Canterbury Farming, February 2025

On again: The South Island agricultural Field Days is one of the oldest and largest agricultural events

The latest in agri-tech and equipment on display

The ability to get up close and under the hood of some of the most innovative agri-tech and equipment on the market today has always been at the core of the South Island Agricultural Field Days, and the 2025 event promises to be no exception.

] by Kent Caddick

Established in 1951 the South Island Agricultural Field Days (SIAFD) is one of the oldest and largest agricultural events in the South Island and will once again be held at its purpose-built site in Kirwee from the 26th to 28th of March.

Field Days committee chair Andrew Stew-

art said the Kirwee event promises to give farmers and contractors the ultimate opportunity to inspect, test and drive equipment in an environment as close as possible to what they would be using it in.

“We have always prided ourselves on being the field days where the equipment is accessible. But so too are the people who sell and understand that equipment, having them

on hand to really help potential buyers have a detailed, informed look at what that piece of kit can deliver for them.”

Stewart said the strong community and voluntary input to the South Island Field Days helps make it a personal, accessible day out for visitors and industry alike, while offering the best tech and equipment available in the world today.

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in the South Island. Photo: The records with Heather and Doug

Meeting the needs of hungry crowds

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“It’s always an exciting, inspiring place to spend some time in. Even if you are not committing to some new equipment, you are guaranteed to come away a lot wiser and informed about some of the cutting-edge developments in farm productivity today.”

This year the traditional demonstrations will also include a change in the timetable to include a presentation walkaround for participants.

Accessibility to the equipment and the ability to see it being demonstrated has been expanded further this year, with the addition of an earthmover-excavator demo area. The earthmoving section will complement the crop and pastoral harvesting demo area.

“This will be popular with operators looking to upgrade their equipment. We intend to have a digger competition running for competitors to demonstrate their skills at some pretty delicate work, and it is bound to also be crowd pleaser.”

Stewart said dedicated hard work from the voluntary committee means crops used in the demonstrations will be well established giving a real-world impression of how the equipment harvesting them performs. Up close: SIaFD gives farmers and contractors the opportunity to inspect, test and drive equipment in an environment as close as possible to what they would be using it in. Photo by The records with Heather and Doug

WE ARE BUYING!

“Along with the biggest and brightest shiny hardware, agritech has also always been an integral part of the displays at the field days.”

This year the latest in large scale drone technology is likely to draw strong interest.

course hope we see the usual run of warm, sunny weather you’d expect for the time of year,” Stewart said.

Expectations are the 2025 field days will feature at least 650 exhibitors, similar to 2024.

“The technology behind the drones means they are bigger and more powerful than even a few short years ago, with significantly greater crop spraying and monitoring capabilities.

Canterbury is the ideal, and most likely, place to see this gear operating commercially.”

“The beauty of our site here is that should we get more exhibitors than expected, there is always plenty of extra space to expand our footprint to fit more.”

The 2023 field days at Kirwee was lashed by unexpectedly heavy downpours on just prior to kicking off and on day one, making access in some areas challenging.

While crossing their fingers the weather will be more of a typical Canterbury autumn this year, the organisers have also invested significantly in improving access to the Kirwee site with additional shingle laneways laid down and boosted raceway shingle on existing laneways.

“Regardless of what mother nature brings this time, we are well set up to cope, and of

The field days draw in crowds who may not be committed to investing in some new equipment but have a keen interest in farming and agriculture’s latest and most innovative tech. Meeting the needs of those hungry crowds has also been better accommodated this year, with the committee arranging to have 25 food trucks offering many assorted food types, spread throughout the site.

Information for this article was supplied by the South Island agricultural Field Days committee. For more information about the event go to www.siafd.co.nz and read about what’s up in our feature in this edition of Canterbury Farming.

Sheep measles cases spike

Farmers are being urged to ensure they keep up to date with measures to control C. ovis, also known as sheep measles.

] by Kent Caddick

The call comes after the Ovis Management programme reported a spike in infection rates.

Data from meat processors from October last year, the first month of the new season, identified that 1.38 per cent of lamb processed throughout the country was recorded as being infected. That compares to 1.13% for October 2023.

Ovis or sheep measles is caused by the Taenia ovis tapeworm. Although it poses no risk to human health, it can cause blemishes in sheep meat, which is undesirable for consumers and particularly for the export market.

The Ovis Management programme works to promote the control of C. ovis through communication and collaboration and raising awareness of the importance of farmers regularly treating their dogs for the tapeworm.

Programme manager Michelle Simpson said that to minimise sheep measles in New Zealand, it was critical to ensure all dogs on farms where sheep graze are dosed regularly with the required tapeworm treatments, and also any dogs visiting the farm.

“We do not believe we can eradicate C. ovis but the aim is to control it at around 0.5 per cent,” said Simpson.

“There are likely to be a number of reasons for the increase. The warmer climate and some moist conditions may mean that eggs are surviving longer. Farmers have a lot on their minds and a lot of expense so worming programmes may have slipped a bit, but it is important to keep on top of it because an outbreak costs farms a lot of money in condemned stock.

Minimisation: Ovis Management programme manager Michelle Simpson says to minimise sheep measles it is critical to ensure all dogs on farms where sheep graze are dosed regularly with the required tapeworm treatments.

Dogs can become infected by eating untreated meat or offal infected with live cysts. C. ovis is then spread to sheep through tapeworm eggs in dog faeces left in grazing areas. Eggs can also be spread from dog faeces over large areas, predominantly by flies.

The best practice for dog health and sheep measles is for all farm dogs to be treated monthly with cestocidal (tapeworm) drugs containing the ingredient Praziquantel, and an All Wormer every three months.

“The prevalence changes as the season goes on. If we start the season with a high prevalence, then we are likely to end it with a high prevalence too.”

Simpson said farmers breeding lambs for trading needed to make sure they are taking all necessary steps to avoid sheep measles in their flocks.

50 HEAD OR 1,000 HEAD, WE’LL

HELP YOU STAY AHEAD.

“A lot of people dealing with this have inherited the problem. Traders need to ensure they have the same treatment programme in place, to protect the investment of their buyers. This isn’t pointing the finger at anyone. It’s about making sure everyone is on the same page.”

At FMG, we’re here to help dairy farmers stay informed and get ahead. That’s why along with offering useful advice and tips, we support dairy workshops and seminars happening right across the country. Because at the end of the day, learning the latest techniques and developing new skills will help you make positive changes and better decisions. So take the opportunity to stay ahead at a dairy event near you. Head to fmg.co.nz/dairyevents to find out more. We’re here for the good of the country.

All dog owners, such as hunters or farm visitors who take their dogs near farmland or where sheep graze, should also dose their dogs every month because the tapeworm has a short life cycle and dosing three-monthly is not enough to stop the parasite from spreading. Any visiting dogs should have been dosed at least 48 hours before coming on farm.

For more information or to view the C. ovis prevalence map showing data for all regions, please visit www. sheepmeasles.co.nz

] with Todd McClay

] Minister for Agriculture

Strengthening global connections

New Zealand farmers are among the most innovative and efficient in the world. Without relying on subsidies, they produce fresh, safe, and high-quality food and fibre, earning global respect for their commitment to excellence.

This comparative advantage positions New Zealand uniquely in the global market, where demand for premium, and reliable agricultural products continues to grow.

The recent signing of New Zealand’s Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) represents a significant step forward in cementing this reputation while delivering meaningful benefits for our farmers, growers, and foresters.

Unlocking opportunities in the Gulf region

The UAE is already one of New Zealand’s key trade partners, with two-way trade valued at $1.3 billion annually. This new agreement is set to transform that relationship, eliminating tariffs on 98.5% of New Zealand exports to the UAE immediately, with this figure rising to 99% within three years.

Such comprehensive tariff removal un-

locks economic opportunities for our primary exporters in a highly competitive market, making all the difference for our hard-working dairy, meat, and horticulture producers. For our dairy sector alone, which exported $707 million worth of goods to the UAE last year, these changes will enhance competitiveness and profitability. The same holds true for our meat and horticulture sectors, with meat exports set to skyrocket above their current $50 million.

Supporting global food security

In a world where food security is an increasing concern, New Zealand farmers are doing their part to deliver quality food and fibre to global markets.

The UAE, a hub for trade and logistics in the Gulf region, values the reliability of New Zealand’s produce, from premium lamb cuts to nutrient-dense dairy and fresh horticultural products.

This agreement strengthens our ability to meet that demand, supporting the UAE’s food security goals while reinforcing New Zealand’s role as a trusted supplier of highquality products.

A pathway to growth

Securing trade agreements like this is integral to achieving our Government’s ambitious target of doubling exports by value over the next ten years. The UAE deal complements other recent successes, such as our Free Trade Agreement with the European Union, and the recently concluded GCC deal. All of these further diversify our trade and reduce barriers for our exporters.

These agreements also demonstrate New Zealand’s ability to compete globally— not through subsidies or protectionism, but through innovation, quality, and excellence. They create pathways for rural communities to grow, invest, and thrive, empowering the

‘The CePa is delivering meaningful benefits for our farmers, growers, and foresters.

360,000 hardworking Kiwis who contribute to our food and fibre sector every day.

The road ahead

The CEPA with the UAE is not just a trade agreement, it is an investment in the future of New Zealand’s primary industries. By fostering partnerships, enhancing market access, and supporting global food security, it ensures our farmers and growers remain at the forefront of international trade.

This year, our Government will continue to champion initiatives that empower our rural communities, unlock new markets, and reinforce New Zealand’s reputation as a world leader in food. and fibre production.

With deals like the UAE agreement, we’re building a more prosperous and connected future for all New Zealanders.

Who will control our exports?

As we slide into another year, we look outside our little haven and wonder who will do what to block or buy our produce.

] with rob Cope-Williams

The new President of USA has already come out firing from the hip and taking control of all world affairs, the naming of high seas and swinging heavy lead with respect to protecting home grown produce.

Even to the point of closing trade with many of the major powers if they don’t think the way he does.

Donald Trump seems to be a man you either love or hate, but the reality is that he now does have the power to control what

goes into and comes out of the States.

If he is going to take on the ‘big players’, what chance does New Zealand have?

Probably none, which is why our marketing types will be paying calls on the others who suffer from the wrath of the White House.

India, for example, wasn’t a name that entered conversation until recently, and now they are a very important market.

We seem to have slipped out from under the Chinese foot that was on our throat as they were our main stay market.

New markets are opening up all round the

Pacific and there are reports that even Aussie is starting to buy our produce because of the standard of it.

However, it does seem to come down to who makes the decisions about what the people want to eat, their governments or the people themselves.

We seem to be consumer driven at the expense of our producers, as we import produce from all over the globe so we can have what we fancy all year round.

Is it time for our government to cut back on imports?

The cost of living is still a huge stumbling block and has to have something to do with the costs of getting imported food into our supermarkets during our off season.

I am old enough to remember the impact of removing SMP’s. It was seen as the death knell of farming in New Zealand, and we all expected to be bankrupt within a year.

“We can trade with the world on their terms and still survive” was the call, and we did, however we still trade on other’s terms and on the whim of their leaders.

Farmers.

Kia Kaha

Red meat sector welcomes trade agreement

The trade agreement with the United Arab Emirates offers significant opportunities for New Zealand’s red meat sector according to the Meat Industry Association and Beef + Lamb New Zealand.

] by Kent Caddick

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Minister for Trade Todd McClay signed the UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in Abu Dhabi.

With the signing of the agreement the UAE will eliminate all tariffs on frozen beef and sheep meat from New Zealand. Chilled products are already tariff-free.

MIA chief executive Sirma Karapeeva said the agreement will provide a significant opportunity to New Zealand’s red meat sector with potential to grow.

“It is among the world’s wealthiest economies and there is increasing demand in the market for the high-quality, safe, sustainable, and nutritious products that New Zealand can provide,” Karapeeva said.

“With a population where over 75% are Muslim, the UAE is a key halal market that is increasingly looking for reliable sources of high-quality red meat that meets their strict halal expectations.

“Halal-certified exports made up 37 percent of total red meat exports in 2023/24 and New Zealand is well placed to meet the UAE’s red meat needs.”

B+LNZ chief executive Alan Thomson said the entry into force of the CEPA comes at a crucial time for sheep and beef farmers following a challenging two years on-farm and headwinds in global markets.

“New Zealand farmers are raising sheep and cattle to provide the UAE market with the high-quality protein they are seeking,” Thomson said.

Signed: Good news for sheep and cattle farmers with the signing of a trade agreement with the united arab emirates.

“Improving market access settings for New Zealand’s beef and sheepmeat is critical to the wellbeing of our sector, with approximately 60 percent of export revenues flowing through to farmers.

“We know food security is a priority for the UAE with international trade identified as a key enabler, and beef in particular, cited in their strategy as a key food item to secure supply in.”

‘The entry into force of the CePa comes at a crucial time for sheep and beef farmers following a challenging two years on-farm and headwinds in global markets.

Alan Thomson B+LNZ Chief Executive

Duties, obligations and pre-nupt’s

As our societies have evolved over the years, duties and obligations to others have been imposed on many of us in respect to others. The following paragraphs outline briefly some of those obligations. ] with bessie Paterson LLb

Ronald W Angland & Son

Where two people are entering into a relationship and each of them or, one of them has assets which they wish to retain as their own in the event that the relationship fails, it is essential that they enter into a written agreement under the Property (Relationships) Act.

These agreements are variously called pre-nuptial agreements, contracting-out agreements or property sharing agreements, but they all come under the broad scope of the Property (Relationships) Act.

If the relationship lasts for more than three years and at that stage the parties separate, the PR Act imposes a requirement of equal sharing of all relationship property as it is defined in the Act unless the parties have agreed otherwise in writing.

It is far easier to enter into an agreement at the commencement of the relationship than to try to sort out an agreement when it breaks up and the parties are not happy with each other.

The PR Act also imposes obligations on partners in a relationship to make provision

for the other of them in their Wills. If they fail to do so the surviving partner has the option to apply for an order for one half of the relationship property. There is another option available to the survivor but the option to apply for a share of the relationship property would provide the better solution to the survivor.

It is never a good idea for an older person to ask someone to mow their lawns on a regular basis with the enticement that “you will be remembered in my Will” or words to that effect.

Even if the promise is made in jest, it can later be relied on to take proceedings for the enforcement of the promise, if the person doing the mowing is left out of the person’s Will.

As long as the promisee carries out the work requested it is likely they would be able to enforce the promise.

Many parents who do not approve of the lifestyle of one, or more, of their children have often wished that they could cut them

out of their Wills and many of them have tried to do so some with more success than others. Any child or children who have been excluded or not adequately provided for in their parents’ Wills may apply to the Court for an order for a larger share of the estate.

