Ashburton Guardian Farming

Farming GUARDIAN

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2021

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SHEEP MILK SALES

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GUARDIAN

EDITORIAL COMMENT

INSIDE

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Covid-19 brings gains and losses

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Heather Chalmers

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RURAL REPORTER

ovid-19 issues aside, farmers are on a roll.

This season, Fonterra is set to pay its dairy suppliers its highest farmgate price, with a forecast mid-point of $8.70 a kilogram of milksolids. This beats the previous record of $8.40 in 2013-14.

Dairy farmers are well aware of what happened after the last price boom, with payout prices plummeting in the following years to $4.40 and then $3.90/kg.

However, this time a severe price correction looks unlikely, with production soft globally and strong buyer demand, not just from China, but also other key regions.

This prosperity will flow through to the whole community, including retailers, businesses servicing the agricultural sector and other farmers, particularly arable who have a lot of synergies supplying feed and grazing to dairy.

At the urging of banks, dairy debt has dropped by more than $4 billion since it peaked in July 2018, making the dairy sector more resilient to any price shocks.

Red meat prices are also at record highs, with the South Island spring lamb price peaking at $9.40/kg and only slowly starting to ease. Current farm gate prices are still $1 to $2/kg better than at the same time last year.

However, a shortage of meat workers and freezer space, combined with ongoing disruption to export logistics and shipping means delays are already occurring in getting stock killed, even before the peak processing season.

The same fundamentals lifting primary sector commodity prices are also lifting costs such as fuel.

Fertiliser, a key input cost for farmers, has recorded significant jumps in price this year.

Urea prices alone have jumped by 67 per cent since August 2020 due to greater global demand for nitrogen.

While export product prices are soaring, farmers also need to try and keep a lid on costs.

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Fresh sheep milk latest venture Heather Chalmers

F

RURAL REPORTER

resh milk is the latest product to be released by Canterbury-based Sheep Milk New Zealand, which continues to expand its product range and supplier base.

The milk will be sold in supermarkets and online under its Jones Family Farm brand.

This follows the launch of its sheep milk cheeses, Havarti and Gouda, in October, with more varieties to come.

Its Sabelle skin and body care range has also been available in supermarkets for 12 months.

Sheep Milk NZ managing director Matt Jones said planning for export was underway, but it was important to offer its products to New Zealanders first “to show how good it is”.

A bottling plant for fresh milk is being set up at Kirwee, near Darfield, where Jones and his wife Tracey have their own milking sheep flock.

“We couldn’t get the glass bottles we wanted and we blame Covid-19.” Instead, its sheep milk is being sold in a recyclable 450ml plastic bottle which retails for around $5, a sizeable premium on cows’ milk.

The farm has a small processing factory, where it also makes cheese. “We call it our ‘lab’ and that’s where we experiment with sheep milk products.”

The farm and factory are run by farm manager and head cheesemaker Juan Cavallotti.

Originally from Uruguay, his heritage is Italian, from a family who have milked sheep for generations. The season has started well on the farm with production hitting new records.

Plans for a spray drier in Ashburton have been pushed back almost a year.

“Due to uncertainty in some materials and plant arriving from overseas, lockdowns and farmers getting conversions done on time, the decision was taken to postpone the opening of the spray drier in Ashburton until June 2023. The board all agreed that we need to be three months early as opposed to three months late for a season.”

Other businesses would also use the drier on a toll basis, such as for goats’ milk,

Canterbury-produced fresh sheep milk and cheeses are being sold in supermarkets and online under the Jones Family Farm brand.

PHOTO: SUPPLIED

specialised bovine, deer milk and the drying of protein from plants. “So, we are not building it just for us,” Jones said.

Sheep Milk NZ has five suppliers, with a waiting list of

people wanting to join. “It is great to see such a diverse range of farming practices moving into sheep dairy, from traditional sheep farming and mixed cropping to bovine dairy.”

An ultra high temperature (UHT) treated long life milk plant will be operating at Kirwee to cater for new suppliers coming on next season.

Continued on P4

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Farming

From P3 The Jones’ started the venture after looking for an alternative to cows’ milk, that is not plant based and can be given to people with dairy allergies.

When two of Matt and Tracey’s daughters were diagnosed with severe food allergies, including dairy, they began the search for a clean alternative, one they could give to a toddler. “I was mixing up goat milk powder for my daughter when she was only two, and I thought to myself ‘there must be something better than this’,” Tracey said.

The couple started breeding their own sheep milking flock, now numbering 600 ewes and began milking in August 2019. Realising sheep milking in Canterbury was being held back by the lack of a large-scale processor and the breeding of sheep suited to South Island conditions, they have invested in both.

Jones said that sheep milk was “gentle on the gut and gentle on the environment”.

“People want good food, but they also want environmentally sustainable food. Consumers are becoming more educated and aware of the different options available and are actively looking for alternatives with beneficial health properties.”

Milk from sheep has a different nutritional makeup to that of cows. Sheep only

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Sheep Milk NZ’s Sabelle skin and body care range has been available in supermarkets for 12 months.

PHOTO: SUPPLIED

produce A2 milk, whereas cows can produce A1 or A2. The milk is naturally homogenised, meaning smaller fat globules that make for creamier milk that is easier to digest.

“Cow’s milk is good for you, but your body takes four hours to absorb it. Your body starts absorbing a glass of sheep’s milk in 20 minutes,” Jones said.

A cup of sheep’s milk has double the amino acids, protein, fat, calcium, and magnesium to bovine’s milk. It is also high in B12 and folate.

To breed a milking sheep suited to South Island conditions, the businesses’ Strathclyde stud is developing a composite of three breeds, east friesian, lacaune and manech tete rousse, as well as other European milking breeds.

“We haven’t got the perfect animal yet, we still have a lot of breeding and development to go, but we believe we are heading in the right direction,” Jones said.

Sheep Milk NZ wanted an animal that was able to live

Sheep Milk NZ managing director Matt Jones (left), inspects the new 40-bail internal rotary shed of Hororata supplier David Waghorn.

PHOTO: HEATHER CHALMERS

outside in conditions between -10deg and 40deg, milk for 280 to 300 days and produce 80kg of milk solids a lactation. Most of the imported high producing milking breeds are used to living indoors in the northern hemisphere.

Strathclyde has rams available for people to breed animals.

A geneticist arrived in New Zealand in May to continue an embryo transfer programme to accelerate the breeding of animals. Through embryo transfer, the stud was able to

produce purebred animals, rather than a half-cross through artificial insemination. The stud is also continuing with an AI programme.

Leasing of animals is also available, to provide people with access to the genetics to generate high-value income without having to make the capital expenditure required to purchase outright. It is proposed this will be a cooperative, with the lessee’s able to take an ownership option within the company.

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Region’s largest dairy sheep rotary W

ith no off-the-shelf design template available, Canterbury’s largest sheep milking shed required some creative thinking by its owner and others to build.

The 40-bail internal rotary, on the Hororata farm of David Waghorn, was officially opened

by Selwyn MP Nicola Grigg in November.

Waghorn, a former petroleum geologist, has converted about half of his 205 hectare Ardleish Farm to sheep milking.

Building delays meant this season’s milking started later than planned. He currently runs 200 ewes and 70 hoggets, with plans to milk 400 ewes next season and eventually 1200.

The shed was designed by David Falloon, of Falloon & Wilson, structural engineers with input from Ivan Hopkins of Ivan Hopkins Barn Builders. Waghorn and Hopkins project managed the build. Hopkins said he had built hay and wool sheds, but nothing like this.

“I can’t get over how small it is, compared with a cow shed,” Hopkins said.

As it is an internal shed, sheep are milked on the inside facing out, unlike cow dairies where cows are milked on the

Hororata farmer David Waghorn is milking east friesian sheep and introducing some lacaune genetics.

PHOTO: HEATHER CHALMERS

outside facing in. “Sheep don’t like backing up, so when they have finished milking, they walk forward.”

The rotary shed and inshed feeding system were built by Donald Engineering at Edendale, Southland. Read Engineering of Rangiora supplied the milking plant. A lamb rearing shed was built by Ivan Hopkins.

Waghorn said that with the milking operators in the middle of the shed and sheep on the

outside this meant there was less distance for the operators if a sheep dropped its cups. The shed would use two operators, reducing to one with automatic cup removers.

“We want to have a familysized, low-labour system.”

It is the first internal rotary dairy sheep shed in the South Island. Spring Sheep, in the North Island, has a 63-bail internal rotary, and there are some large dairy goat rotaries.

Other sheep milking plants

in Canterbury tended to be herringbones and portable milking trailer units.

Waghorn said it was very mechanical, with not a lot of electronics. “So, there’s not much that can go wrong with it.”

Waghorn is milking east friesian sheep, and has introduced some lacaune genetics, a French milking sheep to improve production and shorten milking times. As the ewes will sacrifice body

condition for milk production, they require supplementary feeding. The feed pellets are very palatable and help encourage the sheep to walk on to the milking platform.

The milk is supplied to Canterbury-based Sheep Milk NZ which is selling its fresh milk and cheese through its Jones Family Farm brand and Sabella skincare products in supermarkets, with plans to build a spray drier in Ashburton.

Waghorn said it was good to have an outlet for his milk rather than have to sell products himself. “We didn’t want to be making cheese at night and selling it at the markets.” Ardleish farm will build up to milking 1200 ewes on 108ha, at around 11 sheep a hectare.

The dairy sheep industry in Canterbury is starting to gain momentum, he said.

Most of his property is irrigated as part of the Central Plains Water scheme and the low environmental footprint of dairy sheep meant he has the option to carry out winter grazing and dairy heifer grazing on the rest of the farm and stay within the farm’s nutrient budget limit.

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Plenty to celebrate in Mid Canterbury David Clark

B

President of MC Federated Farmers

y all measures it has been one heck of a year for many of our community, particularly our farmers who were hit by the full force of the floods in May, statistically a once-in-a-lifetime scale event.

Added to that we have all had the disruption of Covid-19 and its associated restrictions, a lack of staff across all sectors, the escalating costs of inputs and some folk still have mycoplasma bovis turning up in their herds.

What we often don’t hear about is the positives of this district and the positives of the diverse agricultural sector in Mid Canterbury. We are now home to some of the highest performing dairy farms in the country; this district is the centre of the New Zealand arable industry with its production world-renown for seed quality and purity; our lamb finishing systems dovetailing into the arable rotation to provide integrated income streams, markets for store lambs and out-of-season production; and our foothills and high country sheep and beef farms producing much sought after store stock and fine wool.

Along with this goes all of the service industries that have a symbiotic relationship with our farmers, inter-dependant on each other, resulting in prosperous businesses and near full employment across the county.

I came to Mid Canterbury in 1994 and on reflection, this was an area still dusting itself off from the droughts and economic downturn of the 1980s. This was a district that our young people aspired to leave, now it is a place they yearn to stay or return to.

There is no doubt that in some ways there has been over-reach, which is generally acknowledged. Key milestones in that journey would be the Clean Streams Accord requiring the fencing of waterways in the dairy industry and the implementation of the Canterbury Land and Water Regional Plan (CLWRP) by the government appointed commissioners at Environment Canterbury.

The CLWRP puts in place a set of targets for groundwater nitrate that will be difficult to achieve, but with changes to farm management systems, will be able to be met. You seldom hear commentators point out that the CLWRP sets a maximum nitrate level for all of Canterbury’s groundwater that is lower than the average nitrate level of the reticulated drinking water for the City of London.

It is much more politically expedient to shout that we are going to hell in a handcart.

That’s not quite true.

The same goes for Climate Change. The Paris Accord in Article Two specifically states – “Increasing the ability to adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change and foster climate resilience and low greenhouse gas emissions development, in a manner that does not threaten food production”.

So why is that relevant for us?

New Zealand farmers with their

Mid Canterbury is home to some of the highest performing dairy farms in the country.

PHOTO: ASHBURTON GUARDIAN

pastoral grazing production systems are world leaders in food production on the basis of GHG emissions per unit of food production. Any reduction in stock numbers or food production in New Zealand will reduce the NZ emissions profile, but result in that food being produced elsewhere, arguably by less efficient producers thus resulting in a net Increase in GHG per unit of food produced.

Does that mean to say we shouldn’t strive to be even more efficient, absolutely not, we are already on a path of constant improvement, which will only accelerate as technologies become available.

The agricultural sector is the only sector of the New Zealand economy or society

that is actually reducing GHG emissions, so if we are genuinely concerned about Climate Change, then we all have some changing to do.

The point of this article is not to argue we don’t have things to improve on, nor is it to suggest the rate of change should be slowed. I am confident that farmers in this district are up for the challenge, and they only ask that the changes be fair, reasonable and correctly targeted.

Unachievable targets seldom achieve anything.

In the last few years, what has been lost in the noise of political rhetoric is to stand back and reflect that this county is home to some of the world’s best farmers and we are fortunate to live in a

prosperous, diverse district that offers social, recreational and employment opportunities to all.

After the year we have had, and the damage caused to so many by the floods, I would like to acknowledge the gut-busting efforts of those affected, our council and social agencies, and the sports groups, clubs, friends, neighbours, family, and hundreds of volunteers who out-stretched a hand to lift our people up out of the mud.

Thank you.

