2022SPRINGRealFarmer Ruralco toprocesselectionachancehaveyoursay Instore Days success attributed to camaraderie and great deals A greenbluelegacysustainableoutoftheandintothe Farmer recognition and Your“Farmers.behindappreciationRuralco’sWe’veGotBack”campaignSPRING2022Paddocktoyarn
Our “Farmers. We’ve Got Your Back” campaign was launched at Instore Days and has met with great support from both our farmers and our suppliers and in this issue, we hear from Ruralco Chair, Jessie Chan about what’s behind this important campaign. We also reflect on the success of the recent Instore Days, with a great turnout of members at our stores, along with an increasing number of farmers from across the country choosing to access the great deals online from the comfort of their own homes. We’d also like to take this opportunity to congratulate our Instore Days major prize winners, Mid-Canterbury farmers Graham and Jane Thomas who won the Honda Pioneer 520 and Andrew Donaldson who won the $10,000 House of Travel voucher, along with all of the many other Ruralco members who took away great Instore Days prizes. I would like to thank everybody who supported us during Instore Days from our members who participated in store or online throughout the country, to our suppliers who provided great deals and real value for our members.
From GrouptheCEO
ON THE COVER: Prue and Paul Ensor, who have teamed up with other South Island farmers on a mission to create a unique clothing line “Hemprino” that challenges the world of fast fashion.
In this issue we meet South Island farmers, Siobhan O’Malley and Paul Ensor who are on a mission to create a clothing line which blends the best properties of merino and hemp creating an innovative singleblend yarn which was launched to a receptive market earlier this year.
Finding a use for fish waste products and having a vision to make United Fisheries a wholly sustainable venture was behind the Christchurch company’s decision to develop fish fertiliser 10 years ago. Today the Bio Marinus range of fertiliser can be found nationwide from cropping farms in Southland to kiwifruit orchards in Northland. We hear from those behind the fertiliser brand, and some of the end users.
Anita RichardRachelBrettAnnieBodyStudholmeHaldaneRickardRennie PHOTOGRAPHERS
TECHNICAL ARTICLES
Rob Sharkie robert.sharkie@ruralco.co.nz
TelFAR03
DISCLAIMER: Views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of Ruralco.
www.terragen.co.nzinfo@terragen.co.nzTerragenwww.sealeswinslow.co.nzTelSealeswww.pork.co.nzinfo@pork.co.nzTelNZwww.irrigationnz.co.nzadmin@irrigationnz.co.nzTelIrrigationwww.fmg.co.nzTelFMGwww.far.org.nzfar@far.org.nz34557830800366466NZ033412225Pork0800697675Winslow0800287325
Welcome to the spring edition of Real Farmer. The beginning of the new season means farmers have been busy with calving and lambing and lots of activity on farm.
Ballance Agri-Nutrients
CONTRIBUTORS
ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES: Please contact the Marketing Department on: Tel: 0800 787 marketing@ruralco.co.nz256
Annie Studholme Gina Ensor
EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES: Our team welcome your contributions, enquiries and Pleaseletters. email marketing@ruralco.co.nzto:
Tel 0800 787 TelBeefwww.ruralco.co.nzruralco@ruralco.co.nz256+Lamb0800233352 www.beeflambnz.comenquiries@beeflambnz.com Environment Canterbury Tel 0800 324 www.ecan.govt.nz636
RURALCO PO Box 433, Ashburton 7740 0800 787 www.ruralco.co.nz256
I hope this busy time has been successful and you can look forward to having a well-deserved break soon. Boil the jug and read over this season’s issue of Real Farmer where we cover a range of insights and fantastic stories from farmers and growers in the agricultural industry.
DISCLAIMER: All information contained within Real Farmer is to the best of the author’s knowledge true and accurate. Opinions expressed are those of the author and not of Ruralco. Items herein are general comments only and do not constitute or convey advice. This publication is issued as a helpful guide to cardholders. Contents SPRING 2022 Paddock to yarn 2 One canoe together for greenhouse gas solution 26 Farmer recognition and appreciation behind Ruralco’s “Farmers. We’ve Got Your Back” campaign 14 Instore Days success attributed to camaraderie and great deals 18 A sustainable legacy out of the blue and into the green 8 COVER STORY 2 Paddock to yarn 8 A sustainable legacy out of the blue and into the green 14 Farmer recognition and appreciation behind Ruralco’s “Farmers. We’ve Got Your Back” campaign 18 Instore Days success attributed to camaraderie and great deals 23 Ruralco election process a chance to have your say 26 One canoe together for greenhouse gas solution 36 Ruralco Longbeach Coastal Challenge celebrates 15 years 46 Native planting for shelter 55 AgFest creates opportunity for West Coast connections 29 Ruralco fuel continues to deliver 32 Are plant protein crops an option? 39 Check your soil’s health 45 Beef finishers and dairy farmers benefit from superior beef genetics 51 A spur of the moment decision yields top result for Ealing farmer 53 Ultimate Pasture Packs produce ultimate pastures 57 Make a plan to prevent disruption and costly irrigator damage 61 Market pressures hit free range pork farmers 62 Terragen delivering impressive improvements in animal & soil health 67 Fighting negative energy balance to secure a successful mating 69 The importance of capturing water for when we need it most49InterestTechnical Business is taking off for AG-Smart UAV AG-Smart UAV Card58Positive outcomes achieved through empowering staff financial capability 58 Introducing Frontiers of Hope 60 Instore Days 2022 Ruralco’s Most Valuable Player 60 Meet Warren 40WellbeingInesonLayersofspringLifestyle
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FARMER STORY 2 REAL FARMER
Like Siobhan, Paul thought the apparel industry had lost its way a bit in recent years. He questioned why merino wool was blended with synthetics and saw hemp fibre as a
“We are making it up as we go along,” says Siobhan. “This is just the beginning. Currently we all have a day job, but we have big plans for this company. We started with a scaled-up business plan to begin with. Our vision was always to make it a big business and we’re very excited about where we are at today. Let’s go all Allbirds.” But admittedly it’s been a journey to get to this point with many ups and downs along the way. Without each other, the pair doubt they would have got it this far. “When you reflect on the journey, if you had been doing it on your own, we probably would have given up,” says Paul. “There were many times when we wanted to throw in the towel, but because we were working together as team, you are accountable to someone else. So, we just kept chipping away at it. It makes you realise how ground on your own. The key thing was having each other to lean on. Everyone brings their own set of skills and we all feed off each other.”
As part of the Kellogg course, the participants learnt about macro trends and the worldwide switch back to natural fibres, like wool. A separate speaker talked about the merits of hemp as an environmental superfibre with benefits for both the farmer and the consumer. This got Siobhan thinking.
As Paul was the only person she knew in the wool industry, she gave him a call and he immediately jumped on board. “I thought it was an interesting idea,” he says. “It wasn’t something I had heard of. It’s always been a passion of mine to do something to get closer to the consumer and move along the value chain. It was very much a concept at that stage, but it was fun researching and developing the idea.”
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The pair first met on the Kellogg Rural Leadership course in 2018. Formerly of Mid Canterbury and now West Coast-based, dairy farmer Siobhan is a former Sharemilker of the Year and founder of charity, Meat the Need. She works full-time as a secondary school teacher, and she and her husband, Christopher, have just purchased their first dairy farm, inland from Hokitika.
Set up by two South Island farmers on a mission to create a unique clothing line that challenges the world of fast fashion, Hemprino blends the best properties of merino and hemp in an innovative single-blend yarn.
As a dairy farmer, she knew little about the fibre industry, but she wondered if it was possible to combine merino wool with hemp. A quick Google search showed that while there were plenty of businesses in New Zealand using hemp as a food source, oils and cosmetics, no-one else was blending it with wool.
ABOVE: Harriet Bell, Paul Ensor & Siobhan O’Malley BELOW: At 80 per cent merino and 20 per cent hemp, the finished garment combines attributes of both wellknown heritage fibres in perfect unison
Paul, and his wife Prue, farm at Glenaan Station up the Rakaia Gorge, having taken it over from his parents in 2004. They run about 7500 stock units with 6000 fine wool-producing merinos and an Angus beef herd. More than half their annual income comes from wool. Having inherited a fine merino flock, they have been moving toward a higher fertility polled merino flock in recent years, which retains a good fleece but has more lambs.
WORDS BY ANNIE STUDHOLME, IMAGES BY GINA ENSOR AND SUPPLIED
Three years in the making, new fashion label Hemprino is taking flight. The brainchild of farmers Siobhan O’Malley and Paul Ensor, the pair launched their first product, the all-gender charcoal “Pioneer Crew” to a receptive market earlier this year. With initial sales and interest growing from New Zealand and overseas, new styles and colours have followed, with more to come.
When they were close to having a workable product, fellow farmer and member of the same Kellogg Rural Leadership course, Harriet Bell, joined the company bringing with her much-needed sales and marketing experience.
“We wanted to have it right before we launched it. We kept iterating until we got something we were happy with. We’re onto our third iteration of the yarn, but what we have got now is really incredible. It’s something we are all very proud of,” says Paul. It is also quite unique in its appearance. “The
At the start, Paul says they tried hard to keep it under wraps, worried that someone else would beat them to market, but once they actually started talking to people about their idea, it progressed quickly. “We’ve been really lucky with those that have given us their time.” However, the process of blending merino and hemp proved much more difficult than either of them first thought. It’s very complex and takes some specialist equipment. The major challenge was finding hemp at the right quality. It’s not as consistent as merino wool. Finding that consistency of fibre and consistency of length continues to be challenging, explains Paul.
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“It is significantly more expensive to produce it here, but it was just too difficult with Covid-19,” says Siobhan. They still had a lot to learn. It wasn’t only about getting the yarn right, but also the knitting. By working together with companies here, they found there was a lot of efficiency to be gained if you could get a yarn that goes through the whole knitting machine.
great possible alternative. But before they could get too far ahead of themselves, they had to establish whether or not it was even technically possible to blend the two.
Hemprino’s unique yarn is spun in Lower Hutt with the knitting done in Auckland. At 80 per cent merino and 20 per cent hemp, the finished garment combines attributes of both well-known heritage fibres in perfect unison, harnessing the benefits of breathable, bacterial-resistant hemp, and warm, moisture-wicking merino.
ABOVE: In the future, they are also keen to use merino wool grown at Glenaan in the Hemprino production
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“Our idea was to see if it was possible to blend the two fibres first and then come up with what we could make out of the yarn,” says HavingPaul.received some invaluable mentoring from the New Zealand Merino Company (NZM) and an Agricultural and Marketing Research and Development Trust (AGMARDT) grant, after talking to Kiwi manufacturers first, the pair travelled to Shanghai, China, in August 2019 visiting two of the world’s largest wool spinners to learn more about the whole process. “Going to China was a huge adventure. They didn’t have to talk to us. It was one of the biggest companies in the world and we were essentially nobodies with this new idea, but they were extremely generous with their knowledge and their time,” says Paul. “We definitely suffered from ‘Imposter Syndrome’ along the way,” laughs Siobhan. But that naivety probably worked to their advantage at times, allowing them to come at it from a totally different angle. “A fresh approach is sometimes an advantage. We had to mix stuff up and give it a go.”
BELOW: Hemprino garments are soft on the skin, light to wear and deliciously warm but most importantly, they’ll biodegrade at the end of their life
Eventually, after 18 months, they managed to get a sample yarn out of a company in Northern Italy which they had knitted into a rough prototype jersey in Auckland. It was a start, but it still wasn’t what they envisioned. While they didn’t have much background in fashion between them, through his experience as a grower for NZM, Paul had visited many of the world’s leading manufacturers and suit makers. He had high expectations from the outset. With Covid-19 raging across the world, especially in Italy, their timing couldn’t have been worse. Hampered by constant hold-ups, they made the decision to bring the whole production back to New Zealand .
“The feedback we have received has been amazing,” says Paul. “We have had a lot of repeat sales which has been really cool. It’s the best validation that we can get.”
In the future, they are also keen to use merino wool grown at Glenaan in the Hemprino production. “It’s certainly our intent but we’ve probably used three different types of wool to date, so we’ve always been about getting the product right and then we’ll start using our own farm story as part of the product,” says Paul. “To use our own wool just would have added a level of complexity and probably slowed us down at the Theirstart.”plan had always been to launch small to gauge people’s feedback and learn as much as they can, then start expanding the range and colour ways. Since launching the Pioneer Crew in April in charcoal, they have already added a new V-neck jumper, hoodie, beanie and scarf. New colours include navy and kea green, and more will follow.
REAL FARMER 5 hemp doesn’t take up the dye like the merino does, so it’s got what they call a mélange look.” Hemprino garments are soft on the skin, light to wear and deliciously warm but most importantly, they’ll biodegrade at the end of their life. “Sustainability is something we are really huge on,” says Siobhan. “Every single part of our garment has to be biodegradable. None of us wanted to bring a business into the market that was going to do more harm to the planet. Everything from the label to the embroidery is designed to last a long time but when you’re done with it, it’s not going to end up in the landfill. There’s nothing worse than looking at those giant piles of garments in a landfill that are just never going to biodegrade. Whatever we make, it needs to ultimately be good for the planet.” But while Hemprino products are wholly made in New Zealand, the hemp fibre used so far has all been sourced out of China. It’s not what they want long-term, but Siobhan explains that New Zealand ’s hemp fibre industry is still in its infancy and to date, the focus has been on producing it for food, seed, and oil. Suitable New Zealand-grown hemp fibre isn’t available yet. In time, the company hopes that will change. “We firmly believe in hemp as an environmental super fibre. It’s part of our whole paddock to garment philosophy. It’s an incredible plant that is good for the planet and grows well in New Zealand. It’s beneficial in the soil and offers farmers diversity in crop income. Once it’s established it grows like a weed, requiring very little input. It’s our hope that in time every farmer will grow it.” To get that top quality hemp fibre also required specialist cultivars, different to those grown for oil and seed, adds Paul.
ABOVE: Hemprino launched their first product, the all-gender charcoal “Pioneer Crew” to a receptive market earlier this year. BELOW: Keeping an eye on the operation
As the Hemprino brand grows, they’re hoping the company’s success will fuel demand for locally grown hemp fibre, as well as specialist contractors to harvest it. “It’s obviously up to us to get out there and sell it so that it becomes a no brainer for farmers to grow it,” says Siobhan. “The piece that’s missing in New Zealand at the moment is actually the processing, so taking the plant that’s grown and turning it into a usable fibre for apparel, or for packaging, or insulation, there’s a huge range of Hemprinouses.” has been following agribusiness company Carrfields, which has partnered with Hemp NZ to research and develop the hemp fibre industry under a new company, New Zealand Natural Fibres. Hemprino has been in touch with them the whole way through and as soon as there is a New Zealand-produced apparel fibre, they want to be their first customer. “We are really keen to get that end-on-end New Zealand story. We’re just waiting,” she says.
Hemprino is currently only available through online sales and locally in Methven. Next, with the help of New Zealand Trade and Industry they are looking to expand into overseas markets. There is still a question of where to head to next. “It’s getting to the point where we need to make this baby fly,” says Paul. “We are ambitious. We are all farmers, and we’re about family first. From a succession planning pathway, wouldn’t it be great to see this business grow into a company our children can be part of in the future.” Head to www.hemprino.co.nz to check out the range and to learn more.
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FARMER STORY 8 REAL FARMER A intolegacysustainableoutoftheblueandthegreen
In conjunction with Smitha James, a biotechnologist, they started developing a liquid fish fertiliser that had a patented hydrolysis technology behind it that ensures the fish waste when treated maintains a high level of nutrient quality in a form that is easily delivered on farm via soluble fertiliser spray systems.
WORDS BY RICHARD RENNIE, IMAGES BY ANNIE STUDHOLME AND SUPPLIED
“A couple of ideas came out of what could be done. One was a fish meal plant, but that involved a drying process, while the other was to develop a liquid fertiliser product,” says Peter.
A fine filter of 200 microns ensures the final liquid is capable of meeting the high, specific needs of modern soluble fertiliser applicators, and being applied through a conventional spray rig. An organic acid is added to stabilise the protein and oil rich liquid fertiliser before cooling and packing.
