Guardian Farming - February 2018

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GUARDIAN

FEBRUARY 2018

BELTEX GAME-CHANGER

BREED POTENTIAL Page 3 - 5

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Farming GUARDIAN

INSIDE

EDITORIAL COMMENT

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PAGE 12 EMPLOYMENT DECISION LESSONS

Despite the recent increase in lamb prices the sheep industry in this country has been under the pump for a while now, so any initiatives to turn things around will be welcomed by most.

So it’s no surprise that the inaugural Beltex New Zealand sale at Mt Somers next month is attracting plenty of interest, particularly for those wanting an advantage in the export market.

It’s taken a while for the sheep breed so highly rated by UK butchers to become commercially available here but now that it is many farmers looking to maximise meat quality and yield will be considering the breed’s value as a terminal sire.

Given the premium paid for Beltexcross carcasses in the UK, some will no doubt see it as a worthwhile investment.

Kudos must go to those who made it a reality by importing embryos and semen to New Zealand for their hard work and financial outlay. The industry may well be thanking them in the future for their dedication.

For an idea of what sort of extra value those export lamb carcasses could attract, see the story on page 3.

Of course new trade deals will play an important role in maximising farmer returns, and stories on pages 8 and 9 of this month’s issue provide

Colin Williscroft

RURAL REPORTER

some food for thought.

The first explores how the re-negotiated Trans Pacific Partnership, the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), has the potential to transform both the agricultural sector and the environment at the same time, while a second story touches on why the UK is eyeing a new trade deal with New Zealand as a priority post-Brexit.

In discussing the CPTPP, agribusiness lecturer Nick Lees considers how the deal could see the sector change from relying on low cost commodities to a focus on high value exports closely connected to a pristine environment.

He argues that would go a long way to the sector winning back the public support that seems to have deserted it in recent years, while at the same time providing a market advantage.

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Breed a game changer for industry

Blair Gallagher and Carrfields agent Callum Dunnett with the back ends of three purebred Beltex PHOTOS COLIN WILLISCROFT 050218-CW-033 ram lambs, showing very strong muscling.

Preparations are well under way for the first ever sale of a sheep breed in New Zealand that could be a game-changer for the industry here.

Ever since the launch of the Beltex breed in New Zealand at last year’s Canterbury A&P Show interest has been high in the project, and more than 300 people are expected to attend the first Beltex New Zealand sale at Blair and Sara Gallagher’s Mount Somers property next month.

On the block will be 16 Beltex purebreds and 50 crossbreds, those crosses made up of Beltex across Perendale, Suffolk and poll Dorsets.

There will also be frozen semen available for purchase.

All the sheep have been vetexamined in recent days and according to former Invermay boss and head genetic scientist Jock Allison are all healthy, well-grown and raring to go.

Beltex sheep, a doublemuscled Texel, and their crosses, are known to be widely preferred by butchers in the United Kingdom and command a premium price, but none were imported into New

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However, Gallagher has long been interested in the potential of the breed in New Zealand.

About 12 years ago he contacted Allison, who has extensive experience in importing sheep into the country, about the possibility of bringing some Beltex embryos into the country.

Unfortunately at the time imported sheep embryos were subject to years of quarantine, which made the idea uneconomic.

Allison said when he imported east Fresians into the country back in the early 1990s they were in quarantine continued over page

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From P3 for three years and had cost more than $2 million by the time they were released from that.

However in recent years those regulations have been relaxed, doing away with the need for quarantine.

That’s because by that time New Zealand officials decided that the sheep disease scrapie, not found in this country, could not be transferred through embryos or semen, opening up the possibility of their importation.

Then, just by chance the Gallaghers ran into Allison on their way to the Sheep Industry Awards in Masterton. He told them about the change in regulations and asked if they were still interested in the Beltex breed.

They didn’t need to be asked twice and within weeks they were flying out to the UK to look at some of the top studs there.

Allison and his wife Hilary also made the trip over, and between them they arranged to import some top-of-the-line Beltex embryos.

At that stage their main focus was the Broxty Beltex stud in Cumbria, and in late

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2016 those embryos were brought back to New Zealand, where they were transplanted into Perendale ewes.

A number of Perendale, Suffolk and poll Dorset ewes were artificially inseminated around the same time.

All up, there were 180 embryos from five different sire lines transplanted.

Unfortunately the success rate was only 37 per cent, which both Gallagher and Allison describe as “disappointing”.

However, in terms of lambing, the problems were with the purebreds, which Gallagher said had more to do with them being born indoors and with feeding than anything else.

Those problems didn’t occur with the crossbreds, which backs up the UK experience.

In the UK there are no known difficulties with Beltex mated over commercial ewe breeds, Allison said, with lambs born small but vigorous.

However, he acknowledged there is still work to do with purebreds.

Since the initial trip to view UK Beltex studs the partners in Beltex New Zealand, the Gallaghers, Allisons and farm adviser John Tavendale, have been back to select stock for their next embryo import.

Two Beltex ewe lambs at the Gallaghers Mt Somers property.

The latest trip involved sourcing embryos from three different studs, from the middle of England and from southern Scotland, to widen the genetic base.

The next phase of the breeding programme is not due to be completed until autumn, by which time Gallagher estimates close to $1 million will have been spent

050218-CW-101

on the project.

It’s a lot of money, but he said using the best genetics possible was always going to come at a cost and he was confident the superior carcass quality would benefit the New Zealand sheep industry in the future.

Tavendale agrees, saying that as a terminal sire breed, we can expect Beltex to have a

significant influence in carcass quality and value for those who opt for the breed in New Zealand.

“As sheep numbers decline, anything that gets a higher yield carcass is going to be important,” he said.

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Purebred Beltex ewe hoggets.

shortly afterwards.

Tavendale said the reason why Beltex crosses were so popular in the UK was that increased carcass quality and value, along with the substantial premiums they brought due to their higher meat yield and killing out percentages.

UK butchers are known to pay 20 per cent to 25 per

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050218-CW-118

cent more in the yards for Beltex crosses, something they wouldn’t do unless they were confident in the meat quality and yield.

Data from the Scottish Agricultural College in Edinburgh shows Beltex rams lambs offer an 8 per cent higher killing out percentage, 5 to 17 per cent higher meat yield in the carcass and a 12 to

30 per cent higher eye muscle area per kg of live weight.

Using that data and an example of a 40kg lamb sired by a UK Texel, a half Beltex and a pure Beltex ram, the quarter Beltex and half Beltex lambs would have about a 2 per cent and 4 per cent higher killing out percentage respectively compared with lambs sired by the Texel,

Allison said.

The Texel cross lamb carcass would be about 18.7kg or less in comparison, with an advantage of plus 0.8kg in carcass weight for the quarter Beltex lamb and 1.6kg carcass weight for the half Beltex lamb, he said. At a carcass value of $6.80 per kilogram that equates to an advantage of $5.44 to $10.88 respectively in New Zealand dollars.

Allison said in the UK the premium for Beltex cross lambs ranges from about 5 pounds per lamb (one pound equals $NZ1.90) to one pound per kg carcass weight for butchers’ lambs or speciality whole carcass lambs destined for whole carcass exports direct to ethnic markets in Europe, all of which equates to premiums of $NZ9.50 to $NZ40 per lamb.

He said at butchers’ auctions in the UK the Beltex crosses frequently command premiums that for a 20kg carcass equate to about $NZ30.40.

Carrfields Mid Canterbury agent Callum Dunnett, who is helping to organise next month’s sale, believes the Beltex New Zealand team are onto a winner.

“It’s money in the bank just by using genetics,” he said.

He is also full of praise for the way the importation has been handled.

Normally when a new breed comes into a country there’s a certain amount of uncertainty as to just what type of animal will arrive, he said, but not so with the Gallaghers, Allisons and Tavendales.

“These guys have gone over there and selected the genetics they wanted. That’s a huge endorsement in their favour.

There’s a lot of merit in that.

“They know what they’re getting.”

The sale is being held on March 23, with viewing from 11am. The sale itself starts at 1pm.

Before then Gallagher is on the road spreading the word, and for those interested and in those parts of the country he will be at the South Island Field Days at Waimumu, near Gore, from February 14-16, and at the Wanaka A&P Show from March 9-10.

If you can’t make those events, be sure to head along to the sale at his Rangitata Station property next month for a piece of history in the first ever Beltex sale in this part of the world - and more than likely a look at the future of the New Zealand sheep meat industry.

Farming

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IrrigationNZ calls for more storage The importance of water storage in helping provide a reliable supply of water for urban communities, and for food and energy production in a changing climate needs to be recognised, IrrigationNZ says.

“We are seeing the effects of poor future planning for the effects of climate change on water infrastructure overseas, with Cape Town expected to soon run out of water,” IrrigationNZ chief executive Andrew Curtis said.