It depends on whether the Court considers that the Will-makers have failed in their moral duty to the out of favour off-spring whether an order for further provision from the estate will be made.

] with Jo Luxton

] Labour spokesperson

] for Agriculture

Ill-advised, poorly advertised, and hardly consulted

The policies that you didn’t hear about in December that show National is running from its biggest problems.

Just before Christmas, a few more things were ‘slipped under the rug’ at the Beehive. The big three for me being:

• The announcement of seeking large-scale partnerships for forestry development on what appears to be hundreds of thousands of acres at Molesworth Station and in the Mackenzie District, on what is deemed to be ‘low-value’ crown-owned land.

• The release of the second Emissions Reduction Plan, which predominantly hinges on the success of unproven methane mitigation technologies. It predicts that, between 2031 and 2035, more than 60 percent of our total emissions reduction will come from a new agricultural emissions pricing system and mitigation technologies.

• The first reading of the Gene Technologies Bill, which was rushed, never open for public consultation before the first reading, and has had no economic costbenefit analysis.

It smells of last-minute planning, kicking the can down the road, and fixes that have had little to no consultation, with no reliable, evidence-based grounding. Almost every climate policy brought in by the Labour Government has been cancelled, and National has radically reduced the Forestry ETS annual charge.

To add insult to injury, National is now looking to partner with investors to afforest Department of Conservation land, to help meet their emissions targets. They are ac-

] with Steve abel

] Green Party

] Spokesperson for ] Agriculture

cepting proposals from anyone with an idea and the funds to make it happen.

We’re talking about hundreds of thousands of hectares on what is deemed to be ‘low-value’ land.

Proposed locations include the 180,000 hectares at Molesworth Station, which is considered to have high ecological and landscape value, as well as multiple areas around the Mackenzie Basin.

Given the issues farmers have faced with wilding pines, if pine trees were to be planted this could cause more issues for farmers, with potentially uncontrolled pine spreading to farmland.

Next, we have the Second Emissions Reduction Plan, much of which relies on a methane-inhibiting bromoform bolus placed in a cow’s rumen. The proposed availability date of 2026 at the earliest for farmers is almost laughable. Such technologies require incredibly sophisticated engineering and even then, with research showing bromoform being potentially toxic, I imagine a much longer research and development programme to make it functional, safe, and market-ready would be more realistic.

Lastly, we have the Gene Technologies Bill, which downplays the risks of using gene technology in the primary sector. It contains no specific proviso for an ethics expert on the regulator’s committee, and under the Bill, some gene technology applications will have a non-notifiable status.

The Institute of Economic Research says these changes could result in an annual ex-

‘Low-value’ land: The map from the Government’s request for information to ‘explore partnership opportunities to afforest (plant native or exotic trees)’.

port loss of between $10-20 billion due to the direct impact on the organics sector, and risk to New Zealand’s clean, green branding.

Government decisions in December were a continuation of poor regulation, changing intensive winter grazing rules, postponing freshwater farm plans, delaying emissions monitoring, restarting live exports, cutting wilding pine control, science research and development, and now proposing to replace the Resource Management Act altogether.

How many times can National say “farmers are the backbone of New Zealand” before

we begin to wonder if they’re all just talk? National has not provided any ideas for addressing our biggest challenges like climate change, sustainable land use, and protecting our agricultural reputation.

The bottom line is Kiwis aren’t getting what they voted for. The Government isn’t listening to farmers or the science, and as a result is taking our primary sector backwards. When Labour returns to government in 2026 I am committed to listening to experts in the field as well as those out in the field, who are often one and the same.

High country pines will fuel wildfires

Christopher Luxon’s plan to plant pines on conservation and farmland in some of our most vulnerable South Island landscapes makes no good sense.

tion land and Crown-owned farmland. This is nonsensical.

The purported intent is to use land of low farming value and so-called low conservation value while protecting land with high farming and conservation value.

It’s set to undermine the effectiveness of a programme to tackle wilding conifers, increase the risk to agriculture from a serious biodiversity hazard, and will become the fuel for future wildfires.

Wilding pines are a billion-dollar risk to farmland and biodiversity. The previous government spent hundreds of millions clearing wilding pines. The Green Party’s hugely successful Jobs For Nature fund – scrapped by Luxon’s Government – made important inroads into dealing with a problem on which both conservationists and farmers are aligned.

However that progress is to be peeled back now that this Government, desperate to mask its complete lack of policies to reduce carbon emissions, is considering introducing a plant commonly referred to as ‘New Zealand’s number one pest’ onto conserva-

The problem with this is that aggravating the wilding pine problem in the high country will further degrade both conservation ecosystems and the farming value of already marginal land.

It’s also questionable whether remote forest lots that are difficult to access would ever be economically viable to log. There is a risk that they would never be harvested thereby creating a crown liability for future Governments.

In the dissipating smoke of the devastating California wildfires this month we would be fools to not consider that regions of New Zealand that are prone to tinder dry conditions will be subject to similar fire catastrophes in coming years.

It is likely that Luxon’s high country pine forests will be the fuel of future wildfires such as we saw in the Tasman District in 2019.

Wilding pines certainly played a role in New Zealand’s worst wildfire at Lake Ohau in MacKenzie Basin in 2020 where 48 homes were lost.

A terrible irony looming over this issue is that the extreme weather events which climate change exacerbates – worse droughts and more intense winds – will burn the very forests planted to address climate change. That’s why it’s a hair brained solution.

Luxon should be investing in conservation land to increase its biodiversity value such as by planting permanent native forests, not

Threat: Wilding pines are a billion-dollar risk to farmland and biodiversity. Photo by environment Canterbury

using it to make up for climate policy inadequacies.

All high-country land and particularly conservation land should be excluded from this proposal. We can’t pine our way out of the climate crisis. The Greens’ policy is to abolish carbon offsetting to plantation pine forests. Offsetting is a fiction.

The only serious way to deal with climate change is to cut climate heating gas emissions at source by adopting low greenhouse gas intensive land use and farming methods and cutting fossil fuel use.

Gene Technologies Bill will provide choice for Canterbury farmers

New opportunities are opening up for Canterbury farmers. If the Gene Technology Bill is passed into law later this year, Canterbury farmers will finally have the choice to use new genetic technologies in their farming systems, a choice which has been denied to us for more than two decades.

] Opinion

] by Dr William rolleston

The new system will create a tiered approval system, with a light regulatory touch for those uses of gene technologies which present little or no risk, and a heavy hand for those where the risk is greater or uncertain.

The new law will bring us up to speed with our trading partners but there will still be areas where we remain more restricted. For example, and understandably, Maori kaitiaki relationships with indigenous species will need to be considered.

The Minister has taken a scientific approach, which has at its heart reasonable caution, ensuring the Bill addresses risks to human health and the environment while leaving ethics to ethics committees and trade to the marketplace. This is exactly the approach taken successfully by the majority of our trading partners.

The regulator needs to deal in the facts, not get bogged down with assertion and opinion, which is what has kept us in the science wilderness for so long.

The Bill will deregulate certain aspects of gene editing to bring us in line internationally and take account of the fact that precision breeding (gene editing) cannot be identified at the border – it will come to our shores anyway.

In countries like the USA programmes are underway to precision breed new grape varietals, apples and even dairy cows. This is not a one-shot miracle, but the rate of genetic gain is being dramatically accelerated meaning those who have access to this gene technology will be able to remain competitive while improving animal welfare and reducing their environmental footprint.

As the price premium for the proudly genetically modified Impossible Burger showed, the market values environmental credentials (reduced water and carbon footprints) over any aversion to the production technology.

Assertions that New Zealand as a country gets a GE free premium are not supported by the evidence.

New Zealand is not GE free now and even the NZIER economic report commissioned by the organic industry said the cost to New Zealand could be zero.

In fact, the report didn’t consider a market premium for better environmental outcomes and didn’t consider the proven ability for organics and genetic technologies to co-exist in one country.

The USA is one of the largest organic producers in the world while also the largest grower of GM crops, all managed through the marketplace.

There are still premiums to be had for

RURAL MATTERS

products being GM free but that should be a decision for individual farmers to make, not for the eco-Taliban (as they were called in the 2000s) to dictate to us from on high.

Over 90% of farmers of some crops in the USA grow GM crops because they have a choice while we grow none because, until now, we have no choice.

We can only successfully chart our way into the future if we rely on evidence to guide our decisions. Make your support for the Gene Technology Bill known with a submission before the 17 February.

Dr William rolleston CNZM is chair of the Life Sciences Network, Genomics aotearoa and past National President of Federated Farmers.

‘

The regulator needs to deal in the facts, not get bogged down with assertion and opinion, which is what has kept us in the science wilderness for so long.

News and views that matter to rural people

Brightening outlook for NZ

After a challenging 2024 for households and businesses, 2025 brings a sense of cautious optimism for New Zealand. The key question remains: how quickly and robustly will the economy recover after years of stagnation caused by high interest rates and subdued global growth?

] with andrew Wyllie

] Forsyth Barr

Lower interest rates are sparking renewed confidence. The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) has cut the Official Cash Rate (OCR) by 125 basis points since August, with an additional 50-basis-point cut signalled for February 2025.

This would bring the OCR from 5.50% to 3.75%, with mortgage and deposit rates following suit. For those holding cash in the bank, this may be an opportune time to reassess financial strategies.

While the New Zealand equity market returns over 2024 weren’t as stellar as those in the US, we still saw a decent 11.4% gain for the S&P/NZX 50 over 2024.

The November reporting season painted a mixed picture of how firms were faring, but it feels as though we may be nearing (or at) the bottom of the corporate earnings cycle.

With lower interest rates and increased optimism about the economic outlook, a more supportive environment is taking shape for 2025.

US equities dominated throughout 2024

The strong performance of the US economy compared to many other regions, combined with Trump’s ambitious policy agenda, is set to continue influencing financial markets.

The US economy has shown remarkable resilience to date, underpinned by robust consumer spending, strong corporate earnings, and reduced sensitivity to interest rate changes. While additional interest rate cuts are anticipated, Trump’s policies including tariffs and immigration restrictions, could lead to higher inflation, disrupt trade, and slow global GDP growth.

Despite these challenges, optimism around artificial intelligence, the resilience of the US economy, and pro-business policies have propelled the S&P 500 over the past two years. However, such strong performance has resulted in elevated valuations, sparking concerns about lower future returns.

Given the current high pricing and political uncertainties, a more cautious approach to managing risks and rewards is prudent, with diversification playing a key role.

Australian economy cooling

The Australian economy slowed toward the end of 2024, with GDP growth now at its weakest since the early 1990s.

At present, government spending is the largest driver of the Australian economy, rather than consumer activity. This robust government expenditure is expected to continue in the near term, bolstered by pre-election spending initiatives ahead of the Australian election this year.

Inflation appears to be cooling sufficiently to allow the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA)

to consider cutting interest rates in the coming months.

This shift could provide new opportunities for investors.

While the Australian market is dominated by major banks and resource stocks, sectors outside of these areas present potential for growth, particularly investments poised to benefit from lower domestic and global interest rates.

A constructive backdrop for investors

After several volatile years, 2024 brought positive performance across most asset classes. Entering 2025, global economic growth, low unemployment, and interest rate cuts provide a supportive backdrop for investors.

This article was prepared as at 31 December 2024 and provides market commentary for the threemonth period ending on that date. To discuss your investment options please contact andrew Wyllie, who is an Investment adviser and Forsyth barr’s Christchurch Manager. andrew 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, has been prepared in good faith based on information obtained from sources believed to be reliable and accurate, and should not be regarded as financial advice.

Building for the future

]In celebration of 140 years in business, Helmores returned to the High Street of Rangiora in November 2024. Over the past five years the firm has steadily grown to the point where it had outgrown the former premises at 9 Good Street, Rangiora.

Article supplied by Helmores Lawyers

A continuous focus on client service delivery and a strong desire to continue to support the North Canterbury region underpinned the decision by the partners to invest in a new premises at Level 1, 190 High Street, Rangiora.

In collaboration with developer Andrew Wenborn, the new building was designed to accommodate the growth aspirations of the firm. More office space, comfortable staff facilities and numerous meeting rooms featuring state of the art media facilities, positions the firm to build for the future.

A feature of the new premises is the inclusion of a panoramic board and presentation room overlooking the High Street which has a seating capacity for 50 guests and boasts an audio-visual multimedia centre, ideal for presentations, hosting auctions and staff gatherings.

The partners wanted to ensure that the

firm kept abreast of the needs of its clients, particularly those clients in the professional services sector who were needing more sophisticated facilities to complement the services offerings Helmores provides.

The building itself is a bold reminder of the rich heritage of the firm, its strong roots in the community and the desire to anchor its future in the service of Cantabrians.

But for Helmores, the future is not merely about ‘bricks and mortar’. The partners of Helmores are energetically looking to add depth to the associate and solicitor tiers within the firm as they seek to increase capacity in corporate, commercial, property and agribusiness sectors.

The growth in the Waimarkari and Hurunui districts has not only led to more clients coming to the firm but also, clients in need of solutions of increasing complexity.

The firm adopts a ‘team orientated approach’ to developing solutions for clients

where continued access to partners is assured while at the same time, endeavouring to ensure the work is done as efficiently as possible.

Over the many decades of being in North Canterbury, Helmores has acquired immense corporate knowledge in businesses and farms across the region and this has helped the firm to identify issues, think laterally and to be nimble in the delivery of professional services.

A key component of this thinking is to blend its advice with those of other professional services companies, particular with accountants and business advisors so that clients received a comprehensive solution beyond addressing purely legal risk.

There is an ever-increasing need, particularly amongst farmers, whose enterprises are often complex and layered, needing a one stop solution for their legal requirements and Helmores aspires to deliver accordingly.

Lawyers adopts a ‘team

The partners of Helmores are looking to add depth to the associate and solicitor tiers within the firm as they seek to increase capacity in corporate, commercial, property and agribusiness sectors. More office space, comfortable staff facilities

numerous meeting rooms featuring state of the art media facilities, positions Helmores Lawyers to build for the future.

a continuous focus on client service delivery and a strong desire to continue to support the North Canterbury region underpinned the decision by Helmores Lawyers to invest in a new premises in rangiora.

Air Rescue Trust on a mission

In December 2024, the Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust welcomed Nick James, Jani-King (NZ) Chief Executive, onto the GCH Aviation base, home to the Canterbury Westpac Rescue Helicopters.

] Article supplied by Canterbury ] West Coast Air Rescue Trust

Nick needed urgent assistance from the Westpac Rescue Helicopter to get him to Christchurch Hospital after a serious accident on a friend’s farm at the end of 2023.

Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust CEO, Christine Prince, explains that this service is a lifeline for people who are out of the main centres,

“Farmers know better than most how isolated they can be, working far from medical help. The speed and skill of our rescue helicopter crews can mean the difference between life and death. The crews regularly attend accidents and medical events on farms ensuring that help is never out of reach for our community”.

A year earlier, in December 2023, Nick and his son Noah were cattle mustering with their friend Andy Mason, a well-known farmer located in the picturesque high-country of North Canterbury.

The adventure began early, with the team hiking rugged, gorse-laden terrain to herd cattle. But as the day unfolded, disaster struck. On a steep incline, Nick lost his footing,

slipped on a rock, and landed heavily. Nick was in considerable pain, and it was clear that he had dislocated his left shoulder and needed some expert medical help.

With no mobile phone reception in the remote location that the accident happened, Andy needed to act fast and was able to use his Polaris 4-wheel drive to get to the top of the hill where there was coverage. Phoning 111 he explained that they were currently far from road access but needed urgent help.

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter crew was airborne within minutes of being tasked, with pilot Andy, critical care paramedic Kath and paramedic crew Scott on board.

On arrival they administered much-needed relief and after a thorough assessment, Kath diagnosed that the dislocated shoulder couldn’t be treated on-site despite their best efforts. Indeed, further examinations at the hospital revealed the injury was even more severe than initially thought, the shoulder was also broken in three places.

Nick recalls the relief he felt as the Westpac Rescue Helicopter arrived with the crew – the Rescue Helicopter was the only option that day.

A year on, Nick has recovered well, and

the experience has left a lasting impression.

“The professionalism and dedication of the Westpac Rescue Helicopter team were nothing short of amazing. That’s why JaniKing (NZ) is proud to support this vital service” he said as he donated to support the service.

“Supporting the Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust, Jani-King (NZ) hopes to give back to a charity that provides critical assistance when it’s needed most, whether it’s a high-country rescue or a medical emergency.”

Ensuring that the rescue helicopters and crew across Canterbury and the West Coast have the best training and equipment relies on the support of our community. Currently the Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust are fundraising for MISSION 2026, a project to support the purchase of three H145 aircraft from Rega Swiss Air to replace the current fleet.

These superior helicopters will allow the modernisation of equipment and training and will incorporate Instrument Flight Rules technology.

This advanced technology will enable the helicopters to fly in low cloud conditions, allowing for 20-30% more missions to be

completed, saving more lives in our rural community.

To donate or learn more, visit www.airrescue.co.nz/ mission2026, your contribution could be the difference between life and death for someone in need.

Rick Knight, Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service - Crew Chief

Donation: Nick James, Chief executive Jani-King (NZ) Chief executive (centre) is a happy donor to the Canterbury West Coast air rescue Trust following a helicopter rescue after a serious accident on a friend’s farm.

] with John arts

Farming can be tough on joints

Earlier this year I had a call from a farmer who was having significant problems with osteoarthritis in several joints: notably his hands and shoulders.

I have many farming clients and not many reach 50 without some joint issue. In many cases it started with some accident, often involving livestock.

In his case, his hands were extremely painful. He found it difficult to close his hands and they hurt all the time. Shoulder arthritis can be very niggly as the shoulder joint is ‘open’, meaning it relies on ligaments, muscles and tendons to stay in place. This means

there can be a lot of referred pain in shoulders. There are essentially two ways osteoarthritis begins. Firstly, damage to the joint from trauma. Secondly, over time cartilage is lost which can lead to joint bones touching.

While cartilage has no nerves, bones certainly do. Regardless of the cause, cartilage loss occurs with a trifecta of dysfunctional processes: An overproduction of destructive enzymes, free radical damage of cartilage-secreting cells (chondrocytes) and associated inflammation.

I started my client on an intensive programme for 3 months. We started with a double dose of my joint formula. This provided 1600mg of both high – grade chondroitin sulphate and glucosamine sulphate and 400mg of the latest 100% water soluble curcumin (from turmeric) extract.

I had a review with him after 3 months. He said the improvement had been significant to the point he now has full use of his hands and wrists.

His sore shoulder had improved to the point he hardly noticed it. Once again, this testifies to the power of nutritional medi-

cine for osteoarthritis, and indeed with many chronic conditions.

Combining high doses of chondroitin with supporting glucosamine and curcumin from turmeric can be very beneficial, especially when combined with an anti-inflammatory diet. Email me for a copy of my Osteoarthritis programme.

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

What is Bettaflex?

• Bettaflex is a joint support formula to promote healthy joint cartilage function.

• Bettaflex has 400mg (per capsule) of high-grade avian chondroitin, 400mg of glucosamine and 100mg of BioSolve® bioavailable Curcumin (from turmeric).

• Try Bettaflex for 3 months and see for yourself.

How can Bettaflex help?

• Chondroitin and glucosamine are building blocks of cartilage.

$99.95 for 3 bottles free freight or 1 bottle for $36.95 plus $5.99 postage 60 Capsules per Bottle

• Supplementation with correct levels can support healthy cartilage function and cartilage repair processes.

• New BioSolve® bioavailable curcumin helps joint function while gentle on the stomach.

• Research indicates that chondroitin is highly effective at 800mg daily.

John Arts comments:

“My latest Bettaflex formula includes BioSolve® bioavailable curcumin for faster results. The normal dose is 2 capsules daily but I recommend an initial higher dose for 1-3 bottles to saturate joint tissue.”

John Arts, Founder, Abundant Health Cautions:

Farmer confidence on the rise

Improved pricing for New Zealand’s dairy and red meat products has driven a strong lift in farmer sentiment according to Rabobank’s end of year (2024) Rural Confidence Survey.

] Article supplied by Rabobank

Following a sizeable lift in the September quarter, farmer confidence in the broader agri economy has risen again and the net confidence reading now sits at +34% (from +3%), its highest level since mid-2017.

The survey found 47% of farmers (30% previously) were now expecting the performance of the broader agri economy to improve 2025, while the number expecting conditions to worsen had halved to 13% (from 27%).

The remaining 38% of farmers expected conditions to stay the same (41% previously).

Rabobank general manager for country banking Bruce Weir said it was fantastic to see confidence flowing back into the sector after a difficult last 18 months for industry participants.

“Having battled through a really tough period, farmers are now seeing some light at the end of the tunnel and their mood has noticeably lifted from earlier in the year,” he said.

“This is great to see as we move into the holiday season and bodes well for a strong year for the sector in 2025.”

The survey found pastoral farmers were the chief contributors to the overall lift in confidence, with their improved sentiment largely attributable to improved commodity pricing.

“Among farmers with an optimistic outlook, 59% cited improved commodity pricing as a key reason for holding this view, with this reflecting the hugely positive pricing movements we’ve seen across the last few months,” Weir said.

“Since September, we’ve seen Fonterra make several upwards movements to the mid-point of their farmgate milk price fore-

On the rise: rabobank’s bruce Weir says confidence is flowing back into the agri sector after a difficult 18 months.

cast. We’ve also seen beef prices continue to strengthen and lamb prices start to pick up after a very challenging period.”

Weir said since the survey period then there had been several further pieces of good news for primary producers.

“In late November, the Reserve Bank dropped the OCR by a further 50 basis points which will help reduce farmers’ interest costs, while Fonterra announced a further upwards revision to their milk price forecast, bumping this up to a record-breaking $10kg/ MS,” he said.

“This is all really positive news for the sector and, if the survey was taken today, there’s a really strong case to say that farmer confidence would be even higher.”

Among the 13% of farmers with a pessimistic outlook on the broader agri economy,

the survey found rising input costs (41%), government intervention/policies (35%) and overseas markets (30%) were the major factors cited for holding this view.

The survey found farmers’ expectations for their own farm business operations had also improved, with the net reading on this measure lifting to +37% from +19% previously. As with headline confidence, this is the strongest reading on this measure since mid2017.

Palmer

‘

This is all really positive news for the sector and, if the survey was taken today, there’s a case to say that farmer confidence would be even higher.

Not surprisingly, dairy farmers continue to be the most optimistic of all the sector groupings, with close to seven-in-ten now expecting an improved performance from their own operation across the next twelve months.

Sheep and beef farmers were also markedly more upbeat about the prospects for their own businesses, with three-in-ten expecting improved performance and only one-in-ten now expecting performance to worsen.

Bruce Weir Rabobank General Manager for Country Banking

Scag a big hit with Canterbury farmers

After re-introducing Scag Zero Turn mowers to the New Zealand market in late 2019, OMC Power Equipment has found a market that seriously resonates with the brand – farmers.

] Advertorial supplied by ] OMC Power Equipment

“It wasn’t long after bringing Scag along to rural shows and Fieldays around the country, that we noticed farmers stopping and looking at the machines with ‘the look’!” says Gerry, of OMC.

“There were things like the shaft drive deck, that really stood out to hands on types who could see the importance of great design and top-quality components”.

Other key features on the Scag range, that stand out over other mainstream zero turn brands, are things like the cast iron

spindles found on the Cheetah and Turf Tiger models (made in house in the USA), with tapered roller bearings, and relief valves to prevent over-greasing.

It’s this hidden quality that results in a superior product life with minimal issues and downtime, while being incredibly easy to service.

Other models include the Liberty, an excellent intro model perfect for lifestyle blocks, the Freedom which is great on slopes, the Patriot which is ideal for more comfort and power, the Cheetah which is one of the fastest mowers on the planet, and the Turf Tiger which stands out on its

own as a market leader in the zero turn industry with the shaft drive deck.

Dave Mackenzie of Mt Montrose near Culverden, has been a Scag customer for several years, after switching from another well-known brand.

“I do love my lawn, so when I’m on the Cheetah it’s great, earmuffs and radio going, and a polished job in behind, it’s perfect,” Dave says.

“We wanted to go to something quicker and bigger. When the Scag came out, Gerry asked me if I’d like him to bring a model up, and it never went back on the trailer.

“We used to be three and a half to four

hours, but now, if the lawn’s not too long, probably in under an hour.

The mulching kit makes it a lot quicker, and a lot simpler, and leaves a great finish. It’s just a really basic, strong mower, with a really comfortable seat, good suspension, and a really good ride – it’s really comfortable.”

OMC offers free, no obligation demonstrations, onsite, anywhere in the South Island.

Talk to one of their friendly team on 0800 503 555 today, email sales@omc.net.nz or visit www. omcpowerequipment.co.nz for more information.

Mowing isn’t the only thing owners do with their Scag, as seen here on Terry Wilkins’ farm near balfour.

Field Days a family affair

Established in 1951, South Island Agricultural Field Days is one of the oldest and largest agricultural events in the South Island.

] by Kent Caddick

The vision for the South Island Agricultural Field Days remains as it always has been to provide an interactive demonstration site focused on delivering an enjoyable, informative experience for exhibitors and visitors alike.

The event is planned by a dedicated volunteer committee from the agricultural sector, who also use the event as a professional development learning opportunity.

The committee are then supported by an events team and work with suppliers, contractors, community groups and exhibitors, to build a memorable and enjoyable biannual showcase of the agricultural sector.

The main aim of the SIAFD is to give farmers and others in the rural sector the opportunity to see the latest in agricultural machinery and services that are available on the market, particularly home-grown products.

The Field Days is the only agricultural show in New Zealand to feature side-by-side demonstrations, with tractors, headers, mowers, seed drills and other machines

being put through their paces each day.

The SIAFD has been running every second year since 1951 when it was held at Motukarara. Nowadays the event attracts between 20,000 and 25,000 visitors over the course of three days. The SIAFD is a non-profit Incorporated Society, run by volunteers who are all farmers or work in the agricultural field, and any money made is in reinvested back into the local community through scholarships and grants.

Entry for children under the age of 16 is free which allows SIAFD to become a real family affair.

For 2025 the organising committee is going one step further to support the younger generation by providing a dedicated Kids Zone.

“Thanks to the wonderful team at Colliers Rural Valuation our inaugural Kids Zone is free to enjoy at SIAFD,” the committee said.

“Their sponsorship of the space allows the committee to continue to create an enjoyable area for children near the centre of the site. Make sure you check this new space

Mt Somers Excavation Ltd

Alistair Parris Owner/Operator • Ph: 027 434 7278 20 Hinds Gorge Rd RD8, Ashburton 7778 E: mtsomersexcavation@xtra.co.nz www.mtsomersexcavation.co.nz

out and provide the SIAFD events team with feedback to ensure we can make the Kids Zone better year on year.”

One of the events which is sure to attract the interest of both young and old is the Cowboy Challenge run by the NZ Cowboy Challenge Association.

“The skill and precision of these talented horse-riding competitors will keep your eyes glued throughout all three days of SIAFD. Competitors don’t know the series of challenges facing them at the event until they arrive, making the competition even more enticing to watch.”

Kid friendly: entry for children under the age of 16 is free which allows SIaFD to become a real family affair.

L E T U S F I L L I N Y O U R

I V O T R U T S

It’s always about preventative maintenance when dealing with Pivot Ruts.

Ruts Plus pivot rut filling machines penetrate through the grass and soil cutting out the sidewalls of the pivot rut, pulling in sods of the already established grass root structure planting it back into the pivot rut. The farmer then follows behind wheel packing the windrowed material, with their own tractor. Leaving no depressions or bare grass on either side of the wheel track, all without bringing in extra material

Condensed root structure increases the soils weight holding capacity Once compacted it then combines together to create a solid mass. The grass continues growing and will no longer hold water the same as it did before Here is an example: If you drove into a wet paddock with no grass on it you

D A I R Y L A N E

U

N D E R F E N C E

R E T R I E V I N G

Covering as much as 2km of fence line per hour, depending on conditions. The true value of our system is due to the speed, quality of the job & the price.

Our custom-made machines remove material from under dairy lane fences using the most efficient way possible. Our advanced blade system allows it to reach further under the fence wire as well as deflect around the posts. We either windrow the material into the lane tidying up the lane surface as we go ready for the farmer to organise it to be picked up or we simply spread it out Set hourly rate with a one-off travel cost of $85 per machine.

would simply sink up to your axles, yet if you drove into the same wet paddock with established grass you wouldn’t have a problem driving around on it.

Ruts Plus have clearly proven after years of development to have the answer to pivot rut problems by transplanting the already established grass root structure back into the pivot rut Not only ending up with extra grass but the grass also helps to absorb water As we all know traditional costs of filling in pivot ruts with foreign material over the years have been skyrocketing Our system provides immediate results with very little time and expense to the farmer by simply following around the wheel tracks filling in any depressions that could hold water Ruts Plus are currently operating four machines, each pivot rut filler can typically fill in up to fifty- seventy hectares per day Set hourly rate with a one-off travel cost of $85 per machine Costs usually range from $20 to $35 per hectare depending on conditions

Up to 90% cheaper, quicker & better than traditional methods

Ruts Plus unveils new road grader

RutsPlus.com is gearing up to showcase our latest mind-blowing invention at the South Island Agricultural Field Days, 26th to 28th of March at Kirwee.

