Guardian Farming April 2012

An Ashburton Guardian Advertising Feature

Guardian interesting • informative • essential

Breathing life back into our river . . .

page 2

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Page 2

GUARDIAN FARMING

Breathing life back into our river Linda Clarke, Ashburton Guardian rural reporter

A

flow plan to improve the Ashburton River has renewed hopes that the over-allocated and degraded waterway can be restored to good health.

But it will take time.

Five years, in fact, for the first signs of improvement, says the Ashburton zone water management committee.

Gordon Guthrie

The committee’s flow plan for the river is out now for feedback and proposes a ban on new water consents from or hydraulically linked to the river.

Farmers will be encouraged to transfer their surface takes to deep groundwater takes, the Rangitata Diversion Race could lose a little water and the Ashburton District Council’s stockwater race could also end up with less.

Head of the zone committee’s Ashburton River sub-group, Gordon Guthrie, said the river plan would first try to restore flows in the river to six cumecs at the Ashburton river bridge.

Consents for new water would only be accepted once the flow rose to 10 cumecs.

conservationists agree the waterway needs help.

“This year there has been plenty (of water), but in a dry year it can get to 3.5 cumecs.”

“We have indicated all consents linked to the Ashburton River will have a minimum flow and have an annual volume attached to it. Some older consents do not have minimum flows.”

The river has a history of poor quality water and it is over-allocated for irrigation, according to national standards.

Mr Guthrie said the biggest challenge was improving flows in the river without negatively affecting existing irrigators.

It is a tall order but farmers and

Some current, and older consents, may also be reviewed.

So can the minimum flow in the Ashburton be raised without affecting consent-holders giving up water? Lake Coleridge could be used to store water which would benefit the river, but who would pay for that service could also cause debate.

“All these things come at a cost. There are some farming activities that can’t afford to pay,” Mr Allen said.

Farmers who belong to the Ashburton River Users Group have been managing their allocations for years.

They say they are doing a good job.

Ashburton Forks farmer Chris Allen said 60 water-users were part of the group. Users monitored flows in the river via website and voluntarily adjusted their takes to avoid triggering restrictions.

Mr Allen said the on-again, off-again water delivery under restrictions was not an efficient use of the resource and was no good to farmers who needed reliable water to make their crops grow.

interesting • informative • essential

Advertising: Phone 307-7900 Email: emma.j@theguardian.co.nz Publication date: April 3, 2012

Please direct any correspondence to: Amanda Niblett, on 307-7927 email: amanda.n@theguardian.co.nz or to: Linda Clarke, on 307-7971 email: linda.c@theguardian.co.nz or write to PO Box 77, Ashburton.

Farmers giving up their surface water takes for groundwater (40 metres or deeper) will be rewarded with a more reliable water source, he said. “It so happens that the river benefits as well.

But there is a cost.”

Farmers not using their water allocations would also be encouraged to return some of it to the river, rather than transfer it to another farmer with a water-take consent.

Guardian Any feedback is welcome, any comments about our magazine, letters or story suggestions.

Communication between users is vital and part of the success of the group.

Mr Allen said farmers might be reluctant to swap their surface water takes if it meant spending $200,000 drilling a deep groundwater well.

Farmers would then have extra costs during the irrigation season of electricity to pump water up from underground aquifers.

“We take water, but ramp it down on a voluntary basis to keep the river within one cumec of the minimum flow. We would rather take a little bit less for a long period of time rather than have it on and off.”

Next issue: May 8, 2012 An advertising feature for the Ashburton Guardian. Any opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of Guardian Farming or the Ashburton Guardian.

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GUARDIAN FARMING

Page 3

Winchmore update - March John Carson

W

ell, a quarter of the year has disappeared already and daylight saving has ended and autumn has definitely arrived.

before we had problems I think.

The science guys were down last week to sort up their sheep ready to put the ram out after Easter, all very good except for several rams not wanting to wait until then and wanting their Easter eggs now!

Although in general the weather has shown us its autumn side, it looks as if it is, at this stage, shaping up to be about normal.

However the top wires of the fence have been tightened and extra gates have been put in place and closed which seems to have done the trick for now.

Up to March 25, the month’s rainfall was average at 61.2mm. Other statistics show that the average maximum temperature is down by 0.3°C and the average minimum temperature is down by 1.7°C. The vagaries of this month’s weather has made it difficult for harvesting the remaining cereal crops, some of which I have heard are the most productive in quite a while, so here’s hoping this week of forecasted fine weather will eventuate and allow harvesting to be completed.

The five frosts to date have not been severe with -4°C the heaviest – it is still a reminder that the soil temperatures will be on the way down and consequently growth rates will in general be slowing down as well but for now, mushrooms seem to be on my menu three times a week.

I missed on getting accurate pasture growth measurements this month but by all appearances and the few

The vagaries of this month’s weather has made it difficult for harvesting the remaining cereal crops paddocks I have been able to measure they look to be close to normal at 35 to 38 kgdm/ha/day.

The kale crops have had their nitrogen fix and have responded really well in the last two weeks and are looking to be on target for my forecast budget, although insect pressure is still out there especially with this variable weather – a few fine days and insect numbers build up quite quickly. All part of nature’s survival plan I guess.

The maize crop is also on target with the one new paddock brought into the maize programme this year looking much better than the other three, which leads me to think that maybe a closer look at soil fertility is needed before next year.

Earlier in the month all the sheep were dipped for fly, more for prevention than cure although the conditions were so changeable and not ideal for fly strike it would have only been a matter of time

More trials similar to last year are being planned with young cattle and lambs for parasite work so next month will be full-on putting up electric fences, laying out water pipes for the portable water troughs, weighing stock as well as tagging them all with specific numbered tags.

The rest of the stock are enjoying life, with the 450 ewe lambs up from Woodlands steaming ahead with the only slight hassle for me being the setting up of a panel reader and my scales to read the electronic ear tags they have been tagged with, but a minor problem compared to the seemingly large amount of money their science team have sent my way in return for taking care of their trial sheep.

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GUARDIAN FARMING

Selling to overseas investors Neal Shaw, ATS Chief Executive

W

hen we mention overseas investment in New Zealand business, especially agriculture, the names that spring to mind are Crafar Farms and Milk New Zealand Holdings.

It has been a hugely emotive and highlydebated situation that has been played out over many months through the national media. Everyone it seems has an opinion, there would be few who are unfamiliar with the basic facts surrounding the sale of these farms to Chinese interests.

