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GuardianASHBURTON

FarmingGUARDIAN

February, 2014

The velvet jigsaw P2-3

2

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

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

Advertising: Phone 307-7974Email: [email protected] date: February 11, 2014

Next issue: March 11, 2014

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

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Pete Swann keeps a close eye on his herd. Photos: Michelle Nelson 300114-MN-011

A growing a� air

On a 30-hectare farm in the Elgin district Pete Swann and his

wife Jema run 160 stags, a few beef cattle and a handful of Pitt Island sheep.

Mr Swann says producing high-quality velvet is all about management, diet and genetics.

He was just a kid when commercial deer farming gained traction. A block on the family farm at Sherwood Downs, near Fairlie, was fenced with the regulation six foot six inch (two metre) high fences required in the days when deer were deemed noxious animals.

In 1974 Mr Swann and his father embarked on their � rst live-capture mission.

Wild deer were hunted in helicopters, tranquilised using a dart gun and airlifted back to the farm.

In the early days the animals were slung under the helicopter by their hind legs, however, too many were injured and bags were designed to carry them safely.

While several animals su� ered from shock, Mr Swann says the deer that would make up the Glen� ddich herd were released into the familiar terrain of tussock-clad high country making for a gentle transition.

In the early nineties, the Swann family shifted the operation to Mossburn, at this time the Glen� ddich velvet herd comprised 550 head, out of a total herd of 750 animals.

“The place was quite run down, and we started trials looking at the impact of

Michelle NelsonRURAL REPORTER

Pete Swann’s fondness for deer spans 40 years and shows no sign of ending. He was a pioneer in the live-capture days, and today produces his own brand of velvet capsules under the Glen� ddich Deer Farms label.

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various feeds,” Mr Swann said.

“Three years later we dropped the numbers back by 50 and cut 0.5kg more velvet from each stag – we were getting 1.2 tonnes of velvet from 550 stags, � ve years later we got 1.8t from 385 stags.

“The quality went through the roof – 90 per cent was super and A-grade – most farms were producing less than half that.”

Initially velvet from the Glen� ddich herd was sold through a Christchurch-based Korean agent.

Typically, the antler is cut o� near the base after it is about two-thirds of its potential full size, between 55 to 65 days of growth, before any signi� cant calci� cation occurs, but Mr Swann was asked to experiment with growing it out further.

“The second year our best stags grew 12 to 12.5 kilograms. Then the market crashed in 1994-95. The next year I was approached about marketing directly into Hong Kong under our own name – Glen� ddich, and to work on developing our own velvet capsules.

“We started looking at the quality of the velvet, and realised there’s a huge variation.

“I noticed some of the antler was very boney. Once we started to deal with the powder we closed the herd, because we couldn’t � nd stags that were compatible with the type of velvet we wanted to grow.”

Mr Swann isn’t concerned about line-breeding the

herd – by his reckoning there were only about 100 deer introduced into the country by early pioneers, and the base of his herd was captured in the Fairlie basin, so there’s always been a limited gene pool.

“There’s been one out-cross with a Danish stag and one with a German-English stag, everyone says we can’t keep doing what we are but I’ll keep going – as long as you don’t mate a father with a daughter.”

He concedes at some stage he might have to look at introducing a new genetic line, but says the problem will be � nding suitable blood. For the past 10 years the focus in New Zealand has been on developing long antler tines for the trophy-head industry, while a shorter antler is required to produce quality velvet.

Mr Swann has spent years looking at the impact of nutrition, and says deer are browsers not grazers. For this reason he sticks to the basics; grass, baleage, oats and a few nuts. He also avoids brassica-based winter-feed crops.

“Wild deer might eat turnips for a short time, but

they soon move on. “We feed them the best

we can year-round. Getting the right mix of pasture and stocking rate is very important, and keeping them in their age groups.

“You can in� uence velvet just like that with diet.

“By doing this we’ve brought the ash content down – which is the quality marker for velvet.

“We select animals with a minimum beam measurement of 19cm, and a speci� c style of antler and allow it to grow it out a further week – which the experts say you can’t do with red deer.

“One of our stags produced 16.5kg of quality velvet.

“It’s like a jigsaw – there are season variations, but you can minimise the e� ects by having a basic feeding pattern that works.”

The average percentage of ash, the basic test for velvet powder, falls between 32 and 34; Mr Swann is producing overgrown velvet with an ash content of 32.3 per cent, and the Korean-grade short cut at 29 per cent.

But at this point there’s no marker for quality. Velvet is

graded on the measurement of the antler beam, the length and weight.

“Because it’s only a beam measurement and it’s paid by weight we can’t de� ne the quality when it’s all mixed up.

“We are trying to develop a marker for the quality so we get paid for yield.”

This has led the Swanns to develop their own label, processing velvet in Luggate through the Alpine Deer Group’s plant. It is encapsulated in Christchurch and marketed through the Glen� ddich Deer Farms website (www.glen� d.co.nz).

