the Government has begun to recognise the promise of regenerative farming as a way to shift the sector to ensure its ongoing viability while meeting emissions reduction targets. The primary sector plan, ‘Fit for a Better World – Accelerating our economic potential’

suggests that regenerative forms of farming can be a “transformational opportunity” for New Zealand. Intensive farming systems rely on supplementing what nature provides with supplementary feed for animals, extra fertiliser for crops, and extra water from irrigation schemes. Dairy farms can spend up to $80,000 a year on fertiliser. Nitrogen fertiliser is a key contributor to nutrient pollution of waterways, and the nitrate from intensive farming becomes a public health risk when it gets into aquifers as is happening in Canterbury. A large-scale push to implement regenerative farming would also create more highly skilled, stable, year-round jobs in our rural communities. This helps support flourishing small towns. The industrialised agriculture model can enable huge yield increases but it also drastically reduces the number of people employed in agriculture globally. Regenerative agriculture resets the balance, so that more people can be employed on the land in good jobs, helping address unemployment in the wake of Covid-19.

FARMING NEWS

CANTERBURY FARMING

January 2021

Time for reﬂection and focus on the tasks ahead As we stare another year in the face, it’s hard to imagine how it might pan out, given last year’s experiences.

Jenny Hughey ❚ by Chair, ❚ Environment Canterbury Who, at this time last January, would have predicted 2020 to unfold the way it did? It is quite natural for us to look ahead at 2021 with some trepidation. But at the same time, the holiday season provides us with a good opportunity to reflect on achievements made in 2020, regardless of Covid-19, and mull over our aspirations for this year. Something that never changes or surprises here at Environment Canterbury, despite pandemics and earthquakes, is our dedication to ensuring the region’s water is used sustainably and is of the highest quality it can be. Water is life. Out of a list of crucial tasks and ambitions, managing and nurturing our water is the most important job that Environment Canterbury has.

Like all Cantabrians, we are charged with keeping the concept of Te Mana of Te Wai, which recognises that the health of our people and communities is reliant on the health of our water, at the centre of our thinking. It is up to all of us, whether we live in rural or urban communities, to protect and improve our water. We also need to recognise the amazing work that many have already done on water management. So, at the start of another year, I really want to thank all the Canterbury councils – their staff and elected representatives – for their contributions to the Canterbury Water Management Strategy (CWMS) to date. As well, we are indebted to the many individuals who spend hours working as members of the region’s 10 CWMS zone committees and to hundreds of volunteers whose efforts to improve their local waterways feed into better water for us all. It’s worth recapping what the CWMS is. Established in 2009 as an initiative of the Canterbury Mayoral Forum, its partners are Canterbury’s 10 territorial (district and city) councils and Environment Canterbury, and Ngai Tahu as mana whenua. The strategy’s collaborative, communityled approach to environmentally-sustainable water management is accomplished through the work of the Kaikoura, Hurunui-Waiau, Waimakariri, Christchurch-West Melton, Selwyn-Waihora, Banks Peninsula, Ashburton, Orari-Temuka-Opihi-Pareora, Lower Wait-

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We need to recognise the amazing work that many have already done on water management.

aki and Upper Waitaki zone committees. At the end of last year there were some great stories of progress from around Canterbury. I’d like to share some of those and give a big shout out to the efforts of our friends in the territorial authorities. In the Upper Waitaki zone, we’ve had a problem with high E.coli levels in the shallow bay of Lake Ruataniwha where people swim, with a humans being one of the likely sources. Over summer, the Mackenzie District Council will contribute to costs for four portaloos, and the zone committee is running a ‘One Poo Can Close the Lake’ campaign aimed at recreational lake users and campers, to avoid another closure of the lake during the holiday period. In the Banks Peninsula zone, the Christchurch City Council has disbursed $1 million towards excavating and removing an old dump susceptible to coastal erosion at Le Bons Bay.

Similarly, in the Orari-Temuka-Opihi-Pareora zone, the Timaru District Council is spending about $500,000 to take immediate steps to secure a historic dump at Peel Forest which is vulnerable to erosion from the Rangitata River. In the same zone, the Timaru and Waimate district councils have announced the three-waters projects that will benefit from another $10 million from the Government for upgrading water infrastructure. I’d also like to acknowledge the huge contribution of one of our former directors, Ken Taylor, who we recognised at our council meeting last month with an award for services to water management, not just in Canterbury but across the country. Ken has been a driving force in this area, and was Environment Canterbury’s Director of Science for many years and also CWMS Director until 2016, when he took his vast knowledge and experience to run the newly established Our Land & Water National Science Challenge. We particularly thank Ken for his role in developing and implementing the CWMS and for ensuring the science used in water planning was top-notch and also accessible to the community. Whatever we do around the region this year, let’s keep water in the front of our minds. To simply say we all have a vested interest in ensuring its quality and quantity is underplaying its significance. 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

January 2021 CANTERBURY FARMING

Bessie Paterson LLB ❚ with Ronald ❚ W Angland & Son

RURAL PROFESSIONALS

Welcome to 2021

With 2021 upon us, it is an opportune time to reﬂect on the ups and downs we have all endured over the past year and to look forward to the new opportunities which will arise in this year.

The new Privacy Act has now been in force since 1 December 2020. The Commission is set up as an independent Crown entity with the Privacy Commissioner as its head. It is tasked with protecting the private information of individuals which, if publicly divulged, would amount to a major infringement of the rights of individuals. It sometimes occurs that someone from an organisation or institution accidentally loses or mislays a dossier of documents which, if made public, could cause gross embarrassment to all concerned. Individuals also have the right to request their records of an organisation and if there are errors in the records they have the right

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Every business or organisation holding personal information should review their security in respect to their clients or customers.

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to have the errors rectified. Every business or organisation holding personal information should review their security in respect to their clients or customers. There is a requirement that if an organisation causes a serious breach of privacy, it must report the incident to the Privacy Commissioner and also to the individuals affected by the breach. Any organisation which fails to notify a breach of the Act commits an offence and may be liable for a fine of up to $10,000.00. There are other breaches which may attract a substantial fine especially for failure to comply with a Commissioner’s notice.

Over the past few years there has been a lot of pressure for government to enact an offence of driving while under the influence of drugs. The Land Transport (Drug Driving) Amendment Bill has now been prepared and introduced to the House of Representatives which, if enacted in its present form, will introduce a new offence of driving under the influence of drugs. It provides for oral fluid testing at the roadside and relates to an offender being under the influence of a controlled drug or drugs as defined in the Misuse of Drugs Act. It has been a long time coming. The bill provides for penalties on

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conviction for an offence of 3 months imprisonment or a fine up to $4,500 and disqualification from holding a drivers licence. The bill has passed its first reading and is presently before a Select Committee. Submissions on the Bill close on 26th February 2021. 2021 will be a very busy year for the Government after the disruptions experienced in 2020 and we await with interest further developments in the law. A Happy New Year to all readers This article has been prepared by Bessie Paterson, a partner at ronald W angland & Son, Lawyers, 2 Chapman Street, Leeston

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January 2021

Animal Welfare Act 1999

Grant Edmundson ❚ with Partner Helmore Stewart, Rangiora a shifting landscape ❚

In November 2020, the Wellington High Court singled out the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC) for severe criticism in failing to phase out the farming practice of farrowing crates for mother pigs. Their decision indicated Nawac failed to perform its statutory duties on an effective basis and signaled that Nawac’s processes, guidelines and codes were well overdue for a review. The Animal Welfare Act 1999 (“the Act”) (in Section 10) places on the owner of an animal and every person in charge of an animal, an obligation in relation to the physical, health and wellbeing of animals. These actions must be taken in accordance with both good practice and scientific knowledge. Furthermore, Section 11 of the Act places an additional burden on the owner of an animal that is ill or injured and every person in charge of such an animal with an obligation to alleviate pain, distress of ill or injured animals. Section 12 of the Act records animal welfare offences where there is a failure to comply with Sections 10 and 11 of the Act. For successful prosecution under Section 12, it is not necessary to prove the defendant intended to commit an offence. This form of “strict liability” and its implications are often overlooked by farmers. By and large, farmers take enormous pride in the welfare of their animals but after having dealt with the Ministry for Primary Industries in respect of an investigation in-

alds a new era of vigilance in this area and one would assume that the overhaul of processes, guidelines and codes from Nawac will in turn place a heightened level of scrutiny on farmers operations in this regard. The balancing act of course will be to consider the costs of securing these veterinary services (particularly when dealing with low stock numbers in the high country) against a failure to comply with the requirements of the Act and possible penalties that may follow in the event of non-compliance. From an MPI perspective, farmers will need to be cautious in handling of stock to protect themselves from any liability under the Act.

to lumpy jaw lesions (actinomycosis), it highlighted once again that owners, stock agents and animal logistics enterprises need to be vigilant to ensure that sick animals receive, where practical, treatment to alleviate unreasonable or unnecessary pain or distress and certainly, to avoid transportation of the beast in such state. It is highly recommended in these instances for parties involved in this process to solicit the input of veterinary services to as-

sess, in person, the animal’s state of health and wellbeing. A certificate from a vet often provides the last barrier of protection against any investigation alleging a failure by the farmer (or third parties) to discharge their obligations under the Act in a meaningful manner. Due to the strict liability benchmark under the Act, this is a necessary precaution. The High Court decision likely her-

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a certiﬁcate from a vet often provides the last barrier of protection.

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January 2021

CANTERBURY FARMING

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November markets surge

After three months or so of global equity markets generally bouncing sideways, they surged in November fuelled by two key events: (1) the markets’ view of a benign outcome in the United States election, and (2) substantial positive progress on Covid-19 vaccines.

Equity markets were led higher by more economically exposed companies and sectors whose earnings are more sensitive to underlying economic conditions and therefore the re-opening of economies. As such, markets with more of these cyclical companies, such as Australia (+8%) and Europe (+6%), outpaced those comprising more defensive companies including New Zealand (+6%) and the United States (+3%), particularly through November. Those more defensive sectors and markets remain strongly ahead year-to-date. Also reflecting the greater confidence in the economic outlook and investors’ increased appetite for owning risk assets: • Bond prices fell, with yields rising off historic lows, as the price being paid for safety reduced. • The NZD rose, appreciating +4% against the United States dollar and +5% against the Australian dollar over the quarter, offsetting some of the performance from international assets for unhedged domestic investors.