This new machine has been designed to work up hard surfaces such as gravel roads and dairy lanes.

The big advantage of this system is that it breaks down the entire road surface completely working up potholes and corrugations mixing the material together for an even consistency. The catch blade re-mixes the material, spreading, reshaping & crowning back over a well – prepared base “creating a solid mass”.

Our latest tow behind road grader can be towed by just about any type of 4x4 vehicle. Due to the 92 carbide teeth punching into the surface and spinning at the same speed as the vehicle, it’s not dragging a dead weight.

The unit is controlled by a wireless remote with an operator camera screen in the cab. Both the spinner blade & catch blade attachments are electronically controlled by one 12volt battery which is charged by the tow vehicle. No hydraulics required. Having the ability to use one single machine to do the job operating in both confined and open spaces.

Our machine is fully road legal, meaning there is now no need for a transport trail-

ruts Plus Contracting’s latest tow behind road grader can be towed by just about any type of 4x4 vehicle.

er between jobs, saving us time and effort loading and unloading. This has proven to be a huge cost saving to our clients.

Our popular Pivot Rut Filling and Dairy Lane Under Fence grading machines will also be on display. Word of mouth is working

both the spinner blade and catch blade attachments are electronically controlled by one 12volt battery which is charged by the tow vehicle, so no hydraulics required.

well with pre-bookings up 40% on last year.

From April to September 2024, our four machines filled in well over 2500km of pivot ruts on 86 farms, as well as hundreds of kilometres of under fence grading on dairy lanes. Our machines are designed

and built by us to suit our customer needs.

Come see us at the South Island agricultural Field Days (Site 825). For further information and to see detailed videos on each machine simply look up: www.rutsplus.com

FarmTRX: Affordable, reliable, retrofit yield monitoring for Canterbury farmers

In today’s farming environment, success hinges on data. The more farmers know about their crops, the better decisions they can make to improve yields and manage resources effectively.

] Advertorial supplied by Vantage NZ

Enter FarmTRX, a yield monitor system that’s affordable, easy to use, and designed for real-world farming applications.

Whether you’re a small-to-medium-scale farmer or managing a large operation, yield monitoring technology can provide critical insights into what’s happening across your paddocks. FarmTRX enables farmers to capture real-time, accurate data about crop yields in a way that’s previously only been accessible to those with high-end, expensive machinery. With FarmTRX, any harvester can become a yield-mapping machine.

Why FarmTRX?

Farmers in Canterbury face the growing challenge of needing to do more with less. Maximising yield while reducing input costs and staying sustainable is essential, and this is where data-driven decision-making comes into play. Traditionally, yield monitors were priced out of reach for many farmers or required complicated systems that were difficult to retrofit onto existing machinery. FarmTRX changes that.

The

The FarmTRX system includes everything farmers need to start gathering yield data – without the hefty price tag. With its easyto-install retrofit kit, farmers can turn their existing harvesters into smart machines capable of yield mapping, with data uploaded wirelessly to the cloud. No complicated processes—just straightforward technology that delivers.

Key features of FarmTRX

1. Affordability: Unlike traditional yield monitoring systems that require significant investment, FarmTRX offers an affordable option, making it accessible to farms of all sizes.

2. Simple Installation: The plug-and-play kit is designed to be installed easily by the farmer. It works with all makes and models of combine harvesters.

3. Data Accuracy: FarmTRX gathers accurate yield and moisture data in real-time, allowing farmers to view yield maps immediately after harvesting.

4. Cloud-based Access: The data is uploaded to the FarmTRX cloud platform,

where it can be accessed from any device. This allows for easy sharing with agronomists, contractors, or farm managers.

Boost farm efficiency

FarmTRX is ideal for Canterbury farmers looking to optimise input costs and boost productivity. By identifying the most productive areas of a paddock, farmers can make informed decisions about planting, fertiliser, and irrigation, leading to improved crop health and better harvest returns.

As farming becomes more competitive and margins tighten, tools like FarmTRX

give farmers the insights they need to stay ahead. Data-driven agriculture is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity.

Get your FarmTRX kit today

Ready to start yield mapping and gaining valuable insights on your farm? Contact Vantage New Zealand to get your FarmTRX kit today. Our team can assist with setup, support, and ongoing guidance to ensure you make the most of your new technology.

reach out and transform your harvest with FarmTrX. 0800 482 682 or email info@vantage-nz.com

UNLOCK YIELD INSIGHTS WITH VANTAGE NZ

and plan for the future

Whether you want to identify variability, optimise inputs, or boost next year’s yield, our yield mapping solutions will give you the insights you need right when you need them

Gather end-of-season yield data

Plan ahead with precision

Improve profitability and sustainability

Don’t let another season pass you by Capture analyse and act on your yield data with Vantage Your farm’s future starts today

year’s give ather lan mprove on future o learn more,

Keeping ahead of autumn-sown crop damage

Slugs can travel up to 13 metres in one night and can consume more than 50% their own bodyweight. That’s crop damage, especially in vulnerable autumn sown crops, nobody can afford.

]

Advertorial supplied by UPL NZ Ltd

Ash Pace, UPL NZ Ltd. Regional Manager, Central South Island says the often-underestimated pest certainly doesn’t take any prisoners.

“Seedlings are just one to two bites for a slug. Then the plants are history,” Ash says.

“Slugs have the potential to cost the economy millions of dollars.”

While rain and irrigation encourage slug populations, Ash says even a heavy dew can create a highway for the pest. “Turn your back and your crop is gone.”

Ash says as soon as you begin scheduling re-grassing spray-out, a robust slug protection programme needs to be in place. With monitoring at its heart. “It’s important but it doesn’t have to be flash, or costly. UPL slug mats are available from your local supplier, or an old grain sack would be fine.” He says some farmers he knows have a large “pet” rock which they check under regularly to see whether there’s a slug presence.

Methven-based PGG Wrightson Arable Representative Tom Adams, is a little bit up-country, but has the same view of the problem.

“The Canterbury conditions suit slugs. Plus, when you’ve got minimum till or di-

rect drilling, that’s creating an ideal environment for them. It makes it a battle right through the year.

Tom says it’s no fun looking at patchy crops where seedlings have failed to establish because of slug damage.

“You need to be able to detect slugs early. And that’s not just a quick look over the crop. You have to be proactive, use slug mats, and develop a robust programme.”

Tom says BioGro certified Ironmax Pro slug bait is a product he has confidence in.

“All farmers want to look after their land while controlling slugs effectively. With Ironmax Pro there’s no compromise. It’s a product that’s sustainable and environmentally friendly without losing the efficacy that you get with market leading Metarex Invo®. That’s a big deal.”

“Slugs will even actively seek the baits out. They prefer feeding on them to eating seedlings.” Colzactive® technology is responsible for that palatability. Created by the molluscicide specialists, French compa-

Slug damage in white clover during early crop establishment.

ny, De Sangosse’s R & D team, it comprises specially selected oil seed rape extracts.

Ash Pace says Ironmax Pro and Metarex Inov, both from De Sangosse, have significant advantages over old-school coated baits.

“Coated baits only have a lick of the active on the outside. With these baits, active is all the way through – a bit like a cookie dough. So, not a bite is wasted.”

He says the products’ superior spreading ability (ballistics) also means savings for growers and farmers by enabling effective cover in fewer passes, using less fuel, and saving on labour. “It saves a lot of extra refills. If you can get things done more effectively and in less time, why wouldn’t you?”

Talk to your local technical specialist for more details on Ironmax Pro or Metarex Inov or contact ash Pace, uPL NZ regional Manager Central South Island, on 021 987 735.

New independent director for Alliance

The Alliance Group has appointed Chris Day to its Board as an independent director.

] by Kent Caddick

Day has an extensive corporate and governance background, and currently sits on the boards of Datacom and the Institute of Directors.

He has previously been interim chief executive of New Zealand Green Investment Finance and a director of Christchurch City Holdings and Centreport.

Alliance Group chair Mark Wynne said Day will bring valuable expertise to the Board.

“He has significant experience in transformation and finance, along with a strong ability to provide an independent perspective.”

Day will chair Alliance’s Audit and Risk and Capital committees, and replaces Si-

mon Robertson, who will step down from the Board at the end of March.

“I would like to thank Simon for his dedication and contribution to Alliance’s Board over the past three and a half years,” Wynne said.

“He has been a highly engaged and valued member of the Board. As chair of our Audit and Risk, Enterprise Resource Planning, and Capital committees, his breadth of knowledge, keen insight and ability to navigate complex issues have been exceptional.”

Day said he was pleased to be joining the Alliance Board.

“I look forward to contributing my experience to help shape the future of this iconic New Zealand business.”

4 bay Lean-to* with

flashing. 112m2. 2 open-front bays, 2 bays fully enclosed. 2 / 3m x 3m standard roller doors, PA door. CovertekSelf-support membrane in roof of encl bays. 3.0m3.7m high, 4.0m bays, 7m deep. Min 4rows girts for extra wall strength. Photo illustration only.

New role: Former director of Christchurch City Holdings Chris Day has been appointed to the alliance Group board as an independent director.

From within the cow: Boost your farm’s success with smaXtec

SmaXtec’s bolus technology helps detect potential diseases early, enabling preventive action to improve health outcomes and profitability.

] Advertorial supplied by smaXtec

The bolus provides precise insights from within the cow, operating reliably in the reticulum, unlike external sensors affected by environmental factors.

It measures inner body temperature with unrivalled accuracy (±0.01degC), tracks water intake, drinking cycles, rumination based on reticulum contractions, and overall activity.

This precise data enables the earliest possible detection of potential diseases, long before visible symptoms appear, by instantly alerting farmers via smartphone or computer for timely intervention.

Early detection with smaXtec reduces antibiotic use, lowers treatment costs, and supports stable milk yields.

Prevention rather than cure

David Thompson, who runs a 305-cow farm in Feilding, Manawatu-Whanganui, explains.

“I received three temperature alerts over three days. The vet confirmed pneumonia, even though the cow appeared fine.

early detection with smaXtec reduces antibiotic use, lowers treatment costs, and supports stable milk yields.

“Without smaXtec, I wouldn’t have noticed it until 3-4 days later.”

Sarah Neilson from South Taranaki, managing a herd of 340 cows, adds:

“When we had a case of twisted bowel, we caught it early. It had just started when we were able to get the vet to remedy it.

“He had the thermometer in the cow and said, ‘I will never have to deal with that ever again, this is such reliable data.’ Now, the vet checks the data first because the temperature alerts are always accurate.”

Got curious? For more information visit our website www.smaxtec.com/en/new-zealand/ or contact us via info@smaxtec.com

PLANT SOLAR REAP REWARD

Increasing energy costs mean the sooner you invest in solar the more you’ll continue to save—and profit.

Our systems average 5 years payback, then around 20% ROI. Grab a Green Energy bank loan to maximise the margin—while the sun is shining.

The smaXtec bolus measures inner body temperature with unrivalled accuracy (±0.01degC), tracks water intake, drinking cycles, rumination based on reticulum contractions, and overall activity.

Protecting livestock from facial eczema

With summer upon us and conditions becoming warmer and more humid, Nutrinza is urging farmers to consider adding zinc to their herd’s diet to help prevent facial eczema (FE).

] Article supplied by Nutrinza Facial eczema in cows is prevalent in warm, humid regions of New Zealand, especially in areas with higher rainfall and mild temperatures. These conditions promote the growth of the fungus Pithomyces chartarum in pasture, which produces spores containing the toxin sporidesmin.

When ingested by livestock, these spores can cause FE, a serious and potentially fatal disease that damages the liver. Symptoms can include skin irritation, inflammation, decreased milk production, restlessness, weight loss, and diarrhoea. The cow’s skin can also become sensitive to sunlight, a condition referred to as photosensitisation.

Nutrinza managing director Warren Morritt said having prevention methods in place over the warmer months is crucial to keep the herd healthy and productive.

“One of the easiest and most effective ways to protect the herd from facial eczema is adding zinc to the blended feed,” Morritt said.

Nutrinza offers a range of options designed to prevent FE in cows. These include Max Mineral Standard with Zinc, Sollus Lactisol Z, and MineralBoost with Zinc.

“Each option has slightly different added benefits, such as the Lactisol containing extra minerals as well as vitamins, and Mineral Boost being a granule offering,” Morritt said.

“We always advise farmers to consult with their local technical sales representative for guidance on when to start using zinc, dose, and options to improve feed palatability like adding molasses.

Protect the herd: adding zinc to a herd’s diet can help to prevent facial eczema in cattle.

Protecting your most valuable asset

] Advertorial supplied by Aqualinc

You manage risks to your capital assets by taking out insurance. But with so much potentially at stake if you don’t have the right resource consents to operate your farm, it is important to ensure that you are protecting these consents through compliant operation and mitigating risks related to renewing them when they expire.

Aqualinc’s forte is assisting our clients to gain access to water and then ensuring it is used efficiently and in compliance with consent conditions.

Come and see us at the South Island Field Days (Stand M526 – adjacent to the Agri Marquee covered sites), grab a coffee and discuss how we can assist with what has become a rapidly changing and complex regulatory arena.

The rate of regulatory change for New Zealand’s primary industries in areas related environmental compliance is unprecedented. Whether associated with freshwater, nutrients, wetlands, greenhouse gasses, what types of farming need consents, water infrastructure, the RMA… the list seems endless.

Aqualinc’s specialists can provide practical advice and solutions to many of these emerging problems. We know the consenting landscape, and we’re up-to-date with the latest changes and those that might be on the horizon. Where technical assessments of environmental effects are required, our nationally recognised science and engineering experts can assist.

It is becoming increasingly clear that future consent renewals will need to rely on data to back up claims that current resource use is reasonable and efficient. We can advise on what data should be collected.

Taking away the pain of compliance

We can also assist with the compliance issues around monitoring and recording of flows, levels, soil moisture, weather conditions, etc via our MyIrrigation – powered by SCADAfarm system.

In addition to compliance, we can show you how these systems provide the tools to allow yield and quality to be optimised while saving on water, power, fertilisers and labour.

Many farmers have invested heavily in soil moisture sensors and associated equipment but are not realising any significant benefit from this investment.