In closing, I wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Be safe and have a wonderful time relaxing with your own special people.

And in the words of a good friend of mine, “Lean on a gate and talk to a mate”.

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Rules limiting farming options Chris Murdoch

PROPERTY BROKERS

S

ome of the latest rules to come out of Environment Canterbury about how to approach the environmental issues sitting on our doorstep just don’t seem to make any sort of sense at all to me.

Recently, I have had the privilege to market a topquality property in the Mid Canterbury foothills.

The farm has soils that are up there with the best in the district for arable/fattening and dairy support. It has about 30cm of silt loam soils sitting on 60cm of clay over shingle.

You couldn’t get better if you ordered it.

This farm has been faithfully farmed over several generations and what I could describe as well managed by conventional owners. It has run a mixture of sheep, crop and a few cattle. Recently the owner decided he would put the

Beef heifers are allowed on one foothills farm, but not dairy heifers. What is the difference in terms of environment footprint?

PHOTO: SUPPLIED

property on the market as none of his children are interested in farming.

This property probably has never been abused, never hurt the environment in any way, shape or form and has a nitrate leaching figure of 28.

A great farm in an excellent location.

However, when we came to market this property, it come to light that whoever purchases it cannot run any dairy stock on the farm. No wintering cows, no grazing of dairy young stock,

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no black and whites of any sort, size, or shape. You can, however, run beef cattle and beef calves.

I cannot help thinking who made up these rules? What’s the difference between a dairy heifers’ environmental footprint compared with a

beef heifers? Nothing one would have thought, but to those that make the rules obviously there is a hell of a lot of difference.

For the life of me, I do not understand if a property has a nitrate leach number of say 30 why the farmer cannot run anything he likes from dairy, beef, bulls, arable or elephants for that matter, as long as he doesn’t breach the 30 N loss figure.

This government and its followers want to stamp out dairying full stop. If you think they are going to stop at dairy cows, think again, for I believe arable farmers are next in line.

When are these people going to wake up and realise where New Zealand’s wealth comes from!

It’s time to stand up and be counted. Socialism has arrived.

We all know we must do our bit for Climate Change and looking after our waterways, but at what cost?

Farmers have looked after our farmland since our ancestors arrived in New Zealand and it really is in better shape now than it was then and will be in better shape again in 100 years from now.

Let farmers farm their land.

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9

Wool merger completed P

rimary Wool Co-operative (PWC) and Wools of New Zealand (WNZ) have completed the merger of operations between PWC-owned CP Wool (CPW) and WNZ with the merged entity now commencing trading.

Northland sheep and beef farmer James Parsons has been appointed chairman of the new organisation called Wools of New Zealand LP. Richard Young, Craig Hickson, Hamish de Lautour, Rebecca Smith, William Oliver and Ian Marshall have also been appointed directors. John McWhirter is the chief executive of the new entity.

WNZ and PWC voting shareholders overwhelmingly supported the merger of WNZ and CPW operations in votes last month.

The new entity transacts over $80 million, has more than 80 staff, nine wool stores, a carpet manufacturing partner, a New Zealand carpet distribution warehouse, over 120 carpet retail store partners in New Zealand, a United Kingdom office, many offshore customers, a strong well-recognised Wools of NZ Fernmark brand and nearly 4000 grower suppliers.

“The completion of this

transaction was a distant concept 14 months ago and naturally we are delighted to have reached this milestone,” Parsons said.

“The extra scale will help fast track our strategy to capture more value for our grower shareholders.

“The strategy is not complex. We started on a journey in July this year, selling branded woollen products at significantly better margins than transacting raw wool as an ingredient at unsustainable prices. Our focus is now to ramp up the branded consumer product sales, drive operational excellence into the new business and really connect with our growers and customers.

“We now have one organisation with the necessary strength and scale to make a real difference to New Zealand’s struggling wool industry. Wools of New Zealand LP coordinates an integrated value chain from the grower through to the consumer. We can better meet consumer needs with carpet that doesn’t cost the earth,” Parsons said.

The new entity transacts about one third of New Zealand’s wool clip as well as exporting WNZ-branded wool and domestic and export branded carpet sales.

The new entity transacts about one third of New Zealand’s wool clip as well as exporting WNZ-branded wool and domestic and export branded carpet sales.

PHOTO: SUPPLIED

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Insect pollinators boost crop yields Heather Chalmers

N

RURAL REPORTER

ew native plantings at the Foundation for Arable Research’s Chertsey trial site are part of a wider project aimed at attracting a greater diversity of beneficial insects.

By providing the right conditions for beneficial insects, arable farmers don’t have to be as reliant on honey bees for pollination and agrichemicals for pest control, farmers heard at FAR’s annual Chertsey site field day.

Native planting in Canterbury is being done for aesthetics, to sequester carbon, waterway protection and shelter, but farmers can also plant to attract insects which provide services for their farm, Plant and Food Research scientists Brad Howlett and Melanie Davidson said.

Adding biodiversity plantings didn’t mean eating into productive farmland, as usually non-farmed areas can be used

to provide habitats for insects.

At FAR’s Chertsey site, native planting around the entrance was carried out in October last year, and along a fenceline in September after a gorse hedge was removed.

Previous research has found that many native plants could support a diversity of beneficial insects that can improve pollination and suppress pest populations on arable farms.

Careful selection of species can avoid creating a reservoir for pests, including birds. Natives don’t support as many pest species as exotics.

Davidson said that beneficial insects are the “natural enemy” and can be insect predators or parasitic insects that lay eggs in or on another insect.

“It is a pretty gruesome world, the insect world, but it provides a lot of natural pest suppression.”

Having more biodiversity of planting can lead to more resilience of insect life, so if one species decreases in population, others performing the same function can fill the gap. Having a range of natural enemies meant some attack the younger life stages and some the adults.

Establishing habitats for

Visitors to FAR’s annual Chertsey research site field day view a collection of beneficial insects which are attracted by biodiversity planting.

PHOTOS: HEATHER CHALMERS

beneficial insects also supported farmers’ Integrated Pest Management programmes.

The FAR Chertsey site is one of the research sites included in a Ministry for Primary Industries’ Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures programme

called “beneficial biodiversity for greater good”. A key aim of the project is to support farmers to establish the right mix of native plants to gain the most benefit from the beneficial insects through pollination and suppression of insect pests

such as aphids and caterpillars.

The five-year project includes dairy, sheep and beef and arable farmers.

“The great thing about insects is their movement is not limited to a single farm and there is often a great spill over

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www.guardianonline.co.nz effect,” Davidson said.

Howlett said arable farmers are heavily reliant on honey bees for pollination. Hives cost money, but honey bees are the only large-scale pollinator globally.

“But if you just rely on honey bees alone for pollination, this will lead to a yield deficit in most crops. Studies have shown that by increasing biodiversity on farm and getting more insects interacting and doing pollination, this will close that yield deficit.

“Honey bees have preferences and don’t always do what you want them to do.”

Some insects, such as certain flies, will pollinate when honey bees aren’t active on cool cloudy days. Others will help pollinate a crop if honey bees decide they prefer to fly to more appealing crops. Carrot flowers are more attractive to many flies than they are to honey bees. Some flies will move between the male sterile and fertile lines of vegetable seed crops much more frequently than honey bees, aiding pollination.

Biodiversity also encouraged pollinators that were active at different times of the day, Howlett said.

Farmers at the FAR field day were surveyed on their planting plans and views as part of the project.

The Government is contributing $2.2 million to

11

Plant and Food Research scientists Melanie Davidson and Brad Howlett show a collection of beneficial insects which new native plantings at FAR’s Chertsey research site are expected to attract.

the five-year research project aimed at boosting New Zealand farm yields by attracting beneficial insects to farms using specifically designed native planting.

Minister of Agriculture Damien O’Connor said that by looking at the relationship that specific native plants have with

insects, the researchers will be able to see which ones increase pollination and tackle pests most effectively.

Based in the Canterbury region, the project is being led

by Plant and Food Research, with a range of industry partners investing just over $1 million into the work.

Forty-five Canterbury farms will plant land that is currently under-utilised – such as fence lines, road verges and watercourses – with local native plants that have been proven to support and maintain beneficial insect life.

“By increasing the number of pollinating insects, the project

team expects to see increased yields across the farms, which will lead to improved economic and environmental outcomes for the farmers involved.

“Increasing the number of predator insects to tackle pests could also reduce the use of pesticides and insecticides,” O’Connor said.

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12

Farming

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Border exemption for ag workers E

xemptions to allow more dairy farm assistants and heavy machinery operators into New Zealand have been welcomed, but agricultural sectors still face a complex and lengthy process to get overseas workers across the border.

The Government has approved border class exceptions for key agricultural jobs including 200 mobile plant machinery operators, 40 shearers and 50 wool handlers. Changes have also been made to the dairy worker border exception, allowing more dairy farm assistants to meet the high demand for entry level staff.

“We’ve approved these exceptions to support key autumn harvest requirements and relieve workforce pressures created

by Covid-19,” Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor said.

“We’ve also altered the existing class border exception for 200 dairy workers to remove the previous split of 150 assistant dairy farm managers and 50 dairy farm assistants. There’s

huge demand for dairy farm assistants, so we’re providing more flexibility for our dairy sector to fill jobs up to the maximum of 200 where they see the strongest need.”

Dairy NZ said more workers are needed and it is continuing to push for another 1500 dairy international workers to be let into the country for the 2022 dairy season. The workers will help alleviate crippling staff shortages that are having a serious impact on farmer wellbeing.

Despite the border exemption, only three out of a potential 200 dairy workers had arrived in New Zealand by the start of November.

Rural contractors last month said that the shortage of skilled agricultural machinery operators was reaching a crisis point, with many unable to meet farmer requirements and increasing fears for their health and safety.

O’Connor said the latest exceptions followed previous work to help the sector meet workforce needs.

“Shearing is a skilled trade and while the sector is

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working hard to attract and train new people this will help get our quality wool to overseas markets.

“Mobile plant machinery operators use large hightech vehicles and are vital for the arable and horticulture sectors to get harvests in.

“I know there are still

labour challenges across the sector and we will continue working with the sector to meet them where possible.

“Taking into account our most recent decisions, the primary sector has received more than 5100 class exceptions since June 2020 – making it close to healthcare

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for the most industry exceptions.

“Added to this we started oneway for quarantine-free travel for RSE workers in October. Combine that with the one-off pathway to residence now available to some 9000 migrants working in rural New Zealand and we’re making progress.

“We’re continuing discussions with the meat sector on how to address their labour needs, particularly regarding halal slaughterers.”

Federated Farmers immigration spokesman Chris Lewis said the border exceptions would allow approved workers to assist with the shearing and arable sectors over their peak busy period.

“For seasonal work such as shearing and the arable harvest it is essential that we bolster our local workforce with talent from overseas,” “We are also pleased to see the settings are being changed for the dairy border exception. Farmers across the country are asking for boots on the ground to help milk and feed livestock and the dairy assistant is the right role for doing this.”

The government’s exemption changes follow many meetings and many months of advocacy by Federated Farmers, DairyNZ, the Shearers Contractors Association, Rural Contractors NZ and Dairy Women’s Network to try and get an improved class exception process and staff on farm.

“Last week we met twice with ministers to give this another push and get messages across,” Lewis said.

While the border exceptions have been approved, employers and their workers are still faced with a complex and lengthy process to get employees into New Zealand and working on farms.

“The border exception is just the first part of this process,” Lewis said.

“Employers and their workers will need to work closely with their respective industry groups to sort MIQ, flights and all the associated paperwork. This is not an easy or cheap task for either party, but with unemployment at such low levels this is really the only option for much of the primary industries at the moment.”

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Farming

14

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WATER FEATURE

Joining forces to save wetland Heather Chalmers

F

RURAL REPORTER

or more than a decade, North Canterbury farmers Ken and Shelly Robinson have been unsure what to do about a remnant wetland on their property.

Several ecological reports were written by councils over the last 15 to 20 years about the wetland, but nothing was done to maintain it or control nonnative plants.

“The biggest concern was losing it and we didn’t want to risk getting into trouble with the authorities for modifying it,” Ken Robinson said.

“Our concern was the willows were starting to smother the canopy and flaxes.”

The Robinsons run a mixed dryland operation at Summerhill, near Oxford, with 1800 corriedale ewes, cropping and winter grazing of a neighbour’s dairy cows. As the property is now surrounded by lifestylers, they grow about

40ha of barley, wheat and oats each year, which is crushed and sold as stock feed to small blockholders.

The family has owned the block with the Springvale wetland, adjacent to the Ashley River, since 1961. The Springvale wetland is considered by the family as an asset to the catchment and to the farm.

Identified in the 1864 Black Maps for Oxford, it was once part of a much bigger wetland.

The wetland now has a three-year plan, supported by Environment Canterbury, the Waimakariri District Council and Waimakariri Irrigation Ltd and much of the pest plants, notably willows, elderberry and cherry trees have been poisoned or removed.

The 12.5 hectare wetland promotes a lot of insect, bird and fish life.

Robinson said it was “all natural”, with no additional planting.

The wetland is dominated by flax/harakeke, with cabbage trees, Juncus edgariae and native sedges (Carex coriacea, C. secta and C. sinclairii). A wide variety of indigenous shrub, herb and fern species are present, with occasional raupo/bullrush.

