Guardian Farming, November 2013

Ashburton A&P ShowP2-3

GuardianASHBURTON

FarmingGUARDIAN NOVEMBER, 2013

2

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

Please direct any correspondence to: Linda Clarke, on 307-7971email: [email protected] write to PO Box 77, Ashburton.

Advertising: Phone 307-7974Email: [email protected] date: November 5, 2013

Next issue: December 3, 2013

An advertising feature for the Ashburton Guardian. Any opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of Guardian Farming or the Ashburton Guardian.

GUARDIAN

GuardianASHBURTON

Farming

Ara

ble

Plou

gh

Part

s Lemken Shins

The place where farmers get their quality agricultural replacement parts and equipment

Kverneland Landside

Wear plates

Vogel & Noot Shares

Gregorie Besson Shares

SimbaWings

Vogel & Noot Points

Kuhn SkimmerMouldboard

Dale SharesPlough Share

Rebuilds Plough Shares Plough DiscsOverum Parts Gregoire Besson

Lemken reversible

pointsOverum PointsKverneland

SharesKverneland Points

Dowdeswell Shares

LemkenShares

Cul

tiva

tion

Pa

rts Sunfl ower

& Salford Points

Goliath PointsCast Points

Bellota Grubber Point

10’’ x 2’’ Clough Points Coil Tines80 mm Topdown

Points50 mm Topdown

Points

Vibrofl ex Points

Yeoman Spring

Coil Tine Clamp

Yeoman Clamp

Vibrofl ex LegsBerends Points

Maxitill Points

Jackpot Tines

Pan Buster Points

Vibrofl ex Springs

Bellota Grubber Point 12’’ x 2.5’’ S Tines

Goliath Legs

Goliath Springs

Simba ST point 4” 5”

7”

• Kverneland• Overum

• Gregoire Besson• Dowdeswell

Plough Mouldboards

Vaderstad

Rexius Point

Kverneland/Accord

TS Coulter Point

Dale Shares

Lemken reversible

Lemken Terradisc

The Bird ScarerThe Bird Scarer

0800 4 PALMERS - 0800 472 563 - www.palmeragriparts.co.nz - 34 Robinson St, Riverside Industrial Park, Ashburton

30-Ton Vertical/Horizontal Hydraulic

Log Splitter

15 and 22 Ton models also available

Judge Mike Adams scrutinises sheep entires during the contest to � nd best meat and wool breeds. The champion ram hogget went to J. T. Myles, champion wool ram Westmere Farm, champion meat ewe hogget J. T. Myles, champion wood hogget Westmere Farm, super dam meat, Stuart Sinclair, super dam wool, Neville Moorehead. Neil Stott and Dave Strong examine a � eece during judging in the wool section.

Farmers showcase top workThe sunburn will have faded by now, but those who attended the 136th Ashburton A&P Show will be re� ecting on a good turnout and permanent goodwill from the annual event.The � rst day of the show at the weekend ended in a spectacular thunderstorm, but Saturday was bright and sunny and thousands went to the Ashburton showgrounds. Carparks were full, visitors ambled past pens of stock and lines of large, shiny machinery, and a few people

worked up a good thirst.Trade space at the show was booked out well before the event, with some even turned away. Quigley’s Contracting made the most of their prime corner site winning the award for the best trade display. All the way from Scotland, Gordon and William Skea bought machinery they think will appeal to potato growers here; their machines grind up dirt clods and remove stones.In the show’s main feature, the

trans-Tasman dog trial test, the Australians came out on top after the Kiwis led at the end of the � rst day.Show president David Bennett was a happy man. His own fat spring lambs won ribbons, Saturday’s sunshine pushed up attendance � gures, and work to strengthen the grandstand was complete in time for showgoers to have a prime spot for the grand parade.Judges ran critical eyes over stock, looking for best meat or

wool breeds, or dairy cows with perfectly placed udders. In the home industries pavilion, Glenys Rapsey had her name on a fair few winning baking entries.Mr Bennett said there was a positive vibe to the show and the trans-Tasman dog triallists wanted to return for another match. “They really appreciated their venue and pro� le and we wanted to do things well for them.”The theme of the 136th show was farming friends, and there were plenty to be seen.

3

10 Robinson Street, Ashburton P: 03 307 9049 F: 03 307 9047 E: [email protected]

RAINER IRRIGATION - SUPPORTING YOU WHEN THE WEATHER ISN’T...

Visit our new websitewww.rainer.co.nz

It was hot and thirsty work waiting for the judges.

Quigley’s Contracting won the trophy for the best trade site.

Father and son Gordon and William Skea came from Scotland to show o� their ScanStone root vegetable farming equipment. The pair are hoping to leave their machinery with an Ashburton salesman and say that it will appeal to potato growers in the district. The machine grinds down large dirt clods and removes stones from the soil to create ideal planting conditions for root vegetables.

Luke Gilbert impresses judge Peter Hansen with his jersey entry.

4

187 West Street, Ashburton • Phone 308 2055 • www.jeffmarshallsuzuki.co.nz

Suzuki Dealer newspaper advertising SZM0022 KINGQUAD CLEAROUT

80X5 COL(186X80MM)

Prices include GST. Stock is limited and off er is valid only while current stocks last and is not available in conjunction with any other off er.


LT-F300F KINGQUAD 300RRP $8,995


The iconic Suzuki KingQuad 300 was built to work but they’re not doing any of that on our showroom fl oor. So we’re sending the last of them out at an even lower price and giving you even more value.


$7,821


80X5 COL(186X80MM)








80X5 COL(186X80MM)







LT-F300F KINGQUAD 300RRP $7,821+GSTThe iconic Suzuki KingQuad 300 was built to work but they’re not doing any of that on our showroom floor. So we’re sending the last of them out at an even lower price and giving you even more value.


80X5 COL(186X80MM)








80X5 COL(186X80MM)








80X5 COL(186X80MM)







Prices exclude GST.

FIELD GATE Cattle YARD GATEs Calf de horning crate

Our Field gates are available in sizes 12ft to 16ft (other sizes can be specially ordered) and come with adjustable hanging hinges and spring bolt latches

as standard.hinges and spring bolt latches

from$175plus gst

50mm x 50mm box section hanging sleeve, top and bottom rails 43mm diameter tube and intermediate rails are 38mm diameter

tube.

$340plus gst

Gates are 1280mm high and hang at 1525mm with 50 x 50mm box section

hanging and slamming stiles, with 48.3mm dia tube horizontals, and 38mm dia tube vertical in fi llers for maximum

strength.Heavy duty adjustable hinges and

keyhole latches are provided.

Our cattle yard gates come in a range of sizes from 3 ft up to 10 ft in either 5 or 6 rails.

Opening front gate incorporating an adjustable ratchet head bale complete

with wooden face support plate and rope restraint.

$1300plus gst

To view our full range please visit: www.riverdownsteel.com Or contact Lucy Baker on: 0211433469. 033186934Email: [email protected]

Variable width Saracen crush

$7900

plus g

st

This Variable width crush (Saracen self locking head bale, additional vet access kiosk and sliding gate pictured) is ideal for dealing with animals of all sizes and still provides full access to all areas of the animal.A handle on either side of the crush enables the side panels to move inwards, giving 3 alternative internal dimensions of 738, 659 & 580 mm.A tread plate fl oor angled on both sides ensures that animals keep their feet inside the crush when side doors are open.

need calf pen gates? cattle yard gates, crushes or head bales?call

need calf pen gates? cattle yard gates, crushes or head bales?callriverdown steel

Cattle YARD GATEs Variable width Saracen crush

for affordable, high quality steel products

Farming equity partnerships have become increasingly popular over

the past 10 years. As lawyers, we have been part of the evolution where concepts, structures and operations have become increasingly sophisticated.

Equity partnerships are my favourite type of legal work. There is great satisfaction from helping to pull a team together, identifying and securing the assets and � nalising the various

documents that glue the equity partnership together. It has also been great to see some equity partnerships evolve and strengthen over time, particularly where the partners have allowed their equity managers to progressively increase their ownership stake.

While commonly referred to as “equity partnerships”, in most cases the ownership entity is a company with the “partners” being shareholders holding a proportionate shareholding based on respective capital contributions. As with all things legal, there are exceptions to every rule and there are now several “Limited Partnership” structures in use after the introduction of the Limited Partnership Act 2008.

A limited partnership is a topic in itself, but the key advantage is the direct utilisation of pro� ts and losses (including historic) by the limited partners while having some limited liability advantages, like a company. It is now uncommon to use a traditional (ie non-limited) partnership.

Most equity partnerships that we put together are in dairying where the ownership vehicle

holds the land, stock, dairy shares and plant. We have also been involved in high country and arable equity partnerships. Some of the more sophisticated structures we have dealt with recently involve a “two level” equity partnership where several shareholders participate in a sharemilking joint venture (owning stock and plant), which in turn has a 50/50 sharemilking agreement with

a land-holding joint venture company. The sharemilking joint venture company will in turn hold a shareholding in the land-owning joint venture company.

In my view, there are four key reasons for the popularity of equity partnerships:

• Farmers can eff ectively pool their capital to participate in a large-scale farming venture in

Building an equity team

Tim SilvaCOONEY SILVA EVATT

LAWYERS

Many equity partnerships involve the dairy industry.

5

Our C-D Series is a specialist direct drill ideal for working on tough undulating country.

Your choice of working widths from 3m to 6m, 5” or 6” row spacings and multiple bin options

Contour Drill Air Seeder with C-D Series

Physical: 32 Robinson Street, AshburtonPh: 03 308 4094Fax: 03 308 4093CRAIG ALLEN: 021 861 440

Postal: PO Box 71, Ashburton 7740Email: [email protected]: www.allencustomdrills.co.nz

TOP SELLER

S m a r t F u e l S t o r a g e

0800 473 226

www.sebco.co.nz

Proudly made in Ashburton, New Zealand

Manufacturers of Waste Oil Recovery Containers, SCR Stations for Adblueand Transportable Tanks

Do you have a common rail engine?

Available: 2300, 4800 and 9500 litre

Plus - new to the range: the 1300 litre diesel station

If your answer is YES, you need a Sebco Diesel Station!

