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FOR E FUTURIA G R R S! U E N E R P
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Volume 43 I February 15, 2021 I email: agined@globalHQ.co.nz I www.farmersweekly.co.nz How NZ's mountains and ranges hugely affect the wind.
1 Go to www.farmersweekly.co.nz 2 Find and watch the OnFarmStory of Pip and Simon Todhunter “ Pick up the ball and go with it” and read the article “Business diversity brings rewards”. 3 Where do Simon and Pip farm? 4 How big is their farm? There are three main zones: One obvious one is Foveaux Strait. A surprising second one to some is Auckland City which is just over 1km wide at its narrowest point between Tasman Sea (west) and Pacific Ocean (east).
STRETCH YOURSELF:
Do some research. What is the third main wind tunnel in New Zealand?
The above table shows the AgriHQ price indicators for cattle, sheep and deer which is provided to farmers through the Farmers Weekly paper each week. 1 Why do you think it is helpful for farmers to see what prices are doing each week? 2 Venison prices are much lower than year-ago levels. What is the % difference between this year and last year? 3 Pregnancy testing has begun on dairy farms which typically means more cows will begin to head to the processors. If supply lifts, what might you expect to happen to the NI and SI cows prices? 4 How would pasture levels impact the supply of dairy cows to the processors? For example, would a dairy farmer in Northland facing a drought be looking to keep on milking empty cows or sell them? How might this differ if the same farm wasn’t in drought and had more pasture available? 5 Do some research, what is a ‘CKT lamb leg’?
Why are these the wind tunnels? The atmosphere, which is made of water, behaves similarly to how rivers on land behave. Water likes the path of least resistance - so it does not go over hills, it snakes through the valleys. Lows and wind behave the same way - they love crossing the ocean so when they reach NZ the "path of least resistant" is where there are gaps in the mountains. Therefore, which of these main centres is the windiest? Alexandra - Wellington - Gisborne Windy weather dries the ground out - so when wind rushes down the side of a hill it is like rubbing your hand fast over carpet. Friction makes it heat up. That is why nor'westers can be so hot! When a nor'wester kicks in, which of these regions would likely be the hottest? The West Coast - Canterbury - Northland
STRETCH YOURSELF: 1 What are the three main aspects of their business?
DON’T FORGET TO SEND US YOUR PHOTOS! ‘Be Safe, Be Seen’ and the whole Gurt and Pops collection could be yours! We want to see howyou stay safe on the farm. Send us in a photo of you being safe on the farm these holidays, along with your answers to two of the questions below to get yourself in the draw.
MARKET SNAPSHOT
1 Go the AgriHQ market snapshot page 2 What was the South Island steer price last week? 3 How is this tracking compared to year-ago levels?
NZ's ranges have a giant impact on our weather. They create floods and droughts by holding up rain clouds in one region and blocking rain from reaching the next region. The winds coming over the Southern Alps and the North Island ranges also speed up as the air is squeezed through the gaps, like how the water speeds up as it’s squeezed through Huka Falls.
FILL YA BOOTS:
2 Their original glamping site was further south than where it is currently. Why did it move? It is now proving popular, especially with families. Why do you think this is?
BE O IN T ! N I W
Why do you never drink out of bottles that are in the workshop? If we walked into this paddock with cattle what could go wrong? Why should you never go somewhere on the farm without talking to an adult first? Before riding your motorbike, what should you dress yourself in and why?
Send your entries to: agined@globalhq.co.nz (we will draw the winner on February 28th)
3 Simon also runs a contracting business which allows him to get off farm, interacting with other people, and gives him his “diesel head” fix as well as providing another form of income. How important do you think it is for farmers to have business interests/hobbies off farm? Why is or isn’t it important? 4 Simon and Pip talk about the importance of looking after staff and providing a work environment that is underpinned by good communication, diversity and a good culture that includes having a laugh and being happy in your work. Why is a good work environment so important for a productive workplace?
1 What is meant by an ‘empty’ cow? 2 How long is a normal gestation period for a cow? 3 What is the difference between a ‘rotary’ and a ‘herringbone’ cow shed? 4 Do some research on dairy farming in another country such as Saudi Arabia. What are some key differences compared to dairy farming in NZ?