Guardian Farming October 7

Farming GUARDIAN

OCTOBER, 2014

Nicky is up for the challenge

Pages 3-5

Nicky Hyslop is the first woman to take the helm of IrrigationNZ.

photo supplied

Farming

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Madeleine Thwaites

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CSE Law Madeleine Thwaites discusses sharemilking agreements.

P6

Brass & Feathers Greg Martin says forgetting your toothbrush is a mandatory part of roughing it.

P8

COMMENT FROM THE EDITOR

CSE LAW

Greg Martin

Michelle Nelson

While it’s great to arrive home in daylight, switching on to daylight saving time has brought with it a sudden return to waking in darkness – at least for the next couple of weeks.

Despite that minor inconvenience, here in Mid Canterbury spring has delivered near perfect weather for calving, lambing and getting crops in the ground.

While rural fire services were concerned about how dry the countryside was and meteorologists muttered about El Nino weather patterns, we in fact received at least three decent soakings – hailed as “million dollar rainfalls” by

BRASS AND FEATHERS

Rural Comment John Leadley looks at quarter of a century of District Council governance.

P20

Employment Matters Christine Summerville points out the importance of signed employment agreements in validating 90-day trial periods.

P18

RURAL COMMENT

John Leadley

Christine Summerville

EMPLOYMENT MATTERS

RURAL EDITOR

some farmers.

In this edition of Guardian Farming we meet Nicky Hyslop, who has taken on the mantle of leading IrrigationNZ into the future.

She tackles the emotive subject of fresh water quality with a cool head and discusses the technology employed to lead farmers towards sustainable irrigation practices and improve public understanding.

In the wake of the Great Irrigation Challenge, we disseminate the lessons learned.

Wool Industry Group chairwoman Sandra Faulkner introduces herself and puts forward her opinion on the state of the industry in New Zealand.

And, with the A&P show season due to kick off in Ashburton at the end of the month, we have an 11-page feature section looking at what you can expect at this year’s two-day extravaganza.

CONTACTS We appreciate your feedback.

Editor Email your comments to michelle.n@theguardian.co.nz or phone 03 307 7971.

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Email jenni.s@theguardian.co.nz or phone 03 307 7927.

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A new face for the irrigation sector

Nicky Hyslop: The first woman to lead IrrigationNZ. PHOTO SUPPLIED

Nicky Hyslop is not fazed to be the first woman to lead Irrigation New Zealand.

However, taking over as acting chair for the industry body immediately before a national election was a little daunting.

“The quality of New Zealand’s fresh water has been an emotional election topic and there is nothing like being thrown in the deep end just as we headed into election madness,” she says.

The South Canterbury farmer, mother of three girls, and farm management consultant of 20 years will be confirmed in the role next week.

Wearing several hats is nothing new for Nicky; in partnership with husband Jonty, she farms an intensive sheep, beef and arable fully irrigated property in South Canterbury and is also a director for one of New Zealand’s most modern water storage projects, Opuha Water Limited.

In 2012 Primary Magazine named Nicky as one of the top 10 women in

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Michelle Nelson

RURAL EDITOR

agriculture. Taking the helm of Irrigation New Zealand last month when predecessor John Donkers retired early due to a health condition, (although he remains on the board) came from left field.

But after five years with Irrigation New Zealand and three years as deputy chair, Nicky says she is ready to represent irrigators and help change perceptions of the irrigation industry in New Zealand.

“I firmly believe that irrigation is critical to the future of New Zealand.

But for irrigation and water storage to develop in a way which is acceptable, irrigating farmers need to demonstrate good practice and use water responsibly

and sustainably.

“Like other New Zealanders I also want my children and future grandchildren to swim and play in local rivers.

“These aspirations don’t need to be mutually exclusive though; we can make both happen.”

Nicky’s objectives as chairwoman are to see greater recognition for Irrigator Farmers and to lead these farmers towards responsible, sustainable and efficient irrigation practice, and improve public understanding of the contribution irrigation makes to the socio-economic health of many regions.

“It’s really important that Irrigation New Zealand is seen as a credible organisation which is focusing on educating farmers to irrigate responsibly.

“Our SMART Irrigation Programme launched this year demonstrates we’re putting our money where our mouth is.” continued over page

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www.guardianonline.co.nz from page 3 “My goal now is to get more irrigators on-board and aware of the different pathways they can take to become SMART irrigators.”

“As an industry, I also strongly believe we need to build relationships with politicians and policymakers to ensure that they understand the needs of irrigating farmers, the challenges we face, and the assistance needed in order for irrigation to progress in a sustainable fashion.”

While Nicky agrees water quality is indisputably ‘the’ water issue that all New Zealanders want to see resolved, she feels irrigators are often just the scapegoat for all water quality concerns.

“It is frustrating to have negative ‘noise’ that irrigators’ efforts to reduce their environmental footprints are not good enough. Water quality is a complex issue and any solutions we come up with won’t be quick fixes.

“As irrigating farmers, we need support and community buy-in as well as a wider political vision if we are going to make tangible progress improving the health of our waterways.”

An Irrigation New Zealand project to gather information from irrigation schemes in order to report back to parliament and the public on water quality improvements which are irrigator-driven should help address these concerns.

“We’re very aware that as an industry we need to work harder to get our information out there about the environmental improvements and initiatives many irrigation schemes and irrigators are leading.”

One stumbling block Nicky would like to see tackled is the apportioning of costs for environmental improvements.

“There has been much talk about having 100 per cent of our rivers swimmable, no one would argue against this as an aspirational target, but no one has yet worked through the cost of doing so and this is something that is desperately needed.”

Water efficiency is another topic she is passionate about.

“Are we making progress?

Absolutely! Just look at what is happening in Mid Canterbury where schemes and farmers are investing heavily in improved irrigation technology and on-farm water storage and

Left – Nicky Hyslop’s goal is to get farmers on board to become PHOTO SUPPLIED SMART irrigators.

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piping. This has seen farmer’s water use from 0.8-1.0l/sec/ ha to 0.45l/sec/ha. In lay terms, what it means is that our farmers are now more productive, use less water and are also reducing their energy costs. These are significant achievements.”

Nicky grew up on a high country farm, Clayton Station, at the top of the Fairlie basin and says she always wanted to make a contribution in agriculture. From an early age, she was encouraged to learn

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“It was reinforced to me early on that increased production requires investments in new technology and training and management change.”

Initially keen to become a veterinarian at Massey University, Nicky swapped her focus to Agricultural Science and graduated with a B.Ag. Sci. (Hons) (Rural Valuation & Farm Management).

Her first job was a farm advisor in 1995 was with Baker & Associates in the Wairarapa.

Her focus was advisory in the

The couple jumped at the opportunity.

Levels Estate, near Timaru, is a 220ha sheep, beef, deer, arable property that started with 26ha of borderdyke irrigation. In 2001, recognising that the farm’s ability to be economic was limited due to scale and vulnerability to drought, the property was fully converted to spray irrigation over a two year period.

In 2013 they again invested significant capital to upgrade

It is frustrating to have negative ‘noise’ that irrigators’ efforts to reduce their environment footprints are not good enough. Water quality is a complex issue and any solutions we come up with won’t be quick fixes

and contribute to her family’s farming operation.

“My parents always involved me in all aspects of the family farm, including the challenges of farming in the 1980s.

“They pioneered many farming practices on our high country station that are now mainstream including direct drilling, subdivision of hill country, AI programmes for both sheep and cattle and live export of lambs.

sheep, beef and deer sectors, both intensive and extensive hill country properties.

She credits her time at Baker & Associates for helping to develop facilitation and advisory skills.

In 1996 she left for a sevenmonth trip overseas and on returning, her parents offered Nicky and her partner Jonty the opportunity to move south and manage an intensive finishing farm, Levels Estate.

the irrigation system to improve efficiencies. Nicky says the couple’s confidence to reinvest heavily in their property only came about due to significant increases in production in the last 10 years.

“Water enabled us to grow our business and our focus now is using our water resources as efficiently and effectively as we can.”

While being actively involved in the farm, Nicky has also

carried on her career in farm advisory initially joining Tavendale & Co in Ashburton and in 2008 joined Macfarlane Rural Business (MRB), in Ashburton. She has worked with MRB for 16 years, 10 years as a shareholder. In 2013, she officially resigned as a consultant but still contracts her services back on a project basis.

“Working as a consultant provided me with invaluable experience of the key common drivers for production and profitability. As an industry we must continue to compete for land use with other alternatives and inflation lifts our cost of inputs over time”.

In 2000 Nicky was approached to become a director of Levels Plain Irrigation Company and in 2009 was elected chairwoman.

In 2007 she became a director of Opuha Water Limited (of which Levels Plain Irrigation Company is a shareholder.

This was followed by election to the Irrigation New Zealand board in 2009 before becoming deputy chair in 2012.

She also had governance roles on several farm business boards.

Her first-hand experience of the value of water in her own farming business and

the difference water storage has made in her surrounding community focused Nicky’s attention on irrigation.

“Water is such a fundamental resource and enabler for all New Zealanders. We do have the luxury of having an abundance of water in New Zealand but not always in the right place and at the right time.

“We need to use our abundance of water to provide positive economic, social and environmental outcomes.

“To achieve this will require good leadership, investment in research and development, smart marketing, industry collaboration and farmers willing to uptake new technology or change management that will enable increased production and profitability.”

“Having grown up on a high country station, farmed an intensive irrigated property and through my work as a farm advisor, I know the challenges farmers face and I’m strongly motivated to see our farming communities prosper economically, environmentally and socially because all of New Zealand benefits if our farmers can produce top quality products for markets around the world.”

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Sharemilking disputes – Your Sharemilking is unique to New Zealand and can lead the way to farm ownership or a stake in an equity partnership.

There are two types of sharemilking arrangements in

New Zealand: The lower or variable order sharemilking arrangement and the 50:50 sharemilking arrangement.

As 50:50 sharemilking agreements are freely negotiable, this article will focus on the lower or variable order sharemilking arrangements, which are governed by the Sharemilking

Agreements Act 1937.

The Sharemilking Agreement Order 2011, which was made pursuant to the act, came into force on June 1, 2012, and its schedule sets out the minimum terms and conditions to be included within variable order sharemilking agreements where the dairy herd is owned or provided by the farm owner.

As with any

contract, disputes may arise during the term of the sharemilking agreement.

The order provides for defined dispute resolution procedures before a party can bring a court action, withhold milk proceeds, or Madeleine submit to arbitration.

CSE LAW Thwaites The order facilitates a fresh start to each season for response there is a strict farmers and sharemilkers timeframe of 10 working without worrying about days after the claim has been claims from the previous served on the first party. season. This is due to If a dispute arises out the strict timeframes for of and in relation to a making a claim as set out in variable order sharemilking the order. A party making agreement then, following a claim must set out the service of the notice of full details of the claim in the dispute, the parties are writing within 20 working required to negotiate in days of the party making good faith, co-operate and the claim becoming aware of the alleged breach of the use their best endeavours to resolve the dispute within sharemilking agreement.

10 working days of the In any event, a claim party receiving notice of the cannot be brought if the dispute. This process may notice of dispute is served on the other party later than involve the assistance of an independent third party.

20 working days from the If the parties cannot end of the milking season resolve the dispute to which the alleged breach initially, then the order relates.

Similarly, if a party wishes provides that conciliation is the mandatory dispute to make a counterclaim in

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claims cannot wait resolution mechanism.

Conciliation is a private and confidential process in which the parties to a dispute identify the issues, develop options and try to reach an agreement with the assistance of a mutual conciliator.

A conciliator does not have a determinative role, however a conciliator has an advisory role on the content of the dispute. In 2006, Federated Farmers entered into an agreement with the Arbitrators’ and Mediators’ Institute of New Zealand (AMINZ) to establish and administer the National Panel of Conciliators, all of whom have knowledge of farming sector and experience in dispute resolution.

Farmers or sharemilkers can request AMINZ to appoint a suitably qualified and experienced conciliator from the national panel to assist with the resolution of disputes that arise under the order.

The parties are required to convene a conciliation

meeting as soon as practicable. At the meeting, the conciliator is required to assist the parties to reconcile their views on the dispute to reach an amicable solution or settlement. If a settlement or solution is not reached at the conciliation meeting, the conciliator must produce a written proposal for the determination of the dispute, which is binding on the parties unless a party gives written notice, within five working days, that the conciliator’s proposal is rejected.

If the dispute is not resolved by conciliation, the farm owner is entitled to withhold the sharemilker’s milk proceeds to the value of the claim subject to certain requirements.

