Real Farmer Summer 2023 by Ruralco

S UM ME R 2 0 2 3

Heritage meets innovation

Bold decisions behind farming family’s success New Ruralco CEO brings business and people development expertise to co-op

Lincoln researcher bugs out on protein options

Changes bring new hope in New Year

RURALCO

From the Group CEO Welcome to the first digital edition of Real Farmer. We hope you enjoy reading this season’s stories from kiwi farmers and industry representatives. In this edition we celebrate the arrival of summer and embrace the festive season with recipes and hacks to help take the stress out of Christmas on farm. We also take a look at how farmers are responding to the change in government and how this change is an opportunity to push back on regulations that have had an effect on many farming practices. We step onto Springfield Estate where Duncan and Andrew Hart, alongside their father Don, run four different agricultural operations from their historic property. We explore the appeal of eating insects through the thesis of Lincoln University student Caitlin Hyde, whose PhD studies investigate the sustainability of food production and the psychology behind what we are and are not willing to consume, and we take a walk alongside fifth generation farmer John Totty, whose deep roots and passion for farming in Mid Canterbury has seen him work to preserve some of Staveley’s history. As we near Christmas, we hope the weather warms up and everyone can enjoy some downtime, be it with family, friends, or somewhere you can simply relax.

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CONTRIBUTORS

FAR 03 3455783 far@far.org.nz www.far.org.nz

Anita Body Annie Studholme Richard Rennie

Farmstrong info@farmstrong.co.nz www.farmstrong.co.nz

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Annie Studholme Indiana Roberts TECHNICAL ARTICLES

Ballance Agri-Nutrients 0800 787 256 ruralco@ruralco.co.nz www.ruralco.co.nz Beef + Lamb 0800 233 352 enquiries@beeflambnz.com www.beeflambnz.com Corteva 0800 787 256 ruralco@ruralco.co.nz www.ruralco.co.nz

FMG 0800 366 466 contact@fmg.co.nz www.fmg.co.nz Irrigation NZ 04 595 6848 admin@irrigationnz.co.nz www.irrigationnz.co.nz NZ Pork Tel 0800 697 675 info@pork.co.nz www.nzpork.co.nz

DairyNZ 0800 4 324 7969 info@dairynz.co.nz www.dairynz.co.nz

Tony Aitken tony.aitken@ruralco.co.nz

ON THE COVER:

John Totty and Kelly Litchfield are devoted to seeing Lawn Hayes continue for generations to come.

Contents

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Interest

COVER STORY

Heritage meets innovation

Bold decisions behind farming family’s success

14 New Ruralco CEO brings business and people development expertise to co-op 18 Lincoln researcher bugs out on protein options 22 Changes bring new hope in New Year

Technical 26 Rising energy prices call for consideration 33 Corteva™ Agriscience has farmers covered

36 Farm systems project at Chertsey is future focused 39 Side dressing brassicas

Heritage meets innovation

47 Low methane research to help dairy farmers stay world-leading 51 Innovative approach to pig farming pays off 53 Taking care of business 59 Navigating uncertainty through empowerment

Bold decisions behind farming family’s success

New Ruralco CEO brings business and people development expertise to co-op

Lincoln researcher bugs out on protein options

Changes bring new hope in New Year

DISCLAIMER: All information contained within Real Farmer is to the best of the author’s knowledge true and accurate. Opinions expressed are those of the author and not of Ruralco. Items herein are general comments only and do not constitute or convey advice. This publication is issued as a helpful guide to cardholders.

Lifestyle 40 Time to get festive

Wellbeing 55 Now is the time to prepare for El Niño 57 Investing in your wellbeing

FARMER STORY

Heritage meets innovation

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Rooted in generations of family, Lawn Hayes is a testament to the innovative and questioning spirit of the generations. WORDS & IMAGES BY ANNIE STUDHOLME

Backed by 103 years in dairying and deep ties to the Staveley and Bushside communities near Methven, John Totty and his partner Kelly Litchfield are devoted to seeing Lawn Hayes continue for generations. The footprints of each generation have helped make the property what it is today. Still, while they’ve come in with fresh ideas and innovative approaches, the pride and promise of being a generational farmer are not lost on John. John is the fourth generation to farm the 465-hectare property at Staveley and the fifth farming in Mid Canterbury. Though no one knows precisely where the name comes from, Lawn Hayes was given to the two neighbouring 45-acre blocks John’s great-grandfather, Charles Totty, purchased in Staveley in 1920, moving the family from Ashburton. First settled around 1861 by Tripp and Acland and known then as Run 415, it was later taken up by Edward Reece, who sent Robert George Staveley there to manage the run - the village was named after him. The tiny settlement was once home to two lime kilns, a sawmill, and a creamery, which evolved into a cheese factory in 1916 and produced butter. It was one of the most successful early companies in the area before being taken over by the Ashburton Dairy Company in 1930 and subsequently closed in 1936. Covered initially by dense native bush, by the time Charles bought the land, most of it had been cleared. He started milking 20 cows and ran a few pigs. Though the early settlers favoured Shorthorns, interest in Jerseys increased with the introduction of the creamery and cheese factory due to their high yield in butterfat. And with it, started the Totty family’s long association with the Jersey breed. John’s grandfather, Eddie, was passionate about Jerseys. He took over the reins of Lawn Hayes in 1941, starting a Jersey stud in the early 1960s.

He used to show cows at the Methven, Mayfield, Ashburton, Timaru, Geraldine and Temuka, and Canterbury A&P Shows.

ABOVE: Since joining John at Lawn Hayes, Kelly has

Having started farming after leaving school at 16, John’s father Ian’s first farm was 452 acres, which he bought in 1969 at $105/acre, later selling it to buy into his father’s 700-acre block. Back then, Lawn Hayes was a traditional mixed farming operation, milking 200 cows and running dairy replacements, sheep, beef, and cropping. “Growing up, I considered myself as much a sheep farmer as a dairy farmer. At one stage, we ran 3,000 ewes with 200 dairy cows, goats, and bull beef,” explains John.

BELOW: Backed by almost 100 years of breeding,

But with the swing to dairying in the 1990s, Ian saw massive potential for growth. In 1995, they purchased a neighbouring property (Bushside), sold nearly all of their sheep, and converted entirely to dairying the following year. They built a 20-a-side herringbone shed at Bushside, running alongside the 36-a-side herringbone on the home farm. Initially, they ran a 280 Friesian herd at Bushside while continuing with 480 Jerseys on the home farm. Unlike many other dairy farmers, Ian also ran it as a self-contained unit, wintering their cows, rearing all young stock, and growing their own winter feed. Ian was heavily involved in the community and a staunch supporter of co-ops. He was proud of the community in which he lived. Ian was the first chairman of the Foothills Young Farmers, followed by a stint as district chairman and two years on the National Executive. He was also heavily involved in Federated Farmers at a local and national level and a trustee of Methven Care aged care facility. Following in the footsteps of his great-greatgrandfather John Mathieson, who set up the first co-operative dairy factory on the Otago Peninsula in 1871, Ian also spent more than a decade on the boards of Temuka and, later, Alpine Dairy Companies. He also served on the Board of Ruralco (then ATS) for nine years,

taken over doing the calves. Having grown up on a traditional Canterbury dairy farm at Bankside, Kelly relishes returning to the farm

John decided to move towards breeding back to a full Jersey herd

making way for the Board’s first independently appointed Director. He was a long-term member, with his father (Eddie) among the first 500 to join the co-op. John felt no pressure from his parents to go farming when he left school. Unsure where his future lay, he followed his sisters to Otago University and completed a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in finance to pursue a career as a stockbroker. “I had job offers after university but turned them down as I couldn’t see the benefit in taking the job and only being there a few years if I wanted to be back farming after five years and do some travel.” So, he followed his passion for hunting, making a living guiding in New Zealand and overseas, as well as travelling. “I think they were genuinely surprised when I said I wanted to return to the farm. There was never any pressure to go farming, which, in a way, made me want to come back even more.” Once John had declared his interest, his parents set in motion the necessary steps to facilitate a seamless succession. Wanting to gain some experience at each of the steps on other farms before returning home to Lawn Hayes, John first took a dairy assistant job in Dunsandel in 2015, moving up to 2IC the following season. He had hoped to spend at least a year in a managerial role, but after his father’s death in 2017 following a farm-related accident, John came home and took over. “I had huge support from my mum, Kate, and three sisters to buy into the farm,” says John. “They were unified in wanting to see me come home, and they all did what was needed to make it happen. Having the succession chats all the R E A L FA RME R

FARMER STORY

In his first year on Lawn Hayes, a severe drought forced them to go to once-a-day in December. “The Jerseys powered through and recovered very quickly, whereas the Friesians sulked. The Friesians are great when you are feeding them, but the Jerseys will hold production in the tough times.” That, backed by almost 100 years of breeding, only served to reinforce John’s decision to move towards breeding back to a full Jersey herd. “They have been bred here too,” says John. “That makes a difference. It’s a big part of it. Those who are struggling for any reason have been culled. Each year, we are only breeding from the top 60 per cent; that makes a big difference in genetic gain.” They are fully self-sufficient now and run a closed herd. Each season, they’ve increased the herd’s Jersey content without sacrificing production. Today, the farm is more than 70 per cent Jersey genetics. Having previously split the herds by breed, John has simplified the operation by swapping it to breeding worth. The top 60 per cent of the herd, including the heifers, are mated to AI for six weeks using Jersey sires, followed by four weeks of Jersey bulls, with Jersey bulls going straight out with the bottom 40 per cent. They don’t have Cow Manager or Halter, so it falls on John to pick the cows for AI. At calving, all cows are calved through the shed on the home block. The Jersey’s calving ease was also a big plus. They have low assisted calving rates, get very few down cows, and are less prone to mastitis.

ABOVE: John Totty and Kelly Litchfield are devoted

to seeing Lawn Hayes continue for generations. The footprints of each generation have helped make the property what it is today RIGHT: Following in the footsteps of his mum and uncle, Alan Totty, John is also heavily involved with the Staveley Museum and the Staveley Hall Society, which runs the Staveley Ice and Curling Rink

way through had made the difference. We had talked about it while Dad was still alive. Mum was probably the hardest to get across the line because she was worried about how much debt I was taking on at such a young age, but I felt the farm also had a lot of untapped potential. I believed there was still room for growth.” John compensated for his perceived lack of knowledge by surrounding himself with top-tier advisors and utilising those around him. He was a key driver behind establishing the Foothills dairy farm discussion group. He has made key changes since taking the reins to increase production, performance and efficiency while maintaining a low-cost, low-input system. Though his father had been a proponent of being self-reliant, rearing all their young stock, John opted to move the young stock off-farm in favour of milking an additional 200 cows, which

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took them to 1,000 cows across the two sheds. “We weren’t doing young stock very well, and I thought it was better to focus on what we were doing well. It was far better to milk off the land than do young stock.” However, the extra cows necessitated some other changes around the farm. “We had to convert it to a full dairy platform, which meant re-fencing and re-laning four out of five blocks (80 per cent), making bigger paddocks and bigger laneways. All the lanes had been done for just 200 cows. There were all these tiny paddocks. It was a bit of a nightmare, really; nothing had been upgraded. It just didn’t work.” At the same time, John also upgraded the old shed on Bushside to a 30-a-side herringbone and built two new staff houses. When John took over, they were running a Friesian herd on Bushside and a Jersey herd on the home block, but it soon became apparent that the Jerseys were outperforming the Friesians in every way. Being a dryland farm, they are always at the mercy of what Mother Nature provides, from occasional severe droughts to winter snows. Its annual rainfall is around 1300mm. This is where the Jerseys come into their own, says John.

Going forward, as the dairy industry comes further into the spotlight, John could also see huge advantages in the Jersey’s lower environmental footprint, particularly around pugging and winter grazing. “We always try to have an eye on the future, and a lighter cow that has less impact on the soil structure could be crucial going forward.”

