Wired March 2015

WIRED Publication of the Fencing Contractors Association of New Zealand Publication of the Fencing Contractors Association of New Zealand

Issue 37 March 2015

Issue 23 ďż˝ September 2011

IN THIS ISSUE: Field Days Review PSA Risk Management Protocol System Stays FOUNDING STRATEGIC PARTNER Profile on McLenaghan Contracting Good v's Bad Northland Basalt

GOLD PARTNERS

FOUNDING STRATEGIC PARTNER $35.00 subscription per annum (4 issues) - Free to members of FCANZ

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FCANZ, POPO Box Box 19-389,19 Hamilton, New Zealand.

Ph 0508 4 FCANZ 4 32269) www.fencingcontractors.co.nz FCANZ, 389, 3244 Hamilton, 3244 Ph 0508(0508 4 FCANZ (0508 4 32269)

OUTHERE, HERE, IT OUT ITPAYS PAYS OUT HERE, IT PAYS TO BE TOUGH AND WIRY. TO ANDWIRY. WIRY. TOBE BE TOUGH TOUGH AND Simon Fuller, Fuller Fencing, Southland.

Fuller, Fuller Fencing, Southland.

SimonSimon Fuller, Fuller Fencing, Southland.

A WIREMARK® label is the only guarantee that your netting wire is made and tested locally for our unique farming conditions. It’s tried ® and proven to ® endure the rigours of livestock and our extreme weather. Look for the label and insist on WIREMARK . It’s as tough A WIREMARK label is theonly onlyguarantee guarantee that your netting wire is made and and tested locallylocally for ourfor unique farming farming conditions.

It’s tried It’s ® WIREMARK label is the that your netting wire is made tested our unique conditions. as a local fencer. Call 0800 WIREMARK today. ®

and proven to endure the rigours of livestock and our extreme weather. Look for the label and insist on WIREMARK . It’s as tough

nd proven to endure the rigours of livestock and our extreme weather. Look for the label and insist on WIREMARK®. It’s as to as a local fencer. Call 0800 WIREMARK today. s a local fencer. Call 0800 WIREMARK today.

tried ough

PRESIDENT’S REPORT Welcome to the March edition of Wired.

FCANZ would like to acknowledge the significant financial contribution that WIREMARK makes towards meeting the costs associated with the publication and distribution of WIRED.

Waitangi weekend saw the Hilux Rural Games held in Queenstown for the first time. FCANZ took the opportunity to be involved and I think it was a great success. I would like to thank the local members that came and helped to support the speed fencing competition.

Congratulation to Matt Jones for taking first place in the inaugural Rural Games Speed Fencing. Mike BIllinghurst has put together a summary of events which you can read.

We are in the process of finalising dates and times for this year’s round of Association Days in conjunction with Gallaghers. The aim of these days this year is to get you our members talking amongst one another, sharing ideas, getting hands on practical skills and getting technical information from Gallagher.

been doing or how they go about their business.

For you fencers in the Canterbury get along to the South Island Field days and give the Fencing Competition a go (no digging required).

That’s all from my end of the country; enjoy the informative and interesting reading to follow. Next edition there may be some good photos of stag heads if you send them in to operations@fencingcontractors.co.nz or P.O. Box 19 389 Hamilton 3244, we will try and get them published. You never know you might get a pleasant surprise, but in the meantime keep safe and be seen.

Simon

A note from the FCANZ Desk!

Sincere thanks to our contributors: Mike Billinghurst Debbie White John Noakes Gary Graham Steve Mee Tim & Vanessa Stafford

Also in this edition is information on this year’s conference happening in Nelson so register for a once in a life time opportunity to be hosted

by Noksee in his home area. I know last year it was unanimous to head to Nelson so grab your local member and bring them along to enjoy a great weekend Due to change of personnel we missed this year’s NZ Young Farmers Get Ahead program but we have positively voiced our interest for next year’s round. This is a great way of making the career path of being a fencer available to the next generation and the careers people at schools. This year Jane and some of the Board will attend a couple of these days to plan for next year.

Thank you to those people that have contributed articles for this edition of Wired. It is always of interest to see what other members have

Cover Photo courtesy of Gary Graham.

Phew – I think I have done it – put, pulled and pushed together my first issue of Wired. Big thank you to Scott from Pursuit Design. We have made some small changes to the look and layout of the magazine and we would love your feedback on them – along with any suggestions for articles or sections that you would like to see in the magazine. Just send me an email – operations@fencingcontractors.co.nz or give me a call 0508 432 269 Take care out there and I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible at the Conference in Nelson.

Cheers Jane

Our Mission: To increase the profile of fencing as a recognised profession and encourage a high level of workmanship through knowledge and standards.

Disclaimer: WIRED takes all due care in the preparation of this magazine but is not responsible or liable for any mistakes or omissions. Articles that appear in WIRED do not necessarily reflect the opinions of FCANZ. WIRED welcomes contributions but reserves the right to edit. Material sent in will not be returned unless requested and we are sent a self- addressed stamped envelope to help with processing.

South Island Agricultural Field days - Kirwee March 25-27

battle of the

bangers competition N

ew Zealand post driver manufacturers offer the agricultural and civil sectors a wide range of brands which lead the market both domestically and internationally. New Zealand made post drivers also portray the strong heritage that New Zealand has played in the designing of products for the fencing industry, with every post driver representing many hours of local manufacturing labour, which in turn feeds into regional economies.

Battle of the Bangers is an inaugural fencing machinery demonstration event focused on New Zealand manufactured post drivers.

Battle of the Bangers is being held within the South Island Agricultural Field Days (SIAFD) at their new property in Kirwee, Canterbury March 25th to 27th 2015.

SIAFD are well known for their machinery demonstrations making these Field Days a natural choice to launch this event concept.

The SIAFD organising committee have been extremely encouraging setting aside a prime fencing demonstration area which will host a number of fencing activities alongside Battle of the Bangers.

New Zealand fencers have a wide selection of New Zealand post driver brands to choose from. The Battle of the Bangers emphasis is on what the New Zealand post driver industry has to offer and is supportive of the role agricultural manufacturing sector play in many regional economies.

Depending on budget, purpose and preference model types tend to fall under rear mount, side mount or rotation configurations. Battle of the Bangers showcases and focuses on each model and its merits with both an assessment and practical demonstrations in accordance to the base configurations taking place on the Wednesday and Thursday of SIAFD. At the time of going to print the following post drivers will be taking part in Battle of the Bangers.

In the rearmount division •Fence-pro will have their Fencepro Ultra G2 on rearshift, far side rock spike with 90mm spike, 300kg Block, 4.5m Hydraulic hinge mast.

•With this region being “Taege country”, Taege have entered their Contractor model, with a hinged mast, heavy hammer, end and sliding shift combo and rock spike.

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In the side mount division • Fence- pro will have their FencePro Ultra G3 on Sidemount 900, near side hydraulic turn rockspike system, 90mm rockspike, 350kg Block, 4.8m Hydraulic hinge mast.

• Revolution Postdrivers have their Telescopic SS post driver with 900 mm sideshift, 900 mm for/aft, 330 kg hammer and auto 100 mm rock spike.

In the rotation division • Revolution Postdrivers will have their Telescopic 180 with 300 kg hammer, Auto Rock Spike kit.

With fence lines and posting conditions not always being ideal Battle of the Bangers is designed to reflect that. Whereas any fencer can breeze down an easy contoured straight fence line with soft going, the reality often differs. As you know even on the one job or in the vicinity of creating a paddock terrain, access, soil types can differ. Seasonal factors dictate access and how long it can take to drive posts with many around the country having to resort to Rock Spikes or Auger kits on their post drivers to get the posts in.