At about the same time the company commenced research on fish fertiliser’s value to farmers and orchardists. Anecdotally the value of fish fertiliser has been well known throughout the ages, with ancient crop growing tribes basing the earliest fertilisers around fish as a base. Bio Marinus’s fertiliser treatment range includes a hydrolysed fish product and a biological one. Both have added seaweed humates, bacteria and mycorrhizae fungi. Both products are also available as “JAS” Approved, or suitable for kiwifruit growers supplying crop to Japanese agricultural standards.
The United Fisheries company is well into its second generation of family ownership in Christchurch, founded back in 1974 when fish and chip shop owner Kypros Kotzikas decided he needed a more secure, high-quality supply for his deep fried offerings. Today the firm remains a strong family affair, employing his four sons and a grandson, covering the spectrum of fish products, from air freighted fresh exports to frozen, along with shares in a Bluff oyster enterprise and Marlborough based mussel farms. But the family has had the vision and desire to make United a wholly sustainable venture, to include all aspects of company waste and product use.
REAL FARMER 9
“Typically, we might find a farmer who is moving from a synthetic fertiliser programme to using some of our product may opt for the Biological product initially, just to charge the soil back up again with those valuable fungi and bacteria,” says Smitha.
ABOVE: Biotechnologist Smitha James and United Fisheries Founder Kypros Kotzikas
Alternative methods can have lower nutrient and protein profiles because they are effectively using the liquid left over after fish meal solids are extracted, whereas this system uses all of the fish inputs,” says Smitha.
Peter Gilmore’s role as “rural sales manager” may initially appear unexpected at a fisheries company. But Peter’s presence highlights how strongly the company has pushed on with its sustainable vision over the past decade, with his role being focused on United’s fish fertiliser brand Bio Marinus.
BELOW: Peter Gilmore, Bio Marinus Rural Sales Manager with Canterbury farmer Stu Pankhurst
“The hydrolysis process has proven to be the most effective means of ensuring the nutrient levels contained within the fish are retained.
The range of fish fertilisers first developed a decade ago when Kypros wanted to find a use for the fish company’s fish waste products and began investigating the opportunities for developing a fish fertiliser. Today the Bio Marinus range of fertiliser can be found in use across the length of the country, from cropping farms in Southland to kiwifruit orchards in Northland.
Fish offal is channelled through a screw conveyor to a digestor tank where it is heated to 65ºC and hydrolysed (broken down) by plant enzymes to turn it into a liquid state.
A Christchurch family fishing company has placed one foot in the sea and another on the land with their range of sustainable fish fertilisers that are bringing the ocean to the paddock across New Zealand and beyond.
The pasture treated with the fish fertiliser also had a higher metabolisable energy value, while calcium and magnesium levels were also 10% higher in the treated pasture.
Omega 3 has been recognised for its positive benefits to heart health and blood pressure, and research work has highlighted New Zealand sourced red meat is already blessed with a good ratio of Omega 3 to saturated fatty acids.
After a disastrous over-application of compost, Mike decided to try Bio Marinus fish fertiliser, the start of what he describes as an interesting journey and lesson in soil health.
Opting for a “little often” application meant Mike switched to liquid foliar application across the farm, given the challenges of trying to apply solid fertiliser at much under 5kg per hectare.
respected farmers have started to incorporate Bio Marinus into their fertiliser regime, often starting out with a relatively small quantity and increasing application rates as they noticed distinct improvements in both soil and plant health over time.
10 REAL FARMER Bio Marinus also produces “Fish Silage” made using the same hydrolysis process to provide a high-quality fish-based feed additive that can be added to dairy or meat producing animals’ diets.
Stu is using Bio Marinus in varying concentrations as a spray application, depending on what stage the crop is at, including 20 litres a hectare when doing a crop breakdown.
“And today we are seeing a lot more farmers applying fertilisers as liquids, making Bio Marinus an easy product to incorporate into your fertiliser treatment, even starting out at relatively low rates.” Stu Pankhurst’s pathway to Bio Marinus is typical of this.
United’s early small-scale studies done in conjunction with Lincoln University demonstrated the benefits of the fertiliser being developed by the company. The researchers concluded from the trials the application of the fish-based fertiliser delivered an increase in dry matter production when applied with liquid urea, despite the urea content being only two thirds of that in the urea-only treatments.
The trial feeding the Bio Marinus fish silage compared favourably with research also done in the United States demonstrating that cattle fed diets with specialised Omega 3 supplements could have an elevated level of the fatty acid. Similarly, the Bio Marinus supplement supported this in the results.
For Stu Bio Marinus fish fertiliser was not something he had a sudden conversion to, rather a slow evolution as he has adjusted the family’s cropping operation over the years to reduce its environmental footprint and go easier on the soils.
“But we have seen in the last three to four years, the market has really shifted, particularly here in Canterbury as a result of changes to nitrogen usage, shifts in fertiliser costs and farmer Heattitudes.”saysmore
Peter freely admits the early days were tough getting the Bio Marinus into a market dominated by conventional thinking and products when it came to farm fertiliser.
“Really, what we have done is move from being focused upon the crop, to focusing on the soil and soil Farminghealth.”on light Lismore soil country west of Rolleston, he has always had to be conscious of preserving topsoil and minimising compaction.
Selwyn dairy farmers Mike and Georgia Dewhirst arrived in Canterbury from Northland in the early 90s and over time witnessed practices around nitrogen use ramping up, to the point 300kg of N a hectare was accepted.
But a decade ago the couple started reviewing their use of synthetic fertilisers on their 1,850 cow operation and investigating alternatives as their sense of responsibility about farming alongside the Selwyn River grew.
Stu doesn’t own a plough and a min-till approach dominates the cultivation, with direct drilling, and allowing straw to break down post-harvest, with molasses, Bio Marinus and liquid N mix applied to feed soil micro-organisms.
“I needed to change the settings in my mind about using fertiliser like synthetic N to grow grass to giving support-food for soil biology, to multiply the biological workforce in the soil leading to increased grass production,” says Mike.
After several years of applying Bio Marinus, Mike and Georgia have noticed grass dry matter has
LEFT & ABOVE: The firm covers the spectrum of fish products, from air freighted fresh exports to frozen, along with shares in a Bluff oyster enterprise and Marlborough based mussel farms
The milk from a herd of dairy cows fed Bio Marinus had an increase in Omega 3 from three to ten times with the Fish Silage addition to their diet, with no sign of milk taint. When fed to milking sheep a similar trend was observed, presenting a valuable marketing option for the pasture-based milking systems.
The research work also discovered another benefit of using Bio Marinus as stock feed additive in the form of the company’s “Fish Silage” product, delivered an elevation in valuable Omega 3 levels of milk and meat.
“We really farm very differently now even compared to 10 years ago, it’s something not everyone outside of farming appreciates, I don’t think.”
“It’s been a gradual recognition for us, we have just built more and more into our fertility programme, and it’s gone well.”
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For the first time this year Stu is not using insecticide on crops, including brassica seed crops, and attributes better plant health and resilience to better disease and insect resistance.
“We started using Bio Marinus as a crop spray oil, it was a cheaper alternative to the conventional crop oils, but then we started seeing other benefits over time, plant health looked better, plants seemed more vigorous.”
The entire mixed cropping operation now runs on a liquid fertiliser programme, with both conventional fertiliser and Bio Marinus used together.
Mike says the couple are looking forward to working with their sharemilker Andrew Lapping to monitor the outcomes which will be measured against cow numbers, farm working expenses, supplements, grass quality and nutrient applications.
There was also an increase in pasture volunteer species and pasture density. For the Dewhirsts the move to alternative fertiliser is also to prove a point amid the growing call to reduce cows in the Selwyn catchment, and they intend to monitor results on a farm system that will tread more lightly on the environment to respond to that call.
REAL FARMER 11 increased by 35–40%, compared to 12–18% in the past, and regardless of the time of year. “Grass length remained the same as other years by the plate meter, but cows were satisfied with less grass,” he says.
Peter and Smitha are excited by the prospect of further research they are just about to embark on with Lincoln University. This involves building on earlier work started a decade ago that indicated methane reduction of almost a third occurred when the fish-based product was fed to sheep.
Using the latest methane measuring chambers, scientists will be able to determine the effect of including Fish Silage more accurately as a supplement, and how much the Bio Marinus product could play a role in the race to help reduce New Zealand farming’s emissions profile.
“We have got our process to a human-grade level now, with fish bones having a ratio of calcium to phosphorus that is ideal for human consumption. We have developed a large market in Asia and United States where our NutriZing supplement is doing well.”
ABOVE: “Really, what we have done is move from being focused upon the crop, to focusing on the soil and soil health” says Stu Pankhurst
The ability to use significantly fewer synthetic products has a knock on effect, with less to keep the numbers down on the ones having the impact on the crops.
Topsoil depth has also increased, with roots growing down as much as a metre, greater soil friability and worm populations increasing from 2–3 worms per spade to 40-plus, with a notable reduction in grass grub and porina infestations.
The company has also developed a valuable human supplement market with the last remaining parts of the fish waste—the bones.
“Our purpose is to produce independently verified information from our working model to disempower the voice and narrative arguing about ‘dirty dairying’,” says Mike. Using Bio Marinus has enabled the couple to impose some limitations on their operation, including no synthetic nitrogen use, no herbicides, or insecticides as per their policy for the past five years and no PKE, grain or supplement crops to be used.
“We have farmers reporting their crops are proving to be generally healthier and more robust, holding up well to disease and insects and meaning they are able to use significantly less herbicides, insecticides and pesticides on them.”
“And in the past year with the cost of both fertilisers and sprays really surging, farmers are keen to consider other options that may be around. If they can cut down even one pass with the tractor, that is in itself a major savings these days. Ninety nine percent of farmers who try it will stick with it.”
With some farmers including Mike and Stu now having several years of Bio Marinus use under their belts, Peter is receiving more feedback on the longer-term cost benefits using the products is delivering.
“Research does take a long time and is expensive, but we also find the best evidence lies with farmers who are using it and are happy to talk about the success they have enjoyed with it—there is nothing making them choose it, but they keep coming back to it,” says Peter.
BELOW: Using the latest methane measuring chambers, scientists will be able to determine the effect of including Fish Silage more accurately as a supplement, and how much the Bio Marinus product could play a role in the race to help reduce New Zealand farming’s emissions profile
For United Fisheries the ability to turn the company’s entire fish inputs into valuable, health-giving supplements either for people or for the soil has fulfilled Kypros Kotzikas’ vision to continue treading lightly on the planet while providing a valuable legacy for family, and job opportunities for his valued staff.
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“Farmers.
“The “Farmers. We’ve Got Your Back” campaign is a way for Ruralco to give back and promote what we as farmers do. There is a story to tell around the whole country and Ruralco wants to inspire the industry to share that story. We share the same ideals and understand our shareholders’ expectation of us as a co-operative—that we are their business and as such, we are supportive of them. We want to start the campaign, but ultimately, we would like it to be an industry and nationwide movement.” It’s envisaged the “Farmers. We’ve Got Your Back” campaign will run for at least a year to build momentum, but probably longer as suppliers and industry players come on board.
The campaign is about changing these perceptions and about sharing the positive, so farming gets the kudos it deserves.
Farming communities are very diverse in their makeup and their farming practices; they are thriving in a good way, and we need to start telling those stories.”
To find out more about “Farmers. We’ve Got Your Back” and how you can embrace the campaign and become involved, visit www.ruralco.co.nz/gotyourback
Ruralco hopes that by providing awareness and momentum the campaign will grow to have legs of its own in the future.
Farmers strive to look after all three but can be painted in a bad light by those without full knowledge of how we actually farm in New Zealand.”
There’s a real danger of that occurring again.”
Weighty compliance, red tape, and feeling vilified have the potential to drive the next generation away from farming. “It’s a worry when commodities are so good, but farmers’ confidence is low. We don’t want to lose a generation as we did in the 1980s when times were tough for farmers and the next generation didn’t want to take up farming opportunities.
The campaign was launched at Instore Days in July, and it has already gained plenty of positive feedback from farmers and suppliers to our Ruralco Card and stores, with several asking how they can be involved.
“There are lots of good news stories out there.
INTEREST
Farmer recognition and appreciation behind Ruralco’s We’ve Got Your Back” campaign
“Part of the campaign is to give some respect back to farmers because they are not feeling valued at the moment,” says Jessie. This is often because of the negative perception of farming, fuelled by misinformation that some parts of society including Government think farmers are destroying the environment and so there should be a regime of strict regulation and compliance. “Farming is actually about continuous improvement and outcomes for the environment, our animals, and our people.
14 REAL NationwideINTERESTFARMERappreciation and recognition for the hard mahi put in by our farmers on a daily basis is the ultimate aim of a newly launched campaign by Ruralco.
Ruralco Chair, Jessie Chan says it is an important initiative because farmers should be recognised and thanked, especially since the onset of Covid. “We have come through because of our primary sector and that’s not been fully acknowledged. It has come about because of the hard mahi done by our farmers and they need encouragement and a thank you. It’s what’s kept us (the country) going and I think we need to remind the rest of New Zealand what farmers have done.” Research carried out with farmers found they wanted a voice for advocacy, and Ruralco had to decide what its place would be in that scenario. There’s already a lot of great advocacy work being carried out nationally, and the campaign isn’t about replacing that great work; it is about Ruralco demonstrating its loyalty to farmers and their contribution and about improving the perception the general population has of farmers, says Jessie. “We are all in this together—instead of vilifying our farmers we should be working together to find ways for all New Zealanders to prosper.”
WORDS BY ANITA BODY “Farmers. We’ve Got Your Back” evolved following Ruralco conducted farmer research which identified farmers wanted to be acknowledged as part of the New Zealand Inc community alongside urban counterparts and recognised for all that farming offers—jobs, food security, adding to the export value of our economy, and as stewards of our natural environment for generations.
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Fantastic camaraderie, lots of deals being done, and great attendance rates were a winning formula for an excellent Ruralco Instore Days according to Ruralco CEO Rob Sharkie.
Gaining the Runner Up placing was a good way for Hynds Rural to follow up their category win last year. Marketing and Project Co-ordinator, Candace Moir said it was always challenging to display the concrete products Hynds was well known for, but the knowledge and enthusiasm of the team certainly made up for that. “Hynds is a family-owned business, which aligns really well with Ruralco.
Winners, BA Pumps & Sprayers is another New Zealand owned company which specialises in manufacturing and designing all its products from its manufacturing facility in Cambridge. Territory Manager, Adrian McAllister says the business has a long-term relationship with Ruralco, having attended a number of Instore Days. “It’s good for ideas and having discussions leading up to our busy time, with spring just around the success attributed to camaraderie and great deals
WORDS BY ANITA BODY AND IMAGES BY ANNIE STUDHOLME AND RURALCO Well over 2,000 people attended the two-day event at Ruralco’s Ashburton store, with around 90 suppliers in attendance sharing their industry knowledge and expertise with local farmers. “A big thank you goes out to the Ashburton community for their support of this event. While it can be a bit disruptive with the extra traffic and pressure on parking, Instore Days is great for the town, with plenty of increased retail activity. The hospitality sector also gets a boost with more visitors staying and eating in Ashburton,” says Rob. Recent years have also seen an increase in Ruralco’s online presence, and this year many local, and not so local farmers took advantage of the specially negotiated Instore Days pricing from the comfort of their own homes. The first online transaction was recorded at 12.45am on the first day of Instore Days, and online orders were placed from all over the South Island, and from some North Island locations.
Hard work certainly pays off and it is great to be recognised for that.”
“It’s my first time here and it has been great to see new customers and to have the opportunity to speak about our brand.” The Ashburton based business specialises in 4WD and outdoor adventure and has only been operating since May last year. “Ashburton’s a great place for 4WD and farming, and we saw a gap in the market so decided to give it a go. We’ve seen a big increase in interest over the last few months as awareness of the business takes off. Instore Days and partnering with Ruralco has certainly helped.”