Visit our website for a full list of products and features

Optimum clean fuelEasy and safe to �ll and dispense

Fully CompliantMinimise fuel theftBunded

Do you have a common rail engine?

circumstances where they may not otherwise be able to.• Equity partnerships have allowed farmers to diversify into “non-core” areas. For example, arable and sheep and beef farmers have leveraged off their existing land to participate in a dairy farm.• Non-farming investors have been able to passively participate in equity partnerships, relying on the farm management and governance experience of other participants.

• Dairy farm managers who have followed the traditional ownership progression ladder can bridge the gap between sharemilking and individual farm ownership.

The reality is that most equity partnerships have a � nite lifetime and not all have happy endings. The most common reason for bad endings is a breakdown in communication and consequently the relationships between partners.

While the documentation we pull together will include mechanisms for decision making, reporting, dispute resolution and exit, the key ingredients to the success or failure of an equity partnership live outside of those documents.

Eff ective communication and consultation with other partners is absolutely key to the success of an equity partnership. In the modern era of communication, this should not be di� cult. All of this comes down to the fact that regardless of the voting power that a single partner may have, all decisions involve other

people’s capital and income.The other key reason as to

why an equity partnership will have a � nite life is that some partners’ requirements for their capital will change. For example, some equity managers may see the equity partnership as a means to eventually achieve sole ownership of the farm property. Similarly, partners may through changes in life circumstances require their capital out.

The terms upon which a partner may exit and the timing for this must therefore be carefully considered at the outset. In other words, a good equity partnership will consider the end of the partnership right at the start.

Some key things to consider at the outset of an equity partnership are as follows:

• Are the parties comfortable being in business with each other? Because of the cyclic nature of farming returns, the equity partnership will need to go through good times and bad. While things may

go brilliantly on an $8 payout, partners need to be satis� ed that their relationships (and the economics) can hold together through the tough years, too.

• Do the partners have the same objectives for return on investment? Some partners may be relying on an annual dividend from the farm, while others may be satis� ed to receive no dividend and look for capital growth. These objectives must be aligned right at the outset to avoid con� ict down the track.

• How long are the partners prepared to commit to the equity partnership? This is commonly referred to as the “lock in” period. At the very least, the lock in period should coincide with the forecasted period to take the equity partnership to pro� tability.

• What would happen if an equity partner wishes to exit and there is no buyer for the shares at that time.

• Can an equity partner who cannot sell its shares force liquidation and the sale of

assets (land, stock and plant) to realise its investment?

• Who will manage the farm and on what terms? In most cases, this will be an equity manager, but this can involve con� ict where performance issues with the management of the farm arise.

• How will the required assets be secured and from who? A common scenario would be for the equity manager progressing from a 50/50 sharemilking role and selling their herd into the equity partnership. If so, the valuation (and importantly the timing of the valuation), needs to be considered particularly in a � uctuating market. The same applies if one of the partners will sell an existing farm into the equity partnership.

These are just some of the issues to be considered at the outset of an equity partnership. Over the next few months, I will look at speci� c aspects of equity partnerships starting with some considerations for the equity manager.

Effective communication and consultation with other partners is absolutely key to the success of an

equity partnership. In the modern era of communication, this should not be

difficult.

6

Locally owned and operated

T R A N S P O R T L T D

Phone 308 4079

Locally owned and operated

• Ashburton-Christchurch-Ashburton Daily Freight

• Ashburton-Timaru-Ashburton Daily Freight

• County deliveries to all rural areas• Crane Truck Hire with experienced

operators• Container and wool cartage specialists

Proud to be of service to farming and industry in Mid-Canterbury

www.ruraltransport.co.nz

Finalists show passion for farmingThe widest ever range,

geographically and in farming types, of � nalists

have made the � nals of the Lincoln University Foundation South Island Farmer of the Year competition for 2013.

Six farm businesses will compete in the � nals at Lincoln University on November 28, including a high-country station, a multi-farm business, a dairy farm and, for the � rst time, a winery.

The � nalists come from Seddon in Marlborough, the Awatere Valley near Blenheim, Culverden in North Canterbury, Lake Tekapo in the Mackenzie Country, Roxburgh in Central Otago and Otama in Southland.

Judging co-ordinator for the Lincoln University Foundation Tricia Macfarlane says there was a high standard of entry presenting the judging panel with a serious challenge to pick out the � nalists.

“Regional judging teams were most impressed with the standard of presentation on farms,” Mrs Macfarlane said, “and the time and eff ort farmers had put in to preparing for judging.”

She said the � nalists were selected for their innovations on-farm, as well as their commitment to improving pro� tability, productivity and growth of their business while also implementing sound environmental practices.

“Clear and targeted goal setting was a common theme among the � nalists. Industry relationships were fostered and acknowledged as an integral part of their farming enterprises.”

All � nalists will be visited by a judging panel as well as earning points on the � nals day at Lincoln for their presentation, the last component of the competition.

“The second round of judging will no doubt prove a challenging task for the panel,” she said.

There’s more at stake this year

with the foundation lifting the main prize of a travel/study grant to $20,000 (from $15,000 in previous years).

For the � rst time this year’s

� nals will also see the awarding of four special category prizes of $5000 each: • The BNZ award for best human resource management.• The Lincoln University award for technology and innovation.• The Silver Fern Farms Plate to Pasture award for consumer focus.• The Resource Use Effi ciency award for excellence in sustainable resource management.

Winners of these special category prizes will be decided from among the � nalists.

The six � nalists are:Alan and Sharron Davie-

Martin from Culverden operate a highly productive dairy farming operation and continually explore technology to improve systems and production in all aspects of their business.

Neil and Phillipa Gardyne

Alan and Sharron Davie-Martin, of Culverden.

MANUFACTURERS OF TIMBER BOXES & PALLETS

And ISPM 15 accredited for Export Pallets.

So for all your pallet or box requirements, no matter how big or small, give Wayne a call today at Adams Sawmilling

Also Manufacturers/Suppliers of - FARM IMPLEMENT SHEDS IRRIGATION PUMP SHEDS

Malcolm McDowell Drive, Ashburton Ph (03) 308 3595 Fax (03) 308 5649

Adams Sawmilling Co Ltd- Your local timber and firewood merchants - Roger Smith

C O N T R A C T I N GPhone Roger027 223 0406

You can COUNT ON!Drillability

you canCOUNt ON!

lEVElEr CUlti Drill

lEVElEr CUlti Drill

allEN CUStOM DrillS’ 4.8M DirECt Drill

6M VaDErStaD tOPDOWN - PlUS rOllEr Drill OPtiON

Call owner operators Mike English 027 479 0455 or roger Smith 027 223 0406

Drillabilityyou can

COUNt ON!

lEVElEr CUlti Drill

lEVElEr CUlti Drill




Drillabilityyou can

COUNt ON!

lEVElEr CUlti Drill

lEVElEr CUlti Drill




LEVELER CULTI DRILL

6M VADERSTAD TOPDOWN - PLUS ROLLER

ALLEN CUSTOM DRILLS’ 4.8M DIRECT DRILL

Drillabilityyou can COUNt ON!

lEVElEr CUlti Drill allEN CUStOM DrillS’ 4.8M DirECt Drill


WE arE OPEratiNg tWO grEgOirE bESSON rEVErSiblE PlOUghS


DRILLABILITY

WE ARE OPERATING TWO GREGOIRE BESSON REVERSIBLE PLOUGHS

7

197 Wills St, Ashburton Ph 308 6737 www.neumannstyres.co.nz

Specialising in:

• New tyres

• Bandag retreads

• Wheel balancing and computerised wheel alignments

• Puncture repairs

• On farm service

• Fleet servicing

24 hour service (After hours callout applies)

COME AND SEE THE TEAM AT

NEUMANNS TYRES FOR ALL

YOUR TYRE REQUIREMENTS

Keeping Mid Canterbury on the road for 68 yearsKeeping your farm vehicles working

197 Wills St, Ashburton Ph 308 6737 www.neumannstyres.co.nz

Specialising in:

• New tyres

• Bandag retreads

• Wheel balancing and computerised wheel alignments

• Puncture repairs

• On farm service

• Fleet servicing

24 hour service (After hours callout applies)

COME AND SEE THE TEAM AT

NEUMANNS TYRES FOR ALL

YOUR TYRE REQUIREMENTS

Keeping Mid Canterbury on the road for 68 years

• Prompt and efficient service• Very experienced technicians• Competitive price • 24 hour service (After hours callout applies)

Neumanns Tyres will attend to your tyre requirements anywhere and anytime in Mid CanterburyTRACTORS HARVEST EQUIPMENT IRRIGATORS

New Zealand’s leading manufacturer of irrigation products, pipe, water storage tanks and septic tank systems.

New Zealand’s leading manufacturer of irrigation products, pipe, water storage tanks & effluent dispersal systemsProviding solutions for farmers in water transport, irrigation and storage.

RX Plastics

0800 288 558 • www.rxplastics.co.nz

from Otama, near Gore, operate a sheep, beef and cropping enterprise. They are passionate about the sheep and beef industry and focus on innovative, e� cient systems.

Simon and Pip Todhunter from Blenheim intensively farm Marlborough East Coast hill country with developed and native tussock hills, carrying ewes, cows and trading cattle.

They continually explore technology to improve systems and production in all aspects of their business.

Continued next page

Neil and Phillipa Gardyne from Otama, near Gore.

Simon and Pip Todhunter, from Blenheim.

8

Trevor and Karen Peters from Roxburgh operate a sheep and beef hill-country enterprise built on strong succession planning and a real passion for farming, with low-cost development contributing to outstanding farm management.

Andrew, Karen and Sam Simpson from Lake Tekapo run a high-country merino sheep station with interests in forestry, deer, cropping, property development, conservation recreation, wool on-processing, and meat on-processing. Other commercial

activities include a helicopter pad and golf course.

Peter Yealands from Seddon runs a large viticulture busi-ness, focused on innovation and business excellence. The business is hugely integrated with outstanding environmen-tal balance.

Andrew, Karen and Sam Simpson and families, from Lake Tekapo.

Trevor and Karen Peters from Roxburgh.

Peter Yealands from Seddon.

99

Nutrient management needs a proactive approach

Nutrient management is becoming an increasingly important element for farming operations in Canterbury and throughout New Zealand. In Canterbury we have regulations on nutrient management in the proposed Land and Water Regional Plan. This means farmers will need to develop an understanding of the nutrient inputs and outputs for their farm and in many cases begin to take steps to reduce the amount of nutrients leaving the farm.