The practical posting component of Battle of the Bangers is not a race; rather it reflects the realities of fence line installation with a guide wire needing to be run and posting using No 2 Strainers, No 1 rounds and the Goldpine Superposts, which are rounded quarters. Posting is to be precise and accurate as dictated by any professional job. Rock spiking is a given on this stony and to date extremely dry Canterbury ground.

Posting takes place in 50 metre long by 8 metre wide laneways with exclusion zones around these laneways, reflecting the limited access often presented to fencers.

On the Friday of SIAFD the post drivers will be on hand for the public to look over. The posting installed during Battle of the Bangers will be used by the New Zealand Fencing Competitions (NZFC) fencing competition, which features many of the South Islands leading fencers.

Battle of the Bangers takes post driver demonstrations to a new level in the public arena. Please come along and enjoy the show.

There is a public marquee and seating.

Publication of the Fencing Contractors Association of New Zealand

ST-315i Impulse Fencing Stapler Introducing another world first from STOCK-ade the people that brought you the world’s first power stapler for rural livestock fencing and horticulture.

STOCK-ade is proud to announce the release of the world’s first heavy duty Impulse gas powered fencing stapler.

Designed for heavy duty batten fencing applications the ST-315i tool and fastener program comes hard on the heels of the Super duty ST-400 pneumatic barbed fencing stapler.

Supplied in a rugged nylon protective case the new ST-315i comes with all the items needed to get started right away.

Two batteries, charger kit, eye and ear protection, full instructions including trouble shooting guide and hex keys for adjustments.

Developed in New Zealand for use with STOCK-ade staple fastener packs the new ST-315i packs all of the punch of a bar-room brawl and none of the fuss.

Delivering nearly 90j of power there is no timber batten or post the St-315i can’t handle.

No need to search for fuel it already comes with the staples in two handy staple packs.

STOCK-ade has released the standard 33 x 3.15mm batten staple and its big brother the 40 x 3.15mm staple. Both staple/fuel packs come with enough fuel to cover the amount of staples in the staple/fuel packs, 2,000 for the 33mm staples and 1,800 staples for the 40mm packs.

5 X Faster

Staple 5 X faster than traditional hand hammering the STOCK-ade ST-315i Impulse tool will speed medium to long run fencing jobs. Power staplers are not only a great labour saver but also great for roping in other labour units on the farm that might be watching TV or engaged in general loafing.

Portable - No Compressor

The ST-315i cordless Impulse design means no compressors or hoses to tangle and lets you get on with stapling off the fence while the rest of the crew pounds the posts. Ideal for bush blocks and steep hill country where lugging a compressor is tough work all you need is your STOCK-ade Impulse stapler, staples and your STOCK-ade fence belt.

Also great to take along on farm patrol to fix problems on the spot without having to plan a return with cumbersome equipment.

Perfect for quick fence maintenance in remote country.

Reliable Design

Staple/Fuel Packs

Made in New Zealand our STOCK-ade staples offer the highest grade heavy coat galvanizing for staples available in New Zealand and both staple formats are nonbarbed for superior driving performance and holding power in dry timber.

Plug and Play

There is no additional equipment needed to get started, simply charge the batteries (supplied) grab your pack of STOCKade Impulse staples and hit the fence line. When fully charged our new battery design will last up to 4000 shots and there is enough fuel in the staple packs to finish the staples.

Accessories

STAPLE-Mate – Staple Puller The world’s best one handed staple puller.

No fatigue, easy to use, comes with a convenient tool scabbard to fit your Fence-Gear belt kit Staple Case Look for promotions featuring our staple case ammo can, great for protecting your staples and STAPLE-Mate from the weather. Easy to carry and store.

The team at STOCK-ade is proud to bring you the ST-315i Impulse cordless stapler another innovative new fencing solution.

Developed in New Zealand by Kiwi’s dedicated to finding better ways for our Kiwi fencers and farmers. Come and see us at all the major Agriculture shows Northland Field Days 26-28th February 2015 - Dargaville Central Districts Field Days 12-14th March 2015 - Feilding South Island Agricultural Field Days 25-27th March 2015 - Kirwee National Agricultural Fieldays 10-13th June - Mystery Creek Available at all leading STOCK-ade outlets nationwide from March 1st STOCK-ade … Makes Fencing

Don’t forget our other great STOCK-ade products Fence-Gear Belt Kit Idea for working remotely, now you don’t have to be near your compressor you need a convenient way to carry your staples.

Packing some real fire power the ST-315i tool has a quick clear nose design for easy clearing of staple jams. An adjustable depth of drive for soft and hard timber is standard and a battery charging light is built in to the handle so you know you always have enough power on hand.

Publication of the Fencing Contractors Association of New Zealand

7

don’t fence me in

by Alice Scott

Greg Oliver stands in the doorway of the farm’s old homestead which his grandparents lived in. It is now a very useful covered deer yard.

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Country-Wide has kindly allowed us to print this article about one of our members in this issue of Wired.

“It was a cheap development project which Diversification and perseverance are wasn’t ideal really, as now we are chipping key to a deer farm’s success. away at upgrading the fences to proper When he’s not walking the East Otago deer fencing. But it’s all we could afford to countryside fencing farmland, Greg do back then.”

Oliver can be found at his deer farm In the early days, they share-farmed with near Palmerston. The last 30 years has other local farmers also keen to run deer. been a slow process of building the It was another way to help the Olivers deer herd and now the farm is finally make progress. stabilised at 2000 deer.

A few years ago, during a particularly As well as raising four children, Greg tough time in the deer industry, Greg and his wife Nicky have worked as a and Nicky had no choice but to bring in team to keep their three businesses a silent partner to the deer operation. “We ticking over. Nicky is a busy real estate didn’t want to do it, but we had no other agent for Cutlers Real Estate and Greg option if we wanted to keep on farming.” has been the number one fencing The farm runs 900 commercial hinds and contractor in the area for nearly 30 400 velvet stags. This year Greg and James years as well as running the commercial plan to reduce the hinds down to 600 this deer farm. These days 26 year old son year and increase the velveters to 500 in James is working for Greg as a fencer, the next 12 months. as well as on the farm which he plans to Twelve wapiti stags are put to 300 hinds to one day take over. breed a larger animal for its higher meat Despite growing up on a sheep farm, yield. And the rest of the hinds are single Greg says he always liked deer. They sire mated with a red stag. are a good low-input option for him The fawn drop averages around 95% each on the farm while he is still busy year. All the spikers are brought in for with the mainstay business - fencing velvet selection. Of the 250 or so, half will contracting. be culled based on the thickness of their “When we first started farming we had velvet. The culled spikers are grown to 14 acres (5.6ha), six wapiti cows and a about 60kg and killed. wapiti bull and we just grew from there A third of the female fawns are kept as really.” replacements and the remainder are killed Greg and Nicky later bought 162ha at 45kg. off Greg’s father nearby at Goodwood Each year Greg culls the older stock that – they later added another 101ha of haven’t got into fawn or are producing less neighbouring land followed by 81ha of than satisfactory progeny. leased land a short drive away.

Greg sends all of his finished deer to Otago The farm sits just above sea level and Venison processing plant in Mosgiel, near goes up to 450m. It lies to the southDunedin, which Duncan and Company east which means it can be a lot wetter has a 25% shareholding in. but holds on better in drier years. The Pride of Place steep nature of the farm means Greg Greg and James Oliver also pick four or and James usually use four wheelers to five older stags each year to allow their get around the farm rather than trucks. velvet to grow out. They will then sell these “It’s been a long time just playing a animals to the game parks as trophy stags. numbers game to get the farm up to a They can fetch around $4500 for a trophy viable deer unit,” Greg says. stag - of the four or five they grow out Over the years, to help the farm get sometimes only one or two will grow a set ahead, Greg and Nicky have undergone of antlers good enough to pass as a trophy a number of cost cutting and revenue stag.” gathering projects. When they bought Greg believes in using top genetics and Greg’s father’s farm it had been will pay $20,000 or more for a quality red running sheep - Greg added batons to stag. the existing fence posts to make the “In the early days we couldn’t afford to pay paddocks deer proof. the big money but these days we see it as

The other life: Greg Oliver (centre) works on a fenceline with two of his five fulltime fencers, Bill Brown (left) and Rolls Stewart.

