Canterbury Farming, April 2015 by Integrity Community Media

April 2015 Edition

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CANTERBURY FARMING

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With the clearance of a North Canterbury farmer and trucking company on a highly public animal welfare complaint, Federated Farmers are releasing a timely reminder for farmers to remain vigilant about their responsibilities. An investigation done by the Ministry of Primary Industries motivated by an image shared on Facebook showing a consignment of cull dairy cows travelling across the Cook Strait has come back with no animal welfare breaches. The image was obviously taken on a passenger’s cell phone from a deck above the boat deck on which the road transporter with the cows on board was parked for the cross-strait journey. News media copies of the picture showed apparently emaciated cows, with backbones and ribs showing. At first glance it appeared the animals were under nourished. The passenger said “the cows eyes looked dead” and they had their bones protruding. However, some who saw the images felt the angle of shot distorted the condition. Federated Farmers’ Dairy chair Andrew Hoggard says that lessons can be learnt from this event. “Even when stock comply with the provisions of the animal species and transport welfare codes of practice, there will be some people who will try to portray those stock in a bad light. For whatever reason that is, if they are going to report it to

MPI, it needs to be backed up with facts. “People are quite free to express their opinions, but in my view the only people qualified on an animal welfare line-call are trained veterinarians. If there is a genuine concern, the farmer, industry body or local provincial presidents are available as the first port of call.” Mr Hoggard wants to remind farmers to keep their animal welfare standards high. “Farmers can’t be complacent around animal welfare. Just because you don’t get prosecuted or your critics might have ulterior motives doesn’t absolve you from your responsibilities. “Farmers must especially exercise care when they are loading stock for transport. They and the truckers both have responsibilities. The code says stock must not be transported if they have any injuries, diseases or they are behaving abnormally. If a farmer has any doubt then they should involve a vet for advice.” The animal welfare group SAFE made an official complaint to MPI, who said, “while to the untrained eye… the animals do appear to be thin our investigation

Andrew Hoggard, Federated Farmers

concludes that the animals were in a fit state to be transported.” MPI also said that The Code of Welfare for the transport of animals states that cows must have a body condition score (BCS) of 2.5 or greater, and that these

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cows had a BCS of 3–4, meaning they were considered fit to be transported. “We’re all shocked at this, but the reality is that our animal welfare laws are extremely lax” says SAFE’s head of campaigns Mandy Carter.

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Canterbury Farming prints material contributed by freelance journalists, contributing columnists and letters from readers. The information and opinions published are not necessarily those of Canterbury Farming or its staff. Canterbury Farming takes no responsibility for claims made by advertisers. Canterbury Farming is published by NorthSouth Multi Media Ltd

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CANTERBURY FARMING

A problem of stewardship

April 2015

Pay attention!

by Ann Morgan

The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment has reviewed the Federated Farmers idea of swapping some private land for land held by the Department of Conservation. In her most recent report on what is known as ‘stewardship land’ held by DOC, the commissioner, Dr Jan Wright, says Federated Farmers’ proposal for swapping land on their own properties with conservation values, in return for potential farmland held by DOC, ‘has merit’. Dr Wright expressed concern that the future of stewardship land has yet to be resolved. She recommended that the Minister of Conservation, Maggie Barry, takes direct responsibility for any decision to swap land. Federated Farmers has been pointing out that much of the stewardship land has little or no conservation values, yet DOC’s resources have to be used to administer it. “The Conservation Act provides for land swaps, but the process is complex and not only do farmers see it as too hard but DOC has no budget to allocate to swaps,” says Federated Farmers’ board member Katie Milne. “We are not surprised Dr Wright likes our proposal. It is obvious that some land on farms could

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Federated Farmers board member Katie Milne with the heifers

ideally be professionally managed as part of the conservation estate. “On the other hand, it is equally clear that some stewardship land is much more suited to farming development. “We would love to see Dr Wright’s support taken on board by the Minister of Conservation and get the process obstacles out of the way. This would benefit both conservation and production. “This has been sitting in limbo since DOC came to fruition. The process has

been overlooked and it would be nice to think that it could be made easier to go through. We understand that boxes need to be ticked but surely it could be done in a speedier manner,” she says. “We are looking forward to a more user friendly outcome. There is some high value land available for DOC to do things which are important to them just as some of their land would be better off being maximised for productivity in farming. “The idea is well represented and for some

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CANTERBURY FARMING

O’Connor Comments with Damien O’Connor Opposition Spokesman on Agriculture

Dollar Values? Economic commentators have been very excited lately watching the value of the New Zealand dollar against that of the Australian. The previous focus relating to the United States dollar has been temporarily overlooked for the traditional Trans Tasman rivalry. Political commentators too got in on the excitement with all sorts of uninformed predictions. Those more closely linked to the urban consumptive side of life, as prevails with most of our mainstream media, failed to understand there was much of a downside to equity with the Aussies. If it works on the sports field then it must be good for our economy too, they think. Well it’s about time they took a ride to the country and remained there for a while. Whether it be in forestry, fishing or farming, the net effect of an overvalued dollar is detrimental to New Zealand’s export economy. On top of this

the manufacturing sector that relies on the valuable Australian markets will also struggle to compete with such a high valued dollar. John Key and the National Government refuse to acknowledge the negative impacts and refuse to make any moves to effect a downward movement of the dollar. The reality of high interest rates relative to international rates attracts speculative investment driving up the nominal value of our currency. The ability to earn a capital gain on investments without tax also contributes to speculation on our dollar and the head in the sand approach by Bill English and John Key at the expense of exporters defies logic. There are growing clouds in our economy and having survived the Global Financial Crisis

because Labour had all but eliminated government debt in 2008, National seems determined to drive up the debt while driving down the export sectors to satisfy the opportunities for financial speculators and banks that are milking record profits. I have spoken to some of New Zealand’s major agricultural exporters in the last month and all express serious concern that the National Government has lost its way and the Export Double Goal is no more than another of the empty promises that National continues to hand out, like free doctors visits for all children under 13 years of age. Both of these two broken promises are serious misjudgements for a country that relies on the hard work of farmers and the potential of our children for a better future.

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A Green Perspective with Steffan Browning, Green Party spokesperson on Agriculture

MPI needs to protect domestic consumers and organic farmers Last month I wrote on the big differential between the conventional milk powder price on the global market and the price for organic powder, organic being about 300% above the export value of conventional. While that differential looks fantastic for the processor, I noted that Fonterra’s recent revised premium for organic dairy farmers, up to $1–50/ kg above the conventional milk price, is only about a third more. The premium for organic producers goes a little towards levelling the playing field against the subsidy of environmental costs that intensive conventional farming benefits from. There is no immediate financial benefit otherwise for organic producers whose nutrient leaching is less, and whose soil carbon storage is increased, although generally veterinary costs and external feed inputs are down. Do organic producers with their reduced pesticide, environmental, and animal welfare footprint deserve more financial returns? I

think so. They are good for the environment and the clean green brand that still underpins the New Zealand brand. Whether a dairy farm, cropping or orchards, similar environmental and human health benefits come from organic production compared with conventional, including less pesticide residues and more nutrient bang for the buck in the consumer purchase. So why should the Ministry for Primary Production not protect the integrity of genuine organic products in the New Zealand marketplace. MPI have told Organics Aotearoa New Zealand, the sector body for organic grower and consumer organisations, that organic regulation was not a priority and would not talk further on the subject until 2017. OANZ had been talking with MPI for more than a year, aiming for progress on regulating the local organic sector to protect certified and other genuine organic producers. There is widespread abuse of the term organic in the domestic market where anyone can

call almost anything organic, regardless of how it has been produced. The Commerce Commission has fined some sellers for mislabelling, but only when the false claim was for certified organic. Apparently, no legal teeth exist for false claims of organic if the fraudster doesn’t mention certification. New Zealand consumers are not protected, nor are local organic producers who are doing the right thing for the environment and organic consumers. MPI appears to be selling out for trade deals, consulting just the big export players, such as Fonterra and Zespri, on rules to meet overseas requirements such as the United States standards. Without wider consultation there is serious risk that trade deals like the TPPA will allow GE contamination in New Zealand organics. New Zealand producers and consumers deserve protection from fraudulent organic claims and from a MPI just focussed on the requirements of foreign markets.

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CANTERBURY FARMING April 2015

From the Minister Nathan Guy, Minister for Primary Industries

Country Matters with Rob Cope-Williams

An important initiative Wool contest alive and well Recently the Government announced 29 new projects have been approved for $7.8 million in new funding over four years through the Sustainable Farming Fund.

Record entries faced the two judges of the Royal Agricultural Golden Fleece contest recently which must bode well for the industry.

This is a very important initiative that funds projects that support farmers, growers and foresters to tackle shared problems and develop new opportunities. This is about grassroots leadership from the sector that will deliver real economic, environmental and social benefits. One project will develop industry tools for farmers to improve their farm practices to improve water quality and infrastructure while reducing nutrient loss. Other projects aim to increase the productivity of onion and potato growers, improve farmer uptake of summer forages, and help tackle the risk of rot in apples. A full list of the projects can be found on the Ministry for Primary Industries website — www.mpi.govt.nz/fundingand-programmes/farming/ sustainable-farming-fund. This latest round of funding brings the total amount invested through the Sustainable Farming Fund over the last 15 years

The two judges, Peter McCusker and Doug McKay both from PGG Wrightson, said the standard was very high and their job was extremely hard. To make the point, the top fine wool fleece exhibited by AD and SD Paterson from Armidale, Ranfurly was credited with 99 out of 100 points. The general consensus was that the standard displayed was showing farmers that the wool industry was certainly alive and well, and that those who took pride in their clip can and do reap rewards. With numbers dropping as capital stock are slaughtered through drought and land being lost to other forms of land use, the stock left are the cream so future moves

to $120 million across 948 projects benefitting New Zealand’s dairy, meat, arable, forestry, horticulture and aquaculture sectors. A recent evaluation of the Sustainable Farming Fund concluded that it is funding projects that contribute to the economic, environmental and social well-being of New Zealand’s primary industries. I believe every one of our farmers, foresters, fishers and growers are up to the task of greater environmental performance — how we tell this story to wider New Zealand and the world is the challenge. One of the biggest challenges in growing and protecting value in our primary industries is our ‘social licence’ to operate. My definition of social licence is the ability to produce our products sustainably, bringing the community with us, and earning their respect and understanding. Farmers, growers and fishers are a competitive

bunch and want to be the best across a wide range of indicators, including both environmental and economic. They manage and improve their assets sustainably for the benefit of their children and grandchildren. But we all need to tell a better story to Kiwis about the importance of the primary sector to New Zealand. The challenge for producers is to get the positive stories out there on issues like environmental sustainability. This is because environmental performance is no longer a ‘nice to have’ — it’s a necessity for the New Zealand public and our global consumers. Farmers, growers and fishers have come a long way in a relatively short amount of time, but we need to do more. The country and our markets are demanding more of us. This is not a choice between the economy or the environment — it has to be both.

forward will come from a very good genetic base. Jon Hickford from Lincoln University told the assembled breeders that the challenge is certainly still there as people are now spending a lot more on transport and housing than they did a few decades ago, and that is at the expense of clothing that doesn’t wear out and is now a very low cost item. So the message is that the battle will be hard, but not impossible and aim high because we do have the best wool in the world. The fashion parade at the Golden Fleece was fabulous with a range of garments that would collect accolades at any international affair. In fact several of the designers do sell internationally.

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Jon showed the crowd photos of garments that sell overseas for several thousand dollars. That is the market New Zealand should be targeting. To endorse that, there was a man’s suit made from New Zealand wool modelled in the fashion parade here that was valued at $24,000. We are well on the way, but just need to be proud of what we produce and like all our produce, sell to the niche markers. How often have you heard or read that! For the record the top strong wool fleece was exhibited by the Butler number 2 Trust, Waipawa. It was a successful night hosted by the Oxford A&P Association, and congratulations to them for a job well done.

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April 2015

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CANTERBURY FARMING

Country Law with Ronald W. Angland & Son

Zero hour contracts Zero hour contracts seem to have sprung up like mushrooms in recent years. After a good deal of negative publicity and bad press a number of employers using these contracts have relented, but some remain. There are a number of types of employment relationships: permanent (full-time, parttime); fixed-term/seasonal, casual. Employment, in the traditional permanent sense, brings with it a number of hard-won protections and securities: annual, sick and special leave entitlements; good-faith relations with the employer in light of a shared commitment going forward in the business, etc. There are, however, a number of genuine circumstances where causal or fixed-term employment is more appropriate — if, say, a shearing gang needs a shed hand for a short spell during the school holidays, or a farmer needs a seasonal employee to help with the harvest, and so on. In these circumstances neither party has any genuine expectation of an ongoing commitment to the other party, so it is appropriate that holiday pay be

John Angland Leeston (03) 324 3033 john@anglands.co.nz Craig Wakelin Leeston (03) 324 3033 craig@anglands.co.nz

paid with the wages for hours worked and so on. Zero hour contracts, in contrast, are a mutant form of casual employment — exploiting some permanenttype employment relationship aspects while offering the employee next to nothing in terms of good-faith, benefits, or job security. They are particularly pernicious given they tend to be used in the service sector, which can be populated by, at times, vulnerable and lowskilled workers. Under a zero hour contract the employee signs up to be available on call for a given employer on a ‘casual’ basis without the employer being obligated to provide any weekly hours of employment. These contracts tend to come with an undertaking that the employee will not enter into any other employment relationship. They remain on tenterhooks at the employer’s beck and call. Often the work roster will be provided only slightly prior to the week and an employee’s shift can be scrapped on little notice with the employee having no recourse. Zero hour employees are effectively unemployed,

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with their unemployment ‘supersized’ by employee obligations and insecurity. While they could have it out with their employer or refuse to come in on short notice, the result is likely to be that their hours are punitively reduced beneath their minimum income requirement. Such insecure circumstances make paying a mortgage, or even the power bill, impossible, risky, or stressful. While the courts will tend to look through contracts in special circumstances to determine the reality behind the words (an employer could draft a contract saying the moon is made of processed cheese and their employee is a ‘casual worker’ even though the employee has had a regular pattern of work over the course of a number of years), legal assistance is often beyond the reach of those struggling to get by day-to-day, hand-to-mouth. At this stage zero hour contracts have no explicit legal definition and lurk around the fringes of our employment law. The issue is a social issue. No one dreams of flipping burgers or emptying bed pans when they grow up, but these are valued and necessary services. Those that fill these roles should be treated with dignity and their positions valued at law in ways many of us take for granted. This article has been prepared by Craig Wakelin, a Solicitor with Ronald Angland & Son, Solicitors, who may be contacted on Tel: 03 324 3033 or e-mail: craig@anglands.co.nz.

