30,287 copies distributed monthly – to every rural mailbox in Canterbury and the West Coast
February 2022 Edition
INSIDE
THIS EDITION Pickers needed
p5 A regional future
p12 Ag spraying
p29 Venison uptick
p43
Top team: Mark Stewart (left) with his wife Stacey and brother TJ Stewart in the barn which they say has allowed them to maintain their milk production despite the crippling floods in May 2021.
Barnstorming bounce back from flooding As farmers look ahead to the coming year many in Mid Canterbury are still recovering from last year’s May floods and taking on the lessons learned.
❚ by Dianna Malcolm One Mid Canterbury dairy farming family, who lost 14.5ha of their farm to riverbed rubble, is giving thanks to a decision made almost a decade ago to being able to rebound from the loss. A free-stall barn helped the Stewart family sustain production through some of the worst flooding the region had been exposed to in 200 years.
When the family first invested in their imposing 140m x 75m barn back in 2013, the subsequent fall in milk prices raised some eyebrows but it turned out to be a bold move. The family, anchored by David and Maree Stewart, weathered the challenge by switching up the business and including some bright minds with different thinking to make it work. David and Maree’s sons TJ and Mark, together with his wife Stacey, have recently
taken over leasing the operation. The barn has now become a central part of the family’s ability to harness premium winter milk contracts, as they move towards 70% autumn-calving pattern on their 550-cow herd. It also helped them traverse the region’s flood disaster late in May, which forever buried 14.5ha of their farm under riverbed rubble.
TO PAGE 2
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February 2022
CANTERBURY FARMING
FARMING NEWS
Barn crucial to post-flood recovery FROM PAGE 1 Barwell Farm is sandwiched between the north and south banks of the Ashburton River, making the Greenstreet neighbourhood one of the worst-affected areas. The flood’s calling card also included deep layers of silt, trees and stones on another 20ha of the pastures around the dairy, which will take time to bring back into full production. In all, 50ha was impacted and 15km of fencing was wiped out. The late, cold spring compounded feed shortages for many, and ravaged other winter-milk production across the region. Yet, Bar well Farm’s production is up 3.3% YTD, with the operation managing to stay within its pre-flood feed budget. Because they could use the barn, damaged pasture has had time to recover, meaning the pasture that needs more work hasn’t hur t production by being out of a grazing rotation. TJ said they have been pushed and tested as they work to bring the pastures back into line post flooding, but the way the cows had coped had been incredible. With Synlait paying up to $13kg MS (for winter milk) the Lead with Pride producers
Back to normal: Pasture at barwell Farm has been allowed to recover from last year’s May floods thanks to a barn and community support.
are relieved that they have kept their production on-track. TJ said the barn had been pulling its
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weight for several years, but really came into its own this season. “What the barn does is give us options to sustain production and maintain cow comfort,” he said. “It’s been a great add-on to the farm, and we wouldn’t farm without it now.” The autumn calvers that went through the flood are still on target to produce more than 650kg MS (milk solids) per cow in 280 days. Their winter contract was 600kg MS per day. Stacey said they sat at 700kg MS per day all winter. “I think this was the best the cows have looked over winter compared to previous years.” The numbers support Stacey’s observation. Usually, they would be averaging around 1.8kg MS/cow/day at this time of year, however, at the time of writing, they were averaging 2.3kg MS on 550-cow herd (with 320 autumn calvers). Barwell Farm didn’t lose any stock in the flooding, but they were scrambling, and the milking herd spent 20 hours standing in the dairy yard without feed, water or milking after David and Maree’s home was flood damaged. Before they were evacuated, the Stewarts rescued their dry cows, which were up to their hocks in water by the time the fam-
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The barn had been pulling its weight for several years, but really came into its own this season. TJ Stewart Greenstreet farmer
ily reached them. They then walked the animals to Glenalla and Snowfed Farms, owned by the Gilbert family, which gave the Stewart’s free grazing for 180 head. Local farmer Duncan Barr, who has a lot of experience in disaster planning and working with government agencies, visited and helped the family rationalise their shock and devise a plan. Angela Cushnie, from Federated Farmers, was also active in the conversations. The Stewarts, who will have to climb over some $150,000 to $200,000 in flood-damage costs, said community support was critical in the aftermath, and the continuing solidarity remains a high point in the horrifying experience.
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Flood damage: In all, 50ha of the dairy farm was impacted and 15km of fencing wiped out.
FARMING NEWS
CANTERBURY FARMING
February 2022
3
Extending drought forecasting for farmers and growers The Government is investing in the development of a new forecasting tool that makes full use of innovative climate modelling to help farmers and growers prepare for dry conditions.
❚ by Kent Caddick The new approach, which will cost $200,000 and is being jointly funded through the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA), will provide daily drought forecasts out to 35 days. Later, the project will also explore drought predictions up to six months ahead. NIWA currently provide seasonal climate outlooks each month that look three months ahead, but are not drought specific. Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor said we are harnessing the latest in climate and data science to put information into the hands of the people who can make the best use of it. “Knowing well in advance when dry conditions are heading your way means you can cut your cloth accordingly at critical times onfarm. Having early warning can help determine stocking levels, water storage and feed management options,” O’Connor said.” State-of-the-art data-driven techniques are being used by NIWA scientists to make these predictions more precise and more accurate for New Zealand, building on a weather model released in 2020 by the United States of America’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. “Droughts are a part of farming, but when they extend for many months or affect large swathes of the country, they can have a major impact on rural communities.”
Be prepared: a new forecasting tool, which makes use of innovative climate modelling, aims to help farmers and growers prepare for dry conditions.
The new forecast tool will be a companion to the New Zealand Drought Index. The index was developed by NIWA in conjunction with MPI and launched in 2017. It is used to determine the current status of drought across the country and measures
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the duration and intensity of recent dryness. “A large-scale drought adverse event classification that was in place for large parts of New Zealand beginning in March 2020 was lifted on 30 November 2021,” O’Connor said.
“During that time the Government responded with about $20 million of funding to help rural communities, including support for recovery advice. Other assistance was also provided through feed co-ordination services. “With climate change, severe weather events are both more frequent and intense. So, it’s important we help farmers and growers get their businesses ready for future climate conditions.” Development of the forecasting tool will benefit from the input of a wide range of end users. As well as farmers and growers, representatives from local and central government, advisors and industry bodies will be consulted. The tool is expected to be available by the end of 2023. “Improved forecasting will alleviate some of the financial and mental burden that drought puts on farmers and growers. It will also make our primary industries more resilient, productive and sustainable,” O’Connor said. Visit the NZ Drought Index here: www.niwa.co.nz/ drought-index.
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February 2022 CANTERBURY FARMING
❚ with Damien O’Connor
for Agriculture, Biosecurity, ❚ Minister ❚ Food Safety and Rural Communities
FARMING NEWS
A crucial juncture in M. bovis eradication programme
I hope the summer is going well for you and you’ve found some time to get away with your family and friends. Maybe you went to the big smoke, or maybe like me, you did a road trip through the beautiful South. I was lucky enough to get some good miles on my motorbike. I thought I’d take this opportunity to talk about the good miles Aotearoa New Zealand has been making toward eradicating Mycoplasma bovis (M. bovis) from our national herd. As at 20 January 2022, we had just three infected properties, all of which are in Canterbury. To put that into perspective, in December 2020 there were 10 active confirmed properties with M. bovis and 23 the year prior. In 2021, 316 compensation claims were closed, totalling $23.7 million. While this is heartening, I offer a word of caution that these are unlikely to be the final three infected properties. It is expected that we will find more infected properties, although fewer than previously seen, as we continue our journey. Encouragingly, the national surveillance programme continues to provide confidence that M. bovis is not widespread. The Programme has played an important role in finding pockets of infection outside of the known network and will play a significant role in providing the confidence needed to declare New Zealand M. bovis free. The National Beef Surveillance programme tested more than 385,500 animals in 2021 and no infected properties were identified. Over spring of 2021, Bulk Tank Milk (BTM) screening was conducted over 99,000 ELISA tests last year. While this resulted in 179 detect results, it showed low levels of infection with just two confirmed properties in 2021. This season’s BTM screening was always going to be critical because it was when we expected heifer calves born in 2019 to enter the milking herd, which would reveal any
blind spots in the response. Late last year an independent review of the M. bovis response was published. The key finding of the review was that we are indeed on our way to eradicating the disease, something no other country has done before. It’s not come without effort, investment and sacrifice from many. I want to acknowledge again the difficult times that farmers of affected properties have had. Your efforts have been instrumental in getting us on track to eradication. As the review stated, it was a tough start in the first two years of the eradication programme. Lessons have been learned with improvements made and my intention is that we continue to learn as we improve our overall biosecurity capability. The response has again highlighted the significance of our ability to trace cattle through the National Animal Identification and Tracing (NAIT) system. It’s a critical part of responding quickly to biosecurity threats, which could have a devastating impact on Aotearoa New Zealand’s agricultural sector. But tagging cattle is only half the job. It’s vital all tags – and the information they hold – are registered into the NAIT system. Farmers who don’t complete that vital step hamper our ability to keep track of animals. Farmers have made great strides in this area and it’s imperative the good work continues. We can’t afford complacency. If you are unsure about what you need to do, reach out. There is plenty of information, advice and support available. This year marks a crucial juncture in the M. bovis eradication programme. As we look harder to find less, our background and net-
Born to ride: Getting some miles on his motorbike helped Minister of agriculture Damien O’Connor get away from it all over the Christmas break. work surveillance will continue to increase to be sure we are able to find the last infected properties. The Five Star Beef feedlot must also be depopulated before we move to the next phase of eradication. This business is of significant economic importance to the local community, so careful planning
is required to minimise the impact as much as possible. In 2018 we made a bold, but calculated call to eradicate Mycoplasma bovis. There were people who said it couldn’t be done, but we are closer than we’ve ever been. Let’s get on and get the job done.
CANTERBURY FARMING
FARMING NEWS
February 2022
5
More needed for summerfruit harvest Summerfruit growers are experiencing severe staff shortages, due to the ongoing impact of border closures and low unemployment in New Zealand.
❚ by Kent Caddick Summerfruit New Zealand Chief Executive Kate Hellstrom said it is tough for growers at the moment. “Last season, they had the weather. This season, it is the severe labour shortage,” Hellstrom said. “Summerfruit New Zealand is working with other horticulture product groups and government departments to attract and retain as many seasonal workers as possible. However, due to Covid and its impact on New Zealand’s borders, it’s tough. “We ask that where possible, growers club together to make best use of available labour. But in saying that, we know that fruit will go to waste, which will affect profitability and morale, as some growers only have about half the staff they’ve had in previous seasons.” Trudi Webb, an owner of Webb’s Fruit in Cromwell, said they’ve got enough staff for now but they really need many more workers for February and March. “There’s plenty of support out there for staff. Most employers are offering accommodation support and some very good pay rates,” Webb said. “We’ve a lot of students who are working during their summer break. However, many end up paying double rent - for both their university accommodation and for accommodation where they are working.
“More students would be keen to come and do work seasonal work if they were able to access some kind of accommodation supplement or Work and Income support, such as the New Zealand Seasonal Work Scheme. ‘Just recently, we had to put out an SOS to other employers to help us to thin apples. We were lucky and had about 40 staff from other employers come in and get us through that.’ Tim Hope, Operations Manager at CentralPac, said they are offering an end of season bonus for staff who finish the current season. “We’ve put in a lot of effort into attracting kiwis this season,” Hope said. “We’ve had some really awesome people come out of the woodwork who haven’t done this type of work before. These workers are really capable and are discovering that they can have a future in the horticulture industry, long-term. “We’ve doubled our end of season bonus this year to retain staff. On top of their wages, pickers can take home an extra $1.50 a bucket at the end of season, which could end up as a $500 a week, end of season bonus. “There’s good money available for people who put in the effort. We’ve been able to help people access Work and Income support, which really increases the feasibility of moving for work.” Ivan Miller, currently working his second season picking cherries for CentralPac, said the assistance available to him from Work
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Happy chappy: Ivan Miller happily picking cherries in Cromwell where he is earning over $1500 a week for his efforts. and Income made a huge difference. “Last year, CentralPac helped me to get relocation funding from Work and Income, after I had completed a 6000km hikoi around New Zealand for mental health. “In answering the call to do seasonal work, I haven’t looked back since,” Miller said. “Last year, I was making more than $1000 every week and this year, I’ve been getting more than $1500 for about 40 hours a week. That’s not bad money for an old fella like me, though I know some pickers who have made more than $2000.
“My advice is to just give it a go. Seasonal workers come in all shapes, sizes and ages. You just need a positive mindset and the rest follows. “There is beauty in the simplicity of the work and it’s a great lifestyle. “After I finish the cherry season, I’ll move on to other summerfruit picking. There are so many jobs out there.” To find out more about seasonal work in the horticulture industry, please go to: www.picknz.co.nz. Information for this article was supplied by Horticulture New Zealand.
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February 2022
CANTERBURY FARMING
FARMING NEWS
Feds launch audio platform Federated Farmers has launched an audio-based mobile communications platform, FEDSvoice, to deliver quality information to farmers and moderate safe conversations celebrating rural life and discussing the significant challenges that lie ahead. supplied by ❚ Article ❚ Federated Farmers Feds National President Andrew Hoggard said a challenge that is top of most farmers’ minds is He Waka Eke Noa - the primary industries’ response to climate change and an agricultural emissions pricing mechanism. Hoggard said it was the logical first discussion for FEDSvoice given the consultation date is closing in February. “He Waka Eke Noa potentially has extremely serious consequences for rural families. “We have made podcasts , hosted webinars, and we are also taking part in a roadshow in February with DairyNZ and Beef+Lamb NZ, because we simply must help farmers to understand and engage in the consultation process. “FEDSvoice complements all of these and will keep conversation flowing and ensure we are accurately representing farmers.” He said what sets FEDSvoice apart is its world-leading speech-text engagement capabilities developed by Hawke’s Bay company Kinga VoxPop Ltd, enabling farmers to join the conversation and ask questions. “An audio-driven app makes practical sense for farmers who are out and about and can listen while ploughing fields or driv-
ing around the farm. Instead of typing, they just need to tap and talk to easily contribute their thoughts or knowledge. Contributions are then published back into the app for people to read and listen to.” In addition to voice-driven social media capabilities, FEDSvoice contains the latest news from Federated Farmers, FEDSnews, and you can listen to the latest podcast from FEDtalks. “No typing, just speak. It’s simple, download the app find topic that you need to learn more about, tap record and submit. “One of our policy experts will listen and respond accordingly; you get an alert that you have a reply and listen when you’re ready. “Federated Farmers has been monitoring and conducting research on email fatigue for two years. With podcasts and audio platforms rising in popularity, FEDSvoice was the logical step.” More content is planned for 2022, such as weekly audio newsletters from provincial presidents.
Search for FEDSvoice in the app stores or download here: android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/ details?id=cloud.voxpop.fedsvoice. iOS/iPhone/ iPad: https://apps.apple.com/nz/app/fedsvoice/ id1592690525
Conversation: Federated Farmers National President andrew Hoggard says their audio-based mobile communications platform, FeDSvoice, will help farmers discuss the significant challenges that lie ahead.
