Canterbury Farming, September 2011 by Integrity Community Media

September 2011

28,500 copies distributed monthly – to every rural mailbox in Canterbury and the West Coast.

INSIDE Page 4

I was a knight for a day

Page 21

Possum school a NZ first

Softly-softly start to NAIT enforcement

By Hugh de Lacy

Government enforcers will initially take an easy-does-it approach to the policing of the National Animal Identiﬁcation and Tracing (NAIT) system but, after that, look out. That’s the message from the chairman of the board of the NAIT establishment company, Waikato dairy-farmer Ted Coats. “The ﬁrst six months of NAIT will be a softly-softly approach to allow farmers to transition to the new scheme,” Coats told Canterbury Farming. “However, there will not be a long soft landing. “First offences will likely be followed up with infringement notices by mail, and a warning.

Page 28

Deer velvet focus

“Further and subsequent infringement will mean ﬁnes varying, depending on the severity of the offence,” Coats said. With Federated Farmers withdrawing from its formerly entrenched opposition to the scheme, a ﬁrst implementation date has been set for July 1 next year, though the empowering legislation won’t be passed before this year’s November 26 general election. On implementation day farmers must begin enrolling their cattle — dairy and beef alike — into the scheme, with deer to follow from May 1, 2013. The creation of farm-to-table

animal identiﬁcation schemes has been driven globally by outbreaks of such diseases as mad cow (BSE) and footand-mouth in Europe and the Americas, though so far only the European Union and Australia have systems in place.

reputation, it will allow quick recovery from any incident.

Europe’s Trade Control and Expert System, called Traces, was launched in 2004.

New Zealand has just under 10 million cattle, with dairy and beef animals in roughly equal proportions.

The Australian system, trialled in Victoria from 1999 and recently made compulsory in all states, covers sheep, cattle, goats, pigs, dear and camels. The United States is attempting to implement a similar scheme that includes such exotics as lamas and alpacas, and even some species of fish, however they’re running into opposition from some groups on privacy and religious grounds — the Amish, for example, oppose marking of animals. New Zealand has yet to be hit by a full-scale animal epidemic, but with livestock at the heart of the economy, successive governments have been moving steadily towards a compulsory animal identification system. The intention is to provide fast and reliable information about livestock location and movements in the event of a disease outbreak or the finding of contamination in exported products. As well as boosting the country’s export food safety

Federated Farmer, which has opposed the scheme mainly on grounds of cost, has bowed to the inevitable and changed its stand from outright opposition to a monitoring role.

Farmers will need to register on the NAIT database, and all cattle and deer will have to be fitted with radio frequency identification (RFID) ear-tags either before they’re moved off the property or within 180 days of birth, whichever comes first. The scheme will include lifestyle blocks as well as commercial farms. The cost to farmers of implementing the scheme has yet to be decided. A levy will be applied at slaughter with the amount open to negotiations over the next few months. Prices of the hardware have also yet to be finalised, though in 2008 figures of $2.80 per eartag and $300 for a hand-held scanner wand were circulated. Panel readers, such as those which will be installed at freezing works, were priced at $7500 and a hand-held version of them at $2000. While farmers won’t necessarily need a scanner, the

management advantages of it being able to record weights, treatments, breeding information and milk production is expected make them a standard item of farm equipment. The NAIT’s intellectual property will be owned by the farmer providing the information. “NAIT Ltd will have a stewardship role in relation to the data, and establish a data access panel which will have an arbitration function,” Coats told Canterbury Farming. “NAIT will limit access to, and use or disclosure of NAIT data to the purposes stated in the NAIT legislation. “NAIT data will be kept private, as required by the Privacy Act,” he said. Eventually

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    

    



the

NAIT

company will be merged into the Animal Health Board (AHB) which will have ongoing responsibility for it. The AHB’s main current task is reducing the incidence of bovine tuberculosis in cattle and deer, and taking over the functions of NAIT sets it up for the possible eventual extension of the scheme to sheep and other animals such as pigs and alpacas. “The company structure is in place because of industry involvement in the scheme: the NAIT scheme is funded by both industry and government [and] the company will exist only for the duration of the scheme establishment,” Coats said. Farmers will receive initial contact from NAIT next month.

September 2011

O’Connor Comments

With Damien O’Connor, Opposition Spokesman on Agriculture

Honesty and politics Honesty and politics is something that some cynics feel happen only occasionally. Three weeks ago in Parliament John Key openly stated his preference was to have Fonterra floated as a publicly listed company. That may not be a surprise for anyone who has studied his history of trading and knows of the mutual respect he holds for Mark Weldon the CEO of NZX, our only stock exchange. A healthy capital market through a company like. NZX is good for NZ but it has failed to retain companies and stocks in the hands of NZ investors. It seems inevitable that any successful company with potential is quickly snapped up by overseas investors who are constantly roaming the world for good opportunities to satisfy their wealthy clients. It is that inevitable outcome that NZ dairy farmers should be concerned about when the Prime Minister, who is currently so popular, expresses a view that their company, Fonterra would be better owned by investors other than the co-operative farmer shareholders. At the next election the National Party is seeking a mandate to start selling off state

owned enterprises to bolster the fortunes of a struggling capital market. While dairy farmers have clearly expressed a view to their Fonterra directors that they wish to retain full ownership under a co-operative structure, the proposed recapitalisation of the company does open up many questions that need to be clearly answered before endorsement should be given for Trading Among Farmers. While Fonterra directors and senior staff may claim a mandate from the farmer vote to proceed with TAF farmers deserve to see the details before any final decisions are made. Slowly questions are beginning to be asked by people who have studied both NZ and international experiences of changing co-operative structures. This is a healthy process and I fully support their efforts to promote debate and clarity around the possibilities the new setup would provide, both positive and Negative. Labour has a proud history with the dairy industry both in the 1930s and the 1950s. I was pleased to chair the select committee that set up the legislation for Fonterra and I understand all the objectives

and aspirations laid down for the new company. It required special legislation and politicians make every effort to study a company that is our single largest and the only one of any international capacity that is still owned by grass roots NZ shareholding farmers. NZ as a country and active farmers as primary producers cannot afford to lose control of this company. Trading Among Farmers does create some risks that unless openly discussed and properly mitigated will expose NZ’s single largest company to eventual overseas ownership and control. While there are many steps to occur before such an outcome, every farmer must consider whether the step taken under Trading Among Farmers is down the right path or down the wrong path to protect their long term interests and that of future farming Generations. John Key’s preference to see Fonterra floated as a publicly listed company is a real worry for dairy farmers, the NZ economy and every New Zealander should take an interest in this very significant proposal.

The food bill — separating fact from fiction “Warrantless searches of houses and marae for food and seeds, even with guns, are coming to NZ soon, thanks to the Food Bill — unless you do something.” This rather bizarre claim from an anonymous agitator has been spreading across the internet recently. Even more bizarrely, some people seem inclined to believe it and have attempted to organise marches and meetings in opposition to the Food Bill. The prominence of social media means anyone can set up websites dedicated to their cause and launch Facebook petitions or email campaigns. Facts aren’t always necessary. Clearly our Armed Offender Squads aren’t going to be raiding homes, torching vegetable patches and arresting people who grow their own tomatoes. Nor is the Food Bill a grand global conspiracy aimed at shutting down community gardens to ensure the big corporates can control the entire food chain. While these claims can be easily dismissed due to their sheer absurdity, they do also provide an opportunity to clear up some of the misconceptions people have about how this legislation will affect them. The Food Bill has recently been reported back from select committee but won’t receive its second reading in Parliament until after the election. It will replace the Food Act 1981 and Food Hygiene Regulations 1974. As you can see from those dates, the current laws are old and outdated. They need modernising and that is what we’re doing. The Food Bill has wide definitions of food and of sale. This is not about regulating every possible way to trade in food or every possible thing that could be eaten. It is about preventing legal loopholes and gaps that could be taken advantage of by businesses to avoid necessary and appropriate regulation. Some activities are likely to be captured that aren’t intended to be, which is why the Bill has mechanisms to exclude them where they are identified. One example is the sale or exchange of seedlings or seeds for propagation. This was not intended to be captured and the final Bill will make that clear. Another suggestion that appears to have gained some momentum, particularly in the organics community, is that bartering will become illegal. This is not true. Bartering is already covered under the current Food Act and the duty of care doesn’t change. It is an age old kiwi tradition for people to grow food for themselves, and swap their excess with friends and neighbours. The Bill will not prevent this tradition from continuing. Nor will it stop anyone from hosting WWOOFERS (Willing Workers on Organic Farms).

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Similarly, small growers who only sell their produce direct to consumers at farmers’ markets or their farm gates can continue to do so free of any compliance costs. At most they will be provided with free food handler guidance, which will simply be educative tips on how to handle produce safely. There is no requirement for

Kate Wilkinson, Minister for Food Safety

these people to be registered or verified (i.e. checked by an independent party). The Food Bill quite specifically aims to ensure that those selling food are responsible for it being safe. The requirements a business must meet are dependent on the risk posed to consumers. I know Federated Farmers recently raised concerns that rural butchers faced more compliance costs under the new regime. The suggestion was that sole-charge butchers would have to constantly record temperature controls, which would add six hours of paperwork to their week. This has been overblown. It is anticipated that butchers check the temperatures of their fridges, freezes and ovens daily, which they should already be doing. Butchers are already subject to the Food Hygiene Regulations. Under the proposed new food safety regime they would only need to note when their appliances aren’t at the right temperatures and what they have done to correct it. Without a doubt this Bill is complex due to the scope it must cover. It is designed to protect consumers and our businesses. If you have any concerns and wish to separate fact from fiction, there is information available online at http://www. foodsafety.govt.nz/policy-law/ food-bill.

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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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September 2011

From the Minister David Carter, Minister of Agriculture

One year on One year on from the Canterbury earthquakes and few of us can forget the shattering images and the enormous grief suffered by so many people over that time. As a Christchurch MP, this has been particularly close to home, so I’m taking the liberty of writing this month’s column as a Cantabrian as much as the Minister of Agriculture. In the face of the two major earthquakes and thousands of aftershocks, the province has come a long way since 4 September 2010. There is a lot to do before life is back to normal for many Cantabrians, but real progress is being made. Although I was in Auckland when the September quake struck, I got back to Canterbury within hours. In our rural areas of Selwyn and Banks Peninsula, it was shocking to see historic homes destroyed, grain silos tipped over and milking platforms severely damaged. But there was more to come in February when so many lives were shattered by the severe quake that struck Christchurch City. The Government remains absolutely committed to rebuilding Christchurch and its surrounds. We moved quickly following the first quake with special legislation to help get the region back on its feet, and the February disaster saw the immediate declaration of a state of emergency and the establishment of the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority. A year ago I said that the September quake showed us that in the worst of times, you see the best of New Zealanders. The generosity of people pitching in to help has been amazing. When the quake struck rural Canterbury, farmers found themselves not only dealing with damage to their own properties, but also helping out their mates. Dairy farmers were quickly sharing generators to get cows milked, and I remember hearing of one shed designed for 400 cows milking more than 2000 over 24 hours. Fonterra stepped in and supplied fresh water, and many other rural servicing firms pitched in to help. And who can forget the sight of the Farmy Army shovelling silt off the streets, clearing roads, and only last month, delivering meat packs to Christchurch residents. It has been a very tough year for many people, but good progress is being made. The Royal Commission of Inquiry is examining issues around the Christchurch CBD, the $5.5 billion Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Fund is giving certainty to the rebuild of the city and CERA is firmly leading the recovery effort. A draft Recovery Strategy has been released for public consultation and this sets out a proposed direction and priorities for the recovery of greater Christchurch. The good progress being made is thanks largely to the support of all New Zealanders, and many generous people offshore. But in particular, it is thanks to the determination of my fellow Cantabrians and their commitment to our region’s future.

It’s what we do so well One of the lovely things that happen in my life is the chance to meet people who are doing wonderful things, and producing niche products for markets that they created. I recently had the privilege of going through the Synlait plant where they process cow colostrum. They have literally created a market for the wonder food and have created a system to ensure that the product is handled the best way possible to preserve the goodies and to ensure it is the leading colostrum available anywhere. Timing is all worked out and special systems are in place to ensure that animal and product welfare are preserved, including the vital colostrum fix for the calves on farm. With total dedication the Synlait team has left others from around the world wallowing in their wake. In a similar light, there’s a lady who saw a need for pork pies as the market wasn’t being filled. She tells the story behind the pork pie being a snack food by the gentry in the UK while hunting, so it would fit in a pocket and was obviously eaten cold. You will also note that the pastry is of a type that it didn’t crumble in one’s pocket. She is using a recipe from the home of the pork pie that dates back to 1830. Brilliant concept to mix history and a great story into a marketing concept that grabs the imagination as well as the taste buds. For the record they are called Mowbray English Pork Pies and I found her at the Oxford market, but I am sure she sets up in other markets as well. Jeff Robinson works all week at his regular job, and then at the weekends sells his Alpine Forest honey, again through the markets. His approach is similar to Carole Barker and her pork pies, paint the picture and you will make the sale. I think it is summed up by the old saying about sell the sizzle not the sausage. There are dozens of wonderful stories about seeing the opportunity and running with it. I have come up with a raft of great ideas and talked myself out of doing them, only to see someone else pick up the idea and do very well from it. So the secret is, believe in yourself and know that you are going to be successful. This very publication is only here because it was set up in the belief that it was going to work, and it has. Cottage industries can and do grow into larger businesses, so get into your idea and create your market. That’s exactly what I am starting to do in my back yard right now.