The wetland also acts as one

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of Waimakariri Irrigation’s discharge points.

ECan biodiversity officer Zipporah Ploeg said it was good to be able to look at an area like this in its natural state. “We are always wanting to re-establish these sort of ecosystems, so seeing how it looks naturally is really valuable in knowing what species and proportion of species to have in those plant communities.”

The wetland’s proximity to the Ashley River means it provides an important food source for birds nesting in the braided river.

Sheep still have access to the wetland and were being used to manage weeds and regrowth from the willows and cherry trees. “Sheep don’t like getting their feet wet so don’t really get into the wetland.”

Wetlands not only assist with improving water quality and surface run-off, they also provide carbon storage, biodiversity values and mahinga kai, Ploeg said.

ECan cultural land management advisor Makarini Rupene said that in the 1700s and early 1800s, the area would have been widely used as a food source for Maori travelling through the area, with its eels,

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ferns, bracken roots and other edible plants. “To this day it acts as a major natural resource for the ecosystem.”

Waimakariri Irrigation environmental manager Paul Reese told a field day at the site that farmers didn’t “all have to have a big wetland” and recommended that they start small in terms of biodiversity.

“Look for opportunities along a fenceline, or small corner that is of lesser value, for planting.

Then you can make a start and move on from there.”

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traps or a filtration area.

As well as wetlands, farmers can identify areas where they could introduce dryland type species. A simple habitat may be rocks or muehlenbeckia, for lizards and insects.

While current farm environment plans were driven by the science around water quality and quantity, newlook mandatory farm plans would have a focus on the wider catchment rather than individual farms. Cultural content such as mahinga kai would also be incorporated.

Financial support and advice is available for farmers wanting to undertake restoration and planting projects.

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WATER FEATURE

15

Caring for mahinga kai

B

rought up in the rural Maori settlement of Tuahiwi, near Rangiora, Makarini Rupene learnt customary fishing from his elders and has passed this on to his children.

“We gather it for our whanau.”

However, over the last 10 to 15 years he has encountered more dried up and polluted waterways which has impacted on mahinga kai and traditional food gathering. Intensified land use has led to sediment and nutrient run-off.

As Environment Canterbury’s cultural land management advisor Rupene works with farmers to maintain farming practices in a way that protects the environment and mahinga kai values and meets regulations.

To Maori, mahinga kai relates to the traditional value of food resources and their ecosystems, as well as the practices involved in producing, gathering and protecting them.

Mahinga kai areas are likely to be special areas of a property that farmers are already actively taking care of for their environmental or biodiversity significance, but it could also be things they are not aware of.

There is no single list of exactly what is mahinga kai for any given property.

Mahinga kai includes things such as species, natural habitats, materials and practices used for harvesting food and places where food or resources are, or were, gathered. This can include all waterways, drains (with water), wetlands, and springs, native vegetation and riparian areas, and areas with

specific mahinga kai species and their habitats such as whitebait, lizards and freshwater crayfish.

While often perceived as warriors, pre-European Maori were also fishermen, gardeners, farmers, family and business people, Rupene said.

Maori were very connected with the natural environment.

“They lived in a time when they had a great environment, clean rivers and waterways. For Maori, water is life.”

Pa sites were built along rivers.

Everyone has a part to play in protecting and enhancing mahinga kai values, though as current guardians of the land there were clear responsibilities on landowners, Rupene said.

Farmers are now required to achieve a mahinga kai target when implementing their farm environment plans. “This means you need to identify and understand mahinga kai values and risks on your farm and respond to these when carrying out good management practice.

“The management targets will not necessarily limit the way you use your land, but they do require you to manage the risks of farming to mahinga kai,” Rupene said.

“If you’re putting measures in place on-farm to meet your farm environment plan and good management practice, chances are they’re all contributing to good mahinga kai outcomes so you’re on the right track.

“It all goes hand in hand and can easily be a normal part of your day-today management practices.”

Environment Canterbury’s cultural land management advisor Makarini Rupene, right, with ECan biodiversity officer Zipporah Ploeg, works with farmers to maintain farming practices in a way that protects the environment and mahinga kai values and meets regulations.

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Farming

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WATER FEATURE

Keep irrigation water off road S

outh and Mid Canterbury farmers are being asked to take care where their irrigation water goes - and keep it off the roads this summer.

Summer is now here and that means irrigation is getting underway across the region. Water is a precious resource and Environment Canterbury’s southern zone delivery lead Janine Holland said farmers should irrigate efficiently and keep the water off the road.

“It’s vital irrigation systems only water within people’s property boundaries and not on the roads where it causes a hazard,” Holland said.

“The most common reasons for water going over-boundary are the extra spray from end guns on pivot irrigators, and travelling irrigators getting too close to roads.”

On hot, windy days, irrigation water drifts on roads, where it can contribute to road deterioration and make the hot tar slippery.

“These problems can be easily solved by checking that end guns are set and operating correctly and setting back travelling irrigators an adequate distance from the road,” Holland said.

Anyone who notices irrigation

spray on the road should contact ECan. If there is an immediate danger to road users, they should contact the police.

Careful placement of irrigators is also needed during northwesterly wind conditions, to ensure irrigators aren’t knocked over.

Water is a precious resource in the Ashburton, Orari Temuka Opihi Pareora, and Waitaki areas – particularly in dry periods like summer.

It was important anyone carrying out irrigation ensures they keep up-to-date with the latest restrictions, Holland said.

“These cover specific areas, which may relate to the consent you hold. Restrictions are put in place to help reserve water when stock is low.”

More than 500,000 hectares is irrigated in Canterbury.

Irrigation can support better growth in paddocks, providing more feed for animals and better conditions for growing crops.

Rural landowners can find information about irrigation restrictions by calling Environment Canterbury on 0800 324 636 or on the irrigation restriction webpage which is updated daily with irrigation restrictions – just search ‘irrigation’ at ecan.govt.nz.

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Dairy Focus

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READY FOR RECORD PAYOUT Page 18

18

Dairy Focus

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Global demand boosts dairy higher A

gricultural economists are forecasting that Fonterra will pay at least or above its midpoint price for the 2020-21 season.

Consistent strong demand for dairy at a time of constrained global supply has led Fonterra to forecast a record farmgate milk price midpoint of $8.70 a kilogram of milksolids.

Fonterra chief executive Miles Hurrell said that at a midpoint of $8.70 a kgMS, it would contribute more than $13.2 billion to the New Zealand economy.

“It’s the result of consistent strong demand for dairy at a time of constrained global supply.

“We’ve seen the impact of a number of events play out this first quarter. That includes the high price of feed in the United States which has seen milk production growth stall and a lower-than-expected supply picture in Europe.

“Fonterra’s New Zealand milk supply is down around 3 per cent on this time last season.

While we expect that milk supply will be less than last season’s 1539 million kgMS, the improving weather conditions and forecast milk collections

for the balance of this season that are generally on par with last season support our current season forecast of 1525 million kgMS. “While we’ve seen demand soften slightly in China, global demand remains strong, and we think that will remain the case for the short to medium term.

“A higher forecast farmgate milk price at this level can put pressure on our margins and therefore our earnings, which is why we’ve reduced the top end of our earnings guidance.”

“In our ingredients channel, we’re seeing margins in our longer-term pricing contracts return to more normal levels, which has helped push total group gross margin up from the last quarter last year.

“We continue to see the benefit of our focus on financial discipline with lower interest expense, and operating expenditure down 2 per cent on the same quarter last year.”

While the impacts of Covid-19 continue to be felt around the world, Fonterra is working hard to deliver for farmer owners, unit holders and customers and supporting employees, Hurrell said.

Fonterra chief executive Miles Hurrell says that at a midpoint of $8.70 a kgMS, the co-operative will contribute more than $13.2 billion to the New Zealand economy.

PHOTO: SUPPLIED

ASB is forecasting a payout price of $8.75 and is confident the farmgate price will wind up at or above the midpoint of Fonterra’s latest forecast range.

ASB economist Nat Keall said

the rally in dairy prices this time around is broader based, rather than a distortionary boost to a single product (whole and skim milk powder) as occurred in 2013-14, Global production as a whole

is looking softer, and demand has strengthened pretty much everywhere as the global economy has recovered and consumption has lifted.

One of the big themes of this season has been an increase in buying from South East Asia and the Middle East, rather than just China.

The high price will still impact margins in Fonterra’s consumer business, Keall said.

“There is little to suggest that prices will be correcting in the near future.”

Westpac has lifted its forecast farmgate milk price to $9/kg.

Westpac senior agri economist Nathan Penny said the key catalyst for its price upgrade was a forecast lower Kiwi dollar against the US. “We now expect the exchange rate to fall to US0.66 by mid2022. That’s a whopping 8 cents lower than our previous expectation of it rising to US$0.74 at the same stage.”

The lower Kiwi dollar was likely to prove a windfall gain for farmers over this season and next.

During 2022, global dairy prices are expected to gradually fall from their peaks as global dairy supply rebounds, Penny said.

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19

More milk from fewer cows

K

iwi dairy farmers hit a new high for milk production last season with fewer cows, showing that a focus on breeding higher performing cows is paying off.

The annual New Zealand Dairy Statistics report, released

by DairyNZ and Livestock Improvement Corporation (LIC), shows that total milk volume, total milksolids and per cow production were the highest on record in the 202021 season.

New Zealand has 4.9 million milking cows – down from 4.92 million the previous season, and they produced 1.95 billion kilograms of milksolids.

DairyNZ chief executive Dr Tim Mackle said it was great to see a continuation of the “more milk from fewer cows” trend because it shows a continuing focus on milking better cows and farming even more sustainably.

“Farmers are focused on developing more productive and efficient cows and farming systems, with a lighter environmental footprint. They want to retain our unique pasture-based farming system and remain world leading.”

Favourable weather conditions also contributed

to good grass growth, while higher milk prices meant many farmers extended their milking season in 2020/21.

The percentage of cows mated to artificial breeding rose to 71.3 per cent (up from 70.8 per cent in 2019/20), and the number of cows herd tested is the highest on record (3.735 million cows, or 76.2 per cent of the national herd).

Herd testing enables farmers to monitor and improve the quality and productivity of their herds.

LIC acting chief executive David Hazlehurst said the greater uptake of herd improvement services demonstrates farmers’ intent and focus on producing the most sustainable and efficient animals.

“Mating season has always been an important time to get cows in-calf but now with a focus on cow quality over quantity, more farmers are investing in premium genetics to help ensure their next generation of replacements are more efficient than the last.”

Hazlehurst said young, genomically-selected bulls and sexed semen, which generates female replacements from top cows, are examples of the high-impact tools farmers are

DairyNZ chief executive Tim Mackle says farmers are focused on developing more productive and efficient cows and farming systems, with a lighter environmental footprint. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

adopting to increase the rate of genetic gain in their herds.

“It’s really pleasing to see these stats provide farmers with reassurance that the tools they’re investing in to increase their herd’s production efficiency and reduce their farm’s environmental footprint are working. Increasing milksolids with a reduced cow population is an achievement the whole sector should be proud of.”

Mackle said that dairy plays a really key role in New Zealand as the sector employs around

Canty herds biggest, highest producing C

anterbury has New Zealand’s biggest and highest producing dairy herds, according to the latest dairy industry statistics.

Mid Canterbury’s 415 herds have an average herd size of 884 cows, the second largest in New Zealand.

Mackenzie district, in South Canterbury, has the highest average herd size with 980 cows, but this is based on only 16 herds.

Southland district has the most cows (443,678), followed by Ashburton (366,710).

Nationally, MacKenzie district had the highest average production per herd with 408,244 kilograms of milksolids, followed by Ashburton with 387, 400kg/MS. Hurunui in North Canterbury had the highest average milksolids per effective hectare with 1605kg,

while Ashburton had the second highest (1561kg/ha). Hurunui also recorded the highest average production per cow (465kg of milksolids) compared with 438kg/ MS/cow in Mid Canterbury.

Dairying covers 102,988 hectares of the Ashburton district, with an average effective hectare farm size of 248ha and an average stocking rate of 3.56 cows/ha.

Of the Ashburton district’s herds, 223 are run by owner-operators, 66 by contract milkers and 126 by sharemilkers.

South Taranaki continues to be the district with the highest number of herds (943) with an average herd size of 321 cows, followed by Matamata-Piako (842).

The South Island has 42.1 per cent of the nation’s dairy cows, with 19.7 per cent in Canterbury.

50,000 Kiwis and was estimated to contribute over $37 billion to the economy in 2020/21.

“The latest Dairy Statistics report shows that despite a range of challenges such as the Covid-19 pandemic and staff shortages, farmers are working hard to keep milk production flowing, and this benefits every Kiwi.”

Key statistics from the New Zealand Dairy Statistics 2021-21 report The dairy sector produced 21.7 billion litres of milk containing 1.947 billion

kilograms of milksolids – a 2.6 per cent (~560 million litres) increase in litres and a 2.7 per cent (~51 million kg) increase in kilograms of milksolids processed compared with the previous season.

Average milk production per cow was 397kg/MS, a 3.1 per cent increase from 385kg last season and the highest on record.

The total cow population was 4.9 million, a small decrease of 0.36 per cent from the previous season.

A total of 3.735 million cows were herd tested (76.2 per cent of cows), the highest on record.

