Guardian Farming | October 2019

Farming GUARDIAN

OCTOBER, 2019

Water

WOES Pages 4-5

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Farming

Farming

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GUARDIAN

INSIDE

Guardian Farming is proudly published by the Ashburton Guardian Limited

WHAT THE GOVERNMENT DOESN’T WANT YOU TO KNOW: Mid Canterbury Federated Farmers’ chairman, David Clark ponders the hot topic of water.

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SUNFLOWERS ARE SET TO SOAR: The sight of more and more golden sunflower fields may become more common in the Canterbury region.

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BUCKING THE TREND: A small group of Canterbury farmers are trying to keep up with the game when it comes to the sheep dairy industry.

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EDITORIAL COMMENT

Give yourself a pat on the back Farmers and growers give yourself a pat on the back.

Primary sector exports continue to surpass expectations, earning $46.4 billion for the year ended June 30, up 8.7 per cent on the previous year.

This represents almost 80 per cent of the total $58.3 billion worth of goods exported.

Dairy of course leads the list, with export revenue of $18.1b, a $1.47b increase.

Dairy revenue is expected to further increase this season, with rising prices offsetting a slight decline in milk production.

Meat and wool export revenues are forecast to remain at just above $10b this season, with red meat prices continuing at near-record highs.

New Zealand farmers and growers produce some of the highest quality and most

Heather Chalmers

RURAL REPORTER

trusted food in the world.

We are the only country in the world to enjoy such a high standard of living on the back of a predominantly agricultural-based export economy.

Some politicians over the decades have sought to reduce reliance on the primary sector in favour of “high-tech” industries, but increasingly it is agriculture that is becoming high-tech.

While all primary sectors involve land and water and on the surface involve simple formulas such as cows and

grass, farmers are having to become much more precise and scientific about what they do to meet tightening consumer, environmental and regulatory standards.

In all the talk about tightening of agricultural emissions and freshwater quality there has been virtually no recognition of the advances farmers have already made – usually at their own cost – in reducing wastage and increasing biodiversity.

So take the time to acknowledge and appreciate how far agriculture has come, not just in terms of productivity and export earnings, but in meeting increasingly stringent rules and regulations.

Then take a deep breath and carry on.

Another celebration of farming life also kicks off this month.

After a busy few months,

Dog trialling will again be a popular event at this year’s Ashburton A&P Show.

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the start of A&P Show season is a great excuse to get off the farm, reconnect with the wider community and check out the latest in agricultural machinery, products and services, as well as some of the region’s best livestock.

Spring shows include

Ellesmere on October 19, Rangiora on October 25-26 and Ashburton on November 1-2. Events culminate with Cup and Show Week, when a visit to Christchurch to the New Zealand Agricultural Show on November 13-15, or the races is a must.

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• Crop

• Drought

• Slope

• Seed population

• Yield fluctuations

• Drainage

• Rain events

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Farming

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What the Govt doesn’t David Clark

President of MC Federated Farmers

Each summer my family swim in water-holes along the verges of the Taylors Stream and south branch of the Ashburton River which runs adjacent to our farm, just as I swam in rivers in South Auckland at their age and that is something we sure want to have as a childhood memory for the next generation.

Every year, I marvel at the thousands of families who enjoy swimming, water skiing, playing in Lake Hood; swimming, of course, in water fed from the river.

I also reflect on the leadership, tenacity, vision and sheer bloody-mindedness of the group of people who tirelessly fought to bring the Lake Hood dream to reality in the face of vitriolic public opposition. The district owes them a huge debt of gratitude.

But I also reflect on the standard of houses that have been built, the income levels that exist now in this district to afford such homes and the employment opportunities that this district now provides for its professionals.

All of this is a far cry from Mid Canterbury in 1994, the year we moved to this district.

Mid Canterbury was still struggling to recover from the 1980s economic collapse, droughts and snowstorms.

A rural town, like so many others, down on its luck, a place that exported its bright young people to opportunities elsewhere.

Now it is a place that

offers a wide variety of career options to our young people and all those across our society, with near full employment and a district with fantastic social and recreational facilities. I would contend that much of that economic transformation is on the back of agriculture and irrigation development.

But with that comes adverse impact and that is why we as farmers are on a journey of reducing the environmental footprint of agriculture.

The National Policy Statement for Freshwater imposed by the previous National Government

requires all waterways to be “maintained or improved” and via the Canterbury Land and Water Regional Plan implemented by the commissioners at Environment Canterbury, we now have a strict set of reduction targets, focused to each catchment that we must meet.

These targets are tough and will take a lot of effort to attain, requiring changes to farming systems, intense monitoring and novel solutions such as Managed Aquifer Recharge.

Farmers are engaged in the process and committed to

meeting the goals.

But now we are at a fork in the road. The Proposed Action Plan for Healthy Rivers currently being consulted on has the potential to pull the economic mat out from under this district and will replace tough, hard-toachieve targets with bottom lines that we have no hope of ever achieving, as an industry or as a district.

So, what does the proposal say for this district? ​The proposal sets out new regulations for stream fences, stock exclusion, phosphorous and sediment loss which will impact farming systems,

particularly hill country and requirements for a resource consent for any area of winter grazing crops over 5 per cent of the farm area or 30 hectares.

But for this district, the game changer is a national policy statement bottom line of 1mg/litre of dissolved inorganic nitrogen.

Currently the targets we are working towards are an aquifer drinking water standard of 6.9mg/l. Not entirely apples with apples, but still a massive shift of the goal posts.

To achieve such a bottom line, Section 5.8, P49 of

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5

want you to know

the Action for Healthy Waterways summary has a map entitled “indication of impact of proposed new nutrient bottom lines”.

The indicative nitrogen reduction beyond the current NPS-FM is between 50-80 per cent for this district.

Section 10.2, P88 states: “This would require significant land management changes in some areas.”

No direct referencing to Mid Canterbury is included, however, impact is noted in the Selwyn Te Waihora catchment with an estimated scale of benefit or problem noted as “an estimated 76 per

cent reduction in nitrogen and a 50 per cent reduction in phosphorous loads would be required to meet NPS-FM bottom line objectives for Te Waihora”.

Section 10, Impact of Proposals makes a footnote of a report prepared for Environment Canterbury in 2017 looking at the impact of an 80 per cent reduction in nitrogen loss in the Selwyn Te Waihora zone.

Broadly, that report found that land use change would be severe, resulting in a cluster of dairying along the coastal strip, dryland sheep farming on the mid-plains and the

Malvern Hills planted in trees or used for extensive grazing and was dismissed by that community as an acceptable option.

Thus far, the Government has refused to provide any economic modelling of the impact of their proposals and I understand that the advisory panel were specifically instructed to ignore any economic considerations from the proposal.

So, in the absence of information from the Government, one can only look to extrapolate the Selwyn Te Waihora model out across this district.

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So broadly speaking, changing this district back to a cluster of dairy farms along the coast, breeding ewes on the plains and merino wethers in the foothills would in my mind constitute an end to farming as we know it today.

But it seems this Government doesn’t want you to know that. Environment Minister David Parker is on record as saying some people were wound up by Federated Farmers’ claims that the freshwater reforms could signal the end of pastoral farming.

“It’s not surprising that those incendiary comments

had some people worried, but discussions have been polite,” he said. “It’s just not correct. Federated Farmers are wrong.”

I’m simply quoting from the report released for consultation by the Ministry for the Environment.

I’ll let you decide who is wrong.