President Trump, you’re fired! The first key event in November was the United States election. In the highest turnout since 1900, the results did end up being closer than betting-odds and many polls predicted. As expected, the Democrats retained control of the House of Representatives, but, against predictions, the Republicans look likely to have held the majority in the Senate (albeit we won’t know for sure until January). The Democrats have likely fallen short of securing a ‘Blue Wave’, sweeping the Pres-

idency, Senate and House of Representatives, which would have provided a platform for significant policy reform. This split Congress should limit Joe Biden’s policy agenda (for the next two years at least) including reducing the likelihood of market unfriendly tax policies and greater regulation on the likes of the tech and healthcare industries. It also means government fiscal stimulus is likely to be lower, requiring more of the support for the economy to come from the Federal Reserve (the United States central bank) including keeping interest rates low.

Vaccine promise The US election was closely followed by the biggest news of the quarter, highly promising trial results from three Covid-19 vaccine candidates. All three showed strong efficacy in trials – BioNTech/Pfizer and Moderna both around 95%, and Oxford/AstraZeneca up to 90% (albeit further testing is being undertaken). All far exceeded the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval hurdle of at least 50%. Other vaccines are also at the final testing stage. Time to develop vaccines is often measured in decades. It looks like we’ll have multiple Covid-19 vaccines available in less than a year. Anthony Fauci, head of the US National Institutes of Health, called the results “just extraordinary”. The next step for these vaccines is regulatory approval, which is particular to each country. To speed up the process, emergency-use authorisations are available in some countries allowing higher-risk portions of the population to be vaccinated early. We’ll likely see a ramp-up of vaccine production and distribution through 2021 sup-

‘

Overall, it’s important to establish and remain committed to an

An extraordinary (and educational) year

investment plan which meets your long-term goals. porting slow, but steady progress toward more normal economic conditions.

A good backdrop for risk asset prices We believe the backdrop remains a positive one for investing in risk assets such as shares and property. Real interest rates (after inflation) are generally negative. Central banks commitment to ultra-low interest rates is forcing investors to look for alternatives outside of traditional safe havens such as term deposits and bonds. The lack of any significant inflation means this position does not look likely to be reconsidered any time soon. Global economic activity has exhibited a V-shaped recovery in areas such as housing sales, construction, retail sales, and manufacturing. Many companies in New Zealand and offshore are experiencing better-than-expected outcomes, which is translating through to better employment demand. Investors should be confident that, in general, the trough in company earnings is behind us. The recovery could face a setback over

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the next few months as the latest wave of the pandemic sweeps back through the Northern Hemisphere. However, the recent success around vaccines means markets are largely looking “over the hill” to a world where medical preventions are being rolled-out.

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2020 has been an extraordinary year for the world and for markets. Back in January, very few predicted that within months we’d experience the first global pandemic in over a century, in a couple of months most of us would be working from home, and we’d see the fastest bear market (a 20% decline in equity prices) in history. Equally, as equity markets were plunging in March, few predicted we’d be back hitting record highs less than six months later. It really has been a roller-coaster ride. The good news to end the year is, that on combating the virus, we look to be on a positive path. Given the recovery in equity market values since March, we note that: (1) markets are able to remain resilient in the face of bad news, (2) share prices reflect the long-term earnings companies will generate over the years and decades ahead, not just the next six to 12 months, and (3) it’s not possible to consistently time or predict short-term movements in markets. Overall, it’s important to establish and remain committed to an investment plan which meets your long-term goals. After such a challenging year we extend our best wishes to you and your loved ones for the holiday season. This reports covers the three months ended 30 november 2020. 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.

Looking at off-farm investments? When you are thinking about your investment options, talk to Forsyth Barr To get personalised investment advice and portfolio management specific to your investing needs, talk to Investment Adviser Andrew Wyllie in confidence on (03) 365 4244 or email andrew.wyllie@forsythbarr.co.nz Disclosure Statements for Forsyth Barr Authorised Financial Advisers are available on request and free of charge.

CHC6189-01 - December 2019

andrew Wyllie ❚ with Forsyth Barr ❚

CANTERBURY FARMING

RURAL PROFESSIONALS

January 2021

Deferred fertiliser expenditure I know farming doesn’t stop for the Christmas holidays, but I hope all those involved in the industry have had at least a few days’ break, to recharge and get ready for the challenges coming your way this year.

alister Stevenson ❚ by Alexander and Associates Ltd ❚ For us agri-business accountants, the push is now on to get our client’s tax returns all filed before 31 March, so the rush is on and no doubt the month of March will just be madness.

This month, I want to tell you a bit about “deferred fertiliser expenditure”, not a term or an item you may have seen or heard about before, and it’s not as common as the other two items I have covered in previous articles. What is deferred fertiliser expenditure? Well, the meaning is all in the name really, where a sum spent on fertiliser and lime and the application to the land of these products can be deferred as an income deduction, including the transport costs to one of the next four years. The use of fertiliser can be expected to increase production and not necessarily in the year that it is first applied, but actually in future years, so a deferral of this type of expenditure into a year where your income may be increasing will be a benefit in smoothing out your income. Given that in NZ, we have a progressive tax system where as your income lifts, you can fall in and out of different tax brackets. This type of deferral may be wor thwhile considering if the expenditure in this area, in conjunction with your normal farming transactions, has meant that the business has run at a loss for the year and you know

that the coming year, because of a production boost, will likely be profitable, perhaps ver y profitable, then a deferral of this expense into a future year may assist in smoothing out your tax implications over the coming years. You might say, well, ‘what is the point of this’, as you will have losses to carry forward into future years anyway to assist in smoothing out your income. Yes, this is correct, but with the deferral of fertiliser, it allows you to control when and how much of this expenditure is applied over the next four years and thereby providing you with ultimate control around what level of income you have or could have over the period of time the deferral is in place. Your taxable income is used not only to calculate your taxation payments, but is in fact used to determine many other associated benefits. Sometimes, the deferral of fertiliser is used in certain complex matters such as when farming companies have losses carried forward and the Company Shareholders are wanting to buy or sell shares. If a company sells shares whilst a loss is

being carried forward, and that share transaction is more than a certain threshold, then that loss would be wiped out, which is certainly not something that the shareholders of that farming company would want, given that this is taxation control that is being carried forward. In this case, the deferral of the fertiliser cost to future years may be a way of using up this loss to enable the share transfer to take place when you want it to. Bear in mind, though, that you can only defer an amount of fertiliser that has actually been spent in that year. There are a number of other matters to consider in this situation and, of course, you would need to work through this in detail with your accountant, but in general terms, deferred fertiliser may have a useful part to play in dealing with this issue. Well, that’s a brief overview on deferred fertiliser expenditure, where in certain situations, it is useful to have an understanding of what can be achieved in using this part of the Income Tax Act and in some situations this can allow you to smooth out your income tax obligations over a period of time.

50 years of Arabian horses ❚ with rob Cope-Williams This is the 50th year of official breeding of Arabian horses in New Zealand, and although the breed is facing falling numbers, the enthusiasts are just as dedicated as they were 50 years ago. With small numbers available for breeding purposes, stallions have been imported from mainly Europe and recently semen has been brought in from the USA, however some long term chaps such as Graeme Thompson who has the Shalimar Stud at Fairton has been very faithful to the same type and bloodlines that have won him countless numbers of championship. Having been in the business for nearly as long as the Society has been in place, Graeme has a list of horses which are the envy of many other breeders. Names such as Sabre, [known simply as Charlie by Graeme] Kassa, Samaria, Shazahn and Sarik have dominated the New Zea-

In many ways’ horses are like cars, they all do basically the same thing, but people have very fixed views on which make or breed they like. land scene for years and are the foundation of many other studs. Into his eighties now, Graeme continues to take an advisory role so the Shalimar name will continue, an indication of the dedication the Arabian horses generate in their breeders. Overseas endurance races highlight the breed, New Zealand does offer endurance events, but as present they seem to fly under the media radar, plus I understand there are countries that have special Arabian flat races along with the traditional thoroughbred races. So, the only real chance for people to see these magnificent animals with their arched necks, flag like tails and dished faces is at A&P shows where there are classes for them as “in hand” and some ridden. So why are these horses so small in numbers when they are amazingly strong, quiet

and have a history that goes back centuries? of speed and agility they possess. Perhaps the most attractive aspect of the Possibly because they are not in the public eye as other breeds or types are, or it may breed is that it has remained pure so those be simply that other warm bloods and such that are here in New Zealand can trace their are easier to buy and train for what ever pur- bloodlines back to the kings of Europe hundreds of years ago. pose their owners wish to pursue. Hopefully in the next 50 years of the New Zealand Arabian Horse Soc will be able to tell horse lovers that to have an Arabian they have a horse that has forebears including those owned by most Royal families throughout Europe, and that the breed has been held up as an example of gentleness coupled with Talk to us today about your farms soil fertility. speed and endurance. We offer a soil testing service and will recommend Many of the names are and supply you with a fertiliser program to suit you and your farms individual needs. based on a variety of “wind” type names simply because

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January 2021

CANTERBURY FARMING

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CANTERBURY FARMING

January 2021

Mahindra Pik-Up dependable and affordable Mahindra may not be a name Kiwi farmers are too familiar with when thinking of work vehicles but it is fast gaining popularity with the rural community for its utes and SUVs.