A natural therapist in Auckland is conducting trials on integrating velvet with other superfoods, and another in Christchurch is using it to develop a line of functional foods. The Swanns hope to expand the market in that direction.

It’s like a jigsaw – there are season variations,

but you can minimise the effects by having a basic

feeding pattern that works.Pete Swann

From paddock to powder, Pete and Jema Swann are growing velvet and manufacturing health food supplements.

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On my � rst tahr hunt I thought we were going to have to use our EPIRB

(emergency locator beacon). I was thinking this as we made slow progress up a sheer-sided ravine, every now and then thigh-deep in snow, looking for a way out.

First tahr hunt. First rescue. What the hell had I been thinking?

It was July, 5pm. Southerly clouds were racing over the craggy tops around us, every now and then lowering to add a dusting of snow to the sleeves of our jackets. I didn’t care.

I had my head down: one

step, and then another, hoping that somewhere up there we would � nally be able to get up over the edge and onto scree that would take us back down into the valley far below. That was where we needed to be, perhaps two hours ago. But we were still going up.

Tahr hunting: always going up.

After driving in, and then walking for a few hours, we had left our packs in the bush at the mouth of a stream and started to walk it to its source – a high saddle south of the Rakaia.

Our plan hadn’t been to go as far as the saddle, but after watching a mob of nannies above us on a blu� , we spotted a bear of a bull dancing its shaggy mane up the valley. Trophy tahr. It looked so big that it somehow didn’t make sense. These animals were meant to be small.

Of course we followed, but he was too big and old and when we � nally made it to the saddle all we found was a bewilderingly majestic alpine valley beyond, empty.

Time to stop and look and think. Time for my friend to light a cigarette. The lair of the monster. No talking. Just looking.

I thought that was the day

done, and hoped it was. Time to head back down the valley to � nd the hut. But a few minutes later whist still above the snow line we spotted a young bull bedded down on a ridge.

We stalked in and then lay watching for 30 core-chilling minutes before the hunting poetry happened, as it often does.

The young animal stood

up, but facing away from us. He then turned side on, and stopped again.

Crack! My friend humanely knocked him o� the high point, and that was how we ended up at the bottom of the ravine, blu� ed below, trying to � nd a way through the snowdrifts above – tahr meat and some photos, and me thinking about the EPIRB as night rolled in and

A test of endurance

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snow started to fall. “I have never been on a tahr hunt when, at some point, I haven’t felt outside my comfort zone,” a hunting friend told me a while later.

That pretty much sums up every tahr hunt I have been on. It is endurance in the discom-fort zone. It’s normal. And that’s what makes it one of the most epic hunting challenges.

Over the saddle: the awe-inspiring view and also a good place for a breather.

Right: Sanctuary at last: the welcoming hut after a successful tahr hunt.

The only way out is up ... carrying a tahr.

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Fertigation – The four bene� ts Advertising feature

InvestmentFarmers have invested

thousands of dollars in their irrigation systems and fertigation gives them another use for this capital investment.

On a dairy farm in Canterbury the average spreading cost is $70 per hectare per annum or $21,000 for a 300 hectare farm.

Fertigation will enable them to save 80 percent of this each and every year. Farmer’s will still need to apply granular nutrients over the growing season to have a balanced nutrient programme.

Cropping farmers can apply nutrients in a timely manner in line with what the plants need rather than what � ts in with other work on the farm.

ProductionFertigation allows nutrients

to be applied to paddocks in a timely and precise manner, “little and often” which has been proven to improve pasture & crop production and quality.

For example, it allows pasture growth to be more consistent over the month rather than the traditional peaks and troughs. For cropping it helps the plants retain the � ag leaf for longer therefore allow the grain head to reach its potential.

Pro� tabilityFarmers love spending less

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Farmers who have used fertigation over their greenfeed crops have commented that they haven’t had to spray for Aphids and White butter� y, money saved, and the cows love the crops, which increases feed utilisation.

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Most farmers are becoming more aware of fertigation due to advertisements, � eld day displays and companies promoting products that can be applied through this method of application. Regardless of who is promoting it, there are four main reasons why farmers and growers are investing in fertigation systems to increase their pro� tability.

To � nd out how fertigation can bene� t your farm operations please call us or go to our website or Facebook page.

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Last month’s water use report from Environment Canterbury, unsurprisingly,

showed irrigators used more water during last year’s dry spell than the previous wet summer. However, the increase wasn’t

as large as might have been expected in a season that bordered on drought in the South Island (www.ecan.govt.nz/advice/your-water/water-metering/Pages/water-use-report.aspx).

The data actually reinforced the changes we’re seeing on the ground as new technologies and improved practice lead to more targeted water application.

Contrary to some media reports farmers who irrigate don’t pump water out of the ground because they can, because pumping costs them money and time, as well as wear and tear on infrastructure. There is an e� ciency driver and the majority of irrigators pride themselves on being responsible water users.

So let’s look at what the report

said, given it was the � rst time ECan analysed water usage by zone under the Canterbury Water Management Strategy (CWMS).

Data for July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013 year con� rms between 13.91 per cent and 65.1 per cent of allocated surface and groundwater across Canterbury was taken for irrigation.