My view is that it is time for Minister Parker to publicly front up with sound economic impact assessments, so that our communities understand what this proposal will mean. ​Here is an example of where this whole proposal gets ridiculous: There is a farm in this district, a good example of many, very well run, with wetlands and waterways fenced, low-to-moderate intensity, in the foothills.

Under this proposal, their fences need to be torn down and moved back three metres, they need a resource consent for the turnips for the ewes and they must reduce the intensity of the farm system by reducing calculated nitrogen loss by 50-80 per cent to help achieve a dissolved inorganic nitrogen level of 1mg/l in the lowland streams of this district.

The problem is that they have a creek running into the farm, fed from a spring over the boundary fence in the Department of Conservation estate. There is no agricultural activity in the catchment above the farm whatsoever.

The spring-fed creek, at the boundary, has a dissolved inorganic nitrogen reading of 3mg/l.

What the Government is proposing is expecting farmers to achieve a water quality outcome that is in many cases better than nature.

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Sunflowers set to soar Left – As a short duration crop, sunflowers are a double crop option for some arable farmers.

PHOTOS SUPPLIED Heather Chalmers

RURAL REPORTER

Golden fields of sunflowers are set to become a more familiar sight in Canterbury, as the popular garden plant becomes increasingly sought after as a commercial crop.

Better known as a colourful sunloving plant in the flower garden, sunflowers (Helianthus annuus) are also commercially grown for their oil.

Specially-bred varieties of sunflowers whose seeds produce high oleic oil, a high-grade cooking oil sought by commercial food manufacturers, are being trialled in Canterbury with the expectation of developing a new arable crop and food product for the region.

High oleic sunflower oil is at the high-value end of the cooking oil market, rather than competing with the big volume commodity oils palm and soybean. It is also a more healthy option than standard sunflower oil.

Canterbury production is being driven by Rolleston-based processor Pure Oil NZ, which already produces cold pressed rape seed oil and has identified a demand for high oleic sunflower oil.

Pure Oil NZ managing director Nick Murney says it is not easy to establish a new crop for arable farmers.

“To grow and develop sunflowers as a main crop for New Zealand arable farmers will take a few years. We are only into year three.

“It took five to six years to lift rape seed yields to a level that made it attractive for growers.”

Imported sunflower hybrid cultivars Baltic and Idyllic have been trialled in Canterbury for the past two years to gauge crop yields and oil potential, with planting areas expected to almost double again for the coming season.

From an initial 65-hectare crop in the first year, 150ha was harvested in April this year, with 250 to 300ha

Below – Retailed under The Good Oil brand, extra virgin cold-pressed high oleic sunflower oil grown in Mid Canterbury is about to go on sale at New World supermarkets and specialty stores.

expected to be harvested next year.

Turley Farms at Chertsey has trialled sunflowers for the last two years, including 43ha last year.

The Foundation for Arable Research is assisting with the crop trials, aimed at understanding sunflowers’ yield potential, agronomy and the best way to harvest its seed. Planted in late November, the crop is harvested in late April.

“It establishes quickly and puts large tap roots down. It’s amazing how fast they grow,” Murney said.

The colourful crop is known to be a traffic stopper and a popular backdrop for photos.

At the processing end, Pure Oil was also developing the optimal way to extract oil from the sunflower seeds, which requires a different technique than rape seed.

“It’s critical to mechanically remove moisture through aeration and drying and storing of the seed in the right conditions is quite challenging, but we are learning how to do it,” Murney said.

“We are getting a good quality coldpressed sunflower oil.”

While overseas produced sunflower oils are normally heavily processed and lose their flavour, Pure Oil’s extra virgin cold-pressed method means it retains its mild, nutty taste.

Murney said that tens of thousands of tonnes of sunflower oil was imported each year for use in infant formula, snack foods, baking and other foods.

Pure Oil’s limited volumes means it will first retail the product under The Good Oil brand, before supplying food manufacturers. It is expected to go on sale in coming weeks at New World supermarkets and specialty stores. It already retails its cold-pressed rape seed oil under the same brand.

The protein-rich husk left after the oil-extraction process is sold as a stock feed to milking goats and horses.

As a short duration crop, sunflowers were a double crop option for some arable farmers.

Sunflowers could be grown in Mid Canterbury as they do not clash with high-value brassica seed crops. This is in contrast to Pure Oil’s oil seed rape production, which was predominantly grown in South Canterbury and

Southland to avoid unwanted cross pollination with other yellowflowering brassica seed crops on the Canterbury Plains.

Challenges in growing the crop were limited access to imported hybrids and a limited range of suitable herbicides. There was also a lack of specialised equipment (planters and headers), as well as a huge potential for bird damage.

To “outrun the birds”, crops were harvested just before fully mature, with aeration used to dry the seed to required moisture levels, Murney said.

Sunflowers are also grown for commercial bird seed, but these are different cultivars.

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The world is not ending Chris Murdoch

PROPERTY BROKERS

I’m not sure about you, but I am sick to death of hearing about how our world is coming to an end because of nitrate leaching and dairy farming practices.

This message is being spread by politicians and youth, both of whom seem to have no idea about how our economy works or where the food on the table comes from.

The youth I can forgive, but our politicians I can’t.

To have a major political party member stand up and say life isn’t all about GDP it’s all about “our people”, (so you may well be able to guess who said that). They do not seem to get the message that without a strong GDP we have nothing.

Where do they think the $1

billion dollars comes from to plant trees and give money to the provinces? Let alone find money to run the country and keep the infrastructure up to date.

We all agree that we can do better to help nitrate issues and global warming, but is everyone prepared for the fallout if the Government has its

way and brings in the limits they are proposing.

I was interested to hear David Clark say that water coming out of Department of Conservation-managed hill country was already at 3mg/ litre, so it seems to me the only way we get the water to 1mg/l is to filter the whole river.

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With no true modelling done to gauge the ecological effect of trying to achieve these sorts of levels it is completely irresponsible.

As for the youth global warming strike, I’m sure people would take a lot more notice if they had the strike during the school holidays.

Further to that if it is

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such an emergency and they wanted to make a statement they could all hand in their cellphones to be destroyed, because they are made up from fossil fuel and mining.

Then they could all donate their monthly phone charges into a fund to help fight global warming. Then I’m sure the world would sit up and take notice.

If it is a true emergency and they believe this and there is no tomorrow shouldn’t they at least take a strong stand against what’s happening?

Don’t get me wrong, we have all had our global causes.

There was a time when nuclear war was going to finish earth.

HIV was next, then ebola and the like. I don’t wish to make light of it, but life on earth has carried on.

I cannot help feeling that right now the far left is having more than its fair share of airtime and it’s time to fight back.

The truth is the planet has too many people and turning New Zealand into a commune to save the world won’t help.

8

Farming

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Just another moment in environme The past few weeks have been dominated not by the possibility of irrigation starting up for the season, but by the release of the Government’s Action for Healthy Waterways discussion document.

Showing my age, I’ve seen and heard it all before.

But let’s not forget spring is now upon us as I pen this article – assuming you subscribe to September 22 as the onset of spring.

And the irrigation season is more than nigh.

Having read and re-read the document and the other relevant reports and attended meetings, there is no way I can do the proposals justice in a few hundred words.

No-one has any disagreement with the Ministry for Environment (MfE) opening at its meetings that “freshwater quality has deteriorated seriously over recent decades”.

But to open their meetings and put the blame squarely on farming with little reference to urban effects is unreasonable – farming and

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HYDRO SERVICES

urban wastewater discharge have operated according to territorial authority plan policies and rules for those decades.

Early in the Government report there is a statement “we have known about this since 2004 when the then Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment Dr Morgan Williams published the Growing for Good report highlighting that water pollution was getting worse”.