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September 2011

I was a knight for a day

by Lorne Kuehn

When I was a wee tad some sixty years ago, my God-fearing parents were so afraid for the welfare of my soul (with good reason) that they packed me off to a Bible Camp some fifty miles away from Edmonton in central Alberta, at the height of summer.

homesick and spent days sobbing disconsolately, all alone, but I eventually snapped out of it and enjoyed all the Bible Camps that followed in the next several years.

I was the eldest child of seven and took this sojourn hard at first, as I had never been separated from my parents before. I was terribly

The camp was located on an old farm on the edge of Whitewood Lake, long since turned into an open-cast coal mine. The barn served as the meeting house/tabernacle. The staff lived in the old farm house and the children, boys on one side of the camp, girls on the other, lived in small rotting old log cabins, six bunks to a cabin. The six bunks were built into the walls and took up half the interior cabin area.

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everyone got closer to God. To help in this endeavor, there was always a returned missionary couple back on holiday from darkest Africa. Nevertheless, most of us really enjoyed the time spent there, once homesickness was overcome. Several churches were involved so we saw people once a year from other congregations that we had never heard of. The various competitions were usually set up as church versus church, so there was some healthy rivalry.

Each bunk would hold two or three children, so you might get ten or fifteen children in a cabin along with a high school student as cabin counselor. The bedding consisted of just straw ticks, both the mattress and the covers. There were over 200 children at each camp for over a week. There was an open-air communal eating area, under a huge roof and also a ball diamond and some large swings. There were no other farms or towns easily available, so there was no wandering off, as bears could occasionally frequent the area. Once you were there, you were stuck there, alongside the small muddy leech-filled lake, waiting for your parents to come and uplift you.

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The aim of the camp was to indoctrinate all of the children in the teachings of God. There were church services morning, noon, and evening. A ball game or volleyball would occur sometime in the afternoon. Chores were all shared on rotation and

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To encourage biblical learning, there were various memory assignments, several dozen verses daily that had to be learned and recited on the following day. I found that I possessed a phenomenal memory and could easily remember hundreds of verses. Needless to say, I was memory champion, hands down. Each day, the prize of the memory test was a piece of child-sized armour (made from cardboard covered with the silver foil from cigarette packages, interestingly enough). So, after a week, I had acquired the whole suit of armour, along with a sword and shield. This meant that I would be dressed in the armour on the church service on the last day, with parents in attendance. The dressing was performed by pretty long-haired maidens in long dresses, as I would recite the various verses for each piece of armour. I found the whole thing very embarrassing especially being publicly dressed by icky girls that I hardly knew. Remember, there were the days that girls were not expected to win anything. What would the church staff have done if a girl had won? In any case, eventually I was fully dressed in armour and allowed to wander around the camp attired as a Knight for Christ for the rest of the day. My parents were very proud of me and many other children were jealous. (I recall however being booted up the backside by several bullies behind the tabernacle who resented anyone being clever. There was no armour in that particular area.) The only downside was that all the adults predicted that I would become a biblebasher in due course and wind up preaching to a congregation of my own. Unfortunately I was also seen by my male friends as a goody-two-shoes and someone to be taken down a peg or two. It took years of concerted bad behavior on my part as a juvenile delinquent before people were able to accept me back as a sinner who was surely on a fast track to Hell, like the rest of the bad boys. I’ve never looked back, till now.

September 2011

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September 2011

Money Talk

With Andrew Wyllie With the stroke of a pen the Government abolished gift duty as from 1st October 2011. After that date any person can make gifts of any value without incurring a liability for gift duty. On the face of it this is good news for those who are in the process of a gifting programme and for estate planning purposes. However there are some very important aspects of gifting to be taken into consideration and care and thought needs to be given to all plans for the future. Some considerations to be taken into account are:As we get older it always seems to be a good idea to transfer our property to family. Under the new regime this can be completed much more easily but it is essential that property owners think about their future residential requirements before embarking on such a plan. If a family member becomes bankrupt or wants to dispose of the property, or their share of the property, difficulties could arise between various family members. Older folk also need to consider what their requirements may be for the future. Should they allow for future surgical/medical needs, or perhaps overseas travel, a new car or other unforeseen happenings. Gifts by a spouse to avoid the equal sharing provisions of the Property (Relationships) Act can be reversed by the Family Court. Similarly if a person with indebtedness makes a gift of property with the intention of defeating creditors, gifts in those circumstances may be clawed back into the bankrupt’s estate. Taxation issues may also arise, particularly where a company owes a debt, there may be income tax liability imposed on the entity receiving the gift. For some time WINZ has had a policy of allowing an applicant for a rest home subsidy to make minor gifts in the five years prior to their application. It is understood that WINZ will vet all applicants’ property transactions to ensure that they have not impoverished themselves in order to obtain a rest home subsidy. Gifting is not a process to be entered, or pressured into, without due consideration and professional advice. Always bear in mind that if you give assets away you lose control of those assets and the receiver of any gift may deal with it in a way which does not suit you and may have a major impact on your future.

FBCH1139 - © Forsyth Barr Limited June 2011

Personalised investment advice Forsyth Barr’s portfolio management services ensure you receive personalised, confidential, investment advice backed up by quality research from our highly regarded research team. To find out more, call Forsyth Barr Investment Advisor Andrew Wyllie on 03 365 4244 or 0800 367 227, or email him at andrew.wyllie@forsythbarr.co.nz.

This article has been prepared by Bessie Paterson, a Partner with Ronald W Angland & Son, Solicitors, who may be contacted on Tel: 03 349-4708 or e-mail bessie@anglands.co.nz

Disclosure Statements are available on request and free of charge.

Well the Rugby World Cup has well and truly arrived. To date there has been some outstanding games and in some cases some very close results. Having attended the England versus Argentina game at Dunedin’s new stadium I now see why everyone comes away raving about the facility. No Speight’s unfortunately but a real upgrade compared to the days standing on the bank at Carisbrook in a cold southerly. So what has been happening with markets? During the last quarter global growth forecasts have been tempered by austerity measures in Europe and the recognition that global deleveraging is going to continue. However, the underlying growth trend (at 3% pa compared to the 4% pa enjoyed last decade) is still growth, and many economists believe a recessionary outlook will be avoided. Unfortunately political indecision in the United States and Europe contributed to investor sentiment taking a hit. Looking at equity markets globally, corporate balance sheets remain solid and earnings were only slightly below expectations in the last reporting season. However, global economic uncertainty overshadowed earnings, and sentiment was the primary driver of markets. Global uncertainty was also responsible for corporate guidance (accompanying result announcements) being more cautious. On the positive side, high corporate cash levels and robust balance sheets have meant buyback initiatives and acquisition activities have stepped up. This suggests companies see value in the markets and are more confident than their outlook statements would imply. For New Zealand-based investors, currency again reduced returns from offshore investments with the NZ dollar strengthening against most trading partners. This is well illustrated in the performance figures for the year where a credible global market performance has been offset by NZ dollar appreciation. Investors may be accumulating gains in foreign markets, but will have to wait for more favourable currency circumstances to realise those gains — part of the longer term nature of the investment process. For fixed interest investors and especially those sitting on cash the issue is still that interest rates remain at cycle lows. As a result of lower growth, we continue to remain in a low fixed interest rate environment. Interest rates are in the ‘trough’ of the fixed interest cycle, but somewhere ahead of us the interest rate cycle will turn upwards as sentiment eventually recovers. For now, even US bonds established new lows for yields despite the Standard & Poor’s rating downgrade. New Zealand fixed interest rates tracked these global trends with 10-year bond rates also lower. Short-term interest rates have bucked the trend, increasing on the expectation that the current emergency cash rate settings will be removed by year end. In the corporate bond markets, new issuance has remained light and the majority of activity centred around bank securities, particularly those securities which will no longer qualify for capital adequacy calculations. We do however anticipate further new issues coming to the market over the coming months to coincide with the expiry of the Crown Guarantee at the end of December.

Offeringthe the best best Offering in legal advice legal advice and john@anglands.co.nz and service service Bessie Paterson throughout Canterbury wide Hornby (03) 349 4708 Canterbury bessie@anglands.co.nz

This time next month we will know with far more certainty just how close we are to winning back the trophy we last held way back in 1987. Go the All Blacks!

Ronald W. Angland & Son LAWYERS www.anglands.co.nz

Andrew’s Disclosure Statement is available on request and free of charge. This column is general in nature and should not be regarded as personalised investment advice.

John Angland Leeston (03) 324 3033

Andrew Wyllie is an Investment Advisor with Forsyth Barr in Christchurch. To contact him about Portfolio Management, ﬁxed interest or share investments email andrew.wyllie@forsythbarr. co.nz or phone 0800 367 227.

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ENROL NOW FOR FEBRUARY 2012 Could the solution to New Zealand’s tax and welfare mess be abolishing the current welfare system and radically overhauling the tax system?

Is that feasible? Is it desirable? We think so. The whole point of a tax and welfare system is to redistribute income from those who have plenty to those who don’t. But our tax policies are hopeless; it’s far too easy for people to dodge their tax obligations. And our welfare policies are hopeless; well-off people can access government payments clearly not intended for them, and others are trapped into dependency.

The Big Kahuna, (by Gareth Morgan and Susan Guthrie), puts some radical changes to tax and welfare on the table. • Everyone aged 18+ gets an unconditional, tax-free basic income. • This basic income replaces all other government-provided cash transfers—NZ Super, DPB, Unemployment Benefit, Working for Families. • All income is taxed at a single flat rate. • All capital should make a minimum required return, and that should be taxable—every year. No exemptions for your home. We think if the job of redistributing wealth and income is worth doing, it’s worth doing properly. That means making sure everyone has the same obligations and is entitled to the same support.

More information, discussion, calculators, book sales at www.gmi.co.nz/bigkahuna/

call 0800 835 367 visit www.telford.ac.nz

September 2011

Possum school a NZ first In what is believed to be a national first around 50 Northland students are taking part in a programme which teaches how to trap possums and recover the fur and pelt for profit Depending on the success of the pilot, it could ultimately be rolled out to other Northland schools, possibly as early as next year. Enviroschools Northland, the Northland Regional Council, the Department of Conservation and a private trainer have joined forces to offer ‘Project Possum’ a New Zealand Qualifications accredited course through which participating students are able to earn NCEA Level 2 and 3 credits. Two ‘skills’ workshops led by Northland Enviroschools facilitator, Marty Taylor, were held early this month, one at the Tangihua Lodge and the other at the Ratea Scenic Reserve in the Far North — followed up by classroom learning. Susan Karels, the council’s Regional Enviroschools coordinator, says the training will not only allow students the chance to earn the NCEA credits, but will potentially create jobs for young Northlanders. To her knowledge, it was the first time the Enviroschools programme had offered such training anywhere in New Zealand. The senior secondary pupils from a number of Northland Schools learnt about the biology of possums, the applicable techniques, skills and lures and traps to hunt possum. They also learnt how to pluck and skin possums in preparation for sale.

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GORDYS FLYTRAP FITTING 21 LITCHFIELD ST, BLENHEIM Hone Kena, from te Kura Kaupapa Maori o te rawhiti roa in Whangarei, learns how to skin possums during ‘Project Possum’ — a skills programme which not only earns student nCea credits, but could potentially create more northland jobs

will pilot a programme that could see them set up a small business to trap local possums and sell their fur and/or skins. The New Zealand Association for Environmental Education has already purchased 20 humane possum traps worth about $400 for the students to use. The purchase price will eventually be paid back through fur and skin sales.

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Fifty-eight Northland schools take part in the Enviroschools Programme which integrates environmental education into the whole of school life, creating learning opportunities by working towards a healthy, peaceful and sustainable environment. The North’s Enviroschools programme is run through the Northland Regional Council, with support from the Enviroschools Foundation and the Department of Conservation.

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Later this month same students will attended a twoday assessment workshop run by Geoff Allinson of Can Train NZ. Once the training is complete, Enviroschools Northland and several students from Te Kura Taumata o Panguru

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Water

September 2011

largely uneventful passage over the South Island. This month should be a little milder than usual, sunnier, and probably drier in Canterbury. Expect a change around the end of this month or early October with a 2 week stormy period as depressions move across the country, and this may bring rain to the region.