Predictably usage was

strongest in the Ashburton zone, alongside the Orari-Opihi-Pareora and Selwyn-Waihora zones. Given the signi� cant irrigation activity in these districts this comes as no surprise.

Of more interest to us than di� erences between water use in the 10 water-management zones is how the regional council manages and publishes

its data, particularly going forward.

A change in the way ECan analysed water use this year does mean these results should be treated as indicative-only. The 2012-2013 Water Use Report contained data from less than 40 per cent of consented water takes with rates � ve litres per second and greater.

During the past few months, hundreds more farmers across the region have installed water-metering systems so next year’s report and those that follow will be signi� cantly more accurate.

So while this report is interesting our perspective on it has to be quali� ed. In the next couple of years we’ll have a much better picture of regional and zone water use based on higher percentages of farmers providing data. That’s when it will get really interesting and we can expect to understand more about how our systems are working.

Despite the small increase in water use, we believe there

is still plenty irrigators can do to improve their water management.

IrrigationNZ will roll out our Smart irrigation programme this year to support farmers in keeping up with the technologies, skills and management systems necessary to drive water e� cient irrigation.

We’ll also continue to talk to central and regional government about the allocation and transfer system for water takes. These need to be dynamic if we are to drive the best possible return to the community from New Zealand’s natural resources.

Finally, you can attend IrrigationNZ’s biennial conference in Napier, on April 7 to 9. Keynote speakers from Australia, America and New Zealand will demonstrate where we need to be heading and the pre-conference tours around Hawke’s Bay are sure to impress.

• Check out details on www.irrigationnz/conference.co.nz

Water report provides insight

Studying the pumps at an IrrigationNZ conference.

You’ve given a lifetime of work and commitment, whereas now it’s time to relax and appreciate the glory of what life has to offer you. At Lochlea Lifestyle Resort, life really does keep getting better.

Our emphasis is on living in comfort within a safe and friendly environment amongst a gated community, the fi rst of its kind in Ashburton. Residents have a range of retirement options for varying levels of independence, from self-contained villas, through to hospital care.

Proposed construction of the 80 bed hospital will commence in 2014, featuring well aged-care and specialised dementia units, ensuring the best care is available to those requiring individualized care.

All residents of the Lochlea Lifestyle Resort will have exclusive access to a range of exciting resort leisure activities at Lochlea Lodge, due for completion in early 2014. Featuring a therapeutic bromide pool and spa, as well as a gymnasium, medical facilities and a spacious common area for socialising, Lochlea Lifestyle Resort is quickly becoming the place to be.

With strong interest received from outside of the district as well as positive local interest, some future residents are selecting their villa site areas before construction commences. Selections can be made on these site areas for future occupancy dates (special conditions do apply), so there is no need to delay securing your future security and happiness. We understand that you may not be in a position to move for a period of time, so you are free to choose an option that fi ts your lifestyle and time line, without missing out on the home of your dreams. All questions can be answered by our friendly Resort Manager, Tony Sands.

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Property’s moving

As we look forward to the property market in 2014, it is interesting to anticipate the opportunity it

provides for buyers and sellers. In 2012 we considered $50,000 a

hectare to be a great sale for a Mid Canterbury dairy farm. In December 2013 a 276ha Ashburton dairy farm sold at auction for nearly $16 million at more than $57,000 per ha.

It followed the $10m deadline sale of a 169ha dairy farm in the same area that worked out at $60,360 per ha, taking the total dairy farm sales for Property Brokers Ashburton to about $100 million for the last two months of 2013. The market remains strong, dairy payouts are at record levels which will continue to fuel property prices – as well as a large number of signi� cant farming entities which are absolutely business focused and will continue to grow.

The residential market experienced a strong � nish to 2013 despite the

Reserve Bank’s announcement on October 1 which ramped up the deposits needed by � rst-home buyers. This has dampened this area of the market a little, however, baby boomers are assisting their children with deposits, and investors are recognising the opportunity.

Interest rates remain low, property outside of Auckland and Christchurch is stable and a� ordable. In Property Brokers’ country, towns such as Rangiora, Ashburton, Timaru and Geraldine, which o� er exceptionally a� ordable lifestyles people are shifting from Christchurch to these areas. Lifestyle is becoming a huge instigator for people sick of the rat race and moving to rural towns is an alternative.

In 2014 we see a continuous upside as New Zealand recovers better than most from the global � nancial crisis. Canterbury, in particular, should continue to bene� t from increased activity in earthquake recovery work and the continuing growth and appeal of Mid Canterbury as an area for dairy farm buyers is showing no sign of slowing.

Property Brokers Ashburton is positive about what 2014 will bring and looks forward to working with locals across residential, lifestyle, rural, commercial and property management markets.