Increasing nitrate levels in the groundwater of Ashburton district is a community-wide concern. The Hinds River catchment has been identified as a nutrient “red zone” in the proposed Land and Water Regional Plan which means that water quality outcomes are not being met. As a result the Ashburton Zone Committee, in collaboration with the community, is working hard to develop a set of recommendations on nutrients that it will provide to Environment Canterbury. These recommendations seek to allow continuing prosperous farming in the Hinds River catchment while at the same time reducing nutrients being lost to groundwater. This will mean farmers will be required to understand the nutrient budget on their farm and take steps to reduce current levels of nitrates being leached to groundwater.

So where should farmers start? Being proactive will put farmers in the best position to meet nutrient management challenges. We recommend the two key areas farmers should start with are set out below.

Your nutrient budget & Overseer® Take another look at your nutrient budget if you

have one. If you don’t have one, ask your fertiliser representative to prepare one for your property using Overseer®.

There has been quite a bit of debate about Overseer®, however, it is the best tool the industry has for estimating nutrient losses. It is important to consider how Overseer® applies to your property:

we recommend you spend some time carefully dividing your farm into blocks and having a separate nutrient budget for each. This will often show that even on farms with low nutrient losses, there are areas that could be improved.

Winter feed paddocks are generally the most intensively grazed areas on a farm, so can cause problems through soil damage and nutrient losses via runoff and leaching. There are a number of practical ways these potential risks can be managed but no single solution will be right on every farm. Often it comes down to the season and every farmer has seen what can happen in a wet winter. The keys to minimising the environmental impacts of nutrient leaching in wet years are good planning and flexibility.

Your Farm Environment PlanStart thinking about what a farm environment plan

would cover for your property. Farm Environment Plans will be required for most farms in the next couple of years and will cover the unique ways that each farmer manages soil, irrigation, effluent, nutrients as well as biodiversity protection and restoration.

No two properties are identical so no two farm plans will be exactly the same. There are templates available through Beef+Lamb NZ, DairyNZ and Irrigation NZ that are useful as a starting point and a guide.

Farm Environment Plans are a very useful exercise for a farmer and their business – just ask someone who has done one. Farm Environment Plans are best viewed as an opportunity to improve farm practice and efficiency, rather than just another layer of paperwork. Take a friend or neighbour for a walk around your farm to identify areas where reductions in nutrient management could be made. Fresh eyes often see things you may have missed or have become used to.

Farm plans are also an opportunity to document the good work that is already happening on a farm and to identify missed opportunities for improvement. They are a sound way of demonstrating and building on good farm management.

Advice and informationEnvironment Canterbury offers free advice for

farmers seeking to improve nutrient management. This includes farm visits by experienced staff members who can offer guidance and support. Environment Canterbury also has plenty of resources available with useful and practical information covering all aspects of farm environmental issues.

Environment Canterbury: call our Customer Services on 0800 324-636 and they will put you in touch with one of our advisors for free advice or information.

We also recommend you talk to your industry representative on how to start dealing with the need to manage nutrients and develop your own Farm Environment Plan.

groundwater/ aquifers

spring-fed streams

native wildlifewater races

wetlands

recreation

water storage

nutrient runoff

groundwater bores

CWMS targets

WHAT’S GOING ON WITH YOUR FRESHWATERHINDS CATCHMENT

agriculture

Hinds River

native forest

rangitata diversion race

dongas

drains

RECREATIONAL & AMENITY OPPORTUNITIES

Maintain existing diversity and quality of recreational sites, opportunities and experiences.

water races agriculture

rangitata diversion race

DRINKING WATER

Ensure water quality remains high where it is currently. Prevent further decline where it must currently be treated.

REGIONAL & NATIONAL ECONOMIES

Maintain contribution water makes to Canterbury’s economy. Water maintenance to be considered to have regional economic value.

ENVIRONMENTALLIMITS

Set and achieve flow, catchment and nutrient limits.

ECOSYSTEM HEALTH & BIODIVERSITY

Prevent further loss, protect, and restore native habitats and species in natural aquatic environments — ki uta ki tai.

groundwater bores

WATER-USE EFFICIENCY

Achieve high levels of best-practice water use for all irrigation, stockwater and commercial use.

KAITIAKITANGA

Increase community understanding of customary values and uses. Protect wahi taonga and mahinga kai waterways

groundwater/aquifers

spring-fed streams

IRRIGATED LAND AREA

Provide for 30,000ha of new irrigated land which has high standards of nutrient and water use management.

Farm environment plans help create opportunities to build on good farm management. The fencing of riparian margins (left photo) is already keeping stock out of the waterway. The next step is the planting of appropriate native species (right photo) which enhances stream health and biodiversity, protects banks from erosion and filters sediment and some nutrients in runoff from paddocks.

10

Ashburton Contracting Limited

P 03 308 4039 A South Street, Ashburton W www.ashcon.co.nz

We are the experts in:

UnderpassesLaneways

Effluent PondsPhone Dave Rowlands 027 484 1114

Diesel Workshop direct line: 308 7400

PMR are pleased to announce that they have been appointed the sole distributor for the range of Harvest International Augers in NZ.

Harvest Augers come in sizes from 8” through to 13” diameter and 32’ long up to 112’ long.

Harvest Augers are available with either hydraulic lift or winch lift, swing away hoppers or standard inlet hoppers.

HARVEST INTERNATIONAL AUGERS

Available to match all sizes of fan units. Fully automatic gas fi red, with computerised control. Single and double units available.

CROP DRYING FANS & CONSTANT HUMITY GAS BURNERS

Crop Storage Specialists Crop Storage Specialists

Tel: 03 303 7266 Mobile: 0274 151 390Email: [email protected] Web: www.pmr.org.nz

PMR GRAIN SYSTEMS work in the following fields – product storage, handling and drying, timber drive on ventilating floors, seed cleaning industry, milling and mixing equipment,

electronic monitoring equipment including temperature, RH and grain moisture equipment. Dairy Feed Systems now available.

PMR GRAIN SYSTEMS supply a full service from initial contact, site surveying, planning in drawings, machinery selection, supply of machinery, installation and commissioning.

Q-SAGE SEED CLEANING EQUIPMENTQ-Sage air screen cleaners can be supplied in a variety of sizes to suit application. Screendecks can be sized to accept existing sieves.

PMR GRAIN SYSTEMS CROP STORAGE AND HANDLING SYSTEMS

Visit us at the South Island Field Days Site 740-741

GSI SILOSFlat bottomed or hopper. 10 tonnes to 10,000 tonnes. Can be fitted with stirrers and unload systems. Dairy Feed Systems now available.

MASTER DRIERS• Manually or fully automatic systems• Master dust extraction – increased

bushel weight and improved operating environment

• Capacities from 10-40 ton• Mobile or static units• Tractor or electric drive

HARVEST MAXI-STIRRERBy adding a Harvest Maxi-Stirrer to your bulk storage you can have guaranteed drying performance with even airflow.

CHC GAS HEATERSAvailable to match all sizes of fan units. Fully automatic gas fired, with computerised control. Single & double units available.

PERRY GRAIN DRIERS, ELEVATORS & CONVEYORSWhen the pressure is on to get your grain dry and moved, you can rely on PMR equipment to deliver year after year.Suppliers of: Driers, belt & bucket elevators, conveyors and intake conveyors.

WAKELY ROLLER MILLSPMR are pleased to be able to supply the Wakely Roller Mill. Wakely Engineering have been manufacturing Roller Mills for the last 30 years and manufacture mills from 1.5tph through to 30tph plus.Visit our stand to view this prod-uct. Mr Wakely will also be on our stand to answer any questions.

















• Flat bottomed or hopper. • 10 tonnes to 10,000

tonnes. • Can be fi tted with stirrers,

drying fl oors and unload systems.

• Dairy Feed Systems now available.

GSI SILOS

















MASTER DRIERS• Manual or fully automatic systems.• Master dust extraction - increased

bushel weight.• Capacities from 10-40 ton.• Mobile or static units.• Tractor or electric drive.

PMR GRAIN SYSTEMSCROP STORAGE AND HANDLING SYSTEMS

Dairy Feed and

Crop Storage Specialists

Dairy Feed and


Tel: 03 303 7266 Web: www.pmr.org.nzEmail: [email protected] Mobile: 0274 151 390 | Email: [email protected] Mobile: 0275 146 609

As a sentence, using the words regional plans, policies and rules is

guaranteed to make readers skip a story. But read on because understanding the resource planning framework that we all farm and work within is critical. In the same way that road rules and laws are present, so too are resource management regulations.

The goal posts are shifting, with the new water-quality objectives that regional councils are required by law to implement. The 2011 National Policy Statement on Freshwater Management set in motion processes to re� ne regional plans that will impact on farmers throughout the country.

Regional level planning is an abstract concept, but

understanding plans and working inside the rules and policies is essential. Business decisions about buying land or intensifying land use need to take into account regulatory requirements. Just because the physical, � nancial and market ability may be there doesn’t mean the regulatory environment will be simple. In many cases it can be quite restrictive.

There are two options that regional councils can take to meet the national regulations. The � rst is to take a big-brother dictatorial approach with prescriptive rules. The second is to adopt a more guidelines approach, which keeps consistency with the Resource Management Act, yet allows more local hands-on management. The � rst requires

large resources to dictate and police the rules with little engagement of the resource users and custodians – the farmers. The second approach requires the full engagement of resource users and a level of maturity for all resource custodians to work together. This level of macro-catchment management is where harmony lies but it is fraught with di� culty.

In Canterbury, the Selwyn-Waihora, the Hinds River and the South Canterbury Coastal streams catchments have

been undergoing a public consultation process led by Environment Canterbury (ECan) to � nalise the sub-regional chapters of the over-arching Canterbury Land and Water Regional Plan. ECan has broken the regions into focused areas and then presented to public meetings the state of the environment. It has devised projections and assumptions based on data to predict future scenarios. The future scenarios are then assessed against the community expectations of water quality and quantity, and

policies and rules are put into the sub-regional plans to try and achieve the expectations.

The Hurunui area was the � rst district to have a sub-regional plan � nalised and it sets limits on some waterways.

To achieve this, the plan sets out ways to organise farmers into catchment-based entities from which the resource man-agement will stem. This off ers a huge opportunity for the catchment groups to replace ECan as the authoritative body in their patch. How eff ectively this occurs, however, will be dependent on how the catch-ment-based entities perform.