Greg Oliver’s deer farm sits on the south east side of Palmerston’s Puketapu hill in East Otago which his eldest son James plans to one day take over.

an investment back into the farm.”

Greg gets his stags from “all over” and has a good working relationship with stud owner Eddie Brock in Southland. “We purchased some commercial hinds from him when we were building our herd and we also buy our stags from him, too. He has been very good to me.”

Two other people Greg says have been good sounding boards and advisors to him over the years are stock agents Adam Fonger and Graham Kinsman. “Adam and Graham have both been a great help to us through the years. I consider both of them good friends.”

Velvet keeps farm sustainable The biggest challenge for Palmerston deer farmers Greg and Nicky Oliver is managing the farm through the tough years.

Greg says: “Right now we are getting $6.20kg for the meat which is pretty dismal.”

He says it would be better if it was up around $8.00 or $9.00kg and it is getting hard to sell the hinds.

“No one wants them at the moment which is a real shame as they have good velveting genetics in them. We have to kill them,” Greg says.

At the moment, it’s the velvet that is keeping the farm in the deer. They are getting well-paid for the product by the Korean and Chinese markets which use it for its medicinal benefits. Last year they cut around one tonne of velvet.

They are getting about 4.5kg of velvet off an older stag and about 3kg off the twoyear-olds. He says at $150/kg for spiker and regrowth - the second cut - it’s worth all the effort, although second cut would have to be the worst job of the lot.

“It’s the second time the stags are brought in within a few months and their last experience is still clear in their minds. It’s not much fun!”

Greg sells the velvet on the spot market, supplying to one of three companies in New Zealand, whichever is offering the best price at the time.

“It would be nice to stay loyal and just go with one company but the margins are tight, we can’t really afford to do that.”

Game Plan Despite the demanding work life, club rugby comes as a welcome distraction for the whole Oliver family in winter.

Last year Greg coached Eastern Senior Reserve team and this year he’s doing the same with the help of fellow East Otago sheep fencer Duncan Smith.

“Rugby’s a great way to get away out of it for half a day and enjoy some social time.

You need it, really.”

Through all the years – good times and bad – Greg says he sticks to both the fencing and farming for the love of both.

He says he’s lucky that his fencing business has been kept busy and runs well independent of the farming.

“The good farming years are great. But the tough farming years – well, we just keep on fencing,” he laughs.

Time management is key Combining a busy fencing business of five fulltime fencers and a deer farm isn’t easy. Greg Oliver’s wife Nicky says the last 30 years has seen him work seven days a week. “Every day is a work day and that’s just how it is. We as a family don’t know any different,” she says.

As a real estate agent, Nicky’s busy days are often in the weekends and she says the beauty of farm life when their children were younger is that Greg would take them with him on the farm.

Greg says: “What with having the kids with me a lot, I couldn’t have half mad deer on the place so we were always culling for soundness.”

Greg’s elder daughter Anna says she remembers being padded up in cricket gear as a youngster as a precautionary measure - youngest daughter Kate says her main spot in the yards is perched up on the wall above the stock.

Greg and his eldest son James put aside

Wednesday afternoons and Saturdays as farming days.

“This season we will be velveting 400 stags and next year we will increase that to 500 which will demand a bit more of our time. So we will have to fit it all in there somewhere.”

Depending on the age of the stag first cut occurs around November-December – the second cut in January or February, Greg says harvesting the velvet is a time sensitive job. “Sometimes it’s only a matter of hours you have to get it right.” It’s better to harvest slightly early than too late as the velvet will begin to calcify which will lessen the value of the product.

During velveting time Greg and James will feed out deer pellets to the stags as a way to keep a close eye on the state of their velvet.

Velveting occurs around 66 days from when the stags drop a button (starts a new head) and they mob them together based on when that’s happened.

“It’s just a matter of keeping a good eye on them and harvesting at the right time.”

During winter Greg will feed out lucerne baleage to the hinds first thing each morning before he goes fencing. They feed the crop to the velveters and younger stock which are just let go in the paddock.

Break fencing isn’t an option because they are away fencing and Greg says they tend to run the mobs in bigger paddocks in an effort to keep the shifting manageable around the working week.

Sharing the load Greg and James Oliver don’t have the time to spend in a tractor doing cultivation so contractors are used for this type of work.

Greg works on a three-year cropping rotation. The first year the paddock will be sewn with a combination of swede and kale, followed the next year by just kale and the third year back into grass – a blend of rye, red clover, chicory, plantain and white clover.

The steep nature of the farm means a maintenance fertiliser application of superphosphate, copper and selenium is flown on by plane.

“The copper and selenium is for the deer.

They are important minerals which they seem to need for their health.”

Straining to get quick results?

W

e’re not getting any younger & digging in strainer assemblies can be time consuming & down right hard work!

In this edition of Wired, we’ll step through how the Waratah strainer posts & stay could work on your next challenging job & provide some handy tips on installation that will have you finishing your next job a lot faster.

Strainer assemblies are critical in any fence line as they carry the strain of fence wire, impact from animals & the weight from accessories like gates. The key components to a good assembly are the right strainer post & stay products.

Waratah strainer post products:

• Ezypipe - round 89mm OD galvanised steel pipe, 2.15 or 2.5m lengths, packed & strapped in bundles of just 5, can be mechanically thumped in or knocked in with a Waratah hand driver. The installed height of the 2.15m Ezypipe is approximately 1.25m above the ground (900mm in) & the 2.50m Ezypipe is 1.6m above ground (900mm in), which can be adjusted by drilling new holes in the pipe for the adjustable bracket. Best suited to applications where improved ground holding capacity is required.

• Ezyslot – 75 x 75mm galvanised steel angle, 2.1 or 2.5m lengths, packed & strapped in bundles of just 5, can be mechanically thumped in or knocked in with a Waratah hand driver. The 2.1m Ezyslot is approximately 1.2m above ground (900mm in) & the 2.5m Ezyslot is 1.3m above ground (1,200mm in). The pointed end of the Ezyslot post can punch through ground that may be more difficult for round strainer posts.

Waratah has just 1 stay product that has multiple applications: • Adjusta-stay - round 60mm OD galvanised steel pipe with plastic pad ground pad, M12 galvanised rod, bracket, washers & nuts, 3.0m length, packed & strapped in bundles of 10, can be used with Ezyslot or Ezypipe strainer posts & most timber strainer posts. The pad does not need to be dug in as it is built to disperse the load evenly on the ground & the threaded rod is longer than the pipe to accommodate for strainers on sloping ground.

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How to install strainer posts:

1. Drive them in with a mechanical driver or Watatah driver (there are 2 different hand held drivers to suit the round or angled post)

How to install stay:

1. Insert locating lug into Ezypipe or Ezyslot. Drill a small pilot hole if using with a timber strainer post.

2. Put threaded rod through the preexisting holes in the Ezyslot or Ezypipe & put washer & nut on. With a timber strainer post, drill a 20mm hole through the post & put washer & nut on.

3. Hammer the bracket into the slot in the middle of the plastic pad, and then insert the bracket into the stay pipe & the rod through the hole in the bracket.