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Money Talk with Andrew Wyllie

Investment markets update

(Covering the quarter ended March 31, 2015) The global economic outlook has brightened, boosted by lower oil prices and European monetary stimulus. United States economic growth is leading the developed economies, with the degree of household deleveraging over the last four years allowing consumption growth to accelerate. European economic indicators are now surprising positively and we expect growth to better expectations. China and Russia are the areas of weakness, with the IMF having moderated their forecasts for both regions. China however, has the ability to stimulate activity. Their central bank governor has already noted that their economic growth rate has ‘tumbled a bit too much’. Monetary policy stimulus is therefore likely and expected to include a reduction in bank required reserve ratios. At 20% versus the lows of 7.5% during the Global Financial Crisis there is ample room to lower requirements and help stabilise growth rates. Global Equity Markets With longer-term global interest rates lower over the quarter and company results broadly in line with expectations, equity returns were positive across all major markets. The strongest local currency returns were delivered by European equities (helped by a lower Euro). Japanese equities

delivered the strongest New Zealand dollar returns, bolstered by the Japanese Government Pension Fund being directed to increase its asset allocation to local equities. Australian and New Zealand Equity Markets NZ equity market returns lagged behind those of most markets we follow. Index performance would have been even less had the run in the share price of Xero not provided ~25% of the total market quarterly return. However, strong gains were also delivered by transport and utility sectors, with consumer stocks the laggards. Australian equities performed in line with global markets. Financials were the biggest driver of the returns as investors continue to seek income. The weaker AUD benefitted Australian companies with international earnings, while positive returns from the gaming sector helped offset the weakness elsewhere in the consumer sector. Energy stocks were the laggards, with oil prices weakening further on the back of higher US inventories. Fixed Interest Market Longer-term interest rates declined over the quar ter albeit having rallied from their January lows. With global inflation being lower than expected

and many central banks either cutting rates or implementing quantitative easing measures, it is difficult to see interest rates moving significantly from current levels. Even the US normalisation of monetary policy is expected to be slower. “While ‘patient’ has been removed from the Federal Reserve rhetoric, interest rate rises are expected to be further out and European capital flows are also expected to cap global interest rates for longer. A change in the global savings glut is a necessary pre-condition to shift this outlook, most likely requiring a widespread consumer boom in the US. If you’re new to investing please see Forsyth Barr’s Introduction to Investing guide available at www. forsythbarr.co.nz/investingwith-us/new-to-investing/ or contact Andrew Wyllie, an Authorised Financial Adviser with Forsyth Barr in Christchurch. He can be contacted regarding por tfolio management, fixed interest, or share investments on 0800 367 227 or andrew.wyllie@ forsythbarr.co.nz. This column is general in nature and should not be regarded as personalised investment advice. Disclosure Statements are available on request and free of charge.

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April 2015

ADVERTORIAL

Nitrogen application after it rains by Murray Craighead, Nutrient Solutions Ltd

Last month I wrote an article, ‘Considered Nutrient Advice’ relating to how a farmer could respond to the challenges faced when dealing with farm environment plans and nutrient budgets. This article is an extension of that, and relates to the fertiliser decisions a farmer can make in the aftermath of the Canterbury drought. It is well documented that following a period of drought some nitrogen (N) is released from the soil. This is because microbes in the soil die, as do plant roots, and some of this recycles quickly releasing N for growth. Also urine N from grazing stock does not leach without drainage events, nor does sulphur, so these are available for plant uptake. The amount immediately released is often small, (it only takes a few kilograms of N to change the colour of pasture), and the magnitude of the response depends on the base fertility of the paddock. Paddocks that have a good base fertility from previous topdressing will respond quicker. Those at the upper level of the optimum for phosphorus, (Olsen P 20 sheep and beef and over 30 for dairy), will respond the best. Further, they will grow into the winter longer and recommence growth faster in the spring. Even autumn maintenance fertiliser applied now will tend to boost early spring growth. The type of pasture is also important, pasture containing winter active plants such as Italian type ryegrasses (e.g. Tabu), will grow into the winter longer as will herbs such as plantain. Again they will recommence growth more quickly in the spring. Applying N immediately it rains requires caution.

Unless there is sufficient cover on a paddock, urea is prone to some gaseous loss of N as ammonia (volatilisation). Consideration may be given to using coated urea products such as SustaiN, but these still need to be cost effective. Volatilization N losses can be minimised by taking practical steps. Such strategies are: • waiting until there is some recovery from moisture stress to provide limited cover; • applying lower rates of nitrogen — 55kg of urea will cause less losses than 110kg of urea; • applying immediately before or during any follow up rain; • avoiding windy conditions and application to dry soils. Nitrogen products such as ammonium sulphate, calcium ammonium nitrate and DAP give lower ammonia losses, but their economics need to be considered as do the companion nutrients they supply. Soil temperature needs to be monitored to ensure there is still a window of opportunity for growth to occur. Annual ryegrasses will grow at 3.5°C whereas perennial prefer 4.5°C and clovers 7–8°C. Farmers need to be proactive to maximise production opportunities. Nutrient Solutions can assist you in making informed decisions.

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April 2015

CANTERBURY FARMING

PIGGERY helps PRISONERS by Ayla Miller

On the outskirts of Christchurch lies New Zealand’s only prison piggery, breeding, raising and fattening 18,000 pigs annually under contract.

hristchurch Men’s Prison keep 8,000 pigs at one time in their commercial piggery including 850 breeding sows. It runs a farrow to finish system which means the pigs are born and raised on site up until slaughter. The sows are kept outdoors to utilise the lighter free draining Canterbury soil. The growers are housed in micro and eco barns and have room to roam with access to feed and water 24 hours a day. The piggery began when the prison required

a labour intensive way that would utilise the buffering land around the prison and teach the prisoners valuable skills they could use on their release with rehabilitation as the main objective. Research shows a strong correlation between employment and maintaining a crime free life. “It is very rewarding to see the change in some of the prisoners. When they come in it is just another day but when they leave, they have a passion for the industry,” says farm manager Warren Chilton.

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“They learn animal welfare skills and an understanding of working with animals. “We try to instil work ethic into them as many are lacking this when they arrive. We can see the success, which makes it all worthwhile and it’s all thanks to my dedicated team.” Daily routines on the piggery are important when developing prisoners work ethic and involve regular feeding and checking and caring on the pigs. Prisoners are selected according to their preferred

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“Many prisoners who have been taught agricultural skills on the prison farm have gone on to be successfully employed in the agricultural industry. “These men have the skills, qualifications, work habits and a real drive to work hard and make a change in their lives. “The prison also runs sheep, cropping, dairy grazing and beef and they recently expanded to include a small calf rearing herd to fatten calves on the farm. Those employed in this activity take on general and sheep specific farming roles.

“During this work they study towards the National Certificate in Agriculture level two. “The farm includes 1,600 breeding ewes on the buffer land surrounding the prison of which 750 hectares is farmed. “The lighter land on our farm is used for the piggery as it is better suited to that operation, whereas the other land is better used for other agricultural endeavours. “The calf rearing unit is mainly used for educational purposes as there is a demand in this industry area for skilled workers.”

There are 20 prisoners working on the piggery and up to 10 on the farm. “Prisoners are given the opportunity to work on different parts of the farms. They can move across the different units depending on

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where their interests are and how long they are with us. The average time is about three to four months. “If the prisoner shows a bit of an interest in a certain area, we provide him with extra training.”

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workers leave here they can go straight into a job and know about the processes.” Workers can achieve many NZQA qualifications through their time on the prison farm. These include a National Certificate in Pork Production level two, safety training to drive ATV and ATVU vehicles, tractors and handle chainsaws. There are also agrichemical and first aid courses. “These help give them the skills to go out into the workforce. It is all about helping them get into work when they’re released,” says Warren.

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The sows are kept outdoors to utilise Canterbury’s lighter free draining soil

A prisoner watches over some of the pigs industries listed on their arrival. Many do not have farming backgrounds but learn the skills required for them to secure jobs in these areas upon their release. “When they first come to prison we assess the prisoners and those that show interest in the agricultural industry are given this opportunity. “They have to be the right classification to work outside prison,” he says. “Those allowed to work on the prison farm and in the piggery are recognised as low risk.” The piggery has three units consisting of a main sow unit, a multiplying and young sow unit and a grower unit. An instructor looks after each area along with a trainer/ relieving instructor. “Pork is produced all year around and so we can supply the freezing works on a weekly basis. The pigger y is an accredited SPCA free farm and the pork is sold under the ‘freedom farm’ brand via Freshpork. “This means we keep to SPCA credited farming practices and are audited by the pork industry and the SPCA like every other commercial piggery. “We need to sell our pork at a premium price because of the free farm system that we chose to use. “We run our piggery just like any other commercial piggery, so that when our

April 2015

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Busy Bee as a

by Ayla Mille

Tom Reynolds is the future face of beekeeping. The 16-year-old enthusiast has been keeping bees since he was just seven years old.

e currently has 14 hives and just last year he collected an impressive 117 kilograms of liquid gold from three of them. “I’d estimate I have over half a million bees,” he says.

The Rangiora High School student got into beekeeping when he saw a family friend’s hives on a property near his family home. “I remember seeing a wall of hive boxes and being pretty fascinated.

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been getting better with help from the North Canterbury Beekeepers Club. “I like how the changes you make by creating queen bees, affect the whole hive. “I decided to join the club when I was working for a pig farmer. A commercial beekeeper came to visit us and we got talking. I have been learning lots from mentors I met in the club. “I’ve learnt heaps. Some of them have been doing it for years and years and being a member comes with lots of benefits.” The club provides a network for people who keep bees as a hobby rather than for their main source of income. Regular field days are

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Tom has 14 hives and enjoyed collecting 117 kilograms of honey from just three of them last year held within the group, which enable members to learn new techniques and from others experiences. These days are social encouraging members to play an active role in the club and usually include an inspection of the club hives. Tom’s mother, Fran Reynolds, has also become involved with beekeeping and is secretary of the North Canterbury Beekeepers Club. She says club mentors such as Olly Glintmeyer and his wife and Graeme and Jenny Narbey have offered Tom and the other members a great deal of help, donating resources and sharing their wealth of knowledge. “The club has grown from four members to over 70 in two years due to the

dedication of these people. They have helped so much to encourage and grow the club and foster the supportive, generous nature of the club to all. The club offers free hive removal as well,” she adds. It is compulsory for all New Zealand hives to be registered on the AsureQuality’s national register and to display their apiary registration number on each hive. Annual inspections must be carried out by registered Disease Elimination Conformity Agreement holders for American Foulbrood and the appropriate paperwork completed. Tom is a DECA holder and in keeping with the culture of the North Canterbury Beekeepers Club, not only

does he inspect his own hives more often than legally required, he also helps to check other local beekeepers hives as well. “Every time I open the hive I also check for Varroa Mite. If the mite infestation is too high, treatment is required.” This is done by placing Varroa strips in the hive to discourage mites in early spring and autumn so as to not contaminate the honey. Beekeeping is by no means an easy hobby. “It requires a lot of heavy lifting,” says Tom, whose mother used to help him when he was too young to lift the boxes. “I find it really fascinating how a social insect can work as a team towards a common goal. Each hive has a different

personality. Some you’ll open up and there will be lots of honey whereas others won’t have much at all.” As he is still at high school, Tom lives on a 30-acre lifestyle block in Amberley with his family. “I used to keep the hives near the house but mum didn’t really like that so I shifted them down a few paddocks.” The most surprising thing he has learnt about bees is the amount of honey that can be produced. “I mostly collect it and give it away to family and friends just as a bit of fun.” The youngster has already got a lot of experience having worked for a commercial beekeeper in his spare time. He represents a new generation of beekeeper and has dreams of expanding his hives. Eventually Tom hopes to work fulltime for a commercial beekeeper when he finishes school and already has job offers. He says he is enjoying learning new skills and sharing his knowledge with others his own age. “I’ve got a few of my mates interested and I gave them some hives at the start of school. “They are really enjoying it and one comes along to the beekeepers’ club too now. It’s quite addictive.” To learn more about the North Canterbury Beekeepers Club contact Fran Reynolds on 021 662 879 or email fran.reynolds@xtra.co.nz.

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Weather Watch by Tony Trewinnard Forecast – Canterbury

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Te m p e r a t u r e s in Canterbury were above normal, generally by +0.5 to +1.0deg, but by up to +1.5deg in North Canterbury and coastal parts of Mid Canterbury. This was mainly due to warmer night-time temperatures, but a few very warm days were recorded. Sunshine hours were near normal, with some coastal locations below by up to 10%, and some inland areas above by up to 10%. Rainfall was very mixed, with some parts of inland South Canterbury receiving near normal rainfall for the month, most of the plains and foothills of Mid Canterbury around 50–75% of normal, but much of North Canterbur y experiencing another month of well below normal rainfall, with totals mostly well under 50%. By near the end of April this month was shaping up to again be drier than usual in North Canterbury, but with near or above normal rainfall in Mid and South Canterbury. Temperatures are tracking a little cooler than usual inland and a little milder near the coasts, while sunshine hours are a little above normal. In the tropical Pacific,

ocean temperatures continue to show a mixed pattern, but one which is increasingly moving towards El Nino conditions. By some measures a weak El Nino has already developed. The current pattern is similar in many ways to the same time last year, when a developing El Nino seemed likely, but never fully eventuated. Ocean temperatures around the New Zealand coast remain warmer than usual. The Southern Oscillation Index continues to move slowly towards weak to moderate El Nino conditions this month. The latest computer models are still favouring the development of a weak to moderate El Nino pattern over the next three to six months, but it must be noted that this is the time of year the computer models have least accuracy. In particular, a similar prediction was made at this time last year, but only some of the factors needed for a full El Nino were in place, and the prediction foundered. Again this year we do not have all of the necessary factors working together, so it remains to be seen how successful the current

Rainfall

Temp.