So although the abstract concept of resource planning is not well understood by many farmers and is often viewed in a negative light, if ECan can enable a more user-friendly, catchment-based management process, the upshot could be less governance. But to achieve this, the engagement, accountability and maturity from all parties will need to improve.

• Supplied by Irrigation NZ.

Opportunities for management

The Hinds River is part of ECan’s water-quality plan.

Need a SHed?• 4.5m Wide Bays• 3.6m High Front• 3m High Back• NZBC Compliant• 6.0m Deep• H5 Treated Pine Posts• High Wind Loading• 0.9KPA Snow Loading• Installation Available• 0.40 Gauge Zincalume

FRee deLIVeRYwItHIN MId CaNteRbuRY

3 baY

$5,795.00Plus GST

Offer Expires 30th November 2013 we CaN aRRaNge YouR pLaNS, CoNSeNtS aNd buILd!

115 Alford Forest Road, Ashburton 7700 • Ph (03) 308 9099

dpi 2

5803

/13

doeS YouR SHed LooK LIKe tHIS?

buILt StRoNgbuILt to LaSt

beCauSe ouRS doN’t!

INtRoduCINg aLLaN bReaKweLL RuRaL SaLeS CoNSuLtaNtAllan’s our in-house shed expert and is ready to answer any questions you have about a PlaceMakers custom built shed.

PHoNe ALLAN FoR A quoTe ToDAy PHoNe 03 308 9099 MoBILe 027 974 9900



3 baY

$5,795.00Plus GST



dpi 2

5803

/13








3 baY

$5,795.00Plus GST



dpi 2

5803

/13








3 baY

$5,795.00Plus GST



dpi 2

5803

/13






12

Two levy-funded organisations rep-resenting arable farmers are inves-tigating options for aligning their

research and extension programmes.Potatoes NZ approached the

Foundation for Arable Research (FAR) earlier this year to determine if there were su� cient synergies between the two groups for FAR to manage Potatoes NZ research, development and extension in a partnership arrangement which would bene� t both groups.

FAR has agreed to work with Potatoes NZ to explore a potential partnership model of operations. This work will occur over the next few months and, if it indicates that a partnership will bene� t both parties, FAR could commence actively managing the Potatoes NZ investment in April next year.

Potatoes NZ chairman Stuart Wright says his organisation is looking for the best return for its levy dollar and that working with FAR would enable it to capitalise on the synergies that exist between the two groups.

“Many potato growers also grow arable crops, so they are the same growers. This means that in many areas, activities such as extension could be pooled, reducing the costs for both organisations.”

FAR chairman David Birkett says the decision to move forward with the partnership concept follows lengthy board discussions around what bene� ts it would deliver for FAR levy payers.

“FAR’s research strategy places a strong emphasis on cropping systems, and in particular on managing systems to maximise yield and minimise environmental impacts. Many potatoes are grown as part of the cropping system which includes cereals and seeds, so there are clear overlaps in terms of both the grower base and systems research.”

Mr Birkett says another bene� t which could be gained from the partnership is linked to the increase in critical mass which would result. “Aligning Potatoes NZ and FAR research projects and funding would strengthen our position for leveraging further funds from external agencies for areas of research common across both crop types.”

Both groups say several issues need to be explored before any contract is signed. These include clarifying where overlaps occur, � nding potential operational issues, and ensuring that each group’s existing research, development and extension programmes are not compromised.

Spud group partners up

Agriculture AND horticulturen Animal care n Agriculture n horticulture ArtS AND DeSigNn graphics & Multimedia n Visual Arts & Design n Fashion Design beAutY AND hAirDreSSiNgn beauty therapy n hairdressing buSiNeSS AND touriSMn business n business Administration n tourism heAlth AND eDucAtioNn early childhood and Parenting n Nannyingn Social Work n english language n health n Science n Massage therapy hoSPitAlitYn bakery n café & barista n cookery n Front of house iNForMAtioN techNologYn Software Development n helpdeskn hardware and NetworkingoutDoor eDucAtioN / SPort & FitNeSSn outdoor education n Sport & FitnessMeDiAn Digital Photography n Film & tVn Media communication n Journalism trADeSn Automotive n construction n electrical n engineering All programmes subject to approval and sufficient enrolments

eNrol NoW for 2014

your successFantastic career outcomes

Aoraki Polytechnic’s programmes have awesome job outcomes, stack the odds in your favour - get the career you deserve!

Great range of programmes availableFree fees and Youth Guarantee available - ask for details

0800 426 725 www.aoraki.ac.nz

Free buS to timaru campusAshburton to Timaru CampusOamaru to Timaru CampusEnquire for full details

Animal Care

Agriculture

Horticulture

Sam StowellCerti� cate in General Engineering (Level 2)

Sam has always wanted to be an engineer! He saw coming to Aoraki Polytechnic as a

way to realise his dream and it has already given him the opportunity to receive an apprenticeship when he � nishes his study.

“I am enjoying all aspects of the course as it is providing me a better understanding of the techniques to help me become a quali� ed engineer, but machining and welding are particular favourites!” said Sam.

Lauren Fogarty NZ Diploma in Business

“Being able to study part-time and work towards a quali� cation, while working full-time in the industry is de� nitely a bonus!” says Lauren.

After leaving High School Lauren started working at Noone Ford Simpson Ltd Chartered Accountants as an o� ce junior. She quickly moved into the accounting side of the business and has been studying at Aoraki Polytechnic to further her career.

A highlight for Lauren was winning the NZ Institute of Chartered Accountants, (NZICA) prize for the top Aoraki Polytechnic student in the Accounting Practices paper.

14

John Leadley

Full range of engineering supplies & accessories for all your repairs & maintenance.Kerrick Hot & Cold Waterblasters & Industrial Vacuum Cleaners. Esseti Welders & Accessories. Stockists and distributors of Trailer Equipment.Locally owned & operated family business for 60 years.

ASHBURTON

South Street, Ashburton PHONE (03) 308-3147 Fax (03) 308-1042 Email [email protected] FREEPHONE 0800 452 522

NEW LOOK SHOWROOM60 YEARS EXPERTISEMONTHLY BIRTHDAY PRIZES

Peter Blacklow

Call in and talk to the people that know!

Kiwi Keith Sue Cahill

Blacklows Ashburton

TradeZone

$10This voucher

entitles the

bearer to . . . . . . . .

Blacklows Ashburton

TradeZone

$50This voucher

entitles the

bearer to . . . . . . . .

Blacklows Ashburton

TradeZone

$20This voucher

entitles the

bearer to . . . . . . . .

HURRY WHILE STOCKS LAST!

Socket & Spanner Set94 Piece. 1/4 and ½ drives. With metric sockets & spanners 7-19mm.

S87+7

$260+GST

BAHCO

ith metric sockets &

Ashburton

10ton

50

ton

20Gifts from Blacklows TradeZone Ashburton are guaranteed to bring joy to your man this Christmas. gift vouchers available.

In just over 12 month’s time, New Zealand will be going to the public to elect a new

government for the next three years. Who will it be?

Under the current proportional representation system I believe it will be a minor party or group of individuals who will hold the balance of power.

When National was elected to power in 2008, I believe the government had a mandate to make some meaningful changes for the longer term that would bene� t New Zealand well into the future. Its somewhat timid response has left me disappointed in many ways.

Without doubt the Canterbury earthquakes have proved a huge burden that simply had to be addressed, and at massive cost to the nation.

The subsequent knee-jerk reaction to the building code was I believe unnecessarily severe in the medium term, and likely to prove impossible to achieve in the original proposed timeframe. This has since been amended. New Zealand has neither the � nancial or resource capabilities to meet the proposal.

We certainly need tighter regulations for new buildings, but the wanton destruction of many long standing structures still occupied, seems questionable.

By deleting the 115 death toll

from the CTV building collapse, proven to be a catastrophic design fault, less than 100 persons have been killed by earthquakes in New Zealand since the Napier disaster 80 years ago.

How many people have been killed on our roads in that period? Tens of thousands I believe. Food for thought.

While � ve years of National Government have tentatively delivered on some of the promised welfare reforms, I believe the approach has been timid.

Rules around student loans have been tightened, but there is still far too much

money outstanding by former New Zealanders working in highly paid jobs overseas, and showing no inclination to return. It’s just too easy.

Despite implementation of the Welcome Home Loan Scheme, uptake to date is disappointing, as Kiwis continue to struggle to make the property ladder aff ordable.

I have no trouble with the restriction of Home Loans to those with a minimum 10 per cent deposit – indeed my view supports loans of any sort being closely related to the life of the asset being purchased. Remember, it is called equity, and it’s not a dirty word.

The availability of loan � nance – often without deposit – on goods such as white-ware, home-ware, electronic items and the like for terms of two – � ve years is nonsense.

In today’s throwaway society the expected life of some of these items means that genuine “ownership” (ie paid for) is never achieved.

The current New Zealand culture of indebtedness among people under 40 is unsustainable, particularly as much is ascribed to non-essential items.

Fifty years ago, 25-year State Advance Loans to � rst home buyers were subsidised by

Government 1.5-2 per cent in a programme that saw many young couples onto the � rst step of the property ladder. Today two generations later, many are now superannuitants living comfortably in debt free homes.

I fail to see why government does not revisit a similar scheme to meet the disturbing drop in home ownership that has occurred.

Maybe a suitable stop gap till Kiwi Saver really “clicks in”? Possibly a change to a four or � ve-year electoral term would encourage a longer term view?

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett’s tinkering with

It’s not too late for National to

Is it too late for Prime Minister John Key’s National Government to make some of the changes John Leadley wants pushed through?

15

free contraception availability has done little to lower the number of children born out of wedlock and consequent drain on the welfare system.

Just another example that there is little correlation between action and

consequence. Is it coincidence that unemployment numbers are highest in areas where bene� t payments form most of the family income? The system is geared to breeding.

Of all the missed opportuni-ties for reform the one that most sticks in my craw is John Key’s total “head in the sand” attitude to continuation of Universal Superannuation for all at age 65.

It is not rocket science to reason that with improving health services, increasing life expectancy and greater numbers over 65 years of age, the current scenario cannot be continue in the medium to longer term.

Additionally many employers will attest that senior staff are often the most productive and reliable.