The farm owner must notify the sharemilker of its intention to retain the sharemilker’s payment and any retention must not exceed 75 per cent of any one payment. The funds being retained must be paid into the farm owner’s

solicitor’s interest bearing trust account.

If the dispute is not resolved within 20 working days of the notice of dispute, then the dispute must be treated as having been submitted to arbitration, which is a process in which an independent and impartial decision-maker makes a decision to settle a dispute after considering the representations of the parties.

The arbitrator’s written decision is called an “award” and is final and binding on the parties, so it can be enforced through the courts. The arbitration process is governed by the statutory provisions set out in the Arbitration Act 1996.

Arbitration, whilst effective, can be a very expensive process.

Arbitration commences by one party serving notice on the other party. The parties may agree on an arbitrator or, if the parties cannot agree within 20 working days of the dispute being

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referred to arbitration, the president of AMINZ must appoint an arbitrator.

Following arbitration, the arbitrator must deliver an award within three months of appointment or one month of the hearing.

The arbitrator must award interest on any money withheld by the farm owner at the rate of 8 per cent per month.

If the farm owner’s claim is not fully awarded, then the arbitrator must award interest at the rate of up to 5 per cent per month on the excess money withheld.

It is important to attempt to resolve a dispute before it becomes too lengthy, stressful and expensive.

The dispute resolution process set out in the order provides for disputes and alleged breaches of sharemilking agreements to be managed at an earlier stage so that arbitration or litigation can be avoided where possible.

Madeleine Thwaites is with Cooney Silva Evatt Lawyers

Some practical measures for avoiding disputes are as follows: – Ensure that your sharemilking agreement is fully completed and that all gaps are properly filled in. This will increase certainty in terms of what was agreed between the farm owner and sharemilker.

– Make sure that any additional clauses are simple, clear and well understood by both parties.

– Ensure that all reporting obligations under the sharemilking agreement are complied with. Regardless of how good the relationship is between farmer and sharemilker, a good solid and timely report will ensure that all issues are flushed out as and when they arise.

– Above all else, ensure that communication and expectations between the farmer and sharemilker are open, honest and collaborative at all times. This involves mutual respect of each other’s interests and working together to ensure that the farmer’s capabilities are optimised.

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Definitely leave your too

Taking all you need tramping into the Rakaia.

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Greg Martin

BRASS AND FEATHERS

“Thanks, but I had decided not to take it.”

We laughed. I had a swig of my beer and smiled. “Well,” I said, “you’re not going to believe this, but Marel (my partner) said exactly the same thing to me this morning.”

We laughed out loud into the dark night. “I told her that it was only one night and there’d be too much fishing going on to worry about brushing teeth.

She said: ‘That’s disgusting’!”

More laughing. Another swig of beer. The good feeling of being out roughing it, a bit.

Whether you catch any fish or shoot any deer, I find that camping trips are a great way to immerse yourself in the country. They’re also a great way to distance yourself from

everything and therefore become more relaxed. It clears the mind, and if you get to chase a deer or a tahr, your mind is completely wiped of the stresses that come with everyday modern life.

Existence gets distilled down to only what is necessary for survival: Water, food, staying dry, and sleep. And then there

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A friend of mine and I were camping up at Nape Nape for some salmon fishing at the mouth of the Hurunui.

We were having a beer around the fire after a long day on the beach and my friend chuckled and launched into telling me a funny story.

While packing up that morning back in Christchurch, his wife had pointed out that he had left his toothbrush in the bathroom. My friend recounted how he had told her that he hadn’t forgotten it; he had just decided to leave it behind on purpose.

The conversation with his wife had reminded him of another time when he and another friend had been leaving for a weekend in the hills when that friend’s wife had come out of the house and ran down the driveway with something in her hand.

“You forgot your toothbrush,” she had said as he wound down his window.

More chuckling as my friend recounted the explanation of his other fishing friend.

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thbrush at home

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Left – Time to relax after a day on the beach.

is the experience that used to be such a big part of being human, but from which we have now all but become detached – the experience of being out in the open under the wild bewilderment of a clear night sky.

By chance I once ended up camping out on a night when there was a lunar eclipse. The

evening started off bright and filled with the sound of happy inspects. Then there was a chink in the side of the shiny silver disc and after a lot of watching we realised what was going on. The most impressive thing was that, once the moon had been turned into an ominous red planet suspended in the east, the land

had become utterly still. It was as if everything had stopped and was holding its breath.

Later that night I woke and saw that things were back to normal; the grasslands bathed in thin light and crickets chirping again. An experience that our ancestors would have been familiar with, but it is different for us.

This isn’t our home any more. We’re just there for a night or two, and then we drive back to the city to brush our teeth and have a shower.

Hopefully the mind stays clear and the body relaxed for some time afterwards. And if it doesn’t, then at least we have memories to call on to get us through the weeks and months before we’re able to get out there again.

Oh, and there is an interesting fact about tooth decay. Humans didn’t get it when we were nomadic hunters living under the stars. Tooth decay only came along when we started to grow cereals and live in houses. Like a lot of things, the toothbrush is not a fix for an inherent human defect, because we’re not defective. It’s just another tool we use to help us cope with modern life.

Tips for making camping more comfortable: – If tramping in, travel as light as you can. Be ruthless about what you really need.

– If you are going for just one night, grab a kebab from the Turkish Kebab caravan at Baring Square and put it in the pack. Leave the gas cooker behind.

– Take one rifle between the two or three of you.

If you’re lucky, you’ll need to be carrying a lot out.

– Think about where you will be able to get fresh water. The tops are often bone dry.

– Poor decisions come from tiredness. In the morning, give yourself a little longer to think before acting.

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A market for everything exce Pampered pooches in America and pizzle hot pots in China are helping support venison prices to farmers.

While the top priority for the deer industry is building restaurant demand for farmraised venison, it also caters for customers eager to source every part of the animal except, perhaps, the roar of the stag.

“In the United States, venison and other game meats are now vital ingredients in gourmet pet foods. The inclusion of 10 per cent venison in a chickenbased formula can give it serious cachet, dramatically increasing the price consumers are willing to pay for the product,” says Deer Industry NZ (DINZ) chief executive officer Dan Coup.

“As a result, prices for deer offals and mechanically deboned venison have doubled twice in the last three years and are now worth around $40 a head. A further $30 comes from deer skins, dried deer blood and ‘Asian edibles’ – deer sinews, pizzles and tails.”

Last year the export value of

sinews more than doubled to $3.96 million compared with $1.77 million in 2013. Tails lifted to $11.3m from $8.5m.

Pizzles firmed to $6.8m, up from $4.8m.

Deer skins are the only co-product where prices have weakened slightly in the last year, probably due to the strengthening of the Kiwi against the Euro.

“Co-products are a really important part of delivering value to farmers. They make up about 15 per cent of the value of a deer versus about 14 per cent of the value of a lamb,” Mr Coup says.

“Farmers often ask me why they don’t get paid for co-products, but they do.

Recoveries from co-products offset about 70 per cent of the cost of processing a deer carcase. Maximising their value is a priority for venison processors,” he says.

Pizzles are cut carefully so as to leave a piece of the pelvic bone attached. This tells buyers the pizzle has come from a deer, not a dog or seal, an important assurance for

sale, plucking out the hairs, cooking, drying and stretching the skin over the cut end.

While some processors do this in New Zealand, most are

customers. Tails are also cut so that glands in the base of the tail remain intact.

Tails need labour-intensive work to make them ready for

processed in Hong Kong.

Indeed the main outlets for Asian edibles like pizzles, tails and sinews are Hong Kongbased buyers who on-sell

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11

ept the roar of the stag Left - Stag roaring on Mt Possession Station.

Right - Mirror image. Two elk bulls, on Mt Possession PHOTOS ANGELA BLAIR

Mr Coup says. Dried deer blood can be used as a food ingredient and is sold in capsules by some traditional Asian medicine practitioners.

Demand for it has been sporadic over the years, but in 2014 exports jumped to $588,000 from only $4214 the year before.

“It remains to be seen whether this demand can be sustained.

“The sale of blood has dual benefit, it increases returns from deer and also removes it from plant effluent, where it takes time to break down.”

Mr Coup says there is some call from farmers to get a separate itemised price for each co-product, but this adds considerable cost to processing.

This cannot be justified unless farmers have a way of producing animals with attributes like larger tails or pizzles.

RU RO R AD AL S

to distributors throughout mainland China. Pizzles are popular in north-east China where they are used in a traditional hot pot.

“New Zealand now has direct access to mainland China for products from all major deer processing plants, so there is a potential for Asian edibles to go more directly to the consumer.

“This makes everything transparent and potentially reduces the number of margins being taken between producer and end user.

“But Hong Kong is likely to remain an important outlet for the foreseeable future. Sure, some exporters are reporting inquiry from potential new customers in China, but we are talking about very traditional products going into a market where personal relationships and loyalties between buyer and seller are highly valued,”

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13

High country lakes’ water quality Many people expect that our high country lakes would have good water quality due to their location away from population centres and intensive farming.

However, some of our lakes have less-than-perfect water.

This matters because it affects the health of the lake and aquatic life including insects, fish and birds, the wetlands around the lake and the streams flowing from them.

Water quality is also important for recreation – when we go to the lakes we want to know the water is relatively clean.

There are four variables that can be measured which indicate water quality and lake health. They are total nitrogen, total phosphorus, clarity and chlorophyll a. When combined they give the Trophic Level Index. The higher the TLI, the lower the water quality.

Nitrogen and phosphorus are important measures because these are the nutrients that allow algae to grow. These nutrients usually come from agricultural run-off or urban wastewater.

Concentrations of algae are

Mary Ralston

Lake Emma basks in tranquil PHOTO SUPPLIED glory.

FOREST AND BIRD

the best measure of lake health but it is difficult to measure directly, so the chlorophyll measurement is used to give an indirect measurement of algae.

Water clarity is measured with a Secchi disc attached to a tape measure that is lowered through the water until it disappears from view. In clear, oligotrophic lakes such as Lake Heron, the Secchi depth may be greater than 10 metres while in eutrophic lakes with low visibility, the Secchi depth can be less than 1 metre.

The Trophic Level Index (TLI), as determined by the

four variables, allows water scientists to allocate lakes to a category according to water quality.

These categories are: Microtrophic: Very clean, often have snow or glacial sources. Oligotrophic: Clear and blue, with low levels of nutrients and algae (eg, Lake Heron). Mesotrophic: Moderate levels of nutrients and algae (eg, Lake Camp).

Eutrophic: Green and murky, with higher amounts of nutrients and algae (eg, Lake Clearwater). Hypertrophic: (or supertrophic) Fertile,

with extremely high levels of phosphorus and nitrogen; rarely suitable for recreation and habitat for desirable aquatic species is limited.

Our local lakes have been monitored for water quality since 2004 and the results are interesting: TLI levels in Lake Heron have fluctuated from 2.3 to 2.7 and is it considered an oligotrophic (very clean) lake. But Lake Emma is not so healthy; TLI levels have gone from 3.9 (mesotrophic) up to 6.2 (above hypertrophic) in 2008. Fortunately levels have declined since then but

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not back to 2004-05 levels.

Lake Camp has stayed around 3; Lake Clearwater has more nutrients than neighbouring Lake Camp and is borderline between mesotrophic and eutrophic.

The reasons for low water quality at Lake Emma may be the high levels of nutrients used in the surrounding catchment when the land was farmed more intensively.

Lake Clearwater may have poorer quality than Lake Camp because it is lower than Camp and many of the baches still have septic tanks. Another factor is the nutrient run-off that occurs when there is conversion of tussock grasslands to pasture, which has happened relatively recently in a small part of the catchment of the lake.

This is also happening in the catchment around Lake Emily.

A precautionary approach and a long-term, whole catchment management approach is needed so that we do not end up in a situation where millions of dollars and decades of work are required to reverse the decline.

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15

Recycle your glass bottles and jars Glass bottles and jars are the purest healthiest form of packaging and the bonus is they are 100 per cent endlessly recyclable.

Here in Ashburton our colour-sorted glass is loaded into containers and shipped to O-I in Auckland where 250 people are employed to manufacture glass.

O-I NZ is the country’s only glass container manufacturer and supplies high quality glass bottles and jars to a range of leading food and beverage brands who export our glass packaged products all around the world.