Sunshine

Airflow

May

Near normal

A little colder than normal

A little sunnier than normal

More southwesterlies

Jun

Near normal

A little colder than normal

A little sunnier than normal

More southwesterlies

Jul

A little wetter than than normal

A little colder than normal

Near normal

More southwesterlies

Aug

Drier than normal

Near normal

More anticyclones

computer model forecasts will be. Most models expect this El Nino event to be rather short lived, peaking in the springtime, and decaying by early next summer. A strong La Nina event often follows short-lived El Ninos of this type. While March brought more low pressure systems over New Zealand, April has seen periods of southwesterly airflow begin to re-develop, which we haven’t seen since early December. Looking at previous years with similarly developing El Nino patterns, we find that most were characterised by increased frequency of cool southwesterly airflow over New Zealand, and as we

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A reliable water supply for irrigation is critical for this — it provides the foundation on which a diverse range of crops can be grown. We have an opportunity to lead global best practice with modern, environmentally sustainable water storage and distribution infrastructure combined with SMART onfarm water management. The recent drought in the South Island — a repeat of what happened in the North Island in 2013 — has been a stark reminder of why we should do this. It particularly highlights the importance of harnessing alpine water to combat climate change. Currently there are 350,000 hectares under investigation which will likely cost around $2.5–3 billion, this includes off-river dams in Canterbury, Hawkes Bay, the Wairarapa, Otago, Marlborough and Tasman. Through realising this by 2025 irrigated land would contribute an additional $4bn per annum to GDP. But the industry is faced with a big challenge — financing this development. To get a modern water storage and irrigation scheme off the ground involves an initial outlay of hundreds of millions of dollars. Approximately $275 million

in the case of Ruataniwha or $500 million in the case of Central Plains Water (CPW). Thus far, irrigation scheme development has been supported by local councils, private investors and water users. Central government has also provided targeted funding through the Irrigation Acceleration Fund ($35 million) and an investment company, Crown Irrigation Investments Limited ($120 million with a $400m overall investment limit). But considering the costs of making water storage and irrigation feasible on a national level across the country, the combination of this government investment, some regional investment and farmer debt, will not be enough. Overseas, large scale water infrastructure is recognised as a well-proven regional economic development tool and as a result is typically 60–80% funded by government — Tasmania and Alberta for example, so we are trailblazing. So looking at future financing options in New Zealand, one of the biggest challenges we have to work through is the tension between the commercial terms required for private capital investment and the

traditional ‘cooperative’ nature of irrigation schemes. The cooperative approach is typically when farmers debt finance their shares in a scheme. It is unlikely that enough capital can be raised to finance the construction of a new modern regional storage based scheme through this method, particularly given that new environmental legislation requires farming systems, including on-farm irrigation infrastructure, to be of a much higher standard than previously. This increases cost and reduces the ability to leverage debt. But the cooperative approach works well for irrigation. Owners have a vested interest in upgrading and modernising the infrastructure into the future and it is proven that water infrastructure governed and managed by the end users is the most efficient and effective. The cooperative model is also the most effective at ensuring uptake as farmers buy-in early and become committed to the journey seeing the benefits of a longterm game. Private capital seeking pure return is very different, and there is a question as to whether this can

work within a scheme’s cooperative framework. So, what are the options to satisfy both models? Is a hybrid model between cooperative and private capital a workable solution? Could an overarching company be created with both cooperative and private investor shareholder s within it? Or could storage infrastructure or the head race be split from the other distribution infrastructure and built through different financing models? In this scenario the dam/ head race supplying the water could be owned and managed by the private investors (with a take or pay CPI/PPI linked price for water) and the irrigator builds the distribution system. Lake Coleridge provides an example of such an arrangement, noting that the storage in this case is a switch from hydro to irrigation priority rather than a new storage construction. Next month I’ll answer some of the questions I’ve posed and talk more regarding the uptake challenge for new irrigation schemes. In the meantime anyone wanting to better understand the infrastructure debate can look at our website www. irrigationnz.co.nz.

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CANTERBURY FARMING

April 2015

Irrigation Issues with Dr Tony Daveron Autumn’s worst enemy We are now nearly one or two months into autumn (depending on the definition and your leaning) and still the drought lingers. Whatever the position, autumn ‘reared its head’ about a week ago and brought with it the worst enemy of a drought — low soil temperatures Meteorologists generally consider March as the calendar month for the beginning of autumn, while astronomically the autumn equinox (March 22) marks the first day of autumn. Other meteorological definitions are based on average temperatures rather than astronomical or calendar events. Regardless of definition, autumn ‘reared its (ugly) head’ last week, April 13 and 14, ie ‘something unpleasant (snow, sleet, hail and bitter temperatures) appeared/became obvious after lying hidden’. This weather brought our worst enemy following or within a drought — cold soil temperatures. Last month I noted we were far from

being out of the woods and that the ‘dribs and drabs’ of rain may have been of great assistance to those who irrigate, but for those that don’t irrigate there was a long way to go to be through the worst. The soil moisture deficit is still big despite a further 35mm since my last assessment. At the airport drainage lysimeter site the soil moisture deficit is now 70mm over the depth 0–200cm. Because nothing was done and little is now growing at the site, most of rainfall has gone to reducing the deficit by about 25mm — as the time plot of soil moisture shows. There is still considerable ground to be made up before the deficit is eliminated and drainage into the deeper sub-soil and ultimately groundwater can occur. (see Figure 1) The second plot of soil moisture content (VSW%)

plotted against depth illustrates the ‘recovery’ since early March. Soil moisture is no longer at wilting point throughout the entire profile. Also noteworthy is that soil moisture does not systematically refill from the top down. Some of the rainfall has replenished soil moisture as deep as 50cm. This is because soils have macro-pores (aka pipes) that take moisture into the soil rapidly and wet up deeper areas at the same time as the surface layer(s) is being wetted. There is still considerable ground to be made up before the deficit will be in zone where growth is not limited by moisture (down to 30cm) — in the plot the soil moisture content will need to be greater than 15% at 20cm for growth to be seriously kick-started. (see Figure 2) No-one needs reminding how cold it was last week

— the southerly had a serious bite to it, there has been snow on the ground in places and the foothills and mountains were dusted. I wrote last month we were on the steady downward slide heading into autumn and this will become more marked once we get past the equinox on March 22. So it has been, and the plot of soil temperatures shows that last week was the first time below 10°C at 9am for more than one day since October 4, 2014 — six months ago. The sudden lowering of soil temperatures and the continued soil moisture deficit (especially in North Canterbury) is not good news for unirrigated properties. The soil moisture deficit could also have implications for groundwater recharge this winter — the deficit must be replenished before drainage to groundwater can occur.

Figure 1. Time plot of soil moisture (mm) at airport lysimeter site

Figure 2. Depth profile of volumetric soil moisture at the Airport lysimeter site

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April 2015

CANTERBURY FARMING ADVERTORIAL

Look up before you plant There are a variety of shrubs and trees suitable for planting near power lines. Consider the significant benefits of using a mix of exotic and native plants. They will provide you with shelter, low maintenance, a habitat for pollinators and resistance to drought. Examples of power line friendly trees are shown below, but it is recommended that you consult with a native plant nursery to determine suitable species for your area. BOTANICAL NAME

COMMON NAME

Natives Coprosma propinqua

Mingimingi

Coprosma robusta

Karamu

Corokia cotoneaster

Korokio, Wire-netting bush

Phormium tenax

Flax, Harakeke

Fuchsia excorticata

Kotukutuku, Tree fuchsia

Hebe salicifolia

Koromiko

Leptospermum scoparium

Manuka

Macropiper exelsum

Kawakawa, Pepper tree

Olearia lineata

Small-leaved tree daisy

Pittosporum tenuifolium

Kohuhu

Psuedopanax arboreus

Fivefinger, Whauwhaupaku

Pseudopanax crassifolius

Horoeka, Lancewood

Sophora microphylla

South Island Kowhai

Trees on private land are the responsibility of the land owner. By choosing a tree that won’t impact power lines, you will be protecting your local community’s future health and wellbeing.

Exotics Escallonia sp.

Apple Blossom

Malus sp.

Crab Apple

* Cupressus spp.

* Cypress

Acer spp.

Maples

* Thuja spp.

* Thuja

Viburnum spp.

Viburnum

* Choose a true dwarf variety. If planting an exotic hedge, choose a slow growing variety such as Cupressus leylandii, Cupressus arizonica and Cupressus torulosa (Bowral) or Thuja occidentalis “Smaragd”.

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Euroagri importer of Mzuri seed drills

After a recent trip to Europe to view the latest in Agricultural machinery, EuroAgri have become the NZ importer and reseller of Mzuri Drills. The Sales Team at Euroagri visited Mzuri in Worcestershire and was impressed with what they saw. Mzuri are a family owned business and their beliefs sit in line with what EuroAgri want in a manufacturer. Founded by Martin & Samantha Lobe in 2008 as a spin off to their farming operation, it has grown beyond their expectations and now takes up most of their time. EuroAgri have done a lot of research into what we believe is the best drill for NZ conditions and after seeing the product and talking to many end users we believe Mzuri equipment is very well constructed and ideally suited to NZ conditions. Mzuri produce a range of strip tillage drills from 3.0 metres to six metres with seed and fert options. They come in mounted or trailed combinations. They also produce a range of low disturbance subsoilers that can have seeder units mounted to them. Mzuri also

produce a Straw rake that has the option of discs in the front, this machine has a wide range of uses from creating stale seed beds to pasture renovation. EuroAgri believe that with all farmers looking to create a better soil structure and retaining arable production through the incorporation of straw. Mzuri Products are well suited to meet these needs. Mzuri drills will reduce the cost of crop establishment through fuel, and labour savings. EuroAgri will have

a machine available for demonstration work in the spring time and at the same time representatives from Mzuri will visit to ensure we are getting the very best out of Mzuri products. EuroAgri’s team of cultivation experts are excited about the prospects this new product range brings to our company. For further information contact Bruce 027 669 8779 Hamish 027 228 9430 Mike 021 251 5389 James 027 782 7606 or 03 307 7445 www.euroagri.co.nz.

FORESTRY & LOGGING

Forestry Market Report Allan Laurie MNZIF, Laurie Forestry Ltd

Seeing a correction For the first time in a long time we are seeing a major correction in the forestry market in China with prices falling rapidly, inventory continuing to build and cash in very short supply. The result of this almost perfect storm is a staggering US$15 drop in price in one month. Most commentators are suggesting there is another US$5 to $10 drop before the market basically bottoms out. In this report I will focus on China since I have just been there and although a very sobering week, it has brought home the realities of something I predicted would happen three years ago. At that time I took a team of four other people from New Zealand who had interests spanning government, corporate and medium scale forestry. At that time I suggested there would be dark days ahead when the China construction sector faltered. Regrettably it has faltered, but it has come at a time when there are wide ranging factors that have contributed to the rapid and significant drop in price. Some are completely out of our control. Some are not. To recap on some of the critical elements relating to current conditions in China: • Current softwood log consumption is running at about 60,000 cubic metres per day across the China eastern seaboard; • Consumption compares to about 70,000 per day at the same time last year. Spring time is the major construction period before the onset of the hot summer; • Current consumption is based on a seven day working week so equates to 1.8mil cubic metres per month; • NZ remains the largest supplier with 60–65% of the total volume;

• Deliveries in February and March were each about 2.2 million tonnes (all countries); • The Russian Rouble has reduced in value by 70% against the Yuan in six months resulting in a dramatic increase in lumber and log volumes heading to China; • United States and Canada log volumes have declined slightly but lumber sales, ultimately heading to the same markets as Radiata pine, have remained unchanged; • At least 70% of all softwood log and lumber sales are for making apartment construction plywood and lumber, basically to hold up concrete, until it dries; • Inventor y levels are heading well above 4.5 million cubic metres across all eastern seaboard ports.

At the expected delivery rate for April, the inventory is likely to very quickly run close to 5mil cubic metres or 3.0 months’ supply; • Many China buyers and traders are in default. Three major liquidations or cessation of involvement in the log trade have occurred in recent weeks; • Cash and credit is in short supply. Letter of Credit deposits for logs have gone from 20% required to at least 50% due to nervousness about default. There have been many instances of buyers walking away from the earlier 20% deposits; • House prices appear to have bottomed out in tierone cities but nationally house prices have fallen 5% year on year across the 70 major cities. The Chinese government has just

Laurie Forestry Ltd

CANTERBURY FARMING the realisation there is a large number of apartments purchased for speculation rather than the intention to live in. As a consequence there is a glut of unoccupied housing in many cities. Available cash within the general population and from the investment sector has been very firmly heading toward the sharemarket. Exponential growth has been the order of the day with many companies experiencing a very strong bull run. Thus cash has been diverted from the housing sector contributing to stalled projects and construction company liquidations.

announced a new construction and house purchase incentive programme including reducing interest rates for the second time in four months. We can expect at least a two month lag before this revised suite of policy starts to take effect; • China has been focussing on reducing environmentally poor performing polluting industries. In the case of the wood sector this is seeing the forced closure of plywood operations particularly; • China buyers do not want any more logs. NZ sellers are therefore trying for sales at any level just to move cargos. Heavy discounting thus becomes the order of the day; • Most commentators are suggest this years growth in GDP will drop just below 7%, firmly ending a 30-year double digit run up until 2012; • The speculative run on the housing sector has come to an abrupt end with

April 2015

The only saviour for NZ in the current significantly difficult situation is for supply to slow down and inventory to reduce. And then we must remain at a reduced supply level to avoid a repeat this time next year. The only instrument available to reduce supply is to reduce price. Based on the imposition of this very blunt instrument called price, and what we see of the market in the next quarter, we can expect the current situation to last at least until July. If demand wanes at all and supply does not decrease, it could last longer.

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April 2015

EDUCATION

CANTERBURY FARMING

Education options

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Every year children in New Zealand enter into boarding school for various reasons, not least to improve their knowledge and self-confidence while meeting new friends. Choosing the right boarding school is a big decision for families.