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FARMING NEWS
CANTERBURY FARMING
February 2022
7
World-first research to breed low methane livestock recognised The work of AgResearch scientists to successfully breed low methane emitting sheep, as a tool to combat climate change, has been recognised with the Supreme Award at the 2021 Science New Zealand Awards.
❚ Article supplied by AgResearch
With the support of the industry through AgResearch scientists spent over a decade working on the science and were able to identify genetic differences which influence how much methane an individual sheep produces. Methane is a relatively short-lived but potent greenhouse gas. By breeding for this low methane genetic trait, the scientists have been able to demonstrate that after three generations the lowest emitting sheep produce close to 13 per cent less methane than the highest emitters, per kilogram of feed eaten. While the actual methane reduction at the farm scale will be less when sheep are also being bred for other desirable genetic traits, it is still expected to be significant. The lower emitting sheep have been found to be otherwise healthy and productive where it comes to their meat and wool. AgResearch senior scientist Suzanne Rowe said the knowledge is being shared with the sheep industry in New Zealand, with researchers globally and is also assisting research into breeding lower methane emitting cattle. “Research like this is critical for the agriculture sector, which produces almost half of New Zealand’s greenhouse gas emissions and needs practical tools to help achieve a reduction target of 24% to 47% per cent less methane by 2050,” Rowe said. Judges in this year’s Science New Zealand Awards, which include entries from New Zealand’s seven crown research insti-
Doing her research: agresearch senior scientist Suzanne rowe with a specially designed portable accumulation chamber, which can be taken on to farms to measure the methane emissions of individual sheep.
tutes and Callaghan Innovation, referenced the major significance of AgResearch’s work within New Zealand and the “tangible contribution to the global issue of our time”. The world-first AgResearch achievement also featured engineering innovation in the form of specially designed portable accumulation chambers that can be taken on to
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farms to measure the methane emissions of individual sheep. Dr Rowe said it was humbling to have the work of her and her colleagues recognised. “It has taken well over a decade to reach this point and it has been a long journey by a dedicated team of scientists. “We have worked side by side with sheep
breeders and farmers to achieve a practical outcome that can be applied on farms. “It is a fantastic feeling to know that we have achieved something that will make a difference for the livestock industry, for New Zealand, and the world when it comes to climate change. This is why we do our science – to make a real difference.”
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February 2022
CANTERBURY FARMING
RURAL PROFESSIONALS
Our regular ‘Ask a Lawyer’ column provides a high-level legal response to some of the key issues affecting the Agri sector. Q: As an employer, what do I need to do when an employee is sick with COVID or is awaiting the results of a Covid test? A: The approach to take is a bit different, depending on whether a worker is sick with COVID-19 or only awaiting the results of a test. In both cases, the first consideration for employers should be to look after people, contain Covid-19, and protect public health. • Where the employee is sick with Covid-19 Things are more straightforward when an employee is actually sick with COVID-19. Employees should not come to work, and they can use their existing sick days. If they have no sick days left, you may want to consider using paid special leave or other types of leave. Government support may be available to employers (including self-employed people) through the Covid-19 Leave Support Scheme. The scheme is paid at a rate of $600.00 a week for full-time workers (working 20 hours or more a week) and $359 a week for parttime workers (working less than 20 hours a week). There are some conditions that need to be met in order to qualify, such as the employee being unable to work from home and that they must have been told to self-isolate for at least 4 consecutive days by a certain entity or individual, like the Ministry of Health, a GP, or the National Investigation and Tracing Centre. If your employee needs to keep self-isolating for at least 11 calendar days or more and can’t work from home, you can apply for a second week payment of the Leave Support Scheme. Third and subsequent Leave
Support Scheme payments can be applied for every further seven days of self-isolation. The Leave Support Scheme does not apply to employees who are in managed isolation facilities or overseas. • Where an employee is waiting on Covid test results Things are a bit trickier when an employee is awaiting the results of a Covid test. Public health guidance, provided by the Ministry of Health, sets out when someone is required to stay at home while waiting for test results and is subject to change. For example, as of writing, this includes close contacts, casual plus contacts (unvaccinated people who have been in the same place at the same time, or near someone infectious with Covid-19), people experiencing Covid-19 symptoms, and a household member of a close contact who is experiencing Covid-19 symptoms. If your employee is not covered by the public health guidelines, they are not required to stay at home. It’s worthwhile contacting the Ministry of Health if you need help deciding if someone needs to stay at home while awaiting results. If an employee is awaiting Covid test results and is required to stay at home, they should work from home, if possible. If this is not possible, the employer and employee should talk things through and agree on how leave will be handled. The employer can consider paid special leave, or other leave options. Government assistance may be available in these cases through the Short-Term Absence Payment. This is a one-off payment of $359 for each eligible worker.
Wynn Williams has been part of the rural community in Canterbury for more than 160 years, supporting our clients with their personal, family and business endeavours. We've shared in the special times and in the most challenging of times. Our specialist rural team provides legal services to private farming operations, companies, offshore clients, and other rural investment entities, across the breadth of the Agri sector. If you think we can help, please get in touch.
You can only apply for it once, for each eligible employee, in any 30-day period (unless a health official or doctor tells the employee to get another test). However, employers should be aware that the situations where someone will be required to stay at home while waiting for a test are subject to change based on current public health guidelines, so employers will need to be sure the employee meets the criteria at the time the application is made. Q: Every year a contractor cuts, rakes and bales hay from my paddocks. If his equipment causes a fire is that covered under his insurance or mine? A: Good question. Primarily, it should be covered by his insurance. Your contractor should have a contractors liability insurance policy in place which covers any damage caused to your property or anyone else’s property (‘third party’ liability). It would be a very good idea to check his policy, just to make sure it exists and is current. Check the sums insured to make sure they are not minimal figures. If, for whatever reason, he doesn’t have insurance or his claim is declined, your farm insurance policy would likely cover the damage, including to your neighbours or third parties. Obviously, you’d have to pay any excess and it would impact your premiums. Your insurer would then try and recover the amount it paid out from the contractor, through the courts if necessary. As with any insurance, there are variations between different policies. Your broker is the expert on your farm insurance, so ask them if you have specific concerns.
SUE ANDERSON
Q: A friend wants to buy some of my land for his family. I’m close to retirement and am considering it. A real estate agent wants to put the block on the market but would take a large commission. Do I need an agent or can I just agree a price? A: There’s no legal reason why you need a real estate agent. On the open market you’re guaranteed to get the best possible price which someone will pay, and the agent will market the property to find potential buyers. But if you’re only interested in selling to your friend then you could get a couple of independent valuations and negotiate a price yourself. You’ll still need a lawyer to do the conveyancing and advise you on the terms of the contract. Agents do assist with sales in other ways other than just maximising the price. They are knowledgeable about the whole process of selling, can prepare standard contracts, and can guide you through various disclosures which must be given (for example, unconsented buildings, deferred maintenance on fences, water rights etc). They take some stress out of the process too. If you decide to go with the agent, you could negotiate the terms of their commission – if you have an offer on the property already, you could agree that no commission is to be paid unless the sale price is more than the existing offer, for example.
If you have a question about how the law applies to a situation you’re facing that you’d like us to answer in this column, please email us at email@wynnwilliams. co.nz with the subject line: ask a Lawyer.
CHARLENE SELL Specialist areas: ¥ Asset + succession planning ¥ Working with Trusts ¥ Farm transactions M: +64 27 482 2171 E: susan.anderson@ wynnwilliams.co.nz
Specialist areas: ¥ Small + medium sized businesses ¥ Commercial contracts + terms of trade ¥ Intellectual property M: +64 27 685 5653 E: charlene.sell@ wynnwilliams.co.nz
DAVID HAIGH Specialist areas: ¥ Farm succession + ownership structuring ¥ Land subdivisions ¥ Buying + selling rural properties ¥ Overseas investment M: +64 27 573 7775 E: david.haigh@ wynnwilliams.co.nz PHOEBE DAVIES Specialist areas: ¥ Corporate structuring + governance ¥ Rural contracting + acquisitions ¥ Offshore investment M: +64 27 414 9825 E: phoebe.davies@ wynnwilliams.co.nz
ANNABEL SHEPPARD Specialist areas: ¥ Succession planning ¥ Sale + purchase of properties ¥ Trust structuring M: +64 27 484 1417 E: annabel.sheppard@ wynnwilliams.co.nz AMANDA DOUGLAS Specialist areas: ¥ Employment law ¥ Health + safety ¥ Privacy law M: +64 21 885 585 E: amanda.douglas@ wynnwilliams.co.nz
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CANTERBURY FARMING
RURAL PROFESSIONALS
bessie Paterson LLb ❚ with ❚ Ronald W Angland & Son
February 2022
9
Credit contracts and consumer finance
In 2019 Parliament passed amendments to the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act which strengthened borrowers’ rights in respect to loans, credit cards, borrowing on overdraft, hire purchase and buying on credit. tails when the borrower asks for it. If the lender fails to provide adequate disclosure they may not enforce the contract until suitable disclosure is made. There are also rules setting out how the interest under a credit contract arrangement is to be calculated. A borrower cannot be obliged to pay back more than twice the amount borrowed, be charged compound interest and limits default fees for missed payments. Fees which may be unreasonable can be challenged in Court and if the Court finds for the Borrower, the fees may be reduced or cancelled. Where a borrower suffers financial hardship which was not contemplated when the loan was taken out a borrower has the right to ask the lender to alter the loan conditions by reducing the payment amounts which results in the extension of the term of the contract or postpone payments for a set period. In these circumstances the lender is required to consider the borrower’s application
and give a decision within a time period of 20 working days after they have received all the details required to enable a decision to be considered. A cooling off period applies to all credit contracts under the Act. A borrower has five working days to cancel the loan contract in writing. In some circumstances the time limit is extended.
There should be ample protection for borrowers under the Act from loan sharks and other unscrupulous lenders.
This article has been prepared by bessie Paterson, a Partner at ronald W angland & Son, Solicitors, 2 Chapman Street. Leeston.
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The Act does not apply to loans for commercial ventures or investments, loans of less than two months and the debt equals the sale price of the goods or services, the borrower takes on an overdraft without the lenders agreement, trustees of a family trust or someone who has borrowed funds under the student loan scheme. Lenders are required to disclose details of the obligations a borrower is taking on when the loan is arranged. The terms and conditions of the loan must be available publicly either on their web-site or on their premises. The borrower must also be provided with details of interest rates, all costs of the borrowing, how a loan can be cancelled and details of how disputes may be resolved. It is essential that the disclosure information is provided to the borrower before the credit contract is signed. Any changes in interest rates or the terms of the contract must also be disclosed. The lender is also obliged to provide de-
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A LT O G E T H E R B E T T E R
Residential / Commerc ial / Rural / Lifestyle
10
February 2022
CANTERBURY FARMING
RURAL PROFESSIONALS
New manager appointed to NZAEL New Zealand Animal Evaluation Limited has appointed Andrew Fear as its new manager.
❚ Article supplied by DairyNZ
New Zealand Animal Evaluation Limited (NZAEL) is a subsidiary of DairyNZ, which manages the national breeding objective for New Zealand dairy cows. It aims to develop, promote and deliver independent, state of the art animal evaluation technologies that advance genetic improvement in the national dairy herd. The organisation is currently working on the national animal genetic evaluation system to help farmers make better breeding decisions for their herds. Artificial breeding (AB) is used on over 70% of New Zealand’s dairy cows. “Andrew has a wealth of experience leading complex projects and bringing people together to achieve success,” NZAEL chair
Mark Townshed said. “He is an innovative and strategic thinker. His background working in senior management in science and herd improvement organisations will be invaluable to NZAEL as we work for farmers to achieve genetic improvements in the national dairy herd,” Townshed said. “We believe Andrew has the leadership to help deliver a single Breeding Worth (BW), independently compiled and including genotypes for the benefit of all farmers. Farmers are increasingly asking for a single clear BW.” Fear previously worked as the general manager for two New Zealand based HRL businesses – Analytica Laboratories and Precise Consulting & Laboratory.
New job: Incoming NZaeL manager andrew Fear says genetic gain contributes around 40 percent of on-farm productivity gains.
Prior to that he worked for LIC (Livestock Improvement Corporation) for 17 years where his role included working as the general manager of operations and service. He was also a director of LIC Australia from 2015 to 2018. Fear said he is excited about the opportunity to have a meaningful impact
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on the rate of genetic gain in the New Zealand dairy industry. “Genetic gain contributes around 40 percent of on-farm productivity gains, so having a positive impact on the rate of improvement will have a meaningful impact for all New Zealand dairy farmers.”
RURAL PROFESSIONALS
andrew Wyllie ❚ with ❚ Forsyth Barr
CANTERBURY FARMING
February 2022
11
Global share markets continue to climb a wall of worry
There is a saying in investing – “bull markets climb a wall of worry”. Markets generally always find something to worry about, and at the moment there is no shortage of possible concerns – the Omicron Covid variant, inflation, rising interest rates, an overinflated Chinese property market, and persistent supply chain constraints. Despite them all, equity markets have continued to deliver healthy returns for investors. Volatility has increased, and global equity markets have seen recent speedbumps. But in December a Santa rally delivered a strong end to the year.
A mixed bag in New Zealand The NZX50 market index was down a touch, -1.8% over the quarter and -0.4% for the year, the first annual decline since 2011. Beneath the headline, however, it was a mixed bag. Over the year, 30 stocks, or 60% of the index’s 50 constituents, actually delivered positive returns. In general the rise in interest rates has been a headwind for the market which is dominated by defensive dividend-paying stocks which many investors look at as an alternative to fixed interest investments such as bonds or term deposits. The biggest drag on the index though was the significant declines in a selection of large cap stocks. The index is dominated by a relatively small number of companies – the top eight companies account for around half the index and the largest 15 account for about 70%. That means any price changes (up or down) in these larger stocks has a significant impact on the overall index.
Interest rates are rising Notable over the last quarter was the lift in interest rates. New Zealand has been one of the first countries in the developed world to raise interest rates in a post-Covid world. The RBNZ lifted the OCR by 50 basis points over the quarter to 0.75%. The highest inflation in over three decades meant the RBNZ had to respond. The market is pricing, through 2022, we will see six more rate hikes lifting the OCR to 2.25%. The environment, however, does remain fluid and subject to change.
Jump in bond yields Bond prices move in the opposite direction to interest rates (or bond yields) – when yields rise, bond prices fall (and vice versa). During 2021 we saw some of the largest bond price declines for many years. That said, for investors who plan to own bonds to maturity, these “losses” on bonds aren’t permanent – holders will still receive the same interest on their investment and be repaid in full when the bond matures.
An uncertain year ahead Making predictions is a fraught business. The world is an uncertain place – more things can happen than will happen – and arguably, the world is more uncertain today than has been the case for a long time.
Looking at off-farm investments?