“By ratifying the Paris Agreement in 2016, New Zealand confirmed it will plan for and take action to adapt to the impacts of climate change. Developing more water storage to supply towns, rural communities and for food and energy production is important to protect the future wellbeing of Kiwis,” he said.

A new draft government report - Adapting to Climate Change in New Zealand highlights that droughts are expected to occur more frequently and to be more severe, along with more intense rainfall and flood events.

A fodder beet crop on a Canterbury sheep farm in early January, following several weeks of very low rainfall. Most of the paddock was irrigated, but the bare patches show where the irrigator PHOTO SUPPLIED didn’t reach the crop.

January 2018 was the hottest month ever recorded in New Zealand, while 2017 was also a year where a shortage or surplus of water created major problems, with severe flooding occurring in a number of areas over the autumn and winter, followed by droughts in the spring and summer.

“Many areas went for several weeks with minimal rainfall this summer,” Curtis said.

“Where water storage was available it played an important role in ensuring locally grown produce was still available in supermarkets. But there’s still a lot of work to be undertaken to improve the resilience of our communities by improving our water storage,” Curtis said.

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metres of rain each year, of which 80 per cent flows out to sea, supporting river ecosystems along the way.

Around 2 per cent is used for irrigation, urban and industrial use, with the remaining rainfall evaporating.

“Maintaining adequate river flows and river ecosystems is important for our future, while also looking at options to store water, Curtis said.

“Overseas water storage projects have combined flood protection works with water storage for urban and rural use. There are a range of options available.

Projects to recharge underground water supplies through wetlands which provide a habitat for wildlife have also been completed as a cost-effective way of providing water when needed in Europe and America.”

Curtis said IrrigationNZ was pleased that the government has indicated it will honour existing Crown Irrigation Investments Limited commitments to support irrigation scheme modernisation and development.

“By 2050 our population is expected to reach six million. We’ll need to feed more people from the same land area, and supply water and power to new homes and businesses. Water is critical to our nation’s wellbeing. We must continue planning today to ensure we can meet New Zealand’s needs in the future,” he added.

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There were 14 high quality entrants from Canterbury this year, which organisers say greatly surpassed their expectations.

The finalists are: • David Bielski, Craigmore Station and Grange Hill Run, Craigmore Station Limited Maungati • Hayden George, Kohakaumu, Ngai Tahu Farming Limited – Eyrewell Forest • Nick Gill, Greystone Wines and Muddy Water - Waipara • David and Brenda Hislop, Mark Daly, and Janet Girvan, Medbury Farm Limited – Hawarden • Sam Mallard, Align Emilius Limited – Maronan • Mark and Jane Schwass, Kaiora Downs – Culverden When asked why they entered the awards, many of those taking part said they saw the BFEA awards as an opportunity to tell their stories and let everyone know how proud and passionate they are about rural New Zealand. It also gave them a chance to demonstrate all the good things farmers are doing. Others said they entered to learn.

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farm practices, promoting sustainable land management through an annual awards programme, which is now run in 11 regions throughout New Zealand.

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All entrants go through a judging process which considers the entire environment that their farm operates within, with particular consideration to: • sustainable profitability • environmental awareness • good business practices • social and community responsibility The awards are run by the New Zealand Farm Environment Trust, which is an independent entity that seeks to promote leadership in environmental excellence and encourage the uptake of management practices which both protect and enhance the environment and add value to farming businesses and communities.

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Tickets are available to be purchased online on the NZFET’s website (www.nzfeatrust.org.nz/CanterburyTickets-2018/c/1). For more information, please contact Kaylene Fenton at canterbury@bfea.org.nz

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Trade deal could have dual benefits The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTTP) trade agreement has the potential to transform the agricultural sector and at the same time benefit the environment, agribusiness lecturer Dr Nic Lees of Lincoln University says.

However, he adds, the public needs to be convinced of this.

The CPTTP is the renegotiated Trans Pacific Partnership after the USA withdrew, and is a free trade agreement between Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam. Negotiations have concluded between the countries but it is yet to be ratified by New Zealand. The TTP had met some public and political opposition.

The CPTTP could change the sector from relying on low cost commodities to a focus on high value exports intimately connected to a pristine environment, Lees said.

“Where New Zealand producers are exporting high value branded products we

Agribusiness lecturer Dr Nic Lees says the renegotiated Trans Pacific Partnership will give New Zealand and Australia a competitive advantage over USA beef in the high value PHOTO SUPPLIED Japanese market.

see an associated increase in concern for the environment.

These producers know that they need to meet consumers demand for products to be produced

ethically and sustainably.”

He said tariffs on New Zealand beef exports to Japan will drop from 38.5 per cent to 9 per cent, saving the industry $25 million.

“This reduction in tariffs will give New Zealand and Australia a competitive advantage over USA beef in the high value Japanese market.

“It will encourage New Zealand beef farmers to target high value beef cuts in the Japanese market rather than export commodity hamburger beef to the USA,” Lees added.

Tariffs on kiwifruit exports to Japan, the largest importer of New Zealand kiwifruit, will be eliminated. Tariffs on wine exports to New Zealand’s fourth largest market Canada will also be removed.

Overall the CPTPP could provide approximately $222m of tariff savings each year.

He said the public was sceptical about the benefits.

“There is suspicion that benefits of the agreement will not be shared equally across the economy and many will see it as only benefiting already wealthy farmers who are damaging the environment,” Lees said.

“For the public to get behind such a deal New Zealand agriculture needs to

demonstrate that increased agricultural production won’t have further impacts on the environment and will have benefits to all New Zealanders.

“In fact, the greatest benefit will be to the regions and to agricultural industries that are already addressing their environmental footprint.”

He cited the example of the wine and kiwifruit industries.

“They are committed to minimising their environmental impact not because of regulations, but because they market highvalue branded products and their customers demand that these products are produced sustainably.”

This is in contrast to sectors such as the dairy industry, which export primarily commodity products that are used in ingredients.

“As a result, few retail customers are aware that New Zealand milk products are present in the final product and there is little market incentive for dairy farmers to

Continued on next page

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respond to customers or the general public’s concerns over how the product is produced.

“There is no significant premium for New Zealand commodity dairy exports, therefore farmers perceive reducing the environmental impact of their farming practices as a cost rather than a market advantage.”

He said the answer to ensuring that improvement in market access for our agricultural products truly benefits all New Zealanders is for the agricultural sector to move away from commodities to producing high-value branded exports.

“This will provide incentives for farmers to meet higher environmental standards not reluctantly as a result of public pressure and regulations but because it gives them a market advantage.

“If the public can be convinced that the benefits to the agricultural sector can contribute to improving the current environmental challenges as well as regional economic growth then the CPTPP can be seen not only as a win for global collaboration but a win for all New Zealanders.”

9

New Zealand top priority for UK Late last year the UK parliament acknowledged that Commonwealth countries, in particular New Zealand and Australia, would be first in line for trade deals postBrexit.

With that in mind its international trade committee launched an inquiry into the UK’s trade relationship with New Zealand and Australia, which would look at potential mechanisms for improving trade post-Brexit.

In launching the inquiry, committee chairman Angus MacNeil said British International Trade Secretary Liam Fox had made it clear when he spoke to the committee that he saw the two nations “as quick wins as he sets about creating the UK’s trading relationship with the rest of the world”.

However, while the UK had much in common with Australia and New Zealand, trade negotiations were a twoway street, MacNeil said.

“This inquiry will look at the UK’s priorities for developing new markets in Australia and New Zealand,

Colin Williscroft

RURAL REPORTER

and the areas where we risk losing out.

“It will also examine how a trade deal could help expand UK trade in the wider AsiaPacific region and whether it could be the springboard for other deals in the future.”

Only days after written submissions to the inquiry closed on January 19, New Zealand’s Minister for Trade and Export Growth David Parker arrived in London for a series of meetings on trade and economic issues.

While in the British capital Parker met with Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union David Davis and Secretary of State for Agriculture Michael Grove.

Parker said New Zealand was a natural partner for the UK.

Minister for Trade and Export Growth David Parker was in London recently to discuss opportunities to strengthen bilateral PHOTO ASHBURTON GUARDIAN trade ties with the UK post-Brexit.

“We enjoy a close relationship based on deep cultural and historical links, shared values and our long history of working together internationally. We also share a commitment to open markets and progressive and inclusive trading arrangements.”

He said during a recent visit to New Zealand by Fox, the two discussed ways to

strengthen bilateral trade and economic ties.

“This means ensuring that we will not be disadvantaged as a result of Brexit, as well as moving quickly to sieze new opportunities,” Parker said.

They would include a comprehensive, modern and high quality free trade agreement with the UK once it leaves the EU.

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Farming

Environmental stra Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s environment team is looking forward to discussions this year with key stakeholders about a new draft environment strategy, as three new faces bring a range of skills and expertise.