Ezyslot post driver 2. For additional ground holding in soft soils, drive in a couple of Y posts through the anchor lugs 4. Screw the nut onto the rod right through to the bracket using the optional Adjusta-stay tube socket accessory.

Adjusta-stay base

Inserting Anchor pin into Ezyslot

5. Give the strainer post a nudge with a driver or hammer to settle the stay in, and then tighten the nut near the bracket with a tool socket or spanner.

Ezypipe Strainer Post

Ezy-pipe underground cutout

Publication of the Fencing Contractors Association of New Zealand

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And I lived to tell the tale!

By Stephen Mee

On a nice sunny day down at Otapiri Gorge in Southland. Things all went pear shaped and I managed to roll my new JD 6510SE and brand new Fence Pro Driver (side mount) high up in the hills on a farm called The Trig. Completely disorientated after rolling over a number of times, ending up side down in a gully, resting up against some scrub and gorse. What a mess – I didn’t know where the hell I was. I must have extracted myself out a broken window and crawled up a bank and followed some wheel marks and come across my 4 wheel bike then followed wheel marks on a farm track all the way back to the homestead, covered in blood , battered and bruised.

The farm manager drove me to the Medical Centre and I was sent to hospital for the rest of the day for observation. My girlfriend and my son met up with us at the Medical Centre and my son couldn’t make out what Dad had been up to, lying there with no pants on , with my loyal dog at my side. Personal injuries incurred, mild concussion, sore back and could hardly walk for 3 days. Had an irregular heart beat for 6 hours ( that had nurses running for a bit) but settled down after another 4 hours. Full recovery has been attained but I was lucky to live through that one. Thank my lucky stars. The tractor was written off and the post driver was away for 3 weeks getting repaired after being bent up. Parts

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were slow to arrive due to Cook Strait Ferry problems, insurance companies/ assessors etc. The driver was on it’s first job, hadn’t even made my first payment on it. The recovery of the tractor and driver from where they were resting was a big exercise, as it involved getting it back on its wheels and kms down the hill on a steep farm track onto a transporter and back to Invercargill. With dented pride and having to answer the same questions for the next 3 months “so what went wrong?”

I should explain the fence I was trying to erect at the time was a single wire to keep dairy cows out of the bush while grazing a crop. A bloody expensive post that one!

Thank goodness for good insurance cover on wrecked gear, but nothing for lost and down time – still had to go and finish the job. Finished the job with a 20 Ton digger and rattle head (one that retrieved my tractor). It took 1 day and 2 of us to finish lines. Haven’t replaced the tractor yet, but am missing not having a front end loader.

So what went wrong?

1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) 8)

Laziness in preparing the equipment Hadn’t put the duals on as I need to turn the dishes around.

Weight on down hill side Very loose terrain root naked tupsul with a rock base Siding too bloody steep.

Too bloody cocky ( been trying to roll a tractor for 30 years NOT!) Working by myself in difficult terrain Farm Manager wasn’t checking people in or out of property so didn’t know if I was there or not.

9) Give it a go attitude – she’ll be right.

10) Poorly prepared fence line and not marked out.

11) Farm trying to cut costs i.e. preparing fence line and post type.

12) Would my H&S Policy have saved me? NO because of calculated risk.

Publication of the Fencing Contractors Association of New Zealand

I have learnt to keep the cab of machine tidy, no crescents etc on floor because they get nasty when thrown at you in a roll over. Don’t wear a seat belt when getting in and out of cab all the time. Following the instructions written on the side of the cab – ‘Hang on to steering wheel tightly’ – it saved me. You may ask why not a rattle head from the beginning? The posts were skinny, cheap quarter rounds which would have blown apart in hard ground.

Cheaper to put decent posts in from the start. I missed out on the FCANZ fencing job in Invercargill that was on Sky TV (well done boys). Thanks John Scott of Power farming for supplying tractor. I took Fuller and Noksee for a pig hunt where I had my accident. No pigs but makes you think twice about what we do. Be Safe – it pays to walk around and check things before you totally commit – it might save your life.

Looking forward to the next FCANZ Conference and I am really going to enjoy it. Cheers till next time Stephen

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Rear Mounts - Side Mounts - Rotational Designs Rock Spike and planetary drive Auger Kits Upcoming Field Days: Central Districts 12 - 15 MARCH Site S29 SIAFD Kirwee Canterbury 25 - 27 MARCH Site F4

www.revolutionpostdrivers.co.nz ph 0800 957 868 mob 0274 957 868

FROM THE TOP OF

THE SOUTH

H

i all from the Motueka region. 2015 has started off with a hiss and a roar with sunny days & high temperatures.

Great for tourists but some of them need to stay on right side of the road.

I’m writing this article from Wanaka. I came down to help Mike Billinghurst at The Hilux NZ Rural Games &NZ Speed Fencing Championship, doing the photographing & commentating with Wiggy & Jamie Mckay from the farming show. A very well run event that went out around the world on Sky TV with the help of the Top twins I’ll leave Mike to fill you in on the rest. A big vote of thanks to Mike for the hours he put in organising the fencing competition and flying the flag for FCANZ and at last minute stepping up to the mark with Donald Cornwell from Strainrite to make up the team, well done boys.

Next the FCANZ Conference & AGM being held in Nelson on Friday 24th - Sun 26th July at the Trailways Hotel Nelson Conference and Function centre.

Trailways Hotel is based right in Nelson for ease of access to shops, port area and centre of NZ, which is worth a walk just for the views. There are heaps of walking tracks everywhere just to keep your fitness up in our wonderful region.

For booking accommodation 0800 872 459 or www.trailwayshotel.co.nz ref.

FCANZ. Organising is well under way to showcase some of the things our members do in our area. From hop gardens, wind cloth structures. Some hands on fencing techniques and the latest from Waratah. A trip into the Able Tasman [which tourists rave about] We will get a run down on how hops grow & sample some craft beers at the oldest hotel in NZ. We’ll be having a clay

by John Noakes

bird shoot just to keep you on track. For the ladies we have Saturday markets in Nelson which is 2 minute walk from the hotel. A tour around our local area with coffee and lunch, which I’m sure you’ll all enjoy. Still a work in motion with heaps more in the pipe line. Field days are coming up at CD in Fielding on the 12th to 14th March and SIAFD at Kiwee in Canterbury 25th to 27th March. I’ll be working on the Goldpine site so look forward to catching up. Keep an eye out for the fencing competitions you might learn something and pick up a few tips. Thats it from me go hard & enjoy life

cheers Noksee .

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LOVE YOUR LAND

worth my two cents

by Gary Graham

Steel Wheels

Over the years I had seen old steel wheels of different types around sheds so they are nothing new; in fact they were around before rubber tyres. I had been told about this chap Charlie Bannister, a legend in the Wairarapa, who used steel wheels on Fordsons and I believe a Ford County. However, these were instead of rubber tyres, not clip-ons as we use.

Anyway about our steels - how good are they?

Bloody fantastic! The benefits are obvious - stability, holding and traction. But where they pay for themselves is they extend your season past the dry months giving you the ability to carry on in the hill country in less favourable conditions. You don’t lose time because of overnight rain that has made an over-dry surface slippery. One steep place on a line lets you drop the tractor over to get the rest where you can’t back up. I wouldn’t be

without them. In dodgy conditions I

always walk the line first and

have a Plan B just in case.

We are often told we are mad going as steep as we do.

Madness certainly does help

but so does a fear of hand

digging. We haven’t had

any out-of-control slides.

The photos never show

how steep we can go, but

we have been walking up

a hill where you need to

put your hands in front of you. In fact, in one of our early steep descents there was a dirt bike hill climb on the bulldozed line three days earlier and noone went past two-thirds of the way up.