More recently, John has introduced flexible milking at Lawn Hayes, moving away from the traditional twice-a-day. Having heard Dr Paul Edwards at a field day, John joined five other farms in a DairyNZ and Lincoln University flexible milking research project, believing his predominantly Jersey herd would be well-suited. “Jerseys have around a 30-hour holding capacity versus a Friesian at around 20 hours, and this is a big advantage when using variable milking intervals,” says John. After experimenting with different milking schedules during the summer dry, they are now in their third season of milking 10 times in seven days, full season. A variation of 16-hour milkings, but at more convenient times for staff, they milk twice a day on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 5.30 am and 2.30 pm and then at 8 am the rest of the week, meaning four sleep-ins a week! It works best for his herd, the farm’s dryland system, his team, and himself. Initially, people thought there would be at least a 5 per cent drop in production, but that hadn’t resulted, says John. When he took over, they were producing around 270,000kg of milk solids, whereas, in their best season to date, they’d increased that to 395,000kg of milk solids at a lower cost. John says they had also seen gains in improved animal health, better reproductive results, and staff retention. “The main bonus is the cows are in better condition. They spend more time in the paddock for socialising, eating, resting, and drinking. You can’t underestimate how important that is; some believe it’s even more important. We also get less lameness; it’s down by as much as 70 per cent.” Since joining John at Lawn Hayes, Kelly has taken over doing the calves. Having grown up on a traditional Canterbury dairy farm (rotary shed and irrigation) at Bankside, Kelly relishes returning to the farm between working as a nurse three days a week. She loves the farming lifestyle,

but with two brothers, there was no room for her to go full-time on the family farm. Now, she has the best of both worlds. Through good management and great staff, John also gets to follow his other passions. He still goes hunting, trying to get at least six weeks each year. Like his father before him, he’s also devoted to his local community. Following in the footsteps of his mum and uncle, Alan Totty, he is also heavily involved with the Staveley Museum and the Staveley Hall Society, which runs the Staveley Ice and Curling Rink. The tiny Staveley Museum displays a photographic collection that tells the story of the foothills area of Mid Canterbury including timber milling, coal mining, limestone quarrying, farming, and family life. There is also an extensive geological display of the unique geology of Mount Somers and its environment. It is located

ABOVE: The tiny Staveley Museum displays a

photographic collection that tells the story of the foothills area of Mid Canterbury including timber milling, coal mining, limestone quarrying, farming, and family life BELOW: Located in the old, relocated Springburn school building, opposite the Staveley Store. The museum is open on Sundays from 1–3 pm

in the old, relocated Springburn school building, opposite the Staveley Store. It’s open on Sundays from 1–3 pm. “My uncle, Alan Totty, runs it, and mum was already on the committee, so it made sense,” says John. “I did history at university and love learning about the local history and reading about it.” John is amongst a group of volunteers who staff it regularly. Most are of his father’s generation, which adds to the appeal. “It’s always interesting the people you meet. About 60 per cent of the people who visit have a connection to the local area or families.” He is also in charge of maintenance. John also did his part to help bring the new permanent ice rink to fruition, continuing the Totty family’s long association with the ice rink. It was John’s grandfather, Eddie Totty, who, along with Ted Burgess Snr, first proposed the idea of building an ice rink in Staveley back in 1949. Data was collected, and after two years, the site was chosen, and the Staveley Ice Rink Company was formed. One of the few natural ice rinks, it was officially opened in 1951. For the past 30 years, the Staveley Hall Society has run it voluntarily, with people coming from far and wide. With warmer winters, though, the skating and curling season has been seriously reduced. Two years ago, a fundraising committee was set up to install a new refrigerated concrete pad, which only requires two inches of ice to safeguard its future. The project had to raise $1.3 million, but if the numbers this winter had been anything to go by, it has been an enormous success. R E A L FA RME R

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FARMER INTEREST STORY

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Bold decisions behind farming family’s success WORDS BY ANNIE STUDHOLME, IMAGES BY ANNIE STUDHOLME AND SUPPLIED

The Hart family have established a successful mixed cropping and lamb finishing operation using biological farming practices, a soil fertiliser business, and an aerial spraying business since purchasing Mid Canterbury’s historic Springfield Estate near Methven 40 years ago. A series of bold decisions are at the heart of the Hart family’s success. Originally from Waimate, South Canterbury, when times were tough in the 1980s, Don Hart saw an opportunity to trade in the family farm for a larger property with rich soils, irrigation potential and a sizeable homestead for their growing family. Don and his wife, Sandy Hart, purchased the historic 390-hectare Springfield Estate in 1985. Known as one of the two largest grain-growing properties in New Zealand in the 1890s, in its heyday the farm comprised of more than 30,000 acres, growing some 5,500 acres of wheat as well as oats, rape and turnips, running a flock of 19,000 sheep (besides lambs), employed 100 full-time men and kept more than 100 draught horses. The homestead itself was built in 1864 and was moved to its current site in 1878. A few months after the Hart’s bought the property, the newly elected Labour Government embarked on a free-market reform programme known as ‘Rogernomics’. Farm subsidies were cut,

and interest rates soared from single figures to about 20 per cent, or 36 per cent in some cases. On top of that, the share market collapsed in 1987, and the South Island’s east coast was hit by consecutive years of drought. “It was a very tough time for farmers,” says Don. Even tougher when you’re the proud owner of a new farm and a new aerial top-dressing business, having bought his partner Col Bolger’s share following his death in a flying accident in 1985. Started by the pair in 1982 to provide aerial top dressing and spraying in Canterbury, Don became the sole owner in 1987. Still, despite haemorrhaging capital, Don pressed on. Springfield Estate had limited irrigation when the Harts took over. But with water from the Ashburton-Lyndhurst Scheme, Don pushed to replace their old hard hose guns with lateral pivots. “We were the first to put in laterals (irrigators). It was considered a bold move at the time. Some people thought they were too expensive. I had to educate the local irrigation company on the efficiencies of laterals. A few years later, everyone had them.” With added security around the water supply, Don started chasing higher yields, piling on synthetic fertilisers, herbicides, and fungicides. But it wasn’t long before he realised there had to be a better way of farming. He’d hit a brick wall as

ABOVE: Andrew and his partner, Lydia Broadbelt, live in

the homestead which was built in 1864 and was moved to its current site in 1878 BELOW LEFT: Andrew returned to Springfield Estate when

he was 23. He spent the first 12 years working for his father before entering into a 50/50 arrangement in 2009

far as production was concerned. The yields had plateaued, but the margin was diminishing with rising costs. “We couldn’t continue the way we were going,” he says. “To get bigger yields, we had to put more on, but when we did that, we found we got more diseases, but they had a chemical we could buy to fix that, so we put that on, and then we needed a straw shortener because the crops were falling over and then they had a chemical for that too. It was never-ending.” Don started looking for alternatives. After attending conferences in the United States on biological farming, he became convinced looking after the soil was the key. He was introduced to the Kinsey-Albrecht system of soil fertility and biological farming, which focuses on balancing soil nutrients and renewing soils to enhance soil quality and productivity over time. “We didn’t realise that over time, all those synthetic fertilisers were creating diseases. Farming practices deemed best practice at the R E A L FA RME R

FARMER STORY time were destroying the soil structure and wiping out all the natural biology in the soil. Slowly, we have removed all essential trace minerals.” Using the Kinsey-Albrecht base saturation approach, Don first balanced the calcium and magnesium in their soil. He started incorporating the straw and producing and applying his own compost. “I needed to get places in a hurry. So, initially, I put on every source of calcium I could find. I did everything possible to bring it up as quickly as possible.” “It’s not rocket science,” says Don. “Soils and nature operate on a simple system. I think it is just the human element that has complicated them over the years. We need to increase our understanding of what really happens in the soil and how it reacts to the plants and animals’ dependent upon it.” Science is only just beginning to unravel how the intricate ecosystems of microorganisms in the soil influence life above ground. Building up the humus content provides an environment for microbiological activity. Once they had achieved that, they started noticing dramatic improvements. In the early days, the benefits were more noticeable in the animals and grain they produced, says Don. “The stock agents could see the difference or truck drivers couldn’t fit as much grain in the truck without being penalised for being overweight.” Back then, many farmers were sceptical. “I could see people’s eyes rolling when I’d mention it. There was a lot of talk of making ‘snake oil’. It felt a bit like witchcraft. Perhaps some of my neighbours thought I had latched onto an idea, but I was always absolutely confident in my way. We just had to develop the farming practices to do it.” Over time, Don’s ideas have gained traction. Having started advising other farmers as a hobby, Top Soils has become a much bigger business than he even anticipated. It now has three experienced soil fertility consultants and two capable personnel mixing and blending fertiliser for their clients. He now advises farmers across all types of farms, educating them on the benefits of incorporating biological or regenerative systems. Don remains realistic, though. “Sustainable soil needs to be profitable. No matter how desirable a sustainable programme might be, it must be tempered with the realities of making a total commercial agriculture programme work economically.” Today, Springfield Estate remains ground zero for the Hart’s businesses. While Don and Sandy now reside in Wanaka, Don is still busy working as a consultant and CEO of Top Soils, which continues to be operated from the farm. Meanwhile, Andrew and his partner, Lydia Broadbelt, live in the homestead and run the arable and lamb finishing operation, with Duncan operating Skyfarmers, the aerial top-dressing business. From the outset, Don was keen for his sons to follow in his footsteps. Admittedly, considerable

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increases in land prices in Mid Canterbury, primarily due to the rise in dairying, have made family succession more difficult. For it to happen successfully, certain concessions must be made, or the only option is selling. “You can’t pull a son back and then sell it from underneath him,” says Don. After four years working on cattle stations in Australia’s Northern Territory, Andrew returned to Springfield Estate when he was 23. He spent the first 12 years working for his father before entering into a 50/50 arrangement in 2009, looking after most of the day-to-day running. He leased the 390-hectare farm about six years ago and took over 100 per cent of the farming operation, with Lydia doing the books and maintaining the grounds. Until last year, they also leased a further 165 hectares from a neighbour. Andrew intensively crops the whole farm each season, as well as fattening up to 7,000 lambs each year, wintering on average 5,000 to 6,000. The maximum they’ve done in one year was 10,500. About 75 per cent of the lambs they fatten are crossbreds, with the remainder halfbreds. “Generally, we try to buy them from the same place each year. About 30 per cent come from Double Hill Station’s on-farm sale. We try to do it a bit more specialised selling lambs from April right through to November. It’s never worried me about what we have to pay for them. The breeders need to make money, and the people that buy them need to make money. It’s the margin in the middle that’s the main thing.” Each spring, he puts about a third of the farm into cereals (wheat and barley) and ryegrass, with the other third in brassicas, including peas, radish,

ABOVE: Though Andrew uses an independent

agronomist for chemical and fertiliser advice, he continues to follow most biological principles his father has been championing for almost two decadest

Chinese cabbage, and plantain. After harvest, about a third of the farm is planted in cover crops for winter lamb feed. Nothing is planted in the autumn or winter. They use a minimum tillage system and, where possible, direct drilling. The farm is fully irrigated with three lateral pivot irrigators run by diesel generators and two hard hose guns. “I would love to be able to drive out the gate and do it with the phone, but the property suits laterals better than centre pivots,” explains Andrew. Though Andrew uses an independent agronomist for chemical and fertiliser advice, he continues to follow most biological principles his father has been championing for almost two decades. “It’s not strictly regenerative; it’s not biological. It’s somewhere between the two,” says Andrew. Their focus has been resetting the balance of soil minerals, enhancing photosynthesis and carbon management, and raising the microbiology of the soil. It’s about understanding the importance of biology, learning how the plants and soil interact, and fostering the invisible ecosystem that lies just beneath the soil, he explains. Using fish and seaweed products also provides extra benefits. Each year, Andrew applies their own ‘KFC’ special secret brew over the entire farm, at least once, if not twice or three times, depending on the season. While there was an increase in costs when they first started down the Kinsey-Albrecht track,

Andrew says they’re reaping the benefits now. “People thought we were crazy at the start. They are so set on doing something the same way just because; just because your greatgrandfather had a red tractor doesn’t mean you have to have a red tractor. Many tried it once and thought it would fix all their problems, but it’s a long-term game. We are putting less fertiliser on now than five or six years ago. It’s more about maintenance now. Whatever we are doing, we are not going backwards.” Springfield Estate produced a feed wheat crop that averaged 16.1 tonne per hectare two years ago. Though the yield was significant in its own right, what was more important was the cost of production. It was achieved by using half the standard nitrogen applications, with fewer fungicides and herbicides and minimal cultivations. The previous crop was Daikon radish seed, directly drilled into a grass-seed/grazing with a balanced nutritional status. The soil provided half the nitrogen and mineral requirements for the crop, with the balance made up of synthetic N applications protected with humates. At the end of the day, Andrew says the business has to be viable. He’s switched the emphasis to looking at the gross margin rather than at the yield monitor. They still use chemicals and small amounts of synthetic fertiliser. And although they try to use minimal cultivation, if they have to plough, they do. While the future of the farming side of Springfield Estate falls on Andrew, having inherited his father’s love of flying, it was only natural that Duncan took over the top-dressing arm, Skyfarmers Aviation. “We spent much time loading aeroplanes, driving tractors and trucks, and in the back of top-dressing planes when we were young. That’s where it stemmed from,” explains Duncan. Intent on getting his pilot’s licence, Duncan worked as a tractor driver in Western Australia to raise the necessary funds. He was just 23 when he

started agricultural flying for his father. Thanks to his father’s industry contacts, Duncan was lucky to spend two autumns flying in Gore and two in the North Island. Over time, he gradually built up his hours and experience in the Air Tractor. Hand-built in Texas (USA), the Air Tractors are purpose-built for agricultural work and firefighting. Don was the first to bring one into New Zealand in 1995. Powered by a 750 hp turbine engine, its payload is 1470kg. They bought a second one in 2012, which has since been sold. Early on, Don realised that the quality of their job depended on providing precision, ensuring accuracy and evenness of spread when flying on chemicals or fertiliser. He was the first in the country to have differential GPS, which the latest Satloc G4 GPS and Satloc Intelliflow flow control have now replaced. Though Don continues to fly, his days as a