August was a colder than normal month after a relatively mild early to mid winter. The month will be remembered for a substantial snowfall mid month, which was comparable in depth and extent to August 1992. Mean temperatures for the month were below normal by -0.5 to -1.0deg, with the biggest departures in night time minimums. Some areas had night times more than -2.0deg colder than usual. Despite this, the last few days of the month were quite mild,

resulting in strong grass growth by the start of September. Rainfall was generally 20-50% above normal, but with most of the month’s rain falling as snow in a single event mid month, totals were very dependent on actual snow depth, and therefore varied quite widely. Sunshine hours were close to normal. In the tropical Pacific the Southern Oscillation remains in a neutral state (neither El Nino nor La Nina), and no indicators any likelihood of that changing in the short term. The current neutral ENSO conditions should allow a wide range of weather systems to affect New Zealand over the next three months, with no one pattern expected to be dominant. At this time Rainfall of year there is a natural tendency for westerly airflow to be prevalent, and while we Drier than expect to see regular periods Sept normal of westerly flow this spring season, we have no reason to expect the westerlies to exclude other airflows.

There are indications that October and November will see changeable weather patterns over the country, with a predominantly westerly airflow disturbed by frequent sharp troughs of low pressure. This would suggest a couple of months of alternating warm northwesterly and cold southerly airflow, with frequent showery periods likely with the southerlies, and little chance of prolonged settled spells. Therefore we expect October and November may have at least normal rainfall, temperatures near normal overall but with wide variations from very warm to very cold, and probably increased cloudiness.

Forecast — Canterbury

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There are some signs that the Southern Oscillation will tend towards a cooler (La Nina) pattern but this is unlikely to happen till late in the year and its effects are unlikely to be felt until early next year. However, if this does occur it suggests a possibly unsettled summer period with more rainfall and cloudiness for Canterbury than the long term normal. We expect the rest of September to be dominated by light westerly airflow, with cold fronts making regular but

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A little milder than normal

A little sunnier than normal

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Wetter than normal

Near normal but with variations

A little cloudier than normal

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Nov

A little wetter than normal

Near normal but with variations

A little cloudier than normal

Frequent NW/SW troughs

Feb

A little wetter than normal

Milder than normal

Sunnier than normal

More easterly and northeasterly airflow

Mar

A little wetter than normal

Milder than normal

Near normal

More easterly and northeasterly airflow

Apr

Above normal, possibly very wet

Milder than normal

Cloudier than normal

More easterly and northeasterly airflow

Water

September 2011

Irrigation Issues Dr Tony Daveron

Whew it seems like only yesterday we left the winter solstice behind and now we are looking down the barrel at the equinox in less than two weeks. We certainly copped it as far as the cold winter weather the typically follow the winter solstice. But now it is equinox time, an important time for crop growth and demand for water. We all know an equinox occurs twice a year on about 22nd March and 22nd September. The equinox is the time when the tilt of the Earth’s axis is inclined neither away from nor towards the sun and the centre of the sun is in the same plane as the equator. Why is it important? Because following the equinox the tilt of the axis is towards the sun and incoming solar radiation increases significantly. Solar radiation is a key ingredient for plant growth, increasing day and night time temperatures and increasing day length, and any demand for water.

Therefore, this pasture example spends most of the daylight hours attempting to grow with soil temperatures well below 10°C. That is, not much growing at all and little transpirational demand. The low soil temperatures do not mean there is NO growth and therefore NO use of soil moisture — just that both are slow to develop. As the plot of soil moisture deficit (same site as the soil temperature) shows, it took until about 24th August for the drainage through the soil profile from the snow to stop and for a deficit to begin to develop; i.e. the negative values. It has taken almost 14 days to develop a 11-12mm deficit, a grand average water use of 0.8mm/day. With readily available water of about 25mm — that is, we need to get to -25mm before irrigation would be needed, there is still a fair bit of breathing space before irrigation needs to start.

Is there value to be gained from irrigation? Some seem to think so. Technically there is NO requirement for irrigation as I write, and with another cold snap due Monday-Tuesday, why would you? How valuable is that water? Will it grow any more dry matter? Will it mean I will not have enough water left in my annual volume to irrigate in the autumn? Or does it just make me feel good to irrigate because we have had a couple of warm sunny days?

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The value of water is never far from discussion these days — whether that be the value of permit to be traded or how many dollars you might earn from water or the value of early irrigation. The swings and roundabouts that is our weather pattern at the moment needs to be considered before starting the irrigation season.

I look to the equinox as the turning point for irrigation requirements. Prior to this time there is insufficient day length, a wide fluctuation in day-night temperatures and too little radiation to have a marked effect on soil temperatures (i.e. keep them on a rising plane).

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The soil temperature graph below is evidence for the “difficulty to break the 10°C (at 9am) barrier.

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I have begun this demonstration following the snow of 15-16th August when soil temperatures were at a low point (3-6°C). You can easy see that, despite the clear sunny and very warm weather that has followed the snow event, peak soil temperatures have not reached that magical threshold for growth of 10°C. There are some important points of interest in the soil temperature trace:

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a) The vertical lines mark midnight on the plot; b) The low temperature occurs somewhere between 7am and 9am on all days; c) The high temperature occurs somewhere between 4:30 and 5:30pm each day; and d) The diurnal fluctuation is about 2-3°C each day.

Contact the team with the answers at Agricultural Consulting Services Gerard Rushton 0274 339 065 Office: 03 308 6208 www.agconsulting.co.nz

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Water

September 2011

Proposals invited for irrigation fund

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Planning for New Zealand’s irrigation infrastructure steps up the pace with the Irrigation Acceleration Fund now open for business, says Agriculture Minister David Carter.

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The Irrigation Acceleration Fund was announced in this year’s Budget and provides $35 million over five years to support the development of proposals to the ‘investment ready’ prospectus stage. “Smart irrigation infrastructure development will boost economic development and contribute to the sustainable growth of our primary sectors. We now welcome proposals to the fund,” says Mr Carter.

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Mr Carter says the Government will contribute up to 50 percent through the fund to successful proposals. Applications will be assessed by MAF, with input from a panel of independent experts. The final decision will be made by the Director General of MAF.

Phone: 03 324 3880 Email: admin@alliedwatersystems.co.nz

September 2011

Soil Matters — with Peter Burton

A quiet revolution underway Dairy cows are amazingly tough and resilient animals with the majority remaining outdoors all year. Diets vary widely; most survive through harsh winter and early spring conditions, give birth, and produce remarkably well.

Now before the calculator is brought out to see whether there is some other way the same amount of calcium and magnesium can be applied by mixing other products together, think about the soundness of the argument that cheapest is best.

Some years ago a farmer in the Waikato drafted out his lightest cows in autumn, put them into a large covered shed and fed them almost entirely on kiwifruit. It wasn’t long before they gained weight and were reintroduced to the main herd without fuss for wintering.

Think about your own farm vehicles. Were they the cheapest available when you bought, or was the main consideration their suitability for the work to be undertaken? Can the cheapest vehicle be relied on to perform faultlessly year after year?

There are cows close to main centres that are fed waste produce from supermarkets that include a variety of potato chip-type products and a range of confectionary. Although I haven’t seem them I have it on good authority that these cows perform well by industry standards, with the intriguing part of this story being that a considerable amount of this ‘food’ is still in its wrapper. Dairy cows that die as result of a calcium/magnesium deficiency or imbalance do so not because their diet is a little deficient, but because their diet is substantially deficient or imbalanced, and unsuited to the animal’s requirements for calving and early lactation. This is where a single annual application of dolomite can have a major impact. A single application of 220kg/ha provides 25kg of magnesium and 53kg of calcium per hectare, however it is what results that is important.

Soils are living breathing organisms and the health of our animals in spring is a direct reflection of the health of our soils. Continuing to apply the same soil nutrient package each year, with perhaps minor tinkering, enduring the same animal health problems each spring when there are alternatives that provide largely trouble free calving suggests flawed thinking. With the present value of quality dairy animals and the increasing payment for fat and protein this is the time to maximise health and performance by applying dolomite, proven to outperform all other calcium/magnesium options. For those still not convinced, buy 25kg bags of dolomite, empty them into a container where it can stay dry, make it available to the herd each day, observe and monitor. For more information call 0800 436 566 (0800 4 DOLOMITE).

The magnesium content of grass as a result of a dolomite application may vary from 0.22-0.25% depending largely on the amount of direct sunlight. Leaf calcium content usually measures no less than 0.60% as the calcium and magnesium release at the same rate. Dairy cows fully fed on grass with this Ca and Mg content receive sufficient to ensure Ca/Mg related metabolic disorders are minimised and production after calving moves rapidly toward its peak, provided rumen function is good.

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Forestry

September 2011

Forestry Market Report Allan Laurie MNZIF Laurie Forestry Ltd

Advantages of planting aged P. Radiata cuttings It has been argued that our higher genetic pine seedlings have had the ‘Mongrel’ bred out of them making them more vulnerable to weed competition, nutrient stress, and even more prone to animal damage. Ok, they can grow like lightening but is there a way of having your cake and eating it to? Preston and Jan Allan from Randolph Downs reckon you can. They have a block of nineyear-old Radiata pine. The block was planted with aged cuttings at final crop stocking and kept weed free for two years with boron being applied at age two. The top 10% have grown 2metres per year in height and 3cms DBH per year. There are many advantages of growing cuttings over seedlings. The first that springs to mind is stability. Cuttings do not have a tap root, but instead have a series of lateral roots thus eliminating socketing. Because the foliage is more mature animal damage is less, (less palatable) but probably the best thing about aged cuttings is that the wood properties are far more superior than seedlings.

As a softwood tree grows, each year its woods properties become stiffer and denser. Hence if you take cuttings from a five-year-old GF 28 and grow it on as a cutting it will start producing wood qualities as a six-year-old tree. So if you fell the tree at age 25 years it would have the wood properties of a 30-year-old tree. The only disadvantage of planting aged cuttings was thought that they were slower growing than seedlings. Obviously that thinking is incorrect as Jan and Preston have found. The photographs show that both diameter and height growth after only nine years is second to none. Well done Preston, keep up the good work mate.

Export log markets have made a rebound in September with settlements in China generally leading the way. Prices have improved US$5 10 per cubic metre across the board depending on previous month settlements. This sees the market indicator A grade log sneaking back up to US$140 per cubic metre CIF which equates to something close to NZ$90 at the wharf gate.

Joke time: A women went into the doctor’s office where she saw a young doctor. After a few minutes she ran out of the room screaming at the top of her voice. An older doctor finally caught up with her and consoled her enough to find out what was wrong. After he heard what she had said he stormed down the corridor and into the young doctor’s office. “What is the matter with you?" the older doctor demanded. "Mrs Brown is 62 years old, has four grown up children and seven grandchildren, and you told her she was pregnant?" The younger doctor continued writing and without looking up said "Does she still have hiccups?"

Whilst some might argue it still has a bit to go to get back to 12 month highs, for the quality of the logs that go to export, it is still pretty good money. Indeed at $87 - $88 we are climbing above the top 70 percentile of the market of the last 12 months. Further improvements across the export segment are anticipated although not with the same degree of confidence we saw at the same time last year. Some commentators are suggesting we might yet see another $5 increase in October, some are not so confident. Concerns remain just how the current US and European

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China is very much leading the price settlements with inflation driving demand to levels never before seen in the market. Korea and India are very much following the price leader. Japan is a little isolated in the scheme of things, impacted by species choice, mainly Douglas fir, and the earthquake re-build which is starting to impact.

in the last 2 months. Needless to say this hasn’t helped at the negotiating table trying to get a lift in log prices! For local mills, Australia has been a bastion of opportunity for the last 12 months with the favourable exchange rate adding to the bottom line for most. Not world beating profits, but enough to keep the wolf from the door. Even Australia has come off the boil in recent times with a combination of an increase in domestic milling capacity together with a just so demand keeping the lid on price growth. Despite demand for shipping trailing off internationally we are seeing an increase in the daily hire rates for the NZ log carrying Handy class segment. This is mainly the consequence of segment demand but somewhat against international shipping cost trends. For September we are seeing US$2 to 4 per cubic metre increases which is not what we wanted to hear. In summary prices remain generally very good compared to the last two years. There are sufficient indicators to suggest we are back into a price firming faze and it can be expected to remain so for the next six months. Now if someone can just tell me with absolute confidence what the US/Kiwi exchange rate will be next week, it would be really good! To repeat that which will be obvious to those with a tilt toward our wonderful industry, the only way forward for climate and country is to get out there and plant more trees.

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The China softwood inventory across key ports and log yards has crept back under 3mil cubic metres. It will need to get back under 2mil before we see more than a dead cat bounce. Whilst NZ is very much a key supplier in to this market, the disciplines of US and Canada suppliers could be the key to any change. Given poor local demand in their domestic markets and poor discipline of the past, it could be we will not see great price change upward this summer.