That family theme was also evident in the comments from both the winner and the runner up in the Best Site Retail category.
“Planning will get underway soon for next year’s event, which will be the 29th Instore Days occurring in the co-operatives 60th year of business—definitely a cause for celebration,” says Rob. Also celebrating following this year’s Instore Days, were the Best Site winners in both the Retail and Partner categories. Judges for the Partner category and Ruralco Directors, Andrew Barlass and Sir David Carter described the standard of sites as superb, and were particularly impressed with the winner, Superutes 4x4—a first time siteholder at Instore Days. Runner up, Hynds Rural, were commended on their enthusiasm and expertise, recognising concrete products can be difficult to display in a marquee.
The win for Superutes 4x4 was a great way to cap off Nick Moore’s first Instore Days.
INTEREST 18 REAL FARMER Instore Days
REAL FARMER 19 corner. Forward planning is always important and being here allows for having good conversations about what we can achieve.” Judges for the Best Site Retail, Shannon Munro, and Brian McFelin, praised BA Pumps & Spraying for the way they displayed their site along with their engaging interactions, while it was the passion for their product that impressed the judges in awarding the Runner Up prize to Summit Steel and Wire.
BEST SITE – PARTNER Winner: SuperUtes 4x4 Runner Up: Hynds Rural BEST SITE – RETAIL Winner: BA Pumps & Sprayers Runner Up: Summit Steel & Wire OUTSTANDING INSTORE DAYS ADVOCATE Stocker Solutions ABOVE: Ruralco Directors Sir David Carter & Andrew Barlass presenting SuperUtes 4x4 Nick Moore with the 2022 Best Site - Partner award BELOW LEFT: Ruralco Chair Jessie Chan & Ruralco CEO Rob Sharkie presenting Stocker Solutions Shane Stocker with the Outstanding Instore Days Advocate prize BELOW: Ruralco Group Manager Farm Supplies Jono Pavey presenting BA Pumps & Sprayers Adrian McAllister with the 2022 Best Site - Retail award
Summit Steel & Wire Territory Manager, Mark O’Keefe describes Instore Days as being a privilege to attend. “It puts us amongst the best suppliers in their respective fields, and it’s one of our favourite events to attend. The Ruralco team put so much effort into it and we are always made to feel welcome.” He says the New Zealand owned company which has its manufacturing plant in Christchurch, shares Ruralco’s values and philosophy, especially around how we engage with our customers. “We welcome any opportunity to fly the Summit Steel flag and talk to the end-user about who we are and what we do. We are people selling to people—it’s about finding the best solutions.” In addition to the usual site winner prizes, there was also a special Outstanding Instore Days Advocate award presented to Ashburton based, Stocker Solutions. While a long-standing Instore Days attendee, Shane and Cheryl Stocker made the decision to promote the event at their premises this year, literally rolling out the red carpet and putting gazebos up in their carpark. “It’s the first time we have done this, and we saw it as an opportunity to showcase all of our products, which are a bit big for the Ruralco site, and as a way to involve all of our staff.”
20 REAL FARMER Len & Barbara Murdoch $250 Ruralco Voucher B J & M A Stock Limited $100 Ruralco Gift Hamper M R Seyb & M F King $3,500 travel voucher for theroadtrip.co.nz Peter Swann Ironman Portable Solar Panel Kit RURALCO EllaCOMPETITION:COLOURINGJaneCocks Winner age 8–11 years Clyde Carr Runner up age 8–11 years Angus Moore Winner age 4–7 years Evie Mcilwaine Runner up age 4–7 years Rosa Fields Limited Weber smokefire pellet BBQ valued over $2,799 P A Lowe Deane family pack O’Connell Dairy Ltd Deane family pack K A Hurst & F E Mackenzie S T & C J Bell Limited Arranlea Farm Ltd Grajan Farm Limited I H & S J Marr M A Bruce All inclusive hosted tour around the Summit Steel factory T R & M E Burgess Chainsaw Blackford Farming Ltd Chainsaw R H & S C Duncan 2022 Honda EU22i – Generator M C Loe Honda 2021 LawnmowersHPM18 Springwood Farm Ltd Honda 2021 LawnmowersHPM18 Van Der Salm Farming Ltd Gallagher M6000I Energizer Deebury Pastoral Maronan Gallagher M6000I Energizer Fairfax Stonehouse Farm Ltd Gallagher M6000I Energizer Andrew & Clare Quigley, Waimanu Dairy Queenstown Trip Lynmoor Farming Co Limited $1,000 Gift Card Pencarrow Farm Limited $1,000 Gift Card M A Wightman $500 PlaceMakers Gift Card Willoughby Farms 200kg of MinMax E J & A M Kiser 100kg of MinMax $10,000 Every $250 spent during the month of June and up until 10 July gave members an opportunity to accumulate entries to go in the draw, with over 95,000 entries received for this year’s big Instore Days prizes. GRAHAM & JANE THOMAS GRAJAN FARMS ANDREWPUNAWAIDONALDSONPASTURE RRP $20,119 HOUSE$10,000OFTRAVELVOUCHER2022 PIONEERHONDA520 Congratulations to the winners of this year’s Instore Days major prizes
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INTEREST Ruralco election process a chance to have your say
The upcoming Ruralco Board election process is an important time for all shareholders to have their say on oversight of the co-operative and how it moves forward.
“The election process is essential to ensure we have good shareholder engagement,” says Ruralco Chair, Jessie Chan. “As a co-operative, our shareholders own the business, which means it is their business and they need to have a say. This election process determines how we retain our control of the co-operative.”
Nomination forms are available to download from our website www.ruralco.co.nz/agm or call our team on 0800 787 256, or collect from your local store in either Ashburton, Methven or Rakaia or the Head Office at 98 Burnett Street, Ashburton.
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IMAGE: Jessie Chan, Ruralco Chair
The Board has oversight of the business and sets the vision and purpose. “This should reflect what the shareholders need. It is also responsible for ensuring financial and fiduciary obligations are met along with good decision making for the future of the business,” says Jessie. Being a director also creates the opportunity to give back or contribute in a meaningful way to the wider community.
This year the Directors up for rotation are Jessie Chan and Tony Coltman, with Jessie indicating she will not be seeking re-election, while Tony has indicated he will be seeking re-election. Nominations are currently open, and close at 5.30pm Wednesday 12 October 2022. The election will take place at this year’s 59th Annual General Meeting which will be held on Wednesday 23 November 2022 in ThisAshburton.isanexciting time to join Ruralco’s highly professional and experienced Board of Directors. The calibre and capability of the Board is extremely high, and it is a place where experienced directors can thrive and help to shape the strategic direction of a growing business.
“It is important that people engage in the process, both through nominations for Directors and through the voting process. We need as many shareholders as possible to vote and exercise their right to have their say.”
Currently the Board is made up of five farmer-elected Directors (Jessie, Kate Acland, Andrew Barlass, Sir David Carter, and Tony Coltman), and two independent Directors (Sue Lindsay and Brent Wheeler) who are appointed by the Board. As per the co-operative rules, all elected Directors are on a threeyear rotation, which means there is always an opportunity for new Director nominations. Jessie believes there are many talented people within the Ruralco co-operative. “We have plenty of people who have good governance and business experience, and I am confident we have the talent out there.”
WORDS BY ANITA BODY
While there are currently some skill sets which are desirable, such as experience in finance or digital technology, the ability to appoint independent Directors has provided the opportunity to make appointments for specific tasks or junctions which has worked really well to ensure all knowledge bases are covered.
“Our Board has been celebrated for its diversity, and I think that comes from the varying range of skills and backgrounds that we have attracted to the Board. There is no one single profile which ticks the box, it is about thought diversity—we make better decisions if we think from different angles and that in turn enhances the outcomes for the co-operative,” says Jessie.
This year Ruralco are also seeking a new independent Director to replace Brent Wheeler who will be finishing his term at this AGM.
While there are no specific skills mandated for prospective Directors, it is highly recommended that they have a background in governance and business, they are critical thinkers, team players, and have a real passion for the Ruralco co-operative and a desire to continue driving it forward. “It’s also great to have an inter-generational view so we can also look forward and ask the questions around what the next generation wants from their Itco-operative.”isnotacaseof new directors cutting their teeth on the Ruralco Board, with the Board having a substantial history of professionalism and expertise rivalling other high-profile boards of directors around the country.
Ruralco and Meridian have joined forces to station at Ashburton store site. from Burnett Street new EV charging station provides points stations site.
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via two charging
Our is working together
install an electric charging
The 22kW AC chargers will be available free of charge for the first 12 months. 0800 787 RURALCO.CO.NZ256 ChargingFree * T&CS APPLY
Ruralco’s
REAL FARMER 25RURALCOENERGY
One canoe together for greenhouse gas solution
To have been included in the ETS scheme would have resulted in farmers’ methane and nitrous oxide emissions being lumped in a regime based on a totally different gas, one that lasts longer in the atmosphere and bears little relation to the gases livestock emit.
The HWEN umbrella group comprises of 13 partners and 10 primary sector organisations and iwi groups from across the agricultural sector. Its leaders were given the unenviably difficult task of trying to develop an agreed upon alternative to the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) for measuring and incentivising the reduction of agricultural greenhouse gases.
The result is New Zealand has a greenhouse gas emissions profile quite different to most developed countries.
In late June New Zealand farmers got a clearer idea of just how they may be expected to deal with greenhouse gas emissions under the He Waka Eke Noa (HWEN) primary sector action partnership.
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With its focus on carbon dioxide emissions, the ETS fails to recognise agriculture’s distinctly different greenhouse gas (GHG) profile where methane and nitrous oxide emitted by livestock (biogenic gases), not carbon dioxide, dominate the sector’s emissions.
WORDS BY RICHARD RENNIE, IMAGE BY ANNIE STUDHOLME
Our high proportion of non-emitting hydro power and small manufacturing base means
carbon dioxide emissions from the likes of coal fired stations and factories are low, but in contrast our reliance upon livestock to generate economic growth is high compared to most other Western countries (see table).
The option facing the industry was to have the sector’s emissions lumped into the ETS, along with transport, energy, industry, and waste However,emitters.the“one size fits all” approach of ETS was a definitive poor fit for farming.
This gives New Zealand something of an “upside down” gas profile, where livestock generated methane is far more dominate than in the likes of United States or Europe.
Methane does not accumulate in the atmosphere for hundreds of years like carbon
The offsetting becomes the “C” in the “A+B-C” in HWEN’s split gas pricing formula.
The primary sector has recognised the stakes are high if HWEN does not pass muster with government, with the ETS becoming the default mechanism agriculture will be compelled to join.
farmers and industry leaders will be watching closely in coming months as politicians weigh up the value of a scheme that promises to put New Zealand at the forefront of agricultural emissions management, making its low-emissions production even lower.
“A” is the value of the farm’s total methane emissions, plus “B” the value of CO2 and nitrous oxide emissions, minus “C”, the value of the eligible on-farm sequestration of methane, nitrous oxide, and carbon, leaving the net cost of the farm’s emissions to pay.
“Our farmers have told us that if priced for emissions, they should get proper recognition for the genuine sequestration on their farms. Some farms have fewer tools to reduce emissions and are going to rely on “Sequestrationsequestration.” was a foundation of the He Waka Eke Noa partnership with Government and it is imperative it remains so.”
To put agriculture’s emissions into the ETS would simply have farmers paying a levy based on carbon prices, with no incentive for the sector to work on specific methods to reduce its contribution to a gas pool bearing little relation to its emissions. Under HWEN, farmers have the opportunity to offset their farm emissions with vegetation on the farm that may not have qualified for ETS credits. This can include the likes of shelter belts, riparian plantings, and wetlands. Farmers can opt to collectively join together in catchment groups and districts, combining their plantings for offsetting and reporting purposes.
But industry leaders see the re-investment of HWEN payments as a means of accelerating the development of methane mitigators, including vaccines, treatments, and low emission genetics for livestock.
Different United StatesprofileNew Zealand’sworlds:GHGcomparedtothe
HWEN’s “split gas” approach is the industry’s offer to government to do its part in helping reach New Zealand’s 2050 zero carbon targets, as required under the Paris Accord. But the HWEN alternative enables primary industry to achieve it with a pricing system that recognises the gases are different to carbon dioxide, gives farmers choice and control on how they reduce those gases, and provides a pathway to reinvest the payments back into further GHG mitigation research.
In early July the Climate Change Commission gave a key part of the HWEN plan a thumbs down, for the plan to allow farmers to sequester carbon from farm plantings. Commissioner Dr Rob Carr labelled that aspect of the plan as expensive, complex, inequitable, and difficult to audit and enforce.
REAL FARMER 27 dioxide and demands a pricing mechanism that recognises its different characteristics.
The formula’s ‘price’ for methane is currently being determined, with the level critical for sending the right signal to reduce losses, without farmers incurring untenable costs for current Agricultureemissions.hasalso undertaken to not only offset, but also reduce its net emissions, aiming for a 10% reduction in methane by 2030, followed by a further 24-45% reduction by 2050.
DairyNZ Chairman Jim van der Poel says HWEN will enable the sector to reduce emissions by 4 to 5.5% which when included along with other actions already underway will enable farmers to hit the 10% by 2030 target.
Instead, he suggested farmers participate in a wider scheme separate to the ETS that better rewards a wider range of other
B+LNZ Chairman Andrew Morrison said the proposal is already based on a finely balanced negotiation and compromise between multiple groups. He urged government to accept the proposal without further changes that may undermine that sectoral support.
benefits that vegetation provides, including water quality and biodiversity.
Similarly, HWEN leaders do not want to see nitrogen fertiliser levies override farmers’ ability to decide how much they may lean on this lever to lower their farm emissions. Government will be taking on board the commission’s advice but is not compelled to accept Meantimeit.
The 2050 target is a far bigger and more ambitious target than much of current technology and methods can accommodate.
The clock is ticking on HWEN to kick off by 2025, and the 10% reduction target to be met only five years after that. But despite farmers’ overwhelming support for the scheme, there are hurdles still to be cleared.
GHG profile – percentages, 2019 USA NZ CARBON DIOXIDE 80 44 METHANE 10 44 NITROUS OXIDE 7 11 OTHER GASES 3 2 SOURCES: Ministry for Environment/Centre for Climate & Energy Solutions
The turnout at HWEN meetings around the country also reflected farmers’ overwhelming desire to take control over their own farm business’s emissions profile.
The Commissioner also maintains nitrogen emissions from fertilisers be tagged into a nitrogen fertiliser levy, effectively a processor-level charge, for part of a farmlevel approach. Both these proposals are facing strident push back from the sector, with leaders concerned these two key aspects farmers can control could risk being removed from the plan.
Over 80% called for a “farm-level” system, rather than a simple industry average levy tagged onto processors’ payments. Almost 100% told leaders they did not want to be part of the ETS.
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FUELRURALCO
• All purchases listed by individual cards on one monthly account.
In addition to fuel, your Ruralco Card can be used at over 3,000 and growing merchant suppliers throughout the country.
*No volume limits. Discount current as of 1 September 2022 and is subject to change. Discount is not available at convenience stations or in conjunction with other fuel discount offers excluding pump price offers. The Ruralco 12¢ discount will not be given at point of sale but provided as a rebate on your monthly statement.
• All purchases listed on one monthly account
Fuel is an inevitable and key cost to any business and the ongoing volatility around pricing has certainly been a cause of concern over recent months, but it’s good to know Ruralco is continuing to deliver on pump price discount.
If you don’t have either a Ruralco Card or a Ruralco Mobilcard or have any questions regarding these cards, please contact your Ruralco Representative.
Ruralco Card
The lastest Ruralco Fuel Directory is available now at ruralco.co.nz/ FuelDirectory
He says as the fuel market continues to be quite volatile, farmers and contractors are often checking in to find out where the best deals are, and how to access the best value fuel in their area. “Members can contact us for price comparisons or for the best areas to purchase fuel from. We are always happy to assist with pricing queries.”
• Have access to an sitesnetworkextensiveoffuelthroughout New Zealand.