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One of the first steps to find the right school for your child is to establish his or her requirements. Listing education priorities will help with decision making. These will depend on talents, skills and individual needs. What are the must-haves and what could be compromised? Look at the schools around your region first. Find out as much information as you can about the schools you have to choose from. Visit as a family and ask questions. It is important for your child to be included in the process. Talking with students and teachers you meet will give you first hand information about how the school operates. Does the school have a uniform? Are there any schools that family or friends have recommended and what schools are your child’s friends going to? Is there additional support for special needs or talents, a strong emphasis on a particular curriculum area of interest to a child or is there a need for creativity or sports? Make sure particular subjects are offered at senior

level that will support your child’s interests and possible career path. Prepare a shortlist and investigate what is available. Also investigate the support structure and routine including what after hours activities are available for your child. The Education Review Office report for the schools considered should be checked. The reports provide information for parents and communities about a school’s strengths and next steps for development. It covers things such as the learning environment, processes and procedures, how teachers relate to students, the commitment to bicultural practices, how they review and monitor themselves and their vision and philosophy. If you are not looking at boarding, the difference in types of schools vary. Some are state-integrated and these used to be private but are now part of the state system. They teach the New Zealand Curriculum but keep their own special character, usually a philosophical or religious belief.

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Homeschooling is also an option. Parents need to apply to the Ministry of Education for a Certificate of Exemption from enrolment at a registered school. The Ministry must be satisfied that the child will be taught at least as regularly and as well as they would be in a registered school, or in a special class or clinic, or by a special service if your child has special needs. Within the state school system there are options for different language and cultures, life stages, values and religious beliefs. More information can be found at www.education. govt.nz.

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They receive the same government funding for each student as other state schools but their buildings and land are privately owned, so they usually charge compulsory fees called ‘attendance dues’ to meet property costs. Private or independent schools charge fees, but also receive some funding from the government. They are governed by their own independent boards and must meet certain standards to be registered with the Ministry of Education. They don’t have to follow the New Zealand Curriculum but must follow a learning programme of at least the same quality.

2:00 pm – 6:00 pm Richard Pearse Drive, Temuka Phone: (03) 615 7442 www.opihicollege.school.nz Enrolment forms available on the day

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EDUCATION ADVERTORIAL

CANTERBURY FARMING

April 2015

ADVERTORIAL

Exceptional Character A Welcoming ‘home away Timaru Girls’ High School has a proud 135 year history of from home’ at Medbury educating South Canterbury’s young women. Today, the school combines traditional values, modern facilities and effective teaching methods that empower young women to pursue a positive and productive future. Our Motto, Scientia Potestas Est (knowledge is power) is as true today as it was when the first Girls’ High girl walked through the school gates in 1880. We work with young women to build their knowledge and self-esteem so that they can become lifelong learners who are prepared to face the challenges of the 21st century. Students have room to learn and grow in our excellent classroom facilities and spacious parklike grounds. Up-to-date technology, including a fast fibre network, allows students quick access to the information and ideas that are so important to today’s educational curriculum. This curriculum is facilitated by a skilled and enthusiastic staff that works with students to ensure that they have every opportunity to excel academically, athletically, and culturally. Due to our long history and strong

Medbury School is the only independent preparatory boys’ school in Christchurch, offering an education for both day boys and boarders from Years 1 to 8.

values, Timaru Girls’ High School has an exceptional culture. Students interact, compete, and make lifelong friends within the school’s house groups. Students are encouraged to challenge themselves by participating in co-curricular activities ranging from Netball to Stage Challenge. Our strong ties to schools throughout the South Canterbury region, and to sister schools in Christchurch, Oamaru, and Japan, add to our competitive, social and cultural traditions. Boarding facilities Situated in the park-like grounds of the school ‘The House’ offers a safe and comfortable environment for students from around New Zealand

and the world. Students are encouraged to focus on their studies, discover and explore new opportunities and have fun while they are doing it. We do ever ything possible to ensure the girls’ academic, co-curricular and social interactions are rewarding, productive and enjoyable experiences. ‘The House’ helps foster good habits and enables boarders to become self-motivated and responsible learners who have respect for themselves and for others. Open Day — Wednesday, May 6, 2015. We welcome you to come and visit Timaru Girls’ High School, educating South Canterbury’s young women since 1880.

At Medbury the focus is on the ‘whole boy’, so in addition to academic studies, more than 25 extra-curricular activities are provided to expand the curriculum further, developing wider talents and interests. Boarding at Medbury provides an entry into an exciting and welcoming ‘extended family’. The Medbury Boarding House is a welcoming ‘home away from home’ for a small group of boys aged 7 to 13 years. You only have to spend a short time in the Boarding House to see that it offers an inclusive, welcoming environment which encourages boys to grow as individuals with the support of their ‘brothers’. The dedicated and experienced boarding team ensures that every boy receives the attention and support he needs to flourish. Children live and learn in a

world of constant change, where they are expected to cope with rapid technological advances and explosions of knowledge. Their generation needs to be highly educated, articulate and adaptable in order to succeed. Medbury’s mission is to ’Unlock Every Boy’s Potential‘ by providing a personalised learning programme, catering for each boy’s physical, academic and social development, helping every boy discover and develop his particular talents and strengths. When a boy leaves Medbury he does so with

an exploring and enquiring mind, and is able to evaluate information critically and enthusiastically. He will have developed a collaborative approach, have strong values and communication skills, which will make a difference to him and those around him. He will leave with an education equipping him for life in the 21st Century. For more information please contact Tanya Moore (Headmaster’s PA) on 03 351 6169, email office@ medbury.school.nz or visit www.medbury.school.nz.

KNOW LE DGE I S POWE R Learning styles designed specifically for girls, an extensive curriculum, and a warm, engaging environment to grow in.

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THINKING BOARDING, THINK MEDBURY You are invited to attend the

MEDBURY SCHOOL OPEN DAYS Monday 4 May and Monday 3 August, 9.00am - 11.30am The Headmaster will speak at 10.15am Academic, Boarding & Music Scholarships available for 2016 For more information contact Tanya Moore (Headmaster’s PA) on 03 351 6169 109 Clyde Road, Christchurch | office@medbury.school.nz | www.medbury.school.nz Canterbury Farming Boarding Feature April 2015.indd 1

2/04/15 1:52 pm

April 2015

EDUCATION

CANTERBURY FARMING

ADVERTORIAL

Helping him excel Waihi is an independent preparatory school for boys aged eight to thirteen.

A strong academic focus with facilities second to none by Duncan, Adams House Student

“We could tell you all about why Adams House has built a reputation as one of this country’s premier Boarding Schools, but why not get it straight from source? Here is what the students have to say…

Education Feature An Ashburton Guardian Advertising Feature

A strong academic focus with facilities second to none by Duncan Wood,

We for both day Student him excel at it, both in the Yearcater 13 Adams House 2012 and boarding boys from classroom and in cultural, Year 4 to Year 8. Situated sporting and recreational north of Winchester in South areas. We encourage boys Canterbury on 10 hectares to try everything. of attractive grounds, Waihi We understand how boys is a small, family-orientated think and learn. We present school with Christian values. them with opportunities and At Waihi we aim not challenges that seek to inspire merely to get the best out and motivate. And whilst of the boy, but to give each we foster those qualities boy everything that he that help boys mature into needs to thrive. We want young men, Waihi is also to help him discover what a place where a boy has he enjoys most and to help the freedom to simply be a

boy, and our unique rural environment gives them many opportunities to play and learn together. Waihi is a family, a cohesive community drawn together by customs, traditions and a strong sense of belonging. We look out for one another: peers and staff provide extensive pastoral care to ensure every Waihi boy responds to the challenge of personal development.

An invaluable app for advanced learning by Amanda Wright

For me, it goes without saying that Christchurch Boys’ High School is one of the best secondary schools in the country and after being a part of its boarding school for the past five years I can say the

LIMITEDSPACES SPACESLEFT LEFTFOR FOR2015 2015 LIMITED

Boarding&&Day DaySchool School Boarding forBoys BoysYears Years4-8 4-8 for

Waihi is a small, family oriented, Independent School Waihi is a small, family oriented, Independent School with spacious rural grounds and up to date facilities For over onegrounds hundredand years havefacilities enjoyed a remarkable with spacious rural upboys to date situated education north of Winchester on State Highway 1 in here in the on heart of beautiful situated north of Winchester State HighwaySouth 1 in Canterbury. South The Canterbury. boys of today are no different, they travel from across the South Canterbury. South Islandsmall to live,class grow and extensive learn in our very special school. Christian values, sizes, pastoral Christian values, small class sizes, extensive pastoral care by peers and staff ensure every Waihi boy care by peers and staff ensure every boy presented to each experiences, andWaihi challenges respondsThe to the challengevalues of personal development. helpchallenge shape his of views, attitudes, dispositions and ultimate respondsboy to the personal development. success for his years. information: We invite you to visit and discover Contact usfuture for more Contact us forcanmore just how Waihi reallyinformation: make a difference for your son too.

T: 03 687 8014 E: admin@waihi.school.nz T: 03 687 8014 E: admin@waihi.school.nz

State Highway Winchester, South Canterbury T: 1, 031, 687 8014 E: South admin@waihi.school.nz State Highway Winchester, Canterbury

MidYear YearEnrolments EnrolmentsWelcome Welcome Mid

His home... Adams House is a superb Boys’ boarding facility with exemplary standards.

We provide a structured, well supervised and disciplined environment which fosters high achievement. Students enjoy outstanding modern facilities and are supported in all aspects of school and boarding life by caring, friendly staff in a family environment.

Registrations of interest now being taken for 2017

State Highway 1, Winchester, South Canterbury www.waihi.school.nz www.facebook.com/WaihiSchool www.waihi.school.nz www.waihi.school.nz

same for Adams House. It was a huge decision for me and my family coming to the boarding house after growing up in a small town on the West Coast. Living away from home in the big city of Christchurch seemed very daunting at the time. The routine of hostel life helped me to settle in along with the friendly staff and prefects who were all extremely welcoming. Adams House itself is an exciting place to live in, with facilities second to none. The swimming pool, tennis courts, cricket nets, weights room, dedicated music room, and great food, make the ‘hostels’ the envy of the rest of the school. The boarding house has a strong academic focus and I have found the structures and staff to be extremely supportive

towards my education. No favour is ever too much to ask of them. Although having to do homework each night may at first seem like a chore, it has certainly helped me develop good work habits which I will take into the future. Also, the convenience of living with others doing the same assignments and courses is a huge advantage come exam time. Looking back, being put out of my comfort zone and making the move to Boys’ High has benefitted me greatly, allowing me to mature more quickly, make lifelong friends, and become a lot more independent. I have no regrets whatsoever, and I cannot emphasise enough the opportunities which lie ahead when you are fortunate enough to board at Adams House.

ChristChurCh boys’ high sChool

A tradition of excellence Contact Richard Taylor 70 Harakeke Street, Riccarton, Christchurch Ph 03 348 5003 Ext 268 www.cbhs.school.nz/boarding larterjtl@staff.cbhs.school.nz

...away from home

EDUCATION ADVERTORIAL

April 2015

ADVERTORIAL

Small School — big heart — great record! Garin College has, yet again, proved to be a school of choice in the ‘Top of the South’. Why is this? What are the hallmarks of a college that has excelled in NCEA, the Arts, Cultural and Sporting endeavours? The only South Island Catholic Secondary School north of Christchurch, mirrors values of Father Garin who opened schools and orphanages in the local area to help people aspire to reach fulfilment in their lives. This legacy drives the Garin College Community towards excellence in all areas of school life. One key factor to this success is that staff are selected, not just as superior classroom practitioners, but also as individuals who have lived interesting and varied lives with histories that can inspire and motivate students. From writers for BBC TV to performing artists and respected sportspeople, staff at Garin College ‘walk the talk’ as they encourage, motivate and support students to be the best they can be.

CANTERBURY FARMING

Small class sizes, innovative learning methods — including laptops as main learning tools in class — and a commitment to innovation, review and development set the scene for the remarkable academic record achieved in 2014. The off-site hostels offer comfortable, secure and caring family environments for up to 56

young people and contribute to the college’s success. If Garin sounds like the learning environment for your child, visit the website and contact the Head Teacher John Boyce or the Hostel Manager Robert Booth to arrange a tour. Places/spaces exist for both Catholic and nonCatholic students.

Garin College

Small School, Big Heart Garin College is a co-educational Catholic College with boarding facilities for boys and girls based in Richmond, Nelson. Our modern facilities and extensive grounds back onto Saxton Field, Tasman’s premier sporting grounds. We have a number of places for non-Catholic students.

Pride in excellence

At Nelson College for Girls we take great PRIDE in all that we do. We offer high quality, affordable education for young women in a very dynamic and supportive environment. Our Boarding Hostel, Clarice Johnstone House, offers high quality accommodation for up to 150 students, from New Zealand and overseas. For many of our boarders, there are significant opportunities for them to be involved in sporting and cultural activities that would not otherwise be available to them. Our boarding students are part of a very large family, proactively supported by our senior students through a wide variety of student led activities. Nelson College for Girls has a strong house system and all of our boarders are members of the same house, Whangamoa. They are passionate participants in all house activities in the school and revel in the ‘purple’ house succeeding well. Our Year 9–12 students live in Clarice Johnstone House where they enjoy considerable facilities for

study and recreation. Our Year 13 students have the privilege of living in the Levels building. This very modern accommodation, opened in 2011, provides them with a more independent living experience, while still ensuring our most senior students play a pivotal role in creating the family atmosphere of the boarding community. Our boarders enjoy academic success, make lifelong friendships and enjoy strong connections within the school and its community. They take PRIDE in taking part in activities such as sporting clubs, choirs, jazz bands and drama productions. These are wonderful opportunities for them.

Nelson College for Girls has an outstanding reputation for academic excellence. This is demonstrated strongly by our NCEA and Scholarship results for 2014. For example over 90% of our year 11 and year 12 students were awarded a National Certificate. At the end of 2014, in the Scholarship examinations, a total of 18 Scholarships were gained by our students. Our boarders are well represented in these statistics. Enrolments are now being accepted for 2015. Join our happy family! For more information contact Jo Purcell on 03 548 1332. Email: boarding@ncg.school.nz or visit our website www.ncg. school.nz/boarding.