Whilst on the subject of earthquakes and re-builds the Christchurch situation is worth reporting, even though not a lot of positive elements exist at least for the timber industry. Two of the big North Island corporations have gone head to head in the Canterbury framing market driving stock in by driving price down. My visits to local sawmills suggests up to $70 per cubic metre has been whittled out of a pack of framing timber

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September 2011

To fuel aeroplanes

Rob Cope-Williams gets ...

by Ben gaia In the UK they are farming wind; now the Aussies are farming gum trees for aircraft fuel and electricity. I have written before about how the Swedes use birch to run local power stations. Could silver birch or a cold hardy eucalypt be the answer to rural NZ’s energy problems? In Western Australia the Mallee eucalypt Eucalyptus loxophleba lissophloia is grown on a fast three-year-rotation to produce biofuel. It grows on marginal land or as a farm forestry tree, so does not need to take over good food producing land, which has been the problem with both oilseed rape and in the tropics with palm oil. A recent CSIRO report said Australia and New Zealand were in a strong position to produce aviation biofuels sustainably that is without impacting on food security or the environment. Serious business partners like Virgin Airlines are investing in this technology, growing commercial scale plants in Aussie and Canada. Virgin Australia aims to have a commercial-scale plant turning eucalypt trees into aviation biofuel within the next three years. ‘There is sufficient existing sustainable biomass to support a local bio-derived jet fuel industry’, (my emphasis) said the report, commissioned by the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Users Group, which includes Air New Zealand, Qantas and

Virgin. In other words we could make biofuel now, from already existing waste products, including twigs and leaves, and sawmill chips. Pine, birch, and gums contain high amounts of natural sugars which can be rendered into ethanol, (known also as ‘gasohol’); a high quality fuel. Eucalyptus citriodora and Eucalyptus globulus are known existing oil producers which grow well in NZ. Red Mallee is already being trialled here for hardwood vine posts. Eucalyptus oil has its own high octane rating but is too expensive on its own to be used directly as fuel. Car makers are also interested. Brazil is well known for running VW cars and vans on sugar cane ethanol. Eucalyptus has an advantage over sugar in that it can be stored at the mill without perishing. Trial plots show production is high, up to 15 tonnes/ha per annum. Simply burning the wood in high tech generators could provide rural electricity as a by-product of forestry operations. Grasses are also being studied as fuel sources. Producing electric power is a more efficient energy use than biofuel, which uses complex processes of refinement and thus uses more energy to produce. A multipurpose wood power station is up and running in Narrogin in Western Australia, based on annual production

Equine the golden hope The Equine industry seems to have flown well below the radar for many years now, despite being a multimillion dollar industry and a sport that attracts thousands of people as riders, supporters or financiers in the case of most younger riders parents. of 100,000 tonnes of chipped mallee. 20 million trees need to be in the ground to support a plant this size. Setup cost was $28 million for a steam turbine plant. Activated carbon is a valuable by-product used in water purifiers and other industrial cleaners, which increases the financial return to farmers. The volatile oil can also be extracted for fuel or medicinal use. The trees are being grown as farm shelter rows rather than big plantations so the resource does not displace good land, and adds the usual benefits of shade and shelter to the area’s farmland. There is a deliberate emphasis on allowing stock and cropping to continue as a sustainable land use integrated with the fuel/oil producing tree belts. Of course the Mallee trees coppice so they can be cut every few years only to grow back for the next crop. Supply contracts are signed with farmers to ensure continued supply and farm income. Full details can be read at https://rirdc.infoservices. com.au/downloads/01-160.pdf

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Any normal weekend on the main road you will see many horse floats carting horse and rider to or from events or shifting them from where ever to where ever. Perhaps the really great thing is that the standard of rider and mount is getting better and better by the day. I met a couple of the staff working for Sue Fowler at Astek Stud recently and they are two very focused young people. One has given up a career in law to concentrate on competing in dressage, and other is already travelling to the Northern Hemisphere every winter to work over there with the world’s top animals and teachers. Sure Sue will ensure they both have the best mounts possible and the time to put into them, but the point remains that New Zealand is now really looking hard at moving into the top of the equine ladder. Sure we have been able to foot it with the world as far as eventing is concerned, but even though we have enjoyed the successes, the wins have been secured by a very small band of riders. Events such as the National Dressage championship draw a very small crowd, and are basically overlooked by the main sports TV channels. The standard at such an event is still short of top international standards, but start looking over your shoulders Europe, baby New Zealand is growing up. When you look at John Cottle who has done more for show jumping than Graham Henry has done for the All Blacks and you’ll realise that show jumping is also on the rise as far as rising stars is concerned. I know it’s a catch 22 situation and that we need the right horses for the right riders who can get the right tuition, but with a couple of things that are now firmly in the wings, believe me when I say we will be flying very soon, and it is the Kiwi way to succeed against all odds, so we will.

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The Cover and Shelter Specialists

September 2011

TL Parker Ltd keeping people in touch T L Parker Ltd is a family business which was formed in 1968 and is a supplier for all radio telephone communication requirements — both now and in the future. They are committed to developing communication infrastructure that will support high quality products and excellent after sales service.

by Emma Jones, Reporter Country 99 TV Kiwi eventers have dominated the top twenty placings at the prestigious Burghley Horse Trial this year, taking out three of the top five spots.

They recognise that businesses need to be able to communicate with and provide information to employees virtually anywhere and at anytime to improve workforce productivity and operational effectiveness. Mobile workers such as farmers need clear and reliable communications, because a missed call, garbled message or a dead battery can mean, wasted time and money, unsatisfied customers, interruptions to essential services or even lost business.

Within a whisker of winning, both Andrew Nicholson and Caroline Powell were in with a chance, with one show jumping rail between the top four after the cross country event.

MOTOTRBO is Motorola’s digital two-way radio system that has been designed to meet the requirements of any organisation that needs a customisable communication solution. It combines the best in two-way radio functionality to deliver increased capacity and enhanced functionality. “The most important thing with the RT’s is the fact that if you have multiple people working on a farm, they can make one call and communicate with everyone — or back to the home-base,” says Craig Pidgeon, Communications Solution Manager.

says farmer, Alan Chilton. “We’re on a sheep and beef farm, with five radios all running off the one repeater — despite the rolling hill country — so communication-wise, the radios are really helping a lot.

“Previously, farmers thought nothing of driving from one end of the farm to the other to give the boy the next job but in this day and age you can’t afford to do that. With this, you just need one piece of equipment and can press the button and talk to all your farm workers with one call. It’s cost effective and time effective.

“There is no cell phone coverage in the area, so the main reason we decided to get this system was effective communication. For example I’d be at work and someone would come to see me, then my wife would have to go traipsing around trying to find where I was. It’s good for the workers too, because now they always know what is going on.”

“Farmers have been using RT’s for years but the technologies, the frequencies becoming available and the radio itself is changing. The new benefits include size, weight, audio performance and it’s waterproof and built to military specifications. T L Parker recently put a system onto Essex Farms, with a repeater and handhelds. “They were really good to deal with and gave us a good deal,”

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But after a very sticky show jumping course it was Great Britain’s William Fox-Pitt on his kiwi-bred steed Parkland Hawk, who took the title for the sixth time, a new record for the event. World Champs bronze medallist Andrew Nicholson had two horses in the top five, going into the final show jumping phase, but three rails on Avebury saw them slip from second to eighth spot, and even a clear on Nereo just wasn’t enough to edge out Fox-Pitt.    Defending champ and crowd pleaser duo, Caroline Powell and Lenamore, had two rails down in the show jumping, and finished fourth. First time Burghley competitor, Jonathan Paget, finished fifth on Clifton Lush, and was twelfth on his World Championship horse, Clifton Promise. Mark Todd rode Major Milestone to a brilliant clear round to finish in fourteenth spot, with Clarke Johnstone and Incognito III also going clear to finish in seventeenth position. Equestrian Sports New Zealand eventing high performance leader, Erik Duvander, told Country99TV reporter Emma Jones the Kiwi team had high expectations. “We arrived at Burghley with a whole bunch of horses that were looking really competitive. I would say in general we did very, very well. Having four riders in the top eight is brilliant, but I know the riders all really wanted to win.” Mr Duvander said it was just devastating to see Caroline Powell and Andrew Nicholson just miss out on the win. “When you see horses like Lenamore who is a legend, having rails, it is just devastating, obviously. Caroline is such a great rider, she deserved another win at Burghley, and same thing with Andrew Nicholson on Averbury, who was very well positioned before the show jumping. “We had a lot of rain on the day and the conditions worsened, and the final horses that went into the ring, got the worst ground compared to the earlier horses. I feel sorry for them because they put everything into it, but it didn’t come off for them today, that’s for sure.” Mr Duvander says the strength of the placings at Burghley show a team that looks promising heading towards the London Olympics for 2012. “Four New Zealanders in the top eight is brilliant.” The NZ team is really getting momentum here and they are looking very good. We’ve still got a bit more work to do and there is still a lot of improvements to be done, but we are in a good place. Country99TV will be screening coverage of the event on October 7 at 9.00pm.

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September 2011

Osborne Sales and Lease a dedicated company Osborne Sales and Lease Ltd do exactly as their name suggests — lease and sell tractors and farm machinery throughout New Zealand. Their point of difference is the time and dedication they put into their dealings with each client and they have testimonials to prove it.

“The main reason we went to Osborne’s is that we knew we were going to get really late model — if not brand spanking new — tractors and with that in mind, we felt that we would have trouble-free motoring. No hassles to us mean we can just work and get our job done without any worries. “They filled a gap — we could increase the size of our work operation without having to purchase a new machine. They came up with a programme that suits us right down the line and when we’ve finished with that tractor, we can just give it back. “Our work is predominantly seasonal, so it’s hard to justify buying a tractor that may only be

Are we going to be like the phone booth? A while ago when I was in a Koru Club lounge I was stopped in my tracks by a sight that really struck me. I pulled out my smart phone and took a photo of it and then emailed it to myself. What I took a photo of was a phone booth. The koru lounge had three very elegantly designed booths, with world beating phones stuck to the wall. No doubt after years of continuous improvement, they were world beating products. However, when I looked around the lounge, it was clear that this phone and its booth were missing the mark big time — the phone could not text, take photos, receive emails, keep a calendar or play games. People thinking differently had overtaken the phone booth.

“This is our first year leasing with Osborne Sales and Lease and they’ve been very obliging,” says Agricultural contractor, Steve Murray. “They’re very good at what they do, have helped us out and we haven’t had any problems.

Ben Halstead of osborne sales and leasing with the Jd6930 on hire to the Hadfield Farming Partnership

used for four or five months of the year. The lease is structured in a way that is financially beneficial and has allowed us to expand our operations without outlaying any capital as such. “Ben Halstead has been absolutely fabulous to deal with. I had been hiring tractors on and off with different companies in Canterbury over the years but those tractors have always been earlier models. We wanted more security, so we focussed our

attention to leasing and Ben has been extremely obliging tailoring a deal that works for us.” Osborne Sales and Lease have a wide variety of tractors, machinery and earth moving equipment — and a range of specifications, makes and models — available on request for lease or for sale. With industry leading knowledge the team understand the demands in business today.

For New Zealand, for agriculture and for organization like Federated Farmers, it is critical that we don’t become like the phone booth — best in the world in our own minds, but not realizing that there is change a plenty and others are working hard to surpass us. Right now we are enjoying an agricultural commodity boom, driven in part by demand and supply fundamentals, but in my mind, also USA monetary and fiscal policies. These policies have devalued the US Dollar by about 50% against an ounce of gold, ie the USD gold price has doubled. Trillion is an

emerging word. That’s about the number of snowflakes that fell across New Zealand last week, and the number of dollars that will possibly be printed across the USA in the next while. And what I don’t understand, is that if too much debt, like too much snow, is the problem, how can more of it be the solution. Is the USA at risk of becoming like the phone booth? So what about agriculture? Have we got a phone booth mentality? With increasing numbers of affluent buyers and not much to sell, there are some serious opportunities out there. But are we thinking differently and optimizing the opportunity? Maybe. Our meat industry has made some great strides, wool a very mixed bag, and dairy has simply ridden the commodity wave. But I am not sure that this is enough. Recent speculation about the ownership of Fonterra perhaps misses the point. The real question is what is Fonterra’s strategy to capture the maximum benefit for New Zealand. There is probably mutual agreement that Fonterra has generally executed its existing strategy pretty well. However, after the introduction of the Global DairyTrade online auction system, it is not clear what their next big move is to ensure Fonterra doesn’t become like the phone booth.

There are any number of possibilities. Fonterra could forward integrate into infant nutrition and become the CocaCola of infant formula. They could broaden their milk supply base and further dominate commodity milk products through either merging with other farmer co-ops in other countries or by becoming a global dairy farmer and leverage New Zealand genetics, safe food and quality systems. They could broaden their current global dairy ingredients business into other food ingredients, offering a one stop shop to key customers, leveraging their expertise in global logistics. Perhaps they could deepen their consumer brands business or look to acquire other dairy supply chain assets in targeted markets. Or they could keep on doing what they are doing right now, but just work at getting better at it. Perhaps just like the phone booth manufacturer? The cost of the missed opportunities will eventually catch up on us as a nation. I am sure Fonterra, and many others in the export sector are working on it. It is easier said than done, but we all need to roll up our sleeves and think like smart phone makers, not phone booth makers. As Yogi Berra said, “the future ain’t what it used to be”

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Country Motoring

September 2011

Mitsubishi “Club Car” and Club Cab Last month in the snow I drove the GLS version of the Mitsubishi Challenger we called the Club Car back to back with the Club cab version of the popular Triton. Available in 2.5 litre 135kw 4 cylinder intercooled turbo diesel versions only they have differed in transmission with the Triton being a 5 speed manual with the Challenger having equal number of cogs self shifted by the INVEC II with a sports mode.