Aqualinc’s MyIrrigation – powered by SCADAfarm system can be connected to existing sensors so farmers can benefit from their ‘below-ground’ investment that may no longer be working due to obsolete or aging telemetry hardware. Soil Moisture Sensors compatible with the Aqualinc system include: Aquaflex, Decagon, Meter Group and EnviroPro.

A client recently achieved a Farm Environment Plan A+ Audit Result, which helped them secure a Change of Land Use. The fact that they had an Aqualinc Soil Moisture

Measurement system to optimise their irrigation management, and could prove that the managers actively used this, was instrumental in achieving this Audit Result.

Aqualinc has a wealth of knowledge in all areas of irrigation, from system design to irrigation management, and this breadth of knowledge enables our customers to maximise their return on their existing investment in irrigation systems and associated monitoring, or to identify the need for system chang-

Advice on-tap: aqualinc have many resources to assist irrigators with their irrigation management.

es that can potentially improve production and reduce costs.

An irrigation strategy based on robust soil moisture measurements can provide significant environmental benefits, especially around the reduction of leaching of nutrients into groundwater and water ways. Aqualinc engineers have carried out significant research in this area and this expertise is available to our customers and is embedded into our systems.

New and replacement pivot irrigators

Re-piping for Valley, Zimmatic, Western, Irrifrance (other brands upon request)

Replacement pipes, joints, angles and parts

Genuine UMC and Komet pivot components

Other advantages and innovations, too many to list here Julian p. (027) 263 0192 e. julian@irrisource.co.nz

Alby p. (027) 473 7473 e. alby@irrisource.co.nz

Ag-Serve for all on-farm repairs and maintenance

Ag-Serve Ltd is a locally owned and operated Canterbury company, serving the rural community for over ten years.

] Advertorial supplied by ] Ag-Serve Ltd

The Ag-Serve team has grown with twelve employees on board and is now located at 15 Malcolm McDowell Ave, in Ashburton. The company is run by Allain and Mason under the guidance of Doug and Cheryl Smith.

Allain runs the machinery side of the business, he is a fully qualified diesel mechanic experienced with diagnostics.

Allain and his team are experienced dealing with Grimme potato harvesters, planters and destoners, silage wagons, tractor repairs and servicing, heavy roller repairs, cultivating maintenance and repairs, and calf trailers.

Mason runs the irrigation side of the business. He is a qualified engineer with years of experience.

Mason and his team have an array of skills and experience dealing with all your irrigation needs including, effluent irrigator repairs and maintenance, pivot mechanical maintenance, gear boxes and fence walkers, dismantling or moving and erecting rotary booms, rotary boom irrigation and effluent spreader repairs and sales, hoses and wire rope (new and spliced), bore pump lifting and mainline repairs.

Ag-Serve also offers dairy shed repairs and maintenance including safety fencing; yard, top and backing gates; motors and drive units and vet stand repairs, as well as customised and general engineering including heavy duty bale feeders, truck decks, custom toolboxes and can customise and build to plans as required.

We have a team of twelve employees whom without we would not be successful, and we would like to thank them for their hard work we would also like to thank all our loyal customers too.

ashburton based ag-Serve Ltd has it covered when it comes to on farm repairs and maintenance.

Over 40 years of excellence in irrigation

For over 40 years, Think Water Canterbury has supported Canterbury’s farming community with reliable and innovative irrigation solutions.

] Advertorial supplied by ] Think Water Canterbury

We specialise in designing, supplying, installing, and servicing solid set irrigation systems, centre pivot systems, pumping equipment and more to maximise productivity and conserve water.

Our expertise extends to various irrigation applications. We tailor solutions to meet the unique needs of each property, ensuring efficient water distribution and sustainable practices.

As Canterbury’s local pump and irrigation experts, we partner with trusted brands to provide premium pumps and equipment for both general farm operations and specialised applications. Our team is committed to delivering high-quality products and expert advice.

We also offer a 24/7 call-out and project design management to ensure every system operates at peak performance. From small lifestyle properties to large-scale farms, we’re here to help.

Come visit Think Water Canterbury, your local irrigation experts, at our site at the South Island Agricultural Field Days in Kirwee.

Call us on 03 3243880, visit us at 22 Station Street, Leeston 7632, email sales.canterbury@thinkwater.co.nz or go to our website www.thinkwatercanterbury.co.nz to explore our irrigation products, discuss your requirements, and experience exceptional service.

For over 40 years Think Water Canterbury has been at the forefront of designing, supplying, installing, and servicing irrigation systems throughout the region.

Ironman 4x4 for a full range of accessories

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

]Advertorial supplied by Terraquip

See us at the SIAFD at Kirwee on the 26th to 28th March (site W486) for helpful advice and over 60 years of 4wd industry experience. Ironman 4x4 has a wide range of products.

Bull bars and winches

Ironman 4x4 offer a range of replacement winch bull bars which are designed, engineered and tested in Australia.

Ironman 4x4 bull bars are carefully modelled using 3D vehicle scanning techniques to achieve optimal cosmetic design whilst providing maximum vehicle collision protection.

Ironman Frontier winches are available in 9500lb and a 12000lb sizes. These winches have a wireless remote and sealed gearboxes giving maximum water protection and come with a 5-year warranty.

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

Suspension

Suspension kits and components with raised height, long travel and improved per-

formance are available for most makes and models.

Ironman 4x4 shock absorbers are available in 35mm Nitro gas or 41mm Foam cell. These have longer travel and are built stronger to deliver performance in all conditions.

Suspension kits are available in different load ratings from ‘comfort’ to ‘extra constant load’.

Camping accessories

The range of camping accessories from Ironman 4x4 is always expanding with the

The Ironman 4x4 range of accessories is extensive. For a full run down see the website www.ironman4x4. co.nz or phone 0508 IrONMaN.

proven rooftop tents and awnings available and a new range of fridges, camp chairs, tables and swags.

The Ironman 4x4 range of accessories is extensive. For a full run down see the website www.ironman4x4. co.nz or phone 0508 IrONMaN.

EMBRACE VILLAGE LIFE

Whatever age, whatever stage, life is for exploring. At Ryman our villages offer the freedom to choose your ideal retirement lifestyle.

Our Kevin Hickman and Ryman Northwood villages have brand-new townhouses and apartments available now.

Progress is underway on both village centres, which will soon offer amenities such as a heated indoor swimming pool and spa, café, movie theatre, beauty salon and more.

Discover a retirement filled with opportunity.

Kevin Hickman Village is set in beautiful park-like surroundings. Nestled alongside Riccarton Park Racecourse, the village enjoys views over the racecourse and out to the Port Hills. So, even if racing isn’t your thing, the tranquil setting surely will be. Christchurch Airport is located down the road and the village offers easy access to routes heading South.

KEVIN HICKMAN VILLAGE

25 Steadman Road, Riccarton Park 03 342 4755

Ryman’s Northwood Retirement Village offers the perfect blend of rural charm and convenience, enjoy Styx Mill reserve nearby and the Northwood Supa Centa across the road. Located close to the northern motorway, the village is in an ideal spot to venture out to North Canterbury and handy for friends and family to visit.

RYMAN NORTHWOOD VILLAGE

20 Radcliffe Road, Northwood 0800 685 122

BEV AND JOHN Ryman Residents rymanhealthcare.co.nz

Four Seasons Realty Four Seasons Realty

Inspiring young men through education

Welcome to Nelson College, New Zealand’s oldest state secondary school, founded in 1856.

] Advertorial supplied by ] Nelson College

With over 168 years of history, Nelson College has a proud tradition of providing boys with a supportive, purpose-driven environment to succeed academically, personally, and socially.

At Nelson College, we specialise in boys’ education, tailoring our approach to meet the unique needs of young men.

From our curriculum to our pastoral care, every aspect of our school is designed to engage boys in meaningful learning experiences that prepare them for life in a rapidly changing world.

While we strive for academic achievement, we also want our students to be happy, stimulated, and engaged.

By combining traditional values with modern teaching methods, Nelson College creates an environment where boys can pursue their passions and discover their potential.

A sense of belonging is at the heart of our approach. Our boys enjoy a vibrant school life, with a wide variety of lunchtime and social clubs to join.

We also prioritise the development of leadership skills through opportunities like peer tutoring, our academic committee, and a student council.

by combining traditional values with modern teaching methods, Nelson College creates an environment where boys can pursue their passions and discover their potential.

Our Student Leaders are role models who embody the school’s values of manaaki-care, pono-integrity, and kairangi-success, setting a positive example for their peers.

Our campus is a true highlight. With a combination of natural beauty and modern

BOARDING IN THE HEART OF NZ

• Welcoming family environment

• High-level academic and leadership programmes

• More than 30 sporting codes to choose from

• Year-round activities across the Nelson/Tasman region

• Competitive rates with no school fees

Talk to us about life-changing opportunities for your son. Email boarding@nelsoncollege.school.nz for more information

‘When you join boarding at Nelson College, you will become part of a warm, caring and busy community.’

Tim Middleton - Director of Boarding

nelson.school.nz

amenities, it’s a unique place for boys to thrive.

We frequently gain national attention for outstanding achievements in sport and music, placing us alongside the best schools in New Zealand. Our strength is our focus on values-based education, and a support

system that provides every boy with the opportunity to overcome barriers to success and leave his mark.

At Nelson College, we prepare young men for a future of success and resilience. When you join our community you’re joining a place of potential and possibility.

New manager brings grass roots experience

Living on the rugged West Coast of the South Island hasn’t limited Primary ITO’s Shannon Gordon from taking on a national manager role well away from big city life.

Advertorial supplied by

] Te Pukenga/Primary

ITO

Based in Greymouth, Shannon recently stepped into the role of National Manager for the Agriculture and Horticulture team at Primary ITO.

She has worked in the organisation for over 10 years, starting out as a Training Adviser in March 2014, visiting learners on dairy farms on the West Coast.

Since day one, Shannon has got a buzz from supporting people to learn and grow.

“It all started for me watching a learner succeed in their workplace. Some people may not have achieved at school because they are more ‘hands-on’ learners. Being able to hand over a certificate after they’ve achieved their first qualification ever is a real highlight.”

After growing up in Timaru, Shannon studied teaching at Otago University. She worked as a primary school teacher while raising three children with husband Mark. She made the move into adult education with a role at Aoraki Polytechnic (now known as Ara), in Timaru, sparking her passion for adult learning.

It was after the family moved to Greymouth for a lifestyle change that Shannon

spotted an advertisement for a Primary ITO training adviser.

“After landing the role I was lucky to have a local farmer take me under his wing and act as my mentor. It was a safe space to ask questions and gain an understanding of how a dairy farm works.”

She spent five years as a training adviser, visiting farms from Karamea to Fox Glacier, working with farmers to sign staff into training programmes, monitor progress, and support learners to tick off their assessments and achieve their qualifications.

“I really enjoyed working alongside the learners, getting to know the farmers, and learning about the different weather, demographics, farm types and history. I felt very lucky to be travelling a road that tourists pay big money to come and see.”

A short stint as a Regional Delivery Manager covering the upper South Island in 2020 gave Shannon an introduction to people leadership. This was soon followed by an opportunity to step into the role of Delivery Manager for the entire South Island.

Just as Shannon took on the role in 2021 the country went into Covid lockdown, providing the extra challenge of connecting and building relationships with a new team

when meeting face-to-face wasn’t an option.

Being able to connect and collaborate via Microsoft Teams and other cloud-based systems, along with more flexible working arrangements since Covid, has been a game-changer.

“Covid gave me the opportunity to prove that I could do this role from a distance,” she says.

“I’d managed to make it work being based on the West Coast with my team in Christchurch. I wasn’t prepared to move to the big city and I did wonder if that would stop me from taking that next step up career-wise.”

Shannon started her new National Man-

ager role at Primary ITO in July. This role involves working to identify key issues that may impact the primary sector, and the demand for training, now and in the future.

“The primary sector is New Zealand’s biggest money-maker. It’s high-tech working with drones and all sorts of specialised equipment across agriculture, horticulture and other primary industries. There’s so many great career options in the primary sector.”

Primary ITO leads work-based training including apprenticeships in horticulture, agriculture and other primary sectors. each year Primary ITO works with around 14,000 learners in approximately 4,500 workplaces across the country. Visit primaryito.ac.nz

West Coaster Shannon Gordon has taken up the role of National Manager for the agriculture and Horticulture team at Primary ITO.

]Article supplied by ECan

It’s estimated there are about 34,000 onsite wastewater systems, often called septic tanks, across Canterbury. It’s a relatively high number when you consider Auckland, with nearly three times the population, has an estimated 46,000.

The most common system for single households in Canterbury is a primary treatment tank and land application system (i.e. a bolder pit or trench), but there are also some newer secondary treatment systems.

If these systems aren’t looked after properly there could be serious consequences. Faulty systems can contaminate the land on your property or even the drinking water supplies of your whole community.

When it comes to health risks from onsite wastewater, prevention is key.

Resource Management Technical Lead Jessica Newlands warns that problems often begin when people don’t maintain their systems and the tank or gully trap overflows, causing ponding of wastewater on the land surface.

“There’s a heightened risk in areas where the ground has had ‘human interference’ such as landscaping, vehicle movements or the installation of children’s equipment,” Newlands said.

Onsite wastewater can also enter groundwater, from which much of Canterbury’s drinking water is sourced. Weather can exacerbate the issue; prolonged dry periods followed by heavy rainfall events can cause wastewater to rapidly infiltrate groundwater, significantly increasing the risk of contamination.

In a bid to understand some of the key issues around onsite wastewater, Institute of Environmental Science and Research reached out to a sludge removal company and asked them to log their jobs for a week.

Newlands said the predominant problem was people not routinely getting the sludge sucked out every three years, as recommended. Instead, some were waiting up to ten years to get it done. She said this ‘flush and forget’ mentality is concerning.

“For every year that you don’t look after your tank, you’re increasing the risk that something will go wrong.”

She also urges people to do their research when purchasing a property with an onsite wastewater system.

“Before purchasing property with an onsite wastewater management system, check with a lawyer or estate agent whether the system is consented, and how it’s been maintained.”

Signs of potential problems could include

water presenting at the surface and offensive odours, often a strong ammonia or sewagetype smell.

Regardless of whether your onsite wastewater system is new or old, keeping it well maintained will help ensure any problems are caught early.

Key tips for managing wastewater

Newer, secondary treatment systems require regular inspection and maintenance at least every 12 months, including sludge removal every three years.

Older, primary treatment systems (septic tanks) – while not requiring an inspection –still need to have sludge pumped out around once every three years.

Support the microbial community living in your onsite wastewater system by using lowphosphorous soaps and detergents. Be sure not to flush solids such as wet wipes, or aggressive chemicals such as caustic soda.

Water NZ has more information on what you can and cannot flush, and other advice for taking care of your onsite wastewater system.