B+LNZ’s environment strategy manager Julia Beijeman says Richard Parkes, Lauren Phillips and Alice Bradley bring with them a range of technical, environmental science and legal expertise, coupled with a sound knowledge of agricultural systems and communication skills.

Beijeman said the appointments reflect the importance B+LNZ places on environmental management, protection and enhancement. It is, she said, one of the tenets of the organisation’s over-arching strategy.

B+LNZ’s draft environmental strategy focuses on four clear and tangible outcomes; cleaner water, healthy soils, thriving biodiversity and towards carbon neutrality and these will underpin the environment team’s work. The strategy will be shared with some key stakeholders as part of a consultation process before it is launched later this year.

Beijeman said sheep and beef farmers work tirelessly in the environment space, so a focus for this year will be to better understand, capture, share and support these farmer actions. Key activities for the team will include working with farmer-driven catchment groups, refreshing B+LNZ’s farm environment planning resources, and undertaking projects that link farmer actions with community outcomes.

One of the challenges with working with natural systems is the time-lag between actions and outcomes.

“It is massive. While farmers can be working hard to manage for environment risk, it can be some time before results are reflected in outcomes such as water quality.

“One of the biggest issues that these long timeframes pose is that our farmers will continue to face increasing public scrutiny, even though they’re seeking to manage possible environmental risks.

She said one of the best ways B+LNZ can support its levy payers is to help link on-farm actions to community expectations.

“This year we will be piloting stateof-the-art tools, to help bring this new dimension into farmer decision making, to both better target on-farm actions, and to manage expectations around the immediate results that will occur.”

Another focus area for the environment team will be aligning environmental management with New Zealand’s red meat brand and story - which is currently under development.

The brand and story will leverage off this country’s natural farming systems and unique environment.

Beijeman said farm environment plans can be used to help quantify marketing claims and allow consumers to see how farmers are protecting and enhancing their

Right – B+LNZ’s environment strategy manager, Julia Beijeman, says her team will be working with farmer-driven catchment groups, refreshing B+LNZ’s farm environment planning resources, and undertaking projects that link farmer actions with community outcomes.

PHOTO SUPPLIED

natural resources.

While running farm environment plan workshops are a core part of B+LNZ’s business, Beijeman said there is an opportunity to better align resources to the four key pillars of the environment strategy, and to provide on-going support to farmers to ensure they are making the most effective use of these working documents.

In all of its work, the environment team will be looking to work with partners to deliver information, advice and on-going support to its levy-paying farmers.

Underlying all of B+LNZ’s environment activities is work to shape and inform government policy and planning.

Sheep and beef farming systems are complex and unique, Beijeman said.

“We need environmental policy and planning frameworks that recognise this complexity and allow farmers to come up with their own innovative environmental solutions.”

In addition to the organisation’s flagship environmental projects, B+LNZ will continue advocating for the sector, and empowering farmers to advocate for themselves – as regional councils around the country set their nutrient limits.

As well as fostering innovation, B+LNZ would also like to see councils taking a natural capital approach to nutrient allocation rather than grandparenting.

This, Beijeman said, allows sheep and beef farmers to optimise their farming systems, provides greater flexibility to respond to market signals, while enabling farming within environmental limits.

B+LNZ’s environment team has grown exponentially over the past three years. Starting with just one person, the organisation now employs seven full-time environmental experts.

“We are entering an exciting and challenging new year, with strong environmental signals coming from the new government. But with a new environment strategy being developed, and a team of experts on board, B+LNZ is up to the challenge and is looking forward to continuing its work for the sheep and beef sector.”

www.guardianonline.co.nz

11

ategy focuses on four outcomes Sector capability programme review Beef + Lamb NZ (B+LNZ) is seeking farmers’ views on its sector capability programme.

Richard Wakelin, B+LNZ’s general manager innovation, said the review will consider farmer investment through B+LNZ in the sector capability programme overall and its various activities.

“The review will look at B+LNZ investment in the current portfolio of activities, how these activities align with farmer needs and perceptions, and how they provide value back to the sheep and beef sector,” he said.

The review will also consider future B+LNZ investment in areas not currently targeted.

B+LNZ has invested significantly in developing the capability of people in the sheep and beef sector, and attracting new participants, Wakelin said.

“This has traditionally included leadership development, farm skills

Richard Wakelin.

PHOTO SUPPLIED

training, agribusiness management training, agriculture sector career promotion, school agriculture curriculum projects and the provision of a range of scholarship opportunities.”

The review will be

completed by April, with B+LNZ announcing the outcomes mid-year. The first part of the review process will capture insights via a survey and interviews. The closing date for the survey is February 22.

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Farming

www.guardianonline.co.nz

Dismissal process flaws cost farmer A recent Employment Relations Authority decision highlights the need for farmers to follow the correct process if they are unhappy with an employee’s performance.

A Hawkes Bay farm has been told defects in the way it dismissed a farm worker meant its actions were unjustified, and resulted in it being ordered to pay the former employee $2500.

In a case recently heard by the Employment Relations Authority in Wellington, Hawkes Bay’s Koanui Farm Trust was found to have acted unfairly in the way it dismissed Sam Robinson, due to “procedural defects”.

Authority member James Crichton said he accepted that numerous verbal warnings were given to Robinson during his employment, “which taken in their totality go some significant distance towards justifying the dismissal.

“Were it not for the procedural deficits Koanui might have succeeded in justifying the dismissal.”

Crichton said the decision to dismiss was the culmination of a long process of unsatisfactory performance

Colin Williscroft

RURAL REPORTER

and appeared to be “the employer simply losing patience with Robinson and dismissing him in the heat of the moment.

“There was no opportunity for Robinson to be involved in the process, no ability for him to make submissions about how the performance problems were to be treated, whether those problems amounted to serious misconduct or whether dismissal was the only remedy.”

Had a proper investigative process been followed, Crichton said Koanui may have decided that the matters

complained about – poor workmanship, no work ethic and an inappropriate attitude towards his employer – only amounted to ordinary misconduct rather than serious misconduct and so a

final written warning might have been more appropriate.

Crichton added that “dismissals made in haste and in the heat of the moment almost invariably result in a conclusion of this sort”.

However he did note that Robinson brought much of his difficulties upon himself.

“There would have been no dismissal if there had not been so many performance problems with Robinson,” Crichton said, noting the number of verbal warnings given to Robinson by Koanui.

“By my count, there are nine warnings over two months of employment, which is about one a week.”

Robinson had sought $12,000 from Koanui but the authority awarded him $2431.71, which included holiday pay.

“This is a case where, but for the procedural flaws, dismissal might have been justified.

“Mr Robinson’s performance problems were so grave that it was almost inevitable that the employment would come to an end at some point and potentially on a justifiable basis.”

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ADVERTISING FEATURE FEBRUARY 2018

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Farming

www.guardianonline.co.nz

A.I.S. FEATURE

All the changes through the ages Sue Newman

SENIOR REPORTER

Ashburton Implement Services (A.I.S.) today is a very different company to the one founded in 1951.

Its birth came on the back of the International Harvester Company developing a network of independent dealers across New Zelaand.

Bob Burnett, (Burnetts Motors Ltd) was a customer of International Harvester, purchasing trucks and construction equipment, and was offered the franchise and together with three other businesss leaders Bob Woodham, Maurie Wall and Cyril Bonnington formed the company, Ashburton Farm Services.

The business consortium applied for the International Harvester franchise for Mid Canterbury and while this application was successful, the name, Ashburton Farm Services was turned down by the Companies’ Office. Instead they decided to register their new business as Ashburton Implement Services (A.I.S.).

In its early years, the business moved several times from Burnett Street, to the corner of South and East Streets and then in 1953 the East Street garage owned by Drummond and Etheridge, the site were Repco now trades from, came on the market and was purchased

by A.I.S..

The company operated from this site until 1997 when the new purpose. Built workshops in the Riverside Industrial

Park were opened. During the years on East Street.

The company grew and purchased the properties fronting East St from Grey St. Up to Walnut Ave. A showroom to sell cars, was built and Peugeot, Renault, Rambler and Jeep vehicles were sold, followed by Suzuki motorcycles.

From the outset A.I.S. proved to be a strong business.

The company’s annual report in 1957 indicated the company had a very successful year’s trading selling 30 hay balers, 34 mowers, 3 combine harvesters, 17 side rakes and 22 tractors.

Expansion continued and as the size of the machinery increased, so too did the need for greater floor space.

In 1996 plans were developed for a new building on the current site and this was completed in 1997.

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At that time the company was servicing trucks, tractors and harvesters. At that time the company prided itself on having the most modern oil dispensing and greasing facilities in town.

The business continued to grow and as well as a sales point for the International Harvester franchise it also became a fuel depot for several years.