❚ by Kent Caddick Avon City is the new Canterbury-wide agent for Mahindra and also services customers on the West Coast. Currently Avon City is stocking the single and double cab Pik-Up utes but in the near future will also stock the XUV500 SUV and the Thar MUV. Avon City’s Eliot Ashmore-Price said they were offered the opportunity to take up the Mahindra franchise and jumped on board. “We have been principally a BMW and Suzuki motorcycle supplier but we have a large number of farming customers who wanted other options but didn’t want to go elsewhere. “There’s definitely a price-point attraction to the Pik-Up but just because it is cheaper than many similar vehicles there is no compromise on quality. “Essentially it is a great farm vehicle which is going to perform better than a sideby-side in terms of servicing and practicality as it can be road registered. “The feedback we have been getting from new and older Mahindra Pik-Up owners has been great, they have been extremely im-

pressed with them.” The Mahindra Pik-Up goes hard on every terrain, it’s built using super strong components, offers great ground clearance, a robust chassis, and can carry the load when required with a 2.5 tonne towing capacity. Its standard features include ABS, EBD, dual airbags, and Hill-hold, as well as cruise control and Bluetooth stereo. The Pik-Up is powered by a 2.2l turbo common rail diesel engine with a 6-speed manual gear box, BorgWarner Electric Shift transfer case and Eaton locking diff. Currently Avon City stock only the 4WD version of the Pik-Up but a 2WD will be available in the near future. “They drive really nicely, the gear box is really smooth, the engine has great power delivery and it’s surprisingly quiet even with off-road tyres, and it’s not going to break the bank,” Eliot said. “We are also the South Island distributors for parts for Mahindra New Zealand so in terms of support we are able to do everything for all Mahindra models.” The Pik-Up comes with a three year 100,000km warranty.

Mahindra single cab Pik-up is a great option for hard working farmers who don’t want to break the bank purchasing a new farm vehicle.

January 2021

CANTERBURY FARMING

Agrifac range of self-propelled sprayers A new generation of Condor self-propelled sprayers has been rolling off the production line at Agrifac Machinery in the Netherlands. supplied by ❚ Article ❚ Agrifac Machinery The design has been updated, in line with the new Condor Endurance. Another major update is the stage V motor. Ever since its introduction, the Agrifac Condor stands for stability, precision and innovation. The unparalleled StabiloPlus chassis ensures the most stable field sprayer in the world, the GreenFlowPlus ensures that there is continuous pressure so that there is no difference in spraying and no residual liquid in the tank. The EcoTronicPlus control system is known as simple and understandable, so that operation is easy in an extremely comfortable self-propelled sprayer. With versions that give a wider track width (WideTrackPlus) and higher ground clearance (ClearancePlus), the tried and tested Condor concept can also be used in specific circumstances and the most diverse crops. In addition to various possible options and versions, the Condor is also NEED Farmingready, which means that the Condor is ready to spray on plant level, with Agrifac innovations such as AiCPlus (location-specific spraying thanks to camera technology) and DynamicDosePlus (individual dosage per nozzle).

Work in comfort: The EcoTronicPlus control system on the Condor V is simple and understandable making operation easy in an extremely comfortable self-propelled sprayer.

The Condor V offers all these well-known and new benefits in a new design, making the Condor V look more like its big brother, the Red Dot Design winning Condor Endurance. In addition, a number of improvements

have been made, of course in line with the company’s “4e for growers” concept. First of all, a Stage V engine (efficiency, ecology) is chosen so that the strictest emission standard can be met, standard LED lighting (economy, ergonomy) which ensures

a better view at night, an improved driveline (efficiency, economy) which offers an even better reliability. In addition, there have been a lot of small improvements that further improve convenience and use.

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FARM MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT

Choices: Finding your John Deere tractor is easy. Whether you are a livestock farmer, arable farmer, mixed farmer, specialty operator or run a contracting business – one of these tractors was made for you.

CANTERBURY FARMING

January 2021

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The John Deere tractor line-up offers premium features, power and performance, no matter the application. supplied by ❚ Article Drummond & Etheridge Ltd ❚ The versatile John Deere 5 and 6 Series Tractors are suitable for agricultural, viticultural and horticultural jobs, and make light work of big tasks. Add a loader, attachments or implements and do even more with your John Deere workhorse. Capable without compromise, John Deere’s 5 Series Utility Tractors make easy work of any challenge. Ranging from 50hp to 125hp, these agile tractors are built to get any job done across a wide range of speciality applications. John Deere 5E tractors (50-93hp) are ideal those who need just a little more tractor, with the features and specifications to handle heavier-duty chores. Choose from a comfortable cab or open operator station options, and 2WD or 4WD to suit your application. John Deere 5M tractors (75-115hp) come with an array of controls and features, optimised for power and efficiency. Need to slow things down? The two-gear creeper option lets you work at speeds as slow as 280 m/hr. Plus, John Deere’s Click & Go front loader mounting system allows for fast, safe and easy attachment. John Deere 5R tractors (90-125hp) are light and agile, packed with premium fea-

tures such as CommandARM™, and offer outstanding comfort with front axle suspension and cab suspension options. John Deere 5R tractors are also equipped with Precision Ag technology capability, including JDLink™ connectivity, and hands-free steering with AutoTrac™ for greater productivity and performance. Ranging from 90hp to 250hp, the popular John Deere 6 Series Tractors are designed and engineered to be the most versatile machine in your fleet. Since their introduction in 2012, John Deere 6M tractors (90-195hp) have earned the enviable reputation as definitive allrounders. Add all this to the quality, strength and reliability that the name John Deere stands for, and you have a tractor that brings you all the versatile capabilities you need. There are many reasons for choosing a 6R tractor (110hp-250hp): state-of-the-art, integrated technologies, exceptional all-round visibility, user-friendly control interfaces and CommandARM™.

TRACTORS

NO PENALTY FOR EARLY PAYBACK! *Conditions apply for 5 Series Tractors. Finance available through John Deere Financial Limited to approved commercial applicants only. Offer is based on 30% deposit, GST back in month 3 and 48 month term. Fees and charges of $425 apply. If not amended or withdrawn earlier, the promotion expires on 31/01/2021. # Conditions apply for 6 Series Tractors. Finance available through John Deere Financial Limited to approved commercial applicants only. Offer is based on 50% deposit, GST back in month 3 and 24 month term. Fees and charges of $425 apply. If not amended or withdrawn earlier, the promotion expires on 31/01/2021.

Backed by comprehensive parts and service support, new John Deere 5 & 6 Series tractors are also available at 0% ﬁnance p.a for a limited time at Drummond & Etheridge. Terms, conditions and lending criteria apply. Contact your local branch on 0800 432 633 or visit www.dne.co.nz to view the full range of John Deere tractors and quality brands of farm machinery.

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January 2021

CANTERBURY FARMING

Keep it safe when using a tractor Tractors are used in all farming regions in New Zealand in tough terrain. Steep, rough, slippery or loose ground and towing implements increase the risk of losing control.

❚ Article supplied by WorksafeNZ

Manufacturers advise caution in all these circumstances as the tractor could become unstable because of sudden changes in direction and the tractor’s centre of gravity. Before going up or down hills, carefully check the ground and set the tractor up to meet the conditions. You might have to get off the tractor and walk the route you plan to take. When planning your route, find an emergency run-out spot in case you lose traction.

Travelling downhill Selecting the wrong gear can result in losing control of the tractor: too high a gear and engine braking may not hold back the tractor; too low a gear and the tractor may start to slide, like brakes applied on a slippery surface. Always drive straight down steep hills. Do not drive diagonally across and down slopes. Find the gentlest possible slope and drive straight down.

ROBUST, RELIABLE. EASY TO SET UP AND RUN. YOU KNOW THE DRILL.

Select a low gear before driving down and apply the throttle to reduce the chance of the engine stalling. Engage ‘diff lock’ before starting a hill descent for maximum braking and to prevent single-wheel lockup. However, note that the tractor will not turn as efficiently when diff lock is on. Drive slowly forward (heavy end up slope) controlling your speed with engine braking. Allow for any towed implements’ extra weight. Check surface conditions, slope and route. If the tractor starts to slide forward, quickly pulse the throttle until you regain traction. Do not brake, as you have to keep the wheels turning to keep traction. If the engine loses power, apply the brake and put the tractor in ‘park’ mode. If you lose control, drop any implements into the ground to act as an anchor. Keep the tractor maintained and filters clear to reduce the chance of engine failure.

Safety ﬁrst: Operating a tractor on ﬂat land is relatively straight forward but on hilly terrain there are a number of safety factors to take into account. Photo supplied by Drummond & Etheridge

Travelling uphill When travelling uphill, the weight moves to the rear of the tractor, increasing the risk of the tractor flipping over backwards. The wheels can lose traction and make the tractor slew to the side, increasing the risk of the tractor rolling over. The tractor can also start rolling backwards, increasing the risk of a backwards flip if the brakes are applied suddenly. Some modern tractors have hydraulically powered brakes and steering, so if the engine stalls, you can lose power to the

brakes and steering. Always drive straight up steep hills. Select a low gear before driving up and apply the throttle to minimise the possibility of the engine stalling. Climb with the heavy end up the slope (in reverse). If it’s a straight climb, engage diff lock and four-wheel drive before starting. Don’t change gear when moving up slopes. This increases the risk of the tractor flipping backwards. If you lose traction, apply the brake and clutch together, select reverse gear and back down the hill.

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CANTERBURY FARMING

January 2021

Why the right size slurry tanker matters Bruce is a dairy farmer who knows what he wants, so when he asked Nevada for the biggest tanker we had – he meant it.

Lloyd Thomas ❚ by Nevada Dairy Effluent ❚ Management Specialist ❚

All in all Bruce Turpie’s 500Ha Ashburton dairy farm runs like a well-oiled machine. With 1600 cows, there’s high input, and high output, so he has two systems running. Effluent from the cow shed is run through a screw press with liquids going into a sump. Any overflow is pushed through to one of the effluent ponds. There are three earthen effluent ponds storing effluent from the feedpads. “The greenwater is all going out through the pivot, but we’d still have to suck the ponds out once a year to get the sludge out of the bottom of them,” Bruce says. “It’s just one of those things, for smaller farms you can just tanker everything, but once you start getting to 1600 cows you end up with a lot of stuff. The screwpress does a good job, but one system can’t do everything.” Bruce strives to utilise every inch of the farm, and with re-grassing and crops being regularly planted, the effluent nutrients are always being put to good use. The issue Bruce had was simply the old 18,000L slurry tanker was too small. “The old tanker was just too small basically, for what we are producing,” he says.