The Challenger “Club Car” After an absence of around three years the return of the Challenger last year has been welcomed by the market, if early sales are any indication. Available in two models the GLS 5 seater at $58,290 the model we tested and the Exceed we drove at launch with 7 leather seats a sunroof and several other additions listed at $63,390. More rounded and with a smaller engine capacity down from the previous generation 2.8 litres, with the more powerful motor the new Challenger will tow 2500kg braked. Importantly in the week we had it, we hitched up a two tonne loaded horse float for a quick 150km round trip did our acceleration testing drove it round town and still averaged 11.2 l/100km. On a country road we managed, without a trailer, to dip below 8 litres on a nearly new vehicle.

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Triton Club Cab

Interior The Challenger is based on the Triton Ute in the range. It does differ though in comfort fittings it also has an improved cruise computer and integrated Bluetooth. Airbags are provided for front side and curtain through both rows of seats, along with the latest 4WD safety aid ESP. Cruise control and computer functions work well though surprisingly there are no steering wheel remotes for the otherwise excellent sound system that incorporates 6 stack CD and 6 speakers

Considering the 0-100km time of 10.7seconds Mitsubishi has put together a complete package.

Seating for front and rear passengers is generous in hip and foot areas though the Exceeds sunroof does restrict height for front seat occupants.

I’ve always liked the Club Cab, Xtra Cab style of Ute for it gives great interior space for two with additional internal and therefore lockable and secure space for tools and equipment. Most will also carry an additional couple of adults a short distance or children in the rear ‘jump seats. The Club cab we tested did just that and with the additional space over the more popular Double Cabs tray we found the Red Mitsi very versatile as we carried a multitude of both weighty and lengthy loads. On the inside it’s pure Mitsubishi with rubber floors and hard wearing surfaces. One feature I really liked was the simple easy to read digital clock mounted high above the rear view mirror. It was easy to read and see for all.

The real bonus other than the cost saving over the Exceed is the huge increase in usable boot space behind the rear seats due to a completely flat floor with out the 6/7 seats of the other model. These seats in the Exceed fold flat though still raise the floor by 104mm, not an issue though if you don’t see the need to carry seven the GLS is more useably capacious. The huge cargo area that swallows lengths up to 1.8metres and 1.3 meters in width. On the Road. Quieter and more refined than the Triton the Challenger is easy to drive and has very good all round visibility. I particularly liked the ease of transfer to four wheel drive with the selector next to the auto transmission. It is easy to engage and reverse the procedure. Though there is some body roll it is well dampened

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Off the Road. The Challenger is one of an ever decreasing number of SUV’s still proving proper twin range gearboxes and well protected undersides which allow true off roading to be successfully undertaken. It’s easy to enjoy off the beaten track as the Challenger with its short overhangs and 220mm ground clearance makes light work of some twisted and tight tracks. Considering the road tyres the auto traction control ATC did a great job of what seemed like some insurmountable slopes and a couple of very muddy tracks. Starting off up hill in mud is a severe test of both traction and torque though in all but two times that we tried it the Challenger was up to the task. More aggressive AT tyres would have made a difference. The sophisticated electronics make a good driver even better and mask a novice one safe

Safety performance comfort economy and drivability. At a competitive price, the Challenger is a very attractive new entrant into the market even more so with the 10/5 diamond warranty offered as with all Mitsubishi products.

Triton Club Cab

For years the work Ute has been improving. Air conditioning is now standard as is electrics for windows mirrors central locking usually remote and the entertainment system includes CD players and many allow iPod and USB connections as well as Bluetooth for hands free phones. Mitsubishi has stole a march on its competitors when it was the first to fit ESP into most of the Triton range. Taking the opportunity to use technology they also have incorporated Traction Control ATC into most of those same trucks. The GL Triton still has the rear diff lock and in Club Cab we test here and Cab/chassis 4WD starts at $45,990 for the Wellside and $43,990 if you chose to fit your Ute with a flat deck that comes in at around $2600- $3200 They also sport the equal first largest tray in a Club cab as the picture shows the tray is now over 200mm longer than the outgoing model and is rated at 1330kg payload. All this while towing up to a further 2700kg braked trailer. The most powerful news is that the 407nm diesel in the Triton continued on page 16 . . .

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Country Motoring

September 2011

. . . continued from page 16

uses less fuel and has lower co2 emissions In terms of fuel consumption the manufactures claim of 8.3 litres is very achievable as my heavy right foot still got 8.6 without trying to be economical. So what’s it really like? Well the new 2.5 litre engine breathed on and worked over since it came out of the old 2WD range is a free revving and quiet unit and signals the direction of the market segment to lower capacity higher performing motors. On the road the manual we drove never seemed breathless and now requires fewer gear changes thanks to its healthy torque. In fact taking off in second barely raises a protest on all but the most energy sapping conditions. Road holding and ride have been improved as have the Noise Vibration Harshness NVH factors making conversation front to rear easy. We took the Triton over some of our worst corrugations on the metal roads and found like most it handled them better in 4WD which is easy to select on the move. In fact the tail was much happier in many road conditions in 4WD without a load on. Now Mitsubishi is one of the few

...instead of backing off when the going gets sticky or traction is difficult to let the tyres get adhesion, hoof it with the accelerator and let the rear diff lock work its magic.

Mitsubishi Challenger

manufactures to supply press vehicles with tow bars so we loaded up the same horse float with two horses and a heap of gear giving an all up weight of around 2600kgs We then set about giving them a ride, to test the towing Unruffled and easy to use the Triton proved to be a great tow vehicle even in two wheel drive without any weight on the tray. In fact the only time the rear tyres scrabbled for traction was on a steep uphill corner on a deep shingled road. The time we did spend on the road fully loaded suggests this is a well balanced and powerful rig for towing. Our concern around the distance from the rear wheel to the tow ball proved unfounded as we felt no tail wagging effect. Mitsubishi wisely have resisted the temptation to claim all its Utes will tow 3,000kgs because of the distance instead opting for a conservative 2,700kg on well side models Off the road the new Triton really struts its stuff in the tough going. Now

with TC you need to adopt a new driving style more akin to modern SUV’s fitted with TC. That is, instead of backing off when the going gets sticky or traction is difficult to let the tyres get adhesion, hoof it with the accelerator and let the rear diff lock work its magic. Which indeed it does do very well. The trade off with all the space and length is the departure angle and the Mitsi did drag its towbar regularly and occasionally it startled as it found bare rock to slide across. What hasn’t changed is the class leading steering lock of 11.8 metres ensuring that despite its size it can be easily driven round the tightest of vehicle tracks. For the vast majority though the new electronics will be the way forward in more than one sense. Mitsubishi have a great product backed up by a five year warranty and a ten year power train warranty they call the diamond advantage. They have two excellent off road tow vehicles at home on the farm or doing the Scholl run thanks to the children’s seats in the back of the Club Cab.

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September 2011

Of believers, skeptics and non-believers Thus we are now at a stage with disagreements flying back and forth whether human activity is causing disruption to this planet’s climate patterns. We now have a new world religion. Well — at least a sort of religion. A quasi-religion if you like. For all church goers and worshippers of one type or another substitute ‘believers’. For agnostics substitute ‘skeptics’, and for atheists substitute ‘deniers’. Got it? And as with any debates, arguments or discussions on the subject creationism versus evolution little can be proved 100 percent conclusively. There are plenty of opinions and some hard and fast mindsets where fundamentalists ignore scientific research which goes against a variety of creeds. The world was flat, or created in seven days etcetera

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Scientifically it is labelled the anthropogenic influence on global warming. More recently ‘climate change’. A skeptic from either end of the spectrum could claim the whole business to be solely in the interest of the back pocket, political influence, the international economy and individual standard of living. If I owned a coal mine and was about to be hammered with having to pay carbon credits under an emissions trading scheme (ETS) I might side with the deniers. Or at least back whatever scientific evidence to refute International Panel for Climate Change findings. But having been associated with the forest industry in the last 40 years, I am better to remain mum, an agnostic. Yep. Carbon credits and the incentive to grow more trees is something I fully support. It provides a multiple of products, is a renewable resource and carbon neutral under a rotational cropping system. It is also beneficial to the grower, processor and user. And in the very long term provides income for our land based industries and individual farmers. Apart from trying to predict the weather for the rest of the week, I, (as with most citizens) am no scientist involved in any branch of climate change so have to analyse for myself all peer reviewed research into the subject. And I am certain it is not a question of belief. My one academic foray into academia (Lincoln 1959) I ended up with an unfinished post graduate diploma in engineering of which most data has been well and truly superseded. But it has at least taught me to question new theories and stick to basic facts. Thus recent findings by an international scientific survey in Antarctica caught the eye. An Otago University scientist involved had drilled some three kilometres into the ice tracking events going back over several million years of sediment changes. Working on the analysis of carbon dioxide in parts per million (ppm) It showed the ice sheet completely melted regularly at intervals of around 40,000 years raising seas levels by some 70 metres. The critical point for destabilisation of the ice sheet occurs when the CO2ppm reaches 400ppm. It is now at 394.35 says the report, leaping up from 280ppm in just 100 years. The conclusions were that climate change is normally a very slow process. This sudden jump is being blamed on human activity. Back in the days of the last ice melt pre-historic man were hunter gatherers and would still have been living in caves. However what had taken many millenniums for climate change to occur had accelerated considerably over the last hundred years. A natural process? Possibly, but very unlikely according to the findings. No doubt deniers will come up with other reason why this is

happening, such as volcanic activity, bush fires etcetera. Skeptics will continue to ask questions and attempt to disprove some of the findings. Just as with dialogue on religion there will be no clear answers. But let’s stick to the facts and figures in making up our minds. Then there is ocean acidification, biotic imbalance and multiple extinction of species. In the longer run that means degradation of flora and fauna upsetting ecological balance and eventual starvation due to expanding human population and declining resources. These facts do not involve rocket science. On the flip side deniers point to the big con of global warming benefitting some government organisations, individuals, and others who are purported to be raking in big profits through scare-mongering by the IPCC, various believers and the green movement in general. And let’s not go into ‘An Inconvenient Truth’. There are also some anomalies in carbon trading through the ETS that needs some sorting out. Stock farmers are being targeted as carbon emitters and are being warned to face up to being pinged through carbon credit payments within the next few years, particularly dairy farmers (cow cockies in our time). The problem under our ETS carbon sequestration scheme is that any vegetation under 5.5 metres does not qualify for carbon credits unless plants reach that height at maturity. Presumably this was to stop landowners from cashing in on gorse and other unwanted shrubbery. But all vegetation absorbs carbon dioxide. Even grasses. Thus there is some argument that animals eat the fodder which is proportionally emitted through the animal’s digestive system as CO2 back into the atmosphere. But most of what the animal eats goes back onto the ground and ultimately provides fertiliser for new grass growth absorbing much of the CO2. So farmers do have a point which may need further scientific analysis. To offset carbon credit payments farmers can establish plantations, extended shelterbelts and invest in other forms of carbon sequestration. Generally speaking the evidence appears to be building up that there is some human influence on climate change, but as to what the percentage is will be up to speculation for some considerable time yet. However there is no excuse for skeptics, deniers, et al to not put every effort into research and innovation for sustainability of products and eliminate, where practical, reliance on finite resources, particularly fossil fuels. Finding, extracting and processing gets more and more costly. Even with new technology there must come a time when all fossil fuel reserves come to an end. There are alternatives. Let’s work on it.

September 2011

Earwigs manage leafroller caterpillar by dr tim Jenkins If there’s a tight spot around, earwigs are apt to climb into it. But their name is not based on a tendency to get into people’s ears; this is not one of their habits. Earwig is a corruption of the original ‘earwing’ in that the stunted wings on their backs have a shape and markings resembling ears. The earwig pointed out in this photo has found a suitable spot in a friable soil to lay its batch of eggs. This will help populate the vineyard for the next season’s biological warfare on leaf roller caterpillar (a problem pest in its own right on the leaves and also damages fruit leading to increased botrytis risk). Research by Prof Steve Wratten (of the Bioprotection Research Centre, Lincoln University) and colleagues have found the earwig to be an effective muncher of leafroller caterpillars throughout the vine canopy. The caterpillars resist but the earwigs persist and eventually overcome their target.

Encouraging earwigs is largely around limiting insecticide sprays and may also be aided by good soil structure to allow overwintering adults shelter and also allow easier food access for the young earwig nymphs and adults alike in the soil. The limiting of sprays can be aided by growing occasional rows of flowering plants in between the vines. Buckwheat is particularly effective (every tenth row) according to the Lincoln based research and alyssum is a good fit underneath

the vines too. The aim is to feed the parasitoid wasps. With the right nectar supply they do a great job of managing the leaf roller caterpillars. On the soil structure side of things, I have begun research on the use of gypsum for improving soil structure in a range of conditions including vine and orchard rows and in saline soil. It’s not just earwigs, but also plant roots and earthworms, that like that ability to move through a friable, soil structure.