A.I.S. FEATURE

Expansion plans also included a relocation, to land the company bought on the corner of Walnut Avenue and East Street. This never eventuated and the site was leased.

Skateranch, (now Ashburton Toyota) was built on what was the old Europa Oil depot site.

When the company celebrated its 50th birthday, manager Geoff Wall (son of founding owner Maurie Wall)

said the company took huge pride in its motto “we service what we sell�.

The company had built its reputation on quality service and quality staff, he said.

Maurie Wall managed the company until 1986 when Geoff Wall took over as manager.

In 2005, John Woodham purchased the shares in A.I.S. and Andy Ruck was appointed manager.

In later years A.I.S. expanded its reach and established branches in Gore, Invercargill and Nelson.

These were progressively sold during the years the company was owned

by John Woodham and the business continued to trade under management until sold to Dan Rushton in December, starting another page in its history, one that sees it move back into the hands of an owner-operator.

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Farming

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A.I.S. FEATURE

Local business back in family hands Life for local business Ashburton Implement Services (A.I.S.) has just gone a full circle.

It was founded in 1951 as a family business by the late Maurie Wall and a group of investors and later run by his son Geoff; 66 years later it has once again become a family owned business.

When Dan Rushton took over the owner’s reins in December, he realised a dream he’d been nurturing since he walked into a workshop as an apprentice mechanic in 2002.

And like the business’ founder, Dan is a family man with a young son he hopes will one day become his successor.

Between the Wall family and Rushton family ownership, the business was run under management, but new owner Dan says he’ll be a hands-on owner, happy to slip out from behind his desk, don his overalls and pick up the tools whenever and whereever he’s needed.

Along with a small group of investors, Dan became owner of the business on December 21. He admits that with a young baby on board, and a holiday planned (one that had to be cancelled) the timing wasn’t perfect to take on a business that will require most of his waking hours, but when you’re offered an opportunity that is one you’ve been hoping for, for years, you don’t say no.

“I got tapped on the shoulder by one of the investors. He said here’s an opportunity, do you want in. I knew I had to grab it.”

Ashburton Drycleaning & Laundry Service

The new generation of A.I.S. From left - Ashleigh, Max and Dan Rushton.

PHOTO RUSHTON MARKETING

The other investors were involved in the rural sector and had been looking at building a workshop to service their vehicle fleets.

A.I.S. came onto their radar, Dan came

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www.guardianonline.co.nz

A.I.S. FEATURE

“

had always been on the cards and I was just waiting for the right thing to come up and this is it.”

Becoming owner-operator of a heavy vehicle servicing business means he has

the best of both worlds – running his own business in an industry he loves.

He brings a wealth of experience to the business, ranging from an apprenticeship in Christchurch with

And when it comes to ensuring the business will maintain a high profile in the community, Dan won’t have to look any further than Ashleigh who runs her own marketing company.

Landpower, a company he worked with from 2002 to 2008, before signing off and heading to Australia to work in the mining industry followed by several years with a prominent local rural business. During his time in Australia, Dan’s base was McKay but his workplace ranged across vast areas of northern Queensland.

“I worked on all sorts of gear over there. I’d get a call and go round heaps of different mine sites.

“I remember one day driving for 12 hours into the bush to work for 10 minutes before driving 12 hours back,” he said.

Regardless of distance, farmers simply wanted their gear fixed.

Working days in the mining industry were long – 80 and 90 hour weeks – but eventually they took their toll and Dan decided to head back to New Zealand.

At that point working in Ashburton was not on the radar.

“When I got back I gave my old boss a call. He said he could have something in Ashburton. I didn’t really think Ashburton would be the town for me, but I took the job and I look at it now and I’m glad I did.

I never thought within 10 years I’d be married with a child and own my own business.”

Dan knows he has a lot on his plate over the coming years as he builds his heavy truck servicing and repairs business up to the standard he wants, and he knows the hours will be long, but he also knows that he’ll always be making time for his wife Ashleigh and 10 month old son Max. They’re number one.

And when it comes to ensuring the business will maintain a high profile in the community, Dan won’t have to look any further than Ashleigh who runs her own marketing company.

For all your hydraulic requirements you can trust Hydraulink Mid Canterbury 24hr, 7 days a week

The Hydraulink team wish Dan and the team at A.I.S. all the best in their new venture.

39 Robinson Street, Ashburton Phone 308 8848 | Mobile 027 223 0105 Email: dan@hydraulinkmc.co.nz | www.hydraulink.com

ENGINEERING ASHBURTON LIMITED • General engineering and repairs • Aluminium welding and fabrication • All farm machinery repairs • Design and build to your requirements • Certified welding for your truck and trailer repairs • Sheet metal cutting and folding up to 4mm capacity • From one-off repairs to full overhauls on your fleet

For quality service phone Zane Rich on 027 460 4084 Proud to support the team at A.I.S.

26A Robinson Street, Riverside Industrial Park, Ashburton

5

Rushton Marketing

PROUDLY PROVIDING A.I.S. WITH MARKETING SUPPORT (till death do us part!)

While I can‘t get hitched to you, I can help your business grow through creative, innovative marketing.

Contact me, Ashleigh, to find out how www.rushtonmarketing.nz 03 307 7274

6

Farming

www.guardianonline.co.nz

A.I.S. FEATURE

A.I.S. in action When it comes to keeping the wheels of the district’s trucks rolling, the team of experts at A.I.S. have the skills in their tool kits to ensure whatever needs fixing under the bonnet or under the chassis is fixed – and stays fixed. As truck and trailer experts in spares and repairs they go the extra mile to ensure clients’ vehicles are back on the road in record time. And if that means working long hours and odd hours the A.I.S. team will do it, they understand that having a truck off the road is counted in income lost for their clients.

Above - Rini diagnosing an engine fault.

Above - Tom teaching Daf about a brake system.

Above - Putting the pieces back together.

Above - Working on a booster.

Helmack – your truck accessories specialists Proudy supporting A.I.S.

Call Paul on 308 4867 today for more information 92 Dobson Street, Ashburton Phone 308 4867 Mon-Fri 7am-5pm; Sat 8am-12pm

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A.I.S. FEATURE

What A.I.S. clients have to say

“

I’ve dealt with Dan in his previous employment and he was great to deal with. We had a naughty baler and he always pulled a trick out of his hat and got it repaired for us.

A.I.S. always looked after our two trucks and B-Trains and the service was bloody good.

“

I’ve found Dan very obliging and he goes the extra mile to get trucks repaired, even after hours, when we’re really busy.

He just makes it work and he understands that’s what we need when we’re really busy.

It’s great, prompt service.

You call them and they say bring it in straight away, they provide such good service. They always get the job done, and Tom in the workshop, he’s great to deal with, nothing is ever a problem.

“He recognises that time is critical for us and he knows we can’t have trucks off the road for long. Nothing is a problem for him and his staff are fantastic. I’d thoroughly recommend A.I.S. to any one.

Rodger Smith, Rodger Smith Contracting

Jarrod Ross, Ross Brothers Transport

Happy to support Dan and the A.I.S. team in their new venture.

For all new and used truck enquiries please contact us

“

A.I.S. has been very reliable, as well as very quick and efficient, every time we have dealt with them.

The team goes out of its way and provides a service second to none.

Our company would be lost without them. We are very happy with them and highly recommend them.

Butch, Wallace Group

Roger: 03 307 6401 027 223 0406 Or Bailey Smith 027 824 9968

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Farming

www.guardianonline.co.nz

A.I.S. FEATURE

Staff profiles Dan Rushton

Thomas Wilson

Dan took over ownership of A.I.S along with two other directors in December 2017. Having spent the last 15 years as a mechanic, starting as an Apprentice Mechanic and moving through to being Regional Service Manager for a wellknown agricultural company, the challenge of business ownership and the prospect of creating a legacy for his family saw him take up this opportunity.

When he’s not at work Dan enjoys spending time with his wife and son and tinkering in the garage.

Tom is our amazing workshop manager.

He’s been fixing trucks and trailers here for almost three years. He tells us that he loves everything A.I.S but if he had to pick a favourite job it would be Diagnostics.

Tom is really passionate about high quality work being executed and makes sure that every job performed in the shop gets his seal of approval.

When Tom isn’t at work he can be found doing sporting activities like mountain biking, skiing and having a game of rugby with the boys!

Jeff Rapsey

Barbara Cook

Born and bred Ashburtonian, Jeff, is our resident genius when it comes to all things parts and he loves everything truck and trailer.

He took the time to tell us that he loves being part of a good team that know how to work together.

When Jeff isn’t hard at work you can find him catching all the big fish, playing tennis exploring the hiking tracks or getting stuck in the vegetable garden.

Barbara is our amazing office lady and has been with us for 18 months. Barb is passionate about the motor industry and helping our customers find what they are looking for when they come in.