Nelson College for Girls

High Quality Education in a Modern, Dynamic Environment

Why choose Garin College • Small community based Catholic College • Modern facilities in beautiful grounds • A safe and caring environment • Family style hostel • Fantastic results for all students, NCEA, Rock Quest, Stage Challenge, Sports, Outdoor adventure and more Our off-site boarding hostels provide a welcoming family environment for students away from home and our boarders achieve well above the national average at all levels of NCEA. To find out more about boarding contact Robert Booth on 027 654 4835 e-mail robertbooth@cloud.garincollege.ac.nz or visit our website.

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Garin College, 35 Champion Road, Richmond, Nelson P: +64 3 543 9488 F: +64 3 543 9489 Email: achieve@garincollege.ac.nz www.garincollege.ac.nz

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April 2015

CANTERBURY FARMING

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April 2015

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April 2015

CANTERBURY FARMING

Are you ready for winter? Winter warmer safety Daylight saving has ended and it is time to get your winter coat, electric blanket and heater out from the cupboard. Just like summer, winter brings its own unique set of fire dangers. The New Zealand Fire Service has advice to help keep people warm — and safe as well. Ensure there are smoke alarms in homes and buildings and change the batteries annually unless you have the recommended long-life photoelectric smoke alarms. These are powered by a non-removable battery with a lifespan of about 10 years. It is suggested they are installed in every bedroom, in the hallway between living areas and on every level of

the dwelling. Clean chimneys and flues before your first fire of the season and always use a fire or spark guard with open fires. Never throw rubbish into the fireplace especially batteries or aerosol cans. Ashes can take up to five days to cool. Always empty ashes into a metal bin and pour water over them before disposal. Before you go to sleep or leave the house make sure fires are out. If using electric blankets, check each blanket and cord for any signs of wear. They

can be checked by a qualified service person or if in doubt replace it. Do not take the risk of using worn blankets as these can cause fires. Always make sure that your blanket is switched off before getting into bed and never use pins or sharp objects to secure it to the bed. Never tuck it in under the bed. If the blanket becomes soiled, sponge it lightly and allow to dry naturally on a flat surface. Do not dryclean or use a washing machine or spin dryer. When putting

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your electric blanket away for summer, do not fold it — roll it. Fires involving heating and drying are the next most common reason the fire service is called out. Remember the heater-metre rule — always keep furniture, curtains, clothes and children

at least one metre away from heaters and fireplaces. Do not dry clothes or towels on a heater. Do not store objects on top of your heating appliance. Never cover heating appliances and do not overload clothes dryers and make sure to clean the

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lint filter after each load cycle. When using gas heaters please take a few moments to consider the following safety precautions — they may save a life. Make sure the ceramic heater element is not broken or chipped and that the element guard is in place. Check to see that the hose is in good condition and doesn’t show any signs of damage or wear. If the heater does not light straight away, turn it off and then try again. Do not let the gas build up before trying to relight it. Always have fresh air coming into the room where a gas heater is in use and have your heater serviced every 12 months.

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April 2015

Are you ready for winter? Make this winter a warm one Winter is on its way and keeping up with roof, gutter, garden maintenance and pest control can mean getting through the cooler months is a breeze. Roof maintenance is a priority in winter preparations and FHS Roofing Ltd can help with re-roofing, repairing leaks, maintenance coating and weather protection. They also offer roof assessments to help determine if work is necessary to keep you dry and protect your valuable assets. The fourth generation owned and operated business can help with solutions to weather-proofing issues. Their combined experience means they can identify any future issues before they become too serious. FHS Roofing Ltd are a one stop shop for all roofing needs including guttering, skylights, down-pipes and flashings. Now is also a good time to be thinking about planting shelter belts. SmithScapes

can assist with a variety of landscaping requirements including garden maintenance, farm planting, planning and spraying. The locally owned and operated company is run with strong workmanship values and quality service says owner Dale Smith. Mr Smith started the business in 2008 providing practical solutions for landscaping. He and his team are able to help bring their clients dreams to life. They can assist customers with totally new projects as well as garden revivals and provide services on urban, rural and commercial land in Canterbury or further afield. They also enjoy using native New Zealand plants and pride themselves on

their ability to plant in keeping with natural surroundings with unstructured planting. SmithScapes can work closely with architects and will provide 3D plans if needed. Winter preparations wouldn’t be complete without making sure gutters are up to speed. If gutter guards and spoutings are needed, Gutter SolutioNZ products are guaranteed to perform effectively for a minimum of 10 years when installed by their authorised gutter guard installers. The company was established in Christchurch in 2005 as a preferred gutter protection service and has been looking after New Zealand property ever since. By protecting gutters from debris and blockages

there is less need to put yourself or others in dangerous situations trying to clear them. The Gutter SolutioNZ superior metal spouting screen will enhance rather than take over your roof. It means leaves, debris, snow, hail, rodents and birds cannot get in yet it lets water through as usual. Keeping spoutings clear means that the unpleasant weather does not have to be a disadvantage. Just as we want to keep warm and dry this chilly season so do pests. Keep your property free from rodents with family owned and operated business Pestgard. Pestgard offer a cost effective range of pest control solutions that are safe,

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April 2015

RURAL WOMEN

CANTERBURY FARMING

Cuppa leads to great mix Where to house the new community olive press was the hot topic of conversation when president of Awana Rural Women’s group, Gendie Somerville-Ryan, met with Carol and Trevor Rendle of Barrier Olive Growers Ltd. The Great Barrier Island branch of Rural Women NZ owns its own premises, which at the time was undergoing a major upgrade. Their garage, it seemed, would make the perfect place for an olive press — and after a cup of coffee, the olive press had a new home. “Awana Rural Women activities encourage

community co-operation and development and what better way to demonstrate this than to help promote economic growth through horticulture,” said Mrs Somerville-Ryan. “Our facilities are centrally located, of a high standard, and well-known around Great Barrier Island. Housing the olive press is very much in line with our philosophy of

helping the community to help itself through education, personal development and building community capacity. It’s a win-win for everyone.” The community olive press was officially opened by Hon Nikki Kaye, MP for Great Barrier (and Auckland Central), who acknowledged the perseverance and hard work of everyone involved

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Maggie Barry, Gendie Somerville-Ryan, Trevor Rendle, Nikki Kaye and members of the Great Barrier Island Local Board

in getting the project off the ground. “The reason this cooperative approach has worked on the Barrier is that so many people contribute. The olive press is important

for economic reasons — it gives people another option to stay on the Island,” said Ms Kaye. A recent survey showed that there are over 600 olive trees already fruiting on Great

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Barrier Island but developing an industry from the olives was impractical if fruit had to be shipped off the Island for pressing. Barrier Olive Growers has now purchased the press and growers will be able to press their fruit for a nominal charge — hopefully kick-starting an olive oil ‘export’ industry for the Barrier. Awana Rural Women can see a great future for Barrier olive oil, from an olive oil festival to an olive picking and pressing experience. The first step however, is to get the 2015 vintage harvested and pressed — and enjoyed by those on the Barrier and beyond.

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DAIRY

CANTERBURY FARMING

Preparation for drought If climate change progresses as predicted, the country is likely to become a little drier over the next few decades. Drought can occur anywhere and the whole country can be affected. Northern and eastern areas of the country are already drought prone and are likely to become more so. Planning is key to managing a dry season. A good plan will reduce stress and ensure that the dry summer will not impact on the following season’s production. Increasing stock levels in the hope of a wet season with an abundance of feed is asking for trouble, not just in the drought-prone regions but any region. It is a better option to have fewer stock and if farmers do end up with a surplus, it will provide good insurance for the rest of the season or can be sold. Daily rainfall records and regular pasture cover assessments should be part of farming routine. Lack of rainfall, low soil moisture, poor pasture growth rates and dwindling feed supplies are all obvious indicators of a longer-than-usual dry spell. Farmers should guard against being over-optimistic with how many cows can be

April 2015

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milked. It helps to assess feed supplies and cow condition and calculate a feed allowance, allowing for having supplement on hand for when it rains in winter. Consider the options for buying in feed and supplements and for reducing feed demand. If feed is running short check the possibilities of grazing animals elsewhere or it may be better to cull some cows

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early than to hang onto stock in the hope that it will rain. It is also an option to put scarce feed or expensive supplements into cows that are producing well. The others will eat a lot less when dry and you might be able to graze them off. It may not be easy to predict when it will rain, but a plan provides the framework for what decisions need to be made and when. The plan

needs to be reviewed as conditions change. DairyNZ advises keeping a check on long range weather forecasts and checking NIWA’s long range weather predictions can help with planning. Some forecasting companies have a seasonal outlook. Checking the Met Services 16-day forecast is also an option and some regional councils provide weather information.

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April 2015

DAIRY

CANTERBURY FARMING

Dairy advisor appointment A hands on approach by DairyNZ has been stepped up with a new appointment to enhance day to day contact with dairy farmers across the country, problem solving and advising on industry issues.

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The new general manager of extension has been named as Andrew Reid and he will fill the role of leading the industry body’s regional consulting officer teams. DairyNZ chief executive Tim Mackle says Andrew will be a great addition to his senior leadership team. “This is a very important role for our organisation as our regional teams connect every day directly to farmers across the country through leading our events, focus farms and discussion groups. Andrew is very passionate about the opportunity to help dairy farmers with their challenges and opportunities and he has extensive experience in coaching teams. I’m delighted he’s coming on board.” Andrew will start in the position on May 4. He was previously the general manager of sales with Ballance Agri-Nutrients,

Andrew Reid, the new general manager of extension

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DAIRY

CANTERBURY FARMING

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April 2015

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We are here to help Why do some farmers have major lameness issues, where they may have 100+ cows in their lameness mob, while their neighbour may only have five for the whole year? What can cause so much disparity between farms, and yet they seem to be operated in much the same way and there are no obvious differences between them? This is not an easy question to answer as there are so many different factors at play. Nevertheless, there are many things that we can do to minimise the problem if we know what the underlying issues are. Often the cow will actually tell you what those issues are — if you are willing to listen to her and understand her body language. To help you with that we are running four seminars in the Conference room at Veehof Head Office on 154 Coplands Road, Dromore on April 30 and May 1, 2015. We have invited Marloes Levelink of Cows101 to speak to farmers about the body language of cows in their own environment. Marloes is formally trained in reading animal signs by Netherlandsbased Cow Signals Training Company founder, Joep Driessen, and is a certified

Cow Signals Master. She is often surprised at just how many signals cows can give and how many farmers don’t know. “It’s all about being aware and observant”, she says. As these signals are different for a housed cow than for a pasture-based cow, we will run separate seminars for the respective farming systems so every attendee will get the most out of the seminar according to their own farming situation. I will also be speaking to the group, addressing some of the different factors that are at play in the lameness story. Why is it so important to understand all these things? This is what makes the difference between a good and an excellent farmer. Look at it this way, your job is to convert a low value product like grass into a high value product being milk. The more milk you can send away from the same amount of grass the more money you will make, and the fewer cows you can farm to convert that grass, to

a point, the more economical your operation. It is a bit of a fine line between having too many cows and not enough. One way to work out where that line is to understand the body language of your cows. The cow will tell you when she is not functioning well. Being in tune with their body language will help you

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April 2015

DAIRY

CANTERBURY FARMING

NZ Dairy awards review

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Canterbury/North Otago Sharemilker/Equity Farmers of the Year- Melissa and Justin Slattery

The couple credit their success to their passion for the industry and are aiming to own their own farm before they turn 35. They are 29 and 28 years old respectively. “We are determined to push ourselves to be the best we can be in our industry, and look forward to the day when we own our own dairy farm,” they said. “We’re also flexible and willing to adapt to changes in the dairy industry to manage our farm as efficiently and effectively as possible.” They are currently 50% sharemilking a herd of 550 at Culverden which they started this season. They hope to double the size of their business and aim to purchase a 100ha dairy farm in the next five years. “We are accountable to ourselves and our strategic management plan. Our

passion drives us to achieve what we have set out to do in this plan.” Mark Cudmore won the Farm Manager of the Year and James Davidson received the title of Dairy Trainee of the Year. Leeston equity farm managers Tony Coltman and Dana Carver came second in the sharemilker/equity contest with Rakaia 20% sharemilker David Le Heron coming in third. Farm Manager of the Year, Mark Cudmore, received the award for most promising farm manager last year and has lived up to expectations with this years win. He says the awards: “highlight your strengths and weaknesses, which gives you a greater focus of what you require to develop yourself further.” Rakaia farm manager Jonathan Hoets was the

runner-up in the farm manager contest. Third place were Oxford contract milkers Ben and Jemma Abernethy. The Dairy Trainee of the Year, James Davidson, has worked on farms across the world before launching his dairy farming career back home in 2012. It is his second time entering the awards and says, “It’s good for testing your skills and abilities and to get feedback on your strengths and weaknesses.” Oamaru farm assistant Blake Harvie placed second in the region’s dairy trainee contest and third place went to Rakaia farm assistant Daniel McAtamney. More information on the winners can be found on www.dairyindustryawards. co.nz.

PMR GRAIN SYSTEMS CROP STORAGE AND HANDLING SYSTEMS

FEED SYSTEMS NOW AVAILABLE THROUGH PMR

PMR are pleased to announce that they are now able to supply total dairy feed systems through our supplier GSI into both rotary and herringbone complexes. PMR offer: • Site Consultation • Supply • Design • Installation and Repairs

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GSI SILOS Flat bottomed or hopper. 10 tonnes to 10,000 tonnes. Can be fitted with stirrers and unload systems. Dairy Feed Systems now available.

WAKELY ROLLER MILLS PMR are pleased to be able to supply the Wakely Roller Mill. Wakely Engineering have been manufacturing Roller Mills for the last 30 years and manufacture mills from 1.5tph through to 30tph plus.