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HINDS131 Liddles RoadQuality borderdyke irrigation farm within the favouredMayfield-Hinds Irrigation Scheme. Handy to Ashburton.Farmed by the occupiers since 1957, it is in excellentheart. Nutrient Management Plan and DDT testavailable to Purchasers.Reliable irrigation water, productive soils, inherentfertility, good range of farm buildings plus attractivesheltered environment for the appealing family homemakes this a "must see" proposition.View By AppointmentDEADLINE PRIVATE TREATY Monday 10th March 2014at 4.00pm

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LOWCLIFFEStevens RoadThis dairy run off unit is very well fenced and is sprayirrigated using Briggs 125 Irrigator. Approximately 25to 30 hectares of kale grown for winter grazing. Goodsoils almost frost free winters. Take care of your dairygrazing issues today.View By AppointmentDEADLINE PRIVATE TREATY Wednesday 26thFebruary 2014 at 3.00pm

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Last weekend there was a national census of the Australasian crested grebe.

The previous count was 10 years ago, in 2004, when 300 adults were counted. Although the results haven’t all been tallied yet, numbers from this year look like there may be now twice as many – between 500 to 600 grebes throughout the country. This is great news for this lovely bird that once was quite common throughout the country but is now classi� ed as nationally vulnerable.

But locally, numbers seem to have decreased: in 2004 there were more than 100 in the Ashburton Lakes, the majority of these at Lake Heron, but this year only 22. Conditions this

year weren’t good for counting on the lakes – it was windy and there were whitecaps on Lake Heron which makes it hard to distinguish birds, but even so it does seem they aren’t breeding as well as they should to maintain a healthy population and we don’t know why.

The grebes’ status throughout New Zealand has changed a lot in recent years. They have completely gone from the North Island and their range in the South Island is shrinking.

At the last count, the northern limit was the Kaikoura Lakes, but this year some were back at Lake Grassmere, near Blenheim. West Coast numbers continue to decline. Numbers are good for the new Lake Opuha (21) and Lake Alexandrina (93, up from 13 last time).

Crested grebe are totally aquatic birds. They live and feed on the water and build � oating nests at the water’s

edge. Although they aren’t a species that interacts with humans the way fantails and keas sometimes do, they seem to cope with a reasonably high level of human noise: at Clearwater in Christchurch grebes are seen in the same vicinity as jetskis, and they are also numerous on Lake Hayes near Queenstown which is a popular lake, as is Lake Opuha.

Predation is probably the biggest factor in limiting their breeding success: stoats eat both eggs and chicks, and avian predators (harriers and the New Zealand falcon) are also known to take chicks.

Hopefully, the trapping programme at Lake Heron and the Maori Lakes will have some impact on the introduced predators there.

A lack of suitable nest sites may also limit breeding – they like sheltered bays; the wash from boats may swamp their � oating nests and the � uctuating levels on the hydro lakes aren’t ideal.

Crested grebes are but one of our distinctive native species. Taking photographs of our native birds, or plants if you prefer to photograph things that don’t move, is a very satisfying activity and there is a

photo competition coming up! Here’s your opportunity to

get into the high country, coast and rivers to take photos of our � ora and fauna. The photos must be taken within Mid Canterbury and must be of native species.

The top 40 images will be selected, framed and exhibited. For more information and entry forms, contact Warren Jowett on email [email protected] or phone 3030880. Entry forms will also be available at the library. The competition closes on April 30, 2014. We look forward to seeing your shots.

Fluctuations of the grebe The crested

grebe is totally aquatic, building � oating nests upon the waters where it lives and feeds. PHOTO:

PETER LANGLANDS

FOREST AND BIRDMary Ralston

12

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If the public of New Zealand needed any reminding that 2014 is an election year it has

certainly been highlighted in the past couple of weeks.

Party leaders from all political persuasions have commenced a strange mating ritual with other parties and individuals that have previously been in the “no-go” arena.

The prospect of a close election certainly has melted barriers that seemed previously to be quite impenetrable.

As expected promises are being made via media releases and mysteriously amended a couple of days later when challenged by opponents. Nothing new there.

My experience in public life indicates it is the initial message that gets through to constituents, not the retraction.

All spokespeople are quite rightly focusing on issues of home ownership and low-income earners, access to the property ladder as key points, along with education.

Census statistics highlighting a decline in the percentage of families living in their own homes is not good reading. A decline of 2 per cent in home ownership every � ve years is cause for major concern, and frankly unsustainable.

I’ve always believed debt-free home ownership at retirement should be a goal for every family – what is more I consider that with disciplined spending and sound long-term priorities this is still highly achievable in many cases.

The Cunli� e announcement of $60 a week for all newborns in families on a combined income of under $150,000 per annum, for the � rst full

year starting 2016 is dubious. Extending it until the child’s third birthday for those on low and middle incomes (currently an unde� ned � gure) is blatant nonsense.

One of the last things families on “low and middle” incomes need is an incentive to breed. Evidence is well documented that school children who come to school poorly clothed and under nourished frequently come from larger families and often from parents living on bene� ts.

When will we learn that parenthood is a responsibility and privilege lasting for at least 20 years, not a taxpayer liability for a generation of others to fund.

An overgenerous welfare state does nothing to encourage personal responsibility and worthwhile decision making in family budgeting.