Size matters: ashburton dairy farmer Bruce Turpie (centre) with Lloyd Thomas (left) and Quentin Thomas of nevada Dairy Efﬂuent Management, knows size matters when it comes to slurry tankers.

“The reason for buying the big one is to be able to do things a bit faster, and we’ve got the new tractor now to be able to hang onto it, so we can utilise the big tractor as well. “We chose Nevada because they’re a local (NZ) company really. We dealt with Nevada in the past with the pump and it all went good, we’re happy with the productl,

nevadagroup.co.nz | 0800 464 393

and we wanted a company with a good parts presence.” Bruce had already done the calculations based on his 18,000L tanker and the horsepower of his new tractor, and he knew the massive 37,000L Nevada Slurry Tanker had his name written all over it. “Now we can spread over the entire

500Ha, not just the 160Ha under irrigation. “It gives us a lot more flexibility to spread when and where we want. We have to clean ponds out once a year anyway, but it’s better being able to do it in house. “Then we don’t worry about potential smell issues with spreading in one area, and the money is flowing the right way,” he says.

Bruce Turpie’s NEW 37,000ltr Slurry Tanker

January 2021

CANTERBURY FARMING

Getting the best job done With a workplace that is as varied as the geography– and that means, in New Zealand, extremely varied – it’s always a case of the right machine for the right job when earthmoving.

❚ by William Milnes Consequently, a contractor needs various types of earthmoving equipment from time to time, and if you are simply a landowner wanting earthmoving done, it pays to have a little background information. Machinery can open a huge capital investment window, but the smart operator today has hiring in mind, because there are obviously different types of machinery for different tasks – moving materials including rock, concrete, asphalt, clay, loam – this list goes on. Projects need to be efficiently carried out in specific contract times and that of course involves earthmovers and other related heavy equipment. Experienced industry operators well know if you are a contractor then you’ll need to hire different types of earthmoving equipment from time to time. Forget great capital investment, which also includes protection and maintenance and insurance. That’s the role of the hirer. It does not make sense to buy the gear when your re-

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quirements might change from time to time. Besides, the company that owns the equipment will take care of their maintenance and upkeep. In addition, the company will have professional operators to handle the equipment, if you don’t simply dry hire and have you own operators. So what do you need to look for in the hire marketplace? Deal with a company that has the equipment that you require and can offer you tandem tippers, semi tippers, excavators, backhoes, bulldozers, graders, wheel loaders, dump trucks etc. It is no secret that requirements can change as a project develops, so going in well prepared can avoid the necessity of changes in plans leading to changes in contractors. A firm with a wide range of machinery is better than a lone operator who may mean days of delay with the required machinery tied up in jobs elsewhere. Preparation is a guardian of time and should ensure that you will always get the equipment you require in order to complete different stages of your project.

Big country: Earthmoving equipment in action stripping topsoil for the Central Plains Water Ltd’s irrigation canal in Canterbury. Is the equipment in good condition? If you hire well-maintained equipment then you can be sure that your work gets completed on time. You won’t have to worry about lost opportunities caused due to downtime. Will the company help with the disposal of debris? Your construction and demolition activities will result in a great deal of debris which you are required to dispose of in a safe manner. Be sure to check if the company that hires out equipment for earthmoving will do this for you. This will save you a great deal of effort. Does the company pay sufficient attention to safety?

Always deal with a company that follows industry safety standards. The equipment you hire should come with completed maintenance log books. They should also have wellmaintained brakes, headlights and horns. And finally, cost effectiveness is a nobrainer so ensure the company you choose is affordable, with nothing hidden in the small print. You’ll obviously want to keep your costs down in order to maintain profitability. However, you should not compromise on quality just to get a good discount. Good hiring should result in good work being done on time and within budget.

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CANTERBURY FARMING January 2021

Aparima environment plans driving change A new survey of farmers in Southland, shows farms achieve better environmental results when they have Farm Environment Plans.

❚ Article supplied by DairyNZ

Six hundred dairy, sheep and beef farmers work together in the Aparima Community Environment Project, which aims to improve the health of freshwater and reduce environmental footprint. A recent survey of 151 Aparima farmers showed 80 percent have Farm Environment Plans – an increase of 23 percent on last year. The survey also highlighted that farmers with environment plans are more likely to implement a range of good farming practices. “These survey results show how serious farmers are about taking care of the environment,” said Otautau dairy farmer Edwin Mabonga, from mid-Aparima. Of the farmers surveyed, 95 percent have excluded stock from waterways, up 4 percent on last year. Eighty-seven percent use nitrogen fertiliser strategically, up 4 percent (this means using fertiliser only as needed to maximise pasture uptake and only on certain parts of the farm). “Farm Environment Plans identify environmental risks and management options on the farm, and contribute to improving water

quality and other environmental benefits,” Mabonga said. “They are living, breathing documents that help farmers achieve better environmental outcomes.” Plans must include actions to reduce farm sediment and nutrient loss, outline how wintering rules will be implemented, and where to riparian plant and fence. The plans are reviewed annually. Thousands of farms already have a comprehensive Farm Environment Plan and sector groups are continuing to further develop them as an effective way to accelerate further improvements. Farmers in the Aparima Community Environment Project are making significant changes which illustrate the type of innovation and commitment needed to surpass good management practices and set farmers in good stead for future. Mabonga said his Farm Environment Plan ensures all his team know and understand the way the environment is looked after on the farm. “For us a big benefit is to have everyone on the farm thinking environmentally.”

Guidance: Dairy farmer Edwin Mabonga says Farm Environment Plans are living, breathing documents which help farmers achieve better environmental outcomes.

Edwin and his wife Fungai are equity partners and have been carrying out farm riparian planting for 10 years. All staff are involved in tree planting, which gives them a sense of ownership in the environmental work, he said. Aparima sheep farmer Leon Black said it’s great to see environmental practices are continually improving as a result of targeted farm plans. “Caring for the environment is a core plank of a farming business,” Black said. “A Farm Environment Plan helps ensure good farm management practices, and to identify and manage any potential issues.” Key initiatives Leon and his wife Wendy

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carry out on their 370ha farm include planting around 300 trees a year, providing shelter and shade for stock. The farm has been in the family for almost 100 years. The Aparima Community Environment Project is led by farmers and supported by DairyNZ, Beef + Lamb New Zealand, Environment Southland and Fonterra. Find out more about Farm Environment Plans at dairynz.co.nz/fep, or beeflambnz.com/farm-plans.

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Properties in rural areas are often easy targets for thieves particularly over the holiday period, and criminals like easy pickings, so don’t make it easy for them.

❚ by Kent Caddick Investing in a security system, which can send alerts to cell phones, is proving popular but in rural areas where cell coverage is not always optimum, and response times due to distance can often be long, it is not always an option in terms of deterring thieves. Avoid leaving ‘starter kits’ for young criminals. These are items like chainsaws and mowers that can be easily taken and quickly sold. Thieves often survey properties from afar before approaching, so be aware of strange vehicles parked within sight of your place. They also like to drive in to see what security systems you have and the state of doors and windows. Criminals don’t like walking as they may be more easily seen. So a locked gate (with a good quality lock) is the first defence, despite it being inconvenient for you. Ensure the gate cannot be lifted off its hinges by reversing the top gudgeon. Record the vehicle numbers of anyone coming to your property with weak excuses such as looking for a named person, or a lost dog. Keep your digital camera handy and photograph them leaving, without them seeing if possible.

An electronic gate with codes for approved users is a more expensive but very effective alternative. An electronic gate sensor on an open gate to is another option to let you know when you have company. So many people are burgled when they are home eg when mowing lawns, so lock your door when in the garden or out on the property. Have an alarm on the house and sheds. Even if you are a long way from town, the criminals will not know how long they have to operate before help arrives but remember they may do a test run first and come back later. Be concerned if they go through the house and take nothing. They could be coming back, especially if they took your spare set of keys clearly named on an obvious hook in the kitchen. Hide spare keys. Criminals don’t like barking dogs, but be careful and comply with the Dog Control Act regarding containment of the animal. Arrange an effective neighbourhood watch system with those around you. Letting neighbours know when you are away is so important so they can notice anything odd. Have a ‘telephone tree’ system of calling neighbours to alert others if there are problems.

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operties secure over the Summer

Gated: A strong gate with a lock will help to deter thieves. Make a record (list, photos and video) of as much of your house contents and farm gear as possible - certainly the big and valuable items. Keep receipts for everything of value purchased as most insurance companies require this for claims. Mark or engrave all items with your name or phone number and make it obvious wherever possible.

Try to limit how much fuel you keep on your property as thieves can always find some way to cut pipes even if the fillers are locked. Don’t leave keys in vehicles and bikes at nights or when you go out and lock all doors and windows when you go out. Often this is only a minor deterrent as they are easily bro-

Lock it up: Never leave keys in vehicles and lock your garage. ken. Deadlocks are a good idea so thieves cannot get doors open to remove large items. Don’t leave garden tools like spades and axes, and especially ladders around the outside of the house when you are not there. Always tell the police if you have been burgled even if not much is taken as even if they cannot do much, it all adds to their in-

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

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Red ‘hot’ apple continues to impress The first apple to be commercially released from the Hot Climate Programme, which includes New Zealand based companies T&G Global and Plant & Food Research, is receiving rave reviews from growers in Italy, France and the UK, after a series of evaluations in 2020.