P. 03 313 8339 • Email: farmsheds@mcalpines.co.nz

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LIVESTOCK

CANTERBURY FARMING

April 2015

Wool Perspective

From Rob Cochrane GM, Procurement, PGG Wrightson Wool

Wool market remains healthy A generally healthy tone to the wool market was evident throughout the March and early April period with good clearances from broker auction catalogues at sales held in both Christchurch and Napier. As wool flows slowed towards mid-April, demand remained stable enabling prices to hold, despite challenges posed by currency volatility. Although rain fell in many places across the South Island, unfortunately those areas most desperate received little respite from the biting drought and as cooler temperatures loomed concern mounted for traditional Autumnshorn clips as much of the landscape became almost billiard-cloth like. As mentioned wool sales held in each Island were well supported by exporters and the majority of wool offered was successfully sold under the hammer. The percentage of wool passed-in for failing to reach grower reserve was, in the main, limited to single figures, apart from one South Island auction where the passing rate reached around 24 per cent. Crossbred full length fleece from across the South Island and offered at Christchurch was of good colour and style, which was somewhat of a surprise given the time of year, however a few more tender and cotted fleeces began to appear as time wore on into April. Prices for the good full fleece types held on well and at time of writing, three days out from the final April auction, were sitting around 505 cents clean with poorer types around 495 cents clean. Second-shear crossbred types also held their own at levels not too dissimilar from the full length wools with good colour early-shorn types measuring a staple

length of 75mm to 100mm reaching around 500 cents clean, and 50mm to 75mm genuine second-shear reaching around 480 cents clean. The levels for secondshear were regarded as very good, considering a number of European wool users had been withholding their wool requirements in face of weaker Euro and GBP currencies against the Kiwi. A continued stream of lamb’s wool poured into broker stores with large numbers of lambs being shorn due mainly to their inability to grow sufficiently to be slaughtered at relatively profitable returns for either the breeders of such stock or store-lamb buyers and finishers. Prices for lamb’s wool remained buoyant throughout the March/April period with

most proving to be extremely good ‘currency’. Only a few Halfbred and Corriedale wool types witnessed in catalogues during the period with solid support once again evident. A few lines of poorer types which had been neglected at previous auctions managed to gain traction and were cleared with good improvement compared to their passed-in levels earlier. The few lines of Merino appearing at Christchurch auctions realised levels as expected and sold well. As we proceed towards the end of the 2014/15 wool selling season, reality is that wool quantities have diminished once more compared to the previous season and the outlook for wool production for next season is again pessimistic.

The effect of drought for many of the Autumn shorn clips still to come this season is a bit unknown at this stage, as are ewes to be shorn, although a couple of Corriedale clips in store at time of writing appeared to be of reasonable quality, however maybe we should expect to see a few tender wools and lighter than normal fleece weights in the not too distant future. On a positive note, the Oxford A&P Assn recently hosted the RAS Golden Fleece competition and associated activities. It was extremely pleasing to see a gathering of such positive and passionate ‘woollies’ attend the Friday afternoon competition, displays, fashion parade, and awards. Well done to all involved. That’s my view.

More returns for your wool with Elders As an Elders Primary Wool client you can expect great service from a nationwide team of wool experts who will support you with the advice and expertise to deliver improved returns for your sheep business. • Specialist advice for merino, mid-micron or cross-bred wool • Elders is the world’s largest broker of greasy wool • No marketing levies Talk to your local Elders Primary Wool Representative about maximising the returns on your wool clip.

CONTACT YOUR CANTERBURY REP: Mark Greenlaw Roger Fuller Grant Andrew

www.eldersprimary.co.nz

Primary Wool

Kevin James Wool The Working Wool Buyer

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Peter McCusker Rob Lynskey

Chris Munro

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Ring Kevin and there’ll be no rep in a new Falcon to see you. Kevin will turn up with the truck and certified scales. He will load the wool and pay you on the day! From mainline to dags see if you can find any wool buyer who will go further or work harder for your wool.

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April 2015

LIVESTOCK

CANTERBURY FARMING

ADVERTORIAL

Agrimin launch new ‘Waterproof’ Copper bolus range for cattle Bolus specialists Agrimin, have announced the launch of a new range of copper boluses for cattle, sold in New Zealand under the 24.7 brand. Agrimin 24.7 Copper boluses have the advantage over capsules as they can be handled in rain without disintegrating. The boluses quickly breakdown in the rumen and release copper oxide needles which lodge in the ruminal folds and are then absorbed and stored in the liver. Copper deficiency is common in young cattle on pasture in New Zealand and is most often encountered in the winter

when copper availability is low. Trials on the new Agrimin 24.7 boluses were conducted in cattle on a property with a history of copper deficiency in Northland. They were dosed and then grazed on reclaimed marsh that contained high levels of iron in the forage. The liver copper levels of the group were maintained at normal levels for at least 168 days. Towards the end

sheds ‘n shelters WE CAN DESIGN ANY SIZE TO FIT YOUR REQUIREMENTS CALF SHELTER Dimensions: 3.0 Wide x 4.8 Deep x 2.4 High

of the trial, the blood copper levels of 70 per cent of the control group, which received no copper supplementation, were below normal. This indicated that the liver copper reserves were exhausted. The untreated controls were then given a copper bolus in the spring to correct the deficiency. Within 28 days, blood copper levels were normal in all 10 animals. This shows the Agrimin copper boluses are effective in the treatment and prevention of copper deficiency in cattle. The new product range is available from your local veterinary clinic.

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Agrimin 24.7 Copper Bolus Range for Cattle • GREAT VALUE WATERPROOF COPPER! • NO CAPsULE! unique wax based matrix containing copper oxide needles

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LIVESTOCK

CANTERBURY FARMING

April 2015

Soil Matters with Peter Burton Dolomite — the only magnesium you’ll need When a milking cow in spring runs short on magnesium, the cost incurred isn’t difficult to calculate. In a worst case situation she dies, and the cost is the value of the animal and her production during the coming season. Should she die prior to calving, there’s also the value of the calf. Because the problem becomes increasingly prevalent and severe as cows age, it is often the more valuable animals affected, and there is a dollar value on their lost breeding potential. Two other things are worth bearing in mind. Animals exhibiting clinical signs are only the tip of the iceberg. For every animal requiring treatment there will be a number of others producing at lower than their potential. Even when treated animals recover, their season’s production will be adversely affected. But the issue most talked about is the cost in human time when an animal requires assistance. Time and frustration, and as one

farmer recently stated, “it’s a complete waste — in all ways.” Milking cows are remarkably robust animals, able to survive and produce well on a wide range of diets. So if you are treating cows suffering calcium/magnesium imbalance and deficiencies in spring as a regular activity, their diet is obviously a long way from that necessary for best performance. The worst of the problem can be corrected simply, easily, and at low cost with an annual application of dolomite to pasture. The transformation that takes place after an application of 200–230kg/ha of dolomite means that dolomite clients are a very loyal group. Because grazing ruminants are unable to adequately store magnesium, adequate intake is required every day, and the most effective way is ensuring there is enough of it in every mouthful of pasture eaten.

The level of magnesium in dolomite treated pasture regularly lies between 0.22– 0.25%, sufficient to meet the requirements of fully-fed high producing animals. And it’s not at the expense of other essential elements. When cows are unwell in spring it is seldom due to just a lack of magnesium. It’s nearly always a calcium and magnesium imbalance. Too much of one and too little of the other, with each animal’s requirements being different. Dolomite contains both magnesium and calcium at the ratio required for plant uptake and the two are released at the same rate, with the speed being dictated by plant demand — the reason for a little going a long way. There’s another aspect often overlooked and that is the cow’s requirement for extra energy in spring, particularly when it’s cold, wet and windy.

Whether it’s because magnesium helps with the availability of phosphorus (an essential element in the formation of plant sugars), or the fact that it’s an ancient seabed deposit carrying a wide range of trace elements, is not clear. However, a single application of bulk dolomite in autumn is remarkably effective in reducing the number and severity of animals requiring treatment in spring. No system is ever completely foolproof, but dolomite applied annually at 200–230kg/ha, providing 23–25kg/Mg/ha is sufficient to meet the annual magnesium requirements of high producing farms. As astute farmers have known for decades, it provides a well proven and reliable base for robust good health and high production in spring. For more information call Peter on 0800 4Dolomite (0800 436 566).

“When magnesium inputs are required, Golden Bay Dolomite provides the simplest and most effective option.” call 0800 4 Dolomite

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Quality Kiwi Made Products

Alcohol Spray 70% A ready to use spray pack of denatured (refined) alchol blend to sterilise unbroken skin. Spray on teats as a sterilising agent before a procedure such as Dry Cow Therapy. Available in 500ml trigger pack, 2L, 5L, 20L and 60L from your vet.

Only available from your veterinarian

RMT Solution A ready to use solution for sub-clinical mastitis testing of cows. Add equal parts of RMT solution to milk sample and score the viscosity- a slime or jelly is a positive reading indicating a mastitus infection in the teat quarter. Maybe used as part of your strategy to help indentify cows to be dried off in your herd. Available in 2L, 5L and 20L packs from your vet.

April 2015

CANTERBURY FARMING

ADVERTORIAL

Kinsey Soil Fertility Course

Neal Kinsey is returning to New Zealand explaining the essentials and finer points of soil fertility. He will be at Cambridge from 29th June to 3rd July and then in Ashburton, hosted by Golden Bay Dolomite and Kiwi Fertiliser. The starting point at Cambridge is trace elements. Many farmers’ soil tests do not even measure them; so they are not applied. Is it any wonder some farms frequently have costly animal health problems? There will be good advice on offer for farmers and reps involved in all types of farming and growing. Dr Linus Pauling, winner of two Nobel Prizes, stated: “In my opinion, one can trace every sickness, every disease

and every ailment to mineral deficiency.” If you accept this statement, then improvements can be made in the following areas by improving fertiliser practices: Stock health; insect problems (including ticks and mites) on stock, pastures and crops; bacterial and fungal diseases; dipping, drenching and dagging regimes; fruit and vegetables that do not keep; fruit and vegetables that don’t taste at all good; kauri die-back; Psa of kiwifruit; weeds including YBG; the need to inoculate silage; or the fact that large areas of pasture have to be re-grassed each year. One test for a

dairy farmer is the effluent pond. If it is anaerobic, it will have a tendency to crust over and require constant and costly maintenance. If it is aerobic, no such problems will be observed. The pond is a reflection of the health of the rest of the property. If it is not healthy, then neither are the soil or the stock. All the above problems are related to soil fertility and can be mitigated to a greater or a lesser degree. The course will cover all essential trace elements including silicon; plus nitrogen, phosphorus,

potassium, sulphur, compost, carbon, calcium, magnesium, and much more. Prior to the course itself, we have the opportunity to

visit properties carrying out the principles of correct soil fertility. These properties have not been on the system very long, but have already

showed clear improvements. For more information go to goldenbaydolomite.co.nz or kiwifertiliser.co.nz for details and registration.

Ballagh Contracting ltd Now Operating Pottinger Cultivation Drill For your Autumn crop needs.

AGRICULTURE CONTRACTORS

Check out Neal Kinsey’s courses for 2015

Please Call Sam 027 279 1344 A/h 03 318 6542 or John 027 432 1988 A/h 03 318 6847

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ENVIROPAINTS ENVIROPAINTS MAKING QUALITY PAINTS AND COATINGS AT REASONABLE PRICE’S

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CANTERBURY FARMING

April 2015

Supplementary Feed A crucial time of year for feed budgeting and cow condition Feed supply and demand must be matched for the autumn and winter so target cow condition can be achieved for the spring and the new lactation, to achieve maximum productivity. A sacrifice paddock is one way to manage cows and pasture when there are no purpose built stand-off facilities, or where off-farm grazing is not an option. This can take the pressure off the rest of the farm by allowing grass cover to build up while vulnerable soils are wet. Sacrifice the regrowth of a small area of pasture to enhance the regrowth on the rest of the farm. This needs to be done in a way that is not risking the environment. Some farmers use sacrifice paddocks when it is dry in autumn. Feeding supplements on a sacrifice paddock allows future paddocks in the round to build up pasture covers. There are risks. Soil structure can be damaged due to compaction leading to impaired drainage properties. There is also the potential for sediment and effluent runoff to enter waterways

from disturbed soil. No effluent should be discharged into waterways. If not well managed, there is an increased risk of mastitis and lameness in stock due to the often muddy and wet conditions of sacrifice paddocks. There is also a chance that cows may not get their daily feed requirements while on a sacrifice paddock. Feed quality is important. Feed quality is the energy value of feed. It is measured by the amount of usable or metabolisable energy (ME) in a given weight of feed. In New Zealand the energy value of feed is referred to as the megajoules of metabolisable energy per kilogram of dry matter — MJME/kg DM — or M/D for short. The decision on which supplement to include in your farm system should be based on the cheapest form of energy, for example

Fresh Feed to your Farm Stockfeed made fresh onsite or delivered premixed.

Mobile units specialising in Dairy and Calf meal. Large roller mill and hammer mill available. Additives can be supplied and mixed or blended with molasses if required. We fill your silos or supply in bulk. *see website for more details*

FEEDMI Ltd

cents/MJME. Infrastructure, storage, wastage, the logistics of feeding and utilisation of the supplement should all be considered in your comparison. Apar t from the supplement and milk price, the profitability of feeding supplement depends on milk response per unit of energy in the supplement. The milk response decreases significantly when the cow is well fed on pasture, for example residuals are greater than 1,500–1,600 kg DM/ha.

In spring, supplements will almost never be profitable when there is enough pasture. Due to substitution, the pasture left behind is going to be wasted and the quality of the pastures in future rounds will be reduced. In the autumn, supplements can be used to build cover and in these cases it can be profitable to feed supplements even when you have enough pasture. For more information go to dairynz.co.nz/feed/ seasonal-management.

Dave Campion. Ph 03 308 8665 | 027 608 6455 www.feedmix.co.nz

To advertise in the Canterbury Farming Please call 03 347 2314 or email sales@canfarm.co.nz

April 2015

CANTERBURY FARMING

Supplementary Feed Farming supplement options Choosing the right type of supplementary feed can be difficult and there are many different options to explore.

General Engineers Page Engineering specialise in truck to trailer conversions as well as all other types of farm related repairs and manufacturing, and also have a mobile onfarm repair service.

Feedout trough

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Cereals are flexible as they can be grazed or used as a whole crop silage. Silage quality has lower metabolisable energ y than good quality maize silage but is less risky in exposed locations. Oats are best suited to single grazing or multiple cut and carry where the height is controlled. Quality changes with maturation, protein declining, soluble carbohydrate increasing. Multiple-graze cereals such as triticale, rye, corn and oats are sown in autumn and grazing time in winter and are not as flexible as Italian ryegrass. Brassicas fall into two categories, summer feed or winter feed. All provide high quality feed and bulbing brassicas are a source of carbohydrate.