Come harvest time it is common to find earwigs squeezing into the tight spaces within the grape bunches. This is a convenient base for them in between night time feeding missions. Earwigs are also useful in orchards and market gardens, eating pests and pest eggs. Prof Wratten has some great surveillance camera footage (in infra red) showing the ability of the common earwig to seek and consume pest eggs. But earwigs are not universally popular and their advocates have to push their benefits versus the hassle of finding them amongst dahlia and rose blooms or between the leaves of an iceberg lettuce. Fortunately the earwig is more a predator and not much of a pest. It may be the guilty looking creature inside a hole in some fruit invariably started by some other animal.

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September 2011

My point of view allen Cookson

Reducing welfarism There has been a collective sigh of relief as National begins to tighten up (albeit timorously) on Domestic Purposes beneficiaries. A few examples of abuse of the welfare system: A solo mother who spent much of her money on booze and drugs shut her ten year old out of the house when she was having a party even on cold nights. A seriously neglectful mother, finding her child inconvenient, handed her over to a respectable young couple. Missing the DPB, which shouldn’t have been necessary, considering her

prostitution earnings, she sought, with taxpayer funded legal aid, to regain custody of her three year old. Fortunately for her child she lost the case, but the foster parents were left with a large legal bill, not to mention the effects of the stress on their lives. They got no legal aid. The other side of this subject is officials’ insensitivity towards beneficiaries. Our son was on a sickness benefit after a near death experience with meningitis. A WINZ official insisted he work

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as a cleaner for a supermarket at night. He collapsed. Three middle managers made redundant during a recession had given up fruitless job searches. They teamed up to weed and beautify public spaces. They were told they would lose their unemployment benefits if they didn’t resume phoning and trudging the streets on cold calls. I think this is mental torture. Crass stupidity! One of the factors in unemployment is abatement of benefits as work earnings increase. This can lead to people being worse off working than being unemployed. A debt trap! Workers have to pay for travel, child care and better clothes. Jobs may be available on farms at great distance from willing workers who cannot afford the travel and removal expenses. A recent

phenomenon and major problem in New Zealand is increasing intergenerational unemployment. Children’s expectations are modelled on their experience of idle or criminal parents in a home with no books but plenty of alcohol and/or other harmful substances. Particularly if violence is present, such children are likely to end up as unemployable burdens on the taxpayer with their inability to manage their lives and rear children. Such adult women sometimes bear numerous children to different fathers, a recipe for further generations of lifetime beneficiaries. There is hope that National will seek to break this vicious circle by checks on homes with young children. If this is done in an affirmative way with accompanying mentoring there is every chance of positive results.

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dairy

September 2011

Hoof Print With Fred Hoekstra

Are you a druggy? Are you a druggy? I mean are you using too many antibiotics on your cows. It is not a good idea to reach out for drugs as soon as you see a lame cow. I know that some of you do that. Lame cows hardly ever need antibiotics. Even when you trim a cow and you see some pus coming out of the wound you often don’t need penicillin. On the other hand there are cases that only antibiotics can fix. So what is the difference? Let’s have another look at the anatomy of the foot. Around all the live tissue inside a body grows the skin. The function of the skin is to be a barrier between the outside world and the live tissue inside the body. Most of the skin grows hair but at the bottom of the feet this skin grows the horny tissue that we call ‘claw’. When we trim a cow’s foot and we see some pus coming out it is more likely that it comes from the outside of the skin (corium). In this case it is

still a superficial infection and the corium is still doing that part of its job properly. It just isn’t growing horn. However, if the bacteria manage to get through the corium then you have an issue that requires antibiotics. In these cases the foot would be swollen up and warm. Your veterinarian can advise you which antibiotics to use. There is a big difference between an infection in the interdigital space (foot rot) and an infection in just one claw, which often enters into the claw at the white line in the heel area. Different types of antibiotics should be used. Cows that just have a superficial infection just need a proper trim. The idea is to remove as much weight as possible from that claw so as to allow the air to dry the wound out; if it is not possible to create enough height difference naturally then you can glue a claw block to the healthy claw to remove all the weight off the sore one. In these cases

penicillin won’t help, potentially making things worse and even put you at risk. Let me explain. If penicillin is used a lot then the bacteria begins to build up a resistance to it, especially when the course isn’t finished and cows are getting only half the doses that they need. With these new immune bacteria we now have a super bug. People can get infected by these bacteria and if that happens what are the doctors going to use to get rid of it? The usual antibiotics don’t work anymore. You may think that this is a bit farfetched. Well it is already happening. You would have heard of the super bug in the hospitals. Scientists believe that the MRSA (staphylococcal aureus) bacterium is being spread by farm staff as well as in hospitals. This just shows that we need to be much more careful with the use of antibiotics and we do have a huge responsibility to the public. Only use it when you really need it.

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September 2011

Do the mating maths

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As a result of one mating management decision, the average New Zealand dairy farmer (376 cow herd) could potentially save as much as $2000 a year, according to Greg Hamill, LIC Alpha Product Manager. The expense of bringing a bull on farm, along with the drive for tighter calving patterns, improved reproductive performance and removing the hassle of having bulls on farm, are, said Greg, some of the reasons LIC is seeing more dairy farmers extend their mating period with AB (artificial breeding) and avoiding tailing with bulls. “Bulls are expensive. "Whether buying or leasing a bull it costs at least $500, probably closer to $600 for every bull used during the mating period — and that’s just the initial outlay.” To purchase a bull it costs about $1200, and to lease one about $600, so even with resale, every bull bought onto the farm during the mating period is at least a $500 expense — before any other costs are considered, said Greg. “The average bull eats approximately 15kg DM a day, at a cost of 22 cents per kilogram it costs about $150 to feed each bull for seven weeks — at a time when feed could be going to cows for milk production. “And the average farmer, if they use bulls for the tail end of mating, need plenty of them. To allow for rotation, on average one bull is needed for every 30 empty cows. “And each day, by the third service (mating) the semen quality has decreased, so potentially semen is less likely to result in conception after that third service. “There is also the risk that bulls bought onto the farm could bring disease to the herd, such as venereal diseases, Leptospirosis, TB, BVD, Neospora, Johne’s disease and EBL.” Greg said top performing dairy farms achieve a 90% three-week submission rate, 60% conception rate and 78% six-week in calf rate — however the average dairy farm does not achieve this. “Average New Zealand dairy farms are seeing three week submission rates of about 80%, conception rates of about 55% and a six week in calf rate of about 68%. “This is one of the greatest issues New Zealand dairy farmers are facing. “To optimise the six week in calf rate, we need to improve three-week submission rates to 90% and achieve a more compact calving. A compact calving results in more days in milk, more milk solids, more profit, and results in less culls due to empties and more opportunities to cull poor performers. “With a more compact calving spread we can expect to see more cows cycling earlier as they recover sooner — and as best practise sees inductions phased out it is important farmers start thinking about improving calving spreads. “If the average farmer improves their three-week submission rate by 10% this equates, to about $11,000 in increased milk solid production.

dairy “She/he would also have more replacements and with optimum submission rates, calf numbers optimised, enough replacements for discretionary culling. Discretionary culling provides farmers with the ability to speed up the rate of genetic gain, said Greg. “This is when farmers can see the real benefit of using high generic merit semen, for example DNA Proven, because they have the ability to bring in the very best calves. “Increased milk production seen in high BW animals can vary immensely compared to low BW animals.” As another method to help reduce calving spreads Greg said farmers are also increasingly choosing to use AB Sires with short gestation BVs to help bring calving for those later cycling cows forward by one to two weeks. “In dollar terms, every cow bought forward by one week is worth between $75 and $100 in extra milk production. “A number of farmers are using straight Holstein Friesian to capitalise on the China market but we are not just seeing dairy AB sires with short gestation BVs used, but beef sires with short gestation BVs for those who want to get a premium on the white face market.” Greg said by going to AB for the full mating period, farmers are avoiding some other less obvious costs and risks associated with bringing bulls onto the farm. “Potential property damage, to fencing and paddocks for example, is avoided, as are staff safety risks associated with working with bulls. “AB is a reliable way to get cows in calf, as it is hard for farmers to know how well a bull is performing — for example the quantity and quality of semen is affected by any significant health event and could lead to sub-optimal performance, something not easily identified. ”Even a slight increase in testes temperature can cause major disturbances in semen production (DairyNZ InCalf Book pg 125). “But one of those benefits difficult to measure when going to full AB is, happiness — due to a less stressful mating period — LIC AB Technicians are after.

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dairy

September 2011

New code of welfare for animal transport released Minimum standards of animal welfare and recommended best practices for everyone involved in transporting animals in New Zealand are outlined in a new code of welfare issued today by Agriculture Minister David Carter. The Animal Welfare (Transport within New Zealand) Code of Welfare 2011, developed by the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC), encourages all those responsible for animals during transport to adopt the highest standards of husbandry, care and handling. NAWAC Deputy Chair, Hilton Collier, says transport can be a time of great stress for animals and it is important that it is done well. “The purpose of this new code of welfare is to encourage everyone involved to minimise the stress placed on animals by adopting the highest standards before and during transport.” “The code covers all animals and all forms of transport within New Zealand — air, land and sea. Minimum standards cover important areas like stockmanship, planning, equipment

BEEF FARMERS • Order your AHB Compliant tags prior to calf marking • Order your tags from your stock and station agent

design and maintenance, preparing and selecting animals for transport, loading and unloading, and the provision of food, water and rest.”

of companies and organisations involved in the commercial transport of animals by road and sea, farmers, veterinarians, animal advocacy groups and environmental agencies.

Mr Collier adds that specific requirements for transport in emergencies and emergency humane destruction are also included.

Copies of the code and the explanatory report that accompanies it are available online at http://www.biosecurity. govt.nz/regs/animal-welfare/codes/alphabetically or by request from animalwelfare@maf.govt.nz.

The code was drafted and reviewed by representatives

Notes from the shed with Mark McKewen Winter is a great time for bulk milk chilling systems, chilling water temperatures are low and milk volumes are small. It won’t be that way for long, summer will arrive and temperatures will rise, not the least of which will be the milk going into the Vat. I looked up the NZFSA (New Zealand Food Safety Authority) NZCP1: Code of Practice for the Design and Operation of Farm Dairies. On page 38, 7.14 Milk Cooling it states: Milk must be cooled to 18 Deg C or less at the completion of the first milking into the bulk milk tank, and should not exceed 13 Deg C at the completion of subsequent milkings and milk must be cooled to and maintained at 7 Deg C or below within 3 hours of the completion of milking and kept at7 Deg C or below until it is collected or the next Milking. This is a tough call for a lot of Dairies with Primary chilling water for some over 23 Deg C during summer and very ordinary chillers. It is a reality however that the Dairy Companies are toughening up around the Code of practice and quickly. The solutions are not cheap and cheerful, they have to be designed to suit the Dairy and the load to get the milk into the vat and maintained properly and be cost effective. No8 wire or “she’ll be right” isn’t going to measure up. At Milfos we have the iCONVERTER Chilling Solution that can Snap chill the milk into the vat at around 5 Deg C, maintain the Vat temperature and supply free Hot water up to 85 Deg C in abundance. It should save you around 35% Of your electricity costs. You don’t need to have a Milfos Dairy to enjoy the benefits, so check out our website www.milfos.com for details or a consultation.

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dairy

September 2011

Pastoral profitability lift strengthens bank balances The pastoral sector has experienced a significant lift in profitability which is enabling farmers to restore bank balances.

Velvet prices were largely sustained in 2010 and remain above the five-year average of $81 per kilogram.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has released the 2011 pastoral farm analyses as part of its annual Farm Monitoring Report series. The reports provide models and overviews of the financial performance of typical dairy, sheep and beef, and deer farms, based on information gathered from a sample of farmers and industry stakeholders.

The more stable income in the past few years has deer farmers feeling positive. Improved venison prices are again expected in 2011/12.

Dairy incomes lifted significantly in 2010/11, despite a variable year climatically in many parts of the country. MAF reports that nationally dairy production increased and, coupled with a record payout of $7.50 per kilogram of milksolids, this saw gross incomes lift by 23 percent. This continues a trend of improving returns since the low of 2008/09. Despite the increase in dairy income, spending on many farms remains quite tight, says MAF analyst Phil Journeaux. “This is likely to remain so until sometime into the 2011/12 season when farmers see how the season — and payout — is progressing.” Nevertheless dairy industry morale and optimism has lifted, and the Farm Monitoring Report indicates many farmers are now concentrating on debt reduction and looking to further boost productivity. Better product prices increased sheep and beef farm profits to record levels in 2010/11. MAF’s models show that reports farm profits before tax more than doubled to $148,000 — the highest level for ten years. While lambing was down 10 percentage points (129 to 119%), the better prices for lamb, wool and beef more than offset this, says MAF analyst John Greer.