❚ Article supplied by T&G Global

A group of selected growers and marketers are reporting that ‘HOT84A1’ is growing well, and features an attractive, rich red colour with excellent texture and a sweet taste. Growers have also discovered that the apple performs equally as well in temperate climates, as it does in hot climates. “This is an exciting find and proves that this apple is well suited to different geographies,” says Gary Wellwood, T&G’s Global Variety Development Manager. “It opens up further opportunities for growers in both the Northern and Southern hemispheres and provides an opportunity for year-round supply.” Wellwood says in the Northern hemisphere, the variety blooms in mid-April with harvest timing in late September - early October. “This places ‘HOT84A1’ in market approximately two weeks earlier than Fuji, meaning that consumers get to experience this variety on supermarket shelves for longer.” He says although Covid-19 has restricted the ability to hold fruit evaluation sessions

this season, there has still been strong interest. “Our European representative is organising tasting events in Spain, Italy, France and other locations. If we can’t get the people to the fruit, we will organise to get the fruit to the people.” Jeremy Linsell, Worldwide Fruit UK, Technical Development Manager says HOT84A1 has performed well in testing in the United Kingdom. UK-grown fruit was tested by leading retailers and consumers in the UK with the sweet apple being highly rated and given very positive feedback. In its second year as strategic commercialisation partner for the Hot Climate Programme, T&G Global has made good progress with the first variety under licence. HOT84A1 is being planted in commercial volumes in Catalonia, Spain. Fruit Futur, partners in the Hot Climate Programme, have committed to a planting programme over the next six years in an effort to provide consumers with fruit of great colour and exceptional flavour and texture. Spanish growers are eager to mitigate the

Red hot: a new apple, developed with the help of Kiwi companies and known as HOT84a1, is getting the thumbs up from growers around Europe.

effects of hot summer temperatures on the quality of their apple crop and have jumped at the chance to access this variety. Interest in the variety has been strong. HOT84A1 trees are being circulated globally, and in 2021 T&G Global, together with its

material services provider, Dalival, will begin planting further test blocks throughout Europe. Planting of test trees for evaluation in Australia, the USA and South Africa are expected within a few years.

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The lowdown on Rural Contractors NZ Rural Contractors New Zealand (RCNZ) is the only national association, and the leading advocate for, rural contractors in New Zealand. supplied by ❚ Article ❚ Rural Contractors New Zealand

Frequently asked questions about RCNZ:

It represents the interests of contractors engaged in a wide range of activities such as: land development, drainage, fencing, cultivation and planting, har vesting of crops, highway vegetation control and maintenance, parks, reser ves and landscaping, chemical application, sheep dipping , and direct drilling. RCNZ monitors central and local government policies, plans and proposals on behalf of its membership. It also maintains close relations with a wide number of organisations, government departments and other national bodies. RCNZ’s governance consists of a national board, made up of the four zones. Operating via a constitution, the RCNZ board comprises eight members – who are elected annually. The country is divided into four Zones and each Zone elects two Board Members by postal ballot. RCNZ employs a permanent, part-time chief executive based in Wellington – close to Government and other organisations where a close liaison is maintained.

Q. What type of contracting are RCNZ members involved in? A. Predominantly RCNZ members are involved in agriculture, horticulture and viticulture, chemical applications on the ground and in forests, roadside mowing, vegetation control and other forms of contracting applicable to the rural servicing sector. Q. Is membership limited to Rural Contractors? A. No, but the vast majority of RCNZ members undertake contracting in the rural sector. However, other contractors, for example, those who apply agricultural chemical in urban areas are also members. Q. How is the RCNZ funded? A. The main source of funding is through an annual subscription paid by members. Q. How does RCNZ operate? A. RCNZ operates by a constitution and has a Board comprising eight members – who are elected annually. The country is divided into four Zones – with each Zone electing two Board members by postal ballot. Each year, RCNZ’s annual conference is

held at different locations around New Zealand. Meanwhile, a number of regional (Zone) meetings are held during the year; to enable members to meet up for fellowship, networking opportunities and to discuss matters of common interest.

RCNZ publishes a section in the Rural Contractor & Large Scale Farmer magazine, which published every two months and supplied free to members. For more on rCnZ go to: www.ruralcontractors.org.nz

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New Contractor Standard ensures fair treatment of workers Consumers are more and more concerned about how their food is grown, harvested, packaged and transported.

supplied by ❚ Article ❚ Horticulture New Zealand According to the New Zealand Good Agricultural Practice (NZGAP) programme that also means consumers are demanding guarantees that the people involved in food production are being treated fairly. “The New Zealand Good Agricultural Practice Social Practice add-on, and accompanying Contractor Standard, are being launched to provide consumers with the confidence that certified growers are ethical employers,” NZGAP manager Damien Farrelly said. “Put simply, the new module uses independent, approved auditors to check grower’s employment practices to certify that all workers are treated fairly. “New Zealand growers are leading the way with this new add-on. We’ve built on existing global industry standards, such as GRASP and SMETA, and have taken it further to ensure the fair treatment of staff here in New Zealand.” Farrelly said the new module has been specifically developed by NZGAP in collaboration with regulators to meet requirements of New Zealand employment law and ethical standards. “Growers are independently audited to

Setting the standard: nZGaP manager Damien Farrelly says the new Contract Standard will help to provide consumers with the conﬁdence that certiﬁed growers are ethical employers.

demonstrate they meet these standards,” he said. “NZGAP has always ensured the safe and sustainable production of fruit and vegetables in New Zealand. The new Social Practice module places a greater focus on grower’s most valuable resource – their people.” He said growers are looking forward to

the new clarity that the add-on and Contractor Standard will bring. President of the Pukekohe Vegetable Growers Association, and Sutherland Produce compliance manager, Kylie Faulkner said the new Contractor Standard is going to give growers certainty that any certified contractor that comes on site will meet the

standards that we expect of them, and that our consumers also expect. “These new standards will give growers peace of mind. All growers want to be doing the right thing by their employees. “This module will also prove that, as an industry, we’re setting a high standard in treating our workers well,” Faulkner said.

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allan Laurie MnZIF ❚ with ❚ Laurie Forestry Ltd

January 2021

Forestry sector rebounds from a mixed year

As I have moved around our contractors, customers and clients over these last few weeks there has been an air of positivity. “Actually, we have had a pretty good year” has been a common comment. For our contractors, after lock down, there was a very mixed bag of a supply and demand knee jerk reaction with a rapid escalation in export prices to a sudden drop as markets struggled to understand how Covid– 19 impacted business. Eventually, things settled down and since August, the log export segment has recovered in price terms to end the year on close to the top 90 percentile of the last three years. Now, harvest and transport teams have good work loads and this looks destined to continue for some time as forest owners capture some very good net returns. As far as our domestic sawmilling customers go, all report full order books, struggling to meet demand, turning orders away and lumber prices steady to strong. Nearly all are wanting increased log supply in 2020. On the surface, it would seem this might be time to start reviewing domestic log prices upward. However, for those of us with longer memories and knowing nothing lasts forever, I think this is time to steady the ship after some rogue waves, stay the course and maintain an even speed. Thus, the engines will last longer, we will burn less fuel and we will all be in one piece when we get to the destination.

For our forest owner clients, these are pretty good times. It used to be a net return for a well managed 30 year old stand of Radiata pine yielding $25,000 to $30,000 per hectare was uncommon. Nowadays, 26 to 28 year old stands are consistently producing these numbers. On high productivity sites, less than 100km to markets and age 30, $35,000$40,000 net per hectare is achievable. Whilst bringing ample justification to the decision to plant trees all those years ago, it is sometimes frustrating forest owners are prepared to get the chainsaw out well before age 30 when the full potential could have been realised. China continues to hit some very good numbers. Softwood log usage is cranking along at 85,000 cubic metres, a lot more than most commentators were predicting. Spruce supplies out of Europe have slowed significantly as container freight costs have escalated to the point much of the trade is unprofitable at present. The Australia Government have received a big punch on the nose after throwing a bit of lip China’s way. The fact the Aussies just don’t know when to shut up has seen over 450,000 cubic metres of logs and lumber

per month removed from Softwood supply lines, when China put the big white gloved hand up. As a consequence, the China Eastern Seaboard inventory has been falling, about to sneak under 3 million cubic metres, representing just 5 weeks supply at current usage levels. Some commentators are suggesting this is lime for level heads as there is a danger we might see log price escalation if China starts to panic. If CFR prices go too far above the current US$135 for A grade, Europe and Russia will start dusting off the chainsaws. Thus we will see supply suddenly increase, prices will drop quickly, and all of the sudden we will have to contemplate joining out tourism sector mates in the dole queue. In December export log settlements, we saw one of the largest increases in CFR prices for some time, up US$5 – 6 per cubic metre. Unfortunately, the NZ economy is out performing almost all others and we have seen a sharp rise in the US$/KIWI$ exchange rate. This close to halved the po-

tential rise in NZ wharf gate prices, a little frustrating but leaving us in a pretty sweet spot nevertheless. Of all the challenges we have faced in 2020, the plantation forest sector has come out looking very sharp. New planting rates are up and despite what the ‘50 Shades of Stupidity’ say in attempts to deceive the NZ public, those new plantings are entirely on land that is marginal or not economic for traditional pastoral farming. Many of those new plantings also include non-traditional species, many are natives like Totara, and many are undertaken with a strong environmental and sustainability ethic. There is no downside here. I extend best wishes for all that is good to all readers in 2021. 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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DAIRY

Getting to the source of lameness

I think that we all agree that if you push cows on the track, or in the yard, you will get more lame cows. We also know that after rain and during mating we tend to get more lame cows.