Some years back I applied for funding from the Glass Packaging Forum to get the concrete bunkers set up at the Ashburton Resource Recovery Park for storing the glass until there was sufficient tonnage to load it out. At the time we were looking for ways to recycle glass, including crushing it into sand or using it in foundations. These were successful, but by far the best way to recycle glass is

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Come along and see the range of options for your food waste. Enquiries call 0800 627824 or email sherylstivens@gmail.com

MASTAGARD ASHBURTON

to put it back into the glass bottles and jars made in New Zealand. Now that there is an additional glass furnace in Auckland glass is being shipped from all around the country back to the recycling plant.

New Zealand’s glass containers and bottles are made from natural materials – sand, limestone, soda ash and recycled glass – and have a high sustainability rating due to their 60 per cent recycled content.

Maximising the amount of recycled content in the glass-making process creates a number of benefits: – It reduces the amount of raw materials that must be extracted, transported and used in

the production of glass containers and bottles; – It reduces the amount of waste sent to landfill; and – Due to a lower melting point, every 10 per cent of recycled glass used in production reduces carbon emissions by about 5 per cent and energy use in the process by around 3 per cent.

“To maximise our use of recycled glass, we need to receive colour-sorted and contaminant-free container glass.

When glass is co-mingled or mixed up with paper and plastics in wheelie bins collected for recycling it breaks. O-I estimate that they are unable to use up to 50 per cent of glass collected

END OF SEASON CLEARANCE ON SELECTED WOOD BURNERS Proposed measures Use of open fires and older wood burners which are 15 years or older, not allowed (current measure).

Use of existing low-emission wood burners will not be allowed after 15 years of use, but will be able to be replaced with another low-emission wood burner. Installation of current low-emission wood burners into new homes, not allowed (current measure).

Installation of ultra-low emission burners (when available) and pellet

fires into all homes, including new ones, allowed. Wood burners to be operated so there is no visible chimney smoke most of the time. If the 2016 National Environmental Standard PM10 target of three high pollution nights a year is not met, phase out the use of current low emission wood burners, but allow pellet fires and ultra-low emission wood burners (when available)

What can you do?

Sort out your glass bottles

and jars, keep them separate at your barbecues and parties.

Put them into your kerbside recycling bin for collection or drop them off at the Ashburton or Rakaia Resource Recovery Parks or at one of the rural drop off Community Recycling Depots throughout the Ashburton District.

For recycling or home composting help or to get help with sorting out your farm or business waste Free phone 0800 627-824 or email sherylstivens@ gmail.com or brent. holley@envirowaste. co.nz

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through existing commingled wheelie bin collections where glass is mixed with the other recycled materials.

It is important for Ashburton District that glass continues to be collected in a separate bin and is colour sorted so that it does not contaminate and devalue the plastics, cans and paper that are recycled into the wheelie bins.

Other areas of New Zealand which have chosen to collect glass separately so it can be recycled onshore back into bottles and jars include Wellington, Dunedin, New Plymouth, Palmerston North and Gisborne.

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2 16

Farming

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Nutrient management – What is it?

N

utrient management rules in Canterbury took immediate effect on January 18, 2014, and these relate to every farm of every type in the Canterbury region (with very few exceptions or exemptions).

Every farm needs to be aware of their obligations under the LWRP, and work out how it affects them going forward.

There are only four exceptions or exemptions. If you are under five hectares in area, or your nitrogen losses are less than 10kg/ hectares/year, or your farm is within the area covered by the Hurunui-Waiau Regional Plan.

The other exception is if you receive irrigation water from an irrigation scheme which holds a resource consent with a nutrient limit on it.

At the moment, the schemes which hold such a consent are Bar hill Chertsey Irrigation Scheme, and RDRML (Mayfield Hinds, Valetta and Ashburton Lyndhurst).

If you do not meet one of

the exemptions, what are key steps to take to determine what you need to be doing now to comply?

• Find out which nutrient allocation zone you are in.

The region is broken down into nutrient allocation zones, being red, orange, green, light blue, or lake zones. The colours reflect the current nutrient status and whether water quality objectives are met.

Red zones means no

increase in leaching beyond your nitrogen baseline, Orange means a small increase is acceptable, and green or light blue means there is a higher tolerance for increase in nitrogen loss.

• Work out your nitrogen baseline What is a “nitrogen baseline” I hear you ask.

This is defined as the average annual loss of nitrogen from a property from

July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2013.

At the moment, the only way to determine this is to use the Overseer model.

This can be done for you by your fertiliser company, or a consultant experienced in Overseer.

Now that you know what your nitrogen baseline is, what does it mean?

If you are not planning to change the way you farm, then until 2016 (orange zones) and 2017 (red zones), you are

allowed to continue as you are.

From these dates, farms with medium nitrogen leaching rates (less than 20kg/ha/ year) can continue to operate without a resource consent.

For both zones, farms with higher leaching losses (greater than 20 kg/year) can continue to operate until these dates, but after that date a resource consent is required. For green and light blue zones, to continue to farm as you are, there are no limits or restrictions. Nutrient management and the nitrogen baseline is important for more reasons that just determining compliance with the rules.

It is particularly important if you are considering buying a farm, or selling a farm as the nitrogen baseline will dictate what you can do with a farm, or what a potential purchaser can do with your farm.

We are the only consultancy in Canterbury to have three Overseer experts in house.

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17

30-year outlook for dairy farmers is sunny

I

t’s no secret that the New Zealand economy is largely built on agriculture and that operating profit is often hard for farmers to achieve!

A dairy farmer’s energy consumption is a significant line on the expense side of the ledger with up to 1000 litres of water to heat each day along with amp-hungry pumps and equipment to run.

The good news is that Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Panel Systems are at their highest ever level of development and performance - yet they are at their lowest ever price!

Solar hot water systems are relatively efficient and go a long way towards offsetting the cost of dairy hot water requirements; but Solar PV is inherently more versatile, providing free clean energy for over 30 years from installation. Warranties on most Solar PV systems run at a hefty 25 years too, giving farmers much-needed security and certainty on that all-important return on their investment. CPS Solar, a Canterbury-based business, has carved out national reach

in recent years and is a leader in Solar PV systems for dairy farms. Director Murray Marquet says: “We specialise in providing farmers with the highest performing solar PV systems, backed by a 25-year warranty.

“We tailor our systems to fit the farmer’s needs exactly, so they gain maximum bottomline benefit.”

The amortisation or “payback period” of solar PV systems has been drastically reduced over the past twoto-three years with the lower cost of producing the panels working through to the consumer, the ability to depreciate the asset plus claim GST on the purchase.

This all points to amortisation in as little as five years, or 60 months, to bring it more sharply into focus.

“There’s no question that there’s never been a better time to consider a Solar PV system and we’re helping farmers along by offering easy finance too,” adds Marquet.

The characteristics of Solar PV systems are varied.

Grid connected schemes

CPS Solar can help keep a lid on your power bills!

allow you to draw energy from the grid or sell your surplus energy back to the grid, as required. Off-grid systems with battery storage and back-up options are also available for farmers wanting to quit their reliance on the grid altogether. Either system requires little maintenance and will quietly and cleanly generate free energy from the sun for up to 40 years.

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As if that’s not impressive enough, import-export meters record the energy consumed from the grid, as well as any surplus energy produced

which is effectively sold back to the grid.

CPS Solar is a market leader in the supply of renewable energy systems, as well as heat pump and conventional electrical solutions.

Their aim is to deliver smart energy solutions to New Zealanders at the lowest prices, assisting New Zealand in becoming more energy efficient and therefore reducing its carbon footprint.

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Farming

2 18

www.guardianonline.co.nz

Trial periods: Extreme caution Valid 90-day trial periods have become more challenging after two recent Employment Relations Authority (ERA) decisions.

One case resulted in the employee being awarded $39,000.

It is well established by previous cases that a trial period can only apply to someone who is not currently, or has not previously been an employee.

Furthermore the trial period must be written into an employment agreement that is signed prior to the employee starting work.

Signing the agreement on the day the employee has started is too late.

The minute the employee begins work they are deemed to be an existing employee and therefore a trial period cannot be subsequently entered into.

The problem for Smith Crane & Construction Ltd was a slight twist on this.

Andrew Hall was employed as a senior piling project manager in Christchurch. A letter of offer and an employment agreement were emailed to him with the offer letter stating: “Should you find the terms and conditions of the above letter and attached employment agreement acceptable please sign one copy and return to our Johns Rd office and

Christine Summerville

EMPLOYMENT MATTERS

keep one copy for your own records.”

Mr Hall returned a signed copy of the offer letter but not the employment agreement.

This was not discovered until Mr Hall started and the employment agreement was signed one month after employment began. The ERA determined that although there was a signed offer referring to the employment agreement and it had a clear 90-day trial period, it did not meet the requirement of having a signed employment agreement and as such the trial was not valid.

Mr Hall was awarded a little over $39,000. It is reported the company is planning to appeal the decision.

In Hutchison v Canon New Zealand Ltd, the company meet all the requirements for having a trial period for Brent Hutchison. On day 89 Canon advised Mr Hutchison that he was dismissed under his 90-day

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Underpasses Laneways Effluent Ponds

trial period. They paid him a week’s pay in lieu of notice and his holiday pay. The legislation is clear that an employer can legitimately dismiss the employee even if the notice period takes them beyond the 90 days, subject to the employee being informed within the 90 days.

In Mr Hutchison’s employment agreement it provided for the ability to pay him in lieu of notice and this is what Canon did.

However, the ERA very narrowly interpreted the legislation determining payment in lieu of notice was not providing notice, irrespective of the terms of the employment agreement. The employer must give notice.

This decision is contrary to established case law and ordinarily accepted contractual principles and Canon are appealing the decision.

In the meantime if you are considering dismissing an employee relying on the 90-day trial period, tread with significant caution, and don’t wait until day 89 before you make a decision.

Chapman Employment Relations provides employment law and HR advice exclusively to employers. Any questions regarding this column can be e-mailed to christine@chapmaner.co.nz

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19

Hinds rules have 20 year timeframe

By Donna Field, Chairwoman, Ashburton Zone Committee

V

ariation 2 of the proposed Land & Water Regional Plan, covering the Hinds/Hekeao Plains area, was notified on 27 September.

Variation 2 will change some of the rules in the proposed Land & Water Regional Plan.

You have until 24 October to make a submission.

You will hear a lot over the next month about how the new rules may affect your farming operation.

It will mean that some farmers will need to introduce changes.

However, change is not expected overnight – the variation has a 20-year timeframe for implementation.

The first step is for all farmers to be at “good management practice” by 1 January 2017. Many farmers have already achieved this.

Only dairy farms and dairy support will need to go beyond good management practice after 2017. Information on good management practice is available on the Environment Canterbury and industry websites.

All farmers should take the time now to understand how Variation 2 may affect their farm.

Each farm is different.

Each has a unique set of soils, climate and water resources. Each farm is run differently and has a different combination of land uses and nitrogen losses. Variation 2 will therefore affect farming operations differently.

Community input Variation 2 is based on the collaborative recommendations of the Canterbury Water Management Strategy Ashburton Zone Committee.

The zone committee ran an extensive consultation process from October 2012 until March 2014 to help it develop its recommendations.

Environment Canterbury used these recommendations to guide the drafting of Variation 2. A considerable body of scientific information, including the effects of proposals on environmental, economic and social values, was generated.

These reports, together with the reasons why the final Variation 2 provisions were selected (the Section 32 Report) can be found at www.ecan.govt.nz/ourresponsibilities/regionalplans/regional-plansunder-development/lwrp/ variation-2/Pages/report.aspx Variation 2 is now subject to Resource Management Act

processes.

One of these is a public hearing in front of independent hearing commissioners, probably next year.

The purpose of the hearing is to independently test the proposed new rules.

Now is the time to have your say. Send your submission to Environment Canterbury by 24 October.

Go to www.ecan.govt. nz/our-responsibilities/ regional-plans/regionalplans-under-development/ lwrp/variation-2/Pages/ submissions.aspx for ways you can submit.

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Good management practice a focus

By Environment Canterbury

“G

ood management practice” is an expression farmers will be seeing plenty of as new rules on farming to limits are introduced across the region.

Good management practice is not only good for the environment; it is also good for your bottom line.

You can manage what you measure and produce specifically for markets that are increasingly demanding sustainably grown food.

An example of good management practice is the significant growth that has been generated in the farming sector by the use of waterefficiency technologies such as soil moisture monitoring and roto-rainers.

Depending on the progress of proposed Variation 2 of the proposed Land & Water Regional Plan, all farmers in the Hinds/Hekeao Plains area

are likely to be required to be practising good management on their farms by January 2017.

There is general understanding that nitrate levels in the groundwater and streams of the Hinds Plain are high and increasing.