3.497 million cows were mated to AB. The percentage of cows mated to AB was 71.3 per cent, which was higher than the previous season (70.8 per cent).

49.6 per cent of cows are holstein-friesian/jersey crossbreed, a 0.5 per cent increase from the previous season. 32.5 per cent of cows are holstein-friesian, 8.2 per cent are jersey cows, 0.4 per cent are ayrshire cow and 9.3 per cent of cows are other breeds.

The average dairy cooperative payout of $7.75 per kg milksolids was higher than the previous season ($7.20) and the second-highest average payout in the past 10 seasons.

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Dairy Focus

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with Craig Hickman

Keep eye on costs, despite payout A

lmost every analyst is milk production also increased predicting this season’s by 8 per cent in 2014 and the farmgate milk price will be excess supply swamped demand, closer to $9 than $8, a price that crashing milk prices worldwide. would beat the record of $8.40 Demand for milk protein set in the 2013/14 season. steadily increased at a rate of The payout is looking so good about 2 per cent per annum and that some in the media have even it took several years for demand questioned whether Fonterra to catch up with the sudden can afford to pay it, a question increase in supply and for prices CUSTOMER CHRISTCHURCH VEIN CLINIC PUBLISHING 02/09/14 that the co-operative’s chief to start rising again. financial officer Marc Rivers SALES REP BERNADETTE.CHRISTIE PUBLICATION STRAIG New Zealand’s milk supply answered with an emphatic yes. has been static for aADVERTISING few years DESIGNER Unknown SECTION GENER Every farmer that banked a CUSTOMER now and is predicted CHRISTCHURCH to decline, VEIN CLINIC PUBLISHING PROOF milk cheque from the 2013/14 a situation driven in part by PROOFED 27/08/2014 1:31:18 p.m.

SIZE 10X7 REP BERNADETTE.CHRISTIE PUBLICATION season with a broad smile on SALES no land for dairy conversions, ERTISING AD ID 6268508AA FAX 4528 their face will be acutely aware DESIGNER new environmental policies and Unknown SECTION of the severe financial pain changing land use policies.

The ROOF 27/08/2014 1:31:18 p.m.

SIZE that followed over the next two PROOFED National Policy Statement on PLEASE APPROVE THIS AD AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. NOTE THAT ANY ALTERA seasons. The farmgate milk price freshwater made it almost ADhasID 6268508AA FAX plunged to $4.40 in the 2014/15 impossible to convert land to MUST BE FINALISED BY OUR MATERIAL DEADLINE. season and dipped further still to dairy or dairy support and PROVE THIS AD AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. NOTE THAT ANY A $3.90 the year after that. increasing numbers of dairy It was a crash in price that farms on marginal land are MUST FINALISED

BY OUR MATERIAL DEADLINE. fueled gleeful speculationBE both switching to horticulture.

Keeping a lid on expenses and debt is one of the few things that farmers can control.

PHOTO: SUPPLIED online and in the mainstream With feed prices dramatically media that dairy farming in increasing in both the United New Zealand was done for. The States and Europe, there is producers is that our pasturecommon theory was that dairy the few things they can control the consumer. We must budget little appetite for them to chase farmers had been let down -- farm working expenses. carefully and absorb wage, power based systems are low cost and production and take advantage efficient. It’s that efficiency that by processors not focusing DairyNZ puts the national and feed increases no matter the of higher prices. In the United pulled us through the low payout exclusively on value added average cost of producing milk price payout. In fact, with Kingdom, the increase in the years and it’s that efficiency that products and had therefore been price of feed has outstripped a kilogram of milk solids at fertiliser prices increasing by as continues to keep us profitable. caught out by the inevitable $4.46 and the average cost of much as 50 per cent this season, the increase in the price of milk We can’t afford to lose sight collapse of the low value servicing debt on a dairy farm at I wouldn’t be surprised if the and there’s very little chance of the fact that keeping a lid on commodity market. $1.24 per kilogram, making the average breakeven payout was we will see an increase in milk expenses and debt is one of the The truth was not quite that breakeven payout for the average now higher than the Reserve supply out of Europe or North few things that we can control. simple. Off the back of a record America this time around.

New Zealand dairy farmer $5.70. Bank’s modelled $5.50.

With interest rates also Investment should be focused payout, New Zealand increased This year the Reserve Bank As demand continues to increasing, instead of protesting on areas that make us more milk supply by a massive 8 have run stress test scenarios slowly tick upwards and there about the prospect of paying a productive, more efficient or both. per cent in 2014, helped in no being little likelihood of massive to see how vulnerable the dairy few thousand dollars more for a My very first dairy employer small part by 60 new dairy sector is to fluctuations in increases in supply like there new ute, farmers might be better told me that if he looked after conversions in Canterbury. was seven years ago, there’s little payout. They discovered that off putting that money towards the cents then the dollars would This increase in production one third of all New Zealand reason to expect farmgate milk debt reduction. look after him. That adage is coincided perfectly with the dairy farms would enter prices to crash like they did last New Zealand’s competitive just as true today as it was removal of European milk negative cash flow, and lose time we saw record pricing. advantage over intensive overseas when he told it to me in 1996. quotas in April 2014, an event money, at a payout of $5.50.

This does not mean milk the Irish dairy industry was well prices will stay at record levels New Zealand dairy farmers prepared to take advantage of. are price takers with no ability and nor does it mean farmers As a result, European and Irish to pass increased costs on to should take their eye off one of

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Ōpuke Thermal Pools and Spa 47 Mount Hutt Station Rd Methven www.opuke.nz 03 261 6800 Advertising feature

Ōpuke Thermal Pools and Spa 47 Mount Hutt Station Rd Methven

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Opuke Thermal Ō

puke Thermal Pools and Spa is a worldclass wellness destination that will put Methven on the map as an all-yeararound stop.

The new state-of-theart facility is a sustainable wellness tourism destination like no other in New Zealand.

Surrounded by the mountains, fed by the rivers, and powered by the sun, it offers an oasis to sit, soak and relax – or play.

It has been a long

road to the hot pools opening, with the project initiated back in 2012, but “it’s been worth the wait”, Ōpuke director James McKenzie said.

When the project was still a pipe dream in 2012, McKenzie said he dreamed of the day he could put in the snow report on closed days “slip down to the pools and just chill out”.

ŌPUKE – SOURCED FROM THE MOUNTAINS | POWERED BY THE SUN

Pools and Spa ‘outstanding’ That will be a reality next winter.

However, the hot pools are not a seasonal destination, they are designed to help the town be a year-round tourism attraction that will boost the local economy.

“An increase of anywhere between 100,000 to 150,000 visitors to the Methven area and the district annually will have a knock-on effect.

“The overall economic benefits will be quite substantial.”

McKenzie said it’s an all-inclusive venue catering to top-end premier spa experiences. and families. Ōpuke has three zones.

The Discovery Zone for all ages bathing.

“The Discovery Zone is for families but not just for kids.

This is an area for families and adults need to be looked after just as much as the kids.”

The Tranquillity Zone is an adult-exclusive area, with a swim-up bar and private hut tubs while the premium European-style Ōpuke Day Spa offers unique, world-class

relaxation therapies.

McKenzie said they are using a booking system “which means the facility doesn’t get overwhelmed”.

“We are really careful about managing capacity so you get bang for your buck.”

It all combines to create a top tourism destination that puts Methven on the map as an allyear-round hot spot. Ōpuke Thermal Pools and Day Spa was officially opened on November 24 by community leaders and Regional Economic Development and Tourism Minister Stuart Nash.

The project received a 50 per cent funding injection through the Government’s Provincial Growth Fund and following a tour of the facility, Minister Nash described it as “world class”.

“This is the sort of project we envisioned helping when we set up the Provincial Growth Fund,” he said.

“It’s going to provide a level of resilience to the local community.

“It’s outstanding.”

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Northington Partners is proud to have partnered with Opuke to arrange the required debt and equity funding for the project

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Fee Ensor has built her career around first-class marketing Fee Ensor has built her career around first-class marketing and negotiation skills, exceptional communication, and a Fee Ensor has built her career around first-class marketing and negotiation skills, exceptional communication, and a sense of energy and enthusiasm which is truly infectious! and negotiation skills,ofexceptional communication, andisatruly infectious! sense energy and enthusiasm which The result is a truly outstanding track record, an array Finding buyers others can’t sense of energy and enthusiasm is truly infectious!

FeeisEnsor has built her career around an first-class The result a trulywhich outstanding track record, array marketing of awards, and a reputation as the leading property The result is a truly outstanding track record, an andand negotiation skills, and a of awards, a reputation asexceptional thearray leadingcommunication, property expert across Methven and Mid Canterbury.

FeeofEnsor has built her career around first-class marketing awards, and expert a reputation the leading property senseas of energy andMid enthusiasm which is truly infectious! across Methven and Canterbury. andexpert negotiation skills, exceptional communication, and a across Methven and Mid Canterbury.

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For an agent with and aisnational footprint of awards, a reputation as the leading property and local connections who’ll be as TheFor result a truly outstanding track record, an array an is agent with alocal national footprint and connections who’ll be asMid Canterbury. expert across Methven and passionatebuyers about yourothers home as you of awards, and a reputation as the leading and local connections who’ll be as Finding can’t passionate about yourproperty home as you are, contact Fee on 021 705 014. expert across Methven and Mid Canterbury. passionate about home ason you For an agent with a national footprint are,your contact Fee 021 705 014. are, contact Fee on 021 705 014.connections who’ll be as and local Fee Ensor has built her career around first-class marketing For an agent with a national footprint passionate about your home as you and negotiation skills, exceptional communication, and a and local connections who’ll be as Fee Ensor has built which her iscareer around first-class marketing are,ascontact Fee on 021 705 014. sense of energy and enthusiasm truly infectious! passionate about your home you Fee Ensor Fee The result is a truly outstanding track record, an array are, contact Fee on 021Ensor 705 014.a and negotiation exceptional communication, and Fee Ensor 705 014 a reputation skills, of021 awards, and as the leading property 021 705 014 expert across and Mid Canterbury.

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ŌPUKE – SOURCED FROM THE MOUNTAINS | POWERED BY THE SUN

explore, indulge T

he Discovery Zone hot pools cater for everyone.

Whether you’re wanting to sit back and soak in the views or release that inner child at heart and discover the Aqua Play Zone, there is something for everyone of any age.

“The discovery pools are essentially our family friendly bathing option,” Ōpuke marketing co-ordinator Olivia Attwood said. “It’s an interconnected network of pools which the observation pool sits at the top.”

The Aqua Play Zone includes a crazy river, the leap of faith plunge pool and water cannons.

You can also take refuge and explore the star-lit caves, which have the actual constellations of the night sky embedded in the roof.

“Once you go in there you don’t really want to come out.”

As well as the play elements in the Discovery Zone, there are plenty of sitting areas, with ledges and deeper pools throughout to relax in.

Then there is the raised observation pool, ranging from 37-38°C, to keep an eye on the kids as well as soaking in the breathtaking views.

As well as the Southern Alps providing a stunning backdrop, a waterfall feeding into the storage lake acts as a heat reserve for the facility’s additional solar power, and adds to the tranquillity.

“At night it gets lit up as the lighting across the facility is a real feature and will be really evident in winter.”

The Discovery Zone is a hot pool that acts as a swimming pool, wet play and relaxation zone all at once.

There is plenty to discover.

“It’s a multipurpose area that ticks a lot of boxes for a lot of people.”

The Discovery Zone is adjacent to the café which is open to the public.

“You don’t have to be a swimmer to enjoy the café and the views.

“We have an incredible range of cabinet food as well as a full menu available from 10am to 7.30pm.”

Tranquility Pools: Unwind, reconnect T

he Tranquility Zone is all about a premium sit, soak and relax adult-exclusive experience.

Soak and unwind surrounded by superior views across the foothills of the Southern Alps along with a pool-side canapé and beverage service.

“It is adults-exclusive R18 and is a more premium experience,” Ōpuke marketing co-ordinator Olivia Attwood said.

Upon entry you get an RFID band, which connects to your credit card to simply pay as you go, before getting a private locker with your own robe and towels.

Then you can grab a drink on the way past the bar and into the luxurious pools or enter the pools and swim up to the bar, where refreshments and food can be easily purchased without leaving the warm waters.

In fact the entire pool area can be accessed without having to step on dry land.

“You don’t have to get out of the pools to move into different areas so you don’t have to get cold like you do at other facilities.

“You can meander around the whole area and find ledges, deeper pools and little private nooks and crannies for

whatever kind of bathing experience you are after.”

The only exception is if you need a dip in the communal solar tub.

It is a slightly cooler solar tub, overlooking the entire facility, that offers a refreshing dip if you are needing a break from the warmed waters, around 38°C in the Tranquility Zone.

The adults don’t miss out on the star-lit cave experience with a large cave in the centre that also acts as a bit of a sauna.

The Tranquility Zone also features five semi-private solar tubs that are available for groups of 2-4 people.

You can experience pure relaxation with no interruptions as the cedar tubs are nestled away for added privacy to enjoy the panoramic views of the Southern Alps, and staff can cater to any refreshment requirements.

The Tranquility Zone also has access to the restaurant, which is not open to the public.