Actual and budgeted figures from MAF’s typical farm models: Dairy — National 2010/11 actual: $345,400 profit before tax (+70% on previous year) (In other words, profit equivalent to $2.36 per kilogram milksolids produced) 2011/12 budgeted: $322,900 (-7% on previous year) (In other words, profit equivalent to $2.13 per kgMS produced) Sheep and beef — National 2010/11 actual: $148,100 profit before tax (+122% on previous year) 2011/12 budgeted: $184,200 (+24% on previous year) Deer — North Island 2010/11 actual: $100,700 profit before tax (+29% on previous year) 2011/12 budgeted: $123,100 (+22% on previous year) Deer — South Island 2010/11 actual: $117,800 profit before tax (+45% on previous year) 2011/12 budgeted: $130,000 (+10% on previous year)

“As a result, farmers increased spending later in the season on productive inputs, particularly fertiliser. They have also reduced debt through principal repayments and lowering overdrafts. Some have taken advantage of the good year to purchase capital equipment such as tractors and vehicles.” Sheep and beef farmers are budgeting for an equally good 2011/12 income, with increased lamb sales after a favourable 2011 autumn mating season. “Prices are predicted to be almost as good as last year — though the increasing strength of the New Zealand dollar may undermine this.” MAF reports sheep and beef farmers are still conservative about spending because they feel there has been no substantial change to industry structure or strategies, and they are very conscious that their returns can go down as fast as they have gone up. Venison returns at above five-year-average levels enabled deer farmers to achieve a good financial result in 2010/11, MAF reports.

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Once again climate had a significant impact on North Island deer farms, with a dry autumn and a wet spring reducing the average fawning rate to just 80 percent. Many North Island farmers are rebuilding stock numbers.

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The South Island deer model largely maintained productivity despite a cold spring. However, finishing animals were slower than usual to achieve slaughter weights.

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September 2011

Young Enterprise Scheme As a school student did you ever take part in the Young Enterprise Scheme? If you did then the trust who organised the scheme for the last 30 years would like to hear from you. Later this year the Young Enterprise Trust celebrates 30 years of helping young New Zealanders into enterprise and business. As part of honouring the trust' s history it wants to reconnect with past YES participants — there are about 50,000 of you out there! The Trust want to hear about your YES story and share and celebrate in your success. It also wants to connect you with your old team mates and with other YES alumni to help seed networking opportunities. You can register as a YES alumni by joining the Facebook page where all the conversations are happening online or register at www.yesalumni. co.nz to list your details and share a brief memory with all the others who took part in the scheme since 1981.

The Lion Foundation Young Enterprise Scheme (YES) is run by the Young Enterprise Trust and provides Year 12 and 13 students with a year-long practical entrepreneurial experience where they get to form and operate real companies, the best of which are recognised at annual awards. The programme is delivered in partnership with 21 regional co-ordinators, most of whom are associated with chambers of commerce, economic development agencies and others via private trusts/ foundations. The Trust believes that the future economic prosperity of New Zealand depends in part on graduating enterprise capable, and financially literate students. Growing the alumni and profiling their stories will help promote this fantastic scheme to all kiwi students. Take the chance to help YES help kiwi students by raising the profile of the scheme and inspiring more students to participate and develop into early entrepreneurs.

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Right here right now you are in the middle of the most difficult time of the year. • The soil is at its coldest • Grass is at its premium • Supplement feed is expensive Your animals are working hard just to hold body weight and everyone is looking for that extra bit of production. Trying to grow grass in this environment can be and is a challenge. Issues like soil condition and structure will have to wait as will the root structure. These are all very important, but not right now. There are products that will grow grass quite quickly but often the trade-off is that it comes from the proof of the root structure — the root system shrinks. If this happens the grass in the next rotation will be even slower growing unless they use more of certain products. This type of system cannot be sustainable. Strategic nitrogen works well at this time of year so long as the soil temperature is above 8 degrees Celsius and the soil is not water logged. Nitrogen must be washed into the soil on the day applied, taken up by the plant and moved through to the leaf, and now it is ready to work.

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All of this takes time and time is not on our side. As we have already said, to grow grass at this time of the year the plant needs the elements (not just nitrogen) quickly. If the soil cannot do it then the only other way is through the leaf. Science has proven that within hours the elements are within the leaf and are ready to work. If the product of choice is VerteFert then these elements cannot be washed off or leached. Already this year farmers have reported seeing a difference when using liquid fertilisers within a very short period of time, some say within a week. Another plus for using complex liquid fertilisers is the range of nutrients applied, rather than just nitrogen and some sulphur. The trick is how much is enough; too much nitrogen can and often will cause animal health problems, much the same as a green apple caused me a problem as a child. They move through and often out of the system quickly.

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Until next month, happy farming. See our advertisement page 28

September 2011

Equine industry exhibition Momentum is building in the equine industry as exhibitors book their spaces for New Zealand’s first major equine industry exhibition — Equidays The inaugural event will be held at Mystery Creek Events Centre between November 18–20 and will cover the full spectrum of the country’s equine industry. The exhibition will highlight the industry on a national level, bringing the New Zealand horse community together as well as attracting international visitors and exhibitors. The three-day event includes exhibitions, demonstrations and a range of equestrian activities. All disciplines within the industry will have equal opportunity to showcase their areas of expertise at the event.

Sir Patrick believes the event will be well supported and will build in momentum as time goes by. Mystery Creek Events Manager, Vanessa Richmond, urges exhibitors to book in quickly

as the events kicks into the final stages. “If you’re involved in the equine industry, you can’t afford to miss Equidays. We’ve had great response to the event so far and it’s gaining momentum,’’ she said. “The Waikato is world-renowned for its bloodstock and sporthorse industries and has more horses than any other region in New Zealand.” Event hours are 10am to 5pm, with an

indoor night show Friday and Saturday from approximately 6.30pm. Tickets include all activities during the day events including clinician demonstrations and seminars. Tickets to the night event are separate and details of the night show’s headlining international clinicians will be announced late July. Tickets are available online from July 31 at www.streamticketing.co.nz or onsite at Mystery Creek Events Centre.

Racing great Sir Patrick Hogan is among those in the equine industry supporting the event. “The equine industry is very lucky to have an events organisation such as the Mystery Creek team, with its reputation and events expertise now focussing on our industry with the development of a specialised equine event.’’

03 323 7797

sales@pottingmix.co.nz

September 2011

HINDSITE

Canterbury Branch NZ Deer Farmers Assn Sponsored By Mountain River Processors Ltd

Deer velvet focus The following article has been provided by Tony Cochrane, National Velvet Manager with PGG Wrightson. Market Talk Based on the 2010/11 DINZ levy budget of 450 tonnes, NZ has increased its production by 20 tonnes over the past two seasons. This increase is below the 500 ton mark that has historically put pressure on the market place. With global volumes also in line

and the added competition from China for higher value traditional consumption like velvet, an optimist would say the coming season should continue on similar pricing levels around $90/kg net average. Korea (the 4th biggest Asian economy) is still the main market for our 1st cut main grades and appears to be financially stable, although inflationary pressures are expected on consumption. Overall, stability is the key to giving buyers and sellers continued profitability and NZ sellers remain focused on collaborative talks. Note: I haven’t mentioned the dollar! Supply and Market Genetics and nutrition have really powered ahead meaning Super A grade volumes are making Korean sale mixes too top heavy, thus resulting in some backlog and slower sales into the new year period. New Zealand has a good brand and reputation for short, thick velvet in the market and growers should not push growth too far. As China’s preference for short cut velvet remains strong for 2nd cut regrowth, a possible strategy for growers to consider is cutting sooner and producing more regrowth. This strategy will be more suitable for older

stags cut during October/ early November. For more information contact PGW’s Velvet or Deer Specialist team, as we will have an outlet for this product and welcome your enquiries. Back to Business Over the last two years an attempt was made to consolidate three selling entities into one farmer shared business. Ultimately, this initiative has not been successful and the velvet joint venture arrangements have consequently been unwound. This initiative has however proven that managed sales are necessary to uphold prices. The three companies, PGG Wrightson, ProVelco Co-op and Tasman Velvet will now be back to running their own separate businesses as of the

current 2011/12 season. PGG Wrightson will be offering weekly sales to satisfy suppliers in the order of using contracts, private sales and tenders to sell promptly and in the best interests of all. Handling reminders • Keep up dietary protein levels from button drop and right through the growing period • Lucerne, pumpkin, grains, deer nuts, etc can be used to as a protein supplement with pasture if necessary • Mob sizes should be kept down to minimise damage and avoid shed work on hot, windy days • Worm burdens need awareness, especially younger animals

• Pour-on drenches shouldn’t be wasted by letting them run off winter coats and the manufacturer-recommended application techniques followed. Better still, oral or injectable products are becoming better recognised • If cut at the right time, spiker velvet can put $50 net into your hand — equivalent to about another $1 on the venison schedule • When cutting spikers, do not cut too close to the antler pedicle junction, especially if the animal is being kept in the velvetting herd • Velvet is a premium food product, so must be treated carefully — keep air circulating around velvet during freezing, preferably by using racks, and freeze quickly after removal.

Graham Kinsman Stud Coordinator Phone 027 422 3154

Ron Schroeder

North Canterbury/ Marlborough/Westland Phone 027 432 1299

From pasture to processor, venison to velvet, breeders and finishers to stud and commercial Deer farmers and genetics to buying and selling. The expertise within the PGG Wrightson Deer Specialist team could prove invaluable in the management of your Deer property. Contact your local PGG Wrighston representative today.

www.pggwrightson.co.nz

Brian Newall

South Canterbury Phone 027 595 6448

Brian Duggan

Southland Phone 027 432 4212

Brenden Johnston Otago Phone 027 241 4179

Helping grow the country

WooL

‘Keeping the mud on my boots’ The outlook for wool on the global stage is very good — according to Elders Primary Wool’s newly appointed National Wool Manager, Simon Averill, based in Napier. By his own description, he is a man with a gumboot on the farm, and another (muddy one) in the office. He has monitored wool trends closely, on and off the farm, and is confident about its future.

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

“A key influencer has been the earthquakes in Japan and Christchurch, and the flooding in Australia,” says Simon. “These imply rebuilding in major areas of the world and in markets which already use wool. This will push up demand in the foreseeable future.” In addition, thanks to initiatives such as Elders Primary Wool’s Just Shorn, and the global Campaign for Wool, top of mind awareness of wool has been reignited, he says. “Interest has also rekindled because wool is clean, green and more sustainable than alternatives. Environmental responsiveness is the world we are in now. So, as long as the New Zealand dollar stays in step with other currencies and doesn’t strengthen on its own, the New Zealand wool farmer is very well positioned to capitalise.” Simon’s appointment to the top position in Elders Primary Wool is also accompanied by the appointment of a North Island Wool Operations Manager, based in Dannevirke (Andy Coleman) and a South Island Wool Operations Manager (Mark Greenlaw) based in Christchurch. “Elders Primary Wool is enjoying a great year in wool sales, as are the farmers who sell through us. In the past five years, we estimate we have grown from around 5% of market share to over 30%. We believe our strengths lie in the fact we have maintained wool stores locally and have a local presence in both the South and North Islands. With 10 wool stores around New Zealand, wool can be dropped off without much freight involved, and local people are working in our stores. They know local conditions and local farmers.

SHEARING MACHINE SERVICING Checking the fleece

life, both here and in the UK, and is himself technically highly skilled in wool production and classing. He began his working life as a wool classer, doing a Diploma through Massey University at the same time and even working in a wool scour for a season. Later, he spent 10 years as a wool rep for Williams and Kettle, moving into management finance.

Of Simon’s appointment, Stu Chapman, Chairman of Elders Primary Wool said: “Simon’s appointment is our vote of total confidence in his ability to encourage the company’s growth, and continue its focus on adding value to farming.”

R.D. SERVICES Ray Dunick

Ph: 03 322 7486 Mob: 0274 444 632

With a keen interest in farming (his wider family farms in the area), Simon still retains a handful of his own clients. “Dealing with farmers and understanding what they think is essential to my new role,” he says. “I am going to keep the mud on my boots.”

MOBILE SHEEP SERVICES

RATA

Barrie Sorenson (Manager) 027 759 4808 or 03 310 6244

Simon has been in the wool and farming businesses all his

Consign your wool with Contact a PGG Wrightson Wool representative today: Doug McKay

Peter McCusker Rob Lynskey

Dave Parsons

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Ph: 027 432 4926

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Simon joined Elders five years ago, working first as Regional Manager for Gisborne East Coast and more recently as Area Sales Manager for Hawke’s Bay. Wool is a business he calls ‘essentially a people business’ backed by a team who provide specialist advice.