This is a gross understatement; we have known about this for much longer.

In a previous “life” as a scientist for Water and Soil Division, Ministry of Works we were involved in water quality investigations around

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lakes Rotorua and Taupo.

That was back in the late 1970s and the science message was conclusive stock exclusion and riparian planting along water ways for nutrient mitigation, especially

phosphorous.

Nothing new, but here we are 40 years on in 2019 enforcing just that (along with other limits).

I was also fortunate enough to speak on a field excursion

for the Resource Management Law Association (RMLA) and prior to the excursion more fortunate to listen to Dr Katherine Knight impartially outline our “woefully” poor effort to address the water

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ntal history? quality issues since the 1970s.

Her presentation and book Beyond Manapouri: 50 years of Environmental Politics in NZ confirmed the conclusiveness of science from that decade, but that politics always got in the way.

Elections always resulted in an almost cyclical intent followed by the inevitable watering down of solutions as political parties exchanged places in Parliament and nothing of any substance being achieved.

To the point where, what we have today is what was proposed 30-40 years ago and everything that was forewarned has come to fruition.

That is not to say I am not concerned about the current proposal.

As I took a rest stop before leaving the Ashburton MfE meeting, I had a chance to chat with a fellow rest stopper – “what did I think of that?”.

Our discussion turned to the 1mg/L limit that was front and foremost of the meeting discussions.

“There’s no way I can farm and get my limit to 1” immediately made me realise there was confusion between the nutrient losses calculated on-farm and the 1mg/L dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) limit for rivers and streams.

Of course, my fellow rest-stopper was absolutely correct – he cannot get his nutrient loss down to 1.

It is not a measure of the N loss to water from a farming enterprise.

That loss is measured in kg N/ha/year from an Overseer model and the 1mg/L DIN is the median of measurements taken at a range of flow conditions over five years (I think the latter is correct).

I’m not sure if he left the rest room any the wiser for my explanation, but how many others were equally confused.

Certainly, the MfE presenters did not pick up on that confusion and/ or attempt to explain the differences.

A deadline of 2025 was another “contentious front

and foremost” point.

The meeting mood was that the limits and improvements had to be achieved by that date.

I can’t find that conclusion in the discussion document other than “introduce a new freshwater planning process that will require councils to have new plans in place no later than 2025” and for “all farmers and growers to have a farm plan by 2025”.

Here in Canterbury we have both – an operative Land and Water Plan albeit with a number of variations as time passes and most of you will have completed a farm environment plan (FEP).

Furthermore, the addition of a freshwater module to the FEP is again for the most part already addressed – such as identifying waterways and critical source areas (contaminant discharge).

While the discussion document accepts that “it will take decades to restore the health of our waterways to the state our communities want” and “these proposals

set out a shared direction and get us started” there are grey areas.

For example What is the material improvement in freshwater quality that is required by 2025 from monitoring and measurements of water quality indices?

We know improvements are already occurring in Canterbury and can be “attributed” to the limits we are already farming toward.

Can all rivers and streams reach the 1mg/L DIN median limit?

While here in Canterbury 83 per cent of rivers (alpine rivers and Ashburton River) have DIN levels less than 1mg/L (confirmed by Marty from MfE at the Ashburton meeting); others like the Hinds and Selwyn will be a more difficult challenge.

And when will ECan vary the Land and Water Plan to include this DIN and other limits?

The science linking the on-farm nutrient losses and the in-stream limits is more

anecdotal than robust at this stage.

Much more work is needed to relate and understand the processes, and this is recognised.

Where is the economic analysis?

There seemed to be a reluctance to discuss these from MfE. Back to spring and brighter notes.

By the time you are reading this spring will be in full swing and irrigation may have started.

Last month I predicted in the absence of rainfall soil moisture measurement showed stress point would have been reached around September 13 in pastures on lighter soils.

Rainfall saved us and depending on what we got in the first couple of days of October, irrigation is needed.

So, are you, as I concluded my last article, ready to go?

More importantly have or are you writing a submission expressing your concerns of the water proposals..

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New chair says it’s a team effort Planning is already under way for the 2021 South Island Agricultural Field days (SIAFD) at Kirwee in Central Canterbury, with the appointment of Michaela McLeod as the new organising committee chairwoman.

After nine years in various roles, Michaela now heads the organising team of about 25 volunteers.

Attracting about 30,000 members of the farming public every two years, SIAFD provides a three-day showcase for everything agricultural, including the latest in technological innovations. SIAFD is also different from some others, with land and crops made available to provide working demonstrations of broadacre farm machinery.

Michaela says that for the next SIAFD on March 24 to 26, 2021, the organising committee already has a successful formula to build on and a great permanent site at Kirwee.

“It’s a huge challenge taking

Left – Michaela McLeod is the South Island Agricultural Field Days’ new organising committee chairwoman.

Heather Chalmers

RURAL REPORTER

on the role of chair.”

While she is the first chairwoman and there are few women on the committee, she says there isn’t anything stopping more women from participating and encouraged more to do so.

Committee members come from a range of agricultural backgrounds and include farmers, farm workers, industry professionals and contractors.

SIAFD provides professional development for its organising committee members, enabling them to take on roles and business skills they might not encounter in their day jobs.

“We are a group of people that work hard individually

in our own jobs, then come together to work hard for the field days and have a good time doing it,” Michaela says.

Based at Darfield, Michaela, who has a BAgSci (Hons) degree from Lincoln

University, operates a business running independent agricultural research trials in conjunction with her husband Ben, who is also a fencing contractor. They have two children, Joe, aged three and

Harriet, aged eight months.

Michaela replaces Rodney Hadfield, who was chairman of the organising committee for both the 2017 and this year’s field days.

Being part of the organising committee is a great team effort, with a mix of young and experienced members, Rodney says. “You get to meet different people and companies you wouldn’t otherwise deal with.”

Based at Lincoln, Rodney operates an arable farming operation and contracting business (combine harvesting, cultivation and drilling) which also includes an equine feed business with his two brothers and their wives.

The next South Island Agricultural Field Days are March 24 to 26, 2021, at Kirwee, Central Canterbury.

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From one generation to the next Passing the farm from one generation to the next is an incredibly important exercise for any farming family.

Planning the process well in advance helps ensure the family, the farm and the business will continue to thrive in the future. Taking the first step towards that requires outlining, understanding and meeting the expectations of each family member.

Several excellent local farms are on the market at present. Many of these are being offered as part of succession plans within particular families. Rock Farm and Moa Flat make up a 640-hectare Pleasant Point, South Canterbury, holding, for sale after 95 years in one family; Waybrooke is a 573-ha well maintained selfcontained dairy unit milking 1650 cows, for sale in Orton, South Canterbury; and a 360-ha Hinds sheep farm is for sale after being expertly husbanded by four generations of the same family since 1901.

As has occurred in each of these families, succession

Calvin Leen

PGG Wrightson Real Estate

planning requires long-term thinking about the natural, human and financial capital of a farming business.

A good succession plan transfers the management and often the ownership of a business from one generation to the next, while maintaining family relationships and enhancing business performance.

In the local examples above, families have decided that selling the farm is the best way to meet their objectives.

Here is some free advice for those farming families who do not have a succession plan: it is never too soon to start thinking about how the farm will be passed on to the next generation.

To ensure succession planning succeeds, the needs

of the parents must be met, all parties should clearly understand the process and the farming business passed from one generation to the next must be viable.