The national bottom-line nitrate maximum acceptable value (MRA) is 6.9mg/l.

In many places in the Hinds catchment, nitrate levels are well above this.

Taking no action and continuing to operate as usual is no longer an option.

Applied solutions Good management practice is being developed in collaboration with farmers, industry, researchers and regulators including Environment Canterbury.

There is no “one size” of good management that will fit all. Each farm manager will need to review what is appropriate for their location

and operations.

Examples of good management: Nutrient management • Nitrogen baseline • Records of nutrient tests, nutrient budgets and fertiliser applications (data capture is good for business management)

Irrigation management • Irrigation systems meet Irrigation New Zealand design codes of practice • Pre-season checklists are carried out • Irrigation is carried out in accordance with property specific soil-moisture monitoring

Stock management • All intensively grazed stock is excluded from streams and wetlands

Is your irrigation system efficient and cost-effective?

Cultivation • An uncultivated buffer strip is allowed for along streams or around wetlands

Effluent • Effluent systems from dairy farms meet DairyNZ Effluent Design Standards and Code of Practice

Farm environment plan • Records are kept

• Areas worthy of protection and “hotspots” are identified • Actions and planned actions are recoded A list of good management practices appears in the Hinds Plains Area Zone Implementation Programme Addendum, http://goo.gl/SY8qq2 For advice for your farm, contact your local farm adviser or industry representative.

Tips for Mid Canterbury farmers

Improving your nitrogen use efficiency Do you know:

Losing too much nitrogen:

Things you can do now

• •

• •

• • • •

How much nitrogen you are losing?

What it is costing you?

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2 20

Farming

www.guardianonline.co.nz

Ashburton District has enjoyed 2 Twenty-five years ago on October 12, 1989, Ashburton Borough and County residents chose the 18 citizens they wanted to provide governance for the district as the inaugural Ashburton District Council, and the Methven Community Board of five elected members was established.

At the same time former borough mayor, Geoff Geering took 73 per cent of the votes cast to comfortably beat his opponent and become the first Mayor of the Ashburton District.

The two former 12-person councils were replaced with the 18-seat district council made up of nine urban and nine rural ward members, plus the mayor.

Under the council-approved local government amalgamation agreement, the number was to further reduce to 12 persons, with a 6/6 split for the 1992 elections.

On election day the public opted for a very experienced council in a 78 per cent voter turn-out, electing only one new member, police officer Mike Wall, who had neither borough nor county experience.

John Leadley

RURAL COMMENT

Thirty-four persons contested the 18 seats available.

Local government amalgamation also bought about the demise locally of the Pest Destruction Board, Catchment Board and United Council (Mid-South Canterbury), and the formation of the Canterbury Regional Council (now ECan).

Simultaneously the Resource Management Act replaced the former Town and County Planning Act. Under the sound guidance of mayor Geoff Geering, early fears of a rural/urban split proved unfounded and this has continued throughout the 25 years.

With the wisdom of hindsight, wise leadership and the undoubted benefit of experienced members, this

district’s amalgamation proved one of the most seamless in the country.

I wish to turn now to some of the major decisions of the last 25 years that I believe have placed this district at the forefront of rural local authorities across the nation.

Firstly the core provision of drinking water and waste water disposal.

Despite earlier councillor comments of “nothing will be cheaper than the river gallery gravity supply” in the mid-90s, the poor condition of the gravity main feeding the water tower and regular contamination of the town supply led to a decision to investigate a deep bore supply.

Today the town supply is sourced from several bores a 100 metres deep and is of a quality that is the envy of most authorities. What is more, an approved global consent allows for population expansion demand for many years. Clean, pressurised drinking water is available more than 99.9 per cent of the time. Virtually all rural townships now have upgraded supplies.

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The somewhat controversial purchase by tender of mayor Murray Anderson’s Ashton Farm in 2002 allowed for the establishment of a modern high-tech waste water facility.

A century of poorly-treated effluent disposal via the Ashburton River to the sea became redundant, via a 17km pipeline to a land disposal farm, garnering significant income from stock feed sales.

Councillor’s foresight allows for a 50 per cent growth in population, again futureproofing this essential service.

Rakaia and Methven both have similar upgraded facilities.

Legislation soon after amalgamation forced the demise of the council’s works unit and Ashburton Contracting Limited was formed as a result. With sound governance from mostly local directors, this company has become a strong player in the competitive field of road, water and waste water supplies and general contracting across Canterbury and further afield. Additionally it provides employment for about 110 local persons, plus annual dividends to council.

When government decided power generation companies could no longer be a lines distribution entity, the council established a local co-operative with “A” shares held by every customer and “B” shares by the council.

Few consumers, when they receive their annual rebate (often equal to a month’s charge), would doubt the wisdom of this council move.

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21

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2 22

Farming

Significant criticism accompanied the council’s investment in Barhill Chertsey Irrigation via the councilestablished water trust.

The wisdom and vision of this investment in securing water for this district is now manifesting itself across the Plains, as expansion and undergrounding of water reticulation continues apace.

An addition environmental benefit is the replacement of much of the district’s 140-year-old stock water race system.

In 1999 the council canvassed the ratepayers regarding support for a manmade lake at Huntingdon. Despite a survey showing 56 per cent of ratepayers opposed council support to the dedicated group promoting Lake Hood, there were sufficient councillors with vision to realise the potential of this proposal.

A $400 rate take from 400 acres of riverbed wasteland is today a multi-million dollar residential and aquatic playground for tens of thousands every year. Well done promoters, Lake Hood Aquatic Trust and council.

True vision.

For decades council had discussed the need for a town hall/performing arts type

of complex. Establishment of the events centre with its exceptional acoustics and 500-seat capacity has provided a much-needed venue for all manner of events and is the envy of most territorial authorities. Again this was achieved with minimal government support. What a great community!

Twenty-five years ago a drive by some councillors to sell the council-owned airport was stymied. From small beginnings, we now have a facility not only catering for commercial, skydiving, pilot training and recreational aviation, but home to the nationally-recognised aviation museum and is wonderfully managed by volunteers. About 30 aircraft are now based in modern hangers on the beautifully maintained airfield.

It became evident 10 years ago that an ageing high maintenance community swimming pool sited on Department of Education land was far from adequate for an expanding population.

A council decision to proceed with a new swimming pool, plus a four-court stadium, if the public subscribed $5 million, received massive support. Many potential sites were assessed in public

www.guardianonline.co.nz

submissions.

As I look now at the massive building and carpark area taking shape adjacent to River Terrace, due for completion next year as the district council’s most ambitious and expensive undertaking, I’m so glad the wise heads on councillors prevailed over the vocal minority who favoured a domain site adjacent to the hospital – a potential traffic nightmare! Again the adjoining land purchase gives opportunity for a full sports hub for the total district for generations to come.

Much more controversial was the decision to proceed with a new heritage centre/ art gallery building. Like all previous projects mentioned this was a majority decision of councillors of the day, exactly as our democratic system decrees.

While I am unashamedly a supporter of safeguarding the district council archives, genealogy records, artefacts, donated museum exhibits and art collections, I certainly did not foresee the current situation.

I still believe that all entities deserve a modern purpose-built facility to house our treasures after a century of “temporary” and very unsatisfactory

UNT LL

accommodation.

I’m certain once the furore of delays, claims, counterclaims, finger pointing, petty interference and cost overruns are settled, this complex will, like the events centre and Lake Hood, become an essential part of the fabric of this great community.

By designating land for a second road traffic bridge in 10 to 15 years time, the council is doing nothing more than acting with vision, just as our forefathers did over a century ago when land for the Ashburton Domain was set aside.

In listing some of the projects initiated in the first 25 years of the Ashburton District Council two things stand out.

Firstly it has taken vision and foresight and a level of positivity from council leadership.

Secondly the wonderful work of community volunteers has been pivotal to progress. This is truly our community.

In this article I have tried to emphasise the forethought of many of our decision makers in creating the wonderful facilities this district boasts today, not only from serving councillors but citizens from across the district.

With the completion next year of the EA Network Stadium and Heritage Art Gallery project, Ashburton will further boost its claim as the best place to live in New Zealand.

In 25 years Ashburton has been governed by four mayors, and 38 men and nine women who have borne the title district councillor. That I was one of those people for 21 years is purely co-incidental.

Serving with all, except two, of those councillors (elected 2013) for that time has been an undoubted privilege.

That the level of rating is in the lowest third across the nation is surely testament to good governance and sound future planning, considering the progress outlined.

When mayor Murray Anderson strongly rebutted Statistics New Zealand’s claim that the district population would drop to 21,000 by 2010 the challenge was set.

Over 31,000 citizens today enjoy the outcome of that challenge.

My wish is that mayor McKay and his team of 11 men and one woman continue governance of Ashburton District with the commonsense and foresight of those in the first 25 years.

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www.guardianonline.co.nz

23

Keep filling those knowledge gaps The Great Irrigation Challenge is over for another year.

Thanks go to those Mid Canterbury farmers and rural sector reps that joined us in Ashburton last week for two days of intensive irrigation training.

The fact that registrations were up 20 per cent on last year’s inaugural event bodes well for the health of the irrigation sector. IrrigationNZ would also like to thank principal sponsor Aqualinc and our supporting sponsors for their assistance in running this event – ANZ Bank, Environment Canterbury, Nelson Irrigation Australia and EECA. If you didn’t get to the Great Irrigation Challenge you missed some thoughtprovoking, inspiring and topical presentations focused around common irrigation challenges.

We will upload some of the workshop notes soon to our website so keep an eye out at www.irrigationnz.co.nzevents-and-training The next training

opportunities for irrigating farmers are just around the corner. On October 20 you can improve your financial knowledge by attending IrrigationNZ’s IOD Finance Essentials course. This oneday workshop in Christchurch at the Commodore Copthorne Hotel is open to current and potential irrigation scheme board members, CEOs and aspiring future leaders in the sector.

It will cover your duties and role regarding financial statements and reporting, the accounting framework and financial terminology, as well as budgets, forecasts and appraising investment

opportunities.

Then on October 23, an Irrigation Operator and Manager workshop returns to Ashburton. Irrigation regulation, scheduling, operation and maintenance and calibration are all covered in this one-day course and participants will leave with an irrigation toolkit including a suite of resource booklets for your reference and further learning.

You can register for both workshops at www. irrigationnz.co.nz-events-andtraining Some of you will have heard IrrigationNZ now has a new face at the helm. Deputy

chairperson Nicky Hyslop took over last week at the AGM, replacing John Donkers who retired early for health reasons.

Nicky is a sheep and beef farmer, director of Opuha Water Limited and farm management consultant of 20 years. After five years on the board and three as deputy, Nicky says she is ready to lead the interests of irrigators and help improve communication between irrigators and the public, particularly city dwellers and environmentalists.

“A critical part of this is ensuring irrigators increase the uptake of SMART Irrigation practices under our SMART Irrigation programme (www. smartirrigation.co.nz).

We won’t change public perceptions until we can show widespread efficient, responsible and sustainable irrigation practice. We are committed to making this happen.

“For irrigation and water storage to develop in a way that other New Zealanders

support, we – as irrigating farmers – need to prove we are using water responsibly, efficiently and sustainably.

“We understand and respect that New Zealanders are concerned about their waterways.

“We all want our children and grandchildren to swim and play in local rivers, I believe that there are ways to make this happen which also allow our rural producers to thrive and compete in global markets. We are working with all stakeholders to try and find ways forward which are acceptable to all.”

Nicky and the rest of the IrrigationNZ board, which sees all previous members continue joined by new face Gary Reilly from Richmond, look forward to interacting with you in the coming year.

Feel free to get in touch if you have issues or concerns that IrrigationNZ can address on your behalf. All board members and staff can be contacted via the Christchurch office on phone 03 341-2225 or via the website www. irrigationnz.co.nz

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Farming

Ashburton A&P Show

www.guardianonline.co.nz

Message from the President

I

t is with pleasure, my committee and I bring to you the 137th annual Ashburton A&P Show.

This is on Friday 31st October and Saturday 1st November at the Ashburton Show grounds.

My show theme this year is the Grains and Seeds of the Canterbury Plains.

In the feature marquee there will be displays of the different grains and seeds.

This will show the intial drilling process to the flowering in the paddocks and to the finished product.

“

donkeys, poultry, goats, dogs, cattle, sheep, wool, shearing, highland dancing, alpacas and much more.

Our ever popular Home Industries pavilion will again show-case exhibits from pre school to seniors.

The Placemakers pavilion will be the place to go to see the animals and activities run by the Young Farmers’ Clubs. Pony rides will be available in this area.