Usually the explanation is physical trauma. People say that cows standing on stones cause bruises and add that twisting and turning on concrete separates the white line just like pushing cows on concrete. In the last 25 years I have trimmed well over 100,000 cows as a professional hoof trimmer. I have seen cows with very healthy

claws and cows that had gone way beyond repair. I have trimmed cows in cow barns, and I have trimmed beef cows. So basically, I think that there are not many lesions and lameness issues that I haven’t seen. I notice that no matter where we are in NZ the hoof issues look very much the same just the severity of the lesions varies. On the face of it the “stone bruise” and “sole penetration” theories appear valid. The evidence points to a more fundamental cause than that stones are the cause of hoof haemorrhage, or hoof holes. Why do we see very definite patterns in the hooves? If stones cause bruises, I would expect a much more random pattern. Why do we see most of the haemorrhage in the outer claw? It is usually a bigger claw with a thicker sole that offers more protection against stones than the inner claw. The thicker the outer claw the more haemorrhage it tends to have. Why do we see haemorrhage in the dorsal wall? Why do some cows have soft hooves but have very little haemorrhage and oth-

er cows have hooves that are rock hard and are very badly haemorrhaged? How come that “sole penetration” is often in the same spot in the hoof? Why do we often see sole penetration in the opposite hoof on the same cow? Why do nails and other sharp objects penetrate deep into live tissue, but stones never do? How is a cow going to push a stone into her hoof if I can’t squeeze a stone into a cadaver foot with a pair of pliers even if I trim that hoof really thin? How come cows can run full speed onto tracks on their own accord and don’t get problems but when they are being pushed, we end up with major lameness issues? Because of lots of questions like these, and the absence of proof that stones are the culprit I don’t believe that we should focus on stones. I do believe that physical force is an important aspect in the fight against lameness. If it wasn’t, there would not be any reason to trim cows but I am convinced that it is a constant overloading of the hoof that is the issue and not the standing on a stone every now and again or twisting on concrete. I think that if hooves weren’t strong enough to handle that, we wouldn’t be milking cows. The lameness I’m addressing is a twostage issue. The first stage is that the live tissue in the foot becomes weakened (or unhealthy) due to internal causes. Once the health of the hoof has been compromised enough it can’t handle the cow’s load. The resulting damage to the corium haemorrhages blood into the hoof as it is growing hoof – that is bruising. In some parts the hoof fails

to grow horn so that the cow ends up with holes in that hoof, resulting in lameness. A sole ulcer is a good example of this process, but other holes are also formed that way. Both of these two stages (they being: unhealthy tissue and loading of the claw ie pressure) are needed for a cow to go lame. Overloading doesn’t happen if the live tissue is healthy. That is why we can put claw blocks on cows. And cows with amputated claws can still function well for a year or two. Likewise, cows function well with very unhealthy claws, with no load. Applying this approach we can now try to minimise lameness by either reducing load on the claw OR by keeping the live tissue in the foot healthy - preferably both. Eliminating the load is not an option. You can minimise the load by doing functional trimming, use rubber mats and the like. There is a positive effect when you do those things, but these are not keeping the claw healthy – they are ambulance at the bottom of the cliff stuff. They only help a cow to deal with unhealthy claws. We should focus on how to keep the claw healthy rather than worrying about stones. Diet and stress levels on farm are key. Every risk factor that has been identified has a diet and or stress factor attached to it. Reducing stress with good stockmanship, systems and environment are the first critical element. Optimising the diet is the second, though no less important, critical element in keeping cow hooves healthy.

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Why earthworms are essential ❚ with Peter Burton

As a sharemilker, coming from an education background with only school and university holiday experience on dairy farms and hungry for information, I collected and stashed any interesting and potentially useful information.

It’s been kept in boxes and added to over time as good information has come to hand. We were fortunate in the 70’s and 80’s to have Farm Production and Practice sheets provided free of charge by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries department. Those aglink sheets were a single backed A4 sheet crammed with useful data based on local research, with a wide range of topics covered. It was all good stuff that abruptly ended in the late 1980’s as ‘user-pays’ kicked in and the only research undertaken was short-term industry funded with a commercial focus. Much of the earlier information ended up in Research Institute Libraries, which in time could only be accessed by paid up members. Coming from an era when good information was free demand for payment didn’t sit well and those of us sufficiently interested scoured relatives book-shelves and second hand book shops for relevant books and bulletins. Nowadays the internet is the source of most information and there is, I think, the tendency to believe that if it’s not immediately available it doesn’t exist. Below from aglink FPP 211 published in 1984 is information on earthworms that exist under pasture.

Earthworm species There are over 190 earthworm species in

New Zealand, but only a few introduced species are regarded as beneficial. Allolobophora caliginosa, a relatively small, active, greyish-pink earthworm is the most widely distributed introduced species and generally predominates under pasture. Other species, mainly native, occur under pasture, sometimes in quite high numbers, without observable beneficial effects.

Effects of earthworms The obvious changes resulting from earthworm activity are the incorporation of organic matter from the soil surface and the strikingly improved open friable structure of the soil. Plant root development improves and soils are moister. Analyses show that lime, plant nutrients and insecticides are also mixed through the soil. Infiltration rate doubled from 12.5 mm to 25mm/hr, moisture holding capacity increased 17%, and available moisture in the top 30cm increased by 17.5mm in the soil tested. Better infiltration reduces run-off, erosion, and flooding. Improved crumb structure lessens the risk of wind erosion. Earthworms hasten the decomposition of organic matter and the cycling of nutrients.

Production increases Dry matter (DM) production increases of 28%-111% have been measured in pot trials.

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A 72% increase in spring pasture production was measured at Hindon, Otago, 5 years after earthworms were introduced. Areas with and without beneficial species have been observed on a wide range of soils. Obvious improvements in soil structure and moisture status and in pasture composition, vigour and growth (particularly in late autumn/early spring) support the research findings. Production increases of 25-30% or 2.5 s.u./ha can be confidently expected following earthworm establishment.

Earthworm requirements and behaviour Earthworms are affected by levels of organic material, calcium, soil moisture, and temperature. Organic material is generally adequate under grazed pasture, where the weight of earthworms can approximate that of the stock carried. Populations are lower in ungrazed and cultivated areas. Calcium stimulates earthworm reproduction and activity. Numbers have increased by 50% in response to 2.5t of lime/ha and by 90% in response to 5 t/ha. Low populations are often associated with low calcium levels.” There is also plenty of NZ research on the effect of beneficial fungi and bacteria, dating back to the 1960’s and earlier. As much as the move toward a ‘green-

er’ farming future is causing consternation amongst many farmers, much of the research has already been done and the required changes in farming practises can be rapid and seamless, without any short-term downside affect. For more information call Peter on 0800 843 809.

January 2021 CANTERBURY FARMING

DAIRY

Feds president elected to IDF board Federated Farmers President Andrew Hoggard has been elected to the board of the International Dairy Federation.

Hoggard, a Manawatu dairy farmer, was elected as the sole farmer representative on the governing board of the IDF.

The IDF works to support development of robust, science and evidencebased international standards for dairy products, as well as extending global sector knowledge through a network of

experts and research on topics such as sustainability and nutrition which can be shared with member nations, and particularly developing nations. Hoggard is not new to the IDF set-

New role: Federated Farmers President Andrew Hoggard has been elected as the sole farmer representative on the governing board of the International Dairy Federation. up as he has been on the organisation’s animal health, farm management and environment standing committees and has just finished his second two-year stint on the IDF’s Scientific Programme Co-ordination Committee. He said he’ll be pushing the same principle he’s used to arguing on behalf of farmers across the sectors in New Zealand. “That policies, regulations and proposals need to pass the SPA test, that is, is it sensible; it is practical, is it affordable? “An emerging opportunity for the IDF is the United Nations food systems dialogue. It’s a focus of NGOs and other bodies and individuals all around the world, not just in New Zealand, to try and describe what a sustainable food system looks like,” Hoggard said. “This dialogue is the opportunity to move beyond the sometimes emotive views gaining traction on how we should farm, and what we should produce, to ensure it is grounded in science, is practical, and rational in terms of the global challenge to ensure nutritionally adequate diets while also maintaining sufficient food production for future generations. “My aim is to make sure the farmer voice and knowledge base is heard loud and clear among the other voices.”

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WATER & IRRIGATION

CANTERBURY FARMING

January 2021

Our climate emergency opportunity

I write this as we head into the last few weeks of what has been the year of 2020 and at the beginning of the month New Zealand declared a climate emergency and committed to becoming carbon-neutral by 2025, in what Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern called the greatest challenge of our time.

‘

Having reliable, resilient water sources help decrease the threat of drought or ﬂoods.

Vanessa Winning ❚ by IrrigationNZ Chief Executive ❚

This presents our sector with a unique opportunity. Not only is irrigation key to growing grass, trees, and food to help with reducing our impact; it is also an important part of derisking our country from the long-term effects of a changing climate. Freshwater management is fundamental to improving both lives, as well as livelihoods in New Zealand, and is a key concern for all. While we may have differing views on what water should be used for and how we capture and store it – we agree it needs careful management and is a precious resource we can no longer take for granted. Water security is fast becoming the new conversation in many parts of our country as the weather patterns change, and our summers and springs get warmer and drier. Irrigation is a lifeline for

the sustainable future of our country. We are on a journey of continuous improvement and I am proud of the work of our members to be ahead of the curve, striving for the best and innovating constantly. Do not underestimate how far we have come in a very short while, but also how we will need to continue to improve practices and more effectively manage water use. We also have an obligation for water security in the form

of capture and storage for our communities, better flow, and food security. There is a large range of possible response options when it comes to adapting to climate change. These options can be related to policies, investments, capacity development, urban design, water metering, as well as farming practices, and water management. Having reliable water sources which are resilient in times of change help decrease the threat of drought or floods – but it also allows for community water supplies and to have environmental flows to decrease the pressure on river flows in times of low rainfall. To irrigate successfully and sustainably, we need to continue to improve our water storage systems in New Zealand in a holistic way of working with the community, Iwi, and productive sectors. Capturing rainfall and water flows when they are high and storing them for when they are low to replenish supplies,

groundwater, the river flows, and more – the conversation is simple Irrigation isn’t just to put water on paddocks; it’s to grow crops, vines, food-producing trees and is an important part of the climate change story – irrigated land can enhance carbon storage in soils and improve yields by using crop residues to cover the soil surface. It provides both as potential mitigation and as a de-risking for the change already occurring. Farmers and growers are already on a path for reductions in greenhouse gasses, but an important part of that will be our access to the right water in the right places. We support the goals this government and New Zealanders as a whole are trying to achieve and feel our irrigators and industry experts will be essential to help provide solutions to de-risk the country and support better water use and plant growth. Irrigation is positive, done well.

January 2021

CANTERBURY FARMING

WATER & IRRIGATION

Irrigator performance is key The 2020-21 irrigation season continues to be warm and dry, the exception being some welcome rain in November.

andrew Curtis ❚ by ❚ Water Strategies The La Niña weather pattern continues as predicted, warmer than average temperatures and potentially lower than average rainfall (NIWA climate outlook through to February 2021).