I’m frequently appalled by the inability of many families to di� erentiate between wants and needs without � rst addressing the issue of home ownership. That new � at-screen TV, another electronic communication tool, overseas trip, excessive smoking, drinking or gambling habit – are they all necessary?

Census data released this month in relation to smoking and household income in the Christchurch region made interesting reading.

Figures quoted are median household income over percentage of smokers.

Within two years cigarettes will cost a dollar each – at 20 a day, $7200 a year.

Priorities! Need I say more – not to mention the associated health risks.

As we move into February no doubt we will read of the heavy

workload of budget advisory agencies as Christmas excesses on credit cards come up for payment.

Allied to this the annual increase in family violence as a consequence of the stress on

So the games have startedAranui Bexley Phillipstown Mt Pleasant Dean’s Bush Westmoreland $43,300 $52,400 $44,500 $95,900 $119,000 $105,400 33.6% 30.1% 32.4% 4.8% 4.6% 4.6%

Median household income over percentage of smokers

Labour Party leader David Cunli� e delivers his state of the nation address last month.

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school-year expenses bite. This further emphasises a lack of budgeting skills.

I see it as totally irresponsible that a major international chain store operator o� ers “no deposit, 60 months to pay” on a whole range of household goods, many of which have a life expectancy of � ve years or less. Without doubt the banks

are the real villains in this scenario. Credit availability is far too lenient.

I still believe the best way to approach low levels of home ownership over the longer term is by government subsidising � rst home loans on table mortgage over 20-25 years by 1 to 2 per cent.

If this is done on table

mortgage with meaningful capital gains tax on non-owner occupied investment residential properties, it would doubtlessly increase the housing stock for � rst home buyers and partially address the problem of initial home ownership.

A similar system 60 years ago by the then State Advances

Corporation worked admirably with a legacy of many current pensioners and retirees with debt-free homes.

Oh for an administration with the courage to look really long term – not something our three-year election cycle encourages.

One of the more rational statements to come from politicians in recent weeks was from Finance Minister Bill English.

His unveiled warning that while the New Zealand economy is currently strong and improving compared to our trading partners, we are still some way from a balance of payment surpluses – and should not be committing funds not yet received.

The � gures released by the Labour Party for the proposed baby bonus will cost $271 million in the 2016-17 year rising to $566 million a year by 2020.

Where does this extra half billion dollars come from? Not stated. My guess is from increased personal taxes together with a blanket capital gains tax. Neither measure likely to increase production.

While I promote a limited

capital gains tax on investment property not related to owner occupancy, and understand property investment popularity at recent house values, this is not the best use of money, as it does nothing to boost productivity.

A blanket capital gains tax across the productive sector would be counter-productive.

An owner-occupier driven market, rather than one driven by investors would surely stabilise the housing market.

As this is a farm-orientated publication a reminder to our many great dairy farmers.

Congratulations on another good year. Just remember though, every future year may not be as good. So when you are thinking how to spend that tiny pro� t wisely, remember the word equity, and check that your sta� is suitably recompensed for their diligence.

And have another look at environmental issues to make your enterprise the best it can be.

In many cases dairy farm debt is unrealistically high so make reducing it a priority for 2014.

It looks like an interesting year ahead.

14

STIHL Shop Ashburton, 418 West Street Ashburton.

Committed to ATVs and safety Being in the Mid Canterbury

district, many farmers will understand how important

safety is when it comes to quad-bike use.

Quad-bike use is widespread on New Zealand farms for work and non-work purposes. Unless ridden safely and properly, quad-bike use can result in serious and fatal injures. Fatalities from quad bikes range from two to seven a year.

Can-AM ATVs have been designed to have a low centre of gravity which can make riding on slopes and over rough terrain more safe for you and others around the farm.

Stihl Shop Ashburton sells Can-AMs throughout Mid Canterbury

and can’t stress enough the importance of wearing safety helmets and knowing the limits of your bikes.

Having specially designed keys for work use which restrict the power, to take out the factor of a speed incident has proved to be a handy feature. There are specially designed ATVs to support two people with a well-designed extended chassis to help with the support of a person on a seat behind the driver with handle bars for safety purposes.

When choosing the right vehicle for the job, consider the maximum towed and carried load limits for your quad bike. At the end of the day, it’s yours and others safety on the line!

All of our Stihl products are up there with top-of-the-line safety features from chain-brake systems, to kick-back guards and anti-vibration systems.

Stihl Shop Ashburton also stocks a wide range of personal-protection equipment and advises you to always wear safety gear to look after yourselves and others.

Our company takes great pride in knowing that our safety gear is getting used to its full potential out in the � eld or even around home.

We advise you to always wear a safety helmet when in use of an ATV, so feel free to contact us or come in store for some free advice on these safety features.Wide range of Can-AM ATVs and safety gear.

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Sustainability is all about meeting the needs of today without impacting

on/or compromising future generations ability to do the same.