Barb loves the atmosphere that comes with working at A.I.S and says all the guys are really great to work with.

When Barb isn’t hard at work in the office you can find her at the speedway soaking up the action, in the garden or sitting on the deck with a glass of vino!

WORKSHOP MANAGER

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A.I.S. services all our Paveco trucks and provides great service. Congratulations Dan on your new business.

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13 Robinson Street, Riverside Industrial Estate, Ashburton Phone 03 307 6466 – www.paveco.co.nz

Ashburton Powder Coating & Sandblasting are proud to support Dan and his team at A.I.S. 26 Robinson Street, Ashburton Ph: 03 308 9888 A/H 03 308 8097 E: Max19@xtra.co.nz

Proudly supporting A.I.S.

www.guardianonline.co.nz

Cameron McCormick

Daf Philp

Cam has been a mechanic 14 years and is another one of our talented heavy diesel mechanics.

Cam loves getting amongst the trucks here at A.I.S and is a real motor enthusiast.

He‘s all about everything truck and trailer related and thinks the other fellas here at the shop are a pretty good bunch.

When Cam has time off you can find him playing rugby or cricket, having some family time or doing a bit of fishing.

Daf loves the banter that goes on here at A.I.S and tells us that the rest of the guys are a really good group of lads to work with.

He loves the challenge of working here and working on all the different trucks that come in.

When Daf isn’t getting stuck in to work he can be found on the rugby field scoring tries and having some beers with the lads after winning the game.

Rene Garcia

John Schofield

Rene is one of our passionate heavy diesel mechanics.

He loves working in the workshop and keeping busy.

He enjoys fixing all types of machinery and can’t get enough of the action in the workshop!

When Rene isn’t at work he can be found at home in his own workshop tinkering on projects, relaxing with friends and having a good old fashioned after work beer.

John is our Jack of all trades here at A.I.S and has been with us for roughly 10 years. He’s a wealth of knowledge in all things A.I.S and tells us that he enjoys the job itself because there is always something interesting to be done plus he tells us the rest of the crew aren’t bad and the clients are pretty great too!

When John isn’t in the workshop he can be found tramping, mountain biking or spending time with the apple of his eye the grandies.

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9

A.I.S. FEATURE

GENERAL HAND

IT’S THE TIME

OF THE YEAR

to work on your vehicle maintenance

Your local VTNZ is just around the corner

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We are proud to support A.I.S. Phone: 307 0378 | Mobile: 0274 274 007 17 Range Street, Ashburton | Email: busandtruckbodywork@xtra.co.nz

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10

Farming

www.guardianonline.co.nz

A.I.S. FEATURE

Building a business Looking to the future, Dan Rushton knows the key to

Dan sorting out a breakdown.

PHOTOS ASHBURTON GUARDIAN

As new owner of A.I.S. Dan believes that the business has been marking time, rather than growing, over the past few years, but he believes as hands-on owner-operator there is every reason for that to change.

“We’re already seeing quite a lot of returning customers as we get out and start talking to people. The fact that the business has dipped a bit gives us an opportunity to build it back up to where it should be,” he said.

The focus of Dan and his team will be on ensuring every vehicle leaving the workshop leaves with all work completed to the highest standard.

“I’m absolutely passionate about making sure gear is turned out properly, making sure when people come into our workshop their gear is fixed 100 per cent. I’d rather do six trucks a day 110 per cent rather than 10 at 90 per cent,” he said.

Across the heavy truck servicing industry nationally, Dan believes there is not enough focus on quality; repairs have become more about quantity than quality, he said.

A.I.S. has a service agency for both Nissan and Iveco vehicles but will

service trucks of all makes, models and sizes.

“Whatever we service, it will be about providing top notch service.”

And that service involves opening on Saturday mornings and working outside ‘normal’ hours if that’s what a client needs.

All service staff have their own company vehicles and that means they’re much more available to clients than they would be if they were using pool vehicles, Dan said.

“We’re on call 24/7. It pays off.

We did a job for a new customer out of hours. He was delighted and two more of his vehicles have come in.”

His goal is for A.I.S. to become a one-stop servicing and repairs shop for heavy truck owners, individuals and businesses with a large fleet.

He’s now structuring a system that will ensure his customers know when their truck needs to be serviced and he’s planning to develop a process for clients that will help them plan ahead to ensure every part needed will be in store when the truck hits the workshop.

“We have around 12,000 part lines in store.

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A.I.S. FEATURE

11

on outstanding service growing his business can be summed up in two words – GREAT SERVICE. “We will begin preparing in advance by ringing clients a week before their service is due so we can make sure they receive a good and cost effective service. An extra $10- here and $10 there all adds up for a customer.”

Currently he has a staff of seven, including four mechanics, but he’s keen to grow that number. Two new mechanics have come on board since he took over the business and if there are any out there looking for work, he’d like to hear from them. Finding good mechanics is a challenge, Dan said.

“Quality staff are everything. This place would be nothing without its people – that’s what our business is -

we sell labour and we sell parts.

We’ll build our reputation on people and on service.”

He has one apprentice and over the coming months is keen to add another.

“We’re always actively hunting for staff.” While truck servicing and repairs will be A.I.S. main focus, Dan is already looking at ‘bolt-on’ services he can add to the business such as carrying out Certificate of Fitness checks in-house. He’s also keen to look at working with companies with large numbers of trucks to bring these onto a servicing rotation plan.

“We plan to be pretty proactive,” he said.

Dan didn’t waste any time making changes. On day one he called in the tech team and changed the computer system. A major undertaking.

“My team has been amazing at getting this new system up and running and the technical people worked really hard, even over the Christmas break. They went above and beyond, but it’s critical for us that we have a good system in place.”

The new system meant details of about 10,000 customers had to be moved over along with 7000 email addresses.

Dan knows the hours will be long over the coming months. He’s at the

workshop from 6am until 6pm most days, but said his number one focus will be hitting the road and drumming up new business and new customers, one truck or a fleet of dozens.

He knows the future will be packed with hard work and long hours, but he also knows that future is packed with opportunities and possibilities.

As an owner who is also the man behind the desk and often the man on the workshop floor, Dan believes that knowing the boss is approachable and easy to find is a big plus.

“You don’t have to go through a manager to talk to me. I’m right here.”

The talented A.I.S. team. From left - Dan Rushton, Barbara Cook, Jeff Rapsey, Thomas Wilson, Daf Philp, John Schofield and Rene Garcia.

(Absent) Cam McCormick - off at a breakdown, because trucks don’t stop for photoshoots.

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25

Milksmart: Small changes have big impact Small changes in Hamish Johnson’s milking shed has seen his staff cut up to an hour off their milking time each day.

The Canterbury farmer credits the efficiency gains to advice he received from milking specialist Josh Wheeler at a DairyNZ Milksmart event.

Johnson said the main change he made to their 60 bail rotary system was to increase the automatic cup removers (ACR) minimum flow from .2L/minute to .5L/ minute and the pulsator ratio from 60:40 to 70:30.

He also changed their milking liners.

“We worked out we could get quicker milking liners for the back teats and saved another 40 seconds per cow per milking.”

Coupled with upskilling staff on their cupping techniques, this saw them save 40 minutes in the morning and 20 minutes in the afternoon.

Hamish, who was initially sceptical, said he was amazed by the results.

EVENTS Milksmart events coming up: Interested in learning from other farmers that are saving time in the shed?

Milksmart events are taking place in

Hamish Johnson has reduced the time he spends milking thanks to Milksmart.

“Our production levels didn’t change, the somatic cell count didn’t change, the only thing that changed was that we saved an hour a day in milking 1100 cows.”

He said milking makes up a large proportion of time on a dairy farm so any savings in the shed are significant. And his staff and cows are happier as a result.

“Our guys are now getting up half an hour later in

Phone: 0508 03 1990 | 73 Burnett St Ashburton

the morning and starting milking 15 minutes later in the afternoon and we’re still finishing at the same time we were before, if not earlier.

No one is getting up at silly o’clock anymore.

“The cows spend less time in the shed, people spend less time in the shed, so both are happier.”

He said the experience has been really positive and he encourages other farmers to

PHOTO SUPPLIED

give Milksmart a go.

“You’ve got nothing to lose.

At the end of the day if you try it and it doesn’t work, then you can always go back to what you were doing. I think you’ll find if you change things you won’t be going back.”

For more information on Milksmart, or to find an event near you, visit dairynz.co.nz/milksmart.

Rangitata Thursday, March 1 Leeston Friday, March 2 Visit dairynz.co.nz/ milksmart to register to secure your space.

26 2

Farming

www.guardianonline.co.nz

Tour to follow water’s journey

The heritage of a rural water scheme tour committee at the Dry Acheron intake.

efficiency of piping the water,” organising committee member Gavin King said.

