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The News
Thursday April 30 2015
Future of the Heartland A Forum held at Te Mania Angus Bull Stud, Conway Flat, on Friday 17th April 2015.
Sound Science, cutting edge technology, wedded to a deep and abiding respect for the land. That was the me ssage which came across re soundingly at the Forum. Over 400 farmers had gathered for a full day of presentations from a wide variety of expert farmers, agricultural leaders and politicians. Given that North Canterbury is deep in one of the worst droughts in living memory, and farmers were facing the bad news of a further fall in dairy prices, coupled with a soaring dollar, it might have been a day for doom and gloom. What was delivered was a resounding vote of confide nce in the se ctor, in the sure and ce rtain knowledge that rain will come eventually, dairy incomes will rise and farmers can get on with the job at which they are experts, feeding the world’s burgeoning population. Four main topics emerged as the day developed. The first was the problem of biosecurity in a nation dependent on trade and with an ever increasing movement across its borders. It was exemplified by the spread of Chilean needle grass. Minister Nathan Guy stressed the awareness of his Ministry of the problems and described the increased investment in this area. There would inevitably be escapes and threats but his officers were able to respond immediately and effectively, as exemplified by the response to the Queensland fruit fly. The matter which occupied the minds of many of the attendees most was the general lack of comprehension, by New Zealand’s urban population, of the revolution which has taken place in farming over the recent past. In spite of the adverse publicity which farming, and in particular dairy farming, has received from the mainstream media and some politicians, rural people have quietly got on with fencing waterways, (about 90% of main watercourses are now fenced), replanting natives (famers now have 180,000 hectares, an area equivalent to Stewart Island, planted in regenerating native bush, and covenanted to the QEII Trust), and managing dairy effluent. Modern farming, as Dr William Rolleston reminded us, is heavily dependent on the application of science and modern technology, absolutely critical to the increased return from exports that the government anticipates, towards maximizing the outputs while minimizing waste. Craige Mackenzie and the Zino brothers showed what could be done in this are a, while Doug Avery described how working with the environmental variables could be used to advantage. The third topic, which occupied the Forum, and the most immediate, given the arid state of North Canterbury, was irrigation. The Mayor of the Hurunui District, Winton Dalley, and the Chair of the Hurunui Water Company, discussed the problems of developing irrigation schemes from the point of view of regulation versus development. These problems were underlined by David Bedford, of ECan, who explained how the regional council could work constructively with farmers for mutual benefit. Finally a subject, which ran as an undercurrent through the e ntire Forum, was concern about the future . Farming was no longer seen as a viable career option and the numbe r of young people entering a career in farming was diminishing, at the same time as the re was a need for an influx of well educated graduates able to apply modern technology. Overall however there was an air of optimism about the future. This was underpinned by a rousing summary from Prime Minister John Key, who pointed out that farming knew good times and bad times, and the temporary glitch caused by events as diverse as lack of rain and sanctions against Russia, would pass. His encouragement was greeted with loud applause. Following thanks to the organizers by MP for Kaikoura, Stuart Smith, and an accolade to the speakers by David Holland, the 400 registrants repaired to a fantastic barbecue, with delicious meat provided by Silver Fern Farms, with local paua, mussels and crayfish, and informal chat. In many ways this was the most useful part of the day. A Forum such as this is heavily dependent on the venue and associated facilities. In this it was indeed fortunate to have a location such as Te Mania, a unique facility tucked away at the mouth of the Conway River. In addition the assistance of the many volunteers from the local community who packed lunches, baked, cooked the barbecue, acted as marshals, or carried out the many duties such a large event demanded. They showed that the Heartland is alive and thriving. Finally, sincere thanks to the sponsors who supported this venture, and without whom it would not have been possible. Platinum Sponsor -
Federated Farmers of New Zealand
Gold Sponsors -
Charles Wiffen Wines; PGG Wrightson; Silver Fern Farms; Soil Matters/Viafos; Rabobank NZ Ltd, Avon City Ford; Fonterra; FMG Insurance; Ministry for Primary Industries
Silver Sponsors -
Farmlands Co-op; Ravensdown; Scales Corp; Brown Glassford & Co; Lion Nathan, CALMClimate & Land Matters; Harris Meats; Agtrac 20/20 Ltd; Tru-Test ltd; United Fisheries Ltd, Southern Humates Ltd; Dow AgroSciences 1579503
Green green grass of home . . . A colour not seen for many months in Hawarden and PHOTO: AMANDA BOWES. Waikari.