ABOVE: Top Soils has become a much bigger

business than he even anticipated. It now has three experienced soil fertility consultants and two capable personnel mixing and blending fertiliser for their clients BELOW: Duncan says that you can be up high country top-dressing one day, and then the next day, you are spraying potatoes at Pendarves

full-time agricultural pilot are gone. Having purchased the loaders and leased the planes, Duncan purchased the business in 2003. “I was very lucky, but he certainly made me work for it,” says Duncan. “Most people would give their right arm for the opportunity, but it certainly wasn’t easy. There is nothing like a lot of debt to make you get up and go to work in the morning.” Duncan says that agricultural top-dressing and spraying work for SkyFarmers remains seasonal, with the busiest time from October to March, but it is hugely varied. “You can be up high country top-dressing one day, and then the next day, you are spraying potatoes at Pendarves. Potatoes are a huge part of our business, with some crops requiring spraying every 7–10 days for four months.” When he’s not flying, Duncan is happy to help out on the farm where needed, especially at harvest time. “There is always something to do,” he says. Though lately, Duncan’s had more time on his hands as the ‘perfect storm’ of highinterest rates and high fertiliser costs starts to bite farmers’ wallets. “The second quarter of this year was 60 per cent back on previous years. It will recover, but it will take time. We’ve ridden out the downturns before and will ride them out again.” But while he believes there will always be a place for the plane, the job is changing. Much of the previously grazed land they used to top-dress for run holders has now been retired through the Tenure Review process. He is also concerned about increased restrictions and compliance affecting their ability to undertake their job. R E A L FA RME R

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INTEREST

New Ruralco CEO brings business and people development expertise to co-op Tony Aitken is the first to admit he’s no expert when it comes to farming. While he’s got farming connections, he readily admits he doesn’t have the practical agricultural experience that comes from a hands-on career in farming. WORDS BY ANITA BODY, IMAGES BY INDIANA ROBERTS & SUPPLIED

Instead, Tony’s expertise is in leading people and helping businesses deliver positive outcomes and grow, and it’s these skills which saw him appointed as Ruralco Group CEO in September. He’s had a varied career which includes policing; training and development roles; HR management and as an independent contractor; and more recently in a business familiar to many of you, as dairy company, Synlait’s Organisation Development Manager. Tony counts himself as being lucky to be part of the Synlait journey, joining the business when there were just 140 staff, and leaving eight years later when the ranks had grown to over 1,000. “Synlait exposed me to continual improvement processes and to always being focussed on the future needs of the business. Whilst the role encompassed developing and implementing many of the people systems that enabled the company success, one of my main foci during that time was employee engagement and the development of a strengths-based programme.” As an advocate of Gallup’s strengths and employee engagement tools, Tony has spoken at multiple conferences on the Synlait programme and journey, including in both Sydney, Australia and Omaha, Nebraska USA. “It’s all about getting the best results. I don’t believe anyone comes to work to do a bad job; everyone wants to do well. Everyone has strengths and they need to be working to those strengths. As people leaders, we need to make targets and goals clear, creating a pathway so they can achieve their goals,” he says. Simplicity is key. “We tend to over-complicate and add layers and levels that are not needed. Asking ‘why?’ is always an important question. If it’s not adding value or meets compliance requirements, then why are we doing it?” Since starting at Ruralco earlier this year, initially as its GM of People and Culture, and more recently as the Group CEO, Tony has

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been impressed by the passion of the staff and the varied product range offered by Ruralco’s stores. “Our staff genuinely want our members to succeed and they will do whatever it takes to make that happen. The Ruralco team has a strong commitment to the people in our community; they are often part of our members’ communities and have a real sense of responsibility and pride.” He says they are special qualities and is part of what sets Ruralco apart from its competitors. “Our people continue to amaze me with what they do to serve the needs of our customers.

It’s something that’s not always apparent in other organisations.” Growing up in Lyttelton, Tony understands small town culture and community involvement. His early leadership experiences can be traced back to his hometown where he joined the local volunteer fire brigade at the age of 18 and was training others by the time he was 22. It’s also where he developed his lifelong passion for sailing and especially racing, initially as a Sea Scout from the age of 11. “I’ve been racing trailer yachts for most of my life and I still sail and race now (currently a Noelex 25).”

Formal leadership experience really kicked in when Tony started with the New Zealand police, initially as a MOT officer. “I was the first in the South Island to fully migrate to the New Zealand police as I had already applied to move across at the time of the merger. Two years later I was promoted to Sergeant and it was during that time I was shoulder-tapped to become more involved in training.” He went on to run the training for Canterbury district, ran leadership courses at the police college in Porirua, and rose to the rank of Senior Sergeant back on the frontline. “I never wanted to be an office-bound police officer, so I started looking for new opportunities.” This led to a variety of roles, some in the HR and learning and development fields and some operational leadership roles. He also had the opportunity to run his own training and HR consultancy business. It was during a stint of HR consultancy work that Tony started his journey with Synlait. Throughout his working career he has mostly been based in the Canterbury region, but when the time came to move on from Synlait, Tony and his wife Sandy, decided to head north to the Bay of Plenty, where Tony took on a senior HR and then Executive role with the Tauranga City Council. While the warmer climate was appealing, the call to return home to Canterbury was strong and the couple relocated late last year. Having had equestrian properties for almost 20 years and having been in the West Melton and Rolleston area for the last 10, the couple have returned to the area. “Horses take up a fair amount of our time. We have bred Arabian horses for a long time and have recently purchased our first quarter horse.” Sandy is a licensed 3-star Parelli Natural Horsemanship Instructor (New Zealand’s most senior instructor), while Tony is happy lending a hand and doing beach or forest walks on the horses. “I also trained as a natural hoof trimmer, so I also do our own horses’ hooves.”

Rural communities are special places, says Tony. “At one point in Lyttelton, I was the local Police Constable, the Deputy Chief Fire Officer of the Volunteer Fire Brigade, Sea Scout Leader and Captain of the Diamond Harbour Rugby team. “So, it’s fair to say I was fairly involved in the community. I preferred playing in the rural rugby competitions like the Ellesmere one, because these were always so well supported and a big part of each team’s community.” It’s that sense of community that Tony sees every day in his role at Ruralco. “Ruralco is a truly New Zealand owned co-operative and what we have is gold. We are a bespoke farming cooperative which is genuinely close to its farmer base. We are small enough to listen and care, and our people have real empathy for their cooperative and its farmers. Our shareholders are our owners and it is super important to me that we hear what you think, that we get your feedback, and that we continue to meet your needs.”

ABOVE: Ruralco Chair, Sir David Carter with Tony Aitken

at Ruralco’s 60th Annual General Meeting in November BELOW: Growing up in Lyttelton, Tony developed his

lifelong passion for sailing and especially racing

Celebrating the co-operative’s 60th anniversary this year has been a real highlight. “Our challenge is to continue being successful for another 60 years. We may not always be the cheapest because of our size (although we do our best here), and we aren’t the innovators in our industry (although we do bring that innovation to our farmers). That leaves us with customer service and that’s something we can excel at. It doesn’t mean we always get it right, but we want to. And we need to keep working hard to ensure that we are doing our best here, that we are listening to what you have to say and that we continue to improve what we do every day. That’s what’s really obvious to me.”

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INTEREST

Lincoln researcher bugs out on protein options proteins whether they be from insects or plants. It’s important now to think about different ways of producing food.” Some years ago, as alternative proteins started to emerge they were accompanied by concerns over whether red meat as a protein source would become redundant. But for Caitlin it has never been a ‘this or that’ issue. “At the end of the day we are going to have to produce more food, and this is just about finding more ways to achieve that.” Her PhD paper reveals some interesting cultural and social interactions with insects as one protein source which enjoyed something of a boom in the mid-2010s. New Zealand shoppers suddenly had the opportunity to buy cricket flour, boxes of candied grasshoppers and dried grubs. “I became interested in a sector that had a good start but did not last very well.” Today the main options exist as novelty gifts, and Kiwis have failed to embrace the protein dense insect option which forms a solid part of the diet for millions elsewhere in the world. LEFT: Caitlin found that meal worms crisped nicely

when baked in a slice with cranberries and chocolate, while she was no fan of huhu grubs BELOW: As a Lincoln University student funded through a Joint Post Graduate School Food Transitions 2050 scholarship with AgResearch, Caitlin is completing her PhD on the appeal of eating insects in New Zealand

Being able to take the complexities of the scientific world and translate them into language non-scientists can understand is a talent that Lincoln University researcher Caitlin Hyde has used to good effect in her latest research project. WORDS BY RICHARD RENNIE, IMAGES SUPPLIED

As a Lincoln University student funded through a Joint Post Graduate School Food Transitions 2050 scholarship with AgResearch, Caitlin is completing her PhD on the appeal of eating insects in New Zealand. She has chosen a subject that is proving more interesting to many than actively engaging in the activity itself.

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Her PhD work represents a blend of her earlier academic career that has seen her combine her love of genetics in a Bachelor of Science degree, with a follow up degree in the Arts, studying anthropology. “A big part of what I have done has been thinking about why this research is interesting to people. Taking out the jargon is the relatively easy part, the harder part is understanding what is the purpose of this research, why am I doing it?” Rather than simply being a quirky piece of work in a niche area, her PhD has been fuelled by a deeper interest in the sustainability of food production, and the psychology of why people eat what they do. “We know that conventional food production has issues around sustainability and alternative

It is estimated about two billion people on the planet regularly consume about 2,000 different types of insects. They can be as varied as hot ant soup in China, to high protein water beetles served roasted or fried in parts of Africa and the Amazon. A big part of her work was to try and define what it was that made a food “edible” to consumers, and what were the factors that can enhance and detract from its physical edibility. She found eating insects for many Western consumers can be a contradictory experience when time is spent by many keeping them out of their homes and eating areas. Her work also found that what people may claim they will do and actually do can be at odds. Two thirds of consumers surveyed claimed they would try eating insects. “But the problem is two-fold there. When surveyed people will make such claims, even if they don’t actually do it, and secondly there is a difference between trying them and actually building them into your dietary regime.” Drawing on her social science skills Caitlin attempted to understand how “edible” is defined. “It is not enough to just say they are a good source of protein; they have to also add something to the meal in addition to that.” She cites cochineal bugs that when added to meals provide a strong red colour to the dish. Caitlin recently made the finals of the AsiaPacific “three minute thesis” competition, providing her with the opportunity to pitch her thesis content in three minutes to an audience who are not necessarily experts in the field. Having won the Lincoln round she advanced to the Asia-Pacific finals, where she finished in the top 8 out of 56 finalists. Now her PhD has come to its conclusion she is looking to getting her work publicised through journals, while also writing up the results in

a way that communicates them to a nonscience audience. Longer term, Caitlin says she is interested in occupying the “in-between” space where her social and conventional scientific skills intersect, communicating science to a wider range of people in an environment where often the facts are cloaked by personal views and subjective use of published scientific work.

ABOVE: It is estimated about two billion people

on the planet regularly consumer about 2,000 different types of insects ABOVE LEFT: Caitlin recently made the finals of the Asia-Pacific “three minute thesis” competition BELOW: Caitlin has tried meal worms, huhu grubs, crickets and locusts to name a few

“I think it can be easy to believe that science will save the day, but much of it simply will not work if people do not understand it and pick it up.” Her work on insects has captured some strong media coverage, including an interview on National Radio with the station’s food guru and host Jessie Mulligan. Meantime, Caitlin has had plenty of chance to sample the subjects of her research and has developed some firm thoughts on what she will put on her plate, and what she won’t. She has tried meal worms, huhu grubs, crickets and locusts to name a few. “Locusts are nice and crunchy, but they do have a bit of a strange “pop” when you bite down which can be a bit off putting.” She found that meal worms crisped nicely when baked in a slice with cranberries and chocolate, while she was no fan of huhu grubs. R E A L FA RME R

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Changes bring new hope in New Year As Christmas looms on the horizon and the new government ministers catch their breath before kicking off the New Year, farming leaders have some advice for them about the urgent matters they need to consider for their first term in their new roles. WORDS BY RICHARD RENNIE

The election saw something of a blue reset in the provinces after the surge of Labour votes that unusually dominated rural areas in the 2020 election, and many would view this as a “return to normal”. But the rural sector has proven its ability to vote tactically, as it did in 2020, meaning the new government does not get a free pass, and

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farming leaders have been quick to remind it this is the case. They are however prepared to give the new government a fair go and are keen to lay out some of the big issues that have been playing heavily upon many farmers’ minds over the past few years.