MobilcardRuralco
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Ruralco also has a small number of convenience sites. “We have these sites where there is a gap in the market. Although no discount applies, members are able to pay using their Ruralco card.”
• At least 12¢* per litre discount off the listed fuel pump price at each fuel outlet. This is especially beneficial when the pump price is lower than the national average.
WORDS BY ANITA BODY, IMAGES BY ANNIE STUDHOLME
• The ability to monitor fuel spend by vehicle, set spending limits if required and control over purchases by selecting fuel and oil only or all purchases.
• Pin security—you can specify a PIN, or one can be randomly selected for you.
DON JOSEPH RURALCO FUEL SALES MANAGER
“Our Ruralco Card and Ruralco Mobilcard continue to provide the same discount, a minimum of 12¢ off the listed pump prices for both petrol and diesel at all Mobil service stations and participating Allied, Waitomu and NPD sites throughout the country,” says Ruralco Fuel Sales Manager, Don Joseph.
The 2022 Ruralco Fuel Directory is now available, online, and instore, and can help you check out which fuel sites are part of the Ruralco network and which cards can be used to access discounts. “It’s a handy booklet to keep in the glovebox for when you are travelling, or you can also use our website to keep up to date with the latest fuelling sites available.”
“At our local Allied Hinds fuel stop your Ruralco Card will receive 16¢ per litre off the listed pump price for both petrol and diesel.”
“We are often asked why do I need both the Ruralco Card and the Ruralco Mobilcard? That’s because some of our fuel sites will only accept one or the other and not both of the cards,” he says.
Don says Ruralco are working with the fuel companies to keep prices as low as possible and to maximise fuel discounts wherever they can. “Rest assured, we are continually working with our suppliers to ensure maximum coverage with discounts to get the best prices for our members.”
• Save at least 12¢* per litre off the fuel pump price with no volume limits at Mobil service stations, Allied Fuelstops and participating Allied, NPD, and Mobil sites nationwide.
Ruralco fuel continues to deliver FUEL
• Have access to discounts at over 3,000 local and national suppliers.
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Peas are already a mainstream crop in New Zealand and plantings could be expanded relatively easily, while fava beans are a crop option with growth potential. However, financial, infrastructure and marketing hurdles need to be overcome before a domestic protein extraction industry based on these crops could be established, a recent report has found.
The report says that pea protein holds 10 per cent of the global plant protein market while fava bean protein is still emerging. Soy and wheat protein make up the majority of the market due to their historic use in Asian markets.
White peas are the main variety of pea used in the extraction of pea protein overseas but in New Zealand are typically sold as grain.
ArableARABLEfarmers are ideally placed to be key players amid growing international demand for plant-based protein.
As consumers shift their protein buying preferences away from animal-based products such as meat and dairy, plant-based alternatives are becoming increasingly visible throughout supermarkets. This has led to the global pea and fava bean protein market growing rapidly, with overseas companies investing in extraction and ingredient manufacturing capabilities to capitalise on the growing popularity of this type of protein.
Off-Piste Provisions, a plant-based alternative meat company and FAR commissioned PwC to develop the pea and fava bean protein extraction viability case study and report.
Dried peas and fava beans are not high return crops for growers compared with other options such as carrot and ryegrass seed crops, wheat and maize.
WORDS & IMAGES SUPPLIED BY HEATHER CHALMERS, FOUNDATION FOR ARABLE RESEARCH
Growers attributed the variable volumes of dried peas to climate variability, crop rotations and changing contract prices. plant protein crops an option?
About 52,000 tonnes of dried peas were grown here in 2020, including marrowfat, blue and white peas as well as garden peas grown for seed, though annual volumes have dipped as low as 20,000 tonnes in the last decade.
Currently the biggest proportion of peas grown in New Zealand are processed for freezing, earning $115m in exports in 2020. The main player in processed peas is Heinz Wattie’s, which grows and harvests the largest area of peas in the southern hemisphere. Since peas must be frozen within 60 minutes of picking, growing is concentrated in Canterbury and Hawke’s Bay where its processing plants are based.
Are
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Peas and fava beans are low-carbon, sustainable options and can be added to or expanded within existing crop systems in a number of arable regions of New Zealand .
Jade identifies two key ways to add value; investment in local processing infrastructure and the development of pea cultivars specially-bred to produce a premium performance during extrusion, the key production process used in manufacturing plant-based meats.
LEFT: A crop of Fava beans BELOW RIGHT: Pea crop in flower
REAL FARMER 33 Peas are a favoured rotation crop because they stay in the ground for a relatively short time (although dried peas need about a month longer than fresh or processed peas). As legumes, peas are nitrogen fixers, requiring little or no added nitrogen fertiliser. However, while the market may see potential to double the current area of dried peas and fava beans grown in New Zealand, neither crop provides high returns compared with other options such as carrot and ryegrass seed crops, wheat and maize. Not surprisingly, growers have indicated that they are likely to need comparable returns with other crop options to scale up production of peas and fava beans. Infrastructure is another issue. Pea and bean protein can be extracted cheaply and at scale overseas, making the building of an extraction facility in New Zealand expensive (even a small facility is estimated to cost $50 million) and risky for investors. To reduce the risk, the report explored three alternative investment structures: a wholly or partly government-funded facility, a grower collective or co-operative, or a hybrid plant ingredients facility.
The value of the global pea protein market is expected to grow from $1.1 billion in 2020 to $2.1b by 2025. This represents significant growth opportunities for product manufacturers. According to New Zealand stakeholders there are some large global companies in the market but as the product is still identified as a new or novel ingredient, there is still the opportunity to improve the product; especially the taste and the versatility for use in more consumable products.
The next step now sits with growers, Jade says. “The report has enough information that growers can use it as a starting point to kick the conversation off in earnest.
While the use of fava beans as protein is less advanced, its high-profile appearance in products such as Beyond Chicken means it is likely to increase its share of the alternative proteins market.
“If we pride ourselves on our export of proteins like seafood, meat and dairy, we should be getting involved in alternative proteins and the technology.”
Other examples of New Zealand plant-based food manufacturers that have penetrated the global market, despite being more expensive than similar products made overseas, include Otis oat milk made from Southland oats and Pic’s peanut butter made from imported peanuts, although some peanut growing trials are underway in Northland.
Off-Piste Provisions founder and chief executive Jade Gray says his company imports pea and fava bean powder from Canada for its products, by necessity, but would prefer to source from New Zealand ’s high-quality pea growing sector. His business has developed 15 products, the first of which are plant-based jerky snack products promoted as being 100 per cent plant and 45 per cent protein.
FAR General Manager Business Operations Ivan Lawrie says Kiwi farmers already have a serious interest in being involved beyond the farm gate and participating in the value chain of plant protein-based products. “Providing profitable and sustainable crop options for New Zealand arable farms is key to maintaining diversity in our cropping systems. In particular, pulses, such as peas and beans play an important role in a healthy rotation.”
“We can take the opportunity and catch up with nations like the Netherlands, Israel, Singapore and the United States who are ahead of us in the alternative protein space, or we can kick the can down the road. But we may find that in another five to 10 years it is really starting to cut into our earnings.
Fava beans have a slightly higher protein content than peas; fava beans are 26 per cent protein compared with 23 per cent for peas.
“The best model is a public-private one, with some government support to seed the investment and bring confidence to other investors. I believe there needs to be some investment from growers to show their commitment, with the private sector bringing the majority of capital after analysis of its profitability. A perfect partner would be one of the end-users of the process.”
In terms of investment in an extraction facility, Jade believes a wider range of stakeholders are needed to de-risk it for growers.
“We need to get a value-add, otherwise there is no incentive for growers to expand pea Itproduction.”hadtakenSouthland 10 years to get the momentum and funding, including a $6m government loan, to build an oat milk plant in the region “and the window of opportunity for the pea sector is much smaller”.
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WORDS SUPPLIED BY RACHAEL RICKARD, IMAGES SUPPLIED BY KYLIE EDMOND
36 REAL FollowingFARMERthe cancellation of the 2021 event, the Ruralco Longbeach Coastal Challenge Committee is excited to invite the community to the 15th anniversary event this November.
HINDS AND DISTRICT LIONS MAIA HEALTH FOUNDATION*
The Ruralco Longbeach Coastal Challenge, a partnership between the Longbeach School and Hinds and District Lions and local landowners, has become a mainstay of the Mid Canterbury events calendar. Attracting competitive athletes, weekend warriors, recreational cyclists and runners alongside enthusiastic children and families, to date the event has raised over $300,000 – all of which has been donated to the community.
Digital devices for students; A rebound wall; Teacher aid support; Senior Upgradedplayground;kitchenfor students use; Leadership programmes for students. Regular support for Hinds and Carew/Peel Forest Schools; Youth initiatives; New playground in Hinds Domain.
The Ruralco Longbeach Coastal Challenge has steadily grown since its inception in 2007. Beginning with a mountain bike race and 259 competitors, it has subsequently gone from strength to strength, peaking at just under 1,500 at the ten-year anniversary. This year the committee is looking to attract similar numbers to celebrate its return to community events and the longevity of the event. As an event organised and run by volunteers, all proceeds are returned to the community. The following are some of the many projects that have benefitted from proceeds in the past:
Ruralco Longbeach Coastal Challenge celebrates 15 years
“The committee is always looking for new ways to attract people to the challenge and with the recent growth in e-bike usage, we have decided to welcome e-bikes in their own category this year. We’ll continue the premium event of the 35km classic mountain bike race, alongside the shorter mountain bike races and range of running and walking distances, but it will be exciting to see new riders on the course taking on an event that may not have previously been possible,” says Committee Chairman Bruce Kell.
LONGBEACHSPONSORSHIPSCHOOL
Helipad at Christchurch Hospital; Parent beds at new Children’s Ward; Youth Mental Health in Canterbury. *Donated via the Hinds and District Lions
with Longbeach Coastal Challenge
This year’s event is even more special as it marks the 15-year anniversary of the Longbeach Coastal Challenge, and it’s wonderful this gets to be celebrated this year after the event was cancelled last year due to Covid restrictions. Ruralco is very pleased to be presenting the celebratory medals marking this milestone, says Rob. “We congratulate the organisers, past and present, for their dedication to this event from which so many have benefited.”
WORDS BY ANITA BODY Reaching its 15th anniversary from such small beginnings is a fantastic achievement for what started out as a simple fundraising venture for Longbeach School and the Hinds & District Lions and just goes to show what hard work and an amazing community spirit can achieve, says Ruralco Group CEO, Rob Sharkie.
WHAT: Ruralco Longbeach Coastal Challenge WHEN: 27 November 2022 FUNDRAISING TO DATE: Over $300,000 TOTAL NO. OF ENTRIES TO DATE: 11,810 NO. OF VOLUNTEERS PER EVENT: Over 100 EVENTS: Mountain Bike 35km, 23km or 12km, e-bike event; Off-Road Run 21km, 12km, 5km; Walk 12km, 5k; Teams race for 35km and 23km mountain bike TO ENTER: Entries are now OPEN! Enter online www.longbeachcoastalchallenge.comatRuralco’sproudassociation
Competitors are charmed by this event and return year after year to try a new distance, to challenge themselves, keep or win a trophy or better a previous time, all while enjoying a day of community spirit and a delicious steak sandwich. The course itself offers fantastic scenery, with endless views of the Pacific Ocean, challenging sections along the stony coastline and a track which keeps participants fully engaged. The 2022 course will again start and finish at the historic Longbeach Estate and support from landowners and their families is paramount to the success of this event. Enough thanks cannot be given to the farmers who literally throw open their gates and allow access to their paddocks, laneways, and boundaries. This year participants will all receive a 15th anniversary medal. Haven’t competed in this event yet? Then come and make 2022 your year and be charmed by this fantastic local event. Challenge yourself with the 35km Classic or 23km Recreational Mountain Bike ride. Or get the family together for the 12km Family Ride. If biking is not for you then lace up your trainers and test yourself with the 21km Off-Road Half Marathon or get your running buddies together for the 12km or 5km recreational and fun run. After less huff and puff? Then why not soak up the scenery on the 12km or 5km walks. There is an event for everyone, register online today! The committee invite you to come walk, run or mountain bike the track on Sunday 27th November 2022.
REAL FARMER 37
“We are proud of our long association with the event, which has gone from strength to strength and continues to meet the needs of huge variety of competitors. It’s great to see the introduction of an e-bike category this year, along with the traditional mountain biking, running, and walking options.”
38 REAL FARMER HERECARDRURALCOYOURUSE
Two dimensions from a single, standard set of samples No change to a standard soil testing programme is required, as the Soil Health
View changes in soil over time with trend view Soil Health Check provides an indication of the impact of land use on soil health over time, and you can view trends over time for a particular paddock or farm average in ContactMyBallance.your Ruralco Representative or Ballance Nutrient Specialist to arrange your Soil Health Check.
It’s recommended to do the Soil Health Check every 3–5 years, compared to every 1–2 years for standard fertility testing. This is because Soil Health Check parameters change more slowly over time. If the aim is to establish a trend more rapidly, Soil Health Check sampling may be done every 1–2 years to start with, before moving to every 3–5 years once a trend is established.
• Standard Soil Health Check parameters Total nitrogen; Total carbon; Anaerobically mineralisable nitrogen (AMN);Organic matter; OlsenpH; P. • Standard soil fertility test parameters
Learn how to improve biological activity, organic matter, and carbon in your soil As Soil Health Check provides an understanding of where levels sit in relation to target ranges, management practices that may be needed to improve or maintain a given parameter can be assessed. Ballance can also provide you with highlyinformed recommendations to optimise your nutrient performance.
Anion Storage Capacity (ASC)— a measure of the soil’s ability to store phosphorus from the soil solution on the soil colloid surfaces; Hot Water Soluble Carbon (HWSC)— once a target range for HWSC is established it will replace AMN as a Soil Health Check parameter; Carbon to nitrogen ratio—not a direct measure but provides useful information on how a soil will function in decomposition of organic residues.
REAL FARMER 39 FERTILISER Check your soil’s health
• Additional parameters
A new test provides information on soil’s biological properties as well as its fertility, quickly, easily and affordably.
Whenua - Landcare Research and adjusted for sampling depth (7.5 cm or 15cm).
Living and decomposing insects, bacteria and fungi and other organisms make up less than 10 per cent of soil volume, but can have a huge impact. This biological component affects soil structure and chemical processes, with knock on effects on soil fertility, plant growth and productivity. While healthy soil biology is resilient to changes in management practices and land use, it can become severely degraded over time by practices that impact soil’s properties and overall health. While standard fertility testing measures soil’s nutrient fertility (its chemical properties), it does not check its biological Aproperties.newtest, the Soil Health Check, codeveloped by Ballance and Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research as part of the Future Ready Farms programme, provides valuable information on soil’s biological properties as well as its chemical properties—for no extra effort, and minimal additional cost.
THIS PROMOTIONAL FEATURE WAS PROVIDED BY BALLANCE AGRI-NUTRIENTS
Check is specifically designed to align with standard soil fertility sampling protocols. From just the one set of soil samples the Soil Health Check provides information on soil’s biological and chemical properties. Transects for Soil Health Check sampling are based on Land Management Units, and samples are taken in the same way as standard soil fertility sampling (7.5 cm deep for pastoral land, 15 cm deep for horticultural and arable land).
More affordable The Soil Health Check, which includes a standard fertility check, costs $140 plus GST (compared to a standard fertility check, including sulphate sulphur and organic sulphur, at $80 plus GST). It measures:
Compare results against national benchmarks Results from soil health check are measured against soil health target ranges used for national (and regional) soil health monitoring programmes. You can view your Soil Health Check results in your MyBallance account, and compare them against the displayed target ranges for your farm system and soil type. The target ranges have been reviewed by Manaaki
October October is a busy month in the vegetable garden. Proper preparation done in August and September will now start to pay dividends.
• Give established vege plants a side dressing of general fertiliser to keep growth active— remember to water well after feeding plants.
Spring into action in the vegetable garden
• Plant out fresh herb plants this month for summer use. Herbs do well in pots and baskets. It is a good idea to plant mint in a pot as it can be very invasive in the garden.