To get personalised investment advice and portfolio management specific to your investing needs, talk to Investment Adviser Andrew Wyllie in confidence on (03) 365 4244 or email andrew.wyllie@forsythbarr.co.nz
CHC6189-02 - March 2021
When you are thinking about your investment options, talk to Forsyth Barr
The world continues to navigate the first global pandemic in more than 100 years and Covid continues to provide challenges. Despite Covid most economies have bounced back strongly, fuelled by huge support from central banks and governments. But now, with inflation running hot at levels not seen for three decades, policy support is slowly being reduced. High levels of
debt around the world heightens the uncertainty as to how economies will respond to this withdrawal. The team at Forsyth Barr looks forward to continuing to help you achieve your financial goals in the year ahead. This report provides market commentary for the threemonth period ending December 31.
If you’re new to investing please see Forsyth barr’s Introduction to Investing guide available at www. forsythbarr.co.nz/intro-to-investing/ or to discuss your investment options please contact andrew Wyllie, an Investment adviser with Forsyth barr in Christchurch. He can be contacted regarding portfolio management, fixed interest, or share investments on 0800 367 227 or andrew.wyllie@forsythbarr.co.nz. This column is general in nature and does not take any of your personal circumstances into account. For personalised financial advice, contact Forsyth barr for an overview of the services we can provide.
12
February 2022
CANTERBURY FARMING
FARMING NEWS
The future is regional
It’s 2022, so we made it to the future, folks. As someone who grew up in the aftermath of disco, the remembered past feels like a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away.
Teanau Tuiono ❚ with Agriculture spokesperson for ❚ the Green Party ❚
Disco and galaxies aside, the future that I see outside my front door step is looking more and more regional each day. Yes, I am saying that because I live out in the rural provinces, but if you take a look around, most of what makes this country tick happens out here, especially food production. The housing crisis and changing patterns of work due to Covid-19 are driving people to ditch cities for the offer of a better life in regional centres and rural communities. In 2021, Auckland, Wellington, Hamilton, Christchurch, and Nelson have had a net exodus of people. For the first time in decades, people are leaving the cities rather than moving to them. Many regional towns and rural communities are benefiting from the outflow of city slickers through boosted economic activity for local businesses. However, more people in the regions means steeply rising house prices and a shortage of rentals. Left to its own devices, this rearranging of people from the cities to regional centres would be messy and inequitable. It is crucial that the government plays a proactive role to seize the opportunities and navigate the
‘
Many regional towns and rural communities are benefiting from the outflow of city slickers.
challenges of increased migration to regional centres, alongside the impacts of climate change and our fierce need to mitigate it. We need to see strong regional centres that are a model of smart, productive and climate resilient communities. This migratory trend offers an opportunity – unseen in decades – to roll out smart, long-term and climate resilient planning. Regional centres have the ability to lead the shift to circular economies, from high-
tech smart grids providing electricity supply to efficient waste processing and recycling. The regions are often better placed to take up these oppor tunities than cities with already established and complicated infrastructure. Urban and provincial building density done well will ensure that productive and fertile land will be safeguarded from development. At the heart of all of this are people who know that protecting our planet and support-
ing our communities go hand-in-hand. The regions have always been the centre of innovative thinking, and now is the time to see that innovation lead once more. We must do more to protect our planet, to make sure everyone is treated equally, and has access to what they need to live a good life. And, most important for those of us that are parents, that our kids and grandkids will inherit a fairer, more beautiful world.
CANTERBURY FARMING
FARMING NEWS
February 2022
13
Well-managed irrigation systems bring benefits
Irrigation has had a profound effect on Canterbury’s farming landscape, influencing both the type and level of agricultural production across the region.
Jenny Hughey ❚ by ❚ Chair Environment Canterbury It’s true that Canterbury owes a large part of its farming success to the irrigation systems and networks established in recent decades, but none of these could have occurred without the water resources that the region is blessed with. While Canterbury has an abundance of water relative to other regions, it needs to be managed sustainability to preserve its quality and quantity. To this end, and with summer in full swing, it’s as important as ever to ensure your irrigation systems are working efficiently and managed appropriately. Even with a consent to take and use water, or do so under permitted activity rules, there are conditions and restrictions that must be observed. Restrictions are location specific and can change depending on factors such as groundwater levels, river flow and climate conditions. They may also relate to a particular consent. Farmers need to be aware of these restrictions before irrigating, so it’s important to stay up to date with them. You can find them at ecan.govt.nz/irrigation-restrictions, where they are updated daily. I also recommend visiting our consents page where you can find the specific conditions associated with a particular consent
From above: Irrigation has had a profound effect on Canterbury’s farming landscape, influencing both the type and level of agricultural production across the region.
number, including flow and volume limits (ecan.govt.nz/data/consent-search). I’ve mentioned previously the range of economic, cultural, environmental and recreational needs that are served by the region’s rivers and lakes. These multiple and, at times, competing interests only go to further emphasise the importance of using our water resources responsibly. As well as getting the best from the soil, having a well-managed irrigation system
brings other benefits too. For instance, it’s not uncommon for the customer services team at Environment Canterbury to receive complaints about irrigators watering the road. This can seem wasteful to those driving by and is a bad look from an environmental perspective. It also leads to the deterioration of the road itself and poses a safety hazard by making the road slippery or causing a sudden loss of visibility for motorists travelling
by at open road speeds. With this in mind, please take care to ensure that your irrigation system is running as it should and not spraying over the boundary, and that your irrigation plan is optimised to take into account factors such as restrictions, weather conditions and soil moisture. We owe a lot to the rivers and lakes of the region. With the hot, dry days upon us, it’s vital that we all do our bit to preserve our precious water resources.
Planning a stubble burn? Five ‘must-dos’ for getting it right. Before lighting up, follow these five ‘must-dos’ for a safe, efficient and nuisance-free burn: Check it’s alright to light
Complete a smoke management plan
Visit checkitsalright.nz and use the three-step tool to find out if you can light your fire, what the fire risk is, and what you should do to stay safe.
This is a legal requirement. The plan covers things such as the material being burnt, the weather forecast and who may be affected. ecan.govt.nz/smokeplan
Read the guide on stubble burning Fire and Emergency New Zealand’s guide gives advice on things such as firebreaks, weather, the right way to light, and insurance. bit.ly/FENZ_Guide
Understand the Canterbury Air Regional Plan (CARP) The CARP lays out the rules for burning. It’s especially important to understand section 7 of the plan. ecan.govt.nz/air-plan
Check you’re not burning in a buffer zone Burning in buffer zones around Ashburton or Timaru require resource consents. ecan.govt.nz/outdoorburning
• • • •
Contact us on 0800 329 276 if you are planning a burn. Visit our outdoor burning webpage: ecan.govt.nz/outdoorburning Visit checkitsalright.nz to check if the location of the burn is in an open, restricted or prohibited fire season. If you’re concerned about people or property, please call 111.
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For more information
14
February 2022
CANTERBURY FARMING
❚ with rob Cope-Williams
Thank goodness for Canterbury Farming
I cannot remember when I first started to put my views on paper as part of the Canterbury Farming team, but I know it was a long time ago. I have written about a huge variety of subjects, given compliments when due and taken some vary anti-establishment sides as I thought appropriate. Yes, there were some no doubt that bordered on not being all that appropriate, but the team that put it all together every month have always accepted my points. Thank you, team. I am always amazed at the fact that people I meet very often comment on the paper and how much they enjoy it. That is normally followed by a discussion about where we get good and accurate information from. Hence my writing this compliment to Kelvin, Jill and Kent, who put Canterbury Farming together. Let’s just say that more and more people do not watch the network news. “It is all about Auckland”, “It isn’t news, it is pro the Government”, “The reporters don’t seem to know what they are reporting on”, “If Covid and the odd storm didn’t happen there would be no news”, “I now watch the overseas channels to find out what is really happening around the world”.
❚ with John arts
These are just some of the comments I get as people unload their frustration.
One of the extra downsides of the national media is that they seem to be very against
Part 2
New enhanced formula
Approach to supporting cartilage In theory osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the simplest diseases. For years we thought that car tilage in our joints just wore away over time. We now know that OA is a complex disease where the processes that reduce cartilage are affected by genetics, past joint trauma and nutrition especially levels of impor tant antioxidants. Car tilage is ver y different from other tissue types. It has no ner ve or blood supply and it appears as lifeless tissue. Car tilage is actually dynamic tissue. It is a matrix of proteins (collagen and elastin), chondroitin sulphate, water and living cells called chondrocytes. Research shows that the health of chondrocytes is central to the development of OA. Each chondrocyte looks after a small patch of car tilage repairing damage by secreting new car tilage matrix where needed. The problem is when chondrocytes are damaged or die. This means that cell can no longer maintain car tilage. Eventually the car tilage thins leading to a (painful) bone on bone scenario. One of the most annoying and painful ar thritic joints are small hand joints. While Nutritional Therapy can re-
ally help, these are among the slowest joints to respond. It seems counter-intuitive, but big weight-bearing joints especially knees tend to respond faster. I have been helping someone with OA in their base thumb joint at the wrist. Within 3 months the pain had reduced, and now after a year, the discomfor t is really minor only when under heavy use. I use a two pronged approach to suppor ting car tilage. Firstly we add compounds, especially chondroitin, that can suppor t and repair car tilage. Secondly we add curcumin from turmeric and Omega 3 fish oil to reduce inflammation. Often the inflammation causes more pain and mobility loss than the actual car tilage damage. Thirdly we add the antioxidants that protect chondrocyte cells from fur ther damage. John arts (b.Soc.Sci, Dip Tch, adv.Dip.Nut. Med) is a nutritional medicine practitioner and founder of abundant Health Ltd. For questions or advice contact John on 0800 423559 or email john@abundant.co.nz. Join his all new newsletter at www.abundant.co.nz.
farming as an industry and our most productive industry. Think for a moment, how many negative stories on the news compared to positive ones like: huge improvements in production, opening of new markets, reduction in water pollution, and simply being positive. The media would rather talk about numbers of Covid patients, rather than money being saved by new pasture species. Gatherings protesting the jab, rather than a price hike for dairy farmers. Now add in a huge budget telling us to back the decision to reduce the speed limit to 80kmh. And so, the gap between town and country is forced ever wider. Thank you, Canterbury Farming, for providing your readers with useful information, intelligent advice for people and letting me sound off on a regular basis. It is small operations such as yours that really keep the farming industry going. You are aligned with all your advertisers who share the responsibility for keeping the industry ticking over. Well done to you all, and I promise Kelvin, Jill and Kent had no idea I was writing this.
Abundant Health
CANTERBURY FARMING
February 2022
15
Choosing a location for your farm shed When farmers deliberate about the construction of a shed on their property, they often focus on which materials to use, as this is what will take up most of their budget.
❚ by Kent Caddick Although selecting the right construction supplies is crucial, it is imperative that you make an effort to ensure proper placement of your shed. A mistake that is commonly made is choosing an empty area on your property under the assumption that all you need to bear in mind is the availability of space. In reality, several aspects should be contemplated as this can affect the convenience and even durability of farm sheds. Here’s a guide to choose a location for a farm shed.
On site: As much as the design of your shed is important so is its location.
Consider the terrain of the location Before you have your shed constructed, you need to determine if the terrain is suitable. If you have your shed built on rocky ground, it is likely that it will not have a stable base. Depending on the state of your property, you may have to prepare the site so that any obstacles are excavated, mainly if you are buying a prefabricated shed. However, rocks are not the only issue that affect the terrain. Extensive root networks could also affect the placement of your shed, and trees in the area will have to be
addressed before the structure is built. Generally, flatter surfaces are best for the erection of your farm shed. Furthermore, take note of the incline of the terrain. Try your best to avoid constructing your shed at the bottom of a slope, as you will end up having to contend with drainage issues.
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Consider your accessibility to the shed Accessibility to your shed may or may not affect your needs depending on what your primary application for the farm shed is. For instance, if you are building your shed with the intent of utilising it as a living space,
whether as a home office or ‘man cave’, accessibility may be critical as you want to be able to access the building easily in all weather conditions. On the other hand, if the principal application for your shed is storage, accessibility may matter less because you’ll potentially be visiting the space less often. Keep in mind though that transporting bulky items such as equipment or tools can quickly become tedious if your shed is located a distance away. In this situation, you will be better off seeking out a central location that makes it easier for you to move between the shed and the rest of your property. Before you construct your shed, make sure you check with any local bylaws and regulations which dictate where on a property a shed can be built.
16
February 2022
CANTERBURY FARMING
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February 2022
17
Professionals who can manage your house-building project In this article we look at the professional help you can get when designing and building your home. supplied by ❚ Article ❚ www.consumerbuild.org.nz Architect or designer-managed If you are using a registered architect to custom-design your home, they will probably offer a full service which includes managing the project. In fact, they will probably prefer this option. If the plans are being drawn by an architectural designer or an architectural draughtsperson, they may also offer this service. Keeping on the architect/designer means paying for their services and you may be tempted to stop using them once the plans are drawn to make some savings. This could prove to be false economy. The plans are only written instructions. Are you confident that you will be able to interpret them when the builder asks a question about them? If they are interpreted incorrectly, there could be costly mistakes, and it may not be clear who is liable for the costs once the architect has stepped away from the project.
Company-managed When you use a group housing company, or kitset/pre-built home, the price usually includes the services of a project manager.
ment task. This can happen by default, for example, when the project manager you engaged lets you down.
Project management companies Helping hands: Get professional help when designing and building your home.
Often you are buying the section, plans and building services as part of the package and don’t have to organise any of this yourself. But it doesn’t mean stepping away and not taking any interest in the project.
Builder-managed When you hire a builder on a full contract, depending on what is in the terms of the contract, they can manage everything from getting a designer, hiring the subcontractors, liaising with you on variations and getting materials on site.
Or, you might have a hybrid arrangement where you use an architect or designer to do the plans and have an overview of the entire project, as well as monitor the budget and progress payments, but the builder takes on the hiring, and acquiring of materials and organising inspections. The responsibilities need to be clearly spelt out in the contract.
Other professionals Other professionals, like quantity surveyors, sometimes take on the project manage-
There are companies that specialise in providing project management services for building construction. They are usually involved in apartments or commercial sites but often manage ordinary home-building where the house is a complicated design or at the expensive end of the market. Or they get called upon by busy people who want someone to take the whole project off their hands. Most project management companies are happy to be approached and discuss your new house with you. Small firms, or people working alone, also offer their services as project managers. You will pay a fee for their services. Check with the individual companies and managers to see how their fees compare to those of the architect, or the margin you pay the builder to manage the project. But, as with any project management, what you pay in fees can often be saved by avoiding the expensive mistakes on a badlymanaged building site.
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18
February 2022
CANTERBURY FARMING
Why steel studs are preferred over wooden studs When you visit a hardware store, you are likely to find only two main types of studs to choose from: steel and wood studs.
❚ by Kent Caddick However, commercial builders tend to prefer steel studs over wood studs. Wood was the traditional choice for framing in the construction industry. Not anymore—construction companies prefer steel studs. What’s with the preference?