Rather than focusing only on the economic viability, farming sustainably also involves using non-renewable resources e� ectively, growing nutritious foods and enhancing the quality of life of the farmers, the farm workers and the surrounding community by reducing the impact on the environment.

Besides the obvious bene� ts, sustainable farming also allows farmers to transform

their farms into giant recycling centres. They can turn crop waste and animal manure and bedding from sheds into fertilisers, use crop rotation to enrich the soil and re-route rainwater to fuel the irrigation system or wash down the cow sheds. Not only does this save money, but it also conserves natural resources. Sustainable farming also lowers the need for chemicals and pesticides, and it makes the transition to a more biological, clean farming process a lot more feasible and helps to clean up our rivers, streams and waterways in the process.

But how exactly can you turn your farm into a sustainable one? It all starts with a few conscious changes.

Here are a few tips to get you started.

Set up a recycling area for your farm houses and dairy sheds.

You will need separate appropriate containers for:• farm plastics including silage wrap, silage covers and baling twine. Contact www.plasback.co.nz • Triple-rinsed plastic agricultural chemical containers – contact www.agrecovery.co.nz • clean plastic bottles and containers • clean plastic bags and shrink wrap• green, brown and clear glass bottles and jars • aluminium and steel cans • cardboard • paper

Phone 0800627824 or email [email protected] or

[email protected] for help.

Make your own farm compost or buy composted soil conditioner.

Mastagard at the Ashburton Resource Recovery Park has a supply of freshly screened compost, fully tested and priced right for application to rural soils. This will help you to reduce your fertiliser inputs, reduce nitrogen leaching and increase the water-holding capacity of your soils.

Provide each farm house with a worm farm.

Worms eat what we waste and reprocess household food waste sustainably right at our back door. If you need

help getting started call the Recycling Helpline 0800627824.

Consider setting up rainwater tanks on your farm sheds or houses.

An average house roof (120m2) could have collected over 18,000 litres of water in Ashburton last year.

Carry out an energy audit. How much does your

power cost? Contact Target Sustainability www.targetsustainability.co.nz to get professional help with reducing energy costs.

Plant shelter with native plants or bee food plants. Look at riparian planting and fencing o� any waterways that � ow through your farm. Enquire about any funding available from ECan to support your project.

Ask your school if they are including sustainability in their curriculum and school management processes.

Mastagard provide practical help and teaching resources to schools in Ashburton district as well as Waimakariri and Hurunui districts. Contact [email protected]

MASTAGARD ASHBURTONSheryl Stivens

Aiming for sustainability

Hinds School teacher Randall Anderson helps pupils harvest their potato buckets.

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ONLY 25% DEPOSIT WITH JUST 3.95% INTEREST FINANCEGet yourself a brand new Suzuki KINGQUAD, TF125 or DR200 now for just 25% deposit. Make no repayments until October 31, 2014. Pay the remainder over 16 monthly payments with only 3.95% interest finance. Call us now!Promotion runs until 31 March 2014 and is not available in conjunction with any other promotion. Offer does not apply to KingQuad 300. Payments will include $395 documentation fee, $13 PPSR and $5 transaction fee. Normal lending and credit criteria apply.

Suzuki Dealer newspaper advertising SZM0022 KINGQUAD CLEAROUT

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50 MAXs on roads There is a new breed

of mega vehicle on the road in New

Zealand that goes by the name of 50 MAX. A 50 MAX vehicle combination has one more axle than the usual 44 tonne vehicle, meaning that the load is spread further along the road surface. Studies of the technical aspects around the 50 MAX have shown there is no more impact on pavement from a 50 MAX than a 44 tonne vehicle that is the current standard.

50 MAX vehicles were � rst seen on the road in New Zealand last year with many local businesses such as Hilton Haulage, Wilson Bulk Transport, Rural Transport and Philip Wareing Ltd taking advantage of these unique vehicles. The 50 MAX can carry up to 32.4 tonnes of goods, where the average truck can only carry approximately 29 tonnes.

Having 50 MAX vehicles in a � eet allows operators to carry a higher level of payload on areas of the network that carry lower amounts of freight. This leads to economic bene� ts for producers, customers and the community.

Having bigger trucks on our roads lowers the amount of truck trips needed to move equal amounts of freight; this could result in having fewer trucks on the road and is necessary to address the large volumes of freight that result from a booming economy.

Although at 23 metres in length, it is yet to be seen if these vehicles will encounter any trouble on some of the more challenging New Zealand roads.

Some of the nine axle units (nine axles are required for 50 MAX) are � tted with technology that lifts weight from the

back axle at low speeds that provide the same turning and manoeuvring capabilities of a standard 44-tonne rated truck.

50 MAX trucks are held to the same safety standards as other HPMV, including an increased resistance to roll over that is provided by the mandatory inclusion of an electronic-braking system. Many operators are investing in speed limiting, GPS monitoring, weight-load cells, electronic stability control, electronic road-user charges and other safety measures. The Transport Agency recommends that all road transport operators consider the use of such available technology.