“It was really quite a feat how the water races were built 100 years ago by hand; their ability to get the fall just right so the water flowed from the source at the Dry Acheron to the end users is impressive.

Then to maintain the scheme

was a considerable effort. It just shows that in this area we have always been innovative with how we source and use water.

“Most people take water for granted, they just turn on the tap, but someone has to put the water into the tap and to get supply to this rural district takes (a) massive network,

PHOTO SUPPLIED

which has been developed over the past century. On this tour we will be taking people behind the scenes onto private land so they can really get to see and understand how this water scheme developed,” King said.

Starting at the Hororata Domain, the tour will go through Glentunnel and

up to Windwhistle, where the Snowdon Water scheme originates. Local guides will provide information on the historic water scheme and farming operations. The tour will take detours onto private farms to see the historic intake and siphon.

Lunch will be in the Coleridge village, with a tour of the historic Coleridge Power Station. The return trip will cross private land for a bird’seye view of the Central Plains Water intake.

A number of heritage properties will be open on the day for those who do not wish to do the bus tour. They include Terrace Station, Gunyah Estate, Coton’s Cottage and Museum and Glentunnel Museum. Properties will charge an entry fee at their gate.

The bus tour is being held on March 11, departing the Hororata Domain at 9.30am and returning 4.30pm. Tickets are $45 per person and lunch is included. People need to pre-register, as there are no ticket sales on the day. Details can be found at www.hororata. org.nz.

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Without the foresight of pioneers in the south Malvern area 100 years ago to establish a water scheme, the development of that area would not have happened.

Now a special bus tour is planned to shed some light on that fascinating history.

Part of a Hororata Community Trust heritage project, the tour is being run to provide some insight into the importance of water to the district and how it has been harnessed.

It will follow the journey of water from Lake Coleridge through the Malvern Foothills over the past 100 years.

Those on the tour will journey through spectacular high country scenery onto private land, getting a first-hand look at how the ingenuity and engineering of pioneers who set out to make a living on the land in 1840 still influences the area today.

“Water has always been a controversial topic, without it we would not be able to farm or live on this land. This tour is about showing the evolution of open water races for farm and town supply to the

Dairy Feed and Crop Storage Specialists

Dairy Feed and Crop Storage Specialists

Tel: 03 303 7266 | Mobile 0274 151 390 | Email: paul@pmr.co.nz

www.pmr.co.nz

www.guardianonline.co.nz

SEED FEATURE

27

Steps to take before importing seeds If you’re thinking about importing seeds into the country, the first thing you will need to do is determine whether the seed is considered a new organism. If it is, you will need approval from the Environmental Protection Authority.

The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) lists the following steps on its website to help people work out if a seed would be a new organism, prior to confirming it with them.

Step 1: Work out if your plant species is new The Ministry for Primary Industries’ Plant Biosecurity Index (PBI) is a register of close to 30,000 approved plant species and identifies the requirements for importing seed for sowing and nursery stock.

If your plant species is listed on the PBI, you do not need EPA approval to bring it into New Zealand. You can find out more about importing nursery stock and seed for sowing on the Ministry for Primary Industries website, including instructions for searching the PBI. Even if your plant species is listed on the PBI, you will still need to meet New Zealand’s

biosecurity requirements to be able to import. If your plant species is not on the PBI, go to Step 2.

Step 2: Your plant species is not on the PBI and is likely to be a new organism If your plant species is not listed on the PBI, then it will by default be considered to be a new organism. Your seeds may be detained for this reason. Your seeds may also be detained if you don’t provide

the correct scientific name for your plant.

You have three options if your plant species is not listed on the PBI: Option 1 Check to see if your plant species is known by another name (synonym) which is listed on the PBI. If you provide the EPA with evidence that the plant species is known by another name which is listed on the PBI

you may not need an approval from to import or use this plant species in New Zealand.

Contact the EPA to discuss this.

Option 2 Find evidence that your plant species is present in New Zealand.

If you have evidence that the plant species was present in New Zealand before July 29, 1998 (for example evidence from local plant catalogues, scientific papers, signed statements from person(s) who have these plants, or pre-1998 import permits for this plant species) a statutory process may be required to determine if this plant species is not a new organism. Contact the EPA to discuss this.

Option 3 Make an application to import the new plant species into New Zealand.

If there is no evidence that this plant species is present in New Zealand, you will need to

make an application (a release application) to the EPA so it can do a risk assessment before your plant can be introduced into the New Zealand environment.

Release applications require a substantial amount of information about the plant species and you will need to provide information on the potential effects of the plant species on the environment, human health, society, Maori culture and traditions, and the market economy.

Contact the EPA to discuss whether this option is right for you.

MPI may also need to do a risk assessment to consider the biosecurity risks which may be associated with the plant species.

If you are intending to make an application to the EPA, you should also contact MPI to talk to them about an application for the development of an import

Bangor, 22TDM/ha, 30/01/18

BY FARMERS, FOR FARMERS www.wholesaleseeds.co.nz - 0800 670 770

28

Farming

SEED FEATURE

Top selling ryegrass for 2017

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The New Zealand Plant Breeders Research Association (NZPBRA) recently announced the top selling perennial ryegrass for the 2017 year.

Based off NZPBRA statistics Agricom’s ONE50 perennial ryegrass was named as New Zealand’s largest selling perennial ryegrass at the end of 2017. This is the second consecutive year ONE50 has gained this title, along with holding it in 2012 and 2013.

These NZPBRA statistics are generated from a rolling three years of sales where sales volumes are submitted by seed companies for their cultivars to contest becoming the standard in the following year’s ational trials. Agricom Central South Island sales manager Lyndon Anderson says “It’s both deserved and pleasing that ONE50 has held at the top of sales again.”

“Farmers are looking for something that is persistent, that produces well and is easy to manage. ONE50 has now been proven over time; there are so many varieties available but ONE50 has a great track record.”

The industry also uses the DairyNZ Forage Value Index (FVI) to rank

ryegrass varieties and endophytes over different seasons. The FVI is an independent, profit based index system that allows dairy farmers to make more informed decisions about the varieties they incorporate into their regrassing programmes.

ONE50 AR37 has an enviable reputation in the FVI gaining a (maximum) five star rating across all regions in New Zealand. Attributing a dollar value compared to a genetic base of ‘commons’ such as Nui, Yatsun and Bronsyn, ONE50 AR37 in the upper South Island has a $351 to $458 per ha advantage. The data used for the FVI comes from the National Forage Variety Trials (NFVT).

These trials are carried out using comprehensive and scientifically based protocols, along with being subjected to rigorous review.

“New Zealand farmers have more independent information available to them than ever before. This gives them confidence in making decisions,” says Anderson.

“We are proud to have built such a good reputation around ONE50 and believe that it will continue to perform strongly for our clients.”

SEED FEATURE

29

T100 winter active triticale

Agronomic

Wintermax triticale – a new nutrient management tool for reducing nitrogen leaching. Plant Research (NZ) Ltd in collaboration with Grasslanz Technology have developed a unique nutrient management tool in the form of a winter active triticale variety named Wintermax.

T100 triticale a new autumn/winter Winteris active cereal for sown single harvest forage nutrient management in option.

New Zealand T100 portrays excellent early Agronomic features establishment vigour and has the Available a selection of leading merchants. ability tothrough rapidly accumulate dry matter ▪ Excellent early establishment vigour.

Contact your local merchant for more information. over the winter period. T100 offers a ▪ Winter active – Unsurpassed dry matter highly nutritious early springwinter forage T100 is a Plant Research (NZ) Ltd product. supplement retaining green leaf “Wintermax” is a registeredby Trademark and “T100” isto protected by Plant Variety Rights production when compared other forage cereals. throughout the cooler months.

Winter act

Erect grow

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strong stra ▪

Large redu

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Large reduced-awned seed head with large sized grain.

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Early to head but slow to mature.

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Maintains green leaf during colder months.

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60

Dry Matter Production (% T100) from an autumn sown forage trial at White Rock North Canterbury harvested 161 DAP. T100 yield = 4075 kg/ha, 40 LSD 5%= 636 kg, CV% = 14.3.

100

T100

20

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For 60 further information contact Cates Grain & Seed 2 Kermode Street, Ashburton, New Zealand 7700

T100

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D1 Oat

MAYFIELD 12TH SEPTEMBER. T100 LEFT RAHU RYECORN RIGHT.