Try and space out water use to avoid overloading the system – for example not running your washing machine and dishwasher at the same time.

If you notice an issue, like a sewage overflow, murky or smelly puddles around your treatment system, or even a broken tank lid, you should get your system inspected immediately by a suitably qualified technician.

Experience stands the test of time

David Wraight and David Gee are proud tradesmen who, along with their team at David Wraight Cottages & Transportable Homes which includes qualified interior designer Kirsty Wraight, take the time to bring a concept to reality to make sure of a job well done.

]Advertorial

by Kent Caddick

Between them, the two Daves, aka D1 and D2, bring over 80 years of experience in the building trade forming a partnership and friendship that has stood the test of time.

Throughout the journey the two have evolved a great deal and learnt much, which they believe sets them up to provide a very solid and durable cottage of great quality.

Add Kirsty Wraight into the mix and you have a well-rounded and experienced design and build team.

David Wraight Cottages (DWC) homes are easy to heat and cool, and very thermally efficient.

Their system of New Zealand pine weatherboard installed over cavity battens and rigid rap, along with sturdier interiors, makes for a cosy and durable space.

While based in Blenheim, the cottages are transported to your site anywhere in New Zealand, subject to site and route assessment. All contracts are put together on a case-by-case basis, as not every site is the same.

“Our main focus from the start has always been about doing the bulk of the work ourselves and being completely in control, which we believe lets us provide a quality product,” David Wraight says.

“Our homes are a bespoke cottage style, which throws back to early New Zealand housing styles, but a more contemporary style can also be achieved as well.”

A major feature in DWC homes is the way they use a silicone sealant everywhere (interior and exterior).

This is used simply to seal between every surface or moulding that is touching or joining each other.

“We believe that it provides a seal and also a solution to minimising paint cracking in the future for both the interior and exterior, and also adds extra waterproofing,” David Gee says.

“For the interior we paint in semigloss which is durable and easy to clean. The exterior we paint in Hi Glo for the same reasons, and it also repels the sun more efficiently.”

Points of difference and interest

Interior:

• Interior linings – these are all grooved wall linings or a mix of grooved linings with some traditional panelling on the walls. Wallpaper is an option also.

• Ceiling linings – DWC use MDF and then adds mouldings which create the look of an old world panelled ceiling

• Bathrooms are lined with ply and also have the detail of grooved walls and panelled ceilings

• Bespoke kitchens with panelled doors

• DWC use a range of bigger skirtings, scotias, architraves and dado mouldings, along with custom built window seats

• Very easily heated

• Quality appliances, plumbing fittings, light fittings and floor coverings

Exterior:

• Rusticated weatherboards, corner, window and door facings, window sills, scribers

• Scrolls and exterior brackets

• Decorative vents or mouldings on gables

• Large timber baseboards, and a timber top base board which holds the decorative scrolls

• Timber facia and soffits

David Wraight Cottages homes are easy to heat and cool, and thermally effi

Rural insurance to protect home and farm

If you make your living from the land, you’ll want rural insurance that responds to the unique challenges faced by farmers.

] Article supplied by NZI

Farm insurance is vital because your farm is your home but also your business. And as with any other business, you need to safeguard your essential assets and protect yourself against legal liabilities. That’s why NZI has adapted its trusted policies specifically to meet the needs of rural New Zealanders.

You can get cover for: damage to your buildings, their contents, machinery and vehicles; loss in turnover and increased operational costs from an interruption to your rural business; your legal liability for property damage or personal injury.

Rural material damage

Rural insurance recommended for anyone running a business in agriculture or horticulture. This policy protects you against damage to farm buildings, their contents and machin-

ery. It also covers fences, culverts, animal feed and bridges. For horticulturists, we cover your greenhouse and the cost to date of growing the plants.

Rural business interruption

Important cover for rural businesses, particularly where farms would shut down if essential infrastructure like milking sheds was lost. This insurance covers the reduced turnover and increased working costs resulting from an unexpected interruption to your business. You can also cover costs that continue when the income stops – such as wages, interest and rates.

Rural commercial motor vehicle

Covers costs of vehicle repair and replacement. NZI’s specialist motor assessors help reduce delay and disruption when your trac-

tors, trucks and harvesters are not available. This policy also covers your legal liability for any damage or injury.

Rural liability

Farming activity entails risk of property damage and personal injury. Liability insurance is essential to cover legal liability for negligence and the increasing exposures to statutory liability that farmers face.

The cost of liability claims can risk the farm and liability insurance is an essential cover.

Rural machinery breakdown

Covers accidental breakdown of the motors, surface pumps and submersible pumps and other machinery you need to run your farm.

Machinery breakdown cover is recommended for essential machinery and can al-

so be arranged for all machinery on you farm.

Rural stock deterioration

Is ideal cover for agricultural produce which farmers keep under refrigeration. This policy covers refrigerated goods that have deteriorated as a result of the refrigeration machinery failing.

You can also extend it to include cryogenic storage of genetic material, such as semen straws and embryos.

Rural livestock

Recommended cover for your high-value individual animals, for death by injury or illness and for fertility. Options are also available to cover herds, working dogs and horses.

To find out more about NZI rural insurance, please talk to your broker or go to www.nzi.co.nz to find one.

Building for rural living in Canterbury

Building your dream home in Canterbury’s countryside isn’t just about architecture – it’s about creating a lifestyle.

] Advertorial supplied by

] David Reid Homes Canterbury

At David Reid Homes Canterbury, we specialise in bespoke, high-end homes designed to embrace rural living while maintaining the sophistication and comfort you deserve.

With decades of experience in the building industry, our team combines craftsmanship, creativity, and attention to detail to design and build homes that truly reflect our clients’ needs and aspirations.

Inspired by Canterbury’s Landscape

Canterbury’s varied climate and stunning natural scenery inspire us to create homes that are both functional and breathtaking. From soaring gabled roofs with exposed trusses to carefully selected stonework and natural materials, every detail is designed to blend seamlessly into the landscape.

Our designs enhance your connection to the outdoors with features like clerestory windows, large decks, and skylights, flooding your home with light and creating spaces to unwind and connect with nature.

Luxury Meets Functionality

Rural living requires practicality, but that doesn’t mean sacrificing style. Mudrooms, walk-in storage, and flexible spaces for work or relaxation are seamlessly integrat-

ed into our homes. At the same time, we elevate every space with thoughtful touches, such as higher-than-standard door frames, wider hallways, and premium finishes, creating an atmosphere of understated luxury.

A Focus on Sustainability

Sustainability is at the heart of modern rural living.

Our homes feature eco-conscious solutions like solar panels, rainwater systems, and low-maintenance materials. These innovations not only lower your environmental

impact but also enhance the overall liveability of your home.

Tailored to Your Vision

Our bespoke approach means your home is designed to reflect your personality and lifestyle. We take pride in matching you with an architect whose style aligns with your vision.

From the initial brief to the final build, we work closely with you to bring your ideas to life while ensuring every detail is executed to the highest standard.

Far Left: This elegant stone fireplace, combined with the industrial-style chandelier and exposed trusses, brings the perfect mix of rustic charm and industrial flair. The dark beams contrast beautifully with the light walls and ceiling, creating depth and drawing the eye upward for a bold statement.

Left: a stunning bathroom that combines elegance with relaxation. The freestanding tub offers views of the rural landscape, complemented by rich wood tones and gold accents. It’s the ultimate space to unwind.

Let Us Build Your Dream Home

At David Reid Homes Canterbury, we believe your home should reflect the uniqueness of the land it stands on.

Whether you dream of a modern masterpiece or a timeless farmhouse, we bring unmatched craftsmanship and creativity to every build. Let us help you create a home that embraces the beauty of rural living in Canterbury.

Get in touch with Carl today on 021 0272 8839 or visit the website: davidreidhomes.co.nz

As experienced design and build specialists, we combine the latest building technologies with our award-winning expertise to create a home that reflects who you are and how you live, tailored to the conditions of rural Canterbury. The complete experience.

Overcoming rural connectivity barriers

A significant percentage of farmland in New Zealand grapples with poor connectivity coverage.

] Article supplied by Connected Farms Fairlie based Connected Farms is taking a significant stride forward in addressing this challenge with the launch of CommsXtend.

This groundbreaking portable on-machine Wi-Fi hotspot solution is designed to extend connectivity across farmland, empowering rural and farming businesses to embrace digital agricultural technologies effectively.

“CommsXtend represents a step change in overcoming the connectivity limitations that have long hindered New Zealand farmers from fully adopting transformative digital agricultural technologies,” Connected Farms CEO Tom Andrews said.

“Our commitment to bridging the connectivity gap is reflected in the development of our CommsXtend solution, which will not only improve farm efficiencies and savings but also contribute towards improving lone worker safety.”

Tailored specifically for the unique demands of New Zealand agriculture, CommsXtend offers: Durability for Agricultural Environments:

Engineered to withstand the rugged conditions of farm environments, CommsXtend seamlessly integrates with combine harvesters, tractors, and service vehicles, enhancing precision and digital agriculture through continuous connectivity

Dynamic SIM Technology: Leveraging Connected Farms’ unique dynamic SIM technology, CommsXtend amplifies signal from any mobile operator network throughout New Zealand, ensuring connectivity even in areas with limited coverage. This enables farmers to utilise Wi-Fi calling and data usage on smartphones and AgriTech devices, to enable the full technical capability of their farm machinery despite patchy cellular networks.

Often, farms have partial coverage by different mobile operators, leading to fragmented connectivity. CommsXtend transcends this limitation by offering unified, ubiquitous coverage across the entire farm. By dynamically selecting the strongest available signal, it establishes a consistent and robust Wi-Fi connection.

This seamless connectivity ensures that farmers, along with their AgriTech and in-cab technologies, operate efficiently and effectively, regardless of the mobile operator’s coverage in different areas of the farm.

“CommsXtend is the cornerstone of improving communications across farms that have poor coverage,” Andrews said.

“It not only extends connectivity for Wi-Fi calling in the paddock but also opens doors to a realm of possibilities for farmers, enabling remote monitoring, integration of precision technology, robotics and automation, labour-saving measures, and enhanced decision-making.”

Chief Technology Officer for Connected Farms Luke Robertson has worked with farmers to develop and test the technology.

‘’This innovative technology sets new benchmarks in connectivity within the agricultural sphere. Its capabilities extend far beyond conventional connectivity solutions.

“By fostering a network that enables remote monitoring and seamless integration of precision technology, it empowers farmers with invaluable insights to make real time decisions and greater operational control.

“The adaptability of CommsXtend across an array of agricultural machinery and vehicles further underscores its versatility and practicality, ensuring that farms of all sizes can seamlessly integrate this innovative solution into their operations,” Roberston said.

Connected: CommsXtend is a portable on-machine Wi-Fi hotspot solution designed to extend connectivity across the farm.

Planning ahead when building

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

] Article supplied by ConsumerNZ

Energy efficiency should be high on your list, and it won’t always cost you extra. However, even if a product is more expensive, the contribution it makes to the lower household running costs can sometimes more than make up for it.

Energy-efficient design elements include:

• going above the minimum requirements with your insulation in the floors, walls and ceiling

• installing thermally-broken aluminium or uPVC double-glazed windows

• opting for energy-efficient fixed heating, such as heat pumps

• specifying LEDs in all fittings.

Another important consideration is reducing your home’s environmental impact.

You need to think about:

• how to reduce construction waste: you can minimise a lot of waste at the design stage. By fitting your home to the contours of the land as much as possible, you’ll reduce the amount of earthworks that ends up at the tip. You can also opt for pre-fabricated framing, rather than having it cut and built on site. Recycling or upcy-

Energy: When planning your new build take into account the energy efficiency of the building.

cling older building materials, such as native wood floorboards, also helps reduce waste and can even end up saving you money.

• options for lowering your home’s carbon footprint: such as, going with sustainable or natural products as much as possible.

Future-proofing

Designing your home to suit all abilities and stages of life will allow you stay in it for as long as possible. This is also known as universal design.

It’s usually much cheaper to include these design elements when you’re building rather than retrofitting them.

These types of design elements include:

• wider hallways and doorways for wheelchair access

• extra bracing in the bathroom walls for the future installation of shower or toilet handrails

• light switches and power outlets at a height that can be easily reached by all ages

• readily accessible pathways and entrances.

What can you do in your home now?

The easiest way to start is by adding or topping up the insulation in your roof and under the floor. This will help make your house warmer and cheaper to heat.

An extra layer of blanket insulation over the top of your current insulation is a piece of cake to install. It’s more expensive to get into the walls or improve your glazing, so that might need to wait until the next round of renovations.

The benefits of a higher performing house aren’t all monetary; you have a better quality of life in a warmer, drier and healthier environment.

Considerations when designing your home

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

] Article supplied by ConsumerNZ

Start collecting together ideas in a scrapbook or shoe-box.

Every time you see something you like in

a magazine or book, cut it out or photocopy it and add it to the collection.

Visit shops and websites and get brochures and information sheets on products. Start a dossier of roofing materials, types of

exterior claddings and interior linings, joinery, paint, wallpaper, ceilings, appliances, carpets, taps, etc.

Keep a note of prices as you go – this will help with budgeting later on.

To help with house design ideas:

• Visit show homes, home expos and open homes.

• Drive around new subdivisions and older areas for ideas about exterior design, materials and colours.

• Ask others who have been through this process for recommendations on designers and, if possible, visit homes they have been involved in.

Importance of good design

• The advantages of good house design include:

• Making best use of space within the home.

• Making best use of the section.

• Making sure the right materials are selected (for function and style).

• Saving money by providing a home that is energy efficient and maintenance-friendly.

• Having a home that is harmonious to live in, comfortable, convenient, and aesthetically pleasing.

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

• Having a home that will be easier to sell.

What to consider in the design

When you brief a designer, tell them:

• How many rooms you want (consider the possibility of more children, or perhaps elderly relatives coming to live with you).

• What sort of living spaces you want. Do you entertain regularly? Do you want separate space for the children to hang out? Do you need an office or hobby room? What about decks and outdoor living spaces?

• What you want in the way of bathrooms and kitchen. Do you want ensuites? An industrialsized kitchen?

• The size of the house. If it is too large to fit comfortably on your section you might have to consider whether you need to build upwards.

• Your garaging requirements.

• The importance of sun, particularly in the winter.

• To avoid features that will put the house at risk of leaking.

• To identify materials, especially claddings that will require lots of on-going maintenance.

• To make provision in the design to allow for on-going maintenance.

• You also need to start thinking about design features and materials – heating, external cladding, or the shape of the roof, for example.

• You also need to consider costs at this early stage.