The menu, prepared by chef Oliver Luxton, is sustainably sourced and locally produced.

There are burgers and pizzas as well as fine dining offerings to match the premium experience the Tranquility Zone offers.

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ŌPUKE – SOURCED FROM THE MOUNTAINS | POWERED BY THE SUN

er, delight Ō

puke Day Spa is a five-star European-inspired experience that offers unique, luxurious relaxation and rejuvenation opportunities.

As well as traditional massage facilities, the spa features a custom Rasul and dry flotation treatments of which both are believed to be the only one of their kind in the country.

The Rasul is an ancient Arabian treatment where you cleanse the body and mind using a combination of mud, steam and heat.

You select the aromatic scent for the steaming and are then provided with clay, made from weathered volcanic ash sourced from Colgate by New Zealand Glacial Clay, to lather over your body.

Then you rest inside the star-lit heated steam room and let the clay do the work.

“It adds nutrients and minerals to the skin while sucking out all the toxins and impurities and you walk out looking 10 years younger,” spa therapist Bex Dirks said.

After around 40 minutes you get a refreshing tropical downpour to wash off the baked on clay and wake you up.

The dry float is similar to a deprivation tank without the wet.

The treatment is uniquely tailored to the customer but ultimately ends in a soothing meditative state as you float inside a soft-pack cocoon.

It starts with an exfoliation or oil treatment, or a bit of both depending on the client’s preferences.

Then you are wrapped up and lowered down in the bath where you are cocooned by the water and spa therapist, Anna Gimson, compared it to the feeling of being swaddled as a baby.

As your cocoon floats on the water, you are left to your own thoughts in

the dimly-lit room.

It’s a comforting and relaxing sensory experience.

As well as the specialist treatments, the spa offers more contemporary massage treatments – aromatic, deep tissue, pregnancy and relaxing hot stone massages, and facials.

All of which can be on your own in the single room and or a shared expe-

rience in the couple treatment rooms.

The relaxation room finishes off any of the experiences, providing the opportunity to rouse from the deep relaxation and rehydrate.

“You can do combinations of pool and spa or just simply come in for a facial if that’s what you want to do,” Ōpuke marketing co-ordinator Olivia Attwood said.

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Sustainability at forefront

S

ustainability is a key aspect of operations at Ōpuke Thermal Pools and Spa. The pools are powered by a solar field, a large array of almost 500 solar thermal collectors occupying approximately a quarter of the site, will serve as the primary pool water heating system.

Even on the shortest day in winter, 100 per cent of the pool heating load will be met by the solar array – when the sun is out.

"There is a sufficient level of solar there to get the pools to and keep them at the desired temperatures,” Ōpuke director James McKenzie said.

The almost 500 solar panels are not solar electric, but solar

thermal. "We are not generating electricity, we are heating the water directly."

McKenzie said they have separate circuits for the water and likened it to the water heating up through the arrays and being fed into a big hot water cylinder.

"Then we take the water from the hot water cylinder and control the temperatures for the pool through a heat exchanger.

"From the solar we get the water up to around 70 degrees, and on really hot days we create too much heat in the water so we have to dissipate some of the energy into our lake."

The excess energy flows into the storage lake via a man-made water fall.

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GROUP

McKenzie said the lake acts as both an energy dump and a key aesthetic landscape feature.

"The waterfall creates a bit of ambient noise which helps block the noise from the Discovery Zone reaching the Tranquility Zone.

"It also blocks the noise from the energy efficient heat pumps, the secondary heating source that we have to use if it’s cloudy."

The 'hot water cylinder' stores excess energy from the sun which, like a battery, continues to warm the water until it drops below 50 degrees when the heat pumps act as a buffer.

"At night time we dump all the water out of the pools into storage tanks which keeps the heat, which stops losses and reduces our requirement for energy overnight."

Experience Knowledge Quality

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29

Small steps to sustainability T

he Everest family in Mid Canterbury are one of many local farming families working hard to reduce nitrogen loss.

Phill and Jos Everest farm 750 dairy cows with their son Paul and his partner Sarah at Flemington, near Ashburton, and they work together as a family to meet their environmental goals and stay ahead of regulations.

As their farm is in the at-risk Hinds catchment, Phill and Jos Everest are actively involved in DairyNZ’s Meeting a Sustainable Future project, which shares knowledge among local farmers to reduce nitrogen loss.

Phill Everest is a DairyNZ Climate Change Ambassador and says local farmers know they need to make changes for the future to protect the environment.

“We’ve always focused on learning how to do things better. We’ve got to learn fast to make changes and keep contributing to our local communities.”

The family’s changes include reducing nitrogen fertiliser by 35 per cent – ahead of the national and regional deadlines.

This resulted in a small reduction in milk production this season.

Everest said they learnt from the changes and next season will adjust their approach and focus on improving pasture growth to lift milk production.

“We developed an annual nitrogen application plan, so we knew what our target application rates were each month to meet the new targets. We also used a coated urea product which reduces greenhouse gas and nitrogen losses.”

Mid Canterbury dairy farmer and Climate Change Ambassador Phill Everest is working to meet environmental goals and stay ahead of regulations.

PHOTO: ASHBURTON GUARDIAN

Among other improvements, the Everests have installed a variable rate irrigation system on

one pivot irrigator. This is very water efficient and allows water to be applied in different amounts

across a paddock, reducing drainage and nutrient losses.

The farm team has carried out 22km of planting along drains and fence lines to improve water quality and provide shelter.

Plantain and chicory have been added to their pasture mix, and additional plantain and clover seed is applied with capital fertiliser dressing. These changes help reduce nitrogen loss.

Everest said reducing nitrogen losses further to meet environmental requirements will be a significant challenge for their family and other farmers.

“We’re taking small steps each year to make the best improvements we can in a sustainable way. If all sectors and all New Zealanders take small steps and work together, we’ll all get the benefits.”

Nitrogen loss project makes progress S

elwyn and Hinds dairy farmers are taking steps to reduce farm nitrogen loss, according to a recent DairyNZ survey.

DairyNZ surveyed 235 of 450 Selwyn and Hinds dairy farms, with all reporting positive environmental changes on-farm including improved irrigation efficiency, fertiliser use and new technologies.

“The survey shows Selwyn and Hinds farmers are working hard to reduce their footprint,” DairyNZ solutions and development lead advisor Virginia Serra said.

“Taking steps now to reduce nitrogen losses will help improve water quality over time. We know it isn’t easy, but farmers are on the journey and support is available from DairyNZ, dairy companies and rural professionals.”

Survey participants reported: Eighty-one per cent of

farmers have improved irrigation systems or management.

More than 50 per cent have changed fertiliser use and improved effluent management.

Some farmers have changed stocking rate, are using the grazing herb plantain which reduces nitrogen loss or have made other changes to benefit the environment.

DairyNZ has been working with Selwyn and Hinds farmers for three years in a project to help farmers reduce nitrogen loss, while optimising profit and resilience.

The project, Meeting a Sustainable Future, is trialling options with 40 partner farms and shares the knowledge with local farmers through field days and events.

The work is designed to help farmers meet Environment Canterbury and government rules, Serra said.

DairyNZ solutions and development lead advisor Virginia Serra says farmers are working hard to reduce their environmental footprint.

PHOTO: ASHBURTON GUARDIAN

Under ECan rules, Selwyn dairy farmers must reduce nitrogen losses by 30 per cent

by 2022, compared to their baseline figure from 2009-2013.

A farm’s baseline is its average

annual nitrogen loss over those four years.

In Hinds, farmers have to reduce nitrogen losses by 15 per cent by 2025, 25 per cent by 2030 and 36 per cent by 2035.

In July, a new nationwide nitrogen cap took effect, capping synthetic nitrogen fertiliser applied to pasture at 190kg N/ha/year. Farmers throughout the country are working hard to achieve this.

As part of the Meeting a Sustainable Future project, DairyNZ and partner farmers have hosted more than 20 field days and events to discuss options.

More than 500 farmers and employees attended one of these field days or events in the past year (90 per cent of Selwyn and Hinds dairy farms).

Farmers can learn from the project about options on their own farms. Visit dairynz.co.nz/ selwynhinds

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30

Dairy Focus

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Regular weighing helps calves thrive A

Mid Canterbury dairy farming couple have had their best calving season yet, despite atrocious weather, unexpected hospital admissions and no additional staff because of Covid-19 restrictions.

Ben and Allie King are variable order sharemilkers on a 240 effective hectare dairy farm and 130-hectare support block at Staveley. They put their calving success down to a regimented plan that has seen them through one of the toughest seasons in their business.

“We’ve had floods, wind, broken irrigators, snow, broken tractors and we haven’t been able to get any additional staff to help during calving because of Covid-19 restrictions,” said Ben King on Gallagher’s Power to Farm podcast.

They also had the added stress of Allie, who is pregnant, ending up in hospital needing her appendix out and coming down with campylobacter, which thankfully was unrelated to the farm.

“It’s honestly been the toughest season of my life,” King said. “But as far as the farm has been running, it’s our best year yet. We calved 271 replacement heifer calves and we still have 271 out in the paddock now.”

The couple milk 850 jersey cross cows, which produce and average of 511kg of milksolids a cow. Their regimented plan during calving means they not only cut their mortality rate to zero, but they are also setting the animals up for life.

King picks calves up from the paddock

Staveley sharemilker Allie King says that regular weighing means they can manage calves more closely.

two to three times a day for the duration of calving and has a goal to tube feed them with two litres of warm colostrum within their first eight hours of life, delivering protective antibodies to the newborns as soon as possible.

The calves are fed 2.2 litres of warmed milk, twice a day, with the warmed milk key to getting the calves trained to suckle on teats. All calves, including the farm’s beef and bobby calves, get the same treatment.

A key pillar of the system is weighing

the calves and for that they use a Gallagher weighing set-up and EID wand. They weigh the calves every three weeks from when they are born until they reach 110kg.

“It’s about tracking their performance. By measuring their weight gain we can get an accurate picture of how they’re doing in general. A lot of farmers probably under-utilise weighing, but it can tell you immediately if they’re thriving or if there’s something that’s hindering them,” King said.

Most of the heifer calves are housed in a 10-bay purpose-built calf shed and they also have six other bays that are converted into calf sheds during calving. They also have separate sheds for beef calves, and they stick to mobs of 15 per pen to reduce disease and enable them to manage each calf more closely.

“We found by weighing regularly we can move mobs around in terms of their size, so smaller calves aren’t battling against bigger calves. If there are any mobs that we are worried about we will weigh them every two weeks and we can tweak their feeding or get the vets in if we need to,” Allie King said.

Once the calves reach 110kg they move to weighing them every five weeks.

“We’re pretty proactive and

managing them in this way tells us immediately if something is off. We definitely believe that if we look after our animals they will look after us.”

In the calf sheds, they use disinfectant to dip their boots in before entering each pen, to avoid cross contamination of any bugs, and they use Opti-Guard to prevent scours.

Once the calves reach 14 days old, they let them out into a paddock in front of their pens to forage and run around.

“I am a believer that as long as the weather is kind, the calves should be out and foraging for grass, and meal and other sources of feed. We’re lucky with our setup that we can do that, and they can still come back to the pens for shelter.”

The couple doesn’t have a set time for weaning. Instead, they base it on the breed type, health of the animal and its weight. If the calves are really thriving on grass and meal and not interested in milk then they will wean them.

“We’re not perfect and the system is continuing to evolve, but it’s incredibly rewarding to look out the window, see them running around and know that in some way we’ve helped them along their way. It’s been a dream calving in one way and a nightmare in many others,” the couple said.

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31

Darfield’s cream cheese range expands

Fertiliser, feed costs rise

S

New equipment allows Fonterra’s Darfield site to produce a premium high solids (low moisture) cream cheese.

PHOTO: SUPPLIED

F

onterra’s Darfield site has installed a new ingredient dosing system to further expand its cream cheese product range for global markets.

Operations manager Blake Aston said the new system opens up opportunities for the site to target new customers around the world.

“The new equipment allows us to produce a premium high solids (low moisture) cream cheese which can be used as an ingredient in other products. Darfield is the only place in New Zealand where high solids cream cheese can be produced.”

The product was also developed to capture increasing demand from the likes of Japan, where cream cheese is regularly used in processed cheese products.

“In addition, the new equipment will

be another boost for our foodservice business as we can produce easy-mix cream cheese that speeds up mixing times which is really helpful for our restaurant and café customers,” Aston said.

The first consignment of the new high solids cream cheese is already on its way to a customer in Japan.

One of Fonterra’s long-standing Japanese cheese customers, Rokko, has recognised the potential benefits of the new high solids cream cheese in the production of some of its processed products. “The attributes are a great fit with our finished products, they aid the flavour and texture,” Rokko said.

The expansion of Darfield’s cream cheese portfolio is an important step in the diversification of the business and enables Fonterra to add more value to farmers’ milk.

trong financial management, grazing management and people management skills will help dairy farmers buffer rising input costs and produce milk more efficiently.

That’s the message from DairyNZ chief executive Dr Tim Mackle who said that despite a high milk price, highcost pressures are expected to continue for at least the next couple of years.

Statistics New Zealand released its latest farm expense price index last month which showed large inflation costs for farmers over the past two years.