Starting a conversation about family succession can be challenging, so needs to be discussed early rather than left until too late. Clarifying expectations and wishes up front is crucial. Different family members might hold different assumptions about who will take on the farm. If these are not talked through,

the consequences can be problematic.

In most families this conversation will be more profound and emotional than any other you are likely to have. If bringing everyone on to the same page feels too hard, or if communication is not one of your natural strengths, pull in someone else to assist. An independent third party, respected by all family members, should help ensure relationships remain positive. That non-family member may see alternatives

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12

Farming

www.guardianonline.co.nz

ASHBURTON A&P SHOW FEATURE

When country comes to town Heather Chalmers

RURAL REPORTER

Seeds of Mid Canterbury is the theme of this year’s Ashburton A&P Show being held on November 1 and 2, with a marquee to showcase the region’s arable industry.

“Some people think we are all dairy, but Mid Canterbury has a big seed production industry,” Ashburton A&P Association president David Butterick said.

“There is also quite an infrastructure around the industry, including seed companies and seed dressing plants which employ quite a few people.”

A mixed cropping farmer at Lauriston, Butterick grows wheat, barley, peas, grass seed, clover and radish and Asian brassica seed crops.

He also runs sheep, dairy heifers and steers for Five Star Beef, as well as leasing ground to a seed potato grower.

While not an exhibitor himself, he has never missed a show and has been a volunteer, particularly in the sheep pens, for the past 25 years.

After a change of layout two years ago to ease congestion, no major changes were planned for this year’s show.

“We are hoping for plenty of entries, some good weather and an enjoyable couple of days,” Butterick said.

Just over 100 applications had been received for trade sites, association secretary

Lucille Brown said.

“Some come every year, but we always have some new people wanting trade sites.”

She had extended the horse entries by a week after a slow start and was “now swamped”.

Other classes had also received good entries.

Crowds will be entertained by musicians, as well as Sport

Suzie, who will put on two shows, combining aerobics, sport and circus.

The fire service will also provide a demonstration following the grand parade.

Fifteen food sites had been allocated, to cater for all tastes.

The show attracts exhibitors from all over the South Island, offering a

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strong two-day competition for horses and dog trials and a one-day competition for sheep, wool, pet lambs, poultry, alpacas, shearing, goats, donkeys, grain and seeds, highland dancing and home industries for adults and students.

Dairy cattle will again be absent from the Ashburton A&P Show for the second

year in a row because of the risk of cattle disease mycoplasma bovis.

Butterick said the cattle committee had decided not to show them again this year because of the threat of transmitting the disease.

This also impacted on children’s calf classes, but pet lamb classes were available.

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ASHBURTON A&P SHOW FEATURE

13

Meeting the modern requirements As the Ashburton A&P Association prepares for its 142nd annual show on November 1 and 2, it has set up a board structure to better meet the modern requirements of owning and managing the showgrounds.

A former association president, Richard Lemon, said the board would be responsible for the business side of the association’s work, freeing up the committee to look after showing.

“Hopefully, this will encourage new members to join the committee.”

The association owns its 17.4-hectare showgrounds, which is regularly hired out to various groups during the year.

As well as being the base for the Mid Canterbury Rugby Union since 1956, the showgrounds also host two-day showjumping and dressage events, dog obedience training and fixtures including motorhome and truck shows.

“We can bring in external independent directors

Dog trialling will again be a popular event at this year’s Ashburton A&P Show.

PHOTO ASHBURTON GUARDIAN

with a different view to perhaps what the association members might have.

Hopefully this will strengthen the attributes and business acumen of the board,” Lemon said.

“For groups using the

showgrounds, health and safety and compliance are two of the biggest issues that we need to get right.”

The three external directors elected to the board were Greg Wall, a director at Brophy Knight chartered

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accountants, Emma Silva, who works with corporate agriculture for ANZ and Tim Gallagher, a PGG Wrightson rural real estate consultant.

Three association members, Lemon, Peter Stewart and David Bennett,

as well as the president David Butterick, also sit on the board.

In a two-year process, the association had also updated its constitution for the first time since 1971.

Association secretary Lucille Brown said the annual show was run by a small group of people.

Seeds of Mid Canterbury was this year’s show theme, with a marquee to showcase the region’s arable industry.

More than 100 applications had been received for trade sites.

“Some come every year, but we always have some new people wanting trade sites,” Brown said.

Crowds will be entertained

by Sport Suzie, who will put on two shows, combining aerobics, sport and circus.

The fire service and police will also provide demonstrations following the grand parade.

Fifteen food sites had been allocated, to cater for all tastes.

Showjumping entries close on October 17.

Safety Village Ashburton A&P Show November 1 & 2, 2019

“Keeping ourselves and our families safe” Make sure to visit the new Safety Village at this year’s A&P Show!

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Find out about “Ashburton Gets Ready” See a live fire demonstration with the Fire and Emergency NZ fire education trailer Check out the “Escape My House” virtual reality experience See defibrillators demonstrated Have a look inside an ambulance Have a go at CPR Pick up a copy of the Safety Village Passport and enter the competition for some cool prizes Give-aways and competitions Activities for the kids

16

Farming

ASHBURTON A&P SHOW FEATURE

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Lockwood: 70 years of quality, style and high performance Quality, style and high performance never go out of fashion.

When it comes to housing, there is only one name which has, for nearly seven decades, consistently delivered all three.

And that name is Lockwood Homes.

Combining the natural advantages of solid wood construction with a range of designs from the classic to the contemporary, Lockwood has proudly produced homes and commercial buildings since 1951.

The real testament to quality, style and performance is that our buildings, whether in Central Otago or the tropical South Pacific, have literally stood the test of time, taking the toll of the years in their stride.

That’s because we start with a system of principles and fundamentals we call Good Design: simple, thoughtful, beautiful and

effortlessly functional.

Avoiding fads and trends, we focus on details contributing to durability rather than those leading to maintenance overheads.

Using a uniquely manufactured building system, every Lockwood starts out in our Rotorua factory as sustainably sourced radiata pine.

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a patented aluminium “X” profile, and laterally braced by spring-loaded tie rods, making for a resilient structure that flexes under force.

This is where our professional Lockwood building specialists complete the builds, organising all sub-contractors and site requirements for you.

Combining the natural advantages of solid wood construction with a range of designs from the classic to the contemporary, Lockwood has proudly produced homes and commercial buildings since 1951.

A process of meticulous engineering and precision manufacturing results in pre-cut components being delivered directly to site.

At the job site, Lockwood components and joinery are locked together using

Detail is paramount.

Nothing is arbitrary or left to chance, with care and accuracy in the design and manufacturing process resulting in the highest standard of finished homes.

That’s how Lockwood

earned its CodeMark certification: annual audits confirm rigorous quality control processes from start to finish.

Because it is solid wood, a Lockwood build offers unique advantages, including natural earthquake and extreme weather resistance.

Thermal efficiency comes as part of the package; wood ‘breathes’, contributing to air circulation and a dry home.

It also forms a natural insulating layer (beefed up by insulation sandwiched between the solid timbers).

This delivers energy efficiency 50 per cent greater than the NZBC energy efficiency requirements for wooden homes.

When the tree is responsibly harvested the carbon is locked in the wood and remains there for the life of any products made with that timber.

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Wood also does something else better than just about any other construction material.

It handles the knocks and bumps of daily living without damage.

This means avoiding many maintenance and redecorating tasks, leaving our home owners with more time and money for quality living.

For us at Lockwood Homes, every building is an embodiment of our brand.

The name Lockwood is your guarantee of a home built on integrity, family values and a reputation for outstanding quality.