• Make sure to put plenty of slug and snail bait around young plants.
THE GARDEN
• In warmer areas, seedlings of summer veggies can be planted directly into the ground— lettuce, silverbeet, beetroot, cabbage, and courgette.
LIFESTYLE 40 REAL FARMER spring
• Plant basil and tomatoes together—they are good companion plants.
• Keep feeding tomatoes regularly with liquid tomato food.
• Dust cabbage and cauliflower plants with Derris Dust to control white butterfly caterpillar.
• Fresh young herb plants can be planted now.
• October is also tomato month. Plant out tomato seedlings and be sure to stake taller varieties at time of planting. Water well with warm water, and when watering during the growing season be careful not to wet the leaves and foliage of tomato plants. Feed tomato plants regularly with liquid tomato food.
September With the temperatures warming up now is the perfect time to complete preparation of the vege garden.•Dig soil over and break down any large clods—mix in lots of organic compost and sheep pellets.
• Feed citrus trees this month with a good citrus and fruit tree fertiliser. Spread out to the drip line of the tree and water well after applying.
• Work in a general garden fertiliser at planting time.
Layers of IN
• Citrus trees can be planted now—this will give them time to establish before the drier summer weather.
• Sow vege seeds in seed trays and peat pots to have young plants ready to plant out in October.
• It is now warm enough to sow seeds directly into the ground - peas, beans, carrots, sweetcorn, silverbeet, beetroot, lettuce, cucumber, courgettes, pumpkins and tomatoes, can all be sown this month.
November This month keep making successional sowings of summer veges such as lettuce, beans, beetroot to keep a continuous supply over summer.
• October is also the perfect time to plant new plants of rhubarb, passionfruit, and tamarillos. Blueberries should also be planted now.
• Peas can be sown directly into the garden this month.
• Spray as necessary to keep insect pests at bay while keeping bees safe.
• Maincrop potatoes can be planted now—more on potatoes here.
With Miranda Sinton, Lushingtons
GOODNESS TO GET YOU
IN THE KITCHEN LIBRARY CORNER
Sons of a Good Keen Man BY THE CRUMP
BarryBROTHERSCrump was a titan of New Zealand writing, his semi-autobiographical novel about life as a rugged outdoorsman selling more than a million copies. In his time, he was held up as the quintessential Kiwi bloke. In our time, the situation is less sure, with Barry now well known for being an unscrupulous brute, womaniser, alcoholic and absentee husband. Barry was also the father of six children—all of them boys. For Ivan, Martin, Stephen, Harry, Erik and Lyall, Barry has always been an enigma that casts a strange shadow over their lives. Sons of a Good Keen Man is their story—the first time they’ve all gone on record together about their father. Published 25 years after Barry’s death, Sons of a Good Keen Man offers straight-and-true anecdotes that grip, entertain, surprise and even provoke a few laughs. Each son writes frankly and movingly about how they have navigated life with or without Barry. Illuminating, essential, at times confronting, and containing never-seen-before photos, Sons of a Good Keen Man is a timely reflection on fatherhood and identity, the legacy of trauma, and how time can both heal and ask new questions.
AND RELAX WITH A SOOTHING
REAL FARMER 41
Spring reads With Norma Geddes, Ashburton Paper Plus All the Broken Places BY JOHN BOYNEAll the Broken Places is John Boyne’s masterful sequel to his classic bestseller, The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, taking a character from that novel on a journey to a place she never goes—the past. Through her story, Boyne explores the aftermath of the war and the effects of a lifetime of guilt. 1946. Three years after a cataclysmic event which tore their lives apart, a mother and daughter flee Poland for Paris, shame and fear at their heels, not knowing how hard it is to escape your past. Nearly eighty years later, Gretel Fernsby lives a life that is a far cry from her traumatic childhood. When a couple moves into the flat below her in her London mansion block, it should be nothing more than a momentary inconvenience. However, the appearance of their nine-year-old son Henry brings back memories she would rather forget. Faced with a choice between her own safety and his, Gretel is taken back to a similar crossroads she encountered long ago. Back then, her complicity dishonoured her life, but to interfere now could risk revealing the secrets she has spent a lifetime protecting.
IS HERE SO SIT
Hugely from Karamea from the 60s to the 90s.
popular—covers transport and contractors
Rugby Head BY GREG BRUCEAman. A game. A life. A shambles. A heady and idiosyncratic mix of sports, humour and personal essay, offering reflections/insights on our national religion: rugby. The stories in Rugby Head revisit many notable rugby matches and identities from the last forty years, providing a lens through which Greg re-examines his own eventful life, it’s an original, fascinating approach that delivers both much hilarity and emotional damage.
• 1 sprig of fresh rosemary with leaves left on the stems. • 1tsp per cup of Southern Alps Clover Honey. 1. Wring out your stems of mint so the flavour will seep into the water. 2. Place mint stems, rosemary stems and honey into a tea pot. 3. Pour in boiled water and let it steep for at least 3 minutes. 4. Pour into two teacups and enjoy!
BY KEVIN FREEMAN
SPRINGTIME BACK TEA FULL SORTS OF GOING MORNING.
OF ALL
AVAILABLE AT RURALCO SOUTHERN ALPS HONEY 1KG $22.30 CHINOISERIEASHDENE TEAPOT AND TEACUP SET $148.50
to Haast
Soothing Mint and Rosemary Tea
• 1 small handful fresh of mint, depending on how strong you like it.
ON A COOL SPRING
West Coast Trucking
OPENING TwoSEPTEMBER15divorced parents (George Clooney and Julia Roberts) travel to Bali after learning their daughter, is planning to marry a local, whom she has just met. They decide to work together to sabotage the wedding in order to prevent Lily from making the same mistake they made twenty-five years ago.
OPENING 6 OCTOBER
Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile
Ticket Paradiseto
Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris
When the Primm family moves to New York City, their young son Josh struggles to adapt to his new school and new friends. All of that changes when he discovers Lyle—a singing crocodile (Shawn Mendes) who loves baths, caviar and great music-living in the attic of his new home. The two become fast friends, but when Lyle’s existence is threatened by evil neighbour Mr. Grumps (Brett Gelman), the Primm’s must band together with Lyle’s charismatic owner, to show the world that family can come from the most unexpected places and there’s nothing wrong with a big singing crocodile with an even bigger personality.
OPENING 20 OCTOBER
42 REAL SPRINGFARMERFASHION Spring Accessories Spring Accessories HELLO FRIDAY SCARVES $35.70 OVER THE DITCH DOME EARRINGS $12.70 HELLO FRIDAY TAN RILEY CROSSBODY BAG $52.60 HELLO FRIDAY BLUSH RILEY CROSSBODY BAG $52.60 NOTHING SAYS SPRING LIKE BRIGHTLY COLOURED ACCESSORIES TO ELEVATE YOUR WARDROBE. DITCH THE WINTER CHILLS AND SHOP SOME FUN FASHION ITEMS ALL DESIGNED HERE IN NEW ZEALAND.
What’s on at the movies this spring David Favel, Regent Cinema
With
The story of a widowed cleaning lady in 1950’s London who falls madly in love with a couture Dior dress and decides that she must have one of her own. After she works, starves and gambles to raise the funds to pursue her dream, she embarks on an adventure to Paris which will change not only her own outlook, but the very future of the House of Dior.
AT THE CINEMA
THE
RURALCO
Add books doesn’t love relaxing with a cup of tea and flicking through a coffee table book? These provide entertainment for your guests and look great stacked up with gorgeous centrepieces and trinkets placed on top. some fun!
Create balance
There’s a fine line between a styled coffee table and coffee table colour. Each piece is perfectly selected and grouped together for a perfect placement. An easy way to start is to create 2 groups of décor. Play around with different heights and contrasting colours so it looks effortless but intentional.
Neutrals,
SHOP THE LOOK IN STORE OR ONLINE AT RURALCO.CO.NZ neutrals,neutrals
Who
Timeless and classic, neutrals fit into any space and any home. We love natural materials such as woods and dried florals.
Have
The best part of having a coffee table arrangement is that you can change it up with the seasons, or whenever you feel. The more you reinvent your space, the more enjoyment you will get out of it!
Coffee table style OPPORTUNITIES ARE ENDLESS WHEN IT COMES TO STYLING YOUR COFFEE TABLE. GIFT & HOMEWARE STYLIST TIFFANY MABLY HAS COMPILED SOME TOP TIPS TO ACHIEVE HER LOOK.
REAL FARMER 43 SPRING DECOR
44 REAL FARMER HERECARDRURALCOYOURUSESHOPINSTOREORONLINEWITHRURALCOFARMSUPPLIES
Written by farm consultant Bob Thomson, the report summarises the findings of a wholefarm modelling process, where the progeny of the highest ranked beef bulls from the Dairy Beef Progeny Trial (DBPT) were compared with the progeny of average bulls. These showed a 15 per cent growth advantage at 400 and 600 days compared to the average bulls. This would improve gross margin returns by between $172 and $211/ha and improve feed conversion efficiency by 10 per cent. This in turn would reduce greenhouse gas Theemissions.modelling demonstrated that when the top 10–15 per cent of DBPT bulls for marbling (intramuscular fat) were compared with the average DBPT bulls there was a 20 per cent improvement. This correlated with an increase in the strike rate with beef quality supply programmes, although with a price premium of 30c/kg CW, this only increased the gross margin by another $22/ha.
REAL FARMER 45 A report summarising the Beef + Lamb New Zealand Genetics’ Dairy Beef Progeny Trial builds a compelling case for dairy farmers to use high genetic merit beef bulls across their herds.
Working with a dairy farmer who is investing in superior beef genetics gives the finisher the opportunity to benefit from significantly improved growth rates and carcase attributes.
The modelling also compared one and two winter finishing policies and highlighted clear advantages and disadvantages to both. The ranking of DBPT bulls did not change between the two Comparedpolicies.tothe two-winter, the one-winter system occupied one third less land area with 15 per cent more feed conversion efficiencies.
Dairy farmers will likely be faced with a no bobby calf kill policy within the next few years and will either have to produce calves that have value as a beef finishing animal or reduce cow numbers to accommodate the rearing of surplus calves.
The trial includes a number of beef breeds with around 20 new bulls being progeny tested every year.
The disadvantage was in lighter carcase weights (160–220kg CW) when processed between November and February. These weights were outside targeted beef grading and associated payment schedules.
Building a connection between dairy farmer and finisher
“Once the calves leave the dairy farm the connection back to their genetic merit is usually lost. This leaves the beef finisher to judge calves on their coat colour and condition,” says Bob.
There was also better biosecurity and work safety associated with AI. Dairy beef progeny test
The high genetic merit beef bulls identified in the DBPT are proven performers and their genetics are only available in commercial quantities through artificial insemination.
The report noted a disconnect between dairy farmers and beef finishers and the advantages for both parties to address this.
WORDS AND IMAGE SUPPLIED BY BEEF + LAMB NEW ZEALAND
Bobby calf policies— a reason to change
Analysis has shown that the actual cost of beef AI in dairy herds is slightly less than natural mating and generated many more advantages. These included shorter gestation length, proven easy calving and calves which will grow faster and to heavier weights for finishers.
Beef finishers and dairy farmers benefit from superior beef genetics
IMAGE: When used across dairy cows, superior beef genetics can improve gross margins for finishers and improve feed conversion efficiency
SHEEP & BEEF
The report states that this disconnect has come about because finishers tend to prefer to buy dairy-beef spring-born weaners in autumn rather than rear them over summer. In drought years, when this is most apparent, there is little difference in the price between autumn and spring calves. Dairy farmers producing high quality calves often felt frustrated with variable and inconsistent demand from beef finishers irrespective of whether they are four to five-day old weaners or 100-kilogram weaners.
The purpose of the DBPT, which began in 2015, was to identify high genetic merit beef bulls that would benefit both dairy and beef farmers. Over the course of the programme, detailed and comprehensive phenotypic data has and continues to be collected, analysed and reported for a range of traits including gestation length, calving ease, growth rates, carcase weight and carcase quality.
“Either way, the value of the surplus calves can be raised significantly by dairy farmers utilizing high genetic merit beef bulls over the dairy cows which are not required to generate their dairy replacements,” says Bob.
INTEREST
46 REAL FARMER Native plants make great shelter for animals, while also providing a host of other benefits to you and your property: • Lower maintenance; • Less wind erosion; • Increased biodiversity and habitat, including for pollinators; • Resistance to drought, frost, and snow; • Higher dry matter yields. It is important to source your plants from local sources (eco-sourcing) as these plants will be best adapted for conditions in your local area. Shelter planting to complement—not compete with—your irrigator Stock shelter can be planted underneath the irrigator in a few different formations: • Several straight rows dependent on prevailing wind; • In circles, depending on track and paddock placement; • As a row on the outside of your pivot, tall shelter that you hedge. You need to allow a minimum two-metre wide fenced area for planting low shelter under the pivot, and 3.5 metres if planting tall shelter.
Native planting for shelter
SAVING MONEY BY PROTECTING WHAT’S THERE
Think about how your electricity will travel, as eventually the vegetation will grow into the fence—be careful you don’t short it out. A dense, low flax shelter which is fenced either side should keep out cattle even with no electricity.
Retaining existing native scrub and/or fencing off native scrub such as matagouri, kānuka and coprosma helps with stock and grazing management and provides cheap and resilient shelter.
ABOVE: Example of harakeke (flax) shelter belt under a pivot BELOW: Sheep benefitting from the shelter the native grey scrub (matagouri) provides
WORDS & IMAGES SUPPLIED BY ENVIRONMENT CANTERBURY
Stock Exclusion
You may remember the adage: “An animal resting in the shade is not doing what it is meant to be doing—eating grass and fattening up.” Things have come a long way since then and shelter has become one of the key components of animal welfare.
The National Environmental Standards for Freshwater include new stock exclusion rules to protect our lakes, rivers and wetlands. This will help build on the great work that has
All dairy cattle on existing pastoral systems are required to be excluded from lakes and rivers by 1 July 2023, as are intensively grazed pigs, beef cattle and deer. Dairy support cattle have until 1 July 2025 before they too must be excluded.
REAL FARMER 47 ABOVE: Radial hedging under a centre pivot with tall external shelter and bushy patches in dry corners. When selecting species for under centre pivots, choose species which have a mature height of less than 2–3 m (depending on the height of your pivot) and/or tolerate hedging. Low internal hedges provide excellent stock shelter. The tall external shelter is very important for protecting your soils and crops from wind BELOW: Stock excluded from wetland on Snowdon Station, Canterbury Low shelter plant species, perfect to grow under pivot irrigators SPECIES MATURE HEIGHT (M) SPACING (M) WILDLIFE VALUE Shrub Pohuehue Muehlenbeckia astonii 2 1.5 Berries Mingimingi - Coprosma rigida 1 1.5 Berries Mingimingi - Coprosma propinqua 2 1.5 Berries Mingimingi - Coprosma rugosa 3 2 Berries Mingimingi - Coprosma virescens 2 1.5 Berries Tauhinu Ozothamnus leptophyllus 2 1.5 Nectar Toetoe Cortaderia richardii 2 1.5 Grain Mountain Flax Phormium cookianum 1.5 1.5 Nectar Harakeke/NZ Flax – Phormium tenax 2.5 1.5 Nectar Korokio - Corokia cotoneaster 2.5 2 Berries & nectar Koromiko Veronica (Hebe) - salicifolia 3 2 Nectar Fast-growing tall species, perfect for outside the pivot, filling paddock corners, or under irrigator end guns. SPECIES MATURE HEIGHT (M) SPACING (M) WILDLIFEVALUE SUITABLEHEDGINGFOR Lowland ribbonwood Plagianthus regius 12 3 Nectar South Island Kowhai Sophora microphylla 8 2 Nectar Narrow leafed lacebark Hoheria angustifolia 6 2 Nectar Kānuka Kunzea ericoides 8 2 Nectar Maunka Leptospermum scoparium 4 2 Nectar Cabbage tree/ti kōuka Cordyline Australis 10 2 Nectar & berries Karamu Coprosma robusta 5 3 Berries Yes Kohuhu Pittosporum tenuifolium 6 3 Nectar Yes Lowland totara Podocarpus totara 15 6 Berries & nectar Yes Broadleaf Griselinia littoralis 6 2.5 Berries Yes Akiraho - Golden Ake Ake Olearia paniculata 4 2.5 nectar Yes Twiggy Tree Daisy Olearia lineata 5 3 Nectar Yes Mountain Ake Ake Olearia avicenniaefolia 4 3 Nectar Yes already been completed by many landowners in managing freshwater on their farms. The stock exclusion rules for wetlands, lakes, rivers (where the bed is wider than 1m anywhere in your land parcel) have been in place for new pastoral systems since 2020. Under this rule, all stock except sheep on new systems must be kept at least three metres from lakes and rivers.