Four key farming costs have experienced inflation of more than 10 per cent between 2019 and 2021, including fertiliser with a 15.9 per cent increase; cultivation, harvesting and animal feed with an 18.9 per cent increase; electricity with a 21 per cent increase; and stock grazing costs which are 36.9 per cent higher this year than they were in 2019.

“The current economic climate is unique and reflects a combination of forces that seldom come together,” Mackle said.

“International demand for food, especially dairy products, remains strong, but poor production and high input prices worldwide have limited supply. This means world food prices are currently around a third higher

than the same time last year.”

DairyNZ principal economist Dr Graeme Doole said shipping prices, on average, are around 600 per cent higher than two years ago due to port delays and closures related to Covid-19, and the prices of ocean freight out of Asia have grown substantially, increasing by 15 times between March and August this year.

Urea prices alone have jumped by 67 per cent since August 2020 due to greater global demand for nitrogen.

FAO figures suggest nitrogen use has only increased by 1.33 per cent since 2020, but higher seasonal demand, coupled with international supply issues, have pushed up urea prices globally.

“In New Zealand, China is our largest supplier of urea for fertiliser and there is huge competition with other industries for shipping containers.

China has also tightened exports of urea to assure supplies in its domestic market, so this is having a real impact on international markets, and of course our dairy farmers are also grappling with those extra costs,” Doole said.

Domestic PKE prices are currently at their highest since the start of 2020 at $391 per tonne.

New Zealand is also seeing higher fuel prices due to less crude oil production and exports.

IMMIGRATION AND RECRUITMENT EXPERTS JOIN FORCES Recent changes to immigration processes and plans to reopen the border to migrant workers next year, along with mandatory employer accreditation from July 2022, made creating a partnership with an immigration specialist a natural progression for Rural People director Paula Hems.

Paula selected Visa Max owner Bevan O’Connor to provide specialised immigration services for her rural recruitment business based on their shared values of honesty, empathy, and professionalism.

“We deliver an exceptional service to our clients which puts people first. As a migrant myself, I understand what migrant workers are going through when moving to a new country and organising a job with a good employer.

“Bevan and I both believe in a business model based on integrity which provides employers with a competitively priced service while maintaining a proven record of exceptional service and care for the staff we recruit.”

The upcoming changes to immigration include a new one-off streamlined residency process which begins on 1st December. Residency applications will be open until 31st July 2022 and will enable over 100,000 migrants to obtain New Zealand residency.

Bevan says providing certainty to migrants via residency and allowing them to reconnect with their families is vital.

“It is really important to be able to offer migrant workers the chance to move forward with their lives. This also helps our rural clients who have been losing excellent workers to other countries due to New Zealand not being able to process new Expressions of Interest (EOIs) for residency during the pandemic.”

The gradual border reopening throughout 2022 will allow more vaccinated workers and family members of migrant workers to enter the country, which Paula says is vital for boosting our rural economy and the wellbeing Rural People of migrants.

growing bu director Paula Hems ha siness. s partnered with

“It’s been really tough for our farmers. They have been crying out for workers and losing staff due to uncertainty over residency.

These changes will help to alleviate these issues.

“Being able to reunite with overseas family members will also ease a huge mental burden for many of the staff we have placed.”

Rural People client Sam Spencer-Bowers says Paula and her team are ex-

Visa Max ow

tremely helpful when it comes to working through the immigration process to secure the appropriate visas for migrant workers on their North Canterbury farm.

“We have been using Paula for five years, and we keep coming back to her because she is so helpful, down to earth and makes things happen for us.

ner Bevan O ’Connor to

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“Running a farm is a time-consuming business and we don’t want to be bogged down with paperwork for visas and immigration.

“It’s more cost-effective to let Paula take care of it and then we can get on with the things we need to be doing on the farm.”

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32

Dairy Focus

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Matching feeds to maintain peak Dr Joe McGrath

N

Sollus NZ

ew Zealand dairy is unique when it comes to nutrition and not just because it is largely grass based.

We see similar industries in Australia, Chile, Ireland and even parts of Europe and Japan in the summer. The uniqueness stems more from having grass as the most cost-effective energy source; plus the fact that the industry tries to maintain a seasonal calving programme, but more on that another day.

Let’s look at grass being the most cost-effective energy source. This may be unsurprising, but perhaps it is a surprise that it is not the most cost effective in other countries.

With its moderate climate, New Zealand grows higher energy grass than most countries, but the main reason grass is not the most costeffective energy source in other countries is that grain is so cheap; here it is expensive.

Its clear grass is the most

cost-effective energy source.

But do we know how to best utilise it? Unfortunately, when grass is chock full of energy it is also full of components that reduce the ability of cows to utilise this energy. At Sollus, we call them ANF’s or AntiNutritional Factors. They can result in cows squirting, excessive passage rates, milk fat depression, acidosis, bloat, the list goes on. All of these end in the same thing – terrible conversion of grass energy into milk.

This is where supplementary feeding comes in. Feed supplements, ranging from straw to maize silage to grains and PKE blends, all have a place in the New Zealand grass based diet. Their primary role in New Zealand is considerably different to other countries. In other countries they are used to add energy. In New Zealand we use them to increase the utilisation of the grass and as a carrier for vitamins and minerals.

However, it’s not as easy as picking a blend or a silage and sticking with it for the season.

As grass changes, feeds need to change with it. In early spring we need to add fibre and dry the diet as much as possible so the

With its moderate climate, New Zealand grows higher energy grass than most countries. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

grass can be utilised and saliva can be produced.

Now, coming into summer, cows have peaked and we need to hold that peak as long as possible. The grass is drying out, going to head and finally

generating some effective fibre. To reflect this our feeds need higher energy, perhaps some true protein, maybe some rumen degraded protein which will help keep cows peak up as the ME drops out of grass.

Being a nutritionist in New Zealand is not about the feed, it’s about the grass, and every dairy manager is the nutritionist on their farm.

It’s time to feed cows to convert more grass into milk.

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33

Upswing set to continue into 2022 Calvin Leen

R

PGG Wrightson Real Estate

eviewing the local rural property market, 2021 has been a dynamic year.

From January through into autumn we had plenty of enquiry, particularly in dairy, though at that stage relatively few properties listed for sale.

With that formula pointing towards a seller‘s market, values rose significantly, regaining benchmark levels not previously reached since 2013.

As the year has progressed, good listing stock has become increasingly available, with several more farms still set to list for sale into the autumn of 2022. However, as the gallery of buyers has turned out to be a little smaller than initially expected, it may take some time for these properties to sell.

After struggling with environmental regulations for the past few years, most vendors and purchasers now understand these much better, as a result

of which the hesitation that has occurred in recent years is no longer impeding sales. However, vendors now have another issue to contend with, which they need to make allowance for, and which can modify pricing expectations.

Introduced on 1 July 2021, a clause to cover tax purchase price allocation is a new addition to some real estate sale and purchase agreements.

It requires that vendors in those particular property transactions are liable for tax based on depreciation of the asset they are selling. For rural properties that change hands over $1 million, vendors need to be aware of the implications of this change.

For those vendors who are not aware of their new obligation, the news that they now need to pay additional tax can be a shock. Like any other change, clear precise information and careful education is necessary to enable those affected to comfortably adapt. We endeavour to ensure that all vendors of farms within the criteria fully understand their obligations. Where necessary we will counsel the parties to seek professional legal or accountancy advice

After struggling with environmental regulations for the past few years, most rural real estate vendors and purchasers now understand these much better.

PHOTO: SUPPLIED

regarding the tax treatment of their transaction.

While 2021 has been a particularly interesting year for rural property, as the market cycle continues its upswing, that is unlikely to stop in 2022.

Buoyant export prospects, elevated returns and increased interest in the investment opportunities associated with primary production are likely to outweigh concerns about the evolving regulatory framework

and keep the sector strong well into next year.

Calvin Leen is Mid-South Canterbury and North Otago Sales Manager for PGG Wrightson Real Estate Limited.

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34

Farming

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Regenerative impact on soils studied N

ew research on farms across New Zealand will measure and provide farmers tools to enhance soil health, including identifying where regenerative agriculture practices can make a difference.

Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor has announced a unique partnership between food producers Synlait Milk and Danone, science provider AgResearch, and the Ministry for Primary Industries’ (MPI) Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures fund.

The project will study soil health on 10 farms in Waikato, Canterbury and Otago over five years, to determine the impacts of changes in soil health on production, farm resilience and the environment, including Climate Change.

Soils underpin New Zealand’s food and fibre sector and managing for healthy soils improves the natural capacity of soil to sustain plants, animals, and humans.

However, assessment of soil health on farms is not routinely measured in New Zealand, and so practical tools are needed to help farmers understand the detailed state of the soils and how best to manage them. As well as on-farm production and performance, improved soil health is expected to benefit the wider environment with improved fresh water and nutrient outcomes, support for biodiversity, enhanced soil carbon storage and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

Two paddocks on each of the 10 farms will be dedicated to a comparison between conventional practices and regenerative practices, focusing

A research project will compare soil health under conventional and regenerative farming practices.

PHOTO: SUPPLIED

on greater pasture diversity and reduced nitrogen fertiliser use. The findings will help respond to a need for evidence that regenerative practices can make a positive difference in sustainable food production.

Through the course of the research, the farmers involved – supported by AgResearch scientists – will do sampling, testing, and modelling to assess the changes in soil health and its implications.

Synlait director sustainability, brand, beverages and cream Hamish Reid said a focus on

soil health will be a key part of the industry’s journey to keep making milk in the most sustainable way. “We are proud to have six Synlait farmers working alongside their industry peers to innovate, experiment, and lead our sector to explore the benefits of regenerative practices.”

Danone New Zealand director Steve Donnelly said it wanted to support farmers and provide solid guidance based on scientific evidence.

“We are proud to leverage Danone’s significant global

expertise in regenerative agriculture to support new on-farm practices in New Zealand and across the dairy sector. This project is a pioneering step in Aotearoa to build new farming models that help mitigate climate change, preserve or restore soil quality and secure farmer welfare, all while preserving the quality of New Zealand dairy.”

Research already done by AgResearch, and commissioned

by DairyNZ, has demonstrated that New Zealand has the lowest carbon footprint for milk

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production compared to 17 other countries, including major milk suppliers. However, the dairy industry is still striving to identify areas where it can make further environmental gains.

AgResearch soil scientist Nicole Schon said the research would provide important scientific knowledge around soil health in the New Zealand context.

“This is a five-year study with the aim to provide information for farmers throughout New Zealand on how to measure soil health and how we can better manage our soils. By optimising the soils’ ability to function, it may help meet increasing constraints faced by the industry.

“There is a lot of anecdotal evidence around the impacts of regenerative practices, and there is a lot of discussion on this topic. Part of the research will look at how regenerative practices impacts soil health, and I think it will be particularly interesting to understand the impact on the soil biology and its functioning,” Schon said.

The Government has committed $2.8 million to the research through the Ministry for Primary Industries’ Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures fund, with Danone and Synlait contributing a further $1 million. AgResearch will independently gather data and report findings of the research.

Some initial assessments of soil health have been conducted, and the trials on the 10 dairy farms involved are expected to begin early in 2022. Results will be made available from the research.

www.guardianonline.co.nz

35

National lamb crop lifts T

he lamb crop has increased slightly after sheep and beef farmers achieved an impressive spring lambing percentage of 131.9 per cent.

Favourable conditions from mating through to lambing for most of the country led to an overall increase in lambs tailed.

The Lamb Crop 2021 report, produced by Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s Economic Service, measures lambing performance and forecasts lamb and sheep exports for 2021-22.

B+LNZ’s chief economist Andrew Burtt said that despite the ongoing implications of Covid-19, the outlook was positive and a testament to the resilience of New Zealand farmers.

“The impressive lambing percentage, combined with promising lamb prices and positive global demand for lamb and sheep meat result in an overall positive forecast that should give farmers confidence.”

The number of lambs processed is forecast to increase 1 per cent to 18.5 million head, although average carcase weights may be slightly down on 2020 21. Farmers reported variable lamb growth rates attributed to colder, wetter weather in October for some

regions and feed supply being tight for some farms.

B+LNZ’s Economic Service estimates the number of lambs tailed in spring 2021 increased by 0.6 per cent or 129,000 head on the previous spring to 22.7 million head. With a slight decline in breeding ewe numbers, down 0.5 per cent, 22.7 million lambs tailed in spring 2021 compares with an average of 24.6 million head over the previous 10 years.

The number of lambs tailed in the North Island increased 1.4 per cent (146,000 head) to 10.6 million head. Conditions were favourable for most of the North Island this year, apart from the East Coast where dry conditions continued to impact feed supplies and ewe condition.

Breeding ewe numbers were down in the northern North Island, remained steady on the East Coast and increased in Taranaki Manawatu.

The total number of lambs in the South Island was effectively unchanged (down 17,000 head, or 0.1 per cent) at an estimated 12.1 million head. Across the South Island, the number of ewes to ram decreased apart from Southland where ewes mated increased by 2.6 per cent.

The number of lambs from

The total number of lambs in the South Island is effectively unchanged at an estimated 12.1 million head.

PHOTO: SUPPLIED

ewe hoggets increased 3.7 per cent to 957,000, equivalent to 4.2 per cent of total lambs and driven by increased numbers mated in the North Island.