Early last month another significant takeover occurred involving a multi-million dollar operation being bought out by an overseas investor, but I wonder how many of the general population are aware of this.

German company, BayWa Aktiengesellschaft bought more than 70 per cent of Turners & Growers shares at a cost of around $157 million. Overseas Investment Office approval for the takeover of this long established local fruit marketer was also obtained.

Turners & Growers sells around $1 billion worth of fresh product globally each year and there are 45 companies worldwide in the Turners & Growers Group, including ENZA. The business was started by Edward Turner in 1897 and grew to become Turners &

Growers Ltd in 1921.

According to the Turners and Growers website, it is the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading distributor, marketer and exporter of premium fresh produce; the largest grower of new apple varieties, hothouse tomatoes and citrus; and the largest horticulture investor in New Zealand.

BayWaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s CEO, Klaus Josef Lutz, who will take over the chair of the Turners & Growers Board of Directors, says (in a recent press release) that BayWaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s participation in Turners & Growers will enable them to deliver throughout the whole year.

He says the takeover is a ground-breaking step towards internationalisation for BayWa. This is a significant overseas purchase and I wonder why it hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t hit the headlines like the sale of the Crafar Farms.

Why did the Crafar Farms create so much debate?

When I look at the Overseas Investment Office summary of its decisions over the last six months (August 2011 to January 2012), there have been 69 applications for overseas investment consents granted.

These consents are for the sale of New Zealand land, business assets or fishing quota to overseas persons. (It is important to note the granting of these consents did

not necessarily mean a sale had taken place or will take place.)

This information indicates that there is plenty of interest from overseas investors, so why was there such rigorous debate around the Crafar decision and virtually no comment about the takeover of Turners & Growers?

We have gone from a very high profile case to one with minimal or no profile and yet Turners and Growers is a company with a billion dollars worth of exports.

Does the answer lie in the origins of the purchaser ie China? Are we xenophobic?

Would the public be as concerned if another nation showed interest and does this reflect the society and times we live in?

Sixty years ago following World War Two society wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have tolerated German or Japanese ownership.

Or is it because of the high profile the dairy sector experiences?

Dairying is already under the spotlight because of its perceived impact on the environment and the pricing of milk and other dairy commodities in the local market. The general knowledge around milk production and distribution is probably much greater than it is around the marketing and distribution of fruit.

It may be that it is about applying consistency around overseas interest in New Zealand agriculture. Overseas investment is much wider than just agriculture and affects many types of business and products which we consume or purchase every day.

Despite marketing campaigns to support local businesses, financial constraints mean much of the general population ends up supporting overseas businesses on a regular basis, sometimes with little knowledge of who actually owns the company producing their goods and/or services. Is it so different to the other forms of overseas investment mentioned in this article?

Responsibility for the way the Crafar and Turners & Growersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; issues have been depicted can also be attributed to media coverage. It begs the questions as to whether the Crafar Farms story has been media driven and why the Turners & Growers story hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t been investigated as vigorously.

I wonder if there has been a lack of consistency regarding the reporting of these two events.

Overseas investment will always retain a degree of contention but I think there needs to be more thought around why this exists and what drives the publicâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s concerns.

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Page 5

Bird disturbance Contributed by Mary Ralston, Ashburton branch Forest & Bird

W

e are very lucky to have the beautiful and easily-accessible Ashburton Lakes in our local area. There are many species of waterfowl that live on the lakes.

population decline.

To determine changes in behaviour caused by disturbance, as well as monitoring actual disturbances, three different activities (walking, fishing and boating) were tested at three different distances and subsequent behaviour was measured.

Lakes Clearwater, Camp, Heron, Emily, Emma and the other smaller lakes are home to grey duck, shoveller, scaup, coots, black swans, paradise duck, mallards and many other species.

The results were fairly clear – at 300m the birds’ behaviour changed from natural (resting and feeding) to alert.

Closer than 200m and they started to move away.

The lakes and the surrounding areas are also a big drawcard for people: Fishers, kayakers, windsurfers, mountain bikers, waterskiers, photographers, shooters and people just out to relax in a beautiful spot.

The lakes are becoming more and more popular – does this pose a problem for our feathered friends?

The different activities had different impacts – they reacted at greater distances to a kayak, and flew further away; while fishing from the shore the researchers could get to 100m before a strong reaction occurred.

A survey was conducted by the Department of Conservation over the past three summers to find out if the birds were vulnerable to disturbance.

Non-breeding birds were tested – fishing will have a greater impact if birds are nesting and keep off their nest, and eggs are exposed.

It wanted to find out whether there was any impact on bird behaviour and their health from human disturbance.

We all know that sooner or later a bird will move away if we keep getting closer.

A behavioural response, like simply moving away, may alter their health:

When it comes to birds, especially nesting birds, keep your distance.

An animal who spends more time being alert feeds or rests less, an increased heart rate increases the levels of stress hormones in the body which may reduce health and subsequently survival and breeding success.

The animal may also leave a highly

productive feeding area or a sheltered breeding habitat to retreat to less disturbed but less desirable habitat (ecological response).

Displacement also adds to their energy expenditure. All of these can lead to a population response: A local or total

How can we use this information? DOC staff will be taking these findings into consideration when planning their own work programmes so that disturbance to the birds is reduced, and we ask that you take care not to get too close to birds for prolonged periods of time, particularly over the breeding season.

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GUARDIAN FARMING

Agriculture on students’ menu M

id Canterbury secondary school students who want to play their part in helping New Zealand feed the world can have a taste of agriculture at an experience day in Christchurch in June.

Young Farmers is organising a series of experience days around the country, showing students from both the town and country the huge career opportunities in agriculture.

Young Farmers’ business development manager Roz Lever said New Zealand’s agriculture industry would need to produce double the amount of food by 2050, on the same amount of land or less, and young people entering the industry were crucial to meeting that demand.

The organisation has teamed up with DairyNZ and Beef and Lamb New Zealand to create the Get Ahead Careers Programme. It has a website and print resources, and will run 10 experience days finishing in Christchurch on June 14.

“The experience days aim to educate young people about the real, viable and varied career opportunities that are available to them in the agriculture industry,” Ms Lever said.

“Agriculture is a very different industry to a generation ago; there are so many options now. Agriculture has moved beyond the typical on-farm roles.

“School leavers are entering into a very competitive job market so we want them to know that it’s not as daunting as it seems and there are opportunities out

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there – especially in the agriculture industry.”