Rain brings green tinge A tinge of green is slowly creeping over the hills and plains of the Hawarden and Waikari areas after a welcome 59mm of rain fell during April. With 25mm falling on Monday afternoon and night, ground that was starting to dry out again soaked up the rain with no run off in sight. Farmers struggling for feed have been utilising the long acre, with many road sides becoming extended grazing for
sheep, cattle and dairy cows. While not out of the woods yet as far as the drought goes, the sight of white landscapes greening up has been a sight to behold for many farmers. Meanwhile further south up to 60mm of rain fell from Monday to Tuesday morning. Farmers are now hoping that temperatures warm up so pasture growth is promoted to help out with tight feed situations.
Responsible hosts Licensed premises are displaying ‘‘a responsible attitude’’ in the sale of liquor. Waimakariri District Council licensing committee secretary Les Pester says he is encouraged by the results of the latest operation to monitor compliance of licensed premises. Council licensing staff regularly collaborate with police and public health staff to conduct a ‘controlled purchase’ operation in the district to monitor both onlicence and offlicence premises, to ensure they comply with the requirements of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012, including the terms of the sale and supply of alcohol to underage people. ‘‘From this, and the last controlled purchase operation we carried out late last year, it appears that licensees and alcohol establishment managers around
the district are continuing to display a responsible attitude towards the requirements of the act. That’s very pleasing,’’ says Mr Pester. In the most recent of these checks, carried out on Saturday, April 11, the monitoring team visited premises in Mandeville, Ashley, Kaiapoi, Rangiora, Pegasus and Woodend. The operation used an underage person to try to buy alcohol at thirty different licensed premises. In each case identification was requested and, when not produced, the underage controlled purchaser was refused the sale of alcohol. The district licensing committee works closely with licensees and their managers to maintain a high level of awareness of the provisions of the act and ensure that licence conditions are met.
Tai chi changes life By DAVID HILL A former professional golfer says tai chi changed his life. Alistair Kidd, a former Scottish professional golfer who now calls North Canterbury home, is keen to encourage people to take up martial arts to improve their health. Mr Kidd says while playing in a professional golf tournament in Australia he picked up an injury which left him with a debilitating condition similar to arthritis. ‘‘I went to a tournament in Australia and something bit me in the foot, I don’t know whether it was a spider or a snake, but I ended up in hospital.’’ Mr Kidd says his condition quickly deteriorated to the point where he was hunched over and could only walk short distances. However, he came into to contact with Chan’s Martial Arts in Christchurch, which introduced him to tai chi and gave his life
back. Chan’s Martial Arts is offering classes at Rangiora High School on Monday and Wednesday evenings, with kung fu at 6pm and tai chi at 7.30pm. Mr Kidd says tai chi will improve the health of those middle aged and older, while kung fu is ideal for younger people. On Wednesday evenings there will a male and a female black belt tutors teaching the classes. ‘‘It’s open for all ages and we are particularly to help children and younger people with their wellbeing and to defend themselves.’’ Mr Kidd represented Scotland in amateur golf tournaments on a +1 handicap, before turning professional. He went on two play in the British Open three times, ‘‘once as a Scotsman and twice as a New Zealander’’. He has retired from professional golf due to his health and now lives on a lifestyle block at Ashley.