The Transport Agency is now accepting 50 MAX permit applications for state highways in the South Island, as well as an increasing number of roads as they

become delegated by local authorities. 50 MAX permits for other local roads are expected to be rolled out as they become available.

If you can’t wait for this or need to transport a higher weight on a speci� c route then you could always apply for a higher mass HPMV permit from your local authority. The Ashburton District Council have now included nearly all county roads with most routes limited only by some lower weight capacity bridges.

Many expect that with the steady rise in the number of 50 MAX trucks on the road it won’t be long before 50 MAX trucks are phased into all truck yards as operators replace older trucks.

To � nd out more or to apply for a 50 MAX permit please, visit: www.nzta.govt.nz/vehicle/your/50max.

Advertising featureAdvertising feature

near here

Rural Transport’s 50 MAX.

Wilson Bulk Transport’s 50 MAX.

20

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

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

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


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

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


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One month into 2014 and the � rst of the three summer months down.

Two months of summer to go – so hoping these will be what everyone wants. Sunny, warm, dry and maybe the occasional helpful, short-duration rainfall.

While we are more than a month past the longest day, why then is there still another full month of summer?

Summer in the Southern Hemisphere is nominally the months of December to February – one would logically expect summer to spread itself equally around the longest day. Logical because day length is spread relatively evenly about the summer solstice, December 22. At a latitude of about 43.6° south everyone knows nights are longer than days between the equinox in March till the equinox in September, and days longer from September till March.

The long summer days occur because we are tilted toward the sun so the days are longer

than the nights. Day length is pretty important to what we grow and the ultimate demand for irrigation.

Much of what is grown and irrigated are “� owering” crops – everything from grass to grapes.

We have short-day plants – plants that initiate � ower buds when the day length is shorter than the critical day length or when the night length is longer than the critical night length. Day lengths longer than critical result in vegetative growth.

Long-day plants – plants that initiate � ower buds when the day length is longer than the critical day length or the night length is shorter than the critical night length. Day lengths shorter than critical result in vegetative growth.

Day-neutral plants – plants that initiate � ower buds over a wide range of durations to the daily exposure to light. These plants form � ower buds after the plant reaches speci� c size or growth stage – like peas.

There are some other combinations just to confuse

the issue: short-long day plants and long-short day plants. What is important is that most of the crops grown have critical day length shorter (whether long or short-day) than the longest day.

Hence, ryegrass, wheat, barley, clover etc. have “peak” � owered before December 22. Consequently, the irrigation demand for these crops is often low or becoming low by summer solstice (December

22). So why does summer nominally begin just 21 days before the longest day. This is because solar radiation or insolation lags behind day length. The distribution of solar radiation looks outwardly to be similar to day length.

At the Equator there is little variation in insolation over a year because insolation is only a� ected by changes in the altitude of the sun above the horizon – the duration

of daylight at the Equator is always 12 hours.

The peaks in insolation intensity occur at the equinoxes when the sun is directly overhead. At about 44° south the maximum values of insolation occur a little later than the December solstice; ie there is greater solar radiation or insolation after the longest day. Solar radiation is the driver of crop water use (ET), so despite shorter days there is still high solar radiation and therefore ET well after the longest day. In fact, ET is disproportionately higher long after the longest day (compared to the same time before the longest day) – all because there driving force is still in abundance. Day length and solar radiation do not “cross” each other until April; more than 100 days after the longest day.

There we have it – summer lasts longer after the longest day because there is more “heat” in the system after this day than before. Roll on the next 30 to 40 days of summer.

Summer more present after Christmas

Red line is hours of the day at the Equator Blue line is hours of the day in the Southern Hemisphere.Orange line is solar radiation in the Southern Hemisphere.

BY DR TONY DAVOREN

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

Crop Storage Specialists

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

We are the experts in:

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Phone Dave Rowlands 027 484 1114

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Irrigation Pump Sheds/Storage

These sheds are made to be easy to install with the middle piece of roof iron having been left off for easy Hiab onto your concrete pad. A 50mm overhang has been allowed to fit over

your concrete pad so that you have no leaks.

There is hex bird netting over the ventilation gap across the front. Made from quality H3 94x47 framing timber and finished with either zincalume or your choice of colorsteel.

Sheds can be made standard or to your individual requirements.

All sheds are made to order and individually priced - large & small we make them all!

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

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Supply & installation of pumpsystems

For a non obligation on siteconsultation, contact:

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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.

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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.

It is no surprise that a key ingredient to successful equity partnerships is

e� ective decision making at all levels. Because there may be several di� erent equity partners who have di� erent interests and perspectives, a balance must be struck between ensuring an inclusive and consultative decision making culture, without creating a cumbersome and bureaucratic mess.

On a di� erent level, it is also important to ensure a culture that leaves management decisions to management and governance decisions to directors.

Part of the shareholder agreement process identi� es the various categories of decisions to be made, who makes the decisions and what happens if agreement cannot

be reached. This article looks at some aspects of the categories of decisions and how deadlocks can be resolved.

Management decisions

These are decisions relating to the management of the farm. These decisions are ordinarily exclusively reserved to the manager, who in turn reports to the board.