The Mid Canterbury dog training by popular request will be back with displays on Friday and Saturday.

Trade sites are full again this year and we have an excellent selection of crafts and food.

The entertainment stage will host an array of cultural and vocal entertainment.

On Saturday Hoops will be hosting the Young D J live competiton which will be broadcast live.

Rural Wearable Arts competition on Saturday is always a great crowd pleaser.

The Grand Parade commences at 2pm including the vintage machinery followed by the ever popular lolly scramble and entertainment by the Scurry NZ Horse and Carriage high speed racing teams around the ring.

The show jumping will finish the day’s entertainment in the ring.

Please do come enjoy and support your local show.

This year we will also be presenting the Royal Agricultral Society medal for excellence in agriculture

This year we will also be presenting the Royal Agricultral Society medal for excellence in agriculture, this will be given to the winner of the most points in the Grain and Seed category.

On Friday we are running a competition with a few simple questions, so be in to win some good prizes which include: • $500 voucher from the House of Travel • $500 voucher from Farmlands Action is aplenty over the two days, with competition from the horse and pony rings to

President Lynette Lovett

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Ashburton A&P Show

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25

Organisation key to a successful show

Cow pooling in the grand parade.

Wool section steward Bill Hood at work.

A bird’s eye view.

Llama lovin’.

E

ntries are rolling in for this year’s Ashburton A&P Show, but behind the scenes the committee and a team of volunteers have been hard at work for months.

The effort which goes into planning this spectacular two-day event is enormous.

Everything – from the dog trial area, to the chocolate wheel must be accommodated.

Just mapping out the area to ensure show day flow is a mission.

In the horse ring multiple events will be taking place at the same time; and the marshals will have their work cut out for them, endeavouring to keep moving through the programme.

For other exhibitors life will be a little easier; once the displays are set up,

Showing form in the sheepdog trials.

those manning trade stands can relax and enjoy the atmosphere.

The show has a special place in the heart of an extensive rural community – for two days of the year, the country comes to town.

It’s an opportunity to catch up with friends and neighbours, see what’s new in agricultural technology and check out the district’s top

livestock. An A&P show has something for everyone. For the very young it’s all about junk food and carnival rides, for the more sedentary it’s a chance to reminisce over days gone by.

Most rural people have memories of their local A&P show spanning decades, and while there have been many changes, the ambience remains the same.

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The skirl of bagpipes still signals the start of the grand parade, the president’s speech, the children with their ponies and assorted pets, will be as much a part of this year’s Ashburton A&P Show as they were at its inception.

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Ashburton A&P Show

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Pony spectactular to feature at show

F

or the first time, Scurry NZ will bring racing ponies to the Ashburton A&P Show.

The sport of scurry driving was first made popular in Europe and the USA, where

it is a main ring attraction at country and equestrian shows.

The spectacle of ponies pulling carts, zipping through a course of cones at the gallop is proving a crowd pleaser in New Zealand.

Scurry NZ was formed to bring this exciting carriage driving sport to New Zealand in an organised form, and has a Memorandum of Understanding with Equestrian Sports New

Zealand (ESNZ).

The organisation runs days to suit all levels of drivers from newcomers through to open classes.

In New Zealand the sport is open to all sizes of horses

and ponies from miniature horses to clydesdales to encourage participation, although a pair of small ponies is tipped as the ultimate combination of speed and agility.

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Invest in European excellence I

f you are looking for high quality farm equipment that outlasts and outperforms its competitors, Euro Agri can help. Euro Agri is the New Zealand importer, dealer and service agent for leading European cultivation, fertiliser spreading, and spray equipment brands HeVa, Bredal, Househam and Billericay.

He-va He-Va are constantly working on design and development of new product and Euro Agri have some exciting changes for this season. The Terra Dan is a new model tined cultivator, available as a three point linkage with optional trailing kit. This model has tine spacing of 8.5 cm with a 45 x 10 tine or a 60 x 12 tine at 15 cm spacing, depending on your needs. Also available is the Euro Dan Eco, a trailed tine cultivator with heavy duty frame and many levelling board and rear harrow options.

Making cultivation easier is He-Va’s Triple Tiller, which has made a great impact on

“

Euro Agri sales specialist Hamish Wilson has a vast knowledge of both ranges and looks forward to dealing with new and existing Ag Leader and Trac Map clients

the European market and is an outstanding machine for New Zealand famers. The Triple Tiller is a trailing heavy-duty tine cultivator fitted with three rows of spring release tines preloaded to trip at 455kg loading. Shear bolt legs can be fitted for extra deep cultivation.

With a 4.0m machine available, He-Va’s Grass Roller is a flat steel ballast roll, using He-Va’s weight transfer system to make a roller suitable for use on existing, new pastures or cultivated soil. It has a levelling bar and two rows of harrow tines in front, which makes for a very versatile machine. Add He-Va’s Multi-Seeder and you have the ultimate pasture repair and establishment tool - The long serving multiseeder is now available in a 850 litre version and also a twin hopper with two seeding

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Entry level machines designed for medium sized operation, these machines are light and versatile: “Weighing in at less than 6000kg, Spirit sprayers are essentially high spec’d buggytype machines with a price that is sure to impress,” says Euro Agri director, James McCloy. Merlin sprayers feature a 170hp CAT Tier III engine or optional 225hp unit and are available in 3000,

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Bredal Bredal is another popular brand imported by Euro Agri.

The company have invested heavily in Buildings and in Robotics to streamline the building of all their products, ensuring each machine is a work of excellence. Bredal K85 spreaders are also fitted to MultiDrive’s new model 6195, two of which are now operating in the South Island.

These are a special purpose four wheel steer tractor unit with outstanding operating performance and high load towing capability, perfect for Mid Canterbury conditions.

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Farming

2 28

Ashburton A&P Show

www.guardianonline.co.nz

Lifestyle takes on a new challenge T

he family-owned company Lifestyle Motorhomes is very excited about their latest venture where they are expanding the retail side of their business. Stage one is to announce that they have become a Camec Store, covering an area from Rakaia to Oamaru, hills to the sea, plus servicing motor-homers travelling through Ashburton for repairs and upgrades to their vehicle. Murray says they will have a diverse range of products everything from caravan covers to TVs, small washing machines, fold-up table and chairs, gas and diesel heaters, LED lighting to name a few, all which will be adding to their already extensive range of products. Stage two will be to increase the size of their store including a new frontage.

Lifestyle Motorhomes can really do it all when it comes to building, refurbishing, repairs or simply adding in that extra solar panel, roof vent or upgrading your batteries and charging system.

Lifestyle Motorhomes always

seems to have their workshops full of motor-homes, caravans, campervans and 5th wheels (all RVs really) even horse floats and trailers. Vehicles built or repaired at their premises by their experienced in-house team of tradespeople are of the highest standard which means there are no arguments, as all work is guaranteed.

As a family business with a close-knit team, they work together to ensure every detail is completed to the highest industry and NZ Safety Standards. From the design and planning stage of a large build to the smallest

repair, through to the finished product, they encourage you to be involved. They have different tools, techniques and materials so, if it’s possible to do, they’ll work with the budget you give them to get you the result you want.

Just like your house, after time your motor-home will start to look tired and dated.

They will help you update, modernise or just refresh the look of parts, or all of your RV. Lifestyle Motorhomes has many years’ experience building, refurbishing and repairing mobile homes. From updating window catches to removing and replacing

lifest le m o t o r h o m e s

awnings, they’ll upholster seats, replace water heater systems and water tanks, fit new floor coverings, refurbish rotten floors and insulate walls or just bring your caravan up to selfcontainment standard and give you a new electrical warrant and gas certificate. If you require more storage or just updating, improving or replacing, they’ll do it all.

They work for all insurance companies repairing interiors and external bodywork; including repairing and sealing your roof to prevent leaks with their revolutionary Titan

Membrane Coating and Sealant Products, which all comes with a 10 year guarantee. They are service agents for all the major brand companies and their products in New Zealand, they utilise their full joinery and engineering/coach building workshops, plus experienced electricians, plumbers, gas fitters, joiners, upholsterer and vehicle trimmers all on the one site.

So stop in and buy some of their new products on display and talk to the team at the Ashburton A and P show.

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YOUR GARDENING AND OUTOOR POWER EQUIPMENT EXPERTS With you and your whole garden in mind, Hoopers stock and service most makes and models of lawnmowers, and ride-ons, chainsaws, leaf blowers, trimmers, hedge cutters, gardening tools and accessories to keep your garden looking tidy.

Ashburton A&P Show

www.guardianonline.co.nz

29

The Mid Canterbury rural team Winner of REINZ Top Rural Office in New Zealand 2014.

Gareth Cox After establishing a successful career in rural finance, Gareth Cox joined Hastings McLeod Property Brokers in 2012. He provides Canterbury with a fresh and professional approach to rural real estate.

Gareth has an extensive first hand knowledge of both the practical and financial factors which contribute to success within the rural market. By understanding the unique elements of the agri-business sector, Gareth’s informative and researched formula to selling rural real estate ensures maximum returns.

Gareth holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Agriculture from Lincoln University and is actively involved in the community, playing and coaching rugby while enjoying a range of other outdoor activities.

Mark Lemon Rural development manager Mark Lemon joined the

Hastings McLeod Property Brokers team in 2011 after a combined seven years of banking experience and 27 years farming an irrigated sheep and cropping property in Mid Canterbury.

Mark grew up in the Lauriston district of Mid Canterbury where his family has farmed for many years. After completing a Bachelors Degree of Agricultural Commerce in Farm Management and Valuation from Lincoln he began employment with Rural Bank, which provided an opportunity to transfer home to Ashburton.

Mark has an extensive personal and professional interest in the agri-business sector and provides great support to the rural team.

Paul Cunneen Paul has an extensive background in rural real estate with over 900 successful sales to his name

over his 30-year career.

Growing up, predominantly in Waikato, Paul completed a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Commerce, with a major in valuation and farm management.

Upon graduation, Paul commenced work in Ashburton as a Rural Bank farm appraised for two years until 1983.

High success and knowledge in the rural scene has not gone under the radar.

Over the years Paul has been an invited speaker at a number of conventions, and completed consultancy work for a number of financial and corporate institutions.

Returning to the Ashburton District, Chris started a contracting career after purchasing a small block of land. After 12 years of bailing, agricultural spraying and running a pig fattening unit, it was time for a new direction.

Chris entered real estate in 1990, commencing Property Brokers’ Hastings McLeod two years later. Over this time, Chris has become a dominant force within the lifestyle and rural market, his success showing in the number of repeat customers and numerous accolades.

Chris Murdoch

Greg has extensive knowledge of the Mid Canterbury rural sector after a long and successful career in the livestock industry and rural servicing. Coming from east Otago and spending the past 15 years in Canterbury means Greg has extensive networks across the south island.

Greg joined the Property

Raised on a mixed stock farm in Mayfield, Chris became accustomed to the rural way of life early. Upon leaving school he worked on the family farm and other stock and crop farms, before working on farms in the UK and Scotland during his OE.

Greg Jopson

Brokers team in 2014.

In his short time with the company, he has shown outstanding drive and professionalism. Greg’s clients experience the highest level of service, with great communication and attention to detail.

Rodger Letham Rodger is an established and leading rural real estate specialist, involved in real estate in Mid Canterbury since 1988. Having experience in all aspects of rural properties, from lifestyle blocks to all sizes of economic farming units.

Rodger has been heavily involved in the community over the years, taking leadership positions within church, school, farming and other groups, including Lions and Rotary.

Rodger’s philosophy is to provide the best service with the highest standards, to build and maintain “clients for life”.

Advertising feature

2 30

Farming

Ashburton A&P Show

www.guardianonline.co.nz

Super steel on show

R

iverdown Steel opened its gates in 2012 with a vision to bring quality UK manufactured livestock feeding, handling and yarding equipment. For Keith Baker, Lucy Baker and Josh Soloman of Riverdown steel it’s all about making owning quality equipment accessible for famers throughout New Zealand.

Operated from a farm on Zig Zag road in the Rakaia Gorge, Lucy and Josh spend their days between managing the business and sourcing new products. Given that both are heavily involved in agriculture they know exactly what works and what doesn’t.

New products are imported based on their functionality and reliability, once they reach New Zealand they are given a test run on the farm ensuring that they will be suitable for the New Zealand conditions.

An important factor to Keith, Lucy and Josh is that their equipment is manufactured from high grade steel that is hot-dip galvanized. Even in severe weather conditions hot dip

New Saracen side drafting crush

galvanized steel can provide a useful life for over 20 years, in some cases reaching 50 or more years. The metallurgical benefits of the zinc bond with the steel provides a coating that is unbeatable in toughness, giving your equipment the longest possible working life.