Regulatory overload The Beef + Lamb report that came out in September highlighted how farmers had faced 20 new regulatory demands in the past six years underscored farmers’ biggest headache. This is the pressure to meet what appeared to be a never-ending stream of new regulations, but not always having the advice, tools, or support to enable them to do so.

The report found annual consenting costs across four farms were as high as $30,000 with one farm facing a one-off resource consent of $220,000. The freshwater farm plans alone were costing $15,000, plus annual costs for updating and auditing. Federated Farmers’ new president Wayne Langford captured that frustration when he welcomed the new government. He says he took heart from all three parties— National, ACT and New Zealand First—all adopting many of the 12-point policy priorities the Feds had put forward prior to the election. These included unlocking New Zealand’s potential through water storage, allowing young farmers to access their Kiwi Saver for farm purchases, scrapping the ute tax, fixing

the past five years have not disappeared with the change in government. National has declared its intention to stay the course with the fundamentals of the Zero Carbon Act and the Climate Change Commission, although some adjustments around how New Zealand allows for meeting its Paris Accord commitments may arise. Regardless, HWEN appeared to have fallen by the wayside prior to the election, with little mention from either industry leaders or politicians as its future direction appeared to stall. Getting it refloated and back on course in some shape or form will have to be a priority, given the 2030 deadline the sector had set to achieve a 10% reduction in emissions on 2017 levels. Regardless of what regulations are laid down however, overseas markets are moving at pace to set standards from farmer suppliers that may make regulations a moot exercise. Companies including Tesco’s who purchase 40% of their lamb from New Zealand have already laid out their expectations for farmers to reduce their carbon footprint as that company moves towards reducing Scope 3 emissions from landbased activities (food supply) by 39% by 2032. The possibility that market demands overwhelm regulation timelines is becoming more likely, leaving red meat farmers in particular with few options to adapt their farming practices, other than to try and offset carbon, or reduce stock numbers to a point they are no longer viable.

Getting water rules right

infrastructure, and making freshwater rules workable. Langford voiced farmers’ frustration at the number of regulations, particularly those around biodiversity, green house gases and water quality. “The intent of these regulations may have been good, but the reality of the execution and implementation has been nothing short of disastrous for our farmers.” “The end result is a long list of highly prescriptive and unworkable rules that tie us up in red tape and heap on unnecessary costs,” he says. A priority pre-Christmas is for the Feds to work with government to try and fix the challenging freshwater regulations for a start.

Canterbury farmers in particular will welcome the support across all parties for more water storage. The previous National government had strongly advocated for irrigation, with the Crown Irrigation Investment Fund helping provide some certainty for projects that otherwise struggled to get traction with their high upfront capital costs. National has committed to quicker consenting decisions for off-farm water storage, with consent durations pushed out to 30 years to encourage more investment. Irrigation NZ CEO Vanessa Winning has welcomed this to help farmers and growers invest for climate adaptation and land use change. Irrigation NZ chair, Keri Johnson has also called for a Minister for Water be established to help reduce the risk of water being a political football to be kicked around every three years. She sees it as an all-encompassing position covering wetlands, water storage, drinking water, farm management, hydro and dam safety.

Across New Zealand, regional councils are compelled to work on new rules that are challenged for their practicality by farmers and rural communities.

Given its value as this country’s most precious resource, it would enable New Zealand to better manage, allocate and preserve that resource to add value while also protecting the environment in a more holistic approach than today’s splintered, siloed efforts.

Refloating He Waka

Looking after the rules we have

Meantime the challenges of He Waka Eke Noa that have pre-occupied the primary sector for

Farmers frustrated at incoming regulations could justifiably also be expecting the new

government to take a closer look at existing regulations. Some are hindering efforts and technology uptake that can provide farmers with the tools so desperately needed to meet the challenges of climate change, and market demands for lower residuals. Foundation for Arable Research (FAR) CEO Alison Stewart has voiced her frustration at how her farmer members are shut out of accessing the latest technology in crop treatments, as new generations of low residual, ‘softer’ sprays are available to their peers overseas. With delays in Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) approvals skyrocketing to as much as five times the statutory limits, New Zealand farmers are at real risk of falling behind as the European Union lowers limits or outright bans many of the older chemicals slow regulations here have seen them stuck with. Alison Stewart has said it is the single biggest issue facing the sector, and one that has only grown worse in the past six years. Plant and Animal Health New Zealand has noted how Kiwi farmers have had to rely upon old chemistry and products that will soon no longer be acceptable to overseas markets, leaving New Zealand at real risk of holding unsalable product, and compromising this country’s reputation as a safe, modern food supplier. The European Union’s timeline on its Green Deal means by 2030 pesticide use is to be halved and residues restricted. This leaves New Zealand little time to adopt new treatments and technology to be in tune with those regulations. Similarly, scientists, farmers and companies have grown frustrated by New Zealand’s increasingly out of date regulations around gene editing technology which makes trialling crops here virtually impossible. They are leaving the country falling behind the likes of United States, Australia and South America as those countries use the technology to adopt crop production to the challenges of climate change and diseases. At present New Zealand researchers are forced to trial GE crops overseas, with no prospect of them being able to be brought back here. Prior to the election National promised to end the ban on gene technology trials here and pressure will be strong from across the primary sector to see this conducted. In line with other OECD countries New Zealand’s trial approval process will be streamlined to enable quicker proof and uptake of the technology among farmers and orchardists. The New Year gives farmers and government a chance for a reset after what has been a challenging, stressful period. It also gives cause for hope with no leaders advocating for a ditching of regulations intended to respond to climate change, protect biodiversity and maintain water quality, and this is at least a good starting point for a new relationship.

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ENERGY

Rising energy prices call for consideration WORDS BY RICHARD RENNIE

Market situation As Canterbury irrigators settle in for one of the longest irrigation seasons ever, prospects for electricity prices to fall are not looking promising. Tracey Gordon and Glenn McWhinnie of Ruralco Energy closely track electricity prices for Ruralco clients, and caution that they see little decrease in prices for the coming year. “It is fair to say the consensus is the electricity market is only heading upwards, but there are also a number of unknowns in the big picture into the future,” says Glenn. “That includes the future of the Tiwai Point aluminium smelter, the significant amount of solar and wind projects in the pipeline, and also prospects for whether the government goes ahead with the Onslow battery project.” Glenn says markets also remain volatile, and the Ruralco Energy team have been able to save clients considerable sums by communicating with them when they have seen some dips in market pricing.

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“What we have been doing for our time-of-use customers in particular is negotiating their contracts early. We recently saw a drop in market pricing, and we jumped straight on it. Anyone that was coming up for renewal in the near future was priced even though their contract had not come to an end yet. It resulted in some really significant savings for them.” Tracey says expectations are that pricing will take another surge upwards in April next year as the new transmission pricing methodology comes into play. Transmission Pricing Methodology (TPM) aims to distribute the cost of building, maintaining, and operating the country’s electricity network fairly among market participants. All parties must align with the new pricing regime over the next five years. “It is really more about network price costing than it is about energy pricing,” says Tracey. Glenn notes interest in owner-operator solar schemes is also on the rise, particularly ones focused on dairy farm supply.

“Again though, it is all about making sure the dollars stack up, and that you are getting the best return for your investment.”

Venture Energy helps target energy cost losses High lines charges, the wrong tariff, illegible accounts, and poor advice can all be a recipe for electricity overcharging, a recipe that energy consultant Yvonne Gilmore will often untangle for her clients. With farm electricity irrigation costs now surging past the 30¢/kg milk solids mark for Canterbury dairy units, many farmers are taking a longer, harder look at how to hold back what appears to be a never-ending upwards march in energy costs on farm. Yvonne’s company, Venture Energy is founded on her many years working with a wide variety of energy users, helping them identify where and how their costs can be minimised. Yvonne has multiple examples of clients who have had their electricity accounts reviewed by her and she has yet to find an operation where

LEFT: As Canterbury irrigators settle in for one of the

longest irrigation seasons ever, prospects for electricity prices to fall are not looking promising IMAGE: Yvonne Gilmore, Venture Energy, conducting an

exterior inspection

in terms of insulation, heating equipment, and ventilation to meet compliance. “Healthy Homes compliance is a requirement, not an option, even though the house may be part of your staff’s remuneration you still have to ensure it is up to standard.” The regulations include standards around all aspects of a “healthy home”, namely heating, insulation, ventilation, draughts, and moisture. For farm owners preparing to provide cottages and accommodation for staff, Yvonne recommends a close assessment of the facilities to determine what needs to be improved to meet the regulations. “But getting your accommodation up to standard is a good move regardless of having to meet regulations. In terms of staff wellbeing, a healthy home reduces the number of sick days for both staff and family, keeping your farm business more productive and a happier place to work and live.”

Platinum Energy draws solar value

some tweaking will not result in even moderate reductions in energy and carbon emissions. “Our audits may include power, LP Gas, stationary fuel use, water, and waste costs,” says Yvonne. “It is up to the client what they want to include. We can also undertake carbon audits to start them on that journey.” For irrigating dairy farms, there can be some particular charging issues that may demand attention to ensure farmer clients are not being overcharged.

summer months also matching the optimal solar period, while quiet winters fit with shorter, cloudier, low charge days. Prospects are that the cost of electricity to farmers will only continue to increase, and an improvement in dairy farm revenues is likely to be the tipping point for dairy farmers, with its return on investment of 12-15% looking appealing. But Platinum Energy’s co-founders stress that, unlike some urban focused operators, they will not put the hard sell on potential clients and only propose a system that makes economic sense. They are also buoyed by a recent Our Land and Water report that highlighted how pastoral farming and solar panel use can be successfully integrated, rather than being mutually exclusive activities. Dry stock farms were shown to experience particularly strong gains in profitability as a result of combining some of the farm area into panels. Typically, a Platinum installation will consist of a photo voltaic solar array, inverter and potentially also a “battery” bank for energy storage, if the use case is ideal. Every system is different, but most 40kW systems required for Canterbury dairy units will require about 500 square metres of area to be set up in, depending on how many rows are required to face the array north, and the shape or layout of the land available.

Platinum Energy founders Liam Brown and Nick Donkers are cautiously eyeing the upswing in dairy commodity prices as a signal for igniting more interest in on-farm solar projects that can help lower a farm’s increasingly significant electricity costs. For the 2021–22 season dairy farms in Canterbury faced irrigation costs of about 31¢/kg milk solids, and a further 9¢/kg milk solids for additional electricity use—a cost that continues to push upwards.

“As the technology continues to evolve and energy density of panels continues to improve, we expect to see more of those awkward pieces of marginal/unproductive land on farms provide the opportunity for panels, areas like the centre of the tanker loop, for example,” says Liam.

Platinum specialises in solar energy installations for farm and commercial operators, with Canterbury’s larger scale dairy operations providing a good base for business, particularly given the usage patterns for dairy farms well fitted to solar charging daylight hours. Seasonality also fits well, with the high demand

To find out more about how we can help your farming system, whether it be reviewing your energy consumption, incorporating solar for your business or simply understanding your energy bill, contact the Ruralco Energy team on 0800 787 256 or ruralcoenergy@ruralco.co.nz.

Ruralco Energy are here to help your business

Yvonne points to the pitfalls of capacity and lines charges, both of which can be difficult to understand, and represent a heavy, ongoing expense, regardless of usage patterns on farm. “This year it is more important than ever to have a good handle of where your energy costs are going, it’s a long irrigation season, costs are up and revenue is down, so every dollar that can be saved is even more important.” With future electricity prices continuing to point one way, and with the likelihood of double-digit increases, Yvonne is urging her rural clients to take a close look at their bills before the full demands of summer irrigation kick in. Summer is also a suitable time to discuss ensuring farm cottages are up to Healthy Homes standards for next winter. Yvonne can help farm owning clients to assess their staff accommodation and determine what is needed R E A L FA RME R

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FARM SUPPLIES

Corteva™ Agriscience has farmers covered and aphids. Species such as brown lacewing, ladybird beetles, hoverfly, parasitic wasps, predatory mites, and beetles will collectively play an important role in protecting your brassica crop from pest flare ups and damage through until grazing. Monitor your crop closely for both pests and beneficial insects and if caterpillar and/or aphid populations do flare up and require treatment use insecticides with minimal impact on beneficial insects such as Sparta™ and Transform™ from Corteva agriscience.

Brassica Weeds Weed competition can have a significant detrimental effect on brassica yield from very early in the growing season. Corteva™ Agriscience has farmers covered with a suite of post emergence forage brassica herbicides that provide a solution for all situations, and two new label extensions are poised to make life even easier for those growing forage brassica this season, including raphanobrassica. The first new claim is for Milestone™ herbicide, which in addition to existing forage brassica claims is now also registered for broad spectrum weed control in raphanobrassica. Milestone is the ultimate solution for hard to control weeds in forage brassica crops and its broad-spectrum control includes difficult weeds such as amaranthus, spurrey, water pepper, thistles and many more. Up until now Radiate herbicide has been the go-to product for weed control in raphanobrassica and while its good for fathen and nightshade, Milestone significantly broadens the weed spectrum. Milestone can be used at 500ml-750ml/ha in raphanobrassica without any impact on crop safety. The second new claim is for Korvetto™ tank mixed with T-MAX™, which is now registered for control of Amaranthus (redroot) in all forage brassicas except raphanobrassica. Tall, and fast growing, Amaranthus can form large, aggressive plants and seriously compete with crops if it is not well-controlled.