When feeding turnips, use long narrow breaks. Introduce cows gradually to adjust to the crop and offer a maximum of two kilograms DM/cow in the first five days, increasing over the next five days, up to five kilograms DM/cow/day but making sure not to exceed a third of the daily ration. Chicory management is similar to turnips with time required to adjust to the crop. Pre-graze at 25–35cm height, graze to 5–10cm and no lower than 5cm. Plantain is a forage herb which has become popular due to its ability to grow quality forage in drier summer conditions. Research into its establishment and grazing management by DairyNZ is reported in the Farmfact section on their website. Fodder beet does not have the same management

POLY POLYSILOS NON RUSTING MULTIPLE USES

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as kale and swedes. Cows need to transition onto the crop over a 10–14 day period. Graze the roots and crop together transitioning cows off the crop two to three weeks prior to calving and supplement them with magnesium. Palm kernel extract is the by-product of the palm fruit harvested for the palm oil industry in South East Asia. It is derived from the nut after palm oil is extracted mechanically or through solvents. It then becomes a dry meal which can take time for cows to develop a taste for but is popular as it provides a good level of energy and protein and can be introduced to cows on many farm types. When pasture is ensiled, its sugars are converted into lactic acid by bacteria. The lactic acid effectively pickles the pasture meaning it is able to be preserved for longer than it would have been if left in the open air. To create high quality silage farmers need high quality pasture regardless of how good the fermentation is and both the quality of the ensiled pasture and the quality of the fermentation must be considered. For more information visit www.dairynz.co.nz.

To advertise in the Canterbury Farming Please call

03 347 2314

0800 668 534 advantageplastics.co.nz

or email sales@canfarm.co.nz

Get ready for winter with Riverdown steel! SUPER CIRCLE FEEDER

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RURAL WHEELS

CANTERBURY FARMING April 2015

Heavy duty diesel rolls out by Andy Bryenton

Kiwi farms run on diesel power — from burly utes to rugged tractors. And now a new diesel UTV brings that power to even more jobs around the farm. Adding to its already impressive range of models, Polaris have announced the impending arrival of the 2015 Ranger 1000 Diesel HD (Heavy Duty) — built specifically for the New Zealand and Australian markets. That HD tag indicates the inclusion of a suite of heavy duty upgrades, beefing up the Ranger for the hard knocks Kiwi farming is famous for. Add in electronic power steering and engine braking with 4-Wheel descent control to combat New Zealand’s hilly terrain, and this diesel-powered workhorse begins to look like just what the doctor ordered. The 2015 Ranger 1000 Diesel HD receives a number of upgrades over the 2014 model, including being built on the more modern Ranger XP platform. Styling has been given a fast-forward too, and under all that rakish bodywork sits a powerful 1,028cc Diesel Engine, up from 900cc in the previous iteration. A massive 110 Amp Alternator is bolted to this diesel mill, cranking out the kind of power usually associated with utes.

BRAND NEW FOR 2015

And a new, tough cab frame keeps riders safe, even in the worst conditions. With upgrades to the chassis, the Ranger 1000 Diesel HD now shares the same attributes which have made the Ranger XP 900 a top choice for New Zealand farmers. This new model also boasts innovations such as a restyled cockpit for driver comfort, dual A-Arm front suspension for a smoother ride, and a larger 37.6 Litre fuel tank for longer trips between fill ups. The 1,028cc Kohler Diesel under the hood is a 3 cylinder

overhead cam liquid-cooled symphony of power. This proven, high performance mill utilises indirect injection to deliver smooth torque and reduced combustion noise. The big donk also delivers a class-leading 907kg towing capacity, 680kg payload capacity and helps haul a rear dump box with gas-assist dumping operation that can carry up to 454kg of materials and a full-sized pallet. That’s an impressive suite of upgrades — and more than enough reason to book a test drive with your local Polaris dealer.

• 1028cc Kohler 3 Cylinder overhead cam liquid cooled Diesel Engine • 110 AMP Alternator • 56 km/h Top Speed • Polaris Variable Transmission • Towing Capacity - 907kg • Dump Box Capacity - 454kg • Certified Roll-Over Protection Structure (ROPS) • On Demand True All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) with Turf Mode • Adjustable Independent Front & Rear Suspension

$18,607

• 567cc EFI engine with Polaris Variable Transmission • Engine Braking System with 4-Wheel Descent Control (4WDC) • Electronic Power Steering • Speed Key capability • Independent Front & Adjustable Rear Suspension • Built for NZ with Heavy Duty “HD” Features • On Demand true All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) with turf mode • Towing Capacity - 680kg • Industry Leading Pro Fit Cab Design

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If you are on the lookout for a sturdy 4×4 for the farm with a greater fuel efficiency and lower maintenance cost than any ATV on the market, the legendary Mahindra Thar is here. Tackles the toughest of terrains and gives you superior off-roading capability.

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1826cc diesel indirect fuel injection • Max lifting capacity 1200 kg • Larger tyres for better traction & stability Economical and Easy to operate - Designed for general purpose farming, horticulture, materials handling, livestock operations and grounds maintenance. Two transmission options are available Gear or HST.

COCHRANES AMBERLEY (TRACTORS)- 59 Carters Road, Amberley - Ph: 03 314 9055 COCHRANES ASHBURTON (TRACTORS) - 460 West Street, Ashburton - Ph: 03 307 8027 COCHRANES LEESTON (TRACTORS)- 125 High Street, Leeston - Ph: 03 324 3791 HAMISH’s VEHICLE SERVICES (VEHICLES & TRACTORS)- 2 Railway Esplanade, Gore - Ph: 03 208 1766 MORRISON CAR COMPANY (VEHICLES) - 1-3 Lowther Street, Christchurch - Ph: (03) 341 2020 TEMUKA AUTOCOURT (VEHICLES) -160 King Street, Temuka - Ph: (03) 615 8786

• Powerful Perkins 100hp 4-cylinder, 4400cc turbo diesel engine • Power Shuttle 32x32 including 8 Creeper Gears • Heavy dutyloader with 1870kg lift capacity loader fitted with third service • Electronic 3-point hitch with 3110kg lift capacity • Wet clutch

www.mahindra.co.nz

LOCAL DEALERS:

0800 282 726

April 2015

RURAL WHEELS

CANTERBURY FARMING

WE HAVE ALL YOUR SPRAYING NEEDS COVERED * Pictures are for illustration purposes only and may differ from specifications listed, pricing subject to change.

Bargam Self propelled

2.9% finance with 25% deposit and balance over 36 months

• 3000L Tank • 24m Boom with wing lift • Hydraulic height adjuster • Hyrdostatic • 1500mm ground clearance • 175hp Iveco engine • Adjustable wheel track • Auto rate controller with GPS Control and auto section boom • Triple nozzle bodies •

Bargam Trailed

2.9% 1/3,1/3,1/3 finance

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Take advantage of the Euro exchange rate and place your indent order now. Let us evaluate your trade-in sprayer. Trade-ins are welcome.

• 4000L Tank • 24m Boom with self levelling • Fresh water Flush tank • AR250 Pump • Row Crop tyres • Adjustable track width • Auto rate controller • Proven rugged and reliable • 3000L also available •

$232,999 + GST

• 3000L Tank • 24m Boom with self levelling • Hydraulic height adjuster • Fresh water flush tank • AR250 pump • Triple nozzle bodies • Adjustable track width • Row Crop tyres • Auto rate control • Chemical induction hopper •

Croplands Pinto

Bargam Compact Trailed 2.9% 1/3,1/3,1/3 finance

$81,062 + GST

• 6200L Tank • Fresh water Flush tank • Chemical induction hopper • AR250 pump • 24m Hydraulic fold boom • Hydraulic wing lift • Hydraulic height adjuster • 7 section auto rate controller • Hydraulic brakes • Self Adjusting axle suspension • Adjustable wheel track •

$112,895 + GST

Ph: 03 349 7862 66 Waterloo Rd, Hornby, Christchurch

THE ONLY UTE WITH A 10-YEAR WARRANTY All-new Mitsubishi Triton is built to be durable and dependable. It’s loaded with a bigger tray, reversing camera, 7.2L per 100km efficiency, 3.1 tonne towing, 135kW of power with 437Nm of torque. And that unbeatable warranty. To take a test drive visit your local Mitsubishi dealer today. CHRISTCHURCH MITSUBISHI - Cnr Montreal & St Asaph Streets, Christchurch. | tel: 03 379 0588 | web: christchurchmitsubishi.co.nz CAROLINE MITSUBISHI - 23 - 25 Barnard Street, Timaru. | tel: 03 684 8501 | web: carolinemitsubishi.co.nz

RURAL WHEELS

CANTERBURY FARMING

April 2015

Beyond the lawn by Andy Bryenton

For those with a lot of lawn space to maintain, the comfort and versatility of a ride-on lawnmower is the ultimate luxury. Ditching the old pushmower is often seen as the best decision many lifestyle block owners have ever made, as it frees up time to appreciate the great outdoors rather than spending hours taming it. But what happens when it’s not just manicured turf you need? Enter the Kubota BX 2370 — a whole new breed of small utility tractor, which goes from ground maintenance to all-round tractor duties effortlessly. What’s more, Kubota’s little powerhouse comes with the added advantage of diesel power — 23 horses under the hood for far more than just chopping grass down to size. With a compact design, the BX series can fit into tight spaces. It’s nimble turning circle and low weight mean that it is well suited to garden duties where a bigger machine would tear

up the turf. But the seriously powerful three-cylinder diesel mill under the hood can make short work of far more than just your average lawn. Full-sized tractor features such as optional rollover protection and work lights, and hydraulic power steering make this a serious heavy hitter. As well as a mid-mounted mower deck which combines heavy duty blades with roomy ground clearance, the BX 2370 is able to be fitted with implements usually only seen on its bigger ‘cousins’ — such as a fully featured front end loader and a backhoe. The addition of these add-ons makes the little machine into a small orange version of the mighty JCB. There’s even the option to attach a rotary sweeper or a dozer blade. Many farms straddle the boundary between what was traditionally seen as

The Cold Season is Back, Call Mark to organise your Winter Servicing and Anti-Freeze for your Tractor now. •On-Farm Mobile service for all makes and models •Service and repair small Japanese import tractors including Jinma & Lifestyle •Crawler Tractor service and repairs •We do all repairs from major to minor •Supply new and used parts •Topping Mower repairs and Blade sharpening •Restoration of Vintage Style Tractors •Servicing the Waimak and Selwyn areas •Over 40 years experience

Mark A’Court

Ashworths Road, Ohoka 027 315 0627 • 03 3134 250

a lifestyle block, and what is, in truth, a small-scale productive agri-business. For these properties, versatility is the key. A large tractor may already take pride of place in the shed on such a farm, but

when it’s time to consider a second machine for utility, the Kubota BX series is a smart idea, replacing a small conventional tractor and a ride-on for truly allpurpose use.

Pay attention! around road works

CARS - TRUCKS - VANS - 4WDS

New + Used Lamps for Cars, Trucks, Vans, 4WD, Motorhomes, Trailers & LEDs. We can repair your existing lights including: Headlamp Adjusters, Lens Refurbishment and Plastic Welding.

0800 225 483 For all your automotive Lamp Requirements

F: 03 371 1101 E: carlights@carlights.co.nz 325 Brougham Street, Christchurch

WHY IS IT SO CHEAP?

BECAUSE WE ARE DIRECT IMPORTERS!

4x4

RUNOUT

SALE

$1350

TWIN SPINNER SPREADER

12,000

T l GS rma il o n the ice unt off r $500 lusive p h only inc ril 15t AP

$12,170

+GST

“In the ten years that I’ve been importing machinery, this is far and away the best product yet! Introducing the Tuatara UltraTerrain Vehicle (UTV)...”

we offer the tuatara at thousands below retail and other supplier’s similarly spec’d machines!

Brand new to NZ, manufactured in cooperation with the Chinese military, packed with features: • 2WD, 4WD diff. lock selectable • CFMoto 600cc, max speed 70kph • CVT auto clutch • Hydraulic tipping rear deck • Full foldable windscreen • Front mounted electric winch • Roof mounted spotlights (not shown) • Disc brakes all round • Rear drawbar

BUY DIRECT FROM THE IMPORTER!

Lifestyle Tractors & Machinery Ltd Tel. 03-347-4956 • Mob. 0274 770 070 Email. tractors@lifestyletractors.co.nz w w w. l i f e s t y l e t r a c t o r s . c o . n z

LT-A500XL4 $10,995

2008 MAN TGM 18.330 330hp 4x4 spreading unit, autoshift/manual transmission, Beck chain feed bin, straight out of work & ready for more.

$125,000 + GST.

We’ve just about run out of 2014 KingQuads. So now’s your last chance to snap one up – and get a very special end-of-line price. Promotion ends 31 May 2015 or while stocks last and is not available in conjunction with any other offer. Price excludes GST. Savings are inclusive of GST.

Avon City Motorcycles

Kim Harris Mobile 027 545 7973

Epsom Road, Sockburn, Christchurch

www.prestigecv.co.nz

www.avoncitysuzuki.co.nz

0800 379 899

03 341 3490

April 2015

RURAL WHEELS

CANTERBURY FARMING

Green machines a versatile choice by Andy Bryenton

as at immense agricultural expos such as Europe’s giant Agritechnica, one of the most noticeable brands was liveried in smart green and black. Deutz Fahr’s range of tractors lived up to their reputation as the ‘Mercedes Benz of Farming’, displaying

a range which covered a wide scope of applications, from row cropping through to the toughest tasks in

pasture management. It was little surprise that the big German marque put on a good showing.

Go The Extra Yard

™

 IS600 SUSPENSION MODEL (shown) From $10,499RRP  F50 NON-SUSPENSION MODEL From $8499RRP

2+2 YEAR

From patented suspension technology to innovative cutting systems, Ferris mowers make the most of every minute in the field.