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Keeping it safe when it comes to harvesting

Timber harvesting has been, and unfortunately continues to be, a dangerous task. The Health and Safety at Work Act (HWSA 2015) makes it clear that all Persons Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU) have a responsibility for safety.

] Article supplied by ] Farm Forestry New Zealand

A landowner engaging in a timber harvesting activity is by definition a PCBU and should actively take part in ensuring health and safety of the people working on their land.

It is unlikely that a small scale forest landowner will have the expertise to develop a detailed health and safety plan for the timber harvesting operation.

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

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

A number of initiatives have been undertaken including setting up ’Safetree’ a website that provides resources such as documents and videos on how to complete timber harvesting safely.

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

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

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

you need to take action to restrict access.

carrying out the designated harvesting task.

You are also likely to be responsible for the safe access to the forest on the farm, so if the farm roads and tracks leading to the area to be harvested are steep and not accessible for a logging truck in wet weather, then

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

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

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

]The promise of a new year

A very Happy New Year to all readers. For those of us in the commercial forestry sector, there is an air of expectation that 2025 cannot be worse than 2024. The early 2025 signs look promising, albeit there could be some small speed humps just in front of us.

with allan Laurie MNZIF

] Laurie Forestry Ltd

International factors would suggest we might be in for a rough ride as a nation. The new US President appears hell bent on destroying his.

Claiming to be focussed on cracking down on crime whilst releasing 1,000 criminals into out of order chaos and openly taunting world leaders already at war does not bode well for calmness and serenity.

The immediate impact of the emerging insanities has been positive for New Zealand exporters now enjoying a low US$ exchange rate and shipping rates also under downward pressure across break bulk and containers.

Indeed, my FOREX managers have cautioned the illustrious Mr Trump was good for the NZ last time with similar strength in the Green Back built around protectionism measures. I have reminded them at the tender age of close to 80 sane people normally act their age and remove themselves from key decision-making roles.

I have seen many times before the international softwood log trade behaves abnormally to worldly pressures. Indeed, for NZ it is as much about what other nations are attempting to play in our supply sandpit.

The scale of New Zealand operations is ensuring we enjoy lower shipping rates even compared to some like Australia who are much closer to China and India than we are.

Another competitive advantage New Zealand enjoys is the smallness of our Islands ensuring wood fibre is relatively handy to ports. We think we are hard done by when we get over 100km from a port. Uruguay forests are typically 1,000 to 2,000km to their ports

and Australia 300 to 500km from theirs.

Our stevedoring business are also key players. While port costs are way too high, we are still very competitive on load rates compared to other supply nations.

A long and sustained history in log exports has ensured we have skilled staff, good load rates and safe, continuous improvement practices.

China celebrates their New Year at end of January meaning the market is effectively closed for three weeks.

Erstwhile New Zealand loggers are enjoying better log prices, production levels have increased, and we expect China inventory to move quickly from 3mil to 4mil cubic metres. This is the direct consequence of arrivals from New Zealand.

Prior to New Year, China consumption levels were good and the market steady albeit since November, CFR prices for the indicator A grade have dropped from US$125 to $118 per cubic metre.

Most commentators are suggesting there is another US$2 off hanging in the balance. The good news is no one is predicting massive change in our near future.

NZ Forest owners have not felt the impact of price drops with lower shipping rates and a favourable FOREX rate ensuring for most, small increases at port New Zealand have been the order of the day. The market is effectively hanging on grimly waiting for the orange tariff light to come on (sorry about the pun…not).

Thus, the illustrious DT has the wood fibre market nervously awaiting his next move. But as has happened in the past, I predict the market will find sneaky ways around the very blunt instrument called tariff, so whilst DT is

pushing his forward, the market will find entry point answers that effectively dodge him and then supply and demand takes care of the rest. Silly sausage DT.

For India, the market is also under downward pressure as extra arrivals from New Zealand ensure supply well exceeds demand.

This market has also been interrupted by one disreputable India agent who accepted cargo without LC’s and that cargo is now sitting in bond in Kandla awaiting the lowest price.

Most commentary is suggesting that volume will quickly move out of the supply chain as seasonal demand picks up and there will be a quick recovery to normality.

For the moment China destination sales are netting back to New Zealand very slightly ahead of India but that will flick very much the other way in February March if the crystal balls readers have picked it correctly.

As always, please remem-

ber the thoroughly important message, “despite the challenges, 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”!

Dairy-beef offers potential for signifi cant emissions savings

Beef produced from cattle from New Zealand’s dairy sector could provide reductions in greenhouse gas emissions of up to 48 per cent, compared to the average for beef cattle, a new study by AgResearch has found.

] Article supplied by AgResearch

The Life Cycle Assessment analysis by AgResearch scientists, supported by the Bioresource Processing Alliance and in partnership with organisations such as Fonterra and Alps 2 Ocean Foods, shows using fast-finishing systems with dairy-beef animals results in a carbon footprint that is 32-48 per cent lower than the average for traditional beef systems in New Zealand.

Farm data from the beef and dairy industries was used in the analysis, which was based on kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions per kilogram of finished liveweight of the animals.

Scenarios were analysed for dairy-beef steers processed between 10 and 18 months of age and include emissions from animal production, input generation, transportation, and background processes.

“There are many issues at play in determining those emissions and the differences between the dairy and beef animals,” AgResearch senior scientist Andre Mazzetto said.

“These include how emissions are allocated between milk and liveweight, and issues such as growth rates, feed efficiency and the finishing period/time to slaughter of the animals.”

Mazzetto said the work points to tangible ways farmers can reduce the carbon footprint of their beef herds.

“Emissions reductions can be achieved simply by integrating dairy-beef animals into the herd, but the scope of this reduction can be significantly increased with fast-finishing beef systems.

“There would be few tools or management strategies available which can have such significant climate impact.”

He said sourcing calves from the dairy industry presented an opportunity for the beef industry to significantly reduce its emissions, as well as a providing an alternative use for calves from the dairy industry.

“There are efforts underway to find new avenues for use of these young dairy-beef animals, such as Alps 2 Ocean Food’s Miti product made from the meat.

“However, we recognise there are also management and logistical challenges for the industries to overcome, including the fin-

ishing and processing of these animals.”

Fonterra’s director of sustainability Charlotte Rutherford said Fonterra’s focus in this space is on creating more options for dairy-beef calves.

“We see the opportunity to integrate these calves into the red meat sector as a major opportunity for NZ ag,” Rutherford said.

“These results show that with the right genetics, care and farming systems, dairy-

Reducing emissions: agresearch senior scientist andre Mazzetto says emissions reductions can be achieved simply by integrating dairy-beef animals into the herd but there are ways to increase that reduction.

beef animals offer the opportunity to reduce carbon emissions, contributing to the longterm sustainability of our industry.”

DairyNZ backs gene technology changes

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DairyNZ says it will continue engaging with farmers as the Government moves to update gene technology rules.

] Article supplied by DairyNZ

The Government has announced it will introduce a bill to Parliament by the end of the year, with a dedicated regulator established to oversee applications to use gene technology before 2026.

DairyNZ chief science advisor Dr Bruce Thorrold said DairyNZ welcomed the move.

“It is time to revisit the regulations governing genetic technologies in New Zealand as the science has advanced rapidly in recent years,” Dr Thorrold said.

“As farmers and growers look for solutions to sector-wide issues, we should explore all promising avenues that could help with the challenges we face.

“However, we need to tread carefully and ensure a regulated approach that considers the wide range of views, opportunities, and risks, and provides appropriately for coexistence.”

Thorrold said DairyNZ has been engaging with dairy farmers on the potential changes and is represented on the industry group advising the Government.

“What we’ve been hearing from farmers so far is that while there are a wide range of views, a clear theme that is emerging is choice, and the need to allow for all types of farming.

“While many are in support of changes for environmental and productivity gains, some oppose change to protect tikanga and markets.

“As a science-led industry-good body, being able to test these types of technologies

within our unique New Zealand pastoral farm systems is important in terms of assessing both opportunity and risk.

“We remain focused on talking to our farmers around the country to share updates, information, answer questions, provide examples and represent their views during this important consultation period.”

He said DairyNZ will continue to engage with the Government ahead of supplying a formal submission when the public select committee process opens.

Revisit: DairyNZ chief science advisor Dr bruce Thorrold says It is time to revisit the regulations governing genetic technologies in New Zealand as the science has advanced rapidly in recent years.

] with Peter burton

The science is just plain wrong

Well, maybe not entirely, but it does depend on which bit of science is focussed on and how it is applied.

A well-known scientist has repeatedly over recent years dismissed organic farming with the one liner that he knows all about organic farming and it grows half as much. That’s about as meaningful as saying that we know all about dogs and they bite people.

But it’s not organic farming that is the subject of this article. What concerns me is the use of ‘science’ to justify the ongoing reliance on synthetic nitrogen when there are alternatives with only upsides.

There are systems that grow more year on year at lower cost with only positive environmental consequences.

The dismissal to that is, “if it sounds too good to be true…”. Dismissal is easy because taking on new information and reorganising our present understanding takes time and effort.

Being increasingly busy we much prefer sticking with our current view on things and saving what little spare time we have for leisure activities.

I often hear that New Zealand farming industries are well placed because people have to eat, and there is an ever-increasing world population.

The world population is only increasing in some areas, and those places tend to have low incomes and don’t purchase much if any of what we sell.

As populations move from primarily rural based to urban, as all civilisations do, birth rates drop. It’s a natural process that has taken place over hundreds of years.

In rural communities a child rapidly becomes a labour unit and therefore valuable. In an urban environment an extra child is just a cost.

The markets that pay enough to ensure the financial well-being of our farmers are those where people have large disposable incomes, and those people have choice.

Increasingly they want to know where their chosen cut of meat or dairy based dessert has come from and its environmental footprint.

Carbon, gain or loss, is the measure of sustainability. Where farming systems sustainably sequester carbon they can carry on indefinitely with steadily increasing production and lower costs.

Where costs are steadily increasing, and the maintenance of production is a challenge, it’s almost certain that carbon is being lost.

Another useful measure is Nitrate Nitrogen levels in groundwater. Carbon and nitrogen bind together and where there is steadily increasing Nitrate N losses, soil carbon, particularly the labile fraction will be diminishing.

Pre the widespread use of urea pasture growth in the Waikato measured by the staff at Ruakura Research Station regularly grew in excess of 18 tonne of drymatter per hectare annually and that science is available.

Annual growth rates now are significantly lower with total farm production propped up by grazing off and imported feed.

That doesn’t alter the fact that measures, the basis of all science, show production from our best pastoral soils to be steadily declining.

The loss is sufficiently slow enough for climate to be blamed, but over time the drop has been significant.

For those genuinely interested in delving deeper into this area we’re keen to share our findings from the last twenty-five years of work.

For more information talk to Peter on 027 495 0041 or 0800 843 809.

‘Where farming systems sustainably sequester carbon they can carry on indefinitely with steadily increasing production and lower costs.

More than a footprint: Carbon, gain or loss, is the measure of sustainability.

Smart spraying saves dollars and makes sense

] by Kent Caddick

And from what he’s seen, there’s widespread room for improvement in contract and farmeroperator practice.

“The sprayer is the most important piece of equipment on an arable farm today,” Jeremy Talbot of Talbot Agriculture said.

“The biggest issue is the choice of nozzle. With the same water rate different nozzles do very different things.”

Talbot says air-induction nozzles are used far too widely and many operators would do better to use standard flat fan nozzles, or preferably a twin-cap with two flat-fan orifices.

“You get an eight-fold increase in the number of drops and four times the deposition on the crop or target weeds, and for most chemicals that’s where they need to be. If they hit the soil they’re wasted.”

Another problem, particularly where contractors are concerned, is using too little water. Fewer fill-ups means a considerable increase in area that can be covered in a day, hence why contractors are keen to reduce volumes, Talbot says.

“But it comes back to coverage. If you’re using less water there are fewer drops per hectare and you’ll get less chemical onto the target.”

In Europe, some countries have introduced legislation specifying a minimum of 150 litres/ha of water be used as it’s now accepted low water volumes have hastened the onset of herbicide resistance in certain weed populations.

“Only two countries are still using air in-

duction nozzles and very low water rates widely, and that’s Australia and UK.”

Australia’s and the UK’s herbicide resistant grassweed problems are well documented and Talbot says it’s only thanks to the diverse rotations on most New Zealand arable farms that similar issues haven’t arisen here yet.

Driving too fast increases drift, which is another reason why some contractors favour low drift nozzles, says Talbot.

Drifting: Driving too fast increases drift, which is why some contractors favour low drift nozzles. Photo by Lincoln agritech

He advocates a maximum of 12kmh, or down to 10kmh if there is drift, slowing to 8-9kmh to turn on headlands.

“Spraying should be a smooth, non-stressful job.”

Spray tips

• Don’t speed: increases drift, boom bounce, yaw, and in/out problems.

• Beware low-drift nozzles: efficacy compromised.

• Keep water volume up: 150 litres/ha minimum.

• Twin-cap nozzles help hit both sides of target.

• Remove PPE before entering cab.

• Right nozzle, speed and volume = less chemical cost.

Information for this article was supplied by Talbot agriculture.

MagrowTec: Revolutionising spray efficiency in agriculture

As many factors continue to put pressure on New Zealand farmers, innovative solutions with real world results are the key to bearing some of that pressure.

] Advertorial supplied by Vantaqge NZ Talking about crop protection: increasing spray windows, reducing input quantities, whilst increasing crop productivity, are tangible results. MagrowTec’s revolutionary technology combined with a very simple system can help to achieve these goals.

The science behind MagrowTec MagrowTec’s technology is designed to address one of the biggest challenges in spraying: drift. Traditionally, spray drift leads to significant wastage of chemicals, with only a portion reaching the intended target.

MagrowTec offers a simple but highly effective solution to this problem. Its magnetic-assisted technology changes the behaviour of liquid droplets, allowing them to adhere more effectively to plant surfaces. This results in better spray coverage, reduced drift, and more targeted application.

Benefits for farmers

For farmers in Canterbury & right across New Zealand, where precision is crucial to managing complex cropping systems and diverse environmental conditions, MagrowTec provides several key advantages:

1. Improved Coverage: With better spray deposition, more of the product reaches its intended target, meaning fewer chemicals are wasted, and farmers can achieve better pest and disease control.

2. Environmental Impact: By reducing drift, MagrowTec minimizes the risk of spray chemicals affecting non-target areas like waterways, neighbouring properties, or sensitive ecosystems. This contributes to a more sustainable farming approach.

3. Cost Efficiency: Less wastage means lower chemical input costs over time. With margins tightening across the agricultural sector, technologies that help reduce input costs while maintaining or improving yield potential are highly sought after.