With extended education and overseas travel many young people, aided by government

loans are not in the taxpaying work force till age 22 to 25, a far cry from the situation when National Superannuation was introduced.

It is a sad commentary on the welfare state that many employers prefer the work ethic of senior employees and migrant workers when taking on new staff .

There is no doubt that welfare bene� ts have transitioned from being a safety net for those genuinely unemployed due to physical or mental disability; to an alternate lifestyle for those whose major problem is attitude and lack of motivation.

In 2006 in this column I � agged a plea to raise the age of universal superannuation entitlement by three months every year till reaching 70 years in 2020 beginning in 2008. I remain convinced this should have happened.

Surely with later entry to the

workforce it’s not unrealistic to exit later. Many folk already give ample evidence that the most productive years of life can come after age 60.

Simply look at the huge number of volunteers whose eff orts play an important role in holding the fabric of this great Ashburton District together in the � elds of health, welfare, education and community safety.

Without their skill, knowledge and dedication many aspects of community welfare would founder.

With increasing life expectancy, a more active lifestyle, greater personal responsibility at all ages, there is an opportunity to target areas of greater need in the welfare system. This is surely desperately overdue.

Mr Key and friends, Kiwisaver or not, the status quo for national superannuation into

the future is quite simply unaff ordable. It’s time to grasp the realities of the situation.

You cannot legislate the poor into prosperity by legislating the wealthy out of prosperity.

What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving.

The government cannot give to anybody anything that the government does not � rst take from somebody else.

You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it!

When half of the people get the idea that they do not have to work because the other half is going to take care of them, and when the other half gets the idea that it does no good to work because somebody else is going to get what they work for, that is the beginning of the end of any nation.

It surely is time for some hard decisions.

make some tough decisions In 2006 I flagged

a plea to raise the age of universal superannuation entitlement by

three months every year till reaching 70 years in 2020

beginning in 2008. I remain convinced

this should have happened.John Leadley

‘Let us take your WASTE away’

T 03 688-5669 M 0274-377-087 F 03 684-4880FP 0800 155-669 E [email protected]

7-17 Redruth Street, P O Box 3003, Timaru 7943

• Industrial liquid waste disposal• Septic and holding tank cleaning• Grease trap and sump cleaning• CCTV inspections and logging• High pressure waterblasting• Farm effl uent removal and spreading• Silo Cleaning• STMS Traffi c Management• Drain cleaning• Hydro Excavation• Effl uent Stirrer Hire• Confi ned Spaces• Working at Heights• Concrete Cleaning

COCHRANESyour farm machinery specialist

Case IH 2388 Axial Flow $POA

Case IH 2188 Axial Flow, 3 available $POA

$POA

$POA

Graeme Moore 0274 332 585 and Johnny Walker 0272 643 700

VILLAS

AVAILABLE FO

R

OCCUPATION

17

0800 VERSATILE (0800 83 77 28) versatile.co.nz

364 West Street, Ashburton

SecretPsssst!

At Versatile!Savings

Hurry, November only!

Talk to us today, prepare to save big!

Save on ALL Farm Buildings!*

* Terms and Conditions apply.

PROPERTY BROKERS ASHBURTON

Chris Murdoch

With so many stories in the press about the negatives of farming,

and the Fonterra issue clearly to the fore, I thought I would see how New Zealand farming is viewed from other countries.

We have an Englishman working in Ashburton, so I asked him what his view is of Kiwi farms and perhaps how New Zealand is reported in England. His � rst comment was New Zealand is always perceived as a clean healthy country with lots of good land where meat and dairy

is plentiful. Aside from that, most people from the UK will search out New Zealand lamb: “We know it’s quality from New Zealand.”

I decided to dig a little deeper, researching into European papers – you may question my sanity at this stage but here are some facts.

The UK has been importing lamb from New Zealand for more than 130 years. In 2012 they imported 86,100 tonnes of sheep product, a staggering 73 per cent was from New Zealand, however, the UK fell back to second place in 2012 when China became the primary destination for our lamb.

So far in 2013, the UK is the second-largest importer of sheep meat in the world, while

holding its position as the third largest exporter globally. However, if it weren’t for imported product, we would likely see a decline in domestic consumption, rather than a large-scale switch to domestic product due to surplus sheep meat being the wrong type of product, lack of availability at the right time and being priced above the reach of some consumers.

Ironically, the British press are reporting that “experts”

are telling British shops they should sell New Zealand lamb rather than home-grown meat if they want to help protect the environment. The suggestion has outraged British farmers after a study found the amounts of manmade greenhouse gasses from food production are twice as much as previously estimated. Growing food for sheep, cows and pigs takes up far more land and emits more greenhouse gasses than producing crops

for human consumption. Studies claim the UK would be better off importing lamb from New Zealand as it has been produced more e� ciently, with better farming methods and a better environment.

This is a short and sweet observation I guess – New Zealand produces some of the best meat and dairy in the world. When I look around the Mid Canterbury countryside now entering summer, I can only agree.

Looking at us from afar

British consumers are being urged to buy New Zealand lamb to help the environment.

18

FOREST AND BIRDMary Ralston

It’s 90 years this month that the New Zealand conservation organisation,

Forest & Bird, began its work advocating for the natural environment.

Forest & Bird is a unique Kiwi institution. Members belong both to a local branch and the national organisation. Many members work on local projects and are supported by head o� ce and regional staff who are professionals in the conservation and planning � elds. There is an excellent quarterly magazine and the Ashburton branch holds regular meetings with a speaker and � eld trips to places of interest in the local area.

The spark that led to the creation of The New Zealand Native Bird Protection Society

(forerunner to Forest & Bird) was the degraded state of Kapiti Island. The island was declared a sanctuary in 1897 but on a visit in 1921 Captain Val Sanderson found it overrun with predators and browsers: possums, goats and sheep. Forest & Bird’s � rst conservation achievement was to form a committee to manage Kapiti Island and rid the island of wild goats and sheep so the native forest could regrow.

Ninety years later we’re still speaking up for nature. We’re now called Forest & Bird and

we’re a not-for-pro� t organ-isation, and we stand up for nature on land, in freshwater and in the oceans. We encour-age children to care for nature and get involved through our

Kiwi Conservation Club.Nationally, Forest & Bird has

achieved a great deal. Our founding members wanted “e� cient protection and preservation of our native

birds” because they saw that no single authority was serious about protecting areas of remaining wilderness.

Much of New Zealand’s most precious unspoilt forests, coasts

Celebrating90 years’ work

A female wrybill on a riverbed.

16

HM

DG

20

20

16HMDG2020 Ashburton Guardian

irrigation wellspotable water supplieswater quality testingground source heatinggeotechnical assessment

www.drilling.co.nz Ph 03 324 2571 120 High St, Southbridge

Manager: Craig CarterRacecourse Ave, MethvenP 302 8209 A/H 303 3009

Processing Rye Grass, Clover, Brassica, Cereal cropsRegistered agent for the treatment of your seed using Bayer product which include Gaucho, Raxil, Poncho & Galmano.

Independent and effi cient

19 and other wild areas are protected thanks to Forest & Bird’s work, such as the Abel Tasman National Park formed in 1942 and the Paparoa and Kahurangi National Parks and several high country parks and marine reserves. Forest & Bird helped extend Westland Tai Poutini National Park and have Te Wahipounamu in the South Island recognised as a World Heritage site.

Waipoua kauri forest in Northland – the home of towering Tane Mahuta – was protected as a sanctuary in 1952 after Forest & Bird and residents campaigned to stop the logging of kauri and create a reserve.

In 1976, $25,000 was raised to help the government buy Maud Island in the Marlborough Sounds. The island is now a predator-free scienti� c reserve that is home to endangered native birds, lizards, insects and a unique native frog.

Forest & Bird was instrumental in saving Lake Manapouri’s water level from being raised for a hydro dam.

Continued over pageA falcon at Woolshed Creek.

NO HASSLEFARM BUILDING FROMHELMACK ITM

Call Allan McCormick today 0274 331 869 or email [email protected]

Let Helmack ITM take care of your plans, council pim, admin and compliance.

* Kit set or erected

“We’ll see you right”92 Dobson Street, Ashburton \ Phone 307 0412Hours: Mond - Fri 7am - 5.30pm; Sat 8am - 12noon

20

The campaign included presenting to Parliament what was in 1970 New Zealand’s largest petition – 264,907 signatures.

The Ashburton branch has helped protect the natural environment since 1969. Our area includes the rivers, the coast, the plains, foothills and the high country.

The region would be much the poorer without the tireless input of many individuals: there has been wetland restoration; reserves designated at Chertsey and Tinwald to protect some of the last original vegetation of the area; contribution to the tenure-review process which resulted in the Ashburton Gorge lakes becoming protected and now the stunning high country is helped out by working bees to remove invasive pine tree seedlings. River birds are assisted by Forest & Bird’s work to halt disturbance and raise awareness of their plight.

Much of the work Forest & Bird does for nature is done by collaborating with other groups and organisations. Some of our

members belong to Braid – a group working to help protect the braided rivers; some belong to water committees; and others help the Department of Conservation with bird counts, weeding and trapping predators at Lake Heron. Some

members are involved with the Ashburton District Biodiversity Action Group (ADBAG) which resulted from Forest & Bird’s submissions urging the council to recognise and take some responsibility for the district’s indigenous plants and animals.

A Biodiversity Action Plan has now been � nalised with input from Forest & Bird, Federated Farmers, Fish & Game, DOC, QEII Trust, Whitcombe Landcare Group, Foothills Landowners, Te Rununga o Arowhenua, CWMS Zone Committee, ECan and the district council.

So why do so many people spend their precious spare time trying to protect rivers, native species and stunning natural landscapes? A simple answer is that nature matters: these species, our lakes and rivers and favourite natural empty spaces are valuable; they are part of our living planet and must be taken care of. We live in a world that emphasises money and productivity – wild species and places are often not valued by the “money economy” so someone has to step in and “give nature a voice”. This what Forest & Bird does.

Another, more pragmatic answer is that our lives and wellbeing depend on clean water and fresh air, and native biodiversity. Our farming, tourism and � shing industries are earning money from our

natural world. We all depend on a healthy, functioning natural environment. And if we don’t stop to protect what is left now, it will be too late. Once the crested grebe is gone, it is gone. When the water is polluted, it might take decades to get it clean.