Structural strength and integrity Though wood is tough, it is not as tough as steel, as it is vulnerable to delving insects like borer. Wood absorbs humidity, expanding and contracting as it soaks up water. This leads to attached coverings cracking and warping with the wood. Steel stud framing is immune to pests and resistant to fire. It can withstand extremely high winds; one of the reasons why municipal buildings, metal schools, and churches are usually used as rescue centres in areas susceptible to natural disasters or tornadoes.
Saves labour cost The more time spent on labour to cut lumber to size, boring holes for wiring among other things the more money spent. Thus, the say-
ing time is money, which definitely applies to labour costs as well. Wood stud framing requires skilled labourers who must spend more time working on the wood, for example, cutting lumber to size. With steel stud framing, you can have steel frames and panels done before it gets to the work site for walling to be completed using just a set of instructions and reasonably trained labourers. Wall panels can be pre-constructed at the manufacturer to ensure hole spacing and fitting will be meticulously completed at the site.
Convenience Steel is lighter than wood and its hollowed shape means it occupies less space—half the space of wood. This translates to easier transportation and storage. Cutting of metal studs with aviation snips means no sawdust is produced, which translates to a cleaner environment. Metal cutting saw blade and a mitre saw can be used to cut in bulk. Steel studs have superiority in commercial buildings or large structures construction as it is relatively easy to pre-fabricate offsite,
Tougher: The structural strength of steel framing makes it the builder’s choice. rather than doing onsite welding during the construction process. Patterns and hardened bolts can be prepared in advance for easy setup and connection of beams and posts to one another quickly, once they arrive on site. This goes to save time and promotes efficiency at a construction site. Steel stud framing allows creating of uniquely shaped structures that are much taller than wood framing could allow.
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Steel stud framing is immune to pests, resistant to fire and can withstand extremely high winds.
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CANTERBURY FARMING
February 2022
19
Insurance to protect home and farm If you make your living from the land, you’ll want rural insurance that responds to the unique challenges faced by farmers.
❚ Article supplied by NZI
essential to cover legal liability for negligence and the increasing exposures to statutory liability that farmers face. The cost of liability claims can risk the farm and liability insurance is an essential cover.
Farm insurance is vital because your farm is your home but also your business. And as with any other business, you need to safeguard your essential assets and protect yourself against legal liabilities. That’s why NZI has adapted its trusted policies specifically to meet the needs of rural New Zealanders. You can get cover for: damage to your buildings, their contents, machinery and vehicles; loss in turnover and increased operational costs from an interruption to your rural business; your legal liability for property damage or personal injury.
Rural machinery breakdown Covers accidental breakdown of the motors, surface pumps and submersible pumps and other machinery you need to run your farm. Machiner y breakdown cover is recommended for essential machiner y and can also be arranged for all machiner y on you farm.
Rural material damage
Rural stock deterioration
Rural insurance recommended for anyone running a business in agriculture or horticulture. This policy protects you against damage to farm buildings, their contents and machinery. It also covers fences, culverts, animal feed and bridges. For horticulturists, we cover your greenhouse and the cost to date of growing the plants.
Is ideal cover for agricultural produce which farmers keep under refrigeration. This policy covers refrigerated goods that have deteriorated as a result of the refrigeration machinery failing. You can also extend it to include cryogenic storage of genetic material, such as semen straws and embryos.
Rural business interruption Important cover for rural businesses, particularly where farms would shut down if essential infrastructure like milking sheds was lost. This insurance covers the reduced turnover and increased working costs resulting from an unexpected interruption to your business.
Rural livestock You can also cover costs that continue when the income stops – such as wages, interest and rates.
Rural commercial motor vehicle Covers costs of vehicle repair and replacement. NZI’s specialist motor assessors help reduce delay and disruption when your tractors, trucks and harvesters are not available.
This policy also covers your legal liability for any damage or injury.
Rural liability Farming activity entails risk of property damage and personal injury. Liability insurance is
Recommended cover for your high-value individual animals, for death by injury or illness and for fertility. Options are also available to cover herds, working dogs and horses. To find out more about NZI rural insurance, please talk to your broker or go to www.nzi.co.nz to find one.
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20
February 2022
CANTERBURY FARMING
Considerations for when you are designing your new home Often the imagination runs wild when you start to think about the home of your dreams, but turning that imagery into reality is a conscious process. supplied by ❚ Article ❚ ConsumerNZ Start collecting together ideas in a scrapbook or shoe-box. Every time you see something you like in a magazine or book, cut it out or photocopy it and add it to the collection. Visit shops and websites and get brochures and information sheets on products. Start a dossier of roofing materials, types of exterior claddings and interior linings, joinery, paint, wallpaper, ceilings, appliances, carpets, taps, etc. Keep a note of prices as you go – this will help with budgeting later on. To help with house design ideas: Visit show homes, home expos and open homes. Drive around new subdivisions and older areas for ideas about exterior design, materials and colours. Ask others who have been through this process for recommendations on designers and, if possible, visit homes they have been involved in.
Importance of good design The advantages of good house design include: • Making best use of space within the home. • Making best use of the section. • Making sure the right materials are selected (for function and style). • Saving money by providing a home that is energy efficient and maintenance-friendly. • Having a home that is harmonious to live in, comfortable, convenient, and aesthetically pleasing. • Having a home that will provide a secure investment and be free from weathertight problems or other serious defects. • A home that will be easier to sell.
What to consider in the design When you brief a designer, tell them: • How many rooms you want (consider the possibility of more children, or perhaps elderly relatives coming to live with you).
• What sort of living spaces you want. Do you entertain regularly? Do you want separate space for the children to hang out? Do you need an office or hobby room? What about decks and outdoor living spaces? • What you want in the way of bathrooms and kitchen. Do you want ensuites? An industrial-sized kitchen? • The size of the house. If it is too large to fit comfortably on your section you might have to consider whether you need to build upwards. • Your garaging requirements.
• The importance of sun, particularly in the winter. • To avoid features that will put the house at risk of leaking. • To identify materials, especially claddings that will require lots of on-going maintenance. • To make provision in the design to allow for on-going maintenance. Start thinking about design features and materials – heating, external cladding, or the shape of the roof, for example. You also need to consider costs at this early stage.
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CANTERBURY FARMING
February 2022
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Building better than the Building Code Over winter, too many of our homes are cold and mouldy. We can place most of the blame on our substandard Building Code; its minimum standards don’t adequately consider our unique climate.
James le Page ❚ by ❚ Technical writer The solution? We can choose to build better. There are three reasons why our homes aren’t up to standard
Insulation Compared to countries with similar climates, our insulation requirements are lagging. In fact, the lack of improvements to our minimum standards over the years means they’ve now fallen behind countries that have much milder winters than we experience.
Ventilation To properly deal with airborne moisture you need adequate ventilation. Currently, you only need opening windows equal to five percent of the floor area. This isn’t nearly enough to clear the moisture created from day-to-day living. To ensure a house with this minimum standard stays warm and healthy, you’ll have to regularly air it out by opening the windows every day. In comparison, other codes specify whole-home and room ventilation rates, so the air always remains healthy with no effort from the homeowner.
Temperature You can legally build a house that will be freezing in winter.
Unless it’s going to be a childcare centre or rest home, there aren’t any minimum temperature requirements for buildings. However, for a healthy environment, your home needs to be at least 18degC. For many houses, due to how they’ve been built, that’ll be a tough task during the colder months. There was a big change to our Building Code after the leaky homes crisis in the early 2000s. It dealt with water ingress into our houses, but the chance was missed to look at the other issues that affect the warmth and health of our homes.
Luckily, if you’re building or doing renovations, you don’t have to settle for a cold, unhealthy home. The tools and resources are there to help you build better than code, but you’ll need to shift your mindset away from building the biggest house possible, to focusing on function and energy efficiency. That said, it’s not always an all-or-nothing situation. For example, if you reduce the overall size of your design, you could incorporate extra insulation, better glazing and ventilation for no extra cost. However, we know a large open plan
kitchen-dining-lounge is a real selling point, whereas real estate agents don’t gush about insulation hidden in the walls. A smaller, higher performing home might not have the same street appeal, or command the same sale price, as a sprawling 300m2 code-compliant house. It really should command a premium when it sells, but until the market shows that building better than code pays off on your investment, it could continue to be a hard sell. article supplied by ConsumerNZ. For more go to: www.consumer.org.nz
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February 2022
CANTERBURY FARMING
Farmer feedback sought on emissions pricing options Happy New Year and I hope you’ve had a break at what can be a busy time of the year on farm.
will be receiving a consultation document outlining these options on January 31. For those unable to attend the roadshow meetings, we will be running webinars and farmers will also be able to provide feedback on-line. Just as a reminder, the Primary Sector AcBeef + Lamb New Zealand tion Partnership – or He Waka Eke Noa – was Northern South Island Director formed in 2019 following the Government’s This month Beef + Lamb New Zealand, Dair- proposal to bring agriculture into the EmisyNZ and Federated Farmers are running a sion Trading Scheme. Rather than do this, the agricultural sector series of agriculture emissions pricing (He Waka Eke Noa) roadshows in our region and I convinced the Government that by working collaboratively with other primary industries strongly encourage all farmers to attend. This is a hugely important issue for our and iwi, we could provide an alternative industry and these roadshow events, which framework for managing our emissions. This are listed on the B+LNZ website, are an op- would be in place by 2025. The Government allowed us to do this proportunity for farmers to understand what is a complex subject, ask questions and most im- vided we meet certain milestones. A failure portantly, provide feedback on the two pric- to meet these would put agriculture into the ETS. This isn’t a threat; it is embedded in leging options put forward. In preparation, sheep and beef farmers islation in the ETS backstop. Unlike the ETS, the options offered through He Waka Eke Noa recognise both sequestration and that methane should be treated differently, both of which are critical for our sector. The par tnership has to provide recommendations on this alternative frameTalk to us today about your farms soil fertility. work to the Government by We offer a soil testing service and will recommend and supply you with a fertiliser program to suit you and your farms individual needs.
❚ by Kate acland ❚ ❚
the end of April this year. Along with other sector organisations, we believe transparency around this consultation process is vital. We need to ensure that what we present to the Government in April is a true representation of farmers’ feedback and that the recommended option is the best option for their businesses, our economy and the environment. It has undoubtedly been very challenging for the He Waka Eke Noa partnership to come up with options that are fair across a range of sectors, farming systems and stages of development.
While no option will ever be perfect, we need to ensure the option we agree on is better for farmers than going into the ETS. I believe that as science, measurement tools and technology evolve, so too will the pricing system. Over generations, farmers have proven their ability to adapt and thrive in new operating environments and this will be no different. But we need all farmers to engage in the process to ensure whatever option is decided upon will best meet their needs, so our industr y can look to the future with confidence.
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February 2022
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The Krone product range is available through our Ashburton branch. *Conditions apply. John Deere hay equipment = Finance available through John Deere Financial Limited to approved commercial applicants only. Offer is based on 0% interest, 20% deposit, GST back in month 3 and 36 month term. Fees and charges of $425 apply. If not amended or withdrawn earlier, the promotion expires on 28/02/2022. Pottinger hay equipment = Finance available through Heartland Bank Limited to approved commercial applicants only. Offer is based on 0% interest, 30% deposit, GST back in month 3 and 12 month term. Fees and charges of $425 apply. If not amended or withdrawn earlier, the promotion expires on 28/02/2022. Krone hay equipment = Finance available through Krone Finance to approved commercial applicants only. Offer is based on 2.45% interest, 40% deposit, GST back in month 3 and 24 month term. Fees and charges of $425 apply. If not amended or withdrawn earlier, the promotion expires on 31/05/2022.
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February 2022
CANTERBURY FARMING
Meeting the needs of today’s young women Choosing the right school for your daughter is an important step, and with boarding another dimension enters into the equation. supplied by ❚ Article Christchurch Girls’ High School ❚ Not only do parents desire a stimulating, engaging learning environment which challenges students to achieve personal excellence, they also need a safe, comfortable and happy living space. Christchurch Girls’ High School is a purpose built school for girls, which places young women at the centre of education. Acland, the boarding hostel associated with the school, establishes positive
relationships which create a strong sense of family. This feeling is further enhanced by the completely refurbished main homestead. A landscaped pool area and access to tennis courts, complement the living arrangements. Boarders are supervised by a supportive, experienced and caring team. A Director of Boarding leads her staff in ensuring the welfare of the students is paramount. All nutritional needs are met by a professional, friendly, on-site food services team.
In this environment students flourish and thrive. They learn to manage selves, relate to others and participate and contribute. In the process, they develop resilience,
independence, a good work ethic and lasting friendships. Learning and living at Christchurch Girls’ High School is tailored specifically to meet the needs of today’s young women.
Darfield High School’s rural College students have access to a range of farms for extended practical days and work experience.
Support: boarders at Christchurch Girls’ High School are supervised by a supportive, experienced and caring team.
Acland House Manaakitanga. Whanaungatanga. Aroha. Rangatiratanga. Manaaki
ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR 2023 NOW
Applications for students wishing to commence boarding in 2023 are now open and close on 28 February 2022 Limited places available Open Day will be on Monday 14 February 2022 Book an Open Day tour by emailing acland@cghs.school.nz Download an application form from the enrolment section of our website cghs.school.nz For further information contact the Director of Boarding: Acland House, Christchurch Girls’ High School / Te Kura o Hine Waiora, 85 Papanui Road, Christchurch 8014 Ph 03 355 7673 or email gud@cghs.school.nz
Teaching real-world farming skills Darfield High School’s Rural College provides opportunities for students to learn real-world farming skills, with pathways to work, as well as agricultural science and commerce with pathways to Lincoln University. supplied by ❚ Article ❚ Darfield High School Starting from Year 9 and through to Year 13, students learn a range of theory and practical skills from teachers who also run farms. The Malvern community backs the Rural College with great access to a range of farms for extended practical days and work experience.
In 2022, the school’s Gateway programme will support student placements. We aim to help the local farming industry by increasing the flow of ‘work-ready’ young people and by inspiring the next generation of agricultural researchers and managers. We are always looking out for new partnerships, so please feel free to make contact with Rex Smith or Pip Deans at Darfield High School.
03 318 8411 | admin@darfield.school.nz | www.darfield.school.nz
Darfield High School
Rural College
CANTERBURY FARMING
February 2022
25
Start your legacy at Nelson College Nelson College is New Zealand’s oldest state school, with one of the best boarding facilities in the South Island.