Uptake spraying oil is required when using Milestone herbicide and the Korvetto + T-MAX tank mix for amaranthus control. Uptake is a thoroughly researched and highly trusted brand and contains a proprietary blend of ingredients that allows it to it perform reliably across a range of spraying conditions. Not all oils are created equal so it’s important to select Uptake when using these products to guarantee the best performance from the products.

Brassica Pests When pests like diamondback moth, white butterfly, looper caterpillars or aphids threaten forage brassica crops, time is critical. Caterpillar pests can do significant damage to leaf area within a short space of time resulting in reduced yield potential. Aphids transmit plant viruses, and their feeding points provide entry wounds for diseases which can severely damage plants or even kill large areas of forage brassica crops. Ideally your first line of defence at this time of the season will be a population of beneficial insects, providing natural protection against white butterfly, diamondback moth caterpillars

Sparta works by contact and ingestion to provide ‘best in class’ control of caterpillar pests in forage brassicas. Translaminar activity ensures good control of insects feeding on the underside of leaves. Transform is a contact and systemic insecticide that provides rapid knockdown and moves within the plant to protect new untreated growth, an important benefit during the main growth season. Transform’s high level of systemic and translaminar activity resists washoff and provides extended aphid control for up to 21 days. This residual control provides ongoing protection from aphids re-infesting the crop. Alone or in combination Sparta and Transform are ideal tools for control of key insect pests in forage brassicas. Both products have excellent environmental and toxicology profiles, providing a high level of safety for applicators. New Zealand farmers rely heavily on aerial applications for effective pest control, whether it’s hill country or remote crops, and scenarios where wet ground conditions or tall crops cannot be covered by ground-based equipment. In these situations, Transform and Sparta are two of only a few IPM friendly options registered for aerial applications, providing farmers and applicators an opportunity to move away from old SP & OP technology, to new chemistry that’s better for the crop, the environment and them. THIS PROMOTIONAL FEATURE WAS PROVIDED BY CORTEVA ABOVE: Establishing Kale BELOW: More advanced Kale paddock

Adding 500 mL/ha of T-MAX to 1 L/ha of Korvetto provides market leading control of Amaranthus in forage brassica when compared to existing market standards. R E A L FA RME R

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ARABLE

Farm systems project at Chertsey is future focused There is something interesting happening in the back paddock at the Foundation for Arable Research’s Chertsey Arable Research Site. WORDS SUPPLIED BY HEATHER CHALMERS, FAR, IMAGES BY OWEN GIBSON, FAR

Land there is being used for something a bit different from the usual small plot arable research trials that the site is known for. Instead, it is being utilised for a longer-term project which aims to replicate an arable farming system, with a view to the future. Known as Future Farming Systems, the project is comparing best practice conventional arable farming side-by-side with alternative futurefocused techniques. It is the first project of its type to be run by FAR and an opportunity for growers to evaluate

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practices such as direct drilling into a green crop and alternative crop protection.

how it is managed can have an impact on a following crop and this project will evaluate this.

The trial is behind the hedge at Chertsey, with the 2.1 hectare site split into two areas, both 36m wide and 200m long with an irrigator run through the centre.

“I would like to see how new technology can help farmers grow crops more efficiently with less inputs, while maintaining yield. We would like to see how far some current technology can help address issues such as herbicide resistance already seen on many New Zealand arable farms.”

The management of the two blocks is being decided by an advisory group of Canterbury growers, with technical support from FAR staff and agronomists. FAR researcher Owen Gibson says that the seven-year project will be a demonstration site and conversation starter for growers, showcasing some exciting new techniques and technologies as it progresses. Being long-term, it is able to encompass a full arable rotation. “In arable farming systems crops are not grown in isolation, but are part of a wider rotation which often includes livestock. A crop and

Improved soil health is an important key outcome on both blocks as well as gross margin, Owen says. “It may take a few years for the differences to come through which is why it is a long-term project.” However, some interesting variances between the two systems have already shown up. From mid to at least late October, average soil moisture readings on the future-focused block were about 10 per cent (5mm) higher than on

LEFT: Grazing of oats on the conventional block at

Chertsey prior to termination, cultivation and drilling BELOW: An advisory group, made up of Canterbury growers, FAR staff and agronomists is deciding the management of the two blocks BOTTOM: Drilling peas directly into the oats, which had earlier been rolled, in the future-focused block

amount and type of weeds present by early November. The process peas are expected to be harvested in mid to late December. As process peas are a short-term crop, a restorative cover crop may be used before an autumn or spring-sown wheat, with the advisory group still considering different options. Technical support is coming from agronomist Roger Lasham and Tim Brooker of Yara for fertiliser and nutrition as well as FAR’s technology manager Chris Smith. Both systems will be documented, with all plans and operations recorded and compared throughout each season.

Financial costs (costs of production and gross margins), environmental effects, impact on soil structure and crop development will be assessed as part of the project and FAR will record all operations and inputs in ProductionWise®. Before the project started the block was grid soil sampled and soil moisture probes have been installed. The project will use technology such as N Sensor for nutrient management, while satellite imagery will be used for biomass readings of crops. Variable rate spraying, individual nozzle control and variable rate seeding may also be used as part of the project. While the technology will be used on both sides for data collection, it will only be used for decision making on the future farming side. Chris Smith says that while some technology is out of reach for many small businesses, there is still the need to test technology that may come available over time to show if it works or can increase profitability.

the conventional block, showing one of the advantages of a cover crop. The project started earlier this year, with the whole area sown in greenfeed oats in April to catch any residual nitrogen over winter. While this was followed by process peas as a summer crop on both blocks, the management of each has been quite different. The conventional system was strip grazed by R1 beef cattle for seven days then terminated with glyphosate on 31 August. The area was then ploughed, disced, and drilled with process peas on 4 September for nearby Talleys. In the future farm system, the oats were left in situ; heavy rolled then planted (also in peas) with a Cross Slot no tillage drill. Both blocks received starter fertiliser, however the future system also received 200 g/ha of Trichostart™, a seed treatment with selected strains of endophytic Trichoderma to protect the crop at planting. The conventional system received a preemerge herbicide, but the future system went without, instead relying on the oat crop residue to reduce weed pressure. A decision on whether herbicide will be used at all on the future-focused block depended on the R E A L FA RME R

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FERTILISER

Side dressing brassicas Post-emergence nitrogen helps brassicas meet their yield potential. With a little help, kale, turnips, swedes and other brassica forage crops can provide high yields of quality feed. An Available N test indicates the potential supply of available N from the soil. The test measures organic N that can be mineralised during the life of the crop. If planting into former permanent pasture, organic N levels may be quite high, effectively reducing the amount of fertiliser N needed. Be realistic about target crop yield, taking into account what your soil and climate will support. The Ballance Brassica Calculator can help refine yield prediction and N application rate, enabling more efficient use of N. Applying excess N does not increase yield, and just raises the protein content. When the crop is grazed, N is redeposited in urine patches, increasing the potential for N loss. Excessive N application in conjunction with high background sulphur levels also increases the risk of SMCO, which can cause red water (haemoglobinuria) in grazing stock.

Right product Cropzeal Boron Boost is a great choice of starter fertiliser, with every granule containing N, P and boron (to help prevent brown heart). It is typically applied at 100-200 kg/ha.

As brassica crops are often grown in poor performing or low yielding paddocks, soil testing prior to sowing is recommended. This allows pH to be identified and corrected, and the phosphorous (P) and nitrogen (N) inputs that drive growth to be optimised based on soil fertility, target yield and economic return. Starter fertiliser containing N and P at sowing is important for vigorous early seedling establishment. Drilling the seed with starter fertiliser ‘down the spout’ gets a supply of these key nutrients close to the developing seedling, and is especially beneficial when direct drilling, due to a lack of soil mineralisation with no-till methods.

Right time After N and P are applied at sowing, sufficient N inputs are key for the crop to reach its yield potential. An early side dressing of N boosts leaf growth and size, giving the plant more opportunity to form a full canopy to capture sunlight and outcompete weeds, resulting in improved yield. As a general rule, applying N as a single application before canopy closure is efficient. However, if very high amounts (>150kg N/ha) are required, split applications are recommended.

Targeting N application to high growth periods also reduces the risk of nitrate poisoning, which is elevated if N is applied too late in the season, close to grazing when growth is slowing. Getting N on early can also be more practical in summer dry locations where there is often a rush on contractors when the autumn rains arrive.

Right rate The amount of N fertiliser required as side dressings can be worked out by determining the total crop demand, and then deducting N supplied by the soil and in starter fertiliser (see Figure 1).

Cropping often uses large volumes of N and the potential for loss can be high. If using urea, volatilisation losses can be high unless 5–10mm of rainfall (or irrigation) occurs within 8 hours of application. Using SustaiN (urea treated with Agrotain) will reduce this risk. Typical rates are 150-250 kg/ ha SustaiN as a side dressing, depending on time of sowing, yield potential and Available N test results. As timing of N applications are ideally based on the need of the crop, a product like SustaiN can reduce losses when conditions are not ideal. THIS PROMOTIONAL FEATURE WAS PROVIDED BY BALLANCE AGRI-NUTRIENTS

FIGURE 1: BRASSICA NITROGEN REQUIREMENTS

CROP’S N DEMAND

AVAILABLE N IN SOIL

N TO APPLY AS FERTILISER

FOR EXAMPLE, FOR A KALE CROP:

@ 2.5% N X 15T/HA = 375KG N/HA - 180KG N/HA = 195KG N/HA R E A L FA RME R

LIFESTYLE

Time to get PLACES TO VISIT

festive

Otago Farmers Market, Dunedin

Held every Saturday morning from 8am to 12.30pm, and with over 50 vendors selling fresh fruit and vegetables, meat products, eggs, baked goods, cheese, nuts, honey, coffee, and artisan goods, the Otago Farmers Market is a must-visit for food and produce lovers.

Marlborough Farmers Market, Blenheim On every Sunday between 9am and 12, the Marlborough Farmers Market supports local, sustainable farmers, growers and businesses and is the perfect destination to enjoy locally roasted coffee and brunch on a Sunday.

Lyttelton Farmers Market Enjoy live music from local musicians, sip on freshly brewed coffee, grab a bite for breakfast, and simply enjoy the sights, sounds and delights of one of Canterbury’s best farmers markets. Held every Saturday morning from 10am to 1pm.

Check out some of the other farmers markets across Canterbury, including Ashburton, Mount Pleasant, Oxford, Ohoka, and Timaru

Festive Farming Tips & Tricks

Summer Stovetop Potpourri SUMMER SWEETS The perfect balance of sweet and cozy, these ingredients will fill your home with the luscious aroma of berries and vanilla. 4 sliced strawberries 4–6 raspberries or black berries 4 fresh basil leaves 2 tablespoons of vanilla extract 4 cups of water

SUNSET DREAM “The cows don’t stop milking on Christmas Day, so to try to make it feel as Christmassy as possible we like to decorate with farm themed decor from Ruralco Home (tractor pictured). We give all our team members Christmas presents, including baking the tanker driver cookies!” Allie King (@DairyKingsNZ)

Like dancing under sprinklers or picnicking in an orchard alley, this classic combo will bring back your favourite summer memories. 2 sliced oranges 2 tablespoons of vanilla 4 cups of water METHOD

Place all ingredients in a large pot with water and bring to a low heat to release fragrance. Keep on low heat and top up water as needed. Make sure to turn off stove if leaving pot unattended.

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EASY SUMMER SCENTS

Festive Farming Tips & Tricks

SUMMER STYLING

FUROSHIKI GIFT WRAPPING Furoshiki is a traditional Japanese method of wrapping gifts using recycled or sustainably sourced pieces of cloth. You’ll need a square piece of cloth (Furoshiki), your gift, and a flat surface to work on.

1. 2. 3.

Select a Furoshiki cloth that is large enough to wrap your gift while leaving some extra fabric for folding and tying. The size of the cloth will depend on the size of your gift. Lay the cloth flat on your working surface, with the pattern or design facing down. Place your gift in the center of the cloth. Fold one corner of the cloth diagonally across the gift to the opposite corner. The gift should now be covered by a triangleshaped portion of the cloth.

4. 5. 6.