Another reason for the work that Forest & Bird members do is that being among the natural world contributes to our wellbeing, and makes us feel happy, and we enjoy the company of others who also value the natural world.

Humans are meant to be a part of nature, not apart from it. It is a privilege to count the wrybill, weed the tussocks, plant the kanuka and look at the re� ections of the mountains in the lakes.

• Would you like to know more about Forest & Bird? Go to:www.forestandbird.org.nz or for information on meetings and � eld trips in this area, call the chairwoman of our branch, Edith Smith 308-4440.

A dusting of snow coats Mt Potts in May this year.

To truely understand rural accountingwe reckon you sometimes need to get your gumboots on.

Ph. 03 687 2080 E. offi [email protected] www.nfsca.co.nzWoollcombe House, 2nd fl oor 18 Woolcombe Street, PO Box 540 Timaru 7910

Accountants & Business Advisors

NFS are a progressive accounting � rm 100% committed to the � nancial growth and success of its clients. They utilise the latest technology and support tools to provide their clients with smart, e� cient � nancial management. NFS believe it is imperative to actively look at the underlying � nancial health of their clients business. “From asset protection to succession to capital replacement, we work with our clients to achieve their goals and realise their dreams”.

NFS have a team of experienced people with specialised skills in rural accounting. They make it their business to understand the unique issues that often surround the farming industry, along with the practical considerations of working together. “We’ll help you manage your business, and because we establish a one-on-one relationship with each of our clients, our advice will be tailored for your individual needs. That means we’ll call on you if that makes life easier

plus we have the tools to make your farm accounts easy to manage from our end and hassle free from yours. The last thing farmers need is to be bogged down with paperwork.”

”We’ve developed our traditional accounting practices in to innovative client-focused services. Our � exibility and adaptability will ensure we can help you get the best results.”

Nick Noone, Ant Ford and Tom Simpson have all been heavily involved in the rural and business community in South and Mid Canterbury. Together with their team of over 25 specialised sta� they continue to lead the way in innovative, individualised accountancy services in this region.

“We know how hard farmers work to achieve their results. We see our role as providing the tools and expertise to maximise your pro� ts and future-proof your business.”

Noone Ford Simpson LtdThe modern accounting � rm with traditional values

21

For under $80.00/ha* we can apply 27 units of Nitrogen plus ProGibb

onto your freshly grazed pasture

Spray your WHOLE farmMore GRASS = More PROFIT

We have special rates for larger areas.

Applying Liquid Nitrogen with ProGibb onto newly grazed pasture can give an immediate lift to dry matter

production.

LET US HELP YOU GROW MORE GRASS!

* Special Conditions Apply, Valid till 31st October 2013

In conjunction with

For more details and pricing callOffi ce 302 8098David Mangin on 0274 802 216Gary Rackham on 0274 362 459

WINTER SPRAYING PROMOTION

JUNE - JULY - AUGUST• ThisTles • lucerne

• clover seed crops • Gorse and General clean up

We can assess on a paddock to paddock basis (Costs Apply)

Chemicals supplied at very competitive prices

For more details and pricing callOffice 302 8098David Mangin on 0274 802 216Email: [email protected]

*Conditions apply

WINTER SPRAYING PROMOTION

JUNE - JULY - AUGUST• ThisTles • lucerne

• clover seed crops • Gorse and General clean up

We can assess on a paddock to paddock basis (Costs Apply)

Chemicals supplied at very competitive prices

For more details and pricing callOffice 302 8098David Mangin on 0274 802 216Email: [email protected]

*Conditions apply

Given that it was Labour Weekend and no-one delights in job losses, my heart went out to the cloud

that must now be above posties and their families.

Yet NZ Post’s decision to modernise its network is not a shock either. The 835 million mail items handled today is a long way short of 2002’s peak mail of 1.1 billion items.

Having heard some interviews on the decision, there is need to explain what rural posties do and the barriers our rural communities face.

The rural postie is not an employee but a contractor who delivers more than the mail. Their vans are a Post Shop on wheels who not only pick up mail, but deliver everything from newspapers and courier items, right through to groceries and even milk. That last item may surprise some but skim milk does

not come out of a cow. No rural postie I know relies solely on their mail contract to make ends meet but it does help the viability of their business.

Perhaps the best de� nition of what rural post is came from our colleagues at Rural Women NZ; “It is a wraparound distribution service that is part of the fabric that holds rural communities together. Our rural delivery contractors provide a lifeline, delivering supplies, repairs and spare parts, animal health remedies, medicines and courier parcels”.

Continued over page

Change is coming to the mailboxBY BRUCE WILLS It is a wraparound

distribution service that is part of the fabric that holds rural communities

together. Rural Women NZ on rural posties

22

Rural Solutions• Stockwater • Cattle Underpasses

• Drainage • Culverts

Phone 0800 502 112 for your nearest HumesSales Centre or visit www.humes.co.nz

Timaru Sales Centre10 Racecourse Rd, Washdyke, TimaruPh: 03 688 2079





















• Stockwater • Cattle Underpasses• Drainage • Culverts

Phone 0800 502 112 for your nearest HumesSales Centre or visit www.humes.co.nzTimaru Sales Centre10 Racecourse Rd, Washdyke, TimaruPh: 03 688 2079

CROP STORAGE AND HANDLING SYSTEMSPMR GRAIN SYSTEMS

Dairy Feed and


Dairy Feed and


Tel: 03 303 7266 Web: www.pmr.org.nzEmail: [email protected] Mobile: 0274 151 390 | Email: [email protected] Mobile: 0275 146 609

WITH THE STRONG NZD THERE HAS

NEVER BEEN A BETTER TIMETO BUY GRAIN STORAGE EQUIPMENT

BOLD

AND EXCITING

DEALS!

TIMBER FLOORS - IN STOCK

We also haveFANS & CHC GAS BURNERS

to suit most � oor area and silo sizes

Call now for a great deal andENSURE INSTALLATION

for the new year!

From page 21

As the rural blogger Ele Ludemann of Homepaddock correctly observed, “Newspapers will be grateful that � ve-day deliveries are to be maintained because in most rural areas papers are delivered with the mail. If deliveries reduced to three a week most people wouldn’t bother subscribing”.

While the likes of the New Zealand Herald, Dominion Post and The Press are heavily urban, it changes with provincial newspapers, whether Fairfax’s Southland Times or APN’s Northern Advocate.

New Zealand’s rural communities may be spread far and wide but it still numbers close to 600,000 people. It is also a community that subscribes to newspapers.

The relief over rural post being left intact will be palpable in many provincial newsrooms because the number one question to Federated Farmers’ policy team has been, “what does this mean for my Saturday paper?”

Every year, New Zealand’s farms consume around $13 billion worth of goods and services from animal remedies to No. 8 wire.

Even then it does not re� ect what farming families spend as households. Being newspaper

subscribers, rural consumers attract advertising support and this advertising helps to pay for journalists to write content.

Speaking plainly, the options available to many in-town are not available to those out of town. According to

StatisticsNZ, some 78 per cent of rural households had access to the internet in 2012. Dial-up is alive and kicking in the hinterland and even when the Rural Broadband Initiative is completed, in 2017, a maximum 86 per cent of rural

households will have access to it.

This still leaves a fair chunk off the RBI grid since “rural” in the context of broadband equates to a full quarter of New Zealanders. Being ultra conservative let’s say those left without broadband coverage ends up being 80,000 New Zealanders; that’s still equivalent to the population of Palmerston North.

Farmers are under no illusion that this decision will settle things forever and a day given the deed will be reviewed again in 2020 following the completion of urban New Zealand’s ultrafast broadband initiative.

Yes Federated Farmers and others in the rural community fought hard to maintain services because it rightly recognises that rural New Zealand is diff erent. Without doubt technology will change the way we communicate and the print side of the fourth estate is no exception.

• Bruce Wills is the president of Federated Farmers.

The mail will still get through for rural people even after a change in NZ Post’s deed.

23

ATTENTION FARMERS!SILAGE SEASON IS UPON US

From mower conditioning/rotor raking/baling to wrapped in a tube - We can do it all.

* 4x3 Square Baler (with scales & moisture meter)* 3x3 Square Baler* Round Baler* Tube & individual wrapping+ also fine chop silage in a stack

We buy/sell standing grass, silage & straw etcCall us for all your silage/baleage needs.

PH:3036300 MOB:0272798704

Arable Farmers - Don’t forget to book in early for all your windrowing requirements. We operate the latest MacDon M series windrowers with 9 different front options.

SMITHSWELLDRILLING LI

MIT

ED EST.1961EST.1961EST.1961Member NZDF

Domestic, Dairy Stockwaterand irrigation wells

Supply & installation of pumpsystems

For a non obligation on siteconsultation, contact:

Barry KewishPh 03 324 3799or 027 433 8245

Email: [email protected]

Head to Ashburton Marine for all your Farm Machinery fibreglass repairs

Ashburton Marine177 Alford Forest RoadPhone: 308 5842Email: [email protected]

Operating for 30 years as Mid Canterbury’s dedicated marine business.

Staggers can be a confusing term. It refers to the loss of co-ordination and consequent ‘drunken gait’ of livestock

when they are exposed to certain factors. Like most nutritional diseases, the animals showing clinical signs are just the tip of the iceberg, for every animal with obvious symptoms many more will be aff ected sub clinically. Horses may ‘stumble over nothing’, have di� culty backing up or walking down hill, be ‘heavy on the forehand’ or you may think they have ‘a rare form of narcilepsy’ when they fall asleep on their feet!

It is vital to understand that there are two causes of ‘Staggers’ to ensure the appropriate treatment. Symptoms are virtually identical but one is caused by mineral imbalances, the other by mycotoxins:1. Hypomagnesaemia (magnesium

de� ciency) is common in spring when grass has a high potassium content and a very low magnesium and sodium content. The clinical signs can occur very quickly because the animal does not have stores of magnesium to draw on, and is therefore completely reliant on its daily dietary intake. This is why magnesium should be fed daily rather than weekly which subjects the horse to

highs and lows.2. Ryegrass Staggers occurs from late

January to April and is caused by a ryegrass endophyte (naturally occurring fungus which lives inside the rye-grass plant). The fungus produces a toxin called Lolitrem B which when ingested causes neurological impairment of the central nervous system of horses as well as cattle, sheep, deer, and alpacas.