❚ Article supplied by Nelson College
We are a progressive and innovative boys’ school, taking great pride in nurturing each boy’s individual interests and potential across all areas of academia, sport, arts, culture and leadership. Nelson College’s academic levels are consistently well above the national average. We also have a huge reputation for sport, with our Sports Academies providing the high-performance training needed to perform to exceptional levels in regional and national competitions. Our thriving co-curricular programme, from chess and future problem solving through to music and Duke of Edinburgh, as well as all our lunchtime clubs, caters to every interest. Nelson College Boarding is known for its welcoming family environment. “Our Boarders are at the hear t of the school and we’re incredibly proud of
them,” says Director of Boarding Samme Hippolite. “We know how formative these years are, and we want the boys to have every opportunity to develop their interests. “We also want them to have fun, make lifelong friendships, and create unforgettable memories within the context of a clear and safe structure.” Set alongside the main college campus, the college’s two boarding houses – Rutherford and Barnicoat – are impressive heritage buildings that have both been completely refurbished. “Our experienced staff is committed to creating a strong and caring community within the boarding fraternity,” says Mrs Hippolite. “We ensure that our boys are supported throughout their educational endeavours, and we also make sure that they get to experience everything our beautiful Nelson region offers.”
Nelson College’s academic levels are consistently well above the national average.
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Welcoming family environment High-level academic and leadership programmes More than 30 different sports options Year-round activities across the Nelson/Tasman region Competitive rates with no school fees
Talk to us about life-changing opportunities for your son. Email boarding@nelsoncollege.school.nz for more information.
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CANTERBURY FARMING
Take your horse to school Boarders at St Margaret’s College can now ‘bring their ponies to school’ in a new programme. supplied by ❚ Advertorial St Margaret’s College ❚ In an initiative to enhance the boarding experience, SMC is using stables at Clarkville, on the outskirts of Christchurch, where the girls can stable their horses and are taken to see them twice a week. Director of Sport Helen Belcher says it’s an idea SMC has been thinking about for a while. “We have a good number of our boarders who have their own ponies at home, and have seen great engagement from our families throughout Canterbury in response to our equestrian programme. “We want to be able to provide something for our boarding girls to help them settle into their home away from home. The girls are really enthusiastic about it – to be able to have their ponies close by is really important for them.” Brooke Gore and Ellie Scotland, both in Year 10, are the first to try out the new initiative. From Lake Hayes in Queenstown, Brooke started riding when she was seven years old. She has a particular interest in show jumping but loves giving different things a go.
“I don’t have a horse at home any more but I’m able to use a horse called Prada out at the stables. She’s a very sweet, full height pony, who was once a rescue pony. She has a few quirks but is exactly what my riding needs to improve,” Brooke says. “Having the opportunity to ride regularly and compete, while boarding at SMC, is really big for me. I was originally a bit reluctant to move away from home because I thought I wouldn’t be able to look after a pony and continue riding. I feel very lucky that such an amazing opportunity has come up.” Brooke is looking forward to competing again this season and is eventually looking at increasing the heights at which she competes in the ring. “But for now, I’m quite happy to just see what happens as Prada and I are still quite new to each other.” Ellie Scotland is from Kurow, Waitaki Valley. She too has been riding since she was young. “My mum had a Palomino horse that I rode and I got my first pony when I was eight. I was really keen on show jumping but I didn’t get into it properly until I got Piper in 2019. She came back up with me at the start of term,’ Ellie says.
a new programme for boarders at St Margaret’s College allows students to develop their equestrian skills while at school.
“It’s really good to be able to go out and ride in the week to keep Piper fit for the season and feeling good. Long term, I want to get to the pony Mini Prix and by the end of the season hopefully be doing a few 1.10m.”
The boarding school is an integral part of the St Margaret’s College campus.
Open Minds, Open Hearts, Open Day. Discover the opportunities available for your daughter at St Margaret’s College. Meet teachers, current students, explore our campus and see classes in action.
Monday 7 March, 10:30am – 1pm Pre-registration essential at: stmargarets.school.nz/openday/
CANTERBURY FARMING
February 2022
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The St Andrew’s College boarders’ advantage Boarding in the South Island’s only independent co-educational boarding school is a special and unique experience, says the Director of Boarding at St Andrew’s College, Matt Parr. supplied by ❚ Advertorial St Andrew’s College ❚ “Before I came to St Andrew’s I wondered, as some parents may, whether boys might be a distraction to the girls in the boarding environment and vice versa. But I’ve been genuinely surprised to discover the opposite is true,” Matt says. “It’s great to see the way the boys from the two boys’ boarding houses and the girls in Thompson House interact. There are lots of healthy friendships among the students, both between the boys and girls, and the different age groups within each house. It’s really impressive. “There is also a real sense of fun and camaraderie in the family-focused boarding environment at St Andrew’s, which provides a home away from home for our students.” Matt oversees a large team of caring and enthusiastic staff, including House Managers, Assistant House Managers, and several tutors in each of the three boarding houses, who have a genuine bond with the
boarders and provide an “incredibly high” duty of care, he says. “Our team understands that boarding is a significant life change for students and their families, and are dedicated to providing a friendly, safe environment, from which the boarders can fully immerse themselves in school life. Everything we do revolves around supporting the students’ number one objective for being at St Andrew’s College, to get an excellent education.” Matt’s philosophy on supporting student well-being and achievement revolves around making decisions based on “what a great parent might do”. “I believe great parents set the culture and tone of their family and foster a sense of belonging, protection and direction. We set the same intentions in our boarding family at St Andrew’s.” Boarders at St Andrew’s College enjoy state-of-the art, highly resourced facilities and a well-structured routine. They are encouraged to strive for individual excellence in their academic, sporting and cultural
boarders at St andrew’s College enjoy state-of-the art, highly resourced facilities and a wellstructured routine, including taking part in in-house competitions. pursuits, and participate fully in boarding life, which includes taking part in in-house competitions, fun events offered as part of the activities programme, and community service initiatives. Other highlights of the boarding calendar include the annual Boarders’ Assembly, and Boarders’ Dinner.
Matt has a strong belief in what he calls, ‘The Boarders’ Advantage’. “Our boarders develop a wide range of life skills from communal living, such as socialisation, organisational skills, and resourcefulness, which will help them to flourish in life well beyond secondary school.”
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Getting access to boarding allowances If your child lives in a remote area or faces other barriers to achieving at school you can apply for funding so that they can board away from home and focus on their studies. supplied by ❚ Information ❚ Ministry of Education
A boarding allowance is funding from the Ministry of Education so that your child can board away from home, either at a boarding school or a private boarding arrangement with someone who is not your child’s legal guardian. There are two different types of boarding
allowance, the access barrier and the multiple barrier. The one mostly commonly accessed by rural families is the access barrier allowance which is for students who live too far away from an appropriate school and the Ministry’s school transport does not provide a solution.
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Boarding at NCG
7 day, 5 day and short term options are available Experience the many opportunities available at NCG
Academic, Cultural, Sporting w: www.ncg.school.nz/boarding e: boarding@ncg.school.nz Phone 03 548 3104 to arrange a tour!
The multiple barriers allowance is where a student experiences difficulties in their life that makes it hard to go to school or do well at school. The allowance might not cover all of your child’s boarding fees. If it doesn’t you have to pay the rest yourself. The boarding allowance continues for as long as the student is at school, or until the barriers they are facing no longer exist. If your child goes to a boarding school the allowance is paid directly to the school at the beginning of each term.
If your child is boarding privately, it is paid directly to the school at the beginning of each term. The person providing the board needs to arrange to receive their payment from the school. Is my child eligible for an access barrier allowance? Your child is eligible if they live too far away from an appropriate school and the Ministry’s school transport assistance programme does not provide a solution. “Too far away” is defined as living an unreasonable distance from the nearest appropriate school (eg more than 60km) and: • the closest school transport service to get to their nearest school is unreasonable (eg 20km), or, • they have to travel longer than 60 minutes one way to their nearest school each day, or • they have to drive an unreasonable distance (eg 60km) to the nearest school. Can I choose what school my child goes to? Yes. You can choose any state, state-integrated school, kura or private school. You will have to still have to meet the school’s usual enrolment and acceptance criteria, and there will need to be a space available in the boarding hostel.
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Smart spraying saves dollars and makes sense Optimising spray applications will save money on chemicals and do a better job, according to a leading New Zealand sprayer tester and operator.
❚ by Kent Caddick And from what he’s seen, there’s widespread room for improvement in contract and farmer-operator practice. “The sprayer is the most important piece of equipment on an arable farm today,” Jeremy Talbot of Talbot Agriculture said. “The biggest issue is the choice of nozzle. With the same water rate different nozzles do very different things.” Talbot says air-induction nozzles are used far too widely and many operators would do better to use standard flat fan nozzles, or preferably a twin-cap with two flat-fan orifices. “You get an eight-fold increase in the number of drops and four times the deposition on the crop or target weeds, and for most chemicals that’s where they need to be. If they hit the soil they’re wasted.” Another problem, particularly where contractors are concerned, is using too little water. Fewer fill-ups means a considerable increase in area that can be covered in a day, hence why contractors are keen to reduce volumes, Talbot says. “But it comes back to coverage. If you’re using less water there are fewer drops per
hectare and you’ll get less chemical onto the target.” In Europe, some countries have introduced legislation specifying a minimum of 150 litres/ha of water be used as it’s now accepted low water volumes have hastened the onset of herbicide resistance in certain weed populations. “Only two countries are still using air induction nozzles and very low water rates widely, and that’s Australia and UK.” Australia’s and the UK’s herbicide resistant grassweed problems are well documented and Talbot says it’s only thanks to the diverse rotations on most New Zealand arable farms that similar issues haven’t arisen here yet. Driving too fast increases drift, which is another reason why some contractors favour low drift nozzles, says Talbot. He advocates a maximum of 12kmh, or down to 10kmh if there is drift, slowing to 8-9kmh to turn on headlands. “Spraying should be a smooth, non-stressful job.”
Spray tips • Don’t speed: increases drift, boom bounce, yaw, and in/out problems.
Drifting: Driving too fast increases drift, which is why some contractors favour low drift nozzles. Photo: Lincoln agritech
• Beware low-drift nozzles: efficacy compromised. • Keep water volume up: 150 litres/ha minimum. • Twin-cap nozzles help hit both sides of target.
• Remove PPE before entering cab. • Right nozzle, speed and volume = less chemical cost. Information for this article was supplied by Talbot agriculture.
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CANTERBURY FARMING
FREE guidance tool for spraying
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GPS to improve spraying accuracy The New Zealand pastoral farming landscape relies on spray applications for weed and pest control. supplied by ❚ Article Precision Farming ❚ Additionally, the growing utilization of liquid nutrients has led to an environment where farmer’s Proof of Application (PoA) requirements are significantly changing. Farmers wanting to apply their own sprays and liquid fertilizer have until now relied upon one of several options for placement: • Historically expensive GPS systems hardwired into the tractor. • Aftermarket purchase of GPS hardware, again hardwired into the tractor. • Foam marking for spray applications. • The good old “graduated eyeball” method by lining up the tractor with a fence post. The first two options, though good for guidance have limited integration with farm management reporting systems. The second two options rely on manual recording with limited accuracy. Rapid cost increases (urea now $1200 /tonne) and increasing regulatory requirement (190 kg/N rule) are leading farmers to seek new solutions. Interest is rising in new nutrient products, Liquid N a prime example, improved record keeping and greater accuracy when applying products. This improved accuracy significantly reduces application overlaps leading to less product usage combined with electronic Proof of Application (PoA). Traditionally, many self-applied applications have either been manually noted through pen and paper then entered into an online tool or captured and isolated within a proprietary system. Precision Farming, using technological advances, has created an app to assist farmers. Using their own relatively inexpensive Android tablet, the farmer can improve
self-spreading/spraying accuracy based on GPS guidance. Tablet portability enables guidance in multiple vehicles with varying functions whether it be spreading, spraying or effluent. Precision Farming’s free app provides GPS guidance improving accuracy of application, highly suited to a farmer’s selfspreading needs. To enhance on farm application records the free guidance app links into the Precision Farming’s platform which for a modest annual subscription includes a number of optional upgrades: • Automatic recording of self-applied fertilisers and sprays to display on a farm map in the Precision Farming platform for electronic Proof of Application (PoA).
• Application orders raised for a commercial spray contractor. • Ability to merge PoA data from Self applied and commercial applicators. • Placement of K-Lines for irrigation or effluent.
• Overall nutrient management via 190Kg/N heatmap Future developments include providing this guidance solution to Apple IOS platform along with ongoing connection development with third party providers.
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To get in touch call 0800 746 633 or visit pioneer.nz/contact-us All trial results are relative to an untreated control. 1Increased production calculated using milk production measured in a Washington State University dairy trial that compared Pioneer ® brand 1132 inoculated maize silage with an untreated control and average drymatter recovery improvement measured in Pioneer trials. 2Beef production/tonne of silage fed is based on beef feeding trials conducted with Pioneer brand 1174 using oats, wheat, lucerne, forage sorghum & maize. Pioneer ® brand products are provided subject to the terms and conditions of purchasing, which are part of the labelling and purchase documents.®, TM, SM, Trademarks and service marks of Corteva, Pioneer or their respective owners.
FORESTRY & LOGGING
allan Laurie MNZIF ❚ with ❚ Laurie Forestry Ltd
CANTERBURY FARMING
February 2022
33
Moving in the right direction
The log sales year has started off well with domestic demand continuing to go gang busters and export prices correcting upward to more sensible levels.
A round of visits to our sawmill customers pre-Christmas confirmed a common theme and that was lack of sawmill staff to meet production expectations. One larger mill was 10% down on daily output due entirely to lack of staff to work lumber through the mill. At a time when sales are strong and log supply is good, a lack of labour is a most exasperating situation. It is even more exasperating when the many who do apply for positions, fail drug tests or fail to turn up for an interview or fail to convince potential employers they could exceed anything other than problematic status. In one case a potential employee failed the pre-employment drug test to a level indicating they had smoked a joint on the way to the interview! Take out the no hopers and those who have looked at too much social mis-media and don’t want to get the jab, the supply lines are very thin indeed. Me thinks a government that led with a strong “get off your backside” message rather than a “there there, lets increase the benefit” message, might make a modicum of difference. Meanwhile there have been a range of fundamentals across the export segment which have moved wharf gate sales prices in to better territory. Shipping costs have come off a massive high and whilst still not where they need to be, are 30% less than October rates. Domestic log prices in China have continued to firm in the last four weeks with the Government implementing a range of meas-
ures to off-set a potential construction sector collapse. This has restored confidence. The correlation between China domestic sales prices and the cost or Kiwi Radiata pine logs is a key market driver. At the same time, the containerised Southern Yellow Pine trade out of the US has dried to a trickle, taking 500,000 – 600,000 cubic metres per month out of supply lines. This is due to a combination of US domestic new housing demand and a tightening of phytosanitary requirements. This essentially means the China Government are requiring full fumigation, inspection and pass muster status to be the order of the day whereas previously some China Port Authorities were looking the other way. Spruce log out of Europe has slowed to 500,000 to 800,000 cubic metres per month, half compared to the same time last year. Again, the container trade has become much harder and Europe new house demand is also experiencing a significant increase whilst bark beetle affected forest harvest is decreasing. Both the SYP and Spruce supply lines compete directly with Radiata pine out of NZ so this is good news for Kiwi forest-owners. In the first two weeks of January, we have seen log buyers in China return to the negotiating table in number as concerns mount there could be log shortages looming if demand kicks up strongly, post Chinese New Year. Most seem to believe it will.