While governance and guidance are crucial, excessive board interference with management decisions can create a problematic culture that ultimately can a� ect performance. For example, once policy has been established, a manager should be entitled to make routine decisions around matters such as pasture rotation, maintenance and stock husbandry without the need to refer back to the board for approval on a case by case basis.

This relies on the manager reporting as appropriate

and also operating within budgets and policies that are set at board level. That said, a manager would be unwise not to harness the relevant farming and management experience of board members and other equity partners who may bring a wealth of knowledge to the operation. Like most things, it is all about balance.

Board decisionsThe directors of the equity

partnership will ordinarily be appointed by the shareholders, with the number of directors appointed by each being proportionate to their shareholding. Some equity partnerships also make provision for independent directors to be appointed.

Board decisions could be broadly categorised as those relating to the strategic direction and policy of the equity partnership.

The board will also “manage the manager” and ensure that performance is meeting agreed expectations and targets.

Shareholder decisionsAt law, there are several

decisions that are exclusively reserved to the shareholders, known as “special resolutions“. With a company structure (most common), these include “major transactions”, being those involving more than 50 per cent of the assets of a company.

For special resolutions, the Companies Act requires a decision-making threshold of at least 75 per cent of the shareholder votes. Regardless of what the board decision is, some decisions require rati� cation at shareholder level.

It is important to note that a shareholder who votes against a special resolution has certain minority rights, including the right to require the company to purchase its shares in certain circumstances.

Shareholder’s agreement

A shareholder’s agreement should (in addition to those

things that are mandatory at law) identify the di� erent categories of decisions and the

Tim SilvaCOONEY SILVA EVATT

LAWYERS

Time to make decisions

It is the manager’s role to decide upon the day-to-day running of a farm, ie, who has to brave the early-morning starts.

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If you received a letter from EA Networks requesting that you upgrade your electrical irrigation

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Phone Phil now and he will take care of everything from a free quote through to final compliance to ensure you get the payout from EA Networks.

you need to phone us now

We will make this process easy for you - and on top of the discount you are eligible for from EA Networks, we are offering exclusive discount to all Ruralco members.

Phil MooreLaser ElectricalRural Manager027 443 6001

Laser Electrical Temuka 44 Vine Street, Temuka

23

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03 349 4883

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115 Main South Road, Tinwald, Ashburton

majority required to pass them. This will include the delegated authority of management (which is usually limited to management in accordance with a separate management contract and budgeted expenditure plus set a margin). The shareholders’ agreement

will also identify the decision limits of the board without obtaining shareholder approval. In terms of shareholder approval, there will often be some decisions that must be unanimous.

These types of decisions are often limited to those that

would change a shareholder’s fundamental rights or dilute a shareholder’s stake in the company.

Careful consideration is required to ensure that such decisions are limited to avoid a minority shareholder being able to hold the equity partnership to ransom.

Because farming moves at pace, it is important to agree on the process for e� ectively consulting and making decisions (outside of formal board meetings), in order that they can be made in a timely manner.

This has never been easier in the age of emails and smartphones, where required approvals can be procured quickly and easily without undue ceremony.

Resolving disputesThere will be times when

the required majority to a decision cannot be procured. A shareholder’s agreement should include adequate provisions for breaking the deadlock.

There is always a strong incentive on the equity partners to resolve the issues themselves, given the cost of involving third parties (including lawyers).

The simplest way of resolving impasses is for the status quo to remain if the required majority cannot be found. The problem with the status quo is that it could be damaging to the business. For that reason, a multi-level dispute resolution process is the norm.

The � rst port of call where the parties cannot agree is often an independent farm consultant, who will not make the decision, but will advise on the best course of action. If this fails, the next option is formal mediation.

Formal mediation involves using the services of a mediator (ie, a quali� ed neutral third party) to attempt to resolve the di� erences.

A mediator cannot force a decision, but can encourage the parties to resolve the di� erence in a mutually bene� cial way. If all else fails,

and a solution cannot be negotiated, then the � nal solution is arbitration.

This is a topic in itself, but in short, arbitration could be described as a private court, where the parties have input in terms of the choice of the arbitrator.

The arbitrator can make binding decisions, which the parties must comply with. The arbitrator is generally free to consider whatever information that they see � t.

It is always crucial to consider the economics of the matter in issue and whether the di� erences just defy the process. If an equity partnership needs to resort to arbitration to resolve a dispute (at considerable cost), it may be a sign that the equity partnership is dysfunctional and a better solution (including termination and sale of assets) could be identi� ed. For that reason, common sense must always prevail.

That’s it for this month. All the best to our arable farmers for the rest of the harvest.

Fitted with retractable drawbar (extends to 1380mm from front of trailer), available with optional jockey wheel (EXTRA CHARGE).

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Trailers will be available from February 10th. First 10 trailers are coming in at a special off er price of

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rsVISIT US AT THE Southern Field Days in

Waimumu - Gore!February 12-14

Site 376

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:

Farming february, 2014

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Transcript of Farming february, 2014