Symptoms include staggering gait, staring, hyper-sensitivity or over-reacting to stimuli.

The danger is that these symptoms are just a heart-beat away from full blown ‘Grass Tetany’ when the animal actually goes down.

The vet was called for the horse in the picture but was at a loss to know what was wrong. On Sunday when there was no change and the horse was still down so some strong guys were called upon to see if they could get her up, however her legs were so rigid that it was impossible.

At about lunchtime on Sunday their neighbour rang to see if I had any ideas.

The fact that her legs were rigid and the neck arched back somewhat sounded exactly like Grass Tetany. One of the men in attendance - being a Competitive Trail Rider,

had his heart monitor - apparently her heart had been racing and then it had dropped right down to almost nothing. She was also extremely dehydrated and at death’s door.

We told the neighbour to race home and get some salt and Alleviate C (organic calcium, magnesium and boron) to dissolve in water and syringe down carefully - which they did (a tablespoon of each). Within 20 minutes the rigidity had diminished to the point the guys could get her up, (this is when the photo was taken) and miraculously she started to recover. What is even more miraculous is that other complications did not set in from her having been down for so long.

This horse was two years old and susceptible as she had been turned out all winter with no supplementary feed, salt or magnesium. She was already depleted and down in condition.

The moral of the story is to keep all your horses well nourished by going to the trouble of mixing a small feed every day the purpose of which is to make sure they get these vital minerals including salt.

Grass Tetany is the severest of cramping and obviously excruciatingly painful. To see a horse suff ering from this is an experience you want to avoid at all costs.

‘Staggers’ and ‘Grass Tetany’

PHOTO SUPPLIEDThis horse had gone down on the Saturday evening,

the legs were rigid and the head arched back.

Typical Symptoms of Grass Tetany

• Muscle stiff ness, high muscle tonus, contractions of the tail (tail clamping).

• The legs may be rigid with periodic thrashing or paddling.

• Mouth closed and di� cult to open; grinding of teeth.

• Eyes wild, blood-shot eyes, frequently rolling (hence confusion with ‘colic’).

• Head thrown back.• Hyper- sensitivity.• Pulse feeble and much more rapid.• Seizures and imminent death!

For more information go to www.calmhealthyhorses.com

24

A strange leading line. However, since the Ballance Farm

Environmental Awards � eld day these words have been in the back of my mind. Precision with everything that was carried out on the farm. Prudence because it was exercised to show that precision had paid off . Prudence also because precision may be the choice only for some.

The Ballance Farm Environmental Awards � eld day at Craige and Roz Mackenzie’s Greenvale property a few weeks ago was enlightening. Not only was it a celebration of what Mr and Mrs Mackenzie (and several other background

people) have achieved, it provided an insight to what could/can be the benchmark. Hence the lead line – precision and prudence.

Precision – because everything was about the quality, condition, or fact of being exact and accurate, just like the farming operation was planned and executed with military precision (to use a much cited cliche).

Prudence – requires a degree of conservatism. In accounting the concept of prudence requires that alternative procedures or sets of values are also considered. This requires recording every liability and expense as soon as it occurs but only recording the results when they are gained.

Both precision and prudence were clearly demonstrated at nearly every stop on the � eld trip. Precision was applied to:• Harvest technology;• EM mapping;• Spray technology;• Irrigation technology;

• Fertiliser application; • Other farm inputs.

For example – consider the precision (variable rate) irrigation � tted to the centre pivot irrigator.

This was not an instant or impulse decision and followed

a number of logical and considered steps, all involving precision and prudence.

First; the yield mapping at harvest when it was obvious diff erent areas of a paddock were yielding diff erent tonnages per hectare – a liability, but why?

Precision and prudenceBY DR TONY DAVOREN

EM mapping of a paddock highlighting soil conditions, but what do the colours mean?

34 High Street, GeraldinePhone (03) 693 1403Wayne 027 221 1467 Nigel 0274 822 315www.barberdrilling.com

IRRIGATION & DOMESTIC WATER WELLS

• Latest Well Drilling Equipment• Licenced owner operators• Generator for hire service• Well - Vu Camera

NOW IS THE TIME TO DO WELL

MAINTENANCE

LOCALLY OWNED & OPERATED

BARBERWELLDRILLING

SERVICES

We have Canterbury covered! with branches in:

Ashburton, Rolleston, Geraldine & Temuka

Call Laser Electrical!

Your Award Winning Electricians

www.laserelectrical.co.nz • www.laserplumbing.co.nz

• Residential • Industrial • Commercial • Rural • Dairy

0800 438 527 www.laserelectrical.co.nz

Need a ProfessionalElectrician?

Call Laser Electrical!

Need a Professional Electrician? 24 hour service, 7 days a week

· ElectricalDesign&Wiring· Automation&Control.SolarPoweroptions· PLCProgramming· SCADASystems· Lighting· Data&Communication· Security

· Maintenance&Servicing· HeatingSolutions· TouchScreenControls· ThermalImaging· DairyShedWiring&Design· SwitchboardDesign&Maintenance

· Residentialinstallation

service&maintenance· IrrigationStarters,ControlSystems&Maintenance

· Pumps&GeneratorSupply&Installation

· GeneralEngineering&StainlessSteelWork

0800 LASER 4 U(0800 527 374)

Laser Electrical Ashburton 726 East Street, AshburtonLaser Electrical Rolleston 831 Jones Road, RollestonLaser Electrical Geraldine & Temuka17 Peel Street, Geraldine

25

Second; an EM map of the area (precision) but also a liability because while there were pretty colours and some contrasts in soil conditions and properties, what did they colours mean?

Third, selected soil moisture monitoring a six (1-6) for the next season with centre-pivot irrigation according to the “average” soil moisture

measurement. Yield mapping (now standard practice) of the wheat crop only to � nd the deeper soils had suppressed yield (analysis showed these areas were too wet and probably could not have been irrigated).

Fourth; � tting of variable rate irrigation to the centre pivot for the next irrigation season, soil moisture monitoring at the

same locations and irrigation according to the requirement of soil variability. As the readily available water (RAW) in the soil layer 0-300mm decreased (soil zone 1-6), the amount of irrigation increased with nearly two times the irrigation (86mm) applied on the lighter shallower soils zones than the deeper soil zones (45mm). There was an “ooopsy” though – the � rst

irrigation in zone one was not required – it received about the same as zone � ve. A gentle reminder that “every liability and expense is recorded as soon as it occurs” and that precision does not eliminate the odd human error.

Fifth; yield mapping at harvest showed an even yield across the paddock. No suppression of yield and no loss of yield on the lighter shallower soils.Prudence was applied from

the start of what was essentially a four-year process:• Alternative procedures or practices were considered;• Liabilities (yield and soil variation) were recorded;• Expense of rectifying the liabilities were recorded; • The results recording to determine when they were gained.

Prudence also because precision will not be the domain for everyone. What Mr and Mrs Mackenzie displayed was the need to apply the principles of prudence if you are contemplating the precision path. All of the four

prudence criteria must be taken into account.

This is the “cream on the cake” for irrigation management. You need to be a good manager before you can make this work and to have the liabilities become pro� table – the expense of rectifying liabilities could simply be another expense. Furthermore, there was expression that this “was the benchmark”, but it may not be your benchmark. There may be other mitigating factors, not the least the inability to apply precision irrigation.

As Mr Mackenzie concluded, it is “always great being able to showcase the positive aspects of agriculture and the number of farmers that really work hard on how they can improve their farming systems, bene� tting both environmental and economic sustainability.”

While it was great to showcase to a largely rural audience, the urbanites present will have left with a better understanding of some of the practices farmers are adopting to improve soil, water and other environmental health.

JACOB HOLDAWAY CONTRACTING LTD

• Highdensitystrawandsilagebaling(4x3)

• Mediumsquarebaling(3x3)• Expertiseincerealsilage• Strawandgrasstrading• Doublemowing• Fourrotorraking• Cartingandstacking• Wrapping• Ploughing

Phone Jacob Holdaway today on 0274 225 464LATEST TECHNOLOGY BEST RESULTS

COMING SOON!!FODDERBEETHARVESTER

• GrimmeharvestersuitedtoCanterburyconditions

• Efficient,cleanharvester

• Capableofharvestingvariousrowwidths

ALPINE CLEARSPANBirdproofkitsetsheds

Phone now for a free brochure pack

0800 428 453

Zero‐Bird‐Perch® Solid and robust Protects your assets Free delivery na�onwide Galvanised box sec�on ra�ers www.alpinebuildings.co.nz

KEEP YOUR SHED TOPPED UP FOR NEXT WINTER!

Buy Green 6m real gummyHot burning Old man Pine firewood

Finance available on all green loads, *conditions apply*

Our competitors

are our customers

guarantee!

OTHER WOOD TYPES AVAILABLE

•7 Days a Week•FREE Quotes•FREE Delivery!

Trucks hand loaded, clean wood no rocks or mud

Text message or phone to place an order027 956 1642

Make the Most out of your

Crt Card

Or just look for the ‘use your CRT Card signs’ Support CRT suppliers and save!

Finding CRT suppliers is easy - go to: www.crt.co.nz/BrowseSupplier/

Don’t have a CRT Card? Join the 55,000 card holders South Island wide and enjoy the wide range of benefits that only CRT Card can offer by calling for your shareholder application pack today on 0800 278 583.

0800 278 583 www.crtfarmlands.co.nz

The all-purpose farmers ToolkiT

Whatever you need for your farm, you can put it on your CrT Card.

Azalea Mollis!Azalea Mollis

Lushingtons Garden Centre, 5 Archibald Street, Tinwald, Ashburton Phone 308 6858FREE DELIVERY for Ashburton customers - Plant Guarantee - OPEN 7 DAYS! 9am – 5:30pm

www.lushingtons.co.nz

were $34.99

GROWN AT OUR NURSERY!