The average lambing percentage was 131.9 per cent, 1.2 percentage points higher than in spring 2020 and equivalent to a record high

reached three seasons ago in spring 2018. This means 132 lambs were born per hundred ewes, compared with an average of 126 over the prior 10 years.

An increase is forecast in the number of lambs processed for export in the first quarter of the 2021 22 season (from October to December).

The total number of lambs processed for export in the 2021 22 season is expected to increase 1 per cent from 18.3 million head in 2020 21 to 18.5 million head.

The number of adult sheep processed in the 2021 22 season is expected to decrease 9.5 per cent from 3.8 million head in 2020 21 to 3.5 million head.

This result is driven by farmers seeking to maintain or recover ewe numbers.

Early season pricing for lamb is well ahead compared to 2020, which has lifted farmer confidence. Farmers see positive market signals and international demand for lamb and sheep meat and expect that farmgate prices will gradually ease as the season progresses.

The underlying fundamentals remain solid, notwithstanding major challenges including global uncertainty of Covid 19 variants, pandemic-related disruption to supply chains, increased freight costs and a global labour shortage.

B+LNZ’s Economic Service lamb crop survey is of farmers in its sheep and beef farm survey, which covers a statistically representative sample of over 500 commercial sheep and beef farms across New Zealand.

36

Farming

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Peace of mind gardening Sheryl Stivens

FREE RANGE FARM

E

ach day brings new beginnings as summer creeps in.

A daily wander round the garden helps clear the mind of chaos and soon reveals what vegetables are ready to eat, what flowers are blooming, are the lilies budding up, are there berries to pick and where to begin with the order of things and the simple joys of food foraging and feasting.

We are so enjoying the new season broccoli and the abundance of salad greens now ready for the table. The cabbages are hearting up well and loving these overcast warmish days as are the broad beans which can be steamed whole, sprinkled with salt and eaten like edamame once the pods are plump enough.

If you have elderflowers blooming nearby it’s not too late to make some elderflower champagne. It is so easy to do and has a unique flavour. All you do is to pick six heads of elderflowers and add to four litres of water in a large bucket or stainless steel pot. Add the grated rind and juice of a lemon, one tablespoon of cider vinegar and either 500 grams of sugar or honey. Stir well and leave at least 24 hours.

Strain liquid into fizzy drink bottles and screw the lids on tightly. Leave for at least two weeks before drinking. Store and open carefully, especially glass bottles as they can explode.

Elderflower syrup is useful for making your own cocktails or mocktails. Added to sparkling mineral water with a sprig of mint and some ice this syrup tastes so good on a hot

Sheryl Stivens with red sage flowering under the fruit tree canopy with elecampane amongst the herbs in the background.

summer day.

To make your own, pick 25 heads of elderflower and add to 1 litre of water, 1kg of sugar, two tablespoons of cider vinegar and four lemons juiced and zested. Cover the container and leave to soak for three to five days to let the flavours develop. Simmer in a large pot for 10 minutes. Bottle and enjoy.

If you missed the elderflowers, wait till the elderberries ripen. They are a superfood for our immune systems and will be ripe and ready to pick in a month or two.

Raspberries are flourishing and looking good for Christmas feasting. If you have an

Roses bring memories - this one of my mother.

abundance, put some in the freezer to enjoy later or make 10 minute raspberry jam. It’s so easy to do and makes a unique gift for someone special or another way to preserve your fruit for later.

Into a medium pot measure two cups of raspberries, a quarter of a cup of honey and one tablespoon of lemon juice.

Bring to the boil and cook for 10 minutes stirring now and then. If it is too runny, cook a little longer before pouring into heated jars and screwing the lids on tightly.

As the temperatures rise, keep up with your watering in ideally the early mornings or evenings which is crucial when fruits

are forming and for tomatoes and cucumber yields. Mulch areas with compost or straw or unsprayed lawn clippings to conserve water and suppress weeds. Re-sow crops such as dwarf beans, rocket, radishes and lettuce every couple of weeks throughout the summer for continuous harvest.

Pick crops early or later in the day. Vegetables will stay crisper and more flavoursome and the fresher they are the better they taste.

I love our herb garden at this time of year. What was almost a blank slate a few months ago is now a flourishing wilderness of colour and diversity, with sage and thyme flowering and

PHOTOS: SUPPLIED

oregano, valerian, echinacea and elecampane growing daily in front of our eyes.

We are amazed at the height of the Asiatic lilies and the tiger lilies this season and can’t wait to smell our first lilies. I’ve just discovered that the Koreans eat the bulbs of tiger lilies so maybe we will have to try them out sometime?

Remember to place some seating strategically around your garden so you can enjoy your peaceful haven, take time to meditate, still the mind, inhale the fragrances and tune in to the bird songs around you.

Wishing you and your family peaceful and happy Christmas celebrations.

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37

Stewardship land reviewed Mary Ralston

A

FOREST AND BIRD

large area of New Zealand is “stewardship land”.

This is a temporary classification given to land that has been allocated to the Department of Conservation (DOC) but has not yet had its conservation status determined.

About one-third of DOC land is stewardship land – this amounts to about 2.7 million hectares, about 9 per cent of New Zealand.

In 1987, when DOC was formed, some former state forest and Crown land that had some conservation value was allocated to DOC as stewardship land. Since then, more stewardship land has been added to the DOC estate, such as land from tenure review.

The intent was for the stewardship land to be assessed and given an appropriate conservation designation (such as national park, ecological area, or scenic reserve) or, if it was

found to have low conservation value, to be disposed of.

But little reclassification has been done. The problem is that stewardship land can be disposed of or swapped, and it only needs be managed so that its “natural and historic resources are protected”. Other categories of conservation land have more specific management criteria.

The law that allows conservation land to be swapped is really only adequate for minor boundary changes, and so the legal protection of stewardship land is weaker than that of other types of conservation land.

This would not matter if the conservation value of all land in this category was low, but that is not the case. For instance, some areas of stewardship land were purchased and added to the conservation estate because of their high conservation value and are just “sitting” in this classification waiting to be reassessed.

Locally, there is a lot of stewardship land that has high conservation value, such as on the Mount Hutt range and land allocated to DOC from tenure review of local pastoral leases.

Since DOC was established, over 100,000ha of stewardship land has been reclassified.

Lake Heron; reclassification of stewardship land is important. Public feedback on proposed law changes is being sought.

PHOTO: MARY RALSTON

Some land has been used for Treaty settlements and other areas added to existing parks.

Examples of reclassifications of stewardship land include additions to the Hakatere Conservation Park in 2008 and the Korowai/Torlesse Tussocklands park in 2018, and the creation of the Aotea Conservation Park on Great Barrier Island in 2015.

Recently DOC has launched a discussion document on

proposed law changes to make the process for reclassifying and disposing of stewardship land more efficient and effective.

“DOC is seeking public feedback on proposed legislative changes to streamline the reclassification process,” DOC policy director Kayla KingdonBebb said.

“The goal is to speed up and simplify the reclassification process so land with conservation value is identified

and managed appropriately, while land with very low or no conservation value can be made available for other uses.

“The proposed law change will see more efficient public consultation and ensure the process to reclassify stewardship land is fit-forpurpose.”

For more information on the discussion document visit the DOC website. Submissions close on March 18, 2022.

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38

Farming

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HARVEST FEATURE

Bio-controls reduce chemical use

B Foundation for Arable Research senior researcher cereals Jo Drummond; FAR is trialling biopesticides on wheat and barley at its Chertsey site.

PHOTO: HEATHER CHALMERS

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y trialling biological options, arable farmers can reduce their reliance on synthetic agrichemicals, but careful planning is needed, says Foundation for Arable Research senior researcher cereals Jo Drummond.

Biopesticides may provide a viable alternative to synthetic pesticides, allowing growers to control key pests and diseases, maintain crop yields and deliver a better environmental footprint.

Drummond told FAR’s annual field day at its Chertsey trial site that fewer synthetic agrichemical options are becoming available and these are getting more expensive.

In Europe, commonly-used agrichemicals are being banned. “So, we know we need to future-proof our system.”

One of the ways to do this was to look at biological options.

Products available in New Zealand are typically targeted at high value horticultural crops and had a price tag to match, Drummond said. “So, it can be hard to justify using these biological approaches in arable crops, particularly crops like wheat and barley.

“So, we have to know more about what we are dealing with before we can successfully integrate them into our programme.”

Questions farmers should ask about biological products include: what is the active ingredient, how does it work, what field data can you show that is crop specific, and how should I use my product?

FAR had asked these questions for a trial on biological products it is carrying out at its Chertsey site as part of a larger “lighter touch” project. The demonstration trial, on both wheat and barley and irrigated and dryland plots, is using undisclosed biocontrols.

Drummond said that some products need to be used differently to the standard timings of conventional agrichemicals. Farmers also can’t

S P R I N G MOW-AWAY D E A L

expect the products to behave in the same way as existing chemistry.

Biological controls cannot cope with too much pest and disease pressure and don’t have the knockdown effect of conventional agrichemicals.

Some biologicals need to be used considerably earlier than standard chemistry timings.

For the Chertsey trial, products had been chosen that sit within a standard timing programme to make the transition easier.

“It is unlikely that biologicals have activity against the big target pests, which means we need to save our big guns for when we need them,” Drummond said.

Some of the trial treatments incorporated a biological seed treatment as it was a grass grub prone site.

Another treatment was fully biological apart from a growth stage 39 application. “So, we are keeping the big hit for when we need it.”

The easiest time to trial biological control was at the end of the season, for example, for rust, Drummond said.

FAR was working with farmer groups to trial biopesticides.

Biopesticides tended to be two different categories. Microbials were based on micro-organisms such as fungi, bacteria, viruses and protozoa, while biochemicals were made from plant extracts, pheromones, soaps and fatty acids.

Biopesticides claimed pest control activity, in comparison with biostimulants and biofertilisers which just promote plant growth.

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HARVEST FEATURE

39

Arable farmers unsung heroes A

rable farmers are the unsung heroes of the primary sector.

Through the production of grain, seed and other crops, the industry is worth $2.1 billion to the New Zealand economy.

Arable crops are also the driving force behind our $20 billion livestock industry as the source of seed for animal pastures, and grain and silage for complementary animal feed.

New Zealand’s arable farmers

grow more than 40 different grain and seed crops, with some farmers having up to 20 crops on their farm in a single year.

This contribution is spread across the regions. Arable crops are produced on 180,000 hectares of land around New Zealand with the bulk of production centred in the Canterbury region, Southland, Manawatu, Hawke’s Bay, Wairarapa and Waikato.

Because it is smaller than

that of many other grain growing countries, the New Zealand arable industry is able to adopt new crops, systems and production methods relatively quickly in response to market signals. This flexibility and our constant search for innovative crop management systems ensure the future of the local arable industry as a significant contributor to the local economy.

Arable cropping has a low

Christchurch hosts seed congress

Seed Production Specialists

Merry Christmas

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PHOTO: SUPPLIED

Before deciding on Christchurch, APSA members received and considered hosting proposals from Australia, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

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environmental standards.

Irrigation is a valuable management tool for arable growers, allowing them to maximise their yields and grow a broader range of crops over a longer time period. It also helps keep crops healthy and resilient to biotic and abiotic stress factors. The use of sensor and application technologies means that growers only apply water when and where it is needed for optimum crop growth.

and a successful harvest season

C

hristchurch will host the next international congress of the Asia Pacific Seed Association (APSA), the first time New Zealand has hosted the event.

The seed trade event is set to take place in Christchurch in 2023 at the Te Pae convention centre.

NZ Grain and Seed Trade Association general manager Thomas Chin said the news was a landmark win for Christchurch. “It’s a huge confidence booster for the New Zealand seed trade.”

Having the congress in New Zealand for the first time will create a significant impact and visibility for the industry while providing new trade opportunities in the Asia Pacific region, including China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Indonesia.

Chin thanked the APSA committee for the opportunity for Christchurch.

“This is the beginning of an exciting two-year journey where we will continue the growth of our industry across Asia and globally and showcase our country to the world.”

environmental footprint. It contributes less than one per cent of New Zealand’s greenhouse gas emissions. New Zealand’s arable soils have high carbon content (3-5 per cent) with more than 70 per cent of arable farms in New Zealand exceeding the recommended national standards for soil quality (carbon content, aggregate stability). This makes our arable industry a top performer by international

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Farming

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Dairy trainee award entries up 60% T

he dairy trainee category has received a substantial increase in the number of entries for the 2022 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards.

A total of 170 entries have been received in the refreshed category including 27 in the Canterbury region, 22 in Waikato and 21 in Southland/ Otago.

Nationally, 112 entries were received in the dairy manager category and 82 entered Share Farmer of the Year.

NZDIA general manager Robin Congdon said a total of 364 entries were received for the awards.

“It’s a great result considering the impact the Covid-19 lockdown had on entry events, and we are really thrilled with the response,” Congdon said.

“Refreshing the dairy trainee and dairy manager entry criteria and judging process was definitely the right move as we have seen an increase overall in entry numbers, with entrants excited about the changes.”

Changes to judging in the dairy trainee category include a skills day providing an opportunity to learn, not just be

judged, Congdon said.

“Numbers are up in the dairy trainee category by 60 per cent, and the dairy manager category has also exceeded recent years’ entry numbers.