Contact our Lockwood South Island Sales Office on 03 344 0299, see their Madrid Show Home in Hornby, Christchurch or visit lockwood.co.nz for more inspiration.

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18

Farming

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Exports set to explode past $4b China’s demand for New Zealand’s beef, lamb and mutton is forecast to propel both sheepmeat and beef exports past the $4 billion mark for the first time.

Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s new season outlook 2019-20 report forecasts beef, lamb and mutton prices to lift from historically high levels, helped by continuing strong export demand and an expected weakening of the New Zealand dollar.

“We have forecast increases in farm-gate prices for beef, lamb and mutton in 2019-20, because small increases in inmarket prices are expected to be further assisted by an easing of the New Zealand dollar,” B+LNZ chief economist Andrew Burtt said.

Beef and veal exports are expected to be up 5.9 per cent to $4.17b and sheepmeat up by 4.9 per cent to $4.23b.

This would add another $430 million in export earnings for red meat and offal following an extra $228m and $1.23b in the two seasons prior – excluding fibres and other products.

Heather Chalmers

RURAL REPORTER

This follows the exceptionally strong farm-gate prices for lamb and mutton since the 2016-17 season.

Beef prices have been steady since farm-gate prices jumped in 2014-15, but are expected to be up in 2019-20.

Burtt said the value of the New Zealand dollar has a large bearing on the sector’s outlook.

The New Zealand dollar is expected to ease, partly due to the Reserve Bank lowering the official cash rate.

African swine fever (ASF) will have significant ramifications for global meat supplies and consumption.

China is the world’s largest consumer of pork – making up around 63 per cent of consumption.

However, New Zealand’s growth in the export value of red meat and volume began before the Chinese ASF epidemic.

“The growth in China’s red meat import demand is built on genuine demand growth as consumption has out-paced domestic production growth,” Burtt said.

“They are the end consumer, not the manufacturer of raw product to supply other markets.”

Strong Chinese import demand for mutton and value cuts from lamb continues since strong growth began midway in the 2016-17 season.

The average farm gate lamb price is forecast to rise 3.5

per cent in 2019-20 to $7.73 per kilogram and mutton is forecast to be up 4.5 per cent to $4.73/kg.

New Zealand and Australia dominate international trade in sheepmeat.

Australia is expected to enter a period of flock rebuilding – weather permitting – driving

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significant declines in their production.

New Zealand’s export lamb production in 2019-20 is forecast to be steady as a minor increase in lambs available is offset by an easing average carcase weight from record weights in 2018-19.

The New Zealand lamb crop for spring 2019 is forecast to be down.

With the breeding ewe flock stable, a smaller portion of ewe lambs will be retained making more available for processing.

Mutton export production in 2019-20 is expected to be up 8.7 per cent as more ewes are available for processing, however, this was from a low base in 2018-19, when more ewe hoggets were retained.

The farm gate price across all cattle classes is forecast to increase 4.9 per cent to $5.17/kg.

The growth of Chinese demand underlies this increase, creating competition particularly for New Zealand processing cuts – drawing volume away from

19

the United States.

ASF in China is most likely to benefit New Zealand’s beef processing cuts, which are a more apparent substitute for pork.

Sheepmeat and other beef cuts are generally in the premium segment of the Chinese animal protein market.

New Zealand has a longer, deeper and more favourable trade relationship with China than the four larger beef trading countries – India, Brazil, US and Australia.

The short to medium-term outlook for New Zealand’s beef exports is looking solid with signals that the US and Australian breeding cow herds could be entering downward phases of their production cycles.

New Zealand’s beef and dairy cattle herds are expected to be remain relatively steady and will lift total export production by 2 per cent, largely due to a lift in steers and heifers processed.

New Zealand’s beef cattle herd grew by 2.6 per cent to

3.82m head at June 30.

Trade cattle carried over balance date contributed to the rise as the number of breeding cows is estimated to have decreased slightly.

Generally, the national beef cattle herd is stable after increasing in the previous two seasons.

Overall, the nominal farm profit before tax is forecast to remain unchanged at $173,000 for 2019-20 on average for sheep and beef farms.

Adjusting for inflation, the

forecast is a decrease of 1.9 per cent for 2019-20.

However, this decline is from the second highest level since the 1970s.

“Farm expenditure for 2019-20 is forecast to increase overall, at a rate that is marginally greater than the increase in revenue expected due to increased farm-gate prices,” Burtt said.

Part of the expenditure increase is consolidation of the farm business in a profitable season, but some costs have

risen such as insurance, fuel and shearing – despite wool revenue declining.

Burtt said that while there is uncertainty surrounding international trade and the threat of a slowdown – chiefly in some of New Zealand’s major markets – New Zealand’s sheepmeat and beef exports are grounded in solid demand from large economies.

The production outlook and contribution to New Zealand’s economy by the sheep and beef sector remains positive.

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Farming

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Things do need to change Many farmers and rural people are concerned about the new freshwater regulations recently introduced by the Government.

This is understandable but many realise that things need to change.

The big issue is that trends for water quality are going in the wrong direction.

And there’s no doubt land use affects water quality – waterways in pastoral areas have up to 15 times more E. coli and 10 times more nutrients than land under forestry.

In Canterbury, too many cows, too much soluble fertiliser and too much irrigation means excess nitrogen leaks into the environment.

A lot of farmers acknowledge water quality and quantity are suffering and many are innovative and pro-active about their farm practices in an effort to reduce their farm’s impact.

New Zealand farmers are known around the world

Left – An improvement in water quality is the aim of the Government’s recently released Actions for Healthy Waterways proposals. PHOTO SUPPLIED Mary Ralston

FOREST AND BIRD

for their hard work and ability to adapt to new ideas, new markets and changed circumstances.

But relying on selfregulation and weak regional council policies has not been enough – water quality has continued to decline over the last few decades as cow numbers increased and soluble fertiliser use accelerated.

The amount of synthetic nitrogen fertiliser applied to agricultural land has gone up by almost 650 per cent since 1990.

The average herd size has more than doubled.

We have reached the point of having to do something else to reverse the trends and the proposed reforms are a good start.

Many of these are nothing new: fencing streams and protecting wetlands has been standard for many farmers.

There are also regulations in areas not previously addressed, such as regulating winter grazing practices.

These will not only improve water quality and animal welfare but also the image of the farming industry.

DairyNZ environment and catchment manager Aslan Wright-Stow says keeping

stock out of waterways is very beneficial in terms of improving water quality.

Wide grass buffers intercept sediment, phosphorus and nitrogen, preventing them entering streams.

Buffers planted with tussocks and sedges give extra benefits.

Simply excluding stock from waterways can reduce phosphorus loads by 20-40 per cent, sediment by 40-60 per cent and E. coli by 50-60

per cent, according to WrightStow.

Wetlands – natural or engineered, small or large – can also effectively reduce nitrate run-off.

A wetland of only 2.5 per cent of its catchment area can reduce nitrate by 40 per cent and a wetland of 5 per cent of its catchment area could reduce it by 60 per cent, says Wright-Stow.

Submissions to the Government’s Actions for Healthy Waterways proposals can be made on the Ministry for the Environment’s website.

The official closing date for submissions is October 17, 2019, at 5pm, but this has been extended and submissions will be accepted for a further two weeks, until October 31.

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21

COUNTRY ROADS FEATURE

Can-Am Defender side-by-side vehicles BRP has unveiled a new addition to its acclaimed Can-Am Defender sideby-side vehicle family for 2020.

This introduction takes the sideby-side capability to the next level, and is designed specifically to improve the lives of those who are out there working the land.