$19.99Huge

selection

Insurance Work • Fleet Work • Farm Machinery Rust Removal • Truck Repairs & Repaints

Ph: 03 303 3148 • A/Hrs: Steve 027 711 7117 47 Line Road, Methven • [email protected]

Custom built repair shop with the latest technology• Repair calf feeders • 3D measuring system • Truck paint booth

Rolleston, 825 Jones Rd ph 03 347 3476

Ashburton, 80 Kermode St ph 03 308 7234

• AutoElectricalServiceandrepair

• BatteriesandPowertools

• Airconditioningspecialists

• Installationandrepairs

Value and Professional ServiceA family tradition since 1934

Newlands is a name you can trust.www.newlands.co.nz

WOF SERVICEMECHANICAL

Automotive Diagnostics Via Diagun Scan tool

Tyres, Wheel alignment & Puncture repairs

Brake service and Machining

General Mechanical

68 ElizabEth avE Rakaia

03 303 5100

I n d e p e n d e n t ly s p e c i a l i s i n g i n J e e p , D o d ge & C h rys l e r* 8 y e a rs d e a l e rs h i p e x p e r i e n c e , fa c t o ry s c a n t o o l o n s i t e

32 Racecourse Rd, Ashburton Tel: 03-308-3422

or 0800 Harness (427 637)

morrisons saddlery & feed

For all of your show season requirements.

Brushes, Shampoos, helmets and much more!

For all of your grooming needs.Local suppliers of Provide it products

www.harness.co.nz

Spring into action!

The place where farmers get their qualityagricultural replacement parts and

equipment

ARABLE PLOUGH PARTS

CULTIVATION PARTS

HARVESTPARTS

0800 4 PALMERS - www.palmeragriparts.co.nz 34 Robinson St, Riverside Industrial Park, Ashburton

PLOUGH PARTS PARTSPARTS

No Hassle Farm Buildingfrom Helmack ITM!

Let Helmack ITM take care of your plans, council pim,admin and compliance.

Phone Allan today on 0274 331 869 for all enquiries

Rural and Outdoor Timber Yard

Call us today on 308 6444 for all your timber needs

Calf Pens

Come see our team today for more details on our calf pens, shelters & sheds

$1835+GST

Corner South Street and East Street, Ashburton

$1850+GST

Calf Sheds(Gate Extra)

2507

13

(Ramp Extra) $350.00+GST

Rural and Outdoor Timber Yard

Call us today on 308 6444 for all your timber needs

Calf Pens

Come see our team today for more details on our calf pens, shelters & sheds

$1835+GST

Corner South Street and East Street, Ashburton

$1850+GST

Calf Sheds(Gate Extra)

2507

13

(Ramp Extra) $350.00+GST

92 Dobson Street, AshburtonPhone 307 0412

Are you a CRT

Supplier? Put yourBUSINESS HERE!

Call Desme today 03 307 7974

27

Talk to us today about a FREE ASSESSMENT

Our easy, affordable laser eye surgery could give you A NEW OUTLOOK ON LIFE.

Ph 0800 52 73 71

Simplifood... more than just foodWe stock a wide range including Brewing, cooking

ingredients, cake decorating and party lines, cleaning

products, bird seed, gluten free and organic products.

Come into Simplifood to purchase your xxxxxxxxxxxx

Monday - Friday 9.00am to 5.30pmSaturday 9.00am to 1.00pm

Eml: [email protected] www.simplifood.co.nz

P 307 6077 F 307 6078105 Victoria Street, Ashburton

eml: [email protected] www.simplifood.co.nz

P 307 6077 F 307 6078105 Victoria Street, Ashburton

Monday - Friday 9.00am to 5.30pmSaturday 9.00am

to 1.00pm

SimpliFood... more than just food!

We stock a wide range including

Brewing, cooking ingredients, cake

decorating and party lines, cleaning

products, bird seed, gluten free

and organic products.

Rural FeaturesGuardianASHBURTON

To advertise in these publications, please contact Desme on

03 307 [email protected]

Publication PublicationDate

Advert Booking Deadline

Feature

Pasture countEnergy solutionsSummer bloat issues

ThursdayNovember 7

TuesdayNovember 19

GuardianASHBURTON

GuardianFarming

Soil testing Health issues for farmers Dairy sheds IrrigationEnergy solutions

ThursdayNovember 21

TuesdayDecember 3

Effl uent pond solutionsEnergy solutionsImproving herd nutrition

ThursdayDecember 5

TuesdayDecember 17

Ashburton / Methven / Rakaiawww.ats.co.nz0800 BUY ATS / 0800 289 287

Have you got unwanted weeds or pests?

Solvo® is a pre-emergent herbicide for the use against certain broadleaf and grass weeds in various crops.

Slugout® is a granular slug bait that offers excellent control of slugs and snails particularly during crop establishment.

If you require technical support for your spring pasture or cropping requirements contact the ATS Arable Key Account Managers today on 0800 BUY ATS (289 287).

For all your spring pasture and brassica seed requirements contact the ATS Seed team today on 0800 BUY ATS (289 287).

ATS has a wide range of herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides to ensure you get the best possible yield from your crop.

ATS_Guardian Farmer_276x100mm_0813.indd 1 2/9/13 3:25:50 PM

Facts on � axDogs bene� t

from � axseed oilP2-4

GuardianASHBURTON

FarmingGUARDIAN

SEPTEMBER, 2013

South ISland wIde

August 2013

Pages 2&3

The Wright stuff

Dairy FocusDairy FocusGuardianAshburton

Page 2

Dairy Focus

South ISland wIde

August 2013

Pages 2&3

The Wright stuff

Dairy FocusDairy FocusGuardianAshburton

Page 2

Dairy Focus

Wind. Isn’t it amazing? It comes and goes as it likes and leaves

behind a mass of destruction. My wind memories took me back to a child in 1975 when the Big Wind hit. They said the power would go out and it would be days before it would restored. Everyone was organised, things were put in place so that we would be okay and animals were close to the yard and the house for shelter. My mother had candles ready. Was the same warning given last month to batten down the hatches? All I heard was that it was going to be very windy (we live in Mid Canterbury, of course it gets windy).

My middle daughter was at tennis when it came up and I laughed as I thought how many balls she would hit or return. Driving home it got very windy, it was hard to keep the van on my side of the road. So I drove slowly – less than 10 kilometres and 10 minutes, I had gone from very windy to wind that was going to do damage.

No. 1 son came out to meet me and said there was no power. His TV was not working.

That’s when I decided to check the animals. I sent him down to the cows and sheep to make sure all gates were shut properly and no animals would get out.

The youngest and I headed for the chook house to lock up the all hens. Goat was tied to

the playhouse by the kitchen window so I could keep an eye on him. Then we started to pick up and put away anything that might blow away.

The kids were con� ned inside after a piece of tin � ew into the air and crashed into a gate being shut by No. 1 son. He was

lucky not to be decapitated.Inside, I decided to cook tea

before we lost light. We have gas so that was no problem; tea was cooked and the middle child collected from tennis. Again, it was a slow drive to town and back.

As the night went on the wind

got worse and we could all hear the big trees round the house moving wildly. At this point Tom phoned to say he was on his way from Oamaru. I said that it was getting worse and it was bad, and told him to take it carefully.

Continued on page 28

Blow the mighty wind

Mother Nature provided a few challenges for Lifestyler during the big wind.

BY LIFESTYLER

28

We build for industries. Starting with the primary ones.

COMMERCIAL•INDUSTRIAL•RURAL

At Calder Stewart we’ve never forgotten where we

started, building quality farm buildings for the Kiwi

farm industry. And over the course of the last 55

years of involvement, we’ve developed something

of a knack for it. Our dedicated team’s expertise

in constructing custom woolsheds, covered yards,

wintering sheds and state-of-the-art dairy sheds

ensures practicality, quality and a professional

build - matched to your exact farming needs.

We pride ourselves at being a Rural Design &

Build specialist and have gained a considerable

reputation in meeting the needs of many a farmer

over the years. Let us put our expertise to work for

you; call your nearest Calder Stewart Construction

Representative today and see how we can deliver

a farm building that suits.

(03) 307 6130211 Alford Forest Road, Ashburton

Donald Sutton

Premium Grade Construction Materials Used

Best Value-for-Money in the IndustryDurable & Rugged Design is Standard

Over 55 Years Farm Building ExperienceA Rural Design and Build Specialist

www.calderstewart.co.nzTo learn more visit our website:

No. 1 son decided to sleep inside, he had gone out to the sleepout but came back with a sleeping bag under his arm.

I had a little laugh and told him he was a wuss. But I was pleased he was inside.

Ten o’clock came and Tom was not home. The phone goes and he is in Hinds – someone’s calves had got onto the main road and a truck had hit some. He was moving dead calves off State Highway One. He said some drivers were not happy that he was stopping tra� c. He was surprised people could be so dumb: it was dark and you couldn’t see well.

Tom got back at midnight. I had gone to bed to read my book with a torch. He came in to say he was home, then decided to check the cows. Later he woke me to say that half our tree plantation was on the ground. That made me think about the garden. I hadn’t heard anything large hit the ground.

Morning came and the garden wasn’t too bad. One downed cabbage tree and a few branches. We spent the

morning cleaning up the mess. We don’t have to worry about � rewood for some years.

The best thing that I bought when we moved out here three years ago was a generator. Tom couldn’t understand why but was told if the power goes off , it could be days before it came on. So out came the generator and then an electrician � nally put the power point into the house. That night we had

power. I think it would have looked funny if anyone drove by, as we would have been the only lit house on our road. It was amazing how much you could turn on. The kettle was the only thing that caused the generator to work hard.

We even could watch TV but I didn’t tell the kids as it was nice not to have it.

So life for us was pretty good – the animals all came through

okay. The chooks stopped laying

but that was no big thing. Dog did not sleep inside if you are wondering, although the cats did. Cow stayed in paddock with the sheep. A tree could have hit Saddle the ram, but no, he is still trying to take us out by the knee caps.

The big thing was no-one was hurt or killed; I know others suff ered a lot of damage and

will need to spend money. Mother Nature is a funny thing

and still reminds us who is boss.All people who have a farm

should own a generator – this makes life much easier. I know it seems a lot of money for something you may only use two or three times a year but it is well worth it. At least our stock had water. And we had running water inside for showers and the toilet.

It was a little adventure for us all, a bit like camping, one of the kids said. And because we do camp and Tom goes hunting we really did have everything to make life easy.

Thank you to the men who � xed the power lines. We really were surprised how fast we got it back on – only three days without power, two nights. I would have coped for a few more days and it was good for my kids to talk and do other things instead of the TV and computer.

Plus they went to bed early and helped clean up outside. It was good for them, a small lesson on how things can change quickly.

Awakening to the debris.

Guardian Farming, November 2013

Documents

Transcript of Guardian Farming, November 2013