“The numbers ensure strong categories will run in each of our 11 regions and that is great for the entrants and the programme.”

The Waikato region received the highest amount of entries with 60 in total, with Canterbury following closely with 51 entries while Central Plateau, Southland/Otago, Bay of Plenty, Manawatu received 38, 37, 36 and 30 entries respectively.

“Previous Dairy Industry Award winners continue to make an impact within the dairy industry and many are today’s leaders. All entrants can give themselves a huge pat on the back as they’ve taken an important step in enhancing their career and farm business just by entering the awards,” Congdon said.

Judging will begin in the new year for the 11 regional categories, with winners announced at dinners throughout the country in March next year.

The 33 winners of those

2021 dairy trainee national finalists on the study tour in May.

categories will then progress through to the national finals in Christchurch in May next

year.

Visit www. dairyindustryawards.co.nz

PHOTO: SUPPLIED

for more information and to view an events calendar of the regional awards.

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FARM MACHINERY FEATURE

41

Versatility feed wagon’s selling point C

entral Canterbury dairy farmer Peter King bought a new Hustler Combi RX178 feedout wagon at the beginning of winter.

He loves the versatility of the wagon, able to feed out all types of feed, from bales to fodder beet to maize silage. He has “no regrets at all, purely because of the job it does, the robustness of it.”

Peter King’s dairy farm is located at Burnham, near Christchurch. The farm consists of a milking platform of 190 hectares milking 650 cows.

King also runs a 150-hectare run-off block located about 15 minutes away.

King has been using Hustler gear for more than 25 years. He still owns an older Chainless bale feeder generation, the CH2000. He has been very happy with the quality of his Hustler machines, “absolutely no problems with them all, they’ve fed out thousands of bales of hay for us”.

Before settling on the Hustler wagon, Peter did his homework and “looked pretty extensively at all the wagons on the market.” He decided to buy the Hustler because he “loved the simplicity of it.”

A big advantage of the Hustler Combi wagon range is its versatility compared to

other types of wagons. The Combi range feeds out literally every supplementary type of feed, including all bale types, shapes and sizes and any type of loose feed that can be loaded including fine chop silage, fodder beet, maize silage, root crops, vegetables and more.

“One of the great features of the RX178 is the curved bottom on the feedout chute. You don’t lose any fodder beet or anything down onto the ground,” King said.

The Hustler feedpad kit comes now standard on all the next Combi wagon models of the range. “The benefit of that being is your wheels are not running it over and pushing it into the ground, it’s all fed out

where you wanted it fed out.”

Because King has been running Hustler gear for so many years, he was confident that his Combi RX178 won’t let him down when he needs it the most – which is crucial in the winter months when so many cows rely on the farm’s machinery to be fed.

King bought a Hustler for its durability and low maintenance. “They seem to be strong, very robust and it’s just purely showing up in the maintenance. We have very little maintenance,” he said.

The Hustler Combi wagons are designed to optimise their longevity and every single detail has been well thought-

through to achieve this goal.

Here are a few examples of clever design elements (all coming standard on all models): • The cable and hose tracks are built into the design to protect them from the possibility of damage.

• The central greasing station helps to access difficult grease points, such as the axle • The driveshafts are entirely covered to eliminate feed material from wrapping around the shafts.

• The internally ported rams eliminate hose failures and downtime.

• The integrated hose holder have been re-designed to minimise the possibility of

hoses chaffing and downtime.

• The single set of elevator spillage fans have been rationalised to reduce the number of fans, eliminating 14 wearing parts from the design.

King said that price wasn’t the only criteria for him. The built quality of the Combi RX178 being absolutely superior, it was worth discarding the cheapest options and make the investment in the long run.

“The RX178 most certainly wasn’t the cheapest wagon we looked at on the market. I have no regrets at all purely because of the job it does, the robustness of it and I’m pleased I made the investment. We would never look anywhere else,” King said.

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Farming

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FARM MACHINERY FEATURE

Delays likely as tractor sales boom R

ecent large deliveries of tractors and equipment reflect strong demand throughout the country on the back of strengthening commodity prices, according to the Tractor and Machinery Association (TAMA).

President Kyle Baxter said the second half of 2021 continued the exceptionally strong sales growth of the first half compared to 2020. Overall, tractor deliveries to the end of November reflect an average increase in demand by 27 per cent.

“There has been significant growth across the traditional lifestyle 0-60 horsepower segment, which increased by more than 35 per cent, while the 60-100hp horticulture, orchard, viticulture segment was up 20 per cent and the 100-120hp dairy sector up 9 per cent.”

The biggest increase was in the 120-250hp mainly arable and drystock farming sector, which increased 42 per cent compared to 2020. The big agriculture outlays of 250hp+ increased by almost 36 per cent.

“Tractor sales are only one measurement of the state of the industry and we’re also seeing increased equipment demand.

Both locally manufactured and imported equipment are all

Tractor and Machinery Association president Kyle Baxter says farmers face long wait times when making new orders.

PHOTOS: SUPPLIED

reporting strong demand.”

However, whilst New Zealand is experiencing fantastic growth in tractor and equipment deliveries, so are many other countries across the globe as commodities prices remain favourable.

“Many local and overseas suppliers are stating that production for 2022 is already nearing maximum capacity on large, specialised equipment.

There is limited capacity to accommodate new orders

that haven’t already been forecasted or placed with the manufacturer. Quarter 1 and 2 2023 delivery time is becoming very much a reality for a lot of this type of product.”

This level of global demand plus the inflation of shipping costs and extended ocean shipping timetables all add to the challenge of ensuring equipment deliveries to local customers, Baxter said.

“TAMA is encouraging its members to discuss equipment requirements for spring/summer 2022 and autumn 2023 with their

customers as soon as possible.”

Record low unemployment levels and international border restrictions continue to add further challenges across the sector due to the shortage of skilled technical staff. TAMA members are reiterating the same messages as many other New Zealand businesses: that Covid-19 restrictions and compliance with Covid-19 requirements are adding to the reduced efficiencies across many areas of their businesses, further increasing the challenges presented each day.

On a positive sentiment, TAMA dealership members report a strong uptake of apprentices during this current season. This is helping to future proof the technician support side of the sector, and the recruitment of apprentices is set to remain a key factor for the years ahead across our members, Baxter said.

“As 2021 draws to a close, our many TAMA members will continue working closely with their customers to manage expectations and plan ahead for 2022 and 2023.”

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43

FARM MACHINERY FEATURE

Wheat and Wheels Rally postponed T

he Wheat and Wheels Rally planned for April next year in Mid Canterbury is a further casualty of the uncertainty surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic.

The rally, planned for Anthony Hampton’s Lauriston farm on April 2-3 has been postponed with organisers hoping it can be revived about the same time in 2023.

Mid Canterbury Vintage Machinery Club chairman John

Stewart said his committee reluctantly postponed the event because of uncertainty surrounding the pandemic and how it was affecting New Zealand.

“We needed clarity about our ability to manage the safety of the public,” Stewart said.

The club was planning for an estimated 1000 tractors, steam engines, farm machinery, fire engines and classic and vintage cars and trucks to gather on Hampton’s farm next April to

impress upon New Zealand the significance of farms and farm implements.

Already two machines were being imported into New Zealand for the rally, but Stewart said they will go directly to farms in the area.

Stewart said a decision had to be made now because Hampton had spent many hours preparing his farm for the event, including sowing seven hectares of spring wheat for

harvesting in April.

“We feel sorry for him and the work he’s put in,” Stewart said.

Members of the machinery

club intend to meet in April or May next year to decide whether to progress with the event in April 2023.

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Farming

XMAS CARDS

The Team at GDC wish all their clients and suppliers a Safe and Happy Christmas.

www.guardianonline.co.nz

Merry Christmas from the team

To give all our staff a well earned break, we will be closed from: Midday Wednesday 22nd December and Reopen again on Monday 10th January We look forward to seeing you all in 2022.

Pop into our Ashburton Store or visit our website

Mob 027 433 8003 Office 03 308 8479 Free Phone 0800 432 532 Email oce@gdcgroup.nz Web www.gdc.net.nz

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XMAS CARDS

Farming

New homes and renovations Thank you for your support in 2021, we look forward to working with you in 2022.

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Merry Christmas and Happy New Years From the team at Power Farming Ashburton We wish you all a great summer, and enjoy the fishing, hunting, and family time you will have over this period. Thank you for your business this year,

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45

Farming

46

www.guardianonline.co.nz

Beef + Lamb NZ says that the Climate Change Commission budgets should be based on warming rather than emissions.

PHOTO: SUPPLIED

Warming impact of gases is key B

eef + Lamb New Zealand has welcomed the publication of a major new report that will help build understanding of the inadequacies of current metrics when dealing with short-lived gases such as methane.

“Methane and the Paris Agreement temperature goals” has been published in a Royal Society journal and authored by internationally respected scientists and policy experts including New Zealanders Professor Dave Frame and Dr Adrian Macey.

The report sets out how reducing methane emissions starts to reverse methaneinduced warming within a few decades, unlike carbon dioxide which continues increasing global mean temperature until

net-zero emissions are reached.

It says these differences are hidden when framing climate mitigation using annual ‘CO2equivalent’ emissions, and that a better approach is to use ‘warming-equivalent emissions’ through GWP*.

The report recommends governments measure and report on the annual warming impact of short-lived and longlived gases in addition to annual emissions, including in their NDCs (nationally determined contributions) to address climate change.

B+LNZ chief executive Sam McIvor said the report was part of an increasing body of scientific evidence about appropriate metrics.

“It builds on the recent IPCC report that clearly set

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out how methane’s warming contribution is overstated when emissions are not increasing – as has been the case in New Zealand.

“We’ve repeatedly called on the Government to report on annual emissions and warming and said the Climate Change Commission budgets should be based on warming rather than emissions.

“The Paris Agreement aims to keep the average temperature increase to within 1.5 degrees Celsius, and this is reflected in the targets set under the Climate Change Response Act. Given goals are about warming the conversation about targets needs to be framed in terms of warming impacts.

“It’s vital we use the right metrics, so that we fully

understand the relative impact each sector is having on the climate and warming, and therefore what actions each sector needs to take.

“Because we’re using the wrong metrics – that is, GWP100 – there are two major misconceptions about New Zealand. First, that agriculture is contributing 48 per cent of emissions and therefore by implication 48 per cent of warming that year. Second, that agriculture was let off the hook by the 24 to 47 per cent methane reduction targets in the Zero Carbon Act. “There’s a fundamental difference between short-lived and long-lived gases, and as a result between emissions reduction targets and warming reduction targets. That’s why

we have a split gas approach in the Climate Change Response Act. The Government was right to use this approach. However, they haven’t properly explained the science to the public or followed up with parallel reporting and appropriate targets.

“Let’s be clear our sector is committed to our climate change responsibilities. We do need to take action on methane.

Given methane’s short-lived but potent impact it’s important that we aim to prevent any further warming,” McIvor said.

“We’re committed to the He Waka Eke Noa primary sector climate action partnership but in parallel we’re working hard to ensure that what we are asked to do in future is fair and equitable.”

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PUBLIC NOTICE

West Farms BULK

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CASUAL HARVEST STAFF West Farms is a 900ha cropping farm in Mid Canterbury, Ashburton.

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We’ve got the South Island covered.

SOUTH ISLAND AGRICULTURAL FIELD DAYS

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2020

WEDNESDAY,DECEMBER16,2020

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South Island Agricultural Field Days aims to give farmers and others in the rural sector the opportunity to see the latest in agricultural machinery and services that are available on the market, particularly home-grown products.

The field days is the only agricultural show in New Zealand to feature side-byside demonstrations, with 80 to 100 tractors, headers, mowers, seed drills and other machines being put through their paces each day.

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INSIDE

Farming

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Swapping Swanndris for surfboards Bayleys Country sells more farmland than any other agency in New Zealand. We spend a lot of time talking with farmers, and with many farmers in our team, we’re deeply involved in rural communities.

That’s how Surfing for Farmers began. It was started in 2019 by Bayleys rural real estate agent Stephen Thomson. Knowing firsthand the pressures farmers face, and learning how surfing can help with stress, he thought, “What if we could get farmers out on the waves?”.

Surfing for farmers offers mental and physical stress relief, and escape from farmers’ everyday lives. And it’s completely free. We provide the gear, coaching and BBQ for hungry surfers. Whatever you farm, wherever you farm it, we’ve got a surfboard waiting with your name on it at 22 locations around Aotearoa, including three in Canterbury.

Surfing For Farmers impact

4,159

590

12,806

4

Farmers surfing

Sausages sizzled

Volunteer instructors involved

22

Locations around New Zealand

National Community Awards won

The BBQ and the waves are on, talk to your Bayleys Canterbury Rural team for more details Bayleys Ashburton Bayleys Christchurch Bayleys Darfield Bayleys Leeston

03 307 7377 03 375 4700 03 975 4559 03 375 4700

Bayleys Methven Bayleys Rangiora Bayleys Timaru

surfingforfarmers.com

WHALAN AND PARTNERS LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008

03 303 3093 03 311 8020 03 687 1227

“For farmers, stepping back from the job can be especially hard.

Surfing is a way to disconnect from this high pressure environment.”

Scott Robertson, Head Coach The Crusaders