There is also a waiting game being played main aligned in both segments. As always people, please remember the out with concerns as to what degree there is pent up demand, versus where the likes of thoroughly important message, “It remains, in trouble construction companies like Ever- as always, fundamentally important, no matter the challenges, the only way forward for grande will eventually crash land. The bottom line is, we are seeing temper- climate, country and the planet, is to get out ing in sales and a corresponding hesitancy there and plant more trees”. to push prices too high too quickly. For the moment, the market is moving in the right direction. The next few weeks will be critical to what happens in Q1 and 2 this year. China eastern seaboard inventory has been falling as expected, as at mid-January sitting at just over 5mil cubic metres. Whilst this may tick up as China takes a 2-week holiday early February, production out of NZ has also been at a low ebb. Do you have a stand of trees? If demand does pick up Would you like these removed? mid-February, then we can We can offer you competitive rates and expect a continuing price cash in return! firming in the export market. In order for the NZ domestic PHONE KENT ON sawmill demand to be met, a lift in the lower quality ex021 325 661 SUPPLIES LIMITED port log sales will be needed 21 Manion Road, Rolleston to ensure forest harvest is at www.macrocarpasupplies.co.nz a level the supply planets re-
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• Woodlot and shelterbelt harvesting • Timber sales to domestic and export markets • Forest establishment of harvested and greenfield sites • Forest valuation • Emission Trading Scheme advice and management • Trainer/Assessor in NZQA forestry related units Our highly experienced teams aim to ensure value optimisation in all aspects of forest management.
To find out more call us on 03 343 4101 or visit www.forestmanagement.co.nz
Specialists in: • Woodlot and Forest harvest - at any scale • Direct log sales in both domestic and export segments • Top quality H&S systems and management • Forest right or cutting right purchases • Planting and silviculture management • Top advice, top people, top service
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34
February 2022
CANTERBURY FARMING
DAIRY
Vitalise provides minimal wastage and feeding flexibility Nutrient supplements made by a genuine Kiwi company are proving increasingly popular on dairy farms. supplied by ❚ Advertorial ❚ CP Lime Solutions Vitalise is a pelletised fine lime-based supplement range for dairy cows. Initially devised by CP Lime Solutions for calcium top-ups, customer demand led to expansion into a selection of calcium plus magnesium and trace elements, dispensed through existing shed feeding systems. CP Lime Solutions was established 21 years ago by farm-raised brothers Scott and Paul Pascoe. They designed and built equipment to make pelletised lime that is easily spread and breaks down quickly on the ground. The Pascoes applied their philosophy, getting essential nutrients where they are needed with minimum fuss and maximum effect, to livestock nutrition. Vitalise minimises dust in sheds and reduces the need for dusting pastures before the next grazing rotation. It is produced without grain, simply using ultra-fine lime pressed into a concentrated
pellet through the company’s unique manufacturing process. Just 100 grams per cow a day, delivered during milking times, boosts the animal’s health. High palatability means the cow is happy to oblige. As a mineral supplement, Vitalise provides a reliable dose with minimal wastage and feeding flexibility. It also saves labour and wear and tear on the machinery that would otherwise be needed for dusting paddocks. CP Lime Solutions recommends farmers start dispensing Vitalise after calving. It can be used throughout the entire milking season, adjusting the feeding rate according to the herd’s demand and production. The company can put customers in touch with other local farmers who are already experienced in using Vitalise. Word-of-mouth recommendations have been responsible for a big upturn in sales in the past year. Vitalise has been discussed at many field days, where its multiple benefits have impressed attendees.
They like that it’s easy to dial up or down the amount being fed to meet the farm’s circumstances. And it is a much more targeted way of feeding nutrients than dusting paddocks and guessing who gets what. ‘‘Using Vitalise has been a game-changer for us,’’ a farmer who has been using it for five years says. ‘‘We no longer have to spend time dusting paddocks, cleaning and fixing spreading gear, or worry about getting calcium and magnesium into the cows, particularly on rainy days.’’ The most popular product in the Vitalise range is CalMag, comprising ultra-fine lime and magnesium. The CalMag + Trace Elements options includes copper, cobalt, selenium, zinc and iodine. Rumenox is added to a further option, and DCP is an ingredient in a mix designed for cows fed fodder beet on the shoulders of the season.
Ionophores (monensin), toxin binders and seaweed can also be added to the pellet and salt can be blended in with the pellets post-production if requested. Custom blends can be made up to meet specific herd requirements, for a minimum order of 10 tonnes. Vitalise can be delivered directly to the farm or to a local freight company or merchant’s depot. It will be sent direct from CP Lime Solutions’ manufacturing plant to ensure freshness.
Just 100 grams of Vitalise per cow a day, delivered during milking times, boosts the animal’s health, and the high palatability means the cow is happy to oblige.
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Improve animal health with an accurate, reliable and palatable way of getting calcium and magnesium into your cows. To find out more about pelletised mineral supplements visit cplimesolutions.net.nz or call us on 0508 678 464
CANTERBURY FARMING
DAIRY
February 2022
35
Sustainable solutions for profitable dairying The dairy industry is New Zealand’s largest exporter and its growth has accelerated dramatically over the past three decades.
❚ by Mark ross, CEO Agcarm A productive, healthy and efficient stock is vital to preserving these gains and enhancing sustainability in the sector, – something consumers and producers demand in the face of unabated scrutiny and regulatory influences on farming practices. Dairy exports grew from just over NZ$2 billion per year in 1990 to almost $20 billion in 2020. Dairying is under pressure to meet consumer demand for NZ milk, while also supporting New Zealand’s climate goals. This puts the impetus on reducing environmental impacts per litre of milk produced. Efficient production, animal welfare and preventing disease spread from animals to humans is critical to the future of NZ dairying. Without the tools that drive this, the dairy industry would lose 40 percent of its value - $7.68 billion per year, according to a recently released KPMG report. The animal health industry contributes to the value of the dairy industry by providing preventative vaccines and mastitis treatments to keep animals and humans safe from disease. It also helps New Zealand reach its 2050 target for greenhouse gas emissions. Efficient milk production is the key driver underpinning a smaller footprint and there
are positive signs to indicate that this has already begun. In the 2018-19 season, cow numbers decreased 0.9 percent from the previous season, yet total milk solids (kgMS) processed by dairy companies increased by 2.4 percent. The increase in per cow milk production has in part been enabled by solutions to keep cows healthy year-round. The animal health industry supports efficient and cost-effective milk production, driving a $7.8 billion contribution to New Zealand’s GDP, according to the ‘Assessing the value of the Animal Health Industry to New Zealand’ report. It supports dairying to increase per cow milk production and decrease cow numbers. This, in turn, has a positive impact on methane emissions. Reducing the environmental footprint of farms by allowing animals to thrive and increasing efficiencies without the challenges of disease or deficiency is an intangible benefit to farmers. Sick animals aren’t a good conduit for sustainable farming, healthy protein or food security. Untreated mastitis removes a cow from the milking shed and is painful for the animal, yet the cow still eats grass, releases methane and needs to be cared for.
Challenge ahead: Dairying is under pressure to meet consumer demand for New Zealand milk, while also supporting the country’s climate goals.
Mastitis is one of the most common ailments and is economically crippling for dairy farmers. Udder health is vital to the production of high quality, healthy milk and a happy cow. Mastitis is prevented by teat sealants, antibiotic dry cow therapy solutions, as well as antibiotics for the treatment of clinical cases. According to the report, the cost of mastitis is estimated at $180 million per year. Vaccinations also protect cows and people from debilitating diseases, such as Leptospirosis. By vaccinating cows, disease is prevented from being passed on to dairy milkers and meatworkers, preventing further productivity losses. The disease is transferred from animal to person through contact with urine from an infected animal. New Zealand has one of the
highest incidences of Leptospirosis in humans in the developed world. So whole herd vaccination programmes are vital for protecting the health of cows and humans. When a vaccination programme for dairy cattle was first introduced in the 1980s, human cases of the diseases more than halved – from 11 to 4.5 incidents per 100,000 people, the report highlights. The animal health industry is also developing innovative technologies to reduce methane production in the cow’s digestive system. The potential of this to reduce emissions is promising for the dairy industry. These solutions and innovations are critical to the future of sustainable dairying as well as productive farming, keeping animals and people healthy, and supporting veterinarians.
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36
February 2022
CANTERBURY FARMING
DAIRY
New tetraploid perennial ryegrass Avatar NEA is an outstanding new tetraploid perennial ryegrass with exceptional yield performance, tetraploid quality, and persistence against insect pests supplied by ❚ Advertorial ❚ Cropmark Seeds Avatar NEA is a very high yielding, very late heading (+22 days) tetraploid perennial ryegrass containing the NEA endophyte, which was bred for a combination of improved animal safety and persistence against insects. Its outstanding yield performance and persistence has been borne out in trials and on farms in tough environments and under strong insect pressure across the country. Through its combination of high yield, high forage quality and improved persistence, Avatar NEA tetraploid perennial ryegrass is well suited to high performance dairy, beef and sheep farming systems. Avatar NEA tetraploid perennial ryegrass
is an exceptional grass for improved livestock performance and persistence.
Ultra – Superior yield performance Ultra Enhanced® perennial ryegrass is a fine leaved, very densely tillered, late heading diploid perennial which combines the best traits of its parents – the high levels of pasture production available from perennial ryegrass, coupled with the feed quality attributes of meadow fescue. Ultra has strong year-round production, but with exceptional late winter, early spring growth; providing feed when it is needed most for increased livestock needs around calving and lambing.
For further information contact Stephen Finch from Specialty Seeds.
NEA
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avatar Nea tetraploid perennial ryegrass is an exceptional grass for improved livestock performance and persistence.
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Consistently high yielding across seasons, years and regions Produces high winter and early spring feed Later heading (+20 days) to maintain pasture quality longer into spring Strong disease tolerance leading to improved palatability and growth potential Animal safe (AR1 endophyte won’t cause grass staggers or heat stress)
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DAIRY
CANTERBURY FARMING
February 2022
37
How to profit from high urea prices ❚ with Peter burton
The short and obvious answer is to stop buying it. Where then does nitrogen come from? The atmosphere that we breathe is 78% nitrogen so there’s absolutely no shortage of it.
How then do plants get enough of it for maximum growth? Plants grew abundantly long before the Haber-Bosch process was developed and urea was available for farmers to purchase. The ammonia urea plant at Kapuni in the Taranaki was built not because New Zealand pastoral farmers required more nitrogen, but because there was an abundance of cheap energy from the development of the off-shore Maui gas field. As it is only since the late 1990s that the regular use of urea has become widespread, the reliance on it for growth has been an experiment and we are yet to fully appreciate the long-term consequences. Official pasture growth data from the Ruakura Research Station, prior to the use of urea, showed annual pasture growth to be regularly above 18,000kgDM/ha from a number of sites in the Waikato. Today, annual growth of 13,000kgDM/ ha for the same region, a drop of over 25%, is regarded as common, and even normal, with increasingly wide seasonal fluctuations blamed on climate change. That’s not the experience of all farmers. An increasing number of farmers have over the last 20 years profited from growing clover to provide more than sufficient nitrogen to maximise annual growth. Profiting because they are not spending as much as $500 a hectare on something that is not necessary and in the long term has shown to increase nitrate-nitrogen in ground water. The key to their success is creating the conditions that favour the growth of large leafed, strong stemmed clover. That is done by increasing the amount of calcium available for plant uptake, necessary because clover contains up to four times the calcium of grasses. Agricultural lime is the cheapest and most abundant soil fertiliser available and therefore is often undervalued. However there is another important step. The calcium in lime is not water soluble and for plants to access it beneficial soil biology must be present. The mainstream position on soil biology is that it is always present and because introducing beneficial fungi and bacteria has been shown to be difficult to achieve in the short term that essential aspect can be ignored. Changing soil biology to benefit pasture
Benefits: an increasing number of farmers have over the last 20 years profited from growing clover to provide more than sufficient nitrogen to maximise annual growth.
is achievable particularly when lime and microbes are added at the same time. Soil is a digester and operates in much the same way as the gut of an animal or human. Add something different and it takes time for the microbes to build sufficient population for full digestion to take place, the reason that animals are transitioned onto crop. Probiotics are increasingly accepted as a valid way of improving human gut function
and the same principles apply to soil. With soil constantly under pressure from treading, too much moisture in winter and excess heat over summer, introducing beneficial biology speeds digestion of dung, dead leaves, and old root matter that has accumulated over summer. Functional Fertiliser Ltd developed two soil improvers over twenty years ago. These were designed to be applied as part of a total
nutrient programme that contained both essential phosphorus and sulphur, along with any other necessary input. CalciZest containing lime was designed specifically to stimulate clover growth. DoloZest containing Golden Bay Dolomite provides both calcium and magnesium. Both contain the same proprietary mix of beneficial fungi and bacteria selected for their role in digestion and increased nutrient uptake. An application of either this autumn is a low cost and highly effective way of reducing over time the dependence on urea as the provider of nitrogen. For more information call Peter on 0800 843 809.
GET 8 monThs ComprEhEnsiVE TrACE ElEmEnT insurAnCE CoVEr ...for your young stock this winter with All-Trace Trace Element Boluses for Cattle All-Trace
All-Trace Trace Element Boluses for Cattle
For pricing and orders please contact your veterinary clinic. For more information please contact Vetpak on Tel: 07 870 2024 Registered pursuant to the ACVM Act 1997 No. A7796
RVM. Available only under Veterinary Authorisation
For the control of trace element and mineral deficiencies, for eight months, in grazing cattle.
38
February 2022
CANTERBURY FARMING
WATER & IRRIGATION
Find out more about Fertigation Conventional fertiliser broadcast spreading practices, by way of ground spreader or aerial applications, forms 90 percent of the total fertiliser applied in New Zealand.