The steels can be fitted by one man in about ten minutes and are held on by 4 ‘snaplocks’. They can be taken off in two minutes. Some might say why not a dozer? Well, tractors are cheaper to buy and maintain and they are able to be driven on roads, farm bridges etc. The tractor forks can be used for loading and unloading, and then the tractor tows the trailer to the site as well as laying the line.

16

However, dozers have the advantage of dozing lines and the ability to climb. Dozer operators who have seen where we go on the steels say

they can’t ram down a line any steeper than us in most cases. We had a second set built last summer and the cost was $4,400 plus ‘snaplocks’ at $1200, for the set.

They will last forever. The old steels had to be rebuilt seven or eight years ago - they were some old original wheels adapted to ‘snaplocks’ but the rims were too light for a tractor and rammer.

Tractors

We run two tractors, a McCormack (Landini in disguise) and a Same - each doing around 1300 hours per year. Now, for hill country l believe in having a tractor around 3.5 tonne dry weight (70 - 100 hp).

With a loader, rammer and ballast water it is probably 5.5 tonne which is about right for farm bridges and narrow, unstable farm tracks. Heavier tractors have wider tyres which can have problems on wet hills and tracks. I also like 4-wheel diff-locks for downhill descents and other tricky situations.

Good brakes are essential. Cabs are a nono for me, high winds and doors don’t mix, also restricting the visibility of the rammer mast and getting on and off is much easier.

We seldom have a driver and rammer operator - I can’t stand paying someone to sit on his backside!

With our tractors doing about 1300 hours per year we always buy new and trade at four years old- around 5000 hours. In all instances they have cost us $7 per hour in actual depreciation which isn’t bad because they are still tidy modern tractors.

I don’t think you need too many bells and whistles on a tractor for ramming; after all it is just to carry and power a rammer, keep it simple and cheap. We fencers are lucky we can buy a new tractor and rammer for $80-90,000 and use that same gear all year round. Mine never see a shed and seldom come home. Unlike Ag contractors who will spend that sort of money on a set of discs which do nothing for eight months of the year or more.

Waratah Footer the 9mm ropes not lasting and Fence Pro supplied us with a third wheel on the mast top and we are getting a much longer life out of the ropes.

As we are on hill country we have centremount rammers, because a side mount just will not work for us on narrow ridges and lighter tractors. However we do have side and rear shift of about 250mm. The rear shift I wouldn’t be without, first it saves clutches and a foot post can be rammed without moving the tractor and various other small benefits.

Forks

Pearson forks which are designed by Steve Knudson are invaluable because of the amount of laying of lines we do. They are very strong and have a cutting bar at the bottom for blading. These forks are really good for taking off that hump on old fence lines; they are not cheap but very useful and long lasting.

Waratah Footer 2 Setting lines

I always say to crew when they are setting lines for tractor and rammer, the tractor is king and we always give highest priority to keeping posts in front of it, after all it is the money machine. We often lay our own lines which we peg and paint. Then all the posts are laid parallel next to the guide wire and the posts are gauge marked with white crayon - this way the tractor drives over the guide wire and posts, and the operator just stands the posts up behind the rammer.

Footing

While this may be nothing new to some I thought I would share our experience. We use this type of foot regardless of whether the posts are hand dug or rammed posts.

First, cut out a keyhole to fit half a waratah standard, always on the top side. Place the post in the hole and ram bottom of it up to the keyhole then drive through the waratah followed by another at right angles over top. In soft ground use a wooden peg instead of the second waratah. On more severe foots staple a strap of no 8 wire over the keyhole to stop posts splitting.

Advantages are less digging then a T foot, the waratah becomes part of the post, and it is quick and effective.

My Same has good wheel brakes but a useless hand-brake (drive shaft brake). I knew this before l bought it but have put two taps in the hydraulic brake- lines (linelocks) and this works brilliantly. The taps cost $65 each and plumbing a few hundred dollars. We just push down the brake pedals and turn the taps off – it’s that simple.

Rammers

We run Fence Pros and are quite happy with them. Our first one did 12,000 odd tractor hours, 120,000 posts and I sold it to a client. We did have a problem with

Next issue l will discuss my views on business structure, financial matters, risks and the future.

Soil Classification Part 2

From the master fencer way (soil anchor selection) Part 1(Soil Anchor selection) was in the December issue of Wired....

1.First classify the texture of the soil sample as in the module entitled ‘Soil Texture’ C.AB. (refer to Dec issue of wired)

Note: With these soils it may be necessary to classify a small clod of soil taken out of the hole from the intended depth of the soil anchor.

2. For a soil that is either ‘Loamy Sand’ or ‘Sandy’ or ‘Silty Sand’ the soil strength can be assumed to be ‘medium’. Use the chart in Dec Wired to match your general soil texture classification to the more specific soil texture in the column second from right.

6. After classifying the soil into a texture class and a strength class, select from the table below, the size of the soil anchor for the end assembly.

STRONG SOILS:

These include silts and clays (and mixtures in which silts or clays are dominant) that will show faint heel marks when walked on in a wet state (this means walking on the type of soil that the soil anchor is going to bear against).

These soils can only be penetrated with the thumb with a lot of effort.

MEDIUM SOILS:

3. If the sample has one of the remaining textures i.e. clay or silt, the ‘Soil Strength’ will have to be classified before selecting the soil ancor size.

4. Dig the hole to the required depth of the intended soil anchor. Do not disturb the surface that the stay block or breast block is to bear against (i.e. the soil you are going to test).

SOIL STRENGTH TEST

These include sands, silty sands and those silts and clays that have a consistency in between that of the strong soils and the weak soils.

WEAK SOILS: Article kindly supplied

by Cyclone

Note: If possible the soil should be wet.

5. Carry out the strength test on undisturbed soil. Write down on paper the soil strength that is closest to your soil tested. Select the ‘soil strength’ using the test below.

These soils include silts, clays and loams (and mixtures in which silts, clays, or loams are dominant) which have the consistency of soft putty and can be pinched in half between the fingers.

Note: The sizes recommended below are for stay block ans breast block soil anchors for a conventional 8 -10 wire fence (using 2.5mm HT wire) SOIL STRENGTH

SOIL ANCHOR SIZE (Half Round)

STAY BLOCK

Strong Soils Medium Soils Weak Soils

0.9m x 200mm 1.2m x 200mm 1.8m x 200mm

BREAST BLOCK

Strong Soils Medium Soils Weak Soils

0.6m x 175mm 0.8m x 200mm 1.2m x 200mm

Note: The above stay block and breast block sizes are recommendations only and may not apply in all situations.

18

Publication of the Fencing Contractors Association of New Zealand

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* Prices do not include Tractor. Postdriver only. See your agent for a full price list. Expires March 31 2015.

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210 x 140 Wired Mag ad - 2015 Feild Days.indd 1

17/02/15 11:29 am

MORE CUSTOMERS THAN EVER VOTING WITH THEIR WALLETS FOR POLARIS B

uoyed by the recent announcement that Polaris New Zealand would be established as a stand-alone subsidiary based in Auckland from 1st January 2015, the US powersports giant continued its astronomical growth trend in New Zealand by finishing 2014 with 36 percent sales growth over 2013 according to data recently released by the Motor Industry Association of New Zealand.

This growth result in New Zealand comes just days after it was announced that Polaris had made history across the Tasman by taking the mantle as Australia’s number one off-road vehicle brand for the first time ever.

Now a legitmate force in the New Zealand ATV and side x side market, Polaris annexed 20.2 percent of the national market in December to post a market share result of 15.4 percent for 2014, 2.9 percentage

20

points up on its 2013 share.