Can-Am innovates with the new Defender PRO HD10 (Pick up), featuring a six-foot multi-functional cargo box along with a lower box storage area accessible from both sides which workers will certainly appreciate.

The new Defender is capable of working hard without sacrificing the fun factor so you can ride and play with friends and family when the duties are over.

Can-Am brings more: working capacity, comfort and quietness.

With its incredible versatility, the

Defender PRO HD10 lets you do more and tow more while navigating demanding terrain.

The long cargo box doubles loading capacity compared to the regular box, increasing your efficiency on the job.

Plus, its innovative design includes a lower box storage area and an adaptable flatbed configuration for maximised hauling solutions.

In the cockpit, it offers the same comfort and riding experience than the recently revamped Defender line-up launched in June 2019.

It is also the quietest cab out there thanks to a smoother and stronger 82-hp Rotax engine that offers a segment-leading 69 lb-ft of torque, and a complete frame-up refresh.

The all-new model provides ride quality and durability for a wide assortment of off-road tasks while

the redesigned front end enhances looks.

“The utility-recreation segment of off-road vehicles is growing every year, and we are as committed as ever to product innovation that provides the best possible solution for hard work”, said Bernard Guy, Senior Vice President, Global Product Strategy, BRP. “Can-Am Defender owners need

toughness and capability, and this model balances that with enhanced comfort and versatility.

It’s really the best of both worlds.”

END OF SUM For more information about the complete 2020 Can-Am Off-Road vehicle lineup, including detailed technical information and product specs, visit https://can-am.brp.com/off-road/

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BOARDING SCHOOLS FEATURE

22

Medbury family creates a ‘home away from home’ Boarding at Medbury has been an integral part of the school since it was established in 1923, offering boys unique life opportunities and enabling them to develop independence, make strong friendships, discover inner strengths and enjoy the full benefits of Medbury’s family-based culture.

The Medbury Boarding House is a second home for up to 38 boys, aged seven to 13 years.

Heading up the boarding team are dedicated and experienced boarding staff, who are ably supported by enthusiastic ‘big brothers’ to ensure every boy receives the attention, support and friendly advice he needs to flourish and feel at home.

“

intending to board at secondary school.

“The organisational skills and selfdiscipline Medbury establishes, will serve boys throughout their school life and beyond,” Mr Macpherson said.

“These skills make the vital transition to secondary school seamless, while also supporting the boys’ academic endeavours by equipping them with strategies that enable them to hit the ground running in adapting to secondary structures,” he said.

Boarders are further supported academically with teachers available to the boys to assist with homework

The organisational skills and self-discipline Medbury establishes, will serve boys throughout their school life and beyond

At Medbury the focus is on the ‘whole boy’, with small class sizes enabling teachers to deliver a personalised learning programme in the classroom, while boarders can spend weekends at home after Saturday sport, or stay in for boarders’ weekends that include regular outings, barbecues in the summer and extra-curricular activities.

For those who are not quite ready to board full time, or want the flexibility of boarding short-term, casual boarding is an option.

This can also assist with the demands of families’ busy schedules and varying work commitments, and provides an uninterrupted routine when parents are out of town.

According to Medbury headmaster, Ian Macpherson, the Medbury Boarding House also provides an invaluable foundation for boys

tasks in the boarding house at regular scheduled times.

Medbury’s partnership with Swinburne University of Technology is a new and exciting initiative aimed at development of emotional intelligence (EI) via the Artistotle-EI programme.

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

With traditional values and a strong emphasis on manners and respect, Medbury’s mission is unlock the potential of every boy.

For more information on boarding at Medbury, please contact the registrar, Jayne Foster on 03 3516169, email registrar@medbury. school.nz or visit www.medbury. school.nz Advertising feature

Simon Bridges.

PHOTO SUPPLIED

Fines proposed for early school leavers National is looking into fining the parents of young people who leave school early, and don’t go into education or training, up to $3000 if it returns to Government.

This is just one of the policies understood to be under consideration by the party as part of its social policy review, due to be unveiled later this month.

Other policy areas the party is looking into include: • requiring gang members to prove they don’t have illegal income before they receive the benefit • a 25 per cent reduction in the number of people on the benefit • reassessing the obligations of people who are on the benefit.

A spokesperson for National Leader Simon Bridges said the party was yet to finalise its social development policies and it would be releasing discussion documents before the end of the year.

It is understood that at the end of this month, National will release a number of different policy proposals it plans to develop ahead of next year’s election.

The proposals will be in areas such as social welfare, skills and employment, vulnerable children, sexual violence and social housing.

National is looking into a scheme which would penalise parents whose children leave school before they’re 18

and don’t go on to study.

Under current law, students are allowed to leave school at 16 – National want those who leave school at that age to either be in tertiary education, or in work that has an educational element.

If the under 18-year old is not, National want to issue the parents with an up to $3000 fine.

Statistics New Zealand told the Herald that its most up-to-date data shows there are just under 18,000 people aged 16-18 not in employment, education or training across New Zealand.

As well as this, National is looking at getting tougher on gangs – one of its proposals will be to require gang members to prove they don’t have illegal income before they receive a benefit.

The John Key-era Better Public Services (BPS) target of reducing the number of people on the benefit by 25 per cent would also be reinstated under a National Government.

This, however, is less ambitious than Key’s 2012 target of a 30 per cent reduction in benefit numbers.

National would also bring back the BPS target to reduce the number of children experiencing physical and sexual abuse by 20 per cent.

Both targets were scrapped by the Labour-led Government in early 2018.

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23

Growing Canty’s sheep dairy industry Canterbury has fallen behind the North Island in the development of a sheep dairy industry, but a small group of enterprising pioneers want to change that.

David Waghorn, who is setting up a sheep milking operation at Ardleish Farm, Hororata, says Canterbury is missing out on investment in infrastructure and research funding.

“The people putting in processing infrastructure are focusing on the North Island.

“In Canterbury, we have smaller producers starting up, with no real identified market.”

Some were working together to supply milk to cheese makers in Canterbury and Otago.

While the region’s most high-profile producers, Guy and Sue Trafford, of Charing Cross Sheep Dairy, produce their own range of sheep milk products to sell at the Riverside Market in central Christchurch, most preferred to sell their milk to a processor.

“There are a few people

Heather Chalmers

RURAL REPORTER

like myself that have sheep specially bred for milking that are waiting for a more secure market.

“It’s a chicken and egg thing,” said Waghorn, who was previously a geologist in the oil industry and has lived in Pakistan, India and Indonesia.

“We know a lot about sheep and dairy technology in New Zealand,” Waghorn said.

Dairy sheep could be a way for farmers to intensify on part of their farm and improve cashflow, while still meeting water quality and nutrient loss targets, because of its low environmental footprint compared with bovine dairy farming.

Continued over page

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Farming

24

From page 23 Ewes could generate annual gross returns of $700 to $900 for their milk, as well as producing lambs.

“Farmers could do winter grazing or dairy heifer grazing on one part of the farm and dairy sheep on the other.

“Farmers with reasonable infrastructure could convert quite easily, as they just need to put a dairy-breed ram over some ewes.

Putting in the milking plant is the big cost.”

Waghorn and other pioneers are setting up a Canterbury Dairy Sheep Association to assist people into the industry, be a voice and provide a single source of information, with a website being set up.

It also seeks to provide a proven pathway to meeting compliance requirements with agencies more familiar with bovine dairy operations.

Waghorn and his wife Meily plan to run a medium-sized sheep dairy operation of up to 1200 sheep on 90ha and are building up a flock based on the European milking breeds east friesian and lacaune.