If you are looking for further advice or assistance around biodiversity or land management call 0800 324 636 and our customer service team will put you in touch with one of our friendly advisors.
PROTECTING WETLANDS By 1 July 2025 stock must be excluded from wetland that supports a population of threatened species or are larger than 500-square-metres on low slope land. For full details on the stock exclusion rules, see our guide at ecan.govt.nz/stock-exclusion. There are many benefits to protecting wetlands on your property. They act like kidneys for our waterways, absorbing and filtering nutrients and sediment. They are also great for mitigating flood flows as they act like a sponge, slowing down overland flow of water.
Visit your friendly, helpful Mitre 10 MEGA garden team to get started today. Grasses: RRP $4.79 each/ 5 for $20 Ruralco Promo 15 for $45 Creative Natives: RRP $15.79 each Ruralco Promo 5 for $60 Includes Phormium cookianum, Coprosma repens, Corokia Geentys Green, Sophora microphylla, Cordyline australis, Leptospermum varieties
Once fenced and planted, riparian zones filter phosphorus, sediment and bacteria that leave the land as runoff, so having healthy riparian zones is very important to improve the health of your waterway.
Riverside Horticulture Rangiora Phone 0800 400 454 sales@riversidehort.co.nz
Horticulture has been supplying plants and implementing projects around Canterbury and further afield for many years and are well positioned with experience and resources to bring you professional solutions for all your planting requirements. All small-grade flaxes, grasses and sedges are 10% off!
*Offer only applies to root trainers (0.5L pot size). Must purchase at least 28 plants (a full tray). Offer available to the end of September for all who purchase via Ruralco.
The classic Kiwi holiday often involves swimming in streams, a spot of fishing and enjoying the beautiful outlook of streams shaded by native plants and seemingly endless green landscapes. But our streams, as we know them, are at threat, so it’s time to get planting… Orari Nursery provide plants especially tailored to stop loss of shade to the water, loss of structural habitat for aquatic fish and invertebrates & stream bank erosion, plus filter contaminants and act as a buffer from the impact of flooding. Phone Graham for advice and to place an order. All 500ml Riparian planting grade $2.96 +GST T&C’s apply
Protecting our valuable water resource is vital so here at Mitre 10 MEGA we recognise this and are equipped with the knowledge and resources to help our customers with advice on preparation, plants and protection of their riparian planting plan.
We have plants in stock suitable and are also able to order specifically to suit your desired riparian planting plan. We stock products such as rabbit repellant, tree guards etc. to make sure your plantings are well protected.
48 REAL FARMER
Mitre 10
Exclusively available at Ashburton, Timaru & Oamaru
Diacks Nursery Invercargill Phone 032168265 Triguard. 300mm x 120mm Quickest guard to install. Easy pop open. Save on time and labour costs. Ideal for revegetation planting projects. Helps protect young plants from rabbits, sprays and wind. 25 Tri Guards $20.00 INCL GST 1000 Tri Guards $500.00 INCL GST Support stakes sold separately: 20 for $5.99
Orari Nursery
We offer a comprehensive group of services including environmental and riparian planting consultation and project management. Plant supply to all wholesale sectors. Project management and planting for commercial and large civil Riversideprojects.
Riparian Planting Suppliers:
Get in touch to place an order or to check out our availability list.
Orari Phone 03 693 7095 orarinursery.co.nz
The technical name for a drone is an ‘Unmanned Aerial Vehicle’ (UAV), and Vaughan realised that their emergence could lead to new approaches to working on (or above) the land. So, armed only with his first commercial drone and good dollop of selfbelief, he started Ag-Smart UAV. “I’d always had a strong interest in remote control craft, as a hobby, but starting the business was a leap of faith really—I had no customer base, and the beginnings were trial and error”.
THIS PROMOTIONAL FEATURE WAS PROVIDED BY AGSMART UAV, WORDS BY BRETT HALDANE 0272 991 agsmartuav@xtra.co.nz225AgSmart UAV 66 Nelson AshburtonStreet UP TO 10% DISCOUNT with RuralcoyourCard
LEFT: Ag-Smart UAV now offer flight, and then product application, to the centre metre accuracywell beyond GPS capability
BELOW: Vaughan Ward, Managing Director and Chief Pilot at Ag-Smart UAV
Three years on Vaughan is now the only qualified operator in Mid Canterbury offering a range of drone-based agricultural solutions. “Gaining CAA Certification is challenging, it takes a minimum of 18 months, and their vetting of your experience and processes is understandably detailed” he says.
REAL FARMER 49 CARD
drones are limited in payload, and in talking to Ag-Smart UAV, the word precision comes up a lot. That said, they’re clearly watching technological development closely, looking for the right time to expand with larger craft. “Drones come into their own when tackling smaller areas, or where access is difficult. I’ve several customers who are growing on lifestyle blocks, so drones are an efficient answer. Drones are also suited to nurseries, where trees make ground movement tricky, and I’ve helped growers battle rust or fungus outbreaks” explains Vaughan. Furthermore, he points out how precision drone work can complement traditional top dressing; “Sometimes an area of the paddock is simply missed by a spreader, it could be in the middle of crop with this only becoming evident later—my craft can fly to areas lagging behind, applying fertiliser and trace elements to encourage growth”. Beyond spraying, seeding and spreading, Ag-Smart UAV offers a variety of services to landowners, farmers and businesses. Quality drone cameras open doors for effective crop health or damage assessments, aerial photography and property mapping. Vaughan also offers insight into construction progress and has been involved in projects monitoring outputs such as gravel stock piles. Ag-Smart UAV is based in Ashburton, however they offer their services from the Rakaia to the Rangitata, and beyond. They accept the Ruralco Card, and all members receive up to 10% discount on any drone work undertaken. If you have any questions Vaughan would be more than happy to talk, and you can contact him directly on 027 299 1225 or by Clearlyagsmartuav@xtra.co.nz.emailingthisRuralcosupplieris a tremendous example of how technological advancement is redefining the way we can approach jobs on the farm. So, the next time you are standing in the field and you spot something up in the sky… it could be a bird, it could be a plane, or just maybe, it’s a UAV hard at work!
Early work started with the challenge of accessing drain networks. A local regulatory body needed a solution for controlling weeds without inconveniencing neighbouring arable farmers. Not only could Ag-Smart UAV gain access with less impact to paddocks, but it also offered a way for the client to access the flight and chemical use records, immediately uploaded from the drone. Vaughan travels in a RTK Base Station, Ag-Smart UAV now offer flight, and then product application, to the centre metre accuracy—well beyond GPS Obviously,capability.
Business is taking off for AG-Smart UAV
50 REAL FARMER SUPPLIESFARMRURALCOWITHONLINEORSTOREINSHOPHERECARDRURALCOYOURUSE
Shayne operates a 429ha arable unit bordering the Rangitata River. He grows on average 95ha of fodder beet, along with 75ha of kale for winter grazing for nearby dairy farmers’ cows and youngstock.
“We got much more than expected; it’s a good problem to have. In all the years we have been growing beet, this is by far the best we’ve Shaynehad.”had so much extra feed, that along with grazing the rising yearling calves, he lifted a percentage of the crop to feed off-site to older cows. A catch crop of oats will follow the beet crop to reduce the risk of N leaching and soak up any nutrients leftover, before being planted in kale in December for winter grazing.
WORDS & IMAGES BY ANNIE STUDHOLME
Shayne was indebted to the agronomy advice and support he received from Ruralco Arable & Pastoral representative Steve Lawson, who had been on-hand throughout the process from cultivar selection and drilling, through to grazing. Steve is part of Ruralco’s comprehensive agronomy team.
Shayne has used Barenbrug’s Robbos fodder beet variety with success for many seasons due to its higher leaf protein level, good stock palatability, and very high utilisation, as its bulbs typically sit at between 45–50 per cent out of the ground ensuring less soil ingestion. Also making it easier to lift if required.
“We thought the river terrace would be the perfect place for feeding 600 calves. I thought if we could get 18t/ha we would be happy, but we virtually doubled that yield. The conditions and the season certainly helped us,” he says.
IMAGE: Shayne Jones holding his prize winning Robbos crop SEED The Winter Feed Guide is available now at winterfeedguideruralco.co.nz/
A spur of the moment decision yields top result for Ealing farmer
At the suggestion of good friends, Ben Stock and the late John Jefferson, Shayne decided on a whim to enter the annual Ashburton A&P Association’s Winter Feed Competition, never expecting to win. Attracting record entries (51) this year, competition judging took place in early May. “It came as a huge surprise.”
Admittedly, he took a punt planting it on their riverbed flats last year, and has been blown away with the result. The 11ha winning dryland crop was planted following grass on October 17, 2021, at 90,000 seeds/ha.
Ruralco’s newly released Winter Feed Guide is a one-stop shop for farmers containing all the varieties of fodder beet and brassicas that are available on the market from all the major seed companies in one, easily-accessible guide, says John. For more information contact your local Ruralco Representative.
Ruralco Seed Sales Manager John Scott says winter forage was a strong focus for the entire Ruralco team. “It’s a major component of our business. We have a great team of agronomists and field reps on the road, ready to help guide farmers. They can work with you to plan your season and offer competitive pricing on everything you need to make it happen. We can get hold of everything that’s available on the market.”
REAL FARMER 51 Ealing farmer Shayne Jones of Farmleigh Limited has taken out the best fodder beet crop in this years’ Ashburton A&P Association’s Winter Feed Competition, and also took out the Ravensdown Trophy for the overall winner.
52 REAL FARMER ORDER YOUR RURALCO PASTURE PACK TODAY *Platform and Prospect are certified as Lolium boucheanum. 0800 787 RURALCO.CO.NZ256 ASHBURTON / METHVEN / RAKAIA Available at all Ruralco stores or online. Contact your Ruralco Representative today. BASE AR37 PERENNIAL RYEGRASS LEGACY WHITE CLOVER QUARTZ WHITE CLOVER PRODUCTIONMAXIMUM $379.90 INC GST T-ploid® Pack 27KG/1HA PACK GS2369 PLATFORM AR1 PERENNIAL RYEGRASS* LEGACY WHITE CLOVER QUARTZ WHITE CLOVER PERFORMANCERELIABLE $289.90 INC GST Dip® Pack 23KG/1HA PACK GS1831 PROSPECT AR1 PERENNIAL RYEGRASS* SAVVY NOMADRELISHCOCKSFOOTREDCLOVERWHITECLOVER ULTIMATEPERFORMERDRYLAND $339.90 INC GST DrylandEndura ® Pack 25KG/1HA PACK GS1803 PERENNIAL RYEGRASS & WHITE CLOVER VALUEGREAT Renovator® $179.90PackINC GST 25KG/1HA PACK GS2365 HERECARDRURALCOYOURUSE
Over the years the pasture pack offerings have evolved with both the T-ploid and Dip Packs remaining the mainstays, with both the Endura Dryland Pack and the Renovator Pack also joining the fold more latterly.
Also on offer are the Endura Dryland and the Renovator Packs. The Endura Dryland Pack is the ultimate dryland performer. It is very versatile and good for lifestyle blocks right through to a variety of dryland farming operations. “It’s able to cope with non-irrigated tougher conditions, especially in hilly conditions, and areas within North and South Canterbury.” “Over the last four years we noticed there was an opportunity for a product which could be used to patch up parts of a paddock, especially when you’re trying to make that paddock last another couple of years. That’s where the Renovator Pack comes into its own.” Designed specifically for fixing up high traffic areas like yards, gateways and laneways, or pugging damage, the Renovator pack contains a diploid ryegrass and white clover mix perfect for renovating pasture. “It’s always a good idea to place orders early, especially if you know what you want, to beat any unforeseen supply issues to ensure you secure the right pack for your needs.” says John. Your Ruralco representative can help answer any questions around pricing and seed supply for the coming season and the Pasture
WORDS BY ANITA BODY, IMAGES BY ANNIE STUDHOLME
The T-ploid Pack is ideal for maximum performance and for high yields. “It’s the top of the line,” he says. “The DairyNZ Forage Value Index ranks Base AR37 Perennial Ryegrass as a top ranking 5-star performer.
“Initially the pasture packs were there for those who got caught short, and while we can still meet that need, we are finding people are choosing the packs because they are specialised, and they deliver quality performance in a variety of situationsespecially the T-ploid and Dip Packs which have become products of choice for many farmers,” says John. The four packs offer a solution for most pasture options – from high and medium production right through to dryland blocks. “There’s a pack for every situation. All are per hectare packs, and they are versatile and ready to go.”
First introduced around 10 years ago, the pasture packs were initially created to meet a need to provide a product which helped farmers who needed something pre-mixed and ready to go at short notice. “We are always able to customise mixes to meet farmers’ individual needs, and this hasn’t changed. What we have found is that our pasture packs also have a definite place in the marketplace,” says Ruralco Seed Sales Manager, John Scott.
REAL FARMER 53 Ruralco’s Pasture Packs have been designed to make selecting new pasture a simple process, with the added assurance only proven premium seeds are selected to produce ultimate results and ultimate pastures.
The T-ploid pack also boasts superior year-round performance with excellent cool season yields and is great for dairy and intensive sheep and beef operations. It’s best for dairy and rotational grazing.” If you are looking for a reliable performer, which is high yielding with strong year-round production, then the Dip Pack ticks all the boxes. “It’s a good producer, good for set stocking and best for more general use. It has excellent feed quality and is suitable for sheep, beef, dairy, and deer,” says John.
SEED
Packs are available online and through all of the Ruralco Stores. To assist you in your decision-making process, the 2022 Ruralco Pasture Packs Guide is now available. If you are unsure about which pack might be right for your farming needs or you want to find out more about the Ruralco Pasture Packs, you can contact your Ruralco Representative or visit the Ruralco website www.ruralco.co.nz/pasturepacks
Ultimate Pasture Packs produce ultimate pastures
54 REAL FARMER
HERECARDRURALCOYOURUSE
REAL FARMER 55
Usually held in the autumn, Covid-19 once again caused the biennial event to be moved to a later date and it will now take place on 14 and 15 October at the Greymouth Aerodrome. It’s the second time in two years the event has been postponed, with the 2020 event also moved from the usual autumn date and was eventually staged in November that year coinciding with Canterbury Anniversary Day.
“I love the West Coast and I’m really passionate about farming in this region. It’s a very strong farming area and I think the Ruralco cooperative model fits extremely well there. I’m really looking forward to meeting with farmers and renewing old connections,” he says.
Ruralco Group CEO, Rob Sharkie, AgFest provided the Ruralco team with the opportunity to meet with a wide array of farming folk. It is also likely to create a welcome boost to the West Coast economy through increased visitor numbers – from both AgFest attendees and “Weexhibitors.attended the 2020 and 2018 AgFest and see it is as important way to connect with our West Coast farming community and to show we are a serious option for them and their farming operations.” AgFest was started in 2012 and has grown to be a major agricultural event on the West Coast calendar, with something on offer for everyone including new farm technology, plenty of agricultural and trade displays, and an Ag Chef and a Creative Gumboot competition. This year all facets of the Ruralco business will be represented at the event. Rob says it’s a great way to find out first-hand what Ruralco can do to best serve farmers in the region. Among those attending AgFest, will be newly appointed On Farm Sales Manager, Andrew Mitchell who has a long association with the West OriginallyCoast.from Canterbury, Andrew went to the Coast as a Lincoln University student and stayed – for over 30 years, firstly as a share milker and dairy farm owner north of Westport for 23 years, and latterly as a rural technical field officer and manager in the rural supplies sector for 10 years before returning to Canterbury.