The experience days focus on the supply chain story – it’s all about how food gets from pasture to plate. To demonstrate this; students will participate in 12 practical modules that focus on everything from animal genetics to marketing and exporting, herd management to pasture manipulation.

The days have a competitive element to them and students will also have the opportunity to speak face-toface with young professionals from the industry.

“We need innovative young people to lead the industry so it’s sustainable for future generations and the experience days work as a platform to get the right people interested.”

Students and career advisors can use the Get Ahead website to learn more about the possibilities in agriculture by exploring career options, education providers and facts about agriculture.

A key component of the site is The Real World – a section devoted to profiling young professionals in the industry.

Scott Heasley, a livestock procurement buyer at Wilson Hellaby, has volunteered to be profiled on the site. To Scott it’s important to get involved in initiatives such as Get Ahead to help the next generation of young farmers that are coming through.

“I remember it happened to me at school; some of the older guys would come in and help you out. It inspired me to succeed and I know we all want to see the younger ones coming through,” he said.

Teen Ag Club operating at college A new Teen Ag Club has been formed at Ashburton College.

The group has around 15 members and will visit farms and take part in lunch-time activities with an agricultural flavour.

Teen Ag Clubs (or TAGs) are a pre-step to joining Young Farmers Clubs.

Young Farmers spokesperson Lou Thwaites said the Ashburton club followed the establishment of a club at Mt Hutt College two years ago.

She said agriculture provided great job opportunities.

“Agriculture has lots going for it and Ashburton is a fantastic agricultural town. We are surrounded by a lot of good operators, from dairy farmers to crop and sheep and beef farmers.”

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Irrigation training developments Contributed by IrrigationNZ

T

he New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) is undertaking a review of all of the qualifications with a process under the endearing acronym of TRoQ. Not something from Lord of the Rings, it is short for Targeted Review of Qualifications.

The objectives are: • Value for money • Clearer pathways for learners (eg secondary to tertiary to employment) • Reduction of the number of qualifications • Improving the performance and effectiveness of the system.

Everything from hairdressing to crane driving has qualifications that have proliferated over the years because of a variety of different training organisations and the funding model. There are over 6000 qualifications in total that NZQA administers.

An extreme example of the poor development of co-ordinated qualifications is the English for Speakers of Other Language (ESOL) programme. It has 287 qualifications that have been condensed into six qualifications. The funding model is changing to reward the best achievement of outcomes instead of numbers of learners in training.

This means that education organisations need to develop qualifications that are: • Strategic, needs-based, and meet industry and learner demand (looking forward to the 15 year horizon, incorporating the impact of technology and changes in the economy)

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discussions with the facilitators of the process and irrigators being on the groups.

Components of the qualification need to be fit for purpose to deliver the above. It also meant that a wholeof-industry approach to training was needed.

INZ is acutely aware that this is a great opportunity to influence the future training and delivery of irrigation good management practice. Before the TRoQ process began, INZ was in the process of developing a suite of irrigation qualifications to build on the existing design and evaluate qualifications. This process means that the collation of resources and framework to align with the vision of INZ for good management is well advanced and aligns with other industry expectations.

The different industries have been grouped into a number of focus groups that have industry representatives on each. The role of the focus groups is to determine the needs of each industry sector then review the existing qualifications and condense and simplify qualifications into fit for purpose qualifications.

The whole concept is based around a graduate profile concept of “What can a learner do, be and know when they finish this qualification?”

Irrigation qualifications are proving difficult to pigeon hole into a particular industry focus group as irrigation is used in the pastoral, arable, horticulture, viticulture, sports turf sectors and includes a design, install and evaluate component all needing basic soils-plant-climate knowledge and then more detailed applied knowledge around the technical application and sustainability of irrigation.

Irrigation New Zealand (INZ) representatives are included in the pastoral (sheep, beef, dairy, goats etc), water (water supply and quality, waste water disposal, municipal supplies) and civil (pumping, reticulation, installation hydraulic design) focus groups.

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The members of other groups where irrigation is used have been made aware of irrigation needs through

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Page 8

GUARDIAN FARMING

A diminishing resource full of opportunities T

he sale last month of the 263ha Wightman Estate farm at Methven at a price 49 per cent above Government valuation emphasises the apparent insatiable demand for Ashburton District farmland.

This followed closely after Armadale Farm at Dorie changed hands last month at a reported $42,000 per hectare, a mere 25 per cent above GV. Media reports suggest both farms are likely to be converted to dairy operations, further enhancing the predominance of the industry in the district.

These sales seem to defy the rationale that was given as a reason for the dairy industry looking overseas to obtain real value for the 17 controversial dairy farms for sale under the Crafar receivership.

After all the Crafar farms are fully operational units, whereas both aforementioned properties will require millions more dollars spent before they are operational, in shares, stock, silos, sheds, etc.

In the 12 months to the first of March this year the Ashburton District Council has consented 32 new dairy sheds, to a total value in excess of $14 million. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s about another 20,000 cows.

With ancillary work associated with dairy conversion, earthworks, subdivision, feed and milk storage facilities, the positive influence on the employment situation is significant.

Little wonder that Ashburton District has the highest Gross Domestic Product growth of all South Island rural territorial authorities.

It seems likely the recent difficult harvest season will cause more farmers to explore the dairy option in the future.

With the bulk of the harvest now complete (March 26) the likely post mortem will be â&#x20AC;&#x153;just averageâ&#x20AC;?. Only when seed quality and germination are known will farmers get a true result.

I well remember my old friend, the late Jack Brand saying â&#x20AC;&#x153;John, you should always have a drive around the crops on Christmas Day. If the crops are looking fabulous youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll likely be disappointed, if you think they look disastrous more than likely youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll get a pleasant surpriseâ&#x20AC;?.

Never a truer word - you have nothing until itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in the bin.

While winter feed crops sown after a late harvest have had little time to grow bulk, and much of the crop residue is of low quality, spring sown brassica crops are looking great.

High volumes of stored baleage, silage and hay with maize silage not yet harvested, augers well for winter stock condition.

My personal opinion is that this district is close to a maximum sustainable level of dairy expansion.

Fifty years in the farming industry has taught me that nothing is as constant as change.

Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve seen the peaks and troughs of many agricultural products. Dairy, blackcurrants, wool, white clover, sheep meats, grapes, cereals, pulses, potatoes have all had their turns.

Product prices will, I believe remain cyclical.