“In the past year, Elders Primary Wool has been stable, determined and focused, in what has proven to be 12 months of tumult amongst the wool industry, as businesses have come and gone. I’m looking forward to a year of growth with the team. We have good reps on • Crutching • Electro-Dipping •Tagging the road who are technically • Drenching • Tailing • Vaccinating very sound and skilled in wool. Sheep welfare (fly strike & foot rot) & general farm work - fencing etc In addition, Elders Primary Wool has definitely benefitted by With our conveyor applications, 2 stand crutching units & Prattley having a 50% shareholder that’s yard hire we can help whether you have 6 or 6000 sheep a farmer co-operative — Primary Book in for tailing now and go in the draw Wool Co-operative. People have to win 2 x 40kg tux energy dog biscuits told us they are looking for a coop which will share profit with them, and they’ve found it with the independent Primary Wool Stock Handling Services Ltd Co-operative. It has low cost Call Dennis Cullen on structures and is a joint owner of the procurement and marketing 027 392 6651 of Just Shorn.”

Freephone 0800 946 000

September 2011

Helping grow the country

WOOL BUYERS Providing direct wool links from farm to user with a low cost marketing pipeline

TO DISCUSS YOUR REQUIREMENTS, ON FARM - IN YOUR SHED: Rakaia River North - Don Kars 0274 500 769 Rakaia River South - Gavin Crump 0274 316 555 Email: kaiapoi@hdfarmdirect.co.nz Website: www.hdfarmdirect.co.nz

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September 2011

LEADING FARM MACHINERY SPECIALISTS

Centre for Wildlife Management and Conservation to take pest management and conservation to next level The centre will focus research efforts on delivering a suite of ‘next generation tools’. These are to protect native animals and plants from mammalian pests, improve ways to conserve threatened species, and better equip people to deliver and use the tools and techniques available. “We can increase recovery of native biodiversity in New Zealand by developing new, effective and humane tools and techniques. We need groundbreaking, targeted tools as New Zealand’s pest problems are complex. By drawing on our collective expertise, we can help reverse the decline of our iconic native species such as kiwi, and reduce the economic, environmental and cultural impacts of invasive pests,” says Professor Charles Eason, Director of the Centre for Wildlife Management and Conservation.

A key research theme at the centre is around pest control and toxins. Research will look at ‘low residue’ and more humane toxin advancement, pest control without toxins, advanced animal monitoring systems, linking communities for improved pest control, and delivery of local eradication and low population densities of multiple pests programmes. “The centre is a great example of applied scientific research providing new practical solutions,” says Dr Peter John, Director of Research & Commercialisation at Lincoln University. “By linking professors through to postgraduate students and technicians in fields as diverse as animal ecology, wildlife management, pharmacology, toxicology and design engineering, we are creating new science thinking

and innovations that will make a real difference to our country.” Several new technologies aimed at suppressing introduced predators such as possums, rats and stoats were profiled at the opening. The new toxin PAPP (para-aminopropiophenone), the first toxin to be registered for animal pest control for 30 years and the only one with welfare as a primary consideration was launched at the event as was PredaSTOP, for stoat control. PAPP was developed collaboratively, the research through to commercialisation process was overseen by Professor Charles Eason from Lincoln University, Dr Elaine Murphy from the Department of Conservation and Duncan MacMorran of Connovation Ltd to further extend the boundaries of toxin control. The PAPP toxin was approved by the Environmental Protection

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Agency in March 2011 and registered by the New Zealand Food Standards Authority in April 2011. Other control and monitoring tools in the pipeline include sodium nitrite for possum control and resetting multi-kill delivery systems that have the potential to be more speciesspecific, long-lasting and costeffective than traditional baits and extend the range of costeffective ground control. “Effective and sustained control of animal pests is essential. For the development of new devices to work we need a solid understanding of the targets. All species of pests have different characteristics, use different habitats, have different food preferences and behave in different ways,” says Dr Helen Blackie, Associate Director of the Centre for Wildlife Management and Conservation. Armed with solid research Dr Blackie and design teams are turning the behaviours of pests against themselves with a resettable toxin delivery system for stoats. Stoats move through tunnels and are sprayed with PAPP, the devices then reset for the next stoat. Tunnels can be left out for 12 months or more without servicing, potentially killing hundreds of stoats. Other self-setting traps under development include versions for rats and possums. Research on species recognition technology, which enables a kiwi to be distinguished from a possum for example, will allow even more targeted delivery of toxins for pests. The technology can also be used to monitor threatened species.

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September 2011

Spring growing season approaching!!

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Lifestyle Tractors & Machinery Ltd Tel. 03 347 4956 Email. tractors@lifestyletractors.co.nz Web. www.lifestyletractors.co.nz

FARM, LIFESTYLE & VITICULTURE EQUIPMENT SPECIALISTS SALES + SPARES + SERVICE + HIRE + FINANCE

NEW MACHINERY IN STOCK HUSTLER chainless bale feeders FREE spot sprayer & $500 vouchers AITCHISON 8122 direct drill c/w disc openers Special SPRAYERS; C-Dax, Silvan - full range for farm, ATV & Horticulture KRONE mowers and balers, top German quality at excellent prices Indent deals now AITCHISON direct drill, new, 16 run ‘T’ boot Special $10,995 KINGHITTER & HYDRORAMMER hydraulic post drivers from $5,300 HOOPER & LYNDON chain and leaf harrows for farmers and lifestylers from $465 FERTILISER SPREADERS; C-Dax, Vogal, Aitchison, full range from $1,575 RATA silage grabs, bale forks, bale handlers, trailing grain feeders from $1,270 RZ 11 tine chisel plough c/w spring releases & depth wheels $19,500 DUNCAN Mk 4 renovators and Duncan eco drills IN STOCK NOW BERENDS 12’ chisel plough - simple and robust $6,000 SHIBAURA & EUROLEOPARD tractors, 25-60hp from $20,000 EXTRA SPECIAL PRICES ON GENERATORS Phone now for a price RZ multidisc 3m, c/w packer, excellent stubble machine DEMO NOW $17,500 USED MACHINERY IN STOCK HEENAN ATV trailing round bale feeder, V/G order $4,950 REID & GRAY 10’ wheel controlled discs, near new blades $5,950 DUNCAN Renovator Mk III single box c/w discs & rear drawbar, ex cond arriving HOOPER 30’ bush & bog discs, very good condition $6,500 SHIBAURA SX 24 Sub-compact tractor $15,500 SIMBA 3B 30’ offset discs, new blades $28,750 HOOPER 30” 7 aside B&B discs, ex cond, new blades $15,500 BERTI TSB 250 mulcher mower, top order $9,250 GILTRAP 16 cum side feed wagon $29,500 RATA 18’ 203 centre fold, as new $11,750 TAEGE 2 bale trailing feeder, very good order $8,250 ROBERTSON super combi c/w forks & bin preparing Prices Exclude GST

LARGE RANGE OF HIRE EQUIPMENT - Phone for a list

53 Main Road Amberley

North Canterbury Suzuki Dealer Markham Street, Amberley

03 314 8213

Phone 03 314 8121

BUY U THIS UY

HONDA HO NDA AND GET THIS

Muck Spreader For Hire

MOWERS

FROM

KEA TRAILER FOR $150 *

+FREE $199 A V Vest AT $99 A ATV Helmet

Offer available vailable on; TRX420FPA PPA $13,330+GST.T.T TRX420FPM $12,975+GST.T.T TRX420FM $12,445+GST.T.T *$150+GST. T. Offfer valid until 31 July 2011. T Cannot be substituted for cash or discount. Kea trailer model K434

Rangiora Motorcycles 10 Albert St Ph 03 313 4593 Kevin a/h 027 4361 974 www.rangioramotorcycles.co.nz

ZERO TURN $6,US5GS9T0 PL

NEW

Bunnings 10 Tonne Spreader Vertical Rotars and Slurry Door 2.3 metre Muck Rake with Euro Hitch Available for Dry Hire or Full Service

MADE IN USA

Ideal for Pig or Chicken Manure, COMPOST, Greenwaste Calfshed and Dairyshed Cleanouts

22HP 42” / 27HP 48” USA MADE / LOW NZ PRICE FULL RANGE AVAILABLE

Ph 03 312 9440

0800 38 44 50

September 2011

Outdoors with Ironman 4x4 Taking on the outdoors may be just the thing you need this summer to get you away from the stresses of work and a busy life. Ironman 4x4 have a range of products to make camping and exploring the outdoors that much easier and fun.

Rooftop Tent and Awning The luxury rooftop tent has a number of features including a raised “climate cover” flysheet to control temperature and reduce condensation, a pop up window awning and flyscreen windows, all made from a premium quality waterproof, breathable ripstop material.

Included with the tent is the annex to enclose the area out to the side of the vehicle. Once installed on the vehicle it takes only a matter of minutes to set up and pack away! Also available form Ironman 4x4 is the instant awning. This is made from a waterproof, breathable ripstop material with 100% UV protection and mould resistance. Guy ropes and pegs are included and being retractable, it is quick to erect with strong self standing extendable aluminium legs. The Annex mounts directly to most roof racks and measures 2.0m long by 2.5m wide and a room enclosure is available. It only takes a matter of minutes to set up and is perfect as shelter from the sun or rain.

The smooth finish internal cabinet offers the ultimate protection for the cooling lines and is hygienic and easy to clean and comes with a super bright LED light with low power draw and no radiated heat. The digital control panel is recessed and has easily adjustable temperature control. The Ironman Ice Cube Fridge/Freezers are designed to operate on 12/24 Volt or 100-240 Volt systems making it ideal for camping, 4WDing and caravaning. The electronically controlled Danfoss compressor has a cooling capacity of -18°C and can be used as a fridge or freezer. The Ironman Ice Cube have a low current draw (0.7Ah/ hour at ambient temp. of 20°C and interior temp. of 5°C) and comes with a 5 year compressor and 3 year component warranty.

ICE CUBE Fridge/ Freezers

The rooftop tent floor is made from light weight aluminium and is insulated. To aid a good night sleep, it comes complete with a luxury 65mm high density foam mattress.

While in the outdoors it is important to keep those drinks and food items cool and that’s where the Ironman ICE CUBE range of Fridge /Freezers come into play.

Access is via a retractable aluminium ladder with the entrance under cover to keep you dry on those wet days. When set up the tent measures 1.4m wide by 2.4m long and 1.3m high and can easily be set up coming complete with tools and instructions. When being transported the tent is covered by a rugged 1000D waterproof PVC “on car” cover.

With 3 in the range (30, 40 and 50 litre options) there is one for the small to big users. The Ice Cube Fridge/Freezers uses the latest Danfoss BD-35F Compressor. Made with high quality CFC-free Polyurethane Foam Insulation, it is durable enough to endure the harshest of conditions and temperatures whilst staying cool. The large capacity of the 50 litre will hold up to an impressive 72 x 375ml cans.

Don’t forget the range of other products made by Ironman 4x4 for letting you get to those fishing, hunting and camping spots. These include suspension upgrades, bullbars and winches, recovery gear, driving lights and snorkels. For a full range or further information visit our website www.ironman4x4.co.nz or phone 0508 IRONMAN.

THE POWER TO GO ANYWHERE! Ironman Winch / Airbag Compatible Bull Bars

Recovery Kits

Black Commercial

• Australian designed & Engineered • Competition style solenoid • Wireless Remote • 3 year warranty • FREE Damper Blanket

9500lb

$1350 Deluxe Commercial

$999

12,000lb

$1099

Protector

SMALL KIT includes • 9m x 8000kg snatch strap • 2 x 4.7t bow shackles • 4.7t recovery point • Leather gloves & kit bag

Hand Winch • 1600kgs & 2500kg pull • Corrosion free body • Heavy duty carry bags

$1580

LARGE KIT includes • 9m x 8000kg snatch strap • 20m x 4500kg winch extension • 3m x 12000kg tree trunk protector • 5m x 8mm drag chain • 2 x 4.7T bow shackles • Snatch block • Leather gloves & kit bag

$699

Tyre Repair Kit • • • •

Repairs without tyre removal Emergency puncture repairs Digital Tyre Gauge included Easy to use

$335

$245 Snatch Straps (Includes bag)

$1750

FORD JEEP LANDROVER MITSUBIISHI

Suspension Kits From

$990

• • • •

8000kg

$147

11000kg

$68 $108

MAXI Exhaust Jack

$75

• • • •

igher air intake for safe water crossings H Increased airflow for improved performance High quality polyethlene (LLPDE) UV resistant for long life

$350

4.2t lifting capacity 750mm lifting height Essential recovery item Includes carry bags

$299

Suspension Lift Kits TOYOTA HOLDEN NISSAN SUZUKI MAZDA

• 72L per minute pressure • 150PSI max pressure • Thermal overload protection • 3-year warranty

High Lift Jack • • • •

48” High Lift jack 1050 lifting capacity Includes Carry bag Complies to ASNZ2693:2003

$199

Prices exclude GST, Fitting and Freight. Prices are subject to change without notice TERRAQUIP NZ LTD 176 Waterloo Road, Hornby, Christchurch 8042 Telephone: (03) 349 0037

Mobile: 027 296 2346 Email: vince@terraquip.co.nz

Stewart Farming & Recreation 225-229 Hilton Highway Washdyke, Timaru Telephone: 03 684 7967

TOLL FREE - 0508 IRONMAN (0508 4766626)