While in France, lacaune ewes can produce four litres of milk a day, New Zealand dairy sheep would typically have

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a 120 to 180-day lactation, producing about two litres a day.

“This could be improved with the introduction of good genetics and a dairy cross sheep better suited to local conditions.”

Ardleish Farm comprises a 201ha home block at Hororata and 315ha of rolling hills at Glenroy, both mostly leased to dairy farmers as support blocks.

Most of the home block is irrigated through the Central Plains Water scheme.

Waghorn said the new group wanted to facilitate the breeding of a sheep that suited Canterbury conditions.

“A lot of the farmers I have talked to here want to be pasture based.”

This contrasted with the two big North Island operations which use a hybrid indoor/ outdoor farming system incorporating feeding barns.

“East friesian and lacaune tend to be more thin-skinned and so feel the cold more than New Zealand-bred sheep.

Ultimately, we want to be able to lamb indoors, but have a completely outdoor grazing system.”

For surplus lambs, the Waghorns have established an ad lib feeder in indoor pens.

“Dairy sheep have a lovely temperament and you tend to have a different relationship with them than a normal sheep farmer as you are working with them so closely,” Waghorn said.

Sheep’s milk is easier to digest than cow’s milk and high in fat, making it suitable

for cheese making, yoghurt and ice-cream.

Setting up Charing Cross Cheesery at the just-opened Riverside Market is the latest venture for Guy and Sue Trafford who milk 200 sheep.

As well as selling their own yoghurt and hard and soft cheeses, their site will also

retail other Canterbury artisan milk produce, including goat and cow.

Both were Lincoln University lecturers until Guy resigned at the start of the year.

They were one of the first to try sheep milking in Canterbury after having

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25

David Waghorn’s dairy sheep are a mix of east friesian and lacaune milking breeds.

PHOTO ASHBURTON GUARDIAN

previous experience farming one of the first east friesian flocks near Gisborne in the 1990s.

Meeting Ministry for Primary Industries food safety standards to process their milk was “an expensive and onerous ongoing process”, Sue Trafford said.

“When we first talked about sheep milking, people could not get their heads around it.

They kept equating it back to the size of cows and cow effluent.

Often we had to educate the people who were auditing us, which we found very frustrating.”

While dairy sheep in Canterbury had huge potential, this depended on a processor “putting a stake in the ground”.

Dairy sheep are quiet and friendly and easy to train and handle.

While the Traffords choose to leave their lambs with their mothers for at least 35 days before they are weaned, they acknowledged most other farmers would start commercially milking their ewes earlier than this.

“As the first few weeks are when ewes produce the most milk we sacrifice that to have a story that is ethnical and sustainable.

The people who buy from us are looking for a different story from cow dairying which they see as exploitative,” Trafford said.

Ian MacDonald, of Clarkville near Rangiora, is part of a group which has its own tankers supplying sheep milk predominantly to cheese makers in Canterbury and Otago.

Of his flock of 400 ewes, 350 are milked on 20ha.

Eventually he hopes his family-run business will milk 1500 to 2000 ewes.

With a background in animal breeding and genetics, MacDonald has been

developing his own breed of milking sheep since 2007, which includes east friesian and lacaune genetics.

While lacaune was a good milking sheep, MacDonald

had included some other genetics to make it more robust and suitable for the New Zealand farming environment.

Important traits were lactation length, udder structure and teat placement.

“You don’t understand how important they are until you start milking.”

Ewes are not milked until their lambs are weaned at a minimum 15kg liveweight.

“Because of that we lose some production at the first part of the season.”

As the ewes are prolific breeders, foster rearing was still required, with MacDonald opting to take one lamb from triplets and two lambs from quads.

Ewes are once-a-day milked for 150 days, for an entire lactation length of close to 200 days.

MacDonald uses a 20-bail mobile milking plant, built in conjunction with Rangiora dairy plant specialists Read Engineering.

Moved every day, this included a mobile hot water system, with a bulk milk tank sitting on the back of a truck with its own generator, which can also be used as a tanker.

Continued over page

26

Farming

www.guardianonline.co.nz

From page 25 “It’s a cost-effective entry into the market.

“It means you don’t have to lay concrete or construct a building and find further down the track it’s not the set-up you want.”

Compliance was a “high hurdle” and required a lot of preparation and time to get sign-off, as dairy sheep farmers didn’t have the support systems available to their cow milking counterparts, MacDonald said.

“I’m optimistic about the product, but it’s important the business moves forward in a market-led way.”

Dairy sheep farms in Canterbury are small scale compared with the two main players in the central North Island, Maui Milk and Spring Sheep. Milking 4000 sheep, Spring Sheep is a joint venue between Pamu (Landcorp Farming) and the marketing company SLC. It has two farms, at Cambridge and Reporoa.

Formed five years ago, Maui Milk operates two farms on the western shores of Lake Taupo.

A joint venture between Shanghai’s Bewell marketing company and the Waituhu

Left: As dairy sheep are thin skinned, David Waghorn has added some black genetics to protect them from the sun.

Bottom: Morning milking with Guy Trafford and farm worker Sarah Morgan.

PHOTOS ASHBURTON GUARDIAN

Kuratau Trust, it is the sole supplier of a sheep milk formula range being marketed by global food giant Danone under its Nutricia brand.

Both Maui and Spring Sheep are seeking new suppliers to meet growing global demand for sheep milk products.

Left: Gelato from sheep’s milk.

Right: Labneh, a soft cheese from sheep’s milk.

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27

Cereal resistance tools – use them Protection for chemistry essential now The need to safeguard people, the environment, and what we grow, is widely acknowledged, but crop protection company ADAMA NZ says the cereal industry must go even further if it is to continue to thrive.

Recent experience in the UK and Europe, and lately in New Zealand, has highlighted the increasing susceptibility of the single-site chemistry that the industry has relied on for generations.

For many years, single-sites worked very effectively.

However, due to resistance development efficacy of some products has begun to decline, in some cases dramatically.

The result is that yields are at risk and existing and new single-site chemistry must be protected to prevent fungi getting the upper hand.

ADAMA has been at the forefront of sharing global data and experience, in addition to delivering leadingedge multi-site chemistry, as part of the battle against Septoria tritici (speckled leaf blotch) and Ramularia resistance.

David MacGibbon, ADAMA NZ’s CEO, says protecting existing chemistry is not only an imperative for the cereal industry as a whole, but also for individual growers.

Multi-site fungicides, he explains, have an essential part to play.

“If we’d ever needed a heads-up, it’s here.

“We need to be really smart about protecting the existing chemistry we have and the new chemistry that’s evolving or in the pipeline.

“As an industry we need to be proactively stewarding that chemistry, and our crops, by working closely with agronomists and industry specialists.”

One of the in-the-paddock challenges of resistance is that it is often not evident in a wheat or barley crop until it is too late to address the issue.

“You really have to assume that it’s already there.

“Preventative beats curative, there’s no doubt about it.”

David says. “And your programme should always begin with that conversation with your agronomist while keeping in mind the paddock’s history.

“Some people still have an attitude that they can’t go wrong sticking to the ‘tried and true’, but that may not cut it anymore.

Protect your cereal crops with multi-site chemistry.

“People who have experienced the impact of resistance have certainly learnt a very hard lesson.

“Up to 30 per cent off a barley yield is fairly hard to take on the chin.”

“

warning signs.

“Back in 1999 when Strobilurins were being launched here, that’s when we heard the first reports of fungicide resistance from Germany.”