Ruralco is looking to build on its West Coast presence, and Rob says the co-operative’s ability to provide knowledgeable information, timely product delivery, great pricing and its growing card supplier network makes Ruralco a great option for West Coast farmers.
Dedicated fuel and energy teams offering impartial advice on how to meet individual farming operation needs, along with an evergrowing on-line presence and a customer service centre with a wealth of industry knowledge means farmers are well served with expertise and a genuine interest in helping farmers meet their farming goals.
“Members of the Ruralco team will be able to talk to farmers about bulk fuel deliveries, fuel offerings, energy options and a wide range of on-farm supplies and services. AgFest will be a great opportunity for farmers to have a chat and arrange for a no obligation on-farm health check to review their current costs, especially around electricity and fuel. These are continually evolving markets, but with our inhouse expertise, you can talk directly to those who have in-depth knowledge of the industry and the options currently available.”
“We’ve had a really good response on the Coast, and I think that’s because Ruralco brings options farmers are struggling to find in their own back yard. It’s not just the breadth and depth of our product range—it’s because we’re strongly attuned to farming which means we’ve been able to come to the party with innovative offers.”
INTEREST
AgFest creates opportunity for West Coast connections
Keep an eye out for some exclusive Ruralco promotions especially linked to this event, and make sure you visit Andrew and the team at the Ruralco AgFest site 158 to find out about all Ruralco can do for you and your farming operation.
WORDS BY ANITA BODY, IMAGES BY ANNIE STUDHOLME & SUPPLIED
The Ruralco team is looking forward to renewing and making new connections at this year’s AgFest in Greymouth.
ABOVE: Attendees enjoying the 2020 AgFest event BELOW: Ruralco On Farm Sales Manager Andrew Mitchell
HERECARDRURALCOYOURUSE
56 REAL FARMER
FMG will be holding workshops in conjunction with Irrigation New Zealand in the coming months. Keep an eye out for a location near you.
Practice Winter is a good time to practice the plan, especially for new staff members who are not familiar with it. Just like fire-fighters, the events may be spasmodic, so ‘on the job’ practice is limited. Therefore, time needs to be put aside to practice the plan. This is also a good time to flesh out any issues within the plan, including any Health and Safety risks.
WORDS PROVIDED BY FMG FMG’s Manager of Advice Services, Angela Hogg, says winter is the time to be making that plan to minimise disruption and avoid those expensive repairs. “Also, with the strains on global supply chains, parts could be hard to source and mean potentially months of disruption,” says Angela.
Action It’s important that all staff understand what the agreed farm plan is if strong winds are on the way. This could include the method of ‘Point, Park and Anchor’. Everyone should understand their responsibilities and the process. This should also include what happens after the winds have passed and getting back to irrigating.
“Wind damage to irrigators remains the top loss cause in our claims, accounting for 34% of claims,” says Angela.
There are four main areas of consideration when putting together your plan: Prediction New Zealand weather patterns are known for being variable and unpredictable. Farmers and growers are increasingly turning to online tools and mobile apps to help them get ahead of bad Someweather.of our clients have had great success using platforms such as MetService and Yr as well as apps such as PredictWind and Windy which allow you to set parameters for wind speed alerts. For example, if the wind speed parameter was set to 90 km/hr an alert would be received if the winds were to exceed that speed, allowing you time to plan accordingly. This lead-in time for high wind helps you make better planning decisions. Authority There needs to be a clear understanding of who is responsible for monitoring winds and making the final decision to proceed with the action plan. Lines of authority should include more than one person as the person who normally makes the decision may not be onfarm at the time.
The spring winds of 2021 brought with them $3.5 million in settled irrigator claims and weeks of valuable production time lost, much of which could have been prevented with a good plan.
Make a plan to prevent disruption and costly irrigator damage
Head to www.fmg.co.nz/advice/Irrigators/ for more information, including access to the free Irrigation Guide to help protect your irrigators.
REAL FARMER 57 INSURANCE
“Over half of all wind damage claims occur in spring and there’s real benefit from the ‘Point, Park and Anchor’ advice.”
As well as understanding who is responsible for what part of the business, include the person who is responsible for: • Monitoring the weather; • Making the decision to take action; • Getting the irrigators back in action.
to Footprint Connect data, around 77 per cent of the general workforce don’t know how much they need to retire, and 69 per cent aren’t confident their current arrangements will meet their retirement needs. “This can be quite stressful for staff,” says Sarah. “We want our team to have an empowered approach to financial wellbeing, and we want to encourage and provide an environment where staff feel fully supported. We want to create signposts for them—it’s not in our scope of expertise to solve or fix financial problems, but we know that if staff feel
Too many mental health services just offer one or two treatments and hope that will “fix” everyone. Founded in 2022 by Michael Hempseed, with the goal to become the most innovative and advanced mental health service in New Zealand, Frontiers of Hope offer a wide range of different treatment options. They try to look at the whole person and not just “what is wrong”. They also work with and support families going through difficult times.
WORDS BY ANITA BODY
In addition to the financial capability seminars which have been delivered by Ruralco’s banking provider since the beginning of the year, staff have also been able to access support through Footprint Connect which has expertise in a variety of financial and wellbeing initiatives. “It is easy to be worrying in the here and now and forgetting to take the time to plan for the future. Having access expertise in such areas as estate planning is one way to take some positive steps towards helping Accordingyourself.”
“It’s about creating financial awareness,” says Ruralco’s Group Manager People and Capability, Sarah Green. “We are aware the increased cost of living is impacting on our team and so we started looking for ways to take some positive steps to help and support our staff by empowering them to take control of their individual financial wellbeing.”
As part of Ruralco’s wellbeing and mental health initiatives, staff have been able to access financial capability seminars and sessions dedicated to a variety of topics including Kiwi Saver, getting on the property ladder, budgeting, saving, managing debt, wealth, and investments.
58 REAL FARMER FINANCEHEALTH
FrontiersIntroducingof Hope FRONTIERS OF HOPE IS A KIND AND CARING MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE THAT CAN HELP PEOPLE WITH...
treatments
Positive outcomes achieved through empowering staff financial
CREATING FINANCIAL AWARENESS AND PROVIDING ACCESS TO FINANCIAL RESOURCES ISN’T USUALLY WHAT SPRINGS TO MIND WHEN LOOKING AT IMPROVING WORKPLACE WELLBEING, BUT THERE’S GOOD EVIDENCE IT’LL BE BENEFICIAL TO YOUR BUSINESS AND YOUR TEAM.
All Frontiers of Hope are evidence-based, meaning they are published in peer reviewed scientific journals.
www.foh.co.nz • Depression • Anxiety • Sensory issues • Grief and loss • Stress, anger and burnout • Sleep problems • PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)
• 46% of employees worry about their finances;
By providing a variety of support avenues, Ruralco is giving its team the ability to make informed decisions and choices about their individual financial wellbeing.
Te Ara Ahunga Ora Retirement Commission show that personal and financial wellbeing and organisational performance are connected, stating that:
Our aim is for our team to feel in control of their finances, which in turn means our staff are less distracted about their financial worries leading to increased productivity and engagement.
“Wellbeing isn’t just about fruit on the table or a walk around the block.
WELLBEING
It’s about having a holistic approach, recognising and supporting where possible the many different distractions which might be impacting on the health and wellbeing of our team.”
• 83% of employers say money problems interfere with productivity; • 20hrs a month lost to sorting personal finance worries;
capabilityincontroloftheirfinances,theyarelikely to be more productive in the Statisticsworkplace.”from
REAL FARMER 59
• 58% of employers report “financial illness” drives absenteeism.
• 72% of organisations believe employee financial education will benefit them;
“Our mental health and wellbeing journey at Ruralco recognises the impact and importance of personal financial pressures and strains. By offering access to financial capability seminars, support and expertise around making a will, access to life insurance, and access to mental health support services such as EAP, we are ensuring there are systems and processes in place which support everyone on our team and their families.”
5. WHAT DOES “THE RURALCO WAY” MEAN TO YOU?
Ruralco’s Most Valuable Player
Instore Days 2022
THIS YEAR RURALCO IMPLEMENTED A NEW STAFF AWARD FOR OUR INSTORE DAYS MOST VALUABLE PLAYER. THE MVP AWARD CREATED AN OPPORTUNITY FOR STAFF TO NOMINATE COLLEAGUES WHO THEY THOUGHT DEMONSTRATED ONE OR MORE OF OUR CULTURE PRINCIPLES.
Ruralco’s Group Manager People and Capability, Sarah Green said it was a chance to nominate that person who always went the extra mile or dared to be better. “A team member who is part of the whole team or the one that always brings their ‘A’ game. Maybe it was a oneoff amazing act or maybe it was consistent performance or attitude throughout the preparation for and during the two days of Instore Days.” The idea was proposed by a staff member, and drew a fantastic result, with over 80 nominations being received. In announcing the winner, Group CEO Rob Sharkie said with multiple nominations, it was without a doubt the winner, Card Service Representative Jo Hyde, lives and breathes all of the Ruralco Culture Principles.“From working tirelessly in the lead up to the Instore Days supporting the marketing team, to jumping on the tills to serve customers, to supporting her clients to be the best they can, nothing is ever a hassle, and everything is done with a smile,” he says.
60 REAL FARMER THE RURALCO WAY
4. WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE PART OF YOUR JOB? It’s the rapport I’ve built, especially with suppliers and in logistics. General banter is a great way to help build those relationships and it also helps to problem solve because if you have already formed good connections, you are in a great position to find solutions to issues as the arise. I really enjoy being able to fix a problem and to go the extra mile to check in with customers before a problem can occur. It’s all about building relationships and trust and keeping the customer happy—you have to think like the customer and if you say you are going to do something, it’s about making sure you do it.
Working towards the same goal and helping to make life easier for our farmers. It’s about being approachable and that’s what I enjoy. I like to have a chat along the way, even though I can be quite shy, but that’s how we get to know each other and how we can help each other out when needed. It’s about being approachable, building relationships, problem solving and always doing that little bit extra and going the extra mile.
3. HOW HAS RURALCO SUPPORTED YOUR CAREER PROGRESSION? There’s always been plenty of training opportunities and encouragement to develop in my roles, whether it’s been to do with forklift certificates, being a fire warden or managing chemical spills. I’m expecting there’ll be lots more training in my new role which will help me be as informed as possible around products and the business in general and that’ll be great for helping customers.
Rob Sharkie & Marloes Morrison, Runner Up
1. TELL US ABOUT YOUR CAREER JOURNEY WITH RURALCO.
Representative
CustomerWarrenMeetInesonServices
I started at Ruralco 14 years ago on a temporary contract as an inwards goods storeman and forklift driver and ended up staying. During that time I’ve been able to do management training which helped support me in my role as Inwards Goods Supervisor, and now I’ve made the move to go upstairs and join the Customer Service Centre team. I’m really excited about the new role. At the time of writing this, I have only had a couple of short stints with the team, but I’ve really enjoyed interacting with members and it will be great to share the product and customer knowledge I’ve gained over the years.
WHAT ENCOURAGES YOU TO CONTINUE WORKING FOR RURALCO? Ruralco’s a really good place to work and that’s mainly because of the people – both the customers and the staff. They are what makes the job enjoyable. Being a townie and not really into farming when I started, I’ve learnt so much over the years and that’s got a lot to do with the people I’ve come into contact with.
I’m Ashburton born and bred, and after a long stint at the freezing works, I started working in logistics, both in Australia and the North Island before coming home again, so I have a good understanding of the transport industry and logistics and over the years I’ve built up a good rapport with our delivery providers. There’s lots I’ll miss about Inwards Goods but moving to the Customer Service Centre will be a great opportunity to build new connections. It’s an exciting move for me.
Runner up was awarded to Marketing Manager, Marloes Morrison. “Year on year this person works so very hard ensuring this event is a roaring success and every year it just gets better and better. With numerous nominations, it has not gone unnoticed the extra hours worked, the passion and pride for the event and for Ruralco, the support and management of her team and her general get stuck in and work hard Plansattitude.”arenowunderway to make this an annual event.
WORDS & IMAGE SUPPLIED BY NZ PORK
“They are such bright clean animals, creatures of habit and I like their nature,” he says. “I have tried other things, we kept deer for a while and I’ve tried shearing but I just like pigs best.
The view being taken here seems to be ‘what you can’t see can’t hurt you’.
Stephen grew up on a dairy farm and Helen’s parents farm deer. However, Stephen always liked pigs, so, as a child, his parents bought him some sows to look after and he did so well with them that they built a pig farm.
“I’d like to see the government put the same requirements on producers of imported pork as they do on pig farmers here—because if overseas producers can’t meet even our
“The free range market is just getting tighter all the time. The people we supply are telling us that many restaurants are not buying free range pork because customers don’t want to pay free range Aroundprices.”60per cent of pork consumed in New Zealand comes from overseas, from dozens of countries. Much of it is raised using practices that have long been illegal in New Zealand, which already has some of the highest pig welfare standards in the world.
“Outdoor pigs are built differently too—the public wants lean meats but when you breed pigs to be lean you lose that buffer zone that keeps them warm outside. “The imported product puts a lid on what people are prepared to pay for pork.”
REAL FARMER 61 PORK
Market pressures hit free range pork farmers
This gulf is set to widen further still. The Draft Code of Welfare for Pigs, proposed by the National Animal Welfare Advisory committee (NAWAC) includes major changes, from banning farrowing crates to more than doubling the minimum amount of space provided to growing pigs. This will further drive up the costs of New Zealand produced pork, resulting in tens of thousands more piglets being crushed by their mothers each year, and make pig farming largely uneconomical in New Zealand. No other country has completely banned farrowing crates. New Zealand has fewer than a hundred pig farms and many would struggle to access funding to implement the changes in the code.
“The New Zealand pork industry is suggesting limiting the use of farrowing crates to a short period after the sow gives birth and I think that would be a good solution—but NAWAC wants a total ban.
Stephen Foreman has been devotedly caring for pigs since childhood—but now the Taranaki free range pig farmer has wound down his herd in the face of market pressures.
“If you don’t have farrowing crates there will be a lot more crushed piglets. Pigs are naturally lazy animals, when they want to lie down they just drop to the floor. Sows can crush eight or nine piglets in a farrowing hut, particularly maiden sows with their first litters.
“Some sows are good mothers and some aren’t. I’ve had some sows I have had to move to indoor farms because they are squashing their piglets. That is the big difference between a farrowing hut and a farrowing crate—the crates were invented to save piglet lives.
“When I left school 37 years ago, I went straight into working in the family pig farm and eventually bought a quarter share. Then 12 years ago we saw the opportunity to move to free range and bought this land. The demand was there then. We started out selling at farmers markets, then local butchers asked if they could stock our meat and we have been supplying Wilson Hellaby for a long time.
“The irony is, that if that happens and a lot of New Zealand pig farmers go out of business, there will be even more demand for imported pork, resulting in even more overseas pigs being raised to those lower welfare standards.
“Free range pork is more expensive for a number of reasons,” says Stephen, who farms 118 acres just south of New Plymouth with his wife Helen. The couple have reduced their pig herd from 60 sows to just 10 and are not replacing sows once they become too old for “Youbreeding.cannot raise as many piglets as the indoor commercial operations because free range sows tend to accidentally crush some of their piglets. Free range pigs also don’t grow as fast because the conditions are colder—indoor operations are temperature controlled.
“Humans are told not to sleep with their babies but to put them in cribs. I see farrowing crates as similar to that. They are there to protect piglets while they are at risk of crushing.
“We wanted to look after our pigs really well and provide our customers with the best meat, so we have always bought the highest quality sows. We feed our pigs a good quality formulated diet but New Zealand does not have large arable areas, so pig feed ingredients are imported and costs have increased significantly.