This means Canterbury irrigators will need to keep a careful watch on their seasonal allocation limits and make tactical decisions early around their irrigation. By the end of December many central Canterbury irrigators will have used almost 60% of their allocation and will need to think carefully about managing their irrigation into the New Year. Water Strategies is currently working on an MPI funded project looking at the impacts and ways to improve resilience to extreme climate events, including how best to manage through irrigation restrictions. The project work is confirming it is more productive and profitable to irrigate a smaller area well than do a bad job everywhere – backing-up what I was taught by some wise old irrigators. The Lincoln weather station data shows there was 32mm of rain during September, 12mm in October, 65mm in November and up until the 18 December there had only

Poor performance: Over half the pivots tested this season have had sprinkler performance issues.

been 5mm of rain. Potential Evapotranspiration (PET) was 83mm, 110mm, 124mm and 103mm up until the 18 December, an average of 2.8mm, 3.5mm. 4.1mm and 5.1mm per day, which is above average. For a soil with 100mm Plant Available Water (PAW) an efficient irrigator would have applied approximately 320mm of irrigation. This means over 50% of the seasonal allocation limit has been used and we are only midway through December. The Winchmore weather station shows there was 56mm of rain during September, 31mm in October, 88mm in November and up until the 18 December there had only been 6mm of rain. Potential Evaporation was 86mm, 102mm, 118mm and 81mm up until the 15 December, an average of 2.9mm, 3.3mm. 3,9mm and 5.1mm per day. For a soil with 100mm Plant Available Water (PAW) an efficient irrigator would have applied approximately 260mm of irrigation. This means over 40% of the seasonal allo-

cation limit has been used through to midDecember. The Timaru Airport weather station shows there was 37mm of rain during September, 26mm in October, 56mm in November and up until the 18 December 14mm of rain. Potential Evapotranspiration was 67mm, 76mm, 103mm and 83mm up until the 18 December, an average of 2.2mm, 2.5mm, 3,4mm and 4.4mm per day. For a soil with 100mm Plant Available Water (PAW) an efficient irrigator would have applied approximately 210mm of irrigation. Again, this means around 40% of the seasonal allocation limit has been used. Ensuring your irrigator is performing well is key given the predicted climate outlook. Checking sprinkler packs are working correctly must be a priority. Over half the pivots we‘ve tested this season have had sprinkler performance issues. The key point to remember is 70% of a pivot’s performance is directly due to how its sprinkler pack is performing, so you need to check these regularly. Stuffed regulators, rotators that are operating as spinners, and split droppers are all signs that you need to think about replacing your sprinkler pack. If you would like help with irrigation scheduling, your irrigation system has become middle-aged and in need of a health check, and want cost-effective solutions, give the team at Water Strategies a call – the specialists in everything water and irrigation.

CANTERBURY FARMING

WATER & IRRIGATION

❚ with Dr Tony Davoren

January 2021

Sun, surf and some work Through my school days I remember how warm and sunny it was in Gisborne.

This season I’ve had the pleasure of some consulting work back there, and have been reminded of what an amazing growing region it is. And like elsewhere in New Zealand, irrigation is a necessity to get the best out of the crops. The opportunity to get back to Gisborne this season didn’t take but one heartbeat to decide. Regular visits have reminded me not only of the great climate, the amazing beaches and the diversity of high value crops; but the “dog” road from Napier to Wairoa en route to Gisborne. I swear it has only been marginally improved since I lived in Gisborne, although it is an all-sealed road now. There is something about returning to where it all began and to do some consulting in two valuable horticultural crops (Gold Kiwifruit and Envy apples) is an added bonus. Both have value to behold – count 20 Envy apples (20 fruit/tray and about 86mm diameter) that have sold for $US5 each (not the tray but individual apples) in Hong Kong and premium Gold Kiwifruit that sell for $US3 each in Beijing. The plantings of both on the Poverty Bay Plains is expanding what is already a large industry for the area.

While I don’t remember much in the way of irrigation when in those early days in Gisborne, I do remember “no need to irrigate” on such deep high water holding capacity soils. The Waipaoa, Matawhero, Makaraka (and other) deep silt and clay loam soils (although they now have a name no one in the area recognises thanks to S-map) support a wide range of high value horticultural crops. The area has always supported fruit growing and crops like onions, maize and sweetcorn; was the “home” of Chardonnay; is the home of Leaderbrand (broccoli, lettuce and squash); and more recently an expansion of Gold Kiwifruit and Envy apples. Irrigation is a pre-requisite for all these high value crops and a new $4.5M Gold kiwifruit development in the Patutahi area includes a 5-6km $50K pipeline to deliver Waipaoa River water to the site. While the soils are “deep”, have not a stone in sight and have very high water holding capacity, the dense highly mottled subsoils (the tell-tale sign of water logging at times), the kiwifruit are grown on mounds to ensure the critical root zone drains and is aerated. As a result, the kiwifruit (in par-

Importance of irrigation: The kiwifruit has just come out of a critical of a 6-week growth period when they grow rapidly, and moisture stress just must be avoided.

ticular) has a limited root zone with few (if any roots) below about 350mm. Gisborne’s warm temperate climate means readily available water is rapidly transpired and irrigation is critical for the kiwifruit. Like areas elsewhere in NZ it is an area that is effectively water short – run-of-river water from the Waipaoa River is fully allocated and of poor quality – very high suspended sediment almost year-round. And groundwa-

ter is fully allocated, and bores are low yielding poor quality water. We came close to irrigating in October before timely rainfall arrived. Since November though irrigation has been required (and the plot shows an “ooopsy” that shouldn’t have occurred). The kiwifruit has just come out of a critical of a 6-week growth period when they grow rapidly, and moisture stress just must be avoided. The soil moisture measurements have shown the growers the “shallow” rooting of the kiwifruit with little change in soil moisture in the 40-50 and 50-60cm layers – primarily because of the dense and often waterlogged subsoils. And how critical irrigation is to ensuring optimum fruit size is obtained. I feel privileged to be involved in an exciting industry plus I get to enjoy what is a truly superb climate and catch a swim at some of the best beaches in NZ.

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

LIVESTOCK

The bottom for coarse wool?

When I was a kid our family used to often spend our summer holidays in and around Central Otago at places like Alexandra, Cromwell, Wanaka and Queenstown. The lakes were a great attraction for swimming and boating but we were always taught to respect the water. I was also told that Lake Wakatipu was extremely cold and therefore dangerous to swim too far out into, but what I remember most was that no-one had been able to measure the deepest part of the lake – in other words no-one knew where the bottom was and it was common to hear people say that there was no bottom. Since then, improved technical equipment has obviously enabled measurement to be

The Working Wool Buyer

recorded at approximately 380 metres. I also understand that the surface of Lake Wakatipu is around 310 metres above sea level meaning that the deepest point is about 70 metres below sea-level! Since I’ve been involved in the wool industry there have been several highs and lows, and every time a market has risen it has been followed by a fall. Usually every market fall has been followed by a rise and normally, that’s when plenty of wool market observers become experts, of course they “knew” when the market would rise – yeah right. Over the past couple of years the coarse wool market has taken a real beating and apart from a few small humps in the graph, generally the downwards trajectory has been fairly constant. Ask anyone in the wool trade where the bottom is for coarse wools in the current environment and I bet no-one will have any idea. The final wool auction for South Island wools, held in Christchurch on December

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17, saw around 8500 bales offered by the two main auction brokers, covering a mix of types from super-fine merinos, a sprinkling of very good halfbreds, through to a good selection of coarse crossbreds including second-shear, full-wool and a few old season’s lambs. The Christchurch Merino market followed the reasonably firm pricing experienced by Australian brokers, the day earlier in Melbourne and Fremantle, with plenty of competition, particularly for super-fine wools on offer. The top clean prices of 3557 cents per kilogram for 2 bales measuring 13.8 microns, and 3228 cents for 7 bales measuring 14.3 microns, both from a Patearoa located vendor, were highlights of the merino section of the PGG Wrightson catalogue. Halfbred and Corriedale wool types received good attention from the trade provided they were well prepared and classed and measured finer than around 26 microns, however prices fell away quickly for coarser types.

Crossbred wool types continued to struggle at the December 17th auction with disappointing results for vendors. The very good selection included a quantity of wools which had been carried over from the previous season plus a few pre-lamb shorn clips also withheld from earlier sales. New seasons and recently shorn hogget and ewe wools made up the balance. Demand could best be described as very weak and buyers were extremely selective in their purchases. Whilst well grown wool of good colour and low vegetable matter contamination were more easily saleable during the day, the over-all market tone pointed towards maybe even tougher times ahead as buyers noted the uncertainty once again rearing its head amongst the continued Covid pandemic, with lockdowns in place across Europe and the UK, India’s notable reduced interest in NZ wool after having replaced other origin wool with NZ wool during September and October, and the presently extremely reluctant China. Let’s hope we are at the bottom.

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CANTERBURY FARMING January 2021

Farm-to-market traceability coming Starting in the 2021-22 season, an electronic track and trace system will be introduced for deer velvet.

❚ by Trevor Walton “VelTrak is designed to provide customers with proof of integrity. It will confirm that a stick of velvet has met all QA requirements and comes from New Zealand,” says Deer Industry NZ (DINZ) chief executive Innes Moffat. It will also enable velvet to be rapidly tracked up or down the supply chain in response to a food safety or biosecurity issue. This will enable a farm or consignment to be identified and the risk contained, he says. A side-benefit is that it will become more difficult for anyone velvetting in unregistered facilities and outside the industry’s agreed QA standards to sell their velvet. DINZ science and technical manager Catharine Sayer, who has managed the development of VelTrak, says farmers won’t have to do any recording or scanning. Nor will they need to write down tag numbers by hand and fill out a paper Velvet Status Declaration (VSD), as they do now. Instead, vets will scan and allocate tags by number to each of their farmer clients. These tags will next be scanned by the buyer or the packhouse – either when the velvet arrives in their store, or when they pick-up the velvet from the farm. “Farmers will just need to have internet access, so they can register on the system and approve the electronic VSDs when their buyer or packhouse sends them through. If a

Tagging: Tagged velvet ready to go into the freezer. From next season the tags will contain a UHF chip that will make velvet electronically traceable from the market back to the farm. farmer doesn’t have internet, they will need to get someone they trust to sign the VSDs for them,” Sayer says. The change will be made possible by the embedding of a wafer-thin UHF (ultra-high frequency) electronic chip in each velvet tag. The tags will look ver y similar to the

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current luggage-style tags. “Farmers have made major investments in shed upgrades and cool chain facilities to comply with the MPI Regulated Control Scheme for velvet removal,” Sayer says. “VelTrak is designed to help secure that investment.