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We provide t 4PJM NJOFSBM BOE OVUSJFOU BWBJMBCJMJUZ BOBMZTJT t 1SPHSBNNFT GPS CBMBODJOH TPJM OVUSJFOUT t *OEFQFOEFOU TPJM GFSUJMJUZ BOE OVUSJFOU BEWJTF BOE BSF BQQSPWFE

Kinsey and Albrecht nutrient balance programme practitioners t 1SFNJFS QSPWJEFST PG IJHI RVBMJUZ TPJM BOE QMBOU OVUSJFOUT BOE NJDSPOVUSJFOUT mixed ready for application from our store. t " DPNQMFUF TZTUFNT CJPMPHJDBM BQQSPBDI UP TPJM BOE QMBOU OVUSJUJPO BEESFTTFT UIF underlying issues of nutrient and mineral deficiency.

To achieve top performance plants need an optimal quantity and balance of minerals. Healthy Soils programmes are designed to provide this.

Right now is a great time to apply Golden Bay Dolomite - available in store here!

Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m certainly a dyed-in-the-wool traditionalist favouring the owner-operator unit. One of the consequences of extremely high prices is the apparent slow demise of the family farm.

Corporate ownership of units is now frequently the norm. Salaried managers take the place of owneroperators.

From my observation, the emphasis in these cases seems solely on returning a dividend to shareholders who in many cases have no idea of the practical side of the operation they invest in.

Any property farmed in this manner invariably performs less well in the area of sustainability.

Owner farmers with few exceptions, by their very nature are committed environmentalists. Usually they have a strong focus on leaving the soil resource at exit, at least with the same productive potential as when they began tenure.

Environmental sustainability and enhancement are key to public acceptance of agricultural expansion.

To this end it was a privilege to be involved in the exciting launch of the tripartide memorandum of understanding signed recently by Grow Mid Canterbury, Ashburton District Council and Eden AgriCapital.

The $30 million agri-business park to be established at the Ashburton Business Estate will enable complementary new and established businesses to combine their expertise and innovation and boost production in a wide field of endeavour.

Would you like to irrigate \RXU ODQG HIĂ&#x20AC;FLHQWO\" Rainer Irrigation Limited ZLOO SURYLGH \RX ZLWK 7+( VROXWLRQ WR maximize yields... variable rate control.

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7DON DERXW $FFXĂ RZ variable rate control to a member of our friendly staff today for a better irrigation.

Healthy Soils Balanced Mineral Fertilisers Healthy Soils Biological Farming Consultant Donald Hart 0274320187 and Sally Truelove 0274362458

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GUARDIAN FARMING

John Leadley

Based on an established highly successful and proven innovation park at Hamilton, the consortium will seek to cluster smaller and multi-national companies to interchange ideas and leverage off one another.

Technological advances in irrigation application and production efficiency to meet an ever expanding world demand for food are now pivotal to growth.

Rob Brawley and his team from Grow Mid Canterbury are to be congratulated on months of â&#x20AC;&#x153;below the radarâ&#x20AC;? negotiation and information gathering to reach this point.

Ashburton is already home to many innovative small to medium sized engineering, electrical and irrigation companies.

Benefits to the Ashburton District and the insatiable demand for food to export worldwide will, I am sure, yield dividends for generations yet unborn.

The district has the largest area of irrigated farmland in New Zealand which with innovation could be significantly expanded.

With 40,000 hectares of New Zealand land per year lost to residential, commercial, and industrial infrastructures, a huge challenge is placed on farmers to produce more from less while maintaining environmental soil health.

We already grow 30 per cent of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s seed source of a number of food items used around the globe.

Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re the grain bowl of the nation.

Versatile irrigated soils enable high yields of a large range of pastoral and horticultural food items.

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more, our farmers are already innovative and strongly focused on sustainability. Note the number of occasions national farming awards have come to the district. Where better to establish a centre for agricultural innovation and excellence?

Within an hourâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s drive of Lincoln University and three huge dairy

Signing off a deal for Ashburtonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s $30 million agri-business innovation park are (from left) Grow Mid Canterbury chief executive Rob Brawley, Ashburton District Council chief executive Brian Lester, Ashburton mayor Angus McKay, Eden AgriCapital director Murray Alcok, chairman Earl Rattray and director Craig Weise. processing plants, the logic of having the site in Ashburton is very transparent.

For generations Winchmore

ANY SIZE, SHAPE OR COLOUR -NO PROBLEM

Research Farm led the way in pasture production research under irrigation and hugely influenced the local and wider farming industry in a positive manner.

Investment by Eden AgriCapital is a significant vote of confidence in the Ashburton community by a company dealing on the world stage. We can but benefit from the exposure.

While it would be unwise to expect major financial return in the immediate future the seeds are sown for a venture likely to impact for generations to come.

Well done Grow Mid Canterbury.

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Page 10

GUARDIAN FARMING

Fordâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new XL Super Cab Ranger Road test by Roger Hart

T

all is the trend, roof lines have risen and cabins more cavernous and versatile than ever. Toss in loads of power, car-like dynamics and driving qualities, and any model of Fordâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new Ranger seems likely to further blur the distinction between trucks/utes and SUVs.

scope for use as a multi purpose vehicle.

The Super Cabâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s advantage is its 400mm longer load-tray complete with its front ladder rack and eight external tie-downs.

It has a 1279kg payload.

With double wishbone front suspension and a modified leaf rear, informative rack and pinion steering and restrained body roll, the ride is civilised and comfort levels are pretty much like riding in a large car.

They use Fordâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new global pick-up truck platform and were designed/developed in Australia.

You can have a Ranger in almost any style â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Single (special order), Super or Double Cab; cab-chassis or well-side pick-up; 2WD or 4WD. Most have a 3.2 litre five-cylinder turbodiesel engine, with maximum torque of 470Nm and power of 147kW. This greatsounding motor is a beaut with lots of lowrev shove and enough lugging ability to pull a 3350-kilogram braked trailer. Which is almost twice the Rangerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s weight.

There is a choice of a six-speed manual or six-speed auto gearbox, both with well-spaced ratios. The manual can feel a bit notchy until you get used to its shift pattern. But with the engineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s considerable grunt you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need to change gears much! The stated diesel consumption of 8.9L/100kms is pretty close to the mark.

The Ranger driven was a Super Cab 4WD wellside, manual in base XL guise costing $52,790. While it misses out on

a chrome grille and has 16 inch steel wheels, it comes loaded with safety and home comforts. The latter including airconditioning, cruise control, Bluetooth phone, CD/MP3 audio system and lots of 12 volt outlets.