FURTHER0INFORMATION CONTACT

2 Kermode St, Ashburton +64 3 308 7166 | 0800 900 308 2 Kermode Street, Ashburton, New Zealand 7700 Dry Matter Production - (% T100) from an autumn sown forage trial at White www.cates.co.nz Ph: +64 3 308 | 0800 900LSD 3085%= | www.cates.co.nz Rock North Canterbury harvested 161 DAP. T100 yield7166 = 4075 kg/ha, 636

Rahu

40

Proprietary Oats

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Mayfield 12th September. T100 left Rahu ryecorn right.FOR

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T100 triticale is a habit. new autumn/winter sown single ▪ Erect growth harvest forage option. T100 portrays excellent early Dry Matte ▪ Excellent tolerance to current stripetorust strains. establishment vigour and has theNZability rapidly accumulate dry matter over the winter period. T100 (% T100) from North Canterb Good lodging tolerance aided by its shorter stature and offers▪a highly nutritious early spring forage supplement LSD 5%= 636 by retaining throughout the cooler months. stronggreen straw leaf strength.

Mayfield 12th September. T100 left Rahu ryecorn right.

kg, CV% = 14.3.

Excellent e

production

Nutrient losses to waterways can occur winter active triticale can remove 19 from rainwater either moving organic per cent, 21 per cent, 28 per cent, 35 matter, sediment and nutrients from per cent and 45 per cent more nitrogen land surfaces into surface waters, or from wet soils than another triticale, leaching of nutrients, such as nitrogen, oats, ryecorn, wheat and annual potassium and sulphur, through soil ryegrass, respectively, and as such into groundwater. provides another mitigation option Losses due to leaching are often for managing nitrogen movement and greatest when soils are wet, namely losses. The key to this ability is in the during winter and often after summer varieties ability to actively grow in a crops, such as maize, brassica or fodder New Zealand winter. beet are harvested or grazed in autumn Trial commercial crops conducted and early winter. by the Seed Licensee Cates Grain & Cover crops such as oats have been Seed Ltd based in Ashburton have used as a management option to reduce demonstrated the plant’s ability to a new nitrogen leaching, but the degree of T100 growtriticale quickly inisthe winterautumn/winter months and benefit is largely dependent on the accumulate valuable dry matter that single harvest forage option. management for achieving high crop sown not only absorbs nutrients, but can also yields. be used as a high quality feed source T100 portrays excellent early This will include sowing date and during and coming out of the winter vigour and has the establishment method, with an early establishment months. sowing date being most beneficial. The Cover crops can be used to reduce ability to rapidly accumulate dry matter challenge is to use a crop which can nitrogen losses during winter. The establish and grow during the wetter over development of aperiod. winter active the winter T100 offers a and the colder winter months. triticale has provided farmers with an nutritious Triticale due largely to its ryecorn highly improved option. early spring forage parentage has a deep root system On cultivatable soils it can green be sownleaf supplement by retaining resulting in an excellent nutrient early (May) or later (July) into colder scavenging ability. Triticale destined throughout soils and in the both cooler cases captures more months. for use as a winter forage supplement nitrogen than other commonly used is typically sown in March through to cropping options or fallow ground. early May. Winter active triticale offers farmers The breeding of a new and unique a practical and improved option for triticale cultivar with excellent winter reducing nitrogen losses from cold wet activity and early establishment vigour soils after removal of summer/autumn provides an improved option for crops and at the same time providing nutrient management compared with a valuable, fast growing high quality existing winter cover crops. feed option for early spring.

Field trials at a number of sites and over years, have shown that this Advertising feature

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30 2

Farming

www.guardianonline.co.nz

Great vegetation within alpine area Record high temperatures, drought, sudden southerlies and cyclones … if you’ve been under pressure with the weather lately, spare a thought for our alpine flora.

Alpine plants are those that live above the natural treeline on mountains and our foothills. In a beech forest, as you climb up a hill, there is an abrupt line where the trees give way to sub-alpine shrubs, such as turpentine, speargrass and hebes, and herbs and grasses. Higher yet, in the true alpine areas, tussocks and low-growing grasses, herbs and cushion plants take the place of woody shrubs.

The height of the treeline depends on temperature and in New Zealand, it ranges from about 1400m in the North Island to about 900m in Fiordland. In Mid Canterbury, it is about 1200m. Sometimes alpine vegetation occurs at lower elevations, such as cold frosty valleys.

Many of the specialised plants that live in alpine areas are perennials (live for many years) and so not only cope with daily and weekly weather fluctuations, but also the huge seasonal variation.

They manage to survive the snow, short days and subzero temperatures of a kiwi winter, the erratic weather of spring and then the long days, heat and blistering winds of summer.

There is high biodiversity within the alpine vegetation, probably because there is such a wide variety of habitats and environmental conditions, such as full-on sun on northerly aspects, to shade and cold on the southerly side of a mountain. As well as the sub-alpine areas, there are scree and other rocky places, tussock grasslands, bogs and swamps, damp places such as alongside streams, and

Mary Ralston

FOREST AND BIRD

herbfields on the higher slopes of mountain – each of these alpine habitats has its own suite of plants.

Individual species are often highly specialised to cope with a particular set of conditions, such as the little herbs that grow on scree.

These plants have adapted to cope with being covered with snow and ice in winter, and exposed in summer to scorching temperatures as the sun heats up the rocky debris.

They survive by having an extremely long root system that searches for water and anchors them in the loose gravel.

Many alpine plants are small and compact with disproportionately large flowers, which are often white, because in New Zealand most alpine plant pollinators are insects of various sorts. A common adaptation is to have a mat of hairs on the back of leaves, which acts as insulation from the cold and also from reflected heat. Other plants, such as spear-grass, have rigid, almost vertical leaves that ever in direct sun and lose little water.

Like all other “natural” places in New Zealand, introduced animals make an impact on the alpine zone.

Our flora evolved without browsing mammals, so few alpine plants have any defences against grazing mammals and in many places a lot of the herbs have gone.

Fire has also changed the composition of many of

our alpine and sub-alpine grasslands; fire-resistant species such as cotton daisies and spear-grass tolerate burning and proliferate where there have been repeated fires.

But the high hills and mountains and the plants that live there are an amazing part of New Zealand and we’re lucky to have such places at our back door.

Top – Perfectly adapted: the yellow scree button daisy survives the blazing heat of summer as well as freezing winter PHOTO VAL CLEMENS conditions Bottom – Alpine plants often have showy flowers: the white snow marguerite likes damp places but can tolerate heavy PHOTO MARY RALSTON winter snow

www.guardianonline.co.nz

31

A lifestyle for the modern horse We are working to encourage people to direct their energies and resources into ‘getting it right for the horse’ rather than always trying to ‘get the horse right’!

Consequently a lot of people, (including us!) are really making an effort to create options on properties whereby they can keep horses off the grass when necessary.

Horses are best adapted to arid, unfertile environments.

You can think of a dry lot as a mini arid environment. You can then customise access to grazing areas as you see fit.

When we talk about putting the horse on a dry lot we do not mean confining him full time in a yard, a pen or a stable.

Horses need room to move and make choices of a day.

They need options of shade and shelter they can choose to use or not. These are essential for both their physical health and their mental well-being.

The key is to think outside the square!

Use all the spare areas of your property, in front of trees, behind sheds, think strip rather than square. Include big trees if you have them, (pine plantations are ideal) if not, devise a way to offer shade – a sail or a shed.

Your strip may turn into an extensive track if your substrate is well draining.

If it is not well draining, you are better off to make a shorter, but still roomy area all weather.

Emphasis needs to be on safety especially when there is more than one horse. Round off all the corners and make sure there are no dead ends where any horses might get trapped. Consider also that they need room to turn around and go the other way. bulb the ends out so they can safely come to a stop if they

Jenny Paterson

BSC ZOOLOGY AND BIOLOGY

are running or playing.

Remove all hazards such as low or jagged branches, gate gudgeons etc, but enrich, when and where you can, eg: incorporate a soft area for rolling or lying down (bark or river sand – whatever you can get), round stones around water troughs which are great for their hooves or you can bring in large rocks or smooth logs (great for having a good scratch) (See photo of the rocks on our track) Having such an area is a real asset as it enables you to allow your grass areas to grow and mature to the stage that they are more suitable for grazing whilst giving your horse the life he deserves.

The challenge is to keep your dry lot grass free. This is a lot easier if it somewhere where the grass cannot grow.

Covering the area up is far more economical and easier in the long run than having to continually worry about the grass shoots coming through the dirt. What you cover it with will depend on what is available locally and the nature of your substrate.

You will find ideas for tracks and dry lots at www.calmhealthyhorses.com Then you can rest easy in the knowledge that your horse is not going to get laminitis as per the cases we have heard about just this morning after the rain in the last week – apparently our local vets are inundated; or any other issues on the grass affected health

checklist for that matter.

Many people underestimate the commitment needed to properly care for horses.

Boarding ROAD SHOWS We look forward to meeting you at one of our 2018 Boarding Road Shows to share with you the family culture which makes boarding so special at St Andrew’s College, Christchurch.

Ashburton Enquiries are welcome for scholarships including the George F Hight Scholarship (needs-based).

Enrol now for 2019!