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For your nearest dealer call:

0800 274 447 www.ferrismowers.co.nz www.FerrisIndustries.com Distributed in New Zealand by Briggs & Stratton

· · ·

Deutz Fahr — winners of this year’s Golden Tractor award for design

Their 9 series of large 270-hp-plus machines have just received the award for best design in the coveted European Golden Tractor competition. This may be because of the advances in fuel economy, power, stability and ease of operation which have marked out Deutz Fahr as a market leading innovator. Certainly, these machines are made to pass the very

We are also available for servicing and maintenance of all Can-am products from ATV to SSV. Visit our website for more info or call 03 688 7517

FARM KITTED

Timaru

Card

With tractors in the ‘mid range’ horsepower band a popular choice with farmers looking for a versatile, multi-role machine, it’s good to know that, at Deutz Fahr at least, top-tier technologies aren’t just lavished on the big 300hp beasts at the top of the intensive farming line. Awards, as Deutz Fahr knows, come and go, and there are always more to strive for.

Timaru Can-am is proud to announce that we are now an authorised Spyder Roadster dealer. Our team of qualified technicians can take care of any servicing requirements you may have. We are covering areas from Dunedin to Nelson and everywhere in between. Pick up delivery service available.

POWER STEERING 475cc, single cyclinder OHV four stroke 2WD/ 4WD with torque-sensing front differential and 4WD with locked front differential to optimise traction Dual front hydraulic disc brakes and sealed mechanical rear drum brake for increased stopping power.

Bull Bar, Waltex Box Heated Grips, Mitts, Dog Matt & Mud Flaps

stringent European Union emissions standards, and do so with a suite of technological engine advancements which also aim to save fuel. But there’s also the fact that the ‘Mercedes Benz’ comparison also extends to the comfort and logical layout of the 5 and 6 series’ cab — a place where spending hours behind the controls seems a lot less like a chore.

Card

Avon City Ford

CAN-AM

Ph: Ben Stewart - 021 533 144 • 03 688 7517 127B Hilton Highway, Washdyke, Timaru www.timarucanam.co.nz

Go Further

CANTERBURY FARMING April 2015

G N I R B S M A D A NOBLE! S D N A R B T YOU THE BES MOTION ACTIVATED 12MP SECURITY CAMERA

WITH FREEING T O M UNCKET! A R B (SECURE02)

Monitor farms, gates & driveways, fuel supplies, sheds, livestock, feral animals, machinery and tools. • • • • •

Standard 52˚ camera view (similar to mobile phones) Peripheral motion sensors for extra fast capture time Std 8GB SD card which can store 5600+ images Up to 6 months standby time using 8 x AA batteries Records video & still images

WIDE ANGLE MOTION ACTIVATED 12MP SECURITY CAMERA • Wide 120˚ camera view • Supplied with standard 16GB SD card which can store 11,300+ images • Up to 9 months standby time using 12 x AA batteries • Records video & still images

$260 SECURE01

POWERED FROM THE

SECURITY SOLAR PANEL WITH RECHARGEABLE BATTERY

SUN

WITH FREEING T O M UNCKET! BRAECURE02)

Will operate a SECURE01 or SECURE120 without AA battery under moderate use. • Supports battery operated cameras for longer run times • Internal 1500mAh Li-ion battery can charge under 7-10 hours of sun

$348

$99

SECURE120

SEC-SOLAR

LED ROTATING 12V BEACON

PORTABLE KEY SAFE

HEAVY DUTY CHAIN LOCK

Keep your spare keys & valuables locked safely away.

Secure your fences, trailers, machinery, motorcycles & more.

• Multiple flash patterns • Low profile with magnetic base for easy installation • Cigarette lighter plug

• Weather resistant case • Set your own 4-digit code

• Chain cover protects equipment from scratches • 900mm chain with 10.5mm hardened square links

$50

$99

LOCK-K1

LOCK-S1

RECHARGEABLE UTILITY WORKLIGHT/TORCH Dual purpose torch and worklight. • 200 Lumen worklight • Built in hanging hook with swivel head and powerful magnets for ease of attachment

UP TO 2.5 HOURS USE

GF16

SAFETY SIGNS • 200 x 300mm Size • Self-adhesive rigid sign • Can also affix by Screw or Nail

LED 5 WATT RECHARGEABLE SPOTLIGHT

POWERFU

M LIGHT BEA

• Tough Polycarbonate lens • Powerful lightweight lithium battery for 2hr+ run time

$43.50

METRES

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OIL CHANGE PAN • 15L capacity • Built-in spout for easy pouring

$17.39

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200

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$12.95

$44.95

UP TO

PF43

UP TO 5 HOURS USE

200L DIESELPOWER TRANSFER UNIT Ideal for service vehicles and large capacity diesel refuelling requirements. • For on-site refuelling of skid steer loaders, excavators and generators, etc. • 40L/min 12V DieselPower pump • 4m hose & auto shut-off gun • Lockable pump cover & filling cap

$990 SQDN200-7

5000PSI PISTOL GRIP GREASE GUN • • • • •

Heavy duty construction 300mm flex extension Suits 450gm cartridge or bulk fill One handed operation Includes air bleed & bulk fill valve

$40

OIL JUGS • Available in 2 & 5L • Flexible pouring spout with sealable cap • Screw-on lid to prevent spillage

$10 $15 2L - PF42

5L - PF45

PF47

66 Waterloo Road Hornby, Christchurch 8441. Call (03) 349 7862. All pricing excludes GST, dealer installation and/or freight charges. NZ_NAM_370x260_Apr15_a.indd 1

17/04/2015 9:37 am

April 2015

CANTERBURY FARMING

Weeds as indicators by Dr Tim Jenkins

Weeds may be a plant growing in the wrong place but you can still make use of them in many ways. They can be an indicator of soil conditions or of management methods that could be changed. Sometimes the remedy for a weed is easy with just a single element that is mainly limiting the growth of pasture or other crops. Common daisy (Bellis perennis) for instance often grows in pastures short of potassium, so start addressing the potassium

requirement and the daisy presence will diminish. This is not because the daisy doesn’t like potassium. If it was growing by itself it would grow even more with potassium fertiliser. But the shortage of potassium holds other plants back more — the daisy had a competitive advantage due to this one element. It won’t always be so easy. The daisy could be in that

paddock due to overgrazing in winter. It’s worth thinking of the range of reasons that could be allowing the weeds a foot in the door and design your farm or garden system to manage the risk of weeds. Dock may mean that there is a problem with soil drainage, compaction or acidity. Improving calcium levels and soil pH may reduce the risk of dock. Again it is

not that dock doesn’t like a well-drained soil with moderate pH, it’s just that it has a competitive advantage in those suboptimum soil conditions. Note that dock can also be related to high available nitrogen, short-term pastures cut for silage, and seed spread from effluent applications or hay. For many annual weeds, there are peak times for

SOMETIMES THE PERFECT WAY TO GET YOUR PERFECT HOME ON YOUR DREAM PROPERTY, IS TO TR ANSPORT IT

AT LAING WE WORK WITH YOU TO ENSURE YOUR BUILDING PROJECT, NO MATTER WHAT IT IS, PROCEEDS AS SMOOTHLY AND HASSLE-FREE AS POSSIBLE. Relocating a home is a decision that can save you time and money, as well as offering environmental benefits such as preventing unnecessary waste. For Shelley and Graeme Singer the idea of relocating new and pre-loved homes onto their property is one that ticks all the boxes. Seeking additional accommodation for their dairy farm, Shelley and Graeme have been delighted to be able to recycle older homes, and essentially give them a new lease on life. “Over the last few years we have worked with Laing to relocate four houses,” shares Shelley, “and it is always a smooth and enjoyable process. From finding the right house, to the consenting process, Laing are always on hand with advice and assistance, it’s great.” More recently the Singer’s turned to Laing for a new transportable home, their fifth home with the building company; and a decision which allowed them the ease of having a prefabricated house arrive on site, ready to go. Featuring

their unique Metrapanel building system Laings transportable homes’ offer a unique and timesaving alternative to traditional building options. Part of the ongoing attraction for the Singers’ is Laing’s dedication to detail, precision and customer care. No strangers to the highest of customer service, this multi-disciplinary company sets out to not only meet but exceed client expectation; “something they do time and time again,” shares Shelley. Successfully relocating buildings for more than twenty years, Laing Properties are also able to undertake the refurbishment and retrofitting of the relocated buildings, including the installation of new insulation, the upgrade of electrical and plumbing, recladding the exterior with lightweight modern materials, and more. Aiming to make relocating a building a move you will never regret, Laing have a number of recycled, and new transportable houses to suit every need. Discover your new property on display in their Sockburn yard.

seed germination. What weed spectrum comes up will depend on when you do your cultivation. Alternating crop rotations especially the timing of crop establishment can avoid consistently favouring one or two species of weed each year. If one species of weed becomes a severe issue, plan to have crop cover at the main risk time for that species’ germination (or use the false seed bed technique — preparing an area as if for crop but then allowing the weeds to germinate, then controlling young weeds with shallow cultivation before sowing your crop). In a pasture, annual weeds indicate that there are gaps in the pasture at some time eg from pugging or from the initial pasture establishment.

Some perennial pasture weeds also start from seed and ensuring reasonable pasture cover at all times and particularly at the peak time for a problem species germination will reduce the risk of that weed. For example avoid low pasture cover in autumn to reduce nodding thistle risk. A take home message is to grow those plants that you do want as well as you possibly can. The main thing that weeds are doing is taking advantage of any limitations that your crops or pasture have (in soil conditions and nutrients) and any gaps in space or time that they have left. For a table of weeds that are useful as indicators of soil conditions and germination timing, see www.csat.co.nz.

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If you’re reading this, then so are your customers

To advertise in the Canterbury Farming Please call 03 347 2314 or email sales@canfarm.co.nz

CANTERBURY FARMING

the ‘last’ word

CALL US TO ARRANGE A WINTER INSTALLATION

Where to from here? As we head towards 2050 and we are expected to feed twice the present world population on half the current land, questions are being asked about how we are going to do it. outside the city, but the vegetables and such can be produced where it will be consumed. Water is also a factor but with science looking at supplying cities for human consumption, I can see that being fixed. Grey water can be cleaned up already so that is well under way as well. In a strange way, there’s already a swing back into home vegetable gardens as schools are teaching very young students how to grow vegetables and being encouraged to take their skills home. Small apartment building dwellers are growing salad plants in pots, and there is now a very comprehensive range of dwarf fruit trees that produce normal sized fruit for those who want to grow and eat fresh. On a patio or deck, the trees display blossom in

the spring, produce fruit and then autumn colours in the autumn, so the occupants have a full year experience and have the chance to show off to friends and family about their green fingers. On a bigger scale, it will certainly work if blocks of apartments were to catch on. Obviously those living in homes with a traditional garden area can also produce their own, but as the world housing goes skyward rather than sideways, the need for small potted areas is increasing. My daughter in Sydney has an apartment that has a balcony that is very small, but she is planning to grow herbs, citrus and some salad plants all in pots. I think it’s wonderful that she thinks that sitting in her deck chair plucking tomatoes of the vine and eating them is romantic.

Quiet diesel four stroke engines Electric start & two remote controls Digital display panel Single or Three Phase 5.5 to 6.5 KVA 0800 258725 www.bluraksolar.co.nz P.O Box 16387 Hornby Christchurch 8441

S O L A R

P O W E R

S Y S T E M S

EITHER WAY IT’S 20K MiND YOUr SpEED ArOUND SCHOOl BUSES

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NEED A BACKUP GENERATOR?

Including GST

E: graeme@fertigation P: 0800 337 840

Pasture Need a Boost?

TIRED OF POWER CUTS?

From $1750.00

Get ready for next season

with Rob Cope-Williams

It is expected that the large cities will gobble up areas that will collectively cover an area the size of China, so how do you get food into them, and how do you keep it fresh when you do. The answer, well one of them, is to grow it within the city. On a recent trip to Sydney I was shown a multistorey building that literally had vegetables growing up the walls, on balconies and on the roof. It not only looked great from where I was looking from, but it made a lot of sense. One person was able to oversee the operation and hydroponics did the rest. I wasn’t able to get a decent close up look, but it certainly endorsed what Professor Tony Bywater from Lincoln University has been saying. Obviously meat and milk will need to be farmed

April 2015

• • • •

Slow Release NPK Soil Conditioning Organic Matter Totally Natural

“Your Chicken Litter Specialists” www.poulfert.co.nz Call 03 349 2411 0800 NPK NOW

Ground Control ...to Farmer Tom

Agrimin 24.7 Copper Bolus Range for Cattle • GREAT VALUE WATERPROOF COPPER! • NO CAPsULE! unique wax based matrix containing copper oxide needles

• NO CAPsULE! so no breaking, cracking or getting slippery Available in 20g, 30g and 36g sizes For pricing and orders please contact your veterinary clinic

Now it’s time to leave the ‘capsule’ if you dare!

For more information contact Vetpak on:

Tel: 07 870 2024

Registered pursuant to the ACVM Act 1997 No. A11041 RVM. Available only under Veterinary Authorisation

April 2015

CANTERBURY FARMING

2.49

Finance *conditions apply

John Deere announce 2.49% finance on 6 series tractor and loader package Offer available on John Deere 6000 series Small Ag Tractors up to 150hp, must include John Deere Loader.

OFFeR eXTenDeD UnTiL 31 MaY 2015

Achieve more every day with a 6 Series tractor. These high achievers are engineered to give you great performance with all the quality, strength and reliability that you can expect from John Deere. Combined with a purpose built H series front loader, you have the ideal tractor for every job on the farm. Grab one while you can. *Conditions apply. Finance available through John Deere Financial Limited to approved commercial applicants only. Valid on new John Deere 6D Series Utility Tractors, 6MC/6RC Series Tractors, 6M (6105M to 6150M only), 6R (6105R to 6150R only) and Loaders that fit eligible equipment. Offer is based on 20% deposit, GST back and 36 months term. Fees and charges apply. If not amended or withdrawn earlier, the promotion expires on 31/05/2015. Other terms and rates are available. Available for new units in stock at participating New Zealand John Deere dealers.

TO FIND OUT MORE CHRISTCHURCH

799 Jones Rd, Rolleston 03 349 4883

CHRISTCHURCH Quintin Boyd John Murgatroyd Murray Chesterman

ASHBURTON 832 East St 03 307 9911

027 4867 792 027 4355 900 027 2664 222

ASHBURTON ASHBUR Baden McDowell Mark Symes Reece Trotter R

www.dne.co.nz 0800 432 633

027 4387 555 027 4441 706 027 4867 733