“My Christmas/summer dessert hack for anyone who has spare mandarins is to peel them and freeze them and pull them out for a sweet treat it’s like eating sorbet ice cream” Aimz (@adventures.with.aimz)

Fold the remaining corners of the cloth over the top of the gift, one by one. Make sure the folds are snug but not too tight. Tuck the excess fabric underneath the gift. Gather the two opposite corners of the cloth that are now at the top of the gift. Tie them together into a simple knot. You can use a double knot if needed to secure the wrapping. Adjust the folds and fabric as needed to create a neat and visually pleasing wrapping. You can also add a decorative touch, such as a ribbon or a small ornament, by tucking it under the knot or tying it around the knot.

SUMMER RECIPE

Blackened Broccolini with Lemon Butter Sauce INGREDIENTS

METHOD

450g broccolini (or broccoli florets to substitute) 2tbs olive oil Salt & pepper to taste 2tbs unsalted butter 1tsp garlic, minced 1/2tsp lemon zest, grated 1–2tbs fresh lemon juice 2tbs pine nuts, toasted

Preheat oven to 200ºC. In a large bowl, toss the broccolini with the oil, salt, and pepper to taste. Arrange florets in a single layer on a baking sheet and roast, turning once, for 12 minutes or until tender. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the garlic and lemon zest and heat, stirring for about 1 minute. Let cool slightly and stir in the lemon juice. Place the broccolini in a serving bowl, pour the lemon butter over it and toss to coat. Scatter the toasted pine nuts over top.

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LIFESTYLE

Strawberry & Elderflower Mocktail Recipe

LIBRARY CORNER

Summer reads With Ashburton Paper Plus Meet You at the Main Divide BY JUSTINE ROSS WITH GEOFF ROSS

In Meet You at the Main Divide, innovators, disruptors, and authors of Every Bastard Says No share the challenge of a lifetime: leaving behind their Herne Bay mansion to farm 10,000 merino sheep on six-and half-thousand hectares beneath the snowy peaks of Te Waipounamu. It was an extreme transition, but beyond the gutwrenching trials and tribulations, freezing winters, feuds and foot-rot, Lake Hawea Station is a family-run farm breaking down barriers and demonstrating that farming for the planet can also be profitable.

Sisters Under the Rising Sun BY HEATHER MORRIS

In the midst of WWII, an English musician, Norah Chambers, places her eight-year-old daughter Sally on a ship leaving Singapore, desperate to keep her safe as the island falls to the Japanese Army. INGREDIENTS

1tsp vanilla extract or paste 1 tablespoon raw caster sugar 1 1/4 cup elderflower cordial 4 sprigs mint leaves 2.5 litre sparkling mineral water 1 punnet (approx. 250gm) fresh strawberries, halved Ice, to serve METHOD

Set aside a large jug (approximately 3L). Place strawberries, vanilla paste/extract and sugar in bowl and stir to combine. Cover with cling wrap and refrigerate. Chill minimum 1 hour, stirring once. Add the strawberries and syrup to the jug. Add the elderflower cordial and mint leaves. Top with mineral water. Place some ice in each serving glass and pour over the strawberry and elderflower mocktail. Stir and enjoy.

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Australian nurse Nesta James has enlisted to tend to Allied troops. But as Japanese troops overrun the island she joins the terrified cargo of people, including the heartbroken Norah, crammed aboard the Vyner Brooke merchant ship. Only two days later, they are bombarded from the air off the coast of Indonesia, and in a matter of hours, the Vyner Brooke has sunk. After surviving 24 hours in the sea, Nesta and Norah reach the beaches of a remote island, only to be captured and held in one of the notorious Japanese POW camps. The camps are places of starvation and brutality, where disease runs rampant. But even here joy can be found, in music, where Norah’s ‘voice orchestra’ has the power to transport the internees out of the squalor and into the light. Sisters in arms, Norah and Nesta devote themselves to the women’s survival while discovering their own extraordinary reserves of courage, love and strength.

The Raging Storm BY ANNE CLEEVES

When Jem Rosco—sailor, adventurer and legend—blows in to the local pub, The Maiden’s Prayer, in the middle of an autumn gale, the residents of Greystone are delighted. The whole place has a strange, unreal quality: the village that

time forgot. Backed by a worked-out quarry, with a shingle beach and a north-facing quay, there’s little to recommend it to tourists. When Rosco disappears again, they think nothing of it; that’s the sort of man he is. Until the lifeboat is launched to a hoax call-out and his body is found in a dinghy, anchored off Scully Cove, a place with legends of its own. This is an uncomfortable case for Matthew Venn. Greystone is a stronghold of the Barum Brethren and he came here as a child. Faith and superstition mix as another body is found in Scully, and Matthew finds his judgement clouded. The wind continues to howl, and he realises that his own life is in danger.

The Disappearance of Astrid Bricard BY NATASHA LESTER

History said she was just a man’s muse. History was wrong. The exquisite new novel from bestselling author Natasha Lester. In November 1973, a fashion legend vanished, leaving behind only a white silk dress and the question: what really happened to Astrid Bricard? Paris, 1917: Parentless sixteen-year-old Mizza Bricard makes a vow: to be remembered on her own terms. This promise drives her and her designs through the most exclusive couture houses in France until, finally, a legend is created—one that will endure for generations to come, but not the one she wanted. New York, 1970: Designer Astrid Bricard arrives in bohemian Chelsea ready to change the fashion world. And she does—but cast in the role of muse to her lover, Hawk Jones. Just as Astrid’s star is finally poised to ascend in its own right, she mysteriously disappears, leaving her family in tatters and perpetuating the infamous Bricard family myth. French Countryside, Present Day: Blythe Bricard is the daughter of fashion’s most infamous 70s power couple, but she turned her back on that world, and her passion for it, years ago. Fate, however, has other plans, and in a chateau over a whirlwind couple of weeks, Blythe will discover there is more to her iconic mother and grandmother— and herself—than she ever knew. These three generations now have one chance to prove themselves. Can the women of the Bricard fashion dynasty finally rewrite their history?

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DAIRY

Low methane research to help dairy farmers stay world-leading

There is a lot of pride that comes from working in a sector that has the most emissions efficient dairy farmers in the world. WORDS & IMAGES SUPPLIED BY JANE KAY, DAIRYNZ PRINCIPAL SCIENTIST

To help maintain that position, I am working with a team of three other scientists at DairyNZ, and many others across multiple partner organisations, to research options that could help further reduce methane emissions. This work will help future-proof and progress a positive future for dairy. New Zealand’s pasture-based dairy farms make us highly competitive, but this also adds complexity to incorporate some of the solutions that are used in overseas systems. DairyNZ is researching whether solutions designed for indoor and feedlot farming systems overseas can be successfully tailored and incorporated into our farming systems. One potential solution we’re looking at is feeding methane-reducing compounds to cows and calves. DairyNZ is working with research partners to assess whether feeding probiotics to calves could reduce emissions. Adult cows have a

stable rumen environment, so calves are seen as a more promising research alternative, given their rumen is still developing. We also know many methane-reducing products have short-lived responses. Some companies are exploring slow-release formulations and boluses, which we are evaluating. If these developments can be effective for longer periods of time, this could provide a more consistent reduction in methane emissions on pasture-based farms. New ways of delivering these compounds are also being trialled. This includes in-paddock automated feeders to control the frequency, timing and amount of methane-reducing product consumed by cows, providing a potential opportunity for pasture-based farms to administer the product more often throughout the day while their cows are grazing. DairyNZ is also collaborating with research partners to study a methane-reducing vaccine.   Farmers are providing advice on how to design solutions that work well on farms. Solutions are tested against a range of criteria including effectiveness, impact on animal health, profit and production, farm system fit and effects on milk.

on-farm profit. Finding effective solutions for our pasture-based farms and providing dairy farmers a suite of mitigation strategies continues to be a research priority, and a work in progress. I look forward to continuing work in this space and working with farmers on this journey. Our methane mitigation research at DairyNZ is funded by dairy farmers (through DairyNZ’s levy), the NZ Government (MPI; including New Zealand Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research Centre/NZAGRC, AgriZeroNZ) and commercial companies. You can find out more about current research and progress by visiting www.dairynz.co.nz/ lessmethane   Jane Kay is a DairyNZ Principal Scientist who leads DairyNZ’s Less Methane programme. She is also interested in a wide range of research, including ruminant physiology, nutrition and metabolism; transition cow management; once-daily milking; and milk fat composition and manipulation.

JANE KAY PRINCIPAL SCIENTIST, DAIRYNZ

DairyNZ is committed to helping farmers reduce methane emissions while maintaining R E A L FA RME R

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PORK

Innovative approach to pig farming pays off Tayla Steele spent a number of years working at thoroughbred racehorse studs before joining Patoa Farms 14 months ago. She has gone on to gain an NZQA Level 3 in Pig Husbandry. “I was looking for a change and wanted to move to North Canterbury because it’s a lovely location to live,” says Ms Steele. “I’d never had anything to do with pigs but knew a few people in the industry and they enjoyed it. I really like working with pigs. They are inquisitive, smart and playful. “I see myself in the sector long-term. It’s a good way to step into farming if you have no farming background. For anyone interested in farming, I’d say give pig farming a go. You don’t need any experience—you’ll get help to learn everything as you go along.” Regan Driever joined Stanley Brothers two years ago, straight from school, having enjoyed a stint of work experience at the farm. He has gained his NZQA Level Three in Pig Husbandry and plans to study for his Level Four next year. “I’m always learning something new,” says Regan. “There’s so much involved—nutrition, pig welfare, biosecurity and I really enjoy working with the pigs.

An innovative Canterbury pig farmer and committed industry leader has been recognised for his contribution to New Zealand’s pork sector with an Industry Lifetime Achievement award. WORDS & IMAGES SUPPLIED BY NZ PORK

Chris Trengrove, who farms west of Christchurch on the Canterbury Plains, began his career in banking before switching to farming in the late 1980s.

links with pork industries, researchers and organisations. He also has a deep commitment to research and pork industry training.” Meanwhile, Tayla Steele, who works for Patoa Farms in North Canterbury, and Regan Driever of the Stanley Brothers pig farm near Opunake in Taranaki, were joint winners of the 2023 Stockperson of the Year award.

“I see it as a long-term career and I’d encourage any young people interested in the sector to apply for work experience and see what they think.”

ABOVE LEFT: Chris Trengrove and Brent Kleiss

He served on the NZPork Board for 15 years, nine of those as Chairman, and was instrumental in the development and introduction of the sector’s PigCare welfare assurance programme and a major review of import health standards. Known for his innovative approach to pig farming, Mr Trengrove designed a novel purpose-built farrowing system to reduce piglet losses. He also pioneered artificial insemination for outdoor pig herds in New Zealand. Brent Kleiss, chief executive of NZPork, said MrTrengrove has made an immense contribution to the sector. “Chris has invested time and energy serving our sector and New Zealand agriculture over many years and established international R E A L FA RME R

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SHEEP & BEEF

Taking care of business The economic outlook, coupled with predicted El Niño weather patterns, means the next few months could be challenging for farmers. WORDS & IMAGE SUPPLIED BY BEEF + LAMB NEW ZEALAND IMAGE: Pat describes interest rates (as a percentage

of their Gross Farm Income) as their biggest challenge and this puts a huge amount of pressure on them. It is also a factor they cannot control

While they are carrying a lot of debt on the back of a recent growth and development phase, Matt says he is feeling energised about the opportunity to reset their business, although it has taken him a few months to adopt that mindset. Over the five years Pat Crawshaw and his wife Isabelle have been farming at Patoka in Hawke’s Bay they have faced drought, a TB outbreak, Covid-19, a slew of government regulations, and cyclones; the latter being by far the most destructive and disruptive. They were also a B+LNZ Monitor Farm and the support networks they put into their business over that time are now standing them in good stead. On top of having to rebuild their farm system after the devastation wrought by Cyclone Gabrielle, interest rates on their considerable debt have more than doubled. Pat describes interest rates (as a percentage of their Gross Farm Income) as their biggest challenge and this puts a huge amount of pressure on them. It is also a factor they cannot control. He says they are very frank with their bank manager about what that looks like for them, but their focus is on the factors they can control. Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s New Season Outlook 2023–24 is forecasting farm profitability to fall by 31 per cent to an average $88,600 per farm (this is a weighted average across all farm classes). This follows on the back of last year’s 32 per cent decline and means profits for farmers have more than halved in two years. This is a 15-year low, when inflation is taken into account. This reflects the cyclical of nature of markets and farming and B+LNZ’s recent ‘Sow, Grow, Thrive’ webinar series highlighted a number of strategies farmers can implement that will help them get through this pinch and come out in a stronger position when the inevitable upward swing occurs. A number of the speakers, which included farmers, bankers, farm accountants, financial advisors, and a psychologist, encouraged farmers to focus on the factors they can control and to take this opportunity to run a ruler over their business to find where incremental gains could be made.

All stressed the importance of planning as the cornerstone of achievement and the need to revisit plans on a regular basis.

Farmer experience Speaking on the first of the six webinars, sheep and beef farmers Matt Tayler and Pat Crawshaw discussed their strategies for navigating what could be a challenging season ahead. These include changing their mindset and taking the opportunity to reassess what drives their business. They will also be looking at ways they can make incremental savings and instill business disciplines that will put them in a good position to recover quickly.