MagrowTec’s technology addresses one of the biggest challenges in agriculturalspraying, that of spray drift.

4. Increased Productivity: Because MagrowTec ensures better coverage and adherence of spray solutions, farmers can often reduce the number of passes over a field, saving time and fuel costs, important for Canterbury’s large-scale operations. Practical applications

MagrowTec can be applied across a range of farming systems. Whether you’re running a dairy operation, growing high-value crops like vegetables, or managing arable land, this system fits seamlessly into existing spray setups with minimal modification.

For Canterbury’s diversified agricultural sector, where farms often juggle multiple enterprises, the flexibility of this solution is a major advantage.

If you want a simple solution – with no moving parts that gives you back both time and money – look to MagrowTec as that solution. As we move into a new era of farming, look to solutions like MagrowTec, that will help pave the way for a more efficient, environmentally friendly future in New Zealand agriculture.

The importance of irrigation performance checks

Just like getting a health check, your irrigation system needs one too. A performance check will assess whether your irrigation system is operating as designed, including whether it’s applying the right depth and how uniformly.

] with rose edkins ]

Aqualinc

Performance checks are also important to meet Farm Environment Plan requirements associated with your property land use consent, you need to demonstrate that your irrigation system is designed and operating efficiently.

So, how do you know if your irrigation system is operating efficiently as per design?

The only way to know is to carry out performance testing. Performance of your irrigation system may change over time, and issues may arise due to worn components and/or incorrect part replacement. Underperformance of your irrigation system may significantly impact your bottom line, seeing reduced crop growth. If your paddock has dry patches, performance is poor.

What does testing do? And what kind of tests are there? The key purpose of testing is to gather data on the irrigation system performance and identify any areas of improvement. Different tests are available depending on the level of assessment required: Irrigation Evaluation:

Is a full evaluation of the irrigation system,

checking performance from the water supply right through to when the water lands on the ground.

First, checks are made at the water supply to ensure that the design flows and pressure are delivered at the headworks – are you delivering too much pressure (at greater power cost), or not enough pressure (irrigator won’t perform as designed).

Next, pressure and flowrate checks are made at various points around the system and at the irrigator. Once these pressure and flows are confirmed to be within the design limits, pressure testing and uniformity testing (also referred to as bucket testing) is then completed at the irrigator to assess irrigator importance. This process is important, as the irrigator will only perform properly if the correct flow and pressure is delivered to the irrigator.

Bucket Test

The ‘bucket test’ is a simplified test which involves testing the uniformity of the irrigator and the application depth applied. This test works best when it is known that sufficient flow and pressure is delivered to the irrigator. Or it can be a quick test to work out whether there is a problem and if more detailed

testing is required. It will often reveal the symptoms of a problem, but not necessarily the cause.

If an issue is identified during testing, advice on next steps to improve performance is then talked through. Often, they can be easily done by carrying out repairs/maintenance or making adjustments to the irrigation system.

Where a bigger issue is identified, for example where flow/pressure delivered to irrigator isn’t sufficient, analysis of the water supply, pipe network and irrigators may be required to identify where improvements can be made to the performance, including operational decisions to ensure the system is working optimally.

The thing is, no two irrigation systems are

Check: The bucket test is a simplified test which involves testing the uniformity of the irrigator and the application depth applied.

the same. It’s therefore important that the right tests, analyses and interpretations are applied to match your needs.

Testing will also help you identify issues early on (such as reduction in irrigation system performance or equipment ageing) which can save you time and money in the long run.

The team at Aqualinc can help with irrigation performance checks and additional analysis to ensure that your irrigation system is operating optimally.

This testing will provide you with the confidence that you are maximising the value of your irrigation system by ensuring you are using the water resource efficiently and contributing to optimal crop growth.

Using technology to support farm record keeping

] by Nick adams

] Irrigation NZ

Keeping good records is vital for farm success, it’s just not always easy. Typing on a keyboard or handwriting notes in the field gets challenging when it’s blowing a gale, raining sideways, or your hands are covered in mud.

] Acting Principal Technical Advisor

However, good record-keeping supports critical areas like compliance, operational efficiency, and long-term decision-making.

Thankfully, there are smart ways to maintain a farm diary that complements the technology already doing much of the heavy lifting.

A good farm diary goes a long way

Farming today faces growing demands for compliance with audits, environmental regulations, and market certifications.

Whether documenting water usage for audits, tracking pump performance, or logging maintenance schedules for sprinklers and pivots, accurate records are indispensable. A good farm diary fulfils obligations and enhances decision-making.

Check out the different technology SCADA systems or similar setups record data on water use, pump operation, and irrigation schedules.

These systems offer real-time performance tracking but don’t capture human observations, such as spotting loose bolts, signs of vermin, or changes in sprinkler alignment.

Your smartphone is a powerful ally for record-keeping. Use its camera or video recorder to document pipe leaks, valve performance, or pivot alignment issues. Drones and action cameras can cover larger areas or hard-to-reach sprinklers. Voice memos are another great option—just talk into your phone and transcribe later.

Specialized apps organize notes, photos,

and videos while linking to compliance requirements. Some apps document irrigation schedules to support water management or simplify audits. Organisations like Irrigation New Zealand provide tools like templates for irrigation schedules and guides on water use. For smaller farms, free or low-cost apps can serve as digital diaries.

Emerging technologies like AI and IoT sensors are expanding possibilities. AI analyses trends in water usage, pump efficiency, or sprinkler performance, while IoT sensors continuously monitor parameters like pipe pressure or valve functionality. These tools

Checking up: SCaDa systems or similar setups record data on water use, pump operation, and irrigation schedules.

reduce manual record-keeping and enhance decision-making. Even with the best technology, field inspections are irreplaceable.

Walking irrigation lines can reveal leaks a SCADA system didn’t flag.

Inspecting pumps up close helps detect unusual noises or wear.

Checking pivots, sprinklers, and valves directly can identify blockages or misalignments.

Regular maintenance ensures reliability and minimizes costly breakdowns.

Keeping a farm diary doesn’t have to be a chore

With tools like photos, videos, voice memos, and apps, and by combining technology with hands-on inspections, you’ll create a record that supports compliance, boosts efficiency, and informs better decisions.

If you don’t have a farm diary, give it a go, it may surprise you how it helps. An up-todate diary deepens your understanding of the system, allowing proactive repairs and effective emergency responses.

So, grab your phone, put on your boots, and head out. Your farm’s irrigation system and peace of mind will thank you.

] with John Ladley

Stag sales show mixed results but optimism remains

DINZ Industry Capability Manager

December and January were the stag sale season for the deer industry. Deer Industry New Zealand (DINZ) had several team members at various sales this season and were mostly encouraged by the sale results.

DINZ CEO Rhys Griffiths was one of the DINZ staff out and about during the season, attending sales at Raincliff Station and Edendale Station.

Griffiths said he came away heartened by the overall results, though acknowledges some of the other sales had seen some variable results.

“2024 was a bit of an uncertain year for the industry, especially in the velvet space, so the mixed results we are hearing aren’t particularly surprising,” Griffiths said.

“The best part about attending stag sales, however, is getting among our stakeholders, our farmers, and gauging the sentiment out there. Given the challenges we faced last year, the sentiment was pretty good overall; quietly confident, understanding of shortterm bumps ahead of long-term gains. This could be seen in some of the successful venison-centric stud sales.

“And with a number of potential velvet partnerships in South Korea and China either in full swing or under development, I’m pretty confident the velvet inconsistencies will be short-lived.”

One such partnership, with Kwang Dong Pharmaceutical in South Korea, recently delivered some encouraging results, with the company launching its world-first health functional food product: a product for prostate

health, featuring New Zealand velvet.

“I’m hugely excited to see Kwang Dong’s latest product, proudly featuring New Zealand velvet, go to market,” Griffiths said.

“While we have been operating in the healthy foods space in South Korea for a while now, this new market segment of health functional foods, which means companies can promote approved claims, represents a massive opportunity to combine traditional Asian medicine with the rigours of Western scientific testing.”

Given the health claims being made, a big

part of the appeal of New Zealand velvet is the traceability and quality assurance provided by the VelTrak system. This can be seen in Kwang Dong’s marketing material, which features a stick of New Zealand velvet with a VelTrak tag in clear prominence.

2025 will see Deer Industry NZ’s integrated farm planning (IFP) programme build, with freshwater planning workshops kicking off in several regions, namely Kapiti/Horowhenua, Masterton, Gore and Te Anau.

The workshops are part of a DINZ programme of work that works to get more farm-

ers documenting their farming plans and practices for verification purposes, as is increasingly asked for by New Zealand’s export markets.

Upon completing the workshops, farmers will have a plan that meets the latest NZFAP Plus requirements, as well as local regional government farm planning requirements.

Apart from time, the only cost to participants is a fee of $150 to cover the first year’s subscription for the online farm planning tool. The workshops themselves are funded by DINZ, courtesy of funding from MPI’s integrated farm plan accelerator programme.

The locations of all future workshops have not been determined yet, so DINZ is taking expressions of interest from deer farmers nationwide who are interested in attending.

Potential topics for future farm planning workshops include animal health and welfare, freshwater management, biodiversity, biosecurity, soil and nutrient management, greenhouse gas management, business tools and human resources. Topics will be decided by demand and/or inquiry from the various regions.

If any farmers are interested in organising a workshop in a specific region or on a specific topic, get in touch with the DINZ IFP team at ifp@deernz.org

] by Nicky Hyslop

Starting 2025 on an upward trajectory

Happy New Year. While the rain and colder weather at the start of the year was welcomed by some farmers, for arable farmers it has been a challenging season and I think we would all like to see some more settled weather as we head into late summer.

] Beef + Lamb New Zealand Director

] Central South Island

As was announced at the end of 2024, the New Zealand economy is officially still in a recession, but we are seeing stronger than expected prices for lamb and beef.

With the New Zealand dollar easing against the US dollar, I am hoping returns for red meat will continue on this upward trajectory.

I am confident that our government is working hard to access new markets for our primary produce and at the end of last year, it was heartening to hear about the deal with the Gulf Cooperation Council to gradually eliminate tariffs into six middle eastern countries within the next ten years. This is a potentially lucrative market and a reflection of the work going on behind closed doors on our behalf.

On farm, it is a heads-down time for many of us as we get into the routine of lamb drafting, crutching, sorting and drenching.

I’m sure we’re all aware of drench resistance and the need to reduce our reliance on drench in our sheep systems, but a recently released summary of cattle faecal egg count reduction tests taken across New Zealand found worrying numbers of worms resistant to double and even triple combinations.

Wormwise programme manager Ginny Dodunski is urging dairy grazers and farmers running R1 dairy beef to check the performance of their drenches and not just assume that double or even triple combinations are working.

I really encourage all livestock farmers to have a look at Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s Wormwise webpages. They contain a wealth of information and the resources we need as we take a more farm systems approach to internal parasite management.

On a sad note, our Canterbury farming community has recently lost two great leaders.

Chris Allen died at his home on 9 December. He was an outstanding advocate for the farming sector and will be remembered for

the significant contribution he made to our community and the wider industry through his numerous roles, including sitting on the National Board of Federated Farmers.

His ever-present grin, great sense of humour, conciliatory manner and common-sense approach meant he was highly respected across the political and NGO spectrum.

Chris was a genuinely kind and caring person and will be missed by so many in our industry and community.

Tony Plunkett died in mid-January and as well as being an outstanding operator, he will be remembered for being the driving force be-

hind the Coleridge Downs cadet programme.

Coming from a non-farming background, he built a highly successful career as a farm manager. He was passionate about attracting young people into the farming industry and growing and developing them into top future farmers.

Both men were outstanding individuals who died too soon. My thoughts are with their families.

Their passing served as a reminder to appreciate our friends and families, and while we all have frustrations and challenges, we are lucky to live and farm in such a beautiful country.

‘The deal with the Gulf Cooperation Council is a potentially lucrative market and a reflection of the work going on behind closed doors on our behalf.

Lessons from Marsden Point

The old Marsden Point oil refinery is a lesson for us in energy transition. Looking back at its history paints a picture of

how we should go forward with its future.

] by Solis Norton

Built for a cost of ten million pounds over two years in the early 1960s, it was never designed to handle oil extracted in New Zealand.

Our light sweet stuff goes to refineries in Australia. Marsden Point did medium-sour blends. At best, it processed around 96,000 barrels per day and provided about two thirds of our petrol and diesel, most of our jet fuel, and all of our fuel oil for ships.

In 1973 it was expanded for a cost of NZ$160m. We were understandably smug later that year when a global oil shock raised oil prices from US$3 to a giddying US$20 per barrel. We had ticked the energy security box.

In 1979 a further expansion planned by the Muldoon government was budgeted at NZ$320m. It was completed in 1986, two years late, for NZ$1.84billion.

It closed as a refinery in 2022 and became simply an oil import terminal.

There is currently a proposal to transform it into an energy precinct. This would include projects to support decarbonisation and biofuels. Seems like a good idea, there is a lot of expensive infrastructure there, why not make the most of it? Energy security is a box that needs re-ticking often enough.

Maybe this precinct could go one step further. Could it include a new refinery to take the types of oil commonly extracted in New Zealand?

We would need to answer some big questions first. Can we locate reserves of sufficient size? Would public support emerge if

it delivered moderate energy costs? What if that reserve was in an environmentally sensitive area? Could we attract the necessary expertise to help, given our petite (yet perfectly formed) nature?

The answers are uncertain. More certain is that energy security, energy resilience, and decarbonisation are aspirations that will not go away.

Let’s explore what a new refinery might it cost. Let’s not use the same woeful economics that forecast the cost of the new Dunedin

hospital. Instead, we will look at the costs of the refinery’s original build, first upgrade and second upgrade. Importantly, we will consider the rate of growth between them.

From the original build to the first upgrade is a growth rate in costs of 32% per year. Then from the first upgrade to the second it is 21% per year. For the period from the second upgrade to building our new refinery, let’s assume the growth rate was 10%. This is probably conservative.

Still, it suggests a cost of around NZ$83 billion. For comparison, the export value of our dairy products is around NZ$26 billion per year. Is the new one a similar quantum of work and materials to those upgrade pro-

jects? I do not know. It is probably bigger.

While this cost estimation method may seem dubious, it highlights the impact of exponential growth on our aspirations. The story of any ‘transition’ will be the story of how we adapt to these rising costs.

How we park a utopian vision of an allelectric future and engage instead, openly and thoughtfully, in the conversation of what this genuinely means for our infrastructure and energy security over the next 20 years and beyond.

It would be great to overhear this very conversation take place at the pub between the government, the bean counters, and the physicists – especially after the third pint.