You will find Lucy and Josh at the Ashburton A & P Show this year showcasing their brand new Saracen side drafting crush. With a fully welded tread plate floor this allows for easy access to suckling calves when being trained onto teat. Centrally closing access gates to the

bottom section, with an antiback up bar system, contained within the outer drafting gates, this crush will prove to do it all.

The unique part is that it allows the whole side gate to be opened up so that any animal approaching the crush can easily be drafted out to either side, with one operator able to do this from the rear of the crush. The drafting gates close to the front of the crush and hang from the rear, so the animal will always be heading away from the operator.

To learn more or check the products out for yourself visit Riverdown Steel at the show!

Lucy Baker and Josh Soloman, Riverdown Steel operators.

H IT’S

. . .

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Constructed from 3 mm premium mild UK and European steel and hot dip galvanized for the longest possible working life.

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2815mm long 2000mm high 838mm wide 738mm internal width

For all sales and enquiries please contact: Lucy Baker Mobile - 021 1433 469 Office - 03 318 6934 Email - riverdownsteel@gmail.com www.riverdownsteel.com

Ashburton A&P Show

www.guardianonline.co.nz

31

Be good to your tools and they’ll be good to you

W

e all know how important it is to have the right tool for the job, but many of us don’t realise how important it is to take proper care of it so that it continues to perform at its peak. This holds true for all tools.

“

Spring ... is the perfect time to give your tools some serious attention

Now that spring has sprung, it is the perfect time to give your tools some serious attention and get them serviced so they can work more efficiently for you.

Whether it is your gardening tools or any of your outdoor power equipment, STIHL Shop Ashburton offers high quality repairs and servicing for them to ensure maximum performance and

durability. Notably, specialising in lawn mower and chainsaw servicing and repairs as well as the servicing and repairs of other power tools. They not only service what they sell, they also service all other major brands.

Focusing first on lawn mowers, it is important to acknowledge that a key component of having a beautiful and healthy lawn is making sure your mower is in good condition. Be sure to service mowing equipment regularly and use a blade sharpening service. To keep it running smoothly, the cleaning of essential fluids, parts and their replacements is a must.

That’s part of what Stihl Shop Ashburton can do for you.

Their mower maintenance service includes: • Oil change • Spark plug replacement • Air filter cleaning • Sharpening • Servicing • Cleaning • Inspecting for more maintenance needs Your chainsaw, line trimmer, blower and any other

Lester Hurst servicing a Hustler zero turn mower

gardening tools as well as water blaster and generators must be taken care of too.

You have probably used your chainsaw all winter so giving it a service will be very beneficial. For your other tools, if you haven’t used them for

the last few months, it would also be good to give them a check-up.

So whether it is your garden tool or outdoor power equipment, it is guaranteed to be well taken care of with Stihl Shop trained technicians

as they are experts in what they do, a little bit of service goes a long way to ensure maximum performance and durability of all your tools.

Come in and see us at the Ashburton A&P Show.

Advertising feature

BUY THE

ONE YOU’LL

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SAVE UP TO $150 WHEN YOU BUY SELECTED STIHL TOOLS

FOR EVEN MORE DEALS ON A WIDE RANGE OF FARMING PRODUCTS VISIT YOUR LOCAL STIHL DEALER

DOUBLE THE WARRANTY ON YOUR NEW STIHL FARMING TOOLS WHEN YOU PURCHASE STIHL HP ULTRA OIL AND GET AN ANNUAL SERVICE* *Conditions apply, ask in store for details. Offer valid until 31 October or while stocks last. Terms and conditions apply, ask in store for details.

STIHL Shop Ashburton, 418 West Street Ashburton

2 32

Farming

Ashburton A&P Show

www.guardianonline.co.nz

Hyundai / Isuzu Mid Canterbury H

yundai Mid Canterbury was named Hyundai New Zealand Parts and Service Dealer of the Year for 2013.

In September 2013 we became a full Dealership for Hyundai and Isuzu Utes vehicles and our service department has been servicing all makes and models for the last 18 years.

Our friendly service department staff with over 100 years trade experience between them, are here and ready to help with all your service needs from new to old.

Our service department is a professional service centre, which is fully equipped with the latest Hyundai/ Isuzu diagnostic and Service equipment and we are the only certified LPG inspectors in Mid Canterbury. Our technicians are fully qualified with expert Hyundai/Isuzu knowledge, and this we ensure with ongoing up-to-date training that guarantees your needs are continually met.

We offer everything from Warrant of Fitness

with full bumper to bumper warranties, mechanical breakdown insurance and structured easy finance. Call into our showroom today and have a great experience.

Hyundai/Isuzu Mid Canterbury’s Service Department is open from 8am until 5pm daily and we are open for WOF’s only 8.30am until 12 noon Saturdays.

Hyundai/Isuzu Mid Canterbury continues to grow the already established trade business by offering our customers a fast efficient and friendly service. However we also welcome and extend the inspections through to full convenience and loan cars are needs, whether you are a same level of commitment transmission servicing and available, however, these first time buyer or experienced and service to our private air conditioning service need to be booked in advance fleet manager. When you customers. We have a wellrepairs. due to high customer demand. purchase a vehicle we also stocked parts and accessory Our expertise does not stop So stop in and grab a offer free on-going support, department but if there is any at Hyundai’s or Isuzu’s, we coffee with us and any of we thrive on customer part or accessory that we do will service and repair most our knowledgeable service satisfaction and are prepared not have on the shelf for your make and models. people can help and answer to go the extra mile to help Hyundai/Isuzu vehicle we will We have a very comfortable any questions you may have you find the ideal vehicle do our very best to locate and service lounge area providing regarding your Hyundai/ for you. We aim to take into order it in for you. relaxation while your vehicle Isuzu. consideration what is most Hyundai/Isuzu Mid is being serviced.

Our Hyundai/Isuzu sales important to you so that you Canterbury Parts is open from Purchase any new vehicle from our small car range and we’ll give you an Elite upgrade for free.

Your vehicle will be in team has the technical feel comfortable purchasing 8am until 5pm, Monday to you’ll get all the extra features of the Elite model for the price of the standard model. good hands. WeThis offermeans a pick-up knowledge and experience the most suitable vehicle that Friday. and delivery service for your to help you with your vehicle you will love.

We will help Advertising feature.

*Upgrade is from standard model to Elite model. Excludes Elite Limited models. Upgrade is available on the following vehicles: Accent, i30 Hatch & Elantra. Upgrade offer available until the 30th September 2014. Terms and conditions apply. Visit Hyundai South Canterbury and Mid Canterbury for more information.

2014 Santa Fe, 2.2 CRDi ,

Purchase any new vehicle from our small car range and we’ll give you an Elite upgrade f This means you’ll get all the extra features of the Elite model for the price of the standard

6 stage automatic, 7 airbags, cruise control, Bluetooth for phone and audio. Such a versatile package and looks 2014 Santa Fe, 2. incredible on these 6 stage automatic, 7 22� alloys. cruise control, Blue $54,990 for phone and audio One only at

*Upgrade is from standard model to Elite model. Excludes Elite Limited models. Upgrade is available on the following vehicles: Accent, i30 Hatch & Elantra. Upgrade offer available until the 30th September 2014. Terms and conditions apply. Visit Hyundai South Canterbury and Mid Canterbury for more information.

Purchase any new vehicle from our small car range and we’ll give you an Elite upgrade for free.

This means you’ll get all the extra features of the Elite model for the price of the standard model.

Pre Registered D-Max LS LS 2014 PreLS registered Pre2014 registered Isuzu D-max LS Isuzu D-max d014 Isuzu D-max double cab 4x4 from from $39,990 ++ GST. GST double 4x4 uble cab 4x4 from $39,990 + GST.$39,990 $39,990 + cab GST.

*Upgrade is from standard model to Elite model. Excludes Elite Limited models. Upgrade is available on the following vehicles: Accent, i30 Hatch & Elantra. Upgrade offer available until the 30th September 2014. Terms and conditions apply. Visit Hyundai South Canterbury and Mid Canterbury for more information.

versatile package a incredible on these 2014 Santa Fe, 2.2 CRDi , 6 stage automatic,22�

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2014 Santa Fe, 2.2 CRDi,

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91 Archibald St, Tinwald | 91(03) Archibald Tinwald, |Ashburton Ph 307 2415 Street, | St, Tinwald 91 Archibald www.centraashburton.co.nz Ph (03) 307 2415

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Ashburton A&P Show

www.guardianonline.co.nz

33

Solving soil puzzle Strength to strength S ince starting its Electromagnetic (EM) soil survey service Agri Optics NZ Ltd has been solving the mystery of what lies beneath our feet.

Farmers now need to be able to prove that they are farming in an environmentally aware manner, matching water , effluent and fertiliser applications to the soils they farm.

“

Our EM machine can scan the ground at two separate depths in one pass using RTK-GPS with 2cm accuracy without disturbing the soil

“Our EM machine can scan the ground at two separate depths in one pass using RTK-GPS with 2cm accuracy without disturbing the soil.” says Jemma Mackenzie, Operations Manager.

“The survey identifies areas of soil with different properties from which we can create a GPS referenced map for a multitude of uses.”

The EM soil survey provides farmers

with a precise map of their farm’s soil types and conditions. They are a oneoff map which can be used for a wide variety of applications.

Most farmers use the information from the soil survey as a base for variable rate or precision irrigation or for variable rate nitrogen and other field inputs.

EM surveys are undertaken at depths of 1.5 metres and 0.75 metres, however shallower depths are possible if required.

Turning this data into useful, useable information is at the core of business for locally owned Agri Optics NZ Ltd. They provide the link between innovative Precision Agriculture technologies and their successful adoption on-farm, providing the farmer the the ability to accurately target inputs, solve paddock variability issues, maximise yields and improve gross margins.

“We’ve been really rapt with the interest shown in our EM service and please that were able to help farmers and others gain a greater understanding of what’s happening in their soils” says Jemma.

If you want to know the secret of your soils, contact the team at Agri Optics NZ. www.agrioptics.co.nz Advertising feature

in the local rural landscape; and has been able to carefully marry this knowledge and experience with his real estate offerings to create a unique and personable solution.

Covering all areas of rural real estate his clients and work are diverse; and having built a significant database of contacts across the Country, Mike’s reach to find you the perfect property, or the perfect buyer, is vast.

Renowned for his trustworthy Pop in and see Mike at the Bayleys Canterbury nature and honest approach, his strong tent at the Ashburton A & P Show work ethic has been proven time and time again as he achieves the best for oing from strength to each and every vendor. strength, Mike Preston is the agent you want in your corner!

Making the Top 10% for Mike knows the Bayleys Salespeople nationwide for importance of, and 2013/2014 he has a passion and drive for people and real estate, that the joy of finding is unsurpassed. that dream property With a unique insight into rural life Mike was well positioned to step into a career in rural real estate and did Passionate about his local so with success, as four years on community and with a family, he has his own team and a wealth of and lifestyle property of his own, real estate experience.

Mike knows the importance of, Having spent over twenty and the joy of finding that dream years working in the livestock property. industry, Mike is no stranger to Advertising feature the enjoyment and challenges of living

G

“

Farming

2 34

A&P Show

Boost your soil and stock health!

Try West Coast Humates

Focus on the UXV500

• Boost your soil and stock health • Increase production and quality in yields • Get longer life out of your urea and slow leaching • Boost copper, sulphur, carbon and magnesium plus add many other trace elements to your soil

LIMITED QUANTITIES AVAILABLE FEEL GOOD ABOUT YOUR FERTILISER...

Phone Roger now: 03 429 1106 or 03 789 7043

W

ith 33 horsepower, 500cc four stroke double overhead camshaft engine, the Kymco UXV 500 can go anywhere, wherever you are driving to the top of a hill or through big paddles of mud.

The UXV 500 is very user-friendly and rides incredibly smoothly, even with its knobbly tyre pattern.

It can be operated in either two or four-wheel drive modes with high and low ratio options.

Its exceptional all-four wheel enginebreaking capability accompanied by a diff lock makes it easy to drive on a downhill slope.

While driving through mud, you will appreciate the optional extra of a large

windscreen with wiper as well as the detachable mesh side curtains which will help with keeping your clothing pretty clean.

The UXV 500 is also fitted with an effective hand-operated park brake with an audible warning device.

Reverse and neutral are selected as with any automatic transmission lever on the centre console.