Pat stresses the importance of having good long-term relationships with the many people in the farm team (accountants, bank managers, processors, fertiliser reps, agronomists etc) who can offer support, advice and reward loyalty. Both Matt and Pat talked about having trigger points in their businesses (Matt’s are climate related) and having plans B, C and D ready to implement. Pat uses Farmax modelling, which includes soil moisture and temperature data, as a decisionmaking tool and every month he reviews how they are tracking financially. A more in-depth budget review is carried out every two to three months.

Matt and his wife Shona farm Lorne Peak, a 6000ha sheep and beef operation near Garston in Southland.

Both Matt and Pat talked about the need to get off-farm on a regular basis to play sport or catch up with friends as ways to connect and look after their own well-being.

He described adversity as being a great learning experience and it has been through periods of adversity that they have changed their farming system for the better.

For more information click here to visit Sow, Grow, Thrive: A B+LNZ webinar series to empower farmers for financial success.

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WELLBEING HEALTH & SAFETY

Top Nowtips is the fortime to on-farm prepare for wellbeing El Niño SUCCESSFUL EL NIÑO IS HERE ON-FARM THIS SUMMER WELLBEING AND CAN RURAL BEINSURER TRICKY TO FMG ALWAYS IS ENCOURAGING GET RIGHT GIVEN RURALSTAFF NEW ZEALAND DIVERSITYTO AND THE BE PREPARED NATURE OF FOR FARMING, THE INCREASED BUT DUNSANDEL RISKS THAT DAIRY FARMER THEY MAY DANA FACE CARVER WITH THE BELIEVES DRY, HOT, THERE AND ARE WINDY THREE MAIN CONDITIONS AREAS WHERE ON THE POSITIVE WAY. DIFFERENCES CAN BE ACHIEVED—HOUSING, ROSTERS AND FOOD. “As an advice led insurer, we feel we need to do everything we can to help prepare for the potential impacts of in this weather pattern.” Dana and Tony Coltman are equity partners Canlac Holdings and says 800 Angela Taylorhectares FMG’s Advice Services Manager. farm effective with three platforms (two 50 bale and one 60 baleto rotaries) and aisherd 3,300confidence cows. The of pair won According NIWA there nowof 100% analso El Niño the 2020 Canterbury Ballance Farm Environment Supreme Award. over summer, and over 80% certainty that this event will extend With background personal development, human until aautumn 2024.inOceanic temperatures are withinresources the top-five and wellbeing, Dana plays an active part in these aspects of the strongest El Niño’s in the last 80 years. farming operation. That means an increased risk of drought, increased fire risk, as “It’s hard to consider wellbeing and get it right. wellreally as increased high and everyone’s squally westerly winds. Dry, hot, and We all know wellbeing matters but farming windy conditions mean an increased risk ofdoesn’t wildfires so make it easy its early starts and farmers and with growers needmorning to do what they can weekend work. We try and mitigate this to prepare for a worst-case scenario. where we can, but with 12–16 staff “Now is the time to prepare by doing from 8 different countries, speaking things like clearing vegetation, six different languages, it can be creating, and maintaining a difficult to meet all of their needs.” ‘defensible space’ around your One area wellbeing whichup is home andofbuildings setting proving successful is making water supplies, cleaning gutters sure staff have good says housing. and forming a plan,” “Staff need to be well rested Angela Taylor. and warm. We have found “Head to fireandemeregency. that they don’t always want nz for information on its to share their homes with National Wildfire Readiness and the people they work with, so Prevention campaign. There we are trying to work towards is a lot you can do to lessen the solutions but it is slow progress,” impact by preparing now and it she said. will also increase your chances of Where possible, new builds have navigating a major event safely,” been constructed to meet these says Angela. needs, and as time and budget allow, “It’s important to have an escape plan existing premises have been converted and practice it regularly with your family to accommodate one or two staff members and your staff. Make sure your RAPID number instead of larger homes where multiple staff is displayed at the end of your drive, where they shared accommodation. are easy to see from the road and that your access ways are Another step towards has been clear. Youimportant should also make sureimproved you havewellbeing enough water supplies modifying rosters. we started here, it was 11 and three (11 available with clear“When signage.” days on and three days off). Over time we have worked on these and Burn-offs are a legitimate land management tool but it’s important now we have seasonal rosters—five and two in the winter, six and to plan them in advance and consider the weather conditions, fuel two during calving and seven and two for the rest of the year.” conditions and any regulatory requirements you need to meet While the rosters can’t be the same all year round, aheadacknowledging of time. having seasonal rosters can certainly help provide much needed “Head to at checkitsalright.nz to request a fire permit. Even if you down time on a more regular basis. In addition to the main or are cautious, it doesn’t completely remove the risk of fire.” macro roster, Dana said they also work a micro roster which sees staff share early starts and milking rosters so everyone gets a

WORDS BY ANITA BODY

WORDS AND IMAGES PROVIDED BY FMG INSURANCE

sleep-in With an increased from time risk to time. of high “It means winds forecast no one person it’s important has all of tothe keep early treesstarts and branches or a particular near buildings milking roster.” trimmed to avoid damage. Food “Trees is and another branches vital component falling, windto lifting successful iron andwellbeing tiles off roofs, and Dana said and they loosetry items and ensure blown into everyone sides of is houses well fed,are especially a common during cause calving of these time. claims. Some A good yearsrule thisishas keeping seen one branches hot meal trimmed provided and at each leastday 3 metres or a steady clear of supply any buildings of fresh fruit and and overhead mueslipowerlines. bars. “It’s not always We recommend easy to findsecuring someone anyon-farm outdoortoitems cook,that but could it certainly become adds value.” missiles in intense winds. If you notice any loose tiles or iron, repair these as soon as possible,” In addition to these three topsays tips,Angela. Canlac also ensures its staff take It’s also partimportant in team building to haveexercises a plan in place prior to forcalving. windstorms It is a ifgreat you way operate for the anstaff irrigator. to understand Every year,each wind other remains andthe appreciate top cause of their irrigator-related differences.losses, “We use accounting the bird personality for 34% oftest FMG’s to show total annual the differences irrigator claims. between us and it helps to understand that you can’t expect everyone to beblowing the same.” a result of theinpersonality “The risk of irrigators overAs is even greater an El Niño profiling, the team start to use the same can weather pattern. Having a plan in place willlanguage ease theand pressure identify the different categories when windstorms arepersonality forecast, and help youwithin react their team, whether it be Your dove,plan owl,should peacock to these sudden events. cover or eagle. wind prediction, who’s responsible, what needs This team to bebuilding done, and timeinclude is also regular a great practice way to revisit runs.”current health and safety practices, having Irrigation NZ and with FMGstaff agree that the chance to match selection pointing either into, oraaway from, of on-farm risks and the wind remains themitigations best way to and to also identify and reduces make reduce damage, as this decisions what could or the surfaceon area exposed to the should be done differently. wind. Head to www.fmg.co.nz/ The previous year’s irrigators for more onresults Point, are compared so the team Park, and Anchor. can see progress and ensure FMG is sponsoring a podcast all identified issues have been produced by Farmers Weekly addressed. called El Niño Watch with weekly On a lighter note, there is also updates on the developing an ‘Amazing Race’ typeyou event weather pattern which canwith find clues and and tasks, suchPodcasts. as pricing on Spotify Apple on-farm goods and supplies. Dana Other useful tools are NIWA’s drought Dana Caver said this is always successful and has forecasting dashboard and the Ministry for the added bonus of staff gaining further Primary Industries Preparing for El Niño page. understanding and perspective about farm expenditure. Prizes are made up of sponsored and branded goods collected on-farm throughout the year and then shared amongst the staff at the conclusion of this event.

ANGELA TAYLOR FMG ADVICE SERVICES MANAGER

R E A L FA RME R

R E AL FARM E R

WELLBEING HEALTH

Investing in your wellbeing FARMING, LIKE PROFESSIONAL SPORT, IS A JOB WITH PLENTY OF CHALLENGES. THAT’S WHY IT’S IMPORTANT TO LOOK AFTER YOURSELF, SAYS FARMSTRONG AMBASSADOR SAM WHITELOCK. I know from having grown up on a farm that farmers are great at looking after their stock and pasture but, sometimes, not so good at looking after themselves. There’s always a to-do list as long as your arm on farm and there are only so many hours in a day. So, when life gets really busy on farm having a strategy to manage workload and stress is vital. On a farm no-one is going to come and tell you to have time off. You have to prioritise your wellbeing and make it happen yourself. START YOUR ‘WELLBEING BANK ACCOUNT’

I think of my wellbeing as a bit like a bank account. As we experience stressful situations and knock-backs in life, our natural supply of wellbeing can get depleted. These are the ‘withdrawals’ from our wellbeing account. If there are too many withdrawals, we can head into ‘overdraft’ which can make life very difficult.

WORDS AND IMAGES PROVIDED BY FARMSTRONG AND FMG

more resilient. These are small habits that are easy to fit into even the busiest life. For example, scheduling time to catch up with my mates to go hunting or fishing, is one of my regular investments in my wellbeing. FIND OUT WHAT WORKS FOR YOU AND ‘LOCK IT IN’

Being Farmstrong is about finding what works best for you. It might be exercise, a hobby or a better roster. No one gets it right all the time, but if the intention’s there, you’re more likely to have a good day, than a bad one. The Farmstrong website is well worth a visit. It has a ton of farmer-to-farmer ideas, resources and advice from content experts. Topics include managing stress and pressure; getting a decent night’s sleep; putting the right ‘fuel in the tank’ by eating well, keeping ‘farm fit’ to avoid common niggles and strains and scheduling recovery time to prevent fatigue and burnout. LIVE WELL TO FARM WELL

Farmers have shared with us the sorts of things that make a dent in their ‘wellbeing account’: having too much to do, lack of sleep, not getting enough time off. There is also the pressure of things beyond their control, such as adverse weather events, changing market prices and regulations.

When we’re really busy, the things that go out the window are often the things that keep us well and help us cope. So, make sure you eat well, get enough quality sleep, keep active and do the hobbies or activities you enjoy. Anything that boosts your mood and energy levels is a great investment that will help you get through busier periods.

HOW YOU CAN INVEST IN YOUR WELLBEING

BEING FARMSTRONG MAKES A DIFFERENCE

The good news is if you ‘invest’ wisely and often into your wellbeing bank account, even with little amounts, you can counter these withdrawals and get big dividends over time.

It’s awesome hearing about the number of people that Farmstrong is touching, and I know there are many more people out there we can help. Last year, more than 15,000 farmers directly attributed an improvement in their wellbeing to Farmstrong.

Making small, regular ‘deposits’ means doing things that boost your energy levels, so you have something to draw on when you’re ‘under the pump’. For example, one of the things I’m doing now is to plan a tenminute slot into each day and say, ‘this is my time’. I know it sounds funny taking time out when you’re busy to make your day more efficient, but it does help you to think more clearly. THE FIVE WAYS TO WELLBEING

If you’re looking for quick ‘deposits’, the Five Ways to Wellbeing are a great place to start. The science of wellbeing says people who thrive tend to have five, simple habits in common: • staying connected with mates • keeping active • enjoying the simple things in life • learning new things to keep fresh • giving back to the community. I’m a big fan of the Five Ways. They can make a huge difference to your life, whether you’re a farmer or a professional athlete. Adopting healthy habits has a positive, cumulative effect over time and makes you much

MAKE YOUR WELLBEING A PRIORITY

In a busy job like farming, it can be tempting to ignore your own wellbeing because so much needs to get done. In the long run, this is a false economy, because you’re neglecting the most important asset on the farm—you. So, make wellbeing a business priority and invest in the habits that make people more resilient – catch up with your mates regularly, try learning something new, keep the body moving, enjoy the simple stuff in life and get involved in your local community. Having a healthy wellbeing bank account is a win-win situation. There are real advantages in investing in what keeps you well. In the long run, it makes you more productive and helps you perform at your best, whether it’s on the rugby field or the farm.

R E A L FA RME R

SHOP IN STORE OR ONLINE WITH RURALCO FARM SUPPLIES

R E AL FARM E R

IRRIGATION

Navigating uncertainty through empowerment As the rural communities of New Zealand grapple with the challenges posed by extreme weather events and shifting climate patterns, the call for climate adaptation is growing louder. WORDS SUPPLIED BY STEPHEN MCNALLY, IRRIGATIONNZ PRINCIPAL TECHNICAL ADVISOR

working on policy changes and natural resource plans triggered by central government policies dating back to 2014 and even earlier. This lag does not aid rural communities in responding proactively to climate challenges. The pace of change required by global consumers is rapidly increasing driven by market transparency. Therefore, adapting to change must strike a balance between climate adaptation, market demands, and the practical realities of seasonally controlled rural businesses, ensuring societal and economic resilience.