Its maximum five star safety rating is achieved because of a full range of driver aids including stability control and curtain airbags, As well thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hill descent control, hill-start assist and anti-trailer swing.

While the XL is for hard work and comes with a rubber floor for the driver and durable plastics, the front seats proved shapely and comfortable, while the dash

DONALDSON

CONTRACTING â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Focused on quality feedsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

and controls are car-like and complete with multiple steering wheel controls.

Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also a laptop-swallowing glovebox and plenty of storage. The steering wheel doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t adjust for reach but thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s plenty of seat adjustment.

The Super Cab has occasional use squabs in back with seat belts for two as well Isofix mountings. The forward-opening rear doors mean easy loading â&#x20AC;&#x201C; like kids into car-seats or even a 50 inch TV. With Double Cab models their large rear doors and extra size of the three adult friendly, rear seat means even greater

Tight corners are never a challenge and this combined with its refined open road cruising manners means this working Ranger is great on a long distance drive.

And in doing this it is surprisingly quiet and economical.

But then it proves just as capable offroad because of its low-range gearing (thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a simple twist dial for 2H, 4H and 4L), 237mm ground clearance, good approach/departure angles and climbing ability greater than most will ever be game to use. The wading depth is 800mm and it is snorkel ready.

Traditional ute drivers, ones who put fence posts in the back rather than potting mix, need not worry. These refined new Rangers with their strong performing diesels, well equipped cabins, loadlugging talents and safety will be well suited and equipped for a multitude of tasks.

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GUARDIAN FARMING

Page 11

Autumn drilling and planting Late harvest has a flow-on effect

M

ayfield farmer Martin Fleming says the late harvest has impacted on autumn sown crops, some which have yet to be put in the ground.

The arable farmer has struggled to get his crops to the silo this season because of wet weather and autumn planting is running four weeks behind.

“We are a month late getting grass sown down for fattening lambs,” he said.

There was no chance for the grass to catch up and lambs would need supplementary feed. Stock numbers could also have to be reduced because less feed was available.

On the positive side though, winter feed crops including kale and rape were looking great.

He said his Mayfield farm had been spared the rain and hailstorm two weeks ago, a small blessing.

“It would have been a disaster finish to the season. I have already lost some grass seed.”

Mr Fleming said arable farmers were used to coping with problems created by weather cycles, but the last three harvests had been testing. “We hope it’s going to get better.”

PHOTO JOHNNIE HOUSTON 090312-JH-002

Some farmers have been able to bale straw and get on with autumn planting. Others still have summer crops on the ground.

He said February had been relied on in the past to bring hot and dry weather for harvest, but in the past few years the month had been dull.

There would be a shortage of straw and greenfeed for dairy cows, he said. “Arable farmers are focused on getting new grass and clover crops in and stubble burned, with greenfeed a secondary priority.”

“You could concentrate on the harvest, then get straight onto the tractor and get feed sown and growing before winter.”

“Feed will be tight this winter and a lot of straw that should have been baled has suffered.”

Mid Canterbury Federated Farmers’ grain and seed chairman David Clark said some farmers may not plant greenfeed oats this autumn because of the shortened growing period before the crop would be needed.

He said it would be an expensive harvest, with grain drying costs and labour to shift seed around silos.

Farmers also needed to keep an eye on stored grain, to avert disease or sprouted grain.

E t ϯϬ ƐĞƌŝĞƐ džŝĂůͲ&ůŽǁΠ ĐŽŵďŝŶĞƐ DDC is offering services of trenchless excavation by way of directional drilling or thrusting for all those places you don’t want to open trench, therefore saving on mess and reinstatement costs.

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Services under driveways, road, dairy lanes, power, phone, irrigation, water, continuous ducting and sewer lines.

DDC also offer the services of fusion welding from 20mm up to 800mm PE pipe with a computer read-out of joint condition and quality.

DDC is locally owned and operated company that is part of GDC Ashburton.

For further enquiries or a no obligation free quote, call Greg today on (03) 308 8479 or 0274 326 915 – email greg.gdc@xtra.co.nz

WANTED NOW t ŚĂǀǀĞ tĞ Ğ ĐƵ ĐƵƐƚ ƐƚŽŵ ƚŽŵ ŵĞƌ ĞƌƐ ƐƐ ǁĂŶƟ ǁĂĂŶƟ ŶƟŶŐ ƟŶŐŐ ƚŽ Ž Ɖ ƉƵ ƵƌĐŚĂ ƌĐŚĂ ƌĐ ŚĂƐĞ Ɛ Ϯϯϴ ƐĞ ϯϴϴ͕ ϴ͕ Ϯϭϴϴ͕ ϭϴϴ ϭϴ ϴ͕​͕ Ϯϯϲϲ Ϯϯ ϲ͕​͕ Ϯϭ Ϯ ϲϲ ϲ ĂŶ ŶĚ Ě ϴϬϭ ϬϭϬ Ϭ dž džŝĂ ŝĂĂů ů &ů &ůŽǁ ůŽǁ Žǁ Žŵ ŵďŝ ď ŶĞƐ ŶĞĞƐ Ɛ EŽ E ǁ͊ ǁ &Žƌ Žƌ ŵŽƌĞ Ž ŵŽ ŽƌĞ ƌ ŝŝŶĨĨŽƌŵ ƌĞ ŵĂƟŽŶ͕ ĂƟ ĂƟŽ Ɵ Ŷ͕ Ŷ͕ Žƌ Žƌ ƚŽ Žƌ ƚŽ ǀŝĞ ƚŽ ǀŝ ǁ Ă ǁ ŶLJ ŶLJ ŽĨ ŽĨ ŽƵƌ Ƶƌ ĐŽŵď Ƶ ĐŽŵďŝ ĐŽ ŵď ď ŶĞƐ͕ Đ ŶĞƐ Ŷ ĞƐ͕​͕ Đ ĐŽŶƚ ĐŽŶƚ Ŷ ĂĐƚ ƵƐ ƵƐ ƚŽ ƚŽĚĂLJ ƚŽĚĂLJ Ě ŽŶ ŽŶ͗​͗ >Ğ ƐƚŽ >ĞĞ ƐƚŽŶ Ϭ Ŷ Ϭϯ ϯ Ŷ Ϭ ϯ ϯ ϯ ϯϮϰ ϯϮϰ ϰ ϯϳϵ ϯϳ ϳ ϭ ϭ ŵďĞƌůĞ ŵďĞ ďĞĞƌůĞ ƌůĞLJ Ϭ LJ ϯ ϯϭϰ LJ LJ Ϭ ϯ ϯ ϯ ϯϭϰ ϭϰ ϵϬϱ ϵ ϱ ϵϬ ƐŚď ƐŚďƵƌƚ Ƶƌƚ ƌƚŽŶ Ž Ϭϯ ŽŶ ϯ ϯϬϳ ϯϬ ϴϬ ϴ Ϯϳ Ϯ

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Page 12

GUARDIAN FARMING

Autumn drilling and planting Fertiliser use on the rise

T

otal fertiliser use on New Zealand farms increased for the first time in three years in the 2010/11 fertiliser year, reaching just over 3 million tonnes.