With its industry-leading range of 15 models with Roll Over Protection Structures, Polaris was a clear leader in the side x side market with 39.1 percent market share, posting year-on-year growth of 29.7 percent and selling 43 percent more side x sides than its nearest rival.

The growth of its ATV business, however, was even more pronounced, with sales growth of 43.6 percent in 2014 versus the previous year.

Making this result all the more impressive is that Polaris grew its New Zealand sales by 36 percent in 2014 versus 2013 in a market which grew by just 8.9 percent, representing a swing of over 27 percent.

Over the past five years alone in New Zealand, Polaris has grown sales by 282 percent to post an average annual growth

rate in excess of 56 percent. Not a bad accomplishment when you consider the market has grown by just 33 percent over the same period.

The growth of Polaris in New Zealand is the direct result of years of constant and relentless product innovation which has seen the US brand dominate the global market to lead the enormous US market along with key markets across Australasia, Europe and Asia. This innovation is best illustrated through Polaris’ industryleading range of 15 models with Roll Over Protection Structures (ROPS), the revolutionary Sportsman ACE, locallydesigned products such as Polaris UTE and Heavy Duty Specification models and a phenomenal range of Lock & Ride accessories.

Publication of the Fencing Contractors Association of New Zealand

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Barry Higgison - Freedom Moto - 0274422651 Subject to credit approval, fees, terms and conditions apply. Based on a 24 month Hire Purchase Contract. To approved Registered GST No Holders for business purposes only on applications for Polaris Ranger 570 HD models. Offer expires 31/3/2015. Polaris Finance is a program operated by De Lage Landen Ltd Company No: 135515. Overseas model shown with optional accessories including doors, windscreen, roof, rear screen and sealed storage box.

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ALUMINIUM GATES AND WINDBREAKS Fencing around a farm home on the farm is usually done for safekeeping – keeping pets and children inside the property and keeping unwanted animals out. But adding an aluminium gate or windbreak can offer a touch of style in and around the home, whilst still be hard wearing and practical in the farm environment.

Another clever use of aluminium gates is using them as windbreaks for outdoor living areas. Here an Architectural Louvre gate was chosen for panels, to break up strong winds on this deck. The Architectural gate system is manufactured from non corrosive aluminium and stainless steel or bronze components, for long term durability. Finished in a Silver Frost powder coating these windbreaks will buffer the homeowner from the harsh NZ weather for many years.

Here a customer chose a Sanctuary Architectural Gate for the entranceway near their home. This sliding gate has a modern Louvre infill that is constructed with a proprietary aluminium frame and coated in a matt Titania powder coat finish. The customer chose automation for their gate, so they don’t even have to get out of their vehicle to open the gate.

Aluminium fencing has a life expectancy of at least 20 years (with regular maintenance) and a minimum 10 year warranty for the powder coat finish for long term good looks.

This makes them an ideal choice for the rural environment.

For more information or advice on an aluminium gate solution contact your local Sanctuary fence and gate dealer, by visiting http://www.sanctuaryfencesandgates.co.nz/find-us/

Hilux New Zealand Rural Games 2015 Article by Mike Billinghurst

YOU GUYS ROCK! I would like to personally thank every one of you for making the Speed Fencing event at the recent Hilux NZ Rural Games the success that it was. To get our industry and our event onto prime time news and to have a good share of the hour highlights package is priceless, not to mention the fact that there is to be further coverage coming in the near future.

We had the long drive down to Queenstown still not really knowing if the ground conditions at the Rugby Park would be suitable for putting a competition borer into. We had no plan B, so it was with huge relief on the Saturday evening when Shane dug a pilot hole to check conditions.

“Almost Mud” is how I would have described it, but at least there weren’t any Rocks.

During the drive down Noksee and I drove in convoy. We had a big drive on the Thursday, leaving Motueka at 7:00am over the Lewis Pass, to Christchurch to pick up our Permapine strainers and other round wood. We had a good look through the irrigated country of the Canterbury Region, heading through the inland route through the McKenzie basin planning to stay in Tekapo the night. Thursday night, middle of nowhere, there’s bound to be a room available, we won’t need to book.

Yeah Right! Luckily we got the last room available in Twizel, (note to self, book next time).

Having got so far on the Thursday meant we could take it easy on the Fridays drive down to Wanaka. Noksee went Salmon fishing in the Ohau Canal, and with no rod or license I went for a look around the place and chatted to an old timer about the power schemes and how they manage the different lake levels and water flows

24

and how that effects the fishing of the different areas. A bit of local knowledge for the future. No Fish for breakfast, so Omarama had to suffice, the café there had a good array of old fencing knots and iron standards on display, worth a look if you are ever down that way.

Contestants were coming from all over the place, Tony and Debbie had been over most of the South Island by the time they got to Wanaka on Saturday, Shane and Jolene came down the West Coast and almost never made it, due to some local low life flogging their wallet from the Hotel they were at. Luckily Shane never cleans his Ute, and found a bank card under the seat. Matt and Hilary had had a good look around the place on the way down also. It is such a great part of the country to visit, so many places to see and visit - the time could get away from you.

I had a pretty disappointing phone call on the way down to Christchurch. I was checking on the two lads from there who had their names down to compete, and was informed that they had pulled the pin on the comp. Holy Bananas; I was pulling what’s left of my hair out. I had already put my name down to compete when another contestant couldn’t make it due to work commitments; I was getting a bit stressed about who could fill the spots at such short notice. Phone calls were going left and right, and HUGE thanks must go to our president Simon Fuller now in Southland and to the lower South Is Strainrite rep Donald Cornwall who came in at the 11th hour, Donald without any gear at all.

I had to jig the heats to make sure all the guys had some machinery, several Borers didn’t fit other augers, but it all went ok in the end.

Our time slot was from 11:00am to 12:

Competitors: Tom Dingle, Matt Jones, Simon Fuller, Mike Billinghurst, Nick Leifting, Donald Cornwall, Shane Bouskil, Tony White. Judge: Richard Broughton.

Helpers: Steve Mees, Jolene Bouskil, Jacky Broughton and Noksee the comments/camera man.

Publication of the Fencing Contractors Association of New Zealand

30pm on the Sunday, and when we started the chainsaws and borers to warm them up people came from everywhere, wondering what the din was all about. Judging was done by Chief Golden Pliers Judge, Richard Broughton. We had a weighting of about 60% for speed and 40% for quality. We ran 2 heats with the top 5 contestants going to the Semi’s. Semi Finalists in no order were; Donald Cornwall, Mike Billinghurst, Nick Leifting, Tony White and Shane Bouskil.

Donald had sprained his knee in the heat and decided to pull out; this allowed Matt Jones through on the next highest points.

The top three went into the Final: Matt, Tony and Nick finished in that order and huge congratulations to Matt as the first winner of the Rural Games speed fencing.

Thanks to Fairbrother Industries for coming on board as our event sponsor, and to Wiremark and Fairbrother for the cash donations for prize money. Thanks also to Gallagher for supplying the insulators and switches, and to Permapine for donating the round wood.

Thanks also to John Noakes and especially his Brother for allowing us the use of his holiday home in Wanaka to use as a base, a lovely spot with views worth millions.

I think we could have started a new format of competition fencing, and with a few tweaks, it will work very well, on a par with other speed events, such as speed shearing and the like. A great weekend made the more enjoyable with the people who were there.

It’s all happening again next year and promises to be bigger and better. Make sure you are in it!

Cheers Mike.