Stephen McNally ❚ by Technical Advisor ❚ Principal at IrrigationNZ ❚ For irrigators, there is another method of applying fertilisers in incrementally small amounts that utilises existing on-farm irrigation infrastructure. Fertigation means the addition of soluble nutrients to irrigation water. Many irrigators are considering this technology to meet the restrictions on synthetic nitrogen use in what is known as the 190 kg N cap. Fertigation provides a method to deliver fertiliser accurately and precisely to plants. It allows for excellent application of the 4R’s of nutrient stewardship – apply the Right fertiliser source, at the Right time, at the Right rate, and with the Right placement. IrrigationNZ and its industry partners have now finalised the analysis of two years of field trial results and incorporated this material into an updated fertigation guidance document. Before launching into a new fertigation
add-on system, you need to understand a bit about your current irrigation system. An irrigation system must be capable of delivering the nutrients evenly along the wetted width. Poor distribution uniformity will result in areas of the field being over and under prescribed with nutrients leading to either poor crop performance or nutrient loss through leaching. Before installing a fertigation unit, all irrigators must be tested to ensure they are applying the right amount of water evenly across their length. Once you are confident in the irrigation system design you can consider how fertigation may be an advantage to your crop nutrient management requirements. Fertigation offers long term benefits, such as a decrease in plant response times to fertiliser applications through faster plant uptake and a reduction in overall amount of fertiliser required to grow the same crop/ yield. Additional benefits include the avoidance of crop damage and soil compaction because less heavy equipment enters the field along with the advantage of less equipment and less energy required to apply the fertiliser. Nutrients can be applied to the soil when crop or soil conditions would otherwise prohibit entry into the field with conventional equipment. Usually, less labour is needed to supervise the application, but new skills will need to be acquired by the farmer and their staff to manage the system safely and accurately; chemical spills are an important risk to consider so good handling systems and training are needed. For crop health management the supply of nutrients can be more carefully regulated and
‘
before launching into fertigation, understand your current system.
monitored, and nutrients can be distributed more evenly throughout the entire root zone or soil profile. Rather than large single applications, nutrients can be supplied incrementally throughout the season to meet the actual nutritional requirements of the crop. Replicated field trials were established at Lincoln University to determine if fertigation affected pasture production and quality. During the 2019/20 season trials looked to determine if there were any yield or feed value differences between the use of solid vs. fertigated N applied at different frequencies (but maintaining an equal monthly allocation of 25kgN/ha). Further trials that built on the 1st year conclusions and recommendations allowed a drilling down on application options during the 2020/21 season. The analysis of data concluded that there was no effect on pasture production from either application method (liquid or solid) or application rate and frequency. There was no significant difference in pasture quality measurements (crude protein, dry matter digestibility, neutral detergent fibre and metabolisable energy). The same amount of dry matter was grown with fertigation compared to solid urea application when applied monthly over the season at a rate of 24kg/N/ha. The second-year focused on N applied as fertigation at 24kgN/ha only in the shoulder months compared with monthly applications over the season, to determine if increased clover content could carry production through the summer season.
The final set of experiments looked at the fertigation effect on dry matter yield and nitrogen pasture content at decreased rates of nitrogen (24kgN/ha/month, 20kgN/ha/ month, and 16kgN/ha/month). Shoulder treatments (a strategic nitrogen application) were found to have similar pasture quality as the monthly nitrogen applications. Unlike the monthly treatments, the shoulder treatments did not consistently produce higher dry matter than when no nitrogen was applied. But different rates of nitrogen applied using fertigation produced similar pasture quality. Significantly, there was no difference in pasture nitrogen content or dry matter production between the different rates of nitrogen applied monthly with fertigation rates of 16kgN/ha, 20kgN/ha, and 24kgN/ha. Therefore, a lower rate of nitrogen could be applied (16kgN/ha) using fertigation with the same pasture production. The guidance document along with an online training module launched in November 2022 will help with the decision processes farmers and irrigation system designers need to address in adopting this technology. Part one of the guidance will help irrigating farmers with considerations for adopting fertigation, safe management practices for choosing and mixing fertiliser types, and how changes may be needed within the farm management systems. Part Two of the guidance is for system designers looking at developing a fertigation system to understand fertigation injection systems and backflow prevention options. Important aspects to avoid chemical wastage and spills include understanding the use of interlocking devices for injection pumps with irrigation pump controls and the correct design for chemical concentrate holding tanks. The Irrigation Fertigation guide can be accessed at: www.irrigationnz.co.nz/PracticalResources/COP/ Fertigation
CANTERBURY FARMING
WATER & IRRIGATION
February 2022
39
Water regulation changes What’s next?
Over the last couple of years water related regulations have been changing at lightning speed. So, what’s next, are there other changes coming? The answer is yes.
Matt bubb ❚ with Aqualinc ❚ The next thing in the pipeline (excuse the pun) is changes to the National Environmental Standards for Sources of Human Drinking Water (NES–DW). The focus of these standards is to protect sources of drinking water, and the Ministry for the Environment released a consultation document on 10 January seeking feedback on the proposed changes. The Ministry of Health’s most recently available data (2019/20) indicates that 21% of New Zealanders did not have access to water that fully complies with safety requirements for bacteria, microorganisms, and chemicals. Given this statistic and considering issues such as the 2016 Havelock North water supply contamination, tighter regulations are necessary. One of the major implications of the proposed changes for the rural sector is how these fit with the recently passed Water Services Act 2021. This Act defines you as a water supplier if you supply water to more than just your household. For example, this will now cover farms where water is supplied
to workers accommodation. The consultation document indicates that there will be more than 75,000 of these small supplies! The Act means you will have to register and comply with water supply rules i.e., deliver water that meets the standard and provide proof. The proposed changes to the NES-DW mean every registered supply will need to define Source Water Risk Management Areas. These will encompass the immediate area around the source (to consider the shortterm impacts), a larger area (where the medium-term risks are considered) and the whole catchment (where long term and cumulative effects can be considered). Default zones are proposed for river, lake, and groundwater supplies. As an example, the proposed default zones for drinking water supplied from groundwater are, Zone 1 5m radius around the bore, Zone 2 - 1 year travel time within the aquifer (up to 2.5km); and Zone 3 - the entire catchment. The idea of the proposed changes is that stringent controls would be imposed within Zone 1. In Zone 2 the intent is to remove high-risk activities and require that consent applications within the zone consider the effects of the activity on the drinking water
Change is coming: Changes to the National environmental Standards for Sources of Human Drinking Water is aimed at protecting sources of drinking water.
source. No additional restrictions are proposed in Zone 3 although effects upon the drinking water source will need to be assessed for any proposed activity. There is the ability to establish bespoke methodologies, rather than use the default protection zones. What would be involved in developing these is not certain at this time, although it is positive that alternative solutions can be provided where there is specialist expertise coupled with a good understanding of the water source and its catchment. Regional Councils will be required to map the zones. With so many small suppliers, it’s likely that the zones could cover a substantial proportion of Canterbury.
Should this concern farmers? The development and mapping of the risk management areas seems like an appropriate and logical way forward to help protect all drinking water supplies. As such, this part of the process shouldn’t be of major concern. However, the devil will be in the detail of how and when to assess these effects, and how to determine whether an activity will be acceptable. As such, it’s the implementation that needs careful consideration. Submissions on the draft document close on 22 March and it is important that the primary industry considers the implications and makes submissions to help ensure practical outcomes.
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40
February 2022
CANTERBURY FARMING
WATER & IRRIGATION
Colder and wetter than average December 2021 was one of the coldest and wettest December’s we’ve seen for well over a decade and January is shaping up to be the same and, based on the 10-day forecast, it is also going to be colder than average.
Accurate and reliable: Potential evapotranspiration for Lincoln from the last three seasons, up until 22 January, with calculated savings, tabulated below, when using soil moisture probes and an automatic rain gauge.
andrew Curtis ❚ by ❚ Primary Insight
For example, based on an irrigation cost of $0.05 per m3 (typical cost of a shallow bore or surface take) applying 40 mm less irrigation (the difference between the irrigation applied in December 2020 and December 2021 – 4 pivot or 1 traveller rotation) and for the average irrigated farm size (210 ha), you would save $4,200 in 1-month. This would pay for a quality telemetered probe (lifespan 7-10 years), an automated rain gauge (lifespan 5-years), and a season’s worth of scheduling advice. The savings are even greater for irrigation from deep bores – you’d pay for three probes (see table). For the installation of accurate and reliable soil moisture probes, give Andrew or Cindy at Primary Insight a call. Primary Insight is the supplier of Sentek soil moisture probes and the IrriMAX Live website.
Sentek probes are used extensively in the New Zealand horticulture and viticulture sectors (over 2,000 probes installed nationally); they are now available to Canterbury and Otago arable and dairy farmers, actively supported from our Ashburton and Darfield locations. Primary Insight are experts in soil moisture and irrigation. We will ensure that your probe is set up correctly and provide you with on-going irrigation advice.
Primary Insight can also install or calibrate weather stations, flow meters, water-level, and water quality measurement sensors. Alternatively, if you need a Bucket Test or are experiencing issues with your irrigation system and you would like to know how to resolve these, give the team at Primary Insight a call.
For more information visit www.primaryinsight.co.nz
Canterbury Farming Option3 128mm x 100mm
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Despite this, the NIWA seasonal climate outlook through to March 2022 still predicts the continuation of the La Niña weather pattern. This means we can expect above average temperatures, near normal rainfall and normal to below normal river-flows. However, the La Niña weather pattern is also expected to bring increased frequency of onshore winds that reduce the number of ‘hot days’ and increase cloud cover and drizzle. The bar chart (pictured) provides a summary of the Potential Evapotranspiration for Lincoln from the last three seasons, noting this only includes data up to the 22 January. It’s seasons such as this where the benefits of accurate and reliable soil moisture probes and an automatic rain gauge, that all feed into an irrigation scheduling website are realised; particularly when combined with expert advice. The probes and rain gauge are paid for within a season through reduced pumping costs and fewer irrigator operating hours – it’s a no-brainer.
16HMDG1610047-OPTION3
CANTERBURY FARMING
LIVESTOCK
rob Cochrane ❚ with Procurement Manager, ❚ Wool PGG Wrightson Wool ❚
February 2022
41
Flows slower than anticipated Wool flows from farm into broker stores across the country were slower than anticipated throughout January and into early February, due to several factors including weather interruption in late December, and a general lack of shearers and wool handling staff.
However with crossbred wool values not held in high regard for many sheep farmers grower apathy was most likely the main driver as other jobs on farm took precedent over loading wool bales onto freight trucks. To be fair though, larger wool producers facing hefty shearing bills were (and always are) diligent in forwarding wool bales to their designated selling broker for processing and sale, to reduce the impact of the shortfall between harvesting costs and wool sale receipts. January offered five opportunities nationally for growers to sell wool via auction with an original roster set for 46,000 bales to be catalogued. A double sale (when both North and South Islands hold an auction on the same day) held on January 13th saw around 16,000 bales catalogued resulting with approximately ninety-one percent of bales in the north and seventy-two percent in the south cleared to the export trade. With South Island broker catalogues containing a wider range of breeds and wool types compared to those of the North Island, along with market prices for mid-micron wools having struggled in mid-December, it
was not surprising that passed-in rates were high in Christchurch as growers opted to hold their wool over for later sale opportunities. When wool auctions ceased for the Christmas break, market prices had eased in the face of low demand from Chinese mills along with shipping and other global transport challenges. Whilst wool brokers are generally ultimate optimists, most were unmoved when the market did ease on January 13th, and with weekly sales scheduled for the Napier auction centre throughout January and early February to cater for the (usually) high seasonal volumes, plus Christchurch selling on alternate weeks, expectation was for the market to ease further and, as earlier eluded, it did ease, despite actual volumes being considerably less than originally forecast. Interestingly the latest auction held in Napier at time of writing, 20th January, enjoyed a slight upwards trend in prices, driven mainly by continued demand from European mills and minimally assisted by a slightly weaker Kiwi dollar, with the market quoted as “sellers’ favour”. Often in the January/February period there is talk within the wool trade surround-
ing Chinese New Year celebrations and holidays after which new purchase orders may be forthcoming. The recent lack of demand from China has clouded the outlook somewhat this year and whilst celebrations there begin from around February 1st for a week, it’s unsure if demand is likely to improve after then. European, Indian and Australasian mills appear to be the major players as we move forward and with several European and Scandinavian manufacturers in particular recently indicating that their 2021 year was extremely busy with sales of woolen products, both for
apparel and interior textile products, and no doubt having cleared some of the backlog, there are definite positives out there. The next few months bring with them wool quality issues due to growing conditions experienced and although many growers can’t see much benefit in taking care with wool clip preparation, given the high cost of harvest versus low wool returns, this is exactly when extra care should be taken to protect the reputation that New Zealand crossbred wool is the best in the world. It still is. That’s my view.
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February 2022
CANTERBURY FARMING
LIVESTOCK
Corriedales making a comeback Sheep farmers who stuck with dual-purpose corriedales while their neighbours switched to composite breeds that produce meatier, faster growing lambs but only low-value wool, are being rewarded with higher returns for both wool and meat.
Tony benny ❚ by ❚ Wilfield Corriedales The mid-micron wool corriedales produce now sells for nearly three times what coarse crossbred fetches and Alliance Group pays a premium for lambs that meet their requirements for the Silere brand. Alliance has signed a deal with Tesco supermarket chain in the UK to supply Silerebranded meat to 350 stores. Silere lambs have to be 50% merino, with wool under 26 micron. “Corriedales fit that bracket perfectly,” Alliance head of procurement Keith Hamill said. “Finer wooled animals generally eat differently and the texture of the meat is dif-
ferent and it’s becoming really popular,” Hamill said. “On average about 80 out of every 100 lambs sent in qualify, though some farmers are a bit higher.” He said over the past couple of years, Alliance has roughly tripled the amount of Silere lamb it’s selling and he expects continued growth. “Tesco have given us an opening for 350 stores but the opportunity’s huge within that company. We’ve got product going to Malaysia too for the first time and we can’t get enough lambs at the moment but we’re building numbers all the time.” Hamill said Alliance is looking to recruit more suppliers. Meanwhile Lincoln University honours
Benchmarked production and Johne’s disease info on your deer
student Emma Owen has identified ways corriedale farmers could earn more from their wool by reducing the variability of their clip. For her Bachelor of Agricultural Science honours dissertation, Owen analysed fibre variation in corriedales, testing the wool of 1489 two-tooth ewes during shearing on five farms. She collected data on traits that include micron (mean fibre diameter), length, curvature, course edge, modulation, FDSD (fibre diameter standard deviation) and CV (coefficient of variation). The 15 seconds-per-sheep test revealed some surprising results and an opportunity for Corriedale wool growers to increase their income. “Where farmers thought their wool was in microns is a bit different to what these results are showing,” Owen said. “While farmers generally thought their wool sat between 28 and 30 microns, in fact there was far more variability with some samples as low as 23 microns and others quite coarse at 39 microns. The average in the tests is 30 micron.” Mills seldom appreciate such a massive variation in the wool they buy and Owen believes farmers should concentrate on producing more consistent midmicron wool corriedales are renowned for. “Mid micron wool has its own place in the industry, it doesn’t need to be fine wool so farmers just need to keep it within that micron parameter. Fibre that is either too fine or too coarse doesn’t suit the end use that mid-micron wool is perfect for,” Owen said. “If mid-micron wool contains just have a few fine fibres and you make something like furnishing out of it, with those
fine fibres break causing piling, creating and undesirable appearance and compromises the wearability of that furnishing. “But if mid-micron wool contains strong fibres and is made into something you’re going to wear close to your skin, it’s itchy, so that consistency to meet market demand is probably more important for mid micron than any other wool type.” Owen suggests farmers should cull their strongest-wooled ewes to bring down the average micron as well as giving the finer-fibred ewes breeding preference. “Actually testing their wool will give farmers opportunities to improve their flock,” she said. “Make your breeding decisions around that and maybe send for example your coarsest 20 per cent to a terminal sire and take your replacements from those finer ewes, with the aim of reducing the variation in micron.” She said another approach could be testing before shearing and then drafting sheep into, say, three different lines so that their wool can be kept separate and the highest value fibre going into separate bales rather being mixed with lower value fleece. “Then you would have a superior bale that would be, say, on average two microns finer and also has these other quality traits which manufacturers look for so then those bales would be worth more per kg which makes a huge difference.” While Owen has been concentrating on the wool corriedales grow, she also appreciates the breed’s other qualities. “I suppose the real advantage to corriedales is they’re such good mothers and they produce such good lambs as well. If you can maintain those traits and increase their wool value, they’re a pretty ultimate sheep.”