“Major health food companies increasingly require traceability as a condition of supply. Because our competitors are unlikely to match the sophistication of VelTrak, it will help maintain the premium position that NZ velvet enjoys in Korea.” Feedback from the market confirms this, with a major Korean customer applauding the deer industry for the initiative. Ashley Chung, the chief marketing officer of Yuhan Care says “Health food is our business, so we have to be 100% certain the velvet we buy is safe and comes from healthy deer.” Moffat welcomes Chung’s comments. He says VelTrak will help lock in the price premium that NZ velvet enjoys over velvet from other countries. While some of those countries have piggy backed on some of New Zealand’s market development work, they will struggle to match the technology that has been developed for VelTrak. “I expect more major customers will welcome news of VelTrak when we start actively talking about it in the marketplace. “It’s what the major brand-name companies expect of their raw material suppliers.” DINZ and velvet marketers also expect VelTrak to encourage demand from healthy food companies in China, Taiwan and elsewhere, for whom proof of quality and traceability are critically important.”

January 2021

CANTERBURY FARMING

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CANTERBURY FARMING

January 2021

Subaru’s new Forester has the X-factor Subaru’s new Forester X Sport has got that special X-factor that helps you get from A to X, with the sleek, high specification SUV going the extra mile.

❚ Article supplied by SubaruNZ

The new Forester has a host of aesthetic features, including the head-turning orange accents, inside and out, and new 18” black alloy wheels. On the exterior the Forester X Sport’s front, side, rear under guard and roof rails all get the orange treatment, while on the interior, the orange features extend to the trim stitching. Subaru of New Zealand’s Managing Director Wallis Dumper believes the Forester X Sport will attract a broad range of buyers from the traditional Subaru purchaser, to those that may not have considered a Subaru before and are looking for a distinctive SUV. “The Forester X Sport is a capable SUV with performance aesthetics. This winning combination of both style and substance will no doubt appeal, particularly to those that require the practicality of an SUV and are shopping for something sporty that sets them apart from the crowd,” Dumper said. Forester X Sport does its best to exceed expectations by adding many premium specifications, including an 8” touch screen infotainment system, satellite navigation and push button start. Water repellent seat fabric also adds to the special nature of this vehicle. Along with these additions, the Forester X Sport retains all the Subaru capabilities essential to its DNA. They include the brand’s All-Wheel Drive engineering prowess and XMode, which improves traction and handling, especially when driving on low-grip surfaces, like mud or snow. All the Subaru safety expertise, such as Subaru’s EyeSight clever crash avoidance technology is on-board Forester X Sport, acting like your second pair of eyes and spotting potentially dangerous driving situations. There’s also the excellent Driver Monitoring System, which uses facial recognition to identify, personalise and monitor you while you drive.

Power plant: The Forester X Sport is powered by a 2.5-litre horizontally-opposed direct injection Boxer engine.

For those owners who want to haul a whole lot extra, the towing capacity has increased by 300kg to 1800kg braked in all Forester models, excluding the e-Boxer Hybrid. Forester X Sport is powered by a 2.5-litre horizontally-opposed direct injection Boxer engine and driven via a lineartronic SLT 7-speed with manual mode. Its maximum power output is 136kW @ 5800rpm and has a maximum torque of 239Nm @ 4400rpm. “Our All-Wheel Drive Subaru Forester X Sport gives its owners the extra option of going a whole lot further than just from A to B,” Dumper said. “ It takes Kiwis well and truly into Subaru country - over rolling mountains, down weaving roads, and along endless coastlines, all the way to X. Wherever that special spot in New Zealand might be.”

More tow: The towing capacity has increased by 300kg to 1800kg braked in all Forester models.

January 2021

CANTERBURY FARMING

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ing ground of Europe’s dirty diesels and high carbon-emitting petrol-fuelled cars. The move by the United Kingdom to ban sales of new petrol and diesel-powered cars by 2030 is both an encouragement to New Zealand policy-makers and a danger sign that this country could be flooded with used internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles at the end of this decade. New Zealand needs to work urgently on the right policy settings that encourage much higher take up of electrified vehicles through meaningful financial incentives. We also need to make sure that we do not end up importing vast numbers of ICE passenger vehicles. Otherwise there is no hope of meeting the Paris Agreement’s 2050 netzero carbon target. The ‘feebate’ scheme proposed in the last Parliamentary term has much merit. It incentivised private and fleet buyers of lowemitting vehicles by adding a levy to highemitting vehicles and using that revenue to reduce the price of low-emitting vehicles costing less than $80,000. As the worldwide supply of hybrid and battery electric vehicles becomes stretched due to global demand, New

Hybrid: The hybrid variant of the yaris Cross uses a 1.5L petrol engine and marries it with a new generation hybrid electric vehicle system.

Zealand will find it harder and harder to access stock without a financial incentive. Essentially, we need to get our hybrid and EV numbers up to get higher stock allocations. The feebate scheme should be back on the table, urgently. Toyota New Zealand has opened a dialogue with the Minister of Transport, Michael Wood, and will continue to advocate for financial incentives for electrified vehicles. Toward the end of last year the Prime Minister announced that we are in a climate emergency and that the public service would be carbon neutral by 2025. Such leadership is welcomed but the Gov-

ernment also needs to put financial resources behind its policy. Companies such as Toyota would be willing to supply the public sector with low-emitting vehicles, but not at cost – it needs to be a win-win for both parties. With transport emissions accounting for nearly 20 percent of all carbon output, we have a large influence on how New Zealand will progress to a zero-carbon economy. The transition to a low emissions transport market comes with a price tag, but the cost of not enabling a greater uptake of low emissions vehicle could cost Aotearoa/New Zealand and the planet a lot more.

CANTERBURY FARMING

❚ with rob Cope-Williams

January 2021

Getting your diary ready

I bought my 2021 diary today in readiness for the coming year, whatever it may throw at me, and as I transferred important dates such as birthdays, grandchildren’s christening, and family possession dates for a new home, I wandered back down the 2020 year as noted in this year’s events. Sure there was the Covid thing and the lockdown, but that wasn’t all that big for me really, I was able to walk the streets and admire the gardens others have created, I went to the grocery store regularly, and I admit to having stocked on scotch so that wasn’t a problem. What I did begin to realise was that a lot of other positive things also happened. I did several promotional videos for a Real Estate company, hosted several formal occasions as a MC, and was there to help several friends who were in a situation that they needed support, emotional and mental. With the support from a good mate, I took

over a small business that ticks over in a small way and looking back I have been able to sort out family financial matters left over from losing my brother the year before. On top of that I have been privileged to be the celebrant at several funeral ser vices which has allowed me to meet some lovely families and be there in their hour of need. Sadly I also lost some close mates, but that wasn’t due to being 2020, it was nature taking its course and I was going to lose them whatever the world and Government may have thrown up. So, for me 2020 has been OK.

In fact, so OK that I wonder why so many people are voicing their concern over 2020 and what it dished out. With that in mind I opened the 2019 diary and went through that to see what had happened and how tough or smooth it was. Yes, you are right, 2019 had its ups and downs as well, in fact 2019 gave me a bigger hiding than 2020 but I got though OK. While my diaries are far from a documentation of day-to-day emotions, it does highlight appointments and reminders which tell their own tale. My thought is that if you are old fashioned like me and write something without

spell check and on some sort of phone thing, you can go back through your year and understand how you got to the end of the calendar year. I found it fun to write family and friends birthdays in my 2021 diar y, and yes there were moments when I didn’t for ward those who are no longer with us, but by doing that I was able to realise how amazing lucky I am to have such a loving family and great mates. Here’s hoping that this time next year you and I can do this again and relive the highs and understand the lows as we keep moving on.

The harder you fall the higher you bounce Imagine my reaction if last Christmas friends had described what 2020 would look like.

The fits of laughter would have been exhausting. I can just see it, the hysterical spasms subsiding as I struggle to pick myself up, wipe my eyes and my nose and straighten my glasses and request a cloth for the doppelbock the dog has come over to lick up. I would assure everyone I would actually be OK once I got my breath back and righted my chair. But look, here we are. From the eerie gloom of last New Year’s Day under a red brown sky of Ozzie smoke to the lockdown. No planes, no cruise ships, not even people in the streets. No bog roll either evidently. Who would have thought? As if that wasn’t extraordinary enough, the pandemic’s ill effects in New Zealand thus far are virtually non-existent. Looking out the window, Dunedin seems even busier than usual. The bean counters report a record breaking contraction in GDP around lock down followed by a record breaking increase in the last quarter. Consumption is still king. Grandad always reckoned the harder you fall the higher you bounce.

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Enjoy the family, the food, and the drink There was no medication back then so he this year. Take a moment to reflect on the should know. We kiwis are living in a bubble good things. The good basic things that un- (responsibly). Maybe make a few modest derpin all the other stuff. Resilience some bets on how things will look at Christmas indeed. And long may it last. next year. There is, we confess, anxiety in wonder- might call it. ing whether this is actually a big thing or not. More in wondering how far we should go to conserve our bubbly disposition. An individual does feel increasingly factory farmed, especially when travelling. Standing semi naked in a long queue, respiratory mask on at two meter spacing. A barcode on ones forehead waiting for the machines to check our composition before being beeped into the loading race, but for the plane rather than the stock truck. Ok, so boots and coats off isn’t strictly semi-naked and the barcode might be the boarding pass on my phone rather than on my head, but you know what I mean. Surely it’s well worth it, looking around? The kids are good, the family well enough, the farm and stock in reasonable condition. Even if the market for venison is disappointing, to say the least, it should in time surge back as will the trophy business and all the other interesting sidelines that make the deer industry a fun place to work. Well suited to both irrigated and non-irrigated land, Hopefully you get a chance lucerne is a versatile and high yielding perennial crop to enjoy some festivities. They are particularly well earned with excellent forage qualities. For expert, individual

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