Bar raised

Total fertiliser consumption in New Zealand 1961-2011

The latest tine seeder from Kverneland Accord raises the bar once again in drilling quality and precision. With a new threepiece frame using five rows of tines, the new Evo can handle trash effectively and efficiently.

This is a significant increase in fertiliser use compared to the previous year, which was 2.3 million tonnes, but is below the peak use of 3.3 million tonnes recorded in 2004/05 and close to total fertiliser use in 2007/08 of 3.1 million tonnes.

Due to the rugged design and patented leaf spring system, the drill can be used in a range of operations from conventional seeding to one pass minimum tillage systems.

The fertiliser use data are reported in the March edition of Fertiliser Matters, published by Fert Research. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A combination of improving farm incomes, particularly in the sheep and beef sector, and depletion of soil nutrient reserves, has contributed to the increase in fertiliser use this year,â&#x20AC;? says Fert Researchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Chief Executive Philip Mladenov. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Farmers are now reinvesting in their properties to improve production capacity and future agricultural export potential.

These are initiatives the fertiliser industry welcomes. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Use of all three main nutrients - nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus - increased in 2010/11. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Elemental nitrogen use increased by about 8 per cent over the previous year to 367,000 tonnes, which brings it into line with the previous seasonal peak use figure established in 2005. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Since 2005 elemental nitrogen use has moved within a relatively narrow band, and use of this important and strategic nutrient is now back to where it was six years ago. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Elemental potassium use increased for the first time in three

years, and is now at a level comparable with use 19 years ago, and remains well below the peak use year in recent times of 134,000 tonnes in 2002/03. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Elemental phosphorus use followed the same pattern as for elemental potassium, increasing for the first time for three years to 147,400 tonnes. This is well below the peak recorded in 2004/05 of 218,600 tonnes.â&#x20AC;?

Each individual coulter is leaf sprung providing sufficient ground pressure for penetration. It also provides an effective break back system in the event an obstacle comes in contact with the coulter. The coulter simply pulls clear out of the ground and returns to the seeding position once the obstacle has passed.

Fertiliser Matters reports the increase in fertiliser consumption in New Zealand in 2010/11 is part of a global trend.

It notes the International Fertiliser Industry Association (IFA) reported a 6.2 per cent increase in global nutrient use to 173 million tonnes in 2011, stimulated by a sharp rebound in world economic activity and strong agricultural markets.

This minimises wear and eliminates damage to the seeding unit and drill.

Finger tines follow behind the coulters to level the seedbed whilst also mixing any soil and crop residue on the surface.

While global nutrient production capacity continues to increase, over the past year this was at a slower level than demand growth and contributed to â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;tightnessâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; of supply globally.

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GUARDIAN FARMING

Page 13

Sowing the seed for you Spartan 607 HD, 6m air drill

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GUARDIAN FARMING

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Boarding sisters

The Brotherhood Boarding at Medbury ry School pprovides an entry intoo

An Ashburton Guardian Advertising Feature

St Margaret's College Boarders, Frances Redmond, Alice Rutherford and Rebecca White say they enjoy the fun and support they have boarding at the college.

the oppor opportunities rtunit it offers boys as the primary ary ry

is attitudee extends Mr Kay says that this to staff. “We treat boys the way ay

ssupeervised by a teacher, her,r, maaximising ng edducational nal addvantage. ge. t t boarding that h cchanged has signifi i ficantly in

make good decisionns about all ll the options in frontt of them.””

While boarding can be a commonsense solution forr tany tanya.moore@medbury.school.nz

During the term Rebecca White and Frances Redmond live in Julius House, the Middle School House (Years 7 to 10). Both girls are in their second year as boarders at St Margaret’s and have found they now have a second home with huge support from a wide circle of friends. They enjoy the daily routines of the Boarding House. “The dormitory style sleeping arrangements fast track friendships and maximize the fun!” says Frances.

prepare her for the years beyond school.

Alice Rutherford is in the Senior House (Years 11 & 12), Kilburn House. Having boarded since Year 9, Alice says that being a boarder allows her to live with her friends ensuring there is never a dull moment. Living on the College campus means she is able to be fully involved in her chosen sports of netball, tennis and swimming. Getting to all of her practices and rehearsals is a breeze, without the added complication of travel time, as all the facilities are on site.

Last year the Boarding Peer Support Programme transformed into ‘Boarding Sisters’. A Year 13 and Year 11 girl, help welcome a Year 9 and Year 7 girl.

Year 12s are paired with a Year 10 and a Year 8 girl.

They are clustered together to form a Boarding Family who help support each other as they make the transition to boarding life. With the new system all boarders belong to a Boarding Family group and have younger or older ‘sisters’ who are watching out for them and these relationships are fostered throughout their time at St Margaret’s College.

Alice is also looking forward to Year 13 where she will be able to live in a semi-independent flat in Cranmer House. She says that the flatting style environment will give her a taste of reality and

Sue Newton, Head of Boarding finds having the Boarding Houses aligned with the Day School allows for the systems and environment in each House to be tailored to the needs of the girls, specific to their developmental stage. As the girls progress through each House they gain greater independence as their self-responsibility develops.

To find out more about boarding at St Margaret’s College contact Tina Cartwright, telephone (03) 353 2563 or email: tina.c@stmargarets.school.nz

GUARDIAN FARMING

Page 15

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An Ashburton Guardian Advertising Feature

Welcome to Garin College W are a Catholic secondary school integrated into We tthe New Zealand State School system, for both day sstudents and boarders. We are lucky to have places for students who are not Catholic. Our International fo ddepartment welcomes students from all over the w world.

We were founded in 2002 – so we are truly a W ttwenty-first century school. We see ourselves as a community school taking pride in the way we include students and look after them. Our students in aachieve very well academically and in a wide range oof areas.