As the cost of production continues to soar and the New Zealand market is increasingly flooded with cheap imported pork, much of it raised using farming practices that are illegal in New Zealand, consumers and food service providers have become less willing to pay with a premium for free range pork.
“To me, the proposed Code is something that looks really glossy and nice on paper but can’t be put into practice without driving a lot of New Zealand pig farmers out of the industry,” says Stephen.
Terragen’s IP and innovation story is at the heart of its business Terragen’s product development is underpinned by evidence-based research programmmes, and they are constantly progressing studies from the lab to the field for plant and animal applications. Their state-of-the-art research and manufacturing facility features molecular biology diagnostic tools that are used for research and to continue searching for new microbes that can benefit the rural sector.
There are thousands of strains of probiotics available, but they don’t all deliver the same benefit. It’s the combination and type that is important. Terragen’s world class scientists used their expertise in genome sequencing and bioinformatics to identify and determine which strains work best and more importantly, how they work together to create a bigger impact. They were able to spot individual strains of Lactobacillus which now form the basis of Terragen products.
Terragen’s Canterbury based manager Jeff Hill, is confident the science behind Mylo®/calf is robust and proves the efficiency gains are achievable in New Zealand farm conditions. We already have New Zealand farmers seeing the benefits. Selena in Whangarei said, “We wanted a probiotic with recent research, one that supported our animals in a challenging environment, that led us to Terragen. Since Terragen
delivering impressive improvements in animal & soil health FARM SUPPLIES
Terragen’s products are backed by science Mylo®/calf is a next generation microbial feed supplement for calves that’s scientifically proven to increase rumen development and weaning weights, providing a 5:1 return on investment. Mylo®/calf is a sustainable formula made of naturally occurring, living microorganisms that out-perform potentially harmful bacteria, leading to increased feed efficiency, more energy, and better quality calves. Mylo®/ calf liquid product is added to milk, CMR or calf meal when weaned, at a recommended 10ml per animal/day. It does not clot or clog calf feeding equipment.
InnovativeFARMERbiological agricultural company Terragen has been delivering animal health benefits across the Tasman, with 80,000 calves and 63,000 cows using their microbial supplement, and Terragen products are now available in New Zealand.
Terragen’s incredible story began with world class scientists looking for individual microbial strains that could benefit the agricultural sector.
Mylo®/calf and Mylo®/cow, live liquid direct fed microbial supplement, made with AmpliBoost™ technology are now available through Ruralco as is Great Land Plus®, a live liquid soil conditioner, made with AmpliStim™ technology. The AmpliBoost™ and AmpliStim™ technology is Terragen’s proprietary IP for developing world-class biological products. It encompasses the unique microbial strains, formulations and years of proprietary research and development on the next generation natural biological products.
62 REAL
14 28 42 56 DAYS REARED CALVES FED MYLO® CALVES NOT FED MYLO®(KG)LIVEWEIGHT 8070 microbiomeStimulate soilImproveshealth plantImproveshealth Soil availablebecomenutrientsbound
Optimal results occur with a pH 6+ and is applied at 4 litres per hectare (water rate 40L to 150L per hectare) via Boom Spray, Tow & Fert or Helicopter before or during rain events to ensure flushing into the root zone.
30405060
A product that will be of interest in the South Island is Great Land Plus®, a liquid biological soil conditioner that stimulates soil biology to get the most out of the land. Soil biology is the lifeblood of agriculture. Great Land Plus® functions in several ways by interacting with existing soil biology to stimulate plant growth whilst making soil-bound nutrients more readily available. This enables nutrients that would otherwise be locked up in the soil, and unusable, to become accessible by the plant, increasing the output and decreasing the input required to maintain fertile land.
People who’ve been using Great Land Plus® commercially have reported benefits ranging from cows graze more evenly and thoroughly, better root development, better plant growth and yields, and improved clover content and pasture density. Great Land Plus® builds up beneficial microbes for diverse soil biology and soil health while reducing the need for more chemical based products.
A commercial trial in Taranaki evaluating the impact of Great Land Plus® on maize silage yield resulted in an extra 4.5t silage (wet weight) per ha than the control block. DM% were similar at nearly 28%, resulting in a yield gain of 1.31 tDM/ha. This gain was further enhanced by superior quality (ME and digestibility), equivalent to 0.59 tDM/ha when modelled with ‘Udder Model’1. Overall, a gain of 1.90 tDM/ha (11.3%) over the control block. To learn more about Terragen products, go to terragen.co.nz or call Jeff Hill on 021 038 5703. Available to order now through your Ruralco store. THIS PROMOTIONAL FEATURE WAS PROVIDED BY TERRAGEN * Visit terragen.co.nz for further research details. ** Energy Corrected Milk 1 Benchmarking and performance analysis on dairy farms, modelling - DPSL (dairypro.co.nz) Mylo®’s effect on the live weight of calves in an independent research study by the University of Queensland Great Land Plus®, a liquid biological soil conditioner that stimulates soil biology to get the most out of the land -3
Calves fed Mylo® in a commercial field trial on a South Australian dairy farm weaned 7.7kg heavier, with lower costs per head and on-going growth differential beyond weaning. Mylo®/cow is a next generation microbial feed supplement that’s proven to help improve cow health and milk production, providing strong financial returns. Mylo®/cow is made of naturally occurring, living micro-organisms, is free of antibiotics and chemicals, has no withholding period and is certified for organic farming in New Zealand. A liquid formula, it mixes easily with daily feed rations at a rate of 10ml/cow per day. Research shows that when lactating cows are fed Mylo®, they maintain their health, body weight and produce more milk* New research conducted by Agriculture Victoria Research, Ellinbank SmartFarm, has revealed Mylo® helps reduce methane emissions. In the study, methane intensity (g CH4/kg ECM**) in the control group was 7.5% higher than in the Mylo® group and methane production in the control group was 4.4% higher than in the Mylo® group.
The supplement reduces emissions by the equivalent of 100 tonnes of CO2 for every 350-cow dairy farm per year, a reduction of nearly a third of a tonne for each cow. Not only did it reduce methane, cows that received the baseline dose of 10ml of Mylo® a day gained 21% more weight than the control group over the five-week period. On average the cows on the Mylo® diet ate less feed but produced more milk, which means the feed conversion efficiency of the cows fed Mylo® was higher (1.7% higher when expressed per unit of milk yield and 2.5% higher when expressed per kilogram of energy corrected milk).
Great Land Plus® contains five bacterial and one yeast species, is free of chemicals and is certified for organic farming in New Zealand.
REAL FARMER 63 meal consumption and the calves are looking great! Mylo has assisted us in supporting the calves through current tough weather conditions coming out the other side looking better than ever. We are pleased with the results of Mylo and are delighted in having Terragen on board with us as our calves put their best hoof forward.” (Used during autumn calving Independent2022).research by the University of Queensland School of Veterinary Science found calves supplemented with Mylo® were 8.4% (5.8kg) heavier at weaning, had more uniform weaning weights, and had heavier, better developed, gastrointestinal tract organs compared with calves not fed the supplement.
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Whilst it is impossible to prevent NEB, the length of time and the severity of the NEB makes a big difference to the cows overall seasonal success. Therefore, the main goal is to minimise this. Factors such as genetics, pre-calving body condition, milk yield and feed intake all play a role in NEB3, and whilst some are out of our control, others are not, so knowing how to influence them is important. Providing a balanced diet that meets a cow’s total dry matter requirements is always the first step to supporting the energy status of a cow, there are additional tactical ‘tools in the toolbox’ to aid in this process. One effective option is supplementing the diet with a dietary by-pass fat 2-4 weeks prior to planned start of mating3. By-pass fats are an ideal way to provide an energy dense fat to the diet. They work by passing directly through the rumen, without being digested by the rumen bugs, and absorbed in the small intestine instead. This means they are directly absorbed into the blood stream to be fully utilised by the animal. They are an ideal option to combat NEB as they can provide a significant amount of energy to the diet whilst taking up on minimal space in the digestive system. SealesWinslow’s by-pass fat solution is Energizer Gold. This product contains 31 megajoules of metabolisable energy per kilogram of product, making it almost three times as energy dense as one kg of dry matter of an average pasture! The product can be used at a feed rate of up to 5% of a ration in a SealesWinslow pelletised feed, to supply it through an in-shed feeding system, or up to 500g per cow per day as a straight product when added to a mixed ration on a feed pad. To learn more about Energizer Gold, and to see if it is the right fit for your farm, speak with your Ruralco store, or your local SealesWinslow TSR.
3. Dairy Australia LImited. InCalf book for dairy farmers. 2017.
REAL FARMER 67 Good reproductive performance is essential for a profitable following season. There are several factors that come to play when setting up for a successful mating, and among these managing body condition and energy balance post calving. Below covers the ins and outs of energy balance between calving and mating, and what tools can be used to help secure a successful mating this season. Achieving the body condition score (BCS) target of 5 for a mixed aged cow (5.5 for a heifer)1 pre-calving is gold standard on farm, as it has been proven to result in better reproductive performance for the mating ahead. However, even when this target is achieved, managing body condition loss postcalving is still important, and some condition loss is to be expected. This is because she is in a negative energy balance (NEB)- where the energy demand of her body is more than the energy input she is receiving from feed. This is a challenge in every cow, no matter how well she is set up for mating during the dry off, and transition periods. It is mainly due to rumen capacity restrictions of the cow, due to having competed for abdominal cavity space with a foetus until calving and lower dry matter intake pre Notcalving.onlydoes NEB result in body condition loss, but it can also impact things from a reproductive point of view. NEB has been found to impact the development of, and quality of the eggs the cow is producing. It can also cause irregular cycling, delayed cycling, and reduced conception rates2. The more severe the NEB, the higher the risk it will have of impacting on a cow’s reproductive performance. Therefore, any attempts made to help mitigate the severity of NEB will serve for the greater good long term. A loss of 0.5–1 BCS is considered an acceptable amount of BCS loss1
1. Influence of negative energy balance on cyclicity and fertility in the high producting dairy cow. Wathes, D.C., et al. 2007, Theriogenology, Vol. 68, pp. 232-241.
THIS PROMOTIONAL FEATURE WAS PROVIDED BY SEALES WINSLOW
2. Dairy NZ. Body conditio and nutrition for reproduction. Dairy NZ. [Online] 2022.
Fighting negative energy balance to secure a successful mating
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The more we capture during the downpours, the more we can store and use when we need it, and the less we impact the environment at both ends by doing so. Let’s work together to get climate mitigation and climate adaptation better aligned, by starting with water.
IrrigationNZ is a national membership organisation that looks after the interests of irrigating farmers, growers, and the industry professionals that service them. We actively engage with our members and other stakeholders in the delivery of irrigation best practices and helping shape policy. We facilitate the adoption of best practices in irrigation and water management through a world-class resource base of knowledge and effective communication.
The Ashburton Mayor was pleading with the government for some infrastructure support recently, Rural Support was begging for help from central government too. Instead of supporting an ongoing mitigation strategy, which could have started at least three years ago, we will instead be cleaning up preventable damage and helping salvage lives and livelihoods in our communities. Surely that support would be better spent at the top of the cliff, than at the bottom.
REAL FARMER 69 I’m sure you’ll agree that you can have too much of a good thing; and in this instance, I’m talking about water, in particular rain, and the worrying thing is that it is often followed up by a bit too much dry.
This is a trend we are seeing more often as the seasons change and unfortunately, it’s becoming more extreme, as we are noticing our weather patterns doing right now. It was only in our summer that we watched Europe have one of its worst rain storms in decades, wiping out townships and devastating communities, to now be followed in their summer with some of the hottest temperatures on record, and we are no different—three years in a row now we have had some major rain events in the Canterbury/North Otago region, and for the first time, I can remember this follows a drought in Southland. This changing climate and the increasing number of extremes seem daunting, but they can in part be mitigated and managed. Not all of it of course, but we can insulate ourselves from it to some degree, and it is not that hard. We need to capture that water coming out of the sky when it comes in heavy and save it for when it’s a scarce resource. Not only will that ensure we have water to grow our grass, crops, fruit, and veggies, but it will also lessen the impact when deluges need a place to flow. It seems so simple, and yet I am still waiting for the plan and the investment to show up.
It’s time we had a strategy around water that involved the whole community. A strategy that has both strategic regional infrastructure for the community, localised pumped hydro, and irrigation use; as well as one that supports on-farm storage and possibly personal hydro and solar generation. We need to be thinking smarter about water and stop the emotional commentary around animal agriculture being the sole benefit.
About 20 per cent of our dairy herd uses irrigation, about 15 percent of our livestock, and 90 per cent of our fruit and veggies.
It’s also imperative for community drinking water sources, and with a goal of 100 per cent renewable energy by 2030 and an increase of electricity of 70 per cent over that time, water capture and storage is a no-brainer. If we want to produce food in the most carbon-efficient way (as New Zealand currently does), and we want to increase our horticulture and cropping component, as well as move to more renewable sources of energy, we are going to have to invest in water. Centrally, regionally, and locally.
Not only do we need some think big type approaches for hydro and productive use, but we need regional schemes to be supported to develop and we need to increase our support of individual farmers through consenting processes to provide personal on-farm storage too – dams and ponds in low lying areas that contribute to overflowing rivers are a great start.
The importance of capturing water for when we need it most WATER
WORDS SUPPLIED BY CHIEF EXECUTIVE IRRIGATIONNZ, VANESSA WINNING, IMAGE BY ANNIE STUDHOLME
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1. You are required to be a financial member—your account must be current to the satisfaction of the Society.
Ruralco’s Ashburton store on the Burnett Street side of the premises. The EV charging station is open now and has four charging points via two charging stations and the 22kW AC chargers will be available free of charge for the first 12 months of operation. Here at Ruralco we care about the environment and the wider benefits for our community, and we are always looking towards the future to provide benefits for our members.
atrequirementsfodderbrassicameetoptionsofwithFeed2022CheckoutFeedWinterguidenowoutourWinterGuidedetailsthebesttoyourandbeetruralco.co.nz/ winterfeedguide AGFEST, GREYMOUTH 14 & 15 OCTOBER ASHBURTON A&P SHOW 28 & 29 OCTOBER ATS RURALCO ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 23 NOVEMBER RURALCO LONGBEACH COASTAL CHALLENGE 27 NOVEMBER Dates for your diary New Ruralco Card Suppliers This is just a snapshot of the many great businesses where you can use your Ruralco Card and save. Visit www.ruralco.co.nz for a full list of participating businesses near you. REPAIRS SUPERMARKETSWASTEMAINTENANCE&WATEROFFICE&SUPPLIESFARMMERCHANDISEDISPOSAL&CLEANINGTYRES&BUTCHERY NORTH ISLAND SUPPLIERS Auckland Lighting Direct Mt Wellington 35% discount Hamilton X-Clean 5% discount Stratford Mobil Stratford 12¢ discount per litre SOUTH ISLAND SUPPLIERS Ashburton FourFlax 10% discount Christchurch Carter’s Tyres Bromley Up to 32% discount Pak N Save Hornby Convenience Greymouth Think Water West Coast 5% discount Rolleston Rolleston Glass Up to 10% discount Timaru CropX Up to 10% discount Origin Design Up to 5% discount Queenstown Oasis Hire & Garden Supplies 15% discount
The 59th Annual General Meeting of the Ashburton Trading Society Limited will be held on Wednesday 23rd November 2022 7:00pm in the Auditorium, at the Ashburton Trust Event Centre, 211a Wills Street, AAshburton.formalnotice of the meeting will be given in due RuleretireMsNominationcourse.ofDirectorsJessieChanandMrTonyColtmanbyrotationinaccordancewith6(c).MsJessieChandoesnot seek re-election. Mr Tony Coltman is available for re-election. If you wish to nominate a member for the position of a Director of the Ashburton Trading Society Limited, your attention is drawn to the following:
2. The completed form of nomination must be received by 5.30 pm, Wednesday 12th October 2022. Nomination forms are available to download from our www.ruralco.co.nz/agmwebsiteorcall our team on 0800 787 256, or collect from your local store in either Ashburton, Methven or Rakaia or the Head Office at 98 Burnett Street, Ashburton. EV
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