Recent experience in the UK and Europe, and lately in New Zealand, has highlighted the increasing susceptibility of single-site chemistry.

None-the-less, it could have been worse.

And, in the Northern Hemisphere, it is.

Seasoned experts have even gone so far as to describe the current situation there as “alarming”.

There is some history behind that.

The UK and Europe have experienced resistance well ahead of New Zealand.

But through the commitment of companies including ADAMA that know-how was able to be shared, to this country’s cereal growers’ ultimate advantage.

David says he vividly remembers the very early

It was more than a decade later that New Zealand saw the impact.

“It’s definitely severe in the UK now, but fortunately we’re not there yet,” David says.

“We still have a lot of really good tools at our disposal, which we can and should use.

“It’s all about carefully planned chemistry programmes.”

David says detailed recent scientific studies have established that the UK and Europe are now seeing decreasing sensitivity.

The same studies also highlighted the serious economic consequences for the industry in New Zealand should resistance become

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more prevalent here.

If there is a shining light however, David says, that is the success of multisite fungicide Phoenix® against resistance from both Ramularia and Septoria.

Folpet, which is the active ingredient in Phoenix (Phthalimide – Group M4), works against Ramularia and Septoria at a cellular level using a multi-site action.

This inhibits spore germination and cell division, and reduces energy production in the mitochondria.

There is currently no known resistance to folpet anywhere in the world.

Folpet has the additional benefit of not inhibiting DMI uptake, ensuring their speed of action and efficacy.

ADAMA’s recommendation is to partner Phoenix with Bolide® or other triazole chemistry as an excellent solution for Septoria and Ramularia control.

Bolide is an all-rounder DMI fungicide, featuring an innovative combination of epoxiconazole and prochloraz.

It is taken up via the stem and foliage and translocated upwards and outwards, providing some protection for new growth.

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This performance is strengthened even more when Bolide is tank-mixed with Phoenix.

Timing though is everything, ADAMA emphasises.

Phoenix is ideally used at T1 for Septoria control in wheat as keeping leaf 3 clean is essential for maintaining full yield potential as the crop reaches maturity.

If only one spray of Phoenix is being applied in barley, then T2 is the optimum timing for it.

This ensures that leaves 2 and 3 are protected.

For best results though, a programmed approach suggests even higher levels of Ramularia control when using Phoenix at both T1 and at T2.

For more information on how to future proof your resistance management strategy with ADAMA products, contact your local technical advisor or visit www.adama.com Advertising Feature

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30

Farming

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Young Farmer of the year under way The first qualifying rounds for the next FMG Young Farmer of the Year have kicked off.

Eighteen district contests will be held across the country before Christmas.

The events will help find 56 competitors who will clash in seven FMG Young Farmer of the Year regional finals early next year.

“I’ve entered to test my skills and knowledge and to meet other young farmers,” Lincoln Young Farmers member Tom Adkins said.

“This is my first time competing and I’d really like to make it through to the later stages of the contest in years to come.”

The 20-year-old, who was raised on a sheep and beef farm near Whanganui, is studying a Diploma in Farm Management at Lincoln University.

He’s landed a job working as a shepherd at Te Mania Angus in North Canterbury this summer.

“I got the job after going up there on a club field trip.

I’m really passionate about beef and sheep breeding and

Heather Chalmers

RURAL REPORTER

genetics,” he said.

Tom’s signed up for the district contest at Springston, south-west of Christchurch, on October 19.

He’ll face off against Wairarapa-born Sarah Whiteman, 23, who’s an assistant cereal breeder at PGG Wrightson Seeds.

She helps develop new varieties of wheat and barley. It’s her second time entering the contest.

“Last year I entered in the ‘have a go’ category, which enables people to complete the modules in pairs,” Sarah said.

“It was heaps of fun and a great confidence booster.

I don’t have a farming background and it helped me realise I actually know what

I’m doing.”

Sarah will compete in her own right this month, meaning she’ll be eligible to qualify for a spot in the Tasman regional final in March.

“I’ve entered to challenge myself, learn new things and meet people from other NZ Young Farmers’ clubs,” she said.

The events are designed to test the practical and theoretical skills of competitors.

“Everyone has their own reason for entering the district contests,” Danielle Holland from NZ Young Farmers said.

“It’s a chance for members to benchmark themselves, have fun, and, importantly, to qualify for the next stage of the contest.”

The FMG Young Farmer of the Year is an iconic contest which began in 1969 and showcases the country’s food and fibre sectors.

SOUTH ISLAND DATES FOR DISTRICT CONTESTS ARE: Aorangi: October 12, Waipopo Farm; October 19, Mount Somers.

Tasman: October 19, Springston; October 26, Rangiora.

Otago/Southland: October 19, Middlemarch; November 16, Mossburn.

Above – Sarah Whiteman, an assistant cereal breeder at PGG Wrightson Seeds, is competing to qualify for the Tasman regional final.

Left – Lincoln Young Farmers’ member Tom Adkins shearing sheep at Telford.

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31

Nappies, coffee cups, fuel and more British Airways is one step closer to powering its future fleet with sustainable jet fuel made from rubbish, including nappies and coffee cups.

The British flag carrier said plans have been submitted to develop Europe’s first household and commercial solid waste to sustainable fuels plant.

The proposed state-ofthe-art plant would take over half a million tonnes each year of non-recyclable everyday household and commercial solid waste destined for landfill or incineration, such as meal packaging, nappies and takeaway coffee cups and convert it into cleaner burning sustainable aviation fuel.

The technology will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 70 per cent for every tonne of sustainable jet fuel that replaces a tonne of conventional fossil fuel – equivalent to taking up to 40,000 cars per year off the road.

British Airways intends to purchase jet fuel produced at the plant for use in its aircraft.

Reducing emissions The move is an important step in the reduction of the airline’s carbon emissions towards the industry targets of carbon neutral growth from 2020 and a 50 per cent reduction by 2050 from 2005 levels.

The fuel will also improve air quality with up to 90 per cent reduction in soot from aircraft engine exhausts and almost 100 per cent reduction in sulphur oxides; and the technology offers a lower emissions route to process UK waste than incineration or landfill.

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ECO EFFICIENCY

It is anticipated the development will bring hundreds of millions of pounds of investment, hundreds of jobs during construction and approximately 130 permanent jobs to the region.

Lancaster Park debris salvaged Have you ever had a big day out at Lancaster Park with a group of mates – at a rugby or cricket match or a big-name concert with acts such as Pearl Jam or Bon Jovi?

Sadly those days are over and the final days of Lancaster Park are here.

The demolition of the earthquake-damaged grandstands began in March and is due to be finished in December.

More than 3500 tonnes of steel has been salvaged, while more than 30,000 tonnes of concrete have so far been moved to a private development in Flaxton, on the outskirts of Rangiora, to be used for land remediation.

It is thought to be one of New Zealand’s largest demolitions, requiring about 68,000 cubic metres of material above ground and 30,000m3 below the ground to be removed.

Demolition was expected to cost about $20 million, but has since been revised down to $12m.

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The demolition of the former Lancaster Park will require about 68,000 cubic metres of material above ground and 30,000m3 below the ground to be removed.

PETER MCQUARTERS

A draft proposal for how to revamp the six-hectare space has been made.

It features three sports fields (likely to be used for rugby and soccer in the winter and cricket in the summer), 105 carparks, toilets and changing facilities, a play area, a possible sports pavilion and rose beds either side of the memorial gates.

It’s good to know that the site is protected by the Lancaster Park Land Vesting Act 2008, which restricts future use of the land to sports, recreation, public assembly and ancillary purposes.

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