OOur teachers and support staff are second to none.

staff who take pride in nurturing the best in every ry

Enriched by the ppast...

Prepared p for the future At W Waitaki it ki BBoys Hi Highh School, S h l Hostel H t l andd Fa Farm bboys

Garin College – a small school with a big hear heart. rt. is also one of the leading boarding schools in New school grounds, provides a great environment to In appearance and ethos Waitaki Boys' is oftenn mistaken for a private school. With a roll of 550, 50, we are small enough to know each boy well, andd to recognise his individual character and needs, s, but large enough to offer an extensive academic mic and vocational curriculum, and an impressive coo-

Waitaki Boys’ High School Enriched by the past...

Prepared for the future.

St Kevin’s Oamaru: A bright future Principal of St Kevin’s, Mr Paul Olsen, is “excited ed learning” created by the newly completed million lion dollar refurbishment project at the College. The

an excellent reputation, and having refurbished facilities and a specialist team which includes facili fa

Have you considered Garin College for your child’s education?

Garin College is a co-educational Catholic College with boarding facilities for boys and girls based in Richmond, Nelson.

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Page 16

GUARDIAN FARMING

Education & Boarding Schools Feature

Realise your dreams

Unique opportunities for boarders When Craig Marsh first started at Christ’s College he was a little nervous about being a boarder. Now in year 13, he has been able to make the most of what the boarding programme has to offer.

organise yourself when you’re boarding.” Add to all this Craig’s defensive driving course and surfing lessons, it’s been a very busy four years for him.

“Every weekend there’s stuff to do like movies, paint ball, blokarting, or wind surfing. All good stuff. It’s great to be out with your mates doing something.”

Some of the highlights for Craig have been the trip to Fox Glacier where he got to climb at the indoor climbing centre and on the glacier. He also enjoys the Adrenalin Forest where there is plenty of excitement for boys of all ages.

“I’ve been able to take up some of the study options as well,” says Craig. He has quite a list of achievements to date having gained his Padi Open Water Diver Certificate, and Day Skipper’s Certificate, and he is currently considering working towards the internationally recognised Boat Master’s Certificate.

All of these courses are available as part of the boarding programme. “I’ve completed the two year agricultural course as well. I’m from a farming family so it’ll give me a head start if I decide to go into farming. It’s a lot of work but it’s easy to

The boarding programme at Christ’s College is run

by David Scott, Housemaster of Flower’s House. He is passionate about making boarding a positive experience and keeping the boys active and having fun is a huge part of this. Boys are encouraged to follow their interests and take part in challenges.

Being part of a boarding house allows bonding between the different year groups and working together as a community helps them to succeed. It also means the boys get to establish and maintain positive relationships with a range of people.

The last word from Craig. “It’s like having lots of brothers.”

Selwyn House School is a school with a global perspective. It is the only primary school in the South Island authorised to offer the International Baccalaureate Schools Primary Years Programme.

As an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School, Selwyn House offers a curriculum that stirs the imagination, develops students’ critical thinking and inquiry skills, and fosters a balance between academics and other activities, says Selwyn House School Principal Jane Lapthorn.

“The programme draws inspiration from the best research and practice, and is designed as an education for an increasingly borderless world,” explains Mrs Lapthorn.

“The girls also develop personally as they make a difference in the lives of others through our local, and international, community service efforts. From our coeducational pre-school to Year 8, all Selwyn House students benefit from the IB programmes.”

Students at Selwyn House enjoy a wide range of athletic, artistic, co-curricular and leadership opportunities that make school life vibrant for them.

The School offers Spanish as a compulsory language and the Spanish teachers, Sol Ilarri and Cassie Flores, are native Spanish speaking teachers.

The e-learning teacher, Jill Pears, has a strong interest in teaching Robotics. One of our teams was a Canterbury finalist in the regional RoboCup Junior competition and recently travelled to Auckland to compete in the New Zealand RoboCup competition.

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Teachers are important and inspirational at Selwyn House School adds Mrs Lapthorn.

“Our highly qualified teachers are focused on helping – and challenging – our students to do their best. Our school motto, “I am, I can, I ought, I will”, is as relevant today as it was when introduced at our foundation. It encourages the students to believe in themselves and to strive for what they want to achieve,” she says.

A Selwyn House education is much more than just academic.

The School encourages each girl to discover her strengths and talents and use them for personal growth and to celebrate her individual worth.

“When a girl becomes part of the Selwyn House community, she joins a school with a long tradition Grace McEwen (Year 8) of educating young women. The school has traditionally focussed on offering a unique and innovative education, which continues to evolve to meet the challenges of the 21-century,” says Mrs Lapthorn.

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Lily King and Ella Hodgson (Year 4) in their robotics class.

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GUARDIAN FARMING

Page 17

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Page 18

GUARDIAN FARMING

Irrigation frustrations Tony Davoren, Hydroservices

T

his could be deja vu as I write my article this month. Deja vu because the weather has continued the theme “irrigation season – what irrigation season” and the paucity of harvest window until the middle of March.

I am sure someone else will write of the frustration of harvest. So – it’s been a wet season, but just how beneficial.

Sure there has been a significant lack of demand for irrigation this 2011-12

season. Every month since September has seen a healthy rainfall event or two, and almost always associated with cooler, cloudier conditions.

The latter conditions have ensured the benefit of the rain is maximised – no searing hot nor’-west days to follow the cooler wet periods to leave one wondering “where did that rain go to?”

Just take a look at the soil moisture record and there are some aspects that stand out very clearly (see graph below).

While the irrigation season and now harvest season has been notable for the lack of irrigation (the former) and the poor harvest weather (the latter), where has it left our groundwater storage?

One might think the season - is it as good or bad as 1992-3 after the Pinatubo eruption created havoc with world weather – would have benefited groundwater storage. You know: • Little irrigation use; and • Rainfall and irrigation to recharge the system.

Despite the easy irrigation season, the regular rainfall to top up soil moisture water level in this bore still fell below the environmental and supply reliability critical level (according to the commissioners’ decision in the Valetta-Ashburton River groundwater hearing).

11 seasons (much higher irrigation demand seasons); 2. Confirms that most of the groundwater recession is the result of natural outflow from the groundwater system and not the result of irrigation abstraction; 3. Still left us with a fair bit of ground to make up from recharge in the next four to five months from February; and 4. The lack of demand for irrigation in late February and early March has resulted in a “kick-back” in the groundwater.