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Corriedales are a dual purpose, meat and wool, breed created by crossing Merinos with Lincolns in the late 1800s. The modern Corriedale is fertile and the ewes are good mothers, thanks to the efforts of breeders and scientists.
CANTERBURY FARMING
LIVESTOCK
February 2022
43
Venison uptick signals recovery Average prices to venison farmers increased in mid-January to around $7.20/kg and now sit about $2/kg above the same time last year.
❚ with Trevor Walton Marketers and Deer Industry NZ (DINZ) say the predicted venison market recovery, aided by a weakening NZ dollar, is underway. They predict that returns to producers will continue to increase during 2022, with the annual spring peak in prices reaching “close to preCovid levels”. DINZ chief executive Innes Moffat says that for the first time in nearly two years, regular customers are enquiring about supply, rather than just responding to marketing calls from New Zealand. Mountain River Venison marketing manager John Sadler, in a newsletter to suppliers, says there has been a rebound in demand for venison from food service. He reports good sales, happy customers, low stock, and optimism for the year ahead. “The rebound has been especially strong in the USA. We have had a record sales year. Our partners have stepped up with innovative sales programmes and efforts to reignite their customers’ businesses. In addition, high prices for other proteins helped support demand for venison as a menu option.” Venison, which is largely sold to restaurants, was particularly hard-hit by lockdowns in response to Covid in Europe and the United States. With sales to restaurants constrained, frozen stocks built through 2020.
These stocks have cleared, paving the way for a more positive 2022. After a good 2021 game season in Europe, customers there are expecting prices to increase in the run-up to the next spring game meat season. Many are mulling whether to buy new stock now, or take the price and supply risk and buy later. Moffat describes supply, due to Covid-related disruption, as a “massive fly in the ointment”. “Port closures and supply chain disruption continue to confound the smooth operation of international trade and create uncertainties about the year ahead. Some restaurants have shifted from chilled to frozen venison to hedge their bets.” The recovery of venison prices has taken longer than it has for other export proteins. There are two main reasons for this. China, which is still recovering from an epidemic of African swine fever in its pork industry, has proved to be an eager buyer of lamb and mutton – a traditional meat in the north and west of the country. Venison does not have this traditional demand. In North America, lamb and beef have a permanent place in retail. With restaurants shut in the USA, retail and on-line meat sales boomed, again, a situation that venison could not capitalise on, because it wasn’t available for shopper to purchase.
Chef Jason Nie and a dish he created using NZ venison. The development of venison cuts and recipes specifically for Chinese cuisine styles has led to a big growth in sales of venison to China. “Both of these issues have been addressed by the industry in the last 18 months, with on-line and retail sales of venison in the United States growing rapidly from a low base. “Significant demand has also been created in China, with the development of recipes and cuts that fit with Chinese cuisine,” Moffat says. “It is very heartening to see many of these initiatives starting to bear fruit and to see this being reflected in a firming of prices to farmers.” Nevertheless, demand during the European game season – when prices to farmers typically peak –remains important. “What we are doing is building a greater diversity of markets and creating marketing programmes that strike a chord with existing and potential customers for our wonderful NZ venison.”
DINZ venison marketing manager Nick Taylor says venison marketers are reporting good growth in sales of farm-raised venison through supermarkets and on-line in the United States. These are new channels for the industry and have been the focus of industry market development in the last 18 months. “The entry product was ground venison, which is a format that consumers are familiar with and are confident to cook at home. Success with ground is now allowing the companies to get shelf-space for more items, such as venison medallions and tomahawk chops.” Silver Fern Farms group sales manager Peter Robinson says, “We expect to see this positive recovery continue into 2022. What is really encouraging is the growth in new demand for venison. It is this demand that gives us the best opportunity to build sustainable value for venison farmers.”
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44
February 2022
CANTERBURY FARMING
Mercedes ramps up electrification in NZ Mercedes-Benz Vans New Zealand is getting ready to offer all of its commercial van model lines with electric drive, and will also add the first fully-electric premium MPV from Mercedes-Benz to the existing line up.
❚ by Kent Caddick This is planned to start in the second half of 2022 with the introduction of the mid-size eVito panel van, eVito Tourer, eSprinter and EQV. Managing director of Mercedes-Benz Vans Australia and New Zealand, Diane Tarr, said this is a very exciting step towards a more sustainable future for Mercedes-Benz Vans and our customers in New Zealand. “We are confident that the electric drive will gain more prevalence in New Zealand over the coming years. As it does, we will be ready with a strong customer centric electric product portfolio, which offers the potential to lower operating costs and reduce environmental impacts. “Thanks to the flexibility of our global vans production strategy, we intend to offer both conventional and battery-electric vans side by side, and are preparing to switch to electric only in the future, when customer and market demand determines it.” Globally, Mercedes-Benz Vans is systematically driving forward the electrification of its product portfolio with emission free electric drives, contributing to sustainable mobility in the transport of people and goods. “The goal is a holistic electric solution that not only reduces the strain on cities and the environment, but also offers our customers genuine benefits.”
Electric: The electrification of vans is increasingly becoming an attractive proposition for light commercial fleet operators who are looking to show commitment to sustainable practices and reduced total cost of ownership.
In New Zealand the focus on electric vehicles is increasing as new government measures are put in place to take action on reducing transport emissions. The electrification of vans is increasingly becoming an attractive proposition for light commercial fleet operators who are looking to show commitment to sustainable practices and reduced total cost of ownership. Recently, Mercedes-Benz Vans secured $240,000 through a successful project application to the Low Emission Vehicles
Contestable Fund program, a Government fund administered by the EECA (Energy Ef ficiency and Conser vation Authority) to help accelerate the uptake of low emission transpor t. The project will see Mercedes-Benz Vans partner with NZ Post to pilot a combination of eSprinter and eVito vans in their delivery fleet for an extended in-service evaluation by delivery drivers around New Zealand. The trial will commence early in 2022 prior to full market launch.
Future proof: Mercedes-benz New Zealand says it is confident that the electric drive will gain more prevalence in New Zealand over the coming years.
CANTERBURY FARMING
February 2022
45
Toyota sets hybrid electric sales record ❚ ❚
Toyota has set a new record in New Zealand for the number of hybrid vehicles sold by a single brand for 2021. years, one of the highest from the automoArticle supplied by tive industry. The introduction in 2022 of the Toyota New Zealand
Over 11,400 new hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), ranging from the sub-compact Yaris to seven-seater Highlander, were sold in 2021, up from 8,135 in 2020. Toyota New Zealand’s general Manager of new vehicles and product planning, Steve Prangnell, said those figures show that HEVs continue to be a strong electrified product for Toyota. He said Toyota plans to offer an electrified version in every model globally by 2025. “Our mantra is to leave no customer behind as we continue to electrify our product. We have seen an increase in consumer attention for hybrid electric vehicles this year, and I expect that to grow in 2022.” Prangnell said overall CO2 emissions for the brand have seen considerable reductions as well. “With the increase of hybrid electric sales, we have also seen our CO2 emissions decrease from 162g/km in 2020 to 158g/km in 2021. This is a significant 3% decrease for the year.” Toyota has also achieved a 14% emissions reduction from its fleet in the past five
battery electric bZ4X SUV is expected to further reduce the company’s average emissions. “Our most popular vehicle for 2021 remained the Hilux with 8,427 units sold,” Prangnell said. “We will continue to provide a variety of vehicles and powertrains to suit all our customer needs as we look to lower our emissions. Even with the Hilux, from the old generation to the new one there was a 6% decrease in CO2 emissions.” “Customers can still improve their carbon footprint by moving to the next newest vehicle.” The RAV4 hybrid electric was the second highest seller with 4,598 units registered out of a total of 6,215 RAV4s. The world’s biggest selling vehicle, the Corolla, continue to sell well in 2021 with 1,988 hybrid electric and 2,780 petrol-only models sold in New Zealand. Other strong sellers in 2021 for Toyota New Zealand were the Hiace van (2,455 units) and the AA Driven Car of the Year, the GR Yaris with 118 units secured by super-hot hatch aficionados.
Popular: The Toyota raV4 Hybrid Limited was second only to the Hilux in terms of hybrid sales.
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46
February 2022
CANTERBURY FARMING
New electric developments from Subaru Subaru has revealed two exciting new electric concept models at the recent 2022 Tokyo Auto Salon.
supplied by ❚ Article ❚ Subaru New Zealand Making their public debut, were the dynamic-looking STI E-RA CONCEPT and the Solterra STI CONCEPT. The STI E-RA CONCEPT is based around the STI E-RA electric race car being developed under STI’s near-future, motorsport-focused STI E-RA CHALLENGE PROJECT. The project has been launched to gain experience with new motorsport technologies for the carbon-neutral era. The concept name E-RA stands for Electric Record Attempt and plans for this bespoke, high-downforce race car is to achieve that ambition. After testing the STI E-RA throughout 2022, this model’s first goal will be to challenge the lap time of 400 seconds (6 minutes 40 seconds) in the time attack category at Germany’s infamous Nürburgring circuit after 2023. To further emphasize Subaru’s catchphrases of ‘enjoyment of driving’ and ‘absolute sense of security,’ the system will deliver up to 800kW by utilising Subaru’s All-Wheel Drive technology. The four electric motors will produce an enormous 1073bhp. STI’s aim is to continue to challenge within the motorport arena and to refine its technology, utilising knowledge gained from the STI E-RA CHALLENGE PROJECT as an initiative for the future electrified society. The Solterra STI CONCEPT is based on
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The Solterra STI CONCePT is based on Subaru’s recently revealed allelectric SuV, the Solterra, which made its world debut in November 2021. Subaru’s recently revealed all-electric SUV, the Solterra, which made its world debut in November 2021. Featuring a roof spoiler, cherry-red under spoilers, and other special parts on its exterior, the model inspires Subaru’s superior driving dynamics. “As we await the arrival of the fully-electric, All-Wheel Drive SUV Solterra to New
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The STI e-ra CONCePT is based around the STI e-ra electric race car being developed under STI’s near-future, motorsport-focused STI e-ra challenge project.
Zealand, the reveal of these two new electric Subaru STI concept cars is exciting and shows Subaru Corporation and Subaru Tecnica International Inc.’s future focus is firmly on electrified technologies,” Subaru of New Zealand’s Managing Director Wallis Dumper said. The Solterra launch will start by the middle of 2022 in some international markets,
including Japan, the United States, Canada, Europe and China. Subaru of New Zealand is working with Subaru Corporation to confirm a timeline for Solterra to arrive in New Zealand. To register for information about the all-electric Subaru Solterra and future news about New Zealand specifications and timings please visit: www.subaru.co.nz/ subaru-solterra-ev-updates.
CANTERBURY FARMING
February 2022
47
How does a date change things?
Well, here we are into a new year with all the expectations that the stars will produce a better one than last year.
❚ with rob Cope-Williams “I hope this year will be better than last year” rings out across the nation like the peeling of church bells, but sadly although I do wish that to be a reality, it is hard to figure that a change of date can change things. Especially when you consider that the Chinese populations around the world and the Maori folk have their own new year, so the Universe has certainly got its work cut out sorting everyone out. No crystal ball can possibly conjure up a prediction about global issues such as Covid, and what it will do next, but 2022 seems to be the year that nations simply say we must accept it rather than fight a losing battle. The debate about that will rage like the Northland fires and for a lot longer, as will the debate between “dying with Covid and dying from Covid”. So let’s just let that one get sorted by the Wellington Wombles and hope that the masks will come off and some sort of reality resumes at some stage. So, what else would we all wish for as we drift into 2022? We have had a very good early summer by all accounts, so crops and livestock should be looking good, and if prices hold up all will be good. I wasn’t going to mention the Resource Management Act because that is like getting the cream for your haemorrhoids mixed up
with your toothpaste, it leaves a very nasty taste in your mouth. The Government must be at the bottom of the list of new taxes after having a hay day last year. Funny thing that springs to mind is how much rope will they, the Government, give the electric car owners and cyclists before they lower the road and cycle way tax boom? Surely, there must be a few wombles who realise more and more people are not paying tax to use our roads, and that while they are hitting petrol users and ute drivers with taxes that would make a medieval King shudder, there is a lot more to grab. Ah yes, water, the three waters and irrigation debates. Three waters are beyond the farming industr y as far as a fight is concerned, so leave that to the councils who will be losing their assets, and have their own existence hanging by a thread, but the fight for irrigation usage is one well wor th talking up arms over. I keep telling anti-farming types of the story of Lake Opua in South Canterbury and how it is now a playground and provides a raft of jobs, but they always seem to twist it back to dairy farming. Bugger! Anyway, if nothing changes as we slide into 2022, remember we have another chance of a better New Year on 1 February which is the Chinese New Year.
Song sheets for farming The Christmas carols this year left an indelible imprint on every ear in Port Chalmers.
❚ by Solis Norton We gathered at the rhododendron dell to lift our voices. It was rough. With no formal training in singing it wasn’t long before the dog was howling in its box on the truck. I’d parked quite a ways back down the road too. We paused after five classic tunes for a cheeky whiskey and some comments along the lines of I might want to shut my dog up,
even if her contribution outclassed mine. So with the dog stuck in the cab I returned to be handed song sheets by our conductor. Song sheets in big bold text that everyone could read. Brilliant idea. Our performance was instantly transformed. More in tune, in time, and actually rather pleasant. So pleasant I felt momentary urges to join in. But every time I took a big breath the conductor waggled her finger at me to just keep holding those sheets where everyone could see them. Midway in ‘silent night’ where it goes ‘sheep in hea-avy peeeeeas...’ I was struck by a thought.
All farmers should sing like this. About the good things they are doing for the land and the good food they are producing. Metaphorical singing of course. But you are a busy bunch, head down, bum up running the business. In most cases not writing the song sheet that documents your efforts. We need to change this. We need those ‘song sheets’ that show our progress. We need farm plans as proof against a growing volume of mostly baseless and ill-informed criticism of agriculture. As proof that major taxes to make farming the remedy for the emissions of an urbanized industrial society acutely addicted to fossil
fuels misses the point entirely. So farmers make sure you have that plan. Not a new message, but important. Because many of you don’t, you know who you are. Start simple, build up over time. Experience the delight of simply handing it to people who come banging on your door for information and saying ‘it’s in there, go for gold’ and immediately go back to what you were doing. Get help making it. If a respectable kind of source comes to offer it, embrace them, invite them in and make them work as hard as you do. No more silent nights without a song sheet. For everyone’s sake.
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February 2022
CANTERBURY FARMING
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