Comfortable for both passengers and drivers, the machine can carry 190kg in the deck and tow up to 550kg.

If you think of purchasing a side-byside ATV, check out the Kymco UXV 500 at Jeff Marshall Motorcycles. It is well-worth checking it out.

Advertising feature

“ Don’t buy a side by side, unless it has a tight belt system!

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STOP BIRDS

Leaves, snow, hail and vermin from blocking up your spouting Gum Leaf gutter guard has been proven on 1000’s of home across Australia and New Zealand over the last 12 years.

Quality materials: BHP colorbond steel mesh with unique patented louvre which will even keep out pine needles. Will not rust or sag with age or load.

Colour matched to your existing roof colour.

10 Year Warranty for total peace of mind.

Call Rohan Rudd for a no-obligation assessment and quote anytime, any day except Sunday.

0800 486 532 www.gumleaf.co.nz

WATER WELLS

UXV500

• • • • •

Disc brakes front and rear 2WD/4WD optional 2 year factory warranty Tipping rear deck Flat floor

• • • • •

500 and 700cc models Water cooled 4 stroke engine DOHC Hi/Lo ratio CVT transmission 4 wheel engine braking Front diff lock

East Coast Drilling Ltd DRILLING SPECIALISTS

ECD is a West Melton based company that has been serving Canterbury for over 20 years.

Call to discuss your home, lifestyle block or irrigation water supply needs.

Drilling services include:

Jeff Marshall Motorcycles Jeff Marshall

PHONE 03 308 2055 187 West Street, Ashburton

• • • • •

Domestic wells – 150mm Irrigation wells – 200-300mm Re-development and test pumping Site investigation Standard penetration tests (SPTs) Contact Graham Taylor for an on-site consultation and obligation-free quote

Ph: 03 3479337 or 027 434 1162 Email: ecdrill@xtra.co.nz or visit us at www.eastcoastdrilling.co.nz

35

PMR GRAIN SYSTEMS

CROP STORAGE AND HANDLING SYSTEMS

H & S comes first Jane Fowles

We also supply complete feed mills designed for the small or large farmer so why not start milling your own grain today and benefit from the savings

NDF1324699

Need a new pencil or centreless auger we stock a large range of grain augering equipment at great prices

GRAIN DRIERS, ELEVATORS & CONVEYORS

When the pressure is on to get your grain dry and moved, you can rely on Perry equipment to deliver year after year

HEALTH & SAFETY

Have you used a machine today that you’ve used a million times before? Did you use it safely?

Our agricultural sector is based on family owned and operated businesses – and it’s always been done the way it’s been done. But, if you go and ask those businesses that have had serious harm accidents, they will tell you that’s not always the best way.

Machinery is a leading cause of farm and factory incidents every day.

We have a reliance on it. However, everything from loose clothing caught in conveyors, to lack of hearing protection and unguarded machinery – it’s all affecting us getting home safe.

Last year, WorkSafe reported 20 people were killed working in agriculture – making it the most dangerous occupation in NZ. In April, two companies were fined for machinery incidents. The first, $25,400 after an employee was run over

and killed while attempting to climb on a remote controlled harvesting tractor.

The second, $33,750 and reparation of $70,000 when an employee was killed after getting trapped in a conveyor on a fertiliser spreading truck.

What are you doing today to guarantee your staff go home safe? Are you ensuring workers are trained? Are you checking they’re wearing correct clothing? Have you assessed the risk of using that machine? Are guards fitted correctly?

Have a question for me on Health & Safety compliance or HR? Phone me now on 0800BIZSAFE advice or a book your free workplace H & S health check.

Advertising feature

In the event of a serious workplace accident - are you ready?

CROP DRYING FANS & CONSTANT HUMIDITY GAS BURNERS Available to match all sizes of fan units.

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Single and double units available.

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Also air tunnels, fans & heaters etc all sizes suitable for all crops.

Customised Health and Safety packages Ongoing support and monitoring from 695+GST per annum A locally owned, hands-on, practical approach Save 10% on ACC levies with Workplace Safety Discount AppCon application assistance Set up of SSSPs/Task Analysis for all worksites Serious Accident & Investigation assistance

Phone 0800 BIZ SAFE today for a free Health & Safety checkup for your farm or construction business

Jane Fowles

Dairy Feed and

Dairy Feed and

Crop Storage Specialists

Crop Storage Specialists

Tel:

03 303 7266 | Web: www.pmr.co.nz Email: paul@pmr.co.nz Mobile: 0274 151 390 Email: dave@pmr.co.nz Mobile: 0275 146 609

Ray Jack

COMPLIANCEPARTNERS HEALTH & SAFETY | HUMAN RESOURCES

www.cp.org.nz

Farming

2 36

Rural Contractors

www.guardianonline.co.nz

Contractor licences

R

ural Contractors New Zealand (RCNZ) is urging its members to ensure they have all the correct transport licences for the coming season.

RCNZ president Steve Levet says with the new season fast approaching it is timely for rural contractors and their staff to check to see they have the correct licence AND a ‘Wheels Endorsements’ if required.

“It is incumbent on rural

contractors to ensure both they and their staff have all the correct licences when moving their tractors and machinery around the country,” he adds.

“There are no excuses for not having the correct licenses and/or wheels endorsement.

If contractors are not sure they should find out all the necessary information is under the members section of our website: www.ruralcontractors.org.nz”

Mr Levet says the different types of licences rural contractors may require include: Tractor up to 18 tonne or in combination (towing a trailer) up to 25 tonne: • Under 40 km/h, Class 1 (restricted or full) licence or overseas tractor licence • Over 40 km/h, Class 1 PLUS Wheels endorsement • Self-propelled

agricultural vehicle (eg combine harvester): • Under km/h, Class 1 PLUS Wheels endorsement • Over km/h, Class 2 PLUS Wheels endorsement.

Rural Contractors NZ is also running a number of training workshops run by long-time member Noel Blackwell, with the next lot of course due in October.

Contractors interested is

BARRY WHITTAKER CONTRACTING LTD.

attending or having their staff attend -- one of these training courses can contact RCNZ. Meanwhile, Mr Levet is reminding rural contractors to remain courteous to other road users.

“Remember you are often pulling big gear and going slower than normal traffic; so keep an eye out for traffic and pull over where safe to allow cars to pass when on the road.”

Innovative Instigator

THE MAINTENANCE MASTER Removing the build up on the edge of Dairy Lanes, allowing stock to move easier, faster & lanes no longer contribute to health & feet issues.

Fill can be used for: • Around water troughs • Farm track & driveway ruts • Filling trenches • Erosion around irrigation ponds

Digger also available

RUT MASTER | INSTIGATOR | HEDGE CUTTING P: 03 302 3888 M: 0274 803 380 E: b.jwhittaker@xtra.co.nz

WILCE ENGINEERING • • • • • • • • • Specialist in hydraulic hoses, pipe fittings & coupling. •

Emergency Breakdown Service Certified Welding Farm Repairs and Modifications General Engineering Transport Repairs & Modifications On Site Engineering Pirtek Hose and Fittings 24/7 Callout Service Earthmoving Repairs Manufacturing

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Pirtek has grown to become the number one provider of fluid transfer solutions and on-site *EMERGENCY BREAKDOWN SERVICE repairs.*FARM Specialising in hydraulic REPAIRS & MODIFICATIONS hoses,*TRANSPORT pipe fittings & coupling.

REPAIRS & MODIFICATIONS It offers *PIRTEK a comprehensive range of HOSE AND FITTINGS fluid transfer solutions, products & *EARTHMOVING REPAIRS services to industries

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Rural Contractors

www.guardianonline.co.nz

37

Contractors want action from new Government

R

ural Contractors New Zealand has congratulated Prime Minister John Key and the National Party for its success in this year’s general election.

RCNZ President Steve Levet says a clear-cut result is good for both the country and our economy, but the rural contracting sector would now like to see some action from the new government in a couple of key areas.

“There is no doubt the agriculture sector is an important and valuable part of New Zealand’s economy – and rural contracting is a vital and important component of that,” he said.

“However, as RCNZ has been saying for some time, we really need some changes in the rules around migrant workers in the rural contracting sector – as there is a huge gap between rural contractors’ needs for trained, agricultural machinery operators and unemployed New Zealanders who can do this work.”

Mr Levet says the rules around employing temporary, skilled people from overseas prepared to work for 6-8 months each year must be simplified – as do the regulations restricting people who have previously worked here in past seasons coming

“

at these regulations and how the process can be streamlined and simplified.

He adds that RCNZ is also keen to work with opposition political parties to help them better understand the needs and issues of the rural contracting sector.

skilled people from overseas on a temporary basis each season and have done so for many years.”

Mr Levet also points out that many of the applicants Work and Income NZ (WINZ) tries to fill these vacancies with; either do not have the

Mr Levet is urging the new Government to seriously look at these regulations and how the process can be streamlined and simplified.

back to New Zealand to work.

“Contracting is a seasonal business and one that uses sophisticated machinery that requires technical skill to operate productively,” he explains. “Part of this shortfall is met by bringing in skilled operators from overseas.”

Mr Levet is urging the new Government to seriously look

“It is clear from some of the debate we heard during the election campaign that many parties are not aware of the dire shortage of suitable agricultural machinery operators,” Mr Levet explains. “It is apparent many politicians are completely ignorant about this problem and how rural contractors actually rely on employing

right skill-set and/or attitude to be successful.

“We are talking about operating highly technical and very expensive pieces machinery. It is unrealistic, unsafe and impractical to expect unemployed people to walk off the street and successfully take up these positions.”

Mr Levet says his

organisation will continue to work closely with the new Government, opposition political parties and officials too both ensure that locals have the best opportunity for employment in the sector – as well as continuing to lobby for changes to the rules around engaging overseas seasonal workers for the benefit of the rural contracting sector.

Meanwhile, RCNZ has also backed the calls from Federated Farmers for RMA reforms, which were proposed by National during the election campaign.

“The entire rural sector is keen for progress in the area of the Resource Management Act,” Mr Levet said. “RCNZ backs RMA reform and would like to see action on this front as well.”

He says a strong and vibrant agricultural industry – including the rural contracting sector – is crucial to the ongoing success of New Zealand’s economy and changes to the RMA will enhance this success.

2 38

Farming

Rural Contractors

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Contractors that work for you A

shburton based Greg Donaldson Contracting work around Canterbury on projects big and small, rural and urban.

Services include construction and site works, roading and driveways, dairy farm development, cable and pipe laying, drainage, demolition, root raking and mulching, shingle supplies, bulk cartage and general excavation.

He says his experienced staff are key to the operation and have a vast range of knowledge and ability that lets them take on all manner of jobs. His workforce uses modern and reliable machinery suited to the job, meaning customers get value for money.

“We’ve got a wide range of excavators, from two tonne to 20 tonne.”

The company keeps upgrading its machines for even more efficiency. They have two new fleet items.

Replacing an older machine, the drill rig Ditch Witch JT30 that is able to handle up to 600mm diameter pipe will soon be an integral part of their fleet. They also

Photos Supplied

Drill Ditch Witch JT30.

added two new 2014 Iveco Powerstar trucks used for everyday cartage and general contracting work.

The company also operates Directional Drilling Co NZ Ltd, which is a trenchless excavation method perfect for under driveways and in other places you don’t want the mess of an open trench.

Greg started the business as an owner-operator in 1994, working from a small base in Mt Somers. Over

the years, he has become a trusted contractor in projects around Mid Canterbury and further afield as the district grows on the back of a strong agricultural economy.

Greg remains hands-on as managing director, with Brian Crum, operations manager, helping organise manpower and machines and Hugh McLenaghen, compliance manager, dealing with all council paperwork, infrastructure plans, asset

2014 Iveco Powerstar truck.

location, traffic management plans, health and safety and consultant work for roading services.

Recently employed office manager Diane Hobby has over 20 years administrative and commercial finance experience and is very excited to be filling this position.

Next time you contact GDC, Diane will be the friendly, helpful person on the other end of the phone.

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Greg Donaldson Contracting Ltd 15 Malcolm McDowell Road, Ashburton Office 308 8479 Mob 0274 338 003 Web www.gdc.net.nz Email donaldsoncontracting@xtra.co.nz

Rural Contractors

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39

Adding value to your business

Q

uigley Contracting has grown and diversified substantially since its humble beginnings, adapting well to changes that have occurred in Mid Canterbury. Quigley Contracting is now a “onestop shop” for all your rural contracting and feed requirements.

Passionate about farming in Mid Canterbury, Quigley Contracting is committed to adding value to your business by providing a range of services that take care of all your requirements. Our vision is to strive for excellence, quality and service.