FCANZ Accredited Fencers Fencer

Contact

Phone

Mobile

Email

Website

Barakat Contractors Ltd (Te Kauwhata)

Dale & Raewyn Barakat

07 826 4461

027 473 5513

dale@barakatcontractors.co.nz

www.barakatcontractors.co.nz

Ben Haugh Contracting (Geraldine)

Ben Haugh

03 693 8088

021 523 291

benhaughfencing@farmside. co.nz

Central Fencing (Canterbury)

Nigel Broadbridge 021 433 623

021 433 623

central.fencing@xnet.co.nz

Contract Fencing and Earthworks Ltd (Manawatu)

Andrew Cave

06 376 5992

027 296 3504

andrew@cfe.kiwi.nz

CPC Contracting (Kerikeri)

Phil Cornelius

09 407 1160

027 274 4188

cpccontracting@xtra.co.nz

Craig Sergeant Fencing (Waipukurau)

Craig Sargeant

06 858 9759

027 243 7334

sargey@xtra.co.nz

Ewing Fencing Contractors (Oamaru)

Mark Ewing

03 431 3864

027 498 4049

mark@ewingfencing.co.nz

Fencetec 2012 Ltd (Te Anau)

Chris and Steve Daley

03 249 9205

027 439 0234

2cdaley@gmail.com

Glentui Fencing (Feilding)

Mike Billinghurst

06 323 6466

0272 695 662

glentuifencing@xtra.co.nz

Grant Macdonald Fencing Service (Tauranga)

Grant Macdonald

07 543 3486

027 494 2251

grantmacdonald@mclarenfalls. co.nz

Grant Scott Fencing Ltd (Te Awamutu)

Grant Scott

07 870 6541

Greg Burton Fencing (Cambridge)

Greg Burton

07 827 8765

027 427 8765

mazgreg@xtra.co.nz

Gregg Holmes Contracting (Papakura)

Gregg Holmes

09 296 9984

027 440 4247

gregghomes1@gmail.com

Ground Up Services Ltd (Katikati)

Darryn Astill

07 552 0238

027 586 9227

darryn@groundupservices.co.nz

Ground Up Solutions (New Plymouth )

Clayton & Sue Horton

06 758 2217

021 710 712

info@groundupsolutions.co.nz

www.groundupsolutions.co.nz

Higgins Fencing Contractors (Wakefield)

Philip Higgins

03 541 9292

021 222 5033

info@farmfencing.co.nz

www.farmfencing.co.nz

High Country Fencing (Darfield)

Geoff Rogers

03 317 8028

021 640 748

info@highcountryfencing.co.nz

www.highcountryfencing. co.nz

Jeff Joines Fencing Contractor Ltd (Raumati South)

Jeff Joines

04 905 1013

027 484 4481

jeffjoinesfencing@gmail.com

John Baldock Fencing Ltd John Baldock (Katikati)

07 552 0763

021 176 4719

john@johnbaldockfencing.co.nz

Lake Contracting (Omakau)

Ken Lake

03 447 4031

027 224 0302

kenthomaslake@icloud.com

Meersbrooke Fencing (Palmerston North)

Alan Rennie

027 450 6420

Phillips Contracting BOP Ltd (Edgecombe)

Josh Phillips

07 304 8443

26

www.cfe.kiwi.nz

www.glentuifencing.co.nz

k.tautari@xtra.co.nz

meersbrooke@hotmail.com

027 587 3551

phillipscontracting@xtra.co.nz

Publication of the Fencing Contractors Association of New Zealand

www.johnbaldockfencing. co.nz

FCANZ Accredited Fencers Fencer

Contact

Phone

Mobile

Email

Quality Fencing (Gisborne)

Graeme Bayly

06 862 5771

027 447 8303

bayly12@clear.net.nz

Renner Contracting Ltd (Seddon)

Mike & Brad Renner

03 577 6615

021 416 703

rennerfencing@hotmail.com

Neil & Raymond Roberston Fensin (Taupo)

Neil & Raymond Robertson

07 825 5747

027 474 6335

robertson.nd@xtra.co.nz

Samuel Fencing Ltd (Alexandra)

Mike Samuel

03 448 6949

0275 2454090 mikesamuel@xtra.co.nz

Steve Locke Fencing Ltd (Blenheim)

Steve Locke

03 578 1927

021 37 1971

steve@stevelockefencing.co.nz

Steve Williamson Fencing (Timaru)

Steve Williamson 03 686 4779

027 455 3385

shwilliamson@actrix.co.nz

Todd Sherburd Fencing (Morrinsville)

Todd Sherburd

07 887 5549

West Otago Fencing Ltd (Tapanui)

Grant & Wendy Harris

03 204 8285

0272 866 576

harris@esi.co.nz

White Fencing Ltd (Papakura)

Tony White

09 292 8064

027 495 7868

admin@whitefencing.co.nz

Wilson Fencing (Havelock North)

Brendon Wilson

06 877 9844

027 657 4588

b.m.wilson@xtra.co.nz

Ph: 027 469 4301

Website

www.stevelockefencing.co.nz

todd@fsw.co.nz

Sole NZ Agent: NZF Products Limited, 201 Maces Road, Bromley, Christchurch

www.whitefencing.co.nz

sales@nzfproducts.co.nz www.nzfproducts.co.nz

New Zealand Fencing Competitions

NZFC Regional Competitions

NZFC Doubles Fencing Competition Results at the Hawkes Bay A & P Show

Upcoming Regional competitions

February 14th 2015

Central Districts: March 13th 2015 Organiser: Tim Stafford Ph 06 327 5153

1st Shane Bouskill (Hawkes Bay) and Tony Bouskill (Hawkes Bay) SIAFD (Kirwee, Canterbury) March 27th 2015 2nd Mark Lambert (Rangitikei) and Jeff Joines (Kapiti) Organiser: Debbie White Ph 09 2928063 3rd Matt Jones (Horowhenua) and Tim Stafford (Rangitikei)

NZ National Fencing Championships at Fieldays 4th Wayne Newdick (King Country) and John Steedman (Whanganui)

June 10-13 June, 2015 5th Stephen Hooper (Taranaki) and Maurice Kissick (Taranaki) NZFC Doubles Fencing Competition Upcoming Regional competitions 6th Jason Van beers (Hawkes Bay) and Jack Richardson (Hawkes Organiser: Paul Van Beers Ph 06 8555575 Bay) at the Hawkes Bay A & P Show

7th Nick th Liefting (Auckland) & Tony White (Auckland) Waverley November 18 2014 Or check out the NZFC webpage on the FCANZ st 8th Daniel 1 Matt Jones & Tim Stafford Kirk (Auckland) and Daniel Hunt (Auckland) website or NZFC Face book page Organiser Stephen Hooper Ph 06 3465652 nd 2 Shane Bouskill & Wilton Weeks Thomas 9th Ottaway (Rangitikei) and Jamie Graham (Kapiti) New Zealand Fencing competitions NZFC and rd th for updates and to keep in touch Wayne Newdick & John Steedman join the group 10th Hansen (Hawkes Bay) and Ryan Cairns (Taupo) 3Gordon Taumarunui February 7 2014 th Jeff Joines & Mark Lambert 11th Weeks (Hawkes Bay) and Kim Rorrison (HawkesOrganisers: Wayne & Kathy Newdick Ph 06 Bay) 4Wilton th 5 Nick Liefting & Tony White 6th Stephen hooper and Maurice Kissick 8956899 th 7 Jared Nicolson and Gordon Hansen Taumarunui Winners Dan Hunt Daniel Kirk

th Tony and Shane Bouskill Competing in Taumarunui th 8 Tony Bouskill & Condon‐Orr

Central Districts March 13 2015 th 9 th Thomas Ottaway & Jamie Graham Organiser: Tim Stafford Ph 06 327 5153 10 Greg Burton & Samuel Burton

NZFC Regional Fencing Competitions

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SIAFD (Kirwee, Canterbury) Hawkes Bay competition sponsors

Organsier: Debbie White Ph 09 2928063

Or check out the NZFC webpage on the FACNZ

website or NZFC Face book page

New Zealand Fencing competitions NZFC and join

the group for updates and keeping in touch

National Championship Sponsors .