In the past year alone, we have witnessed the fury of floods, the wrath of storms, and the looming threat of drought conditions. But amidst these trials, our rural communities are actively planning and implementing change practices that promise a better future. At the heart of this transformation for members of IrrigationNZ lies freshwater management and irrigation practices, marking a positive shift in the way we approach these critical aspects of rural life. Over the last couple of decades, New Zealand’s rural sector has seen significant changes in the policies and regulations but also practices associated with the management of water resources. Codes of Practice, guidelines, and standards have been introduced to establish consistent policies on freshwater management, with a clear emphasis on the efficiency of irrigation systems. While we acknowledge that we still have a journey ahead to strike the right balance, the direction we are heading in is undeniably positive. The education of our rural communities, through general awareness programs and specialised training initiatives, has empowered farmers to embrace best practices. Irrigated farmers and growers are increasingly recognising the significance of managing their soils, utilising efficient irrigation methods, and making crop management decisions that align with the evolving local conditions. Evaluating the impact of these changes necessitates robust data collection and analysis, enabling us to monitor the effects of these good

practices on water use efficiency. However, some environmental indicators of improvement may take time to manifest within the complex biological and geophysical systems we operate in. Yet, one indicator that is immediately apparent is the shift in behaviour and active participation among farmers and stakeholders in programs, which is becoming more prevalent and a relevant measure of success. In this era of uncertainty, the principle of active participation is finding widespread acceptance in various facets of community decision-making. This approach is particularly visible when contemplating locally focused environmental restoration projects as well as the other end of the spectrum with large-scale infrastructure developments, such as water storage and distribution. Both these activities can be viable solutions to address the pressing need for long-term water availability and security in our primary production regions. Active participation principles promote inclusivity, early engagement, transparency, effective participation, and setting common objectives in agreements; all this fosters a collaborative approach to decision-making. To navigate the evolving climatic and economic landscape effectively, we must adopt adaptive management practices that include continuous feedback loops, allowing for policy reviews and practice refinement. Historically, there has been a delay between central policy development and regional implementation and end users practice changes. For instance, Regional Councils are still

Crucially, effecting change in rural climate adaptation requires empowerment, education, and incentivisation rather than relying solely on directives and penalties. Legislative documents governing land and water use, often drafted to meet legal precedents, tend to focus on those slow to change. They incorporate fees and fines for non-compliance but rarely acknowledge or reward those ahead of the curve. Empowering rural communities with knowledge and tools to make informed decisions remains pivotal. It not only leads to more efficient resource utilisation but also fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility for the long-term well-being of our communities. Incentivisation, through economic growth and reduced compliance intervention, can motivate stakeholders to voluntarily adopt good water management practices, aligning individual and community interests with broader environmental and climate goals. This approach ensures a higher degree of ownership of outcomes. Organisations like IrrigationNZ play a pivotal role in supporting these positive pathways by offering resources, training, and expertise to empower farmers and rural communities. They advocate for incentivisation over punitive measures, encouraging consideration of change in practices among stakeholders. This approach leads to a more inclusive, positive, and enduring transformation in rural sector climate adaptation, enhancing outcomes and long-term sustainability. IrrigationNZ is a national membership organisation that looks after the interests of irrigating farmers, growers, and the industry professionals that service them. We actively engage with our members and other stakeholders in the delivery of irrigation best practices and helping shape policy. We facilitate the adoption of best practices in irrigation and water management through a world-class resource base of knowledge and effective communication.

R E A L FA RME R

CARDHOLDER

Out & about 1

Ashburton A&P Show 1. Georgie Going 2. Charlotte and Josh Bennett 3. Luke Howden and Sarah Scrimshaw 4. Craig Rodgers and Stevie Young 5. Rachelle McDowell, Anna Jackson, Jon Jackson 6. Ashleigh, Edel & Alex 7. Indiana Roberts, Darren The Naked Baker, Emma Murray 8. Ruralco Chair, Sir David Carter and Ruralco Group CEO, Tony Aitken 9. Emma, Harper and George Bedford 10. Colleen Roberts, Charlotte Roberts and Tryphena Carter

R E AL FARM E R

Co-op News Store hours & closures ASHBURTON: Monday to Friday: 8:00am–5:30pm Saturday: 9:00am–12:00 noon Closed on public holidays & Saturdays when the public holiday falls on a Monday or Friday. RAKAIA: Monday to Friday: 8:00am–5:30pm Closed on public holidays. METHVEN: Monday to Friday: 8:00am - 5:30pm Closed on public holidays. STORE CLOSURES: 24–26 December Christmas Day and Boxing Day Our Ashburton, Methven, and Rakaia stores will be closed from Sunday, 24 December to Tuesday, 26 December (Boxing Day). We will be returning to business as usual on Wednesday, 27 December 2023.

Christmas Shopping at Ruralco Get ahead of the holiday hustle and bustle by getting your Christmas shopping sorted at Ruralco. Shop our fabulous range of pre-made gift hampers with something for everyone. Or, if you’re after something in particular, our gifting experts can craft your hamper to suit any budget in one of our elegant gift boxes, creating the perfect gift to send by post as a corporate gift or a treat for someone special. Check out our Christmas Gift Guide out now at www.ruralco.co.nz/Christmas or some great gift ideas on our Facebook page @Ruralco.home.

6 February Waitangi Day Our Ashburton, Methven, and Rakaia stores will be closed on Tuesday 6 February. We will be returning to business as usual on Wednesday 7 February 2024.

Have you tried BOOST Mineral Blend? Our BOOST Mineral Blend is a specifically formulated water-soluble, multi-mineral blend providing essential trace elements for animal health. We can customise the mix to suit your dairy herd’s requirements, delivering it direct to farm. Talk to your Ruralco representative today to discuss the best mineral mix for your livestock or find out more online at www.ruralco.co.nz/boost

Check out our latest Forage Guide with details of the latest seed varieties across fodder beet, brassicas, grasses, and catch crops at ruralco.co.nz/ forageguide. Our Pasture Pack Guide is out now showcasing a range of pasture pack options suitable for any purpose. Our packs have been designed to make selecting new pasture a simple process, with the added assurance only proven premium seeds are selected to produce ultimate results and ultimate pastures. Check out the latest guide online at www.ruralco.co.nz/pasturepacks.

Save 12¢ on fuel with your Ruralco card Fill up with Ruralco at selected Mobil and Allied Fuel sites across the country and save 12¢ per litre off the pump price.

30 December– 2 January New Years Day and Day After New Years Day Our Ashburton, Methven, and Rakaia stores will be closed from Saturday 30 December to Tuesday 2 January. We will be returning to business as usual on Wednesday 3 January 2024.

Forage Guide & Pasture Pack Guide out now

Ruralco and Ballance are here to help you grow the future of your farm Our partnership with Ballance Agri- Nutrients gives you access to local fertiliser experts that can tailor a solid fertiliser plan to maximise your on-farm production potential. Together we can bring you science-backed and innovative nutrient solutions that will maximise your on-farm production potential delivering a measurable return on investment. Make the switch to Ballance through Ruralco for all your fertiliser requirements. Talk to your Ruralco Representative today.

Find out which card is right for you and apply today at ruralco.co.nz

When you run a farming business, there’s no time for standing still Which is why you need easy, reliable access to fuel, at competitive prices, for all the equipment that drives your farm every day. Our team of dedicated fuel advisers are here to ensure all your fuel needs are covered. Through our partners, we offer a large range of fuel storage tanks for purchase or lease. We make it as convenient as possible, with fuel delivered direct to your door. Not only that, Ruralco members benefit from bulk fuel pricing, so you’re always getting the best possible price. Contact us today to find out more.

Power your business with solar Through our suppliers, Ruralco can design and implement a solar system for your business, enabling you to beat rising energy costs, offset emissions, and make better use of a natural resource to produce and store renewable energy. Not only can solar power be used for powering irrigators and dairy sheds—it can also be used to offset the cost of lighting, heating and ventilation in farm buildings and homes. Talk to the Ruralco team today on 0800 787 256 to find out how we can help introduce solar to your business. R E A L FA RME R

New Ruralco Card Merchants This is just a snapshot of the many great businesses where you can use your Ruralco card and save. Visit www.ruralco.co.nz for a full list of participating businesses near you and discounts available.

NORTH ISLAND

Blenheim

Auckland

ASURE Phoenix Motor Inn Up to 10% discount

FUEL

Mobil Oteha Valley 12¢ per litre

ENGINEERING & MACHINERY

Kaikohe FUEL

Kaitaia TYRES

Far North Tyre Services 4% discount

& NZ Safety Blackwoods ENGINEERING MACHINERY Masterton 25.25% average discount

SUBSCRIPTIONS

M.A.D Graphics & Signz 5% discount

OFFICE & SUPPLIES

Minx Hair Spa Up to 5% discount

HEALTH & BEAUTY CANVAS & UPHOLSTERY

FARM MERCHANDISE

Ray Mayne Hose and Fittings 5% discount

WATER

HOME APPLIANCE & INTERIOR ACCOMMODATION

Balclutha APL Fuelstop Balclutha 12¢ per litre R E AL FARM E R

FUEL

SUPERMARKETS & BUTCHERY

WATER

Orari Irrigation 2.5% discount

NZ Safety Blackwoods Queenstown 25.25% average discount

ENGINEERING & MACHINERY

Rolleston PLUMBING & GAS

Mico Plumbing & Bathrooms Up to 57% discount

HARDWARE & BUILDING

PlaceMakers Rolleston Up to 25% discount

Franz Josef

Greymouth

The Suites Ashburton 7% discount

HOME APPLIANCE & INTERIOR

New World Cromwell Convenience

Ashburton

Refresh Renovations Timaru and Ashburton Up to 10% discount

RETAIL

HEALTH & BEAUTY

Tillmans Fine Furniture Up to 5% discount

SOUTH ISLAND

ACCOMMODATION

Queenstown

Beauty Worx Day Spa Up to 5% discount

Bella Vista Motel Franz Josef Glacier 5% discount

CountryWide Media Ltd Up to 10% discount

Southern Cross Dog Kennels Up to 10% discount

Cromwell

Masterton

ASURE St John’s Court Motel Up to 10% discount

Orari

Christchurch

Mobil Kaikohe 12¢ per litre

NC Equipment Ltd Up to 10% discount

ACCOMMODATION

Cave

NZ Safety Blackwoods Takanini 25.25% average discount

Morrison Saddlery and Feed 2023 Up to 10% discount

Milton

ACCOMMODATION

Firewatch South Canterbury Ltd Up to 10% discount

ITS Discount Tyres Greymouth 4% discount

TYRES

Christabells Fresh Berry Fruit 5% discount

RETAIL

SUPERMARKETS & BUTCHERY

Invercargill ENGINEERING & MACHINERY

Methven Big Al’s Snow Sport Up to 10% discount

Timaru

RETAIL

Methven Liquor Centre 1.5% discount

RESTAURANTS & LIQUOR

The Brown Pub 5% discount

RESTAURANTS & LIQUOR

VEHICLE SERVICING

Winton Southbuild ITM Convenience

Hokitika

Dynamic Maintenance Up to 5% discount

CONSULTANTS

Centra Motor Co Mitsubishi Up to 5% discount

Hinds

New World Hokitika Convenience

Temuka

Stihl Shop Winton 5% discount

HARDWARE & BUILDING CHAINSAWS & MOWERS

RURALCO KIDS CHRISTMAS COLOURING COMPETITION NAME

AGE

ACCOUNT DETAILS

CONDITIONS OF ENTRY • Please ensure the entrants name and age, and the Ruralco account details is submitted with the entry. • One entry per child only. • All entries must be received by Ruralco no later than 4.30pm, 22 December 2023. Either drop it in to any of the Ruralco stores or scan and email it to ruralco@ruralco.co.nz. • There are two age groups and prize packs allocated per age group: 4- and 8-11. • Winners will be announced by 31 January 2024. • Ruralco reserves the right to publish all entries and

details of the winners. • Once the judging has taken place, winners will be notified by telephone. • The prize is not transferable or exchangeable and Ruralco reserves the right to change the prize to the same or equal value at any time if the prize becomes unavailable. • Ruralco accepts no responsibility for late, lost ,or misdirected entries. • The judge’s decision is final, and no correspondence will be entered into.

• Account details are either the Account number on the front of your Ruralco charge card, or 8-digit barcode reference number on the back of your Ruralco credit card. • The judge’s decision is final, and no correspondence will be entered into.

R E A L FA RME R

USE YOUR RURALCO CARD HERE

Classifieds

AUTOMOTIVE

RE AL FARM E R

BEAUTY THERAPY

GLASS

BUTCHERY SERVICES

COMPUTERS

FENCING

FLORISTS

GLASS

PEST CONTROL

SECURITY SYSTEMS

LAWNMOWERS

R E A L FA RME R

USE YOUR RURALCO CARD HERE

BUILDING SUPPLIES