Introducing our new Umbilical Slurry System. The

umbilical method of slurry handling involves pumping the liquid from a liquid storage facility (effluent pond) using a high pressure pump, via a pipeline to a tractor-mounted applicator unit. Once the system is set up and the pipeline has been laid, the pump is started and the applicator unit is then driven in straight

FODDER BEET DRILLING We have been precision drilling for over 20 years.

Stanhay precision air seeder. Low drop zone, 3cms from disc to soil for accurate seed placement.

GPS RTK Autosteer.

For enquiries and bookings phone today Kelvin Williams Contracting PH: 03 302 8962 or 027 435 7717 Customer satisfaction is our priority

lines, dragging the supply pipe up and down the spreading field. The advantages of this system are: • Drastically increased work rates • Drastic reduction in field soil compaction • Eliminates damage of field access area • Eliminates mud carriage onto

field access road • No disruption to farming operation In celebration of 10 years in business we would like to sincerely thank all our valued customers for their continued support over the years and look forward to continuing a strong working relationship.

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2 40

Farming

Rural Contractors

Less mileage T

Better communication

Safety

“We’d had the radios only a matter of days when a staff member fell off a motorbike and broke his leg. He called us via the radio, we got to him within minutes, took him to the medical centre and he was airlifted to Christchurch.

“It’s difficult to say what might have happened without the radio – someone might have driven past within minutes.

“But the next scheduled trip that way wasn’t until 2pm so it could potentially have been hours before he was discovered.”

Productivity “It’s all about increased productivity.

Staff aren’t driving around looking for each other all the time, so they spend more time on other tasks and not waiting for instructions.

“We can make changes instantly, such as increasing the amount of supplements to the cows while they’re being fed, instead of making another trip to tell staff and then another to feed out the additional supplement.”

Coverage V

Planting & Drilling

off a previous radio solution but with a dedicated channel, coverage is no longer an issue.”

he new radios were rolled out in early 2014 for all farm communications, and proved their worth almost immediately:

“Poor coverage had put management

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“The constant flow of information enhances the profitability of the property. For example, if the herd manager and I have a discussion, everyone hears and knows what’s going on. We’re not meeting every five minutes.

“Now staff can describe a situation they encounter and ask for directions, so we can make decisions and fix problems instantly. I live 75km away in Christchurch, but via the radio I can still communicate.

“Plus, the farm owner is kept in the decision-making loop via his radio and we can make decisions with his authority.”

TL Parker’s experience was an advantage “The deciding factor was a digital network that’s always available and the cost benefits analysis, which worked better with TL Parker.

“There’s also the security in knowing that they have been around for a while.

Motorola has also been around, so we knew we weren’t buying a name we didn’t know.”

Advertising feature

T

hian Planting and Drilling is a new name for LP and KI Thian – Contracting which has provided seeding services since 1985.

Run by owner/operators Lindsay Thian and wife Karen the business employs one other experienced operator and family members. Because Lindsay and Karen were farmers for 25 years and seed drill designers and manufacturers for eight years they better understand both the clients they serve and the machines they operate.

Following impressive results in 2013 from planting trials of fodder beet crops with his eight row JD Planter, Lindsay visited the USA in August and purchased 2x JD Max Emerge planters which are the preferred planters used by bean, beet and maize growers throughout the USA. Thian Planting and Drilling can now offer a pop up fertiliser option which is the only fertiliser used at planting on beet and bean

crops in USA. The system delivers liquid fertiliser directly onto the seed at planting giving the best chance of a good start to each seed.

Dry fertiliser is too harsh on beet seeds so can’t be applied at planting.

Pop up fertiliser gives each seed an opportunity to reach its full growth potential beginning at planting. The pop up fertilser product is available for the first time this season through Drummond & Etheridge. Please check out www.nachurs.com for information.

Lindsay expects his family business will continue to provide the latest options for planting and drilling throughout the next decade.

Thian Planting and Drilling has the most experience and operate modern planters designed specifically for fodder beet, beans and maize and an airseeder for direct and conventional drilling. Call Lindsay Thian to assist you with your planting and drilling needs this season.

Advertising feature

DID YOU KNOW!!!!

WE DON’T WANT OUR DIGITAL RADIO SERVICE TO BE THE BEST KEPT SECRET IN ON FARM COMMUNICATIONS HAVE A LOOK AT OUR BROAD COVERAGE AREA AND OUR NEW INVESTMENT IN THE MID CANTERBURY REGION OF MOTOROLA TWO WAY RADIO EQUIPMENT

Rugged and Reliable Increased Productivity Canterbury Wide Coverage Improved Farm Safety with inbuilt GPS Motorola is the World’s #1 Radio Brand Lease To Own and Rental options available 24-60 months

FOR YOUR ON FARM SAFETY & EFFICIENCY IN CANTERBURY

CALL US TODAY

FODDER BEET, MAIZE, SWEETCORN AND BEAN PLANTING WE ARE AVAILABLE FOR PLANTING THROUGHOUT CANTERBURY THIS SEASON AND WILL BE OPERATING THE JD PLANTERS USA BEET GROWERS PREFER • 1 x John Deere Max Emerge Planter 12 row, 20in spacing • 1 x John Deere Max Emerge Planter 15 row, 15in spacing interplant • Direct drilling • Conventional drilling • Inter row cultivation & side dressing of maize • 1 x Kinze 8 row Planter, 30in row spacing for maize • Pop-up fertiliser now available–www.nachur.com

1 Providing y since planting & drilling services in Canterbur

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For all your planting & drilling requirements this season contact

Lindsay Thian

P: 03 358 8082 | E: info@tlparker.co.nz

P 03 324 2601 M 027 4322 053 E kar.lin@xtra.co.nz Formerly LP & KI Thian - Contracting

Rural Contractors

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41

Snap-chilling system options D

airycool recently celebrated 10 years in business and in this time have become known as the “must see” for all aspects of “on farm” refrigeration and energy saving technologies.

Our farm client base now numbers in excess of 700 farms or some 500,000 cows, a significant portion of the New Zealand’s milk supply base.

Changing Milk Cooling Regulations (particularly those proposed for 2016) are encouraging development of new technologies around snap-chilling of milk and while these are more expensive than traditional water based systems, they have some advantages particularly where there are power supply constraints.

It is a myth that storage type snap-chilling systems save power, in fact the reverse is generally true with the benefits being derived from shifting electricity load from peak load times (such as milking times) to lower load periods and the potential to utilise less expensive night rate power charges.

Storage

Dairycool servicemen are handpicked for their thorough approach to all aspects of the Refrigeration and Electrical trades.

PHOTO SUPPLIED

Less refrigeration capacity is usually required also although the capital cost saving is more than offset by the additional cost of the technology to store energy.

There are a multitude of different options around snap-chilling although they generally come under a few general categories (in order of least expensive to most expensive below).

All systems pump fluid

through a secondary plate cooler to cool the milk further before it enters the milk silo).

The types are: Demand Water based systems pump water cooled through a water chiller then through a plate cooler, cooling the milk by a set temperature (say seven degrees) as it is passing through it, and back

through the chiller for recooling.

These systems are quite efficient and relatively inexpensive although they do draw additional power during milking.

Glycol based systems are larger and more expensive and while they operate similarly to the water based system, will cool the milk in the same manner to four-to-five degrees milk silo entry.

Medium temperature systems store a large volume of water (typically 30,000 litres) in a tank and this is cooled between milkings and used during milking to cool milk to eight-to-10 degrees before it enters the milk silo.

Usually the chiller will run during milking also, maximising the cooling effect.

Low temperature systems (such as icebank or phase change nodules) store energy by changing the state of a fluid, thereby reducing the space required to store the energy.

They charge the energy outside of milking times for milk cooling during milkings and will usually cool the milk to around four-to-five degrees milk silo entry.

Dairycool deal in a range of snap-chilling options covering the full range and are happy to advise and educate you, allowing you to make an informed decision when upgrading dairy farm cooling systems.

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2 42

Farming

www.guardianonline.co.nz

Will you vote for a united voice

By Sandra Faulkner

Property Property Property Property Property Property Property Inspections Inspections Property Property Inspections Inspections Inspections Inspections Inspections Inspections Sandra Faulkner, Wool Levy Group chairwoman.

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Wool is the core ingredient of the world’s most desirable textiles.

Luxurious, sustainable, safe – an investment product to wrap around newborn babies and big buildings – to be walked upon, slept amongst, sat on and worn in any weather. Intrinsically imbued with all the benefits that nature could endow on a fibre.

As you can see, I am a huge fan of wool in all its guises. I am proud to have been involved with producing it my whole life across a range of microns from ultrafine to strong crossbred. So it is a huge honour to be chairing the group who have been responsible for bringing the wool levy referendum to you, the wool grower.

You will have received your voting packs by now (if you haven’t please contact electionz.com on 0508 666-002 immediately so they can get one to you).

As primary producers, we don’t often get to have a direct say in the influences that affect our businesses – this is one of those opportunities.

Working alongside the industry leaders that came together in 2010 to evaluate the discontinuation of the wool levy has been a revelation. My input has been purely that of a woolgrower, albeit one who was extremely privileged to travel and study industry representation

in natural fibre value chains as a NZ Nuffield Scholar in 2012.

I stated at that time, and still believe, that woolgrowers are losing ground without industry support and we need to understand that there are opportunities available to us but only if we choose to collectively invest in the projects that will take us there. Information and transparency is key.

A common theme I have heard from end-use retailers is a fundamental lack of understanding among their consumers about what wool is and where it comes from. Some consumers think wool production is like the fur trade – which you and I know is ridiculous given our sheep produce regular crops of this fabulous natural fibre across their lifetime.

There are commercial and grower entities out in the market right now putting these education programmes together, but with strategic, carefully costed initiatives these programmes could be expanded.

It sounds so simplistic, this need to explain the basics of wool, but we have assumed for far too long that everyone knows what we do and what wool is.

The unpalatable truth is they don’t and this needs to change. The Campaign for Wool is a winner in this space and I believe in backing winners!

Where else do you see free endorsement

MANUFACTURERS OF TIMBER BOXES & PALLETS So for all your pallet or box requirements, no matter how big or small, give Wayne a call today at Adams Sawmilling Also Manufacturers/Suppliers of FARM IMPLEMENT SHEDS IRRIGATION PUMP SHEDS

Adams Sawmilling Co Ltd ISPM 15 accredited for Export Pallets

Malcolm McDowell Drive, Ashburton Ph (03) 308 3595 Fax (03) 308 5649

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and progress? from both royalty and A-list celebrities, along with free advertising in the world’s leading magazines? Perhaps we should be paying for it – we might appreciate it more! Make no mistake – this is not generic marketing – this is simply about keeping the door open.

Manmade, oil-based fibres have undeniably captured our market and while wool may be a niche product, it is one with incredibly robust values.

Wool also has the luxury edge – consumers will always recognise good quality - they just have to be aware of the option. Along with its natural attributes the environmental story of wool needs to be transmitted along the length of the value chain to policy makers and consumers alike. That’s where our value return will come from contrasting what wool is and what wool is not.

As a wool grower, I can only vote as I see fit but my opinion is this: Everyone acknowledges the mistakes of the past; frivolous spending and questionable business decisions are the theme.

We can stare at our boots and bemoan the waste of money, loss of expertise and disrespect to those paying the money.

We can continue to view wool as a byproduct; that shearing is a necessary evil for animal health reasons, get rid of it

off our farms and make it someone else’s problem.

Or the option is: We can lift our heads and start looking to the future.

We can begin celebrating the success of those wool growers who still take pride in their clip – who understand its value to their farm profitability.

We can look to support the young people who want to bring their drive and enthusiasm to all levels of our industry. We can tell our part of the story and help our marketing teams create that vital link between farmer and purchaser. We can capture and share the information that will allow us to make informed decisions about selling our clip.

But most importantly, we can give ourselves options by gaining grower consensus.

One united voice which is supported by the entire industry – an internationally recognised, noncommercially aligned representative body for the wool industry.

If you say there are absolutely no issues with the returns we farmers are getting and that consumers know what wool is, then so be it. If, however, you believe we are better off together then you will vote to support the levy.

This wool grower will be voting ‘yes’ for the levy.

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• For Casual & Permanent Bin Hires • Cardboard Recycling • Drum Hires We offer a regular Rubbish Removal Service, with many local Companies hiring our Front Loader Bins and using our Cardboard Recycling Cages, We also have Open Top Bins on a casual basis, for property clean ups, building works and Garden tidy ups.

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