Strategic Sponsors . .

Central Districts Fencing Competition New Zealand Fencing Competitions

Central Districts Field Days are once again pleased to host the Central Districts Doubles Power Fencing Competitions.

A maximum of ten pairs of New Zealand’s top and up and coming fencers will line up on the day, to see which pair can erect a 36 metre, 5 wire electric fence with the up most precision, accuracy and speed. Competitors must build the fence from scratch, many of them have specialised tools to get the job done. “ When 10 teams suddenly fire up their borers and chainsaws all at once it creates quite a bit of noise, which often draws a crowd” says NZFC chairperson, Tim Stafford, “every pair has a different plan of attack, they use each other’s strengths to get the job done the fastest and the best they can; but it doesn’t always go to plan”.

Previously run successfully for a number of years by Goldpine, New Zealand Fencing Competitons (NZFC) have now taken on the organising of the Central Districts event, in line with the other regional competitions they run in the build up to the National Championships at Mystery Creek Fieldays in June.

“We are looking forward to putting on a good show at Central Districts, Cheryl Riddell and her team there have been great to work with leading into the build up to the event”, says Stafford. “The Central Districts competition is a favourite amongst the competitors, we always look forward to coming here”.

Sponsors Wiremark, Goldpine, Gallagher, Strainrite, Stockade, Steel and Tube and Power Farming Manawatu, between them, have contributed materials, funds to run the competition, prizes for the place getters, and some really good spot prizes for entrants also.

Compares, Alistar and Stephen Houkamau from the Hawkes Bay, are sure to bring some education and entertainment to the competition, making it spectator friendly, and giving the public an insight into what the competitors are doing throughout the event.

You will find the Fencing Competition Area next to Event Head Quarters. The competition kicks off at 10am, and prize giving will take place at the Goldpine site (N21-N23) at 3pm.

Anyone who would like more information about NZFC or any of the regional fencing competitions can contact Tim Stafford on 027 640 9268

NZFC South Island Doubles Fencing competition at SIAFD NZFC South Island Doubles Fencing competition at SIAFD With New Zealand Fencing Competitions (NZFC) being a national organisation running a fencing competition at SIAFD in Kirwee, Canterbury on March 29th 2015 is a logical step in the progression of NZFC’s desire to run nationwide events.

SIAFD who are well known for agricultural demonstrations at their Field Days have put aside a generous area for fencing demonstrations and competitions within their sold out Field Days at their new site in Kirwee.

The NZFC South Island Doubles Fencing competition at SIAFD is a two man team event, with teams from throughout the South Island, including teams made up from people who work within the same fencing companies.

Due to the ground conditions posts and strainers will be pre driven prior.

Judges are coming from both the North and South Islands.

The competition fence line is approx 45 metres long and 8 metres wide. The fence line consists of a railed corner, hanging a pipe gate, 2 box end assembles with 45 metres of netting. A post stapling gun may be used which will prove an interesting option over hand stapling. Rails may be screwed instead of nailed with Steel and Tubes Bugle Stainless steel screws. All posts are Goldpine. There is a separate Strainrite irrigator crossing to be erected.

Sponsors include Wiremark, FCANZ, Cyclone, Steel & Tube/Hurricane, Strainrite, Goldpine, Stockade. The Wiremark marquee will be in centre stage providing public seating to watch the competition unfold.

CONFERENCE 2015 Trailways Hotel Nelson 24th-26th July

This year the FCANZ Conference is being held in Noksee’s home town of Nelson. From stunning golden beaches to snow-capped mountains and picturesque lakes, Nelson is beautiful any time of year. The activities and scenary in Nelson are a perfect backdrop for our annual conference.

While the final details are still being tweaked we certainly have some interesting site visits planned including hop growers and craft beers. The conference is a great opportunity to catch up with like-minded people, talk about our industry and have your say in our direction going forward.

Ladies, we have something special for you as well. From what I’ve heard the ladies that attended last year cannot wait to be part of the conference again this year!

Trailways Hotel have given us a fantastic room rate of $119 per room per night, based on single twin or double occupancy, along with a special offer of $23 per person for a full cooked Breakfast. Centrally located, within 5 minutes of the shopping centre, markets, Restaurants, information centre, Trailways rooms are all air conditioned, many with Maitai River or Nelson city views and private balconies. To view www.trailwayshotel.co.nz We would like to see all FCANZ members – this is your opportunity to have an enjoyable weekend, meet members from all over New Zealand along with our partners and sponsors. This is your conference, the more you put in the more you will get out.

ACCOMMODATION BOOKING FORM

FCANZ Conference 2015 23-26 July 2015 To:

Trailways Hotel

Trailways Hotel Nelson 66 Trafalgar Street NELSON

EMAIL:

FAX: (03) 546 8495

enquiries@trailwayshotel.co.nz

PHONE: 0800 872 459

ACCOMMODATION ROOM RATE:

Per room per night - $119.00 inc GST

NAME:

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ADDRESS:

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ARRIVAL DATE: ..........................................

TIME:

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Availability of rooms for early arrival cannot be guaranteed prior to 1.00pm unless previously arranged.

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Trafalger Street

ROOM REQUIRED: Please circle: SINGLE

TIME:

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TWIN

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Please ensure your form is returned before this date.

Abel Tasman Phone: 03 548 7049

Trailways Hotel Nelson, 66 Trafalgar Street, Nelson Facsimile: 03 546 8495 Email: enquiries@trailwayshotel.co.nz

FCANZ BOARD MEMBERS Simon Fuller President 07 872 8180 021 376 805 fullerfencing@ihug.co.nz

paul@kcfencesystems.co.nz

glentuifencing@xtra.co.nz

John Noakes 03 528 6388 027 446 4413

Craig Shortall 027 499 9429

craigshortallfencing@gmail.com

Mike Billinghurst 06 323 6466 0272 695 662

Paul Fitzsimmons 03 374 3510 027 432 9381

noakesjc@gmail.com

Darryn Astill 07 552 0238 027 586 9227

darryn@groundupservices.co.nz

Jane Butterick 027 432 2033

Mark Lambert 027 428 5254

m4tractor@windowslive.com

operations@fencingcontractors.co.nz

FCANZ, PO Box 19 389, Hamilton, 3244 info@fencingcontractors.co.nz

www.fencingcontractors.co.nz

Join Us Fencing Contractors Association offers a range of benefits and services to members in the fencing industry, whether you are looking for individual membership or a place for your company to prosper and grow.

Benefits:

FCANZ Logo – our logo is a hallmark of quality that sets our members apart from other fencers. Whether on signage, vehicles, stationery or Advertising – all FCANZ members are entitled to carry our logo.

Savings – NZ Federated Farmers Membership is part of becoming a member of FCANZ – with this you can easily recoup the cost of membership each year.

Annual Conference – Held in various locations around New Zealand this event has become a key fixture in the fencing industry’s calendar.

Website – We maintain a website to ensure our members have access to up to date information while providing prospective clients the place to find a fencer.

Advocacy – We work behind the scenes to ensure our members’ ability to operate in productive and profitable industry is preserved.

WIRED – All members receive a copy of our official quarterly magazine – WIRED Training – ATV, Chainsaw and NZQA National Certificate in Fencing. Annual “Association Days” to share information between members.

Accredited Fencing Certification:

Annual Membership from 1st April 2015 – includes Wired Subscription: General Member $150 inc GST Employee Member $57.50 inc. GST Wired Only: $57.50 inc GST If you are interested in joining you can either email Jane at operations@fencingcontractors.co.nz Or visit our website www.fencingcontractors.co.nz

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