That is not to say I am wishing an early and wet start to the “recharge” season. I am hoping for a real “Indian Summer” for the next while – let’s say till mid-April.

Regardless of the “critical” water level the summer of little irrigation demand has: 1. The lack of irrigation events (l ); only 8 irrigations till 1 March for a total of 95mm applied; 1. Not resulted in a 2. The regular rain events (I) 400mm in total thus far for the irrigation season of which groundwater recession about 250mm has been effective in the 0-300mm root zone; and any less “steep” or 3. The ease with which irrigation has maintained soil moisture between the operating magnitude than say limits (- - - -)– there have been no “stressful” periods (below the refill line), despite the 2009-10 and 2010irrigation restrictions for part of the season.

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GUARDIAN FARMING

Page 19

Making a difference Sheryl Stivenss

N

atural resources are naturally occurring materials that form our earth. These include air, water, soils, rocks, timber and plants.

The earth is the foundation of all life so taking care of the earth and its resources is a responsibility shared by us all.

All resources are interconnected so a deficiency in one area puts pressure on all others.

Our basic needs of air, water, food and shelter are supplied by these resources.

The environment is fragile. If one of these four basic needs is removed from a habitat humans, animals, plants and the entire eco system suffers.

As earthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s population increases along with the intensification and industrialisation of farming systems, demand on these resources is increasing and thus quantities and in some cases quality is diminishing.

Some resources are renewable like the sun; but many such as petroleum upon which we rely heavily for energy are non renewable or finite. Once these finite resources are consumed there will be no more supplies.

With resource use comes waste. Excess food, packaging, products, building materials and other unwanted materials end up as waste in our farm pits and landfills.

In order to make a difference and sustain our quality of life for our children and their children we must all play a part in conserving resources through rethinking resource use, reusing materials, dropping off sorted products for recycling, conserving water and last but not least returning all organic materials to the earth via composting.

The Ashburton District Council provides recycling and residual waste disposal facilities at Ashburton and Rakaia, and kerbside refuse collection services to the urban areas of Ashburton, Methven Rakaia, Hinds, Mayfield, and Mt Somers. Resource Recovery Parks operate at Ashburton and Rakaia.

If you have visited the Ashburton Resource Recovery Park recently you will have seen the improvements that are being carried out on the front of the building.

In Methven there are drop-off facilities for reusable and recyclable household items including plastic food and drink bottles and containers and a separate facility for inert material and greenwaste.

Rural recycling depots are located at Mt Somers, Mayfield, Staveley, Hinds, Willowby, Rangitata Huts, Hakatere Huts and Pendarves. These accept cardboard, paper including magazines, newspapers and junk mail, glass bottles and jars, steel cans and aluminium cans.

Make a difference in your everyday life in every way you can.

For help with resource efficiency, reuse and recycling or composting- Call 0800 624 827

What do we mean when we talk about sustainability? Sustainability is about meeting the needs of today without impacting on the needs of tomorrow.

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Page 20

GUARDIAN FARMING

Pep talk for arable farmers M

id Canterbury arable farmers recovering from a trying harvest will have a pep talk from the Foundation for Arable Research (FAR) – later this month.

developing sustainable integrated pest management systems for arable crops for the past five years.

FAR has organised meetings in Ashburton and Methven to talk about the latest trial results and, of course, the influence of the weather on this season’s harvest.

“It has, without a doubt, been a very trying harvest for many,” said FAR CEO Nick Pyke. “ But that aside, with the wetter than usual summer, we are seeing some excellent yields.

“Amidst the showers and the sunshine, many cropping farmers sat anxiously, waiting for that small window of opportunity to harvest their crops, and when it came, they were out in full force burning the midnight oil.

“Unfortunately though, the higher than normal moisture levels this season resulted in higher levels of disease, which in turn have meant more fungicide applications.

The harvest has also brought in other expenses such as higher power costs due to increased grain drying, higher than normal LPG and diesel costs, and manpower costs required to move dried seed back into the silos.”

Mr Pyke said the late harvest had also caused delays for many growers in getting autumn sown crops in the ground.

FAR has organised several guest speakers for its Results Round Up meetings. The Hotel Ashburton is the venue for one meeting on April 11, while another is planned at the Methven Heritage Centre on April 17. Both meetings will run from 7 to 9pm.

Mr Pyke said the latest trial results relevant to Mid Canterbury would be delivered. FAR would also talk about the weather and its influence on harvest potential and harvest itself, and local growers can give their feedback on the season that was 2011/2012.

Guest speakers include Abie Horrocks (Plant & Food Research) and Andrew Christian and Alicia Garden (ProductionWise, Australia).

Abie Horrocks is a soil scientist at Plant & Food Research. She has been working on

Abie received the FAR Researcher of the Year Award in 2006 for providing arable cropping farmers with practical solutions for slug control through her work on using integrated pest management for controlling slugs. Abie will be present at the Methven meeting and will discuss autumn pest control with a focus on aphids and slugs. She will discuss how to interpret the aphid suction trap results, how to control slugs and the results of the 2011 IPM survey.

Andrew Christian and Alicia Garden of ProductionWise, Australia will be present at the Ashburton meeting to discuss how farmers can manage crop production more efficiently.

A comprehensive diary with dropdown lists of currently available cultivar, herbicides, fertilisers and grain storage options for example enable users to enter farm operations and associated inputs efficiently and effectively.

Users can record stored grain volumes, grain contracts and sales within the grain diary to determine seasonal volumes against grain sales and contracts.

Other topics will include: Which wheat cultivars benefit most from early sowing?

Rob Craigie addresses the latest CPT results and discusses new 2012 development trials aimed at pushing the boundaries.

Latest developments in perennial ryegrass agronomy Richard Chynoweth reveals the 2011 results on new fungicide performance and the effectiveness of delayed nitrogen.

ProductionWise is an integrated on-line crop management tool that provides Australian farmers with the ability to map, record, monitor and assess productivity using simple unique decision support tools. Break crop agronomy Nick Pyke, Tracey Wylie and Jen Linton cover 2011 results on break crops. Topics Andrew and Alicia will talk about include growing oilseed rape, protein predictive intelligence, and the ability for manipulation in faba beans and pea producers to forward plan their overall agronomy. farm business management is crucial in reducing risk and instability in the farm Cultural methods of grassweed control business. ProductionWise enables users with the ability to access a spatial interface Nick Poole and Richard Chynoweth address for simple paddock and grain storage ‘what are the options for grassweed control mapping. this autumn?’

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