Tuesday 6 March 5.00pm–7.00pm Lushingtons Café, 5 Archibald Street

Visit stac.school.nz for times, locations and to register online.

CalmHealthyHorses

Some examples of dry lots. A track with big rocks and small tree plantations make great dry lots.

PHOTOS BY CATHY DEE

Farming

32 2

www.guardianonline.co.nz

The beauty of rain After a struggle in November and December to keep up, the beauty of rain in early January provided a welcome catch-up.

And again just as it appeared we would struggle again another early February rain has gotten us back on track.

We are reaching the stage of the season when one can be more cautious with irrigation and don’t let nerves get the better of you.

Last time I wrote I referred to the “common law in Canterbury; that we are never more than two weeks from a drought”. It certainly became dry with an absence of rain from mid-October but we never really reached drought conditions as Cantabrians know.

While records were set for consecutive days without effective rainfall, so long as irrigation started sufficiently early we could mostly keep up. The soil moisture record shown illustrates a couple of “mistakes” I sort of hoped were behind us: • Irrigation started too late (third week of November) and by December the pasture

HYDRO SERVICES

was under stress; and • Now, nerves seem to have gotten the better with a couple unnecessary irrigations (O) following a great catch-up rainfall on February 2.

And to add to what the soil moisture record illustrates: • The benefit of rainfall and, no matter how good (uniform, efficient and well managed) the irrigation system, nothing beats a rainfall. The three rainfall events noted all filled the soil profile with very little drainage (no sharp little peaks despite the rainfall amounts) below about 40cm (the sub-soil trace); • Compared to the drainage (, the sharp little peaks) from irrigation events when

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Tony Davoren

the soil moisture content was low. When soil moisture is low (close to the stress point) there are many more pores with little or no water – subsequently when irrigation is applied at a rate greater than the infiltration capacity of the soil drainage is inevitable.

Officially we are still in summer – but days are becoming shorter and there is less time each day from now on for really high crop water use.

It is not December any longer with long days, sustained high temperatures and therefore the opportunity for really high crop water demand. If the weather forecasters are correct we are likely to get some assistance from the heavens now and into the autumn.

The other feature to note is the drop in soil temperature from the “cold” rainfall events (O). While the temperatures have not dropped close to the base temperature of 10°C there has been a significant drop of 5-6 degrees following the February 1 rainfall. Just another management tool toyota.co.nz to watch heading into the

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33

Do your bit to recycle more Sheryl Stivens

ECO EFFICIENCY

Whether you live in the country and recycle into a community co-mingled bin or have your own yellow-lidded wheelie bin at home, there are some golden rules for recycling more and wasting less.

No items inside plastic bags All items including paper, cardboard, cans and plastic bottles and containers, must be loose in the bin so they can flow along the conveyor belts and get sorted robotically.

Otherwise they will be wasted.

Plastic shopping bags can be recycled if they are clean, empty and loose.

No gladwrap, bubblewrap soft plastics or plastic film You can put all of these, including courier bags, into a plastic bag and recycle them in

Bales of clean sorted recycling ready for market.

PHOTO SUPPLIED

the soft plastic recycling bins at New World, Countdown and The Warehouse.

No polystyrene, batteries or aerosol cans in recycling bins These can be dropped off at the Ashburton Resource Recovery Park or put into your red bin.

Do you live on a farm and use the Community Recycling depots? No green waste or food waste in the recycling Please tell your farm workers not to drop any food waste or green waste at the Community Recycling Depots.

For help with on farm

recycling services call Deidre Nuttall at Envirowaste, phone 0800 240 120 or email deidre. nuttall@envirowaste.co.nz Not a great look New Zealand’s ranking as the 10th worst country for urban waste is “shameful” the Associate Environment Minister Eugenie Sage says, with an urgent review needed to change how the Waste Minimisation Act is implemented.

World Bank data shows that New Zealanders produce 3.68kg of waste per capita per day, the worst in the developed world. Sage says the statistics are “shameful” and wants to significantly reduce waste going to landfill by 2020.

“It’s time to turn around New Zealand’s rubbish record on waste. New Zealanders have told me they want to do the right thing and we need to make that easy to do.”

Sage said she would be reviewing the implementation of the Waste Minimisation Act to see how it can be more effectively used. Sage would like to apply the landfill levy to more landfills, look at a

container deposit and more product stewardship schemes.

These schemes are enacted when the Minister for the Environment declares a product to be a priority product, requiring producers to add the environmental cost into the product or design their products to be recyclable or reusable.

2017 saw the demise of the plastic bag, will 2018 see the demise of the plastic straw?

Can you believe New Zealanders throw away 541 million straws each year?

Sustainable Coastlines reports they are one of the most common items collected during beach clean-ups. Non biodegradable straws are having a detrimental impact on our environment and our oceans. Global drinks giant Pernod Ricard is the latest producer to ditch plastic straws and stirrers.

And good old paper straws that have been around for over 100 years are making a comeback. Do your bit by saying NO to plastic straws and stirrers.

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Farming

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Huge changes but are we any more PROPERTY BROKERS

the 74 years that I have been here the changes have been great. As five year olds we walked two miles (3.2kms) home from school down a country gravel road. Wouldn’t be allowed today.

When we learnt to swim at school we would go over to the big main irrigation ditch where the headmaster would place a couple of boards in the drop to slow the flow of water and we would climb down into the ditch and hang onto the grass and learn to put our face under the water. As we became more confident we would swim across the ditch and back again. What would Health and Safety and education authorities say about that today?

The ditches are no longer there as the irrigation scheme is all piped now, so there is another change. Now there are sealed roads, school buses and comfortable quiet cars. There are also huge changes in the farm machinery that is used today.

Why then if we have had all these great and beneficial changes do I feel that somehow we have less and less freedom?

We seem to be set about with structure, rules, regulations and a constant stream of so-called experts telling us what we can and cannot do.

Our businessmen and farmers are constrained by a whole raft of regulations, which are increasing in

number. Well-intentioned but often formed by people with little or no knowledge of the industry they are trying

to regulate. Now I am not advocating open slather where anyone can do what they like irrespective of the effect they

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have on others but in our efforts to be fair to all parties we have, I believe, corporatised democracy.

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Rodger Letham

031701C1869

A so-called friend mentioned to me the other day that he thought I was in my twilight years. There is nothing like a bit of positive reinforcement is there?

However the comment did make me stop and think for a minute. Now, although I realise I have less years ahead of me than I have behind me I certainly don’t consider myself as old. It’s all in the mind really.

I remember talking with my father as he approached his 90th birthday and he would tell me that in his mind he was still 23. This type of comment however does turn the mind to ask where have I come from?

What have I achieved? And it is not until we do ponder these things that we begin to realise how much the world has changed.

This year will mark 100 years since the end of the First World War (the war to end all wars) and 100 years since my father was born, so I began to ponder on the changes we have seen since then.

We have seen huge advances in flight from the old biplanes of World War One to supersonic flight and space travel. We have seen communications change from heliograph and Morse code into the internet and systems like Skype. We have seen the original horseless carriage change into electric driverless vehicles.

It is not inconceivable that in the not too distant future we may be able to travel from Ashburton to Christchurch and/or Timaru in comfortable, quiet vehicles without drivers or input from ourselves.

We have seen massive advancements in medical knowledge and longevity of life.

Even in this district, over

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35

free?

We have built layers and layers of managers, consultants and advisers. The citizen today in some ways is little better off than the serfs of medieval Europe. The serf had to go cap in hand to his lord and master tugging his forelock and asking “please sir may I …?” and we today have to do the same thing with our government and local authority.

When we do have a legitimate complaint or request it often disappears into a big, bureaucratic black hole, being passed from department to department with little or no action taken. Even our elected representatives sometimes cannot cope as they are managed by the system.

As I have said the people in these places are good people, well-meaning and following the rules. The challenge we have is the system.

So do we have less freedom than in the past? Freedom is a function of personal independence. Similarly, privacy (which is a form of freedom) is a function of personal security.

government. It can only exist until voters discover that they can vote themselves largesse from the public treasury.

From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates promising the most benefits from the treasury with the result that a democracy always collapses over loose fiscal policy, always followed by a dictatorship.

The average age of the world’s greatest dictatorships has been 200 years.

Have we, with good intention over the past few generations, bound ourselves to a constricted way of life where we can only operate

at the whim of someone else? Even in our so-called democracy are we legislating our way into bondage?

About 200 years ago a

somewhat obscure Scotsman named Tytler made this profound observation: “A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of

These nations have progressed through this sequence: From bondage to spiritual faith.

From spiritual faith to great courage.

From great courage to liberty.

From liberty to abundance.

From abundance to selfishness.

From selfishness to apathy.

From apathy to dependence.

From dependence back to bondage.”

It would be interesting to ponder whereabouts we are today.

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